US4920816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator with a clutch mechanism
Assignee: Niles Parts Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-08-02
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-08-02
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an actuator with a clutch mechanism in which a shaft device for operating an external mechanism is formed with threads thereon so as to be engaged with or disengaged from threads at inner surfaces of a plurality of collet type chuck members. The collet type chuck members are fitted into a member having outer teeth thereon, a line of magnetic force of an electromagnetic solenoid selectively acts upon pull-wedge members outside the collet type chuck members, whereby the collet type chuck members are engaged with or disengaged from the threads of the shaft device, and in the engaged condition, the member having outer teeth thereon is driven to rotate by a driving device, whereby the shaft device inside the member having outer teeth thereon is caused to be moved back and forth in a linear movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinya Inabe
- 👤 Ko Hirato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; F; F02; F02D; F02D11/00; F02D11/06; F02D11/10; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/18; F16H25/20; F16H25/2025; F02D2011/101; F02D2011/103; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/18576; Y10T74/18696; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/19698; Y10T74/19702; Y10T74/19735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An actuator for driving an external mechanism, comprising: a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member; a driving element extending into said hollow member, said element being connected to the external mechanism; clutch means mounted in said hollow member for selectively moving said driving element in response to rotation of said hollow member; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; and a solenoid mounted on said hollow spindle portion for driving said clutch means; whereby said driving element drives said external mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An actuator for driving an external mechanism, comprising: a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member; a driving element extending into said hollow member, said element being connected to the external mechanism; clutch means mounted in said hollow member for selectively moving said driving element in response to rotation of said hollow member; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; and a solenoid mounted on said hollow spindle portion for driving said clutch means; whereby said driving element drives said external mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The actuator according to claim 1, wherein said hollow member has gear teeth, and said rotating means comprises a toothed element engaging said gear teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The actuator according to claim 1, wherein said rotating means comprises a motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The actuator according to claim 2, wherein said drive rotating means comprises a motor, said toothed element being drivingly connected to said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The actuator according to claim 1, wherein said driving element has threads, and said clutch means comprises at least one clutch element having a thread portion and means for moving said thread portion into engagement with the threads of said driving element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The actuator according to claim 5, further comprising means for preventing rotation of said driving element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The actuator according to claim 5, wherein said clutch means comprises a plurality of clutch elements arcuately spaced around said driving element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The actuator according to claim 7, wherein said clutch means further comprises wedges positioned between and engaging said clutch elements and said hollow member, said wedges being movably mounted between first positions, in which the thread portions of said clutch elements are out of engagement with the threads of said driving element, and second positions, in which the thread portions of said clutch elements are in engagement with the threads of said driving element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The actuator according to claim 8, wherein said clutch elements have tapered surfaces, and said wedges engage said tapered surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The actuator according to claim 8, wherein slots are defined in said hollow member, and said wedges are slidably movable in said slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The actuator according to claim 8, wherein said solenoid includes plunger means for reciprocating said wedges between said first and second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The actuator according to claim 11, wherein said solenoid includes a plunger, and said wedges are connected to said plunger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The actuator according to claim 6, wherein said means for preventing rotation comprises an axial groove in said driving element and a key in said groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
An actuator for driving an external mechanism, comprising a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member; a threaded driving element extending into said hollow member; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; a plurality of clutch elements movably mounted within said hollow member for rotation with said hollow member, each said clutch element having a thread portion facing said threaded element; means including a solenoid for axially moving the thread portions of said clutch elements into engagement with the threaded element in response to actuation of said solenoid; said solenoid mounted on said hollow spindle portion; whereby said driving element drives said external mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
An actuator for driving an external mechanism, comprising a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member; a threaded driving element extending into said hollow member; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; a plurality of clutch elements movably mounted within said hollow member for rotation with said hollow member, each said clutch element having a thread portion facing said threaded element; means including a solenoid for axially moving the thread portions of said clutch elements into engagement with the threaded element in response to actuation of said solenoid; said solenoid mounted on said hollow spindle portion; whereby said driving element drives said external mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
An actuator for operating a throttle valve of a vehicle having an automatic speed control device, comprising: a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member in response to a vehicle speed set by a driver; a driving element extending into said hollow member, said element being connected to the throttle valve; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; clutch means mounted in said hollow member for selectively moving said driving element in response to rotation of said hollow member; means including a solenoid for axially moving said clutch means into engagement with said driving element in response to actuation of said solenoid; and, whereby said driving element operates said throttle valve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
An actuator for operating a throttle valve of a vehicle having an automatic speed control device, comprising: a hollow member; means for rotating said hollow member in response to a vehicle speed set by a driver; a driving element extending into said hollow member, said element being connected to the throttle valve; a hollow spindle portion for supporting said driving element; clutch means mounted in said hollow member for selectively moving said driving element in response to rotation of said hollow member; means including a solenoid for axially moving said clutch means into engagement with said driving element in response to actuation of said solenoid; and, whereby said driving element operates said throttle valve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |