Overload Release Patents (Class 192/150)
  • Patent number: 11648616
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, and a shoe coupled to the housing. The shoe is configured to engage a workpiece. The reciprocating saw also includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the workpiece when engaged with the shoe. In response to the proximity sensor detecting formation of a gap between the shoe and the workpiece, the proximity sensor is operable to deactivate the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Zornow, Jonathon Gasteiner, Gerald Zucca
  • Patent number: 11298248
    Abstract: An orthopedic device with an end effector and a driving device, which is configured to drive the end effector by transferring a torque from the driving device to the end effector, wherein the orthopedic device features an overload protection that is configured to only prevent a transmission of a torque from the end effector to the driving device up to a threshold torque in at least one direction, and the overload protection includes at least a first coupling element and a second coupling element, which can be rotated relative to one another and which are coupled magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
    Inventor: Luis Sagmeister
  • Patent number: 11072962
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly may include a vehicle door pivotally arranged on a vehicle body, a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the vehicle door, a transmission element for producing a flux of force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body to adjust the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body, and a control device for controlling the drive motor. The control device may be configured to provide an anti-pinch protection. An acceleration sensor may be arranged on the vehicle door for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO., KG, BAMBERG
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel
  • Patent number: 11035442
    Abstract: A door moving apparatus includes a motor unit, a first gear, a second gear, an endless belt, a drum, and a rotator. The first gear is mounted on a rotary shaft of the motor unit. The second gear includes a diameter larger than a diameter of the first gear and teeth more than the first gear. The endless belt passes over the first gear and the second gear. A rotary power of the second gear is transmitted to the drum via a rotary power transmission mechanism. The rotator is configured to reduce a separation of the endless belt from a preset running path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sadayuki Makino, Kenta Mori, Eisuke Umemura, Kiyohiro Fukaya, Takemitsu Sumiya, Nobuyasu Miwa, Akihiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 10843336
    Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Sen Wai Kwok, Stephen A. Morin, Bobak Mosadegh, Ju-Hee So, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 10759197
    Abstract: A digital printing device, comprising a suction transport means (1). The suction transport means (1) comprises a transport belt (11) used for transporting a sheet material. At least one first suction box (14), which is used for sucking the sheet material on the transport belt (11) by means of negative pressure during transport, is provided in the space defined by the transport belt (11). Multiple first suction holes in communication with the first suction box (14) are provided on the transport belt (11). At least one side of the first suction box (14) is provided with a movable door (15) which moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction to make the first suction box (14) fit the sheet material to maintain a negative pressure state. Using the transport belt (11) during printing, the digital printing device avoids the problem of poor registration accuracy, and improves the printing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HANWAY INDUSTRIAL DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fuwei Yang, Yifa Zhao, Jizhou Li, Qin Yang, Jianqiang Zhang, Ting Chen, Hong Tian
  • Patent number: 10753499
    Abstract: A proportional control valve system and a method for operating the same is provided. The system includes a proportional control valve (PCV), an electric motor, a worm gear drive, and a programmable drive. The proportional control valve has a sealing structure that is positionable in a closed position, a fully open position, and a plurality of partially open positions there between. The worm gear drive is in driving communication with the sealing structure of the proportional control valve. The programmable drive is operable to control the positioning of the sealing structure within the proportional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Expro Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Anand Parthasarathy, Scott Charles
  • Patent number: 10598265
    Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SAS
    Inventors: Bruno Seminel, Frédéric Vermande
  • Patent number: 10517630
    Abstract: A rotational thrombectomy wire for breaking up vascular thrombus or other obstructive material having a core having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion has a smaller diameter than the proximal portion. A cable extends distally of the core. The cable has a first covering material positioned external thereof. A first coil is attached to a distal portion of the cable and has a diameter larger than a diameter of the cable and has a second covering material positioned thereover. The wire is rotatable by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Rex Medical, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc-Alan Levine, Michael Leedle, John D. Leedle
  • Patent number: 10520067
    Abstract: A belt drive for driving a rotatably mounted object, includes a main part, at least two belt wheels, a device for generating a pretensioning force, and a continuously circulating belt which loops around the belt wheels. The first belt wheel is connected to or can be connected to a drive, and the second belt wheel is connected to or can be connected to the object. The invention is characterized in that the device has at least two rollers which are attached to opposite sides of a lever that is pivotally mounted on the main part, and each roller contacts a section of the belt, wherein the lever is acted upon by at least one spring element and can be moved relative to the main part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Holzberger, Kilian Marsing
  • Patent number: 10511217
    Abstract: A magnetic clutch device having improved durability and reliability without increasing a size in an axial direction. A fixed member, the first engagement element, and a second engagement element are arranged concentrically to one another in order from a rotational center axis. The first engagement element comprises a first magnet. The fixed member comprises a second magnet in which a polarity is switched between a straight polarity and a reversed polarity, and a coil that switches the polarity of the second magnet depending on a direction of the current applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nagai, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Takashi Ohta, Yoshihiro Mizuno, Eiji Tsuchiya, Norio Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 10502283
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a gearbox for an irrigation system can comprise a housing, a worm gear within the housing, a bull gear within the housing and configured to be engaged with the worm gear, a diaphragm, and a vent. The diaphragm can define a chamber configured for expansion and contraction and configured to be positioned inside the housing to relieve pressure build-up within the housing. The vent can be configured to allow air to flow between the atmosphere and the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL MOTION COMPONENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: William F. Smith, Raymond Lee Call, II
  • Patent number: 10500707
    Abstract: A hand-power tool includes at least one tool spindle and a drive unit configured to drive the at least one tool spindle at a rotational speed greater than 10,000 min?1. The hand-power tool further includes at least one charging energy input and a tool chuck. The at least one charging energy input is arranged on a hand-power tool housing face that faces the tool chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hirschburger
  • Patent number: 10473152
    Abstract: A linear element with two stable points, it can be used as trust element allows for change in length. It can transform structure from one shape to another thus allowing for morphable configuration. A new model is presented herein for a linear bi-stable compliant mechanism and design guidelines for its use. The mechanism is based on the crank-slider mechanism. This model takes into account the first mode of buckling and post-buckling behavior of a compliant segment to describe the mechanism's hi-stable behavior. The kinetic and kinematic equations, derived from the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model, were solved numerically and are represented in plots. This representation allows the generation of step-by-step design guidelines. Because different applications may have different input requirements, two different design approaches are described herein with different parameters subsets as inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Ahmad Alqasimi, Craig Lusk
  • Patent number: 10464195
    Abstract: A method for controlling a screwdriver that has an electromotor, the electromotor having a clear ratio of rotational speed (n) to torque (M) at a defined effective voltage (Ueff soll), involving the following method step: —defining an effective voltage (Ueff soll) for operating the electromotor, —defining a cut-off rotational speed (nab) that corresponds to a pre-defined cut-off torque (Msoll) at the pre-defined effective voltage (Ueff soll), —operating the screwdriver under load with the pre-defined effective voltage (Ueff soll), —during operation of the screwdriver: —determining the rotational speed (n), —shutting down the electromotor when the cut-off rotational speed (nab) is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: WAGNER VERMÖGENSVERWALTUNGS-GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Günter Andres, Günter Neiss, Andreas Zimmer, Bernd Linsel, Daniel Bozek
  • Patent number: 10357870
    Abstract: A torque socket is provided. The torque socket includes a release mechanism that can be released when a torque thereof reaches a pre-determined value. The torque socket also includes a transmission module. The transmission module includes transmission members and a transmission shaft that are coupled with the release mechanism. The transmission members are cooperated with the release mechanism to determine the transmission shaft transfer torque or not to automatically release the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10351138
    Abstract: One embodiment is a system comprising an engine structured to output torque to an accessory drive, a rotary load structured to be selectably driven by the accessory drive, and an electronic control system. The electronic control system is operable to selectably engage and disengage the rotary load effective to vary the load on the engine, monitor engine load values in coordination with engagement of the rotary load, store a data set comprising the monitored engine load values in association with values of one or more associated system conditions in a non-transitory memory medium, update a mathematical model of the system stored in the non-transitory memory medium in response to the engine load values to converge one or more model parameters, diagnose or prognosticate a failure state of the rotary load in response to a change in the one or more model parameters, and output a perceptible diagnostic indication of the failure state in response to the diagnosis or prognostication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Anthony J. Cook
  • Patent number: 10226828
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a feed-speed to a bandsaw having a sawblade trained around a drive wheel and a spaced-apart driven wheel, and a strain adjustment mechanism for adjusting the strain on the sawblade by changing the spacing therebetween. The method includes sensing a change in the spacing and making a corresponding change in the feed-speed. The system controls an input device for feeding a workpiece to the bandsaw, and includes a sensor and a controller for performing the aforementioned functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: J.D. LUMBER, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Weimer
  • Patent number: 10001802
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm which includes an accelerator pedal; a housing which supports the pedal arm between a rest position and a maximum depression position as being rotatable around a predetermined swing axis line; a first return spring which exerts urging force to the pedal arm to return toward the rest position; and a reaction force adding mechanism which adds reaction force opposed to tread force of the accelerator pedal. The reaction force adding mechanism includes a movable member movably arranged against the housing while receiving reaction force of the first return spring, a reaction force spring arranged between the movable member and the pedal arm to be capable of generating reaction force against the tread force, and a lock member capable of locking the movable member not to be movable at desired timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muraji, Yoshitomo Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9932212
    Abstract: A mechanical overload sensor system for a planetary winch having a biasing means that when overcome by the force on a ring gear, opens an electric switch which terminates power to the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ramsey Winch Company
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Miller
  • Patent number: 9914625
    Abstract: A clutch comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, a biasing member and a plunger. The biasing member is arranged to provide a biasing force that allows torque transfer from the input shaft to the output shaft via one or more input friction plates and one or more output friction plates. Axial displacement of the plunger relative to the output shaft may cause the biasing force to vary to adjust the maximum torque setting of the clutch during reeling-in or reeling-out of a winch cable around a winch drum. A winch assembly may be provided that includes an arm in operable connection with a winch drum. The arm is displaced as the effective radius of the drum varies during reeling in or reeling out. Displacement of the arm can be communicated to the plunger to provide the axial displacement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bejan Maghsoodi
  • Patent number: 9795406
    Abstract: An assembly insertable into a lumen of a patient including a motor housing having a motor contained therein, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a first coupler positioned at the motor shaft having a first magnet positioned therein adjacent a distal end, a rotational wire, and a second coupler positioned at a proximal portion of the thrombectomy wire. The second coupler has a second magnet positioned therein adjacent a proximal end. The second coupler is engageable with the first coupler to operably connect the rotational wire to the motor shaft, the first and second magnets providing an attractive force between the first and second couplers to maintain a connection of the first and second couplers so rotation of the first coupler rotates the second coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rex Medical, L.P.
    Inventors: Marc-Alan Levine, Nicholas Ciccarelli, Michael Leedle, John D. Leedle
  • Patent number: 9795081
    Abstract: A method for operating a combine harvester configured with a number of working assemblies driven by at least one belt drive, and a ground drive, wherein the at least one belt drive and the ground drive are driven by a main drive comprising an engine, monitors for and accommodates slip. The working assemblies are monitored by sensors with respect to an occurrence of slip in the at least one belt drive. Signals representing slip are transmitted to a control device. The control device is connected to an input/output. The signals representing the slip are evaluated by the control device and the result is weighted. Depending on the weighting of the result, at least one measure is initiated by the control device, which results in a reduction of the slip and the at least one initiated measure is signalled by the input/output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Middelberg, Stefan Teroerde, Bastian Bormann, Thilo Krause
  • Patent number: 9784360
    Abstract: A drive device (1) for motorized actuation of a functional element of a motor vehicle has an electric motor (2) with a motor shaft (3) and also has a worm shaft (4) of a worm gearing. A first end of the worm shaft is connected to the motor shaft (3) and a second end is received in a radial bearing (5). The radial bearing (5) has a bearing body (21) with an outer surface mounted in a housing (11) and at least one annular bearing element (24) is mounted to the worm shaft (4). The bearing element (24) is elastic at least in a partial region to ensure compensation for tolerances in the region of the radial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. Porsche AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Braun, Thomas Huebener
  • Patent number: 9647886
    Abstract: Systems and methods for updating appliance communication settings to compensate for temperature fluctuations are provided. In particular, an appliance that includes one or more data communication components that provide wireless communication functionality can monitor one or more characteristics describing data communication failures experienced by the one or more data communication components. When the monitored characteristics indicate that the appliance is experiencing an increased rate of communication failure, the appliance can log the temperature conditions at the data communication components. Periodically, the appliance can analyze the logged temperatures to identify one or more temperature ranges associated with increased communication failure. The appliance can then update one or more communication settings associated with such temperature ranges so as to compensate for anticipated temperature fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Donald Drake
