Valve unit and hand wheel for adjusting valve stem

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve unit (10) having a housing (12), comprising a manual valve drive (14), which comprises an adjustable valve stem (18) and a hand wheel (16) arranged at one end of the valve stem (18) for manually adjusting the valve stem (18) relative to the housing (12). Furthermore, an adjustable stroke limiter (22) is provided, in which the valve stem (18) has a first drive geometry (36), and the stroke adjustment element (24) has: a second drive geometry (40), in which the hand wheel (16) has a first drive geometry (38), which is designed to form a form fit with the first drive geometry (36), and a second drive geometry (40), in which the hand wheel (16) has a second drive geometry (38), which is designed to form a form fit with the second drive geometry (36). And a second drive geometry (42) which is designed to form a form fit with the second drive geometry (40). The invention further relates to a manually actuatable hand wheel (16) for adjusting a valve stem (18) of a manually actuatable valve drive (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a valve unit having a housing. The invention also relates to a manually operable hand wheel for adjusting a valve rod of a manually operable valve drive. 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] Furthermore, the stroke limiter must include a stroke adjustment element which, by a relative movement with respect to the valve stem, effects an adjustment of the stroke limiter.

[0013] In order to prevent an unintentional adjustment of the stroke limiter, the valve rod and the stroke adjusting element are coupled in a rotationally fixed manner relative to one another when the valve rod is adjusted.

[0014] For this purpose, an anti-twist device is usually provided, which couples the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element in a rotationally fixed manner and forms a form fit with the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element. In order to form the form fit, corresponding form-fitting ends are provided at the ends of the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element facing the coupling structure, which form-fitting ends allow a form fit, for example a quadrilateral or hexagonal contour.

[0015] The anti-twist device thus temporarily stabilizes the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element relative to one another by surrounding the engaging form-fitting end with a complementary negative structure.

[0016] A disadvantage here is that, if an adjustment of the stroke limiter takes place, this is carried out according to the prior art with the aid of a (special) tool.

[0017] Furthermore, due to the adjustment of the stroke limiter, it can result that the relative position of the positive-fit end of the valve rod and the stroke adjustment element no longer corresponds to their negative relative position as provided in the anti-twist device.

[0018] The anti-twist device can therefore be attached simultaneously to the positive-fitting ends of the valve stem and the stroke adjusting element only when the valve stem and the stroke adjusting element are adjusted relative to one another.

[0019] However, in the adjustment required for installing the anti-rotation device, an undesirable relative movement inevitably occurs between the stroke adjustment element and the valve stem, thereby also changing the previously desired and adjusted stroke limiter. Summary of the invention

[0020] Based on the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a valve unit, in which an anti-twist device for the valve stem and for the stroke adjustment element can be easily installed on two form-fitting ends and when the anti-twist device is inserted and when the form fit is formed, no or only a negligibly small relative rotation is required between the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element.

[0021] This object is achieved by a valve unit, which has a housing; a manually operable valve drive, the valve drive comprising an adjustable valve stem and a hand wheel arranged at one end of the valve stem, the hand wheel being used to manually adjust the valve stem relative to the housing; an adjustable stroke limiter, the stroke limiter limiting the adjustment of the valve stem along the stem axis; and a stroke adjustment element, by which the stroke limiter can be adjusted and one end of the stroke adjustment element faces the hand wheel, wherein the valve stem has a first drive geometry at the end facing the hand wheel, and the stroke adjustment element has a second drive geometry at the end facing the hand wheel, wherein the hand wheel has a first drive geometry, the first drive geometry is configured to form a first drive geometry with the first drive A shape fit of a driving geometry; and a second driving geometry, which is configured to form a shape fit with a second driving geometry, wherein a first driving segment that is part of a cross-sectional profile of the first driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis follows a silhouette that is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the first driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other around the rod axis, and / or wherein a second driving segment that is part of a cross-sectional profile of the second driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis follows a silhouette that is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the second driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other around the rod axis.

[0022] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to couple the stroke adjustment element and the valve stem directly to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via the hand wheel itself.

[0023] Furthermore, the attachment of the hand wheel to the first and second drive geometries is simplified by the entrainment section. This is achieved in that the entrainment section can be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the stroke adjustment element and relative to the valve rod, respectively, more precisely at least twice as many positions as if the hand wheel had only entrainment sections complementary to the first and second drive geometries.

