VALVE TRAIN DEVICE

Abstract

A valve train device includes a shaft, wherein a number of actuation contours for actuating at least one actuation means of a valve of a combustion engine is arranged on the shaft so as to rotate therewith. A sensor unit with a number of sensors is provided, and each sensor of the number of sensors has a spatial sensing area for sensing a physical variable. In at least one axial position, at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours is arranged at least in part in the spatial sensing area of at least one sensor of the number of sensors.

Claims

1. A valve train device with at least one shaft, wherein a number of actuation contours for actuating at least one actuation means of a valve of a combustion engine is arranged on the at least one shaft so as to rotate therewith, wherein a sensor unit with a number of sensors is provided, wherein each sensor of the number of sensors has a spatial sensing area for sensing a physical variable, wherein, in at least one axial position, at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours is arranged at least in part in the spatial sensing area of at least one sensor of the number of sensors.

2. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the spatial sensing area of the at least one sensor of the number of sensors: is arranged in a limited axial area, and/or corresponds to the spatial area in which the presence of at least one actuation contour induces the measurement of the physical variable above a particular threshold value.

3. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein: at least one slide is mounted on the shaft in an axially displaceable manner and so as to rotate therewith, wherein the number of actuation contours is arranged on the at least one slide, and/or the shaft is mounted displaceable in relation to the actuation means of the valve of a combustion engine and the number of actuation contours are preferably arranged directly on the shaft.

4. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein, in at least one axial position and at least one rotational position, each actuation contour of the number of actuation contours abuts the at least one actuation means of the valve of the combustion engine.

5. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is arranged fixed in relation to a cylinder head of the combustion engine.

6. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the number of sensors are arranged on a shared printed circuit board of the sensor unit and/or are arranged in a shared housing of the sensor unit.

7. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein, in at least one axial position and at least one rotational position, the at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours is arranged at a distance of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2.5 mm, from at least one sensor of the number of sensors.

8. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor of the number of sensors is formed as a contactless sensor and/or wherein the at least one sensor of the number of sensors is formed as a magnetic-field sensor, in particular a Hall effect sensor, preferably wherein a magnetic field generated by the at least one actuation contour and/or influenced by the at least one actuation contour can be sensed in the sensing area by the at least one sensor.

9. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the presence, shape, the rotational position and/or the phase of at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours can be detected in the sensing area of a sensor of the number of sensors by said sensor, in particular together with an evaluation unit.

10. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein a physical variable that varies on the basis of the presence, shape, phase and/or rotational position of the at least one actuation contour located in the sensing area can be measured by the at least one sensor.

11. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein a, preferably electrical, signal that is dependent on the physical variable can be transmitted to an evaluation unit, wherein the signal, in particular the time curve of the signal, can be evaluated by the evaluation unit.

12. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein an evaluation unit is configured to draw a conclusion on an axial position and/or a rotational position and/or a phase of the at least one actuation contour, preferably by evaluating a strength and/or pulse lengths of the signal of the number of sensors.

13. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the axial distance between two sensors of the number of sensors is greater than the axial width of at least one, in particular exactly one, actuation contour of the number of actuation contours and/or less than the axial width of two adjacent actuation contours of the number of actuation contours, wherein in particular two actuation contours are provided.

14. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein an error message can be output by an evaluation unit for the sensor signals if at least two, preferably both, sensors detect the presence of an actuation contour in their sensing area, preferably over a particular period of time.

15. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the number of actuation contours can adopt a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the sensor unit.

16. The valve train device according to claim 15, wherein, in the first axial position, at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours is arranged in the sensing area of at least one sensor of the number of sensors and, in the second axial position, it is arranged outside the sensing area of said at least one sensor.

17. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the number of sensors comprises, in particular consists of, a first sensor with a first sensing area and a second sensor with a second sensing area, preferably wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged such that the first sensing area and the second sensing area occupy different spatial areas at least in part and in particular do not overlap.

