Including Worm Patents (Class 74/89.14)
  • Publication number: 20100192712
    Abstract: A drive mechanism (1) of a camera apparatus includes a worm gear (4) to which a rotational driving force of a drive motor (2) is transmitted, a worm wheel (6) around which a helical gear (5) is formed to engage with the worm gear (4), and a support frame (7) which supports the worm wheel (6) rotatably and movably along a rotation axis. A rotational driving force of the worm gear (4) is transmitted to the worm wheel (6) with reduced gear ratio. An externally threaded portion (10) of a shaft portion (8) of the worm wheel (6) is engageed with an internally threaded portion in a supporting hole (14) of the support frame (7), so that the shaft portion (8) moves along the rotation axis when the worm wheel (6) rotates. Consequently, the rotational driving force transmitted to the worm wheel (6) is converted into a linear thrust force along the rotation axis. This makes it possible to provide a camera apparatus which can develop a larger thrust force and adjust an amount of travel more finely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jyouji Wada, Tetsurou Kajino, Tamotsu Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100170356
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a piece of reclining furniture. The mechanism has a housing whose side walls are formed adjacent an upper wall with a pair of longitudinally spaced seats defining a pair of generally parallel and transversely extending axes lying in a common first plane. Respective furniture shafts rotatable in the seats are connectable to parts of the piece of reclining furniture, and respective arms project from the furniture shafts. Respective servomotors in the housing each have an output shaft defining an output rotation axis. The output rotation axes define a second plane forming an angle greater than 0° with the first plane, respective transmissions and links between the output shafts and the control arms so that rotation of the output shafts is transmitted through the respective transmissions and links to the control arms to rotate the furniture shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Kurt SCHMID
  • Patent number: 7707903
    Abstract: An actuator includes a motor, an input rotation member driven by the motor, an input contacting portion formed on the input rotation member, a bush disposed so as to be relatively rotatable to the input rotation member, a first contacting portion and an engaging portion formed on the bush, a spiral spring including an outer circumferential hook portion in contact with the input contacting portion of the input rotation member, and an inner circumferential hook portion engageable with the engaging portion of the bush, the spiral spring storing a rotational force of the input rotation member as an potential energy via the input contacting portion, an output member disposed so as to be relatively rotatable to the input rotation member, an output contacting portion formed on the output member and in contact with the outer circumferential hook portion of the spiral spring; the output contacting portion transmitting the potential energy stored in the spiral spring to the output member; wherein the bush includes a se
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7690476
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clearance adjusting decelerator and an electric power steering apparatus having the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Joon-kyu Song
  • Patent number: 7670228
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided with a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a damper member. The damper member is arranged between the first coupling member and the second coupling member. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member has a tubular circumferential wall surrounding the outer circumference of the damper member. Accordingly, it is easy to control the diameter of an accommodating hole accommodating the coupling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Matsumoto, Hideyuki Yagi, Kazunobu Kanno, Nobuyuki Imai
  • Publication number: 20100044656
    Abstract: In a worm-rack type transmission device (1) a curved side portion (6) is provided on rack teeth (2a) of a linear rack (2) in a manner to form a part of an ellipsoidal surface (E) and twisted by a changing rate (?) of a torsional manner a toothed streak (5) of a worm wheel (3). The worm wheel (3) brings the toothed streak (5) into engagement with the curved side portion (6) in a line-to-line contact, enabling to a self-locking property and strengthening a transmission power to insure a high transmission efficiency with a least friction loss so as effectuate a linear drive for an extended distance travel with a high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji Imase
  • Publication number: 20100013284
    Abstract: A transmission device that transmits rotation of a drive cable to a screw shaft is provided. The transmission device includes a worm gear attached to the drive cable, a helical gear attached to the screw shaft, a gear case, a pair of first bearing wall portions, and a pair of second bearing wall portions. The gear case has an opening on one side so as to accommodate the worm gear and the helical gear. The first bearing wall portions are integrally formed with the gear case so as to face each other along the axial direction of the drive cable, and rotatably support both ends of the worm gear. The second bearing wall portions are integrally formed with the gear case so as to face each other along the axial direction of the screw shaft, and rotatably support both ends of the helical gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Hirokazu Suzumura
