Method and apparatus for a low cost and high force transmission using elastically deformable driving element for friction drive
AssigneeMatsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
InventorTetsuo Ohara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elastically deformable transmission member for use in a friction drive system. The elastically deformable transmission member imparts a thrust to a moveable member at an area of contact between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. Elastic deformation of the elastically deformable transmission member, such as by application of a pre-load force perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moveable member, causes an increase in contact area between the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member. The increased contact area reduces stress in the elastically deformable transmission member and the moveable member, reducing wear.
Claims16
A friction drive system comprising a transmission member and a movable member, wherein the transmission member imparts a thrust to the moveable member through frictional contact with the movable member at a contact area and the transmission member elastically deforms to reduce contact stress to a stress that is below yield stress and to increase the contact area between the transmission member and the movable member;
- wherein the elastically deformable transmission member comprises an elastically deformable drive ring defined by a cylindrical surface in frictional contact with the movable member and an aperture essentially concentric to the cylindrical surface.
A shaft for use in a friction drive system comprising:
- a contact portion for transferring a thrust to a moveable member through frictional contact with the movable member under a pre-load force;
- the contact portion configured as a cylindrical wall having a thickness such that the cylindrical wall elastically deforms under the pre-load force to increase the contact area, wherein a viscoelastic material is disposed within the cylindrical wall for damping vibrations in the shaft.
A shaft for use in a friction drive system comprising:
- a contact portion for transferring a thrust to a movable member through frictional contact with the movable member under a pre-load force;
- the contact portion configured as a cylindrical wall having a thickness such that the cylindrical wall elastically deforms under the pre-load force to increase the contact area, wherein a magnet disposed within the cylindrical wall and wherein the cylindrical wall comprises an electrically conductive material such that movement of the cylindrical wall produces eddy currents for damping vibrations in the shaft.
A friction drive system comprising:
- a movable member moveable in a first direction;
- a shaft having an essentially cylindrical surface urged into contact with the movable member by a pre-load force such that rotation of the shaft imparts a thrust to the movable member along the first direction through frictional contact;
- the shaft having an aperture essentially concentric with the cylindrical surface defining a cylindrical wall that elastically deforms under the pre-load force.
A friction drive system comprising:
- a movable member moveable in a first direction;
- a shaft having an essentially cylindrical surface urged into contact with the movable member by a pre-load force such that rotation of the shaft imparts a thrust to the movable member along the first direction through frictional contact;
- the shaft having an aperture essentially concentric with the cylindrical surface defining a cylindrical wall that elastically deforms under the pre-load force, wherein a viscoelastic material is disposed in the aperture for damping vibrations in the friction drive system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.