CLIPPING ACTUATOR

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an actuator including an armature with a cutting blade system and cutting blade that is useful in, for example, devices, systems, and methods for nail clipping especially in domestic animals. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for animal nail clipping that include the novel actuator of the invention.

Claims

1. An animal nail clipper, comprising: a body for grasping by a user's hand, the body defining a clip space as a receptacle for insertion of an animal's nail for clipping, at least one blade coupled with the body for movement between a withdraw position retracted from the clip space and a clip position extended into the clip space for clipping, and a clipping actuator system comprising a actuator and a blade frame coupled with the actuator to receive the at least one blade secured with the actuator for movement between the withdraw and clip positions.

2. The animal nail clipper for claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to receive inrush current from a power source for overdriving the actuator to drive the at least one blade to the clip position from the withdraw position.

3. The animal nail clipper of claim 2, further comprising a clipping control system for controlling duration of inrush current to the actuator.

4. The animal nail clipper of claim 3, wherein the clipping control system controls the duration of inrush current to the actuator within a range of about 10 to about 25 ms.

5. The nail clipper of claim 1 comprising an outer housing; an actuator located within the outer housing and comprising an actuator inner housing; a plunger extending therefrom; and a blade attached to the plunger capable of moving between a ready position and a driven position; the plunger being coupled to the body for imparting reciprocating translation to the body in response to activation and deactivation of the actuator; wherein the actuator provides a force of 10 or more lbs of force.

6. The nail clipper of claim 1, wherein the plunger further includes an arm, and wherein the arm couples the plunger to the body for translation therewith.

7. The nail clipper of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasing the plunger to an extended position.

8. An actuator comprising a actuator housing and a plunger extending therefrom, the plunger being coupled to an armature for imparting reciprocating translation to the armature in response to activation and deactivation of the actuator, wherein the armature reciprocates along a first axis, and wherein the plunger defines a second axis that is parallel with the first axis and wherein the actuator provides a force of at least 10 lbs.

9. The actuator of claim 8, further comprising a spring biasing the plunger to an extended position.

10. The actuator of claim 8, further comprising a bracket clamping the actuator housing to the plunger.

11. The actuator of claim 8, further comprising a plate, wherein the plate couples the plunger to the arm for translation therewith.

12. A nail clipper device comprising an actuator comprising an actuator body comprising an armature comprising a cutting assembly, wherein the cutting assembly comprises a top blade and a bottom blade, and wherein the actuator includes a coil, which receives power from one or more batteries.

13. The nail clipper of claim 12, further comprising a sensor and processor that activate the actuator to engage in cutting.

14. The nail clipper of claim 12, wherein the one or more batteries is a lithium polymer battery.

15. The nail clipper of claim 12, wherein the actuator is inside the nail clipper device.

16. The nail clipper of claim 12, wherein the actuator activates the armature with at least 10 pounds of force.

17. The nail clipper of claim 12, wherein the actuator activates the armature with at least 15 pounds of force.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary nail clipper including a plunger encased in a housing including a mechanical cutting actuator when engaged allows the plunger to move a blade with enough force to cut a nail.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary actuator with the armature/plunger assembly including the actuator tube housing and cutting blades.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a plunger.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the actuator tube housing.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the spindale.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the spring.

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the spindale and the coil.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the cutting assembly and a cross-sectional view of the internal components.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the internal components of the nail clipper including a plunger encased in a housing including a mechanical cutting actuator when engaged allows the plunger to move a blade with enough force to cut a nail.

[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary cutting device further illustrating the cutting assembly with a side view of the LED lighting strip, the cutting switch, and the on/off switch.

[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates the actuator located inside the cutting device, which includes the cutting assembly including a top cutting blade and a bottom cutting blade.

[0052] FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary embodiments of the actuator including the cutting assembly, wire, spring, and armature.

[0053] FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary embodiments of the plunger assembly.

[0054] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the assembly of the actuator.

[0055] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiments of the armature/plunger assembly inside the actuator, which includes the a tube housing, a spring, and a coil of magnetic wire.

[0056] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary top blade and bottom blade for cutting an animal's nails.

[0057] FIG. 17 illustrate the blade assembly including a top blade and the lower blade located within the top frame.

