NZ614429B2 - Position sensing device for transit shaft and arm assembly - Google Patents
Position sensing device for transit shaft and arm assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ614429B2 NZ614429B2 NZ614429A NZ61442912A NZ614429B2 NZ 614429 B2 NZ614429 B2 NZ 614429B2 NZ 614429 A NZ614429 A NZ 614429A NZ 61442912 A NZ61442912 A NZ 61442912A NZ 614429 B2 NZ614429 B2 NZ 614429B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- bearing
- sensing device
- housing portion
- bracket
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 3
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
- G01B7/30—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
- G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
- G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
- G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
- G01D5/347—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells using displacement encoding scales
- G01D5/3473—Circular or rotary encoders
- G01D5/34738—Axles; Driving or coupling means
Abstract
rotational position sensing device and shaft axially adjustable as a unit held by a bearing assembly. The unit including a bearing with relatively rotatable inner and outer races, a lower bracket fixed to and supporting the outer race of the bearing, a shaft axially movable within the inner race and supported therein for rotation. The shaft has external threads adjacent the bearing. The unit also includes a post generally parallel to the shaft and supported by said bracket, an internally threaded ring turned on the threads of the shaft and resting on the inner race of the bearing to support the axial position of the shaft and a position sensor with a housing portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is secured to an end of the shaft above the bearing. The housing portion has an extended forked portion extending from the housing portion and slidably engages the post such that the housing portion is unable to rotate relative to the bracket. The axial position of rotational position sensing device and the shaft can be adjusted as a unit by turning the threads of the internally threaded ring relative to the external threads on the shaft. nd supported therein for rotation. The shaft has external threads adjacent the bearing. The unit also includes a post generally parallel to the shaft and supported by said bracket, an internally threaded ring turned on the threads of the shaft and resting on the inner race of the bearing to support the axial position of the shaft and a position sensor with a housing portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is secured to an end of the shaft above the bearing. The housing portion has an extended forked portion extending from the housing portion and slidably engages the post such that the housing portion is unable to rotate relative to the bracket. The axial position of rotational position sensing device and the shaft can be adjusted as a unit by turning the threads of the internally threaded ring relative to the external threads on the shaft.
Description
POSITION SENSING DEVICE FOR TRANSIT SHAFT AND ARM ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of position sensing devices, particularly
to rotational position sensing devices for measuring the rotation of a shaft and arm assembly
typically used for doors of transit vehicles such as buses and trains.
Description of Related Art
Rotational position sensing devices for measuring the rotation of a shaft and arm
assembly used for transit vehicle doors are known in the art. Such devices are used in
situations where it is desirable to properly determine the position (i.e., open, closed, partially
open, or a particular angle) of a vehicle door operating with a shaft and arm assembly.
Transit vehicle doors supporting a shaft and arm assembly may include, but are not
limited to, slide-glide doors, plug doors, swing doors and bi-fold doors as are known in the
art. Further, it may be desirable to fasten position sensing devices to shaft and arm assemblies
used in other contexts (i.e., for doors or other devices utilizing a rotatable shaft) to measure or
otherwise determine the axial rotation of a shaft relative to a fixed structure.
In many cases, measuring the rotational position of a shaft of a shaft and arm
assembly requires a position sensor (i.e., a potentiometer, rotary encoder, or other like device)
to be fixed to the shaft and arm assembly of a door. One method of fixing a position sensor
to a shaft and arm assembly involves securing the shaft portion of the sensor to the shaft and
arm assembly and securing the housing portion of the sensor with a fastener mounted to the
structure (i.e., the vehicle, door, wall or other structure). The disadvantage of this method is
that any non-height adjustments of the shaft and arm assembly relative to the structure will
require readjustment of the position sensor.
