ROBOTIC MANIPULATOR AND METHOD

摘要

A robotic manipulator (10). The manipulator includes an end (12). The manipulator includes a drive limb (14) comprising N concentrically nested tubes (16), where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer. The limb (14) has a top and a bottom and is connected to the end (12) at the top of the limb (14). The manipulator includes a drive mechanism (22) connected with the drive limb (14) at the drive limb's bottom to move the limb and the end (12). A method for moving a robotic manipulator includes the steps of rotating an outside concentric tube (16) of a drive limb (14). Then there is the step of turning a support structure of a joint (32) with the outside tube (16) which contacts the support structure. Next there is the step of rotating a second limb (26) with an axle (34) which contacts the second limb (26) and the support structure to cause the second limb to rotate about the gear (28).