Articulated device
An articulated device comprises a first member that is provided with a first set of teeth fixedly connected thereto. A second adjacent member is provided with a second set of teeth fixedly connected thereto. A coupling section is also provided on which the first set of teeth is hingeably supported around a first hinge axis and on which the second set of teeth is hingeably supported around a second hinge axis wherein the first set of teeth engages with the second set of teeth. A positioning device sets an angular position of the first and second members relative to the coupling section.
1. Articulated device, comprising:
a first member provided with a first set of teeth fixedly connected thereto;
a second member provided with a second set of teeth fixedly connected thereto;
a coupling section on which the first set of teeth is hingeably supported around a first hinge axis, and on which the second set of teeth is hingeably supported around a second hinge axis, wherein the first set of teeth engages with the second set of teeth;
a positioning device for setting an angular position of the first and second members relative to the coupling section, wherein the positioning device is configured to exert a force on the coupling section relative to at least one of the first and second members for causing the coupling section to hinge around the hinge axis connecting the coupling section with the first or second member,
the positioning device further comprising a positioning element provided hingeably around a third hinge axis on one of said first and second members, which positioning element is provided with a third set of teeth fixedly connected thereto;
a fourth set of teeth fixedly connected to the coupling section, wherein the third set of teeth engages with the fourth set of teeth; and
a drive device for driving the positioning element.
2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive device exerts a force on the positioning element engaging at a distance from the third hinge axis.
3. Device according to claim 2 , wherein the drive device comprises a tensile element.
4. Device according to claim 2 , wherein the drive device comprises a pushing element.
5. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive device is configured for rotationally driving the positioning element.
6. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis are directed at an angle greater than 0 degrees.
7. Device according to claim 1 , comprising n (n>3) coupling sections, wherein the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis of each coupling section are directed at an angle of 360/n degrees relative to each other, and wherein a first coupling section is connected to a next coupling section through a member, and wherein the n th coupling section is connected to the first coupling section through a member for forming a ring of n members.
8. Device according to claim 7 , comprising a number of rings of members.
9. Device according to claim 7 , further comprising a frame, a plurality of series of members interlinked through coupling sections and extending in different radial directions relative thereto, and a plurality of rings of members, wherein the rings of members at the locations of coupling sections thereof are connected to the coupling sections of the series of members extending in radial directions.
10. Device according to claim 7 , further comprising a frame, a plurality of series of members interlinked through articulated connections and extending in different radial directions relative thereto, and a plurality of rings of members, wherein the rings of members at the locations of coupling sections thereof are connected to the articulated connections of the series of members extending in radial directions.
11. Device according to claim 7 , comprising a frame, a plurality of series of members interlinked by articulated connections and coupling sections and extending in different radial directions relative thereto, and a plurality of rings of members, wherein the rings of members at the location of coupling sections thereof are connected to the coupling sections of the series of members extending in radial directions.
12. Device according to claim 1 , comprising a frame and a plurality of series of members interlinked by coupling sections and extending in different radial directions relative thereto.
13. Device according to claim 12 , further comprising at least a ring of members, wherein a ring comprises n (n>3) articulated connections and members, and wherein, for a ring, a first member is connected through an articulated connection to a next member, and wherein the n th member is connected through an articulated connection to the first member for forming the ring of n members wherein the series of members extending in the radial directions at the locations of coupling sections thereof are connected to articulated connections of the at least one ring of members.
14. Device according to claim 12 , further comprising at least a ring of members, wherein a ring comprises n (n>3) articulated connections and/or coupling sections and n members, and wherein, for a ring, a first member is connected through an articulated connection or coupling section to a next member, and wherein the n th member is connected through an articulated connection or coupling section to the first member for forming the ring of n members wherein the series of members extending in the radial directions at the locations of coupling sections thereof are connected to coupling sections of the at least one ring of members.
15. Device according to claim 10 , wherein the articulated connections are under spring preload to cause the members coupled thereto to articulate in a predetermined direction relative to each other.
16. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the members in the area of the coupling sections are interlinked through a spring device.
17. Device according to claim 16 , wherein the members are coupled together in the area of the coupling sections through an elongated, flexible and elastic strip, which is bent in a width direction thereof.
18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the member comprises a rod, a substantially rectangular frame, a solar panel, a reflecting surface, a fence, or a pipe.
19. Device according to claim 6 , wherein the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis are directed at an angle between 5 and 90 degrees relative to each other.
20. Device according to claim 19 , wherein the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis are directed at an angle between 5 and 60 degrees relative to each other.
21. Device according to claim 11 , wherein the articulated connections are under spring preload to cause the members coupled thereto to articulate in a predetermined direction relative to each other.
22. Device according to claim 13 , wherein the articulated connections are under spring preload to cause the members coupled thereto to articulate in a predetermined direction relative to each other.
23. Device according to claim 14 , wherein the articulated connections are under spring preload to cause the members coupled thereto to articulate in a predetermined direction relative to each other.