Multi-stable solenoids are novel energy-efficient actuators for holding any armature position powerless. Power is only needed for changing the position. Such solenoids combine the continuous adjustability of proportional solenoids with the energy efficiency of polarised magnetic circuits. A disadvantage is the sensitivity to unknown load forces that influence the remanent position. For compensating such forces, the actual position must be known. Information about position can be made available by self-sensing position determination, which is only based on electrical measurements.

This paper deals with a demonstration of self-sensing position determination on multi-stable solenoids for use in load force compensation. The basis is a demonstrator, which is investigated concerning its multi-stable behaviour at various load forces to illustrate the drawback. Based on its electro-magnetic behaviour, a suitable position observation method is derived, implemented and investigated. The method is applied for compensating unknown load forces, in order to demonstrate a potential use case.