JP2019113140A - Actuator system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a new actuator system capable of monitoring the cumulative actuation amount and an actuator system capable of monitoring the cumulative actuation amount based on the operation of a solenoid valve that controls the supply and discharge of working fluid to the actuator.SOLUTION: An actuator system 1 comprises: an actuator; a solenoid valve 4 that controls the supply and discharge of working fluid to the actuator; and an integration unit 20 for calculating an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an actuator system comprising an actuator.

  BACKGROUND ART In transportation equipment such as aircraft and various industrial machines, an actuator is widely used to drive movable members. A hydraulic actuator is known as one of such actuators. A hydraulic actuator generally includes a cylinder and a piston unit having a piston that divides the internal space of the cylinder into two pressure chambers. The hydraulic actuator is connected to a solenoid valve that switches the flow of the working fluid between the hydraulic pressure source and the reservoir and the hydraulic actuator. The operation of the hydraulic actuator is controlled by switching supply and discharge of the working fluid to and from the pair of cylinder chambers by a solenoid valve.

  As the cumulative amount of actuation (eg, actuation time and number of actuations) of the actuator increases, fatigue may build up on the components of the actuator, which may cause malfunction. Therefore, with regard to the actuator, accurate grasping of the operation amount is desired. However, since the actuators in operation are incorporated into transportation equipment and industrial machines, it is not easy to grasp the amount of operation.

  In JP 2012-025521 A, the power of the hydraulic actuator is calculated, the calculated power is integrated to obtain the integrated work amount, and the maintenance time of the hydraulic actuator is estimated based on the integrated work amount. Apparatus is disclosed. In this device, the power of a hydraulic motor, which is a type of hydraulic actuator, is calculated based on the effective pressure and suction flow rate of the hydraulic motor. The effective pressure of the hydraulic motor is calculated based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor by providing pressure sensors upstream and downstream of the hydraulic motor.

JP, 2012-025521, A

  The present disclosure aims to provide a novel actuator system capable of monitoring the accumulated actuation amount of the actuator.

  One of the more specific objects of the present disclosure is to provide an actuator system capable of monitoring the accumulated operation amount of the actuator based on the operation of a solenoid valve that controls the supply and discharge of the working fluid to the actuator. .

  Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the entire specification.

  An actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an actuator, a solenoid valve that controls supply and discharge of a working fluid to the actuator, and an integration unit that calculates an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve. .

  The actuator is actuated by actuating a solenoid valve to supply and drain a working fluid to the actuator. In the above embodiment, since the integrated value of the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve is calculated, it is possible to grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator based on the calculated integrated value. Therefore, an appropriate maintenance time of the actuator can be determined based on the integrated value. According to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the cumulative operation amount of the actuator is grasped using the integrated value of the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve, the cumulative operation amount is grasped without modifying the actuator. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, grasping of the amount of accumulation operation of various actuators is attained.

  In the actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention, the parameter is a time during which an electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve is energized, and the integration unit integrates time during which the electromagnetic coil is energized. The system is configured to calculate the integrated energization time.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to grasp the operation amount of the accumulation of the actuator based on the integrated energization time obtained by integrating the time during which the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve is energized.

  In the actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention, the parameter is a current supplied to an electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve, and the integration unit integrates the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil to integrate the current Is configured to calculate

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator based on the integrated current obtained by integrating the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve.

  In the actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention, the parameter is an open time of the solenoid valve, and the integration unit is configured to calculate an integrated open time by integrating the open time of the solenoid valve.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator based on the integrated release time obtained by integrating the open time of the solenoid valve.

  In the actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention, the parameter is a moving distance of the movable core provided to the solenoid valve, and the integration unit integrates the moving distances of the movable core to calculate an integrated moving distance. Is configured as.

  According to the above embodiment, it is possible to grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator based on the integrated movement distance obtained by integrating the movement distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve.

  In the actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention, the integration unit is configured to store in the storage device at least one of the integration energization time, the integration current, the calculation opening time, and the integration movement distance. .

  According to the above embodiment, the integrated value of the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve stored in the storage device (at least one of the integrated energizing time, the integrated current, the calculated open time, and the integrated moving distance) is read and used can do. For example, using the integrated value, it is possible to determine the maintenance time of the actuator and manage the operation of the device or apparatus on which the actuator is mounted.

  The actuator system according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to transmit at least one of the integrated energizing time, the integrated current, the open operation time, and an integrated moving distance to an external device.

  According to the above embodiment, the integrated value of the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve can be used in the external device.

  The actuator system according to one aspect of the present invention further comprises a manifold on which the actuator and the solenoid valve are mounted, the manifold including a housing in which an internal space is formed, and at least a portion of the integration unit is the internal It is housed in space.

  According to the above embodiment, it is possible to operate the integration unit normally even in a low temperature environment.

  Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel actuator system capable of monitoring the accumulated actuation amount of the actuator.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an actuator system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an actuator system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an actuator system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an actuator system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an actuator system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a portion of a manifold on which the actuators in the actuator system according to an embodiment of the present invention are mounted. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a part of cross section along the II line of the manifold of FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view of a portion of the manifold of FIG. 6; It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the manifold of FIG. FIG. 10 is a rear view of a portion of the manifold of FIG. 9;

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The same reference numerals are given to constituent elements common to the respective drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for the convenience of the description.

  The invention can be applied to an actuator system comprising an actuator. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an actuator system provided with an actuator whose working fluid is supplied and discharged by control of a solenoid valve.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an actuator system 1 according to an aspect of the present invention. The actuator system 1 is configured to drive a moving blade 1A of an aircraft by operating an actuator 10. The illustrated actuator system 1 is an example of an actuator system to which the present invention can be applied. The actuator system according to the present invention may be used in various applications other than those for driving the blades of an aircraft.

  The actuator system 1 includes an actuator 10 for driving the moving blades 1A, a hydraulic pressure source 2 for supplying pressure oil to the actuator 10, a reservoir 3 for storing oil discharged from the actuator 10, a solenoid valve 4 and a solenoid A power supply 5 for applying a voltage to the valve 4 and an integration unit 20 for integrating parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 are provided.

  The integration unit 20 includes a controller 21 and an hour meter 22. The controller 21 includes a processor 21a that performs various arithmetic processing, a memory 21b that stores various programs and various data, and an equipment interface 21c that is connected to the hour meter 22 and other equipment.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 10 is a hydraulic actuator. The actuator 10 may be a hydraulic actuator actuated by a hydraulic fluid other than pressure oil, a pneumatic actuator actuated by compressed air, and any hydraulic actuator actuated by a hydraulic fluid other than these. The actuator system 1 may include a plurality of actuators.

  The actuator 10 has a hollow cylinder 11 and a piston unit 12 provided in the cylinder 11. The cylinder 11 is configured such that one side in the longitudinal direction (direction along the central axis A) is open and the other side is closed.

  The piston unit 12 has a piston 13 and a piston rod 14 connected to the piston 13. The piston 13 and the piston rod 14 are disposed inside the cylinder 11. The piston rod 14 partially protrudes to the outside of the cylinder 11 through the opening of the cylinder 11.

  The piston 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The piston 13 is disposed inside the cylinder 11 so that the outer peripheral surface thereof abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 11. Thus, the piston 13 divides the cylinder 11 into the first hydraulic chamber 19a and the second hydraulic chamber 19b.

  The piston unit 12 is provided movably along the central axis A with respect to the cylinder 11. When the piston unit 12 moves in the first movement direction W1 along the central axis A, the actuator 10 extends, and when the piston unit 12 moves in the second movement direction W2 along the central axis A, the actuator 10 contracts. The second movement direction W2 is a direction opposite to the first movement direction W1 along the central axis A.

  The actuator 10 operates by supplying and discharging pressure oil to the first hydraulic chamber 19a and the second hydraulic chamber 19b. When the actuator 10 is actuated, the piston 13 is displaced in the cylinder 11. Thereby, the moving blade 1A is driven via the piston rod 14. The moving blade 1A is, for example, a main control surface such as an aileron, a rudder and an elevator, or a secondary control surface such as a flap and a spoiler.

  The actuator 10 may include a position sensor that detects the position of the piston unit 12. This position sensor is, for example, a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).

  A solenoid valve 4 is provided between the actuator 10 and the hydraulic pressure source 2 and the reservoir 3. The solenoid valve 4 is connected to the hydraulic pressure source 2 by an oil passage 7a, and to the reservoir 3 by an oil passage 7b. The solenoid valve 4 is connected to the first hydraulic chamber 19a of the actuator 10 by the oil passage 8a, and is connected to the second hydraulic chamber 19b of the actuator 10 by the oil passage 8b.

  The solenoid valve 4 is configured to switch control of the working fluid by displacing the movable core with the magnetic flux generated from the excited electromagnetic coil. The solenoid valve 4 may be a known solenoid valve. The solenoid valve 4 includes, for example, a casing, a bobbin provided to the casing, an electromagnetic coil wound around the bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core movably provided relative to the electromagnetic coil. And a valve fixed to the movable core. In the solenoid valve 4, when the electromagnetic coil is excited, the movable core is attracted to the fixed core, and the valve body is also displaced according to the displacement of the movable core. The displacement of the valve body switches the pressure oil flow path. The solenoid valve 4 has, for example, a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil. The solenoid valve 4 excites the first electromagnetic coil while deactivating the second electromagnetic coil, thereby supplying oil to the first hydraulic chamber 19a and discharging oil from the second hydraulic chamber 19b. Switching to the second communication position in which oil is discharged from the first hydraulic chamber 19a and supplied to the second hydraulic chamber 19b by exciting the second electromagnetic coil while deactivating the first electromagnetic coil. And shut off the supply of oil to the hydraulic chambers 19a and 19b and the discharge of oil from the hydraulic chambers 19a and 19b by deactivating both the first and second electromagnetic coils. Switch to position.

  The electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is connected to the power supply 5. The power source 5 is, for example, a DC power source. The solenoid valve 4 is energized and excited by the voltage applied from the power supply 5. The application of voltage from the power supply 5 to the solenoid coil of the solenoid valve 4 can be controlled by control pulses from the controller 21. For example, between the power supply 5 and each electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4, a switching element turned on and off by a control pulse from the controller 21 may be provided. The switching element may be configured to be turned on in the high level period and turned off in the low level period. As a result, the control pulse from the controller 21 can perform on / off control of the energization of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4.

  As described above, the actuator 10 operates when the solenoid valve of the solenoid valve 4 is energized. The solenoid valve 4 is opened when the solenoid valve is energized, and pressure oil is supplied to the hydraulic chambers 19 a and 19 b of the actuator 10. Thus, the actuator 10 operates when the solenoid valve is open.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the hour meter 22 is provided between the power supply 5 and the solenoid valve 4 and is configured to integrate an energization time during which the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is energized. For example, by counting the energization time of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4, the hour meter 22 can measure an integrated energization time obtained by integrating the energization time. In the case where the solenoid valve 4 has a plurality of electromagnetic coils, it is possible to count the respective energization times, and to make the total of the count values the integrated energization time of the solenoid valve 4. For example, when the solenoid valve 4 has the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil, the hour meter 22 counts the count value T1 obtained by counting the energization time of the first electromagnetic coil and the energization time of the second electromagnetic coil. T1 + T2 which totaled the count value T2 which was carried out can be made into integration conduction | electrical_connection time.

  The hour meter 22 may include a display 22a. The integrated energization time of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 measured by the hour meter 22 may be displayed on the display 22a.

  The integrated energization time of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 measured by the hour meter 22 may be input to the controller 21 via the device interface 21 c.

  Next, the operation of the actuator system 1 will be described. At the start of operation, the piston unit 12 is in the neutral position. When the actuator 10 is contracted, the controller 21 outputs a control pulse to energize the first electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4. Thereby, the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 is displaced, and the solenoid valve 4 is switched to the first communication position. The hour meter 22 integrates the energization time in which the first electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is energized.

  By switching the solenoid valve 4 to the first communication position, pressure oil is supplied from the oil pressure source 2 to the first oil pressure chamber 19a, and pressure oil is discharged from the second oil pressure chamber 19b to the reservoir 3. Thus, the piston unit 12 moves from the neutral position in the second movement direction W2. That is, the actuator 10 contracts.

  On the other hand, when the actuator 10 is extended, the controller 21 outputs a control pulse to energize the second electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4. As a result, the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 is displaced, and the solenoid valve 4 is switched to the second communication position. The hour meter 22 integrates the energization time in which the second electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is energized by the control pulse.

  By switching the solenoid valve 4 to the second communication position, pressure oil is supplied from the oil pressure source 2 to the second oil pressure chamber 19 b, and pressure oil is discharged from the first oil pressure chamber 19 a to the reservoir 3. Thus, the piston unit 12 moves in the first movement direction W1. That is, the actuator 10 extends.

