Threaded Spindle Actuator Nut With Plastic Flange End Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators with threaded spindles and nuts face challenges in achieving a compact, cost-effective, and reliable design that maintains position during operation while ensuring safety and precise adjustment of end positions.
Innovation Solution
A component comprising a metal nut with gear teeth and a plastic element with a radially inward flange, which contacts the threaded spindle, allowing for secure screwing and position maintenance, serving as a safety end stop and enabling precise adjustment of actuator travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional metal nut with lock screw is used, then the actuator maintains position during operation, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nut and lock screw functions into a single integrated component. The nut body includes an integrated lock screw that is formed as one piece with the nut, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing assembly steps while maintaining position maintenance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated nut component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the threading engagement for position adjustment and includes built-in locking capability through the integrated lock screw. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the actuator system
2Reliability
If multiple nuts are used to achieve reliable positioning, then the position stability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple nut functions into a single integrated nut component with built-in locking features. This eliminates the need for multiple separate nuts and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining position stability through the integrated design
3Ease of manufacture
If a compact design is achieved with fewer components, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the position maintenance capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated nut with lock screw combines multiple functions in one component, reducing part count and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable position maintenance through the built-in locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite construction where the nut body and lock screw are formed as an integrated unit, potentially using different material properties in different regions to optimize both cost and performance characteristics
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 solution provides a compact, cost-effective, and reliable actuator design that maintains position during operation, ensures safety through dual shut-off mechanisms, and allows for precise adjustment of actuator travel, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic element (18) which contacts the threaded spindle (11)
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a threaded spindle and an internally threaded component screwed onto the threaded spindle. The component includes a plastic element having a first axial end and a second axial end and an interior having a width and a radially inwardly projecting flange at the first axial end, and the flange has an inner diameter less than the width of the interior. A metal element, such as a nut, is fixedly mounted in the interior of the plastic element, and the internal thread of the nut has a maximum diameter greater than the inner diameter of the flange.