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Re: Interesting speed reducer mechanism
As Qbranch pointed out, this thing is a system of levers and clutches. By moving the fulcrum, the user adjusts the lever ratio and thereby swaps speed for torque. The manufacturer's "constant torque" spec refers to a safe operating area (SOA).
My boss, whose current title is VP Engineering, recalls specifying one of these units for a factory machine about 40 years ago, when he was a co-op. So it seems these have been around for quite a while. They must work well in some applications. But I don't think FRC robots would be one of them.
__________________
Richard Wallace
Mentor since 2011 for FRC 3620 Average Joes (St. Joseph, Michigan)
Mentor 2002-10 for FRC 931 Perpetual Chaos (St. Louis, Missouri)
 since 2003
I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research.
(Cosmic Religion : With Other Opinions and Aphorisms (1931) by Albert Einstein, p. 97)
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