DE102004053200A1 - Mechatronic system has sensing modules for measuring of physical parameters built into one or more pressure-carrying channels and communicate cablelessly by radio technology with at least one reading station installed on plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechatronic system, especially a valve arrangement, has a housing (1) with a mechanical section (2) and an electronic section (3). The mechanical section consists of one or more magnetic valves (5,6) to which are connected pressure-carrying channels (7-9). The electronic section consists of control electronics with at least one plate (10) installed in a housing. Sensing modules (14) for the measuring of physical parameters are built into one or more pressure-carrying channels or in chambers connected to these and communicate cablelessly by radio technology with at least one reading station (12) installed on the plate.

Description

The The invention relates to a mechatronics according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

A generic mechatronics is from the EP 1 180 602 A1 known. This describes a control valve device with an electronics box, which contains a board for receiving electronic components and allows connection to an external bus. On the electronics box one or more solenoid valves can be plugged and thus electrically contacted. The electronics process the electrical control signals coming from the bus and distribute them to the associated valves. The known control valve device has no sensors.

Next is from the DE 100 49 958 A1 a fluidic arrangement and valve assembly and actuator for this known. The associated actuator in this case has a working cylinder with a piston whose position can be detected via displacement sensors or limit switches. The output signals of the sensors can optionally be forwarded by wire or wireless. With wireless connection, the sensors are designed as transponders.

In mechatronics, especially solenoid valves, often one or more pressures must be detected and processed in the associated system electronics, which may be located in a common housing ( EP 1 152 231 A2 ). For this purpose, appropriate pressure sensors are installed in these devices. These pressure sensors must be sealingly connected to an associated pressure channel and fastened so that the pressure force can be absorbed. Furthermore, an electrical connection, which is usually formed in three poles, must be made between the pressure sensor and the system electronics.

This carries certain reliability risks. It is e.g. possible, that it is due to temperature fluctuations and the elasticity of the sensor attachment in connection with pressure fluctuations relative movements of the pressure sensor as to the rest of mechatronics or system electronics are coming. This allows the electrical connections mechanically inadmissible be charged. So can Contacts are affected by fretting corrosion, bond connections can break through fatigue, and soldering can also tired and so create loose contacts.

Farther can be the interface to the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure channel be leaking.

Finally disturb or Such electrical connections often complicate the manufacturing process, by z. B. an additional soldering process added must become.

Of the The invention is based on the object, in a mechatronics, in particular a valve with built-in electronics including sensors, one particularly trouble-free transmission allow the sensor signals.

These The object is achieved by that contained in the characterizing part of claim 1 Invention solved. The dependent claims contain expedient further education.

By the inventive Arrangement of sensor modules directly within pressure ducts or in associated with these cavities without a special seal and without electrical connections and through the data transmission via wireless transmission technology over short distances within the mechatronic enclosure will be an increased operational reliability achieved. As a result, the above-described sensitivity of electrical Compounds caused by temperature fluctuations Length changes not more given. Next will be additional Soldering to Connection of the sensor modules saved. elaborate pneumatic or hydraulic seals of the sensors against the Housing walls can be omitted.

The Application of wireless transmission technology or radio technology for data transmission is the expert from different fields of application means various methods known.

One known method is transponder technology. With the aid of this method, for example, the tire pressure of a vehicle tire can be measured without contact from the body ( DE 199 24 830 A1 ). A battery for powering the sensor located in the tire is not necessary.

The transfer can e.g. done so first from the outside a request signal (vibration) is sent, thereby in the sensor a druckabhägiger Resonant circuit is excited, and this then a short time accordingly pressure-dependent returns analog signal. Since the use of transponder technology is constantly increasing, is also with a cost reduction of the required modules (Sender and receiver) to count.

Another known method is the Bluetooth technology. From the essay "energy source Bluetooth frequency", Auto & Electronics 1/2002, is also a method for tire pressure monitoring, in which both the pressure signals and the power to supply the pressure sensor wirelessly transmitted via radio waves using Bluetooth.

The The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

These shows in

1 a schematic representation of a mechatronics with a Magetventil, an electronic control system and a sensor module installed in a pressure guide channel,

2 a section through the mechatronics of 1 at the level of the electronic board

3 another cut through the mechatronics of 1 with inlet and outlet valve and pressure connections,

4 another cut through the mechatronics of 1 with inlet and outlet valve and control electronics,

5 a schematic representation of the energy and data transmission between the control electronics and the sensor module,

6 a section through an electronics with two reading stations in conjunction with two sensor modules,

7 a section through an electronics with a common reading station in conjunction with two sensor modules, and

8th a section through an electronics with a reading station and a sensor module located only partially in the pressure guide channel.

9 a section through a pressure guide channel with a clamped sensor module

10 a section through a pressure guide channel with a glued sensor module 11 a section through two pressure guide channels with two screwed sensor modules

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a mechatronics, here to operate a valve assembly, with a housing ( 1 ), which consists of a lower part ( 21 ) and a lid ( 20 ) consists. Mechatronics also consists of a mechanical part ( 2 ) and an electronic part ( 3 ).

The electronic part ( 3 ) can within the common cover ( 20 ) can be arranged. But he can also in a separate electronics housing ( 26 ) (see 6 ) on the mechanical part ( 2 ) of the housing ( 1 ) is attached.

Under the common cover ( 20 ) is a solenoid valve pair ( 5 . 6 ) (cf. 3 ) arranged from an inlet valve ( 5 ) and an outlet valve ( 6 ) consists. Visible here is only the inlet valve ( 5 ), which a valve closing member ( 31 ), which by means of a seal ( 32 ) a valve seat ( 27 ) can seal. This allows a passage for compressed air or a fluid to open or close.

For connecting the valve to external pressure lines at least one pressure connection ( 16 ) provided in the lower part ( 21 ) of the housing ( 21 ) is located. For connection of the pressure connection ( 16 ) to the valve seat ( 27 ) is a pressure guide channel ( 7 ) intended.

The valve assembly including associated pressure ducts is drawn only schematically. For example, it can be used to increase, lower, or hold pressure in a container. The pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) can have both a round and a rectangular cross-section.

In another pressure channel ( 9 ) or in a cavity connected thereto, there is a sensor module ( 13 ). This consists of a pressure sensor ( 29 ) and a transponder ( 30 ) (cf. 5 ). The pressure sensor module ( 13 ) by suitable measures within the pressure-carrying channel ( 9 ) attached.

The sensor module ( 13 ) can be held in place, for example by a clamping force (see. 9 ). For this it is with feathers ( 35 . 36 ) located on the inner walls of one of the pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ). The inner wall of the pressure guide channel can be flat or round.

Also a mounting of the sensor module ( 13 ) on the walls of one of the pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) by means of an adhesive ( 37 ) is possible (see. 10 ).

Conveniently, the sensor module ( 40 ) Also with a cylindrical housing with external thread ( 41 ), with which it can be inserted into one of a pressure guide channel ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) outgoing blind hole ( 38 ) is screwed in (see. 11 right).

It is also possible, the cylindrical sensor module ( 40 ) by means of the thread ( 41 ) in a through-hole between two pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ) screw in (see. 11 Left). It must, for example, with a parallel hole ( 42 ), to ensure a continuity for the pressure medium.

The pressure guide channel ( 9 ) is in the 1 partly by an intermediate plate ( 19 ), which consists of a non-metallic material, such as a plastic. In contrast, the mechanical part ( 2 ), ie lower part ( 21 ) with pressure guide channel ( 7 ) and pressure connection ( 16 ) and also the lid ( 20 ), preferably made of metal, for example aluminum.

But it is also possible to use the entire mechatronic housing ( 1 ) made of plastic.

The pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) can be designed arbitrarily. They can be designed as holes, cavities or blind holes in which a sensor is screwed.

The electronic part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 1 ) contains an electronic board ( 10 ), which with electronic components ( 11 ) is equipped. These include a reading station ( 12 ), which according to the invention by means of radio technology with the sensor module ( 13 ) communicates. The wireless transmission of energy or electrical data in both directions is due to the formation of the intermediate plate ( 19 ) made of plastic.

