Linear drive assembly

Abstract

A linear drive assembly having a linear drive motor having a shaft, the shaft defining a first bore therein extending from the first end of the shaft, the shaft defining a tapering within the first bore, and the shaft defining a second bore therein connected with the first bore and extending to the second end of the shaft; a screw including a tapered end at the first end of the screw, the tapered end configured to substantially mate with the tapering within the bore, and the screw defining a threaded bore extending from the tapered end at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the screw; and a retaining screw having a head portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion configured to extend through the second bore and mate with a threaded bore of the screw when the screw is mounted within the shaft.

Claims

1. A linear drive assembly, comprising: a linear drive motor having a shaft having a first end and a second end defined along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft defining a first bore therein extending from the first end of the shaft at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft defining a tapering within the first bore, and the shaft defining a second bore therein connected with the first bore and extending to the second end of the shaft; a screw having a first end and a second end defined along a longitudinal axis of the screw, the screw including a tapered end at the first end of the screw, the tapered end configured to substantially mate with the tapering within the bore, and the screw defining a threaded bore extending from the tapered end at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the screw; and a retaining screw having a head portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion configured to extend through the second bore and mate with a threaded bore of the screw when the screw is mounted within the shaft, wherein tightening of the retaining screw into the first bore engages the tapered end of the screw with the tapering within the first bore of the motor shaft.

2. The linear drive assembly of claim 1, wherein a second end of the screw is configured as a nut or a socket to accept a tool.

3. The linear drive assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer positioned between the head portion of the retaining screw and the motor shaft.

4. A linear drive assembly, comprising: a shaft for a linear drive motor having a first end and a second end defined along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft defining a first bore therein extending from the first end of the shaft at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft defining a tapering within the first bore, and the shaft defining a second bore therein connected with the first bore and extending to the second end of the shaft; a screw having a first end and a second end defined along a longitudinal axis of the screw, the screw including a tapered end at the first end of the screw, the tapered end configured to substantially mate with the tapering within the bore, and the screw defining a threaded bore extending from the tapered end at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the screw; and a retaining screw having a head portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion configured to extend through the second bore and mate with a threaded bore of the screw when the screw is mounted within the shaft, wherein tightening of the retaining screw into the first bore engages the tapered end of the screw with the tapering within the first bore of the motor shaft.

5. The linear drive assembly of claim 4, wherein a second end of the screw is configured as a nut or a socket to accept a tool.

6. The linear drive assembly of claim 4, further comprising a washer positioned between the head portion of the retaining screw and the motor shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a side plan view of a compression fitting in accordance with the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of a compression fitting in accordance with the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 1C is a side-top perspective view of a compression fitting in accordance with the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 1D is a side cross-sectional view of a compression fitting in accordance with the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of a screw in accordance with the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 2B is a side plan view of a screw in accordance with the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a screw in accordance with the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 3B is a side plan view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 3C is a side cross-sectional view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 3D is an expanded view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure;

(13) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the taper lock apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

(14) FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure;

(15) FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure; and

(16) FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure; and

(17) FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a taper lock apparatus system in accordance with the present disclosure.

(18) Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

(20) Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately one particular value and/or to about or approximately another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

(21) In order to provide an improved linear actuator and to overcome the disadvantages and problems of currently available devices, there is provided a linear actuator system that is designed to transmit torque but also hold critical accuracy and runout required for power screw actuators.

(22) The new and novel actuator system described herein simplifies the interface between the screw and motor rotor. The motor bore is non-critical and therefore tolerances do not have to be held to ream or hone tolerances. The present disclosure allows for fast assembly and disassembly of all components to enable screws to be easily swapped based on application testing.

(23) Simple machining of screw interface insures secure assembly and inherently achieves precise runout and concentricity. The need for a post screw straightening process is eliminated as well. In addition, assembly fixtures or tooling is not required, resulting in a faster and easier install while at the same time providing superior performance.

(24) Taper lock joints are common methods to connect multiple power train components such as sheaves and pulleys but are intended to provide torque transmission only. Keyless bushings are similar devices but cannot be used in a linear actuator. The current disclosure is capable of torque transmission, axial load retention, radial accuracy control as well as the benefits associated with a more flexible connection interface.

(25) As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the present actuator system includes a motor 30, a compression fitting 10 and a screw 20. Motor 30 defines a hollow shaft 31 there-through. Hollow shaft 31 is open at both ends of motor 30. Compression fitting 10 defines a hollow core 16 there-through. Hollow core 16 is open at both ends of fitting 10. In operation compression fitting 10 is positioned in hollow shaft 31 of motor 30. Screw 20 is positioned in hollow bore 16 of compression fitting 10. As screw 20 is inserted further into compression fitting 10, compression fitting 10 expands creating an outward radial force within hollow shaft 31 which engages compression fitting 10 with motor 30.

