WO2015106931A1

WO2015106931A1 - Valve device and method for controlling a consumer

Info

Publication number: WO2015106931A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/078793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoine Chabaud; Bojan Ferhadbegovic; Steffen Rose
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-01-14
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-07-23
Also published as: DE102014200469A1; FR3016416A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve device (100) for controlling a consumer (200), in particular a cylinder. The valve device (100) has a pressure connection (101), a tank connection (102), a first working connection (103) and a second working connection (104), at least one first controllable valve (111) and one second controllable valve (112), wherein valve positions of the first valve (111) and of the second valve (112) are adjustable independently of one another in order to connect the pressure connection (101) either to the first working connection (103) or to the second working connection (104), and to a volumetric flow sensor (115) for sensing a volumetric flow flowing via one of the working connections.

Description

Description title

Valve device and method for controlling a consumer prior art

The present invention relates to a valve device and a method for controlling a consumer, in particular a cylinder of a machine.

Today's hydraulic valves are predominantly shown with coupled inlet and outlet, with so-called slide valves, which are precontrolled electrohydraulically. This is particularly true in the field of mobile work machines, as they have only limited electrical power. The flow characteristics (characteristics) of these slide valves are highly dependent on the consumer, in particular the area ratio of the cylinder of the consumer due to the coupling between the sequence and inlet. Among other things, this leads to a high hardware variance of these valves. Furthermore, today the volume flow metering is solved hydromechanically, so that the metering strategy of the volume flow depends on the hydraulic connection within the valve. Existing valves with resolved control edges employ pressure sensors to control or regulate the valve. Several pressure sensors are necessary because both differential and absolute pressures are to be measured for the valve control. Therefore, these solutions are very expensive and could not prevail in the market.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, the approach presented here becomes one

Valve device and a method for controlling a consumer in particular a cylinder according to the main claims presented.

Advantageous embodiments emerge from the respective subclaims and the following description.

To control a consumer can advantageously be an arrangement of valves with resolved control edges or semi-dissolved control edges and a flow sensor used.

A corresponding valve device for controlling a consumer, in particular a cylinder, has the following features: a pressure port for connecting the valve device to a

Pressure source, a tank port for connecting the valve device to a tank; a first working port for connecting the

Valve device to a first interface of the consumer and a second working port for connecting the valve device to a second

Interface of the consumer; at least a first controllable valve and a second controllable valve, wherein valve positions of the first valve and the second valve are independently adjustable to selectively connect the pressure port to the first working port or the second working port; and a volumetric flow sensor for detecting an over one of

Working connections flowing volumetric flow.

The described approach allows according to one embodiment

highly standardized, electronised valve discs with full resolution

Control edges, which offers cost advantages over today's electronized hydraulic valves due to the possible use of standard parts. By using resolved control edges, the highest possible variability is given, as important additional functions such as clearance, regeneration and recuperation in a standard arrangement and with standardized valves are possible. The use of a volumetric flow sensor allows accurate metering of the volumetric flow with freely programmable Machine behavior and thus the use of an identical valve block in machines with LS or LUDV behavior. A machine with LS behavior represents a machine with a load-sensing system, also known as a load-pressure signaling system. A machine with LUDV behavior thereby represents a machine with a system with a load-pressure-independent

Flow distribution (LUDV) dar.

According to one embodiment, the described approach represents a simple valve topology with fully resolved control edges and minimal sensor technology. It allows both a very precise metering of the volume flow, this being a requirement for a LS hydraulic system, as well as a coordinated one

Movement of hydraulic loads in parallel operation, this is a requirement for a LUDV system to achieve. In addition, the described valve topology can be predominantly realized from standard parts, so that a highly efficient and automated production of these valves is possible. This creates scale and composite effects. The complete resolution of the control edges also results in energy advantages over solutions with coupled control edges. Furthermore, the adjustment of the valve device to the consumer can be done without changing the valve hardware, which is not possible with known slide solutions.

The valve device can be used, for example, in connection with mobile machines, which by their variety of variants

different behavior of the consumer control or the

Hydraulic circuit to control the consumer demand. The valve device makes it possible to cover these different application-specific requirements, wherein no application via changes in the valve hardware is required, which speaks in favor of a standardization of the valve variants.

Therefore, a division of the use of LUDV valves in the construction industry and LS valves in the agricultural sector, which have different hardware, can be canceled.

The approach described makes it possible to standardize the various hydraulic valve variants that are used today in mobile machines become. This will generate quantity and composite effects, thereby reducing valve cost.

According to one embodiment is advantageously a standardization of the hydraulic valve variants and thus a cost reduction of this

Valve devices allows. With minimal sensor effort, both a volume flow control can be performed, and the risk of cavitation are reduced when pulling loads. The application of the valve devices can be done predominantly in software. The valve devices can be used both centrally and remotely. With the same valve device, both the LUDV or the LS behavior can be emulated. The

Manufacturing tolerances on the hydraulic hardware can be widened, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

A valve device as a whole may also be referred to as a valve.

According to one embodiment, such a valve device has a

Signal output for outputting a volume flow sensor signal representative of the volume flow sensor, a first signal input for receiving a valve position of the first valve controlling first

Control signal and a second signal input for receiving a valve position of the second valve controlling the second control signal. This allows a simple connection of a control device, for example an electronic circuit, to the volume flow sensor and

Control inputs of the valves.

The valve device may include corresponding control means connected to the signal output and the signal inputs and configured to receive the sensor signal and to generate and provide the first control signal and the second control signal using the sensor signal and to provide it to the signal inputs. For example, a movement of the consumer can be detected via the sensor signal. For example, a movement of the consumer can be triggered or adjusted via the control signals. The controller may be configured to provide the first control signal and the second control signal to the signal inputs during a test period with a predetermined test pattern, and then to evaluate the sensor signal at the test period to classify the load as a pushing or pulling load. Under knowledge of

Classification of the consumer can be a consumer dynamics of the consumer

Consumer controlled.

The control device may be configured to perform a comparison between a value transmitted via the sensor signal and a nominal value defining a movement of the consumer, and to generate the first control signal and the second control signal as a function of a result of the comparison and to provide them to the signal inputs. In this way, an actual movement of the consumer to a desired movement of the consumer, which is for example given by an operator, be adjusted.

According to one embodiment, at least the first valve and the second valve may be designed as electronically controllable valves. Corresponding valves can be controlled independently of each other. This increases the

Flexibility of the valve device.

The valve device may have a node, which with a

Connection of the volumetric flow sensor, via a first check valve to the first working port, via a second check valve to the second working port and via a third check valve to the

Tank connection is connected. Via the junction point, fluid flowing into the valve device via one of the working connections can be discharged either via the respective other working connection or via the tank connection from the pressure dependent on the pressure conditions prevailing in the valve device

Valve device are derived. As a result, at least a part of the fluid flowing via the junction can be supplied to the inlet again.

According to one embodiment, the valve device has a third controllable valve and a fourth controllable valve. The inputs of the the first valve and the second valve with the pressure port, the output of the first valve and the input of the fourth valve with the first

Working port, the output of the second valve and the input of the third valve to the second working port and the outputs of the third valve and the fourth valve to be connected to the tank port. Both the inlet and the outlet can be controlled very precisely via the four valves.

In this case, the volume flow sensor in a line connecting the outputs of the third valve and the fourth valve with the tank connection line

be arranged. As a result, the outflow volume flow can be detected completely by the volume flow sensor.

Alternatively, the volumetric flow sensor may be arranged in a line connecting the inlets of the first valve and the second valve to the pressure port. As a result, the inlet volume flow can be detected completely by the volume flow sensor.

The third valve and the fourth valve may be designed as electronically controllable valves. As a result, a valve device with completely resolved control edges can be realized.

The third valve and the fourth valve may be designed as hydraulically controllable valves. As a result, a valve device with semi-dissolved control edges can be realized.

According to a further embodiment, the valve device may comprise a further controllable valve which may be configured to selectively connect the pressure port to a first port of the first valve and the tank port to a first port of the second valve or the pressure port to the first port of the second valve and the

Tank connection to connect to the first port of the first valve. In this case, a second connection of the first valve with the first

Working port and a second port of the second valve to be connected to the second working port. The volume flow sensor can in a Tank connection to be arranged with the further valve connecting line. Advantageously, only three valves are required in this case.

According to one embodiment, the flow rate sensor by a placement, in particular at one of the outputs of the third valve and the fourth valve, always a complete drain volume flow from the

Measuring consumers. This is also possible during a regeneration.

In particular, a consumer speed of the consumer, for example, a speed of movement of a piston of a cylinder can be measured even with cavitation. As a result, the movement of the consumer can be determined or adjusted very accurately.

The valve hardware of the valve device can be designed so that a LUDV and a LS behavior of the valve device without changing the

Valve hardware of the valve device can be pictured. In this way, the flexibility of the valve device can be increased.

