US 11,980,237 B2
Minimizing bulk charge in an electroadhesive actuator
Steven H. Walker, Camas, WA (US); Daniel Stuart, Beaverton, OR (US); Eun Kyung Lee, Beaverton, OR (US); and Christopher Andon, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/536,553.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/164,210, filed on Mar. 22, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/132,265, filed on Dec. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0202110 A1, Jun. 30, 2022
Int. Cl. H02N 13/00 (2006.01); A41D 1/00 (2018.01)
CPC A41D 1/002 (2013.01) [H02N 13/00 (2013.01); A41D 2300/328 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electroadhesive clutch device comprising:
a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive portion that is at least partially covered by a first dielectric insulator;
a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive portion that is at least partially covered by a second dielectric insulator;
an electrical signal generator configured to provide first and second signals to the first and second conductive portions of the electrode assemblies, respectively, wherein the first and second signals comprise respective opposite-polarity portions of an alternating current (AC) signal; and
an accelerometer configured to measure motion of the clutch device, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate the AC signal based on the measured motion;
wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are at least partially overlapping and configured to slide relative to each other at their respective surfaces that comprise the first and second dielectric insulators.