Actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator (1) for automation technology, comprising: a housing (10) having a housing pot (11) and a housing cover (12), wherein the housing pot and the housing cover form at least one housing chamber (13), which housing chamber has an internal volume (14); an electric motor (20); a gear mechanism (30); an output (40); an electronic operating circuit (50), a power supply unit (60); wherein the electric motor is set up to effect a force or a torque on the output by means of the gear mechanism, wherein the electric motor, the power supply unit and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber (13.1) of the at least one housing chamber, wherein the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, characterized in that the actuator has a reduction device (70) set up to limit a continuous free volume (14.1) of the internal volume to a value lower than the limit value, wherein the limit value is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimetres, 2000 cubic centimetres, 500 cubic centimetres, 100 cubic centimetres.

Description

[0001] Actuator

[0002] The invention relates to an actuator for automation technology.

[0003] Actuators are used, among other things, in process automation to control processes using fittings such as valves or gate valves. An example of such an actuator can be found in DE102004048366B4.

[0004] In some cases, such actuators are used in potentially explosive atmospheres and must meet stricter EX safety requirements. Since actuators in enclosures contain electronic components, the penetration of flammable gas mixtures into the enclosure can pose a risk of explosion within the enclosure. To prevent the explosion from spreading to the area surrounding the actuator or between different chambers within the enclosure, the provision of EX gaps is mandatory. The standard EN60079-1, 2015-04 links enclosure volumes with requirements for such EX gaps. If volume limit values ​​are exceeded, for example, progressively higher requirements for EX gaps apply.

[0005] If a housing is technically necessary to be enlarged, this can lead to disruptive additional construction work.

[0006] The object of the invention is to reduce this additional effort.

[0007] The problem is solved by an actuator according to independent claim 1.

[0008] An actuator according to the invention for automation technology comprises a housing with a housing pot and a housing cover, wherein the housing pot and the housing cover form at least one housing chamber, which housing chamber has an internal volume; an electric motor; a gear; an output; an electronic operating circuit for operating the electric motor, a power supply for supplying energy to the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit;wherein the electric motor is designed to cause a force or a torque on the output by means of the gear, wherein the electric motor, the power supply and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber of the at least one housing chamber, wherein the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, wherein the actuator has a reduction device which is designed to limit a coherent free volume of the internal volume to a value smaller than the limit value, wherein the limit value of the internal volume is one of the following;

[0009] Values ​​are : 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500

[0010] cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters .

[0011] In this way, if the actuator housing needs to be enlarged for technical reasons, the free volume relevant for compliance with the internal volume limit can be kept below the limit, thus avoiding higher requirements for EX gaps.

[0012] In one embodiment, the reduction device has at least one insert which is arranged in the inner volume, wherein the insert comprises, for example, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic or a glass, and / or wherein the reduction device has at least one potting compound which is arranged in the inner volume, wherein the potting compound comprises, for example, a plastic.

[0013] In this way, the free volume of the internal volume can be reduced.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing cover encloses a cover part of the first housing chamber, wherein at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one potting of the at least one potting as well as the power supply are arranged in the cover part, wherein the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a pot part of the first housing chamber.

[0015] Since the cover is removable from the housing pot, the reduction device can be configured without significant structural effort. In one embodiment, at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation of the at least one encapsulation has, at least in sections, a shape complementary to the adjacent component on a side facing an adjacent component.

[0016] In this way, the volume not used by components such as electric motors, power supplies or electronic operating circuits can be reduced.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one insert of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation of the at least one encapsulation is arranged between a wall of the housing cover and at least one component.

[0018] In this way, for example, during repairs or when replacing components, the reduction device can be removed and reattached to facilitate the individual work steps.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first housing chamber is pressure-resistant according to the standard EN60079-1, 2015-04.

[0020] In one embodiment, the actuator is designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.

[0021] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows the schematic structure of an exemplary actuator according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. 1 describes an actuator 1 according to the invention, which comprises a housing 10 with a housing pot 11 and a housing cover 12. The housing has at least one housing chamber 13. If there are several housing chambers, as shown here, for example, a first housing chamber 13. 1 and a second housing chamber 13. 2, the different housing chambers are separated from one another by walls. An electric motor 20, a gear 30, an output 40, an electronic operating circuit 50 and a power supply unit 60 are arranged in the at least one housing chamber. The power supply unit is designed to supply the electronic operating circuit and the electric motor with electrical power. The electronic operating circuit is designed to operate the electric motor. The power supply unit, the electronic operating circuit and the electric motor are in the same housing chamber, here, for example, in the first housing chamber 13.1. The electric motor is designed to apply a force or torque to the output by means of the gear, so that a valve can be actuated by means of the output.

[0024] According to the invention, the first housing chamber has an internal volume greater than a limit value, wherein a free, continuous volume of the internal volume is reduced to below this limit value by a reduction device 70. The limit value is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters.

[0025] In this way, a lower standard requirement can be applied for EX columns according to the standard EN60079-1, 2015-04.

[0026] In one embodiment, the reduction device 70 has at least one insert 71 and / or at least one potting compound 72, which is arranged in the internal volume 14. The insert can, for example, comprise a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a glass, and the potting compound can, for example, comprise a plastic. More than one insert or more than one potting compound can also be provided. In this way, for example, a volume not used by components such as an electric motor or power supply or electronic operating circuit can be reduced.

[0027] In one embodiment, the housing cover 12 encloses a cover part 13. 11 of the first housing chamber, wherein at least one insert 71 of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation 72 of the at least one encapsulation as well as the power supply are arranged in the cover part, wherein the electric motor 20 and the electronic operating circuit 50 are arranged in a pot part 13. 12 of the first housing chamber. Since the cover is removable from the housing pot, the reduction device can be set up in this way without great structural effort.

[0028] / List of reference symbols

[0029] Reference symbol list

[0030] 1 actuator

[0031] 10 housings

[0032] 11 Housing pot

[0033] 12 Housing cover

[0034] 13 housing combs

[0035] 13 . 1 first housing chamber

[0036] 13 . 11 Cover part

[0037] 13 . 12 pot part

[0038] 13 . 2 second housing chamber

[0039] 14 internal volume

[0040] 14 . 1 contiguous free volume

[0041] 20 electric motor

[0042] 30 gearboxes

[0043] 40 downforce

[0044] 50 electronic operating circuit

[0045] 60 power supply

[0046] 70 Reduction device

[0047] 71 deployment

[0048] 72 Casting

[0049] / Claims

Claims

Claims 1. Actuator (1) of automation technology comprising: a housing (10) with a housing pot (11) and a housing cover (12), wherein the housing pot and the housing cover form at least one housing chamber (13), which at least one housing chamber each has an internal volume (14); an electric motor (20); a gear unit (30); an output (40); an electronic operating circuit (50) for operating the electric motor, a power supply unit (60) for supplying power to the electric motor and the electronic operating circuit; wherein the electric motor is designed to apply a force or a torque to the output by means of the gear unit, wherein the electric motor, the power supply unit and the electronic operating circuit are arranged in a first housing chamber (13).1) of the at least one housing chamber, wherein the internal volume of the first housing chamber is greater than a limit value, characterized in that the actuator has a reduction device (70) which is designed to limit a contiguous free volume (14.1) of the internal volume to a value smaller than the limit value, wherein the limit value of the internal volume is one of the following values: 5750 cubic centimeters, 2000 cubic centimeters, 500 cubic centimeters, 100 cubic centimeters.

2. Actuator according to claim 1, wherein the reduction device (70) comprises at least one insert (71) which is arranged in the inner volume (14), wherein the insert comprises, for example, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic or a glass, and / or wherein the reduction device (70) has at least one potting compound (72) which is arranged in the inner volume (14), wherein the potting compound comprises, for example, a plastic.

3. Actuator according to claim 2, wherein the housing cover (12) encloses a cover part (13.11) of the first housing chamber (13.1), wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one potting compound (72) of the at least one potting compound and the power supply are arranged in the cover part, wherein the electric motor (20) and the electronic operating circuit (50) are arranged in a pot part (13.12) of the first housing chamber.

4. Actuator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation (72) of the at least one encapsulation has, on a side facing an adjacent component, at least in sections, a shape complementary to the adjacent component.

5. Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one insert (71) of the at least one insert and / or at least one encapsulation (72) of the at least one encapsulation is arranged between a wall of the housing cover and at least one component.

6. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first housing chamber (13.1) is designed according to the standard EN60079- 1, 2015-04 pressure test is encapsulated. / Summary

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