EP2686853B1 - Electromagnetic actuator device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator device according to the preamble of the main claim.

Such a device is for example from the JP 2000 170951 A is known and relates to an electromagnetic actuator device for implementing a 3-way valve, in which, in departure from the usual and beyond known as vorzusetzenden actuator technologies, the coil winding does not surround the armature (or the associated working air gap), but the coil winding, in the Type of "outsourced coil" is offset laterally relative to an armature movement longitudinal axis (or an associated air gap) and a magnetic flux transfer to the armature unit or to the air gap by means of suitable flux-conducting portions of the yoke.

However, the disclosure is according to JP 2000 170951 A in a very special technical context, which in particular makes a transfer to other, generic actuating tasks (or else to other valve drives) only possible to a very limited extent. In addition, the known from this prior art device requires a not inconsiderable space, in addition, a heat dissipation from the known device is not without problems. For further prior art, the DE 20 2008 015980 U1 the applicant and the EP1 288 487 A2 and the DE 101 46 899 A1 , each disclosing an electromagnetic actuator device according to the preamble of claim 1. Further electromagnetic actuator devices are in US4633209 and DE 20 2008 015 303 U1 disclosed. Object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electromagnetic actuator according to the preamble of the main claim, wherein a Bestrombare coil unit encloses a first yoke portion of a stationary yoke unit and relative to the yoke unit movably guided, cooperating with a control partner and drivable for performing an actuating armature anchor second yoke portions of the yoke unit to form working air gaps cooperate, with regard to to improve a more compact, in particular also more flexible, mechanical realization, in particular to be able to separate the coil unit from the working air gap, and to create the possibility of realizing improved heat dissipation or localized heat (and thus less concentrated on one location) let develop.

The object is achieved by the electromagnetic actuator device having the features of the main claim; advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims. According to the invention, the working air gaps are formed outside the first yoke section, that is to say they are not enclosed by a coil unit (which is typically cylindrical or rectangular in design), but laterally displaced in the sense discussed above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention with a plurality of magnetic flux circuits in the yoke unit, wherein each of the flux circuits extends through the (youtube carrying the first coil yoke portion and via a respective one of the plurality of anchor units associated air gaps, a magnetic flux resistance of flux guide is at least one of the magnetic flux circuits in response to a flowing therein magnetic flux variable. This happens in particular in that saturation occurs as a result of suitable design of an effective flux-conducting cross-section of these flux-conducting means above a predetermined magnetic flux density, and therefore the magnetic flux resistance is increased from this threshold. The consequence of this effect is that a magnetic flux is then displaced from the relevant flux circuit into another of the flux circuits, insofar as an armature movement can then be triggered or influenced.

Further possibilities for presetting or predetermined influencing of the movement behavior of the plurality of anchor units (in the respective yoke branches) is to design the air gaps differently (in each case based on a predetermined, comparable anchor position, for example a stop position of the anchor units). In this case, it is preferred in particular according to the invention to vary the effective air gap in a respective yoke branch or, corresponding to an intended movement behavior (such as an intended order of activation) to set up differently.

Another way to influence the switching or movement behavior of a respective armature unit of the anchor means is to associate this armature spring means or the like power storage and about further education to store one or more of the armature units against a restoring force of such a spring or lead (where in turn further education by different configurations such as the spring forces then the respective switching or movement behavior of the associated anchor units can be influenced in a predetermined manner). In the context of further preferred embodiments of the invention, it is provided to realize the yoke unit by means of suitable sheet-shaped, more preferably by punching produced Flußleitelemente, possibly suitably stacked to reduce eddy currents here, in addition to advantages in the production.

In the context of preferred developments of the invention, it is also to provide the coil unit in the context of the invention with any circumferential contours or cross-sections, in order to turn to use the constructional-constructive optimization possibilities; In addition to cylindrical outer contours, it is claimed in particular advantageous and weiterbildungsgemäß to design the coil unit cross-sectionally rectangular.

As a result, the electromagnetic actuator device according to the invention is indeed preferably for the realization of hydraulic or pneumatic valve solutions, especially in the vehicle sector, but is not limited to these applications. On the contrary, the present invention can be used favorably and suitably configured for virtually any field of application in which structural or spatial flexibility can be used in conjunction with flexibly configurable magnetic flux guides or flow paths within the respective flux guide circuits.

Fig. 1:

eine Prinzipdarstellung einer elektromagnetischen Aktuatorvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung zum Verdeutlichen des prinzipiellen Zusammenwirkens der verschiedenen Funktionskomponenten;

Fig. 2 - Fig. 4:

verschiedene Betriebs- bzw. Magnetfluss- und Schaltzustände der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, verdeutlicht durch einen jeweiligen Magnetfluss symbolisierende Pfeilschaaren;

Fig. 5:

eine Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform der elektromagnetischen Aktuatorvorrichtung welche nicht Teil der vorliegenden Erfindung ist

Fig. 6 - Fig. 8:

konstruktive Varianten der Ausgestaltung eines Flussleitelements in weiteren nicht Teil der Erfindung seienden Beispielen gegenüber dem Beispiel der Fig. 5.

