Patent ID: 9409298
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: B25J,G01L

Claim Text:
1. An actuator in a robotic system comprising: a motor for driving a load; an arcuate metal element; and a gear train for transmitting a force from the motor to the load solely via the arcuate metal element, wherein the arcuate metal element detects the force and undergoes a deformation in response thereto, and wherein (i) the arcuate metal element is a single planar arcuate segment terminating in first and second ends and defining an open ring, and configured for substantially in-plane displacement, within a plane of flexure, in response to an in-plane rotary force applied against at least one of the ends, and (ii) the arcuate metal element has a width, within the plane of flexure, that is greater than a cross-sectional thickness of the arcuate metal element perpendicular to the plane of flexure.