Eddy current brake assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an eddy current brake assembly, comprising a first carrier which is arranged so as to be movable back and forth, and a second carrier which is arranged so as to be movable back and forth parallel to the movement direction, wherein first permanent magnets, which are arranged one behind the other in the movement direction and are evenly spaced apart, are fastened to the first carrier, wherein second permanent magnets, which are arranged one behind the other in the movement direction and are evenly spaced apart, are fastened to the second carrier, wherein the magnetisation direction of the first permanent magnets is opposite the magnetisation direction of the second permanent magnets, wherein the first permanent magnets are spaced apart from the second permanent magnets and a gap region, extending in the movement direction, is formed between the first and the second permanent magnets, wherein a metal blade can be moved through the gap region in the movement direction, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are limited on both sides in the movement direction, in each case with play.

Description

[0001] Eddy current braking arrangement

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to an eddy current braking arrangement.

[0004] It is generally known that a metallic part entering the magnetic field of a permanent magnet experiences a braking force because eddy currents are induced in the metallic part.

[0005] The US patent 2004 / 0 055 836 A1 describes an eddy current brake as the closest state of the art.

[0006] A selectively incrementally actuated eddy current brake is known from US patent 2014 / 0231193A1.

[0007] A vehicle with a sliding door is known from DE 102006 040 070 A1.

[0008] From DE 202014 102 528 U1 a device for simulating an operating load for motor-driven devices is known.

[0009] A transport system eddy current brake is known from DE 100 43 917 A1.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing an eddy current braking arrangement, with the aim of achieving the most compact design possible.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved in the eddy current arrangement according to the features specified in claim 1.

[0012] Important features of the invention for the eddy current brake arrangement are that the eddy current brake arrangement comprises a first support which is arranged to be movable back and forth in a direction of movement, in particular linearly, and a second support which is arranged to be movable back and forth parallel to the direction of movement, in particular linearly, wherein first permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement and uniformly spaced apart from each other are attached to the first support, in particular by a material bond and / or a form-fit connection, wherein second permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement and uniformly spaced apart from each other are attached to the second support, in particular by a material bond and / or a form-fit connection, in particular wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is aligned with each other in the same way and the magnetization direction of the second permanent magnets is also aligned with each other in the same way.wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is opposite to the magnetization direction of the second permanent magnets, wherein the first permanent magnets are spaced apart from the second permanent magnets and a gap extending in the direction of movement is formed between the first and the second permanent magnets, wherein a metallic sword is movable through the gap in the direction of movement, wherein the first support and the second support each have clearance and are limited on both sides in the direction of movement, in particular by means of limiting elements.

[0013] A key advantage is that the eddy current braking system is direction-independent and yet compact. This is because it requires only a single, single eddy current braking system, rather than two opposing eddy current brakes. Both supports are positioned within the available range of motion between limit positions, allowing the blade to move back and forth. This means the blade being braked carries both supports along with it, particularly until it reaches the respective limit. A return unit moves the supports to a starting position, preferably located in the center of the range of motion. Thus, the supports are carried along depending on the blade's direction of movement until each support reaches a limit.The limiting elements ensure that the first permanent magnets are directly opposite the second permanent magnet, thus minimizing the distance between them. In this relative position, the sword must be moved through a very strong magnetic field, generating strong eddy currents and therefore a high braking force.

