Adjustable-length actuating element
An adjustable-length actuating element comprises an energy storing device. A casing and a piston rod, which is displaceable in the casing, are provided within the actuating element. A spindle drive is integrated in the energy storing device. A driving shaft is in rotary driving connection with the piston rod.
1. An adjustable-length actuating element, comprising
an energy storing device ( 15 , 46 , 46 ′, 69 , 69 ″′);
a casing ( 2 , 28 , 2 ″′);
a piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′) which is extended from the casing ( 2 , 28 , 2 ″′) and movable relative thereto and has an external end;
a first fastening element ( 4 , 33 , 33 ″′) on the end of the casing ( 2 , 28 , 2 ″′) opposite to where the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′) exits; and
a second fastening element ( 22 , 45 , 45 ″′) on the external end of the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′);
a spindle drive which is integrated in the energy storing device ( 15 , 46 , 46 ′, 69 , 69 ″′) and disposed between the casing ( 2 , 28 , 2 ″′) and the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′); and
a driving shaft ( 24 , 26 a ), which is in rotary driving connection with the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′).
2. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , wherein a gear ( 16 , 16 ′, 47 , 47 ′, 47 ″′) is provided between the driving shaft ( 24 ) 26 a ) and the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 , 39 ′, 9 ″′).
3. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein the gear is a worm gear ( 16 , 16 ′).
4. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein the gear is a toothed gear ( 47 , 47 ″′).
5. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein the gear ( 16 , 16 ′, 47 ″′) is axially tightly joined to the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′, 39 ′, 9 ″′).
6. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein the gear ( 47 ) is axially tightly joined to the casing ( 28 ).
7. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , further comprising an overload clutch provided in rotary driving connection between the driving shaft and the piston rod.
8. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 7 , wherein the overload clutch is a slip clutch ( 58 ).
9. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein the spindle drive and the gear ( 16 , 16 ′, 47 , 47 ″′) are not self-locking.
10. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , wherein the driving shaft ( 24 ) is connected to a motor ( 26 ).
11. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , wherein a motor ( 26 ) is fixed to the casing ( 28 ).
12. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , wherein the energy storing device is a gas spring ( 15 , 46 , 46 ′), the casing ( 2 , 28 ) of which has an interior space ( 10 , 37 ) filled with compressed gas and from the casing ( 2 , 28 ) of which the piston rod ( 9 , 9 ′; 39 , 39 ′) is sealingly extended.
13. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 1 , wherein the energy storing device is a compression spring ( 69 , 69 ″′) which is disposed between the first fastening element ( 4 , 33 ″′) and the second fastening element ( 22 , 45 ″′).
14. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 13 , wherein the compression spring ( 69 ″′) is disposed at least partially in a protecting tube ( 78 ).
15. An adjustable-length actuating element according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the spindle drive and the gear ( 16 , 16 ′, 47 ) is self-locking.