ADJUSTING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adjustment device according to claim 1.

[0002] From the publications DE 36 26 507 A1, CN 204906221 U, RU 2 603 353 C1, US 6 465 936 B1, an adjustment device is known in which the adjustment range limited with respect to a single linear adjuster is increased by serial arrangement or by a stack arrangement of individual linear adjusters.

[0003] Document US 5,729,077 also discloses an adjustment device with a serial arrangement of linear adjusters, each of which is formed from an electroactive ceramic and convexly shaped metal sheets arranged on it.

[0004] The main disadvantage of such an adjustment device, formed from several linear adjusters arranged in series, is the large amount of space required in the extension direction of the stack. Therefore, such an adjustment device is unsuitable for applications where only a small footprint is available in a direction that coincides with the direction of the adjustment path.

[0005] In contrast, the German patent application DE 10 2005 016 960 A1 describes a linear actuator in which several piezoactive elements are arranged side by side in series between connection elements, wherein for a stroke movement of the connection elements or of a connection element, individual piezoactive elements are actuated in such a way that an expansion movement results, while the piezoactive elements arranged on these are actuated in such a way that a contraction movement results, so that a multiplication of the stroke of the individual piezoactive element results without the need for an extension of the actuator.

[0006] Similarly, DE 19916 277 A1 describes a space-saving device for moving an object with at least two separately electrically controllable piezoelectric movement elements and an operative connection between the piezoelectric movement elements such that the resulting

[0007] The length changes of the piezoelectric moving elements can be added to a total length in such a way that the maximum possible length of the movement in one dimension is greater than the maximum possible length change of a single piezoelectric moving element.

[0008] US patent 6,140,742 also discloses telescopically nested piezoelectric motion elements that are coupled together in such a way that the total positioning movement of the corresponding adjustment device corresponds to the sum of the lengths of the motion elements.

[0009] In publication WO2017 / 176209 A1, piezoelectric actuators are arranged in recesses distributed around the circumference of a connecting element, with the length changes of the actuators acting in opposite directions. Multiple nesting arrangements allow for a space-saving multiplication of the travel distance of a single actuator.

[0010] Documents GB 2550155 A, US 9,523,294 B2, US 4,952,835 and DE 10 2016 116 763 A1 each disclose linear adjusters comprising an actuator and a frame element surrounding the actuator, wherein the frame element has a lever transmission device realized via solid joints in order to achieve an increase in the small actuator travel.

[0011] Document US 6,246,132 B1 describes an adjustment device that operates in push-pull mode. In this device, a first actuator unit generates an adjustment movement of an adjustment element coupled to the first actuator unit in a first direction, and a second actuator unit, which is rigidly connected to the first actuator unit, generates an adjustment movement of the adjustment element in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an adjustment device which achieves an increase in the travel range by cumulating the travel range of several linear adjusters, while at the same time allowing a compact design in a direction which corresponds to the direction of the travel range of the adjustment device.

[0013] This problem is solved by an adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the subsequent dependent claims describe at least advantageous further developments.

[0014] The term ‘essentially’ used occasionally in the following part of the description in connection with the specification of geometric data such as angles, dimensions, positions, orientations or directions is to be understood as meaning that the corresponding geometric data may have a deviation of + / - 5% from the respective specified geometric data, whereby this deviation is due, for example, to manufacturing or assembly tolerances.

[0015] The adjusting device according to the invention comprises at least two linear adjusters arranged side by side, each of which has at least one actuating element driving the respective linear adjuster. Each linear adjuster has two actuating sections arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element. In total, the adjusting device according to the invention has at least four actuating sections, one of which serves a stationary arrangement on a higher-level unit. A further actuating section of the at least four actuating sections is provided for the arrangement of an element that can be moved relative to the higher-level unit by a defined adjustment path.

[0016] Adjacent linear adjusters are rigidly connected to each other via one of their actuating sections, so that an adjustment movement of one linear adjuster can be transferred to the adjacent linear adjuster. In other words, one linear adjuster is moved or shifted by the other linear adjuster by a defined amount of travel.

[0017] One of the linear adjusters is configured to increase the distance between its actuating sections when its actuator is engaged, while an adjacent linear adjuster is configured to decrease the distance between its actuating sections when its actuator is engaged. The magnitude of the distance increase of the corresponding linear adjuster corresponds to its travel; similarly, the magnitude of the distance decrease of the adjacent linear adjuster corresponds to its travel. Due to the fixed connection of the linear adjusters, a travel of the adjustment device is thus achievable that corresponds to the sum of the magnitudes of the changes in distance between the actuating sections of the linear adjusters, or to the sum of the travels of the respective linear adjusters.The arrangement of the linear adjusters side by side ensures that the extension of the adjusting device in a direction that essentially corresponds to the direction of the adjustment path of the adjusting device remains comparatively small.

[0018] The invention is characterized in that at least one of the linear adjusters comprises a lever transmission device, and the actuating element has an elongated shape and is inserted into a frame of the linear adjuster having solid body joints, wherein the actuating movements of the linear adjusters take place in the same direction.

