Multi-motion assembly for leadscrew system

摘要

In one embodiment, a stirring system has a stirring assembly, a threaded leadscrew, and a multi-motion assembly adapted to travel along the leadscrew and accompanying parallel guide rods. The multi-motion assembly (i) has a timing pulley for powering the stirring assembly via a timing belt and (ii) converts the rotation of the leadscrew into either travel along the leadscrew in an engaged state or rotation of the timing pulley in a disengaged state. The multi-motion assembly includes (i) a screw-nut having an inside thread matching the leadscrew's thread and (ii) a clutch sub-assembly. The clutch sub-assembly (i) prevents the screw nut from rotating with the leadscrew in the engaged state, such that leadscrew rotation causes linear movement of the multi-motion assembly and (ii) allows the screw nut to rotate with the leadscrew in the disengaged state, such that leadscrew rotation causes corresponding rotation of the screw nut and timing pulley.

主权项

1. Apparatus comprising a multi-motion assembly, the multi-motion assembly comprising:
a screw nut having a spiral inside thread that matches a spiral outside thread of a leadscrew; a clutch sub-assembly directly connected to the screw nut, the clutch sub-assembly adapted to operate in an engaged state and in a disengaged state, wherein:
in the engaged state, the clutch sub-assembly prevents the screw nut from rotating with the leadscrew, such that rotation of the leadscrew causes linear movement of the screw nut; andin the disengaged state, the clutch sub-assembly allows the screw nut to rotate with the leadscrew, such that rotation of the leadscrew causes corresponding rotation of the screw nut; andthe apparatus further comprises at least one of:
(1) a timing pulley located about the leadscrew and rigidly connected to the screw nut; and(2) a stirring shaft connected to the multi-motion assembly such that in the disengaged state, rotation of the leadscrew causes corresponding rotation of the stirring shaft.