CA2199963A1 - Torque transfer device - Google Patents
Torque transfer deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2199963A1 CA2199963A1 CA002199963A CA2199963A CA2199963A1 CA 2199963 A1 CA2199963 A1 CA 2199963A1 CA 002199963 A CA002199963 A CA 002199963A CA 2199963 A CA2199963 A CA 2199963A CA 2199963 A1 CA2199963 A1 CA 2199963A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- links
- drive
- transfer device
- torque transfer
- gears
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
- B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
- B25B13/481—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating in areas having limited access
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B17/00—Hand-driven gear-operated wrenches or screwdrivers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Gear Transmission (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A torque transfer device allows torque to be input at one point of the device and transferred to another point of the device at which the power or torque can be taken from the device. The device incorporates a direct drive means comprised of a plurality of links (2, 4) having an arcuate shape of constant radius which form a continuous loop, with alternating links (2) having an orifice (6). The direct drive means drives gears (23, 24) which have teeth (10) which protrude into said orifice (6).
Description
WO 96/08341 ~ 9 ~ ~ PCT/US9S~11941 TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for 1- dl ,~r. i"g torque by continuous loop direct drive means which Ll a~ r~ torque from a first drive gear to a seco, Id drive gear, and is particularly directed to a device for the L, dl ,~fer of relatively high torque within a co-,rined space, or where the device is enclosed in a relatively small 5 housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many devices which L,ar,s~er torque or (uLaLional velocity from 10 one point to another. Chains, belts and similar direct drive means lldn~r~;r roLdlio"al movement from one gear or pulley or similar drive means to a second or subsequent gear or pulley or similar driven means.
In some a~ lic~l;o,1s, it is desi,c,ble to L,d"srer relatively high torque from one point to anuLl,er point or from one device to a"uLl,er device. In such 1~ arr'~ sns, space limitations may be a factor. The relativeJy high torque to be Ll dl l~r~l ed may preclude the use of torque L, a"s~er devices which cannot handle heavy duty loads while space dûes not permit the use of large devices.
An example of such space lil "iL~Liûns are torque L, c"~er devices which are placed within e"closures. Examples of devices which L~ dl ,sr~r relatively high torque 2û are tools which are used to tighten f;~sLe"er~ by the ~" c~tion of torque. Engines and ",oLor~ use torque Lldnsrt:r devices both o,~erdLionally such as calllsl drives, and as power take off devices, such as chain drives on " ,otor-;ycles. High torque and limited space is a factor in such devices.
~ Various wrenches, e,~L~"sions raLcl1eL~, ada,uters and power L, dl ,~r~r tools 25 and devices are ~iscloserl in the prior art. Similarly, camshafts and similar devices are driven by the ~rplication of relatively high torque where space for the WO96/08341 ~ 9 9 6 ~ PCT~S95111940 ..
~pplic~l;on of the drive means is limited Problems are encountered with such devices where the devices are enclosed in relatively small housings, or are otherwise required to be relatively co",,l~aL:~ in comparison to the torque to be L,dr,srer,ed. Co"l,llo,l problems experienced with the devices of the prior art 5 include friction and wear between the housing of the device and the drive means, in~e~ te sLlenyLll of the drive means or gears, and inadequate or illl,uroper ell~agelllellL of the drive means and the gears due to space lillliLdLiullS.
SUMMARY OFTHEPRESENTINVENTION
The present invention is a device which L, Cl l~r~r~ torque from one point to a seco, Id remote point of the device. A drive means or drive tool inputs torqueinto the device at a first point, and the roLdLional movement, and torque, is taken, 15 or harvested, from the second rell,oLe point. Typically, the Llc"~rer of the ,uLaLio,I
by the tool will be along a path of travel which is not on the same axis as the ruLdLiu,, of the drive tool.
The invention incorporates a direct drive means which connects a first drive gear to a second drive gear. The first gear rotates as torque is a~u,ulied to the first 20 gear, and as the direct drive means is el ~yayed by the first gear, the direct drive means engages the second drive gear, causing it to rotate.
The direct drive means is COI I IIJI ised of a pluralitv of links contlecLed to form a continuous loop. Each link has an arcuate shape of con~LanL dia"lt:Ler which cor,es~Jonds to the outer circumrerence of the drive gears. The links are joined25 end to end and pivot relative to each other. Each alL~rl ~dLin~J link has an orifice which receives a tooth of the drive gear as the link rotates through the gears.
The use of links having an arcuate shape of co,lsLa"L diallleLer c~uses the links to form a ,IJol Lion of a circle as the links rotate through the gears. This partially circular shape corresponds to the circull,r~-e"ce of the drive gears, and e~L~u ds 30 from the circu~tellce of the drive gears. Particularly when the device is used in WO g6/08341 21 9 ~ g ~ 3 P~/US95J11940 limited space, such as in a housing, the arcuate shape of the links allows the device to fit within the limited space. Further, the use of links having an arcuate top surface, with some links having a smooth top suRace, results in minimal frictionand wear if the direct drive means conLa~;, the housing. Other features of the 5 invention are ~ .arenl from the draw;r,y~ and the descf~ LiGns herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 is a frontal view of a drive gear.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a section of direct drive means showing l I IcLin9 links, with an arrow indicating the inse, Lion of a pivot pin to jointhe links.
Figure 3 is a side view of the section of direct drive means of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of a drive gear of Fig. 4, partially se~iliulled to the teeth of the drive gear.
Figure 6 shows the drive means as it rotates through the drive gear, with arrows indicating the direction of rol~lion.
Figure 6 is another view of the device as shown in Fig. ~.
Figure 7 is a view of the device positioned within a housing.
Figure 8 is a side view of the housing of Fig. 7 partially sectioned to show the direct drive means.
Figure 9 is a partial view of the housing showing a drive gear posi~iolled within the gear housing.
Figure 10 is another view of the device shown in Fig. 9.
wo 96108341 ~ 1 9 ~ 9 6 3 PCTIUS95111940 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is characterized by a direct drive means which is r driven by a first drive gear, or pulley, or similar roLdLiu,,al device, which, in turn, 5drives a second drive gear, a pulley, or a similar roLaLional device. The direct drive means then Ll ~"~rer~ torque from a first ruLd~ y member to a second, or perhapssl Ihsegl lent, roLaLi"g " ,el, Iber.
Rer~,, i, ,g now to the drawing figures, Figure 2 shows a sectio" of the direct drive means. Each alLer"~Ling Iink 2 of the direct drive means has an orifice 6 10therein which ,~ceives a tooth 10 of a drive gear 8 as the direct drive means rotates through the drive gear. Each remaining link 4 has a smooth and closed top surface 12.
The continuous direct drive means is formed by a series of allen~aling links 2 which are connected to one of each of the re",ai"i. ,g links 4 at each end, until 15a continuous loop of the required length is for",ec~. The links are pivotally conlle~ted, so that the links pivot relative to each other. As shown in Figure 2, each alLer"ali"g link has two arms 14 exLendiny from each end of the link. Each re",ain;.,~ link has a protrusion 16 extending from each end of the link. The protrusion is inserted ~eL~rccn the two arms, and the links are joined in a pivotal rasl~io" by a connecting member which ailows the pivoting or limited roLaLiul, of the links relative to each other. The conne~ti,lg member may be a pin 18 which is i"sel led through the two arms and the protrusion to join the links. The pin maybe fixed in the two arms of the aller, l~ling link, with the remai"i"y link allowed to rotate about the pin.
Each of the links has an arcuate shape of con~lc"l radius as shown in Figure 3. Each of the links has the same radius, and is of app, c,xi" Idl~,ly the same length and width. The links have a bullul " surface 20 of co n~l~l ll radius and a top surface 22 of co":.lanl radius, which makes up the yenerally arcuate shape of the links. For the purpose of this ~lisclosl~re~ the bulluril surface of the link is defined 21~963 .
as the suRace of the link which a~oi"s the drive gear, while the top surFace of the link is o~J~osiLe the drive gear. When the links are viewed from the side, as in F1g.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for 1- dl ,~r. i"g torque by continuous loop direct drive means which Ll a~ r~ torque from a first drive gear to a seco, Id drive gear, and is particularly directed to a device for the L, dl ,~fer of relatively high torque within a co-,rined space, or where the device is enclosed in a relatively small 5 housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many devices which L,ar,s~er torque or (uLaLional velocity from 10 one point to another. Chains, belts and similar direct drive means lldn~r~;r roLdlio"al movement from one gear or pulley or similar drive means to a second or subsequent gear or pulley or similar driven means.
