System for monitoring the position of a valve body in a valve unit and a valve unit for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle.

Abstract

System (100) for monitoring the position of a valve body (220) in a valve unit (200) for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises the following: a valve housing (210) for receiving a valve body (220), wherein the valve body (220) in the valve housing (210) is designed to be movable between a first position in which the valve body (220) is arranged in abutting a valve seat (230) and closes the valve unit (200), and a second position in which the valve body (220) is spaced away from the valve seat (230) and the valve unit (200) is at least partially open, a piston rod (222) for transmitting a drive movement to the valve body (220), wherein the piston rod (222) has a receptacle (240) for arranging a permanent magnet (300), and a sensor unit (250) which is fixedly arranged in relation to the valve seat (230) and is designed to detect the position of a permanent magnet (300) arranged in the receptacle (240) of the piston rod (222).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a system for monitoring the position of a valve body in a valve unit for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. The invention further relates to a valve unit for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Various types of sensors are used in the prior art to monitor the position of valve bodies in valve units. Depending on the specific application, it can be crucial to determine the exact position of the valve body. For example, the possible flow rate of a coolant can be determined based on the precise position of the valve body relative to the valve seat of the valve unit.

[0003] Monitoring the position of valve bodies is a safety-relevant aspect, particularly in the automotive sector. For example, components such as battery or brake systems are cooled by coolant, making the position of valve bodies within these coolant circuits crucial. The valve body's position is therefore relevant to the functionality of safety-critical components in a vehicle. The sensors are preferably positioned on the valve unit's actuator.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current technology is that position measurement at the actuator is subject to uncertainties. For example, the transmission of an actuator movement to a valve body can be disrupted or defective. Consequently, it is no longer possible to determine the actual position of the valve body. This results in significant safety risks in the operation of motor vehicles. Description of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a system belonging to the aforementioned technical field for monitoring the position of a valve body, which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a valve unit for a coolant circuit and a motor vehicle with such a system and / or a valve unit.

[0006] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. The invention comprises a system for monitoring the position of a valve body in a valve unit for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. The system has a valve housing for receiving a valve body, wherein the valve body is movable within the valve housing between a first position in which the valve body is arranged abutting a valve seat and closing the valve unit, and a second position in which the valve body is spaced away from the valve seat and the valve unit is at least partially open. The system also includes a piston rod for transmitting a drive movement to the valve body, wherein the piston rod has a receptacle for arranging a permanent magnet.In addition, the system includes a sensor unit which is fixedly arranged in relation to the valve seat and is designed to detect the position of a permanent magnet located in the piston rod receptacle.

[0007] This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the position of the valve body is not measured at the actuator. This increases the reliability of the position measurement because potential interference or interruptions between the actuator and the valve body are eliminated as a source of error. A further advantage is that the magnet is not located directly on the valve body itself, which further improves the measurement quality. By positioning the magnet on the piston rod, the measurement accuracy can be increased and the assembly of the valve unit simplified.

[0008] A valve housing according to this invention serves to allow refrigerant to flow through the valve unit, wherein the valve body is arranged in the valve housing and its position relative to the valve seat determines the refrigerant flow rate through the valve unit. When the valve body is fully seated in the valve seat of the valve housing, the valve housing is closed and no refrigerant can flow through the valve unit. When the valve body is spaced apart from the valve seat, the valve unit is open for refrigerant flow, and the extent of the space between the valve body and the valve seat determines the possible fluid flow rate through the valve body.

[0009] A piston rod within the meaning of this invention is understood to be a direct connecting means which transmits an axial drive movement directly to the valve body.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body is moved within the valve housing between a first position and a second position in the direction of a piston rod longitudinal axis L. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the movement of an actuator is directly transferred to the valve body. The direct transfer from piston rod to valve body enables particularly precise position measurement.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the valve body and the receptacle are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the piston rod's longitudinal axis L. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the valve body can be designed to be completely optimized for flow and function. The valve body thus does not need to include a receptacle for a permanent magnet, which greatly simplifies its production. Due to the spacing in the direction of the piston rod's longitudinal axis, the position sensing function can be performed at a distance from the valve body on the piston rod.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance between the valve body and the receptacle in the direction of the piston rod longitudinal axis L is greater than the diameter of the valve body.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the receptacle is radially spaced with respect to a piston rod longitudinal axis L and is arranged facing a side wall of the valve housing.

[0014] A crucial factor for the quality and accuracy of the sensor's output signal is that the magnetic field strength is sufficiently high to cover the sensor's operating range. This can be achieved, in particular, by minimizing the so-called air gap and ensuring that it remains constant between a first and second position as the valve body moves along the piston rod's longitudinal axis L. The air gap thus corresponds to the geometric distance between the detecting sensor unit and the permanent magnet.

[0015] By positioning the permanent magnet receptacle facing the side wall of the valve housing, the air gap and the size of the permanent magnet can be minimized. This can reduce manufacturing costs and improve system performance.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle features a locking mechanism for securing a permanent magnet. This offers the technical advantage, for example, that the assembly of the system and its installation in a valve unit can be carried out particularly efficiently and without assembly errors. The permanent magnet can only be mounted in a very specific way, which is determined by the locking mechanism.

[0017] To further simplify the installation of the permanent magnet, the locking mechanism features a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm for gripping the magnet. The first and second clamping arms securely hold the permanent magnet in position. The clamping arms are arranged symmetrically to each other, ensuring that the permanent magnet is positioned precisely in the center between them.

[0018] According to an additional embodiment, the valve housing has a bearing element for axially guiding the piston rod during its movement between a first and a second position. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of particularly precise piston rod guidance. The precise guidance of the piston rod further improves the position measurement of the permanent magnet and thus of the valve body.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, the system features an anti-rotation device to prevent the piston rod from rotating relative to the valve housing. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of further improving the precision of the permanent magnet's position detection. As already explained, the quality and accuracy of the sensor-generated signal depend on the magnetic field strength being sufficiently high to affect the sensor. For this purpose, the air gap should be as small as possible and remain constant between a first position and a second position during the valve body's movement along the piston rod's longitudinal axis L. The anti-rotation device prevents the piston rod from rotating relative to the valve housing.This eliminates the need for a large, custom-designed magnetic ring, which would require flow-optimized openings and incur high costs. Combined with the bearing element, the air gap and the dimensions of the permanent magnet are further minimized. The expensive magnetic material can be reduced to a minimum while maintaining high precision in position detection.

[0020] To further minimize the air gap and to improve position detection, the anti-rotation device includes a guide for guiding the receiver when transferring the valve body between a first position and a second position.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are designed to slide on the guide means when the valve body is moved between a first position and a second position.

[0022] To further improve the guidance of the bearing element, the guide element comprises a first guide arm and a second guide arm, with the first and second guide arms axially guiding the receptacle. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the guide element has a dual function. On the one hand, the guide element serves as an anti-rotation device. On the other hand, it supports the bearing of the receptacle and thus the axial support of the piston rod. Overall, this results in highly precise position detection of the permanent magnet, while the system is particularly easy and error-free to assemble.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotation device is arranged on the bearing element, with the piston rod being designed to be non-rotatable relative to the bearing element. This embodiment also offers the technical advantage, for example, of particularly precise guidance of the piston rod. This precise guidance of the piston rod further improves the position measurement of the permanent magnet and thus of the valve body.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a Hall sensor.

[0025] To make the assembly and maintenance of the valve unit particularly easy, the valve housing has a housing for accommodating the sensor unit and control electronics for the system, with the housing being arranged directly adjacent to the side wall of the valve housing.

[0026] For example, all the electronics of the valve unit can be housed within the casing. This means the electronic components are located in an easily accessible place, rather than being distributed throughout the entire valve unit. This reduces manufacturing costs and assembly effort for both the system and the valve unit.

[0027] According to another aspect, the problem of the invention is solved by a valve unit for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, with a system according to one of the above embodiments.

[0028] The advantages are essentially comparable to those of the aforementioned embodiments. In particular, the technical advantage is achieved that the position of the valve body within the valve unit is not measured at the actuator. This increases the reliability of the position determination because potential disturbances or interruptions between the actuator and the valve body are eliminated as a source of error. A further advantage lies in the fact that the magnet is also not located directly on the valve body itself, which further improves the measurement quality. By arranging the magnet on the piston rod, the measurement accuracy can be increased and the assembly of the valve unit simplified.

[0029] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the valve unit comprises a control valve or a switching valve.

[0030] A further subordinate aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a system and / or a valve unit according to one of the preceding embodiments. The advantages are essentially comparable to those of the preceding embodiments.

[0031] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention can be derived from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The various and exemplary features described above can be combined with one another according to the invention, insofar as this is technically sensible and suitable. Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 2 a sectional view of a part of a system according to the invention; Fig. 3 A, B, C a perspective view of a photograph including a permanent magnet; Fig. 4A another perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 4B a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 5A a perspective view of a recording and an anti-rotation device of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; and Fig. 5B a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an anti-rotation device of the system according to the invention.

[0033] Basically, identical parts in the figures are marked with the same reference symbols. Ways to implement the invention

[0034] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention for monitoring the position of a valve body 220 in a valve unit 200 for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle.

[0035] System 100 comprises a valve housing 210 for receiving a valve body 220. The valve body 220 serves to regulate a coolant flow, and can be moved between a position in contact with the valve seat 230, in which the valve body 220 closes the coolant flow through the valve housing 210, and an open position, in which the valve body 220 is spaced from the valve seat 230 and thus allows coolant flow through the valve housing 210. The volumetric flow rate of the coolant can be controlled depending on the distance between the valve seat 230 and the valve body 220. The valve body 220 is actuated by a drive, the movement of which is transmitted to the valve body 220 by means of a piston rod 222.

[0036] Additionally, the piston rod 222 includes a receptacle 240, which is designed to hold a permanent magnet 300. Thus, the piston rod 222 serves both as an actuating element for a linear drive and as a holder for a permanent magnet 300. The permanent magnet 300 can be used to provide position feedback for the piston rod 222 by means of a housing-integrated sensor unit 250 (not shown). The housing-integrated sensor unit 250 is therefore fixedly arranged with respect to the valve seat 230 and is designed to detect the position of a permanent magnet 300 located in the receptacle 240. Through the linear drive and the transmission of the drive motion via the piston rod 222 to the valve body 220, the piston rod 222 and the valve body 220 move in the direction of a longitudinal axis L of the piston rod.

[0037] The mounting 240 is spaced from the valve body in the direction of the piston rod's longitudinal axis L to make the position detection of the permanent magnet 300 as independent as possible from fluid turbulence and pressure differences. The precision of the position detection is further improved by orienting the mounting 240 radially from the piston rod's longitudinal axis L towards the side wall 212 of the valve housing 210. This arrangement particularly improves the use of position measurement with a permanent magnet 300 and a sensor unit 250 in the form of a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor can detect changes in the magnetic field through its current-carrying Hall elements and thus provide feedback on the current position via an electrical signal. A strong external magnetic field, provided by the permanent magnet 300, is required. The permanent magnet 300 is rigidly connected to the piston rod 222.The field strength of the permanent magnet 300 is crucial for the quality and accuracy of the sensor-side signal, as it must be sufficient to cover the operating range of the Hall sensor. The geometric distance between the detecting sensor unit 250 (the Hall sensor) and the permanent magnet 300 is decisive for this function. Therefore, it is advantageous to achieve the smallest possible geometric distance, as this also allows for a reduction in the dimensions of the permanent magnet 300. This saves weight and manufacturing costs.

[0038] Between the valve body 220 and the receptacle 240, the piston rod 222 is guided by a bearing element 260. The bearing element 260 further enhances the accuracy of the position detection. The bearing element 260 is located in the flow channel of the valve housing 210 and includes openings that allow the refrigerant to flow through the valve housing 210.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a part of the system 100 according to the invention. The illustration shows the piston rod 222 with the receptacle 240, wherein a permanent magnet 300 is arranged on the receptacle 240. The piston rod 222 is arranged in the valve housing 210 along the longitudinal axis L of the piston rod and is guided by the bearing element 260. The valve housing 210 has a further housing 211, which is designed to accommodate the sensor unit 250 and other electronic components of the valve unit 200. The housing 211 is preferably separated from the valve housing 210 and accessible via a separate opening. For example, all the electronics, such as a control unit and other electronic components, can be accommodated in the housing 211. Preferably, the housing 211 is hermetically sealed, thereby achieving separation from cooling water and the environment.This results in further advantages such as the cooling of the electronic components by the refrigerant flowing past in the valve housing 210 and precise position detection of the permanent magnet 300 by the side wall 212 between housing 211 and valve housing 210 by means of the sensor unit 250 in the form of a Hall sensor.

[0040] The Fig. Figures 3A to 3C each show a perspective view of a photograph 240 including a permanent magnet 300.

[0041] The receptacle 240 has a locking mechanism 242 for securing a permanent magnet 300. The locking mechanism 242 has two parallel clamping arms 243, 244, which enclose a space between them for receiving a permanent magnet 300. Here, the first clamping arm 243 and the second clamping arm 244 are designed to grip a permanent magnet 300, with the clamping arms 243, 244 clamping the permanent magnet 300 by means of an elastic restoring force, thus forming the locking mechanism 242.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 3A shows the permanent magnet 300 outside the receptacle 240, with the direction arrow indicating the insertion direction of the permanent magnet 300 into the receptacle 240.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 3B shows the permanent magnet 300 in the receptacle 240. The locking mechanism 242 has gripped the permanent magnet 300 with the first clamping arm 243 and the second clamping arm 244, and the permanent magnet 300 is in a fixed state in the receptacle 240.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 3C shows a cross-sectional view of the permanent magnet 300 in image 240.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 4A shows another perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention. The illustration again shows the piston rod 222 with the receptacle 240 and the valve body 220, with a permanent magnet 300 arranged on the receptacle 240. The piston rod 222 is arranged in the valve housing 210 and is guided by the bearing element 260. Additionally, the system 100 has an anti-rotation device 262, which blocks rotation of the piston rod 222 relative to the valve housing 210. The anti-rotation device 262 comprises a guide means 263 in the form of two guide arms 264, 265 (not shown) arranged parallel to the side wall 212 of the valve housing 210.The guide means 263 blocks the rotation of the piston rod 222 relative to the valve housing 210, but guides the receptacle 240 – including a permanent magnet 300 arranged in the receptacle – between a first position and a second position as the valve body 220 is moved in the direction of the piston rod's longitudinal axis L. During this movement, the first clamping arm 243 and the second clamping arm 244 of the receptacle 240 slide between the guide arms 264, 265 arranged on the side wall 212 of the valve housing 210 in the direction of the piston rod's longitudinal axis L.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention. The illustration shows the anti-rotation device 262, which blocks rotation of the piston rod 222 relative to the valve housing 210. The anti-rotation device 262 comprises the guide means 263 with the first guide arm 264 and the second guide arm 265. The guide means 263 guides the receptacle 240 with the permanent magnet 300 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the piston rod. The first guide arm 264 and the second guide arm 265 clamp around the receptacle 240, so that the receptacle 240 must be clipped between the first guide arm 264 and the second guide arm 265. This additionally guides the receptacle 240 in the longitudinal axis L of the piston rod, thereby improving the quality of the position detection of the permanent magnet 300 and thus of the valve body 220.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 5A shows a perspective view of a recording 240 and an anti-rotation device 262 of an embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention.

[0048] The illustration shows the piston rod 222 with the receptacle 240, a permanent magnet 300 being arranged on the receptacle 240. The piston rod 222 is guided in the direction of its longitudinal axis L by a bearing element 260. In addition to guiding the piston rod 222 in the direction of its longitudinal axis L, the anti-rotation device 262 prevents rotation of the piston rod 222 relative to the valve housing 210 (not shown). This anti-rotation device 262 is achieved by ensuring that the piston rod 222 is non-rotatable relative to the bearing element 260. The cross-section of the piston rod 222 is not rotationally symmetrical, and the guide opening of the bearing element 260 is adapted to this non-rotationally symmetrical cross-sectional shape.

[0049] The Fig.Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an anti-rotation device 262 of the system 100 according to the invention. The cross-section of the piston rod 222 is not rotationally symmetrical. In the present embodiment, the cross-section of the piston rod 222 is oval. Alternatively, however, the cross-section could also be triangular, square, or any other cross-sectional shape that prevents rotation between the piston rod 222 and the bearing element 260. Reference symbol list 100 System 200 valve unit 210 Valve housing 211 Housing 212 Side wall 220 valve bodies 222 Piston rod 230 Valve seat 240 recordings 250 sensor units 260 bearing element 262 Anti-rotation device 263 Management tools 264 First guide arm 265 Second guide arm 300 permanent magnet L Piston rod longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] System (100) for monitoring the position of a valve body (220) in a valve unit (200) for a coolant circuit of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises: a valve housing (210) for receiving a valve body (220), wherein the valve body (220) in the valve housing (210) is designed to be movable between a first position in which the valve body (220) is arranged in abutting a valve seat (230) and closes the valve unit (200), and a second position in which the valve body (220) is spaced away from the valve seat (230) and the valve unit (200) is at least partially open, a piston rod (222) for transmitting a drive movement to the valve body (220), wherein the piston rod (222) has a receptacle (240) for arranging a permanent magnet (300), and a sensor unit (250) which is fixedly arranged in relation to the valve seat (230) and is designed to detect the position of a permanent magnet (300) arranged in the receptacle (240) of the piston rod (222). [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the transfer of the valve body (220) in the valve housing (210) takes place between a first position and a second position in the direction of a piston rod longitudinal axis (L). [3] System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve body (220) and the receptacle (240) are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the piston rod. [4] System (100) according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the valve body (220) and the receptacle (240) in the direction of the piston rod longitudinal axis (L) is greater than a diameter of the valve body (220). [5] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (240) is radially spaced with respect to a piston rod longitudinal axis (L) and is arranged facing a side wall (212) of the valve housing (210). [6] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (240) has a locking mechanism (242) for fixing a permanent magnet (300). [7] System (100) according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism (242) has a first clamping arm (243) and a second clamping arm (244) for gripping a permanent magnet (300). [8] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve housing (210) has a bearing element (260) for axially guiding the piston rods (222) when moving between a first position and a second position. [9] System (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system (100) has an anti-rotation device (262) to prevent rotation of the piston rod (222) relative to the valve housing (210). [10] System (100) according to claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation device (262) comprises a guide means (263) for guiding the receptacle (240) when transferring the valve body (220) between a first position and a second position. [11] System (100) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first clamping arm (243) and the second clamping arm (244) are designed to slide on the guide means (263) when transferring the valve body (220) between a first position and a second position. [12] System (100) according to claim 11, wherein the guide means (263) comprises a first guide arm (264) and a second guide arm (265), wherein the first guide arm (264) and the second guide arm (265) axially guide the receptacle (240). [13] System (100) according to claim 9, wherein the anti-rotation device (262) is arranged on the bearing element (260), wherein the piston rod (222) is designed to be non-rotatable in relation to the bearing element (260). [14] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (250) comprises a Hall sensor. [15] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve housing (210) has a housing (211) for receiving the sensor unit (250) and control electronics (251) for the system (100), wherein the housing (211) is arranged directly adjacent to the side wall (212) of the valve housing (210). [16] Valve unit (200) for a coolant circuit of a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered, comprising a system (100) according to one of the preceding claims. [17] Valve unit (200) according to claim 15, wherein the valve unit (200) comprises a control valve or a switching valve. [18] Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, with a system (100) and / or a valve unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images