Multiplexed Actuator Circuit for Key Release Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for actuating electromagnetic linear actuators in key management systems are limited by energy supply, failing to efficiently manage the simultaneous release of a large number of keys due to high energy requirements for simultaneous activation.
Innovation Solution
A method and circuit arrangement that utilize two types of voltage sources - a pull-in voltage source for attracting the armature and a holding voltage source for maintaining it, with energy supplied in a multiplexed manner to reduce overall energy demand, allowing more actuators to be held in a state than can be simultaneously activated, by using a control device to switch magnetic coils between these voltage sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all electromagnetic linear actuators are actuated simultaneously, then all keys can be released at once, but the energy source would need to be extremely large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the actuation process into two temporal segments: a pull-in phase where groups of actuators are activated simultaneously using high voltage, and a holding phase where the same actuators are maintained using lower voltage. This segmentation allows the energy source to be sized for the lower holding requirement rather than the peak pull-in requirement, reducing the energy source size by a factor of eight to ten while still enabling rapid bulk key release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or pulsed action by activating actuators in successive groups rather than all at once. The control device switches between different groups of actuators in a time-multiplexed manner, with each group undergoing the pull-in to holding transition sequentially. This periodic activation pattern reduces the instantaneous power demand on the energy source while achieving the overall goal of releasing all keys.
2Productivity
If the energy source is sized for simultaneous actuation of all actuators, then all keys can be released quickly, but the system becomes economically unviable
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the electrical parameters (voltage and current) applied to the actuators depending on the operational phase. During the pull-in phase, high voltage is applied to generate sufficient magnetic force for rapid armature movement. During the holding phase, the voltage and current are reduced to minimum levels required to maintain the armature in the pulled position. This parameter change allows the energy source to be sized for the lower holding requirement rather than the peak pull-in requirement, achieving economic viability.
3Quantity of substance
If groups of actuators are activated successively, then the energy source can be smaller, but there is a time delay before all actuators reach the holding state
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-organizing the actuators into predetermined groups that can be activated in sequence. The control device is configured with knowledge of which actuators should be in which groups, allowing it to systematically switch between groups without delay or reconfiguration. This preliminary organization minimizes the total time required for successive actuation while enabling the use of a smaller energy source.
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
This approach enables the energy source to be dimensioned smaller by a factor of eight to ten compared to simultaneous activation, allowing for the successful release of a larger number of keys while ensuring all actuators remain in a holding state, with the added benefit of reduced component count and no interruption in holding current.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coil (11) which can be supplied with a current necessary for attracting the armature
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic coil (11) which can be supplied with a current necessary for holding the armature in position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A circuit arrangement for actuating a plurality of electromagnetic linear actuators is described, in whose magnetic coils a magnetic field can be generated, wherein the magnetic field required to attract an armature is greater than that required to hold the armature. The magnetic coils (11, 12, 13, 14, 15; 21, 22, 23, 24, 25; 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) of the electromagnetic linear actuators to be actuated are connected in groups one after the other via time-controlled multiplex switches (41, 42, 43, 44, 45; 46; 51, 52, 53, 54, 55; 56; 61, 62, 63, 64, 65; 66) via a control circuit (74) once for the duration of the armature pull-in process to a pull-in voltage source (72) that supplies a current required to pull in the armatures.Then the linear actuators of the group whose armatures were last tightened, and all other linear actuators with already tightened armatures, are connected to a holding voltage source (70) that supplies current to hold the armatures for the duration of holding the armatures.