Manual Override Device for Electric Actuator Rotor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual override methods for electric actuators are difficult, inaccurate, and slow, particularly when power is lost or the drive mechanism becomes stuck, requiring operators to manually position the linear motion assembly or thrust tube assembly.
Innovation Solution
A manual override device with a shaft and gear teeth that engages with notches on the actuator's rotor, providing a mechanical advantage for easy and accurate positioning, using a rotatable shaft with a nut and grooves for enhanced grip and a locking mechanism for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screw driver or similar tool is inserted into an access point to manually move the rotor by pushing or prying notches, then the actuator thrust rod can be manually positioned, but the operation becomes difficult, inaccurate, and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manual override device with a shaft and gear teeth that engages with notches on the rotor as an intermediary mechanism. This device mediates between the operator's manual input and the rotor's movement, transforming difficult prying motions into smooth rotational movements through gear engagement, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the inadequate screw driver prying mechanism with a dedicated manual override system featuring a shaft with gear teeth that directly engage the rotor notches. This mechanical substitution provides proper gear engagement instead of makeshift prying, enabling accurate and efficient manual positioning while eliminating the operational difficulties of the previous method
2Manufacturing precision
If a screw driver or similar tool is used to manually move the rotor, then the actuator can be repositioned, but the positioning accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The manual override device acts as an intermediary that translates operator input into precise rotor positioning through gear tooth engagement. The gear teeth on the shaft engage with the notches on the rotor, providing controlled incremental movements that ensure accurate positioning while maintaining ease of operation through smooth rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic gear engagement where the shaft with gear teeth rotates to engage and disengage with the rotor notches. This dynamic interaction allows for controlled, incremental positioning movements that improve accuracy while keeping the operation simple and intuitive through natural rotational motion
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
Enables quick and efficient manual operation of electric actuators, allowing for precise positioning of the linear motion assembly, even in power failures or when the drive mechanism is stuck, improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A manual override tool for an actuator may comprise a shaft having an accessible first end and a plurality of gear teeth. The gear teeth may be configured such that the accessible first end may be used to manually operate the electric actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a manual override tool for an electric actuator. The manual override tool includes an accessible first end, a shaft operably connected with the first end and is movable in a linear direction and is rotatable, and a plurality of gear teeth on the shaft. The accessible first end is used to engage and disengage the plurality of gear teeth with a plurality of notches provided on an interior rotor of the electric actuator, such that the accessible first end may be used to manually operate the electric actuator.