[0058] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary cutting assembly including the actuator of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] The MCA illustratively comprises a low-resistance actuator; and a linear blade assembly that is mounted to the top of the actuator. The MCA illustratively includes a low-resistance actuator (or solenoid); and a linear blade assembly that is mounted to the top of the actuator as shown in FIGS. 1-17. The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for portable, battery-powered clipping arrangements. In various embodiments, intentionally over-driving the actuator to achieve a disproportionate amount of force for clipping an animal claw/nail relative to conventional actuator designs can provide simple and/or convenient clipping. In one example, operating the actuator/solenoid at the battery and/or actuator/solenoid peak-achievable “inrush current”, for a short duration, as opposed to operation at a controlled or the steady state current of the solenoid as in conventional actuator/solenoid operation, can provide preferable actuator/solenoid force and operation for clipping. The terms “actuator” and “solenoid” are used interchangeably herein.

[0060] Inrush current can be described, for explanation purposes, as the maximal solenoids, the inrush current can be multiple times larger than its rated current when first energized. If a lithium-ion battery is used to energize (e.g., electro-magnetic) a low-resistance solenoid, directly, during the first moments of solenoid energization the battery would discharge current similar to a short-circuit discharge. Such occurrence might be most observable in application with little or no protective circuitry between the power source and the solenoid. If this solenoid energization is not controlled: (i) the solenoid can heat up, can lose performance, and/or could become damaged; and/or (ii) the lithium-ion battery can heat up, swell, become damaged, and/or could vent and/or ignite instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when first turned on.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the MCA of the invention is designed to operate differently from conventional actuators/solenoids, for example, to provide purposeful operation using inrush current (and at the peak of current), as opposed to steady state current values. This can provide a greater influx of power to the solenoid, a stronger magnetic field, and hence a larger amount of power output.

[0062] The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for portable, battery-powered clipping of an animal's nails that includes a sensor to avoid cutting the nail too low and injuring or hurting the animal. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention includes a mechanical cutting actuator (MCA). The MCA includes a plunger (101) located in a tube housing (110), a cutting assembly (120) including a top blade (122) and a lower blade (124). The top blade and lower blade is comprised of a cutting material including steel, tungsten carbide, or any other metal material suitable for a cutting blade (e.g., CPM 3V Heat Treated or Tungsten Carbide or cr12mov). As illustrated in FIG. 9, the cutting device includes an internal cutting actuator (901) that includes a rechargeable battery (905), for example, a lithium-polymer battery (LiPo) that uses a solid polymer for the electrolyte and lithium for one of the electrodes.

[0063] FIG. 10 illustrates a cutting device further illustrating the cutting assembly (1012). FIG. 11 illustrates the actuator located inside the cutting device, which includes the cutting assembly (1112) including a top cutting blade and a bottom cutting blade. In certain embodiments, one of the top or bottom blades is attached to the actuator assembly and in a fixed position. In another embodiment, one of the top or bottom blades is attached to the armature plunger and is movable when the armature is actuated. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the actuator (1201) and cutting assembly (1202) and armature (1301) (i.e., plunger), respectively. FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of actuator.

[0064] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiments of the plunger assembly (1501) inside the actuator, which includes the a tube housing (1502), a spring (1504), and a coil of magnetic wire (1506). FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the blade assembly including a top blade (1601 and 1701), the lower blade (1602 and 1702) located within the top frame (1703) and bottom frame (1704). FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary cutting assembly including a front plate (1811) and back plate (1810), the cutting assembly (1812), a cutting switch (1815), and on/off switch (1816), a light rail (1809), with an LED strip (1814).

[0065] In various embodiments of the disclosure, intentionally over-driving the actuator to achieve a disproportionate amount of force for clipping an animal's claw/nail relative to conventional actuator designs can provide simple and/or convenient clipping. In one illustrative example, operating the actuator at the battery and/or actuator peak-achievable “inrush current” for a short duration, as opposed to operation at a controlled or the steady state current of the actuator as in conventional actuator operation can provide preferable actuator operation for clipping.

[0066] As used herein, inrush current can be described, for explanation purposes, as the maximal instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when first turned on. In the case of actuators, the inrush current can be multiple times larger than its rated current when first energized. If a lithium-ion battery is used to energize (electro-magnetic) a low-resistance actuator, directly, during the first moments of actuator energization the battery would discharge current similar to a short-circuit discharge.

[0067] Such occurrence might be most observable in application with little or no protective circuitry between the power source and the actuator. If this actuator energization is not controlled: (i) the actuator can heat up, can lose performance, and/or could become damaged; and/or (ii) the lithium-ion battery can heat up, swell, become damaged, and/or could vent and/or ignite. Often, electronic circuit designs have the objective of limiting the current (i.e., inrush or “over-current” conditions), either intentionally or inherent.

[0068] In various embodiments, the MCA of the invention is designed to operate differently from conventional actuators, for example, to provide purposeful operation using inrush current (and at the peak of current), as opposed to steady state current values. This can provide a greater influx of power to the actuator, a stronger magnetic field, and hence a larger amount of power output.

[0069] In certain embodiments, the MCA can avoid the problem of damage to electrical components by limiting the duration of the inrush current pulse by using an electronically controlled switch, such as a MOSFET, that is enabled for a short duration, less than 25 ms, by a timing device, such as a microprocessor, between the battery or power supply and the actuator. The circuit between the battery supply and the MCA is briefly closed (approximately 10-25 ms), or just long enough to deliver peak inrush current to power the actuator. In various embodiments, the circuit between the battery supply and the MCA is briefly closed for about 5 milliseconds (ms), about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, or about 50 ms.

[0070] However, in certain embodiments, the MCA of the invention is designed to limit the duration of current to avoid damage to the electronic system. The power and force applied during this period is approximately three to four times what can be produced if the actuator fired at a steady state current value, as is typical for conventional actuators.

[0071] This distinct “over-driving” of the actuator can enable ease and/or convenience in clipping, for example, by providing desirable clipping force in compact, portable design. Without such designs, a actuator of similar size would only provide approximately 2-4 lbs. of force, in comparison to the preferred about 10 to about 15 lbs. of force measured with the MCA, as suggested in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 MCA MCA ODM MCA MCA MCA MCA MCA MCA 1.03 mm .84-20 .69-21 .78-21 .70-22 .59-23 .53-24 .45-27 .14-34 19 AWG AWG AWG AWG AWG AWG AWG AWG AWG OEM 38 Power supply V 3 3.8 4.5 7.6 17.6 21 26.8 36.8 125.5 46 Power supply amps 10 10 10 10 9.8 10 8 5.5 0.4 2.5 Mod ODM- 7.6 8.8 9.7 10.5 11.8 11.9 11.9 9.2 24.7 Power supply LB Gen 1-MCA LB 5.2 5.7 6.6 7.6 Gen 2-MCA LB 9.9 10.6 11.1 12.2 17.2 lbs “Current Design”

[0072] In various embodiments, the actuator provides about 10 lbs of force (lbs), 11 lbs of force, 12 lbs-in of force, 13 lbs-in of force, 14 lbs-in of force, 15 lbs-in of force, 16 lbs-in of force, 17 lbs-in of force, 18 lbs-in of force, 19 lbs-in of force, 20 lbs-in of force, 22 lbs-in of force, 24 lbs-in of force, 26 lbs-in of force, 28 lbs-in of force, 30 lbs-in of force, or 35 lbs-in of force.

[0073] In comparison to conventional actuators, the MCA can produce “oversize” force from a smaller actuator, which is tuned or particularly desirable for clipping (i.e., a small, portable, hand-held pet nail clipper that operates on battery power).

[0074] In various embodiments the actuator of the invention has a miniature size of less than about 3 inches, about 2.9, about 2.8, about 2.7, about 2.6, about 2.3, about 2.2, about 2.1, about 2.0, about 1.9, about 1.8, about 1.7, about 1.6, about 1.5, about 1.4, about 1.3, about 1.2, about 1.1, about 1.0, about 0.9, about 0.8, about 0.7, about 0.6, or about 0.5 inches in length.

[0075] In certain embodiments, the MCA of the invention can produce an oversized magnetic field that fully-engulfs the rod/plunger within the actuator, which then drives or “throws” that rod forward at “heavy” speeds (e.g., snap action speeds).

