Actuating device, pneumatic valve and method for producing an emergency connection
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure EP2026050756_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 202407070
[0002] 1
[0003] Description
[0004] Actuating device, pneumatic valve and method for establishing an emergency connection
[0005] The invention relates to an actuating device, a pneumatic valve and a method for producing an emergency connection.
[0006] In vehicles, inflatable, elastic cushions are used to shape seat contours. These cushions are typically filled with air. Electrically operated valves are used to control the air pressure. The actuators for these valves are made of shape memory alloy wire (SMA), which shortens in length when an electric current flows and heats up.
[0007] For simple and cost-effective assembly and connection technology, the SMA element is advantageously electrically and mechanically connected to a printed circuit board, which also contains the control electronics. For efficient control of the valve with such an actuator, it is generally necessary to translate the movement of the SMA wire into a suitable movement of a valve element by means of a lever.
[0008] To ensure a long service life for the SMA wire across numerous actuations, any mechanical or thermal overload must be avoided. According to current technology, this is achieved using an end-position contact which reduces the energy supply when the SMA wire reaches its maximum contraction, thus preventing further heating, contraction, or force increase in the SMA wire.
[0009] Publication WO 2015 185132 A1 discloses a generic actuating device. Further prior art on this subject is described in publications DE 102018206385 B3, DE 102005 060217 B4, DE 102018216874 B4 and DE 102019208051 B4.
[0010] 2
[0011] The object of the invention is, in particular, to achieve a long service life of the actuating device. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and by the features of claim 9, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.
[0012] The invention relates to an actuating device with at least one printed circuit board, at least one integrally formed actuating element which has at least one contact area for contacting the printed circuit board and at least one force transmission area, at least one actuator which in a first operating state has a first area which extends straight along a first straight line which intersects a center of mass of the first area, wherein the actuator in a second operating state has a second area which extends straight along a second straight line which intersects a center of mass of the second area, wherein the two straight lines span a plane and the contact area is arranged at a distance from the plane, wherein in the first operating state an entire force caused by the actuator is transmitted to the actuating element at the at least one force transmission area.
[0013] It is proposed that at least one force transmission area has a shorter distance from the plane than the contact area. "One-piece" is understood to mean, in particular, cast in one piece and / or injection molded and / or separable only by destruction. "Contacting" the printed circuit board is understood to mean, in particular, establishing an electrically conductive connection to the printed circuit board. The phrase "spanning" the plane by the straight lines is understood to mean, in particular, that the straight lines are not parallel to each other and lie in the plane. This allows for a long service life of the actuating device. In particular, it can be ensured that in the case where no electrically conductive connection is made between the contact area and the printed circuit board during contacting,
[0014] 3
[0015] This occurs when further activity of the actuator leads to a twisting of the actuating element, causing the contact area to rub and / or roll on the circuit board, thereby creating a conductive connection between the contact area and the circuit board.
[0016] In particular, the first region can be formed by the same building blocks of matter, such as the same atoms, molecules, and / or ions, as the second region. In particular, the first operating state and the second operating state can differ.
[0017] Advantageously, the actuating device is designed to cause a twisting of the actuating element by means of the actuator when an electrically conductive connection between the contact area and the circuit board is not established during contact. "Designed" here refers specifically to a device that is specially designed, equipped, and / or programmed. This allows for the establishment of an electrically conductive connection between the circuit board and the contact area.
[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the actuating element consist of at least 88% by mass of copper and / or 4 to 6% by mass of tin.
[0019] This allows for good electrical conductivity along with good usability of the actuating element as a spring element.
[0020] Advantageously, the actuating element has an actuation area designed to perform mechanical work. This allows a valve to be easily opened and closed using the actuating element.
[0021] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least a large part of the actuating element consists of a first material and the contact area consists of at least a second material that has a higher electrical conductivity than the first material. In this way, a particularly good conductive connection to the printed circuit board can be established. 202407070
[0022] 4
[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator is an SMA wire. An "SMA wire" is understood to be, in particular, a wire that consists at least partially and, more specifically, entirely of shape memory wire. A "shape memory wire" is understood to be, in particular, a wire that shortens in length when current flows and heats up as a result. This allows for an efficient and cost-effective design of the actuator.
