Abstract: A locking system for a continuum arm robot system, the robot system includes: a continuum arm robot having a manipulatable tip, a passive robot section through which controls for the manipulatable tip, and at least one ferromagnetic collar, and at least one external controllable electromagnetic device which can be activated so that the ferromagnetic section on the continuum arm robot is attracted to the electromagnetic device.

Abstract: A shift device including: a shift switch that, when operated, is configured to change a shift range of a transmission of a vehicle; and a tact switch that is provided in the shift switch and is operated as a result of the shift switch being operated.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for robotic medical instrument system. The medical system can include an elongated shaft configured for insertion into a patient. The system can also include a pull wire extending along the elongated shaft. The pull wire can be actuatable to articulate the elongated shaft. The medical system can include a dynamic pulley coupled to the pull wire, the dynamic pulley configured to collapse during rotation in a first direction and to expand during rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A rotation mechanism according to the disclosure includes: an output portion for outputting, to a mating member, rotation of a drive source producing a rotational force; a coupling member for coupling the mating member and the output portion by elastic deformation; and an anti-rotation portion for preventing relative rotation between the mating member and the output portion.

Abstract: A dual-joint multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm and a driving method thereof. The mechanical arm comprises a base, a driving mechanism, a large arm module and a small arm module. The driving mechanism comprises three bidirectional driving components mounted on the base; and the big arm module comprises a big arm push rod, a big arm central rod and an elbow joint universal plate. The comprises a wrist joint universal plate, a universal joint coupler, a small arm central rod, a small arm stretching rod and a wrist joint universal plate. The small arm stretching rod comprises a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod in transmission connection. Two-degree-of-freedom rotation of the big arm module and the small arm module connected in series is independently realized by using three bidirectional driving components fixed on the base, so that movement flexibility of an end executor in a working space is greatly improved.

Abstract: A ball screw spline actuator includes a shaft, a ball nut, and a ball spline. The shaft includes a helical groove and a spline groove intersecting the helical groove forming intersections having a least one ridge including a first surface finish formed by a first manufacturing operation. The ridge is subsequently reformed through a second manufacturing operation to include a second surface finish to reduce stress concentrations in the ridge from cyclical loading from at least one of the ball nut or the ball spline. In one example, the second manufacturing operation reforms the ridge to include a surface finished edge.

Abstract: A robot cable-assembly management structure including a first fixing member that fixes, to a turning drum, a cable assembly extending beside the turning drum in a front-rear direction, and a second fixing member that fixes, to a side surface of the arm, the cable assembly extending to a front side of the first fixing member, at a position closer to a distal end of the arm than the second axis, where a movable portion of the cable assembly located between the first fixing member and the second fixing member is provided with a necessary length of allowance and is twisted in one direction, so that the movable portion is bent in a direction away from the side surface of the arm when the arm swings to a rear swing end is displaced toward the side surface of the arm as the arm swings toward a front swing end.

Abstract: A robotic tool has a longitudinal shaft, defining a longitudinal axis when the shaft is in a default, centered position. A lockout rod is moveable between first and second positions. In the first position, the lockout rod allows the longitudinal shaft to move with 360 radial degrees of compliance about the longitudinal axis. In the second position, the lockout rod limits compliance of the longitudinal shaft to only one radial angle from the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment the lockout rod is positioned adjacent (e.g., above or below) part of one ring of a 2-axis concentric ring gimbal. The lockout rod is shaped so as to not contact any part of the gimbal in the first position, allowing compliance in a full 360 radial degrees. In the second position, the lockout rod limits the motion of one ring of the gimbal, limiting compliance of the shaft to motion of the other ring, which is necessarily limited to only one radial angle.

Abstract: A retainer that holds a plurality of first balls is arranged between a slide body constituting a slide portion and a base plate constituting a table portion, the plurality of first balls are arranged around an axis of the slide portion that coincides with the Z-axis, and a single second ball is arranged on the axis of the slide portion between a ball receiving plate constituting the slide portion and a ball receiving plate constituting the table portion.

Abstract: In this shift device, in a case in which an external force has acted on a lever when an operating mechanism is causing the lever to pivot, a clutch mechanism permits rotation of a first detent plate with respect to a second detent plate, such that pivoting of the lever is permitted. Note that a restraining mechanism urges the lever toward a shift position. This enables to the restraining mechanism to urge the lever separately to the clutch mechanism, thereby enabling the degrees of freedom for setting a biasing load on the lever by the restraining mechanism to be increased.

Abstract: A rack steering system and a motor vehicle having such a rack steering system. The inventive rack steering system comprises a steering gear housing, a toothed rack, which extends through the steering gear housing, an electric motor, which is coupled to the toothed rack on a thread side of the steering gear housing via a ball screw to provide an axial force to the toothed rack, and two track rod links arranged at axial ends of the toothed rack. The steering gear housing is designed in one piece such that a drive insert opening is formed on the thread side of the steering gear housing for arrangement of the electric motor and a direct stop face for a track rod link or a support face for the arrangement and axial support of a separate stop element for a track rod link is also formed on this thread side.

