Valve device for a system for a vehicle and system for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve device for a system of a vehicle. The system includes a first controller and a second controller, and the controllers are electrically connected or can be electrically connected to the valve device. The valve device includes a valve unit having at least one actuator for manipulating the valve unit; a first supply connector for electrically connecting the actuator to the first controller; a second supply connector for electrically connecting the actuator to the second controller; a first main connector for electrically connecting the actuator to the first controller; a second main connector for electrically connecting the actuator to the second controller; a first electrical protection circuit; a second electrical protection circuit; and a valve housing for receiving the valve unit and the protection circuits. The first protection circuit is electrically connected between, on the one hand, the first supply connector and the second supply connector and, on the other hand, the actuator. The second protection circuit is electrically connected between, on the one hand, the actuator and, on the other hand, the first main connector and the second main connector.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device for a system for a vehicle and a system for a vehicle, in particular an electronic braking system. Background Art

[0002] During the automation or autonomous driving of various vehicles, for example, redundancies must be created, which are in particular designed such that the vehicle cannot enter a safety emergency or uncontrollable state. For example, there is currently a practice of arranging systems, such as an electro-hydraulic braking system EBS or an anti-lock braking system ABS, multiply in a vehicle. Another possibility is to supplement the system with similar subsystems that can map functionality. In the event of a fault, the faulty system can be shut down, while the second faultless system can take over and thus provide redundancy. For example, in order to be able to redundantly configure the electro-hydraulic braking system in a commercial vehicle, the number of pressure control valves on each axle or corresponding wheel will in particular be doubled. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve device for a system for a vehicle and an improved system for a vehicle.

[0004] This object is solved by the valve device for a system for a vehicle and the system for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0005] According to an embodiment, in particular, pressure control valves for dual or multiple protection can be provided for a redundantly designed vehicle system, such as a vehicle braking system. Here, an electrical protection circuit including an electrical fuse device and a diode element can be integrated into the pressure control valve. Thus, for example, in a system for a vehicle, in particular, the pressure control valve can be used by two controllers in a manner electrically protected by means of the fuse device in order to constitute redundancy in the system.

[0006] Advantageously, according to an embodiment, in particular, a low-cost multiple system can be provided, in which doubling of the pressure control valve can be avoided. Thus, not only can costs be saved, but also installation space and wiring effort can be saved, such that such a valve device for the system can be integrated into the vehicle in a simple manner. Integrating a protection circuit, for example implemented as a combination of a fuse device and a diode, into one valve, in particular a pressure control valve, has the following advantages: Simplification of vehicle wiring in the case of dual use. Thus, for example, corrosion-prone Y-cables can be dispensed with. It is possible that the pressure control valve is adapted by means of a suitable plug connection. For example, instead of a 3-pin connector, two 3-pin connectors can also be implemented on the pressure control valve.

[0007] A valve device for a system for a vehicle, wherein the system has a first controller and a second controller, wherein these controllers are electrically connected or can be electrically connected to the valve device, has the following features:

[0008] A valve unit for regulating the pressure of the working medium for a system, wherein the valve unit has at least one actuator for actuating the valve unit;

[0009] A first supply connection for electrically connecting the actuator to a first controller; a second supply connection for electrically connecting the actuator to a second controller; a first main connection for electrically connecting the actuator to the first controller; and a second main connection for electrically connecting the actuator to the second controller;

[0010] A first electrical protection circuit and a second electrical protection circuit, wherein the first protection circuit is electrically connected between on the one hand the first supply connection and the second supply connection and on the other hand the actuator, and wherein the second protection circuit is electrically connected between on the one hand the actuator and on the other hand the first main connection and the second main connection, and wherein each protection circuit has an electrical fuse device and a diode element which are connected in series into at least one of the first and / or second supply connections or at least one of the first and / or second main connections; and

[0011] A valve housing for receiving the valve unit and the protection circuit.

