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US 12,753,828 B1Granted
Actuator using a wave generator
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsTodd Sturgin, Jeffrey Hemphill, Nicholas Hrusch, Chris Luipold, Joshua Hixenbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator includes a wave generator operable to rotate about an axis. A flex ring is operably coupled with the wave generator, wherein rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts deformation of the flex ring. A shaft is operably coupled with the flex ring, such that deformation of the flex ring prompted by rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts axial displacement of the shaft relative to the flex ring.
Claims20
An actuator, comprising:
- a wave generator having an interior surface that includes an elliptical portion that at least partially defines an aperture extending through the wave generator, the wave generator being operable to rotate about an axis that extends through the aperture;
- a flex ring that extends within the aperture and includes an outer surface having a plurality of teeth for preventing rotation of the flex ring about the axis and an inner surface having a plurality of grooves that extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the flex ring, the inner surface defining a hollow;
- a plurality of rollers that extend radially between the outer surface of the flex ring and the elliptical portion of the interior surface of the wave generator, such that rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts deformation of the flex ring via the plurality of rollers;
- and
- a shaft that has a threaded portion and that extends within the hollow defined by the inner surface of the flex ring, wherein the threaded portion of the shaft is operably engaged with the plurality of grooves of the inner surface of the flex ring, such that deformation of the flex ring prompted by rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts axial displacement of the shaft relative to the flex ring.
2 more elements
An actuator, comprising:
- a wave generator operable to rotate about an axis;
- a flex ring that includes a first axial end, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, an inner surface that extends between the first and second axial ends and that defines a hollow, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and having a plurality of teeth proximate the first axial end, the flex ring being operably coupled with the wave generator, such that rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts deformation of the flex ring;
- a body with which the plurality of teeth are configured to engage to prevent rotation of the flex ring relative to the body about the axis;
- and
- a shaft that extends through the hollow and is operably coupled with the flex ring, such that deformation of the flex ring prompted by rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts displacement of the shaft.
2 more elements
An actuator, comprising:
- a wave generator operable to rotate about an axis;
- a flex ring operably coupled with the wave generator and having a plurality of teeth that engage a body of the actuator to prevent rotation of the flex ring about the axis, wherein rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts deformation of the flex ring;
- and
- a driven component operably coupled with the flex ring, such that deformation of the flex ring prompted by rotation of the wave generator about the axis prompts axial displacement of the driven component relative to the flex ring.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.