Abstract:
The transmission device for transforming at least an oscillating motion into a rotational one-way linear movement includes an actuator oscillating about an axis of oscillation, between two positions, in a first so-called driving direction, and in a second so-called reverse direction, opposite the driving direction; a wheel provided with an axis of rotation, the axis of oscillation of the actuator and the axis of rotation of the wheel merging; a butt driving device for the wheel, secured to the actuator, capable of driving the wheel in a first so-called forward direction; and a butt locking device for the wheel, capable of preventing the wheel from rotating. A device dispenses controlled doses of a liquid, pasty or viscous substance, in particular a sealing product, using such a transmission device.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention relates to a device for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional, rotational and/or linear movement, as well as its application to a device for distributing controlled doses of a finishing product, notably.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     To transform an oscillating movement or a rotational unidirectional movement, the state of art provides snapping systems wherein a ratchet, for example interconnected with an oscillating arm, engaged onto a pinion when the arm is moved into one direction and drives the pinion when the arm is moved into the other direction. The movement is therefore transmitted mainly thanks to the co-operation between the ratchet and the teeth of the pinion.  
         [0006]     Still, a pinion exhibits a finished number of teeth, which correspond each to a potential driving point. Consequently, as long as the ratchet has not switched from one tooth to the next, the device shows certain clearance and it does not operate with maximum efficiency as of the first driving movement of the oscillating arm.  
         [0007]     Besides, devices for distributing finishing products are known, such as mastic guns, to apply notably a finishing product to a determined zone. In such devices, there is a tank fitted with a piston which, generally, is brought into rotation in the tank thanks to a spring-loaded system connected to a trigger. However, such systems show certain inertia, notably because of the use of springs to bring said pinion into motion.  
         [0008]     Thus, such systems do not enable to control precisely the dose of product applied nor its output speed from the tank. There exists indeed a transitory period, relatively long with respect to the distribution duration of the product, during which the distribution speed of the product will increase before stabilizing.  
         [0009]     Moreover, such distribution devices cause losses of the product applied since generally the dose distributed is vastly greater than that truly necessary. These devices do not enable to avoid burrs which will have to be cleaned eventually.  
         [0010]     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transmission device as well as a device for distributing controlled doses, implementing such a transmission device, which remedies the shortcomings aforementioned. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission device to transform an oscillating movement into a unidirectional, rotational and/or linear movement, which does not exhibit any clearance. Thus, such a device will exhibit increased transmission efficiency relative to known transmission devices moreover.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for distributing doses of a liquid, viscous or pasty material, such as a finishing product implementing such a transmission device, enabling to control precisely the quantity of material applied.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for distributing an optimal dose of material to be applied, this dose being sufficient to ensure that the effect requested is obtained without it being necessary to clean off possible burrs at a later stage.  
         [0013]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description, which is given only for exemplification purposes and without being limited thereto.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention concerns first of all a transmission device for transforming at least one oscillating movement into a unidirectional rotational movement comprising: 
        an actuator oscillating round an oscillating axle, between two positions, in a first so-called driving direction, and in a second so-called return direction, opposite said driving direction,     a wheel fitted with a rotational axle, whereas the oscillating axle  2  of said actuator  1  and the rotational axle of said wheel  4  are merged,     means for driving said wheel by a bracing effect, slaved to said actuator, capable of driving said wheel into a first so-called forward direction,     means for locking said wheel by a bracing effect, capable of preventing said wheel from rotating into another so-called backward direction, opposite the forward direction.        
 
         [0019]     The present invention also concerns a transmission device for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional linear movement implementing a transmission device for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional rotational movement, wherein a pinion co-operates with the rotational axle of said wheel on the one hand, and engages into a rack on the other hand.  
         [0020]     The present invention also concerns a device for distributing controlled doses of a liquid, pasty or viscous material, notably a sealing product, implementing a transmission device capable of transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional linear movement. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The invention will be better understood when reading the description, in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a transmission device according to the invention,  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , the parts being assembled,  
         [0024]     FIGS.  3  to  6  respectively are forward, right-hand, backward and left-hand projections of the device illustrated on  FIG. 2 ,  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the transmission device illustrated on  FIG. 6 , after removal of the lid from the box,  
         [0026]      FIGS. 8, 9  and  10  are bottom, edgewise and top projections, respectively, illustrating the driving and locking means of the invention,  
         [0027]      FIG. 1I  is a view of disengageable means used in a device for transforming a unidirectional rotational movement into a unidirectional linear movement,  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  illustrates a device for distributing controlled doses of a liquid, pasty or viscous material, according to the invention,  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  represents schematically a device for installing fastening elements fitted with a distribution device according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     As illustrated on  FIG. 1 , the present invention concerns a transmission device for transforming at least one oscillating movement into a unidirectional rotational movement.  
