IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,352,515
Granted Patent B1
US 7,352,515 · App. 11/508,792 · Granted Apr 1, 2008

Rotational-to-linear coaxial mechanical drive

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,352,515
App. No.
11/508,792
Granted
Apr 1, 2008
Kind
B1
Abstract

A linear mechanical drive has an outer housing, a drive sleeve that is conformably and slidably received within the outer housing, a mount sleeve conformably and slidably received within the drive sleeve, and a guide extending between the outer housing and the mount sleeve to prevent the mount sleeve from rotating relative to the outer housing. A linearly driven structure is affixed to the mount sleeve. There is a first helical engagement between the outer housing and the drive sleeve, and a second helical engagement between the mount sleeve and the drive sleeve. A motor is positioned to actuate the drive sleeve engagement.

Claims (49)

1. A linear mechanical drive comprising:

an outer housing having a right circular cylindrical internal surface and a cylindrical axis;

a drive sleeve having

a right circular cylindrical external surface conformably and slidably received within the right circular cylindrical internal surface of the outer housing,

a right circular cylindrical internal surface, and

a drive sleeve engagement;

a mount sleeve having

a right circular cylindrical external surface conformably and slidably received within the right circular cylindrical internal surface of the drive sleeve;

a guide extending between the outer housing and the mount sleeve to prevent the mount sleeve from rotating relative to the outer housing;

a first helical engagement between the outer housing and the drive sleeve; and

a second helical engagement between the mount sleeve and the drive sleeve.

2. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , further including

a linearly driven structure affixed to the mount sleeve.

3. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , further including

a lens affixed to the mount sleeve.

4. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , further including

a motor positioned to rotatably actuate the drive sleeve engagement.

5. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the drive sleeve engagement comprises

a circumferential gear in an outer periphery of the drive sleeve.

6. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement and the second helical engagement have the same pitch sense.

7. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement and the second helical engagement have different pitch senses.

8. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement and the second helical engagement have the same numerical pitch.

9. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement and the second helical engagement have different numerical pitches.

10. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises

a slot in the external surface of the mount sleeve and extending parallel to the cylindrical axis, and

a post extending inwardly from the outer housing and engaging the slot.

11. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement includes a spring ring.

12. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement includes a spring ring having a preload segment thereon.

13. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the first helical engagement comprises

a helical internal housing groove in the outer housing,

a helical external drive-sleeve groove in the drive sleeve, and

a first spring ring extending between the helical internal housing groove and the external drive-sleeve groove.

14. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the second helical engagement comprises

a helical internal drive-sleeve groove in the drive sleeve,

a helical external mount-sleeve groove in the mount sleeve, and

a second spring ring extending between the helical internal drive-sleeve groove and the external mount-sleeve groove.

15. The linear mechanical drive of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing, the drive sleeve, and the mount sleeve are made of the same material.

16. A linear mechanical drive comprising:

an outer housing having a right circular cylindrical internal surface;

a lens drive sleeve having

a right circular cylindrical external surface conformably and slidably received within the right circular cylindrical internal surface of the outer housing,

a right circular cylindrical internal surface, and

a rotational drive sleeve engagement;

a lens mount sleeve having

a right circular cylindrical external surface conformably and slidably received within the right circular cylindrical internal surface of the lens drive sleeve, and

a lens mounted to the lens mount sleeve;

a guide extending between the outer housing and the lens mount sleeve to prevent the lens mount sleeve from rotating relative to the outer housing;

a first spring ring helical engagement between the outer housing and the lens drive sleeve; and

a second spring ring helical engagement between the lens mount sleeve and the lens drive sleeve.