US 12,467,521 B1
3D-printed telescoping actuator
Thomas Kloucek, Walpole, MA (US)
Assigned to Yarro Studios, Inc., Orem, UT (US)
Filed by YARRO STUDIOS, INC., Orem, UT (US)
Filed on May 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/660,462.
Int. Cl. F16H 25/20 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 25/2056 (2013.01) [F16H 2025/2087 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A 3D-printed telescoping actuator, comprising:
a ring gear;
wherein the ring gear is cylindrical;
a carrier;
wherein the carrier is hollow and cylindrical;
wherein the carrier is coaxial with the ring gear;
wherein the carrier is connected to the ring gear such that the carrier is able to rotate relative to the ring gear but unable to move in an axial direction relative to the ring gear;
a first drive screw provided inside the carrier;
wherein the first drive screw is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the first drive screw is connected to the ring gear such that the first drive screw is able to rotate with the ring gear and the carrier, but unable to move in the axial direction relative to the ring gear and the carrier;
wherein the first drive screw is connected to the ring gear via one or more gears, such that the first drive screw is able to rotate relative to the carrier in response to rotation between the ring gear and the carrier;
a first segment;
wherein the first segment is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the first segment is connected to the carrier via one or more first guiderails on the carrier interlocking with one or more first pairs of knubs on the first segment such that the first segment is able to move in the axial direction relative to the carrier but unable to rotate relative to the carrier;
wherein the first segment is connected to the first drive screw via a first pair of slopes or a first pair of one or more threads such that the first segment is able to move in an axial direction relative to the carrier in response to rotation between the first drive screw and the carrier;
a second drive screw;
wherein the second drive screw is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the second drive screw is connected to the first segment via a first recession and a matching first protrusion such that the second drive screw is able to rotate but unable to move in the axial direction relative to the first segment;
a second segment;
wherein the second segment is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the second segment is connected to the first segment via one or more second guiderails on the first segment interlocking with one or more second pairs of knubs on the second segment such that the second segment is able to move in the axial direction but unable to rotate relative to the first segment;
wherein the second segment is connected to the second drive screw via a second pair of slopes or a second pair of one or more threads such that the second segment is able to move in an axial direction relative to the first segment in response to rotation between the second drive screw and the first segment;
a third drive screw;
wherein the third drive screw is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the third drive screw is connected to the second segment via a second recession and a matching second protrusion such that the third drive screw is able to rotate but unable to move in the axial direction relative to the second segment;
a third segment;
wherein the third segment is cylindrical and coaxial with the carrier;
wherein the third segment is connected to the second segment via one or more third guiderails on the second segment interlocking with one or more third pairs of knubs on the third segment such that the third segment is able to move in the axial direction but unable to rotate relative to the second segment;
wherein the third segment is connected to the third drive screw via a third pair of slopes or a third pair of one or more threads such that the third segment is able to move in an axial direction relative to the second segment in response to rotation between the third drive screw and the second segment;
wherein the first drive screw, the second drive screw, and the third drive screw are interlocked together so that they are able to move in an axial direction but unable to rotate relative to each other;
wherein the ring gear, the carrier, the first drive screw, the second drive screw, the third drive screw, the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are 3D printed;
wherein the first drive screw, the second drive screw, the third drive screw, the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are made as consolidated single pieces.