Self-alignment device for ballscrew arrangement

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement of a manipulator device for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis;
• (b) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating the extension element of said manipulator device along a linear extension axis in response to relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (c) drive means for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• and
• (d) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to said manipulator device, said flexible mounting means further comprising a pair of reed spring arrangements offset relative one another along said longitudinal axis for permitting limited linear movement of said bearing block and said ballscrew nut with said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis, and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper alignment of said ballscrew.

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement of a manipulator device for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis;
• (b) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating the extension element of said manipulator device along a linear extension axis in response to relative between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (c) drive means for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut, said drive means being integrally attached to said bearing block;
• (d) counterbalance means for offsetting misaligning forces imposed on said ballscrew nut by the mass of said bearing block and attached drive means;
• and
• (e) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to said manipulator device, said flexible mounting means further comprising a pair of reed spring which permit limited linear movement of said bearing block and said ballscrew nut relative said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis, and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper alignment of said ballscrew.

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement or reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis;
• (b) an extension element which is reciprocable along a linear extension axis, said extension axis being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• (c) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating said extension element along said extension axis in response to relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (d) drive means for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• and
• (e) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to a slide housing which supports the extension element as it is reciprocated along said extension axis, said flexible mounting means further comprising a pair of reed spring arrangements which permit limited linear movement of said bearing block and said ballscrew nut with said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper angular alignment of said ballscrew nut relative said ballscrew.

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis;
• (b) an extension element which is reciprocable along a linear extension axis, said extension axis being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• (c) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating said extension element along said extension axis in response to relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (d) drive means for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• and
• (e) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to a slide housing which supports the extension element as it is reciprocated along said extension axis, said flexible mounting means including a pair of reed spring arrangement offset relative on another along said longitudinal axis which permit limited linear movement said bearing block and said ballscrew nut with said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis, and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper angular alignment of said ballscrew nut relative said ballscrew.

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis;
• (b) an extension element which is reciprocable along a linear extension axis, said extension axis being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• (c) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating said extension element along said extension axis in response to relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (d) drive means for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut, said drive means being integrally attached to said bearing block;
• (e) counterbalance means for offsetting misaligning forces imposed on said ballscrew nut by the mass of said bearing block and attached drive means;
• and
• (f) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to a slide housing which supports the extension element as it is reciprocated along said extension axis, said flexible mounting means permitting limited linear movement of said bearing block and said ballscrew nut with said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis, and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper angular alignment of said ballscrew nut relative said ballscrew.

A self-aligning ballscrew assembly for a ballscrew arrangement for reciprocating an extension element along a linear extension axis, said assembly comprising:

• (a) a ballscrew having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially horizontally
• (b) an extension element which is reciprocable along a linear extension axis, said extension axis being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• (c) a ballscrew bearing block having a ballscrew nut mounted on said ballscrew for translating said extension element along said extension axis in response to relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (d) drive means integrally connected to said bearing block for selectively providing relative rotation between said ballscrew and said ballscrew nut;
• (e) flexible mounting means for connecting said bearing block to a slide housing which supports said extension element as it is reciprocated along said extension axis said flexible mounting means comprising a pair of reed spring arrangements permitting limited linear movement of said bearing block and ballscrew nut with said ballscrew in a direction normal to said longitudinal axis and limited rotational movement about an axis mutually perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and said normal direction, while maintaining proper alignment of said ballscrew nut relative said ballscrew;
• and
• (f) counterbalance means for offsetting misaligning forces imposed on said ballscrew nut by the mass of said bearing block and attached drive means.