WO2003087589A1

WO2003087589A1 - Passive control element

Info

Publication number: WO2003087589A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/003700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus Rein
Original assignee: Coreta Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-04-15
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Also published as: EP1497563A1; DE10217823A1; AU2003224055A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a control element that realizes controlling functions in a small space and with a low consumption of energy whereby being able to absorb high levels of stress. The inventive passive control element comprises a housing (1) that encloses a sealed, fluid-filled clean space (2). All the elements located inside the clean space are protected from soiling. The control element function is realized by means of two force elements consisting of a force introducing element (4) and of a force take-over element (21), whereby both force elements can also be joined as one. Different controlling states are distinguished by different force conveyance possibilities between the force introducing element and the force take-over element. In controlling states, the free-running state and the coupled state are differentiated in that during the coupled state, a transmission of force from the force introducing element to the force take-over element ensues. The invention is particularly advantageous in that a change in the controlling states ensues without a transmission of force, and thus without a transmission of energy, from the controlling mechanism to the force elements.

Description

Passive actuator

description

The invention relates to a passive actuator according to claims 1 and 2.

In technical systems, such as machines, plants, devices and other technical objects, actuators are used for the electrical control of mechanical motion sequences. Actuators such as electromotive drives such as electromagnets or motors, piezoelectric drives or hydraulic and pneumatic drives controlled by valves and pumps are used. Characteristic of all these actuators is an active movement - rotational or linear - of a force-transmitting or force-absorbing actuator of this actuator, which is always associated with a change in position - angle or displacement - of this actuator. The change in position of the actuating element has the purpose of moving other movable functional elements of the corresponding technical system, of directing, restricting, braking or preventing their movement. The movement of the actuator requires a corresponding amount of energy, which is often not appropriate for the functional performance in known solutions. Solutions with a higher energy and spatial efficiency are described in DE 197 17 691 AI or DE 198 10 921 AI and are based on the use of electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids. However, these are very specifically integrated in hydraulic systems in the documents mentioned. The The size of the actuators also often does not correspond to the effect to be achieved. This applies in particular to passive mechanical control movements which are merely intended to prevent, restrict, brake or steer the movement of another element without actively moving this element itself. For example, obstructing the movement of a piston requires only a few grams or milligrams of material, for example for a stop or a locking screw. A corresponding actuator, such as an electromagnet, has a multiple of this mass. In bistable systems that are not operated by motors, the control states are often susceptible to interference from mechanical or magnetic external influences. Last but not least, non-encapsulated systems are very sensitive to environmental influences such as moisture or dirt. In technical systems in which low energy consumption is required or the weight and size of the actuator are to be kept to a minimum, known solutions - especially those for passive control tasks - often place too much strain on the entire construction. Such technical systems are, for example, decentralized systems with electrochemical power supply, subsystems with limited construction space and problematic statics, compact mechatronic systems, microsystems or decentralized, manually operated systems.

The object of the invention is to develop, as a structural unit, an actuator for passive control tasks, which can implement control functions in a small space with low energy consumption and can absorb high loads.

The object is achieved with a passive actuator according to claims 1 and 2. Passive actuators are understood in this document as those in which the freedom of movement of the actuator belonging to the actuator can be changed within the actuator without the actuator changing its position during such an actuation process. The changed control state only becomes effective in relation to a functional element in the overall technical system when this functional element moves against this control element and - depending on the control state - the functional element can continue its movement unhindered by the control element moving or being stopped because the control element is rigid. The movement of the functional element can also be transmitted to the actuating element, which in turn transmits the movement to other movable elements. The actuating element of the actuator is referred to below as a force introduction element or force transmission element.

According to patent claims 1 and 2, the passive actuator according to the invention has a housing which encloses a sealed, fluid-filled clean room. A fluid is understood to mean a flowable medium, for example a liquid, a suspension, an emulsion or a liquid-crystalline material. In claim 1, the fluid can also be a gas, such as air, or there can be a vacuum in the clean room. All elements in the clean room are protected against contamination. This means a great advantage, since no separate safety measures against external contamination have to be taken into account for the internal construction of the actuator. This results in optimal possibilities with regard to the use of materials and construction, which ultimately results in better use of space and greater energy efficiency, for example because of the possibility of implementing low-friction, energy-efficient, filigree structures functionally adapted materials. The actuator function is implemented via two force elements, a force introduction element and a force take-over element, both force elements being able to be combined in one. Different control states differ in the different power transport options between the force application element and the force transmission element. A distinction must be made between actuating states, in particular the freewheeling state and the coupled state, in which a force transmission takes place from the force introduction element to the force absorption element. The force application element must always be arranged so that it can move. In contrast, the force absorption element can also be the actuator itself if the movement of the force introduction element in the actuator - in its frame, frame, housing or other solid part - is blocked and the entire force is transmitted to the actuator itself. In this case, the force introduction element functions functionally at the same time as a force transmission element, since it can take over a locking function in the technical system itself, for example, and patent claim 3 is applicable. In other cases, the force transmission element transmits force to a specially designed force transmission element, which can then act locally independently of the force transmission element in the technical system. A further possibility consists in the direct coupling of the force introduction and force transmission element, the joint movement of which is blocked or released depending on the setting state.

The movable force elements can be designed as a solid adjusting element - for example in the form of a shaft, a piston or another round or angular lifting element - or as an elastic element - for example as a membrane or bellows. They are sealed at the passage point in the housing so that the corresponding clean room conditions can be maintained. The term clean room is intended to be understood in a relative way and refer to the tightness to the environment that is necessary for the respective construction and the respective application. A seal can therefore be designed from hermetically sealed to permeable to gas or liquid, but should at least avoid contamination of the clean room by solid particles, dust, drops or surface-creeping substances. This can be done via sealing elements, over narrow and / or sufficiently long gaps in guide bushes, over permanent connections between elastic force element and housing, such as a welded, soldered or adhesive connection, through the formation of an elastic force element by a during the manufacture of the housing Original or forming process or via other sealing variants.

It is essential that an actuating mechanism consisting of a reaction element in direct interaction with an electrical and / or magnetic field exists in the clean room in the clean room and the reaction element brings about a forced movement to set the actuating states, which assigns a specific coupling to the force elements. The reaction element can be a mechanical element according to claim 1, such as a movable element with a permanent magnet or an element moved by electrostatic fields or by alternating electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. In claim 2, the reaction element is a field-sensitive liquid, such as an electro- or magnetorheological liquid. The reaction element - or the corresponding field-sensitive liquid - reacts directly to an electrical and / or magnetic field. The electrical and / or magnetic field can be generated both in the clean room or carried from the outside, through the actuator, into the clean room. The specific coupling, on the other hand, depends on the field-dependent position of the reaction element or the field-dependent viscosity state of the field-sensitive liquid is brought about by a force-guiding element moved into a corresponding position by the reaction element or by the structure of a flow system which is formed when the viscosity change varies locally. In a passive actuator according to claim 1, a connection between the force elements is established, blocked or released, for example by the movement of a slide or a rotating body initiated via the reaction element, or a free-running element is released to the force introduction element. In a system according to claim 1, which is designed as a hydraulic system, the force guiding element must be designed such that a valve function can be implemented in order to influence - at least partially - a hydraulic connection existing from the force introduction element to the force transmission element, for example as a slide, as a cylinder - or ball valve.

In a passive actuator according to claim 2, the reaction element and force control element are physically identical. Also in a system according to claim 1, the reaction element and force-guiding element can be firmly connected to one another, i.e. physically combined, for example if a permanent magnet is arranged as a reaction element directly within a slide or a rotating element, or an electrostatically movable element immediately has a closing / opening function in or on a valve.

A great advantage according to patent claims 1 and 2 is that the control states are changed without a power transmission - and thus without an energy transmission - from the control mechanism to the force elements. In an actuator according to claim 2, a change in viscosity to change the control state does not produce any force flow anyway. In an actuator according to claim 1, decides the position of the force-guiding element as to whether the force-introducing element can move freely when the force is applied or is blocked and to which force-receiving element there is a coupling. A difference between claim 1 and 2 is that in claim 2, a change of the control states is always possible - although this is not always advantageous - while in claim 1, a change can only be made if the force-guiding element by the position of the force elements - or in hydraulic systems by dynamic or static pressures in the hydraulic medium - is not restricted in its freedom of movement. The actuating mechanism, which is located internally in the actuator, is thus completely decoupled from the force elements, which reach into the external technical system, with regard to a relevant force flow to bring about an actuating state. It is therefore possible to implement the adjusting mechanism with very little energy. The actuating mechanism does not actively transmit power to the force elements - in particular not to set an actuating state - so that there is no change in the position of the force elements when the actuating state changes. The actuator according to the invention thus represents a passive actuator.

The actuator according to the invention enables a multitude of implementation variants and, last but not least, allows solutions to be achieved in the sense of the task.

For example, a liquid-crystalline liquid can also be used as the field-sensitive liquid. A field-dependent change in viscosity can either be used directly to control the flow of force via an emerging flow profile or via a differential method in which two flow areas are placed in parallel. In this way, temperature effects in particular - for example the influence on the viscosity - can be eliminated. In addition to the force elements according to patent claims 1 and 2, further auxiliary force elements can also be used with advantage. For example, further auxiliary force guiding elements can be arranged, which support the setting of the force flow via the force guiding element or the structure of the flow system. A mechanical auxiliary force guiding element can be arranged in an actuator according to claim 2 such that it moves in the flow of the flow system. There are particular advantages here in combination with differential methods, where two competing flow systems act on a force-aid guide element and the force-aid guide element can have a flow-current steering or valve function, for example as a result of dynamic or static pressures occurring.

According to claim 7, further auxiliary power elements can be auxiliary power control elements with which the setting of the current control status can be manually fixed or canceled. Auxiliary control elements do not allow the setting of a target state. They are suitable, for example, in connection with emergency stop systems or for determining an existing control status.

Because of its advantages for energy-saving solutions, an actuator according to claim 1 or 2 can be used particularly advantageously where little energy is available overall. This is the case, for example, in battery, solar or manually operated systems. Special advantages result from the interaction of the actuator with manually generated power and energy according to claims 8 and 9, since the actuator can absorb large forces and thus an unrestricted functionality even in low-energy or self-sufficient systems - for example with solar with or manual-dynamoelectric energy supply - systems can be guaranteed. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that in passive actuators according to claim 1, but also in some according to claim 2, sensor elements for registering the position of the individual parts within the actuators can be arranged particularly easily. This means that the control states can be checked, which means that the control elements can be used in areas with high reliability and safety requirements.

Particular advantages of the solution according to the invention result for small sizes, in particular also for microtechnical orders of magnitude. Since the actuating mechanism is in a clean room and the actuating process is decoupled from the external technical system, passive actuators can be implemented in a simple manner Size are very small, which can absorb or place comparatively large forces and use little energy.

Furthermore, the actuators according to the invention do not require any complicated constructions, which results in low production costs, and they represent independent, easy-to-install modules, as a result of which the assembly or installation effort can be kept low.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment:

The drawings show:

Fig. 1 passive actuator with electromagnet in the clean room and linearly movable force introduction element

Fig. 2 passive actuator with electromagnet in the clean room and rotationally movable force element

3 separate representation of the force introduction element and the force guide element from FIG. 2 Fig. 4 passive actuator with hydraulic power flow and with external electromagnet

5 actuating chamber area of an actuator with electrostatic reaction element (schematic)

6 passive actuator with electrorheological fluid (schematic)

Fig. 7 passive actuator with crystalline liquid and differential pressure principle in the flow system

