Actuator arrangement and vehicle assembly with such an actuator arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator arrangement (10) to be fastened to a unit (22), comprising an electromagnetic actuator (12) having at least one electrical coil (14) and one armature (16) which is mounted displaceably between a first position and a second position inside the coil (14), wherein the armature (16) can be moved from the first position to the second position by means of energizing the electrical coil (14), a control device (18) for controlling the electromagnetic actuator (12) and a fastening means (20) for fastening the electromagnetic actuator (12) to the unit (22), wherein the control device (18) is arranged on the fastening means (20). The invention also relates to a vehicle assembly, comprising at least one such actuator arrangement (10) and a unit (22).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Actuator arrangement and vehicle assembly with such an actuator arrangement

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The invention relates to an actuator arrangement for fastening to an aggregate having the features of claim 1, as well as to a vehicle assembly having the features of claim 10.

[0006] Electromagnetic actuators can be used to control various functions. One such actuator is known, for example, from EP 1 844 378 B1.

[0007] An electromagnetic actuator typically has an electromagnet connected to a control unit. The control unit can provide the power supply for the electromagnet's coil. The control unit is typically mounted in close proximity to the electromagnet, as this ensures a short connection from the electromagnet to the control unit and allows for a compact design.

[0008] To achieve the greatest possible actuating force from the actuator, the highest possible actuating current or a correspondingly high voltage must be provided. This causes the control unit and the electromagnet to heat up.

[0009] The disadvantage of this is that the control unit and the electromagnet can overheat each other and exceed a permissible maximum temperature. To prevent the maximum temperature from being exceeded, the electromagnet is operated with a lower actuating current or voltage, which leads to a lower actuating force of the actuator and thus a loss of performance.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] According to the invention, an actuator assembly for attachment to an assembly is proposed. The actuator assembly comprises an electromagnetic actuator with at least one electrical coil (electromagnet) and an armature mounted (axially) within the coil for displacement between a first position and a second position. The armature can be at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic. The armature can be displaced between the first position and the second position, in particular from the first position to the second position, by energizing the electrical coil, in particular due to magnetic interaction between the energized coil and the armature.

[0012] The actuator assembly includes a control unit for controlling the electromagnetic actuator and, in particular, for energizing the electric coil (or electromagnet). The control unit can be configured as an "Electronic Control Unit" (ECU) or an "Electronic Control Module" (ECM).

[0013] The actuator arrangement has a fastening device for fastening the electromagnetic actuator to the unit, wherein the control unit is arranged on the fastening device (directly or indirectly).

[0014] The unit can be designed as a motor or transmission. The unit particularly acts as a heat sink for the actuator. In other words, the heat from the actuator arrangement can be transferred to the unit or dissipated via the unit. This allows the heat generated by the control unit to flow away to the unit via the fastening device. This prevents, in particular, the heat generated by the control unit from flowing towards the coil of the actuator and heating it up, or vice versa. In other words, the heat transfer between the coil and the control unit is prevented or at least minimized. The actuator can be designed as a (pure) electromagnet, as an electromagnetically actuated slide valve, or as an electromagnetically actuated seat valve. The control unit, the coil, and / or the actuator can each be encapsulated, in particular by being encapsulated in plastic.The control unit may have at least three terminals for connecting to a vehicle assembly and at least two terminals for connecting to the actuator.

[0015] According to a further development, the fastening device can be designed as a spring clip, in particular a metallic one. The spring clip can have sections with different (sheet metal) thicknesses and / or with different materials. This allows the fastening device to be implemented using simple means.

[0016] According to a further development, the spring clip can have at least one spring arm, in particular two spring arms, for contacting the actuator. The spring clip can contact the actuator exclusively by means of the spring arm or spring arms. In particular, the spring clip does not contact the actuator outside the spring arm. The spring arm or spring arms can be designed as separate parts and welded or riveted to the spring clip. Alternatively, the spring clip can be designed as a single piece. The spring clip can be punched or cut from sheet metal, e.g. using a laser, and / or shaped by forming. The spring arm or spring arms can have a different (sheet metal) thickness than the rest of the spring clip and / or can be made of a different material. For example, a different material can be used for the spring arm orthe spring arms are made of thin-walled, high-strength sheet metal (better spring properties), for the rest of the spring clamp thicker sheet metal could be used, which ensures better heat conduction.

[0017] According to a further development, the fastening device can have a contact surface and contact the actuator, in particular exclusively, with the contact surface. The contact surface can be continuous or formed from individual, multiple, in particular two, partial surfaces. The contact surface can be smaller than 10 mm 2The contact surface can be located on the spring arm(s). The fastening device can contact the actuator at the end facing away from the unit (axial end), in particular at a specific point. In particular, the fastening device contacts the actuator exclusively at the contact surface. In particular, the fastening device does not contact the actuator outside the contact surface. The relatively small contact surface ensures that heat transfer between the fastening device and the actuator is largely minimized.

[0018] According to a further development, the fastening device and the control unit can be designed as a single assembly. The control unit can be pre-assembled on the fastening device. The fastening device can be connected to the control unit by means of an adhesive, screw, and / or rivet connection, in particular by a positive and / or non-positive connection. This can simplify the handling of the control unit and the fastening device (designed as a single assembly or as a single piece).

[0019] According to a further development, the control unit (or the assembly comprising the control unit and the fastening device) can be connected to the actuator by means of a detachable connection, in particular by means of a snap-in, clip-in and / or plug-in connection (mechanically and / or electrically).

[0020] In particular, the control unit contacts the actuator exclusively via the detachable connection. In other words, the control unit preferably does not contact the actuator outside of the detachable connection. This minimizes heat transfer between the control unit and the actuator.

[0021] According to a further development, an air gap and / or a heat-insulating medium can be arranged between the control unit and the coil. This prevents or at least further reduces heat transfer from the control unit to the coil or from the coil to the control unit.

[0022] According to a further development, the fastening device can have at least one screwing lug (or one screwing ear), in particular two screwing lugs (or screwing ears), for fastening to the unit by means of at least one screw, in particular by means of two screws. This allows the fastening device (and thus the control unit) and the actuator to be easily and securely fastened to the unit. In particular, the (axial) end of the actuator facing the unit and / or the screwing lug (or the screwing lugs) contact the unit without a gap. This allows the heat transfer from the actuator to the unit and / or the heat transfer from the fastening device (and thus from the control unit) to the unit to be maximized.

[0023] According to a further development, the control unit can have a side facing the coil with a contact surface. The control unit can contact the fastening device via the contact surface, in particular without a gap. The contact surface can represent (form) the largest part of the side of the control unit facing the coil, in particular the entire side facing the coil. This maximizes heat transfer from the control unit to the fastening device. In other words, the heat generated by the control unit can be dissipated via the fastening device (toward the assembly).

[0024] According to the invention, a vehicle assembly comprising at least one unit and at least one actuator arrangement according to the above statements is proposed. The actuator arrangement can be attached to the unit, in particular screwed.

[0025] With regard to the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations regarding the actuator arrangement. The measures described in connection with the actuator arrangement and / or those explained below can be used to further configure the vehicle assembly.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0027] Figure 1 is a view of an end face of an actuator arrangement;

[0028] Figure 2 is a side view of the actuator arrangement according to Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 shows the actuator arrangement according to Figure 2 and an assembly; and Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the actuator arrangement according to Figure 2.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 show a front view and a side view of an actuator arrangement 10, wherein the two views are oriented orthogonally to each other.

[0031] The actuator assembly 10 includes an electromagnetic actuator 12. The actuator 12 comprises an electrical coil 14 and an armature 16 displaceably mounted within the coil 14 between a first position and a second position. The armature 16 can be displaced from the first position to the second position by energizing the electrical coil 14 (see Figure 4).

[0032] The actuator assembly 10 includes a control unit 18 for controlling the actuator 12 and energizing the electrical coil 14. The actuator assembly 10 further includes a fastening device 20 for fastening the actuator 12 to an assembly 22 (see Figure 3).

[0033] In the present case, the fastening device 20 is designed in the form of a metallic spring clip 24. The spring clip 24 has two spring arms 26 (see Figures 1 and 2). The spring clip 24 has a contact surface 28 with which the spring clip 24 contacts the actuator 12. In the present case, the contact surface 28 on the two spring arms 26 is designed in the form of two spatially separated partial areas (one partial area per spring arm 26).

[0034] The control unit 18 is connected to the actuator 12 by means of a detachable connection 30. The control unit 18 has a side 38 facing the coil 14 with a contact surface 40. The control unit 18 is arranged on the spring clip 24 and makes gap-free contact with it via the contact surface 40.

[0035] An air gap 32 is arranged between the spring clip 24 (and thus the control unit 18) and the actuator 12 (and thus the coil 14). The spring clip 24 in this case has two screw tabs 34, each of which is used for attachment to the unit 22 by means of a screw 36 (see Figures 1 and 3). Figure 3 shows the actuator arrangement 10 according to Figure 2 and the unit 22. The actuator arrangement 10 is screwed to the unit 22 by means of two screws 36. The spring arms 26 of the spring clip 24 press the actuator 12 against the unit 22, so that the actuator 12 rests against the unit 22 with its end facing the unit 22 or its end face facing the unit 22 without a gap (or contacts the unit 22 without a gap). The unit 22 is only indicated schematically in Figure 3. The unit 22 represents a heat sink for the actuator assembly 10. In Figure 3, several heat transport paths are shown by arrows.

[0036] The heat generated by the control unit 18 is transferred to the spring clip 24 via the contact surface 40. The heat then flows via the spring clip 24 and the screw tabs 34 of the spring clip 24 into the unit 22. This heat transfer path is indicated by arrows in Figure 3.

[0037] The heat generated by coil 14 of actuator 12 is transferred directly to assembly 22 (via the contact surface between actuator 12 and assembly 22). This heat transfer path is indicated by an arrow in Figure 3.

[0038] As can be seen from the heat transport paths indicated by arrows, heat transport between the control unit 18 and the actuator 12 (or the coil 14 of the actuator 12) is prevented or at least reduced.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the actuator assembly 10 according to Figure 2. The actuator 12 has a hydraulic section 42 and an electromagnetic section 44. The hydraulic section 42 of the actuator 12 comprises a valve housing 46 in which a valve piston 48 is displaceably mounted. The valve piston 48 is biased toward the electromagnetic section 44 of the actuator 12 (to the right in Figure 4) by a return spring 50, which is mounted in a spring bearing 52 of the valve housing 46.

[0040] The hydraulic section 42 and the electromagnetic section 44 of the actuator 12 are sealed by two O-rings 54. The electromagnetic section 44 of the actuator 12 comprises the coil 14, which is embedded in a coil former 56 and arranged within a magnet housing 58. The magnet housing 58 is cylindrical in shape and has a flux disk 60 with a magnetic core 62 at its first axial end (facing the hydraulic section 42). The magnet housing 58 has a magnetic disk 64 at its second axial end, opposite the first axial end.

[0041] A pole tube 66 is arranged in the electromagnetic region 44 of the actuator 12, which is located within the coil 14, the magnetic disk 64, and the flux disk 60. The magnetic core 62 is arranged within the pole tube 66. The armature 16 is also movably mounted in the pole tube 66.

[0042] A bearing film 68 is arranged between the armature 16 and the pole tube 66. The armature 16 is connected to the (preloaded) valve piston 48 of the hydraulic section 42 of the actuator 12 by means of an actuating pin 70.

[0043] The return spring 50 pushes the valve piston 48 to the right in Figure 4. This also pushes the armature 16 to the right in Figure 4 via the actuating pin 70 (first position of the armature 16). If the coil 14 is now energized, the armature 16 is displaced to the left in Figure 4 (against the spring force of the return spring 50) due to magnetic interaction (second position of the armature 16). If the energization of the coil 14 is interrupted (deactivated), the force that displaces the armature to the second position due to the magnetic interaction ceases, so that the armature 16 is displaced back to the first position by means of the return spring 50.

[0044] The actuator 12 has a plurality of first contact pins 72, and the control unit 18 has a plurality of second contact pins 74. The first contact pins 72 and the second contact pins 74 are each electrically connected to one another at the detachable connection 30 of the actuator arrangement 10. The control unit 18 has a printed circuit board 76 on which a plurality of electronic components 78 and the second contact pins 74 are arranged. The control unit 18 has a plurality of third contact pins 80, which are arranged on the printed circuit board 76 and extend into a plug connection 82. A battery voltage and a control signal (BUS signal) can be transmitted to the control unit 18 via the plug connection 82 and the third contact pins 80. A voltage (or a control current) for energizing the coil 14 can be delivered to the actuator 12 via the second contact pins 74 and the first contact pins 72.

Claims

Claims 1. Actuator arrangement (10) for fastening to an assembly (22), comprising an electromagnetic actuator (12) with at least one electrical coil (14) and an armature (16) displaceably mounted within the coil (14) between a first position and a second position, wherein the armature (16) can be displaced from the first position to the second position by energizing the electrical coil (14), a control unit (18) for controlling the electromagnetic actuator (12), in particular for energizing the electrical coil (14), and a fastening device (20) for fastening the electromagnetic actuator (12) to the assembly (22), wherein the control unit (18) is arranged on the fastening device (20).

2. Actuator arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (20) is designed as a, in particular metallic, spring clip (24).

3. Actuator arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring clip (24) has at least one spring arm (26), in particular two spring arms (26), for contacting the actuator (12).

4. Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (20) has a contact surface (28) and contacts the actuator (12), in particular exclusively, with the contact surface (28), wherein the contact surface (28) is smaller than 10 mm 2 is.

5. Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (20) and the Control unit (18) are designed as an assembly. Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (18) is connected to the actuator (12) by means of a detachable connection (30), in particular by means of a snap-in, clip-in and / or plug-in connection. Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air gap (32) and / or a heat-insulating medium is arranged between the control unit (18) and the coil (14). Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (20) has at least one screw-on lug (34), in particular two screw-on lugs (34), for fastening to the unit (22) by means of at least one screw (36), in particular by means of two screws (36).Actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (18) has a side (38) facing the coil (14) with a contact surface (40), wherein the control unit (18) contacts the fastening device (20) by means of the contact surface (40), preferably without a gap, in particular wherein the contact surface (40) forms / represents the largest part of the side (38) facing the coil (14), in particular the entire side (38) facing the coil (14), of the control unit (18). Vehicle assembly, comprising at least one unit (22) and at least one actuator arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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