         [0031]     According to the invention, such a transmission device comprises an actuator  1  oscillating round an oscillating axle  2 . This device may oscillate between two positions, notably extreme upper and lower positions. For example, it may oscillate into a first direction, designated by the arrow  3 , from top to bottom, and into a second opposite direction. Said first direction will be called driving direction and said opposite direction will be called return direction.  
         [0032]     The device also includes a wheel  4  fitted with a rotational axle  5 .  
         [0033]     Finally, the transmission device according to the invention also includes: 
        means  6  for driving said wheel  4  by a bracing effect,     means  8  for locking said wheel  4  by a bracing effect.        
 
         [0036]     Said driving means  6  are slaved to said actuator  1  and are capable of driving said wheel  4  into a first so-called forward direction, illustrated by the arrow  7 .  
         [0037]     Said locking means  8  are capable of preventing said wheel  4  from rotating into a second so-called backward direction, opposite said forward direction  7 .  
         [0038]     Advantageously, said wheel  4 , said driving means  6  and said locking means  8  are brought together inside a box  9  which protects said items and maintains them in their respective positions, as illustrated on FIGS.  2  to  6 .  
         [0039]     Said box  9  is fitted with a lid  10  which, once removed, as shown on  FIG. 7 , enables to access the mechanism of the transmission device. Thus, said box  9  may act as a bracket for the rotational axle  2  of said wheel. It is also fitted with an opening  11  at the back to enable the oscillation movements of the actuator.  
         [0040]     Besides, the means  8  for locking said wheel  4  maintains a fixed position relative to said box  9 .  
         [0041]     Moreover, advantageously, the oscillating axle  2  of said actuator  1  and the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4  are merged.  
         [0042]     Said actuator  1  may be in the form of a lever  1  whereof one end  12  is hinged to the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0043]     As illustrated on  FIG. 1  and on FIGS.  8  to  10 , said wheel  4  has a smooth edge  13 . The driving means  6  and locking means  8  co-operate with said edge  13  of the wheel  4 .  
         [0044]     The driving means are in the form of an eccentric  14  slaved to said lever  1  at its rotational axle by an axle  15 . Thus, the distance between the rotational axle of the driving eccentric  14  and the rotational axle  5  of said wheel remains constant.  
         [0045]     During the oscillating movement of the lever  1  around the rotational axle  5  of the wheel  4 , the driving eccentric  14 , driven by friction, will finally brace against said wheel  4 . Thus, said wheel  4  is driven by said lever  1 , via the driving eccentric  14 .  
         [0046]     When the lever  1  moves in the return direction, the driving eccentric  14  will revolve slightly around its rotational axle and will not brace against said wheel. It will then be able to slide freely along the edge  13  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0047]     Similarly, said locking means  8  are in the form of a locking eccentric  16  whereof the rotational axle, materialized by an axle  17 , remains at constant distance from the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0048]     The operating principle of the locking eccentric  16  is similar to that of the driving eccentric  14 . As it appears that the locking means  8  remain fixed relative to the box  9  when said locking eccentric  16  braces against the wheel  4 , it prevents the latter from rotating. It is this situation which takes place when the lever  1  moves into the return direction.  
         [0049]     Conversely, when the lever  1  moves into the driving direction  3 , said locking eccentric  16  undergoes slight rotation around its rotational axle and slides freely against the edge  13  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0050]     The operating cycle of the transmission device is therefore as follows: when the lever  1  moves into the driving direction  3 , the driving eccentric  14  braces against said wheel  4  whereas the locking eccentric  16  undergoes slight rotation to be ‘free-wheeled’ relative to said wheel  4 . Thus, the driving eccentric  14  may drive the wheel  4  into rotation, in the forward direction  7 .  
         [0051]     Then, when the lever  1  has reached the end of its travel, it moves into the return direction, to resume its initial position. In such a case, said driving eccentric  14  undergoes slight rotation to be ‘free-wheeled’ relative to said wheel  4  whereas said locking eccentric  16  braces against the edge  13  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0052]     The lever  1  may then resume freely its initial position whereas the locking means  8  prevent the wheel  4  from rotating in the reverse direction.  
         [0053]     Advantageously, said driving  14  and locking  16  eccentrics are in the form of truncated rollers, fitted with a flat surface. For better contact between said eccentrics  14 ,  16  and said wheel  4 , springs  18 ,  19  are provided, cooperating at least with said flat surface of said eccentrics  14 ,  16  to press said eccentrics against the edge  13  of said wheel  4 .  
         [0054]     Thus, said lever  1  is fitted with a toe  20  wherein a notch  21  is provided, housing said spring  18 . Said notch  21  enables to maintain and to guide said spring  18 . Said spring  18  acts on said flat surface of said driving eccentric  14  and thereby ensures constant contact between said driving eccentric  14  and said wheel  4 .  
         [0055]     As regards the locking means  8 , it is advantageous to provide a bent arm  22  whereof an end  23  co-operates with the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4 , and the other end  24  is interconnected with said box  9 . At the elbow of said bent arm  22 , there is a notch  25  housing said spring  19 , capable of co-operating with the flat surface of the locking eccentric  16 . Here again, said notch  25  enables to maintain and to guide said spring  19 .  
         [0056]     Thus, said locking means  8  remain positioned correctly relative to said wheel  4 .  
         [0057]     Advantageously, said driving  14  and locking  16  eccentrics show an eccentricity of a few tenth millimeters, notably 3/10 millimeters for a 6 mm diameter.  
         [0058]      FIG. 7  represents, exaggeratedly, on the one hand the rotational axle of said eccentrics  14 ,  16  materialized by the axles  15 ,  17  respectively, and on the other hand the center  50 ,  51  of the circle wherein said eccentric  14 ,  16  is inscribed. Eccentricity is defined as the distance between the rotational axle of the eccentric and the center of said circle.  
         [0059]     For each eccentric  14 ,  16  the contact point between said eccentric  14 ,  16  and the wheel and the rotational axle of said eccentric  14 ,  16  are considered. Both these points delineate a straight line, called contact generatrix  52 ,  53 , which forms an angle  54 ,  55  respectively with the straight line delineated by said contact point and the center  50 ,  51  of the circle wherein said eccentric  14 ,  16  is inscribed.  
         [0060]     When said eccentric  14 ,  16  is brought into rotation, the position of said center  50 ,  51  relative to said contact generatrix  52 ,  53  changes. The amplitude of the contact angle  54 ,  55  may hence vary when said eccentric  14 ,  16  braces against said wheel  4 , the contact angle  54 ,  55  has a minimal value, so-called pressure angle.  
         [0061]     Thanks to said springs  18 ,  19 , the contact between one said eccentric  14 ,  16  and said wheel  4  is held at any time and said contact angle  54 ,  55  remains constant. It is the direction of the loads exerted between said wheel  4  and said eccentrics  14 ,  16 , which determines whether said eccentric  14 ,  16  braces or rubs/slides against the wheel.  
         [0062]     As illustrated on  FIG. 1 , said lever  1  may be slaved to control means, via a dog  26 . The control means describe advantageously an alternating movement, in that the path followed by said control means, in space, remains the same from one operating cycle to the next.  
         [0063]     Advantageously, said dog  26  may be positioned alongside said lever  1 , at variable distance from the oscillating axle  2  of said lever  1  or from the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4 . This arrangement authorizes a variable transmission coefficient of the alternating movement of the control means to the transmission device according to the invention.  
         [0064]     Indeed, for a complete displacement cycle of the control means with constant amplitude, according to position of the dog  26  on the lever  1  n the oscillating angle of said lever around its oscillating axle  2 , will vary. In particular, the closer the dog  26  to said oscillating axle  2 , the greater the oscillating angle and the greater the corresponding rotational angle of said wheel  4 .  
         [0065]     The present application also concerns a transmission device for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional linear movement implementing a transmission device, as evoked previously for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional rotational movement and comprising moreover a pinion  27  co-operating with the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4  on the one hand, and engaging into a rack  28  on the other hand.  
         [0066]     Thus, when the lever  1  moves into the driving direction, it drives, thanks to the driving eccentric  14 , said wheel  4 . The latter drives said pinion, interconnected with the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4  and said pinion  27  engages into said rack  28 , which describes then a unidirectional linear movement.  
         [0067]     As the locking eccentric  16  prevent the wheel  4  from rotating in the reverse direction, the pinion  27  may not rotate in the reverse direction either. Thus, the rack  28  is itself locked in the direction corresponding to said reverse direction of said wheel  4 .  
         [0068]     Advantageously, declutching means are provide to release said pinion  27  with respect to the rotational axle  5  of said wheel  4  and to bring said rack  28  back to its initial position by driving it into the direction contrary to its normal displacement direction.  
         [0069]     Said pinion  27  is mounted on a shaft  31  whereof the end is fitted with a let-through orifice wherein a pin  32  is housed. Said pin  32  co-operates with a diametrical groove  30  of the end of the pinion  27 . Thus, when said pin  32  is engaged into said groove  30 , the rotation of the shaft  31  causes the pinion  27  to rotate.  
