Linear actuator

• US 6,158,295 A
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Original Assignee: Linak A/S (Linak Holding A/S)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Jens J.o slashed.rgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, HA DINH
• Application Number:
  US09/331,242
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89.15, 74/128, 475/317, 192/223.4, 192/12 BA, 192/56.2, 192/150
• US Class Current: 74/89.38
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/49 Wrap springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• 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 2025/2084 Perpendicular arrangement of drive motor to screw axis
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2087 using planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/209 using worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2463 using a wrap spring brake, i.e. a helical wind up spring for braking or locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/20 Screw mechanisms with automatic reversal F16H25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/2454 Brakes; Rotational locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18696 including means to selectively transmit power [e.g., clutch, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18704 Means to selectively lock or retard screw or nut

Abstract

A linear actuator includes a housing, a spindle rotatable in both directions, a threaded nut driving a piston rod, and a motor capable of driving the spindle through a transmission, a disengagement unit being arranged in the transmission for interrupting the connection between the motor and the spindle in case of operational failure, such as overloading of the spindle, the disengagement unit comprising brake means adjustable with respect to the actuator housing to cooperate with coupling means for control of the rotational speed of the spindle when this is disengaged from the motor. The linear actuator provides an emergency function ensuring that the linear actuator and the carried load are not damaged by overloading of the actuator.

Claims

1. A linear actuator which comprises:

a housing,

a motor,

a spindle which is axially rotatable in opposite directions by said motor,

a threaded nut mounted on said spindle and movable therealong with rotation of said spindle,

a piston rod movable with said threaded nut as said threaded nut moves along said spindle,

a transmission in said housing and operatively connected to said motor,

a coupling means in said housing operatively connected between said transmission and said spindle, and

disengagement means for disengaging said spindle from said motor, said disengagement means including braking means adjustable relative to said housing for causing said coupling means to control rotational speed of said spindle when disengaged from said motor.

2. A linear actuator according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprise a coupling unit between the spindle and a transmission shaft based on axially oriented coupling parts which are connected with the spindle and the transmission shaft, respectively, and which are in engagement with each other and surrounded by a helical coupling spring which is radially expandable to disengage the spindle from the motor.

3. A linear actuator according to claim 2, wherein the coupling parts include axially protruding claws for establishing a claw coupling between the coupling parts.

4. A linear actuator according to claim 2, wherein the brake means comprise a pipe section surrounded by a brake spring whose ends are secured to the housing, and including an adjustment device for adjusting the tension of the brake spring around the pipe section.

5. A linear actuator according to claim 4, wherein the pipe section is rotatably arranged in the housing and surrounds the coupling means so that a coupling is established between the coupling means and the pipe section by means of the coupling spring, said coupling spring being expanded radially upon disengagement.

6. A linear actuator according to claim 5, wherein the pipe section is surrounded by said brake spring whose ends are secured to the housing, and wherein said adjustment device adjusts the tension of the brake spring around the pipe section.

7. A linear actuator according to claim 4, wherein the transmission comprises a planet gear comprising a sun wheel driven by the motor, at least one planet wheel connected with the coupling means, and a ring wheel connected with the brake means.

8. A linear actuator according to claim 7, wherein the planet wheel is rotatably mounted on the coupling part rotating on the transmission shaft.

9. A linear actuator according to claim 7, wherein the ring wheel is provided in a portion of an inner side of the pipe section.