  • Patent number: 9556916
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween, wherein the first shaft is coupled to a drive mechanism. A fixed clutch plate is disposed on the second shaft and includes a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon. An attachment shaft includes a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate. The slip clutch plate is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate and a biasing mechanism is disposed on the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position. The biasing mechanism is further configured to be overcome when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Everett Sidney Kettle, Leif A. Norland, Mitchell L. Robertson, Casey L. McCuan
  • Patent number: 9469066
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus that connects a driven shaft to a driving shaft automatically includes a rotation unit which can rotate a driving shaft 13 forward or reversely, a control unit which can control start or stop of the rotation of the driving shaft, and connection units which can connect a driven shaft attached to a liner to the driving shaft when phases of the driven and driving shafts are in agreement with each other. A fiber bundle is wound onto an outer peripheral surface of the liner by rotating the liner. A detection unit detects the phase of the driven or the driving shaft. Based on information obtained from the detection unit at the time of connecting the driven shaft to the driving shaft, the control unit rotates the driving shaft and adjusts the phase thereof to make the phases of the driven and driving shafts in agreement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motohiro Tanigawa, Tadashi Uozumi, Daigoro Nakamura, Ken Hatta
  • Patent number: 9446703
    Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprising a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism that includes rack gear assemblies driven from a drive shaft as described herein. Sliding movement of the slideout unit may be either motor driven or manually powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Timothy Belle, Bori Krobot
  • Patent number: 9415435
    Abstract: A cup feed assembly for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The cup feed assembly includes a chute assembly, a rotatable feeder disk assembly, and a cup locator. The chute assembly includes a transfer chute. The transfer chute includes an outer second side member, a first end and a second end. The transfer chute first end is in communication with the feeder chute outlet end. The outer second side member at the transfer chute second end includes a first biasing device. The cup locator defines a holding space, the holding space in communication with the transfer chute second end. The feeder disk assembly is structured to move a cup disposed at feeder chute outlet end through the transfer chute into the cup locator. The first biasing device is structured to maintain a cup in the holding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: Tracy Jay Fowler
  • Patent number: 9393678
    Abstract: A head bolt tightening tool for a cone crusher head assembly includes a support which is able to support the head assembly non-rotatably on the support, and a reaction arm equipment which is fitted to the support and which is able to hold a head bolt tightening wrench non-rotatably relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Metso Minerals (France) S.A.
    Inventor: Romain Berthier
  • Patent number: 9387529
    Abstract: A draw press includes a carriage moveable toward a work piece and an upper die movably secured to the carriage. The upper die is movable with respect to the carriage to draw the work piece. A method for drawing a metal part is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas O. Staats, Milan Jurich
  • Patent number: 9145935
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for a hybrid transmission includes a magnetic unit and a brake plate. The magnetic unit is configured to selectively generate magnetic flux. The magnetic unit radially surrounds an axis of rotation. The magnetic unit defines a plurality of grooves. The brake plate radially surrounds the axis of rotation and includes a plurality of teeth. The brake plate is movable axially along the axis of rotation between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The brake plate is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation, relative to the magnetic unit when in the disengaged position. The teeth of the brake plate are configured to engage the corresponding grooves of the magnetic unit when in the engaged position in response to generation of magnetic flux by the magnetic unit, such that rotation of the brake plate is ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Anthony J. Corsetti, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 9132804
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for preventing a torque limiter mechanism from operating due to inertia force when a gear rotates quickly due to a winding force of an electric actuator, while maintaining satisfactory operating characteristics of the torque limiter mechanism. In the torque limiter mechanism, when a motor is driven to perform a wind-up operation, a prescribed operational torque that is set as a torque at which a limit spring moves from an engaging surface where the limit spring is positioned when a large-diameter side gear and a small-diameter side gear are in an assembled state, to an adjacent engaging surface, is greater than an operational torque at which the limit spring moves from the adjacent engaging surface to a next adjacent engaging surface by means of a shear pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Eiji Maemura, Hiroko Yoshikawa, Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 9109670
