Overforce Protection Mechanism

摘要

A overload protection mechanism protects a driven load, such as a driven lever. An overload lever is pivotally coupled to a first part of the driven load. The overload lever has a first end that receives an applied force and an opposing second end. A zero length spring mechanism is coupled to a second part of the driven load spaced apart from the first part and to the second end of the overload lever. The zero length spring mechanism urges the second end of the overload lever toward the second part of the driven load with a force that is substantially proportional to the distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load. A stop mechanism is coupled to the zero length spring mechanism to maintain a minimum distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load.