Smart actuator comprising vibration processing, and method for evaluating vibrations on a transmission component

Abstract

An actuator (1) for a component, in particular for a transmission component of a motor vehicle, including a processor (2) which is connected to an electric motor (3) for the closed-loop or open-loop control thereof, a final control element (4) which can be moved by the electric motor (3), wherein at least one (actuator-integrated) vibration sensor (5) is coupled to the processor (2), and the processor (2) is designed to evaluate the signals delivered by the vibration sensor. A method for evaluating vibrations on a transmission component of a motor vehicle is also provided, in which vibrations on the transmission component are detected by a vibration sensor (5) on the actuator and are processed in a processor (2) of an electromotive actuator (1).

Claims

1. An actuator for a component, the actuator comprising: an electric motor; a processor which is connected to the electric motor for closed-loop or open-loop control thereof; a final control element that is movable by the electric motor; at least one vibration sensor coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to evaluate signals delivered by the vibration sensor; and a housing at least partially surrounds each of the electric motor, the processor, and the at least one vibration sensor.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is mounted on a transmission of a power train of a motor vehicle.

3. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to at least one of report or store at least one of an evaluation or the signals.

4. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is connected to a storage device.

5. The actuator according to claim 4, wherein the storage device is arranged in the housing of the actuator, and the storage device is connected to at least one of the processor or the vibration sensor.

6. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor is configured for vibration-resistant attachment to a transmission part or the housing of the actuator.

7. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein a connector is disposed within the housing and coupled through a wired connection to the processor, the connector being configured to transfer at least bus signals and power to the processor.

8. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor is configured as a structure-borne sound sensor or acceleration sensor.

9. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to carry out an NVH analysis.

10. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured as a parking lock actuator, seat adjustment actuator, a pump actuator, a clutch actuator, a switch actuator, a gear setting actuator, a dial actuator, an actuator for a swingarm with chassis action, or e-axle actuator.

11. A method for evaluating vibrations in a transmission component of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: detecting vibrations on the transmission component by a vibration sensor on an electric motor of an electromotive actuator, and processing the detected vibrations in a processor of the electromotive actuator; wherein a housing at least partially surrounds each of the electric motor, the processor, and the vibration sensor.

12. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the component is a transmission component of a motor vehicle.

13. An actuator for a component, the actuator comprising: an electric motor; a processor connected to the electric motor for closed-loop or open-loop control thereof; a connector coupled through a wired connection to the processor, the connector being configured to transfer at least bus signals and power to the processor; a final control element that is movable by the electric motor; and a vibration sensor coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive and evaluate signals from the vibration sensor, and store at least one of the signals or results of the signal evaluation in a memory.

14. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is mounted on a transmission of a power train of a motor vehicle.

15. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to report the results of the signal evaluation.

16. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the vibration sensor is configured for vibration-resistant attachment to a transmission part or a housing of the actuator.

17. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein a housing at least partially surrounds the electric motor, the processor, and the vibration sensor.

18. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the vibration sensor is configured as a structure-borne sound sensor or acceleration sensor.

19. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is configured to carry out an NVH analysis.

20. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is configured as a parking lock actuator, seat adjustment actuator, a pump actuator, a clutch actuator, a switch actuator, a gear setting actuator, a dial actuator, an actuator for a swingarm with chassis action, or e-axle actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure is further explained below with the aid of a drawing. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through an actuator according to the disclosure in the form of a parking lock actuator,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the sequence of a method according to the disclosure,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the sequence of a further method according to the disclosure, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows the sequence of a further method according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The figures are only schematic in nature. They serve merely to assist in the under-standing of the disclosure. The same elements are provided with the same reference signs. Features of the individual exemplary embodiments can be interchanged with one another or combined with one another.

