Fastening device for fastening an position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (1) which is designed to fasten a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, comprising: two fastening profiles (2, 3) which can be moved back and forth in a clamping direction (K) and which each have a constant cross-section in a profile longitudinal direction (L), alignment units (5) pointing towards one another in the clamping direction (K) and guidingly engaging in one other, and clamping regions (8, 9) pointing towards one other in the clamping direction (K), wherein the clamping regions (8, 9) are designed to receive the actuator between them in a clamping manner; fastening means (4) which are designed to lock the fastening profiles (2, 3) in a clamping position in which the clamping surfaces (10, 11) receive the actuator between them in a clamping manner; and a position sensor mounting section (12) which is formed on one of the fastening profiles (2, 3) and is designed for mounting a position sensor.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Mounting device for attaching a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator

[0003] The invention relates to a fastening device designed to fasten a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator.

[0004] Position sensors designed to detect the actual position of a rod-shaped actuator and, for this purpose, must be attached to the corresponding actuator, are generally known in the prior art. The actuator can be a push rod via which a drive, for example a pneumatic drive, is connected to a closing body interacting with a valve seat. The actual position detected by the position sensor is transmitted to a control unit, where it is compared with a target position. Depending on any deviation of the actual position from the target position, a control signal is then generated in the control unit to control the drive.

[0005] For fastening a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, a fastening device 100, shown in Figures 18 and 19, for example, is known, which has an L-shaped mounting plate 101 and two U-shaped clamping brackets 102 that can be fastened to the mounting plate 101. One of the mounting plate sections 103 arranged perpendicular to one another, which serves to fasten the mounting plate 101 to a rod-shaped actuator 104, comprises, for receiving the actuator 104, a groove-like recessed clamping area 105 forming a clamping surface 1 with two prism-like sections 106 inclined towards one another and is provided with four drill holes 107 through which the free ends of the clamping brackets 102 can be passed.The other mounting plate section 108 forms a position sensor mounting section and is designed with two elongated holes 109 through which fastening screws (not shown in detail) for attaching a position sensor can be passed. The clamping brackets 102 are provided with external threads 110 at their free ends so that they can be mounted to the mounting plate section 103 using nuts 111.

[0006] A problem with mounting the fastening device 100 shown in Figures 18 and 19 on an actuator 104 is that the mounting plate 101 with the position sensor attached to it and the clamping brackets 102 must be held, and the nuts 111 must be screwed onto the clamping brackets 102. This is very difficult and requires considerable manual dexterity. Furthermore, the installer must reach into the area of ​​the moving parts of the linear actuator, which poses a certain risk of injury.

[0007] Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening device of the type mentioned at the outset with an alternative structure.

[0008] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a fastening device which is designed to fasten a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, comprising two fastening profiles which can be moved back and forth in a clamping direction and which each have a constant cross-section in a profile longitudinal direction, alignment means which point towards one another in the clamping direction and which engage in a leading manner, and clamping regions which point towards one another in the clamping direction, wherein the clamping regions are designed to receive the actuator between them in a clamping position, fastening means which are designed to lock the fastening profiles in a clamping position in which the clamping surfaces receive the actuator between them in a clamping position, and a position sensor mounting section which is formed on one of the fastening profiles and is designed for mounting a position sensor.Thanks to the interlocking fastening profiles, the fastening device according to the invention is very easy to handle, saving time and money during installation. Furthermore, the fastening profiles prevent the installer from reaching into the area of ​​the moving parts of the linear actuator, thus minimizing the risk of injury.

[0009] When viewed from their front side, the fastening profiles preferably have webs and recesses that protrude in the clamping direction, forming the alignment means. The webs engage positively in the recesses. This results in a simple and cost-effective design.

[0010] Preferably, at least one of the clamping areas, viewed from its front side of the corresponding fastening profile, has a clamping surface facing the opposite fastening profile with a ring-segment-shaped, in particular circular-ring-segment-shaped cross-section.

[0011] Advantageously, at least one of the clamping areas, viewed from its end face, has a clamping surface facing the opposite fastening profile, with a cross-section comprising two prism-like sections inclined toward each other. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a screw and a nut, preferably a washer-type screw set, are provided as fastening means. The screws extend in the clamping direction and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the profile.