(26) The hollow shaft 31 inner diameter and compression fitting 10 outer diameter are matched to a minimal slip fit condition. The inner diameter of hollow shaft 31 may be a standard through-hole tolerance with a machined surface finish. The compression fitting 10 outer diameter is preferably machine finished so that the interface enables increased friction and higher torque capability.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, compression fitting 10 includes expansions 11 positioned at an expandable end 18 and a flange 12 positioned at a fixed end 17. Expansions 11 are created by at least two longitudinal slits 13 that run parallel to a longitudinal axis A of compression fitting 10, which allows this section of the diameter to expand under internal force. Slits 13 are configured to define expansions 11 that produce equal outward forces to ensure alignment of the screw 20, fitting 10 and motor 30. For example, a single slit would produce uneven outward forces and thus cause misalignment of the elements.

(28) Compression fitting 10 includes flange 12 designed to mate with an inner race 32 of a motor radial bearing 33. This controls the depth of fitting 10 into motor 30.

(29) Inner surface 14 of hollow core 16 is tapered inward from fixed end 17 to expandable end 18. Threads 15 are positioned at expandable end 18 of the interior of hollow core 16, and will be described in further detail below.

(30) Screw 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. Screw 20 includes a tapered end 21, threads 22 and bore 23. The internal surface of bore 23 is threaded. Threads 22 are configured to connect with the element to be moved by the linear actuator (not shown). The angle of tapered end 21 of screw 20 is configured to mate with the hollow core 16 taper. As stated above, the taper is used to center the screw and control concentricity and runout. The taper also allows fitting 10 to expand under a tension load. Although threads 22 are shown extending along tapered end 21, the threads are not required along this section of screw 20. For example, tapered end 21 may includes a smooth machining, grooves and/or ridges.

(31) As described above, the expansion of fitting 10 creates an interference between the outer diameter of fitting 10 and the inner diameter of shaft 31. This interference provides the axial and torque reactionary load capability. The taper of fitting 10 and screw 20 also pulls the screw and shaft into alignment and ensures precision position of screw eliminating post assembly screw straightening.

(32) In one embodiment, the tension load to expand fitting 10 is created by a washer 40 and a retaining screw 50. FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cut-away of screw 20, fitting 10, washer 40 and retaining screw 50. Screw 20 is positioned within fitting 10 through fixed end 17, Retaining screw 50 is threaded into bore 23 through expandable end 18. Retaining screw 50 is held at expandable end via washer 40, which of course is optional if the head of retaining screw 50 is large enough to avoid entering hollow core 16. As retaining screw 50 is threaded into bore 23, screw 20 is pulled into hollow core 16 wherein taper 21 engages with taper on inner surface 14. As screw 20 is further pulled into fitting 10, expansions 11 are forced radially outward and in contact with inner surface 14 of shaft 31, creating a tight mating between screw 20, fitting 10 and shaft 31.

(33) Removal of screw 20 from fitting 10 is performed in the reverse process. That is, retaining screw 50 is unthreaded from bore 23 to release screw 20. After the pressure fit, sometimes screw 20 may become engaged with fitting 10 such that removal of retaining screw 50 is not enough to release screw 20 from fitting 10. In these cases, threads 15 are provided on inner surface of expandable end 18 of fitting 10. The diameter of fitting 10 at threads 15 is larger than the diameter of retaining screw 50 such that threads 15 do not interfere with retaining screw 50. If screw 20 is engaged with fitting 10, a removal screw (not shown) can be inserted into fitting 10 at threads 15 to push screw 20 out of fitting 10. As such, threads 15 are not required for the initial engagement of screw 20 into fitting 10 and is provided to ease removal of screw 20 from fitting 10.

(34) In an alternate embodiment of the actuator system shown in FIG. 5, the hollow shaft motor is substituted with a motor with a blind hole, i.e. a shaft that does not extend completely through motor and is closed on one end, and a secondary method of tightening the screw into the fitting is provided. For example, screw 20 can be fitted with a hex drive fitting at an end opposite tapered end 21. The hex drive can be used by a hex wrench to insert screw 20 into fitting 10 in hollow shaft 31.

(35) In still another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the hollow shaft 31 is configured with an integrated tapered feature to directly interface with tapered end 21 of the screw 20. In this embodiment, hollow shaft 31 only partially extends through motor 30. At the back end of hollow shaft 31 an unthreaded hole is defined such that retaining screw 50 can extend there through and engage with threaded bore 23. Operation is similar to that described above.

(36) In still yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the hollow shaft 31 is configured with an integrated tapered feature 71 to directly interface with tapered end 21 of the screw 20. The tapered shaft motor does not extend completely through motor and is closed on one end, and a secondary method of tightening the screw is provided. For example, screw 20 can be fitted with a hex drive fitting at the end opposite its tapered end 21. The hex drive can be used by a hex wrench to insert screw 20 into fitting 10 in hollow shaft 31.

(37) In an embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the hollow shaft 31 is configured with an integrated tapered feature 71 to directly interface with tapered end 21 of the screw 20. In this embodiment and similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, hollow shaft 31 only partially extends through motor 30. At the back end of hollow shaft 31 an unthreaded hole is defined such that retaining screw 50 can extend there through and engage with threads of bore 23. A head of retaining screw 50 is larger than the unthreaded hole such that when retaining screw 50 is engaged with threads of bore 23 retaining screw 50 will pull screw 20 into engagement with hollow shaft 31. Operation is similar to that described above.

(38) It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

(39) The present disclosure has been described herein in connection with a linear actuator; other applications are contemplated.

(40) Where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth herebelow not be construed as being order-specific unless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.

(41) While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.