Patent · US Expired

Self-alignment device for ballscrew arrangement

US4787260A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 1987
Grant dateNov 29, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/1868
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

There is provided a self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a manipulator device for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, with the self-aligning ballscrew assembly including a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis. A ballscrew bearing block is provided having a ballscrew nut mounted on the ballscrew for translating an extension element of the manipulator device along a linear extension axis in response to relative rotation between the ballscrew and the ballscrew nut, and a drive motor selectively provides relative rotation between the ballscrew and the ballscrew nut. A reed-spring arrangement flexibly connects the bearing block to the manipulator device, with such flexible reed-spring arrangement permitting limited linear movement of the bearing block and ballscrew nut with the ballscrew in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis, as well as limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the normal direction, while maintaining proper angular alignment of the ballscrew nut relative the ballscrew.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.