Valve and method for manufacturing an actuator housing for an actuator unit for such a valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve (1) comprising a base unit (2) with a base housing (3) which defines a receptacle (4) open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil arrangement (5) of the base unit (2) arranged in the base housing (3), and an actuator unit (7) arranged in the receptacle (4) of the base unit (2), which has a multi-part actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) in which a valve element (9) of the actuator unit (7) which is axially adjustable along an actuating axis (8) and a rotor device (32) of the actuator unit (7) which is arranged on the valve element (9) and which interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement (5) is received. It is essential that two housing parts (10.1, 10.2) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a conical connection (12). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for an actuator unit (7) for such a valve (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a valve according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an actuator unit, an actuator housing and a method for manufacturing an actuator housing for an actuator unit of such a valve. A valve of the type mentioned above is described in German patent application DE 10 2019 111 207 A1. The manufacture of the known valve is relatively expensive due to a complex and therefore relatively time-consuming valve assembly process, as well as comparatively high storage and logistics costs. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment of a valve. In particular, it aims to demonstrate a way in which a valve can be provided more cost-effectively. In the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. The aforementioned problem is solved by a valve, in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve, or a shut-off valve, comprising a base unit with a base housing that defines a receptacle open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly of the base unit arranged in the base housing. The valve further comprises an actuator unit arranged in the receptacle of the base unit, which has a multi-part actuator housing in which a rotor assembly, electromagnetically interacting with the coil assembly, and a valve element axially adjustable along an actuating axis are accommodated. Crucially, two housing parts of the actuator housing are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a conical connection.The conical connection comprises a conical surface formed by a first housing part of the two housing parts, circumscribing a central axis of the actuator housing, and a contact surface formed by a second housing part of the two housing parts, circumscribing the central axis and abutting the conical surface of the first housing part. The conical connection is thus formed by the contact surface being, in particular, concentrically, in contact with the conical surface. Furthermore, it is provided that the contact surface cylindrically and / or coaxially surrounds the central axis. In other words, the contact surface of the second housing part is specifically not conical or free of cones. This measure simplifies the manufacturing of the second housing part, as it eliminates the need to create a complementary (i.e., conical) mating surface to the conical surface, thus making it more cost-effective than before. According to the invention, the terms "conical" and "cone-shaped" can be used synonymously. The fact that the contact surface cylindrically encloses the central axis can mean that the contact surface is circularly cylindrical. In this case, i.e., with a circularly cylindrical design of the contact surface, all points that can be arranged on the contact surface are equidistant from the central axis. However, the contact surface could also have a non-circular cylindrical shape, for example, an elliptical-cylindrical shape or a prismatic-cylindrical shape. The term "axial" refers to the actuating axis of the valve element within a given actuator unit. An "axial direction" can be parallel or substantially parallel to the actuating axis of the valve element. The coil arrangement can, for example, consist of at least one coil that can be activated by current. Preferably, the coil arrangement can comprise two coils axially spaced apart from each other, each of which can be activated by current. Furthermore, the base housing may contain a circuit board electrically connected to the coil assembly, which has electrically conductive conductor tracks and / or at least one electronic component for controlling the coil assembly. It can be provided that the aforementioned rotor assembly is mounted coaxially to the central axis of the actuator housing and is rotatable in a circumferential direction about the central axis of the actuator housing. Advantageously, the valve element is mounted in the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly advantageously comprises a first component that electromagnetically interacts with the coil arrangement of the base unit to generate the rotary motion of the rotor assembly, and a second component fixed to the first component that translates the rotary motion of the rotor assembly into an axial positioning motion of the valve element, for example, in the manner of a spindle drive.Furthermore, the first cooperation partner may have a permanent magnet arrangement consisting of at least one or more permanent magnets and / or the second cooperation partner may have an internal thread that meshes with an external thread of the valve element designed to be complementary to the internal thread. An advantageous way to fix the first housing part to the second housing part is to secure the first housing part to the contact surface of the second housing part via its conical surface, preferably by means of an interference fit, creating a force-fit and positive connection. More generally, the first housing part is pushed onto the second housing part via its conical surface, applying a pressing force between the two housing parts. The first housing part can advantageously be joined to the second housing part by applying force (i.e., by interference fit). This permanently and inseparably fixes the two housing parts to one another. The actuator housing can thus be produced cost-effectively, since neither additional joining methods nor the necessary auxiliary or additive materials are required to achieve the proposed fixation. In particular, it can be provided that a butt gap formed during the assembly of the actuator housing between the first housing part and the second housing part is sealed fluid-tight by a material-bonded connection between the first and second housing parts, preferably achieved by bonding or welding, especially laser welding. During assembly of the actuator housing, the first housing part can, for example, be loosely pre-fixed to the second housing part by generating the pressing force through sliding or press-fitting. In this process, the two pre-fixed components define a butt gap or at least a groove circumferentially around the central axis in a boundary region (butt area), which is then sealed fluid-tight, preferably by bonding or welding, especially laser welding. In a further embodiment of the invention, a cone angle α is provided between the conical surface and the central axis, the angle being between 3° and 5°, preferably between 3.7° and 4.3°, and particularly preferably 4°. The specified cone angle α ensures sufficient centering of the first and second housing parts relative to each other. Furthermore, the specified cone angle prevents damage to the two housing parts during pressing, particularly when creating the aforementioned press fit. It is conceivable that the cone angle changes along the axial extent of the conical surface. However, it is preferred that the cone angle remains constant along the axial extent of the conical surface. In particular, it can be provided that the conical surface is oriented radially outwards (i.e. radially away from the central axis). Furthermore, in particular, it can be provided that the first housing part is formed by a pot-shaped housing base of the actuator housing and that the conical surface is arranged on an annular projection of the housing base that circumferentially around the central axis. Advantageously, the second housing part can be formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve body of the actuator housing. The contact surface can preferably be formed by a radially inward (i.e., radially towards the central axis) oriented section of an inner surface of the sleeve body, arranged at a first axial end of the sleeve body. The sleeve body is preferably made of metal, in particular sheet metal. It may also be advantageous to provide that the second housing part and a third housing part of the actuator housing are coaxially centered and / or fixed to each other via a further conical connection. In this context, it can be imagined that the further conical connection has a further conical surface formed by the third housing part and circumferentially surrounding the central axis of the actuator housing, as well as a further contact surface formed by the second housing part, also circumferentially surrounding the central axis and abutting the further conical surface. Here, the further contact surface surrounds the central axis cylindrically and / or coaxially. The further conical connection is thus formed by the, in particular, central contact of the further contact surface with the further conical surface. In other words, the further contact surface of the second housing part is also specifically not conical or coneless.This measure further simplifies the production of the second housing part, as it eliminates the need to form another counter-surface complementary (i.e., conical) to the conical surface. The further contact surface can preferably be formed by a further surface section of the inner surface of the sleeve body, arranged at a second axial end of the sleeve body and oriented radially inwards (i.e. radially towards the central axis). An advantageous way to fix the third housing part to the second housing part is to secure the third housing part to the second housing part's further conical surface, preferably by means of an interference fit, in a force-fit and form-fit manner. More generally, the first housing part is pushed onto the second housing part, creating a press force between the first and second housing parts, and resting against the second housing part's contact surface via the conical surface. The third housing part can then be advantageously joined to the second housing part by applying force (i.e., by interference fit). This preferably results in the two housing parts being permanently and inseparably fixed to one another. The actuator housing can thus be manufactured cost-effectively.In particular, the first housing part, the second housing part and the third housing part can be fixed to each other simultaneously in a common joining process (for example, press fit), thus enabling fast and effective production of the actuator housing. Preferably, the conical surface is spaced a maximum of 50%, and in particular a maximum of 30%, of the axial extent of the conical surface from a maximum axial end of the first housing part, which in particular points towards the third housing part. In particular, the further conical surface is spaced a maximum of 50%, and in particular a maximum of 30%, of the axial extent of the further conical surface from a maximum axial end of the third housing part, which in particular points towards the first housing part. This ensures that contact with the respective conical surface is established as early as possible during the production of the respective conical connection, thus further simplifying the provision of the respective conical connection. Furthermore, it can be provided that a butt gap formed during the assembly of the actuator housing between the third housing part and the second housing part is sealed, particularly fluid-tight, by a material-bonded connection between the third and second housing parts, preferably achieved by bonding or welding, especially laser welding. Additionally, during the assembly of the actuator housing, the third housing part can be loosely pre-fixed to the second housing part, for example, by press fit. In this case, the two pre-fixed components define a butt gap or at least a groove circumferentially around the central axis in a boundary region (butt area), which is then sealed, preferably by bonding or welding, especially laser welding, in a fluid-tight manner. Advantageously, a cone angle β is defined between the further conical surface and the central axis, measuring between 3° and 5°, preferably between 3.7° and 4.3°, and preferably 4°. This cone angle β ensures sufficient centering of the third housing part relative to the second housing part. Furthermore, the cone angle β prevents damage to the two housing parts during pressing, particularly when creating the aforementioned press fit. It is conceivable that the cone angle β is constant over the axial extent of the further conical surface or that it changes over the axial extent of the further conical surface. Furthermore, it can be provided that the further conical surface is oriented radially outwards (i.e. radially away from the central axis). It may be provided that the third housing part is formed by an annular housing cover of the actuator housing and that the further conical surface is arranged on an annular projection of the housing cover that circumferentially around the central axis. The aforementioned problem is also solved by an actuator unit comprising a multi-part actuator housing. This housing contains a rotor assembly designed for electromagnetic interaction with a coil arrangement and a valve element axially adjustable along an actuating axis on the rotor assembly. Crucially, two housing parts of the actuator housing are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a conical connection. This conical connection comprises a conical surface formed by a first housing part of the two housing parts, circumscribing a central axis of the actuator housing, and a contact surface formed by a second housing part of the two housing parts, also circumscribing the central axis and abutting the conical surface of the first housing part. Furthermore, the contact surface is designed to cylindrically and / or coaxially enclose the central axis.The actuator unit may have features in embodiments that are described above in connection with the valve. The aforementioned problem is further solved by a method for manufacturing an actuator housing for an actuator unit for a valve designed according to the preceding description. It is provided that a hollow cylindrical sleeve body of the actuator housing, a pot-shaped housing base of the actuator housing having an annular projection with a conical surface, and an annular housing cover of the actuator housing are provided, the latter (i.e., the housing cover) having an annular projection with a further conical surface. In step A, the sleeve body is placed coaxially onto the annular projection of the housing base, such that the conical surface of the annular projection of the housing base faces radially inward (i.e.,The sleeve body is positioned on a radially oriented (towards the central axis) contacting an inner surface of the sleeve body. Then, in step B, the sleeve body and the housing base are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body onto the annular projection of the housing base (or vice versa). Subsequently, in step C, the sleeve body (i.e., the assembly formed by the housing base and the sleeve body) is placed coaxially onto the annular projection of the housing cover, so that the further conical surface of the annular projection of the housing cover contacts a further radially inward (i.e., towards the central axis) contacting an inner surface of the sleeve body, located at a second axial end of the sleeve body. Then, in step D, the sleeve body (i.e.,the assembly formed from the housing base and the sleeve body) and the housing cover are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body onto the ring projection of the housing cover (or vice versa). This provides a method for the cost-effective production of an actuator housing. A further cost advantage can be achieved by performing at least steps B and D simultaneously in a single operation. It is understood that the outer diameter of the annular projection of the housing base and the outer diameter of the annular projection of the housing cover are adapted to an inner diameter of the sleeve body, so that the housing base, with its annular projection, and the housing cover, with its annular projection, can be inserted into a volume bounded by the sleeve body. The invention further relates to an actuator housing for an actuator unit according to the invention, wherein the actuator housing is manufactured in particular according to the method described above. The actuator housing comprises at least two housing parts which are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a conical connection. The conical connection has a conical surface formed by a first housing part of the two housing parts and circumferentially surrounding a central axis of the actuator housing, as well as a contact surface formed by a second housing part of the two housing parts, circumferentially surrounding the central axis and abutting the conical surface of the first housing part. Furthermore, it is provided that the contact surface cylindrically and / or coaxially surrounds the central axis.The housing parts are aligned and fixed to one another in such a way that a rotor assembly designed for electromagnetic interaction with a coil arrangement and, at least in sections, a valve element axially adjustable along an actuating axis on the rotor assembly can be arranged in the actuator housing. In embodiments, the actuator housing may have features that are described above in connection with the valve. Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings. Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components. Each of these shows, schematically, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the valve from Fig. 1 in a sectional view, Fig. 3 shows the actuator unit of the valve from Fig. 2 in an enlarged sectional view, so that a housing base, a sleeve body and a housing cover of the actuator unit are more clearly visible, Fig. 4 shows the housing base and a section of the sleeve body of the actuator unit from Fig. 3 in an enlarged sectional view, Fig. 5 shows the housing cover and a further section of the sleeve body of the actuator unit from Fig. 3 in an enlarged sectional view. Fig. 1 shows a valve 1 designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1, for example an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve (HGV for short) or a shut-off valve, which can be used in automotive engineering and / or in air conditioning systems. The valve 1 comprises a base unit 2, shown only in Figs. 1 and 2, which has a base housing designated as a whole by reference numeral 3, and an actuator unit 7, which is rod-shaped overall and mounted in a receptacle 4 of the base unit 2 that is open on one side and bounded by the base housing 3. The actuator unit 7 has a valve element 9 that is axially adjustable along an actuating axis 8 for controlling a fluid flow (not illustrated). The base housing 3 shown in Fig. 1 is multi-part and made, for example, of a plastic. The base housing 3 defines an internal volume and limits the aforementioned, open-on-one receptacle 4, which is enclosed by a coil assembly 5 of the base unit 2, arranged entirely within the internal volume of the base housing 3 (see Fig. 2). The coil assembly 5 is formed in this case by two coils 60, each of which can be activated by current. Furthermore, a circuit board 6 of the base unit 2 is accommodated in the base housing 3. This circuit board 6 is electrically connected to the coil assembly 5 and to a connector interface 51 integrated into the base housing 3, which can be connected to an external power source (not shown). This connection allows the coil assembly 5 and the circuit board 6 to be supplied with electrical energy.The circuit board 6 has a plate-like base body 52 as well as electrically conductive conductor tracks 53 and several electronic components 54, for example resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductor chips or sensors, the latter being particularly suitable for controlling the coil arrangement 5 of the base unit 2. The said actuator unit 7 has, in addition to the valve element 9, a multi-part actuator housing 10 which is inserted at least partially or only partially into the receptacle 4 of the base housing 3 and in which the valve element 9 is received. The valve element 9 of the actuator unit 7 has a cylindrical valve element shaft 41, which has a first shaft end 42 arranged in the actuator housing 10 and a second shaft end 43 opposite the first shaft end 42, projecting from the actuator housing 10 and the receptacle 4. The first shaft end 42 is equipped with an actuation section formed by or having an external thread 38 of the valve element 9. A functional section is provided at the second shaft end 43, which in this case is defined by or has a valve element head 44, for example, forming a closing element. The valve element head 44 is considered in this case to be that part of the valve element 9 which directly interacts with a fluid flow to be controlled by the valve 1 for the purpose of controlling the fluid flow, i.e., in particular, is directly wetted by the fluid.The valve member 21 is further equipped with a circumferential stop 45 formed by a flat surface of the valve member 41, which positively locks an unwanted rotational movement of the valve member 9 about the actuating axis 8 by contacting a flat, not shown, counter surface of the actuating member housing 10. Figures 2 and 3 further show that the actuator unit 7 is equipped with a rotor assembly 32, which is mounted coaxially to a central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10 and is rotatable in a circumferential direction 30 about the central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10 in a rotary motion 31. The aforementioned drive section of the valve element 9 is mounted in the rotor assembly. The central axis 11 and the actuating axis 8 are congruent. The rotor assembly 32 has two cooperating components 33 and 34. The first cooperating component 33 of the two cooperating components 33 and 34 interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement 5 of the base unit 2 to generate the rotary motion 