Roller-gear drives for robotic manipulators design, fabrication and test

Abstract

Two single axis planetary roller-gear drives and a two axis roller-gear drive with dual inputs were designed for use as robotic transmissions. Each of the single axis drives is a two planet row, four planet arrangement with spur gears and compressively loaded cylindrical rollers acting in parallel. The two axis drive employs bevel gears and cone rollers acting in parallel. The rollers serve a dual function: they remove backlash from the system, and they transmit torque when the gears are not fully engaged.