684results about "Spring motor" patented technology

A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.

A monitor installed in automobile's dash panel (110), includes: a reception member (120) inserted in the upper portion of the dash panel (110), the member having a predetermined space and opened top; a lid (130) hinged on one side of the reception member (120) so that is selectively opened or closed; lid opening means for controlling the opening or closing the lid (130); and a monitor (140) installed in the reception member (120) and hinged on the top inner surface of the lid (130) so that it becomes selectively erect when the lid (130) is opened.

PCT No. PCT/IB97/00571 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 23, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 23, 1998 PCT Filed May 20, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/44562 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 27, 1997Elastic means for rolling up a roller curtain include a plurality of springs (26,27,28) fastened rigidly to a common support (15) connected to a shaft (2) and with respective support and constraint elements (36,37,38) which are geometrically coupled to the roller (19). A device for connecting the springs to a stationary frame (35) of the curtain (20) reduces the number of springs torsional turns with respect to the number of turns of the roller (19) by interposition of a speed reducer between the shaft (2), to which the springs are fastened, the stationary frame (35) and the roller (19). The shaft (2) end is located closer to the most external support and constraint element (36) and its extremity has a disc (11) mounted thereto. The coupling device together with the springs (50), their supports (15,36,37,38), the shaft (2) and an external support cylindrical body (6) form a compact assembly, which is introduced into one head of the roller (19). The other head of the roller (19) features a cap (12), rotatably fastened to a cylindrical section of a support (13) which is locked to the stationary frame (35) by a tang (14). The geometrical coupling between the shaft (2) and the spring supports (15,36,37,38) allows for easy and quick relocation of the roll up device on each side of the window to which the roller curtain is to be mounted.

A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

A spring-assisted cordless roller shade without clutch system includes a tubular body defining an internal space. A shade is wound on the tubular body. The internal space has a first section and a second section. In each of the first and second sections are mounted a connector, a central shaft assembled with the connector, a fixing member connected with the central shaft and a subsidiary shaft disposed on the fixing member. An elastic member is disposed between the connector and the central shaft to provide a frictional force. A rotational member and a torsion spring are mounted on the subsidiary shaft of the first section and rotatable along with the tubular body. A constant force belt spring module is assembled with the subsidiary shaft of the second section. When the operational force applied to the shade disappears, the shade is immediately located.

The invention discloses a rubber belt type energy accumulator and aims to provide a novel rubber belt type energy accumulator which is high in energy transformation ratio, high in energy density, light in weight and simple in structure. The rubber belt type energy accumulator comprises an end cover, a casing, a rubber belt, a rotary drum, multiple guiding rolling shafts, a power transmission shaft, a brake shaft and a brake device, wherein the rubber belt is supported by the multiple guiding rolling shafts to extend along an approximate Archimedes spiral. The rubber belt type energy accumulator can be used for storing and transforming kinetic energy; in the energy accumulation process, the kinetic energy inputted to the energy accumulator can be stored in the form of rubber belt elastic potential energy; and in the energy releasing process, the elastic potential energy stored in the rubber belt is transformed into kinetic energy which is outputted to the external environment. The rubber belt type energy accumulator is suitable for recycling braking energy of equipments such as vehicles and elevators.

The invention relates to a motion mechanical energy storage and release device, in particular to an energy-saving lifting device which realizes smooth release by energy stored in a flat spiral spring. The device comprises a frame, an electric motor, a gear box, a loading box driven by a drum wire cable, and a drive shaft which drives the drum to rotate and is divided into a left section and a right section by the drum, wherein, one section is connected with the gear box by a clutch, and the other section is in parallel connection with a plurality of energy storage devices internally provided with the flat spiral springs by a plurality of the clutches. The energy storage device comprises a driven shaft, the flat spiral spring and the like, the driven shaft is a hollow shaft, the drive shaft passes through the driven shaft, the input end of the driven shaft is connected with the drive shaft by the clutch, after the clutch is closed, the driven shaft and the drive shaft synchronously rotate, thereby the energy storage devices can store or release energy when the loading box falls or rises. The device stores energy particularly when materials are unloaded in a mine and releases energy when the materials are lifted by the flat spiral spring, and the device has the advantages of high energy storage efficiency, stable lifting operation, being safe and reliable, and energy conservation.

A lift assist mechanism is provided for assisting lifting of a movable component that can move between lowered and raised positions relative to a fixed structure. The lift assist mechanism includes a lift assist spring connected to a spring shaft, and an elongated track in which an end of the lift assist spring or an end of the spring shaft are movably engaged. A spring lock restrains movement of the spring shaft when a lift assist is not required, and releases the spring shaft when a lift assist is required.

There is provided a micro piezoelectric actuator, an optical switching device including the micro piezoelectric actuator and a method for fabricating the same. The optical switching device includes a mirror, a first actuator for adjusting the tilt angle of the mirror on the X axis, a second actuator for adjusting the tilt angles of the mirror and the first actuator on the Y axis and a driving substrate for applying a driving signal to the first and second actuators. Each of the actuators has membranes, a piezoelectric device formed on each of the membranes and a connecting part having two elastic bodies coupled to the membranes and a connecting member coupled between the two elastic bodies. In this way, the optical switching device can tilt the mirror on the X axis independently from the tilting thereof on the Y axis.

