A gripping device is provided for grasping an object. The device includes a frame, an axial threaded screw, an actuator, an armature, a plurality of links, and a plurality of arms. The frame has proximal and distant ends to hold the screw. The actuator connects to the screw at the proximal end. The armature threads onto the screw. The links radially extend from the armature. Each link terminates in a ball tip. Each arm includes a lever bounded by a proximal hinge and a distal claw. The lever contains a plate to slide therealong. The plate has a socket that receives the ball tip. The hinge pivotably connects to the proximal end of the frame. The actuator turns the screw, thereby translating the armature aft towards the distal end of the frame. The armature carries each link to pull its ball tip aft, thereby causing each arm to radially contract its claw around the object.

A gripping device is provided for grasping an object. The device includes a frame, an axial threaded screw, an actuator, an armature, a plurality of links, and a plurality of arms. The frame has proximal and distant ends to hold the screw. The actuator connects to the screw at the proximal end. The armature threads onto the screw. The links radially extend from the armature. Each link terminates in a ball tip. Each arm includes a lever bounded by a proximal hinge and a distal claw. The lever contains a plate to slide therealong. The plate has a socket that receives the ball tip. The hinge pivotably connects to the proximal end of the frame. The actuator turns the screw, thereby translating the armature aft towards the distal end of the frame. The armature carries each link to pull its ball tip aft, thereby causing each arm to radially contract its claw around the object.

A device for gripping an object includes a base element and at least two gripping arms held on the base element. The at least two gripping arms are movable relative to one another and the base element into a configuration suitable for gripping and picking up the object. Preferably at least three gripping arms are provided, with each arm being able to move independently of one another relative to the base element, and a sensor such as a camera provides signals to electronics which can determine the position of the at least three gripping arms and control movement of the gripping arms into position to grip and pick up the object. A method for gripping and picking up an object using the gripping device is also provided.

A robot hand module includes a finger phalangeal part movably coupled to a palm part, a finger cable part having a first side connected to the finger phalangeal part, and a finger driving part connected to a second side of the finger cable part for operating the finger phalangeal part by extending the finger cable part to the outside or retracting the finger cable part, wherein the finger phalangeal part includes finger link pails including a plurality of link members and a finger link driving part for transmitting power to the finger link parts in a rectilinear direction, and wherein when the finger link pails receive the power from the finger link driving part in the rectilinear direction, some of the link members rotate relative to remaining ones of the link members, such that the finger phalangeal part rotates relative to the palm part.

A robot hand module includes a finger phalangeal part movably coupled to a palm part, a finger cable part having a first side connected to the finger phalangeal part, and a finger driving part connected to a second side of the finger cable part for operating the finger phalangeal part by extending the finger cable part to the outside or retracting the finger cable part, wherein the finger phalangeal part includes finger link pails including a plurality of link members and a finger link driving part for transmitting power to the finger link parts in a rectilinear direction, and wherein when the finger link pails receive the power from the finger link driving part in the rectilinear direction, some of the link members rotate relative to remaining ones of the link members, such that the finger phalangeal part rotates relative to the palm part.

A robot hand module includes a palm part and a thumb module coupled to the palm part. The thumb module includes a thumb phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part, a thumb cable part having a first side connected to the thumb phalangeal part, and a thumb driving part connected to a second side of the thumb cable part and configured to operate the thumb phalangeal part by extending the thumb cable part to the outside or retracting the thumb cable part. The thumb cable part includes a first thumb cable extended from the thumb driving part and having a first side fixed in the thumb phalangeal part and a second thumb cable having a first side and a second side fixed in the thumb phalangeal part.

A robot hand module includes a palm part and a thumb module coupled to the palm part. The thumb module includes a thumb phalangeal part movably coupled to the palm part, a thumb cable part having a first side connected to the thumb phalangeal part, and a thumb driving part connected to a second side of the thumb cable part and configured to operate the thumb phalangeal part by extending the thumb cable part to the outside or retracting the thumb cable part. The thumb cable part includes a first thumb cable extended from the thumb driving part and having a first side fixed in the thumb phalangeal part and a second thumb cable having a first side and a second side fixed in the thumb phalangeal part.

Structural designs and operational methods for object grasping and within-hand manipulation of an object is provided using rolling structures. The use of rolling structures reduces the need of finger gaiting, which is the periodic relocation of fingers on the object while maintaining a grasp, during manipulation. Embodiments of the invention provide a more efficient method of in-hand manipulation and grasping. In one example, two degrees of freedom rollers allow the object being manipulated in any direction in 3D space while remaining contact with the object.

Structural designs and operational methods for object grasping and within-hand manipulation of an object is provided using rolling structures. The use of rolling structures reduces the need of finger gaiting, which is the periodic relocation of fingers on the object while maintaining a grasp, during manipulation. Embodiments of the invention provide a more efficient method of in-hand manipulation and grasping. In one example, two degrees of freedom rollers allow the object being manipulated in any direction in 3D space while remaining contact with the object.

A gripping device for handling sample containers is presented. The sample containers are closed by caps of a given cap type or are not closed by caps. The gripping device comprises a number of fingers configured to collectively cause gripping of a sample container, a tactile sensor device arranged at at least one of the fingers and configured to sample a longitudinal profile of the sample container and of the cap, if any, being gripped, and a control device coupled to the tactile sensor device. The control device determines if the sample container is closed by a cap or not closed by a cap based on the sampled longitudinal profile.