Actuator assembly
First Claim
1. An actuator assembly comprising:
- an actuator drivingly connected to an output member by a transmission path, and said actuator moves said output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position and moves said output member in a second direction from said actuated position to said rest position; and
an energy storing member which provides a force, movement of said output member by said actuator in said first direction being assisted by said energy storing member and movement of said output member by said actuator in said second direction stores energy in said energy storing member, and wherein said energy storing member is positioned relative to said pivot point such that said force acts substantially through said pivot point when said output member is in said rest position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator assembly includes an actuator drivingly connected by a transmission path to an output member. The actuator is capable of moving the output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position. The actuator is also capable of moving the output member in a second direction from the actuated position to the rest position. The assembly further includes an energy storing member which provides a force. Movement of the output member by the actuator in the first direction is assisted by the energy storing member and movement of the output member by the actuator in the second direction stores energy in the energy storing means. The energy storing member is positioned relative to the pivot point such that in the rest position, the force acts substantially through the pivot point to not generate any substantial resultant torque on the output member.
18 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An actuator assembly comprising:
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an actuator drivingly connected to an output member by a transmission path, and said actuator moves said output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position and moves said output member in a second direction from said actuated position to said rest position; and
an energy storing member which provides a force, movement of said output member by said actuator in said first direction being assisted by said energy storing member and movement of said output member by said actuator in said second direction stores energy in said energy storing member, and wherein said energy storing member is positioned relative to said pivot point such that said force acts substantially through said pivot point when said output member is in said rest position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An actuator assembly comprising:
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an actuator drivingly connected to an output member by a transmission path, and said actuator moves said output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position and moves said output member in a second direction from said actuated position to said rest position; and
an energy storing member which provides a force, movement of said output member by said actuator in said first direction being assisted by said energy storing member over a substantial portion of said movement to said actuated position, and movement of said output member by said actuator in said second direction stores energy in said energy storing member over a substantial portion of said movement to said rest position, and wherein said energy storing member is positioned relative to said pivot point, and said force acts to drive said output member in said second direction when said output member is in said rest position.
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13. A latch assembly comprising:
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an actuator assembly including an actuator drivingly connected to an output member by a transmission path, and said actuator moves said output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position and moves said output member in a second direction from said actuated position to said rest position and an energy storing member which provides a force, and movement of said output member by said actuator in said first direction being assisted by said energy storing member and movement of said output member by said actuator in said second direction stores energy in said energy storing member, wherein said energy storing member is positioned relative to said pivot point such that said force acts substantially through said pivot point when said output member is in said rest position; and
a component, and said actuator is operable to move said component of said latch assembly from a first position to a second position to change a state of said latch assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification