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Wax motor

525 points · 107 comments · mhb

  1. geokon · · focus · HN ↗
    Seems this would make it possible to make a relatively cheap waterproof actuator if you made it out of something corrosion resistant?

    I've been looking for actuators to use in damp/wet environments and sealed actuators are rather expensive and supposedly don't last too long

    1. bartread · · focus · HN ↗
      This is why wax motors are used for washing machine door locks.
      1. geokon · · focus · HN ↗
        how does it work for a door lock?it seem it works pretty slowly.

        Mayne you know, are the internal components already designed with corrosion in mind?

        1. justusthane · · focus · HN ↗
          From the linked page:

          > When a cycle is started, a wax motor is actuated pushing a pin outward and locking the door. This design has cost, reliability and safety advantages. In moist conditions a wax motor costs less for equivalent reliability than an electromagnetic solenoid or motor latch. It has a predictable passive release delay. If power is lost the door remains briefly locked, designed to be longer than the high speed spin cycle coast-down time, then reliably unlocks as the wax cools.

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