Energy absorbing shock mechanism for reducing impact and rotary actuator incorporating same

摘要

A shock absorber for a shaft. The shock absorber (10) comprises a collar (32) having an opening receiving the shaft (18). A clearance gap (48) is defined between the collar opening and the shaft. A pin (44) offset from the axis connects the collar to a shoulder (40) on the shaft. A resilient o-ring (50) arranged in the clearance gap engages the collar and the shaft. In operation, the collar and the shaft rotate in unison. However, when the collar accelerates or comes to a sudden stop, the resilient o-ring compresses to provide the shock absorption. The shock absorber may be incorporated into a rotary actuator. In a rotary actuator, the collar includes a stop tab (34) that rotates between two stop surfaces of the actuator housing. When the stop tab strikes one of the stop surfaces, the resilient member compresses thereby absorbing and reducing impact force. Compression in the resilient member is snubbed via mechanical stops (28,30).