Actuator unit, system, and operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuator unit (100), particularly a steering actuator unit, comprising at least one fluid cylinder (110), at least one backup valve unit (150), and at least one filter unit (160), wherein the fluid cylinder (110) has a first cylinder chamber (120) and a second cylinder chamber (130), and at least one first fluid connection passage (140) can be formed between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130), particularly at least temporarily, with respect to the actuator unit (100), particularly a steering actuator unit. The first fluid connection passage (140) extends through the filter unit (160) and the backup valve unit (150), and a cleaning function can be provided by the first fluid connection passage (140). The present invention further relates to a system and an operating method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator unit, in particular a steering actuator unit, a motor vehicle, and a method of operating such an actuator unit or such a motor vehicle.

[0002] In a fluid cylinder, contaminants and residues may precipitate or form in the working fluid / fluid over the operating time due to the ingress of contaminants from outside the fluid circulation path or, for example, due to the aging of the fluid.

[0003] Such residues are particularly formed and precipitated in the dead space of the fluid cylinder and may suddenly peel off and be carried into the connected fluid circulation path.

[0004] Therefore, these residues or contaminants impair the operation of the fluid cylinder, for example, have an adverse effect on the friction characteristics in the fluid cylinder, cause a decrease in the performance regarding fluid pressure (formation), and / or as a result, the residues may not only be carried into the remaining fluid circulation path, but may also cause a complete failure of the fluid cylinder or the connected fluid circulation path, for example, by blocking or clogging fluid pipes, fluid connections, pumps and / or valves.

[0005] In order to avoid such failure periods and additional maintenance work as well as component defects, such contaminants or residues must be removed from the fluid cylinder or from the fluid circulation path, in particular from a bidirectional fluid circulation path.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to advantageously develop the actuator unit of the type described at the beginning, and in particular to enable the purification or cleaning of a fluid cylinder in a cost-effective, simple, and reliable manner, and especially to enable the removal of contaminants or residues from the (working) fluid without removing the actuator unit. Furthermore, the object is to provide an automobile equipped with such an actuator unit and a method of operation.

[0007] This problem is solved by the present invention with an actuator unit having the features of claim 1, an automobile according to claim 11, and the method according to claim 12.

[0008] According to this, the actuator unit, in particular the steering actuator unit, comprises at least one fluid cylinder, at least one backup valve unit, and at least one filter unit, wherein the fluid cylinder comprises a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber. At least one first fluid connection passage can be formed between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, in particular at least temporarily, and the first fluid connection passage extends through the filter unit and the backup valve unit, and the first fluid connection passage can provide a cleaning function for washing away contaminants and / or deposits in particular in a first flow direction of the first fluid connection passage relative to the first cylinder chamber and / or in a second flow direction of the first fluid connection passage relative to the second cylinder chamber.

[0009] The present invention is based on the fundamental idea that cylinder chambers can be purified by fluid flow by detaching and / or flushing out contaminants, residues, or deposits in each cylinder chamber. A first, temporary fluid connection path between two cylinder chambers of a fluid cylinder allows a working fluid / fluid to be guided between the two cylinder chambers through a filter unit, and a purification element, such as a filter unit, can be connected in between to extract or filter out contaminants or residues from the fluid.

[0010] For this purpose, the first fluid connection passage should be temporarily formed by the backup valve unit, and the filter unit is positioned along the first fluid connection passage at the inlet leading to the backup valve unit. Thus, the filter unit can exert a purifying effect on the fluid during the purifying and cleaning process. Furthermore, in this manner, the backup valve unit can be protected from contaminants or residues, particularly from one of the cylinder chambers of the fluid cylinder, at least in the first and / or second flow directions.

[0011] At least one first fluid connection passage can be formed between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, and in particular at least temporarily, the first fluid connection passage extends through a filter unit and a backup valve unit.

[0012] Therefore, it is preferably specified that the first fluid connection passage can be formed at least temporarily between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber by a backup valve unit.

[0013] The first fluid connection passage may be configured specifically to provide a cleaning / purification function, whereas a separate first fluid connection passage may ensure, or not (substantially) impair, the normal and proper operation of the actuator unit.

[0014] Therefore, since a first fluid connection path can be formed and the fluid of the actuator unit can be purified via the filter unit, a purification or cleaning function for the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber can be efficiently and as intended.

