Multi-functional apparatus employing an intermittent motion mechanism
AssigneeLear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
InventorsRaghu Oruganty, Daniel D. Kilker, William Carl Zimmer, James Wayne Gibson
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Abstract
A multi-functional apparatus employs an intermittent motion mechanism. An electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of the intermittent motion mechanism thereby moving a mechanical device coupled thereto. In another aspect of the present invention, a single electric motor selectively actuates two or three intermittent rotary motion mechanisms thereby causing separate mechanical devices coupled thereto to operate within an automotive vehicle.
Claims20
A multi-functional automotive vehicle apparatus comprising:
- an electromagnetic device for rotatably driving an input shaft member, said input member defining a first rotational axis,
- a cam portion located at one end of said input shaft member;
- a first reduction gear set coupled to said electromagnetic device including a pinion gear, a fixed internal ring gear and an output shaft member, said pinion gear being rotatably mounted to said cam portion of said input shaft member and being engagable with said ring gear, said pinion gear being rotatably coupled to said output shaft member, said output shaft member defining a second rotational axis coaxially aligned with said first rotational axis;
- a second reduction gear set being couplable to said output shaft member, said second reduction gear set including a driving interface;
- a first intermittent motion mechanism selectively engagable with said driving interface;
- a second intermittent motion mechanism selectively engagable with said driving interface;
- and
- a third intermittent motion mechanism selectively engagable with said driving interface.
A multi-functional automotive vehicle apparatus comprising:
- a planocentric gear mechanism having a ring gear defining a first axis;
- a DC electromagnetic device selectively driving said planocentric gear mechanism, said electromagnetic device having an output shaft defining a second axis, said second axis being substantially coaxial with said first axis;
- and
- a first intermittent motion mechanism coupled to said planocentric gear mechanism, said first intermittent motion mechanism being selectively driven by said electromagnetic device.
A multi-functional apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an input shaft having a cam portion, said input shaft defining a first axis;
- an electric motor operable for driving said input shaft;
- a first reduction gear set including a pinion gear, a fixed internal ring gear and an output shaft, said pinion gear rotatably mounted to said cam portion of said input shaft, said pinion gear meshing within said ring gear, said pinion gear being rotatably coupled to said output shaft, said output shaft defining a second axis substantially coaxial to said first axis of said input shaft;
- a second reduction gear set driven by said output shaft;
- a first device movable between a first orientation and a second orientation in response to selective energization of said electric motor;
- a second device movable between a first orientation and a second orientation in response to selective energization of said electric motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.