Signal transmission arrangement with plug-in device and control device for transmitting signals

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a signal transmission device with a plug-in device and a control device comprising a signal transmission device with such a plug-in device for transmitting signals. The control device can be used in particular in combination with a motor position sensor for a brake system. The signal transmission device comprises two cable holders and an intermediate section with a cavity running through in the longitudinal direction, wherein at least one connection cable is arranged in the cavity, which connects plug-in contacts of the first cable holder in an electrically conductive manner with the associated plug-in contacts of the second cable holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to a signal transmission device with a plug-in mechanism and a control device, the control device including the signal transmission device with such a plug-in mechanism for transmitting signals. This control device can be used in particular in combination with a motor position sensor for a braking system. Background Technology

[0002] Current brake-by-wire braking systems typically include a hydraulic unit ("HCU") for regulating and distributing brake fluid, an actuator that generates the required braking pressure and is driven by an electric motor, and an electronic control unit ("ECU"). These components are usually assembled together or interconnected to form a directly mountable unit. In some such braking systems, a control device can be incorporated, designed so that the hydraulic unit not only performs the functions of hydraulic regulation and guidance but also serves as an assembly block for the other aforementioned components.

[0003] In different configurations, it can be proposed that, in the assembled state, the motor unit is mounted on one side of the hydraulic unit, while the electronic unit is mounted on the opposite side of the hydraulic unit. Here, the actuator can be inserted through the opening in the hydraulic unit.

[0004] In order to drive the motor and thus directly generate braking pressure, the motor's position must be measured very precisely. Therefore, the motor is connected to a sensor that measures the engine position and forwards this data to the electronic control unit. For this purpose, complex mechanical solutions are generally known, in which the rotation of the motor is transmitted via a transmission mechanism and shaft, along with bearings and receivers, through a hydraulic unit to the opposite side containing the electronic control unit.

[0005] Therefore, on one side of the electronic control unit (ECU), a magnet can be mounted on the shaft as an angle transmitter, rotating in front of the ECU and an angle sensor element mounted thereon as an angle receiver. The part of the sensor that senses the rotation or position of the motor must be directly adjacent to the rotating part of the motor. Simultaneously, the engine position data provided by the sensor must be transmitted to the ECU. This integrated structure with the transmission mechanism and shaft is considered too expensive and costly to assemble.

[0006] Furthermore, the corner receiver must be shielded against magnetic interference fields. These shielding measures can occupy a significant portion of the installation space, while space on the printed circuit board of the electronic control unit is very limited. Therefore, the space required for the corner receiver on the printed circuit board increases dramatically, necessitating an increase in the printed circuit board area. Additionally, extra shielding plates are required, and their installation incurs additional costs. Finally, after assembly, the corner receiver must be matched to the motor (so-called "motor alignment"), which is also considered costly in this configuration.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a signal transmission device (e.g., a motor position sensor for a braking system) for transmitting electrical signals, which reduces the aforementioned disadvantages, or ideally does not have these disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The inventors conducted research for this purpose.

[0009] Surprisingly, this objective is achieved in a remarkably simple manner by a signal transmission device, particularly a signal transmission device for a control device of a braking system, and by a control device of this kind as described in any one of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and improvements of the invention can be found in their respective dependent claims.

[0010] Therefore, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a signal transmission device, particularly a signal transmission device for a control device of a braking system, the control device having a hydraulic unit, an electronic control unit, a motor unit and an angle measuring device.

[0011] The signal transmission device according to the present invention is characterized in that

[0012] The signal transmission device, viewed in the longitudinal direction, has a first cable retainer, a middle section, and a second cable retainer.

[0013] The cable retainer includes at least one plug-in contact for receiving and holding at least one contact element.

[0014] The middle section includes a cavity that extends longitudinally, and

[0015] The cavity contains at least one connecting cable that electrically connects the plug-in contact of the first cable holder to the corresponding plug-in contact of the second cable holder.

[0016] Therefore, in another aspect, the present invention also relates to a control device, particularly a control device for a braking system, which includes a signal transmission device of the type described above. Here, the braking system can be configured, for example, as a "brake-by-wire" braking system.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a braking system comprising a control device having the signal transmission means of the present invention as described above.

