Harmonic drive linear actuator
First Claim
1. A harmonic drive linear actuator comprising:
- a first annular member having a longitudinal axis, wherein the first annular member lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first annular member is relatively flexible along a direction which lies in the plane;
a second annular member substantially coaxially aligned with the first annular member and lying in the plane, wherein said first and second annular members define first and second opposed substantially cylindrical surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about the longitudinal axis; and
means for flexing the first annular member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said first and second surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first annular member to rotate the at least two points of contact circumferentially about the longitudinal axis,said first and second surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said first and second annular members in response to sequential flexure of said first annual member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A harmonic drive linear actuator includes a first annular member defining a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first member is relatively flexible along a direction parallel to the plane. A second member is substantially coaxially aligned with the first member to define opposed substantially cylindrical surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about the longitudinal axis. An actuator is provided for flexing the first annular member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between the opposed surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact circumferentially about the axis. The first and second surfaces define cooperating thread-forms thereon, which selectively engage to effect controlled, bidirectional relative axial displacement between the members in response to sequential flexure of the first member. The linear actuator can be conjoined with an actuator piston of a vehicle brake caliper assembly.
61 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A harmonic drive linear actuator comprising:
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a first annular member having a longitudinal axis, wherein the first annular member lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first annular member is relatively flexible along a direction which lies in the plane; a second annular member substantially coaxially aligned with the first annular member and lying in the plane, wherein said first and second annular members define first and second opposed substantially cylindrical surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about the longitudinal axis; and means for flexing the first annular member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said first and second surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first annular member to rotate the at least two points of contact circumferentially about the longitudinal axis, said first and second surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said first and second annular members in response to sequential flexure of said first annual member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A harmonic drive linear actuator comprising:
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a first annular member having a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane perpendicular to said axis, and wherein said first member is relatively flexible in directions parallel to the plane; a second member substantially coaxially aligned with the first member, said members defining opposed complimentary surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about said axis; and means for flexing the first member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact about the axis, said surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said members.
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19. A brake caliper apparatus, comprising:
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a brake caliper for applying a clamp load along an actuation axis; a piston slidably disposed in a bore concentric with said axis for applying said clamp load; and a harmonic drive linear actuator disposed for acting upon said piston and an opposed substantially grounded caliper surface, said linear actuator comprising a first annular member having a longitudinal axis and lying on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and wherein said first member is relatively flexible in directions parallel to said plane, a second member substantially coaxially aligned with said first member, said members defining opposed complimentary surfaces and are fixed for non-relative rotation about said longitudinal axis, means for flexing the first member into at least two spaced-apart points of contact between said surfaces and for sequentially flexing the first member to rotate the at least two points of contact about the longitudinal axis, said surfaces defining cooperating thread-forms thereon extending circumferentially about said longitudinal axis which selectively engage to effect relative axial displacement between said members and application of said clamp load. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification