WO2015161859A1 - Actuator, actuator system, and method for operating an actuator system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator for providing a linear movement, comprising an actuator housing (3) and a coil arrangement (5) arranged in the actuator housing (3) for providing a variable magnetic field and comprising an armature part (21) which is received in the coil arrangement (5) in a linearly movable manner along a movement axis (2) and which comprises a permanent magnet arrangement (23) having at least one hollow cylindrical permanent magnet (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) that is magnetized along the movement axis (2). An annular end surface of the permanent magnet (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) is paired with an annular flux conductor ring (37, 39). The actuator housing (3) comprises flux-conductive regions (17, 18, 19) as a magnetic yoke for the permanent magnet arrangement (23). According to the invention, a free cross-section of the flux-conductive regions (17, 18, 19) of the actuator housing (3) is larger on a projection plane oriented transversally to the movement axis (2) than a cross-section of the flux conductor ring (37, 39) on the projection plane.

Description

 FESTO AG & Co. KG, Ruiter Strasse 82, D-73734 Esslingen

Actuator, actuator system and

 Method for operating an actuator system

The invention relates to an actuator for providing a linear movement, with an actuator housing and arranged in the actuator housing, electrically operable, hollow cylindrical coil arrangement for providing a variable magnetic field and with a linearly movable between a first functional position and a second functional position along a movement axis in the coil assembly recorded anchor part comprising a permanent magnet arrangement which is designed for a magnetic interaction with the magnetic field of the coil arrangement and which has at least one hollow cylindrical permanent magnet magnetized along the movement axis, wherein an annular end face of the permanent magnet is assigned a flow guide ring which is assigned to a Sectional conduction of a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet arrangement is formed, wherein the actuator housing flow-conducting regions as a conclusion for the Permanentm comprises agnetanordnung.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an actuator system and a method for operating an actuator system.

From US 6,512,435 B2 a bistable actuator with a single coil and a single permanent magnet arrangement is known, which is designed to drive a blocking pin. In this case, the actuator is designed such that the bloc

BESTÄTiGUNGSItOPIE ckierstift is kept in two spaced Funktionsstel- ^v lungs without energy supply by an interaction between ^ the permanent magnet assembly and the at least partially flow-conducting designed actuator housing.

The object of the invention is to specify an actuator, an actuator system and a method for operating an actuator system, in which a particularly energy-efficient operation is made possible.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention for an actuator of the type mentioned above with the features of claim 1. In this case, it is provided that a free cross section of the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing in a projection plane aligned transversely to the movement axis is greater than a cross-section of the flux guide ring in the projection plane, so that when the armature part approaches the first functional position, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement is coupled into the flow-conducting areas of the actuator housing to provide magnetic holding forces is ensured on the anchor part.

This ensures that, unlike the actuator known from the prior art, an air gap extending at least almost exclusively, in particular radially, between the armature part and the flow-conducting regions of the actuator housing in the first functional position is permeated by the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet arrangement to ensure the desired holding force for the anchor part in the first operating position. In contrast, in the prior art, an at least partial overlap between the anchor part and the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing is provided in a projection plane oriented transversely to the movement axis, whereby is made difficult by a reliable specification of a holding force occurring in the first functi ^¬ onsposition, since be''- 'already small changes in the axial position of the anchor member relative to the flow-conducting areas of the actuator housing lead to a strong change in holding power. In the design according to the invention of the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing and of the flux guide ring, there is a significantly smaller dependence of the holding force in the first functional position on the axial position of the anchor part relative to the actuator housing. Accordingly, while retaining the same reliability for the currentless positioning of the armature part in the first functional position, the retaining force can be selected to be lower than in the prior art, so that a smaller amount of energy is required for a movement of the armature part from the first functional position than in the case of the actuator according to the invention The state of the art is the case. Accordingly, the inventive actuator energy can be operated more efficiently than the actuator according to the prior art.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

It is expedient for the actuator housing to have a first flux-conducting housing part with a cylindrical recess extending along the movement axis for receiving the coil arrangement and a second flux-conducting and annular housing part arranged in the cylindrical recess in the region of the first functional position and coupled to the first housing part wherein an inner diameter of the second housing part is selected larger than an outer diameter of the flux guide ring. Through this Ge ^¬ staltung the actuator housing the first flow conducting housing part can be manufactured at low cost because it does not ER- is necessary to provide a stepped recess in the interior of the ers ^¬ th housing part. Particularly advantageously, the first housing part, which is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel to ensure the flow-conducting properties (300 smaller / zr less than 10000), in a continuous casting or cold ^¬ extrusion process with a along the axis of motion kon ^¬ constant cross-section getting produced. The second, arranged in the region of the first functional position housing part has an annular configuration and is for efficient coupling of a magnetic flux, preferably connected to a radially outer peripheral surface, flat with the first housing part and also of a ferromagnetic material such as iron or Made of steel. By way of example, it can be provided that the second housing part is accommodated on a winding body of the coil arrangement and between the recess in the first housing part and the outer circumference of the second housing part a transition fit is formed to ensure an advantageous coupling between the first housing part and the second housing part. A side effect of the inventive design of the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing and the anchor part is that the anchor member can be inserted with appropriate design of the permanent magnet assembly along the axis of movement in the actuator housing or removed from the same, so that a mounting of the anchor member done in a simple manner can.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that in the first functional position, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement extends in the radial direction transversely to the axis of movement determined by the flux guide ring and the second housing part annular air gap interspersed. Preferably, the armature part is arranged in the first functional position such that flux guide ring has no or only slight axial overlap with the second housing part, whereby the magnetic flux between the permanent magnet arrangement and the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing is favored with regard to the formation of a holding force , So that the desired, given in close tolerances, holding force for the anchor part results in the first functional position.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that an end cap of a paramagnetic or nonmagnetic material is arranged on an end face of the first flow-conducting housing part adjacent to the first functional position. The end cover serves to seal off the armature part, which is movably received in the actuator housing, against environmental influences. Furthermore, the end cover may be provided with a recess extending along the axis of movement, which is penetrated by a rod-shaped extension of the anchor part, so that the end cover serves as a bearing, in particular sliding bearing for the anchor part. In addition, the end cover can also serve as an end stop for the movement of the anchor part in the first functional position, preferably an elastically formed element is provided for shock absorption between the end cover and the anchor part.

It is advantageous if the permanent magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnetized in the axial direction along the axis of motion ring magnets which are received on a guide sleeve or guide rod made of a paramagnetic or non-magnetic material. Due to the configuration of the permanent magnet arrangement as an arrangement of ring magnets, favorable production costs for the permanent magnet arrangement are achieved. made possible. By including the permanent magnet arrangement on a paramagnetic or non-magnetic guide rod, unwanted magnetic fluxes along the anchor part are at least largely avoided, so that advantageous for the energy-efficient operation of the actuator field concentration in the region of the front ends of the permanent magnet assembly and an efficient field deflection from the axial direction in the Radial direction can be achieved by means of the flux guide ring. The material of the guide rod is at most weakly magnetic, at least orders of magnitude less magnetic than the material of the flux-conducting rings.

It is preferably provided that the permanent magnet arrangement comprises at least two groups of ring magnets adjoining one another in a planar manner, wherein the ring magnets of the respective groups are respectively magnetized in the same direction and adjacent groups of ring magnets are magnetized in opposite directions. Thus, the ring magnets of the respective group act in the manner of a ring magnet which has the same extent as the group of ring magnets along the movement axis, the manufacturing costs for such a group of ring magnets being considerably less than those for a single ring magnet of equal extension. By using a plurality of groups of ring magnets, wherein adjacent groups of ring magnets are respectively magnetized in opposite directions, an electrodynamic drive can be created using a coil arrangement which is designed to provide opposing magnetic fields, with a reversing movement for the anchor part between the two functional positions is made possible by suitable energization of the coil assembly.

It is expedient, if at opposite, annular end faces of each group of ring magnets a Flow guide ring is arranged. With the help of the flux guide, a concentration and deflection of the magnetic field provided by the ring magnets can be effected, whereby an advantageous influence on the energy-efficient operation of the actuator is taken.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that on each opposite end faces of the permanent magnet arrangement respectively annular flux-conducting rings lie flat and that in the second functional position, a third flow-conducting and annular housing part is arranged in the cylindrical recess which is coupled to the first flux-conducting housing part, wherein an inner diameter of the third housing part is selected to be larger than an outer diameter of the flux-conducting rings, so that coupling of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement in the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing for providing magnetic holding forces is ensured on the armature part at an approximation of the armature part to the second functional positions , This makes it possible to provide retaining forces for an energy-free whereabouts of the anchor part in both functional positions.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the coil arrangement comprises a plurality of electrically connected in series and spaced along the axis of movement arranged on a bobbin coil sections, adjacent arranged coil sections are each formed with opposite winding direction. Correspondingly, when the coil arrangement is energized as a function of the respective winding direction of the coil sections, opposite magnetic fields occur which interact with the magnetic field or magnetic fields of the permanent magnet arrangement, which results in driving forces for the coil Anchor part revealed that can lead to a shift of the anchor part from a functional position to the other functional position. The series connection of the coil arrangement ensures a particularly simple electrical control of the coil arrangement, since only a single coil current has to be provided. Furthermore, a coil arrangement formed in this way can be produced cost-effectively and can also be connected in a cost-effective manner to an associated printed circuit board on which the drive circuit is realized.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the winding ends of the coil arrangement are electrically connected to a printed circuit board, on which a drive circuit for the coil arrangement and an interface for connection of electrical supply lines and signal lines are arranged. The drive circuit serves to provide electrical energy to the coil arrangement in response to electrical signals provided at the interface. Preferably, the drive circuit and the interface are designed such that the actuator can be operated directly by an output device that is part of an industrial control device, in particular a programmable logic controller (PLC).

It is preferably provided that the interface on the printed circuit board is equipped with connections for a first and a second supply line as well as for a start signal line and a direction signal line. The first and the second supply line serve to provide electrical energy which is provided for the operation of the coil arrangement. The start signal line is used to transmit a start signal, with a release of the electrical Energy is applied to the coil assembly by means of the drive circuit. Via the direction signal line, a direction signal is provided to the drive circuit, with the aid of which the electrical polarity of the electrical energy provided to the coil arrangement is determined in order to specify the direction of movement for the anchor part.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the drive circuit comprises a pole change circuit designed as a four-quadrant controller and which comprises a pole changeover of the coil arrangement as a function of a direction signal arriving at the interface. Hereby, the reversing movement desired for the anchor part can be brought about in a simple manner, since it is sufficient to switch the polarity of the coil current provided to the coil arrangement solely by means of the direction signal by using the pole changing circuit while maintaining the polarity of the supply voltage. Particularly preferably, the Polwechselschaltung is designed as a four-quadrant, which is formed by way of example as an array of four pairs in series and each provided with a freewheeling diode transistors from ^¬ without changing the polarity of a supply voltage with appropriate control, a provision of coil current with predetermined polarity to the Coil arrangement allows.

It is advantageous if the drive circuit is assigned an energy store which is designed to store an amount of energy which is at least 50 percent, preferably at least 80 percent, in particular at least 100 percent, required for movement of the anchor part between the first functional position and the second functional position Amount of energy is formed and that the Control circuit comprises a switching device for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage amount of energy to the coil assembly in response to an incoming at the interface start signal. With the help of such an energy storage current peaks in the supply of the respective actuator can be avoided because the necessary energy to operate the actuator is supplied at least almost uniformly without major power fluctuations to the actuator and is cached in the energy storage until the desired movement of the armature part takes place. This results in a partial or complete emptying of the energy storage, which is then recharged in a predetermined period of time until the next movement of the anchor part. The switching device serves to release the amount of energy stored in the energy store when the start signal arrives at the interface, which is electrically connected to the drive circuit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drive circuit has a current regulator for a regulated energy supply to the energy store as a function of a predeterminable movement frequency for the anchor part and / or for a regulated energy dissipation from the energy store to the coil arrangement as a function of a predeterminable setting time for the movement of the anchor part between the two functional positions comprises. With the aid of the current regulator, a supply of electrical energy to the energy store and / or a removal of electrical energy from the energy store can be limited. A limitation of the supply of electrical energy to the energy storage is useful to avoid current spikes in the supply of the respective actuator. For example, using a capacitor as an energy store would result in its partial or complete continuous emptying during the implementation of a movement of the armature part without the interposition of a current regulator on the basis of the charge characteristics of the condenser flow a high on current. Accordingly, the task of the current controller is to limit the charging current to the energy storage in order to avoid such current peaks. Additionally or alternatively, the current regulator can be used to limit a discharge current, for example, to avoid overloading of the drive circuit and or the coil assembly during the movement of the anchor member.

It is preferably provided that the interface is assigned a field bus node, which is designed for signal transmission between a higher-level controller and the drive circuit. Thus, the actuator can be integrated as a fieldbus participant in a fieldbus system, the example, as controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) higher-level control is controlled.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drive circuit for carrying out egg ner movement sequence of two successive Bewegunge: the anchor part is formed upon arrival of a start signal. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a separate start signal for each movement of the armature part, but rather, for example, a sequence of motions of an off running operation and a subsequent retracting operation for the armature part can be performed. Thus, the actuator can be used, for example, as an ejector, the fen at Eintref a start signal an example along a conveying direction transported object can deflect transversely to the conveying direction, umzulenken him gerschacht example, in a predetermined La, as is done in a parcel sorting. The object of the invention is achieved according to a second aspect of the invention for an actuator system with the features of claim 17. In this case, the actuator system has a control device designed as a field bus subscriber for operating a plurality of actuators which comprises a field bus node for data transmission via a fieldbus system, a control module for controlling output modules, at least one output module for controlling an actuator and at least one actuator connected to the output module , The control device can for example be incorporated into an automation system that is coordinated by a higher-level controller, in particular a programmable logic controller (PLC), where field devices such as the controller are controlled via a fieldbus system according to a predefinable fieldbus protocol. For receiving commands via the fieldbus protocol, the control device comprises a field bus node, which converts the commands of the higher-level controller into an instruction format understandable for the associated control module. The control module creates corresponding instructions for the connected output modules from the incoming commands, which are converted there into suitable voltage levels in order to control the respectively connected actuators according to the commands that have arrived. By way of example it can be provided that the actuators are arranged along a conveyor belt and can be switched between a release position for goods on the conveyor belt and a blocking position for goods on the conveyor belt.

