CN115313723A

CN115313723A - Drive device for a valve

Info

Publication number: CN115313723A
Application number: CN202210491100.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·塞尔克; M·鲍尔林; A·穆德拉; D·舒尔茨
Original assignee: Eco Holding 1 GmbH
Current assignee: Eco Holding 1 GmbH
Priority date: 2021-05-07
Filing date: 2022-05-07
Publication date: 2022-11-08
Also published as: DE102021112004A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve. The drive device includes a stator assembly having a first winding element with a first electrical connector and a second winding element with a second electrical connector. Additionally, the first winding unit and the second winding unit are arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis and are configured to rotate a rotor assembly, which is positionable in the interior space of the stator assembly, about the central longitudinal axis. The first and second electrical connections are arranged on the end side on the first winding unit.

Description

Drive device for a valve

Technical Field

The invention relates to a drive for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve. The drive device includes a stator assembly having a first winding element with a first electrical connector and a second winding element with a second electrical connector. Additionally, the first winding unit and the second winding unit are arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis and are configured to rotate a rotor assembly, which is positionable in the interior space of the stator assembly, about the central longitudinal axis.

The invention is described below primarily in connection with air spring valves. Even though the advantages achievable by the invention are particularly noticeable in air spring valves, the invention can also be used advantageously in other valves whose principle of action can be clearly different from that of air spring valves.

Background

Document WO 2019/190013 A1 discloses a solenoid valve assembly for switching modes in a suspension system, which sets an internal path independently of an external path for switching the mode of the fluid, so as to establish a state of equilibrium of the pressures of the diaphragms acting on the internal and external surfaces. The opening/closing of the opening is smoothly controlled by controlling a relatively small amount of operating power applied to the coil of the solenoid, and the adhesion of the movable rod with respect to the magnetic core is prevented while the solenoid is operating. Thus, the valve typically performs mode switching and minimizes the cross-sectional flow area of air in the internal path for fluid flow to provide a narrow cross-sectional area. Thus, an air cushion function is achieved, thereby reducing collision noise of the valve caused by the opening/closing process.

The solenoid valve assemblies known from the prior art mostly require a relatively large installation space, which needs to be minimized, for example, in the field of vehicle applications. Furthermore, the known assemblies are mostly expensive to produce and complicated to assemble.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a drive device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

The solution of this object is defined by the features of claim 1. The invention relates to a drive for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve. The drive device includes a stator assembly having a first winding element with a first electrical connector and a second winding element with a second electrical connector. Additionally, the first winding unit and the second winding unit are arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis and are configured to rotate the rotor assembly, which is positionable in the interior space of the stator assembly, about the central longitudinal axis. The first and second electrical connections are arranged at the end faces on the first winding unit.

The end-side arrangement of the electrical connection on the first winding unit allows a compact and space-saving design of the drive device and thus of the air spring valve. In the circumferential direction, the housing of the air spring valve can be of cylindrical design, so that the air spring valve can be inserted with relative ease in the case of limited installation space, for example in the automotive sector.

A stator assembly in the sense of the present invention is understood to be an immovable component of a stepping motor for generating an electromagnetic field by means of a winding unit or a so-called stator coil. In the inner space of the stator assembly, the rotor assembly is rotated by a small angle or a multiple thereof by the electromagnetic field of the controlled stepwise rotation of the stator coil.

The air spring valve is a valve for controlling the air spring device or the air spring. In particular, the valve is used here to vary the chamber volume of the air spring.

By means of the air spring valve, a settable air spring system can be realized, which, for example, enables a horizontal adaptation and/or a horizontal adjustment, wherein an adaptation and/or an adjustment of the ground clearance of the vehicle takes place.

Air spring systems may also operate using gases other than air. This concept is illustrated herein only, and air is typically used as the gas, but is not limited thereto. By using a gas as the fluid, there are basically different requirements in the case of air spring valves than in the case of liquids.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first winding unit comprises a first magnetic circuit having a first magnetic circuit upper part, a first magnetic circuit lower part and a radially outer tube wall. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the first magnetic circuit can be easily assembled due to its modularity. For example, the first magnetic circuit upper portion, the first magnetic circuit lower portion, and the pipe wall are respectively made of bent plate members. For example, the use of deep-drawn parts can be dispensed with. This generally results in an inexpensive and simple manufacture of the stator assembly and thus of the drive device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the second winding unit comprises a second magnetic circuit having a second magnetic circuit upper part, a second magnetic circuit lower part and a radially outer tube wall. The technical advantages are similar to those of the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, the second magnetic circuit can also be easily assembled due to its modularity. For example, the second magnetic circuit upper portion, the second magnetic circuit lower portion, and the pipe wall can be respectively made of bent plate members. For example, the use of deep-drawn parts can be dispensed with. For example, the use of deep-drawn parts can be dispensed with. This generally results in a cost-effective and simple manufacture of the stator assembly and thus of the entire drive device.

