Actuator housing comprising an integrated piston housing

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) comprising: an actuator housing (2) having a rotary slide valve (3); and a piston housing (4) having a piston (5) between a first piston chamber (6) and a second piston chamber (7), the piston housing (4) being connected to the actuator housing (2), the rotary slide valve (3) having a fluid inlet (8) and a first functional outlet (9) within the actuator housing (2), the rotary slide valve (3) comprising a second functional outlet (10), the piston housing (4) comprising, in the region of the first chamber (6), a bore (11) leading to the second functional outlet (10), and the second functional outlet (10) and the first piston chamber (6) being fluidically connected.

Description

[0001] Actuator housing with integrated piston housing

[0002] The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising an actuator housing and a piston housing, as well as a drive train comprising the arrangement and a method for switching the drive train. The arrangement can be used in particular in a motor vehicle, especially in connection with the cooling of a clutch and the actuation of a mechanical switching element.

[0003] Fluid arrangements controlled by a rotary valve are known, enabling the cooling of separate clutches. Actuator systems for a vehicle's powertrain, used to cool the clutch, are also known, along with a separate hydraulic drive housed in a piston housing. During assembly, the hydraulic drive is connected to the actuator system via connecting lines. A significant problem here is the high susceptibility to assembly errors. For example, leaks in the connecting lines can cause the actuator system to fail during operation.

[0004] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the problems known from the prior art. A further objective of the present invention is to provide, based on the described prior art, an arrangement with an actuator housing and a piston housing, thus reducing the susceptibility to errors during operation.

[0005] These problems are solved by the arrangement, the method, and the drive train according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. The features described in the claims and in the description can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way. According to the invention, an arrangement is presented which comprises an actuator housing with a rotary slide valve and a piston housing with a piston between a first piston chamber and a second piston chamber.

[0006] The piston housing is connected to the actuator housing. The rotary valve has a fluid inlet and a first functional outlet in the actuator housing. The rotary valve also has a second functional outlet. The piston housing has a bore leading to the second functional outlet in the area of ​​the first piston chamber. The second functional outlet and the first piston chamber are fluidically connected.

[0007] The arrangement is preferably designed for a motor vehicle. However, the advantages described herein can generally be achieved in all applications where an actuator with a cooling function and a mechanical switching element is used. The arrangement is designed to cool a clutch and to switch a mechanical switching element. This can be used, in particular, in a motor vehicle to supply cooling fluid to a clutch and simultaneously operate a mechanical switching element.

[0008] The actuator housing contains the rotary slide valve. The actuator housing may contain other parts and components.

[0009] The rotary valve is preferably configured to control different valve positions by rotating a rotary valve. The rotary valve has a fluid inlet and a first functional outlet in the actuator housing. For this purpose, the actuator housing can have an opening for the first functional outlet and an opening for the fluid inlet, so that the fluid inlet can be connected to a fluid tank or reservoir and the first functional outlet can be connected to a coupling for cooling. Preferably, the actuator housing, together with the rotary valve, has the fluid inlet and the first functional outlet. The fluid inlet is preferably configured to direct a liquid and / or a gas into the rotary valve. The functional outlet is preferably configured to direct a fluid from the rotary valve to a component with a predetermined function.A function can be a vehicle-specific function that is supplied with a fluid. Preferably, the first function outlet is configured to be fluidically connected to the cooling system of a clutch.

[0010] The fluid is preferably a cooling fluid and / or a hydraulic fluid. The "and" case is preferred.

[0011] The rotary valve has a second functional outlet.

[0012] By switching the rotary valve, the fluid inlet can be fluidically connected to the first functional outlet and / or the second functional outlet.

[0013] Switching the rotary valve here means that a valve position can be adjusted by turning and / or moving the rotary valve, so that a fluid can be directed to one of the functional outlets and / or a fluid connection to one of the functional outlets can be established.

[0014] An additional valve position can also be set up in such a way that the fluid connection is interrupted.

[0015] The piston housing contains a piston between the first and second piston chambers. The piston housing can also be described as a hydraulic actuator, in which a fluid sets a piston in linear motion.

[0016] Forces act on the piston. These forces originate from both the first piston chamber and the opposite second piston chamber. A difference in force between the first and second piston chambers causes the piston to move. If the piston moves towards the first piston chamber, the first piston chamber becomes smaller and the second piston chamber correspondingly larger. Conversely, if the piston moves towards the second piston chamber, the second piston chamber becomes smaller and the first piston chamber correspondingly larger.

[0017] The piston housing preferably operates on the principle of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder. The first piston chamber is then pressurized with a fluid via the second functional outlet, causing the piston to move towards the second piston chamber against a counterforce, for example, a compression spring in the second piston chamber. By removing the fluid from the first piston chamber, the compression spring can move the piston back towards the first piston chamber. Other examples of counterforces include the force of gravity acting on the piston or the pressure of a compressed gas in the second piston chamber.