Another method known in the art to fix a position sensor to a shaft and arm
assembly of a vehicle door requires fixing the position sensor directly to the adjuster shaft of
the shaft and arm assembly. However, if such a method is employed with a traditional
position sensing device, the position sensor will require readjustment every time the height of
the shaft and arm assembly is adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a rotational position sensor device for a
transit door shaft and arm assembly that does not require readjustment after the shaft and arm
assembly is adjusted or readjusted relative to the door or other structure, including
readjustments of height. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to address any one or
more of the disadvantages with the prior art, or to at least provide the public with a useful
choice. Preferred aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Particular
embodiments are described below in non-limiting terms.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
rotational position sensing device for sensing rotation of an axially adjustable shaft
comprising a fixed bracket supporting a post and a position sensor having an upper portion, a
rotating portion and a fork. The fork extends from the upper portion and slidably engages the
post such that the upper portion is prevented from axially rotating relative to the fixed
bracket. The rotating portion is fastened to the shaft and axially rotates relative to the upper
portion.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
rotational position sensing device for sensing rotation of an axially adjustable shaft,
comprising a fixed bracket supporting a post and a position sensor comprising an upper fixed
portion, a rotating portion and a forked extension. The forked extension protrudes from the
upper portion and slidably engages the post such that the upper portion is prevented from
axially rotating relative to the fixed bracket. The rotating portion is configured to be fastened
to the shaft.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
rotational position sensing device for sensing rotation of an axially adjustable shaft,
comprising a fixed bracket supporting an extended member and a position sensor comprising
a housing portion, an extended portion, and a rotating portion. The extended portion extends
laterally from the housing portion and engages the extended member of the fixed bracket
such that the position sensor is unable to rotate relative to the fixed bracket. The rotating
portion is adapted to be fixed to a top part of a shaft such that the rotating portion axially
rotates in correspondence with the shaft and relative to the housing portion.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the
methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the
following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings,
all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the
following detailed description made with reference to the drawings in which:
is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of this invention.
is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of this invention
showing the position sensing device unassembled and the components of the shaft and arm
assembly.
is a sectional view taken along the line AA of
is a top view of the shaft and sensing device.
is a front view of an embodiment of this invention showing the position
sensing device assembled and fixed to the shaft and arm assembly.
is a side view of an embodiment of this invention assembled and fastened to
the shaft and arm assembly.
is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of this invention shown
in above the components of the shaft and arm assembly.
is a sectional view taken along the line BB of showing the position
sensing device assembled and fixed to the shaft and arm assembly.
is a top view of the embodiment shown in assembled and fastened to
the shaft and arm assembly.
is a front view of the embodiment shown in assembled and fastened
to the shaft and arm assembly.
is a side view of the embodiment shown in assembled and fastened
to the shaft and arm assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”,
“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of
the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. Further, it is to be
understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences,
except where expressly specified to the contrary.
shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the position sensing device of
the present invention. The shaft and arm assembly, to which the position sensing device may
be fastened, is not shown. A position sensor 9 has an extended portion (forked extension or
fork) 2 and a rotating portion 8. The rotating portion 8 is shown in rotationally
engaged with the bottom of the position sensor 9. The rotating portion 8 may be a separate
component that engages with the bottom of the position sensor 9 or may be non-removable
from the position sensor 9. The rotating portion 8 rotates axially in correspondence with the
shaft 10 of a shaft and arm assembly and rotates in relation to the position sensor 9, including
the forked extension 2. A bracket 7 supports a post 4, which may include but is not limited to
an extended member, protrusion or like extension that is either formed as part of the bracket 7
or as a separate unit that is fixed or attached to the bracket 7.
The position sensor 9 may be any device capable of sensing, measuring or detecting
the axial rotation (angular position) of one of its components or that of another object.
Possible but non-limiting examples of capable devices include potentiometers, rotary
encoders (shaft encoders) and other electro-mechanical devices that convert the angular
position or motion of a shaft to an analog or digital code. It will be appreciated by one skilled
in the art that the position sensor 9 is not limited to electro-mechanical devices and may
include, for example, optical and inductive sensors and other non-contact or contact angular
measurement devices.
Referring now to an exploded view of an embodiment of the position
sensing device is shown above an assembled shaft and arm assembly. The shaft and arm
assembly includes a shaft 10, a lower bracket 11 and a bearing 3. The shaft 10 extends
through the bearing 3 and axially rotates in relation to the bearing 3. The position sensor 9
has an extended portion (forked extension or fork) 2 that extends laterally from the sensor 9.
A bracket 7 is shown having means for being fixed to the bearing 3 and/or the lower bracket
11 associated with the shaft and arm assembly.
In the embodiment shown in the position sensor is a potentiometer or other
like device having a rotatable extension (referred to as an axle or rotatable axle in standard
potentiometers) 13 extending therefrom that rotates relative to the remainder of the position
sensor 9, including the forked extension 2.
The rotatable axle 13 is engaged by a rotating portion 8 adapted to be received by,
or otherwise coupled with, the top of a shaft 10. The rotating portion 8 is fixed or coupled to
the shaft 10 such that the rotating portion 8 of the position sensor 9 axially rotates in
correspondence with the axial rotation of the shaft 10. Further, the rotating portion 8 is able to
be rotated relative to the bracket 7, the main (or housing) portion of the position sensor 9 and
the extended portion (forked extension) 2 of the position sensor 9. When assembled, the post
4 supported by or extending from the bracket 7 fits between the prongs of the forked
extension 2, or is otherwise engaged by the extended portion 2, slidably engaging the post 4
and preventing the post 4 and the bracket 7 from rotating relative to the forked extension 2 or
the position sensor 9. In such a configuration, the axial position of the rotating portion 8 (and
the rotatable axle 13 of the position sensor 9, in embodiments where the sensor is a
potentiometer or like electro-mechanical device) changes in accordance with the axial
position of the shaft 10, while the position sensor 9 (except for the rotatable axle 13 in certain
embodiments) remains in a fixed axial position corresponding to that of the bracket 7 and
post 4, bearing 3 and lower bracket 11 of the shaft and arm assembly.
In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the extended
portion 2 that extends from the position sensor 9 has a forked end adapted for receiving the
post 4. Further non-limiting embodiments of the extended portion 2 may include means for
engaging and/or constraining the post 4 such as an aperture, latch, clasp or other like
mechanism or design.
Referring now to a sectional view taken along the line AA of is
shown. The rotating portion 8 is received by the shaft 10 and fastened to the shaft with a
fastening means 12 that may include, but is not limited to, a bolt (i.e., hex bolt, carriage bolt,
eye bolt, anchor bolt, set bolt, etc) with or without a nut or anchor pin, a screw (i.e., set
screw, standard screw, etc), a pin, or other like hardware.
In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, bolts 5 fasten
the bracket 7 to an object or structure (i.e., the bearing 3 and lower bracket 11) through
apertures in the bracket 7 which receive the bolts 5. Once fastened to the shaft 10, the
rotating portion 8 rotates in correspondence with the axial rotation of the shaft 10, relative to
the position sensor 9, bracket 7, bearing 3, lower bracket 11, and other fixed components.
shows a top view of the position sensing device and shaft and arm assembly
shown in and The same embodiment is also shown from a front view in and from a side view in
shows an exploded view of another embodiment, employing a different
position sensor 9 than the embodiments depicted by FIGS. 2-6. The lower portion of the
position sensor 9 is adapted to engage or be engaged by a rotating portion 8 that rotates
relative to the position sensor 9. The rotating portion 8 is adapted to be fixed (i.e., fastened or
coupled) to the top part of a shaft 10 of a shaft and arm assembly such that the rotating
portion 8 axially rotates in correspondence with the axial position of the shaft 10. A bracket
7 supports a post (or extension) 4 that, when assembled, is constrained by the forked
extension 2 (not fully visible in extending from the position sensor 9.
is a sectional view taken along the line BB of The rotating portion 8
is fastened to the shaft 10 with a fastening means 12 such that the rotating portion axially
rotates in correspondence with the rotation of the shaft 10.
shows a top view of the position sensing device and shaft and arm assembly
shown in and A front view of the same embodiment is depicted by .
A side view of the same embodiment is shown in .
By being fixed to a shaft and arm assembly, the shaft 10 may be adjusted without
requiring readjustment of the position sensing device. If, for example, the height of the shaft
is adjusted by turning the internally threaded ring 15, the position sensor 9 will remain
axially fixed because the forked extension 2 will remain slidably engaged with the post 4 of
the fixed bracket 7, at a varying linear position along the post 4.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the
claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive
sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including,
but not limited to”.
Claims (4)
1. A rotational position sensing device and shaft axially adjustable as a unit held by a bearing assembly comprising: a bearing having relatively rotatable inner and outer races, a lower bracket fixed to and supporting the outer race of the bearing, a shaft axially movable within said inner race and supported therein for rotation, said shaft having external threads adjacent the bearing, a post generally parallel to the shaft and supported by said bracket, an internally threaded ring turned on the threads of the shaft and resting on the inner race of the bearing to support the axial position of the shaft, a position sensor comprising a housing portion and a rotating portion, the rotating portion secured to an end of the shaft above the bearing, the housing portion having an extended forked portion extending from the housing portion and slidably engaging the post such that the housing portion is unable to rotate relative to the bracket, whereby the axial position of rotational position sensing device and the shaft can be adjusted as a unit by turning the threads of the internally threaded ring relative to the external threads on the shaft.
2. The rotational position sensing device and shaft axially adjustable as a unit held by a bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the post is supported by a u-shaped bracket fixed to the bearing.
3. The rotational position sensing device and shaft axially adjustable as a unit held by a bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is one of the following: potentiometer, rotary encoder, optical sensor, or inductive sensor.
4. A rotational position sensing device and shaft axially adjustable as a unit held by a bearing assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the figures.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161541131P | 2011-09-30 | 2011-09-30 | |
US61/541,131 | 2011-09-30 | ||
PCT/US2012/057013 WO2013048998A1 (en) | 2011-09-30 | 2012-09-25 | Position sensing device for transit shaft and arm assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ614429A NZ614429A (en) | 2015-07-31 |
NZ614429B2 true NZ614429B2 (en) | 2015-11-03 |
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