Sensor device for clutch device of utility vehicle and clutch device for shift transmission of utility vehicle

Abstract

The sensor device (S) according to the utility model is provided with a magnet (3) which is fastened on a piston (2) which can move in a piston housing (1); at least two sensors (5a, 5b) arranged in a sensor housing (4) as a cascade, the sensors being adapted to detect the position of the magnet (3). Positioning sensing can be achieved more accurately and more reliably, and only a small, compact magnet is needed. The compact transmitter magnet provides spatial and cost advantages, for which little rare earth is required, for example, which in addition ensures little environmental pollution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the measurement of the position of a magnet by a position sensor, which is applied in a clutch device for a commercial vehicle, for example. Background Art

[0002] In commercial vehicles, transmission automation plays an increasingly important role, since it offers significant advantages over manually shifted transmissions with regard to fuel consumption and minimization of wear.

[0003] Transmission automation requires, inter alia, a clutch actuator with the necessary position detection in order to be able to detect the current position of the clutch actuator at all times.

[0004] In the prior art, for example, document DE 10 2020 119 185 A1 is known. This document relates to a clutch device for a shift transmission of a commercial vehicle, which has a clutch actuator, a sensor for detecting the position of the clutch actuator, and a sensor stop having a stop surface. The stop surface defines a predetermined position of the sensor in the distance direction from the clutch actuator. The sensor is held in a fixed position relationship with the sensor stop in the distance direction via an elastic element.

[0005] The position sensor needs to penetrate the aluminum wall to detect the position of the working piston, for example the position of the clutch adjuster. As transmitter magnets, only permanent magnets that can be connected to the piston are considered. In order to sense the magnet, different magnetic sensor elements can be used, such as Hall chips or magnetic induction sensors (for example based on the PLCD principle). Especially in the case of clutch adjusters, due to the safety-related functions of the central separator, the clutch position, especially the slip point (Schleifpunkt), must always be detected very accurately. Therefore, the positioning of the travel sensor plays an important role. However, due to space reasons, only small, compact magnets can be used - ring magnets, for example, are excluded. Nevertheless, accurate measurement of the position of the magnet must always be possible. Utility Model Content

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to enable a precise measurement of the position of a travel sensor even if only small, compact magnets can be used.

[0007] This technical task is solved by a sensor device and a clutch device according to the present invention.

[0008] The sensor device according to the utility model comprises: a magnet, which is fastened to a piston, and the piston can move in a piston housing; and at least two sensors, which are arranged in a cascade structure in the sensor housing. The sensors are adapted to detect the position of the magnet.

[0009] Especially when using small, compact magnets, two sensors, for example two Hall sensors, are interconnected in a cascade structure so that position sensing can be achieved more accurately and reliably, also by a defined displacement of the magnets. Compact transmitter magnets offer space and cost advantages, for which, for example, less rare earth is required, which also ensures less environmental pollution.

[0010] Preferably, the length of the magnet in the direction of movement of the piston is 25% to 50% of the maximum displacement of the piston to be detected. In other words - the size of the magnet in the direction of movement of the piston is between a quarter and a half of the travel covered by the magnet and to be detected. The magnet can thus remain compact and nevertheless enable accurate and precise detection.

[0011] The clutch device for the switching transmission of a commercial vehicle has the sensor device described above. Here, the piston is used as the clutch actuator and the sensor is used to detect the position of the piston. In this way, the clutch position, in particular the slip point, can be determined very accurately.

[0012] Preferably, the clutch device is adapted to detect a movement of at least 40 mm of the magnet. This results in that sufficiently accurate position sensing can be achieved even when using small magnets, even when larger displacements, ie 40 mm or more, occur.

[0013] Preferably, a spring element is also provided, which is adapted to press the sensor housing against the piston housing. Thus, the gap between the two housings can be set precisely—the position of the sensor housing is then fixed relative to the piston housing, which increases the accuracy of the position sensing.

[0014] Further preferably, the sensor housing has at least one first alignment device and the piston housing has at least one second alignment device. The at least one first alignment device and the at least one second alignment device are adapted to engage with each other. In this way, the sensor housing can be easily positioned on the piston housing. The accuracy of position sensing is also thereby improved.

[0015] Preferably, the sensor is a Hall sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a GMR (Giant Magneto Resistance) sensor or a TMR (Tunnel Magneto Resistance) sensor, and more preferably a 2D Hall sensor or a 3D Hall sensor. Such sensors are particularly well suited for position sensing.

[0016] Further preferably, at least four sensors are arranged in the sensor housing, and two sensors of the at least four sensors are arranged in a cascade structure.

[0017] In particular for the realization of safety-related functions (eg ASIL C, according to ISO 26262) of the central clutch release, this enables even more accurate position sensing.

[0018] It is further preferred that all sensors in the sensor housing can communicate with one another (via corresponding connections, for example via cables, buses, etc.). This is necessary when a plurality of sensors are used for determining the position of the magnet. Alternatively, a microprocessor can also be present in the sensor housing, which is adapted to evaluate the signals of all sensors. In this case, the sensors do not have to be connected to one another, but can be evaluated directly in the sensor housing. This saves wiring costs outside the sensor housing.

[0019] Further preferably, the sensor housing has an electrical interface, preferably a SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) interface or a TBM (PWM) interface.

[0020] The SENT interface is common in the commercial vehicle field. The SENT protocol is a unidirectional output protocol. In this way, data in safety-related application areas can be output at a constant data transmission rate.

[0021] In the case of a PBM (PWM, Pulse Width Modulation) interface, a purely pulse-modulated signal is generated, which is used for information processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred configurations of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic view showing a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic view showing a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 Further schematic views are shown, in particular the positioning of the sensor housing on the piston housing.

[0026] Figure 4 A detailed front view of the sensor housing is shown.

[0027] Figure 5 A side view of the sensor housing is shown.

[0028] Figure 6a The sensor housing is shown in a plan view fastened to a valve housing, wherein the sensor housing is mounted with play by means of a fastening device.

[0029] Figure 6b Shown with Figure 6a Similar illustration, wherein here the fixing device is mounted on the fastening device so that the sensor housing cannot fall out of the valve housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic view of a sensor device S according to the present invention (for example, used in a clutch device K) is shown. A piston housing 1 can be seen here, in which a piston 2 is supported in a movable manner. A small, compact magnet 3 is mounted on the piston 2, which in this case is a permanent magnet. A second alignment device 7a and a fourth alignment device 7b are arranged on the piston housing 1. A first alignment device 6a or a third alignment device 6b connected to the sensor housing 4 engages with the second alignment device and the fourth alignment device. In this way, the sensor housing 4 can be fastened to the piston housing 1 accordingly, but can still be disassembled despite this. A sensor 5 is arranged in the sensor housing 4, which is, for example, a Hall sensor here. The movement of the small magnet 3 can thus be accurately determined. The sensor housing 4 is fastened to the valve housing 9, and an elastic element 8 is tensioned between them, which pushes the sensor housing 4 in the direction of the piston housing 1. The sensor housing 4 is connected to an electronic control unit 10, through which voltage supply and signal processing are performed.

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic view of a second embodiment of a sensor device S or clutch device K is shown. Two further sensors 5c and 5d are provided here, which are interconnected in a second cascade structure. This contributes to an even more accurate positioning sensing. All four sensors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are directly connected to a microprocessor 10, which is arranged directly in the sensor housing 4.

[0032] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of a sensor device S or clutch device K according to the invention is shown. Here, details of the fastening of the sensor housing 4 to another housing, here the valve housing 9, are shown. The piston housing 1 is also shown, in which the piston 2 with the magnet 3 is movably supported.

[0033] The second alignment device 7a and the fourth alignment device 7b are shown on the piston housing 1. The first alignment device 6a or the third alignment device 6b connected to the sensor housing 4 engages with the second alignment device and the fourth alignment device. In this way, the sensor housing 4 can be fastened to the piston housing 1 accordingly, but can nevertheless be disassembled.

[0034] However, the sensor housing 4 is also connected to the valve housing 9. In the sensor housing 4 there are recesses 12, in which fastening devices 11 connected to the valve housing 9 can respectively engage. In addition, a fixing device 13 is arranged on the fastening device 11 with play, so that the sensor housing 4 cannot fall out of the valve housing 9, but is nevertheless supported on the valve housing with play. A rotation prevention device is schematically shown here, which consists of a first rotation prevention section 16 and a second rotation prevention section 17.

[0035] exist Figure 4 The sensor housing 4 can be seen from the front in FIG. A first projection 4a is provided on the sensor housing 4, in which a third fastening device 6b is provided, which in this case is a slotted hole. The first fastening device 6a is a borehole, which is provided with a squeeze rib 14. In addition, a recess 12 is provided, by means of which the sensor housing can be fastened to a further housing 9 (not shown here). The fixing to the piston is realized by the first fastening device 6a, which is a borehole with a squeeze rib 14, and the third fastening device 6b, which is implemented as a slotted hole.

[0036] Figure 5 A side view of the sensor housing 4 is shown. Here, a second projection 15 is additionally provided, in which an electrical contact 18 is provided. The electrical contact 18 is used, for example, for fastening to a valve housing 9 (not shown here) for electrical contacting of a corresponding attachment end.

[0037] exist Figure 6a, a front view of a sensor housing 4 is shown, which is fastened to a valve housing 9. Fastening devices 11 are provided on the valve housing 9, which engage with corresponding recesses 12 of the valve housing 4. In this way, the sensor housing 4 can be fastened to the valve housing 9 with play. Also shown are a first alignment device 6a (configured as a bore with a squeeze rib 14) and a third alignment device 6b (embodied as an elongated hole). The first and third alignment devices are used for fastening to a second alignment device 7a or a fourth alignment device 7b on the piston housing 1 (not shown here).

[0038] exist Figure 6b It is further shown in FIG. 8 that the fixing device 13 is placed on the fastening device 11 (not shown in detail here) so that the sensor housing 4 can no longer fall out of the valve housing 9 .

[0039] Nevertheless, there is a gap here, i.e., when the valve housing 9 is moved together with the sensor housing 4 in the direction of the piston housing 1 (not shown here), pre-positioning is possible, but there is still enough gap that the sensor housing 4 can be placed on the piston housing 1 (not shown here) even more accurately.

[0040] Reference numerals list

[0041] S Sensor Device

[0042] K Clutch Equipment

[0043] 1 Piston housing

[0044] 2 Piston

[0045] 3 Magnets / Permanent magnets

[0046] 4 Sensor housing

[0047] 4a First protrusion

[0048] 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Sensors

[0049] 6a First Alignment Device

[0050] 6b Third Alignment Device

[0051] 7a Second alignment device

[0052] 7b Fourth alignment device

[0053] 8 Elastic element

[0054] 9 valve housing

[0055] 10 Electronic control unit / microprocessor

[0056] 11 Fastening equipment

[0057] 12 Notch

[0058] 13. Fixing equipment

[0059] 14 Extruded Ribs

[0060] 15 Second protrusion

[0061] 16 First anti-twist section (piston)

[0062] 17 Second anti-twist section (housing)

[0063] 18 Electrical contacts / electrical interface.

Claims

1. A sensor device (S) for a clutch device of a commercial vehicle, characterized in that The sensor device has: a magnet (3) which is fastened to a piston (2) which is movable in a piston housing (1); At least two sensors (5a, 5b) are provided in a cascade structure in a sensor housing (4), and are adapted to detect the position of the magnet (3).

2. The sensor device (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the magnet (3) in the moving direction of the piston (2) is 25% to 50% of the maximum displacement of the piston (2) to be detected.

3. A clutch device (K) for a shift transmission of a commercial vehicle, characterized in that: The clutch device has a sensor device (S) according to claim 1 or 2, The piston (2) is used as a clutch actuator, and the sensors (5a, 5b) are used to detect the position of the piston (2).

4. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3, characterized in that The clutch device is adapted to detect a movement of the magnet (3) of at least 40 mm.

5. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The clutch device further comprises a spring element (8) which is adapted to press the sensor housing (4) against the piston housing (1).

6. The clutch device (K) according to claim 5, characterized in that The sensor housing (4) has at least one first alignment device (6a, 6b), and The piston housing (1) has at least one second alignment device (7a, 7b), Wherein, the at least one first alignment device (6a, 6b) and the at least one second alignment device (7a, 7b) are adapted to engage with each other.

7. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The sensor (5a, 5b) is a Hall sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, a GMR sensor or a TMR sensor.

8. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that At least four sensors (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are provided, of which two sensors in each case are arranged in a cascade structure.

9. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The sensors are adapted to be able to communicate with each other.

10. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that A microprocessor (10) is also arranged in the sensor housing (4), which is suitable for evaluating the signals of the sensor.

11. The clutch device (K) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The sensor housing (4) has an electrical interface (18).

12. The clutch device (K) according to claim 7, characterized in that The sensors (5a, 5b) are 2D Hall sensors or 3D Hall sensors.

13. The clutch device (K) according to claim 11, characterized in that The electrical interface (18) is a SENT interface or a PWM interface.

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