Thermal actuator configuration with improved reset time

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal actuator arrangement (1) for moving an adjustment element (4) between a first adjustment position (S1) and a second adjustment position (S2), comprising: a first sub-actuator (2) having a first thermal actuator element (21), to which a first reaction force (F1) is applied; a second sub-actuator (3) having a second thermal actuator element (31), to which a second reaction force (F2) is applied, wherein the actuator elements (21, 31) are configured to change their shape in the opposite direction to the corresponding reaction forces (F1, F2) by temperature changes; and an adjustment element (4) which is in contact with the first sub-actuator element (21). A sub-actuator (2) is coupled so that when the first actuator element (21) is in a deactivated state, the adjusting element (4) is held in the first adjusting position (S1) under the action of a holding force (H), and when the holding force (H) is eliminated, the adjusting element (4) enters the second adjusting position (S2) based on the action of the first reaction force (F1); a locking element (5) is coupled to the second sub-actuator so as to provide the holding force (H) when the second actuator element (31) is in a deactivated state and reduce or eliminate the holding force (H) when the second actuator element (31) is in an activated state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to thermal actuator arrangements, in particular regulating actuators, which can be regulated by thermal actuator elements. Background Art

[0002] A thermoactuator arrangement refers to an actuator having thermoactuator elements which can cause an actuating movement by the action of heat. A thermoactuator arrangement can be provided, for example, with thermoelastic actuator elements which have thermoelastic materials (also called elasto-caloric or mechanocaloric materials). Such thermoelastic materials change their microstructure under the effect of temperature changes. In this way, the thermoelastic element can reduce its size or exert a tensile force when it is heated. On cooling, the thermoelastic element regains its original shape, in particular when a corresponding restoring force is present. A group of common thermoelastic materials are shape memory alloys.

[0003] Thermal actuators are often used to adjust an adjusting element between two defined adjustment positions, for example to control a valve. Resetting the adjusting actuator is time-critical in some cases. For example, in the event of an emergency shutdown at a valve actuator, the valve must be closed quickly. Using thermal actuators that are activated by heating up the thermoelastic material to achieve an emergency shutdown is not possible, because resetting by cooling down the thermoelastic material usually takes too long. Other designs for resetting the actuator are complex and require a lot of space.

[0004] Furthermore, antagonistic thermal actuators are known, in which the restoring movement is brought about by a further thermoelastic element.

[0005] For example, from publication DE 199 63 501 A1 an actuator for an adjusting element is known, which can be adjusted between an initial position and an adjustment position. The actuator has several interacting shape memory elements, wherein a first shape memory element acts towards the adjustment position when a certain temperature is exceeded and a second shape memory element acts in the opposite direction accordingly.

[0006] US Pat. No. 8,707,694 B2 discloses an actuator comprising a first shape memory element that can exert a force on an adjusting element of the actuator, and another shape memory element that exerts a counter force on the adjusting element. The adjusting element is used to operate a valve that can be activated or deactivated by selectively controlling the first and second shape memory elements.

[0007] Publication WO 2019 / 106340 also discloses a thermoelastic actuator having a thermoelastic wire and an adjusting element, wherein the thermoelastic wire is arranged between a static component and the adjusting element so as to cause the adjusting element to move relative to the static component by contraction. A reset element is also provided, which is connected to the adjusting element so as to reset the adjusting element.

[0008] In conventional antagonistic thermoelastic actuator configurations, it is also not easy to quickly reset the regulating element because the reset speed is directly related to the material properties of the activated thermoelastic element and its cooling rate. In addition, the expansion of the thermoelastic element in the activated state will cause the thermoelastic material to decay, so the reset caused by applying the corresponding reset force to the activated (contracted) element will shorten the service life.

[0009] Furthermore, conventional antagonistic thermoelastic actuator configurations do not have a defined reset position, which may result in undefined adjustment of the actuator configuration in an unpowered condition.

[0010] In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal actuator arrangement which has an improved reset time and a defined adjustment position in the de-energized state. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a thermal actuator arrangement and a method for operating the thermal actuator arrangement as described below.

[0012] For more technical solutions, please refer to the following.