Advantageously, the further valve has a functionality of

Include differential pressure sensor. In other words, the other valve, which is an input valve, can be used as the differential pressure sensor. For this purpose, the further valve can be designed as a proportional valve. A differential pressure determined using the further valve can be used, for example, to compensate for flow forces. The differential pressure can be detected, for example, by determining the valve opening of the further valve, for example by measuring it. This is advantageous, for example, in the detection of towing loads.

Placement of the first and second valves may be interchangeable with placement of the further valve. In this case, the additional valve can be used as a differential pressure sensor, for example for cavitation detection.

A method for controlling a consumer, in particular a cylinder, can be advantageously carried out using said valve device. The method comprises the following steps: Detecting a volume flow flowing over one of the working ports of the valve device; and

Adjusting valve positions of the first valve and the second valve of the valve device depending on the volume flow.

For example, the steps of the method may be controlled by a controller of the valve controller. In the present case, a control device can be understood to mean an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon. The control device may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based embodiment, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

The approach presented here will be described below with reference to the attached

Illustrated drawings by way of example. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a valve device according to a

Embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a load according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a topology of a valve device according to a

Embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a topology of a valve device according to a

Embodiment of the present invention; 5 shows a topology of a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a topology of a valve device according to a

Embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is a topology of a valve device according to a

Embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention are for the in the various figures

represented and similar elements acting the same or similar

Reference numeral used, wherein a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a valve device 100 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 100 has a pressure port 101, a tank port

102, a first working port 103 and a second working port 104. The pressure port 101 may also be referred to as "P", the tank port 102 as "T", the first working port 103 as "A", and the second working port 104 as "B". About the terminals 101, 102, 103, 104 can

Fluid streams are directed into or out of the valve device 100. The

Valve device 100 can be designed as a hydraulic or a pneumatic device. The fluid used may, for example, be a hydraulic fluid, for example oil, or a gas, for example air. The pressure connection 101 represents an interface of the valve device 100 to a pressure accumulator or a pump for providing a volumetric flow. The tank connection 102 represents an interface of the valve device 100 to a reservoir, for example a tank. The first working port 103 adjusts an interface of the valve device 100 a first connection of a consumer, for example to a first pressure chamber of a The second working port 104 provides an interface of the valve device 100 to a second port of the consumer,

For example, to a second pressure chamber of the consumer. Via the working ports 103, 104 can be controlled by the valve device 100, the pressure in the pressure chambers of the consumer can be controlled, thereby controlling a movement of the consumer, for example, be stimulated or decelerated. For example, the consumer may be a cylinder or have a cylinder. In such a cylinder, the pressure chambers of the consumer may be separated from each other by a displaceable piston. In this case, using the valve device 100, a movement of the cylinder piston can be controlled.

The valve device 100 has at least a first controllable valve 111 and a second controllable valve 112. The valves 111, 112 are independently controllable. Via the valves 111, 112, volume flows through the working ports 103, 104 can be controlled. In particular, a connection between the pressure port 101 and the first working port 103 can be closed or opened via the valves 111, 112 and a connection between the pressure port 101 and the second

Work port 103 closed or opened. The valves 111, 112 can be designed as 2/2-way valves. For example, the valves 111, 112 may be designed as proportional valves. The valves 111, 112 can each have two connections for connecting the valves 111, 112 to a line system connected to the connections 101, 102, 103, 104

Valve device 100 and a control terminal for controlling a

Have valve position of the valves 111, 112 using control signals. The control signals may be suitable for adjusting a volume flow flowing through the valves 111, 112. The valve device 100 further includes a volumetric flow sensor 115

Detecting a flowing over one of the working ports volume flow. The volume flow sensor 115 is arranged for this purpose at a suitable position within the line system of the valve device 100. The volume flow sensor 115 is designed to detect the volume flow and a value representing the volume flow sensor 115 over To provide sensor signal. Depending on the embodiment, the volumetric flow sensor 115 is designed to be in the consumer

inflowing volume flow, regardless of which of the

Working ports 103, 104, or alternatively a flowing out of the consumer flow, regardless of which of the

Working connections 103, 104.

The valve device 100 may have a signal output for outputting the

Sensor signal and at least two signal inputs for receiving the

Control signals for controlling the valves 111, 112 have.

The valve device 100 may optionally include a controller 120 or be connected to such a controller 120. The

Control device 120 is designed in accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in order to receive the sensor signal via the signal output of the valve device 100 and to generate the control signals for controlling the valves 111, 112 and to provide them to the valves 111, 112 via the signal inputs of the valve device 100 ,

In one embodiment, the controller 120 is configured to determine the control signals using the sensor signal.

For example, the controller 120 may be configured to accommodate the

Adjust control signals so that the volume flow detected by the volume flow sensor 115 assumes a predetermined value. The value of the volume flow can be monitored by evaluating the sensor signal. For this purpose, the control device 120 may, for example, have a comparison device for comparing the value transmitted via the sensor signal with a desired value. The control signals may then be adjusted according to a result of the comparison. Thus, the movement of the device can be controlled using the control signals and the sensor signal. The setpoint or a value defining the setpoint can

For example, be received via an input interface of the controller 120. The desired value or the value defining the desired value can be predetermined, for example, by a user of the device in order to control the movement of the device. The control signals and the sensor signal can represent electrical signals that can be transmitted via suitable electrical lines.

According to one embodiment, the valve device 100 in addition to the valves 111, 112 have a further controllable valve, so a total of three controllable valves. The additional valve can be controlled electronically.

According to a further embodiment, the valve device 100 in addition to the valves 111, 112 have two further controllable valves, so a total of four controllable valves. The two further valves can be controlled independently of the valves 111, 112 or depending on the valves 111, 112. This way you can either completely resolved

Control edges or semi-resolved control edges are realized. Depending on the embodiment, the two further valves can be controlled electronically or hydraulically.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a

Consumer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method may be used in conjunction with that shown in FIG

Valve device are executed.

In a step 201, a volumetric flow flowing via one of the working connections, for example using the volumetric flow sensor described with reference to FIG. 1, is detected. In a step 203, valve positions of the at least two valves of the valve device are adjusted depending on the volume flow. About the valve positions of the at least two valves, a flow through the two working ports of the

Adjusted valve device, and thus a movement of the consumer are controlled.

The topologies shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are based on

Embodiments of valve architectures with resolved control edges, in which the sequence and the inlet are controlled individually and electronically. These valve devices, which may also be referred to as valves, are equipped with a flow rate sensor that measures the drain volume flow to match the consumer behavior of the consumer

User request, which can be processed for example via a control device to regulate. Thus, an electronic control circuit for controlling the volume flow can be constructed, which the valves in response to a desired size, i. the operator request, controls. Exemplary valve architectures for implementing resolved control edges with a volume flow sensor will be explained below with reference to FIGS.

Fig. 3 shows a topology of a valve device 100 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 100 is used to drive a consumer 200.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the valve device 100 has a pressure connection 101, a tank connection 102, a first working connection 103 and a second working connection 104, as well as a first valve 111, a second valve 112 and a volumetric flow sensor 115. Furthermore, the valve device 100 has a third controllable valve 231 and a fourth controllable valve 232 and three check valves 237, 238, 239 connected to a junction 235.

According to this embodiment, the valves 111, 112, 231, 232 are each designed as electronically controllable 2/2-way valves. In a first

Switching state, the valves 111, 112, 231, 232 closed and opened in a second switching state. In this case, an opening cross-section in the second switching state can be adjustable, so that a valve 111, 112, 231, 232 flowing through the flow rate can be set very accurately.

Control connections of the valves 111, 112, 231, 232 can in the installed state of the valve device 100, for example, with reference to FIG. 1

be connected control device described.

The valve device 100 comprises a plurality of lines

Line system for directing the flow through the valve device 100 on. The valves 111, 112, 231, 232, 237, 238, 239 and the volumetric flow sensor 115 are disposed at appropriate positions of the piping system. The node 135 is part of the piping system. According to this

Embodiment, the node 135 is connected to a first terminal of the volume flow sensor 115, via a first check valve 237 to the first working port 103, via a second check valve 238 to the second working port 104 and via a third check valve 239 to the tank port 101. A passage direction of the check valves 237, 238, 239 each leads away from the node 135.

A second port of the volumetric flow sensor 115 is connected to a first port of the third valve 231 and a first port of the fourth valve 232. A second port of the third valve 231 is connected to the second working port 104. A second port of the fourth valve 231 is connected to the first working port 103.

The pressure port 101 is connected to a first port of the first valve 111 and a first port of the second valve 112. A second port of the first valve 111 is connected to the first working port 103. A second port of the second valve 112 is connected to the second working port 104.