  • Patent number: 7640827
    Abstract: Driving torque outputted from a motor portion is transmitted to a worm from a motor shaft, further to a helical gear from the worm, and is taken out to the outside from an output shaft which rotates together with the helical gear with a fixed shaft fixed to a gear box as a center. This fixed shaft is constructed in a hollow and cylindrical shape having an opening in which one end portion thereof has been opened, and a ceiling surface in which the other end portion thereof has been closed, and one end portion of this fixed shaft is subjected to dislocation preventive work, and is fixed to a gear box made of resin by pressing-in or insert molding. The other end portion of the fixed shaft is formed with the dislocation preventive structure of the output shaft and the helical gear installed to the fixed shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Okumura, Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7635054
    Abstract: A clutch actuator comprises a worm shaft that rotates along with a clutch motor. The worm shaft is meshed with a worm wheel. The worm wheel is fixed to one end of a crank shaft member of a crank shaft separately from a crank arm of the crank shaft. A bearing that supports the crank shaft is provided between the worm wheel and the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Kabushiki Kaisha Moric
    Inventors: Makoto Kosugi, Hisashi Kazuta
  • Publication number: 20090288506
    Abstract: A power actuator is provided for a door latch. A transfer lever within the housing is selectively coupled to a motor-driven worm gear via a lost motion connector. Engaging the motor moves the transfer lever between a locked and an unlocked position, actuating an output lever mounted to a spline on the transfer lever. The worm gear returns to a neutral position when the motor is disengaged, leaving the transfer lever in either the locked or unlocked positions. Manually moving the output lever causes the transfer lever to move between its locked and unlocked positions without back-driving the worm gear. A toggle mechanism prevents the transfer lever from accidentally moving or only moving partially between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ROEHM GMBH
    Inventors: Christopher L. Larsen, Keith A. Morgan, Drew Robert Freeman
  • Patent number: 7614184
    Abstract: An operator comprising a housing ending in a flange is provided with a turret incorporating a stepped bore for locating a worm shaft of a drive mechanism. A first seal is disposed between the worm shaft and the stepped bore. A second seal is interposed between the flange and a frame of a window. An interconnecting mechanism driven by the worm shaft comprises a pair of worm arms followed by a pair of links. The former and the latter are provided with male and female ends using, respectively, a calotte of a sphere complemented by a spherical shaped recess. Thus, between the pair of worm arms and the pair of links, pivotal joints are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jacob Rebel, Hong Chen
  • Publication number: 20090272210
    Abstract: The invention discloses an anti-skid mechanism operating device (1) for vehicles comprising an operating unit (2) and an operating arm (3) pivotally supported thereby and intended to carry a rotary anti-skid device (4) and to operate the latter between an active and a passive position. The operating device (2) comprises a worm gear (6) and a driven worm (5) adapted to engage said worm gear (6) for operation of the operating arm (3). The driven worm (5) is resiliently displaceable along an axis (A) of said worm (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Lars Holmgren
  • Publication number: 20090223313
    Abstract: A drive apparatus is provided for a swing-out element of a motor vehicle, in particular for a swiveling swing-out window, which is automatically adjustable between an open position and a closed position along a movement path, including a driving gear driven by an electric motor, to which a swing-out lever connected to the swing-out element is coupled at a pivot point that is guided at a radial distance in relation to the rotary axle of the driving gear on a guide path deviating from a circular path, the distance decreasing along the guide path from the open position of the swing-out element to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Manfred STENZEL, Uwe Sommer
  • Patent number: 7571666
    Abstract: Case parts of an adjustment mechanism for a seat adjustment device of a motor vehicle can be joined together along a parting line via joint surfaces. The joint surfaces are provided for the purpose of reciprocal placement of the case parts by way of a joining process. Contact surfaces of the case parts are present in addition to the joint surfaces The contact surfaces are in non-parallel alignment to the joint surfaces. Transferred gear forces running parallel to at least a section of the joint surfaces are absorbed by the contact surfaces. The case parts are fastened to one another by way of screw connections. The contact surfaces of the one case part are respectively held in position with respect to the contact surfaces of the other case part solely due to the screw connections. With such a case, high loads can be absorbed in spite of a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignees: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG, IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Borbe, Stefan Wetzig, Wolfram Hofschulte, Michael Wöhrle
  • Patent number: 7562600
    Abstract: A slat angle adjusting device has a body, a positioning bar, a pinion, a drive axle, a rotating rod and a roller. The drive axle is rotatably mounted inside the body, engages with the pinion and has at least one helical tooth and an engaging end provided with multiple teeth. Each helical tooth is composed of multiple separate helical tooth elements, and a gap is defined between each pair of adjacent helical tooth elements. With the arrangement of gaps between the teeth elements, burs are prevented from occurring on the helical teeth of the drive axle, such that the transmission between the drive axle and the pinion is smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Tai-Ping Liu
  • Publication number: 20090151487
    Abstract: A tilting device is disclosed. The tilting device may include: a base; a guide, of which one side is hinge-coupled to the base; a jointed link, in which a joint is formed, and of which either end is hinge-coupled respectively to the base and to the other side of the guide, to thereby allow the guide to tilt; a leadscrew engaging the joint; and a driving unit configured to drive the leadscrew. With this configuration, the tilting device may be implemented in a compact structure using a smaller driving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo-Kun Kim, Kyoung-Shin Park, Hyo-Young Kim, Dong-Won Choi, Seog-Jin Ma, Jae-Hun Kim, Kwang-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20090107268
    Abstract: An actuator having a frame which is fixed to an electric motor; a gear drive for transmitting motion from the motor to a drive shaft between two predetermined positions, and a brake consisting of a coil spring, having, when relaxed, an inside diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of a support shaft that is fixed relative to the gear drive, and around which the spring is coiled, each of the two free ends of the spring being arranged in a respective slot, formed in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D AG
    Inventor: Ernst SUTER
  • Publication number: 20090100949
    Abstract: A linear guide device (40) as a movement guiding device, comprising a track rail (41) as a track member and a moving block (43) as a moving means slidably installed on the track rail (4) through balls (42 . . . ) installed on the track rail as a large number of rolling elements. The track rail (41), the moving block (43), the balls (42), and the other members forming the linear guide device (40) are formed of a radiolucent material. The radiolucent material desirably adopts a material of 0.18 cm?1 or less in X-ray absorption coefficient. Furthermore, ceramic coating is desirably applied to those areas of the track rail (41) and the moving block (43) receiving a load from the balls (42) which include rolling surfaces for the rolling elements. As a result, the radiolucent type movement guiding device suitably usable without being limited by installation place even under a special environment can be provided by adopting such a structure as stated above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeki Shirai, Takayoshi Shimotsuchi, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7464627
    Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Knight Ko, Brian Ganter, Thomas P Schregardus, Eric Beishline, William H. Fort
  • Publication number: 20080298989
    Abstract: A rotating-to-translating conversion device having a piston member oscillating within a casing where a rotating shaft is positioned through the piston. The interaction between a groove member between the piston and the shaft is such that an engagement member positioned within the groove will provide an oscillating motion of the piston with respect to the shaft, and a sealing system provides a seal between first and second regions within the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Steven J. Keays
  • Patent number: 7410201
    Abstract: An improved lead screw actuator for use in applications including power vehicle windows is provided that significantly reduces the amount of machining that must be performed on the lead screw to enable secure attachment of a gear or pulley. The lead screw has a plurality of threads on its outer annular surface and a first and second axially spaced circumferential groove. A gear or pulley disposed about the lead screw has a female thread formed into an inner annular surface that is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of threads of the lead screw between the first and second grooves. A pair of rings are disposed within the first and second grooves in order to restrict axial movement of the gear or pulley on the lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Wilson, Scott L. Strong
  • Publication number: 20080175666
    Abstract: An mobile material placer or slinger with a placer conveyor having a gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body about a vertical axis. The gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism includes a first gear attached to the body of the material placer and that drives a second gear fixedly mounted to the placer conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Rexius Forest By-Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Looney
  • Publication number: 20080164775
    Abstract: An electromotive drive for a motor vehicle is provided. The electromotive drive comprising an armature which is located on a rotor shaft, a tube element with magnetic shells which are fitted to the inner faces, and elements which are fitted to the ends of the tube and support the rotor shaft. Means are provided by means of which elements which support the rotor shaft are aligned in relation to the magnetic shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Helmut Sesselmann
  • Publication number: 20080163708
    Abstract: A track system (18) of the type used to adjust the position a supported element such as vehicular seat (12) includes a pair of base rails (20) that slidably interact with a respective pair of driven rails (22). A transverse rail (24) is attached to each of the driven rails (22) so that the driven rails (22) slide together as a unit. A motor (34) is supported on the transverse rail (24) and includes a pair of drive shafts (36) emanating from either end. The drive shafts (36) carry on their distal ends' respective worm gears (38) which are contained within a transmission assembly (26). The worm gears (38) mesh with external teeth on respective drive nuts (54) which interact with a lead screw (28) that can be oriented to either remain stationary relative to the base rails (20) or can be rotatably fixed within the driven rails (22). The drive nut (54) is prevented from causing objectionable noise and premature wear in operation by the inclusion of one or two compressible washers (66).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Lucas P. Porinsky, William R. Tighe, William M. Huffman
  • Publication number: 20080163709
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus and a rotation apparatus are disclosed. A power transmission apparatus that includes: a power generating part, which includes a drive axis; a worm, which is joined to the drive axis; a worm gear, which meshes with the worm, and which includes an output axis configured to transmit power; and a friction hinge, which is joined to the output axis, and which is configured to engage and disengage a rotational force of the output axis, can provide sufficiently high deceleration and high torque, even when a low-capacity motor having a low cogging torque is used. Also, the power transmission apparatus can be made safer and less noisy for not only automatic operation by the motor but also manual operation by a user, while the gear module, motor, etch, can be protected from excessive loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Won Choi, Chil-Sung Lee, Jae-Kyung Kim, Jae-Hun Kim, Kyoung-Shin Park
  • Publication number: 20070277632
    Abstract: When an output shaft is positioned in a first angular position or a second angular position, the output shaft is allowed to rotate from one angular position to the other angular position without rotating a worm wheel. When the worm wheel is rotated to rotate the output shaft from one angular position to the other angular position, the rotation of the worm wheel is transmitted to the output shaft. When the output shaft is placed in the other angular position, driving-force transmission to the output shaft is released, and at the same time, rotation of the worm wheel is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Masakatsu Yoshikuwa
  • Patent number: 7299712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy storage disconnecting switch used in extra-high voltage and ultra-high voltage grid, in particular, relates to a scissor-type disconnecting switch. With the principle of storing energy in spring, the present invention provides an energy storage spring case having energy storage spring therein, to release the spring energy to operate the disconnecting switch by using the stored energy, to satisfy the need for quick action of the electric disconnecting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: GuangShun Wang
  • Patent number: 7284458
    Abstract: A device to be used with an adjusting element comprising a rod piston (3) displaceable with the aid of a motor (4) in a piston tube (2). The motor (4) is rotatably arranged at the adjusting element (1) through a worm gear (6), either directly or through a motor attachment (5), wherein the motor (4) extends in an extension plane in parallel with the piston tube (2), said worm gear (6) having a throat formation (7) for axial fixation of the position of the motor (4) in the adjusting element (1) while a free rotation of the motor (4) is practicable through 360° in order to make possible, in applications with limited space, an eligble position fixation of the motor (4) in a predetermined angle in relation to the adjusting element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Reac AB
    Inventors: Göran Magnusson, Leif Bengtsson
  • Publication number: 20070227279
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a worm gear mechanism for transmitting the torque generated by an electric motor to a steered road wheel of the vehicle. The worm gear mechanism has a worm gear made of metal and a worm wheel formed of plastic material and meshing with the worm gear. The worm gear has a tooth profile including a dedendum part formed in an involute shape and an addendum part formed in a circular arc shape with a center located on a line of action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Katsuji Watanabe, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7237449
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is interposed between two members to make the members move relatively with respect to each other. At least one of the two members is guided to move linearly. The drive mechanism comprises: cam followers that are rotatably supported on one of the two members, that are arranged in the linear moving direction, and that are spaced from each other; and a cam that is rotatably supported on the other one of the two members and that is provided in its circumference with a cam groove in which the cam followers engage, the rotation axis of the cam being arranged in the direction of the linear moving direction. The two members are made to move relatively with respect to each other by driving the cam to rotate and making the cam followers engage successively in the cam groove and move in the direction of the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sankyo Seisakusho Co.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Patent number: 7222550
    Abstract: An adjusting device has a carriage, at least one guide element, on which the carriage is mounted such that it can be moved, a shifting device for moving the carriage, and a securing mechanism for securing the carriage in a desired position. To provide an improved adjusting device, which has more compact construction and enables a simpler and more precise adjustment without additional contrivances, the shifting device has an electric motor, which is integrated in the carriage, and the securing mechanism blocks any movement of the carriage when the motor stands still and is automatically released when the motor starts running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: SICK | Stegmann GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Siraky, Josef Maier, Wilfried Roming
  • Patent number: 7143513
    Abstract: A drive for adjusting devices includes gear elements mounted in a gear housing which includes at least two plates that can be secured to each other by plug connectors. The connectors are also configured as supporting joints that absorb the forces of the gear elements. A method for assembling the gear housing includes prefitting the gear elements and the housing plates by fitting the housing plates together about the gear elements with plug connectors, holding the housing plates with a holding device with sufficiently light holding forces so that the housing plates can be aligned when the gear elements are turned, turning the gear elements for the purpose of aligning bearing points of the gear elements, and securing the position of the gear elements and the housing plates relative to each other by permanently fixing the position of the housing plates in all three-dimensional directions through action on the plug connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Werner Taubmann, Alwin Macht, Bernhard Schrimpl, Matthias Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 7144126
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clutch structure of mirror adjustment mechanism comprising a clutch driving gear with specified gear teeth formed at circumference thereof and hollow fitting chuck formed at center thereof, to be geared with the output axis of a driving motor via a gear train, whereby the fitting chuck is divided by a plurality of slits in circumferential direction and a donut-shape groove is formed collapsed between the gear teeth and the fitting chuck; a pinion gear including a protrusion at one end thereof, to be geared with a rack gear formed at one side of the adjustment member, whereby the protrusion is inserted into the inner surface of the fitting chuck; and a spring pin that provides frictional contact on the contact surface between fitting chuck of the clutch driving gear and protrusion of the pinion gear by applying bias force in radial direction while it is inserted in the groove of the clutch driving gear, or allows slip movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Pro Quip International Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Hyuk-Joon Ro
  • Patent number: 7140151
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator for a window lift mechanism including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly, for driving the pinions along the racks. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Spaziani, John Murray, Irving Laskin, Macram Bishai, Eric Beishline, John Holloway, Bill Farmer
  • Patent number: 7051610
    Abstract: A ball-worm transmission is provided which replaces the sliding friction of the classic worm mechanism with the rolling friction of spherical balls. The ball-worm transmission assembly includes a worm which defines a recirculation path, and a gear coupled to the worm via a plurality of spherical balls. The gear includes a plurality of teeth each having a thickness in a central plane of the gear and a lesser thickness towards both sides of the gear, so that a gap is defined between the teeth is larger towards both sides of the gear than in the central plane of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: Dan Stoianovici, Louis Kavoussi
  • Patent number: 7051986
    Abstract: A spindle and worm drive for adjusting devices, especially seat adjustment devices, window lifters and sliding roofs, in motor vehicles. The drive includes a fixed spindle or relatively fixed toothed rack which is secured to one of relatively two moving parts and gear elements mounted in a housing which includes at least two plates that can be secured to each other by plug-in connectors. The connectors are also configured as supporting joints that absorb the forces of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Werner Taubmann, Alwin Macht, Bernhard Schrimpl, Matthias Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 7021001
