Linear drive device

Abstract

The invention relates to a linear drive device having a housing element in which at least one drivable actuating element is arranged, a guide unit which is coupled to the actuation element and moves relative to the housing element between two stroke end positions in linear direction, a stroke limiting device, by means of which a first stroke end position and a second stroke end position of the guide unit are adjustable, wherein the stroke limiting device has a first stop and a first counterstop for setting a limit of the first stroke end position and a second stop and a second counterstop for setting a first limit of the second stroke end position, wherein the stroke limiting device has a third stop which is adapted to set a second limit of the second stroke end position adjusted with the first counterstop.

Claims

1. Linear drive device, comprising: a housing element in which at least one drivable actuating element is arranged, a guide unit which is coupled for movement with the actuating element and is guided linearly movable relative to the housing element between two stroke end positions, a stroke limiting device, by means of which a first stroke end position and a second stroke end position of the guide unit are adjustable, wherein the stroke limiting device comprises a first stop and a first counterstop for setting a limit of the first stroke end position and a second stop and a second counterstop for setting a first limit of the second stroke end position, wherein the stroke limiting device has a third stop which is adapted to set a second limit of the second stroke end position with the first counterstop, wherein the first counterstop is arranged between the first stop and the third stop.

2. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first stop, the second stop and the third stop are fixedly connected with the housing element.

3. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first counterstop or the second counterstop is adapted for arranging a damping element.

4. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first counterstop and the second counterstop are fixedly connected with the guide unit.

5. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first stop, the second stop and the third stop are adapted each for arranging a damping element.

6. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit and the actuating element are connected via a connecting element.

7. Linear drive device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element is arranged front side on the linear drive device.

8. Linear drive device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element is designed as a yoke plate.

9. Linear drive device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element and the guide unit is formed as an integral component.

10. Linear drive device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element comprises at least one opening for adjusting a damping element.

11. Linear drive device according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element is adapted for arranging a damping element.

12. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first counterstop is adapted to support a magnetic element.

13. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the housing element comprises at least one groove for receiving a sensor strip.

14. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the linear drive device has a sensor strip which has sensor elements for detecting at least the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position of the guide unit.

15. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the housing element and the guide unit define a construction space through the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position, wherein the stroke limiting device is arranged in its entirety within the construction space.

16. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first stop, the second stop and the third stop are fixedly connected with the housing element.

17. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first counterstop or the second counterstop is adapted for arranging a damping element.

18. Linear drive device according to claim 2, wherein at least the first counterstop or the second counterstop is adapted for arranging a damping element.

19. Linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein the first counterstop and the second counterstop are fixedly connected with the guide unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to an embodiment,

(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to another embodiment,

(4) FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(5) FIG. 2C is a sectional view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(6) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(7) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(8) FIG. 3C is a sectional view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(9) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to yet another embodiment,

(10) FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic representation of a linear drive device according to an embodiment, and

(11) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a linear drive device according to an additional embodiment.

(12) Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

(13) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to one embodiment. The linear drive device 100 comprises a housing element 200 in which two drivable actuating elements 202 in the form of pneumatic pistons are arranged. On the housing element 200 is a carriage-like guide unit 300, which is coupled for movement with the actuating element 202 and is linearly movably guided relative to the housing element 200 between two stroke end positions. On the upper side of the guide unit 300, a plurality of openings are arranged, which can be customized according to the requirements of the individual customer. In addition, the linear drive device 100 includes a stroke limiting device 400, which is located between the guide unit 300 and the housing member 200. The stroke limiting device 400 is configured to set a first stroke end position and a second stroke end position of the guide unit 300. The stroke limiting device 400 comprises a first stop 402 and a first counterstop 302. When the first stop 402 meets the first counterstop 302, the first stroke end position is limited. Furthermore, the stroke limiting device 400 comprises a second stop 404 and a second counterstop 304. The collision of the second stop 404 and the second counterstop 304 limits the second stroke end position. In addition, the stroke limiting device 400 includes a third stop 406. The third stop 406 and the first stop 402 define therebetween a distance within which the first counterstop 302 can move between two stroke end positions. Thus, the third stop 406 is adapted to set a second limit of the second stroke end position with the first counterstop 302. In other words, the coincidence of the second stop 404 with the second counterstop 304 as well as the coincidence of the first counterstop 302 with the third stop 406 can be used to set the second stroke end position.