[0015] A further possibility is that the filter unit is provided along the first fluid connection path so as to be positioned between the backup valve unit and the first cylinder chamber or the second cylinder chamber, and more particularly between the backup valve unit and the said cylinder chamber. The first fluid connection path may be a series circuit between the filter unit and the backup valve unit.

[0016] Based on experience, a relatively large amount of contaminants and / or residues accumulate in either the first or second cylinder chamber. The filter unit can preferably be positioned along the first fluid connection path, between the backup valve unit and the corresponding cylinder chamber among the first and second cylinder chambers that (empirically) has a relatively large amount of contaminants, residues, and similar substances. The filter unit may optionally be positioned relative to the backup valve unit.

[0017] In this way, the filter unit can at least partially protect the backup valve unit before contaminants, residues, sediments, and similar materials can pass through it.

[0018] It may be further specified that the fluid cylinder has a first fluid connection, a first cleaning connection, a second fluid connection, and a second cleaning connection, wherein the first cleaning connection and the second cleaning connection are provided to constitute a first fluid connection passage.

[0019] During the cleaning process, the fluid can flow between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber through the first cleaning connection and the second cleaning connection, as well as the first fluid connection path.

[0020] Here, an (additional) fluid can be introduced into the first cylinder chamber via the first fluid connection, thereby transferring the fluid through the first cleaning connection, along the first fluid connection path, to the second cylinder chamber via the second fluid connection, particularly for cleaning or purifying the first cylinder chamber.

[0021] Alternatively, an (additional) fluid can be introduced into the second cylinder chamber via a second fluid connection, thereby transferring the fluid through a second cleaning connection, along the first fluid connection path, to the first cylinder chamber via a first cleaning connection, particularly for cleaning or purifying the second cylinder chamber.

[0022] To purify or clean each cylinder chamber, fluid can be introduced through the first or second fluid connection of the cylinder chamber, and the fluid is purified and filtered along the first fluid connection path by a filter unit.

[0023] Furthermore, a second fluid connection passage may be provided between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, and the second fluid connection passage includes a throttling unit.

[0024] The second fluid connection passage may be provided in particular to form or provide pressure regulation between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber. In this case, the throttling unit can provide stepwise pressure regulation or pressure regulation that is continuously adjusted over a predetermined time.

[0025] The throttle unit functions as a low-pass filter in the context of the present invention. Thus, the fluid pressure in the first cylinder chamber or the second cylinder chamber can be increased temporarily, and in particular, it can also be increased for cleaning or purifying the cylinder chamber. On the other hand, when the pressure difference between the two cylinder chambers persists for a long time, pressure adjustment is performed by the second fluid connection path having a throttle unit.

[0026] It may be further specified that at least the first cylinder chamber or the second cylinder chamber has a throttle connection portion, whereby the second fluid connection path is preferably configured between the throttle connection portion and the first cleaning connection portion or the second cleaning connection portion.

[0027] The second fluid connection path may be connected to at least one of the two cylinder chambers via a section of the first fluid connection path. At least one of the two cylinder chambers may preferably have a throttle connection portion for forming the second fluid connection path.

[0028] In this way, at least a partial fluid-technical disconnection between the first fluid connection path and the second fluid connection path becomes possible.

[0029] In particular, when the second fluid connection path is connected to one of the cylinder chambers via only a section of the first fluid connection path, it may be possible to advantageously distribute or expand the increased fluid pressure during cleaning or purification.

[0030] The first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber may alternatively each have one throttle connection portion for forming the second fluid connection path.

[0031] Furthermore, the backup valve unit can be an electromagnetic valve to which a spring force is applied, and this backup valve unit has at least one first switching position, preferably a through-flow position, and a second switching position, preferably a cutoff position.

[0032] At the first switching position, the backup valve unit can form the first fluid connection path, at least temporarily and in particular as intended or controlled. At the second switching position, the first fluid connection path may be or may already be disconnected.

[0033] Suitably, it may be specified that the first switching position is the spring position without force applied, while the adjusting spring of the electromagnetic valve is stretched or a force is applied to this adjusting spring at the second switching position, and this adjusting spring may be held via the energized electromagnetic valve.

[0034] The backup valve unit as an electromagnetic valve to which a spring force is applied can ensure a fluid flow or a fluid flow rate along the first fluid connection path in case of a failure, that is, especially in case of a failure of the energy supply unit.

[0035] Furthermore, the fluid cylinder may be configured as a double-acting fluid cylinder, especially as a double-acting piston cylinder.

