EP2370980B1 - Electromagnetic actuator device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator device having a core unit (10) comprising coil means (18) designed to cooperate with armature units (20, 22) displaceably guided relative to the core unit in response to current applied to the coil means, wherein the core unit is designed to cooperate with a plurality of spatially separated plunger units (20, 22) of the armatures so that an electromagnetic interaction takes place with the plurality of plunger units in response to current applied to a coil of the coil means.

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator device according to the preamble of the main claim.

Such devices are well known in the art, are commonly used as bistable actuators for control purposes on an internal combustion engine, such as for camshaft adjustment, and have two or more ram units which - synchronously same or opposite, or independently Energization of the coil means are moved to perform the intended purpose.

However, especially in a cramped installation context of an internal combustion engine, it is important compact form an actuator with a plurality of ram units, known methods from the prior art, namely two or more adjacent to each other arranged single actuators each having a core, coil and Tappet unit often can not be placed properly. The German patent application 10 2007 028 600 In this regard, the applicant describes an approach to arrange adjacent individual actuators as compactly and space-saving as possible, also with the intention of realizing an application-dependent distance between two tappet units.

While in this way the compact unit of the generic technology can be increased, remains - especially with regard to mass production or mass production inherent problem of component and manufacturing related effort.

US 4 779 582 A discloses a device according to the preamble of present claim 1.

The object of the present invention is therefore to improve a generic electromagnetic actuator device having a core unit having a coil means, which is designed to cooperate with at least two ram units acting on anchor means, that not only a compact arrangement (especially with regard to a minimum achievable distance between two tappet units) is improved, but also such a device is optimized in terms of required components and components as well as in the production cost.

The object is achieved by the electromagnetic actuator device having the features of the main claim; advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

In an advantageous manner according to the invention, the core unit is designed such that it can interact with a plurality of spatially spaced ram units, wherein the core unit is assigned a (and preferably only one) coil or coil unit (coil body), then the majority in response to their energization the ram units is moved.

In the context of a preferred development, it is thereby to design the core unit in one piece, at least in such a way that a leg region (leg pair region) designed to cooperate with at least two of the tappet units is formed in one piece. It is within the scope of preferred embodiments, the core unit yoke or U-shaped design and provide free end or end surfaces of this configuration for cooperation with the plunger units.

In this case, the geometric realization is limited neither to a two-dimensional structure, nor to the provision of only two free legs: Rather, it is within the scope of preferred further developments of the invention, the core unit multiple U-shaped, E-shaped or H-shaped design, or but to twist individual legs spatially (in a third dimension) so that they are not in any common plane with a connecting portion of the core unit; All these geometric variants can then be based on the respective installation requirements and / or purpose of the electromagnetic actuator device according to the invention, it being particularly advantageous if each leg or each free end face of such a leg then facing a ram unit of the anchor means for cooperation.

In the context of preferred developments of the invention, the coil means comprise at least one coil extending around a portion of the core unit; While in principle the position or arrangement of this coil is arbitrary and can be made dependent on magnetic and / or spatial conditions, it is expedient to provide this coil in a central and / or connecting region between free legs of the core unit.

It is also advantageous in the context of further developments, at least one of the plunger units, in particular in the engaging and / or effective range with the core unit, with permanent magnet means to provide so far as to enable the realization of a bistable effect.

In addition further education according to is provided, such permanent magnet means form such that the desired (possibly synchronized) movement behavior of the plurality of plunger units can be done in the desired manner: For example, a gleichpolige arrangement of permanent magnet means on opposing ram units with respect to the ends of a U-shaped Core unit lead to an opposite plunger movement when energizing a (single) coil on the core unit; On the other hand, a provision of the permanent magnet units in opposite polarity would allow a rectified movement of the tappet units.

It is also possible and provided in the context of further developments of the invention, in particular in the case of permanent magnet units having ram units in addition to provide the core unit with magnetically effective flux guides so that a magnetic decoupling of the plunger units from each other, thus preventing a mutual magnetic influence, at least reduced , is.

While it is advantageous and advantageous in the context of the invention to minimize the number of required coils of the coil means (ideally to reduce to one), the present invention is not limited thereto, but it is possible in the context of preferred developments, additional coils and / or windings to provide, for example, with the purpose by specifically superimposing and / or displacing generated by the coil (s) or winding fields, the movement behavior of the plunger units total and relative to each other In addition, further education is about an additional winding (on an existing coil or the associated coil bobbin), to detect about induction generated and detectable movement and switching states of ram units and make a further evaluation accessible.

