Linear actuator using a rotating motor
US6734582B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02K29/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A linear actuator incorporates a DC motor whose stator is secured to a frame. A shaft is coupled to the rotor of the DC motor one end of which is circumferentially coupled to the inside of a torsion spring and the outer section of the torsion spring is coupled to the frame. The center section of the shaft is circumferentially raised creating first and second shaft stops. The middle of the shaft is threaded and threadedly coupled to a translating actuator which has a radial raised portion which engages a section of the frame. The radial raised section provides a radial stop and prevents the translating actuator from rotating. Additional radial raised portions on the translating actuator create first and second stops that engage the first and second shaft stops at each extreme of travel. The first stop keeps the threads from binding in a retracted position and the second stop keeps the threads from binding in the extended position. The torsion spring stores rotational energy of the motor when it is powered and returns it, reversing the shaft, when power to the motor is removed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.