Assistance device and method for operating an assistance device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assistance device (10) for assisting in adjusting a damping throttle element (1) of an actuator (30) for a fluid, wherein the assistance device (10) includes an indication assembly (3) and is configured to determine an adjustment recommendation for adjusting the damping throttle element (1) based on the movement of an adjustment unit (4) of the actuator (30) for the detected fluid and indicate the adjustment recommendation through the indication assembly (3), and the assistance device (10) is further configured to determine operation safety information based on the movement of the adjustment unit (4) and indicate the operation safety information through the indication assembly (3), and the operation safety information is based on the kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjustment unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assisting device for assisting in adjusting a cushioning throttle member of an actuator for a fluid. The assisting device includes an indicating assembly. The assisting device is configured to determine an adjustment recommendation for adjusting the cushioning throttle member based on the movement of an adjustment unit of the actuator for the fluid and to indicate the adjustment recommendation via the indicating assembly. Background Art

[0002] The product "CAT - Cushioning Adjustment Tool" is available from the company Aventics GmbH, and adjustment recommendations can be determined and indicated by means of this product. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve the assisting device in such a way that safe operation of the actuator for the fluid is achieved.

[0004] This object is solved by an assisting device according to claim 1. The assisting device is configured to determine operation safety information based on the movement of the adjustment unit and to indicate the operation safety information via the indicating assembly, the operation safety information being based on the kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjustment unit.

[0005] Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating the assisting device described above. The method includes the following steps: detecting the movement of the adjustment unit, determining operation safety information based on the detected movement of the adjustment unit, and indicating the operation safety information via the indicating assembly.

[0007] Advantageously, the method is designed corresponding to the refinements of the system. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Subsequently, exemplary details and exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to the drawings. Herein:

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic view of the assisting device is shown,

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic view of an assembly composed of the assisting device and an actuator for a fluid having a cushioning throttle member is shown,

[0011] Figure 3 A first decision diagram for determining operation safety information is shown,

[0012] Figure 4 A second decision diagram for determining adjustment recommendations is shown,

[0013] Figure 5 A program for obtaining status information is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 A speed profile with a local minimum is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 A speed profile with a rebound before the final position is shown, and

[0016] Figure 8 A speed profile with a rebound in the final position is shown. Detailed Description

[0017] Figure 1 A top view of an exemplary design of the assistance device 10 is shown.

[0018] The assistance device 10 is used to assist the user in adjusting the damping throttle 1 of the actuator 30 of the fluid (as shown, for example, in Figure 2 ).

[0019] The assistance device 10 includes an indicating assembly 3. The assistance device 10 is configured to determine an adjustment recommendation for adjusting the damping throttle 1 based on the movement of the adjustment unit 4 of the detected fluid actuator 30 and to indicate the adjustment recommendation through the indicating assembly 3.

[0020] In addition, the assistance device 10 is configured to determine operating safety information based on the movement of the adjustment unit 4. The operating safety information is based on the kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjustment unit 4. The assistance device 10 is configured to indicate the operating safety information through the indicating assembly 3.

[0021] Subsequently, additional exemplary details should be explained.

[0022] The assistance device 10 is configured as a portable instrument. The assistance device 10 is used to be leaned on and, in particular, fixed to the fluid actuator 30 by the user, to detect the movement of the adjustment unit 4 of the fluid actuator 30, and to determine and indicate an adjustment recommendation and operating safety information based on the detected movement. Then, the user can adjust the damping throttle 1 of the fluid actuator 30. In addition, the user can judge how safe the operation of the fluid actuator 30 is based on the operating safety information. Then, in particular, the user can perform readjustment on the damping throttle or can determine that the operation of the fluid actuator 30 is unsafe and, for example, can adjust the operation.

[0023] Suitably, then the assistance device 10 can be removed from the fluid actuator 30 and can be applied to adjust the damping throttle of another fluid actuator.

[0024] The auxiliary device 10 comprises an instrument housing 15, which is in particular configured as an outer housing of the auxiliary device 10. Exemplarily, the auxiliary device 10 has a square basic shape. Preferably, the auxiliary device 10 comprises a mechanical interface (not shown in the figure) for detachably fixing the auxiliary device 10 to the actuator 30 of the fluid. The mechanical interface is in particular arranged at the bottom side of the instrument housing 15.

[0025] The assistance device 10 has an indicator assembly 3 which is arranged, exemplarily, at an upper side of the assistance device 10 , in particular at an upper side of a device housing 15 . The indicator assembly 3 is arranged at an outer side of the device housing 15 .

