阅读说明：本技术 电液调节阀踏板组件 (Electro-hydraulic regulating valve pedal assembly ) 是由 德里克·汤姆哈维 于 2020-04-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种改进的电液调节阀踏板组件。该踏板组件适于通过踏板的促动而手动控制液压流体的流动、通过螺线管的促动而电动地控制液压流体的流动,或者通过踏板的促动和螺线管的促动的组合来控制液压流体的流动。在一个实施例中,踏板组件包括：踏板,该踏板以可枢转方式安装到底座；推杆,该推杆可操作地联接到踏板；滑阀,该滑阀被构造用以响应于推杆的位置而改变液压输出；以及螺线管,该螺线管被磁联接到推杆。该踏板组件非常适用于电子液压制动控制系统,包括用于防抱死制动、紧急制动和自主操作的制动电子控制单元。(An improved electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly is provided. The pedal assembly is adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid manually by actuation of the pedal, electrically by actuation of the solenoid, or by a combination of pedal and solenoid actuation. In one embodiment, the pedal assembly includes: a pedal pivotally mounted to the base; a push rod operatively coupled to the pedal; a spool valve configured to vary a hydraulic output in response to a position of the pushrod; and a solenoid magnetically coupled to the push rod. The pedal assembly is well suited for use in an electro-hydraulic brake control system including a brake electronic control unit for anti-lock braking, emergency braking and autonomous operation.)

1. An electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly comprising:

a foot pedal pivotally mounted to a base;

a push rod operably coupled to the foot pedal such that rotation of the foot pedal relative to the base results in travel of the push rod in a first direction, the push rod including an armature;

a spool valve including a spool housed within a valve body having a pressure port, a workport, and a tank port, wherein the spool is operably coupled to the pushrod; and

a solenoid surrounding at least a portion of the armature for applying a magnetic force to the pushrod and driving the pushrod in the first direction, wherein the foot pedal and the solenoid are first and second valve operators for the spool valve, and independently move the spool in the first direction between a first position in which the workport is closed to the pressure port and a second position in which the workport is open to the pressure port.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the solenoid comprises an electrically conductive winding surrounding the armature, the solenoid disposed between the foot pedal and the spool valve.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spool valve comprises a return spring for biasing the spool in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the second position of the spool, the tank port is open to the workport.

5. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the foot pedal and the solenoid are connected in parallel such that the foot pedal and the solenoid actuate the push rod independently of each other or in cooperation with each other.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the valve spool is received within a central bore in the valve body, the valve spool including first and second annular portions projecting radially from the valve spool and engaging a cylindrical sidewall of the bore on opposite sides of the workport.

7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a piston coupled to the foot pedal and extending into an opening in the base, the foot pedal biased in a second direction opposite the first direction by a coil spring housed within the piston.

8. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the armature is formed of a ferromagnetic material and extends through a central bore of the solenoid.

9. An electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly comprising:

a solenoid including a solenoid housing defining a central bore, an electrically conductive winding extending around the central bore, and an armature within the central bore;

a foot pedal pivotally mounted to a base and extending over the solenoid, the foot pedal including a foot pedal piston mechanically coupled to an armature of the solenoid; and

a hydraulic valve including a valve spool housed within a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port,

wherein the valve spool is operably coupled to the armature,

wherein the solenoid and the foot pedal are first and second valve operators for the hydraulic valve and independently move the spool from a first position in which the workport is closed to the pressure port to a second position in which the workport is open to the pressure port.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the solenoid and the foot pedal are connected in parallel such that the solenoid and the foot pedal actuate the armature independently or cooperatively with each other.

11. The assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein the valve spool is received within a central bore in the valve body, the valve spool including first and second annular portions projecting radially from the valve spool and engaging a cylindrical sidewall of the central bore on opposite sides of the workport.

12. The assembly of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the spool valve comprises a return spring for biasing the spool towards the foot pedal.

