DE202008008644U1 - Space-saving servomotor - Google Patents

Abstract

Servomotor in space-saving design, with an electric motor (1), a transmission (2), a rotary position sensor (4), a control electronics, a wiring device (6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 41, 42, 43) and a connection device (15) for current and control lines for the servomotor, characterized in that the wiring device (6, 7, 8)
- Is designed as a flexible, one-piece printed circuit (30), wherein the flexible, one-piece printed circuit (30) with at least one, preferably two or more turns or convolutions (31, 32, 33, 34) is provided so that in Side view of a U, S or Z-shaped shape of the printed circuit (30),
- The electric motor (1) in a direct manner by electrical connection (211, 212) contacted
- The rotational position sensor (4, 28, 40) contacted in shares or as a whole unit in a direct manner by electrical connection (241)
- optionally also contains the complete control electronics for the servomotor,
- Contact elements (20, 21), by means of ...

Description

The Invention relates to an improved space-saving servomotor, an associated manufacturing process and the uses for servomotors of this innovative design.

A space and space-saving servo motor of the generic type is known from the patent application WO 2007/058057 ,

Other designs of such small-sized servomotors are known in the art and, as such, are included in the drawings accompanying this application 1 to 3 shown.

It Object of the invention, an improved servo motor with a small Building volume, which is characterized by particularly cost-effective construction, Extremely high reliability in operation as well Production- and automation-friendly production distinguishes.

• – einem Elektromotor
• – einem Getriebe
• – fakultativ einem Gehäuse
• – einen Drehstellungssensor
• – einer Stell- oder Regelungselektronik welche insbesondere in Nähe des Elektromotors plaziert ist
• – einer Verdrahtungseinrichtung
• – einer Anschlußeinrichtung für Bestromung und Steuersignale für den Servomotor und ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verdrahtungseinrichtung
• – als flexible, einstückige gedruckte Schaltung (engl. „flexible printed circuit board”, „PCB”) mit mindestens einer, bevorzugt zwei oder mehr Faltungen ausgeführt ist, so dass sich eine U-, S- oder Z-förmige Gestalt der gedruckten Schaltung ergibt
• – geeignet ist, zumindest den Elektromotor zu kontaktieren und bevorzugt auch den Drehstellungssensor anteilig oder komplett zu kontaktieren, wobei für beide Kontaktierungen bevorzugt Lötkontakte vorgesehen sind
• – bevorzugt auch die komplette Stell- oder Regelungselektronik enthält
• – geeignet ist, mittels auf oder an der einstückigen gedruckten Schaltung angeordneter Kontaktelemente mit einer übergeordneten elektrischen oder elektronischen Einrichtung in Wirkverbindung zu treten.

This object is achieved by a servomotor according to the protection claims and as in the following description and in the drawing, 4 to 8th , shown schematically. The inventive solution of the problem accordingly provides a servo motor or a servo drive with

• - an electric motor
• - a gearbox
• - optionally a housing
• - a rotary position sensor
• - An actuator or control electronics which is placed in particular in the vicinity of the electric motor
• - a wiring device
• - A terminal device for energization and control signals for the servomotor and is characterized in that the wiring device
• - Is designed as a flexible, one-piece printed circuit board ("Flexible PCB") with at least one, preferably two or more folds, so that a U, S or Z-shaped form of the printed circuit results
• - Is suitable to contact at least the electric motor and preferably also the rotational position sensor proportionally or completely to contact, with soldering contacts are preferably provided for both contacts
• - Preferably also contains the complete control electronics
• - Is suitable to occur by means arranged on or on the one-piece printed circuit contact elements with a higher-level electrical or electronic device in operative connection.

Further Aspects of the invention as described below are defined by the subclaims.

Description of further prior art with reference to FIG 1 to 3 :

In the 1 shown fixed combination of an electric motor 1 , a transmission 2 with output shaft 3 and a mostly executed as a potentiometer rotary position sensor 4 for detecting the rotational position of the output shaft provides with a control electronics 5 a complete servomotor. The control electronics consists of electronic components (here schematically with reference numerals 9 . 10 designated), which on a fixed but relative to the electric motor 1 sliding printed circuit board ("PCB") or circuit board 5 are arranged. With this stand by means of connecting lines 11 . 12 on the one hand, the electric motor 1 on the other hand also by means of connecting lines 41 . 42 . 43 the potentiometer 4 in electrical connection. The said connection lines thus represent a part of a wiring device, which is typically a signal line 6 and two power supply lines 7 . 8th is completed. The electronic assembly shown is normally in logical and electrical communication with a superordinated control unit. - In this figure and in the following 2 - 7 is waived, a common on the output shaft 3 attached control in the form of, for example, a two-armed lever represent. It is likewise known to the person skilled in the art that the components shown, with the exception of the output shaft, can be arranged in a enclosing housing.

The embodiments of a servomotor according to 1 has the following disadvantages: If the servo motor is vibrated by external action, the printed circuit will result 5 Relative movements to the other components shown. Thus, the variety of manual wiring to be soldered here is a reliability mute (in terms of cable breakage, solder breakage, etc.). In addition, it is usually necessary, in addition and directly to the electric motor 1 so-called suppression capacitors to install, which also makes the production of such a servomotor more expensive.

In the 2 shown fixed combination of identically functioning active elements electric motor, gearbox, output shaft and potentiometer has with respect to the arrangement according to 1 as an improvement, an immovably positioned printed circuit 5 on. For this purpose, the printed circuit 5 directly to the electric motor 1 soldered and still opposite the potentiometer 4 with strong wires 41 . 42 . 43 o. The like. Fixed distance. This arrangement is less sensitive to vibrations and wiring to the motor does not need to be made. The suppression capacitors are conveniently integrated into the electronics and do not need to be attached by a separate operation. The disadvantage is that externally caused vibrations due to the large mass of electronics it to cancel the motor terminal lugs 111 . 112 can come. Also the circuit board ie the printed circuit 5 can be destroyed under such circumstances. Even the wires shown 41 etc. can break under unfavorable conditions due to resonance phenomena.

In the 3 also shown fixed combination of identically functioning active elements electric motor, gearbox, output shaft and potentiometer is the arrangement according to 2 largely similar. However, the printed circuit stands 5 perpendicular to the potentiometer 4 , with generously dimensioned switching means 41 the printed circuit 5 hold in position. The connection and signal lines 6 . 7 . 8th are designed as movable cables, as well as the motor connections 11 . 12 , - For making an in 3 However, servomotors shown are also required to be done by hand soldering, which are costly and the reliability of the system are detrimental.

Description of the invention

In the 4 shown innovative construction of a servo motor with a small volume now shows a fixed-spaced arrangement of electric motor 1 , Transmission 2 , Output shaft 3 and one at this z. B. attachable mounted rotary position sensor in the form of a potentiometer 4 , According to the present invention is thus dispensed with electronics with a fixed circuit board. Rather, the electronic components 9 . 10 on a flexible printed circuit board in the form of a flexible printed circuit 30 ("Flexible printed circuit board") arranged. Simultaneously and additionally serves the flexible printed circuit 30 as a wiring device between potentiometer 4 and electric motor 1 , Of particular economic advantage is the flexible printed circuit 30 only one-sided to equip. Accordingly, there are special savings in working time when already during assembly of the flexible printed circuit 30 on the one hand the electronic components 9 . 10 and more are applied and on the other hand, the rotary position sensor 4 and even the electric motor 1 , The electric motor 1 is thus directly by means of contact flags 211 . 212 on the flexible printed circuit 30 soldered on and later, after making the fully assembled circuit to the gearbox 2 bolted or otherwise mechanically connected therewith. The same applies to the rotary position sensor 4 and its contact elements 241 etc., wherein instead of a screw connection and a clip connection can be provided. As in 4 It is also of particular advantage to use the flexible printed circuit 30 To turn or fold several times in S- or Z-shape (reference numerals 31 . 32 ). As a result, a large area for receiving electronic components is available, and rotary position sensor 4 and electric motor 1 can be on the same side of the flexible printed circuit 30 be positioned.

According to the invention, it is no longer necessary, individual connection cable 6 . 7 . 8th to use. Rather, to be provided for a connection of the servo motor lines also in the flexible printed circuit 30 to get integrated. Such integrated connection cables 6 . 7 . 8th can then be configured directly as a plug-in contact or to a separate plug-in device (in 4 not shown).

It can be seen that the embodiment according to the invention 4 can be made much easier automatically and has much better reliability properties than the solutions 1 - 3 ,

In 5 is shown as an inventive arrangement according to 4 in an enclosing housing 22 can be introduced. In addition, it is shown that according to the invention it is now possible with ease and comparatively low cost, not just a single connector 20 to provide for the operation of the servomotor, but if necessary, a second (reference numeral 21 ) or other plug connections. In this way it is particularly simple and space-saving possible to integrate several such servomotors in a bus system and to simplify the wiring on.

