Detachable Manual Actuator Coupling With Axial-Tolerant Stack Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuators face complex and failure-prone designs for manual operation, particularly in emergency scenarios, and require secure connections for stacked structures within the housing that are difficult to manufacture and prone to malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

An actuator with a detachable hand control element that engages the manual drive shaft directly or indirectly to the gearbox, featuring a simple mechanical design and a coupling mechanism that allows easy assembly and disassembly, along with a connection system that accommodates axial displacement of the stack structure to handle manufacturing and operational tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handwheel with coupling device is used for manual operation, then manual drive capability is achieved, but the design becomes complicated and failure-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual drive capabilityVSAvoidcoupling device design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the handwheel from the housing and makes it detachable. The handwheel can be removed and stored separately when not in use, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining manual drive capability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual drive system is segmented into separate components: a detachable handwheel, a receiving element in the housing, and a drive shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the coupling mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connection of stacked structure to housing is used, then secure connection is achieved, but manufacturing becomes complex and tolerance limits are incompatible with changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces axial play (axial movement capability) between the stacked structure and housing, transforming the connection from rigid to dynamically adjustable. This allows the connection to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and operational changes while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection parameter from fixed position to variable axial position. The stacked structure can move axially within the housing, allowing adjustment to accommodate manufacturing variations and operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4453459B1Actuator
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 AUMA RIESTER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4453459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4453459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4453459B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an actuator (1) comprising a manual driveshaft (2) for a manual drive and comprising a manual operating element (3). The manual operating element (3) can be releasably connected to a housing (4) of the actuator (1), and when the manual operating element is connected to the housing (4), the manual operating element (3) forces a coupling of the manual driveshaft (2) to a gearing mechanism (5) of the actuator (1). The invention additionally relates to an actuator (20) comprising a stacked construction (15) which is arranged in a housing (4) and a connection element (21) for connecting the stacked construction (15) to the housing (4), wherein the connection has an axial degree of freedom between the housing (4) and the stacked construction (15).