# US 11,994,172 B2 · Linear drive with clutch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,172 B2 - Document ID: US11994172B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/596,556 - Filed: 2020-06-10 - Published: 2022-08-25 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-14 - Assignees: DewertOkin KFT - Applicants: DewertOkin KFT - Inventors: Péter Bartus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994172B2 ## CPC - F16D 23/14: Clutch-actuating sleeves {or bearings}; Actuating members directly connected to clutch-actuating sleeves {or bearings} - F16D 11/14: with clutching members movable only axially (F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence) - F16D 23/12: Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such (specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02) - F16D 2023/123: {Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms} - F16H 2025/2071: {Disconnecting drive source from the actuator, e.g. using clutches for release of drive connection during manual control} - F16H 2025/2084: {Perpendicular arrangement of drive motor to screw axis} - F16H 2025/209: {using worm gears} - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract A linear drive having a transmission housing and an electric motor which is accommodated in the transmission housing and drives a shaft with a worm. The shaft meshes with a worm gear which is non-rotatably connectable to a clutch to a spindle holder non-rotatably connected to a spindle. The clutch is biased by a spring and is adjustable by a clutch actuation. The clutch actuation includes a slide element which bears against the clutch and which is arranged non-rotatably but axially displaceably. A rotary element which is axially fixed but rotatable about an axis of rotation engages the slide element at an outside that faces away from the clutch. Run-on bevels of complementary configuration are provided between the slide element and the rotary element. The rotary element is actuable by a pulling element, and the slide element is axially displaceably in relation to the rotary element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A linear drive comprising: a transmission housing, an electric motor which is accommodated with the transmission housing and drives a shaft with a worm which, in turn, meshes with a worm gear which is non-rotatably connectable to a clutch to a spindle holder to which there is non-rotatably connected a spindle on which runs a spindle nut which is adjustable in a guide tube longitudinally displaceably between a retracted rear end position and an extended front end position and is connected to a lift tube, wherein the clutch is biased by a spring, wherein the clutch is displaceable by a clutch actuation between a coupled position in which the clutch non-rotatably connects the worm gear to the spindle holder and an uncoupled position in which the clutch releases the spindle holder, wherein the clutch actuation includes a slide element which bears against the clutch and which is arranged non-rotatably but axially displaceably and a rotary element which is axially fixed but rotatable about an axis of rotation engages the slide element at an outside facing away from the clutch, run-on bevels of a complementary configuration are provided between the slide element and the rotary element, and there is provided a pulling means with which the rotary element is actuable, and wherein the slide element is axially displaceably in relation to the rotary element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The linear drive as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clutch is in a form of a clutch sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The linear drive as set forth in claim 2, wherein the slide element and the rotary element are of a ring-shaped configuration or sleeve-shaped configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The linear drive as set forth in claim 3, wherein the rotary element is in a form of a rotary ring and the rotary ring externally has two pulling means holders in diametrically opposite relationship. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The linear drive as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one Bowden cable holder is rotatably fitted to the rotary element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The linear drive as set forth in claim 5, wherein the rotary element has a recess for the at least one Bowden cable holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The linear drive as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clutch actuation is arranged in a fork head. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The linear drive as set forth in claim 7, wherein the fork head has a receiving connecting piece extending from an end wall of the fork head in an opposite direction to forks provided on the fork head. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The linear drive as set forth in claim 7, wherein the fork head has a feed opening for a connection of a Bowden cable holder. ### Claim 10 The linear drive as set forth in 7, wherein the fork head has two diametrically oppositely disposed entry connecting pieces to receive Bowden cable holders which project in diametrally opposite relationship tangentially laterally from a peripheral surface of the fork head. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The linear drive as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spindle holder has a bearing seat on which an inner race of a bearing sits, an outer race of the bearing sits in a bearing seat of a bearing holder which mounts the bearing in a fork head or in the transmission housing and that the bearing holder is arranged within the clutch actuation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The linear drive as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bearing seat of the bearing holder includes an axial abutment acting axially on the bearing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The linear drive as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bearing seat of the bearing holder has a bearing step against which the outer race of the bearing bears radially externally and axially at an end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The linear drive as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bearing seat is interrupted to form bearing fingers which are formed peripherally separatedly from each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The linear drive as set forth in claim 14, wherein the slide element has bearing finger recesses which are provided at an outside facing towards the rotary element to receive the bearing fingers and into which the bearing fingers engage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The linear drive as set forth in claim 15, wherein the bearing holder has six peripherally spaced bearing fingers which engage into six slot-like bearing finger recesses of complementary configuration at the outside of the slide element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The linear drive as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bearing holder has a connecting portion to connect to the fork head or the transmission housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The linear drive as set forth in claim 17, wherein the connecting region of the bearing holder has a plurality of transverse struts which extend transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the bearing holder, with intermediate spaces provided between them, into which pins or projections at an inside of an end of the fork head engage in an installed position.