US 12,259,031 B2
Balanced harmonic drive with output shaft disconnect
Derick S. Balsiger, Prescott Valley, AZ (US); and Keith A. Bloxham, Gilbert, AZ (US)
Assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/188,800.
Prior Publication US 2024/0318708 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. F16D 27/118 (2006.01); B64C 13/38 (2006.01); F16D 48/06 (2006.01); F16H 37/12 (2006.01); F16H 49/00 (2006.01); F16H 57/021 (2012.01); F16H 57/02 (2012.01)
CPC F16H 37/122 (2013.01) [B64C 13/38 (2013.01); F16D 27/118 (2013.01); F16D 48/064 (2013.01); F16H 49/001 (2013.01); F16H 57/021 (2013.01); F16D 2500/10418 (2013.01); F16D 2500/10462 (2013.01); F16D 2500/1107 (2013.01); F16H 2049/003 (2013.01); F16H 2057/02034 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A harmonic drive, comprising:
a housing;
an output shaft within the housing;
an input shaft within the housing, the input shaft is configured for being in a first position in which rotation of the input shaft rotates the output shaft, and a second position that is axially offset from the first position, in which rotation of the input shaft does not rotate the output shaft;
a solenoid coil within the housing that, when energized, moves the input shaft to the second position; and
a spring within the housing that, when the solenoid coil is not energized, moves the input shaft to the first position;
wherein:
the housing is hollow and extends axially from a first outer end to a second outer end;
the input shaft extends axially from a first side to a second side, the first side faces the first outer end of the housing and the second side faces the second outer end of the housing;
the solenoid coil is disposed at the second outer end of the housing and the defines a center aperture;
the housing includes a radially extending perimeter wall that extends within the housing at the first outer end of the housing, and a radially extending partition wall that extends within the housing between the first and second outer ends to define a first cavity between the partition wall and the first outer end, and a second cavity between the partition wall and the second outer end, wherein the perimeter wall defines a first input shaft aperture and the partition wall defines a second input shaft aperture; and
the input shaft is within the first cavity and the solenoid is in the second cavity, wherein the input shaft has a raised shoulder having a first side that faces the first outer end of the housing and a second side that faces the second outer end of the housing, and the spring extends between the partition wall to the shoulder of the input shaft.