13. An electro-hydraulic pedal assembly comprising:

a solenoid including an armature surrounded by an electrically conductive winding such that energizing the electrically conductive winding causes the armature to travel in a first direction;

a foot pedal including a piston mechanically coupled to an armature of the solenoid such that depression of the foot pedal causes the armature to travel in the first direction; and

a hydraulic valve including a spool responsive to a position of the armature and housed within a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port such that the solenoid and the foot pedal are first and second valve operators that independently move the spool from a first position in which the work port is closed to the pressure port to a second position in which the work port is open to the pressure port.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the solenoid and the foot pedal are connected in parallel such that the solenoid and the foot pedal actuate the armature independently of each other.

15. The assembly of claim 13 or 14, wherein the valve spool is received within a central bore in the valve body, the valve spool including first and second annular portions projecting radially from the valve spool and engaging a cylindrical sidewall of the central bore on opposite sides of the workport.

16. The assembly of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the piston comprises a cylindrical housing containing first and second coil springs connected in series with each other and a third coil spring connected in parallel with the first and second coil springs.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a retainer between the first and second coil springs, an upper portion of the armature being received within the retainer.

18. The assembly of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the foot pedal is a floor mounted pedal or a wall mounted pedal.

19. The assembly of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the spool is a tandem spool including a second pressure port, a second workport, and a second tank port.

20. The assembly of any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a hall effect sensor configured to measure an angular position of at least a portion of the foot pedal.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly to achieve a desired braking demand and for other applications.

Background

Various valves are designed for vehicles equipped with hydraulic power units. For example, it is known to provide pedal-actuated hydraulic valves for forestry, agricultural, construction, military and mining equipment. These hydraulic valves may be mounted with floor mounted pedals or suspended pedals to provide normal and emergency braking and to operate industrial equipment.

The hydraulic circuit for the pedal actuated hydraulic valve typically includes a pump or an accumulator and includes a brake system or an industrial tool. If an accumulator is used, the accumulator may include a charge valve to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic brake valve. Known hydraulic brake regulator valves include a pressure port, a reservoir port, and a work port. These valves are mechanically actuated by a spool for controlling the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to a work port for use by a brake system or industrial tool.

Despite the widespread acceptance of pedal actuated hydraulic valves, there is a continuing need for improved hydraulic pedal modulation valve assemblies that may be better integrated into electronic control systems, including anti-lock braking (ABS) systems and automotive systems. In particular, there remains a continuing need for hydraulic pedal assemblies capable of providing hydraulic pressure in response to both foot pedal actuation and electrical control inputs.

Disclosure of Invention

An improved electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly is provided. The electro-hydraulic pedal assembly is adapted to manually control the flow of hydraulic fluid by actuating the pedal and to electrically control the flow of hydraulic fluid by actuating the solenoid. Pedal assemblies are well suited for use in electronic control systems, including brake Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for ABS braking, emergency braking, autonomous operation, and other applications.

In one embodiment, an electro-hydraulic pedal assembly includes: a push rod mechanically coupled to the pedal; a solenoid magnetically coupled to the pushrod (having a magnetic armature); and a spool configured to vary a hydraulic output in response to a force applied by the pushrod. The solenoid surrounds at least a portion of the magnetic armature for applying a magnetic force proportional to the current supplied to the solenoid and driving the push rod in a first (downward) direction. The spool valve includes a spool concentrically disposed within the valve body such that movement of the pushrod in a first (downward) direction causes corresponding movement of the spool in the first (downward) direction. In this position, the spool valve provides fluid communication between the pressure port and the workport. A return spring returns the spool valve to a neutral position. In the neutral position, the spool valve provides fluid communication between the workport and the tank port.

In the present embodiment, the electro-hydraulic pedal assembly includes a three-position hydraulic spool valve having two valve operators: a pedal and a solenoid. The hydraulic valve includes: a work port coupled to a work unit; a pressure port coupled to a hydraulic pump; and a reservoir port coupled to the hydraulic reservoir. In the first valve position, the work port is coupled to the tank port to prevent unwanted pressure buildup from actuating the work unit. In the second valve position, all three ports are closed off from each other. In the third valve position, the pressure port is coupled to the workport. The valve operators operate independently and in parallel with each other so that the spool valve can respond to actuation of the pedal (independently of the energized state of the solenoid) and can respond to actuation of the solenoid (independently of the position of the pedal) to quickly transition from one position to the next, optionally in response to an electronic control signal from the brake ECU.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, when viewed in accordance with the attached drawings and appended claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly of FIG. 1 modified to include a wall-mounted foot pedal.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly of FIG. 1 modified to include a tandem valve assembly.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly of FIG. 1 further including a Hall effect sensor.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly, generally designated 10, in accordance with one embodiment is illustrated. The electro-hydraulic pedal assembly 10 generally includes: a footrest 12 pivotally mounted to a base 14; an internal push rod 16 (or armature) mechanically coupled to the foot pedal 12; a three-position spool valve 18 configured to vary a hydraulic output in response to a force exerted on the push rod 16; and a solenoid assembly 20 between the base 14 and the spool valve 18, the solenoid assembly 20 being magnetically coupled to the push rod 16. Each such feature of the electro-hydraulic pedal assembly 10 is discussed separately below.

The foot pedal 12 generally includes a pedal body 22 having an upwardly facing contact surface 24. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the pedal body 22 is pivotably secured to the base 14 by a shaft 26. More specifically, the shaft 26 is journaled by left and right bearing journals 28 extending upwardly from the base 14. Thus, the shaft 26 defines a main pivot axis about which the pedal body 22 can rotate. The foot pedal 12 further includes left and right connector rims 30, 32 extending downward from the pedal body 22 and coupled to a piston 34. The connector rims 30, 32 are aligned with each other and receive a pivot 36 coupled to a piston 34 that is received within a protective cover 38. The pivot 36 is parallel to the main pivot axis so that rotation of the pedal body 22 causes the piston 34 to travel down into an internal chamber within the foot 14 of the pedal assembly.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the foot pedal piston 34 in a neutral position. The pedal piston 34 defines a first seat 40 for a first spring S1 in series with a second spring S2. The pedal piston 34 also defines a second seat 41 for a third spring S3, the third spring S3 being parallel to the first spring S1 and the second spring S2. The uppermost portion of the push rod 16 is captured within the intermediate retainer 43 such that downward movement of the retainer 43 results in downward movement of the push rod 16. The lower portions of the second and third springs S2 and S3 rest against the upward shoulder 42. The second spring S2 is restrained (hold captured) between the retainer 43 and the upward shoulder 42, and the third spring S3 is restrained between the second seat 41 and the upward shoulder 42.

In the neutral position shown in fig. 3, the first spring S1 and the second spring S2 are uncompressed. In addition, the first spring S1 is slightly stronger than the second spring S2, and the difference in spring constants provides a downward force on the keeper 43 that is comparable to the force generated by the solenoid assembly 20. The forces from the solenoid assembly 20 and the foot pedal 12 are additive such that applying both simultaneously may result in higher valve pressures, if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the downward travel of the foot pedal piston 34 opposes each spring S1, S2, S3 and results in downward travel of the push rod 16. The pushrod 16 extends through the solenoid assembly 20 and is surrounded by a magnetic armature 17, the pushrod 16 being coupled to a spool 44 within a central bore 46 of the spool valve 18. Actuation of the solenoid coil 48 also results in downward travel of the pushrod 16 (the pushrod 16 is coupled to the armature 17), which is in opposition to a second spring S2. In this regard, the cumulative spring force opposing downward travel of the solenoid-only actuated plunger 16 is less than the cumulative spring force opposing downward travel of the pedal-only actuated plunger 16, resulting in different forces being generated by the solenoid assembly 20 and the foot pedal 12.

