Actuator

Inventors

Lillis, Barry • Green, Steven • HOLLAND, Damian

Assignees

Osler Diagnostics Ltd

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an actuator, an actuator assembly, a method of operating an actuator, a computer program and a system. In one aspect, an actuator may comprise a plurality of independently operable actuation elements and an operator having an operator surface. Each actuation element may have an actuation surface. The operator may be driveable to move the operator surface along a path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface of each actuation element to actuate the actuation element.

Core Innovation

An actuator comprises a plurality of independently operable actuation elements, each actuation element having an actuation surface. The actuator further comprises an operator having an operator surface, and the operator is driveable to move the operator surface along a path to selectively engage with the respective actuation surface of each actuation element to actuate the actuation element.

The actuator is configured such that the operator surface cannot engage with the actuation surfaces of the actuation elements as the operator surface moves along the path in one direction, and can engage with the actuation surfaces as the operator surface moves along the path in the opposite direction. This direction-gated engagement provides selective engagement during travel in the opposite direction.

The described arrangements support compact layouts by configuring the operator to move along linear or closed-loop paths, including circular and elliptical paths. Embodiments describe actuation surfaces implemented as ramps, optionally with backstops, and independently operable actuation elements that are biased to return to an activated or default position.

The actuator is also described with operator bypass mechanisms that allow the operator to pass intermediate actuation elements without actuation, including embodiments using a stopper pin and spring-biased operator rotation. An actuator assembly is described with driving means including stepped drive motors or rack-and-pinion, together with a method of operating and a computer program for controlling the driving means.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim is directed to an actuator with a direction-gated engagement mechanism, combining multiple independently operable actuation elements with an operator surface moved along a path. The claim includes three primary inventive features: selective engagement of respective actuation surfaces, preventing engagement during travel in one direction while allowing engagement during opposite-direction travel, and independently operable actuation elements.

Overall, independent claim coverage centers on an operator-driven, direction-gated engagement mechanism that selectively actuates independently operable actuation elements by engaging their respective actuation surfaces along a path, with engagement prevented in one travel direction and permitted in the opposite travel direction.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications