Miniature Multispeed Transmissions for Small Motors

A design has been developed for manufacturing multispeed transmissions that are small enough to be used with minimotors - electromagnetic motors with power ratings of less than 1 W. Like similar, larger systems, such as those in automobiles, the proposed mechanism could be used to satisfy a wider dynamic range than could be achieved with fixed-ratio gearing. However, whereas typical transmission components are machined individually and then assembled, this device would be made using silicon batch-fabrication techniques, similar to those used to manufacture integrated circuits and sensors.