EP3443571B1 - Electromagnetic actuating device which is monostable in the currentless state and use of such an actuating device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a currentless monostable electromagnetic actuator. The present invention also relates to a use of such a currentless, monostable electromagnetic actuating device.

Electromagnetic actuating devices are to be assumed to be generally known from the prior art. For example, reveals the DE 201 14 466 U1 from the applicant a bistable electromagnetic actuator device as an adjusting device, which has an armature unit with permanent magnet means and a tappet unit which is elongated along a direction of movement and is seated on the armature unit. This permanent magnetic armature unit is driven by stationary electromagnetic drive means in the form of a stationary core unit to which a coil unit that can be suitably energized is assigned. In particular for the purpose of improving an extension of the armature unit, ie a movement of the armature unit away from a currentlessly stable first (pushed-in) setting position made possible by permanent magnetic adhesive effect on the core unit, a compression spring can additionally be provided, which the armature unit in the direction of detachment from the core unit pretensioned. The entire arrangement is enclosed by a magnetically conductive housing, which closes the magnetic circuit necessary for movement, and which in the extended armature position, ie released from the stationary core unit, in cooperation with the armature-side permanent magnet means, offers an opposing adhesive position so that the from the DE 201 14 466 U1 is a bistable device.

At the end and in relation to an engagement or actuating partner, in the described prior art an adjustment groove of an internal combustion engine designed for camshaft adjustment, the tappet section forms an engagement or engagement section, which is particularly suitable for engaging in and on this adjustment groove when the armature is extended Way then to carry out the intended camshaft adjustment. In this prior art, resetting (returning) the anchor unit including the tappet section into the pushed-in (pushed back) position on the core unit usually takes place through the action of the actuating or engagement partner, here specifically through a suitable design of the groove profile.

Not only in the technical field of the camshaft adjustment of internal combustion engines, such a technology, which is assumed to be known, has become generally accepted, with the fact that the technology is widely used in addition to the high number of switching cycles and long service lives of the known devices, in particular that it can be manufactured and installed automatically.

Furthermore, the WO 2011/026553 the applicant developed a bistable electromagnetic actuating device in which, in turn, an armature unit provided with permanent magnet means can be moved between two actuating positions in response to an energization of a stationary coil unit, with an engagement section being provided axially at both ends to interact with a suitably assigned unit as an actuating partner. In turn, the permanent magnet means provided on the armature side ensure that the armature unit is kept stable at both ends, ie in the respective opposite end stop positions, in other words, the armature unit remains stable in the respective end stop position without renewed energization of the coil unit or without external interference. At this state of the Technology, the release or return to a respective opposite of the stop positions takes place by reversing the polarity of the current supply to the coil unit, so that the respective end or stop positions can also be reached in a controlled manner in this way.

However, especially in a motor vehicle context (but not only here, the same also applies to various applications of industrial control technology), it is often necessary to ensure, in addition to a currentless stable position or end position, that a defined movement or the setting position of the armature unit is assumed by the setting device - this is also referred to as "fail safe" and counteracts the problem that, with the bistable setting devices described from the prior art, the respective (opposite) end positions can be reached and held reliably (also de-energized), but especially after an (unintentional) power failure, it is often no longer possible to understand which setting process was last carried out and, accordingly, at which setting position the armature unit including the tappet section is located. This then leads to indefinite and potentially damaging adjustment processes.

In principle, it is of course possible to design the actuating devices described in relation to the prior art in a monostable manner, for example by automatically resetting to only one of the two actuating positions when no current is applied, for example by means of springs or the like to generate a counterforce. However, especially with the technologies described, this is not unproblematic and potentially disadvantageous because the armature-side permanent magnet means, in particular in a (typical) magnetically conductive housing of the actuating device (which is usually also necessary to effect the actuating functionality) stick to the respective end positions, i.e. there then - bistable - first create the adhesive effect. In addition, there is the fact that a spring that generates a restoring or counter force reduces the efficiency of the overall arrangement, because by moving (out) from the core-side stop position, in addition to the permanent magnetic attraction already acting there, then also the counter force of this resetting spring must be overcome. In addition to disadvantageous consequences for the efficiency, this also leads to poorer dynamic behavior, ie armature acceleration decreases and the time required to extend the armature unit including the tappet section increases accordingly, which is often to be avoided in motor vehicle environments.

