This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. EP 18191247.8, filed on Aug. 28, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic switch for a starting device, which electromagnetic switch has a coil carrier onto which a coil wire of a coil winding is wound. The invention furthermore relates to a starting device having a switch of said type.
For the starting of internal combustion engines, use is commonly made of starting devices. A starting device of said type commonly has a starting element, for example a pinion, which, for the starting of the internal combustion engine, is placed in engagement with a counterpart starting element of the internal combustion engine, for example a ring gear, and drives the latter in order to start the internal combustion engine.
A starting device of said type is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 052 938 A1. The starting device has an electromagnetic switch which has a coil carrier with a holding coil and an adjustment coil wound thereon, which coils are each wound from a coil wire around the coil carrier. During operation, the coils generate a magnetic field within the coil carrier, which magnetic field adjusts a ferromagnetic piston within the coil carrier in the direction of a core. The starting device furthermore has a drive motor which transmits a torque via a pinion to a ring gear of an internal combustion engine in order to start the internal combustion engine. The pinion is placed in engagement with the ring gear, and removed from such engagement, by means of the electromagnetic switch. The electromagnetic switch and the drive motor are in this case connected electrically in series, such that an electrical current flows through the coils in order to generate the magnetic field and subsequently to the drive motor in order to drive the latter.
In the case of such starting devices, it is desirable for sufficient torque for starting the internal combustion engine to be provided. This is normally realized by means of an increase of the electrical current supplied to the drive motor, which in turn leads to a stronger magnetic field in the coil carrier and thus to an increased adjustment force of the piston and ultimately of the pinion in the direction of the ring gear. This increased adjustment force however leads to more intense striking of the pinion against the ring gear, which can lead to damage to the pinion and/or to the ring gear.
It is furthermore desirable for the coil geometry of the electromagnetic switch to be left as far as possible unchanged.
To weaken the magnetic field generated within the coil carrier by means of the coils, DE 10 2009 052 938 A1 proposes that a ferromagnetic bypass body be provided on the coil carrier, which bypass body weakens the magnetic field generated within the coil body by the coils. This has the result that smaller structural spaces are available for the coil winding if it is sought to maintain an unchanged overall geometry. Said document also mentions winding a part of the coil winding in an opposite direction in relation to the rest of the coil winding.
US 2014/0240067 A1 proposes that the piston within the coil carrier be equipped with an encircling groove in order to reduce the influence of the magnetic field on the piston. The non-uniform profile of the shell surface of the piston however leads to non-uniform sliding of the piston within the coil carrier. Furthermore, the maximum possible dimensions of the groove are limited, such that a small reduction of the adjustment force is possible.
From US 2011/0260562 A1, it is known for a lug to be attached to the outside of a coil carrier of an electromagnetic switch, along which lug a coil wire of the coil winding is guided in order for the coil wire to be wound in opposite directions on mutually averted sides of the lug.
EP 3 131 101 A1 has disclosed a coil carrier which, on the outside, is equipped with an encircling separating body with a recess in order for the associated coil wire to be able to be guided through the recess and wound in opposite directions.
The present invention is concerned with the problem of specifying, for an electromagnetic switch of the above-stated type, and for a starting device having an electromagnetic switch of said type, improved or at least alternative embodiments which are distinguished in particular by an efficient reduction of the magnetic force acting on the piston and/or by a small structural space requirement.
Said object is achieved according to the invention by means of the subjects of the independent claim(s). The dependent claim(s) relate to advantageous embodiments.