[0024] It is therefore also simpler to attach or plug the hand wheel onto the first and second drive geometries, since the probability that the entrainment geometry is already properly positioned relative to the drive geometry is now increased.

[0025] It is also achieved that even if the corresponding entrainment geometry is not yet completely superimposed on the corresponding drive geometry, only a small relative rotational adjustment is required between the stroke adjustment element and the valve stem in order to completely install the handwheel and to couple the stroke adjustment element and the valve stem to each other in a rotationally fixed manner via the handwheel.

[0026] This ensures that only minimal changes, if any, are required to the already adjusted stroke limiter in order to attach the handwheel with its entrainment geometry to the drive geometry.

[0027] This makes it possible to adjust the stroke limiter significantly more precisely.

[0028] It is thus conceivable that the thread pitch in the housing, into which the valve stem is screwed and which is required for a translational adjustment of the valve stem along the housing, is provided with a coarser thread pitch.

[0029] Here, without disengaging the stroke limiter, the translational movement of the valve stem can be increased per wheel rotation if the entrainment geometry simply follows the outer geometry of the drive geometry, as is the case in the prior art. This allows for faster manual adjustment of the valve unit.

[0030] Furthermore, the entrainment geometry does not necessarily have to follow the entire outer geometry of the cross-sectional contour of the respective drive geometry, but can, due to the entrainment section, only follow partial regions of two superposed cross-sectional contours of the respective drive geometry.

[0031] As a result, the entrainment geometry can be designed to be simpler and less complex.

[0032] Furthermore, the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element are usually made of metal. The handwheel is usually produced by injection molding of plastic. The handwheel can be arranged much more simply by having a driver geometry with a first and a second driver section, wherein the first and the second driver section have a more complex geometry than the drive geometry.

[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, the stroke adjustment element is a stop element coupled to the valve stem, which limits the adjustment of the valve stem along the stem axis by cooperating with the first stop member, or the stroke adjustment element is an adjustment sleeve for adjusting at least one stop element coupled to the valve stem.

[0034] If the stroke adjustment element is a stop element coupled to the valve stem, the stroke limiter can only be adjusted in one direction, wherein the limitation occurs via the first stop. Thus, a particularly simply designed stroke limiter can be realized, which is particularly suitable for applications in which only an adjustable stroke limiter acting in one direction is required.

[0035] If it is an adjusting sleeve, it can be used to adjust one or more stop elements coupled to the valve stem. Thus, a stroke limiter can be realized by means of a stroke adjustment element formed as an adjusting sleeve, which limits the movement of the valve stem in two directions along the stem axis.

[0036] A stop element coupled to the valve stem can be screwed onto a threaded section provided on the valve stem.

[0037] This allows a particularly simple and inexpensive implementation.

[0038] As a result, on the one hand the stop element can be adjusted by rotation along the valve stem itself relative to the valve stem, so that the stroke limiter can be adjusted steplessly and precisely.

[0039] Furthermore, the stop element may absorb forces along the stem axis when the valve stem moves in translation and the stop element mechanically blocks further movement.

[0040] Furthermore, it is possible that the valve rod and the stroke adjusting element can be coupled to one another via the hand wheel in a rotationally fixed and non-destructively detachable manner.

[0041] Therefore, no additional components are required to couple the valve rod and the stroke adjusting element to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, since the hand wheel couples the two components in addition to adjusting the valve rod itself.

[0042] When adjusting the valve stem via the handwheel, it is ensured that there is no relative rotation between the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element.

[0043] Since the valve rod and the stroke adjustment element are coupled to each other in a non-destructively detachable manner via the hand wheel, the stroke adjustment element can be removed for adjusting the stroke limiter, so that the stroke limiter can be adjusted accordingly to adapt the stroke limiter.

[0044] Furthermore, the first and / or the second drive geometry can extend in a prismatic or cylindrical manner along the valve stem.

[0045] The prismatic or cylindrical extension of the drive geometry along the valve stem allows a simple mounting of the handwheel by displacing the handwheel along the valve stem so that its receiving geometry can lie opposite the drive geometry and the corresponding receiving geometry can perform a positive fit with the drive geometry.

[0046] For example, the drive geometry or the entrainment geometry can have an entrainment projection protruding outwardly relative to the rod axis and the other of the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry can have a complementary receptacle for the entrainment projection, wherein the number of receptacles corresponds at least to an integer multiple of the entrainment projection.

[0047] The entraining projection thus forms a positive fit with the complementary receptacle.

