B6 Switching Bridge for Sensorless Actuator Position Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator devices with electromagnetic actuators face challenges in cost-effective hardware-optimized control and sensorless position determination, requiring significant structural and financial effort for position sensing.
Innovation Solution
An actuator device with a B6 switching bridge having three parallel bridge branches, each with two series switches, and freewheeling diodes, allowing for series connection of magnetic coils and voltage jump-based position determination without sensors, utilizing a control device to manage switching and a detection device to analyze voltage curves for position evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position sensors are provided to determine the position of the actuator, then position determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system performs self-diagnosis by utilizing its own existing components (magnetic coils, switching bridge, current supply) to determine its position. The control device analyzes voltage curves generated during voltage jumps applied to the magnetic coils, enabling the system to self-measure position without external sensors. This embodies the self-service principle where the system uses its operational components for both actuation and measurement functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two H-bridges and connecting switches are used to control tristable actuator, then control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of two separate H-bridges into a single B6 switching bridge with three parallel bridge branches. This unified structure reduces the total number of switching components while maintaining the ability to independently control both magnetic coils. The B6 bridge integrates the functionality of multiple H-bridges into one compact circuit, achieving control flexibility with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The B6 switching bridge serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls the direction and magnitude of current in both magnetic coils, enables series connection of coils for sensorless position determination, and provides versatile switching configurations for tristable actuator control. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated control circuits for each coil.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic coils are connected in series for sensorless position determination, then position determination capability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching bridge dynamically reconfigures the connection topology of the magnetic coils based on the required operation. During normal actuation, coils can be controlled independently; during position determination, the bridge dynamically switches to series connection configuration. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its circuit topology to different operational modes, enabling sensorless position determination without permanent structural modifications.
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 cost-effective, sensorless position determination and control of electromagnetic actuators, reducing material and control costs, and allowing for efficient displacement between three stable positions, suitable for applications like motor vehicle transmissions.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic actuator which has two magnetic coils (4, 5) by means of which an actuator (3) can be linearly displaced between three stable positions
Implementation Method 2
detection device for determining voltage curves on both magnet coils (4, 5) in the course of the voltage jump being applied to them
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator device (6) having an electromagnetic actuator (2) which comprises two magnetic coils (4, 5) and an actuating element (3) that can be displaced linearly between three stable positions by means of same, the actuator device (6) having a switching bridge (9) with three bridge branches (B1, B2, B3) connected in parallel for driving the magnetic coils (4, 5), wherein each bridge branch (B1, B2, B3) comprises two switches (S1 ... S6) arranged in series, wherein a magnetic coil (4, 5) is connected in each of the two bridge diagonals (D1, D2). The invention further relates to a method for driving the magnetic coils (4, 5) of an electromagnetic actuator (2) of an actuator device (6) according to the invention.