Further advantages, preferred features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in:

Fig. 1:

a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic actuator device according to a first embodiment of the invention to illustrate the basic interaction of the various functional components;

2 - Fig. 4:

various operating or magnetic flux and switching states of the device according to Fig. 1 , illustrates by a respective magnetic flux symbolizing arrow heads;

Fig. 5:

a perspective view of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator device which is not part of the present invention

Fig. 6 - Fig. 8:

constructive variants of the embodiment of a flux-conducting in further not part of the invention, be examples compared to the example of Fig. 5 ,

The Fig. 1 illustrates in the schematic longitudinal sectional view of an electromagnetic actuator device for driving two anchor units 10, 12 by means of a common, centrally located (centrally) between them on a yoke section 13 coil unit 14. More specifically, as schematically with reference to the graph of Fig. 1 recognizable, the elongated armature units 10 and 12 shown axially movably guided (in a movement and drive direction perpendicular in the plane), wherein the armature units 10 and 12 cooperate with stationary yoke sections 15 and 16 and, for the realization thereof, together by the coil unit 14 extending flow control circuits, which are guided over flow-conducting connection sections 18 to 24. Accordingly arise for the anchor units 10 and 12 effective air gaps 26 and 28 respectively.

The Fig. 2 to 4 illustrate various operating conditions in response to energization of the coil unit 14: So shows about the Fig. 3 two flow paths in the flux guide circuits running through the respective armatures 10 and 12, respectively, on the basis of the arrowheads 30 and 32, these magnetic fluxes flowing through the yoke section 13 ("first yoke section") associated with the coil unit 14, as symbolized by the arrowhead 34. Is against it, as in the Fig. 2 As shown by a shortened air gap 28, an effective flow resistance in the right flow circuit (ie relative to the armature unit 12) is reduced relative to the other branch, the magnetic flux concentrates as indicated by the arrowhead 36 in FIG Fig. 2 shown on this right area, with the effect that primarily a driving effect on the armature unit 12 is formed in the direction of the static element 16, according to this air gap is then closed (representation of Fig. 4 ). Due to this effect and a corresponding (cross-sectional) dimensioning in the right-hand flux circuit (eg the flux-conducting components 16, 20, 24 and 12), however, saturation then occurs in this flux circuit, with the effect that this in turn increases the flow resistance Part of the magnetic flux in the left Flußleitkreis, effective for the anchor unit 10, is displaced. Accordingly, it comes through this displaced flow 38 to a force applied to the armature unit 10, which subsequently closes the air gap 30. Thus, the asymmetric configuration shown (starting from the Fig. 2 ), such as a different, here temporally successive, movement or switching behavior of the anchor units can be provoked.

Alternatively, such an effect can also be realized by suitably provided on the anchor units spring means (with correspondingly different spring forces), again in addition or alternatively by means of predetermined adjusted and then corresponding saturation reaching effective magnetic flux cross sections of the flux-conducting components involved.

Mechanically located in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 4 both anchor units 10 and 12 directly adjacent to the coil circumference or this, so that in potentially a coil efficiency increasing manner an optimized field line bundling over both armatures and thus takes place on both sides of the coil unit, compare the Fig. 3 , A geometric-mechanical asymmetry, such as by variation of the respective anchor distances from the central coil, then in turn permits the setting up of suitable deviating flow courses or anchor movements determined therefrom. Not part of the invention is an example which, in a manner not shown in the figures, only provides an armature unit with an associated second yoke section, preferably laterally spaced apart or adjacent to the coil unit. Even this simplest example already realizes the principle of the outsourced armature, namely a provided in the context of a flow circle branch and laterally or adjacent armature (and associated air gap), so that an armature movement direction while continuing education paraxial to an extension direction of the coil unit (or the associated first Jochabschnitts) can take place, but these axes are no longer coaxial.

Based on Fig. 5 to 8 Hereinafter, an aspect not part of the present invention will be described by way of further example. A first variant illustrates the Fig. 5 in the perspective view: on both sides of an axially movable armature 40 and a stationary yoke portion 42 having central arrangement, a pair of individual coils 44 and 46 is provided such that armature 40 and stator 42 are framed on both sides of the individual coils 44, 46. A magnetic flux (resulting when the coils are energized) of the coils 44 and 46, respectively, is fed into the armature 40 or the stator 42 via common elongated plate-shaped flux conducting elements 48 and 50, the elements 48 and 50 additionally being used for a mechanical connection the overall arrangement (with an outlet opening 52 for the anchor unit) provide.

With regard to a flow guide in this device, in turn, two flux guide circuits are formed, wherein a respective one of the flux circuits runs through one of the individual coils 44 and 46 and both flux circuits then flow together through the armature-stator arrangement 40, 42 (insofar the flow path corresponds analogously of the Fig. 3 but with a provision of a central armature-stator arrangement and two external individual coils).

