Electromagnetic Actuator Air Gap Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic actuators face challenges in achieving identical switching times for multiple switching magnets due to manufacturing tolerances, material variations, and coil winding differences, which affects their performance in actuating hydraulic or pneumatic valves and electrical circuit breakers.
Innovation Solution
The electromagnetic actuator incorporates a U-shaped magnetic yoke with a spring-loaded central part that adjusts the gap width of the working air gap, allowing for manual adjustment of the magnet core's position via a screw connection and inclined ramp mechanism, enabling precise setting of switching times across multiple magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple switching magnets are integrated in an actuator for actuating a group of valves or circuit breakers, then the actuator can control multiple devices, but the switching times of the switching magnets vary due to manufacturing tolerances, material variations, and coil winding differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the air gap width between the magnet core and magnet armature in each switching magnet. By varying this geometric parameter, the magnetic circuit characteristics are changed, allowing the switching time to be tuned. This enables compensation for manufacturing tolerances and material variations, achieving consistent switching times across multiple switching magnets integrated in the actuator.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gap width of the working air gap is adjusted to compensate for production-related tolerance deviations, then the switching time can be set exactly to a desired value, but the device complexity increases due to the need for adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing adjustment mechanisms only for the switching magnets that require timing synchronization, rather than redesigning the entire actuator system. The adjustment mechanism locally modifies the air gap width in specific switching magnets, allowing precise control of their switching times without affecting other components. This targeted approach minimizes overall device complexity while achieving the desired switching time accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for consistent switching times among multiple switching magnets, compensating for production-related deviations and ensuring synchronized operation of valves or circuit breakers by varying the gap width within the magnetic circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet coil that generates a magnetic force field in the working air gap
Implementation Method 2
the central part is spring-loaded onto an actuator of the adjustment mechanism presses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The actuator has an electrical solenoid (12) comprising a magnetic circuit and an air gap (15), which lies in the magnetic circuit and is limited by a magnetic core (13) and an armature (14). A magnetic coil (16) produces magnetic field in the air gap. A manual adjustment unit manually adjusts gap width (b) of the air gap, and has an adjustment mechanism (21) acting at the magnetic core to a longitudinal displacement. The manual adjustment unit is designed such that a rotating movement of a manual actuatable actuator unit (22) producers the longitudinal displacement of the magnetic core.