DE102010011791A1 - Active spring- or damping device for supporting wheel or axle of vehicle body of vehicle, particularly road vehicle, has hydraulic piston-cylinder-element which has piston, cylinder and piston rod that is connected with piston - Google Patents

Abstract

The active spring- or damping device (1) has a hydraulic piston-cylinder-element (2) which has a piston (3), a cylinder (4) and a piston rod (5) that is connected with the piston. The piston in the cylinder separates a working chamber (6) by another working chamber (7). The former working chamber is hydraulically connected with a balancing storage (9) over a control unit (8). The latter working chamber is hydraulically connected with the former working chamber over another control unit (12). An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a spring- or damping device for supporting a wheel or axle of a vehicle body of a vehicle, particularly a road vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to an active spring and / or damper device for supporting a wheel or axle on a vehicle body, in particular a road vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with at least one such spring and / or damper device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating such a spring and / or damper device.

From the DE 39 02 743 C1 An active spring and / or damper device is known which comprises a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit comprising a piston, a cylinder and a piston rod connected to the piston and guided out of the cylinder. The piston separates in the cylinder a first working space of a second working space. In the known spring and / or damper both working chambers are each connected via an adjustable throttle, each with a pressure accumulator. Furthermore, both work spaces are connected via a control valve arrangement with a hydraulic conveyor and via a return to a hydraulic fluid reservoir.

From the EP 2 039 582 A2 is another active spring and / or damper device is known in which a conveyor both working chambers simultaneously applied with pressure, both working chambers via separate control valves are relieved independently of each other in the reservoir.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing for an active spring and / or damper device or for a vehicle equipped therewith or for an associated operating method, an improved or at least another embodiment, which is characterized in particular by a reduced energy consumption.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the general idea, in an active spring and / or damper device, wherein the first working space is connected via a first control device with a, in particular hydropneumatic, balance memory, wherein the second working space via a second control device with the first working space is hydraulically connected, in which a drive connected to an electric motor hydraulic conveyor is hydraulically connected on the suction side with the balance memory and pressure side with the second working space and in which the first working space via a first working space blocking and the second working space opening non-return device with the second working space hydraulically connected is to hydraulically couple the second working space with a hydropneumatic dynamic accumulator.

Due to the hydraulic coupling of the second working space with such a hydropneumatic dynamic accumulator, it is possible at the beginning of cornering to charge the dynamic accumulator at least at the respective outer spring and / or damper device until a rolling moment of the vehicle is compensated. In other words, the dynamics memory is charged until the vehicle is horizontally aligned in the curve. Once this compensation has taken place, the conveyor can be turned off and the control devices can be closed or de-energized. In other words, the electrical energy consumers of the active spring and / or damper device are turned off during cornering so that they consume no electric current and thus no electrical energy. Overall, this leads to a reduced energy consumption in the vehicle. At the same time, the supercharged dynamic accumulator ensures sufficient ride comfort, since it serves as a spring for the hydraulic volume of the second working space. The dynamic accumulator also acts as a spring for the first working chamber via the coupling of the two working chambers realized with the non-return device. Overall, the spring and / or damper device presented here allows comfortable driving through curves with reduced energy consumption.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the conveying device can be configured such that, when the electric motor is switched off, a return flow directed counter to the conveying direction of the conveying device and driven through the conveying device drives the conveying device. The conveyor then drives the electric motor, which is designed for this case so that it can be operated or switched as a generator. If, therefore, when the electric motor is switched off, a flow direction through which the conveying direction flows is formed in the hydraulic system of the spring and / or damper device, then the electric motor can be operated as a generator in order to generate electric current. This can for example be supplied to a vehicle battery to charge it. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in connection with a vehicle which has a hybrid drive with electric motor or only an electric drive. Does it come during the turning described above to a Pressure increase in the second working space leads to this backflow, which can be used to generate electrical energy. Further, at the end of cornering, as the roll torque decreases, the dynamic accumulator relaxes, which also results in a backflow through the conveyor, which allows the energy needed to charge the dynamic accumulator to be largely recovered , Ideally, the leveling of the vehicle in cornering can be realized largely energy-neutral.

The dynamic memory requires, in contrast to the equalization memory only a relatively small volume. As a result, he is on the one hand highly dynamic, so briefly rechargeable and dischargeable. Furthermore, the spring characteristic of this dynamic accumulator increases progressively with increasing pressure, which advantageously accommodates the delivery characteristic of the electric motor, which has a decreasing delivery rate as the counterpressure increases, and in particular allows the use of a comparatively small electric motor.

Appropriately, the conveyor may be hydraulically connected via a non-return device to the accumulation memory on the suction side, which blocks to the balance memory and opens to the conveyor. In addition or as an alternative, the delivery device can be hydraulically connected to the compensation reservoir via a throttle, in particular via a controllable throttle. The non-return device allows undisturbed suction of the hydraulic fluid. The throttle prevents an unrestrained return flow, whereby a disturbing interaction with the balance memory or with the hydraulic pressure in the balance memory can be avoided.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the delivery device can be hydraulically connected to the compensation reservoir via a pressure relief valve which blocks the compensation reservoir below a predetermined maximum pressure and opens above the maximum pressure and blocks the delivery device. In this way, an impermissibly high pressure rise in the hydraulic system of the spring and / or damper device can be avoided.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the dynamic accumulator can be hydraulically connected via a non-return device, which opens to the second working chamber and blocks the dynamic accumulator, and via a parallel throttle, in particular a controllable throttle, with the second main memory. Through this interconnection, the dynamic memory is decoupled from the dynamic controls of the controllers, while allowing dynamic pressure equalization even with deactivated controllers.

Alternatively, the conveying device can be hydraulically connected to the second working space via a pressure path which contains a non-return blocking device which opens to the second working space and blocks the conveying device. At the same time, the dynamic accumulator can be hydraulically connected via a charging path to the pressure path between the second working space and the non-return device and hydraulically connected via a discharge path to the pressure path between the conveyor and non-return device. The discharge path then contains a further non-return device, which opens to the conveyor and locks to the dynamics memory. In this design, the dynamics memory can be charged unthrottled, so that the charge at the beginning of cornering in a particularly short time, so with high dynamics is feasible.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

It show, each schematically

1 a greatly simplified schematic diagram of an active spring and / or damper device,

2 another view of the spring and / or damper device 1 .

3 - 5 Views like in 2 but in other embodiments of the spring and / or damper device.

According to the 1 - 5 includes an active spring and / or damper device 1 , which is also shortened below as an institution 1 is referred to, a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 2 that has a piston 3 , a cylinder 4 and a piston rod 5 having. The piston rod 5 is with the piston 3 connected and out of the cylinder 4 led out. The piston 3 separates in the cylinder 4 a first workroom 6 from a second workroom 7 , The piston rod 5 is through the second workspace 7 out of the cylinder 4 led out. Consequently, the piston has 3 in the second workspace 7 a smaller pressure surface than in the first working space 6 ,

The spring and / or damper device 1 serves to support a wheel or axle on a vehicle body of a vehicle, which is preferably a road vehicle. Appropriately, the wheel or the axis with the cylinder 4 connected while the vehicle body with the piston rod 5 connected is.

The first workroom 6 is via a first control device 8th with a balance memory 9 hydraulically connected. The equalization memory 9 is preferably as a hydropneumatic balance memory 9 designed. To bypass the first control device 8th in one direction is a bypass 10 provided, which is a non-return valve 11 contains the first working space 6 opens and to memory 9 locks. Thus, a hydraulic flow from the first main memory 6 to the balance memory 9 only by the first control device 8th possible while a hydraulic flow from the working memory 9 to the first workroom 6 through the bypass 10 is possible.

Furthermore, the second workspace 7 via a second control device 12 with the first workspace 6 hydraulically connected. Indirectly, the second workspace 7 then also via the first control device 8th with the equalization memory 9 connected.

In the usual way, the first control device is used 8th for lifting the structure or for expressing the piston rod 5 while the second control device 12 for lowering the structure or for retracting the piston rod 5 serves.

The device 1 also has a hydraulic conveyor 13 on that with an electric motor 14 is drive connected. The conveyor 13 has a suction side 15 and a print page 16 , The suction side is the conveyor 13 with the equalization memory 9 hydraulically connected. Pressure side is the conveyor 13 with the second workspace 7 hydraulically connected.

The first workroom 6 is also with the second workspace 7 via a non-return device 17 hydraulically connected to the first working space 6 locks and to the second workroom 7 opens. Appropriately, this non-return device is 17 in the embodiments shown here in the piston 3 integrated.

The bypass 10 and the associated non-return device 11 are at the in 1 shown, greatly simplified representation realized separately. Likewise is also equalization memory 9 shown as a separate component. In contrast, the show 2 - 5 expedient embodiments in which the cylinder 4 of the piston-cylinder unit 2 has an extension that over one of the piston rod 5 remote ground 18 goes out and the balance memory 9 forms. Furthermore, in these representations of the bypass 10 and the non-return device in this soil 18 integrated, the equalization memory 9 from the first workroom 6 separates.

At the facility presented here 1 is the second workspace 7 also with a hydro-pneumatic dynamic accumulator 19 hydraulically coupled. The dynamics memory 19 is significantly smaller in terms of its storage volume dimensioned as the balance memory 9 , For example, the balance memory has 9 a ten times larger storage volume than the dynamics memory 19 , This makes it possible, in particular, the dynamic memory 19 comparatively easy to design for larger pressures. Thus, the maximum permissible pressure of the dynamic memory can 19 be dimensioned significantly larger than the maximum permissible pressure of the accumulator 9 , For example, the maximum pressure of the dynamic memory 19 ten times or even a hundred times larger than the maximum pressure of the equalization memory 9 ,

The electric motor 14 may suitably be designed so that it can also be operated as a generator. Furthermore, the conveyor 13 against their indicated by an arrow conveying direction 20 from an also indicated by an arrow backflow 21 be flowed through. This backflow 21 then leads to a rotation of the conveyor 13 that the electric motor 14 or the generator 14 drives. In other words, the electric motor becomes 14 energized, he drives the conveyor 13 so that these are the hydraulic means in the conveying direction 20 pumps or promotes. Is the electric motor 14 de-energized, it works as a generator, allowing a backflow 21 over the conveyor 13 the generator 14 drives so that it can deliver electricity. Basically, the generator 14 even with a hydraulic flow in the conveying direction 20 be driven to generate electricity.

In the embodiments of the 1 . 2 . 4 and 5 is the conveyor 13 suction side via a non-return device 22 with the equalization memory 9 hydraulically connected. This non-return device 22 locks to the equalization memory 9 and opens to the conveyor 13 Thus, the conveyor 13 Hydraulic fluid from the main memory 9 suck. In addition, an optional throttle 23 be provided, via which the conveyor 13 suction side with the balance memory 9 can be hydraulically connected. Such a throttle 23 is in the embodiments of 1 . 2 and 4 intended. This throttle 23 can act as a controllable throttle 23 be designed, which exemplifies in 4 is reproduced.

The conveyor 13 can pressure side via a pressure relief valve 24 with the equalization memory 9 be hydraulically connected. Such a pressure relief valve 24 is exemplary in 4 however, it can be used in the other embodiments as well. The pressure relief valve 24 locks to the equalization memory 9 , as long as the pressure on the pressure side of the conveyor 13 remains below a predetermined maximum pressure. If the pressure in the hydraulic fluid on the pressure side of the conveyor increases 13 above this maximum pressure, opens the pressure relief valve 24 and allows relaxation in the balance memory 9 , In the opposite direction, so to the conveyor 13 locks the pressure relief valve 24 ,

The dynamics memory 19 is appropriate over a non-return device 25 leading to the second workroom 7 opens and to the dynamics memory 19 locks with the second memory 7 hydraulically connected. This ensures that the dynamics memory 19 without significant pressure loss, ie with high dynamics, for example in the second working space 7 , unload or relax. In addition, here too can be a throttle 26 be provided, which is parallel to the non-return device 25 is provided and a throttled connection between the dynamics memory 19 and for example the second workspace 7 allows. This throttle 26 can be configured controllable. This is exemplary in 4 played.

In the in the 2 - 5 shown embodiments, the cylinder 4 in the field of workrooms 6 . 7 designed double-walled, so that he has an inner wall 27 and an outer wall 28 having. The inner wall 27 corresponds to the actual cylinder 4 in which the workrooms 6 . 7 are formed and in which the piston 6 is adjustable. The outer wall 28 encloses the inner wall 27 coaxial, forming an annular space 29 , which with the help of a permanently installed separating ring 30 shared and one with the first workspace 6 communicating lower or first subspace 31 and one with the second workspace 7 communicating upper or second subspace 32 having. This corresponds to the so-called double pipe construction.

In the 2 embodiment shown corresponds largely to in 1 simplified illustrated embodiment.

In contrast, shows 3 a modified embodiment, the specific circuitry of the dynamic memory 19 has. According to 3 is the conveyor 13 via a print path 33 with the second workspace 7 hydraulically connected. This print path 33 contains a non-return device 34 leading to the second workroom 7 opens and to the conveyor 13 locks. The dynamics memory 19 is on the other hand via a Aufladepfad 35 to the print path 33 hydraulically connected, via a connection point 36 that is between the non-return device 34 and the second workspace 7 located. Furthermore, the dynamics memory 19 via a discharge path 37 to the print path 33 connected, via a connection point 38 between the conveyor 13 and the non-return device 34 is arranged. The discharge path 37 contains another non-return device 25 that the referring to 1 and 2 explained non-return device 25 equivalent. This opens to the conveyor 13 and locks to the dynamics memory 19 ,

The print path 33 points between the junction 36 of the charging path 35 and the second workspace 7 a throttle 26 on, which is related to the 1 and 2 shown throttle 26 can act. The discharge path 37 can between his non-return device 35 and its junction 38 to the print path 33 another throttle 39 included as in 3 shown as a controllable throttle 39 can be designed. The discharge of the dynamic memory 19 can thus via the throttle 39 take place and be controlled in particular. At the same time, the dynamics memory can 19 over the throttle 26 in the second workspace 7 relax. The loading of the main memory 19 via the charging path 35 and thus in particular unthrottled.

The conveyor 13 can according to 3 a bypass path 40 be assigned to the suction side 15 the conveyor 13 with the pressure side 16 the conveyor 13 connects and the another non-return device 41 contains. This non-return device 41 locks to the suction side 15 and opens to the print page 16 , so with the electric motor off 14 Hydraulic fluid from the equalizing reservoir 9 to the second workspace 7 can flow if the dynamic memory 19 is discharged. The bypass path 40 is expedient between the conveyor 13 and the connection point 38 to the print path 33 connected to the discharge path 37 with the print path 33 combines.

In the 4 The embodiment shown differs from that in FIG 2 shown embodiment only in that on the one hand, the pressure relief valve 24 is provided, which is the conveyor 13 pressure side with the balance memory 9 feedback, and that, on the other hand, the throttle 26 which the dynamics memory 19 with the second workspace 7 connects hydraulically, is designed controllable. In addition, at the in 4 the embodiment shown throttle 23 parallel to the non-return valve 22 is arranged, also designed controllable.