In some a~ lic~l;o,1s, it is desi,c,ble to L,d"srer relatively high torque from one point to anuLl,er point or from one device to a"uLl,er device. In such 1~ arr'~ sns, space limitations may be a factor. The relativeJy high torque to be Ll dl l~r~l ed may preclude the use of torque L, a"s~er devices which cannot handle heavy duty loads while space dûes not permit the use of large devices.
An example of such space lil "iL~Liûns are torque L, c"~er devices which are placed within e"closures. Examples of devices which L~ dl ,sr~r relatively high torque 2û are tools which are used to tighten f;~sLe"er~ by the ~" c~tion of torque. Engines and ",oLor~ use torque Lldnsrt:r devices both o,~erdLionally such as calllsl drives, and as power take off devices, such as chain drives on " ,otor-;ycles. High torque and limited space is a factor in such devices.
~ Various wrenches, e,~L~"sions raLcl1eL~, ada,uters and power L, dl ,~r~r tools 25 and devices are ~iscloserl in the prior art. Similarly, camshafts and similar devices are driven by the ~rplication of relatively high torque where space for the WO96/08341 ~ 9 9 6 ~ PCT~S95111940 ..
~pplic~l;on of the drive means is limited Problems are encountered with such devices where the devices are enclosed in relatively small housings, or are otherwise required to be relatively co",,l~aL:~ in comparison to the torque to be L,dr,srer,ed. Co"l,llo,l problems experienced with the devices of the prior art 5 include friction and wear between the housing of the device and the drive means, in~e~ te sLlenyLll of the drive means or gears, and inadequate or illl,uroper ell~agelllellL of the drive means and the gears due to space lillliLdLiullS.
SUMMARY OFTHEPRESENTINVENTION
The present invention is a device which L, Cl l~r~r~ torque from one point to a seco, Id remote point of the device. A drive means or drive tool inputs torqueinto the device at a first point, and the roLdLional movement, and torque, is taken, 15 or harvested, from the second rell,oLe point. Typically, the Llc"~rer of the ,uLaLio,I
by the tool will be along a path of travel which is not on the same axis as the ruLdLiu,, of the drive tool.
The invention incorporates a direct drive means which connects a first drive gear to a second drive gear. The first gear rotates as torque is a~u,ulied to the first 20 gear, and as the direct drive means is el ~yayed by the first gear, the direct drive means engages the second drive gear, causing it to rotate.
The direct drive means is COI I IIJI ised of a pluralitv of links contlecLed to form a continuous loop. Each link has an arcuate shape of con~LanL dia"lt:Ler which cor,es~Jonds to the outer circumrerence of the drive gears. The links are joined25 end to end and pivot relative to each other. Each alL~rl ~dLin~J link has an orifice which receives a tooth of the drive gear as the link rotates through the gears.
The use of links having an arcuate shape of co,lsLa"L diallleLer c~uses the links to form a ,IJol Lion of a circle as the links rotate through the gears. This partially circular shape corresponds to the circull,r~-e"ce of the drive gears, and e~L~u ds 30 from the circu~tellce of the drive gears. Particularly when the device is used in WO g6/08341 21 9 ~ g ~ 3 P~/US95J11940 limited space, such as in a housing, the arcuate shape of the links allows the device to fit within the limited space. Further, the use of links having an arcuate top surface, with some links having a smooth top suRace, results in minimal frictionand wear if the direct drive means conLa~;, the housing. Other features of the 5 invention are ~ .arenl from the draw;r,y~ and the descf~ LiGns herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 is a frontal view of a drive gear.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a section of direct drive means showing l I IcLin9 links, with an arrow indicating the inse, Lion of a pivot pin to jointhe links.
Figure 3 is a side view of the section of direct drive means of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of a drive gear of Fig. 4, partially se~iliulled to the teeth of the drive gear.
Figure 6 shows the drive means as it rotates through the drive gear, with arrows indicating the direction of rol~lion.
Figure 6 is another view of the device as shown in Fig. ~.
Figure 7 is a view of the device positioned within a housing.
Figure 8 is a side view of the housing of Fig. 7 partially sectioned to show the direct drive means.
Figure 9 is a partial view of the housing showing a drive gear posi~iolled within the gear housing.
Figure 10 is another view of the device shown in Fig. 9.
wo 96108341 ~ 1 9 ~ 9 6 3 PCTIUS95111940 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is characterized by a direct drive means which is r driven by a first drive gear, or pulley, or similar roLdLiu,,al device, which, in turn, 5drives a second drive gear, a pulley, or a similar roLaLional device. The direct drive means then Ll ~"~rer~ torque from a first ruLd~ y member to a second, or perhapssl Ihsegl lent, roLaLi"g " ,el, Iber.
Rer~,, i, ,g now to the drawing figures, Figure 2 shows a sectio" of the direct drive means. Each alLer"~Ling Iink 2 of the direct drive means has an orifice 6 10therein which ,~ceives a tooth 10 of a drive gear 8 as the direct drive means rotates through the drive gear. Each remaining link 4 has a smooth and closed top surface 12.
The continuous direct drive means is formed by a series of allen~aling links 2 which are connected to one of each of the re",ai"i. ,g links 4 at each end, until 15a continuous loop of the required length is for",ec~. The links are pivotally conlle~ted, so that the links pivot relative to each other. As shown in Figure 2, each alLer"ali"g link has two arms 14 exLendiny from each end of the link. Each re",ain;.,~ link has a protrusion 16 extending from each end of the link. The protrusion is inserted ~eL~rccn the two arms, and the links are joined in a pivotal rasl~io" by a connecting member which ailows the pivoting or limited roLaLiul, of the links relative to each other. The conne~ti,lg member may be a pin 18 which is i"sel led through the two arms and the protrusion to join the links. The pin maybe fixed in the two arms of the aller, l~ling link, with the remai"i"y link allowed to rotate about the pin.
Each of the links has an arcuate shape of con~lc"l radius as shown in Figure 3. Each of the links has the same radius, and is of app, c,xi" Idl~,ly the same length and width. The links have a bullul " surface 20 of co n~l~l ll radius and a top surface 22 of co":.lanl radius, which makes up the yenerally arcuate shape of the links. For the purpose of this ~lisclosl~re~ the bulluril surface of the link is defined 21~963 .
as the suRace of the link which a~oi"s the drive gear, while the top surFace of the link is o~J~osiLe the drive gear. When the links are viewed from the side, as in F1g.
3, the top surFace and bottom surface have a concentric, arcuate shape, which may be rounded as the ends of the links are formed.
The links are pivotally joined end ~o end to form a continuous loop. The end of the link is defined as the part of the link which is attached to or joins with the next, or ad5~,ini"y, link. The continuous loop direct drive means rotates through a first drive gear and a second drive gear. A drive gear 8 is shown in Figure 4.The drive gear has an outer circu""~re"ce 26. This outer circu",~re,~ce is of a radius which is ye"erally the same as the radius of the bottom surface 20 of thelinks. The outer circu""e,~nce forms a circle. A plurality of teeth 10 e,~L~nds radially from the drive gear, and more speci~ically, from the surface which forms the outer circulll~ere"ce of the drive gear. The drive gear may have ~I~"yes 30 on one or both sides of the drive gear.
Typically, the drive gears will have a void 32 in the center which provides a means by which the drive gear may be driven, and power may be taken from the drive gear. The void may be provided in the drive gear for insertion of a drive means to drive the drive gear, and a void may be provided on the r~",~ i"g drivegear for i"se, Liul, of a driven means, or power takeoff means.
Co"""o"ly, the ,~Jr~sellL invention will be used with hand tools or power tools. Hand tools and power tools in use commonly use six point, or hexagonal, engaye~ "ent means, or twelve point el ~yagel "enL means. Accwdi, Iyly, the device as shown has three teeth exLendi"g from the drive gears 8,24. The teeth cones~Jund to the flat spot in the void of the gear. Since each alL~InaLilly link of the device has an orifice for receiving the teeth, the sum of the arc which forms the buLlo", surface of six links joined Log~LI ,er will equal the outer circu"~rere"ce of the drive gear. Stated otherwise, each link has a length along the arc which forms the bottom surface which is approximately one sixth the outer circL"~ rence of the drive gear. The length is approximate since the links are joined end to end, and ~1~9~
the buLLoi,, surface of the individual links may actually be somewhat longer than one sixth of the outer circu",rerence of the drive gear.
In use, a gear is rotated by ap~lic~l;on of torque from another roLaLi"y device, or drive means. The roL~Ling device could be any known tool, including 5 a w,encl1, ratchet, screwdriver, or a power tool, a motor, or a t,d"sr"issio,l, or other device which will apply a rolaLional force to the gear. The rc,L&Lio,- of the direct drive means by the first gear 23 causes rotation of the second gear 24. In this " ,a"ner, torque is Ll dl ,:,ren ed to the second gear. Power take off means may be supplied, and arp' c~tion means, such as a tool, a generator, a pump, or other 10 device which is ~ ted by the applicaLion of torque could be used. For the purpose of increasing or dec, easil lg torque, or incr~asil ~y or decreasing rc.L~Lional speed, gears of different effective diameters could be employed, if space permits.
As shown in Fig. 5, the direct drive means rotates through the gear, either driving, or being driven by, the gear. Each of the alLel, la~ links engages one of the teeth of the drive gear as the direct drive means rotates through the gear. The bottom arcuate surface of the links contact the outer circl-" ,rere"ce of the drive gear. The bottom arcuate surface of the links is approximaLely the same radius as the radius of the surFace of outer circ- ~ "rere"ce of the drive gear. The direct drive means engages the gear and enters the gear between the na"yes of the gear, if 20 flanges are used. Further, the for",dlion of the partially circular shape within the gears by the links, which is an exL~ :"sio" of the radius of the gear, means that the presence of the links within the gears sl,enyll,ens the gears and the device. This feature is important since the ~.rese"ce of the void 32 weakens the gear. Very little " ,aL~rial may be present between the void and the outer circ~l "r~re"ce of the gear 25 where hexagonal drives are used.
The device may be placed within a housing 36. The housing may be ~lar,gaLed. A longitudinally and cenLIdlly disposed wall 38 may be placed withinthe housing, if used, to separate the portions the drive means moving in opposite directions as the gears rotate. The wall may have a lubricant or low r,i~iLio"al WO 96/08341 2 1 9 9 g 6 ~ US9~/11940 quality, by the use of a rllaLerial such as teflon at the point of c~ ;L of the drive means with the wall. The arcuate shape of the top surface of the links f~ es theroLdliufl of the device within the housing which will usually have an enla, ~ed gear housing of co,ls1t",L radius on each end, as shown in Fig. 7.
The tolera"ces of the direct drive means are critical. Due to the large number of links, small devidLions add up. An adju~L"~e"L means 40 may be in~ e~ The adju~L,.~"L means allows one or both of the gears to be pushed toward either end of the device to take up slack in the direct drive means as needed. The adju~l" ,e, IL means may be connected to or extend from the wall 38.1û The adjusl",enL means may be secured as desired by a locking screw or other locking means. A slot may be provided for the locking means to provide for adju~ nL of the adjustment means.
The housing may be arcuate. An object of the ~rese"l invention is to provide a device which will lra~,:,rer torque to a point where there is difflculty in po~ilio"ing a drive. The use of various shapes including straight lines and arcs for the housing furthers this object of the invention.
A primary goal of the ~JresenL invention is to provide a torque Lransrer device which may be used in ~rplic~lior,s where a great amount of torque is to be Il ~"sr~., ed, but oper~ u~ ,al space is limited. Accordingly, the configuration of the 2û direct drive means is critical to the invention and the use of the arcuate sl ,a,ued individual links of collsLc,,L radius accol"plisl,es a goal of the invention. The arcuate shaped links form a ~,a, Liz-l'y circular shape as they rotate through the gears, Ll ,ereby " ,; ,i" ,i~i"g the space occupied when co" ,~Jare~ to other possible configu,~aLiol,s. The arcuate top surfaces of the links have no e,~Lt:nsions or 2~ protrusions, and the shape of the top surface ",i"i",i~es friction in the event of contact of the links with a housing or other env;ro"",e"L in which the device isused. While the device is very space erric,e"L, the structure of the links provides a direct drive means which is extremely strong and c~r~l~'E of carrving high torque loads, with minimal loss of energy due to friction.
