Sensor device for an electric axle drive apparatus, and electric axle drive apparatus for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device (1) for an electric axle drive apparatus (10), said sensor device comprising: - a first sensor unit (2) for detecting a rotational speed and position of a drive device (11) of an electric axle drive apparatus (10), - a second sensor unit (3) for detecting a rotational speed and position of an output device (12) of an electric axle drive apparatus (10), - wherein the sensor device (1) is designed as an integral assembly such that the sensor units (2, 3, 4) can be installed as a single unit in a housing (14) of an electric axle drive apparatus (10). The invention also relates to an electric axle drive apparatus (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a sensor device (1).

Description

[0001] Sensor device for an electric axle drive device and electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a sensor device for an electric axle drive device and an electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle.

[0003] In electric drive systems or electric axle drive devices, especially with wheel-selective drives, the function of connecting and disconnecting an electric machine of an electric axle drive device with a vehicle wheel is classified with safety level ASIL D (Automotive Safety Integrity Level D).

[0004] This means, for example, that the detection of the rotor position of an electric motor must have a very low error rate. To achieve this, conventional electric axle drive systems use two- or multi-channel sensors or sensor units. Each sensor unit has an integrated circuit (IC) and a cable leading to a sensor data evaluation unit.

[0005] The dual design of sensor units to achieve safety level ASIL D requires not only two sensor units, but also a separate installation space within an electric axle drive device, specifically for each sensor unit. This results in an enlarged housing for the axle drive device, thus increasing weight and requiring additional assembly effort, as multiple sensor units must be installed.

[0006] Furthermore, for efficiency reasons and to achieve different driving modes of an electric axle drive system, it is known to equip its electric motor with a so-called disconnect unit (DCU) or shifting device. This is often designed as a conventional positive-locking claw coupling and can detach the electric motor from a vehicle wheel and also connect it to the vehicle wheel.

[0007] When coupling or connecting an electrical machine to a vehicle wheel or when closing the decoupling unit or the claw clutch or the shifting device, a defined differential speed must be set on the decoupling unit in order to prevent, on the one hand, excessive loading of the components of the decoupling unit during the closing process (too high differential speed) and, on the other hand, to prevent a tooth-on-tooth position (too low differential speed).

[0008] To correctly adjust the differential speed, at least one speed sensor is required on the output side or at the vehicle wheel. Typically, simple speed sensors (such as Hall sensors) are used for this purpose. These only output the direction of rotation and speed, but not the position or angular position. The direction of rotation and speed are transmitted to a sensor data evaluation unit.

[0009] In addition, electric axle drive devices on the decoupling unit or on the shifting device have a position sensor that detects the position of a sliding sleeve of the decoupling unit / shifting device, or detects whether the decoupling unit is transmitting torque or not, or whether the decoupling unit is closed or open. The detected state is transmitted to a sensor data evaluation unit.

[0010] In summary, it can be stated that the use of various sensors or sensor units requires more installation space, which leads to increased manufacturing costs.

[0011] The switching quality for connecting an electric machine to a vehicle wheel also needs to be improved by using different sensor types (e.g. at low speeds and when angle information is missing).

[0012] Against this background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sensor device for an electric axle drive device and an electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle, which can be manufactured cost-effectively and with reduced material consumption and thus with optimized weight. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to ensure simplified assembly of sensor units within an electric axle drive device in order to reduce manufacturing costs. It is also an object of the invention to improve the switchability of a decoupling unit of an electric axle drive device. These objects are achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention comprises a sensor device for an electric axle drive device.

[0014] The sensor device has a first sensor unit for detecting the rotational speed and position of a drive device of an electric axle drive device. In this way, the rotational speed and position of a drive device, such as an electric machine or its rotor, can be detected.

[0015] The sensor device further comprises a second sensor unit for detecting the rotational speed and position of an output device of an electric axle drive. Thus, the rotational speed and position of an output device, such as a transmission with a connected vehicle wheel or a vehicle wheel, or its rotational speed and position, can be detected.

