Robotic Hand Drive Layout With Shared Actuators and Flexible Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic hands are bulky and require numerous actuators, making them difficult to assemble and costly, while lacking a design that closely resembles a human hand.

Innovation Solution

A robotic hand design featuring a base with articulated structures, flexible drive links, and intermediate drive shafts connected to actuators, reducing the number of actuators and enhancing synchronization of joint movements, resembling a human hand in size and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a robotic hand uses multiple actuators per finger to achieve precise joint control, then the joint control precision is improved, but the mass and size of the robotic hand increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint control precisionVSAvoidmass of robotic hand
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator is designed to control multiple joints through a shared drive mechanism. The actuator connects to multiple drive mechanisms via flexible drive links, enabling one actuator to simultaneously control multiple joints across different fingers, thereby reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple drive mechanisms are merged into a single integrated system. The patent combines several drive mechanisms that share common actuators, creating a unified drive system where actuators control multiple joints through shared mechanical linkages, reducing overall system mass and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If a robotic hand uses multiple actuators per finger to achieve precise joint control, then the joint control precision is improved, but the size of the robotic hand increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint control precisionVSAvoidsize of robotic hand
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator is designed to control multiple joints through a shared drive mechanism. The actuator connects to multiple drive mechanisms via flexible drive links, enabling one actuator to simultaneously control multiple joints across different fingers, thereby reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive mechanisms are arranged in a nested or compact configuration where multiple drive mechanisms share common actuators and are integrated within a compact base structure, reducing the overall volume of the robotic hand while maintaining all necessary control functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If a robotic hand uses multiple actuators per finger to achieve precise joint control, then the joint control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint control precisionVSAvoidnumber of actuators
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator is designed to control multiple joints through a shared drive mechanism. The actuator connects to multiple drive mechanisms via flexible drive links, enabling one actuator to simultaneously control multiple joints across different fingers, thereby reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple drive mechanisms are merged into a single integrated system. The patent combines several drive mechanisms that share common actuators, creating a unified drive system where actuators control multiple joints through shared mechanical linkages, reducing overall system mass and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If a robotic hand uses multiple actuators per finger to achieve precise joint control, then the joint control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint control precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator is designed to control multiple joints through a shared drive mechanism. The actuator connects to multiple drive mechanisms via flexible drive links, enabling one actuator to simultaneously control multiple joints across different fingers, thereby reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple drive mechanisms are merged into a single integrated system. The patent combines several drive mechanisms that share common actuators, creating a unified drive system where actuators control multiple joints through shared mechanical linkages, reducing overall system mass and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design significantly reduces the mass and size of the robotic hand, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while improving operational efficiency and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

at least one actuator arranged to actuate at least one drive mechanism by means of at least one flexible drive link connecting and driving at least one drive mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexible drive link transmission:

Implementation Method 2

at least one intermediate drive shaft to transmit rotational motion from at least one actuator, functionally arranged between at least one actuator and at least one actuated drive mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP4025396B1Robotic hand
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
  • EP4025396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4025396B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4025396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device forming a robotic hand, comprising: - a base forming the palm of a hand, - at least two articulated structures each forming a robotic finger, each articulated structure being connected to the base by at least one articulation, - at least one drive mechanism for each articulation, - at least one actuator designed to actuate the at least one drive mechanism at least by means of a flexible drive connection connecting and driving the at least one drive mechanism, - at least one intermediate driveshaft for relaying the movement of the at least one actuator such that: - the at least one intermediate drive shaft is actuated by an actuator, and - the at least one intermediate shaft is connected to at least two distinct drive mechanisms by means of the at least one flexible drive connection. The field of the invention is particularly that of robotic hands.