The object of the invention is achieved according to a third aspect of the invention by a method for operating an actuator system, as indicated in claim 16. In this case, the actuator system designed as a fieldbus participant

Control device for operating a plurality of actuators with a nera fieldbus for data transmission via a fieldbus - system, a control module for controlling Ausgangsmodu ^¬ len, at least one output module for controlling an actuator and at least one connected to the output module actuator and includes the steps of: providing a supply voltage from Ausgansmodul to the connected Actuator charging an energy storage device associated with the actuator by means of a drive circuit formed in the actuator, the current controller for a regulated energy supply to the energy storage in response to a predetermined frequency of movement for the anchor part and / or for a controlled energy dissipation from the energy storage to the coil assembly in response to a predeterminable actuating time for the movement of the armature part between the two functional positions, providing the stored energy in the energy storage by the drive circuit to the coil arrangement of the actuator for moving the Anchor parts between the functional positions in response to a provided by the control module and arriving at the drive circuit start signal.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. Showing:

1 shows a side sectional view of a first embodiment of an actuator with a linearly movable armature part, which is held without energy in a first and in a second functional position,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator according to the

 FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the actuator according to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of an actuator, in which, in addition to the components of the first embodiment, an energy store is provided,

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the second embodiment form of the actuator according to the figure 2 and

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an actuator system and provided in the actuator drive circuit.

An actuator 1 shown in Figure 1 is for providing a linear movement along a movement axis 2 forms out and can be used as an example in a manner schematically shown in Figure 6 as a blocking device in a conveyor system. The actuator 1 comprises an exemplary cuboid shaped actuator housing 3, whose longitudinal edge te is aligned parallel to the movement axis 2.

In the actuator housing 3 a preferably circular-cylindrical formed, along the movement axis 2 extending recess 4 is formed. In the recess 4 a coil assembly 5 is fixed, which comprises an example made of plastic bobbin 6 and exemplarily 3 each concentric to the axis of movement 2 and along the BEWE supply axis spaced from each other arranged annular coil formed portions 7, 8 and 9 comprises. The coil sections 7, 8 and 9 are respectively received between winding rings 10 bi 15, wherein it is provided by way of example that adjacent winding rings 10 to 15 are each arranged at a predeterminable minimum distance along the movement axis 2. Further, by way of example, it is provided that adjacently arranged coil sections 7, 8 and 9 are each formed with an opposite winding direction and electrically in Series are connected, so that upon application of a current to the coil sections 7, 8 and 9, the coil section 8 provides a magnetic field whose field direction is opposite to the magnetic fields of the coil sections 7 and 9. Exemp ^¬ larisch the winding rings 10 to 15 are arranged on a sleeve-shaped base body 16 which has a circular cylindrical cross section and extends along the movement axis 2.

By way of example, the recess 4 is formed in a first flow-conducting housing part 17, which may in particular be a continuous casting or a cold extruded part which has a cross-section which is constant along the movement axis 2 in a cross-sectional plane oriented transversely to the movement axis 2. Furthermore, it can be provided by way of example that the outer diameter of at least some of the winding rings 10 to 15 at least almost coincide with an inner diameter of the recess 4, so that the winding body 6 can be inserted into the recess 4 and is thereby fixed in the radial direction.

The main body 16 extends beyond the winding rings 10 and 15 in the axial direction and serves as an example for receiving each ring-shaped second flux-conducting housing parts 18, 19, whose outer diameter is adapted to the inner diameter of the recess 4, so that a low-loss magnetic coupling between the second housing parts 18, 19 and the first housing part 17 is ensured. An inner diameter of the second housing parts 18, 19 is selected as an example according to an outer diameter of the base body 16, so that the second housing parts 18, 19 can be pushed onto the winding body 6. In one of the base body 16 in the radial direction outwardly bounded recess, which is formed as an example circular cylindrical, an anchor member 21 is received linearly movable along the movement axis 2. The anchor part 21 comprises an example of a multi-part formed guide rod 22 and a permanent magnet assembly received on the guide rod 22. Further, on the guide rod 22 each annular end Flussleitstücke 24, 25 and frontally on the flow guide pieces 24, 25 arranged damping discs 26, 27 are provided.

The guide rod 22 includes, for example, a guide sleeve 28, are pushed onto the ring magnets 29 to 34, wherein the ring magnets 29 to 31 form a first group 35 of ring magnets while the ring magnets 32 to 34 form a second group of ring magnet 36. Further, on the guide sleeve 28 are respectively adjacent to the two groups of ring magnets 35, 36 arranged flux-conducting rings 37, 38 and 39 are pushed, the example of the respective annular

Face surfaces of the two groups of ring magnets 35, 36 are opposite and the example in the plane of the figure 1 have the same cross-section as the ring magnets 29 to 34.

