Compact Electronic Control Actuator Layout for Exhaust Gas Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control actuators for exhaust gas circulation in vehicles have a poorly designed internal structure, leading to low utilization of internal space and resulting in bulky designs that require large installation spaces.
Innovation Solution
The electronic control actuator features a compact gear assembly and a drive motor housed within a redesigned housing structure, including a lower and upper housing with matching holes and an isolation plate, which improves space utilization and reduces overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the internal structure of the electronic control actuator is not effectively designed, then the utilization rate of internal space is low, but the overall size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the motor shaft inside the sector gear's matching groove, and positioning the gear assembly components (first reduction gear, second reduction gear, sector gear) in a nested arrangement where smaller gears are positioned within the spatial envelope of larger components. This nested configuration maximizes space utilization without increasing the external dimensions of the actuator housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by arranging components in a compact three-dimensional layout rather than a linear or planar arrangement. The gear assembly is positioned vertically within the housing, with the motor shaft extending through the sector gear, creating efficient use of vertical space and reducing the overall footprint of the actuator.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional electronic control actuators are made bulky to increase internal space, then more space is available for components, but it requires large installation space on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is nested within the sector gear's matching groove, and the gear reduction assembly is compactly arranged with the second reduction gear positioned between the motor shaft and the sector gear. This nested configuration provides sufficient internal space for all components while maintaining a compact external footprint that minimizes vehicle installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor shaft with the gear assembly by having the motor shaft pass through the sector gear's matching groove, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall component count. This integration allows efficient use of internal space without increasing external dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the motor shaft is arranged externally to the sector gear, then assembly is simpler, but the installation space is increased and components are not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The motor shaft is positioned inside the sector gear's matching groove rather than externally, creating a nested configuration. The shaft passes through the groove and is secured with a retaining ring, providing a compact arrangement that reduces installation space while maintaining assembly feasibility through the standardized retaining ring securing method.
4Adaptability or versatility
If first matching holes are provided on both upper and lower housings, then connection is more flexible, but assembly difficulty increases and assembly efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The matching hole configuration is segmented such that the first matching holes are provided only on one housing (either upper or lower), while the corresponding holes are on the other housing. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process by reducing the number of alignment operations required, thereby improving assembly efficiency while maintaining connection flexibility through the locating pin mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control actuator of the disclosure includes: a lower housing and an upper housing, the lower housing or the upper housing including a plurality of first matching holes, and the lower housing and the upper housing cooperating to form an installation space; an isolation plate disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing, the isolation plate including a plurality of second matching holes, and a plurality of locating pins respectively passing through the plurality of first matching holes and the plurality of second matching holes; and a compact gear assembly and a drive motor both disposed in the installation space, and the compact gear assembly being cooperatively connected to the drive motor.