Electromagnetic Actuator with Common Flux Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic actuators used in automotive applications, such as camshaft adjustment, require a compact design while maintaining magnetic properties like holding and repulsion forces, which is challenging due to the size of permanent magnet units.
Innovation Solution
The actuators are combined with a common flux guide unit that optimizes magnetic flux guidance in both de-energized and energized states, allowing for increased holding forces and enhanced repulsion effects by redirecting permanent magnetic flux between armature units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the permanent magnet units are made smaller to reduce actuator size, then the compactness is improved, but the holding and repulsion forces are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple permanent magnet units into a common flux guide structure where their magnetic fluxes interact synergistically. The flux guide unit integrates the flux paths of adjacent actuators, allowing smaller permanent magnets to produce enhanced collective magnetic effects that maintain sufficient holding and repulsion forces while reducing individual magnet size and overall actuator volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The flux guide unit acts as an intermediary element that redirects and optimizes the magnetic flux between permanent magnet units and core sections. By introducing this intermediate flux guidance structure, the patent enables more efficient magnetic flux distribution, allowing reduced magnet dimensions while maintaining the necessary magnetic forces through improved flux utilization.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple actuators are arranged closer together to increase compactness, then the distance between armature units is reduced, but the magnetic interference between adjacent actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common flux guide unit serves as a mediating structure between adjacent actuators, organizing and directing the magnetic flux paths. This intermediary flux guidance system allows actuators to be positioned closer together by providing structured flux paths that prevent chaotic magnetic interference, enabling compact arrangement while maintaining controlled magnetic interactions between adjacent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The flux guide unit creates localized magnetic flux paths for each actuator while allowing controlled interaction in specific regions. By optimizing the flux guidance in different local areas of the assembly, the patent enables close spacing of actuators while maintaining distinct and controlled magnetic zones, reducing harmful interference through spatially differentiated flux management.
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 more compact actuators with improved adhesive and repulsive forces, enabling faster reaction times, acceleration, and speed while maintaining the same magnetic properties, suitable for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
In a de-energized state of the coil unit, a permanent magnet flux of the respective two permanent magnet means (of the associated armature units) flows through the common flux guide unit
Implementation Method 2
the energization and the coil magnetic flux generated by the energization in the core section causes the displacement of the permanent magnetic flux and the generation of a repelling force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic adjusting device comprising at least two armature units, each of which has an armature body (10, 14) and permanent magnet means (12, 16) thereon, each of which can be moved relative to a respective stationary core portion (18, 22) and a coil unit (20, 24) paired with said core portions in response to an energizing process of said coil unit, and each of which is provided in order to interact with a respective adjusting partner. A magnetic current conducting unit (28, 30; 54, 56) is provided so as to extend in a direction of movement of the armature units adjacently to the two core portions and armature units together. The current conducting unit is designed and dimensioned such that a permanent magnetic flux (34, 36) of the two permanent magnet means flows through the current conducting unit in a non-energized state of the coil unit, and in an energized state of the coil unit (42), said state being activated in order to move one of the armature units, a coil magnetic flux (42) in the current conducting unit, said coil magnetic flux being generated as a result of the energizing process, at least partially displaces the permanent magnetic flux of the permanent magnet means of the anchor unit which is not to be moved as a result of the energizing process out of the current conducting unit. The two core portions are connected (26) to each other so as to conduct a magnetic flux such that in the energized state, the permanent magnetic flux is displaced to the core portion of the core unit to be moved (a) as a result of the energizing process.