Electro-hydraulic modulating valve pedal assembly
AssigneeZf Off-Highway Solutions Minnesota Inc.
InventorDerek J. Tomhave
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved electro-hydraulic modulating valve pedal assembly is adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid manually through actuation of a pedal, electrically through activation of a solenoid, or in combination through actuation of a pedal and activation of a solenoid. In one embodiment, the pedal assembly includes a pedal that is pivotably mounted to a base, a push rod that is operatively coupled to the pedal, a spool valve that is configured to vary the hydraulic output in response to the position of the push rod, and a solenoid that is magnetically coupled to the push rod. The pedal assembly is well suited for electronic-hydraulic braking control systems, including brake electronic control units for anti-lock braking, emergency braking, and autonomous operation.
Claims20
An electro-hydraulic modulating valve pedal assembly comprising:
- a foot pedal pivotably mounted to a base;
- a push rod operatively coupled to the pedal, such that rotation of the foot pedal relative to the base causes travel of the push rod in a first direction, the push rod including an armature;
- a spool valve including a spool contained within a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port, wherein the spool is operatively coupled to the push rod;
- and
- a solenoid surrounding at least a portion of the armature for applying a magnetic force to the push rod and driving the push rod in the first direction, wherein the foot pedal and the solenoid are first and second valve operators for the spool valve and independently cause the spool to move in the first direction between a first position in which the work port is closed to the pressure port and a second position in which the work port is open to the pressure port.
An electro-hydraulic modulating valve pedal assembly comprising:
- a solenoid including a solenoid housing defining a central bore, a conductive winding extending around the central bore, and an armature within the central bore;
- a foot pedal pivotably mounted to a base and extending over the solenoid, the foot pedal including a foot pedal piston that is mechanically coupled to the solenoid armature;
- and
- a hydraulic valve including a spool contained within a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port, wherein the spool is operatively coupled to the armature, wherein the solenoid and the foot pedal are first and second valve operators for the hydraulic valve and independently cause the spool to move from a first position in which the work port is closed to the pressure port to a second position in which the work port is open to the pressure port.
An electro-hydraulic pedal assembly comprising:
- a solenoid including an armature surrounded by a conductive winding, such that energizing the conductive winding causes the armature to travel in a first direction;
- a foot pedal including a piston that is mechanically coupled to the solenoid armature, such that depression of the foot pedal causes the armature to travel in the first direction;
- and
- a hydraulic valve including a spool that is responsive to the position of the armature and is contained within a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port, such that the solenoid and the foot pedal are first and second valve operators that independently cause the spool to move from a first position in which the work port is closed to the pressure port to a second position in which the work port is open to the pressure port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.