Deflection Related Patents (Class 74/89.36)
  • Patent number: 11852219
    Abstract: A linear drive comprising a transmission housing and an electric motor which is connected thereto and which drives a mounted shaft which in turn drives a worm which meshes with a worm gear which is non-rotatably connected to a spindle on which runs a spindle nut, arranged displaceably in a guide tube. Provided between the guide tube and the spindle nut to ensure correct rotary angle orientation of the spindle nut, in relation to the guide tube are inner barsa and complementary guide grooves. To simplify machine-assisted mounting of the spindle nut, in the guide tube there are provided positional orientation means which implement correct rotary angle orientation of the spindle nut, upon insertion thereof into the guide tube in the push-in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DewertOkin KFT
    Inventors: Christoph Porde, Zoltán Varga
  • Patent number: 11745625
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat may have a rail assembly having two rail pairs of seat rails. The respective rail pair has a fixed seat rail and a seat rail that is movable relative to the fixed seat rail. The rail assembly may also have a motor unit and a gearbox unit, which couples the motor unit and the movable seat rail. The rail assembly may also comprise a holder for receiving a gearbox housing of the gearbox unit. The holder is arranged with the gearbox unit in a hollow space formed by the one rail pair and is fixed to the movable seat rail. The holder is formed so as to be open at one end and closed at the opposite end. The holder has at least one stiffening element at the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erik Sprenger
  • Patent number: 11731534
    Abstract: Actuating drive having: a transmission including a housing, a transmission gear engaging a driveshaft, a bearing, and a spindle rotatable about a rotational axis and extending through an inner thread of the transmission gear and outlets of the housing. The housing has a cylindrical bore receiving the bearing and defining a cylinder axis. The bearing is delimited by a three-dimensional area, the largest cross-sectional area of which is circular and, when viewed in the direction of the cylinder axis, perpendicular to the cylinder axis in the intersection of the cylinder axis and the rotational axis. The cross-sectional area decreases with increasing distance from the intersection in both directions of the cylinder axis. The bearing has two bearing shells, each having a bearing opening centered relative to the rotational axis, which the spindle passes through, and in which the transmission gear is rotatably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: FISHER DYNAMICS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Burckhard Becker
  • Patent number: 11635127
    Abstract: In a spindle gear mechanism (1) having a spindle component (2) with a spindle thread (21) which has a pitch which alters over a longitudinal axis of the spindle component (2), and having a threaded component (3) which engages in the spindle thread (21), wherein the two components (2; 3) can be displaced relative to one another in relation to the longitudinal axis (1) of the spindle component (2), provision is made, for the purpose of straightforward production capability and suitability for a large number of applications, for the threaded component (3) to have at least one freely movable threaded element (4) which engages in the spindle thread (21) and, during operation, adapts automatically to the pitch of the spindle thread (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Niermann, Sebastian Polle
  • Patent number: 11572730
    Abstract: A spindle drive, a spindle nut for the spindle drive, and a louvre window or louvre shutter having a spindle drive for moving louvre elements. The spindle nut is constructed in multiple parts including a screw nut part, having an internal thread to engage on an external thread of the threaded spindle, and a bearing part in which the screw nut part is mounted. The screw nut part includes a driver structure for transmitting a drive force applied by the threaded spindle to the spindle nut onto an element to be driven. Furthermore, the screw nut part is rotatably mounted in the bearing part in such a way that the screw nut part executes a relative movement in relation to the bearing part, and a directional component of the movement is transverse to a thread longitudinal axis of the internal thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Ralf Hagemann
  • Patent number: 11421763
    Abstract: A linear actuator assembly includes a motor. The linear actuator assembly also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the motor. The linear actuator assembly further includes a nut coupled to the ball screw and rotationally fixed, the nut translatable along the ball screw upon rotation of the ball screw. The linear actuator assembly yet further includes a flange having a first surface and a second surface, the nut mounted to the first surface and the second surface having a non-planar geometry, the non-planar geometry defined by curvature about an axis from a first side of the flange to a second side of the flange, the first side and the second side of the flange being on opposite sides of the flange from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ROCKFORD BALL SCREW
    Inventor: Neil Sommerville
  • Patent number: 11408455
