Abstract: A rotary stop mechanism (10) in accordance with the invention stops rotation of a shaft (12) at a fixed angular position in response to relative rotation of first and second gears (14, 16) on the shaft through a fixed angle which causes a stop pin (26) to project axially from one of the gears to engage a stop (32) when the relative angular rotation occurs by utilizing a control track (34) having a section (48) varying in axial position with respect to the axis of rotation to cause the stop pin to project axially to a position at which the stop pin hits the stop when the gear carrying the stop pin rotates to a fixed angular position.

Abstract: In an electric motor-driven positioning element for steering the rear wheels of a passenger car, a rotor of an electric motor is mounted on a ball nut which is adapted to effect axial displacement of a ball screw. The ball nut supports on a flange the shafts of pinions of a planetary gear unit, with the sun wheel of that planetary gear unit being driven by the rotor of the electric motor. The housing accommodates an electro-magnetic dog clutch which serves to block the ball nut during the time the electric motor is not energized.

Abstract: Angular regions (A, B) for turning a trunk body (12) of an industrial robot can be changed in accordance with an operation of the industrial robot by setting movable stoppers (18, 20). Turning movement can be stopped by an electrical means (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS5) to protect a drive motor and a drive mechanism, just before a stopper (22) fixed on the trunk body collides with mechanical stoppers (14, 16, 18, 20). An accident based on an error operation of the movable stoppers can be prevented by disposing proximity detectors (PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4).

Abstract: A rotary travel limit stop is provided for the purpose of providing positive mechanical stops for rotating machinery. Second and third rotatable members are arranged in gear mesh relation with a first rotatable member. The second and third rotatable members are provided with unequal numbers of teeth so that rotation of the first rotatable member will cause the second and third rotatable members to rotate at different rotational speeds. This, in turn, causes relative rotational movement to occur between the second and third rotatable members. A movable stop member is provided in movable relation with the second rotatable member and this movable stop member is disposed in sliding contact with an annular groove of the third rotatable member. The annular groove is provided with ramps which cause the movable stop member to move away from the third rotatable member during a portion of its rotation after the second rotatable member has rotated a predetermined number of revolutions.

Abstract: A rotary travel limit stop is provided to cause the rotation of the rotary actuator to cease. Second and third rotatable members are arranged in gear mesh association with the first rotatable member and the second and third rotatable members are provided with different numbers of gear teeth so that the rotate at different speeds when the first rotatable member is caused to rotate. The different rates of rotation of the second and third rotatable members result in an axial movement away from each other by the second and third rotatable members when a cam structure is positioned at a preselected relative location as a result of a relative rotation between the second and third rotatable members.This axial movement of the second and third rotatable members away from each other causes moveable stop pins or protuberances to move into interfering relation with fixed stop pins or protuberances.

Abstract: An actuator includes a main shaft (16) at the input of a speed reducing gear unit (29-32) which carries an overtravel stop mechanism. The grounded stops (68) are adjustable by a worm gear (72) to allow a near infinite resolution of the position for the overtravel stop of the driven member (16). Rotating stop members (52) are mounted for translation along the main shaft (16). When traveling nut (44) engages a cam surface (60), cam follower (56) translates the normally rotating stop members (52) in a direction opposing the bias force of a compression spring (36) into a stop condition against the grounded fixed stop (68) on wheel (50).

Abstract: An overtravel stop for a rotary shaft (12) is disclosed having first and second embodiments. In the first embodiment, braking torque for the shaft is supplied by the restriction by valve (14) of at least hydraulic fluid flowing in low pressure hydraulic fluid return line (18) from a hydraulic motor (22) which is connected to the shaft by a drive unit (24) in response to movement of a movable stop (34, 36) to a travel limit along an axial travel path to stop the hydraulic motor. In the second embodiment, braking torque for the shaft is supplied by a combination of a mechanical stop produced by the interaction of stop jaws (82, 84) which are respectively carried by an axially movable annular member (32) and a fixed stop (86) and the restriction of at least the low pressure hydraulic return fluid line (18) by a valve (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting range of motion of an industrial robot in accordance with the invention includes an indicating section (7) for indicating e.g. angles of rotation provided on a stationary side (1) of the swivel portion of an axis about which swiveling motion is possible. A range limiting member (6) having a dog and a stopper is movably disposed on the indicating section (7). When the industrial robot attempts to rotate beyond a stipulated range of rotation during operation, a limit member (81) provided on a movable side (2) of the axis portion contacts the dog (61) on the stationary side (1) to detect overtravel, whereby a warning is issued to the effect that the stipulated range of rotation has been exceeded. When the robot attempts to rotate further due to inertia, a shock absorber (82) strikes a stopper mechanism (62) to prevent excessive rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for stopping a rotating antenna shaft at a distinct position intermediate two end stop positions 23, 24. Paddle 12 on the rotating shaft 21 cooperates with intermediate stop assembly 26 to arrest bi-directional shaft rotation at an intermediate point when such stopping is desired, the intermediate stop assembly being activated by springs 38, 39 and deactivated by action of solenoids 30, 31.