[0018] This invention improves the electrical contact with components or parts of adjacent signal transmission devices by using cables and plug-in contacts. The flexibility of the cable can be achieved by bending (e.g., for single-core cables) or twisting. Depending on the intended use, very thin cables can also be used if a low current of, for example, less than 7.5 A is applied. Thus, the cable can be designed to be very flexible. The signal transmission device according to the invention is able to compensate for axial movement of the corresponding components, which improves the contact.

[0019] In such braking systems, an actuator can be installed to generate the required braking pressure, and the brake fluid can be regulated and distributed by a hydraulic unit (HCU) via this actuator. The actuator can be driven by an electric motor. To control and regulate the electric motor, an electronic control unit (ECU) can be installed.

[0020] To generate the required braking pressure, the electronic control unit (ECU) needs to know the exact position of the motor when controlling it. For this purpose, an angle measuring device can be installed. This device can be configured to determine the motor's position at any given time. For the ECU to use this information for drive control, it is preferable that this information be transmitted to the ECU as an electrical signal.

[0021] In modern, compact braking system layouts (often offered as directly mountable modules), the electronic control unit and the angle measuring device are typically spatially separated, for example, with a hydraulic block positioned between them due to structural reasons. This configuration may be advantageous for functional or assembly reasons. However, a disadvantage is that the electrical signal from the angle measuring device must then be transmitted through the hydraulic block to the electronic control unit.

[0022] Therefore, the signal transmission device according to the invention enables the transmission of electrical signals from the location where the angle measuring device is arranged to an electronic control unit arranged at a distance from it. The signal transmission device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for transmitting electrical signals through other components, for example, through hydraulic blocks in the case of a braking system.

[0023] The electronic control unit can have suitable structural elements and functions to receive electrical signals from the signal transmission device and accordingly use them for drive and control. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit can have at least one printed circuit board. According to one embodiment of the invention, contact elements can be provided that are capable of making electrical contact with the signal transmission device for signal transmission.

[0024] An angle measuring device may include an angle transmitter and an angle receiver. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the angle transmitter may, for example, include a magnet connected to the shaft of a motor in a manner resistant to relative rotation. The rotational speed of the motor, or the resulting position or orientation, can then be sensed by the angle receiver (which may for this purpose include appropriate sensor elements). The angle receiver may have suitable construction elements and functions for processing the sensor signals and / or transmitting them to the signal transmission device according to the invention. For this purpose, the angle controller may also include, for example, a small printed circuit board on which contact elements, in addition to the sensor, can be disposed, enabling electrical contact for signal transmission.

[0025] Electrical signals can be transmitted using the signal transmission device according to the invention. The signal transmission device can be configured in an elongated shape to span the distance between the contact elements of the angle receiver and the control unit, and to establish an electrical connection between these contact elements. Therefore, the signal transmission device can be arranged longitudinally between these contact elements.

[0026] The signal transmission device can, for example, be constructed in a cylindrical shape. In this way, the signal transmission device can be pushed into and held in place particularly easily in the through-hole of the hydraulic block. Such through-holes can be manufactured relatively cost-effectively.

[0027] The signal transmission device may have at least one, preferably multiple, electrical transmission paths through which electrical signals can be transmitted individually or independently. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, viewed longitudinally or axially, the signal transmission device may include a first cable holder, an intermediate section, and a second cable holder.

[0028] Here, the cable retainer may each have at least one pluggable contact configured to receive and hold the contact elements of the electronic control unit or the angle measuring device, respectively. This allows for simple assembly and also ensures reliable contact between the signal transmission device and the electrical connectors of the angle measuring device and the control unit.

[0029] The intermediate section of the signal transmission device may include a cavity extending through in the longitudinal or axial direction. At least one connecting cable can be advantageously arranged within this cavity, connecting the plug-in contacts of a first cable holder to corresponding plug-in contacts of a second cable holder. In this way, the electrical transmission path can be defined by the signal transmission device.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two cable holders may each have a plurality of plug-in contacts, such as two, three or four plug-in contacts, wherein preferably the number of plug-in contacts for the two cable holders is the same, so that a one-to-one allocation can be made between the two cable holders.

[0031] In this way, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connecting cable can be provided between each plug-in contact of the first cable holder and the corresponding plug-in contact of the second cable holder via a signal transmission device. Thus, for example, two, three, or four separate, independent electrical signal transmission paths can be formed.

