Sealing device for fluid valve, fluid valve and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing device for a fluid valve (FV), comprising: a separate first sealing element (4), which is used to be sealingly abutted against a swingably adjustable valve body (VK) of the fluid valve (FV); a separate second sealing element (6), which is used to be sealingly abutted against a valve housing (VG) of the fluid valve (FV); and a separate, elastically deformable intermediate piece (8), which is arranged along an axial direction (X-X) of the sealing device (2) between a first wall (12) of the first sealing element (4) and a second wall (14) of the second sealing element (6) for elastically spacing the two sealing elements (4, 6), wherein the second wall (14) is opposite to the first wall (12), and wherein the first wall (14) is arranged between the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) of the second sealing element (6). A projection structure (13) is also formed on (12), and the middle piece (8) can be abutted against the projection structure under a load (F), wherein the projection structure (13) is arranged inside the middle piece (8) relative to the sealing opening (10), so that the middle piece (8) sealingly surrounds the projection structure (13), wherein the middle piece (8) has at least one axial section, the cross-section of which has a first circumferential surface (16) located radially outside the sealing opening (10) and an opposite second circumferential surface (18) located radially inside, wherein the circumferential surface (16) located radially outside is at least partially concave and the circumferential surface (18) located radially inside is at least partially convex.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing device, a fluid valve having such a sealing device and a vehicle having such a fluid valve. Background Art

[0002] Such a fluid valve is understood here in particular to be a cooling water valve for use in a vehicle, also called a cooling water control valve or cooling water regulating valve.

[0003] Here, a vehicle is understood to be any vehicle that must be supplied with liquid and / or gaseous fuel for operation, but in particular a passenger car and / or a commercial vehicle. In addition, the vehicle can also be a partially electric or fully electric vehicle.

[0004] Such seals can have different tasks. They can be used, for example, to avoid or at least limit the purpose of undesirable fluid loss. Here, fluid can be understood as liquid and / or gaseous medium. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of embodiments of the invention is to improve the seal between a valve housing and an adjustable, in particular rotatable or pivotable, valve body.

[0006] The seal should remain leak-proof over a long period of time, specifically under known large temperature fluctuations of the peripheral devices of the internal combustion engine and / or the electric machine.

[0007] The object is achieved by claim 1, which protects a sealing device for use in a fluid valve of a vehicle. In addition, a fluid valve having such a sealing device is protected (see claim 8). In addition, a vehicle having such a fluid valve is protected (see claim 12). Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] A sealing device for a fluid valve is proposed, comprising:

[0009] a separate first sealing element, which serves to bear sealingly against a pivotably adjustable valve body of the fluid valve,

[0010] a separate second sealing element for sealingly abutting against a valve housing of the fluid valve, and

[0011] A separate, elastically deformable intermediate piece, which is arranged in the axial direction of the sealing device between a first wall of the first sealing element and a second wall of the second sealing element for elastically spacing the two sealing elements apart, wherein the second wall is opposite the first wall.

[0012] Here, a projection structure is also formed on the first wall, against which the middle piece can come into contact under load, wherein the projection structure is arranged inside the middle piece relative to the sealing opening so that the middle piece seals around the projection structure.

[0013] Here, the intermediate piece has at least one axial section, the cross section of which has a first circumferential surface located radially on the outside with respect to the sealing opening and an opposite, radially on the inside, second circumferential surface. Here, the first circumferential surface located radially on the outside is at least partially concave and the second circumferential surface located radially on the inside is at least partially convex.

[0014] The terms concave or convex are to be understood here as is customary in optical lenses.

[0015] The proposed intermediate piece shape results in a sealing device having a favorable force-travel characteristic curve in terms of system properties. Such a favorable force-travel characteristic curve is to be understood as a force-travel characteristic curve in which the force applied to the intermediate piece increases only as little as possible and within certain limits as the deformation path of the intermediate piece increases, wherein this increase can be expressed as asymptotically, linearly and / or degressively.