[0019] It can be advantageous to connect the actuating sections of adjacent linear actuators via a coupling element. This makes the mechanical coupling or fixed connection of the corresponding actuating sections particularly easy. In particular, this also allows for a detachable connection between the actuating sections.

[0020] It can also be advantageous for the actuating element to be an electromechanical element, preferably comprising piezoelectric material. Piezoelectric actuating elements, also called piezo actuators, exhibit particularly high stiffness and allow adjustment movements with very high resolution.

[0021] It can be advantageous for the frame structure of adjacent linear adjusters to differ. The different structure or design of the frames of adjacent linear adjusters makes it possible to produce different relative movements of the actuating sections to each other in the different linear adjusters, even when using identical actuating elements with identical length change behavior.

[0022] It can also be advantageous if the two actuating sections of a linear adjuster are integrally formed with the frame. This allows for a particularly compact and easy-to-install design of the linear adjusters.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the direction of the adjustment movement of an actuating section is essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the actuating element. This allows for the realization of an adjustment device, even with a large length of the actuating element, whose dimensions in the direction coinciding with the direction of the adjustment movement of the actuating section are comparatively small, thus achieving a compact design in that direction.

[0024] The invention also relates to a positioning device for optical elements with a previously described adjustment device.

[0025] The advantages and expediencies of the invention will become clearer from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. These show: Figure 1 : Perspective view of an adjustment device according to the invention Figure 2: Further perspective view of the adjustment device according to the invention Figure 1 Figure 3 : Side view of the adjusting device according to the invention Figure 1 Figure 4 : Exploded view of the adjusting device according to the invention Figure 1

[0026] The adjusting device 1 according to the invention Figure 1 The device comprises two linear adjusters 2 and 3 arranged directly adjacent to each other and in mutual overlap, each linear adjuster including a frame 8 with actuating elements 4 in the form of piezoelectric actuators inserted therein. Each of the two frames 8 has numerous solid-state joints 7 distributed around its circumference and two actuating sections 5 formed integrally with it. The two actuating sections 5 of a linear adjuster 2, 3 are arranged on opposite sides of the actuating elements 4 or on opposite sides of the respective frame 8.

[0027] The in Figure 1 The lower actuating sections 5, of which only the actuating section 5 of the linear adjuster 2 is visible, are firmly connected to each other via a coupling element 6 in the form of a screw.

[0028] Both linear adjusters 2, 3 have a lever transmission device, realized by the individual sections or legs of the frame 8, with adjacent sections or legs being connected to each other via solid-state joints 7. Although in Figure 1Although not readily apparent, the construction or structure of the frame 8 of linear adjuster 2 differs from that of the frame 8 of linear adjuster 3, although the individual sections or legs of the frames 8 are essentially identical. The differences lie primarily in the differently designed solid-state joints, which ensure that, when the lengths of the actuating elements 4 change in the same direction, the actuating sections 5 of the two linear adjusters 2 and 3 exhibit different relative movements to each other.

[0029] Figure 2 The adjusting device 1 according to the invention is shown. Figure 1 in a different perspective representation, so that here the in Figure 1 The largely concealed underside of the adjustment device can be seen. In particular, the fixed connection of the two directly adjacent adjustment sections 5 of the linear adjusters 2 and 3 by means of a coupling element 6 in the form of a screw is clearly illustrated.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a side view of the adjusting device 1 according to the invention. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The in Figure 3 The arrows shown here illustrate the different relative movements of the two adjusting sections 5 of the linear adjusters 2 and 3. During the in Figure 3 The left linear adjuster 3 is designed to ensure, when the actuating elements 4 are activated, a movement of its actuating sections 5 in which these move away from each other or in which the distance between them is increased, is the one in Figure 3 The right linear adjuster 2 is designed to ensure, when the actuating elements 4 are activated, a movement of its actuating sections 5 in which these move towards each other or in which the distance between them is reduced.

[0031] The in Figure 3The upper actuating section 5 of the left linear adjuster 3 is to be connected to a fixed connection with a Figure 3 A higher-level unit (not shown) is provided, so that by actuating the actuators 4 of the linear adjuster 3, only the lower actuator section 5 effectively moves, and this movement is directed away from the upper actuator section 5 of the linear adjuster 3. The corresponding actuation path or adjustment path of the lower actuator section 5 of the linear adjuster 3 corresponds to the increase in distance between the two opposing actuator sections 5.

[0032] Due to the fixed connection of the lower actuating section 5 of the in Figure 3 left linear adjuster 3 with the lower adjusting section 5 of the in Figure 3The movement of the lower actuating section 5 of the linear adjuster 3 described above results in an analogous movement of the adjacent linear adjuster 2 via the coupling element 6. In other words, the movement of the lower actuating section 5 of the linear adjuster 3 is transmitted to the entire linear adjuster 2 and thus also to the upper actuating section 5 of the right linear adjuster 2 via the coupling element 6. Figure 3 right linear adjuster 2 transferred.

