Deflection Related Patents (Class 74/89.36)
  • Patent number: 7621539
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator for AGCS of a vehicle having a piston reciprocating rectilinearly, a screw bar engaged with the rear portion of the piston and rotating in place, and a drive motor rotating the screw bar in place, the actuator comprising an impact buffering means for buffering a load in the axial direction and an impact absorbing means for absorbing a load in the vertical direction to the axis, the impact buffering means and impact absorbing means being provided on the boundary portion between the screw bar and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hae Ryong Choi, Un Koo Lee, Sang Ho Lee, Hyun Sung, Jung Won Kim, Sung Jun Kim, Young Kwang Kim, In Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20090282935
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: WILFRIED SYNOVZIK
  • Patent number: 7562594
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric actuator capable of effectively absorbing shock exerted on its component part. The electric actuator has a housing, a rod cover, a piston, a feed screw, a sliding nut, two piston dampers for absorbing shock exerted on the piston, a first end damper attached to one of the opposite ends of the housing, a second end damper attached to the rod cover. The sliding nut is axially displaceable relative to the piston when the piston damper absorbs shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7520192
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced friction in drive screw assemblies, including electromechanical actuator (EMA) assemblies. A drive screw assembly is disclosed that includes a drive shaft, a drive screw, and a screw head. A stationary guide collar having a guide bore and a support surface receives the screw head or a portion of the drive screw. The guide collar may be fixed in angular relation to the screw head. As the screw head moves on a linear path during rotation of an associated drive shaft, a supported surface slides in only linear motion with respect to the support surface of the guide collar and as a result friction forces due only to linear motion are generated. Rotational friction forces and associated efficiency and power losses are consequently reduced or eliminated in the drive screw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Patent number: 7488110
    Abstract: End-plates for linear motion sliders and linear motion sliders for use with the end-plates, particularly an end-plate for linear motion sliders and a linear motion slider for use with the end-plate, in which first and second support portions, which contact and support the outer surfaces of balls, are provided in the circumferential inner surface of the end-plate, and a space is defined between the outer surfaces of the balls and a junction surface between the first and second support portions. Therefore, the stiffness of the end-plate is increased, and the balls can stably circulate in a slider, thus reducing noise and vibration. Furthermore, the space serves to keep lubricant therein, whereby the balls can more efficiently circulate in the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: SBC Linear Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Kwoan Lee, Chang-Won Yang
  • Patent number: 7481126
    Abstract: Precision movement of a table part by movement of a nut over a lead screw is achieved by a less rigorously precise structure than has heretofore been thought necessary. To that end the screw is fixedly supported only at one end and is rotatable in bearings mounted within a rigidly mounted tube which at least partially surrounds the screw, play in those bearings is minimized by exerting axial pressure thereon, the nut is especially designed to engage the screw only at separated points, thereby to reduce friction and play in the nut, and the nut is connected to the moveable table part by structure passing through an opening in the tube and resiliently engaging the moveable table part to compensate for displacement and play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jose Maria Las Navas Garcia
  • Publication number: 20080295625
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft supporting structure of a ball screw rotationally supported by a housing via supporting bearings has a screw shaft formed, on its outer circumference, with a fitting portion and a positioning shoulder. An inner ring of the supporting bearing is press fit onto the fitting portion via a predetermined interference. A steel spacer ring is fit onto the fitting portion from the outer side of the supporting bearing with the inner side of the inner ring abutted against the shoulder. A caulking portion is formed on the end of the fitting portion by plastically deforming the end of the fitting portion radially outward. The inner ring is axially immovably secured on the screw shaft by the caulking portion via, the spacer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Morihisa Yoshioka, Keisuke Kazuno, Kiyohito Ishikawa, Koji Tateishi
  • Patent number: 7444894
    Abstract: An actuator including a threaded shaft and a carriage having a shaft engaging portion coupled to the threaded shaft. The carriage is 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. A ceramic bushing is coupled to the shaft engaging portion of the carriage, the bushing surrounding the threaded shaft. The ceramic bushing is much harder than heretofore used materials and results in greatly reduced particulate formation. The carriage or portion thereof can be formed around the bushing, e.g., by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Howard Flores Harper, Luis Hector Palacios Borja
  • Patent number: 7434486
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a housing having a substantially round throughbore, a first side, and a second side. A sleeve bearing is situated within the throughbore. A first spring washer is situated adjacent the first side of the housing and the sleeve bearing, and similarly, a second spring washer is situated adjacent the second side of the housing and the sleeve bearing. A bushing extends into an opening of the first spring washer, an opening of the sleeve bearing, and the throughbore of the housing. A thrust washer is situated adjacent to the second spring washer and a fastener is situated adjacent to the thrust washer. A kit including the aforementioned components is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Czarnek
  • Publication number: 20080245165
    Abstract: A slide mechanism of a linear transmission apparatus includes an actuating mechanism, a guide screw and a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism includes a fixing base, a primary guide rail, left and right secondary guide rails and a slide element. The fixing base has a through hole for passing the guide screw. The primary guide rail and each secondary guide rail are engaged to the guide screw and connected to the fixing base. The primary guide rail has a top panel and two side panels. Each secondary guide rail has an extended panel protruded from a side proximate to the primary guide rail. The top of each extended panel is not lower than the bottom of the side panel, and the slide element is sheathed onto the exterior of the guide rail, and a nut secured to the guide screw is formed in each guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Chia-Jung WANG
  • Publication number: 20080041175
    Abstract: A screw shaft device includes a screw shaft having an outer helical groove and having an intermediate portion, the screw shaft includes a longitudinal bore, a ball nut is threaded with helical groove of the screw shaft, and a number of ball bearings or rolling members are disposed between the ball nut and the screw shaft for facilitating a movement of the ball nut relative to the screw shaft, an inserted member is disposed in the intermediate portion of the longitudinal bore of the screw shaft, and the other inserted members are disposed in the end portions of the screw shaft, and the inserted member are made of different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jui Long Hsu, Yueh Ling Chiu
  • Patent number: 7258029
    Abstract: A device for connecting together a vertically disposed roller screw and roller nut assembly to a stationary member and moving member includes a bearing housing attached onto a fixed end of the roller screw. The bearing house includes at least one bearing and two bearing house pivots. A first universal ring concentrically surrounds the bearing housing and includes two mating pivots mated with the two bearing house pivots and two attachment pivots mated with corresponding pivots of the stationary member. A roller nut mount rigidly attaches to the roller nut and includes two roller nut mount pivots. A second universal ring concentrically surrounds the roller nut mount. The second universal ring includes two mating pivots mated with the two roller nut mount pivots and further includes two attachment pivots mated with corresponding pivots of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hirotec America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald F. Erker
  • Publication number: 20070169577
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Yoshida, Taisuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7135794
    Abstract: Spring support having at least one axially moveable spring plate, an actuator with a rotor producing a rotational movement relative to its stator, which is converted into an axial movement of the spring plate, and a torsional locking element which prevents torsional movement of the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kühnel
  • Patent number: 7093510
    Abstract: A linear unit (1) comprising a profiled rail (2) along which a carriage (3) is arranged for sliding motion backwards and forwards by means of a reversible screw (4) which actuates the carriage and on either side of the carriage passes through a bore (7) in a screw support (8). A pull rod (24) displaces the screw support backwards and forwards along the profiled rail between to end stop positions, and the screw support serves as a support bearing carrying the screw between bearings (10) supporting the screw at its ends. A self-centering device for automatic centering of the screw in the screw support is formed with a self-centering element (11) mounted in the screw-support bore, said element slidingly abutting against the screw both when the screw is rotating in either one of its directions of rotation and when the screw support assumes its end stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Tollo Linear AB
    Inventor: Sune Andreasson
  • Patent number: 7073406
    Abstract: A cable or another longilinear transmission component is set into the center of an axial cavity of a screw belonging to a screw and nut movement conversion unit. By means of this arrangement, bending moments exerted on the screw between the point of attachment of the component and the nut have only a small value, which guarantees the screw against bending and sticking and the whole mechanism against excessive friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie
    Inventor: Philippe Garrec
  • Patent number: 7066045
