Linear Actuator Thrust Force and Resonance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear actuators with magnetic drive mechanisms face challenges in providing sufficient thrust force and preventing resonance, often requiring a large number of components and complex configurations, which increase costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A linear actuator design featuring a cylindrical permanent magnet, a coil bobbin with a spring member and gel damper, and strategically positioned cores and flanges to enhance thrust force and prevent resonance, while minimizing component count and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a coil is placed around a supporting shaft and a permanent magnet is located around the coil, then the structure is simplified, but a great thrust force cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidthrust force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs nested configuration where the coil is wound around a coil bobbin, the permanent magnet is positioned inside the coil, and the first core and second core are stacked in the axial direction with the permanent magnet between them. This nesting arrangement maximizes the magnetic circuit efficiency and thrust force generation while maintaining a compact structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and thrust force magnitude.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Force

If a plurality of permanent magnets are placed in an axial direction to increase thrust force, then the thrust force increases, but the number of constituent parts increases greatly so that a cost of the linear actuator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrust forceVSAvoidnumber of constituent parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple magnetic elements into a single integrated permanent magnet assembly positioned between the first core and second core. Instead of using multiple separate permanent magnets that would increase part count, the design combines the magnetic function into one unified component that works with the stacked core structure to generate sufficient thrust force, thereby reducing the number of constituent parts while maintaining force output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a movable element is supported by a supporting shaft that passes through the movable element, then the movable element is supported, but the number of constituent parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovable element supportVSAvoidnumber of constituent parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the supporting shaft from the system by implementing a magnetic bearingless drive mechanism. The movable element is supported through magnetic forces and mechanical constraints provided by the core structures and coil bobbin, rather than requiring a physical supporting shaft to pass through the movable element. This extraction of the supporting shaft reduces the number of constituent parts while maintaining reliable support for the movable element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If the end plate part of the second core is formed by a drawing process, then the manufacturing is simplified, but there is a restriction on a thickness of a magnetic plate so that the end plate part cannot be formed in such a way as to have a sufficient thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidend plate part thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameter of the end plate part from being formed by a drawing process (which limits thickness) to being formed by a stacking process where multiple magnetic plates are stacked in the axial direction. This parameter change in the manufacturing method allows the end plate part to achieve sufficient thickness while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard stacking and bonding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a great thrust force with a simple configuration, suppresses resonance, and ensures stable operation with fewer components, allowing for adjustable vibration intensity and frequency.

Implementation Method 1

a coil wound around the coil bobbin, for configuring a magnetic drive mechanism together with the permanent magnet to drive the movable element in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a spring member connected to the movable element and the coil bobbin, while having the movable element to be supported in such a way as to be movable in an axial direction in relation to the coil bobbin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a gel damper member being sandwiched between the stationary element and the movable element in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10252295B2Linear actuator
Publication Date: 2019.04.09 SANKYO SEIKI MFG CO LTD
  • US10252295B2 patent drawing
  • US10252295B2 patent drawing
  • US10252295B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A linear actuator may include a movable element including a cylindrical permanent magnet; a stationary element including a coil bobbin that surrounds the permanent magnet at an outside in a radial direction; a spring member connected to the movable element and the coil bobbin, and supporting the movable element to be movable in an axial direction in relation to the coil bobbin; a coil wound around the coil bobbin, for configuring a magnetic drive mechanism together with the permanent magnet, the magnetic drive mechanism being structured to drive the movable element in the axial direction; and a gel damper member being sandwiched between the stationary element and the movable element in the axial direction.