valve unit

Abstract

The invention proposes a valve unit having a main valve and a pre-control valve mechanism arranged thereat, wherein the pre-control valve mechanism has a first pre-control valve which is arranged between the main valve and a second pre-control valve in the valve longitudinal direction. The main valve can be actuated by means of a pre-control fluid through a first pre-control working channel connected to the first pre-control valve and through a second pre-control working channel connected to the second pre-control valve. The second pre-control working channel passes through a first pre-control valve housing of the first pre-control valve, wherein the second pre-control working channel has a receiving space channel section which passes through a manual actuating link receiving space of a manual actuating mechanism constructed in the first pre-control valve housing, in which a manually actuable manual actuating link is arranged. In this way, a valve unit having a small structural width can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve unit having a main valve that is pre-controlled by an electro-hydraulic means, the main valve having a main valve slider capable of reciprocating motion under the action of a switching motion through fluid loading relative to each other. It also has a pre-control valve mechanism, which is arranged adjacent to the main valve in the longitudinal direction of the valve perpendicular to the valve height direction. The pre-control valve mechanism can control the fluid loading of the main valve slider by means of pre-control fluid via the first pre-control working channel and the second pre-control working channel of the valve unit. The pre-control valve mechanism includes two electrically operable pre-control valves arranged along the longitudinal direction of the valve, namely, first and second pre-control valves. The first pre-control valve is positioned between the main valve and the second pre-control valve. The first pre-control valve has a first pre-control valve body. The first pre-control valve controls the flow of pre-control fluid in a first pre-control working channel, and the second pre-control valve controls the flow of pre-control fluid in a second pre-control working channel. The second pre-control working channel passes through the first pre-control valve along its path between the second pre-control valve and the main valve. Furthermore, the first pre-control valve is equipped with a manual operating mechanism, which has a manual operating element at least partially housed in the operating element accommodating space of the first pre-control valve housing, and can be accessed from outside the pre-control valve mechanism in order to manually induce the operating movement of the first pre-control valve. Background Technology

[0002] This type of valve unit, known from EP 1 508 732 A1, has a main valve with a main valve slider, wherein the main valve slider can switch between different switching positions by selectively fluid loading its two opposing end faces. For said fluid loading, the valve unit includes two pre-controlled working channels, each belonging to one of two pre-controlled valves of a pre-controlled valve mechanism axially mounted to the main valve. The first pre-controlled valve of the two pre-controlled valves is located between the main valve and the second pre-controlled valve of the two pre-controlled valves and is capable of controlling the flow of pre-controlled fluid in the first pre-controlled working channel of the two pre-controlled working channels. For this purpose, the first pre-controlled working channel extends from the first pre-controlled valve to the main stage. The second pre-controlled valve is capable of controlling the flow of pre-controlled fluid in the second pre-controlled working channel of the two pre-controlled working channels, the second pre-controlled working channel originating from the second control valve and passing through a pre-controlled valve housing, referred to as the first pre-controlled valve housing, on its path to the main valve. Each of the two pre-controlled valves is equipped with a manual operating mechanism so that, alternatively, electric actuation can induce manual operation when needed. In the first pre-controlled valve, the manual operating mechanism includes a manually adjustable actuating element that can be accessed from outside the valve unit for manual operation. The manual actuating element is located within the actuating element receiving space of a pipe-like protrusion belonging to the solenoid valve sleeve of the first pre-controlled valve housing and is laterally passed through the housing component enclosing the solenoid valve sleeve on its path to the main valve via a second pre-controlled working channel. The channel sections of the two pre-controlled working channels, extending laterally and adjacent to each other in the valve height direction, exit at the front end face of the first pre-controlled valve housing, with the pre-controlled valve mechanism attached to the main valve via said front end face. The channel orientation of these two pre-controlled working channels, as described, cannot be lower than a certain minimum width measured in the valve height direction and the valve longitudinal direction perpendicular to it. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention is based on the following task, namely, taking the following measures to reduce the structural width of the pre-control valve mechanism while ensuring functional safety.

[0004] To address the aforementioned task, in a valve unit incorporating the features mentioned earlier, a second pre-controlled operating channel is configured such that a receiving space channel section passes through the operating element receiving space constructed in the first pre-controlled valve housing in the area of ​​the manual operation element.

[0005] In this way, the second pre-control working channel, which can be controlled by means of the second pre-control valve regarding the fluid flow of the pre-control fluid, does not extend laterally along the actuation ring receiving space inside the first pre-control valve housing, but extends directly through the actuation ring receiving space that at least partially accommodates the manual actuation ring. The channel section of the second pre-control working channel that passes through the actuation ring receiving space is called the receiving space channel section. That is, according to the invention, the component of the first pre-control valve that is necessary for realizing the manual actuation mechanism (i.e., the actuation ring receiving space) is used for the channel guide of the second pre-control working channel, and the extension of the second pre-control working channel laterally along the manual actuation mechanism of the first pre-control valve can be abandoned. This provides an advantageous feasible solution for reducing the structural width of the pre-control valve mechanism as needed, and thereby reducing the structural width of the entire valve unit. The valve unit can be manufactured cost-effectively in a very compact manner.

[0006] Advantageous improvements of the invention are derived from the dependent claims.

[0007] The two pre-control valves can, for example, be piezoelectric valves. However, it is considered particularly advantageous to implement them as electrically operable solenoid valves.

[0008] Suitably, the first pre-control valve has a first pre-control valve element movably arranged in a first valve chamber of the first pre-control valve housing, wherein a manual actuation element mechanically acts on the first pre-control valve element during its actuation movement.

[0009] Preferably, the first pre-control valve link can be switched independently of the electromagnetic drive mechanism by the manual operation link. The drive mechanism can cause the working movement of the first pre-control valve link so as to adjust one of the two feasible operating states of the first pre-control valve.

