Positive Patents (Class 192/71)
  • Patent number: 11261634
    Abstract: A latch module for controlling an opening and a closing of a door of an appliance includes a latch, a spring that applies an elastic force to the latch, a motor; and a cam that contacts a contact surface of the latch and is coupled to the motor to drive the cam to pivot the latch. The cam includes a first radius, a second radius, and a third radius in a circumferential direction at an outer circumference of the cam. The latch is positioned at a first basic position when the first radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch, positioned at a second basic position when the second radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch, and positioned at a third basic position when the third radius of the cam contacts the contact surface of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myeong Jun Shin, Jeongkil Kim, Jangmo Shin, Seongho Jeong
  • Patent number: 11255108
    Abstract: An adaptive electric dual-controlled intelligent lock includes a mechanical clutching structure and an intelligent electronic control structure. The mechanical clutching structure includes a lock head, a lock cylinder and a lock tongue, wherein: the lock cylinder includes movable buckles, springs and a bearing. After being inserted into the keyhole of the lock head and then into the locked groove, a key is turned, the movable buckles move in an elastic range of the springs and drive the lock tongue connected with the bearing to swing, thereby realizing a mechanical unlocking process. The intelligent electronic control structure includes a PCB (printed circuit board), a motor and a shifting lever, wherein: a wireless control module is connected with an external mobile intelligent device; after the motor is started, the shifting lever pushes the movable buckles, so that the bearing drives the lock tongue to swing, thereby achieving an intelligent unlocking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Man Shun Server Leung
  • Patent number: 10527001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (3) for driving actuators (7-10) for a thrust reverser, comprising a motorised drive unit (15) comprising a motor (22), a drive shaft (14) suitable for connecting to a flexible shaft (4, 5) for driving actuators (7-10), the drive shaft (14) being rotated by the motor (22) about a rotational axis (X), a manual drive unit (17) comprising a drive wheel (32) mounted such that it rotates about the rotational axis (X), and a clutch (18) comprising a clutch part (40) which is secured in rotation with the wheel (32) and mobile in translation in relation to the wheel (32), between an engaged position wherein the clutch part is connected to the drive shaft (14) in such a way as to secure the drive shaft (14) and the wheel (32) in rotation, and a disengaged position wherein the clutch part (40) is not connected to the drive shaft (14) so as to allow an independent rotation of the drive shaft (14) and the wheel (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Julien Tisseau, Louis Chavignier
  • Patent number: 10526044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shifting device for a gearing unit, in particular for a vehicle driven using muscle force. The shifting device has a shaft for the mounting of a multiplicity of idler gears. A multiplicity of pawls are assigned to the idler gears and are movably mounted on the shaft in order to connect the idler gears rotationally conjointly to the shaft in at least one direction of rotation. A camshaft is assigned to the pawls and is designed to set different gear-speed stages of the gearing unit, wherein the pawls are assigned in each case one actuating element which is mounted so as to be movable relative to the camshaft and relative to the respective pawl and which is designed to actuate the pawl for the purposes of setting the gear-speed stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PINION GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Schmitz
  • Patent number: 10480553
    Abstract: A shaft assembly includes a yoke defining a first bore that extends from a first face towards a second face along a first axis. The first bore has an inner surface that defines a key that extends towards the first axis and a first bore first flat that extends along the first axis and is spaced apart from the key. A second bore that extends from a third face towards a fourth face along a second axis that is disposed transverse to the first axis. The third face and the fourth face each extend between the first face and the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Joseph R. Streng, Steven R. Burk, Patrick G. Haas
  • Patent number: 9829073
    Abstract: A gearbox for a self-propelled machine includes primary and secondary shafts, each having a respective gear train aligned with one another around the shaft. Each gear of the gear train of the primary shaft permanently meshes with a respective gear of the secondary shaft. A gearing mechanism includes a driving member meshing with a driven member for being coupled to/decoupled from the primary shaft by a clutch mechanism. At least one key is engaged selectively with a gear carried by the secondary shaft. The secondary shaft includes two half-shafts mounted freely rotatable relative to each other and aligned by a sleeve inside which one end of each half-shaft is received. The sleeve has at least one longitudinal guide path along which the key, constrained to rotate with the sleeve, is mounted to move axially, this key-holder sleeve being coupled to each of the half-shafts via a respective declutchable coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FRANCE REDUCTEURS
