Counter-Rotating Motors with Linear Output
AssigneeBose Corporation
InventorsDavid G. Oteman, Steven N. Brown, Dariusz A. Bushko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator includes a first rotary motor, a second rotary motor, and a transmission coupled to the first and second rotary motors. The transmission converts rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of an output shaft in a single direction. The actuator is usable in an active automobile suspension.
Claims24
An apparatus comprising:
- a first rotary motor;
- a second rotary motor;
- and
- a transmission coupled to the first and second rotary motors;
- wherein the transmission converts rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of an output shaft in a single direction.
An automobile suspension coupling a wheel assembly to a sprung mass, the suspension comprising:
- an active suspension element coupled to the wheel assembly and the sprung mass and comprising:
- a first rotary motor;
- a second rotary motor;
- and
- a transmission coupled to the first and second rotary motors;
- wherein the transmission converts rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of an output shaft in a single direction.
An automobile suspension coupling a wheel assembly to a sprung mass, the suspension comprising:
- an active suspension element comprising:
- a first rotary motor and a second rotary motor, the first and second rotary motors coupled to one of the wheel assembly and the sprung mass and arranged linearly to rotate around a common axis;
- a first ball nut coupled to the first rotary motor and a second ball nut coupled to the second rotary motor, the first and second ball nuts being constructed with opposite thread directions;
- and
- a ball screw coupled to the other of the wheel assembly and the sprung mass and having a first threaded region matching the thread direction of the first ball nut and a second threaded region matching the thread direction of the second ball nut to convert rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of the ball screw in a single direction;
- and
- a passive suspension element comprising a coil spring at least partially surrounding the active suspension element and coupling the active suspension element to the sprung mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.