High torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness drive shaft system

A high torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• drive shaft means having opposite ends for rotating on a first axis of rotation;
• first and second flexible diaphragms, each diaphragm having oppositely facing substantially parallel flat sides;
• said first and second flexible diaphragms being spaced from one another along said axis of rotation with the flat sides of the first flexible diaphragm being substantially parallel to the flat sides of the second flexible diaphragm;
• the drive shaft means and said opposite ends being in the space located between the first and second flexible diaphragms;
• means for connecting each diaphragm to a respective end of the drive shaft means with a flat side of each diaphragm extending in a respective plane, each of the respective planes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation;
• a source of power having an output element which rotates on a second axis of rotation;
• first means for connecting the output element of the power source to the first flexible diaphragm in a position generally opposite an end of the drive shaft means with the first and second axis of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the output element to the drive shaft means via the first flexible diaphragm;
• means for engaging the recordable media, the means for engaging having a third axis of rotation;
• second means for connecting the means for engaging the recordable media to the second flexible diaphragm with the first and third axes of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the drive shaft means to the means for engaging via the second flexible diaphragm;
• and
• means mounted between the first diaphragm and the first means for connecting and between the second diaphragm and the second means for connecting in order to transmit thrust loads along the first, second and third axes of rotation.

A system for operating recordable media, the recordable media having drive receiving means for rotating the media comprising:

• a system platform;
• receptacle means in the platform for receiving the recordable media;
• drive means mounted to the platform and engageable with the drive receiving means for rotating the recordable media;
• the drive means including:
• laterally rigid drive shaft means having opposite ends for rotation about a first axis of rotation;
• a power source having an output element which is rotatable about a second axis of rotation;
• means for engaging the drive receiving means of the recordable media, the engaging means being rotatable about a third axis of rotation;
• a first flexible diaphragm and a second flexible diaphragm, each flexible diaphragm having oppositely facing substantially parallel flat sides;
• said first and second flexible diaphragms being spaced from one another along said axis of rotation with their flat sides substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation;
• the drive shaft means and said opposite ends being located substantially entirely in the space between the first and second flexible diaphragms;
• first means connected to the output element of the power source, the first flexible diaphragm and a first end of the drive shaft means for transmitting torsional force from the power source to the drive shaft means via the first flexible diaphragm, the first flexible diaphragm correcting misalignment between the first and second axes of rotation by deflecting in response to the torsional force;
• second means connected to a second end of the drive shaft means, the second flexible diaphragm and the means for engaging the drive receiving means for transmitting torsional force from the drive shaft means to said means for engaging the drive receiving means via the second flexible diaphragm, the second flexible diaphragm correcting misalignment between the first and third axes of rotation by deflecting in response to the torsional force;
• and
• means operably connected to each of the first and second means for transmitting thrust loads exerted along the first, second and third axes so as to relieve axial stress on each flexible diaphragm.

A high torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• drive shaft means having opposite ends for rotating on a first axis of rotation;
• a pair of flexible diaphragms, each diaphragm having oppositely facing substantially parallel flat sides;
• means for connecting each diaphragm to a respective end of the drive shaft means with one of said flat sides of each diaphragm extending in a respective plane, each of the respective planes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation;
• a source of power having an output element which rotates on a second axis of rotation;
• first means for connecting the output element of the power source to a first flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms in a position generally opposite an end of the drive shaft means with the first and second axis of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the output element to the drive shaft means via the first flexible diaphragm;
• means for engaging the recordable media, the means for engaging having a third axis of rotation;
• second means for connecting the means for engaging to a second flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms with the first and third axes of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the drive shaft means to the means for engaging via the second flexible diaphragm;
• and
• means mounted between the first diaphragm and the first means for connecting and between the second diaphragm and the second means for connecting for transmitting thrust loads extended along the first, second and third axes of rotation;
• the source of power being a motor having a stator and an output element which is a hollow shaft;
• and
• the stator being mounted between the flexible diaphragms with the drive shaft means extending through the hollow shaft.

