An actuator is suitable for providing linear motion between two points, and may be used, for example, in motorized positioning of an automobile steering column. The actuator includes a threaded spindle connected to a drive motor via a gear set, a first connection interface mounted on the spindle and engaged with the spindle thread, and a second connection interface mounted on the spindle and engaged with the spindle thread. The second connection interface is moveable along the spindle axis relative to the first connection interface when the spindle is driven by the drive motor. The actuator is arranged such that the first and second connection interfaces are disposed on the same side of the gear set.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator that includes a worm drive assembly having a worm shaft, and a worm wheel configured as a ring having a radially outer perimeter comprising a first collection of gear teeth extending radially outward from the radially outer perimeter and at least partly engaged with the worm shaft, and a coaxial radially inner perimeter comprising a second collection of gear teeth extending radially inward from the inner perimeter, and an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear and a planet gear engaged with the sun gear and the second collection of gear teeth.

A linear actuator system comprising a linear actuator and at least one box with an openable cover. The box comprises a horizontal hinge pin in each side as well as a track in each side, which the respective hinge pins reach into, and where the track on a first run is horizontal and led out to a free edge such that the cover can be placed on the box in a horizontal movement and that the track has a second run in continuation of the first run, and where the second run has a sloping course, which extends down towards the bottom of the box such that the respective hinge pins when the cover is closed are led into the second sloping course of the track. The cover can thus be removed from the box, in case this would be desired, alternatively the cover can remain on the box and be opened by rotating around the horizontal hinge pins. Due to the design of the tracks, which the hinge pins reach into, the cover can be placed on and removed from the box in a horizontal position. By the sloping course of the track the cover will retract itself to its position when it with the hinge pins is slid into the tracks.

An actuator gearbox includes a drive shaft including a plurality of gear linkages that are spaced apart along the drive shaft, and a plurality of output shafts adjacent respective ones of the plurality of gear linkages. Each of the gear linkages includes a fixed gear coupled to one of the plurality of output shafts and a moving gear that is slideably coupled to the drive shaft. A bias spring is coupled to the moving gear to urge the moving gear out of engagement with the fixed gear. The mechanical switch moves the moving gear into engagement with the fixed gear on the output shaft adjacent the linkage to thereby cause the output shaft to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft.

A gearbox assembly includes a housing, a cover, a screw rod inserted through the housing along a first direction, a worm wheel integrally formed on the screw rod, and a worm arranged in the housing along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The worm is driven into rotation by a driving shaft, so that the worm drives the worm wheel and the screw rod into rotation through a kinetic pair. The screw rod moves a lifting mechanism attached to the screw rod in a vertical direction through screw transmission. A stop pin is arranged on the housing and positioned in the direction of extension of a free end of the driving shaft of the worm against the free end.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator that includes a worm drive assembly having a worm shaft, and a worm wheel configured as a ring having a radially outer perimeter comprising a first collection of gear teeth extending radially outward from the radially outer perimeter and at least partly engaged with the worm shaft, and a coaxial radially inner perimeter comprising a second collection of gear teeth extending radially inward from the inner perimeter, and an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear and a planet gear engaged with the sun gear and the second collection of gear teeth.

A gearbox includes: the first helical gear; the second helical gear to engage with the first helical gear; a casing including a first member disposed in proximity to the first helical gear and a second member disposed in proximity to the second helical gear; a screw for fastening the first member with the second member, and disposed closer to the first helical gear than an engagement position between the first helical gear and the second helical gear and penetrating at least the second member; and a clip disposed closer to the second helical gear than the engagement position, and formed of a closed curve in such a manner that the first member end and the second member end are enclosed therein.

An electric actuator assembly comprises a main actuator including a gear set containing a stepped friction portion located on a gear shaft of a drive gear thereof, an extension rod, and a power drive for rotating the gear set to move the extension rod through a lead screw, and a one-way bearing consisting of an inner race fitted to the gear shaft of the drive gear, an outer race surrounding the inner race, and a backstop mechanism mounted in between. When operating the power drive to rotate the gear set in lifting the extension rod, the inner race is rotated by the gear set relative to the outer race in one direction. When the driving power is off, the one-way bearing cannot rotate in reverse direction, the stepped friction portion is abutted against the flat contact surface of the inner race to produce a braking effect, preventing falling of the load that is supported on the main actuator.

An adjustment drive for a steering column may include a drive unit having a threaded spindle that is supported in a gearbox housing at a bearing portion so as to be rotatable, with the threaded spindle including a threaded portion with a spindle thread that is axially adjoined to a shaft portion on which a gear wheel is arranged in a rotationally secure manner. The gear wheel meshes with a drive wheel that is coupled to a motor. Between the threaded portion and the gear wheel a peripheral bearing groove with a groove base may extend between groove flanks thereof. The bearing portion may be disposed in the bearing groove in a region of the groove base, and the bearing portion may be supported in a sliding manner in a bearing opening of a bearing plate that engages radially in the bearing groove.

An actuator operable to drive a thrust reverser in a gas turbine engine, wherein the thrust reverser comprises first and second translatable sleeves. The actuator comprises a first actuating member moveable so as to translate the first sleeve and a second actuating member moveable so as to translate the second sleeve. The actuator further comprises an interlock arrangement operable in a locked mode in which the first actuating member and second actuating member are locked so as to move together and in an unlocked mode in which at least one of the first actuating member and second actuator member is free to move independently of the other. Operation of the actuator to open or close the thrust reverser comprises a first mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the locked mode and a second mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the unlocked mode.