Linear Actuator Damping Assembly for Load Peaks and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear actuators face damage from load peaks, vibrations, and impacts due to unmanaged forces, which shorten their service life and can affect the accuracy of translational movements.
Innovation Solution
A damping system with a spring-elastic arrangement pretensioned between axial stop surfaces, allowing it to absorb forces exceeding the nominal force by lifting away from the stop surfaces, thus preventing unnecessary oscillations and protecting sensitive components while maintaining stiffness for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping system with spring arrangement is added to absorb excessive forces, then the reliability and service life of the linear actuator is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is nested within the existing actuator structure, specifically positioned within the nut housing between the drive mechanism and the nut. This integration allows the damping function to be added without requiring separate external damping components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a damping element to absorb excessive forces and protect the actuator, while also serving as a structural component within the nut housing assembly. This multi-functionality approach allows the damping system to be integrated without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the spring arrangement is pretensioned to maintain stiffness up to nominal force, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the spring arrangement may interfere with normal operation if not properly configured
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is given a specific pretensioning force that corresponds to the nominal operating force of the actuator. This parameter setting ensures that the spring remains rigid and maintains positioning accuracy during normal operation, while allowing it to become compliant and absorb excessive forces when loads exceed the nominal value. The pretensioning parameter is carefully selected to balance stiffness and damping requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring arrangement is designed to lift away from stop surfaces under excessive load, then the protection against load peaks is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is designed to lift away or separate from the stop surfaces on the drive mechanism when excessive forces are applied. This extraction or separation mechanism allows the spring to become compliant and absorb load peaks without requiring complex mechanical linkages or additional damping components. The simplicity of the lifting-away mechanism minimizes structural complexity while effectively protecting against harmful load peaks.
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 damping system effectively absorbs excessive forces, preventing damage to linear actuator components and ensuring accurate positioning even under heavy loads by maintaining stiffness up to the nominal force, thereby extending the actuator's service life.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-elastic spring arrangement (30) which in an initial position at a predetermined pretensioning is axially in contact with the first and second stop surface
Data Source
AI summary
A damping system for a linear actuator, and a linear actuator. The damping system has a first sub-assembly with a first axial stop surface and a second axial stop surface. A spring-elastic spring arrangement has an initial position at a predetermined pretensioning and is axially in contact with the first and second stop surface. A second sub-assembly is mounted axially displaceable relative to the first sub-assembly and is configured to lift the spring arrangement away from the first stop surface or from the second stop surface in the case of an axial movement relative to the first sub-assembly.