Abstract:
A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes a crankshaft (103), first and second eccentric gears (121), first and second end plates (123), a first crosslink (117) which is disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, a second crosslink which is disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate, a stator (113) disposed between the first and second eccentric gears, and a rotor (109). Preferably, the rotary actuator further includes first and second support plates (115) which are disposed concentrically about the crankshaft and which are attached to first and second surfaces of the stator, respectively. The foregoing configuration allows the stator to serve as a major structural element, which may enhance the stiffness and reduce the weight of the actuator, while simplifying many of its active components.
Abstract:
A multi-speed hub drive wheel is provided which includes a wheel equipped with a hub; a star compound gear train having first and second stages; a motor disposed in the hub which drives the wheel by way of the star compound gear train; and a clutch which switches the hub drive wheel between a first mode of operation in which the motor engages the first stage of the star compound gear train, and a second mode of operation in which the motor engages the second stage of the star compound gear train.
Abstract:
A planetary screw actuator is provided which includes a stator; a rotor; a lead screw having external threads thereon; an ovoidal planet screw that meshes with the external threads on the lead screw; an end plate; and a grooved roller bearing (GRB) race disposed between the end plate and the ovoidal planet screw. The GRB race has at least one GRB roller disposed therein.
Abstract:
A multi-speed hub drive wheel is provided which includes a wheel equipped with a hub; a star compound gear train having first and second stages; a motor disposed in the hub which drives the wheel by way of the star compound gear train; and a clutch which switches the hub drive wheel between a first mode of operation in which the motor engages the first stage of the star compound gear train, and a second mode of operation in which the motor engages the second stage of the star compound gear train.
Abstract:
A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes first and second opposing endplates (107); a stator (105) having a first end which is attached to said first endplate, and a second end which is attached to said second endplate; a rotor (103) having first and second eccentrics (125) on a surface thereof; an output attachment ring gear (135) disposed about the periphery of said first and second opposing endplates; a first parallel eccentric gear (131) which is disposed between said first eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a second parallel eccentric gear which is disposed between said second eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a first crosslink (113) which engages said first endplate and said first eccentric gear by way of a first set of surface features (143, 153); and a second crosslink which meshes with said second endplate and said second eccentric gear by way of a second set of surface features.
Abstract:
A rotary actuator is provided which includes a crankshaft, a first eccentric gear disposed on a first end of the crankshaft, a second eccentric gear disposed on a second end of the crankshaft, first and second end plates, a first crosslink disposed between the first eccentric gear and the first end plate, and a second crosslink disposed between the second eccentric gear and the second end plate. The first crosslink has a first set of surface features on a surface thereof which engage a second set of surface features on the first eccentric gear, and at least one of the first and second eccentric gears is equipped with circular arc gear teeth.
Abstract:
A method is provided for making a multi-speed hub drive wheel (MDW) for a vehicle. The method includes providing a set of standardized gear train modules which includes a first gear train module having a 2-speed star/epicyclic front end, a second gear train module having a 2-speed star compound back end, and a third gear train module having a single-plane star compound final stage reducer. A vehicle is selected having a set of gear train performance criteria associated therewith, and a module from the set of standardized gear train modules is incorporated into an MDW for the vehicle which meets the gear train performance criteria.
Abstract:
A multi-speed hub drive wheel (MDW) is provided. The MDW includes first and second gears; a clutch shaft having a clutch collar disposed thereon, wherein the clutch shaft drives the clutch collar between a first position in which the clutch collar engages the first gear, a second position in which the clutch collar engages the second gear, and a third position in which the clutch collar maintains the MDW in neutral; a drive shaft having a first spline disposed thereon; a clutch disk equipped with a yoke, wherein the yoke and the clutch disk slidingly engage the first spline; and a clutch motor which drives the clutch shaft.
Abstract:
A parallel eccentric electro-mechanical actuator provides motive power and includes an electric prime mover that drives the reducer's pinion gear. This pinion drives minimum three star gears with stationary shaft bearings. Each shaft contains an eccentric which are completely in parallel with each other. These eccentrics can be thought of as parallel/in-phase driven crankshafts. Each eccentric drives the parallel eccentric (PE) gear through a bearing. The PE gear exhibits a circular motion (without rotation) which in itself is unbalanced. The crankshafts have another eccentric which create an opposite inertia force to balance that of the PE gear. The PE gear contains an external toothed gear on its periphery. It meshes with the internal teeth of the output ring gear. The relative motion between the PE gear and the ring gear is that the PE gear rolls inside the ring gear. This relative motion is called hypo-cycloidal motion.
Abstract:
A parallel eccentric electro-mechanical actuator provides motive power and includes an electric prime mover that drives the reducer's pinion gear. This pinion drives minimum three star gears with stationary shaft bearings. Each shaft contains an eccentric which are completely in parallel with each other. These eccentrics can be thought of as parallel/in-phase driven crankshafts. Each eccentric drives the parallel eccentric (PE) gear through a bearing. The PE gear exhibits a circular motion (without rotation) which in itself is unbalanced. The crankshafts have another eccentric which create an opposite inertia force to balance that of the PE gear. The PE gear contains an external toothed gear on its periphery. It meshes with the internal teeth of the output ring gear. The relative motion between the PE gear and the ring gear is that the PE gear rolls inside the ring gear. This relative motion is called hypo-cycloidal motion.