In the 5 The embodiment shown differs from the other embodiments of 1 - 4 by an extremely cheap feasibility. For this purpose, the conveyor 13 with the help of several non-return devices in the area of the control devices 8th . 12 connected. With the electric motor switched on 14 sucks the conveyor 13 via a suction line 42 bypassing the first control device 8th Hydraulic fluid from the equalizing reservoir 9 at. The suction line 42 contains the non-return device 22 , If, however, the electric motor 14 operated as a generator, allows a coupling line 43 a return flow through the first control device 8th to the balance memory 9 , So that the backflow 21 not the first working space 6 passes is between the two control device 8th . 12 another non-return device 44 arranged, leading to the first workroom 6 locks and the first control device 8th opens. At a pressure equalization of one of the work spaces 6 . 7 to the balance memory 9 no false flow to the conveyor 13 to allow and a hydraulic fluid intake of the conveyor 13 from the first workroom 6 To avoid is between the first control device 8th and the suction line 42 in the coupling line 43 another non-return device 45 provided to the conveyor 13 locks and the first control device 8th opens. As well as in 3 here is a bypass path 40 with non-return device 41 to bypass the conveyor 13 available.

The non-return locks 11 . 22 . 25 . 34 . 41 . 44 . 45 can be configured as a simple non-return valves. The control devices 8th . 12 can be configured as control valves. Likewise, they can be realized as controllable chokes.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a road vehicle, in which at least one wheel or at least one axle by means of such a spring and / or damper device 1 is supported on the vehicle body. Suitably, in a passenger car all four wheels with the help of such a spring and / or damper device 1 supported on the vehicle body.

The device presented here 1 or a vehicle having one or more such devices 1 can be operated as follows:
At the beginning of a cornering can by pressing the conveyor 13 and the respective control device 8th respectively. 12 the dynamics memory 19 be charged until a caused by the cornering on the vehicle rolling moment is balanced. The compensation of the rolling moment leads to a leveling of the vehicle. At least the dynamics memories are expedient for this purpose 19 the outside facilities 1 charged. Once then the rolling moment is balanced, the control devices 8th . 12 be closed or disabled. Furthermore, the conveyor 13 turned off. The vehicle then remains aligned horizontally. At the same time a desired ride comfort is maintained, since by the device 1 still can be compensated for shocks, namely on the dynamic volume 19 cushioned and in particular via the throttle 26 can be damped. At the same time, such impacts lead to a backflow 21 , which is when switched as a generator electric motor 14 can be used for recuperation or recovery of energy. At the end of the cornering, the respective dynamic memory 19 be relaxed again, which also when the electric motor 14 against the conveying direction 20 done so that a backflow 21 the generator 14 drives and thereby recovering a majority of the charge for the dynamics memory 19 used energy allows.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 3902743 C1 [0002]
• EP 2039582 A2 [0003]

Claims (13)