In addition, especially in the case of the first-mentioned, widespread prior art DE 201 14 466 U1 The disadvantage is that a compression spring releasing the armature unit from the first set position is often only provided there to improve this dynamic behavior, so that a (theoretically conceivable) return spring would initially be counterproductive or problematic here too.

Furthermore, from the prior art, the DE 10 2007 057882 A1 known, which comprises a first and a second coil unit having coil means for influencing the switching behavior of an armature unit adjustable along a longitudinal axis of movement.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create an electromagnetic actuating device which, in addition to favorable dynamic properties, in particular the rapid movement of an armature unit having permanent magnet means from a first (retracted) actuating position to a second (extended) actuating position, a calculable, in the currentless or in the de-energized case has predeterminable resetting behavior, in particular structurally simple and with little Hardware expenditure can be produced and can also be produced in an automated manner for large-scale production.

The object is achieved by the currentless monostable electromagnetic actuating device with the features of the main claim; advantageous Further developments of the invention are described in the subclaims. Independent protection within the scope of the invention is claimed for a use of a currentless, monostable electromagnetic actuating device according to the invention for setting an operating mode of a vehicle assembly, gear locking being a particularly preferred form of this use.

In an advantageous manner according to the invention, the coil means according to the invention firstly have a second coil unit provided in addition to the first coil unit, which according to the invention is wired or can be wired in such a way that this second coil unit when the armature unit moves from the first (typically not extended) setting position into the second (extended) setting position also has an accelerating effect on the armature unit. This advantageously ensures that in spite of the energy storage device (such as a spring) provided according to the invention and set up for resetting, there is no adverse effect on the dynamic behavior when extending; rather, the second coil unit in accordance with the invention eliminates any adverse counter or restoring force of the energy storage means from the second Coil unit compensated or even overcompensated.

In the context of preferred embodiments of the invention, it can be useful to continue to energize the first and the second coil unit (alternatively: the second coil unit also insulates with appropriate wiring) if, after the extension (ie moving the armature unit into the second setting position) this second position is reached. Advantageously, it is achieved and impressed by corresponding energizing means connected or connected upstream of the first or second coil unit, to lower the flowing current compared to the movement and thus to ensure an extended (nevertheless energized) armature position with reduced electrical energy consumption.

In addition, according to the invention, the coil means have resetting coil means which are designed or wired in such a way that they have a reinforcing effect on the energy storage means when resetting, namely returning the armature unit from the second to the first setting position, i.e. an additional resetting force rectified to the energy storage means ( e.g. the return spring). This then not only ensures, namely through the action of the energy storage means, monostability and the achievement of a stable, clear control state in the de-energized state (in the sense of the fail-safe requirement), the reset coil means according to the invention also advantageously make it possible that the resetting movement is not caused by the spring means must take place alone, but rather in an activated or energized state of the device a controlled, dynamic (ie rapid) return from the second to the first setting position can take place.

The present invention thus realizes in a surprisingly simple way a functionality which combines the dynamic advantages of a known bidirectional, nevertheless bistable actuating device with the need to bring about a currentless, stable, unambiguous actuating state without this adversely affecting the actuating, efficiency and dynamic properties of the invention .

In particular against the background of ensuring an operationally reliable return of the armature unit to the first setting position in the de-energized or de-energized state of all coil units, the restoring force of the energy storage means is advantageously set up according to the invention (i.e., for example by suitable dimensioning of spring means to be provided for this), that it restoring force is greater than a permanent magnetic adhesive force of the permanent magnet means at the second setting position, this adhesive force for example in relation to a surrounding housing of the adjusting device (which is then otherwise known would allow an exit of the plunger section) would take place.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the reset coil means are advantageously implemented as an additional coil unit so that as a third coil unit to be provided in addition to the first and the second coil unit, which is further preferably provided in the area of the second actuating position or is thus placed electromagnetically in the predetermined or emerging flux circuits, that this additional coil unit as a resetting coil means can exert the desired resetting force (ie in the same direction as the resetting force of the energy storage means or superimposing it). Structurally and geometrically, it is particularly preferred to provide this additional coil unit axially adjacent to the second coil unit ("axial" in the context of the invention is understood to mean the direction of extension or movement of the armature unit including the typically elongated plunger section). Usually, within the scope of such a configuration, this additional coil unit would then also cooperate in the context of a coil magnetic flux with a stationary core section which, according to the invention, is assigned to the second coil unit and thus usually axially opposite a stop for the armature unit on the first that determines the first setting position or a stop for the armature unit Positioning position forming core unit is provided.

Developments according to the invention provide different variants of the energy storage means according to the invention - which in the manner discussed above ensure the currentless, monostable return and thus the desired fail-safe behavior with regard to a predetermined setting position: on the one hand, it is within the scope of a preferred embodiment it is preferred to realize this energy storage means, typically as a compression spring, as a spring acting externally on the armature unit in the region of the engagement section. Such a variant is particularly suitable for those exemplary embodiments in which the plunger end, in addition to interacting with the actuating partner, is also suitable or designed favorably for receiving a compression spring acting here or engaging the anchor unit. In addition or as an alternative, this can also be done indirectly via deflection means, for example a rocker arm or similar mechanical units then applying a restoring force from spring means which do not act directly on the armature unit in the manner according to the patent.

As an alternative or in addition, a (resetting) compression spring can also be provided in a device housing itself and be provided, for example, in a suitable manner axially at a predetermined position of the armature unit or its tappet section. Here it could be useful and structurally elegant to design the compression spring as a spiral spring so that it surrounds the tappet section and is supported approximately axially at one end by the permanent magnet means armature section (which is usually widened compared to the tappet section).

As a result, the present invention enables the implementation of a monostable adjusting device that assumes a defined adjusting state in the de-energized state in a simple and elegant manner, which combines structural simplicity with favorable, advantageous adjusting properties in both adjusting directions, without any energy storage means that cause a return to adversely affect the behavior. The present invention is therefore outstandingly suitable for a purpose in the area of setting an operating mode of a vehicle assembly such as a motorcycle transmission, although the present invention is not necessarily restricted to such a purpose.

Fig. 1:

eine Längsschnittansicht der elektromagnetischen Stellvorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung (ohne Federmittel);

Fig. 2:

ein Prinzipschaltbild zur Bestromung der drei Spuleneinheiten im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

mit Teilfiguren (a) bis (c) verschiedene Varianten zum Vorsehen der erfindungsgemäßen Kraftspeichermittel an der Ankereinheit im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1;

Fig. 4:

eine Längsschnittansicht durch die elektromagnetische Stellvorrichtung gemäß einem nicht von der Erfindung umfassten Beispiel.

Fig. 5:

mit Teilfiguren (a) bzw. (b) mögliche schematische Schaltbilder zum umpolenden Bestromen der zwei Spuleneinheiten im Beispiel der Fig. 4 und

Fig. 6:

mit Teilfiguren (a) bis (c) verschiedene Varianten zum Vorsehen der erfindungsgemäßen Kraftspeichermittel an der Ankereinheit im Beispiel der Fig. 4.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings; these show in

Fig. 1:

a longitudinal sectional view of the electromagnetic actuating device according to a first embodiment of the invention (without spring means);

Fig. 2:

a basic circuit diagram for energizing the three coil units in the embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3:

with sub-figures (a) to (c) different variants for providing the energy storage means according to the invention on the anchor unit in the embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4:

a longitudinal sectional view through the electromagnetic actuating device according to an example not covered by the invention.