18. The valve train device according to claim 15, wherein, in the first axial position, at least one actuation contour of the number of actuation contours is arranged in the sensing area of the first sensor and, in the second axial position, it is arranged in the sensing area of the second sensor.

19. The valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the number of actuation devices comprises a first actuation device and a second actuation device, preferably wherein the shape of the first actuation device is different from the shape of the second actuation device.

20. The valve train device according to claim 15, wherein, in the first axial position, the second actuation contour is arranged in the sensing area of at least one sensor of the number of sensors and wherein, in the second axial position, the first actuation contour is arranged in the sensing area of said at least one sensor.

21. The valve train device according to claim 15, wherein: in the first axial position, the first actuation contour is arranged in the sensing area of the first sensor and/or, in the first axial position, the second actuation contour is arranged outside the sensing area of the second sensor, and/or, in the second axial position, the second actuation contour is in the sensing area of the second sensor and/or, in the second axial position, the first actuation contour is outside the sensing area of the first sensor.

22. The valve train device according to claim 15, wherein, in at least one rotational position, the second actuation contour abuts the at least one actuation means in the first axial position and/or the first actuation contour abuts it in the second axial position.

23. A combustion engine comprising at least one valve and the valve train device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve can be actuated by the at least one valve train device, in particular using the at least one actuation means.

24. A motorcycle with the combustion engine according to claim 23.

25. A method for determining the axial and/or rotational position of at least one actuation contour for actuating at least one actuation means of a valve of a combustion engine by means of the valve train device according to claim 1, with the following method steps: detecting at least one physical variable, in particular a magnetic field, using at least one sensor of a number of sensors, wherein the at least one physical variable is influenced by the actuation contour located in the spatial sensing area of the at least one sensor, in particular by the presence, shape, phase and/or rotational position thereof, the at least one sensor emits a, preferably electrical, signal based on the at least one detected physical variable to an evaluation unit, the signal, preferably a strength and/or at least a pulse length of the signal, is evaluated by the evaluation unit, a conclusion is drawn on the axial and/or rotational position of the at least one actuation contour.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further embodiments and details can be taken from the figures, in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a valve train device with a sensor unit and a slide in a perspective representation,

[0060] FIG. 2a shows a valve train device with a sensor unit with two sensors and a slide with two actuation contours in a sectional representation,

[0061] FIG. 2b shows the valve train device from FIG. 2a in an alternative sectional representation,

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a valve train device with a sensor unit with two sensors and a slide with two actuation contours, in a first and a second axial position,

[0063] FIG. 4a is a schematic representation of a valve train device with an actuation contour and a sensor,

[0064] FIG. 4b is a schematic representation of a valve train device with an actuation contour and two sensors,

[0065] FIG. 5a is a schematic representation of a valve train device with two actuation contours and a central sensor,

[0066] FIG. 5b is a schematic representation of a valve train device with two actuation contours and an off-center sensor,

[0067] FIG. 6a is a schematic representation of a valve train device with two actuation contours and two spaced-apart sensors, and

[0068] FIG. 6b is a schematic representation of a valve train device with two actuation contours and two off-center sensors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a valve train device 1 with a sensor unit 5 and a slide 3 in a perspective representation.

[0070] On the inside, the slide 3 has a spline 2, by means of which the slide 3 can be mounted on a shaft (or camshaft, not represented) in an axially displaceable manner and so as to rotate therewith.

[0071] The slide 3 has a number of actuation contours 4, by means of which an actuation means 7 of a valve of an internal combustion engine can be actuated. In particular, the actuation contours 4 are shaped as a cam with a projection.

[0072] In particular, two actuation contours 41, 42 are provided at a first end of the slide 3, as can be better seen in FIGS. 2a to 6b. In addition, a further pair of actuation contours 10 is provided at the second end of the slide 3.

[0073] Instead of on a slide 3 as in FIG. 1, the actuation contours 4 can in principle also be arranged directly on the shaft, wherein the shaft can then be mounted in an axially displaceable manner.

