Electromagnetic Actuator Lid Segmentation for Assembly Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromagnetic actuators for active vibration damping devices have a bottomed circular tube outer housing that makes it difficult to visually check the inside during assembly, leading to challenges in securing assembly accuracy and maintaining the state of elastic members and coil components.

Innovation Solution

The electromagnetic actuator features an outer housing member with lid members covering both axial sides of the tubular member, incorporating seal and stopper rubbers integrally formed with the lid members to seal the internal space, facilitate visual inspection, and provide a stopper mechanism, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing steps while enhancing reliability and noise suppression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a bottomed circular tube outer housing is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the inside of the housing cannot be visually checked during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidvisibility of inside during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The outer housing is segmented into a tubular member and separate lid members that can be assembled from both axial sides. This segmentation allows visual inspection of the housing interior during assembly while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as each segment can be independently manufactured and then combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If lid members are added to cover both axial sides of the outer tubular member, then visual inspection during assembly is improved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of inside during assemblyVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal rubber and stopper rubber are merged into a single integrally-formed component that performs both sealing and stopping functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the benefits of lid members for visual inspection, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved visibility and increased part count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If seal rubber and stopper rubber are provided as separate parts, then each function is clearly defined, but the number of parts and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction definition clarityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal rubber and stopper rubber are combined into a single integrally-formed rubber component with different functional zones. The sealing portion engages with the tubular member to provide sealing, while the stopper portion engages with the inner axial member to provide stopping function. This integration maintains clear functional definition while reducing part count and simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the outer housing is open from the bottom side, then assembly is easier, but the internal space is not sealed and debris can enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsealability of internal space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented with lid members that can be assembled from both axial sides, allowing the seal rubber to engage with the tubular member and create a sealed internal space. This segmentation enables both easy assembly and reliable sealing without requiring the housing to be completely enclosed from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design improves assembly accuracy, maintains internal space sealability, reduces noise, and stabilizes operation by allowing easy visual inspection and reducing resonance, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the electromagnetic actuator.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnetic force exerted between a stator and a mover acts on the inner axial member and the outer tubular member, thereby providing an axial oscillation force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

both axial sides of an inner axial member are elastically supported in relation to an outer tubular member by elastic members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10451134B2Electromagnetic actuator and active vibration-damping device

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An electromagnetic actuator including: an outer housing member wherein outer peripheral edges of lid members are fixed respectively to opposite axial sides of the outer tubular member; an inner axial member elastically-connected to the outer housing member by plate springs at opposite axial sides thereof such that central portions of the plate springs are attached to the inner axial member, while outer peripheral edges of the plate springs are clamped and fixed between the outer tubular member and the respective lid members; a stator and a mover having electromagnetic oscillation force between them securely-assembled to the outer housing member and the inner axial member; and integrally-formed seal rubber and stopper rubber provided at inner faces of the lid members to seal a fixation part to the outer tubular member and to cushion strike of the inner axial member against the lid members, respectively.