Electric linear actuator with anti-backdrive mechanism

An electric linear actuator comprising:

• a housing extending along a longitudinal axis;
• a spindle provided in the housing and extending along the longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end;
• a motor coupled to the proximal end of the spindle and configured to rotate the spindle;
• a rod coaxially coupled to the spindle and movable with respect to the housing along the longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the spindle;
• a direct drive coupling configured to couple the proximal end of the spindle to an output shaft of the motor;
• a thrust bearing provided coaxially on the spindle,
• wherein the thrust bearing is located between the proximal end of the spindle and the rod;
• and
• a one-way bearing provided coaxially on the spindle and configured to prevent back-drive of the motor when the spindle is subject to an external load via the rod,
• wherein the one-way bearing is located adjacent the proximal end of the spindle between the proximal end of the spindle and the thrust bearing, and between the direct drive coupling and the thrust bearing, and
• wherein the one-way bearing comprises:
• a first side;
• and
• a second side;
• wherein the one-way bearing is configured to:
• facilitate free rotation between a first bearing surface located on the first side and a second bearing surface located on the second side in a first direction;
• and
• inhibit rotation between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• wherein the one-way bearing is located within the housing such that one of the first and second sides is inhibited from rotating within the housing via a coupling to an inside of the housing, and the other of the first and second sides is coupled to the spindle, thereby facilitating rotation of the spindle in the first direction, and inhibiting rotation of the spindle in the second direction while the motor is not provided with electrical power.