Gearing Patents (Class 310/83)
  • Patent number: 5581138
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compact motor with a speed reducing mechanism, including a cylindrical casing having an open end, a stator fixedly provided in the casing, an exciting coil provided in the casing, a rotor provided in the casing and having a high-speed output shaft on which a pinion is fixed, a cover for covering the open end of the casing, a low-speed output shaft projecting from a hole formed through the cover, and a reduction gear train interposed between the pinion and the low-speed output shaft for transmitting power to the low-speed output shaft. The compact motor further includes a lever connected to the low-speed output shaft; an eccentric cylinder formed integrally with a final gear of the reduction gear train and adapted to eccentrically rotate about a gear shaft for rotatably supporting the final gear; and a connecting member having one end pivotally engaging with an outer circumference of the eccentric cylinder and another end pivotally engaging with the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Tukamoto, Naohiko Nagase, Shin-ichiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5578884
    Abstract: A permanent magnet type rotating machine comprises a cylindrical yoke; a plurality of permanent magnets installed on an inner periphery of the cylindrical yoke; a rotor rotatably installed at an inner peripheral portion of the plurality of permanent magnets; and a retaining portion provided at a conventional constituent member of the permanent magnet type rotating machine to elastically retain the plurality of permanent magnets in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Moribayashi, Shuzou Isozumi, Takeo Gotou
  • Patent number: 5576588
    Abstract: A permanent magnet type rotating machine comprises a cylindrical yoke; a plurality of permanent magnets installed on an inner periphery of the cylindrical yoke; a rotor rotatably installed at an inner peripheral portion of the plurality of permanent magnets; and a retaining portion provided at a conventional constituent member of the permanent magnet type rotating machine to elastically retain the plurality of permanent magnets in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Moribayashi, Shuzou Isozumi, Takeo Gotou
  • Patent number: 5570752
    Abstract: An improved electric power assisted bicycle including a electric motor and planetary transmission arrangement constructed to permit ease of assembly and maintain a low cost and an improved one-way clutch that eliminates the need for bearings for rotatably aligning the elements of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nozomu Takata
  • Patent number: 5569967
    Abstract: A magnetic gear configuration utilizing non-metallic magnetic material about a circumference of a rotatable member is disclosed. A plurality of magnetic units may be spaced around the circumference of the rotatable member. Each magnetic unit may extend along a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the rotatable member and each magnetic unit may be inversely aligned to its adjacent magnetic unit. The magnetic units may be equidistantly spaced from one another and each magnetic unit contains a north and south pole. Gear train configurations may be constructed by utilizing gears having similarly spaced magnetic units where inversely aligned magnetic units attract one another to facilitate gear rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Temper Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 5550416
    Abstract: A control mechanism of revolving speed of an electric tool comprises a speed changing mechanism and a speed selecting device. The speed changing mechanism is composed of an action ring, a locating ring and two slide rods. The control of revolving speed of the electric tool is brought about easily and precisely by means of the speed changing mechanism in conjunction with the speed selecting device which is composed of a seat, a locating frame fastened to the main body of the electric tool, and a push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: We C. Fanchang, Hsueh W. Hsueh
  • Patent number: 5548169
    Abstract: A motor with a built-in capacitor is proposed. The capacitor is formed into a ring so that a shaft of the motor penetrates a center portion of the capacitor and is disposed in the motor so that the shaft of the motor penetrates the center portion. The capacitor is mounted at the same time as the motor is mounted and the mounting work of the capacitor is easy. The external shape of the motor itself is the same as that of a conventional motor. The whole structure of the motor is compact as compared with the conventional motor. The motor can be applied to a motor with a capacitor directly connected to a gear mechanism such as a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Iwasa, Takaji Kambayashi
  • Patent number: 5534736
    Abstract: An electric vehicle comprising a body, an axle rotatably supported by the body, a rotor supported by the body for rotation about a longitudinal axis, a gearing assembly for selectively drivingly connecting the rotor to the axle, and a stator supported by the body. The stator includes a stator core which has a longitudinal opening housing the rotor and which has an outer surface. The outer surface includes upper and lower longitudinally extending recesses oppositely disposed relative to the axis. The stator also includes upper and lower cleats respectively mounted in the upper and lower recesses, the cleats and the longitudinal axis defining a common vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: J. Herbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 5534737
    Abstract: A plurality of rotating bodies each consisting of an armature, a permanent magnet rotor, or the like are rotatably supported in parallel and rotary shafts thereof are gear-connected to each other so that they may be interlockingly rotatable. Between the mutually nearest positions between respective outer peripheries of the adjacent rotating bodies and inner wall surfaces of the relevant yoke on first- or second-, half rotation sides of the rotating bodies as viewed in the rotation direction, partitioning walls are disposed so as to block the passage of the magnetisms between the adjacent rotating bodies while, on the other hand, opening portions are secured on the other rotation sides thereof as viewed in the rotation direction so as not to block the passage of the magnetisms between the adjacent rotating bodies, whereby forces of magnetic attraction or repulsion act to promote the interlocking rotations of the rotating bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Masayuki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5532535
    Abstract: An electric drive for a vehicle includes a motor housing; bearing plates closing opposite ends of the housing; roller bearings held in the bearing plates; an electric motor accommodated in the motor housing and including an axially hollow rotor shaft affixed to a rotor and journalling in the roller bearings; a gear housing adjoining the motor housing; a gearing accommodated in the gear housing; a gear coupling the rotor shaft with an input of the gearing; and a first output shaft coupled to an output of the gearing. The first output shaft extends through an end wall of the gear housing and passes axially through the rotor shaft and through the bearing plates. The first output shaft has an end situated externally of the motor housing. The electric drive further has a second output shaft coupled to an output of the gearing. The second output shaft extends through an end wall of the gear housing and has an end situated externally of the gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Oltmanns
  • Patent number: 5528343
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a cartridge includes an image forming device acting on an image bearing member and a driving force transmitting device which is adapted to transmit a driving force from an apparatus side to a cartyridge side and which is separable from the image forming device. The apparatus also includes a drive source. The image forming device and the driving force transmitting device are integrally mountable to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Tada, Hisayoshi Kojima, Masanori Yamagata, Toshiki Nagase, Akira Ito, Mitsugu Inomata
  • Patent number: 5523636
    Abstract: A mechanism for transferring torque from a motor to a gear train through a magnetic hysteresis slip clutch has a feature for disconnecting the motor from the gear train. A cup element of the clutch is carried on a shaft and can be shifted along the shaft's axis. The cup element has a magnetic member on its outer surface and an interior hysteresis layer. An electromagnet can magnetically apply force to the magnetic member to axially shift the cup element, and by so doing can shift a drive gear carried on the cup element into and out of mesh with a first gear of the gear train. In a preferred embodiment, the cup element shifts the drive gear into mesh with the gear train's first gear when the electromagnet is energized and magnetically applies force to the magnetic member, and allows magnetic force applied to the hysteresis layer by a permanent magnet element of the clutch to shift the drive gear into its unmeshed position when the electromagnet is deenergized and does not apply force to the magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5521478
    Abstract: An actuator for heating, cooling and climatic valves in vehicles includes a gear housing, an electric motor placed therein, a reduction gear acted on by the turning moment of the electric motor, a drive shaft and a position determining device connected thereto. A slide carrier with teeth on its perimeter allows use of an adjusting tool to make adjustments to the position determining device. Other fixing areas are provided on the slide carrier and in the driven gear which make it possible to form lock the slide carrier to the driven gear by means of a rapidly hardening substance without damaging the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Gebr. Buhler Nachfolger GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Bernreuther, Gerhard Bopp
  • Patent number: 5517070
    Abstract: A drive unit, in which an unattached shaft end of a drive shaft abuts axially against an abutment surface of a housing part. The abutment surface is crown-faced and with respect to the abutting, unsupported and unattached (i.e., free) shaft end and thereby prevents the drive shaft from deflecting eccentrically from radial adjusting forces. Given an eccentric abutment, the abutment surface leads the drive shaft back to its centrical axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kurt Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5508574
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission system is described which employs a split power path design to achieve continuously variable speed ratios. A motor-generator unit is provided for converting a fraction of the input power into electrical power, and a second motor-generator and differential gear mechanism are employed to re-combine the two power components before transmitting the mechanical power through a gearbox. Electrical power dissipation means allows the transmission system to provide slippage when accelerating a load from rest, and it also assists in shifting and in braking. An electronic motor controller coordinates feedback signals from various sensors and controls the dynamic performance of the entire system. The motor-generators are integrated with the housing of the transmission and have water jackets to assist in heat dissipation. The motor-generator pair and the power dissipation elements are all cooled by a circulating fluid which transfers heat from these components to an external heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Alexander Vlock
  • Patent number: 5500564
    Abstract: An electric motor is provided with an armature, an output shaft rotatable according to the rotation of the amature through a worm gear pair, and a rotation detectiong mechanism which comprises a rotary magnet rotatable together with the output shaft through an intervenient member and a reed switch for detecting rotation of the output shaft according to alterarion of the magnetic force caused by the rotation of the rotary magnet, and the intervenient member is fixed to the output shaft so as to form a predetermined play between the output shaft and the rotary magnet and transmit the rotation of the output shaft to the rotary magnet through the play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Sano, Shuji Sekine
  • Patent number: 5497041
    Abstract: In a low speed geared motor, a rotational magnetic field is formed in a stator against S-poles and N-poles in a permanent magnetic ring capable of being elliptically deformed. An external gear is rotated while internally meshing with an internal gear by means of rotation of the elliptical deformation caused in the permanent magnetic ring by the rotational magnetic field. As a result, the external gear is rotated on its axis by a difference between the number of teeth in the external gear and that in the internal gear for one rotation of the elliptical deformation. The rotational component is transmitted to an output shaft through a transmission means while absorbing the elliptically deformed component. With this construction, it is possible to enhance the energy conversion efficiency with a small size, to achieve a longer continuous operation, to almost eliminate backlash and hysteresis, to reduce the angular momentum, to improve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Kondoh, Kiyoji Minegishi
  • Patent number: 5493156
    Abstract: A micro electro mechanical device has at least two layers of substrates. In a first layer, a micro-actuator is formed, and in a second layer facing to the first layer, a passive movable unit is formed. Rotation of the rotor unit of the micro-actuator is coupled to the movable unit on the second layer by suitable engaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 5487438
    Abstract: A driving system for an electric vehicle which drives wheels thereof with the aid of an AC motor via an inverter while a battery is used as a power source is constructed such that the primary side and the secondary side of the AC motor are rotatably supported in a motor frame. One of the primary and the secondary sides of the AC motor is operatively connected to a power transmission shaft for one of a left-hand wheel and a right-hand wheel via a reversible type speed reducing mechanism while the direction of rotation of the power transmission shaft is reversed relative to that of the one of the primary and secondary sides. The other one of the primary and the secondary sides of the AC motor is operatively connected to a power transmission shaft for the other one of the wheels via a non-reversible type speed reducing mechanism while the direction of rotation of the power transmission shaft is kept unchanged relative to that of the other one of the primary and secondary sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigenori Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5479058
    Abstract: A geared motor employing a brushless induction motor in nested arrangement, either concentrically inwardly or concentrically outwardly, with a gear reduction device employing two gear wheels, one with interior teeth and one with exterior teeth, said teeth being meshed together. The difference in the number of teeth is small relative to the total number of teeth of each gear wheel. One of the two gear wheels moves in an eccentric path, is free to rotate relative to the rotor but is driven thereby. The other gear is fixed relative to the housing. An output accommodating the eccentric movement of the free gear derives reduced rotational speed and torque from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Yoshio Seidou
  • Patent number: 5465017
    Abstract: A geared motor includes an electric motor which drives a wheel actuating a direction reversal mechanism, this direction reversing mechanism actuating the output shaft of the geared motor.According to the invention, the wheel has fixed thereto a driving device connecting the direction reversal mechanism to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Frederic Vacca
  • Patent number: 5453649
    Abstract: The invention proposes a drive unit for a windshield wiper in a motor vehicle, of the kind including an electric motor disposed in a motor housing open at one of its axial ends, a blade-carrier support disposed inside the motor housing close to its open end, a reduction gear mechanism disposed in a reduction gear housing, one portion of which forms an end plate for closing the open end of the motor housing, and of the kind comprising electrical connection for the drive unit which include electric contacts which are accessible from outside the drive unit; wherein the electric contacts and the blade-carrier support are arranged in a connection module disposed inside the motor housing close to the open end thereof, and the closing end plate includes a window open to the outside of the reduction gear housing and which extends opposite the electric contacts of the connection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Pierre Blanchet
  • Patent number: 5447078
    Abstract: A submersible gearmotor including a liquid resistant housing with radially inwardly extending partitions which form at least two shaft receiving chambers. The separate chambers act as protective regions between the internal components of the gearmotor and an outside liquid medium when submersed. The gearmotor also includes a tandem seal arrangement including an inboard seal located inside the housing and an outboard seal located outside the housing. The seals prevent the outside liquid medium from entering the gearmotor where the housing intersects with the rotating output shaft. The gearmotor further includes a leak detection system consisting of moisture sensing probes mounted inside one or both of the receiving chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: James T. Robinson, Jr., Timothy J. Hassett, Gary L. Wheeler, Mark M. Hodowanec
  • Patent number: 5446326
    Abstract: A control circuit for a gearmotor is located internal to a plastic gearbox to reduce handling damage and damage resulting from exposure to the environment. The control circuit includes a metal track which provides an electrical conductive path for input power to an electric motor and electrical components and thereby eliminates the need for a printed circuit board. The metal track includes a plurality of alternative control circuits paths, the appropriate circuit being chosen during assembly of the gearmotor by selectively piercing knock-out tabs in the metal track. The metal track includes locking receptacles for receiving switch and d.c. motor electrical terminals and further includes crimping receptacles for receiving electrical component lead wires. The metal track is located on the internal surface of the plastic gearbox cover by integrally molded posts and is secured to the cover by ultrasonically or heat staking the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: Merwin R. Scheider
  • Patent number: 5418400
    Abstract: A combination generator and starter motor includes a rotor with an internal ring gear, a plurality of dual pinion gears which mesh with the rotor and two sun gears which mesh with the dual pinion gears. A large torque multiplication from the rotor to one of the sun gears is provided when the combination generator and starter motor operates as a starter motor. A one-to-one ratio of rotation between that sun gear and the rotor is provided when the combination generator and starter motor operates as a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Stockton
  • Patent number: 5404060
    Abstract: A miniature motor with worm reduction gear outputting the revolution of a miniature motor via a worm reduction gear consisting of a worm and a worm wheel, in which the tooth surface of the worm is roughened into a stain finish, and then subjected to a surface treatment to improve wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakahashi, Kazuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5382854
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for an electric vehicle has a case attached to a vehicle body; an output axle which rotates relative to the case; an electric motor having a magneto stator secured to an inside wall of the case and a rotor which faces the magneto stator with a predetermined clearance and rotates relative to the case; and a planetary gear unit provided inside of the rotor and consisting of three components of a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier. The electric motor speed is output from the output axle through the planetary gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kawamoto, Satoru Tanaka, Mitsugi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5382857
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive unit for adjustment systems in motor vehicles, more particularly for an electrically operated window winder. The electric drive unit comprises an electric motor, a gear unit into which the extended motor shaft of the electric motor projects, and a current unit with a plug or adequate solder spots. The current unit is designed as an intermediate rail for connecting the electric motor and gear housing. When using a commutator motor, the brush holder of the commutator motor is incorporated in the intermediate rail. The intermediate rail preferably forms a structurally uniform block with the plug, and, when additionally using an electronics unit, also with the electronics unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Schellhorn, Helmut Sesselmann
  • Patent number: 5382858
    Abstract: An electric motor for an electric car, in which an outer ring of a ball bearing used in the non-work side of a rotating shaft is supported fixedly by a rear bracket so that the shaft is fixed in the axial direction move. A cylindrical roller bearing is used in the work side of the rotating shaft, so that the rotating shaft is secured to the inner periphery of the rear end of an output carrier of an epicycle reduction gear and the outer periphery of the rear end of the carrier is supported through a ball bearing by an intermediate bracket. An oil seal is provided for sealing between the intermediate bracket and the rotating shaft, the inner diameter of the oil seal being greater than an outer diameter of the inner ring of the cylindrical roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5375479
    Abstract: Disclosed is a series and a series group of orthogonal gear reducers with motors. A motor cover is disposed separately from a gear box. In each of sub-series (frame number) wherein the gear boxes have the same fitting dimensions (sizes) to be mounted to a mating machines, the following requirements are satisfied: 1 The fitting dimension between the motor cover and the gear box is made constant; 2 An axial shifted amount between a hypoid pinion and a hypoid gear is made constant; 3 an outside diameter of the hypoid gear is made almost constant; and 4 a distance between the center of the hypoid gear, and the mounting surface for the motor cover and the gear box is made constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Kouno, Mitsuo Ogamoto, Tetsushi Isozaki, Kiyoji Minegishi, Katsumi Taki
  • Patent number: 5343774
    Abstract: An improved transmission gear box for miniature motor is equipped with a motor-mounted round plate having a number of equally spaced protrusions or recesses disposed on the periphery thereof. The round plate secured to the case of a motor is provided with a round through hole at the center thereof and a pair of symmetric oval-shaped through holes are disposed at each of the opposite sides of the round hole, and a transmission gear set is operationally associated with and supported by the round plate. The shaft of the miniature motor disposed through the central round hole of the round plate is provided with a gear at the top end thereof so as to permit the engagement of the same to the transmission gear set. A cap having a number of corresponding recesses or protrusions disposed at the periphery of the bottom end thereof can be tightly engaged with the round plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Shuh Y. Jang
  • Patent number: 5341056
    Abstract: A plurality of drive modules positioned at spaced locations along a drive th of a driven member respectively include two magnetostrictive rod elements in alignment with each other, with adjacent ends thereof in engagement with a third magnetostrictive rod element extending transversely of the drive path to engage the driven member. Simultaneous elongation and contraction of the two rod elements during elongation of the third rod element in the drive modules imparts unidirectional motion to the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Bruce S. Maccabee
  • Patent number: 5338993
    Abstract: An improved motor apparatus includes five motor coils which are connected with a stator and are sequentially energizeable to cause a rotor to nutate and rotate relative to the stator. Control circuitry includes an upper transistor and a lower transistor which are connected with opposite ends of a motor coil. The upper transistor is rendered nonconducting and current is conducted from one end of the motor coil through the lower transistor back to the motor coil to maintain the motor coil energized. A holding circuit is effective to energize one of the coils to maintain gear teeth on the stator and rotor in meshing engagement to hold the rotor against movement to relative to the stator. Annular rim surface areas on the stator and rotor are maintained in abutting engagement during nutation and rotation of the rotor relative to the stator and during holding of the rotor stationary with the gear teeth in meshing engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Briggs, Gary H. Daebelliehn, Peter S. Winzen, Donald R. Bellgraph
  • Patent number: 5323663
    Abstract: A starter comprises a planetary gear reduction mechanism including an internal gear provided with a cylindrical chamber, a rotary disk, and a friction disk for restricting the rotary disk. The rotary disk is prevented from angularly moving with respect to the internal gear through an elastic member. When a larger load is applied to the internal gear which the elastic member cannot absorb, the rotary disk is released from the friction disk to angularly move to absorb such larger load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ohgi, Yasuhiro Nagao, Kazuo Hirama, Youichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5300848
    Abstract: A dual permanent magnet generator (10) is provided with a differential gear arrangement (20) comprising two ring gears (21, 26), two planetary gears (30, 31) and a carrier (32) which is splined to an input shaft (12) in the generator (10) so as to rotate the carrier (32) at the same speed as the input shaft (12) while allowing the input shaft (12) to shift axially. One of the ring gears (21) has a threaded connection (18, 38) with the input shaft (12). Consequently, as either the ring gear (21) or the ring gear (26) is slowed down through the application of a resistive load on small generators (22, 23 and 27, 28) associated with the respective ring gears (21, 26), the threaded connection (18, 38) will cause the input shaft (12) to move axially in one of two directions and, via lefthand and righthand spline connections (15, 16) between the input shaft (12) and main rotors (13, 13'), cam the rotors (13, 13') to shift into and out of phase with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Huss, Merle L. Bennett, Richard J. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 5293107
    Abstract: A motorized rotary joint for robots integrates a joint bearing with a power transmission, such as a planetary type speed reducer, and provides a large central hole for passing electric and service lines therethrough. The rotary joint includes a built-in rotor and stator arrangement within the same joint housing structure, thus allowing the electric motor to share the same bearings and housing structure with the speed reducer. Preferably, the rotor also carries planets of the reducer and the stator is either integral or coupled to a housing of the reducer. The rotary joint also accommodates an encoder, a circuit board having electronic components thereon and a built-in brake to provide a totally integrated, intelligent rotary joint. A method for constructing a modular robot using the rotary joint is also provided, wherein several such rotary joints are coupled to simple structural elements by means of bolted interfaces to construct a multi-joint robot of an articulated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hadi A. Akeel
  • Patent number: 5289069
    Abstract: A brushless motor comprises a rotor which is rotatable on an axis of the brushless motor and which include permanent magnets arranged circumferentially thereon, an output member connected to the rotor to rotate with the rotor, and a stator which includes electro-magnetic coils energized in order to rotate the rotor, and has a first space which receives the output member therein and a second space which extends from the first space to the outside of the stator so that an output power of the brushless motor is transmitted from the output member to the outside of the brushless motor through the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hasegawa, Kenji Kubo, Naoto Noguchi, Toshio Imai
  • Patent number: 5272938
    Abstract: A flat rim type motor drive mechanism is disclosed for driving a bicycle which includes a motor having a rotor made of a multi-layer mylar film rotor coil and fastened inside a housing coupled to the spokes of either wheel of a bicycle, an epicyclic gearing fastened inside the housing and driven by the motor to rotate the wheel of the bicycle via the housing and the spokes, and a swivel type speed governor handle controlled to regulate the voltage and current from a DC power supply to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Chi-Hsueh Hsu, I-Ho Li
  • Patent number: 5262693
    Abstract: An electrical generator (10) having particular utility as a vehicle alternating generator includes a planetary gear set (32) for providing counter rotation of a pair of fields (80,82) with respect to a coil (60) so as to provide high power output even at relatively low speeds of driving without providing excessive rotational speed at high speeds of driving. In one embodiment, the planetary gear set (32) includes a ring gear (36), a sun gear (44), and a planet carrier (50) whose planet gears (52) rotate about associated axes parallel to the rotational axis A about which the planetary gear set operates. In another embodiment, the planetary gear set has a bevel gear construction including first and second bevel gears (36',44') rotatable about the rotational axis of the planetary gear set and meshed with bevel type planet gears (52') of the planet carrier (50') so that the two field (80',82') have counter rotation with respect to each other at the same rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Holka
  • Patent number: 5258674
    Abstract: A starter motor with an intermediate gear wheel. The starter motor includes an interposition member interposed between the front end of a clutch cover fitted onto an overrunning clutch and the rear end of an intermediate gear wheel, a movable connecting member including a boss portion which is loosely fitted onto the outer circumference of an extended boss portion projecting backwardly from the rear end portion of the intermediate gear wheel, and a circular-arc-shaped fitting portion which is formed integrally with the rear end portion of the boss portion to extend upwardly and which is fitted to a lower half portion of a fitting groove formed at the rear end portion of the overrunning clutch so as to be movable in the axial direction of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventors: Toshio Sakamoto, Shuzou Isozumi
  • Patent number: 5256921
    Abstract: A gear motor having an output shaft for driving the dispensing mechanism of a vending machine includes a plurality of magnetically operated switches positioned adjacent one end of the output shaft and a plurality of magnets attached to that end of the output shaft. A DC electric motor is energized by a computer to rotate the output shaft in a first direction until one of the magnetic switches is actuated by a magnet, which instructs the computer to reverse the polarity of power to the DC motor, reversing the direction of the motor and the output shaft. When the output shaft is returned to its standby position, one or more of the switches are again actuated which instructs the computer to terminate power to the DC motor. An enclosure surrounds the switches and magnets and protects them from the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventors: Harry Pruis, Donald H. Hardey
  • Patent number: 5239881
    Abstract: In a variable speed geared motor constructed by combining an inverter motor controllable in rotational speed by inverter drive with a gear reducer, the gear reducer is of a two-stage type, and a reduction ratio i of the gear reducer is suppressed so that i.ltoreq.N holds where N stands for a maximum reduction ratio of the inverter motor at which a constant torque characteristic can be ensured. Further, in a series of variable speed geared motors each satisfying the above conditions, a common ratio R of a series of reduction ratios i of the variable speed geared motors is set to 1.2-1.5. For example, the series is set to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.Accordingly, the geared motor can be constructed lightly in weight, compactly, and at low costs, and it can be economically used in a rotational speed region of 200-900 rpm which is an ordinary region in driving of a pump or a high-speed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Chiba, Masayuki Tanigawa, Masanori Egawa, Kiyoji Minegishi
  • Patent number: 5233247
    Abstract: A method and device for precisely driving a rotary object includes a motor ounted in a housing and a reduction device comprising first and second harmonic drives, which connect the motor to the object to be driven via an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the object to be driven via an adapter cup and a bellows which is stiff in torsion but which tolerates misalignments between the drive device and the object. All elements are designed to maximize stiffness and precision and to minimize backlash while maintaining maximum concentricity between the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stark
  • Patent number: 5223671
