EP1450009B1 - Electromagnetic actuator for valve drive in an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Electromagnetic actuator for valve drive in an internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1450009B1
EP1450009B1 EP04300036A EP04300036A EP1450009B1 EP 1450009 B1 EP1450009 B1 EP 1450009B1 EP 04300036 A EP04300036 A EP 04300036A EP 04300036 A EP04300036 A EP 04300036A EP 1450009 B1 EP1450009 B1 EP 1450009B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electromagnet
plate
magnetic
valve
gap
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04300036A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1450009A2 (en
EP1450009A3 (en
Inventor
Emmanuel Sedda
Christophe Fageon
Hamid Ben Ahmed
Michel Lecrivain
Mohamed Gabsi
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Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS
PSA Automobiles SA
Original Assignee
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS
Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
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Publication of EP1450009A2 publication Critical patent/EP1450009A2/en
Publication of EP1450009A3 publication Critical patent/EP1450009A3/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/21—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/21—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
    • F01L2009/2105—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids comprising two or more coils
    • F01L2009/2107—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids comprising two or more coils being disposed coaxially to the armature shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/21—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
    • F01L2009/2132—Biasing means
    • F01L2009/2134—Helical springs
    • F01L2009/2136—Two opposed springs for intermediate resting position of the armature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L9/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically
    • F01L9/20—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
    • F01L9/21—Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
    • F01L2009/2151—Damping means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L2820/00—Details on specific features characterising valve gear arrangements
    • F01L2820/01—Absolute values

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electromechanical valve actuator for an internal combustion engine.
  • an electromechanical valve actuator 100 which includes mechanical means, such as springs 102 and 104, and electromagnetic means with two electromagnets 106 and 108, for controlling the position of the valve 110 by means of electrical signals.
  • the tail 113 of the valve 110 is applied against the rod 112 of a magnetic plate 114 located between the two electromagnets 106 and 108.
  • the electromagnet 108 when the electromagnet 108 is deactivated, when a current flows in the coil 107 of the electromagnet 106, the latter attracts the plate 114 which comes into contact with it and pushes the rod 112, using the spring 104, against the rod 113 so that the rod 112 acts on the valve 110 and places it in the open position, the valve head being away from its seat 111 to allow, for example, an admission or a gas injection in the cylinder 116.
  • valve 110 alternates open or closed positions, said switched, with transient movements between these two positions. Thereafter, the term "switched state" the state of an open or closed valve.
  • the actuator 100 requires the use of a magnetic plate 114 of high mass due, in particular, to its significant thickness Sp. This thickness is generally equal to the width Se of the branches of the electromagnets to obtain optimum operation of the actuator. Indeed, the branches of the electromagnet and the plate thus form a magnetic circuit of constant section.
  • figure 2 is a diagram showing the evolution of the electromagnetic stress (in ordinates) according to the value of the air gap (in abscissas).
  • the present invention overcomes the disadvantage mentioned above.
  • a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electromagnet and a magnetic plate whose movement controls the displacement of the valve which is characterized in that the parameters of the electromagnet and the plate are such that at least a part of the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and by the plate is in a state of magnetic saturation when the magnetic plate is close to the electromagnet.
  • the parameters making it possible to obtain the saturation of at least a part of the magnetic circuit are in particular the parameters of the material constituting the plateau or the electromagnet, and / or the shape and / or the dimensions of this plate and / or the electromagnet.
  • said parameters are such that the plate (or the electromagnet) is in a state of magnetic saturation when it is away from the electromagnet.
  • said parameters are such that the state of magnetic saturation, in particular of the plateau, occurs for a gap between 0 and at most 1 millimeter.
  • the invention generally relates to a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electromagnet and a magnetic plate whose movement controls the displacement of the valve, which is characterized in that parameters of the electromagnet and of the plate are such that at least a portion of the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and the plate is in a state of magnetic saturation when the magnetic plate is close to the electromagnet.
  • said parameters are such that the magnetic circuit is in the state of magnetic non-saturation when it is remote from the electromagnet.
  • the parameters are such that at least a part of the magnetic circuit is in the state of magnetic saturation for a gap between 0 and 1 millimeter at most.
  • the parameters of the electromagnet and the plate comprise, in one embodiment, parameters relating to the shape and / or dimensions and / or the nature of the material (or materials) constituting the plate and the body of the electromagnet and / or the intensity of the current flowing through the coil of the electromagnet.
  • the thickness of the plate is such that this plate is magnetically saturated near the electromagnet.
  • the magnetic plate has for example at least one narrowed portion intended to be saturated when the plate is close to the electromagnet.
  • the material forming the plate has a lower saturation threshold than that of the material making up the body of the electromagnet.
  • the actuator comprises a regulator controlling the current in the electromagnet.
  • the invention also relates to an internal combustion engine comprising at least one valve according to any one of the preceding claims.
  • the magnetic plate 114 has at its ends and at its center a thickness h of the same order of magnitude as the width Se of the end branches 140 and 142 of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet 108 (or 106).
  • the plate has parts 144 and 146, of thickness h 'substantially smaller than the thickness h.
  • the magnetic plate 114 has a shape such that it constitutes a constriction for the magnetic flux 150 generated by the electromagnet 108, so as to focus in these restrictions. Since the magnetic flux 150 is conservative, reducing the section of the plate 114 in places makes it possible to concentrate the magnetic induction in these parts 144 and 146 of thickness h '. Thus the magnetic induction has a high value in the narrowed parts and can thus obtain a saturation of the material in these parts 144 and 146.
  • the magnetic plate 114 When the magnetic plate 114 is moved away from the active electromagnet, the magnetic leaks are important and a large part of the magnetic field no longer passes in the plate but in the air. The magnetic flux in the tray is therefore lower and the material is not saturated.
  • the magnetic flux 150 substantially passes through the plate and the narrowed portions 144 and 146 are saturated.
  • the magnetic attraction force does not increase in a hyperbolic manner as in a conventional device.
  • it is partly offset by that of a jurisdiction corresponding to figure 1 .
  • the magnetic plate 114 has a constant thickness h '. It is thus possible to saturate the entire magnetic plate. In addition, the mass of the plate is even smaller, which further reduces the energy dissipated, so the noise. In addition, with a reduced mass, the plate can, because of its low inertia, be better accelerated at the beginning of its race, when it is still far from the electromagnet that attracts
  • the body of the electromagnet is such that it is saturated when the gap is weak.
  • regulation is used in combination with the invention. This regulation will be facilitated by a better linearity of the force of attraction, which allows easier control of the plate when approaching the electromagnet.
  • the curve 41 illustrates the variation of the force as a function of the value of the gap for an actuator according to the invention, while the curve 42 corresponds to a conventional actuator.
  • Curve 41 is linearized on approaching the electromagnet, when the air gap tends to zero, whereas curve 42 increases in a hyperbolic manner.

Abstract

The actuator has an electromagnet (108 1) and a magnetic plate (114 1) whose movement controls the movement of a valve of an internal combustion engine. The parameters of the magnetic circuit formed by the magnet and the plate enable a part of the circuit to be in a saturation state when the plate is at proximity of the electromagnet. The plate strangulates a conservative magnetic flux generated by the magnet. An independent claim is also included an internal combustion engine having a valve controlled by an actuator.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un actionneur électromécanique de commande de soupape pour moteur à combustion interne.The present invention relates to an electromechanical valve actuator for an internal combustion engine.

On a représenté sur la figure 1 un exemple d'actionneur électromécanique 100 de soupape 110 qui comporte des moyens mécaniques, tels que des ressorts 102 et 104, et des moyens électromagnétiques à deux électroaimants 106 et 108, pour commander la position de la soupape 110 au moyen de signaux électriques.We have shown on the figure 1 an example of an electromechanical valve actuator 100 which includes mechanical means, such as springs 102 and 104, and electromagnetic means with two electromagnets 106 and 108, for controlling the position of the valve 110 by means of electrical signals.

A cet effet, dans l'exemple, la queue 113 de la soupape 110 est appliquée contre la tige 112 d'un plateau magnétique 114 situé entre les deux électroaimants 106 et 108.For this purpose, in the example, the tail 113 of the valve 110 is applied against the rod 112 of a magnetic plate 114 located between the two electromagnets 106 and 108.

Lorsqu'un courant circule dans la bobine 109 de l'électroaimant 108, ce dernier est activé et génère un champ magnétique attirant le plateau 114 qui vient à son contact.When a current flows in the coil 109 of the electromagnet 108, the latter is activated and generates a magnetic field attracting the plate 114 which comes into contact with it.

Il en résulte un déplacement de la tige 112 qui s'éloigne de la tige 113, permettant au ressort 102 d'agir pour placer la soupape 110 en position fermée, la tête de la soupape 110 venant contre son siège 111 et empêchant les échanges de gaz entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur du cylindre 116.This results in a displacement of the rod 112 which moves away from the rod 113, allowing the spring 102 to act to place the valve 110 in the closed position, the head of the valve 110 coming against its seat 111 and preventing the exchanges of gas between the inside and the outside of the cylinder 116.

De façon analogue, lorsque l'électroaimant 108 est désactivé, lorsqu'un courant circule dans la bobine 107 de l'électroaimant 106, ce dernier attire le plateau 114 qui vient à son contact et repousse la tige 112, à l'aide du ressort 104, contre la tige 113 de telle sorte que cette tige 112 agit sur la soupape 110 et place cette dernière en position ouverte, la tête de la soupape étant éloignée de son siège 111 pour permettre, par exemple, une admission ou une injection de gaz dans le cylindre 116.Similarly, when the electromagnet 108 is deactivated, when a current flows in the coil 107 of the electromagnet 106, the latter attracts the plate 114 which comes into contact with it and pushes the rod 112, using the spring 104, against the rod 113 so that the rod 112 acts on the valve 110 and places it in the open position, the valve head being away from its seat 111 to allow, for example, an admission or a gas injection in the cylinder 116.

Ainsi, la soupape 110 alterne des positions ouvertes ou fermées, dites commutées, avec des déplacements transitoires entre ces deux positions. Par la suite, on dénommera « état commuté » l'état d'une soupape ouverte ou fermée.Thus, the valve 110 alternates open or closed positions, said switched, with transient movements between these two positions. Thereafter, the term "switched state" the state of an open or closed valve.

L'actionneur 100 nécessite l'utilisation d'un plateau magnétique 114 de masse élevée due, notamment, à son épaisseur Sp importante. Cette épaisseur est généralement égale à la largeur Se des branches des électroaimants pour obtenir un fonctionnement optimal de l'actionneur. En effet, les branches de l'électroaimant et le plateau forment ainsi un circuit magnétique de section constante.The actuator 100 requires the use of a magnetic plate 114 of high mass due, in particular, to its significant thickness Sp. This thickness is generally equal to the width Se of the branches of the electromagnets to obtain optimum operation of the actuator. Indeed, the branches of the electromagnet and the plate thus form a magnetic circuit of constant section.

Cependant, l'utilisation d'un plateau 114 de section importante, et donc de masse élevée, présente des inconvénients. En particulier, lors de la commutation de la soupape, l'impact du plateau magnétique contre le corps de l'électroaimant provoque une dissipation d'énergie importante sous forme de bruit, notamment en raison des vitesses importantes du plateau magnétique lors de l'impact. Cette énergie étant proportionnelle au carré de la vitesse du plateau, il est essentiel de réduire la vitesse de ce plateau au moment de l'impact.However, the use of a plate 114 of large section, and therefore of high mass, has drawbacks. In particular, when switching the valve, the impact of the magnetic plate against the body of the electromagnet causes a significant energy dissipation in the form of noise, in particular because of the high speeds of the magnetic plate during the impact . Since this energy is proportional to the square of the speed of the plateau, it is essential to reduce the speed of this plateau at the moment of impact.

Mais comme la force électromagnétique augmente fortement quand le plateau s'approche de l'électroaimant, ce qui provoque une accélération élevée, il n'est pas aisé de réduire la vitesse au moment de l'impact.But as the electromagnetic force increases sharply when the plate approaches the electromagnet, which causes a high acceleration, it is not easy to reduce the speed at the moment of impact.

Une solution permettant un controle de la vitesse d'impact est proposée dans le document US 6308667 A et consiste à linéariser la courbe d'attraction electromagnétique gràce a un plateau comprenant des zones d'épaisseur rétrécie, et des electroaimants dont les surfaces faisant face au plateau sont de forme complémentaire à celles du plateau.A solution allowing a control of the speed of impact is proposed in the document US 6308667 A and consists in linearizing the electromagnetic attraction curve by means of a plate comprising zones of narrowed thickness, and electromagnets whose surfaces facing the plate are of complementary shape to those of the plate.

Pour cette réduction de vitesse, il est connu de réguler le courant circulant dans l'électroaimant pour contrôler le champ magnétique de ce dernier.For this reduction in speed, it is known to regulate the current flowing in the electromagnet to control the magnetic field of the latter.

Cependant, un tel régulateur n'est pas aisé à réaliser parce que la force électromagnétique de l'électroaimant, appliquée sur le plateau magnétique à l'approche de l'électroaimant varie de manière non linéaire avec l'entrefer.However, such a regulator is not easy to achieve because the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet, applied to the magnetic plate at the approach of the electromagnet varies non-linearly with the gap.

Cette non linéarité est illustrée par la figure 2 qui est un diagramme montrant l'évolution de l'effort électromagnétique (en ordonnées) en fonction de la valeur de l'entrefer (en abscisses).This non-linearity is illustrated by the figure 2 which is a diagram showing the evolution of the electromagnetic stress (in ordinates) according to the value of the air gap (in abscissas).

La présente invention remédie à l'inconvénient mentionné ci-dessus.The present invention overcomes the disadvantage mentioned above.

Elle concerne un actionneur de soupape pour moteur à combustion interne comprenant au moins un électroaimant et un plateau magnétique dont le mouvement commande le déplacement de la soupape qui est caractérisé en ce que les paramètres de l'électroaimant et du plateau sont tels qu'au moins une partie du circuit magnétique formé par l'électroaimant et par le plateau est dans un état de saturation magnétique lorsque le plateau magnétique se trouve à proximité de l'électroaimant.It relates to a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electromagnet and a magnetic plate whose movement controls the displacement of the valve which is characterized in that the parameters of the electromagnet and the plate are such that at least a part of the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and by the plate is in a state of magnetic saturation when the magnetic plate is close to the electromagnet.

Ainsi, grâce à cette saturation, la force d'attraction de l'électroaimant sur le plateau varie de façon quasi linéaire quand la valeur de l'entrefer s'approche de zéro, alors que dans les dispositifs connus, cette force d'attraction varie de façon hyperbolique. C'est cette variation quasi linéaire qui limite la vitesse d'impact du plateau contre le corps de l'électroaimant.Thus, thanks to this saturation, the attraction force of the electromagnet on the plate varies almost linearly when the value of the gap approaches zero, whereas in the known devices, this attraction force varies. in a hyperbolic way. It is this quasi-linear variation which limits the speed of impact of the plate against the body of the electromagnet.

Dans ces conditions, il n'est pas indispensable de faire appel à un circuit de régulation et, si un tel circuit est utilisé, celui-ci est d'une plus grande simplicité que les circuits connus.Under these conditions, it is not essential to use a control circuit and, if such a circuit is used, it is of greater simplicity than the known circuits.

Les paramètres permettant d'obtenir la saturation d'au moins une partie du circuit magnétique sont notamment les paramètres du matériau constituant le plateau ou l'électroaimant, et/ou la forme, et/ou les dimensions de ce plateau et/ou de l'électroaimant.The parameters making it possible to obtain the saturation of at least a part of the magnetic circuit are in particular the parameters of the material constituting the plateau or the electromagnet, and / or the shape and / or the dimensions of this plate and / or the electromagnet.

De préférence, pour minimiser le temps de commutation (passage de l'état ouvert à l'état fermé de la soupape, et réciproquement), lesdits paramètres sont tels que le plateau (ou l'électroaimant) est dans un état de non saturation magnétique lorsqu'il se trouve éloigné de l'électroaimant.Preferably, to minimize the switching time (transition from the open state to the closed state of the valve, and vice versa), said parameters are such that the plate (or the electromagnet) is in a state of magnetic saturation when it is away from the electromagnet.

Pour optimiser la maximisation de la vitesse au début de la course et la minimisation de la vitesse en approchant de l'électroaimant, de préférence lesdits paramètres sont tels que l'état de saturation magnétique, notamment du plateau, se produit pour un entrefer compris entre 0 et au plus 1 millimètre.To optimize the maximization of the speed at the beginning of the race and the minimization of the speed when approaching the electromagnet, preferably said parameters are such that the state of magnetic saturation, in particular of the plateau, occurs for a gap between 0 and at most 1 millimeter.

Ainsi, l'invention concerne de façon générale un actionneur de soupape pour moteur à combustion interne comprenant au moins un électroaimant et un plateau magnétique dont le mouvement commande le déplacement de la soupape, qui est caractérisé en ce que des paramètres de l'électroaimant et du plateau sont tels qu'au moins une partie du circuit magnétique formé par l'électroaimant et le plateau est dans un état de saturation magnétique lorsque le plateau magnétique se trouve à proximité de l'électroaimant.Thus, the invention generally relates to a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electromagnet and a magnetic plate whose movement controls the displacement of the valve, which is characterized in that parameters of the electromagnet and of the plate are such that at least a portion of the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and the plate is in a state of magnetic saturation when the magnetic plate is close to the electromagnet.

De préférence, lesdits paramètres sont tels que le circuit magnétique est dans l'état de non saturation magnétique lorsqu'il se trouve éloigné de l'électroaimant. Par exemple les paramètres sont tels qu'au moins une partie du circuit magnétique est dans l'état de saturation magnétique pour un entrefer compris entre 0 et 1 millimètre au maximum.Preferably, said parameters are such that the magnetic circuit is in the state of magnetic non-saturation when it is remote from the electromagnet. For example, the parameters are such that at least a part of the magnetic circuit is in the state of magnetic saturation for a gap between 0 and 1 millimeter at most.

Les paramètres de l'électroaimant et du plateau comprennent, selon une réalisation, des paramètres relatifs à la forme et/ou aux dimensions et/ou à la nature du matériau (ou des matériaux) constitutif(s) du plateau et du corps de l'électroaimant et/ou l'intensité du courant qui traverse la bobine de l'électroaimant.The parameters of the electromagnet and the plate comprise, in one embodiment, parameters relating to the shape and / or dimensions and / or the nature of the material (or materials) constituting the plate and the body of the electromagnet and / or the intensity of the current flowing through the coil of the electromagnet.

Dans une réalisation, l'épaisseur du plateau est telle que ce plateau est saturé magnétiquement à proximité de l'électroaimant.In one embodiment, the thickness of the plate is such that this plate is magnetically saturated near the electromagnet.

Le plateau magnétique présente par exemple au moins une partie rétrécie destinée à être saturée lorsque ce plateau se trouve à proximité de l'électroaimant.The magnetic plate has for example at least one narrowed portion intended to be saturated when the plate is close to the electromagnet.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le matériau composant le plateau présente un seuil de saturation plus faible que celui du matériau composant le corps de l'électroaimant.In one embodiment, the material forming the plate has a lower saturation threshold than that of the material making up the body of the electromagnet.

Dans une réalisation, l'actionneur comprend un régulateur contrôlant le courant dans l'électroaimant.In one embodiment, the actuator comprises a regulator controlling the current in the electromagnet.

L'invention concerne aussi un moteur à combustion interne comprenant au moins une soupape selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine comprising at least one valve according to any one of the preceding claims.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront avec la description de certains de ses modes de réalisation, celle-ci étant effectuée en se référant aux dessins ci-annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1, déjà décrite, représente un actionneur connu,
  • la figure 2, déjà décrite, représente, pour un actionneur connu, la variation de l'effort magnétique de l'électroaimant sur le plateau en fonction de l'entrefer,
  • les figures 3a et 3b sont des vues en coupe d'un actionneur selon deux modes de réalisation de l'invention, et
  • la figure 4 est un diagramme analogue à celui de la figure 2 et montrant l'effort magnétique de l'électroaimant sur le plateau en fonction de l'entrefer pour un dispositif conforme à l'invention et pour un dispositif de l'art antérieur.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent with the description of some of its embodiments, this being done with reference to the attached drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 , already described, represents a known actuator,
  • the figure 2 , already described, represents, for a known actuator, the variation of the magnetic force of the electromagnet on the plate as a function of the gap,
  • the Figures 3a and 3b are sectional views of an actuator according to two embodiments of the invention, and
  • the figure 4 is a diagram similar to that of the figure 2 and showing the magnetic force of the electromagnet on the plate as a function of the gap for a device according to the invention and for a device of the prior art.

Dans la réalisation montrée sur la figure 3a, le plateau magnétique 114, présente à ses extrémités et à son centre une épaisseur h du même ordre de grandeur que la largeur Se des branches d'extrémité 140 et 142 du circuit magnétique de l'électroaimant 108 (ou 106).In the realization shown on the figure 3a the magnetic plate 114 has at its ends and at its center a thickness h of the same order of magnitude as the width Se of the end branches 140 and 142 of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet 108 (or 106).

Par contre, le plateau comporte des parties 144 et 146, d'épaisseur h' sensiblement plus réduite que l'épaisseur h. Ainsi, le plateau magnétique 114 a une forme telle qu'il constitue un étranglement pour le flux magnétique 150 généré par l'électroaimant 108, de manière à le concentrer dans ces étranglements. Le flux magnétique 150 étant conservatif, le fait de réduire la section du plateau 114 par endroits permet de concentrer l'induction magnétique dans ces parties 144 et 146 d'épaisseur h'. Ainsi l'induction magnétique a une valeur élevée dans les parties rétrécies et on peut donc obtenir une saturation du matériau dans ces parties 144 et 146.By cons, the plate has parts 144 and 146, of thickness h 'substantially smaller than the thickness h. Thus, the magnetic plate 114 has a shape such that it constitutes a constriction for the magnetic flux 150 generated by the electromagnet 108, so as to focus in these restrictions. Since the magnetic flux 150 is conservative, reducing the section of the plate 114 in places makes it possible to concentrate the magnetic induction in these parts 144 and 146 of thickness h '. Thus the magnetic induction has a high value in the narrowed parts and can thus obtain a saturation of the material in these parts 144 and 146.

Lorsque le plateau magnétique 114 est éloigné de l'électroaimant actif, les fuites magnétiques sont importantes et une grande partie du champ magnétique ne passe plus dans le plateau mais dans l'air. Le flux magnétique dans le plateau est donc plus faible et le matériau n'est pas saturé.When the magnetic plate 114 is moved away from the active electromagnet, the magnetic leaks are important and a large part of the magnetic field no longer passes in the plate but in the air. The magnetic flux in the tray is therefore lower and the material is not saturated.

Lorsque le plateau magnétique est proche d'un électroaimant, le flux magnétique 150 traverse en grande partie le plateau et les parties rétrécies 144 et 146 sont saturées. Ainsi, quand le plateau s'approche de l'électroaimant, c'est-à-dire quand l'entrefer diminue, la force d'attraction magnétique n'augmente pas de façon hyperbolique comme dans un dispositif classique. En outre, elle est en partie compensée par celle d'un ressort correspondant au ressort 104 de la figure 1.When the magnetic plate is close to an electromagnet, the magnetic flux 150 substantially passes through the plate and the narrowed portions 144 and 146 are saturated. Thus, when the plate approaches the electromagnet, that is to say when the air gap decreases, the magnetic attraction force does not increase in a hyperbolic manner as in a conventional device. In addition, it is partly offset by that of a jurisdiction corresponding to figure 1 .

En variante (figure 3b) le plateau magnétique 114, présente une épaisseur h' constante. On peut ainsi saturer la totalité du plateau magnétique. En outre, la masse du plateau est encore plus réduite, ce qui réduit encore l'énergie dissipée, donc le bruit. De plus, avec une masse réduite, le plateau peut, du fait de sa faible inertie, être mieux accéléré au début de sa course, lorsqu'il est encore éloigné de l'électroaimant qui l'attireAlternatively ( figure 3b ) the magnetic plate 114 has a constant thickness h '. It is thus possible to saturate the entire magnetic plate. In addition, the mass of the plate is even smaller, which further reduces the energy dissipated, so the noise. In addition, with a reduced mass, the plate can, because of its low inertia, be better accelerated at the beginning of its race, when it is still far from the electromagnet that attracts

On peut aussi choisir des matériaux magnétiques composant l'électroaimant et le plateau qui soient différents, de manière que le seuil de saturation du plateau soit plus bas que celui de l'électroaimant.It is also possible to choose magnetic materials that make up the electromagnet and the plate that are different. so that the plateau saturation threshold is lower than that of the electromagnet.

Selon une variante, le corps de l'électroaimant est tel qu'il est saturé lorsque l'entrefer est faible.According to a variant, the body of the electromagnet is such that it is saturated when the gap is weak.

Par exemple, on peut réduire la largeur des branches de l'électroaimant laissant ainsi plus de place pour le bobinage et permettant d'utiliser pour le bobinage des fils de diamètre plus élevé réduisant ainsi la résistance de l'électroaimant et donc sa consommation en courant.For example, it is possible to reduce the width of the branches of the electromagnet thus leaving more room for winding and making it possible to use higher diameter wires for winding, thus reducing the resistance of the electromagnet and thus its current consumption. .

Selon un mode de réalisation, on utilise une régulation en combinaison avec l'invention. Cette régulation sera facilitée par une meilleure linéarité de la force d'attraction, ce qui permet un contrôle plus aisé du plateau lorsqu'il s'approche de l'électroaimant.According to one embodiment, regulation is used in combination with the invention. This regulation will be facilitated by a better linearity of the force of attraction, which allows easier control of the plate when approaching the electromagnet.