[0048] Since the number of receptacles corresponds at least to twice the number of entrainment projections, the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry can also be positioned relative to one another in at least twice as many positions as if the number of complementary receptacles corresponded exactly to the number of entrainment projections.

[0049] Other advantages that arise can be derived in the above paragraphs.

[0050] In addition, the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry perpendicular to the rod axis may correspond at least in sections to a polygon, in particular a regular polygon, and the first driving section follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two polygons, which respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry or at least partially overlap with the area center of gravity of the polygon, are superimposed on each other and are arranged twisted relative to each other, and / or the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry, which corresponds at least in sections to a polygon, in particular a regular polygon, and the second driving section follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two polygons, which respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry or at least partially overlap with the area center of gravity of the polygon, are superimposed on each other and are arranged twisted relative to each other.

[0051] In this case, the polygon forms a particularly simple geometry for producing a positive fit.

[0052] It has also proven to be advantageous if the entrainment section follows the silhouette of the corner regions of two polygons lying one above the other, since a planar force transmission can be achieved between the entrainment section and the corresponding drive geometry.

[0053] In addition, the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry perpendicular to the rod axis can correspond to a regular polygon at least in sections and the first driving section follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two polygons, whose angular regions respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry, are overlapped with each other and then twisted relative to each other around their center of gravity by an angle of 360° / (2*n), wherein n corresponds to the number of corners of the polygon forming the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry, and / or the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry, which is perpendicular to the rod axis, corresponds to a regular polygon at least in sections and the second driving section follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two polygons, whose angular regions respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry, are overlapped with each other and then twisted relative to each other around their center of gravity by an angle of 360° / (2*k), wherein k corresponds to the number of corners of the polygon forming the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry.

[0054] In this case, the embodiment of the first and second drive geometries in the form of regular polygons is particularly advantageous, since corresponding shapes can be produced particularly easily and a planar force transmission between the drive geometry and the entrainment section is achieved.

[0055] Furthermore, a relative rotation of 360° / (2*n) or 360° / (2*k) can result in a rotation of exactly half the central angle (center angle), so that each angle is equidistant from the adjacent angle. Furthermore, this achieves that when placing the entraining geometry on the driving geometry, the handwheel only needs to be turned by a maximum of one quarter of the central angle of the corresponding regular polygon forming the driving geometry in order to push them in and form a positive fit.

[0056] Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile of the first and / or second drive geometry perpendicular to the rod axis may correspond to a square or a hexagon.

[0057] In this case, both the square and the hexagon form particularly simple geometries which can be introduced into the valve stem and / or the stroke adjusting element during production.

[0058] The object mentioned at the beginning is also achieved by a manually operable handwheel, the handwheel being used to adjust a valve stem of a manually operable valve drive, the valve drive having an adjustable valve stem, wherein the handwheel has a first driving geometry, the first driving geometry being configured to form a shape fit with a first driving geometry of a valve stem having a cross section different from a circular cross section; and a second driving geometry, the second driving geometry being configured to form a shape fit with a second driving geometry of a stroke adjustment element of an adjustable stroke limiter having a cross section different from a circular cross section, wherein the handwheel is configured to: couple the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element to each other in a rotationally fixed manner so as to be non-destructively detachable by means of a shape fit, wherein the first driving geometry is configured to form a shape fit with a second driving geometry of a stroke adjustment element of an adjustable stroke limiter, wherein the first driving geometry is configured to form a shape fit with a first driving geometry of a valve stem having a cross section different from a circular cross section, wherein the second driving geometry is configured to form a shape fit with a second driving geometry of a stroke adjustment element of an adjustable stroke limiter, wherein the handwheel is configured to: couple the valve stem and the stroke adjustment element to each other in a rotationally fixed manner so as to be non-destructively detachable The first driving section, which is a part of the cross-sectional profile of the driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis, follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the first driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other around the rod axis, and the second driving section, which is a part of the cross-sectional profile of the second driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis, follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the second driving geometry perpendicular to the rod axis are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other around the rod axis, wherein the first and second driving geometries are designed so that they allow the hand wheel to be axially inserted onto the rod axis and the stroke adjustment element in a position in which their cross-sections are twisted relative to each other.

[0059] The advantages that derive from this can be drawn from the above paragraphs.