The present invention relates to a rotation-type actuator which includes a fiber having a twisted structure, which is manufactured by rotating the fiber in the opposite directions. Here, the fiber is divided into a top portion and a bottom portion with respect to the center thereof, at least one of the top and bottom portions of the fiber is fixed, and the top and bottom portions of the fiber each independently have a coiled shape as a chiral Z-type or chiral S-type structure. The rotation-type actuator has an excellent rotation speed, and also exhibits no significant decrease in rotation speed due to excellent durability and stability even when used for a long period of time. In addition, the rotation-type actuator uses a polymer fiber manufactured through electro spinning alone or using a polymer sheet obtained by aligning the polymer fiber in a single direction, and can efficiently convert heat energy, which is wasted in the air, into mechanical energy without providing a high temperature fluctuation since the rotation-type actuator has reversible, rapid and efficient actuation using persistent temperature gradient supplied from a temperature difference present in surrounding environments. Accordingly, energy harvesting devices, having improved efficiency and excellent service life characteristics in recovering heat energy as electrical energy using the rotation-type actuator, can be provided.

There is provided a driving apparatus which can automatically drive a functioning unit to cause the unit to operate as intended without using an on-board battery as a power supply therefor. The driving apparatus is installed in a vehicle to drive the functioning unit on the vehicle and includes an input unit which moves in response to acceleration resulting from a running operation of the vehicle or actions inevitably taken by an occupant when the occupant uses the vehicle and a driving unit which is connected to the input unit and the functioning unit and is adapted to follow the movement of the input unit to thereby accumulate therein a driving force, so as to drive the functioning unit with the driving force so accumulated.

A clamping and/or spreading tool comprises a drive for displacement of a push or pull rod to which a movable jaw is fixed with respect to a support carrying a stationary jaw in longitudinal direction of the push and pull rod, the drive comprising a torsion spring and being adapted to enter torque transmitting engagement with the push or pull rod for displacement of the same.

A system and method for mechanically coupling an energy harvester to strength training type exercise equipment is disclosed. An energy harvester with unwanted vibration forces is mechanically isolated from exercise equipment by a system comprising a plurality of mechanically compliant vibration isolators and a ballast mass; a flexible cord, pre-loaded with a near constant force spring is used to transmit motion from the weight stack to the energy harvester; the flexible cord has a force limiting feature to pre-excessive force from being transmitted from the energy harvester to the weight stack during an exercise motion.

In an electricity generating device by applying vehicle weight, a rolling vehicle wheel is weighting down on a pressure receiver to actuate a driving mechanism having a restoring function. It is then able to provide a unidirectional rotating torque to drive a generating device to produce electrical power. The mechanical power transmission is performed by a transmission gear unit composed of a driving wheel and a follower wheel interconnected each other with a transmission means therebetween. When the vehicle weight is applied to the driving mechanism by pressing the vehicle wheel on the pressure receiver, the driving mechanism is forced to downwardly urge a ratchet wheel and a driving wheel to rotate that in turn causes the rotation of the follower wheel through the transmission means thereby driving the generating device to operate to produce electricity. The driving mechanism can recover its initial state with the aid of a balancing weight as soon as it has been liberate from the exerted pressure of the vehicle wheel. The device is to be installed flush with the road surface to work.

Two weights and or springs mounted on two pivoted beams. A short end of each beam is interconnected with a gearbox by a crank and trace. The gearbox is interconnected with two other ends of the beams by linkages. An electric starter with battery imparts kinetic energy to lift one weight and let the other weight descend. The gearbox regulates the oscillation of two beams. The operator turns the electric starter off after the system is started. An output shaft imparts rotary motion of the gearbox to drive a vehicle, an airplane, or an AC generator.

An energy storage device includes at least one nanotube. An energy storage mechanism converts energy external to the device into the appropriate levels of strain on the at least one nanotube to produce stored energy, and an energy recovery mechanism converts the energy released by relaxing the at least one nanotube back to energy external to the device.

A manual override mechanism is presented for a motor-driven linear actuator that allows the output rack and pinion of the actuator to be manually positioned. Once positioned, the output may be locked by a locking mechanism to prevent this output from translating to its quiescent position. When incorporated in a spring-return linear actuator, the manual override may be used to apply a preload on the spring before the driven device is connected. When the actuator is used to drive a valve or damper, the preload applies a positive closing force on the valve or damper in its zero position to ensure a tight closure of the valve or damper. The locking mechanism engages the gear train and opposes the closing force applied by the spring return of the actuator. To disengage the locking mechanism automatically, the motor applies a forward kick to the gear train. Manual disengagement is also provided.

To provide a continuous rotary actuator using a shape memory alloy, having a simple structure, being small and light-weighted, and having high torque, which can lock the rotation during non-energizing, an inner drum 2 rotating around the axis as a rotating shaft 3 is provided in an outer cylinder 1, wherein a first shape-memory-alloy torsion spring 6 and a second shape-memory-alloy torsion spring 7 wound in opposite directions and unwound to recoil due to electrical heating are fixed between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner drum 2, and wherein switching means 4 and 5 for alternately switching the electrical heating according to the rotation angle of the inner drum 2 are connected to the first and second shape-memory-alloy torsion springs 6 and 7.

A spring box provided in one headrail of a window covering is disclosed, including a base, a post rotatably provided on the base to wind up a lifting cord, and a prestressing device which provides a pulling force to the post to rotate it in a predetermined direction. The spring box further includes a guiding member provided in the post to be rotated by the post, a movable member which moves along the guiding member in a non-rotating manner when the guiding member is rotated, and a friction member which is compressed and deformed to increase a friction between it and an inner wall of the post when the movable member is moved in a predetermined direction, providing a resistance effect to the rotation of the post, which makes one bottom rail of the window covering stay at a predetermined position.

The present invention discloses a device that is comprised of a flexible material and a roll mechanism associated with the flexible material. A bistable resilient member maintains the flexible material flat due to a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member in a first stable state, and maintains the flexible material to a rolled-up, bundled closed position after the tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is fully released (the second stable state). Further, the bistable resilient member compels the flexible material to a self-roll-up motion (during a transition state) while a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is released.