Patent ID: 6396173
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B60K,F16H

Abstract:
An actuator comprising a frame and a rotatable intermediate body freely rotatable with respect to said frame and provided with an externally toothed gear wheel meshingly engaged with a pinion fixed to an end of a shaft of an electric motor, the rotatable intermediate body being further provided with a lead screw area extending therewithin and arranged coaxially thereto; the intermediate body being capable of moving axially in either direction over a predetermined distance which distance is sufficiently limited in length so as to maintain the meshing engagement between the externally toothed wheel and the pinion; the actuator further comprising a main spring operatively located coaxially between the frame and the intermediate body, a screw shaft member coaxially and screwably coupled with said lead screw area and which has a first end connected to the frame by a coupling member which prevents relative rotation while allowing free axial movement, a switch means for operating said electric motor, said switch means being actuatable by said intermediate body upon relative movement of said intermediate body and wherein said intermediate body is not mechanically rigidly connected to said switch means.