Filling an Armature Space of an Actuator

Abstract

A method for filling an actuator in a gearbox fills the actuator only when the gearbox is in a passive state by virtue of fluid being introduced into an armature space of the actuator by way of axial movements of an armature rod when the actuator has been fluidically connected to a fluid-filled fluid space of the gearbox.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A method for filling an actuator (1) in a vehicle gearbox, comprising: filling the actuator (1) when the gearbox is in a passive state by introducing fluid into an armature space (6) of the actuator (1) by axial movements of an armature rod (8) when the actuator (1) is fluidically connected to a fluid-filled fluid space of the gearbox.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the actuator (1) comprises a ventilation gap (15), and air escapes from the actuator (1) by the axial movements of an armature rod (8) when air is situated in the armature space (6).

14. The method of claim 12, wherein a spring (16) and/or a pressure equalization move the armature rod (8) during the axial movements of an armature rod (8).

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the filling of the actuator (1) begins when a temperature of the fluid in the fluid space is within a predetermined temperature range.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the filling of the actuator (1) begins when the vehicle is tested on a test stand and/or when the vehicle is serviced in a workshop.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the filling of the actuator (1) begins when the gearbox is in a park mode and/or in an idle mode.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the filling of the actuator (1) begins before the gearbox is delivered to an end customer.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising, before the filling of the actuator (1), checking whether a person is seated on a driver's seat of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising performing a diagnostic function to identify anomalies in the operation of the gearbox during gearshifts, wherein the filling of the actuator (1) comprises filling of the actuator (1) after the diagnostic function identifies the anomalies.

21. An actuator for installation in a gearbox, wherein: the actuator is configured to implement the method of claim 12; the actuator comprises a ventilation gap; air is flowable from the armature space (6) through the ventilation gap; and the armature rod of the actuator is configured to draw the fluid into the armature space by way of the axial movements.

22. A gearbox for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fluid space; at least one actuator comprising a ventilation gap, air flowable from the armature space (6) through the ventilation gap, the armature rod of the actuator configured to draw the fluid into the armature space by way of the axial movements, wherein the actuator and the fluid space are fluidically connected when the actuator is filled via the method of claim 12, and wherein the fluidic connection is selectively closeable.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawings. In the figures:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an electromagnetic actuator according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a method according to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0029] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and serve, in connection with the description, to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages that are mentioned become apparent from the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

[0030] In the figures of the drawings, elements, features and components that are identical, functionally identical and act in the same way are each provided with the same reference signs, unless indicated otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.

[0032] Example aspects of the invention will be described below with reference to oil as a fluid. It is self-evident that the selection of oil as a fluid is merely exemplary and is not limiting.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an assembly with an electromagnetic actuator 1 and a valve 9. The valve 9 is surrounded by a valve housing 4, and the actuator 1 is surrounded by an actuator housing 3. The actuator 1 has an electromagnet 2 and has an armature with a throttle 7 and with an armature rod 8.

[0034] Together with the housing 14, the electromagnet 2 forms an interior space of the actuator, in which there is situated an armature space 6 in which the armature with the throttle 7 and the armature rod 8 is received. In FIG. 1, the throttle 7 is configured as an armature restrictor. The armature rod 8 is guided within the armature restrictor.

[0035] If the assembly with the actuator 1 and with the valve 9 is fluidically connected to an oil space, the actuator fills itself by way of axial strokes of the actuator 1, if the actuator 1 has not already been filled with fluid. The filling is performed by virtue of fluid, in this case oil, creeping from the oil space into the armature space 6.

[0036] By controlling the actuator 1, it is the intention for the actuator 1 to be operated outside of the primary intended purpose of the actuator 1, such that air inclusions are avoided or eliminated. The actuator 1 includes an electromagnet 2 with low inherent pumping characteristics, by virtue of the actuator being designed such that the volume situated in the actuator does not change owing to the position of the armature rod 8. The actuator 1 furthermore has a sealed gap (not illustrated in FIG. 1) to a filled oil space, and a path for discharging possible air inclusions, said path being configured as a ventilation gap 15.

[0037] By virtue of the actuator 1 alone being immersed, the small cross sections of the gaps mean that neither oil is supplied nor air is discharged. By active actuation of the actuator, which is ensured in FIG. 1 by the spring 16, the armature rod 8 is moved such that air is displaced out of the armature space and oil is replenished. In the case of the actuator according to FIG. 1, this is ensured owing to the installation position in oil. The function for filling the actuator is called upon only when the gearbox is not in normal operation.

[0038] Said filling may for example be performed when the gearbox is at the programming station of the manufacturing process for the transmission of data and/or when a vehicle with the gearbox is parked after a journey, or the driver adjusts the pressure supply and/or the vehicle is in a park mode.

[0039] The armature rod 8 is formed along a longitudinal axis 17 of the actuator 1 and thus also defines the axial movement direction of the throttle 7 or of the armature rod.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for filling an electromagnetic actuator with oil. The method includes the steps S1 to S3. In the step S1, a gearbox with an oil-filled oil space is provided, wherein an actuator that is to be filled has been installed in the gearbox. In the step S2, it is ensured that the gearbox is in a passive gearbox state. In the step S3, a filling operation by way of one or more axial movements of the armature is started in order to fill the armature space with oil.

[0041] Modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments illustrated or described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In the claims, reference characters corresponding to elements recited in the detailed description and the drawings may be recited. Such reference characters are enclosed within parentheses and are provided as an aid for reference to example embodiments described in the detailed description and the drawings. Such reference characters are provided for convenience only and have no effect on the scope of the claims. In particular, such reference characters are not intended to limit the claims to the particular example embodiments described in the detailed description and the drawings.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0042] 1 Actuator [0043] 2 Electromagnet [0044] 3 Actuator housing [0045] 4 Valve housing [0046] 6 Armature space [0047] 7 Throttle [0048] 8 Armature rod [0049] 9 Valve [0050] 15 Ventilation gap [0051] 16 Spring [0052] S1-S3 Method steps