Electromagnetic actuator having a pneumatic dampening element

摘要

An electromagnetic actuator for operating a driven member includes an electromagnet having a yoke provided with a pole face and a coil supported by the yoke and adapted to be supplied with electric current to produce an electromagnetic force; and an armature connectable to the driven member and movable in a path of motion into a first position and a second position spaced from the first position. The armature is moved by the electromagnetic forces into the second position in contact with the pole face. A resetting spring is coupled to the armature and exerts a spring force thereon for urging the armature away from the second position toward the first position. The actuator further includes a dampening assembly which has a piston affixed to the armature and a dampening cylinder provided in the yoke and having an open end oriented toward the armature and being in an axial alignment with the piston. In the first position of the armature the piston is axially spaced from the dampening cylinder. The piston enters the dampening cylinder solely during a terminal portion of the path of motion of the armature during displacement thereof toward the second position.