Electromagnetic Actuator Rotational Decoupling for Spring Winding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic actuator devices for camshaft adjustment systems experience wear and risk of spring winding due to direct support of spring means on the armature unit and abutment component, leading to frictional locking and potential spring winding when the armature unit rotates.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of rotational decoupling means between the spring means and the armature unit or abutment component to decouple twisting movements, minimizing frictional wear and preventing spring winding by supporting the spring means via these decoupling elements, which are made of materials with good sliding properties to reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If spring means are directly supported on the armature unit and abutment component, then the structure is simple and spring force is effectively applied, but frictional wear occurs and spring winding risk increases during armature rotation
Solution Approach 1:
A rotational decoupling means is introduced as an intermediary component between the spring means and the armature unit. This decoupling means comprises a rotational decoupling element that can rotate relative to the armature unit, allowing the spring force to be transmitted while preventing the spring from winding during armature rotation. The intermediary element effectively separates the rotational movement of the armature from the axial compression of the spring.
2Ease of operation
If low spring stiffness is used to achieve desired armature adjustment behavior, then adjustment smoothness is improved, but the spring becomes more susceptible to winding up during counter-rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational decoupling means acts as a mediator that allows the spring to maintain low stiffness for smooth adjustment while preventing winding through the rotational decoupling element. This element can rotate freely relative to the armature unit, accommodating any reverse rotation without transmitting torque to the spring, thus preventing wind-up even with low-stiffness springs.
3Reliability
If thick-walled springs are used to prevent winding, then spring winding resistance is improved, but installation space requirements increase and adjustment behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational decoupling means serves as a mediator that enables the use of thin-walled, low-stiffness springs without risking wind-up. The rotational decoupling element isolates the spring from rotational movements, allowing thin-walled springs to be used within limited installation spaces while maintaining reliable adjustment behavior without the risk of winding.
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 significantly reduces frictional wear and the risk of spring winding, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan of the actuator device by decoupling rotational movements and maintaining spring pretension, even during counter-winding scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
spring means (14) which are designed as an example as a helical compression spring and which can be adjusted together with the anchor unit (7) relative to a stationary coil unit (4) in response to the latter's energization in an output direction to an adjusted position from a parked position
Implementation Method 2
rotational decoupling means (15) for decoupling a twisting movement of the anchor unit (7) from the spring means (14) about the adjustment axis (V) on the anchor unit (7) and/or supported by the abutment component (16) in order to decouple a twisting movement of the spring means (14) about the adjustment axis (V)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator device having at least one stationary, energisable coil unit (4) and at least one armature unit (7) movably guided along a displacement axis (V), which can be moved relative to the coil unit (4) as a reaction to the energisation of the coil unit (4), wherein, in order to interact with an actuating partner that can be provided on the drive side of the armature unit (7), in particular a camshaft, the armature unit (7) can be displaced in an output drive direction along the displacement axis (V) between a parked position and an actuating position and also rotated about the displacement axis (V), and wherein the armature unit (7) is assigned spring means (14) supporting a preferably rotationally fixedly arranged abutment component (15), in such a way that said spring means apply a spring force to the armature unit (7) in the output drive direction during the displacement movement, at least partly relax in the process and preferably also still apply the spring force to the armature unit (7) in the actuating position. According to the invention, the spring means (14) is supported on the armature unit (7) via rotation-decoupling means (15) to decouple a rotational movement of the armature unit (7) from the spring means (14) about the displacement axis (V) and/or on the abutment unit (16) to decouple a rotational movement of the spring means (14) about the displacement axis (V) from the abutment component (16).