Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Synchronized dual drive gear assemblies and methods

Abstract:

A gear assembly includes an actuation gear and plural separate pinion bodies. The actuation gear has first gear teeth on one or more surfaces of the gear and is configured to rotate around an actuation axis of rotation. The pinion bodies have second gear teeth configured to mesh with the first gear teeth of the actuation gear in plural separate mesh zones of the actuation gear. Each of the plural separate pinion bodies are configured to be rotated about respective pinion axes of rotation to cause rotation of the actuation gear around the actuation axis of rotation.