Thermally responsive driver
By employing a dual-seal structure and a partitioned containment design in the thermal response actuator, the problem of poor sealing effect is solved, ensuring effective sealing at different temperatures, preventing material leakage and the ingress of external substances, and the structure is simple and easy to manufacture.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510724254.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermal response actuators suffer from poor sealing performance, especially in fluid conduction heating environments where fluid can easily enter the housing and thermally expanding materials can easily leak, with the problem being more pronounced in low-temperature environments.
The sealing assembly employs two seals, separated by a rigid cap device, providing sufficient deformation space for each seal. Seals made of different materials are used to adapt to different temperature environments, ensuring a good seal.
It achieves excellent sealing performance in high and low temperature environments, preventing leakage of thermally expanding materials and the entry of external substances, and has a simple structure that is easy to manufacture.
Smart Images
Figure CN121088883A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application generally relates to thermally responsive actuators that provide mechanical actuation in response to heating. Background Technology
[0002] Thermally responsive actuators, also known as wax motors, provide mechanical actuation in response to heating, offering simple and reliable linear drive for several applications. A thermally responsive actuator typically consists of a housing containing an expanding material (such as wax) and a piston. When the housing is heated, the wax expands, driving the piston outward. A return spring is located in an external mechanical device, allowing the piston to return to the housing when the wax cools. For example, a thermally responsive actuator can be used in thermostatic valves in vehicle cooling circuits, forming thermal contact with the cooling medium circulating in the circuit. When the expanding material in the thermally responsive actuator expands under the thermal induction of the cooling medium, the actuator causes the valve element in the thermostatic valve to move within the valve housing, thereby switching the flow path of the cooling medium. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The inventors of this application have discovered that existing thermal response actuators have a problem with poor sealing performance.
[0004] To at least partially address the above problems, according to a first aspect of this application, a thermally responsive actuator is provided, comprising a housing, a thermally expanding material, a piston, and a sealing assembly. The housing includes a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity. The thermally expanding material is accommodated within the housing cavity. The piston extends at least partially into the housing cavity from the opening. The sealing assembly includes a cap device and a sealing device, the sealing assembly being attached to the housing at the opening, covering the opening and disposed around the piston. The sealing device includes a first seal and a second seal. One or both of the housing and the cap device define a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction of the thermally responsive actuator by the cap device to independently accommodate at least a portion of the first seal and at least a portion of the second seal, respectively.
[0005] In some embodiments, the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion have a predetermined first axial distance and a predetermined second axial distance, respectively.
[0006] In some embodiments, the second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than that of the first seal, and the oil resistance of the first seal is better than that of the second seal.
[0007] In some embodiments, the first seal is made of any one of the following groups of materials: hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber and nitrile butadiene rubber; and the second seal is made of any one of the following groups of materials: ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and silicone rubber.
[0008] In some embodiments, the cover device includes an outer cover, the outer cover including a partition, and a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion being separated by the partition of the outer cover.
[0009] In some embodiments, the cover device further includes an inner cover disposed within an outer cover, a first axial distance of the first receiving portion being defined by a separation between the inner cover and the outer cover, and a second axial distance of the second receiving portion being defined by a separation between the outer cover and the housing.
[0010] In some embodiments, the cover device includes an outer cover and an inner cover, the inner cover being disposed within the outer cover, and the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion being separated by the inner cover.
[0011] In some embodiments, the inner and outer covers are provided with limiting structures to restrict the inner cover from moving relative to the outer cover in a direction away from the expanding material.
[0012] In some embodiments, the outer cover includes a bottom remote from the housing, a first axial distance of the first receiving portion is defined by the inner cover and the housing, and a second axial distance of the second receiving portion is defined by the bottom of the inner cover and the outer cover.
[0013] According to a second aspect of this application, a thermally responsive actuator is provided, comprising a housing, a thermally expanding material, an outer cover, a piston, a first seal, and a second seal. The housing defines a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity. The thermally expanding material is accommodated within the housing cavity. The outer cover is attached to the housing at the opening and has a partition defining an outer cover connection channel. The piston extends at least partially from the outer cover connection channel into the housing cavity. The first seal and the second seal seal sealingly connect the piston to the outer cover. The first seal and the second seal are separated by the partition of the outer cover.
[0014] In some embodiments, the outer cover defines a first outer cover cavity and a second outer cover cavity located on opposite sides of the partition, wherein the second outer cover cavity is further away from the expanding material than the first outer cover cavity. The thermal response actuator also includes an inner cover disposed within the second outer cover cavity. A first seal is at least partially received in the first outer cover cavity, and a second seal is received between the partition between the inner and outer covers.
[0015] In some embodiments, the second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than the minimum operating temperature of the first seal.
[0016] According to a third aspect of this application, a thermally responsive actuator is provided, comprising a housing, a thermally expanding material, an outer cover, an inner cover, a piston, a first seal, and a second seal. The housing defines a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity. The thermally expanding material is housed within the housing cavity. The outer cover is attached to the housing at the opening and has a bottom defining an outer cover connection channel. The inner cover is disposed within the outer cover and has an inner cover connection channel. The piston extends at least partially into the housing cavity from the outer cover connection channel and the inner cover connection channel. The first seal and the second seal seal sealingly connect the piston to the outer cover. The first seal and the second seal are separated by the inner cover.
[0017] In some embodiments, the outer cover defines an outer cover cavity located on the bottom side near the expanding material, and the second seal, the inner cover, and at least a portion of the first seal are accommodated in the outer cover cavity.
[0018] In some embodiments, the second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than the minimum operating temperature of the first seal.
[0019] The thermal response actuator of this application achieves excellent sealing performance by providing a sealing assembly with two seals and a receiving portion for the two seals separated by a rigid cap device. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a thermal response driver according to an embodiment of this application;
[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the thermal response actuator shown;
[0022] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 The thermal response actuator shown is an axial sectional view in the assembled state;
[0023] Figure 3B yes Figure 1 A portion of the thermal response actuator is shown in an axial cross-sectional view in its disassembled state.
[0024] Figure 3C yes Figure 1 A portion of the thermal response actuator shown is in an axial cross-sectional view in its assembled state;
[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a thermally responsive driver according to another embodiment of this application;
[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An exploded view of the thermal response actuator shown;
[0027] Figure 6A yes Figure 4 A portion of the thermal response actuator is shown in an axial cross-sectional view in its disassembled state.
[0028] Figure 6B yes Figure 4 A portion of the thermal response actuator shown is in an axial cross-sectional view in its assembled state;
[0029] Figure 6C yes Figure 4 The image shows an axial sectional view of the thermal response driver in its assembled state.
[0030] Key reference numerals:
[0031] First embodiment: Thermal response actuator 100; housing 110; first axial end 112; second axial end 114; housing cavity 115; opening 119; expansion material 120; piston 130; piston head 132; piston rod 135; sealing assembly 140; cover device 230; outer cover 231; outer cover connecting channel 233; inner cover 235; inner cover connecting channel 237; (inner cover) stepped portion 239; sealing device 240; first seal 241; second seal 242; (first seal) connecting channel 243; head 244; handle 246; washer 250; body 331; bottom 332; opening end 333; connecting portion 334; outer cover cavity 335; blocking portion 336; (housing) stepped portion 362; flange 365; limiting structure 390; first receiving portion 371; second receiving portion 372.
[0032] Second embodiment: Thermal response actuator 400; housing 410; first axial end 412; second axial end 414; housing cavity 415; opening 419; expansion material 420; piston 430; piston head 432; piston rod 435; sealing assembly 440; cover device 530; outer cover 531; outer cover connecting channel 533; inner cover 535; inner cover connecting channel 537; sealing device 540; first seal 541; second... Seal 542; (of the first seal) connecting channel 543; head 544; handle 546; gasket 550; (of the outer cover) flange 635; first opening end 633; connecting part 634; second opening end 636; first outer cover cavity 637; partition 638; second outer cover cavity 639; (of the housing) flange 665; first receiving part 671; second receiving part 672; inner cover receiving part 675; step part 678. Detailed Implementation
[0033] Various specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are used in this application to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements, their use is merely for illustrative purposes and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting.
[0034] Figure 1-3C The specific structure of a thermal response driver 100 according to a first embodiment of this application is shown.
[0035] Figure 1 This is a 3D view of the thermal response driver 100, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the thermal response actuator 100 includes a housing 110, a piston 130, and a sealing assembly 140, and has an axis X. The housing 110 contains an expansion material 120 (such as...). Figure 3A As shown, piston 130 extends at least partially into housing 110 and is axially movable relative to housing 110. Sealing assembly 140 encapsulates expansion material 120 within housing 110 to prevent leakage of expansion material from housing 110 and entry of external substances (e.g., liquids) into housing 110, while allowing piston 130 to move through sealing assembly 140. When expansion material 120 is heated and expands, it pushes piston 130 outward. When expansion material 120 cools and contracts, piston 130 moves back into housing 110 under the action of an external device (e.g., a return spring, not shown). Housing 110 and piston 130 are, for example, rigid components made of metal.
[0036] The housing 110 includes a housing cavity 115 extending axially (e.g., Figure 2 As shown, the housing 110 includes a first axial end 112 and a second axial end 114 opposite to each other. The housing 110 also includes an opening 119 disposed at the first axial end 112, the opening 119 communicating with a housing cavity 115. The second axial end 114 of the housing 110 is closed, thus the housing 110 is generally cup-shaped. An expansion material 120 is accommodated in the housing cavity 115.
[0037] The piston 130 includes a piston head 132 and a piston rod 135. The piston rod 135 is inserted into the housing cavity 115 through the opening 119 of the housing 110, and the piston head 132 is always kept outside the housing 110.
[0038] The sealing assembly 140 is attached to the first axial end 112 of the housing 110, covers the opening 119 of the housing 110, and is disposed around the piston rod 135.
[0039] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the thermal response driver 100. (See diagram below.) Figure 2 As shown, the sealing assembly 140 includes a cap device 230, a sealing device 240, and a gasket 250. The cap device 230 is made of a generally rigid material (e.g., metal). The sealing device 240 is made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber). The gasket 250 is made of a plastic material, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).
[0040] Still as Figure 2 As shown, the cover device 230 includes an outer cover 231 and an inner cover 235. Both the outer cover 231 and the inner cover 235 are generally cylindrical. The outer cover 231 has an outer cover connection channel 233, and the inner cover 235 has an inner cover connection channel 237, both for receiving the piston rod 135. A stepped portion 239 is provided on the outer surface of the inner cover 235 for engaging with the inner surface of the outer cover 231 to limit the axial position of the inner cover 235 relative to the outer cover 231. The sealing assembly 140 is attached to the housing 110 via the outer cover 231.
[0041] The sealing device 240 includes a first seal 241 and a second seal 242, the second seal 242 being further away from the expansion material 120 than the first seal 241. The first seal 241 is generally mushroom-shaped with a connecting channel 243, and includes a larger diameter head 244 and a smaller diameter stem 246. The head 244 of the first seal 241 is generally hemispherical, and its stem 246 is generally cylindrical. The second seal 242 is generally ring-shaped. In some embodiments, the minimum operating temperature of the second seal 242 is lower than that of the first seal 241. For example, the minimum operating temperature of the second seal 242 is below -40°C, while the minimum operating temperature of the first seal is above -40°C. In some embodiments, the first seal 241 has better oil resistance than the second seal 242. For example, the first seal 241 is made of HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber) or NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber). The second seal 242 is made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or VMQ (silicone rubber). Those skilled in the art will understand that the materials of the first seal 241 and the second seal 242 are not limited to those listed above.
[0042] Figure 3A This is an axial sectional view of the thermal response actuator 100 in its assembled state, showing only a portion of the piston rod 135. Figure 3B This is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of the thermal response actuator 100 in an exploded state, showing only a portion of the piston rod 135 and the housing 110. Figure 3C This is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of the thermal response driver 100 in its assembled state, where the first and second seals are not shown.
[0043] like Figure 3A and 3B As shown, the outer cover 231 includes a body 331, and a bottom 332 and an open end 333 located at two opposite axial ends of the body 331. The body 331 is generally cylindrical, defining an outer cover cavity 335. An outer cover connecting channel 233 of the outer cover 231 extends through the bottom 332 and communicates with the outer cover cavity 335. Therefore, the outer cover 231 is generally cup-shaped, and the outer cover cavity 335 is located on the side of the bottom 332 near the expansion material 120. A radially protruding connecting portion 334 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the open end 333 of the outer cover 231.
[0044] like Figure 3A As shown, the open end 333 of the outer cover 231 is accommodated in the first axial end 112 of the housing 110, and is connected to the first axial end 112 of the housing 110, for example, by riveting. Figure 3A and 3B As shown, the first axial end 112 of the housing 110 has a stepped portion 362 facing the outer cover 231. The open end 332 of the outer cover 231 abuts against the stepped portion 362 of the housing 110 to restrict the downward movement of the outer cover 231 relative to the housing 110. By bending the edge of the second axial end 112 of the housing 110 inward to form a flange 365, the flange 365 covers the connecting portion 334 of the outer cover 231 axially, thus restricting the upward movement of the outer cover 231 relative to the housing 110. Therefore, the outer cover 231 is fixedly connected to the housing 110, thereby attaching the sealing assembly 140 to the housing 110. In other embodiments, the connection method between the outer cover 231 and the housing 110 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figure, but other connection methods can be adopted, such as welding, interference fit connection, etc. Furthermore, the head 244 of the first seal 241 also abuts against the step portion 362 of the housing 110 to restrict the downward movement of the first seal 241 relative to the housing 110. The tail portion 246 of the first seal 241 does not abut against the step portion 362 of the housing 110, but extends downward toward the expansion material 120.
[0045] like Figure 3AAs shown, the outer cover cavity 335 communicates with the housing cavity 115 of the housing 110 to accommodate the remaining components of the sealing assembly 140, including the first seal 241, the second seal 242, the inner cover 235, and the gasket 250. The piston rod 135 passes sequentially through the outer cover connecting channel 233 of the outer cover 231, the second seal 242, the inner cover 235, the gasket 250, and the first seal 241 into the expansion material 120 contained in the housing cavity 115, thereby allowing the piston rod 135 to move axially outward under the action of the expansion material 120. The bottom 332 of the outer cover 231 has a certain length in the axial direction, and therefore the outer cover connecting channel 233 on it extends axially for a certain distance. The diameter of the outer cover connecting channel 233 is approximately equal to, and only slightly larger than, the diameter of the piston rod 135. Therefore, the bottom 332 of the outer cover 231 forms a guide section for guiding the piston rod 135 to move axially.
[0046] The head 244 of the first seal 241 is in close contact with the piston rod 135 on its radially inner side and with the outer cover 231 on its radially outer side. The second seal 242 is in close contact with the piston rod 135 on its radially inner side and with the outer cover 231 on its radially outer side. Therefore, the first seal 241 and the second seal 242 can seal the gap between the piston rod 135 and the outer cover 231 through the outer cover connection channel 233, thereby sealingly connecting the piston rod 135 and the outer cover 231, thereby preventing the thermal expansion material 120 from leaking from the housing 110 and preventing external substances from entering the housing 110.
[0047] like Figure 2 , 3A As shown in Figure 3B, a stepped portion 239 on the outer surface of the inner cover 235 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the inner cover 235. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the stepped portion 239 extends continuously along the circumference of the inner cover 235. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the diameter of the stepped portion 239 tapers away from the expansion material 120, such that the surface of the stepped portion 239 presents a truncated cone shape. In other embodiments, the stepped portion 239 may not extend continuously along the axial direction, and its diameter may not taper. Figure 3B As shown, the inner cover 235 has an inner cover cavity 350 on the side facing the expansion material 120, which is used to accommodate the gasket 250. The gasket 250 is used to prevent the first seal 241 from being squeezed into the inner cover connection channel 237 of the inner cover 235.
[0048] like Figure 3B and 3C As shown, a blocking part 336 is provided on the inner wall of the body 331 of the outer cover 231. The blocking part 336 and the stepped part 239 of the inner cover 235 together form a limiting structure 390. Figure 3CThe blocking portion 336 is used to restrict the movement of the inner cover 235 relative to the outer cover 231 in a direction away from the expansion material 120. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the blocking portion 336 has a shape that matches the step portion 239, and therefore has a flared surface. The blocking portion 336 is formed by expanding the inner wall of the body portion 331 of the outer cover 231. In other embodiments, the blocking portion 336 may also have other shapes, as long as it can cooperate with the step portion 239 to prevent the inner cover 235 from moving relative to the outer cover 231 in a direction away from the expansion material 120.
[0049] like Figure 3C As shown, a first receiving portion 371 is defined between the inner cover 235 and the stepped portion 362 of the housing 110 for receiving the head 244 of the first seal 241 (see Figure 110). Figure 3A Since the inner cover 235 is restricted from upward movement by the outer cover 231, the first receiving portion 371 can be designed to have a predetermined first axial distance, which is greater than the thickness of the head 244 of the first seal 241 in the relaxed state. Therefore, the first receiving portion 371 can provide sufficient deformation space for the head 244 of the first seal 241, allowing it to be radially compressed. The handle 246 of the first seal 241 (see...) Figure 3A Located in the cavity 115 of the housing 110, the cavity 115 of the housing 110 can provide sufficient deformation space for the handle 246 of the first seal 241 so that it can be radially compressed.
[0050] A second receiving portion 372 is defined between the bottom 332 of the inner cover 235 and the outer cover 231 for receiving the second seal 242 (see [link]). Figure 3A Since the inner cover 235 is restricted from upward movement by the outer cover 231, the second receiving portion 372 can be designed to have a predetermined second axial distance, which is greater than the thickness of the second seal 242 in the relaxed state. Therefore, the second receiving portion 372 can provide at least a second axial distance greater than the thickness of the second seal 242 in the relaxed state, providing sufficient deformation space for the second seal 242 so that it can be radially compressed.
[0051] Thus, the first receiving portion 371 and the second receiving portion 372 of the thermal response actuator 100 of this application are axially separated from each other by the inner cover 235, and can independently accommodate the head 244 of the first seal 241 and the second seal 242. Since the first receiving portion 371 and the second receiving portion 372 are axially separated from each other, both the first receiving portion 371 and the second receiving portion 372 can provide sufficient deformation space for the seal or portion of the seal they accommodate without affecting each other.
[0052] Figure 4-6CThe specific structure of a thermal response driver 400 according to a second embodiment of this application is shown, wherein, Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the thermal response driver 400. Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the thermal response driver 400. Figure 6A This is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of the thermal response actuator 400 in an exploded state. Figure 6B This is an axial sectional view of a portion of the thermal response actuator 400 in its assembled state. Figure 6C This is an axial sectional view of the thermal response actuator 400. The structure of the thermal response actuator 400 in the second embodiment is similar to that of the thermal response actuator 100 in the first embodiment, except for the location of the second seal, the structure of the outer cover provided accordingly to realize the location of the second seal, and the structure and location of the inner cover.
[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the thermal response actuator 400 also includes a housing 410, a piston 430 having a piston head 432 and a piston rod 435, and a sealing assembly 440. As... Figure 5 As shown, the sealing assembly 440 also includes a cap device 530, a sealing device 540, and a gasket 550. The cap device 530 includes an outer cap 531 and an inner cap 535, and the sealing device 540 includes a first seal 541 and a second seal 542.
[0054] Housing 410 and Figure 1-3C The housing 110 in the illustrated embodiment is similar. Figure 4 As shown, the housing 410 has a first axial end 412 and a second axial end 414, and an opening 419 is provided at the first axial end 412. Figure 5 and 6A As shown, the housing 410 defines a cavity 415. Figure 6A As shown, a stepped portion 662 is provided on the inner wall of the first axial end 412 of the housing 410, and the edge of the first axial end 412 is bent inward to form a flange 665.
[0055] First seal 541 and Figure 1-3C The first seal 241 in the illustrated embodiment is similar. As... Figure 5 and 6A As shown, the first seal 541 has a head 544 and a handle 546, and has a connection channel 543.
[0056] Second seal 542 and Figure 1-3C The second seal 242 in the illustrated embodiment is similar. Figure 5 and 6A As shown, the second seal 542 is also a sealing ring.
[0057] Washer 550 and Figure 1-3C The washer 250 in the illustrated embodiment is similar. Figure 5 and 6A As shown, washer 550 is roughly annular.
[0058] like Figure 5 and 6A As shown, the inner cover 535 is generally annular, which defines the inner cover connection channel 537.
[0059] like Figure 6A As shown, the outer cover 531 has a partition 638 defining an outer cover connection channel 533, and defines a first outer cover cavity 637 and a second outer cover cavity 639. Axially, the first outer cover cavity 637 and the second outer cover cavity 639 are located on opposite sides of the partition 638. The first outer cover cavity 637 is used to receive the head 544 of the first seal 541 and the gasket 550. The second outer cover cavity 639 is used to receive the second seal 542 and the inner cover 535. For this purpose, the second outer cover cavity 639 includes two axial sections: a second receiving portion 672 near the outer cover connection channel 533 and an inner cover receiving portion 675 away from the outer cover connection channel 533. The second receiving portion 672 is used to receive the second seal 542, and the inner cover receiving portion 675 is used to receive the inner cover 535. The radial dimension of the inner cover receiving portion 675 is larger than the radial dimension of the second receiving portion 672; therefore, a step portion 678 is formed between them.
[0060] The outer cover 531 also has a first opening end 633 and a second opening end 636, with the first opening end 633 located in the first outer cover cavity 637 and the second opening end 636 located in the second outer cover cavity 639. The outer cover 531 has a radially protruding connecting portion 634 on its outer peripheral surface at the first opening end 633. The connecting portion 634 engages with the flange 665 of the housing 410 to connect the outer cover 531 to the housing 410. Figure 6B The edge of the second opening end 636 of the outer cover 531 is bent inward to form a flange 635. The flange 635 is used to mate with the stepped portion 678 to retain the inner cover 535 in the inner cover receiving portion 675. The partition portion 638 of the outer cover 531 has a certain length in the axial direction, so the outer cover connecting channel 533 thereon extends axially for a certain distance. The diameter of the outer cover connecting channel 533 is approximately equal to, and only slightly larger than, the diameter of the piston rod 435. Therefore, the partition portion 638 of the outer cover 531 forms a guide section for guiding the piston rod 435 to move axially.
[0061] like Figure 6B As shown, a first receiving portion 671 is defined between the partition portion 638 of the outer cover 531 and the stepped portion 662 of the housing 410 for receiving the head 544 of the first seal 541 (see Figure 1). Figure 6AThe first receiving portion 671 is located in the first outer cover cavity 637 of the outer cover 531 (see...). Figure 6A The second receiving portion 672 is located between the inner cover 535 and the outer cover 531, and is used to receive the second sealing member 542 (see [reference]). Figure 6A Thus, the first receiving portion 671 and the second receiving portion 672 are separated by the partition portion 638 of the outer cover 531, and can independently receive the head 544 of the first sealing member 541 and the second sealing member 542.
[0062] like Figure 6C As shown, the piston rod 435 sequentially passes through the inner cover 535, the second seal 542, the partition 638 of the outer cover 531, the gasket 550, and the first seal 541 into the expansion material 420 contained in the housing cavity 415, thereby allowing the piston rod 435 to move axially outward under the action of the expansion material 420. The first seal 541 and the second seal 542 seal the gap between the piston rod 435 and the outer cover connection channel 533 on the partition 638 of the outer cover 531, thereby sealingly connecting the piston rod 435 and the outer cover 531, thus preventing the thermal expansion material 420 from leaking from the housing 410 and preventing external substances from entering the housing 410.
[0063] Through long-term observation and research, the inventors of this application have discovered that existing thermal response actuators suffer from poor sealing performance, especially when used in environments where heating is conducted by fluid. Fluid can easily enter the housing of the thermal response actuator, and thermally expanding materials can also easily leak out. The inventors have also found that the sealing performance problem of the thermal response actuator is more pronounced when the ambient temperature is low.
[0064] The thermal response actuator of this application achieves excellent sealing performance by providing a sealing assembly with two seals and a receiving portion for each seal separated by a rigid cap device. This is because, when the receiving portions of the two seals are separated by a rigid component, each receiving portion can provide sufficient axial deformation space for its respective seal or portion thereof, allowing the seal or portion thereof to undergo sufficient radial compression during assembly of the thermal response actuator to apply a certain clamping force to the piston rod passing through it, thereby achieving a better seal. In contrast, if one seal enters the receiving space of the other seal during radial compression, it will encroach on the axial deformation space of the other seal, preventing it from undergoing sufficient radial compression and thus affecting its sealing performance. Furthermore, during piston rod movement, one seal will not enter the receiving portion of the other seal, thus not affecting the radial compression of the other seal.
[0065] Furthermore, in the first and second seals of the thermal response actuator of this application, the second seal, which is further away from the expanding material, is made of a material with a minimum operating temperature lower than that of the first seal. This allows the thermal response actuator of this application to have excellent sealing performance even under low temperature conditions (e.g., -40°C), effectively preventing the thermally expanding material from leaking from the opening of the housing and preventing external substances from entering the housing.
[0066] Furthermore, the thermal response actuator of this application has a simple overall structure and is easy to manufacture and assemble.
[0067] Although this application has been described with reference to examples of the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantially equivalents, whether known or currently or soon to be foreseen, will likely be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the technical effects and / or technical problems described herein are exemplary and not limiting; therefore, the disclosures herein may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and / or can solve other technical problems. Thus, the examples of embodiments of this application as set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is intended to include all known or previously developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantially equivalents.
Claims
1. A thermal response actuator, characterized in that... include: A housing, the housing including a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity; A thermally expanding material, which is housed within the cavity of the housing; A piston that extends at least partially into the housing cavity from the opening; A sealing assembly, comprising a cap device and a sealing device, the sealing assembly being attached to the housing at the opening, covering the opening and disposed around the piston; The sealing device includes a first sealing element and a second sealing element; and One or both of the housing and the cover device define a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are separated from each other by the cover device along the axial direction of the thermal response actuator to independently receive at least a portion of the first seal and at least a portion of the second seal, respectively.
2. The thermal response actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first receiving portion and the second receiving portion each have a predetermined first axial distance and a second axial distance.
3. The thermal response actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than that of the first seal, and the oil resistance of the first seal is better than that of the second seal.
4. The thermal response actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first seal is made of any one of the following materials: hydrogenated nitrile rubber and nitrile rubber; and The second seal is made of any one of the following groups of materials: EPDM and silicone rubber.
5. The thermal response actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cover device includes an outer cover, the outer cover including a partition, and the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are separated by the partition of the outer cover.
6. The thermal response actuator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cover device further includes an inner cover disposed within the outer cover. A first axial distance of the first receiving portion is defined by a separation portion between the inner cover and the outer cover, and a second axial distance of the second receiving portion is defined by a separation portion between the outer cover and the housing.
7. The thermal response actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cover device includes an outer cover and an inner cover, the inner cover being disposed within the outer cover, and the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion being separated by the inner cover.
8. The thermal response actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner cover and the outer cover are provided with limiting structures to restrict the movement of the inner cover relative to the outer cover in a direction away from the expanding material.
9. The thermal response actuator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer cover includes a bottom spaced away from the housing, a first axial distance of the first receiving portion is defined by the inner cover and the housing, and a second axial distance of the second receiving portion is defined by the inner cover and the bottom of the outer cover.
10. A thermally responsive actuator, characterized in that... include: A housing, the housing defining a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity; A thermally expanding material, which is housed within the cavity of the housing; An outer cover, which is attached to the housing at the opening, has a partition defining an outer cover connection channel; A piston that extends at least partially into the housing cavity from the outer cover connection channel; A first seal and a second seal, which sealably connect the piston to the outer cover; The first and second seals are separated by the partition portion of the outer cover.
11. The thermal response actuator according to claim 10, characterized in that: The outer cover defines a first outer cover cavity and a second outer cover cavity located on opposite sides of the partition, wherein the second outer cover cavity is further away from the expansion material than the first outer cover cavity; The thermal response actuator also includes an inner cover, which is disposed in the cavity of the second outer cover. The first seal is at least partially housed in the cavity of the first outer cover, and the second seal is housed between the inner cover and the outer cover.
12. The thermal response actuator according to claim 10, characterized in that: The second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than the minimum operating temperature of the first seal.
13. A thermally responsive actuator, characterized in that... include: A housing, the housing defining a housing cavity and an opening communicating with the housing cavity; A thermally expanding material, which is housed within the cavity of the housing; An outer cover, which is attached to the housing at the opening and has a bottom defining an outer cover connection channel; An inner cover is disposed within the outer cover and has an inner cover connection channel; A piston, which extends at least partially into the housing cavity from the outer cover connection channel and the inner cover connection channel; A first seal and a second seal, which sealably connect the piston to the outer cover; The first and second seals are separated by the inner cover.
14. The thermally responsive actuator according to claim 13, characterized in that: The outer cover defines an outer cover cavity located on the bottom side near the expanding material, and the second seal, the inner cover, and at least a portion of the first seal are accommodated in the outer cover cavity.
15. The thermal response actuator according to claim 13, characterized in that: The second seal is further away from the expanding material than the first seal, wherein the minimum operating temperature of the second seal is lower than the minimum operating temperature of the first seal.