Ways to Save Space in a Small House with Linear Actuators
Living in a small house has its own difficulties. The downs, of course, overshadow the ups. You may have kids running all around your small kitchen while you are preparing a meal, have to wake up family members to access a closet or even be a nuisance when you want to watch your favorite sequel. Regardless of your situation, there is a solution in the name of linear actuators.
The industrial, manufacturing, industrial and marine sectors constantly use actuators. They provide the much-needed lift and power that humans cannot match. However, though, linear actuators use in the home setting is gaining popularity. This is due to the creation of small 12V actuators that fits in those tiny awkward places in your home.
You might be wondering what an actuator really is? Well, an actuator is simply a motor that moves objects by pulling, pushing or lifting. It converts the energy it produces to linear motion. There are three main types hydraulic, pneumatic and the electrical actuator. With the latter exclusively used for home automation.
Different rooms have varying uses in the home and require enough space to facilitate the required activity in that given room. Take for example the kitchen, it’s an area used to prepare food, eat and converse and for storage. With electric linear actuators, it’s possible to automate various parts of your tiny home creating the requires space.
Linear Actuators for Home Automation
So you are considering implementing actuator use in your home. However, you don’t know where or which room to begin with. Below are home improvement ideas you could consider to create more space if you have a small home:
Automated Spice Rack
The automation of a spice rack requires a 12 to 18-inch stroke actuator. The spice rack only pops up when needed and retracts when not in use. This is a key element in saving spaces on kitchen surfaces. The size of the spice rack makes it easily tucked away using micro actuators.
Cabinets and Drawers
Additionally, actuator installation in the kitchen may cover drawers and cabinets. One advantage is it makes retrieving item easy for even the younger members of the family. You can also increase the number of cabinets while maintaining the current space.
Table and Chair Lifts
Linear actuators continued dominance is the kitchen continues with their application on table lifts. They’re strategically installed under the table to retract to the floor and pop up when needed. Their implementations serve the same purpose as chair lifts. The only difference with the chairlift is it retracts and tucked and stored not becoming an obstacle in your kitchen.
Electric Wall Bed
Actuators can play an important role too in your bedroom or rest area. Take for example you have a house with small bedrooms and many inhabitants. Sleeping space is limited. What do you do? Implement electric actuators tucking your beds away on the wall. It saves space for kids to play and other activities can take place in the freed up area.
TV Lifts
A tv lift is perhaps the most common implementation of actuators in the home setting to save space today. There are two types of tv lifts, motorized (pop-up) and the ceiling (drop-down).
The pop-up TV lift use is to ‘hide’ your flat screen in your furniture when not in use. This can be in your drawer or cabinet and using actuators as the main mechanism of operation. Note that when the TV retracts, you’re left with top space for placing items or even working.
The drop-down TV lift uses the same actuators but its implementation is overhead. A lifesaver if you have limited space on the floor. Both TV lifts can incorporate remote control system for ease of operation.
What do these Applications have in Common?
The mode of control is the same. That is, they all implement manual or remote control systems. For manual operation, a strategically placed rocker switch controls the actuator’s movement. A remote control system uses a handheld remote for actuator movement control.
A linear actuator, be it large or small have lots of application in the home setting. They not only provide efficiency but also give a sense of prestige and add an aura of sophistication to your home. An actuator can also be used to save space, which to many it sounds like a myth yet it’s true.
It’s evident that space saving ideas for small kitchens using linear actuators are plentiful. This is not to say that other rooms face seclusion. The use of lifts in chairs and tables has been used for quite some time but wasn’t popular. Now, with the rise of actuators people consider them as an option in their small houses which is convenient than buying a new one.
They also play an important role in the bedroom area where you can install an electric wall bed. It retracts and popup only when required by the touch of a button or via remote control. Their applications in the home are countless.
The efficiency of actuators is because they occupy and fit in small spaces crooked, are fast, and quiet. With the ever-rising need to economize space in the home, actuators now play an important role in this realization. Finally, another great attribute of an actuator is they save on power since they use on 12V.