The invention relates to a wheel drive module (1) comprising a wheel (30) and a transmission, wherein the transmission comprises a first and a second drive gear ring (15, 25) which are arranged such that they can rotate about a common rotation axis (R), the wheel (30) can be steered and driven by a respective rotation of the first drive gear ring (15) and the second drive gear ring (25), and a wheel-receiving space (20) extending along the axis of rotation (R) is defined between the first drive gear ring (15) and the second drive gear ring (25), in which the wheel (30) is arranged at least sectionally.

An electric vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotatable vehicle drive axle disposed along a transverse axis and having opposed ends that are configured for attachment of a pair of opposed drive wheels. The electric vehicle also comprises a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis, the electric propulsion motor configured to be mounted within the vehicle chassis and operatively coupled to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and opposed drive wheels, the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction.

An electric or hybrid electric vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotatable vehicle drive axle disposed along a transverse axis and having opposed ends that are configured for attachment of a pair of opposed drive wheels. The electric vehicle also comprises a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis, the electric propulsion motor configured to be mounted within the vehicle chassis and operatively coupled to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and opposed drive wheels, the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction, a selectively movable differential disposed on the drive axle and configured to operatively couple motive power of the electric propulsion motor that is transmitted to the rotatable motor shaft to the drive axle, and a motor actuator operatively coupled to the electric propulsion motor and the vehicle chassis.

The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a first electric motor (M1) and a second electric motor (M2) of a wheel drive module, wherein the wheel drive module comprises a wheel (R) and a speed modulation gearbox (G), and wherein the wheel (R) is drivable about a wheel axis (A) jointly by the first and the second electric motors (M1, M2) by means of the speed modulation gearbox (G) and steerable about a steering axis (L) which is orthogonal to the wheel axis (A), wherein electrical control signals for controlling the first and second electric motors (M1, M2) are determined from wheel reference values which characterize the driving and/or the steering of the wheel (R).

A brake module (1) of a wheel module (2) has an anchor plate (20) adjacent to a wheel (10) and is indefinitely rotatable about the steering axis (L) with the wheel (10). A lifting unit (30) is fixed adjacent to the anchor plate (20) and fixed about the steering axis (L). A brake wheel (21) is arranged on the wheel shaft (11) and is rotatable about the wheel axis (R) with the wheel (10). At least one transfer element (22, 22) extends from the anchor plate (20) towards the brake wheel (21). The lifting unit (30) is configured to move the anchor plate (20) from a first state to a second state. In the first state, the elements (20, 30, 22, 22) are spaced apart without any contact. In the second state, the at least one transfer element (22, 22) abuts against the brake wheel (21) generating a brake force at the brake wheel (21).

Apparatuses and systems that yield a zero torque steer for a pallet truck or similar vehicle are disclosed. In an embodiment, a motor is attached to a final drive. The final drive is equipped to a steer assembly such as a tiller that includes a drive wheel that is offset from the steering axis. The offset is determined on the basis of the drive wheel radius, divided by the ratio of the final drive. The ratio of the final drive is determined by selection of the sizes of a first and second gear. In embodiments, the first and second gears provide a right angle drive. The drive wheel creates a torque due to the offset that counteracts torque imposed by operation of the drive motor. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

A vehicle drive apparatus, including: an electric motor rotating about an axial line in a vertical direction, a first planetary gear mechanism of a single pinion type and a second planetary gear mechanism of a double pinion type arranged inside the electric motor, a torque transmission mechanism transmitting a torque output from the second planetary gear mechanism to a pair of drive shafts. The torque transmission mechanism includes a first torque transmission unit transmitting a torque output from a sun gear of the second planetary gear mechanism to one of the pair of drive shafts, and a second torque transmission unit transmitting a torque output from a carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism to the other of the pair of drive shafts.

Included is a stabilizer wheel assembly that may assist in stabilizing a medical device during a medical procedure. A medical device may comprise a body; and a plurality of stabilizer wheel assemblies coupled to the body, wherein the stabilizer wheel assemblies each comprise a motor assembly and a stabilization leg, wherein the motor assembly is configured to drive the stabilization leg onto a contact surface to stabilize the body.

The invention involves a system and method for controlling the movements of a multi-axis robot to perform a surgery at least on the spinal area of a human in vivo. The system includes controls and software coding to cause the robot to move in desired patterns to complete the surgery, which may include bone, disc and tissue removal, and may also include insertion of hardware for fusing adjacent bony structures.

A drive assembly is provided and includes a rotatable housing, a motor disposed within and to rotate with the housing, the motor including a drive element and first and second drive shafts, which are independently rotatably drivable by the drive element, a first drivable element coupled to the first drive shaft such that rotation thereof is transmitted to the first drivable element and configured to propel the housing in a first direction during first drive shaft rotation and a second drivable element coupled to the second drive shaft such that rotation thereof is transmitted to the second drivable element and configured to propel the motor in a second direction, which is transversely oriented relative to the first direction, relative to the housing during second drive shaft rotation.