SoftBank Group has been granted a patent for a modular robotic arm designed for mobile manipulation. The system features a non-destructive modular joint that allows for easy removal of actuators while maintaining structural integrity, enhancing flexibility and runtime efficiency in robotic applications. GlobalData’s report on SoftBank Group gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on SoftBank Group, Track and trace supply chains was a key innovation area identified from patents. SoftBank Group's grant share as of June 2024 was 62%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Modular robotic arm joint for mobile manipulation
The granted patent US12036670B2 introduces a modular joint designed for robotic arms, facilitating the connection between a first and a second link. The joint features an actuator that can be non-destructively and removably attached to the first link, equipped with an output shaft that rotates around a designated axis. A bearing, which also allows for non-destructive removal, connects to the second link and the actuator, ensuring structural integrity while permitting the actuator's removal without affecting the bearing's attachment. This design enables the second link to rotate about the same axis as the actuator's output shaft, with an encoder included to measure the angle between the two links.
Further enhancements to the modular joint include the option for the encoder to be removably coupled to the bearing, and the incorporation of a tolerance ring that allows for slippage when torque exceeds a certain threshold. The actuator can be equipped with various components such as a brushless motor, a brake for halting rotation, and different types of gearboxes, including strain wave and cycloidal gearboxes. The bearing may also feature designs like a cross roller bearing or an axial contact bearing. The modular joint's construction allows for easy assembly and disassembly, with fasteners ensuring secure connections without the need for destructive methods, thereby enhancing the versatility and maintenance of robotic arm systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