[0016] By combining the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit and thus by detecting the rotational speed and position of an input and output device of an electric axle drive device, the switchability of a decoupling unit or displacement device of an electric axle drive device can be improved.

[0017] Please note that in this description, wherever "rotational speed and position" are mentioned, the terms "rotational speed and / or position and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular attitude" can be used or understood as "rotational speed and / or position and / or direction of rotation and / or angular attitude." In other words, the terms "rotational speed and position" can be understood as synonyms for the terms "rotational speed and / or position and / or direction of rotation and / or angular attitude and / or angular attitude."

[0018] The sensor device is designed as an integral assembly, so that the sensor units can be mounted as a common whole in a housing of an electric axle drive device. In other words, the sensor device can also be designed as an integral, joint, or one-piece assembly. In other words, the sensor device can be designed as an integral device that combines the first and second sensor units and / or a third sensor unit into one assembly. Thus, several sensor units can be installed or mounted simultaneously within a housing of an electric axle drive device. Consequently, manufacturing and assembly costs can be saved. This also simplifies assembly within a housing of an electric axle drive device. Furthermore, the number of cables for connecting the sensor device or for connecting the sensor units can be reduced.Accordingly, the wiring effort can also be reduced. This makes installation in an electric axle drive simpler and more cost-effective. To put it another way, the sensor device can be designed as a single component, a single component, or as an integral component with multiple sensor units, making installation in an electric axle drive simpler and more cost-effective.

[0019] Furthermore, the sensor device can have a common housing or a common structural component for the first and / or the second and / or a third sensor unit. Combining several sensor units into one sensor device simplifies assembly effort.

[0020] All sensor units can be located within the housing or on the structural component. As already mentioned, this simplifies assembly and also reduces the space required within the housing of an electric axle drive device.

[0021] Also, only the sensor units can be arranged within the housing or on the structural component, e.g. apart from an interface and / or apart from a cable as an interface for contacting the sensor units or the sensor device from outside the housing or from outside the structural component.

[0022] In addition, the housing or structural component can be L-shaped or L-shaped in cross-section. The housing or structural component can also have a shape composed of a hollow cylinder and an annular disc, which can be arranged at one end of the hollow cylinder. This configuration even allows for the insertion or arrangement of multiple or additional sensor units along the circumference of the hollow cylinder and / or the annular disc to create redundancy.

[0023] Furthermore, the sensor device can have a circuit board for the first, second, and / or third sensor units. This allows for cost-effective manufacturing of the sensor device. In other words, the first, second, and / or third sensor units can share a common circuit board.

[0024] In addition, the first sensor unit can be configured and designed to detect the rotational speed and position of a drive device of an electric axle drive device in order to infer the position of a toothing of a first connecting unit of a drive device of an electric axle drive device.

[0025] With the aid of the first sensor unit, the rotational speed and position of an annular disk part of a first connecting unit of a drive device of an electric axle drive device can be detected in order to infer the position of a toothing of the first connecting unit.

[0026] Furthermore, the second sensor unit can be configured and designed to detect the rotational speed and position of an output device of an electric axle drive device in order to infer the position of a first toothing of a second connecting unit of an output device of an electric axle drive device. Using the second sensor unit, the rotational speed and position of a second toothing of a second connecting unit of an output device of an electric axle drive device can be detected in order to infer the position of a first toothing of the second connecting unit, e.g., using a sensor data evaluation unit.

[0027] In addition, the first and / or second sensor unit can comprise an eddy current sensor and / or a rotor position sensor and / or a Hall sensor, with which the rotational speed and / or position of a drive device or an output device of an electric axle drive device can be detected.

[0028] Furthermore, the first and / or second sensor unit can comprise an eddy current sensor with which the rotational speed and position and / or the presence and / or the distance of a drive device or an output device of an electric axle drive device can be detected.

[0029] The first and / or second sensor unit can also have a rotor position sensor with which the rotational speed and position of a drive device or an output device of an electric axle drive device can be detected.

[0030] In addition, the first and / or second sensor unit can comprise a Hall sensor with which the rotational speed and position of a drive device or an output device of an electric axle drive device can be detected.

[0031] In addition, the sensor device can have a third sensor unit for detecting the position of a connecting device of an electric axle drive device, with which a drive device of an electric axle drive device can be connected to an output device of an electric axle drive device or can be released from an output device of an electric axle drive device.

[0032] The third sensor unit can comprise a magnetic field sensor with which the position of a connecting device, e.g. its sliding sleeve, of an electric axle drive device can be detected.

[0033] A second aspect of the present invention includes an electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle.

[0034] It is expressly pointed out that the features of the sensor device as mentioned under the first aspect can be used individually or in combination with one another in the electric axle drive device.

[0035] In other words, the features relating to the sensor device mentioned above under the first aspect of the invention can also be combined with further features here under the second aspect of the invention.

[0036] Thus, an electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle comprises a drive device for generating a torque and an output device for transmitting the generated torque to a vehicle wheel. Furthermore, the electric axle drive device comprises a connecting device for connecting and disconnecting the drive device to and / or from the output device.

[0037] In addition, the electric axle drive device has a sensor device according to the first aspect.

[0038] Furthermore, the electric axle drive device comprises a housing in which the drive device, the output device, the connecting device, and the sensor device are arranged. Thus, an electric axle drive device can be manufactured cost-effectively, using less material, and with optimized weight. Furthermore, this design ensures simplified assembly of the sensor units within an electric axle drive device.

[0039] The electric axle drive device is designed and the sensor device is arranged within the housing in such a way that the speed and position of the drive device and the output device as well as the position of the connecting device can be detected by the sensor device. As a result, for example, in the case of a torque and / or power flow from the drive device to the output device, a position and / or rotor position and / or angular position of the drive device can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device. Furthermore, in the case of a connection or in the case of a torque and / or power flow from the drive device to the output device, e.g. established via or through the connecting device, a position or angular position of the drive device can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device. In other words, in the case of a connection orWhen there is a torque and / or power flow from the drive device to the output device, the rotor position of a rotor of an electric machine in the drive device can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device. This makes it possible, for example, to achieve an ASIL D safety level. In other words, compared to the prior art, this design makes it possible to dispense with a sensor or a sensor IC. Furthermore, this design simplifies the assembly of the sensor device within the electric axle drive device, and manufacturing costs can thus be reduced. The use of the sensor device and the described arrangement thereof, and thus the design of the electric axle drive device, also improves the switchability of a decoupling unit or the connecting device.In addition, the installation space is reduced compared to prior art solutions, which means that the housing of the electric axle drive device can be made smaller and consequently lighter compared to prior art solutions.

[0040] Furthermore, the drive device can comprise an electric machine with a rotor and a stator.

[0041] The drive device can also have a first connecting unit with which a torque and / or force flow can be transmitted from the rotor to the output device or to its second connecting unit.

[0042] The first connecting unit may have a toothing on its outer surface or on its outer circumference or on its outer circumference.

[0043] Furthermore, the first connecting unit can have on its inner circumferential surface or on its inner circumference or on its inner circumference a profile for a shaft-hub connection, with which the first connecting unit is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotor of the electric machine of the drive device.

[0044] Furthermore, the first connecting unit can comprise a gear. The first connecting unit can also comprise an annular disk part, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an axial end of the gear and which projects radially outward beyond the toothing of the first connecting unit.

[0045] The circular disc part can have interruptions or recesses in the circumferential direction in order to form a sensor wheel for the first sensor unit of the sensor device, with which the speed and position of the first connecting unit can be detected.

[0046] In addition, the output device can have a second connecting unit with which a torque and / or force flow from the drive device or from its first connecting unit can be absorbed.

[0047] The second connecting unit can be designed as a loose wheel that is rotatably mounted on a rotor of an electric motor of the drive device. The second connecting unit can have first and second gear teeth with different pitch circle diameters.

[0048] The first and second toothings can also each be formed by a gear wheel, both of which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner and / or which have different pitch circle diameters.

[0049] Thus, the second connecting unit can have a first gear with a first toothing and a second gear with a second toothing.

[0050] The second toothing or the second gear can serve to transmit a torque and / or power flow from the output device to a vehicle wheel.

[0051] An end face of the second gear, which may be opposite the second sensor unit, may have recesses or depressions in order to form or simulate a sensor wheel for the second sensor unit of the sensor device, with which the rotational speed and position of the second connecting unit can be detected.

[0052] The first toothing can be connected to the drive device or to its first connecting unit by means of the connecting device or can be detachable from the drive device or from its first connecting unit by means of the connecting device.

[0053] Furthermore, the connecting device can have a sliding sleeve for connecting and releasing the drive device or its first connecting unit with or from the output device or its second connecting unit.

[0054] The sliding sleeve can have a toothing on its inner surface. The toothing can be designed to engage with the toothing of a first connecting unit of the drive device and with the toothing of a second connecting unit of the output device, or with a first toothing of a second connecting unit of the output device, in order to establish or interrupt a torque and / or force flow between the drive device and the output device. The sliding sleeve can be designed similarly to a coupling half of a claw coupling in order to engage or engage in interruptions or recesses of a disk part of a first connecting unit of the output device.

[0055] Furthermore, the connecting device can comprise a piston unit, which, together with the housing of the electric axle drive device, forms a pressure chamber. The piston unit can be arranged inside the housing of the electric axle drive device.

[0056] Furthermore, the piston unit can be configured and designed to displace the sliding sleeve in order to connect the drive device to the output device or to detach it from the output device, so that a torque and / or force flow between the drive device and the output device can be established or interrupted.

[0057] The piston unit can also have a magnet for generating a detectable magnetic field for the sensor device or for a third sensor unit of the sensor device. The distance or position of the magnet can be detected by the third sensor unit of the sensor device.

[0058] Furthermore, the sliding sleeve can be configured and designed to be displaced by the piston unit, so that the drive device can be connected to the output device or detached from the output device. This allows a torque and / or force flow between the drive device and the output device to be established or interrupted.

[0059] Furthermore, the sensor device can be arranged within the housing of the electric axle drive device in such a way that the rotational speed and position of the drive device and the output device and the position of the connecting device for the sensor device can be detected.

[0060] The first sensor unit of the sensor device can be arranged, e.g., in the axial direction, opposite the annular disc part of the first connecting unit of the drive device. The second sensor unit of the sensor device can also be arranged, e.g., in the axial direction, opposite the second toothing of the second connecting unit of the output device.

[0061] Furthermore, the third sensor unit of the sensor device can be arranged opposite the sliding sleeve of the connecting device, e.g. in the radial direction.

[0062] With the proposed arrangement of the sensor units and the proposed design of the electric axle drive device, a compact sensor device can be created within the electric axle drive device. This can be arranged centrally at a single location within the housing of the electric axle drive device, thereby not only reducing the manufacturing costs of the sensor device but also the assembly costs of an electric axle drive device. This is because, for example, multiple cable routing for contacting sensor units is no longer required. It is also no longer necessary to install multiple sensor units at different locations within the housing of the electric axle drive device.In addition, the installation space of the housing for the electric axle drive unit can be reduced compared to state-of-the-art solutions, which also reduces the weight of the electric axle drive unit. This also increases the range of an electric vehicle.

[0063] In the following, the inventive concept presented above is expressed again and additionally in other words.

[0064] This idea – simplified – involves centralizing the existing sensor system of an electric axle drive device into a single assembly. This central sensor assembly or sensor device can be arranged on a decoupling unit or near a displacement device of an electric axle drive device and can detect both the primary rotor position (single-channel) of a drive device of an electric axle drive device and the secondary rotor position (single-channel) of an output device of an electric axle drive device.

[0065] The position sensor system of a sliding sleeve of a shifting device of an electric axle drive can also be integrated. This allows a sensor cluster, a system, or a unified whole, which may consist of interconnected elements or parts with, for example, similar properties and / or features, to detect a primary angular position of a drive device of an electric axle drive and a secondary angular position of an output device of an electric axle drive (e.g., using eddy current sensors), as well as the position of the sliding sleeve of the shifting device.

[0066] Thus, for example, in the engaged state or in the state of a torque or power transmission from a drive device of an electric axle drive device to an output device of an electric axle drive device, the rotor position of an electric machine of the drive device is redundantly available.

[0067] Thus, ASIL D capability can be achieved in the designed state, where the electric motor of the drive system is not connected to a vehicle wheel. In this case, redundant angular position detection is not necessary.

[0068] Furthermore, the solution presented results in space savings due to an increased degree of integration (also with regard to cables / connectors) and, for example, evaluation circuits in a control unit or in an evaluation unit for sensor data.

[0069] In addition, angle information from the secondary side (output device of an electric axle drive) can enable a more robust switching process of the shifting device, as tooth-on-tooth positions between a drive device and an output device of an electric axle drive can be avoided. This so-called switching window can be calculated in both drive train halves (drive device and output device) by a control system or an evaluation unit for sensor data, and switching processes can be controlled in such a way that the two drive train halves can be reliably connected.

[0070] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These show schematically: Fig. 1 shows a first sectional view of an electric axle drive device for a motor vehicle with a sensor device; and

[0071] Fig. 2 is a second sectional view of the electric axle drive device similar to Figure 1.

[0072] In the following description, the same reference symbols are used for the same items.

[0073] Figure 1 shows a first sectional view of an electric axle drive device 10 for a motor vehicle with a sensor device 1, wherein Figure 2 shows a second sectional view of the electric axle drive device similar to Figure 1.

[0074] For the sake of simplicity and brevity, Figures 1 and 2 are described together below.

[0075] In more detail, Figures 1 and 2 show an electric axle drive device 10 for a motor vehicle with a drive device 11 for generating a torque and with an output device 12 for transmitting the generated torque to a vehicle wheel.

[0076] Furthermore, the figures show that the axle drive device 10 comprises a connecting device 13 for connecting and disconnecting the drive device 11 with or from the output device 12 and a sensor device 1.

[0077] Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that the electric axle drive device 10 comprises a housing 14 in which the drive device 11, the output device 12, the connecting device 13 and the sensor device 1 are arranged.

[0078] The electric axle drive device 10 is designed and the sensor device 1 is arranged within the housing 14 such that the speed and position and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular attitude of the drive device 11 and the output device 12 and the position of the connecting device 13 can be detected by the sensor device 1. As a result, in the case of a connection or a torque and / or force flow from the drive device 11 to the output device 12, e.g. established via or through the connecting device 13, an angular position and / or rotor position of the drive device 11 can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device 1. In other words, in the case of a connection orWhen a torque and / or force flow from the drive device 11 to the output device 12 occurs, the rotor position of a rotor 15 of an electrical machine of the drive device 11 can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device 1. Thus, for example, an ASIL D safety level can be achieved.

[0079] The sensor device 1 for an electric axle drive device 10 comprises a first sensor unit 2 for detecting a rotational speed and position of the drive device 11, a second sensor unit 3 for detecting a rotational speed and position of the output device 12 and a third sensor unit 4 for detecting the position of the connecting device 13.

[0080] As can be seen from the figures, the sensor device 1 is designed as an integral assembly, so that the sensor units 2, 3, 4 can be mounted as a single unit in a housing 14 of the electric axle drive device 10. It can also be noted that the sensor device 1 is designed as an integral or joint assembly. In other words, the sensor device 1 is designed as an integral device that combines the first sensor unit 2 and the second sensor unit 3, as well as the third sensor unit 4, into one assembly.