[0012] Advantageously, one of the fastening profiles has a T-slot that accommodates the screw heads in a rotationally fixed manner, and the other fastening profile is provided with openings that accommodate the screw shafts, which are particularly designed as bores. In particular, the T-slot further facilitates handling of the fastening device according to the invention, as holding the screws is made significantly easier.

[0013] Preferably, the position sensor mounting section is formed on a side of the fastening profile facing away from the clamping area, so that the position sensor does not interfere with the mounting of the fastening device on the actuator.

[0014] The position sensor mounting section is advantageously formed, when viewing the fastening profile from its front side, by a web extending in the clamping direction, which is provided in particular with mounting openings for passing through fastening screws, of which at least one is preferably designed as an elongated hole.

[0015] It is advantageous if the fastening profiles are made of metal, especially aluminum.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention proposes using a fastening device according to the invention for fastening a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, wherein the position sensor is designed to detect an actual position of the actuator.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a first end view of the fastening device shown in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a second end view of the fastening device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a first side view of the fastening device shown in Figure 1;

[0021] Figure 5 is a second side view of the fastening device shown in Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first fastening profile of the fastening device shown in Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 7 shows a first end view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 6;

[0024] Figure 8 shows a second end view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 6;

[0025] Figure 9 is a first side view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 6;

[0026] Figure 10 is a second side view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 6;

[0027] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second fastening profile of the fastening device shown in Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 12 shows a first end view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 11;

[0029] Figure 13 is a second end view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 11;

[0030] Figure 14 is a first side view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 11;

[0031] Figure 15 is a second side view of the fastening profile shown in Figure 11;

[0032] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the fastening device shown in Figure 1 in a state in which it is fastened to an actuator;

[0033] Figure 17 is an end view of a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a known fastening device in a state in which it is fastened to an actuator; and Figure 19 is a side view of the fastening device shown in Figure 18.

[0035] In the drawing, the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar components.

[0036] Figures 1 to 16 show a fastening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, or components thereof. This device is designed to fasten a position sensor (not shown in detail) to a rod-shaped actuator, such as, for example, to a push rod of a pneumatic actuator of a valve. The fastening device 1 comprises, as its main components, two fastening profiles 2 and 3 that can be moved back and forth in a clamping direction K, and fastening means 4, in the present case in the form of two screw sets, which are designed to lock the fastening profiles in a clamping position.

[0037] The fastening profiles 2 and 3 are made of metal, in this case aluminum, and each have a constant cross-section in a profile longitudinal direction L, apart from perforations. They are provided with alignment means 5 that point towards one another and engage with one another in a leading manner in the clamping direction K. More precisely, the fastening profiles 2 and 3, when viewed from their front sides, have webs 6 and recesses 7 that project in the clamping direction K and form the alignment means 5, wherein the webs 6 engage in the recesses 7 in a form-fitting manner. Furthermore, the fastening profiles 2 and 3 comprise clamping regions 8 and 9 that point towards one another in the clamping direction K, wherein the clamping regions 8 and 9 are designed to clamp the actuator between them.In the present case, both clamping areas 8 and 9, viewed from their end faces of the corresponding fastening profiles 2 and 3, have a clamping surface 10, 11 facing the opposite fastening profile, with a ring-segment-shaped, in particular circular-ring-segment-shaped, cross-section. A position sensor mounting section 12 designed for mounting a position sensor is formed on the fastening profile 2. The position sensor mounting section 12 is formed in the present case on a side of the fastening profile 2 facing away from the clamping area 8 and, viewed from its end face of the fastening profile 2, is formed by a web 13 extending in the clamping direction K, which is provided with mounting openings 14 for passing fastening screws (not shown in detail here), which in the present case are designed as elongated holes.

[0038] The fastening means 4, designed as screw sets, serve to lock the fastening profiles 2 and 3 in a clamping position in which the clamping surfaces 10 and 11 clamp the actuator between them. They each have a screw 14, a nut 16 and a washer 16. The screws 14 each extend in the clamping direction K and are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction L of the profile. In order to rotationally secure the heads of the screws of one of the fastening profiles and the heads of the screws 14, the fastening profile 2 is provided on its side facing the fastening profile 3 with a T-slot 18 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the profile, and the fastening profile 3 is provided with openings 19 which receive the screw shafts and which are designed as bores in the present case.

[0039] To mount the fastening device 1 on an actuator, in a first step a position sensor is mounted on the position sensor mounting section 12 using suitable fastening screws. The nuts 16 of the fastening means 4 are then loosened and the fastening profiles 2 and 3 are moved away from each other such that a gap 20 existing between the free ends of the clamping areas 8 and 9 is wider than the diameter D of the actuator. The actuator is now inserted through the gap 20, whereupon the fastening profiles 2 and 3 are manually pressed together and moved towards each other, and then the nuts 16 are tightened again until the actuator is clamped between the clamping surfaces 10 and 11 of the clamping areas 8 and 9. The fastening device 1 has the advantage that it can be held with one hand during assembly, so that the nuts 16 can be easily tightened with the other hand.Furthermore, no hands need to reach into the area of ​​the linear actuator's moving parts. This allows for quick, easy, and secure installation of the mounting device.

[0040] Figure 17 shows an alternative embodiment of the clamping regions 8 and 9 according to the invention. Viewing the fastening profile 2 from its end face, the clamping region 8 of the fastening profile 2 has a clamping surface 10 facing the opposite fastening profile 3 with a cross-section comprising two prism-like sections 21 inclined toward one another. The clamping region 9 of the fastening profile 3, in contrast, has a flat clamping surface 11. Otherwise, the fastening device 1 shown in Figure 17 corresponds to the fastening device 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0041] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, this includes persons of male, female, or other gender identities.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Fastening device (1) designed to fasten a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, comprising two fastening profiles (2, 3) which can be moved back and forth in a clamping direction (K), each having a constant cross-section in a profile longitudinal direction (L), alignment means (5) which point towards one another in the clamping direction (K) and which engage in a guiding manner, and clamping regions (8, 9) which point towards one another in the clamping direction (K), wherein the clamping regions (8, 9) are designed to clampably accommodate the actuator between them, fastening means (4) which are designed to lock the fastening profiles (2, 3) in a clamping position in which the clamping surfaces (10, 11) clampably accommodate the actuator between them, and a position sensor mounting section (12) formed on one of the fastening profiles (2, 3) and designed for mounting a position sensor.

2. Fastening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening profiles (2, 3), when viewed from their end face, have webs (6) and recesses (7) projecting in the clamping direction (K), which form the alignment means (5), wherein the webs (6) engage positively in the recesses (7).

3. Fastening device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the clamping areas (8, 9), viewed from its end face of the corresponding fastening profile (2, 3), has a clamping surface (10, 11) facing the opposite fastening profile (3, 2) with a ring-segment-shaped, in particular circular-ring-segment-shaped cross-section.

4. Fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the clamping areas (8, 9), viewed from its end face at the corresponding fastening profile (2, 3), has a clamping surface (10, 11) facing the opposite fastening profile (3, 2) with a cross section comprising two sections (21) inclined towards one another in a prism-like manner.

5. Fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a screw (14) and a nut (16), preferably a washer (16), are provided as fastening means (4), the screws (14) of which extend in the clamping direction (K) and are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (L) of the profile.

6. Fastening device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that one of the fastening profiles (2, 3) has a T-groove (18) which receives the heads of the screws (14) in a rotationally fixed manner, and the other fastening profile (3, 2) is provided with openings (19) which receive the screw shafts and which are designed in particular as bores.

7. Fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position sensor mounting section (12) is formed on a side of the fastening profile (2) facing away from the clamping area (8).

8. Fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position sensor mounting section (12), viewed from its front side of the fastening profile (2), is formed by a web (13) extending in the clamping direction (K), which is provided in particular with mounting openings (14) for passing through fastening screws, one of which is preferably designed as an elongated hole.

9. Fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening profiles (2, 3) are made of metal, in particular of aluminum.

10. Use of a fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for fastening a position sensor to a rod-shaped actuator, wherein the position sensor is designed to detect an actual position of the actuator.

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