[0010] The main valve, operable by means of a pre-controlled valve mechanism, suitably has a main valve housing containing a main valve slider and two drive chambers, referred to as first and second drive chambers, constructed within the main valve housing. The first drive chamber is limited by a first drive surface of the main valve slider, and the second drive chamber is limited by a second drive surface of the main valve slider that is axially opposite the first drive surface. For controlled fluid loading with pre-controlled fluid, the first drive chamber is fluidly connected to a first pre-controlled working channel, and the second drive chamber is fluidly connected to a second pre-controlled working channel.

[0011] The two drive chambers are preferably located at opposite end sections of the main valve housing along the longitudinal direction of the valve. Alternatively, the two drive chambers may be located at end sections of the main valve housing along the same axial direction, and in this case, the main valve slider may be equipped with, for example, a drive piston capable of double-acting loading.

[0012] To fulfill the desired pre-control valve function, the first pre-control valve suitably includes a first pre-control valve element movably arranged within the valve chamber of the first pre-control valve housing. The first pre-control valve element is suitably and alternatively positionable in one of two switching positions, wherein the first pre-control valve element selectively vents or exhausts the first pre-control working channel. The corresponding structure also suitably includes a second pre-control valve. A fluid seal separation is suitably achieved between the receiving space channel section passing through the actuating element receiving space of the first pre-control valve and the valve chamber of the first pre-control valve to reliably eliminate mutual fluid interference. The separation of the fluid seal is suitably achieved by means of a sealing mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the receiving space passage section is constructed within the receiving space of the control element such that it extends at least a distance around the manual control element at its periphery. The receiving space passage section thus runs in the intermediate space between the outer periphery of the manual control element and the inner periphery of the receiving space of the control element. This design allows for a more cost-effective implementation of the manual control element than, in principle, the equally feasible structure in which the manual control element passes through the receiving space passage section.

[0014] A particularly suitable configuration is an annular accommodating space channel segment, such that it extends peripherally around the manual operating link within the operating link accommodating space. In this regard, the annularly constructed accommodating space channel segment is suitably radially internally confined by the manual operating link and radially externally confined by a housing segment of the first pre-control valve housing that peripherally confines the operating link accommodating space. The accommodating space channel segment can be implemented, for example, as an annular gap, coaxially constructed around the manual operating link. The annular shape of the accommodating space channel segment can be achieved particularly simply by the manual operating link having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the operating link accommodating space within its assigned length segment. To achieve an annular accommodating space channel segment, it is also feasible, for example, to construct an annular groove in the outer periphery of the manual operating link and / or in the inner periphery of the operating link accommodating space.

[0015] The second pre-control working channel, in addition to the accommodating space channel section, suitably has two other channel sections in the first pre-control valve housing: a channel section leading to the front of the main valve and a channel section leading to the rear of the second pre-control valve. These two front and rear channel sections suitably enter the actuating element accommodating space through internal channel openings at peripheral areas spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the actuating element accommodating space, and transition into the accommodating space channel section in this manner.

[0016] Ideally, the internal passage ports of the front and rear passage sections are arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the actuation element housing space, diametrically opposed along the longitudinal direction of the valve. The internal passage port of the front passage section is located on one side of the main valve, and the internal passage port of the rear passage section is located on one side of the second pre-control valve.

[0017] The manual operating mechanism is preferably constructed such that the direction of movement of the manual operating element (which enables it to change the operating state of the first pre-controlled valve) is along the valve height direction of the valve unit, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the valve. The manual operating element suitably has an operating surface in the upper region of the valve unit, oriented along the valve height direction, which can be applied by hand or with the aid of a handheld tool (e.g., a screwdriver) to induce the operating movement.

[0018] To perform the manipulation motion, the manual control element is suitably capable of purely linear displacement within the control element's accommodating space. Manual control is particularly simple and feasible in this manner. Alternatively, combined rotational linear motion may also be considered, for example.

[0019] Preferably, the manual operating element is preloaded to an unoperated initial position by a return spring, and its spring force must be overcome in order to move it to the operated position. The manual operating mechanism may have a locking device that allows the manual operating element to be disengaged and locked in the operated position.

[0020] In a particularly cost-effective implementation, the manual operating element is constructed in a club shape and has a circular, and in particular, a circular, outer perimeter. The operating element receiving space has a circular inner perimeter that complements the circular outer perimeter.

[0021] Preferably, the manual operating element has two sealing rings spaced apart from each other along its direction of movement. These sealing rings, when sealed, are slidably positioned against the inner peripheral surface of the operating element's receiving space, and axially seal the receiving space channel section extending through the operating element's receiving space on both sides. Suitably, one sealing ring seals the operating element's receiving space towards the surrounding environment of the valve unit, while the other sealing ring seals the operating element's receiving space towards a valve chamber constructed inside the valve housing, in which a pre-control valve element of the first pre-control valve is located. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing rings are fixedly positioned at the first valve housing, and the manual operating element is slidably positioned against the sealing rings.

[0022] Suitably, each of the two pre-control working channels has a length section extending within the pre-control valve mechanism, referred to as a pre-control valve channel section. Each pre-control valve channel section suitably transitions into the main valve channel section extending within the main valve of the associated first or second pre-control working channel. The two pre-control valve channel sections suitably have corresponding outflow openings at the front-facing end face of the first pre-control valve housing towards the main valve, wherein the outflow opening of the pre-control valve channel section of the first pre-control working channel is referred to as the first pre-control outflow opening and the outflow opening of the pre-control valve channel section of the second pre-control working channel is referred to as the second pre-control outflow opening. Each of the two pre-control outflow openings suitably transitions into one of the already mentioned main valve channel sections. If the pre-control valve mechanism is installed at the main valve, the desired channel connection occurs accordingly.

[0023] Based on the channel guidance of the second pre-controlled working channel through the actuation link accommodating space, there is an advantageous feasible solution as follows: the two pre-controlled outflow openings are arranged spaced apart from each other along the valve height direction at the front end face of the first pre-controlled valve housing, such that they are located in the common intermediate plane of the valve unit. This intermediate plane is defined by the valve unit's preset longitudinal axis in the valve longitudinal direction and the preset valve height axis in the valve height direction, as mentioned above. Thus, the two pre-controlled outflow openings can be positioned at the midpoint of their width at the front end face of the first pre-controlled valve housing, providing a favorable prerequisite for simple fluid connection with the main valve.