    Inventor: Emmanuel Teillet
  • Patent number: 9221425
    Abstract: A webbing retractor has a clutch mechanism including a lock member; a clutch cover, and a clutch guide that is positioned between the clutch cover and a spool. The clutch guide is capable of relatively rotating between an unactuated position and an actuated position with respect to the clutch cover, the clutch guide being engaged with a trigger member positioned on a side of the spool and being normally held in the unactuated position. A spring is provided in a compressed state between the clutch cover and the clutch guide, and a pawl is positioned between the clutch cover and the clutch guide, and engages with the ring unit when the trigger member disengages from the clutch guide. An axial-direction separation restricting mechanism restricts axial-direction separation between the clutch cover and the clutch guide while allowing the relative rotation between the clutch cover and the clutch guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Masaru Ukita, Yoshiaki Maekubo
  • Publication number: 20150083541
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a locking clutch that includes a collection of movable locking blocks slidably coupled to the rotatable output shaft. The movable locking blocks slide radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the rotatable output shaft, and are spaced apart circumferentially about the rotatable output shaft, with each movable locking block having a first contacting face and a second contacting face. A collection of fixed locking blocks are coupled to the rotatable housing, and are positioned radially around the output shaft and spaced apart circumferentially about the interior of the rotatable housing a distance sufficient to receive one of the movable locking blocks when it moves inwardly toward the central axis of the rotatable output shaft, each said fixed locking block having a first contacting face and a second contacting face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ankit Purohit, Anand Bhagwat Kedare, Mukesh Bhaskar Kshirsagar, Sandip Satish Sonar
  • Publication number: 20150083542
    Abstract: This device comprises a driving shaft, which is rotary on itself around a central axis and which is secured to a head for driving the tool into rotation around the axis, the tool being added onto the driving head in a removable way. The driving head includes a driving hub which is adapted so as to be engaged with a driven hub of the tool in order to transmit a rotary movement between them. The driving head is provided with locking centrifugal weights for the tool on the driving head, said centrifugal weights being moveable, under the effect of a centrifugal force resulting from the setting into rotation of the driving head by the driving shaft, between a rest position, in which the centrifugal weights do not interfere with the driven hub, and a position of use, in which a portion of each of the centrifugal weights is brought closer to the central axis and mechanically cooperates with the driven hub in order to maintain it engaged with the driving hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Cédric Gelin, Nicolas Fouquet
  • Publication number: 20150075940
    Abstract: A reversible decoupling device is connected to an electromechanical actuator. The reversible decoupling device has an energy storage element configured to store the energy required for a decoupling in the decoupling device. The decoupling device can be re-coupled again after a completed test run so that the decoupling functionality can be easily tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander NAUBERT, Markus CHRISTMANN
  • Publication number: 20150047944
    Abstract: A coupling assembly such as a ratcheting-type, one-way clutch assembly having reduced undesirable noise and contact stress caused by a transition between operating modes of the assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one set of elements disposed between coupling faces of members of the assembly. Each set of elements includes a movable locking element and a plurality of movable impact energy storage elements disposed at angularly spaced positions about a rotary axis to dampen rotation between the members in stages prior to engagement of the locking element with respective shoulders of each member. The storage elements absorb and store impact energy in stages to reduce undesirable noise and contact stress in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20150048626
    Abstract: A mechanism for selectively coupling a first moving part with a second moving part. The mechanism includes and engaging member that is movable between a detent position, a uncoupled position, and a coupled position in which the load transferring surface is within the aperture. A biasing member biases the engaging member into the detent position or coupled position. The engaging member overrides the biasing force and moves out of the detent position into the uncoupled position when first and second moving parts move relative to each other. When the engaging member is in the coupled position, the first and second moving parts are coupled for movement together. One embodiment of the invention is a child safety door handle rotating on a spindle. Other embodiments include water faucets, stove or burner controls, or any other rotatable or movable parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Michael P. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20150041276