[0024] In particular, the SMA wire can have a circular or non-circular cross-section. Specifically, it can also have an oval or rectangular cross-section, thus resembling a ribbon.
[0025] Furthermore, it is proposed that the actuating element has at least one spring section which generates a restoring force when an actuating area of the actuating element is deflected relative to a mounting area of the actuating element. This allows the actuating area to return to a starting position after deflection.
[0026] Furthermore, a pneumatic valve with an actuating device as described above is proposed.
[0027] Furthermore, a method for creating an emergency conductive connection between a contact area of an actuating element of an actuating device, in particular an actuating device as described above, and a printed circuit board is proposed, in which the contact area touches the printed circuit board and subsequently a twisting of the actuating element is induced. An "emergency conductive connection" is understood to be, in particular, an electrically conductive connection that only occurs if a conductive connection between the contact area and the printed circuit board is initially prevented when the contact area touches the printed circuit board. This allows for a long service life of the actuating device. In particular, creating the emergency conductive connection can prevent further contraction of a
[0028] 5
[0029] This prevents damage to the SMA wire of the actuating device, thereby increasing the service life of the SMA wire.
[0030] It is advantageous to perform a grinding and / or rolling action on the circuit board during the twisting process. This allows for a simple way to create the emergency conductive connection.
[0031] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.
[0032] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of part of an actuating device according to the invention in a first operating state,
[0033] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the part in a second operating state, and
[0034] Fig. 3 shows a front view of a front area of the part.
[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of an actuating device according to the invention in a first operating state, in which an actuator 18 of the actuating device is not actuated. The actuating device comprises a printed circuit board 10, of which only an outline is visible in Figures 1 and 2 and which is otherwise shown transparently. The actuating device also comprises an integrally formed actuating element 12, which has a contact area 14 for electrically conductive contact with the printed circuit board 10 and a force transmission area 16 (Figure 3). The force transmission area is part of a crimp of the actuating element, which attaches the actuator 18, designed as an SMA wire, to the actuating element 12 by means of clamps. The actuator 18 rests against the force transmission area 16, thus electrically connecting it to the actuating element 12.Only a first area 20 of the actuator 18 is shown in Figure 1. This is located at a mounting area 38 of the 202407070.
[0036] 6
[0037] The actuating element 12 is firmly connected to a support element (not shown), which may be part of the actuating device, by means of force-fit and form-fit connections, for example by rivets, screws, clamps and / or hot crimping. The actuator 18 is attached at one end to the mounting area 38 by a fastening element (not shown). In the first operating state, the first area 20 extends in a straight line along a straight line 22, which intersects a center of mass 24 of the first area 20. In the first operating state, the contact area 14 is spaced apart from the circuit board 10.
[0038] Figure 2 shows the part of the actuating device in a second operating state, in which the actuator 18 is actuated. The SMA wire is therefore carrying current and is shortened compared to the first operating state. In the second operating state, the actuator 18 has a second region 26 that extends straight along a second straight line 28, which intersects a center of mass 30 of the second region 26. In Figure 2, only the second region 26 of the actuator 18 is shown. The two straight lines 22 and 28 define a plane 32 (Figure 3), with the contact region 14 arranged at a distance from the plane 32. In the second operating state, the contact region 14 touches a conductive area of the circuit board. In both the first and second operating states, the entire force generated by the actuator or transmitted by it to the actuating element is transferred to the actuating element at the force transmission area 16.The power transmission area 16 has a shorter distance from the plane 32 than the contact area 14.
[0039] Furthermore, the actuating element 12 has an actuating area 34 (Figure 3) which, in the first operating state, exerts a force on a valve element (not shown). One cause of the force is a spring section 36 of the actuating element 12 (Figures 1 and 2), which is pre-tensioned in the first operating state and thereby also tensions the SMA wire. The actuating device and the valve element are part of a pneumatic valve. The actuating element consists of a first material comprising more than 90% copper by mass and four to six% tin by mass.
[0040] 7
[0041] Alternatively, the contact area can consist of a second material, such as gold, with higher electrical conductivity and greater contact reliability than the first material. This can be achieved through a coating.
