18433896. CONTRACTING MEMBER-BASED ACTUATOR WITH CLUTCH simplified abstract (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

CONTRACTING MEMBER-BASED ACTUATOR WITH CLUTCH

Organization Name

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s)

Yufei Zhu of Ypsilanti MI (US)

Paul A. Gilmore of Ann Arbor MI (US)

Taewoo Nam of Ann Arbor MI (US)

Rikin Gupta of Manassas VA (US)

Xintong Deng of Belleville MI (US)

CONTRACTING MEMBER-BASED ACTUATOR WITH CLUTCH - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18433896 titled 'CONTRACTING MEMBER-BASED ACTUATOR WITH CLUTCH

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes an actuator with contracting members and a clutch that, when activated, causes the actuator to increase in height.

Key Features and Innovation:

• Actuator includes contracting members and a clutch
• Activation input causes contracting members to contract, increasing actuator height
• Clutch maintains actuator in activated configuration even when activation input is discontinued
• Processors can selectively activate contracting members and clutch

Potential Applications: This technology could be used in:

• Robotics
• Automotive industry
• Medical devices
• Aerospace applications

Problems Solved:

• Provides a compact solution for increasing actuator height
• Allows for precise control of actuator activation
• Ensures actuator remains in activated state without continuous input

Benefits:

• Improved efficiency in various industries
• Enhanced control over actuator functions
• Compact design for space-constrained applications

Commercial Applications: The technology could be applied in various commercial sectors such as robotics, automotive manufacturing, medical equipment production, and aerospace engineering, offering more efficient and precise actuator control solutions.

Questions about Actuator Technology: 1. How does the actuator maintain its activated configuration without continuous input? 2. What are the potential limitations of this actuator technology in real-world applications?

Frequently Updated Research: Stay updated on the latest advancements in actuator technology and its applications in various industries to leverage the benefits of this innovative solution.

Original Abstract Submitted

An actuator can include one or more contracting members and a clutch. When an activation input is provided to the one or more contracting members, the one or more contracting members contract, which causes the actuator to morph into an activated configuration. A height of the actuator increases in the activated configuration. The clutch can be configured to maintain the actuator in the activated configuration when the activation input to the one or more contracting members is discontinued. One or more processors can be operatively connected to selectively and/or independently activate the one or more contracting members and the clutch.