Electromagnetic solenoid actuator and method for operation of an electromagnetic solenoid actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11990274-B2
Application number	US-202117382187-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2021
Priority date	Jul 21, 2021
Publication date	May 21, 2024
Grant date	May 21, 2024

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for operating a solenoid actuator to engage and/or disengage a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission. In one example, a method may include increasing the holding force of the solenoid actuator. Additionally, the solenoid actuator may include a translatable structural element that creates a moment upon touching another structural element holding the translatable element in a locked position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
engaging a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission via a solenoid actuator, the solenoid actuator including a translatable structural element to effect the engagement, where the translatable structural element is linearly moved along a central axis until it touches a surface, wherein contact between the translatable structural element and the surface creates a moment that tilts the structural element along a tilt axis to lock the structural element in place via a frictional force, the tilt axis offset from the central axis.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the torque transmission member includes increasing a current magnitude, and then reducing the current magnitude but with the structural element still locked in place via the frictional force.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structural element is a pole-piece.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structural element is a plunger.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structural element is a cover plate.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the engagement includes engagement of a gear in a transmission or a clutch in a differential.

7. A method, comprising:
increasing current to a solenoid actuator to engage a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission, including:
first linearly translating a translatable structural element against a spring, wherein the translatable structural element is an armature, and
second, after initial linear translation, tilting the translatable structural element to lock the translatable structural element in place; and

reducing the current while friction maintains the translatable structural element to maintain engagement of the torque transmission member.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising learning a current level required to bring the translatable structural element to a locked position of engagement.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising disengaging the torque transmission member, including:
increasing current, in an opposite direction to the engaging current, to the solenoid actuator to unlock the translatable structural element, and then linearly translating the translatable structural element assisted by the spring.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising learning a current level required to release the translatable structural element from the locked position of engagement.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining position of the translatable structural element and adjusting the current in response to the determined position of the translatable structural element.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein reducing the current includes reducing the current to zero while maintaining the torque transmission member engaged.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the translatable structural element is an armature.

Assignees

• Dana Automotive Systems Group

Inventors

• Bangar Sagar B
• Creech Michael Z

Classifications

• H01F7/16 Primary

  Rectilinearly-movable armatures (H01F7/17 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16D27/108

  with axially movable clutching members · CPC title

• F16H48/34

  using electromagnetic or electric actuators · CPC title

• H01F7/081

  Magnetic constructions · CPC title

• F16H2048/346

  using a linear motor · CPC title