    Abstract: The disclosed friction bit joining systems may include a ball screw having an internal bore, a chuck and spindle configured to be rotated by a chuck spindle motor, a friction bit joining bit held by the chuck, a support frame, and a chuck driver motor positioned and configure to rotate the ball screw to axially move the chuck and the friction bit joining bit relative to the support frame. At least a portion of the spindle may be positioned within the internal bore of the ball screw. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Lee Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Lee
  • Patent number: 11402001
    Abstract: An open nut and a ball screw assembly having the open nut are provided. The ball screw assembly includes a guider, an open nut, and a ball circulating assembly. The open nut includes an axial cylinder, an open shield, and two circulators. The two circulators are respectively disposed on a first axial wall and a second axial wall of the axial cylinder with an axial opening. Each of the circulators includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member and the outer member are assembled to each other and are respectively in communication with an inner ball race between the guider and the open nut and an outer ball race of the open nut. Therefore, the inner ball race, ball races of the two circulators, and the outer ball race form a ball circulating race, and the ball circulating assembly rolls in the ball circulating race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Szu-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11384791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for sliding friction free and lubricant free movement in vacuum, wherein the apparatus has a fixed position rail and a rail movable relative thereto by means of magnetic force. The invention further relates to a vacuum chamber, for example for a coating plant having an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Wolfgang Braun
  • Patent number: 11358225
    Abstract: Provided is a lathe capable of facilitating replacement of a ball screw. A machine tool comprises a base, a moving unit, a ball screw, a cap, and a supporting unit provided on the base to support the cap. The cap has a body and a flange expanded larger than the body on the outer side thereof with respect to the axis direction. The supporting unit comprises a recess part which receives the body. The recess part is provided with an opening allowing the threaded shaft to pass in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in the state that the supporting unit is provided on the base. The supporting unit further comprises a positioning part on which an inner surface of the flange abuts in the axis direction in the state that the body is received in the recess part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Deno, Shin Ito
  • Patent number: 11261953
    Abstract: A gearbox includes: the first helical gear; the second helical gear to engage with the first helical gear; a casing including a first member disposed in proximity to the first helical gear and a second member disposed in proximity to the second helical gear; a screw for fastening the first member with the second member, and disposed closer to the first helical gear than an engagement position between the first helical gear and the second helical gear and penetrating at least the second member; and a clip disposed closer to the second helical gear than the engagement position, and formed of a closed curve in such a manner that the first member end and the second member end are enclosed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Kuroda, Toshiharu Kiriyama, Kenji Tatewaki
  • Patent number: 11248700
    Abstract: A shifting actuator for a transmission including a ball screw drive, having an electric-motor-driven threaded spindle, a multi-part spindle nut, and rolling elements, namely balls, which roll between the threaded spindle and the spindle nut. The nut body has a ball groove, in which there roll balls that are also in contact with the threaded spindle, and is within the sleeve. The shift fork protrudes from the sleeve and is fixed relative to the sleeve and to the main nut body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Adler, Adrian Husu, Stephan Ruffershöfer
  • Patent number: 11168768
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a network of motorized shear actuators. The shear actuators each include a drive mechanism and a lead screw having a threaded outer surface rotatably coupled to the drive mechanism and extending along a primary axis. A carriage is movably coupled to the lead screw by a nut having a threaded inner surface and is disposed within a chassis. One or more flexure springs are attached to the chassis and are configured to exert a reactive force to resist a force applied to the carriage in a direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the primary axis. The flexure springs may cooperate with a stop mechanism to improve the mechanical robustness of the shear actuators under applied loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Israr, Priyanshu Agarwal, Pratheev Sabaratnam Sreetharam
  • Patent number: 11085480
    Abstract: A captive shear bolt assembly includes a bolt and a shear coupling. The bolt may have a head, an extension, and a shank. The shear coupling may be configured to be received by the extension. The shear coupling may be configured to receive the extension via an orifice in the shear coupling. The shear coupling may be configured to shear when an upper head of the shear coupling is driven at a threshold torque. When the shear coupling has sheared, the extension may be configured to captively secure the upper head to the bolt. The captive shear bolt assembly may be used in a tap connector for electrically connecting a main conductor to a tap conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BURNDY LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Polidori
