Spring devices – Torsion
Patent
1997-11-19
2000-08-15
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Spring devices
Torsion
267277, 267285, 16305, 16307, F16F 114
Patent
active
061023817
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention concerns a rotary joint for at least two parts which are movable relative to each other, e.g. for end gates of vehicles.
The invention moreover concerns a device for storing energy in spring storages wherein a spatial work range is defined by a displacement path described upon compression of at least one spring of the spring storage.
BACKGROUND ART
Devices for storing energy in spring storages, wherein energy release and energy absorption of the spring storages are programmable in accordance with the displacement paths, are described for example in German Utility Model G 93 00 903.8 and in International Patent Application WO 94/17 271. Concurrently with a progressively developing technology it is been found that technical supplementations may be carried out to the devices described in these documents to make them available for further possible applications. A simple energy storage device making use of springs, wherein the spring can be immobilized in a loaded condition, is also described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,454.
The known energy storing spring joints of the prior art in particular present the drawback that freedom in predetermining the release of energy is still subject to restrictions. In particular it is not sufficiently made possible by the energy storage spring joints of the prior art to predetermine developments of forces along a displacement path virtually at will.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the present invention to furnish a rotary joint e.g. for end gates of vehicles, whereby predeterminable spring forces are developed.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention in that at each of the parts, at least one mounting member for mounting a stop range of a spring is arranged, with the spring biasing the parts relative to each other at least during part of the displacement.
It is another object of the present invention to avoid the use of larger-dimensioned springs where greater distances are to be covered.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention in that along the work range in the working direction at least two springs are arranged which, upon compression or relaxation, respectively, are impinged in temporal succession; that at least one stationary retaining element and one mobile runner are provided for impinging the spring; that a spring loaded at a first point of time is immobilized in such a way that during a further displacement of the runner no further force is exerted by this spring between runner and retaining element; and that reactivation of the immobilized springs is provided in temporal succession upon a reverse movement of the runner.
Finally it is also an object of the present invention to enable loading of the spring storage with a low expenditure of force.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention in that the springs arranged in the area of the spring storage may be arranged such as to act in parallel in the working direction at least upon release of the spring energy.
As a result of the variations in accordance with the invention, devices are furnished which are applicable for an expanded range of use. The rotary joint for the parts having relative mobility with respect to each other enables virtually any mechanical programming of acting forces which act either contrary to the displacement direction or in the direction of displacement. The activation points of the respective forces may be predetermined at will along the displacement path. When used in the field of end gates for vehicles, a multiplicity of hazards are precluded which presently occur when the hatches are opened manually. The invention is thus suited to considerably improve working safety.
The option of immobilized loaded springs along a displacement path moreover makes it possible to have a runner move along a long path relative to a stator without having to use springs of correspondingly large dimensions. It is, for example, possible to construct devices for transporting loads in such a way that energies a
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Oberleitner Robert J.
Williams Thomas J.
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