Patents by Inventor Vincent Clerc

Vincent Clerc has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11376746
    Abstract: A hand intended to equip a humanoid robot, the hand includes a palm and at least one finger extending along a first axis, the hand being capable of picking up an object, the finger comprising a first phalanx linked to the palm by a first motorized pivot link and a second phalanx consecutive to the first phalanx linked to the first phalanx by a second pivot link. The finger comprises a first mechanism linking the palm to the second phalanx configured such that the rotation of the first phalanx about the second axis causes the second phalanx to rotate about the third axis, and a second mechanism linking the palm to each of the phalanges configured to actuate the finger in such a way that the finger wraps around the object to be picked up, and the second mechanism is configured to deform the first mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Giulio Cerruti, Damien Chablat, Vincent Clerc, David Gouaillier
  • Publication number: 20210184396
    Abstract: A charging assembly includes an object comprising a battery and a plug intended to charge the battery, the plug being capable of being connected to an electricity source. The object comprises a base suitable for receiving the plug, comprising a first electrical connector, a first magnetic connector suitable for positioning the plug with respect to the base. The plug comprises a contact surface, the shape of which is complementary to a surface of the base, a second electrical connector positioned so as to come into contact with the first electrical connector in order to allow electrical contact between the first and second electrical connectors when the contact surface is positioned on the surface of the base, a second magnetic connector, positioned in proximity to the contact surface, attracting the first magnetic connector, so as to allow the first and second electrical connectors to be aligned and electrical contact to be maintained during the charging of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Thierry LABAYE, Vincent CLERC
  • Publication number: 20200338761
    Abstract: The operating safety of a robot is provided. The robot includes two elements that can move relative to one another, a joint with at least one degree of freedom, connecting the two elements; and a flexible elastic film surrounding the joint and attached to each of the two elements, the film being stretched between its attachments in at least one configuration of the two elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Fabien MUGNIER, Vincent CLERC, Robert HONG
  • Publication number: 20200262053
    Abstract: A motorized humanoid robot having a positioning axis extending along a reference axis in a reference position and capable of moving on a horizontal plane, comprises a first and a second wheel in contact with the horizontal plane. The robot comprises a base having a warped surface which, in a vertical plane passing through the center of the wheels, extends on either side of each of the wheels, the warped surface being able to form, at any point of the warped surface, a first point of contact with the horizontal plane, defining, for any first point of contact, a center of rotation, and wherein the robot is configured in such a way that the center of rotation and the center of gravity of the robot are offset so as to generate a torque tending to return the robot from any position in which its positioning axis forms a non-zero angle with the reference axis to the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Vincent CLERC
  • Patent number: 10481270
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device to be fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane comprises: at least two emitters of electromagnetic beams which are able to form two virtual planes in two different directions that are able to intersect one another and intersect a potential obstacle, at least one image sensor able to produce an image of the intersection of the virtual planes and of the potential obstacle, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle, configured to compare the image with a reference image. A detection method employing such a device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Bruno Maisonnier, Jörg Ziegler, Vincent Clerc, Nicolas Garcia
  • Patent number: 10442089
    Abstract: A hand intended for a humanoid robot comprises a palm and at least one finger articulated to the palm, the finger comprising at least one phalanx and an articulation linking the phalanx to the palm, the phalanx extending in a main direction. According to the invention, the articulation comprises an elastic joining piece allowing several degrees of freedom. The hand comprises motorization means for a degree of freedom in rotation out of the degrees of freedom made possible by the joining piece, the motorized degree of freedom in rotation allowing a relative movement about an axis at right angles to the main direction of the phalanx. The other degrees of freedom out of the degrees of freedom made possible by the joining piece are not motorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Jérémy Laville, Vincent Clerc, Bruno Maisonnier
  • Patent number: 10406699
    Abstract: A secured motorized articulation mounted between a first and a second limb of a humanoid-type robot, comprises: a motor comprising a fixed part linked to the first limb, and a mobile part that can be moved relative to the fixed part and linked to the second limb relative to the first limb, a brake capable of exerting a force on the mobile part of the motor by spring effect, to prevent the movement of the mobile part relative to the fixed part, an actuator capable of displacing the brake by opposing the spring effect, so as to release the mobile part of the motor from the force of the brake and allow the motor to move the mobile part relative to the fixed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Vincent Clerc, Ludovic Houchu, Vincent Chevry
  • Publication number: 20190224856
    Abstract: A hand intended to equip a humanoid robot, the hand includes a palm and at least one finger extending along a first axis, the hand being capable of picking up an object, the finger comprising a first phalanx linked to the palm by a first motorized pivot link and a second phalanx consecutive to the first phalanx linked to the first phalanx by a second pivot link. The finger comprises a first mechanism linking the palm to the second phalanx configured such that the rotation of the first phalanx about the second axis causes the second phalanx to rotate about the third axis, and a second mechanism linking the palm to each of the phalanges configured to actuate the finger in such a way that the finger wraps around the object to be picked up, and the second mechanism is configured to deform the first mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Giulio CERRUTI, Damien CHABLAT, Vincent CLERC, David GOUAILLIER
