Torque transfer unit
AssigneeCreo Medical Limited
InventorsGeorge Christian Ullrich, Steven Thomas, Christopher Paul Hancock, David Edward Webb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments provide a torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft. The torque transfer unit comprises an elongate track defining a track passage, and a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage. The key and the elongate track are configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage. The torque transfer unit is actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage. Some other embodiments provide a kit of parts.
Claims17
A torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft, the torque transfer unit comprising:
- an elongate track defining a track passage;
- a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage, the key and the elongate track being configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage;
- and
- a clamping element connectable to the elongate track and actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage, the clamping element being actuatable between:
- a clamped position for clamping onto the flexible shaft to thereby prevent axial movement of the elongate track relative to the key;
- and
- an unclamped position for unclamping the flexible shaft to thereby permit axial movement of the elongate track relative to the key.
A torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft, the torque transfer unit comprising:
- an elongate track defining a track passage;
- a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage, the key and the elongate track being configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage;
- and
- an axial engagement structure along the track passage, the axial engagement structure being configured to engage against the key to inhibit relative axial movement of the key past the engagement structure;
- wherein the torque transfer unit is actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage by sliding the elongate track relative to the key to overcome a resistive frictional force between the axial engagement structure and the key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.