ACTUATOR AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

Abstract

An actuator (1) having an energy accumulator (6), with which an emergency drive (5) can be supplied, is configured to be tensioned by an electric motor (2). The motor (2) displaces at least one engaging element (41, 42) of the energy accumulator (6), on which a restoring force of the energy accumulator (6) acts, along an actuating travel in normal operating mode.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. An actuating drive (1), comprising: a motor (2); an output (4) which is driveable by the motor (2) and is couplable to a fitting; an emergency drive (5) with an energy store (6), by which the output (4) is driveable as an alternative to the motor (2), the energy store (6) being a pneumatic energy store (7); the energy store (6) including a pressure chamber (8) with an expandable volume; wherein, during operation of the emergency drive, an expansion movement of the pressure chamber (8) is conducted to the output (4); and the energy store (6) is loaded by the motor (2) by actuation of the motor (2) against an end position of the actuating drive (1).

18. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the pressure chamber (8) is closed to outside during operation.

19. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one of a) the energy store (6) is connected to a monitoring device (12) which is configured to monitor an operating pressure (13) of the energy store (6), or b) the energy store (6) is connected to a filling device (14) which is configured to increase an operating pressure (13) of the energy store (6) via a supply of air.

20. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy store (6) has at least one pressure chamber (8) which is delimited by a pot (16) and a piston (17) which is guided movably in the pot (16), a seal (18) being located between the piston (17) and the pot (16), the seal (18) dividing the pressure chamber (8) into two part chambers which are connected fluidically.

21. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one of a) one of the two part chambers (19, 20) is configured in the piston (17), or one b) of the two part chambers (19, 20) is configured in the pot (16).

22. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a further pressure chamber (23) connected fluidically to the pressure chamber (8), and at least one of a) the further pressure chamber (23) enclosing the pressure chamber (8) or b) the further pressure chamber (23) being delimited by an outer side (25) of the pot (16).

23. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy store (6) has two acting elements which are pressable together against one another and counter to a restoring force.

24. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy store (6) has a spring force accumulator (46).

25. The actuating drive (1) as claimed claim 1, wherein the emergency drive (5) and the motor (2) are arranged in series in relation to the output (4), with the emergency drive (5) being arranged in a drive train between the motor (2) and the output (4), or the emergency drive (5) and the motor (2) are arranged in parallel in relation to the output (4).

26. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the emergency drive (5) and the motor (2) are coupled to one another such that at least one of torques or forces which are generated in each case are superimposed at the output (4).

27. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the motor (2) is drive-connected via a self-locking gear mechanism (31) to the output (4), to a coupling point (35) of the motor (2) and the emergency drive.

28. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy store (6) has a detector configured to detect achieving of a loaded state of the energy store (6).

29. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy store (6) has a locking apparatus (36) configured to block a discharge of the energy store (6).

30. The actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the output (4) is at least one of a rotational or a translational output (4).

31. A method for charging an energy store (6) of the actuating drive (1) as claimed in claim 17, the method comprising: moving the actuating drive (1) using the motor (2) against an end stop, operating the motor (2) until the energy store (6) is charged; and loading the energy store (6) with the motor (2) by actuation of the motor (2) against an end position of the actuating drive (1).

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising: switching off the motor (2) when a loaded state of the energy store (6) is detected.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising: automatically blocking the energy store (6) against a discharge in a charged state.

34. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein during operation of the emergency drive, relieving the energy store (6) until a limit position switch (29) of an actuating travel of the actuating drive (1) is actuated.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein in order to charge the energy store (6), at least one acting element of the energy store (6), on which a restoring force of the energy store (6) acts, is moved along an actuating travel thereof during normal operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will now be described in greater detail on the basis of one exemplary embodiment, but is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments result from the combination of the features of individual or multiple claims among one another and/or with individual or multiple features of the exemplary embodiment.