[0036] The two cylinder chambers of the fluid cylinder are preferably cleanable or washable, so that according to the invention, contaminants or residues can be removed from the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber.

[0037] Preferably, in the relevant flow direction, along the first fluid connection path, the filter unit is arranged upstream of the backup valve unit, so that the main cleaning direction can be defined. This main cleaning direction may be provided especially for cleaning or purifying the cylinder chamber having (mainly) generally relatively strong / relatively many contaminants or residues.

[0038] In this way, the backup valve unit can be protected from at least a large portion of contaminants or residues by being captured by the filter unit before they can pass through the backup valve unit.

[0039] The only alternative requirement is that at least one filter unit is located on each side of the backup valve unit, along the first fluid connection path.

[0040] In addition, it is possible that the actuator unit further has a rectifier circuit, and a backup valve unit and / or filter unit are located within the rectifier circuit, in particular so that a cleaning function can be provided for the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber along the first fluid connection path. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the rectifier circuit is configured as a half-wave rectifier circuit to provide a cleaning function for one of the first or second cylinder chambers within the first fluid connection path, or as a full-wave rectifier circuit to provide a cleaning function for both the first and second cylinder chambers.

[0041] The rectifier circuit may be particularly specified in that at least one of the two cylinder chambers can be cleaned or purified preferentially, or that both cylinder chambers can be purified. To this end, the rectifier circuit may be configured such that fluid pressure or fluid flow, starting from the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber, is guided through at least one filter unit for purification or cleaning.

[0042] The rectifier circuit may be configured to optionally guide only the fluid pressure in the first cylinder chamber through the filter unit as intended, thereby enabling cleaning of either or only the first cylinder chamber.

[0043] To implement each alternative embodiment, the rectifier circuit may be configured, for example, as a half-wave rectifier circuit or a full-wave rectifier circuit, for example, in the sense of a so-called Graetz circuit.

[0044] In this way, specific cleaning of each cylinder chamber can be provided.

[0045] It may be further specified that the rectifier circuit has a plurality of check valves and that the cleaning function is configured to be pre-set in a first flow direction and / or a second flow direction along the first fluid connection path.

[0046] Using multiple check valves, the flow direction can be preset along the first fluid connection path, particularly within the rectifier circuit, and / or via at least one filter unit.

[0047] Here, it is possible to induce, purify, or filter the working fluid / fluid to the desired flow within the rectifier circuit or along the first fluid connection path.

[0048] In one parallel embodiment, an automobile, particularly a commercial vehicle, is further specified, comprising at least one actuator unit according to the present invention.

[0049] Preferably, in the sense of the present invention, each actuator unit is provided with one first fluid connection passage comprising at least one filter unit. In particular, contaminants or residues in individual actuator units may be filtered, purified or washed away independently of each other, for example, depending on the operating area of ​​the actuator units and / or the frequency of use of the actuator units.

[0050] According to another parallel aspect of the present invention, further, a method for operating at least one actuator unit or automobile according to the present invention, comprising the following steps, namely, - The step of forming a first fluid connection path between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber, by switching the backup valve unit from the second switching position to the first switching position, An operating method has been identified which includes the step of supplying a preset amount of fluid to a first cylinder chamber or a second cylinder chamber via at least a first fluid connection or a second fluid connection, thereby providing a cleaning function via the first fluid connection path in a first or second flow direction in order to clean or purify the first cylinder chamber (120) and / or the second cylinder chamber (130) in particular.

[0051] Preferably, the switching of the backup valve unit can be performed in the sense of a switching under spring force, thereby providing a flow-through position for the backup valve unit at the first switching position.

[0052] In the sense of the present invention, the working fluid or a pre-settable amount of fluid can be interpreted in particular as a predetermined volume to be used for cleaning or purifying the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber.

[0053] The amount of fluid can be determined, for example, based on the expected degree of purification, the purification / washing period, the minimum / maximum fluid velocity, and / or similar factors.

[0054] It is further possible to specify that, after supplying a predetermined amount of fluid, the first fluid connection passage is disconnected, and pressure adjustment is preferably performed between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber via the second fluid connection passage.

[0055] In particular, the disconnection of the first fluid connection path may be performed by switching the backup valve unit from a first switching position, i.e., the through-flow position, to a second switching position, i.e., the shut-off position.

[0056] In this way, after the cleaning or washing process of the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber, the normal operation of the fluid cylinder can be readjusted and continued.