In order to additionally simplify the assembly of the drive device, the radially outer tube walls of the first winding unit and the second winding unit are designed as a common tube wall. This additionally achieves the technical advantage that fewer components have to be assembled. For example, deep-drawn parts can be dispensed with, as a result of which the production costs can be further reduced. For example, the pipe wall may be manufactured as a stamped and subsequently rolled member.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first lower magnetic circuit part of the first winding unit and the second upper magnetic circuit part of the second winding unit are configured adjacent to each other and have a common radial slot for transferring the connecting cable of the second winding unit to the first winding unit. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the connecting cables or winding wires of the second winding unit can be transferred to the first winding unit via the radial slots. For example, the connecting cable of the second winding element can be wound around the first winding element a plurality of times, starting from the end connection of the first winding element. The connecting cable is then transferred to the second winding unit via the radial slots in order to wind the second winding carrier. The connecting cable is returned to the end-side connection at the first winding unit and accordingly extends back through the radial slot to the first winding carrier of the first winding unit. There, the connecting cable is wound a number of times around the first winding element and then fed to the contacts at the end-side connections.

According to an additional embodiment, the first magnetic circuit upper part of the first winding unit has at least two connection openings for the passage of the first connection cable and the second connection cable. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the connecting cable is fed directly to the end-side terminal. For example, the upper part of the first magnetic circuit of the first winding unit has four connection openings for passing through connection cables. Preferably, the geometry of the connection openings is designed such that the flow of the magnetic field lines in the first magnetic circuit is not disturbed. This can be achieved, for example, by the connecting opening being configured to be enlarged in the radial direction. In other words, the connection openings are each formed in a ring sector, wherein the angular spacing of the side contours delimiting the connection openings in the circumferential direction is between 5 ° and 30 °.

In order to additionally simplify the production of the drive, the first winding unit and the second winding unit each have a winding carrier, wherein the two winding carriers are produced as a common, one-piece double winding carrier by injection molding.

For example, the first magnetic circuit lower part of the first magnetic circuit and the second magnetic circuit upper part of the second magnetic circuit can be constructed directly as inserts for injection-molded double-winding supports. The technical advantage achieved thereby is therefore that the assembly is further simplified and the number of components is further reduced.

According to an additional embodiment, the second magnetic circuit lower part of the second winding unit has an alignment opening for aligning the double winding carrier. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the assembly of the stator assembly and thus the entire drive device is additionally simplified. The specific assignment between the lower part of the second magnetic circuit and the winding unit is thus unambiguously determined, whereby the risk of incorrect assembly can be reduced and the accuracy of the assembly increased. For example, the winding unit can have a corresponding projection, which can be formed directly on the winding unit in the region of the injection molding.

For example, the aligned openings on the lower part of the second magnetic circuit are formed long in the radial direction, as a result of which a radial degree of freedom results. This brings two further technical advantages. On the one hand, the angular alignment between the lower part of the second magnetic circuit and the second winding unit is clearly determined. On the other hand, the radial gap between the lower part of the second magnetic circuit and the second winding unit achieves that the final alignment takes place only at a later point in the assembly. For example, the exact alignment of the rotor assembly in the inner space of the stator assembly can also be adapted to the assembly after being an element determining function and mass.

According to a particular embodiment, the inner space of the stator assembly is defined by the upper and lower support elements in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

In order to simplify the application of the upper bearing element, the upper bearing element has at least a first arm and a second arm for fixing the upper bearing element on the upper part of the first magnetic circuit of the first winding. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the weight of the upper bearing element can be reduced. Furthermore, the rotor assembly can be accessed in the inner space of the stator assembly passing by the upper support element.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper support element has at least one centering opening for inserting a centering device between the stator assembly and the rotor assembly in a state arranged at the upper part of the first magnetic circuit.

Thereby, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a precise alignment of the rotor assembly in the inner space of the stator assembly is possible by inserting a centering device between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly. The more precise the centering, the smaller the radial clearance between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly can be achieved. The power data of the stepping motor are thus improved overall without the structural space being changed.

Due to the centering opening on the support element for inserting the centering device between the stator assembly and the rotor assembly, it is possible to simplify the assembly, for example, by first introducing the centering device through the centering opening in order to ensure a precise alignment of the rotor assembly in the inner space of the stator assembly, subsequently fixing the upper support element on the upper magnetic circuit and finally removing the centering device again. Therefore, the assembly accuracy is improved and the power of the stepping motor is increased, thereby increasing the power of the entire driving apparatus.

In order to additionally improve the assembly, the bearing element has an outer contour which releases the centering opening, wherein the outer contour is respectively arranged between the arms of the upper bearing element. For example, the centering device is configured as a sleeve having three arms for insertion between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly. Upon application of the sleeve, the arms are introduced individually between the first and second arms, the second and third arms, and the third and first arms of the support element into the centering openings between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly, respectively.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for producing a drive according to one of the preceding embodiments. The method includes the steps of providing a stator assembly, inserting a rotor assembly into an interior space of the stator assembly, placing an upper support element onto an upper portion of a first magnetic circuit, applying a centering device between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly to accurately position the rotor assembly within the stator assembly, securing the upper support element onto the upper portion of the first magnetic circuit, and removing the centering device.

The technical advantages are similar to those of claim 1, whereby the end-side arrangement of the electrical connection on the first winding unit allows a compact and space-saving design of the drive device and thus of the air spring valve.

In addition, a technical advantage is achieved in that precise alignment of the rotor assembly in the interior space of the stator assembly is possible by inserting a centering device between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly. The more precise the centering, the smaller the radial clearance between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly can be achieved. The power data of the stepping motor are thus improved overall without the structural space being changed.

The method for producing the drive device can be realized particularly simply, since the centering device is first introduced in order to ensure a precise alignment of the rotor assembly in the interior space of the stator assembly, and only then is the upper bearing element fixed on the upper magnetic circuit. Only after the aligned upper support element is fixed on the upper magnetic circuit portion is the centering device removed again. Therefore, the assembly accuracy is improved and the power of the stepping motor is increased, thereby increasing the power of the entire driving apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment, a spacer is arranged between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly when applying the centering means. The spacer is configured, for example, as an arm which can be pushed into the intermediate space. For example, the centering device comprises three arms, since thereby a precise alignment of the rotor assembly in the inner space of the stator assembly can be achieved. For example, the three arms are arranged at angular intervals of 120 ° from each other.

In order not to lose the adopted alignment of the rotor assembly in the inner space of the stator assembly, at least the first and second arms are welded on the first magnetic circuit upper part of the first winding unit when the upper support element is fixed on the first magnetic circuit upper part. Alternatively, other joining methods, such as, for example, adhesive bonding or mechanical clamping, may be used to fix the upper support element to the upper part of the first magnetic circuit.

Another variant of the invention comprises a drive device for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve, namely a stepper motor, which comprises a stator assembly and a rotor assembly arranged radially inside the stator assembly, and a motor shaft which is arranged inside the stator assembly so as to be rotatable together with the rotor assembly about a longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the drive device comprises a coupling element for converting a rotational movement of the motor shaft into a translational, reciprocating movement.

This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the rotation of the rotor is transmitted directly to the motor shaft, which is also located within the stator assembly. The torque transmission is thus carried out very precisely and in a space-saving manner.

A stepper motor refers to a synchronous motor in which the rotor assembly can be rotated through a small angle or a multiple thereof by a controlled step-wise rotating electromagnetic field of the stator coils of the stator assembly.

A coupling element refers to a passive mechanical member adapted to convert rotation into translation. The coupling element does not perform a rotational movement per se, but only a translational up-and-down movement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling element is arranged substantially in the inner space of the stator assembly. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the axial structural length of the drive can be reduced. An unnecessary installation space between the rotor assembly and the motor shaft can be used to accommodate the coupling element, as a result of which the compactness of the drive can be increased.

In order to increase the compactness of the drive, the coupling element is sleeve-shaped and at least partially surrounds the motor shaft. The telescopic construction enables almost complete utilization of the inner space in the stator assembly. The sleeve-like design is additionally advantageous as a very simple and therefore inexpensive component to produce. As a result, a cost-effective production and a simple assembly of the drive device can be achieved overall.

According to a preferred embodiment, the motor shaft has at least one guide element. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that a simple mechanical connection between the motor shaft and the coupling element can be achieved with a high functionality. There is therefore the additional advantage that a high functional reliability can be achieved with simple and inexpensive components. This advantage becomes decisive especially at high throughputs.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the coupling element comprises a sliding groove for engaging the guide element. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the guide element can be moved along the guide slot by rotation of the motor shaft.

In order to achieve a particularly reliable compact design, the motor shaft is assigned a guide element for guiding in the slide groove, wherein the stroke of the coupling element is varied depending on the rotational angle of the motor shaft and the inclination of the slide groove of the coupling element. In this way, for example, the additional advantage is achieved that the drive can be adapted to the desired use by means of two different parameters.

According to another embodiment, the motor shaft comprises a further guide element for guiding in the slide groove. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the reliability of the drive is improved. The rotation of the motor shaft is transmitted to the coupling element via the two guide elements, whereby the possibility of tilting or jamming of the coupling element can be prevented.

According to an additional embodiment, the guide element and the further guide element are arranged opposite one another. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that a rotation is transmitted by the guide element in order to make the translation of the coupling element particularly symmetrical. Thus, the functional reliability is additionally increased. For example, the two guide elements can extend within the same sliding groove of the coupling element, which simplifies the production of the coupling element and the assembly of the drive device. Alternatively, however, each guide element may slide within its own associated track.