[0018] The piston housing is connected to the actuator housing. Preferably, the piston housing and the actuator housing form a single unit. Preferably, the piston housing and the actuator housing are directly adjacent to each other. Preferably, the piston housing and the actuator housing are integrally connected. In this case, the piston housing is integrated into the actuator housing. The piston housing and the actuator housing are preferably manufactured as a single piece, without additional screw connections or welds connecting the piston housing to the actuator housing. Particularly preferably, a cover of the actuator housing is integrally connected to the piston housing.

[0019] The piston housing has a bore in the area of ​​the first piston chamber leading to the second functional outlet. The second functional outlet and the first piston chamber are fluidically connected.

[0020] Preferably, the bore in the piston housing for the second functional outlet is arranged in the end region of the first piston chamber. Particularly preferably, the bore in the piston housing is arranged in the side cylinder wall of the piston housing in the end region of the first piston chamber.

[0021] This has the advantage that a connecting line between the second functional outlet of the rotary valve of the actuator housing and the first piston chamber of the piston housing can be dispensed with.

[0022] This arrangement has the advantage of reducing its susceptibility to failure due to leaks between the actuator housing and the piston housing during operation. A further advantage is that the functionality of the arrangement can be tested before installation in a vehicle, thus reducing the probability of failure. This increases the operational reliability of the arrangement.

[0023] By eliminating connecting lines between the actuator housing and the piston housing, the assembly effort is reduced and assembly screws can be saved.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the actuator housing comprises a pump and a drive motor. The drive motor is coupled to the pump and the rotary valve via a drive shaft.

[0025] The drive motor can drive the drive shaft. The drive motor is preferably an electric motor. The drive motor can rotate the drive shaft. Preferably, the drive motor can reverse the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. If the arrangement is used in a motor vehicle, the drive motor is preferably not the internal combustion engine or the electric motor that powers the motor vehicle. Likewise, the drive shaft of the arrangement is preferably not the drive shaft that powers the motor vehicle. The pump can transport a fluid. For this purpose, the pump can be driven by the drive shaft of the drive motor. The pump can be arranged between the fluid inlet and the rotary valve. The advantage of this embodiment is that, in this arrangement, the drive motor, the pump, and the rotary valve are arranged together with the piston housing in a particularly space-saving manner within the actuator housing.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the rotary valve has a third functional outlet. The piston housing has a bore to the third functional outlet in the area of ​​the second piston chamber. The third functional outlet and the second piston chamber are fluidically connected.

[0027] The piston housing preferably operates on the principle of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. For the first direction of piston movement, the first piston chamber is supplied with fluid via the bore between the second functional outlet of the rotary valve and the first piston chamber, causing the piston to move towards the second piston chamber. Simultaneously, fluid is removed from the second piston chamber via the bore to the third functional outlet.

[0028] For a second direction of piston movement, opposite to the first, the second piston chamber is supplied with fluid via the bore between the third functional outlet of the rotary valve and the second piston chamber, causing the piston to move towards the first piston chamber. For this to occur, the fluid in the first piston chamber is removed via the bore to the second functional outlet.

[0029] The advantage of this embodiment is that the piston can be hydraulically actuated in two directions of movement, and thus a corresponding connected mechanical switching element can be actuated in two directions of movement.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the rotary valve has a first valve position, a second valve position, and / or a third valve position. In the first valve position, the fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the first functional outlet and the second functional outlet. In the second valve position, the fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the first functional outlet and the third functional outlet. In the third valve position, the fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the first functional outlet.

[0031] In the first valve position, part of the fluid can be directed to the clutch, while the remaining fluid is directed to the first piston chamber. The advantage is that the piston can be actuated in the first direction, thereby activating a mechanical switching element and simultaneously cooling the clutch.

[0032] In the second valve position, part of the fluid can be directed to the clutch, while the remaining fluid is directed to the second piston chamber. The advantage is that the piston can be actuated in the second direction, thereby activating the mechanical shifting element and simultaneously cooling the clutch.

[0033] In the third valve position, the fluid can be directed to the clutch. The advantage is that in this valve position only the clutch is cooled and the mechanical shifting element is not actuated.

[0034] Preferably, the rotary valve has a fourth valve position in which the fluid inlet is not fluidly connected to any of the functional outlets. The advantage is that neither the clutch is cooled nor the mechanical switching element is actuated.

