Actuator unit for controlling valves

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuator unit for controlling valves, in particular for controlling hydraulic bicycle component valves, the actuator unit having: a housing; a coil; a drive body which is movable in an axial direction by the coil; a stator having an indexing means; an actuator which is moved by the drive body and which has an actuation means; a rotary final control element which has a positioning slotted structure; and a valve element, coupled to the rotary final control element, for controlling a valve. The indexing means of the stator, for immobilizing the rotary final control element, and the actuation means of the actuator, for moving the rotary final control element, are operatively related to the positioning slotted structure of the rotary final control element. The stator is fixed relative to the housing, and the actuator is movable relative to the stator, in particular in the axial direction predefined by the drive body, wherein the indexing means of the stator and the actuation means of the actuator act in the same axial direction on the positioning slotted structure of the rotary final control element. The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a valve.

Description

[0001] Actuator unit for controlling valves

[0002] The present invention relates to an actuator unit for controlling valves, in particular for controlling hydraulic bicycle component valves, comprising a housing, a coil, a drive body movable by the coil in an axial direction, a stator with an indexing means, an actuator with an actuating means, wherein the drive body acts on the actuator to move the actuator in the axial direction, a rotary actuator with a positioning link, and a valve member coupled to the rotary actuator for controlling a valve, wherein the indexing means of the stator, for fixing the rotary actuator, and the actuating means of the actuator, for moving the rotary actuator, are in an operative relationship with the positioning link of the rotary actuator. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control method for such a valve.

[0003] The state of the art includes a wide variety of designs of rear wheel dampers, suspension forks, and seat posts for bicycles, whose damping behavior can be adjusted or controlled to adapt to different conditions. In addition to a fixed base damping level, both the damping strength and the damping behavior can be adjusted. Such damper devices for bicycle components comprise a spring unit to absorb any impacts that occur, as well as the actual damping unit to dampen the spring vibration. The damper devices can be designed as an integral unit, but can also be combined from separate springs and damping units.

[0004] Damping units for bicycle components are typically operated with a hydraulic fluid as the damping fluid, which is throttled through a valve from a first damping chamber to a second damping chamber to dampen the spring vibrations. The size of the valve opening determines the degree of damping. The optimal damping of bicycle damping devices depends on various factors such as the rider's weight and the nature of the terrain. Therefore, it is desirable for innovative bicycle components to adjust the degree of damping depending on the load and vibration behavior.

[0005] Mechanical solutions are primarily known for adjusting the damping and vibration behavior of damping devices, but various electromechanical or electromagnetic solutions also exist. Electromechanical valve actuators are usually controlled by rotary motors, such as DC motors with gears or stepper motors, with correspondingly long switching times. Electromechanical systems are correspondingly complex and laborious to manufacture and assemble, as, depending on the system, an encoder, a gear, a locking mechanism, and / or active position monitoring are required in addition to the motor.

[0006] An electromagnetic control of a hydraulic valve for bicycle components is known, for example, from DE 10 2011 009 405 A1, in which a magnetorheological fluid is used as the hydraulic fluid. For damping, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic valve is exposed to a magnetic field with an adjustable field strength between the two damping chambers to achieve the desired damping, which can be adapted to different conditions.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 102016206358 A1 discloses a valve with various stable valve positions, in which a valve body can be moved relative to a base body by means of an electromechanical actuating device and stably positioned in several different switching positions. The actuating device comprises a valve body driven by an electric coil, which is held in a closed basic position by a spring, as well as an annular body with a positioning structure that is rotatably received in the valve body, and a holding body with stationary actuating and indexing means for positioning the annular body.Although this actuating device enables the development of a multi-stable hydraulic valve for bicycle components, the design of the actuating device is relatively complex, resulting in associated costs and high assembly effort, as well as a high risk of failure, particularly in the case of the typical shocks and impacts encountered in bicycle components.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an actuator unit for controlling valves, which enables both a technically simple and cost-efficient operation of valves and enables several stable switching positions under different ambient conditions.

[0009] This problem is solved with a generic actuator unit in that the stator is fixed relative to the housing and the actuator is movable relative to the stator, in particular in the axial direction predetermined by the drive body, wherein the indexing means of the stator and the actuating means of the actuator act on the positioning link of the rotary actuator from the same axial direction. The stator and the rotary actuator are mechanical stator and rotor elements of the actuator unit, which together with the actuator actuate the valve element coupled to the rotary actuator to control a valve. To actuate the actuator, the drive body is moved in the axial direction upon electrical excitation of the coil of the actuator unit. The drive body is also referred to as the push tube or lifting armature of the electrically actuated coil.

[0010] While the actuator and the rotary actuator move relative to the other components of the actuator unit, the stator remains stationary relative to the coil and the housing of the actuator unit. The stator can also be formed as part of the housing. In contrast to the actuator, which moves in the axial direction, the rotary actuator with its positioning link typically rotates radially around the axial longitudinal axis of the actuator unit. The rotary actuator is also designed to be movable in the axial direction. The valve element coupled to the rotary actuator is a component that acts on a valve, preferably a hydraulic valve, or forms the valve body itself in order to control various valve positions of the valve.In an actuator unit according to the invention, the drive body and the actuator are preferably connected to one another or formed as a single piece. However, the drive body and the actuator can also be two parts that can move freely relative to one another and are coupled to one another at the end faces, for example by means of a spring device. The actuating means is also preferably formed as a single piece or connected to the actuator and / or the drive body. With such a robust and functionally reliable actuator unit, different valve positions, particularly for controlling hydraulic bicycle components, can be controlled using a simple rotary locking mechanism, similar to a ballpoint pen mechanism.Since in the present actuator unit, the valve element coupled to the rotary actuator is stably positioned both axially and radially when the coil is de-energized, the various valve positions of the valves controlled by the actuator unit are also securely held in their respective positions. This makes such a valve system with an actuator unit according to the invention robust and functionally reliable against vibrations and strong impacts. Accordingly, the actuator unit can be used reliably even under extreme environmental conditions, such as those encountered when cycling.Compared to conventional electrically or mechanically operated control units for valves, the actuator unit according to the invention has a simple and functionally reliable design, is cost-effective to manufacture and is stable in all positions, both linear and rotary, when de-energized, thus requiring no supply of position-holding energy.

[0011] A suitable embodiment provides that the stator has a guide means for guiding the actuator and / or the drive body in the axial direction, preferably at least one groove extending in the axial direction or at least one slot extending in the axial direction. This allows a defined movement of the actuator in the direction of the rotary actuator. The guide means on the stator ensures that the actuator, which is guided in the axial direction, cannot rotate relative to the stator. In a hollow-cylindrical design of the stator, the actuator can be guided via corresponding grooves or slots extending in the axial direction on the inner circumference of the stator.

[0012] The actuating means of the actuator can expediently have a beveled actuating means face that can be engaged with the positioning link of the rotary actuator in order to rotate the rotary actuator about the longitudinal axis. Axial guidance of the actuator is advantageous in this case to enable support for the beveled face of the actuating means that can be engaged with the positioning link of the rotary actuator. Furthermore, the actuator preferably has two or more actuating means that are evenly distributed on different sides or around the circumference of the actuator. The actuating means of the actuator with a beveled face enables a simple construction of a rotary-locking mechanism for rotating the rotary actuator and thus for setting stable axial and rotational positions of the valve member.

[0013] Furthermore, the actuating means of the actuator can be configured as a circular ring sector, wherein the arc of the circular ring sector of the actuating means is smaller than an arc of a circular ring sector of a positioning structure on the positioning link of the rotary actuator. Thus, the actuating means is narrower than the positioning structure. This allows the indexing means of the stator to be reliably brought into contact with the positioning structure on the positioning link of the rotary actuator.

[0014] The tip of the beveled face of the actuating element can be at least partially flattened. This reduces wear on the beveled face of the actuating element, as there is less contact pressure compared to the positioning link of the rotary actuator. The lower contact pressure also prevents the tip of the beveled face of the actuating element from becoming indented on the positioning link of the rotary actuator.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the beveled end face of the actuating means has a bevel which corresponds to the bevel of the positioning star face of the positioning link and / or the bevel of the index pointer end face of the index means of the stator. This creates mutual flat supports between the actuating means end face and / or the index pointer end face against the positioning star face of the positioning link. This reduces the local contact pressure, as a result of which less abrasion or notches occur between the end faces. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning end face of the positioning link of the rotary actuator is at least partially convexly curved. By means of an at least partially slight convex curvature, it can be prevented that the tip of the beveled end face of the actuating means end face or the tip of the index pointer end face strikes the positioning end face and thus causes abrasion ordamage to the tip is caused. With a positioning face that is convex or curved downwards toward the positioning link, the beveled actuator face or the beveled index pointer face rests on the positioning face without the tip of the beveled actuator face or the tip of the index pointer face coming into contact with the positioning face of the positioning link upon impact or in a rest position.

