Actuator device and its use

Abstract

Actuator device (10) with a magnetic device (14), in particular a lifting magnet, comprising an armature device (32) and a coil device (30), the magnetic device having an axis (12) along which the armature device (32) and the coil device (32) are aligned, wherein the actuator device (10) is configured to be mounted on a support element (20) by means of a fastening means (18) arranged on or at least near the axis, wherein the fastening means (18) is arranged between the magnetic device (14) and the support element (20) when the actuator device (10) is mounted, wherein - in the magnet device (14) overall or - in an arrangement of separable armature assembly (32) and coil assembly (30) surrounding each other coaxially with respect to the axis (12), only in the area where each of these two assemblies (32, 30) surrounds the other of the two assemblies (30, 32) a channel-like opening (48) extending along the axis (12) from one side to the other side is formed, which can be used as tool access to the fastening means (18) directly or by removing one device from (32, 30) the other device (30, 32), characterized in that the armature device (32) surrounds the coil device (30) circumferentially with respect to the axis (12) in the case of a combined magnet device (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator device comprising a magnetic device having an armature device and a coil device, the magnetic device having an axis along which the armature device and the coil device are aligned, wherein the actuator device is configured to be mounted on a support element by means of a fastening means arranged on or at least near the axis, wherein the fastening means is arranged between the magnetic device and the support element when the actuator device is mounted.

[0002] Such an actuator device is known. It comprises a magnetic device designed as a lifting magnet, with an armature and a coil assembly, both aligned along a principal axis of the magnetic device. The actuator device further includes a mounting plate with a receptacle for a fastening element arranged on the axis for mounting the actuator device to a support element. The fastening element, designed as a screw, is positioned between the magnetic device and the support element when the actuator device is mounted. To mount the actuator device to the support element, the mounting plate of the actuator device is first attached to the support element via the fastening element. The magnetic device is then connected to the mounting plate in such a way that, when the actuator device is mounted, the fastening element is positioned between the magnetic device and the support element.In a solenoid, for example, an external coil is enclosed in a housing, and an internally mounted armature assembly is guided by a movable bearing. Applying a voltage causes the armature assembly to be moved into a position by magnetic forces and held there. As soon as the circuit is interrupted, the force ceases and the armature assembly is no longer held in position. Depending on the specific design variant—simple, unipolar, with or without a return spring—the functions can vary. One possible application for such an actuator is, for example, the actuation of a clutch in a pulley assembly for the selective connection of an auxiliary unit to the crankshaft of a motor vehicle's internal combustion engine, also known as a pulley decoupler.

[0003] In most known versions of such an actuator assembly, the armature assembly is mounted on the axis with limited movement. This naturally results in rigid boundary conditions for the design and assembly, as well as for the installation space and application of this armature assembly. This is particularly disadvantageous in a rotating system, where the actuator assembly is, for example, screwed to a support element designed as a shaft or other rotating part, because the screw is no longer accessible after the magnet assembly is attached to the mounting plate. Once the magnet assembly is mounted to the mounting plate, mounting the actuator assembly to the rotating part is no longer possible, and depending on the function, subsequent attachment of the magnet assembly to the actuator assembly's mounting plate may not be possible.

[0004] From the publication of generic DE 26 49 252 A1, a controllable electromagnetic coupling and / or braking system with at least one ring armature which can be coupled to a shaft via a spring transmitting the torque and which is movable in the axial direction of the shaft against the force of this spring against the associated electromagnet is disclosed.

[0005] DE 10 2004 032 470 A1 discloses damper bearings for the axial support of a shock absorber. These bearings comprise a first connection structure, a second connection structure, an armature assembly, and a coil assembly for generating a magnetic field that engages the armature assembly. The armature assembly and the coil assembly are arranged such that the armature assembly is movable relative to the coil assembly under the influence of the magnetic field.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an actuator device and a corresponding use of such an actuator device that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties.

[0007] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, each of which, individually or in combination, can represent an aspect of the invention.

