Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-02
2001-09-18
Trost, William (Department: 2683)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
C455S088000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292653
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a servo case used for radio-controlled models such as model airplanes.
2. The Prior Art
There is a general tendency these days towards the use of smaller models and/or for models that use thinner airfoil sections. Accordingly, there is a need for smaller, thinner and lighter components such as the receiver, receiver battery and servos. A servo normally consists of an electric motor, a reduction gear set that is adapted to a potentiometer, an amplifier, metal shafts and an injection molded housing with case screws.
In a servo having a weight of 10 grams, 40% of its weight comes from the case and the case screws, because the average thickness of the injection molded case normally ranges between 1.0 and 1.5 mm. Reducing the thickness of the case greatly increases the costs of manufacture, due to the increased cost of the injection mold. The thickness of the material not only affects the total weight of the case, but also affects the minimum thickness of the servo case itself. In a servo using components of 10 mm thickness, one must add 1.0 mm thickness on both sides of the components to account for the case, thus leading to a minimum case width of 12 mm.
In extreme models having servos, it has become common to eliminate parts or all of the servo case. However, this is very difficult and dangerous, as the open construction does not allow for a proper fixation of the gear shafts and may cause problems if dirt goes between the gears and blocks them from operating. In addition, wires may become dislodged from the motor, amplifier or potentiometer. These disadvantages make it clear that a servo case is necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the servo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a servo case that is as flat and compact as possible so that it can be used in even the thinnest airfoil sections.
It is another object of the invention to provide a servo case that is very light yet has sufficient stiffness.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a servo case that is inexpensive to manufacture.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a servo case that allows the use of the largest possible components, since the size of the components directly affects technical performance. Traditionally, smaller and flatter cases require the use of smaller components. However, a smaller motor provides an inferior performance, and a smaller potentiometer has limited reliability. In addition, reduced diameter of gears gives a reduced gear ratio, which directly limits the torque of a servo.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a servo case having recesses like small windows that accommodate the largest components of the servo, yet allow for a smaller flatter case to be used. This way, the largest components of the servo, i.e., the motor, potentiometer and gears, can extend to the same level as the outer perimeter of the housing. This way, components can be used that have the same measurement as the total case width. Accordingly, components that were traditionally used in a 13 mm servo can now be accommodated in a 10 mm servo. This means that a servo built according to the invention can be built extremely flat and thin, yet very powerful.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3784174 (1974-01-01), Tarnofsky
patent: 4480401 (1984-11-01), Matsushiro
patent: 4616164 (1986-10-01), Kenny et al.
patent: 4879437 (1989-11-01), Dard et al.
patent: 4914368 (1990-04-01), Orton
patent: 5214364 (1993-05-01), Perdue et al.
patent: 5522575 (1996-06-01), Volz
patent: 5638053 (1997-06-01), Schuman
Collard & Roe, PC.
Tran Congvan
Trost William
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