RELUCTANCE ACTUATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a reluctance actuator including a magnetizable stator, at least one coil, which is configured for generating a magnetic field in the stator, and a yoke for partially closing the magnetic flux of the stator, wherein the yoke is configured as a movable element for lifting/tilting movements.

Claims

1. A reluctance actuator, including a magnetizable stator, at least one coil, which is configured for generating a magnetic field in the stator, and a yoke configured for at least partial closing of the magnetic flux of the stator, characterized in that the yoke is configured as a movable element for lifting/tilting movements.

2. The reluctance actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the stator comprises a permanently magnetic region.

3. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the cross section of the stator is configured as an E shape along at least one axis with two outer and one inner pole pieces.

4. The reluctance actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the stator has an E-shaped cross section along two axes, respectively, which are arranged at a specific angle to each other, particularly wherein the angle between the two axes is 90.

5. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that, at least one of the coils comprises a coil axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the deflection direction of the movable element, particularly wherein the stator is at least partially arranged inside the coil.

6. The reluctance actuator according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the inner pole piece of the E-shaped stator along one axis is identical to the inner pole piece along the second axis.

7. The reluctance actuator according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the permanently magnetic region is arranged on the inner pole piece of the E-shaped stator.

8. The reluctance actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that the permanently magnetic region is arranged in the transitional area of the region connecting the pole pieces of the E-shaped stator.

9. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the movable element is movably arranged on a housing of the reluctance actuator by means of at least one bending element.

10. The reluctance actuator according to claim 9, characterized in that the bending element has an inner and an outer region and at least two suspensions, wherein the two regions are connected to each other via the at least two suspensions.

11. The reluctance actuator according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one bending element is made of aluminum and/or titanium.

12. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that the movable element is directly connected to the at least one bending element, particularly to the inner region of the at least one bending element.

13. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that the movable element and the bending element are formed in one piece.

14. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that the movable element and the bending element are made of ferromagnetic steel, particularly of spring steel.

15. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in that the bending element or the movable element are at least partially mirror-coated.

16. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that the movable element is mounted by means of at least one bearing, particularly in the form of a ball bearing, a point bearing in the form of a tip made of hard metal, sapphire, or the like, or in the form of a bending beam, particularly centrally to the inner pole piece of the stator.

17. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that the movable element is arranged at a spacing from the stator by means of at least one air gap.

18. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that the stator comprises four outer pole pieces, wherein one coil each is arranged at either two of the four pole pieces arranged opposite to each other.

19. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-18, characterized in that the stator is laminated.

20. The reluctance actuator according to claim 19, characterized in that only the outer pole pieces of the stator are made of multiple insulating layers.

21. The reluctance actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner pole piece of the stator is cylindrical.

22. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-21, characterized in that the yoke is ferromagnetic.

23. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-22, characterized in that the yoke is made of steel.

24. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-23, characterized in that the movable element is preferably configured as a circular, elliptical, or star-shaped disc.

25. The reluctance actuator according to claim 24, characterized in that the disc is symmetrical along at least one axis.

26. The reluctance actuator according to claims 10 and 24, characterized in that four suspensions are arranged, wherein the fastening points of the respective suspensions are located at the inner region and at the outer region of the movable element, each at an offset of 90 in the peripheral direction.

27. The reluctance actuator according to claim 26, characterized in that the shape of the at least one suspension is substantially at least partially configured in accordance with the outer contour of the inner region and/or the movable element.

28. The reluctance actuator according to any one of claims 1-27, characterized in that the yoke forms a substantially lateral outer termination of the actuator.

29. An actuator system, including a reluctance actuator, characterized in that the reluctance actuator is configured according to any one of claims 1-28 and at least partially arranged in a non-magnetic housing, e.g. an aluminum housing.

30. The actuator system according to claim 27, characterized in that a feedback and control device is arranged at and connected to the reluctance actuator for controlling the movement of the movable element about at least one axis.

31. The actuator system according to claim 30, characterized in that the feedback and control device includes a position measuring unit, particularly an angular position measuring unit, a current amplifier unit or voltage amplifier unit, and/or an output current measuring unit.

32. A method for performing lifting/tilting movements of a movable element of a reluctance actuator, wherein the reluctance actuator [includes] a magnetizable stator, at least one coil, which is configured for generating a magnetic field in the stator, and a yoke for at least partially closing the magnetic flux, characterized in that the yoke is configured as movable element for lifting/tilting movements and is moved by controlling the magnetic field.

Description

[0051] Preferred designs and embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in the description below, wherein like reference symbols refer to like or similar or functionally identical components or elements. Wherein

[0052] FIG. 1a shows a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 1b shows a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 schematically shows the mode of action of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a bending element according to an embodiment of the present invention in the undeflected state;

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the bending element according to FIG. 3 in the deflected state;

[0057] FIGS. 5a, b each show a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a bending element according to an embodiment of the present invention in the undeflected state.

[0059] FIG. 1a shows a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 1a shows a cross sectional view of a hybrid actuator along a system axis together with some of its components.

[0061] The reluctance actuator substantially includes a cylindrical housing G. An E-shaped stator 1 having a permanent magnet 2 arranged at its inner pole piece 13 and one coil 3 each at its outer pole pieces 14 is arranged in the housing G. A yoke for closing the magnetic circuit and configured as a movable element 4 is arranged on the top side of the stator 1, which element is directly connected to a bending element 5 or a restoring element, respectively, and said bending element limits the movement of the movable element 4 with respect to three degrees of freedom. Furthermore, a ball bearing 7 which determines the pivot point of the movable element 4 and limits the movement of the movable element 4 by another degree of freedom is arranged on the top end of the inner pole piece 13 of the stator 1.

[0062] The individual pole pieces 13, 14 of the stator 1 of the reluctance actuator, which is E-shaped along an axis, are interconnected below the permanent magnet 2, such that a single magnetic circuit is created and a single permanent magnet 2 can be used for subjecting the entire system to a magnetic bias. To illustrate the basic principle of the embodiment of the invention, holes 6 are arranged on the outer circumference above the bending element 5 at the housing G of the actuator 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, which holes may for example be used for fastening sensors. An example of such sensors are eddy current sensors 8.

[0063] FIG. 1b shows a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 1b substantially shows a reluctance actuator according to FIG. 1a. Unlike the reluctance actuator according to FIG. 1a, the sensors 8 are not shown in the reluctance actuator according to FIG. 1b, but a fastening ring 17 is shown with which the bending element 5 is fastened to the housing G.

[0065] FIG. 2 schematically shows the mode of action of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] On the inner pole piece 13 of the stator 1, a permanent magnet 2 is arranged which generates a uniform magnetic bias flux which flows through the center, the inner pole piece 13 of the ferromagnetic stator 1, a central air gap 9c formed by the ball bearing 7 between the inner pole piece 13 and the movable element 4, and through the ferromagnetic movable element 4 and returns via the working air gaps 9a, 9b and the left or right outer pole piece 14 of the stator 1, respectively. The uniform magnetic bias flux is shown by the line 50 in FIG. 2.

[0067] When the movable element 4 is in its zero position/initial position/undeflected position, the uniform magnetic bias flux flows in equal shares through the left and right working air gaps 9a, 9b, such that the net torque 100 acting on the movable element 4 substantially equals zero, with the proviso that no current is flowing through the actuator coils 3.

[0068] The actuator coils 3 are switched in series, such that a respective current flow through the coils 3 generates a magnetic flux, shown by the line 51 in FIG. 2, which flows through the outer pole pieces 14 of the stator 1, the movable element 4, and the working air gaps 9a, 9b, either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the direction of the current in the coils 3. Since the permanent magnet 2 represents a high-ohmic magnetic resistance (reluctance) for external magnetic fields, the magnetic flux of the coils 3 more likely flows through the outer pole pieces 14 than through the inner pole piece 13 of the stator 1. The uniform magnetic bias flux 50 and the time-varying magnetic coil flux 51 overlap in the two working air gaps 9a, 9b. This results in an increased overall flux in the right working air gap 9b, since both magnetic fluxes 50, 51 flow in the same direction, and in a reduced magnetic flux in the working air gap 9a, such that a net torque 100 acts clockwise on the movable element 4. When reversing the direction of current in the coils 3, the magnetic flux of the coils is reversed as well and causes a net torque 100 acting counterclockwise on the movable element 4.

[0069] If there is no coil current, the distribution of the magnetic bias flux via the working air gaps 9a, 9b is determined by the position of the movable element 4 and the resulting reluctance. In the deflected state, a higher magnetic flux will flow through the smaller air gap 9a, 9b and an increased torque 100 acting on the movable element 4 is generated in the direction of the original deflection. This is synonymous with a negative stiffness of the actuator and shows that the operating principle of the actuator itself is inherently unstable due to the existing permanent magnet 2. The bending element 5 is therefore configured to compensate for the negative stiffness of the actuator or to stabilize the inherently unstable operating principle, respectively. Such a bending element 5 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a bending element according to an embodiment of the present invention in the non-deflected state, and FIG. 4 shows a bending element according to FIG. 3 in the deflected state.

[0071] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively, show a bending element 5 at the bottom side of which the movable element 4 is arranged and directly connected to the bending element 5. The bending element 5 is substantially configured according to the shape of the movable element 4, or both are matched to each other accordingly. Both elements 4, 5 are substantially disc-shaped and circular in FIGS. 3, 4. The bending element 5 comprises on its outer side a fastening ring 16 for fastening the bending element 5 to the housing G of the actuator. The inner region 15 of the bending element 5 is formed by a disc, as explained above. The inner region 15 and the outer region 16 of the bending element 5 are interconnected via suspensions 12 which are symmetrically distributed over the periphery. The fastening points 10a of the suspension 12 on the disc 5 and the fastening points 10b of the suspension 12 at the outer region 16 are each arranged at a 90 offset in the peripheral direction, such that the suspensions substantially have the form of quadrants.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a respective deflection of the movable inner region 15 together with the movable element 4. The ferromagnetic movable element 4 is directly connected to the bending element 5. Due to the magnetic bias by the permanent magnet 2, high offset forces are acting in the z direction. These would damage the bending element 5, which cannot be formed with sufficient stiffness in the z direction without also adversely increasing the stiffness in the two desired rotational degrees of freedom for tilting. To avoid this, a ball bearing 7 is used to compensate the forces in the z direction and to fasten the pivot point.

[0073] The bending element 5 may be made of aluminum and, as explained, limits the translational degrees of freedom in the x and y directions and the rotational degree of freedom about the z axis. In other words, only rotation about the x and y axestiltingis facilitated. Inertia is minimized due to the direct connection of the bending element 5 and the movable element 4.

[0074] Furthermore, the stator 1 may on its outer pole pieces 14 comprise a layered structure of multiple insulating materials to prevent the emergence of eddy currents and their effects on bandwidth, i.e. a reduction of the same. Furthermore, the reluctance actuator may be provided with a control device to determine, control, or regulate the position of the movable element 4. This device can determine, control, or regulate the position with respect to each axis. To this end, an amplifier as well as a control device for the current of the coils and a control/monitoring device for the tilt angle in each direction of the actuable axes of the movable element 4.

[0075] FIGS. 5a, b each show a cross sectional view of a reluctance actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b each show a reluctance actuator according to FIG. 1b. Unlike the reluctance actuator according to FIG. 1b, the pole pieces 14 in the reluctance actuators according to FIGS. 5a and 5b substantially extend horizontally to the bottom plate of the housing G. The axes of coils 3 are also arranged horizontally around the pole pieces 14. The pole piece 14 in FIG. 5a is formed in one piece, the one in FIG. 5b is a two-piece component, wherein only the outer end of a core 18 is called a pole piece 14. The pole piece 14 is adjusted such that the magnetic flux is suitably conducted to the yoke or movable element 4, respectively. The core 18 with the pole piece 14 may either be formed in one piece (see FIG. 5a) or in two pieces (see FIG. 5b), as explained above. In FIG. 5b, the pole piece 14 is arranged at or fastened to the core 18. In other words, the pole piece 14 is directed upwards in the end region in this lying flat design, such that the magnetic field is directed towards the movable element 4. This embodiment thus allows a particularly flat design.

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a bending element according to an embodiment of the present invention in the undeflected state.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a bending element 4 which is star-shaped, here with beams 4 in the form of a cross with beams a 90. The four beams 4 or arms of the cross are substantially arranged above the respective pole piece 14 when the bending element 4 is assembled to allow tilting about two axes. The fastening points of the suspensions for the bending element 4 and the fastening points on the outer region are arranged at a 90 offset in the peripheral direction like in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, respectively.

[0079] In summary, the invention, particularly at least one embodiment, has the following advantages: [0080] a small displaced mass, resulting in a high bandwidth, since the movable element is only made of the ferromagnetic yoke that closes the magnetic circuit, without permanent magnets, solenoid plungers, etc. [0081] the movable element is not seated within the yoke that closes the magnetic circuit but forms a termination of the actuator on one side, which has the advantage that the existing installation space is very well utilized, since [0082] there are no projections, e.g. of the yoke or coils, i.e. the mover is located almost at the outermost point of the entire actuator, such that no component of the actuator projects beyond it, [0083] large lateral coverage of the mover with respect to the yoke and coils, i.e. the ratio of usable surface of the mover to the overall diameter of the actuator is very high, [0084] flat design of the mover results in a pivot point of the mover almost on the surface of the movable element (a pivot point on the surface would be ideal), [0085] the E-shaped cross section of the stator allows a small overall diameter of the actuator (unlike the typically used C-shaped stator)

[0086] The present invention thus provides a compact, highly dynamic actuator, which can be used in manifold applications, including, for example, fast tilting of mirrors for scanning optical systems in the fields of optical communication, scan measuring technology, target tracking, etc.

[0087] Although the present invention was described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these and can be modified in manifold ways. In other words, it should be expressly noted that the exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention described above are only used to explain the claimed teachings but do not limit these teachings to these exemplary embodiments.

[0088] For further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention and to avoid repetition, see the general part of the description above and the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0089] 1 Stator [0090] 2 Permanent magnet [0091] 3 Actuator coil(s) [0092] 4 Movable element/yoke [0093] 4 Beams/arms [0094] 5 Bending element [0095] 6 Hole(s) [0096] 7 Ball bearing [0097] 8 Eddy current sensor [0098] 9a, 9b, 9c Air gap [0099] 10a, 10b Fastening point [0100] 12 Suspension [0101] 13 Inner pole piece [0102] 14 Outer pole piece [0103] 15 Inner region [0104] 16 Outer region [0105] 17 Fastening ring [0106] 17a Screw [0107] 18 Core [0108] 50 Magnetic bias flux [0109] 51 Magnetic coil flux [0110] 100 Torque direction [0111] G Housing