    Abstract: A coupling module of a covering includes an elongated main member, a coupling device, and an adjusting unit. The elongated main member has an axial direction and a radial direction, and has a stop wall at one end thereof. The coupling device is movably connected to the main member, and the adjusting unit is connected to the coupling device to move the coupling device between a first position and a second position, wherein the coupling device is moved in a direction parallel to the radial direction, and a distance between the coupling device and the stop wall when the coupling device is at the first position is shorter than that between coupling device and the stop wall when the coupling device is at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Shui-Dong WEI
  • Publication number: 20150034446
    Abstract: An uncoupling device, particularly for universal joint transmissions, is provided. The device includes a cylindrical casing, which is integral with a fork of a universal joint, having a plurality of radial slots provided on the inner circumferential surface of the casing. A pawl supporting cage is integral with a rotation shaft and includes a plurality of radial seats. The pawl is accommodated rotatably within the casing. A plurality of pawls is adapted to be accommodated in the radial seats of the cage. The pawls are adapted to pass from a coupling configuration to an uncoupling configuration. The device further includes an annular element which can move axially between a retracted position and an advanced position. The annular element includes a plurality of tongues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Achille BRUNAZZI, Massimo TONDELLI
  • Publication number: 20150027843
    Abstract: An integrated switchable shaft bearing having an inner ring, a circumferentially extending clutch groove, and axially extending cam pin openings. An outer ring is located about the inner ring, and rolling elements are located therebetween. A clutch ring with clutch fingers is located in the clutch groove. Cam pins are located in pin openings and extend beneath the clutch fingers. An actuator moves the cam pins from an engaged position, where cam portions each engage a respective one of the clutch fingers forcing it outwardly above a race surface of the inner ring into engagement with the rolling elements to transfer torque from the outer ring to the inner ring, to a released position, in which cam pins are disengaged from the clutch fingers, which move beneath the race surface of the inner ring so that the outer ring is rotatable relative to the inner ring via the rolling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Vigel Russalian
  • Publication number: 20150014114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is in the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: QBotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel I. Fukuba, Benjamin D. Sumers, Jeremy P. Dittmer, Merritt J. Jenkins, Kevin C. Chu, Vayardo L. Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20150001029
    Abstract: A rotation clamping mechanism includes a rotating member and at least two engagement members that are attached to the rotating member and transmit rotational power. The engagement members engage a rotated object placed in a predetermined positional relationship with the engagement members. The rotated object is rotated by rotating the rotating member. The engagement members are supported on the rotating member so as to swing to an engagement position where power is transmitted to the rotated object and to a release position where engagement is released. The rotation clamping mechanism further includes: an opening/closing mechanism that moves the engagement members between the engagement position and the release position; and a biasing member that biases the engagement members toward the engagement position. At the engagement position, the engagement members clamp the rotated object in a floating state with the engagement members pressed onto the rotated object by the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki SUEOKA, Yasuhiko Wakatsuki, Hideto Maeda, Hiroaki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140367217
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuation mechanism for applying a mechanical diode clutch. The actuation mechanism includes a capsule including a cylindrical body defining an interior chamber, the cylindrical body defining a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end thereof. The actuation mechanism also includes a pin having a body and a radially-extending arm, the pin being retained within the interior chamber of the capsule. An apply spring is coupled at one end to the pin and a return spring is retained within the interior chamber of the capsule. The return spring is disposed between the pin on one end and the cylindrical body on the opposite end thereof. The return spring substantially surrounds the apply spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Richardson, Jeremy Turner
  • Patent number: 8910765