The present invention is based on the general concept whereby, in a passive position of a piston of the switch, at least one winding of a coil winding of an electromagnetic switch is arranged in the region of a gap between the piston and a core of the switch, and said at least one winding is wound in the opposite direction in relation to the rest of the coil winding. Here, the passive position of the piston corresponds to the position of the piston in the absence of the action of the magnetic field generated by the coil winding. As a result, the weakening of the magnetic field achieved by means of the winding wound in the opposite winding direction is always realized in a region relevant for the adjustment of the piston. Thus, the magnetic field acting on the piston, and the magnetic force or magnetic flux exerted by said magnetic field, is locally reduced in a relevant region. This is in particular also realized with an otherwise unchanged geometry of the switch, in particular of the coil winding, and of the electrical currents through the coil winding, such that firstly, the reduction of the magnetic field is realized in a structural-space-saving manner, and secondly, an effective reduction of the magnetic force that acts on the piston for the purposes of adjusting the piston, hereinafter also referred to as adjustment force, is realized. Furthermore, the electrical energization of the electromagnetic switch, in particular of the coil winding, can be maintained, such that subsequent applications, in particular a supply of electricity to a downstream motor of an associated starting device for an internal combustion engine, remains unchanged, or, in the case of a reduced adjustment force on the piston, can be increased, such that it remains possible for an equal or increased torque to be transmitted by means of the motor. Said torque is commonly transmitted by means of a starting element of the associated starting device for starting the internal combustion engine to a counterpart starting element of the internal combustion engine, such that the torque required for the starting process remains constant, while the adjustment of the starting element in the direction of the counterpart starting element is reduced, and thus damage to starting element and counterpart starting element is prevented or at least reduced. Secondly, the torque can be increased, without the adjustment force being correspondingly increased.
In accordance with the concept of the invention, the electromagnetic switch has a coil carrier which has a carrier wall extending in an axial direction, which carrier wall encloses a cavity in the coil carrier. The carrier wall is thus in particular of cylindrical form. The piston is arranged in axially adjustable fashion in the cavity of the coil carrier. The coil winding is a coil wire wound on that side of the carrier wall which is averted from the cavity, or said coil winding has a wound coil wire of said type. During operation, the coil winding is flowed through by an electrical current and thereby generates a magnetic field within the cavity, which magnetic field adjusts the piston axially in the cavity. The piston is designed correspondingly for this purpose, for example is at least partially ferromagnetic. Here, the magnetic field generated by the coil winding adjusts the piston in the direction of a core, which is preferably axially fixed and in particular accommodated in the cavity. When the coil winding is not in operation, the piston is situated in a passive position. In said passive position, an axial gap is formed, in the cavity, between the piston and the core in an axial direction. The coil wire is wound in at least two winding sections in opposite winding directions. That is to say, the coil wire is, in a first axial winding section, wound in a first winding direction around the carrier wall. The first winding direction is that which serves for generating a magnetic field for the purposes of adjusting the piston in the direction of the core. In a second axial winding section, the coil wire is furthermore wound in a second winding direction around the carrier wall, wherein the second winding direction is opposite to the first winding direction. According to the invention, at least one winding of the second winding section is arranged so as to axially overlap the axial gap.
In the present case, the stated directions relate to the axial direction. Here, axial means in the axial direction or parallel to the axial direction. Radial direction, and radial, mean perpendicular to the axial direction or perpendicular to the axial. The circumferential direction is also to be understood in relation to the axial direction or axial.
The expression or the feature “axial gap” is to be understood in the present case as the axially running gap between the piston and the core in the passive position of the piston.
It is preferable if all of the windings of the second winding section axially overlap the axial gap. It is thus possible to realize a particularly effective reduction of the magnetic field acting on the piston, and thus a particularly effective reduction of the adjustment force of the piston.
The first winding section is expediently that section of the coil winding which is wound in the first winding direction and which extends axially. By contrast, the second winding section is that section of the coil winding in which the coil wire is wound in the second winding direction and extends axially. It is also possible for the second winding section to extend across multiple radially successive rows 31 of the coil winding 13.
The piston is, in the associated starting device, preferably coupled to the starting element, in particular to a pinion, of the starting device such that an adjustment of the piston in the direction of the core leads to an adjustment of the starting element in the direction of a counterpart starting element of an associated internal combustion engine, in particular in the direction of a ring gear. The adjustment force of the piston thus correlates with an adjustment force of the starting element axially in the direction of the counterpart starting element.
