MOTION TRANSFER SYSTEM

• US 20080047773A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Empire Dynamic Structures Ltd. (Dynamic Technologies Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Empire Dynamic Structures Ltd. (Dynamic Technologies Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Halliday, David
• Application Number:
  US11/846,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20080047773A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/400
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 19/04 comprising a rack
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 55/10 Constructively simple tooth shapes, e.g. shaped as pins, as balls gearwork for clocks and watches G04B13/00

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a motion transfer system that is capable of moving along a variable rack. In one aspect, a motion transfer system for moving an object along a path is provided. The system includes a variable rack having at least one straight section and at least one curved section and a drive system. The drive system includes a drive motor for supplying energy to the drive system, a rotatable pinion operatively connected to the drive motor, and a plurality of rollers disposed around the rotatable pinion, wherein the rollers are configured to self align as the pinion meshes with the variable rack. In another aspect, a method of moving an object along a variable rack having at least one straight section and at least one curved section is provided. In a further aspect, a motion transfer system is provided.

Claims

1. A motion transfer system for moving an object along a path, the system comprising:

a variable rack having at least one straight section and at least one curved section; and

a drive system comprising;

a drive motor for supplying energy to the drive system;

a rotatable pinion operatively connected to the drive motor; and

a plurality of rollers disposed around the rotatable pinion, wherein the rollers are configured to self align as the pinion meshes with the variable rack.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one curved section includes both positive curves and negative curves.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each roller is attached to the rotatable pinion via a shaft.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein each roller is attached to the shaft via a bearing.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the bearing allows angular movement of the roller relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and rotational movement of the roller relative to the shaft.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a robotic arm.

7. The system of claim 1, further including a plurality of side rollers configured to provide vertical support to the motion transfer system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the rack includes a plurality of teeth, whereby each pair of teeth is separated by a contact area.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the rack includes sections that have a uniform contact area and a nonuniform contact area.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a centerline of each tooth is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rack in the uniform contact area.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein each tooth is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the rack in the nonuniform contact area.

12. A method of moving an object along a variable rack having at least one straight section and at least one curved section, the method comprising:

positioning a motion transfer system with the object attached thereto on the variable rack, the motion transfer system having a motor and a pinion with a plurality of self adjusting rollers;

rotating the pinion such that the plurality of self adjusting rollers mesh with a plurality of contact areas between a plurality of teeth on the variable rack, thereby moving the motion transfer system and the object along the variable rack; and

automatically adjusting each roller as it meshes with the contact area, wherein the rack includes at least one uniform contact area and at least one nonuniform contact area.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a centerline of each tooth is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rack in the uniform contact area.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each tooth is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the rack in the nonuniform contact area.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the uniform contact area is on the at least one straight section and the nonuniform section is on the at least one curved section.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one curved section includes both positive curves and negative curves.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein each roller is configured to have rotational movement and angular movement relative to the pinion.

18. A motion transfer system, the system comprising:

a rack having a plurality of teeth, wherein each pair of teeth is separated by a contact area, the rack having a straight section with a uniform contact area and a curved section with a nonuniform contact area; and

a drive system with a rotatable pinion, the rotatable pinion having a plurality of compliant rollers equally spaced around a perimeter thereof, whereby each compliant roller is configured to mesh with the uniform contact area and the nonuniform contact area.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the curved section includes both positive curves and negative curves.

20. The system of 18, wherein each compliant roller is configured to have rotational movement and angular movement relative to the pinion.