A micro-traction drive unit according to the present invention includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, a retainer, a micro-traction drive case and a power-transmitting shaft coaxial with the inner ring and incapable of relative rotation around an axis to the retainer. An opposite end of the power-transmitting shaft from the inner ring forms an input end operatively connected to a driving source. An input end of the pump shaft is detachably connected to a central hole of the inner ring in a state incapable of relative rotation around the axis via the access opening of the micro-traction drive case by connecting the micro-traction drive case to the HST case so as to surround the input end of the pump shaft of the HST.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a construction machine starting assist system including: an engine of a construction machine; an input unit which receives a key-on signal and a key-off signal of the engine; a hydraulic pump which is operated by the engine; an actuator which is operated by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump; a regeneration valve which is switched so that a part or an entirety of the hydraulic oil returned from the actuator; an accumulator which is charged with the hydraulic oil supplied from the regeneration valve; a charging valve which is controlled so that the hydraulic oil is discharged from the accumulator when the key-on signal is inputted into the input unit; and a hydraulic motor connected to the engine and configured to assist in starting the engine.

A haptic system includes a haptic ring that is worn on the finger of a user. The haptic ring includes a flexible tube that is positioned against the finger pad of the user and configured to transport a fluid across the finger pad of the user. A first pump is configured to pump a warm fluid into the flexible tube and a second pump is configured to pump a cold fluid into the flexible tube, thereby providing a haptic sensation of temperature. A valve is positioned downstream of the haptic ring that is configured to open and close to modulate the pressure of the fluid, thereby providing a haptic sensation of pressure and/or vibration to the finger pad of the user. The haptic ring is unobtrusive and therefore does not significantly interfere with the ability of the user to perceive tactile sensations of the real world.

A haptic system includes a haptic ring that is worn on the finger of a user. The haptic ring includes a flexible tube that is positioned against the finger pad of the user and configured to transport a fluid across the finger pad of the user. A first pump is configured to pump a warm fluid into the flexible tube and a second pump is configured to pump a cold fluid into the flexible tube, thereby providing a haptic sensation of temperature. A valve is positioned downstream of the haptic ring that is configured to open and close to modulate the pressure of the fluid, thereby providing a haptic sensation of pressure and/or vibration to the finger pad of the user. The haptic ring is unobtrusive and therefore does not significantly interfere with the ability of the user to perceive tactile sensations of the real world.

A micro-traction drive unit according to the present invention includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements, a retainer, a micro-traction drive case and a power-transmitting shaft coaxial with the inner ring and incapable of relative rotation around an axis to the retainer. An opposite end of the power-transmitting shaft from the inner ring forms an input end operatively connected to a driving source. An input end of the pump shaft is detachably connected to a central hole of the inner ring in a state incapable of relative rotation around the axis via the access opening of the micro-traction drive case by connecting the micro-traction drive case to the HST case so as to surround the input end of the pump shaft of the HST.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a construction machine starting assist system including: an engine of a construction machine; an input unit which receives a key-on signal and a key-off signal of the engine; a hydraulic pump which is operated by the engine; an actuator which is operated by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump; a regeneration valve which is switched so that a part or an entirety of the hydraulic oil returned from the actuator and a part or an entirety of the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump are supplied for regeneration; an accumulator which is charged with the hydraulic oil supplied from the regeneration valve; a charging valve which is controlled so that the hydraulic oil is discharged from the accumulator when the key-on signal is inputted into the input unit; and a hydraulic motor which is operated by the hydraulic oil discharged from the charging valve, in which the hydraulic motor is connected to the engine and assists in starting the engine.

An actuator according to the present invention includes a cylinder, a piston inserted into the cylinder to be free to slide, a rod that is inserted into the cylinder and connected to the piston, a rod side chamber and a piston side chamber defined by the piston within the cylinder, a tank, a first opening/closing valve provided in a first passage that connects the rod side chamber to the piston side chamber, a second opening/closing valve provided in a second passage that connects the piston side chamber to the tank, a pump that supplies a working fluid to the rod side chamber, a motor that drives the pump, an exhaust passage that connects the rod side chamber to the tank, and a passive valve that is provided in the exhaust passage and has a predetermined pressure/flow rate characteristic.

In some implementations, bending or other shape changes of a device are actuated by inflating or deflating a bladder in the device. Then, once the desired new shape is achieved by this actuation, another bladder in the device is layer-jammed, to make the device rigid in the new shape. In some cases, sheets in the layer-jamming bladder are coated with abrasive particles. In some cases, layer jamming bladders are interwoven to form a woven device. The rigidity of the woven device can be anisotropically controlled. Layer jamming some, but not all, of the bladders in the woven device causes the woven device to have a rigidity that varies by direction. In some cases, a layer-jamming bladder includes a solid layer with a crease in it. As a result, the bladder can easily bend at the crease.