Actuator Plate Hydrolysis Prevention via Diaphragm Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators experience a decrease in plate strength due to hydrolysis as the plate partially projects into the atmospheric pressure chamber, leading to potential breakage and communication between pressure chambers.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design featuring a diaphragm dividing the casing into negative and atmospheric pressure chambers, with a resin plate and an operating shaft connected through a reduced diameter portion that penetrates the diaphragm, preventing atmospheric exposure and using insert molding to eliminate parting lines, thus blocking the plate from the atmospheric pressure chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the plate partially projects from the negative pressure chamber to the atmospheric pressure chamber through a through hole in the diaphragm, then the plate can be connected to the operating shaft, but the strength of the plate decreases due to hydrolysis from atmospheric exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The operating shaft serves as an intermediary element that penetrates the diaphragm to connect the plate in the negative pressure chamber with the external operating mechanism. This allows the plate to remain isolated in the negative pressure chamber while still being mechanically connected to the outside, preventing hydrolysis damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating shaft is divided into segments: a first operating shaft portion in the negative pressure chamber connected to the plate, and a second operating shaft portion extending outside the casing. This segmentation allows the plate to be isolated from the atmospheric pressure chamber while maintaining mechanical connection through the diaphragm.
2Ease of operation
If the plate projects into the atmospheric pressure chamber, then the operating shaft can extend outside the casing, but the negative pressure chamber communicates with the atmospheric pressure chamber through the through hole
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm acts as an intermediary barrier that separates the negative pressure chamber from the atmospheric pressure chamber while allowing the operating shaft to penetrate through it. This maintains pressure isolation while enabling mechanical transmission of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is a flexible thin film that divides the casing into two pressure chambers and allows the operating shaft to pass through while maintaining the pressure seal. The flexibility of the diaphragm allows it to deform with pressure changes while preventing communication between chambers.
3Strength
If the plate is isolated in the negative pressure chamber, then hydrolysis is prevented, but the operating shaft cannot directly connect to the plate through the diaphragm
Solution Approach 1:
The operating shaft combines multiple functions: it serves as the connection member between the plate and external mechanism, as the penetration element through the diaphragm, and as the transmission shaft for motion. This merging simplifies the overall structure while maintaining plate isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating shaft performs multiple functions simultaneously: connecting the plate to the external mechanism, penetrating the diaphragm to transmit motion, and maintaining the structural integrity of the actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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
Prevents plate strength degradation due to hydrolysis, ensures direct connection between the diaphragm and operating shaft, and prevents breakage by blocking communication between pressure chambers, maintaining the plate's integrity and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm dividing an inside of a casing into a negative pressure chamber and an atmospheric pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragm and the operating shaft are connected by fitting the reduced diameter portion to the through hole
Implementation Method 3
the plate and the operating shaft are connected by insert molding that does not leave a parting line on the surface of the plate contacting with the diaphragm
Implementation Method 4
the operating shaft penetrates through the diaphragm to connect to the plate inside the negative pressure chamber so that the plate is blocked from the atmospheric pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an actuator that can prevent a decrease in strength of a plate due to hydrolysis. The actuator is provided with a diaphragm which divides an inside of a casing into a negative pressure chamber and an atmospheric pressure chamber, a resin plate which is provided inside the negative pressure chamber to contact with the diaphragm, and an operating shaft having one side connected to the plate and the diaphragm and the other side extended outside the casing through the atmospheric pressure chamber, the operating shaft capable of being displaced in the axial direction according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The operating shaft penetrates through the diaphragm to connect to the plate inside the negative pressure chamber so that the plate is blocked from the atmospheric pressure chamber.