Motorized mounting devices
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsMichael John Caelwaerts, Samuel A. Gould, David W. Draeger, Adam J. Sargis, Austin Alexander Borkowski, Daniel L. Block, Danielle K. Quan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various motorized device designs with backlash detection systems are shown. In a specific embodiment, a motorized laser level mount includes a rotatable laser platform, a housing cover, a housing, a gear train and a backlash detection system. The backlash detection system coupled to the motor and the laser platform and configured to determine when backlash has been removed from the gear train.
Claims20
A motorized mount for a laser level device comprising:
- a housing;
- a platform rotationally engaged with the housing, the platform including a laser level device engagement structure;
- a platform adjustment mechanism coupled to the platform, such that the platform adjustment mechanism drives rotation of the platform, the platform adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a stepper motor positioned within the housing, the stepper motor moving in steps;
- and
- a gear train coupled to the stepper motor;
- an output slider coupled to the platform;
- and
- a backlash detection system coupled to the stepper motor and the platform, the backlash detection system includes:
- a monitoring unit configured to detect when backlash has been removed from within the platform adjustment mechanism;
- and
- an output driver with a rotating post extending toward the output slider;
- wherein, when the backlash has been removed from the platform adjustment mechanism, the steps of the stepper motor are counted by the monitoring unit such that the platform will move a distance during clockwise rotation of the platform that is the same as a distance moved during counterclockwise rotation of the platform.
A motorized device comprising:
- a housing comprising an opening;
- a platform rotationally engaged with the housing;
- a platform adjustment mechanism coupled to the platform, such that the platform adjustment mechanism drives rotation of the platform, the platform adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a motor positioned within the housing;
- and
- a gear train coupled to the motor, the gear train including a first gear having teeth and a second gear having teeth;
- a backlash detection system coupled to the gear train, the backlash detection system comprising:
- a monitoring unit configured to detect when the teeth of the first gear are directly contacting the teeth of the second gear;
- an output driver coupled to the gear train;
- and
- an output slider engaged with the output driver and coupled to the platform, wherein the output slider extends through the opening of the housing to engage the platform.
An adjustable motorized device comprising:
- a housing comprising a slot;
- a platform rotationally engaged with the housing by one or more ribs extending upward from the housing;
- a platform adjustment mechanism coupled to the platform, the platform adjustment mechanism comprising:
- a motor positioned within the housing;
- a gear train coupled to the motor;
- and
- an output slider coupled to the platform, the output slider extending out of the housing and through the slot;
- a backlash detection system coupled to the gear train, the backlash detection system comprising:
- a microcontroller configured to detect when backlash has been removed from within the gear train;
- an output driver coupled to the gear train, the output driver including a rotating post;
- a first pin coupled to the output slider;
- and
- a second pin spaced a distance from the first pin and coupled to the output slider.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.