Each spring S1, S2, S3 is a compression coil spring in the illustrated embodiment, but may be a wave spring in other embodiments. The compression coil spring or wave spring may be linear or progressive, optionally a double rate coil spring, further optionally a progressive coil spring. The armature 17 is formed of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron) and extends concentrically through a central bore of the pedal assembly 10. A solenoid coil 48 surrounds at least a portion of armature 17 for applying a magnetic force in a first (downward) direction proportional to the current supplied to solenoid coil 48 and driving pushrod 16. In addition, the solenoid assembly 20 includes a receptacle 50 for a power cable that provides current to the solenoid coil 48.

As also shown in fig. 3, the spool valve 18 includes a valve body 52 defining a pressure port 54, a workport 56, and a tank port 58. The pressure port 54 provides a connection for a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid (e.g., a hydraulic pump or accumulator). The work port 54 provides a connection for a work unit (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder or brake). Finally, a tank port 58 provides a connection for a tank or hydraulic reservoir. According to SAE standards, each port includes conventional straight threads for connecting to one or more catheters. The spool valve 18 also includes an orifice 46 aligned with the pushrod 16 of the solenoid assembly 20. The spool valve 18 also includes a return spring S4 that biases the spool 44 in a de-energized direction (upward as viewed in fig. 3). Thus, when the solenoid assembly 20 is de-energized, the return spring S4 acts to return the push rod 16 to the neutral position. Further, the amount of force applied to the push rod 16 is proportional to the amount of brake pressure applied.

More specifically, each port 54, 56, and 58 is in fluid communication with the bore 46. The orifice 46 includes a first annular surface 60 and a second annular surface 62 on each side of the workport 56. These surfaces cooperate with the spool 44 to selectively direct fluid to the workport 56. The valve spool 44 includes a first annular portion 64 and a second annular portion 66. These annular portions are configured to coincide with the first and second annular surfaces 60, 60 of the orifice 46. The spool 44 also includes a shoulder 68 near the upper end of the spool valve 18. Also, at the upper end of the spool valve 18, a fifth spring S5 is disposed in the orifice 46, the fifth spring S5 optionally being a compression coil spring. A washer 72 is disposed between the shoulder 68 and the fifth spring S5 to provide a mechanical stop to the compression of the spring. Additionally, the gasket 72 serves to define a neutral position for the spool 44, which allows the workport pressure to be relieved more quickly than would otherwise be possible.

In use, when pressurized fluid is required at the workport 56, the foot pedal 12 is manually compressed, and/or the solenoid 48 is energized. The movement of the pushrod 16 in the first (downward) direction causes the spool 44 to also move in the first (downward) direction. The first spring S1, the second spring S2, the third spring S3, and the fourth spring S4 provide a desired pedal feel during compression of the foot pedal 12. If the solenoid coil 48 is energized and the foot pedal 12 is not moving, only the second spring S2 and the fourth spring S4 oppose the downward travel of the push rod 16, and the piston 34 remains in the neutral position. In this position, pressurized fluid is allowed to flow from the pressure port 54 to the work port 56 for operation of the work unit. At the same time, fluid flow to the tank port 58 is blocked by the close fit between the valve body lower annular surface 62 and the lower annular portion 66 of the valve spool 44. Upon the desired release of pressurized fluid, foot pedal 12 is depressed and/or solenoid coil 48 is de-energized. The spool 44 moves in the second (upward) direction by the forces from the second spring S2 and the fourth spring S4 and by an imbalance of fluid pressure acting on the spool 44. The combination of the return spring force and the force generated by the residual workport pressure compresses the fifth spring S5 and displaces the spool 44 in the second (upward) direction. In this neutral position, as shown in FIG. 3, the desired fluid flow rate need only accommodate leakage from pressure port 54 into bore 46 (exiting through tank port 58) to prevent undesired pressure buildup from actuating the work unit coupled to work port 56.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a hydraulic circuit diagram for the electro-hydraulic pedal assembly 10 is shown. The electro-hydraulic pedal assembly 10 is depicted as a three-position valve 100 having two valve operators (a pedal 102 and a solenoid 104). The valve operators 102, 104 operate independently and in parallel with each other such that the valve 100 may respond to actuation of the pedal 102 independently of the energized state of the solenoid 100 and may respond to actuation of the solenoid 104 independently of the position of the pedal 102. Work port 106 is coupled to work unit 108, pressure port 110 is coupled to hydraulic pump 112 and optional filter 114, and reservoir port 116 is coupled to hydraulic reservoir 118. In the first (neutral) position as shown in fig. 4, the work port 106 is coupled to the tank port 116 to prevent unwanted pressure buildup from actuating the work unit 108. In the second (intermediate) position, all three ports are closed to each other. In the third (open) position, the pressure port 110 is coupled to the workport 106. The solenoid 104 of the electro-hydraulic pedal assembly 10 is particularly well suited for use in electronic control systems, including actuator ECUs for ABS braking, emergency braking, semi-autonomous operation, and other applications.