[0008] In the actuator device according to the invention, a channel-like opening extending along the axis from one side to the other is formed either (a) in the magnet device as a whole or (b) in an arrangement of separable armature and coil devices that surround each other coaxially with respect to the axis. This opening is formed only in the part of the device surrounding one of the two devices, and in the part surrounding the other device. In case (a), this opening can be used directly, or in case (b), by removing one device from the other device, as tool access to the fastening element. In the case of a combined magnet device, the armature device surrounds the coil device circumferentially with respect to the axis.

[0009] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the armature assembly and the coil assembly are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to each other along the axis. This results in a linear movement. This is particularly the case with a magnetic device designed as a lifting magnet. Accordingly, the actuator assembly is preferably an actuator assembly for generating a linear movement along the axis. In this case, the linear movement of the magnetic assembly or the lifting magnet does not need to be further converted or redirected.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the armature assembly and the coil assembly are mounted so as to be rotatable relative to each other about the axis. Such rotatability is required, for example, when the actuator assembly is mounted on a shaft or other rotating part as a support element via the fastening means, and another part of the actuator assembly should not rotate with it.

[0011] It is further advantageous that the coil assembly comprises a coil arrangement and a magnetic core. The coil arrangement includes at least one coil. Such a coil assembly is known for lifting magnets or other electromagnets.

[0012] It is particularly provided that the coil assembly has a housing that encloses the coil assembly. Preferably, the magnetic core is also enclosed by this housing.

[0013] The armature assembly advantageously comprises an actual armature of the magnetic device as well as at least one attachment part.

[0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator device has a basic structure which can be firmly connected to the support element via the fastening means, in particular rotationally fixed, and which carries the magnetic device.

[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator assembly includes a return element. The actuator assembly generates a movement, for example a linear movement, of the armature assembly. From a home position, a forward movement is generated by switching on the magnetic device. When the magnetic device is switched off, the return element ensures a return movement to the home position. The return element is, in particular, a return spring.

[0016] In principle, the device actuated by the actuator can be directly actuated / positioned / switched by the armature. Optionally, and advantageously, the actuator may also include a positioning or switching device. This positioning or switching device is mechanically coupled to the armature and performs the desired positioning or switching movement, by means of which the device actuated by the actuator (for example, the clutch of a switchable motor damper / pulley decoupler) is actuated.

[0017] The invention further relates to the use of said actuator for actuating a vehicle component in a vehicle, particularly in a motor vehicle. Of particular interest is its use in the aforementioned pulley decoupler. In other words, the invention also relates to a vehicle component, in particular a pulley decoupler, with the aforementioned actuator.

[0018] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. The drawings show: Fig. 1: an actuator device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 2: the actuator device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 3: the in Fig. 2 Actuator device with split magnetic device shown in a sectional view and Fig. 4: the actuator device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view.

[0019] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an actuator 10 for generating a positioning or switching movement, in this case a linear movement along an axis 12. A typical application for such actuators 10 is the actuation of vehicle components in motor vehicles. The actuators 10 shown in the figures, for example, switch clutches of (not shown) pulley decouplers. The core of the actuator 10 is a switchable magnetic device 14 designed as a solenoid. This magnetic device 14 is supported by a multi-part base structure 16 of the actuator 10, which is firmly connected to a support element 20 designed as a shaft or other rotating part via a central fastening element 18 designed as a screw connection. The fastening element 18 is arranged on the axis 12.The basic assembly 16 consists of a mounting plate 22 which can be connected to the support element 20 via the fastening means 18, an outer intermediate element 24, a bearing 26 and an inner intermediate element 28. The outer intermediate element 24 and the inner intermediate element 28, which is rotatably mounted relative to the mounting plate 22 and the outer intermediate element 24 via the bearing 26, are attached to the mounting plate 22.

[0020] The magnetic device 14 in turn has two main assemblies, namely a coil assembly 30 and an armature assembly 32. The coil assembly 30 comprises a (in Fig. 2 shown) coil assembly 34 and a housing 36 enclosing the coil assembly 34. The armature assembly 32 comprises the actual armature of the magnetic device 14 and corresponding attachments. The armature assembly 30 is rotatably connected via a bearing 38 to a switching device 40, which in turn is supported by a return element 42 formed along the axis 12 against a counter element 44 attached to the inner intermediate part 24. The clutch to be switched is actuated via this switching device 40. The housing 36 of the coil assembly 30 is rotatably mounted on the inner intermediate part 28 via a further bearing 46.

[0021] The coil assembly 30 and the armature assembly 32 are both aligned along the axis 12. The magnet assembly 14 has a channel-like opening 48 extending directly along the axis 12 from one side to the other. This opening can be used as a passage or channel for a tool (not shown) to actuate the fastening element 18. In the case of the screw connection shown here, the tool is, for example, a screwdriver.

[0022] In this embodiment, the armature assembly 32 has a through-opening located on the axis 12. The coil assembly 30 also has an opening corresponding to the through-opening, resulting in a channel-like opening 48 extending along the axis 12 from one side to the other of the magnet device 14. After assembly, this opening 48 can be closed with a cap, a rubber stopper, or a similar closure, or another component, such as the shaft, can be passed through it. The remaining structure and other functions can correspond to those of a conventional actuator assembly 10. The opening can be designed according to the radial installation space.

[0023] The in the Fig. The embodiments of the actuator device 10 shown in Figures 2 to 4 have a very similar basic structure, so the following discussion will focus primarily on the differences between the various embodiments shown.

[0024] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the magnetic device 14 is divisible into two parts. One part of the magnetic device 14 comprises its armature assembly 32, and the other part comprises its coil assembly 30. In the assembled state of the magnetic device 14, the armature assembly 32 surrounds the coil assembly 30 circumferentially with respect to the axis 12. If the coil assembly 30 is removed from the armature assembly 32 by dividing the magnetic device 14, a channel-like opening 48 is again created—this time in the armature assembly 32 of the magnetic device 14—which extends from one side of the remaining armature assembly 32 to the other side along the axis 12 and leads to the fastening element 18. This opening 48 can also be used as a through-opening or channel for a tool (not shown) for actuating the fastening element 18.

[0025] Furthermore, the basic structure 16 of the in Fig. The actuator device shown in section 2 is constructed somewhat differently than the actuator device from [reference missing]. Fig. 1. The mounting plate 22 is omitted, and the outer intermediate element 24 is now attached directly to the support element 20 via the fastening means 18. The actuator assembly 32 is mounted directly on the inner intermediate element 28 via a bearing and now directly supports the switching device 40, i.e., without an intermediate bearing 38.

[0026] In this embodiment, the problem is solved by means of a completely different approach. The armature assembly 32 is not only detached from its usual (inner) operating position, but its connection is also redefined. The coil assembly 30 with its housing 36 is designed here as an internal part of the magnet device 14, surrounded by the armature assembly 32, and can be mounted independently of the armature assembly 32.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 2, wherein the part of the magnetic device 14 with the coil assembly 30 was now separated from the part of the magnetic device 14 with the armature assembly 32.

[0028] The part of the magnetic device 14 with the armature assembly 32 can, for example, be mounted on the support structure 20 via the base assembly, and only then is the part of the magnetic device 14 with the coil assembly 30 subsequently mounted. Thus, the entire volume of the coil assembly 30 is available as a passage and is optimally arranged for space utilization. The armature assembly 32 and the reset mechanism 42 are, for example, directly connected to the switching device 40 (this eliminates the need for a bearing in rotating parts and a rotation lock), mounted on the attachments, and are located outside the coil assembly 30.

[0029] The housing 36 of the coil assembly 30 can be assembled from several individual parts, and the coil assembly 34 can be wound directly onto the magnetic core 50. Depending on the application, for example, with a through shaft, the magnetic core 50 may have a through-hole; accordingly, the following parts must be shifted radially further outwards. The geometry of the chamfers in the housing 36 or other clamping surfaces, among other things, determines the force and direction for the armature of the armature assembly 32. The wall thicknesses and contours can be optimally adjusted to the conditions imposed on the actuator assembly 10.Since the armature of the armature assembly 32 is not located within the coil assembly 34 in this embodiment, and its contour (required diameter) and stroke length (free space outside the housing) limit the coil assembly 34, this solution allows for a significant increase in force or a different utilization or reduction of the installation space compared to a conventional lifting magnet with an internal armature. The contour and material selection of the mounting components that guide the armature can be used to ensure that stray flux does not impair the function.

