Actuator Seal Move-Through Member Opening Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators with dust-proof and drip-proof structures suffer from deteriorated sealing performance due to excessive expansion of seal openings during slider movement, which is not adequately addressed by two-stage stacked seals.
Innovation Solution
The actuator incorporates seal move-through members with a move-through section that pushes apart seal members, a cover section to cover the expanded opening, and opening restriction sections to minimize the size of the expanded opening, along with seal guides to restrict the separation distance of seal members, enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seal move-through members are used to enable slider movement, then the slider can move through the seal, but the seal opening expands too widely causing deterioration of sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The seal move-through member is divided into distinct functional sections: a move-through section for pushing seals apart, a cover section for covering the expanded opening, and an opening restriction section for limiting the separation distance. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while collectively maintaining sealing performance during slider movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the seal move-through member have different structural characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The opening restriction section has a narrower width to limit seal separation, while the cover section has a wider structure to cover the expanded opening. This local differentiation optimizes both movement capability and sealing maintenance.
2Reliability
If two-stage stacked seals are provided to improve sealing, then sealing structure is enhanced, but the problem of excessive opening expansion is not sufficiently solved
Solution Approach 1:
The opening restriction section acts as an intermediary element between the move-through section and the seal members. It mediates the separation process by physically limiting the distance seals can be pushed apart, thereby controlling the expanded opening size without requiring complex multi-stage seal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal move-through member dynamically adapts its function during the movement process: initially pushing seals apart to allow slider passage, then restricting the opening size to maintain sealing, and finally covering the expanded opening. This dynamic behavior replaces the need for static complex multi-stage seal structures.
3Productivity
If the seal members are pushed apart widely to allow slider passage, then the slider can move through, but the expanded opening size increases causing dust and drip intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The cover section is designed to cover the expanded opening formed when seal members are pushed apart. This preliminary covering action prevents dust and drip from intruding through the expanded opening before the slider fully passes through, thereby protecting against harmful factors while maintaining movement efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover section encompasses the expanded opening area, creating a nested structure where the cover protects the internal sealed space from external contaminants during the slider movement process.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator comprises: a housing which is provided with an opening; a slider which is installed so as to be movable relative to the housing; a drive means which is installed in the housing and which moves the slider; at least a pair of seal members which is disposed at the opening of the housing so as to face each other and which exhibits dust-proof and drip-proof functions by engaging with each other; and move-through members which are mounted to both sides of the slider in the movement direction thereof and which move through the pair of seal members. The move-through members each comprise: a move-through section which pushes apart the pair of seal members in the direction in which the pair is separated; a cover section which covers an expanded opening formed between the pair of seal members when the pair is pushed apart by the move-through section; and an opening restriction section which, when the pair of seal members is pushed apart from each other by the move-through section, restricts the amount of opening between the pair of seal members and in turn restricts the size of the expanded opening.