[0024] Suitably, the pre-control valve mechanism also extends with corresponding length sections for a pre-control supply channel providing pre-control fluid and a pre-control exhaust channel for pre-control exhaust. Suitably, the channel sections also extend at the front end face of the first pre-control valve housing, wherein they are suitably also located in the mid-plane of the aforementioned valve unit.

[0025] The pre-control valve mechanism can be constructed as a structural unit into which the two pre-control valves are integrated, wherein the two pre-control valves share a common first pre-control valve housing. However, a more advantageous configuration is found in which the two pre-control valves are constructed separately from each other, and the second pre-control valve has a second pre-control valve housing separate from the first pre-control valve housing, wherein the two pre-control valve housings are positioned in the engagement region with their end faces facing each other along the longitudinal direction of the valve. This design, in which the two pre-control valves are thus separated from each other, particularly simplifies the implementation of the necessary valve passages.

[0026] In implementing the pre-control valve mechanism by means of a dedicated first and second pre-control valve housing for each of the two pre-control valve units, it is suitable that the second pre-control working channel has a first working channel section extending through the first pre-control valve housing, including a receiving space channel section, and a second working channel section extending in the second pre-control valve housing, wherein the first and second working channel sections are in fluid communication with each other in the mating region of the two pre-control valve housings. The first and second working channel sections open out in the mating region at the mutually facing end faces of the two pre-control valve housings such that they (especially in the case of a suitable sealing mechanism connecting them intermediately) transition into each other.

[0027] In principle, it is possible to equip only the first pre-control valve with a manual operating mechanism, while the second pre-control valve can be operated electrically only. However, it is more advantageous to also equip the second pre-control valve with a manual operating mechanism, so that each pre-control valve has a dedicated manual operating mechanism for individual manual operation as needed, in addition to the feasible option of electric operation caused by an electronic control mechanism.

[0028] The manual operating mechanism of the second pre-control valve preferably has a manual operating element at least partially housed in the operating element receiving space, which can be accessed from outside the pre-control valve mechanism for manually inducing the operating movement of the second pre-control valve. The two manual operating mechanisms are arranged in particular such that they can be accessed from the same side of the valve unit, especially from the upper side of the valve unit oriented along the valve height direction.

[0029] Preferably, the first pre-control valve has a first pre-control valve element movably arranged in its first pre-control valve housing, while the second pre-control valve has a second pre-control valve element movably arranged. The two pre-control valve elements are electrically operable to change the operating state of their respective pre-control valves. Alternatively, the pre-control valve element of each pre-control valve equipped with a manual operating mechanism can also be manually operated. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The invention will then be explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In which: Figure 1 The preferred embodiment of the valve unit according to the invention is shown from [source missing]. Figure 2 , 3 The longitudinal section of section II of section 4, in which the main valve slider of the main valve is only shown by dashed lines. Figure 2 According to sources Figure 1 , 3 Section II-II of section 4 is shown in the transition region between the pre-control valve mechanism and the main valve, through the... Figure 1 A cross-section of the valve unit. Figure 3Showing according to from Figure 1 and 2 A longitudinal section of section III-III, showing only a portion of the main valve, and Figure 4 Showing according to from Figure 1 and 2 Another longitudinal section of section IV-IV, in which the main valve is only partially visible. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The valve unit, generally designated by reference numeral 1, has a longitudinal valve axis 2, a valve height axis 3 perpendicular to it, and a transverse valve axis 4 perpendicular to the aforementioned axes 2 and 3. The directions extending along these respective axes are referred to as the longitudinal valve direction 2, the height valve direction 3, and the transverse valve direction 2, respectively, when the same reference numerals are used.

[0032] Despite the aforementioned axis markings, valve unit 1 can operate in any spatial orientation, such as with the valve height axis 3 oriented vertically or horizontally.

[0033] Valve unit 1 has a oriented direction along the valve height direction 3 and is Figure 1 The upper valve side 5 is located at the top. Correspondingly, the valve unit 1 has a lower valve side 6. Furthermore, the valve unit 1 has a valve side oriented along the longitudinal direction 2 and... Figure 1 The valve front side 7 is located on the left side and the valve back side 8 is located axially opposite to it.

[0034] The width of valve unit 1 is defined by the dimension along the lateral direction 4 of the valve. An imaginary intermediate plane 12 extends through the valve unit 1 in the middle of the width, the intermediate plane being supported by the longitudinal axis 2 and the height axis 3 of the valve.

[0035] Valve unit 1 has a main valve 13 and a pre-control valve mechanism 14. The latter is used to pre-control the main valve 13 electrically and, in particular, electro-pneumatically.

[0036] The main valve 13 has a main valve housing 15 with a rear end face 16 facing the valve back side 8, wherein the pre-control valve mechanism 14 is disposed on and fixed to the rear end face 16 of the main valve housing 15 with its front end face 17 facing the valve front side 7. That is, it can be seen that the pre-control valve mechanism 14 is arranged adjacent to the main valve 13 along the valve longitudinal direction 2.

[0037] The pre-control valve mechanism 14 has two pre-control valves 18 and 19 arranged relative to each other along the valve longitudinal direction 2 and respectively electrically operable, which are referred to as the first pre-control valve 18 and the second pre-control valve 19 for better distinction. The first pre-control valve 18 is arranged between the main valve 13 and the second pre-control valve 19 about the valve longitudinal direction 2 and has a valve housing referred to as the first pre-control valve housing 22, in which the pre-control valve mechanism 14 is further configured with the aforementioned end face 17.

[0038] Preferably, the two pre-control valves 18 and 19 are constructed separately from each other according to the illustrated embodiment and are positioned relative to each other in the engagement region 24 along the valve longitudinal direction 2. For this purpose, the second pre-control valve 19 has a dedicated valve housing, referred to as the second pre-control valve housing 23, which has an end face 23 facing the front of the first pre-control valve 18. This dedicated valve housing is positioned in the engagement region 24 with the front end face at the rear end face 26 of the first pre-control valve housing 22 facing the valve back side 8.

