DE102017123115A1 - Magnetorheological actuator with closure arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an MRF actuator for a closing system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle having a first body located in an interior and a second body movably mounted in the interior, wherein the first body is spatially separated from the second movably mounted body. There is a housing (1) for the interior and a controllable magnetic field generating device for the magnetorheological fluid. There is an opening (2) in the housing (1) and a closure (3, 10) for the opening (2) of the housing (1). The closure (3, 10) can be moved to close the opening (2) in a closed position and to open the opening (2) in an opening position within a recess (4) angled to the opening (2) Effort an automatic filling.

Description

The invention relates to a magnetorheological actuator, in particular a magnetorheological clutch or brake for a locking system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle with a shaft and a bearing arrangement for the shaft. The invention also relates to a bearing assembly for the magnetorheological actuator.

In a magnetorheological actuator, also abbreviated MRF actuator, a first body can be coupled to a second body through a magnetorheological fluid located therebetween. The degree of coupling can be changed by changing a magnetic field which acts on the magnetorheological fluid of the MRF actuator. The smaller the strength of the magnetic field, the lower the degree of coupling.

The first body of the MRF actuator can be moved relative to the second body at least when the degree of coupling is low. A first body may be rotatably mounted relative to the second body, so that in the coupled state, a rotational movement of one body can be transmitted to the other body by the magnetorheological fluid therebetween and by means of acting on the magnetorheological fluid magnetic field. The one body can also serve to brake by coupling the rotation of the other body.

The magnetorheological fluid is located in a liquid-tight housing. In the interior of this housing is at least one body or part thereof. The other body may be the housing or comprise the housing.

In order to rotatably support at least one of the two bodies in an MRF actuator according to the invention, a body comprises a shaft or is connected to a shaft. The shaft can be rotated relative to one of the bodies. The shaft may be rotatably supported by the housing.

The shaft can be passed through the housing, ie lead out of the housing to drive the shaft from the outside or to serve as an output can. The shaft is then liquid-tight to connect to the housing so that no magnetorheological fluid can escape from the housing.

In the magnetorheological fluid magnetically polarizable particles are distributed in a carrier liquid, so that the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid is magnetic field dependent. If the magnetorheological fluid between the two bodies is subjected to a magnetic field, their viscosity increases. As the viscosity increases, the degree of coupling increases.

The publication CN 106402195 A discloses an MRF coupling with a pin with which an opening of an interior provided for the magnetorheological fluid is closed. For opening, the pin must be completely pulled out of the opening.

The publication DE 10 2015 121 498 A1 discloses a sliding pin valve that can be opened and closed by an electric drive.

The publication "Technical Failure of Desflurane Vaporizer Tec-6, Anesthesiology 7-1995, Vol.83, 226-227" discloses a valve body with transverse bores and a piston which can release a passage.

It is the object of the invention to provide an MRF actuator with a closure arrangement for a closing system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle, in which an opening of an interior provided for the magnetorheological fluid can be suitably closed in a technically simple manner. In particular, it should be possible in a technically simple way to automatically fill the interior with a magnetorheological fluid and close the interior.

The object of the invention is achieved by a magnetorheological actuator with the features of the first claim. The additional claim relates to a closure arrangement for the magnetorheological actuator. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The magnetorheological actuator according to the invention for a closing system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle comprises a first body and a second movably mounted body. There is a distance between the two bodies for a magnetorheological fluid. If the magnetorheological actuator is in a ready-to-operate state, the space created by the distance between the two bodies is filled with a magnetorheological fluid. Due to the magnetorheological fluid, a movement of the second body through the first body can be changed, for example braked. If the first body is also movably mounted, a movement of the second body can be transmitted to the first body by means of the magnetorheological fluid.

There is a housing for the interior. This means that the interior is limited by the housing. The housing ensures or at least contributes to the fact that the interior is sealed liquid-tight during operation. It can then leave an interior liquid inside the interior. The housing is basically part of the first or second body.

There is a magnetic field generating device for the magnetorheological fluid. This means a device by which a magnetic field can be generated to change the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid located in the interior. The magnetic field generating device thus makes it possible to change the magnetic field, which acts on the magnetorheological fluid. Such a change in the magnetic field may include turning on and off the magnetic field. Such a change in the magnetic field may include that the magnetic field can be changed so that thereby the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid located in the interior is changed. Such a change of the magnetic field can be effected by changing the position of a permanent magnet so as to change the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid. Such a change of the magnetic field can be effected by changing the position of a magnetic shield of a permanent magnet so as to change the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid. Such a change in the magnetic field can be effected by using an electromagnet and changing the current flow through the electromagnet, switched on or switched off.

A magnetic field generating device according to the present invention therefore basically comprises control means in order to be able to change the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid in a controlled manner. Thus, the magnetic field generating device may include a switch or an electrical or electronic switching device as a control means to turn off the magnetic field of an electromagnet and turn on. The magnetic field generating device may comprise an electrical or electronic control device in order to be able to control the strength of the magnetic field which acts on the magnetorheological fluid. It is therefore possible, for example, to vary the current flow controlled by an associated electromagnet. Therefore, for example, the position of a permanent magnet can be changed under control. Therefore, for example, a shield for a magnetic field can be moved under control, so as to change the strength of a magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid during operation.

By changing the viscosity, the degree of coupling between the two bodies changes. Thus, by reducing the viscosity, for example, a braking force exerted by the first body on the second body can be reduced. By sufficiently increasing the viscosity, it can be achieved that a movement of one body can result in the other body being simultaneously moved in the same way.

If the viscosity is reduced, the degree of coupling is thereby reduced. This can have the consequence that a movement of the one body can not be transmitted to the other body or only with a significant time delay or a braking effect is at least reduced.

There is an opening in the housing. The opening makes it possible to fill the interior with a magnetorheological fluid.

There is a closure for the opening of the interior. Through the closure, the opening can be closed so that a magnetorheological fluid located in the interior can not leave the interior through the opening.

The closure for closing the opening can be moved into a closed position and for opening the opening into an open position. Moving means a translatory movement. The shutter can thus be moved linearly between two different positions back and forth. In one position, namely the closed position, the opening is closed so that a magnetorheological fluid located in the interior can no longer leave the interior through the opening. In the other position, namely the opening position, the interior can be filled with a magnetorheological fluid through the opening.

There is a recess within which the shutter between the closed position and the open position can be moved back and forth. The closure is thus located both in the closed position and the opening position at least partially in the recess and is held in both positions by the recess.

The recess is angled to the opening. By this is meant that the closure can not be moved in the same direction along the recess as the flow direction of a liquid, which is sufficient for a filling of the interior the opening flows through. If the angle is, for example, 90 °, then the closure can only be moved perpendicularly relative to the opening or the mentioned flow direction.

Since the closure is permanently retained in the recess, opening and closing of the opening is facilitated by the closure. In particular, thereby an automated opening and closing is facilitated because a closure does not need to be threaded into an opening. Since the closure for a closure does not have to be moved into the opening in the aforementioned flow direction, a closure does not produce a disadvantageous overpressure within the interior which could again push the closure out of the closed position. The interior can therefore be filled to 100% with a magnetorheological fluid and then easily and permanently sealed with low force both manually and automatically.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure is bolt-shaped in order to provide a suitable closure with little technical effort. It is then an elongated body, which may have, for example, a circular, rectangular or square cross-section. The cross section of the recess is then adapted to the cross section of the closure.

The closure is advantageously cylindrical in order to avoid aligning the closure for insertion of the closure into the recess can. An assembly effort is kept so low.
In one embodiment of the invention, the closure comprises a recess which is arranged in the opening position so that a liquid for filling the interior space can flow through the opening. In the closed position, however, the recess of the closure is in a position spatially separated from the opening. The opening of the closure makes it possible to fill the interior completely, ie 100%, with a magnetorheological fluid which, after filling, can extend the magnetorheological fluid into the recess of the closure. If the magnetorheological fluid reaches into the opening of the shutter after filling, it ensures that the interior is filled to 100% with the meteorological fluid. In the closed position, therefore, there is within the angled recess a cavity formed by the recess in which magnetorheological fluid is located. Preferably, the cavity is completely filled with the magnetorheological fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure comprises a circumferential groove as a recess of the closure on its outer side. Advantageously, the closure must then not be arranged rotatably within the angled recess. It can therefore be rotated within the angled recess without the opening could be closed or opened by such a rotational movement.

In one embodiment of the invention is a magnetorheological fluid both in the interior and in the recess of the closure. The recess of the closure is preferably filled to 100% with the magnetorheological fluid and in particular even when the closure is in the closed position. This advantageously contributes to the fact that the magnetorheological fluid located in the recess of the closure in the closed position couples the closure with the angled recess and thus helps to reliably hold the closure in its closed position, ie in its closed position. The degree of coupling is advantageous in this embodiment especially particularly high when the MRF actuator couples the first body to the second movable body and the degree of coupling is high due to a magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid. It is thus also avoided, in particular, that vibrations which can occur regularly during operation can displace the closure within its angled recess. In particular, in this embodiment, it is of particular advantage that the recess of the closure is an existing on the outer surface of the closure circumferential groove, so as to maximize the available area for coupling. It can then be achieved so a particularly high degree of coupling between the closure and the angled recess.

In one embodiment of the invention, the opening leads tubular into the interior. The opening is thus designed as a tube and has a circumferential side wall. The provided for the closure angled recess then opens laterally in the tube. In principle, the angled recess extends through the tube. The angled recess then opens on one side of the tube and continues on the opposite side of the tube.

The opening may for example be designed as a round tube, which thus has a circular cross-section.

Advantageously, the angled recess opens at one end of the tubular opening, which adjoins the outside of the housing. This embodiment facilitates complete filling of the interior with a magnetorheological fluid.

The tubular opening advantageously has at its outer end a conical edge region in order to simplify the introduction of a magnetorheological fluid.

In an advantageous embodiment, the closure extends in the open position out of the angled recess, so as to facilitate the closing of the opening. A part of the closure is then outside the angled recess. It is sufficient for a very small part to facilitate the closing of the opening can.

In an advantageous embodiment, the closure is in its closed position completely in the recess. This further prevents the closure from being accidentally pulled out of its closed position.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a stop for the closure when the closure is moved from its open position to its closed position. This further facilitates reliable and permanent sealing. The stop thus prevents a displacement of the closure beyond its closed position.

In an advantageous embodiment of the closure is spherical and is located in particular with excess in the angled recess. The housing in which the closure is then made of a sufficiently elastic material and in particular of plastic. Also in the closed position or closed position, the spherical closure is advantageously with excess within the housing. Due to the spherical shape and the oversize it is achieved that the spherical closure remains particularly reliable and durable in its closed position and then closes the opening permanently and reliably liquid-tight.

Preferably, in one embodiment of the invention there is an auxiliary closure. If the interior is not yet filled with a magnetorheological fluid, then the auxiliary closure closes the opening. Before filling the interior with magnetorheological fluid, the auxiliary shutter is moved out of its closed position by means of the shutter. This happens until an open position is reached. In order to achieve an open position, the auxiliary closure and / or the closure can be tapered. For example, the auxiliary closure may have a cone-shaped end. In the open position, the tapered region is then located within the opening, ie within a passage through which the magnetorheological fluid is filled into the interior space. After filling, the closure is moved to its closed position. The interior is now sealed liquid-tight.

• 1: Aufsicht auf Gehäuse;
• 2: Schnitt durch das Gehäuse;
• 3: Verschluss;
• 4: weitere Ausführungsform.

Show it:

• 1 : Supervision on housing;
• 2 : Section through the housing;
• 3 : Closure;
• 4 : further embodiment.

The 1 shows a plan view of a housing 1 a magenta-rheological actuator according to the invention in the form of a magnetorheological clutch for a locking system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle. More precisely, it is a view of a housing cover. The housing 1 covers an interior space behind it, in which parts of the first body and a second movably mounted body are located. The first body is formed in part by the housing and is spatially separated from the second body. There is therefore an example gap-shaped space between the two bodies.

The interior is completely filled with a magnetorheological fluid. Therefore, the aforementioned gap-shaped space between the two bodies is also completely filled with the magnetorheological fluid.

There are two openings 2 in the case 1 , The opening 2 lead into the interior. Through the openings, therefore, the interior can be filled with a magnetorheological fluid, but also emptied when needed.

There is a cylindrical and thus bolt-shaped closure 3 for the openings 2 of the interior. Through the closure can be any opening 2 be closed so that a magnetorheological fluid located in the interior is not the interior through an opening 2 can leave through. In the 1 is the opening shown at the top of the picture 2 through a lock 3 locked. Here is the shutter 3 ie in its closed position.

The opening 2 at the bottom of the picture 1 is opened because the bolt 3 is in its open position. Both closures 3 are each by a tubular, angled recess 4 guided. Every angled recess 4 opens perpendicular to one side of the tubular opening 2 and sits down at the opposite side of the tubular opening 2 continued. The recess 4 so crosses the tubular opening 2 ,

In the open position protrudes an end portion of the bolt 3 from its angled recess 4 a little bit out, like this at the bottom of the picture 1 as well as on the left picture border the 2 will be shown.

One each closure 3 is by its angled recess 4 slidably mounted and can be between in the 1 The closing position shown at the upper edge of the picture and the opening position shown at the lower edge of the picture are moved back and forth. Is there a closure 3 in its closed position, so this is completely and thus well protected in its angled recess 4 , This closure can then no longer technically simple way from its angled recess 4 be pulled out. At the end of each angled recess 4 is there a stop 5 , which is a shifting of each closure 3 prevented beyond its closed position.

One each closure 3 is cylindrical, but is near one end 7 with an annular recess 6 Mistake. The annular recess 6 is therefore arranged off-center. The recess 6 is a circumferential groove. In the open position is the recess 6 inside the tubular opening 2 , Because the diameter of each bolt-shaped closure 3 through the recess 6 is reduced, is every opening 2 in the open position through the closure 3 not completely closed. The interior can therefore be completely filled with a magnetorheological fluid. The opening 2 is then permeable to a liquid.

In the closed position is the recess 6 of the lock 3 Seen in supervision, however, on the side next to the opening 3 and therefore in one of the opening 2 spatially separated position. The in the 1 opening shown at the top of the picture 2 is therefore due to the closure 3 sealed liquid-tight. In addition, through the recess 6 within the angled recess 4 a cavity is formed.

The tubular opening 2 has at its outer end a cone-shaped edge region 8th on to simplify a filling of a magnetorheological fluid.

The housing 1 has an opening 9 for an axle or shaft through which a body is rotatably supported. The axle or shaft together with a bearing close the opening 9 liquid-tight.

The 2 shows a spatial sectional view through the housing 1 therethrough. Every angled recess 4 crosses an associated opening 3 at a right angle, as indicated by the illustration in the 2 is clarified. Every angled recess 4 is tubular. Every opening 2 is also tubular, as in the 2 will be shown. The flow direction of a magnetorheological fluid into the interior therefore extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an associated angled recess 4 ,

In the 3 becomes the lock 3 shown.

In the 4 is another embodiment with a spherical closure 10 shown. The spherical lock 10 is located with excess in the angled recess 4 , which can expand properly due to a sufficiently elastic stretchable plastic material in the spherical closure. In the angled recess 4 Can additionally an auxiliary closure 11 to be available. The auxiliary closure 11 has a tapered end 12 on. First, the auxiliary closure 11 the opening 2 close and thus protect the interior from dirt. Will now be the spherical closure 10 from the left side in the direction of the arrow along the angled recess 4 moved, so finally the auxiliary closure 11 moved out of its closed position or closed position. First, then there is the tapered end 12 so inside the opening 2 that over the opening 2 a magnetorheological fluid can be filled. When the interior is so completely filled with the magnetorheological fluid, the spherical shutter becomes 10 moved further to the right until the spherical closure is in its closed position 10 ' has reached. Now the opening is finally closed. The spherical lock 10 closes the opening by its excess 2 Reliably durable and liquid-tight.

The auxiliary closure 11 can also be easily clamped in the angled recess 4 be held and after a final closure in the angled recess 4 remain. The auxiliary closure 11 but can also be removed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:

casing

2:

opening

3:

shutter

4:

angled recess

5:

attack

6:

Recess of the closure

7:

End of the lock

8th:

cone-shaped inlet region of the opening

9:

Opening for an axle

10:

spherical closure of another embodiment

11:

bolt-shaped auxiliary closure

12:

conical end

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

• CN 106402195 A [0008]
• DE 102015121498 A1 [0009]

Cited non-patent literature

• "Technical Failure of Desflurane Vaporizer Tec-6, Anesthesiology 7-1995, Vol.83, 226-227" [0010]

Claims (15)

MRF actuator, in particular MRF clutch or MRF brake, for a closing system of a door or flap of a motor vehicle having a first body located in an interior space and a second body movably mounted in the interior space, wherein the first body spatially supported by the second Body is separated, comprising a housing (1) for the interior, with a controllable magnetic field generating device for the magnetorheological fluid, with an opening (2) in the housing (1) and a closure (3, 10) for the opening (2) of the housing (1), characterized in that the closure (3, 10) for closing the opening (2) in a closed position and for opening the opening (2) in an open position within an opening (2) angled recess (4) are moved can. MRF actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closure (3, 10) is bolt-shaped and in particular cylindrical or spherical. MRF actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closure (3) has a recess (6) which, in the open position, causes the opening (2) to be permeable to a liquid. MRF actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recess (6) is a circumferential groove. MRF actuator according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed position through the recess (6) within the angled recess (4) is formed a cavity which is filled with a magnetorheological fluid, preferably completely. MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (2) is tubular. MRF actuator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the angled recess (4) is passed through the tube of the opening (2). MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (2) has at its outer end a cone-shaped edge region (8). MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (3, 10) extends out of the angled recess (4) in the opening position. MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (3, 10) is in the closed position completely in the angled recess (4). MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a stop (5) for the closure (3, 10), which prevents a displacement of the closure beyond its closed position. MRF actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an auxiliary closure (11) is present, which in particular comprises a cone-shaped end. An MRF actuator closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a magnetorheological fluid port (2) and a shutter (3, 10) for the port (2), the shutter closing the port to a closed position and opening the opening can be moved to an open position, characterized in that the closure (3, 10) within a recess angled to the opening (4) is arranged to be movable. A closure arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closure has a recess (6) which, in the open position, causes the opening (2) to be permeable to a liquid. Closure arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recess (6) is filled with a magnetorheological fluid.

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