Abstract: The braking system comprising an input mechanism, such as a brake pedal or a brake lever, actuated by a vehicle operator during brake application. A sensor senses the pressure exerted on the brake pedal and delivers a first electrical signal in accordance with that pressure. The system also includes a source of brake fluid under a constant fluid pressure and pressure modulators in fluid communication with the source and the wheel cylinders. An electronic control unit responds to the first signal and delivers to the pressure modulators a second electrical signal proportional to the first signal to cause the pressure modulators to communicate to the wheel cylinders a fluid pressure proportional to the second signal to apply the brake with a braking force proportional to the applied pressure. The braking system also provides an anti-skid function, traction control function, and braking force proportioning function.

Abstract: A double-acting rotary drive for a control device having an end position fixed in the form of a stop, includes a motor, a torque-changing gear connected to the motor, a driver associated with the torque-changing gear for neutralizing a torque-increasing action of the torque-changing gear or switching on a torque-lowering action after the torque-changing gear rotates through a portion of a total given rotational path thereof, a return travel lock for locking the torque-changing gear in place being released before the driver becomes operative.

Abstract: An overtravel stop for a rotary shaft, including a fixed stop having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at different radii from the axis of the rotary shaft. A follower member is provided about the rotary shaft and is adapted to rotate with the shaft within a selected travel limit. The follower member is associated with a stop member having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at the same different radii as the stop jaws of the fixed stop. The follower member is rotationally shiftable with respect to the shaft when the shaft reaches its travel limit. The stop member is axially movable into engagement with the fixed stop when the follower member rotationally shifts relative to the shaft. At least some of the stop jaws have negative rake angles, and a shock absorber is provided behind the fixed stop.

Abstract: A star wheel is formed with angularly spaced teeth and intervening pockets and is indexed through one step each time a rotatable actuating pin enters one of the pockets. One of the teeth has a significantly greater angular width than the other teeth and has a tip which is periodically engaged by the pin to stop rotation of the pin. To reduce shock resulting from the pin striking the tip of the wide tooth, a slot is formed in the wide tooth to cause part of the outer end portion of the tooth to be resiliently cantilevered on the remaining portion of the tooth and to enable the outer end portion to flex inwardly when the pin moves into engagement with the tip.

Abstract: An overtravel stop for a rotating shaft has a pair of gears associated with the shaft to rotate therewith. Each gear engages an associated limiting gear and the two engaged gear pairs have different gear ratios. One of the limiting gears is threaded over a shaft which is secured for rotation with the other limiting gear, such that the different gear ratios causes the one limiting gear to translate over the shaft. At selected travel limits, the one limiting gear is caused to lock relative to the other, thereby causing one of the gears associated with the shaft to shift therearound. A cam structure is provided which axially shifts a stop member associated with the shaft into engagement with a fixed stop when the one gear shifts about the shaft. Two different cam structures are shown including a pin and slot connection between the stop member and the shaft, and an ear and cam recess connection between the stop member and one of the shaft gears.

Abstract: A switching and control apparatus, comprising: a stepping switch with a rotatable controller barrel; a regulator having a rotatable setting shaft drivable by the controller barrel; a clutch, including a regulator-side coupling member fixed for rotation together with the setting shaft, effective over a predetermined range of angular regulator settings, in which the controller barrel drives the setting shaft, and ineffective at angular settings beyond the predetermined range, during which the setting shaft is not driven by the controller barrel; and, a spring-loaded arrangement for restraining rotational movement of the regulator-side coupling member during movement of the controller barrel beyond the predetermined angular range.

Abstract: This control device for an electric motor-reduction unit is designed to permit the accurate adjustment of the point at which it is desired to stop the rotation of the unit. For this purpose, it comprises a slide controlling during its movement in one direction and during a first time period the movement of beaks of a rocker in a direction in order to open the motor control switch when said beaks are engaged in notches of cam means. In a second time period, the slide causes a two-armed sliding lever supporting the notched-cam shaft to pivot in a direction, each notched cam being rigidly associated with a heart-shaped cam and with a toothed wheel adapted, when inoperative, to mesh with toothed drive pinions. In a third time period, the slide causes the beaks of the aligning lever to bear against the heart-shaped cams in order to align the notches with the beaks. The pinions remain radially fixed.

Abstract: A switching mechanism can be utilized in conjunction with an electrically driven actuator, for example, either a linear or rotary operated actuator. The switching mechanism can be utilized to either control the extent of operation of the actuator, thereby operating as a limit switch, and also can be used for controlling other electrical devices that are to be operated in dependence upon the position of the driven member of the actuator. For this purpose, the switching mechanism is provided with a plurality of electrical switches, each of which can be controlled so as to be switched at different points in the operation of the actuator. Associated with each of the electrical switches is a separate counting mechanism. All the counting mechanisms are driven by a common drive gear which is coupled to the drive mechanism of the actuator.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine such as an automatic assembly machine is disclosed which includes a work station which can include linear motion devices and rotary motion devices. A conveyor system is disclosed for transporting a workpiece to and from the work station, and positioning means are disclosed for precisely positioning the workpiece to the work station.

Abstract: A device for limiting the rotation of a member rotatable about an axis extending from a base, while permitting rotation clockwise and counterclockwise through a preselected number of turns. An actuating lug is rigidly secured to the member, a disc is rotatably secured to the base, the disc having a plurality of bosses rigidly secured adjacent the periphery thereof, the bosses being spaced apart from each other in equal angular relationship, the bosses being engaged by the actuating lug to cause angular displacement of the disc upon each rotation of the member. A stop lug is rigidly secured to the base in the path of the disc bosses to engage therewith and arrest angular displacement of the disc and thereby the rotation of the member.