Collaborative optimization of multi-physical fields for composite electromagnetic linear actuators

Abstract

The composite electromagnetic linear actuator features a co-axial integrated design that merges the moving coil and moving iron actuator types. This design leads to significant interactions among electrical, magnetic, and thermal fields during operation, which in turn affect energy consumption and temperature increases. To further improve the material utilization rate of the actuator and optimize its comprehensive performance, such as force density and temperature rise, a multi-physical field collaborative optimization method was proposed. First, the energy consumption and temperature rise mechanisms of the actuator were analyzed. The bidirectional coupling relationships of multi-physical fields during its operation are studied. Simulations and experiments were conducted to establish the rules governing the spatiotemporal evolution of energy consumption and temperature fluctuations under standard operational conditions. Based on this, a system-level collaborative optimization model for the actuator was established. Sensitivity analysis helped segregate the design variables into system-level and independent categories. Subsequently, using a multi-objective genetic algorithm, the optimal parameter settings were determined. The optimization results revealed that the force constant of the main driving components increased by 5.4%, and the average temperature of the coil decreased by 6.3%; additionally, the starting force of auxiliary components increased by 2.3%, and the temperature of the yoke decreased by 0.8%.