Patent ID: 6482121
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
A parallel dual-shaft drive apparatus comprising:an input shaft having an input roller, an outer peripheral surface of the input roller being a substantially cylindrical rolling surface; a first and second output shafts extending in parallel to the input shaft such that the input shaft extends between the first and second output shafts in a substantially same plane as a plane including the first and second output shafts, each of the first and second output shafts having an output roller, and an outer peripheral surface of each output roller being a substantially cylindrical rolling surface; a casing for supporting the input and first and second output shafts via bearings; and a loading roller extending between the input roller and the first output roller such that a center axis of the loading roller is slightly spaced from the plane including the first and second output shafts and extends in parallel to the input and first and second output shafts, an outer peripheral surface of the loading roller being a substantially cylindrical rolling surface, wherein the rolling surface of the input roller is positioned adjacent to the rolling surface of the second output roller, the rolling surface of the loading roller is in rolling-contact with the rolling surface of the input roller and the rolling surface of the first output roller, and the loading roller is supported inside the casing such that it is preloaded towards the casing by a preload spring which gives a force to the rolling surface of the loading roller to contact the rolling surface of the input roller and the rolling surface of the first output roller.