US3766794A - Shaft rotation reversing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanism for substantially instantaneously reversing the direction of rotation of a shaft. A pair of drive members are freely rotated about the shaft and an interconnection assembly is mounted for rotation with the shaft between the drive members. The interconnection assembly includes a pin having opposed, tapered ends which engage mating recesses in the drive members. The pin is sufficiently long that, as it moves from one drive member to the other, one end enters a recess in one adjacent drive member before the other exits from a recess in the other drive member. The pin is reciprocated by a hydraulic cylinder and piston through a linkage which is reciprocated by the piston and rotates with the shaft.

Description

United States Patent 1 [111 3,766,794

Wilcox Oct. 23, 1973 SHAFT ROTATION REVERSING DEVICE 75 Inventor: Albert F. Wilcox, Yoder, 1nd. Geri Attorney-John M. Stoudt et a1.

[73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Indianapolis, 1nd. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 17, 19 71 Appl. No.: 209,183

A mechanism for substantially instantaneously reversing the direction of rotation of a shaft. A pair of drive members are freely rotated about the shaft and an interconnection assembly is mounted for rotation with the shaft between the drive members. The interconnection assembly includes a pin having opposed, tapered ends which engage mating recesses in the drive members. The pin is sufficiently long that, as it moves from one drive member to the other, one end enters a recess in one adjacent drive member before the other exits from a recess in the other drive member. The pin is reciprocated by a hydraulic cylinder and piston through a linkage which is reciprocated by the piston and rotates with the shaft.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 SHAFT ROTATION REVERSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is often desired in various machines to reverse the direction of rotation of some portion of the machine in an essentially instantaneous manner, i.e., essentially without any lost motion. For instance, in various winding machines an arbor is rotated as a winding head is moved longitudinally of the arbor for winding material about the arbor. It often is desirable to instantaneously reverse the winding head at each end of its stroke. In order to do this it is necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the drive for the winding head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved motion reversing mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a mechanism which will substantially simultaneously reverse the direction of rotation of a shaft.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a mechanism which is simple and rugged in construction and yet reliable in operation.

In carrying out the invention, in one form thereof there is provided a motion reversing mechanism, including a rotatable output shaft. A first drive member is freely rotatable in a first direction about the output shaft and a second drive member is freely rotatable in a second direction about the output shaft. Interconnection means is mounted for rotation with the output shaft, between the drive members, and selectively interconnects the output shaft with one of the drive members for rotating the .output shaft in a predetermined direction. The interconnection means is adapted to engage one of the drive members as it disengages from the other drive member so that the direction of rotation of a the output shaft reverses substantially instantaneously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing there is illustrated various features of an exemplificationmotion reversing mechanism 10 which incorporates one embodiment of the present invention. Various components of themechanism 10 are enclosed in and supported by a housing 11. The housing may include side walls 12-15,

abottom wall 16, and atop wall 17. Additionally flanges, 18 and 19 may be attached to side walls such as 12, 14 for mounting the mechanism in a machine. Aninput shaft 20 is rotatably supported in a suitable opening inside wall 13 by means of a lowfriction bearing assembly 21.Bearing 21 is supported about theshaft 20 so that the shaft may rotate within thebearing while it is restrained from longitudinal movement by means of aconical retainer 22,. which is threadily mounted on theshaft 20 and engages thebearing assembly 21. Theinput shaft 20 is rotated from a suitable power source (not shown) by means of asprocket assembly 23 which is mounted to rotate with theshaft 20. A drive chain for instance may be connected between thesprocket assembly 23 and to the power source so that, as the power source rotates, theinput shaft 20 also rotates.

Abevel gear 24 is mounted to rotate with the inner end of thedrive shaft 20. Amating bevel gear 25 is securely mounted on anintermediate shaft 26 by any suitable means such aspin 27 to rotate with the intermediate shaft. The ends ofintermediate shaft 26 are totatably supported in theside walls 12, 14 by means of a pair ofbearing assemblies 28 and 29. A gear assembly 30 is mounted on theshaft 26 to rotate therewith by some means such aspin 31 for instance. Also, asprocket assembly 32 is mounted on theshaft 26 to rotate therewith. With this arrangement, asbevel gear 24drives bevel gear 25, the gear assembly 30 andsprocket assembly 32 will rotate in the same direction with theshaft 26.

