Motor Valve Grounding Structure for EMI Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor operated valves face challenges in reducing electromagnetic interference due to complex production processes involving welding or swaging, which complicate the integration of circuit boards and stator housings.

Innovation Solution

A motor operated valve design where a conductive member is inserted through a mold component insertion hole formed during molding, creating a larger ground region by directly connecting the circuit board to the body, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If welding or swaging is used to connect the conductive part and stator housing, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the production process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive member is inserted into the stator housing before the resin coating process. This preliminary insertion allows the conductive member to be positioned and fixed in place before the final encapsulation, simplifying the overall production process by eliminating subsequent welding or swaging operations while ensuring proper electrical connection for electromagnetic interference reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Resin coating serves as an intermediary material that both electrically connects the conductive member to the stator housing and provides mechanical fixation. The resin acts as a mediator that achieves both the electrical continuity needed for EMI reduction and the structural bonding needed for assembly, replacing complex mechanical connection methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a conductive member is inserted through the insertion hole to connect the circuit board with the body, then the ground region becomes larger and electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the manufacturing process requires additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion hole is pre-formed in the stator housing during the molding process, and the conductive member is inserted before resin coating. This preliminary preparation integrates the EMI reduction feature into the base manufacturing flow without requiring separate post-assembly operations, maintaining manufacturing ease while achieving the ground connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The formation of the insertion hole, insertion of the conductive member, and resin coating process are merged into a single integrated manufacturing sequence. The insertion hole is created during molding, the conductive member is inserted in the same cycle, and the resin coating completes both fixation and electrical connection, combining multiple functions into one manufacturing step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design simplifies the structure and effectively reduces electromagnetic interference by establishing a stable ground connection without the need for welding or swaging, enhancing the operational efficiency of the motor operated valve.

Implementation Method 1

a stator (64) coated with molding resin by an injection molding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

A conductive member is inserted in the insertion hole and electrically connected with a ground line of the circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3644478B1Motor operated valve
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 TGK CO LTD
  • EP3644478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644478B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3644478B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A motor operated valve (1) includes an assembly of a body (5) including a valve section therein, and a motor unit (3) including a stator (64) coated with molding resin. The motor unit (3) includes: a case (76) integrated with the stator (64) by the molding resin; and a circuit board (118) provided in the case (76). The case (76) has an insertion hole (90) being an insertion trace of a mold component in the molding resin. A conductive member (92) is inserted in the insertion hole (90) and electrically connected with a ground line (119) of the circuit board (118).