Solenoid driving device

• US 6,839,216 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Hagiwara, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): LEJA, RONALD W
• Application Number:
  US09/934,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 361/187, 361/93.1, 361/93.9, 361/139, 361/142, 361/152, 361/153, 361/154, 361/160, 361/166, 361/168.1, 361/170, 361/189, 361/190, 361/191
• US Class Current: 361/152
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1877 controlling a plurality of loads
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/325 by switching regulator
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/087 for dc applications

Abstract

To reduce the number of signal lines for connecting an current detector and a solenoid electrically.

Between solenoids 1-1 and 1-2 and switches SW-1 and SW-2 and on the high sides with respect to the individual solenoids, respectively, there are connected current detectors 4-1 and 4-2. The end portions of the solenoids 1-1 and 1-2 on the individual GND sides are made common. The number of signal lines for connecting a controller and the two solenoids may be “2+1=3”. Therefore, the number of terminals (or the pin number) of a connector 3 may also be “2+1=3” (P1 to P3). The current detectors 4-1 and 4-2 detect the electric currents to flow to the solenoids 1-1 and 1-2. In the case of an incomplete grounding, for example, it is possible to detect an overcurrent to flow to the solenoids.

Claims

1. A solenoid driving device comprising:

a solenoid for driving an electromagnetic valve;

switch means for feeding an electric current from a first power source intermittently to said solenoid, and

a current detector connected between said solenoid and said switch means and between said first power source and said solenoid for detecting the electric current to flow through said solenoid.

2. A solenoid driving device according to claim 1, wherein said switch means and said current detector are disposed in a controller, the outside of which is connected with said solenoid through a terminal portion, and wherein said current detector detects the electric current to flow through said solenoid connected to the outside of said controller through the terminal portion.

3. A solenoid driving device according to claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic valve is an electromagnetic proportion control valve and said current detector includes overcurrent detection.

4. A solenoid driving device according to claim 1, wherein said current detector is driven by a second power source.

5. A solenoid driving device according to claim 4, wherein said second power source includes a direct current power source.

6. A solenoid driving device comprising:

an electromagnetic valve including a solenoid;

switch means for feeding an electric current from a first power source intermittently to said solenoid, and

a current detector connected between said solenoid and said switch means for detecting the electric current to flow through said solenoid, wherein said switch means and said current detector are disposed in a controller, the at outside of which is connected with said solenoid through a terminal portion, and wherein said current detector detects the electric current to flow through said solenoid connected to the outside of said controller through the terminal portion and said current detector includes overcurrent detection.

7. A solenoid driving device, comprising:

a solenoid for driving an electromagnetic valve;

switch means for feeding an electric current from a first power source intermittently to said solenoid, and

a current detector driven by a second power source connected between said solenoid and said switch means for detecting the electric current to flow through said solenoid, said second power source including a direct current power source, said second power source including an electrical energy storage component disposed between said direct current power source and said current detector.

8. A solenoid driving device , comprising:

a solenoid for driving an electromagnetic valve;

switch means for feeding an electric current from a first power source intermittently to said solenoid, and

a current detector driven by a second power source connected between said solenoid and said switch means for detecting the electric current to flow through said solenoid, said current detector including a voltage/current converter.

9. An electromagnetic valve activation system, comprising:

a plurality N of solenoids; and

a controller including at least one current detector for detecting current to the plurality N of solenoids and the controller including a terminal portion through which the controller is electrically coupled to the plurality N of solenoids only with N+1 signal lines for driving the plurality N of solenoids.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said controller having a first switch means and a second switch means, said first switch means for providing electricity from a first power source intermittently to a first solenoid of said plurality N of solenoids via said terminal portion, said second switch means for providing electricity from said first power source intermittently to a second solenoid of said plurality N of solenoids via said terminal portion, a first current detector disposed between said first solenoid of said plurality N of solenoids and said first switch means, and a second current detector disposed between said second solenoid of said plurality N of solenoids and said second switch means.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one current detector and said second current detector each include overcurrent detection.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein each of said first current detector and second current detector are driven by a second power source.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said first and second current detectors each having a voltage/current converter.