Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating stiffness and a method for controlling stiffness, which can generate stiffness by using elastic members and can control the stiffness, and a joint of a robot manipulator to which the device and method can be applied. The device for generating stiffness includes a rotating shaft; a plurality of elastic members fixed to the rotating shaft; upper and lower circular plates that are disposed so as to be spaced from each other with the elastic members interposed therebetween, are independently driven with respect to the rotating shaft by power generating units thereof, respectively, and respectively have slits of which the number is equal to the number of the elastic members; and a plurality of moving members that are inserted into the slits formed in the upper and lower circular plates, respectively, and are connected to the elastic members so as to move.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a weight compensation mechanism. A weight compensation mechanism is installed in a link member rotatable in a plurality of directions. The weight compensation mechanism includes a plurality of bevel gears that rotates in harmony with the rotation of the link member. Cam plates are connected to one or more of the bevel gears to be rotated together with the bevel gears. Weight offsetting parts are connected to the cam plates, respectively, and each of the weight offsetting parts compresses an elastic member based on the rotation of the link member and the cam plate to absorb gravitation generated by the weight of the link member.

Abstract: A coupling device has a flexible member that is vertically connected to a rotating shaft and of which the length can be varied in an inward and outward direction with respect to the rotating shaft, an elastic member that is connected to the flexible member and causes the flexible member to receive an elastic force in the outward direction with respect to the rotating shaft, and a cam member that is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft and delivers a rotating force of the rotating shaft to a rotating member. The cam member has a through-hole having an initial-position portion in which the flexible member is positioned at the initial stage and a displaced-position portion which has a smaller diameter than the initial-position portion and of which the diameter is constant about the rotating shaft, and an another through-hole having an initial-position portion in which the flexible member is positioned and a return-position portion of which the radius decreases from the initial-position portion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vibrotactile mobile device which induces a tactile sense at various positions in an interface method of operating the mobile device so that a user may intuitively interact with the mobile device while seeing a program execution status, and to a method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device. The method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device includes: providing a user interface for inputting a command signal on a screen operated in accordance with a program; calculating a target vibration position and a direction and a speed of a vibration flow with time so as to recognize a trajectory of the command signal displayed on the screen and supply a vibration stimulus corresponding to the trajectory of the command signal; and driving the vibration module by controlling a supply of power to be applied to vibration modules based on the calculated result.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a weight compensation mechanism. A weight compensation mechanism is installed in a link member rotatable in a plurality of directions. The weight compensation mechanism includes a plurality of bevel gears that rotates in harmony with the rotation of the link member. Cam plates are connected to one or more of the bevel gears to be rotated together with the bevel gears. Weight offsetting parts are connected to the cam plates, respectively, and each of the weight offsetting parts compresses an elastic member based on the rotation of the link member and the cam plate to absorb gravitation generated by the weight of the link member.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vibrotactile mobile device which induces a tactile sense at various positions in an interface method of operating the mobile device so that a user may intuitively interact with the mobile device while seeing a program execution status, and to a method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device. The method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device includes: providing a user interface for inputting a command signal on a screen operated in accordance with a program; calculating a target vibration position and a direction and a speed of a vibration flow with time so as to recognize a trajectory of the command signal displayed on the screen and supply a vibration stimulus corresponding to the trajectory of the command signal; and driving the vibration module by controlling a supply of power to be applied to vibration modules based on the calculated result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating limit torque, which generates a rotational displacement to protect a rotating device and automatically returns to the initial position when an external force is eliminated, and a rotating device using the same. The device includes a flexible member that is vertically connected to a rotating shaft and of which the length can be varied in an inward and outward direction with respect to the rotating shaft; an elastic member that is connected to the flexible member and causes the flexible member to receive an elastic force in the outward direction with respect to the rotating shaft; and a cam member that is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft and delivers a rotating force of the rotating shaft to a rotating member. The cam member has a through-hole in which a rotational displacement is generated and through which the flexible member returns to the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating stiffness and a method for controlling stiffness, which can generate stiffness by using elastic members and can control the stiffness, and a joint of a robot manipulator to which the device and method can be applied. The device for generating stiffness includes a rotating shaft; a plurality of elastic members fixed to the rotating shaft; upper and lower circular plates that are disposed so as to be spaced from each other with the elastic members interposed therebetween, are independently driven with respect to the rotating shaft by power generating units thereof, respectively, and respectively have slits of which the number is equal to the number of the elastic members; and a plurality of moving members that are inserted into the slits formed in the upper and lower circular plates, respectively, and are connected to the elastic members so as to move.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a design of a driving mechanism for a vehicle to move through uneven terrain including stairways. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention comprises: front and rear track driving sections; a built-in type control box; a set of angle-adjusting flippers, installed at front and rear ends of the control box, for adjusting the track angle; and high-speed driving wheels installed at the angle-adjusting tracks and imbedded inside. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention does not require a complex terrain-adaptation mechanism, and thus it has advantages that the overall structure is simple and the control is very easy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a design of a driving mechanism for a vehicle to move through uneven terrain including stairways. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention comprises: front and rear track driving sections; a built-in type control box; a set of angle-adjusting flippers, installed at front and rear ends of the control box, for adjusting the track angle; and high-speed driving wheels installed at the angle-adjusting tracks and imbedded inside. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention does not require a complex terrain-adaptation mechanism, and thus it has advantages that the overall structure is simple and the control is very easy.