Anoutput shaft 35 is mounted between thewalls 12, 14 in spaced relationship toshaft 26 by means of bearing assemblies'36, 37. A first drive means, in the form of agear assembly 38, is mounted on theshaft 35. Thegear assembly 38, by way of exemplification, includes ahub 39 which is freely rotatablymounted about theshaft 35 by means of a bearing such as 40 at each end of the hub. Additionally, thehub is held in axial position on the shaft by means of a conical retainer 41 which is threaded to the shaft and bears against thehub 39. Thegear assembly 38 also includes agear 42 having teeth which mesh with the teeth of gear 30 so that, as the gear 30 rotates withtheshaft 26,gear assembly 38 is rotated. t r

A second drive means, in the form of asprocket assembly 43, is freely rotatably mounted aboutshaft 35 by means of a suitable'bearing, not shown, and is held against axial movement by means of aconical retainer 44 which is threaded on theshaft 35 and bears against the sprocket assembly. Thesprocket assembly 43 is spaced from gear assembly '38 and includes asprocket wheel 45 which is in alignment with the sprocket wheel ofassembly 32. The two sprocket wheels are connected by means of asuitable chain 46.'Thus, whensprocket assembly 32 rotates with theshaft 26, sprocket-assembly 43 is rotated bychain 46. It will be understood that,

connection ofsprocket assembly 43 withsprocket assembly 32 by means ofchain 46 causes sprocket assem-. bly 43 to rotate in the same direction asintermediate shaft 26 while the meshing of the gears ofgear assems bly 30 and- 38 will causegear assembly 38 to-rotate in a direction opposite tointermediate shaft 26.

An interconnection means orassembly 50 is positioned between thegear assembly 38 and thesprocket assembly 43 and is rotatable with theshaft 35. In the exemplification mechanism the interconnection assembly includes a pair of side plates ormembers 51 and 52 which are connected to the shaft 35by means ofpin 53 that rotate with the shaft. Theside plates 51, 52 are firmly attached by screws orbolts 54". Theshaft 35 andplates 51, 52 define a slot or opening 61 which extends transversally of thelongitudinal axis'of shaft 35. The

shaft 35 also is provided with an axially extending internal slot or opening 62 which extends inwardly from the left end of the shaft (as seen in the FIGS.) into alignment with the slot 61. Additionally,side plate 51 is provided with a slot or opening 55 which extends generally longitudinally of theshaft 35 in alignment with thehub 39 of thegear assembly 38 and thehub 47 ofsprocket assembly 43. Thehub 39 is provided with a number of tapered orconical recesses 56 which are in radial alignment with the slot inside plate 51. Similarlyhub 47 is provided with a plurality or conical openings 57 which also are in radial alignment withslot 55. The number ofrecesses 56 and 57 may be varied depending on the number of times per revolution of theshaft 35 it is desired to have the opportunity to reverse the direction and rotation of the shaft.

A pin or pin assembly 58 is'received in theslot 55 ofside plate 51 and includes tapered orconical pin portions 59 and 60 which are complimentary in shape to therecesses 56 and 57 so as to fit snugly within the recesses. When thepin portion 60 engages one of the recesses 57 inhub 47 theinterconnection assembly 50, and thus theshaft 35 is operatively connected to thesprocket assembly 43 andshaft 35 rotates in one direction with asprocket assembly 43. When pin portion 59 is received in one of therecesses 56 inhub 39, theinterconnection assembly 50 and thus theshaft 35 is operatively connected to thegear assembly 38 and theshaft 35 rotates in the other direction with the gear assembly. The pin or pin assembly 58 is made longer than the width ofside plate 51. Preferably pin 58 is of sufficient length that when one of thepin portions 59, 60 is fully received in acorresponding recess 56, 57, the other pin portion will just be within theside plate 51 and will not interfere with the other of theassemblies 38,.43.

It will be understood that, with the mechanism as thus far described, the direction of rotation ofshaft 35 may be reversed any time arecess 56 and a recess 57 both come into alignment with theslot 55. The reversal of the direction of rotation of theshaft 35 is accomplished by mvoing pin 58 longitudinally of theshaft 35 so as to change. from an engagement of pin portion 59 in arecess 56 to engagement ofpin portion 60 in a recess 57, or vice versa. It will be seen from FIG. 1 that, as the pin 58 moves axially of the shaft one of thepin portions 59, 60 will enter the associatedrecess 56, 57 before the other pin portion clears it associated recess. Thus at one moment theshaft 35 is connected to one of theassemblies 38, 43 and at the next moment it is connected to the other ofassembly 38, 43. This causes the reversal of direction of rotation of theshaft 35 to be substantially instantaneous.

