Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-24
2004-05-11
Joyce, William C. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
C074S490090, C074S089220
Reexamination Certificate
active
06732609
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a moving device which moves a movable member in two directions perpendicular to each other, and a displacing device which causes a displaceable member to do a displacement including two or more components.
2. Related Art Statement
There is known a moving apparatus which includes a base member; two drive sources; a drive-force transmitting device which transmits respective drive forces of the two drive sources to two movable members each of which is movable relative to the base member; and a movement control device which controls the two drive sources and thereby controls the movement of each of the two movable members. The two movable members includes a first movable member which is movable relative to the base member in a first direction; and a second movable member which is movable relative to the first movable member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The two drive sources includes a first drive source which is provided on the base member and which moves the first movable member in the first direction; and a second drive source which is provided on the first movable member and which moves the second movable member in the second direction. The drive-force transmitting device includes, in many cases, two ball-screw devices which are provided for the first and second drive sources, respectively. The movement control device controls the movement of the first movable member by controlling the first drive source, and controls the movement of the second movable member by controlling the second drive source, so that the second movable member is moved relative to the base member in the first direction, the second direction, or a direction inclined relative to the first and second directions.
However, since the prior moving apparatus employs the second drive source which is provided on the first movable member, cables or hoses for supplying the second drive source with energy in the form of electric current or pressurized fluid trail the first movable member, as the first movable member is moved. Thus, the prior moving apparatus cannot enjoy high durability or ease of use. In addition, since the ball-screw devices cost high, the prior apparatus also costs high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a displacing device which has one or more of the technical features that are described below in respective paragraphs given parenthesized sequential numbers (1) to (24). Any technical feature that includes another technical feature shall do so by referring, at the beginning, to the parenthesized sequential number given to that technical feature. Thus, two or more of the following features may be combined, if appropriate. Each feature may be accompanied by a supplemental explanation, as needed. However, the following features and the appropriate combinations thereof are just examples to which the present invention is by no means limited. In addition, in the case where a certain technical feature includes a plurality of items, it is not always necessary to employ those items altogether, but it is possible to employ only one item of those items.
(1) According to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displacing at least two displaceable members, comprising a first member; the at least two displaceable members comprising a second member which is supported by the first member such that the second member is displaceable relative to the first member, and a third member which is supported by the second member such that the third member is displaceable relative to the second member; at least two drive sources including a first drive source and a second drive source which have respective output members and each of which is not movable relative to the first member; a mechanically motion-transmitting device which is connected to the respective output members of the first and second drive sources and to the second and third members and which mechanically transmits respective motions of the respective output members to the second and third members while allowing the second and third members to be displaced relative to each other; and a displacement control device which is connected to the first and second drive sources and which controls the first and second drive sources and thereby controls the displacement of each of the second and third members relative to the first member. The first member may be a stationary member, or alternatively a movable member which is sufficiently slowly moved in a horizontal direction. More specifically described, the first member may be supported by a stationary member which is stationary or immovable, such that the first member is movable relative to the stationary member, the drive sources may be provided on the first member, and an energy supplying source which supplies energy to the drive sources, and/or a signal transmitting device which transmits signals supplied from a control device, to the drive sources, may be provided on the stationary member. If the first member is moved sufficiently slowly, cables and/or hoses of the energy supplying source and/or the signal transmitting device can trail the first member without raising any problems. The second and third members may be commonly displaced by the first and second drive sources, or alternatively one of the second and third members may be displaced by one of the first and second drive sources and the other member may be displaced by both the first and second drive sources. In the present displacing apparatus, the third member can be displaced relative to the second member, even if no drive sources are provided on the second member. Therefore, the present apparatus is free from the problem that when the second member is moved, cables and/or hoses for supplying energy to drive sources which are provided on the second member trails the second member. In addition, the present apparatus can be used without being disturbed by the cables and/or the hoses. Thus, the present apparatus can enjoy high durability and ease of use.
(2) According to a second feature of the present invention that includes the first feature (1), the first member comprises a base member which is not movable, the second member comprises a first movable member which is movable relative to the base member in a first direction, the third member comprises a second movable member which is movable relative to the first movable member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the mechanically motion-transmitting device comprises two drive wheels which are provided, on the base member, at respective positions distant from each other in at least the second direction, and which are connected to, and are rotated by, the first and second drive sources, respectively; two base-member-side driven wheels which are supported by the base member such that the two base-member-side driven wheels correspond to the two drive wheels, respectively; at least one movable-member-side driven wheel which is supported by the first movable member; a wound-on member which is wound on the drive wheels, the base-member-side driven wheels, and the movable-member-side driven wheel, so that a plurality of portions of the wound-on member extend parallel to each other in the first direction, and which moves, when the drive wheels are rotated by the drive sources, the first movable member in the first direction; and an associating device which associates the wound-on member with the second movable member so that the second movable member is moved in the second direction. The present displacing apparatus can be called as a moving apparatus. In the present moving apparatus, the two drive sources are associated with the base member, which supports the two drive wheels which are rotated by the two drive sources, respectively, and the two base-member-side driven wheels which corresponds to the two drive wheels, respectively. The two drive wheels are provided at respective positions which are distant from each othe
Amano Kazuo
Asai Koichi
JianMing Ye
Mori Kazuaki
Muto Yasuo
Fuji Machine Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Joyce William C.
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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