SMA Actuator Assembly With PCB-Aligned Motion for Compact Valve Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valve actuators for seat configurations are challenging to package due to their size and complexity, making it difficult to integrate them effectively within various seat designs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator that moves a tip interface between open and closed positions, allowing for compact configuration and reduced component count by aligning the actuator direction with the circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve actuators are used, then reliable valve operation is achieved, but the actuator size and complexity increase, making packaging difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators with shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuators that use thermal-mechanical coupling effects. The SMA material undergoes phase transformation when heated, causing the actuator to contract and move the valve tip interface, eliminating complex mechanical linkages and reducing overall actuator complexity while maintaining reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the SMA actuator, guide, tip interface, and circuit board alignment into a unified compact assembly. The actuator direction is aligned with the circuit board, merging multiple functional elements into a single integrated unit that reduces packaging space and simplifies the overall valve actuator configuration
2Reliability
If traditional valve actuators are used, then valve control function is achieved, but the packaging space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent aligns the SMA actuator direction with the circuit board plane, utilizing the dimensional space more efficiently. This orientation allows the actuator to operate within the available packaging space without requiring additional vertical or lateral clearance, effectively reducing the overall volume occupied by the actuator assembly
3Ease of operation
If traditional valve actuators are used, then adequate stroke length is achieved, but the actuator length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent phase transformation parameters of the shape-memory alloy material to achieve significant contraction ratios. By controlling the thermal input parameters, the SMA actuator can generate adequate stroke length for valve operation while maintaining a compact physical length, as the material's intrinsic phase change properties provide high displacement per unit length
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 solution enables a compact and efficient valve actuator configuration that is resilient to climate variations, providing reliable operation while minimizing space and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a shape-memory alloy actuator that moves a tip interface between open and closed positions in response to an electrical input
Implementation Method 2
The use of a shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator that moves a tip interface between open and closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus includes at least one guide movable along a single axis of motion and at least one tip interface associated with the at least one guide, where the at least one tip interface moveable between a first position and a second position. A resilient member biases the at least one tip interface to the second position. A shape-memory alloy actuator moves the at least one tip interface to the first position in response to an electrical input. The shape-memory alloy actuator includes at least one electrical connector. At least one circuit board is connected to the at least one electrical connector, wherein the single axis of motion extends non-perpendicular to a planar surface of the at least one circuit board.