Here, the starting element is advantageously driven by an electrically operated motor of the starting device such that said starting element exerts a torque on the counterpart starting element when the starting element is in engagement with the counterpart starting element.
The piston is advantageously equipped with a switching element which, during the adjustment in the direction of the core, produces a supply of electricity to the motor, as described for example in DE 10 2009 052 938 A1.
It is preferable if the second winding section axially and/or radially, in particular directly, adjoins the first winding section. That is to say, the coil wire transitions directly from the first winding section into the second winding section. The coil winding can thus be realized in structural-space-saving form.
The switch may in principle have multiple coil windings or coils. In particular, the switch may have an attracting coil for adjusting the piston in the direction of the core and a holding coil for holding the core in one position. The coil winding described here is preferably the attracting coil.
Embodiments are particularly preferred in which the coil wire is, in a third axial central section, wound in the first winding direction around the carrier wall, wherein the second winding section is arranged axially between the first winding section and the third winding section. In particular, the third winding section axially, advantageously directly, adjoins the second winding section. It is thus possible for the second winding section, which is wound in the opposite winding direction in order to reduce the magnetic field within the coil body, to be arranged locally in targeted fashion in order to realize the weakening of the magnetic field locally in the region of the axial gap.
The third winding section corresponds in particular to the first winding section, with the difference that, in the at least one row in which the second winding section is arranged, the first winding section and the third winding section are arranged on axially mutually averted sides of the second winding section.
It is preferable if the at least one winding of the second winding section which axially overlaps the axial gap is arranged radially as close as possible to the axial gap. This means in particular that the at least one winding is, at least in the axial region in which it is situated, the winding arranged radially closest to the cavity. In other words, the side, which faces radially toward the axial gap, of the at least one winding, which axially overlaps the axial gap, of the second winding section is free from the coil wire. In other words, radially between the at least one winding of the second winding section, preferably the entire second winding section, and the axial gap, there are arranged no other windings of the coil wire. This leads to a particularly efficient weakening of the magnetic field within the cavity, in particular within the axial gap.
Embodiments have proven to be advantageous in which that side of the first winding section which is axially averted from the second winding section is free from windings of the coil wire. This means in particular that the first winding section extends from a first axial end of the coil carrier to the second winding section. It is likewise preferable if that side of the third winding section which is axially averted from the second winding section is free from windings of the coil wire. This means in particular that the third winding section may extend from a second axial end of the coil carrier to the second winding section.
It is advantageous if the carrier wall has a radial step, such that, in a first wall section, said carrier wall has an outer diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter in a second wall section that axially follows the first wall section. Thus, in the first wall section, a depression or a chamber running in the direction of the cavity is formed. The chamber is preferably filled with the first winding section, whereas the second winding section is wound on the second wall section. The third winding section, if provided, is advantageously also wound on the second wall section. Here, the first wall section is preferably arranged closer to the core than the second wall section, such that the chamber is also arranged axially closer to the core, in particular so as to axially overlap the core, whereas the second winding section is arranged axially closer to the piston, in particular so as to be axially spaced apart from the core. The filling of the chamber with the first winding section has the effect in particular that a stronger magnetic field is generated in the region of the chamber than at an axial distance from the chamber, such that, altogether, there is a non-uniform distribution of the magnetic field, which leads to a reduction of the adjustment force of the piston.
In principle, it is conceivable for the coil wire to be wound only in a single axially running row around the carrier wall.
It is also conceivable for the coil wire to be wound in at least two radially successive rows around the carrier wall. This means in particular that the coil wire may have multiple rows. Here, the second winding section is preferably arranged in the first row radially adjoining the carrier wall, that is to say so as to be radially as close as possible to the axial gap. In particular, the second winding section is arranged exclusively in one row, and is axially limited.