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a spindle and a moving nut disposed on the spindle. The spindle and the moving nut are made of plastics. At least one of the two components spindle and moving nut being resilient such that the moving nut is prevented from getting stuck on the spindle. There is further proposed an actuator including such assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 6968752
    Abstract: A drive shaft moving apparatus of the present invention includes a drive shaft 1 with a screw groove 3 formed in spiral shape, and a nut 5 fitted around the drive shaft 1 and being rotatably supported on a main flame 15 so as to allow the drive shaft 1 to axially move. The apparatus is characterized in that a fixing means 17 is provided on a side of the main flame 15 for preventing the drive shaft 1 from rotating, the fixing means 17 includes a guided member 24 being capable of moving along a guide member 4 formed on the drive shaft 1 in the axial direction, and the guided member 24 is disposed between the nut 5 and the drive shaft 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Toshiaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 6968753
    Abstract: A vibration-dampening base for a ball-type lead screw of a load port transfer system is disclosed. A load port transfer system includes a vertical arm drive motor assembly, a ball-type lead screw, and a vibration-dampening base connecting the vertical arm drive motor assembly to the ball-type lead screw. The vibration-dampening case can include a cross member into which the ball-type lead screw is disposed, one or more pillar members supporting the cross member, and one or more support stands. Each support stand supports a corresponding one of the one or more pillar members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Huan-Liang Tzeng, Tzu-Chieh Chou, Ping-Jen Cheng
  • Patent number: 6959620
    Abstract: A device for balancing eccentricity of a spindle drive (1) to avoid blocking of the spindle drive during lifting movement of a platform (2), in which the platform is mounted on several axiparallel spindles (G1; G2; G3; G4) by bearing devices (L1; L2; L3; L4) arranged on it and can be lifted together with the bearing devices axially along the spindle. The spindle drive (1) has at least three axiparallel, rotatable threaded spindles (G1; G2; G3; G4) with bearing device (L1; L2; L3; L4) in a polygonal arrangement; low-friction bearing devices (L1; L2; L3; L4) with radial bearing clearance (F1; F2) are arranged to balance the radial eccentricity of the rotating threaded spindles so that a relative radial movement of the rotating spindles to platform (2) is possible with limited force expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralf Allner, Thomas Biber
  • Patent number: 6880417
    Abstract: The rotary motion of a ball screw shaft is converted into the rectilinear motion by a ball spline nut provided integrally with displacement members by the aid of an attachment section. Involute splines are engraved on outer circumferential surfaces of spline pistons connected to the displacement members. The spline pistons are slidably meshed with a splined bore of the involute splines formed on an inner wall surface of a frame. The attachment section is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the frame by the aid of the splined bore and the spline pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Masaki Miyahara, Yoshiyuki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6857333
    Abstract: A rotational stop that includes: a lead screw having a longitudinal axis, a motor integrally mounted to the lead screw, wherein the motor provides rotation to the lead screw; a slide mounted to a support structure to provide movement relative to the lead screw longitudinal axis; a rotational control plate attached to the motor and having a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate, and; a rotational control guide having a rotational control surface on its face, wherein the rotational control surface is in intimate contact with the plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate such that linear error is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6776061
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a threaded spindle in rotation, which spindle is used to ensure the displacement in translation of a mobile element connected to a threaded female piece engaged on this threaded spindle, which threaded spindle has a certain length and is connected, by one of its opposite ends, to a motor device for driving in rotation about its longitudinal axis in such a way as to allow the displacement in translation of the threaded female piece, wherein this apparatus includes at least one device for elastic absorption of an axial force which force, directed axially with respect to the threaded spindle and toward either one of its opposite ends, arises between this threaded spindle and the threaded female piece, and which force, when exceeding a certain limit, is considered likely to distort in particular the surfaces by which the threaded spindle and the threaded female piece cooperate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tornos SA
    Inventors: Patrick Schuettel, Kurt Dreier
  • Patent number: 6772653
    Abstract: The linear actuator has a motor housing (1) of tubular stainless steel with an end cap (2), a motor (4) and epicyclic gearbox (6). The actuator has a telescopic arm (11), having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (13) of stainless steel. The outer tube is removably attached to the motor housing. An extension screw (16) is provided in the arm with a driven end (16) journalled at the motor housing end (17) of the outer tube. At its inner end, the inner tube has threaded into it a plastics material nut (18), in which the screw engages. The end of the screw (16) has a clevis (23), open (24) axially away from the screw. The output shaft (7) from the gear box has a cross pin (31) through it. On each side of the shaft, the pin carries a respective roller (32), sized to fit in the clevis (23). The clevis and rollers form a dog clutch for transfer of drive from the gearbox to the extension screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Gretar Franksson
  • Publication number: 20040089084
    Abstract: A device for connecting together a vertically disposed roller screw and roller nut assembly to a stationary member and moving member includes a bearing housing attached onto a fixed end of the roller screw. The bearing house includes at least one bearing and two bearing house pivots. A first universal ring concentrically surrounds the bearing housing and includes two mating pivots mated with the two bearing house pivots and two attachment pivots mated with corresponding pivots of the stationary member. A roller nut mount rigidly attaches to the roller nut and includes two roller nut mount pivots. A second universal ring concentrically surrounds the roller nut mount. The second universal ring includes two mating pivots mated with the two roller nut mount pivots and further includes two attachment pivots mated with corresponding pivots of the moving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TESCO Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald F. Erker
  • Patent number: 6708577
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft, with increased vibration frequency and improved vibration dissipation, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by means of inserted terminals or plugs, has in said cavity a filling of granular material with low density and high superficial roughness freely distributed and, moreover, according to a variation of the invention, said longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity has inserted therein a pipe made of composite polymeric material, whose outer surface is made adherent and integral with the inner wall of the longitudinal cylindrical cavity; said pipe having in its longitudinal cavity said filling made of granular material with low density and high superficial roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Pizzoni, Federico Perni
  • Publication number: 20040050192
    Abstract: A linear unit (1) comprising a profiled rail (2) along which a carriage (3) is arranged for sliding motion backwards and forwards by means of a reversible screw (4) which actuates the carriage and on either side of the carriage passes through a bore (7) in a screw support (8). A pull rod (24) displaces the screw support backwards and forwards along the profiled rail between to end stop positions, and the screw support serves as a support bearing carrying the screw between bearings (10) supporting the screw at its ends. A self-centering device for automatic centering of the screw in the screw support is formed with a self-centering element (11) mounted in the screw-support bore, said element slidingly abutting against the screw both when the screw is rotating in either one of its directions of rotation and when the screw support assumes its end stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Sune Andreasson
  • Patent number: 6672179
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by inserted terminals or plugs, housing vibration controlling members in the form of a pair of plied cables fastened tensioned to the inserted terminals or plugs. One or more dissipater elements, having respective through holes for said pair of cables are provided positioned transversely free relative to an inner surface of said longitudinal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Borgarelli, Luciano Pizzoni, Federico Perni
  • Patent number: 6655225
    Abstract: A load of a workpiece, which is applied to a slider (68), is supported by guide blocks (78) and guide rails (30a, 30b) provided for a frame (12). On the other hand, pin members (72), which constitute a floating mechanism (64) provided under the slider (68), are slidably engaged with fitting members (66) installed to recesses (62) of a projection (54). Therefore, a ball screw (16) is prevented from any application of the load of the workpiece via a displacement member (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Masaki Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20030200828
    Abstract: A rotational stop that includes: a lead screw having a longitudinal axis, a motor integrally mounted to the lead screw, wherein the motor provides rotation to the lead screw; a slide mounted to a support structure to provide movement relative to the lead screw longitudinal axis; a rotational control plate attached to the motor and having a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate, and; a rotational control guide having a rotational control surface on its face, wherein the rotational control surface is in intimate contact with the plurality of protrusions extending from the rotational control plate such that linear error is substantially reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6619147
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor, a rotation-to-linear motion conversion mechanism having a screw and a nut, a support block supporting an end of the screw, and an actuator-side support member with a swing support mechanism (e.g., a swing axis or bearing portion in case of a Trunnion mechanism, or a swing support bearing portion or support leg of the swing support bearing portion). The actuator-side support member is part of the support block or an extension member of the support block or connected therewith. The swing axis of the swing support mechanism is located in the plane including the screw axis, and the force flow line inside the linear actuator is limited on the output shaft, the nut, the screw and the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Wittenstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Masakazu Kojima