[0049] In the drawings:

[0050] FIG. 1 shows an actuating drive according to the invention in a first actuating position in a view of the output in a partially open illustration,

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in a view of the rear side and of the partially open energy store,

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in an intermediate position,

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the actuating drive from FIG. 3 in a view from behind of the partially open energy store,

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in a lower or second actuating position,

[0055] FIG. 6 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 5 in a view from behind of the partially open energy store,

[0056] FIG. 7 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 6 after unlocking of the emergency drive with a completely drained emergency drive,

[0057] FIG. 8 shows the actuating drive from FIG. 3 with an unlocked and completely drained emergency drive,

[0058] FIG. 9 shows the actuating drive according to FIG. 8 in a view from behind with a removed energy store,

[0059] FIG. 10 shows the pot of the energy store of the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in a partially cut-away illustration,

[0060] FIG. 11 shows the piston with the output of the energy store of the actuating drive according to FIG. 1,

[0061] FIG. 12 shows an enlargement of a lower region of the assembled energy store of the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in a sectional illustration,

[0062] FIG. 13 shows the locking apparatus of the energy store of the actuating drive according to FIG. 1 in an unlocked position in a partially cut-away illustration,

[0063] FIG. 14 shows the locking apparatus according to FIG. 13 in a locking position,

[0064] FIG. 15 shows an enlargement from FIG. 1 with an upper limit position switch,

[0065] FIG. 16 shows a circuit diagram in order to explain the method of operation of an actuating drive according to the invention,

[0066] FIG. 17 shows a further actuating drive according to the invention with a spring force accumulator as energy store in an axial section,

[0067] FIG. 18 shows the actuating drive from FIG. 17 without a handwheel and a motor in an axial section which is rotated by 90° with respect to FIG. 17,

[0068] FIG. 19 shows the actuating drive from FIG. 18 without a housing in a three-dimensional oblique view of the energy store,

[0069] FIG. 20 shows the actuating drive from FIG. 19 without an output in a side view, and

[0070] FIG. 21 shows the locking apparatus of the actuating drive from FIG. 17 in an axial view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The figures will be described jointly in the following text.

[0072] An actuating drive which is denoted overall by 1 has a motor 2 which can be actuated by way of an output 3 in a manner known per se.

[0073] The actuating drive 1 has an output 4 which can be coupled in a manner known per se to a fitting (not shown in greater detail here). This fitting can therefore be actuated by way of the motor 2. For example, it can therefore be opened and/or closed by motor.

[0074] Moreover, the actuating drive 1 has an emergency drive 5, by way of which the output 4 can likewise be driven, for example when an energy supply of the electric motor 2 is interrupted.

[0075] To this end, the emergency drive 5 is fed from an energy store 6.

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment, the actuating drive 1 has a linearly movable output 4.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures which are shown, the energy store 6 is configured by way of example as a pneumatic energy store 7.

[0078] This pneumatic energy store 7 has a pressure chamber 8 which encloses an expandable volume 9 tightly to the outside.

[0079] The emergency drive 5 is driven by way of the expansion movement of this expandable volume 9 on account of a positive pressure in the pressure chamber 8.

[0080] FIG. 16 shows a pressure intensifier 10 which is connected to the pneumatic energy store 7 and which is fed from a gas supply 11 (shown here by way of example as a compressed air supply).

[0081] The pressure intensifier 10 is optional: for example, the compressed air supply can provide 6 bar of compressed air, and this pressure can be raised via the shown pressure intensifier 10, for example, to 10.5 bar without a further energy source. This option can be required or favorable if a supply pressure is insufficient in order to achieve the required force.

[0082] Here, a monitoring device 12 can be configured to detect an instantaneous operating pressure 13 in the pressure chamber 8 and to actuate a filling device 14 which can comprise the pressure intensifier 10 if the operating pressure 13 falls below a predefined value. In this way, the operating pressure 13 can be set or regulated by way of the filling device 14.

[0083] In the case of further exemplary embodiments, for example in the case of a gas supply which provides a different gas than compressed air, the monitoring device 12 can also be connected directly to the gas supply 11.

[0084] A pressure relief valve 15 protects the energy store 6 against overloading.

[0085] The pneumatic energy store 7 has a pot 16, in which a piston 17 is guided movably.

[0086] The abovementioned expansion movement is based on a movement of the piston 17 in the pot 16, which movement is driven by an operating pressure 13 which lies above the ambient pressure.

[0087] A circumferential seal 18 which seals the pressure chamber 8 to the outside is configured between the piston 17 and the pot 16.

[0088] In this way, the piston 17 and the pot 16 form two acting elements 41, 42 which can be moved toward one another counter to a pressure-induced restoring force.

[0089] The seal 18 delimits an imaginary dividing plane between a first part chamber 19 in the pot 16 and a second part chamber 20 in the piston 17. The first part chamber 19 is connected fluidically to the second part chamber 20 via communication openings 21.

[0090] When the piston 17 is extended in the pot 16, the seal 18 passes through the space 22 in the interior of the pot.

[0091] This space 22 is taken up by the second part chamber 20 before the expansion movement.

[0092] A further pressure chamber 23 which likewise uses the pot 16 as a bounding means is configured radially outside the pot 16. The further pressure chamber 23 is connected fluidically to the first part chamber 19, with the result that an air filling can flow with an overflow into the first part chamber 19.

[0093] As a result of this overall design which is nested inside one another, an axial installation space 24 of the non-expanded energy store can be designed in a minimum manner.

[0094] Here, the outer side 25 of the pot 16 forms an inner bounding means of the further pressure chamber 23.

[0095] As a result, a radial space requirement 26 of the energy store can be selected to be at a minimum.

[0096] The actuating drive 1 is equipped with two stops 27, 28 for in each case one end position. Here, the stop 27 serves for a first or upper end position of the actuating drive 1, as is shown in FIG. 1.

[0097] The stop 28 serves to define a further or lower end position of the actuating drive 1, as is shown in FIG. 5.

[0098] Here, the stop 27 has a first limit position switch 29, and the stop 28 has a second limit position switch 30.

[0099] A self-locking gear mechanism 31, for example a worm gear mechanism, is configured between the motor 2 and the output 4. The self-locking gear mechanism 31 has the function that the motor side cannot be driven in reverse via the output 4.

[0100] A spindle drive 32 which is configured here by way of example as a recirculating ball spindle is connected downstream of the self-locking gear mechanism 31.

[0101] In the case of further exemplary embodiments, the spindle drive 32 can as an alternative be of self-locking configuration, for example via a trapezoidal spindle. A further self-locking gear mechanism 31 can be dispensed with.

[0102] The motor side therefore forms a supporting point 34 for the action of the emergency drive 5 which is still to be described in more precise detail.

[0103] In the following text, the method of operation of the actuating drive 1 according to the invention will be described in greater detail on the basis of the movement sequence in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0104] The starting point is the situation according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The energy store 6 is compressed completely, and the actuating drive 1 is moved into its upper actuating position which is defined by way of the stop 27. A connected fitting (not shown) is in a first functional end position.

[0105] The associated first limit position switch 29 is actuated.

[0106] If the actuating drive 1 is then actuated, the energy store 6 moves together with the output 4 in the direction of the stop 28 on account of the spindle drive 32.

[0107] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an intermediate state of this movement.

[0108] Since the output 4 moves, the connected fitting is transferred into its second functional end position or is positioned in every intermediate position for regulation of the volumetric flow, in particular in a regulating operation.

[0109] This actuating movement can be continued until the stop 28 is reached and a second limit position switch 30 on this stop 28 is actuated.

[0110] FIGS. 5 and 6 show this situation.

[0111] If the emergency drive 5 is then triggered, a mechanical connection between the first acting element 41 and the second acting element 42, that is to say, between the pot 16 and the piston 17 here, is released. As will be described in more precise detail in the following text, this mechanical connection is released by way of the locking apparatus 36.

[0112] It can be provided, for example, that this locking apparatus 36 triggers automatically in the case of an interruption of the power supply of the motor 2.

[0113] In this way, the locking apparatus 36 actuates the coupling point 35, at which the forces which can be developed by way of the motor 2 or the emergency drive 5 act on the output 4.

[0114] On account of the operating pressure in the pressure chamber 8, the energy store 6 expands, and the acting elements 41 and 42 move away from one another.

[0115] The output 4 is connected rigidly to the movable acting element 42, that is to say, the piston 17, with the result that the output 4 is moved upward by way of the expansion movement.

[0116] This brings about a switchover or a change, for example opening or closing or a change in a fitting position of the fitting.

[0117] This movement finds its end at the latest at the stop 27.

[0118] FIG. 8 shows a situation, after the locking apparatus 36 has been opened in a middle position of the actuating range.

[0119] In this case, the energy store 6 can be relieved only partially until the stop 27 is reached.

[0120] For reloading of the energy store 6 and the return into the regulating operation, the actuating drive 1 is then operated in a direction, in the case of which the energy store 6 is pressed against the stop 27. Here, the first limit position switch 29 is ignored, which would normally lead to switching off of the motor 2.

[0121] For example, the control unit 3 can decide this afterward because the locking apparatus 36 is open.

[0122] The movement of the actuating drive beyond the reaching of the stop 27 and the actuation of the first limit position switch 29 leads to the energy store 6 being compressed again.

[0123] This method is continued until the acting elements 41 and 42 are moved again into a relative position with respect to one another, in which they can be latched or locked.

[0124] FIG. 13 shows a detailed illustration of the locking apparatus 36 before this position is reached.

[0125] Here, the locking apparatus 36 has a toggle lever 37 which can be fixed in its almost stretched position by way of an electromagnet 38, for example a clamping magnet.

[0126] Furthermore, the locking apparatus 36 has a restoring element 39, by way of which the toggle lever 37 is pressed into the vicinity of its completely pushed-through position, in order to make an attraction of the electromagnet 38 possible.

[0127] FIG. 14 shows the state when the acting elements 41 and 42 are pressed so close to one another that a locking action is possible.

[0128] Here, the restoring element 39 has pressed the toggle lever 37 into a cutout 48, as a result of which the electromagnet 38 is positioned in such a way that a holding force can be developed electromagnetically.

[0129] In this state, the situation of FIGS. 1 and 2 is re-established.

[0130] FIGS. 17 to 21 show a further actuating drive 1 according to the invention. Components and functional units which are equivalent or identical structurally and/or functionally are denoted by way of the same designations and are not described again separately. The comments in respect of FIGS. 1 to 16 therefore apply mutatis mutandis to FIGS. 17 to 21.

[0131] The exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 17 to 21 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that the output 4 is of rotational configuration.

[0132] To this end, the movable acting element 42 of the energy store 6 acts on a cam disk 43. The cam disk 43 loads running rollers 44 which are arranged on the output 4.

[0133] This leads to an expansion movement of the energy store 6 being converted into a rotational movement of the output.

[0134] The motor 2 drives a central shaft 45 which can be locked to the output 4 by way of a locking apparatus 36.

[0135] In this way, the locking apparatus 36 actuates the coupling point 35, at which the torques which can be developed by way of the motor 2 and the emergency drive 5 are supported, in order to act on the output 4.

[0136] In this locked position, the energy store 6 is compressed, and is co-rotated during the normal actuation of the actuating drive 1.

[0137] In the exemplary embodiment which is shown, the energy store 6 has a spring force accumulator 46 with cup springs 47.

[0138] A pneumatic energy store 7 can also be used instead of the spring force accumulator 46, however.

[0139] FIG. 19 shows that the output 4 can be moved against two stops 27, 28 which in each case define an end position of the actuating drive 1.

[0140] If the locking apparatus 36 is released in the situation according to FIG. 19, the output 4 can move independently of the central shaft 45.

[0141] As long as the motor 2 does not move, the central shaft 45 is fixed on account of the self-locking gear mechanism 31.

[0142] This leads to it being possible for the energy store 6 to be relieved in the case of an open locking apparatus 36, as a result of which the cam disk 33 forces the running rollers 44 and therefore the output 4 into a rotational movement.

[0143] This rotational movement runs until the second stop 28 is reached.

[0144] If the actuating drive 1 is then moved further in the same sense of direction, which actuating drive 1 would have to be switched off by way of the limit position switch 30, the cam disk 43 which is arranged non-rotationally but axially displaceably on the central shaft 45 continues to move and is pressed upward by way of the stationary running rollers 44. In this way, the spring force accumulator 46 is stressed.

[0145] This can be continued until the locking apparatus 36 latches, which can be detected by way of an associated third limit position switch 40 as detector. Here, a restoring spring 39 acts to press the toggle lever 37 into the cutout 48.

[0146] In this position, the actuating drive 1 is ready for a return of the connected fitting as far as the first end position which is defined by way of the stop 27.

[0147] It can therefore be said in general that the energy store 6 is relieved during operation of the emergency drive 5 in the case of the proposed exemplary embodiments until the limit position switch 30 of an actuating travel which is limited by way of the stop 28 is actuated.

[0148] It can also be seen from the drawings that a movable acting element 42, on which a restoring force of the energy store 6 acts and by way of which the energy store 6 can be stressed or loaded, is arranged in a manner which is guided axially displaceably in relation to a central shaft 45.

[0149] In the case of the actuating drive 1, it is therefore proposed for an energy store 6, by way of which an emergency drive 5 can be fed, to be configured such that it can be stressed by way of an electric motor 2, the motor 2 moving at least one acting element 41, 42 of the energy store 6, on which a restoring force of the energy store 6 acts, along an actuating travel of the normal operation.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0150] 1 Actuating drive

[0151] 2 (Electric) motor

[0152] 3 Control unit

[0153] 4 Output

[0154] 5 Emergency drive

[0155] 6 Energy store

[0156] 7 Pneumatic energy store

[0157] 8 Pressure chamber

[0158] 9 Expandable volume

[0159] 10 Compressor

[0160] 11 Gas supply

[0161] 12 Monitoring device

[0162] 13 Operating pressure

[0163] 14 Filling device

[0164] 15 Pressure relief valve

[0165] 16 Pot

[0166] 17 Piston

[0167] 18 Seal

[0168] 19 First part chamber

[0169] 20 Second part chamber

[0170] 21 Communication openings

[0171] 22 Space (which is moved through by the seal during the expansion)

[0172] 23 Further pressure chamber

[0173] 24 Axial installation space

[0174] 25 Outer side

[0175] 26 Radial space requirement

[0176] 27 Stop for a (first) end position of the actuating drive

[0177] 28 Stop for a (further) end position of the actuating drive

[0178] 29 First limit position switch

[0179] 30 Second limit position switch

[0180] 31 Self-locking gear mechanism

[0181] 32 Spindle drive

[0182] 34 Supporting point

[0183] 35 Coupling point

[0184] 36 Locking apparatus

[0185] 37 Toggle lever

[0186] 38 Electromagnet

[0187] 39 Restoring element

[0188] 40 (Third, further) limit position switch

[0189] 41 (First, stationary) acting element

[0190] 42 (Second, movable) acting element

[0191] 43 Cam disk

[0192] 44 Running roller

[0193] 45 Central shaft

[0194] 46 Spring force accumulator

[0195] 47 Cup spring

[0196] 48 Cutout

[0197]