Failsafe smart bar actuator
AssigneeStoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
InventorsJoe Heller, William H. Fort
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.
Claims46
A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to drive said actuator driven element, said drive assembly comprising a plunger having at least a first plunger position, said actuator driven element responsive to said plunger such that said actuator driven element is in said failsafe position when said plunger is in said first plunger position;
- a return mechanism;
- and
- an electromechanical mechanism configured to hold said plunger in at least a second plunger position and further configured to release said plunger upon detection of said failure condition thereby permitting said return mechanism to drive said plunger to said first plunger position and hence said actuator driven element to said failsafe position.
A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said failsafe actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to drive a plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position;
- a return mechanism configured to drive said plunger from said second plunger position to said first plunger position, said actuator driven element responsive to said plunger such that said actuator driven element is in said failsafe position when said plunger is in said first plunger position;
- and
- an electromechanical mechanism configured to hold said plunger in at least said second plunger position and further configured to release said plunger upon detection of said failure condition thereby permitting said return mechanism to drive said plunger to said first plunger position and hence said actuator driven element to said failsafe position.
A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to drive said actuator driven element, said drive assembly comprising an electrical motor;
- and
- an electrical energy storage element coupled to said electrical motor, said electrical energy storage element providing sufficient electrical energy to said electrical motor to enable said electrical motor to drive said actuator driven element to said failsafe position upon detection of a failure condition.
A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly for driving said actuator driven element;
- and
- an energy storage element in working relationship with said drive assembly, said energy storage element configured to provide replacement energy to drive said actuator driven element to said failsafe position in case of said failure condition.
A method for returning an element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said method comprising the steps of:
- driving a plunger from a first plunger position to a second plunger position;
- holding said plunger in at least said second plunger position;
- detecting said failure condition;
- releasing said plunger from said at least second plunger position upon detection of said failure condition;
- and
- driving said plunger from said at least second plunger position to said first plunger position, said element responsive to a position of said plunger such that said element is in said failsafe position when said plunger is in said first plunger position.
A method for returning an element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said method comprising the steps of:
- driving said element;
- storing electrical energy in an electrical energy storage element;
- detecting said failure condition;
- and
- providing said energy from said storage step to drive said element to said failsafe position upon detection of said failure condition.
A method for returning an element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing energy;
- detecting said failure condition;
- and
- utilizing said energy from said storing step to return said element to a failsafe position.
A stabilizer bar system comprising:
- at least one stabilizer bar;
- a power source;
- an actuator receiving electrical power from said power source, said actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to drive said at least one stabilizer bar, said drive assembly comprising a plunger having at least a first plunger position, said at least one stabilizer bar responsive to said plunger such that said at least one stabilizer bar is in a failsafe position when said plunger is in said first plunger position;
- a return mechanism;
- and
- a electromechanical mechanism configured to hold said plunger in at least a second plunger position and further configured to release said plunger upon detection of a failure condition thereby permitting said return mechanism to drive said plunger to said first plunger position and hence said at least one stabilizer bar to said failsafe position.
The system of claim 46, wherein said failsafe position is activation of said stabilizer bar.
A stabilizer bar system comprising:
- at least one stabilizer bar;
- a power source;
- an actuator receiving electrical power from said power source, said actuator comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to drive said at least one stabilizer bar, said drive assembly comprising an electrical motor configured to receive power from said power source;
- and
- an electrical energy storage element coupled to said electrical motor and said power source, said electrical energy storage element providing sufficient electrical energy to said electrical motor to enable said electrical motor to drive said at least one stabilizer bar to a failsafe position upon detection of a failure condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.