Linear actuator
First Claim
1. A linear actuator comprising:
- a torque generator having an output shaft;
a lead screw operationally coupled to the output shaft of the torque generator;
a driven nut having an internally threaded bore that threadably engages external threads of the lead screw in such a manner that frictional forces between the internal threaded bore and the external threads prevent movement between the driven nut and the lead screw when no torque is provided by the torque generator;
an activation circuit in communication with the torque generator, the activation circuit having at least one switch configured to be activated by the driven nut; and
a push rod operationally coupled to the driven nut.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A linear actuator that includes a torque generator, a lead screw, a driven nut, an activation circuit and a push rod. The torque generator has an output shaft. The lead screw is operationally coupled to the output shaft of the torque generator. The driven nut has an internally threaded bore that threadably engages external threads of the lead screw in such a manner that frictional forces between the internal threaded bore and the external threads prevent movement between the driven nut and the lead screw when no torque is provided by the torque generator. The activation circuit is in communication with the torque generator. The activation circuit has at least one switch that is configured to be activated by the driven nut. The push rod is operationally coupled to the driven nut.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A linear actuator comprising:
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a torque generator having an output shaft; a lead screw operationally coupled to the output shaft of the torque generator; a driven nut having an internally threaded bore that threadably engages external threads of the lead screw in such a manner that frictional forces between the internal threaded bore and the external threads prevent movement between the driven nut and the lead screw when no torque is provided by the torque generator; an activation circuit in communication with the torque generator, the activation circuit having at least one switch configured to be activated by the driven nut; and a push rod operationally coupled to the driven nut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A differential with a linear actuator lock comprising:
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a shift dog configured to selectively engage a portion of the differential to selectively lock the differential; a shift fork operationally engaged with the shift dog wherein movement of the shift fork moves the shift dog; an electric motor having an output shaft; a lead screw operationally coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor; a driven nut having an internally threaded bore that threadably engages external threads of the lead screw in such a manner that frictional forces between the internal threaded bore and the external threads prevent movement between the driven nut and the lead screw when no torque is provided by the torque generator; an activation circuit in communication with the electric motor, the activation circuit having at least one switch configured to be activated by the driven nut; and a push rod operationally coupled to the driven nut, the push rod further operationally coupled to the shift fork. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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13. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine; a transmission operationally coupled to the engine; at least one differential operationally coupled to the transmission; and at least one linear actuator to selectively lock the at least one differential, the at least one linear actuator including, an electric motor having an output shaft, a lead screw operationally coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor, a driven nut having an internally threaded bore that threadably engages external threads of the lead screw in such a manner that frictional forces between the internal threaded bore and the external threads prevent movement between the driven nut and the lead screw when no torque is provided by the torque generator, an activation circuit in communication with the electric motor, the activation circuit having at least one switch configured to be activated by the driven nut, and a push rod operationally coupled to the driven nut, the push rod further operationally coupled to the shift fork.
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18. A method of selectively locking a differential, the method comprising:
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applying a current in a first direction to an electric motor to move a driven nut on a lead screw that is operationally coupled to the electric motor; moving a push rod with the driven nut, the push nut operationally engaged with a shift dog that is configured to engage a portion of the differential to selectively lock the differential upon movement of the push rod; and activating at least a first switch to remove the current to the electric motor once the shift dog has locked the differential, wherein a configuration of the driven nut on the lead screw retains the differential in a locked configuration after the current has been removed from the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification