Electric Flow Control Valve Actuator with Feed Screw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric flow control valves face issues with low transmission efficiency of output power due to friction losses and require increased motor power, and they are often bulky, necessitating a solution for enhanced efficiency and downsizing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a feed screw mechanism with a female screw on the output shaft and a male screw on the rod, along with a rotation prevention mechanism to convert rotational force into axial thrust without rotation, and a deceleration mechanism using internal and external gears to enhance efficiency and reduce size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rod is thrust driven while being rotated by the actuator, then the valve element can be displaced, but the transmission efficiency of output power decreases due to friction losses and rotation power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the thrust driving process. Instead of rotating the rod during thrust driving, the rod is driven purely in the thrust direction while rotation is prevented. This separates the rotation function (performed by the screw mechanism) from the thrust function (performed by the actuator), eliminating the energy loss associated with rotating the rod during displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system where the rod rotates during thrust driving with a modified system where the rod is constrained to move only in the thrust direction. The screw mechanism remains to convert rotational motion to linear motion, but the direct connection between actuator and rod eliminates unnecessary rotation and friction losses.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator is equipped to one end side of the rod in the axial direction to drive the rod, then the rod can be displaced, but the axial size of the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rearranges the actuator components from an axial arrangement to a radial arrangement. The deceleration mechanism and other components are positioned radially around the rod rather than extending axially, which reduces the axial length of the actuator while maintaining the driving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the deceleration mechanism and other actuator components are positioned concentrically around the rod. This allows the actuator to be more compact in the axial direction by utilizing the radial space around the rod for component placement.
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 configuration improves power transmission efficiency and reduces the axial size of the actuator, enabling precise control of fluid flow while minimizing power loss and size constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a feed screw mechanism with a female screw on the output shaft and a male screw on the rod to convert rotational force into axial thrust
Implementation Method 2
a deceleration mechanism using internal and external gears to enhance efficiency and reduce size
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a rod, an electric motor to generate a rotational driving force on supply of electricity, an output shaft to output the rotational driving force of the electric motor to the rod, a feed screw mechanism, and a rotation prevention mechanism. The feed screw mechanism includes a female screw portion formed on one of the output shaft and the rod, and a male screw portion formed on the other to mesh with the female screw portion. The rotation prevention mechanism is configured to regulate rotation of the rod caused by the rotational driving force of the electric motor.