DESC:Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to speed, linear or angular Position and / or transmission torque power control devices, and particularly to a speed control devices which increase (or decrease) angular velocity of a rotary member such as electrical/electronic devices attached thereto.

Background of the Invention

Existing devices for changing and controlling angular speed do not offer control over speed in bidirectional way i.e. the existing devices either work in clockwise or anticlockwise direction alone.

Further, the devices for changing, controlling angular speed and for metering energy are normally designed and manufactured using metals. Such designs are bulky and heavy in weight due to usage of metallic elements. These metallic designs offer limitations while operating in corrosive and humid environment. In addition the manufacturing processes of the metallic components experiences inaccuracies from piece to piece. The repetitive performance of metal parts largely depends on the surface quality of sliding surfaces during energy or motion transfer.

In order to overcome the inaccuracies of metallic designs during manufacturing and assembly, these designs are not in modular nature. Since such designs are not in modular in nature, these continental designs become difficult to adapt to suite the varied assembly and usage need.

Furthermore, such metallic designs enhance the possibility of electromagnetic or magnetic field interference during usage. The weights of individual elements designed in such mechanisms become less effective when such designs are to be used in sensitive gravitational applications needs. The variations in operating temperatures, limits or deviates the performance of such metallic design due to thermal expansions.

Also, metallic elements being conductive in nature, may gather the charged suspended dust particles during usage. Such accumulation of contamination in the mechanism may result in to deterioration of specified performance. Moreover, the size or shape of metallic designs is normally bigger in nature due to machining process limitations. Hence it becomes difficult to design miniature versions of the metallic designs.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a device for changing and controlling angular speed or position which overcomes above mentioned drawbacks.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a speed or transmission torque power control device capable of being interfaced with external electrical or electronics devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide light weight device for changing and controlling angular speed.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device (200) for changing and controlling angular speed of the devices rotary switches, potentiometers, LVDT sensors , Encoders and the like attached thereto. The device (200) comprises a base (150) and housing (120) configured on the base (150). The housing (120) includes a shaft (10) extending vertically through the housing, wherein the shaft (10) is capable of being rotated. The housing (120) further comprises a plurality of the rotating members operably coupled to the shaft (10), an energy transfer module (50) operably connected to the rotating members for converting and transferring the energy and speed, an energy storage module (60) operably connected to the energy transfer module (50), an energy releasing member (90) operably connected to the energy storage module (60) for releasing stored energy, and an energy metering unit (110) having a notch (110a) configured thereon, wherein the energy metering unit (110) connected to the an energy transfer module (50) at one end and the an energy releasing member (90) at other end

The device (200) further comprises a breaking system (100) coupled to the energy metering unit (110) for regulating the energy release. The device (200) furthermore comprises a visual indicating means (120a) configured on the base (150) and operably connected to energy releasing member (90) of the housing for indicating the stored energy level decapitated during operation and an interfacing module (130) for connecting to external electrical/electronics. Specifically, the interfacing module (130) is connected operably to the energy transfer module (50), an energy storage module (60) for converting rotary motion in to linear motion.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1-9 shows various views of a device for changing and controlling angular speed, and their by transmission torque power in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the present invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Referring now to figure 1-9, there is shown a device (200) for angular speed changing as well as controlling. In an embodiment, the device (200) is made of plastic and operates bi-directionally. The device (200) offers step up as well as step down of angular velocities for input or output rotating shafts in controlled manner. In an embodiment, the step up of speed is up to 1: 1164 and step down is up to 1164: 1.

The device (200) comprises a base (150). The base (150) is alternatively known as mounting module throughout the description. The base or mounting module (150) acts like an adapter. The base or mounting module (150) includes a plurality of holes configured thereon for location and clamping on any other associated devices which needs to interconnect to the device (200).

