Driveline actuator utilizing stored energy to move an actuator output member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10995854-B2
Application number	US-201716094775-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 21, 2017
Priority date	Apr 22, 2016
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

An actuator assembly that includes a frame, an output member, a latch and a spring. The output member is movable along an axis relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. The latch has a first latch member, which is movable along the axis, and a second latch member that is coupled to the output member. The second latch member is configured to engage the first latch member to retain the actuator output member in the first position. The spring exerts a force on the actuator output member when the second latch member engages the first latch member to retain the actuator output member in the first position. The force is configured to urge the actuator output member toward the second position when the second latch member is disengaged from the first latch member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator assembly comprising:
a frame;
an actuator output member that is movable along an axis relative to the frame between a first position and a second position;
a latch having a first latch member, which is coupled to the frame, and a second latch member that is coupled to the actuator output member, the second latch member being configured to lockingly engage the first latch member to inhibit relative movement between the first and second latch members along the axis to retain the actuator output member in the first position; and
a spring that exerts a force on the actuator output member when the second latch member engages the first latch member to retain the actuator output member in the first position, the force being configured to urge the actuator output member toward the second position when the second latch member is disengaged from the first latch member.

2. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second latch members comprises a plunger.

3. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a shaft that is parallel to the axis, wherein the actuator output member is coupled to a carriage that is slidably mounted on the shaft.

4. The actuator assembly of claim 3 , wherein a lead screw is rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein a follower block is threadably coupled to the lead screw and wherein the spring is disposed between the follower block and the carriage.

5. The actuator assembly of claim 4 , further comprising an electric motor that is configured to drive the lead screw.

6. The actuator assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a transmission disposed between the electric motor and the lead screw.

7. The actuator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator output member comprises a fork.

8. An actuator assembly comprising:
a frame having a shaft;
a carriage that is slidably mounted on the shaft;
a fork that is coupled to the carriage for movement therewith along the shaft, the fork being movable along the shaft between a first position and a second position;
a sleeve movable along an axis that is parallel to the shaft, the sleeve being mounted to the fork such that the sleeve is rotatable within the fork and is coupled to the fork for axial movement;
a latch having first and second latch portions, the first latch portion being mounted to the carriage, the second latch portion being coupled to the frame, wherein one of the first and second latch portions comprises a plunger, and wherein the other one of the first and second latch portions defines an aperture that is configured to receive the plunger, wherein receipt of the plunger into the aperture inhibits movement of the carriage along the shaft; and
a spring that exerts a force on the carriage when the plunger is received in the aperture, the force being configured to urge the fork toward the second position when the plunger is withdrawn from the aperture.

9. The actuator assembly of claim 8 , wherein a lead screw is rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein a follower block is threadably coupled to the lead screw and wherein the spring is disposed between the follower block and the carriage.

Assignees

• American Axle & Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Schulte Michael
• Angoujard Sylvain
• Buerkle Martin

Classifications

• F16H63/3408

  the locking mechanism being moved by the final actuating mechanism · CPC title

• F16H63/30

  Constructional features of the final output mechanisms · CPC title

• F16H25/20

  Screw mechanisms (with automatic reversal F16H25/12) · CPC title

• F16H2063/3063

  using screw devices · CPC title

• F16D2023/141

  characterised by using a fork; Details of forks · CPC title