[0013] According to a first aspect, a thermal actuator arrangement for moving an adjusting element between a first adjusting position and a second adjusting position comprises:

[0014] a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element, to which a first reaction force is exerted;

[0015] a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element, to which a second reaction force is applied; wherein the actuator element is designed to change its shape by a temperature change in a direction opposite to the corresponding reaction force;

[0016] an adjusting element coupled to the first partial actuator such that, in the deactivated state of the first actuator element, the adjusting element is held in the first adjusting position under the action of a retaining force and, when the retaining force is eliminated, the adjusting element moves into the second adjusting position due to the action of the first reaction force;

[0017] A locking element, which is coupled to the second part-actuator, such that in a deactivated state of the second actuator element the holding force is provided and in an activated state of the second actuator element the holding force is reduced or eliminated.

[0018] The above-mentioned thermal actuator arrangement has a first and a second sub-actuator. These sub-actuators are respectively provided with a thermal actuator element and a spring element that interact with each other. The thermal actuator element can be deformed by heating and thus can be activated, and can restore its original shape when cooled in the deactivated state due to the action of the corresponding reaction force of the corresponding sub-actuator.

[0019] The thermoactuator arrangement has a movable adjusting element which can be moved between a first and a second adjusting position. The first subactuator is designed in such a way that, when a holding force is applied, it holds the adjusting element in the first adjusting position in the inactive state and moves the adjusting element to the second adjusting position when the holding force is reduced, in that the first thermoactuator element is deformed in the inactive state by a reaction force.

[0020] The second sub-actuator is used to apply a holding force to the first sub-actuator in the inactive state and, when the thermal actuator element of the second sub-actuator is activated, reduce or eliminate the holding force. The holding force can be reapplied to the first sub-actuator by deactivating the thermal actuator element.

[0021] That is, the thermo-actuator elements can work in such a way that the retaining force is eliminated by the heating of the second thermo-actuator element, so that the actuator is moved from the first adjustment position to the second adjustment position. The actuator is then moved back from the second adjustment position to the first adjustment position by subsequently activating the first thermoelastic actuator element.

[0022] These thermal actuator elements generally have a fast response time when activated, but require a longer reset time, since the time required to cool the respective thermal actuator element is convection-dependent. Thus, the above configuration makes it possible to make the adjustment operation from the first adjustment position to the second adjustment position and from the second adjustment position to the first adjustment position independent of the cooling time of the actuator elements, since both adjustment movements are realized by activating one of the actuator elements.

[0023] By setting at least one end stop for the first adjustment position of the movement of the adjusting element, a defined reset position for the deactivated state can be ensured at the first adjustment position by setting a reaction force or a spring force for applying a reaction force to the second spring element of the second sub-actuator when the two thermal actuator elements are in the deactivated state, wherein the reaction force or spring force is higher than the first reaction force or the first spring force.

[0024] The thermal actuator element and the corresponding spring element require little installation space, so that an actuator arrangement with little installation space can be constructed. The longitudinal arrangement of the thermal actuator element and the spring element allows an elongated, in particular translatory, actuator with a small diameter to be realized.

[0025] Furthermore, the thermal actuator element can be constructed such that it changes its shape when heated and restores its original shape when cooled, in particular through the action of the corresponding reaction force, wherein the actuator element includes a thermoelastic material, in particular a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer or a bimetal.

[0026] According to one specific embodiment, the adjusting element can be movably mounted and has a defined first adjusting position and / or a defined second adjusting position, which are defined by the stop device.

[0027] Specifically, the first adjustment position can be defined by a first stop device between the locking element and the adjustment element in combination with a positionally fixed stop of a second stop device of the locking element, and the second adjustment position is defined by a positionally fixed stop of a third stop device.

[0028] Furthermore, the first reaction force may be smaller than the second reaction force, wherein in particular the first spring element for providing the first elastic force as the first reaction force has a smaller spring constant than the second spring element for providing the second elastic force as the second reaction force.

[0029] Therein, the first reaction force causes the first actuator element to deform plastically, quasi-plastically and / or elastically in a deactivated state of the first actuator element, so that the adjustment element enters the second adjustment position.

[0030] Furthermore, the adjusting element may be supported in a translationally movable manner, wherein the locking element may be movable between a first locking position and a second locking position parallel to the adjusting element.

[0031] Therein, at least the adjusting element is mounted so as to be rotationally movable, wherein in particular the locking element is mounted so as to be rotationally movable and coaxially with the adjusting element between a first locking position and a second locking position.

