Linear Actuator Manual Override Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current linear actuators rely on electric power and cannot operate without a power supply, posing a challenge for emergency situations or power failures.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator with an arm-driven mechanism that includes a lead screw, driving nut, telescopic tube, first and second washers, and a nut-tube, allowing the actuator to be powered manually by rotating the arm, which engages with the lead screw, and features a mechanism to prevent excessive displacement by using friction and washers to control movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a lead screw driven by an electric motor is used, then the linear actuator can perform automated linear reciprocating displacement, but it cannot operate without power supply or during power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuator is designed with dual driving capabilities: an electric motor for automated operation and a manual arm-driven mechanism for emergency operation. The lead screw serves both functions, allowing the system to switch between automated and manual modes, thus achieving multi-functionality and ensuring operation continuity during power failures
Solution Approach 2:
The manual arm-driven mechanism allows operators to directly drive the lead screw through rotational motion of the arm, enabling the system to serve itself during power failures without requiring external power supply or complex backup systems
2Reliability
If a manual arm-driven mechanism is added to enable operation without power supply, then the linear actuator can operate during power failure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual arm-driven mechanism is integrated with the existing electric motor-driven components. The lead screw, driving nut, and telescopic tube serve both manual and automated driving modes, merging two different driving methods into a single unified structure rather than creating separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
Common components such as the lead screw, driving nut, and telescopic tube are designed to function in both automated and manual modes, reducing the need for duplicate components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Device complexity
If the telescopic sleeve is directly connected to the driving nut and nut-tube, then the structure is simple, but excessive displacement cannot be prevented when the driving nut is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The first washer and second washer are pre-installed between the telescopic sleeve and the driving nut/nut-tube to create a friction-based protective mechanism. This preliminary arrangement prevents excessive displacement by generating friction resistance before blocking occurs, protecting the driving nut from damage when obstruction is encountered
Solution Approach 2:
The first washer and second washer act as intermediary elements between the telescopic sleeve and the driving components. These washers provide a friction interface that mediates the force transmission, allowing controlled slippage to prevent excessive displacement while still enabling normal operation under friction conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the linear actuator to function without a power supply by using a manual arm-driven mechanism, ensuring continuous operation and preventing excessive displacement through controlled friction and washer engagement, thus addressing the power dependency issue.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw rotates and being driven by the electric motor... when the lead screw rotates, the driving nut and the nut-tube linearly moves together with telescopic sleeve
Implementation Method 2
the friction of the lead screw and the driving nut is larger than the friction of the first washer, the second washer and the nut-tube. Then the telescopic sleeve slips between the first washer and the second washer
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator (1) includes an electrical driving mechanism (10), a lead screw (20), an outer tube (30), a telescopic tube (40) and an arm driven mechanism (50). The arm driven mechanism (50) comprises an arm (51), a driving nut (52), a telescopic sleeve (53), a first washer (54), a nut-tube (55) and a second washer (56). The arm (51) is provided with a handle (511) and a sleeve (512), and the sleeve (512) links with the lead screw (20). An outer peripheral of the telescopic sleeve (53) provided with a plural of screws for screwing with the telescopic tube (40). The nut-tube (55) links with the driving nut (52) for moving together. When the handle (511) rotates, the linear actuator (1) can be operated.