Active spring and / or damper device for supporting a wheel or an axle on a vehicle body, in particular of a road vehicle, with a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit ( 2 ), which has a piston ( 3 ), a cylinder ( 4 ) and one with the piston ( 3 ) and out of the cylinder ( 4 ) led out piston rod ( 5 ), wherein the piston ( 3 ) in the cylinder ( 4 ) a first work space ( 6 ) from a second workspace ( 7 ), the first working space ( 6 ) via a first control device ( 8th ) with a balance memory ( 9 ) is hydraulically connected, - wherein the second working space ( 7 ) via a second control device ( 12 ) with the first working space ( 6 ) is hydraulically connected, - one with an electric motor ( 14 ) drive-connected hydraulic conveyor ( 13 ) on the suction side with the equalizing reservoir ( 9 ) and the pressure side with the second working space ( 7 ) is hydraulically connected, - wherein the first working space ( 6 ) via a non-return device ( 17 ) with the second working space ( 7 ) is hydraulically connected to the first working space ( 6 ) and to the second workspace ( 7 ), the second working space ( 7 ) with a hydro-pneumatic dynamic accumulator ( 19 ) is hydraulically coupled. Spring and / or damper device according to claim characterized in that - when the electric motor ( 14 ) one against the conveying direction ( 20 ) of the conveyor ( 13 ), by the conveyor ( 13 ) guided backflow ( 21 ) the conveyor ( 13 ), then the conveyor ( 13 ) the electric motor ( 14 ), which is then connected as a generator. Spring and / or damper device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the conveyor device ( 13 ) on the suction side via a non-return device ( 22 ) hydraulically with the balance memory ( 9 ) connected to the equalization memory ( 9 ) locks and to the conveyor ( 13 ) opens, and / or - that the conveyor ( 13 ) on the suction side via a throttle ( 23 ), in particular via a controllable throttle ( 23 ), hydraulically with the balance memory ( 9 ) connected is. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conveyor device ( 13 ) on the pressure side via a pressure relief valve ( 24 ) hydraulically with the balance memory ( 9 ) connected to the equalization memory ( 9 ) blocks below a predetermined maximum pressure and opens above the maximum pressure and that to the conveyor ( 13 ) locks. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dynamic memory ( 19 ) via a non-return device ( 25 ) leading to the second workspace ( 7 ) and to the dynamics memory ( 19 ) and via a parallel throttle device ( 26 ), in particular via a controllable throttle ( 26 ), with the second working space ( 7 ) is hydraulically connected. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that - the conveyor ( 13 ) via a print path ( 33 ), which has a non-return device ( 34 ) leading to the second workspace ( 7 ) and to the conveyor ( 13 ) hydraulically locks with the second working space ( 7 ), that the dynamic memory ( 19 ) via a charging path ( 35 ) to the print path ( 33 ) between the second working space ( 7 ) and the non-return device ( 34 ) is hydraulically connected and via a discharge path ( 37 ) to the print path ( 33 ) between conveyor ( 13 ) and non-return device ( 34 ) is hydraulically connected, wherein the discharge path ( 37 ) a further non-return device ( 25 ) which is part of the conveyor ( 13 ) and to the dynamics memory ( 19 ) locks. Spring and / or damper device according to claim 6, characterized in that - the pressure path ( 33 ) between a charging path ( 35 ) with the print path ( 33 ) connecting point ( 36 ) and the second workspace ( 7 ) a throttle ( 26 ), in particular a controllable throttle ( 26 ), and / or - that the discharge path ( 37 ) between the non-return device ( 25 ) and one the discharge path ( 37 ) with the print path ( 33 ) connecting point ( 38 ) a throttle ( 39 ), in particular a controllable throttle ( 39 ) contains. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - a suction side ( 15 ) of the conveyor ( 13 ) with the pressure side ( 16 ) of the conveyor ( 13 ) connecting bypass path ( 40 ) a non-return device ( 41 ) to the suction side ( 15 ) locks and to the pressure side ( 16 ) opens, In particular, it may be provided that the bypass path ( 40 ) between the conveyor ( 13 ) and one the discharge path ( 37 ) with the print path ( 33 ) connecting point ( 38 ) to the print path ( 33 ) connected. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the balance memory ( 9 ) via a non-return device ( 11 ) with the first working space ( 6 ) is hydraulically connected to the balance memory ( 9 ) and to the first workspace ( 6 ) opens. Spring and / or damper device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the control devices ( 8th . 12 ) is designed as a control valve or as a controllable throttle. Vehicle, in particular road vehicle, in which at least one wheel or at least one axle by means of a spring and / or damper device ( 1 ) is supported on one of the claims 1 to 10 on the vehicle body. Method for operating at least one spring and / or damper device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10 in a vehicle according to claim 11, - in which at the beginning of a cornering by operating the conveyor ( 13 ) and the respective control device ( 8th . 12 ) the dynamic memory ( 19 ) at least at the respective outer spring and / or damper device ( 1 ) is charged until a rolling moment of the vehicle is balanced, - in which the control devices ( 8th . 12 ) and the conveyor ( 13 ) is switched off as soon as the rolling moment is balanced. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that when relaxing the dynamic memory ( 19 ) the control devices ( 8th . 12 ) are switched off or operated in such a way that the conveyor ( 13 ) contrary to their conveying direction ( 20 ) is flowed through.

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