Patent · US Expired

Method and structure for coupling a step motor shaft

US6287203A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
4References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1999
Grant dateSep 11, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16C3/02
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and structure for coupling to a step motor shaft is characterized by providing a predetermined back-lash distance defined between the step motor shaft and a key, thereby to instantly reach the desired speed for driving a load. Accordingly, a shaft coupling device is provided to connect to a rotatable load. The shaft coupling device has a key which maintains a back-lash distance defined between a step motor shaft and the key. Eventually, when the step motor shaft is not driving the load, they are separated. When the step motor shaft is driven by the step motor, it self-spins in a first direction and travels through a distance so as to form a predetermined back-lash distance between the key. As soon as the back-lash distance is formed, the step motor shaft reverses its rotation direction and then starts to travel through the predetermined back-lash distance to drive the load. The speed of the step motor shaft soon increases as it rotates in a second direction and approaches the load. At that moment, the speed of the step motor has already been accelerated. Consequently, the desired speed of the step motor for driving the load will be instantly reached.

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