Multiple control device for linear actuator

Details Multiple control device for linear actuator Multiple control device for linear actuator

2002-08-12

2004-04-27

Mullins, Burton S. (Department: 2834)

Electricity: motive power systems

Linear-movement motors

C200S0050EA, C200S050320

Reexamination Certificate

active

06727667

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multiple control device for a linear actuator, and more particularly, to a control device that control the retractable member to be positioned at different positions by activating and stopping the DC motor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional linear actuator is shown in FIG.
1
and generally includes control device
10
which is connected with four limit switches
131
,
132
,
133
and
134
which are installed on the convention linear actuator
12
. A retractable member
121
is retractably received in the actuator
12
and driven by a direct current (DC) motor
11
. When the retractable member
121
is located in the deepest position as shown in
FIG. 1
, the electric power for the motor
11
is cut by the control device
10
. When the motor
11
is activated by a signal sent from the control device
10
, the retractable member
121
extends and the contact member
122
on the retractable member
121
removes from the first switch
131
and touches the second switch
132
which then sends a signal to the control device
10
to stop the motor
11
such that the retractable member
121
is set at the desired position. The same processes may proceed to let the retractable member
121
extend from the second switch
132
to the third switch
133
and the fourth switch
134
. When the retractable member
121
is retracted from the position where the contact member
122
is engaged with the fourth switch
134
, the control device
10
sends a reverse signal to the motor
11
which pulls the retractable member
121
backward and the retractable member
121
is stopped when the contact member
122
touches the third switch
133
. By the process, the retractable member
121
can be retracted back to the original position. However, this requires a plurality of wires connected between the control device
10
, the switches
131
to
134
, and the motor
11
. The wire connection could be a huge problem for multiple number of actuators in a building.
The present invention intends to provide a control device that includes a circuit which makes the connection between the actuator, the switches and the motor be simplified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a linear actuator which includes a casing and a retractable member driven by a motor is movably received in the casing and a contact member is connected to the retractable member. A first position switch connected to the motor, a plurality of travel switches and a final position switch are connected to the actuator. These switches are connected in series by normal-close switches. Normal-open switches of the travel switches located between the first position switch and the final position switch are connected to a circuit of the control device.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a linear actuator wherein the circuit of the control device simplifies the wire connection between the position switches.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a control device wherein the position switches are connected in series so that the connection of the circuit is simplified even if the number of the position switches increases.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5994652 (1999-11-01), Umemura
patent: 6404089 (2002-06-01), Tomion

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