Linear actuators, compressors, pumps and household appliances

Abstract

A linear actuator (1) is disclosed, comprising a stator (10) comprising a plurality of core elements (11, 11 a , 11 b ); a magnet member (20) spaced apart from the stator; and a yoke (30), each of the above being adapted to generate an alternating magnetic flux due to an alternating power input, which alternating magnetic flux produces a linearly reciprocating movement of the magnet member (20) relative to the stator (10). Wherein the yoke (30) is coupled to the magnet member (20). Further disclosed are a pump and a compressor (100) each comprising such a linear actuator (1), and a household appliance comprising such a pump and / or such a compressor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to linear actuators, compressors including such linear actuators, pumps including such linear actuators, and household appliances including such compressors and / or pumps. Background Technology

[0002] A linear actuator is a machine component that generates a generally reciprocating linear motion from energy, particularly electrical input supplied to it. In particular, for example, linear actuators may be included in compressors and / or pumps, just as compressors and / or pumps are integrated in household appliances.

[0003] A linear compressor comprising a piston is known from US 2020 / 0260628 A1, the piston being configured to reciprocate linearly within a cylinder to compress a refrigerant. To drive this motion, the compressor includes an inner stator and an outer stator arranged with a gap between them; and a permanent magnet connected to the piston and positioned within the gap. The mutual electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet, the inner stator, and the outer stator causes linear motion of the permanent magnet, which in turn causes linear motion of the piston connected thereto.

[0004] US 2020 / 0395836 A1 discloses a compressor with a linear motor, the linear motor including an outer stator, an inner stator, and a mover located between the outer stator and the inner stator and coupled to a piston. The outer stator includes a plurality of laminated blocks on which coils are wound. Two magnets are coupled to the inner stator. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide improved linear actuators, improved compressors, improved pumps, and improved household appliances.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the linear actuator according to claim 1, the compressor according to claim 7, the pump according to claim 8, and the household appliance according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0007] The linear actuator according to the invention includes a stator, a magnet component, and a yoke. The stator includes a plurality of core elements; for example, the plurality of core elements may include at least 12 or at least 16 core elements, and / or up to 24 or up to 20 core elements. At least one of the core elements may advantageously be a laminated iron core segment. Preferably, the stator further includes a solenoid coil which may be wound on a winding bobbin (preferably made of plastic), and / or the solenoid coil may be at least partially embedded in one or more of the core elements.

[0008] The magnetic component of the linear actuator is arranged spaced apart from the stator, and the magnetic component may include at least one permanent magnet (particularly an NdFeB magnet). Therefore, a circumferential air gap is formed between the stator and the magnetic component.

[0009] The components of the linear actuator are arranged to generate alternating magnetic flux in response to an alternating polarized electrical input. This causes the magnetic components to reciprocate linearly relative to the stator. Specifically, the magnetic circuit is thus formed at least partially by the stator, the magnetic components, and the yoke, thereby providing a path for the magnetic flux. In particular, the yoke may be at least partially made of iron.

[0010] According to the invention, the yoke is connected to the magnet component such that when the magnet component moves, the yoke moves relative to the stator.

[0011] The connection between the yoke and the magnet component avoids gaps between them. This improves the magnetic path efficiency in the magnetic circuit formed at least partially by the stator, magnet component, and yoke, resulting in improved performance of the linear actuator.

[0012] The magnet component is preferably arranged at least partially between the stator and the yoke. According to an advantageous embodiment, the surface of the magnet component facing away from the stator may be smaller than the surface of the yoke facing the stator (at least partially where the magnet component is located between the two). This allows for the generation of a particularly efficient magnetic flux.

[0013] In such an embodiment, the surface of the magnet component may face completely toward the surface of the yoke, and particularly preferably be completely abutting against and / or connected to it. For example, the stator-facing surface of the magnet component may be connected to the central region of the stator-facing surface of the yoke.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the yoke and magnet components are at least partially arranged in a space surrounded by the stator. For example, the plurality of core elements may be arranged side by side around the space, each being a segment of the wall of the space. In particular, the space may be rotationally symmetric, especially of a finite order or rotationally symmetric about any angle. With respect to the central axis of such a space, the reciprocating motion of the magnet components (and the yoke) relative to the stator may be in the axial direction.

[0015] The magnet component and / or yoke may have a ring shape. In such an embodiment, if the stator surrounds a rotationally symmetric space containing at least a portion of the yoke and magnet component (as mentioned above), the stator, ring magnet component, and ring yoke may be arranged coaxially with each other, i.e., their respective central axes may coincide. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable as a linear actuator configured to operate a compressor or pump arranged in its central space.

[0016] In particular, in embodiments where the magnet component has a ring shape, the magnet component may include multiple permanent magnet (e.g., neodymium magnet) segments assembled to form a ring. Additionally or alternatively, the magnet component may include at least one (preferably integral, advantageously neodymium) ring magnet (a ring-shaped permanent magnet); linear actuators according to such embodiments of the invention advantageously require less assembly work during manufacturing. In these embodiments, the permanent magnets and / or magnetic rings are preferably radially oriented relative to the central axis of the ring magnet component, i.e., the corresponding north pole faces radially outward and the south pole faces the central axis, or vice versa.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the linear actuator further includes a piston that can be attached to the yoke such that the yoke is fixed relative to the piston. Alternatively, the linear actuator may further include a cylinder component that is attached to the yoke such that the yoke is fixed relative to the cylinder component. Thus, in these embodiments, when the yoke reciprocates linearly relative to the stator (using a magnetic component), the piston and cylinder component thus reciprocate linearly, respectively. The moving piston and / or cylinder component can therefore be used to change the volume of the chamber in order to compress the gas contained therein or pump fluid into a desired path.

[0018] At least one of the core elements included in the stator preferably has a flat surface facing the magnet component (i.e., a surface extending along a mathematical plane). In particular, all the core elements of the stator may have such a surface. In embodiments in which the plurality of core elements are arranged side by side to collectively form at least a portion of the wall of a space surrounded by the stator (as mentioned above), the space may then be shaped into a prism (preferably a straight prism), the side surfaces of which are each formed by the flat surface of a corresponding one of such core elements.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the core elements may have a flat surface facing away from the magnet component.

[0020] Core components with such a straight shape save time and effort during manufacturing.

[0021] The compressor according to the invention includes a linear actuator according to an embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the linear actuator is configured to change the volume of the compression chamber formed by the compressor.

[0022] The pump according to the invention includes a linear actuator according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] The yoke of the linear actuator included in such a compressor or pump can be advantageously attached to the piston or cylinder component, as mentioned above.

[0024] In the former case (i.e., if the yoke is attached to the piston), the compressor or pump may preferably further include a cylinder assembly that surrounds the piston and is arranged stationary relative to the stator. Thus, in such an embodiment, the piston can move linearly within the cylinder assembly.

[0025] However, if the yoke is attached to the cylinder assembly, the compressor or pump may preferably further include a piston that is surrounded by the cylinder assembly and arranged stationary relative to the stator. Thus, in such an embodiment, the cylinder assembly can move linearly about a stationary piston disposed therein. Such an embodiment promotes a particularly compact construction of the compressor or pump.

[0026] The household appliances according to the present invention include compressors and / or pumps, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention. The household appliances may in particular be large appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, or freezers. Attached Figure Description

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. As will be understood, various elements and components are depicted only as examples and may be combined in any and / or different ways than those depicted. Reference numerals for related elements are used collectively and are not redefined for each drawing.

[0028] The following is illustrated schematically: Figure 1a An exemplary embodiment of the compressor according to the invention, shown in a first cross-sectional view; and Figure 1b Showing a second sectional view Figure 1a The central part of the compressor. Detailed Implementation

[0029] exist Figure 1a The image depicts a compressor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The compressor 100 includes a linear actuator 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a housing 2, and springs 3a and 3b that elastically support the linear actuator 1 in the housing 2.

[0030] Figure 1a The compressor 100 is shown in a cross-sectional view along the central axis X of the rotationally symmetric space surrounded by the stator 10 of the linear actuator 1. Figure 1b A cross-sectional view orthogonal to the said axis X (i.e., along such...) Figure 1a The cross section AA (indicated in the middle) shows the central part of the compressor 100.

[0031] Regarding the stator 10 fixed to the housing 2 (and therefore stationary with respect to the housing), the linear actuator 1 of the compressor 100 includes a magnet component 20 and a yoke 30 connected to the magnet component 20.

[0032] Both magnet component 20 and yoke 30 have annular shapes and are arranged in the rotationally symmetric space such that their respective central axes coincide with the axis X. Therefore, stator 10, magnet component 20, and yoke are coaxial with each other. Magnet component 20 is configured as an integral annular magnet and is arranged between yoke 30 and stator, spaced apart from the stator such that a circumferential air gap G surrounds magnet component 20 between stator 10 and magnet component 20.

[0033] Among them, the surface F of the yoke facing the stator 10 30 The surface F20 of the magnet component facing away from the stator 10 is larger than the surface F of the magnet component. 20 It faces the yoke 30 completely and is close to its central area.

[0034] The stator 10 includes a plurality of core elements 11 and a solenoid coil 12, the solenoid coil being wound on a winding bobbin 13 and at least partially embedded in the core elements 11. For example... Figure 1b For the selected core component 11 a 11 b As exemplarily indicated, in the exemplary case depicted, each core element has a flat surface S facing the magnet component 20. a S b Additionally, each core element has a flat surface F facing away from the magnet component 20. a F b Such core components 11 can be produced using particularly simple manufacturing techniques, thus reducing manufacturing time and workload.

[0035] Because the core elements 11 are arranged side by side and thus connected circumferentially around the axis X, the rotationally symmetric space surrounding the stator 10 is shaped as a right prism, which is formed by the surface S of the core elements 11 facing the magnet component 20. a S b The circumferential air gap G that appears between the stator 10 and the magnet component 20 has a non-uniform shape.

[0036] Preferably, the core element 11 is a laminated iron (not visible in the figure).

[0037] The stator, magnet component, and yoke form a magnetic circuit. Therefore, a magnetic flux is generated by an alternating power input achieved by connecting a solenoid coil to a power source and changing the direction of the current (not shown in the figure). This magnetic flux causes the magnet component 20 (to which the yoke 30 is connected) to reciprocate linearly relative to the stator 10 in a direction parallel to the aforementioned axis X. Figure 1a In the image, the movement is indicated by a double arrow.

[0038] Attached to the yoke 30 is a cylinder component 40, which thus reciprocates together with the yoke 30 and the magnet component 20. The cylinder component 40 contains a piston 4, which is stationary relative to the housing 2 of the compressor 100; in particular, the piston 4 may be fastened to the housing 2 or at least partially integrally formed with the housing, for example as a protrusion therein.

[0039] The volume of the compressor space C is changed by the reciprocating motion of the cylinder component 40 relative to the stator 10 and thus relative to the housing 2 with the piston 4. Consequently, the gas (not shown) that may be contained in the compressor space C can be compressed before being discharged from the compressor space C through a corresponding valve.

[0040] A linear actuator 1 is disclosed, comprising: a stator 10, which includes a plurality of core elements 11, 12... a 11 b The magnet component 20, spaced apart from the stator, and the yoke 30, are all adapted to generate an alternating magnetic flux due to an alternating electrical input, which produces a linear reciprocating motion of the magnet component 20 relative to the stator 10. The yoke 30 is connected to the magnet component 20.

[0041] Further disclosed are a pump and a compressor 100 that respectively include such a linear actuator 1, and a household appliance that includes such a pump and / or such a compressor.

[0042] Figure Labels 1. Linear actuator 2. Shell 3 Pistons Springs 4a and 4b 10 stators 11, 11 a 11 b Core components 12 Solenoid Coils 13. Winding spool 20 Magnet components 30 yoke 40 cylinder components 100 compressor C Compression Chamber G circumferential air gap S a S b The surface of the core component facing the magnet part S 20 The surface of the magnet component facing away from the stator S 30 The surface of the yoke facing the stator F a F bThe surface of the core component facing away from the magnet X-axis

Claims

1. A linear actuator (1), comprising: - Stator (10), which includes multiple core elements (11, 11) a 11 b ); - Magnet component (20), which is spaced apart from the stator; as well as - Yoke (30). The above are all suitable for generating alternating magnetic flux due to alternating electrical input, which produces linear reciprocating motion of the magnet component (20) relative to the stator (10). The yoke (30) is connected to the magnet component (20).

2. The linear actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The stator (10) surrounds the space in which the magnet component (20) and the yoke (30) are arranged at least partially.

3. The linear actuator according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising piston or cylinder components (40) respectively attached to the yoke (30).

4. The linear actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, One or more of the core elements (11, 11a, 11b) have a flat surface (S) facing the magnet component (20). a S b ) and / or having a flat surface (F) facing away from the magnet component (20). a F b ).

5. The linear actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the core elements (11, 11a, 11b) is a laminated iron core section.

6. The linear actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The magnet component (20) includes: - Multiple permanent magnet segments assembled to form a ring; or - Ring magnet.

7. A compressor (100) comprising a linear actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A pump comprising a linear actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A household appliance comprising a compressor (100) according to claim 7 and / or a pump according to claim 8.

10. The household appliance according to claim 9, wherein the household appliance is a washing machine, a drum dryer, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, or a freezer.

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