[0042] In the second operating state, the actuator 18 is contracted and the actuation area 34 is deflected compared to its position in the first operating state and also compared to the mounting area 38, whereby the spring area 36 generates a restoring force which acts on the
[0043] The SMA wire and the valve element are in contact. During a transition from the first operating state to the second operating state, the valve element is pressed against the actuating area 34 by a spring (not shown). During a transition from the second operating state to the first operating state, a control unit of the actuating device, which may be part of the circuit board 10, prevents current from flowing through the actuator 18. Subsequently, the restoring force generated by the spring area 36 extends the SMA wire again, and the actuating area 34 exerts a force on the valve element as the actuating area moves from a position it occupies in the second operating state to a position it occupies in the first operating state. During this movement, the actuating area performs mechanical work due to the spring area 36. The circuit board 10 is fixed relative to the mounting area 38.The actuator 18 can be powered via the actuating element 12 because it is electrically conductive.
[0044] In the second operating state, the contact area 14 touches the conductive area of the circuit board, thereby closing a circuit via the control unit and the actuating element 12, in particular via the mounting area 38, which causes the control unit not to bring about any further contraction of the actuator 18 by changing a current flow through the actuator 18.
[0045] For example, due to oxidation, wear or contamination, it can happen that no electrically conductive connection is made when the contact area 14 and the conductive area of the circuit board 10 come into contact.
[0046] 8
[0047] a connection is established between the actuating element 12 and the conductive area of the circuit board 10. In this case, a method for establishing an emergency conductive connection between the contact area 14 and the conductive area of the circuit board 10 takes place. The actuating device is designed to cause the actuating element 12 to twist using the actuator 18 if, during contact with the electrically conductive area of the circuit board 10 by the contact area 14, an electrically conductive connection between the contact area 14 and the circuit board 10 is not established. If the electrically conductive connection is not established during contact, the control unit does not prevent further contraction of the SMA wire, meaning that the SMA wire shortens further compared to the second operating state.Because the contact area 14 touches the circuit board 10, and the circuit board 10 is spatially fixed, and because contraction of the SMA wire causes a tilting movement of the force transmission area 16 onto the mounting area 38, a force exerted by the circuit board 10 on the contact area 14 increases with further contraction of the SMA wire from the second operating state. This causes a portion of the actuating element 12, which includes the force transmission area 16, to tilt towards the circuit board 10, as illustrated by arrow 40 in Figure 2. Due to this tilting, the contact area 14 rubs against the conductive area of the circuit board 10, thus removing oxidation or contamination and / or making contact with a previously uncontacted portion of the conductive area of the circuit board 10.This results in a reduction of contact resistance between the contact area 14 and the circuit board 10, thus creating an emergency conductive connection. In an alternative embodiment, the contact area 14 can be rounded so that it rolls on the circuit board 10 when tilted, as illustrated by arrow 40. The tilting illustrated by arrow 40 causes the actuating element 12 to twist during the sliding or rolling action. Starting from the second operating state, the force increase at the contact area 14 and at the actuator 18 is significantly reduced compared to a rigid stop, resulting in an increased service life. This significant reduction in force increase also occurs when a free end of the actuating element 12 is...
[0048] 9
[0049] which in particular has the plate 42, the crimp, the actuation area 34 and the contact area 14, is designed to be rigid in itself.
[0050] The actuating device is robust. The emergency connection prevents overloading of the SMA wire. Furthermore, the actuator 18 and the circuit board 10 can be located at ambient pressure. The circuit board 10 can be attached to the same support element to which the mounting area 38 is attached.
[0051] The contraction of the SMA wire occurs at an angle of approximately 90° to the valve mechanism. A movement performed by the actuating area 34 during the transition from the first operating state to the second operating state is either a rotation or approximately a rotation, with the associated axis of rotation and the SMA wire being located on opposite sides of the circuit board 10.
[0052] The first operating state corresponds to a rest position of the actuating device and the spring section 36. In this rest position, the spring section 36 exerts a force on the valve element that is approximately perpendicular to the actuating area 34. The actuating area 34 is a surface. In principle, forces exerted by the actuating area 34 on the valve element can be used to open, close, or switch the pneumatic valve.
