Actuator assembly having a motor with heat dissipation

摘要

An actuator assembly includes a housing with a motor compartment, a gear compartment, a bulkhead separating the motor compartment from the gear compartment, and an aperture through the bulkhead. The actuator assembly also includes a motor assembly in the motor compartment defining a space radially between the motor assembly and the gear motor compartment. A high thermal conductivity material is disposed within the space to transfer heat from the motor assembly to the housing. The bulkhead includes one of a groove and a rib surrounding the aperture on the side of the bulkhead facing the motor compartment and the motor assembly includes the other of the groove and the rib such that the rib fits within the groove to prevent the high thermal conductivity material from migrating radially inward of the groove and the rib when the high thermal conductivity material is injected into the space.

主权项

1. An actuator assembly comprising:
a housing having a central axis, a motor compartment on one end defined about said central axis, a gear compartment on the other end, a bulkhead separating said motor compartment from said gear compartment, and an aperture through said bulkhead; a motor assembly in said motor compartment defining a space radially between said motor assembly and said motor compartment and having an input shaft extending into said gear compartment through said aperture; a high thermal conductivity material disposed within said space to transfer heat from said motor assembly to said housing; an output shaft extending out of said gear compartment; and a gear assembly supported within said gear compartment translating rotation of said input shaft to said output shaft; wherein said bulkhead includes one of a groove and a rib on a side of said bulkhead that faces said motor compartment; wherein said one of said groove and said rib surrounds said aperture; wherein said motor assembly includes the other of said groove and said rib such that said rib fits within said groove to prevent said high thermal conductivity material from migrating radially inward of said groove and said rib when said high thermal conductivity material is injected into said space; and wherein said motor assembly includes a stator assembly fixed to said housing to prevent relative rotation between said stator assembly and said housing, said stator assembly comprising: a stator having a plurality of electrical windings; and a stator support frame axially offset from said stator; wherein said stator is fixed to said stator support frame with an over-molding material, and wherein said one of said groove and said rib is formed in said over-molding material.