Support assembly for rotating body

• US 10,742,088 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2017
• Issued: 08/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoox Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Panosense Inc.
• Inventors: Berger, Adam, Pilnick, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tran N
• Application Number:
  US15/487,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20180191222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/10 with arrangements for protection from ingress, e.g. water or fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/161 radially supporting the rotary shaft at both ends of the rotor H02K5/165, H02K5/167, H02K5/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

A support assembly for supporting a rotating body may include first and second supports defining first and second longitudinal support axes and configured to support the rotating body, such that the rotating body is rotatable relative to the first and second supports. A rotation axis about which the rotating body rotates may be transverse to the first and second longitudinal support axes. The support assembly may also include a spine coupled to the first and second supports. The support assembly may also include a motor associated with at least one of the first or second supports and configured to supply torque to rotate the rotating body. At least one of the spine, the first support, or the second support may define a recess configured to receive at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link associated with operation of the rotating body.

Claims

1. A support assembly for supporting a rotating body defining a rotation axis about which the rotating body rotates, the support assembly comprising:

a first support defining a first longitudinal support axis and configured to support the rotating body, such that the rotating body is rotatable relative to the first support, and the rotation axis is transverse to the first longitudinal support axis;

a second support defining a second longitudinal support axis and configured to support the rotating body, such that the rotating body is rotatable relative to the second support, and the rotation axis is transverse to the second longitudinal support axis;

a spine defining a longitudinal spine axis, the spine being coupled to the first support and the second support in a non-rotating manner relative to the first support and the second support, wherein the spine is coupled to the first support at a first axial end of the first support, the spine extending between the first support and the second support, and wherein the longitudinal spine axis is transverse to the first longitudinal support axis and the second longitudinal support axis; and

a motor coupled between the first support and the rotating body, and configured to supply torque to rotate the rotating body,

wherein at least one of the spine, the first support, or the second support defines a recess configured to receive at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link associated with operation of the rotating body.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal support axis and the second longitudinal support axis are parallel to one another.

3. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal support axis and the second longitudinal support axis lie in a common plane.

4. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal support axis or the second longitudinal support axis is perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal spine axis.

5. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the spine, the first support, and the second support are coupled to one another, such that the longitudinal spine axis is configured to be spaced from and parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating body.

6. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first support or the second support comprises a bearing configured to facilitate rotation of the rotating body.

7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the spine defines the recess configured to receive at least one of the electrical conductor or the data signals link.

8. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first support or the second support defines the recess configured to receive at least one of the electrical conductor or the data signals link.

9. The support assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third support associated with the spine, such that the third support is spaced from and on a side of the second support opposite the first support.

10. The support assembly of claim 9, wherein the third support is coupled to the spine and defines a third longitudinal support axis transverse to the longitudinal spine axis.

11. The support assembly of claim 9, wherein the third support defines a third longitudinal support axis, and the second longitudinal support axis and the third longitudinal support axis are parallel to one another.

12. The support assembly of claim 9, wherein the third support defines a recess configured to receive at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link.

13. A system comprising:

a rotating body defining a rotational axis and configured to support at least one sensor configured to generate sensor signals; and

a support assembly coupled to and supporting the rotating body, such that the rotating body rotates about the rotational axis, the support assembly comprising;

a first support defining a first longitudinal support axis and supporting the rotating body, such that the rotating body is rotatable relative to the first support, and the rotation axis is transverse to the first longitudinal support axis;

a second support defining a second longitudinal support axis and supporting the rotating body, such that the rotating body is rotatable relative to the second support, and the rotation axis is transverse to the second longitudinal support axis;

a spine defining a longitudinal spine axis, the spine being coupled to the first support and the second support in a non-rotating manner relative to the first support and the second support, wherein the spine is coupled to the first support at a first axial end of the first support, the spine extending between the first support and the second support; and

a motor coupled between the first support and the rotating body, and configured to supply torque to rotate the rotating body,

wherein the longitudinal spine axis is transverse to the first longitudinal support axis and the second longitudinal support axis.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the spine, the first support, or the second support defines a recess configured to receive at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link associated with operation of the rotating body.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the motor or the first support comprises a first bearing configured to facilitate rotation of the rotating body.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first support defines a recess configured to receive an electrical conductor configured to transfer electrical power from the spine to the motor.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a second bearing associated with the second support, and configured to facilitate rotation of the rotating body.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the rotating body comprises a stub received by the second bearing, such that the second bearing and the stub facilitate rotation of the rotating body.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising an adapter coupled to the stub on a side of the second support opposite the rotating body, such that the adapter rotates with the rotating body.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a first interface portion coupled to the adapter and configured to transfer at least one of power or data signals between the rotating body and a second interface portion.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link coupled to the first interface portion and passing through the second bearing between the rotating body and the first interface portion, wherein the at least one of the electrical conductor or the data signals link is configured to transfer at least one of electrical power and data signals between the first interface portion and the rotating body.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising a third support associated with the spine, such that the third support is spaced from and on a side of the adapter opposite the second support.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a second interface portion coupled to the third support and configured to transfer at least one of electrical power or data signals between the third support and the first interface portion.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the third support defines a recess configured to receive at least one of an electrical conductor or a data signals link configured to transfer at least one of electrical power or data signals between the spine and the second interface portion.