EP1199479B1 - Fluid power device with diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluid-technique installation has a valve arrangement (15) connected to a piston-cylinder arrangement (10) and an electronic control device for both arrangements integrated in the valve arrangement or piston-cylinder arrangement. The electronic control device contains a diagnosis unit for components in the valve and piston-cylinder arrangements and a diagnosis display device. The housing (11) of the piston-cylinder arrangement or that of the valve arrangement contains the electronic control device comprising an electronically equipped control plate arrangement and preferably has an electrical pin connection arrangement (20) on the housing exterior for connection of the control plate arrangement with an external station and/or for current supply.

Description

The invention relates to a fluid power device with a valve assembly connected to a piston-and-cylinder arrangement and with a diagnostic device according to the Preamble of claim 1.

From "Global Design News", February 2000, pages 64 and 65, is It is known to have individual valves or groups of valves over to connect a data bus to a remote central station, provided with a diagnostic device for the valves is. Furthermore, it is known from it, also on the valves or the valve assembly itself is a visual diagnostic device provided. Such valves or valve arrangements usually become close to being controlled by them Units arranged, for example, piston-cylinder assemblies. It is known in principle, too Diagnostic devices for such piston-cylinder arrangements However, this requires, in particular if visual Diagnostic playback devices in place desired are a variety of diagnostic facilities and diagnostic display means.

From DE 196 36 418 A or US-A-5 113 679 are fluid technical Devices according to the type specified known. The diagnostic functions, in particular sensor evaluations, are integrated in the control unit, with the Playback in one case a permanently installed pressure gauge block is provided, while in the other case playback such functions are described in principle, not against the way it is done. A subsequent change or extension of the diagnostic functions is not possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide Diagnostic device and the diagnostic display means for complex simplify fluid power devices and variable to design.

This object is achieved by the features of the claim 1 solved.

Advantageously, a single diagnostic device in the valve assembly or in the piston-cylinder assembly integrated for checking components of both arrangements is trained. Also, the diagnostic display means are provided equally for both arrangements, so that Overall, the electronic effort is reduced and still a visual diagnosis recognition in a simple way possible becomes. The line effort is reduced accordingly.

The diagnostic device is advantageously in one contain separate diagnostic board, preferably diagnostic basic functions in the control board layout and extended optional features in the separate diagnostic board are housed.

In this case, the diagnostic board has connector means for Insert or plug on the control board assembly, so that the user on the one hand in a simple way extended diagnostic functions even later by purchasing such a diagnostic board and on the other hand, it's easier Replacement of the diagnostic board possible if other diagnostic functions be desired.

By the measures listed in the dependent claims are advantageous developments and improvements in the claim 1 specified fluid power device possible.

An overall particularly compact arrangement is achieved by that the valve assembly on the piston-cylinder assembly mounted or integrated in this, so that the unit formed then serves one for both individual systems Diagnostic device and diagnostic display means for reading owns in place.

The housing of the piston-cylinder arrangement or the housing the valve assembly advantageously contains an electrical Connector assembly on the outside of the housing for connecting the at least one control board with an external station and / or power supply. Thereby also becomes a central electronics unit for both arrangements formed, which also reduces the overhead and it allows both arrangements by connection with a single cable to the external station and / or to to connect a power supply device.

The diagnostic board preferably contains its own microcontroller for diagnostic functions.

In a useful structural design is a housing cover to cover a housing opening of the electronic Control device containing housing provided for optional recording, in particular plug-in, the Diagnostic board is formed. Thus, a simple Retrofit done by the housing cover from the housing removed, the diagnostic board inserted and the lid then again to close the housing opening on the housing is fixed, whereby at the same time the connector between the diagnostic board and the control board assembly is made. Alternatively, the diagnostic board also e.g. be integrally integrated on the housing cover. to Retrofit or to change the diagnostic functions can then the entire lid can be exchanged in a simple manner.

This housing cover also advantageously contains the Diagnostic display means, or it has through holes or window for detecting the arranged on the underneath Control board assembly attached diagnostic display means. These are in the simplest case than on the control board assembly mounted light emitting diodes formed, wherein light guides for transmitting light to the passage openings or Window of the housing cover are provided. This has the advantage that the housing cover itself relatively easy and without electrical or electronic equipment are formed can and still be used for diagnostic reading or recognition can.

The light-emitting diode having diagnostic display means in connection with the diagnostic device are more advantageous Way of generating different diagnostic indications Switching on different light-emitting diodes or light-emitting diode combinations and / or by different switch-on sequences the light emitting diodes formed. This one can already relatively small number of LEDs for playback relative complex diagnostic display functions.

Particularly important and advantageous diagnostic functions are For example, the sensor monitoring of piston and / or Valve link sensors, the transit time monitoring of moving Components, such as pistons or valve members, maintenance interval displays and / or lifetime monitoring, especially of moving parts.

The diagnostic display means may in an alternative embodiment also be designed as a display, preferably also for displaying control functions and / or for programming formed of control functions and diagnostic functions can be.

Preferably also programming means for programming or setting the diagnostic functions and / or control functions intended. These programming tools can be called Keyboard be formed on the housing side or as Switch, in particular DIL switch. Such DIL switches are conveniently directly on the control board assembly and / or the diagnostic board arranged so that diagnostic functions can be programmed on the spot.

As a programming tool can also be a wireless or wired Communication interface arranged on the housing side be programmable via a separate HMI device is.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Kolben-Zylinder-Anordnung, an der ein eine Ventilanordnung und die zugehörige Elektronik enthaltendes Gehäuse anmontiert ist,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht dieses Gehäuses mit einem geöffneten Eckbereich zur Sichtbarmachung einer in eine Steuerplatine eingesteckten Diagnoseplatine und

Fig. 3

einen Gehäusedeckel mit daran gehaltener Diagnoseplatine.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a piston-cylinder assembly to which a valve assembly and the associated electronics containing housing is mounted,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of this housing with an open corner area for visualization of a plugged into a control board diagnostic board and

Fig. 3

a housing cover with diagnostic board held thereon.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is a conventional piston-cylinder assembly 10, as shown by the applicant is offered and sold. In a cylinder housing 11 with a substantially rectangular cross-section an unrecognizable piston is guided longitudinally displaceable, which is connected to a piston rod 12, which consists of a of two cylinder covers 13, 14 protrudes frontally.

On the upper longitudinal side of the cylinder housing 11 is a valve housing 15 mounts, for example, two unrecognizable Contains valves through which in the usual way the both cylinder chambers on both sides of the piston with fluidic Pressure can be applied to the piston or the To move piston rod 12 in one or the other direction. The required fluidic connection lines are in Cylinder housing 11 and integrated in the valve housing 15 and not shown or recognizable. On a front side 16 of the Valve housing 15 are a fluidic pressure connection element 17, provided with a muffler 18 fluidic Outlet 19 and an electrical connector 20 arranged. In a mouth side closable by clamping rings 21 Housing bore 22, in the longitudinal direction of Valve housing 15 extends and on the front side 16 and the opposite end face 23 opens, is not shown and recognizable piston assembly in the valve housing 15 contained valve assembly disposed longitudinally displaceable. The likewise not shown magnet arrangement of the valve arrangement is via the electrical connector element 20 supplied with the required supply voltage, wherein also external control signals from an external control center via a bus line can be supplied.

Two manual actuators 24, 25 on the housing top are used for manual operation or triggering the Valve arrangement for pressurizing the two cylinder chambers.

Two likewise arranged on the housing top adjusting elements 26, 27 are used to adjust the speed, with which the piston or the piston rod 12 extends or retracts. The adjustment of sensors in the cylinder housing 11 for Recognition of piston positions, for example, in the cylinder cover 13 and / or 14 and is not shown.

A part of the housing top covering and removable Housing cover 28 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. He has at his pointing to the housing interior Inside an integrally molded plug holder 29 for Plug-in connector of a diagnostic board 30. The inserted diagnostic board 30 has at its remote from the housing cover 28 Endbereich a connector 31 for electrical Plug connection with a perpendicular to the valve housing 15 arranged control board 32. At the housing cover 28 facing side of the control board 32 are five as Diagnostic display means trained and not in the figures recognizable LEDs arranged in a row next to each other, provided with bolt-like light guide elements 33 are. These light guide elements 33 extend from the Control board 32 from up to appropriately arranged through holes 34 in the housing cover 28, so that the housing cover the switching on of these LEDs can be seen is. Instead of passage openings 34 can in principle Also windows are provided, where the light guide elements 33 open. Furthermore, the LEDs can in principle be arranged on the housing cover 28, in which case, however provided corresponding electrical connection lines would have to be.

The control board 32 includes a microcontroller for spreader functions and sensor functions of the piston-cylinder assembly 10 and the valve assembly in the valve housing 15th It receives sensor signals, for example from sensors to Detection of piston positions, valve member sensors, pressure sensors and the same. The valves are directly controlled or the valve of the valve assembly. The programming of the Microcontroller can have an external central station, a connecting bus assembly and the connector 20 respectively. Alternatively or additionally, also the valve housing Have 15 programming elements, such as DIL switches on the control board 32 or other boards or Control boards. Also on the outside of the valve housing 15th can be arranged programming switch or a programming keyboard be, for example, then a display for Facilitation of programming is provided.

The diagnostic board 30 also has a microcontroller for diagnostic functions, also via DIL switches on the diagnostic board 30 or via a keyboard programmed on the outside of the housing or via a bus arrangement can be.