[0035] Additional valve positions may be provided. Preferably, the rotary valve has additional functional outlets. Preferably, an additional functional outlet of the rotary valve is fluidically connected to an additional coupling for cooling the additional coupling. Particularly preferably, additional functional outlets of the rotary valve are fluidically connected to additional couplings for cooling the additional couplings. The rotary valve may have additional valve positions such that the functional outlets of the rotary valve are fluidly connected to the fluid inlet in a technically advantageous manner.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the arrangement, an insert is placed in the piston housing which is designed to limit the stroke volume and / or stroke distance of the piston.

[0037] The insert can be a piston-shaped plate that is placed in and / or fixed within the piston housing. The insert preferably serves to limit the stroke and volume of the piston. Alternatively, the insert can be a hollow cylinder placed in the piston housing, also preferably serving to limit the volume. The piston is adapted to the diameter of the insert. The insert can preferably have any shape suitable for limiting the stroke and / or volume of the piston.

[0038] The piston housing preferably includes a piston housing cover. The piston housing cover can be removable and serves to close an opening in the piston housing through which the piston and / or insert can be inserted. Alternatively, the piston housing cover can be designed to limit the stroke volume and / or stroke length.

[0039] Another aspect of the invention is a drive train.

[0040] The drive train comprises the assembly, a mechanical switching element, and a clutch. The mechanical switching element is connected to the piston of the assembly via a piston rod. The first functional outlet of the rotary valve of the assembly is fluidically connected to the clutch for clutch cooling. The described advantages and features of the assembly are applicable and transferable to the drive train, and vice versa.

[0041] The mechanical switching element is preferably positively connected to the piston rod.

[0042] The advantage of this drive train is that the clutch can be cooled via the first functional outlet of the rotary valve in the actuator housing, while the mechanical switching element can be actuated simultaneously via the second and / or third functional outlet. A further advantage of this drive train is that the arrangement reduces the susceptibility to leaks during operation. Additionally, the elimination of connecting lines between the actuator housing and the piston housing reduces assembly effort.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the drivetrain, the mechanical switching element is a parking lock and / or a disconnect unit. The mechanical switching element can also be a different component. A parking lock serves to ensure the safe stationary position of the vehicle. The disconnect unit, which can also be referred to as a decoupling unit, serves to disconnect an electric motor during ferry operation.

[0044] As a further aspect of the invention, a method is presented. The method for switching the drive train comprises the steps: a) cooling the clutch, b) actuating the mechanical switching element in a first direction, c) actuating the mechanical switching element in a second direction.

[0045] The described advantages and features of the drive train and the arrangement are applicable and transferable to the method, and vice versa. The drive train is preferably configured to be used according to the method.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the method, steps a) and b) are performed simultaneously and / or steps a) and c) are performed simultaneously. Once the mechanical switching element has been fully actuated in steps b) and c), i.e., the piston has reached a stop in the first piston chamber in step c) or a stop in the second piston chamber in step b), preferably only step a) is performed and the piston remains at the respective stop.

[0047] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show a particularly preferred embodiment, to which, however, the invention is not limited. The figures and the size relationships shown therein are only schematic. They show:

[0048] Fig. 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention,

[0049] Fig. 2: a schematic sectional view of the arrangement from Fig. 1 ,

[0050] Fig. 3: another schematic sectional view of the arrangement from Fig. 1 ,

[0051] Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a drive train according to the invention.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the arrangement 1 according to the invention.

[0053] Arrangement 1 comprises an actuator housing 2 with a rotary valve 3, a piston housing 4 with a piston 5 between a first piston chamber 6 and a second piston chamber 7. The piston housing 4 is connected to the actuator housing 2.

[0054] The rotary valve 3 has a fluid inlet 8 and a first functional outlet 9 in the actuator housing 2.

[0055] The piston housing 4 is closed by a piston housing cover 23. A piston rod 22 passes through the piston housing cover 23.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the arrangement 1 from Fig. 1.

[0057] Arrangement 1 comprises the actuator housing 2 with the rotary valve 3, the piston housing 4 with the piston 5 between the first piston chamber 6 and the second piston chamber 7. The piston housing 4 is connected to the actuator housing 2.

[0058] The rotary valve 3 has the fluid inlet 8 and the first functional outlet 9 in the actuator housing 2.

[0059] The rotary valve 3 has a second functional outlet 10. The piston housing 4 has a bore 11 in the area of ​​the first piston chamber 6 leading to the second functional outlet 10. The second functional outlet 10 and the first piston chamber 6 are fluidically connected.

[0060] The rotary valve 3 has a third functional outlet 15. The piston housing 4 has a bore 16 in the area of ​​the second piston chamber 7 leading to the third functional outlet 15. The third functional outlet 15 and the second piston chamber 7 are fluidically connected.

[0061] The rotary valve 3 has a first valve position, a second valve position, or a third valve position via a rotary valve 25. In the first valve position, the fluid inlet 8 is fluidically connected to the first functional outlet 9 and the second functional outlet 10. In the second valve position, the fluid inlet 8 is fluidly connected to the first functional outlet 9 and the third functional outlet 15. In the third valve position, the fluid inlet 8 is fluidly connected to the first functional outlet 9.