Fig. 5:

with partial figures (a) and (b) possible schematic circuit diagrams for reversing the polarity of the two coil units in the example of FIG Fig. 4 and

Fig. 6:

with sub-figures (a) to (c) different variants for providing the energy storage means according to the invention on the anchor unit in the example of FIG Fig. 4 .

In the following discussion of the exemplary embodiments, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent components in the electromagnetic actuating devices of the respective embodiment.

For example, the longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 an armature unit 12 which can be moved along a longitudinal axis 10 and which has a permanent magnet disk 16 at a first end directed towards a first core unit 14, which is delimited axially at both ends by flux guide disks 18, 20. This permanent magnet unit is followed by an elongated plunger section 22 of the armature unit, which extends along the axial direction in the center of a comprehensive cylindrical housing 24 up to a (in the Fig. 1 The open housing end shown on the bottom side, from which an engagement section 26 - designed to interact with an actuating partner provided here in a motorcycle transmission - is formed.

Approximately from the prior art according to DE 201 14 466 U1 As is known, the first stationary core element 14 is enclosed by a first coil unit 28, which has a first winding 30 on a coil carrier 32 (implemented as a plastic injection-molded part, for example). On the end face, ie at the end of the housing 24 opposite the engagement section 26, this is closed in an otherwise known manner in a magnetically flux-conducting manner, that, in response to a current flow to the first winding 30 (here by a supply line structure 34 shown schematically), the coil 30 repels the permanent magnet means 26 and thus along the axial direction in the drawing of FIG Fig. 1 downward force input forms. The arrangement is configured in such a way that this repulsive effect (already) is sufficient to overcome the permanent magnetic adhesive force of the assembly 16 on the first core 14, so that this movement can take place.

In the context of the embodiment shown, this movement is additionally supported by a second coil unit 36, which has a second winding 38 wound on a plastic coil carrier 40. This winding 38, supplied via the supply line arrangement 34, is also supplied with power in order to move the armature unit out of the (first) set position of the Fig. 1 downward so energized (and is set up or polarized) that the coil 38 exerts a force supporting the repulsion by the first coil unit 28 on the permanent magnet unit 16, in other words, additionally exerts a pulling effect to improve the acceleration and dynamic properties correspondingly positive influence on a short setting and movement time of the anchor in a second setting position directed downwards onto a second stationary core 42, this second setting position, possibly still spaced apart by an anchor adhesive disc provided on the anchor side, being limited by a stop formed by the second core 42 . The second core unit - circumferentially surrounding the plunger section 22 in the manner shown and thus offering a guide for it - together with the second coil 38 and an associated shell-side section of the housing 24 forms a magnetic flux circuit that realizes the described reinforcing actuating effect of the second coil unit.

The return of a movement of the armature unit extended in the described manner (ie directed downwards in the direction of a stop on the second core 42) takes place against a restoring force in the Fig. 1 not shown, the anchor unit in an upward direction (ie back to the first set position on the first core 14) biasing the spring unit, as shown schematically in connection with FIG Fig. 3 and the partial figures are shown as variants (a) to (c): otherwise structurally identical to the longitudinal sectional view of FIG Fig. 1 Various possibilities are shown here as to how a compression spring 44 can apply the described restoring force, directed in the direction back to the first actuating position, into the armature unit or can also bring about such a restoring with appropriate compression. This shows about the Fig. 3 (a) in a schematic way a spring element directed at the front end of the engagement section 26, as possible alternatives the partial figure (b) a compression spring via a rocker arm 46 (only shown schematically), while again as an alternative (but also if necessary with the provision of two springs ) the spring element 44 in partial image (c) of the Fig. 3 is received in the interior of the housing 24 in such a way that the compression spring 44, surrounding the plunger section 22 adjacent to the permanent magnet unit, is supported at one end by a stop surface of the second core 42 and at the other end engages the flux guide disk 20 directed towards the second core.

