초록 ▼

A pneumatic human power amplifier module is usable in conjunction with a wide variety of pneumatic actuators and lifting devices to provide a human power amplifier for lifting a load. The module includes an end-effector, an electronic controller and a pneumatic circuit. The end-effector contains a h

A pneumatic human power amplifier module is usable in conjunction with a wide variety of pneumatic actuators and lifting devices to provide a human power amplifier for lifting a load. The module includes an end-effector, an electronic controller and a pneumatic circuit. The end-effector contains a human interface subsection which is grasped by a human operator and a load interface subsection which engages the load to be lifted. A force sensor in the end-effector detects the force imposed by the operator on the end-effector and transmits a signal representing the magnitude of the force to the controller. The controller in turn sends a command to the pneumatic circuit, which controls the flow of air into the associated pneumatic actuator. The actuator drives the lifting device. The controller and the pneumatic circuit are arranged such that the lifting device and the operator share the burden of lifting the load, with the operator supplying a predetermined percentage of the total force required to lift the load regardless of the size of the load.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A pneumatic human power amplifier module for connection to a pneumatic actuator for driving a lifting device to lift or lower a load, said module comprising:an end-effector for engaging the load, said end-effector including a sensor for detecting a human force on the end-effector;a

[ I claim:] [1.] A pneumatic human power amplifier module for connection to a pneumatic actuator for driving a lifting device to lift or lower a load, said module comprising:an end-effector for engaging the load, said end-effector including a sensor for detecting a human force on the end-effector;a controller arranged to receive an output signal from said sensor; anda pneumatic circuit attachable to said pneumatic actuator, said pneumatic circuit being arranged to receive an output signal from said controller and to control an air flow into and out of said pneumatic actuator such that said pneumatic actuator causes said lifting device to impose a device force on the load such that the total of said human force and said device force taken together causes the end-effector and the load to follow an operator's hand as said operator manipulates said end-effector and said load.