WO 96tO8341 PCT/US95/11940 ~1~9~3 ~
The best mode of using the device is as e~le"sio" for tools. A drive, such as the drive of a ratchet or air wrench is inserted into the first drive gear 23. The direct drive means t, ~,-srer:i torque to the second drive gear 24, and a socket or other tool can be used to li~hL~I ~ or loosen a threaded fastener at a loc~tion which 5 is remoL~ from the w. ~, Ich. The device is particularly suited to such an application since tools for torquing threaded fasteners must be able to handle high torque, while the space in which such tools are used is frequently limited, meaning that the tool must be as small as possib!Q. Other uses for the device are a,u~,are, IL from the . ~ ,iQslJre of the device herein.
It is not ! ,ecess~. y that the drive gears rotate within the same plane. The applicalioll of torque may be directed to position the device to rotate on a plane which is perpendicular to, or otherwise dirrert:nl than, the plane within which the first gear rotates. One or more idler gears could be used to facilitate such .li, e.,Lional ul ,ar,!Je.
The links are pivotally joined end ~o end to form a continuous loop. The end of the link is defined as the part of the link which is attached to or joins with the next, or ad5~,ini"y, link. The continuous loop direct drive means rotates through a first drive gear and a second drive gear. A drive gear 8 is shown in Figure 4.The drive gear has an outer circu""~re"ce 26. This outer circu",~re,~ce is of a radius which is ye"erally the same as the radius of the bottom surface 20 of thelinks. The outer circu""e,~nce forms a circle. A plurality of teeth 10 e,~L~nds radially from the drive gear, and more speci~ically, from the surface which forms the outer circulll~ere"ce of the drive gear. The drive gear may have ~I~"yes 30 on one or both sides of the drive gear.
Typically, the drive gears will have a void 32 in the center which provides a means by which the drive gear may be driven, and power may be taken from the drive gear. The void may be provided in the drive gear for insertion of a drive means to drive the drive gear, and a void may be provided on the r~",~ i"g drivegear for i"se, Liul, of a driven means, or power takeoff means.
Co"""o"ly, the ,~Jr~sellL invention will be used with hand tools or power tools. Hand tools and power tools in use commonly use six point, or hexagonal, engaye~ "ent means, or twelve point el ~yagel "enL means. Accwdi, Iyly, the device as shown has three teeth exLendi"g from the drive gears 8,24. The teeth cones~Jund to the flat spot in the void of the gear. Since each alL~InaLilly link of the device has an orifice for receiving the teeth, the sum of the arc which forms the buLlo", surface of six links joined Log~LI ,er will equal the outer circu"~rere"ce of the drive gear. Stated otherwise, each link has a length along the arc which forms the bottom surface which is approximately one sixth the outer circL"~ rence of the drive gear. The length is approximate since the links are joined end to end, and ~1~9~
the buLLoi,, surface of the individual links may actually be somewhat longer than one sixth of the outer circu",rerence of the drive gear.
In use, a gear is rotated by ap~lic~l;on of torque from another roLaLi"y device, or drive means. The roL~Ling device could be any known tool, including 5 a w,encl1, ratchet, screwdriver, or a power tool, a motor, or a t,d"sr"issio,l, or other device which will apply a rolaLional force to the gear. The rc,L&Lio,- of the direct drive means by the first gear 23 causes rotation of the second gear 24. In this " ,a"ner, torque is Ll dl ,:,ren ed to the second gear. Power take off means may be supplied, and arp' c~tion means, such as a tool, a generator, a pump, or other 10 device which is ~ ted by the applicaLion of torque could be used. For the purpose of increasing or dec, easil lg torque, or incr~asil ~y or decreasing rc.L~Lional speed, gears of different effective diameters could be employed, if space permits.