[0053] The crimp is connected to the actuation area 34 in particular by a plate 42 extending parallel to the plane.
[0054] Another case in which a twisting of the actuating element 12 as described above can occur is a delay caused by the processing of a contact signal generated by the contact between the contact area 14 and the circuit board (for example, by low-pass filtering, analog or digital evaluation, response time of the electronic components involved).
[0055] 10
[0056] The mounting area 38 is a point where the actuating element 12 can be electrically contacted, in particular to establish a current flow through the actuator 18.
[0057] The actuating device features a compact and cost-effective design with few individual components. Furthermore, it is easy to install.
[0058] If no electrically conductive connection is initially established upon contact between the contact area 14 and the circuit board 10, only a slight mechanical stress is exerted on the SMA wire. This is achieved without the need for the contact area 14 or any area of the circuit board 10 to be made elastic.
[0059] Although the actuating element 12 is manufactured in one piece, it does not have a delicate construction, which is an advantage compared to a design described in German patent application DE 102019208051 B4. A delicate construction carries the risk of increased tolerances and damage during transport and assembly.
[0060] A rigid stop, as mentioned above, would necessitate a rapid reduction in heating power for the SMA wire in order to avoid a sudden increase in mechanical stress on the actuator 18.
[0061] The SMA wire can have a circular or non-circular cross-section. In particular, it can also have an oval or rectangular cross-section, thus forming a ribbon.
[0062] 11
[0063] Reference symbol list:
[0064] 10 circuit boards
[0065] 12 Actuating elements
[0066] 14 Contact area
[0067] 16 Power transmission area 18 Actuator
[0068] Area 20
[0069] 22 Even
[0070] 24 Center of Mass
[0071] 26 area
[0072] 28 Even
[0073] 30 Center of Mass
[0074] Level 32
[0075] 34 Area of activity
[0076] 36 spring range
[0077] 38 Mounting area 40 Arrow
[0078] 42 plate
Claims
202407070 12 Patent claims 1. Actuating device comprising at least one printed circuit board (10), at least one integrally formed actuating element (12) which has at least one contact area (14) for contacting the printed circuit board (10) and at least one force transmission area (16), at least one actuator (18) which in a first operating state has a first area (20) which extends in a straight line along a first straight line (22) which intersects a center of mass (24) of the first area (20), wherein in a second operating state the actuator (18) has a second area (26) which extends in a straight line along a second straight line (28) which intersects a center of mass (30) of the second area (26), wherein the two straight lines (22, 28) span a plane (32) and the contact area (14) is arranged at a distance from the plane (32),wherein at least one force transmission area (16) in the first operating state a total force caused by the actuator (18) is transmitted to the actuating element (12), characterized by the fact that at least one force transmission area (16) has a shorter distance from the plane (32) than the contact area (14).
2. Actuating device according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that The actuating device is designed to cause a twisting of the actuating element (12) by means of the actuator (18) if an electrically conductive connection between the contact area (14) and the circuit board (10) is not made during contacting.
3. Actuating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the fact that the actuating element (12) consists of at least 88% by mass of copper and / or 4 to 6% by mass of tin.
4. Actuating device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 202407070 13 the actuating element (12) has an actuating area (34) which is intended to perform mechanical work.
5. Actuating device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a large part of the actuating element (12) consists of a first material and the contact area (14) consists of at least a second material which has a higher electrical conductivity than the first material.
6. Actuating device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (18) is an SMA wire.
7. Actuating device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (12) has at least one spring section (36) which generates a restoring force when an actuating section (34) of the actuating element (12) is deflected relative to a mounting section (38) of the actuating element.
8. Pneumatic valve with an actuating device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Method for producing an emergency conductive connection between a contact area (14) of an actuating element (12) of an actuating device, in particular an actuating device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, and a printed circuit board (10), in which the contact area (14) touches the printed circuit board and subsequently a twisting of the actuating element is brought about.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that During twisting, the contact area (14) is subjected to grinding and / or rolling on the circuit board (10).