Method for assembling a hydraulic block of a set of solenoid valves for an automotive vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assembling a hydraulic block (1) of a set of solenoid valves, the hydraulic body comprising a housing (11) containing an electrical part (12) of a solenoid valve, and in particular a solenoid, and a hydraulic part (13) comprising a hydraulic distribution body including an outlet sleeve (14) and a distribution conduit (16) in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and the outlet sleeve (14). The assembly method includes a laser welding step of a bearing surface (102) of the housing (11) against a receiving area (101) of the hydraulic distribution body, the laser welding step being carried out using a laser welding head (3) oriented radially with respect to a self-extension axis (O1) of the solenoid valve. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for assembling a hydraulic block of a set of solenoid valves for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of hydraulic cleaning systems installed on motor vehicles, which allow for the cleaning of specific surfaces located near sensors. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for assembling a hydraulic block housing a solenoid valve.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles now incorporate a very large number of devices that improve the safety of the driver and passengers by enhancing the detection or perception of the road scene in front of or around the vehicle. For example, the use of devices incorporating one or more sensors, such as radar or reversing cameras, is well known.

[0003] To ensure the continued proper functioning of these sensors, cleaning systems have also been implemented. These cleaning systems typically include a distribution and spraying system for a cleaning fluid intended for the maintenance of the sensors and the adjacent glass surfaces. This distribution system is controlled by solenoid valves which, connected to an electronic control circuit, open or close accordingly to supply a spray nozzle associated with one of the sensors to be cleaned.

[0004] However, the number of sensors to be cleaned within a motor vehicle is constantly increasing due to the evolution of automotive technology, which leads to an increase in the number and / or complexity of cleaning fluid distribution systems, pressure sources and / or solenoid valves responsible for supplying fluidic conduits that channel the cleaning fluid to the sensors.

[0005] The increasing number of sensors and the complexity of the associated cleaning systems and the distribution system lead to numerous problems in motor vehicles, including space constraints, i.e., the difficulty of housing such cleaning systems or routing the fluid lines of the distribution system through an already very constrained environment. Another known problem is the increased weight of the vehicles due to the increased number of fluid lines and other solenoid valves. Finally, another well-known problem is, of course, the increased production costs.

[0006] To solve this technical problem, it is known to use several blocks of solenoid valves connected to one another and all linked to a single cleaning fluid reservoir via a single fluid line. Downstream of this assembly, each solenoid valve is fluidly connected to one or more cleaning systems to control the cleaning of one or more associated sensors. Thus, such known assemblies of solenoid valves make it possible to reduce the required size and achieve significant design and manufacturing cost savings, facilitating their integration into motor vehicles.

[0007] Generally, such solenoid valve assemblies comprise a plurality of solenoid valves, each solenoid valve having an electrical part housed in a casing and a hydraulic part comprising an outlet sleeve located at the lower end of the casing, the assembly having a single distribution conduit fluidly coupling the hydraulic part of all the solenoid valves. In other words, such known solenoid valve assemblies bring together and connect several hydraulic blocks of solenoid valves, thus forming a sub-assembly dedicated to the function of distributing the cleaning fluid.

[0008] During the manufacture of each hydraulic block, an upper portion of the hydraulic block, forming a housing containing an electrical component of the solenoid valve, must be attached to a lower portion of the hydraulic block, forming a hydraulic distribution body and including, in particular, an outlet sleeve and a distribution conduit for the solenoid valve. This assembly aims to seal the housing containing the solenoid valve against the cleaning fluid pressures used in automotive cleaning systems.

[0009] As is known, the housing is secured to the distribution body by means of a weld bead produced at a mechanical interface between a lower end of the upper part of the hydraulic block and an opposite part on the lower part of said hydraulic block. As is known, this mechanical interface generally has a circumferential groove extending around an axis of extension of the housing and the solenoid valve. Therefore, as is known, it is desirable to produce the most circumferential weld bead possible at this mechanical interface.

[0010] However, the general conformation of such a hydraulic block makes it impossible to produce such a circumferential weld bead using traditional welding methods. Indeed, since the weld bead extends circumferentially around its own axis of extension, on the one hand, and since, on the other hand, the mechanical connection interface extends in a plane that is predominantly or substantially perpendicular to its own axis of extension, it is necessary that the head of The welding head should be positioned parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of extension. However, this orientation leads to shadow zones that cannot be welded together along the mechanical interface. This is because the hydraulic block has extrusions that extend radially from the axis of extension, above the mechanical interface. These radial extrusions prevent the welding head from being brought close to the parts of the mechanical interface located directly above them, resulting in discontinuities in the weld bead and, ultimately, known reliability, robustness, or sealing defects in the hydraulic blocks.

[0011] Of course, these situations are not desirable.

[0012] The present invention aims to propose a new assembly method in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to improve the assembly of the housing against the distribution body of a hydraulic block of a set of solenoid valves for a motor vehicle.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to enable the creation of a circumferential weld bead around the proper extension axis of the hydraulic block and at the level of the mechanical linkage interface.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method of assembling a housing containing an electrical part of a solenoid valve, and in particular a solenoid, onto a hydraulic distribution body of the solenoid valve, the distribution body comprising an outlet sleeve and a distribution conduit in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and the outlet sleeve, the assembly method comprising a laser welding step of a bearing surface of the housing against a receiving area of ​​the distribution body, the welding step comprising a plurality of laser shots oriented radially with respect to a proper extension axis of the solenoid valve.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the hydraulic block forms a sub-part of a set of solenoid valves, several hydraulic blocks being intended to be associated and assembled together to form such a set of solenoid valves.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, a solenoid valve is an electrically controlled hydraulic valve that allows control of a fluid flow rate—here, the flow rate of the cleaning fluid intended to flow into the distribution line—at the outlet sleeve of said solenoid valve. Thus, the solenoid valve makes it possible to define an outlet flow rate measured at the outlet sleeve, ranging from a minimum value, ideally zero, to a maximum value. The outlet flow rate can be finely tuned to any value between the minimum and maximum output flow rate.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the outlet sleeve forms a connector - male or female - intended to be fluidically coupled to a fluidic conduit located downstream of the hydraulic block conforming to the first aspect of the invention in order to allow a supply of cleaning fluid for one or more cleaning systems located downstream of said hydraulic block.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the electrical part of the solenoid valve includes an electromagnetic circuit for controlling the opening or closing of the hydraulic part, so as to control the output flow at the outlet sleeve.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the hydraulic distribution body of the solenoid valve includes the moving part of the solenoid valve which, depending on its open or closed state, allows the outlet sleeve to be fluidly coupled to the distribution conduit or the outlet sleeve to be isolated from the distribution conduit.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the hydraulic part allows for fluidic communication or fluidic isolation of an upstream portion of the solenoid valve—typically the distribution conduit—with a downstream portion of the solenoid valve—typically the fluidic conduit intended to be connected to the outlet sleeve. The hydraulic part includes, for example, a movable piston within the body of the solenoid valve that allows for closing an opening to the outlet sleeve or moving away from it.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the housing contains the solenoid valve. The housing is advantageously made of plastic and obtained by molding. The housing optionally includes anchoring or fastening means for attaching it to other housings located next to it in order to form a series of solenoid valves. The housing protects the solenoid valve.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the distribution conduit forms a supply conduit for cleaning fluid located upstream of the solenoid valves. The distribution conduit is intended to be fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid reservoir. The distribution conduit of a first hydraulic block is intended to be fluidly coupled to the distribution conduit of a second hydraulic block. Generally, the distribution conduit of a given solenoid valve is integral with the hydraulic portion of the solenoid valve, and / or forms at least part of said hydraulic portion. The distribution conduit may be formed from the same material as the hydraulic portion of a solenoid valve, or attached and fixed integrally to said hydraulic portion.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the mechanical interface connecting the housing and the distribution body of the hydraulic block is formed by the bearing surface of the housing and the receiving area of ​​the distribution body. The bearing surface is located at a lower end of the housing, relative to its own axis of extension. The receiving area of ​​the distribution body forms a surface for receiving the bearing surface. Advantageously, the bearing surface forms a circumferential bearing surface extending around its own axis of extension, while the receiving area forms a circumferential groove extending around said own axis of extension.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the assembly method now employs laser welding to form the circumferential weld bead. Laser welding, the subject of the assembly method according to the invention, is a welding technique that allows the housing to be assembled onto the distribution body by locally fusing both the bearing surface of said housing and the receiving area of ​​said distribution body in order to bond them together. According to the invention, in order to overcome the difficulties related to the shading of certain parts of the mechanical connection interface by the shape of the hydraulic block housing, the laser welding is performed in an orientation that is secant with respect to the natural extension axis. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to "pass under" the radial extrusions of the housing that are located directly above the mechanical connection interface.

[0026] Thus, the assembly method according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by allowing for a more complete circumferential weld. By bypassing the geometric obstructions of the hydraulic block housing and using a different welding technique, it is now possible to assemble the housing onto the distribution body more efficiently. Of course, this welding orientation could not have been implemented with conventional welding techniques because, firstly, the dimensions of the conventional welding head do not allow access to the area of ​​the mechanical connection interface located "under" the radial extrusions of the housing, and secondly, conventional welding could not be carried out efficiently at an inclined angle of the welding head relative to the bearing axis of the bearing surface on the receiving area.

[0027] The assembly method according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the following improvements, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0028] - during the laser welding step, the laser shots are carried out according to an orientation secant with respect to the solenoid valve's natural extension axis. Preferably, during the laser welding step, the laser beams are fired in an orientation perpendicular to the solenoid valve's natural extension axis. These configurations advantageous allow the weld bead to be made under the radial extrusions of the hydraulic block, and to link together the support area of ​​the housing and the reception area of ​​the distribution body;

[0029] - the laser welding step includes a step of focusing the laser beam onto a The welding zone is formed by the bearing surface of the housing against the receiving area of ​​the distribution body. This advantageous configuration optimizes the welding of the housing's bearing surface against the receiving area of ​​the distribution body. In particular, it allows for deep welding, i.e., along a surface not visible from the laser welding head. Furthermore, this advantageous configuration allows for the concentration of thermal energy at the welding zone, resulting in localized fusion of the housing's bearing surface against the receiving area of ​​the distribution body.

[0030] - in a particularly advantageous manner, the laser welding step is carried out circumferentially to the housing containing the solenoid valve, so that, once the housing is secured against the distribution body, the housing is connected to the distribution body by means of a circumferential weld bead. Preferably, the weld bead extends 360° around its own axis of extension;

[0031] - relative to its own extension axis, the weld bead is formed in an intermediate position between the distribution conduit and the electrical part of the solenoid valve. In other words, relative to its own extension axis, the weld bead is located between any radial extrusions of the housing and the distribution conduit;

[0032] - according to a first embodiment, the laser welding step is continuous, The laser welding head is configured to generate a continuous laser beam. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to create a continuous weld bead along a circumferential profile of the hydraulic body;

[0033] - the laser welding step is discontinuous, the laser welding head being configured to generate a pulsed laser beam. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to create a discontinuous weld bead along a circumferential profile of the hydraulic body;

[0034] - the assembly process includes a relative rotation step between the body of distribution and housing on the one hand, and the laser welding head on the other, the rotation step being concomitant with the laser welding step. According to a first embodiment, the rotation step consists of rotating the laser welding head around the distribution body and housing, said distribution bodies and housing remaining stationary. Alternatively, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotation step consists of rotating the distribution body and the housing, the laser welding head remaining stationary;

[0035] - the assembly process includes a step of pressing the housing against the body of distribution, the pressing stage being concomitant with the laser welding stage. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the mechanical connection and the sealing of the weld made between the support surface and the area receiving the hydraulic block. The pressing force is carried out in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the natural extension axis of the hydraulic body;

[0036] - more generally, the pressing step is configured to put in surface support the bearing area of ​​the housing against the receiving area of ​​the distribution body;

[0037] - the pressing step makes it possible to generate a support force of 200 to 1200 N, and of A bearing surface of 400 to 600 N is preferred for the housing against the distribution body's mounting area. This advantageous configuration ensures optimal assembly of the housing onto the hydraulic block's distribution body.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the invention, a hydraulic block is proposed, obtained by the assembly process according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements, the hydraulic block comprising:

[0039] - a case;

[0040] - a solenoid valve comprising an electrical part housed in the casing and a hydraulic part comprising an outlet sleeve located at the lower end of the housing;

[0041] - a distribution conduit located at the lower end of the housing, the distribution conduit being in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and with the outlet sleeve;

[0042] - coupling elements with a second hydraulic block, the elements of coupling comprising first coupling elements associated with a first end of the distribution conduit, and second coupling elements associated with a second end of the distribution conduit.

[0043] In the context of the present invention, the coupling elements allow a first hydraulic block to be assembled to a second hydraulic block by connecting them to each other at their distribution conduit. More specifically, the coupling elements allow the distribution conduit of the first hydraulic block to be partially engaged within the distribution conduit of the second hydraulic block. The coupling of the distribution conduits is preferably achieved by push-fitting. Thus, the two distribution conduits, inserted one inside the other, together form a single distribution conduit for both assembled hydraulic blocks.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the invention, a set of solenoid valves is proposed for a sensor cleaning system of a motor vehicle, the set comprising a plurality of hydraulic blocks conforming to the second aspect of the invention, each hydraulic block being coupled to the other through its coupling members.

[0045] Preferably, all the hydraulic blocks are connected in pairs via their distribution lines, all the distribution lines together forming a single distribution line. In other words, the hydraulic blocks are all fluidly coupled in series with each other.

[0046] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a cleaning system for motor vehicles is proposed, the cleaning system comprising:

[0047] - the set of solenoid valves conforming to the third aspect of the invention;

[0048] - a plurality of cleaning devices, each cleaning device being associated with a sensor on the motor vehicle;

[0049] - a plurality of fluidic conduits fluidically coupling the devices of cleaning of the entire solenoid valve assembly.

[0050] In particular, each cleaning device is fluidically coupled to one of the solenoid valves of the assembly. For this purpose, each fluidic conduit is coupled, at a first end, to the outlet sleeve of one of the solenoid valves and, at a second end, to the cleaning device.

[0051] In the context of the present invention, the cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned on the sensor to which it is associated. The cleaning fluid is conveyed to the cleaning device via the fluidic conduit. The control of the solenoid valve assembly thus allows for selective control of the flow of cleaning fluid in each fluidic conduit, making it possible to selectively activate each cleaning device using a single set of solenoid valves according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0052] The cleaning system according to the fourth aspect of the invention advantageously comprises a storage tank for the cleaning fluid. The storage tank is fluidly coupled to the distribution conduit of the solenoid valve assembly. Subsequently, the control of each solenoid valve directs the cleaning fluid circulating in the distribution conduit to the active cleaning device(s).

[0053] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0054] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several embodiments given as examples. indicative and not exhaustive, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, on which:

[0055] [Fig.1] illustrates a synoptic view of the assembly process according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0056] [Fig.2] illustrates a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic block conforming to the second aspect of the invention and in the process of welding by the assembly method illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0057] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0058] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0059] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0060] The assembly method 2 according to the invention relates more particularly to hydraulic blocks 1 such as those found in solenoid valve assemblies associated with automotive cleaning systems. Such cleaning systems are associated with one or more sensors in order to clean a sensing surface to ensure optimal sensor operation. Such cleaning systems comprise:

[0061] - a set of solenoid valves;

[0062] - a plurality of cleaning devices, each cleaning device being associated with a sensor on the motor vehicle;

[0063] - a plurality of fluidic conduits fluidly coupling each device of cleaning of the entire solenoid valve assembly.

[0064] In the context of the present invention, each cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid onto the sensing surface of the sensor to which it is associated. The cleaning fluid is conveyed from the solenoid valve assembly to each cleaning device via fluid lines. Conversely, the solenoid valve assembly is fluidically connected to a cleaning fluid reservoir via a single fluid line, thus saving costs and simplifying the integration of such a cleaning system on a motor vehicle.

[0065] Consequently, the control of the solenoid valve assembly allows for selective control of the flow of cleaning fluid in each fluidic conduit, enabling the selective activation of each cleaning device using a single set of solenoid valves.

[0066] The solenoid valve assembly comprises several hydraulic blocks 1 manufactured using the assembly process 2 according to the invention. With reference to [Fig. 2], such hydraulic blocks 1 comprise:

[0067] - a case 11;

[0068] - a solenoid valve comprising an electrical part 12 housed in the casing 11 and a hydraulic part 13 comprising an outlet sleeve 14 located at a lower end of the housing 11;

[0069] - a distribution conduit 16 located at the lower end of the housing 11, the distribution conduit 16 being in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and with the outlet sleeve 14;

[0070] - coupling elements 15 with a second hydraulic block 1, the elements of coupling 15 comprising first coupling elements 15 associated with a first end of the distribution conduit 16, and second coupling elements 15 associated with a second end of the distribution conduit 16.

[0071] Thus, in the solenoid valve assembly of the sensor cleaning system, each hydraulic block 1 is coupled to an adjacent hydraulic block 1 via its coupling members 15, so that the distribution lines of each hydraulic block 1 are connected to each other to form a single distribution line 16. This single distribution line 16 is coupled, at one upstream end, to the cleaning fluid reservoir. Furthermore, this single distribution line 16 has several outlet ports, formed by the outlet sleeve 14 of each hydraulic block 1, in order to direct the cleaning fluid towards one or more selectively chosen cleaning devices, depending on the state of each corresponding solenoid valve.

[0072] The hydraulic blocks 1 are advantageously manufactured using the assembly method 2 described below. The main objective of the assembly method 2 is to improve the connection between the housing 11 and the hydraulic distribution body of the solenoid valve, at a mechanical interface 10 visible in [Fig. 2]. This mechanical interface 10 corresponds to the bearing area of ​​the housing 11 on the hydraulic distribution body. In other words, the mechanical interface 10 is located at a lower part of the housing 11 situated opposite an upper part of the hydraulic distribution body of the solenoid valve, relative to an inherent extension axis 01 of the solenoid valve. In yet another way, the mechanical interface 10 is located at a base of the housing 11 and the upper part of the hydraulic part 13 of the hydraulic block 1, relative to a proper extension axis 01 of the solenoid valve.

[0073] The objective of the assembly method 2 is therefore to allow a permanent and sealed fixing between the housing 11 and the hydraulic distribution body, so as to prevent leaks of cleaning fluid during the normal operation of the hydraulic block 1 once integrated into a set of solenoid valves.

[0074] For this purpose, with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the assembly method 2 comprises a laser welding step 21 of a bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 against a receiving area 101 of the distribution body, the laser welding step 21 using a laser welding head 3, the laser welding step 21 comprising a plurality of laser shots 31 oriented radially with respect to the self-extension axis 01 of the solenoid valve.

[0075] The proper extension axis 01 is shown vertically in [Fig.2]. The laser welding step 21 is therefore inclined with respect to this proper extension axis 01, so that the laser beam 31 can more easily reach the mechanical linkage interface 10 between the housing 11 and the hydraulic distribution body, without suffering from shadowing effects by certain geometric conformations of the housing 11 itself, or of the hydraulic block 1 in a more general way.

[0076] The laser welding step 21 thus enables the formation of the circumferential weld bead around the self-extending axis 01, at the bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 and the receiving area 101 of the hydraulic distribution body. Each laser pulse 31 locally melts the material – both that of the bearing surface 102 and the receiving area 101 – in order to bond the housing 11 to the hydraulic distribution body.

[0077] In the assembly method 2 according to the invention, and considering the geometry of the hydraulic block 1, it is necessary to tilt the laser welding head 3 to allow the laser beam 31 to reach the mechanical connection interface 10 directly, i.e., without obstruction. Therefore, the use of a laser welding technique is essential to achieve a high-quality weld, given the orientation of the laser welding head 3 on the one hand, and the orientation of the support between the bearing surface 102 and the receiving area 101 at the mechanical connection interface 10 on the other. This tilting of the welding head would not have been possible with other known welding technologies.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, during the laser welding step 21, the laser shots 31 are carried out in an orientation perpendicular to the self-extension axis 01 of the solenoid valve.

[0079] In order to improve the quality of the weld produced during the laser welding step 21, it may be advantageous to adjust the focusing length of the laser beam 31, in order to to concentrate the thermal energy at the level of a particular area of ​​the mechanical linkage interface 10. To this end, the laser welding step 21 of the assembly process 2 includes a focusing step 22 of the laser shots 31 on the mechanical linkage interface 10 formed by a bearing face of the bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 against the receiving area 101 of the distribution body, the mechanical linkage interface 10 forming a welding area.

[0080] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the bearing surface 102 and the receiving area 101, which forms the welding zone, are located on the peripheral walls of the housing 11 and the distribution body, respectively. In particular, the bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 forms a circumferential bearing surface extending around the axis of its own extension 01, while the receiving area 101 of the hydraulic distribution body forms a circumferential groove extending around said axis of its own extension 01. Thus, it is advantageous for the focusing step 22 to converge the laser beam 31 at this circumferential bearing surface and this circumferential groove in order to fuse the material forming them together locally. This fusion of material thus makes it possible to mechanically weld the housing 11 to the hydraulic distribution body.

[0081] As mentioned previously, the laser welding step 21 is carried out circumferentially to the housing 11 which houses the solenoid valve, relative to the proper extension axis 01, so that, once the housing 11 is made solid against the hydraulic distribution body, said housing 11 is linked to said hydraulic distribution body by means of a circumferential weld bead.

[0082] To this end, it may be advantageous to generate a relative rotation of the hydraulic block 1 during assembly and the laser welding head 3, relative to the proper extension axis 01. This relative rotation thus makes it possible to rotate the part of the mechanical linkage interface 10 located opposite the laser welding head 3, thereby enabling several local fusions of material adjacent to each other, at the level of the mechanical linkage interface 10, and thus leading to the formation of a circumferential weld bead.

[0083] According to a first embodiment, the rotation step 23 consists of rotating the laser welding head 3 around the distribution body and the housing 11, said distribution bodies and housing 11 remaining stationary. Alternatively, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotation step 23 consists of rotating the distribution body and the housing 11, the laser welding head 3 remaining stationary. Of course, the laser welding step 21 is advantageously synchronized with the rotation step 23, so as to perfectly control the local melting of the material at the mechanical interface 10 and, ultimately, the formation of the weld bead. The laser welding step 21 and the rotation step 23 are concurrent with each other.

[0084] Finally, in order to optimize the mechanical connection and the sealing of the weld between the bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 and the receiving area 101 of the hydraulic distribution body, it may be advantageous to apply a compressive force between the housing 11 and the distribution body during the laser welding step 21. To this end, the assembly process 2 advantageously includes a pressing step 24 of the housing 11 against the distribution body, the pressing step 24 being concurrent with the laser welding step 21. The pressing step 24 is oriented along the proper extension axis 01. The pressing step 24 exerts a constant force of the housing 11 against the hydraulic distribution body, during the laser welding step 21, in order to prevent the two parts from moving relative to each other on the one hand, and in order to reduce the presence of residual play at the mechanical linkage interface 10.

[0085] For example, the pressing step 24 involves the application of one or more jaws between the housing 11 and the hydraulic distribution body.

[0086] In summary, the invention relates to a method of assembling 2 a hydraulic block 1 of a set of solenoid valves, the hydraulic body comprising a housing 11 housing an electrical part 12 of a solenoid valve, and in particular a solenoid, and a hydraulic part 13 comprising a hydraulic distribution body having an outlet sleeve 14 and a distribution conduit 16 in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and the outlet sleeve 14. The assembly method 2 comprises a laser welding step 21 of a bearing surface 102 of the housing 11 against a receiving area 101 of the hydraulic distribution body, the laser welding step 21 being carried out using a laser welding head 3 oriented radially with respect to an eigenextension axis 01 of the solenoid valve.

[0087] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of assembling (2) a housing (11) housing an electrical part (12) of a solenoid valve, and in particular a solenoid, on a hydraulic distribution body of the solenoid valve, the distribution body comprising an outlet sleeve (14) and a distribution conduit (16) in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and the outlet sleeve (14), the method of assembly (2) comprising a laser welding step (21) of a bearing surface (102) of the housing (11) against a receiving area (101) of the distribution body, the laser welding step (21) comprising a plurality of laser shots (31) oriented radially with respect to a proper extension axis (01) of the solenoid valve.

2. Assembly method (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein, during the laser welding step (21), the laser shots (31) are carried out in an orientation perpendicular to the self-extension axis (01) of the solenoid valve.

3. Assembly method (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser welding step (21) comprises a focusing step (22) of the laser shot (31) onto a welding area formed by a bearing face of the bearing surface (102) of the housing (11) against the receiving area (101) of the distribution body.

4. Assembly method (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser welding step (21) is carried out circumferentially to the housing (11) housing the solenoid valve, so that, once the housing (11) is made solid against the distribution body, the housing (11) is connected to the distribution body by means of a circumferential weld bead.

5. Assembly method (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein, relative to the proper extension axis (01), the weld bead is formed in an intermediate position between the distribution conduit (16) and the electrical part (12) of the solenoid valve.

6. Assembly method (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly method (2) comprises a rotation step (23) relative between the distribution body and the housing (11) on the one hand, and the laser welding head (3) on the other hand, the rotation step (23) being concomitant with the laser welding step (21).

7. Assembly method (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotation step (23) consists of rotating the distribution body and the housing (11), the laser welding head (3) remaining stationary.

8. Assembly method (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly method (2) comprises a step of pressing (24) the housing (11) against the distribution body, the pressing step (24) being concomitant with the laser welding step (21).

9. Assembly method (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressing step (24) is configured to bring the bearing surface (102) of the housing (11) against the receiving area (101) of the distribution body.

10. Hydraulic block (1) obtained by the assembly process (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the hydraulic block (1) comprising: - a housing (11); - a solenoid valve comprising an electrical part (12) housed in the housing (11) and a hydraulic part (13) comprising an outlet sleeve (14) located at a lower end of the housing (11); - a distribution conduit (16) located at the lower end of the housing (11), the distribution conduit (16) being in fluidic communication with a body of the solenoid valve and with the outlet sleeve (14); - coupling elements (15) with a second hydraulic block (1), the coupling elements (15) comprising first coupling elements (15) associated with a first end of the distribution conduit (16), and second coupling elements (15) associated with a second end of the distribution conduit (16).

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