Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic arm is provided including a linkage assembly and a strap drive train. The linkage assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled in series together at first, second, and third joints to define a parallelogram with an insertion axis. The strap drive train includes first and second sets of straps coupled to the linkage assembly. As the linkage assembly is moved about a pitch axis, the first set of straps ensures the third link maintains the same angle relative to the first link, and the first and second set of straps ensures the fourth link maintains the same angle relative to the second link.

Abstract: This face gear has a plurality of annularly arranged gear teeth. A recess for holding grease or another lubricant is formed in the tooth surface of each gear tooth. A recess forming area, which is the area in which the recess is formed, is provided between the tooth bottom and the pitch point in each gear tooth. In other words, a recess is not formed in the part of the tooth surface that is located between the tooth tip and the pitch point. As a result, the gear teeth can be effectively lubricated while minimizing instability in the meshing state between gears.

Abstract: A structure prevents a gear shift lever from moving during a rear-end collision, and may include: a case mounted on the gear shift lever having a sliding groove; a lever having one end coupled to the case rotatable below the groove; a ball seated on the lever; a spring coupled to the lever so that elastic force is applied to raise the lever; a protruding portion mounted separate from the gear shift lever and positioned below another end of the lever, in which when the lever is rotated downward, an end of the lever is locked by the protruding portion blocking movement of the gear shift lever. When a rear-end collision occurs, the ball slides due to inertia rotating the lever downward to physically block the lever, thereby preventing a secondary accident by preventing the gear shift lever placed at an R-stage from unintentionally moving.

Abstract: A robot quick-release assembly has a first joint member and a robot component mounted thereon, the first joint member has a first coupler and a second joint member, a robot arm mounted thereon, has a second coupler, a clamp, and a locking collar. The first coupler can be coaxially aligned with the second coupler and pressed into the second joint member, and detachably connected to the second joint member. The first mechanical coupler is detachably connected to the second mechanical coupler for transferring power across the quick-release assembly. The robot component can receive an additional electrical connector, the additional electrical connector supplying power to the robot component. The quick-release assembly coupling assembly further exerts large forces with the application of a relatively small torque to the locking collar by applying a two stage wedge engagement and can further include a sequencing system.

Abstract: A robot includes a base; a swivel unit rotatably arranged on the base; a lower arm having a base end portion, a tip end portion and a side surface, the base end portion rotatably supported on the swivel unit to enable the lower arm to swing in a front-rear direction; and first and second cable bundles arranged on the side surface of the lower arm to extend along a longitudinal direction of the lower arm. The robot further includes a cable bundle support mechanism including a guide unit for supporting the first and second cable bundles to move in the longitudinal direction of the lower arm.

Abstract: A shift fork assembly (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) including a shift rail member (122, 122a, 122c, 122d) having a slot (188) defined therein and a shift rail axis (24), and a fork member (126, 126b, 126c, 126d) mounted in the slot and carried by the shift rail member. The fork member and shift rail member have movement relative to each other. The fork member has pivoting motion relative to the shift rail member about a pivot axis (206) that extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the shift rail axis, and the pivot axis is adapted to extend substantially between the shift rail axis and a gear axis (48).

Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member formed, on its inner circumference, with double row outer raceway surfaces. An inner member includes a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange at its one end. The wheel hub outer circumference surface has double row inner raceway surfaces arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row balls are freely rollably contained between the outer raceway surfaces and inner raceway surfaces, respectively, of the outer member and the inner member. A pitch circle diameter of the double row ball group of the outer-side is larger than a pitch circle diameter of the double row ball group of the inner-side. At least the outer member and the wheel hub are formed of medium/high carbon steel including carbon of 0.40˜0.80% by weight. The inner and outer raceway surfaces are formed, respectively, with predetermined hardened layers with a surface hardness of 58˜64 HRC.

Abstract: A rack shaft supporting device includes a support yoke, a plug that closes the other opening of an accommodation chamber, a ball screw mechanism between the support yoke and the plug, and a torsion urging member between the ball screw mechanism and the plug. The ball screw mechanism includes: a first threaded portion in which a first thread groove is formed; a second threaded portion in which a second thread groove is formed; and balls arranged in a rolling path formed of the first thread groove and the second thread groove. The torsion urging member rotates the second threaded portion relative to the plug and moves the second threaded portion toward the support yoke.

Abstract: A power transmission device for a vehicle configured with a rotary power member, and a mechanism configured with a plurality of operational states. A switching shaft changes the operational state of the operating mechanism and is moved by an electric actuator. A control transmission transmits the power from the actuator to the shaft. The housing for the rotary member includes is configured so that the switching shaft projects outwards from the housing. The electric actuator is arranged at a location facing, of a surface of the housing portion of the case, a portion that does not overlap another portion where the switching shaft projects, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotational axis of the rotary member. A part of the actuator is arranged on a case side relative to a vertical line passing through the portion where the switching shaft projects from the housing portion of the case.