  • Patent number: 11073197
    Abstract: A driving block, a linear actuator and an adjusting apparatus are provided. The adjusting apparatus comprises an executing mechanism and a linear actuator. The linear actuator comprises a driving block and a spindle. The driving block comprises a base, a changeover unit, a fastener and a limit unit. The base is in transmission connection with the spindle. The changeover unit includes a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and a connecting portion. The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are oppositely disposed on the base and are both connected with connecting portion. The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are connected to the base by the fastener. The connecting portion is engaged with the executing mechanism, and the limit unit is used to restrict movement of the changeover unit relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: LIMOSS (DONGGUAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Christian Gassner
  • Patent number: 11040637
    Abstract: A linear actuator for adjusting a seat component of a motor vehicle seat includes a lead screw having a rod head. A fastening means is connected to the rod head and connectable to a first seat component of the motor vehicle seat. The first seat component has a bearing, with the fastening means being insertable into the bearing in a first orientation and lockable in the bearing in a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd Rõmer
  • Patent number: 11009085
    Abstract: A gearbox rigidly coupled to a static structure; a driven component rigidly coupled to another static structure; a clutch assembly floating between and coupled to the gearbox and driven component. The clutch may have aligned output and input shafts, defining an engagement surface, a bearing, and a magnetic friction plate coupled and rotating with the input shaft. The plate may have a friction-engagement face, and a magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux generator may be rigidly coupled to a static housing and partially surrounded in the radial direction by a structure configured to reduce leakage of a magnetic flux, by defining a plurality of voids, which direct multiple passes of the magnetic flux through the engagement surface of the output shaft. The magnetic flux generator may create the magnetic flux that creates a magnetic force between the engagement face and the magnetic friction plate that causes them to engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Brian S. Maners, Erik A. Munevar
  • Patent number: 10953771
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a base and a seat rotatable relative to the base. The vehicle includes a helical ramp fixed relative to one of the base and the seat. The vehicle includes a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) including a housing fixed relative to the other of the base and the seat and a plunger moveably supported by the housing. The plunger contacts the helical ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mark A. Cuddihy, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10751725
    Abstract: Driving arrangement for a heavy-duty grinding mill (50) having a horizontal tube with a circumferential girth gear (51), comprising a driving assembly, comprising a motor (10); at least two engaging pinions (42, 44) configured to engage the girth gear (51) for driving the grinding mill (50); at least one gearbox (20) comprising an input shaft (22) for coupling the motor (10) with the at least one gearbox (20), at least two output shafts (31, 32) for coupling the gearbox (20) with the at least two engaging pinions (42, 44) and a torque split arrangement being configured to transmit torque of the input shaft (22) to the at least two output shafts (31, 32); and at least one frame (48) for supporting the at least two engaging pinions (42, 44) separate from the gearbox (20), and a heavy-duty grinding mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Peter Weller, Eduardo Hurtado
  • Patent number: 9937851
    Abstract: A device for adjusting high and low beam shape of automotive headlamp comprising a fixed bracket, an adjusted assembly and an up/down and left/right adjusting mechanism. The low beam unit is disposed on the fixed bracket and the high beam unit is disposed on the adjusted assembly. The cylindrical inner hole disposed on the fixed bracket is fitted with the fixed ball head disposed on the adjusted assembly, whereas the elastic waist hole slot disposed on the fixed bracket is fitted with the adjusting bar disposed on the adjusted assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOITO AUTOMOTIVE LAMP CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 9482327
    Abstract: An actuator (10) includes a guide apparatus (30) that guides a rod 11 in a Y-axis direction. The guide apparatus (30) includes a slider (31), a rail (60) formed of a steel material, and balls (rolling elements) formed of a steel material. The slider (31) is supported by the rail (60) through the balls. Accordingly, even if torque originating from a rotation of the output shaft of a motor unit (20) is applied to the slider (31) through a ball screw shaft (71), the slider (31) does not move around the output shaft with respect to the rail (60). Hence, torque originating from the rotation of the output shaft is not likely to be transmitted to the rod (11) through the guide apparatus (30), thereby suppressing an occurrence of the wobbling of the leading end of the rod (11). In addition, a reduction of the work precision of the actuator (10) is preventable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: IAI Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 9074668
