Linear actuator and method of making a linear actuator

• US 5,918,505 A
• Filed: 06/17/1997
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Jensen, Bent
• Primary Examiner(s): Herrmann, Allan D.
• Application Number:
  US08/849,891
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89.15, 74/424.8 R, 74/459, 29/456, 29/516, 411/360, 411/361, 411/399, 403/279, 403/281, 403/359
• US Class Current: 74/89.26
• 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 2025/2081 Parallel arrangement of drive motor to screw axis
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/209 using worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2093 using conical gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/205 comprising alternate power paths, e.g. for fail safe back-up
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2472 Safety nuts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49927 Hollow body is axially joined cup or tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/4958 Separate deforming means remains with joint assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/186 Alternate power path operable on failure of primary
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18744 Lubrication

Abstract

A linear actuator includes a driven spindle (10) of metal having a nut (12) of polymeric material which further is connected to the expelling rod (14) of the actuator. The nut and expelling rod are joined to each other by intermeshing embossing mate for contemporary transfer of axial forces and torques. With a polymeric nut a number of advantages are obtained such as low friction, lifetime lubrication, low noise level, low production and maintenance costs. Furthermore, a possibility is provided for in a simple manner to provide the actuator with a safety nut connected to the main nut (12) with breakable entrainment means.

Claims

1. A linear actuator comprising:

an electric motor and a transmission,

a spindle connected with the electric motor and the transmission for rotating the spindle,

a nut which by the rotation of the spindle can be displaced along the spindle,

an expelling rod in the nature of a tube, one end of which is mounted to the nut and surrounding at least a length of the spindle,

wherein said nut is made of an elastomeric material and joined to the expelling rod by intermeshing embossing on at least a part of the outer surface of the nut and at least a part of the interior surface of the expelling rod for the transfer of axial forces as well as torques.

2. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein a set of embossings are formed for the transfer of axial forces and another set of embossings are formed for the transfer of torques.

3. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 2, wherein the embossings for the transfer of axial forces are formed as a thread (20,26).

4. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 2, wherein the embossings for the transfer of torques are formed as axially orientated grooves (24, 30).

5. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nut (12) at one end is embedded in the extreme end of the expelling rod (14) and formed with a collar 22 abutting the end of the expelling rod.

6. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 1, comprising a safety nut (32) of metal connected to the main nut (12) by breakable entrainment means which will be broken in case of failure of the main nut.

7. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 6, wherein the safety nut (32) is embedded in a recess (34) in the end of the main nut (12).

8. A linear actuator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the entrainment means are formd as axial entrainment flaps (36) in slots (34) and that the safety nut (32) has corresponding axial slots (38) on the outer side.

9. A method for manufacturing the actuator according to claim 1, wherein the main nut (32) is fastened to the end of a tube shaped expelling rod (14) by making a conical widening in the end and where the inside is provided with embossings (26,30) having a corresponding embossed pattern (20,24) on the nut, and said nut is fixed by compressing the conical widening around the nut.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein an innermost set of embossings in the expelling rod (14) is formed as a thread (26), the nut has a corresponding thread (20), the extreme section of the expelling rod is provided with axial grooves (30), the conical widening (28) is limited to this area, the nut is provided with corresponding grooves (24), and the nut is fastened by insertion in the end of the expelling rod, after which the conical widening is compressed around the nut.

11. A method for manufacturing the actuator according to claim 1, wherein

a conical widening is made in one end of the tube shaped expelling rod,

providing at least a length of the interior wall of the conical widening with embossings,

providing at least a length of the outer surface of the nut with embossings corresponding to the embossings on the conical widening of the expelling rod,

placing at least a part of the nut in the end of the conical widening of the expelling rod such that the embossings on the widening and the nut are situated at least partly facing each other, and

compressing the conical widening of the expelling rod around the nut such that the embossings of the expelling rod and the nut intermesh and the conical widening area of the expelling rod takes or in essential takes the original tube shape.