[0062] The piston housing 4 is closed by the piston housing cover 23. The piston rod 22 passes through the piston housing cover 23. The piston 5 has a piston seal 24.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows another schematic sectional view of the arrangement from Fig. 1. The piston rod 22 has a rod seal 26.

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a drive train 19 according to the invention.

[0065] The drive train 19 comprises the arrangement 1, a mechanical switching element 20 and a clutch 21.

[0066] The mechanical switching element 20 is connected to the piston 5 of the arrangement 1 via the piston rod 22. The first functional outlet 9 of the rotary slide valve 3 of the arrangement 1 is fluidically connected to the coupling 21 for cooling the coupling 21. The mechanical switching element 20 is a parking lock or a disconnect unit.

[0067] An insert 18 is inserted into the piston housing 4, which is designed to limit the stroke volume and stroke distance of the piston 5.

[0068] A method for switching the drive train comprises the steps: a) cooling the clutch 21 , b) actuating the mechanical switching element 20 in a first direction V , c) actuating the mechanical switching element 20 in a second direction R .

[0069] Steps a) and b) are executed simultaneously, and steps a) and c) are executed simultaneously. To execute step a), the third valve position of rotary valve 3 is activated. To execute step a) together with step b), the first valve position of rotary valve 3 is activated. To execute step a) together with step c), the second valve position of rotary valve 3 is activated.

[0070] List of reference signs

[0071] 1. Arrangement

[0072] 2 actuator housings

[0073] 3 rotary valve

[0074] 4 piston housings

[0075] 5 pistons

[0076] 6 first piston chamber

[0077] 7 second piston chamber

[0078] 8 Fluid inlet

[0079] 9 first functional outlet

[0080] 10 second functional outlet

[0081] 11. Bore of the first piston chamber

[0082] 15 third functional outlet

[0083] 16 Bore of the second piston chamber

[0084] 18 deployment

[0085] 19 Powertrain

[0086] 20 mechanical switching element

[0087] 21 Clutch

[0088] 22 Piston rod

[0089] 23 Piston housing cover

[0090] 24 Piston seal

[0091] 25 rotary valves

[0092] 26 rod seals

[0093] 27 Fluid tank

[0094] V first direction

[0095] R second direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement (1) comprising an actuator housing (2) with a rotary valve (3), a piston housing (4) with a piston (5) between a first piston chamber (6) and a second piston chamber (7), wherein the piston housing (4) is connected to the actuator housing (2), wherein the rotary valve (3) has a fluid inlet (8) and a first functional outlet (9) in the actuator housing (2), wherein the rotary valve (3) has a second functional outlet (10), wherein the piston housing (4) has a bore (11) to the second functional outlet (10) in the region of the first piston chamber (6), and wherein the second functional outlet (10) and the first piston chamber (6) are fluidically connected.

2. Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator housing (2) comprises a pump and a drive motor, wherein the drive motor is coupled to the pump and the rotary valve (3) via a drive shaft.

3. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary valve (3) has a third functional outlet (15), wherein the piston housing (4) has a bore (16) to the third functional outlet (15) in the region of the second piston chamber (7), and wherein the third functional outlet (15) and the second piston chamber (7) are fluidically connected.

4. Arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein the rotary valve (3) has a first valve position, a second valve position and / or a third valve position, wherein in the first valve position the fluid inlet (8) is fluidically connected to the first functional outlet (9) and the second functional outlet (10), wherein in the second valve position the fluid inlet (8) is fluidically connected to the first functional outlet (9) and the third functional outlet (15), in the third valve position the fluid inlet (8) is fluidically connected to the first functional outlet (9).

5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an insert (18) is inserted into the piston housing (4) which is configured to limit a stroke volume and / or a stroke distance of the piston (5).

6. Drive train (19) comprising an arrangement (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, a mechanical switching element (20) and a clutch (21 ), wherein the mechanical switching element (20) is connected to the piston (5) of the arrangement (1 ) via a piston rod (22), wherein the first functional outlet (9) of the rotary slide valve (3) of the arrangement (1 ) is fluidically connected to the clutch (21 ) for cooling the clutch (21 ).

7. Drive train (19) according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical switching element (20) is a parking lock and / or a disconnect unit.

8. Method for switching a drive train (19) according to one of claims 6 to 7, comprising the steps: a) cooling the clutch (21), b) actuating the mechanical switching element (20) in a first direction (V), c) actuating the mechanical switching element (20) in a second direction (R).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein steps a) and b) are performed simultaneously and / or steps a) and c) are performed simultaneously.

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