31 of the rotor assembly 32. The second cooperation partner 34 of the two cooperation partners 33, 34 is fixed to the first cooperation partner 33 and is designed to convert the rotary movement 31 of the rotor device 32 into a, in Fig.2 and Fig. 3 to translate the axial (i.e. linear) actuating movement 35 of the valve element 9 indicated by a double arrow. By way of example, the first cooperation partner 33 comprises a permanent magnet arrangement 36 consisting of several permanent magnets. The second cooperation partner 34 is formed in this case by a gear sleeve 46 with a cylindrical gear sleeve body 47. The gear sleeve body 47 has a central sleeve opening 48, an inner circumference 49 defining the sleeve opening 48, and an outer circumference 50 oriented opposite to the inner circumference 49. The first cooperation partner 33, i.e., the permanent magnet arrangement 36 consisting of permanent magnets, is fixed to the outer circumference 50 of the gear sleeve body 47. Furthermore, the gear sleeve body 47 is rotatably mounted on the actuator housing 10, for example, by means of a sliding bearing arrangement, which preferably comprises at least one sliding bearing or, more preferably, two axially spaced sliding bearings.In order to translate the rotary movement 31 of the rotor device 32 into the axial positioning movement 35 of the valve element 9, it is provided that the gear sleeve body 47 of the gear sleeve 46 of the second cooperation partner 34 has an internal thread 37 on its inner circumference 49, which meshes with the external thread 38 of the valve element 9 which is designed to be complementary to the internal thread 37. With particular reference to Figures 3, 4 to 5, it should be explained that the actuator housing 10 of the actuator unit 7 comprises several housing parts 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 that are fixed to one another. In the embodiment of the valve 1 illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, the actuator housing 10 is specifically designed in three parts. In this case, a first housing part 10.1 of the actuator housing 10 is formed by a pot-shaped housing base 17 indicated in Fig. 4, a second housing part 10.2 of the actuator housing 10 by a hollow cylindrical sleeve body 21 shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 and a third housing part 10.3 of the actuator housing 10 by an annular housing cover 19 shown in particular in Fig. 5. The cup-shaped housing base 17 of the first housing part 10.1 has a flat, round base 55 from which an annular projection 18 of the housing base 17 projects axially around the central axis 11. The annular projection 18 of the housing base 17 has a radially outwardly oriented, conical surface 13 on its outer circumference 56. The conical surface 13 forms a conical angle α of between 3° and 5°, preferably 4°, with the central axis 11 or an auxiliary axis parallel to the central axis 11. The housing base 17 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. The hollow cylindrical sleeve body 21 of the second housing part 10.2 has a radially outwardly oriented outer surface 57, an opposing inner surface 24, a first axial end 22, and an opposing second axial end 23. The sleeve body 21 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. In a cost-effective embodiment, the sleeve body 21 of the second housing part 10.2 can have a hollow circular cylindrical shape, i.e., be formed by a hollow cylinder with an annular base. The housing cover 19 of the third housing part 10.3 has an annular base body 58 from which an annular projection 20 of the housing cover 19, circumferentially around the central axis 11, projects axially. The annular projection 20 of the housing cover 19 has a further conical surface 28 on its outer circumference 59, oriented radially outwards. This further conical surface 28 forms a conical angle β of between 3° and 5°, preferably 4°, with the central axis 11. The base body 58 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. The first housing part 10.1 and / or the second housing part 10.2 and / or the third housing part 10.3 can be designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central axis 11. Preferably, the first housing part 10.1 and / or the second housing part 10.2 and / or the third housing part 10.3 can be designed as turned parts. The first housing part 10.1 and the third housing part 10.3 can each have a sliding bearing for the rotatable mounting of the rotor assembly 32. The actuator housing 10 of the actuator unit 7 can be manufactured cost-effectively, in particular, by providing two conical connections 12, 27 on the actuator housing 10, via which the aforementioned housing parts 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of the actuator housing 10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another. In the present case, a (first) conical connection 12 of the two conical connections 12, 27, shown in Fig. 4, comprises, on the one hand, the aforementioned conical surface 13 of the first housing part 10.1 and, on the other hand, a contact surface 14 formed by the second housing part 10.2, which surrounds the central axis 11 and abuts the conical surface 13 of the first housing part 10.1, and which cylindrically and coaxially surrounds the central axis 11. The contact surface 14 is arranged at the first axial end 22 of the sleeve body 21, pointing radially inwards (i.e.The first surface section 25 of the inner surface 24 of the sleeve body 21 is formed oriented towards the central axis 11. The further (second) conical connection 27 of the two conical connections 12, 27, shown in Fig. 5, comprises the further conical surface 28 of the housing cover 19 of the third housing part 10.3 and a further contact surface 29 formed by the second housing part 10.2, which surrounds the central axis 11 and abuts the further conical surface 28 of the third housing part 10.3, and which cylindrically and coaxially surrounds the central axis 11. The further contact surface 29 is formed by a second surface section 26 of the inner surface 24 of the sleeve body 21, arranged at the second axial end 23 of the sleeve body 21 and oriented radially inwards (i.e., towards the central axis 11). In other words, the contact surfaces 25, 26 of the second housing part 10.2 for the first housing part 10.1 and for the third housing part 10.3 are neither conical nor cone-free. This measure makes the production of the second housing part 10.2 comparatively inexpensive, since the formation of complementary (i.e., conical) mating surfaces to the conical surfaces 13, 28 can be omitted. The first housing part 10.1 and the third housing part 10.3 can be fixed to the second housing part 10.2 preferably by an interference fit. This is achieved by placing the sleeve body 21 coaxially onto the annular projection 18 of the housing base 17, so that the conical surface 13 of the annular projection 18 of the housing base 17 comes into contact with the radially inwardly oriented contact surface 14 of the inner surface 24 of the sleeve body 21, which is located at the first axial end 22 of the sleeve body 21. The sleeve body 21 and the housing base 17 are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body 21 onto the annular projection 18 of the housing base 17.Furthermore, this is achieved by placing the sleeve body 21 coaxially onto the annular projection 20 of the housing cover 19, so that the further conical surface 28 of the annular projection 20 of the housing cover 19 comes into contact with the radially inwardly oriented further contact surface 29 of the inner surface 24 of the sleeve body 21, which is arranged at the second axial end 23 of the sleeve body 21, wherein the sleeve body 21 and the housing cover 19 are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body 21 onto the annular projection 20 of the housing cover 19. During the assembly of the actuator housing 10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, a (first) butt gap 15.1 formed between the first housing part 10.1 and the second housing part 10.2 and a (second) butt gap 15.2 formed between the second housing part 10.2 and the third housing part 10.3 can each be sealed fluid-tight by a material-bonded connection 16.1, 16.2 between the first housing part 10.1 and the second housing part 10.2 and the second housing part 10.2 and the third housing part 10.3, respectively, preferably by gluing or by welding, in particular laser welding. Reference symbol list 1 Valve 2 Base unit 3 Base housing 4 Mounting 5 Coil assembly 6 Circuit board 7 Actuator unit 8 Actuating shaft 9 Valve element 10 Actuator housing 10.1 First housing part 10.2 Second housing part 10.3 Third housing part 11 Center shaft 12 Conical connection 13 Conical surface 14 Contact surface 15.1 (First) butt gap 15.2 (Second) butt gap 16.1 (First) metal-fit connection 16.2 (second) material-bonded connection 17 Housing base 18 its annular projection 19 annular housing cover 20 its annular projection 21 Sleeve body 22 first axial end 23 second axial end 24 inner surface of the sleeve body 25 first surface section 26 second surface section 27 further conical connection 28 further conical surface 29 further contact surface 30 circumferential direction 31 rotary movement 32 rotor assembly 33 first cooperation partner 34 second cooperation partner 35 positioning movement 36 permanent magnet arrangement 37 internal thread 38 external thread 41 valve link shaft 42 first shaft end 43 second shaft end 44 valve head 45 circumferential stop 46 gear sleeve 47 gear sleeve body 48 sleeve opening 49 inner circumference 50 outer circumference 51 connector interface 52 base body 53 conductor tracks 54 electronic components 55 base plate 56 Outer circumference of the housing base 57 Outer shell surface 58 Base body 59 Outer circumference of the housing cover 60 Coils. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature DE 10 2019 111 207 A1

[0002]

Claims

Valve (1), in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve or a shut-off valve, comprising: - a base unit (2) with a base housing (3) which defines a receptacle (4) open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly (5) of the base unit (2) arranged in the base housing (3); - an actuator unit (7) arranged in the receptacle (4) of the base unit (2), which comprises a multi-part actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) in which a rotor assembly (32) which interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly (5) and a valve element (9) arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly (32) along an actuating axis (8) are accommodated; - wherein two housing parts (10.1, 10.2) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) are coaxially centered relative to each other via a conical connection (12) and / or are fixed to each other,- wherein the conical connection (12) is formed by a first housing part (10.1) of the two housing parts (10.1, 10.2) formed, having a conical surface (13) circumferentially surrounding a central axis (11) of the actuator housing (10),- wherein the conical connection (12) has a contact surface (14) formed by a second housing part (10.2) of the two housing parts (10.1, 10.2), circumferentially surrounding the central axis (11) and abutting the conical surface (13) of the first housing part (10.1), wherein- the contact surface (14) cylindrically and / or coaxially surrounds the central axis (11). Valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing part (10.1) is fixed to the contact surface (14) of the second housing part (10.2) via the conical surface (13), preferably by means of a press fit. Valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a butt gap (15) formed during the assembly of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) between the first housing part (10.1) and the second housing part (10.2) is sealed fluid-tight by a material-bonded connection (16) between the first housing part (10.1) and the second housing part (10.2), preferably realized by gluing or by welding, in particular laser welding. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cone angle α is spanned between the conical surface (13) and the central axis (11), which is between 3° and 5°, preferably 4°. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conical surface (13) is oriented radially outwards. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (10.1) is formed by a pot-shaped housing base (17) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) and the conical surface (13) is arranged on an annular projection (18) of the housing base (17) which surrounds the central axis (11) in a ring-like manner. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the second housing part (10.2) is formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (21) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3), - wherein the contact surface (14) is preferably formed by a radially inwardly oriented first surface section (25) of an inner lateral surface (24) of the sleeve body (21) arranged at a first axial end (22) of the sleeve body (21). Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the second housing part (10.2) and a third housing part (10.3) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a further conical connection (27), and / or: - the further conical connection (27) has a further conical surface (28) formed by the third housing part (10.3) and circumferentially surrounding the central axis (11) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3), - the further conical connection (27) has a further contact surface (29) formed by the second housing part (10.2), circumferentially surrounding the central axis (11) and abutting the further conical surface (28), - wherein the further contact surface (29) is cylindrical and / or coaxial with the central axis (11). surrounds. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third housing part (10.3) is formed by an annular housing cover (19) and the further conical surface (28) is arranged on an annular projection (20) of the housing cover (19) which circumscribes the central axis (11) in an annular manner. Actuator unit (7) for a valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a multi-part actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) in which a rotor assembly (32) electromagnetically interacting with the coil assembly (5) and a valve element (9) axially adjustable on the rotor assembly (32) along an actuating axis (8) are accommodated; - wherein two housing parts (10.1, 10.2) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) are coaxially centered and / or fixed to one another via a conical connection (12); - wherein the conical connection (12) has a conical surface (13) formed by a first housing part (10.1) of the two housing parts (10.1, 10.2) and circumferentially surrounding a central axis (11) of the actuator housing (10); - wherein the conical connection (12) formed by a second housing part (10.2) of the two housing parts (10.1, 10.2), circumferentially surrounding the central axis (11) and on the conical surface (13) of the first housing part (10.1) has an adjacent contact surface (14), wherein the contact surface (14) cylindrically and / or coaxially surrounds the central axis (11). Method for manufacturing an actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) for an actuator unit (7) according to claim 10, wherein a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (21) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3), a cup-shaped housing base (17) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) having an annular projection (18) of the housing base (17) with a conical surface (13), and an annular housing cover (19) of the actuator housing (10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) having an annular projection (20) of the housing cover (19) with a further conical surface (28) are provided, wherein the sleeve body (21) is coaxially mounted on the annular projection (18) of the housing base (17) is placed so that the conical surface (13) of the annular projection (18) of the housing base (17) is located at a first axial end (22) of the sleeve body (21).a radially inwardly oriented contact surface (14) of an inner surface (24) of the sleeve body (21),- wherein the sleeve body (21) and the housing base (17) are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body (21) onto the annular projection (18) of the housing base (17),- wherein the sleeve body (21) is placed coaxially onto the annular projection (20) of the housing cover (19), so that the further conical surface (28) of the annular projection (20) of the housing cover (19) abuts a further radially inwardly oriented contact surface (29) of the inner surface (24) of the sleeve body (21) arranged at a second axial end (23) of the sleeve body (21),- wherein the sleeve body (21) and the housing cover (19) are centered and / or fixed to each other by pressing the sleeve body (21) onto the The ring projection (20) of the housing cover (19) are centered relative to each other and / or fixed together.

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