Ball CVT Drives Robot From A Continual Pace Motor

[James Bruton] is experimenting is a collection of interesting mechanical mechanisms, the most up-to-date staying a CVT transmission procedure which makes use of a tilting sphere to get a variable speed output from a continual pace enter. Online video soon after the break.

In [James]’ proof of idea RC auto, a one run disc is mounted on leading, at 90 degree to the wheels. A rotating sphere makes speak to with both the driven disc and the wheel. When the rotation axis of the sphere is at 45° concerning the disc and the wheel, it supplies a a single 1:1 transmission ratio. As the axis is tilted, the contact details on the sphere shift, changing the relative circumference at the get hold of details, and for that reason modifying the transmission ratio. It can also reverse by tilting the sphere in the reverse course, and disconnected from the output wheel by aligning it with the hole in the base of the sphere. [James]’ uncomplicated two-wheel RC car concept rather effectively, driving all over his kitchen area with the transmission spheres currently being tilted by servos.

Thanks to the reaction time, CVT gearboxes are usually not necessary for electric powered motors, but on inner combustion engines that which operate best in a sure RPM range they can be really helpful. 1 possible weak issue of a design like this is it is dependence on friction to transfer torque, which would make it vulnerable to don and slipping.

This construct is a spin-off of his spherical omni-wheels and the robot chassis he created all over them. For a different fascinating robot system, verify out is gyroscope balancing procedure.

https://www.youtube.com/enjoy?v=KXb1gDpeq-Y

Many thanks for the ideas [BaldPower] and [Mel]!