[0074] In both cases, the actuation contour 4 can be axially displaced, either with the slide 3 or with the shaft.

[0075] The slide 3 has a selector gate 9, by means of which the slide 3 can be displaced between two axial positions A1 and A2, for example by an operating pin (not shown).

[0076] FIG. 1 also shows a sensor unit 5. The sensor unit 5 is arranged next to the slide 3 and has a number of sensors 6 on the side facing the slide 3. The sensor unit 5 has a housing, wherein the number of sensors 6 are arranged in the housing. Corresponding, preferably electrical, connection means connect the sensor unit 5 to the internal combustion engine, for example with a central control unit of the vehicle.

[0077] In particular, at least one sensor 6 faces the actuation contours 4, 41, 42 such that they can be arranged in a sensing area 8 of at least one sensor 6.

[0078] The further actuation contours 10 are not arranged in the sensing area 8 of a sensor 6 and are not detected. A sensing of the further actuation contours 10 is not absolutely necessary since the axial position A1, A2 of the slide 3 can also take place solely by means of the detection of the actuation contours 4, 41, 42.

[0079] FIG. 2a shows a sectional representation in particular of the device from FIG. 1. It can be seen from the section that the two actuation contours 41, 42 are each a different shape. The strength or phase of the actuation of an actuation means 7 (not shown) thus differ depending on which actuation contour is active.

[0080] Two sensors 6, a first sensor 61 and a second sensor 62, are arranged in the sensor unit. The sensors 61, 62 are arranged on a shared printed circuit board 11 and inside a shared housing 12.

[0081] FIG. 2b shows an alternative sectional representation of the subject-matter from FIG. 2a. In this representation, the shape of the actuation contour 41 is clearly visible.

[0082] In addition, the actuation contour 10 therebehind can be seen, which is the same shape as the actuation contour 42, which is not visible. Said actuation contour has a different shape from the actuation contour 41 in the section; in particular, the radial extent is larger.

[0083] In this rotational position, the actuation contour 41 is at the minimum distance from a sensor 61, which is arranged in the sensor unit 5.

[0084] Owing to the identical axial arrangement, the actuation contour 41 lies in the sensing area 81 of the sensor 61.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows two axial positions A1 and A2 of the number of actuation contours 4 (and of the slide 3) relative to the sensor unit 5. The sensor unit 5 is preferably arranged fixed in relation to a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine.

[0086] The upper representation shows the first axial position A1.

[0087] The first actuation contour 41 and the first sensor 61 are arranged in a first axial area B1. Thus, the first actuation contour is in the sensing area 81 of the sensor 61.

[0088] The second actuation contour 42 is in a second axial area B2. No sensor is arranged in this axial area B2. An actuation means 7 (not shown in FIG. 3) for actuating a valve of the internal combustion engine is arranged in the second axial area B2.

[0089] In the installed state, the second actuation contour 42 thus abuts the actuation means 7 in the first axial position A1, at least in one particular rotational position.

[0090] In the first axial position of the number of actuation contours 4, no actuation contour is arranged in a third axial area B3. The sensor 62 which is arranged in this axial area B3 therefore does not detect any actuation contour 4.

[0091] The first axial position A1 is summarized as follows: [0092] the second actuation contour 42 is the active actuation contour that is in contact with the actuation means 7, [0093] the first sensor 61 detects the presence, and possibly the shape, phase and/or rotational position, of the first actuation contour 41, [0094] the second sensor 62 does not detect any actuation contour 4.

[0095] The lower representation in FIG. 3 shows the second axial position A2.

[0096] The first sensor 61 is arranged in the first axial area B1, as a result of which the first sensor 61 does not detect any actuation contour 4.

[0097] The first actuation contour 41 is arranged in a second axial area B2. No sensor is arranged in this axial area B2. An actuation means 7 (not shown in FIG. 3) for actuating a valve of the internal combustion engine is arranged in the second axial area B2.

