Anti-backlash gear assembly
US4747321A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1987 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19898
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is an anti-backlash gear assembly. The gear assembly comprises first and second gears mounted on a common shaft and rotatable with respect to one another about the axis of rotation. The first gear has a slot. A fastener having a threaded end extends from the far side of the second gear into the slot. A cam member located within the slot incorporates a cam surface thereon and is threaded to the fastener. Thus, rotation of the cam member varies the distance of the cam surface to the walls of the slot. A cam follower is included having first and second ends with the first end in slideable contact with the cam surface. A Belleville spring washer is mounted between the second end of the cam follower and a side wall. Thus, the gear assembly can be easily engaged with a mating gear such as a rack gear, because the teeth of the first and second gears need not be biased apart. Once installed, the cam member can be rotated causing the cam surface to force the Belleville spring washer against the wall, causing the gears to rotate in opposite directions about the axis of rotation. Thus, the amount of rotation of the cam member determines the amount of loading of the gear teeth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.