For connection of the electronic part ( 3 ) to more, z. B. located in a vehicle, electronics is the electronic board ( 10 ) to an electrical connector ( 17 ) with a connection cable ( 18 ) connected.

The 2 shows a section through the mechatronic housing ( 1 ) of the 1 at the level of the electronic board ( 10 ). As you can see on the electronics board ( 10 ) electronic components ( 11 ), including a microprocessor ( 28 ) and the reading station ( 12 ). The latter communicates via radio technology with two sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ). These are in pressure guide channels ( 9 ), which may be differently shaped as needed. The pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ) are wholly or partly in the existing intermediate insulating plate ( 19 ) (please refer 1 ) arranged.

The 3 shows another section through the mechatronic housing ( 1 ) of the 1 , Visible here are two solenoid valves ( 5 . 6 ), which work as an inlet valve or exhaust valve. Recognizable are still two sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ), which here in a space between the intermediate plate ( 19 ) and the metallic lower part ( 21 ) of the mechatronic housing ( 1 ) are arranged. Furthermore, two pressure connections ( 15 . 16 ) for connecting the mechatronics to a compressed air system or to a hyraulic system.

The 4 shows a further section through the mechatronics at the level of the electronic board ( 10 ). Recognizable are in turn the two solenoid valves ( 5 . 6 ), the assembly of the electronic board ( 10 ) with components ( 11 ), the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ), as well as the adjacent common reading station ( 12 ).

The 5 shows a schematic representation of the energy and data transfer between the on the electronic board ( 10 ) located control electronics or system electronics and the sensor module ( 13 ).

The electronic board ( 10 ) contains, among other components not shown here, the reading station ( 12 ) and the microprocessor ( 28 ). To the board ( 10 ) are further magnet windings ( 24 . 25 ) of the solenoid valves ( 5 . 6 ) connected. To the reading station ( 12 ) is an antenna ( 22 ), for example, as on the board ( 10 ) may be formed printed coil.

On the sensor module ( 13 ) is a transponder ( 30 ) arranged. This is also connected to an antenna ( 23 ), which may also be formed as a coil printed on the board, is connected. The transponder ( 30 ) is further each with a line for energy transfer and data return to a pressure sensor ( 29 ) connected. This converts an ambient pressure (P) into a pressure proportional to the voltage U, which the transponder ( 30 ) is communicated.

Through between the electronics board ( 10 ) and the sensor module ( 13 ) located arrows is indicated that in operation, ie. if a measured value is desired, first an energy transmission by means of a transmission pulse from the reading station ( 12 ) to the sensor module ( 13 ) and then a retransmission of data, so here by printing values occurs. Depending on the design, energy transmission and data transmission can also take place simultaneously.

In the case of several sensor modules, in addition to the data retransmission, a coded signal for identifying the responding sensor module ( 13 ) are retransferred.

It is possible, too, to encode the transmit pulse, e.g. by using different frequencies to excite the various sensor modules, one of which is a measured value needed becomes.

As explained above, the pressure sensor ( 29 ) also part of the transponder ( 30 ) be. The resonance frequency of the response is dependent on the ambient pressure. The drawn separate transmission of energy and signal within the sensor module ( 13 ) can then be omitted.

The 6 shows the electronic board ( 10 ), which here in a separate electronics housing ( 26 ) is installed. On the board ( 10 ) are two reading stations ( 12 . 12a ) arranged via antennas ( 22 . 22a ) with sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ) communicate. The latter are directly in pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ), which are tubular here, arranged. Of course, a sufficient cross section for the flow of the pressure medium must remain free.

The 7 shows according to the 6 one in an electronics housing ( 26 ) built-in electronic board ( 10 ), but here only with a single, shared reading station ( 12 ) is equipped. This in turn communicates via a single antenna ( 22 ) with two sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ).

To distinguish between the two sensor modules here is the additional transmission of corresponding codes of the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ) required. Such encoding can be done, for example, by different data codes or by using different carrier frequencies in the transmission of the transmitted pulses and the retransmission of the measured values.

