Patent ID: 6015142
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: F16F,F16K

Abstract:
A spring module for an actuator, said spring module comprising:a housing;a shaft being movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite said first direction;a biasing element coupled to said shaft for urging said shaft in said first direction, said biasing element being energized upon movement of said shaft in said second direction and de-energized upon movement of said shaft in said first direction; andmotion limiter that limits de-energization of said biasing element; anda speed reduction apparatus intercoupling said motion limiter and said shaft to move said motion limiter in a third direction upon movement of said shaft in said second direction and a fourth direction opposite said third direction upon movement of said shaft in said first direction, said motion limiter moving at a slower rate in said third and fourth directions than said shaft moves in said first and second directions, said speed reduction apparatus including a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear defined by said shaft, a planet gear, and a ring gear each coupled to said housing for rotation about an axis, said ring gear having a tab extending radially from said axis, said housing further including a stop engageable with said tab to define said motion limiter and to limit movement of said ring gear relative to said housing to less than one revolution about said axis.