Patent ID: 7229223
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: F16H,G02B

Abstract:
1. A rotation transfer mechanism comprising: a rotatable ring which is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and has a circumferential gear formed on a peripheral surface of said rotatable ring; a rotation transfer gear shaft which is configured to rotate about a second rotational axis which is parallel to said first rotational axis, said rotatable ring and said rotation transfer gear shaft relatively moving in said first rotational axis direction while rotating; a gear portion which is provided on said rotation transfer gear shaft and is engageable with said circumferential gear to transfer said rotation of said rotatable ring to said rotation transfer gear shaft, wherein an axial length of said gear portion is longer than an axial length of said circumferential gear so that the engagement between said gear portion and said circumferential gear is maintained while said rotatable ring and said rotation transfer gear shaft move relative to each other throughout the entire relative movement range of said rotatable ring and said rotation transfer gear shaft; and a rotation limit portion provided on said rotation transfer gear shaft, said rotation limit portion having a non-circular cross section which is engageable with an outer edge of said circumferential gear to prohibit said rotation transfer gear shaft from rotating, said gear portion and said rotation limit portion being located at different axial positions on said rotation transfer gear shaft along said second rotational axis.