Actuator in the field of automation technology

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology comprising a housing with a housing wall (11) and at least one housing chamber (12); a manual drive with a handwheel (21) and a manual drive shaft (22); an output (30) with an output shaft (31) designed for transmitting a torque or a force to a valve; a transmission (40) designed for transmitting a torque from the manual drive shaft to the output; and a transmission (40) designed for transmitting a torque from the manual drive shaft to the output; wherein the transmission, the manual drive shaft and the output are each arranged at least partially in the at least one housing chamber of the housing, wherein the handwheel is arranged at least partially on an outer side of the housing, wherein the actuator has at least one signal transmitter which is designed to generate a signal sequence, characterised in that the at least one signal transmitter is designed to transmit the signal sequence to the handwheel, wherein the handwheel is designed to transmit the signal sequence to an environment of the housing or to provide it to the environment.

Description

[0001] Actuator of automation technology

[0002] The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology with a manual drive. Such actuators are known, for example, from DE102004048366A1. Typically, they have a manual drive for manually operating a valve. A gear, which is arranged in a housing of the actuator, transmits a torque between the manual drive and an output, with the output converting the torque of the gear into a torque or force for operating the valve.

[0003] Some of these actuators also have an electric motor and operating electronics for automated valve operation.

[0004] It is often of interest to the user to obtain information about a condition, such as an operating state. Solutions known in the art include through-holes in a housing wall for signal transmission. However, this increases manufacturing costs and can lead to undesirable sealing problems.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a simple and robust actuator which requires fewer manufacturing steps and reduces sealing problems.

[0006] The object is achieved by an actuator according to independent claim 1 and by a use of an actuator according to independent claim 15.

[0007] An actuator according to the invention for automation technology comprises a housing with a housing wall and at least one housing chamber; a manual drive with a handwheel and a manual drive shaft; an output with an output shaft configured to transmit a torque or a force to a fitting such as a valve or a slide; a gear configured to transmit a torque from the manual drive shaft to the output, wherein the gear comprises a plurality of toothed parts such as gears or worms, as well as toothed part carriers associated with the toothed parts, such as gear shafts or gear axles; wherein the actuator comprises a motor such as an electric motor or a fluid motor, which motor is arranged in one of the at least one housing chamber and is configured to transmit a torque to the output, in particular via the gear.wherein the actuator has an electronic operating circuit configured to operate the motor, wherein the gear, manual drive shaft, and output are each arranged at least partially in the at least one housing chamber of the housing, wherein the handwheel is arranged at least partially on an outer side of the housing, wherein the actuator has at least one signal transmitter, each configured to generate a signal sequence, which signal sequence carries information regarding a state of the actuator, wherein the at least one signal transmitter is configured to transmit the signal sequence to the handwheel, wherein the handwheel is configured to transmit the signal sequence to an environment of the housing or to make it available to the environment, wherein the operating circuit is configured to control at least one signal transmitter of the at least one signal transmitter.

[0008] In this way, the creation of additional housing openings for signal transmission can be avoided.

[0009] The signal sequence comprises a sequence of signals, each characterized by a signal level. A signal sequence can also consist of just a single signal.

[0010] In one embodiment, the signal sequence is an optical, vibratory or acoustic signal sequence.

[0011] The signal generator can, for example, comprise the following: at least one LED for generating optical signal sequences, at least one piezo element for generating acoustic or vibratory signal sequences, and at least one coil with a magnet for generating vibratory signal sequences. Optical, within the meaning of the invention, can also include near-infrared or anything that can be described by ray optics within the scope of the application. However, optical can also be limited to visible light. Acoustic, within the meaning of the invention, can also include ultrasound, but can also be limited to audible frequencies.

[0012] Signal levels of signals in a signal sequence can differ in amplitude, phase or frequency.

[0013] The signal sequence can be designed to be readable or interpretable by humans and / or technical devices such as a smartphone.

[0014] In one embodiment, the signal generator is arranged in one of the at least one housing chamber, or wherein the signal generator is arranged in a lumen or bore of the hand drive shaft or the handwheel.

[0015] The arrangement of the signal generator therefore does not require any additional through-opening in the housing chamber.

[0016] In one embodiment, the handwheel and the manual drive shaft are designed to be optically or acoustically transparent at least in sections, wherein the signal transmitter is configured to couple the signal sequence into the manual drive shaft in order to transmit the signal sequence to the handwheel.

[0017] In this way, the signal generator can be arranged in a housing chamber.

[0018] In one embodiment, the signal generator is designed to couple the signal sequence into the manual drive shaft via a lateral surface of the manual drive shaft.

[0019] Typically, a hand drive shaft has an uneven outer surface for other functional reasons, so that the signal sequence reaches the handwheel after one or more reflections. However, the outer surface can also have at least one designated area for redirecting the signal sequence toward the handwheel.

[0020] In one embodiment, the manual drive shaft has an optically or acoustically reflective insert designed to reflect the signal sequence toward the handwheel. In one embodiment, the manual drive shaft has a first end facing away from the handwheel with a toothing designed to transmit torque to the gearing.

[0021] In one embodiment, one of the at least one signal sequence is a vibratory signal sequence, wherein the signal generator is configured to directly or indirectly excite the handwheel to vibrate, which vibrations are perceptible or palpable.

[0022] In one embodiment, one of the at least one signal sequence is an acoustic signal sequence, wherein the signal generator is configured to directly or indirectly excite the handwheel to acoustic vibrations.

[0023] In one embodiment, the actuator has at least one sensor device configured to detect a physical variable such as temperature or humidity in one of the at least one housing chamber, wherein at least one signal transmitter of the at least one signal transmitter is configured to provide information on a measured value of the physical variable.

[0024] In this way, information about the status of the actuator can be provided.

[0025] In one design, the manual drive and the output are sealed to the housing wall in a watertight or explosion-proof manner.

[0026] In one embodiment, the state is one of the following:

[0027] operating status;

[0028] Internal housing temperature;

[0029] Moisture in the housing;

[0030] pressure in the housing;

[0031] Error condition.

[0032] In one embodiment, the handwheel and manual drive shaft are designed as a single piece.

[0033] When using an actuator with a manual drive according to the invention, the actuator has a housing with a housing wall and at least one housing chamber; wherein the manual drive has a handwheel and a manual drive shaft; wherein the handwheel is arranged at least partially on an outer side of the housing, wherein the actuator has at least one signal transmitter, each of which is designed to generate a signal sequence, which signal sequence carries information regarding a state of the actuator, characterized in that the at least one signal transmitter transmits the signal sequence to the handwheel, wherein the handwheel transmits the signal sequence to an environment of the housing or makes the signal sequence available to the environment.

[0034] In this way, information about a condition such as an operating state can be transmitted safely and robustly to the actuator's environment.

[0035] In the following, the invention is described using exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary actuator according to the invention with a manual drive according to the invention in an oblique view;

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a housing of the actuator shown in Fig. 2;

[0038] Fig. 3 shows an oblique view of a section of the actuator shown in Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the manual drive;

[0039] Fig. 4 outlines an exemplary structuring according to the invention of a lateral surface of a manual drive shaft.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary actuator 1 according to the invention, which has a housing 10 with a housing wall 11, a manual drive 20 with a handwheel 21 and an output 30. Actuators are used to operate fittings such as valves via the output. The output transmits a torque or a force to the fitting, wherein an output shaft 31 (see Fig. 2) of the output is rotated by a drive such as a manual drive 20 shown here. The handwheel of the manual drive is located on an outer side 13 of the housing and is designed according to the invention to transmit signal sequences generated by a signal generator 50 inside the housing (Fig. 3) to an environment 14 of the actuator on the outside or to provide the signal sequence to this environment. The signal sequence comprises a sequence of signals, each of which is characterized by a signal level.A signal sequence can also be represented by a single signal. Signal levels of signals in a signal sequence can differ in amplitude, phase, or frequency.

[0041] In one embodiment, the signal sequence is an optical, vibratory, or acoustic signal sequence. Optical, within the meaning of the invention, can also include near-infrared, or anything that can be described by ray optics within the scope of the application. However, optical can also be limited to visible light. Acoustic, within the meaning of the invention, can also include ultrasound, but can also be limited to audible frequencies.

[0042] The signal sequence is designed to be readable and interpretable by humans and / or technical devices such as a smartphone.

[0043] For example, in a visual signal sequence, the color blue can indicate that the motor is running. Red can indicate a malfunction. The colors blue and red in this example each represent a signal sequence with a single signal. The same applies to acoustic or vibration signal sequences. However, signal sequences with multiple signals can also be used to transmit more extensive information. States that can be described by a signal sequence can include, for example, the operating state, internal housing temperature, humidity in the housing, pressure in the housing, and error status.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through the actuator shown in Fig. 1. The housing 10 has a housing chamber 12 formed by the housing wall 11. As shown here, the actuator may include a motor 70 configured to transmit torque to the output shaft 31 of the output 30. In addition to the motor, the actuator may include an electronic operating circuit 80 configured to operate the motor, as shown here.

[0045] The motor can be, for example, an electric motor or a fluid motor. The electric motor can be electrically or electromagnetically driven. The fluid motor can be pneumatically or hydraulically driven.

[0046] The manual drive 20 is mechanically connected to the output shaft 31 via a gear 40. By actuating the handwheel 21, a manual drive shaft 22 acts on a gear part 41 of the gear via a gearing 22.3. The gear parts, such as gears or worms, of the gear are mounted on gear part carriers 42, such as axles or shafts. The gearing 22.3 can be inserted into the manual drive shaft as an insert 22.2.

[0047] In one embodiment, the manual drive 20 and the output 30 are sealed with the housing wall 11 in a watertight or explosion-proof manner.

[0048] The manual drive shaft 22 can have a lumen or bore 22.4 as shown here.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows an oblique view of a section of the actuator shown in Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the manual drive. According to the invention, the actuator has a signal generator 50, which signal generator is configured to transmit the signal sequence to the handwheel, wherein the handwheel is configured to transmit the signal sequence to an environment 14 on an outer side 13 of the housing or to provide it to the environment. The signal generator can, for example, have the following: at least one LED for generating optical signal sequences, at least one piezo element for generating acoustic or vibratory signal sequences, and at least one coil with a magnet for generating vibratory signal sequences. The signal generator 50 is controlled by the electronic operating circuit of the actuator, or alternatively by a sensor device 60.The sensor device can, for example, be configured to determine a temperature or humidity in the housing of the actuator and to transmit or provide status information to the environment via the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter can feed signal sequences into the handwheel via the outer surface 22.1 of the handwheel shaft, as shown here. It can therefore be arranged in the housing chamber 12, as shown here. Handwheel shafts typically have non-planar outer surfaces in sections or have an internal, uneven surface in sections, so that, for example, optical or acoustic signal sequences reach the handwheel after one or more deflections at interfaces.

[0050] The actuator can also have several such signal transmitters, which are designed, for example, to generate signal sequences of different types, such as optical and acoustic.

[0051] Alternatively, the signal transmitter can be arranged in a lumen 22.4 or bore of the hand drive shaft or handwheel.

[0052] The arrangement of the signal transmitter in the housing chamber or in the manual drive shaft or in the handwheel therefore does not require any further through-opening in the housing chamber.

[0053] Fig. 4 outlines an exemplary structuring 22.11 of the lateral surface 22.1 according to the invention, by means of which, for example, optical or acoustic signal sequences originating from a signal generator 40 can be deflected in the axial direction. Alternatively, the lateral surface can also be designed to be diffusely scattering in sections.

