Spherical Articulated Joint for Realistic Hand Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulated hand designs in animated figures often appear unrealistic due to bulky structural components and limited range of motion, resulting in unnatural size and proportion issues.
Innovation Solution
An articulated joint system comprising a rotatable joint member with a socket cavity and an elongated member with spherical ends, allowing for a conical range of motion by rotating the second rotatable joint member in response to the first, enabling more natural and varied hand movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky structural components and actuators are used to form articulated hands, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the size and proportion become unnatural and unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated hand is divided into multiple segments (fingers, palm, joint members) that can move independently. Each segment is connected through articulated joints with rotatable joint members, allowing the hand to achieve complex movements without requiring a single bulky structure. This segmentation enables compact design while maintaining full range of motion and structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional articulated joint designs are used, then the structural stability is maintained, but the range of motion is limited and unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system employs rotatable joint members with spherical sockets that allow dynamic movement in multiple directions. The articulated joints enable each finger segment to rotate and articulate independently, providing realistic range of motion while maintaining stability through the spherical socket design that guides movement along natural arcs.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint members feature spherical sockets and rotatable elements that enable multi-directional movement. This spherical geometry allows the fingers to achieve realistic articulation paths and angles, mimicking natural human hand movement while maintaining joint stability through the constrained spherical rotation.
3Shape
If compact joint design is implemented to improve proportion, then the realism is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand is constructed from multiple separately manufactured components including rotatable joint members, articulated joints, and finger segments. These components can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving realistic proportions and compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated joint design uses standardized rotatable joint members with spherical sockets that can be replicated across multiple fingers. This universal joint design allows for consistent manufacturing processes and assembly procedures, reducing complexity despite the compact and realistic proportions of each individual component.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to an articulated joint. The articulated joint includes a first rotatable joint member including a first socket cavity, and a second rotatable joint member including a second socket cavity. The articulated joint further includes an elongated member including a first end haying a spherical shape and a second end having the spherical shape, the first end of the elongated member being moveably secured in the first socket cavity and the second end of the elongated member being moveably secured in the second socket cavity, The elongated member is configured to rotate the second rotatable joint member in response to a rotation of the first rotatable joint member.