[0081] Consequently, multiple sensor units can be installed simultaneously within a housing 14 of the electric axle drive device 10, thereby saving costs, simplifying assembly, reducing the number of cables, and reducing the wiring effort. These circumstances make the installation of the sensor device 1 into the electric axle drive device 10 simpler and more cost-effective.

[0082] Furthermore, Figures 1 and 2 show that the sensor device 1 has a common housing 5 or a common structural component 5 for the first 2, the second 3, and the third sensor unit 4. All sensor units 2, 3, 4 are arranged within the housing 5 or on the structural component 5. However, only the sensor units 2, 3, 4 can be arranged within the housing 5 or on the structural component 5, apart from an interface and / or apart from a cable as an interface for contacting the sensor units 2, 3, 4 or the sensor device 1 from outside the housing 5 or from outside the structural component 5.

[0083] Furthermore, the housing 5 or structural component 5 has an L-shape in cross section, which is composed of a hollow cylinder 6 and an annular disc 7 which is arranged at one end of the hollow cylinder 6.

[0084] Although not shown, it is possible for the sensor device 1 to have a circuit board for the first, second, and / or third sensor units 2, 3, 4. The first, second, and / or third sensor units 2, 3, 4 may also share a common circuit board.

[0085] According to Figures 1 and 2, the drive device 12 comprises an electric machine with a rotor 15 and a stator (not shown).

[0086] In addition, the drive device 12 has a first connecting unit 16, with which a torque and / or force flow can be transmitted from the rotor 15 to the output device 12 or to its second connecting unit 20.

[0087] Figures 1 and 2 show that the first connecting unit 16 has a toothing on its outer surface or outer circumference. Furthermore, the first connecting unit 16 has a profile for a shaft-hub connection on its inner surface or inner circumference. The profile secures the first connecting unit 16 to the rotor 15 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0088] Furthermore, the figures show that the first connecting unit 16 comprises a gear 17 and an annular disc part 18. The disc part 18 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an axial end of the gear 17 and projects outwardly beyond the toothing of the first connecting unit 16 in the radial direction R.

[0089] As can be seen from Figure 2, the annular disk part 18 has interruptions 19 or recesses 19 in the circumferential direction in order to form a sensor wheel for the first sensor unit 2 of the sensor device 1. The first sensor unit 2 is set up and designed to detect the speed and position or speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular orientation of the drive device 11. Thus, with the help of the first sensor unit 2, the speed and position or speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular orientation of the annular disk part 18 of the first connecting unit 16 can be detected. This makes it possible to deduce the position of a toothing of the first connecting unit 16. To fulfill this task, the first sensor unit 2 is arranged opposite the annular disk part 18 of the first connecting unit 16 in the axial direction A.

[0090] Furthermore, Figures 1 and 2 show that the output device 12 has a second connecting unit 20, with which a torque and / or force flow from the drive device 11 or from its first connecting unit 16 can be absorbed.

[0091] Here, the second connecting unit 20 is designed as a loose wheel that is rotatably mounted on the rotor 15. Furthermore, the second connecting unit 20 has a first and a second toothing 21, 22, which have different pitch circle diameters.

[0092] Strictly speaking, the first and second toothings 21, 22 are each formed by a gearwheel, both of which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The first toothing 21 can be connected to the drive device 11 or to its first connecting unit 16 by means of the connecting device 13, or can be detached from the drive device 11 or its first connecting unit 16 by means of the connecting device 13.

[0093] In other words, the second connecting unit 20 has a first gear 21 with a first toothing and a second gear 22 with a second toothing. The second toothing 22 or the second gear 22 serves to transmit a torque and / or power flow from the output device 12 to a vehicle wheel. An end face of the second gear 22, which is opposite the second sensor unit 3, has recesses or depressions (not shown) to form a sensor wheel for the second sensor unit 3.

