Arrangement for the stress-free mounting of shaft for the elevational movement of an optical device

• US 4,458,868 A
• Filed: 12/29/1980
• Issued: 07/10/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Contraves AG
• Original Assignee: Contraves AG
• Inventors: Hess, Willy
• Primary Examiner(s): Zugel, Francis K.
• Application Number:
  US06/220,508
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 248/183, 248/185, 248/291, 356/130, 33/281, 33/282
• US Class Current: 248/183.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 1/02 Theodolites
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/16 Housings; Caps; Mountings; Supports, e.g. with counterweight

Abstract

At a flight trajectory measuring and observation theodolite there is mounted between two spaced housings a telescope and additionally laterally at the housings further optical devices and by means of a motor driven shaft can be pivoted about a common elevational axis. For the stress-free mounting of the shaft which is fixedly connected for rotation with an inner ring or race of a roller bearing, the outer race or ring thereof is connected by means of a flange portion with a wall. This wall, viewed in axial direction, is provided with at least three radially effective spring elements and the wall is radially inwardly directed and provided with an opening. The spring elements separated by a slot are uniformly distributively arranged at the circumference of the opening and are bounded by an arc corresponding to the inner surface or side of the opening, the center of such arc being located at the axis of rotation of the shaft.

Claims

1. An arrangement for the substantially stress-free mounting of a motor-driven shaft serving for the elevational movement of an optical device comprising:

a first housing within which there is mounted said shaft;

bearing means having an inner race, an outer race and a flange portion;

said shaft being connected rigidly for rotation with said bearing means;

a second housing;

said optical device being pivotable about a lengthwise axis of the shaft and arranged between the first housing and the second housing;

said first housing having a wall containing an opening;

said outer race of the bearing means being non-rotatably supported by means of said flange portion, viewed in the axial direction of the shaft, laterally at said wall of said first housing;

said housing wall being radially inwardly directed; and

at least three radially effective spring elements uniformly distributively arranged at said wall of the first housing laterally non-rotatably supporting said outer race of the bearing means and spaced from one another by slot means.

2. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of said spring elements are uniformly distributively arranged at the circumference of said opening;

said opening of said housing wall containing an inner surface defining an arcuate structure;

said spring elements being bounded at one side by said arcuate structure; and

the center of said arcuate structure being located at the axis of rotation of the shaft.

3. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein:

each spring element comprises a spring rod;

each spring element being bounded at one side by a recess which extends towards an inner surface of said opening essentially parallel to its circumferential direction and in the direction of an associated one of said slot means; and

each of said slot means being arranged transversely with respect to the recess bounding the same.

4. The arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the spring rod of each spring element is provided at a forward region thereof with a reinforcement eyelet located adjacent an associated one of the slot means; and

said reinforcement eyelet being structured as a support surface and attachment for the outer race of said bearing means.

5. An arrangement for the substantially stress-free mounting of a motor-driven shaft serving for the elevational movement of an optical device comprising:

a housing within which there is mounted said shaft;

bearing means having an inner race, an outer race and a flange portion;

means rigidly rotatably connecting said shaft with said inner race of said bearing means;

said housing having a wall containing an opening;

said outer race of the bearing means being non-rotatably supported by means of said flange portion, viewed in the axial direction of the shaft, laterally at said wall of said housing;

said wall of the housing being radially inwardly directed; and

a plurality of spaced radially effective spring elements uniformly distributively arranged at said wall of the housing non-rotatably supporting the outer race of said bearing means and spaced from one another by respective slot means.

6. The arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein:

each of said radially effective spring elements comprises a rod-like circumferentially extending segment.

7. The arrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein:

each of said rod-like segments comprises a spring rod provided at a forward region thereof, adjacent an associated one of said slot means, with a reinforcement eyelet at which there is supported the outer race of said bearing means.