[0033] The upper actuating section 5 of the in Figure 3The right linear adjuster 2 is provided with an element that can be adjusted or moved relative to the higher-level unit. This adjusting section 5 is moved or adjusted, as explained above, both by the adjusting movement of the adjacent linear adjuster 3 and by actuation of the adjusting elements 4 of the linear adjuster 2. As previously described, the linear adjuster 2 is configured to cause its adjusting sections 5 to move towards each other or to decrease the distance between them when the adjusting elements 4 are actuated. The two adjusting movements are arranged over a substantially identical distance in the same direction and thus add up. Overall, the adjusting device according to the invention results in an increased adjustment range with a compact design.

[0034] It is conceivable that the following will be discussed in Figure 3 A further linear adjuster is connected to the right linear adjuster 2, and this in turn is rigidly connected to the upper adjusting section 5 of the linear adjuster 2 via one of its adjusting sections 5. Thus, it would be possible to further increase the adjustment travel of the adjusting section on which an element to be adjusted is located, while still maintaining compact dimensions.

[0035] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the adjusting device 1 according to the invention in an exploded view. In this view, the differences in the construction or structure of the frames 8 of the linear adjusters 2 and 3 and their respective solid joints 7 are more clearly visible. Here, the frame 8 and its solid joints 7 of the Figure 4The left linear adjuster 2 is designed such that, when the length of the actuating element 4, in the form of a piezoelectric actuator, is increased, the two actuating sections 5, arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element 4, move towards each other. In contrast, the frame 8, or rather its solid-state joints 7, of the in Figure 4 The right linear adjuster 3 is designed such that, when the length of the actuating element 4 in the form of a piezoelectric actuator is increased, the two actuating sections 5 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the actuating element 4 move away from each other.

[0036] In addition, it is possible that the linear adjusters have an identically constructed frame 8 with identically designed solid-state joints 7, whereby the different relative movements of the adjusting sections 5 to each other are realized by different directions of length change of the adjusting elements 4, for example by an increase in the length of one adjusting element 4 and a reduction in the length of another adjusting element 4. It is conceivable that different types of adjusting elements are used for the different linear adjusters. Reference symbol list

[0037] 1 Adjustment device 2, 3 Linear adjuster 4 Actuating element 5 Actuating section 6 Coupling element 7 Solid body joint 8 Frame (of linear adjuster 2 or 3)

Claims

1. Adjustment device (1) which comprises at least two adjacently arranged linear adjusters (2, 3), wherein each linear adjuster (2, 3) comprises at least one adjustment element (4) having an elongated shape and two adjustment sections (5) arranged on opposite sides of the adjustment element (4), and wherein one adjustment section (5) of a first linear adjuster (2, 3) of the total of at least four adjustment sections (5) is used for a fixed arrangement on a higher-level unit and wherein an adjustment section (5) of a second linear adjuster (2, 3) is used for an arrangement of an element to be moved or of an adjustment section (5) of a further linear adjuster (2, 3) each of which to be moved by a defined adjustment way relative to the higher-level unit thereon, and wherein adjacent linear adjusters (2, 3) in each case are each firmly connected to one another via a respective adjustment section (5) so that an adjusting movement of a linear adjuster is transferable to the neighboring linear adjuster, wherein the linear adjusters (2, 3) comprise lever transmission devices with a frame (8) with flexure hinges (7) in which the respective adjustment element (4) is inserted, characterized in that the adjustment sections (5) of the two linear adjusters (2, 3) are arranged on opposite sides of the respective frame (8), that the adjustment section (5) that can be coupled to the superior unit and the adjustment section (5) that can be coupled to the element to be moved or to the further linear adjuster (2, 3) are located on the same side of the combination of the first and second linear adjusters (2, 3) with respect to the adjustment path of the adjustment device (1), that a linear adjuster (2, 3) is configured to effect an increase in the distance between the adjustment sections (5) which are arranged on it by actuating the adjustment element (4), and that an adjacent linear adjuster (2, 3) is configured to effect a decrease in the distance between the adjustment sections (5) which are arranged on it by actuating the adjustment element (4), whereby the adjustment movements of the first and second linear adjusters (2, 3) occur in the same direction and an adjustment path of the adjustment device is realized, which corresponds to the sum of the amounts of the distance changes between the adjustment sections of the linear adjusters.

2. Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment sections (5) of adjacent linear adjusters (2, 3) are connected to one another via a coupling element (6).

3. Adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment element (4) is an electromechanical element, which preferably comprises piezoelectric material.

4. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure of the frames (9) of adjacent linear adjusters (2, 3) differs from one another.

5. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two adjustment sections (5) of one linear adjuster (2, 3) are formed integrally with the frame (8).

6. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of the adjustment movement of an adjustment section (5) is disposed essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the adjustment element (4).

7. Positioning device for optical elements with an adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims.