A DRIVE ELEMENT AND AN ARTICULATED DRIVE INCORPORATING SAME

摘要

A drive element (14) in the form of a sphere is machined so as to be provided with a slot (20) on one side and a projection (22) on an opposite side. The slot (20) and projection (22) are disposed in mutually orthogonal planes. An articulated drive (10) can be formed by arranging a plurality of elements (14) along a drive line, with the slots (20) and projections (22) of adjacent elements (14) intermeshing. This intermeshing allows a relative sliding motion between adjacent elements (14). The drive (10) also includes a tube for rotatably constraining the elements (14). The articulated drive (10) can be formed with one or more curves. The elements (14) allow torque to be transferred along a curved drive line because they are able to slide relative to each other as they rotate, there being no mechanical fixing between adjacent elements (14).