DE102013104642A1 - Electromagnetic actuator, use of such an electromagnetic actuator and system comprising such an electromagnetic actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuating device (10) having an armature unit (40) which can be driven by energizing a stationary coil unit (70) along an axial direction of movement (R) around an electromagnetically effected movement stroke and which cooperates with an external actuating partner (100), in particular one, at the end Actuating element (102) of a camshaft adjustment unit has designed tappet means (80), the armature unit (40) being associated with link means (20) in such a way that, according to a respective link position, the armature unit (40) in at least two axially spaced, respectively, de-energized stable adjustment positions can be held, the tappet means (80) are designed to carry out an axial actuating movement, which has a first actuating stroke caused by the armature movement with the electromagnetic movement stroke, which displaces the armature unit (40) along the link means (20) from a first of the Backdrop p position corresponding adjustment positions in a second adjustment position corresponding to the link positions, the adjustment movement has a second adjustment stroke different from the first adjustment stroke, which enables an adjustment of the anchor unit (40) along the link means (20) from the second adjustment position to the first adjustment position, whereby an axial Length of the second actuating stroke is greater than an axial length of the maximum electromagnetically effected movement stroke.

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator according to the preamble of the main claim. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of such an electromagnetic actuating device and a system having such an electromagnetic actuating device together with a camshaft adjusting groove of an internal combustion engine having unit as an adjusting partner.

From the prior art electromagnetic actuating devices for a variety of control purposes, such as for the camshaft adjustment of an automotive engine, known. The DE 201 14 466 U1 The applicant shows such a device, which has a permanent magnet means and acting as a ram unit armature unit which can be driven in response to a Bestomung stationary coil means relative to a stationary core unit. The outer engagement end of the plunger unit cooperates in an extended state with a cam of the camshaft adjusting device and is thus able to solve the demanding control and Verstellaufgabe in the known manner, with high operational safety, mass production and with relatively little manufacturing effort.

In some of these solutions for actuators, the coil means for sustaining the extended state of the plunger means must be permanently energized; Variants are also known in which guided flows of permanent magnets (usually provided on the armature side) enable an electroless bistability in which, for example, an extended armature unit adheres to a corresponding, suitably flux-conducting housing section by permanent magnetic adhesion.

A reset of the plunger unit after the actuating operation of the plunger unit and from the extended or engaged state with the control partner is usually carried out by the restoring acting on the plunger unit control partners, namely such that in an associated rotational position, the adjusting the plunger unit back to its original position (retracted position) typically, during this operation, the stationary coil unit is de-energized.

From the DE 43 37 589 C2 , however, without reference to the above-described camshaft Verstelltechnologie, a DC solenoid is known with which by energizing coil means, a locking bolt between two mechanically stable positions can be adjusted axially. In these mechanically stable positions, the locking bolt is fixed in each case by spring means, and an energization of the coil means is not required for holding the positions. This is achieved by linkage means which pretend two slotted link positions spaced apart in the axial direction, wherein the locking bolt performs a movement stroke against a spring by energizing the coil means, from a contact with the slide means in the first slide position in a contact with the slide means in a second Background position transferred and vice versa. The stroke of the locking bolt against the spring is thereby completely effected by the coil means, according to the maximum writable stroke of the adjusting device is determined by the dimensioning and positioning of the coil means. Is therefore, for example, in a prescribed camshaft Verstellkontext, a large to be provided by the actuator stroke length (for example, by a correspondingly deep adjusting groove on the control partner), and are possibly also positional tolerances of the control partners to consider, it requires traditionally large (and correspondingly voluminöser ) electromagnetic functionalities in a generic actuator. This not only has a detrimental effect on the manufacturing costs, is also limited in the described technological context of the given space.

If, in addition, due to external installation conditions at the place of use or other dimensioning requirements, changed stroke dimensions of the tappet unit are required, complete adaptation or re-dimensioning of the entire apparatus is required, with correspondingly high development and production costs, for example also with regard to a series use in such different installation conditions.

The object of the present invention is therefore to improve a generic electromagnetic actuator with regard to its practical operating characteristics, in particular to provide an electromagnetic actuator that can be adapted or configured with less manufacturing and / or set-up effort to given by the intended use geometric installation conditions , It is thus intended to provide an electromagnetic actuator which, with a potentially short-stroke electromagnetic actuator functionality, also permits the placement of a control partner which requires a relatively long-stroke actuating stroke.

