Provided is a support apparatus including a drive motor, a link mechanism that, by transmitting motive power output from the drive motor, is extendable and contractable in response to the motive power, and a pair of rotating bodies that act as a variable speed mechanism that outputs the motive power to the link mechanism by a reduction ratio according to an attitude of the link mechanism. At least part of the link mechanism forms a trapezoidal link mechanism.

This invention is an all gear continuously variable transmission that is non-dependent on friction. It can me be used in high torque applications. It offers a steady and uniform output for a steady and uniform input. It allows a co-axial input and output thereby by using a planetary gear system the output can be made continuous from forward to reverse. This uses a “scotch-yoke” mechanism to convert rotational motion to a linear reciprocating motion. The linear distance of this reciprocating motion-“stroke” is changed by altering the crankpin location of the scotch-yoke mechanism. This reciprocating motion is converted to a rocking motion by using a “rack and pinion” and later converted to a unidirectional motion via a One-Way-Bearing. A set of non-circular gears are used to achieve a steady and uniform output. It employs a very simple mechanism to change the ratio between the input and output of the transmission.

Various embodiments include an actuator comprising: a drive element; a transmission section; an actuating element; a mechanically active connection from the drive element to the actuating element through the transmission section; and a reset spring providing a closing force acting on the actuating element. The transmission section includes a drive gear wheel, a transmission gear wheel, and a take-off gear wheel. The transmission gear wheel includes a drive gear section and a take-off gear section. There is a first meshed engagement from the drive gear section through a first transmission function into the drive gear wheel and a second meshed engagement from the take-off gear section through a second transmission function into the take-off gear wheel. The first transmission function and the second transmission function are different. The drive gear wheel, the drive gear section, the take-off gear section, and the take-off gear wheel are arranged in one active plane.

Disclosed herein are multi-turn drive assemblies, systems and methods of use thereof. The multi-turn drive assemblies enable a robot link member to have a maximum rotation of at least 360 degrees about an axis. The multi-turn drive assemblies can be incorporated into a robot arm for enabling 360 degrees rotation of one or more link members about an axis. The robot arm may be located in a transfer chamber of an electronic device processing system. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the multi-turn drive assemblies and related robots.

Disclosed is a gearbox having a central shaft (1), which is rotatably mounted relative to a stationary frame element (2) by means of at least one central shaft bearing (3), a first sun gear (4a) arranged concentrically around the central shaft (1) and fixedly secured to the frame element (2), a power transmission means (5) that is fixed in relation to the central shaft (1), and at least one first gearbox assembly (6a) rotating relative to the frame element (2) and comprising: a support plate (7), the first section (7a) of which is non-rotatably connected to the central shaft (1) and on the second section (7b) of which a planetary gear (8) is mounted by means of a planetary gear bearing (9), wherein the planetary gear (8) meshes with the first sun gear (4a) and a crank arm (10) engages rigidly with the planetary gear (8); and a driving crank (11), on which the crank arm (10) is hingedly mounted by means of a driving crank-crank arm bearing (12) and which is supported relative to the support plate (7) by means of a kinematic coupling means (13). The aim of the invention was to provide a gearbox which has the most compact dimensions possible in the axial direction of the central shaft and in which the rotating driving crank (11) operates with as near to zero backlash as possible. According to the invention the aim is achieved by a gearbox in which the kinematic coupling means (13) is a swing arm (14).

Disclosed herein are multi-turn drive assemblies, systems and methods of use thereof. The multi-turn drive assemblies enable a robot link member to have a maximum rotation of at least 360 degrees about an axis. The multi-turn drive assemblies can be incorporated into a robot arm for enabling 360 degrees rotation of one or more link members about an axis. The robot arm may be located in a transfer chamber of an electronic device processing system. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the multi-turn drive assemblies and related robots.

The invention relates to a bicycle gearing, comprising: a cylindrical-gear gearing (10), which has a stationary sun gear (11) having a central bearing axis (y.sub.1) extending centrally therein and a planet gear (12), which travels on the sun gear (11) and rotates about a planet-gear bearing axis (y.sub.2); a four-bar linkage (20), which interacts with the cylindrical-gear gearing (10) and which comprises a crank (21), which is fixedly connected to the planet gear (12) and is rotatably connected to a pedal crank (22); and a toothed wheel (30), by means of which a traction means (31) can be driven. The problem addressed by the invention is that of improving a bicycle gearing of the type in question in such a way that a rounder pedaling feel is perceived by the bicycle rider. The problem is solved according to the invention in that the toothed wheel (30) has an oval shape.

A continuously variable transmission (1) having the cams (9, 10, 11, 12) that are not circular as usual, but have the form of a spiral. The outer contours (15, 16, 7, 18) of the two cams (9, 10, 11, 12) are each situated in a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the respective cams (9, 10, 11, 12).

An electronic governor system includes a motor, a transmission coupled to the motor, a throttle plate coupled to the transmission, the throttle plate movable to multiple positions between closed and wide-open, wherein power is supplied to the motor to move the throttle pate to a desired position and wherein power is not supplied to the motor to maintain the throttle plate in the desired position.

A method is provided for producing gears to balance counteracting gravity moment and a torque equilibrator across an elevation range. The method includes assigning a value to summation of pitch radii of the first and second non-circular gears; calculating a torque for both the non-circular gears for an angle within the elevation range; calculating a first pitch radius of the first non-circular gear by the gravity moment and the torsion equilibrator; calculating a second pitch radius of the second non-circular gear from the summation; and fabricating the non-circular gears based on the first and second pitch radii.