    Abstract: A left and right interchanging device for a lock clutch includes a clutch pin, an inner rotary clutch shaft, and an outer rotary clutch shaft. The clutch pin is movably placed in a hole of the inner rotary clutch shaft and connected with a built-in driving module of the inner rotary clutch shaft. The module controls the clutch pin so that the clutch pin can retract into or extend out of the inner rotary clutch shaft. The inner rotary clutch shaft is placed in a central hole of the outer rotary clutch shaft, and both can rotate about a same central axis. A first stop edge and a second stop edge are provided on the inner rotary clutch shaft and connected with a driving output shaft. A third stop edge and a fourth stop edge are provided on the outer rotary clutch shaft and connected with a driving output and input shaft. When a door is left-opened, the third stop edge correspondingly contacts the clutch pin and the fourth stop edge correspondingly contacts the second stop edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Yu Min
  • Publication number: 20140334959
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump (8) comprises a cylindrical input shaft (13) comprising a first area (A1) with a first diameter (D1), a second area (A2) with a second diameter (D2), and a third area (A3) with a third diameter (D3), where the second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the third diameter. A stator (19) is press fit to a portion of the third area. A cylindrical bushing (15) is press fit around the second area. When the input shaft (13) rotates, the torsional vibration damping bushing (15) resists the rotation. The pump also comprises a clutch assembly (21). A clutch armature (29) of the assembly comprises a cylindrical, hollow passageway (290) and radially extending arms (39). Each arm comprises an opening (293), at least one slot (295) passing through the arm, and at least one void (297) abutting the slot, the void passing through the arm. When the clutch assembly engages, the armature damps vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Brian W. Franke, Michael J. Hornbrook, David Gerard Rauen, Rodney Champlin Glover, Thomas Jonathan Walsh, Bryn Tailer Dixon, Randal J. Graves
  • Patent number: 8839926
    Abstract: An actuator decoupler for selectively coupling and decoupling a driving part and a driven part of an actuation system is disclosed. The driving part can be coupled to the actuator decoupler, and the actuator decoupler can be coupled to the driven part via at least one coupling pin. In a selectively coupled state, the driven part can be at least one of rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the actuator decoupler and, thereby, the driving part. The actuator decoupler can be decoupled from the driven part through the use of a preloaded energy mechanism configured to disengage the at least one coupling pin from the driven part. Thereby, the actuator may be responsive to a jam in the actuation system to selectively decouple the driven part from the actuator decoupler and the driving part so that the driven part has freedom to translate at least one of rotationally and longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suyu Hou, George Ghanime, David J. Wagner, Michael Colan Moscinski, Robert Zirin, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 8806806
    Abstract: Embodiments of the resent invention provide an electric motor driven door or barrier opener with a manually operable drive for use in the event of a power failure. The operator includes a manually rotatable drive wheel and manual rotation of the drive wheel effects a movement of at least one drive coupler in generally radially extending direction relative to the drive shaft to effect a drive coupling between the drive wheel and the drive shaft to input drive to permit manual opening and or closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Smart Openers Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Jack Leivenzon, Glen Edward Flemming, Eric Vellere
  • Publication number: 20140174879
    Abstract: A power winch horizontal-pull clutch device provides dynamic forces from a power source and uses a deceleration device to retard the force transmission to a cable pulley for releasing and rewinding a steel cable on the cable pulley. A connecting slot is formed on a casing of the deceleration device. The deceleration device includes an outer ring body and at least one insert slot formed on an external surface. The power winch includes a clutch device for selectively fixing the connecting slot to the insert slot to transmit the dynamic force from the deceleration device to the cable pulley. The clutch device is a sealed assembly and a control handle is provided for making a horizontal movement to achieve the clutching effect and prevent water, dust or other foreign matters from entering into the clutch device, damaging components, causing failure or malfunction, or clamping an operator's hand or foreign matters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: COMEUP INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Shih Jyi Huang
  • Publication number: 20140138204
    Abstract: A coupling system and method for a powered component on a vehicle includes a powered component, a rotating member mechanically driven by an engine on the vehicle and a radial coupling between the powered component and the rotating member for mechanically powering the powered component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Danford
  • Publication number: 20140102848
