Actuator assembly

Abstract

An actuator assembly includes an actuator, an output member, and a spring arrangement having at least one spiral return spring. The output member has a neutral position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position. The neutral position is between the first actuated position and the second actuated position. The output member capable of being driven by the actuator from the neutral position to the first actuated position and to the second actuated position. The spring arrangement is arranged to bias the output member towards the neutral position from the first actuated position and is arranged to bias the output member towards the neutral position from the second actuated position.

1 . A combined spring comprising: 
 a first spiral return spring and a second spiral return spring, wherein the first spiral return spring and the second spiral return spring are integral, the first spiral return spring is wound in a first direction, the second spiral return spring is wound in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the first spiral return spring and the second spiral return spring are joined at a common arm.    
   
   
       2 . The combined spring according to  claim 1  wherein the first spiral return spring and the second spiral return spring are concentric.  
   
   
       3 . The combined spring according to  claim 1  wherein the first spiral return spring defines a first plane, the second spiral return spring defines a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane are spaced apart relative to each other.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The combined spring according to  claim 1  wherein the common arm is oriented in a radial direction.  
   
   
       6 . The combined spring according to  claim 1  wherein the first spiral return spring includes a first free end and the second spiral return spring includes a second free end, rotation of the first free end relative to the common arm in the first direction provides a return force in the second direction, and rotation of the second free end relative to the common arm in the second direction provides a return force in the first direction.  
   
   
       7 . The combined spring according to  claim 1  wherein the first spiral return spring includes a first free end and the second spiral return spring includes a second free end, and the common arm is configured to be mounted such that rotation of the first free end does not cause rotation of the second free end, and rotation of the second free end does not cause rotation of the first free end.  
   
   
       8 . A method of manufacturing a combined spring, the method comprising the steps of: 
 creating a blank to form a first spring portion, a second spring portion, and a common inner arm;    winding the first spring portion in a first direction about the common inner arm; and    winding the second spring portion in a second direction about the common inner arm, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of creating the blank includes cutting a slot in the blank to create the first spring portion, the second spring portion, and the common inner arm.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8  including the steps of creating a hole at a point on the blank corresponding to an edge of the common inner arm and shearing the blank along a line from an outer edge of the blank to the hole.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10  including the step of deforming at least one of the first spring portion and the second spring portion to separate the first spring portion and the second spring portion.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of creating the blank creates a substantially ‘S’ shape blank.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of creating the blank creates a substantially rectangular shape blank.  
   
   
       14 . An actuator assembly comprising: 
 an actuator;    an output member having a neutral position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position, wherein the neutral position is located between the first actuated position and the second actuated position, and the output member is drivable by the actuator from the neutral position to the first actuated position and to the second actuated position; and    a combined spring arranged to bias the output member towards the neutral position from the first actuated position and arranged to bias the output member towards the neutral position from the second actuated position,    wherein the combined spring includes a first spiral return spring and a second spiral return spring, and the first spiral return spring and the second spiral return spring are integral, and    wherein the first spiral return spring is wound in a first direction and the second spiral return spring is wound in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.