[0032] In particular, the first actuator element can be at least partially deflected by the circumference of the actuator element and / or the second actuator element can be at least partially deflected by the circumference of the locking element.

[0033] Further, the corresponding reaction force may be provided by at least one of the following elements: a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring and a bending spring.

[0034] Therein, at least one of the actuator elements is elongated and in particular wire-shaped or rod-shaped.

[0035] According to one specific embodiment, at least one of the actuator elements can be coupled to an energy supply device in order to heat the respective actuator element by inputting electrical power.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, a bistable element may be provided which is coupled to the adjusting element in such a way that, when the adjusting element is adjusted, the bistable element switches from one bistable state to the other bistable state.

[0037] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating the above-described thermal actuator arrangement, comprising the steps of:

[0038] - activating the second actuator element in order to move the adjusting element from the first adjusting position to the second adjusting position,

[0039] - activating the first actuator element in order to move the adjusting element from the second adjusting position into the first adjusting position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The implementation method is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 (including parts a to c) are views of the thermal actuator element in different switching states in the first embodiment;

[0042] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The thermal actuator configuration shown is implemented as a valve actuator;

[0043] Figure 3a to Figure 3c Other embodiments when using a tension spring for a translational thermal actuator configuration;

[0044] Figure 4 is a view of a rotary thermal actuator configuration in another embodiment;

[0045] Figure 5 is a view of a rotary thermal actuator configuration in another embodiment;

[0046] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rotary thermal actuator configuration in another embodiment;

[0047] Figure 7 is a view of a configuration having the actuator configuration and a bistable element; and

[0048] Figure 8 is a view of another configuration having the actuator configuration and a bistable element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Figure 1Figures a to c show different states of the translational thermal actuator arrangement 1 in the first embodiment. Figure 1 In a, the thermal actuator configuration 1 is in the rest position.

[0050] The thermal actuator arrangement 1 has a first sub-actuator 2 and a second sub-actuator 3. The first sub-actuator 2 acts on an adjustment element 4, which is held in a translationally movable manner and is coupled to the first and second sub-actuators 2, 3. The adjustment element 4 can be adjusted between a first adjustment position S1 and a second adjustment position S2. The force direction acting toward the first adjustment position S1 is referred to as the first force direction K1, and the force direction acting toward the second adjustment position S2 is referred to as the second force direction K2.

[0051] The first sub-actuator 2 has a first thermal actuator element 21, and the second sub-actuator 3 has a second thermal actuator element 31. The actuator elements 21, 31 are constructed so that they change their shape when heated and restore their original shape when cooled. The above-mentioned embodiment particularly utilizes the contraction of the actuator elements 21, 31 when they are heated and the quasi-plastic expansion when they are cooled and the reaction force acts.

[0052] The first and / or second thermoactuator elements 21, 31 may be provided with thermoelastic materials, such as shape memory alloys, such as thermoelastic wires, thermoelastic springs or other thermoelastic elements. Other thermoactuator elements may include shape memory polymers, bimetals or other expansion elements as active materials.

[0053] The first sub-actuator 2 has a first thermal actuator element 21, which, in the deactivated state, holds the adjustment element 4 in the first adjustment position S1 in the opposite direction to the first elastic force F1 (reaction force) and when a preset holding force H is applied in the first force direction K1. The deactivated state of the actuator element is, for example, at ambient temperature. The activated state is entered at a somewhat increased temperature of the actuator element. In the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic force F1 can be provided by a first spring element 22 constructed as a compression spring. For this purpose, the first actuator element 21 can be arranged between the second positionally fixed holding element 62 and the adjustment element 4 and act thereon.

[0054] The first spring element 22, which can be constructed as a compression spring, is supported on the end of the holding element fixed in the first position, and applies a first elastic force F1 to the adjustment element 4 along the second force direction K2, so that a tensile force is applied to the first thermal actuator element 21. The first thermal actuator element 21 and the first spring element 22 are designed in such a way that the adjustment element 4 cannot be held in the first adjustment position S1 without the action of more holding force. That is, when the additional holding force H acts, the tensile force applied by the first spring element 22 to the first actuator element 21 is not enough to stretch the first actuator element 21 to such an extent that the adjustment element 4 moves out of its first adjustment position S1.

[0055] The holding force H along the first force direction K1 is provided by the second sub-actuator 3. The second sub-actuator 3 is equipped with a second thermal actuator element 31 and a second spring element 32. The second spring element 32 and the second thermal actuator element 31 act on the locking element 5. The locking element 5 is movably arranged on the adjusting element 4 and can be adjusted between the first locking position SP1 and the second locking position SP2 by the second actuator element 31. A stop device 51 is provided between the adjusting element 4 and the locking element 5, which applies a holding force H to the first sub-actuator 2 through the adjusting element 4 in the first locking position SP1, thereby holding the adjusting element 4 in the first adjustment position S1. In particular, the holding force H is applied in the first force direction K1 opposite to the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22. The spring constant of the second spring element 32 is correspondingly designed so that it can also apply the holding force H opposite to the elastic force F1 of the first spring element 21.

[0056] The stop device according to the invention is formed by two elements which can be moved towards each other, and thus form a fixed or movable stop when they are moved towards each other.

[0057] The second spring element 32 acts on the second actuator element 31 in such a way that a tensile stress is applied thereto. The second actuator element 31 is arranged between the third positionally fixed retaining element 63 and the locking element 5. The second spring element 32 is arranged between the fourth positionally fixed retaining element 64 and the locking element 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the second spring element 32 is constructed as a compression spring and presses the locking element 5 toward the first stop device 51 along the first force direction K1, so that in the inactive state of the second actuator element 31, the locking element 5 is held in the preset first locking position SP1.

[0058] The first locking position SP1 and thus also the first adjustment position S1 of the adjusting element 4 can be defined by means of a second fixed stop 52, which can be provided, for example, on the fourth fixed holding element 64. The second stop 52, which is located between the locking element 5 and the fourth fixed holding element 64, acts when the locking element 5 moves in the first force direction K1, so that in the first locking position SP1, the movement of the adjusting element 4 is blocked and the adjusting element is held there, so that the first adjustment position S1 is defined based on the first stop 51 between the adjusting element 4 and the locking element 5. That is, the locking element 5 and the adjusting element 4 are coupled in such a way that the movement of the locking element 5 in the first force direction K1 is limited by the second stop 52, and the movement of the adjusting element 4 in the second force direction K2 is limited by the first stop 51.

[0059] So in Figure 1 In the actuator configuration 1 shown in a, when the two actuator elements 21 and 31 are deactivated, the adjustment element 4 is held in the first adjustment position S1 by the locking element 5. Figure 1 When the second actuator element 31 is activated as shown in b, the extension of the second actuator element 31 is reduced, and a tensile force is applied to the locking element 5 along the second force direction K2.

[0060] The actuator elements 21, 31 can be activated by applying electrical energy. For this purpose, the opposite ends of the linear or elongated actuator elements 21, 31 can be provided with contacts, for example, in order to switchably heat the actuator elements by means of electrical energy.

[0061] Applying a pulling force to the locking element 5 along the second force direction K2 causes a reduction or elimination of the holding force H, and causes the following condition based on the action of the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22: the adjusting element 4 moves along the second force direction K2 with the locking element 5, so that the adjusting element 4 enters the second adjustment position S2. The second adjustment position can be defined by the third stop device 53 between the adjusting element 4 and the corresponding holding element (particularly the first holding element 61). Alternatively, when the locking element 5 is in the second locking position, the second adjustment position S2 can also be defined by the first stop device 51.

[0062] Alternatively, the second adjustment position S2 can be defined by the length or extension of the second actuator element 31 in the activated state, which defines the second locking position SP2 via the adjustment travel of the locking element 5 in the second force direction K2.

[0063] By activating the second actuator element 31, the holding force H applied by the second spring element 32 is reduced or completely eliminated, and the first spring element 22 can apply the full first elastic force F1 to the first actuator element 21, so that the first actuator element is extended and the adjustment element 4 moves toward the second adjustment position. Therefore, a certain dimension is provided between the spring constant of the first spring element 22 and the elasticity of the first actuator element 21, which enables the first actuator element 21 to be extended from the first adjustment position (the substantially unstressed state of the first actuator element) to the second adjustment position S2 by the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22.

[0064] In the following, the second actuator element 31 can be reset from the second adjustment position S2 to the first adjustment position S1 by simply activating it, but the reset usually requires an indefinitely long time, because the second actuator element 31 must be cooled in order to bring about a corresponding shape change, especially in combination with the acting reaction force. Without special cooling measures, the cooling speed depends only on the heat dissipation to the environment. Cooling is usually slower than heating, because the power input for heating, for example provided by electrical energy, is essentially limited only by the amount of power provided.

[0065] In order to move the adjusting element 4 of the thermal actuator arrangement 1 more quickly from the second adjusting position S2 to the first adjusting position S1 , the first thermal actuator element 21 is activated simultaneously with the activation of the second actuator element 31 . Figure 1 The state achieved in this way is shown in c. As a result, the adjustment element 4 is actively reset to the first adjustment position S1 in the opposite direction to the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22, without having to apply a holding force H to the adjustment element 4 along the first force direction K1 and without applying an additional force to the second actuator element 31. This prevents these actuator elements from deforming in the activated state.

[0066] Activating the actuator element by heating significantly accelerates the corresponding deformation or length change compared to deactivation by cooling and applying a counter force, so that a much faster resetting from the second adjustment position S2 to the first adjustment position S1 is possible. By deactivating the second actuator element 31 and thereby the first actuator element, the actuator arrangement 1 can be changed from Figure 1 The state shown in c moves back to Figure 1 The initial position is shown in a.

[0067] Alternatively, you can also Figure 1 Starting from the state shown in b, the second actuator element 22 is deactivated while the first actuator element 21 is activated, so that the cooling process is started at the beginning of the reset process. This can shorten the dead time before the second sub-actuator 3 is activated again. Figure 1 a shows the state of the second sub-actuator.

[0068] In the deactivated state of the two actuator elements 21, 31, different elastic forces are provided for the spring elements 22, 32, so that a preset adjustment position, in particular the first adjustment position, can be achieved in the deactivated (i.e., non-energized) state of the actuator arrangement 1. In particular, in a position corresponding to the first adjustment position S1, the second elastic force of the second spring element 32 is greater than the elastic force of the first spring element 22 at this working point, so that in the deactivated state of the two actuator elements 21, 31, the locking element 5 is moved to the first locking position SP1, and based on the first and second stop devices 51, 52, the adjustment element 4 is correspondingly moved to the first adjustment position S1.

[0069] By adjusting the length of the adjusting device 4 in the region of the first stop device 51 and / or adjusting the second stop device 52 , the adjusting positions S1 , S2 can be adjusted.

[0070] The actuator arrangement 1 described above can be used as an actuator for a plurality of actuators, which in particular realize adjustment between two defined adjustment positions. The actuator arrangement can be used, for example, as a valve actuator, a locking actuator, an unlocking actuator, a positioning actuator, a brake actuator, a (contact) switch and the like.

[0071] Figure 1 a to Figure 1 The translational thermal actuator configuration shown in c can be applied, for example, in Figure 2 In the valve actuator shown by way of example in a cross-sectional view.

[0072] Figure 2 The configuration shows a generally tubular actuator housing 7. Figure 1 a- Figure 1 The actuator arrangement 1 described in c is arranged in an actuator housing 7. A rod-shaped arrangement with a small diameter is achieved by the elongated arrangement of the spring element and the actuator element. The advantage of this arrangement is that the spring element and the actuator element can be arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, thereby constructing an elongated arrangement with a very small diameter. In addition, the first and second actuator elements can be arranged offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction, in particular offset by 90°, so that they are arranged together in a section of the actuator arrangement.

[0073] The adjusting movement of this actuator arrangement is implemented by an adjusting element 4 arranged in an actuator housing 7 via an adjusting movement which can be detected at the end of the rod-shaped actuator arrangement so that a corresponding regulating system, such as a valve or the like, can be adjusted there.

[0074] Figure 3a to Figure 3c As another embodiment, a translation actuator configuration is shown in FIG. 1 , in which a tension spring 22 ′ ( Figure 3a) instead of a compression spring as the first spring element 22, a tension spring 32' ( Figure 3b ) instead of the second spring element 32, and the extension springs 22', 32' ( Figure 3c ) instead of two spring elements 22, 32. Overall, the sub-actuators 2, 3 are constructed for a translational configuration so that when heat is applied, a corresponding spring force acts in the direction of expansion of the first and second thermal actuator elements 21, 31, or a spring force acts in the opposite direction to the shape change of the actuator elements 21, 31.

[0075] Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment shows Figure 1 a- Figure 1 The actuator principle shown in c is applied to a rotary actuator configuration. In this actuator configuration, the rigid adjustment element 4 is divided into a plurality of adjustment element components 41, 42, which are mounted on the relative fixed points of the adjustment intermediate component 9 in a rotationally movable manner. The adjustment intermediate component 9 has a first or second position angle SW1, SW2 as an adjustment position according to the specific position of the adjustment element components 41, 42. This basic principle is similar to Figure 1 a- Figure 1 The basic principle of the configuration shown in c is the same and applicable, because the force transmission of the adjustment element parts 41, 42 is carried out through the adjustment intermediate part 9 in the same way as the first embodiment. Figure 3a to Figure 3c As shown, the first and second spring elements 22 , 32 can be designed as compression springs and / or extension springs, wherein the basic principle that the spring force / reaction force is applied to the respective thermal actuator element 21 , 31 in the extension direction remains unchanged.

[0076] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the actuator principle is applied to another rotary actuator configuration, in which the rigid adjustment element 4 is replaced by a rope 10, which connects the adjustment element parts 41, 42 together and is guided through the circumference of the rotationally movable adjustment intermediate part 9. The rope 10 is guided from the first adjustment element part 41 through the adjustment intermediate part 9. The first actuator element 21 is arranged between one end of the rope 10 and the second adjustment element part 42. The operating principle is thus the same as that of the translational actuator configuration.

[0077] Figure 6 The embodiment shown shows an embodiment in which the adjusting element 4' and the locking element 5' are constructed as coaxially movable rotating disk elements 4', 5'. Accordingly, the first, second and third stop devices 51', 52', 53' are arranged on the disk-shaped adjusting element 4' and the disk-shaped locking element 5' so that they are aligned with the disk-shaped adjusting element 4' and the disk-shaped locking element 5'. Figure 1 a- Figure 1The preset adjustment positions S1 , S2 or locking positions SP1 , SP2 are defined in a similar manner to the embodiment described in c.

[0078] In this case, in particular, linear actuator elements 21", 31" can act in order to apply a torque to the adjustment element 4' or the locking element 5'. The actuator elements 21", 31" can also partially move along the circumference of the respective disk element and drive or rotate the disk element when contracting or extending. The respective reaction force can be applied by a respective tension spring at the end of the respective actuator element 21", 31" or as a torsion spring arranged in the disk element. As an alternative to a spring, the reaction force can also be applied to the respective actuator element by a mass exerted by gravity.

[0079] When the adjusting element 4' and the locking element 5' are rotated relative to each other, they are coupled by the first stop device 51' so that when the two actuator elements 21", 31" are deactivated, the locking element 5' holds the adjusting element 4' in the first adjustment position S1, and when the second actuator element 31" is activated, the locking element 5' releases the rotation of the adjusting element 4', causing it to move to the second adjustment position S2 in the opposite direction to the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22". When the second actuator element 31" is activated, the locking element 5' moves in the first rotational direction D1, so that due to the elimination of the stop of the first stop device 51' and through the action of the first elastic force F1 of the first spring element 22", it also drives the adjusting element 4' in the first rotational direction D1.

[0080] The spring elements 22 ″, 32 ″ as well as the actuator elements 21 ″, 31 ″ can be designed as torsion spring elements or torsion actuator elements and can be arranged in the securing element 5 ′ or the adjusting element 4 ′.

[0081] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, Figure 1 a- Figure 1 Combination of the actuator configuration of c with a bistable element 71. The bistable element, also called a snap element or snap spring, can be adjusted between two stable adjustment states by applying an adjustment force, in which the bistable element stays before the corresponding adjustment force is applied. Figure 7 The bistable element 71 shown can have an elastic metal foil which is firmly tensioned between two holding points 72 under bending stress. The bistable element 71 is rotatably arranged at the holding points 72 so that it can be adjusted between two bistable points. By coupling the actuator arrangement 1 at the application point 73, the bistable element 71 can be adjusted without the reset time being dependent on the cooling rate. Furthermore, no force needs to be applied to the activated state of one of the actuator elements, so that no extension of the actuator element occurs in the activated state.

[0082] Preferably, the application point 73 is arranged near the holding point 72, so that the bistable element can be adjusted with a smaller adjustment stroke. By coupling with an external device in the middle position M of the bistable element, the adjustment stroke can be extended in a simple manner.

[0083] Figure 8 Another embodiment is shown, which has, for example, Figure 4 , 5 The rotary actuator configuration shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6 and the bistable element 71 rotatably arranged between two holding points 72. By applying an adjustment torque to the bistable element 71 through one of the holding points 72 by means of the actuator configuration 1, the bistable element 71 can be adjusted to one of the bistable positions accordingly.

Claims

1. A thermal actuator arrangement for moving an adjusting element between a first adjusting position and a second adjusting position, include: - a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element, to which a first reaction force is exerted; - a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element, to which a second reaction force is applied, wherein the actuator element is designed to change its shape by a temperature change in a manner counter to the corresponding reaction force; - an adjusting element coupled to the first partial actuator so that, in the deactivated state of the first thermoactuator element, the adjusting element is held in the first adjusting position under the action of a retaining force and, when the retaining force is eliminated, the adjusting element moves into the second adjusting position due to the action of the first reaction force; - a locking element, which is coupled to the second sub-actuator so as to provide the holding force in the deactivated state of the second thermoactuator element and to reduce or eliminate the holding force in the activated state of the second thermoactuator element.

2. A thermal actuator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the thermal actuator element is constructed so that it changes its shape when heated, wherein the changing its shape comprises contraction, and upon cooling, recovers its original shape by the action of the corresponding reaction force, wherein the actuator element comprises a thermoelastic material, wherein the thermoelastic material comprises a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer or a bimetal.

3. The thermal actuator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element is movably mounted and has a defined first adjusting position and / or a defined second adjusting position, which are defined by corresponding stop means.

4. A thermal actuator configuration according to claim 3, wherein the first adjustment position is defined by a first stop device between the locking element and the adjustment element and a position-fixed stop in combination with a second stop device of the locking element, and / or the second adjustment position is defined by a position-fixed stop of a third stop device.

5. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the first reaction force is smaller than the second reaction force, and wherein a first spring element for providing a first elastic force as the first reaction force has an elastic force smaller than a second spring element for providing a second elastic force as the second reaction force.

6. A thermal actuator configuration according to claim 1, wherein the first reaction force is designed so that when the first thermal actuator element is in an inactive state, the first thermal actuator element is plastically, quasi-plastically and / or elastically deformed, so that the adjusting element enters the second adjusting position, wherein the adjusting element is moved to the second adjusting position by the first reaction force.

7. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the adjustment element is translationally movably supported, wherein the locking element is movable parallel to the adjustment element between a first locking position and a second locking position.

8. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one rotor component of the adjustment element is rotationally movably supported, wherein the locking element is rotationally supported and movable coaxially with the adjustment element between a first locking position and a second locking position.

9. The thermal actuator arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the first thermal actuator element is at least partially deflected around a circumference of the adjustment element and / or the second thermal actuator element is at least partially deflected around a circumference of the locking element.

10. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the respective reaction force is provided by at least one of the following elements: a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, a bending spring, or a mass element to which gravity is applied.

11. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the actuator elements is elongated and resilient, wherein the elongated shape comprises a wire or a rod.

12. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the actuator elements is coupled to an energy supply device for heating the corresponding actuator element by inputting electrical power.

13. A thermal actuator configuration according to claim 1, wherein a bistable element is provided, which is coupled to the adjusting element in such a way that when the adjusting element is adjusted, the bistable element switches from one bistable state to another bistable state, wherein the adjusting element is coupled to the bistable element so as to apply translational or rotational adjustment to the bistable element.

14. The thermal actuator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the regulating element is coupled to a valve actuator, a latching actuator, an unlocking actuator, a positioning actuator, a brake actuator, or a switch to implement the regulation.

15. A method of operating a thermal actuator arrangement according to claim 1, The following steps are involved: - activating the second thermoactuator element in order to move the adjusting element from the first adjusting position to the second adjusting position, - activating the first thermo-actuator element in order to move the adjusting element from the second adjusting position to the first adjusting position.

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