Abstract: A screw pair including inner walls of screw holes in a working nut and a pre-tightening nut with sensor groups including a plurality of displacement sensors capable of measuring a value of a gap between an inner and outer wall of a screw in a diameter direction of the screw hole, the group includes four displacement sensors evenly distributed in a circumferential direction of the screw hole, every two displacement sensors are paired and symmetrical about a center axis, and projections of a plurality of sensor groups in an axial direction overlap the screw; and an adaptive excitation coil is mounted to each displacement sensor, which is capable of attracting the screw in a measurement direction of the adaptive displacement sensor, and a magnetic force of the coil attached is adjustable to change the value of the gap, so that axes of the screw, working nut, and pre-tightening nut coincide.

Abstract: A spindle rod for a spindle device includes a threaded rod (2) with a threaded portion (3) extending along a spindle axis (S) and a coupling part (7) for coupling the threaded rod (2) to a drive or a gear of a drive device. The coupling part (7) is integrally connected to a first end (2a) of the threaded rod (2). The coupling part (7) has a connecting portion (7a) provided for connecting the threaded rod (2) at a first end (2a) facing the threaded rod. The connecting portion (7a) has a bead-shaped thickening.

Abstract: A compensating element having a first and a second assembly, wherein a locking mechanism is provided which can be switched over between a first and a second operating state. In the first operating state, the first assembly is connected fixedly to the second assembly and, in the second operating state, the first and second assemblies are connected to each other via a spring mechanism in such a manner that they are movable relative to each other. The locking mechanism includes an electric motor that can be used to switch over between the first and the second operating state. A locking ring is or is not braced against at least three balls depending on its rotational position with respect to a center axis. The locking ring is connected in terms of rotary drive to the electric motor via a torsion spring which is elastic with respect to the center axis.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for robotic medical instrument system. The medical system can include an elongated shaft configured for insertion into a patient. The system can also include a pull wire extending along the elongated shaft. The pull wire can be actuatable to articulate the elongated shaft. The medical system can include a dynamic pulley coupled to the pull wire, the dynamic pulley configured to collapse during rotation in a first direction and to expand during rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A selecting member for a vehicle includes a lever that is operable between a plurality of selector positions. A base includes a plurality of steps that correspond to the plurality of selector positions. A pawl actuator includes a pawl having a rack and a pinion gear that is rotationally operated by a motor. The motor selectively and rotationally operates the pinion gear to actuate the pawl relative to the plurality of steps. An interface is coupled with the lever that actuates the motor. Operation of the motor operates the pawl relative to the plurality of steps and allows the pawl actuator to be manipulated relative to the base to align the pawl with a step of the plurality of steps.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes a shift lever rotatable around a rotation axis so that one of a plurality of shift stages is selected; a pawl member disposed in the shift lever to be movable in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis; a detent plate including a plurality of detent grooves formed therein and arranged along a rotational direction of the shift lever so that the pawl member is inserted into each of the plurality of detent grooves corresponding to each of the plurality of shift stages; and a shift lever actuator that rotates the shift lever. The shift lever actuator includes a driving unit; and a driven unit that is rotated about the rotation axis by the driving unit to cause the pawl member to move in the radial direction and to apply a force to the pawl member in the rotation direction of the shift lever.

Abstract: A fun and affordable animated toy robot operates with varying degrees of autonomy and anthropomorphism. The robot may include a customized chipboard controller or computer, a power source, and may be constructed with specialized connectors, magnets, servo motors, generally less-sturdy (or pliable) thin materials, such as chipboard, card stock, cardboard, or the like, used for the body and limbs of the robot, and LEDs. The specialized connectors may be used to attach the servos to these materials. An application and the controller may be used to control the motion of the robot. Young children may be able to make the attachments to build the robot with little or without the help of adults or older children. Building and operating the robot may be fun activities for children and families, and may provide enjoyable learning activities about robotics.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes a transmission unit for receiving a transmission command for a vehicle, a driving unit for generating a driving force for switching a posture of the transmission unit, and a control device for controlling the driving unit to switch the posture of the transmission unit based on whether a preset condition is satisfied. The driving unit includes a first stator for generating magnetic flux, a first rotor having a first inner permanent magnet and a second inner permanent magnet axially arranged at a predetermined spacing along a rotation axis, and configured to be rotated by the magnetic flux transferred to the first inner permanent magnet, an outer permanent magnet, and a second rotor configured to rotate along a magnetic force path between the second inner permanent magnet and the outer permanent magnet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an eccentric gearing having a first gearing element, which has a first axis and an outer contour having at least one cam, and having a second gearing element, which has a second axis which is constantly held eccentrically in relation to the first axis. The first gearing element is rotatable relative to the second gearing element, and the second gearing element is supported on the outer contour of the first gearing element such that a rotation of the first gearing element effects a rotation of the second axis of the second gearing element about the first axis. The first gearing element has a number N of cams protruding radially, and uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction, in relation to the first axis. The second gearing element is supported at N+1 contact points of the first gearing element, wherein N is at least two.