ADAPTER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REGULATING A CONTROL CURRENT

Abstract

1. An adapter device for regulating a control current and method of operating a corresponding adapter device 2. An adapter device is provided for regulating a control current (i.sub.s) of a magnetic force actuator (32) of a valve (6), having a housing (8), into which the hardware (H) and the software (S) for regulating the control current (i.sub.s) of the magnetic force actuator (32) of the valve (6) are integrated, and which has a connection device (14) for detachably connecting to the valve (6) and a further connection device (18) for detachably connecting to a connector part (4), which can be used to supply the adapter device with current at least externally.

Claims

1. An adapter device for regulating a control current (i.sub.s) of a magnetic force actuator (32) of a valve (6), having a housing (8), into which the hardware (H) and the software (S) for regulating the control current (i.sub.s) of the magnetic force actuator (32) of the valve (6) are integrated, and which has a connection device (14) for detachably connecting to the valve (6) and a further connection device (18) for detachably connecting to a connector part (4), which can be used to supply the adapter device with current at least externally.

2. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection device (14) has means (16) for mechanically and electrically connecting the adapter device to the valve (6) in a detachable manner, in particular for connecting to the magnetic coil (36) of the magnetic force actuator (32) of the valve (6), and the further connection device (18) has means (20) for mechanically and electrically connecting the adapter device to the connector part (4) in a detachable manner.

3. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) comprises a computing unit (46) on which a method for regulating the control current (i.sub.s) of the software (S) is implemented.

4. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) comprises at least one rotary switch (44, 70, 72) for parameterizing the adapter device, which rotary switch is connected in a communicating manner to the computing unit (46), in particular to a sequencer (62) software-implemented on the computing unit (46).

5. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) comprises at least one display means (56), which can be switched by the computing unit (46) and is connected in particular to the sequencer (62), which is software-implemented on the computing unit (46).

6. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) has an output stage (48), which is connected to the computing unit (46), in particular to an output of a current regulator (66) software-implemented on the computing unit (46), on the input side and which can be connected to a coil (36) of the magnetic force actuator (32) on the output side.

7. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) comprises a current detection device (50) which can be connected to the coil (36) on the input side and which is connected to the computing unit (46) on the output side, in particular to a resistance value computing module (58) and/or to an induction voltage computing module (60) and/or to the current regulator (66) and/or to the sequencer (62), which are each software-implemented on the computing unit (46).

8. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware (H) comprises a voltage detection device (52) by means of which the actual value of the control voltage (u.sub.s,ist) can be tapped on the input side across the coil (36) of the magnetic force actuator (32) and which, on the output side, is connected to the computing unit (46), specifically to the resistance value computation module (58) and/or to the induction voltage computation module (60) and/or to the sequencer (62), which are each software-implemented on the computation unit (46).

9. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current determining device (50) for amplifying the actual value of the control current (i.sub.s,ist) and the voltage determining device (52) for amplifying the actual value of the control voltage (u.sub.s,ist) each comprise an amplifier, the amplification of which is adapted in particular to a relevant input-side analog/digital converter of the microcontroller.

10. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) comprises a software-implemented resistance value computation module (58), which is connected to an output of the voltage determination device (52) on the input side and to an output of the current determination device (50) and which is connected to an input of a software-implemented induction voltage computation module (60) on the output side.

11. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) comprises the software-implemented induction voltage computation module (60), which is connected to an output of the resistance value computation module (58) on the input side, to the output of the voltage detection device (52) and to the output of the current detection device (50) and to a voltage regulator (64) on the output side.

12. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) comprises a software-implemented sequencer (62) for processing predetermined control signals for actuating the valve (6) and/or a predetermined parameterization of the adapter device, which can be connected to an external main computer unit for communication via the further connection device (18) and to which adapter device the at least one rotary switch (44, 70, 72) and/or the outputs of the current detection device (50) and/or the voltage detection device (52) are connected on the input side and which is connected to a voltage regulator (64) or a current regulator (66) on the output side, each of which is software-implemented.

13. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) includes the software-implemented voltage regulator (64), which is connected to the sequencer (62) for transmitting set values of the induced voltage (u.sub.i,soll) and to the voltage computation module (60) for transmitting actual values of the induced voltage (u.sub.i,ist) on the input side, and which is connected to an input of the current regulator (66) on the output side if required.

14. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) includes the software-implemented current regulator (66), one input of which is connected to the sequencer (62) or to the output of the voltage regulator (64) for transmitting set values of the control current (i.sub.s,soll) and the other input of which is connected to the current detection device (50).

15. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) includes a software-implemented switch (68), which can be actuated by the sequencer (62) and which connects one input of the current regulator (66) to either the sequencer (62) or the output of the voltage regulator (64).

16. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the computing unit (46) feeds the output stage (48), and in particular the output of the current regulator (66) supplies a pulse-width-modulated signal to the input of the output stage (48).

17. The adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the software (S) in addition to the function of regulating the control current (i.sub.s) of the coil (36) of the magnetic force actuating device (32) a function for reducing the current of the coil (36, in particular in continuous operation; and/or a function for moving the valve part (26) at a predeterminable speed when switching on and off; and/or a function for detecting the switching state of the valve (6); and/or a function for monitoring valve parameters, such as the switching cycles, the lengths of the on/off intervals, the pick-up/drop-out current and/or the coil resistance.

18. A method for regulating a control current (i.sub.s) of a magnetic force actuator (32) of a valve (6), which has at least one coil (36), which can be used to operate the adapter device according to any one of the requirements above and the following steps: a current detecting device (50) determines an actual value of the control current (i.sub.s,ist) of the coil (36); a current regulator (66) compares the determined actual value of the control current (i.sub.s,ist) to a set-point value of the control current (i.sub.s,soll); and the current regulator (66) regulates the control current (i.sub.s) of the coil (36), based on the result of the comparison.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the set-point value of the control current (i.sub.s,soll) is predetermined by a parameterization.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the set-point value of the control current (i.sub.s,soll) is determined according to the following further steps: a voltage-determining device (52) determines an actual value of the control voltage (u.sub.s,ist) of the coil (36); a resistance value computation module (58) determines a resistance value (R) of the coil (36) from the actual value of the control voltage (u.sub.s,ist) and the actual value of the control current (i.sub.s,ist); an induction voltage computation module (60) determines an actual value of the induced voltage (u.sub.i,ist) of the coil (36) from the resistance value (R), from the actual value of the control voltage (u.sub.s,ist) and from the actual value of the control current (i.sub.s,ist); a voltage regulator (64) compares the determined actual value of the induced voltage (u.sub.i,ist to a set-point value of the induced voltage (u.sub.i,soll), which can be predetermined by parameterization; and the voltage regulator (64) determines the setpoint value of the control current (i.sub.s,soll), based on the result of the comparison.

Description

[0046] Below, the adapter device according to the invention, which can be operated by the method according to the invention in the form of software, will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In the figures, in general view, not to scale,

[0047] FIG. 1 shows the adapter device between a connector part and a valve according to the invention in side view, separately from each other;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of the valve of FIG. 1 having a valve part arranged in its closed position; and

[0049] FIG. 3 schematically shows in a kind of circuit diagram the basic structure of the hardware and software of the adapter device according to FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the cylindrical adapter device according to the invention between a standard connector part 4 and a valve 6, which are shown separately from each other. Industrial connection standards, such as M12 or PG cable glands, etc., are used as standardized or standard connector parts 4.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter device has a cylindrical housing 8, which comprises a housing cover 10 and a housing body 12, which can be interconnected by a bayonet fitting, permitting a mechanical interconnection of the two housing parts 10, 12 that can be quickly established and opened again. For sealing purposes, a sealing ring not shown in the figures can be arranged between the housing cover 10 and the housing body 12. A connection device 14 for mechanically and electrically connecting the adapter device to the valve 6 is provided on the housing body 12, extending in the axial direction away from the adapter device, which has means 16 for the detachable mechanical and electrical connection of the adapter device to the valve 6 in the form of a female connector. On the housing cover 10, extending axially away from the adapter device in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the connection device 14, a further connection device 18 is provided for connection to a connector part, which has means 20 for the detachable mechanical and electrical connection of the adapter device to the standard connector part 4 in the form of a male connector.

[0052] The standard connector part 4 shown in FIG. 1 is a valve connector in the form of a female connector angled by 90 degrees, which can be electrically and mechanically detachably connected to the male connector 20 arranged on the housing cover 10 of the adapter device.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve 6 has a cylindrical valve housing 22, on the outside of which, extending radially away from the longitudinal axis L of the valve housing 22, a connection device 24 is arranged in the form of a male connector, which is substantially square in shape and has a concave surface having a radius, which permits this surface of the connection device 24 to bear positively against the valve housing shell, on its side facing the valve housing 22. The male connector 24 of the valve housing 22 can be electrically and mechanically detachably connected to the female connector of the adapter device.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of the valve 6 in the form of a coaxial valve. A hollow, cylindrical valve part 26 is guided for longitudinal movement in the valve housing 22, which valve part is in contact with a valve closing part 30 in a closed position under the action of an energy accumulator 28 in the form of a compression spring, in which it blocks the fluid path through the valve 6 between a fluid inlet E and a fluid outlet A along a predeterminable flow path for a fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid (oil).

[0055] In at least one open position not shown in more detail in the figures, in which the valve part 26, controlled by a magnetic force actuator 32, disengages from the valve closing part 30 in its axial direction of travel against the action of the compression spring 28 and lifts off from the latter, the fluid path through the valve 6 between the fluid inlet E and the fluid outlet A along the predeterminable flow path is opened for the fluid.

[0056] The magnetic force actuator 32 shown in FIG. 2 comprises an energizable actuating magnet 34, which has a coil winding 36 in the usual manner and is therefore no longer described in detail, which can be energized externally via the connector part 4, the adapter device and the connection device 24 of the valve. Furthermore, a longitudinally movable magnet keeper 38 is provided, which acts directly on the valve part 26 under direct contact and is firmly connected thereto. When the coil 36 is energized, the magnet keeper 38 travelsviewed towards FIG. 2to the left from its de-energized state of the coil 36 shown in FIG. 2 and moves the valve part 26 to the left in the same way, against the action of the energy accumulator 28 in the form of the compression spring. In the fully open position of the valve part 26, the armature 38 of the actuating magnet 34 has been moved until it is in full contact against a pole core 42 of the actuating device 32, leaving a separating gap 40 or air gap open, which is used as a graduated magnetic separation for the actuating magnet 34.

[0057] A hardware H for regulating the control current i.sub.s of the magnetic force actuator 32 of the valve 6 is integrated into the adapter housing 8, which device has a printed circuit boardnot shown in the figureson which essentiallysee FIG. 3 (the switching symbols shown in FIG. 3 are not conventional technical circuit symbols)three rotary switches 44, 70, 72 in the form of coding switches, a computing unit 46 in the form of a microcontroller, an output stage 48, a current detection device 50 and a voltage detection device 52 are arranged. In addition, a power cable 54 is used to connect a display means 56 in the form of a lamp to the circuit board. The display means can also be located on the circuit board, in which case the cover 10 is transparent. These hardware components interact with each other as described below, electrically connected via conductive tracks on the printed circuit board, and can be electrically connected to an external main computer unit 55 shown in FIG. 3 in part via the connection device 14 of the adapter device to the magnetic force actuator 32 of the valve 6 or via the further connection device 18 of the adapter device and the connector part 4. A software S for regulating the control current i.sub.s of the magnetic force actuator 32 of the valve 6 is implemented on the computing unit 46 of the adapter device, which software essentially comprises a resistance computing module 58, an induction voltage computing module 60, a sequencer 62, a voltage regulator 64, a current regulator 66 and a switch 68, which are each software-implemented on the computing unit 46 and which interact as shown below.

[0058] The sequencer 62 is connected to the external main computing unit not shown in the figures in a communicating manner via the further connection device 18 and via the connector part 4. The IO-Link communication system is provided for communication. The sequencer 62 receives predetermined control signals for actuating the valve 6 from the main processing unit, in particular set values of voltage and current and a predetermined parameterization of the adapter device, and processes these data. In addition, upon request, the sequencer 62 transmits information about the adapter device or the valve 6 to the main processing unit.

[0059] In addition to the parameterization by means of the external main computer unit not shown in the figures, the three rotary switches 44, 70, 72 in the form of coding switches are connected to the sequencer 62 (see FIG. 3) to parameterize the software S. A first rotary switch 44 is provided for setting an operating mode of the adapter device. If the adapter device is used for the first time in combination with an individual valve 6, the former has to be adapted to this valve 6 by means of a parameterization of the software parameters adapted to the individual valve 6. For this purpose, a second rotary switch 70 is provided for setting the nominal size of the individual valve 6. A third rotary switch 72 is provided for adjusting the switch-on and switch-off speed of the valve 6. The second 70 and the third 72 rotary switch each have sixteen switching positions.

[0060] Furthermore, a display means 56 in the form of a lamp, e.g. an LED, is connected to the sequencer 62 (see FIG. 3) to indicate a faulty operating status of the valve 6 or to indicate the switching position of the valve section 26 of the valve 6. The display means 56 is arranged on the outside of the adapter device and can be viewed by a user of the adapter device. However, the display means may also preferably be located on the circuit board.