This basic configuration of the Fig. 5 is, however, not limited to two individual coils, nor about the symmetrical arrangement shown; Rather, by varying the geometry of the elements 48, 50, a change in distance it can also, as in the Fig. 6 to 8 illustrates, compared to the elongated elements 48, 50 suitably kinked configuration are present, or it can be provided around one (or even more) common armature-stator assembly (s) around more than two individual coils: So describes about the Fig. 6 in plan view, a variation of the elements 48 and 50, such that now two legs 54, 56, angled away from each other by an angle 58 of about 135 °, extend and end, compare Fig. 8 , 44 are connected to the individual coils 44 and 46, respectively. A comparison arrangement of the presupposed as known, traditional type in the representation of Fig. 7 illustrates the resulting installation space or geometry advantage: namely, in order to produce a magnetic flux behavior comparable to the pair of individual coils 44, 46, a single coil of a winding cross-section 60, as in FIG Fig. 7 indicated to be present, but possibly in a limited installation space (adapted to the configuration of Fig. 6, 8 ) not possible.

A further advantage of the example with a plurality of individual coils provided adjacent to an armature-stator arrangement with an adding or overlapping flow profile, such as in FIG Fig. 5 respectively. 6 and 8 shown, is that possible lateral forces are reduced (to the anchor) compared to a solution with only one adjacent the anchor unit outsourced coil (as far as a mutual compensation takes place, see for example the flowchart of Fig. 3 in analogous application to an arrangement with two external individual coils). Especially for products with high service life requirements, such as in the valve area, such a reduction of the lateral forces on the anchor has a favorable effect on wear and therefore an effective service life.

The present invention, regardless of the embodiments shown or other possible, allows numerous practical advantages: For example, arranging the anchor means in a use as a valve offers much more flexible connection possibilities in the configuration according to the invention adjacent to the coil unit for example, compared to the known state of the art, in which typically the elongated armature unit is surrounded by the coil unit (typically cylindrical-radial). Accordingly, the working air gap can be made more flexible (and suitable for a particular application). In addition, according to further education advantageous is provided adapted to respective installation and room conditions, not to provide the cylindrical winding, but to provide approximately rectangular or other coil cross-sections. This is especially true in cooperation with flux-conducting elements, which are realized by means of (typically produced by punching) sheets and further advantageously present in suitable stacking configurations.

This also makes it possible to use the advantage of an eddy-current reduction (especially for higher frequencies) of flat flux-conducting elements for the present invention.

Claims (9)

1. An electromagnetic actuator device with a coil unit (14) which encloses a first yoke section (13) of a stationary yoke unit of the actuator device and which can be activated by being energised;
   and with armature elements (10, 12) which can be guided so as to be moveable relative to the yoke unit and which interact with an output-side actuating partner and which can be driven to perform such an actuating movement, the armature elements interacting with a second yoke section (15, 16) of the yoke unit by forming air gaps (26, 28) for the magnetic flux produced by the activated coil unit,
   characterised in that the armature elements are provided radially externally adjacent to an outer casing of the coil unit, and in that at this point a plurality of second yoke sections (15, 16) are formed for interacting with a plurality of separately movably guided armature units (10, 12) of the armature elements, in such a way
   that a plurality of magnetic flux conducting circuits is created in the yoke unit by forming a plurality of air gaps associated with a respective armature unit and radially externally formed adjacent to the outer casing outside the first yoke section,
   wherein each of the flux conducting circuits passes through the first yoke section, the respective one of the second yoke sections, the respective one of the armature units as well as over the respective air gap, and a change in the respective one of the air gaps due to an actuating position and/or a movement of an associated armature unit, effects a change in a flux conducting circuit of another one of the armature units.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the yoke unit has flux conducting means which are formed in such a way that their magnetic flux resistance is adjustable, in particular by forming a predetermined maximally effective flux cross-section, in particular in that it rises above a threshold value determined by the flux cross-section.
3. The device according to claim 2, characterised in that the flux conducting means, which are realised as a magnetically conductive material, form a number of yoke branches corresponding to the number of armature units, which are joined to the first yoke section.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that a respective one of the yoke branches forms one of the said air gaps which is influenced by an actuating position of the armature unit with an associated one of the armature units.
5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the respective air gaps configured for a stop position of the plurality of armature units, are of different dimensions, in particular having different effective distances between air gaps.
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising spring elements, wherein at least one of the armature units is mounted or guided against a restoring force of the spring elements.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that the restoring force operating on the plurality of armature units, is configured differently for at least two of the armature units.
8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the yoke unit and/or the first yoke section and/or the second yoke section and/or a flux conducting section between the first and the second yoke section is realised as a sheet metal element, in particular a stackable sheet metal element, and/or as a layered structure made of a plurality of sheet metal elements.
9. A use of the electromagnetic actuator device according to one of claims 1 to 8 for realising a pneumatic or hydraulic valve, in particular for a motor vehicle.

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