Actuator of automation technology

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator of automation technology, comprising a torque limiting device (40) which limits a torque transmitted from an electric motor (60) and / or a manual drive (10) of the actuator to an output of the actuator, the torque limiting being carried out by means of an intermediate element arranged between a toothing (31) and a toothing carrier (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology. Background Art

[0002] Actuators are known per se, for example from DE 10 2009 054 120 B4. They are used, for example, to actuate pipeline fittings such as valves. In many cases, valves are operated using electric motors controlled by control electronics. However, there are also applications where valves are manually actuated. In all cases, there is a risk of excessive force or torque being applied to move the valve to its end position. For example, manual actuation provides poor control over the applied force. When operated by an electric motor, excessive torque can be generated under certain operating conditions or if the torque-off function malfunctions. This poses a risk of damage to the fitting. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator that can achieve safe operation of a valve.

[0004] This object is achieved by an actuator according to independent claim 1 .

[0005] The actuator of the automation technology according to the present invention comprises:

[0006] Manual drive with manual drive shaft and / or electric motor with motor drive shaft;

[0007] an output device having an output shaft, wherein the output device is configured to adjust and / or actuate the valve;

[0008] The transmission of torque from the manual drive shaft and / or motor drive shaft to the output shaft is completed by the gear transmission mechanism of the actuator.

[0009] The gear transmission mechanism includes a plurality of teeth, such as gears or worms, and a tooth carrier associated with the teeth, such as a gear shaft or a gear spindle.

[0010] The actuator has a torque limiting device, which is used to limit the upper limit of the torque that can be transmitted by the manual drive shaft and / or the motor drive shaft.

[0011] Wherein, the torque limiting device comprises:

[0012] at least one assembly comprising a tooth and its associated tooth carrier, wherein at least one locking and limiting connection is respectively provided between the tooth and the associated tooth carrier,

[0013] Wherein, the locking and limiting connection is realized by force locking,

[0014] In which, when the torque limit is reached, the locking connection is released,

[0015] wherein at least one locking limit connection is matched to an upper limit of the torque to be transmitted,

[0016] wherein in at least one of the at least one components, the force connection between the toothing and the toothing carrier is achieved by at least one intermediate element,

[0017] Each intermediate element is in contact with the tooth and the tooth carrier and is annular.

[0018] wherein the toothing has a longitudinal axis and a through-hole extending along the longitudinal axis, the through-hole defining an inner circumferential surface of the toothing, wherein the inner circumferential surface surrounds an associated toothing carrier,

[0019] wherein, in at least one assembly, the inner circumferential surface of the tooth is spaced apart from the outer surface of the associated tooth carrier,

[0020] wherein at least one annular intermediate element is disposed between the outer surface and the inner circumferential surface and contacts the inner circumferential surface and the outer surface respectively;

[0021] The limiting connection is realized between the intermediate element and the inner circumferential surface or between the intermediate element and the outer surface.

[0022] For example, the adaptation of the locking and limiting connection can be implemented by suitable selection of material parameters (such as the coefficient of static friction).

[0023] Intermediate elements have the advantage that they are available economically, for example as standard parts.

[0024] This prevents the forces and torques transmitted to the valve from damaging it. This is particularly advantageous for small and / or fragile valves, such as when using flange types F07, F05, or F03. For example, for rotary and pivot actuators with small flange sizes according to ISO 5210 08 / 2017 or ISO 5211 08 / 2017, the maximum output torque values ​​of the actuator are sometimes significantly less than 40 N·m. Therefore, using a manual actuator carries the risk of exceeding these values ​​and damaging the valve.

[0025] For example, adjusting a valve may include closing or opening a valve or slide, or moving it to an intermediate position.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one component has multiple intermediate elements.

[0027] For example, by selecting the number of intermediate elements used, an upper limit to the torque that can be transmitted by the manual drive shaft and / or the motor drive shaft can be defined.

[0028] In one embodiment, at least two assemblies are provided, each assembly having a different tooth carrier.

[0029] In this way, a redundant upper torque limit setting can be achieved. For example, if the locking limit connection in one component fails due to rust, the other component can ensure the upper torque limit.

[0030] In one embodiment, at least one of the at least one components is arranged on a manual drive shaft and / or a motor drive shaft, which serves as a tooth carrier.

[0031] In one embodiment, the matching of the force-locking limit connection can be set by adjusting the product of the contact pressure, the contact area and the static friction coefficient between the contact materials.

[0032] The coefficient of static friction can also be adjusted or influenced by lubricants such as grease or oil.

[0033] In one embodiment, the manual drive shaft has a connection for a manual operating element, wherein the manual operating element is, for example, a handwheel or a wrench.

[0034] In one embodiment, the actuator has a housing, wherein the drive shaft, the output shaft and the gear transmission are at least partially arranged in the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention is described below using exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Figure 1 An exemplary actuator according to the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 Exploded view of the components shown in ;

[0038] Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplary assembly according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1An exemplary actuator 1 according to the present invention is schematically illustrated. The actuator 1 includes a manual actuator 10 having a manual drive shaft 11, an output device 20 having an output shaft 21, and a gear transmission 30 configured to transmit torque from the manual drive shaft to the output shaft via teeth 31. To operate the manual actuator, a manual operating element 12 can be connected via a connection to the manual actuator, such as a handwheel or a wrench. As shown, the actuator can replace or additionally include an electric motor 60 with a motor drive shaft 61, which is connected to the output device via the gear transmission 30 or directly connected to the output device to drive the output device. Typically, a housing 50 is provided, in which the drive shaft, output shaft, and gear transmission are each at least partially disposed. The teeth can be, for example, gears 32 or worm gears. The tooth carrier can be, as shown, a gear shaft 34.01 or a gear spindle. Electronic operating circuitry 70 is configured to operate the motor 70.

[0040] According to the present invention, a torque limiting device 40 is provided, which is configured to limit the torque transmitted from the manual actuator 10 and / or the electric motor 60 via the motor drive shaft 61 to the output device. This protects fragile or sensitive valves from excessive torque or the forces generated by such torque. This is particularly advantageous for small and / or fragile valves, such as when using flange types F07, F05, or F03. For example, for rotary and pivot actuators with small flange sizes according to ISO 5210 08 / 2017 or ISO 5211 08 / 2017, the maximum output torque of the actuator is sometimes significantly less than 40 N·m. Therefore, when using manual or electric drive, there is a risk of exceeding these values ​​and thus damaging the valve. The electric motor and motor drive shaft 61 can be arranged offset relative to the illustrated cutting plane.

[0041] As shown in this figure and Figure 2 As shown in the exemplary exploded view of FIG, the torque limiting device according to the invention comprises an assembly 41 comprising a toothing 31 (here, for example, a gear wheel 32) and an associated tooth carrier 34, wherein at least one force-locking limiting connection 42, here, for example, two force-locking limiting connections 42, are respectively arranged between the toothing and the associated tooth carrier. The torque limitation is achieved by the fact that the two contact surfaces of the limiting connection begin to slide against each other when a maximum static friction force is exceeded. As shown in the figure, in order to establish the force-locking connection, at least one annular intermediate element 43, here, for example, two intermediate elements 43 are arranged, which are located between the toothing and the tooth carrier in a press-fit manner.

[0042] Figure 3An exemplary longitudinal section through an assembly 41 of a torque limiting device 40 according to the invention is shown, wherein, as shown in this figure, three intermediate elements 43 are arranged between a tooth carrier 34 and a tooth 31, said intermediate elements participating in forming a stop connection 42. The tooth 31 (here, for example, a gear wheel 32) has a longitudinal axis 31.1 and a through-hole 31.2 extending along the longitudinal axis, which defines an inner circumferential surface 31.3 of the tooth, wherein said inner circumferential surface surrounds an associated tooth carrier 34 having an outer surface 34.1.

[0043] The inner circumferential surface 31.3 of the tooth is spaced apart from the outer surface 34.1 of the associated tooth carrier 34, with at least one annular intermediate element 43 being arranged between and in contact with the inner circumferential surface and the outer surface. At least one stop connection 42 is established between the intermediate element and the inner circumferential surface or between the intermediate element and the outer surface.

[0044] The upper torque limit can be set by selecting the maximum static friction force of at least one non-positive locking connection. For example, when using intermediate elements, the upper torque limit can be set by the number of intermediate elements. Multiple intermediate elements, placed between a tooth element and its associated tooth carrier, act in parallel. As the number of intermediate elements increases, the maximum static friction force between the tooth element and the tooth carrier increases, thereby increasing the upper torque limit. By using standard components as intermediate elements, the torque limit can be adjusted cost-effectively and with minimal effort.

[0045] Figures 1 to 3 The features shown can be combined.

[0046] Reference Signs List

[0047] 1 actuator

[0048] 10 Manual Drive

[0049] 11 Manual drive shaft

[0050] 12 manual operating elements

[0051] 20 output devices

[0052] 21 output shaft

[0053] 30 gear transmission mechanism

[0054] 31 teeth

[0055] 31.1 Longitudinal axis

[0056] 31.2 through hole

[0057] 31.3 Inner circumferential surface

[0058] 32 gears

[0059] 34 tooth carrier

[0060] 34.01 gear shaft

[0061] 34.1 External surface

[0062] 40 Torque limiting device

[0063] 41 components

[0064] 42 Locking limit connection

[0065] 43 Intermediate components

[0066] 44 forming elements

[0067] 45 encircled area

[0068] 50 shell

[0069] 60 electric motor

[0070] 61 Motor drive shaft

[0071] 70 Electronic operating circuit

Claims

1. An actuator (1) for automation technology, comprising: A manual drive (10) with a manual drive shaft (11) and / or an electric motor (60) with a motor drive shaft (61); an output device (20) having an output shaft (21), wherein the output device is provided for regulating and / or actuating a valve; The transmission of torque or force from the manual drive shaft and / or the motor drive shaft to the output shaft is completed by the gear transmission mechanism (30) of the actuator. The gear transmission mechanism comprises a plurality of teeth (31), such as gears (32) or worms, and a tooth carrier (34) associated with the teeth, such as a gear shaft (34.01) or a gear spindle. The actuator has a torque limiting device (40), which is used to limit the upper limit of the torque that can be transmitted by the manual drive shaft and / or the motor drive shaft. Wherein, the torque limiting device (40) comprises: At least one component (41), comprising a tooth (31) and its associated tooth carrier (34), wherein at least one locking and limiting connection (42) is provided between the tooth and the associated tooth carrier, Wherein, the locking and limiting connection is realized by force locking, In which, when the torque limit is reached, the locking connection is released, wherein at least one locking limit connection is matched to an upper limit of the torque to be transmitted, It is characterized in that In at least one component (41) of the at least one component, a force connection between the toothing (31) and the toothing carrier (34) is achieved by at least one intermediate element (43), Each intermediate element is in contact with the tooth and the tooth carrier and is annular. The tooth (31) has a longitudinal axis (31.1) and a through hole (31.2) extending along the longitudinal axis, the through hole defining an inner circumferential surface (31.3) of the tooth, wherein the inner circumferential surface surrounds an associated tooth carrier (34), wherein, in at least one component (41), the inner circumferential surface (31.3) of the tooth is spaced apart from the outer surface (34.1) of the associated tooth carrier (34), wherein at least one annular intermediate element (43) is disposed between the outer surface and the inner circumferential surface and contacts the inner circumferential surface and the outer surface respectively; The limiting connection (42) is realized between the intermediate element and the inner circumferential surface or between the intermediate element and the outer surface.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein: At least one component (41) has a plurality of intermediate elements (43).

3. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least two components (41) are each provided with a different tooth carrier (34).

4. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one component (41) of the at least one component is arranged on a manual drive shaft (11), which serves as a tooth carrier (34).

5. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The matching of the force-locking limiting connection (42) is set by adjusting the product of the contact pressure, the contact area and the static friction coefficient between the contact materials.

6. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The manual drive shaft (11) has a connection for a manual operating element (12), wherein the manual operating element is, for example, a hand wheel or a wrench.

7. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuator has a housing (50), wherein the drive shaft (11), the output shaft (21) and the gear transmission (30) are at least partially arranged in the housing.

8. An actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The actuator includes an electronic operating circuit (70) configured to operate the electric motor.

Images