By way of example, it is provided that the flux guide rings 37, 38 and 39 in conjunction with the guide sleeve 28, preferably made of a paramagnetic material, in particular made of aluminum, a flux concentration for the magnetic field provided by the ring magnets 29 to 34 and aligned substantially parallel to the movement axis 2 cause. In addition, the Flußleitstücke 37, 38, 39 serve a deflection of the magnetic field in the radial direction, as will be explained in more detail below. In the guide sleeve 28 bearing rods 40, 41 are accommodated on both sides, which are each divided into a plurality along the movement axis 2 extending portions. Both bearing rods 40, 41 have by way of example a threaded portion 42, 43, a centering portion 44, 45 and a guide portion 46, 47. The threaded portions 42, 43 are each provided with an external thread, which is provided for engagement with an internal thread in the guide sleeve 28 in order to allow a determination of the bearing rods 40, 41 on the guide sleeve 28. By way of example, the centering sections 44, 45 as well as the guide sections 46, 47 are designed with a high surface quality, as can be achieved, for example, by cylindrical grinding. Furthermore, care is taken in the production of the bearing rods 40, 41 that the centering portions 44, 45 with respect to the guide portions 46, 47 have the highest possible concentricity and the lowest possible concentricity tolerance. This is to ensure that during assembly of the bearing rods 40, 41 in the guide sleeve 28, which can each end equipped with precisely made fitting holes 48, 49, there is a concentric arrangement of the two guide portions 46,47 to each other. By way of example, it is provided that the diameter of the guide sections 46, 47 is greater than a diameter of the centering sections 44, 45, so that the flux guides 24, 25 can each be received in a form-fitting manner between the guide sleeve 28 and the respective bearing bar 40, 41.

For a storage of the guide rod 22 is a front end adjacent to the first housing part 17, a cover 50, 51, which is made in particular of a paramagnetic or non-magnetic material arranged. Exempla- The end caps 50, 51 are plate-shaped and each have, in a middle region, a preferably cylindrical recess 52, 53 extending along the axis of movement 2. In the recess 52, 53 a bearing bush 54, 55 is taken as an example, whose outer diameter is adapted to an inner diameter of the recess 52, 53 and whose inner diameter is adapted to an outer diameter of the respective guide portion 46, 47. Preferably, the bearing bushes 54, 55 made of a plastic material with good sliding properties, so that a low-friction linear movement of the guided in the bearing bushes 54, 55 guide rod 22 is ensured. Particularly preferred is a fit between the bushings 54, 55 and the guide portions 46, 47 chosen such that the ingress of dirt into the interior of the actuator 1 can be at least largely avoided. The bushings 54, 55 each have a projecting in the radial direction transverse to the axis of movement 2 circumferential collar 56, 57, on the one hand for a reliable axial fixing of the respective bushing 54, 55 in the associated end cover 50, 51 serves and on the other hand due to the enlarged end face Stop surface for the anchor part 21 is used. It is preferably provided that a largest diameter of the encircling collar 56, 57 at least largely corresponds to a largest diameter of the damping disk 26, 27, in order to ensure an advantageous introduction of force from the anchor member 21 to the respective collar 56, 57.

Due to the geometric configuration of the anchor part 21 and the actuator housing 3, a maximum movement path 58 for the anchor part 21 along the movement axis 2 is determined. The end points of the movement path 58 are also referred to as first functional position 59 and as second functional position 60. As can be seen from the illustration of Figure 1, in which the anchor member 21 is in the first operating position 59, passes through the magnetic field provided by the permanent magnet assembly 23 substantially along the movement axis 2 magnetic flux ring 39 and from there, overcoming the annular, From there, the magnetic field passes through the first flux-conducting housing part 17 and the second flux-conducting housing part 18, wherein the magnetic circuit by overcoming an air gap 62 which is significantly larger than the air gap 61, by means of the flux guide 37th is closed. Due to the considerable size difference between the two air gaps 61, 62, a magnetic holding force for the anchor part 21 forms in the first functional position 59, by means of which the anchor part 21 can be held without energy in the first functional position 59. It is at least almost completely irrelevant that an annular portion of the end cover 51, which is provided with the interposition of a circumferential round cord seal 63 for centering the valve body 6, projects into the air gap 61, since the end cap 51 made of a paramagnetic or non-magnetic material is.

The magnetic holding force for the anchor part 21 occurring in the first functional position 59 can be set reliably in a simple manner by varying the axial extent and / or the outer diameter of the flux guide ring 39. Since a projection of the flux guide ring 39 into a projection plane (not shown) aligned transversely to the movement axis 2 does not overlap with a projection of the flux-conducting regions of the actuator housing 3, in particular the first housing part 17 and the second housing parts 18 and 19, the axial position of the armature part 21 in the first functional position 59 is of considerably smaller importance than in the prior art. Accordingly, the magnetic holding force can be assumed to be in a narrower tolerance band than in the prior art, so that the time required to move the anchor member 21 from the first functional position 59 amount of energy can be made smaller than in the prior art, as a Safety margin for a reliable release of the anchor part 21 from the first functional position 59 can be chosen lower due to the more detailed knowledge about the magnetic holding force.

