Electromagnetic actuator and system

Abstract

The invention provides an electromagnetic actuator and a system. The electromagnetic actuator comprises a main body part, a driving part and a capacitor formed by a first electrode and a second electrode which are oppositely arranged, a movable part is arranged on the main body part, and the movable part is configured to move relative to the main body part in a magnetic field; the driving part is configured to be fixed relative to the position of the main body part; at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is connected with the movable part, so that the first electrode and the second electrode move relative to the other one along with the movable part; the driving part is used for measuring the capacitance value of the capacitor so as to obtain the motion amount of the movable part based on the capacitance value. According to the scheme, the driving component does not need to move along with the movable component, so that a structure for supporting the driving component to move does not need to be additionally arranged, and the load of the electromagnetic actuator is reduced; and the position of the driving part relative to the main body part is fixed, so that wiring can be simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments of the present application relate to the field of electromagnetic drive technology, and more specifically, to an electromagnetic actuator and system. Background Art

[0002] An electromagnetic actuator is a device that uses the electromagnetic force exerted on a conductive coil in a magnetic field to perform precise displacement movements. It can be used in portable devices, image sensing equipment, optoelectronic system components, communication system components, medical system components, etc.

[0003] Commonly used electromagnetic actuators use Hall feedback, which include a conductive coil and a feedback device. The conductive coil can move in a magnetic field, and the feedback device can follow the movement of the conductive coil to feedback the displacement of the conductive coil. However, since the feedback device must be movable, the wiring of the feedback device is complicated, and additional components are required to support the movement of the feedback device, resulting in an increase in the load of the electromagnetic actuator.

[0004] Therefore, how to simplify the wiring and reduce the load of the electromagnetic actuator has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present application, the present invention provides an electromagnetic actuator and a system to simplify wiring and reduce the load of the electromagnetic actuator.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present application, an exemplary electromagnetic actuator is disclosed, comprising a main body component, a driving component, and a capacitor formed by a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other; a movable component is arranged on the main body component, and the movable component is configured to be movable relative to the main body component in a magnetic field; the driving component is configured to be fixed in position relative to the main body component; at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is connected to the movable component so that it follows the movable component and moves relative to the other one; the driving component is used to measure the capacitance of the capacitor to obtain the movement amount of the movable component based on the capacitance.

[0007] In the above scheme, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode can follow the movement of the movable component, thereby causing the capacitance value formed between the first electrode and the second electrode to change. The driving component can obtain the movement amount of the movable component accordingly by measuring the capacitance value, thereby making it unnecessary for the driving component to follow the movement of the movable component. Therefore, there is no need to additionally set up a structure for supporting the movement of the driving component, thereby reducing the load of the electromagnetic actuator; and since the position of the driving component relative to the main component is fixed, the wiring can also be simplified.

[0008] The second aspect of the present application further discloses an electromagnetic actuation system, comprising a plurality of electromagnetic actuators according to the first aspect, wherein movable components in the plurality of electromagnetic actuators are interconnected so that the plurality of movable components move together.

[0009] The above scheme arranges the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode can follow the movement of the movable component, thereby causing the capacitance value formed between the first electrode and the second electrode to change. The driving component can obtain the movement amount of the movable component accordingly by measuring the capacitance value, thereby making it unnecessary for the driving component to follow the movement of the movable component. Therefore, there is no need to additionally set up a structure for supporting the movement of the driving component, thereby reducing the load of the electromagnetic actuation system; and since the position of the driving component relative to the main component is fixed, the wiring can also be simplified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and implementation methods, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application;

[0012] Figure 2 is a side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application;

[0013] Figure 3 is a top view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application;

[0014] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the movable parts of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuation system of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the technical solution of the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0016] Some embodiments of the present application disclose an electromagnetic actuator, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 ; Figure 1 is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application; Figure 2 is a side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application; Figure 3It is a top view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuator of the present application; specifically, the electromagnetic actuator includes a main body component, a driving component 3 and a capacitor formed by a first electrode 8 and a second electrode 9 arranged opposite to each other; a movable component is arranged on the main body component, and the movable component is configured to be movable relative to the main body component in a magnetic field; the driving component 3 is configured to be fixed in position relative to the main body component; at least one of the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 is connected to the movable component so that it follows the movable component and moves relative to the other one; the driving component 3 is used to measure the capacitance of the capacitor to obtain the movement amount of the movable component based on the capacitance.

