Electromagnetic Actuator Radial Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic actuators face limitations in dynamic properties and compactness, particularly in radial installation volume, due to limited holding forces and the need for additional components like compression springs, and flux-conducting housing sections that restrict minimum separation between actuators.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic flux path is created using a magnetically non-conducting bushing on the armature unit's shaft section, allowing permanent magnetic flux to close around a bushing and radially through the core region, enabling enhanced detention forces and integration of a spiral or compression spring for improved dynamic properties, while eliminating the need for lateral housing sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flux-conducting housing sections are used to enclose the core region, then operational reliability is improved, but radial installation volume increases and minimum separation distance between actuators is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flux-conducting housing sections from the actuator design, eliminating the need for lateral housing sections to enclose the core region. The magnetic flux is redirected to close through the bushing on the shaft section, removing the problematic housing components that increased radial volume while maintaining reliable operation.
2Speed
If compression spring is added to improve dynamic properties, then acceleration performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compression spring and other energy storage components from the actuator design. The improved dynamic performance is achieved not by adding components but by optimizing the magnetic flux path and increasing detention forces through the permanent magnet arrangement, thereby improving acceleration without increasing complexity.
3Speed
If holding forces are increased to enable spring-assisted movement, then dynamic properties are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic flux path configuration and permanent magnet arrangement to increase detention forces. By modifying the magnetic circuit parameters and flux closure path through the bushing, higher holding forces are achieved without adding mechanical components, enabling effective spring-assisted movement while maintaining simplicity.
4Volume of moving object
If lateral housing sections are eliminated for compact design, then radial volume is reduced, but magnetic flux path configuration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the bushing on the shaft section as an intermediary element to close the magnetic flux path. This bushing serves as a new flux return path, replacing the function previously performed by lateral housing sections, thereby enabling compact radial design while maintaining proper magnetic flux configuration.
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 configuration enhances the armature's dynamic behavior by pre-loading it with a spring and increasing detention forces, allowing for more compact design and reduced separation between actuators, improving acceleration and movement efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the permanent magnetic flux of the permanent magnetic agent provided in the armature unit flows so as to close a permanent magnetic flux circuit, both through the shaft section (of the armature unit), and also, radially outwards, through the radially enclosing core region
Implementation Method 2
the armature unit can in turn be driven relative to a stationary core unit, by applying current to a stationary coil unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic actuator with an armature unit (18) that can be driven relative to a stationary core unit (10) in reaction to the application of current to a stationary coil unit (14), which armature unit has a permanent magnetic agent (28) as well as a plunger unit (31), designed so as to interact with an actuation partner, guided out of a magnetically flux-conducting housing (35), wherein, on the outer surface of a shaft section (20) of the armature unit (18) a magnetically non-conducting bushing agent (32) is provided such that in a zero applied current state of the coil unit (14) a permanent magnetic flux (40) of the permanent magnetic agent (28) flows through the core unit (10) and the shaft section (20) so as to hold the armature unit (18) on the core unit (10), and in a state of the core unit (14) in which current is applied the permanent magnetic flux (40′, 40″) is displaced out of the core unit (10) into a housing section (50, 52) of the housing and a permanent magnetic flux circuit is closed by a section (54) of the plunger unit facing towards the housing.