    Abstract: In an electric actuator (100), a fast releasing mechanism (30) includes a rotary base (31), a coupling ring (32), a sleeve (34), and a clutch device (36). The coupling ring (32) rotates with the rotary base (31). Locking slots (322) are disposed on the coupling ring (32). The rotary base (31) can rotate with respect to the sleeve (34). Chain slots (343) communicating with the locking slots (322) are disposed on the sleeve (34). The clutch device (36) is correspondingly sleeved around the sleeve (34). Raised ribs (361) slidably connected to the locking slots (322) and the chain slots (343) are disposed on the clutch device (36). The sleeve (34) can be selected to move together with or move separately with the rotary base (31) by means of the axial movement of the clutch device (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Publication number: 20150143935
    Abstract: A ball screw with support devices includes a nut base having two sides equipped with the support devices for preventing the screw from deflection. Two runner structures are provided near two ends of the screw. The runner structure includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel having different diameters and concentrically installed. The nut base is connected to the driving wheel via an active connecting element for driving the driving wheel to rotate. The driven wheel moves with the driving wheel and is connected to the support devices via passive connecting elements so that the support devices and the nut displace synchronously. By controlling a diameter ratio between the driving and driven wheels, the nut and the support devices displace with proportional speeds, thereby allowing the support devices to always stay at the two sides of the nut as designed and provide reliable support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: YING-JU LIN, HUNG-CHIH HSU
  • Publication number: 20150122062
    Abstract: An actuator includes M supports to support the rotary shaft, M being an integer equal to or more than 2; and M speed reducers. The Nth support out of the M supports is located at the opposite side of the moving body across the (N?1)th support, N being an integer which is equal to or more than 2 and equal to or less than M. The first speed reducer is connected to the moving body and the first support, receives a movement of the moving body in the axial direction as an input and drives the first support with a reduced drive force that is reduced from the input, and the Nth speed reducer is connected to the (N?1)th support and the Nth support, receives a movement of the (N?1)th support in the axial direction as an input and drives the Nth support with a reduced drive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori KAWAUCHI, Kenji EGASHIRA, Kouji KAWATA
  • Publication number: 20150121706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handheld power tool (1), including: a mobile element (100) and a stationary element (102); a rotatable actuator; a ball nut (200); a ball screw (202) having a first end (202a) connected to the mobile element (100); and a universal joint (10, 12, 14) arranged so as to be driven by the rotatable actuator and so as to rotate the ball nut (200) on said ball screw (202) in order to move the ball screw (202), and thus the mobile element (100), relative to the stationary element (102). The universal joint can be advantageously retained inside two concentric spherical bearings (50a, 60a, 70a, 80a), thus making it possible to take up the axial forces in two directions. It is thus possible to eliminate any radial force on the ball screw (202) and have angularly variably rotational output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Alain Zurcher
  • Publication number: 20150113810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handheld power tool having a linear actuator (10) and a movable member (25), e.g. a blade, wherein the movable member (25) is directly connected to the actuator via a connecting rod (70), which pushes the movable member during a work stroke and pulls the movable member to a starting position during a return stroke. One end of the connected rod (70) is connected, via a concentric dual ball-and-socket joint, to the actuator as well as to a guide ring (80) that slides inside the cylindrical body (38) of the tool. Due to the arrangement of the invention, lateral and bending forces are taken up and transmitted to the body of the tool by the guide ring (80) without affecting the actuator. The ring (80) defines a sealed space that houses the actuator (10). An axial cavity of the connecting rod (70) partially houses the actuator (10) in the retracted position, thus reducing the length of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Alain Zurcher
  • Patent number: 8973453
    Abstract: A feed screw mechanism includes a feed screw shaft connected to a drive source and formed with first screw threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a displacement nut, which is screw-engaged with respect to the feed screw shaft through a plurality of balls. The displacement nut is supported with respect to a slider that makes up an electric actuator by a pair of pins. The pins are inserted and fixed in first pin holes formed in the slider, and distal end portions of the pins are inserted respectively into second pin holes formed in the displacement nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Imamura
  • Patent number: 8899121
    Abstract: A spindle drive having a threaded spindle driveable in a rotational fashion, a carriage adjustable via the threaded spindle along a guide rail, and several guide carriages arranged in front and behind the carriage in the feed direction to support the spindle, with the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage in an accumulating motion being pushed together successively by the carriage towards the spindle end, and with the guide carriages arranged behind the carriage being entrained by a coupling mechanism and moved into allocated support positions. Coupling elements are provided on the guide carriages and the carriage, that cooperate together and can be operated by switching elements fixed on the guide rail, by which the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage are automatically coupled during the successive displacement motion, and by which the entrained guide carriages upon reaching their support position are automatically decoupled and fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8794086
    Abstract: An electric linear actuator has a guide screw and a telescopic tube. A safety mechanism for the linear actuator includes a nut, a nut sheath, a sleeve, and a torsion spring. The nut connects the guide screw. The nut sheath is fixed on one side of the nut and is provided with a plurality of bumps. One end of the sleeve is put around the nut sheath and the other end thereof is connected to the telescopic tube. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of rabbets corresponding to the bumps. The torsion spring is disposed around the nut sheath and the sleeve. When the guide screw is rotated, the nut sheath is engaged with the sleeve by embedding the bumps into the rabbets. When the sleeve stops, the bumps and the rabbets depart from engagement to make the nut sheath and the nut freely rotate against the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Timotion Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8707812
    Abstract: A ball screw (7, 24), having a threaded spindle (8, 28) which is mounted in a rolling fashion by balls (9, 27) on a threaded nut (10, 26) and which is supported on an axial bearing (13, 25), wherein the threaded spindle (8, 28) is axially supported with its first bearing surface (18, 23), which is convexly shaped with a radius of curvature (R1), on a preferably conically designed second bearing surface (19, 22), wherein the first bearing surface (18, 23) and the second bearing surface (19, 22) make contact with one another along a contact path (37), wherein a quotient formed from the ratio of the radius of curvature (R1) to the radius (R2) of the contact path (37) assumes values of between 1.2 and 2.4 inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Osterlanger, Josef Miko, Manfred Kraus, Stefanie Barthlein
  • Patent number: 8656798
    Abstract: A linear actuator is provided which is able to simplify its structure by adding a stopper function, too, to a detent mechanism and to prevent generation of radial load. The linear actuator comprises a ball screw mechanism, to which a rotational driving force is transmitted, for converting a rotational motion into a linear motion. The ball screw mechanism comprises radially projecting guide projections provided in a linear motion component, and a guide groove arranged in a securing portion facing the linear motion component and is engaged with the guide projections to guide the guide projections in an axial direction. The guide projection has a projection projecting by the predetermined length, while engaging into the guide groove, at a stroke end of the linear motion component and a locking portion provided in a rotary motion component is locked to the projection of the guide projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawahara, Tooru Harada, Tomofumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8656797
    Abstract: A spindle drive has a first load path formed by a first nut which meshes with a threaded bolt and a second load path formed by a second nut which also meshes with the threaded bolt and is arranged to be movable relative to the first nut in an axial direction of the threaded bolt in at least one state of the spindle drive. A sensor unit detects relative movement between the first and second nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventor: Frederick Bassett
  • Patent number: 8573082
    Abstract: A drive cartridge comprises an actuating mechanism, in which a spindle can be guided in a hollow cylindrical drive element between two end positions at an axial distance from one another. The positions are defined by the axial length of the drive element. A dome-shaped casing surrounds the drive element in a non-rotatable and non-displaceable manner. The drive element has an external contour with an eccentric profile and the internal contour of the dome-shaped casing has a positive fit only in those areas of the drive element in which the permissible normal stress exceeds a predefined upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Friatec Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Schwartz, Georg Jungmann, Helko Lang, Harald Schmitt, Alexander Rothermel
  • Patent number: 8479605
    Abstract: A rotary-to-linear mechanism including an elongate linearly-moveable first member having a longitudinal first axis, and rotatably-moveable second and third members. The second member is rotatably disposed about the first member and defines a second axis about which it is rotatable. The third member encircles the first axis and is operatively engaged with the first member. The third member is disposed in a central cavity of the second member and has an axial surface superposing a second member interior surface, the superposed surfaces each defining one of a pair of corresponding grooves each encircling the first and second axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