As shown in Fig. 5, the direct drive means rotates through the gear, either driving, or being driven by, the gear. Each of the alLel, la~ links engages one of the teeth of the drive gear as the direct drive means rotates through the gear. The bottom arcuate surface of the links contact the outer circl-" ,rere"ce of the drive gear. The bottom arcuate surface of the links is approximaLely the same radius as the radius of the surFace of outer circ- ~ "rere"ce of the drive gear. The direct drive means engages the gear and enters the gear between the na"yes of the gear, if 20 flanges are used. Further, the for",dlion of the partially circular shape within the gears by the links, which is an exL~ :"sio" of the radius of the gear, means that the presence of the links within the gears sl,enyll,ens the gears and the device. This feature is important since the ~.rese"ce of the void 32 weakens the gear. Very little " ,aL~rial may be present between the void and the outer circ~l "r~re"ce of the gear 25 where hexagonal drives are used.
The device may be placed within a housing 36. The housing may be ~lar,gaLed. A longitudinally and cenLIdlly disposed wall 38 may be placed withinthe housing, if used, to separate the portions the drive means moving in opposite directions as the gears rotate. The wall may have a lubricant or low r,i~iLio"al WO 96/08341 2 1 9 9 g 6 ~ US9~/11940 quality, by the use of a rllaLerial such as teflon at the point of c~ ;L of the drive means with the wall. The arcuate shape of the top surface of the links f~ es theroLdliufl of the device within the housing which will usually have an enla, ~ed gear housing of co,ls1t",L radius on each end, as shown in Fig. 7.
The tolera"ces of the direct drive means are critical. Due to the large number of links, small devidLions add up. An adju~L"~e"L means 40 may be in~ e~ The adju~L,.~"L means allows one or both of the gears to be pushed toward either end of the device to take up slack in the direct drive means as needed. The adju~l" ,e, IL means may be connected to or extend from the wall 38.1û The adjusl",enL means may be secured as desired by a locking screw or other locking means. A slot may be provided for the locking means to provide for adju~ nL of the adjustment means.
The housing may be arcuate. An object of the ~rese"l invention is to provide a device which will lra~,:,rer torque to a point where there is difflculty in po~ilio"ing a drive. The use of various shapes including straight lines and arcs for the housing furthers this object of the invention.
A primary goal of the ~JresenL invention is to provide a torque Lransrer device which may be used in ~rplic~lior,s where a great amount of torque is to be Il ~"sr~., ed, but oper~ u~ ,al space is limited. Accordingly, the configuration of the 2û direct drive means is critical to the invention and the use of the arcuate sl ,a,ued individual links of collsLc,,L radius accol"plisl,es a goal of the invention. The arcuate shaped links form a ~,a, Liz-l'y circular shape as they rotate through the gears, Ll ,ereby " ,; ,i" ,i~i"g the space occupied when co" ,~Jare~ to other possible configu,~aLiol,s. The arcuate top surfaces of the links have no e,~Lt:nsions or 2~ protrusions, and the shape of the top surface ",i"i",i~es friction in the event of contact of the links with a housing or other env;ro"",e"L in which the device isused. While the device is very space erric,e"L, the structure of the links provides a direct drive means which is extremely strong and c~r~l~'E of carrving high torque loads, with minimal loss of energy due to friction.
WO 96tO8341 PCT/US95/11940 ~1~9~3 ~
The best mode of using the device is as e~le"sio" for tools. A drive, such as the drive of a ratchet or air wrench is inserted into the first drive gear 23. The direct drive means t, ~,-srer:i torque to the second drive gear 24, and a socket or other tool can be used to li~hL~I ~ or loosen a threaded fastener at a loc~tion which 5 is remoL~ from the w. ~, Ich. The device is particularly suited to such an application since tools for torquing threaded fasteners must be able to handle high torque, while the space in which such tools are used is frequently limited, meaning that the tool must be as small as possib!Q. Other uses for the device are a,u~,are, IL from the . ~ ,iQslJre of the device herein.
It is not ! ,ecess~. y that the drive gears rotate within the same plane. The applicalioll of torque may be directed to position the device to rotate on a plane which is perpendicular to, or otherwise dirrert:nl than, the plane within which the first gear rotates. One or more idler gears could be used to facilitate such .li, e.,Lional ul ,ar,!Je.
