Tubular Actuator Retaining Element Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular electromechanical actuators for home automation suffer from sealing flaws due to damage from metallic residues and complex production processes, leading to increased costs and potential electrical insulation issues.
Innovation Solution
A tubular electromechanical actuator design featuring a retaining element with stops and accommodations to cooperate with the reduction gear, forming a baffle for reliable sealing at the casing's first end, eliminating the need for a separate seal and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is positioned on the closure element of the reduction gear and assembled by overmolding, then sealing at the first end of the casing is guaranteed, but the seal rubs against the inner surface of the casing during assembly, causing damage and requiring additional oil spraying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal from the system entirely by replacing it with a retaining element that has integrated sealing functionality through its geometric configuration (stops and accommodations), eliminating the harmful rubbing effect that damages traditional seals during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the reduction gear in position, provides sealing through its accommodation-rib interface, and eliminates the need for separate seal components, thereby reducing both complexity and harmful rubbing effects
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner surface of the casing is covered with oil film by spraying to limit seal damage, then seal protection is improved, but an oily clump comprising metallic residues forms at the first end of the casing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the source of the problem by removing the seal that requires protection, thereby making the oil spraying operation unnecessary and preventing oily clump formation while still providing sealing functionality through the retaining element's geometric design
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed with pre-configured stops and accommodations that create sealing geometry before assembly, eliminating the need for post-assembly protective measures like oil spraying
3Reliability
If overmolding is used to assemble the seal around the closure element of the reduction gear, then sealing is achieved, but the production process becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal component and its associated overmolding process entirely, replacing them with a retaining element whose sealing function is achieved through its geometric configuration (accommodations and ribs), thereby simplifying production and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element integrates multiple functions including retention, positioning, and sealing in a single component that can be produced using conventional machining or molding processes, eliminating the need for complex multi-step overmolding operations
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular electromechanical actuator includes an electric motor, reduction gear, output shaft and casing. The casing is hollow and houses at least the electric motor and the reduction gear. The casing includes a first end and a second end. The actuator also includes a retaining element assembled at the first end of the casing, so as to close off the first end of the casing. The retaining element includes at least a first stop configured to cooperate with the reduction gear, in an assembled configuration of the actuator, and a second stop configured to cooperate with the casing, at the first end of the casing, in the assembled configuration of the actuator. Furthermore, the retaining element includes at least one accommodation configured to cooperate with at least one rib of the reduction gear, so as to participate in the sealing between the retaining element and the reduction gear.