According to an additional embodiment, the inner space of the stator assembly is defined by an upper support element and a lower support element. Thereby, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that all components can be supported inside the stator assembly. Another advantage derives from the fact that the upper and lower bearing elements can be used for assembling the stator assembly.

In order to keep the stepper motor assembly free from axial forces, the motor shaft is supported between the upper and lower support elements. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, wear of the stepping motor can be reduced. In principle, it is advantageous for the service life of the stepping motor that the load can only be reduced to a moment load. The axial forces are therefore transmitted only to the upper and lower bearing elements.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the lower bearing element has a contour for engaging the coupling element.

According to one embodiment, the rotation stop is formed by a coupling element engaging in a contour. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the stroke characteristic of the coupling element and thus the actuation of the valve body is achieved particularly reliably.

In order to achieve a particularly smooth-running and low-wear operating mode of the drive device, the upper bearing element is assigned a ball bearing for absorbing axial forces. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that axial forces occurring during operation of the drive do not lead to wear at the bearing points.

According to an additional embodiment, the ball bearing structure has at least one ball, which is located on the longitudinal axis. An additional advantage achieved thereby is that the axial force bearing structure can be implemented inexpensively in manufacture and efficiently in assembly. Alternatively, it is conceivable to implement a tapered tip assembly instead of a ball. In this case, too, a greatly reduced friction surface can be achieved, as a result of which the axial forces occurring during operation of the drive do not lead to wear at the bearing points. In the case of a conical tip assembly, the assembly of the drive device can be achieved particularly simply, since the number of components is reduced.

According to a further embodiment, the coupling element is connected to an actuating element for shifting the valve body between the open position and the closed position. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that a stroke movement of the coupling element can be transmitted to the valve body. The actuating element can thus be used as an adapter between the drive and different valve bodies, whereby the drive can be applied to different valves.

According to a particularly preferred variant, the object is achieved by the features of claim 16. According to the invention, the solution relates to a valve, in particular an air spring valve, having a drive device according to any one of the above embodiments.

Thereby achieving similar technical advantages as in the foregoing embodiment. For example, the rotation of the rotor is directly transferred to the motor shaft, which is also located within the stator assembly. The torque transmission is thus carried out very precisely and in a space-saving manner.

Another variant of the invention relates to a drive for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve, having at least one current connection for electrically connecting the drive to a power supply. The drive device comprises a housing for accommodating the drive device, wherein the current connection has at least one contact pin which extends from the housing interior to the housing exterior through a housing connection opening, and wherein the contact pin has a sealing unit for fluidically sealing the housing connection opening, which sealing unit surrounds the contact pin on the housing interior.

This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the sealing of the housing connection opening against the fluid and the operating medium is ensured both from the inside of the housing relative to the outside of the housing and from the outside of the housing relative to the inside of the housing. Since the sealing unit is arranged inside the housing, it is protected from external influences and thus the service life of the drive device can be increased. For example, the galvanic connection can also have two or three or any desired number of contact pins.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing unit comprises a sealing mechanism pressed together radially with the contact pin. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that not only is an effective seal radially inside the sealing means ensured, i.e. between the sealing means and the contact pin, but also an effective seal radially outside the sealing means, i.e. between the sealing means and the housing connection opening. An additional advantage is that sealing means, such as, for example, O-rings, can be used simply and therefore inexpensively as standard components. Such sealing mechanisms are made of, for example, elastomeric materials.

According to a further embodiment, the sealing unit has a support sleeve which surrounds the contact pin inside the housing. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the O-ring is supported in the axial direction and is therefore prevented from slipping off. Furthermore, the O-ring is completely encapsulated and thus best secured against mechanical loads and wear. Overall, this increases the service life of the drive and thus of the air spring valve.

On the basis of this, the support sleeve is arranged directly on the sealing means and is designed to transmit axial forces to the sealing means. This additionally achieves the technical advantage that the sealing mechanism can be precisely guided into its position by means of the support sleeve within the scope of the assembly.

In order to be able to achieve a precise arrangement of the sealing unit and thus to increase the service life of the air spring valve, the housing connection opening has a first section with a first cross section and a second section with a second cross section, wherein a cross-sectional transition from the first cross section to the second cross section is formed for the seating of the sealing unit. This additionally achieves the technical advantage that the positioning of the sealing unit can be carried out particularly reliably. In other words, this reduces the error susceptibility during assembly. The risk of leakage during operation of the air spring valve is reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support sleeve is designed for insertion into the first section of the housing connection opening. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the support sleeve is also prevented from slipping apart in addition to the O-ring.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the axial height of the sealing unit is greater than the depth of the first section of the housing connection opening. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the support sleeve projects out of the first section of the housing connection opening and is configured so as to project into the housing interior. Thus, for example, an axial pressure can be exerted on the support sleeve and thus on the O-ring, whereby the stability of the sealing unit is ensured and the risk of the sealing unit slipping off can be eliminated.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the drive device has a base body for arranging the contact pins, wherein the base body is additionally designed to support the support sleeve. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the sealing unit can no longer be removed from its position after assembly. The support sleeve is fixedly arranged between the O-ring and the base body and transmits axial forces to the O-ring. This improves the function of the sealing unit and increases the service life. For example, the base body can be designed as a circuit board for arranging the contact pins.

According to a further variant of the invention, the solution to the object is defined by the features of claim 9. The invention therefore relates to a valve, in particular an air spring valve, having a drive device according to one of the preceding embodiments. Thereby achieving technical advantages similar or comparable to those in the above-described embodiments. In particular, the sealing of the housing connection opening with respect to the fluid and the working medium is ensured not only from the inside of the housing with respect to the outside of the housing but also from the outside of the housing with respect to the inside of the housing. The sealing unit is protected from external influences and the service life of the air spring valve is increased.

According to a further variant of the invention, the solution to the object is defined by the features of claim 10. The invention therefore relates to a method for producing a drive device according to one of the preceding embodiments, having the following steps: providing a drive device, arranging at least one contact pin on the base body, arranging a sealing unit, and arranging the drive device in the housing.

Thereby achieving technical advantages similar or comparable to those in the above-described embodiments. In particular, the sealing of the housing connection opening with respect to the fluid and the working medium is ensured not only from the inside of the housing with respect to the outside of the housing but also from the outside of the housing with respect to the inside of the housing. Since the sealing unit is arranged inside the housing, it is protected from external influences and thus the service life of the drive device can be increased. For example, the galvanic connection can also have two or three or any desired number of contact pins. In addition, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the assembly of the drive is simplified. The sealing unit is directly plugged through the contact pins, whereby the assembly can be realized very simply.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support sleeve is applied to the contact pin when the sealing unit is arranged.

In a further step, an O-ring is applied to the contact pin coaxially with the support sleeve. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the positioning of the O-ring can be carried out particularly simply and precisely. Due to the previously arranged support sleeve, the axial orientation of the O-ring is derived forcibly and directly.

In a further embodiment, the contact pins are guided through the housing connection openings and the sealing unit is introduced into the first section when the drive device is arranged in the housing. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the final positioning of the O-ring is necessarily carried out very simply and precisely. A support sleeve, in which the O-ring is inserted up to a cross-sectional transition from the first cross-section to the second cross-section. In this case, the positioning of the sealing unit is particularly reliable, as a result of which a reduction in the susceptibility to errors during assembly is achieved. The risk of leakage during operation of the air spring valve is reduced.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the claims in general.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are used to illustrate embodiments, illustrate:

figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an air spring valve with a drive,

figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a stepper motor,

figure 3 shows a coupling element which is shown,

figure 4 shows a perspective view of a stepper motor with axially arranged electrical contacts,

figure 5 shows an exploded view of the first and second magnetic circuits,

figure 6 shows a top view of a stepper motor with an upper support member,

FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of a stator assembly with axially arranged electrical connectors, an

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the current connection of the drive device.

In principle, identical components are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an air spring valve 300 with a drive device 100.

The air spring valve 300 includes a housing 320 that seals the drive unit 100 toward the outside. The stepper motor 110 with the stator assembly 120 and the rotor assembly 140 disposed in the interior space 122 of the stator assembly 120 is located inside the housing 320. The rotor assembly 140 includes a motor shaft 150 and is arranged to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis L. The interior space 122 of the stator assembly 120 is defined on the upper side by an upper support element 124 and on the lower side by a lower support element 126. The upper and

lower support elements

124, 126 serve to support the motor shaft 150 and in particular to withstand axial forces, for example due to opening or closing the valve body 310. Thus, the rotor assembly 140 is set in rotation by the stator assembly 120. The rotor assembly 140 is connected to the motor shaft 150 in a rotationally fixed manner and is therefore set in rotation by the rotor assembly 140.

Furthermore, the motor shaft 150 encloses a sleeve-like coupling element 200. The coupling member 200 serves to convert the rotation of the motor shaft 150 into a translational reciprocating motion for opening or closing the valve body 310.

The rotation of the motor shaft 150 is transmitted to the coupling element 200 by means of two pin-

like guide elements

152, 154. The pin-

like guide elements

152, 154 are fixedly connected to the motor shaft 150 and extend in the transverse direction toward the longitudinal axis L. For reasons of stability, the

guide elements

152, 154 are arranged opposite one another and engage in a sliding groove 202 of the coupling element 200. The lifting or lowering of the coupling member 200 depends on the rotation angle of the motor shaft 150 and the inclination of the slide groove 202 of the coupling member 200. Thus, the rotation of motor shaft 150 can be transmitted to the reciprocating movement of coupling element 200, wherein the occurring axial forces are taken up by upper bearing element 124 and lower bearing element 126. As a result, the stepper motor 110 may be largely free of axial forces.

Lower bearing element 126 has an asymmetrical profile 128 through which the lower section of coupling element 200 extends in a reciprocating motion. By the engagement of coupling element 200 in contour 128, a rotation of coupling element 200 relative to contour 128 is prevented. Thus, profile 128 acts in combination with coupling member 200 as a torsional stop.

Located below coupling element 200 is an actuating element 220, which transmits the reciprocating movement of coupling element 200 to valve body 310.

The valve body 310 has a laterally arranged sealing diaphragm 311 which compensates for the reciprocating movement of the valve body 310 and at the same time seals the housing 320 outwards. Furthermore, the valve body 310 comprises a sealing element 312, which seals the valve body 310 in the closed state with engagement of a valve seat 314.

The stator assembly 120 within the housing 320 includes a first winding unit 121 and a second winding unit 123 arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis L. Both the first winding element 121 and the second winding element 123 have at least one

electrical connection

125, 127 for operating the winding

elements

121, 123. The first electrical connector 125 is connected with the first winding unit 121, and the second electrical connector 127 is connected with the second winding unit 123. Two

electrical connections

125, 127 are arranged on the upper end side at the first winding unit 121.

The first winding element 121 has its own first magnetic circuit 129. The first magnetic circuit 129 comprises a first magnetic circuit upper part 130, a first magnetic circuit lower part 131 and an outer tube wall 135-1. The upper first magnetic circuit part 130 is axially stopped and welded to the outer pipe wall 135-1. The second winding element 123 has its own second magnetic circuit 132.

The second magnetic circuit 132 includes a second magnetic circuit upper portion 133, a second magnetic circuit lower portion 134, and an outer pipe wall 135-2.

The second lower magnetic circuit part 134 is axially stopped by the outer tube wall 135-2 and welded thereto.

Outer wall 135-1 of first magnetic circuit 129 and outer wall 135-2 of second magnetic circuit 132 are formed as a common through wall 135. Both the first winding unit 121 and the second winding unit 123 have winding supports 138-1, 138-2, respectively. The winding carriers are arranged completely within the respective

magnetic circuit

129, 132.

At the upper end of the housing 320 is a current connector 340 for electrically connecting the drive device 100 to a power source for operating the drive device 100 and thus the air spring valve 300. The current lug 340 comprises a total of three contact pins 342, which are arranged parallel to one another. The contact pins 342 are guided through the housing wall. Here, the contact pins 342 each extend from the housing interior 322 to the housing exterior 324.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the stepping motor 110. Repeated descriptions of the same features as in the previous figures are omitted. The upper support member 124 is in a state of being fixed on the first magnetic circuit upper portion 130. The inner diameter of the interior space 122 in the stator assembly 120 is greater than the radially outer diameter of the upper support element 124. As a result, a centering opening 250 is created between the rotor assembly 140 and the stator assembly 120. The centering opening 250 is configured annularly in top view and is suitable for inserting a centering device between the stator assembly 120 and the rotor assembly 140.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a coupling element 200. Coupling element 200 surrounds motor shaft 150 and is largely designed as a hollow cylinder. The coupling member 200 serves to convert the rotation of the motor shaft 150 into a translational reciprocating motion for opening or closing the valve body 310.

like guide elements

152, 154. The pin-

like guide elements

152, 154 are fixedly connected to the motor shaft 150 and engage in a sliding groove 202 of the coupling element 200. The lifting or lowering of the coupling member 200 depends on the rotation angle of the motor shaft 150 and the inclination of the slide groove 202 of the coupling member 200. Thus, the rotation of motor shaft 150 can be transmitted to the reciprocating movement of coupling element 200, wherein the occurring axial forces are taken up by upper bearing element 124 and lower bearing element 126. As a result, the stepper motor 110 may be largely free of axial forces.

The lower bearing element 126 has an asymmetrical contour 128 in the form of two kidney-shaped parts lying opposite one another. The coupling element 200 is slotted laterally along the longitudinal direction at the lower section, so that the lower section of the coupling element 200 can be introduced into the asymmetrical profile 128 during the reciprocating movement. By engaging coupling element 200 in contour 128, a rotation of coupling element 200 relative to contour 128 is precluded, as a result of which contour 128 is designed as a rotation stop in conjunction with coupling element 200.

Upper support element 124 has a first arm 124-1, a second arm 124-2, and a third arm 124-3. The respective open end of each arm is intended to abut and be fixed to the first magnetic circuit upper part 130 of the first winding unit 121. Between the three arms 124-1, 124-2, 124-3, respectively, there is an outer contour 160. The outer profile 160 allows for a centering opening 250 (not shown) between the rotor assembly 140 and the stator assembly 120 that is suitable for inserting a centering device between the stator assembly 120 and the rotor assembly 140. The outer contour 160 is designed here as a ring-shaped partial section. Thus, a centering device in the form of a sleeve with three arms may be used for the fit between the rotor assembly 140 and the stator assembly 120 in order to achieve optimal centering of the rotor assembly 140 within the stator assembly 120 with minimal clearance.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the stator assembly 120 with axially arranged electrical connectors 125-1, 125-2, 127-1, 127-2. The stator assembly 120 includes a first winding unit 121 and a second winding unit 123 (not shown) arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis L. The first winding element 121 and the second winding element 123 each have two electrical connections 125-1, 125-2, 127-1, 127-2 for operating the winding

elements

121, 123, respectively. The first electrical connectors 125-1, 125-2 are connected to the first winding unit 121 and are each guided through a connection opening 137-1 in the first magnetic circuit upper part 130. Correspondingly, the second electrical connectors 127-1, 127-2 are connected with the second winding unit 123 and are each guided through a connector opening 137-2 in the first magnetic circuit upper part 130.

The pipe wall 135 is formed continuously in the shape of a cylindrical shell and encloses radially outward both the first magnetic circuit 129 of the first winding unit 121 and the second magnetic circuit 132 of the second winding unit 123.

Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the first and second

magnetic circuits

129, 132. The first magnetic circuit 129 includes a first magnetic circuit upper portion 130 and a first magnetic circuit lower portion 131. The first magnetic circuit upper part 130 comprises four end-side connection openings 137-1, 137-2. The connection openings 137-1, 137-2 serve to guide the electrical connections 125-1, 125-2 of the first winding unit 121 and the second winding unit 123 onto the outside of the end sides of the stator assembly 120. The radially outer side of the first magnetic circuit 129 is covered by a first section of the pipe wall 135. Radially inside, the first magnetic circuit 129 has a magnetic circuit finger (Eisenkreisfinger) 170 extending in the longitudinal direction. Here, the magnetic circuit fingers 170 are arranged in the circumferential direction not only on the magnetic circuit upper part 130 but also on the magnetic circuit lower part 131. In the assembled state of the stator assembly 120, the magnetic path fingers 170 of the magnetic path upper part 130 and the magnetic path fingers 170 of the magnetic path lower part 131 engage alternately with one another, as a result of which the flow of the magnetic flux in the magnetic path 129 is disturbed as little as possible. The advantage is that the magnetic circuit fingers 170 are connected in one piece both on the magnetic circuit upper part 130 and on the magnetic circuit lower part 131 and can therefore be produced as simple bent plate pieces.

Accordingly, the second magnetic circuit 132 includes a second magnetic circuit upper portion 133 and a second magnetic circuit lower portion 134. The second lower magnetic circuit part 134 comprises an alignment opening 139, which alignment opening 139 serves for aligning the associated double winding carrier 138 (not shown) in a later assembly. The radially outer side of the second magnetic circuit 132 is covered by a second section of the pipe wall 135.

The first and second lower

magnetic circuit portions

131, 133 have lateral radial slots 136-1, 136-2, respectively. The two radial slots 136-1, 136-2 are coordinated with one another, so that a transfer of the connecting cables of the second winding unit 123 to the first winding unit 121 and other transfer is possible.

Fig. 6 shows a top view of stepper motor 120 with upper bearing element 124. Upper support element 124 has a first arm 124-1, a second arm 124-2, and a third arm 124-3. The respective open ends of each arm are fixed to the first magnetic circuit upper part 130 of the first winding unit 121. In this top view, radially outside the outer contour 160, an annular centering opening 250 is arranged between the rotor assembly 140 and the stator assembly 120, which is suitable for inserting a centering device between the stator assembly 120 and the rotor assembly 140 in order to achieve a minimum air gap. Two connection openings 137-1 are located between first arm 124-1 and third arm 124-3 of upper support element 124. One contact each of the first electrical connectors 125-1, 125-2 extends through both of the connection openings 137-1. Two additional connection openings 137-2 are located between second arm 124-2 and third arm 124-3 of upper support element 124. The contacts of the second electrical connectors 127-1, 127-2 extend through the two connection openings 137-2, respectively.

Figure 7 shows another perspective view of the stator assembly 120 with the axially arranged

electrical connectors

125, 127. Stator assembly 120 is shown without tube wall 135 (not shown). The first winding unit 121 is assigned a winding holder 138-1. The second winding unit 123 is provided with a winding support 138-2. The two winding carriers 138-1, 138-2 are designed as a common, one-piece double winding carrier 138. The first lower magnetic circuit part 131 and the second upper magnetic circuit part 133 are arranged next to one another and are joined together when the double winding carrier 138 is produced in an injection molding method.

On the first and second magnetic circuit

lower part

131, 133 there are lateral radial slots 136-1, 136-2, respectively, for transferring one of the two connection cables from the second winding element 123 to the first winding element 121 and from the first winding element 121 to the second winding element 123. Repetitive description of the same features as those of the previous drawings is omitted.

Fig. 8 shows a current connection 340 for the drive device 100. The current connection 340 serves for the electrical connection of the drive device 100 to a current source in order to operate the drive device 100 and thus the air spring valve 300. The drive device 100 is arranged at least partially in the housing 320, wherein a total of four contact pins 342 are arranged parallel to one another. The contact pins 342 are guided through the housing wall. Here, the contact pins 342 each extend through a housing connection opening 326, which connects the housing inner side 322 with the housing outer side 324.

On the housing interior 322, on each contact pin 342 there is a sealing unit 330 which seals the respective housing connection opening 326 against fluid and operating medium. This sealing is thus effected both from the housing interior 322 against the housing exterior 324 and from the housing exterior 324 against the housing interior 322. Each sealing unit 330 includes a sealing mechanism 332 in the form of an O-ring and a support sleeve 334. The support sleeve 334 is introduced into the first section 327 of the housing connection opening 326 and is arranged between the base body 260 and the O-ring. Thus, an O-ring is applied to the cross-sectional transition 329 between the first section 327 and the second section 328 and secured against slipping. Base 260 is connected to first connector 125 and second connector 127 such that contact pins 342 of current connector 340 are electrically connected to stepper motor 110 (not shown).

List of reference numerals

Claims

1. Drive device (100) for a valve, in particular for an air spring valve (300), having:

a stator assembly (120) comprising a first winding element (121) with a first electrical connector (125) and a second winding element (123) with a second electrical connector (127),

wherein the first winding unit (121) and the second winding unit (123) are arranged in a stack along a common central longitudinal axis (L) and are configured for rotating a rotor assembly (140) positioned in an interior space (122) of the stator assembly (120) about the central longitudinal axis (L),

wherein the first electrical connector (125) and the second electrical connector (127) are arranged on the end side on the first winding unit (121).

2. The drive device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first winding unit (121) comprises a first magnetic circuit (129) having a first magnetic circuit upper part (130), a first magnetic circuit lower part (131) and a radially outer tube wall (135-1).

3. The drive device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second winding unit (123) comprises a second magnetic circuit (132) having a second magnetic circuit upper part (133), a second magnetic circuit lower part (134) and a radially outer tube wall (135-2).

4. The drive device (100) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the radially outer tube walls (135-1, 135-2) of the first winding unit (121) and of the second winding unit (123) are designed as a common tube wall (135).

5. The drive device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first lower magnetic circuit portion (131) of the first winding unit (121) and the second upper magnetic circuit portion (133) of the second winding unit (123) are configured adjacent to one another and have a common radial slot (136) for transferring a connecting cable of the second winding unit (123) onto the first winding unit (121).

6. The drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnetic circuit upper part (130) of the first winding unit (121) has at least two connection openings (137-1, 137-2) for passing the first and second connection cables.

7. The drive device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first winding unit (121) and the second winding unit (123) each have one winding carrier (138-1, 138-2), wherein the two winding carriers (138-1, 138-2) are produced in an injection molding process as a common, one-piece double winding carrier (138).

8. The drive device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the second magnetic circuit lower portion (134) of the second winding unit (123) has an alignment opening (139) for aligning the double winding support (138).

9. The drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner space (122) of the stator assembly (120) is defined in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) by an upper bearing element (124) and a lower bearing element (126).

10. The drive device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper support element (124) has at least one first arm (124-1) and a second arm (124-2) for fixing the upper support element (124) on the first magnetic circuit upper part (130) of the first winding unit (121).

11. The drive device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the upper support element (124) has at least one centering opening (250) in a state arranged on the first magnetic circuit upper part (130) for inserting a centering device between the stator assembly (120) and the rotor assembly (140).

12. The drive device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the bearing element (124) has an outer contour (160) which releases the centering opening, wherein the outer contour (160) is arranged between the arms (124-1, 124-2, 124-3, …) of the upper bearing element (124), respectively.

13. Method for manufacturing a drive device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, having the following steps:

-providing the stator assembly (120),

-introducing the rotor assembly (140) into the inner space (122) of the stator assembly (120),

-placing the upper support element (124) onto the first magnetic circuit upper part (130),

-applying a centering device between the rotor assembly (140) and the stator assembly (120) for accurately positioning the rotor assembly (140) in the stator assembly (120),

-fixing the upper support element (124) on the first magnetic circuit upper part (130), and

-removing the centering device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a spacer is disposed between the rotor assembly (140) and the stator assembly (120) when applying the centering device.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the at least first arm (124-1) and second arm (124-2) are welded on the first upper magnetic circuit part (130) of the first winding unit (121) while the upper bearing element (124) is fixed on the first upper magnetic circuit part (130).