Scalable, highly dynamic electromagnetic linear drive with limited travel and low transverse forces

Abstract

A scalable, highly dynamic electromagnetic linear drive with limited travel. The linear actuator is distinguished by low transverse forces. The linear actuator comprises a stator comprising two soft-magnetic limbs; an armature made of soft-magnetic material which is flat at least in certain sections and which is arranged so as to be movable along an axis between the limbs of the stator; at least two flat coils with a soft-magnetic core and a large coil height, which coils are attached to the stator (stator coils), wherein the coil cores are part of the soft-magnetic limbs or are connected thereto in a magnetically conductive fashion; at least one flat coil (armature coil) with a soft-magnetic core and a large coil height which is attached to the armature, wherein the coil core can be part of the armature or can be formed therefrom, or the armature coil is located with its soft-magnetic core lying in a recess in the flat armature; a well-defined start and end position of the travel ('end positions'); at least one switchable means which is designed to lock the armature in at least one end position counter to a restoring force, for example a self-locking magnet or a mechanical latch, a switchable power supply composed of an energy accumulator, for example a capacitor battery, and at least one switch.