Claims (10)
1. A torque transfer device, comprising:
a. a first drive gear and a second drive gear wherein each of said drive gears has a plurality of teeth extending radially from an outer circumference of said drive gears; and b. a continuous loop direct drive means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links each having a generally arcuate shape of constant radius wherein each alternating link of said plurality of links has an orifice therein which receives one of said teeth as said direct drive means passes through each of said drive gears;
wherein said direct drive means provides communication between said first drive gear and said second drive gear, and wherein rotation of said first drive gear causes, in turn, rotation of said second drive gear.
a. a first drive gear and a second drive gear wherein each of said drive gears has a plurality of teeth extending radially from an outer circumference of said drive gears; and b. a continuous loop direct drive means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links each having a generally arcuate shape of constant radius wherein each alternating link of said plurality of links has an orifice therein which receives one of said teeth as said direct drive means passes through each of said drive gears;
wherein said direct drive means provides communication between said first drive gear and said second drive gear, and wherein rotation of said first drive gear causes, in turn, rotation of said second drive gear.
2. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of each of said links has a generally arcuate shape of constant radius and said outer circumference of each of said drive gears has a surface of a constant radius which is substantially the same as the radius of said bottom surface of said links, wherein said bottom surface of said links engages said surface of said gears as said links rotate through said gears.
3. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 2, wherein a top surface of each of said links has a generally arcuate shape of constant radius.
4. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 3, wherein each alternating link of said plurality of links has an orifice therein which receives one of said teeth as said direct drive means passes through each of said drive gears, and each remaining link has a closed and smooth top surface.
5. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 4, wherein each alternating link of said plurality of links has two arms extending from each end thereof and each remaining link has a protrusion extending from each end thereof, wherein each of said alternating links is pivotally joined at each end to one of said remaining links by means of pin which is inserted through said arms of said alternating link and through said protrusion of said remaining link.
6. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 1, wherein a length of an arc which forms said bottom surface of each of said plurality of links is approximately one sixth of the outer circumference of said drive gears.
7. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 2, wherein a length of an arc which forms said bottom surface of each of said plurality of links is approximately one sixth of the outer circumference of said drive gears.
8. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 3 wherein a length of an arc which forms said bottom surface of each of said plurality of links is approximately one sixth of the outer circumference of said drive gears.
9. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 4, wherein a length of an arc which forms said bottom surface of each of said plurality of links is approximately one sixth of the outer circumference of said drive gears.
10. A torque transfer device as described in Claim 5, wherein a length of an arc which forms said bottom surface of each of said plurality of links is approximately one sixth of the outer circumference of said drive gears.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/306,692 | 1994-09-15 | ||
| US08/306,692 US5540123A (en) | 1993-06-14 | 1994-09-15 | Torque transfer device |
| PCT/US1995/009568 WO1996004104A1 (en) | 1994-08-01 | 1995-07-28 | Torque transfer device |
| USPCT/US95/09568 | 1995-07-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2199963A1 true CA2199963A1 (en) | 1996-03-21 |
Family
ID=23186431
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002199963A Abandoned CA2199963A1 (en) | 1994-09-15 | 1995-09-11 | Torque transfer device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2199963A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996008341A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE29606689U1 (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1996-08-22 | Girbinger, Max, 82216 Maisach | Horizontal extension for actuating tools with square drive |
| CN105082031A (en) * | 2015-09-10 | 2015-11-25 | 国网山东胶州市供电公司 | Fastening spanner for china bottles |
| CN106392975A (en) * | 2016-06-20 | 2017-02-15 | 中建三局第二建设工程有限责任公司 | Device of fastening bolt in obstructed deep and narrow space |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US141259A (en) * | 1873-07-29 | Improvement in wrenches | ||
| US3138983A (en) * | 1963-01-17 | 1964-06-30 | Bert W Frizzell | Flexible wrench |
| US3714852A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-02-06 | J Giangrasso | Power transfer device |
-
1995
- 1995-09-11 WO PCT/US1995/011940 patent/WO1996008341A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-09-11 CA CA002199963A patent/CA2199963A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996008341A1 (en) | 1996-03-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |