Samsung patents robot finger that bends and extends using a single motor
Samsung has filed a patent for a robotic finger design that uses a single motor to control both bending and straightening. The mechanism works by using two cables, one on the back and one on the palm side, that trade length as the motor spins to move the finger.
In the filing’s own words
The present disclosure relates to a finger, a hand, and a robot apparatus including the same. The finger includes a plurality of frames, a plurality of shafts, an actuator, and a plurality of active pulleys connected to the actuator through at least one first cable. The at least one first cable includes an extension cable and a bending cable. When the actuator rotates in a first direction, a total length of the extension cable decreases, and when the actuator rotates in a second direction, a total length of the bending cable decreases.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A finger, comprising: a plurality of frames; a plurality of shafts sequentially connecting the plurality of frames; an actuator; and a plurality of active pulleys at the plurality of shafts, respectively, the plurality of active pulleys connected to the actuator by at least one first cable, wherein the at least one first cable comprises: an extension cable that is wound in a first direction along a back side of the finger at each of the plurality of active pulleys; and a bending cable that is wound in the first direction along a palm side of the finger at each of the plurality of active pulleys, wherein, in a case where the actuator rotates in the first direction to extend the finger, a total length of the extension cable decreases, and a total length of the bending cable increases by a length corresponding to a decreased length of the extension cable, and wherein, in a case where the actuator rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction to bend the finger, the total length of the bending cable decreases, and the total length of the extension cable increases by a length corresponding to a decreased length of the bending cable.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
- Official title
- FINGER, HAND AND ROBOT APPARATUS INCLUDING THEREOF
- Publication number
- US20260326284A1
- Application number
- 19670528
- Filed
- May 7, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
B25J 9/1045 Operations & transportB25J 15/0009 Operations & transportMore from Samsung in Robots & automation
- Samsung patents robot that turns toward people based on who is speaking Oct 1, 2026
- Samsung patents robot vacuum that adjusts suction based on floor type Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents robot that adjusts hearing based on nearby objects Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents vacuum that senses floor type via pressure and motor load Sep 15, 2026
- Samsung patents robot that learns from user feedback on camera views Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.