Fuse block with improved unidirectional operator
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsTheodore Houck, Jie Ning, James Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball ratchet mechanism suitable for use with an electrical disconnect employs a track and drive surface that engage the ball so as to capture it without significant shear force being applied to ridges of the track. In this way, the shape of the track can be optimized for smooth ratcheting action without the risk of high torques shearing track ridges.
Claims15
A ball ratchet comprising:
- an inner element rotatable within an outer element;
- a first substantially circular track formed in one of the inner and outer elements providing a set of ridges extending radially toward an other of the inner and outer elements;
- a driving face formed in the other of the inner and outer elements and facing the circular track;
- at least one spring-loaded ball fitting between the driving face and the circular track so that
- (1) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a first direction causes movement of the spring-loaded ball to compress its spring allowing the ball to navigate between the ridges and the driving face to permit relative movement of the inner and outer elements;
- and
- (2) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a second direction causes capture of the spring-loaded ball between the circular track and the driving face locking the inner and outer elements for joint movement;
- wherein a vector of force by the ball on the circular track does not pass over or through a ridge so that a shearing of the ridge would permit rotation in the second direction.
An operator assembly for controlling a disconnect having a rotary shaft adapted to receive a portion of a door-mounted knob and rotating in a first direction to connect electrical current through the disconnect, and rotating in a second direction to prevent electrical current from flowing through the disconnect, the operator assembly further comprising:
- a handle configured to receive the rotary shaft, and a uni-directional coupling mechanism that is connected between the shaft and the handle, wherein the uni-directional coupling mechanism facilitates uni-directional rotation of the shaft in response to rotation of the operator assembly and wherein the uni-directional coupling further comprises:
- an inner element rotatable within an outer element;
- a first substantially circular track formed in one of the inner and outer elements providing a set of ridges extending radially toward an other of the inner and outer elements;
- a driving face formed in the other of the inner and outer elements and facing the circular track;
- at least one spring-loaded ball fitting between the driving face and the circular track so that
- (1) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a first direction causes movement of the spring-loaded ball to compress its spring allowing the ball to navigate between the ridges and the driving face to permit relative movement of the inner and outer elements and
- (2) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a second direction causes capture of the spring-loaded ball between the circular track, and the driving face locking the inner and outer elements for joint movement;
- wherein a vector of force by the ball on the circular track does not pass through a ridge and then into space between the first and second elements so that a shearing of a ridge does not permit rotation in the second direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.