An actuator for transmitting an input force in a first direction from an input mechanism to a force in a second direction at an output mechanism. The actuator may be incorporated into a tensioner for tensioning a belt. The device includes a plurality of aligned spherical elements in a curved raceway. The input mechanism transmits force to a first of the series of spherical elements. The spherical elements are substantially incompressible so that the series of spherical elements transmits the force along the curved raceway from the input mechanism to the output mechanism.

A driving force transmission device includes an input section and an output section with rotation axes nonparallel to each other to avoid backlash. A driving force transmission device (1) includes a first rotator (2), a second rotator (3), and spheres (5A, 5B, 5C). The first rotator (2) performs one of an input operation and an output operation of a driving force and includes a concave surface (7). The second rotator (3) performs the other of the input operation and the output operation of the driving force and includes a convex surface (13) fitted into the concave surface (7). The spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) are between the concave surface (7) and the convex surface (13). The concave surface (7) has holes (32A, 32B, 32C) in which the respective spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) are received. The convex (13) surface has a groove (29, 30) that receives parts of the spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) protruding from the holes (32A, 32B, 32C).

A power switching device for switching power between translational motion and rotational motion includes an active gear, a transmission mechanism, a translation mechanism, a functional gear, and a reset mechanism. The active gear can rotate in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction. The translation mechanism includes a runner and a pushing member. The active gear can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the active gear meshes with the runner and rotates in the first direction or the second direction to drive the runner to rotate. In the second position, the active gear meshes with the transmission gear and rotates in the second direction to drive the functional gear to rotate.

A motion transmitting device comprising: a slider movable along a slider guide; and a connecting body movable along a connecting body guide, wherein the slider and the connecting body are disposed in contact with each other, each of the slider and the connecting body has a contact surface that is slidable, and the amount of displacement and/or the speed of displacement of an output end relative to an input end can be reduced or can be made equal to each other or increased through setting of the angle of a center axis line of the slider guide about a center axis line of the connecting body guide and/or the inclination angle of the contact surface.

The present invention relates to a pusher mechanism comprising a column (1) capable of being subjected to a compressive force or a pulling force when in use and having a height (H) defining a first direction, a width (l) and a thickness (E), the thickness (E) being constant, the height (H) being variable, when in use, between a quiescent value (H.sub.0) and a maximum value (H.sub.M) and the width (l) being variable, when in use, between a quiescent value (l.sub.0) and a minimum value (l.sub.in), the column comprising two vertical members (2, 3) facing each other and extending along the height (H) and the thickness (E), and reversible means (6) supported by the vertical members and designed to transform a compressive force exerted on the vertical members along the width (l) of the column into a movement along the first direction of the column, the width (l) of which subsequently decreases (l<l.sub.0) and the height (H) of which subsequently increases (H>H.sub.0), and vice versa.

A power switching device for switching power between translational motion and rotational motion includes an active gear, a transmission mechanism, a translation mechanism, a functional gear, and a reset mechanism. The active gear can rotate in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction. The translation mechanism includes a runner and a pushing member. The active gear can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the active gear meshes with the runner and rotates in the first direction or the second direction to drive the runner to rotate. In the second position, the active gear meshes with the transmission gear and rotates in the second direction to drive the functional gear to rotate.

A wedge drive designed to redirect a vertical pressing force into a horizontal, linear working motion, comprising a sliding element and a sliding element holder which are two guide elements on which a guide device with a sliding plate assembly which has two side sliding plates and the central guide is arranged, which sliding plates are distanced from each other in the transverse direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. The central guide is arranged between the two sliding plates and is fastened to the sliding element. Each sliding plate lies against the sliding element holder by at least the following contact surfaces wherein one contact surface lies on a first plane and extends in the transverse direction and a second contact surface lies on a second plane at a distance from the first plane and also extends in the transverse direction and a third contact surface extends perpendicularly thereto.

A variable pitch device includes a body, a drive unit fixed to the body, a plurality of movable fingers disposed movably along a longitudinal direction of the body, and a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the drive unit to the movable fingers. The driving force transmission mechanism is formed of a connecting block connected to an end block driven in a vertical direction, a cam plate accommodated in the body and connected to the connecting block, and four finger pins inserted through first to fourth cam grooves of the cam plate. The finger pins are disposed movably in the longitudinal direction along guide holes of the body and connected to the movable fingers.

A speed control assembly for an appliance includes a bracket and a cam that is slidably coupled with the bracket and has an engagement edge. A lever is operably coupled with the cam and is configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket and a magnet is disposed adjacent the engagement edge. A ball bearing that is in magnetic communication with the magnet is configured to be selectively engaged with one of a plurality of retention spaces that are defined by the engagement edge of the cam. A sensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

A driving force transmission device includes an input section and an output section with rotation axes nonparallel to each other to avoid backlash. A driving force transmission device (1) includes a first rotator (2), a second rotator (3), and spheres (5A, 5B, 5C). The first rotator (2) performs one of an input operation and an output operation of a driving force and includes a concave surface (7). The second rotator (3) performs the other of the input operation and the output operation of the driving force and includes a convex surface (13) fitted into the concave surface (7). The spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) are between the concave surface (7) and the convex surface (13). The concave surface (7) has holes (32A, 32B, 32C) in which the respective spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) are received. The convex (13) surface has a groove (29, 30) that receives parts of the spheres (5A, 5B, 5C) protruding from the holes (32A, 32B, 32C).