Abstract: A vehicular transmission includes a movable unit coupled to a lever and rotated to select one of a plurality of shift stages and including a first internal gear centered on a first axis, an eccentric gear unit centered on a second axis eccentric from the first axis and including a first external gear and a second external gear eccentrically engaged with the first internal gear, a rotation unit centered on the first axis and including a second internal gear eccentrically engaged with the second external gear, an insertion unit including an eccentric shaft inserted into a center of the eccentric gear unit and a central shaft inserted into a first aperture formed at a center of the rotation unit, and a locking unit configured to fix the rotation unit based on a source of a driving force for rotating the movable unit.

Abstract: A relative translation assembly operable with a drive mechanism. The relative translation assembly can have a fixed support member, a translatable member supported by the fixed support member, and a translation guide portion to facilitate translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member. The translation guide portion can have a fixed translation member and a movable translation member. The movable translation member can be configured to maintain preload on the fixed and movable translation members and accommodate thermal expansion. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member.

Abstract: A transmission device that includes a first shaft, a second shaft to which torque is transmitted from the first shaft via a torque transmitting mechanism, a tubular drive gear attached to the second shaft, and a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, wherein the drive gear includes a plurality of outer teeth that are each meshed with a corresponding one of gear teeth of the driven gear and a fitting portion that is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the drive gear and that is fitted to the second shaft so that the drive gear rotates integrally with the second shaft.

Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating shaft formed with a helical spline on an outer periphery thereof and which rotates by a rotation of a motor, a pinion gear helically splined to the rotating shaft and movable in an axial direction of the rotating shaft along a tooth surface of the helical spline, a lever receiving member disposed opposing an end surface in an axial direction of the pinion gear, moved by receiving an axial pushing force by a pushing member, and causing the pinion gear to engage with a ring gear of the internal combustion engine by a movement thereof, and a buffer member for restricting a movement of the pinion gear in a rotational direction when the pinion gear moves along the teeth surface of the helical spline.

Abstract: A single axis driving system includes a housing with a central portion defining a cavity and a pair of parallel spaced apart flanges formed as an integral part. Coaxial openings are formed through the flanges to define a mounting structure for an axle rotatably mounted in the coaxial openings. An opening is formed between the flanges in the surface of the central portion extending into the cavity. A gear plate is affixed to the axle and positioned to extend through the opening into the cavity for limited rotation with the axle. The gear plate has an arcuate set of gear teeth positioned along a periphery thereof. A driving gear is rotatably mounted in the housing so as to mesh with the arcuate set of gear teeth and a drive motor is mounted on the housing and attached to the driving gear for rotation of the driving gear.

Abstract: A redundant mechanical control system incorporates a jam override subsystem to enable a breakout or break-away feature of the redundant mechanical control system. The jam override subsystem includes a spring and detent system to apply an axial force to a portion of an interconnect. The interconnect mechanically links a first portion of the redundant mechanical control system with a second portion. When a failure occurs, rendering inoperable the first portion or the second portion of the redundant mechanical control system, the axial force of the spring and detent system is overridden by a compression or extension force of the operable portion of the redundant mechanical control system.

Abstract: A driving device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes an electric motor, a worm gear, a gear easing that stores the worm gear, a first fitting portion provided in the electric motor, a second fitting portion provided in the gear casing and fitting to the first fitting portion, and a restriction member that includes a pressure contact portion and a contact portion and restricts displacement of the worm gear along a rotation center axis thereof. The pressure contact portion is in pressure contact with one fitting portion out of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, and the contact portion is in contact with the other fitting portion.

Abstract: A nut for a lead screw comprises two or more concentric annular members which, when aligned, have common axes. One member is contained within another member outside it. A first member has an outer convex spherical periphery and a second member has an inner spherical concave periphery, the peripheries being concentric with the centre, and the inner periphery of the second is engaged with the outer periphery of the first member. The second member is constrained to rotate about the first member on an axis perpendicular to the common axis.

Abstract: A transmission device that includes a first shaft, a second shaft to which torque is transmitted from the first shaft via a torque transmitting mechanism, a tubular drive gear attached to the second shaft, and a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, wherein the drive gear includes a plurality of outer teeth that are each meshed with a corresponding one of gear teeth of the driven gear and a fitting portion that is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the drive gear and that is fitted to the second shaft so that the drive gear rotates integrally with the second shaft.

Abstract: A nut arrangement for a screw actuator is disclosed for allowing detection of wear in a primary nut of the screw actuator. The nut arrangement comprises a primary nut for providing a primary load path and a secondary nut for providing a secondary load path. An interface ring may link the secondary nut to the primary nut. A sensor is provided to detect relative axial movement between the primary and secondary nuts. During normal operation, the interface ring is seated by a flexible coupling that allows relative axial displacement of the secondary nut to the primary nut to accommodate wear in the primary nut. The sensor can be used to monitor backlash between the primary and secondary nuts to determine wear of the primary nut.

