Linear actuator leverage
AssigneeVelcro BVBA
InventorJerry G. Hodsdon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear actuator leverage assembly including a base with a side surface and a back surface defining between them a corner, a rail member coupled to the base, a lever arm with a bearing surface, and a linear actuator. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot and to the linear actuator at a second pivot. The linear actuator is configured to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot of the lever arm along a continuous motion path. The motion path includes a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface and a second path segment, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.
Claims21
A linear actuator leverage assembly comprising:
- a structural base having two exposed surfaces defining a corner therebetween, the two surfaces including a generally straight side surface and a back surface;
- a rail member coupled to the base and constrained against relative motion other than in a direction generally parallel to the side surface of the base;
- a lever arm having a bearing surface, the lever arm pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot spaced from the bearing surface;
- and
- a linear actuator having a first end coupled to the base and a second end connected to the lever arm at a second pivot spaced from both the bearing surface and the first pivot, with the first pivot disposed generally between the second pivot and the bearing surface, such that the linear actuator is adapted to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot along a continuous motion path, including:
- a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface, over which the bearing surface moves along the side surface to the corner;
- and
- a second path segment, beginning at a point where the bearing surface moves past the corner to bear against the back surface, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.
A method of positioning a rotatable roller with respect to a reaction surface for molding resin, the method comprising:
- Actuating a linear actuator to translate a lever arm along a first path segment extending generally parallel to a side surface of a support coupled to the reaction surface, thereby translating the rotatable roller at a rate substantially equal to a stroke rate of the linear actuator, until a bearing surface of the lever arm reaches a corner between the side surface and a back surface of the support;
- and then
- Continuing to actuate the linear actuator to move the bearing surface beyond the corner to bear against the back surface, to pivot the lever arm about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby translating the rotatable roller at a rate substantially lower than the stroke rate of the linear actuator to increase leverage applied by the linear actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.