Abstract: A carrier assembly includes an adjustment member with a threaded attachment surface that is threadably attached to a mating threaded surface of a housing. The threaded attachment surface is formed on the adjustment member between first and second pilot surfaces, which allows the adjustment member to be selectively rotated to adjust a position of the adjustment member relative to the housing to set a desired carrier characteristic without requiring shims or spacers. The adjustment member also includes a splined outer surface that engages a splined lock member to lock the adjustment member to the housing once the desired carrier characteristic has been set.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic arm is provided including a linkage assembly and a strap drive train. The linkage assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled in series together at first, second, and third joints to define a parallelogram with an insertion axis. The strap drive train includes first and second sets of straps coupled to the linkage assembly. As the linkage assembly is moved about a pitch axis, the first set of straps ensures the third link maintains the same angle relative to the first link, and the first and second set of straps ensures the fourth link maintains the same angle relative to the second link.

Abstract: A traction transmission capacity control device includes a one-direction turning-stop-position detecting means configured to detect a position at which the turning of a second roller stops after a second-roller turning means starts to turn the second roller in one direction; an another-direction turning-stop-position detecting means configured to detect a position at which the turning of the second roller stops after the second-roller turning means starts to turn the second roller in another direction; and a second-roller turning-motion reference-point setting means configured to set a center position between the position detected by the one-direction turning-stop-position detecting means and the position detected by the another-direction turning-stop-position detecting means, as a turning-motion reference point of the second roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shift lever for a vehicle transmission, which includes a rod provided in a mounting space to move linearly and having an upper part having an upper inclined surface and successive engaging grooves. An engaging protrusion is provided on an inner wall of a support section such that, when the rod moves, the engaging protrusion is engaged with one of the engaging grooves to afford a brisk, clear operation action when changing gears. A button is provided such that one end thereof extends to the inclined surface of the upper part of the rod, and another end thereof is exposed to the outside to enable that end to be pressed down to push the rod down.

Abstract: A steering device is provided that is capable of facilitating an assembly operation, decreasing the number of parts, and decreasing manufacturing costs. A bottom plate of a stopper is tightened to an outer curved surface of an inner column between a head section and a bulged section of a rivet body. An outside diameter of the rivet body increases to eliminate a gap between a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The stopper remains stationary even when it touches a long hole at a telescopic stroke end and repeatedly receives an impact force. The durability of the stopper improves. There is no need for a nut for fixing the stopper to the inner column. The number of parts decreases to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An internal circulation ball screw includes a threaded shaft, a nut having a receiving space, a circulation member mounted to the receiving space and having a first circulation groove and a second circulation groove, and a plurality of rolling members running between the threaded shaft and the nut. The first circulation groove defines a first front section, a first rear section, and a first curved section communicating with the first front section and the first rear section separately. The second circulation groove defines a second front section, a second rear section, and a second curved section communicating with the second front section and the second rear section separately. The first and second curved sections define a predetermined included angle with respect to the threaded shaft radially. Therefore, the wall between the circulation channels is uniform to enhance the durability of the ball screw.

Abstract: A ball screw device even with a small lead angle and a small number of circulation rolls, includes a rotational part, which keeps unequal division of tongue portions and legs connected to the tongue portions to a minimum and ensures the strength of the tongue portions. A recirculating part of the ball screw device includes a pair of legs, each having a tongue portion for scooping up balls in a direction approximately tangential to a spiral raceway, and a main body connecting the pair of legs. First divided faces for dividing the pair of legs along a ball recirculating path, and a second divided face for dividing the main body along the ball recirculating path are also included. The second divided face is formed by an upper divided face and a lower divided face of the ball recirculating path so that the upper divided face and the lower divided face intersect with each other when viewed from a flat surface of the nut.

Abstract: A overload protection mechanism protects a driven load, such as a driven lever. An overload lever is pivotally coupled to a first part of the driven load. The overload lever has a first end that receives an applied force and an opposing second end. A zero length spring mechanism is coupled to a second part of the driven load spaced apart from the first part and to the second end of the overload lever. The zero length spring mechanism urges the second end of the overload lever toward the second part of the driven load with a force that is substantially proportional to the distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load. A stop mechanism is coupled to the zero length spring mechanism to maintain a minimum distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a bracket, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface; a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of the outer jacket, an outer surface of the outer jacket located within the inner surface of the spaced arms; and a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surface of the arm, outer bracket and inner bracket.

Abstract: In the case of a gear shift fork (1) for the axial shifting of a clutch sleeve rotating around an axis in a gear box, which gear shift fork possesses two fork arm sections (4, 5) which lie opposite to each other and by their connection to each other are aligned and span an essentially semi-circular inner side (6), the fork arm sections (4, 5) and the forked interlock device section (3) shall possess a link structure.

Abstract: An engine starter includes a motor that comprises a drive shaft; and a unidirectional rotation clutch system that is helical-splined to the drive shaft. The clutch system includes a clutch inner; a clutch outer; a clutch roller that is interposed between the clutch outer and the clutch inner; and a spring that urges the clutch roller, wherein a compound film is formed on a surface of the clutch roller or surfaces of the clutch outer and the clutch inner.