  • Patent number: 10300613
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing device for a humanoid robot, comprises a rigid structure linked to the humanoid robot, a deformable outer shell, and a shock-absorber; the shock-absorber consisting of a flexible cellular structure comprising a set of cells emerging in a main direction, and being secured to the rigid structure at a first end in the main direction, and linked to the deformable outer shell at a second end opposite the first in the main direction. Advantageously, the outer shell is also linked directly to the rigid structure by means of at least one absorbent fixing of silent block type. The invention relates also to a humanoid robot, and in particular the head of a humanoid robot, comprising such a shock-absorbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventors: Vincent Clerc, Ludovic Tessier, Fabien Mugnier
  • Patent number: 10259125
    Abstract: A mobile robot comprises a trunk and several limbs removably linked to the trunk. Each of the limbs are configured for prepositioning the limb on the trunk, and a single flange is linked to the trunk and configured to removably fix all the limbs to the trunk. Each of the limbs comprises a motorized articulation, via which the limb is positioned and fixed onto the trunk, and can be driven in movement relative to the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ludovic Houchu, Fabien Mugnier, Vincent Clerc
  • Publication number: 20180370584
    Abstract: A mobile that can move on a horizontal plane, including a body comprising a contact area in contact with the horizontal plane, a cam movable in rotation relative to the body about a cam axis, the cam having a contact surface in contact with the horizontal plane during its rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: Vincent CLERC
  • Patent number: 10137579
    Abstract: A humanoid-type robot comprises two elements and an articulation with at least one degree of freedom linking the two elements, the articulation allowing a travel in a given range in operational operation, a first of the two elements being intended to come into contact with an abutment belonging to a second of the two elements at the end of the range. According to the invention, the robot further comprises at least one switch. The switch is configured to actuate an electrical contact when a force exerted by the first element against the abutment exceeds a given force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Fabien Mugnier, Vincent Clerc
  • Patent number: 9895928
    Abstract: A spherical wheel to move a vehicle comprises two caps, the surface of which follows the spherical surface of the wheel, the caps being articulated by means of a pivot link relative to a shaft. The wheel further comprises two casters each arranged in an opening of each of the caps, the opening centered about the axis of the corresponding pivot link, each caster arranged in the extension of the pivot link of the cap concerned. Each caster ensures a rolling at the level of the spherical surface. Radii S of the opening of each cap and r of the corresponding caster are defined to substantially balance forces needed to drive a cap and the corresponding caster when the wheel goes from bearing on the ground on a cap at the edge of the opening to bearing on the ground on the corresponding caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Vincent Clerc, Philippe Roux
  • Patent number: 9840009
    Abstract: A hand intended for a humanoid robot comprises a palm and several fingers that are motorized relative to the palm. According to the invention, the hand comprises an actuator common to several fingers and a spreader making it possible to distribute a force exerted by the actuator toward the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Jérémy Laville, Vincent Clerc, Bruno Maisonnier
  • Publication number: 20170144875
    Abstract: A tool for raising a vehicle relative to a reference plane on which the vehicle is intended to move is provided. The tool is formed by a single-piece part having a branch extending along a main axis, to be placed between the vehicle and the reference plane and to be operated by an operator substantially in a rotational movement about the main axis of the branch. In a section of the branch at right angles to the main axis and extending along the main axis, two overall distances D1 and D2 are defined that are angularly offset from one another. The first distance D1 is less than the second distance D2, the distance D1 intended to be less than a distance D separating the vehicle from the reference plane and the distance D2 intended to be greater than the distance D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Vincent CLERC
  • Publication number: 20170095933
    Abstract: A mobile robot comprising a trunk and several limbs removably linked to the trunk comprises: for each of the limbs, means for prepositioning the limb on the trunk, and a single flange linked to the trunk and configured to removably fix all the limbs to the trunk. Each of the limbs comprises a motorized articulation, via which the limb is positioned and fixed onto the trunk, and can be driven in movement relative to the trunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Ludovic HOUCHU, Fabien MUGNIER, Vincent CLERC
  • Publication number: 20170082751
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane, comprises: a first emitter referred to as a horizontal emitter of a first horizontal electromagnetic beam extending in a first virtual plane substantially parallel to the reference plane, a first image sensor able to cover a field intended to intersect with the first virtual plane to form a detection surface, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle by detecting the presence of an image on the detection surface. A detection method employing the device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bruno MAISONNIER, Jörg ZIEGLER, Vincent CLERC, Nicolas GARCIA
  • Patent number: D812122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Vincent Clerc, Robert Hong
  • Patent number: D843498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Softbank Robotics Europe
    Inventor: Vincent Clerc
  • Patent number: D873320
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Vincent Clerc, Robert Hong