SYSTEM FOR BRAKING A DISPLACEMENT-CONTROLLED DRIVE SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for braking a displacement-controlled drive system (10), which can be driven by means of an inflow pressure and an outflow pressure at an inflow end and an outflow end thereof, respectively, for a motion, characterized in that by means of an electro-proportional adjustment of at least one valve element (26, 28, 126, 128) an outflow volume flow of the drive system (10) is controlled such that the outflow pressure is decoupled from the motion of the drive system and can be freely preset and coupled to the inflow pressure, which can in that way be lowered to the extent necessary for the motion of the drive system (10).

Claims

1. A system for braking a displacement-controlled drive system (10), which can be driven by means of an inflow pressure and an outflow pressure at an inflow end and an outflow end thereof, respectively, for a motion, characterized in that by means of an electro-proportional adjustment of at least one valve element (26, 28, 126, 128) an outflow volume flow of the drive system (10) is controlled such that the outflow pressure is decoupled from the motion of the drive system and can be freely preset and coupled to the inflow pressure, which can in that way be lowered to the extent necessary for the motion of the drive system (10).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that two valve elements (26, 28 or 126, 128) are provided, which, depending on the direction of motion of the drive system (10), determine the outflow pressure at one or the other utility port (11, 23) of the drive system (10).

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two valve elements (26, 28 or 126, 128) are designed to shut tightly and to be unlocked electrically.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the two valve elements (26, 28) are designed as logic valves closing in a seat sealing manner and, for the electrical unlocking, at least the control pressure of an electro-proportionally actuatable control valve (30, 32) acts on the respective one control end of the logic valves, and in that, on the respective further control ends (3) of the two logic valves (26, 28), a fluid connection (21, 23) between the outflow end of the drive system (10) and a tank port or a return port (T) can be controlled.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that sensors (38, 40) can be used to measure the inflow and outflow pressure, respectively, at the inflow and outflow ends of the drive system (10), and in that the sensors (38, 40) transmit the detected pressure values to a computer (42), which, in order to unlock the respective valve element (26, 28 or 126, 128), controls the latter or a control valve (30 or 32) acting on the respective valve element (26, 28 or 126, 128).

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflow pressure is lowered to the level necessary for the motion of the drive system (10).

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that a switching valve (22), in particular in the form of a 4/3-way switching valve, takes on the direction selection function for the drive system (10), and in that the actuation of the valve elements (26, 28) is performed independently thereof.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, omitting the switching valve (22), a pair of logic valves (52, 54) is used in resolved valve design, which , designed to be seat sealing, can be electrically unlocked at their one control end by means of assigned control valves (56, 58) and, to implement the direction selection function at their respective further control ends (1), control a fluid connection between the respective inflow and outflow end of the drive system (10) and a pressure supply (24).

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive system (10) is formed by a working cylinder (20) having a piston rod (14), on which a load (12) acts and which has horizontally opposite directions of travel during operation.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective valve element (26, 28, 126, 128) comprises pressure relief valves for adjusting the outflow volume flow.

11. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that all logic valves (26, 28, 52, 54) used are designed as fluid components.

Description

[0021] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. In the Figures:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a symbolic representation of the circuit of a first exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the operating state “retract” is shown and lines through which flow is active in this operating state are plotted using a thicker line;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a section of the circuit of FIG. 1, wherein the active flow lines are shown using an exaggerated thickness;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, of the exemplary embodiment, wherein the operating state ‘extend’ is shown;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a section of the circuit of FIG. 3, wherein active flow lines are drawn using an exaggerated thickness;

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a symbolic representation of the circuit of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a section drawn larger, of the circuit of FIG. 5; and

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a symbolic representation of the circuit of a third exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0029] Based on the accompanying drawings, the invention is explained by means of examples for braking of a drive system 10 in the form of a working cylinder 20, the piston rod 14 of which is connected to a load 12. When the cylinder 20 is installed vertically, the system performs the load-holding function and, by building up the outflow of the pressure fluid operating the cylinder 20, the lowering brake function. When installed horizontally, the valve element permits the precise positioning of loads 12 of large inertia, also by building up the outflow. The system according to the invention can be used equally advantageously for braking other types of drive systems, for instance for traction drives or the like.