By way of example, in the case of the actuator 1 according to FIG. 1, the formation of a magnetic holding force is also provided in the second functional position 60, the measures taken with regard to the design of the flux guide ring 39, the second flux-conducting housing part 18 and the other components described above being at least almost identical the measures in the first functional position.

The cuboid design of the first flow-conducting housing part 17 can be seen from the cross-sectional representation according to FIG. Further, Figure 2 shows the circular cylindrical design of the recess 20 and the annular design of the coil section 8, the base body 16, the flux guide 38 and the guide sleeve 28 and the circular cylindrical design of the bearing rod 40. Further, in Figure 2 is a designed as a printed circuit board 64 and a connector 65 recognizable, which are arranged in a longitudinal recess 66 of the first flow-conducting housing part 17, wherein the longitudinal recess 66 is closed by a cover 67. On the circuit board 64 is not one formed drive circuit, which is connected in a manner not shown also electrically connected to the serving as an interface connector 65 and the two leads of the coil assembly 5. The task of the drive circuit is the am

Connectors 65 provided electrical energy and the electrical signals provided there in a suitable manner for the energization of the coil assembly 5. Further details on the function of the drive circuit are provided in connection with FIG. 7 described below.

FIG. 3 shows an overview of the actuator 1.

The second embodiment of an actuator 71 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the first embodiment of the actuator 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that, in addition to the components of the actuator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, almost all of them are identical are used in the second embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 and are provided with the same reference numerals, an energy storage 72 is provided which serves for a buffering of electrical energy between two movements of the armature part 21.

By way of example, the energy store 72 comprises two capacitors 73, 74 which are electrically connected to an extended printed circuit board 75 and which are accommodated in a separate memory housing 76. The storage case 76 can be directly attached to the end cap 50 by use of suitable screws 77 without changing the end cover 50 or the first flow-conducting housing part 17 and connected to the first flow-conducting housing part 17. How out of the explosion? Position can be seen according to the figure 5, the storage housing 76 has a recess 78 for receiving the capacitors 73, 74. Furthermore, in a region facing the end cover 50, the storage housing 76 has a longitudinal recess 79 which serves in the same way as the longitudinal recess 66 to receive the printed circuit board 75, which, as shown in FIG. 5, extends over almost the entire length of the actuator 71 extends. Notwithstanding the actuator 1, the actuator 71 an extended cover 80, which is intended to completely cover the circuit board 75 and the longitudinal recess 66 in the first flow-conducting housing part 17 and the recess 78, 79 in the storage housing 76 to close. With the help of the energy storage device 72, the electrical energy required to carry out the next movement of the armature part 21 can be supplied in at least approximately uniform form, in particular without current peaks, via the supply lines, not shown, between two movement processes for the armature part 21 and between the capacitors 73, 74 are stored, from where they can be released by the drive circuit described in detail below for the next movement of the armature part 21.

The schematic representation of FIG. 6 shows an actuator system 91 which is in a data transmission connection with a higher-order controller 93 via a field bus 92. The higher-level control 93 can be, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). The actuator system 91 comprises a control device 94 embodied as a field bus subscriber for operating a plurality of actuators 95 and a plurality of actuators 95, which may alternatively be designed as actuators 1 or 71. The control device 94 comprises a field bus node 96 for a unidirectional or bidirectional data transmission via the field bus 92, a control module 97 for controlling output modules 98 and a plurality of output modules 98, which are each connected to an actuator 95. As an example, the actuators 95 as

Stoppers arranged along a conveyor belt 99 and can be controlled individually on command of the controller 93 to selectively stop or release a movement of an article 100 along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 99.

By way of example, FIG. 6 also includes the illustration of a printed circuit board 75 as may be provided in an actuator 71 and comprising a drive circuit 81 described in more detail below for driving a coil arrangement 5, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The circuit board 75 further includes an interface 82 for electrical connection to one of the output modules 98.

By way of example, a connecting line 83 is provided between the output module 98 and the interface 82, which comprises a total of four wires 84, 85, 86 and 87. The wires 84 and 85 serve as electrical supply lines and are connected to a voltage source contained in the supply module 98 and not shown. The wire 86 is a start signal line, via which a start signal for a movement of the armature part 21 from the supply module 98, a drive circuit 81 can be provided. The wire 87 serves as a direction signal line, via which a, in particular binary, direction signal for the movement of the armature part 21 from the supply module 98 to the drive circuit 81 can be provided, which can preferably assume a logic LOW level or a logic HIGH level.

By way of example, the cores 84 and 85 are connected to a voltage converter 110, which is exemplary for converting a Supply voltage of 24 volts can be provided in an internal voltage of 5 volts. The voltage converter 110 is used for the electrical supply of a microcontroller 111 and for the provision of electrical energy to a charging circuit 112, which is designed in particular as a charge controller. The charging circuit 112 is controlled by the microcontroller 111 in such a way that a predeterminable maximum flow in the cores 84 and 85 is not exceeded. For this purpose, the microcontroller 111 is connected to a current sensor 113, which is designed to determine the current provided to the capacitor 73. To even out the current which is provided to the capacitor 73, a filter 114 is additionally connected between the charging circuit 112 and the capacitor 73. Furthermore, the microcontroller 111 is connected to a pole change circuit 115, which is designed as an exemplary four-quadrant controller and which, in turn, is connected to the capacitor 73 on the one hand and to a coil connection 116 on the other hand. At the coil terminal 116, the coil assembly 5 is connected in a manner not shown.

