Electrohydraulic device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrohydraulic device (1) comprising at least one control element (2), wherein the control element (2) comprises an electromagnetic actuator (7) and a valve part (6), wherein the valve part (6) comprises a movable valve element (16) which can be adjusted by the electromagnetic actuator (7) in order to open and close hydraulic channels (15) formed on the valve part (6), wherein the electrohydraulic device (1) comprises different sensors (8, 9) for detecting different physical parameters of a hydraulic fluid that can be supplied to the electrohydraulic device (1). According to the invention, the electrohydraulic device (1) comprises, as control element (2), at least one integrated control element (2a), wherein the integrated control element (2a) is designed as a structural unit comprising exactly one electromagnetic actuator (7) and exactly one valve part (6) and at least two sensors (8, 9) which are arranged in the integrated control element (2a) and detect different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Electro-hydraulic device

[0004] State of the art

[0005] From EP 1 271 008 B1, an electrohydraulic device is known which is designed as an electrohydraulic control system for controlling gear changes of a vehicle transmission with several hydraulically actuated transmission shift elements as operating elements. Each transmission shift element is assigned a control element, wherein each control element is designed as an electromagnetic pressure regulating valve and comprises an electromagnetic actuator and a valve part. The valve part has a movable valve element, adjustable by the electromagnetic actuator, for opening and closing hydraulic channels formed on the valve part. In the known device, each transmission shift element is assigned a control element with its own housing. A pressure sensor, assigned to the transmission shift element, is arranged in the connecting lines between the control elements and the transmission shift elements.Speed ​​sensors are also located at various points on the transmission. The speed sensors and pressure sensors are connected to a central control unit.

[0006] Another electro-hydraulic device for a hydraulic power steering system is known from EP 1 409 325 B1.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 102022 206 989 A1 discloses an electrohydraulic device designed as a "Smart Actuator" which has a single control element. The control element comprises an electromagnetic actuator and a valve part, the valve part having a movable valve element adjustable by the electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing hydraulic channels formed on the valve part. The control element also includes an electronic control unit associated with the control element and arranged and thus integrated with the electromagnetic actuator, which is electrically connected to the electromagnetic actuator. The "Smart Actuator" can be installed as a separate component in a hydraulic system and can be controlled, for example, via a data bus.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The invention relates to an electrohydraulic device with at least one control element, wherein the control element comprises an electromagnetic actuator and a valve part, wherein the valve part has a movable valve element adjustable by the electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing hydraulic channels formed on the valve part, wherein the electrohydraulic device has different sensors for detecting different physical parameters of a hydraulic fluid that can be supplied to the electrohydraulic device.According to the invention, the electrohydraulic device has at least one integrated control element as a control element, wherein the integrated control element is designed as a structural unit with exactly one electromagnetic actuator and exactly one valve part and at least two sensors arranged in the integrated control element that detect different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid.

[0010] In the context of this application, an electrohydraulic device is understood to be a device comprising at least one electrohydraulic control element. The electrohydraulic device may, for example, serve to control a hydraulic switching element. The hydraulic switching element may, for example, be a switching element in a transmission clutch. Alternatively or additionally, the electrohydraulic device may also be intended to control or regulate a hydraulic fluid flow in a coolant line of a user element. The user element may, for example, be an electric machine or a heat exchanger. The electrohydraulic device may, in particular, be intended to be operated with oil as the hydraulic fluid. The electrohydraulic device may comprise exactly one control element or several control elements.Of particular importance in the context of this application is the design of the control element, which is configured as an integrated control element. The electrohydraulic device comprises at least one integrated control element. The electrohydraulic device may have only a single integrated control element. However, it is also possible for the electrohydraulic device to have several integrated control elements. Furthermore, the electrohydraulic device may also include other hydraulic components, such as a pump, a tank or oil sump, or a hydraulic working element.

[0011] In the context of this application, a control element is understood to be an electrohydraulic control element comprising at least one electromagnetic actuator and a valve part, wherein the valve part has a movable valve element adjustable by the electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing hydraulic channels formed on the valve part. Such a control element can, in particular, be configured as a hydraulic switching valve or pressure regulating valve and serve to interrupt or open a hydraulic line in a hydraulic system or to regulate the pressure in a supply line of a hydraulic component.

[0012] According to the invention, the at least one control element is designed as an integrated control element. An integrated control element is understood to be a structural unit comprising exactly one electromagnetic actuator, exactly one valve element, and at least two sensors arranged within the integrated control element that detect different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid. The sensors are coupled to the hydraulic fluid within the integrated control element. For this purpose, channels can be provided within the integrated control element, for example, which supply the hydraulic fluid to the sensors. The integrated control element with the integrated sensors can be sold separately. However, it is also possible to operate several integrated control elements in a system, whereby each individual integrated control element still conforms to the above definition.The integrated control element is designed as a separately installable and non-destructively disassemblable structural unit. This structural unit can comprise a single common housing component. This housing component can, for example, contain the electromagnetic actuator and the sensors. The valve component can be attached to and protrude from the housing component. The housing component can, for example, be made of an injection-molded or molded material. The integrated control element can include further electrical components. For example, the integrated control element can have an integrated electronic circuit component. This integrated circuit component can therefore be designed as a "smart actuator" with a control and / or evaluation circuit integrated within it.

[0013] Advantages of the invention

[0014] In known electrohydraulic devices, hydraulic control elements such as electromagnetic pressure regulating valves and sensors such as pressure or temperature sensors are used and installed as separate components. This separate design results in a high level of complexity in integrating and implementing the overall functionality, which is associated with high costs. The electrohydraulic device according to the invention advantageously reduces the integration effort of individual hydraulic components in hydraulic systems. This not only reduces the number of components to be installed, but also significantly reduces the installation effort and electrical wiring.Advantageously, the functions of the electromagnetic actuator, the valve function, and the sensor functions are combined in a single, compact unit that can be installed as a separate component, thus increasing the degree of flexibility in the design of hydraulic systems. For example, an electromagnetic actuator with an associated valve component, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor or a position sensor can be integrated into a single integrated control element. Instead of multiple components as before, only one component is required, providing all functions in an integrated manner. A further advantage of the invention is that the overall component costs can be reduced. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are enabled by the features contained in the dependent claims.

[0015] A particularly advantageous embodiment is one in which the integrated control element has a single common connector interface for all external electrical contacts. This connector interface can be configured, for example, for connection to a control unit, especially an automotive control unit. The wiring effort required when installing the integrated control element in a hydraulic system is significantly reduced. All control information can advantageously be transmitted to the electromagnetic actuator of the integrated control element via the common connector interface. Simultaneously, sensor information from the at least two sensors arranged in the integrated control element can also be transmitted via the common connector interface, for example, to a control unit.

[0016] In a first embodiment, the electrical connections of the electromagnetic actuator and the electrical connections of the at least two sensors can be connected to the common connector interface of the integrated control element via an external electrical connection cable. In this case, for example, an external control unit can control the electromagnetic actuator and simultaneously receive the signals from the sensors via the common connector interface.

[0017] In a second advantageous embodiment, the integrated control element can include an integrated electronic circuit section, wherein the electrical connections of the electromagnetic actuator and the electrical connections of the at least two sensors within the integrated control element can be electrically connected to the electronic circuit section, and the electronic circuit section can be electrically connected to the common connector interface of the integrated control element. In this case, a control and / or evaluation circuit located on the electronic circuit section can receive and evaluate the signals from the sensors and generate a control signal for the electromagnetic actuator.The electronic circuitry can be connected via the connector interface, for example, to a data bus that is linked to a control unit, which may be located remotely from the control element in a motor vehicle. The at least two sensors arranged in the integrated control element, which detect different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid, can be two different sensors from a group of sensors, wherein the group of sensors includes at least one temperature sensor, one pressure sensor, and one position sensor. The group can also include other sensor types. The integrated control element can, for example, include a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In another embodiment, the integrated control element can, for example, include a pressure sensor and a position sensor.

[0018] As explained above, the electro-hydraulic device can comprise a single integrated control element or several integrated control elements, each of which is integrated as a separate structural unit within the device. However, it is also possible for the device to further include a hydraulic pump, an oil sump, and hydraulic lines connecting the pump to the oil sump, a hydraulic working element, and hydraulic channels of the at least one integrated control element.

[0019] The electro-hydraulic device may also include an electronic control unit connected to the plug interface, which may, for example, be a control unit in a motor vehicle.

[0020] Without being limited to this, the electro-hydraulic device can be particularly advantageously designed for use in a thermal management system of a battery-electric vehicle.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Possible embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first

[0023] Exemplary embodiment of an electrohydraulic device according to the invention,

[0024] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a second

[0025] Exemplary embodiment of an electrohydraulic device according to the invention.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention

[0027] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of an electrohydraulic device 1 according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrohydraulic device comprises exactly one control element 2, which forms an integrated control element 2a, comprising exactly one electromagnetic actuator 7, exactly one valve part 6, and at least two sensors 8, 9 arranged in the integrated control element 2a, which detect different physical properties of a hydraulic fluid. The electromagnetic actuator 7 is, for example, an electromagnet with a magnetic coil that interacts with a movable magnetic armature. The valve part 6 has a movable valve element 16 actuated by the magnetic armature of the electromagnetic actuator 7 for opening and closing hydraulic channels 15 formed on the valve part 6.Furthermore, for example, a spring element that counteracts the actuating force of the electromagnet (and is not shown in Figure 1) can be arranged in the integrated control element 2a.

[0028] The channels 15 of the valve part 6 can, for example, have an inlet channel 15a and an outlet channel 15b. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve part 6 is designed as an on / off valve, which, in a first switching position of the valve element 16, opens a hydraulic passage between the inlet channel 15a and the outlet channel 15b, and, in a second switching position, closes the hydraulic passage between the inlet channel 15a and the outlet channel 15b. The sensors 8, 9 integrated into the integrated control element 2a can, for example, be a pressure sensor 9 and a temperature sensor 8, which are connected to the channels 15 via internal channels of the control element 2a. The electromagnetic actuator 7 and the valve part 6, as well as the two sensors 8, 9, are combined in the structural unit to form an integrated control element 2a, which can comprise a common housing.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated control element 2a has a single common connector interface 10 for external electrical contact. The connector interface 10 can, for example, be located on the outside of the housing of the integrated control element 2a. The electrical terminals 18 of the electromagnetic actuator 7, the electrical terminals 1 of the temperature sensor 12, and the electrical terminals 13 of the pressure sensor 9 can be connected to the common connector interface 10 of the integrated control element 2a via an external electrical connection line 11, which can be electrically connected to a control unit 17. Control information can therefore be transmitted to the electromagnetic actuator 7 via the connection line 11, and sensor information from sensors 8 and 9 can simultaneously be received by the control unit 17.Furthermore, a supply voltage can be provided at the common connector interface 10.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated control element 2a is installed as a component in an electro-hydraulic device 1, which may also include a hydraulic pump 3, an oil sump 4, and hydraulic lines 5 connecting the pump 3 to the oil sump 4, a hydraulic utility element 100, and the hydraulic channels 15 of the at least one integrated control element 2a. The utility element 100 could, for example, be a heat exchanger in a thermal management system of an electric vehicle or a transmission shift element in a vehicle transmission. In principle, numerous different applications are possible.

[0031] In another embodiment, the valve part 6 can also be designed with a pressure control function with a structure such as that shown, for example, in DE 102022 206 989 A1, wherein the valve part then has an inlet port, an outlet port and a consumer port and a control pressure is provided at the consumer port, which is set by the inlet and outlet of hydraulic fluid from a pressure control chamber of the valve part according to the principle of the pressure balance.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of an electrohydraulic device 1 according to the invention. In relation to Figure 1, the same reference numerals denote the same components. In the following, only the differences from the first embodiment will be discussed. In Figure 2, the integrated control element 2a has, in addition to the electromagnetic actuator 7 and the valve part 6, an integrated electronic circuit part 14. The integrated electronic circuit part 14 can, for example, be a circuit part equipped with a control and / or evaluation circuit. The electrical connections 18 of the electromagnetic actuator 7 and the electrical connections 12, 13 of the sensors 8, 9 are electrically connected to the electronic circuit part 14 within the integrated control element 2a.The electronic circuit element 14 is electrically connected within the integrated control element 2a to the common connector interface 10 of the integrated control element 2a via a connecting line 19. In this embodiment, the integrated control element 2a, acting as a "smart actuator," can, for example, independently control the valve element 16, using information from the pressure sensor 9 and the temperature sensor 8. For instance, the integrated control element 2a could, depending on the signals from sensors 8 and 9, open or close the fluid passage between the inlet channel 15a and the outlet channel 15 by controlling the electromagnetic actuator 7. The necessary evaluation and control of the electrohydraulic actuator 7 with a control current are performed by the control and / or evaluation circuitry of the integrated electronic circuit element 14.Additionally, the integrated control element 2a can be electrically contacted via an electrical connection line 11 with a control unit 17 located outside the integrated control element 2a and can transmit information to or receive information from it. Furthermore, a supply voltage for the integrated control element 2a can be provided via the connection line 11 of the common connector interface 10.

Claims

Claims 1. Electrohydraulic device (1) with at least one control element (2), wherein the control element (2) comprises an electromagnetic actuator (7) and a valve part (6), wherein the valve part (6) comprises a movable valve element (16) adjustable by the electromagnetic actuator (7) for opening and closing hydraulic channels (15) formed on the valve part (6), wherein the electrohydraulic device (1) comprises different sensors (8, 9) for detecting different physical parameters of a hydraulic fluid that can be supplied to the electrohydraulic device (1), characterized in that the electrohydraulic device (1) comprises at least one integrated control element (2a) as the control element (2), wherein the integrated control element (2a) is a structural unit comprising exactly one electromagnetic actuator (7) and exactly one valve part (6) and at least two components arranged in the integrated control element (2a).different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid are detected by sensors (8, 9).

2. Electrohydraulic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated control element (2a) is designed as a separately installable and non-destructively disassemblable structural unit.

3. Electrohydraulic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the integrated control element (2a) has a single common plug interface (10) for all external electrical contacts.

4. Electrohydraulic device according to claim 3, characterized in that control information to the electromagnetic actuator (7) of the integrated control element (2a) and sensor information of the at least two sensors (8, 9) arranged in the integrated control element (2a) can be transmitted via the common connector interface (10).

5. Electrohydraulic device according to claim 4, characterized in that electrical connections (18) of the electromagnetic actuator (7) and electrical connections (12, 13) of the at least two sensors (8; 9) can be contacted at the common plug interface (10) of the integrated control element (2a) with an external electrical connection line (11).

6. Electrohydraulic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the integrated control element (2a) has an integrated electronic circuit part (14) therein, wherein electrical connections (18) of the electromagnetic actuator (7) and electrical connections (12, 13) of the at least two sensors (8, 9) within the integrated control element (2a) are electrically connected to the electronic circuit part (14), wherein the electronic circuit part (14) is electrically connected to the common connector interface (10) of the integrated control element (2).

7. Electrohydraulic device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least two sensors (8, 9) arranged in the integrated control element (2a) which detect different physical properties of the hydraulic fluid are two different sensors from a group of sensors which group of sensors comprises at least one temperature sensor (8), one pressure sensor (9) and one position sensor.

8. Electrohydraulic device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrohydraulic device (1) further comprises a hydraulic pump (3), an oil sump (4) and hydraulic lines (5), wherein the hydraulic lines (5) connect the pump (3) to the oil sump (4), a hydraulic working element (100) and hydraulic channels (15) of the at least one integrated control element (2a).

9. Electrohydraulic device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the electrohydraulic device (1) comprises an electronic control unit (17) connected to the plug interface (10).

0. Electrohydraulic device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electrohydraulic device (1) is designed to be suitable for use in a thermal management system of a battery-electric vehicle.

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