Sur le diagramme de la figure 4, la courbe 41 illustre la variation de l'effort en fonction de la valeur de l'entrefer pour un actionneur conforme à l'invention, tandis que la courbe 42 correspond à un actionneur classique. La courbe 41 se linéarise à l'approche de l'électroaimant, lorsque l'entrefer tend vers zéro, alors que la courbe 42 augmente de manière hyperbolique.On the diagram of the figure 4 , the curve 41 illustrates the variation of the force as a function of the value of the gap for an actuator according to the invention, while the curve 42 corresponds to a conventional actuator. Curve 41 is linearized on approaching the electromagnet, when the air gap tends to zero, whereas curve 42 increases in a hyperbolic manner.

On a constaté qu'avec l'invention on peut obtenir des vitesses d'impact du plateau contre l'électroaimant qui l'attire, qui sont inférieures à 0,1 m/s, tant pendant les phases d'ouverture que de fermeture de la soupape. Il ne se produit pas d'accélération du plateau mobile au voisinage de sa position de collage contre l'électroaimant.It has been found that with the invention it is possible to obtain impact speeds of the plate against the electromagnet which attracts it, which are less than 0.1 m / s, both during the opening and closing phases of the valve. There is no acceleration of the moving plate in the vicinity of its bonding position against the electromagnet.

Claims (4)

  1. Valve actuator for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electromagnet (1061, 1081) and a magnetic plate (1141), the movement of which controls the displacement of the valve, characterised in that the plate has at least one portion having a reduced thickness such that the reduced portion is magnetically saturated when the plate is located in the vicinity of the electromagnet and the material forming the plate has a saturation threshold lower than that of the material forming the body of the electromagnet and in that the parameters of the electromagnet and of the body of the electromagnet and/or the intensity of the current which flows through the coil of the electromagnet are such that
    - at least a portion of the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and the plate is magnetically saturated when the gap between the magnetic plate and the electromagnet is between 0 and 1 mm at most, in such a way that the attractive force exerted on the plate by the electromagnet varies approximately linearly as a function of the gap in this gap range; and
    - the magnetic circuit is not magnetically saturated when the gap is greater than 1 mm, in such a way that the attractive force exerted on the plate by the electromagnet varies hyperbolically as a function of the gap in this gap range.
  2. Actuator according to claim 1, characterised in that the thickness of the plate is such that said plate is magnetically saturated in the vicinity of the electromagnet.
  3. Actuator according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a regulator which controls the current in the electromagnet.
  4. Internal combustion engine comprising at least one valve according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP04300036A 2003-02-18 2004-01-22 Electromagnetic actuator for valve drive in an internal combustion engine Expired - Lifetime EP1450009B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0301948 2003-02-18
FR0301948A FR2851290B1 (en) 2003-02-18 2003-02-18 ELECTROMECHANICAL VALVE CONTROL ACTUATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1450009A2 EP1450009A2 (en) 2004-08-25
EP1450009A3 EP1450009A3 (en) 2005-03-30
EP1450009B1 true EP1450009B1 (en) 2011-07-27

Family

ID=32732015

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04300036A Expired - Lifetime EP1450009B1 (en) 2003-02-18 2004-01-22 Electromagnetic actuator for valve drive in an internal combustion engine

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US7111595B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1450009B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE518048T1 (en)
ES (1) ES2365916T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2851290B1 (en)

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JP2008180140A (en) * 2007-01-24 2008-08-07 Toyota Motor Corp Solenoid-driven valve
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ATE531055T1 (en) * 2009-02-05 2011-11-15 Abb Oy PERMANENT MAGNET DC CHOKER COIL
US10693358B2 (en) * 2017-02-03 2020-06-23 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Reciprocating electromagnetic actuator with flux-balanced armature and stationary cores
GB202005894D0 (en) * 2020-04-22 2020-06-03 Wastling Michael Fast-acting toggling armature uses centring spring

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7111595B2 (en) 2006-09-26
EP1450009A2 (en) 2004-08-25
FR2851290A1 (en) 2004-08-20
ES2365916T3 (en) 2011-10-13
EP1450009A3 (en) 2005-03-30
FR2851290B1 (en) 2007-02-09
US20050034690A1 (en) 2005-02-17
ATE518048T1 (en) 2011-08-15

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