G01L5/226

ROBOTIC MANIPULATOR WITH CAMERA AND TACTILE SENSING

A robotic manipulator is described. The robotic manipulator includes a rigid or semi-rigid end effector that engages with objects and a sensor that detects data associated with the object. For example, the sensor can include an optical sensor or a vision-based tactile sensor that detects data associated with the object.

ANNULAR BODY, WAVE REDUCER, ROBOT, AND TORQUE DETECTION DEVICE
20230071143 · 2023-03-09 ·

An annular body includes a base portion and a resistance wire located in the base portion and including first and second resistance wire portions. The first resistance wire portion includes first regions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and each including a region in which a first portion extending in a direction including components in both the radial direction and the circumferential direction is repeatedly provided in the circumferential direction. The second resistance wire portion includes the second regions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and each including a region in which a second portion extending in a direction including components in both the radial direction and the circumferential direction is repeatedly arranged in the circumferential direction.

Tactile sensor

A tactile sensor including a cap having a top surface and an undersurface. The undersurface includes pins, each pin has a mark. A portion of the undersurface is attachable to a device. A camera positioned in view of the marks, captures images of the marks placed in motion by elastic deformation of the top surface of the cap. A processor receives the captured images and determines a set of relative positions of the marks in the captured images, by identifying measured image coordinates of locations in images of the captured images. Determine a net force tensor acting on the top surface using a stored machine vision algorithm, by matching the set of relative positions of the marks to a stored set of previously learned relative positions of the marks placed in motion. Control the device via a controller in response to the net force tensor determined in the processor.

Pressure measuring device for crimping tool
11597065 · 2023-03-07 · ·

Pressure gauges according to this invention provide pressure measurement on all brands of crimping tools, including 6-Ton D3 tools. In particular, this design eliminates the need to remove the tool crimp head to measure the pressure of the crimping tool. Additionally, this design eliminates the need to install additional dedicated fixtures on the crimping tool to measure the ram pressure. This design incorporates a self-centering profile to avoid side-loading when mounting the pressure gauge in the crimping tool. The dial indicator on pressure gauges of this invention captures and holds the maximum pressure reading with the use of a simple manual lever. The lever can be easily reset for the next pressure reading. Pressure gauges according to various embodiments of this invention include dual piston pressure sensors. Additionally, pressure measurement is accomplished with a simple hydro mechanical manometer display.

ULTRASOUND TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSOR MODULE, ULTRASOUND ABSORPTION SENSOR MODULE, TACTILE-SENSING SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS
20230122547 · 2023-04-20 ·

An ultrasound time-of-flight (TOF) sensor module includes an ultrasonic transducer device, a cover layer, an elastic member, and a signal processor electronically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer device includes at least one ultrasonic transducer, which is configured as an ultrasonic transmitter and/or an ultrasonic receiver. The elastic member is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer device and the cover layer. The elastic member undergoes reversible compression in response to an external object impacting and/or contacting the cover layer. An ultrasound propagation distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the cover layer varies in accordance with the compression. The ultrasonic transmitter(s) transmit ultrasound signals. The cover layer reflects a fraction f of the ultrasound signals incident thereon. The signal processor obtains TOF data which indicate time differences between times of transmission of transmitted ultrasound signals by the ultrasonic transmitter(s) and times of receipt of reflected ultrasound signals by the ultrasonic receiver(s). The time differences vary in accordance with the ultrasound propagation distance.

SMART FRETBOARD

A sensing fretboard for stringed instruments is described herein with respect to a guitar. The present invention includes custom frets and a modular sensing array that can be incorporated into a fretboard and coupled to the guitar. By measuring the dynamic forces applied by the players on the frets and strings of the guitar, musicians can be warned in real time during practice, when their grip is too strong, and to help musicians learn and recover from injuries.

CONVEYOR DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
20230067252 · 2023-03-02 ·

This application provides a conveyor device and semiconductor production equipment, and relates to the technical field of semiconductor production equipment. The conveyor device is installed on a machine platform of semiconductor production equipment, the machine platform is provided with a guide structure, and the guide structure is provided with multiple oil injection ports arranged along an extension direction of the guide structure. The conveyor device includes a conveyor platform and a driving mechanism, where the conveyor platform is slidably installed on the guide structure to carry and convey wafers, the conveyor platform covers at least one of the multiple oil injection ports, and the driving mechanism is connected to the conveyor platform.

Robotic surgical systems and methods for monitoring applied forces
11628034 · 2023-04-18 · ·

A robotic surgical system includes a robotic arm and a force detection system coupled to the robotic arm. The force detection system includes a sensor configured to detect a force being applied on a patient as the robotic arm is translated to a position relative to a patient.

Sensor chip and force sensor device with increased fracture resistance
11662261 · 2023-05-30 · ·

A sensor chip includes multiple sensing blocks each of which includes two or more T-patterned beam structures. Each T-patterned beam structure includes strain-detecting elements, at least one first detection beam, and a second detection beam extending from the first detection beam in a direction perpendicular to the first detection beam. Each T-patterned beam structure includes a connection portion formed by coupling ends of second detection beams in respective T-patterned structures, the connection portion including a force point portion. The sensor chip is configured to detect up to six axes relating to predetermined axial forces or moments around the predetermined axes, based on a change in an output of each of the strain-detecting elements, the output of each strain-detecting element changing in accordance with an input applied to a given force point portion.

FORCE SENSING DEVICE

A force sensing device for use in a robotic finger including: a first segment, the first segment having a first joint at a first end thereof; a second segment, the second segment being connected to the first segment by a second joint; and a third segment, the third segment being connected to the second segment by a third joint; and torque sensor for sensing the torque at each of the joints when a force is applied to the third segment. The first, second and third joints are disposed within the same plane and are disposed in a triangular arrangement.