The microcontroller 111 provides upon receipt of a start signal, which can be transmitted via the serving as a start signal wire 86 from Ausgansmodul 98 via a digital interface, a suitable to control signals to the Polwechselschaltung 115, so that they stored in capacitor 73 electrical energy to the coil terminal 116 can release. However, the release of the energy takes place ^' only if at the same time serving as a direction signal line conductor 87, a direction signal to the microcontroller 111 is provided, which is processed in the microcontroller 111 in a suitable manner and also provided to the Polwechselschaltung 115. When the coil arrangement 5 is energized, magnetic fields are respectively formed by the coil sections 7, 8 and 9 and interact with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet arrangement 23. In particular, it can be provided that in this case a weakening of the holding force between the anchor member 21 and the flow-conducting regions in 17, 18 and 19 of the actuator housing 3 occurs, so that the anchor member 21 moves from one operating position 59 or 60 in the other operating position 60 or 59 can be. In the course of this movement, a partial or complete emptying of the capacitor 73 takes place, which subsequently has to be charged again by means of the supply voltage provided by the output module 98, which is transmitted via the wires 84 and 85. In order to avoid unwanted current peaks in the wires 84 and 85, the charging current for the capacitor 73 is limited by the drive circuit 81 by suitable control of the charging circuit 112 by the microcontroller 111. Preferably, a design of the charging circuit 112 and a programming of the microcontroller 111 is carried out such that the capacitor 73 is charged in a period of time which is equal to or slightly shorter than a period between two movements of the armature part 21. In this way, it can be avoided that an immediate coupling of the supply voltage to the coil arrangement 5 is necessary for the movement of the armature part 21.

In a drive circuit, not shown for the first embodiment of an actuator 1, which has no energy storage, is preferably dispensed with the charging circuit, the filter and the current sensor and the capacitor. The processing of a start signal and a direction signal can also be done by a microcontroller, alternatively, it is provided that a pole change circuit such is formed so that it can be connected directly to the start signal line and the direction signal line and upon arrival of a start signal and a direction signal of the supply voltage to the coil assembly 5 - provides. The advantage here is a much simpler construction of the drive circuit, it is disadvantageous that both control of the coil arrangement are provided significantly higher currents over the supply lines, as is the case with the actuator 71 with the on-control circuit 81 described above.

In a variant of the actuator 1, 71, 95, not shown, at least one of the flux-conducting rings 37, 38 or 39 is designed as a ring magnet.

