Described is a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism includes a leaf spring housing with leaf springs radially disposed within the leaf spring housing. The leaf springs being flexible between a rest state and tension state. A winding mechanism is engaged with the leaf springs for causing the leaf springs to flex from the rest state to the tension state. The winding mechanism includes a pushing pin wheel with a plurality of pushing pins protruding therefrom that rest against the leaf springs. The pushing pin wheel is rotatable such that rotation of the pushing pin wheel causes the leaf springs to flex from the rest state to a tension state Release of the tension (i.e., when the leaf springs return to the rest state from the tension state) causes rotation of the leaf spring housing which causes rotation of a corresponding release gear set and output drive.

The present invention provides a spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device. A spring is engaged with the drive coupling, and a retainer retains the spring. The drive coupling is rotatable relative to the retainer, wherein rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a first direction causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring. The spring return device further comprises a limiter element that is arranged to rotate with the drive coupling, and one or more stopping surfaces comprising a first stopping surface arranged to abut a first limiter surface on the limiter element when the drive coupling is in a first predetermined rotational position, to thereby limit rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The spring return device of the invention may facilitate reversing the direction of operation of the spring return device.

The present invention provides a spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device. A spring is engaged with the drive coupling, and a retainer retains the spring. The drive coupling is rotatable relative to the retainer, wherein rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a first direction causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring. The spring return device further comprises a limiter element that is arranged to rotate with the drive coupling, and one or more stopping surfaces comprising a first stopping surface arranged to abut a first limiter surface on the limiter element when the drive coupling is in a first predetermined rotational position, to thereby limit rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The spring return device of the invention may facilitate reversing the direction of operation of the spring return device.

A tensioning mechanism for tensioning a pre-loaded spring of a spring-loaded accumulator drive. The tensioning mechanism includes a tensioning wheel coupled to the pre-loaded spring, an intermediate shaft coupled to the tensioning wheel, an idler gear that can be driven by a clamping motor, a freewheel coupled to the idler gear, a locking mechanism for detachably locking the tensioning wheel in a tensioned state of the pre-loaded spring, and a dog clutch configured to couple the freewheel to the intermediate shaft in order to tension the pre-loaded spring and to uncouple same from the intermediate shaft in the tensioned state of the pre-loaded spring.

A tensioning mechanism for tensioning a pre-loaded spring of a spring-loaded accumulator drive. The tensioning mechanism includes a tensioning wheel coupled to the pre-loaded spring, an intermediate shaft coupled to the tensioning wheel, an idler gear that can be driven by a clamping motor, a freewheel coupled to the idler gear, a locking mechanism for detachably locking the tensioning wheel in a tensioned state of the pre-loaded spring, and a dog clutch configured to couple the freewheel to the intermediate shaft in order to tension the pre-loaded spring and to uncouple same from the intermediate shaft in the tensioned state of the pre-loaded spring.

A system for efficiently capturing the kinetic and/or potential energy of a moving vehicle includes an arc roller configured to move along an arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle, and a torsional spring configured to wind in response to the movement of the speed bump and, thereby, to store energy associated with the impact. The torsional spring may be configured to wind continually in response to the movement of another speed bump and, thereby, to store additional energy associated with the impact of the vehicle with the other speed bump. The system may include alternators or generators producing electricity from energy released from unwinding of the torsional spring. Electricity is further stored and utilized for onboard computing, traffic analytics, safety feature operating functions and communications.

The present disclosure relates to the field of stroke-controlling mechanism, and discloses a stroke-limiting control assembly and an operating method. The stroke-limiting control assembly comprises a housing and a film winding. A transmission input gear, a transmission gear, a guide wheel, and a spring box that can be rotated to reset by an elastic force are rotatably connected within the housing. When a moving component moves to an end of an upper stroke, a first metal needle abuts a first proximity switch. When the movable component moves to an end of a lower stroke, a second metal needle abuts against a second proximity switch. At least a stroke-limiting control assembly is provided which enables simplification of a product requiring stroke-limiting, such as an electric jack or an electric support leg, by arranging the proximity switches outside a screw nut lifting unit in the electric jack or the electric support leg.

The present disclosure relates to the field of stroke-controlling mechanism, and discloses a stroke-limiting control assembly and an operating method. The stroke-limiting control assembly comprises a housing and a film winding. A transmission input gear, a transmission gear, a guide wheel, and a spring box that can be rotated to reset by an elastic force are rotatably connected within the housing. When a moving component moves to an end of an upper stroke, a first metal needle abuts a first proximity switch. When the movable component moves to an end of a lower stroke, a second metal needle abuts against a second proximity switch. At least a stroke-limiting control assembly is provided which enables simplification of a product requiring stroke-limiting, such as an electric jack or an electric support leg, by arranging the proximity switches outside a screw nut lifting unit in the electric jack or the electric support leg.

An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

A system for efficiently capturing the kinetic and/or potential energy of a moving vehicle includes an arc roller configured to move along an arcuate path upon impact by the moving vehicle, and a torsional spring configured to wind in response to the movement of the speed bump and, thereby, to store energy associated with the impact. The torsional spring may be configured to wind continually in response to the movement of another speed bump and, thereby, to store additional energy associated with the impact of the vehicle with the other speed bump. The system may include alternators or generators producing electricity from energy released from unwinding of the torsional spring. Electricity is further stored and utilized for onboard computing, traffic analytics, safety feature operating functions and communications.