An operation device includes a stationary portion, a movable portion configured to move in a predetermined direction within a predetermined range, and a load adjuster configured to adjust a movement load of the movable portion. An elastic portion that is elastically deformable is provided to the movable portion. The load adjuster is provided to the stationary portion and provided with a press portion configured to press the elastic portion in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the movable portion.

Provided is a manipulator including: a movable part; a drive unit generating power; an elongated flexible long guide member to which the part is attached at one end thereof and the drive unit is attached at the other end thereof; an elongated tension transmission member passing through a lumen in the long guide member and transmitting the power of the drive unit to the part by means of a tension; a tension adjusting mechanism adjusting the tension of the tension transmission member; and a holding unit to which the drive unit is detachably attached. The mechanism includes: a tensioner, provided in a movable manner in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tension transmission member, that pulls the tension transmission member; and a pressing member, provided in the holding unit, that moves the tensioner in a state in which the drive unit has been attached to the holding unit.

An apparatus for moving a shift rail of a transmission may include a control shaft provided to be moved in a direction perpendicular to a plurality of shift rails by an actuator, a plurality of rollers protruding from one selected among a corresponding one of the shift rails and the control shaft, the rollers being formed on one of facing sides of the shift rail and the control shaft, and a cam protruding in an S-shaped form from a remaining one selected among the corresponding shift rail and the control shaft, on which no roller is formed, the cam being provided to selectively move the shift rails in an axial direction by moving while coming into contact at opposite sides thereof with the rollers depending on a distance by which the control shaft is moved.

A speed control assembly for an appliance includes a bracket and a cam that is slidably coupled with the bracket and has an engagement edge. A lever is operably coupled with the cam and is configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket and a magnet is disposed adjacent the engagement edge. A ball bearing that is in magnetic communication with the magnet is configured to be selectively engaged with one of a plurality of retention spaces that are defined by the engagement edge of the cam. A sensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

A method and apparatus for implementing an ultra-high stability long-vertical travel stage are provided. The ultra-high stability long-vertical travel stage includes a first wedge supporting a second wedge, each wedge formed of a selected stable material having predefined rigidity and low thermal expansion coefficient, and integrated air bearings. A linear guiding mechanism includes a plurality of flexures. The first wedge is driven in a plane providing vertical motion on the second wedge with the integrated air bearings lifted and the flexures allowing for movement.

A mechanical converter assembly includes an input, a lever stack (multiple levers), and an output. The input is configured to receive a mechanical drive force (or mechanical input signal) from a driver resource. The lever stack translates the received drive force into a mechanical output force (or mechanical output signal). The output of the mechanical converter assembly is configured to apply the mechanical output force produced by the lever stack to a driven element. In one embodiment, use of the lever stack in the mechanical converter assembly provides translational gain in which an amount of translational movement at the input of the mechanical converter assembly results in a substantially greater amount of corresponding translational movement at the output.

To provide a stepped linear drive with a compact overall volume, a drive can employ control elements which engage and disengage an output element without being displaced normal to the axis of output motion.

A linear motion mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linear motion mechanism includes: an elastic arrangement which is arranged to transform an input direction and an input displacement to an output direction and an output displacement, wherein the output direction is orthogonal to the input direction; an operating member which is arranged to deform the elastic arrangement in the input direction by the input displacement; and a movable member fixed to the elastic arrangement to move in the output direction by the output displacement.