Gas Spring Electromagnetic Triggering with Voltage-Phased Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring triggering devices require significant forces and lack precise control, making it difficult to meter the gas spring speed effectively, especially in applications where space is limited and safety standards are high.
Innovation Solution
A device with an electric magnet unit activated by a control device that generates an override phase with increased voltage followed by a holding phase with reduced voltage, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components like Bowden cables and allowing for adjustable voltage durations, and incorporating a buffer storage unit to prevent overloading, coupled with a compact lever mechanism for force reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple lever actuating member is used to trigger the gas spring, then the device structure is simple, but considerable forces are required for triggering and precise control of gas spring speed is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical lever actuating member with an electric magnet unit that uses electromagnetic force to actuate the gas spring trigger. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical force transmission through levers and cables, providing precise control over triggering force and speed through electrical control, while maintaining simple device structure.
2Ease of operation
If additional mechanical components like Bowden cables are added to improve force control, then triggering force control is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates Bowden cables and other complex mechanical force transmission components by using an electric magnet unit that directly generates the required triggering force through electromagnetic attraction. This provides precise force control without adding mechanical complexity or space requirements.
3Reliability
If high voltage is continuously applied to the magnet unit to ensure reliable operation, then operational reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and buffer storage units are overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed voltage application to the magnet unit instead of continuous high voltage. The control device applies voltage in controlled pulses that are sufficient to reliably actuate the gas spring, then reduces or interrupts the voltage. This periodic action maintains operational reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption and preventing buffer storage unit overload.
4Force
If the lever mechanism is designed for force multiplication, then triggering force is reduced, but the travel distance of the actuating member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the lever mechanism with an electric magnet unit that directly actuates the trigger. The electromagnetic force provides the necessary force multiplication without mechanical leverage, eliminating the trade-off between force and travel distance. The magnet unit can generate high triggering forces with minimal actuating member displacement.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient operation of gas springs with reduced operational forces, precise control over gas spring speed, and enhanced safety features, such as central deactivation/activation for increased safety standards, particularly in applications like aircraft seating.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating device has an electric magnet unit which is supplied with electrical energy via a current supply and can be activated via a switching unit
Data Source
AI summary
A device for triggering a gas spring (1) comprising an actuation device (2), an actuating element (4) which is operatively connected to the actuating device (2) and which acts directly on an end trigger (3) of the gas spring (1), wherein the actuating element (4) is configured as a lever arrangement (5) which reduces or multiplies the force or path, wherein one of the levers (trigger lever (6)) presses directly onto the trigger (3), wherein the actuating device (2) comprises an electrical magnet unit (30), which is provided with electric energy via an electrical supply and can be activated via a switch unit (60), characterised in that there is a control unit (40) which can be activated via the switching unit (60) and activates the electric magnet unit (30) according to the signals of the switch unit (60), wherein the the magnet unit (30) is actuated such that for a predetermined time interval an override phase of the magnet unit (30) with an increased voltage and a subsequent holding phase with a reduced voltage are produced.