Electromagnetic Actuator Flux Control Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling electromagnetic actuators require complex calculations of movement parameters, making them cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method where the magnetic flux through the excitation winding is controlled to follow a predetermined setpoint flux curve, eliminating the need for movement parameter calculations, and using a control device to regulate the field winding voltage and current to maintain this curve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If movement parameters (acceleration, speed, location) are calculated by evaluating magnetic flux through the excitation winding, then the armature movement can be controlled to maintain a predetermined movement sequence, but the control method becomes complex and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement sequence controlVSAvoidcontrol method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex calculation and evaluation steps for determining movement parameters from the control method. Instead of calculating acceleration, speed, and location by evaluating magnetic flux, the invention directly uses a predetermined flux curve to control the magnetic flux, removing the unnecessary intermediate calculation steps while maintaining reliable movement sequence control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a predetermined flux curve before the actuator operation. This flux curve is pre-calculated to achieve the desired movement sequence, eliminating the need for real-time calculation of movement parameters during operation. The control system simply follows this pre-established curve, significantly simplifying the control method while ensuring reliable movement control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time measurement and calculation of movement parameters are performed, then precise control of armature movement is achieved, but the control process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control precisionVSAvoidcontrol process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates the flux curve that corresponds to the desired precise movement sequence before operation. This predetermined flux curve encapsulates all the information needed for precise control, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time measurement and calculation of movement parameters. The system achieves precise control by following this pre-established curve, significantly reducing control process time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the complex movement parameter relationships through the flux curve. Instead of directly measuring and calculating acceleration, speed, and location in real-time, the system uses the predetermined flux curve as a surrogate that encodes the desired movement sequence, achieving precise control without the time burden of real-time parameter calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the magnetic flux is controlled to follow a predetermined setpoint flux curve, then the control process is simplified and movement parameter calculations are eliminated, but the actual movement behavior of the armature is no longer directly regulated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol process simplicityVSAvoidmovement behavior control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of directly measuring and controlling movement parameters with an electromagnetic field-based approach. By controlling the magnetic flux through the excitation winding according to a predetermined flux curve, the system indirectly but reliably controls the armature movement. The magnetic field control substitutes for direct mechanical movement parameter measurement and control, simplifying the control process while maintaining reliability through the physical relationship between flux and armature position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Simplifies the control process, allowing for precise movement of the armature without relying on actual movement behavior, reducing complexity and potentially minimizing wear on the actuator.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation winding (80) for generating a magnetic field and a movable armature (60), wherein a magnetic flux is generated in the excitation winding (80)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic flux through the field winding or the flux variable correlating with the magnetic flux through the field winding is measured by means of a Hall sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3053171B1Electromagnetic actuator
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3053171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3053171B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3053171B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for driving an electromagnetic actuator (10), which comprises a field winding (80) for generating a magnetic field and a movable armature (60), wherein, in the method, in order to move the armature (60) from a preset starting position into a preset end position, a magnetic flux is generated in the field winding (80) and the magnetic flux through the field winding (80) or a flux variable correlated with the magnetic flux through the field winding (80) is measured so as to form an actual value (Φist(t)). The invention provides that, in order to move the armature (60) from the starting position into the end position, the magnetic flux through the field winding (80) is regulated, namely in such a way that the characteristic of the actual value (Φist(t)) corresponds to a fixedly preset setpoint flux curve ( (Φsoll(t)).