Linear Actuator Centrifugal Safety Assembly for Retraction Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuators do not effectively reduce the impact force of a telescopic tube when quickly retracted into an outer tube, which can lead to safety issues and discomfort during rapid movements, such as in hospital bed adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator incorporating a centrifugal safety device with an outer socket, inner socket, and centrifugal assembly, where centrifugal blocks and elastic elements interact to absorb impact forces by linking the sockets when centrifugal force exceeds elastic force, thereby controlling the rotation and reducing impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the telescopic tube is quickly retracted into the outer tube, then the retraction speed is improved, but the impact force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a centrifugal safety device with elastic elements (such as springs) that are pre-positioned to cushion the impact when the telescopic tube is quickly retracted. The elastic elements are designed to compress and absorb the impact force before it can be fully transmitted to the outer tube, thereby reducing the harmful impact while allowing rapid retraction to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal safety device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the telescopic tube and the outer tube. When rapid retraction occurs, the centrifugal blocks engage with the elastic elements, which then mediate the energy transfer by converting the kinetic energy of the impacting tube into elastic potential energy through compression, thereby reducing the direct impact force on the outer tube.
2Reliability
If a centrifugal safety device is added to reduce impact force, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal safety device is designed with a nested structure where the centrifugal blocks are positioned within the hollow interior of the telescopic tube, and the elastic elements are contained within the centrifugal safety device housing. This nesting arrangement allows the safety mechanism to be integrated within the existing actuator structure without requiring significant additional space or external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal safety device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a safety mechanism to reduce impact force and as a structural component within the actuator assembly. The centrifugal blocks and elastic elements are designed to work with the existing telescopic tube and outer tube structure, allowing the same components to serve both the primary actuation function and the secondary safety function.
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 centrifugal safety device effectively reduces impact forces during rapid retraction, enhancing safety and comfort by preventing speed loss and allowing for a more compact actuator design, which can be integrated into hospital beds with reduced development time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
when the centrifugal force of the centrifugal block is greater than the elastic force of the elastic element, the centrifugal block moves into the first accommodation portion and clamped by the raised portion and the stop portion, and the inner socket is linked with the outer socket
Implementation Method 2
when the centrifugal force of the centrifugal block is smaller than the elastic force of the elastic element, the centrifugal block is limited in the second accommodation portion by the elastic element
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator (1) and the centrifugal safety device (50) thereof is disclosed. The safety device (50) includes an outer socket (51) having a stop portion (512) and a first accommodation portion (513), an inner socket (53) having a raised portion (531) and a second accommodation portion (532) and a centrifugal assembly (55) having a centrifugal block (551) and an elastic element (555). The inner socket (53) drives the centrifugal assembly (55) to rotate. If the centrifugal force of the centrifugal block (551) is smaller than the elasticity of the elastic element (555), then the centrifugal block (551) is limited in the second accommodation portion (532) by the elastic element (555), or else the centrifugal block (551) moves into the first accommodation portion (513) and clamped by the raised portion (531) and the stop portion (512).