Electromechanical Actuator Thermal Management via Resin Bonded Coolant Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuators for internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining efficiency and durability under increasing heat and mechanical stress, as they are typically made of single-piece metal bodies that are not easily conditioned for thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The electromechanical actuator incorporates a conditioning circuit with a removable lid and a structural thermosetting resin to enhance thermal management, using a metal or plastic body with a pipe and seat assembly, allowing for easy manufacturing and improved heat exchange through polymerization of the resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the actuator body is made of single-piece metal material, then strength and durability are improved, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator body combines metal material for structural strength with thermosetting resin for thermal management. The resin is applied to the internal surface of the body to form a coating layer that provides heat dissipation pathways while the metal structure maintains mechanical integrity. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between strength and thermal management capability.
2Temperature
If coolant pipe is force-inserted into receiving portion, then thermal exchange efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion and coolant pipe are pre-formed with complementary geometries during the molding process. The coolant pipe includes a protrusion that fits into a recess in the receiving portion, and the actuator body is molded with an integrated receiving portion that accommodates the pipe. This preliminary formation of fitting features simplifies assembly while ensuring effective thermal exchange.
3Ease of manufacture
If structural thermosetting resin is used to attach coolant pipe, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal exchange efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermosetting resin is applied selectively to the internal surface of the actuator body at specific locations where thermal exchange is needed. The resin forms a thermal pathway between the coolant pipe and the actuator body in critical heat transfer zones, while maintaining ease of manufacture through a simplified attachment process. This localized application ensures thermal efficiency without requiring complex manufacturing procedures.
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 provides a cost-effective and lightweight actuator with enhanced thermal resistance and durability, preventing fluid leakage and maintaining performance under high temperatures, while being easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
structural thermosetting resin in a position interposed between the internal surface of the seat and the external surface of the pipe, so as to constrain the pipe to the seat
Implementation Method 2
thermal exchange with the coolant flowing in the hose
Implementation Method 3
thermal exchange with the coolant flowing in the hose
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electromechanical actuator (30) to operate a component (19, 27) in an internal combustion engine comprising an actuator body (32) housing, on the inside, an actuator device (31), which controls the movement of the component (19, 27) so as to move it between a maximum opening position and a maximum closing position, and vice versa; the actuator device (31) comprises an electric motor (M) and a gear drive that transmits the motion from the electric motor (M) to the component (19, 27); the electromechanical actuator (30) is made of a first metal material and comprises a conditioning circuit (36) comprising a pipe (38) for the passage of a conditioning fluid, which is made of a second thermally conductive material.