Guide module for electric actuators

Abstract

Control module for electric actuators, including: an actuator body (2) having at least two guide surfaces (222) arranged at one end thereof, and at least two guide sections (223) each formed on the guide surfaces (222); and at least one guide unit (4) which is connected to the actuator body (2) and which has an engagement surface (421) which faces one of the selected guide surfaces (222) and an engagement section (422) which is formed on the engagement surface (421), wherein the engagement section (422) engages with an associated guide section (223) in the manner of an engagement of a projection in a recess.

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a guidance mechanism, in particular a guidance module for electrical actuators or actuators.

[0002] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a conventional actuator (actuator) disclosed in U.S. Patent 8,720,318 B2. A conventional actuator comprises a cylindrical main body 11 and a guide unit 12 connected to the main body 11. The underside of the main body 11 has a pin hole 111 and two spaced-apart bolt holes 112. The guide unit 12 comprises a base 121 and two guide sections 122, each arranged on opposite sides of the base 121. The base 121 has an upward-projecting positioning pin 123 and two upward-projecting bolts 124.

[0003] To assemble the conventional actuator, the main body 11 is first placed on the base 121 so that the pin hole 111 engages in the positioning pin 123, and then the bolts 124 are each inserted from below into the bolt holes 112 of the main body 11, thus creating a secure connection.

[0004] However, since the pin hole 111 and the bolt holes 112 of the main body 11 are formed on the underside of the main body 11, the connection direction is subject to certain restrictions, which adversely affects the flexibility of the entire assembly arrangement and leads to relatively poor practicality.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a control module for electric actuators that can eliminate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a guide module for electric actuators comprises an actuator body and at least one guide unit. The actuator body has at least two guide surfaces arranged at one end thereof, and at least two guide sections formed on each of the guide surfaces. The at least one guide unit is connected to the actuator body and has an engagement surface facing a selected guide surface, and an engagement section formed on the engagement surface. The engagement section engages with an associated guide section in the manner of a projection engaging a recess or by a corresponding positive fit.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become clear from the detailed description of the embodiment(s) below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that various features may not be shown to scale. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an actuator according to the prior art disclosed in US 8 720 318 B2. Fig. Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the actuator according to the state of the art. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a guide module for electric actuators according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment, illustrating the relative position between a guide unit and an actuator body for their connection according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI in Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment, illustrating another possibility for attaching the guide unit to the actuator body. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of a guide module for electric actuators according to a second embodiment as described in the present disclosure, which shows two guide units, one of which is attached to the top and the other to the bottom of the actuator body. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective exploded view of a guide module for electric actuators according to a third embodiment as disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective exploded view of a guide module for electric actuators according to a fourth embodiment as disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective exploded view showing a variant of a connecting unit of the guide module for electric actuators according to the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective exploded view showing another variant of the connecting unit of the guide module for electric actuators according to the present disclosure.

[0008] Before describing the revelation in more detail, it should be noted that, where it was deemed appropriate, reference signs or terminal sections of reference signs were repeated in the figures to represent corresponding or similarly formed elements that may optionally have similar properties.

[0009] It should be noted here that, for the purpose of clarifying the description, spatial relative terms such as "above", "below", "upper", "lower", "on", "above", "over", "downwards", "upwards", and the like may be used throughout the disclosure when referring to the features depicted in the drawings. These features may be oriented or arranged differently (e.g., rotated by 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used here may be interpreted accordingly.

[0010] With reference to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5 is a guide module for electric actuators according to a first embodiment as shown in the present disclosure. The guide module for electric actuators comprises an actuator body 2, a spindle or shaft 3, a guide unit 4, and a connecting unit 5.

[0011] The actuator body 2 comprises a base 21 extending along an axis (L), a guide receptacle 22 connected to one end of the base 21 along the axis (L), and a drive end receptacle 23 connected to the other end of the base 21 along the axis (L).

[0012] As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the guide receptacle 22 has a mounting surface 221 spaced along the axis (L) from the base 21, four guide surfaces 222 adjoining one end of the base 21 of the actuator body 2 and each having a rectangular profile, and four guide sections 223 formed on each of the guide surfaces 222. Each of the guide sections 223 has an elliptical positioning hole 224, a plurality of circularly formed and spaced-apart mounting holes 225, and a plurality of circularly formed first adjustment holes 226 adjoining a circumference of the guide section 223. In this embodiment, the positioning hole 224 is arranged between the mounting holes 225, and the number of guide sections 223 corresponds to the number of guide surfaces 222.