[0016] A further embodiment provides that the indexing means of the stator is at least one index pointer protruding in the axial direction, and that the index pointer preferably has a beveled index pointer end face. An indexing means of the stator protruding in the axial direction is a simple solution for the necessary operative relationship between the stator and the position guide of the rotary actuator in order to fix the latter in a specific position. In this case, two or more indexing means can preferably also be provided, which are arranged uniformly around the circumference or on different sides of the stator. A beveled index pointer end face of the protruding index pointer enables a continuation of the rotary movement of the rotary actuator initiated by an actuating means. The index pointer end face is preferably beveled such that a flat or blunt end face protrudes axially.This can prevent possible abrasion or breakage of the protruding index pointer tip.

[0017] A useful embodiment provides for the actuating means of the actuator and / or the indexing means of the stator to protrude exclusively in the axial direction. This enables both simple assembly of the actuator unit and simple manufacture of the actuator and stator. The design of the actuating means and the indexing means, which protrude exclusively in the axial direction, relates in each case to the associated base bodies of the actuator and the stator, wherein the actuating means of the actuator and the indexing means of the stator each have no portions that protrude laterally or radially relative to the base bodies. Furthermore, the actuating means and / or indexing means, which protrude exclusively in the axial direction, enable a secure operative relationship with the positioning link of the rotary actuator and thus secure function of the actuator unit.

[0018] The positioning link of the rotary actuator can expediently protrude in the direction of the stator and the actuator, corresponding to a direction opposite to the actuation direction of the actuator, wherein the positioning link is preferably annular. Accordingly, the positioning link protrudes from a typically round base body of the rotary actuator in the direction of the end faces of the actuating means of the actuator and the indexing means of the stator, wherein here too the positioning link has no radial portion that protrudes laterally or radially with respect to the base body of the rotary actuator. This enables both a simple design and simple manufacture of the rotary actuator of the actuator unit according to the invention, wherein the rotary actuator enables unrestricted coupling to the valve member for controlling the valve on an end face of the base body facing away from the positioning link.

[0019] A particular alternative provides for the positioning link to have a plurality of positioning structures protruding in the axial direction, wherein the different positioning structures optionally have at least partially a beveled positioning end face. This enables interaction with the beveled end faces of the actuating means and / or the indexing means in order to rotate the rotary actuator. The positioning link accordingly comprises at least two, preferably at least three different positioning structures that protrude to different extents in the axial direction relative to a base body of the rotary actuator and define various stable holding positions and actuating areas with beveled end faces for radially driving the rotary actuator. The different positioning structures of the positioning link enable a reliable movement sequence of the valve member when switching between successive switching positions.The holding positions of the individual switching positions are different both axially and rotationally, allowing the valve element to be controlled by the axial and / or rotational position of the rotary actuator. Furthermore, several sets of different positioning structures arranged side by side can be provided, with the sequence of the positioning structures repeating around the circumference of the rotary actuator. The arrangement of several identical sets of positioning structures around the circumference of a base body of the rotary actuator allows for a smooth and continuous switching movement, even during the transition between individual positioning structures.The design of the two or more sets of positioning structures is coordinated in such a way that when the actuator unit is actuated, the valve element goes through repeating sequences of movement cycles, so that the different holding positions can be switched through continuously and without interruption in the same sequence.

[0020] In a further alternative embodiment, the positioning gate comprises at least two, preferably at least three uniform positioning structures that protrude equally far in the axial direction relative to a base body of the rotary actuator and define various stable holding positions and actuation areas with beveled end faces for radially driving the rotary actuator. This always generates a uniform axial movement during the transition between two individual positioning structures, and the holding positions in individual switching positions are axially at the same position, so that the valve member is controlled exclusively by the rotary movement of the rotary actuator.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the axially projecting positioning structures of the positioning link of the rotary actuator are wider in the circumferential direction than the actuating means of the actuator.

[0022] For particularly simple design and cost-effective production, the rotary actuator and the valve element can be permanently connected to each other or formed as a single piece. This enables reliable operation of the actuator unit and reliable control of the various valve holding positions.

[0023] A particular embodiment of an actuator unit according to the invention provides that the rotary actuator is prestressed in the axial direction relative to the stator, wherein preferably a spring device is provided for prestressing the rotary actuator, which spring device is supported against a housing in order to prestress the rotary actuator in the axial direction. In this case, the rotary actuator and the valve member coupled thereto are usually prestressed together, in particular with an axial prestress in the direction of the stator. The spring device, usually a helical spring supported against a housing, not only enables the valve member to be returned from an advanced position, but also enables the rotary movement of the rotary actuator to be continued via the beveled end faces of the index pointers projecting in the axial direction by means of the partially beveled end faces of the positioning structures projecting in the axial direction.For a reliable design and operation of the actuator unit, the coil can be a solenoid coil, and the drive body can preferably be a permanent-magnetic lifting armature that is at least partially accommodated in the coil in the axial direction. This enables reliable movement of the drive body, or the lifting armature, or the coil's thrust tube in the axial direction. Alternatively, the drive body can also be designed as a soft-magnetic lifting core, in which case an additional spring element can be used to retract the lifting core. An additional spring element can also be used to retract the permanent-magnetic lifting armature.

[0024] In a preferred design of the actuator unit, the stator, the actuator, the rotary actuator, and optionally a spring device for preloading the rotary actuator, as well as at least partially the valve member, can be accommodated in the housing. The housing and the arrangement of the various components of the actuator unit within the housing, as well as the integration of the coil, enable reliable protection of the various components even under harsh and stressful environmental conditions. Furthermore, an actuator unit provided with a housing enables easy integration into corresponding bicycle components.

[0025] In a useful embodiment, the actuator unit can be a bicycle component actuator unit for controlling hydraulic bicycle components, such as suspension forks, shock absorbers, or seat posts. Such a bicycle component actuator unit enables easy integration and assembly into hydraulic bicycle components, as well as simple maintenance and replacement of components. The actuator unit according to the invention, with its particularly robust and reliable design, is particularly well suited for demanding use and the harsh environmental conditions encountered during cycling.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention relates to a control method for a hydraulic valve for controlling hydraulic bicycle components, for example, suspension forks, shock absorbers, or seat posts, with one of the actuator units described above. The control method comprises applying current to the coil, driving the drive body by the current-energized coil in the axial direction, iein the direction of the rotary actuator, moving the actuator in the axial direction by means of the drive body, whereby the actuating means of the actuator transfers the rotary actuator via a positioning link from a first stable holding position into a rotary position that is adjustable relative to the index means, transferring the coil into a currentless state, rotating the rotary actuator relative to the stator, preferably by a beveled positioning end face of a positioning structure of the prestressed positioning link of the rotary actuator sliding along a beveled end face of an index pointer, and fixing the rotary actuator in a second stable holding position by means of the engagement of the index pointer of the stator in the positioning link of the prestressed rotary actuator.This control method not only allows for reliable valve function and reliable switching of the valve between different valve positions, but also for rapid actuation of the valve and repeated switching between different holding positions. The valve member is held both axially and radially stable in the actuator unit when de-energized, which accordingly also leads to a stable switching position of the valve. A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. They show:

[0027] Figure 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an actuator unit according to the invention,

[0028] Figure 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the actuator unit of Figure 1 in a first holding position,

[0029] Figure 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the actuator unit of Figure 2 in a first holding position with an advanced actuator,

[0030] Figure 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the actuator unit of Figure 3 in an advanced rotational position,

[0031] Figure 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the actuator unit of Figure 4 during a rotary movement of the rotary actuator along the bevelled end face of the indexing means,

[0032] Figure 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the actuator unit of Figure 5 with an indexing means moving into a second holding position,

[0033] Figure 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another actuator unit according to the invention, and

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rotary actuator and the valve member of the actuator unit of Figure 7.

[0035] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an actuator unit 1 according to the invention for controlling valves (not shown), in particular hydraulic valves, in a partially cutaway perspective view. The actuator unit 1 has a coil 2, in particular a solenoid coil, a drive body 3 movable by the coil 2 in an axial direction x, a stator 4, an actuator 5 moved by the drive body 3, a spring-biased rotary actuator 6, and a valve member 7 for controlling the valve or the position of a valve body. The stator 4, the actuator 5, the rotary actuator 6, a coil spring 8 for biasing the rotary actuator 6, and partially the valve member 7 are arranged within a housing 9 and are arranged essentially coaxially to the longitudinal direction of the housing 9 in the axial direction x and are movable in this longitudinal direction except for the stator 4, which is fixed relative to the housing.The hollow cylindrical coil 2 is arranged on the end face 10 of the housing 9, wherein the drive body 3 guided in the coil 2 in the axial direction x extends into the housing 9 and acts there in the axial direction x on the actuator 5 guided within the stator 4.