It is particularly suitable to design the device according to the invention as a bistable actuator, namely to design at least one of the plunger units so that they assume a normally-stable state in both end positions of a movement and switching state. Thus, the present invention is particularly suitable for limited installation dimensions and environmental conditions such as in the field of motor vehicles and motor vehicle internal combustion engines, but the present invention is not limited to this purpose.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Prinzipdarstellung der elektromagnetischen Aktuatorvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten, bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Beispiels zur physischen Realisierung des Ausführungsbeispiels der Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 bis Fig. 5

verschiedene Varianten zur Platzierung einer einzelnen Spule als Spulenmittel an einer Position der U-förmig geformten Kerneinheit;

Fig. 6, Fig. 7

weitere Ausführungsformen als Varianten der Erfindung mit einer Mehrzahl von Spulen an einem U-förmig gebogenen Kernelement;

Fig. 8

eine weitere Variante der Erfindung mit einer Mehrzahl von Spulen und E-förmigem Kernelement;

Fig. 9, Fig. 10

Schemadarstellungen zum Erläutern des Zusammenwirkens der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, Fig. 2 mit an den Stößeleinheiten vorgesehenen Permanentmagneten;

Fig. 11

eine weitere Variante der vorliegenden Erfindung als Ausführungsform mit Doppel-H-förmiger Kerneinheit;

Fig. 12 bis Fig. 14

weitere Varianten der Erfindung mit dreidimensional angeordneten Schenkelenden einer Kerneinheit;

Fig. 15 bis Fig. 18

eine weitere Variante der Erfindung mit zwischen einem Paar von an Stößeleinheiten sitzenden Permanentmagneten vorgesehen Flussleitelementen zur Entkopplung des (permanent-)magnetischen Einflusses aufeinander.

Das Prinzipschaltbild der Fig. 1, vgl. auch die dreidimensionale Darstellung der Fig. 2, verdeutlicht das Grundprinzip der Erfindung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung: Ein U-förmig gebogenes Kernelement 10 mit einem Paar freier Schenkelenden 12, 14 weist in einem mittleren Verbindungsbereich 16 eine (auf einem nicht gezeigten Spulenträger gehaltene) Spuleneinheit 18 auf, welche in ansonsten bekannter Weise mit einer Bestromung beaufschlagt wird.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

Fig. 1

a schematic schematic diagram of the electromagnetic actuator device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of an example for the physical realization of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 3 to FIG. 5

various variants for placing a single coil as a coil means at a position of the U-shaped core unit;

Fig. 6, Fig. 7

further embodiments as variants of the invention with a plurality of coils on a U-shaped bent core element;

Fig. 8

a further variant of the invention with a plurality of coils and E-shaped core element;

Fig. 9, Fig. 10

Schematic diagrams for explaining the interaction of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 with provided on the plunger units permanent magnet;

Fig. 11

a further variant of the present invention as an embodiment with double H-shaped core unit;

FIGS. 12 to 14

Further variants of the invention with three-dimensionally arranged leg ends of a core unit;

FIGS. 15 to 18

a further variant of the invention with between a pair of seated on tappet units permanent magnets flux guide elements for decoupling of the (permanent) magnetic influence on each other.

The block diagram of Fig. 1 , see. also the three-dimensional representation of the Fig. 2 , illustrates the basic principle of the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention: A U-shaped bent core member 10 having a pair of free leg ends 12, 14 has in a central connection region 16 a (held on a coil support not shown) coil unit 18, which in otherwise known manner is supplied with a current supply.

In response to the energization, the core unit 10 is electromagnetically cooperating with a pair of plunger units 20, 22 as anchor means, each aligned axially with associated leg portions of the core unit 10 and axially opposed to the leg ends 12, 14, respectively.

In directed to the core unit 10 end portion, the plunger units 20 and 22 each have a permanent magnet unit 24 and 26, which, depending on the polarity of the coil unit 16 generated electromagnetic field, attractive or repulsive acts and accordingly the (not shown in detail Way) movably mounted ram unit 20 or 22 moves in the axial direction, in order to fulfill an intended (bistable) setting purpose on the permanent magnet units 24 and 26, respectively, opposite the end of the tappet units 20 and 22, for example the interaction with a suitable actuating partner of a camshaft adjustment of an internal combustion engine or the like. Application.

As the Fig. 2 can be seen in the physical realization of the illustrated embodiment of the principle Fig. 1 produced in this way a very compact and efficient structure, namely a simple to produce and low component cost requiring bracket structure, which may be provided in a simple manner the respective control partner against suitable. In particular, this offers in Fig. 1 shown by way of example housing 23, the possibility not only the core and coil unit 10, 18 receive, but also to design a guide for the pair of plunger units.

The Fig. 3 to 6 illustrate variants of the basic embodiment of the Fig. 1 ; so it is, depending on the positioning ( Fig. 3, 4 ) of the coil unit 18 and / or dimensioning of the coil unit 18 (large winding in FIG Fig. 5 ) possible to suitably influence the course of the field along the core unit or in cooperation with the plurality of ram units, for example in such a way that intentionally force or movement asymmetries are to be generated.

