Actuator and automobile

Abstract

The utility model relates to an actuator and an automobile. The actuator comprises a driving mechanism and an output mechanism. The output mechanism comprises a lead screw and a nut, and the nut sleeves the lead screw and is in threaded fit with the lead screw. One of the screw rod and the nut is a rotating piece, the other one is a translation piece, and the rotating piece is in transmission connection with the driving mechanism and is configured to be capable of rotating around the axial direction of the rotating piece under driving of the driving mechanism so as to drive the translation piece to move in the axial direction. According to the actuator, the lead screw is matched with the nut for transmission, and when the actuator does not work or the translation piece reaches a designated position, the actuator can effectively reduce the possibility of shifting of the translation piece by means of anti-driving self-locking formed between the lead screw and the nut, and the position stability of the translation piece is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automatic control technology, and in particular to an actuator and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] Actuators can convert control signals into physical motion to meet control requirements and are increasingly widely used in many fields, such as the automotive and medical fields.

[0003] In related technologies, actuators mostly employ hydraulic or oil pressure transmission, using hydraulic or oil pressure to drive the output rod and output actuating force. However, in hydraulic or oil pressure transmission, the output rod is prone to lateral movement under hydraulic or oil pressure, resulting in poor positional stability. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an actuator that can improve the positional stability of the translation component to address the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] An actuator comprising:

[0006] Drive mechanism; and

[0007] The output mechanism includes a lead screw and a nut, the nut being sleeved on the lead screw and threadedly engaged with it; one of the lead screw and the nut is a rotating component and the other is a translating component, the rotating component being connected to the drive mechanism and configured to rotate around its own axis under the drive of the drive mechanism, so as to drive the translating component to move along the axis.

[0008] In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a housing, and the output mechanism is at least partially disposed within the housing; the housing has a guide rail, and the translation member has a mating portion configured to slide along the guide rail.

[0009] In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a rolling element disposed between the mating portion and the guide rail, the mating portion sliding along the guide rail via the rolling element.

[0010] In one embodiment, the housing has a guide groove serving as a guide rail, the mating part being at least partially located within the guide groove, the mating part having an assembly groove facing the groove wall of the guide groove, and the rolling element being disposed within the assembly groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a housing and a position sensor, the output mechanism being at least partially disposed within the housing, and the position sensor being disposed within the housing and configured to detect the position of the translation member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the position sensor is a Hall switch, and the translation member also has a magnetic sensing part. When the translation member moves to a first position, the Hall switch is facing the magnetic sensing part.

[0013] In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a buffer, and at least one of the translational member's ends in the axial direction is provided with the buffer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the actuator further includes a gearbox, through which the rotating element is drive-connected to the drive mechanism.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lead screw is the rotating component, the nut is the translating component; and / or, the drive mechanism is a motor.

[0016] An automobile includes actuators as described above.

[0017] The aforementioned actuator and automobile transmit power through the cooperation of a lead screw and nut. When not in operation or when the translation component reaches the designated position, the actuator can effectively reduce the possibility of the translation component moving erratically and improve its positional stability by utilizing the reverse drive self-locking formed between the lead screw and nut. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator in one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows another angle of the actuator's structure.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The actuator shown is a cross-sectional view at AA.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 2 The actuator shown is a cross-sectional view at BB.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows another angle of the actuator.

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5The actuator shown is a cross-sectional view at CC.

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structural schematic of the housing in the actuator.

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the actuator after the hidden part of the structure is shown.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, actuator; 10, drive mechanism; 20, output mechanism; 21, lead screw; 23, nut; 231, mating part; 233, nut part; 235, rod part; 237, magnetic sensing part; 30, housing; 31, guide rail; 40, rolling element; 50, position sensor; 60, gearbox. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0030] Furthermore, where the term "and / or" appears, it merely describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the relationship between A and B: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates an "or" relationship between the related objects before and after it. Where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, four, five, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 4An actuator 100 provided in one embodiment of this application includes a drive mechanism 10 and an output mechanism 20. The output mechanism 20 includes a lead screw 21 and a nut 23, with the nut 23 sleeved on the lead screw 21 and threadedly engaged with it. One of the lead screw 21 and the nut 23 is a rotating component, and the other is a translating component. The rotating component is connected to the drive mechanism 10 and is configured to rotate about its own axis under the drive of the drive mechanism 10, thereby driving the translating component to move axially.

