Injection molded plastic valve components for automotive applications

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve assembly for influencing a cooling fluid flow in a motor vehicle, comprising: a valve housing having a housing body and a housing cover connected to the housing body, wherein a valve body accommodating space surrounded by the housing body and the housing cover is formed in the valve housing; a fluid pipeline device having at least two fluid pipelines extending from the valve body accommodating space in different spatial areas; a valve body rotatably accommodated in the valve body accommodating space about an operating axis, and tapering along the operating axis so that the fluid connection of at least two fluid pipelines of the fluid pipeline device can be changed by rotating the valve body about the operating axis; a prestressing mechanism for applying a load to the valve body in a tapering direction along the operating axis, wherein the valve body and at least the housing body form an injection-molded component made of a thermoplastic material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a valve assembly for influencing the flow of a cooling fluid in a motor vehicle, wherein the valve assembly comprises:

[0002] a valve housing having a housing body and a housing cover connected to the housing body, wherein a valve body receiving space is formed in the valve housing and is surrounded by the housing body and the housing cover,

[0003] a fluid line arrangement having at least two fluid lines which extend from the valve body receiving space in different spatial regions,

[0004] a valve body which is tapered along the actuation axis and which is accommodated in the valve body accommodation space so as to be rotatable about the actuation axis, so that the fluid connection of at least two fluid lines of the fluid line arrangement can be changed by rotating the valve body about the actuation axis, and

[0005] A preload mechanism which loads the valve body in a tapering direction along the actuation axis. Background Art

[0006] Such a valve assembly for influencing the flow of liquid into and out of a motor vehicle air conditioning system is known from WO 2017 / 220350 A1. A valve assembly similar in design is known from EP 3 657 055 A1.

[0007] Due to the axial prestressing along the actuation axis, the valve body is prestressed in the valve body receiving space accommodating the valve body, thereby ensuring adequate sealing between the valve body and the valve housing and compensating for possible wear and / or thermal deformations on components between the valve body and the valve housing that are movable relative to one another. Due to the complementary shapes of the valve body receiving space and the valve body and due to the axial prestressing of the valve body, the valve device can advantageously cope with the situation where there is no elastomeric seal between the valve body and the valve housing. Nevertheless, the known valve assemblies of the initially mentioned type of construction are still complex in design. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to simplify the construction of the valve assembly mentioned at the outset without loss of functionality. According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the valve body and at least the housing body are formed as injection-molded components made of thermoplastic material. Due to the injection-molded design of the housing body and the valve body, these components can be designed with a high degree of functional integration, as explained below, which significantly reduces the number of components required for realizing the valve assembly.

[0009] Although the housing cover can also be cut, in particular stamped, as a flat component from a flat semi-finished product, in particular a plastic semi-finished product, preferably both the housing body and the housing cover are designed as injection-molded components.

[0010] For the following description, the steering axis defines an axial direction extending parallel thereto, a radial direction extending orthogonally thereto, and a circumferential direction extending therearound.

[0011] In principle, it is conceivable that the housing cover is screwed together with the housing body or connected by means of a separate connecting mechanism. The required tightness of the joint between the housing body and the housing cover can then be established by the intermediate arrangement of a seal, such as an O-ring around the area of ​​the valve body recess. However, according to a preferred structural type, according to which the housing cover is fused to the housing body, in particular welded, it is possible to omit a separate connecting mechanism and a sealing component arranged in the joint between the housing cover and the housing body. By the material-bonded connection of the housing cover to the housing body, the joint is at least partially, but preferably closed around the area of ​​the valve body receptacle, as if eliminating the joint, so that there is no creep space for fluid migration between the housing body and the housing cover. Although, due to the material-bonded connection of the housing body and the housing cover, in particular fusion, particularly preferably welding, the maintenance of the valve assembly becomes difficult. However, the structural type currently proposed with only a small number of components still required for the manufacture of the valve assembly is advantageous, so that the valve assembly no longer needs to be maintained within the planned operating life of the valve assembly.