It is preferable for at least two rows of the first winding section to be wound in the chamber, wherein the coil wire subsequently transitions into the second winding section. The second winding section may be followed, in the row of the second winding section, by the third winding section.
Embodiments have proven to be advantageous in which a pitch of the coil wire in the second winding section, that is to say a density of coil wire in the second winding section or an axial spacing of the coil wire in the second winding section, varies. This means in particular that the second winding section has an axially non-uniform distribution of coil wire. In this way, a more targeted weakening of the magnetic field within the cavity, in particular within the axial gap, and thus a more targeted reduction of the adjustment force of the piston, can be realized.
It is advantageous if the pitch of the coil wire in the second winding section decreases axially toward the core. In other words, the coil wire in the second winding section is wound more densely axially toward the core. This means that the magnetic field is more intensely weakened axially in the direction of the core. In this way, in particular, the magnetic flux which increases with decreasing axial spacing between piston and core is compensated.
In principle, the coil wire may have identical magnetic characteristics along its entire extent.
Embodiments are advantageous in which the coil wire has a first wire section which is not ferromagnetic, for example is produced from Cu, Al and the like, and a second wire section, which is ferromagnetic, for example is produced from Fe, Ni and the like. In this way, it is also possible within the coil wire, by means of the induction of magnetic fields, to achieve a targeted weakening of the magnetic field within the cavity and thus of the adjustment force of the piston.
The different wire sections are in this case preferably coherent or uninterrupted. Here, the second wire section may follow the first wire section and vice versa. Multiple first and/or second wire sections are also conceivable.
At least one of the at least one windings of the second winding section that axially overlaps the axial gap is preferably formed by the ferromagnetic second wire section of the coil wire. In this way, an additional local weakening of the magnetic field in the cavity is realized in addition to the weakening already effected by the opposite winding direction.
It is advantageous if the entire second winding section is formed by the ferromagnetic second wire section.
It is also conceivable for the second winding section to be formed by the first wire section and by the second wire section.
Embodiments are preferable in which firstly the ferromagnetic second wire section of the coil wire is wound onto the carrier wall, and subsequently the non-ferromagnetic first wire section. This means in particular that at least a first radial row of the coil winding is formed by the ferromagnetic second wire section. It is particularly preferable here if the second winding section is arranged in the first row. In this way, a particularly effective and intense reduction of the magnetic field in the cavity, in particular in the axial gap, can be realized.
Embodiments have proven to be advantageous in which the second ferromagnetic wire section is spaced apart axially from the core. Thus, a reduction of the magnetic field or of the magnetic flux in the region of the core is limited, such that, in particular, the holding of the piston when the piston reaches a position in the vicinity of the core can be simplified, and reliably implemented, for example by means of a holding coil.
The ferromagnetic second wire section may be wound on the first wall section and thus arranged within the chamber. It is thus possible in particular for an axial spacing between the ferromagnetic second wire section and the core to be realized if the chamber is spaced apart axially from the core.
For the further reduction of the magnetic field or flux in the cavity, the electromagnetic switch may have a ferromagnetic bypass body, which encloses the cavity and which is arranged radially between the cavity and the coil winding. The bypass body leads in particular to a diversion of the magnetic flux and thus to a reduction of the magnetic field in the cavity. Here, it is advantageously the case that, in the passive position of the piston, the bypass body is arranged so as to axially overlap the axial gap. It is particularly preferable if, furthermore, at least one winding of the second winding section axially overlaps the bypass body. It is particularly advantageous for both the second winding section and the bypass body to axially overlap the axial gap. It is thus possible to realize a particularly effective, local reduction of the magnetic field within the cavity.
In principle, it is possible for only an axial subsection of the bypass body to axially overlap the axial gap. It is likewise conceivable for the bypass body to axially entirely overlap the axial gap. That is, the entire axial length of the bypass body can be in axial overlap with the axial gap.
The bypass body is preferably axially spaced apart from the core. In this way, a magnetic flux from the bypass body to the core is prevented or at least reduced. Consequently, a more effective weakening of the magnetic field between the piston and the core is achieved. An axial distance or clearance between the bypass body and the core is preferably at least 2 mm.
It is self-evident that the subject matter of this invention encompasses not only the electromagnetic switch but also a starting device having an electromagnetic switch of said type.
Further important features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated Figure description based on the drawings.
It is self-evident that the features mentioned above and the features yet to be discussed below may be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be discussed in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference designations relate to identical or similar or functionally identical components.
In the drawings, in each case schematically:
An electromagnetic switch 1, hereinafter also referred to for short as switch 1, as shown for example in
The switch 1 has a coil carrier 16 which has a carrier wall 19, which carrier wall extends in cylindrical form in an axial direction 17 and encloses a cavity 18, and on which carrier wall the coil winding 13 is wound. In the example shown, the coil winding 13 extends from a radially projecting first end wall 39 to a radially projecting second end wall 40, which is situated axially opposite the first end wall 39, of the coil carrier 16. The end walls run in each case in closed form in a circumferential direction and are of disk-like form. Here, the coil winding 13 forms an attracting coil 20 of the switch 1. In the examples shown, the switch 1 furthermore has a holding coil 21, which is wound radially outside the coil winding 13. The coil winding 13 and the holding coil 21 are arranged in a housing 50 of the switch 1. When electrically energized, the coil winding 13 or the attracting coil 20 serves for the adjustment of the piston 12 in the direction of a core 22, which, like the piston 12, is accommodated in the cavity 18 but is fixed therein and is thus axially non-adjustable. For this purpose, during operation, that is to say when energized, the coil winding 13 and thus the attracting coil 20 and the holding coil 21 generate, within the cavity 18, a magnetic field which exerts an adjusting force on the piston 12 and thus adjusts said piston axially in the direction of the core 22. For this purpose, the piston 12 is at least partially, preferably entirely, ferromagnetic. With the holding coil 21, it is possible to hold the piston 12 in its respectively present position. The attracting coil 20 and the holding coil 21 in this case generate such a magnetic field, which subjects the piston 2 to an adjusting force opposed to the spring force of the at least one spring 14, that, for the adjustment of the piston 12 in the direction of the core 22, the spring force is overcome, and for the holding of the piston 12 in its present position, a compensation of the spring force is realized. The piston 12 is mechanically connected, by means of a connecting element 23 which is of rod-like form in the example shown, to a switching element 24. During the adjustment of the piston 12 in the direction of the core 12, which is likewise at least partially ferromagnetic, the switching element 24 is adjusted in the direction of electrical contacts 25, wherein the switching element 24, when it makes contact with the electrical contacts 25, electrically connects said contacts 25 to one another. Thus, an electrical connection is produced between two lines 26 by means of which electricity is supplied to the electric motor 4. Here, for the starting of the internal combustion engine 3, the coils 20, 21 are electrically energized, and here, adjust the piston 12 in the direction of the core 22 until the switching element 24 produces an electrical connection between the electrical contacts 25. In this state, the electrical energization of the attracting coil 13 is stopped, and the holding coil 21 is electrically energized, in order to hold the piston 12 in position and thus maintain an electrical connection between the lines 26 that supply electricity to the electric motor 4. In this position, it is furthermore the case that the starting element 6 and the counterpart starting element 7 are in engagement, such that the electric motor 4 starts the internal combustion engine 3. When the internal combustion engine 3 has been started, the supply of electricity to the starting device 1 is stopped, such that no magnetic field is generated, and the spring force adjusts the piston 12 back into a passive position 27, which is illustrated in
To reduce the adjusting force, the coil winding 13 which forms the attracting coil 20 is wound at least partially oppositely to the winding direction 28 with which the coil winding 13, when electrically energized, adjusts the piston 12 in the direction of the core 22, hereinafter referred to as first winding direction 28, specifically is wound at least partially in a second winding direction 29. A coil wire 30 of the coil winding 13 is thus wound partially in the first winding direction 28 and partially in the second winding direction 29, wherein the different winding directions 28, 29 are illustrated or indicated in
In the examples shown, the coil wire 30 of the coil winding 13 is wound in multiple radially successive rows 31. Here, the row 31′ situated closest to the cavity 18 is referred to as first row 31′.
In the passive position 27, the piston 12 is separated from the core 22 by an axial gap 32 running in an axial direction 17, which axial gap extends axially between a face side 33, facing toward the core 22, of the piston 12, hereinafter also referred to as piston face side 33, and a face side 34, facing toward the piston 12, of the core 22, hereinafter also referred to as core face side 34. Here, according to the invention, at least one of the windings wound in the second winding direction 29 is arranged so as to axially overlap the axial gap 32. Here, the coil wire 30 is, in a first axial winding section 35, wound in the first winding direction 28 around the carrier wall 19 and, in a second axial winding section 36, is wound in the second winding direction 29 around the carrier wall 19.
Here, the first winding section 35 is to be understood to mean that section of the coil winding 13 which is wound in the first winding direction 28 and thus extends axially. The second winding section 36 is that section of the coil winding 13 in which the coil wire 30 is wound in the second winding direction 29. Accordingly, the second winding section 36 extends axially. It is also possible for the second winding section to extend across multiple radially successive rows 31 of the coil winding 13.
In the examples shown in
The transition between the first winding direction 28 and the second winding direction 29 is, in the examples of
In the example shown in
The example shown in
The exemplary embodiment shown in
In the examples shown in
The exemplary embodiment shown in
In the example of
The exemplary embodiment shown in
A further exemplary embodiment of the switch 1 is illustrated in
In the examples shown, it is furthermore the case that the bypass body 41 is always axially spaced apart from the core 22.
In the examples shown in
In the example of
In the examples of
In the examples shown in
In the example shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
The exemplary embodiment shown in
In all of the examples, the coil winding 13 always has fewer windings in the second winding direction 29 than in the first winding direction 28.
The respective coil body 16 may, for example in an end wall 39, 40, in the examples shown in the first end wall 39, have two leadthroughs 52, formed as radial apertures, for the leadthrough of the coil wire 30 (see
An example of the coil body 16 with at least one separating body 38 will be discussed in more detail on the basis of
Here,
In the example shown, the body widths 57 of axially successive separating bodies 38 decrease alternately from the first body end 54 to the second body end 55 and vice versa. In the example specifically shown, the body width 57 of the end separating body 38″ decreases continuously from the first separating body end 54 to the second separating body end 55. In the case of the intermediate separating body 38′ which follows the end separating body 38″ and which separates the first wall segment 56′ from the second wall segment 56″, the body width 57 increases continuously from the first separating body end 54 to the second separating body end 57. In the case of the axial subsequent intermediate separating body 38′, which separates the second wall segment 56″ from the third wall segment 56′″, the body width 57 decreases continuously from the first separating body end 54 to the second separating body end 55. Thus, despite alternating winding directions 28, 29, dense and in particular gapless winding of the coil wire 30 on the respective wall segment 56 is possible. The decreasing body with 57 of the respective separating body 38 is, in the examples shown, realized by means of a profile, which has an angle α in the circumferential direction, of at least one axial flank 58 of the respective separating body 38. In the case of the end separating body 38″ that is shown, at least one of the flanks 58 has such a profile, whereas, in the case of the intermediate separating bodies 38′, both flanks 58 have such a profile.
It can be seen in particular from
It can also be seen from
A further exemplary embodiment of the coil body 16 is illustrated in
In the examples shown in
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Entry |
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English abstract for DE-102009027117. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200075279 A1 | Mar 2020 | US |