Verriegelungsmechanismus

Details

Veröffentlichungs-Nr.

EP4800256

Anmeldetag

26. Februar 2025

Veröffentlichung

2. September 2026

Rechtsraum

EP

Abstract

A locking mechanism (3) for an actuator (1) is provided. The mechanism includes: a rotatable shaft (14) extending along a longitudinal axis (C-C), the shaft comprising a circumferential outer surface (18) and three or more surface features (20a-20f), wherein the three or more surface features are circumferentially spaced from each other; an outer casing (16) comprising an inner surface (56) circumferentially surrounding at least part of the shaft, wherein the outer casing is axially movable between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the shaft; and three or more balls (32a-32f), wherein each of the three or more balls is received by a respective surface feature and axially retained within the respective surface feature. Each surface feature comprises: a first surface (22) extending from a first surface first end (24) on the circumferential outer surface to a first surface second end (26), wherein the first surface second end is radially inward of the first surface first end; and a contact surface (28) extending from a contact surface first end (30) on the circumferential outer surface to the first surface second end such that at least part of the contact surface extends at an acute angle to the first surface, wherein the contact surface first end is circumferentially spaced from the first surface. Each ball is motivated towards the first surface of the respective surface feature when the shaft rotates in a first direction. Each ball is motivated away from the first surface of the respective surface feature when the shaft rotates in a second, opposite direction. A radial distance of the inner surface from the longitudinal axis varies in the axial direction such that: when the outer casing is in the first axial position, the shaft is free to rotate in the first direction and in the second direction, and when the outer casing is in the second axial position, the shaft is free to rotate in the first direction and each of the balls are wedged between the inner surface of the outer casing and their respective contact features, resisting the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

Anmelder

Firma

Goodrich Actuation Systems SAS

Land

🇫🇷 Frankreich