Expansible chamber devices – With inspection window in expansible chamber wall portion – With lock
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-14
2002-08-06
Lopez, F. Daniel (Department: 3745)
Expansible chamber devices
With inspection window in expansible chamber wall portion
With lock
Reexamination Certificate
active
06427576
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a display means for the optical display of a state of operation relevant for a drive device, such drive device having drive part adapted to move in a housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the fluid power drive art, as for example fluid power cylinders or other linear drives, there is Frequently the problem of detecting or finding the relative position between the drive part moved by the fluid force and the housing by the use of a sensor means. Such sensor means may for instance be in the form of a proximity switch as sold by the applicant with the type designation SME-8-K-LED-230. This sensor is provided with a display in the form of a light emitting diode, which indicates the state of switching because it turns on when the proximity switch is operated.
Such a display means suffers from the disadvantage that if the drive installed facing in the wrong direction where it is employed the display will not be readily visible or not visible at all. This means that visual inspection of the state of operation of the drive device will be less convenient.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention to provide a display means of the type initially mentioned, which facilitates monitoring at least one operational state relevant for a drive device, more especially in the case of applications involving difficulties in fitting.
In order to achieve this aim a display device is proposed which is equipped with a display element which is, or is able to be, mounted in a manner extending about at least 180 degrees of the periphery of the housing of the drive device on the housing and which in the position of use associated with the housing emits light while in its display state in a distributed manner over the associated periphery of the housing.
It is in this manner that visual monitoring of operational states of a drive device becomes possible even in situations in which fitting is awkward and in which the greater part of the housing's periphery is not visible. When it is displaying, that is to say when it is in an active state, the display element emits distributed light over the periphery, occupied by it, of the housing so that the light signal is readily perceived even when the housing is not facing in the best direction for inspection. Furthermore the optical recognition of relevant operational states is not dependent on the position of mounting of a sensor means which may be present for detection of the respective operational state. The display element may extend over at least 180 degrees of the periphery of the associated housing. It is however possible to provide a design in the form of a closed annulus or loop able to entail encircling the full periphery of a housing.
Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
It is an advantage if the display element is arranged in a receiving recess in the housing radially open to the outside. It is in this manner that it is possible, if necessary, to provide for protection against mechanical damage, such protection being optimum when the display element is completely let into such a receiving recess. It is possible in this case for the outer radial face of the display element to be generally flush with the adjacent outer faces of the housing. A certain outward convexity may be advantageous in order to render reliable reading of the display means possible even when looking in the axial direction. If it is a question of a display annulus it is best anchored in an annular recess.
More particularly when it is a question of a drive device in the form of an electrical and/or fluid power linear drive having at least one terminal cover and an adjoining tubular body containing the drive part, it is an advantage for the display element to be placed between these two components. In this respect the display element may be multi-functional and at the same time able to perform the function of a seal, which connects the two components together in a fluid-tight fashion. This means that it is normally unnecessary to adopt additional sealing measures.
It is convenient for the display element to have a body with at least partially and preferably completely light transmitting properties, it preferably consisting of plastic material. This display body may be provided with one or more light emitting means such as for instance light emitting diodes, which for example constitute punctuate sources of light, and owing to the respective light conducting properties of the display body such light shines outward with a distribution along the entire length thereof.
The display element is preferably provided with a suitable interface, via which supply of the signal causing the emission of light is possible. In this respect it can be a question of an electrical interface, by way of which the electrical actuating signals are supplied, such signals leading to the emission of light energy from integrated light emitting means. It would also be feasible to have a design employing optical interfaces, by way of which the signals, already in the in the form of light, could be fed to the display element.
In keeping with a convenient form of the invention the display element can be designed annularly and in the form of a display annulus, which in the position of use may extend over the full periphery of the associated housing. This means that taking a reading from the display is optimum. If the drive device is a linear drive in an elongated form, the display annulus is preferably installed coaxially to the housing so that readings may be taken reliably on each part of the outer periphery of the housing.
The annular shape of the display element may be designed taking into account the design features of the associated drive device. Accordingly not only circularly annular shapes but also for example oval or polygonal ones are possible.
In the following the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 37 04 469 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 89 09 155.8 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 0 824 196 (1998-02-01), None
Patent Abstract of Japan, Publication No. 02248708, Apr. 10, 1990.
Böck Jürgen
Hauber Frank
Langko Matthias
Orszulik Karl
Festo AG & Co.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Leslie Michael
Lopez F. Daniel
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