[0098] In the installed state, the first actuation contour 41 thus abuts the actuation means 7 in the second axial position A2, at least in one particular rotational position.

[0099] In the second axial position A2, the second actuation contour 42 is arranged in a third axial area B3. The sensor 62 which is arranged in this axial area B3 therefore detects the second actuation contour 42.

[0100] The second axial position A2 is summarized as follows: [0101] the first actuation contour 41 is the active actuation contour that is in contact with the actuation means 7, [0102] the second sensor 62 detects the presence, and possibly the shape, phase and/or rotational position, of the second actuation contour 42, [0103] the first sensor 61 does not detect any actuation contour 4.

[0104] In principle, only one of the sensors 61, 62 would be enough to determine the axial position A1, A2. Redundancy is created by the configuration having two sensors.

[0105] In an intermediate position (not shown) between the first axial position A1 and the second axial position A2, the first actuation contour 41 can protrude into the sensing area 81 of the first sensor 61 and the second actuation contour 42 can protrude into the sensing area 82 of the second sensor 62. Thus, both sensors 61, 62 can detect the presence of an actuation contour. If such a state is adopted not only during a brief switching process, the position is an incorrect position. The double detector signal can trigger an error message, or the engine can be stopped automatically.

[0106] The sensors 61, 62 are configured such that the spatial sensing area 81, 82 is arranged in a limited axial portion.

[0107] For example, the sensing area 81 of the sensor 61 or the sensing area 82 of the sensor 62 can include the axial areas B1 and B3, respectively. In particular, the sensing area 81 of the sensor 61 or the sensing area 82 of the sensor 62 should not protrude into the axial area B2.

[0108] In the radial direction, the sensing area 81 of the sensor 61 and the sensing area 82 of the sensor 62 are likewise limited, in particular such that at least one lobe of the actuation contour 41 or 42 can be detected.

[0109] The sensitivity of the sensors 61, 62 can be adapted to the particular dimensions, for example the minimum distance between the actuation contour and the sensor.

[0110] FIGS. 4a to 6b show schematic representations of different configurations of sensors 6, 61, 62 and actuation contours 4, 41, 42. In each case, the first axial position A1 is shown in the upper representation and the second axial position A2 is shown in the lower representation. The axial areas B1 and B2 (FIGS. 4a and 4b) or the axial areas B1, B2 and B3 (FIGS. 5a to 6b) are represented by means of dash-dot lines (the reference numbers are not indicated for the sake of clarity). An actuation means 7 for actuating a valve of an internal combustion engine is represented schematically as a pentagon.

[0111] The configuration in FIG. 6a schematically represents the situation of FIG. 3.

[0112] FIG. 4a shows an actuation contour 4 and a sensor 6, wherein the sensor 6 and the actuation means 7 are arranged in a first axial area B1.

[0113] In the first axial position A1, the actuation contour 4 is arranged in the first axial area B1, as a result of which the actuation contour 4 is arranged in the sensing area 8 of the sensor 6. The actuation contour 4 is active, i.e. is in engagement with the actuation means 7.

[0114] In the second axial position A2, the actuation contour 4 is arranged in the second axial area B2. Therefore, it is neither sensed by the sensor 6 nor active.

[0115] If an actuation contour 4 is detected by the sensor 6, the position is the first axial position A1. If no actuation contour 4 is detected, the position is the second axial position A2.

[0116] The rotational position, phase and/or shape of the actuation contour can be determined only when the actuation contour is active.

[0117] In FIG. 4b, an additional sensor 62 is arranged in the second axial area B2. Thus, the rotational position and/or the shape of the actuation contour 4 can be determined in both axial positions A1 and A2. In addition, an incorrect intermediate position can be detected if both sensors 61, 62 sense the presence of an actuation contour 4.

[0118] Using a displaceable actuation contour 4, an actuation means 7 can be actuated in a first axial position A1 and not actuated in a second axial position A2. The valve is thus not actuated in the second axial position A2 and remains constantly closed, for example.