An actuation means or assembly. is provided for moving pin 58, and axially of theshaft 35; which movespin portions 59, 60 jointly. This actuation assembly includes afirst arm 63 which is pivotally mounted toside plate 52 within slot 61 by means of apin 64. The distal end 65 of thearm 63 is received within a slot or opening 66 in the pin 58. As thearm 63 is pivoted aboutpin 64 the distal end 65 will move the pin 58 generally axially of theshaft 35. Asecond arm 70 is pivotally attached to thearm 63 by means of a pin 71 and extends axially within theslot 62. For ease of assembly thesecond arm 70 maybe in the form of a flat or generally rectangular member connected to a generally cylindircal arm 72 by means of apin 73. The third or cylindircal arm 72 extends axially of theslot 54 and out of theshaft 35 and thru thebearing 37. Anadditional bearing assembly 74 is mounted to the distal end of the arm 72. The bearingassembly 74 and its mounting to the arm 72 is such that the bearing assembly will move the arm 72 axially of theshaft 35 while, at the same time, allowing the arm 72 to rotate within the bearingassembly 74.

An actuator in the form of a reversible, fluid actuatedcylinder 75 in the exemplification, is mounted to theside wall 15. Thepiston 76 of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to anintermediate arm 78 by apin 77. Thearm 78 is pivotally attached to asupport bracket 79 by means of apin 80 which is carried by theintermediate arm 78 and a elongated slot 81 in thebracket 79. The other end of thearm 78 is bifurcated to form a pair offingers 82 and 83 which straddle the bearingassembly 74. Each of thefingers 82, 83 is operatively connected to the bearingassembly 74 by means ofbolts 84, 85 which extend thru thefingers 82, 83 and are received in the bearingassembly 74.

With this mechanism, as thecylinder 75 is actuated from a suitable reservoir of fluid, thepiston 76 is selectively extended or retracted. This causes thearm 78 to pivot about thepin 80 so as to move the bearingassembly 74 selectively toward or away from theside wall 14. This movement of thebearing 74 causes cylindrical arm 72 andrectangular arm 70 to move within theslot 62 inshaft 35.Arm 70 pivotsarm 63 aboutpin 64 so that the distal end 65 of thearm 63 moves the pin longitudinally of theshaft 35 so as to change the operative connection of theinterconnection assembly 50 from one to the other of thedrive assemblies 38, 43. This effectively instantaneously reverses the direction of rotation'of theshaft 35.

Preferably the actuation ofcylinder 75 will be controlled so as to occur when therecess 56, 57 into which thepin portion 59, 60 is to be engaged is in alignment with theslot 55. Close control of this timing will reduce the wear on the mechanism. However, it will be understood that with proper construction and selection of" materials to prevent excessive wear,cylinder 75 may be actuated at any time. Initially essentially no movement will occur as the distal end ofpin portion 59 or 60 will ride against the adjacent surface ofhub 39, 47. When thenext recess 56, 57 comes into alignment with thepin portion 59, 60, depending on the direction in whichcylinder 75 is tending to move the pin 58, the pin will snap from one of its extreme positions to its other extreme position. This essentially instantaneously reverses the direction and rotation of theshaft 35. The present invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood, however, that modifications may bem ade therein by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the true spirit and scope ,of the invention. What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. A motion reversing mechanism, including: a. rotatable output means; b. first drive means rotatable in a first direction; c. second drive means rotatable in a second direction; and d. interconnection means means and movable between a first position, operatively interconnecting said output means to said first drive means, and a second position, operarotatable with said outputtively interconnecting said output means to said second drive means;

e. said interconnection means being adapted to move into operative connection with oneof said drive means as it moves out of operative connection with the other of said drive means for effecting substantially instantaneous reversal of the direction of rotation of said output means.

2. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second drive means defines at least one recess therein; said interconnection means includes first and second pin portions for selective insertion into said-at least one recess in each of said first and second drive means respectively; one of said pin portions entering a corresponding re cess before the other of said pin portions exits a corresponding recess as said interconnection means moves between its first and second positions.

3. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said recesses and said pin portions are provided with mating tapers.

4. A motion reversing mechanism, including:

a. a rotatable output shaft;

b. a first drive member freely rotatable about output shaft in a first direction;

c. a second drive member freely rotatable about said output shaft in a second direction; and

interconnection means mounted for rotation with said output shaft between said first and second drive members; said interconnection means selectively interconnecting said output shaft with a predetermined one of said drive members for rotating said output shaft with the predetermined one of said drive members;

c. said interconnection means being adapted to engage one of said drive members as it disengages from the other of said drive members for substantially instantaneously reversing the direction of rotation of said output shaft.

5. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 4, further including:

a. rotary input means;

b. first transfer means operatively connecting said first drive member to said input means for rotation in a first direction; and

c. second transfer means operatively connecting said c. said pin portions being spaced apart sufficiently that one of said pin portions enters a corresponding recess in one of said drive members before the other of said pin portions exits from a corresponding recess in the other of said drive members.

7. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein; said recesses and said pin portions are provided with mating tapers.

8. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein? a. said interconnection means includes a support mounted for rotation with said output shaft;

b. said pin portions are mounted for joint reciprocating movement within said support; and

c. actuation means is provided for said pin portions,

said actuation means being selectively energizable for reciprocating said pin portions,

9. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein; a first arm is mounted for pivotal movement within said support to reciprocate said pin portions; a second arm is connected to said first arm and extends axially of said output shaft for pivoting said first arm; and power means is connected to said second arm for moving said second arm longitudinally of said output shaft while allowing rotation of said second arm with said output shaft.

Claims (9)

1. A motion reversing mechanism, including: a. rotatable output means; b. first drive means rotatable in a first direction; c. second drive means rotatable in a second direction; and d. interconnection means rotatable with said output means and movable between a first position, operatively interconnecting said output means to said first drive means, and a second position, operatively interconnecting said output means to said second drive means; e. said interconnection means being adapted to move into operative connection with one of said drive means as it moves out of operative connection with the other of said drive means for effecting substantially instantaneous reversal of the direction of rotation of said output means.

2. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second drive means defines at least one recess therein; said interconnection means includes first and second pin portions for selective insertion into said at least one recess in each of said first and second drive means respectively; one of said pin portions entering a corresponding recess before the other of said pin portions exits a corresponding recess as said interconnection means moves between its first and second positions.

3. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said recesses and said pin pOrtions are provided with mating tapers.

4. A motion reversing mechanism, including: a. a rotatable output shaft; b. a first drive member freely rotatable about output shaft in a first direction; c. a second drive member freely rotatable about said output shaft in a second direction; and d. interconnection means mounted for rotation with said output shaft between said first and second drive members; said interconnection means selectively interconnecting said output shaft with a predetermined one of said drive members for rotating said output shaft with the predetermined one of said drive members; e. said interconnection means being adapted to engage one of said drive members as it disengages from the other of said drive members for substantially instantaneously reversing the direction of rotation of said output shaft.

5. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 4, further including: a. rotary input means; b. first transfer means operatively connecting said first drive member to said input means for rotation in a first direction; and c. second transfer means operatively connecting said second drive member to said input means for rotation in a second direction.

6. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a. each of said drive members includes at least one recess disposed toward said interconnection means; b. said interconnection means includes opposed pin portions concurrently reciprocable longitudinally of said output shaft for selective engagement in said at least one recess in each of said drive members; c. said pin portions being spaced apart sufficiently that one of said pin portions enters a corresponding recess in one of said drive members before the other of said pin portions exits from a corresponding recess in the other of said drive members.

7. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein; said recesses and said pin portions are provided with mating tapers.

8. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein: a. said interconnection means includes a support mounted for rotation with said output shaft; b. said pin portions are mounted for joint reciprocating movement within said support; and c. actuation means is provided for said pin portions, said actuation means being selectively energizable for reciprocating said pin portions,

9. A motion reversing mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein; a first arm is mounted for pivotal movement within said support to reciprocate said pin portions; a second arm is connected to said first arm and extends axially of said output shaft for pivoting said first arm; and power means is connected to said second arm for moving said second arm longitudinally of said output shaft while allowing rotation of said second arm with said output shaft.

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