[0016] Furthermore, the proposed shaping enables a controlled deformation of the intermediate piece, which in turn serves to compensate for tolerances over a wide range of length tolerances. In this controlled deformation, an elastic bending of the cross section of the intermediate piece or of the region around the center of the cross section is additionally achieved via the concave and convex circumferential surfaces, accompanied by an elastic axial compression of the intermediate piece. Depending on the degree of concavity and convexity of the respective circumferential surfaces, the cross section of the intermediate piece is at least substantially formed into a pressure-activated V-shape, which in turn increases its sealing effect with increasing deformation. The advantageous force-travel characteristic curve (system characteristic) shown keeps the friction in the fluid valve to a minimum and thus also the electrical energy consumption for adjusting the rotatable or swiveling valve body, which is also referred to as a swiveling or swiveling piston, to a minimum.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the convex second circumferential surface located radially inward has a greater curvature than the concave first circumferential surface located radially outward. That is, the convexity is greater than the concaveness.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a flat circumferential surface section may be formed on both sides of the center of the cross section of the intermediate piece and around the inner side with respect to the sealing opening.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the projection structure can be configured as a closed surrounding projection. As an alternative, the projection structure can also be configured as a single, partially surrounding, claw-like projection or claw structure that is spaced apart from each other.

[0020] The two sealing elements and / or the intermediate piece can each be designed in the form of a ring or an annular ring.

[0021] The first sealing element and / or the second sealing element can be designed as a hard sealing element and / or have at least one thermoplastic, in particular a special PTFE. It can be produced, in particular shaped, therefrom.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively thereto, in one embodiment, the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element comprises at least one elastomer, in a further development EPDM. In one embodiment, it can be produced, in particular shaped, therefrom.

[0023] The intermediate piece may be made of an elastically deformable plastic, such as an elastomer or the like.

[0024] A fluid valve having at least one sealing device of the aforementioned type is also proposed. Here, the fluid valve can be designed in the form of a multi-way valve.

[0025] Furthermore, a use of such a fluid valve as a cooling water control valve is proposed, in particular in a cooling circuit of a vehicle.

[0026] Furthermore, a vehicle is proposed which has a fluid valve of the aforementioned type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other advantageous improvements of the present invention are obtained from the dependent claims and the following description of the preferred embodiments. The figure shows:

[0028] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the proposed sealing device in a perspectively illustrated installed position,

[0029] Figure 2 Another perspective view Figure 1 The sealing device shown in

[0030] Figure 3 Shown in exploded and cutaway view Figure 1 and Figure 2 The sealing device shown in

[0031] Figure 4 Another exploded and sectional view shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The sealing device shown in

[0032] Figure 5 Different configurations of the proposed elastically deformable intermediate part are shown, and

[0033] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 Elastic deformation of the middle piece shown on the far right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] exist Figure 1 The multi-way fluid valve or multi-way cooling water control valve FV shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 , also called a multi-way cooling water regulating valve, comprises a sealing device 2 or a multi-piece sealing member 2 having a separate first sealing element 4, a separate second sealing element 6 and a separate elastically deformable intermediate member 8. The two sealing elements 4, 6 and the intermediate member 8 are each configured as an annular ring, so that they together form an annular sealing device 2.

[0035] Here, the sealing element 4 is sealingly attached to a swiveling or rotatably adjustable valve body VK, also called a swiveling or swiveling piston, of the fluid valve FV. The sealing element 6 is sealingly attached to the valve housing VG of the fluid valve FV. The intermediate piece 8 is arranged here in the axial direction XX of the sealing device 2 between the first wall 12 of the first sealing element 4 and the second wall 14 of the second sealing element 6, in order to elastically space the two sealing elements 4 and 6, wherein the second wall 14 is opposite to the first wall 12 (see, for example, Figure 3 ).

[0036] Furthermore, a closed, circumferential projection 13 is arranged or formed on the first sealing element 4 or its wall 12, which projection itself is arranged inside the intermediate piece 8 and against which the intermediate piece 8 can abut under the action of a load F (see Figure 6 ).

[0037] The intermediate piece 8 has a cross-sectional configuration (see Figure 4 The cross-sectional structure has a first circumferential surface 16 which is located radially on the outside with respect to the sealing opening 10 and is partially / regionally formed as a concave shape, and a second circumferential surface 18 which is located radially on the inside and is partially / regionally formed as a convex shape.

