Electromagnetic Trip Armature Surface Structuring for Precise Air Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating an air gap in electromagnetic trigger armatures require additional materials, complex assembly steps, and are sensitive to dust and flatness, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A surface treatment method that creates a geometric pattern in relief on the armature parts to form an air gap without adding extra material, using laser structuring to achieve precise positioning and eliminate the need for capacitance measurements and additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an intermediate non-magnetic material is inserted between the two armature parts to create an air gap, then the air gap can be achieved, but the assembly is complicated and requires controlled flatness and dust-free environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair gap precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the intermediate non-magnetic material from the system. Instead of inserting additional material between the armature parts, the patent uses direct contact surfaces with precisely controlled geometry to define the air gap, thereby eliminating the need for separate shunt materials and simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-defining the air gap geometry through precisely machined surfaces on the armature parts themselves. The surfaces are prepared in advance with the exact spacing required, eliminating the need for complex assembly adjustments and dust-free environment controls during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If capacitance measurement is used to position the two armature parts, then the air gap can be adjusted, but numerous complex adjustment steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair gap positioningVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the complex electrical measurement and adjustment system (capacitance measurement) with a purely mechanical solution. Precisely machined surfaces with built-in spacing features directly define the air gap, eliminating the need for electrical measurements and multiple adjustment steps during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The armature parts are designed with self-aligning features and precise surface geometries that automatically establish the correct air gap when assembled. The structure itself provides the positioning function, eliminating the need for external measurement and adjustment systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If additional material is inserted between the armature plates to create an air gap, then the spacing can be achieved, but the assembly is complicated and requires numerous adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair gap thicknessVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for additional magnetic material insertion. The air gap is created directly through the geometry of the armature parts themselves, removing the complicated steps of material insertion, positioning, and adjustment that are required in traditional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates assembly, reduces manufacturing time, and enhances precision and reproducibility by eliminating the need for additional materials and complex adjustments, while maintaining stability against vibrations and shocks.

Implementation Method 1

a step of surface treatment of the first part of the frame, during which at least a first surface of at least one localized area of the first part is surface treated so as to obtain at least one geometric pattern in relief on the first surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser melting: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The geometric pattern in relief is obtained by structuring a first surface of at least one localized area of the first part without adding any additional material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4625464A1Method for treating the surface of an electromagnetic trip armature, associated armature and electromagnetic trip
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HAGER ELECTRO SAS
  • EP4625464A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4625464A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4625464A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for surface treatment of a two-piece frame, a first piece (3) and a second piece, which are intended to be arranged at a distance from each other so as to form an air gap, characterized in that it comprises: - a surface treatment step, during which a first surface (7) of a localized zone (8) of the first piece (3) is surface treated so as to obtain a geometric pattern (9) in relief on the first surface (7) without adding additional material, - an assembly step, during which the first piece (3) and the second piece of the frame are assembled, so that the first piece (3) comprising said geometric pattern (9) is arranged opposite and at a distance from a second surface of the second piece in said juxtaposition zone to form said air gap, the thickness of which is determined at least by the height of the geometric pattern (9).