Linear dual actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear dual actuators for furniture, particularly beds, face challenges such as increased height and width due to horizontally positioned electric motors, complicating manufacturing and handling, and requiring complex molds, while also being less cleaning-friendly and inefficient in space usage.
Innovation Solution
The electric motors are positioned axis-aligned with the spindles, allowing for a flat box-shaped housing with reduced height, eliminating the need for bulges and indentations, and utilizing a worm gear transmission with additional stabilizing worm wheels to enhance force transfer and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If electric motors are positioned horizontally in the housing, then the dual actuator can transfer larger forces, but the height and width of the housing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the electric motors from a horizontal arrangement (contributing to height and width) to an axial arrangement along the spindle axis (contributing to length). This dimensional change allows the housing to be more compact in height and width while maintaining force transfer capability through the extended axial configuration of the motor-spindle-worm gear assembly.
2Force
If electric motors are positioned horizontally in the housing, then the dual actuator can transfer larger forces, but the width of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the electric motors from a horizontal arrangement (contributing to width) to an axial arrangement along the spindle axis. This dimensional change consolidates the motor placement along the length dimension, thereby reducing the housing width while preserving the force transfer capability through the extended axial configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If bulges are created in the housing for electric motors, then the motors can be accommodated, but the mould becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for bulges by repositioning the motors axially along the spindle. This allows the housing to maintain a simple, uniform box shape without protrusions, significantly simplifying the mould design and manufacturing process while accommodating the motors in the length dimension rather than creating width or height variations.
4Volume of stationary object
If the housing is designed with indentations for adjacent actuators, then shipping space is optimized, but the mould becomes further complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact shipping volume by arranging the motors axially along the spindle, which naturally reduces the overall housing dimensions. This eliminates the need for complex indentations, as the simplified box-shaped housing with reduced dimensions already optimizes shipping space while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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
This design results in a more compact, easier-to-manufacture, and more efficient dual actuator that can handle larger forces, reducing the overall size and complexity while maintaining effective operation of the furniture sections.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission can be constructed in various ways e.g. as a spur toothed gear train or a belt drive. According to the invention the linear dual actuator comprises a worm gear, where the worm is designed as an extension of the motor shaft
Implementation Method 2
A thrust element with a spindle nut in engagement with the spindle is arranged on the spindle. When the spindle is rotated the thrust element will be displaced in one or the other direction depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Linear dual actuator for lying or sitting furniture having at least two sections (2,3), which with one end is rotatably embedded in the article of furniture and where each section (2,3) with an arm (5,7) secured to a pivot shaft (4,6) can be adjusted. The dual actuator comprises a housing (8) with a recess (10) in each end for each of the pivot shafts (4,6) on the article of furniture and where the arms (5,7) on the pivot shafts (4,6) after the dual actuator has been mounted on the article of furniture reach into the housing (8). Each end of the housing is furnished with a drive comprising an electric motor (11), which through a transmission (12) drives a spindle (13a) with a thrust element (18) having one end in engagement with the arm (5,7) for ' adjusting the sections (2,3). The electric motors (11) are located axis-aligned with the respective spindles (13a). Thus, the housing (8) can be constructed as a flat box with a relatively low height, as the only thing which should be considered in terms of the height is the thickness of the electric motors and not their length. As the housing (8) can be constructed as a flat box without bulges and indentations the mould is thus also relatively uncomplicated.