Multi-joint gripper with stiffness Adjuster

This paper proposes a multi-joint-gripper that achieves envelope grasping of unknown shape objects. Proposed mechanism is based on a chain of Planetary Gear Systems (PGS) controlled by only one motor. It also has a Variable Stiffness Mechanism (VSM) that controls joint stiffness to relieve interfering effects suffered from external or internal force/torque and to achieve a dexterous grasping. The experiments elucidate that the developed gripper achieves envelop grasping; the posture of the gripper automatically fits the shape of the object with no sensory feedback. And they also show that the VSM effectively works to relieve external interfering. This paper shows the detail of the mechanism and the experiments of its motion.