    Abstract: In a handheld power tool having a reduction gear unit, drivable by a motor, for driving a drive shaft, the reduction gear unit being situated in a gear housing and being shiftable via a gearshift at least between a first gear having a comparatively high torque and a second gear having a comparatively low torque, the reduction gear unit is assigned a mechanical overload protection device which is designed to limit the reduction gear unit during operation of the handheld power tool, if a torque, transferred from the drive shaft to the reduction gear unit, exceeds a machine-specific limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Roehm, Ralf Windsheimer
  • Patent number: 9101986
    Abstract: A tool holder for holding a cutting tool comprises a housing, a sleeve received in one end of the housing, a switch fastened in the other end of the housing, a cover fastened at an end of the housing adjacent to the sleeve to prevent the sleeve from being taken out of the housing, and an elastic member sleeved on the sleeve. The switch is electrically connected to a control system of a main spindle of a CNC turning machine and is applied for controlling the movement of the main spindle. The elastic member is compressed to elastically resist with the sleeve and generates an elastic force to make the sleeve move away from the switch, and the sleeve is slidably configured along the inner surface of the housing to contact the switch to stop the movement of the main spindle of the CNC turning machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xian-Cai Zeng, Dong-Cheng Liu, Chin-Tsan Huang
  • Patent number: 9044875
    Abstract: A chain saw includes: a motor driven by electric power; a housing configured to accommodate the motor; a guide bar attached to the housing; a chain blade wound around the guide bar; a sprocket engaged with the chain blade to drive the chain blade, wherein the chain saw is configured to transmit a driving force of the motor to the sprocket via a clutch mechanism, wherein the chain saw comprises a shut-off switch for detecting an actuation of the clutch mechanism and is configured such that the power supply to the motor is stopped when the actuation of the clutch mechanism is detected by the shut-off switch so as to brake electrically. The electrical brake is provided together with a mechanical brake that is configured to work when a hand guard is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Shimizu, Kouji Sagawa, Satoru Matsuno, Yasuo Etou, Ai Nakayama, Miyoji Onose
  • 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: 8794418
    Abstract: A compensation device that is positioned between a robot and a robotic tool. The device 10 generally includes a first section that connects to the robot and a second section that connects to the tool. The second section is movable relative to the first section for the tool to comply to accommodate variations in its positioning. The second section 12 may comply rotationally about x, y, and z orthogonal axes relative to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Allen Norton
  • Patent number: 8776977
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Lansberry, Lance L. Andrus, Brian DeStefano
  • Patent number: 8746101
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving a ring gear includes a motor, a transmission and a drive shaft, on which a pinion is arranged for driving the ring gear, wherein the drive unit includes a mechanical overload protection. In accordance with the invention the overload protection is arranged between the transmission and the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hausladen, Matthias Sedlmaier
  • Patent number: 8708060
    Abstract: A synchronization mechanism of a clutch mechanism includes a drive side contact member and a driven side contact member provided on a drive side clutch member and a driven side clutch member of a clutch mechanism at positions radially inwardly of a drive side clutch portion and a driven side clutch portion, respectively. The driven side contact member does not contact the drive side contact member when the driven side clutch member is in a disengaging position. As the driven side clutch member moves from the disengaging position to an engaging position, the driven side contact member contacts the drive side contact member, so that the rotation of the drive side clutch member is transmitted to the driven side clutch member through frictional contact between the driven side contact member and the drive side contact member before the driven side clutch member reaches the engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Tsuge
  • Patent number: 8631717
    Abstract: One aspect of the instant disclosure is to provide a sensorless adaptive safety actuator. The safety actuator comprises a driving unit, a transmission unit coupled to the driving unit, and an output unit coupled to the transmission unit. The transmission unit comprises a load-adaptable retracting mechanism. When the output unit experiences a mechanical load exceeding a critical value, the load-adaptable retracting mechanism causes the transmission unit to decouple from the driving unit. Thus, responding to an accident where the impact on the output unit causes a force/torque overload, the instant safety actuator is capable of effectively stopping the force/torque transmission to the work output device without the use of active sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Ren C. Luo, Yi-Wen Perng, Jing Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8327993
    Abstract: A safety device for automated processing equipment which is disposed in combination with a linear actuator to prevent operator injury. The safety device includes a base plate and a spherical element engaging the base plate to effect relative displacement of structural elements having at least one spring element projecting downwardly from the base plate, the base plate defining an aperture therein having a peripheral edge, and the at least one of the spring element including a ramped surface defining a lead angle relative to a horizontal plane, and a spherical element coupled to the end of the actuation shaft and engaging the peripheral edge of the aperture in a coupled operating mode, and disengaging the peripheral edge of the aperture when transitioning from the coupled operating mode to a safe operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Ifkovits