[0017] In the above scheme, the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 are arranged, and at least one of the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 can follow the movement of the movable component, thereby changing the capacitance value formed between the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9. The driving component 3 can obtain the movement amount of the movable component accordingly by measuring the capacitance value, so that the driving component 3 does not need to follow the movement of the movable component. Therefore, there is no need to additionally set up a structure for supporting the movement of the driving component 3, thereby reducing the load of the electromagnetic actuator; and since the position of the driving component 3 relative to the main component is fixed, the wiring can also be simplified.

[0018] It should be noted that the positions of the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 in the figure are only for illustrative purposes, and the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 may also be swapped. Therefore, the relative positions of the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 in the figure do not constitute a limitation on the present application.

[0019] In some embodiments, the movable component may include a conductor 2 and a movable unit 1; specifically, the conductor 2 may be a coil, a guide rail, etc., and the shape of the conductor 2 is not limited in this application. The conductor 2 may not be energized when it does not need to move, so it will not move spontaneously; when the conductor 2 needs to move, a current in a certain direction will be passed through it so that it moves under force in the magnetic field; the conductor 2 may be fixedly connected to the movable unit 1, and may be fixed by, for example, welding, bonding, etc., which is also not limited in this application; therefore, when the conductor 2 moves in the magnetic field, it can drive the movable unit 1 to move together, and the movable unit 1 may be a flexible printed circuit board; when a flexible printed circuit board is used as the movable unit 1, it is relatively easy to make electrodes thereon, and the weight can be reduced, thereby further reducing the load of the electromagnetic actuator.

[0020] In some embodiments, the driving component 3 can also be connected to the movable component to supply power to the movable component so that the movable component moves relative to the main body component in the magnetic field. Specifically, the driving component 3 can be connected to the coil in the movable component to provide the coil with a current in a certain direction so that the coil moves in a certain direction relative to the main body in the magnetic field, thereby driving the entire movable component to move.

[0021] In some embodiments, a metal reinforcement plate may be attached to the movable unit 1 to increase its structural strength.

[0022] In some embodiments, there can be two conductors 2 in the movable component, which can be passed with currents in different directions so that they move in different directions in the magnetic field, thereby driving the movable unit 1 connected thereto to move in different directions respectively; when the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 are respectively connected to the movable unit 1, the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 will move with the movable component, and when the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 move relative to each other, the overlapping area between the two will change, and then the capacitance formed by the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 will also change accordingly. The driving component 3 can obtain the movement amount of the movable component by sensing the change in capacitance, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the movement of the movable component.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 are plate-shaped electrodes. The distance between the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 can be adjusted by adding a metal plate to the first electrode 8 or the second electrode 9; in some embodiments, when the position of one of the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 relative to the main body is fixed, the metal plate can be added to the fixed electrode, thereby simplifying the process of adding the metal plate and not increasing the load of the electromagnetic actuator.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 may be parallelograms, such as rectangles, squares, etc., so that the change in capacitance is linearly related to the change in displacement of the electrodes.

[0025] In some embodiments, the projection of the second electrode 9 on the first electrode 8 is configured to be not less than the first threshold value and not greater than the second threshold value. In other words, the first electrode 8 and the second electrode 9 will not completely overlap, nor will they not completely overlap, so it is easy to maintain a linear relationship between the capacitance value and the displacement.