[0057] It may be further specified that the actuator unit, in particular the vehicle, is moved to or switched to a stopped position, preferably a parked position, before the first fluid connection path is formed.

[0058] By setting such a stopping or parking position, the fluid cylinder of the actuator unit, particularly the steering actuator unit, can be locked or fixed in place.

[0059] This allows for reliable purification or cleaning of the actuator unit's fluid cylinder outside of normal or appropriate operation.

[0060] Furthermore, after supplying a preset amount of fluid, pressure adjustment between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber can be performed, particularly for a preset holding time.

[0061] Such pressure regulation can be performed, in particular, by at least one throttling unit via a second fluid connection path between the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber.

[0062] Based on this pre-configurable holding time, it can be guaranteed that sufficient pressure adjustment can be made between the two cylinder chambers, or that pressure adjustment has been made, before the actuator unit starts operating again.

[0063] In this way, abrupt adjustment of the actuator unit after the cleaning or purification process of the first cylinder chamber and / or the second cylinder chamber is avoided.

[0064] All structural and functional features relating to the actuator unit or automobile according to the present invention, as well as to possible embodiments, can be specified individually or in combination with the operating method according to the present invention, and related advantages can be obtained.

[0065] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0066] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the actuator unit. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the actuator unit. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the actuator unit. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the actuator unit.

[0067] Figure 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of the actuator unit 100, particularly the steering actuator unit. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 substantially illustrates the basic method of the present invention.

[0068] The actuator unit 100 is provided with at least one fluid cylinder 110 and at least one backup valve unit 150.

[0069] The fluid cylinder 110 may consist of a first cylinder chamber 120 and a second cylinder chamber 130.

[0070] The fluid cylinder 110 shown in Figure 1 may be configured as a piston cylinder.

[0071] The first cylinder chamber 120 has a first cleaning connection 122 and a first fluid connection 124. The second cylinder chamber 130 has a second cleaning connection 132 and a second fluid connection 134.

[0072] The backup valve unit 150 is provided with a first switching position 152, preferably a flow-through position, and a second switching position 154, preferably a shut-off position.

[0073] The backup valve unit 150 may more preferably be configured as an electromagnetic valve to which a spring force is applied, preferably acting in the direction of the first switching position 152, thereby moving the backup valve unit 150 in a current-free state to the first switching position 152 by the spring force.

[0074] When the solenoid valve is switched to the second switching position 154 (actively), the fluid connection path is preferably disconnected.

[0075] The backup valve unit 150 is preferably positioned between the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cylinder chamber 130 to form or dissolve the first fluid connection passage 140.

[0076] The first fluid connection passage 140 may be formed or separated by the backup valve unit 150, particularly between the first cleaning connection portion 122 of the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cleaning connection portion 132 of the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0077] In this way, the first fluid connection passage 140 can have a first flow direction from the first cylinder chamber 120 to the second cylinder chamber 130 and a second flow direction from the second cylinder chamber 130 to the first cylinder chamber 120.

[0078] Furthermore, at least one filter unit 160 is arranged along the first fluid connection path 140.

[0079] As shown in Figure 1, the filter unit 160 is positioned between the backup valve unit 150 and the first cleaning connection 122 of the first cylinder chamber 120. In this way, the filter unit 160 may be positioned upstream of the backup valve unit 150 in the first flow direction, or downstream of the backup valve unit 150 in the second flow direction.

[0080] Alternatively, at least one filter unit 160 may be provided along the first fluid connection passage 140, between the backup valve unit 150 and the second cleaning connection section 132 or the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0081] The fluid cylinder 110 may further have a second fluid connection passage 170, preferably equipped with a throttling unit 180.

[0082] The second fluid connection passage may be configured between the first cleaning connection portion 122 and the throttling connection portion 136 of the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0083] Alternatively, the second fluid connection passage 170 may be configured between the second cleaning connection 132 and the throttling connection of the first cylinder chamber 120, or between the two throttling connections of the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0084] Figure 2 schematically shows another possible embodiment of the actuator unit 100. Unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 1, this embodiment shown in Figure 2 has the following differences in particular.

[0085] A rectifier circuit 190, particularly in the form of a half-wave rectifier circuit, is provided along the first fluid connection path 140.

[0086] The rectifier circuit 190 shown in Figure 2 is configured with multiple check valves 192.

