Patent ID: 6109125
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B23K,B25J,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
Linear drive apparatus for linearly displacing a driven member relative to a housing, comprising:(a) a cylindrical housing (1) containing a longitudinal chamber having a longitidinal axis (2);(b) a cylindrical driven member (3) arranged concentrically within said chamber, said driven member including:(1) a pair of longitudinally spaced annular end rings (4,5) each contained in a plane extending normal to said longitudinal axis; and(2) a plurality of parallel longitudinally-extending guide rods (6) connected between said end rings;(c) guide means connecting said driven member for longitudinal displacement within said housing chamber; said guide means including a plurality of fixed parallel guide sleeves (9) connected with said housing and extending within said chamber for slidably receiving said guide rods, respectively and(d) drive means for driving said driven member longitudinally relative to said housing, said drive means including:(1) a cylindrical cable drum (14) having a peripheral surface containing a circumferential cable guide groove (14a);(2) means supporting said cable drum for rotation relative to said housing about an axis contained in a plane that is normal to said housing longitudinal axis;(3) a flexible cable (11) having an intermediate portion wound about said cable drum and extending within said cable guide groove, and a pair of cable end portions connected with the opposite ends of said driven member, respectively; and(4) means (20, 21) for rotatably driving said cable drum, thereby to linearly displace said driven member relative to said housing, said drive means including:(a) a drive shaft (19) arranged collinearly relative to said cable drum axis of rotation; and(b) slip clutch means (28) connecting said drive shaft with said cable drum.