[0012] The vehicle can be a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, such as a truck, etc. The system can be implemented, for example, as an electronic braking system or an electro-pneumatic braking system or other braking system or other vehicle system. The first controller can be the main controller, and the second controller can be a redundant controller. The first controller can be equipped with a first function or an auxiliary function of the vehicle or the system, and the second controller can be equipped with a second function or an auxiliary function of the vehicle or the system. The device can be implemented as a pressure control valve. The valve unit and thus the valve device can have at least one solenoid valve. The actuator can include an inductor with a resistance. The diode element can have a diode, a semiconductor diode, etc. The fuse device can have a fuse or other electrical fuse device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the actuator can be connected to the first supply potential of the first controller via a first supply connection. Here, the actuator can be connected to the second supply potential of the second controller via a second supply connection. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator can also be connected to the supply potential of the first controller via the first supply connection, where the actuator can be connected to the supply potential of the second controller via the second supply connection, where the actuator can be connected to the first ground potential via a first main connection and to the second ground potential of the controller via a second main connection. Here, the actuator can be connected to a common ground potential of the controller via the first main connection and the second main connection. The advantage of this embodiment is that, despite using a common ground potential for at least one actuator, redundant control of the valve device can be achieved in a way that prevents faults such as short circuits, for example.

[0014] The diode element of the first protection circuit can also be connected between the first supply connection and the actuator. Here, the fuse of the first protection circuit can be connected between the second supply connection and the actuator. Here, the fuse of the second protection circuit can be connected between the actuator and the first main connection. Additionally, the diode element of the second protection circuit can be connected between the actuator and the second main connection. The advantage of this embodiment is that reliable fault protection can be achieved in the case of multiple use of the valve device.

[0015] In particular, the conduction direction of the diode element of the first protection circuit can extend from the first supply connection to the actuator. Here, the conduction direction of the diode element of the second protection circuit can extend from the actuator to the second main connection. The advantage of this embodiment is that redundant operation of the valve device can be achieved in a safe and fault-protected manner by two controllers.

[0016] Furthermore, the valve unit can have at least one actuator for actuating the valve unit. Here, the valve device can have at least one third supply connection for electrically connecting a further actuator to the first controller; at least one fourth supply connection for electrically connecting a further actuator to the second controller; and at least one further protection circuit. Here, the further protection circuit can be electrically connected between the third supply connection and the fourth supply connection on the one hand and the further actuator on the other hand. The second protection circuit can be electrically connected between the further actuator on the one hand and the first main connection and the second main connection on the other hand. The actuator of the valve unit can, for example, be part of the inlet valve of the valve device, where the further actuator can, for example, be part of the outlet valve of the valve device. The advantage of this embodiment is that any number of actuators of the valve device can be protected with minimal effort.

[0017] Here, the diode element of the additional protection circuit can be connected between the third supply connection and the additional actuator. The fuse of the additional protection circuit can be connected between the fourth supply connection and the additional actuator. In particular, the conduction direction of the diode element of the additional protection circuit can also extend from the third supply connection to the additional actuator. The advantage of this embodiment is that reliable fault-proof protection can be achieved for the robust redundant operation of a valve device with multiple actuators.

[0018] Furthermore, the additional actuator can be connected to the first supply potential via the third supply connection. The additional actuator can be connected to the second supply potential via the fourth supply connection. The advantage of this embodiment is that the additional actuator can also be connected to the protection device with minimal effort and thus be protected.

[0019] The fuse of the protection circuit can also be arranged replaceably in the protection circuit. The advantage of this embodiment is that after a fault situation, one or more fuses can be replaced simply and at low cost in order to restore the function of the protection circuit.

[0020] A system for a vehicle comprises the following features:

[0021] One embodiment of the valve device described above; and

[0022] A first controller and a second controller, wherein these controllers are electrically connected or can be electrically connected to the valve device.

[0023] The valve device can be connected or can be connected to the first controller and the second controller by means of electrical lines. The system can also have at least one additional valve device.

