Power actuator with integral decoupling mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10113636-B2
Application number	US-201514935080-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2015
Priority date	Apr 17, 2012
Publication date	Oct 30, 2018
Grant date	Oct 30, 2018

Abstract

A device and method for manually controlling a system including a first lever movable between multiple positions and a movable component. The method including: activating a manual engagement device; engaging a manual control to couple a first lever and a movable component; disengaging an automatic control coupling the first lever and the movable component; and moving the movable component by moving the first lever.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for manually controlling a system comprising:
activating a manual engagement device;
engaging a manual control to couple a first lever and a movable component;
disengaging an automatic control coupling the first lever and the movable component, wherein the automatic control further comprises: a sensor for detecting a position of the first lever; a motor responsive to a signal from the sensor; and a coupling mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the movable component; and
moving the movable component by moving the first lever.

2. The method for manually controlling a system according to claim 1 , wherein the manual engagement device is activated by applying a force.

3. The method for manually controlling a system according to claim 1 , wherein the manual engagement device is a button.

4. A method for manually controlling a system comprising:
activating a manual engagement device;
engaging a manual control to couple a first lever and a movable component;
disengaging an automatic control coupling the first lever and the movable component; and
moving the movable component by moving the first lever, wherein the manual control further comprises:
a connecting lever fastened to the first lever;
a manual engagement lever rotatably coupled to an end of the connecting lever and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the manual engagement lever is coupled to the movable component when in the second position; and
a manual engagement link rotatable between a third position and a fourth position such that rotation of the manual engagement link to the fourth position, causes the rotation of the manual engagement lever to a second position.

5. The method for manually controlling a system according to claim 4 , wherein activation of the manual engagement device rotates the manual engagement link to the fourth position.

6. The method for manually controlling a system according to claim 4 , wherein the manual engagement link includes a cam surface such that when the manual engagement link rotates to the fourth position, the cam surface disengages the automatic system.

Assignees

• Rice John R
• Dow Ian J
• Perkins Donald M
• Inteva Products Llc

Inventors

• Rice John R
• Dow Ian J
• Perkins Donald M

Classifications

• F16H59/10

  comprising levers · CPC title

• F16H2061/226

  Manual distress release of the locking means for shift levers, e.g. to allow towing of vehicle in case of breakdown · CPC title

• F16D23/12

  Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such (specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02) · CPC title

• F16D2023/123

  Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms · CPC title

• F16H61/32

  Electric motors  {, actuators or related electrical control means}  therefor · CPC title