Clutch Actuator Vent Filter for Pressure Equalization in Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch actuators face challenges in managing pressure changes due to temperature variations and exposure to transmission oil, leading to increased complexity and component count, particularly with ventilation holes and breathable filters that require additional components and assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A clutch actuator design incorporating a housing with a ventilation hole and a breathable filter placed on the housing ventilation hole, which allows gas passage while preventing liquid intrusion, and is clamped between housing and case plates to prevent detachment, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a ventilation hole is added to the housing to manage pressure changes, then pressure regulation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a breathable filter made of porous material to the ventilation hole. This filter allows gas molecules to pass through via diffusion and permeation while blocking liquid molecules due to their larger size. The porous structure enables pressure equalization between the inside and outside of the housing without requiring complex active pressure regulation mechanisms, thus improving pressure stability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Reliability
If a breathable filter is placed on the ventilation hole to prevent liquid ingress, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The breathable filter utilizes porous material properties to achieve selective permeability. The pore size is designed to allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger liquid molecules. This passive filtration mechanism provides reliable protection against liquid ingress without requiring complex active sealing systems or multiple components, thereby improving reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable filter acts as an intermediary element between the internal housing environment and the external transmission oil environment. It mediates the interaction by allowing beneficial gas exchange for pressure equalization while blocking harmful liquid intrusion. This intermediary approach provides effective protection without requiring direct complex sealing mechanisms between the housing and the external environment.
3Reliability
If the breathable filter is clamped between housing and case plates, then reliability is improved by preventing filter detachment, but device complexity increases due to additional clamping structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filter retention function from a complex mechanical fastening system and implements it through a simple clamping arrangement between existing housing and case plates. The filter is positioned in a recess and held by the natural clamping force when the housing and case plates are assembled together, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms while ensuring reliable filter positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter retention function is merged with the existing housing and case plate assembly structure. The clamping force that naturally occurs when assembling the housing and case plates is utilized to secure the filter, combining multiple functions (structural assembly and filter retention) into a single integrated design without adding separate retention components.
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 effectively limits pressure changes and prevents liquid ingress, reducing component complexity and assembly steps while maintaining the actuator's functionality in oil-exposed environments.
Implementation Method 1
the breathable filter is configured to permit a gas to pass through the breathable filter
Implementation Method 2
the breathable filter is placed on a side of the housing ventilation hole, at which the case plate portion is placed, to cover the housing ventilation hole
Data Source
AI summary
A housing is placed at an inside space of a case to be installed on a vehicle. The housing includes: a housing plate portion configured to contact a case plate portion of the case; and a receiving space located on one side of the housing plate portion which is opposite to the case plate portion. An electric motor is placed at the receiving space and is configured to output a torque. The housing includes: a housing ventilation hole that extends through the housing plate portion and communicates between an outside space of the housing and the receiving space; and a breathable filter that is placed on a side of the housing ventilation hole, at which the case plate portion is placed, to cover the housing ventilation hole, while the breathable filter is configured to perm it a gas to pass through the breathable filter.