Patent ID: 6331746
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: H01F,H02K

Abstract:
A single phase actuator comprising:an armature having an energizable coil winding around an axial gap;a stopper mechanism comprising a first stopper located at a first angular position that is between 0 and 90 degrees in terms of electrical angle from a zero torque position and a second stopper located at a second angular position that is between 90 and 180 degrees in terms of electrical angle from said zero torque position; anda rotor rotatably disposed within said axial gap for rotation between said first angular position and said second angular position, said rotor comprising a plurality of magnets connected axially, each of said rotor magnets having magnetic poles, the magnetic poles of each rotor magnet being mutually shifted in a circumferential direction such that the magnetic poles of each rotor magnet are not in axial alignment with the magnetic poles of the each other rotor magnet; andwherein, in response to energization of said coil in a first direction, said rotor rotates to said first angular position of said first stopper;wherein, in response to energization of said coil in a second direction, said rotor rotates to said second angular position of said second stopper; andwherein, upon deenergization of said coil when said rotor is located at either said first angular position or said second angular position, said rotor maintains its angular position in response to a detent torque.