[0024] The valve device can also have an electrical connection of a first set of mechanical combinations for connecting to the first controller and an electrical connection of a second set of mechanical combinations for connecting to the second controller. One connection is connected to the first controller and the other connection is connected to the second controller. The loosening of one connection does not lead to the failure of the system function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the following description, embodiments of the method presented here are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] The drawings show:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the system;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the system;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a vehicle with a system according to an embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a valve device for a system. Detailed implementation

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing system 100 is presented here. In particular, the first controller or main controller ECU1, the second controller or redundant controller ECU2, and multiple actuators 110 of a pressure control valve (PCV) of system 100 are shown. This system is, for example, a braking system. It includes multiple electronic control units, here the first controller ECU1 and the second controller ECU2, for a common pressure control valve with actuators 110 used for braking control, in order to show redundancy in system 100.

[0032] Here, for example, two pressure control valves each having two actuators 110 are shown. In Figure 1 the schematic diagram, each actuator 110 is intuitively shown as an equivalent circuit composed of an inductor L and a resistor R. The first controller ECU1 includes connectors PCV1_IV, PCV1_OV, PCV2_IV, PCV2_OV, and GVR1 for electrical connection to the actuator 110, as well as connectors UB1 and GND1 for connection to a first voltage source. The second controller ECU2 includes connectors PCV1_IV, PCV1_OV, PCV2_IV, PCV2_OV, and GVR1 for electrical connection to the actuator 110, as well as connectors UB2 and GND1 for connection to a second voltage source.

[0033] Exemplarily, a short circuit of UB1 to the commonly used actuator ground is also shown. In some fault situations, it may occur that neither the first controller ECU1 nor the second controller ECU2 can control the actuator 110. In the case of a short circuit of UB1 or UB2 to the commonly used actuator ground, control can no longer be carried out. Another possible fault situation is the end of control after UB1 or UB2. Therefore, ABS regulation, for example, is impossible in such a fault situation whether from the first controller ECU1 or from the second controller ECU2. Thus, it may not be possible to achieve complete redundancy of the main braking system.

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing system 200 is presented here. Here, Figure 2 system 200 in Figure 1The system response therein, except for only setting one pressure control valve with two actuators 210, additionally includes a safety device F and a diode D for protecting the pressure control valve. A plurality of electronic controllers, here the first controller ECU1 and the second controller ECU2, use a common pressure control valve having two actuators 210 for braking control in order to constitute redundancy in the system 200. In the case of a short circuit between UB1 and the actuator ground GVR1 of the first controller ECU1, the safety device F should be triggered and thus disconnect the short-circuited ground wire GVR1. The diode D should protect the ECU2 on the side of the second controller ECU2 in the case of a short circuit of UB1. In both cases, a short circuit with UB2 can also be triggered.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a vehicle 300 with a system 305 according to an embodiment. The system 305 can be similar to Figure 2 the system. The system 305 includes a first controller 310, a second controller 320, and a valve device 330. The controllers 310 and 320 are electrically connected to the valve device 330. The valve device 330 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the valve device 330 for the system. Here, the system corresponds to or is similar to Figure 3 the system, so the system includes a first controller and a second controller, which can be electrically connected to or can be connected to the valve device 330. The valve device 330 corresponds to or is similar to Figure 3 the valve device. In particular, the valve device 330 is implemented as a pressure control valve (PCV) for the system.

[0037] The valve device 330 includes a valve unit 450, a first supply joint 441, a second supply joint 442, a first main joint 445, a second main joint 446, a first electrical protection circuit 460, a second electrical protection circuit 470, and a valve housing 435. The valve housing 435 is shaped to receive the valve unit 450 and the protection circuits 460 and 470.

[0038] The valve unit 450 is configured to regulate the pressure of the working medium for the system. The valve unit 450 includes at least one actuator 452 for operating the valve unit 450. The valve unit 450 is arranged within the valve housing 435. At least one actuator 452 includes an inductor with a resistance, as visually shown in the equivalent circuit diagram having an inductor L and a resistance R in the Figure 4 illustration.

[0039] The first supply connector 441 is used to electrically connect the actuator 452 to the first controller of the system. The second supply connector 442 is used to electrically connect the actuator 452 to the second controller of the system. The first main connector 445 is used to electrically connect the actuator 452 to the first controller. The second main connector 446 is used to electrically connect the actuator 452 to the second controller.

[0040] The first protection circuit 460 and the second protection circuit 470 are arranged within the valve housing 435. The first protection circuit 460 is electrically connected between, on the one hand, the first supply connector 441 and the second supply connector 442 and, on the other hand, the actuator 452. The first protection circuit 460 includes an electrical fuse device 462 and a diode element 464, which are connected in series to the respective supply / ground connection. The second protection circuit 470 is electrically connected between, on the one hand, the actuator 452 and, on the other hand, the first main connector 445 and the second main connector 446. The second protection circuit 470 includes an electrical fuse device 472 and a diode element 474, which are connected in series to the respective supply / ground connection. In particular, the fuse devices 462 and 472 are configured to trigger, for example, in the event of an electrical fault in the system, such as a short circuit, and to disconnect the faulty supply / ground path. In addition, the diode elements 464 and 474 are configured to prevent an inadmissible current also in such a fault situation.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the diode element 464 of the first protection circuit 460 is connected between the first supply connector 441 and the actuator 452. In addition, the fuse device 462 of the first protection circuit 460 is connected here between the second supply connector 442 and the actuator 452. In addition, the fuse device 472 of the second protection circuit 470 is connected here between the actuator 452 and the first main connector 445. In addition, the diode element 474 of the second protection circuit 470 is also connected here between the actuator 452 and the second main connector 446. For example, the conduction direction of the diode element 464 of the first protection circuit 460 extends here from the first supply connector 441 to the actuator 452. In addition, the conduction direction of the diode element 474 of the second protection circuit 470 extends, for example, from the actuator 452 to the second main connector 446.

[0042] In particular, the actuator 452 can be connected to the first supply potential of the first controller via the first supply connector 441 and can be connected to the second supply potential of the second controller via the second supply connector 442. In addition, the actuator 452 can be connected to the common ground potential of the controllers via each of the ground connectors 445 and 446.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the valve unit 450 includes at least one further actuator 454 for actuating the valve unit 450. According to this embodiment, the valve device 330 also includes at least one third supply connection 443 for electrically connecting the further actuator 454 to the first controller, at least one fourth supply connection 444 for electrically connecting the further actuator 454 to the second controller, and at least one further electrical protection circuit 480. The further protection circuit 480 also includes an electrical fuse device 482 and a diode element 484, which are connected in series into the respective supply / ground connection. The further protection circuit 480 is electrically connected between on the one hand the third supply connection 443 and the fourth supply connection 444 and on the other hand the further actuator 454. The second protection circuit 470 is also electrically connected between on the one hand the further actuator 454 and on the other hand the ground connections 445 and 446. More precisely, here, in particular, the diode element 484 of the further protection circuit 480 is connected between the third supply connection 443 and the further actuator 454, wherein the fuse device 482 of the further protection circuit 480 is connected between the fourth supply connection 444 and the further actuator 454. For example, the further actuator 454 can be connected to the first supply potential via the third supply connection 443 and can be connected to the second supply potential via the fourth supply connection 444. In addition, the further actuator 454 can be connected to the common ground potential of the controller via each of the ground connections 445 and 446.

[0044] The pressure control valve or valve device 330 includes, for example, an inlet valve with an actuator 452 and an outlet valve with a further actuator 454, wherein the actuators 452 and 454 can be connected or are already connected to a commonly used ground. The control lines or supply lines lead from the controller individually to the actuators 452 and 454.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the fuse devices 462, 472 of the protection circuits 460, 470 and the optional fuse device 482 of the optional protection circuit 480 are arranged replaceably in the protection circuits 460, 470 and the optional protection circuit 480. Thus, each of the fuse devices 462, 472 and the optional fuse device 482 can be replaced or renewed individually if necessary.

