Flexible Latch Pin Coupling for Electromagnetic Assembly Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic latch assemblies in valvetrains face challenges with substantial loads causing misalignment and sticking issues due to the load on the latch pin, which can lead to bending or straining of the armature, particularly in compact designs where manufacturing tolerances result in variations in alignment.
Innovation Solution
A bendable connection between the armature and latch pin, supported by a rigid metal structure that guides the latch pin and armature independently, allowing for translation while minimizing forces that cause bending or sticking, and the use of permanent magnets to stabilize the armature position without direct contact, along with specific mating face designs to reduce sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact design with a rigid metal structure supporting both the electromagnet and latch pin is used, then the overall size is reduced, but misalignment between the latch pin and armature occurs due to manufacturing tolerances and load-induced tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the latch pin and armature is changed from rigid to flexible, allowing the connection to bend and accommodate misalignment. This parameter change in flexibility enables the system to tolerate variations in alignment caused by manufacturing tolerances and load-induced tilting while maintaining the compact rigid metal structure design.
2Device complexity
If the latch pin is rigidly connected to the armature, then the structure is simpler, but forces from misalignment cause the armature to bend or stick
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the latch pin and armature is made dynamic and flexible rather than rigid. The flexible connection can bend and deform elastically to accommodate misalignment and prevent the transmission of harmful forces to the armature, thereby maintaining reliability while adding minimal complexity through the use of elastic deformation capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the latch pin bore is made smaller for compact design, then the electromagnet and armature can be more compact, but the latch pin experiences greater tilting under load
Solution Approach 1:
The flexibility parameter of the connection is introduced to compensate for the increased tilting. By allowing the connection to bend, the system can accommodate the greater angular deviation of the latch pin that occurs in smaller bore designs, thereby maintaining compact dimensions while preserving operational stability.
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
The solution allows for a more compact design while maintaining load-bearing capacity, reducing the likelihood of armature bending or sticking, and ensuring stable armature positioning, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the electromagnetic latch assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet operative to actuate the armature from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
The bendable connection may reduce forces on the armature that could cause the armature to bend or stick
Implementation Method 3
the use of permanent magnets to stabilize the armature position without direct contact
Data Source
AI summary
In an electromagnetic latch assembly of a type that includes an armature, an electromagnet operative to actuate the armature, a latch pin, and a rigid metal structure that supports both the electromagnet and the latch pin, the latch pin is attached to the armature through a bendable connection. The electromagnet may be mounted to or housed within the metal structure. The latch pin may protrude from the rigid metal structure and may be guided by the metal structure. The bendable connection couples translation of the armature to translation of the latch pin while allowing the two parts to move independently to some degree. The bendable connection may reduce forces on the armature that could cause the armature to bend or stick. Those forces may result from misalignment between the latch pin and the armature or from the latch pin being driven off axis under load.