[0038] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the intermediate element 8 is substantially V-shaped, although the convex peripheral surface 18 ideally has a greater curvature than the concave peripheral surface 16, as can be confirmed by computational simulations (see, for example, Figure 5 ).

[0039] On both sides of the center of the cross section of the intermediate piece 8 and circumferentially with respect to the sealing opening 10, a flat circumferential surface section 20, 22 is formed on the inside, which connects to the outer circumferential surface 18 and extends to the associated end sides SS1, SS2 of the intermediate piece 8 (see, for example Figure 5 ).

[0040] Furthermore, the two sealing elements 4 , 6 or only one of the two sealing elements is also designed as a hard sealing element in each case.

[0041] Here, such a hard sealing element is to be understood as a sealing element which, at least at the sealing contact position - whether it acts linearly and / or flatly - is not elastically deformable, that is to say rigid, unlike the intermediate piece 8. In principle, the hard sealing element can be made, for example, completely of PTFE (PTFE is the abbreviation of polytetrafluoroethylene here) and / or the like, for example injection molded. Alternatively, the hard sealing element can also be made of plastic, which is hard-coated on the sealing side, for example with PTFE and / or the like. In order to save costs, the second sealing element 6 can also be made only of a softer and less expensive plastic than the first sealing element 4.

[0042] The intermediate piece 8 is formed—in the form of a closed, circumferential contour—from an elastically deformable plastic, for example an elastomer or the like, so that under the action of the axial load F, the axial spacing of the two sealing elements 4, 6 can be adjusted in accordance with the length tolerance conditions shown and to be compensated by a corresponding elastic deformation of the intermediate piece 8. This elastic deformation also brings about the desired tensioning of the sealing device 2 in its installed position (see Figure 1 or Figure 6 ).

[0043] Two such hard sealing elements 4, 6 themselves, for example in the form of two PTFE hard sealing elements, when connected to the elastomeric intermediate piece 8, already form a structure of parts that adhere well to each other, which can be easily installed as a unit in the fluid valve FV. In addition, the two PTFE hard sealing elements 4, 6 advantageously prevent the elastomeric intermediate piece 8 from tilting when the sealing device 2 is installed.

[0044] The proposed sealing device 2 is characterized in that, on the one hand, it can be produced cost-effectively and, on the other hand, it has a tolerance compensation effect over a relatively wide length tolerance range and this is combined with a long-term sealing effect. Figure 1 The fluid valve FV shown in Figure 1 ), cumulative length tolerances of up to 1 mm (≤1 mm) and even more (≥1 mm) can be compensated by means of the sealing device 2.

[0045] Figure 4 Different designs for the middle piece 8 are shown, wherein: Figure 4 The leftmost shape in the figure corresponds to an almost ideal V-shape, which itself can only be produced in a difficult or laborious manner or at least only approximately. Figure 4 Shapes that are repeated close to the optimized V-shape shown on the far right are described. All of these shapes or V-shapes, under the action of a load F, achieve axial, elastic compression or bending and bending in the area around the center of the cross section of the intermediate piece 8 .

[0046] This shape or V-shape has a very favorable rigidity characteristic curve K (see Figure 5 ). This should be understood as Figure 5 1 . The force-travel characteristic curve (or stiffness characteristic curve K) is qualitatively shown in FIG. Here, the force-travel characteristic curve (or stiffness characteristic curve K) is referred to a defined length tolerance range, for example up to 1 mm (≤1 mm), within the tolerance window TF shown. Figure 5 The decreasing stiffness characteristic curve K within the tolerance window TF is qualitatively described here.

[0047] During the deformation process under the effect of the load F, the cross section of the intermediate part 8 is deformed in such a way that the convex circumferential surface 18 comes to bear against the projection 13 (see Figure 6 Here, the end faces SS1, SS2 slide along the respectively associated walls 12, 14 transversely to the axial direction XX of the sealing device 2 (see Figure 5 Together with e.g. Figure 3 ; G = sliding). Depending on the design of the intermediate piece 8 or the sealing device 2, the two legs S1, S2, for example, in the form of protruding end sections 24, 26 or only one of the end sections 24, 26, can be in contact with the corresponding wall W1, W2 of the associated projection of the corresponding sealing element 4, 6 (see Figure 3 or Figure 4 ).