[0119] Typically, a different actuation of the valve is desired. For this purpose, two actuation contours 41, 42 having different shapes from one another can be provided. The two actuation contours 41, 42 can be arranged directly adjacent to one another. This is the situation in FIGS. 5a to 6b and also FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0120] In FIGS. 5a to 6b, in the first axial position A1, the first actuation contour 41 is arranged in a first axial area B1 and the second actuation contour 42 is arranged in a second axial area B2. In the second axial position A2, the first actuation contour 41 is arranged in a second axial area B2 and the second actuation contour 42 is arranged in a third axial area B3. The second axial area B2 lies between the first and the third axial areas B1, B3.

[0121] The actuation means 7 is arranged in the central, second, axial area B2 such that the second actuation contour 42 is active in the first axial position A1 and the first actuation contour 41 is active in the second axial position A2.

[0122] FIG. 5a shows the situation with two actuation contours 41, 42 and one sensor 6. The sensor 6 is arranged in the second, central, axial area B2. Thus, the active actuation contour 41, 42 is sensed by the sensor 6 in each case.

[0123] In this configuration, the sensor 6 has to be able to distinguish between the two actuation contours 41, 42 in order to determine the axial position A1 or A2. This can be effected by evaluating the sensor signal, in particular by evaluating the pulse widths of the sensor signal. An incorrect intermediate position can in principle also be detected, although such a detection relies on complicated signal processing.

[0124] It is advantageous to make the determination of the axial position A1, A2 dependent on the sensing of the presence of an actuation contour 41, 42 and not for instance the shape thereof.

[0125] In FIG. 5b, for this purpose the sensor 6 is arranged in the first axial area B1. In the first axial position A1, the sensor 6 senses the presence of the first actuation contour 41. In the second axial position A2, the sensor does not sense any actuation contour 42. Determining the axial position A1, A2 is thus simpler.

[0126] The disadvantage is that an incorrect intermediate position is difficult to detect and would require a complicated analysis of the signal. In addition, the sensing has no redundancy.

[0127] Accordingly, the particularly preferred embodiment of FIG. 6a provides two sensors 61, 62, wherein the sensors are arranged at a distance from one another that is greater than the width of one actuation contour 41 or 42 and less than the width of both actuation contours 41 and 42. In particular, the first sensor 61 is arranged in the first axial area B1 and the second sensor 62 is arranged in the third axial area B2.

[0128] The statements made in relation to FIG. 3 apply here. This sensor arrangement allows the axial position A1, A2 to be determined with redundancy on the basis of a determination of the presence of actuation elements. In addition, an incorrect intermediate position can be detected on the basis of a determination of the presence of actuation elements.

[0129] If the first sensor 61 senses an actuation contour 4 and the second sensor 62 does not sense any actuation contour 4, the position is the first axial position A1. If the first sensor 61 does not sense any actuation contour 4 and the second sensor 62 senses an actuation contour 4, the position is the second axial position A2. Optionally, an incorrect intermediate position can be determined if both sensors 61, 62 sense an actuation contour 4.

[0130] FIG. 6b shows a further embodiment in which a first sensor 61 is arranged in a first axial area B1 and a second sensor 62 is arranged in a second axial area B2. An incorrect intermediate position cannot be readily determined by simply measuring the presence.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0131] 1 valve train device [0132] 2 spline [0133] 3 slide [0134] 4 actuation contour [0135] 41 first actuation contour [0136] 42 second actuation contour [0137] 5 sensor unit [0138] 6 sensor [0139] 61 first sensor [0140] 62 second sensor [0141] 7 actuation means [0142] 8 sensing area [0143] 81 sensing area of the first sensor [0144] 82 sensing area of the second sensor [0145] 9 selector gate [0146] 10 actuation contour that cannot be sensed [0147] 11 printed circuit board [0148] 12 housing [0149] A1 first axial position [0150] A2 second axial position [0151] B1 first axial area [0152] B2 second axial area [0153] B3 third axial area