[0012] In principle, it is conceivable to provide further components on the valve housing, such as a connection piece for connecting to a fluid line extending toward and / or away from the valve body receiving space. However, the possibility of designing the valve housing by injection molding allows such a connection structure for connecting the valve housing to a fluid line such as a hose and / or a pipe to be formed in one piece on the valve housing, in particular on the housing body. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of components required to form the valve assembly, it is preferred that the valve housing has only a housing body and a housing cover as housing components.

[0013] In order to operate the valve body, i.e. to change the relative rotational position of the valve body with respect to the valve housing, an operating shaft can extend from the valve body along the operating axis around the operating axis. The operating shaft can penetrate the valve housing so that a rotary drive arranged outside the valve housing can be connected to the valve body. By means of the injection-molded design of the valve body, the valve body can preferably be constructed in one piece with the operating shaft in order to further reduce the number of components of the valve device, so that the operating shaft end extends in one piece from the valve body along the operating axis. In principle, the operating shaft or the mentioned operating shaft end can extend from the valve body on any side of the valve body. Preferably, the operating shaft or the operating shaft end extends from the side of the valve body that has a larger cross section orthogonal to the operating axis, i.e. from the side from which the valve body tapers along the operating axis in a tapering direction with a reduction in the cross section of its virtual envelope surface.

[0014] Since the operating shaft can extend from any of the two possible sides of the valve body, or even from both sides, the operating shaft, which also includes the operating shaft end, can penetrate the housing body and / or the housing cover. Preferably, the operating shaft penetrates the housing cover, particularly preferably only penetrates the housing cover, in order to simplify the installation of the valve assembly. At the position where the valve housing is penetrated, a shaft seal is preferably provided to seal the valve housing, and the shaft seal is supported on the valve housing, in particular on the housing cover, on its radial outer side, and on the operating shaft on its radial inner side.

[0015] In order to reduce the friction between the valve body and the wall of the valve body receiving space, an outer shell part can be arranged between the valve body and the wall of the valve housing delimiting the valve body receiving space, the outer shell part being made of a plastic with a low friction coefficient, for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalamide, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a thermoplastic filled with a friction-reducing filler, for example graphite or PTFE. The outer shell part preferably has a substantially constant shell thickness along its axial extension. Preferably, the outer shell part tapers on its radial outer side and on its radial inner side along the actuation axis, so that the axial preload of the valve body not only presses the outer side of the valve body onto the outer shell part, but also causes the outer side of the outer shell part to be pressed onto the wall of the valve body receiving space of the valve housing. As a result, the axial preload of the valve body not only causes the wear during the operating service life of the valve assembly to be compensated, but also causes the gaps between the involved components to be sealed in order to prevent fluid migration through the gaps.

[0016] Preferably, the wall of the valve body radially delimiting the valve body receiving space is designed complementary to a virtual, rotationally symmetrical envelope surface of the valve body surrounding the valve body in the radial direction, so that the wall of the valve body receiving space also tapers in the axial direction along the actuation axis. The envelope surface is here an envelope surface that is rotationally symmetrical about the actuation axis or an envelope surface that is at least partially rotationally symmetrical within the adjustment range of the valve body, which is away from the passage that penetrates the valve body via a flowable volume cut out on the outside of the valve body or / and via a flowable mouth opening formed on the outside of the valve body, as if these were not present and the valve body was designed to be solid.

[0017] The taper of the valve body can be performed by means of an arbitrary curved virtual envelope surface. Preferably, the virtual envelope surface is conical, and the valve body is therefore preferably truncated cone-shaped. In this example, the taper direction is coaxial with the cone axis and points from the end side with a larger diameter to the end side with a smaller diameter.

[0018] If the valve body rests directly on the wall of the valve housing which delimits the valve body receiving space, the provision of a separate friction-reducing outer housing part can be avoided. For this purpose, the valve body can be made of a plastic with a low friction coefficient, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalamide, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a thermoplastic filled with a friction-reducing filler, such as graphite or PTFE.

[0019] The term “plastic with a low coefficient of friction” applies to any plastic which, when paired with the plastic of the walls of the valve body receiving space, has a lower coefficient of friction than the commonly used polyethylene.

[0020] In order to be able to realize its function and to be able to bring about different flow conditions in the valve housing depending on its rotational position, the valve body has at least one volume through which flow can flow during operation of the valve assembly. The volume through which flow can flow can be formed completely on an outer section of the valve body, for example in the form of a recess formed radially inward from the outer side of the valve body toward the actuation axis. In this case, a section of the wall of the valve body receiving space located in the circumferential area of ​​the through-flow recess forms a radially outer limiting wall for the flow of a fluid flowing through the valve body during operation. In contrast, the volume through which flow can flow can be formed at least partially or completely by a channel that passes through the valve body, wherein only the mouth opening is located on the outer side of the valve body. In this case, the valve body only limits the flow of a fluid through the valve body during operation of the valve assembly.

[0021] In order to facilitate the production of the valve body while increasing the quality of the resulting valve assembly, the valve body can have at least one rib on its outer side, which projects away from the actuation axis and extends on the outer side of the valve body, and which surrounds the flowable volume or the mouth opening of the flowable volume through which the fluid can flow in the outer surface of the valve body. Preferably, the rib in question projects out of the valve body in one piece on the outer side of the valve body. Such a rib can be easily realized by injection molding.

[0022] In this case, the ribs resting on the outer housing part opposite to it or on the wall of the valve body receiving space opposite to it ensure very good sealing of the valve body relative to the component in which it is located. Since only the relatively narrow ribs of the valve body rest on the component opposite to it, a higher surface pressure is achieved with the same axial load and the otherwise identical component geometry between the ribs and the component opposite to it than when the valve body rests flatly with its entire outer side against the component opposite to it. The higher surface pressure in turn results in a higher sealing in the area where the ribs and the component opposite to it are in physical contact. In addition, the fluid forces acting on both sides in the circumferential direction on the narrow ribs, which also extend only axially, can cancel each other out, which is not always the case when the valve body rests flatly on the component opposite to it.

[0023] Furthermore, when forming the at least one rib mentioned, it is sufficient to form only the at least one rib with high precision, while the remaining valve body, which is radially offset toward the actuating axis with respect to the radially outer rib surface, can be manufactured with large tolerances, since only the at least one rib ensures the required sealing of the valve body in the different flow areas in the valve body receiving space.

[0024] Preferably, the contact rib and the sealing rib are no wider than 4 mm, preferably no wider than 2 mm, with respect to their extension and perpendicular to their extension direction. In addition, in order to improve the sealing effect, two or more ribs extending parallel to each other can be formed at least in sections, preferably completely, and the ribs are separated by a groove extending between them.

[0025] In principle, it is sufficient for the valve body to have only one flowable volume. If the volume is designed as a channel, the valve body can have only two mouth openings, one for the inlet of the fluid and one for the outlet of the fluid. In this case, the valve assembly can be used as a shut-off and / or mixing valve. For a larger functional range for connecting and / or isolating different input and output pipelines in and out of the valve assembly, the valve body can have multiple flowable volumes and / or multiple flowable mouth openings in its outer surface. In order to avoid short-circuiting flows between the flowable volumes and / or multiple flowable mouth openings, each flowable volume and / or each flowable mouth opening is preferably surrounded by at least one rib extending on the outer side of the valve body and extending along the outer side of the valve body.

[0026] The preload mechanism is preferably arranged in the valve assembly such that it is supported on the valve housing side, preferably on the valve housing itself, by means of a first support section, and on the valve body side, for example on the valve body itself, by means of a second support section different from the first support section. The preload mechanism is preferably supported on the housing cover by means of the first support section. A bearing component can be provided between the first support section and the housing cover as a support for the preload mechanism. However, preferably, the first support section is supported directly on the housing cover itself. The support structure on the valve housing, in particular on the housing cover to which the first support section is fixed in the radial direction, is preferably formed integrally with the valve housing, in particular with the housing cover.

[0027] In the prior art, a rolling bearing is usually provided between the second support section and the valve body in order to reduce the regulating force required for rotating the valve body relative to the valve housing. In principle, such a rolling bearing can be provided on the valve assembly currently under discussion, but this increases the cost for manufacturing and installing the valve assembly as well as its weight. In principle, it is sufficient to provide a sliding bushing between the second support section and the valve body, which acts in sliding contact with the second support section and / or with the valve body. The sliding bushing can be configured to have a relatively small bearing surface so that the friction generated by it does not excessively increase the above-mentioned regulating force of the valve body. By suitable material selection, the friction on the sliding bushing can be further reduced. Preferably, in order to avoid the undesired torsional force of the preload mechanism, which is preferably only axially loaded, the sliding bushing is non-rotatable relative to the preload mechanism and is torsional relative to the valve body. Preferably, the sliding bushing is also an injection molded component.

[0028] In order to avoid undesirable influences of the arrangement of the pretensioning mechanism and thus to avoid a gradual loss of the pretensioning force, the pretensioning mechanism is preferably made of metal. It is particularly preferred that the pretensioning mechanism is formed of stainless steel in order to be able to avoid or minimize corrosion caused by contact with the fluid flowing through the valve assembly. It is particularly preferred that the pretensioning mechanism is the only component of the valve assembly that is made of metal. The pretensioning mechanism is preferably a compression spring.

[0029] In principle, it is sufficient that the flow lines extending through the valve housing and the valve body are located in a common plane. If the valve assembly has two or more parallel planes in which the flow lines extend through the valve assembly, a higher fluid volume throughput per unit of time through the valve assembly is feasible. If there are also such flowable volumes or / and flowable mouth openings in different planes, the flow lines located in different planes will be affected by a single valve body. However, the longer the valve body is axially constructed, the more problems will arise when the valve body is sealed relative to the wall of the valve body receiving space. Nevertheless, it is still possible to achieve excellent sealing of the fluid line in multiple parallel planes as follows: the valve assembly has two valve bodies that are coaxial with respect to the operating axis, can be axially moved relative to each other, and are axially loaded. Preferably, the two valve bodies are loaded axially away from each other through a single common preload mechanism. In order to simplify manufacturing and installation, preferably, the two valve bodies are constructed identically, wherein the operating shaft only extends from one valve body.

[0030] Preferably, if the two valve bodies are connected to one another for rotation together, a single actuator is sufficient for operating the valve assembly. In order to facilitate the use of identical components, the two valve bodies can have a non-rotationally symmetrical recess on the side facing the respective other valve body along the actuation axis. In two coaxial non-rotationally symmetrical recesses, a connecting element can then engage in a form-fitting manner, which connects the two valve bodies for rotation together about the actuation axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a valve assembly according to the invention is shown in the left half of the figure, while a schematic top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a valve assembly according to the invention is shown in the right half of the figure, viewed along the actuation axis;

[0033] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic front view of two valve assemblies in FIG.

[0034] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and 2 The two implementation forms are as follows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of section III-III;

[0035] Figure 4 Shown for Figures 1 to 3 A schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a valve body used in a valve assembly;

[0036] Figure 5 Shown for Figures 1 to 3 A schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a valve body used in a valve assembly;

[0037] Figure 6 a schematic front view showing a first valve body arrangement having two identical valve bodies; and

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic front view of a second valve body arrangement with two identical valve bodies is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the left half of the figure, a first embodiment of a valve module 10 is shown in each case, while in the right half of the figure, a second embodiment of a valve module 110 is shown.

[0040] Components and component parts that are identical and functionally identical to those in the first embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals in the second embodiment, but are increased by the number 100. In this respect, only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described, and the explanation of the first embodiment also explicitly refers to the description of the second embodiment in other respects. The two embodiments are arranged along the same lines as in the first embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 The drawing plane is separated from the separating plane T which is orthogonal to the drawing plane.

[0041] The valve assembly 10 comprises a valve housing 12 which, in the embodiment shown, is received in a seat 14. However, the seat 14 need not necessarily be present.

[0042] Four coupling structures 16 extend from the valve housing 12 along the coupling axis A, each of which is in the exemplary form of a coupling connector for connecting a fluid line, such as a hose or a pipe. In a manner known per se, the coupling structures 16 each have a flange 16a at their free longitudinal ends, which preferably surrounds the coupling axis A in a closed manner, as a protection against detachment of the fluid line arranged on the respective coupling structure 16. The coupling structures 16 are part of a fluid line arrangement 17, which also includes a fluid line 19 (see Figure 3 ).

[0043] Figure 1 The observer observes the housing cover 18, which completely covers the Figure 1 The housing body 20 (see Figure 2 and 3 ).

[0044] The housing cover 18 has a central opening 22 which passes completely through the housing cover. The actuating shaft end 24 of the valve body 26 (see Figure 2 and 3 ) along with Figure 1An actuation axis B, which is orthogonal to the drawing plane, passes through the central opening. The actuation shaft end 24 is therefore accessible from outside the valve housing 12 in order to introduce a torque via a drive (not shown).

[0045] exist Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 Front views of two embodiments of valve assemblies 10 or 110 . Figure 2 The observation direction is along Figure 1 The lowest connection axis A extends orthogonally to the control axis B, which is parallel to Figure 2 The drawing plane is stretched.

[0046] As in Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the difference between the two embodiments lies in that the housing cover 18 is fused to the housing body 20, more precisely preferably by welding. In order to connect the housing cover 18 to the housing body 20 preferably by material bonding, different welding methods are conceivable, such as mirror welding, infrared welding, hot air welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. The housing cover 18 can also be connected to the housing body 20 chemically by material bonding, for example, by partially dissolving the surfaces of the housing cover 18 and the housing body 20 facing each other by applying a solvent and connecting them to each other in the partially dissolved state. In principle, it is also conceivable to adhesively bond the housing cover 18 to the housing body 20, although thermal fusion of the housing cover 18 and the housing body 20 is preferred. The fusion of the housing cover 18 to the housing body 20 results in an absolutely tight joint connection of the housing cover 18 to the housing body 20, without having to provide a separate sealing device between the two components for this purpose.

[0047] The housing cover 118 of the second embodiment of the valve assembly 110 is screwed together with the housing body 120. Figure 3 As can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 1 , this requires forming a sealing groove 128 in one of the two components, the housing cover 18 and the housing body 20, in the example shown, the housing cover 18. In addition, a sealing device is required in order to also seal the joint between the housing cover 18 and the housing body 20 that is produced after tightening, which can be arranged in the sealing groove 128.

[0048] For better clarity, Figure 3 The screw connection of the housing cover 118 to the housing body 120 located behind the section is not shown.

[0049] So external Figure 3 It can also be seen from the sectional view that the section III-III includes the control axis B and Figure 1 In the two coupling axes A on the right and on the left, the coupling structure 116 of the second embodiment is designed as a separate component and is installed in corresponding installation recesses, for example, glued and / or shrunk therein.

[0050] In contrast, the connecting structure 16 of the first embodiment is integrally formed on the housing body 20 produced by injection molding. The housing body 120 of the second embodiment is also produced by injection molding.

[0051] As in Figure 3 It can also be seen that the actuating shaft stub 24 is formed integrally with the roughly schematically truncated cone-shaped valve body 26 and protrudes axially from the larger end face of the roughly schematically truncated cone-shaped valve body 26. At its free longitudinal end, the actuating shaft stub 24 has a non-rotationally symmetrical, here polygonal, coupling structure 24a for coupling to a drive (not shown in the drawing) in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0052] The actuating shaft stub 24 is sealed from the outside with respect to an opening 22 in the housing cover 18 , through which it axially penetrates, by a shaft seal 30 which is arranged in the housing cover 18 .

[0053] The valve body 26 is accommodated in a valve body accommodation space 32 in the housing body 20. An outer housing part 34 made of a friction-reducing plastic material is arranged between the valve body 26 and a wall 32a radially outwardly defining the valve body accommodation space 32. The friction-reducing plastic material can be selected in particular from: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalamide, polyvinylidene fluoride, or from thermoplastics filled with friction-reducing fillers such as graphite or PTFE.