  • Patent number: 6564660
    Abstract: A casing of a ball bearing which holds a ball screw can be displaced on a supporting stand against urging force of a compression coil spring and a tensile coil spring. If vibration of the ball screw is transmitted to the casing, the casing attempts to move on the supporting stand. However, when, due to the vibration, the casing is displaced against the urging force of the compression coil spring and the tensile coil spring, the urging force forcibly attempts to return the casing to its original position. A frequency of vibration of the casing is thereby forcibly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film CO, Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kawamura, Yoshihiro Koyanagi, Mamoru Murata, Mitsuyoshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6553855
    Abstract: A drive system comprises a track table comprising a flat portion, perpendicular side portions extending in parallel to each other along both lateral side edges of the flat portion and at least one partition section formed to the flat portion at a portion between the perpendicular side portions so as to extend in parallel to thereto, the movable tables fitted into a space between one of the perpendicular side portions and the partition section, the movable tables each having lateral side surfaces to which loaded ball rolling surfaces constituting ball circulation passages are formed so as to correspond to the ball rolling surfaces of the track table, a number of balls disposed and arranged in the ball circulation passages so as to circulate therein in accordance with relative movement between the track table and movable table, and a driving unit for driving the track table and the movable table relatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Hidekazu Michioka, Hiroshi Takamatsu
  • Publication number: 20030066367
    Abstract: A guiding device for positional adjustment having a lead-screw is composed of a controlling device and a carriage rest receiving the controlling device inside. The controlling device contains a pressing post and a resilient element to push the pressing post to adjust the relative distance between the carriage rest and the lead-screw so that the lead-screw is kept straight and the positional adjustment move in an exactly horizontal. Thus, calibrations of calibrating tools mounting on the positional adjustment are precise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Pang Liao
  • Publication number: 20030000322
    Abstract: The rotary motion of a ball screw shaft is converted into the rectilinear motion by a ball spline nut provided integrally with displacement members by the aid of an attachment section. Involute splines are engraved on outer circumferential surfaces of spline pistons connected to the displacement members. The spline pistons are slidably meshed with a splined bore of the involute splines formed on an inner wall surface of a frame. The attachment section is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the frame by the aid of the splined bore and the spline pistons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Masaki Miyahara, Yoshiyuki Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20020194783
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a powered door operator for passenger transit vehicles having a drive nut assembly engaging a door hanger bracket substantially connected to a door disposed within an aperture of the vehicle structure. Such drive nut further engaging a drive screw to move a door for covering and uncovering an aperture for ingress and egress of passengers in a wall of a transit vehicle upon rotation of the drive screw enabled by a rotary prime mover. The drive assembly comprises a housing having an internal cavity, at least one drive nut insert having a helix portion substantially identical to the drive screw helix and disposed within said internal cavity, and a retaining clip engaging said at least one drive nut insert for substantial retainment thereof. Retaining clip further provides for simple replacement of such at least one drive nut insert during maintenance cycles thereby substantially eliminating periodic lubrication generally employed with powered door operators of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Andre Stojc, Erich Stephen
  • Patent number: 6490942
    Abstract: A spindle drive for adjusting structural components of a motor vehicle seat relative to one another includes a casing having opposite end walls with openings therein, a spindle nut disposed in the casing and having a pair of opposite ends and an internally threaded bore extending therethrough between the opposite ends and generally aligned with the openings in the opposite end walls of the casing, an externally threaded spindle extending through the casing and openings of the end walls thereof and also threadably received through the internally threaded bore of the spindle nut so as to extend in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the spindle nut, the spindle having an end stop attached thereon such that one of the opposite ends of the spindle nut faces toward the end stop on the spindle, and at least one collar attached to and extending outwardly from the one end of the spindle nut and about the spindle and having an end surface facing toward the end stop on the spindle such that as the spindle is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Sitztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Meyer
