Variable-stiffness actuator

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 11117272
APP PUB NO 20190248031A1
SERIAL NO

16392681

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
OLYMPUS CORPORATIONHACHIOJI-SHI TOKYO 192-8507

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Takahashi, Masaya Hachioji, JP 150 696

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