Wearable autotensioning device
AssigneeCincinnati Automation & Mechatronics LLC
InventorsRoger Neil Rovekamp, Jr., Keith Sawmiller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on a retention member and thereby applying compression or other forces to an object. Sensors may be used to sense changes associated with the object involved or the environment, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley to automatically adjust tension on the retention member. The adjustments in tension may be made performed automatically and many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
Claims20
An automatic retention apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on an object, comprising:
- a retention member that is separate and distinct from and positionable around the object, the retention member arranged and configured to engage the object to increase or decrease tension on the object, the retention member defining an engagement portion;
- a housing separate and distinct from the object, wherein the retention member is mounted to the housing, the housing defining at least one opening through which the engagement portion of the retention member passes into the housing;
- an actuator mounted inside the housing that includes a rotating member and a gear mechanism driven by a motor, the gear mechanism including a worm gear with teeth engaging teeth of the rotating member inside the housing, wherein the rotating member is positioned to engage the retention member inside the housing, wherein the engagement portion of the retention member winds and unwinds around the rotating member inside the housing to increase or decrease tension on the object, wherein the rotating member is rotatable around an axis of rotation in a first direction to increase tension on the retention member and in a second direction to decrease tension on the retention member;
- at least one sensor arranged and configured to sense changes in a sense parameter associated with the object;
- and
- a control circuit responsive to input from the sensor and configured to control the actuator according to the input from the sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the actuator to rotate the rotating member in the first or second direction to adjust tension on the retention member based on input from the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.