Compliant gear assembly having variable spring force
US8915162B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19898
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compliant gear assembly includes a hub subassembly including a first hub component defining a first axis and a second hub component movable relative to the first hub component in a controlled direction perpendicular to the first axis. A gear ring, which is rotatably mounted on the hub subassembly and defines a gear ring axis of rotation, is coupled to move with the second hub component between a biased position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is coaxial with the first axis and a translated intermediate stop position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not coaxial with the first axis. A spring component is coupled between the first and second hub components, biases the second hub component toward the biased position, and provides a variable spring force that increases as the second hub component is moved toward the translated intermediate stop position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.