[0054] Alternatively, the outer housing part 34 can be omitted, and the valve body 26 itself can be formed from a friction-reducing plastic material and directly contact the wall 32a. As a further option, the valve body can have a core made of conventional plastic, which is injection-molded with a friction-reducing plastic from the radial outside or has a friction-reducing plastic injected onto it from the radial outside. In this case, when paired with the material of the wall 32a, the friction-reducing plastic has a lower coefficient of friction than the material of the core of the valve body.

[0055] In the example shown, the valve body 26 has two volumes 36 and 38 through which flow can flow, which are directed toward the actuation axis B into the valve body 26 from its truncated cone-shaped virtual envelope surface (see Figure 7 The flow-through volumes 36 and 38 are physically separated from each other by the valve body 26. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 1 , the valve body 26 is arranged in a rotational position in which the valve body 26 is Figure 1The right and lower connecting structures 16 are connected to each other by means of a flow-through volume 38 to form a continuous fluid line and are separated from the left and upper connecting structures 16, which are in turn connected to each other by means of a flow-through volume 36 to form a continuous fluid line.

[0056] The pretensioning device 40, which is designed as a compression spring by way of example, is supported on the inner side of the housing cover 18. At its end opposite the housing cover 18, the pretensioning device 40 is supported on a sliding bushing 42 which is connected to the pretensioning device 40 in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to rotation about the actuation axis B but can slide relative to the valve body 26. The sliding bushing 42 merely acts in contact with the valve body 26.

[0057] By means of the preload mechanism 40, the valve cover 26 and the outer housing part 34 (if any) are loaded in the direction of their tapering, that is, in the direction from their end with a larger diameter toward their end with a smaller diameter, thereby ensuring that the loaded components are in contact with each other. Therefore, wear, thermal deformation, etc. can be compensated. In addition, the sealing in the area of ​​the valve body accommodating space 32 is improved because the gap between the valve cover 26 and the outer housing part 34 or the wall 32a and between the outer housing part 34 and the wall 32a can be reduced and can only be increased against the load caused by the preload mechanism 40.

[0058] The housing 34 which is non-rotatable relative to the housing body 20 by a positive fit has a channel in the region of the fluid line 19 penetrating the coupling structure 16 in order to be able to connect the fluid line 19 to the valve body receiving space 32 and thus to the through-flowing volumes 36 and 38 depending on the rotational position of the valve body 26 .

[0059] The outer housing part 34 is axially introduced into the valve body accommodating space 32 of the housing body 20 along the actuation axis B. On the circumferential section, the outer housing part 34 has a protrusion (not shown) on the radial outside, which can be introduced into the axial groove in the housing body 20 along the actuation axis B, so that the outer housing part can be installed in the axial direction and fixed around the actuation axis B in the circumferential direction by the axial groove in the installed state.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown in the right half of the figure, the valve body 26 can have a centering protrusion 144 on the side opposite to the protruding side of the operating shaft end 24, and the centering protrusion extends into the corresponding centering recess 146 of the housing body 20. Figure 3 As shown in the left half of the figure, due to the truncated cone-shaped configuration of the valve body 26, this centering produced by the centering projection 144 and the centering recess 146 is not absolutely necessary.

[0061] exist Figure 42 shows a perspective view of a valve body 26 which is formed integrally with the actuating shaft end 24. The end face of the valve body 26, against which the sliding bushing 42 rests in a sliding manner, is denoted by 26a.

[0062] The uninterrupted rib structure 48 surrounds each of the volumes 36 and 38 through which a flow can pass on the radial outside of the valve body 26. The rib structure 48 is therefore a fluid dynamic partition between the volumes 36 and 38 through which a flow can pass.

[0063] The rib structure 48 comprises a single radially outwardly protruding rib 50, whose radially outwardly directed free end face 50a tightly abuts against the inner side of the outer housing part 34 or the wall 32a of the valve body receiving space 32 in the completely installed and operationally ready state of the valve body 26. Since the end face 50a of the rib 50 has a significantly smaller area than the remaining truncated cone-shaped side surface of the valve body 26, the end face 50a abuts against the radially opposite component under the axial preload force preset by the preload mechanism 40 with a higher surface pressure than a valve body 26 without ribs.

[0064] Since only the end face 50a of the rib 50 must be closely attached to the radially opposite component, only the end face 50a must also be manufactured by injection molding with high precision, while the remaining surface of the valve body 26 can be manufactured by injection molding with greater tolerances. The hydrodynamic and hydrostatic forces acting on the side faces of the rib 50 on both sides of the end face 50a in the circumferential direction cancel each other out in magnitude.

[0065] exist Figure 5 Shown in Figure 4 A variation of the valve body 26 . Figure 4 The valve body 26 in the Figure 5 The valve body in the embodiment of the present invention has the exception that the rib structure 48 has two mutually parallel ribs 50 and 52, instead of only one rib. Accordingly, the two end faces 50a and 52a located on the common truncated cone-shaped virtual envelope surface are configured to abut against radially opposite components.

[0066] exist Figure 6 A variation of the valve body of the valve assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As is known from the prior art, valve body 26 is coupled to an identical valve body 26 ′ which is rotated only through 180° about an axis orthogonal to actuation axis B. Identical and functionally identical components or component sections on valve body 26 ′ are provided with the same reference numerals as on valve body 26 , but with an additional prime.

[0067] The valve body 26 is also designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to two mirror-symmetrical planes that are orthogonal to one another and intersect at the actuation axis B. Figure 6 In the case of Figure 6The drawing plane in is orthogonal and coincides with the illustration of the steering axis B. The other mirror symmetry plane is parallel to Figure 6 The drawing plane in .

[0068] The valve bodies 26 and 26 ′ form a valve body arrangement 62, the valve bodies 26 and 26 ′ of which are arranged coaxially with respect to the actuation axis B are coupled via a rotationally non-symmetrical prismatic rod 54 for joint rotation about the actuation axis B. However, the prismatic rod 54 permits an axial relative movement of the valve bodies 26 and 26 ′, so that the valve bodies can be preloaded toward each other from their respective end faces 26 a and 26 a ′ with a larger diameter.

[0069] Compared to a valve arrangement with only one valve body, a greater, essentially double, amount of fluid flows through the valve arrangement per time unit in an otherwise identical operating position of the valve arrangement because the valve body arrangement 62 can be actuated only once per time unit.

[0070] exist Figure 7 Another variation of the valve body device is shown as a valve body device 62'. The valve body device 62' corresponds to Figure 6 The valve body device 62 in FIG. 1 is different from the valve body device 62 in FIG. 1 , except that the valve bodies 26 and 26' do not point to each other with their smaller diameter end faces, but point to each other with their larger diameter end faces 26a. Accordingly, the operating shaft end 24 does not extend from the larger diameter end face of the valve body 26 or 26', but extends from the smaller diameter end face.

[0071] The advantage of this embodiment is that a single preload device 56 axially located between the two valve bodies 26 and 26 ′ is sufficient to load each valve body 26 and 26 ′ axially away from the other valve body 26 or 26 ′ in its respective tapering direction.

[0072] accommodate Figure 6 or Figure 7 The valve housing of the valve body arrangement 62 and 62' in the embodiment of the present invention usually has more than just two housing components, so as to allow a simple installation of the valve assembly with the valve body arrangement 62 or 62'. For example, such a valve assembly can have a housing body and a housing cover on each of two axially opposite sides.

[0073] The valve assembly proposed here can advantageously be used in electrically driven vehicles in order to be able to conduct a coolant to a unit that is subject to thermal load. Although gases should not be excluded, preferred fluids are liquids. It is particularly preferred that a water-glycol mixture flows through the valve assembly during operation.

Claims

1. A valve assembly (10; 110) for influencing the flow of a cooling fluid in a motor vehicle, wherein the valve assembly (10; 110) comprises: - a valve housing (12; 112) comprising a housing body (20; 120) and a housing cover (18; 118) connected to the housing body (20; 120), wherein a valve body receiving space (32; 132) is formed in the valve housing (12; 112) and is surrounded by the housing body (20; 120) and the housing cover (18; 118), a fluid line arrangement (17) having at least two fluid lines (19) which extend from the valve body receiving space (32; 132) in different spatial regions, - a valve body (26, 26'; 126) which is tapered along the operating axis (B), and which is rotatably accommodated in the valve body accommodating space (32; 132) about the operating axis (B), so that the fluid connection of at least two fluid pipelines (19) of the fluid pipeline device (17) can be changed by rotating the valve body (26, 26'; 126) about the operating axis (B), and - a preload mechanism (40; 56; 140) which applies a load to the valve body (26, 26'; 126) in a tapering direction along the operating axis (B), Characterized in that not only the valve body (26, 26'; 126) but also at least the housing body (20; 120) is formed as an injection-molded component made of thermoplastic material, and the housing cover (18; 118) is fused to the housing body (20; 120), and The valve assembly has two valve bodies which are coaxial with respect to the actuation axis (B), are axially movable relative to one another and are each axially loaded.

2. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing cover (18; 118) is welded to the housing body (20; 120).

3. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that The valve housing (12; 112) has only the housing body (20; 120) and the housing cover (18; 118) as housing components.

4. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that At least two coupling structures (16; 116) for coupling a fluid line to the outer side are formed on the outer side of the valve housing (12; 112).

5. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that An operating shaft (24) extends from the valve body (26, 26'; 126) along the operating axis (B), and the operating shaft penetrates the valve housing (12; 112).

6. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that An outer shell part (34; 134) is arranged between the valve body (26, 26'; 126) and the wall of the valve housing (26, 26'; 126) which defines the valve body accommodating space (32; 132), and the outer shell part is made of plastic with a low friction coefficient or of thermoplastic filled with a filler that reduces friction.

7. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalamide or polyvinylidene fluoride.

8. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The filler is graphite or PTFE.

9. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that The valve body (26, 26'; 126) rests directly on a wall (32a; 132a) of the valve housing (12; 112) which defines the valve body accommodating space (32; 132), wherein the valve body (26, 26'; 126) can be made of a plastic with a low friction coefficient or of a thermoplastic filled with a filler that reduces friction.

10. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalamide or polyvinylidene fluoride.

11. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The filler is graphite or PTFE.

12. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that The valve body (26, 26'; 126) has at least one volume (36, 38; 36', 38'; 136, 138) through which flow can occur during operation of the valve assembly (10; 110), wherein the valve body has on its outer side at least one rib (50, 52) extending away from the actuation axis (B) and on the outer side of the valve body (26, 26'; 126), the rib surrounding the through-flow volume (36, 38; 36', 38'; 136, 138) or an orifice of the through-flow volume (36, 38; 36', 38'; 136, 138) through which fluid can flow in the outer surface of the valve body (26, 26'; 126).

13. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The valve body (26, 26'; 126) has a plurality of flow-through volumes (36, 38; 36', 38'; 136, 138) and / or a plurality of flow-through mouth openings in its outer surface, wherein each flow-through volume (36, 38; 36', 38'; 136, 138) and / or each flow-through mouth opening is surrounded by at least one rib (50, 52) protruding on the outer side of the valve body (26, 26'; 126) and extending along the outer side of the valve body (26, 26'; 126).

14. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that The preload mechanism (40; 140) is supported on the valve housing side by means of a first support section and on the valve body side by means of a second support section which is different from the first support section.

15. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 14, It is characterized in that A sliding bushing (42; 142) is arranged between the second supporting section and the valve body (26, 26'; 126), and the sliding bushing is in sliding contact with the second supporting section and / or with the valve body (26, 26'; 126).

16. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that The pretensioning mechanism (40; 56; 140) is formed from metal.

17. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 16, It is characterized in that The pre-tensioning mechanism (40; 56; 140) is formed of stainless steel.

18. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 16, It is characterized in that The preload mechanism (40; 56; 140) is the only metal component in the valve housing (12; 112).

19. The valve assembly (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The two valve bodies (26; 26') are connected to each other for common rotation.

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