Linear actuator

• US 10,432,062 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2015
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Sorensen, Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Dang D
• Application Number:
  US15/329,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20170222516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2031 Actuator casings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/204 Axial sliding means, i.e. for rotary support and axial guiding of nut or screw shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/209 using worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/20 Screw mechanisms with automatic reversal F16H25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/04 Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/06 Means for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1166 comprising worm and worm-wheel structural association with bearings specially adapted for worm gear drives H02K7/081

Abstract

A linear actuator includes a housing with an electric motor, which through a transmission drives a spindle with a spindle nut. To the spindle nut is secured a tubular adjustment element, which is guided in a guide tube. A bushing is secured at the rear end of the guide tube for securing the guide tube to the chassis of the actuator. Expediently, the securing is done with stampings from the outer side of the mounting bushing and into the guide tube. These stampings are appropriately done opposite channels, such as screw channels in the guide tube, such that the stampings are received in the channels and do not protrude into the guide tube and prevent the movement of the spindle nut and the adjustment element.

Claims

1. A linear actuator comprising a housing, an electric motor a transmission, a spindle in connection with the transmission, a spindle nut on the spindle, a tubular adjustment element, which with a rear end is connected to the spindle nut, a guide tube for the tubular adjustment element, a chassis in which the guide tube with a rear end is secured, and a mounting bushing in which the rear end of the guide tube is secured and where the mounting bushing is secured to the chassis, wherein stampings are done from an outer side of the mounting bushing and into the guide tube for retaining the guide tube, wherein the stampings are made opposite of screw channels in the guide tube and the stampings are received in the screw channels.

2. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein an outer diameter of the guide tube and an inner diameter in the mounting bushing are adapted to each other, wherein the guide tube with a forced fit protrudes into the mounting bushing.

3. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein a rear end of the mounting bushing is configured with a radially protruding flange comprising screw holes with internal threads.

4. The linear actuator of claim 3 wherein the mounting bushing with guide tube is secured with the rear mounting around the chassis, in that screws are led from the rear mounting through the chassis to the screw holes in the mounting bushing, by which the rear mounting and the mounting bushing are tightened around the chassis.

5. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the mounting bushing is of steel and the guide tube is of light metal, such as aluminum.

6. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the chassis comprises at least one lock hole and where a front end of the electric motor comprises at least one flap prepared for engagement with the lock hole, by which the electric motor can be fixed to the chassis.

7. The linear actuator of claim 6 wherein the chassis comprises at least one depression and where the front end of the electric motor comprises at least one protrusion prepared for engagement with the depression.

8. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the chassis comprises at least one through-going hole and where a front end of the electric motor comprises at least one hole prepared for engagement with fastening means, and where the fastening means) are led through the through-going hole, by which the electric motor is secured to the chassis.