Inductive position sensor and electromagnetic clutch

Abstract

To solve the problem that an existing position sensor, to some extent, affects the spatial structure of the power system of a new energy vehicle.SOLUTION: An inductive position sensor is proposed, the inductive position sensor comprises a movable portion and an induction coil assembly, the movable portion is a magnetic permeable body, the induction coil assembly is adjacent to the movable portion, the induction coil assembly and the movable portion form a magnetic circuit, the induction coil assembly includes an input end and an output end, the input end of the induction coil assembly is used for inputting a current, the output end of the induction coil assembly is used for outputting a feedback current, and the inductive position sensor is used to detect a position of the movable portion on the basis of a relationship between the feedback current and an input current. The inductive position sensor has a flexible and compact structural design, and can be adjusted and arranged according to different applications and structural spaces, so it applies to a wide range of environments. An electromagnetic clutch is also proposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sensors, and particularly to inductive position sensors and electromagnetic clutches.

Background Art

[0002] A new energy vehicle is a vehicle that uses a non-conventional vehicle fuel as a power source and is formed by integrating advanced technologies in both power control and driving. It is an automobile with an advanced technical principle and a new structure.

[0003] New energy vehicles will face various operating states during their operation, such as stable driving, acceleration shifting, deceleration, and parking. This involves the monitoring of the movement of each mechanism by the system. To realize this function, a position sensor is a preferred option. As the power system of new energy vehicles becomes more compact and lightweight, the requirements for the accuracy and diversity of position sensors are becoming increasingly high.

[0004] In the process of realizing the present invention, the inventor found that there are at least the following problems in the prior art. That is, existing position sensors have drawbacks such as large volume, high requirements for environmental compatibility, the need for specific connectors, and the need to ensure layout space in advance, which will have a certain impact on the spatial structure of the power system of new energy vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention is intended to at least somewhat solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to propose an inductive position sensor and an electromagnetic clutch with high accuracy and a compact structure.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a first aspect of the present invention proposes an inductive position sensor, which is a guided position sensor. Including a movable part and an induction coil assembly, The aforementioned movable part is a magnetic permeable material. The induction coil assembly is adjacent to the movable part, and the induction coil assembly and the movable part constitute a magnetic circuit, the induction coil assembly is provided with an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the induction coil assembly is used to input current, and the output terminal of the induction coil assembly is used to output feedback current. The inductive position sensor is used to detect the position of the movable part based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current.

[0008] According to the inductive position sensor of the present invention, a magnetic circuit is formed by a movable part and an induction coil assembly. When current is input to the induction coil assembly, the position of the movable part can be accurately detected based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. The inductive position sensor of the present invention has a flexible and compact structural design, can be adjusted and laid out according to different applications and different structural spaces, and has a wide range of application environments. The input and output terminals of the induction coil assembly of the present invention can be integrated with other interfaces, does not require specific connectors, and the usage space is fully optimized. Furthermore, the present invention has a magnetic path formed by the movable part and the induction coil assembly, and its magnetic interference resistance is stronger compared to other position sensors.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the induction coil assembly includes an electromagnetic coil assembly, an iron core, and a fixed part, the fixed part being a magnetic permeable material, the electromagnetic coil assembly being mounted on the iron core, and the iron core being fixed to the fixed part at the end furthest from the movable part.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the iron core and the fixing portion are interlocked, or the iron core and the fixing portion are connected via a fastening member.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic coil assembly includes a coil bobbin and a coil, the coil being wound around the coil bobbin, and the coil bobbin and the coil being provided between the movable part and the fixed part.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the iron core and the fixing part are fitted together by a pressure-fit mechanism, the fixing part is provided with a through hole that conforms to the shape of the end face of the iron core.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the iron core and the fixing part are connected by a screw, and the fixing part is provided with a counterbore hole that conforms to the shape of the end face of the screw.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the iron core and the fixing portion are connected via a circlip, and the fixing portion is provided with a through hole that conforms to the end face shape of the iron core.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coil is further included.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the movable part is restricted to reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the induction coil assembly.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention proposes an electromagnetic clutch that includes the inductive position sensor described in the first aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The electromagnetic clutch of the present invention is a specific application of an inductive position sensor. The electromagnetic clutch is equipped with a movable part and a fixed part. A magnetic circuit is formed by the movable part and an induction coil assembly. When current is input to the induction coil assembly, the position of the movable part can be accurately detected based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. The electromagnetic clutch of the present invention has a flexible and compact structural design, can be adjusted and laid out according to different applications and different structural spaces, and has a wide range of applicable environments.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, some of which will become apparent from the following description or will be understood by the implementation of the present invention.

[0020] By reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, various other advantages and merits will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings are only for illustrating the preferred embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Also, throughout the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an inductive position sensor proposed by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an inductive position sensor proposed by another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of an electromagnetic clutch proposed by an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an operation curve of the inductive position sensor proposed by an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described are illustrated in the drawings, where the same or similar elements, or elements having the same or similar functions, are represented by the same or similar reference numerals from the beginning to the end. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are used only for interpreting the present invention and should not be understood as limiting the present invention. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present invention include all modifications, corrections, and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the present invention determined based on the description of the appended claims.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an inductive position sensor proposed by an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides an inductive position sensor including a movable part 1 and an inductive coil assembly 100.

[0024] The movable part 1 is a permeable body. The movable part is a permeable component, and the permeable component may be attached to the movable member of the measured mechanism, or a movable and permeable component in the measured mechanism may be directly used as the movable member.

[0025] The inductive coil assembly 100 is adjacent to the movable part 1, and a magnetic circuit is formed by the inductive coil assembly 100 and the movable part 1. The inductive coil assembly 100 is provided with an input end and an output end. The input end of the inductive coil assembly 100 is used to input current, and the output end of the inductive coil assembly 100 is used to output a feedback current. The inductive coil assembly 100 can realize measurement by utilizing the change of the self-inductance of the coil. When the air gap between the movable part and the inductive coil assembly 100 changes, the distance between the movable part and the inductive coil assembly is measured according to different inductive states of the inductive coil assembly 100. Both the input end and the output end of the inductive coil assembly 100 can be integrated with other interfaces.

[0026] In the actual operation of the inductive coil assembly 100, the movable part 1 can move on one side of the inductive coil assembly 100 together with the measured mechanism. During the movement of the movable part 1, the gap between the movable part 1 and the inductive coil assembly 100 continues to change, and the inductance of the magnetic path formed by the inductive coil assembly and the movable part 1 changes accordingly. Therefore, when a certain current pulse is input to the inductive coil assembly 100, different output current signals are obtained, and as a result, the position of the movable part 1 is measured. The movable part 1 can move freely relative to the inductive coil assembly 100. In order to accurately measure the relative distance between the two, the movable part 1 is restricted to reciprocate in the axial direction of the inductive coil assembly 100.

[0027] The input current can be either a pulsed current or alternating current. A pulsed current is a current whose direction is constant but whose intensity continuously changes, and its waveform can be diverse, such as a sine wave or a square wave. The inductive position sensor needs to be calibrated in advance to determine the relationship between its input and output. In other words, the relationship between the feedback current and the pulsed current needs to be determined at different distances between the movable part 1 and the induction coil assembly 100. When in use, the inductive position sensor detects the position of the movable part 1 based on the determined relationship between the feedback current and the pulsed current.

[0028] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, when the distance between the movable part 1 and the induction coil assembly 100 is at its maximum, the induction coefficient of the induction coil assembly 100 is at its minimum. When a rectangular wave pulse current with a constant duty cycle is applied to the induction coil assembly 100 at this time, a corresponding current is obtained from the output terminal. The pulse current may be in the range of 10 to 50 mA. When the distance between the movable part 1 and the induction coil assembly 100 is at its minimum, the induction coefficient of the induction coil assembly 100 is at its maximum. When a pulse current with a constant duty cycle is applied to the induction coil assembly 100 at this time, a different corresponding current is obtained from the output current signal, and the peak value of the output current signal at this time is smaller than the peak value of the current signal when the distance is at its maximum. By determining the output electrical signals at different distances between the movable part 1 and the induction coil assembly 100, the position of the movable part can be monitored in real time.

[0029] According to the inductive position sensor of the embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic circuit is formed by a movable part and an induction coil assembly. When current is input to the induction coil assembly, the position of the movable part can be accurately detected by the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. The inductive position sensor of the present invention has a flexible and compact structural design, can be adjusted and laid out according to different applications and different structural spaces, and has a wide range of application environments. The input and output terminals of the induction coil assembly of the present invention can be integrated with other interfaces, does not require specific connectors, and the usage space is fully optimized. Furthermore, the present invention has a magnetic path formed by the movable part and the induction coil assembly, and has higher magnetic interference resistance compared to other position sensors.

[0030] In some embodiments, the induction coil assembly 100 includes an electromagnetic coil assembly 10, an iron core 2, and a fixed part 5, the fixed part 5 being a magnetic permeable material, the electromagnetic coil assembly 10 being enclosed around the iron core 2, and the iron core 2 being fixed to the fixed part 5 at the end furthest from the movable part 1. The fixed part 5 may be a standalone component, or a component already fixed to the mechanism under test may be used as the fixed part 5, as long as it is ensured that the fixed part 5 has magnetic permeability. As can be seen from Figure 1, the distance between the movable part 1 and the induction coil assembly 100 is the distance between the end face of the iron core 2 and the movable part 1.

