Various embodiments provide a variable stiffness soft actuator inspired by an ossicle structure of echinoderm and a robot apparatus including the same. According to various embodiments, the soft actuate includes a plurality of ossicle elements arranged in a specific structure, wherein an interval between the plurality of ossicle elements is maintained or reduced depending on vacuum generation to change the stiffness of the soft actuator.

Positioning assemblies for use with a robot include a gimbal assembly having a gimbal's rotational center is positioned directly above a center of gravity of a payload. One or more linear counter masses and/or one or more rotating masses (flywheels) can be provided, and each can include an actuator or brake to control forces acting between the counter masses and/or flywheels and the payload and stabilize the payload during and after movement of the payload with the robot.

A robotic manipulator comprises a plurality of spring compensated joints, each including a four-bar linkage mechanism, a gravity compensating spring, a spring adjustment mechanism, a spring adjustment actuator and an inertial actuator. The gravity compensating spring is coupled between two links of the four-bar linkage mechanism at two different spring attachment points to provide a lifting force opposing a gravitational load force. The spring adjustment mechanism is coupled to alter a position of one of the spring attachment points. The spring adjustment actuator is coupled to move the spring adjustment mechanism to alter the position of the spring attachment point and adjust the amount of lifting force provided by the spring. The inertial actuator is coupled between links of the four-bar linkage mechanism to effectuate rotational movement of the four-bar linkage mechanism and apply an adjustable amount of force to accelerate and manipulate a payload handled by the robotic manipulator.

A holding device for holding a carrier or a component in a vacuum chamber is described. The holding device includes one or more electric controllable holding elements, a housing for at least partially housing the one or more electric controllable holding elements, the housing having a reception for the one or more electric controllable holding elements, a sealing for providing an air-tight sealing between the housing and the one or more electric controllable holding elements being arranged in the reception; and an air-tight connection for an electric supply line for the one or more electric controllable holding elements. Further, a method of producing a holding device, an apparatus for handling a carrier in a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum deposition system are described.

A work machine unit includes: a support member assembled to an end effector connection part of an operating machine; a work machine part assembled to one end of the support member; and a linear guide disposed at another end of the support member across its connection to the end effector connection part from the support member, arranged in parallel to an axial direction of the work machine part, and configured to abut against a work object or its peripheral structural object. Further, the linear guide is passed through a through-hole formed in the support member, and the support member is configured to move in the axial direction of the work machine part as guided by the linear guide.

An automatic alignment system of a robot manipulator is provided. The automatic alignment system includes a signal transmission module and a controller. The signal transmission module includes a first signal receiving and transmitting element and a second signal receiving and transmitting element. The first signal receiving and transmitting element is mounted on the robot manipulator. The second signal receiving and transmitting element is disposed neighboring to a target workpiece. A signal is transported between the signal receiving and transmitting elements. The controller is electrically connected with the signal transmission module for receiving the signal outputted from the signal transmission module. The controller acquires a relative position between the first signal receiving and transmitting element and the second signal receiving and transmitting element according to a variation in the signal. The controller controls the robot manipulator to be automatically aligned to the target workpiece in accordance with the relative position.

An end-effector assembly includes a master boom, a frame rail coupled thereto, and at least one branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail by a swing branch lock. The swing arm is movably coupled to the at least one branch rail by a swing arm lock. Each of the swing branch lock and the swing arm lock further includes a clamp configured to movably secure the branch rail to the frame rail or the swing arm to the branch rail. A pivot shaft extends through the clamp and is configured to rotationally secure the clamp in place. A swing plate is secured to the pivot shaft and is configured for engagement with a configuration tool. A locking fastener extends through the swing plate and into the pivot shaft and is configured to lock and unlock the clamp in position.

The present invention provides a handheld robot for orthopedic surgery and a control method thereof. The handheld robot of the present invention includes a main body, a grip, a kinematic mechanism, a tool connector, a tool, a force sensor and a positioning unit. The handheld robot of the present invention combines the position/orientation information of the tool acquired by the positioning unit with the force/torque information acquired by the force sensor, and utilizes the combined information to adjust the position of the tool so as to keep the tool within the range/path of a predetermined operation plan. In this way, the precision of the orthopedic surgery can be enhanced, and the error occurred during the surgery can be minimized.

A rotatable cushioning pick-and-place device primarily comprises a motor, a body, a cushioning module and a pick-and-place module. The cushioning module is disposed in a first chamber of the body and comprises a rotary bearing which is connected to a drive shaft of the motor, and coupled to a driven shaft sleeve through a rotary follower. The rotary follower is driven by the rotary bearing to drive the driven shaft sleeve to rotate, thereby allowing the rotary bearing to displace relative to the driven shaft sleeve axially. The cushioning spring is arranged between the rotary bearing and the driven shaft sleeve. A first sealing ring and a second sealing ring of the pick-and-place module are fixed on the body to cooperatively and air-tightly seal the second chamber.

A drive mechanism of a transfer tool configured to drive a swing axis and tilts the workpiece includes: a motor; a speed reducer including an output shaft arranged in parallel to the swing axis and configured to reduce speed of rotation of the motor; and a link mechanism configured to couple the swing axis with the output shaft, in which the link mechanism includes a first link portion fixed to the output shaft at a middle portion in a length direction thereof; a second link portion fixed to the swing axis at a middle portion in a length direction thereof; a third link portion that couples one end portions of the first link portion and the second link portion with each other in a rotatable manner; and a fourth link portion that couples other end portions of the first link portion and the second link portion with each other in a rotatable manner, in which the first link portion and the second link portion are arranged in parallel to each other, and in which the third link portion and the fourth link portion are arranged in parallel to a line segment linking a central axis of the output shaft with a central axis of the swing axis.