Diagnostic functions are, for example, lifetime monitoring the valve members and / or the piston. It can be a provided number of strokes are set, for example 10,000 strokes on the valve links. After reaching this Number is then a corresponding diagnostic indicator. Furthermore, a stroke duration monitoring can take place, that is, the duration of movement of the stroke of the valve member and / or the Piston can be monitored and a designated duration of movement plus a tolerance can be adjusted accordingly. at Exceeding the set value is a corresponding Diagnostic display. The number of strokes can also be on demand get saved. Furthermore, for example, the Position sensors are monitored for the piston, respectively that sensor one of the monitoring LEDs turns on, which is currently addressing. A simultaneous response several position sensors makes a malfunction identified. Other known diagnostic functions can also still be provided, with both diagnostic functions the piston-cylinder assembly 10 and the valve assembly are included.

According to the respective diagnostic display becomes a light emitting diode or several LEDs are constantly lit or flashing enabled, so that already with five LEDs one Variety of different diagnostic functions identified can be made. The number of LEDs is obvious not limited to the number five. Also different Illuminated colors can be used to display various diagnostic functions be used.

As an alternative to light emitting diodes can as a diagnostic display means Also, a display on the valve housing 15 may be provided by the different diagnostic messages are displayed directly can be. This display can also be used in addition to Programming and used to display control functions become.

The diagnostic board can contain all diagnostic functions, or some basic diagnostic functions are in the Control board 32 included, so that the diagnostic board 30th can also be used or retrofitted, if the additional Diagnostic functions are desired. In this case only the housing cover 28 has to be removed, the diagnostic board 30 inserted and the housing cover 28 again so attached or fixed to the valve housing 15 that the Plug connector 31, the diagnostic board 30 electrically connects to the control board 32. That way you can also different diagnostic boards according to user request alternatively be used.

The diagnostic board 30 may also be on or in the housing cover 28 be integrated. The electrical connection with the control board 32 then takes place in the same way, but must to Replacing diagnostic functions respectively Housing cover to be replaced.

In a modification of the illustrated embodiment may the valve housing 15 and the components contained therein be integrated in the cylinder housing 11. Another alternative is that the electronic components, for example, the diagnostic board 30, in the cylinder housing 11 are housed. Finally, the valve housing 15 may also be arranged separately from the cylinder housing 11, wherein then electrical and fluidic connecting lines required are.

Claims (12)

1. Fluid power device with a valve assembly (15) connected to a piston/cylinder assembly (10) and with an electronic control unit for both assemblies integrated either into the valve assembly (15) or into the piston/cylinder assembly (10) and incorporating a diagnostic device for components of the valve assembly (15) and the piston/cylinder assembly (10) and diagnostic display means (33), characterised in that the housing (11) of the piston/cylinder assembly (10) or the housing of the valve assembly (15) contains a component-carrying control circuit board assembly (32) essentially representing the electronic control unit for both assemblies, a separate diagnostic board (30) containing the diagnostic device and featuring connecting means (31) for insertion into or plugging to the control circuit board assembly (32).
2. Fluid power device according to claim 1, characterised in that the valve assembly (15) is mounted on or integrated into the piston/cylinder assembly (10).
3. Fluid power device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that an electric connector arrangement (20) is located on the outside of the housing to connect the control circuit board assembly (32) to an external station and/or to a power supply.
4. Fluid power device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the diagnostic board (30) is provided with its own microcontroller for diagnostic functions.
5. Fluid power device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a housing cover (28) is provided to cover an opening of the housing containing the control circuit board assembly (32), which is preferably designed as an optional receptacle, in particular a plug-in receptacle, for the diagnostic board (30) or with which the diagnostic board is integrated.
6. Fluid power device according to claim 5, characterised in that the housing cover (28) contains the diagnostic display means or has through-openings (34) or windows through which the diagnostic display means (33) located on the control circuit board assembly (32) arranged thereunder can be seen.
7. Fluid power device according to claim 6, characterised in that the diagnostic display means (33) are designed as light-emitting diodes mounted on the control circuit board assembly (32), and in that optical waveguides are provided to transmit light to the through-openings (34) or windows of the housing cover (28).
8. Fluid power device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the diagnostic display means (33) with the light-emitting diodes, together with the diagnostic device, are designed for the generation of various diagnostic displays by switching on different light-emitting diodes or combinations of light-emitting diodes and/or by means of different switch-on sequences and/or colours of the light-emitting diodes.
9. Fluid power device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the diagnostic display means are designed as a display which is preferably also used for indicating control functions and/or for programming.
10. Fluid power device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by sensor monitoring and/or running time monitoring of moving components, such as pistons or valve members, and/or by service interval displays and/or life monitoring as diagnostic functions, the sensor monitoring function preferably involving the monitoring of pistons and/or valve members by pairs of sensors.
11. Fluid power device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that programming means are provided for programming or setting the being preferably designed as a keypad on the outside of the housing or as switches, in particular DIL switches, and said programming means preferably having a wireless or wired communication interface on or in the housing, which is actively connected to a separate user interface.
12. Fluid power device according to claim 11, characterised in that the switches are located on the control circuit board assembly (32) and/or on the diagnostic board (30).

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