[0036] As soon as the hollow cylindrical coil 2 is excited by an electric current to generate a magnetic field, the drive body 3, also referred to as the push tube or lifting armature of the coil 2, is moved in the axial direction x. The drive body 3 can be designed as a permanent magnet or alternatively as a soft magnetic lifting core. The stator 4 has a bore 11 in the center, in which the actuator 5 is received and guided in a groove or slot (not shown) provided in the wall of the bore 11 in the axial direction x. The drive body 3 moved by the coil 2 can also be received in the bore 11.When the coil 2 is excited, the drive body 3 moves out of the hollow cylindrical coil 2 into the bore 11 of the stator 4 and pushes the actuator 5, which is coupled to the drive body 3 or prestressed relative to the drive body 3, out of the bore 11 in the axial direction x on the opposite side of the stator 4.

[0037] The stator 4 has two flattened sides 12 on its outer circumference, which can be arranged in corresponding recesses 13 within the housing 9 in order to secure the stator 4 rotationally relative to the housing 9. The axial securing of the stator 4 is then achieved via the cover 14 of the housing 9, which is fixed to the housing 9 via corresponding fastening openings 15. The stator 4 has at least one indexing means or index pointer 16, preferably two index pointers 16 arranged offset by 180° on the circumference of the stator 4, which protrude from the underside of the stator 4 in the axial direction x and have a beveled index pointer end face 17.

[0038] The actuator 5 arranged in the bore 11 of the stator 4 has, on an underside of the actuator 5 facing away from the drive body 3, at least one actuating means 18 projecting in the axial direction x, preferably two actuating means 18 arranged uniformly on the circumference of the actuator 5, each with a beveled actuating means end face 19, see also Figures 3 and 4.

[0039] The rotary actuator 6 has a positioning gate 20 on the upper side facing the stator 4 and the actuator 5. The positioning gate 20 consists of several positioning structures 21 arranged next to one another, which protrude to different distances in the axial direction x from the upper side of the rotary actuator 6 in the direction of the stator 4 and the actuator 5 and each have beveled or straight positioning end faces 22. The sequence of the different positioning structures 21 can be repeated on the circumference of the rotary actuator 6, thereby enabling several continuously successive actuation processes of the actuator unit 1.The positioning structures 21 are designed for interaction with the index pointer 16 of the stator 4 and the actuating means 18 of the actuator 5, wherein the positioning structures 21 form various holding positions 23-25 ​​in which the rotary actuator 6, preloaded by the helical spring 8, is fixed both axially and rotationally via the index pointer 16 of the stator 4, see also Figure 2. In Figure 1, the index pointer 16 of the stator 4 is pressed into the second holding position 24 of the positioning structure 21 of the rotary actuator 6 via the preload of the helical spring 8 and is held even when the coil 2 is de-energized. For this purpose, the helical spring 8 is supported on the base 26 of the housing 9.The valve member 7 coupled to the rotary actuator 6 extends through the coil spring 8 and exits through an opening 27 at the bottom 26 of the housing 9 in order to maintain the open position of the valve de-energized according to the various holding positions 23-25 ​​directly in an associated valve (not shown) or via a valve body (not shown).

[0040] The positioning of the rotary actuator 6 in a first holding position 23 is shown by the actuator unit 1 shown in Figure 2. The rotary actuator 6, preloaded by the helical spring 8, is pressed with the positioning link 20 against the index pointer 16 of the stator 4, wherein the beveled positioning end faces 22 of the positioning structures 21 interact with the beveled index pointer end face 17 of the index pointer 16 to fix the positioning link 20 in the axial and rotational direction against the index pointer 16, which protrudes further in the axial direction x. In this position of the rotary actuator 6, referred to as the first holding position 23, the valve member 7 protrudes furthest downward from the opening 27 of the housing 9 when the coil 2 is not excited.In addition to this first holding position 23, the second holding position 24, in which the index pointer 16 is arranged between the vertical flanks of two positioning structures 21 and the valve member 7 protrudes from the opening 27 of the housing 9 in a middle position according to Figure 1, and the third holding position 25 can be seen on the positioning link 20, in which the index pointer 16 is again received between the vertical flanks of two positioning structures 21 and the valve member 7 protrudes the least from the opening 27 of the housing 9.

[0041] The functioning of an actuator unit according to the invention for controlling valves is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 2-6:

[0042] Starting from the position of the actuator unit 1 shown in Figure 2 in the first holding position 23 with a non-excited coil 2, according to Figure 3 with a coil 2 excited with electrical current, the drive body 3 is moved via the magnetic field generated by the coil 2 from the cylindrical cavity of the coil 2 through the cover 14 of the housing 9 into the bore 11 of the stator 4 and pushes the actuator 5 on the underside of the stator 4 out of the bore 11 in the direction of the rotary actuator 6.When the beveled actuating means end face 19 of the actuating means 18 of the actuator 5 strikes the beveled positioning end face 22 of the positioning structures 21 of the positioning link 20, the index pointer 16 is lifted from the first holding position 23, wherein the rotary actuator 6 is initially moved by the actuator 5 without any rotational component only in the axial direction x, since the beveled actuating means end face 19 presses the vertical flank of the positioning structure 21 against the fixed index pointer 16 of the stator 4 via the beveled positioning end face 22 of the positioning structure 21 and prevents rotation of the rotary actuator 6.

[0043] As the drive body 3, which is moved in the axial direction x by means of the applied coil 2, is moved further into the bore 11 of the stator 4, as shown in Figure 4, the actuator 5 is pushed further out of the bore 11 in the direction of the rotary actuator 6 and compresses the helical spring 8 via the rotary actuator 6 and at the same time pushes the valve member 7 out of the opening 27 on the bottom 26 of the housing 9 into a position which projects beyond the first holding position 23. At the same time, the rotary actuator 6 is no longer fixed in its radial position in this rotary position 28 because the index pointer 16 and the vertical flank of the associated positioning structure 21 no longer overlap perpendicular to the axial direction x, i.e. they no longer touch at the associated side flanks. In this rotational position 28 of the rotary actuator 6, the rotary actuator 6 is rotatable together with the positioning link 20 relative to the stator 4 and the associated index pointer 16.

[0044] However, since in the rotational position 28 of the rotary actuator 6 the positioning structure 21 protruding from the positioning link 20 with the beveled positioning end face 22 rests against the likewise beveled actuating means end face 19, but is no longer guided laterally by the side flank of the index pointer 16, the beveled positioning end face 22 also slides or pushes slightly in the radial direction over the beveled actuating means end face 19 due to the pretension of the compressed helical spring 8, see Figure 4.When the electrical excitation of the coil 2 is switched off and the drive body 3 and the actuator 5 coupled thereto are retracted as a result, see Figure 5, the beveled positioning end face 22 of the protruding positioning structure 21 at least partially strikes the beveled index pointer end face 17 and then slides along it due to the pretension of the helical spring 8 until the index pointer 16 moves into the second holding position 24 between the side flanks of the subsequent positioning structures 21, see Figure 6. The index pointer 16 then moves completely into the second holding position 24, see Figure 1, the index pointer 16 axially and rotationally fixing the pretensioned rotary actuator 6 between the side flanks of the adjacent positioning structures 21.As a result, the valve member 7 coupled to the rotary actuator 6 is held in a position protruding furthest from the opening 27 of the housing 9 without an electrical excitation applied to the coil 2 in order to control an associated valve without current.

[0045] Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of an actuator unit 1 according to the invention. Here, too, the actuator unit 1 comprises a coil 2, in particular a solenoid coil, a drive body 3 movable by the coil 2 in an axial direction x, a stator 4, an actuator 5 which is moved by the drive body 3 in the axial direction x, a rotary actuator 6, and a valve member 7 for controlling a valve (not shown). The stator 4, the actuator 5, the rotary actuator 6, and partly the valve member 7 are arranged within a housing 9 and are aligned essentially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the housing 9 in the axial direction x, wherein the actuator 5, the rotary actuator 6, and the valve member 7 are movable in this direction. A helical spring 8 (not shown) arranged between the rotary actuator 6 and the bottom 26 of the housing 9 enables preloading of the rotary actuator 6 and the valve member 7 in the axial direction x against the stator 4.

[0046] The hollow cylindrical coil 2 is in turn arranged on the end face 10 of the housing 9, wherein the drive body 3 guided in the coil 2 in the axial direction x extends into the housing 9 and there acts on the actuator 5 guided in the axial direction x within the stator 4. For this purpose, the stator 4 has a bore 11 in which the actuator 5 is received, as well as a groove 29 running in the axial direction x on the inner wall of the bore 11, which prevents rotation of the actuator 5 about the longitudinal axis of the housing 9. The top opening of the hollow cylindrical coil 2 is closed here with a cover 30 to prevent the ingress of dirt or moisture. The stator 4 has two flattened sides 12 on its outer circumference, which are arranged in corresponding recesses 13 within the housing 9 in order to secure the stator 4 against rotation relative to the housing 9.

