Positioning electromagnet

Abstract

A positioning electromagnet includes an armature assembly having a slot, a coil configured to displace the armature assembly, and a positioning member configured to be seated in the slot. In one example embodiment, the slot includes a first axial side having an annular shape and a second axial side opposite the first axial side and having a tapered shape. In some example embodiments, the armature assembly includes an armature and a shaft fixed in the armature, and the slot is provided in the shaft. In one example embodiment, the armature is made of a ferromagnetic material.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. nonprovisional patent application No. 15 / 588,136, filed February 27, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to an electromagnet, and more specifically to a positioning electromagnet. Background Technology

[0003] Electromagnets are known. An example is shown and described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,443,649, entitled “COIL AND SOLENOID VALVE,” filed by Hoppe et al., which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Exemplary embodiments broadly include a positioning electromagnet comprising an armature assembly having a slot, a coil configured to displace the armature assembly, and a positioning element configured to be seated in the slot. In one exemplary embodiment, the slot includes a first axial side having a toroidal shape and a second axial side having a tapered shape opposite the first axial side. In some exemplary embodiments, the armature assembly includes an armature and a shaft fixed in the armature, and the slot is disposed in the shaft. In one exemplary embodiment, the armature is made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments, the positioning electromagnet further includes a housing at least partially surrounding the coil, a cover plate fixed to the housing, and a shaft guide fixed to the cover plate. The shaft guide has a radial hole, and the positioning member is disposed in the radial hole. In one exemplary embodiment, the cover plate includes an axially oriented hole with a radially extending notch, and at least a portion of the positioning member is disposed in the radially extending notch. In one exemplary embodiment, the cover plate includes a radially outer notch, and the housing includes a tab folded over the radially outer notch to secure the cover plate to the housing. In one exemplary embodiment, the positioning member includes a positioning member housing fixed in the radial hole, a ball disposed in the positioning member housing, and a spring configured to press the ball into the groove.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the armature assembly includes an armature, and at least a portion of the armature is surrounded by the shaft guide when the coil is energized. In one exemplary embodiment, the shaft guide includes a first tapered protrusion having a tapered inner surface, and the armature includes a second tapered protrusion having a tapered outer surface, the tapered outer surface being arranged adjacent to the tapered inner surface when the coil is energized. In some exemplary embodiments, the positioning electromagnet further includes a return spring. The armature assembly includes an armature, the return spring being axially arranged between the armature and the shaft guide, and the return spring being configured to push the armature assembly toward a rest position. In one exemplary embodiment, the armature and the shaft guide each include a respective cylindrical recess, and in the rest position, the length of the return spring is less than the distance between the cylindrical recesses. In one exemplary embodiment, when the coil is energized, the armature is displaced axially toward the shaft guide, thereby compressing the return spring.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the positioning element is positioned in the slot when the armature assembly is in a rest position. In one exemplary embodiment, when the coil is energized, the armature assembly is displaced, and the positioning element moves radially out of the slot and abuts against the armature assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the positioning electromagnet further includes a drawing sleeve fixed in the coil, the drawing sleeve being configured to guide the armature assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the positioning electromagnet further includes a second positioning element. The positioning element and the second positioning element are arranged circumferentially opposite each other, and their respective central axes are aligned such that radial forces acting on the armature assembly from the positioning elements and the second positioning element are balanced. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 An exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a positioning electromagnet is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A 3D diagram of a positioning electromagnet.

[0010] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 End view of the positioning electromagnet.

[0011] Figure 4 Show along Figure 3 The 4-4 line in the middle is roughly cut off Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the positioning electromagnet. Detailed Implementation

[0012] This document describes embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the same reference numerals appearing in different views of the accompanying drawings denote the same or functionally similar structural elements. It should also be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may take various different and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; certain features may be exaggerated or reduced to show detail of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ these embodiments in various ways. Those skilled in the art will understand that various features shown and described in conjunction with any of the drawings may be combined with features shown in conjunction with one or more other drawings to form embodiments not explicitly shown or described. The combinations of features shown provide representative embodiments suitable for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of features conforming to the teachings of this disclosure may still be required for specific applications or implementations.

[0013] The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Although any methods, apparatus, or materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in implementing or testing this disclosure, the following exemplary methods, apparatus, and materials are described below.

[0014] The following explanation is for reference only. Figure 1-4 Made. Figure 1 An exploded view of the positioning electromagnet 100 is shown. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the positioning electromagnet 100. Figure 3 Show Figure 1 End view of the positioning electromagnet 100. Figure 4 Show along Figure 3 The 4-4 line in the middle is roughly cut off Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a positioning electromagnet 100. The positioning electromagnet 100 includes an armature assembly 102 having a slot 104, a coil 106 configured to displace the armature assembly, and a positioning member 108 configured to be seated in the slot. The coil 106 includes an electrical connector 109 configured to receive current to energize the coil and displace the armature assembly as described below. The armature assembly 102 includes an armature 110 and a shaft 112 fixed in the armature. For example, the shaft 112 may be fixed in the armature by press fitting, bonding, or welding, and may be configured to operate an external mechanism (not shown). The positioning electromagnet 100 also includes a drawing sleeve 111 fixed in the coil, the drawing sleeve being configured to guide the armature assembly.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 104 is disposed in the shaft, although other locations of the slot 104 in the armature assembly 102 (e.g., slot 104 disposed in the armature 110) are also possible. The armature 110 is made of a ferromagnetic material so that when the coil 106 is energized, the armature 110 is displaced in a known manner. In other words, since the coil 106 includes a wire coil 113 wound on a coil frame 115 surrounding the armature, when the wire coil is energized, an electromagnetic field is generated around the armature, and from... Figure 4 As shown in the orientation, the armature assembly moves to the right.

[0016] The positioning electromagnet 100 also includes a housing 114 at least partially surrounding a coil 106, a cover plate 116 (described below) fixed to the housing, and a shaft guide 118 fixed to the cover plate. The shaft guide 118 includes a radial hole 120, and the positioning member 108 is disposed in the radial hole. The cover plate 116 includes an axially oriented hole 122 having a radially extending notch 124, and at least a portion of the positioning member 108 is disposed in the radially extending notch. The shaft guide 118 extends through the hole 122, and a shaft 112 passes through and is guided by a hole 126 in the shaft guide 118, the hole 126 being coaxial with the hole 122. The cover plate 116 includes a radially outward notch 128, and the housing 114 includes a tab 130 folded over the radially outward notch to secure the cover plate to the housing.

[0017] The positioning element 108 includes a positioning element housing 132 fixed in a radial hole 120, a ball 134 disposed in the positioning element housing, and a spring 136 configured to press the ball into the groove. When the positioning element is assembled, the spring and the ball are mounted in the housing and compressed, and the axially distal portion of the housing is folded inward to hold the ball, so that the ball protrudes slightly from the housing in the rest position. When mounted in the positioning electromagnet 100, the portion of the ball protruding from the housing extends into the groove when the electromagnet is in the rest position. When the positioning electromagnet is not actuated, the ball prevents undesirable axial displacement of the shaft. The groove 104 is not symmetrical and includes an axial side 138 having a toroidal shape and an axial side 140 opposite the axial side 138 having a tapered shape. The taper angle in the axial side 140 can be adjusted to make it easier for the ball to dislodge from the groove, or to make it more difficult for the ball to dislodge from the groove when additional fixation of the shaft is required.

[0018] As described above, the armature assembly 102 includes an armature 110. When the coil 106 is energized, the armature moves to the right (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4The armature 110 is further configured such that at least a portion of the armature is surrounded by a shaft guide 118. As shown in an exemplary embodiment, the shaft guide 118 includes a tapered protrusion 142 having a tapered inner surface 144, and the armature 110 includes a second tapered protrusion 146 having a tapered outer surface 148, which is arranged adjacent to the tapered inner surface 144 when the coil is energized. The armature and the shaft guide are arranged such that the armature contacts the shaft guide when the coil is energized and the positioning electromagnet is in its full stroke. The overlapping tapered surfaces provide additional magnetic force, thereby enhancing the operation of the positioning electromagnet.

[0019] When the coil is energized, the armature assembly is displaced (e.g., in...). Figure 4 (From center to right), and the positioning element moves radially out of the slot and abuts against the armature assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the positioning ball abuts against a portion of the shaft assembly that does not have the slot. The positioning electromagnet 100 also includes a return spring 150 arranged axially between the armature and the shaft guide. The return spring 150 is configured to push the armature assembly toward a rest position. That is, when the coil is energized, the armature displaces axially toward the shaft guide, thereby compressing the return spring located between the armature and the shaft guide to store energy so that it can be released when the coil is de-energized, causing the armature assembly to move to the left (see...). Figure 4 Oriented to a rest position, in which the positioning element is placed in the groove and the shaft is seated against the housing. The armature 110 and the shaft guide 118 include respective cylindrical recesses 152 and 154, and for example in Figure 4 In the resting position shown, the length 156 of the return spring is less than the distance 158 between the cylindrical recesses.

[0020] Although only a single positioning element 108 is shown, other embodiments (not shown) may include multiple positioning elements. For example, the positioning electromagnet 100 may include a second positioning element disposed circumferentially opposite to the positioning element 108, such that the central axes of the positioning elements are aligned with each other, and the radial forces from the positioning elements and acting on the armature assembly are balanced with each other.

[0021] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, they are not intended to describe all possible forms covered by the claims. The language used in this specification is descriptive rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. As previously stated, features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of this disclosure, which may not be explicitly described or shown. Although various embodiments may be described as offering advantages or being more preferred than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system properties depending on the specific application and implementation. These properties may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, lifecycle cost, merchantability, appearance, packaging, size, maintainability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. Therefore, even if some embodiments are described as less desirable with respect to one or more characteristics compared to other embodiments or prior art implementations, these embodiments do not depart from the scope of this disclosure and may still be ideal for a particular application. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100 Positioning Electromagnet 102 Armature Assembly 104 slots (armature assembly) 106 coil 108 positioning components 109 Electrical Connector 110 Armature 111 Drawing sleeve 112 axis 113 Wire coil (coil) 114 Casing 115 Coil frame (coil) 116 Cover Plate 118 axis guide component 120 radial hole (shaft guide) 122 Axial Orientation Hole (Cover Plate) 124 Radial extension notch (cover plate) 126-hole (shaft guide) 128 Radial outer notch (cover plate) 130 Lug (Housing) 132 Positioning component housing 134 Balls (Positioning Components) 136 Spring (positioning component) 138 Axial side (first, groove) 140 Axial side (second, groove) 142 Conical protrusion (first, shaft guide) 144 Conical inner surface (first conical protrusion) 146 Conical protrusion (second, armature) 148. Conical outer surface (second conical protrusion) 150 return spring 152 Cylindrical recess (armature) 154 Cylindrical recess (shaft guide) 156 Length (reset spring) 158. Distance between cylindrical recesses

Claims

1. A positioning electromagnet, include: An armature assembly, including a slot; A coil configured to displace the armature assembly; as well as A positioning element configured to be seated in the slot.

2. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 1, wherein the groove comprises: The first axial side has a toroidal shape; as well as The second axial side, which is opposite to the first axial side, has a tapered shape.

3. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 1, wherein: The armature assembly includes: armature; and The shaft fixed in the armature; and The groove is disposed in the shaft.

4. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 3, wherein the armature is made of ferromagnetic material.

5. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 1, further comprising: A housing that at least partially surrounds the coil; A cover plate fixed to the housing; as well as A shaft guide fixed to the cover plate, wherein: The shaft guide includes a radial hole; and The positioning element is disposed in the radial hole.

6. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 5, wherein: The cover plate includes an axially oriented hole with a radially extending notch; and At least a portion of the positioning element is disposed in the radially extending recess.

7. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 5, wherein: The cover plate includes a radially outer notch; and The housing includes tabs folded over the radially outer recess to secure the cover plate to the housing.

8. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 5, wherein the positioning element comprises: A positioning housing fixed in the radial hole; A ball disposed in the housing of the positioning component; as well as A spring configured to press the ball into the groove.

9. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 5, wherein: The armature assembly includes an armature; and When the coil is energized, at least a portion of the armature is surrounded by the shaft guide.

10. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 9, wherein: The shaft guide includes a first tapered protrusion having a tapered inner surface; and The armature includes a second conical protrusion having a conical outer surface, which is arranged adjacent to the conical inner surface when the coil is energized.

11. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 5, further comprising a return spring, wherein: The armature assembly includes an armature; The return spring is arranged axially between the armature and the shaft guide; and The return spring is configured to push the armature assembly toward a rest position.

12. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 11, wherein: The armature and the shaft guide each include a cylindrical recess; and In the resting position, the length of the return spring is less than the distance between the cylindrical recesses.

13. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 11, wherein, When the coil is energized, the armature is displaced axially toward the shaft guide, thereby compressing the return spring.

14. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 1, wherein when the armature assembly is in a stationary position, the positioning seat is placed in the slot.

15. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 14, wherein, When the coil is energized, the armature assembly is displaced, and the positioning element moves radially out of the slot and abuts against the armature assembly.

16. The positioning electromagnet of claim 1, further comprising a pulling sleeve fixed in the coil, the pulling sleeve being configured to guide the armature assembly.

17. The positioning electromagnet according to claim 1, further comprising a second positioning element, wherein: The positioning element and the second positioning element are arranged opposite to each other in the circumferential direction; and The central axes of the positioning element and the second positioning element are aligned with each other, such that the radial forces acting on the armature assembly from the positioning element and the second positioning element are balanced with each other.

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