Patent ID: 7191674
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A stepper mechanical drive system comprising: a carriage; at least one functional element mounted to the carriage; a stationary structure including a support for the carriage, the support permitting the carriage to move bidirectionally relative to the support along a travel direction; a follower structure on a first one of the stationary structure and the carriage, wherein the follower structure comprises two ramp structures, wherein each of the ramp structures extends longitudinally along the travel direction of the carriage and comprises a plurality of sawtooth ramp faces, and wherein the ramp faces lie at an angle of from about 10 to about 80 degrees to the travel direction; and an actuator structure on a second one of the stationary structure and the carriage, wherein the actuator structure comprises a pair of actuators, and wherein each actuator comprises