MR solenoid valve and MR damper

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of MR electromagnetic valve and MR damper.The MR damper includes MR electromagnetic valve.The MR electromagnetic valve includes electromagnetic valve shell, electromagnetic valve core, coil winding, at least one permanent magnet and end cap.The electromagnetic valve core is coaxially arranged in the electromagnetic valve shell, and the electromagnetic valve core and the electromagnetic valve shell form the flow channel that the MR electromagnetic valve is axially communicated to both ends fluid;The coil winding is wound around the outer periphery of the electromagnetic valve core;The permanent magnet is arranged in electromagnetic valve shell;The end cap is arranged in the axial both ends of the electromagnetic valve core.Through the above scheme, a kind of MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and still can provide higher damping force when power off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of damper technology. Specifically, this invention relates to an MR solenoid valve and an MR damper. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, magnetorheological fluid (MR) dampers possess rapid response capabilities and can be applied to various vibration reduction devices and structures, such as vehicle vibration dampers, building vibration dampers, and industrial vibration dampers. An MR damper comprises a working cylinder, a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve, a floating piston, a top-sealed guide rail, and a piston rod. When the MR solenoid valve is de-energized, the MR damper functions like a typical hydraulic damper, allowing the solenoid valve and piston rod to perform damping motion within the working cylinder, while the floating piston passively adjusts the pressure within the cylinder. When the solenoid valve is energized, the MR damper adjusts the damping coefficient and damping force of the magnetorheological fluid within the working cylinder according to changes in the input current.

[0003] Traditional MR dampers have relatively low power density and cannot provide high damping force when the MR solenoid valve is de-energized. Therefore, there is a need for an MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and the ability to provide high damping force even when power is off. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an MR solenoid valve and an MR damper.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an MR solenoid valve, comprising: a solenoid valve housing, a solenoid valve core, a coil winding, at least one permanent magnet, and end caps. The solenoid valve core is coaxially disposed within the solenoid valve housing, and a flow channel is formed between the solenoid valve core and the solenoid valve housing, allowing fluid communication between the two axial ends of the MR solenoid valve. The coil winding is wound around the outer periphery of the solenoid valve core. The permanent magnet is disposed within the solenoid valve housing and communicates with the flow channel. The end caps are disposed at both axial ends of the solenoid valve core. Through the above solution, an MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and the ability to provide high damping force even when power is off can be provided.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one permanent magnet is arranged in a radial direction corresponding to the coil winding.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each of the at least one permanent magnet is in the shape of a complete ring; or each of the at least one permanent magnet comprises a plurality of permanent magnet segments disposed circumferentially within the solenoid valve housing.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the coil winding includes a plurality of windings distributed in the axial direction, and the permanent magnet has a plurality of windings and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a radially corresponding manner, and the magnetic pole directions of two adjacent permanent magnets are opposite.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each of the at least one permanent magnet extends radially through the solenoid valve housing.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the axial direction, the solenoid valve housing includes a plurality of solenoid valve housing segments, the plurality of solenoid valve housing segments being made of non-magnetic material, and at least one permanent magnet being disposed between every two adjacent solenoid valve housing segments.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of solenoid valve housing sections are made of copper or stainless steel, and the plurality of solenoid valve housing sections are connected to the at least one permanent magnet by copper brazing or laser welding.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the radial inner surface of the plurality of solenoid valve housing sections is flush with the radial inner surface of the at least one permanent magnet.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner circumferential surface of the solenoid valve housing is provided with a radially outwardly recessed mounting groove, and at least one permanent magnet is disposed in the mounting groove.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide an MR damper. The MR damper includes: a cylinder, an MR solenoid valve according to any embodiment of the first aspect, and a piston rod. The MR solenoid valve is disposed within the cylinder; one axial end of the piston rod is connected to the MR solenoid valve, and the piston rod, together with the MR solenoid valve, is capable of reciprocating relative to the cylinder in the axial direction. The MR solenoid valve divides the interior of the cylinder into a second chamber between the MR solenoid valve and the bottom of the cylinder, and a first chamber facing away from the bottom of the cylinder; a flow channel connects the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0015] The MR solenoid valve of this invention includes at least one permanent magnet. When the coil winding is de-energized, the flow channel between the permanent magnet and the solenoid valve housing still possesses a certain magnetic intensity, thus enabling the MR damper to generate a high damping force. When the coil winding is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding is simultaneously aligned with the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet, increasing the overall magnetic flux of the circuit and enhancing the magnetic field strength in the flow channel. This allows the magnetorheological fluid to provide a greater damping force compared to the de-energized state, and also provides a greater damping force compared to a design without a permanent magnet in the energized state. Conversely, when the coil winding is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding is simultaneously opposite to the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet, reducing the overall magnetic flux of the circuit and weakening the magnetic field strength in the flow channel. This allows the magnetorheological fluid to provide a smaller damping force compared to the de-energized state. Through these solutions, an MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and the ability to provide high damping force even when de-energized can be obtained. In addition, the permanent magnet is placed inside the solenoid valve housing from the outer periphery, which facilitates the installation of the permanent magnet. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an MR damper according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an MR solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0019] Figure 3 A perspective view of a solenoid valve housing with a permanent magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an MR damper according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1As shown, a magnetorheological fluid (MR) damper is a device that can change its damping characteristics according to changes in the strength of an external magnetic field. It mainly includes a cylinder 1, an MR solenoid valve 2, and a piston rod 3. The MR solenoid valve 2 applies an external magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid inside the MR damper. By adjusting the strength of the external magnetic field, the damping characteristics of the MR damper are thus adjusted. MR dampers are widely used in aerospace, aviation, military, and automotive industries.

[0022] The MR solenoid valve 2 is typically located inside the cylinder 1 of the MR damper, and together with the piston rod 3 inside the cylinder 2, it can reciprocate relative to the cylinder in the axial direction. This invention provides an MR solenoid valve 2 that can provide more flexible and adjustable damping force, and can still provide a high damping force when power is off.

[0023] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an MR solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the MR solenoid valve 2 includes: a solenoid valve housing 21, a solenoid valve core 22, a coil winding 23, at least one permanent magnet 24, and an end cap 25. The solenoid valve core 22 is coaxially disposed within the solenoid valve housing 21, and a flow channel A is formed between the solenoid valve core 22 and the solenoid valve housing 21, allowing fluid communication between the two axial ends of the MR solenoid valve. The coil winding 23 is wound around the outer periphery of the solenoid valve core 22. The permanent magnet 24 is disposed within the solenoid valve housing 21 and communicates with the flow channel. The end cap 25 is disposed at both axial ends of the solenoid valve core 22. The permanent magnet 24 is directly connected to the flow channel A, making the permanent magnet 24 closer to the flow channel A, thus resulting in stronger magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet 24 at the flow channel A, thereby enabling the MR damper to generate a higher damping force.

[0024] Specifically, see Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the solenoid valve core 22 is generally cylindrical and has a central through-hole 221 extending along the axial direction. The central through-hole 221 is connected to the hollow interior of the piston rod 3. The cable 6 enters the central through-hole 221 of the solenoid valve core 22 through the interior of the piston rod 3, and one end of the cable 6 located in the central through-hole 221 is electrically connected to a terminal assembly 61 fixed in the central through-hole 221. The terminal assembly 61 is electrically connected to the coil winding 23 to energize or de-energize the coil winding 23.

[0025] By setting at least one permanent magnet 24 in the MR solenoid valve 2, when the coil winding 23 is de-energized, the flow channel A between the permanent magnet 24 and the solenoid valve housing 21 still has a certain magnetic intensity, thus enabling the MR damper 2 to generate a moderate damping force. When the coil winding 23 is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding 23 is made to be the same as the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet 24, thereby increasing the magnetic flux of the entire circuit and enhancing the magnetic field strength in the flow channel A. This allows the magnetorheological fluid to provide a greater damping force compared to the de-energized state, and also provides a greater damping force compared to the scheme without a permanent magnet in the energized state. When the coil winding 23 is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding 23 is made to be opposite to the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet 24, thereby reducing the magnetic flux of the entire circuit and weakening the magnetic field strength in the flow channel. This allows the magnetorheological fluid to provide a smaller damping force compared to the de-energized state. By adopting the MR solenoid valve 2 in the above scheme, an MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and the ability to provide high damping force even when power is off can be obtained.

[0026] In some optional embodiments, the inner circumferential surface of the solenoid valve housing 21 is provided with a radially outwardly recessed mounting groove, and at least one permanent magnet 24 is disposed in the mounting groove.

[0027] Specifically, in the radial direction, the mounting slot is opened corresponding to the coil winding 23, and the permanent magnet 24 installed in the mounting slot is also set corresponding to the coil winding 23, which is conducive to the superposition of the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet 24 and the magnetic field lines generated by the coil winding 23 after energization at the flow channel A.

[0028] In some alternative embodiments, each of at least one permanent magnet 24 extends radially through the solenoid valve housing 21.

[0029] Specifically, Figure 3 A perspective view of a solenoid valve housing 21 with a permanent magnet 24 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the permanent magnet 24 extends through the solenoid valve housing 21 in the radial direction, and the permanent magnet 24 is arranged in the radial direction corresponding to the coil winding 23, which is beneficial to the superposition of the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet 24 and the magnetic field lines generated by the energized coil winding 23 at the flow channel A.

[0030] In embodiments where the permanent magnet 24 extends through the solenoid valve housing 21, the solenoid valve housing is divided into multiple segments in the axial direction by the permanent magnet 24. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in the axial direction, the solenoid valve housing 21 includes multiple solenoid valve housing segments, which are made of non-magnetic material, and at least one permanent magnet 24 is provided between every two adjacent solenoid valve housing segments.

[0031] By having the permanent magnet 24 radially penetrate the solenoid valve housing 21 and dividing the solenoid valve housing 21 into multiple solenoid valve housing segments in the axial direction, the solenoid valve housing 21 can avoid the slotting process, simplify the processing technology of the solenoid valve housing 21, and also simplify the process of assembling the permanent magnet 24 into the solenoid valve housing 21.

[0032] Optionally, in some embodiments, multiple solenoid valve housing segments are made of copper or stainless steel, and these segments are connected to at least one permanent magnet 24 by copper brazing or laser welding. This eliminates the need for slotting in the solenoid valve housing 21 to assemble the permanent magnet 24 into the housing, simplifying the process and reducing costs.

[0033] Optionally, see Figure 2 and 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the radially inner surfaces of multiple solenoid valve housing segments are flush with the radially inner surface of the permanent magnet 24. This makes the radially outer surface of the flow channel A smoother, reducing the impact of the magnetorheological fluid on the solenoid valve housing 21 during the piston movement of the MR solenoid valve 2 within the cylinder 1.

[0034] In some alternative embodiments, each of at least one of the permanent magnets 24 is in the shape of a complete ring; or each of at least one of the permanent magnets 24 includes a plurality of permanent magnet segments disposed circumferentially within the solenoid valve housing 21.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, in the embodiment where the permanent magnet 24 is arranged to penetrate the solenoid valve housing 21 in the radial direction, the permanent magnet 24 is a complete ring and is arranged between two adjacent solenoid valve housing sections.

[0036] In other embodiments, such as those where the permanent magnet 24 is disposed in the mounting groove on the inner circumferential surface of the solenoid valve housing 21, a complete annular permanent magnet 24 may be inconvenient to assemble. Therefore, each permanent magnet 24 can be configured as being composed of multiple permanent magnet segments. Optionally, the permanent magnet 24 can be configured as a complete annular ring composed of multiple permanent magnet segments; alternatively, the permanent magnet 24 can also be configured as being composed of multiple permanent magnet segments and evenly distributed circumferentially. In this way, the permanent magnet 24 can be disassembled into multiple permanent magnet segments, making it easier to assemble or disassemble the permanent magnet 24. Of course, the permanent magnet ring 24 can also be directly formed in the mounting groove by injection molding.

[0037] In some alternative embodiments, the coil winding 23 includes a plurality of windings distributed in the axial direction, and the permanent magnets 24 are a plurality of each other, with the plurality of windings and the plurality of permanent magnets 24 arranged in a radially corresponding manner, and the magnetic poles of two adjacent permanent magnets 24 having opposite directions.

[0038] Optionally, the coil winding 23 can be configured as multiple windings wound from a single continuous conductor, or as multiple independent windings. The multiple windings are wound on a bobbin 26 formed by the radial indentation of the outer surface of the solenoid valve core 22. The coil winding 23 does not protrude radially from the outer peripheral surface of the solenoid valve core 22, facilitating the injection molding of a molding layer 27 on the outer peripheral side of the coil winding 23 to isolate it.

[0039] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the coil winding 23 includes two windings distributed axially. Correspondingly, two bobbins 26 are arranged axially on the solenoid valve core 22, and the two windings are wound on the two bobbins 26 respectively. There are two permanent magnets 24: a first permanent magnet 241 and a second permanent magnet 242. The two coil windings 23 and the two permanent magnets 24 are arranged radially in a one-to-one correspondence. Furthermore, the magnetic poles of the first permanent magnet 241 and the second permanent magnet 242 are opposite in direction. Setting adjacent permanent magnets 24 with opposite magnetic pole directions facilitates the superposition of the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnets 24 and the magnetic field lines generated by the energized coil windings 23 at flow channel A.

[0040] At this time, the solenoid valve housing 21 includes three solenoid valve housing sections: a first solenoid valve housing section 211, a second solenoid valve housing section 212, and a third solenoid valve housing section 213. A first permanent magnet 241 is disposed between the first solenoid valve housing section 211 and the second solenoid valve housing section 212, and a second permanent magnet 242 is disposed between the second solenoid valve housing section 212 and the third solenoid valve housing section 213.

[0041] In other words, when the number of permanent magnets 24 is N, the number of solenoid valve housing segments is N+1, where N≥1. This ensures that a permanent magnet 24 can be placed between every two adjacent solenoid valve housing segments.

[0042] The present invention also provides an MR damper, such as Figure 1 As shown, the magnetorheological fluid damper includes: an MR solenoid valve 2 as described in any of the above embodiments, a cylinder 1, and a piston rod 3. The MR solenoid valve 2 is disposed within the cylinder 1. One axial end of the piston rod 3 is connected to the MR solenoid valve 2, and the piston rod 3, together with the MR solenoid valve 2, can reciprocate relative to the cylinder 1 in the axial direction. A sealing guide 4 is also provided within the cylinder 1, allowing the piston rod 3 to move relative to the cylinder 1 in the axial direction. The sealing guide 4 can seal between the cylinder 1 and the piston rod 3 to prevent leakage of the magnetorheological fluid.

[0043] In addition, the MR solenoid valve 2 divides the interior of the cylinder 1 into a second chamber 72 between the MR solenoid valve 2 and the bottom of the cylinder 1, and a first chamber 71 on the side of the MR solenoid valve 2 away from the bottom of the cylinder 1; the flow channel A connects the first chamber 71 and the second chamber 72.

[0044] The piston rod 3 has an axially penetrating hollow section inside to accommodate the cable 6. The cable 6 passes through the hollow section 3, enters the central through hole 221 of the solenoid valve core 22, and connects to the terminal assembly 61.

[0045] The MR damper may also include a floating piston 5. The floating piston 5 is disposed inside the cylinder body 1 and located between the bottom of the cylinder body 1 and the MR solenoid valve 2. The floating piston 5 is axially movable and sealed to the interior of the cylinder body 1. The floating piston 5 divides the internal space between the bottom of the cylinder body 1 and the MR solenoid valve 2 into an air chamber 73 and a second chamber 72. Specifically, the space between the bottom of the cylinder body 1 and the floating piston 5 is the air chamber 73, and the space between the floating piston 5 and the MR solenoid valve 2 is the second chamber 72.

[0046] The air chamber 73 is filled with air, and the second chamber 72 is filled with magnetorheological fluid. When the piston rod 3 is pulled out or pushed in, the floating piston 5 can move axially according to the pressure difference between the two chambers on both sides, so as to passively adjust the pressure inside the cylinder 1.

[0047] This invention provides at least one permanent magnet 24 in the MR solenoid valve 2. When the coil winding 23 is de-energized, the flow channel A between the permanent magnet 24 and the solenoid valve housing 21 still has a certain magnetic intensity, thus enabling the MR damper 2 to generate a moderate damping force. When the coil winding 23 is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding 23 is simultaneously aligned with the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet 24, increasing the magnetic flux of the entire circuit and thus enhancing the magnetic field strength in the flow channel A. Consequently, the magnetorheological fluid can provide a greater damping force compared to the de-energized state, and also provides a greater damping force compared to the scheme without a permanent magnet in the energized state. When the coil winding 23 is energized, the magnetic flux direction of the coil winding 23 is simultaneously aligned with the magnetic flux direction of the permanent magnet 24, reducing the magnetic flux of the entire circuit and thus weakening the magnetic field strength in the flow channel. Consequently, the magnetorheological fluid can provide a smaller damping force compared to the de-energized state. By employing the MR solenoid valve 2 in the above scheme, an MR damper with adjustable damping, high power density, high efficiency, and the ability to provide high damping force even when power is off can be obtained. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 24 is disposed within the solenoid valve housing 21 from the outer periphery, facilitating its installation.

[0048] While possible embodiments have been described exemplarily in the foregoing description, it should be understood that numerous variations of embodiments exist through combinations of all known and readily conceived technical features and implementation methods. Furthermore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and do not in any way limit the scope, application, or construction of the invention. The foregoing description is more intended to provide those skilled in the art with technical guidance for transforming at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes, particularly regarding the function and structure of the components, can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An MR solenoid valve characterized by comprising: include: Solenoid valve housing (21); The solenoid valve core (22) is coaxially disposed inside the solenoid valve housing (21), and a flow channel (A) is formed between the solenoid valve core (22) and the solenoid valve housing (21) to allow fluid communication between the two ends of the MR solenoid valve in the axial direction. A coil winding (23) is wound around the outer periphery of the solenoid valve core (22); At least one permanent magnet (24) is disposed within the solenoid valve housing (21) and communicates with the flow channel (A); and End caps (25) are disposed at both axial ends of the solenoid valve core (22).

2. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized by The at least one permanent magnet (24) is arranged in the radial direction corresponding to the coil winding (23).

3. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized by Each of the at least one permanent magnet (24) is in the shape of a complete ring; or Each of the at least one permanent magnet (24) includes a plurality of permanent magnet segments disposed circumferentially within the solenoid valve housing (21).

4. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized by The coil winding (23) includes multiple windings distributed in the axial direction, and there are multiple permanent magnets (24). The multiple windings and the multiple permanent magnets (24) are arranged in a radial direction in a one-to-one correspondence, and the magnetic poles of two adjacent permanent magnets (24) are opposite.

5. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the at least one permanent magnet (24) extends radially through the solenoid valve housing (21).

6. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the axial direction, the solenoid valve housing (21) includes a plurality of solenoid valve housing segments, which are made of non-magnetic material, and at least one permanent magnet (24) is provided between every two adjacent solenoid valve housing segments.

7. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of solenoid valve housing sections are made of copper or stainless steel, and the plurality of solenoid valve housing sections are connected to the at least one permanent magnet (24) by copper brazing or laser welding.

8. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The radial inner surface of the plurality of solenoid valve housing sections is flush with the radial inner surface of the at least one permanent magnet (24).

9. The MR solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner circumferential surface of the solenoid valve housing (21) is provided with a radially outward recessed mounting groove, and at least one permanent magnet (24) is disposed in the mounting groove.

10. An MR damper, characterized in that, include: Cylinder block (1); The MR solenoid valve (2) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is disposed within the cylinder body (1); and The piston rod (3) is connected to the MR solenoid valve (2) at one end in the axial direction. The piston rod (3) together with the MR solenoid valve (2) can reciprocate relative to the cylinder (1) in the axial direction. The MR solenoid valve (2) divides the interior of the cylinder (1) into a second chamber (72) between the MR solenoid valve (2) and the bottom of the cylinder (1), and a first chamber (71) on the side of the MR solenoid valve (2) away from the bottom of the cylinder (1); the flow channel (A) connects the first chamber (71) and the second chamber (72).

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