Multi-position actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9587761-B2
Application number	US-201414527067-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2014
Priority date	Oct 29, 2014
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A multi-position actuator includes a solenoid selectively energized to extend a rod. The actuator also includes a push-lever pivotably mounted to the rod and a crank-arm rotatably mounted on a first axis. The crank-arm includes multiple engagement elements arranged on a diameter centered relative to the first axis, and also includes a projection. The push-lever engages one of the engagement elements to rotate the crank-arm about the first axis in a forward direction when the solenoid is energized. The actuator additionally includes a pivoting locking-lever that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in forward direction and a one-way-clutch that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in reverse direction when the solenoid is de-energized. Furthermore, the actuator includes a slider-box lever having first and second slots. The projection slidably engages the first slot. The second slot is engaged with and operates an external device when rotation of the crank-arm swings the slider-box lever.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A multi-position actuator comprising:
an actuator housing defining an enclosure;
a solenoid assembly arranged within the enclosure and having a solenoid and a solenoid rod configured to selectively extend when the solenoid is energized;
a push-lever arranged within the enclosure and pivotably mounted to the solenoid rod and configured to extend with the solenoid rod when the solenoid is energized;
a crank-arm arranged within the enclosure and rotatably mounted on a first axis, the crank-arm having a plurality of engagement elements arranged on a pitch circle diameter that is centered relative to the first axis, wherein one of the plurality of engagement elements is engaged by the push-lever to thereby rotate the crank-arm about the first axis in a first direction each time the solenoid is energized, and having a crank-arm projection;
a locking-lever pivotably mounted to the push-lever and configured to block rotation of the crank-arm in the first direction when the solenoid is de-energized;
a one-way-clutch (OWC) arranged within the enclosure and configured to block rotation of the crank-arm in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction when the solenoid is de-energized; and
a slider-box lever arranged within the enclosure and configured to swing back and forth through a predetermined angle about a second axis, and having a first slot and a second slot, wherein the crank-arm projection is slidably engaged with the first slot, and the second slot is configured to slidably engage an actuating projection of an external device, and wherein the rotation of the crank-arm is configured to swing the slider-box lever for operating the external device.

2. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , wherein:
the crank-arm defines a lock notch; and
the locking-lever includes a surface configured to engage the lock notch and thereby block rotation of the crank-arm in the first direction when the solenoid is de-energized.

3. The multi-position actuator of claim 2 , further comprising a clock spring arranged between the push-lever and the locking-lever and configured to bias the locking-lever to a predetermined position with respect to the push-lever such that the locking-lever engages the lock notch.

4. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a return spring having a first spring end fixed relative to the actuator housing and a second spring end configured to engage the push-lever and pivot the push-lever relative to the solenoid rod to thereby facilitate and maintain engagement of the push-lever with the one of the plurality of engagement elements being engaged by the push-lever when the solenoid is energized, and to retract the solenoid rod into the solenoid assembly when the solenoid is de-energized.

5. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a tab fixedly mounted to the actuator housing and configured to contact the locking-lever to thereby limit extension of the solenoid rod when the solenoid is energized.

6. The multi-position actuator of claim 5 , wherein the actuator housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion configured to be assembled together and thereby define the enclosure, and wherein each of the slider-box lever, the OWC, and the tab is mounted to the first housing portion and the first spring end of the return spring is mounted to the second housing portion.

7. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical terminal configured to accept an electrical connection to an external electrical source.

8. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , further comprising an over-pressure spring configured to operatively connect the actuating projection and the external lever and thereby set a magnitude of a force at which the external device is actuated by the slider-box lever.

9. The multi-position actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a first proximity sensor positioned adjacent to the solenoid rod and configured to detect a position of the solenoid rod.

10. The multi-position actuator of claim 9 , further comprising a second proximity sensor configured to detect a position of the external device relative to the actuating projection.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Spohn Brian L
• Starr Richard D
• York Todd M

Classifications

• F16K31/105

  for rotating valves · CPC title

• F16K31/521 Primary

  comprising a pivoted disc or flap · CPC title