In Fig. 1, a passive actuator is shown according to claim 1, in which a box-shaped housing 1 encloses a clean room 2. The housing 1 is formed from the rectangular box shown with a closed bottom and a cover, not shown here. It consists of a soft magnetic steel with a high magnetic saturation induction to effectively shield external magnetic interference fields. A force element 3, designed as a pin, leads into the clean room 2, the force introduction element 4, which is held in the basic position shown with a spring 5. The force introduction element 4 passes through a hole in the housing 1 and a guide bush 6 into the clean room 2. The small gap between the hole of the guide bush 6 and the force introduction element 4 and the length of the gap ensure a good seal of the clean room 2 against contamination, in particular against Dust. In the clean room 2 there is an electromagnet 7, consisting of an iron core with pole pieces 8 and coil 9, the wire ends 10 of which are guided outwards through a small hole in the housing 1. Sealing is done with adhesive. Furthermore, there is a reaction element 11 in the clean room 2, which consists of a composite of a 0.1 mm thick brass base 12, a 0.2 mm thick iron layer 13 and a 0.5 mm thick permanent magnet 14 made of a high-performance samarium-cobalt magnet consists. The basic dimension Solutions of the reaction element 11 are 1.5 x 6 mm; on the brass base 12 there is also a 1 mm long and 0.5 mm wide extension 15 which engages in the slot of a force-guiding element 16 designed as a slide. The permanent magnet 14 is magnetized perpendicular to its narrow side. The reaction element 11 is attached to a shaft 17, which - not shown - is guided in bronze bearing bushes, which are located on the bottom and on the cover of the housing 1. If the electromagnet 7 is supplied with direct current, a magnetic field arises which - depending on the direction of the current - acts on the reaction element 11 and rotates it like a rocker around the pivot point of the shaft 17. Due to the extension 15 engaging in the force guide element 16, the force guide element 16 can be placed in front of the force introduction element 4. This position is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1 and would mean that — not shown — the reaction element 11 is located on the corresponding other pole shoe 7. The force-conducting element 16 itself is supported by an abutment 18 with a hole 19 and is guided in a guide slot 20 between the guide bush 6, the electromagnet 7 and the abutment 18. Above and below, the force guide element 16 is supported and guided by the bottom and cover of the housing 1. If the force guide element 16 is not in front of the hole 19, the force introduction element 4 can move freely through the guide slot 20 of the force guide element 16 into the hole 19 when an external force is applied to it. The passive actuator is thus set to freewheel or soft. If, on the other hand, the force-guiding element 16 is located in front of the hole 19, any movement of the force-introducing element 4 on the force-guiding element 16 is stopped and the force flow is immediately transmitted to the housing 1 via force-guiding element 16 and abutment 18 or acts back on the force-introducing element 4. The passive actuator is thus on Blocked or set hard, the force is actually reflected. In this actuating state, the actuator itself or its housing 1 is to be understood as a force transmission element 21 or the force introduction element 4 is to be understood as a combined force element 3 of force transmission element 21 and force transmission element 4. The guide slot 20 must not be blocked for unimpeded adjustment of a respective actuating state, that is to say the force introduction element 4 must be in the basic position shown in FIG. 1. Irrespective of this, neither the force introduction element 4 can influence the respective actuating state, nor does a movement of the force guide element 16 or that of another part in the clean room 2 lead to a force transmission to the force introduction element 4, so that the illustration in FIG. 1 acts as a purely passive actuator.

The reaction element 11 is held on the facing pole shoe 7 with high adhesive forces. A swiveling into the corresponding other position can only take place due to the rotational mounting of the reaction element 11 by a rotational acceleration, since the corresponding mass of the force-guiding element 16 is balanced by a balancing mass 22. The high adhesive forces on the one hand and the low masses of the reaction element 11 and the force-guiding element 16 would require extremely high rotational accelerations here, which cannot be achieved practically, especially when installed. All magnetically active parts, such as the iron parts of the coil and the reaction element 11, are located at a safety distance of at least 0.5 mm from the housing 1. The passive actuator has a low energy consumption of less than 10 mWs per actuation process, has low wear and high operational reliability. Because of the good shielding, because of the high security against manipulation, because of its reliability and because of its robustness, the passive actuator is a very safe technical component, which is also in the security area - for example in the area of locks or locking systems - or in areas of high reliability requirements - in the automotive sector - can be used with advantage.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the representation of an actuator with an analog design as that in Fig. 1, except that the force introduction element 4 is designed as a shaft and is rotated. The force introduction element 4 has a flattened portion 23. A correspondingly designed, rotationally acting spring 5 presses the force introduction element 4 against the stop 24 into a basic position, in which the flat portion 23 is arranged parallel to the cover and bottom of the housing 1. The stop 24 is attached to a bearing element 25 and allows the force introduction element 4 to be rotated through 150 °. The force guide element 16 is formed stronger here than in FIG. 1 and has a fork-like shape. If the force-guiding element 16 is in the freewheeling position shown, the force-introducing element 4 can rotate freely through 150 °; it is softened. If, on the other hand, the reaction element 11 is located on the corresponding other pole piece 8, the fork-shaped part of the force-guiding element 16 is pushed over the flattened portion 23 of the force-introducing element 4. This reliably prevents a possible rotational movement of the force introduction element 4, especially since the force guide element 16 is supported at the top and bottom by the bottom and cover of the housing 1; the passive actuator is hard set. As in FIG. 1, however, a short movement of the force introduction element 4 is always possible and necessary in the blocked actuating state, since in the basic position a certain distance from the Force-guiding element 16 or its movement space must be granted in order to enable an unimpeded adjustment process in the guide slot 20.

The force introduction element 4 is extended beyond the flattened portion 23 - as a shaft - and emerges from the housing 1 on the opposite side to the inlet opening. The extended part thus represents, according to claim 3, a force take-over element 21, which can act in the freewheeling setting state - for example via a pinion 27 - at a different location than the location at which the force introduction element 4 is acted upon by force. There is no increased risk of contamination for the clean room 2, since the corresponding passage locations can be sealed off well with a rotating shaft. An analog connection of the force transmission element 21 would also be possible in the actuator of FIG. 1, but the sealing would not be so easy to achieve there.

FIG. 3 shows a section of the force introduction element 4 at the level of the flat 23 and a side view of the force guide element from FIG. 2 in the same sectional plane.

Fig. 4 shows a hydraulic, passive actuator according to claim 1 in a section in supervision. In a housing 1 made of a non-magnetic alloy, three further round, flat pressure chambers 29 are arranged around a central, round adjusting chamber 28, which are connected to one another in a star shape from the central adjusting chamber 28 by flow paths 30. A radially magnetized permanent magnet 31, which has an angled passage 32, is located in the central actuating chamber 28, supported on a sapphire bearing with very little friction. The holes in the leadthrough 32 emerge from the permanent magnet 31 at an angle of 120 ° on the circumference. The permanent magnet 31 is completely nickel-plated. It simultaneously represents reaction element 11 and force-guiding element 16 of the adjusting mechanism. ermagnet 31 and chamber wall is only a very narrow gap. The pressure chambers 29 terminate on one end face with a membrane (not shown), which were integrated into the housing 1 by an embossing process during manufacture. Otherwise, all chamber walls and the housing 1 itself are rigid, the housing 1 is very robust. The housing 1 is constricted at the level of the actuating chamber 28, so that both pole shoes 7 of an electromagnet arranged outside the actuator are on both sides and in the immediate vicinity of the permanent magnet 31.

The chambers 28 and 29 and the flow paths 30 are completely filled with propanol as a fluid without air pockets. On one side of the constriction there is a pressure chamber 29, the membrane of which represents the force introduction element 4 of the converter. Depending on the position of the permanent magnet 31, one of the two diaphragms on the other side of the passive actuator - on the force transfer side - is always a force transfer element 21, while the other acts as a cover for an expansion tank. If the force introduction element 4 (in FIG. 4 belonging to the left, stand-alone pressure chamber 29) is loaded with a force, the fluid located in this pressure chamber 29 is pressed through the feedthrough 32 into the corresponding pressure chamber 29 with the membrane as the force-transmitting element 21. The membrane lifts up and this force transmission element 21 can perform an external actuating function. In addition to the main flow flow of the fluid shown, there is a leakage flow behavior through the narrow gaps into the respective other pressure chamber 29, which acts as a compensating vessel. If the force introduction element 4 is constantly pressed, there is pressure equalization anyway, so that the membranes are deformed equally on the force transmission side , For actuating tasks, the external actuating paths must therefore be designed in such a way that only one - caused by dynamic loading of the force introduction element 4 - maximum - deformation of the force transmission element 21 - for example with a brief pressure with a thumb on the membrane - can trigger an external actuation process. The actuator is completely hermetically sealed. Apart from the electromagnet, it consists of only three parts: the two-part housing 1 and the permanent magnet 31 and is therefore on the one hand very robust and on the other hand very inexpensive to produce.

In contrast to the previous FIGS. 1-3, in the actuator of FIG. 4 the field acting on the reaction element 11 in the clean room 2 - in this case a magnetic field - is generated outside the housing 1.

5 shows schematically the actuating chamber area of an actuator analogous to that in FIG. 4, but with an electrostatic reaction element 11. The actuating chamber 28 has a very flat structure. It is located at the level of the parting plane between the upper and lower half of the housing 1, which are glued together and electrically insulated from one another. In between and insulated against both halves of the housing 1, the electrostatic reaction element 11 is glued in place. It consists of a very thin, surface-insulated tungsten foil. The flow paths 30 to the pressure chambers 29 on the force transmission side meet on the end face and the flow path 30 to the force introduction side laterally - in the illustration above and below - into the actuating chamber 28. A sufficiently high DC voltage is applied between the reaction element 11 and one half of the housing 1 and above generates an electric field, the reaction element 11 moves to the corresponding side, lies on the opening of the flow path 30 located there and closes it. In this way, the force flow from the force introduction element 4 to a force transmission element 21 can be set. As in FIG. 4, the actuator of FIG. 5 is more suitable for dynamic application of force. Fig. 6 shows schematically a passive actuator according to claim 2. In the flow paths 30 between the pressure chambers 29 on the force absorption side and the pressure chambers 29 on the force transmission side there are fine electrodes 33 in the form of thin pins, which are insulated from each other and against the housing 1. An electrorheological fluid is used as the field-sensitive fluid. When a high voltage is applied between the electrodes 33 and the housing 1, the liquid solidifies. As a result, different force transmission elements 21 can be operated in a very targeted manner. The flow paths 30 thus simultaneously represent control chambers 28.

7 shows the actuating chamber area for a further passive actuator according to claim 2. A crystalline liquid is used as the field-sensitive fluid according to claim 5. The flow paths 30 to the pressure chambers 29 on the force take-up side meet, as in FIG. 5, at the end and those on the force introduction side laterally into the actuating chamber 28. In front of the openings of the flow paths 30 there is a metal plate 34. When a voltage is applied between half of the housing 1 and The metal plate 34, which is electrically insulated therefrom, changes the viscosity of the crystalline liquid, as a result of which a dynamic pressure build-up occurs in the event of a flow of liquid in front of the opening facing this side. A liquid flow coming from the force introduction side and thus the force flow is therefore mainly directed in the direction of the other opening because of the differential pressure. To increase the pressure build-up, it is advantageous if the metal plate 34 is oriented in the direction of the openings to the flow paths 30 by a spring to a central position and is arranged to be movable in the direction of the flow paths 30. The metal plate 34 then represents an auxiliary element according to claim 6. In the case of an asymmetrical The change in viscosity can cause an increase in the liquid flow or the flow of force to a preferred flow path 30 and to a corresponding force transmission element 21.

Actuators of the type shown in the exemplary embodiment are easy to operate manually and could be used, for example, in electronic locks, the generation of the corresponding electrical or magnetic field being associated with the authorization to operate and the actuating process then being able to be initiated manually. Furthermore, the actuators shown can be greatly miniaturized, which is why they can be manufactured in a microtechnical order of magnitude.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Housing 24 stop

Clean room 25 bearing element

Force element 35 26 sealing ring

Force transmission 27 pinion element 28 control chamber

Spring 29 pressure chamber

Guide bushing 30 flow paths

Electromagnet _ 31 permanent magnet

Pole shoe 32 implementation

Coil 33 electrode

Wire ends 34 metal plate

reaction member

Brass base

iron edition

permanent magnet

Ver1ängerung

Kraftleitelement

wave

abutment

hole

guide slot

Load transmission element

Leveling compound

flattening

Claims

claims

1. Passive actuator, which has a housing (1) which encloses a sealed, fluid-filled or vacuum-containing clean room (2), and in which

a piston-like or elastic force introduction element (4) leads to or into the clean room (2),

- at least one force transmission element (21) is arranged in and / or leads out of the clean room (2),

- In the clean room (2) there is an adjusting mechanism consisting of a mechanical reaction element (11) in direct interaction with an electrical and / or magnetic field within the clean room (2),

- An actuating state of the force flow from the force introduction element (4) to a force takeover element (21) is determined by the position of a force guide element (16) moved by the reaction element (11) and

- A change in the control states without a power transmission from the control mechanism to the force introduction element (4) or a force transmission element (21).

2. Passive control element, which has a housing (1) which has a sealed, fluid-filled clean room

(2) encloses, and at the

- a piston-like or elastic force introduction element leads to or into the clean room (2),

at least one force transmission element is arranged in and / or leads out of the clean room (2),

- In the clean room, an adjusting mechanism made of a field-sensitive fluid, the viscosity of which is influenced by an electrical and / or magnetic field, in direct interaction with an electrical one and / or magnetic field exists within the clean room (2),

- An actuating state of the force flow from the force introduction element (4) to a force transmission element (21) is determined by the structure of the flow system of the field-sensitive fluid as a result of local change in viscosity and

3. Passive actuator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the force introduction element (4) and force transmission element (21) are combined in a force element (3).

4. Passive actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction element (11) and force guide element (16) are firmly combined with one another in a common element.

5. Passive actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that the field-sensitive liquid is a crystalline liquid.

6. Passive actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that auxiliary force guide elements (34) are arranged which support the setting of the force flow via the force guide element (16) or the structure of the flow system.

7. Passive actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an auxiliary element is arranged which fixes or cancels the setting of the current actuating state.

8. Passive actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force introduction element (4) is acted upon by force, which is of manual origin.

9. Passive actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric or / and magnetic field acting in the clean room (2) is generated and / or changed in a manual manner.

10. Passive actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size has a microtechnical order of magnitude.