In this case, a spring force or a force behavior of the spring 44 is set up so that the spring force at the second setting position (i.e. at the stop of the armature unit, not shown in the figures, or its permanent magnet means 16 on the second core 42) does not adhere or (permanently magnetically) adhere Adhesion to the core occurs, rather this permanent magnetic adhesive force is overcome by the above-described restoring force of the spring element 44.

In addition, the first embodiment of FIG Figs. 1 to 3 a third coil unit 50, which in the illustrated embodiment is provided axially and in the direction of the first coil unit 28 adjacent to the second coil unit 36; In the exemplary embodiment described, the coil carrier 54 carrying a third coil (winding) of the third coil unit is also designed to be modularly assembled, alternatively in one piece, with the coil carrier 40 of the second coil unit 36, so that these units are particularly suitable for compact and potentially automated production and assembly suitable.

In the exemplary embodiment described, the third coil 32 is wired or set up in such a way that during the described actuating process from the first (on the core 14) to the second (on the core 42) actuating position, the third coil remains de-energized, but then in a resetting operation - at de-energized state of the first and the second coil - the third coil exerts a restoring force on the armature unit in the direction of the first setting position, insofar as the restoring force of the restoring spring 44 is superimposed or reinforced.

The circuit diagram of the Fig. 2 illustrates such an interconnection; the switches 56 shown (for the arrangement of the first coil 30 and second coil 38) and 58 (for the third coil 52) are alternatively closed and thus determine the operating state for moving the when the switch 56 is closed and the switch 58 is open Armature unit from the first to the second set position, while the reversed switch state (switch 56 open and switch 58 closed) causes the third coil 52 to return to the first set position, supported by the spring return force of the spring unit 44. It becomes clear that, in particular, this measure also makes the resetting process run dynamically and accelerated and thus enables monostability that depends on the possible adhesive behavior of the permanent magnet 16 is not adversely affected at the second armature, but rather this is compensated for by the coil 52.

At the same time it becomes clear that even in the case of no current supply, i.e. also in the case of a power failure condition that is potentially problematic in the prior art, the resetting effect of the spring 44 ensures that the armature unit is safely and defined return to the first setting position ( on the first core 14) is ensured, so that even in a completely non-energized operating phase it is ensured that the armature unit 12 with its engagement-side end 26 is in a defined currentless and rest position (fail-safe), here in a withdrawn (upper) operating state the Fig. 1 .

The example not encompassed by the invention Figures 4 to 6 structurally corresponds almost completely to the first embodiment of FIG Figs. 1 to 3 The only difference is that the example not encompassed by the invention only has the first coil unit 28 and the second coil unit 36, but not the third additional reset coil unit 50. In this respect, an axially shorter and thus potentially more compact device can be realized. Nevertheless, like the circuit diagrams of Fig. 5 (a) or (b) illustrate, via the spring-operated resetting of the spring element 44 (in this respect the function of the variants of the Fig. 6 (a) to (c) equivalent and analogous to Fig. 3 (a) to (c) the first embodiment) ensures an electromagnetic reset, but this is done by reversing the polarity of the interconnected coil pair 30, 38: In the illustrative example described, a pair of switches 60, 62 would provide the coils 30 and 38 with a current of a first polarity, such as to realize the armature movement already described in connection with the first exemplary embodiment from the first setting position ( Fig. 4 ) in the downwardly directed second set position on the second core 42 is the case. In contrast, the (the spring 44) would support restoring by a The polarity of the current supply to the coil pair 30, 38 is reversed in such a way that during this electromagnetically assisted resetting the switches 60, 62 are opened and instead switches 64, 66 apply the current to the coil pair 30, 38 with the opposite polarity. This then leads to the coil 30 (polarity reversal) exerting an attractive force on the permanent magnet 16 and the coil 38 exerting a repulsive force on these permanent magnets, with the effect that overall a permanent magnetic restoring force superimposed on the spring restoring force in the direction of the upper Attack on the first core 14 takes place. It is both possible according to Fig. 5 (a) to form a parallel connection of the coils, as well as, in the alternative circuit diagram of the Fig. 5 (b) to provide this as a series connection.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown; in particular, the design, arrangement and configuration of the individual coil units can be changed or varied in a suitable manner, as the present invention is not limited to the preferred use of a lock for a (motorcycle) transmission . Rather, the present invention is suitable for any application in which, with permanent magnetic armature functionality, dynamic actuating behavior in both axial actuating directions is to be combined with monostability in the de-energized state or a defined fail-safe reset position.

