Flexibledrive
Flexibledrive is a term used to describe drive systems that transmit power through flexible elements rather than rigid ones. The approach emphasizes compliance in the drivetrain to accommodate misalignment and to absorb shocks, enabling safer interaction with humans and delicate loads. While there is no single universally adopted specification, flexibledrive generally refers to mechanisms that use flexible shafts, cables, elastomeric couplings, or other deformable components to convey torque and motion.
Operationally, flexibledrives rely on elastic deformation of the transmission medium to convey torque. This requires sensing
Advantages include intrinsic shock absorption, reduced peak loads, smoother motion, and easier accommodation of misalignment. The
Drawbacks include lower energy efficiency due to hysteresis and flex losses, wear and aging of the elastic
Applications span robotics, prosthetics, industrial automation, CNC and milling equipment, and aerospace actuators where compliant actuation
The term flexibledrive is not standardized; it reflects a broader family of compliant and flexible-drive technologies