    Abstract: A locking member for controllably transmitting torque between first and second coupling members of a coupling assembly is provided. The locking member includes projecting inner and outer pivots which extend laterally from a main body portion for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots. The pivots are sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion to allow frictional engagement of an end surface of the outer pivot with an outer wall of a pocket to occur near the pivot axis during rotation of the first coupling member and the locking member above a predetermined RPM thereby reducing overall moment on the locking member about the pivot axis that has to be overcome to move the locking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
  • Publication number: 20140084601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device comprising a rotatable shaft coupling (19, 63) provided with a hollow (21, 65) and a shaft arrangement (3, 61) comprising a shaft (25, 71) arranged in the hollow and which connects the shaft and the shaft coupling so that they are jointly rotatable for transmission of at least one rotational movement or rotational force between the shaft and the shaft coupling. The invention also relates to a shaft arrangement (3, 61) shaped to be connected with a locking device comprising a rotatable shaft coupling provided with a hollow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: STENDALS EL AB
    Inventor: Jan Stendal
  • Patent number: 8678159
    Abstract: A compelling-type centrifugal clutch device with C-shaped joint structure, in which a C-shaped joint structure assembly (100), which can be bended for displacement, is installed between an active rotary part (101) and a passive rotary part (201) of a centrifugal clutch device with a radial arrangement device and is driven by the active rotary part (101). A joint axial core of C-shaped joint structure (113) is also provided for connecting an active arm of C-shaped joint structure (111) and a centrifugal compelling arm of C-shaped joint structure (112) having a centrifugal force actuation clutch device (119) at one distal end, and a recovery spring (114) is installed between the mentioned two arms, so that an inward-bending prestressed force is formed between the two arms for performing the angular displacement through bending at difference angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20140069765
    Abstract: An auto-lockup and anti-lock device for rotary mechanism applied to beach buggy, golf cart, electric cart and any other rotary devices includes a rotor, stator, stopper arranged to the stator for travelling between a lock and release position against the rotor, a clutch serving to control the stopper, and an anti-lock unit for disabling the stopper during an incident power off. The clutch is activated to drive the stopper away to disengage and release the rotor during power on. The clutch will release the stopper so that the stopper can engage and lock the rotor after power off. The anti-lock will move to block the stopper from engaging the rotor while the rotational speed of the rotor exceeding a predetermined value. The anti-lock will release the stopper automatically while the rotational speed of the rotor dropping below the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Ta-Pin Liu
  • Patent number: 8646717
    Abstract: Provided is a seat belt retractor capable of having its assembly readily performed to increase assembly efficiency, simplifying shapes of components to readily manufacture the retractor and reduce manufacturing cost, and preventing a webbing from being hooked when the webbing is rewound. The seat belt retractor includes a housing constituting a main body of the seat belt retractor, a guide drum rotatably installed in the housing, a connector inserted into one side of the guide drum, a base member surrounding the connector, a gear member inserted into the base member, a cylinder for operating the gear member, a torsion bar inserted into the guide drum, a locking member fixedly inserted between the torsion bar and the guide drum, a locking clutch installed at one surface of the locking member, a mechanism cover installed at one surface of the locking clutch, and a friction spring installed in the mechanism cover to stop operation of a lock arm fixed to the locking clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: In-Su Choi, Jung-Min Lee, Byung-Jin Lee, Dong-Sub Lee, Sang-Hong Bai, Gi-Young Bae, Jong-Kag Kim, Do-Shik Kim
  • Publication number: 20140021002
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism, comprising a first clutch shaft, a second clutch shaft, a clutch driver shaft, and a follower, wherein the first clutch shaft and the second clutch shaft are configured to rotate concentrically, wherein the first clutch shaft and the second clutch shaft are configured to be operably coupled by the follower, wherein the clutch driver shaft is configured to be coupled to the follower in such a way that the rotation of the clutch driver shaft is configured to produce a linear reciprocating motion on the follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Yan Guo
  • Publication number: 20130299298
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device includes an outer ring having an inner cylindrical surface, and an inner ring having outer cam surfaces. A pair of rollers and an elastic member biasing the rollers away from each other are mounted between the cylindrical surface and each adjacent pair of the cam surfaces. The rollers and the elastic members are retained by a control retainer and a rotary retainer each having a flange and crossbars extending from the flange and circumferentially alternating with the crossbars of the other retainer. The respective opposed pairs of rollers are pushed by the respective crossbars to a disengaged position when the retainers rotate relative to each other. The crossbars of the retainers are disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring and the flanges are provided outside the outer ring to minimize the axial length of the outer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Koji Akiyoshi, Takahide Saito
