Actuator and actuation method

This application claims priority to and is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/259,265, filed Oct. 27, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60/622,462, filed Oct. 27, 2004, now expired, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to actuators and to actuation methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to actuators and actuation methods configured to output a force and/or amount of displacement that is different from an input force and/or amount of displacement.

Currently-available actuators are implemented in a variety of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. However, currently-available actuators that have relatively small amounts force and/or displacement input into them are not amenable to being included in devices or systems that would require the actuator to output a relatively large amount of force and/or displacement (i.e., travel).

For example, currently-available actuators are often connected to push buttons and are engaged when a user depresses the push button a relatively short distance and with a relatively small amount of force. Pursuant to being engaged, these currently-available actuators are only capable of outputting a relatively small amount of force and displacement. Therefore, they cannot be incorporated in devices and systems where a large amount of force or displacement is needed.

One example of a device or system where a currently-available actuator would not be suitable is in a removable cover for a pick-up truck bed. Such a cover, instead of having one or more actuators incorporated therein, make use of handles and/or levers to release hooks that attach the cover to the sides of the pick-up bed. Unfortunately, the levers and/or handles are relatively large, bulky and expensive. Therefore, the cover itself is also relatively large, bulky and expensive. In addition, frail or injured persons may have difficulty applying enough force to the handles and/or levers to release the cover from the truck bed to which it is attached.

At least in view of the above, it would be desirable to provide actuators that output a relatively large amount of force or displacement pursuant to being engaged with a relatively small amount of force or displacement. In addition, it would be desirable to provide actuation methods that output a relatively large amount of force or displacement pursuant to a relatively small amount of force or displacement being input.

At least some of the foregoing needs are met by a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein an actuator is provided. The actuator includes an input connection configured to be connected to a user interface. The actuator also includes a first output connection connected to the input connection. In addition, the actuator also includes a translating component connected to the input connection and configured to translate between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged. The actuator further includes a primary lever communicating with the translating component. The primary lever is configured to rotate when the translating component translates between the primary position and the secondary position. The actuator also includes a secondary lever that is offset from and fixedly connected to the primary lever. The secondary lever is connected to the first output connection. The secondary lever is also configured to rotate when the primary lever rotates. In addition, the primary lever has a first length and the secondary lever has a second length.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of actuating a system is provided. The method includes engaging a user interface. The method also includes translating a first component between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged. The method further includes rotating a primary lever upon the translating component translating. The method also includes rotating a secondary lever upon the primary lever rotating. Also, the secondary lever is offset from and fixedly connected to the primary lever.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, another actuator is provided. This actuator includes first connecting means for connecting to a user interface. This actuator also includes second connecting means for connecting to an output and is connected to the first connecting means. This actuator further includes translating means for translating between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged. In this actuator, the translating means is connected to the first connecting means. This actuator also includes first rotating means for rotating about an axis. In this actuator, the first rotating means extends between the translating means and the axis. Also, the first rotating means is configured to rotate about the axis upon the translating means translating between the primary position and the secondary position. This actuator further includes second rotating means for rotating about the axis. The second rotating means is offset from and fixedly connected to the first rotating means. The second rotating means also extends between the axis and the second connecting means. Further, the second rotating means is configured to rotate about the axis upon the first rotating means rotating about the axis. In addition, the first rotating means and the second rotating means have different lengths.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an actuator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

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