Abstract: A protective device for an effector of a manipulator includes a shell having a plurality of chambers, wherein the shell is flexurally slack and bounds a fillable and/or evacuable pressure space. The protective device further includes at least one first pulling means for pulling back the shell, and at least one actuator for applying a tensile force to the at least one first pulling means. A device for manipulating workpieces includes a robotic manipulator having an effector, and the protective device disposed proximate the effector.

Abstract: A foldable screen and a shower room are provided. The foldable screen includes a transmission gear mechanism and a plurality of panel bodies arranged in sequence. End portions of two adjacent sides of two adjacent panel bodies enclose to form a mounting opening into which the transmission gear mechanism is installed for realizing folding and unfolding of the plurality of panel bodies. The transmission gear mechanism includes a housing having a receiving cavity therein, the housing being installed in the mounting opening; a first gear located in the receiving cavity and installed on one of the two adjacent panel bodies; and a second gear meshed with the first gear, the second gear being located in the receiving cavity and installed on the other of the two adjacent panel bodies.

Abstract: Provided is a power steering apparatus capable of reducing a maximumly generated stress on an output pulley. An output pulley of a power steering apparatus includes a fastening target portion around a screw insertion hole of a hub portion. When a boundary portion between the hub portion and a winding and hanging portion is defined to be a portion where a minor angle, among relative angles formed between a tangential line of an inner surface of the output pulley and a rotational axis of a nut in an axial cross section of the output pulley that passes through the rotational axis of the nut, gradually reduces from a nut-rotational-axis side toward a radially outer side to then reach 45 degrees, the fastening target portion is a region that is located on an inner side in a radial direction with respect to the boundary portion and overlaps a head portion of a screw in a radial direction of the screw.

Abstract: The disclosure is a linear actuator. A transmission mechanism includes a motor, a gear set and a screw rod. A releasing mechanism is disposed between the gear set and the screw rod and includes a driving gear, a first clutch, a second clutch and a sliding sleeve. A toggle restraining mechanism includes a stem, a rotating element and a restraining assembly. The rotating element has a restraining hole and a rotating arm. The restraining assembly includes a restraining presser, a restraining spring and an engaging element. The stem is moved to rotate the rotating element, the rotating arm is rotated with the rotating element to push the sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is pushed by the rotating arm to separate from the second clutch. The engaging element is engaged in the restraining hole to restrain the rotating element from rotating when the rotating element is rotated to a specific angle.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator, comprising: a platform (302); a first pair of pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) devices (112,114) coupled to the platform (302) at a first end of the first pair of PAM devices; a second pair of PAM devices (116, 118) coupled to the platform (302) at a first end of the second pair of PAM devices; a first pulley (342) coupling the first pair of PAM devices via a first belt (132) at a second end of the first pair of PAM devices; a second pulley (344) coupling the second pair of PAM devices via a second belt (134) at a second end of the second pair of PAM devices; a U-joint (160) positioned between the first and second pulleys, wherein the first pulley (342), the second pulley (344), and the U-joint (160) are rotatable along a pitch axis (P1), a yaw axis (Y1), and a roll axis (R1); and an actuated object (170) coupled to the U-joint (160), wherein motion of one of the first belt (132) of the first pair of PAM devices, the second belt (134) of the second pair of PAM devices, and both the fir

Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) of the robot arm coupling device (1) includes: a concave engagement portion (3a) on the master plate (3); convex engagement portion (4a) on the tool plate (4) for inserting into the concave engagement portion (3a); a plurality of steel balls (16) installed at an external circumferential wall portion (15) of the concave engagement portion (3a), and are capable of being changed over between locking positions and unlocking positions; and an annular fluid pressure cylinder (20) capable of changing over the positions of the plurality of steel balls (16); and a space is defined more radially inward than the plurality of steel balls (16) and the fluid pressure cylinder (20).

Abstract: A rolling bearing for mounting a driving worm of a power-assisted steering system of a vehicle includes a rotatable inner ring and a rotationally fixed outer ring. Rolling elements arranged between the inner and outer ring are guided by a channel-shaped first raceway arranged on a radially outer side of the inner ring and by a channel-shaped second raceway arranged on a radially inner side of the outer ring. The second raceway includes a cross-sectional profile that varies around its circumference. The cross-sectional profile allows laterally offset rolling elements to roll and thus tilting of the inner ring about a tilting axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing if the tilting axis assumes a predetermined tilted position in the circumferential direction of the second raceway and limits tilting of the inner ring to a minimum when the tilting axis is angled 90° to the tilted position.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic drive spherical robotic wrist with two degrees of freedom and a control method therefor, which is particularly a highly integrated active spherical robotic wrist, realizes pitch and yaw rotation with two degrees of freedom under the direct drive of a coaxial following magnetic torque of a spatial universal rotational magnetic field through a built-in permanent magnet cylinder with radial magnetization of a following mechanism formed by coaxial connection of two output ends of internal and external universal joints with the same rotation center. The electromagnetic drive spherical robotic wrist overcomes the disadvantages of a complex transmission mechanical wrist, and a wrist transmission system has a simple and light structure, high transmission efficiency, good static and dynamic performance, and fast control response.

Abstract: In a rotation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force of a motor to a load-side member via a speed reducer, a strain wave gearing is used as the speed reducer, and the allowable load torque of members in the powertrain other than the strain wave gearing is greater than a predetermined upper-limit load torque. The allowable load torque of the strain wave gearing is dictated by the ratcheting torque, which is set so as not to exceed the upper-limit load torque. In an overload state, ratcheting is generated in the strain wave gearing, so that the strain wave gearing functions as a mechanical fuse. Other power transmission members can be protected from an overload state without adding a separate member such as a torque limiter.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission includes: first and second pistons attached to a shaft portion of a trunnion so as to be externally fitted to the shaft portion, the first and second pistons being arranged so as to be lined up in a direction along a tilt axis; and a cylinder forming a first pressure chamber which makes the first piston move toward a first side in the direction along the tilt axis and a second pressure chamber which makes the second piston move toward a second side in the direction along the tilt axis. The cylinder includes a first lubricating oil passage, and the shaft portion of the trunnion includes a second lubricating oil passage. A third lubricating oil passage through which the first lubricating oil passage communicates with the second lubricating oil passage is formed between the first piston and the second piston.

Abstract: A robot including: two link members with longitudinal axes that are coupled such that the link members are able to relatively rotate about an axial line; and a sensor that detects a force around the axial line acting between the link members due to an object pinched between the link members, in which the robot has such a shape that a width dimension in a direction along a plane of a cross-sectional surface of at least one of the link members, which perpendicularly intersects the axial line, on at least one sides from the longitudinal axes that intersect the axial line continuously spread from at least midway positions of the at least one of the link members in the direction of the longitudinal axes toward the axial line, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to construction, configuration, and utilization of humanoid robotic systems and aspects thereof are described. A system may include a mobile base, a spine structure, a body structure, and at least one robotic arm, each of which is movably configured to have significant human-scale capabilities in prescribed environments. The one or more robotic arms may be rotatably coupled to the body structure, which may be mechanically associated with the mobile base, which is preferably configured for holonomic or semi-holonomic motion through human scale travel pathways that are ADA compliant. Aspects of the one or more arms may be counterbalanced with one or more spring-based counterbalancing mechanisms which facilitate backdriveability and payload features.

Abstract: A worm reduction gear, including: an inner diameter side holder in which a bearing is internally fitted and held; an outer diameter side holder which includes a holder holding part in which the inner diameter side holder is internally fitted and held so as to be able to be relatively rotated and moved and to be displaced in a direction orthogonal to a center axis of a worm wheel and a center axis of a worm, and which is internally fitted and held in a holding recessed part of a housing; and an elastic urging member in a circumferential direction which elastically urges the inner diameter side holder against the outer diameter side holder in a direction of rotating in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: In a rotation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational driving force of a motor to a load-side member via a speed reducer, a strain wave gearing is used as the speed reducer, and the allowable load torque of members in the powertrain other than the strain wave gearing is greater than a predetermined upper-limit load torque. The allowable load torque of the strain wave gearing is dictated by the ratcheting torque, which is set so as not to exceed the upper-limit load torque. In an overload state, ratcheting is generated in the strain wave gearing, so that the strain wave gearing functions as a mechanical fuse. Other power transmission members can be protected from an overload state without adding a separate member such as a torque limiter.

Abstract: A bending mechanism includes: a support member; a pivoting member supported at a distal end of the support member to be pivotable about an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the support member; a link disposed along the longitudinal axis and transmitting a force applied at a proximal end thereof to cause the pivoting member to pivot; and an adjuster adjusting stresses in the link so as not to exceed a threshold, at each pivoting position of the pivoting member with respect to the support member. The link includes a first member connected to the pivoting member and a second member disposed closer to the proximal end than the first member is. The adjuster includes a movable member moving in predetermined direction when the first and second members are relatively moved, and a spring biasing the movable member in such direction as to prevent the movement of the movable member.

Abstract: A gear device includes an internal gear, a flexible external gear, and a wave generator. The wave generator has an elliptic cam and a bearing. An inner ring has an inner ring raceway surface which a plurality of balls are in contact with, and a pair of inner ring shoulder parts. At a position of a minor axis, a first inner ring shoulder part has a greater height than a second inner ring shoulder part. At a position of a major axis, the second inner ring shoulder part has a greater height than the first inner ring shoulder part.

Abstract: A gearbox comprising: an outer intermediate shaft carrying a first set of shaft gears; an inner intermediate shaft carrying a second set of shaft gears, the inner intermediate shaft running concentrically within the outer intermediate shaft; a first lay shaft carrying a first set of drive gears and an output gear positioned along the first lay shaft between two of the first set of drive gears, a second lay shaft carrying a second set of drive gears and an output gear positioned along the second lay shaft between two of the second set of drive gears, each drive gear being coupled to a respective shaft gear to together provide a plurality of gear ratios between the intermediate shafts and the output shaft; and an output shaft, each lay shaft being coupled to the output shaft by the respective output gear.

Abstract: An installing device includes a connection member and a linear motion support. The connection member is disposed at a base end portion of a hollow arm which extends in an extension direction and which has a hollow extending in the extension direction. A linear object passing through the hollow is connectable to the connection member. The linear motion support supports the connection member slidably with respect to the hollow arm in the extension direction.

Abstract: A gear box of a hybrid power vehicle includes a first gear box part and a second gear box part. The first gear box part includes one input shaft and two intermediate shafts, and the input shaft is configured to be connected to an internal combustion engine, a first driving toothed gear and a second driving toothed gear are provided on the input shaft, a first driven toothed gear and a second driven toothed gear are provided on a first intermediate shaft, a third driven toothed gear and a fourth driven toothed gear are provided on a second intermediate shaft; and the second gear box part includes a third intermediate shaft provided with a driving toothed gear of a first gear of the electric motor and the first or second intermediate shaft provided with a driven toothed gear of the first gear of the electric motor.