  • Publication number: 20130256086
    Abstract: An actuator decoupler for selectively coupling and decoupling a driving part and a driven part of an actuation system is disclosed. The driving part can be coupled to the actuator decoupler, and the actuator decoupler can be coupled to the driven part via at least one coupling pin. In a selectively coupled state, the driven part can be at least one of rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the actuator decoupler and, thereby, the driving part. The actuator decoupler can be decoupled from the driven part through the use of a preloaded energy mechanism configured to disengage the at least one coupling pin from the driven part. Thereby, the actuator may be responsive to a jam in the actuation system to selectively decouple the driven part from the actuator decoupler and the driving part so that the driven part has freedom to translate at least one of rotationally and longitudinally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Suyu HOU, George GHANIME, David J. WAGNER, Michael Colan MOSCINSKI, Robert ZIRIN, Mahadevan BALASUBRAMANIAM
  • Publication number: 20130220763
    Abstract: A lock assembly for use in automotive and industrial transmission systems comprises: an actuator (2) having an impeller (6) movable between two rest positions by energising the actuator, wherein the impeller is retained in each of the two rest positions by passive magnetic forces generated by the actuator; a locking arrangement (10, 22; 42, 52; 62, 64; 70, 74; 80, 96) switchable between a first configuration in which rotation of a shaft is unimpeded by the locking arrangement and a second configuration in which rotation of said shaft is blocked by the locking arrangement; and a linkage (14, 16; 44, 46, 61, 88) between the impeller and the locking arrangement, wherein the assembly is arranged such that in one of the impeller rest positions, the locking arrangement is in its first configuration and said shaft is freely rotatable, and in the other of the impeller rest positions, the locking arrangement is urged towards and into its second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Camcon Oil limited
    Inventors: Fred Hyde, David Kelly, John Morton, Mark Findlay
  • Publication number: 20130062153
    Abstract: A robot has a track assembly having tracks configured to move the robot in a first direction and a wheel assembly having wheels configured to move the robot in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A toggling assembly switches between the track assembly and the wheel assembly. The robot modules can mate with each other. The robot module has an elongated shaft with a head and a narrow neck. The shaft extends outward from the side of the robot module. A mating robot module has a clamping mechanism with opposing clamps which in an opened position receive the shaft. In a closed position, the clamps define an opening which matches and engages the cross-section of the neck of the elongated shaft. The clamping mechanism has a drive mode to drive the module, a clamping mode for docking, and neutral mode for alignment prior to clamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Pinhas Ben-Tzvi, Paul Marie Moubarak
  • Publication number: 20130062152
    Abstract: A disconnect assembly comprises an angularly movable input member 24 arranged to be driven for movement by an actuator, an angularly moveable output member 32, and a drive member 36 connected to one of the input member 24 and the output member 32 for angular movement therewith and having a formation 40 cooperable with the other of the input member 24 and the output member 32, wherein the drive member 36 is axially movable between a drive position in which the formation 40 cooperates with the said other of the input member 24 and the output member 32 to transmit torque between the input member 24 and the output member 32, and a disconnect position in which the formation 40 does not cooperate with the said other of the input member 24 and the output member 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen John Buxton, John Herbert Harvey
  • Publication number: 20120186931
    Abstract: A round recliner for vehicle seat is disclosed. The round recliner comprises a holder; a sector gear coupled to the holder to be rotatable with respect to the holder; N lock gears respectively having outer teeth and moving between a locking position where the outer teeth interlock with the inner teeth and an unlocking position where the outer teeth retreat from the inner teeth; and an operating means for moving the N lock gears to the locking position or the unlocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: AUSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-joo Jeong
  • Publication number: 20120160630
    Abstract: A device for disabling a window treatment operated by a cord includes at least one member with a gear engaging the cord. When the cord is not tensioned correctly, the gear of the member intermeshes with teeth on another member impeding movement of the cord along its length. In one embodiment, two gears engage different sections of the cord and intermesh with each other. In another embodiment, a stationary member intermeshes with the gear of member selectively pivoted by the cord in accordance with the tension on the cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph CANNAVERDE
