Harmonic drive linear actuator
US7527130B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2151
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.