Friction Transmission Or Element Patents (Class 476/67)
  • Publication number: 20040121881
    Abstract: A rolling friction transmission apparatus of a wedge roller type is provided with: a rolling-surface-shaft; a ring; and three transmission rollers in an unequally-spaced space generated between the rolling-surface-shaft and the ring. The two of the three transmission rollers are fixed, and the rest is used as a wedge roller supported with its axis rotatable. The wedge roller is placed at a spatial position where the unequally-spaced space is wider than in the middle of the spatial position where the unequally-spaced space is at the widest and the spatial position where the unequally-spaced space is the narrowest. Friction forces generated by torque on the contact surfaces among the rolling-surface-shaft, the ring, and the transmission rollers cause large normal forces on the contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicants: HIDEO OKOSHI, MIKUNI MAKINO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Okoshi
  • Patent number: 6689013
    Abstract: The continuously variable friction gear transmission has one housing and one variator which is inserted therein and which is mounted on a power frame. In order to provide this variator in the form of an operationally capable autarchic unit, the support pistons for the trunnions are integrated in the power frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Wafzig, Bernhard Sich
  • Patent number: 6648509
    Abstract: An xy stage assembly having an xy stage supported by support shafts and having preload shafts applying a load to the xy stage. The support shafts or the preload shafts can be drive shafts that drive the xy stage in the x direction. The support shafts and the preload shafts are supported by journal/bearing structures that are individually translatable in the z-direction to selectively provide a pitch, roll or z-axis displacement to the xy stage. The support shafts and the preload shafts can be individually translated in the y-direction to provide yaw to the xy stage. Either the support shafts or the preload shafts or both can have wheels that ride in grooves in the xy stage. Alternatively, either the support shafts or the preload shafts or both can have grooves in the circumference of the shafts and the xy stage has rails in which the grooves on the shafts ride. The xy stage may be divided into two section joined by a compressive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20030186777
    Abstract: An elastically deformable transmission member for use in a friction drive system. The elastically deformable transmission member imparts a thrust to a moveable member at an area of contact between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. Elastic deformation of the elastically deformable transmission member, such as by application of a pre-load force perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moveable member, causes an increase in contact area between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. The increased contact area reduces stress in the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member, reducing wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ohara
  • Patent number: 6482121
    Abstract: A drive arrangement clamps an output disc such as a tire with two driving rollers so as to drive the output disc. The drive arrangement is compact, light-weight, low-noise and inexpensive, and can be used for a bicycle equipped with an electrical assist drive or various kinds of welfare-specific vehicles. The drive apparatus includes an input shaft and two output shafts extending in a single plane in parallel to each other. The input shaft has an input roller, and each of the output shafts has an output roller. A loading roller is located between the input roller and one of the output rollers, and an axis of the loading roller is slightly spaced from the plane of the two output shafts. An outer peripheral surface of each roller is a substantially cylindrical rolling surface. The loading roller is preloaded by a preload spring such that it squeezes between the input roller and one of the output rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignees: Hideo Okoshi, Mikuni Sogyo Company
    Inventor: Hideo Okoshi
  • Publication number: 20010014639
    Abstract: An inner surface 16a of an output transmitting disc of a toroidal type continuously variable transmission can be finish-worked without enhancing accuracy of a cylindrical surface as an outer peripheral surface of the disc. The inner surface is finish-worked with super finish while urging a working surface of a grindstone against the inner surface. In this case, roller shoes are rollingly contacted with the inner surface to prevent the disc from being retarded from the working surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Seiichiro Hatase, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6186018
    Abstract: A binocular includes first and second swingable bodies respectively accommodating telescope systems. The binocular further includes two drive rings respectively provided to the swingable bodies and an operation knob. A transmission unit is provided to transmit the rotation of the operation knob to the drive rings. The transmission unit includes two pairs of a first gear and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear engage with the other so that a contact point of pitch circles thereof is located on each of the swing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6178836
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a machine bench 1, an external pressure linear bearing assembly 2 and a slide body 3 mounted on the machine bench 1 through the bearing assembly 2 for reciprocating movement relative to the machine bench. The positioning apparatus has a frictional reciprocating drive mechanism 4 for reciprocatingly driving the slide body 3 which is provided and includes a main shaft 5 adapted to be rotated, and a plurality of rollers 9 disposed around the main shaft 5 and inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the main shaft 5. Each roller 9 is pressed relative to the main shaft 5 by a pressing member 15. The slide 3 and a rail 20 are made of ceramics. Magnets 41 are provided on the slide body 3 for developing forces of magnetic attraction between magnetizable members 42, provided on the machine bench 1, and the slide body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Miyake, Manabu Okada
  • Patent number: 6162145
    Abstract: A traction drive type driving apparatus is provided, by which any particular pressing mechanism is unnecessary, by which a big deformation can be obtained easily, in which decreasing degree of the pressing load is extremely small against small amount of abrasion, in which the test for confirming the pressing load at a desired amount can be done easily, and which has a readily constructible hollow structure. The traction drive type driving apparatus comprises an externally contacting shaft (2) located at the center, a plurality of intermediate shafts (1) equidistantly disposed around and externally contacting with the externally contacting shaft (2), and an internally contacting cylinder (3) internally contacting with the intermediate shafts (1), at least one of the intermediate shafts offset from the center is an input shaft, and the externally contacting shaft (2) is a ring-like hollow cylinder and is held by the intermediate shafts (1) to form a floating ring without disposing any particular bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong You Wang
  • Patent number: 6155953
    Abstract: The upper and lower ends of plural trunnions (46) of a toroidal continuously variable transmission are joined by links (50, 52). A trunnion shaft (70) is joined to the lower end of the trunnion (46). A boss (78A) of a piston (78) is attached to the outer circumference of the trunnion shaft (70), and tightened toward the trunnion (46) by a nut (82) which screws into the trunnion shaft (70). The upper end of the boss is formed as a plane surface, and a supporting surface (76E) of a supporting member (76) which supports this plane surface on the trunnion (46) is formed as a spherical surface. When the spherical surface and plane surface under a relative displacement, a bending load which acts on the trunnion (46) is prevented from acting on the piston (78), and wear of the piston (78) is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 5719611
    Abstract: An ink jet printer is featured by pinch rollers disposed so as to be in contact with the printed surface of a printed recording sheet to press the printed recording sheet against an ejecting roller in contact with the non-printed surface of the printed recording sheet to advance the printed recording sheet to an ejecting unit, cleaning members disposed in contact respectively with the respective circumferences of the pinch rollers to remove the ink adhering to the circumferences of the pinch rollers, and a holding member detachably holding the cleaning members on one side of the holding member so as to be in contact through an opening with the pinch rollers on another side of the holding member at a specified pressure. The cleaning members can be easily replaced with new ones without requiring special skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TEC
    Inventors: Shinya Nakamura, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Takahiro Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 5551929
    Abstract: A traction-type transmission which uses a differential reduction principle whereby the present transmission can generate an extremely high output shaft torque, while maintaining a relatively low tangential force through the traction contact. The traction elements of the present invention operate at a relatively high surface speed whereby a finite tangential force, transmitted through the traction contacts, represents more power through the transmission. The geometry of the mating traction elements produces a traction contact shape which is very long, in the rolling direction, and narrow in width. This traction contact geometry greatly increases the coefficient of traction, since traction is directly related to the buildup of lubricant strain in the rolling direction. In addition, this narrow traction contact shape virtually eliminates fluid shear. Thus, this traction contact shape not only increases the power capacity of the present invention, but also greatly increases its efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph E. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 5433675
    Abstract: The invention resides in an infinitely variable traction roller transmission with coaxial input and output shafts, a main transmission shaft rotatably supported in spaced parallel relationship with the input and output shafts and with an input traction roller drive interconnecting the input shaft and the main shaft and further an infinitely variable traction roller transmission structure disposed on the main shaft for transmitting motion from the main shaft at variable relative speed to the output shaft via an output traction roller drive wherein the input and output traction roller drives include traction gears mounted in radial alignment respectively on the input shaft and the main shaft and an output shaft of he infinitely variable traction roller transmission and hollow shaft surrounding the input shaft and connected to one of the ring and the planet carrier of a planetary-type transmission whose other of the ring and planet carrier is connected to the output shaft and whose sun is disposed on the input s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Excelermatic Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5357819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive apparatus that is compact in size, low in cost, allows the attaining of a high degree of accuracy as well as high-speed driving, and suppresses the production of noise.The present invention is composed so that a drive roller rolls along a track rail as a result of providing a torque generation device on a slider guided by said track rail, and attaching the output shaft of said torque generation device to said drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takei
  • Patent number: 5346337
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting threads in holes of fabricated parts including a vertical support shaft supporting at least one arm extended out over the part with a tap coupled to a motor on the end of each of the at least one arm. The arm is supported on the vertical shaft by a joint support which can be rotated around the vertical shaft and slide vertically on the shaft. A spring on the shaft is biased to return the joint support to a rest position. The vertical shaft can also be positioned vertically by virtue of a manually operated friction drive located in the base. These several degrees of freedom enable a user to position a tap in any one of a multiplicity of holes located over a large area of the part. A means and method for securing the tap in the tap chuck is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: T. Bruce Truesdell
  • Patent number: 5345832
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive apparatus comprising a track rail having a track formed along its axial direction, and a slider guided by the track. The slider has a rolling element circulating path, and a torque generating device, having an output shaft, is mounted on the slider. The apparatus also includes a plurality of drive rollers and at least one substantially spherical rolling element disposed in the rolling element circulating path. The torque generating device applies a torque to the drive rollers to cause the drive rollers to roll while engaging with the track rail to move the slider along the track, and the rolling elements contact the track rail and move along in the rolling element circulating path when the slider moves along the track. The apparatus further includes an oil film forming device which forms an oil film between the track rail and the drive rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takei
  • Patent number: 5326197
    Abstract: A drive apparatus that is compact in size, low in cost, allows the attaining of a high degree of accuracy as well as high-speed driving, suppresses noise, and obtains both large thrust and braking force. The present invention is able to obtain the above-mentioned advantages of compact size, reduction of costs, high accuracy, high-speed driving and suppression of noise as a result of providing a torque generation device on a slider guided by a track rail, attaching a drive roller to which is torque is applied by an output shaft of the torque generation device, and that drive roller rolling along the track rail. In addition, the above-mentioned advantages of large thrust and braking force are obtained by forming indentations in at least one of either the track rail or drive roller with respect to the other track rail or drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takei
  • Patent number: 5326335
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive apparatus that is compact in size, low in cost, allows the attaining of a high degree of accuracy as well as high-speed driving, suppresses the production of noise, and demonstrates favorable ease of assembly when incorporating within machine tools and so on. The present invention is able to obtain the effects of reduction of costs, high accuracy and high-speed driving as a result providing a torque generation device on a slider guided by a track rail, attaching a drive roller to the output shaft of the torque generation device, and said drive roller rolling along the track rail. In addition, the above-mentioned effect of improved ease of assembly is obtained by attaching the torque generation device facing horizontally on the side of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takei