Actuation systems and methods for actuating a telescopic structure are provided. The actuation system can include a chain cartridge including a drive chain engageably coupled to a drive mechanism actuated by an actuator coupled to a power supply. The drive chain can include a plurality of inter-connected links conveying at least one cable within an interior space of each inter-connected link. The system can also include a telescopic structure including a plurality of segments configured to extend and retract telescopically and conveying the drive chain therein. The drive chain can couple to a distal segment of the plurality of segments. The drive mechanism can impart a linear translation force on the plurality of inter-connected links to cause the distal segment to extend or retract from the telescopic structure. Methods of actuating the actuation system described herein are also provided.

A bed assembly includes a bed having a head end, a foot end and a frame which is connected between the head end and the foot end. A water-proof pad is located between the head end and the foot end. The water-proof pad can be tightened, loosened and movable up and down. A bed board unit is pivotably connected to two sides of the frame so that the bed board unit is opened and closed when needed. An inflatable tub or bedpan is located beneath the bed so that when the bed board unit is opened, the patient can use the inflatable tub or the bedpan and does not have to be removed from the bed.

One embodiment provides a drive system that includes a drive device with at least one drum for spooling at least one wire rope. A mounting device is connected to the drive device and a single-axis tracker. At least one partial pulley is connected to a torque tube. The at least one partial pulley is configured to accept the at least one wire rope and to transfer leveraged drive forces to the torque tube.

A window regulator includes a carrier plate holding a windowpane, a drum rotated by driving a motor that generates a driving force, a wire whose one end is connected to the carrier plate and whose other end is connected to the drum, a wire end fixed to an end on a side of the one end of the wire, and a housing member that is formed of a synthetic resin and houses the wire end. The housing member is configured to define a housing hole that is surrounded by a base in which an inserting hole to insert the wire is formed, and a sidewall that is formed extending from an outer edge of the base. The wire end is housed in the housing hole while being pressed against a protrusion that protrudes from the sidewall.

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.

A cable actuator (100) comprising: a frame (10); a screw (2) rotatably mounted on the frame (10) and extending along a first axis (Ox); a nut (4) cooperating with the screw (2); means (30) for estimating the angular movement of the nut (4) about the first axis (Lx) relative to the frame (10); and a distance sensor (30) secured to the frame (10) and having a winder (33) for winding a thread (32), one end (32.1) of the thread (32) connected to the nut (4) at a connection point (4.1);

wherein the distance sensor (30) is arranged in such a manner that the thread (32) changes curvature at a first point (34) situated in a first plane (P.sub.1) orthogonal to the first axis (Ox).

The present disclosure is drawn to single axis rotation systems for use with a solar device, as well as related methods and sun movement targeting devices. The single axis rotation system can include an actuator with a movable arm, a pulley system, and a rotatable shaft. The pulley system can include a base pulley, a collaborative pulley, and a compliant band about the base pulley and the collaborative pulley. The movable arm can be attached to the compliant band such that when the movable arm actuates, the compliant band causes the base pulley and the collaborative pulley to move. The rotatable shaft is attached to the base pulley and is configured to rotate when the base pulley rotates, as well as rotate a solar device along a single axis in an outward orientation with respect to the rotatable shaft.

One object is to provide a plug door device that can make a contribution to a size reduction thereof, while suppressing a decrease in airtightness of a door. A plug door device is provided with an electric motor, a plug operation portion that moves a door in a width direction of a vehicle, a front-back operation portion that moves the door in a front-back direction of the vehicle, a movement suppressing portion that can suppress movement of the door in the front-back direction, and a planetary gear mechanism that distributes a drive force of the electric motor to the plug operation portion when movement of the door in the front-back direction is suppressed by the movement suppressing portion, and distributes a drive force of the electric motor to the front-back operation portion when movement of the door in the front-back direction is not suppressed by the movement suppressing portion.

A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) having a belt drive unit for an elongated axis element of the CMM, the belt drive unit comprising a belt, the ends of which are clamped on the elongated axis element, a pulley unit, comprising a drive pulley and two idler pulleys, wherein the belt entangles the drive pulley and the idle pulleys in an omega-shaped manner, and wherein the pulley unit is configured to cause a relative linear movement between the axis element and the pulley unit, wherein a damping layer is disposed adjacent to the belt.

The present invention relates to a flat belt (10) that is an open end belt to be fixed to a coupler (31, 41), in which the flat belt (10) contains, formed on both end portions (11, 12) of at least one surface of the flat belt (10), a plurality of projected portions (13) engageable with a plurality of recessed portions (33, 43) formed on the coupler (31, 41).