Valve unit having housing and method for adjusting adjustable stroke limiter of valve unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve unit having a housing (12). The invention relates to a valve actuator (10), comprising: a manually actuatable valve actuator (14), which comprises an adjustable valve stem (18) and a hand wheel (16) arranged at an end of the valve stem (18) for manually adjusting the valve stem (18) relative to a housing (12); a closing body (20) which is arranged at the end of the valve stem (18) opposite the hand wheel (16); and an adjustable mechanical stroke limiter (22) provided with a first and a second stop (28, 30) coupled to the valve stem (18), the first stop element (28) limiting the adjustment of the valve stem (18) in a first end position and in a second end position. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter (22) of a valve unit (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a valve unit having a housing and a method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter of a valve unit. Background Art

[0002] The valve unit has a closing body, which is coupled to the valve rod and can move against the valve seat. Here, the closing body can be adjusted via the valve rod, wherein the adjustment of the closing body causes the valve unit to be opened or closed.

[0003] In this case, the valve stem can be adjusted by coupling it to a fluidic or electromechanical valve drive.

[0004] Furthermore, there are valve stems which can be adjusted by means of manually operated valve drives, ie only by hand.

[0005] The invention relates to a valve unit having a manual valve drive.

[0006] In the case of a valve unit with a manual valve drive, the valve can be adjusted by active operation by hand. This is usually done by a hand wheel, which is arranged on the valve unit and is coupled to the valve stem in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0007] Turning the hand wheel thus also causes a rotation of the valve stem, wherein the rotation in turn causes a translational movement of the valve stem along the stem axis.

[0008] This is achieved, for example, by screwing the valve stem in or out via a thread provided in the housing of the valve unit.

[0009] In order to limit the adjustment path along which the valve stem can be adjusted along the stem axis and thus also determine how far the closing body can be opened or closed, a stop is provided which mechanically limits the movement of the valve stem along the stem axis.

[0010] Since different requirements are placed on the valve unit depending on the application, the stroke limiter is designed to be adjustable.

[0011] If the adjustment of the closing body into the open position and the closed position is to be limited, a mechanical stroke limiter must accordingly also act in both directions on the valve stem.

[0012] This usually requires a complex mechanism. The mechanism of the stroke limiter is usually at least partially exposed to the outside, making the valve unit as a whole difficult to clean and thus particularly unsuitable for hygienic applications.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the prior art, a (special) tool is required for adjusting the stroke limiter. Summary of the invention

[0014] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a valve unit with an adjustable stroke limiter which is suitable for hygienic applications and which enables a simple, rapid and uncomplicated adjustment of the stroke limiter.

[0015] According to the present invention, the proposed object is achieved by a valve unit, which comprises: a housing; a manual valve drive, which includes an adjustable valve stem and a handwheel arranged at the end of the valve stem, the handwheel being used to manually adjust the valve stem relative to the housing; a closing body, which is arranged at the end of the valve stem opposite to the handwheel; and an adjustable mechanical stroke limiter, which has a first and a second stop element coupled to the valve stem, wherein the first stop element limits the adjustment of the valve stem along the stem axis in the direction of the closing body to a first end position by cooperating with the first stop member, and the second stop element limits the adjustment of the valve stem along the stem axis in the direction of the handwheel to a second end position by cooperating with the second stop member, and wherein an adjusting sleeve is provided to adjust the first and / or second stop element relative to the valve stem, the adjusting sleeve being coupled to the first and second stop elements in a rotationally fixed manner in the first position and coupled to only one of the stop elements in the second position.

[0016] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to enable a manual, tool-free adjustment of a stop element of a stroke limiter coupled to the valve stem by means of an adjusting sleeve.

[0017] Since the adjusting sleeve can be adjusted between two positions, one of the stop elements can first be adjusted along the valve rod via the adjusting sleeve in a first position, wherein the other stop element is also adjusted at the same time.

[0018] However, the further stop element can be adjusted independently of the other stop element by adjusting the adjusting sleeve into the second position, since the adjusting sleeve is coupled in this case only to this one stop element in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0019] In addition, the design allows the stop element to be coupled directly to the valve stem so that they can be accommodated in the housing and / or the hand wheel. As a result, the valve unit is also suitable for hygienic applications.

[0020] One aspect provides that the valve rod and the adjusting sleeve are detachably coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via a hand wheel.

[0021] If a relative movement between the valve rod and the adjusting sleeve is to be prevented, which would lead to a displacement of the stop element along the valve rod, it is necessary to couple the adjusting sleeve and the valve rod in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0022] This has an advantageous effect if the hand wheel is used to couple the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner, since no further additional components are required to take over the coupling.

[0023] Since the handwheel detachably couples the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve, this allows a relative rotation between the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve when the handwheel is not installed or is only partially installed (ie only the handwheel is provided which is non-rotatably coupled to the components).

[0024] The stop element can be arranged directly on the valve stem.The relative rotation between the valve stem and the first stop element can be accompanied by a translational adjustment of the first stop element relative to the valve stem.

[0025] Furthermore, the relative rotation between the valve rod and the second stop element can also be accompanied by a translational adjustment of the second stop element relative to the valve rod.

[0026] The arrangement of the stop element directly on the valve stem allows no further components to be provided for coupling the stop element to the valve stem, so that the complexity of the valve unit is reduced overall.

[0027] Furthermore, the arrangement of the stop element directly on the valve rod enables an extremely space-saving design, as a result of which the valve unit as a whole also requires less space.

[0028] Furthermore, the stop element can be arranged in the housing and / or in the hand wheel according to the above explanations, in order to be able to use the valve unit also for hygienic applications.

[0029] Furthermore, when the adjusting sleeve is in the first position and in the event of a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve and the valve stem, the first stop element and the second stop element can be moved translationally relative to the valve stem along the stem axis.

[0030] Furthermore, when the adjusting sleeve is in the second position and in the event of a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve and the valve stem, only the second stop element can be moved translationally relative to the valve stem along the stem axis.

[0031] In this embodiment, when adjusting the stroke limiter, the first stop element is first introduced into a defined position by the adjusting sleeve in a translational manner along the rod axis relative to the valve rod by means of a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve and the valve rod. During the adjustment, the second stop element is also moved at the same time, since it is also coupled to the adjusting sleeve in the first position. In order to independently translate the second stop element along the rod axis relative to the valve rod, the adjusting sleeve must therefore be moved into the second position.

[0032] The valve rod can have, for example, at least one threaded section. The first and second stop elements can also be designed in the form of nuts and screwed onto the at least one threaded section of the valve rod.

[0033] On the one hand, this makes it possible to couple the valve stem to the two stop elements along the stem axis via a threaded section and, on the other hand, to adjust the two stop elements along the valve stem by providing a relative rotation between the valve stem and at least one of the stop elements, whereby the stop elements are adjusted along the valve stem toward the closing body or toward the handwheel depending on the direction of rotation.

[0034] In addition, the length of the or the individual thread segments can determine the range within which the stop element can be adjusted relative to the valve rod.

[0035] The adjusting sleeve can be coupled to an elastic spring element which exerts a spring force on the adjusting sleeve which acts in the direction of the first position.

[0036] In order to adjust the adjusting sleeve into the second position, a force must be exerted on the adjusting sleeve in the direction of the second position, the absolute value of which is greater than the spring force acting on the adjusting sleeve via the spring element.

[0037] This ensures that the adjusting sleeve is coupled to the first stop element and the second stop element in a rotationally fixed manner by default, whereby when the hand wheel is installed, the two stop elements are also coupled to the valve stem in a rotationally fixed manner via the hand wheel. Undesired adjustment of the stop elements can thus be excluded.

[0038] In this case, the elastic spring element can be a helical spring which is arranged coaxially to the rod axis and which is supported with one end on the second stop element or on the rod and acts with its other end on a shoulder of the adjusting sleeve.

[0039] Since the spring element, which is designed as a helical spring, is designed coaxially with respect to the rod axis, the valve rod itself can assume the guidance of the helical spring.

[0040] For example, the adjusting sleeve can be coupled in a first position in a rotational direction to the first and second stop elements in a form-fitting manner and in a second position be displaced axially relative to the first position and coupled in a rotational direction only to the second stop element in a form-fitting manner.

[0041] Accordingly, the adjusting sleeve is adjusted from the first position into the second position and vice versa by displacement along the rod axis. This makes it possible to adjust the adjusting sleeve in a particularly simple manner and thus determine whether it is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to only one or both of the stop elements.

[0042] Furthermore, the adjusting sleeve can clamp at least partially radially outwardly and surround the first and second stop elements in the first position and only at least partially radially outwardly and surround the second stop element in the second position. Thus, the travel limiter can be realized in an extremely space-saving manner.

[0043] Furthermore, the adjusting sleeve can have, at the end facing the first stop element, a coupling structure for forming a positive fit with the first stop element.

[0044] In this case, the coupling structure can be arranged on the outer circumference of the first stop element or also on the end face of the stop element facing the adjustment sleeve.

[0045] Furthermore, the adjusting sleeve can have at least one groove and the second stop element can have at least one web extending in the groove and serving for rotationally coupling the adjusting sleeve and the second stop element.

[0046] Correspondingly, if the second stop element is adjusted along the valve rod via the adjusting sleeve, the rotational movement of the adjusting sleeve is transmitted to the second stop element via the groove and the web.

[0047] In this case, the web is displaced in a groove of the adjusting sleeve, wherein the groove can limit the displacement range of the second stop element over its limited length in the direction of the rod axis.

[0048] The adjusting sleeve can have a drive geometry at the end facing away from the first stop element, and at least a part of the drive geometry can extend within the entrainment geometry of the hand wheel for the purpose of transmitting the rotational torque.

[0049] The drive geometry allows a positive fit to be formed with the entrainment geometry of the hand wheel, whereby the hand wheel and the adjusting sleeve can be coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0050] When the hand wheel is disassembled, the drive geometry can be exposed. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry can form an axial plug connection.

[0051] The drive geometry that is exposed when the hand wheel is removed simplifies the adjustment of the adjusting sleeve. This has a particularly positive effect on the creation of the adjusting sleeve by hand without tools and simplifies it.

[0052] If the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry additionally form an axial plug-in connection, this allows a particularly simple joining of the hand wheel and the adjusting sleeve in order to be able to produce a rotationally fixed positive fit between the two components via the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry.

[0053] Furthermore, the first stop can be formed by a surface of the housing and the second stop can be arranged on a shoulder of a stop sleeve coupled to the housing or on the hand wheel or on the adjusting sleeve.

[0054] If the first stop is formed by the surface of the housing, a particularly stable and durable shoulder can be provided thereby. In addition, no additional components need be provided.

[0055] With regard to the second stop, the above advantages apply analogously.

[0056] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter of a valve unit according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0057] a) adjusting the valve stem along the stem axis until a desired first or second end position of the valve stem (18) is reached;

[0058] b) removing the handwheel and releasing the rotationally fixed coupling between the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve;

[0059] c) performing a relative rotation between the adjustment sleeve and the valve stem in the first position and translatorily adjusting the stop elements along the valve stem until one of the stop elements contacts the associated first or second stop;

[0060] d) adjusting the valve stem along the stem axis until the desired other end position of the valve stem is reached, wherein during the adjustment of the valve stem there is no relative rotation relative to the adjusting sleeve;

[0061] e) translating the adjusting sleeve into a second position so that only one of the stop elements is still coupled to the adjusting sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner;

[0062] f) performing a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve and the valve stem in the second position and adjusting the further stop element translationally along the valve stem until the further stop element contacts the respectively associated further stop; and

[0063] g) Install the handwheel and create a rotationally fixed coupling between the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve.

[0064] The valve stem itself is therefore first brought into the desired position in which the stroke limiter is then to act.

[0065] In order to adjust the stroke limitation accordingly, the hand wheel must then be removed, so that the rotationally fixed coupling of valve stem and adjusting sleeve is released and the adjusting sleeve can be rotated relative to the valve stem.

[0066] Here, the adjusting sleeve is in the first position and the two stop elements are displaced translationally along the valve rod until the stroke limiter is adjusted so that the stop elements contact the stop, thereby ensuring that the valve rod can be adjusted in this direction at most to the desired position.

[0067] In a next step, the valve stem must be adjusted to another desired end position, wherein no relative rotation between the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve may occur, since otherwise the stop element previously in contact with the stop would be displaced relative to the valve stem and the previous adjustment would thus be invalidated.

[0068] As soon as the desired other end position of the valve rod is reached, the adjusting sleeve is displaced in a translational manner, so that the adjusting sleeve is in the second position and is thus also only coupled to one of the stop elements in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein precisely the stop element can now be adjusted along the valve rod relative to the valve rod by rotating the adjusting sleeve in the second position until the stop element also contacts the other stop.

[0069] The adjusting sleeve must now be moved back into the first position, whereby the first and second stop elements are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner via the adjusting sleeve and both can again be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the valve stem via the hand wheel.

[0070] As soon as this is achieved, the hand wheel can be installed again, so that the valve stem and the adjusting sleeve are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner and no adjustment of the adjustable mechanical stroke limiter takes place.

[0071] The valve stem can be adjusted in steps a) and / or d) by means of a hand wheel.

[0072] As a result, adjustment can be performed quickly and without the need for additional tools.

[0073] The valve rod can be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the adjusting sleeve, for example, in steps a) and / or d) via a hand wheel.

[0074] Since the handwheel is anyway designed for coupling the valve rod and the adjusting sleeve to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, no additional special tool needs to be used in this step either, but the handwheel is used instead.

[0075] Furthermore, steps c) and f) can be performed without tools by adjusting the drive geometry of the sleeve.