[0032] In this case, the multiple connecting cables required can be arranged in the cavity in a bent, twisted or braided manner.

[0033] The connecting cable allows for reliable transmission over long distances, even when the signal transmission device has a small diameter. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting cable can be constructed to be longer than the cavity. Furthermore, the connecting cable can be loosely arranged within the cavity. This provides axial mobility. In other words, the flexibility of the connecting cable ensures a certain degree of flexibility for the signal transmission device in the axial direction.

[0034] In this way, shape and position tolerances that may occur during assembly can be compensated for. However, it is particularly advantageous that this also compensates for relative movement of components during operation, thus reliably preventing the lifting or separation of conductive structural elements from each other in the transmission path. Causes of such relative movement can be, for example, oscillations or vibrations acting on the control equipment during operation, varying thermal expansion, or other forces. Therefore, the signal transmission device according to the invention provides additional security in signal transmission between transmitters and receivers arranged spaced apart from each other. This is considered particularly advantageous because such contact losses can lead to interruptions in electrical signal transmission. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Further details of the invention will emerge from the description of the illustrated embodiments and the appended claims.

[0036] In the attached diagram:

[0037] Figure 1 A partial view of the control device with signal transmission mechanism is shown in cross-section.

[0038] Figure 2 A top view of an exemplary signal transmission device according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0039] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of a signal transmission device.

[0040] Figure 4 Show Figure 2 Another oblique partial view of the signal transmission device and an oblique view of the plug-in device.

[0041] Figure 5a , 5b 5c and 5d respectively show Figure 2 Views of the signal transmission device in different assembly states, and

[0042] Figure 6a , 6b The top views show different cable arrangement schemes. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, for clarity, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same components in these embodiments or at these embodiments. To better illustrate the invention, the preferred embodiments shown in the figures are not always drawn to scale.

[0044] Figure 1 A portion of the control device 1, which has a signal transmission device 2, is shown in cross-sectional view.

[0045] For clarity, only the components of the signal transmission device 2 according to the invention, which are related to the design according to the invention, are shown here.

[0046] Figure 2 A top view of an exemplary signal transmission device 2 according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of a signal transmission device.

[0047] also, Figure 4 Shown as a partial view Figure 2 Another oblique view of the signal transmission device 2, and an oblique view of the plug-in device.

[0048] Figure 5a , 5b 5c and 5d respectively show Figure 2 Views of the signal transmission device in different assembly states, and Figure 6a , 6b Top views showing different implementations of the connecting cable are shown.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the signal transmission device 2 is configured for use in the control device 1 of the braking system. For example... Figure 1As shown in the exemplary partial diagram, the control device 1 includes a hydraulic unit 10, an electronic control unit 20, a motor unit 30, and an angle measuring device 40.

[0050] Here, for structural reasons, the motor unit 30 is arranged on one side of the hydraulic unit 10, while the electronic control unit 20 is arranged on the opposite side of the hydraulic unit 10. In other words, the motor unit 30 with the angle measuring device 40 and the electronic control unit 20 are spatially spaced apart from each other. Here, the signal transmission device 2 can transmit signals between the angle measuring device 40 and the electronic control unit 20 through the hydraulic unit 10.

[0051] Here, in Figure 1 The signal transmission device 2 shown for illustrative purposes includes a continuous elongated hole or through hole arranged in the longitudinal direction, in which contact pins 25 are respectively fixed. In the illustrated embodiment of the control device 1, an additional transmission device 26 is arranged along the axial extension of the signal transmission device 2, and this additional transmission device is connected to the signal transmission device 2 in signal technology to transmit electrical signals. Therefore, the signal transmission device 2 and the additional transmission device 26 together form an electrical transmission path.

[0052] For example, in Figure 2 As can be seen from this, the signal transmission device 2 according to the present invention is characterized by:

[0053] The signal transmission device 2 is elongated in shape.

[0054] Viewed longitudinally, the signal transmission device 2 includes a first cable retainer 3, a middle section 5, and a second cable retainer 4.

[0055] The cable retainers 3 and 4 each include at least one plug-in contact 7 for receiving and holding at least one contact element 14.

[0056] The middle section 5 includes a cavity 6 extending longitudinally, and

[0057] At least one connecting cable 11 is arranged in the cavity 6, which electrically connects the plug-in contact 7 of the first cable holder 3 with the corresponding plug-in contact 7 of the second cable holder 4.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a control device 1, particularly a control device for a braking system, the control device comprising a signal transmission device 2 of the type described above. Here, the braking system is preferably configured as a "brake-by-wire" braking system.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a braking system for a motor vehicle, the braking system having a control device 1 and a signal transmission device 2.

[0060] In order to generate the required braking pressure for the braking system, the electronic control unit 2 needs to know the precise position of the motor when driving the actuator or motor.

[0061] To this end, an angle measuring device 40 is provided, which can determine the orientation of the drive shaft of the motor at any time when the braking system is running and provide this information as an electrical signal and transmit it to the electronic control unit 20.

[0062] Such as using Figure 1 As can be seen from the illustrated embodiment, the control device 1 or the associated braking system is implemented as a directly mountable module, which allows for simple assembly. Here, the electronic control unit 20 and the angle measuring device 40 are spatially separated, with the hydraulic block 10 located between these components. The signal transmission device 2 according to the invention enables the electrical signal from the angle measuring device 40 to be transmitted through the hydraulic block 10 to the electronic control unit 20 on the opposite side of the hydraulic block 10.

[0063] In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 20 has a printed circuit board 21. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the printed circuit board includes a plug-in 13 having a first contact element 14. This arrangement allows for simple assembly along the axial assembly direction. Here, the contact element 14 enables electrical contact with the signal transmission device 2.

[0064] The angle measuring device 40 includes an angle transmitter 41 and an angle receiver 42. The angle transmitter 41 includes a magnet connected to the shaft of a motor in a rotationally inverse manner. This magnet can be, for example, mounted on a small wheel connected to and rotating with the shaft of the motor in a rotationally inverse manner. Thus, the rotation of the motor, or the resulting position of the motor, can be sensed by the angle receiver 42 (which includes a corresponding sensor element). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the angle receiver 42 further includes a small printed circuit board 44 carrying a sensor and a second contact element 14. The second contact element 14 enables signal transmission of the sensor signal from the angle measuring device 40.

[0065] An electrical signal can be transmitted between the first contact element and the second contact element 14 using the signal transmission device 2 according to the invention. For this purpose, the signal transmission device 2 is constructed in an elongated shape, in this example, a cylindrical shape. In this way, the signal transmission device 2 can pass particularly easily through the through-hole of the hydraulic block 10. Therefore, the signal transmission device 2 is arranged longitudinally between the contact element 14 of the angle measuring device 40 and the contact element 14 of the electronic control unit 20.

[0066] As in Figure 2 The signal transmission device 2 according to the present invention shown is compared to Figure 1 The signal transmission device shown has several variations, including, in particular, a multi-piece structure and the use of connecting cables instead of contact pins. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the signal transmission device 2 shown, the middle section 5 is shown semi-transparently for illustrative purposes only, thus allowing the connection cable 11 located in the cavity 6 to be identified. In this embodiment, as shown from... Figure 2 As can be seen, a total of four connecting cables 11 are provided. Here, the connecting cables 11 are respectively arranged between the plug-in contact 7 of the first cable holder 3 and the corresponding plug-in contact 7 of the second cable holder 4.

[0067] Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the first cable holder 3 and the second cable holder 4 are each configured with four plug-in contacts 7, thus providing a total of four independent transmission paths for electrical signals. Of course, other numbers of transmission paths are also feasible and provided.

[0068] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment of the signal transmission device 2 shown, a centering shoulder 9 is also shown, which enables the signal transmission device 2 to be installed in the control device 1 with high precision. For this purpose, the hydraulic block 10 has a receiving portion with a completely opposite structure, thereby enabling axial and radial positioning of the signal transmission device 2.

[0069] exist Figure 3 (The figure shows a longitudinal sectional view through the signal transmission device 2.) The plug-in contacts 7 in the two cable holders 3 and 4 can be clearly identified.

[0070] exist Figure 4 The plug-in device 13 is shown only by way of example in this embodiment. This plug-in device is configured in this embodiment to hold and position two contact elements 14 and is associated with the electronic control unit 20 (in...). Figure 4 (Not shown in the image). The contact element 14 is configured as a contact pin and can be inserted into the corresponding plug-in contact 7 of the cable retainer 3 during assembly to establish an electrical connection. The plug-in device 13 can be implemented as part of the printed circuit board 21 or fixedly connected to the printed circuit board 21 in a known manner, thereby enabling simple axial assembly. Assembly direction "A" is shown in the image. Figure 4 The arrows indicate this. Therefore, the signal transmission device 2 according to the invention can be assembled only along a single assembly direction. The electrical contact between the signal transmission device 2 and the angle measuring device 40 on the opposite side is performed in a similar manner.

[0071] Figure 5a , 5b Figures 5c and 5d show the signal transmission device 2 during the assembly process. Figure 5aThe diagram shows a cable retainer 3 with a connecting cable 11 inserted on one side. The connecting cable 11 has cable terminals 12 on both sides, which are positioned and held in the cable retainer 3. For this purpose, the cable retainers 3 and 4 are implemented as a two-piece unit with axially separated portions, allowing the cable terminals 12 of the connecting cable 11 to be inserted. Figure 5b The second cable holder 4 is shown in the image. Figure 5c In the process, after the two cable retainers 3 and 4 are assembled, the middle section 5, which is also a two-piece assembly, is assembled. Then, Figure 5d The assembled signal transmission device 2 is shown in a top view.

[0072] As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, the connecting cable 11 is constructed to be longer than the length of the cavity, the length of which is predetermined by the length of the intermediate segment 5. This provides axial mobility. In other words, the flexibility of the connecting cable 11 ensures the flexibility of the signal transmission device in the axial direction. Therefore, the signal transmission device 2 according to the invention provides additional security in signal transmission between transmitters and receivers arranged at intervals.

[0073] In the case of multiple connecting cables 2, these connecting cables may be bent, twisted, or braided. Figure 6a and 6b Different possibilities for twisting or stranding the connecting cable are shown to avoid damage during operation, such as due to axial movement during operation. For example, connecting cable 11 may rub against each other under continuous contact and cause damage to the cable sheath surface during continuous operation, which may affect transmission quality.

[0074] List of reference numerals

[0075]

Claims

1. A signal transmission device (2), particularly for a control device (1) of a braking system, the control device having a hydraulic unit (10), an electronic control unit (20), a motor unit (30) and an angle measuring device (40). in, Viewed along the longitudinal direction, the signal transmission device (2) has a first cable retainer (3), a middle section (5), and a second cable retainer (4). The cable retainers (3, 4) each include at least one plug-in contact (7) for receiving and holding at least one contact element (14). The intermediate segment (5) includes a cavity (6) extending longitudinally, and At least one connecting cable (11) is arranged in the cavity (6), and the connecting cable connects the plug-in contact of the first cable holder (3) to the corresponding plug-in contact of the second cable holder (4) in a conductive manner.

2. The signal transmission device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The two cable retainers (3, 4) each include multiple plug-in contacts (7), preferably two, three or four plug-in contacts (7).

3. The signal transmission device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A connecting cable (11) is arranged between each plug-in contact (7) of the first cable holder (3) and the corresponding plug-in contact (7) of the second cable holder (4).

4. The signal transmission device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connecting cable (11) is capable of axial mobility.

5. The signal transmission device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connecting cable (11) is bent, twisted or twisted together.

6. The signal transmission device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connecting cable (11) includes cable terminals (12) at its ends for connection with the plug contact (7).

7. A control device (1), particularly for a braking system, characterized in that, The control device (1) includes a hydraulic unit (10), an electronic control unit (20), a motor unit (30), an angle measuring device (40), and / or a signal transmission device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The control device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The electronic control unit (20) includes at least one printed circuit board (21) having a first contact surface (22).

9. The control device (1) according to any one of the preceding two claims, characterized in that, The angle measuring device (40) includes an angle transmitter (41) and an angle receiver (42) having a second contact surface (43).

10. The control device (1) according to any one of the preceding three claims, characterized in that, The signal transmission device (2) is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the first contact surface (22) and the second contact surface (43) so as to establish an electrical contact between the first contact surface (22) and the second contact surface (43).

11. A braking system comprising a control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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