User-assisted robotic control systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11077562-B2
Application number	US-201815941681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 30, 2018
Priority date	Mar 30, 2017
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions are disclosed for interactions with and control of robotic systems, in particular, pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular gripper comprising:
a hub base comprising a mount at a top end operative to attach to a robotic arm;
a front support detachably connected to the hub base and comprising a port;
a rear support detachably connected to the hub base, wherein the rear support is slidable into one or corresponding slots in the hub base; and
a gripper assembly comprising: an actuator base detachably connected to a bottom side of one or more of the hub base, the front support, or the rear support, and a soft robotic actuator detachably connected to the actuator base.

2. The modular gripper of claim 1 , the port comprising a port through which inflation fluid is supplied to or removed from the soft robotic actuator.

3. The modular gripper of claim 2 , comprising a plurality of soft robotic actuators, the front support comprising a plurality of ports through which inflation fluid is supplied to or removed from the soft robotic actuators.

4. The modular gripper of claim 3 , wherein different ports supply different ones of the soft robotic actuators, and wherein the soft robotic actuators are actuatable independently.

5. The modular gripper of claim 1 , the port comprising a port through which an electrical connection is supplied.

6. The modular gripper of claim 1 , the port comprising a port through which a data connection is supplied.

7. The modular gripper of claim 1 , comprising: a plurality of soft robotic actuators each detachably coupled to the actuator base.

8. The modular gripper of claim 1 , comprising one or more pneumatic or hydraulic lines coupled to the port to supply inflation fluid to the gripper assembly.

9. The modular gripper of claim 1 , comprising a mounting point for a sensor.

10. The modular gripper of claim 1 , comprising a calibration tool, detachably mounted to the hub base in place of the actuator base.

11. The modular gripper of claim 1 , wherein the front support, the rear support, the actuator base, and the soft robotic actuator are detachably connected by one or more of a friction mechanism or a fastening mechanism.

12. The modular gripper of claim 1 , wherein the actuator base is detachably connected by a quick-release fitting.

13. The modular gripper of claim 1 , wherein the hub base is configured to remain attached to the robotic arm when at least one of the front support, the rear support, or the gripper assembly of the modular gripper is removed.

14. The modular gripper of claim 1 , the actuator base comprising a sensor.

Assignees

• Soft Robotics Inc

Inventors

• Rosenstein Michael
• Curhan Jeff
• Lessing Joshua Aaron
• Knopf Ryan
• Harburg Daniel
• Chiappetta Mark

Classifications

• G05B2219/40253

  Soft arm robot, light, rubber, very compliant · CPC title

• G05B2219/39554

  Gripper is formed by flexible tube, embraces object like a finger · CPC title

• G05B2219/39466

  Hand, gripper, end effector of manipulator · CPC title

• B25J15/12

  with flexible finger members · CPC title

• B25J9/142

  comprising inflatable bodies · CPC title