[0035] Understandably, actuator 100 can be applied to, but is not limited to, the automotive or medical fields. Specifically, actuator 100 can be a servo motor used in automobiles.

[0036] The drive mechanism 10 serves as the power source for generating the driving force. The lead screw 21 and nut 23 are coaxially arranged and threaded together, forming a threaded transmission. The lead screw 21 can be, but is not limited to, a trapezoidal lead screw. Understandably, for effective threaded transmission, one of the lead screw 21 and nut 23 rotates axially but cannot move axially, acting as a rotating component capable of rotating axially under the drive of the drive mechanism 10; the other of the lead screw 21 and nut 23 can move axially but cannot rotate axially, acting as a translating component, capable of moving axially under the drive of the rotating component. When the rotating component is not rotating, the translating component also cannot move, its position being "locked." Specifically, the lead screw 21 is the rotating component, and the nut 23 is the translating component. When the lead screw 21 rotates under the drive of the drive mechanism 10, the nut 23 moves axially along the lead screw 21.

[0037] Therefore, through the transmission of the lead screw 21 and the nut 23, the rotational torque output by the drive mechanism 10 can be converted into the movement of a translational component. The translational component may include or be connected to an output rod, and then the actuating force is output through the output rod. The actuating force may be, but is not limited to, a pushing force or a pulling force.

[0038] The actuator 100 described above transmits power through the cooperation of a lead screw 21 and a nut 23. When not in operation or when the translational component reaches a designated position, the actuator 100 can utilize the counter-drive self-locking mechanism formed between the lead screw 21 and the nut 23 to effectively reduce the possibility of movement of the translational component and improve its positional stability. Furthermore, the threaded transmission structure formed by the lead screw 21 and the nut 23 is simple and more compact, contributing to a reduction in the overall size of the actuator 100.

[0039] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 10 is a motor. Understandably, the motor may have a self-locking function.

[0040] Thus, the drive mechanism 10 has a simple structure, requiring only a simple power input to generate driving force and drive the rotating parts to rotate.

[0041] Please refer to the following: Figures 5 to 7In some embodiments, the actuator 100 further includes a housing 30, and the output mechanism 20 is at least partially disposed within the housing 30. The housing 30 has a guide rail 31, and the translation member has a mating portion 231 configured to slide along the guide rail 31.

[0042] Understandably, the guide rail 31 extends along the axial direction of the rotating component, and after the mating part 231 contacts and engages with the guide rail 31, it can prevent the translational component from rotating in the direction of rotation around the axial direction. The lead screw 21 can be disposed inside the housing 30 and can rotate within the housing 30. A bearing can be provided between the lead screw 21 and the housing 30 to improve its rotational stability and reduce its rotational resistance.

[0043] In this way, the guide rail 31 can guide the movement of the translation member through the mating part 231, so that it can move smoothly and accurately.

[0044] Please refer to the following: Figure 8 Furthermore, the actuator 100 also includes a rolling element 40, which is disposed between the mating part 231 and the guide rail 31, and the mating part 231 slides along the guide rail 31 via the rolling element 40.

[0045] The rolling element 40 can be, but is not limited to, needle rollers, balls, bearings, etc., as long as it can convert the sliding friction between the mating part 231 and the guide rail 31 into rolling friction. Specifically, the rolling element 40 can be a needle roller, with the axis of the needle roller perpendicular to the axis of the rotating part, and the number of needle rollers can be multiple.

[0046] In this way, the rolling element 40 can reduce the frictional loss caused by the guide rail 31 contacting the translational component when making linear motion, making the output force more efficient and the actuator 100 more stable.

[0047] Furthermore, the housing 30 has a guide rail groove as a guide rail 31, and the mating part 231 is at least partially located in the guide rail groove. The mating part 231 has an assembly groove facing the groove wall of the guide rail groove, and the rolling element 40 is disposed in the assembly groove.

[0048] Specifically, the nut 23 includes a connected nut portion 233 and a rod portion 235. The nut portion 233 and the rod portion 235 are coaxially arranged and jointly sleeved on the lead screw 21. The nut portion 233 is threadedly engaged with the lead screw 21, and the rod portion 235 serves as an output rod. The nut 23 can telescopically move relative to the housing 30. During this movement, the nut portion 233 can be completely inside the housing 30, while the rod portion 235 can be partially inside the housing 30, changing its length extending from the housing 30 as it moves.

[0049] The mating part 231 connects to the side of the rod part 235 and is at least partially located within the guide groove. The rod part 235 may be provided on both opposite sides in its circumferential direction in the mating part 231, and the housing 30 is provided with guide grooves at corresponding positions.

[0050] In this way, the guide rail groove can produce an anti-rotation effect on the nut 23 through the mating part 231. At the same time, the mating part 231 located in the guide rail groove and the surface of the guide rail groove can form a good installation position for the rolling element 40 to be installed.

[0051] In some embodiments, the actuator 100 further includes a position sensor 50 disposed in the housing 30 and configured to detect the position of the translation member.

[0052] Understandably, the position of the translation component relative to the housing 30 changes continuously during the movement process, and the position sensor 50, fixed on the housing 30, can accurately detect the position of the translation component relative to the housing 30.

[0053] The position sensor 50 can be, but is not limited to, a Hall switch, a photoelectric position sensor 50, a laser rangefinder, or a touch switch.

[0054] Thus, the actuator 100 can obtain the position information of the translation component through the position sensor 50 for accurate control. Furthermore, the position sensor 50 is integrated into the housing 30, eliminating the need for a separate location for its installation.

[0055] Furthermore, the position sensor 50 is a Hall switch, and the translation member also has a magnetic sensing part 237. When the translation member moves to the first position, the Hall switch is facing the magnetic sensing part 237.

[0056] Understandably, the magnetic sensing part 237 can be a magnet and can be provided on the nut part 233 or the rod part 235 of the nut 23 by means of bonding or the like.

[0057] The first position can be, but is not limited to, the design limit position. That is, when the translation component reaches the first position, it is its output limit position, and the translation component needs to stop moving.

[0058] In this way, the Hall switch can accurately determine whether the translation element is in the first position by sensing the magnetic sensing unit 237.

[0059] In some embodiments, the actuator 100 further includes a buffer (not shown), at least one of the two ends of the translation member in the axial direction is provided with a buffer.

[0060] Understandably, the translation component has movement limits at both ends in the axial direction, and may come into contact with other structures when it is at the movement limit position.

[0061] In this way, the buffer can mitigate the collision between the translation component and other structures during the movement, reducing the possibility of damage to the actuator 100.

[0062] In some embodiments, the actuator 100 further includes a gearbox 60, through which the rotating component is connected to the drive mechanism 10.

[0063] Understandably, the gearbox 60 can transmit power and change speed through gear combinations, thereby achieving functions such as speed change and torque change.

[0064] Thus, the actuator 100 can change its final output force through the gearbox 60 without changing the output torque of the drive mechanism 10.

[0065] In some embodiments, the actuator 100 further includes a planetary gear that is detachably mounted to the output of the motor and, when mounted to the output of the motor, drives the gearbox 60.

[0066] In this way, users can selectively install or remove planetary gears according to their output torque requirements.

[0067] The aforementioned actuator 100, as a servo motor integrating a motor, gearbox 60, trapezoidal lead screw, and position sensor 50, utilizes the trapezoidal lead screw drive to achieve self-locking when reverse drive power is cut off, while meeting the push-pull force requirements, to accurately position the translational component and ensure accurate actuation force output. It also combines the characteristics of gear transmission to increase the output torque, thereby increasing the push-pull force of the translational component. Furthermore, this transmission method results in a smaller structure compared to hydraulic or oil pressure transmission. The position sensor 50 is mounted on the housing 30, and the magnetic sensing unit 237 is mounted on the linearly movable nut 23, achieving precise positioning during linear movement.

