A transmission or gearbox assembly with fail-safe means for providing redundancy where failure can lead to loss of torque transmission between component parts of the assembly, the assembly comprising a plurality of first components in torque transmitting engagement and at least one second component associated with at least one of the first components, the second component being joined to the respective first component by a discontinuous joint. Preferably, each first component of the system has a corresponding second component joined thereto by a discontinuous joint.

A gearbox includes a planetary gearset, an input shaft coupled to a sun gear of the planetary gearset, and an output shaft coupled to planet gears of the planetary gearset via a carrier. A constant torsion spring is coupled to a ring gear of the planetary gearset. The constant torsion spring is capable of preventing the ring gear from moving when a torque at the output shaft is below a threshold. The ring gear winds the constant torsion spring in response to the torque exceeding the threshold.

A gearbox includes a planetary gearset, an input shaft coupled to a sun gear of the planetary gearset, and an output shaft coupled to planet gears of the planetary gearset via a carrier. A constant torsion spring is coupled to a ring gear of the planetary gearset. The constant torsion spring is capable of preventing the ring gear from moving when a torque at the output shaft is below a threshold. The ring gear winds the constant torsion spring in response to the torque exceeding the threshold.

An apparatus for regulating a torque limiter includes a resilient member configured to exert a force on one or more components of the torque limiter that adjusts a torque limit of the torque limiter in use, a movable abutment configured to contact the resilient member, a nut rotatable about the axis and configured to contact the movable abutment such that a given rotational position of the nut corresponds to a given axial position of the movable abutment, and an anti-rotation member configured to move between first and second positions. In the first position the anti-rotation member prevents rotational movement of the nut and in the second position the anti-rotation member does not prevent rotational movement of the nut and permits rotation of the nut and, in turn, axial movement of the movable abutment to vary the force exerted by the resilient member.

A differential assembly provided with a power distribution unit includes a first housing, an output shaft, a shaft, and a torque limiter. The first housing defines a biasing member bore and a brake bore. The output shaft extends at least partially through the first housing. The shaft is disposed about the output shaft and extends between a first shaft end that is connected to a differential unit and a second shaft end. The torque limiter is disposed within the first housing and is arranged to selectively inhibit rotation of at least one of the output shaft and the shaft.

An electric actuator for controlling the output of a hydraulic drive device such as a transaxle or pump, including an adaptor to permit use of the actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device. The actuator may include an offset arm disposed on a distal end of an output shaft, and a protrusion extending from the offset arm and offset from the axis of rotation of the control shaft of the drive device. A control arm is disposed on an end of the control shaft and includes a first opening to engage the control shaft and a second opening to receive the protrusion to enable the protrusion to cause rotation of the control arm.

An electric actuator for controlling the output of a hydraulic drive device such as a transaxle or pump, including an adaptor to permit use of the actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device. The actuator may include an offset arm disposed on a distal end of an output shaft, and a protrusion extending from the offset arm and offset from the axis of rotation of the control shaft of the drive device. A control arm is disposed on an end of the control shaft and includes a first opening to engage the control shaft and a second opening to receive the protrusion to enable the protrusion to cause rotation of the control arm.

An example robot includes: a motor disposed at a joint configured to control motion of a member of the robot; a transmission including an input member coupled to and configured to rotate with the motor, an intermediate member, and an output member, where the intermediate member is fixed such that as the input member rotates, the output member rotates therewith at a different speed; a pad frictionally coupled to a side surface of the output member of the transmission and coupled to the member of the robot; and a spring configured to apply an axial preload on the pad, wherein the axial preload defines a torque limit that, when exceeded by a torque load on the member of the robot, the output member of the transmission slips relative to the pad.

An example robot includes: a motor disposed at a joint configured to control motion of a member of the robot; a transmission including an input member coupled to and configured to rotate with the motor, an intermediate member, and an output member, where the intermediate member is fixed such that as the input member rotates, the output member rotates therewith at a different speed; a pad frictionally coupled to a side surface of the output member of the transmission and coupled to the member of the robot; and a spring configured to apply an axial preload on the pad, wherein the axial preload defines a torque limit that, when exceeded by a torque load on the member of the robot, the output member of the transmission slips relative to the pad.

A sealed actuator with internal clutching assembly including an output shaft, output detent ring, moving detent ring, and a wave spring, which is fit inside a sealed housing. The moving detent ring is able to move axially to the output shaft and the output detent ring is able to rotate on the output shaft. Intermeshing ramped teeth of these rings are held together by a wave spring and allow the output shaft to rotate and transmit torque of a motor through a main gear operably coupled to an output gear mounted on the output shaft to the outside of the housing. During predetermined high loads, the output and moving detent rings ramped teeth create an axial force that overcomes the load from the wave spring, which allows moving detent ring to disengage and output shaft to rotate freely to help prevent damage to the actuator.