Actuator and actuation method

Abstract

An actuator that is capable of taking a relatively small amount of force or displacement input therein and of outputting a relatively large amount of force or displacement. The actuator includes a translating component and a plurality of levers or arms. The increase in force or displacement is achieved by adequately selecting the relative lengths of and positioning the levers or arms. Also, an actuation method for transforming an input of a relatively small amount of force or displacement into an output of a relatively large amount of force or displacement.

1 . An actuator comprising:
 an input connection configured to be connected to a user interface;   a first output connection connected to the input connection;   a translating component connected to the input connection and configured to translate between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged;   a primary lever communicating with the translating component and configured to rotate when the translating component translates between the primary position and the secondary position; and   a secondary lever offset from and fixedly connected to the primary lever and connected to the first output connection, wherein the secondary lever is configured to rotate when the primary lever rotates and wherein the primary lever has a first length and the secondary lever has a second length.   
   
   
       2 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the translating component includes a first set of gear teeth and wherein the primary lever includes a second set of gear teeth that engage with the first set of gear teeth. 
   
   
       3 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lever is of a first length and wherein the secondary lever is of a second length that is greater than the first length. 
   
   
       4 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lever is of a first length and wherein the secondary lever is of a second length that is less than the first length. 
   
   
       5 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lengths are substantially equal. 
   
   
       6 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a push button. 
   
   
       7 . The actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring configured to bias the translating component to the primary position.   
   
   
       8 . The actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring configured to bias at least one of the primary lever and the secondary lever to a primary lever position.   
   
   
       9 . The actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary connection configured to be connected to an auxiliary input and further configured to place the translating component in the secondary position pursuant to the auxiliary input being engaged.   
   
   
       10 . The actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the first output connection is configured to engage a cable. 
   
   
       11 . The actuator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second output connection connected to the input connection;   a tertiary lever communicating with the translating component and configured to rotate when the translating component translates between the primary position and the secondary position; and   a quaternary lever offset from and fixedly connected to the tertiary lever and connected to the second axis and the second output connection, wherein the quaternary lever is configured to rotate when the tertiary lever rotates and wherein the tertiary lever has a first length and the quaternary lever has a second length.   
   
   
       12 . The actuator of  claim 11 , wherein the second output connection is positioned substantially opposite the first output connection. 
   
   
       13 . The actuator of  claim 11 , wherein the primary lever and the tertiary lever have substantially equal lengths. 
   
   
       14 . A method of actuating a system, the method comprising:
 engaging a user interface;   translating a first component between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged;   rotating a primary lever upon the translating; and   rotating a secondary lever upon the primary lever rotating, wherein the secondary lever is offset from and fixedly connect to the primary lever.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 rotating a tertiary lever upon the translating component translating; and   rotating a quaternary lever upon the tertiary lever rotating, wherein the quaternary lever is offset from and fixedly connected to the tertiary lever.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the engaging the user interface step comprises pushing a button. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 pulling a first cable with the first output connection upon the   secondary lever rotating.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 pulling a first cable with the first output connection upon the secondary lever rotating; and   pulling a second cable with the second output connection upon the quaternary lever rotating.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first cable and the second cable are positioned substantially opposite each other. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the primary lever and the tertiary lever have substantially equal lengths. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the secondary lever has a different length that the primary lever. 
   
   
       22 . An actuator comprising:
 first connecting means for connecting to a user interface;   second connecting means for connecting to an output, wherein the second connecting means is connected to the first connecting means;   translating means for translating between a primary position and a secondary position upon the user interface being engaged, wherein the translating means is connected to the first connecting means;   first rotating means for rotating about an axis, wherein the first rotating means extends between the translating means and the axis and wherein the first rotating means is configured to rotate about the axis upon the translating means translating between the primary position and the secondary position; and   second rotating means for rotating about the axis, wherein the second rotating means is offset from and fixedly connected to the first rotating means, wherein the second rotating means extends between the axis and the second connecting means, wherein the second rotating means is configured to rotate about the axis upon the first rotating means rotating about the axis and wherein the first rotating means and the second rotating means have different lengths.