Spring Brake Radial Retention for Actuator Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electromechanical actuator for home automation systems with a spring brake suffers from operating noise and manufacturing defects due to misalignment of the coil spring relative to the input member, output member, and cover, leading to unwanted friction and lack of radial support, which affects the assembly and operation of the spring brake.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating first and second radial retaining elements between the drive tooth and spacer on the input member and cover to ensure radial retention of the coil spring, reducing operating noise and preventing misalignment, thereby maintaining the coil spring's position within the drum and preserving lubrication during assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radial retaining elements are added to ensure proper coil spring positioning, then manufacturing precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radial retaining elements as intermediary components between the coil spring and the drum housing. These retaining elements act as mediators that provide radial support to the coil spring, ensuring proper alignment with the input and output members while distributing the mechanical constraints across dedicated structural features rather than relying on tight tolerances alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial retaining elements are designed to pre-position the coil spring radially before the assembly enters operation. By establishing the correct radial alignment during assembly, the retaining elements prevent misalignment issues from developing during subsequent operation, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the coil spring is constrained radially by the drum housing, then positioning stability improves, but friction and operating noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radial constraint function from the rotational contact function. The radial retaining elements provide radial support and positioning stability, while the drum housing's internal friction surface is dedicated solely to providing friction for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the coil spring simultaneously experiencing both radial constraint and rotational friction from the same surface.
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
The solution effectively reduces operating noise and manufacturing defects by ensuring proper radial retention of the coil spring, maintaining its position, and preventing friction-related issues, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the spring brake in home automation systems.
Implementation Method 1
The friction force between the coils of the coil spring and the inner surface of the housing of the drum is increased during the rotational drive of the coil spring in the second direction of rotation
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromechanical actuator comprises a spring brake (15) comprising a helical spring (22), a drum (23), an input member (24), an output member (25) and a cap (33). The drum (23) comprises a housing (26) comprising an inner friction surface (27) configured to cooperate with at least one turn of the spring (22). The input member (24) comprises a driving tooth (31) extending between the input member (24) and the cap (33). The input member (24) or the cap (33) comprises a spacer (34) extending between the input member (24) and the cap (33). The input member (24) comprises a first element (54) for radial retention of the spring (22) that extends between the tooth (31) and the spacer (34) along a first side (C1) of the brake (15). In addition, the cap (33) comprises a second element for radial retention of the spring (22) that extends between the tooth (31) and the spacer (34) along a second side (C2) of the brake (15).