Method for assembling a valve container, valve container, actuating arrangement and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for assembling a valve container for an actuating arrangement of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: - providing a housing wall (40) of the valve container (8), wherein the housing wall (40) has at least one bearing point (50) for a valve (26, 28) and an electrical conductor (46), wherein the electrical conductor is arranged on the housing wall, - Inserting a valve (26, 28) into the bearing (50), - fastening the valve (26, 28) to the housing wall (40), and - connecting the housing wall (40) to a further housing section (58) of the valve container (8), wherein the valve (26, 28) is further guided along the housing wall (40) for connection to the electrical conductor (46).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assembling a valve container for an actuating arrangement of a motor vehicle, as well as the provision of a valve container, an actuating arrangement, and a motor vehicle with a valve container and an actuating arrangement.

[0002] It is known to provide automated clutch and transmission actuation in drivetrains. For example, the drivetrain may have an actuation arrangement with a master cylinder as the pressure generating unit and a slave cylinder as the pressure receiving unit. These are connected via a hydraulic intermediate section.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known that valves can also be arranged in the hydraulic intermediate section. The problem here is how to mount the valves in a valve container. On the one hand, the valves must be arranged in the valve housing, and on the other hand, the valve housing must be connected to the hydraulic intermediate section so that the hydraulic fluid also flows through or over the valves.

[0004] Comparable designs are known from the documents DE 100 40 559 A1 and US 2020 / 0 340 594 A1.

[0005] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for assembling a valve container that is as simple to implement as possible. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a valve container for the said method, as well as an actuating arrangement with the said valve container, and a motor vehicle with the said valve container and / or the said actuating arrangement.

[0006] To solve this problem, a procedure of the type mentioned above is proposed, comprising the following steps: - Providing a housing wall of the valve container, wherein the housing wall has at least one bearing point for a valve and an electrical conductor on the housing wall, - Inserting a valve into the bearing location, - Fixing the valve to the housing wall, and - Connection of the housing wall with another housing section of the valve container, whereby the valve is further guided along the housing wall for connection to the electrical conductor.

[0007] A valve container can in principle have any number of internal and external wall sections. If the container is closed and essentially cuboid-shaped, it has at least six wall sections that separate the interior of the valve container and the exterior. In principle, any number of additional wall sections can be present inside. A wall section for separating the interior and exterior of the valve container can also be referred to as a housing wall. In order to carry out the method according to the invention, a bearing point for a valve must be provided in a housing wall. The valve does not have to be able to rest fully on the bearing point; the bearing point must support the valve at at least two points so that it remains in place without further influences. In other words, the valve can be placed on the bearing point.The bearing point can be formed integrally on the housing wall, for example, by being formed on the housing wall during injection molding. Alternatively, the bearing point can be attached to the housing wall through a separate assembly step.

[0008] An electrical conductor is attached to such a housing wall. This can, for example, be injected during the molding process. Advantageously, the electrical conductor can run from one side of the housing wall to the other, so that after the housing wall is installed, the electrical conductor runs from the interior of the valve container to the exterior. In particular, the electrical conductor can run past or terminate in the area of the bearing.

[0009] After the electrical conductor is secured, the valve is inserted into the bearing. Preferably, the valve is brought into contact with the electrical conductor.

[0010] As already mentioned, the bearing location serves solely to support the valve. The valve is then attached to the housing wall. For example, a bracket can be firmly connected to the housing wall, with the bracket holding the valve in place.

[0011] In principle, the valve mounting step can also be performed simultaneously with the valve insertion step. For example, the bearing location can be designed to allow not only support but also fastening of the valve. A press fit can be achieved by pressing the valve into a sleeve-shaped bearing seat, for example.

[0012] However, it is preferred that the steps of inserting the valve and fastening the valve are carried out separately, i.e. that the valve is fastened in a second step.

[0013] After the valve is attached to the housing wall, the housing wall can be connected to at least part of the valve container. For example, the housing wall can be welded, glued, soldered, or screwed to other wall sections.

[0014] Preferably, the valve can be inserted into a conduit located in the valve container when the housing wall is connected to at least a portion of the valve container. This can be a main conduit or a branch conduit.