         [0070]     Besides, a tube  34  interconnected with the wheel  4  is provided by its rotational axle  5 . The length of the tube  34  is at least equal to one and a half times the diameter of the pin  32  placed at the end of the shaft  31  of the pinion  27 . The inside diameter of said tube  34  is equal to that of the shaft  31  of the pinion  27 , so that said tube  34  and said shaft  31  may co-operate.  
         [0071]     Moreover, the wall of said tube  34  is fitted with two longitudinal notches  35 , diametrically opposed, capable of co-operating with said pin  32 . Thus, when said wheel  4  is brought into rotation, it is capable of driving said shaft  31  into rotation via the pin  32 .  
         [0072]     To declutch said pinion  27  from said wheel  5 , a declutching spring  33  is placed at the bottom of said tube  34  so that in declutched position, said declutching spring presses onto said pin  32  so that it co-operates with said groove  30  of the pinion  27 . The length of the shaft  31  is provided sufficient so that said shaft  31  protrudes from said box  9 , at a declutching bolt  36 .  
         [0073]     By depressing said declutching bolt  36 , said shaft  31  and therefore said pin  32  are pushed back to order to release said pin from said groove  30  of the pinion  27 , and so that it does not co-operate with the pinion any longer. It is then possible to displace said rack  28  into the direction contrary to its normal displacement direction.  
         [0074]     It should be noted that a transmission device for transforming an oscillating movement into a linear or rotational unidirectional movement, according to the invention, is irreversible. Indeed, because of the presence of the locking means  8 , and given that the lever  1  may oscillate independently from the rotation of the wheel  4 , it is not possible to transform a unidirectional rotational movement imparted to said wheel  4  into an oscillating movement of the lever  1 .  
         [0075]     Besides independently from the position of the dog  26  on the lever  1 , complete oscillation of the lever  1 , i.e. a movement into the driving direction  3  followed by a movement in the return direction, ends with a rotation and possibly a translation, of constant amplitude with time. It is possible to adjust said amplitude by setting the position of the dog  26  via which said control means act.  
         [0076]     The present invention still concerns a device for distributing controlled doses of a liquid, pasty or viscous material, such as a finishing product, notably a sealing product, implementing a transmission device for transforming an oscillating movement into a unidirectional linear movement, said distribution device comprising moreover a tank  37  capable of containing said material, said rack  28  co-operating with means  39  to empty said tank  37  on a dose-to-dose basis.  
         [0077]     Such a device is illustrated on  FIG. 12 . On this figure, said tank  37  is in the form of a cartridge or of a syringe fitted with a distribution nozzle  40  and with a piston which constitute said means  39  to empty said tank  37 .  
         [0078]     As illustrated, when said rack  28  moves by a pitch corresponding to the amplitude selected, a predetermined dose of the finishing product may be distributed.  
         [0079]     As illustrated, the box  9  is fitted with a front cover  41  whereof the lower portion, wherein the rack  28  emerges, exhibits a substantially circular notch  42 .  
         [0080]     Moreover, said tank  37  is fitted at its end opposite the distribution nozzle  40 , with wings  43 . Said circular notch  42  is provided capable of receiving said wings  43  of the tank  37 . It therefore acts as means for holding said tank.  
         [0081]     Besides, this enables to change the used cartridge  37  very easily. Once a cartridge  37  emptied, it suffices to declutch the pinion  27  from the wheel  4  while depressing the declutching button  36 , to bring the rack back to its initial position, then to remove the empty cartridge  37  by sliding it outside the hold-on notch  42  before installing a new cartridge  37 .  
         [0082]     Advantageously, one may use such a device for dosing a finishing material in a device  44  for laying fastening elements, for example a riveting device. Such a device for laying fastening elements is described in the documents of the patent FT-01/07822 and FR-02/07322.  
         [0083]     These mechanisms exhibit notably a loading device  45  which brings from a fastening element, the ends of a means  46  for feeding fastening elements, to a means  47  for laying the fastening elements.  
         [0084]     When operating the laying device, the loading means  45  tip with constant amplitude around its tilting axle  48 .  
         [0085]     Advantageously, one will be able to fix a dosing device according to the invention to a fixed point with respect to the loading means  45  described briefly. Moreover, one will be able to slave said lever  1  to said loading device  45 , by means of a dog  26 . Thus, the tilting movement of the loading device may be transmitted to said lever  1 , thereby ensuring the operation of the dosing device.  
         [0086]     Besides, the purpose being to bring a controlled dose of a finishing material at the fastening means, there is provided between the nozzle  40  of the cartridge  37  and the means holding the loading means, a flexible hose wherein said liquid, pasty or viscous finishing material may flow.  
         [0087]     Naturally, other embodiments understandable to the man of the art cold have been contemplated without departing from the framework of the invention.