Abstract: A drive system for an aircraft landing gear, the drive system including a pinion gear, a drive shaft arranged to rotate the pinion gear about a drive axis, a driven gear arranged to mesh with the pinion gear to be rotatable by the pinion gear, the driven gear being connectable to a wheel of the landing gear to be capable of rotating the wheel about a wheel axis; and a flexible interface. The flexible interface includes a plurality of driven gear coupling members, each driven gear coupling member having a first connection portion attached to the driven gear, a second connection portion adapted to be attached to the wheel at an offset distance from the wheel axis, and a joint between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the joint permitting relative movement between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

Abstract: A dial shift lever device for a vehicle may be provided that includes: a dial knob which is rotatable from a predetermined reference position by a user's operation for changing a shift stage; a button driving part which comprises a plurality of buttons disposed circumferentially in a receiving recess formed in a lower portion of the dial knob and generates a signal for selecting the shift stage as at least one of the plurality of buttons is pressed by rotation of the dial knob; and a guide assembly which is coupled to the lower portion of the dial knob and locks the rotation of the dial knob or releases the lock of the rotation of the dial knob.

Abstract: A modular robotic system that includes a plurality of self-configuring robots. Each self-configuring robot includes a frame structure having a plurality of cylindrical bonding magnets positioned along the edges of the frame structure. The frame structure includes magnetic, non-gendered, hinges on any of the edges of the frame. The hinges provide enough force to maintain a pivot axis through various motions. The cylindrical bonding magnets are free to rotate allowing for multiple self-configurations with other like self-configuring robots. A movement generator is positioned within the frame structure that pivots to generate multi-axis movement allowing both robust self-reconfiguration with the other self-configuring robots and independent locomotion.

Abstract: A modular robotic system that includes a plurality of self-configuring robots. Each self-configuring robot includes a frame structure having a plurality of cylindrical bonding magnets positioned along the edges of the frame structure. The frame structure includes magnetic, non-gendered, hinges on any of the edges of the frame. The hinges provide enough force to maintain a pivot axis through various motions. The cylindrical bonding magnets are free to rotate allowing for multiple self-configurations with other like self-configuring robots. A movement generator is positioned within the frame structure that pivots to generate multi-axis movement allowing both robust self-reconfiguration with the other self-configuring robots and independent locomotion.

Abstract: A robot includes: a manipulator that is provided with an n-th (n is an integer of 1 or larger) arm which is capable of rotating around an n-th rotation axis, an (n+1)-th arm provided on the n-th arm to be capable of rotating around an (n+1)-th rotation axis having an axial direction which is different from an axial direction of the n-th rotation axis, and an (n+2)-th arm provided on the (n+1)-th arm to be capable of rotating around an (n+2)-th rotation axis. In a first state, an outline of the manipulator is positioned on an inner side of a first circle or on the first circle with the n-th rotation axis as the center thereof, and with first length between a distal end of the manipulator and the n-th rotation axis, as a radius, when viewed in the axial direction of the n-th rotation axis.

Abstract: A shifter for the transmission of a vehicle is described. The shifter has a shift lever operatively connected to the transmission. A rotatable shaft is connected to the lever. A lateral movement device is operatively connected to the shaft. A cable pin is positioned on the lateral movement device and connected to the shift mechanism for the transmission.

Abstract: A leg assembly of a robot comprising a waist includes a thigh rotatably coupled to the waist, a lower leg rotatably coupled to the thigh, a foot rotatably coupled to the lower leg, a servo fixe to the thigh, a first transmission mechanism configured to transmit motion from the servo to the thigh to drive the thigh to rotate with respect to the waist; a second transmission mechanism configured to transmit motion from the thigh to the lower leg to drive the lower leg to flex when the thigh move upward and extend when the thigh move downward; and a third transmission mechanism configured rotatably connected to the thigh and the foot in such a way that the foot dorsiflexes from an original position when the lower leg is flexing and rotates back toward the original position when the lower leg is extending.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises an actuator housing defining a bore. A drive element is received in the actuator housing bore. The drive element comprises tubular portions receiving first and second ball nuts arranged at respective distal ends thereof. The ball nuts are threaded in opposite directions to one another. The drive element further comprises a drive coupling. The actuator further comprises first and second ball screws operatively engaged with the first and second ball nuts. Rotation of the drive element and thus the ball nuts relative to said ball screws causes the ball screws to move together in a linear path in opposite directions from one another.

Abstract: Electrical telescopic strut construction, movable between an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position, comprising: an external cylinder (1); an inner cylinder (2); a screw (3) rotatable disposed within the inner cylinder (2); a drive (4) configured to rotate the screw (3); a nut (5) being movable with respect to the external cylinder (1) responsive to the rotation of the screw (3); at least one segment (6) located in a radial opening of the inner cylinder (2) and movable radially outward and inward in response to the movement of the nut (5) and configured to engage the external cylinder (1) when moved radially outward and not to engage the external cylinder (1) when moved radially inward, a second inner cylinder (7) located external to the first inner cylinder (2) and internal to the external cylinder (1).

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.