  • Publication number: 20020178848
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a threaded spindle in rotation, which spindle is used to ensure the displacement in translation of a mobile element connected to a threaded female piece engaged on this threaded spindle, which threaded spindle has a certain length and is connected, by one of its opposite ends, to a motor device for driving in rotation about its longitudinal axis in such a way as to allow the displacement in translation of the threaded female piece,
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: TORNOS SA
    Inventors: Patrick Schuettel, Kurt Dreier
  • Patent number: 6472778
    Abstract: A linear motion unit (10) includes a runner (14) that is arranged so as to be movable along a rod (12). Provided in front of and/or behind the runner (14) are support units (20) that support the rod (12) relative to a counter-element (18). Provided on the runner (14) and the support units (20) are catches (28) that in each case can be brought into latched engagement with the adjacent support unit (20). The support units (20) are each comprised of a base body (22) upon which is movably mounted a control element (24). The control element (24) can be moved between at least one latched position and at least one released position by means of a control track (30). In accordance with the invention, the control element (24) has at least one control recess (24b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rexroth Star GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Keller
  • Patent number: 6467362
    Abstract: An anti-backlash nut is assembled on a reinforced lead screw for bilateral motion lengthwise of the lead screw as the screw is rotated. A hollow, elongate reinforcing rail extends lengthwise of and surrounds the lead screw. A slot in the rail extends lengthwise of the central axis of the lead screw. The anti-backlash nut comprises two separate portions, each portion having a tongue which extends radially through the slot and has threads engageable with the threads of the lead screw for moving both nut portions in reciprocating motion lengthwise of the rail when the screw is rotated. Spring means are employed for forcing the nut portions apart to urge the flanges of their threads into forcible engagement with the threads of the lead screw to prevent backlash, while the anti-backlash nut translates laterally along the reinforcing rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kerk Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith W. Erikson, Kenneth W. Erikson
  • Publication number: 20020108456
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by means of inserted terminals or plugs, housing vibration controlling means in the form of a pair of plied cables fastened tensioned to the inserted terminals or plugs. One or more dissipater elements, having respective through holes for said pair of cables are provided positioned transversely free relative to an inner surface of said longitudinal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: UMBRA CUSCINETTI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Borgarelli, Luciano Pizzoni, Federico Perni
  • Publication number: 20020078773
    Abstract: A ball screw shaft, with increased vibration frequency and improved vibration dissipation, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by means of inserted terminals or plugs, has in said cavity a filling of granular material with low density and high superficial roughness freely distributed and, moreover, according to a variation of the invention, said longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity has inserted therein a pipe made of composite polymeric material, whose outer surface is made adherent and integral with the inner wall of the longitudinal cylindrical cavity; said pipe having in its longitudinal cavity said filling made of granular material with low density and high superficial roughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: UMBRA CUSCINETTI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Pizzoni, Federico Perni
  • Publication number: 20020069714
    Abstract: A device for balancing of a radial threaded spindle eccentricity of a spindle drive (1) to avoid blocking of the spindle drive during lifting movement of a platform (2), in which the platform is mounted on several axiparallel spindles (G1; G2; G3; G4) by bearing devices (L1; L2; L3; L4) arranged on it and can be lifted together with the bearing devices axially along the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Allner, Thomas Biber
  • Patent number: 6371704
    Abstract: In a machine tool having a base member, a member moveable relative to the base member, an elongated drive screw supported on the base member and an operative connection between the moveable member and the drive screw whereby upon driving the drive screw the moveable member will be caused to be displaced relative to the base member, an anti-whip device generally consisting of a drive screw support member pivotally supported on the base member, having angularly spaced arm sections alternatively disposable in a line of travel of the operative connection and engageable with the elongated drive screw in supporting relation at points intermediate the ends thereof, each of the arm sections being engageable by a component of the moveable member as it traverses in a selected direction to cause the arm section to pivot out of its drive screw support engagement, ahead of the operative connection, and simultaneously cause the other of the arm sections to pivot into its drive screw support engagement, behind the passage o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Michael P. Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20020020234
    Abstract: A feed screw and nut mechanism includes a nut having an internally threaded bore which threadingly engages an externally threaded feed screw. A runner bearing is attached to the nut and projects outwardly therefrom, and a dummy runner bearing is attached to the nut and projects outwardly therefrom and is angularly displaced from the runner bearing about the feed screw axis. The mechanism includes a stationary runner defining a runner surface that is engaged by the runner bearing to prevent rotation of the nut, and a dummy runner defining a dummy runner surface that engages the dummy runner bearing. The dummy runner and dummy runner bearing are biased toward each other such that the nut is rotatably biased in a direction to urge the runner bearing against the runner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: University of North Carolina
    Inventors: Stuart Smith, Gurpreet Singh, Chi-Hua Hsu
  • Patent number: 6327924
    Abstract: Rotary motion of a ball screw is converted by a feed nut into rectilinear motion to allow a displacement mechanism to make rectilinear motion. When the ball screw involves axial deviation, then an engagement member slides in a direction of the arrow C with respect to a nut holder by the aid of a first guide mechanism, and a second sliding guide slides in a direction of the arrow B with respect to the engagement member by the aid of a second guide mechanism. Accordingly, even when the ball screw involves axial deviation with respect to the second sliding guide, the sliding resistance is not increased between the second sliding guide and a frame of an actuator. Therefore, even when there is any axial deviation between the ball screw and the frame, there is no fear of obstructing the displacement action of a displacement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Masaki Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20010039846
    Abstract: Rotary motion of a ball screw is converted by a feed nut into rectilinear motion to allow a displacement mechanism to make rectilinear motion. When the ball screw involves axial deviation, then an engagement member slides in a direction of the arrow C with respect to a nut holder by the aid of a first guide mechanism, and a second sliding guide slides in a direction of the arrow B with respect to the engagement member by the aid of a second guide mechanism. Accordingly, even when the ball screw involves axial deviation with respect to the second sliding guide, the sliding resistance is not increased between the second sliding guide and a frame of an actuator. Therefore, even when there is any axial deviation between the ball screw and the frame, there is no fear of obstructing the displacement action of a displacement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: OBLON, SPIVAK, McCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
    Inventors: SHIGEKAZU NAGAI, MASAKI MIYAHARA
  • Patent number: 6311575
    Abstract: A device for slip-fittably connecting together a ball nut and a moving member moved by the ball nut includes a first connecting member fixedly attached to the ball nut. The first connecting member has first registration elements disposed radially opposite relative to the ball nut. A second connecting member is fixedly attached to the moving member. The second connecting member has cooperative second registration elements disposed radially opposite relative to the ball nut which cooperate with the first radially opposite registration elements. The first and second registration elements are slip-fittably connectable together and provide indexed registration within predetermined tolerances in the axial, radial and circumferential directions relative to the ball nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tesco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald F. Erker
  • Patent number: 6301983
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device in linear actuators comprising a carriage (1) which is guided for movement on or in a rail by means of rotatable threaded spindle (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail. The spindle runs freely through at least one screw support (2, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23) which serves as a bearing supporting the spindle (3) intermediate the ends thereof. The carriage (1) and the screw support (2, 17, 18, 21, 22) are provided with interacting locking means (4, 5, 6, 7) arranged to cause said screw support (2, 17, 18, 21, 22) to be brought along by said carriage (1) during part of the movement of the latter along the spindle (3). In addition. means (11, 19, 28, 29) are provided for releasing the carriage (1) and the screw support (2, 17, 18, 21, 22) from one another as they pass said means while at the same time the secure the screw support (2, 17, 18, 21, 22) in the position into which it has been moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Warner Electric AB
    Inventor: Sune Andreasson
  • Publication number: 20010025534
    Abstract: A stabilizer for a ball screw actuator of the type having a housing, and externally threaded lead screw and a drive nut movable along the lead screw in which the stabilizer includes a first member rotationally fixed but movable linearly relative to the cylinder housing and a second member rotatable relative to, but linearly fixed, relative to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Paul B. Gladen