Electromagnetic Valve Core Winding Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The demand for smaller valves has led to reduced construction volume and performance, limiting the maximum mechanical performance of magnetic coils due to space constraints, which hinders achieving high throughput and magnetic force with the same dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a configuration where the pole pieces are integral with the core, and the armature is positioned outside the winding, eliminating the air gap and allowing more space for coil windings, thereby increasing magnetic force while maintaining the same dimensions, and using laminated laminations to reduce eddy current losses and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the valve dimensions are reduced to meet market demand for smaller valves, then the installation volume is reduced, but the magnetic force and throughput are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve dimensionsVSAvoidmagnetic force
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the armature outside the winding in a different spatial dimension, eliminating the air gap that would otherwise be required. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the magnetic circuit to be more efficient without increasing the overall valve dimensions, thereby maintaining small size while improving magnetic force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The core and pole pieces are merged into a single integral component, eliminating air gaps at the interfaces between separate parts. This merging improves magnetic flux density and strengthens the magnetic force while keeping the valve compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If more coil turns are accommodated to increase magnetic flux density, then the magnetic force is improved, but the installation volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic forceVSAvoidinstallation volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the armature outside the winding, the patent creates additional space within the winding area that can be used for more coil turns. This spatial reconfiguration allows increased magnetic flux density without proportionally increasing the overall valve volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The air gap between the winding and armature is eliminated by extracting the unnecessary space, allowing the winding to be positioned more efficiently and accommodate more turns within the same volume envelope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the armature is positioned inside the winding, then the overall dimensions are reduced, but an air gap is created that reduces magnetic force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall dimensionsVSAvoidmagnetic force
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the armature inside the winding as in conventional designs, the patent inverts this arrangement by positioning the armature outside the winding. This inversion eliminates the air gap while maintaining compact dimensions through efficient spatial utilization.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The armature is repositioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the winding, moving from an internal position to an external position that eliminates the air gap while maintaining overall compactness through optimized spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional iron is used instead of ferrite for cost reasons, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but eddy current losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoideddy current losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The core and pole pieces are segmented into laminated sheets rather than being made as solid pieces. This segmentation into thin layers reduces eddy current paths, thereby reducing energy losses while using cost-effective conventional iron material instead of expensive ferrite.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses laminated sheet metal construction, creating a composite structure of multiple thin layers. This composite approach reduces eddy current losses compared to solid conventional iron, achieving a balance between cost and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration enables a compact valve with high performance, allowing for greater throughput and reduced structural dimensions, making it suitable for space-saving applications like microtiter plates and 384-well plates, while maintaining performance comparable to prior art.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator (10) has a core (12), which is arranged between two pole pieces (14)... A winding (16), consisting of a plurality of copper turns, is applied to the core (12)... The winding (16) rests on the core (12) without an interposed coil former wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the core and pole pieces then being made from layered sheets (i.e., 'laminated') to avoid eddy current losses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current losses reduction through lamination: Lamination

Data Source

PatentEP2016319B2Valve with an electromagnetic drive
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2016319B2 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2016319B2 patent drawingFigure 7~8
  • EP2016319B2 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

A valve having an electromagnetic drive (10) including a core (12) that is arranged between two pole pieces (14) and has a winding (16) applied thereon which, at least in the direction of a dimension (B) determining the structural size of the valve (1), rests on the core (12) without a bobbin wall interposed.