Claims

claims 1. Actuator for providing a linear movement, with an actuator housing (3) and in the actuator housing (3) arranged, electrically operable, hollow cylindrical coil arrangement (5) for providing a variable magnetic field and with a linearly movable between a first functional position (59) and a second functional position (60) along an axis of movement (2) in the coil assembly (5) received anchor part (21) comprising a permanent magnet assembly (23) which is adapted for magnetic interaction with the magnetic field of the coil assembly (5) and the at least one along the movement axis (2) magnetized, hollow cylindrical permanent magnets (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34), wherein an annular end face of the permanent magnet (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) an annular flux guide ring (37, 39), which is used for a section-wise conduction of a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet arrangement (23) a The actuator housing (3) comprises flux-conducting regions (17, 18, 19) as a conclusion for the permanent magnet arrangement (23), characterized in that a free cross-section of the flux-conducting regions (17, 18, 19) of the actuator housing (3) in a projection plane aligned transversely to the movement axis (2), is larger than a cross section of the flux guide ring (37, 39) in the projection plane, so that when approaching the Anchoring parts (21) to the first functional positions (59) is a coupling of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet assembly (23) in the flow-conducting regions (17, 18, 19) of the actuator housing (3) for providing magnetic holding forces on the anchor part (21) is ensured. 2. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator housing (3) has a first flux-conducting housing part (17) with a longitudinal axis of movement (2) extending cylindrical recess (4) for receiving the coil assembly (5) and in the region of the first Functional position (59) in the cylindrical recess (4) arranged second flux-conducting and annular housing part (18, 19) which is coupled to the first housing part (17), wherein an inner diameter of the second housing part (18, 19) is greater than a Outer diameter of the flux guide ring (37, 39) is selected. 3. Actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that in the first functional position (59) the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement (23) extends in a radial direction transversely to the movement axis (2), through the flux guide ring (37, 39) and the second housing part ( 18, 19) passes through a specific annular air gap (61). 4. Actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that on an end face of the first flux-conducting housing part (17) adjacent to the first functional position (59) a cover (50, 51) made of a paramagnetic or nonmagnetic material is arranged. 5. Actuator according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the permanent magnet arrangement (23) has a plurality of ring magnets magnetized in the axial direction along the axis of movement. Neten (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) which are received on a guide sleeve (28) or guide rod made of a paramagnetic or non-magnetic material. 6. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permanent magnet arrangement (23) comprises at least two groups (35, 36) of surface-adjacent ring magnets (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34), wherein the Ring magnets (29, 30, 31, 32, 33) of the respective groups (35, 36) are each magnetized in the same direction and wherein adjacent beard arranged groups (35, 36) of ring magnets (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) are magnetized in opposite directions. 7. Actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that on opposite annular end faces of each group (35, 36) of ring magnets (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) an i5 flux guide ring (37, 38, 39) is arranged , 8. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on opposite end faces of the permanent magnet assembly (23) each flux guide (37, 39) abut surface and that in the region of the second 20 function position (60) a third flow-conducting and annular housing part (18, 19) in the cylindrical recess (4) is arranged, which is coupled to the first flux-conducting housing part (17), wherein an inner diameter of the third housing part (18, 19) greater than 25, an outer diameter of the flux-conducting rings (37, 39) is selected, such that when the armature part (21) approaches the second functional positions (60), the magnetic field of the permanent magnet arrangement (23) is coupled into the flux-conducting regions (17, 18, 19). of the actuator housing (3) for providing 30 is ensured by magnetic holding forces on the anchor part (21). 9. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil arrangement (5) several elekt ^¬ risch connected in series and spaced along the BEWE ^¬ tion axis (2) on a winding body (6) arranged coil sections (7, 8, 9) comprises, wherein adjacently arranged coil sections (7, 8, 9) are each formed with opposite winding direction. 10. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that winding ends of the coil arrangement (5) are electrically connected to a printed circuit board (64; 75) on which a drive circuit (81) for the coil arrangement (5) and an interface (82). for connecting electrical supply lines (84, 85) and signal lines (86, 87) are arranged. 11. Actuator according to claim 10, characterized in that the interface (82) on the printed circuit board (64; 75) with connections for a first and a second supply line (84, 85) and for a start signal line (86) and a direction signal line (87 ) Is provided. 12. An actuator according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the drive circuit (81) comprises, in particular designed as Vierquadrantensteller, Polwechselschaltung (115) for a Polumschaltung the coil assembly (5) in response to a at the interface (82 ) incoming direction signal. 13. Actuator according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the drive circuit (81) is associated with an energy store (72) which is designed to store an amount of energy that at least 50 percent, preferably at least 80 percent, in particular at least 100 percent who for a movement of the armature part (21) between the first functional position and the second functional position required amount of energy is formed and that the drive circuit (81) comprises a switching device (115) for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage (72) amount of energy to the Spu ^¬ lenanordnung (5) in response to a start signal arriving at the interface (82). 14. Actuator according to claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the drive circuit (81) has a current regulator (112) for a regulated energy supply to the energy store (72) in dependence on a predetermined movement frequency for the anchor part (21) and / or for a regulated energy dissipation from the energy store to the coil arrangement (5) as a function of a predeterminable positioning time for the movement of the armature part (21) between the two functional positions (59, 60). 15. Actuator according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the interface is associated with a field bus node, which is designed for signal transmission between a higher-level controller and the drive circuit. 16. Actuator according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the drive circuit (81) for carrying out a sequence of movements of two successive movements of the armature part (21) is formed upon arrival of a start signal. 17. Actuator system with a control device (94) embodied as a field bus subscriber for operating a plurality of actuators (95) which have a field bus node (96) for data transmission via a fieldbus system (92), a control module (97). Control of output modules (98), at least one output module (98) for controlling an actuator (95) and at least one with the Ausgansmodul (98) connected actuator (95) according to one of the preceding claims. 18. A method for operating an actuator system (91), which is designed as a fieldbus participant control device (94) for operating a plurality of actuators (95) with a fieldbus node (96) for data transmission via a fieldbus system (92), a control module (97) for controlling output modules (98), at least one output module (98) for controlling a Actuator (95) and at least one actuator (95) connected to the output module (98), characterized by the steps of: providing a supply voltage from the Ausgansmodul (98) to the connected actuator (95), loading a the actuator (95) associated energy storage device (72) by means of a in the actuator (95) formed drive circuit (81) having a current regulator (112) for a regulated power supply to the energy store (72) in response to a predetermined movement frequency for the anchor part (21) and / or for a regulated energy dissipation from the energy storage device (72) to the coil arrangement (5) as a function of a predefinable positioning time for the movement of the armature part (21) between the two functional position (59, 60), providing the energy stored in the energy store (72) by the drive circuit (81) to the coil arrangement (5) of the actuator (95) for moving the armature part (21) between the functional positions (59, 60) in response to a start signal provided by the control module (97) and arriving at the drive circuit (82).