[0039] The two pre-control valves 18, 19 are fixedly connected to each other and to the main valve 13 by means of fixing devices (such as, for example, fixing clips and / or fixing threaded fasteners), which are not further explained. In particular, they are connected in a way that allows them to be disengaged.

[0040] In embodiments not explicitly described, the two pre-control valves 18, 19 arranged relative to each other are integral components of the pre-control valve mechanism 14, which is configured as a pre-control valve unit in this case. In this case, there is only one pre-control valve housing, wherein, in particular, the first pre-control valve housing 22 also functions as the valve housing for the second pre-control valve 19.

[0041] The main valve 13 is a multi-way valve with virtually any functionality. In particular, it relates to a two-position or three-position valve. For example, the main valve 13 is designed as a 5 / 2 multi-way valve.

[0042] Inside the main valve housing 15, a cavity is constructed extending along the valve longitudinal direction 2 and functioning as a slider receiving portion 27. Extending from the slider receiving portion 27 is an elongated main valve slider 28, illustrated only by dashed lines in the figures, which can switch between at least two switching positions along the valve longitudinal direction 2 upon implementation of a linear switching movement 29 illustrated by double arrows. A plurality of main valve channels 32 passing through the main valve housing 15 laterally and spaced apart from each other enter the slider receiving portion 27, the main valve channels being connected to and / or disconnected from each other in different channel configurations depending on the current switching position of the main valve slider 28.

[0043] For example, five main valve passages 32 define a main supply passage 32a, two main working passages 32b and 32c, and two main exhaust passages 32d and 32e. In two exemplary switching positions of the main valve slider 28, the main supply passage 32a is connected to either one or the other working supply passage 32b or 32c, while the corresponding other main working passage 32c or 32d is connected to one of the two main exhaust passages 32d or 32e.

[0044] During operation of valve unit 1, the main supply channel 32a is connected to a pressure source that provides a pressure medium, particularly compressed air, for the fluid to be distributed through the main valve 13. The two main operating channels 32b and 32c are connected to a fluid-controlled consumer, for example, to a fluid-operated actuator. The two main exhaust channels 32d and 32e are connected to a pressure drop section, particularly to the atmosphere.

[0045] The main valve slider 28 has a first drive surface 33 pointing towards the valve back side 8 and a second drive surface 34 oriented axially opposite to it. Exemplarily, the two drive surfaces 33, 34 are located at one of the two axial end regions of the main valve slider 28. The first drive surface 33, together with the main valve housing 15, defines a first drive chamber 35, while the second drive surface 34, together with the main valve housing 15, defines a second drive chamber 36. The first drive chamber 35 is located in the rear end region of the main valve housing 15 adjacent to the pre-control valve mechanism 14, while the second drive chamber 36 is constructed in the front end region of the main valve housing 15 axially opposite to it.

[0046] Valve unit 1 is connected by a first pre-control working channel 37 and a second pre-control working channel 38. The first pre-control working channel 37 establishes a fluid connection between the first pre-control valve 18 and the first drive chamber 35, while the second pre-control working channel 38 establishes a fluid connection between the second pre-control valve 19 and the second drive chamber 36.

[0047] Each pre-controlled working channel 37, 38 has a main valve channel section 37a, 38a extending in the main valve housing 15, one end of which enters into one of the two drive chambers 35, 36 and the other end of which exits to the rear end face 16.

[0048] The pre-control valve channel section 37b of the first pre-control working channel 37, which runs through the first pre-control valve housing 22, is connected to the main valve channel section 37a of the first pre-control working channel 37. The pre-control valve channel section opens into the first valve chamber 42 constructed in the first pre-control valve housing 22 on one hand and has a first pre-control outflow opening 44 opening towards the forward end face 17 on the other hand. The first pre-control outflow opening is aligned with and fluidly connected to the channel opening of the main valve channel section 37a of the first pre-control working channel 37, which is located at the rear end face 16 opposite to it.

[0049] The pre-control valve channel section 38b of the second pre-control working channel 38, which runs through the pre-control valve mechanism 14, is connected to the main valve channel section 38a of the second pre-control working channel 38. One end of the pre-control valve channel section opens into the valve chamber 43 of the second pre-control valve 19, and the other end opens at the front end face 17 with a second pre-control outflow opening 45. The second pre-control outflow opening is positioned such that it is aligned with the channel opening of the main valve channel section 38a of the second pre-control working channel 38, which is arranged opposite to it at the rear end face 16, and thus fluidly connected.

[0050] In this way, a continuous fluid connection exists not only between the first valve chamber 42 and the first drive chamber 35, but also between the second valve chamber 43 and the second drive chamber 36.

[0051] Correspondingly, the first pre-control valve 18 can controllably load the main valve slider 28 with pre-control fluid along a first direction through the first pre-control working channel 37, while the second pre-control valve 19 can similarly controllably load the main valve slider 28 with pre-control fluid along an opposite second direction through the second pre-control working channel 38. The controlled fluid loading can optionally manifest as either the introduction of pre-control fluid, which can also be referred to as ventilation, or the discharge of pre-control fluid, which can also be referred to as exhaust. Depending on the adjusted operating state of the pre-control valves 18 and 19, the main valve slider 28 experiences an adjusting force along the first direction or along the opposite second direction, thereby moving it either to a first switching position or a second switching position, through one of the two channel configurations of its correspondingly preset main valve channel 32.

[0052] The pre-controlled fluid is, in particular, compressed air. Alternatively, the pre-controlled fluid, which is also to be controlled by means of the main valve 13, can be a pressurized liquid.

[0053] A first pre-control valve element 46 is located in a first valve chamber 42 belonging to the first pre-control valve 18. A second pre-control valve element 47 is located in a second valve chamber 43 belonging to the second pre-control valve 19. Each pre-control valve element 46, 47 is constructed as a single piece or in multiple pieces and is capable of performing linear working movements 48 in mutually opposing directions, as illustrated by double arrows, wherein the direction of movement is exemplary along the valve height direction 3.

[0054] Each pre-control valve 18, 19 suitably includes an electromagnetic drive mechanism 52, which can cause the associated first or second pre-control valve link 46, 47 to move 48 to adjust one of two feasible operating states of the pre-control valve 18, 19. These two operating states relate to both a ventilation operation state and an exhaust operation state.

[0055] Each electromagnetic drive mechanism 52 is connected or can be connected to an electronic control mechanism (not shown further) via an electrical conductor 49, such as a cable or conductor plate, which provides electrical control signals for the electrical actuation of the drive mechanism 52. In this way, automated operation of the valve unit 1 is possible.

[0056] Each electromagnetic drive mechanism 52 suitably has a current-carrying coil mechanism 53 and a movable magnetic armature 54. By alternately activating and deactivating the coil mechanism 53, the magnetic armature 54 can be moved to cause the working movement 48 of the pre-control valve links 46, 47 associated thereto. In this respect, the magnetic armature 54 is either driven to cooperate with or is a direct component of the first or second pre-control valve links 46, 47.

[0057] Each pre-control valve element 46, 47 can, depending on its position, alternately cooperate with either the vent valve seat 55 or the exhaust valve seat 56 to provide a sealing effect. The vent valve seat 55 surrounds an inflow opening, through which the pre-control supply channel 57 leads to its corresponding valve chamber 42, 43. The exhaust valve seat 56 surrounds a flow-out opening, through which the pre-control exhaust channel 58 leads to its corresponding valve chamber 42, 43. Preferably, the two vent valve seats are associated with a common pre-control supply channel 57, and similarly suitably, the common pre-control exhaust channel 58 is associated with the two exhaust valve seats 56.

[0058] The pre-controlled supply channel 57 extends partly within the two pre-controlled valve housings 22, 23 and partly within the main valve housing 15, wherein the pre-controlled supply channel exemplary leads into the main supply channel 32a in the main valve housing 15 via a measuring opening 61, thereby measuring pre-controlled fluid for the pre-controlled valve mechanism 14 from the main supply channel 32a. However, it is understood that, alternatively, pre-controlled fluid can be input into the pre-controlled supply channel 57 independently of the main supply channel 32a.

[0059] The pre-controlled exhaust passage 58 also extends partially within the two pre-controlled valve housings 22, 23 and further partially within the main valve housing 15, in which the pre-controlled exhaust passage exemplary opens through exhaust opening 62 into one of the main exhaust passages 32e. Alternatively, the pre-controlled exhaust passage 58 may also be connected to the atmosphere independently of the main exhaust passages 32d, 32e of the main valve 13.

[0060] In the ventilation operation state of the pre-control valves 18 and 19, their pre-control valve links 46 and 47 are sealed against the exhaust valve seat 56 and simultaneously open the ventilation valve seat 55, so that the pre-control fluid from the pre-control supply channel 57 can flow through the associated valve chambers 42 and 43 into the first or second pre-control working channel 37 and 38 connected thereto. In the exhaust operation state, the pre-control valve links 46 and 47 are sealed against the associated exhaust valve seat 55 and simultaneously lift off the exhaust valve seat 56, so that the associated pre-control working channels 37 and 38 can pass through the valve chambers 42 and 43 and the associated pre-control exhaust channel 58 for exhaust.

[0061] Suitablely, each pre-control valve element 46, 47 is pre-tensioned to an initial position by a spring mechanism 63 associated with it, the initial position being an exemplary preset exhaust operation state. By electrically activating the associated electromagnetic drive mechanism 52, the pre-control valve elements 46, 47 can move out of the initial position to change the operation state.

[0062] The pre-control valve channel section 37b of the first pre-control working channel 37 extends only within the first pre-control valve housing 22 in the pre-control valve mechanism 14. Here, the pre-control valve channel section exemplary has a straight orientation along the valve longitudinal direction 2 between the first valve chamber 42 and the front end face 17.

[0063] The pre-control valve channel section 38b of the second pre-control working channel 38 is divided into two length sections that transition into each other in the engagement region 24. Specifically, it is divided into a first working channel section 64 and a second working channel section 65 that pass through the first pre-control valve housing 22 between the front end face 17 and the rear end face 26. One end of the second working channel section extends into the second valve chamber 43, and the other end exits through the front channel port 66 to the front end face 25 of the second pre-control valve housing 22, aligning with and fluidly connecting to the end of the first working channel section 64 that exits at the rear end face 26 of the first pre-control valve housing 22. Thus, ventilation and exhaust of the second drive chamber 36 occur through the first pre-control valve housing 22 (i.e., through the first working channel section 64 of the second pre-control working channel 38).

[0064] The seal 67, placed in the engagement area 24, seals the fluid connection between the two working channel sections 64 and 65 toward the surrounding environment.

[0065] The previously mentioned seal 67 is also suitably used to seal the pre-controlled supply passage 57 and the pre-controlled exhaust passage 58. The two passages 57 and 58 extend in the two pre-controlled valve housings 22 and 23, respectively, wherein the two passages transition into each other in the engagement region 24, wherein the transition region into the engagement region 24 is sealed toward the surrounding environment by means of the seal 67.

[0066] The length sections of the pre-controlled supply channel 57 and the pre-controlled exhaust channel 58 extending within the pre-controlled valve mechanism 14 exit at the front end face 17 of the pre-controlled valve mechanism 14, i.e., through the supply channel outlet 68 and the exhaust channel outlet 69. The configuration of the length sections of the pre-controlled supply channel 57 and the pre-controlled exhaust channel 58 extending within the main valve housing 15 is such that the channel openings at the rear end face 16 of the main valve housing 15 are opposite to the outlet openings 68 and 69, thereby providing a continuous fluid connection within the pre-controlled supply channel 57 and the pre-controlled exhaust channel 58.

[0067] The first pre-control valve 18 is equipped with a manual operation mechanism 72, the use of which, alternatively, is an electromagnetic drive mechanism 52, allowing for manual changes to the operating state of the first pre-control valve 18. Thus, manual operation can be performed when needed without the involvement of a preferably connected electronic control mechanism.

[0068] Preferably, the second pre-control valve 19 is also equipped with a corresponding manual operating mechanism 73, wherein, for better distinction, the first manual operating mechanism 72 will be referred to in the case of the first pre-control valve 18 and the second manual operating mechanism 73 will be referred to in the case of the second pre-control valve 19. Since the two manual operating mechanisms 72 and 73 are preferably constructed identically, they will be described uniformly below, wherein the corresponding components will be referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0069] Because the manual operating mechanisms 72 and 73 realize manual operation as an alternative to electric operation, they can also be called manual auxiliary operating mechanisms 72 and 73.

[0070] Each manual actuation mechanism 72 has an actuation element receiving space 74 constructed in the associated pre-control valve housing 22, 23, which is exemplary achieved by means of a housing recess extending from the outer housing surface 75 above the valve upper side 5 along the valve height direction 3 into the pre-control valve housing 22, 23. The actuation element receiving space 74 exemplaryly transitions directly into the immediately following first or second valve chamber 42, 43.

[0071] For example, especially able to from Figure 3 As is known, the actuation element receiving space 74 preferably has a circular, and in particular aperipheral, inner contour with an inner peripheral surface 79, which is constructed in the housing section of the first or second pre-control valve housing 22, 23 that peripherally restricts the actuation element receiving space 74.

[0072] Each control element receiving space 74, which opens to the upper outer surface 75 of the housing, contains a manual control element 76, which has an outer contour that matches the inner contour of the periphery of the control element receiving space 74, such that it can be linearly displaced relative to the associated pre-control valve housings 22, 23 along the valve height direction 3. The movement that can be performed by the manual control element 76 is illustrated by double arrows and should be referred to as control movement 77.

[0073] In each pre-control valve 18, 19, the manual operation link 76 and the pre-control valve links 46, 47 are arranged such that the operating motion 77 and the working motion 48 have the same orientation or are oriented parallel to each other.

[0074] Each manual actuation link 76 is preloaded to an unoperated initial position by a return spring 78 arranged in the actuation link receiving space 74 and / or arranged in the associated first or second valve chamber 42, 43. In the unoperated initial position, there is an axial gap between the manual actuation link 76 and the associated pre-control valve links 46, 47, so that the latter can be electrically operated without obstruction.

[0075] Each manual control element 76 has an operating surface 81 that is located away from the associated pre-control valve housings 22, 23 and is accessible from outside the pre-control valve mechanism 14. The operating surface 81 is away from the adjacent pre-control valve elements 46, 47 along the valve height direction 3.

[0076] By manually loading the operating surface 81, the manual operating link 76 can be pushed to perform an operating movement 77 in a direction axially aligned with the first or second pre-control valve links 46, 47, overcoming the return force of the return spring 78. This operating movement 77 causes the manual operating link 76 to mechanically act on the associated pre-control valve links 46, 47 and switch the pre-control valve links independently of the electromagnetic drive mechanism 52.

[0077] Exemplary, the pre-control valve links 46 and 47 can be moved from a preset initial position via the spring mechanism 63 by loading on the manual operation link 76, so as to cause a change in the operating state of the relevant pre-control valves 18 and 29.

[0078] The fixing element 82, which is anchored in the pre-control valves 22 and 23, prevents the manual operation link 76 from falling out of the operation link receiving space 74.

[0079] Exemplarily, the manual operating element 76 is arranged entirely within the operating element receiving space 74, independent of its position. In embodiments not illustrated, the manual operating element protrudes a distance from the associated pre-control valve housings 22, 23, at least in its unoperated initial position.

[0080] Exemplarily, the manual control element 76 can be linearly displaced within the control element receiving space 74 to perform the control movement 77. Alternatively, however, the manual control mechanisms 72 and 73 can also be implemented such that the linear control movement 77 is caused by the rotational movement of the manual control element 76, which can be caused by twisting the manual control element 76, thus resulting in a superimposed linear rotational movement overall.

[0081] In an embodiment of valve unit 1, also not shown, at least one manual actuation element 76 is configured to perform a purely rotary actuation motion 77, wherein the manual actuation element suitably has an actuation cam that interacts with the associated pre-control valve elements 46, 47.

[0082] Advantageously, the manual operation link 67 is constructed in a club shape corresponding to the illustrated embodiment and has a circular outer contour around its periphery.

[0083] The manual operating element 76 can be made of a solid material; however, it exemplary has a cavity that opens toward the adjacent valve chambers 42, 43, thus the manual operating element is cup-shaped.

[0084] The first manual operating mechanism 72 is characterized in that its operating element receiving space 74 facilitates the formation of a second pre-control working channel 38. The second pre-control working channel 38, with its first working channel section 64 passing through the operating element receiving space 74 constructed in the region of the manual operating element 76 within the first pre-control valve housing 22, thereby forming a length segment of the second pre-control working channel 38 referred to as the receiving space channel section 83.

[0085] Preferably, the receiving space passage section 83 is constructed annularly, so that it extends completely around the manual operating link 76 at its periphery, corresponding to the illustrated embodiment. Exemplarily, the manual operating link 78 has a longitudinal axis 84 extending along the valve height direction 3 and its axial direction overlapping the direction of movement of the operating motion 77. The receiving space passage section 83 extends around the manual operating link 76 at its periphery along the longitudinal axis 84. Thus, the annular receiving space passage section 83 is suitably radially confined internally by the manual operating link 76, while radially confined externally by the radially inwardly pointing inner peripheral surface 79 of the operating link receiving space 74.

[0086] Preferably, a radial annular gap extends coaxially around the manual operation link 76 in the operation link receiving space 74, forming a receiving space channel section 83.

[0087] In an embodiment not shown, the accommodating space passage section 83 does not extend completely around the manual operating link 76 at its periphery, but only extends a distance, for example, along a periphery angle of 180 degrees.

[0088] In an embodiment not shown, the manual operating element 76 passes through the receiving space channel section 83 within the operating element receiving space 74, particularly in diameter.

[0089] Exemplarily, the receiving space channel section 83 is located between the channel section 85 in front of the first working channel section 64 passing through the first pre-control valve housing 22 and the channel section 86 behind it. The front channel section 85 extends between the second pre-control outflow opening 45 and the first internal channel opening 85a, through which the front channel section opens into the actuation element receiving space 74 at the inner peripheral surface 79. The rear channel section 86 extends between the rear end face 26 of the first pre-control valve housing 22 and the second internal channel opening 86a, wherein the rear channel section also opens into the actuation element receiving space 74 at the inner peripheral surface 79 by means of the latter.

[0090] The two internal passage openings 85a and 86a are located in the peripheral regions of the control element receiving space 74, spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the control element receiving space 74. Preferably, as explained below, the two internal passage openings 85a and 86a belong to the peripheral regions of the control element receiving space 74 that are diametrically opposed along the longitudinal direction 2 of the valve. Preferably, the two internal passage openings 85a and 86a are located in the intermediate plane 82 further described above, wherein, advantageously, all the front and rear passage sections 85 and 86 of the second pre-control working channel 38 extend in the intermediate plane 12.

[0091] Because the second pre-control working channel 38 passes through the actuation element receiving space 74 inside the first pre-control valve housing 22, lateral extension along the two longitudinal sides oriented in the valve lateral direction of the first pre-control valve housing 22 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the first pre-control valve housing 22 can be constructed extremely narrowly along the valve lateral direction 4 and correspondingly with a very small width. The section of the first pre-control valve housing 22 between the actuation element receiving space 74 and the two sides 87 oriented in the valve lateral direction 4 of the first pre-control valve housing 22 is preferably constructed without a channel.

[0092] To prevent interaction between the pre-controlled fluid flowing in the second pre-controlled working channel 38 and the pre-controlled fluid in the first valve chamber 42, the receiving space channel section 38 is suitably and continuously fluid-tightly separated from the adjacent first valve chamber 42. This is suitably achieved by providing a sealing ring 88, which should be better referred to as the inner sealing ring 88, in the region between the receiving space channel section 83 and the first valve chamber 42. The inner sealing ring 88 is preferably held in an annular groove at the outer periphery of the manual operating link 76 and is slidably abutted against the inner peripheral surface 79 of the operating link receiving space 74.

[0093] Advantageously, the accommodating space passage section 83 is also sealed towards the surrounding environment. Thus, fluid leakage can also be reliably prevented in the area of ​​the upper outer surface 75 of the housing. For sealing, a sealing ring 91 is suitably also present, which, for better distinction, should be referred to as the outer sealing ring 91, and is axially spaced relative to the inner sealing ring 88, fixed to the radial outer periphery of the manual operating link 76, and suitably also fixed in the annular groove constructed therein.

[0094] Suitably, a guide section 92 for a manual operating element 76 is connected to each of the two sealing rings 88, 91 on the axial side opposite to the corresponding other sealing ring 91, 88. This guide section is slidably positioned against the inner peripheral surface 79 with the smallest possible gap, thereby providing a linear guide to the manual operating element 76 for performing the operating movement 77, preventing tilting. Preferably, the guide section 92 is designed in a columnar shape.

[0095] In the length section axially located between the two sealing rings 88 and 91, the manual operating link 76 is suitably provided with a reduced outer diameter to construct an annular gap through which pre-controlled fluid can flow, wherein the annular gap forms a receiving space channel section 83.

[0096] Due to the annular shape of the accommodating space channel section 83, the manually operated link 76 can be circulated by pre-controlled fluid in parallel flow on the peripheral sides that are opposite each other in diameter, as this... Figure 3 As illustrated by the dashed flow arrow 93, the fluid flow is divided into two branches within the control element containment space 74, thus ensuring the necessary flow rate due to the relatively small cross-section of the containment space channel section 83.

[0097] Figure 2 An advantageous feasible solution implemented in the illustrated embodiment is described, namely, the two pre-controlled outflow openings 44, 45 are arranged spaced apart from each other along the valve height direction 3 in the intermediate plane 12 further defined above. The supply passage outflow opening 68 and the exhaust passage outflow opening 69 are also suitably placed in the intermediate plane 12, thereby providing an opening row of four outflow openings 44, 45, 68, 69 that follow each other at a distance along the valve height direction 3.

[0098] The arrangement of the outflow openings 44, 45, 68, and 69 in a row on the middle plane 12 also facilitates the narrow design of valve unit 1 along the lateral direction 4 of the valve.

[0099] Appropriately, from Figure 2 The seal 94, which can be clearly seen, is added between the rear end face 16 of the main valve housing 15 and the front end face 17 of the pre-control valve mechanism 14. The seal individually surrounds each outflow opening 44, 45, 68, 69 and thereby achieves the desired channel connection without the risk of leakage.

Claims

1. A valve unit having a main valve (13) pre-controlled by an electrofluid, the main valve having a main valve slider (28) capable of reciprocating in the event of a switching motion (29) by fluid loading relative to each other, and the valve unit having a pre-control valve mechanism (14) arranged adjacent to the main valve (13) along the valve longitudinal direction (2) perpendicular to the valve height direction (3) and capable of controlling the fluid loading of the main valve slider (28) by means of a pre-control fluid via a first pre-control working channel (37) and a second pre-control working channel (38) of the valve unit (1). in, The pre-control valve mechanism (14) has two electrically operable first pre-control valves (18) and second pre-control valves (19) arranged together along the longitudinal direction (2) of the valve, wherein the first pre-control valve (18) is arranged between the main valve (13) and the second pre-control valve (19), wherein the first pre-control valve (18) has a first pre-control valve housing (22). The flow of the pre-controlled fluid in the first pre-controlled working channel (37) can be controlled by means of the first pre-controlled valve (18), and the flow of the pre-controlled fluid in the second pre-controlled working channel (38) can be controlled by means of the second pre-controlled valve (19). The second pre-control working channel (38) passes through the first pre-control valve (18) on its path between the second pre-control valve (19) and the main valve (13). Furthermore, the first pre-control valve (18) is equipped with a manual operating mechanism (72), which has a manual operating element (76) at least partially housed in the operating element receiving space (74) of the first pre-control valve housing (22). This manual operating element is accessible from outside the pre-control valve mechanism (14) for manually inducing an operating movement (77) to operate the first pre-control valve (18). Its features are, The second pre-control working channel (38) passes through the control element receiving space (74) constructed in the first pre-control valve housing (22) in the region of the manual operation link (76) via the receiving space channel section (83).

2. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two pre-control valves (18, 19) involve electrically operable solenoid valves.

3. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first pre-control valve (18) has a first pre-control valve link (46) movably arranged in a first valve chamber (42) of the first pre-control valve housing (22), wherein the manual operation link (76) mechanically acts on the first pre-control valve link (46) during its operation movement (77).

4. The valve unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first pre-control valve link (46) can be switched independently of the electromagnetic drive mechanism (52) by the operation movement (77) of the manual operation link (76), which can cause the working movement (48) of the first pre-control valve link (47) to adjust one of the two feasible operating states of the first pre-control valve (18).

5. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The main valve (13) has a main valve housing (15) that accommodates the main valve slider (28). In the main valve housing, there are two drive chambers (35) and a second drive chamber (36) that are defined by a first drive surface (33) and a second drive surface (34) of the main valve slider (28) that are oriented relative to each other along the longitudinal direction (2) of the valve. The first pre-control working channel (37) is fluidly connected to the first drive chamber (35), and the second pre-control working channel (38) is fluidly connected to the second drive chamber (36).

6. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first pre-control valve (18) has a first pre-control valve element (46) movably arranged in a first valve chamber (42) of the first pre-control valve housing (22), wherein the receiving space passage section (83) is fluid-tightly separated from the first valve chamber (42).

7. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The accommodating space section (83) of the second pre-controlled working channel (38) extends at least a distance around the manual operating link (76) in the accommodating space (74) of the operating link.

8. The valve unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second pre-controlled working channel (38) has a ring-shaped channel section (83) that extends around the manual control link (76) in the control link housing space (74).

9. The valve unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The annularly constructed accommodating space channel section (83) is radially internally limited by the manual operating link (76) and radially externally limited by the housing section of the first pre-control valve housing (22) that limits the accommodating space (74) of the operating link at its periphery.

10. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second pre-control working channel (38) has a channel section (85) leading to the front of the main valve (13) and a channel section (86) leading to the rear of the second pre-control valve (19) in the first pre-control valve housing (22), wherein the two channel sections (85, 86) are respectively connected to the control link receiving space (74) by internal channel openings (85a, 86a) at the peripheral area of ​​the control link receiving space (74) spaced apart from each other along the peripheral direction of the manual control link (76).

11. The valve unit according to claim 10, characterized in that, The internal passage opening (85a) of the front passage section (85) and the internal passage opening (86) of the rear passage section (86) are arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the control element receiving space (74) that is diametrically opposed along the longitudinal direction (2) of the valve.

12. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The manual operating mechanism (72) is constructed such that the direction of the operating motion (77) of the manual operating link (76) is along the valve height direction (3) of the valve unit (2) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (2) of the valve.

13. The valve unit according to claim 12, characterized in that, The manual control element (76) is arranged in a purely linear displacement within the control element receiving space (74) of the first pre-control valve housing (22) in order to carry out its control movement (77).

14. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The manual operating link (76) is constructed in a club shape with a circular outer contour, wherein the operating link receiving space (74) has a complementary circular inner contour at least in the region of the manual operating link (76).

15. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The manual control element (76) has two sealing rings (88, 91) spaced apart from each other along the direction of its control movement. The sealing rings can slide and abut against the inner peripheral surface (79) of the control element receiving space (74) when sealed, and the sealing rings seal the second pre-controlled working channel (38) extending through the receiving space channel section (83) of the control element receiving space (74) on both sides in an axial direction.

16. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At the end face (17) of the first pre-control valve housing (22) facing the front of the main valve (13), on the one hand, the pre-control working channel (37b) of the first pre-control working channel (37) extending in the pre-control valve mechanism (14) is open through the first pre-control outflow opening (44), and on the other hand, the pre-control working channel (38b) of the second pre-control working channel (38) also extending in the pre-control valve mechanism (14) is open through the second pre-control outflow opening (45).

17. The valve unit according to claim 16, characterized in that, The two pre-controlled outflow openings (44, 45) are spaced apart from each other along the valve height direction (3) in the common intermediate plane (12) of the valve unit (1), which is opened by the valve longitudinal axis of the valve longitudinal direction (2) and the valve height axis of the valve height direction (3) of the valve unit (1).

18. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The two pre-control valves (18, 19) are constructed separately from each other, and the second pre-control valve (19) has a second pre-control valve housing (23) that is separate from the first pre-control valve housing (22), wherein the two pre-control valve housings (22, 23) are positioned in the engagement region (24) with their end faces (25, 26) facing each other along the longitudinal direction (2) of the valve.

19. The valve unit according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second pre-control working channel (38) has a first working channel section (64) extending through the first pre-control valve housing (22) of the first pre-control valve (18) and including the receiving space channel section (83), and a second working channel section (65) extending in the second pre-control valve housing (23) of the second pre-control valve (19), wherein the first working channel section (64) and the second working channel section (65) are in fluid connection with each other in the joint area (24) of the two pre-control valve housings (22, 23).

20. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second pre-control valve (19) is also equipped with a manual operating mechanism (73) having a manual operating link (76) at least partially housed in an operating link receiving space (74), which can be accessed from outside the pre-control valve mechanism (14) for manually actuating the second pre-control valve (19) by means of an operating movement (77).

21. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first pre-control valve (18) has a first pre-control valve element (46) movably arranged in the first pre-control valve housing (22) and the second pre-control valve (19) has a second pre-control valve element (47), wherein each pre-control valve element (46, 47) can be electrically operated to change the operating state of the associated pre-control valve (18, 19) and wherein the pre-control valve element (46, 47) of each pre-control valve (18, 19) equipped with a manual operating mechanism (72, 73) can also be manually operated.

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