[0030] A motor-pump unit 24 is provided to supply the system, wherein the suction end 4 of said pump 24 draws fluid from a holding tank 2. The pump is connected to a tank port or return port T as the first input port of a switching valve via a return line 5, wherein said switching valve is designed as a changeover valve 22. The pressure end 7 of the pump is connected to the pressure port P as the second input port of the changeover valve 22 via a pressure line 9. At the output end, the changeover valve 22 has a utility port A and a utility port B. The changeover valve 22 in the form of an electromagnetically operated 4/3-way valve specifies the working direction “retract” or “extend” for the working cylinder 20 via its utility ports A, B, wherein the load 12 can in particular be lifted when the piston rod 14 is retracted and the load can be lowered when the piston rod 14 is extended. For this purpose, the changeover valve 22, in the switching position shown in FIG. 1, connects the utility port B to the pressure port P and the utility port A to the tank port T.

[0031] In the switching position of the changeover valve 22 shown in FIG. 3 for “extend”, the utility port A is in connected to the pressure port P and the utility port B is connected to the tank port T. When the changeover valve 22 is in a neutral center position, both utility ports A and B are connected to the tank port T. The utility ports A and B are connected to the working cylinder 20 via a valve arrangement 15, which on the one hand is connected to the utility ports A and B and on the end of the working cylinder 20 is connected to a port 11 at the piston chamber 16 and to a port 13 at the rod chamber 18 of the cylinder 20 via the fluid routes 46 and 48, respectively. In the valve assembly 15, the fluid route 46 continues through a connection line 17 to the valve port 1 of a first valve element, which is designed as a first logic valve 26. The fluid route 48 continues through a second connection line 19 to the valve port 1 of a second valve element, which is a second logic valve 28. The third valve port 3 of the first logic valve 26 is connected to the utility port A of the changeover valve 22 via an inflow-outflow line 21, whereas the valve port 3 of the second logic valve 28 is connected to the utility port B of the changeover valve 22 via a second inflow-outflow line 23.

[0032] A check valve 34 is inserted between a branch 25 of the connection line 17 and the valve port 3, wherein said check valve 34 blocks in the direction of the valve port 3 of the logic valve 26. In a corresponding manner, a check valve 36 is also inserted between the valve port 3 of the second logic valve 28 and a branch 27 at the connection line 19, wherein said check valve 36 also blocks in the direction of the valve port 3 of the assigned logic valve 28. From their second valve port 2, the logic valves 26 and 28 can be operated by electro-proportional actuation in such a way that they block the connection between the ports 1 and 3 in a seat sealing manner or open it accordingly to build up the outflow pressure from the assigned working chamber 16 or 18, wherein the piston chamber 16 is assigned to the logic valve 26 and the rod chamber 18 is assigned to the logic valve 28.

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the “retract” state for the motion of the load 12 in the direction of an arrow 44. For this purpose, the pressure port P is connected to the utility port B of the changeover valve 22, and the inflow continues to the fluid route 48 via the inflow-outflow line 23 and via the pressure-operated opening check valve 36 and via the branch 27, such that the pressurized fluid flows into the rod chamber 18 of the cylinder 20 via the port 13. When the first logic valve 26 is actuated, fluid returns from the piston chamber 16 via the connection line 17 to the valve port 1 of the first logic valve and from its port 3 to the utility port A which is connected to the tank port T, of the changeover valve 22.

[0034] In the manner usual for logic valves, the logic valves 26 and 28 each have a control piston 29 in the form of a stepped piston, the piston step 31 of which in the blocking position closes the valve port 1 in a seat sealing manner. A pressure spring 33 and the pressure, also effective at the port 2, of a control line, which are designated by the numeral 35 for the logic valve 26 and by the numeral 37 for the logic valve 28 and are pressurized at the pressure of the connection lines 17 and 19, respectively, holds the logic valves 26, 28 in the blocking position in the not operated state. For electro-proportional unlocking for building up of the return flow that is made via the ports 1 and 3 of the logic valve 26 or 28 selected according to direction, the logic valves 26, 28 can each be actuated by an assigned electro-proportionally operated control valve 30 or 32. For the electromagnetic operation, the control valve 30 is connected to an electronic control unit 42 via an electric connection 39, and the second control valve 32 is also connected to the control unit 42 via an electric connection 41, which includes a programmable computer. These process pressure signals from the pressure sensors 38 and 40, of which the sensor 38 determines the pressure at the line branch 25 and thus the pressure in the piston chamber 16, and the other sensor 40 at the branch 27 of the connection line 19 determines the pressure in the working chamber 18 of the cylinder 20. The control valves 30 and 32, which are at the input end connected to the valve port 2 and the control line 35 or 37 of the respective logic valve 26, 28 assigned thereto, are at the output end connected to the inflow-outflow line 21 or the inflow-outflow line 23, respectively, via a further control line. In the first control valve 30, this further control line is designated by the numeral 43 and is connected at a branch 47 to the inflow-outflow line 21. In the second control valve 32, the further control line is designated by the numeral 45 and is connected to a branch 49 of the inflow-outflow line. The control valves 30, 32 are each formed by a 2/2-way proportional valve.

[0035] In the “retract” operating state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the utility port B of the switching valve 22 has the pressure of the supply port P, which is effective through the inflow-outflow line 23, the opening check valve 36, and the fluid route 48 in the rod chamber 18 of the cylinder 20. From the piston chamber 16, the outflow flow passes through the fluid route 46 and the connection line 17 to the valve port 1 of the logic valve 26. The supply pressure P from the branch 49 via the control line 45 is also effective at the output end of the further control valve 32, the input of which is also pressurized at the supply pressure from the connection line 19 via the control line 47, such that at the valve port 2 of the logic valve 28 both the pressure of the spring 33 and the supply pressure are effective and the logic valve 28 is blocked.

[0036] The other logic valve 26, to whose valve port 1 the connection line 17 is connected and to whose valve port 3 the line 21 leading to the utility port A is connected, controls a built-up return flow from the connection line 17 to the utility port A via its ports 1 and 3. For this purpose, the control valve 30 is operated by a control signal supplied by the electrical connection 39 such that, by proportionally opening the flow from the control line 35 to the control line 43 pressurized at the tank pressure existing at the utility port A, the pressure of the control line 35, which is connected to the connection line 17 via an orifice 51, drops in accordance with the opening of the control valve 30, thereby reducing the closing pressure acting at the port 2 of the logic valve 26. Corresponding to the pressure reduction, the pressure of the connection line 17 effective at the valve port 1 causes an opening motion of the spool 29 for the built-up flow to the valve port 3, which is connected to the utility port A connected to the tank port T.

[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 show, for the motion of the load 12 in the direction of an arrow 50, the “extend” operating state, in which the changeover valve 22 connects the pressure port P to the utility port A and the tank port T to the utility port B. The pressure-conveying utility port A is directly connected to the piston chamber 16 of the cylinder 20 via the inflow-outflow line 21 and the pressure-operated open check valve 34. The control valve 32 of the other logic valve 28 is now electro-proportionally operated for building up the return flow during the lowering process in the same way as described for the logic valve 26 in the “retract” state, such that the logic valve 28 in accordance with the control signals supplied to the control valve 32 from the control unit 42 is unlocked in such a way that a built-up return flow occurs from the port 1 of the logic valve 28 to the port 3 and further to the utility port B via the inflow-outflow line 23. For this purpose, the control line 37 leading to the port 2 of the logic valve 28 is connected to the connection line 19 via an orifice 53, which, like the orifice 51 for the logic valve 26, causes that pressure drop when the control valve 32 opens.

[0038] Based on the signals from the pressure sensors 38 and 40, which determine the pressures in the working chambers 16 and 18, the control unit 42 sets the outflow pressure by electro-proportional adjustment of the respective involved control valve 30 or 32 to the appropriate pressure value for the desired braking process, irrespective of the pressure corresponding to the load 12 involved, of the working cylinder 10. When the changeover valve 22 is set to its central switching position, which is located between the “extend” and “retract” positions, both utility ports A and B are connected to the tank port T, while the pressure supply port P is shut off. When the control valves 30, 32 are not operated, the same pressure is present at the valve ports 1 and 2 of the logic valves 26 and 28, respectively, in the case of the logic valve 26, the pressure of the connection line 17 and in the case of the logic valve 28 the pressure of the connection line 19, wherein the valve pistons 29 are each still loaded in the blocking direction by the compression spring 33. As a result, the logic valves 26, 28 block in a seat sealing manner, such that the load-holding function is implemented at this switching position.

[0039] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Elements that functionally match those of the previous example are designated by the same reference numerals as above. Also, the circuit arrangement comprising the logic valves 26 and 28 is functionally equivalent to the circuit arrangement of the first exemplary embodiment, designated by the numeral 15. Accordingly, the valve ports 1 of the logic valves 26, 28 are connected to the connection line 17 or 19 and, depending on the unlocking state, control the return flow from the port 1 to the port 3. Unlike the first example, however, the ports 3 are jointly connected to the tank port T via a line 55. As a further difference, in the second example, the control lines 43 and 45 of the first example are merged at the output ports of the control valves 30 and 32 to form a joint control line 57, which is connected to a tank line 61 routed to the tank port T at a branch 59. As in the first example, the control valves 30 and 32 can be electro-proportionally actuated by means of the electrical connections 39 and 41, such that the logic valves 26 and 28 can be electro-proportionally unlocked in the same way as in the first example to preset the respective outflow pressure.

[0040] Unlike the first exemplary embodiment, in which, to select the working direction of the working cylinder 20, the changeover valve 22 connects the connection lines 17, 19 leading to the working cylinder 20 to the pressure supply port P or the tank port T, in the second exemplary embodiment the changeover valve 22 is replaced by another pair of logic valves 52 and 54. A control valve, designated by the numeral 56 for the logic valve 52 and 58 for the logic valve 54, is connected to the valve port 2 of each logic valve 52, 54. The control valves 56, 58 are electromagnetically operated switching valves in the form of 3/2-way valves, whose operating solenoids are connected to the control unit 42 via the electrical connections 63, 65.

[0041] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the control valves 56, 58 in the not operated switching state. There, they connect the valve port 2 of their respective assigned logic valves 52, 54 to a control line 67 or 69, of which the control line 67 is connected to the output 71 of a shuttle valve 60 and the control line 69 is connected to the output 73 of a shuttle valve 62. At the inflow end, the shuttle valve 60 is connected to the connection line 17 and to the pressure supply port P. The input end of the second shuttle valve 62 is connected to the connection line 19 and to the pressure supply port P. The control lines 67 and 69 therefore signal the respective higher pressure from pressure supply port P and the assigned connection line 17 or 19 to the assigned control valve 56. Therefore, when the control valves 56 and 58 are not operated, this pressure is applied to the valve port 2 of the logic valves 52, 54 such that, interacting with a compression spring 75 loading the valve piston, the control valves 56 and 58 keep the logic valves 52, 54 blocked.

[0042] At the first logic valve 52, the pressure supply port P is connected to the valve port 1 and the connection line 17 is connected to the valve port 3. Therefore, when the logic valve 52 is blocked, the connection line 17 is disconnected from the pressure supply port P. In the second logic valve 54, the first valve port 1 is also connected to the pressure supply port P, whereas the valve port 3 is connected to the connection line 19. Therefore, when the logic valves 52 and 54 are blocked, both connection lines 17 and 19 are disconnected from the pressure supply port P. For the “retract” operating direction, the pressure supply port P has to be connected to the connection line 19. This is done by unlocking the second logic valve 54, whose valve port 1 is connected to the pressure supply port P and whose valve port 3 is connected to the connection line 19.

[0043] By energizing the control valve 58, the latter connects the valve port 2 to a connection line 77, which in turn is connected to the tank port T via the line 55 and the tank line 61. The valve port 2 of the logic valve 54 is therefore depressurized, such that the latter is pre-loaded to the closed position by the spring 75 only, such that the logic valve 54 opens due to the pressure acting on the valve port 1, and in this way the pressure supply port P gets connected to the connection line 19 via the valve port 3, and the system operates in the “retract” working direction. On the other hand, if the control valve 56 of the first logic valve 52 is unlocked by being energized, via its valve ports 1 and 3 the supply port P gets connected to the connection line 17, such that the system operates in the “extend” working direction. The “selection of the working direction” function is therefore integrated into the valve arrangement, in which the logic valves 26 and 28 specify the outflow pressure in the same way as in the first example.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, elements that functionally match those of the first two exemplary embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as before. Structurally different elements, which nevertheless have functional similarities, are designated by reference numbers incremented by 100.

