ACTUATOR

• US 20160010731A1
• Filed: 02/28/2014
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PER Stensgaard Innovasjon AS
• Original Assignee: PER Stensgaard Innovasjon AS
• Inventors: Stensgaard, Per
• Granted Patent: US 10,024,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2023/123 Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2059 Superposing movement by two screws, e.g. with opposite thread direction telescopic screws with three screw members F16H25/2056
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2071 Disconnecting drive source from the actuator, e.g. using clutches for release of drive connection during manual control
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/20 Screw mechanisms with automatic reversal F16H25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/22 with balls, rollers, or similar members between the co-operating parts; Elements essential to the use of such members
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2204 with balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/24 Elements essential to such mechanisms, e.g. screws, nuts F16H25/22 takes precedence

Abstract

An actuator converting a rotary movement into a linear movement is disclosed. The actuator includes a drive means (11), a primary low friction screw mechanism (3, 6, 14) driven by the drive means, a secondary traditional screw mechanism (7, 13) which is connected to the primary screw mechanism and moved linearly by this. The secondary screw mechanism transfers the linear movement to a driven means, such as a clutch. The primary screw mechanism is performing the working stroke proper, while the secondary screw mechanism is arranged to compensate for changes in the engagement point of the driven means. One of the screw mechanisms is provided with a spring (4) making the actuator self-regulating.

Claims

1. An actuator for providing a linear force to a driven means,

characterized in that it includes:

a drive means (11) providing a rotating movement,

a primary screw mechanism (3, 6, 14) with an input which is connected to the drive means (11) and an output,

a secondary screw mechanism (7, 13) with an input and output, wherein the input of the secondary screw mechanism is connected with the output of the first screw mechanism, the secondary screw mechanism being linearly moved by the first screw mechanism,

a spring (4) providing a force acting on the primary or secondary screw mechanism, and

means (12, 13) for transferring the linear movement of the secondary screw mechanism to the driven means.

2. An actuator according to claim 1, further including means (9, 5) preventing the output of the secondary screw mechanism from rotating.

3. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the primary screw mechanism includes a ball screw (3), a ball nut (6) and a number of balls (14) transferring forces between the ball screw and ball nut,

the secondary screw mechanism including a nut (7) and a screw (13) which is in engagement with said nut, the secondary screw mechanism having the same direction of threads as in the primary screw mechanism.

4. An actuator according to claim 3, wherein the secondary screw mechanism is designed with rectangular or trapezoidal threads.

5. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the secondary screw mechanism includes a ball screw (3), a ball nut (6) and a number of balls (14) transferring forces between the ball screw and ball nut,

the primary screw mechanism including a nut (7) and a screw (13) which is in engagement with said nut, the primary screw mechanism having the same direction of threads as in the secondary screw mechanism.

6. An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the primary screw mechanism is designed with rectangular or trapezoidal threads.

7. An actuator according to claim 1, further including a supplementary spring (15) providing a force acting on the output of the actuator.

8. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the secondary screw mechanism is provided with threads of identical or larger pitch than in the primary screw mechanism.

10. An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

11. An actuator according to claim 2, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

12. An actuator according to claim 3, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

13. An actuator according to claim 4, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

14. An actuator according to claim 5, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

15. An actuator according to claim 6, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

16. An actuator according to claim 7, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

17. An actuator according to claim 8, wherein the driven means comprises a clutch.

9. (canceled)