  • Patent number: 8443685
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for an electric linear actuator is disclosed. The linear actuator has a guide screw and a telescopic tube. The safety mechanism includes a nut, a nut sheath, a sleeve, and a torsion spring. The nut connects the guide screw. The nut sheath is fixed on one side of the nut to form an integer and is provided with a plurality of bumps. One end of the sleeve is put around the nut sheath and the other end thereof is connected to the telescopic tube. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of rabbets corresponding to the bumps. The torsion spring is disposed around the nut sheath and the sleeve. When the guide screw is rotated, the nut sheath is engaged with the sleeve by embedding the bumps into the rabbets. When the sleeve stops, the bumps and the rabbets depart from engagement to make the nut sheath and the nut freely rotate against the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Timotion Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8302438
    Abstract: A driving device for an electric lock latch, comprises a housing, a motor having a power output shaft connected to a drive shaft with an external thread on a part thereof, an unequal diameter coil spring having a cylindrical spiral in the middle thereof screwing with the drive shaft, and a first and second conical spiral on both end thereof not screwing with the drive shaft, and a lock latch secured to the second conical spiral. The drive shaft is driven and rotated by a motor to pass the rotation power to the cylindrical spiral, and a rotary motion of the drive shaft is converted into a linear motion of the unequal diameter coil spring for moving the lock latch to change the locked and unlocked state of the lock device. Accordingly, the lock structure and the installation thereof may be simplified and the power-saving effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Pang-Cheng Lui
  • Patent number: 8176805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle bearing arrangement for a longitudinal seat adjusting gear, which has a housing which can be attached by an attaching device on a vehicle-side component or on a seat component, whereby a spindle opening for guiding a spindle along a spindle opening axis runs through the housing and whereby an inner thread in the housing in the area of its spindle opening is formed to engage into a spindle run through in this manner, for shifting the housing and the spindle relative to each other along the spindle opening axis. The spindle bearing becomes advantageous in that the inner thread is formed in a spindle nut and the spindle nut is adjustably supported in the housing relative to the spindle opening axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Synovzik
  • Patent number: 8146991
    Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster, such as a seat adjuster, may include a drive screw, a drive member and a load transfer member. The drive member engages the drive screw and has a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface. The load transfer member has a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and a support structure supporting the seat adjuster relative to a track arrangement or system. The load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kannan S. Stanz, Eugen F. Craciun, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, William S. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20120061164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing in which a steering rod is held in an axially movable manner. The steering rod comprises a spindle section which, together with a rotatably mounted recirculating ball nut forms a recirculating ball screw and nut gear. A support bushing is provided between an axial end of the steering rod and the recirculating ball nut, the bushing providing a through-hole for guiding the steering rod through. The inner face of the support bushing which faces the steering rod has a curved contour so that the opening cross-section of the through-hole increases toward the end of the steering rod. The curved contour is adapted to a bending line of the steering rod so that the steering rod, when it comes in contact with the support bushing as a result of a bending load, abuts the curved contour thereof in a planar manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Budaker, Stephan Wanner, Arthur Rupp
  • Patent number: 8001861
    Abstract: An actuator is disclosed that utilizes a fixed screw attached at one end to an actuator housing. A rotatable tube concentric with the fixed screw rotationally drives a nut having threads engaging the threaded shaft, such that the nut moves axially relative to the tube, upon rotation of the tube. The actuator is axially coupled to the nut by thrust bearings such that the actuator rod does not rotate with the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Richard Fisher, Ronald James Dishong, Dominic Matthew Numer, Robert Lewis Briant
  • Publication number: 20110174100
    Abstract: A feed screw mechanism includes a feed screw shaft connected to a drive source and formed with first screw threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a displacement nut, which is screw-engaged with respect to the feed screw shaft through a plurality of balls. The displacement nut is supported with respect to a slider that makes up an electric actuator by a pair of pins. The pins are inserted and fixed in first pin holes formed in the slider, and distal end portions of the pins are inserted respectively into second pin holes formed in the displacement nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Imamura
  • Publication number: 20110167940
    Abstract: A rotary-to-linear mechanism including an elongate linearly-moveable first member having a longitudinal first axis, and rotatably-moveable second and third members. The second member is rotatably disposed about the first member and defines a second axis about which it is rotatable. The third member encircles the first axis and is operatively engaged with the first member. The third member is disposed in a central cavity of the second member and has an axial surface superposing a second member interior surface, the superposed surfaces each defining one of a pair of corresponding grooves each encircling the first and second axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Tony M. Dodak
  • Patent number: 7954393
    Abstract: An actuator in one embodiment includes a threaded shaft; a shaft engaging portion coupled to the threaded shaft, the shaft engaging portion being moveable in a direction parallel to an axis of the threaded shaft upon a relative rotation between the threaded shaft and the shaft engaging portion; and a ceramic bushing coupled to the shaft engaging portion, the bushing encircling the threaded shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Howard Flores Harper, Luis Hector Palacios Borja
  • Patent number: 7921689
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
  • Patent number: 7866225
    Abstract: A spindle drive (10), in particular for adjusting a movable part (58) in a motor vehicle, includes a drive assembly (42), which drives a drive wheel (18) supported on a spindle (16). The drive wheel (18) is rotatably supported in a support tube (14) that includes a receptacle (52) for a fastening device (54) for diverting crash forces. A guide tube (64) that accommodates the spindle (16) and overlaps axially with the support tube (14) is located coaxially with spindle (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Oberle, Andreas Lienig
  • Patent number: 7823426
    Abstract: A built-in step is conducted by building a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a first spring interposed between the lock stopper and the lock bar for giving a bias load, into a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle from the same direction. Thereafter, a screwing step for screwing the rotation shaft and the lock stopper after the built-in step is conducted to assemble an electric steering lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Okuno, Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Nobuhisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 7779711
    Abstract: A drive force transmission device that causes a plurality of driven members to operate in different operational areas for different operational purposes includes a lead screw and at least one movable member. The lead screw has a threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the lead screw. The lead screw is rotated about the axis of the lead screw when a drive force is generated. The at least one movable member has an engagement portion that is arranged to engage with the threaded portion of the lead screw. The movable member is moved along the axial direction of the lead screw through the engagement portion guided by the threaded portion when the lead screw rotates. While moving, the movable member associates with the driven members in a state in which the drive force is transmissible from the lead screw to the driven members and operates each of the driven members by the drive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yoshida, Taisuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7748308
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
  • Patent number: 7739927
    Abstract: An adjusting device for positioning a load comprises a spindle-type lifting gear, first and second bearing brackets with bearing pins that engage in a respective bearing bush of the gear unit housing for the swivelable bearing support of the gear unit housing of the spindle-type lifting gear, a driving motor with a motor shaft, and a motor flange unit with a flange housing that is rigidly connected to the driving motor on one side and to the gear unit housing on the other side. The flange housing is secured to one of the side surfaces of the gear unit housing at which the bearing bushes of the gear unit housing are arranged. The driveshaft of the spindle-type lifting gear extends parallel to the swiveling axis around which the spindle-type lifting gear is swivelable. The flange housing has, on the side facing the swiveling axis, a recess into which part of the end portion of the arm of the bearing bracket adjacent to the flange housing projects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Juergen Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7703309
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device has a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle, a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a bush. The bush has a load receiving part to receive thrust loading of the rotation shaft at least at one side of the rotation shaft, an installation claw part to be installed by inserting in a hole part of the lock body, and a bearing claw part to receive radial load by fitting to be slidably rotatable with an external diameter of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Okuno, Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Nobuhisa Inoue