Electromagnetically operable switch device and method for switching a switch device

Abstract

An electromagnetically operable switching device (10) of a form-fitting clutch has a coil assembly (12) comprising at least three stator coils (14, 16, 18) arranged side-by-side in an axial direction (A) and energized separately from each other, each stator coil having a magnetizable armature (32, 34, 36) associated with it. All armatures (32, 34, 36) are fixedly connected to a switch sleeve (20) axially displaceable on a shaft (22), and the switch sleeve (20) can occupy at least one on and one off position. The armatures (32, 34, 36) can be axially displaced between the on and off positions by selectively energizing the stator coils (14, 16, 18). In order to switch the switching device (10), when the switch sleeve (20) is in the open or closed position, one of the stator coils (14, 16, 18) is energized as the starting stator coil, causing the switch sleeve (20) to move along the switching direction (R1, R2). After the switch sleeve (20) has passed the preset switching step distance, the other stator coil (14, 16, 18) is energized, and the starting stator coil is de-energized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetically operable switching device for a form-fitting clutch, such as a form-fitting clutch component for engaging and disengaging a vehicle, and to a method for switching the switching device. Background Technology

[0002] In electromagnetically operable switching devices, such as actuator systems in vehicle clutches, the achievable switching travel typically constitutes a technical limitation. Switching travel greater than approximately 4 millimeters generally excludes the use of such switching devices because the magnetic force required to move the coil of the armature decreases as the switching travel increases. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a reliable and safe switching device that can achieve a large switching stroke.

[0004] The objective is achieved by an electromagnetically operable switching device of a form-fitting clutch, the switching device comprising a coil assembly including at least three axially arranged, side-by-side, and separately energized stator coils, each associated with its own magnetizable armature. All armatures are fixedly connected to a switch sleeve capable of axial displacement along a shaft, and the switch sleeve can occupy at least one on and one off position, wherein the armatures can be axially displaced between the on and off positions by selectively energizing the stator coils.

[0005] When a direct current is applied to the stator coil, the associated armatures are magnetically attracted and thus axially displaced. Since the armatures are fixedly fastened to the switch sleeve, the switch sleeve, together with the armatures, moves axially to the desired position.

[0006] Performing switching movements by three or more stator coils allows for a significantly longer switching path in a simpler manner compared to a switching device with only two stator coils, one coil for each switching direction.

[0007] Another advantage of the switchgear is its space-saving structure in the radial direction.

[0008] The simplest possible variation of this switching device includes exactly three stator coils and three associated armatures. However, when needed, the switching path can be extended by using more stator coils, such as four to ten stator coils, with one armature associated with each stator coil.

[0009] By energizing the stator coils in an appropriate manner, this switching device can selectively occupy more positions than just the open and closed positions. Therefore, it is also possible to easily achieve one or more stable intermediate positions between the open and closed positions of the switch sleeve.

[0010] One possible application of this switching device is in the clutch of a vehicle, where the clutch is used to engage and disengage a form-fitting clutch assembly, such as in a transmission.

[0011] Therefore, the switch sleeve typically has a toothed or claw-like geometry at at least one end, which engages in a known, anti-rotational manner with a corresponding mating structure on the escape wheel or clutch body in the engaged position. It is feasible to design the switching device such that the switching process occurs axially only to one or both sides. In a second case, the switch sleeve has corresponding toothed or claw-like geometries at both ends.

[0012] The armature can be a ring made of a magnetizable material that is closed around the circumference of the switch sleeve. The ring typically has no energized windings.

[0013] Typically, when the armature is in the engaged position, the stator coils exert maximum attraction force on the armature. The axial end of the armature in this engaged position is located in the region of maximum magnetic field gradient, usually at the axial end of the associated stator coil. If the midplane of the armature is axially displaced relative to the midplane of the stator coil beyond the engaged position, the attraction force decreases. When the midplane of the armature approaches the midplane of the stator coil, the attraction force decreases again. Therefore, the attraction force can be adjusted by the position of the corresponding armature relative to the associated, separately energized stator coils.

[0014] If the stator coil is energized and the associated armature is in the attracted position, the attracting force acts on the armature, causing the armature to move out of the space surrounded by the coil at its attracted end.

[0015] Therefore, by positioning the armature relative to the associated energized stator coil such that the armature is in the desired switching direction's pull-in position, the switch sleeve can be moved along the desired switching direction. Thus, at the start of the switching movement and for each subsequent switching step, one of the armatures should always be positioned in the pull-in position with maximum pull-in force in the corresponding switching direction. Then, for each corresponding switching step, the associated stator coil is energized.

[0016] To achieve this geometrically, the armature and stator coils can be arranged axially offset from each other, such that each stator coil forms a switch sleeve on a sub-path between the on and off positions, i.e., an actuator with a defined switching step length.

[0017] In this way, with at least three stator coils in total, the axial relative position of each armature to its associated stator coil is different. This makes it simple to displace an additional armature to the desired pull-in position in the switching direction with each switching step.

[0018] In the case of more than three stator coils, multiple armatures can, if necessary, have the same relative position with respect to their stator coils.

[0019] For example, the armatures are arranged with a shorter axial spacing than the stator coils. Here, the spacing between adjacent armatures can be the same, just as the spacing between adjacent stator coils can be the same; however, the spacing between the mid-planes of adjacent armatures is usually shorter than the spacing between the mid-planes of adjacent stator coils.

[0020] However, the spacing between armatures and between stator coils should always be selected such that, during the switching process, after one switching step, the armature of the next stator coil to be energized is in an engaged position adapted to the next switching step.

[0021] To simplify manufacturing, all stator coils and all armatures can be constructed identically.

[0022] Of course, those skilled in the art can appropriately select the axial length of the space surrounded by the stator coils, the axial length of the armature, the axial spacing of the armatures, and the axial spacing of the stator coils, respectively, in order to implement the described principle geometrically.

[0023] Generally, each energization of the stator coil corresponds to a switching step. For example, a switching device is configured such that with each switching step, the switching sleeve moves a sub-path of the switching path further, bringing one of the armatures into the engaged position relative to the just-selected switching direction. The stator coil belonging to that armature is then energized, causing the switching sleeve to move further by one switching step. If there are three or more stator coils, the sequentially energized stator coils are not necessarily required to be parallel to each other.

[0024] To initiate a switching movement, for example, a starting stator coil can be defined, with its associated armature positioned in the pull-in position for the corresponding switching direction. The stator coil associated with this armature is first energized to begin the switching process. Then, as the switching process progresses to the next switching step, another armature reaches its pull-in position, and the stator coil associated with this armature can be energized to execute the next switching step and continue the switching process.

[0025] Here, the switching direction describes the expected direction of displacement of the switch sleeve, i.e., from the off position to the on position, or from one on position to another, and vice versa.

[0026] By adding additional stator coils and associated armatures, the switching step can be easily extended for possible switching paths.

[0027] With the help of a switching device having three stator coils and three associated armatures, two different variations of the switching process can usually be achieved.

[0028] In the first variant, the switch sleeve is displaceable between an open position and an on position, and the entire switching path is available as a switching path in a single switching direction. In this case, starting from the open position, the switch sleeve is first displaced by energizing the starting stator coil, and then displaced by one switching step by energizing the subsequent stator coil in the switching direction.

[0029] For example, the geometry can be chosen such that at the start of the switching process, the armature associated with the stator coil is in an engaged position in one switching direction; and at the end of the switching process, the armature is positioned in an engaged position in the opposite switching direction. Therefore, the switching device is ready to switch in each end position in a switching direction opposite to the previous switching direction.

[0030] In the second variation, the switch sleeve is movable between two on positions, each having an off position (neutral position) in between. In this case, all possible switching paths are distributed across two switching directions. Here, the forward stator coil in each switching direction acts as the actuating stator coil to move the switch sleeve into the corresponding on position; and the intermediate stator coil is used to move the switch sleeve back to the neutral position. In the neutral position, the armature of the intermediate stator coil is symmetrically aligned with the midplane of the stator coil.

[0031] For example, each armature has a protrusion pointing to its respective stator coil in the region of its axial end, and in the open and closed positions of the switch sleeve, one of the protrusions is in the space surrounded by the stator coil, for example, in the closed position at the edge of the surrounded space.

[0032] For example, the protrusions are circumferential and form a radial thickening of the armature. This design results in a stronger attraction force exerted on the armature by the stator coils. A simple and feasible approach in this arrangement is to position one of the armature protrusions in the engaged position, for example, at the beginning and end of the switching process.

[0033] In other words, the protrusions can be arranged axially offset relative to the stator coils, such that the protrusions are positioned side by side in the space surrounded by the stator coils they are associated with as the switch sleeve moves between the open and closed positions.

[0034] In principle, during the switching process, one of the protrusions should always be in the engaged position relative to the first energized starting stator coil, in which the starting stator coil generates the maximum axial engaging force in the armature. This also applies to each subsequent switching step with respect to the stator coil energized at that switching step.

[0035] For example, to achieve a defined movement of the armature along the corresponding switching direction, the distance between the two protrusions of the armature can be greater than the axial dimension of the space enclosed by the associated stator coil. Therefore, to axially displace the armature along the two switching directions, one of the protrusions can be placed in the engaged position in a simple manner.

[0036] A feasible approach is to design the coil assembly such that at least two stator coils are energized with a time offset during switching. This allows for a simple transfer of switching motion from one stator coil to another, where the attraction force first acts on the armature of the first energized stator coil, and then on the associated armature of the subsequently energized stator coil. These two energized stator coils can be directly adjacent.

[0037] It is possible to energize the stator coils so that the first energized stator coil is simultaneously cut off from the subsequent energized stator coil. However, it is also feasible to provide a transition region for switch movement, in which both stator coils are energized simultaneously, which produces a more uniform switch movement.

[0038] The individual stator coils and armatures are typically magnetically insulated from each other. This ensures that a energized stator coil always acts on only one armature and applies the attraction force only to the armature it is associated with.

[0039] In one variant, all armatures are fixedly mounted on a non-magnetic carrier. This carrier is then fixedly connected to a switch sleeve, such that displacement of one armature causes displacement of the entire switch sleeve in the corresponding switching direction.

[0040] In one aspect, the carrier is designed such that it magnetically insulates the individual armatures from each other.

[0041] The switch sleeve is typically connected to the shaft in an anti-rotational manner via teeth that allow axial movement relative to the shaft in both switching directions.

[0042] To secure the switch sleeve in a specific position, a locking device with at least two locking positions can be provided, the locking device being designed to hold the switch sleeve in at least two of the following positions: an open position, a neutral position, and / or an on position. Other positions may also be provided, including an intermediate position between the open and on positions. In this case, an additional locking position can be correspondingly configured.

[0043] The locking device works by cutting off the energizer to the stator coil in the locked position, thus securing the switch sleeve firmly in the desired locked position. Therefore, a stable state is achieved in each end or intermediate position of the switch sleeve.

[0044] For example, the locking device includes a spring element engaged in a locking groove, where the desired locking position can be easily preset by the position of the locking groove. In a variant, the locking device is a combination of a helical spring and a ball inserted into a radial bore in the shaft, with the locking position formed by a circumferentially surrounding locking groove on the inside of the switch sleeve, where the ball engages. The attraction force on the armature is sufficient to press the ball into the radial bore, allowing the switch sleeve to slide through the locking position. However, without the attraction force, the spring force of the helical spring is sufficient to prevent undesirable displacement of the switch sleeve.

[0045] If the switching device is configured for two opposite switching positions, the locking device should have at least three locking slots corresponding to the two ON positions and the neutral position.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the coil assembly can be designed to energize at least one of the stator coils when the switch sleeve is in the open, neutral, or on position. For this purpose, a stator coil may be used, for example, whose associated armature is symmetrically aligned with the midplane of the stator coil. If the switch sleeve undergoes a small axial movement, the armature, and consequently the switch sleeve, automatically returns to its initial position, thereby holding the switch sleeve in the desired position.

[0047] The energization of one or more stator coils can also be combined with the use of a locking device.

[0048] When the switch sleeve reaches the closed position at the end of the switch movement along both switching directions, a neutral position is particularly provided. Thus, the neutral position corresponds, for example, to the open position of the switchgear in the middle of all possible switching paths.

[0049] In one variation, a resilient compensating element is mounted at the switch sleeve, acting axially on the armature. If a carrier as described above is used, the resilient compensating element can also act on the carrier, with the armature secured thereto. Tolerances of the mounted components can be compensated for via the resilient compensating element. For example, the resilient compensating element can be a suitable spring element.

[0050] A feasible approach is to provide a receiving portion at the switch sleeve that is limited on both sides by fixed stops, into which the carrier is inserted, wherein an elastic compensating element is arranged between the carrier and one of the stops.

[0051] To securely hold the switch sleeve in the ON position, the switch sleeve can have a negative angle geometry, which can also be formed at the mating structure. For example, this negative angle geometry can be formed at the switching teeth or locking teeth at the axial end of the switch sleeve.

[0052] The above objective is also achieved by the switching method of the switching device as described above. This switching method includes the following steps:

[0053] - When the switch sleeve is in the open or closed position, one of the stator coils is energized as the starting stator coil, causing the switch sleeve to displace along the switching direction.

[0054] - When the switch sleeve passes through the preset switch step distance, it energizes the other stator coil and de-energizes the starting stator coil.

[0055] In one aspect, at each end position of the switching sleeve, and if necessary, at each intermediate position, at least one armature with a protrusion, positioned forward in the intended switching direction, is in an engaged position at one of the stator coils. The stator coil associated with said armature is then able to initiate the next switching movement along said switching direction. The dimensions of the stator coils, the armatures, and the spacing between the stator coils and the armatures can all be easily arranged to satisfy the aforementioned requirements. Therefore, the switching device can be flexibly adapted to various switching conditions with different switching paths of varying lengths, and always provides reliable switching behavior.

[0056] For example, if the switching device comprises a total of three stator coils, the switching path can include two successive switching steps passing through two different stator coils. Within each switching step, a portion of the entire switching path is traversed.

[0057] In one example, when the rearward protrusion of the armature associated with the stator coil in the switching direction reaches the pull-in position in its opposite switching direction, a predetermined switching path is traversed. This places the armature simultaneously in the ideal starting position for the switching process in the opposite switching direction. Here, for example, the forward armature in the switching direction moves along the switching direction past the pull-in position to a neutral position, in which the armature is symmetrically aligned with the midplane of its associated stator coil. The armature can then be used to hold the switch sleeve in place.

[0058] It is feasible to simultaneously energize both stator coils involved in the switching process if the armature is in the transition region, where the armature of the stator coil that initiated the switching process has already left its engaged position and the armature of the other stator coil has not yet reached its engaged position. Therefore, a particularly smooth movement of the switching sleeve can be achieved.

[0059] If the switching device has more than three stator coils, the following will occur: the switching path will be longer than the axial dimension of the armature. In this case, it is feasible to transition the armature association from one stator coil to an adjacent stator coil along the path of the switching device.

[0060] The switching device can be simply configured to be open in the normal state (normally open) and closed in the normal state (normally closed), in which the armature is positioned in a position corresponding to the stator coil. Attached Figure Description

[0061] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the drawings:

[0062] - Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a switching device according to the invention for performing the switching method according to the invention is shown; and

[0063] - Figure 2 and Figure 3 The switching method according to the invention is shown during Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the switching equipment in the open and closed positions. Detailed Implementation

[0064] For clarity, not all identical parts are always labeled with reference numerals.

[0065] Figure 1 An electromagnetically operable switching device 10 is shown, which is used, for example, in a form-fitting clutch (not shown). This clutch can be used to engage and disengage form-fitting components, such as those in a vehicle transmission.

[0066] The switching device 10 includes a coil assembly 12 having at least three stator coils 14, 16, and 18 arranged side-by-side with each other along an axial direction A. The stator coils 14, 16, and 18 surround a switch sleeve 20 along a circumferential direction U, and the switch sleeve in turn surrounds a shaft 22.

[0067] The switch sleeve 20 and the shaft 22 are connected by meshing teeth 24 and 26, so that the switch sleeve 20 is anti-rotationally coupled to the shaft 22, but can be displaced in two directions along the axial direction A on the shaft 22.

[0068] Stator coils 14, 16, and 18 are housed in a common support 28 of coil assembly 12, which is secured in a suitable manner, while shaft 22 and switch sleeve 20 can rotate together within a space radially surrounded by stator coils 14, 16, and 18.

[0069] Each stator coil 14, 16, 18 is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the coil assembly 12 via its own power supply 30, allowing each stator coil 14, 16, 18 to be individually powered with DC current. It is also possible to simultaneously power multiple stator coils 14, 16, 18.

[0070] Armatures 32, 34, and 36 are arranged radially within stator coils 14, 16, and 18, respectively, wherein the axially closest armatures 32, 34, and 36 are associated with each stator coil 14, 16, and 18.

[0071] Here, armatures 32, 34, and 36 are closed loops made of magnetizable metal, which surround the switch sleeve 20. Each armature 32, 34, and 36 has radially outwardly pointing circumferentially around its two axial ends, with protrusions 38 and 40 pointing towards the stator coils 14, 16, and 18, respectively. Protrusions 38 and 40 are made of the same material as the remaining armatures 32, 34, and 36.

[0072] Here, the carrier 42 is radially arranged between the outer side of the switch sleeve 20 and the inner side of the armatures 32, 34, and 36, and the carrier is axially fixed and anti-rotationally connected to the switch sleeve 20. Therefore, the axial movement of the armatures 32, 34, and 36 is directly transmitted to the switch sleeve 20 via the carrier 42, so that the armatures 32, 34, and 36, the carrier 42, and the switch sleeve 20 always move together along the axial direction A and along the same path.

[0073] The carrier 42 is made of a non-magnetizable material.

[0074] The carrier 42 is axially held in a fixed position at the switch sleeve 20 by two stops 44 and 46. In this example, the stop 44 is integrally formed with the switch sleeve 20, while the stop 46 is formed, for example, by a retaining ring inserted into an annular groove in the switch sleeve 20. The first axial end of the carrier 42 rests against the stop 44 without clearance, while a resilient compensating element 50 is arranged between the second axial end of the carrier 42 and the second stop 46. The resilient compensating element 50 is, for example, a spring element that holds the carrier 42 without clearance relative to the switch sleeve 20 and compensates for axial tolerances between the carrier 42 and the stop 46.

[0075] The switch sleeve 20 has a toothed or claw-like geometry 52 at its left end in the figure, which engages in a known manner with resistance to rotation in the closed position with a corresponding mating structure at another component not shown.

[0076] If the switching device 10 is designed to be in the ON position in its two switching directions R1, R2, then a suitable toothed or claw-shaped geometry (not shown here) is formed at the opposite ends of the switch sleeve 20.

[0077] Magnetic insulators 54 are arranged between stator coils 14, 16, and 18, respectively, so that the magnetic fields of each stator coil 14, 16, and 18 are separated from each other in the axial direction A. The three armatures 32, 34, and 36 are magnetically separated from each other by the radial protrusions 56 of the carrier 42. Therefore, in practice, the corresponding stator coils 14, 16, and 18 act only on the nearest radially and axially located armatures 32, 34, and 36, respectively.

[0078] Here, a locking device 58 is arranged between the shaft 22 and the switch sleeve 20, which holds the switch sleeve 20 in a preset locked position. The locking device 58 is composed of a helical spring 60 and a ball 62, which are inserted into a radial bore 64 in the shaft 22. A plurality of circumferential locking grooves 66 are formed on the radially inner side of the switch sleeve 20, into which the ball 62 can engage. Each locking groove 66 defines an axial locked position of the switch sleeve 20.

[0079] The three stator coils 14, 16, and 18 are respectively spaced at the same axial distance d from each other. S Arrangement (see) Figure 2 ).

[0080] The three armatures 32, 34, and 36 are also here with the same axial spacing d between them. A Arrangement.

[0081] The distance between the two protrusions 38 and 40 is greater than the axial dimension of the space enclosed by the respective associated stator coils 14, 16, and 18.

[0082] Spacing d A Slightly smaller than the spacing d S This makes the mid-plane M of each armature 32, 34, 36 A Relative to the intermediate plane M of the respective associated stator coils 14, 16, and 18 S They have different axial offsets. This can also be achieved in... Figure 2 and Figure 3 It was identified in [the context]. Figure 2 In the diagram, the rightmost armature 36 and the rightmost stator coil 18 are shown as follows: The middle plane M... A M S They coincide, and the armature 36 is radially centered below the stator coil 18.

[0083] In principle, each stator coil 14, 16, 18 can be used as a driver so that the switch sleeve 20 can move at least a portion of the total switching path of the switching device, for example, through the switching step ΔS.

[0084] When one of the stator coils 14, 16, 18 is energized, the attraction force F acting on the armatures 32, 34, 36 generally depends on the relative axial position between the respective armatures 32, 34, 36 and their associated stator coils 14, 16, 18.

[0085] If the center of gravity of stator coils 14, 16, and 18 is relative to the mid-plane M of the stator coils S Axial displacement means that armatures 32, 34, and 36 only move when their respective stator coils 14, 16, and 18 are energized. In the case of toroidal armatures 32, 34, and 36, the center of gravity is located at the mid-plane M of armatures 32, 34, and 36. A Inside.

[0086] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The possible positions of armatures 32, 34, and 36 relative to stator coils 14, 16, and 18 are shown.

[0087] exist Figure 2 In the middle, because the intermediate armature 34 is located at the position of maximum force transmission (referred to here as the attraction position P), A Therefore, only the intermediate armature is subjected to a sufficient attracting force F. Typically, at the attracting position P... A In this configuration, the corresponding protrusions 38 and 40 of the armatures 32, 34, and 36 are located at the edge of the space enclosed by the associated stator coils 14, 16, and 18. Figure 2In the middle, the protrusion 38 of the armature 34 is located at the left edge of the space surrounded by the stator coil 16, where the magnetic field gradient of the magnetic field generated by the stator coil 16 is large. Therefore, in Figure 2 A force F directed to the left along the switch direction R1 acts on the armature 34.

[0088] There is absolutely no attraction force acting on it. Figure 2 On the right-hand armature 36, because the armature is in the middle relative to the stator coil 18, that is, relative to the middle plane M of the stator coil 16. S symmetry.

[0089] Only a very small attraction force acts on Figure 2 On the left-hand armature 32, the attraction force is insufficient to move the armature 32 because the armature 32 is in an unfavorable position relative to the magnetic field of the stator coil 14.

[0090] To initiate the switching step ΔS, stator coils 14, 16, and 18 are always used, with one of the two protrusions 38 and 40 of armatures 32, 34, and 36 positioned at the pull-in position P suitable for the intended switching directions R1 and R2. A Place.

[0091] By first energizing the intermediate stator coil 16, the switching device 10 is switched from... Figure 2 The disconnection location shown is transferred to Figure 3 In the engaged position shown. Therefore, armature 34 moves, in... Figure 2 In this case, move to the left, or more precisely, move one switch step ∆S, until the armature 34 is in the middle position below the stator coil 16 (not shown).

[0092] Since the armature 34 is fixedly connected to the carrier 42 and thereby connected to the switch sleeve 20, the switch sleeve 20 also moves along the path ∆S, which in this example moves to the left.

[0093] Meanwhile, since the spring force of the helical spring 60 is less than the force that causes the switch sleeve 20 to displace, the ball 62 is pressed out of the locking groove 66 and radially pressed into the drill hole 64 by the movement of the switch sleeve 20.

[0094] By means of the switching step ∆S, the armature 32 moves to the pull-in position P relative to its associated stator coil 14. A (not shown).

[0095] Now, the stator coil 14 is energized, thereby moving the armature 32 by another switching step ∆S, which is to the left.

[0096] Here, the total switching path along the switching direction R1 is the length of two switching step distances ∆S. For example, each switching step distance ∆S has a length of a few millimeters.

[0097] The two stator coils 16 and 14 are energized sequentially in time. A feasible approach is to simultaneously de-energize stator coil 16 and simultaneously energize stator coil 14.

[0098] However, in another variant, when the armature is in the transition region Ü (see...) Figure 2 The transition region Ü is located at the end of the switching step ∆S, specifically in the position where the armature 34, which was engaged in this position, has moved away from its engaged position P. A However, armature 32 has not yet fully reached its magnetic engagement position P. A For example, the transition region is one-quarter to one-half of the switching step distance ∆S.

[0099] After passing through the switching path, the second locking groove 66 is radially positioned above the ball 62, which is pushed into the locking groove 66, thereby securing the switch sleeve 20 to prevent unwanted movement. Now, all stator coils 14, 16, and 18 can be de-energized.

[0100] However, it is also feasible to keep one or more of the stator coils 14, 16, 18 energized, in addition to or in addition to the locking device 58, so as to securely hold the switch sleeve 20 in the ON position.

[0101] Typically, the stator coils 14, 16, and 18 that are energized first are referred to as the starting stator coils. In the example shown here, the middle stator coil 16 is always the one energized first.

[0102] like Figure 3 As shown, in the ON position, after a switching stroke of two switching steps ∆S along the switching direction R1, the armature 32 is located in the middle position below the stator coil 14, while the armature 36 is in the pull-in position P on the right side of the stator coil 18. A A step distance ∆S away from the switch. The protrusion 40 of the armature 34 is relative to... Figure 3 The suction position P is located on the right side. A middle.

[0103] Therefore, in order to move the switch sleeve 20 from the ON position back to the OFF position along the switching direction R2, the intermediate stator coil 16 is first energized as the starting stator coil, thereby causing the attraction force F to act on the armature 34 along the switching direction R2, that is, to the right in this example.

[0104] As a result, armature 36 moves to the attraction position P. A middle.

[0105] Now, the stator coil 18 is energized at staggered times or simultaneously in the transition region Ü, and the armature 36 is pulled to the intermediate position.

[0106] The switch sleeve 20 now travels through a switching path of two switching steps ∆S again and is once again in a state of... Figure 2 The disconnection position is shown.

[0107] In a variant not shown, the switching device 10 is designed such that the switch sleeve 20 reaches the ON position along both switching directions R1 and R2, while the OFF position, as the neutral position, is located at the midpoint between the two ON positions.

[0108] For example, in this case, there are three locking slots 66, which are coordinated in their axial positions to two on and off positions.

[0109] In this case, the switching paths along the two switching directions R1 and R2 are each unique switching step ∆S.

[0110] Here, from the open position, the stator coils 14 and 18, each forward along the switching direction R1 and R2, act as starting stator coils, causing the switch sleeve 20 to move to the corresponding closed position, wherein the stator coils move the armatures 32 and 36 respectively. The intermediate stator coil 16 acts as a starting stator coil to move the switch sleeve 20 back from the two closed positions to the open position. The armature 34 associated with the intermediate stator coil 16 is in the open position, i.e., the neutral position, relative to the middle plane M of the stator coil 16. S Align symmetrically.

[0111] In this example, a switching device 10 is described, having exactly three stator coils 14, 16, and 18 and exactly three armatures 32, 34, and 36. However, in a further variation, additional pairs of stator coils and associated armatures can be added without problem by those skilled in the art to virtually arbitrarily extend the switching path according to the described principles. It is feasible here to energize non-directly adjacent stator coils for each subsequent switching step. In principle, each stator coil can be used as a starting stator coil. As described above, the starting stator coil can also be replaced for different switching directions.

Claims

1. A form-fitting clutch electromagnetically operable switching device (10), the switching device having a coil assembly (12) comprising at least three stator coils (14, 16, 18) arranged side-by-side in an axial direction (A) and energized separately from each other, each stator coil having a magnetizable armature (32, 34, 36) associated with the stator coil, wherein all armatures (32, 34, 36) are fixedly connected to a switch sleeve (20) axially displaceable on a shaft (22) and the switch sleeve (20) is capable of occupying at least one on position and one off position, and the armatures (32, 34, 36) can be axially displaced between the on position and the off position by selectively energizing the stator coils (14, 16, 18).

2. The switching device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the armatures (32, 34, 36) and the stator coils (14, 16, 18) are arranged axially offset from each other, such that each stator coil (14, 16, 18) forms an actuator of the switching sleeve (20) on a portion of the path between the on and off positions.

3. The switching device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the armatures (32, 34, 36) are spaced apart by a shorter axial distance (d) than the stator coils (14, 16, 18). A The arrangement, especially the spacing (d) between adjacent armatures (32, 34, 36) S The spacing (d) between adjacent stator coils (14, 16, 18) is equal to that of the other two coils. A )equal.

4. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each armature (32, 34, 36) has a protrusion (38, 40) pointing to the associated stator coil (14, 16, 18) in a region at its axial end, and in the open and closed positions of the switch sleeve (20), one of the protrusions (38, 40) is located in the space surrounded by the stator coil (14, 16, 18).

5. The switching device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the protrusions (38, 40) are arranged axially offset relative to the stator coils (14, 16, 18) such that, as the switch sleeve (20) moves between the open position and the closed position, the protrusions are sequentially positioned in the space surrounded by the stator coils (14, 16, 18) associated with the protrusions.

6. The switching device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one of the protrusions (38, 40) is always in the engaged position (P) relative to the starting stator coil that is first energized during the switching process. A In the attracted position, the stator coils (14, 16, 18) generate the maximum axial attraction force (F) in the associated armatures (32, 34, 36).

7. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the distance between the two protrusions (38, 40) of the armature (32, 34, 36) is greater than the axial dimension of the space surrounded by the associated stator coils (14, 16, 18).

8. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil assembly (12) is designed such that at least two stator coils (14, 16, 18) are always energized with a time offset during the switching process.

9. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a locking device (58) having at least two locking positions, the locking device being designed to hold the switch sleeve (20) in at least two of the following positions: an open position, a neutral position, and / or an on position.

10. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil assembly (12) is designed to energize at least one of the stator coils (14, 16, 18) when the switch sleeve (20) is in the off position, neutral position and / or on position.

11. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an elastic compensating element (50) is mounted at the switching sleeve (20), the compensating element acting on the armature (32, 34, 36) in the axial direction (A).

12. The switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching sleeve (20) has a negative angle geometry.

13. A switching method for switching a switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - When the switch sleeve (20) is in the open or closed position, one of the stator coils (14, 16, 18) is energized as the starting stator coil, causing the switch sleeve (20) to displace along the switching direction (R1, R2), and - When the switch sleeve (20) passes through the preset switch step (ΔS), it energizes another stator coil (14, 16, 18) and de-energizes the starting stator coil.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, When the armatures (32, 34, 36) are in the transition region (Ü), the starting stator coil and the other stator coil (14, 16, 18) are simultaneously energized. In the transition region, the armatures (32, 34, 36) of the starting stator coil have left their engaged position (P). A ), and the armatures (32, 34, 36) of the other stator coils (14, 16, 18) have not yet reached their pull-in position (P). A ).

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