In 6 is shown that the flexible printed circuit 30 both can be turned more than twice or folded or can be fitted on both sides. - In the case of double-sided assembly, it may also be provided that instead of a double turn or fold of the flexible printed circuit 30 only a simple, ie U-shaped turn can be provided, although in this case less assembly area is available and thus can also enter a higher thermal load.

It is understood that in the embodiments according to 4 - 6 is beneficial to the individual folded portions of the flexible printed circuit 30 by suitable plastic material, for. As silicone rubber, support each other or against a housing 22 support or fix. To save weight can be provided for this purpose, if necessary, a foam-like curing plastic material.

In 7 a further, also particularly economically producible embodiment of the invention is shown. The basic structure compares to the one out 5 , Different, and an additional aspect of the present invention, however, is the use of a non-contact and rotational position sensor as provided herein 40 for a servomotor system. In this case, there is the rotary position sensor 40 from one or possibly several suitable electronic components based on so-called Hall sensors. Alternatively, components may be provided for this purpose which function on the basis of the magnetoresistive effect. This or these components will / will be with a rather small-volume permanent magnet 28 driven. The permanent magnet 28 is stuck with the second end 29 connected to the output shaft of the servo motor. The mass of the permanent magnet 28 is typically less than 2 grams, preferably less than 1 gram. Depending on the rotational position of the permanent magnet, the rotary position sensor provides 40 in a conventional manner, a unique output signal available, which is used to control the rotational position of the output shaft of the servo motor. - For defined spacing between permanent magnet 28 and rotary position sensor 40 is with advantage a z. B. annular spacer 45 or a similar attachment or spacer means provided. It is best to use the spacer bushing 45 made of a material with a magnetically shielding effect to attenuate any foreign fields. A suitable inexpensive and solderable material is z. B. tin-plated soft iron.

In 8th is shown as a servomotor system according to 7 with a swivel lever 50 can be supplemented to allow direct use in radio-controlled model airplanes or guided aircrafts.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2007/058057 [0002]

Claims (8)

Servomotor in space-saving design, with an electric motor ( 1 ), a transmission ( 2 ), a rotary position sensor ( 4 ), a control electronics, a wiring device ( 6 . 7 . 8th . 11 . 12 . 41 . 42 . 43 ) and a connection device ( 15 ) for power and control lines for the servomotor, characterized in that the wiring device ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) - as a flexible, one-piece printed circuit ( 30 ), wherein the flexible, one-piece printed circuit ( 30 ) with at least one, preferably two or more turns or convolutions ( 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 ), so that in side view a U, S or Z-shaped form of the printed circuit ( 30 ), - the electric motor ( 1 ) directly by electrical connection ( 211 . 212 ) - the rotary position sensor ( 4 . 28 . 40 ) in units or, as a whole unit, directly by electrical connection ( 241 ) - optionally also contains the complete control electronics for the servomotor, - contact elements ( 20 . 21 ), by means of which an operative connection can be made to a higher-level electrical or electronic device, in particular a higher-level control device. Servomotor according to claim 1, characterized in that a housing ( 22 ) is present, which with one or more plug devices ( 20 . 21 ) and which - with the exception of the output shaft ( 3 ) - the electric motor ( 1 ), The gear ( 2 ), the rotary position sensor ( 4 ), the one-piece printed and folded circuit ( 30 ) and the electronic components ( 9 . 10 ) encloses. Servomotor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one-piece printed and folded circuit is equipped only one-sided Servomotor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one-piece printed and folded circuit is equipped on two sides Servomotor in space-saving design, with an electric motor ( 1 ), a transmission ( 2 ), a rotary position sensor ( 4 ), a control electronics, a wiring device ( 6 . 7 . 8th . 11 . 12 . 41 . 42 . 43 ) and a connection device ( 15 ) for power and control lines for the servomotor, characterized in that for the control function of the servomotor, a contact and non-contact rotary position sensor ( 40 ), one end ( 29 ) of the output shaft of the transmission ( 2 ) with a permanent magnet ( 28 ) whose rotational position relative to gear and / or electric motor ( 1 ) or against an enclosing housing ( 22 ) is determined by a fixed, magnetoresistive or based on the Hall effect working electronic sensor. Servomotor according to Claim 5, characterized by a spacer bushing or device ( 44 . 45 ), by which a defined distance between permanent magnet ( 28 ) and fixed part of the rotary sensor ( 40 ) is ensured. Servomotor according to Claim 5, characterized in that the spacer bushing or device ( 44 . 45 ) consists of a magnetically shielding and / or solderable material. Use of a servomotor according to one of the preceding Claims in a program or remote controlled model airplane or another aircraft.