[0076] Accordingly, steps c) and f) are simplified since the adjustment can be performed directly by hand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The present invention will be described below according to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0078] - Figure 1 A valve unit according to the invention with a manually operable hand wheel is shown;

[0079] - Figure 2 Show Figure 1 , a cross-sectional view of a valve unit with a valve stem in an intermediate posture;

[0080] - Figure 3 Show Figure 2 a valve unit having a valve stem in a lower position;

[0081] - Figure 4A perspective view of the hand wheel is shown from below;

[0082] - Figure 5 A top view of the hand wheel is shown;

[0083] - Figure 6 A bottom view of the hand wheel is shown;

[0084] - Figure 7 A view showing two hexagons twisted relative to each other;

[0085] - Figure 8 Shown as a cross section along plane VIII-VIII Figure 6 A perspective view of detail B;

[0086] - Fig. 9 A perspective view showing a travel limiter;

[0087] - Fig.10 Show Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of a stroke limiter;

[0088] - Fig.11 Show Figure 8 A bottom view of the stroke limiter in FIG.

[0089] - Fig.12 Shown with the valve stem in an intermediate position Figure 2 Details of D;

[0090] - Fig.13 Shown with the valve stem in the desired end position Figure 2 Details of D;

[0091] - Fig.14 The valve stem is shown in the desired end position without the hand wheel. Figure 2 Details of D;

[0092] - Fig.15 A valve stem is shown in a desired end position without a hand wheel and with a first stop element in contact with a first stop. Figure 2 Details of D;

[0093] - Fig.16 The valve stem is shown without the hand wheel in the desired other end position. Figure 2 Details of D;

[0094] - Fig.17 The valve stem is shown without the hand wheel in the desired other end position. Figure 2 Detail D having an adjustment sleeve that is displaced in translation and a second stop element that is in contact with the second stop; and

[0095] - Fig.18A valve stem in a desired other end position is shown with an assembled hand wheel in the desired other end position. Figure 2 Details of D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] Figures 1 to 3 A valve unit 10 is shown with a housing 12. A manual valve drive 14 is also provided, which comprises a hand wheel 16 and an adjustable valve stem 18 (see Figure 2 ).

[0097] Here, the hand wheel 16 is used for manually adjusting the valve stem 18 along the stem axis A relative to the housing 12 , and is provided at one end of the valve stem 18 .

[0098] A closing body 20 is arranged at the end of the valve stem 18 opposite the hand wheel 16 (see Figure 2 and 3 The closing body 20 is used to close or open a pipeline in which, for example, a liquid or a gas is transported by pressing it against a valve seat.

[0099] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the valve unit 10 further comprises an adjustable mechanical stroke limiter 22 , which limits the adjustment of the valve rod 18 along the rod axis A. The stroke limiter 22 has a stroke adjustment element 24 , by which the stroke limiter 22 can be adjusted, wherein one end of the stroke adjustment element faces the hand wheel 16 .

[0100] Here, according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The stroke adjustment element 24 can be configured as an adjustment sleeve 26, which is used to adjust the first stop element 28 and / or the second stop element 30. Here, the first stop element 28 is used to limit the valve rod 18 along the rod axis A in the direction of the closing body to a first end position (see Figure 3 ) adjustment.

[0101] The second stop element 30 serves to limit the adjustment of the valve rod 18 along the rod axis A in the direction of the hand wheel 16 to a second end position by cooperating with the second stop 34 .

[0102] As an alternative thereto, the stroke adjustment element 24 may also be a stop element coupled to the valve rod 18 , which limits the adjustment of the valve rod 18 along the rod axis A by interacting with the stop parts 32 , 34 .

[0103] In this case, the first stop 32 is formed by a surface of the housing 12 , and the second stop 34 is formed by a stop sleeve 35 coupled to the housing 12 .

[0104] Alternatively, the second stop 34 may also be provided on the hand wheel 16 or on the adjusting sleeve 26 .

[0105] In order to be able to adjust the valve stem 18 by a rotational movement of the hand wheel 16, the valve stem 18 has a first drive geometry 36 which differs from the circular cross section at the end facing the hand wheel 16. The hand wheel 16 also has a first drive geometry 38 (see Figures 4 to 6 ), wherein the first entrainment geometry is configured to form a shape fit with the first drive geometry 36.

[0106] In this case, the first entrainment geometry 38 can be arranged centrally in the hand wheel 16 and can be designed in the form of a through-hole having a cross section that deviates from a circular shape.

[0107] Furthermore, a second drive geometry 40 which deviates from a circular cross section is provided on the stroke adjustment element 24 at the end facing the hand wheel 16 .

[0108] Furthermore, the hand wheel 16 has a second drive geometry 42 (see Figure 4 and 6 ), the second entrainment geometry is designed to form a positive fit with the second drive geometry 40 of the adjustment sleeve 26.

[0109] according to Figure 6 The second entrainment geometry 42 can border the first entrainment geometry 38 in a radial direction relative to the rod axis, wherein this does not exclude an axial displacement of the entrainment geometries relative to one another along the rod axis. The entrainment geometries 38 , 42 are coaxial with one another.