As described above in connection with fig. 1-3, the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly 10 includes a ground-mounted foot pedal 12 for actuating a piston 34. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 5, the assembly 10 may include a wall-mounted footrest 12. This embodiment is similar in structure and function to the embodiment of fig. 1-3, except that compression of the footrest plates 12 of fig. 5 causes the bracket assembly 70 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 26 (as viewed in fig. 5). The shaft 26 is journaled by left and right bearing journals 28 extending upwardly from the base 14. Thus, compression of the foot pedal 12 causes the piston 34 to travel downwardly substantially in the manner described above in connection with the embodiment of fig. 1-3. Other embodiments of the wall-mounted pedal 12 include a vertically inverted configuration such that the spool valve 18 is positioned vertically above the solenoid assembly 20.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly 10 is shown. This embodiment is similar in structure and function to the embodiment of fig. 1-3, except that the spool valve 18 comprises a tandem regulating valve. As a tandem regulating valve, the spool valve 18 of fig. 6 includes: a primary working port 56; a secondary working port 57; primary and secondary reservoir ports 58 in fluid communication with each other; and primary and secondary pressure ports (not visible). The main workport 56, main tank port 58 and main pressure port are housed within an upper valve housing 72. Similarly, the secondary working port end 56, the secondary reservoir port 58, and the secondary pressure port are housed within the lower valve housing 74. The pushrod actuated tandem spool valve 18 may be actuated substantially as described above in connection with the embodiment of fig. 1-3. In particular, the electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly 10 is adapted to manually control hydraulic fluid flow to the primary and secondary work ports 56, 57 through actuation of the foot pedal 12, electrically control hydraulic fluid flow to the primary and secondary work ports through energization of the solenoid coil 48, or cooperatively control hydraulic fluid flow to the primary and secondary work ports through energization of the brake and solenoid coil 28 of the brake foot pedal 12 simultaneously.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of an electro-hydraulic regulator valve pedal assembly 10 is shown. The embodiment of fig. 7 is similar in structure and function to the embodiment of fig. 1-3, except that the embodiment of fig. 7 includes a sensor 80 for directly or indirectly measuring the angular position of the foot pedal 12. In the current embodiment, the sensor 80 is a Hall effect sensor (single or dual), but may include other contact or non-contact sensors in other embodiments. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, Hall effect sensor 80 is adapted to measure the position of pivot 36, which also corresponds to the angular position of pedal 12 and the linear position of piston 34. The hall effect sensor 80 provides an output, such as a pulse width modulated digital output, indicative of the current position of the pivot 36. The output of the hall effect sensor 80 is then provided to an electronic control unit, such as a brake ECU. The brake ECU (or other electronic control unit) may then control the operation of the ABS system (or other system) with improved accuracy over existing systems. Although described in connection with a single regulator valve 18, the hall effect sensor 80 may also be used with the tandem regulator valve 18 of fig. 6 in the same manner as described above.

The above description is that of the current embodiment. Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as an exhaustive description of all embodiments or to limit the scope of the claims to the particular elements described in connection with these embodiments. The present invention is not limited to those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the listed advantages, unless expressly stated otherwise in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.