[0030] The Fig.Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the actuator 10 in which the force level can be significantly increased by additionally utilizing the leakage flux via the armature. Here, a leakage flux branches off via the armature into the attachments and does not re-enter the housing 36 directly after the armature. This magnetic flux is usually lost to force generation. In this embodiment, however, this portion is utilized. A force is generated by the inclined surface at one pole of the magnet and the inclined surfaces on the armature. The entire magnetic flux flowing through the armature is used for this purpose. Only then does the leakage flux branch off, flowing through the attachments and thus being lost to further force generation. A force is generated via the armature and the second pole using the remaining magnetic flux as usual, and this force is added to the first force. As soon as the leakage flux no longer flows through the armature, it is lost to force generation.

[0031] Of course, it is irrelevant whether the leakage flux flows via the armature into the attachments or from the pole into the attachments and then via the armature into the second pole. The crucial point is that the leakage flux is at least partially utilized and not completely lost. Thus, a force is generated at the entry and exit points of the magnetic foot, pole to armature and armature to pole.

[0032] Depending on the available space, the outer geometry of the coil former, the armature geometry, the stroke length, the required force level, and the direction of action of the lifting magnet (pulling or pushing), the surfaces must be specifically matched to each other. What proves advantageous in one case may be detrimental in another. For example, the angle of the pole and in the armature must be optimally matched to the stroke length. As an example, the shorter the stroke, the steeper the angle can be, with increasing force level. With a long stroke, the opposite is true, as a steeper angle means a larger air gap and thus higher contact resistance for the magnetic flux. In every case, the optimum must be found with regard to force level and force profile.

[0033] It is also quite conceivable that, depending on the possible geometry of housing 36 and armature assembly 32 with armature and attachments, a combination of flat and upright pole faces is advantageous. It is also possible that this approach could be used in a lifting magnet with an internal armature to increase the force level according to the stroke length. In this case, however, no leakage flux occurs, but the force can be increased via the two surface pairings or, depending on the application, optimized in certain regions of the force curve. Reference symbol list 10 Actuator setup 12-axis 14 Magnetic device 16 Basic structure 18 Fasteners 20 support element 22 Mounting plate 24 Intermediate part, outer 26 warehouses 28 Intermediate part, inner 30 coil assembly 32 Anchor device 34 Coil arrangement 36 cases 38 bearings 40 Switching device 42 Return element 44 Counter-element 46 warehouses, further 48 Breakthrough 50 magnetic core

Claims

[1] Actuator device (10) comprising a magnet device (14), in particular a lifting magnet, which has an axis (12) along which the armature device (32) and the coil device (30) are aligned, wherein the actuator device (10) is configured to be mounted on a support element (20) by means of a fastening means (18) arranged on or at least near the axis, wherein the fastening means (18) is arranged between the magnet device (14) and the support element (20) when the actuator device (10) is mounted, wherein - in the magnetic device (14) overall or - in an arrangement of separable armature assembly (32) and coil assembly (30) surrounding each other coaxially with respect to the axis (12), only in the area where each of these two assemblies (32, 30) surrounds the other of the two assemblies (30, 32) a channel-like opening (48) extending along the axis (12) from one side to the other side is formed, which can be used as tool access to the fastening element (18) directly or by removing one device from (32, 30) the other device (30, 32), characterized by , that the armature assembly (32) surrounds the coil assembly (30) in the case of a combined magnet device (14) with respect to the axis (12). [2] Actuator device according to claim 12, characterized by , that the armature assembly (32) and the coil assembly (30) are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to each other with respect to the axis (12). [3] Actuator device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by , that the armature assembly (32) and the coil assembly (30) are mounted so as to be rotatable relative to each other with respect to the axis (12). [4] Actuator device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the coil assembly (30) comprises a coil arrangement (34) and a magnetic core (50). [5] Actuator device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the coil assembly (30) has a housing (36) enclosing the coil arrangement (34) [6] Actuator device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a basic structure (16) which can be firmly connected to the support element (20) via the fastening means (18) and which carries the magnetic device (14). [7] Actuator device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a return element (42), in particular a return spring. [8] Actuator device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a positioning or switching device (40). [9] Use of the actuator device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for actuating a vehicle component in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

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