Stereo Tactile Finger Assembly With Single-Sensor Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated picking or sorting systems face a challenge in balancing the need for small, maneuverable finger assemblies with sophisticated tactile response capabilities, which are impeded by the requirement for greater complexity and larger size.
Innovation Solution
A camera-based tactile sensor for finger assemblies that utilizes a deformable membrane with visual markers, a reflective surface, and a single optical sensor to provide stereoscopic viewing, minimizing thickness and component count while maintaining a large gripping surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the finger assembly is made smaller to improve maneuverability and accessibility, then the thickness and volume are reduced, but the capability for sophisticated tactile response deteriorates due to limited space for complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two optical sensors into a single optical sensor by using a reflective surface to create a stereoscopic view. The reflective surface reflects light from visual markers on the deformable membrane back to the single optical sensor, effectively combining the roles of two sensors into one, thereby reducing component count and assembly volume while maintaining full tactile measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface acts as an intermediary element that enables the single optical sensor to capture stereoscopic information. By introducing this intermediate reflective component, the system achieves the functional equivalent of two sensors without requiring two actual sensor units, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and sophisticated tactile response
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are used to provide stereoscopic viewing for accurate tactile measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stereoscopic viewing function normally requiring two optical sensors into a single sensor system. The reflective surface creates a virtual second sensor by reflecting light paths, allowing one physical sensor to perform the work of two, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface creates an optical copy or virtual image of the visual markers, enabling the single optical sensor to capture what would otherwise require two separate sensors. This optical copying mechanism allows the system to achieve stereoscopic measurement capability with reduced hardware complexity
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 solution reduces the volume and cost of finger assemblies, enhancing accessibility and maneuverability while maintaining tactile sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface received within the rigid body opposed the deformable membrane so as to reflect an image of the visual markers
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a finger assembly for a manipulating apparatus including a rigid body and a deformable membrane received within an aperture. The deformable membrane includes a gripping surface arranged to grip an object being manipulated and visual markers. The finger assembly includes a reflective surface received within the rigid body opposite the deformable membrane to reflect an image of the visual markers, and an optical sensor arranged to view the visual markers and the reflected image of the visual markers, providing a stereoscopic view of the visual markers.