[0076] In various embodiments, the actuators of the invention have a unique construction which allows easy transition from snap action to rest position. Using the same power, starting force is three to five times higher than standard actuators at the fully deenergized position. This is advantageous for starting inertial loads or detented mechanisms, and for conserving electrical power. Table 2 illustrates how the actuators of the invention in the de-energized and energized position.

[0077] The snap action actuators of the invention move to the end of the stroke within milliseconds with a characteristic increase in ending force and acceleration. This provides accurate, repeatable action.

[0078] Other embodiments of the MCA include:

[0079] Rod/coil size ratio: can include very large difference in size ratio, between the rod and the coil of the MCA's actuator. The coil can be about 6× bigger than the rod, which means that the forces come mainly from the magnetic field that is generated from the inrush current;

[0080] Magnet-assisted recoil: the MCA can be designed not to have a full stopping point, but instead to spring back, using the magnetic force generated during the influx of power from the battery's inrush current to the actuator.

[0081] (Optional) Singular structural design: Unlike conventional actuators, the MCA's plunger can be arranged without having a mounting thread. Instead the blade assembly can be mounted directly to the MCA's actuator, thereby becoming a single structural element of the cutting assembly;

[0082] Metallurgy and structure: In various embodiments, the actuator design incorporates steel, cobalt and/or iron alloys with high density, strength, and magnetic properties. Additionally, the frame of the MCA's actuator is reinforced (thicker) in the back, therefore directing all the magnetic force forward, like a rocket.

[0083] In an illustrative embodiment, the MCA of the invention has the following characteristics set forth in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 3 Stroke Up to about 0.5″ Attributes Battery Powered High speed Long life Quiet performance Max. Power Output About 30 lbs. Housing Completely enclosed Operational Snap action Characteristics Quiet operation 5-10 times the starting force as conventional actuators Push model Life (millions of cycles) Over 1 million Size Length about 0.5″ to about 2″

[0084] In various embodiments, the MCA includes a clipping arrest system for stopping movement of the blade to prevent accidental clipping. In the illustrative embodiment, the clipping arrest system includes the blade configured as a sensor. The system is arranged in electrical communication with the blade via one or more electrical feeds, which collectively define an electrical path for flow of current. In an illustrative embodiment, a processor can operate communication circuitry to provide and monitor current through the electrical path including the blade. When non-nail material contacts the blade, the current through the blade is disturbed. For example, although the nail may be partly conductive itself, skin and/or the quick has greater conductance and can disturb the electrical path (e.g., voltage and/or current) through the blade to a detectable degree. Thus, contact between the nail and the blade can be distinguished from contact between the quick and the blade. In the illustrative embodiment, the processor receives indication of the disturbance in the electrical path from the communication circuitry and determines whether non-nail material has contacted the blade.

[0085] Responsive to determination that non-nail material (e.g., the animal's quick) has contacted the blade, the control system may arrest clipping. In the illustrative embodiment, the control system arrests the actuator by stopping actuation power to the actuator, responsive to determination that non-nail material has contacted the blade. In some embodiments, the control system 62 may arrest clipping by powered activation of the actuator to drive the blade to the withdraw position. In some embodiments, the control system may arrest clipping by activation of an arrest actuator (e.g., lock) to block further movement of the blade 24 towards the clipping position. In such embodiments, the arrest actuator and/or actuator may be configured to act with quick response time (e.g., less than 0.1 sec) to arrest the blade from clipping. Accordingly, upon contact of between the subject's quick and the blade, clipping can be arrested to prevent further and/or more extensive engagement of the blade with non-nail material, such as the quick or digit of the appendage, which could lead to injury.

[0086] Responsive to determination that non-shell material has contacted the blade, the control system may operate the indicator to indicate no clipping is available. For example, the indicator can be de-illuminated or illuminated with red color. In some embodiments, the control system may operate the indicator to indicate clipping arrest by distinct warning, such as by flashing three times.

[0087] Within the present disclosure, the advantage of applying short duration inrush current can be realized for particular benefit in the animal nail clipping. For example, by taking advantage of the unique inrush phenomenon, a brief but significant driving force can be applied to the clipping blade, providing a desirably compact but powerful arrangement that is particularly advantageous for handheld clipping. Such arrangements can relieve stress in the clipping process for both user and subject.

[0088] Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the above description of embodiments exemplifying the invention as presently perceived.