IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,337,468
Granted Patent B2
US 12,337,468 · App. 18/015,537 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Joint function unit

Inventors: Takafumi Hirata (Kanagawa, JP); Yuki Hotoda (Kanagawa, JP); Masahiro Inaba (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
B25J17/02A61B34/30A61B2034/305
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,337,468
App. No.
18/015,537
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A joint function unit, in which a movable part is supported by a base part so as to be displaceable in an axial direction thereof, includes: a plurality of drive wires each having a fixed part fixed to the movable part on one side in the axial direction and a supported part supported by the base part on the other side in the axial direction; and an elastic body supporting the supported part of each of the plurality of drive wires on the base part, energizing the supported part with respect to the fixed part in the axial direction, and applying tension to the drive wires.

Claims (28)

1. A joint function unit in which a movable-side member is supported so as to be displaceable between a bending position and an extension position with respect to a fixed-side member, the joint function unit comprising:

a plurality of drive wires, having a fixed part fixed to the movable-side member on one side in an axial direction and a supported part supported by the fixed-side member on the other side in the axial direction; and

an elastic body, configured to support the supported part of the plurality of drive wires on the fixed-side member, energize the supported part toward a side opposite to the fixed part in the axial direction, and apply tension to the plurality of drive wires, wherein

each of the plurality of drive wires is inserted through the fixed-side member between the fixed part and the supported part, and

the elastic body is interposed between and abuts against the supported part of the plurality of drive wires and the fixed-side member.

2. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic body is arranged in parallel with the plurality of drive wires.

3. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic body has each of the plurality of drive wires inserted therethrough and provided on a same axis.

4. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a support member, spanning between the supported parts of the plurality of drive wires, wherein

the elastic body is interposed between the support member and the fixed-side member.

5. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a guide part, guiding one of the plurality of drive wires and locating the supported part of the plurality of drive wires on a same axis, wherein

the elastic body connects between the supported parts of the plurality of drive wires.

6. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the fixed-side member comprises a support part located on a side opposite to the fixed part with the supported part of the plurality of drive wires therebetween in the axial direction; and

the elastic body is interposed between the support part and the supported part of the plurality of drive wires.

7. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the elastic body is a coil spring.

8. The joint function unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the plurality of are drive wires operate the supported part in the axial direction to displace the movable-side member with respect to the fixed-side member.

9. The joint function unit according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a guide part, guiding one of the plurality of drive wires and locating the supported part of the plurality of drive wires on a same axis, wherein

the elastic body connects between the supported parts of the plurality of drive wires.

10. The joint function unit according to claim 2 , wherein

the fixed-side member comprises a support part located on a side opposite to the fixed part with the supported part of the plurality of drive wires therebetween in the axial direction; and

the elastic body is interposed between the support part and the supported part of the plurality of drive wires.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2023
From: HIRATA, TAKAFUMI; HOTODA, YUKI; INABA, MASAHIRO
To: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062351/0188 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-122343 · Jul 16, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230256625A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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