Overlapping Motor-Worm Layout for Compact Seat Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric actuators for vehicle seats have large outer dimensions due to the arrangement of components, which limits space efficiency and can lead to thermal issues and increased vibration, as well as potential lubricant degradation within the gear casing.
Innovation Solution
The electric actuator design includes an electric motor supported outside a gear casing, with a configuration where at least part of the motor overlaps with the worm or worm wheel, reducing overall dimensions, and features elastic support for vibration absorption and proper gear meshing, while preventing lubricant from reaching the commutator and brush.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is arranged on the opposite side to the worm wheel across the worm, then the components can be properly positioned for mechanical function, but the outer dimensions of the actuator become large
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is positioned such that its projection on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the rotational axis of the worm wheel overlaps with the projection of the worm or worm wheel. This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimensional arrangement reduces the overall outer dimensions of the actuator while preserving the necessary mechanical functions through proper gear meshing and force transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the electric motor to be spatially nested or overlapped with the worm and worm wheel components in the projection plane, creating a more compact configuration where components occupy overlapping spatial footprints rather than requiring separate, non-overlapping volumes, thereby reducing the actuator's external dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is arranged in a compact overlapping configuration, then the outer dimensions are reduced, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is extracted from the interior of the gear casing and positioned externally, overlapping with the worm or worm wheel in projection but physically separated from the enclosed gear space. This extraction allows the motor to dissipate heat more effectively to the external environment while maintaining the compact overlapping configuration that reduces overall actuator dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is positioned to overlap with worm or worm wheel, then space efficiency improves, but vibration and thermal issues may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is extracted from the gear casing interior and positioned externally, allowing heat to dissipate to the surrounding environment rather than being trapped inside the enclosed gear space. This prevents thermal accumulation that would otherwise degrade the lubricant and affects the reliability of the gear mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
By repositioning the motor in a different spatial arrangement where its projection overlaps with the worm or worm wheel but its physical location is external to the gear casing, the design achieves compact dimensions while separating the motor's thermal field from the lubricant-containing gear environment, thereby preventing thermal degradation.
Data Source
AI summary
In an electric actuator, at least a part of an electric motor projected on an imaginary plane orthogonal to a rotational axis of a worm wheel overlaps at least one of a worm projected on the imaginary plane or the worm wheel projected on the imaginary plane.