[0110] Furthermore, the second entrainment geometry 42 can be formed by a web arranged on the hand wheel 16 , which web predetermines the cross-sectional contour of the second entrainment geometry 42 .

[0111] Furthermore, the first entrainment geometry 38 has a first entrainment section 44 (see Figure 5 ). The first entrainment section 44 is part of the cross-sectional profile of the first entrainment geometry 38 perpendicular to the rod axis A and follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the first drive geometry 36 are superimposed on each other perpendicular to the rod axis A and are twisted relative to each other around the rod axis A so that a further entrainment section 44 is formed.

[0112] Furthermore, the second entrainment geometry 42 comprises a second entrainment section 46 (see Figure 6). These second drive segments 46 are part of the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry 42 perpendicular to the rod axis A and follow the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the second drive geometry 40 are superimposed on each other perpendicular to the rod axis A and are twisted relative to each other around the rod axis A so that further drive segments 46 are formed.

[0113] The stroke adjustment element 24 or the adjustment sleeve 26 has a second drive geometry 40 at the end facing away from the first stop element 28 . In this case, at least a part of the second drive geometry 40 extends within a second entrainment section 46 .

[0114] Since the hand wheel 16 forms a positive fit both with the rod axis A and with the stroke adjustment element 24 , the valve rod 18 and the stroke adjustment element 24 are connected in a rotationally fixed manner via the hand wheel 16 .

[0115] In this case, the drive geometries 36 , 40 form an axial plug-in connection with the corresponding entrainment geometries 38 , 42 .

[0116] Since the hand wheel 16 can be detachably mounted, for example Figure 2 and 3 As shown in FIG. 1 by the screw connection 48 , the valve rod 18 and the stroke adjustment element 24 are also coupled to each other in a non-destructive manner so as to be detachable.

[0117] When the hand wheel 16 is disassembled, the two drive geometries 36 , 40 are exposed.

[0118] In this case, the first and / or second drive geometry 36 , 40 extends along the valve rod A in a prismatic or cylindrical manner, whereby the hand wheel 16 or its entraining geometry 38 , 42 is pushed onto the respective drive geometry 36 , 40 .

[0119] The first and second entrainment geometries 38 , 42 are therefore designed such that, in a position of their cross sections that are rotated relative to one another, they allow the hand wheel 16 to be axially inserted onto the rod axis A and the stroke adjustment element 24 .

[0120] Both the drive geometry 36 , 40 and the entrainment geometry 38 , 42 can have an entrainment projection 50 which projects outwardly or inwardly relative to the rod axis A.

[0121] Furthermore, the respectively associated drive geometry 36 , 40 and also the respectively associated entrainment geometry 38 , 42 can have a receptacle 52 which is complementary thereto.

[0122] Therefore, complementary receptacles 52 are provided for the entrainment projection 50 , wherein the number of receptacles 52 corresponds at least to an integral multiple of the entrainment projection 50 .

[0123] The cross-sectional contour of the first drive geometry 36 perpendicular to the rod axis corresponds at least in sections to the polygon 58 (see Figure 7 ). Thus, not the entire cross section has to be polygonal, but individual areas of the cross section may lie on a cross section of the polygon 58.

[0124] Furthermore, the first entrainment section 44 can follow a silhouette that is formed when at least angular regions of two polygons 58 are superimposed with their surface centroids 60 and arranged twisted relative to one another, wherein the polygons respectively correspond to the cross-sectional contour of the first drive geometry 36 or at least coincide with parts (i.e. sections) thereof.

[0125] This is exemplified in Figure 7 is shown here based on two regular hexagons that are twisted relative to each other.

[0126] A similar embodiment applies to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry 40. The cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry 36 perpendicular to the rod axis can also correspond at least in sections to the polygon 58, and the second entrainment section 44 can follow the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least the angular regions of two polygons 58 are superimposed with their center of gravity 60 and arranged twisted relative to each other, wherein the polygons each correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry or are located at least on a part of the cross-sectional profile (such as according to Figure 7 exemplarily represented by means of two hexagons).

[0127] Furthermore, it is possible that the cross-sectional contours of both the first drive geometry 36 and the second drive geometry 40 perpendicular to the rod axis A correspond at least in sections to the regular polygon 58 .

[0128] In this case, the first and second driving sections 44, 46 can respectively follow the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least the angular regions of the two polygons 58 are overlapped with each other and then twisted relative to each other around their area center of gravity 60 by an angle of 360 degrees / (2*n) or 360 degrees / (2*k), wherein the polygons respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the first or second drive geometry 36, 40, wherein n or k corresponds to the number of corners of the cross-sectional profile of the first or second drive geometry 36, 40.

[0129] By means of this superposition of corresponding drive geometries 36 , star-shaped entrainment geometries 38 , 42 result from the regular polygons.