[0047] The rotary actuator 6 has, on the upper side facing the stator 4, a positioning link 20 which consists of at least 2, preferably at least 3 uniform positioning structures 21. The uniform positioning structures 21 are arranged uniformly on the circumference of the rotary actuator 6 and protrude the same distance in the direction of the stator 4 or the actuator 5 (i.e. in the axial direction x), wherein the positioning end faces 22 of the uniform positioning structures 21 are each bevelled, wherein the inclination of the positioning end faces 22 always points in the same direction of rotation, see also Figure 8. The valve member 7 coupled to the rotary actuator 6 also extends here through an opening 27 in the bottom 26 of the housing 9 in order to maintain, in an associated valve (not shown), an open position of the valve assigned to the rotary holding position of the rotary actuator 6, even when the coil 2 is de-energized.

[0048] The perspective view in Figure 8 shows in detail the rotary actuator 6 with the positioning link 20 and the valve member 7 coupled to the rotary actuator 6 on the opposite side. The positioning link 20 here consists of 8 uniform positioning structures 21 with beveled positioning end faces 22 arranged evenly on the circumference of the rotary actuator 6, wherein the positioning structures 21 are curved according to the circumference of the rotary actuator 6. In interaction with the index pointer 16 of the stator 4 and the actuating means 18 (not visible in Figure 7) of the actuator 5, the positioning link 20 forms various stable holding positions in which the tip of the index pointer 16 is fixed between the beveled positioning end face 22 and the vertical flank of a subsequent positioning structure 21, so that the rotary actuator 6 preloaded by the helical spring 8 and the valve member 7 coupled thereto are rotationally fixed.

[0049] The rotation of the rotary actuator 6 by means of the positioning link 20 takes place when the coil 2 is excited via the drive body 3 guided in the coil 2 and the actuator 5 guided in the stator 4 by means of the beveled actuating means end face 19 of the actuating means 18 of the actuator 5. The actuator 5 moves the rotary actuator 6 and the valve member 7 coupled to it in the axial direction x via the actuating means 18, so that the valve member 7 protrudes further out of the opening 27. The movement of the rotary actuator 6 initially takes place without a rotational component only in the axial direction x, since an associated vertical flank of the positioning structure 21 presses from the beveled actuating means end face 19 against the fixed index pointer 16 of the stator 4 and prevents rotation of the rotary actuator 6.When the actuator 5 is further extended from the bore 11 of the stator 4, the rotary actuator 6 is no longer fixed in its radial position, since the index pointer 16 and the vertical flank of the associated positioning structure 21 no longer overlap, so that in this rotational position 28 the rotary actuator 6 can be rotated together with the positioning link 20 relative to the stator 4 and the associated index pointer 16.

[0050] When the electrical excitation of the coil 2 is switched off and the associated automatic retraction of the drive body 3 and the actuator 5, the beveled positioning end face 22 of the subsequent positioning structure 21 at least partially strikes the beveled index pointer end face 17 and then slides along it due to the pretension of the helical spring 8 until the index pointer 17 is in a subsequent rotary holding position, which is then again defined by the beveled positioning end face 22 of the subsequent positioning structure 21. For this purpose, the beveled positioning end faces 22 of the axially projecting positioning structures 21 of the positioning link 20 of the rotary actuator 6 are preferably designed to be somewhat longer in the circumferential direction than the beveled actuating means end face 19 of the actuating means 18 of the actuator 5. This enables a secure transfer of the positioning link 20 into the subsequent holding position.The transition between the various rotary holding positions is always generated via a uniform axial movement of the actuator 5, wherein the rotary holding positions, i.e. the various switching positions of the valve member 7 in the axial direction x, always lie at the same axial position of the rotary actuator 6 or the valve member 7. Accordingly, in this embodiment of an actuator unit 1 according to the invention, the associated valve (not shown) is controlled exclusively via the rotary movement of the rotary actuator 6 and the valve member 7 connected thereto or their rotary holding positions, i.e. in the radial direction to the movement of the actuator 5 in the axial direction x.