[0087] The filter unit 160 may be placed within the rectifier circuit 190, or it may be incorporated into the rectifier circuit 190.

[0088] The rectifier circuit 190 may preferably be located between the first cleaning connection 122 and the backup valve unit 150, along the first fluid connection path 140, that is, preferably located upstream of the backup valve unit 150 in the first flow direction.

[0089] According to Figure 2, the first fluid connection path 140 is specified to be partially connected in parallel, or to have at least one first parallel branch path 142.

[0090] The filter unit 160 may be arranged along the first parallel branch line 142.

[0091] A check valve 192 having an open position in a first flow direction and a closed position in a second flow direction may be connected upstream of the filter unit 160 in the first flow direction along the first parallel branch line 142.

[0092] Furthermore, another check valve 192 may be connected in parallel to the filter unit 160 along the first parallel branch 142, and this other check valve preferably has a shut-off position in the second flow direction and an open position in the first flow direction.

[0093] Furthermore, a check valve is connected in parallel to the first parallel branching passage 142 along the first fluid connection passage 140, and this check valve preferably takes an open position in the first flow direction and an open position in the second flow direction.

[0094] The check valve 192 of the rectifier circuit 190 shown in Figure 2 ensures fluid flow in the first flow direction through the filter unit 160, preventing bridging or short-circuiting of the filter unit 160. In contrast, the fluid flow is directed in the second flow direction, i.e., from the second cylinder chamber 130 to the first cylinder chamber 120, passing through the filter unit 160.

[0095] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is particularly configured to allow the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cylinder chamber 130 to be cleaned or purified, and the filter unit 160 can remove or filter out contaminants or deposits from the fluid.

[0096] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the actuator unit 100 that differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in particular as follows:

[0097] According to Figure 3, the actuator unit 100 has a rectifier circuit 190 in the sense of a full-wave rectifier circuit.

[0098] In particular, the rectifier circuit 190 shown in Figure 3 can be understood or interpreted as duplicating, replicating, or mirroring the half-wave rectifier circuit shown in Figure 2 along the first fluid connection path 140.

[0099] Therefore, the first fluid connection path 140 may be formed to have a first parallel branch path 142 and a second parallel branch path 144 along the rectifier circuit 190.

[0100] Similar to the first parallel branch circuit shown in Figure 2, the second parallel branch circuit 144 shown in Figure 3 also has a filter unit 140 equipped with a series-connected check valve 192 and an additional check valve 192 connected in parallel to the filter unit 160.

[0101] The check valve 192 connected in series to the second parallel branch 144 preferably has a shut-off position in the first flow direction of the first fluid connection passage 140 and an open position in the second flow direction. The check valve connected in parallel to the filter unit 160 along the second parallel branch 144 is preferably switched to a shut-off position in the first flow direction and an open position in the second flow direction.

[0102] The check valves 192 along the first parallel branch 142 and the second parallel branch 144 ensure that, in either the first or second flow direction, the flow must pass through, or is able to pass through, one specific filter unit 160 of the two filter units 160 (see the direction of the arrows in Figure 3).

[0103] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, it has been determined that the fluid can be purified along the first parallel branch 142 in the first flow direction, and the fluid can be purified along the second parallel branch 144 in the second flow direction.

[0104] Preferably, check valves connected in parallel to each filter unit 160 enable emergency bridging of the filter unit 160, for example, in the event that the filter unit 160 becomes clogged or blocked.

[0105] Figure 4 schematically shows another embodiment of the actuator unit 100 that differs from the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 3, in particular as described below.

[0106] According to Figure 4, the rectifier circuit 190 is configured in the sense of a so-called Greitz circuit.

[0107] The rectifier circuit 190 shown in Figure 4 has a first fluid branch 146 and a second fluid branch 148, and two check valves 192 are arranged in succession along these first and second fluid branch 146 and second fluid branch 148, respectively.

[0108] Between the two check valves 192 of the two branch lines 146 and 148, a bridge connection is provided to connect the first branch line 146 and the second branch line 148.

[0109] Along the bridge connection, the backup valve unit 150 and the filter unit 160 are arranged in succession, one in front of the other.

[0110] An additional check valve 192 may be provided in parallel with the filter unit 160, serving as an emergency bridge in case the filter unit 160 becomes clogged.

[0111] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a fluid pressure gauge may be provided in parallel with the filter unit 160.

