Solarcity Corporation

Tesla, Inc.

Merritt J Jenkins

Jeremy Dittmer

Benjamin D Sumers

Daniel I Fukuba

Vayardo Lalo Ruiz

Kevin C Chu

Jeremy P Dittmer

Vayardo L Ruiz

The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention.

Torque transfer in laterally engaging drive couplers exhibiting axial misalignment with driven couplers

Techniques for transferring torque between a first unit, such as a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, such as a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism of the first unit achieves a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment. Techniques disclosed are tolerant of imprecise alignment between the drive and driven couplers.

Dual-mode torque transfer in laterally engaging drive couplers exhibiting axial misalignment with driven couplers

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Merritt J Jenkins