A high torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• drive shaft means having opposite ends for rotating on a first axis of rotation;
• a pair of substantially circular flexible diaphragms, each diaphragm having a central axis which is substantially aligned with the first axis of rotation and having oppositely facing substantially parallel flat sides;
• means including a hub for connecting each diaphragm to a respective end of the drive shaft means with one of said flat sides of each diaphragm extending in a respective plane, each of the respective planes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation;
• a source of power having an output element which rotates on a second axis of rotation;
• first means including a yoke for connecting the output element of the power source to a first flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms in a position generally opposite an end of the drive shaft means with the first and second axis of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the output element to the drive shaft means via the first flexible diaphragm;
• means for engaging the recordable media, the means for engaging having a third axis of rotation;
• second means including a yoke for connecting the means for engaging to a second flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms with the first and third axes of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the drive shaft means to the means for engaging via the second flexible diaphragm;
• each hub being connected to an inner portion of a respective flexible diaphragm and each yoke being connected to an outer portion of a respective flexible diaphragm;
• each flexible diaphragm having an annular portion between its inner and outer connected portions;
• means mounted between the first diaphragm and the first means for connecting and between the second diaphragm and the second means for connecting in order to transmit thrust loads extending along the first, second and third axes of rotation;
• each means for transmitting thrust loads being at least a portion of a spherical ball, each spherical ball portion being fixed to a respective yoke;
• each hub being fixed to the drive shaft means for forming a respective end thereof;
• and
• the spherical portion of each ball portion slidably engaging a respective one of said hubs in a plane which is substantially coplanar with the flat sides of a respective one of said flexible diaphragms.

A high torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• drive shaft means having opposite ends for rotating on a first axis of rotation;
• a pair of flexible diaphragms, each diaphragm having oppositely facing substantially parallel flat sides;
• means for connecting each diaphragm to a respective end of the drive shaft means with one of flat sides of each diaphragm extending in a respective plane, each of the respective planes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation;
• each means for connecting including a hub which has opposite facing flat surfaces, each hub being connected to an inner portion of a respective one of said flexible diaphragms, with a respective one of said flat surfaces of each hub directly engaging the respective flexible diaphragm;
• a source of power having an output element which rotates on a second axis of rotation;
• first means for connecting the output element of the power source to a first flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms in a position generally opposite an end of the drive shaft means with the first and second axis of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the output element to the drive shaft means via the first flexible diaphragm, said first means including a yoke which is connected to an outer portion of the first flexible diaphragm;
• means for engaging the recordable media, the means for engaging having a third axis of rotation;
• second means for connecting the means for engaging to a second flexible diaphragm of said pair of flexible diaphragms with the first and third axes of rotation substantially aligned such that torsional force can be transmitted from the drive shaft means to the means for engaging via the second flexible diaphragm, said second means including a yoke which is connected to an outer portion of the second flexible diaphragm;
• and
• means mounted between the first diaphragm and the first means for connecting and between the second diaphragm and the second means for connecting in order to transmit thrust loads extended along the first, second and third axes of rotation.

A high torsional stiffness low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• at least one flexible diaphragm for transmitting torsional loads, the diaphragm having a central aperture;
• first and second driving elements for transmitting axial and torsional loads;
• the first driving element being connected to an inner portion of the diaphragm and the second driving element being connected to an outer portion of the diaphragm;
• axial load transmitting means engaging the first and second driving elements for transmitting axial loads therebetween;
• and
• the axial load transmitting means engaging the first driving element through the central aperture of the diaphragm and including at least a portion of a spherical ball which is fixedly connected to one of the driving elements and slidably engages the other driving element.

A high torsional stiffness, low axial deflection stiffness flexible drive shaft apparatus for driving recordable media comprising:

• a middle shaft located between top and bottom shafts, the shafts being in axial alignment with respect to one another along a common axis;
• a top diaphragm being located between a top end of the middle shaft and a bottom end of the top shaft, and a bottom diaphragm located between a top end of the bottom shaft and a bottom end of the middle shaft, each diaphragm having top and bottom planar surfaces which extend perpendicular to said common axis;
• a top hub and yoke assembly connecting the top end of the middle shaft to the bottom end of the top shaft via the top diaphragm and a bottom hub and yoke assembly connecting the bottom end of the middle shaft to the top end of the bottom shaft via the bottom diaphragm so that torsional loads can be transmitted between the shafts;
• a top element mounted on one of the top end of the middle shaft and the bottom end of the top shaft and having a rounded portion which bears on the other of the top end of the middle shaft and the bottom end of the top shaft for transmitting axial loads between the middle and top shafts;
• and
• a bottom element mounted on one of the bottom end of the middle shaft and the top end of the bottom shaft and having a rounded portion which bears on the other of the bottom end of the middle shaft and the top end of the bottom shaft for transmitting axial loads between the middle and bottom shafts.