[0054] List of reference symbols

[0055] I Actuator

[0056] 10 housings

[0057] II Housing wall

[0058] 12 housing chamber

[0059] 13 Outside

[0060] 14 Surroundings

[0061] 20 manual drive

[0062] 21 Handwheel

[0063] 22 Hand drive shaft

[0064] 22.01 first end

[0065] 22.1 Shell surface

[0066] 22.11 Deflection structure

[0067] 22.2 Use

[0068] 22.3 Gearing

[0069] 22.4 lumens

[0070] 30 downforce

[0071] 31 Output shaft

[0072] 40 gearboxes

[0073] 41 Gear part

[0074] 42 Gear part carriers

[0075] 50 signal generators

[0076] 60 sensor device

[0077] 70 engine

[0078] 80 electronic operating circuit

Claims

Patent claims 1. An actuator (1) for automation technology, comprising: a housing (10) with a housing wall (11) and at least one housing chamber (12); a manual drive (20) with a handwheel (21) and a manual drive shaft (22); an output (30) with an output shaft (31) configured to transmit a torque or a force to a fitting, such as a valve or a slide; a gear (40) configured to transmit a torque from the manual drive shaft to the output, wherein the gear comprises a plurality of toothed parts (41), such as gears or worms, as well as toothed part carriers (42) associated with the toothed parts, such as gear shafts or gear axles; wherein the actuator comprises a motor (70), such as an electric motor or a fluid motor, wherein the motor is arranged in one of the at least one housing chamber and configured toin particular to transmit a torque to the output (30) via the gear (40), wherein the actuator has an electronic operating circuit (80), wherein the electronic operating circuit is designed to operate the motor, wherein the gear, manual drive shaft and output are each arranged at least partially in the at least one housing chamber of the housing, wherein the handwheel is arranged at least partially on an outer side (13) of the housing, wherein the actuator has at least one signal transmitter (50), wherein the at least one signal transmitter is each designed to generate a signal sequence, wherein the signal sequence carries information regarding a state of the actuator, characterized in that the at least one signal transmitter is designed to transmit the signal sequence to the, handwheel, whereby the handwheel is set up to transmit the signal sequence to to transmit an environment (14) of the housing or to provide it to the environment, wherein the electronic operating circuit is designed to control at least one signal generator (50) of the at least one signal generator.

2. Actuator according to claim 1, wherein the signal sequence is an optical, vibratory or acoustic signal sequence.

3. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal transmitter (50) is arranged in one of the at least one housing chamber (12), or wherein the signal transmitter is arranged in a lumen (22.4) or bore of the manual drive shaft or the handwheel.

4. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handwheel (21) and the manual drive shaft (22) are designed to be optically or acoustically transparent at least in sections, wherein the signal transmitter (50) is designed to couple the signal sequence into the manual drive shaft in order to transmit the signal sequence to the handwheel.

5. Actuator according to claim 4, wherein the signal generator (50) is designed to couple the signal sequence into the manual drive shaft via a lateral surface (22.1) of the manual drive shaft, 6. Actuator according to claim 5, wherein the manual drive shaft (22) has an optically or acoustically reflecting insert (22.2) which is designed to reflect the signal sequence in the direction of the handwheel.

7. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the manual drive shaft (22) has a first end (22.01) facing away from the handwheel with a toothing (22.3), which toothing is designed to transmit a torque to the gear (40).

8. Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein one of the at least one signal sequence is a vibratory signal sequence, wherein the signal generator (50) is designed to directly or indirectly excite the handwheel (21) to vibrate, which vibrations are perceptible or palpable, and / or wherein one of the at least one signal sequence is an acoustic signal sequence, wherein the signal generator (50) is designed to directly or indirectly excite the handwheel (21) to vibrate acoustically.

9. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator has at least one sensor device (60) configured to detect a physical quantity such as temperature or humidity in one of the at least one housing chamber (12), wherein at least one signal transmitter (50) of the at least one signal transmitter is configured to provide information on a measured value of the physical quantity.

10. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the manual drive (20) and the output (30) are sealed watertight or explosion-proof with the housing wall (11).

11. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the state is one of the following: operating status; Internal housing temperature; Moisture in the housing; pressure in the housing; Error condition.

12. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handwheel (21) and the manual drive shaft (22) are designed as a single piece.

13. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an output (30) with an output shaft (31) configured to transmit a torque or a force to a fitting such as a valve or a slide; a gear (40) configured to transmit a torque from the manual drive shaft to the output, wherein the gear has a plurality of toothed parts (41), such as gearwheels or worms, as well as toothed part carriers (42) assigned to the toothed parts, such as gear shafts or gear axles; wherein the gear, manual drive shaft, and output are each arranged at least partially in the at least one housing chamber of the housing.

14. Use of an actuator with a manual drive (20), wherein the actuator has a housing (10) with a housing wall (11) and at least one housing chamber (12); wherein the manual drive (20) has a handwheel (21) and a manual drive shaft (22); wherein the handwheel is arranged at least partially on an outer side (13) of the housing, wherein the actuator has at least one signal transmitter (50), each of which is designed to generate a signal sequence, which signal sequence carries information regarding a state of the actuator, characterized in that the at least one signal transmitter transmits the signal sequence to the handwheel, wherein the handwheel transmits the signal sequence to an environment (14) of the housing or makes the signal sequence available to the environment.

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