[0013] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the drive end receptacle 23 has a plurality of secondary adjustment holes 231, which are circular and adjoin a circumference of the drive end receptacle 23. The spindle or shaft 3 extends through the actuator body 2 along the axis (L). The drive end receptacle 23 has a mounting surface 230 that faces the guide receptacle 22 along the axis (L) to establish a connection with a drive (not shown). The drive is designed to drive the spindle or shaft 3 to adjust it along the axis (L). The drive is, for example, a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a direct current motor (DC motor), but the disclosure is not limited to these.

[0014] As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the guide unit 4 is connected to the actuator body 2 and comprises a sliding receptacle 41 extending in a longitudinal direction (Y), a sliding block 42 arranged on the guide receptacle 22 of the actuator body 2 for mounting the sliding receptacle 41, a plurality of fastening elements 43 each extending into the fastening holes 225 of a selected guide section 223, and a connecting block 44 connected to one end of the sliding receptacle 41 and extending forward in the longitudinal direction (Y) beyond the guide end receptacle 22. The sliding block 42 has an engagement surface 421 facing or opposite an associated guide surface 222 on which the selected guide section 223 is formed, and an engagement section 422 formed on the engagement surface 421.In the first embodiment, the longitudinal direction (Y) is essentially parallel to the axis (L).

[0015] In this embodiment, the engagement section 422 engages the selected guide section 223 by positive locking, in the manner of engagement of a projection in a corresponding recess. The guide section 223 has a positioning projection 423 that extends into the positioning hole 224 of the selected guide section 223 and has a plurality of engagement holes 424, which are designed as through holes extending through the engagement section 422 and are arranged corresponding to the mounting holes 225 of the selected guide section 223. In the first embodiment, the positioning projection 423 is designed as an elliptical projection and extends from the engagement surface 421 in a direction that extends to the associated guide surface 222 of the actuator body 2. The engagement bores 424 are designed as circular bores.

[0016] The fastening elements 43 can each extend into the engagement bores 424 and the fastening bores 225 of the selected guide section 223 in order to reliably connect the guide unit 4 to the selected guide section 223 of the actuator body 2. In the first embodiment, the fastening elements 43 are designed as screws.

[0017] The connecting block 44 is connected to the sliding receptacle 41 and has a plurality of first connecting holes 441, which are spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction (X) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y). The first connecting holes 441 extend through the connecting block 44 in a vertical direction (Z) that runs perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction (Y) and the transverse direction (X). In the first embodiment, the connecting block 44 is a rectangular block and is mounted in the longitudinal direction (Y) in front of the actuator body 2, and the sliding receptacle 41 is mounted on a top side of the actuator body 2. The vertical direction (Z) runs substantially perpendicular to both the transverse direction (X) and the longitudinal direction (Y), and the transverse direction (X) runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y).

[0018] The connecting unit 5 is fixedly connected to one end of the spindle or shaft 3 and to the connecting block 44 of the guide unit 4. The connecting unit 5 comprises a connecting receptacle 51, which is spaced apart along the axis (L) from the actuator body 2, as well as a plurality of connecting elements 52 for connecting the connecting receptacle 51 to the connecting block 44, and a pin 53 that connects the connecting receptacle 51 to the spindle or shaft 3. The connecting receptacle 51 is connected to the connecting block 44 and has two end faces 511, which are spaced apart from each other along the axis (L), four connecting surfaces 512, which extend from one of the end faces 511 to the other of the end faces 511, an axial hole 513, which extends through the end faces 511, and a plurality of secondary connecting holes 514, which are formed in the connecting surfaces 512.

[0019] In this first embodiment, the number of connecting surfaces 512 corresponds to the number of guide surfaces 222. The second connecting holes 514, formed in each of the connecting surfaces 512, are spaced apart from one another. The second connecting holes 514 formed in a selected connecting surface 512 correspond to the first connecting holes 441 of the connecting block 44. The connecting elements 52 extend through the first connecting holes 441 and through the second connecting holes 514 of the selected connecting surface 512 to reliably connect the connecting block 44 of the guide unit 4 to the connecting receptacle 51 of the connecting unit 5. The pin 53 extends through the axial hole 513 and is connected to the spindle or shaft 3.

[0020] Because the guide receptacle 22 of the actuator body 2 has a plurality of guide sections 223, and because the connection receptacle 51 of the connection unit 5 has a plurality of connection surfaces 512, a user can connect the engagement section 422 to any of the guide sections 223 according to the actual operating requirements and connect the connection block 44 to an associated connection surface 512 adjacent to one of the guide sections 223, thereby achieving the effect of freely adjusting the position of the guide unit 4 relative to the actuator body 2. For example, the guide unit 4 can be mounted on the top, bottom, left side, or right side of the actuator body 2, thus providing relatively high flexibility in assembly.

[0021] As in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, to assemble the first embodiment, the engagement section 422 of the guide unit 4 is first aligned with one of the guide sections 223 of the actuator body 2 such that the positioning projection 423 can be inserted into the positioning hole 224 of one of the guide sections 223 and the engagement bores 424 are each aligned with the mounting bores 225 of one of the guide sections 223. Then the fastening elements 43 are supplied so that they each project into the engagement bores 424 and into the mounting bores 225, thereby firmly connecting the sliding block 42 to the guide receptacle 22. It should be noted that, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that the guide unit 4 is mounted in the vertical direction (Z) essentially on the top of the actuator body 2.

[0022] In other embodiments, the guide unit 4 can be, as in the Fig. Figure 7 shows the mounting brackets on the left side of the actuator body 2, viewed in the transverse direction (X), to meet different mounting direction requirements. Thus, the first embodiment can offer improved practicality and mounting flexibility.

[0023] As in the Fig. Figure 8 shows a guide module for electric actuators according to a second embodiment as described in the present disclosure, similar to the first embodiment. The differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment are as follows.

[0024] The second embodiment comprises a plurality of guide units 4, wherein the engagement sections 422 of the guide units 4 are each connected to two of the guide sections 223 of the actuator body 2, such that the guide units 4 are connected in the vertical direction (Z) to the top and bottom of the actuator body 2. Due to the viewing angle, in the Fig. 8 only one of the intervention sections 422 is visible.

[0025] Due to the special design of the actuator body 2, which has a plurality of guide sections 223, it is possible not only to change the position of each of the guide units 4 relative to the actuator body 2, but also to increase the number of guide units 4 in order to achieve an extension function.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 9 shows a guide module for electric actuators according to a third embodiment as disclosed herein, which is similar to the first embodiment. The differences between the first embodiment and the third embodiment are as follows.

[0027] In this embodiment, each of the positioning holes 224 of the guide receptacle 22 of the actuator body 2 is designed as a circular hole. The positioning projection 423 of the guide unit 4 is designed as a cylindrical projection whose shape is complementary to each of the positioning holes 224.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 10 shows a guide module for electric actuators according to a fourth embodiment as disclosed herein, which is similar to the third embodiment. The differences between the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are as follows.

[0029] In this embodiment, each of the guide sections 223 of the guide receptacle 22 of the actuator body 2 has two positioning holes 224. The engagement section 422 of the guide unit 4 has two positioning projections 423, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (Y). In the fourth embodiment, the positioning holes 224 are designed as circular holes and the positioning projections 423 are designed as cylindrical projections, each complementary to the positioning holes 224.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 11 shows a variant of the connecting unit 5. To understand the differences to the one in the Fig. To facilitate the connection unit 5 shown in section 4, the guide unit 4 and the connection receptacle 51 are located in the Fig. Figure 11 is omitted. In this variant, the connecting unit 5 still has a plurality of mounting receptacles 54, for example, two mounting receptacles 54, each connected to the guide end receptacle 22 and the drive end receptacle 23, as well as a plurality of fastening elements 55. Each of the mounting receptacles 54 has a plurality of mounting holes 541, which are designed as through holes. The fastening elements 55 can first extend into the mounting holes 541 and then into the first adjustment holes 226 of a selected guide section 223 of the guide receptacle 22 and selected second adjustment holes 231 of the drive end receptacle 23 to connect the mounting receptacles 54 to the guide receptacle 22 and the drive end receptacle 23.It should be noted that the mounting receptacles 54 are generally L-shaped and are located on the right side of the actuator body 2 when viewed in the transverse direction (X), but the shapes and positions of the mounting receptacles 54 are not limited thereto.

[0031] As in Fig. Figure 12 shows a variant of the mounting receptacles 54 of the connecting unit 5. Each of the mounting receptacles 54 can be designed as a flat plate arranged in the vertical direction (Z) on the top of the actuator body 2.

[0032] Due to the structural design of the first adjustment holes 226, which are formed in the guide sections 223 of the guide receptacle 22, and the second adjustment holes 231, which are formed in the drive end receptacle 23, the mounting receptacles 54 can be connected to the actuator body 2 in addition to connecting the guide unit 4 to the actuator body 2, thereby achieving a relatively high structural stability.

[0033] The advantages of the first to fourth embodiments and the variants can be summarized as follows from the above description.