[0051] List of reference symbols:

[0052] 1 actuator unit

[0053] 2 coils

[0054] 3 drive bodies

[0055] 4 Stator

[0056] 5 Actuator

[0057] 6 Rotary actuator

[0058] 7 valve element

[0059] 8 coil spring

[0060] 9 housings

[0061] 10 Front side

[0062] 11 Hole

[0063] 12 Flattened sides

[0064] 13 Recess

[0065] 14 lids

[0066] 15 mounting holes

[0067] 16 index pointers

[0068] 17 Index pointer front side

[0069] 18 Actuating means

[0070] 19 Actuator front side

[0071] 20 positioning backdrop

[0072] 21 Positioning structures

[0073] 22 positioning end faces

[0074] 23 first holding position

[0075] 24 second holding position

[0076] 25 third holding position

[0077] 26 Floor

[0078] 27 Opening

[0079] 28 rotation position

[0080] 29 grooves

[0081] 30 cover x axial direction

Claims

Claims 1. Actuator unit (1) for controlling valves, comprising a housing (9), a coil (2), a drive body (3) movable by the coil (2) in an axial direction (x), a stator (4) with an indexing means, an actuator (5) with an actuating means (18), wherein the drive body (3) acts on the actuator (5) to move the actuator (5) in the axial direction (x), a rotary actuator (6) with a positioning link (20) and a valve member (7) coupled to the rotary actuator (6) for controlling a valve, wherein the indexing means of the stator (4) are in operative relationship with the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6) in order to fix the rotary actuator (6), and the actuating means (18) of the actuator (5) are in operative relationship with the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6) in order to move the rotary actuator (6), characterized in that the stator (4) is fixed relative to the housing (9) and the Actuator (5) is movable relative to the stator (4),and wherein the indexing means of the stator (4) and the actuating means (18) of the actuator (5) act on the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6) from the same axial direction (x).

2. Actuator unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stator (4) has a guide means for guiding the actuator (5) and / or the drive body (3) in the axial direction (x), preferably at least one groove extending in the axial direction (x) or at least one slot extending in the axial direction (x).

3. Actuator unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating means (18) of the actuator (5) has a bevelled actuating means end face (19) which can be brought into engagement with the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6).

4. Actuator unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the index means of the stator (4) is at least one index pointer (16) projecting in the axial direction (x) and preferably has a beveled index pointer end face (17).

5. Actuator unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the actuating means (18) of the actuator (5) and / or the indexing means of the stator (4) protrude exclusively in the axial direction (x).

6. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6) in Direction of the stator (4) and the actuator (5), wherein the positioning link (20) is preferably annular.

7. Actuator unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning link (20) has a plurality of positioning structures (21) projecting in the axial direction x, wherein the different positioning structures (21) at least partially have a beveled positioning end face (22).

8. Actuator unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that several sets of different positioning structures (21) arranged next to one another are provided, wherein the sequence of the positioning structures (21) is repeated on the circumference of the rotary actuator (6).

9. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rotary actuator (6) and the valve member (7) are firmly connected to one another or are formed in one piece.

10. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rotary actuator (6) is prestressed in the axial direction x relative to the stator (4), wherein preferably a spring is provided for prestressing the rotary actuator (6), which spring is supported against a housing (9) in order to prestress the rotary actuator (6) in the axial direction (x).

11. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the coil (2) is a solenoid coil, and that the drive body (3) is preferably a permanent magnetic lifting armature which is at least partially accommodated in the coil (2) in the axial direction x.

12. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the stator (4), the actuator (5), the rotary actuator (6) and at least partially the valve member (7) are accommodated in the housing (9).

13. Actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the actuator unit (1) is a bicycle component actuator unit for controlling hydraulic bicycle components, for example suspension forks, dampers or seat posts.

4. Control method for a hydraulic valve for controlling hydraulic bicycle components, for example suspension forks, dampers or seat posts, with an actuator unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: applying current to the coil (2), Driving the drive body (3) by the current-energized coil (2) in the axial direction (x), Moving the actuator (5) in the axial direction (x) by means of the drive body (3), whereby the actuating means (18) of the actuator (5) transfers the rotary actuator (6) via the positioning link (20) from a first stable holding position (23) into a rotary position (28) relative to the indexing means, Transferring the coil (2) into a currentless state, Rotating the rotary actuator (6) relative to the stator (4), preferably by a bevelled positioning end face (22) of a positioning structure of the prestressed positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6) sliding along a bevelled index pointer end face (17) of an index pointer (16), Fixing the rotary actuator (6) in a second stable holding position (24) by means of the engagement of the index pointer (16) of the stator (4) in the positioning link (20) of the rotary actuator (6).

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