The base (150) includes a housing (120) configured thereon. In an embodiment, the housing (120) is mounted on the base by means of screw within the plurality of holes. In an embodiment, the base (150) and the housing (120) are made of plastic. The housing (120) of the device (200) is designed to control on dimensional stability after molding.

The housing (120) comprises a shaft (10) extending vertically through the housing, (120). Specifically, the shaft (10) is capable of being rotated manually or by a driving means.

The housing (120) further comprises a plurality of the rotating members operably coupled to the shaft (10). In an embodiment, the plurality of the rotating members comprises at least one driving member (20) and at least one driven member (30) connected through a light weight plastic linkage gearing mechanism (40). Specifically, the driven member (30) receives different angular speeds from the speed of rotations of the driving member (20).

The housing (120) further comprises an energy transfer module (50) operably connected to the rotating members for converting and transferring the energy and speed. Specifically, the energy transfer module (50) is formed by the driven member (30) and the gearing mechanism (40).

The housing (120) further comprises an energy storage module (60) operablely connected to the energy transfer module (50). The energy storage module (60) stores the mechanical energy in the form of torque i.e. a mechanical spiral spring is used to store the energy.

In an embodiment, the energy storage module (60) is connected to the energy transfer module (50) using a main gear i.e. a driving member (20). In an embodiment, an energy storage module (60) is detachable and the energy levels can be changed based on the application need a predefined level up to 20 Kg mm torque. Along with the energy storage module (60), the housing (120) includes a mechanism (80) for storing initial mechanical energy which can be used as a self-powered device for predefined time duration.

The energy storage module (60) is operably connected to the energy releasing member (90) for releasing of stored energy. The device (200) is designed for monitoring the release of stored energy after pressing the energy release member (90). In an embodiment, the energy releasing member (90) is a button is designed for child safe requirement. Specifically, the energy release is regulated through a breaking unit (100). The provision of the breaking unit (100) is made to alter or control the release of stored energy. The energy releasing member (90) is operably connected to an energy metering unit (110).

Specifically, the energy metering unit (110) includes a notch (110a) configured thereon. The energy metering unit (110) is connected to the energy transfer module (50) at one end and to the energy releasing member (90) at other end. The energy metering unit (110) changes the time duration to release the energy as per requirement.

The device (200) further comprises a visual indicating means (120a) operably connected to energy releasing member (90) of the housing for indicating the stored energy level decapitated during operation. The visual indicating means (120a) indicates if the status of energy release is complete or in process.

The device (200) furthermore comprises an interfacing module (130) for connecting to external electrical/electronics. In an embodiment, the interfacing module (130) connected operably to the energy transfer module (50), an energy storage module (60) for converting rotary motion in to linear motion. In an embodiment, the interfacing module (130) comprises at least two electrical switches to sense the energy release for separate intervals. However, it is evident to those skilled in the art to use multiple switches as per requirement.

The interfacing module (130) along with mechanical linkage (70) connected to the electrical micro switches which convert the rotary position of the shaft (10) in to a logical switch output. This electrical signal is used for interfacing the device (200) to other devices used for other logical operations such as heaters on/ off, valves on/off and the like.

The device (200) has the above mentioned elements or components designed and manufactured considering polymer properties and strength. Specifically, the plastics parts are designed considering molding process feasibility. The housing (120) of the device (200) is designed to control on dimensional stability after molding. The base or mounting module (150) of the device is changeable and can be suitably modified as per the application needs. The base or mounting module (150) acts like an adapter for housing (120) which is detachable. In an embodiment, the base or mounting module (150) offers at least five holes for location and clamping on any other associated devices which needs to interconnect to the design/device (200).

The device (200) is modular in construction and apart from the base or mounting module (150) and the interfacing module for external devices (130) has three separable parts an energy transfer module (50), an energy storage module (60), and a top module (140) to convert rotary position in to linear position. Specifically, the main gear i.e. driving member (20) is connected via Shaft (10 ) to top module (140) to form the linkage to correlate / convert the rotary motion of element (50) in the linear position of the top Module (140) . In addition, the cam profile of mechanical linkage (70) advances linearly based on the angular motion of the driving Member ( 20).

