Electromagnetic Drive Self-Adjusting Yoke Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic drives for electrical switches face challenges in accommodating manufacturing tolerances, leading to assembly difficulties and potential gaps in magnetic circuits due to misalignment of yoke parts.

Innovation Solution

The electromagnetic drive allows for self-adjustment of yoke parts using a permanent magnet's magnetic force, with oversized holes and screws enabling loose and tight connections to align yoke parts optimally, ensuring the magnetic circuit remains closed without gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If yoke parts are rigidly fixed during assembly, then assembly precision is improved, but manufacturing tolerances cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of yoke partsVSAvoidtolerance to manufacturing variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connection between yoke parts adjustable rather than fixed. The first and second yoke parts are connected via a fastening mechanism that allows relative displacement along the sliding direction during assembly, enabling automatic alignment through magnetic attraction forces. After alignment is achieved, the connection can be locked to maintain the optimized position, thus combining adaptability during assembly with stability in operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing tolerances are reduced, then assembly difficulty is decreased, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly ease of driveVSAvoiddimensional tolerance of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the self-service principle through automatic self-alignment of yoke parts during assembly. The magnetic circuit generates attractive forces that automatically pull the first and second yoke parts into optimal alignment positions along the sliding direction, eliminating the need for precision machining or complex alignment procedures. This self-adjusting mechanism allows components with larger manufacturing tolerances to be easily assembled without requiring high-precision manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If yoke parts are allowed to move during assembly, then tolerance accommodation is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of yoke positionVSAvoidassembly mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the alignment function from the structural connection function. The fastening mechanism between yoke parts is designed to allow movement only in the specific direction needed for alignment (along the sliding direction), while maintaining structural integrity in other directions. This selective freedom of movement simplifies the assembly process by focusing adjustability only where needed, rather than making the entire connection mechanism complex and multi-directional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 facilitates easy assembly with components having large manufacturing tolerances and ensures the magnetic circuit remains closed without gaps, enhancing the drive's reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one permanent magnet (90, 95) that generates a magnetic field for the magnetic circuit and a holding force for maintaining the armature in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic force of the permanent magnet takes place and, after self-adjustment has taken place, the yoke parts are brought into a fixed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

at least one coil (80), which is arranged in such a way that the drive can be actuated and the armature can be moved by a current flow through the coil, a magnetic flux can be caused by the magnetic The flux of the permanent magnet in the magnetic circuit is the same or opposite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2732455B1Electromagnetic drive
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2732455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2732455B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2732455B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to, inter alia, an electromagnetic drive (10) for an electrical switch (20), in particular an electrical circuit breaker, with at least one movable armature (60), which can implement a lifting movement along a predetermined pushing direction (P), can be connected indirectly or directly to a movable switching contact (21) of the switch (20), and, in a closed position (61), closes a magnetic circuit (M1, M2) of the drive (10) at a first armature-side stop face (62) with a first magnetically conductive yoke part (100) of the drive (10) and at a second armature-side stop face (63) with a second magnetically conductive yoke part (105) of the drive (10), with at least one permanent magnet (90, 95), which produces a magnetic field for the magnetic circuit (M1, M2) and a holding force for holding the armature (60) in the closed position (61), and with at least one coil (80), which is arranged in such a way that a magnetic flux can be brought about by a current flow through the coil (80), which magnetic flux is directed in the same direction as or in opposition to the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet (90, 95) in the magnetic circuit (M1, M2), wherein the electromagnetic drive (10) provides the possibility of a readjustment state after installation by virtue of self-adjustment of the position of the first yoke part (100) and the second yoke part (105) relative to one another being possible as a result of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet (90, 95), and wherein the yoke parts (100, 105) can be brought into a fixedly installed state, in which the alignment of the yoke parts (100, 105) is fixed independently of the further positioning of the armature (60).