(7) An actuator 1 according to the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. It is intended to be attached to a transmission component (not shown). It has a processor 2. An actuator/electric motor 3 is also present. The processor 2 and the electric motor 3 are connected to one another. The electric motor 3 is connected to a final control element 4 to drive said final control element. There is at least one vibration sensor 5 which is coupled to the processor 2. The processor 2 is designed to evaluate information that is supplied by the vibration sensor. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the actuator 1 is designed as a parking lock actuator 6. There is also a storage device 7 present.

(8) The processor 2, the electric motor 3, the final control element 4, the vibration sensor 5 and the storage device 7 are arranged within a housing 8. An interface 9, namely a connector 10, is also present.

(9) The vibration sensor 5 is designed as a structure-borne sound sensor 11. The connector 10 is designed for bus signals and for supplying energy to the electromechanical actuator 1. The structure-borne sound sensor 11 is in mechanical contact with the transmission/(actuator) housing 8 and in electrical contact with control device electronics (e.g., via spring contacts or a cable).

(10) The storage device 7 is designed as a signal processing program and value memory device and is possibly integrated with an actuator program and value memory on an electronic circuit board.

(11) The actuating unit/the electric motor 3 is basically understood as an electromechanical actuator drive, which can then also be designed as an electromagnet or servo valve.

(12) In FIG. 2, a sequence of work steps is symbolized by the reference signs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The reference sign 12 relates to a raw signal detection/structure-borne sound detection. The reference sign 13 relates to a digital bandpass filtering of several frequencies. This is followed by a (positive or negative) weighted addition of selected squares, symbolized by the reference sign 14, in order to provide the spectral intensity. The reference sign 15 relates to a limit value monitoring of the spectral intensity, for example by means of the detection of differences in intensity. The sequence is concluded by the provision/storage of a signal in the event of a limit value being exceeded at the position of reference sign 16.

(13) A variant of this is shown in the sequence according to FIG. 3. There is also the angle of rotation as a raw signal, possibly the CAN at the point of reference sign 17. Thereafter, at the point of reference sign 18, the formation of a plurality of moving averages at different angles of rotation takes place. This is followed by a (positively or negatively) weighted addition of selected mean values for the delivery of order analyses at the point of reference sign 19. Limit value monitoring of a selected order then ensues for a special component, see reference signs 20 and 21. Reference sign 20 relates to a first component, for example a gear wheel, and the reference sign 21 to a second, separate component, for example a bearing. This is then followed by the provision/storage of a signal when the limit value is exceeded, as already explained with reference sign 16.

(14) The provision of special status windows, which are typical for a special operating mode of the motor vehicle, in which predefined signals, e.g., also sector-related, are compared with occurring signals, is the core of the method according to the disclosure of FIG. 4. The raw signal, that is to say the structure-borne sound, is also recorded there at the point of reference sign 12, followed by the analysis of the signal (filter) in accordance with reference sign 22.

(15) Further signals, such as speed, torque/temperature, possibly via CAN according to reference sign 23, can also be taken into account.

(16) It is then verified whether the signals are within the predefined monitoring intervals/windows, according to reference signs 24 and 25.

(17) If this is the case, the analyzed signal is stored in the respective interval (see reference signs 26 and 27), then the comparison of the stored value with previous storage devices (see reference signs 28 and 29) and the provision/storage of a signal that a change limit has been exceeded (see reference signs 30 and 31).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(18) 1 Actuator 2 Processor 3 Electric motor 4 Final control element 5 Vibration sensor 6 Parking lock actuator 7 Storage device 8 Housing 9 Interface 10 Connector 11 Structure-borne sound sensor 12 Raw signal detection/structure-borne sound detection 13 Digital bandpass filtering 14 Addition 15 Limit value monitoring 16 Provision/Storage 17 Angle of rotation 18 Mean value 19 Weighted addition 20 Limit value monitoring component 1 21 Limit value monitoring component 2 22 Analysis 23 Additional signals 24 Signal monitoring 25 Signal monitoring 26 Storage 27 Storage 28 Comparison 29 Comparison 30 Provision/Storage 31 Provision/Storage