[0048] This is also due to Figure 6 , wherein the various deformation states of the intermediate part 8 are shown at different points in the force-deformation diagram. It can also be seen here that the stiffness characteristic curve is within the tolerance window TF shown over the entire length tolerance range of approximately -0.95≤s≤-0.25 and does not leave the tolerance window TF until approximately -0.95 mm.

[0049] The proposed shape of the intermediate piece 8 results in the sealing device 2 having a force-travel characteristic curve which is advantageous in terms of system properties (see Figure 5 or Figure 6). Such an advantageous force-travel characteristic curve is to be understood as a force-travel characteristic curve in which the force F applied to the intermediate piece 8 increases only as little as possible and within certain limits as the deformation travel s of the intermediate piece increases, wherein this increase can have an increasing, linear and / or decreasing form.

[0050] Furthermore, the proposed shaping enables a controlled deformation of the intermediate piece 8, which in turn serves to compensate for tolerances over a wide range of length tolerances. In this controlled deformation, in addition to the elastic axial compression of the intermediate piece 8, an elastic bending of the cross section of the intermediate piece 8—or of the region around the center of the cross section—is additionally achieved via the concave circumferential surface 16 and the convex circumferential surface 18. Depending on the degree of concavity and convexity of the respective circumferential surfaces 16, 18, the cross section of the intermediate piece 8 is at least substantially formed into a pressure-activatable V-shape (see Figure 5 ).

[0051] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the foregoing description, it should be noted that a large number of variations are possible. It should also be noted that these exemplary embodiments are merely examples and should not limit the scope of protection, application and structure in any way. On the contrary, the foregoing description provides guidance for those skilled in the art for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes may be made, in particular in the functions and arrangements of the components, without departing from the scope of protection derived from the claims and the combination of equivalent features.

Claims

1. A sealing device for a fluid valve (FV), the sealing device comprising: A separate first sealing element (4) for sealingly abutting against a pivotably adjustable valve body (VK) of a fluid valve (FV), a separate second sealing element (6) for sealingly abutting against a valve housing (VG) of a fluid valve (FV), and A separate, elastically deformable intermediate piece (8) is arranged in the axial direction (XX) of the sealing device (2) between a first wall (12) of the first sealing element (4) and a second wall (14) of the second sealing element (6) for elastically spacing the two sealing elements (4, 6), wherein the second wall (14) is opposite to the first wall (12), A projection structure (13) is also formed on the first wall (12), against which the middle piece (8) can be abutted under the action of a load (F), wherein the projection structure (13) is arranged inside the middle piece (8) relative to the sealing opening (10), so that the middle piece (8) seals around the projection structure (13), The intermediate piece (8) has at least one axial section, the cross section of which has a first circumferential surface (16) located radially on the outside with respect to the sealing opening (10) and an opposite second circumferential surface (18) located radially on the inside. wherein the first circumferential surface (16) located radially on the outside is at least partially concave and the second circumferential surface (18) located radially on the inside is at least partially convex, and The convex second circumferential surface (18) located radially inward has a greater curvature than the concave first circumferential surface (16) located radially outward.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein: A flat circumferential surface section (20, 22) is formed on both sides of the center of the cross section of the intermediate piece (8) and around the inside.

3. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein: The projection structure (13) is designed as a closed circumferential projection.

4. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The two sealing elements (4, 6) and / or the intermediate piece (8) are each designed in the shape of a ring.

5. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The two sealing elements (4, 6) and / or the intermediate piece (8) are each designed in the shape of a circular ring.

6. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first sealing element (4) and / or the second sealing element (6) are configured as hard sealing elements.

7. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The intermediate piece (8) is made of elastically deformable plastic.

8. A fluid valve comprising at least one sealing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for sealing a connection area of ​​the fluid valve.

9. The fluid valve according to claim 8, which is configured as a multi-way valve.

10. Use of the fluid valve according to claim 8 or 9 as a cooling water control valve.

11. The use according to claim 10, wherein: The cooling water control valve is used in a cooling circuit of a vehicle.

12. A vehicle having a fluid valve according to claim 8 or 9.

Images