(14) Both the first stop 402, the second counterstop 304 and also the third stop 406 are designed to carry a respective damping element 500. Unlike the first stop 402 and the third stop 406, the second counterstop 304 is not connected to the housing element 200, but is rather designed as a movable stop on the guide unit 300. The placement of a damping element 500 brings advantages with respect to the adjustability of the stroke end position. By way of adaptation of a damping element 500, adjustment of the respective stroke end position can be achieved in a particularly simple manner. In conjunction with the aforementioned adjustment of the second stroke end position, this means that a user of the linear drive device 100 can select the side of the access to the adjustment to the linear drive device 100 via the arrangement of the damping elements 500 on the corresponding stops. Using the example of the second stroke end position, this means that, on the one hand, there is the possibility of the second stroke end position by arrangement of a damping element 500 on the second counterstop 304 or on the third stop 406. As a consequence, an adaptation or an adjustment of the second stroke end positionby adjustment of the damping element 500must take place from a front side of the linear drive device 100, which is arranged opposite the connecting element 320. On the other hand, it is possible to realize the second stroke end position by arranging the damping element on the third stop 406. As a consequence, an adaptation of the second stroke end position must take place from one front side of the connecting element 320. The adjustability of a stroke end position by a damping element 500 must in each case be set up so that the stroke end position is reached before a collision of the second limiting on the opposite side takes place. This inevitably reduces the total distance, but this loss is on the one hand small and on the other hand this is already to be considered in the construction of the linear drive device 100.

(15) In order to allow access by the connecting element 320 to the damping element 500 at the third stop 406, the connecting element 320 comprises an opening 502 for adjusting a damping element 500. In this case, the opening 502 is aligned exactly with the damping element 500, so that the damping element 500 can be adjusted, for example, by means of a socket wrench or a screwdriver.

(16) The connecting element 320 is preferably designed as a yoke plate and is located at least partially on a front side of the linear drive device 100. Preferably, the connecting element 320 is formed together with the guide unit 300 as an integral component. This increases the stability and accuracy of the entire device and also reduces assembly costs.

(17) Both the first stop 402, the second stop 404 and the third stop 406 are formed together with the housing member 200 as an integral component. For example, such a housing element 200 can be milled with all stops from a full aluminum piece. Similarly, the guide unit 300 can be manufactured by being molded together with the second counterstop 304 and the first counterstop 302 as an integral component. Similar advantages can also be achieved in the production of the connecting element 320 in that the guide unit 300 and the connecting element 320 are formed as an integral component. Thus, a total of as many assembly steps are saved and the service life of the entire linear drive device 100 can be increased with increased precision.

(18) Laterally, a groove 204 is disposed on the housing member 200. It runs parallel to the direction of movement of the guide unit 300 and is designed in particular for arranging a sensor strip 600 (not shown). Alternatively, the arrangement of a fastening thread is also suitable here.

(19) FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to a further embodiment. This embodiment has a damping element 500 on the first stop 402 and on the third stop 406. Consequently, the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are adjustable by the damping elements 500 on the first stop 402 and on the third stop 406. The adjustment of the two stroke end positions takes place in each case by adjusting the corresponding damping element 500 from the connecting element-side front side and the opposite front side of the linear drive device 100. A repeated description of identical features of the preceding figure will be omitted.

(20) FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. The linear drive device 100 also comprises two damping elements 500, which are arranged on the first stop 402 and on the third stop 406. Consequently, in this embodiment as well, the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are adjustable by the damping elements 500 on the first stop 402 and on the third stop 406. The setting of the stroke end positions takes place in each case by adjusting the corresponding damping element 500 from the connecting element-side front side and the opposite front side of the linear drive device 100.

