Actuator device and vehicle structural assembly having such an actuator device

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator device (10) for fastening to a unit (22), comprising: an electromagnetic actuator (12) having at least one electric coil (14) and an armature (16) which is mounted in the interior of the coil (14) so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the armature (16) can be moved from a first position into a second position by means of energization of the electrical coil (14); a controller (18) for controlling the electromagnetic actuator (12); and a fastening means (20) for fastening the electromagnetic actuator (12) to the unit (22), wherein the controller (18) is arranged on the fastening means (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle structural assembly comprising at least such an actuator device (10) and a unit (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator device for fastening to an assembly having the features of claim 1 and to a vehicle assembly having the features of claim 10 . Background Art

[0002] Electromagnetic actuators can be used to control different functions. Such actuators are known, for example, from EP 1 844 378 B1.

[0003] Electromagnetic actuators usually have an electromagnet, which is connected to a control unit. The control unit can represent the power supply for the electromagnet coil. The control unit is usually arranged close to the electromagnet, because this ensures a short connection from the electromagnet to the control unit and allows a compact design.

[0004] In order to achieve the greatest possible actuating force of the actuator, the highest possible actuating current or a correspondingly high voltage must be provided, which causes heating of the controller and the electromagnet.

[0005] The disadvantage here is that the controller and the electromagnet heat each other and may exceed a reliable maximum temperature. In order not to exceed the maximum temperature, the electromagnet is operated with a smaller control current or with a smaller voltage, which leads to a smaller control force of the actuator and thus power loss. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the present invention, an actuator device for fixing to a machine unit is proposed. The actuator device includes an electromagnetic actuator, which has at least one electric coil (electromagnet) and an armature supported inside the coil in a manner that can be moved (axially) between a first position and a second position. The armature can be designed at least partially magnetically or ferromagnetically. The armature can be moved between a first position and a second position, in particular from a first position to a second position, by energizing the electric coil, in particular due to magnetic interaction between the energized coil and the armature.

[0007] The actuator arrangement comprises a controller for controlling the electromagnetic actuator and in particular for energizing the electrical coil (or electromagnet).The controller can be configured as an "electronic control unit" (ECU) or as an "electronic control module" (ECM).

[0008] The actuator device has a fastening device for fastening the electromagnetic actuator to the unit, wherein the controller is arranged (directly or indirectly) on the fastening device.

[0009] The machine unit can be designed as a motor or a transmission. The machine unit represents a heat sink for the actuator in particular. In other words, the heat of the actuator device can be dissipated to the machine unit or dissipated by the machine unit. As a result, the heat generated by the controller can flow to the machine unit via the fixing device. In this case, in particular, the heat generated by the controller is prevented from flowing out in the direction of the coil of the actuator and heating it or vice versa. In other words, the heat transfer between the coil and the controller is prevented or at least reduced to a minimum.

[0010] The actuator can be designed as a (pure) electromagnet, an electromagnetically actuated slide valve or an electromagnetically actuated central valve. The control unit, the coil and / or the actuator can each be encapsulated, in particular plastic encapsulated. The control unit can have at least three connections for connection to a vehicle assembly and at least two connections for connection to the actuator.

[0011] According to a further development, the fixing means can be designed as a spring clamp, in particular a metal spring clamp. The spring clamp can have sections with different (sheet metal) thicknesses and / or different materials. Thus, the fixing means can be realized with simple measures.

[0012] According to a further development, the spring clamp can have at least one spring arm, in particular two spring arms, for contacting the actuator. The spring clamp can contact the actuator only by means of one spring arm or a plurality of spring arms. In particular, the spring clamp does not contact the actuator outside the spring arm. One spring arm or a plurality of spring arms can be constructed as a separate component and welded or riveted to the spring clamp. As an alternative, the spring clamp can be integrally formed as a whole. The spring clamp can be punched or cut from a sheet material, for example by means of a laser, and / or have its shape by modification. One spring arm or a plurality of spring arms can have a different (sheet material) thickness than the rest of the spring clamp and / or be made of another material. Thus, for example, a thin-walled, high-strength sheet material (better spring properties) can be used for one or more spring arms, and a thicker sheet material can be used for the rest of the spring clamp, which ensures better heat conduction.

[0013] According to a further development, the fixing means can have a contact surface and in particular only contact the actuator with the contact surface. The contact surface can be formed continuously or can be formed from a single, a plurality of, in particular two, sub-surfaces. The contact surface can be smaller than 10 mm. 2 The contact surface can be located on one or more spring arms. The fixing device can be in contact with the actuator at the end facing away from the unit (axial end), in particular at points. In particular, the fixing device is in contact with the actuator only on the contact surface. In particular, the fixing device is not in contact with the actuator outside the contact surface. The relatively small contact surface can ensure that the heat transfer between the fixing device and the actuator is reduced to a minimum as far as possible.

[0014] According to a further development, the fixing device and the controller can be constructed as a structural assembly. The controller can be pre-assembled on the fixing device. The fixing device can be connected to the controller by means of an adhesive connection, a screw connection and / or a riveted connection, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-locking manner. As a result, the handling of the controller and the fixing device (which are constructed as a structural assembly or in one piece) can be simplified.

[0015] According to a further development, the control (or the assembly consisting of the control and the fixing means) can be connected to the actuator (mechanically and / or electrically) by means of a releasable connection, in particular by means of a latching connection, a clamping connection and / or a plug connection. In particular, the control is in contact with the actuator only via the releasable connection. In other words, the control preferably does not contact the actuator outside the releasable connection. As a result, the heat transfer between the control and the actuator can be reduced to a minimum.

[0016] According to a further development, an air gap and / or a thermally insulating medium can be arranged between the controller and the coil, thereby preventing heat transfer from the controller to the coil or from the coil to the controller or at least further reducing it.

[0017] According to a further development, the fixing device can have at least one screw strap (or screw hook), in particular two screw straps (or screw hooks), for fixing to the unit by means of at least one screw, in particular two screws. As a result, the fixing device (and thus the controller) and the actuator can be easily and reliably fixed to the unit. In particular, the (axial) end of the actuator facing the unit and / or a screw strap (or multiple screw straps) are in gap-free contact with the unit. As a result, the heat transfer from the actuator to the unit and / or the heat transfer from the fixing device (and thus the controller) to the unit can be maximized.

[0018] According to an improved solution, the controller can have a side facing the coil with a contact surface. The controller can be in contact with the fixing means, in particular without gaps, by means of the contact surface. The contact surface can represent (form) the largest part of the side of the controller facing the coil, in particular the entire side facing the coil. As a result, the heat transfer from the controller to the fixing means can be maximized. In other words, the heat generated by the controller can be dissipated via the fixing means (in the direction of the unit).

[0019] According to the invention, a vehicle assembly is provided, which comprises at least one unit and at least one actuator device according to the above explanation. The actuator device can be fastened, in particular screwed, to the unit.

[0020] With regard to the advantages that can be achieved thereby, reference is made to the related explanations regarding the actuator device. The measures described in conjunction with the actuator device and / or explained below can be used to further design the vehicle assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a view of the end side of the actuator device;

[0023] Figure 2 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 A side view of an actuator device;

[0024] Figure 3 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 Actuator devices and units; and

[0025] Figure 4 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an actuator device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 and 2 A front view and a side view of the actuator device 10 are shown, wherein the two views are oriented orthogonally to one another.

[0027] The actuator device 10 has an electromagnetic actuator 12. The actuator 12 includes an electric coil 14 and an armature 16 supported inside the coil 14 in a manner movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the armature 16 can be moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the electric coil 14 (see Figure 4 ).

[0028] The actuator device 10 has a controller 18 for controlling the actuator 12 and energizing the electric coil 14. The actuator device 10 also has a fixing mechanism 20 for fixing the actuator 12 on a unit 22 (see Figure 3 ).

[0029] The fixing means 20 is designed in the form of a metal spring clamp 24. The spring clamp 24 has two spring arms 26 (see Figure 1 and 2 The spring clamp 24 has a contact surface 28, with which the spring clamp 24 contacts the actuator 12. Here, the contact surface 28 on the two spring arms 26 is formed in the form of two spatially separated partial areas (one partial area for each spring arm 26).

[0030] The control unit 18 is connected to the actuator 12 by means of a detachable connection 30. The control unit 18 has a side 38 facing the coil 14 and having a contact surface 40. The control unit 18 is arranged on the spring clamp 24 and contacts the spring clamp 24 without play by means of the contact surface 40.

[0031] An air gap 32 is arranged between the spring clamp 24 (and thus the control unit 18) and the actuator 12 (and thus the coil 14). The spring clamp 24 has two screw straps 34, which are used to be fixed to the unit 22 by means of screws 36 (see Figure 1 and 3 ).

[0032] Figure 3 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 The actuator device 10 and the unit 22 are screwed together. The actuator device 10 is screwed onto the unit 22 by means of two screws 36. Here, the spring arms 26 of the spring clamp 24 press the actuator 12 onto the unit 22, so that the actuator 12 rests on the unit 22 with its end facing the unit 22 or with its end side facing the unit 22 without gap (or contacts the unit 22 without gap). The unit 22 is Figure 3 The unit 22 represents a heat sink for the actuator device 10. Figure 3 A plurality of heat transfer paths are shown in FIG. 1 with the aid of arrows.

[0033] The heat generated by the controller 18 is dissipated to the spring clamp 24 via the contact surface 40. Then, the heat flows into the unit 22 via the spring clamp 24 and the tightening strap 34 of the spring clamp 24. This heat transfer path is Figure 3 It is outlined with the help of arrows.

[0034] The heat generated by the coil 14 of the actuator 12 is directly dissipated to the unit 22 (via the interface between the actuator 12 and the unit 22). Figure 3 It is outlined with the help of arrows.

[0035] As can be seen from the heat transfer paths outlined by means of arrows, heat transfer between the controller 18 and the actuator 12 (or the coil 14 of the actuator 12 ) is prevented or at least reduced.

[0036] Figure 4 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 sectional view of an actuator device 10. The actuator 12 has a hydraulic region 42 and an electromagnetic region 44. The hydraulic region 42 of the actuator 12 comprises a valve housing 46 in which a valve piston 48 is movably supported. The valve piston 48 is moved in the direction of the electromagnetic region 44 of the actuator 12 (at Figure 4 to the right) is prestressed.

[0037] The hydraulic region 42 and the electromagnetic region 44 of the actuator 12 are sealed by means of two O-rings 54 .

[0038] The electromagnetic region 44 of the actuator 12 comprises a coil 14 which is embedded in a coil body 56 and is arranged within a magnet housing 58. The magnet housing 58 is cylindrical in design and has a flux disk 60 with a magnetic core 62 at its first axial end (facing the hydraulic region 42). The magnet housing 58 has a magnetic disk 64 at its second axial end, which is opposite to the first axial end.

[0039] In the electromagnetic region 44 of the actuator 12, a pole tube 66 is arranged, which is arranged inside the coil 14, the magnetic disk 64 and the flux disk 60. The magnetic core 62 is arranged inside the pole tube 66. In addition, the armature 16 is movably mounted in the pole tube 66. A bearing film 68 is arranged between the armature 16 and the pole tube 66. The armature 16 is connected to the (prestressed) valve piston 48 of the hydraulic region 42 of the actuator 12 by means of an actuating pin 70.

[0040] The return spring 50 pushes the valve piston 48 in Figure 4 Thus, the armature 16 is also pressed to the right by the operating pin 70. Figure 4 The armature 16 is pressed to the right in the middle (the first position of the armature 16). If the coil 14 is now energized, the armature 16 is pressed to the right in the middle due to the magnetic interaction. Figure 4 The armature 16 is moved to the left (overcoming the elastic force of the return spring 50) (the second position of the armature 16). If the energization of the coil 14 is interrupted (deactivated), the force that moves the armature to the second position stops due to the magnetic interaction, so that the armature 16 is moved to the first position again with the help of the return spring 50.

[0041] The actuator 12 has a plurality of first contact pins 72 and the controller 18 has a plurality of second contact pins 74. The first contact pins 72 and the second contact pins 74 are each electrically connected to one another at a releasable connection 30 of the actuator device 10. The controller 18 has a circuit board 76 on which a plurality of electronic components 78 and the second contact pins 74 are arranged. The controller 18 has a plurality of third contact pins 80 which are arranged on the circuit board 76 and project into a plug connector 82.

[0042] The battery voltage and control signal (bus signal) can be transmitted to the controller 18 through the plug connector 82 and the third contact pin 80. The voltage (or regulating current) for energizing the coil 14 can be output to the actuator 12 through the second contact pin 74 and the first contact pin 72.

Claims

1. An actuator device (10) for fixing to a machine unit (22), comprising: - an electromagnetic actuator (12) comprising at least one electric coil (14) and an armature (16) supported inside the coil (14) so ​​as to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the armature (16) can be moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the electric coil (14); - a controller (18) for controlling the electromagnetic actuator (12), in particular for energizing the electrical coil (14); and A fixing mechanism (20) for fixing the electromagnetic actuator (12) on the unit (22), wherein the controller (18) is arranged on the fixing mechanism (20).

2. The actuator device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The fastening means (20) is designed as a spring clamp (24), in particular a metal one.

3. The actuator device according to claim 2, characterized in that The spring clamp (24) has at least one spring arm (26), in particular two spring arms (26), for contacting the actuator (12).

4. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing device (20) has a contact surface (28) and in particular contacts the actuator (12) only with the contact surface (28), wherein the contact surface (28) is smaller than 10 mm. 2 .

5. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing mechanism (20) and the controller (18) are constructed as a structural assembly.

6. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control unit (18) is connected to the actuator (12) by means of a detachable connection (30), in particular by means of a latching connection, a clamping connection and / or a plug connection.

7. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An air gap (32) and / or a thermal insulation medium is arranged between the controller (18) and the coil (14).

8. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fastening device (20) has at least one screw strap (34), in particular two screw straps (34), for fastening to the unit (22) by means of at least one screw (36), in particular two screws (36).

9. Actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The controller (18) has a side (38) with a contact surface (40) facing the coil (14), wherein the controller (18) is in contact with the fixing device (20) preferably without gaps by means of the contact surface (40), in particular wherein the contact surface (40) forms / represents the largest part of the side (38) of the controller (18) facing the coil (14), in particular the entire side (38) facing the coil (14).

10. A vehicle structural assembly comprising at least one unit (22) and at least one actuator device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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