Actuator Valve Sealing Ring Axial Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic actuators in internal combustion engines face issues with water penetration through gaps between the yoke plate and actuator housing, leading to potential corrosion of electrical components due to insufficient sealing, especially under thermal and aging stresses.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring is axially pressed onto the yoke plate and radially compressed using clamping plates, which are made of metal to ensure a durable and effective seal, preventing water ingress and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flange connection via the yoke plate is used to avoid plastic creeping, then leakage prevention is improved, but water penetration through the gap between yoke plate and actuator housing damages electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the yoke plate and actuator housing. The sealing ring fills the gap that exists in the flange connection, preventing water penetration while maintaining the advantageous flange connection structure. The sealing ring is compressed by clamping plates to ensure reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sealing ring (typically made of elastomeric material) is used to create the seal between rigid components. The flexibility of the sealing ring allows it to deform and fill irregularities in the gap, providing effective protection against water ingress while accommodating thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuator housing is injection molded around the coil, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the gap between housing and yoke plate allows water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple functional elements: the sealing ring for creating the barrier, clamping plates for applying compressive force, and the integration with the injection-molded housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining the simplicity of injection molding for the housing itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the injection-molded plastic housing for manufacturing simplicity, metal yoke plate for structural integrity, elastomeric sealing ring for flexibility and sealing, and metal clamping plates for durable fastening. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
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
The solution significantly increases the service life of electromagnetic valves by reliably preventing water and salt contamination, using a cost-effective and simple installation method that avoids leaks and corrosion, with metal clamping plates providing high dimensional stability.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing ring is elastic and, in the non-deformed, unassembled state, has an inner circumference that is slightly smaller than the outer circumference of the actuator housing
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet, an actuator housing in which the electromagnet is arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Actuators for valves in internal combustion engines comprising an electromagnet (10), an actuator housing (12) in which the electromagnet (10) is arranged, and a yoke plate (30) of the electromagnet (10), which is arranged on an axial end of the actuator housing (12), are known. However, these exhibit leaks along the gap between the injection moulded plastic housing and the yoke plate. To prevent this, according to the invention a seal ring (42) is arranged on the axial side of the yoke plate (30) facing the electromagnet (10), which seal ring is pressed axially in the direction toward the yoke plate (30) via a clamping plate (44; 48).