Abstract: A multistage friction/traction speed adapter having a first drive which can include a plurality of free rollers orbiting around a sun element within a frame, transmitting their orbiting movement to guided rollers which do not contact the sun element or the frame. The guided rollers are driven in the orbiting movement and transmit the rotary movement to a carrier via corresponding pins which engage with the carrier. A second drive can include rollers having radial position variation which is prevented from being transmitted to the carrier by providing accommodation at the pin level, either by providing a bushing around the pins with a bore that is eccentric relative to its outer surface, either by engaging the pins into the carriers in portions thereof which are made more flexible. A friction/traction gear at an angle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument drive mechanism comprises an outer shell having an open-ended receptacle. An internal gear is secured inside the open-ended receptacle and immovable relative to the outer shell. An interface cover is rotatably mounted to the open-ended receptacle, the interface cover configured to be connected to an instrument, the interface cover rotatably supporting at least one cover shaft with an output adapted to be rotatingly coupled to the instrument.

Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.

Abstract: There is described a multistage friction/traction speed adapter. A first drive can include a plurality of free rollers orbiting around a sun element within a frame, transmitting their orbiting movement to guided rollers which do not contact the sun element or the frame. The guided rollers are driven in the orbiting movement and transmit the rotary movement to a carrier via corresponding pins which engage with the carrier. A second drive can include rollers having radial position variation which is prevented from being transmitted to the carrier by providing accommodation at the pin level, either by providing a bushing around the pins with a bore that is eccentric relative to its outer surface, either by engaging the pins into the carriers in portions thereof which are made more flexible. A friction/traction gear at an angle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises a rotor assembly and a stator assembly operatively assembled and configured for being secured to respective links of the mechanism. The rotor assembly and the stator assembly respectively include a rotor and a stator concurrently operable to cause a rotation of a rotor of the rotor assembly relative to a stator of the stator assembly about a rotational axis, a receiving volume delimited by one of the rotor assembly and stator assembly, the rotational axis passing through the receiving volume. A brake assembly is located at least partially in the receiving volume and comprising a brake plunger having a brake surface for brakingly engaging with a corresponding surface of the rotor assembly, the brake plunger displaceable in translation in the brake assembly, and a solenoid coil actuatable to displace the brake plunger against the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of links and motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises one or more pairs of links, each said link having a tubular body, at least one end of each of the tubular body being an open end having at least one connector. A motorized joint unit has a first portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a first of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the first of the links, a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion by actuation of the motorized joint unit, the second portion received in the open end of the tubular body of a second of the links, the motorized joint unit secured to the at least one connector of the second of the links. A protective sleeve has a tubular body rotatably mounted over the at least one connector of each of the first and the second link, the protective sleeve concealing the connectors and a joint between the pair of links.

Abstract: A motorized joint unit of a mechanism comprises a rotor assembly and a stator assembly operatively assembled and configured for being secured to respective links of the mechanism. The rotor assembly and the stator assembly respectively include a rotor and a stator concurrently operable to cause a rotation of a rotor of the rotor assembly relative to a stator of the stator assembly about a rotational axis, a receiving volume delimited by one of the rotor assembly and stator assembly, the rotational axis passing through the receiving volume. A brake assembly is located at least partially in the receiving volume and comprising a brake plunger having a brake surface for brakingly engaging with a corresponding surface of the rotor assembly, the brake plunger displaceable in translation in the brake assembly, and a solenoid coil actuatable to displace the brake plunger against the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates a mechanical differential actuator for interacting with a mechanical load. The mechanical differential actuator comprises first and second semi-active sub-actuators, a velocity source and first and second mechanical differentials having three interaction ports each. The first mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the first semi-active sub-actuator. The second mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the second semi-active sub-actuator. Finally, the second interaction ports of the first and second mechanical differentials are coupled together to form an output which is configured so as to be coupled to the load.

Abstract: The present invention relates a mechanical differential actuator for interacting with a mechanical load. The mechanical differential actuator comprises first and second semi-active sub-actuators, a velocity source and first and second mechanical differentials having three interaction ports each. The first mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the first semi-active sub-actuator. The second mechanical differential includes a first interaction port coupled to the velocity source, a second interaction port and a third interaction port coupled to the second semi-active sub-actuator. Finally, the second interaction ports of the first and second mechanical differentials are coupled together to form an output which is configured so as to be coupled to the load.