Self-contained modular pivot, notably for robots

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention relates in general to articulations or like pivot means and has specific reference to a self-contained modular pivot intended for use notably in various mechanisms, especially in robots and the like.
Most hitherto known robots and mechanisms comprise pivot means.
However, these pivot means are seldom designed and constructed in the form of self-contained structures, but rather as components that cannot be separated from an assembly.
This technique is objectionable as it has several inconveniences, the main ones being: THE FACT THAT THE MECHANISM OR ROBOT UTILIZING SUCH PIVOT MEANS IS A PERMANENT STRUCTURE SO THAT IT IS APPLICABLE ONLY IN WELL-DEFINED CASES.
If it is contemplated to extend its possible uses, it will readily occur that the only solution consists in constructing another robot, generally completely different from the initial one, so that the same problem arises each time; THE FACT THAT THE PIVOT OR PIVOTS DESIGNED FOR A SPECIFIC APPLICATION ARE WELL-ADAPTED, OR SUPPOSED TO BE WELL-ADAPTED, FOR THE MECHANISM ON WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED.
This does not ensure that their cost and over-all dimensions have been minimized; THE FACT THAT A PIVOT INCORPORATED IN A GIVEN MEMBER IS HARDLY LIKELY TO EVOLVE FROM A PURELY TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW.
Indeed, except in case of faulty operation, this pivot is preserved as such throughout the useful like of the product on which it is mounted.
Therefore, it will behave in a quite ordinary way and its performance will be behind the actual and present technological possibilities and trends.
It is the essential object of the present invention to avoid these inconveniences by providing a self-contained modular pivot.
Nowadays, new techniques are provided to separate a device into its elementary functions, each thus isolated function leading to a modular construction having minimum over-all dimensions and the best possible technological efficiency of performance, each module being coupled, linked or connected to another module performing the same function or a different function, through standard means, or variable dimensions, whereby economical and standardized structures well adapted for each purpose can be obtained