A tool driver for use in robotic surgery includes a base configured to couple to a distal end of a robotic arm, and a tool carriage slidingly engaged with the base and configured to receive a surgical tool. In one variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of linear axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. In another variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of rotary axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. Various sensors, such as a capacitive load cell for measuring axial load, a position sensor for measuring linear position of the guide based on the rotational positions of gears in a gear transmission, and/or a capacitive torque sensor based on differential capacitance, may be included in the tool driver.

The present teaching relates to a magnetic sensor residing in a housing. The magnetic sensor includes an input port and an output port, both extending from the housing, wherein the input port is to be connected to an external alternating current (AC) power supply. The magnetic sensor also includes an electric circuit which comprises an output control circuit coupled with the output port and configured to be at least responsive to a magnetic induction signal and the external AC power supply to control the magnetic sensor to operate in a state in which a load current flows through the output port. The magnetic induction signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of an external magnetic field detected by the electrical circuit and the operating frequency of the magnetic sensor is positively proportional to the frequency of the external AC power supply.

In an electronic control unit, a current circuit part is provided on a substrate and includes a switching element. During the control of a control target, a current having a relatively large value of a predetermined value or more flows in the current circuit part. A control circuit part is provided on the substrate and includes a control part that controls actuation of the switching element on the basis of a control signal to control the control target. A current input part is provided on the substrate so as to be located opposite to the control circuit with respect to the current circuit portion. To the current input portion, the current to be supplied to the control target via the current circuit portion is input.

In an electronic control unit, a current circuit part is provided on a substrate and includes a switching element. During the control of a control target, a current having a relatively large value of a predetermined value or more flows in the current circuit part. A control circuit part is provided on the substrate and includes a control part that controls actuation of the switching element on the basis of a control signal to control the control target. A current input part is provided on the substrate so as to be located opposite to the control circuit with respect to the current circuit portion. To the current input portion, the current to be supplied to the control target via the current circuit portion is input.

An electromagnetic actuator for non-continuous rotation (cogging-torque actuator (CTA)) (100) comprises a support structure (116), an output shaft (104) rotatable about and defining an axis of rotation (X), a permanent magnet rotor (106) comprising at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b) attached to the output shaft (104), and a stator device (110) comprising a ferromagnetic pole body (112) attached to the support structure (116) and surrounding the at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b). The ferromagnetic pole body (112) can have at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) each wrapped in a conductive wire (114a-d) to define a stator coil. The at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) are sized, and spaced radially from each other, so as to define a maximum cogging torque of the electromagnetic actuator (100). The CTA (100) can operate as an actuator, an elastic spring, a clutch, and/or a load support device.

An electromagnetic actuator for non-continuous rotation (cogging-torque actuator (CTA)) (100) comprises a support structure (116), an output shaft (104) rotatable about and defining an axis of rotation (X), a permanent magnet rotor (106) comprising at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b) attached to the output shaft (104), and a stator device (110) comprising a ferromagnetic pole body (112) attached to the support structure (116) and surrounding the at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b). The ferromagnetic pole body (112) can have at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) each wrapped in a conductive wire (114a-d) to define a stator coil. The at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) are sized, and spaced radially from each other, so as to define a maximum cogging torque of the electromagnetic actuator (100). The CTA (100) can operate as an actuator, an elastic spring, a clutch, and/or a load support device.

Heat radiation base body 23 that is adjacent to electric motor unit EM and extends in direction of rotation shaft 50 of electric motor is provided close to rotation shaft 50 of electric motor. Board 24 of one electronic control unit of redundant system is fixed to heat radiation base body along direction in which heat radiation base body 23 extends with thermal conduction to heat radiation base body 23 allowed. Board 26 of the other electronic control unit of redundant system is fixed to heat radiation base body so as to face to board 24 of one electronic control unit of redundant system, with thermal conduction to heat radiation base body 23 allowed. Size reduction of electric drive device in radial direction can be achieved. Since heat radiates to housing of electric motor unit through heat radiation base body, heat from board can radiate efficiently to the outside.

Heat radiation base body 23 that is adjacent to electric motor unit EM and extends in direction of rotation shaft 50 of electric motor is provided close to rotation shaft 50 of electric motor. Board 24 of one electronic control unit of redundant system is fixed to heat radiation base body along direction in which heat radiation base body 23 extends with thermal conduction to heat radiation base body 23 allowed. Board 26 of the other electronic control unit of redundant system is fixed to heat radiation base body so as to face to board 24 of one electronic control unit of redundant system, with thermal conduction to heat radiation base body 23 allowed. Size reduction of electric drive device in radial direction can be achieved. Since heat radiates to housing of electric motor unit through heat radiation base body, heat from board can radiate efficiently to the outside.

An actuator capable of realizing a high output with a compact size is proposed. An actuator provided with a motor including a cylindrical rotor, and a reducer including an input shaft coaxial with a rotational shaft of the motor and involved in the rotor. The reducer has a cylindrical shape, the reducer further includes an output shaft coaxial with the rotational shaft of the motor, the motor further includes a stator, and the actuator is further provided with a casing which supports the reducer and the stator.

An actuator capable of realizing a high output with a compact size is proposed. An actuator provided with a motor including a cylindrical rotor, and a reducer including an input shaft coaxial with a rotational shaft of the motor and involved in the rotor. The reducer has a cylindrical shape, the reducer further includes an output shaft coaxial with the rotational shaft of the motor, the motor further includes a stator, and the actuator is further provided with a casing which supports the reducer and the stator.