    Abstract: An anti-pinch power window system is comprised of a hub, a motor, a threaded rod, a base, a spring, a frame, a bracket, a threaded drive nut, a reversing switch and an electronic circuit. The motor rotates the hub. The rod is slidably attached to the hub. The base is attached to the rod. The spring surrounds the rod and is positioned such that it is compressed by movement of the base toward the hub. The bracket is attached to the frame and holds the drive nut. The rod is threaded into the drive nut. The reversing switch senses downward movement of the base and in response to such downward movement signals the electronic circuit to reverse the polarity of the motor input voltage, thereby reversing the direction of the travel of the frame. A closing window within the frame will reverse direction when it encounters an obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Paul T. Schooler
  • Patent number: 6925902
    Abstract: There is provided a worm speed change apparatus comprising a worm shaft and a worm wheel meshed therewith. Rolling elements are rotatably disposed between a raceway groove formed directly in at least one of end portions of the worm shaft, and a bearing outer ring held by a housing. The worm shaft is directly supported by the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsurou Kitami, Tomohiro Maekawa, Terukazu Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6918208
    Abstract: A window-regulating assembly selectively moves a window of a vehicle door between an open position and a closed position. The window-regulating assembly includes a rail that is fixedly secured to the vehicle door. The rail extends through a radius of curvature. A lift plate is slidably engaged with the rail. The lift plate is also secured to the window. The lift plate moves the window between the open and closed positions. A lead screw is secured to the rail. The lift plate travels along the lead screw to move the window between the open and closed positions. A drive motor is secured to lift plate. The drive motor receives electrical energy and converts the electrical energy into a selectively bidirectional rotational force to drive the lift plate over the lead screw. A pivot mount extends between the drive motor and the lift plate allowing the drive motor to move through the radius of curvature as the lift plate slides along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: G. Clarke Oberheide, Denis R. Cloutier, Noel Chingcuanco, Peter J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040212263
    Abstract: A control circuit board is received in a circuit board receiving case without being directly joined to the circuit board receiving case and has a circuit board side connector. The circuit board side connector is installed to a main body side connector of a gear housing in an installation direction parallel to a rotatable shaft of the motor main body to supply electric power to the motor main body through the main body side connector. A pin main body of a fixing pin is received into a fixing through hole of the control circuit board through a pin receiving through hole of the gear housing in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the circuit board side connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kitoh, Takayoshi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20040206196
    Abstract: A device for leveling an object on uneven or sloping floors. The device is comprised of a housing with a substantially hollow portion having a worm gear, a driven gear, and an elevation shaft with threads on at least a portion of the shaft's external surface. The worm gear operably engages the driven gear, which in turn operably engages the elevation shaft. When the worm gear is rotated in opposite directions, concomitant rotations of the driven gear cause the elevation shaft to move axially up or down, thereby providing leveling motions to an object to which the device is attached. A pad may be attached to one end of the elevation to prevent scratching the surface on which the object rests. The hollow portion of the housing is configured to provide at least one load-bearing surface such that no separate bearings are required with the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Edward Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20040206195
    Abstract: A spindle gear for a motor vehicle seat adjusting device having a housing, a spindle nut, a spindle and a worm wheel. The spindle nut may have an external bearing surface and a bearing shell may include an internal bearing surface cooperating with the external bearing surface. The spindle nut may have a slide lacquer coat. The spindle nut may have an external bearing surface and a stop disk may be attached to the external bearing surface so as to surround it. A projection may engage a corresponding spindle nut recess. The housing may comprise at least two housing parts made of zinc diecasting. The external teeth of the spindle nut may form a globoidal gear. The external spindle nut teeth may have an outer diameter that is smallest in an axial center thereof and increases toward the axial end regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Landskron, Michael Lingner, Arif Karadag, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 6788048