In the 8th a further embodiment is shown in which the sensor module ( 13 ) only partially in the pressure channel ( 9 ) is arranged. A sensational part ( 33 ) of the sensor module in the pressure guide channel ( 9 ) while a sending or receiving part ( 34 ) within the electronics housing ( 26 ), in the immediate vicinity of the reading station ( 12 ) with antenna ( 22 ) is arranged.

This variant has the advantage that the intermediate plate ( 19 ) does not need to be made of insulating material. In contrast, however, more space in the electronics housing ( 26 ) needed. In addition, there is less freedom with regard to the arrangement of the pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ), which are here below the electronics housing ( 26 ) must lie. Furthermore, a sufficient seal of the sensor module ( 13 ) opposite the intermediate plate ( 19 ) to be guaranteed.

The 9 . 10 . 11 have already been explained above.

In all embodiments, the reading stations ( 12 . 12a ) and the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ) arranged in close spatial proximity to each other. This has the advantage that the transmission powers of the reading stations ( 12 . 12a ) as well as the antennas ( 22 . 22a . 23 ) can be made small. By "spatial proximity" is meant a distance of about 1 to 5 cm, depending on the size of the mechatronics.

Through the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 In addition to pressing, other physical quantities can also be sensed and transmitted. Conceivable here is a data transfer of temperatures, mass flow rates (for example, amounts of compressed air or fluid quantities), paths (for example, valve member paths), magnetic field strengths (for example, field strengths of the magnetic windings of the solenoid valves), or of the chemical composition of flowing in the pressure guide channels Gases or fluids.

When wireless radio technology is the already mentioned above transponder technology or the also mentioned Bluetooth technology used. Both techniques have been known for some time or standardized and thus as sufficiently reliable and reasonably priced to watch.

Claims (15)

Mechatronics, in particular valve arrangement, with a housing ( 1 ), which is a mechanical part ( 2 ) and an electronic part ( 3 ), wherein the mechanical part ( 2 ) at least one or more solenoid valves ( 5 . 6 ) and off to the solenoid valves ( 5 . 6 ) connected pressure ducts ( 7 . 8th . 9 ), and wherein the electronic part ( 3 ) from a control electronics with at least one in a cavity of the housing ( 1 ) or in one on the housing ( 1 ) mounted separate electronics housing ( 26 ) arranged board ( 10 ) with electronic components ( 11 ), Is characterized in that in one or more of the pressure guide channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) or in these cavities connected to sensor modules ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) are installed to measure physical quantities that are wirelessly connected to at least one 10 ) arranged reading station ( 12 . 12a ) communicate. Mechatronics according to claim 1, characterized that the physical quantities pressures, temperatures, Mass flow rates, Paths, magnetic field strengths or chemical compositions. Mechatronics according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanical part ( 2 ) of the housing ( 1 ) consists entirely or partially of plastic. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between the electronic part ( 3 ) and the pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) containing mecha niche part ( 2 ) of the housing ( 1 ) an intermediate plate ( 19 ) is made of plastic. Mechatronics according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) wholly or partly through the intermediate plate ( 19 ) are formed. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reading stations ( 12 . 12a ) and the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) are arranged in spatial proximity to each other. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for each sensor module ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) own reading station ( 12 . 12a ) is provided. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for all sensor modules ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) a common reading station ( 12 ) is provided. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) return coded data. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ) into the pressure-carrying channels ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) are inserted and held in position by a clamping force. Mechatronics according to claim 10, characterized in that the clamping force by springs ( 35 . 36 ), which are located on the inner walls of the pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ). Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 ) by means of an adhesive ( 37 ) to a wall of a pressure-carrying channel ( 7 . 8th . 9 ) are glued. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that cylindrical sensor modules ( 40 ) with external thread ( 41 ) used in blind holes ( 38 ) or through holes ( 39 ) of the pressure-carrying channels ( 9 ) are screwed. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that as a radio transponder technology or Bluetooth is used. Mechatronics according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sensor modules ( 13 . 14 . 40 ) are installed so that only the part sensing the measured value ( 33 ) in the pressure guide channel ( 7 . 8th . 9 ), while the sending or receiving part ( 34 ) within the electronics housing ( 26 ) is arranged.