  • Publication number: 20120157258
    Abstract: A transmission housing includes an inner surface and circumferentially spaced first sets of teeth spaced about an axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a first clutch plate. Each first set is attached to the inner surface. The transmission housing also includes circumferentially spaced second sets of teeth spaced about the axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a second clutch plate. Each second set is attached to the inner surface. The teeth of at least one of the first or second sets extend axially and are narrower at a first axial end of the respective teeth than at a second axial end of the respective teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Scott Patrick MEYER, Brian James Oleson
  • Publication number: 20120080285
    Abstract: A clutch device for a screw driver includes a shell and a clutch received in an accommodating chamber of the shell. The clutch is composed of a driven rod base, a driven wheel and a center wheel. The driving rod base is formed with a driving rod groove for receiving a driving rod that drives a screw in an object, and a center shaft groove for receiving the center shaft and positioning bead holes for receiving positioning beads. The driven wheel is fixed in place by a shock-preventing member and formed with a groove for receiving one end of the driving rod base. The clutch can automatically function to let the drive wheel of an electric tool engage or disengage from the driven wheel in driving a screw to a preset depth in an object, able to prevent both the drive wheel and the driven wheel from wearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: HO-TIEN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120073930
    Abstract: A drive system for each arm of a mobile robot, each drive system including a drive motor and an adjustable clutch system interconnected between its associated arm and the drive motor and having a high friction locked position for enabling direct drive of the arm by the drive motor and a reduced friction slip position for enabling manual movement of the associated arm without back-driving the drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Lansberry, Lance L. Andrus, Brian DeStefano
  • Publication number: 20120066975
    Abstract: A clutch includes a driving-side rotating body, a driven-side rotating body, a holding case, and a power transmitting member held by one of the driving-side rotating body and the holding case. The power transmitting member is moved between a non-engaging position and an engaging position where the driving-side rotating body engages with the driven-side rotating body. The clutch further includes a guiding member held by the other of the driving-side rotating body and the holding case. The guiding member has a cam portion engaged with the power transmitting member and guides movement of the power transmitting member between the engaging position and the non-engaging position. Relative rotation between the driving-side rotating body and the holding case occurs, resulting in that the power transmitting member is guided by the cam portion to move from the non-engaging position to the engaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Natsuto Hayakawa, Tomoaki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8033374
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a shaft has a module carried by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel and a drive wheel. The motor, gearbox and drive wheel are carried on a slider plate which can slide transverse to the axis of the shaft. A front plate is fixed transverse to the axis of the shaft. A Bowden cable has its sheath attached to the front plate, and its inner cable attached to the slider plate, so that manipulation of the Bowden cable at a remote location allows force to be applied between the plates either tightening the belt to apply drive from the motor to the shaft, or releasing tension in the belt, to disengage the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Stanley Gunton
  • Patent number: 8033372
    Abstract: An overrunning clutch has a first race, a second race, a set of pawls between the first race and the second race and a set of springs between the first race and the second race, one spring for each pawl and each corresponding spring biasing the corresponding pawl into a position in which the first race and the second race are engaged with each other in a driving direction and are disengaged from each other in a free wheeling direction. Each spring is received in a spring receiving recess of one of the races and biases a rearward portion of the corresponding pawl radially inwardly into a pawl receiving recess of the race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Alfred J. Chiesa, Damien J. Fron
  • Publication number: 20110198184
    Abstract: The invention provides a system, device and method for using a rotary actuator, e.g., a stepper motor to actuate a wrap spring clutch. Feedback from a system of sensors and GPS data, including rotational speed, travel speed and direction are provided to improve the reaction accuracy of the clutch. In one embodiment, a plurality of actuator controllers are connected in a configuration wherein one controller is a “master” and the remaining controllers are “slaves” to provide a higher level of machine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan F. Barry
