Electromagnetic Actuator Rigidity Tuning via Adjustable Air Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic actuators face challenges in maintaining mechanical rigidity due to high manufacturing tolerances and nonlinear magnetic forces, leading to complex production demands and variable system resonances.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic actuator design that adjusts actuator rigidity by controlling the position of magnetic circuit elements, using adjustable magnetic circuit elements to modify the air gap and leverage the nonlinearity of the magnetic field, allowing for mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical adjustments to optimize rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical reworking or lever arm modification is used to adjust rigidity, then system rigidity can be controlled, but device complexity and production effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of air gap distance between magnetic circuit elements to control actuator rigidity. By adjusting the distance parameter, the magnetic force and resulting rigidity can be tuned without mechanical reworking, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical rigidity adjustment methods (lever arm modification, mechanical reworking) with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic circuit elements generate forces that compensate for flexure rigidity, substituting mechanical adjustment with electromagnetic control to reduce production complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If permanent magnets are used in the actuator design, then negative rigidity can be generated to compensate flexure rigidity, but manufacturing tolerances must be held within very tight limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable magnetic circuit elements that can be positioned at different distances from each other, transforming the static magnetic system into a dynamic one. This adjustability allows compensation for manufacturing tolerances by optimizing the air gap distance after assembly, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustability features during manufacturing that enable preliminary optimization of the air gap distance before final assembly. This preliminary adjustment capability allows tolerance compensation to be performed early in the manufacturing process, reducing the need for extremely tight tolerances
3Ease of operation
If the flexure is designed to be relatively soft to achieve desired movement, then parasitic rigidities become soft, but the joint overall rigidity must remain sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the magnetic circuit elements to generate counteracting forces that compensate for the softness of the flexure. The magnetic repulsion or attraction forces create a negative rigidity effect that balances the flexure's mechanical rigidity, allowing the flexure to remain soft for ease of operation while maintaining sufficient overall joint rigidity through magnetic compensation
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
Enables simple, cost-effective manufacturing with adjustable rigidity, reproducible natural resonances, and consistent power consumption, reducing manufacturing tolerances and enhancing system performance.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic circuit elements which exert an attracting or repelling force on one another such that the actuator effects a movement
Implementation Method 2
A first magnetic circuit element can be adapted in the form of a coil that generates a magnetic field as soon as it is energized by a current
Implementation Method 3
leverage the nonlinearity of the magnetic field, allowing for mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical adjustments to optimize rigidity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator having a magnetic circuit comprising at least two, preferably three, magnetic circuit elements, wherein the magnetic circuit elements exert an attracting or repelling force on one another such that the actuator effects a movement, wherein the position of at least one of the magnetic circuit elements relative to another magnetic circuit element can be adjusted in order to influence the actuator rigidity.