[0094] Against this background, it can also be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that the second sensor unit 3 is set up and designed to detect the speed and position or speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular orientation of the output device 12. Thus, the speed and position or speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular orientation of the second toothing 22 of the second connecting unit 20 can be detected using the second sensor unit 3. The position of the first toothing 21 of the second connecting unit 20 can thus be deduced, for example, using an evaluation unit for sensor data. To fulfill this task, the second sensor unit 3 is arranged opposite the second toothing 22 of the second connecting unit 20 of the output device 12 in the axial direction A.

[0095] In Figures 1 and 2, the first and second sensor units 2, 3 can each have an eddy current sensor with which the rotational speed and position and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular position of the drive device 11 or the output device 12 can be detected.

[0096] It is also additionally or alternatively possible for the first and second sensor units 2, 3 each to have a rotor position sensor with which the rotational speed and position or rotational speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular position of the drive device 11 or the output device 12 can be detected.

[0097] Furthermore, it is additionally or alternatively possible for the first and second sensor units 2, 3 each to have a Hall sensor with which the rotational speed and position or rotational speed and / or direction of rotation and / or angular position and / or angular position of a drive device 11 or an output device 12 of an electric axle drive device 10 can be detected.

[0098] Furthermore, Figures 1 and 2 show that the connecting device 13 has a sliding sleeve 23 for connecting and disconnecting the drive device 11 or its first connecting unit 13 with or from the output device 12 or its second connecting unit 20.

[0099] The sliding sleeve 23 has a toothing on its inner surface. This toothing is designed to fit into the toothing of the first connecting unit 16 of the drive device.

[0100] 11 and into the toothing of the second connecting unit 20 of the output device

[0101] 12 or engage the first toothing 21 of the second connecting unit 20 of the output device 12. This allows a torque and / or force flow between the drive device 11 and the output device 12 to be established or interrupted. As can be seen, the sliding sleeve 23 is designed similarly to a coupling half of a claw coupling in order to engage in interruptions 19 of the disc part 18 of the first connecting unit 16 of the output device 12.

[0102] Against this background, it is conceivable that the third sensor unit 4 comprises a magnetic field sensor with which the position of the connecting device 13, e.g., its sliding sleeve 23, can be detected. To fulfill this task, the third sensor unit 4 is arranged opposite the sliding sleeve 23 of the connecting device 13 in the radial direction R.

[0103] Furthermore, the figures show that the connecting device 13 comprises a piston unit 24, which, together with the housing 14 of the electric axle drive device 10, forms a pressure chamber. For this purpose, the piston unit 24 is arranged inside the housing 14.

[0104] The piston unit 24 is designed and constructed to displace the sliding sleeve 23 in order to connect the drive device 11 to the output device 12 or to detach it from the output device 12, so that a torque and / or force flow between the drive device 11 and the output device 12 can be established or interrupted.

[0105] The piston unit 24 has a magnet (not shown) for generating a detectable magnetic field for the sensor device 1 or for the third sensor unit 4 of the sensor device 1.

[0106] The sliding sleeve 23 is configured and designed to be displaced by the piston unit 24, so that the drive device 11 can be connected to the output device 12 or detached from the output device 12. This allows a torque and / or force flow between the drive device 11 and the output device 12 to be established or interrupted.

[0107] 1 sensor device

[0108] 2 first sensor unit

[0109] 3 second sensor unit

[0110] 4 third sensor unit

[0111] 5 Housing / structural component

[0112] 6 hollow cylinders

[0113] 7 discs

[0114] 10 electric axle drive device

[0115] 11 Drive device

[0116] 12 Output device

[0117] 13 Connection device

[0118] 14 housings

[0119] 15 Rotor

[0120] 16 first connection unit

[0121] 17 gear

[0122] 18 circular disc part

[0123] 19 interruptions

[0124] 20 second connection unit

[0125] 21 first toothing / first gear

[0126] 22 second toothing / second gear

[0127] 23 Sliding sleeve

[0128] 24 piston unit

[0129] A axial direction

[0130] R radial direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Sensor device (1 ) for an electric axle drive device (10) comprising: - a first sensor unit (2) for detecting a rotational speed and position of a drive device (11) of an electric axle drive device (10), - a second sensor unit (3) for detecting a rotational speed and position of an output device (12) of an electric axle drive device (10), characterized in that - the sensor device (1) is designed as an integral assembly, so that the sensor units (2, 3, 4) can be mounted as a common whole in a housing (14) of an electric axle drive device (10).

