阅读说明：本技术 位置检测单元、具有位置检测单元的离合器调节器和具有位置检测单元的车辆离合器 (Position detection unit, clutch actuator having position detection unit, and vehicle clutch having position detection unit ) 是由 C·胡贝尔 M·阿尔布雷希特 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种位置检测单元(1),用于检测车辆离合器(20)的离合器调节器(2)的调节元件(3)的位置。所述位置检测单元具有：磁性发送器元件(4),该磁性发送器元件可与所述调节元件(3)连接；传感器(5),该传感器构造和布置成使得该传感器具有检测空间(6),在该检测空间内部,所述传感器(5)检测所述磁性发送器元件(4)在所述磁性发送器元件(4)的预定运动范围内的位置；以及保护装置,该保护装置构造成用于保持所述检测空间(6)没有被所述磁性发送器元件(4)吸引的铁氧体碎屑(15)。(The invention relates to a position detection unit (1) for detecting the position of a control element (3) of a clutch control (2) of a vehicle clutch (20). The position detection unit has: a magnetic transmitter element (4) which can be connected to the adjusting element (3); a sensor (5) constructed and arranged such that it has a detection space (6) inside which the sensor (5) detects the position of the magnetic transmitter element (4) within a predetermined range of motion of the magnetic transmitter element (4); and a protection device configured for keeping the detection space (6) free of ferrite debris (15) attracted by the magnetic transmitter element (4).)

1. A position detection unit (1) for detecting a position of an adjusting element (3) arranged in a housing (10) of a clutch regulator (2) of a vehicle clutch (20), having:

a magnetic transmitter element (4) which is arranged on the adjusting element (3) within a housing (10) of the clutch actuator (2);

a sensor (5) which is arranged outside a housing (10) of the clutch actuator (2) and is designed and arranged in such a way that it has a detection space (6) within which the sensor (5) can detect the position of the magnetic transmitter element (4) within a predetermined range of movement of the magnetic transmitter element (4); and

a protection device configured for preventing ferrite debris (15) attracted by the magnetic transmitter element (4) from accumulating inside the detection space (6).

2. The position detection unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprise a housing (9) of the sensor (5) which is arranged outside a housing (10) of the clutch regulator (2) and which is configured such that, due to its dimensions, it covers a portion of the detection space (6) which is located outside the housing (10) of the clutch regulator (2) and thus prevents the ferrite debris (15) from accumulating inside the detection space (6).

3. The position detection unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (5) is fixed by means of a fixing device (11), wherein the fixing device (11) is configured as a protective device.

4. The position detection unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection means is configured by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability such that the protection means prevents the ferrite debris (15) from accumulating on the protection means inside the detection space (6), but enables detection of the position of the magnetic transmitter element (4).

5. The position detection unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protection means is configured by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability such that the ferrite debris (15) can accumulate outside the detection space (6).

6. The position detection unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the housings (9, 10, 12) has a rib (13) and the rib (13) is configured such that the ferrite debris (15) can accumulate in the region of the rib (13).

7. The position detection unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection means has a magnet (14) arranged outside the detection space (6), and the magnet (14) is configured for attracting the ferrite debris (15) in order to prevent the ferrite debris (15) from accumulating inside the detection space (6), in particular in such a way that the magnet (14) is equipped with a sufficiently strong magnetic force.

8. The position detection unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (5) is configured as a sensor according to the magnetic measurement principle.

9. The position detection unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the sensor (5) is configured as a Hall sensor, in particular as a 2D Hall sensor or a 3D Hall sensor, or as a magnetoresistive sensor, in particular as a giant magnetoresistive sensor or as a tunnel magnetoresistive sensor.

10. A clutch regulator (2) with a position detection unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection device according to claim 4 comprises a housing (10) of the clutch regulator (2).

11. The clutch regulator (2) according to claim 10, wherein the housing (10) of the clutch regulator (2) has a greater wall thickness inside the region of the detection space (6) of the sensor (5) than outside the region of the detection space (6) of the sensor (5).

12. Clutch regulator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the housing (9, 10, 12) of the sensor (5), of the fixing device (11) or of the clutch regulator (2) is configured to completely contain the part of the detection space (6) outside the housing of the clutch regulator (2).

13. Clutch regulator according to claim 10 or 11, with a position detection unit according to claim 5, wherein a recess is provided on the housing (10) of the clutch regulator (2), configured for forming a collecting groove (17) in order to enable ferrite debris (15) to accumulate therein.

14. A vehicle clutch (20) with a position detection unit according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a clutch regulator (2) according to one of claims 10 to 13.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a position detection unit, and more particularly, to a position detection unit for detecting a position of an adjustment element of a clutch adjuster of a vehicle clutch, which enables accurate position detection.

Background

Position detection units are known which detect the position of the adjusting element by means of a magnetic transmitter element and a sensor which detects the magnetic field. However, even if detection is performed under severe conditions, i.e., in an environment with various contaminants, the demand for position detection accuracy is becoming higher and higher.

For example, in commercial vehicles, transmission automation is taking an increasingly important role because it has significant advantages in terms of minimizing fuel consumption and wear compared to manual shifting transmissions. The components of the transmission automation are, in particular, clutch actuators with the necessary position detection. In many applications, position sensors are used which detect the position of a working piston, which actuates the clutch by its linear movement, i.e. engages or disengages, through the aluminum wall of the clutch actuator. For this purpose, a permanent magnet connected to the working piston is used as a transmitter element, the so-called Target (Target). For sensing the magnet, for example, a magnetic sensor element, for example a hall chip or a magnetic induction sensor, for example based on the PLCD principle, is used in order to achieve as great an accuracy as possible.

However, the magnetic force of the transmitter element may attract ferrite debris, for example, due to wear of the flywheel. The ferrite chips are then mixed with organic substances, for example by the wear of the clutch disks and lubricants (such as oil or grease), and adhere as dirt to the aluminum walls of the clutch actuator.

However, the adhering ferrite particles change the magnetic field of the transmitter element to be sensed, so that the sensor can no longer correctly detect the displacement position of the working piston.

Due to the safety-relevant function of the central decoupler, the clutch position, in particular the grinding point, must be detected very precisely. For this reason, dirt is not allowed to have an influence on the displacement signal.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a position detection unit which ensures an accurate detection of the position of the adjusting mechanism by means of the magnet even under environmental conditions with ferritic contamination.

This object is achieved by a position detection unit according to claim 1, a clutch actuator according to claim 10 and a vehicle clutch according to claim 13. Advantageous developments are contained in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, a position detection unit for detecting an actuating element arranged inside a housing of a clutch actuator of a vehicle clutch has a magnetic transmitter element which is arranged on the actuating element inside the housing of the clutch actuator; a sensor which is arranged outside a housing (10) of the clutch actuator (2) and is designed and arranged in such a way that it has a detection space, inside which the sensor can detect the position of the magnetic transmitter element within a predetermined range of movement of the magnetic transmitter element; and a protection device configured to prevent ferrite debris attracted by the magnetic transmitter element from accumulating inside the detection space.

The detection space of the sensor is defined as the volume adjoining the sensor, in which volume the sensor detects changes in the magnetic field. The detection space has a range in which the sensor is able to detect the position of the transmitter element within a predetermined range of motion, so that the position of the transmitter element can be detected over at least one relevant portion of the movement stroke of the adjustment element. The relevant part of the displacement path is the part in which the position detection device is required for reliable functioning of the clutch actuator.

The protective device prevents ferrite debris attracted by the magnetic transmitter element from accumulating, for example, on the housing of the clutch actuator or being present in the detection space. In this context, "prevent" means that ferrite debris is contained only to a certain extent in the detection space so that they do not affect the accurate detection of the position of the adjustment element.

The protection device prevents the accumulation of ferritic debris, attracted by the magnetic transmitter element, inside the detection space by means of three different basic solutions. Or the part of the detection space outside the housing of the clutch adjuster is located completely inside the protective device, so that ferrite chips cannot reach the detection space. Here, "completely" means that the part of the detection space outside the housing of the clutch actuator is located within the protective device in such a large part that ferrite chips have no functionally relevant influence on the signal of the sensor. On the other hand, it is possible that the dimensions of the protective device, in combination with the material of the protective device having the predetermined magnetic permeability, prevent the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic transmitter element from penetrating into the region outside the protective device, so that ferrite particles are not attracted to adhere to the magnetic transmitter element in the region of the detection space. Here, "prevent accumulation" also means that debris accumulates only to such an extent that it has no functionally relevant effect on the signal of the sensor. As a third basic solution, there is the possibility that ferrite particles are attracted by magnetic forces in a region outside the detection space, so that they are prevented from entering the detection space, wherein here too debris can accumulate to such an extent that it has no functionally relevant effect on the signal of the sensor.

