A compact cable tension tender device includes first and second pulleys rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. First and second plates are fixed to the drive shaft. Drive stops on the plates engage and rotate the pulleys when the drive shaft is rotated. A resilient coupler urges the first and second pulleys to rotate away from engagement with the drive stops. Cables are coupled to the pulleys and adjusted to be in tension such that the first and second pulleys both engage the drive stops at the same time. The engagement of both pulleys with the drive stops at the same time minimizes lost motion when reversing the rotation of the drive shaft.

With the traction means tensioner, a traction means having at least two ends is tensionable. The traction means tensioner comprises a first fastening means, a second fastening means and a coupling means. The first fastening means has a first fastening portion at which the first end of the traction means as fastenable. The second fastening means has a second fastening portion at which the second end of the traction means is fastenable. The coupling means couples the first and the second fastening means to each other so that the first and the second fastening means are movable with respect to each other and their movability is at least restricted on one side. Further, the first and the second fastening means are pre-tensionable with respect to each other via at least one spring element.

Provided are a recording apparatus and a motion unit drive method that determines a stop rotation torque of a CR motor indicating stop of a carriage by a stopper and, within a predetermined period after the determination of the stop rotational torque, supplies to the CR motor the drive signal that causes a rotational torque of the drive motor to be a low rotational torque having a smaller torque value than the stop rotational torque.

An example variable transmission system is provided. As an example, a variable transmission system may include a frame, an output hub coupled to the frame, a first linear actuator coupled to the frame, and a second linear actuator coupled to the frame. The variable transmission system may also include a tension-bearing element positioned around the output hub. A first end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the first linear actuator, and a second end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the second linear actuator. The tension-bearing element may include a variable stiffness profile such that a transmission ratio of the output hub may be adjusted based on a position of the second linear actuator relative to the output hub.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a medical device. The medical device may include an elongate member, a first control member and a second control member each coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, an actuator coupled to the first control member and the second control member and configured to selectively move the first control member and the second control member to steer the elongate member, and a holding mechanism deflecting a path of the first control member from the actuator to the distal end of the elongate member and a path of the second control member from the actuator to the distal end of the elongate member. The holding mechanism may be configured to apply tension on one of the first control member and the second control member as the other is moved to steer the elongate member.

A single axis actuator includes a driving-side timing pulley located at one end in a longitudinal direction of a device frame in such a manner that a rotational center thereof is vertically oriented, a rotation transmission shaft coaxially connected to the driving-side timing pulley and extending upwardly, a driven-side timing pulley located at another end in the longitudinal direction of the device frame in such a manner that a rotation shaft thereof is vertically oriented, a timing belt bridged between the driving-side and driven-side timing pulleys, a slider connected to a part of the timing belt to be made movable in the longitudinal direction of the device frame, and a motor having a motor shaft that is connected to an upper end of the rotation transmission shaft.

In one variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable within a driving plane, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion wherein the adjustable pulley portion is rotatable relative to the base pulley portion within the driving plane, and a driving member including an end coupled to the adjustable pulley portion wherein at least a portion of the driving member is wrapped at least partially around the adjustable pulley portion. In another variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable around an axis, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion and movable in a first direction parallel to the axis, and a sliding block engaged with the adjustable pulley portion, wherein the sliding block moves in a second direction different from the first direction, in response to compression of the adjustable pulley portion against the base pulley portion.

An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

In one variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable within a driving plane, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion wherein the adjustable pulley portion is rotatable relative to the base pulley portion within the driving plane, and a driving member including an end coupled to the adjustable pulley portion wherein at least a portion of the driving member is wrapped at least partially around the adjustable pulley portion. In another variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable around an axis, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion and movable in a first direction parallel to the axis, and a sliding block engaged with the adjustable pulley portion, wherein the sliding block moves in a second direction different from the first direction, in response to compression of the adjustable pulley portion against the base pulley portion.

An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.