[0014] If the sword has not penetrated the gap area or is in the gap area but remains immobile, the carriers are returned by a reset unit to a starting position in which the first and second permanent magnets are not directly opposite each other, but have a greater distance between them.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the magnetization direction is oriented transversely to the direction of movement, in particular perpendicular to the direction of movement, especially wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is aligned parallel to a plane which contains the centers of gravity of the first permanent magnets and the centers of gravity of the second permanent magnets. It is advantageous that a strong magnetic field is generated between the supports.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the distance between two adjacent first permanent magnets is equal to the distance between two adjacent second permanent magnets. It is advantageous that, depending on the relative position between the two supports, the first permanent magnets can be arranged with or without an offset relative to the second permanent magnets. Thus, a strong or weak magnetic field can be generated in the gap area, particularly depending on the relative position, i.e., the relative orientation in the direction of movement between the first and second supports. In an advantageous embodiment, the first support is guided by a first linear guide unit of the eddy current brake assembly, and the second support is guided by a second linear guide unit of the eddy current brake assembly.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first permanent magnets are identically shaped and arranged in a series along a first straight line. The advantage here is that a well-defined behavior can be achieved.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the second permanent magnets are identically shaped and arranged in series along a second straight line, in particular wherein the first permanent magnets are identical to the second permanent magnets or mirror-symmetrical, with the magnetization direction being opposite. An advantage of this is that a simple design can be achieved.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the play of the first support is equal in magnitude to the play of the second support. The advantage here is that, when the sword enters the gap, the supports are brought to the same limiting position in the direction of movement, and thus the first and second permanent magnets are directly opposite each other without any offset in the direction of movement, resulting in a strong magnetic field and therefore a high braking force. Specifically, the north poles of the first permanent magnets and the south poles of the second permanent magnets are aligned.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, when the first support abuts the front boundary in the direction of movement, in particular the boundary element that limits the front of the first support in the direction of movement, and when the second support abuts the front boundary in the direction of movement, in particular the boundary element that limits the front of the second support in the direction of movement, the first permanent magnets are aligned with the second permanent magnets without any offset in the direction of movement, particularly across the gap area. It is advantageous that the first and second permanent magnets are directly opposite each other without any offset in the direction of movement, thus generating a strong magnetic field and therefore a high braking force. In particular, the north poles of the first permanent magnets and the south poles of the second permanent magnets are aligned opposite each other.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the first support is limited in the forward direction of movement at the same position as the second support, and the first support is limited in the rearward direction of movement at the same position as the second support, in particular, the first and second supports being structurally identical, or mirror-symmetrical. It is advantageous that the first and second permanent magnets are directly opposite each other without any offset in the direction of movement, thus generating a strong magnetic field and therefore a high braking force. In particular, the north poles of the first permanent magnets and the south poles of the second permanent magnets are opposite each other.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, a return unit comprises spring elements acting on the first and / or second support and / or a controllable linear actuator acting on the first and / or second support, in particular a linearly displaceable lifting cylinder or pressure cylinder. It is advantageous that the initial position of the supports can be offset. This means that the first row of permanent magnets, arranged elongated in the direction of movement, is offset in the direction of movement from the second row of permanent magnets, which is also elongated in the direction of movement. Thus, a weak magnetic field is created in the gap area, and consequently, no significant braking force is noticeable for a sword moving through the gap area.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, in a first relative position with respect to the first and second supports, the first permanent magnets are directly opposite the second permanent magnets without any offset in the direction of movement, in particular without any offset between the row of first permanent magnets and the row of second permanent magnets. In a second relative position with respect to the first and second supports, the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnets with an offset in the direction of movement. It is advantageous that a strong magnetic field can be generated in the gap area in the first relative position. In an advantageous embodiment, the resetting unit returns the first and second supports to the second relative position as soon as the blade has left the gap area, or when the blade is not in the gap area, or when no metallic part, in particular the blade, is moving in the gap area.An advantage of this is that in the second relative position an offset between the first and second permanent magnets can be achieved.

[0024] In a preferred design, the sword is made of aluminum. An advantage of this is that low ohmic losses can be achieved.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second supports are each made of ferromagnetic material, in particular steel. The advantage here is that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets is guided through the ferromagnetic material, thus enabling a high magnetic flux density.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second supports are each made of soft magnetic material, in particular aluminum. An advantage of this is that the resulting parasitic eddy currents cause low ohmic losses, thus enabling a high efficiency.

[0027] Key features of the system with an eddy current brake arrangement are that the first support and the second support are arranged to be linearly movable back and forth between the stationary limiting parts and the sword part is arranged to be movable relative to the stationary limiting parts and supports, in particular wherein the sword part is attached to a mobile part which is movable in the direction of movement, in particular as a rail vehicle along rails.

[0028] An advantage of this is that the limiting parts belong to the stationary part of the eddy current brake arrangement and the supports are arranged in a movable manner on this stationary part, with some play.

[0029] Further advantages arise from the dependent claims. The invention is not limited to the combination of features of the claims. For those skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to schematic illustrations:

[0031] Figure 1 schematically shows a first eddy current brake with a movable first support 1 and a second support 2, with a sword still arranged outside the eddy current brake.

[0032] In Figure 2, the sword has entered the first eddy current brake in a first direction of movement 3.

[0033] Figure 3 schematically sketches a second eddy current brake with a movable first support 1 and a second support 2, with a sword still arranged outside the eddy current brake.

[0034] In figure 4, the sword has entered the second eddy current brake in a second direction of movement 3.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a schematic sketch of an eddy current braking arrangement according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 6 shows a schematic side view.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the eddy current brake has a first support 1 which is arranged to be linearly movable between two limiting parts 4. Permanent magnets, spaced uniformly apart from one another, are arranged on the support 1 in the direction of movement of the support 1, and their magnetization direction is oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0038] The support 1 is elongated and / or extends in the direction of movement.

[0039] Preferably, the support 1 is designed as a steel support to which the permanent magnets are attached.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the eddy current brake has a second support 2, which is aligned parallel to the first support 1 and on which permanent magnets are arranged, in particular spaced evenly apart from each other in the direction of movement, the magnetization direction of which, however, is opposite to the magnetization direction of the permanent magnets of the first support 1.

[0041] The permanent magnets of the first carrier 1 are arranged one behind the other in a row along a first straight line.

[0042] The permanent magnets of the second support 2 are arranged one behind the other along a second straight line, which is aligned parallel to the first line and spaced apart in such a way that there is a gap between the permanent magnets of the first support 1 and the permanent magnets of the second support 2.

[0043] The first support 1 is positioned between two boundary elements 4 and is therefore not movable. The second support 2 is positioned between two boundary elements 4 with some play and is therefore movable in the direction of movement.

[0044] The game is equal to or exceeds half the distance between two nearest permanent magnets arranged on the first support 1.

[0045] The distance between any two adjacent permanent magnets arranged on the first support 1 is equal to the distance between any two adjacent permanent magnets arranged on the second support 2.

[0046] As long as no sword penetrates the gap, the first support 1 positions itself such that each permanent magnet of the first support 1 is arranged between two permanent magnets of the second support 2 in the direction of movement. As shown in Figure 1, each north pole is then arranged between two south poles of the second support 2 in the direction of movement.

[0047] When the metallic sword enters the gap, particularly parallel to the direction of movement, eddy currents are generated in the metallic material of the sword. Due to the magnetic field emanating from the north poles, the first support 1 is carried along by the sword without contact in the direction of movement until it abuts the limiting part 4, as shown in Figure 2. The limiting parts 4 are positioned such that the first support 1, carried along by the sword, abuts the aforementioned limiting part 4 in such a way that the permanent magnets arranged on the first support 1 are directly opposite the permanent magnets of the second support 2. In particular, the main flux of the north pole of the respective permanent magnet of the first support 1 is directed towards the opposite south pole of the second support 2 and is thus oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement, or more precisely, transversely to the direction of movement.Thus, the main flux penetrates the sword in a transverse direction and generates strong eddy currents which, in conjunction with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets, slow down the movement of the sword, thus producing high braking forces.

[0048] If, on the other hand, the sword enters the gap area with the opposite direction of movement 3, the main flow - as can be seen in Figure 1 - is not exactly perpendicular to the direction of movement, but is carried out at an angle of inclination, so that only a small, in particular negligible, braking force is effected.

[0049] Therefore, the eddy current brake shown in Figures 1 and 2 acts in a direction-dependent manner.

[0050] To obtain an eddy current brake that acts independently of direction, a combination of two eddy current brakes is possible, wherein both are preferably identical in design, but arranged in a mirror image to each other.

[0051] Such a mirror-inverted eddy current brake is shown in Figures 3 and 4, showing the mode of action when the sword penetrates from the opposite direction.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, according to the invention an eddy current braking arrangement can be produced which has only a single first support 1 and a single second support 2 and which nevertheless exerts a braking effect independent of direction.

[0053] In this process, the first support 1 is arranged centrally between two boundary parts 4, particularly with the support of a restoring unit, whereby play is available on both sides.

[0054] The second support 2 is pressed against a first of the limiting parts 4 by the actuating unit, particularly with the assistance of the return unit, and has a clearance at its end facing away from the limiting part 4 to another limiting part. The entire clearance range of the first support 1 is equal to the entire clearance range of the second support 2. Preferably, the entire clearance range is equal to the distance between the centers of gravity of two nearest permanent magnets of the first support 1.

[0055] When the metallic sword now enters the gap between the permanent magnets of the first support 1 and the permanent magnets of the second support 2, the first support is carried along until it rests against the limiting part 4 in such a way that the permanent magnets of the first support 1 are directly opposite the permanent magnets of the second support 2 and thus the maximum braking effect can be achieved.

[0056] If, however, the sword enters the gap area from the opposite direction, the second support 2 is carried along until the first support 1 and the second support 2 are in contact with limiting parts 4 in such a way that the permanent magnets of the first support 1 are directly opposite the permanent magnets of the second support 2 and thus the maximum braking effect can be achieved.

[0057] The reset unit has restoring spring elements 60 and / or a controllable linear actuator, such as a linearly displaceable lifting cylinder or pressure cylinder or the like.

[0058] The spring elements 60 enable the two supports (1, 2) to return to their respective positions independently. The spring force generated by the spring elements 60 is less than the force exerted on each support (1, 2) by the blade via eddy currents, ensuring that the return to its original position only occurs after the blade has left the gap, i.e., after it has exited the gap. Active control is therefore unnecessary; the return to its original position is passive.

[0059] By means of the actively controllable linear actuator 61, the first carrier 1 can be positioned relative to the second carrier 2 in such a way that the permanent magnets of the first carrier 1 have an offset in the direction of movement to the permanent magnets 2 of the second carrier 2 and thus do not cause any significant braking force.

[0060] Both the first support 1 and the second support 2 are guided by a respective linear guide unit, so that the respective support (1, 2) can only move parallel to the direction of movement 3 of the sword, whereby the range of motion is limited by the respective limiting parts 4.

[0061] In further embodiments according to the invention, the first support 1 and the second support 2 have the same amount of play between the limiting parts 4. In particular, the play is equal to half the distance between the centers of gravity of two nearest permanent magnets of the first support.

[0062] Reference symbol list

[0063] 1 carrier 2 T carriers

[0064] 3. Sword direction, direction of movement of the sword

[0065] 4 Limiting part

[0066] 60 spring elements

[0067] 61 actively controllable linear actuator

[0068] North Pole

[0069] 5 South Pole

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Eddy current brake arrangement comprising a first support which is arranged to be movable back and forth in a direction of movement, in particular linearly, and a second support which is arranged to be movable back and forth parallel to the direction of movement, in particular linearly, wherein first permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement and uniformly spaced apart from each other are attached to the first support, in particular by a material bond and / or a form-fit connection, wherein second permanent magnets arranged one behind the other in the direction of movement and uniformly spaced apart from each other are attached to the second support, in particular by a material bond and / or a form-fit connection, in particular wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is aligned with each other in the same way and the magnetization direction of the second permanent magnets is also aligned with each other in the same way.wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is opposite to the magnetization direction of the second permanent magnets, wherein the first permanent magnets are spaced apart from the second permanent magnets and a gap extending in the direction of movement is formed between the first and the second permanent magnets, wherein a metallic sword is movable through the gap in the direction of movement, characterized in that, The first support and the second support are each free of play and limited on both sides in the direction of movement, in particular by means of limiting parts, wherein in a first relative position with respect to the first support and the second support the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnet without offset in the direction of movement, and in a second relative position with respect to the first support and the second support the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnet with offset in the direction of movement.

2. Eddy current braking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetization direction is oriented transversely to the direction of movement, in particular perpendicular to the direction of movement, in particular wherein the magnetization direction of the first permanent magnets is aligned parallel to a plane which contains the centers of gravity of the first permanent magnets and the centers of gravity of the second permanent magnets, in particular wherein the magnetization direction of the second permanent magnets is aligned parallel to a plane which contains the centers of gravity of the first permanent magnets and the centers of gravity of the second permanent magnets.

3. Eddy current braking arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between two nearest first permanent magnets is equal to the distance between two nearest second permanent magnets.

4. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first carrier is guided by a first linear guide unit of the eddy current brake arrangement and the second carrier is guided by a second linear guide unit of the eddy current brake arrangement.

5. Eddy current braking arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first permanent magnets are each identically shaped to each other and are arranged in a series along a first straight line, and / or that the second permanent magnets are identically shaped to each other and are arranged in a series along a second straight line, in particular wherein the first permanent magnets are each identical to the second permanent magnets or are mirror-symmetrical, wherein the magnetization direction is opposite.

6. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clearance of the first support is equal in magnitude to the clearance of the second support.

7. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the first support abuts the front boundary in the direction of movement, in particular the limiting part which limits the first support at the front in the direction of movement, and when the second support abuts the front boundary in the direction of movement, in particular the limiting part which limits the second support at the front in the direction of movement, the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnets without offset in the direction of movement, in particular opposite across the gap area.

8. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support is limited in the direction of movement forward at the same position as the second support, wherein the first support is limited in the direction of movement backward at the same position as the second support.

9. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support and the second support are structurally identical, in particular identical, or mirror-symmetrical.

10. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a return unit has spring elements acting in a return direction on the first support and / or second support and / or has a controllable linear actuator acting on the first support and / or second support, in particular a linearly displaceable lifting cylinder or pressure cylinder.

11. Eddy current braking arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a first relative position with respect to the first support and the second support the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnet without offset in the direction of movement, in a second relative position with respect to the first support and the second support the first permanent magnets are opposite the second permanent magnet with offset in the direction of movement.

12. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reset unit resets the first and the second carrier to the second relative position as soon as the sword has left the gap area or when the sword is not in the gap area or when no metallic part, in particular sword, is moving in the gap area.

13. Eddy current braking arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sword is made of aluminium.

14. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support and the second support are each made of ferromagnetic material, in particular steel.

15. Eddy current brake arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first support and the second support are each made of soft magnetic material, in particular aluminium.

16. System with an eddy current braking arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support and the second support are arranged to be linearly movable back and forth between the stationary limiting parts and the sword part is arranged to be movable relative to the stationary limiting parts and supports, in particular wherein the sword part is attached to a mobile part which is in Direction of movement, especially as a rail vehicle, is movable along rails.

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