The consumer 200 includes a cylinder with a movable piston. By the piston separate chambers of the cylinder are with the

Working connections 103, 104 connected. By a suitable control of the valves 111, 112, 231, 234, a volume flow over one of

Working ports 103, 104 guided into one of the chambers of the cylinder and another volume flow through the other of the working ports 103, 104 are led out of the other chamber of the cylinder. This allows the piston to be moved.

In one embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a topology with four proportional valves 111, 112, 231, 232 and a volumetric flow sensor 115. The volumetric flow sensor 115 may also be referred to as a Q-sensor. Since the valve device 100 is constructed symmetrically, the mode of operation of the valve device 100 can be explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in the case of an oil feed A-side, ie via the first working port 103. The inlet flow in the A-side of the cylinder 200, here the left side of the cylinder 200, is electronically controlled by the first valve 111 and the flow through the fourth valve 231.

In the case of a pressing load, the consumer movement of the piston of the cylinder 200 is controlled by the inflow volume flow through the first valve 111. The drain volume flow passes through the valve 231 through the

Volume flow sensor 115 via the tank port 102 back into the tank, and there is no regeneration, since PB <PA, so the pressure on the second

Working port 104 is smaller than the pressure at the first working port 103. The inflow volume flow is proportional to the outflow volume flow.

In the case of a towing load, the dynamics of the load are determined by the

Drain volume flow via the third valve 231 controlled. Of the

Drain volume flow passes through the volume flow sensor 115 partially into the tank, partly into a regeneration line back into the inlet, since P _B > PA.

In both cases, the entire drain volume flow through the sensor 115, so that the consumer movement, here the movement of the piston of the cylinder 200, is always detected electronically by the volume flow sensor 115.

The detection of whether a pulling or pushing load is present, that is whether a tensile force or a compressive force acts on the piston of the cylinder 200, z. B. be done by the supply volume flow is periodically suspended in a small variation, which is imperceptible to the driver whose influence is measured in the process. If the influence is visible, i. If the outflow volume flow follows the inflow volume flow, a pressing load is present, otherwise a pulling load. The periodic exposure can be controlled by a suitable test pattern of the valves 111, 112, 231, 232

Control signals are realized. 4 shows a topology of a valve device 100 according to one

The valve device 100 has, as described with reference to FIG. 2, a pressure port 101, a tank port 102, a first working port 103 and a second working port 104, and a first valve 111, a second valve 112, a flow sensor 115, and three to a

Junction 235 connected check valves 237, 238, 239 on. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, the valve device 100 shown in FIG. 4 has only one further controllable valve 331 instead of a third and fourth valve.

According to this embodiment, the valves 111, 112 each designed as electronically controllable 2/2-way valves and the other valve 331 as a 4/2-way valve. In a first switching state of the valve 331 is the

Pressure port 101 via the further valve 331 with a first port of the first valve 111 and the tank port 102 via the further valve 331 connected to a first port of the second valve 112. In a second switching state of the valve 331, the pressure port 101 via the further valve 331 with the first port of the second valve 112 and the

Tank connection 102 via the further valve 331 connected to the first port of the first valve 111. Thus, it is possible to control via the additional valve 331, which of the valves 111, 112 is in the outlet and which is in the inlet.

The node 135 is part of the piping system of the valve device. According to this exemplary embodiment, the node 135 is connected to a first connection of the volumetric flow sensor 115, via a first check valve 237 to the first working connection 103, via a second check valve 238 to the second working connection 104 and via a third check valve 239 to the tank connection 101. A passage direction of the

Check valves 237, 238, 239 each lead away from the node 135. The pressure port 101 is connected via a further check valve to a first port of the further valve 331. A second connection of the volume flow sensor 115 is connected to a further first connection of the further valve 331.

A second connection of the further valve 331 is connected to a first connection of the first valve 111. A further second connection of the further valve 331 is connected to a first connection of the second valve 112. A second port of the first valve 111 is connected to the first working port 103. A second port of the second valve 112 is connected to the second working port 104.

The consumer 200 is designed as described with reference to FIG. 3 and connected to the working ports 103, 104 of the valve device 100.

In one embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a topology with two

Proportional valves 111, 112, a switching valve 331 and a

Volume flow sensor 115. The volume flow sensor 115 may also be referred to as a Q sensor.

According to exemplary embodiments of the topologies shown with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the volume flow is directed through a directional valve 331 to the desired consumer side 103, 104 and with one each

Proportional valve 111, 112 dosed. The directional valve 331 may be implemented both as a switching valve as shown in FIG. 4 and as a proportional valve as shown in FIG. 5.

Fig. 5 shows a topology of a valve device 100 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 100 is used to drive a consumer 200. The valve device 100 corresponds to the valve device described with reference to FIG. 4, with the difference that the further valve 331 is designed as a proportional directional valve. Thus, it is a topology with two proportional valves 111, 112, a direct acting, proportional directional valve 331 as

Differential pressure sensor between A and B side, so between the terminals 103, 104 and a flow sensor 115. The flow sensor 115 may also be referred to as a Q-sensor.

If the directional valve 331 designed as a directly controlled proportional valve, as shown in Fig. 5, it can also serve as a pressure sensor by the position of the valve piston of the valve 331 z. B. by means of a sensorless stroke measurement, and the current to the electronic actuation of this valve

331 is measured. Thus, the differential pressure between the

Working connections 103, 104 can be estimated. By measuring the

Drain volume flow and the known tank pressure, it is possible to computationally compensate for the flow forces. This allows the

Consumer pressure to be estimated on the drain side.

The topologies described with reference to the previous figures can be realized using suitable valve hardware. The lugs can be used, for example, in all applications in which today electro-hydraulic valves (for example, LS or LUDV) are used.

The approach described with reference to the preceding figures allows a valve topology with resolved control edges, individual, electronic control of the inlet and outlet and a flow sensor 115 in the process. A regulation of the valves 111, 112, 231, 232, 331 or valve actuation can be carried out in accordance with the outflow volume flow. The

Valve topology allows any dosing strategy of the volume flow, in particular the LS or LUDV behavior is made possible. The

Valve topology allows adaptation to the consumer 200 without changing the valve hardware of the valve device 100, i. a clean

Application in software becomes possible. The control valves 111, 112, 231, 232, 331 may preferably be shown as seat valves to ensure the tightness of the connections without valve actuation. The valve topology can be based on standard parts that do not require any HW changes for application to the application, and thus can be manufactured in large quantities. Placement of the volumetric flow sensor 115 can be carried out in such a way that the regeneration, ie the return flow of the outflow volume flow into the inlet is also recorded in the case of active loads, ie it is not the oil flow into the tank that is measured but the complete outflow volume flow. There may be an electro-hydraulic pilot control of the valves 111, 112, 231, 232, 331 provided to ensure a high valve dynamics, with low electrical power consumption in an arrangement of the valves 111, 112, 231, 232, 331 without pressure compensators. In contrast to the approach of resolved control edges with volume flow sensor described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an electronized valve topology with semi-dissolved control edges is described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the topologies shown in Figs. 4 and 5, placements of

Valves 111, 112 and the other valve 331 interchangeable. Thus, ports of the further valve 331 may alternatively be connected to the working ports 103, 104.

Fig. 6 shows a topology of a valve device 100 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 100 is used to control a consumer, as described for example with reference to FIG. 3.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the valve device 100 has a pressure connection 101, a tank connection 102, a first working connection 103 and a second working connection 104, as well as a first valve 111, a second valve 112 and a volumetric flow sensor 115. Furthermore, the valve device 100 has a third controllable valve 231 and a fourth controllable valve 232.

According to this embodiment, the valves 111, 112 are designed as electronically controllable valves. The valves 231, 232 are designed as hydraulically controllable valves. The valve device 100 comprises a plurality of lines

Line system for directing the flow through the valve device 100 on. The valves 111, 112, 231, 232, and the volumetric flow sensor 115 are disposed at appropriate positions of the piping.

The pressure port 101 is connected to a first port of the

Volumetric flow sensor 115 connected. A second connection of the

Volume flow sensor 115 is connected to a first port of the first valve 111 and a first port of the second valve 112. A further first connection of the first valve 111 and a further first connection of the second valve 112 are connected to the tank connection 102. A second port of the first valve 111 is connected to the first working port 103. Another second connection of the first valve 111 is connected to a control input of the third valve 231. A second port of the second valve 112 is connected to the second working port 104. Another second port of the second valve 112 is connected to a control input of the fourth valve 232.

The tank port 102 is connected to a first port of the third valve 231 and a first port of the fourth valve 232. A second port of the third valve 231 is connected to the first working port 103, and a second port of the fourth valve 232 is connected to the second port

Work port 104 connected.