  • Patent number: 8222850
    Abstract: An overload protection device includes a motor, a transmitting shaft, a driving wheel, a resilient member, a sensor and a controller. The transmitting shaft including driving arm is meshed with the motor. The driving wheel is rotably engaged with the transmitting shaft at a distal end. The resilient member is connected to the driving arm at one end, and connected to the driving wheel at another end for driving the driving wheel to rotate. The sensor is mounted on the driving wheel and covered by the driving arm, and configured for and outputting a signal when the transmitting shaft is rotated relative to driving wheel. The controller is installed in the transmitting shaft and electrically coupled with the sensor for receiving the signal outputted from the sensor and shutting down the motor correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang Su
  • Patent number: 8222781
    Abstract: An overload protection device includes a motor, a rotatable shaft, a driven wheel, and a transmission mechanism. The rotatable shaft is meshed with the motor. The rotatable shaft includes a rod and a driving arm. A connection pole is formed on the driving arm. An inner surface of the driven wheel forms a protrusion. A sidewall of the protrusion defines a cutout therein. The transmission mechanism includes a resilient member and two arms rotatably connected on the connecting pole. The transmission mechanism is wedged in the cutout. when the motor is overloaded, the torque applied on the arms by the drive force of the motor becomes greater than the torque applied on the arms by the resilient force of the resilient member, the resilient member can no longer hold the transmission mechanism in a wedge shape, the arms become parallel each other to slide out of the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang Su
  • Patent number: 8136607
    Abstract: A device has a torque-limiting unit of a power drill, wherein torque-limiting unit is intended to limit a screwdriving moment in a screwdriving function; and a power drill is provided with the new torque-limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Frauhammer, Gerhard Meixner, Heinz Schnerring
  • Patent number: 8123015
    Abstract: In a robot hand overload safety apparatus, a first magnetically attracting bearing face 3 is provided at a robot hand mounting portion, and a second magnetically attracting bearing face 9 is provided on the robot hand 4, so that the second magnetically attracting bearing face 9 is magnetically attracted by the first magnetically attracting bearing face 3 and the robot hand 4 is mounted and supported, and in which a shaft 10 projecting from the first or second magnetically attracting bearing face 3, 9 is fitted into a hole or groove 11 opening on the other bearing face, so that the robot hand 4 rotates in the lateral direction, moves in the vertical direction or inclines in the fore-and-aft direction against the magnetically attracting force via the fitting between the shaft and the hole or groove 11 due to an overload exerted to the robot hand 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Katsuya Yanai, Fumio Urushibara
  • Patent number: 8083006
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool, in particular an electrical hand-held power tool (1), includes a drive motor (4), a tool shaft (14), and a first overload clutch (19) for limiting the maximum torque that acts on the tool shaft (14). Preferably, the hand-held power tool also includes a second overload clutch (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Simm, Aldo Di Nicolantonio
  • Patent number: 8066082
    Abstract: An air driver device having a simple construction, being of a compact size, and having excellent durability. The air driver device is designed to shut off a supply of compressed air to an air motor, by means of a tightening torque control mechanism and a shut-off valve mechanism, in a case where the tightening torque reaches the set torque value. The air device is designed to tighten screw members at a prescribed tightening force, wherein the tightening torque control mechanism is composed of (i) a clutch unit, (ii) a driving piston on the back face of which is formed one clutch plate, so that clutch plates of the clutch unit may move by making rotational differential motions in a case where the tightening torque reaches the set torque value, (iii) a cylinder for storing this driving piston, (iv) a check valve for operating the shut-off valve mechanism, in linkage with the driving piston through an oil charged in the cylinder, and (v) a torque control member for regulating the set torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Uryu Seisaku Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 7921976
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overload protection device which has a force-loaded or torque-loaded component, a chamber for receiving a fluid which is at a predetermined pressure, and at least two transmitting elements which are connected to said component in a force-transmitting manner. The transmitting elements serve to transmit a counter-force or a counter-torque, which is generated by the pressure acting upon said transmitting elements, to the component, and is, at the same time, part of a sealing arrangement which occludes an outlet of the chamber due to the fluid pressure. If the force or torque acting upon the component are greater than the counter-force or counter-torque resulting from the predetermined pressure, the sealing arrangement unblocks the outlet, as a result of which the pressure in the chamber drops below said predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Sam Tran, Bodo Wagner, Stephan Koch, Siegfried Rotthäuser