    Abstract: A position sensor including: a reduction gear train having an input gear and an output gear. The input gear is configured for coupling to an output shaft of a drive motor for driving a vehicle seat on an associated seat track, and a magnet disposed on the output gear for rotation therewith. A Hall Effect sensor is disposed adjacent the magnet for providing a sensor output signal in response to rotation of the magnet. A lock out mechanism for a position sensor, a method of sensing the position of a vehicle seat, and a method of calibrating a vehicle seat position sensor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Kayvan Hedayat, Gerald Tromblee, Norman Poirier
  • Patent number: 6772685
    Abstract: A combination of a distributor roller of a printing machine and a traversing mechanism for the distributor roller, includes worm gearing with an externally toothed worm and a worm wheel meshing therewith. The worm gearing is disposed in the distributor roller. The invention also includes an inking unit of a printing machine, which has the combination as well as a printing press having the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Dieter Schaffrath
  • Patent number: 6742413
    Abstract: In a drive device, especially for a sliding roof of a motor vehicle, with an electric motor (10), gearing (24) which is driven by the electric motor, and a circuit (22) for triggering the electric motor, the gearing (24) is accommodated in a gear casing (42) with at least one casing wall (50) of high thermal conductivity and at least part of the circuit (22) is located adjacent to this casing wall (50) outside of the gear casing (42). Furthermore, contact (36) is made between the components (44) of the circuit (22) and the casing wall (50) in order to dissipate the heat which forms during operation of the circuit (22) to the casing wall (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schwital, Bernhard Meier, Thomas Kraus
  • Patent number: 6703732
    Abstract: An electric motor, in particular a wiper motor, for wiping a window of a motor vehicle, having a gearing situated in a gear housing, a cover closing the gear housing, and a control electronics having a sensor device, which detects the position of the gearing and records the signals of a signal transmitter situated at or in a movable part of the gearing, elements of the sensor device being situated in the cover or at least on the side of the gearing facing the cover and determining the position of the gearing without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ansgar Grass
  • Patent number: 6692093
    Abstract: Device for adjusting a mounting angle of an LCD for a refrigerator including an LCD rotatably mounted on a front surface of a door of a refrigerator by a hinge, and mounting angle adjusting means in rear of the LCD for rotating the LCD to an angle centered on the hinge shaft, thereby permitting the user to watch the most clear image, and improving a freedom of design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Koo Park, Sang Ho Seo, Young Hoon Roh
  • Patent number: 6655089
    Abstract: A device for electrically driving a cable-actuated window regulator includes a casing and an electric motor. The electric motor drives an endless screw meshing with a toothed ring surrounding a conventional brake box that is connected to a cable winding drum disposed in the housing. The toothed ring presents a frontal wall obturating the opening of a cylindrical sleeve forming the casing of the brake box. The drum and the frontal wall define fingers capable of cooperating with the ends of a helical spring disposed in the cylindrical sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventor: Yann Le Gallo
  • Publication number: 20030205338
    Abstract: A system for raising and lowering a sectional overhead door between an open position and a closed position including, a counterbalance system adapted to be connected to the door, an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the sectional overhead door in the closed position of the sectional overhead door, at least a portion of the operator motor assembly movable between a door operating position and a door locking position, and a locking assembly (370) having an engaged position to hold the motor assembly in the operating position and a disengaged position to release the motor assembly allowing it to move to the door locking position. The system may be provided with a remote light assembly having a switchable light source in sensing communication with the operator motor such that operation of the motor activates the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Donald Bruce Kyle
  • Patent number: RE40870
    Abstract: A device to be used with an adjusting element comprising a rod piston (3) displaceable with the aid of a motor (4) in a piston tube (2). The motor (4) is rotatably arranged at the adjusting element (1) through a worm gear (6), either directly or through a motor attachment (5), wherein the motor (4) extends in an extension plane in parallel with the piston tube (2), said worm gear (6) having a throat formation (7) for axial fixation of the position of the motor (4) in the adjusting element (1) while a free rotation of the motor (4) is practicable through 360° in order to make possible, in applications with limited space, an eligible position fixation of the motor (4) in a predetermined angle in relation to the adjusting element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Reac AB
    Inventors: Goran Magnusson, Leif Bengtsson