A sensor output of the volumetric flow sensor 115 is connected to a Q-μ converter 615, which is designed to be one of the

Volumetric flow sensor 115 detected flow representing electrical sensor signal to a control device.

According to one embodiment, the approach involves an electronic volume flow sensor 115 and a hydraulic valve disk

Semiauflösten control edges, which are realized by the valves 111, 112, 231, 232. Semi-dissolved means that the control of the return valve 231, 232 is carried out hydraulically, in contrast to valve disks with coupled Control edges, in which the return control by the mechanics, in particular by the hole pattern, the slider is given mechanically.

According to an embodiment shown with reference to FIG. 6, the inlet valves 111, 112 are designed as directly operated valves and

the drain valves 231, 232 as hydraulically operated lowering brake valves. This design can be constructive z. B. with pressure balanced slide valves 231, 232 implemented. The volumetric flow sensor 115 measures the

Intake volume flow. In the case of a passive load, here an oppressive load, the inlet volume flow also corresponds to the cylinder speed. In the case of an active load, in this case a pulling load, the load is braked on the B side on the second working connection 104 by the lowering brake valve 231, since the lowering brake valve 231 is controlled by the pressure A-side, ie on the side of the first working connection 103. Thus, the cavitation in the hydraulic circuit is avoided, and the volume flow in the pump channel on

Pressure port 101 of the valve device 100 corresponds to the

Consumer kinematics.

Fig. 7 shows a topology of a valve device 100 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 100 corresponds to the valve device described with reference to FIG. 6 with the difference that the valves 111, 112 are designed as pilot-operated valves.

According to this embodiment, the inlet valves 111, 112

pilot. This variant can be realized with both slide and seat valves. The operation is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 6 variant.

The consumer movement is detected by the volume flow and

for example, with a coming from a joystick specification

Set volume flow compared. Since the nominal volume flows are known, a corresponding regulation can emulate the behavior of the consumer kinematics without changing the hardware. In addition, in the valve device 100, no dedicated electronics other than sensor electronics are necessary, as shown for example in Fig. 1 as a control device. The sensor 115 is advantageously equipped with a digital, busable interface, so that the number of lines to a central control device, for example, the said control device remains low. Only the activation of the excitation current is realized as a point-point connection. Alternatively, the control electronics, in particular the output stage for the valve actuation of the valves 111, 112, can be integrated locally in the valve device 100, so that the sensor interface can also be analog. The

Power supply of the local electronics can be implemented as a bus, as well as data communication via CAN-BUS. Thus, the wiring effort can be reduced if necessary. The only intervention in the hydraulic hardware concerns the pressure feedback to the drain valves 231, 232.

In the realization can be used on arrangements with lowering brake valves in the return. The feedback of the inlet pressure to the lowering brake valves ensure a performance whose stability behavior by various measures, such as the arrangement of diaphragms for filtering the

Aufstoßdrucks or the Aufsteuerdrucks and the pressure in the spring-loaded rear space of the slide or the arrangement for returning the pressure in the return passage of the consumer to the spool, can be improved.

The stability behavior of the entire system can be additionally stabilized by an active intervention by the inlet valve. Since the approach describes the control of the inflow volume flow, by adjusting the required

Inflow volume flow through the interaction of regulator and inlet valve 111, 112 optionally positive to the stabilization of the

Overall system behavior are acted upon. Possible pressure and consequently also volume flow fluctuations via the inlet valve 111, 112 can be detected by the volume flow sensor 115 and with respect to their setpoint, z. In

Form of a constant volumetric flow demand, to be corrected.

The exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 represent a plurality of, but not complete variants of the approach. The valves 111, 112, 231, 232 can be designed as a valve block or as separate valves be executed. A use of the valve device 100 can be done for example in mobile machines.

The topology described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 enables universal valve devices 100 which differ from one another only by their pressure resistance and the maximum volume flow. In particular, these valve devices 100 may be centrally located in a valve block in a machine or separately, located locally on the consumers, thereby allowing a decentralized design. Due to the reusability of the valve components and the low sensor requirement, the topology enables cost-optimized valve design. This topology allows for a volume flow control with minimal sensor effort, which allows a coordinated deceleration of the consumers (LUDV behavior) in the case of a lack of supply by the pump (either pressure or flow rate limit), or a precise preferential supply of a selectable consumer. This topology minimizes the risk of cavitation during active loads by hydraulically actuating the drain valves. The application of the valve device 100 to the target machine causes minimal hardware changes and occurs predominantly in software. The topology makes it possible to increase the manufacturing tolerances of the

hydromechanical valve hardware, as the dosing accuracy of the

Volume flow is defined by the measurement accuracy of the volume flow sensor 115. The calibration depth of the volumetric flow sensor 115 can be adjusted depending on the application (number of calibration points, calibration temperatures, ...)

The embodiments described and shown in the figures are chosen only by way of example. Different embodiments may be combined together or in relation to individual features. Also, an embodiment can be supplemented by features of another embodiment.

Furthermore, the method steps presented here can be repeated as well as executed in a sequence other than that described. If an exemplary embodiment comprises an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

claims

A valve device (100) for controlling a consumer (200),

in particular a cylinder, the valve device (100) comprising: a pressure port (101) for connecting the valve device (100) to a pressure source, a tank port (102) for connecting the valve device (100) to a tank, a first one

A working port (103) for connecting the valve device (100) to a first interface of the consumer (200) and a second working port (104) for connecting the valve device (100) to a second interface of the consumer (200); at least a first controllable valve (111) and a second controllable valve (112), wherein valve positions of the first valve (111) and the second valve (112) are independently adjustable to selectively connect the pressure port (101) with the first

Connect working port (103) or the second working port (104); and a volumetric flow sensor (115) for detecting a volumetric flow flowing through one of the working ports (103, 104).

2. Valve device (100) according to claim 1, with a signal output for outputting a volume flow representing

Sensor signal of the volume flow sensor (115), a first

A signal input for receiving a first control signal controlling the valve position of the first valve (111) and a second signal input for receiving a second control signal controlling the valve position of the second valve (112). A valve device (100) according to claim 2, comprising control means (120) connected to the signal output and the signal inputs and adapted to receive the sensor signal and to generate, using the sensor signal, the first control signal and the second control signal and to the signal inputs provide.

Valve device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the control device (120) is designed to be the first control signal and the second

Provide control signal to the signal inputs during a test period with a predetermined test pattern and then evaluate the sensor signal to the test period to classify the load (200) as a pushing or a pulling load.

Valve device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the

Control device (120) is designed to provide a comparison between a transmitted via the sensor signal value and a movement of the consumer (200) defining setpoint

to perform and provide the first control signal and the second control signal depending on a result of the comparison and to provide to the signal inputs.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first valve (111) and the second valve (112) are designed as electronically controllable valves.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, having a node (235) connected to a connection of the

Volumetric flow sensor (115), via a first check valve (237) to the first working port (103), via a second check valve (238) to the second working port (104) and via a third check valve (239) connected to the tank port (102) is.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a third controllable valve (231) and a fourth controllable valve (232), wherein the inputs of the first valve (111) and the second valve (112) with the pressure port (101), the output of the first valve (111) and the input of the fourth valve (232) to the first working port (103), the output of the second valve (112) and the input of the third Valve (231) with the second

Working port (104) and the outputs of the third valve (231) and the fourth valve (232) to the tank port (102) are connected.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume flow sensor (115) in one of the outputs of the third valve (231) and the fourth valve (232) with the

Tank connection (102) connecting line or in one of the inputs of the first valve (111) and the second valve (112) with the

Pressure connection (101) connecting line is arranged.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third valve (231) and the fourth valve (232) are designed either as electronically or as hydraulically controllable valves.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, comprising a further controllable valve (331) which is adapted to selectively connect the pressure port (101) to a first port of the first valve (111) and the tank port (102) a first port of the second valve (112) or the pressure port (101) to the first port of the second valve (112) and the tank port (102) to connect to the first port of the first valve (111), wherein a second port of the first Valve (111) with the first working port (103) and a second port of the second valve (112) to the second working port (104) is connected and wherein the volumetric flow sensor (115) in a tank connection (102) to the other valve connecting line is arranged.

Valve device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the further valve (331) comprises a functionality of a differential pressure sensor.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume flow sensor (115) is characterized by a placement, in particular at one of the outlets of the third valve (231) and the fourth valve (232), is designed to always measure a complete outflow volume flow from the consumer (200), even during a regeneration, in particular one

Consumers speed (200) to measure even with cavitation.

Valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a LUDV and a LS behavior can be reproduced without changing the valve hardware of the valve device (100).

Method for controlling a consumer (200), in particular a cylinder, using a valve device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps:

Detecting (201) a volumetric flow flowing through one of the working ports (103, 104); and

Adjusting (203) valve positions of the first valve (111) and the second valve (112) depending on the volume flow.