[0026] In some embodiments, the size of the first electrode 8 in the non-movement direction is greater than the size of the second electrode 9 in the non-movement direction. Figure 3, taking the Y direction as the moving direction of the electrode (or called the direction of force) and the X direction as the non-moving direction of the electrode (or called the length direction) as an example, the non-moving direction means that the electrode has no displacement in this direction, and the electrode moves in the Y direction as the movable part is subjected to force in the magnetic field, so the capacitance value will change with the movement of the electrode in the Y direction. In order to reduce the influence of the small displacement of the electrode in the X direction on the capacitance value, the length of the first electrode 8 in the X direction is greater than the length of the second electrode 9 in the X direction. Therefore, the mutual movement of the electrodes in the X direction will not change the overlapping area of ​​the electrodes, and will not affect the capacitance value. Therefore, the capacitance value of the capacitor only changes when the first electrode 8 and / or the second electrode 9 moves in the moving direction. Of course, the size of the second electrode 9 in the non-moving direction can also be greater than the size of the first electrode 8 in the non-moving direction, and this application does not limit this.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first electrode 8 or the second electrode 9 is connected to the movable part; the connection of the second electrode 9 to the movable part is taken as an example to illustrate the principle of the electromagnetic actuator in some embodiments of the present application. In this embodiment, the second electrode 9 is configured to follow the movement of the movable part, while the first electrode 8 is fixed relative to the position of the main part. The main part may include a fixing unit 7, and the first electrode 8 may be fixed to the fixing unit 7 by bonding, welding, etc. to achieve the effect of fixing its position relative to the main part; of course, the main part may not be provided with a fixing unit 7, and the first electrode 8 may be arranged separately, as long as its position with the main part is fixed, and this application does not limit it.

[0028] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 , the driving component 3 may also be connected to the fixing unit 7. Of course, in other embodiments, the main body component may not be provided with the fixing unit 7, and the driving component 3 may also be provided separately.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fixing unit 7 may be a printed circuit board, specifically, the printed circuit board may be a plastic printed circuit board or a ceramic printed circuit board, etc. When a printed circuit board is used as the fixing unit 7, the process of making the first electrode 8 on the fixing unit 7 can be simplified.

[0030] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2, the main body also includes a first magnetic conductive plate 6, a second magnetic conductive plate 5, and a plurality of magnets 4. The number of magnets 4 can be specifically 2, and the number of magnets 4 is not limited in this application. This application uses two permanent magnets 4 for illustrative purposes. Magnets 4 are used to generate a magnetic field, and the magnetic fields of the two magnets 4 are in opposite directions. The two magnets 4 can be fixed on the first magnetic conductive plate 6, so that a closed-loop magnetic path is formed between the first magnetic conductive plate 6, the magnets 4, and the second magnetic conductive plate 5 to form a stable magnetic field. When the coil is placed in the magnetic field between the first magnetic conductive plate 6 and the second magnetic conductive plate 5 and energized, the coil can move.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second magnetic conductive plate 5 can be fixed on the fixing unit 7 by bonding, welding, etc.

[0032] Some embodiments of the present application also disclose an electromagnetic actuation system, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the movable parts of an embodiment of the electromagnetic actuation system of the present application; specifically, the electromagnetic actuation system includes a plurality of the above-mentioned electromagnetic actuators, and the movable parts in the plurality of electromagnetic actuators are connected to each other so that the plurality of movable parts move together. In other words, the plurality of movable parts can only move in a certain direction as a whole at the same time.

[0033] The above scheme arranges the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode can follow the movement of the movable component, thereby causing the capacitance value formed between the first electrode and the second electrode to change. The driving component can obtain the movement amount of the movable component accordingly by measuring the capacitance value, thereby making it unnecessary for the driving component to follow the movement of the movable component. Therefore, there is no need to additionally set up a structure for supporting the movement of the driving component, thereby reducing the load of the electromagnetic actuation system; and since the position of the driving component relative to the main component is fixed, the wiring can also be simplified.

[0034] It should be noted that the number of electromagnetic actuators in the electromagnetic actuation system can be set as needed, for example, it can be set to 2, 3, 4, 6, etc. In addition, the movable parts of multiple electromagnetic actuators can be connected to each other by bonding, welding, etc. Increasing the number of electromagnetic actuators can optimize the motion direction, motion torque, etc. supported by the electromagnetic actuation system. This application takes an electromagnetic actuation system with 4 electromagnetic actuators as an example for explanation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the movable parts of multiple electromagnetic actuators can be controlled by the same driving component. For example, multiple channels of the same driving component can generate multiple currents with different parameters to control the movable parts of multiple electromagnetic actuators and detect the capacitance of multiple electromagnetic actuators; the same current can be generated by the same channel of the same driving component to control the movable parts of multiple electromagnetic actuators. Of course, control and detection can also be performed by different driving components, which is not limited in this application.

[0036] In some embodiments, the movable parts of the plurality of electromagnetic actuators are arranged in pairs, and the two opposite movable parts are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner. The directions of the forces received by the two opposite movable parts in the magnetic field are arranged to be parallel to each other. Figure 4 In the arrangement of (a), the movable part can move in two directions, namely, in the A direction and the B direction. Figure 4 (b) and Figure 4 The arrangement in (c) can realize movement in the A direction, the B direction, and rotational movement around the point O. The specific implementation method will be described below.

[0037] It should be noted that the “centrosymmetric arrangement” mentioned in the present application includes an axisymmetric arrangement with an axis parallel to the length direction X of the electromagnetic actuator as the axis of symmetry (e.g. Figure 4 (a) movable parts 1 and 3, movable parts 2 and 4, and Figure 4 (b) The movable parts 1 and 3) also include a central symmetric arrangement with a point on an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the electromagnetic actuator as the central symmetry point (for example Figure 4 (b) movable parts 2 and 4, and Figure 4 (c) movable parts 1 and 3, movable parts 2 and 4).

[0038] exist Figure 4 In (a), the four electromagnetic actuators are arranged axially symmetrically, and the same current is passed through the two opposite movable parts. For example, the two opposite movable parts can be connected to the same current channel of the driving part so that the directions of the forces they receive are the same. Specifically, movable parts 1 and 3 are connected to the same current channel of the driving part and can move in direction A. Movable parts 2 and 4 are connected to the same current channel of the driving part and can move in direction B.

[0039] The above scheme can realize the movement of the movable component in two directions through the two channels of the driving component, and the movements of the driving component in the two directions are independent of each other, which can achieve the effect of saving current channels and simplifying algorithms.

[0040] exist Figure 4In (b), movable parts 2 and 4 are arranged symmetrically around the center of point O but not axially symmetrically, and movable parts 1 and 3 are arranged axially symmetrically in direction B. The same current channel of the driving part to which movable parts 1 and 3 are connected can make them subject to the same force direction, so that the movable parts as a whole move in direction A. Movable parts 2 and 4 can be subjected to forces in the same direction, so that the movable parts as a whole can move in direction B. Movable parts 2 and 4 can also be subjected to forces in different directions, for example, movable part 2 is subjected to a force in a direction parallel to direction B toward movable part 4, while movable part 4 is subjected to a force in a direction parallel to direction B toward movable part 2. Since the connecting line between the centers of movable parts 2 and 4 is not parallel to the direction of the force, the combined force they are subjected to will cause the movable parts as a whole to rotate around point O.

[0041] The above solution can not only save the number of channels, but also increase the movement directions, making the movable parts more flexible.

[0042] exist Figure 4 In (c), movable parts 2 and 4, and movable parts 1 and 3 are arranged symmetrically around point O rather than axially. Movable parts 1 and 3 can be subjected to forces in the same direction, so that the movable parts as a whole move in direction A. Movable parts 1 and 3 can be subjected to forces in opposite directions, so that the movable parts as a whole rotate around point O. Movable parts 2 and 4 can be subjected to forces in the same direction, so that the movable parts as a whole move in direction B. Movable parts 2 and 4 can be subjected to forces in opposite directions, so that the movable parts as a whole rotate around point O. By subjecting movable parts 1 and 3, and movable parts 2 and 4 to opposite forces at the same time, the torque of rotation around point O can be made larger.

[0043] In some embodiments, the capacitors corresponding to the multiple electromagnetic drivers can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity, or the capacitors corresponding to the multiple electromagnetic drivers can be independently connected to the driving component, and the respective capacitance values ​​can be detected and averaged to improve the detection accuracy.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In (a), the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 1 and 3 can be connected in parallel with each other or independently connected to the driving part to detect the displacement in the A direction; the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 2 and 4 can be connected in parallel with each other or independently connected to the driving part to detect the displacement in the B direction.

[0045] exist Figure 4In (b), the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 1 and 3 can be connected in parallel or independently connected to the driving part to detect the displacement in the A direction; the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 2 and 4 are independently connected to the driving part, and when the movable parts 2 and 4 move in the B direction, the average capacitance is taken to detect the displacement in the B direction. When the movable parts 2 and 4 rotate around the point O, the capacitance difference is taken to detect the displacement rotating around the point O.

[0046] exist Figure 4 In (c), the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 1 and 3 are independently connected to the driving part. When the movable parts 1 and 3 move in the A direction, the average capacitance is taken to detect the displacement in the A direction. When the movable parts 1 and 3 rotate around the point O, the capacitance difference is taken to detect the displacement of the rotation around the point O; the capacitors (not shown) corresponding to the movable parts 2 and 4 are independently connected to the driving part, and when the movable parts 2 and 4 move in the B direction, the average capacitance is taken to detect the displacement in the B direction. When the movable parts 2 and 4 rotate around the point O, the capacitance difference is taken to detect the displacement of the rotation around the point O. In addition, after the displacement of the rotation around the point O is calculated using the capacitors corresponding to the movable parts 1 and 3, and the displacement of the rotation around the point O is calculated using the capacitors corresponding to the movable parts 2 and 4, the average of the two displacement data can be taken to achieve the effect of improving the accuracy of rotation displacement detection.

[0047] It is easy for a person skilled in the art to know that many modifications and changes can be made to the device and method while maintaining the teaching content of the present application. Therefore, the above disclosure should be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic actuator, characterized in that: include: A main body component, wherein a movable component is disposed on the main body component, and the movable component is configured to move relative to the main body component in a magnetic field; A drive component configured to be fixed in position relative to the main body component; A capacitor is formed by a first electrode and a second electrode that are arranged opposite to each other, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is connected to the movable component so that it follows the movable component and moves relative to the other one; the driving component is used to measure the capacitance of the capacitor to obtain the movement amount of the movable component based on the capacitance.

2. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size of the first electrode in the non-movement direction is greater than the size of the second electrode in the non-movement direction, so that the capacitance value of the capacitor changes only when the first electrode and / or the second electrode moves in the movement direction.

3. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body component includes a fixing unit, the first electrode is fixedly connected to the fixing unit, and the second electrode is connected to the movable component so that the second electrode moves relative to the first electrode.

4. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body part includes a fixing unit, and the driving part is connected to the fixing unit.

5. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode and the second electrode are parallelograms.

6. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection of the second electrode on the first electrode is configured to be no less than a first threshold and no greater than a second threshold.

7. The electromagnetic actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving part is connected to the movable part and supplies power to the movable part so as to move the movable part relative to the main body part in the magnetic field.

8. An electromagnetic actuation system, characterized in that: include: A plurality of electromagnetic actuators according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein movable components in the plurality of electromagnetic actuators are connected to each other so that the plurality of movable components move together.

9. The electromagnetic actuation system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The plurality of movable components are arranged in pairs relative to each other, and two opposite movable components are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

10. The electromagnetic actuation system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The plurality of movable members are configured to be connected to the same driving member.

11. The electromagnetic actuation system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The driving component has different current channels, wherein different current channels output different current parameters; When the two relative movable components are configured to be arranged axially symmetrically, the two movable components are connected to the same current channel of the driving component; when the two relative movable components are configured to be arranged axially symmetrically, the two movable components are connected to different current channels of the driving component.

12. The electromagnetic actuation system according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the movable parts of the two relative electromagnetic actuators are configured to be arranged in a non-axisymmetric central symmetric manner, the corresponding capacitors are configured to be independently connected to the driving parts of the electromagnetic actuators to obtain the capacitance values ​​of the capacitors respectively; When the movable parts of the two opposing electromagnetic actuators are arranged axially symmetrically, the corresponding capacitors are configured to be connected in parallel with each other or independently connected to the driving parts of the electromagnetic actuators.

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