The device (200) has the energy stored in mechanical form. Therefore, the effects of change in heat / temperatures, magnetic forces / field, electricity, vibrations, dust and humidity are negligible on the working of this device. This device therefore, is intended for the use for operating mechanical switches, limit switches or switching elements, encoders and the like used in automation and control systems deployed in hazardous environment conditions such as corrosive liquid handling and dispensing systems.

Further, the device (200) is designed to operate in presence of humidity / water or in the manufacturing environments such as foundry, welding or fabrication shops where electrically emitted changes or noise in environment can affect the controlling devices on shop floors. Specifically, the device (200) is used to start or stop mechanical events such as conveyors, feeders and accumulators and the like which needs to be operated on pre-defined time.

More specifically, the device (200) releases the stored mechanical energy in preset time duration at constant speed rate. Therefore, this device is used in controlling the functional activities in dairy industry or food / packaging industry to control the heaters, water chillers, dispensing units at a preset time intervals.

Advantages of the invention

1. The device (200) is light in weight.
2. The device (200) uses multi stage plastic torque transmission system having capability to store mechanical torsional energy as a prime mover.
3. The device (200) is designed to offer electrical output using micro switches in addition to the mechanical position to operate associated external devices.
4. The device (200) stores the mechanical energy without any time limit since no external source of messenger is used for energy release.
5. The device (200) can release the energy based on need by operating element (90) when the need arises.
6. The device (200) offers the resistance to corrosion and humidity.
7. The device (200) is nonconductive in nature hence do not attract the conductive dust from environment
8. Using the device (200), the variations in frictional conditions and forces during operations are less affected
9. The device (200) offers bi directional transfer of energy since the frictional loses is minimum in nature.
10. The device (200) is non-metallic in design which is completely modular in nature hence become adaptive to varied user requirements for mounting and usage needs.
11. Since the weight of the mechanism is controlled by design and usage of plastic , the gravitational effects during usage is minimal.
12. The design of such mechanism is capable of operating in electromagnetic or Magnetic field .

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A device (200) for changing and controlling angular speed of the electrical/ electronics devices attached thereto, the device (200) comprising:
a base (150);
housing (120) configured on the base (150), the housing (120) having,
• a shaft (10) extending vertically through the housing, the shaft (10) is capable of being rotated;
• a plurality of the rotating members operably coupled to the shaft (10);
• an energy transfer module (50) operably connected to the rotating members for converting and transferring the torsional energy and speed;
• an energy storage module (60) operablely connected to the energy transfer module;
• an energy releasing member (90) operably connected to the energy storage module (60) for releasing stored energy;
• an energy metering unit (110) having a notch (110 a) configured thereon, the energy metering unit (110) connected to the an energy transfer module (50) at one end and the an energy releasing member (90) at other end;
a breaking system (100) coupled to the energy metering unit (110) the for regulating the energy release,
a visual indicating means (120a) operably connected to energy releasing member (90) of the housing for indicating the stored energy level decapitated during operation; and
an interfacing module (130) for connecting to external electrical/electronics, the an interfacing module (130) connected operably to the energy transfer module (50), an energy storage module (60) for converting rotary motion in to linear motion.

2. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the rotating members comprises at least one driving member (20) and at least one driven member (30) connected through a light weight plastic linkage gearing mechanism (40).

3. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (150), the housing (120) and parts thereof, the visual indicating means (120 a ), the breaking unit (100) and the interfacing module (130) are made of plastic.

4. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy transfer module (50) is formed by the driven member (30) and the gearing mechanism (40).

5. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein interfacing module (130) comprises at least two electrical switches to sense the energy release for separate intervals.

6. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the breaking unit (100) alters or control the release of stored energy.