Sealed Actuator Module With Internal Airflow Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Actuator modules with sealed structures face challenges in heat dissipation, leading to potential component damage and malfunction due to retained heat, and existing cooling solutions complicate miniaturization and user management.

Innovation Solution

An actuator module with a heat dissipation structure featuring an airflow path and airflow circulation member, integrated into the design to circulate heated air from the motor part to a heat dissipation structure outside the housing, while maintaining a sealed structure to protect internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealed structure is used to protect components, then reliability is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from external impact and foreign substancesVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow circulation member is integrated into the drive shaft, merging the cooling function with the existing rotational component. This allows heat dissipation without adding separate cooling lines or refrigerant management systems, resolving the contradiction between sealed protection and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses airflow (pneumatics) to dissipate heat from the motor part. The airflow circulation member rotates to circulate air through the airflow path, carrying heat away from components while maintaining the sealed structure, thus solving the heat dissipation problem without compromising protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If a separate cooling line is added to dissipate heat, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidcooling line and refrigerant management

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow circulation member is merged with the drive shaft, combining the cooling function with an existing rotational component. This eliminates the need for separate cooling lines and refrigerant management systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive shaft itself serves the dual purpose of mechanical transmission and heat dissipation through its integrated airflow circulation member. The rotational motion of the drive shaft automatically drives the airflow circulation, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the actuator module is miniaturized, then productivity is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveminiaturizationVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow circulation member is nested within the drive shaft, placing one component inside another. This allows the heat dissipation function to be incorporated within the existing compact structure, enabling miniaturization while maintaining effective heat dissipation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow circulation member extends in the axial direction of the drive shaft, utilizing the axial dimension for heat dissipation. This dimensional approach allows effective heat dissipation in a compact radial footprint, supporting miniaturization of the actuator module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively dissipates heat from the actuator module, preventing component damage and malfunction, while allowing for a compact design without the need for separate cooling lines or refrigerant management.

Implementation Method 1

an airflow circulation member configured to circulate an airflow located around the motor part is formed in the drive shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

An airflow circulation member configured to circulate an airflow located around the motor part is formed in the drive shaft at an axial position between the motor part and the brake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4007135B1Actuator module

Publication Date: 2025.03.26 ZEUS

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AI summary

An actuator module is provided. The actuator module includes a motor part including a drive shaft and a drive part configured to rotate the drive shaft, a reducer installed on one side of the drive part and configured to increase an output torque according to driving of the motor part, a brake installed on an opposite side of the drive part and configured to suppress rotation of the motor part, an encoder installed on one side of the brake and configured to sense an operation of the drive shaft, a controller installed on one side of the encoder and electrically connected to the motor part to control the motor part, and a first housing configured to surround the motor part, the reducer, the brake, the encoder and the controller. An airflow path through which an airflow can flow is formed to extend from the motor part.