[0130] This makes it possible to insert the hand wheel 16 in at least twice as many rotational positions relative to the valve rod 18 or the stroke adjustment element 24 and thus also relative to the first drive geometry 36 or the second drive geometry 40 compared to a single hexagon.

[0131] This facilitates the threading of the disassembled hand wheel 16 onto the valve stem 18 and the stroke adjustment element 24 , since the probability that the entrainment geometries 38 , 42 are already positioned matching or at least approximately matching relative to the associated drive geometry 36 or 40 is significantly increased.

[0132] Even if the corresponding driving geometries 38, 42 cannot be directly plugged onto the corresponding drive geometries 36 or 40 due to relative rotation when the handwheel 16 is plugged on, the following advantage is still obtained: the handwheel 16 only needs to be slightly rotated relative to the valve stem 18 or the stroke adjustment element 24 in order to be able to plug it onto the two drive geometries 36, 40.

[0133] Typically, the handwheel 16, the valve stem 18 and the stroke adjustment element 24 are coordinated with one another so that the handwheel 16 initially forms a form fit with only one of the two components, so that only when the handwheel 16 already has a form-fitting connection with one of the components does a relative movement about the rod axis occur until the other drive geometry is aligned, and the corresponding component is also driven, and accordingly, the driving geometries 42, 46 formed according to the above-mentioned embodiment can significantly reduce normally undesirable adjustments.

[0134] If the cross-sectional contours of the first and / or second drive geometries 36 , 40 are regular polygons 58 , they may correspond to squares or hexagons, for example.

[0135] In addition, according to Figure 8 It is possible that the hand wheel has a blind hole 62 in which an RFID 64 is accommodated. In this case, the RFID 64 can be secured via a ball 66 pressed into the blind hole 62.

[0136] The stroke limiter 22 with the stroke adjustment element 24 in the form of an adjustment sleeve 26 will be discussed in detail below. Figure 2 , 3 and as shown in 9 to 12.

[0137] According to the above explanations, the adjustment sleeve 26 serves to adjust the first stop element 28 and / or the second stop element 30 relative to the valve stem 18 .

[0138] In this case, the stop elements 28 , 30 are arranged directly on the valve rod 18 .

[0139] If a relative rotation takes place between the valve rod 18 and the first stop element 28 and / or the second stop element 30 , this is accompanied by a translational adjustment of the first stop element 28 and / or the second stop element 30 .

[0140] For this purpose, the valve stem 18 has a threaded section 68 which is arranged on the outer circumference of the valve stem 18 .

[0141] The stop elements 28, 30 are designed in a nut-like manner and are screwed onto the threaded section 68 of the valve rod 18. Of course, a separate thread can also be provided for each stop element.

[0142] For adjusting the first stop element 28 and the second stop element 30 , the adjusting sleeve 26 is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the two stop elements 28 , 30 in a first position.

[0143] If the adjusting sleeve 26 is in the first position, a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve 26 and the valve stem 18 causes the first and second stop elements 28 , 30 to be moved translationally along the stem axis A relative to the valve stem.

[0144] In the first, lower position in the example, the adjustment sleeve 26 is therefore coupled in a rotational direction to the first and second stop elements 28 , 30 in a form-fitting manner.

[0145] The positive fit is produced in that the adjustment sleeve 26 at least partially surrounds the first and second stop elements 28 , 30 radially on the outside in the first position.

[0146] Furthermore, the adjusting sleeve can be adjusted translationally along the rod axis A into a second position in which it is coupled to only one of the stop elements 28 , 30 .

[0147] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , shows a variant in which the adjusting sleeve 26 can be moved by a translational movement upwards towards the hand wheel 16 into a second position, which is upper in the example, and in which it is coupled only to the second stop element 30 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0148] Accordingly, when the adjusting sleeve 26 is in the second position and when there is a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve 26 and the valve stem 18 , only the second stop element 30 is displaced translationally along the valve stem axis A relative to the valve stem 18 .

[0149] In this exemplary embodiment, the adjusting sleeve 26 is therefore coupled in the rotational direction only in a form-fitting manner to the second stop element 30 in the second position, in which it is axially displaced relative to the first position.

[0150] In the second position, the adjusting sleeve 26 only at least partially surrounds the second stop element 30 radially on the outside, so that the positive connection with the first stop element 28 in the radial direction is released and the first stop element 28 is not entrained in the second position of the adjusting sleeve 26 .

[0151] In order to enable the adjustment sleeve 26 to form a positive fit with the first stop element 28 , the adjustment sleeve has a coupling structure 70 at the end facing the first stop element 28 (here the end face) for forming a positive fit with the first stop element 28 .

[0152] For this purpose, the first stop element can have, for example, a structure along the circumference that is complementary to the coupling structure 70 .

[0153] Furthermore, the adjustment sleeve 26 has two grooves 72 extending along the rod axis A (see Fig. 9 The web 74 of the second stop element 30 extends in the groove 72 , so that a rotation of the adjustment sleeve 26 also causes the second stop element 30 to be entrained via the web 74 .

[0154] In this case, the maximum adjustment of the second stop element 30 along the rod axis A can be limited via the length of the groove 72 along the rod axis.

[0155] Furthermore, the adjusting sleeve 26 is coupled to an elastic spring element 76 in the form of a helical spring 78. In this case, the spring element 78 exerts a force on the adjusting sleeve 26 in the direction of the first position.

[0156] Here, a spring element 76 in the form of a helical spring 78 is arranged coaxially with the rod axis A and is supported with one end on the second stop element 30 and with the other end acts on a shoulder of the adjustment sleeve 26.

[0157] In the following, we will Figures 12 to 18 A method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter of a valve unit 10 is explained.

[0158] Here, Fig.12 The stroke limiter 22 shown forms the initial state. Here, the stop elements 28, 30 have a certain relative position with respect to the valve stem 18, which limits the movement of the valve stem relative to the housing 12 to two end positions. Based on this, the stop elements 28, 30 should now be adjusted relative to the valve stem 18 in order to limit the movement of the valve stem 18 to the new end positions.

[0159] To this end, according to Fig.13 The valve rod 18 is first adjusted via the hand wheel 16 into the desired first end position.

[0160] Since the hand wheel 16 connects the valve rod 18 and the adjusting sleeve 26 to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, no relative displacement of the stop elements 28 , 30 along the valve rod 18 occurs during this adjustment.

[0161] In the next step, the hand wheel 16 is removed, so that the rotationally fixed coupling between the valve stem 18 and the adjusting sleeve 26 is also released. Fig.15 Shown in.

[0162] In this case, the hand wheel 16 can be disengaged, for example, by releasing a screw in a thread formed in the valve stem 18 .

[0163] In a subsequent step, the two stop elements 28, 30 can be adjusted translationally along the valve stem by relative twisting between the adjustment sleeve 26 in the first position and the valve stem 18. In this case, the first stop element 28 is first adjusted and then translationally adjusted along the valve stem 18 until it contacts the first stop 32 on the housing 12 (see Fig.15 ). The position of the first stop element 28 is therefore associated with the first position.

[0164] In this case, the adjustment of the adjusting sleeve or the relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve 26 and the valve rod 18 is carried out manually and without tools.

[0165] In a next step, the valve stem 18 is adjusted relative to the housing 12 until the desired second end position of the valve stem 18 is reached (see Fig.16 During the adjustment of the valve stem 18, no relative rotation occurs between the valve stem 18 and the adjusting sleeve 26. This is important, because otherwise the previously adjusted first stop element 28 could be adjusted unintentionally.

[0166] In order to prevent relative rotation between the valve stem 18 and the adjusting sleeve 26 during this step, the hand wheel 16 can be temporarily installed so that no relative rotation occurs.

[0167] Once the desired second end position is reached, the adjusting sleeve 26 is then displaced translationally into the second position. Fig.17 , the adjusting sleeve 26 must be manually moved upwards and away from the first stop element 28. Here, during said movement, a force must be applied that counteracts the spring force.

[0168] In the second position, the adjustment sleeve 26 is only still connected to the second stop element 30 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0169] In order to move the second stop element 30 toward the stop member 34, as shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown, a relative rotation must again take place between the adjusting sleeve 26 and the valve rod 18 in the second position, specifically until the second stop element 30 , which is displaced translationally along the valve rod 18 , contacts the second stop 34 .

[0170] This adjustment of the second stop element 30 via the adjustment sleeve 26 can also be performed manually and without tools.

[0171] In order to ensure that the now adjusted stop elements 28 , 30 of the stroke limiter 22 no longer perform any translational relative movement relative to the valve rod 18 , the adjustment sleeve 26 must be adjusted back into the first position. This can be done via the elastic spring element 76 .

[0172] Furthermore, the hand wheel 16 must be mounted so that the valve stem 18 and the adjusting sleeve 26 are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner (see Fig.18 ).

Claims

1. A valve unit, comprising: a housing (12); a manual valve drive (14), the valve drive comprising an adjustable valve stem (18) and a hand wheel (16) arranged at the end of the valve stem (18), the hand wheel being used for manually adjusting the valve stem (18) relative to the housing (12); a closing body (20), the closing body being arranged at the end of the valve stem (18) opposite to the hand wheel (16); and an adjustable mechanical stroke limiter (22), the stroke limiter having a first and a second stop element (28, 30) coupled to the valve stem (18), wherein the first stop element (28) is adjusted by cooperating with a first stop element (32) to adjust the valve stem (18) relative to the housing (12); The valve stem (18) is limited to a first end position for adjusting the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A) in the direction of the closing body (20), and the second stop element (30) limits the adjustment of the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A) in the direction of the hand wheel (16) to a second end position by cooperating with a second stop member (34), and an adjusting sleeve (26) is provided for adjusting the first and / or second stop element (28, 30) relative to the valve stem (18), the adjusting sleeve being coupled to the first and second stop elements (28, 30) in a rotationally fixed manner in the first position and being coupled to only one of the stop elements (28, 30) in the second position.

2. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The valve rod (18) and the adjusting sleeve (26) are detachably coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via the hand wheel (16).

3. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The stop elements (28, 30) are arranged directly on the valve stem (18) and the relative rotation between the valve stem (18) and the first stop element (28) is accompanied by a translational adjustment of the first stop element (28) relative to the valve stem (18), and the relative rotation between the valve stem (18) and the second stop element (30) is also accompanied by a translational adjustment of the second stop element (30) relative to the valve stem (18).

4. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the adjusting sleeve (26) is in the first position and the adjusting sleeve (26) and the valve stem (18) are relatively twisted, the first stop element and the second stop element (28, 30) are translated relative to the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A), and when the adjusting sleeve (26) is in the second position and the adjusting sleeve (26) and the valve stem (18) are relatively twisted, only the second stop element (30) is translated relative to the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A).

5. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The valve rod (18) has at least one threaded section (68), and the first and second stop elements (28, 30) are nut-shaped and screwed onto the at least one threaded section (68) of the valve rod (18).

6. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) is coupled to an elastic spring element (76), which exerts a spring force on the adjusting sleeve (26) which acts in the direction of the first position.

7. The valve unit according to claim 6, characterized in that The elastic spring element (76) is a helical spring (78) arranged coaxially with the rod axis (A), which is supported with one end on the second stop element (30) or on the rod and acts with its other end on a shoulder of the adjustment sleeve (26).

8. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) is coupled in a rotational direction to the first and second stop elements (28, 30) in a form-fitting manner in the first position, and is axially displaced relative to the first position in the second position and is coupled in a rotational direction only to the second stop element (30) in a form-fitting manner.

9. The valve unit according to claim 8, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) at least partially radially outwardly clamps and surrounds the first and second stop elements (28, 30) in the first position and only at least partially radially outwardly clamps and surrounds the second stop element (30) in the second position.

10. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) has, at an end facing the first stop element (28), a coupling structure (70) for forming a positive fit with the first stop element (28).

11. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) has at least one groove (72) and the second stop element (30) has at least one web (74) extending in the groove (72) and serving to rotationally couple the adjusting sleeve (26) and the second stop element (30).

12. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The adjusting sleeve (26) has a drive geometry (40) at the end facing away from the first stop element (28), and at least a portion of the drive geometry (40) extends within a drive geometry (42) of the hand wheel (16).

13. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the hand wheel (16) is disassembled, the drive geometry (40) is exposed and / or the drive geometry (40) and the entrainment geometry (42) form an axial plug-in connection.

14. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first stop (32) is formed by a surface of the housing (12), and the second stop (34) is arranged on a shoulder of a stop sleeve (35) coupled to the housing (12) or on the hand wheel (16) or on the adjusting sleeve (26).

15. A method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter (22) of a valve unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: a) adjusting the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A) until a desired first or second end position of the valve stem (18) is reached; b) removing the hand wheel (16) and releasing the rotationally fixed coupling between the valve stem (18) and the adjusting sleeve (26); c) performing a relative rotation between the adjustment sleeve (26) and the valve stem (18) in the first position and adjusting the stop element (28, 30) translationally along the valve stem (18) until one of the stop elements (28, 30) contacts the associated first or second stop (32, 34); d) adjusting the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A) until the desired other end position of the valve stem (18) is reached, wherein during the adjustment of the valve stem (18) there is no relative rotation relative to the adjustment sleeve (26); e) translationally displacing the adjusting sleeve (26) into the second position so that only one of the stop elements (28, 30) is still coupled to the adjusting sleeve (26) in a rotationally fixed manner; f) performing a relative rotation between the adjusting sleeve (26) and the valve stem (18) in the second position and adjusting the further stop element (28, 30) translationally along the valve stem (18) until the further stop element (28, 30) contacts the respectively associated further stop (32, 34); and g) The hand wheel (16) is installed and a rotationally fixed coupling is produced between the valve stem (18) and the adjusting sleeve (26).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The valve stem (18) is adjusted in steps a) and / or d) by means of the hand wheel (16).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that In steps a) and / or d), the valve rod (18) and the adjusting sleeve (26) are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner via the hand wheel (16).

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that Steps c) and f) are performed without tools via the drive geometry (40) of the adjusting sleeve (26).

Images