GB1309452A - Solenoid actuators - Google Patents

Abstract

1309452 Locks WILMOT-BREEDEN Ltd 27 May 1971 [6 June 1970] 27487/70 Heading E2A [Also in Division H1] A solenoid actuator (Fig. I) comprises a brass actuating rod 11 sliding in a tubular iron core wound with coils 14 separated by a shunting core flange 12a; the coils being surrounded by an outer iron sleeve 15 presenting with the core the annular pole faces 16, 17 at either end. Disc shaped permanent magnets 18, 19 are mounted in an annular polepieces 20, 21 on actuating rod 11 and spaced apart by a distance exceeding the core length; so as to present like polarities to the core. The rod has two stable positions and the core flange 12a reduces the magnetic reluctance and increases the holding force. The coils may be wound in the same or opposite senses with like or unlike magnetic polarities, so that oppositely sensed current flow pulses cause the actuator to adopt one or the other stable state. A single coil may replace the dual coil and the shunt 12a may be omitted. The actuator is applicable to a vehicle door lock (Fig. 2) wherein a switch key pulse energises the solenoid from an unlock to a lock state and vice versa. It may alternatively be energised to lock when the vehicle exceeds a given speed. The lock 30 is of the disc latch type wherein a disc is peripherally notched to engage a striker and a detent lever coupled to a release lever 31 for unlatching; a locking pin 32 being movable by the actuator 33 to engage or disengage the release lever. A mechanical lever may also actuate the pin.