Machine element or mechanism – Mechanical movements – Rotary to or from reciprocating or oscillating
Patent
1985-10-11
1987-02-24
Braun, Leslie
Machine element or mechanism
Mechanical movements
Rotary to or from reciprocating or oscillating
74 70, 74435, 74665GA, 74812, F16H 2116, F16H 2516
Patent
active
046448098
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a drive mechanism for transmitting programmed bidirectional drive to two or more rotary actuators, and in particular to such a mechanism which is suitable for controlling a plurality of fluid flow control valves in sequence.
Various requirements exist for controlling a plurality of rotary valves in a predetermined sequence, for example in backwashing a filter, or regenerating a water softener or an ion exchange system. Hitherto in conventional automatically operated systems a complex valve structure has been required which is difficult and expensive to make, or alternatively several solenoid-operated valves have been necessary. A need, therefore, exists for an inexpensive but effective system for driving several fluid flow control valves in a desired sequence.
Other examples exist of a more general problem where it is required to operate several rotary elements in a predetermined sequence.
The present invention is defined in the appended claims to which reference should not be made.
The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view through one drive mechanism embodying the invention and employing a tooth drive;
FIG. 2 is a plan view taken on the line II--II in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematically shown detail in plan of a modified embodiment using a cam follower and cam track;
FIG. 4 is a schematically shown side sectional plan view of a further modification using a cam follower and cam track taken on the line IV--IV in FIG. 5;
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional plan view through the mechanism of FIG. 4 taken on the line V--V;
FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates the motor drive to the drive wheel of the modification of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 7 is a schematically shown detail in plan of another modified embodiment using a lever and pegs.
The drive mechanism 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed to transmit drive from an input shaft 12 which rotates in one direction only to a plurality of rotary actuators, which are in this instance the spindles 14 of conventional and readily available liquid flow control valves 16, such as might be found on the water inlet to a conventional domestic washing machine or similar appliance. The valves 16 are required to be opened and closed in a predetermined sequence. In the example illustrated there are six such valves and they are used to control the operation of a water softener or water conditioner which requires periodically a sequence of operations involving backwashing, brining, rinsing, and refilling etc.
The input shaft 12 rotates a spur gear 18 which engages teeth on the peripheral lip 20 of a rotatable disc 22, mounted for rotation by any suitable central support 24. The disc 22 and the spindles 14 all rotate about parallel axes. The disc 22 is moulded from a suitable plastics material. On the underside of the disc 22, as seen in FIG. 1, are two circular channels 30 of different radii. The spindles 14 of three of the valves 16 lie on the centre line of the inner channel and the spindles of the other three valves lie on the centre line of the outer channel, as seen in FIG. 2.
Each channel 30 is stepped as seen in section (FIG. 1) so that the lowermost one-third of the channel forms a relatively wide track 32, the uppermost third forms a relatively narrow track 34, and the middle third forms a track 36 of intermediate width. Each spindle 14 carries a spur gear, and the spur gears associated with each channel are of differing diameters so as to fit in the respective one of the tracks. Thus, in the inner channel, spur gear 38 fits in track 32, spur gear 40 fits in track 36, and spur gear 42 fits in track 34. It is thus seen that more than one output member can be associated with a given channel by providing a plurality of tracks on different radial planes within the channel. At the same time two output members are associated with a given radial plane by the provision of two channels at different radii.
Each track has tooth sections on its inner and outer faces at sel
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patent: 4572027 (1986-02-01), Lusk
Aquatech Marketing Limited
Braun Leslie
Diehl Dwight G.
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