[0046] With reference to the drawings described above, the embodiments and their advantages are summarized and briefly explained below.

[0047] Thus, protection can be provided by the protection circuits 460, 470 and the optional protection circuit 480 for, for example, with reference to Figure 1Remedial measures for the mentioned sources of failure, these protection circuits are advantageously integrated into the pressure control valve or valve device 330, more precisely arranged in the valve housing 435, to avoid additional sources of failure. Thus, the first controller 310 (equivalent to the first controller ECU1) can, for example, unrestrictedly transfer the control of the valve device 330 to the second controller 320 (equivalent to the second controller ECU2). The first controller 310 can unrestrictedly use the valve device 330 or its actuator 452 or actuators 452 and 454. Thus, the integration of the protection circuits 460, 470 and the optional protection circuit 480 can also be employed in the control path for the valve device 330.

[0048] List of Reference Signs

[0049] 100 System

[0050] 110 Actuator

[0051] GND1 Common ground

[0052] GVR1 Main connection

[0053] L Inductance

[0054] PCV1_IV Supply connection

[0055] PCV1_OV Supply connection

[0056] PCV2_IV Supply connection

[0057] PCV2_OV Supply connection

[0058] ECU1 First controller

[0059] R Resistance

[0060] ECU2 Second controller

[0061] UB1 First supply potential

[0062] UB2 Second supply potential

[0063] 200 System

[0064] 210 Actuator

[0065] D Diode

[0066] F Fuse

[0067] 300 Vehicle

[0068] 305 System

[0069] 310 First controller

[0070] 320 Second controller

[0071] 330 Valve device

[0072] 435 Valve housing

[0073] 441 First supply joint

[0074] 442 Second supply joint

[0075] 443 Third supply joint

[0076] 444 Fourth supply joint

[0077] 445 First main joint

[0078] 446 Second main joint

[0079] 450 Valve unit

[0080] 452 Actuator

[0081] 454 Another actuator

[0082] 460 First electrical protection circuit

[0083] 462 Electrical fuse device

[0084] 464 Diode element

[0085] 470 Second electrical protection circuit

[0086] 472 Electrical fuse device

[0087] 474 Diode element

[0088] 480 Another electrical protection circuit

[0089] 482 Electrical fuse device

[0090] 484 Diode element

[0091] L Inductance

[0092] R Resistance

Claims

1. A valve device (330) for a system (305) of a vehicle (300), wherein, The system (305) has a first controller (310) and a second controller (320), wherein the first controller (310) and the second controller (320) are electrically connected or can be electrically connected to the valve device (330), and wherein the valve device (330) has the following features: A valve unit (450) for regulating the pressure of the working medium for the system (305), wherein the valve unit (450) includes at least one actuator (452) for actuating the valve unit (450); A first supply connection (441) for electrically connecting the actuator (452) to the first controller (310); a second supply connection (442) for electrically connecting the actuator (452) to the second controller (320); a first main connection (445) for electrically connecting the actuator (452) to the first controller (310); and a second main connection (446) for electrically connecting the actuator (452) to the second controller (320); A first electrical protection circuit (460) and a second electrical protection circuit (470), wherein the first electrical protection circuit (460) is electrically connected between the first supply connection (441) and the second supply connection (442) on the one hand and the actuator (452) on the other hand, and wherein the second electrical protection circuit (470) is electrically connected between the actuator (452) on the one hand and the first main connection (445) and the second main connection (446) on the other hand, and wherein the first electrical protection circuit (460) and the second electrical protection circuit (470) each have electrical fusing means (462, 472) and diode elements (464, 474), and the electrical fusing means and the diode elements are connected in series into at least the first supply connection (441) and / or the second supply connection (442) or at least the first main connection (445) and / or the second main connection (446); and A valve housing (435) for receiving the valve unit (450) and the first electrical protection circuit (460) and the second electrical protection circuit (470).

2. The valve device (330) according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator (452) can be connected to the first supply potential of the first controller (310) via the first supply joint (441), wherein the actuator (452) can be connected to the second supply potential of the second controller (320) via the second supply joint (442), wherein the actuator (452) can be connected to the common ground potential of the first controller (310) and the second controller (320) via the first main joint (445) and the second main joint (446), and / or, wherein the actuator (452) can be connected to the supply potential of the first controller (310) via the first supply joint (441), wherein the actuator (452) can be connected to the supply potential of the second controller (320) via the second supply joint (442), wherein the actuator (452) can be connected to a first ground potential via the first main joint (445) and can be connected to a second ground potential of the first controller (310) and the second controller (320) via the second main joint (446).

3. The valve device (330) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first supply joint (441) and the second supply joint (442) are supply voltage joints, and the first main joint (445) and the second main joint (446) are ground joints, or wherein the first supply joint (441) and the second supply joint (442) are ground joints, and the first main joint (445) and the second main joint (446) are supply voltage joints.

4. The valve device (330) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The diode element (464) of the first electrical protection circuit (460) is connected between the first supply joint (441) and the actuator (452), wherein the fuse device (462) of the first electrical protection circuit (460) is connected between the second supply joint (442) and the actuator (452), wherein the fuse device (472) of the second electrical protection circuit (470) is connected between the actuator (452) and the first main joint (445), wherein the diode element (474) of the second electrical protection circuit (470) is connected between the actuator (452) and the second main joint (446).

5. The valve device (330) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The conduction direction of the diode element (464) of the first electrical protection circuit (460) extends from the first supply joint (441) to the actuator (452), wherein the conduction direction of the diode element (474) of the second electrical protection circuit (470) extends from the actuator (452) to the second main joint (446).

6. The valve device (330) according to claim 2, wherein, The valve unit (450) has at least one additional actuator (454) for actuating the valve unit (450), wherein the valve device (330) has: at least one third supply connection (443) for electrically connecting the additional actuator (454) to the first controller (310); at least one fourth supply connection (444) for electrically connecting the additional actuator (454) to the second controller (320); and at least one additional electrical protection circuit (480), wherein the additional electrical protection circuit (480) is electrically connected between the third supply connection (443) and the fourth supply connection (444) on the one hand and the additional actuator (454) on the other hand, and wherein the second electrical protection circuit (470) is electrically connected between the additional actuator (454) on the one hand and the first main connection (445) and the second main connection (446) on the other hand.

7. The valve device (330) according to claim 6, wherein, The diode element (484) of the additional electrical protection circuit (480) is connected between the third supply connection (443) and the additional actuator (454), and the fuse device (482) of the additional electrical protection circuit (480) is connected between the fourth supply connection (444) and the additional actuator (454).

8. The valve device (330) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The additional actuator (454) can be connected to the first supply potential via the third supply connection (443), and the additional actuator (454) can be connected to the second supply potential via the fourth supply connection (444).

9. The valve device (330) according to claim 7, wherein, The fuse device (462) of the first electrical protection circuit (460), the fuse device (472) of the second electrical protection circuit (470), and the fuse device (482) of the additional electrical protection circuit (480) are arranged replaceably in the first electrical protection circuit (460), the second electrical protection circuit (470), and the additional electrical protection circuit (480).

10. A system (305) for a vehicle (300), wherein, The system (305) has the following features: A valve device (330) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and The first controller (310) and the second controller (320), wherein the first controller (310) and the second controller (320) are electrically connected or can be electrically connected to the valve device (330).

11. The system (305) according to claim 10, wherein, The valve device (330) has a first set of mechanically combined electrical connections for connecting the first controller (310) and a second set of mechanically combined electrical connections for connecting the second controller (320).

Images