  • Patent number: 7975823
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clutch and reverse-locking device comprising a stop bolt (1), an internal clutch stem (2), a clutch control member (3), a clutch casing (4) and a stopper (5). The internal clutch stem (2) is inserted into the clutch casing (4) and they move independently of each other. The internal clutch stem (2) has a slot (21) to house and guide the stop bolt (1). The clutch control member (3) is installed in the internal clutch stem (2) and has an edge (42) set against the groove (11) of the stop bolt (1). The stopper (5) is fitted in the internal clutch stem (2) and protrudes partially outward therefrom. The protruding or non-protruding position of the stop bolt (1) in the internal clutch stem (2) correlates or disconnects the joint movement of the clutch casing (4) and the internal clutch stem (2), activating or deactivating the clutch operation of the clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Yu Min
  • Publication number: 20110155531
    Abstract: Apparatus for an anti-rotation mechanism, such as used in a wrench. The space between a pair of races contains a plurality of pairs of rollers. One race has a protrusion centered inside each pair of rollers, with the rollers biased against the protrusion. Adjacent the protrusion and between the rollers of each pair is a prong that selectively biases one or the other of the rollers of the pair away from the protrusion. When one roller in the pair of rollers is biased away from the corresponding protrusion, relative motion between the pair of races is enabled in only one direction. The protrusions extend into the space between the pair of races sufficiently to prevent the rollers from moving under load when relative motion is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: H. L. Nease, III
  • Publication number: 20110155532
    Abstract: To reduce running cost while preventing production of noise. Provided are a pair of magnetic meshing rings (151) including magnetic meshing teeth (151b) arranged side by side on both an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of a middle yoke member (15); a magnet member (152) situated between the pair of the magnetic meshing rings (151) such that the magnetic meshing teeth on one of the magnetic meshing rings (151) and magnetic meshing teeth on the other one of the magnetic meshing rings (151) have opposite magnetic poles; and a pair of meshing tooth rows (25) including a plurality of meshing teeth (25a) arranged side by side on an outer circumferential surface of an inner yoke member (21) and on an inner circumferential surface of an outer yoke member (22) and facing the magnetic meshing rings (151), the meshing tooth rows (25) being disposed at portions where the meshing tooth rows (25) face the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the middle yoke member (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: SHOEI ENGINEERING CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kingo Kuritani, Yousuke Yamagami, Yuuichirou Okuda, Motohiko Ueda
  • Publication number: 20110041658
    Abstract: A device for preparing the end of a pipe includes a non-rotatable mandrel one end of which is attachable to the pipe. A motor rotates a sleeve around the mandrel and the sleeve retains an arm perpendicular to the mandrel for cutting the pipe. A cam surface on the rotating sleeve moves a cam follower. Movement of the cam follower is converted to rotational movement for turning a feed nut threaded on the mandrel. The rate at which the sleeve is advanced by the feed nut is controlled by limiting the movement of the cam follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy E. Weinberg, Mark Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7770706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning pulleys that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, potentially tunable vibration dampening, tunable to maximum permissible torque loads before elastic (repeatable) slippage, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a pulley assembly includes a shaft; a pocket plate having a plurality of pockets; a notch plate adjacent the pocket plate and having a plurality of notches facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a body disposed about the shaft, pocket plate, and notch plate; wherein one of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft and the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Conntechnical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Connard Cali, Carlos Ferreira
  • Patent number: 7749121
    Abstract: An improved structure of a transmission structure for an electrically operated bicycle, structured to include an electric mechanism and a pedal coaxially disposed on a pedal shaft of a bicycle. The present invention is characterized in that: a rotating shaft of the electric mechanism is a hollow tube that passes through two sides of the electric mechanism; the pedal shaft of the pedal mechanism penetrates and is disposed within the rotating shaft and is able to rotate therein; and the driving chain wheel is pivotal disposed on an outer side of the rotating shaft. One side of the driving chain wheel is coupled to the rotating shaft of the electric mechanism by means of a clutch, and the other side of the driving chain wheel is coupled to a pedal crank of the pedal mechanism by means of a unilateral bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Te-Yu Perng