Torque Motor Pole Piece Segmentation for Magnetic Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Torque motors face challenges in achieving high precision and minimizing gaps between magnetic components due to material property changes under stress, which limits their performance and requires precise manufacturing without interference fits.

Innovation Solution

The use of rigid members, such as pins or cavities, to secure separate sections of the pole piece together, reducing magnetic losses and eliminating the need for magnetic shunts by aligning holes or cavities to prevent relative movement and enhance magnetic characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If interference or press fit is used to connect pole piece sections, then manufacturing precision is improved, but material property changes under stress cause reliability deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection precisionVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pole piece is divided into multiple separate sections that are connected through cavities and rigid members, allowing each section to be manufactured independently with precise tolerances while avoiding stress-induced material property changes associated with interference fits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid members are introduced as intermediary elements that connect pole piece sections through cavities, providing stable mechanical connection without requiring interference or press fits that cause material property changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If tight tolerances are used to minimize gaps between magnetic components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to assembly difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap toleranceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pole piece is segmented into multiple sections with cavities that accommodate rigid members, enabling precise gap control between magnetic components while simplifying assembly through modular construction and alignment features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from requiring tight tolerance assemblies to using cavities with rigid members that provide mechanical alignment and positioning, changing the assembly parameters from tolerance-dependent to feature-dependent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If magnetic shunts are used to connect pole piece sections, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic circuit integrityVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity structure and rigid member connection are merged into a single integrated feature of the pole piece sections, eliminating the need for separate magnetic shunt components while maintaining magnetic circuit integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity-rigid member structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical connection between sections, ensuring precise alignment, and maintaining magnetic circuit continuity, replacing the specialized function of magnetic shunts

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

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 improves torque motor performance by reducing magnetic losses, eliminating the need for magnetic shunts, and simplifying manufacturing, while ensuring precise alignment and stability.

Implementation Method 1

the components that are used to create the magnetic field around the armature 18 must be manufactured to a high precision

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3454456B1Pole piece for a torque motor
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3454456B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3454456B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3454456B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There is provided a pole-piece (130) for a torque motor (100), the pole-piece (130) comprising a first section (132) formed separate from a second section (134), wherein the first section (132,132') is held in position with respect to the second section (134,134') using one or more rigid members (150,150').