  According to the above embodiment, since the actuator 10 is configured to operate when the solenoid valve of the solenoid valve 4 is energized, the accumulated energization time measured by the hour meter 22 corresponds to the accumulated current of the actuator 10 Has a positive correlation with the amount of operation at the Therefore, the worker can grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator 10 based on the integrated energization time measured by the hour meter 22.

  An actuator system 301 according to another aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. The actuator system 301 shown in FIG. 2 comprises an integration unit 30 with a controller 31. The controller 31 includes a processor 31a that performs various types of arithmetic processing, a memory 31b that stores various programs and various data, a device interface 31c connected to various devices such as a sensor, and a counter 31d.

  The counter 31 d is configured to count the number of control pulses output from the controller 31. The control pulse is a pulse signal for driving the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4. The count value counted by the counter 31 d is stored, for example, in the memory 31 b.

  The control pulse output from the controller 31 may be output to, for example, a switching element provided between the power supply 5 and each electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4. The counter 31 d drives a control pulse for energizing the first electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4, a control pulse for energizing the second electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4, and an electromagnetic coil of the other solenoid valves 4. Can be configured to count any of the control pulses. In the actuator system 301, for example, while the control pulse is at the high level, the voltage of the power supply 5 is applied to the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 (that is, the electromagnetic coil is energized), while the control pulse is at the low level. During the period, the voltage of the power supply 5 is not applied to the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 (that is, the electromagnetic coil is not energized).

  The controller 31 can calculate, based on the count value counted by the counter 31 d and the pulse width of the control pulse, the integrated energizing time which is an integrated value of the energizing time during which the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is energized. . Based on the calculated integrated value, the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10 is grasped.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, as a parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4, the energization time during which the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4 is energized is used. The parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 are not limited to the energization time of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4. The parameters relating to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 usable in the present invention include, for example, the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve 4 other than the energization time of the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4; And the moving distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 may be included. These parameters may be used in combination. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve 4, the opening time of the solenoid valve 4, and the moving distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 are used as parameters related to the operation of the renoid valve 4 The form will be described.

  First, referring to FIG. 3, an actuator system 401 according to still another aspect of the present invention will be described. In the actuator system 401, the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil provided in the solenoid valve 4 is used as a parameter related to the operation of the renoid valve 4.

  The actuator system 401 shown in FIG. 3 comprises an integration unit 40 having a controller 41 and a current sensor 42. The controller 41 includes a processor 41a that performs various types of arithmetic processing, a memory 41b that stores various programs and various data, and a device interface 41c that is connected to the current sensor 42 and various other devices.

  The current sensor 42 is connected to the solenoid valve 4 and the power source 5 and detects the current flowing between the power source 5 and the solenoid valve 4. The detection signal of the current sensor 42 may be input to the controller 41 via the device interface 41 c. The detection signal of the current sensor 42 indicates the detection value of the current supplied from the power supply 5 to the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 4.

  The controller 41 is configured to integrate the current flowing between the power supply 5 and the solenoid valve 4 based on the detection signal from the current sensor 42, and to calculate the integrated current.

  Since the actuator 10 is configured to operate when the solenoid valve of the solenoid valve 4 is energized, the integrated current obtained by integrating the current detected by the current sensor 42 is the amount of operation of the actuator 10 in the accumulated state. And have a positive correlation. Therefore, the worker can grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator 10 based on the calculated integrated current.

  An actuator system 501 according to yet another aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. In the actuator system 401, the opening time of the solenoid valve 4 is used as a parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4.

  In the actuator system 501 shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid valve 4 is provided with a position sensor 15. The position sensor 15 is configured to detect the position of the movable core of the solenoid valve. The actuator system 501 comprises an integration unit 50 having a controller 51. The controller 51 includes a processor 51a that performs various types of arithmetic processing, a memory 51b that stores various programs and various data, and a device interface 51c connected to various devices such as the position sensor 15.

  The detection signal of the position sensor 15 is input to the controller 51 via the device interface 51c. In one aspect of the present invention, the controller 51 determines whether the solenoid valve 4 is opened based on the detection signal from the position sensor 15, and the solenoid valve 4 is opened according to the determination result. The time is integrated to calculate an integrated release time.

  According to the above embodiment, since the actuator 10 is configured to operate by the pressure oil supplied through the solenoid valve 4 when the solenoid valve 4 is opened, the calculated integrated release time is calculated. Has a positive correlation with the cumulative amount of actuation of the actuator 10. Therefore, the worker can grasp the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10 based on the calculated integrated open time of the solenoid valve 4.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the controller 51 is configured to calculate the moving distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 based on the detection signal from the position sensor 15. The controller 51 calculates the moving distance of the movable core in each operation cycle each time the actuator 10 is operated, and stores the calculated moving distance in, for example, the memory 21 b. The controller 51 is configured to integrate the moving distance of the movable core calculated in each operation cycle and to calculate the integrated moving distance.

  Calculation of the integrated movement distance in the controller 51 will be described by taking the case where the actuator 10 is contracted from the neutral position in the first operation cycle and then the actuator 10 is extended in the second operation cycle. First, when the actuator 10 is contracted from the neutral position, the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 is moved from the blocking position to the first communication position. The controller 51 stores the moving distance L1 of the movable core from the blocking position in the first operation cycle to the first communication position in the memory 51b based on the detection signal from the position sensor 15. Next, when the actuator 10 is extended, the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 is moved from the first communication position to the second communication position. The controller 51 stores the moving distance L2 of the movable core from the first communication position to the second communication position in the second operation cycle in the memory 51b based on the detection signal from the position sensor 15. The controller 51 can calculate the integrated movement distance by reading the movement distance L1 and the movement distance L2 from the memory 51b and adding the read values indicating the movement distance. Even if the number of repeated operation cycles increases, the integrated movement distance can be calculated in the same manner.

  The integrated movement distance obtained by integrating the movement distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve 4 has a positive correlation with the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10. Therefore, the worker can grasp the operation amount in the accumulation of the actuator 10 based on the calculated integrated movement distance of the movable core of the solenoid valve 4.

  According to each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to grasp the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10 based on the integrated value of the parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4. Then, based on the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10, an appropriate maintenance time of the actuator 10 can be determined. As a result, maintenance or replacement of the actuator 10 can be performed before occurrence of a failure or a failure.

  According to each of the above-described embodiments, since the cumulative operation amount of the actuator 10 is grasped using the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4, indirectly based on the operation time of the device on which the actuator 10 is mounted. It is possible to estimate the maintenance time more accurately than the estimated maintenance time.

  According to each of the above embodiments, since the cumulative operation amount of the actuator 10 is grasped using the parameter related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4, the cumulative operation amount is grasped without modifying the actuator 10. It becomes possible.

  According to each of the above embodiments, of the solenoid valve 4 that controls the supply and discharge of the working fluid to the actuator 10, not the parameter (for example, the pressure of the working fluid in the actuator 10) directly related to the actuation of the actuator 10. Because the parameters associated with actuation are used, there is no need to modify the actuator 10 itself. For this reason, the above-described embodiments can be widely applied to an actuator operated by a working fluid supplied and discharged by a solenoid valve.

  An actuator system 601 according to yet another aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. The actuator system 601 includes an integrating unit 60. An integrating unit 60 having a controller 61 is provided. The controller 61 includes a processor 61a for performing various arithmetic processing, a memory 61b for storing various programs and various data, a device interface 61c connected to various devices such as a sensor, an external device 70, an external device 80, and others. And a communication interface 61d for communicating with the external device. The external device 70 may be mounted on the device or device in which the actuator 10 is mounted. The external device 80 may be remotely located from the device or device in which the actuator 10 is mounted.

  The controller 61 is configured to measure or calculate an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4. The controller 61 can obtain an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 in the same manner as the controller 21, the controller 31, the controller 41 or the controller 51 described above. The actuator system 601 may include an hour meter 21, a current sensor 42, a position sensor 15, or other devices as needed.

  The controller 61 can transmit various data to the external device 70, the external device 80, and other devices via the communication interface 61d. The controller 61 can calculate, for example, an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 and transmit the calculated integrated value to at least one of the external device 70 and the external device 80. The external device 70 and the external device 80 are arbitrary information processing devices. The external device 70 and the external device 80 may be storage devices capable of reading data by the information processing device. When the external device 70 or the external device 80 is a storage device, the controller 61 may calculate an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4 and store the calculated integrated value in the storage device. it can. The communication link between the controller 61 and the external devices 70 and 80 may be a wireless link or a wired link.

  The worker can use the data received from the controller 61 in the external device 70 or the external device 80 to grasp the accumulated operation amount of the actuator. Thereby, the cumulative operation amount can be grasped | ascertained, without removing the actuator 10 from installation object apparatus. Further, by using the external device 80, it is possible to grasp the accumulated operation amount of the actuator 10 even remotely.

  An actuator system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be further described with reference to FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a manifold 90 on which various devices provided in the actuator system according to each embodiment of the present invention are mounted, and a portion thereof is broken away. Various fluid pressure devices are mounted on the manifold 90. In the manifold 90, for example, the solenoid valve 4, the actuator 10, each integrating unit, and the other components of the actuator system 1 described in the above embodiment are mounted.

  The manifold 90 has a manifold housing 91 in which an internal space 92 is formed. The solenoid valve 4, the actuator 10 and other fluid pressure devices are assembled to the manifold housing 91. The manifold housing 91 is formed with a plurality of oil passages and a plurality of connection ports with various hydraulic devices. In the manifold housing 91, for example, a flow path connecting the solenoid valve 4 and the actuator 10 is formed. The manifold housing 91 may be configured integrally with the cylinder 11 of the actuator 10. The manifold housing 91 may be integrally formed with the casing of the solenoid valve 4. The casing of the solenoid valve 4 accommodates an electromagnetic coil, a movable core, and a fixed core.

  In the internal space 92 of the manifold housing 91, a plurality of wires 96 are accommodated as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the wire 96 is omitted for convenience of illustration. Each of the plurality of wires 96 electrically connects various components such as the controller 21 and the like, the solenoid valve 4, the actuator 10, and the other components of the actuator system 1 to one another.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the manifold housing 91 is formed with an opening for connecting the internal space 92 and the external space, and the opening is closed by the lid 95. The lid 95 is screwed to the manifold housing 91, for example.

  The manifold housing 91 is provided with a connector 93 and a connector 94. A plurality of terminals are respectively formed on the connector 93 and the connector 94, and wires 96 from various devices such as the solenoid valve 4 mounted on the manifold housing 91 are connected to these terminals. Various external devices are connected to the connector 93 and the connector 94. Electrical signals are transmitted between the various devices mounted on the manifold housing 91 and the external device via the connector 93 and the connector 94.

  In the internal space 92 of the manifold housing 91, components of the integrating unit in each of the above embodiments may be accommodated. Part or all of the components of the accumulating unit are accommodated in the internal space 92. In the illustrated embodiment, part of the hour meter 22 of the integration unit 20 is accommodated in the internal space 92. In addition to the hour meter 22, a current sensor 42 may be accommodated in the internal space 92.

  In the illustrated embodiment, an opening is formed near the center of the lid 95, and the hour meter 22 is attached to the lid 95 so as to close the opening. As a result, a portion of the hour meter 22 is accommodated in the internal space 92 of the manifold housing 91, and the remaining portion is exposed from the internal space 92 to the external space (the space opposite to the internal space 92 with respect to the lid 95). ing. Specifically, the hour meter 22 is attached to the lid 95 so that the display 22a is exposed to the external space. Thereby, the measurement value of the hour meter 22 displayed on the display 22a can be read without removing the lid 95.

  The actuator system according to the above embodiments may be used in a low temperature environment. For example, in the case where the actuator system according to each of the above-described embodiments is applied to a blade drive system for driving the blades of an aircraft, the actuator system is placed in a low temperature environment when the aircraft is flying at high altitudes. It will be beaten. In such a low temperature environment, the electronic component may not operate or the performance of the electronic component may be degraded. The manifold housing 91 is formed with a flow passage through which a relatively high temperature (for example, about 38 °) working fluid passes, so the heat from the flow passage interferes with the operation of the electronic components in the interior space 92. It can be maintained at a temperature that does not exist. According to the above embodiment, since the components of the integrating unit such as the hour meter 22 are accommodated in the internal space 92 of the manifold housing 91, the hour meter 22 can be used even when the actuator system is placed in a low temperature environment. Alternatively, electronic components included in other integration units can be operated normally.

  9 and 10 show a manifold 190 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the manifold 190, an hour meter 122 is accommodated instead of the hour meter 22. As shown in these figures, the hour meter 122 may be entirely housed within the interior space 92. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the opening of the manifold housing 91 is closed by a lid 195. The lid 195 is not provided with an opening for attaching the hour meter 122. The hour meter 122 is attached to the surface of the lid 195 facing the internal space 92, for example, by screwing. The measurement value of the hour meter 122 is displayed on the display 122a. Since the display 122 a is also accommodated in the manifold housing 91, the measurement value of the hour meter 122 is confirmed by opening the lid 195.

  According to the above embodiment, since all of the hour meter 122 is accommodated in the internal space 92, the occurrence of a failure due to low temperature in the hour meter 122 can be further suppressed.

  The dimensions, materials, and arrangements of each component described herein are not limited to those explicitly described in the embodiments, and each component is optional within the scope of the present invention. Can be deformed to have the dimensions, materials, and arrangement of In addition, components that are not explicitly described in the present specification can be added to the described embodiments, or some of the components described in the embodiments can be omitted.

  The specific shapes and arrangements of the component parts of the actuator systems 1, 301, 401, 501, 601 specified herein are exemplary. The shapes, arrangements, and functions of the components of the actuator systems 1, 301, 401, 501, and 601 may be changed as appropriate, as long as not departing from the spirit of the present invention. Some variations of actuator systems 1, 301, 401, 501, 601 will be described below. The modifications described below are merely examples, and it is possible to add modifications not explicitly described herein to the configuration of the actuator system 1, 301, 401, 501, or the 601 member.

  The control and operation performed by the integration units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 may be distributed and executed by a plurality of controllers. Further, part or all of the control and calculation performed by the integration units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 are executed by a controller different from the controller provided in the integration units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 It may be done.

  Each of the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate. For example, the integration unit included in the actuator system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include more than one of the hour meter 22, the counter 31d, the current sensor 42, and the position sensor 15.

  The integration unit provided in the actuator system according to an embodiment of the present invention may calculate an integrated value of a plurality of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve 4. Such an integration unit may, for example, a current supplied to the solenoid coil provided to the solenoid valve 4 during a time when the solenoid coil provided to the solenoid valve 4 is energized, an open time for the solenoid valve 4, a movement of the solenoid valve 4 It is possible to use two or more parameters among the movement distance of the core and any other parameter indicating the operation of the solenoid valve 4.

  The integrated value of the parameter in the present specification means a value obtained by integrating the measured value or the detected value of the parameter measured or detected after the predetermined reference time. The predetermined reference time means, for example, when the actuator 10 is mounted on a device to be installed for the first time after manufacturing, when maintenance of the actuator 10 is performed, or when it becomes a reference other than these.

  In this specification, the amount of actuation of an actuator can mean, for example, the actuation time of the actuator being actuated or the number of actuations of the actuator being actuated. The actuation time of the actuator may mean the time during which the working fluid is supplied to the actuator.

1, 301, 401, 501, 601 Actuator system 4 Solenoid valve 10 Actuator 20, 30, 40, 50 Integration unit 22, 122 Hour meter 42 Current sensor 70, 80 External device 90, 190 Manifold 91 Manifold housing 92 Internal space

Claims (8)

An actuator,
A solenoid valve for controlling supply and discharge of working fluid to the actuator;
An integration unit that calculates an integrated value of parameters related to the operation of the solenoid valve;
An actuator system comprising: The parameter is an energization time during which an electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve is energized,
The integration unit is configured to integrate an energization time during which the electromagnetic coil is energized to calculate an integrated energization time.
The actuator system according to claim 1. The parameter is a current supplied to an electromagnetic coil provided to the solenoid valve,
The integration unit is configured to integrate the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil to calculate an integrated current.
The actuator system according to claim 1 or 2. The parameter is an open time of the solenoid valve,
The integration unit is configured to integrate an open time of the solenoid valve to calculate an integrated open time.
The actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The parameter is a moving distance of a movable core provided to the solenoid valve,
The integration unit is configured to integrate the moving distance of the movable core to calculate an integrated moving distance.
The actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The integration unit is configured to store in the storage device at least one of the integrated energization time, the integrated current, the calculated open time, and the integrated movement distance.
The actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Configured to transmit at least one of the accumulated conduction time, the accumulated current, the calculated opening time, and the accumulated movement distance to an external device.
The actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. It further comprises a manifold on which the actuator and the solenoid valve are mounted,
The manifold includes a housing in which an internal space is formed,
At least a part of the integration unit is accommodated in the internal space,
The actuator system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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