Flexure-Bearing Adjustment Actuator With Magnetic Force Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating devices face challenges in achieving precise movements with low energy consumption and are cumbersome in terms of manufacturing and assembly, while also lacking effective methods to determine their operating state.

Innovation Solution

An actuating device comprising a base component, an actuating element, a solid-body joint, and a drive device with an electrical coil and magnetizable compensation components, along with permanent magnet segments, to enable precise movements and compensate for restoring forces, coupled with sensors to determine the device's operating state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional actuators are used to achieve precise movements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the voice coil actuator and the restoring force compensation mechanism into a single integrated device. The permanent magnet segments are mounted on the same movable structure as the voice coil, allowing both positioning and compensation functions to be performed by one actuator rather than requiring separate components. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining precise positioning capability and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice coil actuator serves multiple functions: it provides the primary positioning force for precise movements and simultaneously works with the permanent magnet segments to compensate for restoring forces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate compensation mechanisms, thereby reducing energy consumption and device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional actuators are used to achieve precise movements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the permanent magnet segments directly onto the movable structure of the voice coil actuator, combining what would traditionally be separate positioning and compensation devices into one unified component. This merging simplifies the overall device architecture, reduces the number of parts, and makes manufacturing more straightforward while maintaining precise positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single actuator system performs both positioning and restoring force compensation functions. The permanent magnet segments are strategically positioned to provide compensation forces that counteract elastic deformations in the mounting structure, allowing one device to fulfill multiple roles and thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If restoring forces are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnet segments act as intermediary elements that generate compensating forces to counteract the restoring forces from the elastic mounting structure. These segments are positioned to create magnetic forces that balance the elastic deformations, thereby maintaining positioning precision without requiring complex active compensation control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The permanent magnet segments are pre-positioned to provide compensating forces that counteract the restoring forces before they can significantly affect positioning accuracy. This preliminary anti-action prevents elastic deformations from degrading positioning precision, maintaining stability without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 provides precise actuating movements with reduced energy consumption, optimized manufacturing, and the ability to assess the device's operating state, enhancing efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator with an electrical coil (71) and with at least one compensation component (80) made of a magnetizable or magnetized material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

at least one permanent magnet segment (MS), which is located next to the coil (71) at a non-contact distance in a direction extending in the coil axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

at least one compensation component (80) made of a magnetizable or magnetized material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force generation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

the compensation component (80) and the coil (71) are mechanically fixed or fixable relative to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction/repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentEP4211707B1Adjustment device, adjustment system and computer program product
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE (PI) GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4211707B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4211707B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4211707B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an adjustment device comprising: a base component (B1), an adjustment body (10), at least one flexure bearing (21) by means of which the adjustment body (10) is mounted on the base component (B1) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (D1) of the flexure bearing, and at least one drive device (C) which is coupled to the base component (B1) and to an adjustment body connection device (AV), in order to move these relative to one another. The drive device (C) has an actuator (60) comprising an electrical coil (71), the coil axis (AS) of which extends along the axis of rotation (D1) of the flexure bearing, and a compensation component (80) made of a magnetisable or magnetised material, as well as at least one permanent magnet segment (MS), which is located adjacent to the actuator (60) and is movable relative thereto, and of which the magnetic field lines extend along the coil axis (AS) in the interior of the permanent magnet segment (MS). The invention also relates to an adjustment system and to a computer program product.