Magnetic Actuator Circuit Layout Without Spring Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic actuators for low-voltage electric systems have complex structures with many parts, requiring tight mechanical tolerances and are difficult to manufacture at industrial scale, and their performance is sensitive to environmental temperature.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic actuator with a simplified structure featuring a magnetic circuit with three parallel branches, asymmetric airgap regions, and a configuration that varies magnetic reluctances to facilitate movement of the movable armature without additional mechanical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional magnetic actuator structure with permanent magnet and pre-loaded spring is used, then the actuator provides reliable mechanical actuation force, but the structure becomes complex with many parts requiring tight mechanical tolerances and high manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the pre-loaded spring component from the magnetic actuator structure. The spring mechanism is completely eliminated, leaving only the essential magnetic circuit components (magnetic yoke, magnetic armature, and coil). This extraction simplifies the structure while maintaining the actuation function through magnetic forces alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple components into a simplified magnetic circuit. The magnetic yoke, magnetic armature, and coil work together as an integrated system where the coil generates magnetic flux that directly produces the actuation force on the armature, eliminating the need for separate spring mechanisms.
2Power
If a traditional magnetic actuator structure with multiple components is used, then the actuator achieves the required actuation performance, but the manufacturing cost increases due to tight mechanical tolerances and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the spring component and associated mechanical tolerance requirements, the invention significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost. The simplified structure requires fewer precision-critical parts and less complex assembly procedures while maintaining actuation performance.
3Reliability
If a magnetic actuator with pre-loaded spring and multiple components is used, then the actuator provides stable operation, but the behavior becomes sensitive to environmental temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the spring component that is susceptible to temperature-induced dimensional changes and elastic property variations. By eliminating this thermally sensitive mechanical element, the actuator's operation becomes less dependent on environmental temperature conditions.
4Device complexity
If a simplified magnetic actuator structure is used, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the actuation force mechanism must be redesigned
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical spring-based actuation mechanism with an electromagnetic system. The coil generates magnetic flux that directly acts on the magnetic armature to produce the required actuation force, substituting mechanical elasticity with electromagnetic forces.
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 actuator achieves reliable operation with a reduced number of parts, easier manufacturing, and improved resistance to temperature variations, while maintaining efficient mechanical actuation.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet configured to feed said fixed and movable magnetic armatures with a first magnetic flux having a predefined direction
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic armature is maintained coupled to the yoke plates due to the magnetic force deriving from the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 3
a current is fed into the actuation coil. The coil current generates a temporary magnetic flux in opposition to the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 4
the first and second airgap regions differ one from another... the magnetic circuit is configured so that the first magnetic reluctance of said first branch decreases and the second magnetic reluctance of said second branch increases
Data Source
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AI summary
A magnetic actuator for low-voltage electric systems, wherein magnetic actuator comprises a magnetic circuit including: - a fixed magnetic armature and a movable magnetic armature, said movable magnetic armature being movable between a first position and a second position relative to said fixed magnetic armature; - a permanent magnet configured to feed said fixed and movable magnetic armatures with a first magnetic flux having a predefined direction, when said permanent magnet is in a magnetized condition; wherein said magnetic actuator further comprises an excitation coil magnetically coupled to said magnetic circuit and configured to be fed with an electric current, when a tripping manoeuvre of said magnetic actuator is required, wherein the magnetic circuit has three branches forming two magnetic loops having a branch in common.