Linear actuator

Abstract

A linear actuator capable of making a bed flat in emergencies is provided. A sub-shaft 52 linking to the worm reduction gear, an inner race 59 coupled by a spline on the sub-shaft 52, an engaging pin 83 and an engaging notch 92 provided between the shaft 16 and the inner race 59 to allow free linking, an operating ring 66 fitting for free rotation on the outer circumference of a housing 11, and a function ring 72 for converting the rotation of the operating ring 66 to an axial movement and transmitting it to the inner race 59 are installed on a linear actuator 10 containing a shaft 16 with a male screw 17, a worm reduction gear for transmitting the rotation of a motor 40 to the shaft 16, a nut 19 that is coupled by a screw to the male screw 17 and advances or retreats by the forward rotation of the shaft 16 and advances or retreats by the reverse rotation of the shaft 16, and a moving cylinder 12 that is fixed to the nut 19 and advances and retreats relative to the housing 11. In emergencies, the shaft 16 can rotate freely by releasing the link between the engaging notch and the engaging pin.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.