Deformable Strip Clamp for Motor Valve Actuator Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening means for attaching actuators to valves in automotive applications are complex, costly, and difficult to automate, with issues of misalignment, premature damage, and high material stress, particularly in small spaces like exhaust lines where temperature is low and mechanical stresses are high.
Innovation Solution
A clamp made of deformable strips with complementary shapes that apply axial force to compress a seal between the actuator and valve, allowing reversible elastic deformation for assembly and irreversible plastic deformation for locking, ensuring secure positioning and easy dismantling, while maintaining a small footprint and low cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening means (screws, nuts, clamps) are used to secure the actuator to the valve, then the connection is secure, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated clamp component that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment, sealing compression, and positioning. This eliminates the need for separate screws, nuts, and sealing elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection security and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a multi-functional element that performs several functions: securing the actuator to the valve body, compressing the seal to ensure sealing, and providing precise positioning. This universal design reduces the number of components needed while maintaining all necessary functions, addressing the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If high axial contact force is applied to compress the seal and compensate for vibratory stresses, then sealing reliability improves, but the risk of exceeding material elastic limit and causing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates an elastic element that changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness, force application) based on deformation. As the clamp is installed, the elastic element deforms and progressively applies axial contact force, automatically adjusting the compression force to remain within the elastic limit of the plastic materials while ensuring adequate seal compression for reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element in the clamp acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they can damage the actuator or valve body. It provides a compliant interface that prevents stress concentration and protects the plastic components from exceeding their elastic limits during operation and vibration.
3Volume of moving object
If the fixing means is made small to fit in limited space, then integration is improved, but the available bearing surface for applying force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp utilizes a flexible elastic element that can be deform ed to generate high contact forces despite its small size. The elastic material allows the clamp to store and release mechanical energy, concentrating force application at the seal interface without requiring a large bearing surface. This flexible approach enables sufficient sealing force within the constrained spatial envelope of the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used for actuator and valve components to reduce cost and weight, then manufacturing cost and weight decrease, but the materials are more sensitive to mechanical stresses and risk premature damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly creates a composite structure combining the plastic actuator and valve body with the elastic clamp material. This composite design leverages the advantages of both materials: the cost and weight benefits of plastic components, and the stress resistance and compliance of elastic materials. The elastic clamp protects the plastic components from excessive stresses while maintaining the overall economic and lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element in the clamp provides beforehand cushioning that protects the plastic actuator and valve body from mechanical stresses and vibrations during operation. By absorbing and distributing these stresses before they can cause damage, the elastic element extends the service life of the plastic components and prevents premature failure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the cost-effective plastic construction.
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 provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective method for securing and positioning actuators on valves, managing mechanical stresses, and allowing for easy separation, thus enhancing the assembly process and reducing material stress, while maintaining a compact design suitable for automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable bands are locally deformable in a reversible elastic manner in order to compress the seal by applying an axial contact force Fa between the actuator and the valve
Implementation Method 2
the deformable bands are locally deformable in an irreversible plastic manner in order to lock the position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor-driven valve including an actuator, a valve consisting of a pipe, a valve holder and a flap capable of closing off the pipe, the flap being moved by the actuator by means of a transmission shaft, a seal and an attachment means enabling the actuator to be rigidly connected to the valve, the seal being positioned in a groove in the valve holder and such as to be in contact with the base of the actuator, the valve being sealed by flattening the seal under a force Fj, the actuator assembly, transmission shaft and flap having a mass M and being subjected to an acceleration, relative to the valve, that is equal to X g, g being the gravity acceleration, characterised in that the attachment means is in the form of a clamping collar that exclusively consists of one or more identical and deformable strips, in that the clamping collar has a shape which is complementary both to the base of the actuator and to the valve holder, in that the clamping collar is clamped around the base of the actuator and at least in part around the valve holder, and in that the deformable strip(s) is/are locally deformed reversibly and resiliently in order to compress the seal by applying an axial contact force Fa between the actuator and the valve that is greater than S1x(Fj + MxXxg), S1 being a safety factor greater than 1, and is/are locally deformed irreversibly and plastically in order to lock the position.