[0061] The current detection device 50 (see FIG. 3) can have a shunt resistor, not shown in the figures, which can be connected to the coil 36 of the magnetic force actuator 32 via the connection device 14 in such a way that the current through the coil 36 also flows through the shunt resistor, across which the voltage drop is measured to determine the actual value of the control current i.sub.s,ist of the coil 36. The current detection device 50 also has an amplifier 74 for amplifying the detected actual value of the control current i.sub.s,ist, the amplification of which is adapted to an input-side analog/digital converter of the computing unit 46 for processing the amplified actual values of the control current I.sub.s,ist. On the output side, the current detection device 50 transmits the amplified actual values of the control current I.sub.s,ist to the resistance value computation module 58, to the induction voltage computation module 60, to the current regulator 66 and to the sequencer 62.

[0062] The voltage detection device 52 (see FIG. 3) determines and amplifies the actual values of the control voltage u.sub.s,ist of the magnetic force actuator 32. Thus, the actual value of the control voltage u.sub.s,ist of the coil 36 of the magnetic force actuator 32 is applied on the input side to the voltage detection device 52 via the connection device 14, which voltage detection device has a further amplifier 76 for amplifying the actual value of the control voltage u.sub.s,ist, the amplification of which is adapted to another input-side analog/digital converter of the microcontroller for processing the amplified actual value of the control voltage U.sub.s,ist. On the output side, the voltage determination device 52 transmits the measured and amplified actual values of the control voltage U.sub.s,ist to the resistance value computation module 58, to the induction voltage computation module 60 and to the sequencer 62.

[0063] The resistance value computation module 58 (see FIG. 3) computes the value of the resistance R of the coil 36 of the magnetic force actuator 32 from the measured and amplified actual values of the control current I.sub.s,ist and the measured and amplified actual values of the control voltage U.sub.s,ist, and transmits this value to the induction voltage computation module 60.

[0064] The induction voltage computation module 60 (see FIG. 3) computes the actual values of the induced voltage u.sub.i,ist of the coil 36 of the magnetic force actuator 32 from the measured and amplified actual values of the control current I.sub.s,ist, the measured and amplified actual values of the control voltage U.sub.s,ist and the computed value of the resistance R, and transmits these values to the voltage regulator 64.

[0065] The voltage regulator 64 (see FIG. 3) regulates the induced voltage u.sub.i,ist of the coil 36 based on the actual values of the induced voltage u.sub.i,soll and the target values of the induced voltage u.sub.i transmitted by the sequencer 62 by issuing a signal from which the target value of the control current i.sub.s,soll is derived.

[0066] The current regulator 66 (see FIG. 3) regulates the control current i.sub.s of the coil 36 based on the setpoint values of the control current i.sub.s,soll and the actual values of the measured and amplified control current I.sub.s,ist. Either the sequencer 62 or the voltage regulator 64 can be used to transmit the setpoint values of the control current i.sub.s,soll. The switch 68 is provided for toggling between the outputs of these two software components.

[0067] For the sake of simplicity, the switch 68 is shown in FIG. 3 in the form of a hardware circuit and can be actuated by the sequencer 62 via a control line 78 in such a way that the input of the current regulator 66 is connected either to the sequencer 62 or to the output of the voltage regulator 64 for transmitting set values of the control current i.sub.s,soll. In reality, however, the switch 68 is implemented exclusively in the software. If the switch 68 connects the sequencer 62 to the current regulator 66 and disconnects the voltage regulator 64 from the current regulator 66, the control current i.sub.s is regulated exclusively on the basis of the measured and amplified actual values of the control current I.sub.s,ist and the specified setpoint values of the control current i.sub.s,soll. If the switch 68 connects the output of the voltage regulator 64 to the current regulator 66 and separates the sequencer 62 from the current regulator 66, the regulation of the control current i.sub.s is based on a computed induction voltage of the coil 36, permitting the regulation to be performed more precisely.

[0068] The current regulator 66 generates a pulse width modulated signal PWM and transmits it to the output stage 48 (see FIG. 3) for amplification. The output stage 48 essentially has a half-bridge, not shown in the figures, in combination with a matching driver component, not shown in the figures. On the output side, the output stage 48 is connected to the coil 36 of the magnetic force actuator 32 of the valve 6 to deliver the control current i.sub.s via the connection device 14.