[0068] Specifically, the actuator 100 also has a structure that reduces frictional loss when the translating component performs linear motion: a guide rail 31 for motional contact is constructed on the housing 30, and several needle rollers are installed in the assembly groove of the translating component as frictional rolling elements 40 during linear motion, transforming the sliding friction of the guide rail 31 into rolling friction, thus reducing the frictional loss generated by the guide rail 31 contacting the translating component during linear motion. The use of several needle rollers reduces wear and contact stress simultaneously, and offers strong versatility. This structure requires little space, is simple and compact, easy to install, and highly versatile, making it cost-effective.

[0069] Furthermore, by directly fixing the magnetic sensing unit 237 to the linearly moving nut 23 and the Hall switch to the side housing 30, the position height of the nut 23 relative to the lead screw 21 can be accurately read when it moves. This structure effectively saves space, effectively controls the position of the nut 23, and has strong versatility. Understandably, if the translation component is the lead screw 21, its magnetic sensing unit 237 can also be fixed to the lead screw 21. This structure uses little space, accurately positions the travel distance, and due to its simple structure, ease of installation, and strong versatility, it has a cost advantage.

[0070] The aforementioned actuator 100 integrates a motor, gearbox 60, trapezoidal lead screw, and position sensor 50, resulting in a more compact overall structure. This effectively saves space while increasing the output push-pull force. It boasts advantages such as simple structural design for easy installation, precise linear positioning, stable and reliable performance, low manufacturing cost, self-locking function in case of power failure, and easy adjustment of the push-pull force to meet customer needs. The use of needle rollers as rolling elements 40 reduces friction and contact stress, thereby reducing the push-pull force loss and increasing the lifespan of the lead screw 21 during transmission.

[0071] This application also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned actuator 100. Specifically, the vehicle can be, but is not limited to, a flying car.

[0072] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0073] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An actuator, characterized by The actuator comprises: a driving mechanism (10); and an output mechanism (20) comprising a screw rod (21) and a nut (23), the nut (23) being sleeved on the screw rod (21) and threadedly engaged with the screw rod (21); one of the screw rod (21) and the nut (23) is a rotating member, and the other is a translating member, the rotating member being drivingly connected with the driving mechanism (10) and being configured to be capable of rotating around an axis thereof under the driving of the driving mechanism (10) to drive the translating member to move along the axis.

2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein, The actuator further comprises a housing (30), the output mechanism (20) being at least partially arranged in the housing (30); the housing (30) has a guide rail (31), the translating member has a fitting part (231) configured to be capable of sliding along the guide rail (31).

3. The actuator of claim 2, wherein, The actuator further comprises a rolling body (40) arranged between the fitting part (231) and the guide rail (31), the fitting part (231) sliding along the guide rail (31) through the rolling body (40).

4. The actuator of claim 3, wherein, The housing (30) has a guide rail groove as the guide rail (31), the fitting part (231) being at least partially located in the guide rail groove, the fitting part (231) having a fitting groove facing a groove wall of the guide rail groove, and the rolling body (40) being arranged in the fitting groove.

5. The actuator of claim 1, wherein, The actuator further comprises a housing (30) and a position sensor (50), the output mechanism (20) being at least partially arranged in the housing (30), and the position sensor (50) being arranged in the housing (30) and being configured to be capable of detecting a position of the translating member.

6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein, The position sensor (50) is a Hall switch, and the translating member further has a magnetic induction part (237), the Hall switch being opposite to the magnetic induction part (237) when the translating member moves to a first position.

7. The actuator of claim 1, wherein, The actuator further comprises a buffer, at least one of two ends of the translating member in the axis direction being provided with the buffer.

8. The actuator of claim 1, wherein, The actuator further comprises a gear box (60), the rotating member being drivingly connected with the driving mechanism (10) through the gear box (60).

9. The actuator of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The screw rod (21) is the rotating member, and the nut (23) is the translating member; and / or the driving mechanism (10) is an electric motor.

10. An automobile characterized by comprising: An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1-9. An actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1-9.

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