Direct-drive mechanism

History and Development of Direct-drive Mechanisms
– Late 19th and early 20th century: Direct-drive transmissions used in locomotives and cars at higher speeds.
– 1980s: Direct-drive mechanisms for industrial arms made possible with rare-earth magnetic materials.
– 1981: First direct-drive arm built at Carnegie Mellon University.
– Today: Neodymium magnets commonly used in direct-drive systems.
– Direct-drive systems have a history spanning from the late 19th century to the present.

Design Features and Characteristics of Direct-drive Mechanisms
– Direct-drive systems have smooth torque transmission and minimal backlash.
– Benefits of direct-drive systems include increased efficiency, simpler design with fewer moving parts, high torque delivery over a wide range of speeds, fast response, precise positioning, and low inertia.
– Drawback: Special electric motors often required for high torque at low rpm.
– Direct-drive mechanisms require precise control mechanisms and may exhibit positional torque ripple.
– Additional inertia or feedback can be used to counter the effects of cogging torque.

Applications of Direct-drive Mechanisms
– Direct-drive mechanisms used in various applications including phonographs, telescope mounts, ski lifts, video game racing wheels, gearless wind turbines, fans, computer hard drives, VCR heads, sewing machines, CNC machines, and washing machines.
– Some electric railway locomotives and concept cars have used direct-drive mechanisms.
– Most modern electric cars use inboard motors with drive transferred to the wheels via axles.
– Unique direct-drive transmissions have been created by automobile manufacturers like Christian von Koenigsegg for the Koenigsegg Regera.
– Direct-drive mechanisms find application in a wide range of industries and technologies.

Related Mechanisms and Technologies
– Belt-drive
– Chain-drive
– Direct-drive sim racing wheel
– Drive shaft
– Hubless wheel
– Linear motor
– Individual wheel drive

References and Further Reading
– Asada, H., & Kanade, T. (1983). Design of direct-drive mechanical arms.
– Ransome-Wallis, P. (2001). Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Railway Locomotives.
– Siciliano, B., & Khatib, O. (2008). Springer Handbook of Robotics.
– Zhang, B., & Ceccarelli, M. (Eds.). (2016). Explorations in the History and Heritage of Machines and Mechanisms.
– Dixit, U. S., Hazarika, M., & Davim, J. P. (2016). A Brief History of Mechanical Engineering.
– Various references providing further information and research on direct-drive mechanisms.

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