Multi-Threaded Rod Electric Actuator for High Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric actuators are limited in generating significant forces due to their design, which restricts their application, while hydraulic cylinders are complex, large, and potentially polluting, requiring extensive maintenance and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
An electric actuator design featuring multiple threaded rods with integral nuts, which allows for the generation of forces comparable to or exceeding those of hydraulic cylinders, while maintaining a reduced size and simplified maintenance, using an electric motor with multiple threaded rods to induce translational movement of a thrust member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional electric actuator with a single threaded rod is used, then the structure is simple, but the generated force is limited and cannot achieve significant thrust
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the force generation system into multiple independent threaded rods (at least two) that work in parallel. Each threaded rod with its nut assembly contributes to the total thrust, allowing the system to generate significant force while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure that is easier to maintain than a hydraulic system.
2Force
If a hydraulic cylinder is used to generate significant forces, then the force output is high, but the device size is large and requires extensive infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the hydraulic system (fluid-based mechanical system) with a direct electric motor-driven mechanical system using threaded rods and nuts. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid, tanks, pumps, and associated infrastructure, resulting in a more compact actuator that generates comparable or superior force in a smaller volume.
3Force
If a hydraulic cylinder is used, then significant forces can be generated, but the maintenance complexity increases due to multiple components and fluid circulation infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic infrastructure (fluid circulation system, tanks, pumps, valves) from the force generation system, retaining only the essential mechanical components (threaded rods, nuts, electric motor). This extraction dramatically simplifies maintenance while preserving the ability to generate significant thrust.
4Force
If a hydraulic cylinder is used, then high force output is achieved, but the environmental pollution risk increases due to potential fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of hydraulic fluid leakage into a benefit by completely eliminating hydraulic fluid from the system. The electric motor-driven threaded rod system uses only clean mechanical components and electrical power, generating significant force without any risk of fluid pollution, thus transforming the environmental disadvantage into an environmental advantage.
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
The design enables the production of an electric actuator that generates substantial thrust with reduced size and complexity, suitable for use in various environments, including hostile conditions, with enhanced maintenance simplicity and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, the rotation of the output shaft of which induces a rectilinear translation movement of a movable member
Implementation Method 2
a screw and a nut. The nut is immobilized in rotation and guided in translation, its displacement being induced by the rotation of the screw
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The electric actuator comprises at least: - an electric motor (2), - a threaded rod (8) that is moved in rotation and is stationary in translation, - a nut (13) that is rotationally immobilised and is guided in translation along the threaded rod (8), said nut (13) being moved in translation by the rotation of the threaded rod (8), - a pushing member (3) that is movable in translation and is set in motion by the movement of the nut (13). The actuator (1) comprises at least two threaded rods (8) each moving a nut (13) in translation along the threaded rod (8) on which the nut (13) is mounted, each nut (13) moving said pushing member (3) in translation. An assembly of parts (10) comprising at least one member (17) for rotationally immobilising each nut (13) is suitable for providing the connection between each nut (13) and one end (9) of the pushing member (3), the assembly (10) comprising an open ring (29) surrounding a nut (13).