[0026] The indication component 3 comprises an operation safety indicator 8 for indicating operation safety information and an adjustment suggestion indicator for indicating adjustment suggestions.

[0027] Exemplarily, the operational safety indicator 8 comprises three light emitting diodes (LEDs), in particular exactly three LEDs. Exemplarily, the operational safety indicator comprises a first operational safety LED 21 , a second operational safety LED 22 and a third operational safety LED 23 .

[0028] The assistance device 10, in particular the operational safety indicator, is designed to indicate the operational safety information as exactly one of three possible operational safety information. Preferably, the first operational safety information is indicated by the lighting of the first operational safety LED 21 (and the non-lighting of the second operational safety LED 22 and the third operational safety LED 23), the second operational safety information is indicated by the lighting of the second operational safety LED 22 (and the non-lighting of the first operational safety LED 21 and the third operational safety LED 23), and the third operational safety information is indicated by the lighting of the third operational safety LED 23 (and the non-lighting of the first operational safety LED 21 and the second operational safety LED 23).

[0029] The operational safety indicator 8 is designed in particular as a traffic light indicator. By way of example, the first operational safety LED 21 is designed to emit green light, the second operational safety LED 22 is designed to emit yellow light, and the third operational safety LED 23 is designed to emit red light.

[0030] Expediently, the first operational safety information is displayed by green light, the second operational safety information is displayed by yellow light, and the third operational safety information is displayed by red light.

[0031] Alternatively to the design described above, the assistance device 10 can also be configured to indicate the operating safety information as one of exactly two possible operating safety information. Additionally, suitably, the operating safety indicator 8 can include only one or two operating safety light-emitting diodes and can be configured to indicate the operating safety information, in particular exactly two or exactly three different operating safety information, by means of one or two operating safety light-emitting diodes.

[0032] Exemplarily, the adjustment recommendation indicator 16 includes two adjustment recommendation light-emitting diodes, in particular exactly two adjustment recommendation light-emitting diodes. Exemplarily, the adjustment recommendation indicator 16 includes a first adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 24 and a second adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 25.

[0033] The assistance device 10, in particular the adjustment recommendation indicator 16, is configured to indicate the adjustment recommendation as one of exactly two or three possible adjustment recommendations. Suitably, the first adjustment recommendation is indicated by the illumination of the first adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 24 (and the non-illumination of the second adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 25), and the second adjustment recommendation is indicated by the illumination of the second adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 25 (and the non-illumination of the first adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 24). Suitably, the third adjustment recommendation (or the case where no adjustment recommendation should be indicated) is indicated by the non-illumination of the first adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 24 and the non-illumination of the second adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 25.

[0034] Exemplarily, the direction of rotation is shown by a respective marking 26, in particular an arrow, at each adjustment recommendation light-emitting diode 24, 25. Suitably, the shown direction of rotation corresponds to the direction of rotation in which the operating element (not shown in the figure) can be manipulated when adjusting the damping throttle element 1.

[0035] Exemplarily, the indication assembly 3 additionally includes a supply voltage light-emitting diode 27, which suitably emits light when the assistance device 10 is supplied with the supply voltage.

[0036] The auxiliary device 10 expediently comprises a sensor device 28 for detecting the movement of the adjusting unit 4. The auxiliary device 10 is particularly designed to detect the position of the adjusting unit 4 along the movement path 7 by means of the sensor device 28. The auxiliary device 10 expediently is designed to successively detect a plurality of position values regarding the position of the adjusting unit 4 by means of the sensor device 28. The sensor device 28 expediently comprises one or more sensor elements, in particular magnetic sensor elements. Exemplarily, a magnet 32 is present at the adjusting unit 4, the magnetic field of which is detected by the sensor device 28 in order to detect the position of the adjusting unit 4 therefrom. The auxiliary device 10 expediently is designed to calculate a speed value and / or an acceleration value based on the detected position value, for example by differentiating the position value.

[0037] Furthermore, the assistance device 10 comprises a control unit 29 which is designed, for example, as a microcontroller and which is used in particular to read out the sensor arrangement 28 , to determine adjustment recommendations, to determine operational safety information and / or to operate the indication component 3 .

[0038] Furthermore, the auxiliary device 10 comprises a voltage and / or data interface 31 for connecting a supply voltage and / or for exchanging data.