(21) In addition, the linear drive device 100 has a laterally arranged sensor strip 600. The sensor strip 600 may have at least one sensor element for determining the position of the guide unit 300. For example, two sensor elements are preferably arranged in the sensor strip 600 in order to determine at least the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position of the guide unit 300. In addition, the housing element 200 laterally has two threads 206, which can be used as an alternative attachment of the sensor strip 600. In order to detect the position of the guide unit 300, a magnetic member 306 (not shown) needs to be provided on the guide unit 300.

(22) FIG. 2C shows a sectional view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. This embodiment has the identical features of the embodiment of FIG. 2 B. The linear drive device 100 also includes the two damping elements 500 which are arranged on the first stop 402 and on the third stop 406. The first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are respectively changed by adjusting the damping elements 500 of the connecting element-side front side and the opposite front side of the linear drive device 100.

(23) FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. This embodiment has a damping element 500 on the first stop 402 (not shown) and on the second counterstop 304. Consequently, the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are determined by the damping elements 500 on the first stop 402 and on the second counterstop 304. The adjustment of the two stroke end positions done by adjusting the respective damping element 500, wherein the adjustment takes place exclusively from the front side of the linear drive device 100 opposite from the connecting element 320. Here, the damping element 500, which is arranged on the second counterstop 304, understood as a moving or moving damping element 500, since the same is arranged on a stop connected to the guide unit 300. A repeated description of identical features of the preceding figures will be omitted.

(24) FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. The embodiment has identical features to FIG. 3A. The first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are determined by damping elements 500 on the first stop 402 and on the second counterstop 304 (not shown). Accordingly, the adjustment of the two stroke end positions takes place exclusively from the front side of the linear drive device 100 opposite the connecting element 320. In addition, the linear drive device 100 includes the third stop 406, which is not used for setting a stroke end position and thus also carries no damping element 500. In principle, however, the third stop 406 would be suitable for receiving a damping element 500 and serving as a stop for limiting a stroke end position. This could, for example, be adjusted at a later date if the need so requires. In this case, the adjustment of the supplemental damping element would take place through the opening 502 in the connection element 320. Laterally of the housing element 200 there is a groove 204 and two adjacent threads 206. Both the groove 204 and the threads 206 may be used to secure a sensor strip 600.

(25) FIG. 3C shows a sectional view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. The embodiment has identical features to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first stroke end position and the second stroke end position are determined by damping elements 500 on the first stop 402 and on the second counterstop 304. The adjustment of the two stroke end positions is carried out from the front side of the linear drive device 100 opposite to the connecting device 320. In addition, the linear drive device 100 has a laterally arranged sensor strip 600, which can be used with the aid of sensor elements for determining the position of the guide unit 300. The magnetic element 306 cooperates with the sensor elements, is fully integrated into the first counterstop 302 and thus protected against external influences and damage.

(26) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to yet another embodiment. This embodiment has a damping element 500 on the third stop 406. At the first stop 402 is no damping element. Consequently, the first stroke end position is adjustable by the damping element 500 and the third stop 406. The connecting element 320 in this case comprises two openings 502 in order to ensure access to the damping element 500. A repeated description of identical features of the preceding figures will be omitted.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a perspective basic illustration of a linear drive device 100 according to one embodiment. The housing element 200 and the guide unit 300 define a construction space 700 by the first stroke end position and the second stroke end position. The space 700 provides the greatest possible spatial extent, which can be occupied by the linear drive device 100 through the two stroke end positions in operation. Both the stroke limiting device 400 (not shown) and the magnetic element 306 (not shown) are arranged within this construction space 700, whereby the entire linear drive device 100 is realized as a very compact and space-saving device.

(28) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a linear drive device 100 according to an additional embodiment. A damping element 500 is arranged as a moving damping element 500 on the second counterstop 304 and is designed to cooperate with the second stop 404 for limiting the second stroke end position. An additional damping element 500 is arranged on the front side of the connecting element 320. Here, this damping element 500 is designed to cooperate with the second stop 404 for limiting the first stroke end position. A repeated description of identical features of the preceding figures will be omitted.