Electromagnetic thrust actuator

Abstract

An electromagnetic thrust actuator includes a coaxially sleeved annular housing and a push ring. A coil is embedded within the annular housing. An inclined third magnetic circuit gap exists between the bottom of the outer wall of the push ring and the bottom of the inner wall of the annular housing to increase the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring. The electromagnetic thrust actuator proposed in this invention optimizes the magnetic circuit mechanism between the push ring and the annular housing. The third magnetic circuit gap is formed by the inclined fit between the bottom of the outer wall of the push ring and the bottom of the inner wall of the annular housing, enabling the push ring to exert a greater axial thrust under the same electromagnetic field. This results in a higher overall power output for the electromagnetic thrust actuator, allowing it to meet high-power application scenarios while maintaining miniaturization and integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power transmission and coupling device technology, specifically to an electromagnetic thrust actuator. Background Technology

[0002] Electromagnetic thrust actuators are key components used to transmit or couple power. They typically consist of an electromagnetic assembly and a push ring. When the electromagnetic assembly is energized, it generates an electromagnetic field based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Driven by this magnetic field, the push ring is attracted, causing it to move along its own axis. The thrust of the push ring then drives an external power device or couples with a power device.

[0003] A utility model patent publication document with publication number "CN221443141U" and titled "An Electromagnetic Clutch Structure" discloses an electromagnetic clutch structure, including a shaft, a push ring sleeved on the shaft, and an electromagnetic coil sleeved on the outer ring of the push ring. The electromagnetic coil includes a coil winding and a shell covering the coil winding, with an adjusting shim superimposed at the end of the shell. A partial schematic diagram of the push ring and electromagnetic coil in the electromagnetic thrust actuator involved in this prior art electromagnetic clutch is shown below. Figure 1 As shown: A coil is embedded in the annular shell 1. The inner circle of the annular shell 1 has a pole shoe 11. There is a first magnetic circuit gap A between the bottom end of the pole shoe 11 and the top end of the push ring 2. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic field simulation under this structure. When the coil is energized, an electromagnetic field is generated. The magnetic induction lines will pass through the end of the pole shoe 11 and enter the top of the push ring 2 through the first magnetic circuit gap A, so that the push ring 2 receives axial electromagnetic force and generates axial movement to provide thrust to the external components.

[0004] The electromagnetic clutch in the aforementioned existing technical solution has only one magnetic circuit gap, resulting in a limited electromagnetic force on the push ring 2, which cannot meet the requirements of high-power applications. Under the design trend of integration and miniaturization of electromagnetic clutches, it is necessary to optimize the magnetic circuit structure of the electromagnetic actuator to increase the electromagnetic force on the push ring and improve the power of the electromagnetic thrust actuator. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an electromagnetic thrust actuator, comprising a coaxially sleeved annular housing and a push ring, with a coil embedded within the annular housing. An inclined third magnetic circuit gap exists between the bottom of the outer side wall of the push ring and the bottom of the inner side wall of the annular housing to increase the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring.

[0006] Furthermore, the bottom of the outer sidewall of the push ring has a radially extending fourth annular flange, and the bottom of the inner sidewall of the annular housing has an inwardly concave inclined surface that mates with the fourth annular flange.

[0007] Furthermore, there is a raised area between the top end of the push ring and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell. The end of the raised area forms a second magnetic circuit gap between the top end of the push ring and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell, thereby increasing the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring.

[0008] Furthermore, the end of the protruding region and the top of the push ring or the top of the inner circle of the annular shell are axially misaligned to form the second magnetic circuit gap.

[0009] Furthermore, the push ring has a first annular flange extending axially upward at its top end, and the end of the first annular flange and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell are axially misaligned.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner apex of the annular shell has a second annular flange extending axially downward, and the ends of the second annular flange and the first annular flange are axially misaligned.

[0011] Furthermore, the push ring top end also has a third annular flange extending axially upward, the inner circle of the annular shell has a pole shoe, and there is a first magnetic circuit gap between the bottom end of the pole shoe and the top end of the push ring. The first magnetic circuit gap is formed by the axial misalignment of the end of the third annular flange and the end of the pole shoe.

[0012] Furthermore, a first groove is formed between the first annular flange and the third annular flange, and a second groove is formed between the second annular flange and the pole shoe.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner wall of the first annular flange is provided with a second inclined surface, and the top of the inner circle of the annular shell is provided with a first inclined surface that mates with the second inclined surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the inner circle of the annular shell has a pole shoe, and there is a first magnetic circuit gap between the bottom end of the pole shoe and the top end of the push ring. The outer wall of the push ring is provided with a third inclined surface that is axially misaligned with the end of the pole shoe.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects: The electromagnetic thrust actuator proposed in this invention optimizes the magnetic circuit mechanism between the push ring and the annular shell. It utilizes the gap formed by the inclined fit between the bottom of the outer wall of the push ring and the bottom of the inner wall of the annular shell to form a third magnetic circuit gap, so that the push ring can have a larger axial thrust under the same electromagnetic field. The entire electromagnetic thrust actuator has greater power and can meet the high-power application scenarios under the premise of miniaturization and integration. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of an existing electromagnetic thrust actuator; Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electromagnetic thrust actuator provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3A partial schematic diagram of the electromagnetic thrust actuator provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of the electromagnetic thrust actuator provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electromagnetic thrust actuator provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of magnetic field simulation results for existing electromagnetic thrust actuators; Figure 7 Example 3: Schematic diagram of the simulation results of the magnetic field of the pusher ring in its initial state; Figure 8 Example 3: Schematic diagram of magnetic field simulation results in the push ring attraction state; Figure 9 Example 4: Schematic diagram of the initial state magnetic field simulation results; Figure 10 Example 4: Schematic diagram of magnetic field simulation results in the push ring attraction state. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] Example 1: As Figure 2 As shown.

[0019] An electromagnetic thrust actuator includes a coaxially sleeved annular housing 1 and a push ring 2. A coil is embedded inside the annular housing 1. The inner circle of the annular housing 1 has a pole piece 11, and a first magnetic circuit gap A is formed between the bottom end of the pole piece 11 and the top end of the push ring 2. In this embodiment, the annular housing 1 is an open annular component with the coil embedded inside. The pole piece 11 is a circular port that fastens to the annular housing 1. The pole piece 11 is an axially downward protruding annular component with an approximately inverted conical cross-section. The gap between the top end of the push ring 2 and the bottom end of the pole piece 11 is the first magnetic circuit gap A. An inclined third magnetic circuit gap C is formed between the bottom of the outer side wall of the push ring 2 and the bottom of the inner side wall of the annular housing 1 to increase the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring 2. Therefore, there are more magnetic circuit gaps between the push ring 2 and the top end of the inner circle of the annular housing 1, as well as between the push ring 2 and the pole piece 11. Since the first magnetic circuit gap A is located in the top region of the push ring 2, a radial force is inevitably generated on the top of the push ring 2 during the attraction process. The third magnetic circuit gap C is located in the bottom region of the push ring 2. The radial force it generates balances the radial torque of the first magnetic circuit gap A, making the top and bottom ends of the push ring 2 subject to balanced forces and making the movement more stable during the attraction process.

[0020] Specifically, the bottom of the outer wall of the push ring 2 has a radially extending fourth annular flange 27, and the bottom of the inner wall of the annular housing 1 has an inwardly concave inclined surface 18 that mates with the fourth annular flange 27. The third magnetic circuit gap C formed between the fourth annular flange 27 and the inwardly concave inclined surface 18 will also generate an axial electromagnetic thrust on the push ring 2. Furthermore, the fourth annular flange 27 and the inwardly concave inclined surface 18 can also provide axial restraint during the axial movement of the push ring 2.

[0021] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the magnetic field can generate an axial attraction electromagnetic force on the push ring 2 through the first magnetic circuit gap A, and it can also generate an axial attraction electromagnetic force on the push ring 2 through the third magnetic circuit gap C. Therefore, the push ring 2 has a greater axial thrust and higher power.

[0022] Example 2: Figure 5 As shown.

[0023] A raised region exists between the top of the push ring 2 and the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1. The end of the raised region forms a second magnetic circuit gap B between the top of the push ring 2 and the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1. Therefore, there are more magnetic circuit gaps between the top of the push ring 2, the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1, and the pole shoe 11. In this embodiment, the top of the push ring 2 has a protrusion located below the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1, and a second magnetic circuit gap B exists between the protrusion and the inner circle of the annular housing 1. It can be understood that this second magnetic circuit gap B will provide electromagnetic thrust for the push ring 2. In this embodiment, the stroke of the push ring 2 will be limited by the second magnetic circuit gap B, but its structure is simple and applicable in scenarios where the stroke requirement of the push ring 2 is not high. It should be noted that the number of raised regions is not limited to one, but can be multiple. Therefore, the second magnetic circuit gap B is not limited to a continuous gap, but can be an intermittent magnetic circuit gap.

[0024] Example 3: Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown.

[0025] Based on the above embodiment two, the second magnetic circuit gap B is further improved. The end of the protruding region and the top of the push ring 2 or the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1 are axially misaligned to form the second magnetic circuit gap B. When the push ring 2 moves axially due to electromagnetic force, the top of the push ring 2 will gradually approach the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1 and the pole shoe 11, and the second magnetic circuit gap B will gradually decrease. The axial misalignment forming the second magnetic circuit gap B will prevent the top of the push ring 2 and the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1 from interfering with or colliding, and the push ring 2 will have a longer axial stroke.

[0026] Specifically, in this embodiment, see Figure 3The push ring 2 has a first annular flange 23 extending axially upward at its top end, and the end of the first annular flange 23 is axially misaligned with the top end of the inner circle of the annular housing 1. In this embodiment, the first annular flange 23 serves as a raised area, and its end forms a second magnetic circuit gap B that is axially misaligned with the top end of the inner circle of the annular housing 1. When the push ring 2 moves axially upward under electromagnetic force, the top of the first annular flange 23 will be axially misaligned with the top end of the inner circle of the annular housing 1, and the stroke of the push ring 2 will not be affected, resulting in a greater axial thrust.

[0027] Specifically, the inner wall of the first annular flange 23 is provided with a second inclined surface 231, and the top of the inner circle of the annular shell 1 is provided with a first inclined surface 121 that is opposite to and engages with the second inclined surface 231. As the push ring 2 moves axially upward, the first inclined surface 121 and the second inclined surface 231 gradually misalign and mesh axially. During this process, the second magnetic circuit gap B gradually has a larger overlapping area, the magnetic field strength gradually increases, and the thrust of the push ring 2 also gradually increases.

[0028] In a more preferred embodiment, the outer wall of the push ring 2 is provided with a third inclined surface 232 that is axially misaligned with the end of the pole shoe 11. In this embodiment, the first magnetic circuit gap A is further optimized. Since the pole shoe 11 has an inverted conical shape, the third inclined surface 232 gradually engages with the pole shoe 11 axially misaligned as the push ring 2 moves axially upward. The first magnetic circuit gap A gradually has a larger overlapping area, and the thrust of the push ring 2 is further increased under the synergistic effect of the first magnetic circuit gap A and the second magnetic circuit gap B. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first magnetic circuit gap A, the second magnetic circuit gap B, and the third magnetic circuit gap C can all form an effective loop magnetic field. Under the synergistic effect of the three, the push ring 2 can be driven to smoothly and quickly axially attract upwards.

[0029] Example 4: Figure 4 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 As shown.

[0030] Example 4 provides a different implementation of the second magnetic circuit gap B than Example 3. In this example, there are two protruding regions: one is consistent with the example, where the push ring 2 has a first annular flange 23 extending axially upwards at its top; the other is a second annular flange 14 extending axially downwards from the top of the inner circle of the annular housing 1. The ends of the second annular flange 14 and the first annular flange 23 are axially misaligned. The gap between the ends of the first annular flange 23 and the second annular flange 14 is the second magnetic circuit gap B. Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, after the coil is energized, the magnetic field will pass through the second magnetic circuit gap B between the ends of the first annular flange 23 and the second annular flange 14, generating an axial electromagnetic attraction force on the push ring 2, causing the push ring 2 to move axially upward. During the attraction process, the first annular flange 23 and the second annular flange 14 are axially misaligned, which will not interfere with or affect the axial formation of the push ring 2; after the axial misalignment, the second magnetic circuit gap B also has a larger overlapping area, and the push ring 2 therefore has a larger axial thrust.

[0031] Based on the above embodiments two, three, and four, the design of the first magnetic circuit gap A is further optimized. The top end of the push ring 2 also has a third annular flange 25 extending axially upwards, and the first magnetic circuit gap A is formed by the axial misalignment of the end of the third annular flange 25 and the end of the pole shoe 11. See also... Figure 9 and Figure 10 Under the combined action of the first magnetic circuit gap A and the second magnetic circuit gap B, the push ring 2 will generate a greater axial thrust.

[0032] Furthermore, a first groove 26 is formed between the first annular flange 23 and the third annular flange 25, and a second groove 17 is formed between the second annular flange 14 and the pole shoe 11. During the axial movement and engagement of the push ring 2, the first annular flange 23 and the second annular flange 14 are axially misaligned, the third annular flange 25 is embedded in the second groove 17, and the second annular flange 14 is embedded in the first groove 26. This axially misaligned engagement magnetic circuit mechanism has a larger magnetic circuit gap overlap area during the engagement of the push ring 2, resulting in a larger axial thrust for the push ring 2. It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic thrust actuator, comprising a coaxially sleeved annular housing (1) and a thrust ring (2), wherein a coil is embedded within the annular housing (1), characterized in that, There is an inclined third magnetic circuit gap (C) between the bottom of the outer side wall of the push ring (2) and the bottom of the inner side wall of the annular shell (1) to increase the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring (2).

2. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The push ring (2) has a radially extending fourth annular flange (27) at the bottom of its outer side wall, and the annular shell (1) has an inwardly concave inclined surface (18) at the bottom of its inner side wall that is in opposition to the fourth annular flange (27).

3. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, There is a raised area between the top end of the push ring (2) and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell (1). The end of the raised area forms a second magnetic circuit gap (B) between the top end of the push ring (2) and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell (1) to increase the axial electromagnetic force on the push ring (2).

4. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the protruding area and the top of the push ring (2) or the top of the inner circle of the annular shell (1) are axially misaligned to form the second magnetic circuit gap (B).

5. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The push ring (2) has a first annular flange (23) extending upward in the axial direction at its top end, and the end of the first annular flange (23) and the top end of the inner circle of the annular shell (1) are axially misaligned.

6. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The inner circle of the annular shell (1) has a second annular flange (14) extending axially downward at the top end, and the ends of the second annular flange (14) and the first annular flange (23) are axially misaligned.

7. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The push ring (2) also has a third annular flange (25) extending upward in the axial direction at the top end. The inner circle of the annular shell (1) has a pole shoe (11). There is a first magnetic circuit gap (A) between the bottom end of the pole shoe (11) and the top end of the push ring (2). The first magnetic circuit gap (A) is formed by the axial misalignment of the end of the third annular flange (25) and the end of the pole shoe (11).

8. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, A first groove (26) is formed between the first annular flange (23) and the third annular flange (25), and a second groove (17) is formed between the second annular flange (14) and the pole shoe (11).

9. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The inner wall of the first annular flange (23) is provided with a second inclined surface (231), and the top of the inner circle of the annular shell (1) is provided with a first inclined surface (121) that is opposite to the second inclined surface (231).

10. The electromagnetic thrust actuator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner circle of the annular shell (1) has a pole shoe (11), and there is a first magnetic circuit gap (A) between the bottom end of the pole shoe (11) and the top end of the push ring (2). The outer side wall of the push ring (2) is provided with a third inclined surface (232) that is axially misaligned with the end of the pole shoe (11).

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