Control panel actuator device
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsTimothy C. McIlroy, David J. Carta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator assembly for remote actuation of control panel components in an environment that restricts human access is contemplated. The actuator assembly includes one or more remotely controllable linear drive mechanisms for imparting a rotation motion on one or more cams to remotely press a control panel component such as a button or switch. While disengaged, the cams are rotated to a position where they minimally obstruct an operator's view. The actuator assembly also allows the force and throw of actuation to be accurately controlled.
Claims16
An actuator for actuating a control component on a control panel comprising:
- an actuator body having one or more fixed elongated sections;
- an elongated slider component;
- a cam component rotatably coupled to one or more of said one or more fixed elongated sections and slidably coupled to said elongated slider component;
- a drive mechanism coupled to said actuator body and to said slider component, said drive mechanism adapted to impart axial motion on said elongated slider component;
- wherein said cam component is adapted to rotatably engage said control panel control component in response to said axial motion of said slider component.
An actuator assembly comprising:
- a housing adapted to be mounted to a control panel, said control panel having one or more control panel control components;
- one or more actuators housed substantially within said actuator assembly housing, each of said actuators comprising:
- an actuator body having one or more fixed elongated sections;
- one or more elongated slider components;
- one or more cam components rotatably coupled to one or more of said one or more fixed elongated sections and slidably coupled to one or more of said elongated slider components;
- one or more drive mechanisms coupled to said actuator body and to one of said one or more slider components, said drive mechanism adapted to impart axial motion to one of said elongated slider components;
- wherein each of said cam components is adapted to rotatably engage one of said control panel control components in response to said axial motion imparted upon said one of said one or more slider components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.