    Abstract: Intended for fitment to the electric motor of a motorized valve, the terminal box (1) is modular in design and can be utilized in different mounting positions to suit the direction from which power supply and control system wiring is routed to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 5221869
    Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door, includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A flexible drive member, such as an endless chain, extends on the frame and is capable of moving the carriage. A drive train is on the frame connected for moving the flexible drive member. A motor housing is mounted on the frame within the motor housing and connected to the drive train. The motor has a shaft extending from the motor housing and engaging the drive train. A bearing assembly that includes metal thrust bearings is on the shaft adjacent to the motor. The metal thrust bearing assembly increases the performance of the electric motor, and thus provides a more powerful motor without changing to a larger motor or otherwise modifying the motor design. The motor is mounted on the frame so as to allow the shaft freely to move axially relative to the motor to permit the shaft to self-align.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: GMI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Williams, Terry L. Crock, Nicholas A. Dragomir, Thomas Angelini
  • Patent number: 5202597
    Abstract: A motor with a decelerating apparatus includes a motor, a gear box connected to the motor, a pinion gear attached to an end of an output shaft of the motor, two or more decelerating gears engaging with the pinion gear, a rotation shaft connected to each of the decelerating gears as a unity, a bearing for supporting the rotation shaft of each of the decelerating gears provided in the gear box, and a mounting unit for fixing the gear box to a load, an output terminal of the rotation shaft of each of the decelerating gears being connected to a rotating load, the gear box comprising a bearing for supporting a rotation shaft of a first decelerating gear which engages with the pinion gear and a bearing for supporting a rotation shaft of a second decelerating gear which engages with the pinion gear and is different from the first decelerating gear in the number of teeth, the mounting unit connecting the output terminal of the rotation shaft of either of the first and second decelerating gears to the rotating load, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishida, Hiroshi Kusumoto, Hideo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5195389
    Abstract: A planetary speed reduction gear type starter comprising a planetary speed reduction gear unit and a DC motor is designed as follows: In the case where the motor is smaller in outside diameter than the planetary speed reduction gear unit, the inside diameter of the yoke is accordingly reduced; that is, the front end portion of the yoke is increased in inside diameter into a large diameter portion. The planetary speed reduction gear unit is fitted in the large diameter portion, with the front end of which a front bracket is engaged. Thus, only one kind of front bracket can be used for a plurality of planetary speed reduction gear type starters different in reduction gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Shuzou Isozumi
  • Patent number: 5190375
    Abstract: An agitator which includes a rotary shaft fixedly provided at a free end thereof with a stirring rotor and an electric motor disposed in the vicinity of a head portion of the rotary shaft. A portion of the rotary shaft extending within the casing of the electric motor is extended through a hollow shaft, and the rotary shaft and the hollow shaft are journaled in bearings at upper and lower ends of the casing. The rotor of the electric motor is fixed to a middle portion of the hollow shaft, and the rotary shaft and the hollow shaft are interlocked with each other by a gear reduction mechanism. The agitator has a compact construction, facilitates maintenance work, and demonstrates excellent performance in agitating materials in a deep agitation tank or in agitating a liquid having a high viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Satake Chemical Equipment Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Shiobara
  • Patent number: 5184039
    Abstract: A motor/gear-train drive unit, and particularly a motor-vehicle power-window drive or the like, which can be manufactured and assembled at low cost, and which comprises a motor frame (1) enclosed in the circumferential direction and an adjacent gear case (2) at one of its axial ends and a closing bearing cap (3) at its other axial end, can be obtained by making the bearing cap (3) with a brush support plate (5) mounted therein and bonded therewith. Plug pins (41, 42) extend outwardly through the bearing cap (3). The preassembled subassembly that is axially displaceable, tightly sealed (seal ring [7]), relative to the motor frame (1) and can be secured in a given final operating position to the motor frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Longin Kraft
  • Patent number: 5169121
    Abstract: An air control damper assembly for mounting in an air duct comprising a damper blade pivotally mounted within the air duct and means for rotating the damper blade from an open position to a close position. A drive system rotates the damper blade such that the system exerts a high torque and low speed at the beginning and end of the rotation of the blade from one position to the other and a low torque and high speed in the middle of the rotation of the blade between positions. The damper blade is locked in the open and close positions by means of a motor and gear unit. Electrical switches interfacing with a drive disk in the drive system partially controls the energization of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernesto E. Blanco, Peter F. Thompson