The object is achieved by an electromagnetic actuator with the features of the main claim; advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims. Independent protection within the scope of the invention is claimed for use of such an electromagnetic actuator according to the invention for camshaft adjustment of an internal combustion engine, and it becomes independent protection claims for a system comprising such an electromagnetic actuator according to the invention in cooperation with a camshaft adjusting groove of an internal combustion engine having unit as a servomotor. Method features relating to an operating method of such an electromagnetic actuating device are equally claimed as method inventions.

First, the technology to be presupposed as generic DE 43 37 589 C2 Following, the sliding means according to the invention are provided with (at least) two mutually different, in particular in their axial position differently designed gate positions, in which the anchor unit can be maintained. This makes it possible to hold the plunger means by an axial adjusting movement in two stable axial adjustment positions without current (ie without energization of the coil means), in which the plunger unit can each be held axially by abutment of a (suitably cooperating with the plunger unit) tapping. Preferably and further education provided spring means then bias the ram unit in these determined by the sliding means axial positions (de-energized) before.

According to the invention it is advantageously provided that the axial length of the second actuating stroke is set larger than an axial length of the maximum electromagnetically caused movement stroke. In other words, the second setting stroke (along the direction of movement) is not completely effected by the energization of the coil unit, but the plunger means must first, in particular by an external restoring force (which can then typically be provided by the co-operating control partner, such as the control groove) be brought into a raised (intermediate) position axially, from which they are then moved by the electromagnetic effect of the energized coil unit. This makes it possible to extend or extend the actual operating stroke of an electromagnetic actuating device according to the invention beyond a movement stroke actually caused by the actual electromagnetic effect, so that the object on which the present invention is based is achieved in a simple and elegant manner allows, in addition to an easier adaptability to a variety of (variable) installation conditions, which determine respective to be reached parking positions, by simply adjusting the first or second gate position (and possibly further gate positions at more than two to be defined de-energized positions). In the concrete realization, this therefore makes it possible to carry out this adaptation merely by exchanging or providing changed slide means, more preferably by exchanging a slide body provided with corresponding depressions or openings, while the remaining functional components, if necessary with adaptation, are to be used advantageously second adjusting stroke in the direction of the engagement state supporting spring means, can remain unchanged; this applies in particular to the electromagnetically active components coil means and armature unit (including associated core unit). As a result and important for the operational or production implementation of the invention, the opportunity created by this, usually undersize these electromagnetically effective functional components, relative to the (long) second control stroke, and to realize corresponding manufacturing, installation space and cost advantages, which is particularly in the present , claimed as preferred use context of automotive camshaft adjustment technology for internal combustion engines is particularly advantageous.

As a result, the present invention makes it possible to provide several stable adjustment positions in an electromagnetic actuator in a de-energized state, while the required space and the required power of the actuator can be kept low and the actuator is easily adaptable to external conditions.

According to the invention advantageous and in the transfer of the inventive concept outlined above, the invention is designed so that the axial length of the first adjusting stroke is smaller than the axial length of, defined in particular by dimensioning and positioning of the coil and / or anchor unit, maximum electromagnetically caused movement stroke. The first adjusting stroke can preferably be effected completely electromagnetically in the direction of movement. This makes it possible to adjust the plunger means without external force from the first to the second gate position.

According to the training advantageous spring means are provided which act counter to the direction of movement of the armature unit and / or the plunger means, in particular in the form of a coil spring which can be compressed by movement of the armature unit. Preferably, the spring means are biased in the direction of movement and contribute by force in the manner described above to the adjustment between the gate positions. The spring means to be regarded as a preferred embodiment of the invention also make it possible to hold the plunger means stable in the respective adjustment positions of the sliding means.

In a preferred manner according to the invention, the slide means comprise a further preferably substantially cylindrical slide body as well as a cooperating tapping, which are arranged rotatable in an otherwise known manner relative to each other for the respective gate position. This design can be realized in an advantageous manner to any known ballpoint pusher principle analog adjustment mechanism, this solution is characterized by a simple and compact design. Structurally, the continuing education possibilities for the realization of the invention object are flexible, so this pick-off element can either be part of the anchor unit or cooperate with this, or be designed as part of the plunger means.

For realizing the sliding means and the functionality described above, it is particularly preferable to provide entrainment means which are designed and arranged relative to the sliding body or tapping element such that the sliding body is rotated in response to an axial movement of the armature unit, in particular in response to the electromagnetic movement stroke , This makes it possible that defined by the slide position stable adjustment positions or adjustment states are automatically changed with the movement of the plunger means and no separate mechanism must be provided for this.

The plunger means may be fixedly connected to the anchor unit, be formed integrally with these or be completely detachable from them. It is essential that they at least temporarily contact each other in the adjusting movement so that they transmit a force in the axial direction.

The first and / or second gate position can be defined in particular by cuts, openings and / or recesses in the gate body, which are dimensioned axially different, can be taken in the preferred pick-off of the pick-off. In this way, the functionality of the sliding means can be achieved in a structurally simple and effective manner.

Here is advantageously provided an elevation between the first and the second gate position defining incisions, openings and / or recesses. The elevation thus represents an obstacle that must be overcome for the adjustment (electromagnetic), and thus prevents unwanted adjustment. In addition, the elevation preferably has a bevel, which makes it possible for the slide means to be rotated by cooperation with the entrainment means during axial movement.

As explained in the present problem and invention context of the (automotive) camshaft adjusting technology and the flexibility requirements for different installation spaces, the guide means are preferably at least partially interchangeable, so that a changed positioning of the slide positions, in particular with regard to axial position, is made possible. As a result, the adjusting device is easily adaptable to the external conditions, in particular with regard to the adjustment positions of the armature unit, without the need for other parts, in particular the coil unit and / or the armature unit, to be adapted specifically to the application scenario.

Further advantageously, it is provided that the length of the second setting stroke is more than 100%, preferably more than 200%, longer than the length of the first setting stroke and / or the length of the second setting stroke more than 100%, preferably more than 200%, is longer than the length of the electromagnetically induced movement stroke. The axial length of the adjusting stroke is advantageously the distance in the axial direction between the associated adjustment position, is adjusted from, up to an upper axial return position, ie the maximum recovered position in the direction of movement, which is achieved in the respective stroke; In other words, the amount of translation of the armature unit (with tappet unit), which experiences the armature unit during a respective setting process, is to be regarded as the axial adjusting stroke. A particularly large potential difference according to these advantageous refinements reflects the advantages of the invention in the adaptability to various installation and setting conditions, wherein typically the electromagnetically enabled movement stroke (only) must cause the amount of the shorter, first control stroke.

In a further development of the invention, a third or further link position can be provided on the link means, which is arranged axially approximately between the first and the second link position. By means of an adjusting stroke, the armature unit can be adjusted from one of the first adjusting positions corresponding to the sliding position into a second adjusting position corresponding to the sliding positions, the said above for the first and / or second sliding position also being considered as revealed and loadable for the third sliding position.

While the above-described electromagnetic actuator is preferably suitable for a camshaft adjustment of an internal combustion engine, wherein about a camshaft Stellnut of the internal combustion engine can realize the intended for cooperation with the actuator according to the invention external control partner, however, the present invention is not limited to this use but is suitable in principle any (electromagnetically induced) setting purpose, in which the aforementioned Flexibility requirements to be suitably designed Stellhub in conjunction with (at least) two normally stable positioning positions in the axial direction to realize, especially for those contexts in which an interaction with an external control partner is provided which in the inventive manner a part of the second control stroke according to The invention, ie the adjusting stroke from an axial extreme position, cause or can take over without this electromagnetic actuation is required.

In a system with a prescribed electromagnetic actuator and a camshaft Stellnut an internal combustion engine exhibiting unit as a control partner, which cooperates with the electromagnetic actuator, the movement of the actuating groove can cause the actuating movement of the plunger unit from the second link position in the direction of movement in whole or in part. In such a system can be achieved by corresponding course of the adjusting groove in a particularly simple manner, a mechanical restoring force on the ram unit.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in

1 Sliding means of an exemplary embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention,

2 Anchoring means of an exemplary embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention,

3 An embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention in a first adjustment position

4 the embodiment 3 during a first setting movement before reaching the upper reset position,

5 the embodiment 3 during the first setting movement after reaching the upper reset position,

6 the embodiment 3 in a second adjustment position,

7 the embodiment 3 during a second setting movement before reaching the upper reset position,

8th the embodiment 3 during a second setting movement after reaching the upper reset position,

9 System with an adjusting device according to the invention and a control partner in the form of a camshaft, and in

10 A second embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention.

1 shows background material 20 for use in an adjusting device according to the invention. The scenery means 20 comprise a gate body 22 with cuts 24 to define the first gate position as well as cuts 26 to define the second gate position. Between the cuts 24 to define the first gate position and the cuts 26 to define the second gate position is an elevation 28 with a slope 30 intended.

The scenery means 20 further include a pick-off element 32 with sockets 34 that are designed to fit in the cuts 24 and 26 of the gate body 22 can be included.

In 2 is a section of an anchor unit 40 with boundary elements 42 shown by takeaway 50 is surrounded, here firmly to the boundary elements 42 issue.

3 shows a section of an embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention, in which the components of 1 and 2 be used. The adjusting device 10 is located in one of the first setting position corresponding first adjustment position: The pick-off element 32 lies in the incisions 24 for defining the first link position on the gate body 22 on, causing a movement of the pick-off element 32 against the direction of movement R prevented by material closure and thereby also a movement of the armature unit 40 opposite the direction of movement R by material connection between the boundary elements 42 and the pick-off element 32 is prevented. In the direction of movement R, the pick-off element 32 by spring means 60 resiliently held in the form of a coil spring. The anchor unit 40 is thus stably secured in its axial position.

6 shows the actuator 10 out 3 in a second setting position corresponding second adjustment position in which the anchor unit 40 unlike in 3 shown first adjustment position is offset against the direction of movement. The sockets 34 of the pick-off element 32 are in the cuts 26 taken to define the second link position and are located on the gate body 22 on, causing a movement of the pick-off element 32 against the direction of movement R prevented by material closure and thereby also a movement of the armature unit 40 against the direction of movement R by material connection between the boundary elements 42 and the pick-off element 32 is prevented. In the direction of movement R, the pick-off element 32 by spring means 60 resiliently held in the form of a coil spring. The anchor unit 40 is thus stably secured in its axial position.

In the 4 and 5 is the adjusting device 10 during a first adjusting movement during the transition from the first, in 3 shown, adjustment position in the second, in 6 shown, adjustment position before or after reaching the upper return position shown. By interaction of the tapping element 32 with the gate body 22 , especially the slope 30 , as well as the means of transport 50 , especially the slopes 52 , The pick-off element is rotated relative to the link body, whereby the pick-off 34 in the circumferential direction in the direction of the second gate position defining incisions 26 be aligned. In this first adjusting movement, the movement in the direction of movement is completely electromagnetically effected.

In the 7 and 8th is the adjusting device 10 during a second actuating movement in the transition from the second, in 6 shown, adjusting position in the first, in 3 shown, adjustment position before or after reaching the upper return position shown. By interaction of the tapping element 32 with the gate body 22 , especially the slope 30 , as well as the means of transport 50 , especially the slopes 52 , The pick-off element is rotated relative to the link body, whereby the pick-off 34 in the circumferential direction (again) in the direction of the first gate position defining incisions 24 be aligned. In this adjusting movement, in contrast to the first adjusting movement, the movement in the direction of movement is not completely electromagnetically effected. Rather, the anchor unit 40 first by an external force, such as a restoring force by a control partner, causes and only from a defined point and electromagnetically through the coil means.

9 shows a system with an adjusting device according to the invention 10 and a parking partner 100 in the form of a camshaft. The adjusting device 10 includes setting means 20 with a link body 22 , an anchor unit 40 , Spring means 60 , Coil means 70 and a ram unit 80 ,

The anchor unit 40 and the ram unit 80 can abut positively against each other in downward movement of the armature unit and by the spring means 60 be pressed against each other.

The ram unit 80 is in the illustrated state on one of the anchor unit 40 opposite end 82 in a trained as a camshaft adjusting actuator 102 added.

The anchor unit 80 can by a sliding mechanism, by interaction with the gate body 22 is reached, be adjusted by adjusting movements between two adjustment positions. The actuating movements are made on the one hand by electromagnetic force, by energizing the coil means 70 is effected, and on the other by mechanical force, by the axial course of the camshaft adjusting groove 102 is defined and about the ram unit 80 on the anchor unit 40 is transmitted.

In 10 is a second embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention 10 shown.

In this embodiment of an adjusting device 10 can, according to the embodiment described above according to the 3 to 8th , a pick-off element 32 by axial movement of an anchor unit 40 be twisted, causing the adjusting device 10 can be adjusted between two adjustment positions.

In a first adjustment position is a movement of the anchor unit 40 against the direction of movement R by material connection between the boundary elements 42 and the pick-off element 32 prevented.

The pick-off element 32 has radially inwardly (not shown) recesses. In the first adjustment position, these recesses are in the circumferential direction to the limiting elements 42 offset and have no effect.

When adjusting from the first to the second adjustment position by a first adjusting movement, however, the recesses in the circumferential direction to the limiting elements 42 aligned, thereby allowing the boundary elements 42 through the recesses on the pick-off element 32 axially (against the direction of movement R) can be moved past.

By a second adjusting movement, the limiting elements 42 again at the pick-off element 32 passed and then the pick-off element 32 rotated again so that the recesses are again offset in the circumferential direction to the limiting elements 42 are arranged. In this second adjusting movement, in contrast to the first adjusting movement, the movement in the direction of movement is not completely electromagnetically effected. Rather, the anchor unit 40 first by an external force, such as a restoring force by a control partner, causes and only from one also defined point electromagnetically by the coil means.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20114466 U1 [0002]
• DE 4337589 C2 [0005, 0009]

Claims (12)

Electromagnetic actuator ( 10 ) by energizing a stationary coil unit ( 70 ) along an axial direction of movement (R) about an electromagnetically caused movement stroke drivable armature unit ( 40 ), which end up interacting with an external control partner ( 100 ), in particular a control element ( 102 ) of a camshaft adjustment unit, formed ram means ( 80 ), wherein the anchor unit ( 40 ) Scenery means ( 20 ) are assigned so that according to a respective gate position, the anchor unit ( 40 ) can be held in at least two axially spaced-apart respectively normally fixed adjustment positions, the plunger means ( 80 ) are formed for performing an axial adjusting movement, which has a first, caused by the armature movement with the electromagnetic movement stroke actuating stroke, the adjustment of the armature unit ( 40 ) along the guide means ( 20 ) of a first of the slide positions corresponding adjustment position in a second of the slide positions corresponding adjusting position allows the adjusting movement has a second different from the first actuating stroke actuating stroke, the adjustment of the armature unit ( 40 ) along the guide means ( 20 ) from the second adjustment position to the first adjustment position, characterized in that an axial length of the second adjustment stroke is greater than an axial length of the maximum electromagnetically caused movement stroke. Adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized by the anchor unit ( 40 ) and biased in the direction of movement (R) spring means ( 60 ), which support or enable the adjustment from the first adjustment position to the second adjustment position and / or the adjustment from the second adjustment position to the first adjustment position. Adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring means ( 60 ) comprise a spiral spring, which by movement of the anchor unit ( 40 ) can be compressed. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding means ( 20 ), preferably substantially cylindrical, sliding body ( 22 ) as well as a pick-off element ( 32 ), wherein the gate body ( 22 ) and the tapping element ( 32 ) are arranged rotatable relative to each other for the respective gate position. Adjusting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the tapping element ( 32 ) Entrainment means ( 50 ) which cause the rotation in response to the electromagnetic movement stroke. Adjusting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first and / or second link position by, preferably in the circumferential direction of spaced, axially differently dimensioned cuts ( 24 . 26 ), Breakthroughs and / or recess in the gate body ( 22 ) are defined. Adjusting device according to claim 6, characterized in that between the first and the second link position defining incisions ( 24 . 26 ), Breakthroughs and / or recesses preferably a slope having an elevation ( 28 ) is provided. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding means ( 20 ) an interchangeable and / or with regard to the gate positions changeable gate body ( 22 ) and / or variable with respect to the gate positions tapping element ( 32 ) exhibit. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the second setting stroke is more than 100%, preferably more than 200%, longer than the length of the first setting stroke and / or the length of the second setting stroke by more than 100% , preferably by more than 200%, is longer than the length of the electromagnetically induced movement stroke. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an upper axial return position of the first and the second setting stroke is the same. Use of the electromagnetic actuator ( 10 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for the camshaft adjustment of an internal combustion engine, wherein a camshaft adjusting groove of the internal combustion engine, the external control partner ( 100 ) realized. System comprising the electromagnetic actuator ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a camshaft adjusting groove of an internal combustion engine exhibiting unit as an adjusting partner ( 100 ) for cooperation with the electromagnetic actuator ( 10 ), wherein the system is designed so that a movement of the adjusting groove, the adjusting movement of the ram unit ( 80 ) from the second link position in the direction of movement (R) can cause.

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