Electric Power Steering Sealing via Adhesive Interface Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric power steering devices require complex and time-consuming sealing processes to prevent water ingress, especially between the motor and control device components, due to varying connector specifications across different vehicle models.
Innovation Solution
An electric power steering device design that uses two types of sealing materials to seal the interfaces between the motor case, control device housing, and connector, simplifying the sealing process by reducing the number of sealed regions and allowing for easier manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connector and housing are separated to accommodate different connector specifications, then adaptability to different vehicle models is improved, but the sealing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into two distinct sealing regions: a first sealing region between the housing and case, and a second sealing region between the housing and connector. This segmentation allows each sealing region to be addressed independently with appropriate sealing materials and methods, simplifying the overall sealing process while maintaining adaptability to different connector specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary component between the connector and the case. By positioning the housing between these two components and creating sealed regions at both interfaces, the design accommodates various connector specifications while maintaining a consistent sealing approach through the housing intermediary structure
2Reliability
If sealing material is applied around the connector along its outer shape, then waterproof sealing is improved, but the number of man-hours and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing approach is segmented into two distinct regions rather than requiring continuous sealing around the entire connector perimeter. The first sealing material seals the housing-case interface, while the second sealing material seals the housing-connector interface, eliminating the need for complex circumferential sealing and reducing manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from a complex continuous sealing process around the connector and divided into two discrete sealing locations. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the sealing operation to specific, localized applications of sealing materials at defined interfaces
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 simplified sealing process reduces manufacturing time and complexity by ensuring effective sealing between the housing, case, and connector, while allowing for adaptable designs to accommodate different vehicle specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the first sealing material disposed between the outer peripheral end portion of the case and the outer peripheral end portion of the housing and a part of the second sealing material disposed between the housing and at least one surface facing the housing among a plurality of surfaces which form an outer periphery of the connector adhere to each other
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric power steering device, including: a motor; and a control device, wherein the motor includes a case having a cylindrical shape, wherein the control device includes: a housing having a cylindrical shape, wherein the case and the housing are coupled to each other in a state in which an outer peripheral end portion at one end portion of the case and an outer peripheral end portion at one end portion of the housing face each other, wherein a first sealing material is disposed between the case and the housing, wherein a connector is disposed between the case and the housing, wherein a second sealing material is disposed between the housing and the connector, and wherein a part of the first sealing material and a part of the second sealing material adhere to each other.