The realizations of the FIGS. 6 . 7 , with a plurality of coils 17, 18, 19 and / or windings (possibly on a common bobbin) offer on the one hand the ability to bring about by superimposing, gegenpoliges or same pole driving the individual coils, targeted field courses to possibly also be able to react situationally. In addition, a bobbin may be about also circuitry to substitute a reversal in polarity of the coil (for an upstream control device), two windings 18, 18 _a carry ( Fig. 7 ), so that then optionally a respective wire pair and consequently only a part of the coil is energized. It is also possible to use a second, not actively energized, coil or winding in order to detect switching states of the relevant actuator device. For example, tappet units will induce corresponding voltages in their movement relative to the core unit, for instance with the permanent magnet units provided at the end abut the additional coil for detection and further processing.

The Fig. 8 shows a further variant; Here, the core unit 30 is configured (E-shape with each provided in the intermediate region of the three legs coil units 42, 44) as a total of three the respective leg ends 46, 48, 50 opposite (not shown) plunger can be individually offset in each case in motion, by varying the wiring or energization of the coils 42, 44.

This principle now seems almost infinitely expandable; like in the FIGS. 11, 12 a core unit 32 can also suitably be provided with legs opposite one another, so that the in Fig. 11 schematically shown double H-shape is formed; only schematically the free legs 46, 48, 50 more free legs 52, 54, 56 are compared; Here, too, permanent magnets corresponding to associated movable plunger units (not shown) are only schematically provided.

Depending on the positioning or arrangement of the permanent magnets can produce the desired movement behavior, as the example of FIGS. 9, 10 (according to the basic embodiment of the Fig. 1 ) can be explained: The Fig. 9 illustrates how the free legs 12, 14 each opposite in the same direction poled permanent magnets 24 and 26; When schematically indicated by the arrows 60 field profile so arises for the plunger unit 20, the downward, for the plunger unit 22, the upward movement. If, on the other hand, cf. Fig. 10 , the permanent magnet 26 reversed, arises at the same arrow lines 60 a common downward movement.

With reference to the FIGS. 12 to 14 and the embodiments outlined therein, it is apparent that a three-dimensional arrangement is also possible and encompassed by the invention, ie that respective free legs do not have to lie in a common plane with each other (or with a connecting section of the core unit) Fig. 12 . 13 in that, purely schematically, the core unit assumes an H-shape, in the physical realization ( Fig. 12 ) However, the free legs of a housing 36 to each other form an acute angle and no 180 ° angle.

The arrangement of Fig. 14 on the other hand shows a cuboid geometry of the plunger units, wherein the respective free legs are connected by connecting element 70, 72 in the manner of a rectangular frame and coil units 74 are then formed on longitudinal portions of the frame. Based on 15 to 18 It will now be described how an additionally inserted flux guide 80 in the manner of a guide disc closes a (permanent) magnetic circuit through the respective permanent magnets, as far as the permanent magnets are decoupled from each other and thus suppresses mutual interference.

Once, as in Fig. 17 If one of the coils is energized, a counterforce to the permanent magnetic circuit is generated (see the area on the right) so that the permanent magnetic field is weakened, neutralized or even repelled the associated ram unit.

Such flux-conducting elements make it possible, in particular, to drastically reduce the switching cycles of the present invention by decoupling mutual interference.

Claims (10)

1. Electromagnetic actuator device comprising:

   a core unit (10; 30; 32) comprising a coil means (18, 18a; 42, 44; 74) which is configured to cooperate with anchor means (20, 22) which are movably guided relative to the core unit in response to the coil means being energised,

   the core unit being configured to cooperate with a plurality of spatially separated plunger units (20, 22) of the anchor means in such a way that an electromagnetic interaction with the plurality of plunger units takes place in response to a coil of the coil means being energised,

   characterised in that

   at least one of the plunger units has permanent magnet means (24; 26) configured to cooperate with the core unit, and the care unit has a yoke or U-shaped configuration and is provided with free leg-side end faces for cooperating with the plurality of plunger units.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the core unit is formed as a single piece.
3. Device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the core unit (30; 32) is either repeatedly U-shaped, E-shaped or H-shaped and is configured to cooperate with a plurality of plunger units corresponding to free legs
4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least two free legs of the core unit are configured to extend in such a way that they do not lie in a shared plane with a connecting portion of the legs.
5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the coil means has at least one coil (18; 18, 18a) extending around a portion of the core unit.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that plunger units of the anchor means are configured by a homopolar or heteropolar provision of permanent magnet means in such a way that two plunger units can be moved in the same or opposite directions when a coil of the coil means is energised.
7. Device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised by magnetic flow guiding means (80) which are provided between at least two of the plurality of plunger units in such a way that reciprocal magnetic influencing of the plunger units is reduced.
8. Device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the coil means has an additional winding which is wired to detect movement and/or the switching state of at least one of the plunger units.
9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, which is configured as a bistable actuator in such a way that at least one of the plurality of plunger units is kept in a respective end position under zero current.
10. Device according to any of claims 1 to 9, configured as a positioning unit for an internal combustion engine, in particular as a positioning unit for camshaft adjustment.

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