[0031] The electromagnetic coil assembly 10 includes a coil bobbin 3 and a coil 4, the coil 4 being wound around the coil bobbin 3. The coil bobbin 3 is used to secure the coil 4. The coil bobbin 3 and the coil 4 are located between the movable part 1 and the fixed part 5. The coil bobbin 3 is enclosed over the iron core 2.

[0032] The connection method between the iron core 2 and the fixed part 5 includes two methods: one in which the iron core 2 and the fixed part 5 are crimped together, and another in which the iron core 2 and the fixed part 5 are connected via a fastening member.

[0033] When the iron core 2 and the fixing part 5 are fitted together by a pressure mechanism, the fixing part 5 is provided with a through hole that matches the shape of the end face of the iron core 2. The iron core 2 is firmly inserted into the fixing part 5 at the end furthest from the movable part 1.

[0034] When the core 2 and the fixing part 5 are connected via a fastening member, the core 2 and the fixing part 5 may be connected via a screw, and the fixing part 5 may be provided with a counterbore hole that matches the shape of the end face of the screw, so that the screw fits completely into the surface of the fixing part 5 and the robustness between the fixing part and the core 2 can be increased. Alternatively, the core 2 and the fixing part 5 may be connected via a circlip, and the fixing part 5 may be provided with a through hole that matches the shape of the end face of the core 2. The advantage of connection by circlip is that it is easy to attach and detach.

[0035] In some embodiments, the inductive position sensor further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coil 4. When the coil 4 generates heat during operation, its resistance changes, which in turn affects the output current of the coil 4. By feeding back the resistance of the coil based on its temperature and measuring the output current of the coil 4 at different temperatures, the inductive position sensor can be accurately calibrated, thereby improving its measurement accuracy.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inductive position sensor proposed in another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, there are two induction coil assemblies 100. The two induction coil assemblies 100 can be distributed at different positions on the mechanism under measurement and arranged based on the actual space of the mechanism under measurement, and the distance between the movable part and the induction coil assembly can be measured more accurately with two distance measurements.

[0037] The number of induction coil assemblies 100 may be even greater and will be arranged based on the actual available space of the mechanism under measurement and the required measurement accuracy.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electromagnetic clutch proposed in one embodiment of the present invention. The electromagnetic clutch in this embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned inductive position sensor. In this embodiment, the inductive position sensor is specifically applied to a monostable electromagnetic clutch, where a fixed yoke with magnetic permeability serves as the fixed part 5, and a movable armature disc with magnetic permeability serves as the movable part 1, with several electromagnetic coil assemblies and an iron core mounted between the fixed part 5 and the movable part 1. Inside the electromagnetic clutch are several clutch coil assemblies 200. Each clutch coil assembly 200 includes a clutch coil 6 and a clutch coil bobbin 7, and a clutch iron core passes through the middle of the clutch coil assembly 200. The axes of the iron core and the clutch iron core are parallel to each other.

[0039] The movable armature disc is capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the clutch core under the action of the clutch coil assembly 200 and the elastic assembly. During the operation of the electromagnetic clutch, the induction coil assembly is energized with a current of fixed size and a constant duty cycle, and as the air gap between the movable armature disc and the end face of the clutch core changes, the precise position parameters of the movable armature disc can be obtained by measuring the rate of change of the pulse signal of the coil's output signal.

[0040] The electromagnetic clutch of this embodiment is applicable when there are certain limitations on the circumferential space and the axial space is small.

[0041] As can be seen from the above, the electromagnetic clutch of the embodiment of the present invention is a specific application of an inductive position sensor. The electromagnetic clutch is equipped with a movable part and a fixed part, and a magnetic circuit is formed by the movable part and an induction coil assembly. When current is input to the induction coil assembly, the position of the movable part can be accurately detected based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. The electromagnetic clutch of the present invention has a flexible and compact structural design, can be adjusted and laid out according to different applications and different structural spaces, and has a wide range of applicable environments.

[0042] In describing the present invention, it should be noted that terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely for explanatory purposes and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" in the description of the present invention means two or more.

[0043] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly stated or limited, terms such as "attach," "connect," "bond," and "fix" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, a connection may be fixed, detachable, or integrated. It may also be mechanical or electrical. It may be directly connected, indirectly connected via an intermediate medium, or be an internal communication or interaction between two elements. To those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention will be understandable depending on the specific case.

[0044] In the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly stated or limited, the position of the first feature "above" or "below" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that they are in indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, the position of the first feature "above," "above," and "towards" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or that the horizontal height of the first feature is smaller than that of the second feature. The position of the first feature "below," "below," and "towards" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or that the horizontal height of the first feature is smaller than that of the second feature.

[0045] In this description of the present invention, directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They do not indicate or suggest that any device, element, or structure mentioned has a specific orientation or must be configured or operated in a specific orientation, and should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0046] Any description of a procedure or method in a flowchart or otherwise described herein means a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or step of a procedure, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of the present invention belong that the scope of preferred embodiments of the present invention includes other implementations, such as performing functions essentially concurrently or in reverse order depending on the function, instead of the illustrated or discussed order.

[0047] In this specification, reference terms such as “one embodiment,” “several embodiments,” “example,” “specific example,” and “several examples” mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described in relation to such embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described may be appropriately combined in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0048] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and should not be understood as limitations of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can change, modify, substitute, and transform the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention may be configured as follows. [Section 1] It is an inductive position sensor, It includes a movable part (1) and an induction coil assembly (100), The movable part (1) is a magnetic permeable material. The induction coil assembly (100) is adjacent to the movable part (1), and the induction coil assembly (100) and the movable part (1) constitute a magnetic circuit, and the induction coil assembly (100) is provided with an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the induction coil assembly (100) is used to input current, and the output terminal of the induction coil assembly (100) is used to output a feedback current. The inductive position sensor is characterized in that it is used to detect the position of the movable part (1) based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. [Section 2] The induction type position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the induction coil assembly (100) includes an electromagnetic coil assembly (10), an iron core (2), and a fixing part (5), the fixing part (5) being a magnetic permeable material, the electromagnetic coil assembly (10) being fitted onto the iron core (2), and the iron core (2) being fixed to the fixing part (5) at the end furthest from the movable part (1). [Section 3] The induction type position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are fitted together by a crimping mechanism, or the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected via a fastening member. [Section 4] The induction type position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the electromagnetic coil assembly (10) includes a coil bobbin (3) and a coil (4), the coil (4) is wound around the coil bobbin (3), and the coil bobbin (3) and the coil (4) are provided between the movable part (1) and the fixed part (5). [Section 5] The induction type position sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that when the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are fitted together, the fixing part (5) is provided with a through hole that conforms to the end face shape of the iron core (2). [Section 6] The induction type position sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected by a screw, and the fixing part (5) is provided with a counterbore hole that conforms to the shape of the end face of the screw. [Section 7] The induction type position sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected via a circlip, and the fixing part (5) is provided with a through hole that conforms to the end face shape of the iron core (2). [Section 8] The induction type position sensor according to claim 4, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coil (4). [Section 9] The induction type position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (1) is restricted to reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the induction coil assembly (100). [Section 10] It is an electromagnetic clutch, An electromagnetic clutch characterized by including an inductive position sensor as described in any one of items 1 to 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1 movable part, 2 iron core, 3 coil bobbin, 4 coil, 5 fixed part, 6 clutch coil, 7 clutch coil bobbin, 10 electromagnetic coil assembly, 100 induction coil assembly, 200 clutch coil assembly.

Claims

1. It is an inductive position sensor, It includes a movable part (1) and an induction coil assembly (100), The movable part (1) is a magnetic permeable material. The induction coil assembly (100) is adjacent to the movable part (1), and the induction coil assembly (100) and the movable part (1) constitute a magnetic circuit, and the induction coil assembly (100) is provided with an input terminal and an output terminal, the input terminal of the induction coil assembly (100) is used to input current, and the output terminal of the induction coil assembly (100) is used to output a feedback current. The inductive position sensor is used to detect the position of the movable part (1) based on the relationship between the feedback current and the input current. The induction coil assembly (100) includes an electromagnetic coil assembly (10), an iron core (2), and a fixing part (5), the fixing part (5) being a magnetic permeable material, the electromagnetic coil assembly (10) being fitted over the iron core (2), and the iron core (2) being fixed to the fixing part (5) at the end furthest from the movable part (1), The electromagnetic coil assembly (10) includes a coil bobbin (3) and a coil (4), the coil (4) being wound around the coil bobbin (3), and the coil bobbin (3) and the coil (4) being provided between the movable part (1) and the fixed part (5), characterized in that it is an inductive position sensor.

2. The induction type position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are fitted together by a crimping mechanism, or the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected via a fastening member.

3. The induction type position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that when the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are fitted together by a crimping mechanism, the fixing part (5) is provided with a through hole that conforms to the end face shape of the iron core (2).

4. The induction type position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected by a screw, and the fixing part (5) is provided with a counterbore hole that conforms to the shape of the end face of the screw.

5. The induction type position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the iron core (2) and the fixing part (5) are connected via a circlip, and the fixing part (5) is provided with a through hole that conforms to the end face shape of the iron core (2).

6. The inductive position sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the coil (4).

7. The induction type position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (1) is restricted to reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the induction coil assembly (100).

8. It is an electromagnetic clutch, An electromagnetic clutch characterized by including an inductive position sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images