[0112] Two check valves 192, which are located sequentially along the first fluid branch 146 and the second fluid branch 148, are arranged to have alternating shut-off and open positions.

[0113] In particular, the check valve 192 is positioned along the first branch passage 146 or has an open position so that the fluid flow can be carried in a first flow direction or a second flow direction, respectively, through the bridge connection of the rectifier circuit 190.

[0114] The check valve 192 of the second fluid branch 148 is positioned in an open or closed position so that the fluid flow can reach the bridge connection via one of the two check valves 192 in either the first or second flow direction, thereby being guided through the filter unit 160 and the backup valve unit 150.

[0115] The rectifier circuit 190, particularly in the sense of a Graitz circuit, as shown in Figure 4, can guarantee that the fluid flow can always pass through the filter unit 160 and the backup valve unit in the same direction in both the first and second flow directions.

[0116] As shown in Figure 4, it is specifically identified that the fluid can pass through two check valves 192 along the second fluid branching path 148, each in the direction of either the bridge connection or the filter unit 160.

[0117] In contrast, along the first fluid branching passage 146, two check valves 192 are connected in opposite directions so that the fluid can leave the bridge connection and flow further in the first or second flow direction. The continuation of each flow direction or flow direction, starting from the first cylinder chamber 120 or the second cylinder chamber 130, is also facilitated or induced by the counterpressure applied to each check valve 192, in particular, starting from the first cylinder chamber 120 for the first flow direction, or from the second cylinder chamber 130 for the second flow direction.

[0118] Therefore, similar to the one shown in Figure 3, the (full-wave) rectifier circuit shown in Figure 4 can ensure cleaning or purification of the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0119] Furthermore, another filter unit 160 may be provided along the first fluid connection passage 140 shown in Figure 4, particularly near the first cleaning connection portion 122 and / or the second cleaning connection portion 132 of the fluid cylinder 110.

[0120] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, it is specified that the second fluid connection passage has at least one throttling unit 180, and preferably at least one filter unit 160 in the vicinity of the throttling connection 126 of the first cylinder chamber 120 and the throttling unit 180, or between the throttling connection 126 of the first cylinder chamber 120 and the throttling unit 180.

[0121] The function of the actuator unit 100 can be basically explained as follows: Fluid may be introduced into the first cylinder chamber 120 via the first fluid connection part 124, thereby reaching the first fluid connection passage 140 via the first cleaning connection part 122, and reaching the second cylinder chamber 130. In this way, the first cylinder chamber 120 can be cleaned or purified, thereby removing contaminants or deposits from the cylinder chamber 120.

[0122] Alternatively, fluid, or a preset amount of fluid, can be introduced into the second cylinder chamber 130 via the second fluid connection, thereby purifying or cleaning the second cylinder chamber, and the fluid is then delivered to the first cylinder chamber 120 via the first fluid connection passage 140.

[0123] Additional fluids can be discharged, for example, through the fluid connections 124 and 134 of the cylinder chambers 120 and 130 located on opposite sides.

[0124] Particularly preferably, the filter unit 160 is positioned along the first fluid connection passage 140 relative to the backup valve unit 150 so that the filter unit 160 can protect the backup valve unit 150 from at least a large portion of contaminants or deposits from the first cylinder chamber 120 or the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0125] In summary, the present invention provides an actuator unit 100 that enables temporary purification or cleaning of one or more cylinder chambers 120, 130 of a fluid cylinder 110, wherein contaminants or deposits from the cylinder chambers 120; 130 can be received by a filter unit 160 or removed by filtering from the fluid.

[0126] By positioning the filter unit 160 along the first fluid connection passage 140, or by configuring a rectifier circuit 190 incorporating the filter unit 160, advantageous filtration of the fluid can be achieved, and preferably, in at least one of the first or second flow directions between the first cylinder chamber 120 and the second cylinder chamber 130, the filter unit 160 can protect the backup valve unit 150 from such residues or contaminants.

[0127] Furthermore, various embodiments of the rectifier circuit 190 make it possible, in some cases, to ensure filtration or purification in two flow directions by individual filter units 160.

[0128] Another filter unit 160 may be provided in particular along the first fluid connection passage 140, thereby also protecting another check valve 192 and / or backup valve unit from contaminants or deposits from the first cylinder chamber 120 or the second cylinder chamber 130.

[0129] Furthermore, the piping of the first fluid connection passage 140 may be specified such that emergency bridging of the filter unit 160 can be performed exclusively or primarily when the filter unit 160 becomes clogged or blocked. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0130] 100 Actuator Units 110 Fluid Cylinder 120 First Cylinder Chamber 122 First cleaning connection 124 First fluid connection 130 Second cylinder chamber 132 Second cleaning connection 134 Second fluid connection 136 Aperture connection 140 First fluid connection 142 First parallel branch 144 Second parallel branch 146 First fluid branch 148 Second fluid branch 150 Backup Valve Unit 152 First switching position 154 Second switching position 160 filter units 170 Second fluid connection 180 aperture unit 190 Rectifier circuit 192 Check valve

Claims

1. An actuator unit (100), particularly a steering actuator unit, comprising at least one fluid cylinder (110), at least one backup valve unit (150), and at least one filter unit (160), The fluid cylinder (110) has a first cylinder chamber (120) and a second cylinder chamber (130), At least one first fluid connection passage (140) can be formed between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130), and in particular can be formed at least temporarily. The first fluid connection passage (140) extends through the filter unit (160) and the backup valve unit (150), The actuator unit (100) is capable of providing a cleaning function, particularly for washing away contaminants and / or deposits, in a first fluid connection passage (140) relative to the first cylinder chamber (120) in a first flow direction of the first fluid connection passage (140) and / or in a second flow direction of the first fluid connection passage (140) relative to the second cylinder chamber (130).

2. The actuator unit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter unit (160) is provided along the first fluid connection passage (140) such that the filter unit (160) is positioned between the backup valve unit and the first cylinder chamber (120) or the second cylinder chamber (130), particularly between the backup valve unit (150) and the cylinder chambers (120, 130) having at least a majority of the contaminants and / or deposits.

3. The fluid cylinder (110) has a first fluid connection part (124), a first cleaning connection part (122), a second fluid connection part (134), and a second cleaning connection part (132). The actuator unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first cleaning connection portion (122) and the second cleaning connection portion (132) are provided to form the first fluid connection passage (140).

4. A second fluid connection passage (170) is provided between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130). The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second fluid connection passage (170) has a throttling unit (180).

5. The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the first cylinder chamber (120) or the second cylinder chamber (130) has a throttling connection (136), thereby the second fluid connection passage (170) is preferably configured between the throttling connection (136) and the first cleaning connection (122) or the second cleaning connection (132).

6. The backup valve unit (150) is a magnetic valve to which spring force is applied, The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the backup valve unit (150) has at least one first switching position (152), preferably a flow-through position, and a second switching position (154), preferably a shut-off position.

7. The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fluid cylinder (110) is configured as a double-acting fluid cylinder, and more particularly as a double-acting piston cylinder.

8. The actuator unit (100) further includes a rectifier circuit (190), The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the backup valve unit (150) and / or the filter unit (160) are arranged within the rectifier circuit (190), and in particular this enables a cleaning function for the first cylinder chamber (120) and / or the second cylinder chamber (130) along the first fluid connection path (140).

9. The actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rectifier circuit (190) is configured to provide a cleaning function for the first cylinder chamber (120) or the second cylinder chamber (130) as a half-wave rectifier circuit within the first fluid connection path (140), or to provide a cleaning function for the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130) as a full-wave rectifier circuit.

10. The actuator unit (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the rectifier circuit (190) has a plurality of check valves (192), and the cleaning function is configured to be set in advance in the first flow direction and / or the second flow direction along the first fluid connection passage (140).

11. An automobile, particularly a commercial vehicle, comprising at least one actuator unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for operating at least one actuator unit (100) or an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the next step is, - The step of forming the first fluid connection passage (140) between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130) by switching the backup valve unit (150) from the first switching position (152) to the second switching position (154), An operating method comprising the steps of supplying a preset amount of fluid to the first cylinder chamber (120) or the second cylinder chamber (130) via at least the first fluid connection portion (124) and the second fluid connection portion (134), thereby providing a cleaning function in the first or second flow direction via the first fluid connection passage (140).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, after supplying the predetermined amount of fluid, the first fluid connection passage (140) is disconnected, and pressure adjustment is preferably performed between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130) via the second fluid connection passage (170).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the actuator unit (100), in particular the automobile, is moved to a stop position, preferably a parking position, before the first fluid connection passage (140) is formed.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, after supplying a preset amount of fluid, pressure adjustment between the first cylinder chamber (120) and the second cylinder chamber (130) is performed, particularly for a preset holding time.

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