Actuator using elastic extensible member
AssigneeBridgestone Corporation
InventorsKoichi Negishi, Teruyoshi Sato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator includes an elastic member extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic member, and guiding device arranged outwardly of the elastic member and permitting the elastic member to move in the axial directions, but restraining the elastic member from moving in directions intersecting the axial directions. As the actuator is of an air-bag type so that energy of the pressurized fluid can be converted into mechanical movement with high efficiency. The actuator moves only in axial directions without expanding in radial directions, so that the actuator takes up little space in operation.
Claims10
An actuator comprising:
- an elongate and flexible elastic member including a tubular body and a reinforcing braided structure surrounding the tubular body, said elastic member having first and second axial end portions with said first end portion axially movable relative to said second end portion as a pressurized fluid is either introduced into or exhausted from the tubular body;
- and guide means arranged outwardly of the elastic member for permitting axial movement of the elastic member while simultaneously restraining the elastic member from moving in directions intersecting an axial direction of the elastic member;
- wherein said elastic member is movable in its axial direction as a pressurized fluid is exhausted from the tubular body, said braided structure having an initial braided angle which is greater than the angle of repose of 54.degree.44'.
An actuator comprising:
- an elongate and flexible elastic member including a tubular body and reinforcing braided structure surrounding the tubular body, said elastic member having first and second axial end portions with said first end portion axially movable relative to said second end portion as a pressurized fluid is either introduced into or exhausted from the tubular body;
- and guide means arranged outwardly of the elastic member for permitting axial movement of the elastic member while simultaneously restraining the elastic member from moving in directions intersecting an axial direction of the elastic member;
- wherein said elastic member is movable in its axial direction as a pressurized fluid is introduced into the tubular body, said braided structure having an initial braided angle which is within a range of 70.degree. to 85.degree..
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.