[0015] The assembly process is simplified in that the valve is first attached exclusively to a housing wall, after which the valve no longer needs to be considered during assembly. Instead, the housing wall is connected to other parts of the housing, the valve vessel is completed, and the valve is then inserted into the intermediate hydraulic section. This significantly simplifies the assembly of the valve and, consequently, the overall assembly of the valve vessel.

[0016] Advantageously, the valves can be attached to the housing wall with a fixing element. The fixing element can partially correspond to the shape of the valve, so that the fixing element and the valve are arranged in a form-fitting manner. The connection to the housing wall can then be established via a holder section of the fixing element.

[0017] Preferably, the housing wall can be welded to the housing section. This is possible both with a metallic design of the housing wall and the housing section and with a design made of plastic. Accordingly, the housing wall and the housing section are preferably made of the same material. It is sufficient if the same type of material is used, for example, if the housing wall and the housing section are made of plastic. A variety of plastics exist. It is not necessary to use the same plastic, but two plastics that can be welded together.

[0018] During the step of inserting the valve into the bearing location, it is preferred that the valve be guided along the housing wall for connection to the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor was previously attached to the housing wall. The valve can then be brought into contact with the electrical conductor in essentially two ways. Firstly, it can be moved along the bearing location toward the housing wall or, as described, preferably along the housing wall.

[0019] Advantageously, two valves can be used. This allows for two assembly options. Firstly, all steps can be performed for each valve sequentially. For example, an electrical conductor can be inserted for the first valve, followed directly by the electrical conductor for the second valve. Alternatively, both conductors for both valves can be installed simultaneously. Alternatively, the first conductor for the first valve can be installed first, followed by the first valve, and then the second conductor and the second valve.

[0020] It is preferred that the two conductors for the valves are mechanically connected so that the electrical conductors can be assembled in a single step. The conductors can preferably be designed in the form of a stamped grid.

[0021] Preferably, the valves can be immersed in hydraulic fluid in the final assembly of the valve reservoir. This allows for re-pumping of a master cylinder as a pressure generating unit, and the valves can be designed significantly more cost-effectively. Furthermore, leakage in the valve area does not result in fluid loss in the system.

[0022] Furthermore, the problem is solved with a valve container, which can be mounted in particular as described, with at least two valves, wherein the housing of the valve container has a housing wall which is connected to a housing section, characterized in that the valves are fastened to the housing wall, wherein the housing section has a refill opening for a hydraulic fluid. The above statements regarding the assembly method also apply to the valve container. The housing wall is therefore part of the wall between the interior and exterior of the valve container. The housing wall can preferably be made of metal or plastic. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements for further details.

[0023] Preferably, the valve container can have a pressure line and a vent line, with one valve arranged as a pressure valve in the pressure line and another valve arranged as a vent valve in the vent line. In particular, the valve container can have one or two electrical lines connecting the valve(s) to the outside. This allows the control device for controlling the valve(s) to be arranged outside the valve container.

[0024] Furthermore, the valve container has two fluid lines: a pressure line and a vent line. The vent line is arranged, in particular, as a branch of the pressure line and is closed or closable by the vent valve.

[0025] Preferably, the housing section can have a refill opening for a hydraulic fluid. The valve reservoir not only serves as a container for the valves, but also as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. Advantageously, the vent line can lead from the pressure line to the fluid reservoir. Hydraulic fluid can thus be released from the reservoir toward the pressure line via the vent valve.

[0026] The problem is further solved by an actuating arrangement comprising an actuating device and a hydraulic line connected to the actuating device. The actuating arrangement is characterized in that the hydraulic line has a valve container as described.

[0027] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a motor vehicle having an actuating arrangement and / or a valve container. The motor vehicle is characterized in that the valve container and / or the actuating arrangement are designed as described.

[0028] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and figures. These show: Fig. 1 A motor vehicle, Fig. 2 an actuating arrangement in a schematic representation, Fig. 3 a valve container in a first view, Fig. 4 a valve container in a second view, Fig. 5 a valve container in a third view, Fig. 6 a valve container in a fourth view, Fig. 7 the valve container in a fifth view, Fig. 8 the valve container in a sixth view, Fig. 9 the valve container in a seventh view, Fig. 10 the valve container in an eighth view, and Fig. 11 a partial view of the valve container.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with a drive train 2, which includes, among other things, a clutch 3 and an actuating arrangement 4. The drive train 2 can in principle be designed as an internal combustion engine drive train, as a hybrid drive train, or as a purely electric drive train. The clutch 3 and the actuating arrangement 4 can therefore be arranged, for example, in a motor vehicle with an automated manual transmission, or in an electric axle. The drive train 2 is preferably arranged in an electrified motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the clutch 3 can preferably serve to connect an electric motor to the drive train or to decouple it.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows the actuating arrangement 4 in a schematic representation. The actuating arrangement 4 advantageously has a pressure generating unit 6, a pressure receiving unit 7, and a valve container 8. The hydraulic sections 9 and 10 between the valve container 8 and the pressure generating unit 6 or the pressure receiving unit 7 are shown relatively short in this diagram; in reality, they can of course cover a greater distance than the valve container 8. The hydraulic section 12 of the actuating arrangement 4 comprises the hydraulic fluid in the pressure generating unit 6, the pressure receiving unit 7, and the hydraulic intermediate section between the pressure generating unit 6 and the pressure receiving unit 7. The hydraulic intermediate section 14 has at least one main section 16, wherein the main section 16 comprises the hydraulic sections 9 and 10 as well as the section 18 within the valve container.A branch line 20 can branch off from the main line 16. The branch line 18 ends in a reservoir 22 for hydraulic fluid 24.

[0031] Arranged in the valve container 8 are a pressure accumulator valve 26 as the first valve and a vent valve 28 as the second valve. The pressure accumulator valve 26 and the vent valve 28 are advantageously designed as solenoid valves. In an advantageous first embodiment, the pressure accumulator valve 26 and / or the vent valve 28 are open when de-energized. In an alternative embodiment, the pressure accumulator valve 26 and / or the vent valve 28 are closed when de-energized. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure accumulator valve 26 and the vent valve 28 are both closed when de-energized or both open when de-energized. In principle, however, they can have a preferred position independently of one another.

[0032] To establish the currentless position, a spring 30 or another prestressing element is advantageously provided.

[0033] The valve container 8 is shown in more detail below.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows the valve container 8 in a first view. This is a top view of the valve container 8. The valve container 8 essentially has three sections: the section with the reservoir 22, the section with the hydraulic intermediate section 14, and the section 32 in which the valves are mounted. Accordingly, the housing 34 has more sections than in a simple cuboid, which comprises six wall sections. Fig. 3 shows a line section 36 as well as a cross section through the interior of the storage container 22 along the line AA, as in Fig. 4 shown.

[0035] Fig. Figure 4 shows the valve container 8 from the front, although it is cut off along line BB. Therefore, the line section 36 is not visible. However, the reservoir 22, the area 32, and part of the main line 16 can be seen. This also includes a line section 38 that leads downwards out of the valve container 8. The valve container 8 can be connected to the pressure receiving unit 7 via the line section 38.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows the valve container 8 in a first side view. This shows the line BB.

[0037] In Fig. 5 shows the reservoir 22, the area 32, the line sections 36 and 38, and the main line 16. In particular, the position of the line sections 36 and 38 relative to each other is clearly visible. Fig. 5 you can also see the housing wall 40 to which the valves are attached.

[0038] Fig. Figure 6 shows the valve container 8 in perspective view. In addition to the line sections 36 and 38 and a part of the main line 16, the branch line 20 can also be seen. Fig. 2 that the main section 16, which also includes the line sections 36 and 38, are connected to one another in a flow-through manner and that the branch section 20 branches off from the main section 16.

[0039] Fig. Figure 7 shows the valve container 8 in two previously shown positions. Functional features are highlighted. For example, it is shown that the line section 36 is connected to the pressure generation unit 6 and, accordingly, the pressure inlet F1 of the valve container 8 is located at the connection point. The main section 16 comprises a pressure channel 42 after the line section 36. The pressure channel 42 ultimately connects the line section 36 and the line section 38. The pressure outlet F4 of the valve container 8 is located at the end of the line section 38 facing away from the valve container 8.

[0040] A connector 44 is located in the housing wall 40. This connector is used to supply electrical power or control the valves.

[0041] Fig. Figure 8 shows the valve container 8 and the actuating assembly 4 together to show that the valve container 8 forms part of the actuating assembly 4. This shows an alignment with respect to the main line 16, the line section 38, and the reservoir 22.

[0042] Fig. 9 shows the same as Fig. 8, with the only difference that the housing wall 40, including the pressure accumulator valve 26 and the vent valve 28, are shown separately. This also allows the two valves 26 and 28 in the actuating arrangement 4 to be identified.

[0043] Fig. 10 shows a part of the valve container 8, namely the housing wall 40, the pressure storage valve 26, the vent valve 28, electrical conductors 46, and a fixing element 48. With reference to Fig. 10 also explains the assembly of the valve container.

[0044] First, the housing wall 40 of the valve container 8 is prepared. Two bearing points 50, each for a valve, are provided on the housing wall 40. The electrical conductor 46 is attached to the housing wall 40, with the ends 52 extending into the interior of the valve container and the ends 54 remaining outside.

[0045] Valves 26 and 28 are then inserted by placing them along the housing wall 40 in the direction of arrow 56 against the bearing point 50. Either valve 26 or valve 28 can be inserted first, or both valves 26 and 28 can be inserted simultaneously. In any case, the connection to the electrical conductors 46 is established during insertion.

[0046] The valves 26 and 28 can then be attached to the housing wall 40 by means of the fixing element 48. The fixing element 48 is screwed to the housing wall 40. The housing wall 40 can then be Fig. 11 shown with a housing section 58.

[0047] In Fig. 11 shows that the housing section 58 can also have a complex shape. Particularly with injection molding processes, it is possible to produce the housing section 58, apart from a possibly subsequently added line section 36 or a refill opening 60 that has yet to be added, in a single injection molding process. By connecting the housing section 40 in which the valves 26 and 28 are preassembled, it is possible to complete the valve container 8 in a single joining process. Reference symbol 1 motor vehicle 2 Drivetrain 3 Clutch 4 Actuating arrangement 5 Electric motor 6 Pressure generation unit 7 Pressure recording unit 8 valve containers 9 hydraulic sections 10 hydraulic sections 12 hydraulic sections 14 hydraulic intermediate section 16 Main line 18 Part in valve container 20 branch line 22 storage containers 24 hydraulic fluid 26 Pressure accumulator valve 28 Release valve 30 springs 32 Area 34 housings 36 line sections 38 line sections 40 Housing wall 42 pressure channel 44 plugs 46 electrical conductor 48 Fixing element 50 storage location 52 End 54 End 56 Arrow 58 Housing section 60 refill opening F1 pressure input

Claims

[1] Method for assembling a valve container for an actuating arrangement of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: - providing a housing wall (40) of the valve container (8), wherein the housing wall (40) has at least one bearing point (50) for a valve (26, 28) and an electrical conductor (46), wherein the electrical conductor is arranged on the housing wall, - Inserting a valve (26, 28) into the bearing point (50), - fastening the valve (26, 28) to the housing wall (40), and - connecting the housing wall (40) to a further housing section (58) of the valve container (8), wherein the valve (26, 28) is further guided along the housing wall (40) for connection to the electrical conductor (46). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing wall (40) is welded to the housing section (58). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat two valves (26, 28) are used. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that the valves (26, 28) are fastened to the housing wall (40) with a fixing element (48). [5] Valve container, assembled according to a method according to one of the preceding claims, with at least two valves (26, 28), wherein the housing (34) of the valve container (8) has a housing wall (40) which is connected to a housing section (58), characterized by that the valves (26, 28) are attached to the housing wall (40), wherein the housing section (58) has a refill opening (60) for a hydraulic fluid (24). [6] Valve container according to claim 5, characterized by that the valve container (8) has a pressure line (16) and a vent line (20) and one valve is arranged as a pressure storage valve (26) in the pressure line (16) and another valve is arranged as a vent valve (28) in the vent line (20). [7] Actuating arrangement (4) with an actuating device and a hydraulic section (12) connected to the actuating device, characterized by that the hydraulic line (12) has a valve container (8) according to one of claims 5 or 6. [8] Motor vehicle (1) with an actuating arrangement (4), characterized by that the actuating arrangement (4) is designed according to claim 7. [9] Motor vehicle (1) with a valve container (8), characterized by that the valve container (8) is designed according to claim 5 or 6.

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