Tubular Actuator Edge-Pluggable Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tubular electromechanical actuators for home automation systems face challenges in manufacturing complexity and high costs due to the need for flexible electric cables and blind assembly in reduced spaces, which increases the risk of defects and requires skilled labor.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a tubular electromechanical actuator design with a first electrical connection device that eliminates the use of flexible cables by directly connecting the electronic card to the electric motor and additional electronic cards using edge-pluggable electrical connection elements, which cooperate with printed circuit board tracks, simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible electric cables are used to connect the electronic card to the electric motor, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible electric cables from the system by implementing direct electrical connection elements between the electronic card and the electric motor. This removes the intermediate connection component, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the electrical connection function directly into the mounting structure by integrating electrical connection elements into the electronic control unit housing and motor housing. This combines structural support and electrical connection into unified components, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If blind assembly in reduced space is performed, then compact design is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases and requires skilled labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator volumeVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the electrical connection elements during the housing manufacturing process. The electrical connection elements are already in place before the electronic card and motor are assembled, eliminating the need for complex blind assembly operations and reducing the skill level required for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional electronic card and flexible cables are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive flexible cables with simpler, more cost-effective electrical connection elements that are integrated into the housing structures. These connection elements provide sufficient reliability for the application while significantly reducing material and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3695088B1Tubular electromechanical actuator and home automation equipment including such an actuator

Publication Date: 2021.11.17 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA

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AI summary

A tubular electromechanical actuator comprises an electronic control unit (15) including a housing (30) and an electronic board (29). A first electrical connection device (49) comprises first electrical connection elements (60) configured to electrically connect the board (29) to electrical connection elements (63) of an electric motor (16) and second electrical connection elements (61) configured to electrically link the board (29) to electrical connection elements (64) of an additional electronic board (65) of the motor (16). The first device (49) is configured to plug into an edge of a printed circuit wafer (29a) of the board (29) and to cooperate with the electric tracks of the board (29). In addition the first and second electrical connection elements (60, 61) are electrical connection elements that are configured to directly cooperate with the respective electrical connection elements (63, 64) of the motor (16) and of the additional board (65).