Claims (9)

1. An currentless monostable electromagnetic actuating device comprising an armature unit (12), which has permanent magnetic means (16) and is movable relative to stationary coil means (28, 50, 36) in reaction to energization thereof along a movement longitudinal axis (10) between at least two actuation positions,
   which armature unit (12) has an engagement section (26) for interacting with a plunger section (22), which provides an actuation partner and which armature unit (12) can be moved from a first of the actuation positions, which is stable in the currentless state as result of an effect of the permanent magnetic means (16), into a second of the actuation positions against a restoring force of force storage means (44), in particular spring means,
   wherein the coil means (28, 50, 36) have a first coil unit (28), which is connected or can be connected in order to bring about a force, which acts on the armature unit (12) and which releases the armature unit (12) from the first actuation position,
   wherein
   the coil means (28, 50, 36) have a second coil unit (36), which is provided in addition to the first coil unit (28) and is connected or can be connected in such a way that during the movement, the second coil unit (36) applies to the armature unit a force (12), which accelerates the armature unit (12),
   and wherein the coil means (28, 50, 36) have restoring coil means (50; 28, 36), which are embodied and/or connected in such a way that when the armature unit (12) is returned from the second into the first actuation position, said restoring coil means (50; 28, 36) boost the restoring force of the force storage means (44), characterized in that the restoring coil means (50, 28, 36) are realized as an additional coil unit (50).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the restoring force of the force storage means (44) acting on the armature unit (12) at the second actuation position is greater than a permanent magnetic adhesive force of the permanent magnetic means (16) at the second actuation position.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional coil unit (50) is provided in the area of the second actuation position and/or acts on the armature unit (12) in a restoring manner.
4. The device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the additional coil unit (50) is in particular provided axially adjacent to the second coil unit (36), preferably on a joint coil carrier (32, 40, 54), and/or is provided so as to magnetically interact with a stationary core section (42) assigned to the second coil unit (36).
5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that energizing means are connected upstream or can be connected upstream of the first coil unit (28) and the second coil unit (36) in such a way that, in the case of the armature unit (12) being located in the second actuation position, a continued energization of the first (28) and of the second coil unit (36) takes place, which introduces a lower current, in particular decreased by at least 20 %, more preferably by at least 40 %, into the first (28) and second coil unit (36) as compared to an energization, which follows during the movement into the second actuation position.
6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the force storage means are realized as a compression spring (44) acting on the armature unit (12), in particular in the area of the engagement section.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the compression spring engages externally with the armature unit (12) via deflecting means (46), in particular via a tilt lever.
8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the compression spring is integrated in a housing of the electromagnetic actuating device and/or encompasses the plunger section, in particular axially adjacent to the permanent magnetic means.
9. A use of the currentless monostable electromagnetic actuating device, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for setting an operating mode of a vehicle unit, in particular of a motorcycle transmission, wherein the force storage means (44) can establish a defined operating state in the currentless state of the actuating device for moving the armature unit (12) into the first actuation position.

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