Actuator Abutment Element with Elastomeric Damping for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for shutters in air conditioning, ventilation, and heating devices in vehicles fail to completely eliminate noise generated by the axial displacement of the driving screw, despite noise damping measures, leading to user-perceptible noise from the impact between the screw and the motor housing.
Innovation Solution
The actuator incorporates an abutment element to limit rotation shaft displacement and a deformable damping element between the abutment and the casing, made from elastomeric materials with varying hardness, to absorb and reduce noise, along with a wedge-shaped compensation means and a low-adhesion coating to facilitate smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noise damping means are formed directly on the casing by overmoulding plastic material, then noise from driving screw displacement is reduced, but noise is not completely eliminated and remains perceptible to users
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable element made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid abutment and the driving screw. This intermediate layer absorbs impact energy and dampens vibrations, effectively reducing the transmission of noise while maintaining the structural support function. The elastomeric material's viscoelastic properties enable it to dissipate mechanical energy from screw displacement impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs composite construction by combining rigid plastic material for the abutment element with elastomeric material for the deformable element. This composite approach leverages the strength and dimensional stability of rigid plastic while incorporating the noise-damping and shock-absorbing properties of elastomeric materials, achieving both structural integrity and noise reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformable element is introduced between the abutment and the driving screw, then noise is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable element is integrated directly into the abutment element through overmoulding, merging the noise-damping function with the existing support structure. This combination approach adds the noise reduction capability without requiring a separate, standalone damping component, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired noise reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes the material parameter of the abutment element by incorporating elastomeric material with specific viscoelastic properties. This parameter change enables the element to deform under impact loads and return to its original shape, providing passive noise damping without requiring active control mechanisms or complex mechanical structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the abutment element is made movable with respect to the casing, then the casing body remains free of deformable parts, but the complexity of assembly and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment element is segmented from the rigid casing body and made movable along guide ribs. This segmentation allows the deformable abutment to be designed and manufactured separately with optimized noise-damping properties, while the rigid casing maintains its structural integrity and manufacturing simplicity. The guide ribs provide constrained motion paths that ensure proper alignment and function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces operating noise by approximately 30% compared to previous designs, maintaining a permanent support and reducing wear while allowing for easy integration with existing casings without mold modifications.
Implementation Method 1
said means for compensating for a space between the stop element and a free end of the rotation shaft comprises a deformable element arranged on one of the faces of the abutment element
Implementation Method 2
such a compensation means advantageously making it possible to maintain a permanent support between the end of the rotation shaft of the motor against the element forming a stop on its axial displacement
Implementation Method 3
such noise suppression means comprising at least one damping element disposed between the abutment element and the casing; such noise suppression means being designed to oppose axial displacement of the rotating shaft relative to the motor housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator for a flap for opening and closing an air passage in an air conditioner, ventilator, and/or heater, comprising a housing (1) shaped to accommodate a motor as well as a gearing arrangement. The actuator is characterized in that the housing (1) includes at least one abutment element (5) for limiting the movement of a rotational shaft (3) with respect to the casing of the motor, as well as a means (6) for compensating for a space between the abutment element (5) and a free end of the rotational shaft (3).