2. Sensor device according to claim 1, - wherein the sensor device (1) has a common housing (5) or a common structural component (5) for the first (2) and / or the second (3) and / or a third sensor unit (4).

3. Sensor device according to claim 2, - wherein all sensor units (2, 3, 4) are arranged within the housing (5) or on the structural component (5), and / or - wherein the housing (5) or the structural component (5) is L-shaped in cross section or has an L-shape.

4. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the sensor device (1) has a circuit board for the first, the second and / or a third sensor unit (2, 3, 4).

5. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the first sensor unit (2) is configured and designed to detect the rotational speed and position of a drive device (11) of an electric axle drive device (10) in order to determine the position of a toothing of a first connecting unit (16) of a drive device (11) of an electric axle drive device (10), and / or - wherein the second sensor unit (3) is set up and designed to detect the rotational speed and position of an output device (12) of an electric axle drive device (10) in order to infer the position of a first toothing (21) of a second connecting unit (20) of an output device (12) of an electric axle drive device (10).

6. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the first and / or second sensor unit (2, 3) comprises an eddy current sensor and / or a rotor position sensor and / or a Hall sensor, with which the rotational speed and position of a drive device (11) or an output device (12) of an electric axle drive device (10) can be detected.

7. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the sensor device (1) has a third sensor unit (4) for detecting the position of a connecting device (13) of an electric axle drive device (10), with which a drive device (11) of an electric axle drive device (10) can be connected to or detached from an output device (12) of an electric axle drive device (10).

8. Electric axle drive device (10) for a motor vehicle comprising: - a drive device (11) for generating a torque, - an output device (12) for transmitting the generated torque to a vehicle wheel, - a connecting device (13) for connecting and disconnecting the drive device (11) with or from the output device (12), and - a sensor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and - a housing (14) in which the drive device (11), the output device (12), the connecting device (13) and the sensor device (1) are arranged, - wherein the electric axle drive device (10) is designed and the sensor device (1) is arranged within the housing (14) in such a way that the speed and position of the drive device (11) and the output device (12) and the position of the connecting device (13) can be detected by the sensor device (1), whereby in the case of a torque and / or force flow from the drive device (11) to the output device (12), a position and / or rotor position and / or angular position of the drive device (11) can be redundantly checked by means of the sensor device (1).

9. Axle drive device according to claim 8, - wherein the drive device (12) comprises an electric machine with a rotor (15) and a stator, - wherein the drive device (12) has a first connecting unit (16) with which a torque and / or force flow can be transmitted from the rotor (15) to the output device (12) or to its second connecting unit (20), - wherein the first connecting unit (16) comprises a gear (17), - wherein the first connecting unit (16) has an annular disc part (18) which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an axial end of the gear wheel (17) and which projects outwards beyond the toothing of the first connecting unit (16) in the radial direction, and - wherein the annular disc part (18) has interruptions (19) in the circumferential direction in order to form a sensor wheel for the first sensor unit (2) of the sensor device (1), with which the speed and position of the first connecting unit (16) can be detected.

10. Axle drive device according to claim 8 or 9, - wherein the output device (12) has a second connecting unit (20) with which a torque and / or force flow from the drive device (11) or from its first connecting unit (16) can be absorbed, - wherein the second connecting unit (20) has a first and a second toothing (21, 22) which have different pitch circle diameters, - wherein the first and second toothings (21, 22) are each formed by a gear wheel, both of which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, - wherein the first toothing (21) can be connected to the drive device (11) by means of the connecting device (13) or can be detached from the drive device (11) by means of the connecting device (13).

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