According to an advantageous further development, the protective device comprises a housing of the sensor, which is arranged outside the housing of the clutch actuator and which is designed such that it covers a part of the detection space which is located outside the housing of the clutch actuator and thus prevents the accumulation of ferrite debris on the basis of its size.

The dimensions of the housing of the sensor can be simply adapted to the dimensions of the detection space of the sensor, so that ferrite chips can be prevented from accumulating inside the detection space without problems and with a low cost.

In a further advantageous development, the sensor is fixed by means of a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is designed as a protective device.

In the case of a sensor provided with a fixing device whose housing prevents ferrite debris from accumulating inside the detection space, the sensor may be provided with a housing with an arbitrary housing shape. The sensor is fastened by means of a fastening device, for example, to a housing of a vehicle clutch or to a housing of a clutch actuator.

According to a further advantageous development, the protective device is designed by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability such that it prevents ferrite debris from adhering to the protective device inside the detection space, but enables detection of the position of the magnetic transmitter element.

Magnetic permeability represents the permeability of a material to magnetic flux. By coordinating the dimensions of the protection means with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability, ferrite debris can be prevented from accumulating on the protection means inside the detection space. On the other hand, the dimensions of the protection means in combination with the predetermined magnetic permeability are selected to enable detection of the position of the magnetic transmitter element. Since ferrite debris does not accumulate on the outer surface of the protector, the protector can be reduced in size so that the outer surface thereof can also be located inside the detection space, whereby material and weight can be saved.

According to a further advantageous development, the protective device is configured by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined permeability such that ferrite debris can accumulate outside the detection space.

By having ferrite debris accumulate on the protection outside the detection space, the amount of free debris near the magnetic sensor is reduced, so that the detection space can be more easily kept free of ferrite debris. By using different materials inside and outside the detection space, for example, accumulation on the protection device outside the detection space can be achieved while simultaneously preventing accumulation inside the detection space.

In a further advantageous development, at least one of the housings has a rib and the rib is configured to enable ferrite chips to accumulate in the region of the rib.

In this modification, in addition to the effect of reducing the amount of free debris, the strength of the housing can also be increased.

According to a further development, the protective device has a magnet which is arranged outside the detection space and is designed to attract ferrite debris in order to prevent the ferrite debris from accumulating inside the detection space, in particular in that the magnet (14) is equipped with a sufficiently strong magnetic force.

By means of the magnet, the amount of free debris in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor can also be reduced, so that the detection space can be kept more simply free of ferrite debris. The magnet can be arranged in an advantageous position so that as much ferrite chips as possible accumulate there in order thus not to penetrate into the detection space.

In an advantageous development, the sensor is designed as a sensor according to the magnetic measuring principle.

By means of these sensors, the position of the actuating element can be determined precisely by relatively simple means.

In a further advantageous development, the sensor is designed as a hall sensor, in particular as a 2D hall sensor or a 3D hall sensor, or as a magnetoresistive sensor, in particular as a giant magnetoresistive sensor or as a tunnel magnetoresistive sensor.

The sensor can detect the adjusting element with high accuracy or precision.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the clutch actuator has a position detection unit, wherein the protective device comprises a housing of the clutch actuator, which housing is constructed by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability such that the housing prevents ferrite debris from accumulating on the protective device inside the detection space, but enables detection of the position of the magnetic transmitter element.

If the housing of the clutch regulator is configured to prevent the accumulation of ferrite debris, a sensor and fixture having any housing shape may be used.

In a further advantageous development, the housing of the clutch actuator has a greater wall thickness inside the region of the detection space of the sensor than outside the region of the detection space of the sensor.

By providing a greater wall thickness within the region of the detection space, the entire detection space can be contained within the outer surface of the wall of the housing of the clutch actuator, which can be achieved with only a small additional effort.

In an advantageous development, the sensor, the fastening device or the housing of the clutch regulator is designed to completely contain a part of the detection space that is external to the housing of the clutch regulator.

With this development, no ferrite chips can penetrate into the detection space without additional devices.

According to a further advantageous development, a recess is provided on the housing of the clutch actuator, which recess is designed to form a collecting recess in order to be able to accumulate ferrite debris in the collecting recess.

By providing the collection groove, ferrite debris can be collected, thereby reducing ferrite debris freely movable inside the housing of the vehicle clutch so as not to reach the detection space.

According to another aspect of the invention, the vehicle clutch has a position detection unit.

By providing the position detection unit or the clutch adjuster in the vehicle clutch, the position of the adjustment mechanism of the vehicle clutch can be accurately detected even under an environmental condition with ferrite contamination.

Drawings

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In particular, it shows:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a fifth embodiment; and

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a position detection unit according to a sixth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a position detection unit 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The position detection unit 1 is arranged in a schematically illustrated vehicle clutch 20, in particular on a clutch actuator 2 of the vehicle clutch 20. The clutch regulator 2 is designed as a central decoupler, but may alternatively be provided as a clutch regulator arranged elsewhere. The clutch actuator 2 has an actuating element 3. The adjusting element 3 serves to adjust the separating state of the central separator 2. The clutch regulator 2 is arranged as a hydraulically driven release, whereby the adjusting element 3 is arranged as a piston in a hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, other drive variants are also conceivable, in which the adjusting element 3 is designed, for example, as a spindle of an electric linear drive.

The position detection unit 1 has a magnetic transmitter element 4. The magnetic transmitter element 4 is connected to the actuating element 3 or is fixed thereto, so that the magnetic transmitter element 4 follows the movement of the actuating element 3 and can thus detect the movement of the actuating element 3. The transmitter element 4 is arranged inside the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2.

Further, the position detection unit 1 has a sensor 5. The sensor 5 is designed and arranged such that it detects the position of the magnetic transmitter element 4 within a predetermined range of movement of the transmitter element, i.e. the setting element 3. The sensor 5 is designed as a hall sensor. In an alternative embodiment, in particular a 2D hall sensor or a 3D hall sensor is provided, or another sensor according to the magnetic measuring principle is provided, for example a magnetoresistive sensor, in particular a giant magnetoresistive sensor or a tunnel magnetoresistive sensor.

The predetermined range of movement of the adjusting element 3 and thus of the magnetic transmitter element 4 is the stroke travel of the piston, which is required to transfer the clutch at least from the fully engaged state into the fully disengaged state and vice versa.

The sensor 5 is configured such that it can sense the detection space 6. More precisely, the detection space 6 of the sensor 5 is the volume adjacent to the sensor 5 in which the sensor 5 detects the change in the magnetic field. The detection space 6 has a size in which the sensor 5 enables detection of the position of the magnetic transmitter element 4 and a change of the position within a predetermined range of motion by a change of the magnetic field, which is generated by a displacement of the magnetic field of the magnetic transmitter element 4. The position of the transmitter element 4 and thus of the adjusting element 3 can thus be detected along the stroke of the piston.

As indicated by the double arrow 8, the sensor 5 is connected to the transmission control 7, so that the sensor 5 is supplied with voltage and can exchange data.

Furthermore, the position detection unit 1 has a protection device configured to prevent ferrite debris 15 attracted by the magnetic transmitter element 4 from accumulating inside the detection space 6. In this context, preventing the accumulation of ferrite debris 15 attracted by the magnetic transmitter element 4 means that the ferrite debris 15 can only enter the detection space 6 to such an extent: the ferrite chips do not prevent an accurate detection of the position of the adjusting element 3. The ferrite debris 15 is generated, for example, due to wear of the flywheel of the vehicle clutch 20 and may spread inside the housing of the vehicle clutch 20.

The protection device in this first embodiment comprises a housing 9 of the sensor 5, which by its dimensions is configured to prevent ferrite debris 15 from accumulating inside the detection space 6. This means that the housing 9 of the sensor 5 has a size in which the detection space 6 outside the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2 is largely, preferably completely, covered, so that the part of the detection space 6 outside the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2 is largely, preferably completely, located inside the protective device, so that an accumulation of ferrite chips 15 is prevented or the ferrite chips 15 have no function-related influence on the signal of the sensor 5.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a position detection unit 1 according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of the housing 9 (fig. 1) of the sensor 5 having dimensions such that the housing 9 completely covers the detection space 6 outside the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2, in which the magnetic transmitter element 4 is arranged, is configured by its dimensions to prevent ferrite chips 15 from accumulating inside the detection space 6. For this purpose, the detection space 6 is completely contained inside the outer surface of the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2. For this purpose, the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2 has a greater wall thickness in the region of the detection space 6 of the sensor 5 than outside the detection space 6 of the sensor 5. To better illustrate this feature, the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2 is shown in a sectional view in fig. 2. Alternatively, it is not mandatory that the wall thickness of the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2 is greater in the region of the detection space as long as the detection space 6 is located inside the outer surface of the housing 10.

Furthermore, the protection device is optionally configured, by its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability, to enable ferrite debris 15 to adhere at a location outside the detection space 6. This is made possible by the complete coverage of the detection space 6.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a position detection unit according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the detection space 6 is not completely contained inside the outer surface of the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2, but the protection means, by virtue of its dimensions in combination with a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability, prevents ferrite debris 15 from adhering to the protection means. Thus, the material of the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2 has a predetermined magnetic permeability which, in combination with the wall thickness of the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2, prevents ferrite debris 15 from adhering to the housing. Therefore, as shown in fig. 3, it is not necessary to cover the entire detection space 6. This aspect of the third embodiment is applicable to the second embodiment as well as the above-described first embodiment and the four embodiments to be described below.

Furthermore, the housing 10 of the clutch adjuster 2 has ribs 13. An increase in the strength of the housing 10 is achieved by the ribs 13, and ferrite chips 15 can also adhere in the region of the ribs 13. The rib 13 is arranged adjacent to the sensor 5. The attachment of the ferrite chips 15 is achieved by constructing the ribs 13 from a material having a suitably predetermined magnetic permeability. In alternative embodiments, the ribs 13 may be provided at different positions of the housing 10. Further, alternatively, a plurality of ribs 13 may be provided, ribs may be provided on other housings, or no ribs 13 may be provided.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a position detection unit according to a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the preceding embodiments in that the sensor 5 has a fastening device 11 with a housing 12 of the fastening device 11, which is configured to at least partially enclose the sensor 5 and fasten it on a housing of the vehicle clutch 20. Further, the fourth embodiment is different in that the housing 12 of the fixing device 11 is configured by its size to prevent the ferrite chips 15 from accumulating inside the detection space 6. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 5 is not at least partially enclosed by the housing 12 and the sensor 5 is not fixed to the housing of the vehicle clutch 20, but rather, for example, to the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2.

The fastening device 11 is a solenoid valve unit having a solenoid valve for actuating the clutch actuator 2. In an alternative embodiment, the fastening device 11 is not a solenoid valve unit, but, for example, a holder, which is provided only for holding the sensor 5.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the position detection unit 1 according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the protection device does not directly protect the detection space 6, but has a magnet 14 arranged outside the detection space 6, and the magnet 14 is configured to attract ferrite chips 15 so as to keep the detection space 6 free of ferrite chips 15.

The magnet 14 of the fifth embodiment may be combined with the protection devices of the first to fourth embodiments. Likewise, the features of the first and fourth embodiments may be combined with the features of the second and third embodiments.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a position detection unit 1 according to a sixth embodiment. The magnetic field lines 16 of the magnetic field of the magnetic transmitter element 4 are also shown in this diagram.

In this embodiment, a collecting groove 17 is provided on the housing 10 of the clutch regulator 2. The collection groove 17 is configured as a depression in the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2. These recesses are provided in a plurality of separate elements, so that these elements are arranged outside the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2, but may alternatively also be provided in a recessed manner in the housing 10 of the clutch actuator 2. The collecting recess 17, in combination with the dimensions, is arranged in conjunction with the magnetic permeability of the adjoining material such that ferrite debris 15 accumulates outside the detection space 6 of the sensor 5, but within the range of action of the magnetic field lines 16, and is thus collected in the collecting recess 17. Fig. 6 shows a combination of this embodiment with the first embodiment, but this embodiment can also be combined with one of the second to fourth embodiments as an alternative.

List of reference numerals

1 position detection unit

2 Clutch regulator

3 adjusting element

4 magnetic transmitter element

5 sensor

6 detection space

7 Transmission control device

8 Voltage supply and data exchange

9 casing of sensor

10 housing of clutch regulator

11 fixing device

12 casing of fixing device

13 Ribs

14 magnet

15 ferrite chips

16 magnetic field lines

17 collecting groove

20 vehicle clutch