Residual magnetic devices and methods

• US 20060225973A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Dimig, Steven J., Feucht, Michael G., Organek, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US11/094,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20060225973A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/161
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/919 Positioning and locking mechanisms B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/021 restraining movement of the steering column or steering wheel hub, e.g. restraining means controlled by ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/02 with mechanical assistance or drive combined with fluid pressure B60T13/588
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0005 said core being rotary movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0006 having a non-movable core; with permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 53/008 by planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/00 Power-actuated vehicle locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/14 operating on bolt detents, e.g. for unlatching the bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/003 Power-actuated devices for limiting the opening of vehicle doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/166 electromagnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2121/20 using electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 63/006 Positive locking brakes

Abstract

Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create a residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.

Claims

1. A residual magnetic device comprising:

a core housing and an armature moveable to create a substantially closed magnetic path in order to create an irreversible residual magnetic force;

the core housing and the armature constructed of a material including alloyed steel;

the material including a hard outer layer and a soft inner portion.

2. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material includes at least one of SAE 1002 steel, SAE 1018 steel, SAE 625 steel, SAE 1044 steel, SAE 1060 steel, SAE 1075 steel, and SAE 52100 steel.

3. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material includes at least one of chromium steel and tool steel.

4. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material has a martensitic structure.

5. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material includes SAE 52100 steel with a hard nitride layer.

6. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material has been treated by at least one of a nitriding treatment, a carbo-nitriding treatment, and a boron carbide treatment.

7. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the hard outer layer has a thickness of approximately 0.003 inches.

8. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the hard outer layer has a thickness of up to approximately 0.01 inches.

9. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the soft inner portion has a hardness of approximately 40 Rc.

10. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material includes between approximately 0.1 percent and approximately two percent carbon.

11. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material produces an air gap energy between the core housing and the armature of approximately 900 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed and approximately 75,000 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed.

12. The residual magnetic device of claim 1 wherein the material includes SAE 52100 steel with a hardness of one of approximately 20 Rc, approximately 40 Rc, and approximately 60 Rc.

13. A method of treating material for use in a residual magnetic device, the method comprising:

constructing a core housing and an armature with a material including alloyed steel;

heating the material to establish a hardness; and

treating a surface of the material to produce a core housing and an armature each having a hard outer layer and a soft inner portion.

14. The method of claim 13 and further comprising heating the material to establish a martensitic structure.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein treating a surface of the material includes at least one of applying a coating to the material, nitriding the material, and carbo-nitriding the material.

16. The method of claim 13 and further comprising treating a surface of the material to produce a hard outer layer having a thickness of approximately 0.003 inches.

17. The method of claim 13 and further comprising treating a surface of the material to produce a hard outer layer having a thickness of up to approximately 0.01 inches.

18. The method of claim 13 and further comprising constructing the core housing and the armature with SAE 52100 alloyed steel.

19. The method of claim 13 and further comprising treating a surface of the material to reduce a hardness of the material from approximately 50 Rc to approximately 40 Rc.

20. The method of claim 13 and further comprising constructing the core housing and the armature with a material including between approximately 0.1 percent and approximately two percent carbon.

21. The method of claim 13 and further comprising heating the material to approximately 950 degrees Fahrenheit.

22. The method of claim 13 and further comprising producing an air gap energy between the core housing and the armature of approximately 900 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed and approximately 75,000 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed.

23. A residual magnetic device comprising:

a core housing and an armature constructed of a material including at least one of chromium steel and tool steel;

the material having a martensitic structure;

the material including a hard nitride layer and a soft inner portion.

24. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the material includes at least one of chromium steel SAE 52100 and tool steel A2.

25. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the hard nitride layer has a thickness of approximately 0.003 inches.

26. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the hard nitride layer has a thickness of up to approximately 0.01 inches.

27. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the soft inner portion has a hardness of approximately 40 Rc.

28. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the material includes between approximately 0.8 percent and approximately two percent carbon.

29. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the material produces an air gap energy between the core housing and the armature of approximately 900 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed and approximately 75,000 line-amp-turns per centimeter cubed.

30. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the material includes SAE 52100 steel with a hardness of one of approximately 20 Rc, approximately 40 Rc, and approximately 60 Rc.

31. The residual magnetic device of claim 23 wherein the material includes between approximately one percent and approximately five percent chromium.