[0060] Furthermore, a blind hole can be provided on the hand wheel, in which the RFID is accommodated, wherein the RFID is secured in the blind hole by a ball pressed into the blind hole.

[0061] On the one hand, information about the valve drive on which the manually operable handwheel is mounted can be stored via RFID, and on the other hand, the RFID can be blocked hygienically due to the ball pressed into the blind hole. The handwheel is therefore also suitable for valve units and can be used for hygienic applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The present invention will be described below according to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0063] - Figure 1 A valve unit according to the invention with a manually operable hand wheel is shown;

[0064] - Figure 2 Show Figure 1 , a cross-sectional view of a valve unit with a valve stem in an intermediate posture;

[0065] - Figure 3 Show Figure 2 a valve unit having a valve stem in a lower position;

[0066] - Figure 4 A perspective view of the hand wheel is shown from below;

[0067] - Figure 5 A top view of the hand wheel is shown;

[0068] - Figure 6 A bottom view of the hand wheel is shown;

[0069] - Figure 7 A view showing two hexagons twisted relative to each other;

[0070] - Figure 8 Shown as a cross section along plane VIII-VIII Figure 6 A perspective view of detail B;

[0071] - Fig. 9 A perspective view showing a travel limiter;

[0072] - Fig.10 Show Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of a stroke limiter;

[0073] - Fig.11 Show Figure 8 A bottom view of the stroke limiter in FIG.

[0074] - Fig.12 Shown with the valve stem in an intermediate position Figure 2 Details of D;

[0075] - Fig.13 Shown with the valve stem in the desired end position Figure 2 Details of D;

[0076] - Fig.14 The valve stem is shown in the desired end position without the hand wheel. Figure 2 Details of D;

[0077] - 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;

[0078] - Fig.16 The valve stem is shown without the hand wheel in the desired other end position. Figure 2 Details of D;

[0079] - 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

[0080] - Fig.18 A 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

[0081] 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 ).

[0082] 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 .

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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 .

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 .

[0087] 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 .

[0088] 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 .

[0089] Alternatively, the second stop 34 may also be provided on the hand wheel 16 or on the adjusting sleeve 26 .

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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 .

[0093] 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.

[0094] according to Figure 6The 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.

[0095] 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 .

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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 .

[0099] 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 .

[0100] In this case, the drive geometries 36 , 40 form an axial plug-in connection with the corresponding entrainment geometries 38 , 42 .

[0101] 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.

[0102] When the hand wheel 16 is disassembled, the two drive geometries 36 , 40 are exposed.

[0103] 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 .

[0104] 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 .

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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 .

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] This is exemplified in Figure 7 is shown here based on two regular hexagons that are twisted relative to each other.

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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 .

[0113] 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.

[0114] By means of this superposition of corresponding drive geometries 36 , star-shaped entrainment geometries 38 , 42 result from the regular polygons.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] In addition, according to Figure 8It 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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 .

[0123] In this case, the stop elements 28 , 30 are arranged directly on the valve rod 18 .

[0124] If a relative rotation occurs 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 .

[0125] For this purpose, the valve stem 18 has a threaded section 68 which is arranged on the outer circumference of the valve stem 18 .

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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 .

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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 .

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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 .

[0136] 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 .

[0137] For this purpose, the first stop element can have, for example, a structure along the circumference that is complementary to the coupling structure 70 .

[0138] 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 .

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] In the following, we will Figures 12 to 18A method for adjusting an adjustable stroke limiter of a valve unit 10 is explained.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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 .

[0148] 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.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] In the second position, the adjustment sleeve 26 is only still connected to the second stop element 30 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0154] 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 .

[0155] This adjustment of the second stop element 30 via the adjustment sleeve 26 can also be performed manually and without tools.

[0156] 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 .

[0157] 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 manually operable valve actuator (14) comprising an adjustable valve stem (18) and a hand wheel (16) disposed at one end of the valve stem (18), the hand wheel being used for manually adjusting the valve stem (18) relative to the housing (12), an adjustable stroke limiter (22), which limits the adjustment of the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A), and a stroke adjustment element (24), by which the stroke limiter (22) can be adjusted and one end of which faces the hand wheel (16), The valve stem (18) has a first drive geometry (36) at its end facing the hand wheel (16), and the stroke adjustment element (24) has a second drive geometry (40) at its end facing the hand wheel (16), The hand wheel (16) has a first drive geometry (38) which is configured to form a positive fit with the first drive geometry (36), and a second drive geometry (42) which is configured to form a positive fit with the second drive geometry (40), wherein a first drive section (44) which is part of a cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (38) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) follows a silhouette which is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the first drive geometry (36) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) are superimposed on one another and twisted relative to one another about the rod axis (A), and / or The second driving section (46) which is part of the cross-sectional profile of the second driving geometry (42) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the second driving geometry (40) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other around the rod axis (A).

2. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The stroke adjustment element (24) is a stop element (28, 30) coupled to the valve stem (18), and the stop element limits the adjustment of the valve stem (18) along the stem axis (A) by cooperating with a first stop member (32), or the stop element is an adjustment sleeve (26) for adjusting at least one stop element (28, 30) coupled to the valve stem (18).

3. The valve unit according to claim 2, characterized in that The stop element (28, 30) coupled to the valve rod (18) is screwed onto a threaded section (68) provided on the valve rod (18).

4. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The valve rod (18) and the stroke adjustment element (24) are coupled to one another via the hand wheel (16) in a rotationally fixed and non-destructively detachable manner.

5. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first and / or second drive geometry (36, 40) extends prismatically or cylindrically along the valve stem (18).

6. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The drive geometry or the entrainment geometry (38, 42) has an entrainment projection (50) protruding outwardly relative to the rod axis (A), and the other of the drive geometry and the entrainment geometry (38, 42) has a receptacle (52) for the entrainment projection (50) which is complementary thereto, wherein the number of the receptacles (52) corresponds to an integer multiple of the entrainment projection (50).

7. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (36) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) corresponds at least in sections to a polygon, in particular a regular polygon, and the first driving section (44) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when the angular regions of at least two polygons (58) that respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (36) or at least partially overlap with the surface centroid (60) of the polygon and are arranged in a manner twisted relative to each other, and / or the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (40) that corresponds at least in sections to a polygon, in particular a regular polygon, and the second driving section (46) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when the angular regions of at least two polygons (58) that respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (40) or at least partially overlap with the surface centroid (60) of the polygon and are arranged in a manner twisted relative to each other.

8. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (36) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) corresponds at least in sections to a regular polygon and the first entraining section (44) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when the angular regions of at least two polygons (58) respectively corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (36) are overlapped and then twisted relative to each other around their center of gravity (60) by an angle of 360° / (2*n), wherein n corresponds to the number of corners of the polygon forming the cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (36), and / or the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (40) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) corresponds at least in sections to a regular polygon and the second driving section (46) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two polygons (58) whose angular regions respectively correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (40) are overlapped with each other and then twisted relative to each other around their center of gravity (60) by an angle of 360° / (2*k), wherein k corresponds to the number of corners of the polygon forming the cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (40).

9. Valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cross-sectional profile of the first and / or second drive geometry (36, 40) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) corresponds to a square or a hexagon.

10. A manually operable handwheel (16) for adjusting a valve stem (18) of a manually operable valve drive (14), the valve drive having an adjustable valve stem (18), wherein the handwheel (16) has a first drive geometry (38) which is designed to form a positive fit with a first drive geometry (36) of the valve stem (18) which is different from a circular cross section, and a second drive geometry (42) which is designed to form a positive fit with a second drive geometry (40) of a stroke adjustment element (24) of an adjustable stroke limiter (22) which is different from a circular cross section, The hand wheel (16) is designed to couple the valve rod (18) and the stroke adjustment element (24) to each other in a rotationally fixed manner so as to be non-destructively detachable. wherein a first drive section (44) which is part of a cross-sectional profile of the first drive geometry (38) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) follows a silhouette which is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the first drive geometry (36) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) are superimposed on one another and twisted relative to one another about the rod axis (A), and wherein the second drive section (46) which is part of a cross-sectional profile of the second drive geometry (42) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) follows the following silhouette: the silhouette is formed when at least two cross-sectional profiles of the second drive geometry (36) perpendicular to the rod axis (A) are superimposed on each other and twisted relative to each other about the rod axis (A), The first and second entrainment geometries (38, 42) are designed such that they allow the hand wheel (16) to be axially inserted onto the rod axis (A) and the stroke adjustment element (24) in a position in which their cross sections are rotated relative to one another.

11. The hand wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that: A blind hole (62) is provided on the hand wheel (16), in which an RFID (6) is accommodated, wherein the RFID is fixed in the blind hole (62) by a ball (66) pressed into the blind hole (62).

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