External Actuator Flange Coupling for Leak-Tight Housing Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for fixing actuators to motor vehicle casings, particularly in HVAC applications, face challenges such as air leaks, bulkiness, and interference issues due to the need for through holes, which complicate sealing and occupy internal volume, limiting component installation and performance.
Innovation Solution
A device using external male/female coupling flanges with conjugate helical connection shapes for secure mechanical fastening outside the casing, ensuring sealing and minimizing internal volume occupation, allowing for indirect drive kinematics and precise alignment of the actuator and movable member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a through hole is used to fix the actuator to the casing, then the actuator can be securely mounted, but air leaks occur and sealing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The connection flange is divided into two separate parts: a male connection flange on the actuator and a female connection flange on the casing. This segmentation allows the actuator to be mounted without requiring a through-hole in the casing, thereby maintaining sealing integrity while achieving secure mechanical fastening through the interlocking flange surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions from a linear through-hole penetration to a two-dimensional flange-to-flange mating interface. The male and female flanges engage through conjugate helical connection shapes that provide both mechanical strength and sealing capability across the flange interface, eliminating the need for the actuator to pass through the casing wall.
2Strength
If a through hole is used for actuator mounting, then secure fixation is achieved, but the internal volume of the casing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection system into external male and female flanges, the mounting structure is positioned outside the casing interior. This allows the full internal volume of the casing to be utilized for air circulation and component placement, while the flange connection provides secure fixation without encroaching on the internal space.
3Strength
If a through hole is used for actuator installation, then mechanical connection is achieved, but interference with internal components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection flanges are positioned on the external surfaces of the actuator and casing, separating the mounting mechanism from the internal component space. This external positioning eliminates interference with internal components such as shutters, radiators, and guide flanges, allowing these components to be installed and positioned without constraint from the mounting structure.
4Reliability
If sealing elements are added to the actuator for through-hole mounting, then air leak prevention is achieved, but the actuator design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is integrated into the two-dimensional flange interface rather than requiring separate sealing elements within the actuator. The conjugate helical connection shapes of the male and female flanges create a sealing surface across the flange interface, providing air leak prevention through the geometric design of the mating surfaces rather than through additional sealing components.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention provides a device for attaching an actuator (2) to a housing (4), particularly for motor vehicles, the actuator being intended to drive a moving part (41) located inside the housing. The device includes fastening means for securing the actuator to the housing. The fastening means comprise two conjugate connecting flanges (20, 40), mounted respectively on a connecting face (28) of the actuator and on a connecting face (48) of the housing. The connecting flanges are adapted to be assembled with a male/female type connection on the outside of said housing.