[0045] In the system according to FIG. 7, two identically designed 2/2-way valves 152, 154 are provided, which are assigned to the inflow, in that the working chamber 16 or 18 can be pressurized using the respective 2/2-way valve 152 or 154. In contrary assigned to the outflow, two electro-proportionally operated valve elements, which are also of identical design, are designed as pressure relief valves 126, 128.

[0046] The two 2/2-way valves 152, 154 assigned to the inflow, are designed as seat valves, to which at the inflow end the pressure of the pressure port P is applied. In the not-operated switching state, shown in the drawing, of the 2/2-way valve 152 or 154 the connection from the pressure port P is blocked in the direction of a connection line 17 or 19 connected to the 2/2-way valve 152 or 154 at the outflow end, which connection line 17, 19 is connected to the utility port A or B, respectively. The two connection lines 17 and 19 are disconnected from each other.

[0047] To the connection lines 17, 19 the two pressure relief valves 126, 128 are also connected, the input ends of which are thus each fluidically connected to the utility port A and B, respectively. At the output end, however, the pressure relief valves 126, 128 are connected to the tank port T via the return line 5.

[0048] The connection lines 17, 19 each have a line branch 25 or 27, to which a pressure sensor 38 or 40 is connected.

[0049] The pressure signals from the pressure sensors 38, 40 are reported to a control unit 42, which is connected to electromagnetic actuators of the 2/2-way valves 152, 154 via electrical connections 72, 74 on the one hand and on the other hand via electrical connections 39, 41 to electromagnetic actuators of the electro-proportionally operable pressure relief valves 126, 128.

[0050] The fluid, which is routed to the tank port T via the return line 5, is used to lubricate the electromagnetic actuators of both the pressure relief valves 126, 128 and the 2/2-way valves 152, 154.

[0051] The electromagnetic actuators of the 2/2-way valves 152, 154 each act against a force of a compression spring when operated.

[0052] In contrast, the two electromagnetic actuators of the pressure relief valves 126, 128 are each supported by the force of a compression spring 64 and 66, respectively, which can be adjusted. This compression spring force and the operating force by the electromagnetic actuator counteract a pressure-proportional force, which is applied to a piston surface of the pressure relief valve 126 or 128 designed as a spool valve and which is derived from the pressure in the connection line 17 or 19 and in this way tries to displace the piston of the pressure relief valve 126 or 128 in the opening direction, i.e., to increase the passage cross-section of the pressure relief valve 126 or 128.

[0053] A check valve 68 or 70 is connected in parallel to the respective pressure relief valve 126 or 128, wherein said check valve 68 or 70 blocks in the direction from the connection line 17 or 19 to the return line 5 and opens in the opposite direction, to ensure that the connection lines 17, 19 are completely fluid-filled under all circumstances.

[0054] Below, the lowering brake function, in which the piston rod 14 is extended, is described.

[0055] The one 2/2-way valve 152, shown on the left in the drawing, is electromagnetically operated by the corresponding “extend” command from the control unit 42, such that it is switched to a passage position, in which the pressure port P is connected to the utility port A and the piston chamber or working chamber 16 is pressurized. The control unit 42 holds the other 2/2-way valve 154 in the blocking position. Simultaneously or at least shortly after the pressurization of the piston chamber or working chamber 16 assigned to the utility port A, the pressure relief valve 128 shown on the right in the drawing is electro-proportionally operated for building up the return flow during the lowering operation, such that a built-up return flow from the working chamber 18 to the tank port T occurs in accordance with the control signals supplied by the control unit 42. Based on signals from the pressure sensors 38 and 40, which determine the pressures in working chambers 16 and 18, the control unit 42 adjusts the outflow pressure to the appropriate pressure value for the desired braking operation based on the electro-proportional adjustment of the pressure relief valve 128.

[0056] The piston rod 14 is retracted in the same way as it is extended, in which case the 2/2-way valve 154 shown on the right in the drawing ensures the inflow, wherein the pressure relief valve 126 shown on the left in the drawing ensures the outflow. In the not operated state, the two pressure relief valves 126, 128 go into the blocking position; no prompting by the control unit is required for them to do so.