Torque transfer in laterally engaging drive couplers exhibiting axial misalignment with driven couplers
US9982722B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19614
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.