Actuating Magnet Armature Groove for End-of-Stroke Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating magnets for valve control systems face challenges in achieving a meaningful influence on the force-displacement characteristic curve, leading to slow actuation behavior and large valve designs due to high spring forces required.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a circumferential annular groove on the outer circumference and/or end face of the magnet armature, which maintains an axial distance from the separating ring in the fully deflected position, reduces actuating force at the end of the stroke and extends the working stroke distance with a horizontal force-displacement characteristic curve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If multiple inserts are arranged in the armature chamber to maximize force increase, then the actuating force at the end of stroke is increased, but high spring forces are required leading to excessively large compression springs and large valve designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating forceVSAvoidvalve size
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing a circumferential annular groove at a specific location on the magnet armature rather than using multiple inserts throughout the armature chamber. This localized modification creates a controlled reduction in actuating force at the end of the stroke, eliminating the need for oversized springs and large valve designs while still achieving the desired force characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding material (multiple inserts) to increase force, the patent uses the inverse approach by removing material (creating an annular groove) to reduce force at the end of stroke. This inversion of the conventional approach achieves force control without requiring large springs or increasing valve size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Force

If multiple inserts are arranged in the armature chamber to maximize force increase, then the actuating force at the end of stroke is increased, but the actuating magnet and connected valve respond sluggishly, impairing control dynamics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating forceVSAvoidcontrol dynamics
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential annular groove is positioned at a specific location on the magnet armature to locally influence the magnetic field distribution. This localized modification optimizes the force-displacement characteristic curve, providing sufficient actuating force while maintaining fast response times and good control dynamics, unlike the sluggish performance caused by multiple inserts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If inserts are used to influence the force-displacement characteristic curve, then the force increase occurs with a progressively increasing characteristic curve, but this requires high spring forces leading to excessively large compression springs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating forceVSAvoidspring size
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach of adding inserts to increase force. Instead, it removes material by creating a circumferential annular groove, which reduces actuating force at the end of stroke. This eliminates the need for high spring forces and excessively large compression springs, simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the magnet armature by introducing a circumferential annular groove, which modifies the magnetic field distribution and force-displacement characteristic curve. This parameter change achieves the desired force characteristics without requiring large springs, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in a uniform force-displacement curve with reduced actuation force at the end of the stroke, allowing for a compact design, fast dynamic switching behavior, and reduced spring forces, thereby improving control dynamics and valve design efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

When the coil winding is energized, a magnetic force acts on the armature, which moves it within a displacement space as part of an armature space in the sense of a 'pushing magnet' toward the pole piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

A pole core or pole piece is connected to the pole sleeve as a further part of the pole tube via a separating region that forms a magnetic decoupling and can also be filled with a non-magnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic decoupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4060694B1Actuating magnet
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 HYDAC FLUITECHNIK GMBH
  • EP4060694B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1B
  • EP4060694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4060694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

2. An actuating magnet with an energizable coil assembly (28) for moving a magnetic armature (14) within a pole tube (12) in at least one direction is disclosed, characterized in that the magnetic armature (14) has at least one control means (50, 64) for influencing a force-displacement characteristic (44, 46, 48), at least in the sense of reducing force at the end of its working stroke.