Brushless Screen Actuator Geometry for Low-Noise Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromechanical actuators for screens in home automation face challenges in minimizing noise generation while maintaining sufficient torque and being economical, particularly in applications where the actuator is inserted into a winding tube with a small diameter, such as 40 mm, and must operate variously sized screens effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design of a brushless electric motor with a stator and rotor positioned coaxially, featuring a ratio of external to internal stator diameter less than 1.7 and axial length to external diameter greater than 1.5, increasing the motor's length and air gap to reduce noise and improve robustness, using ferrite permanent magnets for high torque with reasonable production costs, and a six-pole stator configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the actuator diameter is reduced to fit in a 40 mm winding tube, then the actuator can be installed in standard rollable screens, but the torque capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator diameterVSAvoidtorque capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional short and wide motor configuration to an elongated cylindrical configuration by increasing the length-to-diameter ratio. This dimensional change allows the motor to fit within a 40 mm diameter winding tube while maintaining sufficient torque capability through increased axial length, effectively trading radial space for axial space to resolve the contradiction between compact diameter and torque capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies key geometric parameters of the motor, specifically setting the ratio between external stator diameter and internal stator diameter to less than 1.7, and the ratio between axial length and external diameter to greater than 1.5. These parameter changes optimize the motor's torque density and allow it to deliver adequate torque within the constrained 40 mm diameter envelope required for standard rollable screen installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If lightweight motors are used to reduce actuator mass, then the actuator can be made more compact and economical, but noise generation increases due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator massVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs ferrite permanent magnets in the rotor, which provide high torque output relative to their weight. This material choice allows the motor to maintain low mass while generating sufficient electromagnetic force, and the ferrite material properties contribute to reduced vibrations and noise compared to lighter materials that would require higher operating currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated cylindrical motor design serves multiple functions: it reduces noise by increasing mass and reducing vibrations, maintains compact dimensions for installation in 40 mm winding tubes, and provides sufficient torque for screen operation. The single design configuration simultaneously addresses weight, noise, and space constraints that would otherwise require separate design compromises.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If the motor length is increased to provide sufficient torque, then the torque capability improves, but the actuator becomes wider than it is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capabilityVSAvoidlength-to-diameter ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the motor's geometric proportions by increasing the length-to-diameter ratio to greater than 1.5. This dimensional transformation allows the motor to achieve adequate torque through increased axial length rather than radial expansion, ensuring the motor remains compact enough for installation in standard 40 mm diameter winding tubes while providing sufficient torque capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration results in a motor with reduced specific power, increased robustness, and lower noise levels, allowing effective operation within small diameters while maintaining sufficient torque for winding screens, and is more cost-effective than conventional designs.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor includes a rotor body provided with magnetic elements, such as permanent magnets, distributed on the outer surface of the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic elements of the rotor are surrounded by the stator. The stator is formed by a stator core comprising pole elements supporting windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3440764B1Electromechanical actuator for controlling screens and home automation equipment comprising such an actuator
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3440764B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3440764B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3440764B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This electromechanical actuator configured for controlling screens comprises an electronically-commutated, brushless, DC electric motor (16), a rotor (13) and a stator (14) of the electric motor (16) being positioned coaxially around an axis of rotation (X), the rotor (13) comprising a rotor body (31) provided with magnetic elements (32) distributed over the outer surface of the rotor (13), the magnetic elements (32) of the rotor (13) being surrounded by the stator (14), said stator being formed by a stator core comprising a circular peripheral wall and pole elements supporting windings, the pole elements being distributed on the inside of the peripheral wall. The ratio between the outer diameter (D3) of the stator (14) and the inner diameter (D4) of same is less than 1.7. Further, the ratio between the axial length (L14) of the stator and the outer diameter (D3) of the stator is greater than 1.5.