Linear actuator for motion simulator

1. A linear actuator comprising:

a motor having an output shaft for producing a bi-directional rotational output;

a casing connected to the motor at a proximal end, the casing having an inner cavity defining a joint surface;

a threaded shaft within the inner cavity of the casing;

at least one bearing within the inner cavity and adjacent to the proximal end of the casing;

a coupling assembly for coupling the output shaft of the motor to the threaded shaft, the coupling assembly having at least a first coupling component receiving the rotational output from the motor, and at least a second coupling component coupled to the first coupling component for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft, a substantial portion of a coupling between the first and the second coupling components being in an axial section of the linear actuator delimited by a proximal surface and a distal surface of the at least one bearing;

a sliding tube in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing; and

a traveling nut connected to the sliding tube for moving therewith, the traveling nut being operatively engaged to the threaded shaft for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube.

2. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the first coupling component has a male connector in the coupling, and the second coupling component is a female connector in the coupling.

3. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the second coupling component is connected to a proximal end of the threaded shaft to rotate therewith.

4. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising connection means at the distal end of the sliding tube for securing same to a base or the ground.

5. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first coupling component and the second coupling component has a cylindrical head, a cylindrical periphery of the cylindrical head being against a surface of an inner race of the bearing.

6. The linear actuator according to claim 5 , wherein the second coupling component has said cylindrical head.

7. The linear actuator according to claim 6 , the cylindrical head has an inner cavity proximally opened and receiving therein a portion of the first coupling component.

8. The linear actuator according to claim 7 , wherein the coupling comprises a pair of fingers in the first coupling component, the pair of fingers projecting into the inner cavity.

9. The linear actuator according to claim 8 , wherein the coupling comprises a cross-shaped interface between the pair of fingers and a pair of protrusions in the cavity.

10. The linear actuator according to claim 9 , wherein the cross-shaped interface has a hardness lower than that of the fingers and that of the protrusions.

11. The linear actuator according to claim 8 , wherein a substantial portion of the cavity and of the fingers is in an axial section of the linear actuator delimited by a proximal surface and a distal surface of the at least one bearing.

12. The linear actuator according to claim 6 , further comprising a flange at a distal end of the cylindrical head and a channel adjacent to a proximal end of the cylindrical head, with a retaining ring releasably received in the channel, whereby the at least one bearing is retained between the flange and the retaining ring.

13. The linear actuator according to claim 6 , further comprising a tubular shaft support projecting distally from the cylindrical head, the tubular shaft support receiving therein a proximal end of the threaded shaft.

14. The linear actuator according to claim 13 , further comprising a pin rotatably locking the tubular shaft support to the proximal end of the threaded shaft.