actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (1) for automation technology comprising: A housing (10) with a housing pot (11) and a housing lid (12), wherein the housing pot and the housing lid form at least one housing chamber (13), which housing chamber has an internal volume (14); an electric motor (20); a gearbox (30); a drive (40); an electronic operating circuit (50), a power supply (60); wherein the electric motor is designed to exert a force or torque on the output via the gearbox, wherein the electric motor, the power supply, and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber (13.1) of the at least one housing chamber, where the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, characterized by the fact that the actuator has a reduction device (70), which is set up for this purpose to limit a connected free volume (14.1) of the internal volume to a value smaller than the limit value, where the limit is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology.

[0002] Actuators are used, among other things, in process automation to control processes using valves such as gate valves. An example of such an actuator can be found in DE102004048366B4.

[0003] In some cases, such actuators are used in potentially explosive atmospheres and must meet stricter explosion-proof requirements. Since actuators house electronic components in enclosures, the penetration of flammable gas mixtures into the enclosure can pose a risk of explosion within the enclosure. To prevent the explosion from spreading to the area surrounding the actuator or between different chambers within the enclosure, the provision of explosion-proof gaps is mandatory. The EN60079-1, 2015-04 standard links enclosure volumes to requirements for such explosion-proof gaps. If volume limits are exceeded, for example, progressively stricter requirements for explosion-proof gaps apply.

[0004] If a housing needs to be enlarged for technical reasons, this can lead to disruptive additional construction work.

[0005] The object of the invention is to reduce this additional effort.

[0006] The problem is solved by an actuator according to independent claim 1.

[0007] An actuator according to the invention for automation technology comprises a housing with a housing pot and a housing cover, wherein the housing pot and the housing cover form at least one housing chamber, which housing chamber has an internal volume; an electric motor; a gearbox; a downforce; an electronic operating circuit for operating the electric motor, a power supply to supply energy to the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit; wherein the electric motor is designed to apply a force or a torque to the output by means of the transmission, wherein the electric motor, the power supply and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber of the at least one housing chamber, wherein the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, wherein the actuator comprises a reduction device which is adapted to to limit a continuous free volume of the internal volume to a value less than the limit value, where the limit of the internal volume is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters.

[0008] In this way, if the actuator housing needs to be enlarged for technical reasons, the free volume relevant for compliance with the internal volume limit can be kept below the limit, thus avoiding higher requirements for EX gaps.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reduction device has at least one insert which is arranged in the inner volume, wherein the insert comprises, for example, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic or a glass, and / or wherein the reduction device comprises at least one potting compound which is arranged in the inner volume, wherein the potting compound comprises, for example, a plastic.

[0010] In this way, the free volume of the internal volume can be reduced.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing cover encloses a cover part of the first housing chamber, wherein at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation of the at least one encapsulation and the power supply are arranged in the cover part, wherein the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a pot part of the first housing chamber.

[0012] Since the cover of the housing pot is removable, the reduction device can be set up without great structural effort.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation of the at least one encapsulation has, on a side facing an adjacent component, at least in sections, a shape complementary to the adjacent component.

[0014] In this way, the volume not used by components such as electric motors, power supplies or electronic operating circuits can be reduced.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation of the at least one encapsulation is arranged between a wall of the housing cover and at least one component.

[0016] In this way, for example, during repairs or when replacing components, the reduction device can be removed and reattached to facilitate the individual work steps.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first housing chamber is pressure-resistant according to the standard EN60079-1, 2015-04.

[0018] In one embodiment, the actuator is designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.

[0019] In the following, the invention is described using an embodiment. Fig. 1 outlines the schematic structure of an exemplary actuator according to the invention.

[0020] Fig.1 describes an actuator 1 according to the invention, which comprises a housing 10 with a housing pot 11 and a housing cover 12. The housing has at least one housing chamber 13. If there are multiple housing chambers, as shown here, for example, a first housing chamber 13.1 and a second housing chamber 13.2, the different housing chambers are separated from one another by walls. An electric motor 20, a gear 30, an output 40, an electronic operating circuit 50, and a power supply 60 are arranged in the at least one housing chamber. The power supply is configured to supply the electronic operating circuit and the electric motor with electrical power. The electronic operating circuit is configured to operate the electric motor. The power supply, the electronic operating circuit, and the electric motor are arranged in the same housing chamber, here, for example, in the first housing chamber 13.1.The electric motor is designed to apply a force or torque to the output by means of the gearbox, so that a valve can be actuated by means of the output.

[0021] According to the invention, the first housing chamber has an internal volume greater than a limit value, wherein a free contiguous volume of the internal volume is reduced to below this limit value by a reduction device 70. The limit value is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters.

[0022] In this way, a lower standard requirement can be applied for EX columns according to the standard EN60079-1, 2015-04.

[0023] In one embodiment, the reduction device 70 has at least one insert 71 and / or at least one encapsulation 72 arranged in the interior volume 14. The insert can, for example, comprise a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a glass, and the encapsulation can, for example, comprise a plastic. More than one insert or more than one encapsulation can also be provided. In this way, for example, a volume not used by components such as an electric motor, power supply, or electronic operating circuit can be reduced.

[0024] In one embodiment, the housing cover 12 encloses a cover portion 13.11 of the first housing chamber, wherein at least one insert 71 of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation 72 of the at least one encapsulation, as well as the power supply, are arranged in the cover portion. The electric motor 20 and the electronic operating circuit 50 are arranged in a pot portion 13.12 of the first housing chamber. Since the cover is removable from the housing pot, the reduction device can be configured in this way without significant structural effort. List of reference symbols 1 actuator 10 housings 11 Housing pot 12 Housing cover 13 Housing chamber 13.1 first housing chamber 13.11 Cover part 13.12 Pot part 13.2 second housing chamber 14 internal volume 14.1 contiguous free volume 20 electric motor 30 gearboxes 40 downforce 50 electronic operating circuit 60 power supply 70 Reduction device 71 deployment 72 Casting QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102004048366B4

[0002]

Claims

[1] Actuator (1) of automation technology comprising: A housing (10) with a housing pot (11) and a housing cover (12), wherein the housing pot and the housing cover form at least one housing chamber (13), which at least one housing chamber has an internal volume (14); an electric motor (20); a gearbox (30); an output (40); an electronic operating circuit (50) for operating the electric motor, a power supply (60) for supplying power to the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit; wherein the electric motor is designed to apply a force or a torque to the output by means of the transmission, wherein the electric motor, the power supply unit and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber (13.1) of the at least one housing chamber, wherein the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, characterized by , that the actuator has a reduction device (70) which is designed to to limit a continuous free volume (14.1) of the internal volume to a value less than the limit value, where the limit of the internal volume is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters. [2] Actuator according to claim 1, wherein the reduction device (70) comprises at least one insert (71) which is arranged in the inner volume (14), wherein the insert comprises, for example, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic or a glass, and / or wherein the reduction device (70) has at least one potting compound (72) which is arranged in the inner volume (14), wherein the potting compound comprises, for example, a plastic. [3] Actuator according to claim 2, wherein the housing cover (12) encloses a cover part (13.11) of the first housing chamber (13.1), wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation (72) of the at least one encapsulation and the power supply unit are arranged in the cover part, wherein the electric motor (20) and the electronic operating circuit (50) are arranged in a pot part (13.12) of the first housing chamber. [4] Actuator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation (72) of the at least one encapsulation has, on a side facing an adjacent component, at least in sections, a shape complementary to the adjacent component. [5] Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation (72) of the at least one encapsulation is arranged between a wall of the housing cover and at least one component. [6] Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing chamber (13.1) is flameproof encapsulated according to standard EN60079-1, 2015-04.

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