[0039] Figure 2 The assembly 20 is shown, which comprises an auxiliary device 10 and a fluidic actuator 30 . In this case, the auxiliary device 10 is shown in a prescribed application in which the auxiliary device 10 is placed on the fluidic actuator 30 .

[0040] Exemplarily, the fluid actuator 30 is designed as a pneumatic actuator. The fluid actuator 30 comprises in particular a drive cylinder. The fluid actuator 30 comprises in particular a cylindrical actuator body 33. The auxiliary device 10 is expediently placed with the lower side of the auxiliary device 10 externally against the cylindrical actuator body 33, in particular arranged thereon. The auxiliary device 10 is arranged in particular in the region of the end position 14 of the fluid actuator 30, so that the movement of the adjustment unit 14 in the region of the end position can be detected by means of the auxiliary device 10.

[0041] The end position 14 is defined by the end stop 2 .

[0042] The fluidic actuator 30 comprises an adjusting unit 4 which is movable relative to an actuator body 33, i.e., along a movement path 7. The adjusting unit 4 can be brought into an end position 14 in particular. Exemplarily, in this state the adjusting unit 4 is moved to the maximum extent into the actuator body 33 and / or abuts against an end stop 2 which delimits the end position 14. Exemplarily, the adjusting unit 4 comprises a piston 34 and a piston rod 35.

[0043] By way of example, the adjusting unit 4 is coupled to an external load 5, in particular via a piston rod 35, so that the external load 5 moves with the adjusting unit 4 when the adjusting unit 4 moves. The external load 5 is a driven object, for example a machine part, a tool and / or a workpiece, which is to be set in motion by means of a fluid actuator 30. When the adjusting unit 4 moves, the total mass that is moved is the sum of the mass of the adjusting unit 4 and the mass of the external load 5. This total mass is expediently used as a basis for determining the operational safety information, in particular for calculating the kinetic energy.

[0044] Exemplarily, the fluid actuator 30 includes a first pressure chamber 36 and a second pressure chamber 37. Exemplarily, the piston 34 divides the inner space of the fluid actuator 30 into the first and second pressure chambers 36, 37. By applying pressure to the second pressure chamber 37, when the pressure in the first pressure chamber 36 is released, a driving force is applied to the adjusting unit 4 due to the pressure difference between the two pressure chambers 36, 37, and the driving force moves the adjusting unit 4 in the direction toward the first pressure chamber 36 (to the left in the figure). The movement should also be referred to as movement in the first movement direction and / or as a driving movement. The movement in the opposite direction should be referred to as movement in the second movement direction.

[0045] The fluid actuator 30 comprises a damping throttle 1, by means of which the pressure release from the first pressure chamber 36 can be influenced. For example, the damping throttle 1 is located in a channel of the fluid conducted out of the first pressure chamber 36 and determines a channel cross section, through which the pressure fluid flowing out of the first pressure chamber 36 flows. By means of the damping throttle 1, it is possible to adjust how strongly the adjusting unit 4 is damped (that is, in particular braked) during its movement along the first direction of movement. The more the damping throttle 1 is opened, the lighter the adjusting unit 4 is braked. The more the damping throttle 1 is closed, the stronger the adjusting unit 4 is braked.

[0046] The movement of the adjusting unit 4 is expediently damped by the damping throttle in the region of the end position 14 , preferably only in this region.

[0047] The movement of the adjusting unit in the final position area, especially in the direction towards the final position 14, should also be referred to as the cushioned movement, braking movement, and / or final position movement of the adjusting unit 4.

[0048] It is generally desirable that the movement of the adjusting unit 4 when entering the final position 14 is cushioned so strongly by the cushioning throttle 1 that a (hard) impact of the adjusting unit 4 against the end stop 2 that defines the final position 14 is prevented. At the same time, the cushioning should generally not be so strong that the adjusting unit 4 remains stationary too far before the final position 14.

[0049] The assistance device 10 is used to detect and judge the movement of the adjusting unit 4, especially the final position movement, and inform the user via adjustment suggestions and operation safety information about how to adjust the cushioning throttle 1 and / or how safe the current operation is.

[0050] Below, the determination of the operation safety information should be explored in more detail. As already mentioned before, the operation safety information is based on the kinetic energy associated with the current speed (especially the total mass of the adjusting unit 4 and / or the external load 5), and is especially used to inform the user about how safe the current adjustment of the cushioning throttle 1 and / or the current operation of the component 20 is. Appropriately, the assistance information 10 outputs one of the three judgments of "optimal", "acceptable", and "unsafe" as the operation safety information. The operation safety information "acceptable" can also be referred to as "acceptable and slightly recoil-prone". The operation safety information "optimal" can also be referred to as "acceptable and without recoil". The operation safety information "optimal" is indicated, for example, by green light via the indicating component 3, the operation safety information "acceptable" is indicated by yellow light via the indicating component 3, and the operation safety information "unsafe" is indicated by red light via the indicating component 3.

[0051] Preferably, the assistance device 10 is configured to calculate the kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjusting unit 4, that is, especially the sum composed of the kinetic energy of the adjusting unit 4 and the kinetic energy of the external load 5 (as long as the external load 5 exists). The assistance device 10 is especially configured to calculate the kinetic energy effective when the adjusting unit 4 hits the final position 14. Appropriately, this involves an estimate and not an exact calculation.

[0052] Appropriately, the assistance device 10 is configured to compare the calculated kinetic energy with a threshold value and provide operation safety information based on the comparison. Preferably, the operation safety information "unsafe" is provided when the threshold value is exceeded, and the operation safety information "acceptable" or "optimal" is provided when it is below the threshold value.

[0053] The assistance device 10 is preferably configured to determine the threshold value based on the type of the actuator 30 and / or based on the size of the actuator 30. For example, the assistance device 10 is configured to obtain type information describing the type of the actuator 30 and / or size information describing the size of the actuator 30 and to provide the threshold value based on the type information and / or the size information, preferably using a look-up table. The size information preferably includes the diameter and / or length of the actuator 30, in particular the adjustment unit 4. Preferably, the size information includes the stroke of the actuator 30. The assistance device 10 is preferably configured to store and / or receive the size information (for determining the threshold value) via a voltage and / or data interface 31 and / or via a user interface (not shown in the figure). Exemplarily, when the assistance device 10 is operated, the size information is transmitted and / or input into the assistance device 10, in particular by a user.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally thereto, the assistance device 10 is designed to store and / or receive the threshold value via the voltage and / or data interface 31 and / or via a user interface (not shown in the figure). Exemplarily, when operating the assistance device 10, the threshold value is transmitted and / or input into the assistance device 10, in particular by the user.

[0055] Preferably, the assisting device 10 is designed to calculate the kinetic energy as ½*m*v^2, wherein m is the mass of the moving assembly, for example the mass of the adjusting unit 4 and the external load 5, and v is the speed of the adjusting unit 4 (particularly shortly before the end position 14).

[0056] The assistance device 10 is designed in particular to determine operational safety information, in particular kinetic energy, taking into account the mass of the adjustment unit 4 and / or the mass of the external load 5 . This is expediently the currently achieved kinetic energy.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the assistance device 10 is designed to determine operational safety information, in particular kinetic energy, taking into account the type of actuator 30 and / or the size of the actuator 30. This is preferably the currently occurring kinetic energy and / or the permissible kinetic energy, ie, for example, a threshold value for the kinetic energy.

[0058] The auxiliary device 10 is expediently designed to store and / or receive quality information (for calculating the kinetic energy) expediently via a voltage and / or data interface 31 and / or via a user interface (not shown in the figure). Exemplarily, during the operation of the auxiliary device 10, the quality information is transmitted and / or input into the auxiliary device 10, in particular by a user.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally thereto, the assisting device 10 is designed to determine quality information, in particular quality information of the adjusting unit 4, based on the type of the actuator 30 and / or based on the size of the actuator 30. The assisting device 10 is designed, for example, to receive type information describing the type of the actuator 30 and / or size information describing the size of the actuator 30 and to provide quality information based on the type information and / or the size information, expediently using a lookup table. Expediently, the size information comprises the diameter and / or length of the actuator 30, in particular the adjusting unit 4. Preferably, the size information comprises the stroke of the actuator 30.

[0060] The assistance device 10 is preferably designed to store and / or receive dimension information (for calculating the kinetic energy) via a voltage and / or data interface 31 and / or via a user interface (not shown in the figure). Exemplarily, when operating the assistance device 10, the dimension information is transmitted and / or input into the assistance device 10, in particular by a user.

[0061] The assisting device 10 is expediently designed to use the mass information as m in the equation ½*m*v^2 in order to calculate the kinetic energy.

[0062] The assistance device 10 is expediently designed to detect the speed of the adjustment unit 4 when the adjustment unit 4 is in the predetermined position 6 and to determine the operational safety information based on the speed detected at the predetermined position 6. The predetermined position 6 is expediently stored in the assistance device 10, in particular in advance (ie before the speed is detected). Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined position 6 is automatically taught in a first learning process. The predetermined position 6 is expediently in the region of the end position 14.

[0063] The assistance device 10 is designed in particular to calculate the kinetic energy based on the speed detected in the predetermined position 6. The assistance device 10 is expediently designed to use the detected speed as v in the equation ½*m*v^2 in order to calculate the kinetic energy.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the assistance device 10 is designed to detect a motion signature 9 based on the movement of the adjusting unit 4, in particular based on the end position movement, and to determine operational safety information based on the motion signature 9. The motion signature 9 includes a rebound 11, a vibration 12 and / or a stationary state of the adjusting unit 4.

[0065] An example of motion feature 9 is shown in Figure 6 , 7 and 8 are shown. Figure 6 , 7 8 and 9 respectively show the speed v of the actuating unit 4 as a function of the position x of the actuating unit.

[0066] exist Figure 6 , the regulating unit 4 moves in a first direction of movement, wherein the acceleration is initially negative (due to the damping throttle 1), so that the speed continues to decrease. The acceleration then becomes positive, so that the speed increases again, that is, in particular before reaching the final position 14. As a result, the speed profile has a local minimum. The auxiliary device 10 is preferably designed to identify the local minimum based on a change in the sign of the acceleration. The auxiliary device 10 is particularly designed to determine the presence of the motion feature 9 based on a change in the sign of the acceleration and / or based on the local minimum. By way of example, the motion feature is a vibration 12.

[0067] exist Figure 7 and 8 , the adjusting unit 4 moves in a first direction of movement, wherein the acceleration is negative (due to the damping throttle 1 ), so that the speed continues to decrease. The speed eventually becomes negative, so that the adjusting unit 4 moves in a second direction of movement (i.e. opposite to the first direction of movement). The assistance device 10 is expediently designed to detect the movement feature 9 based on the negative speed, in particular based on the change in sign of the speed. In this case, the movement feature 9 is the rebound of the adjusting unit 9 .

[0068] exist Figure 7 In the case of rebound, the rebound takes place before the final position 14 and Figure 8 The rebound takes place in the end position 14 .

[0069] The assistance device 10 is preferably configured to indicate the information "acceptable" based on the presence of the identified motion feature 9, that is, in particular, yellow light. In addition, the assistance device 10 is preferably configured to indicate the information "optimal" based on the absence of the identified motion feature 9, that is, in particular, green light.

[0070] Figure 3 An exemplary first decision diagram is shown which illustrates how the assistance device 10 decides, as a function of the kinetic energy and the movement characteristic 9 , which operational safety information should be indicated.

[0071] According to a first decision block EB1, the assistance device 10 checks whether the calculated kinetic energy is above a threshold value. If this is the case, the assistance device 10 determines a third operational safety information BS3, exemplarily the information "unsafe", as the operational safety information to be indicated.

[0072] According to a second decision block EB2, the assistance device 10 advantageously checks whether the motion feature 9 is present, that is to say whether the vibration 12, the rebound 11 and / or the stationary state (in particular before the end position 14) is present. Advantageously, the check is performed when the kinetic energy is below a threshold value.

[0073] As long as the movement characteristic 9 is present, the assistance device 10 determines a second operational safety information BS2 , exemplarily the information “acceptable”, as the operational safety information to be indicated.

[0074] As long as no movement characteristic 9 is present, ie no vibration 12 , rebound 11 and / or a stationary state (particularly before end position 14 ), assistance device 10 determines first operational safety information BS1 , exemplarily the information “optimal”, as operational safety information to be indicated.

[0075] Below, the determination of adjustment recommendations should be explored in more detail.

[0076] The assistance device 10 is expediently designed to determine an adjustment recommendation based on the movement characteristic 9 and / or based on the operational safety information.

[0077] Preferably, the assistance device 10 is designed to detect that a rebound 11 of the adjustment unit 4 occurs before the final position 14 of the adjustment unit 4 and to determine an adjustment suggestion based on the detection. A rebound before the final position means that the adjustment unit 4 changes its direction of movement before reaching the end stop 2. In this case, in particular, the suggestion "open the damping throttle to a greater extent" is determined as an adjustment suggestion. Exemplarily, the adjustment suggestion is indicated by the lighting of the second adjustment suggestion light-emitting diode 25.

[0078] The assistance device 10 is also expediently designed to detect the rebound 11 of the adjustment unit 4 in the final position 14 of the adjustment unit 4 and to determine an adjustment suggestion based on the detection. The rebound in the final position means that the adjustment unit 4 reaches the end stop 2 and rebounds at the end stop. In this case, in particular, the suggestion "close the damping throttle to a greater extent" is determined as an adjustment suggestion. Exemplarily, the adjustment suggestion is indicated by the lighting of the first adjustment suggestion light-emitting diode 24.

[0079] If the damping throttle 1 is closed too much, a fluid cushion (fluidpolster, sometimes also translated as fluid cushion) is formed before the final position 14, and the adjustment unit 4 rebounds at the fluid cushion. Therefore, the rebound occurs before reaching the final position 14. Exemplarily, such a rebound before reaching the final position 14 is Figure 7 Shown in.

[0080] If the damping throttle 1 is opened too far, the adjusting unit 4 is braked too lightly, so that the adjusting unit 4 reaches the end position 14 at an increased speed and rebounds in the end position 14, so that the rebound occurs in the end position 14, that is, when the end position is reached. By way of example, such a rebound when the end position 14 is reached is Figure 8shown in

[0081] The assistance device 10 is configured to determine adjustment suggestions based on operating safety information.

[0082] Suitably, the assistance device 10 is configured to indicate the adjustment suggestion "close the buffer throttle more" based on the determination of the operating safety information "unsafe".

[0083] Figure 4 The exemplary second decision diagram is shown, which illustrates how the assistance device 10 decides which adjustment suggestion should be indicated depending on the motion characteristic 9 and the operating safety information.

[0084] Suitably, according to the third decision block EB3, the assistance device 10 checks whether the rebound of the adjustment unit 4 has been detected as the motion characteristic 9. If this is the case, then the assistance device 10 checks, according to the fourth decision block EB4, whether the rebound of the adjustment unit 4 takes place in the final position 14 or before the final position 14.

[0085] If the assistance device 10 determines a rebound in the final position 14, then the assistance device 10 determines the first adjustment suggestion EE1, exemplarily determines the information "close the buffer throttle more", as the adjustment suggestion to be indicated.

[0086] If the assistance device 10 determines a rebound before the final position 14, then the assistance device 10 determines the second adjustment suggestion EE2, exemplarily determines the information "open the buffer throttle more", as the adjustment suggestion to be indicated.

[0087] Suitably, according to the fifth decision block EB5, the assistance device 10 checks whether there is vibration 12 and / or a stationary state (especially before the final position 14) as the motion characteristic 9. Suitably, this check is carried out when it has been determined in the third decision block EB3 that there is no rebound.

[0088] As long as there is vibration 12 and / or a stationary state as the motion characteristic 9, the assistance device 10 determines the second adjustment suggestion EE2, exemplarily determines the information "open the buffer throttle more", as the adjustment suggestion to be indicated.

[0089] Suitably, according to the sixth decision block EB6, the assistance device 10 checks whether the operating safety information "unsafe" exists, that is, whether the kinetic energy is above the threshold. Suitably, this check is carried out when it has been determined in the fifth decision block EB5 that there is no vibration 12 and / or a stationary state (especially before the final position 14).

[0090] As long as the operational safety information is “unsafe”, the assistance device 10 determines a first adjustment recommendation EE1 , exemplarily the information “close the damping throttle more”, as the adjustment recommendation information to be indicated.

[0091] As long as the operational safety information is not "unsafe", that is, as long as the operational safety information is exemplarily "optimal" or "acceptable and without backlash", the assistance device 10 determines the adjustment recommendation EE0, that is, the current adjustment of the damping throttle 1 is optimal. Suitably, in this case, the indication of the adjustment recommendation does not occur. Preferably, in this case, the two adjustment recommendation light-emitting diodes 24 and 25 do not light up.

[0092] In the following, reference should be made to Figure 5 Let us now discuss an exemplary procedure by means of which the state information necessary for determining the operational safety information and the adjustment proposal can be ascertained. This procedure is expediently executed by the assistance device 10 .

[0093] In step S1 , the detection of sensor values, in particular sensor values of sensor device 28 , begins.

[0094] In step S2, it is checked with the aid of the detected sensor values whether the adjusting unit 4, in particular the magnet 32 arranged on the adjusting unit 4, is in the detection range of the sensor device 28. In other words, it is checked in particular whether the position of the adjusting unit 4 can be detected with the aid of the sensor values. Step S2 is repeated until it is detected that the adjusting unit 4 is in the detection range of the sensor device 28.

[0095] In step S3, a speed value of the regulating unit 4 is calculated based on the detected sensor values, in particular based on the detected position value of the regulating unit 4. The speed value of the regulating unit 4 is stored as a maximum speed value.

[0096] In step S4, a check is made as to whether a signal evaluation should be started. Step S4 is preferably repeated until the check result is positive. Exemplarily, a check is made as to whether a signal evaluation should be started using the current speed value and the maximum speed value of the control unit 4. The signal evaluation is preferably started when the current speed value of the control unit 4 is below a predetermined fraction of the maximum speed value, for example below half the maximum speed value.

[0097] In step S5, it is checked whether vibrations 12 are present, ie whether a local minimum is present, in particular in the type and manner explained above. If vibrations 12 are present, this is recorded as status information in step S6.

[0098] In step S7, it is checked whether the speed of the regulating unit is zero or has passed the value zero. Step S6 is repeated in this way until the speed of the regulating unit is zero or has passed the value zero.

[0099] In step S8 , a timer is started, exemplarily with a time value of 200 ms.

[0100] In step S9 , it is checked whether a rebound occurs. For this purpose, it is checked in particular whether the distance covered by the adjusting unit 4 in the second direction of movement is greater than a predetermined rebound threshold value.

[0101] In step S10, it is checked whether the rebound takes place before or in the final position 14. If the rebound takes place before the final position 14, this is recorded as status information in step S10. If the rebound takes place in the final position 14, this is recorded as status information in step S11.

[0102] If no rebound is detected, then in step S13 it is checked whether a stationary state is established before reaching the end position 14 . If this is the case, this is recorded as status information in step S14 .

[0103] If the rest state is not determined, then in step S15 a check is made as to whether the timer has expired. If this is the case, then the program ends with step S16, in which the absence of rebound and rest state is recorded as status information. If the timer has not expired, then the program returns to step S9.

[0104] The program can detect the state information necessary for determining the operational safety information and / or the adjustment recommendation, in particular whether the movement characteristic 9, that is to say the vibration 12, the rebound and / or the stationary state (before the end position 14) exists. In addition, the program can determine whether the rebound occurs before the end position 14 or in the end position 14.

[0105] The assistance device 10 is expediently designed to detect a rebound while applying a tolerance range. Expediently, a very small rebound, that is to say a rebound in which the adjusting unit moves only very slightly in the second direction of movement, is not evaluated as a rebound. Expediently, the assistance device 10 is designed to check whether the distance along which the adjusting unit has moved in the second direction of movement after the rebound is less than a predetermined rebound threshold value and in this case to record as status information that a rebound did not occur.

[0106] Suitably, the assisting device 10 is configured to execute the program in real time. Preferably, the assisting device 10 is configured to always store only the (current) part of the speed profile and / or position profile of the regulating unit 4 during the execution of the program. Preferably, the assisting device 10 does not store the entire speed profile and / or position profile of the braking movement of the regulating unit 4. Suitably, the assisting device 10 is configured to store the detected position values and / or speed values for the program in a ring memory (Ringspeicher). Suitably, the ring memory is smaller than the total amount of data of the position values and / or speed values reflecting the entire braking movement of the regulating unit 4.

[0107] Subsequently, further exemplary details should be explained.

[0108] Suitably, the damping throttle 1 is a bypass throttle. The damping throttle 1 can in particular be adjusted by multiple rotations.

[0109] Suitably, in a state in which the operating safety information "optimal" is provided and / or no adjustment advice is provided, the braking movement of the regulating unit 4 has a (as far as possible) periodically indeterminate braking characteristic. In particular, when the braking process takes place in the main braking phase without acceleration reversal, the periodically indeterminate braking characteristic exists. Furthermore, in a state in which the operating safety information "optimal" is provided and / or no adjustment advice is provided, the acceleration of the regulating unit 4 in the final position region can be slightly positive (leicht positiv). At the same time, exceeding the permitted kinetic energy is not allowed.

[0110] The assisting device 10 is in particular used to assist the user when adjusting a pneumatic final position damping that can be adjusted manually. Exemplarily, during operation, the user inserts the assisting device 10 into the cylinder groove at the stroke end of the actuator 30 during the adjustment of the damping throttle 1 and then (after the adjustment) removes the assisting device 10 again. The assisting device 10 is in particular a movable instrument, suitably, the movable instrument can be applied to adjust an unlimited number of final position dampings in succession.

[0111] Optionally, the assisting device can have an intermediate cable to connect the sensor device 28 to an external electronic device, in particular for use with a small fluid actuator 30, such as a small cylinder.

[0112] Suitably, the assisting device 10 has a data interface, such as Bluetooth, WLAN and / or USB. The data interface is for example part of a voltage and / or data interface 31.

[0113] Advantageously, the assistance device can be connected to a smartphone or a laptop via a data interface, and the diagnostic function can be implemented via the smartphone or the laptop, in particular one or more of the following functions: graphically presenting the path profile of the adjusting unit 4 as a function of time, graphically presenting the speed profile of the adjusting unit 4 as a function of time, graphically presenting the speed profile of the adjusting unit 4 as a function of the path, and / or specifying the kinetic energy as a numerical value.

[0114] Advantageously, the assistance device 10 is configured to receive input parameters for determining operating safety information and / or adjustment recommendations via a data interface. The assistance device 10 is, for example, configured to receive the cylinder type, diameter, stroke, and / or the mass of the movement of the external load 5 as input parameters via the data interface. Advantageously, the assistance device 10 has a stored look-up table, and then the permitted kinetic energy and / or the total mass of the determined movement to be applied to the kinetic energy are obtained via the look-up table based on one or more input parameters.

Claims

1. Assistance device (10) for assisting during adjustment of a cushioning throttle member (1) of an actuator (30) for a fluid, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured as a portable instrument and includes an instrument housing which is configured as the outer housing of the assisting device. The assisting device (10) includes an indicating assembly (3) and is configured to determine an adjustment recommendation for adjusting the buffer throttle member (1) based on the movement of an adjusting unit (4) of an actuator (30) of a detected fluid and indicate the adjustment recommendation through the indicating assembly (3), and the assisting device (10) is further configured to determine operating safety information based on the movement of the adjusting unit (4) and indicate the operating safety information through the indicating assembly (3), the operating safety information being based on kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjusting unit. The assisting device (10) can be externally mounted at a cylindrical actuator body (33) of the actuator of the fluid and includes a sensor mechanism (28) for detecting the movement of the adjusting unit (4), wherein the sensor mechanism (28) includes one or more magnet sensor elements for detecting the magnetic field of a magnet of the adjusting unit (4). The assisting device (10) is configured to detect the speed of the adjusting unit (4) when the adjusting unit (4) is at a predetermined position (6) and determine the operating safety information based on the speed detected at the predetermined position (6).

2. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to calculate the kinetic energy associated with the movement of the adjusting unit (4).

3. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to determine the operating safety information taking into account the mass of the adjusting unit (4) and / or the mass of an external load (5), the type of the actuator (30) and / or the dimensions of the actuator (30).

4. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to indicate the operating safety information as one of exactly two or exactly three possible operating safety information.

5. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The indicating assembly (3) includes an operating safety indicator (8) implemented as a traffic light indicator for indicating the operating safety information.

6. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to detect a motion characteristic (9) based on the movement of the adjusting unit (4) and determine the operating safety information and / or the adjustment recommendation based on the motion characteristic (9), the motion characteristic including a rebound (11), vibration (12) and / or a stationary state of the adjusting unit (4).

7. The assisting device (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to detect the vibration (12) based on a local speed minimum included in the speed profile of the adjusting unit (4).

8. The assisting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to detect that the rebound (11) of the adjusting unit (4) occurs before the final position (14) of the adjusting unit (4) and determine the adjustment recommendation based on the detection.

9. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assisting device (10) is configured to detect that the rebound (11) of the adjusting unit (4) occurs in the final position (14) of the adjusting unit (4) and determine the adjustment recommendation based on the detection.

10. The assistance device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The assistance device (10) is configured to determine the adjustment recommendation based on the operational safety information.

11. A method for operating the assistance device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: externally arranging the assistance device (10) at the cylindrical actuator body (33) of the actuator of the fluid; By detecting the magnetic field of the magnet of the adjusting unit (4) by means of one or more sensor mechanisms (28) of the assistance device (10), the movement of the adjusting unit (4) is detected, wherein, the assistance device (10) detecting the speed of the adjustment unit (4) when the adjustment unit (4) is in a pre-determined position (6), determining the operational safety information based on the speed of the adjustment unit (4) detected at the pre-determined position (6), and indicating the operational safety information by means of the indicating assembly (3).

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