[0034] 1. Because the guide receptacle 22 of the actuator body 2 has at least two guide sections 223, the user can adjust the position of the guide unit 4 relative to the actuator body 2 according to different mounting directions or actual operating requirements, resulting in relatively high practicality and mounting flexibility.

[0035] 2. The structural design of the first adjustment holes 226 of each of the guide sections 223 of the guide receptacle 22 not only allows connection with the guide unit 4, but also with the mounting seats 54, thereby achieving a relatively high structural stability.

[0036] In the foregoing description, numerous specific details have been provided for illustrative purposes, in order to convey a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments can be realized without some of these specific details. It should also be noted that the reference in this description to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," an embodiment with an ordinal number, etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or property may be provided for in the practical implementation of the disclosure.It should also be noted that in the description, various features are sometimes combined in a single embodiment, figure, or description to streamline the disclosure and facilitate understanding of different aspects of the invention; however, this does not mean that each of these features must be implemented in conjunction with all the other features. In other words, in each described embodiment, if the implementation of one or more features or specific details does not interfere with the implementation of one or more other features or specific details, the one or more features can be selected and implemented independently.It should also be noted that one or more features or special details from one embodiment may be implemented together with one or more features or special details from another embodiment in the implementation of the disclosure.

[0037] In summary, a guide module for electric actuators is disclosed, comprising an actuator body 2 and at least one guide unit 4. The actuator body 2 has at least two guide surfaces 222 arranged at one end thereof, and at least two guide sections 223 formed on each of the guide surfaces 222. The at least one guide unit 4 is connected to the actuator body 2 and has an engagement surface 421 facing or opposite a selected guide surface 222, and an engagement section 422 formed on the engagement surface 421. The engagement section 422 engages positively, in the manner of a projection engaging a recess, with an associated guide section 223. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 8 720 318 B2 [0002, 0007]

Claims

Guide module for electric actuators, comprising: an actuator body (2) having at least two guide surfaces (222) arranged at one end thereof, and at least two guide sections (223) formed on the guide surfaces (222); and at least one guide unit (4) connected to the actuator body (2), comprising an engagement surface (421) facing one of the selected guide surfaces (222), and an engagement section (422) formed on the engagement surface (421), wherein the engagement section (422) engages with an associated guide section (223) in the manner of an engagement of a projection in a recess. Guide module for electric actuators according to claim 1, wherein each of the guide sections (223) has a plurality of mounting holes (225); and the at least one guide unit (4) further comprises a plurality of fastening elements (43) which each extend into the mounting holes (225) of the associated guide section (223). Guide module for electric actuators according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: each of the guide sections (223) further comprises a positioning hole (224) arranged between the mounting holes (225); and the engagement section (422) comprises a positioning projection (423) extending into the positioning hole (224) of the associated guide section (223). Guide module for electric actuators according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one guide unit (4) has a plurality of engagement bores (424) which are arranged corresponding to the fastening bores (225) of the associated guide section (223); and the fastening elements (43) extend through the engagement bores (424) and through the fastening bores (225) of the associated guide section (223) to connect the at least one guide unit (4) and the associated guide section (223) of the actuator body (2) to each other. Guide module for electric actuators according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of guide units (4) is provided, wherein: the engagement sections (422) of the guide units (4) are each connected to the guide sections (223) of the actuator body (2); and the number of guide sections (223) corresponds to the number of guide surfaces (222). Guide module for electric actuators according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator body (2) has four guide surfaces (222) and four guide sections (223). Guide module for electric actuators according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the actuator body (2) has a base (21) extending along an axis (L) and having one end of the actuator body (2), and a guide end receptacle (22) connected to one end of the base (21); the guide end receptacle (22) has the guide surfaces (222), the guide sections (223) and a mounting surface (221) and these are spaced apart along the axis (L) from the base (21). Guide module for electric actuators according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a connecting unit (5) and a spindle or shaft (3) extending through the actuator body (2) and along an axis (L), wherein: the connecting unit (5) has a connecting receptacle (51) spaced apart along the axis (L) from the actuator body (2); and the at least one guide unit (4) has a connecting block (44) connected to the connecting receptacle (51). Guide module for electric actuators according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement section (422) of the at least one guide unit (4) has at least one positioning projection (423) which projects from the engagement surface (421) in a direction towards the actuator body (2). Guide module for electric actuators according to claim 9, wherein: the engagement section (422) of the at least one guide unit (4) has two positioning projections (423); and the positioning projections (423) are spaced apart from each other in a direction extending along an axis (L).

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