Ball valve for refrigerant valve arrangement of air conditioning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball valve for a refrigerant valve arrangement of an air conditioning system, comprising: a ball valve housing consisting of two housing parts each having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry and aligned rotationally symmetrically with respect to each other, the invention relates to a ball valve having two housing parts, which are connected to each other at their ends by means of fastening elements to form a ball valve housing having a rectangular cross-sectional geometry, having two housing side walls which are opposite to each other, a bottom wall, an upper housing wall which is opposite to the bottom wall, and two opening sides which are opposite to each other, the ball valve shell is provided with a fluid inlet formed in the bottom wall and two fluid outlets formed in the opposite shell side walls. And a ball device which contains a flow control ball and a sealing seat and an internal sealing element and is held together by the ball valve housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a ball valve for a refrigerant valve arrangement for an air conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioning system. The refrigerant valve arrangement comprises at least one ball valve and can be operated in a refrigerant system with the refrigerant R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) or R1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropylene). The inlet of the ball valve, which is implemented as a 3 / 2-way valve, is located at the bottom and the fluid outlets are arranged on two opposite sides. The fluid outlets must be separated from each other and from the inlet by a seal. The difference in operating pressure is usually in the range of 5 to 30 bar. Background Art

[0002] The ball valve described here is provided for application in a cartridge valve as a valve arrangement. The principle of a cartridge valve is that several valves of a refrigerant system are arranged in a valve block, wherein the largest part of the refrigerant system is also located within this block. The assembly and disassembly of the valves in the valve block should be quick and simple in order to make these systems easy to maintain. In this concept, a seal is required between the valve block and the valve or the housing of the valve. Usually, external O-rings are provided for sealing, which, however, can cause problems during assembly and transportation of the valve arrangement. The valve core concept was originally developed for needle valves, which, however, can only be operated as a two-way valve. A 3 / 2-way ball valve can direct the refrigerant flow in several directions and, if an expansion joint is provided, can even regulate the refrigerant flow at the outlet. This means that such a 3 / 2-way ball valve may even replace two needle valves in a system. Cartridge ball valves are known in the prior art both for 3 / 2-way operation and for two-way operation.

[0003] In WO 001999061824 A1, a device with a ball valve is described, which has a valve body with aligned channels, which terminate in flanges at opposite ends for installation in a flow line. A truncated cavity is formed between the flow channels on a central axis perpendicular to the flow channels, so that the truncated cavity can receive an insert assembly, which includes a valve core composed of two semicircular half shells, which are connected by a connecting element and are retained in the valve body by a valve upper part. The insert assembly contains a valve ball and a relative valve seat ring located in the valve core formed by separable half shells. The matching half shells are connected to each other on both sides of the valve ball, and thus form a truncated cone shape corresponding to the cavity. A cylindrical spring seal is attached to each of the valve seat rings in a length section where the diameter of the valve seat ring is reduced. Each spring seal is compressed between the shoulder area of ​​the valve seat ring and the annular recess in the valve core facing them, and presses the valve seat ring into dynamic sealing contact with the valve ball. The spring seal also provides a static seal at the interface between the seat ring and the valve core. Connectors on the connecting surfaces of the valve upper part and the insert assembly make it possible to completely remove the insert assembly and the valve upper part from the valve body so that components within the valve core can be easily repaired or replaced. Each half shell contains an opening for connection between the passages. The valve ball has an engagement surface and an upper bearing journal and a lower bearing journal for rotation in the bushing on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the passage, and in addition the valve ball has a hole through the valve ball, the diameter of the hole being the same as the diameter of the passage and the hole being aligned with the opening when the valve ball is rotated 90 degrees from the closed position to the fully open position. The annular seal attached to the curved half shell surface of the truncated valve core around the opening is intended to prevent liquid from escaping from the passage through the interface between the valve core and the valve body.

[0004] A similarly constructed valve is also known from US2008 00 99 712A1, which comprises a valve body and a valve assembly arranged in the valve body, wherein the construction is intended to make field maintenance possible without removing the entire valve from the pipeline system. The valve assembly comprises a main valve core and an upper valve core, wherein the main valve core is composed of two valve core halves, and wherein a ball valve device having a ball valve and an axis is arranged between the valve core halves. The ball valve has an opening so that liquid can flow through the ball valve when the ball valve is in an open position. By rotating the axis connected to the ball valve and thus the ball valve itself by a quarter turn or 90 degrees, the ball valve can also be rotated to a closed position, in which no liquid can flow through the opening. The axis can be formed as one piece with the ball valve, or can be formed separately and fastened to the ball valve. There are corresponding seals on both sides of the ball valve. The seal is designed so that the seal corresponds at least substantially to the radius of curvature of the ball valve, so that the ball valve can rotate smoothly between the seals, while the seal is intended to ensure a liquid-tight seal to the ball valve. The seals are all annular in design so that when the ball valve is in the open position, the seals do not restrict or at least substantially restrict the flow of liquid through the opening. Each of the valve core halves can be configured so that the valve core halves can receive a corresponding one of the seals. Each valve core half has an inner surface having an annular recess, the contour of which is complementary to the contour of the received seal so that the seal can be fitted in the annular recess. Each of the valve core halves has a curved outer surface having an annular recess for receiving an O-ring. The O-ring in the annular recess also plays a role in positioning and fixing the main valve core to the valve body. In addition, the O-ring is fastened in the annular recess on the lower side of the upper valve core. The O-ring provides a liquid-tight seal between the main valve core and the upper valve core.

[0005] The valves described have in common that the valve ball is completely enclosed by an at least two-part valve core housing, which has a conical or cylindrical outer surface. The first valve core housing and the second valve core housing are locked together and thus enclose the ball. On the curved outer surfaces of the first valve core housing and the second valve core housing, corresponding O-rings are arranged as sealants. This means that both valves conform to the concept of using a two-part housing and outer seals at both outlets. In each case, the main goal to be achieved with such a valve is that the valve can be replaced and / or removed from the system without disassembling the entire system.

[0006] In DE 7902845 U, a ball valve with a valve body is disclosed, the ball valve having at least one through-flow channel extending between openings, a rotatable ball plug with a through-flow hole inserted therein, the ball plug being supported against at least one seal, and a switch spindle of a switch handle connected to the outside of the valve body engaging on the ball plug to rotate it. In this case, the valve body is inserted into the cavity of a rigid valve housing, while the mouths of the valve body are sealed externally to each other and can be removed through a housing window. For its part, the valve housing has a through-flow opening, which has the possibility of pipeline connection at the position of the mouth of the valve body. The valve housing has a window in the region of the extension axis of the switch spindle, and the valve body can be pushed into the window in the direction of the axis, thereby closing it, or pulled out of the window in the direction of the axis. The valve body and the cavity of the valve housing can have a substantially cylindrical or conical shape, wherein the valve body can be rotated at least by a central angle in the cavity of the valve housing, which is limited by the condition that the mutual sealing of the mouths of the valve body must not come into contact with the through-flow opening of the valve housing. In the cavity of the housing, the valve body can rest against the inner wall of the housing, wherein a sealant is inserted between the mouths and between the mouths and the window. There are numerous grooves for accommodating the sealant in the outer surface of the valve body. The sealant can be arranged between complementary steps arranged on the inner wall of the valve housing on the one hand, and can be arranged between complementary steps arranged on the outer wall of the valve body on the other hand. The seal is located between the mouths or between the flow openings on the outer surface of the valve body and can be designed in the shape of an O-ring, which seals the two ends of the flow channel from each other. The O-ring is inserted into a groove, which is located in an inclined plane along the side surface of the valve body, that is, it is elliptical. Like the above-mentioned two-piece or multi-piece valve core housing, the valve body of the closed ball plug forms a conical housing, but in contrast to the valve core housing, the housing is formed in one piece. It is indeed effective to seal the two ends of the flow channel, i.e. the inlet, on the housing of the one-piece plug valve using diagonal O-rings located on the inclined plane, but for this purpose, the valve body housing must completely surround the ball plug.

[0007] All of the above objects in the prior art relate to a valve body or valve body, each containing a ball and used in the manner of a valve core. In the proposed solutions, the fact that the housing of the valve body or valve body must completely enclose the ball causes several disadvantages as described below:

[0008] -High requirements on the material of the shell,

[0009] - A lot of waste is generated during production,

[0010] - High manufacturing and material costs,

[0011] -For complex housing structures used within valve core concepts,

[0012] - Due to the material used for the entire enclosure, the weight of the valve is high. Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a valve which utilizes the valve core concept but requires less material and thus also has less weight and which can additionally be produced more cost-effectively.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] This object is achieved by a ball valve for a refrigerant valve arrangement in an air-conditioning system, wherein the ball valve has at least the features of claim 1. Further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0017] The ball valve according to the invention comprises a ball valve housing consisting of two housing parts, each housing part having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry. The two L-shaped housing parts are aligned rotationally symmetrically relative to each other and connected to each other at their ends by means of fastening elements to form a ball valve housing with a rectangular cross-sectional geometry, the ball valve housing having two opposite housing side walls, a bottom wall and an upper housing wall opposite the bottom wall and two opposite open sides. According to the invention, the ball valve housing is therefore designed as an open housing and has a fluid inlet formed in the bottom wall and two fluid outlets formed in the housing side walls opposite to each other. The two housing parts are preferably clamped together by means of screws.

[0018] Furthermore, the ball valve according to the invention comprises a ball arrangement which contains a flow control ball as well as a sealing seat and a sealing element, such as an O-ring, and is held together as a "ball set" by the ball valve housing. By means of this ball arrangement of the flow control ball between the O-ring, the sealing seat and the two housing side walls, the interior of the ball valve according to the invention is thus similar to the interior of a known 3 / 2-way cartridge valve.

[0019] A through-flow channel having a bottom opening pointing to the fluid inlet and having a lateral opening extends through the through-flow control ball. The through-flow control ball can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall, so that the position of the lateral opening of the through-flow control ball relative to the fluid outlet is adjustable. This means that the ball valve is implemented as a 3 / 2-way ball valve, which can guide the fluid flow, such as the coolant flow, by aligning the lateral opening of the through-flow control ball toward each fluid outlet in different directions. The through-flow channel is preferably implemented at a right angle. According to an advantageous design, the lateral opening of the through-flow control ball can include sections of different shapes, such as a circular section that transitions to a gap section on one side. Therefore, the fluid flow at each fluid outlet of the two fluid outlets can be adjusted, that is, the fluid flow is adjusted in one direction.

[0020] According to the invention, two spaced-apart and mutually opposing housing side walls are curved and aligned in the manner of two opposite sections of a downwardly tapering truncated cone on the outer side of the housing side walls. Respective sealing rings extending around the openings of the fluid outlets in the corresponding housing side walls are attached to the curved outer side of the two housing side walls.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, a ball valve housing is considered to be "conical" because of the curved shape and orientation of the outer sides of the opposite housing side walls, despite not having a complete conical shape extending over the entire circumference of the ball valve housing, but a housing that is open to two opposite sides. The ball valve housing is conical in the region of the outer sides of its housing side walls, because these outer sides are curved and aligned in the manner of oppositely oriented outer surfaces of opposite sections of a cone or truncated cone that tapers downwards. The cone angle of the ball valve housing that tapers conically in the region of its curved outer sides corresponds to half the cone angle of a truncated cone with corresponding mutually opposite truncated cone sections, preferably about 7°, i.e. 7°±0.5°.

[0022] On the curved outer side of the housing side wall, a corresponding annular receiving recess is preferably formed for a corresponding sealing ring. Advantageously, the corresponding receiving recess for the corresponding lateral sealing ring is formed on the curved outer side of the housing side wall so that the receiving recess is aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the curved outer side in each direction. This means, among other things, that in each cross-sectional representation of the receiving recess in the shape of a U, each U-shaped limb extends perpendicularly to the surface of the outer side of the ball valve housing or perpendicularly to the section of the curved outer side of the housing side wall of the ball valve housing against which the U-shaped limb is supported. This alignment of the receiving recess ensures that the lateral sealing ring can neither be lost nor slip out of the receiving recess.

[0023] Typically, the ball valve also includes a shaft for driving the throughflow control ball, wherein the shaft passes through the passage opening in the middle of the upper housing wall and is connected to the throughflow control ball or is operatively connected to the throughflow control ball. The shaft can be formed as one piece with the throughflow control ball, or can be formed separately and fastened to the throughflow control ball. The operative connection between the shaft and the throughflow control ball can be achieved because the shaft has an engagement element protruding in the axial direction of the shaft at its end pointing to the throughflow control ball, which engages in a corresponding recess of the throughflow control ball.

[0024] Furthermore, the ball valve may include a valve upper part which is fastened to an upper wall of the ball valve housing and has a central area with a sealing passage through which the shaft passes.

[0025] Preferably, the sealing seat of the ball device held in the ball valve housing and the sealing element are arranged on the inner side of the housing side wall around the opening of the fluid outlet. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is an O-ring, wherein a corresponding complementary contour with an annular recess is formed on the inner side of the housing side wall.

[0026] An essential feature of the invention is that, as described above, the two L-shaped housing parts do not form a complete housing. This reduces the amount of material required and the weight and space required associated therewith compared to cartridge valves known to date, and also makes it possible to choose other production methods without complex machining. Thus, the L-shaped housing parts can be manufactured by extrusion, which allows large-scale production, but casting and powder metallurgy or sintering processes are also possible, so that the product can be produced substantially more cost-effectively and competitively than cartridge valves with a complete housing. The exact positioning of the two housing parts to be connected is achieved by placing pins or by positioning the shaft in the assembly tool.

[0027] Furthermore, the ball valve according to the invention benefits from the advantages of the known valve core concept, since the ball valve does not need to be completely closed for this purpose. The ball group is also sufficiently supported in the open valve core housing, the ball valve housing. If the ball valve is inserted as a valve core into a valve block or valve block, and the valve core housing is fully fitted into the distributor recess of the valve block during assembly, the valve core acts as a conventional valve, i.e. a valve with a mainly closed housing wall on all sides.

[0028] The invention therefore also relates to a refrigerant valve device, which comprises at least one ball valve having the above-mentioned features according to the invention, a drive device for driving the ball valve and a valve block. The valve block in turn comprises at least one downwardly tapering truncated cone-shaped distributor recess, which is formed between two opposite flow line ends adjacent to the distributor recess on a central axis perpendicular to the two opposite flow line ends, so that the distributor recess can receive a two-piece ball valve housing of the ball valve. In addition, the valve block has another flow line, from which a branch leads to the bottom area of ​​the distributor recess. According to the invention, the two-piece ball valve housing is received in the distributor recess so that in each case one fluid outlet is flush with one of the flow line ends and the branch of the flow line is flush with the fluid inlet and the bottom opening of the channel of the flow control ball.

[0029] The above-mentioned conical shape of the ball valve housing with a cone angle of about 7° ensures that the sealing ring is not damaged during assembly and insertion of the ball valve into the valve block. The ball valve is fully functional when inserted into the valve block.

[0030] The refrigerant flow from the bottom inlet can be directed in both outlet directions and it is possible to regulate the refrigerant flow in one direction. A seal between the two fluid outlets is also ensured in the distributor pocket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further details, features and advantages of the design of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1A : shows a three-dimensional view of a ball valve,

[0033] Figure 1B : shows an exploded view of the ball valve,

[0034] Figure 1C : shows a perspective view of a first L-shaped housing portion,

[0035] Figure 2 : shows a partial section of the housing side wall,

[0036] Figure 3 : shows a cross-sectional view of a ball valve with a valve drive,

[0037] Figure 4A : A schematic diagram showing the first stage of installation of a ball valve in a refrigerant valve arrangement,

[0038] Figure 4B : a schematic diagram showing the second stage of installation of the ball valve in the refrigerant valve arrangement, and

[0039] Figure 5 : A partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerant valve device with a ball valve installed is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] exist Figure 1A In the figure, an assembled ball valve 1 for a refrigerant valve arrangement for an air conditioning system is shown. The ball valve 1 comprises a two-piece open ball valve housing 2, more precisely a ball valve housing 2 consisting of two housing parts, a first housing part 2a and a second housing part 2b, each housing part having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry and being aligned rotationally symmetrically with respect to each other and connected to each other in such a way that the ball valve housing 2 forms a rectangular cross-sectional geometry, wherein two corresponding housing walls 3a, 3b and housing walls 4a, 4b are positioned opposite each other, the corresponding housing walls 3a, 3b and housing walls 4a, 4b not belonging to the same housing part 2a, 2b, but to different housing parts 2a, 2b, respectively. Due to the spacing of the corresponding relative housing walls 3a, 3b and housing walls 4a, 4b, the two opposite side parts 5 of the ball valve housing 2 remain open, wherein at Figure 1AOnly one open side 5 can be seen in the figure. The two L-shaped housing parts 2a and 2b are clamped together in order to hold the valve ball arrangement, also referred to below as the valve ball assembly, inside the ball valve housing 2, which valve ball arrangement, in addition to the flow control ball 6, also includes a sealing seat arranged on the inner side of the housing side walls 3a and 3b and a sealing element, such as an O-ring, which, however, is not Figure 1A . For this purpose, the two L-shaped housing parts 2a are aligned rotationally symmetrically with respect to each other and are connected at their ends by means of fastening elements 7, and in the example shown by means of screws. The ends of the two L-shaped housing parts 2a, 2b connected to each other by means of the fastening elements 7 are diagonally opposite to each other in the ball valve housing 2 and are therefore located on different sides of the throughflow control ball 6. The two spaced-apart and mutually opposite housing walls 3a, 3b are bent on their outer sides 8a, 8b in the manner of opposite sections of a truncated cone that tapers downwards and are aligned with each other. In the context of the present invention, these housing walls 3a, 3b are also referred to as housing side walls 3a, 3b.

[0041] The cone angle of these housing side walls 3a, 3b aligned in the manner of mutually opposing truncated cone sections will correspond to half the cone angle of the truncated cone containing the corresponding opposing truncated cone sections and is preferably about 7°. The remaining two spaced-apart and mutually opposing housing walls 4a, 4b of the ball valve housing 2, i.e. the bottom wall 4a and the upper housing wall 4b, are connected by means of a fastening element 7 at the ends of the bottom wall 4a and the upper housing wall 4b pointing toward the corresponding other housing part 2b, 2a at the ends of the housing side walls 3b, 3a of the corresponding other housing part 2b, 2a. The fluid inlet of the ball valve 1 designed as a 3 / 2-way valve is formed in the bottom wall 4a and is connected by the fixing element 7. Figure 1A The throughflow control ball 6 in the illustration is covered. On the contrary, two fluid outlets are formed in the two housing side walls 3a, 3b opposite to each other, wherein in FIG. 1, only one of the housing side walls, namely a fluid outlet 9a in the housing side wall 3a, can be seen.

[0042] The sealing rings are respectively arranged on the conical outer sides 8a, 8b of the two housing side walls 3a, which are curved in the manner of opposite sections of a truncated cone tapering downwards. As shown in Fig. 1, such a sealing ring 10a extends around the opening of the fluid outlet 9a.

[0043] A valve upper part 11 is fastened to the upper housing wall 4b of the ball valve housing 2, which completely covers the upper housing wall 4b via a cylindrical sealing area 12 and protrudes beyond the cylindrical sealing area 12 on all sides via a plate-shaped area 13. A passage 14 is arranged in the center of the plate-shaped area 13, through which a shaft 15 for driving the throughflow control ball 6 passes.

[0044] Figure 1BThe components of the ball valve 1 are shown in an exploded view. The first housing part 2a is shown without the sealing ring 10a, which is shown separately, so that the annular receiving recess 16a for the sealing ring 10a can be seen on the curved outer side 8a of the housing side wall 3a provided by the first housing part 2a. In addition, the interior of the bottom wall 4a can also be seen, wherein a centrally located fluid inlet 17 is formed in the bottom wall 4a. The second housing part 2b is shown separately from the throughflow control ball 6, wherein the viewing direction is on the inner side of the second housing part 2b, so that the valve seat or sealing seat 18 and the internal sealing element 19 are visible as other parts of the valve ball assembly on the inner side of the housing side wall 3b of the second housing part 2b, and the valve seat or sealing seat 18 and the internal sealing element 19 extend around the opening of the fluid outlet 9b on the housing side wall 3b of the second housing part 2b and extend concentrically relative to the opening of the fluid outlet 9b. In the assembled state, the sealing seat 18 rests against the throughflow control ball 6 in the ball valve housing 2.

[0045] In order to accurately position the two housing parts 2a and 2b during the assembly process, as Figure 1B As can be seen in the figure, in the end region of the inner side of the housing side wall 3b forming the L-shaped leg of the housing part 2b, in addition to the fastening element 7, a positioning device 20, such as one or more pins, is arranged. The corresponding fastening element 7 and positioning device 20 are also located on the side of the upper housing wall 4b of the other L-shaped leg forming the second housing part 2b pointing to the valve upper part 11. These fastening elements 7 and positioning devices 20 arranged on the upper housing wall 4b are used to fasten the valve upper part 11 to the upper housing wall 4b. A passage opening 21 for passing the shaft 15 used to drive the flow control ball 6 is formed in the center of the upper housing wall 4b. The shaft 15 has an engagement element 22 protruding in the axial direction of the shaft 15 at its end pointing to the flow control ball 6, and the engagement element 22 engages the corresponding recess 23 of the flow control ball 6 in the assembled state, so as to establish an operational connection between the shaft 15 and the flow control ball 6, so that the torque applied to the shaft 15 can be transmitted to the flow control ball 6. The corresponding recess 23 is visible as a groove in the throughflow control ball 6 .

[0046] The through-flow channel 24 extends through the through-flow control ball 6, wherein the bottom opening points to the fluid inlet 17 in the bottom wall 4a of the first housing part 2a. Figure 1B The throughflow control ball 6 can be rotated about an axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall 4a through the fluid inlet 17, so that the lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 can be directed to the fluid outlet 9a of the housing side wall 3a of the first housing part 2a or to the fluid outlet 9b of the housing side wall 3b of the second housing part 2b, or to the closed position.

[0047] The lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 comprises a circular segment 26, which transitions on one side into a gap segment 27, which extends along the circumference of the throughflow control ball 6 in the rotational direction of the shaft 15. Due to the illustrated construction, the ball valve designed as a 3 / 2-way valve can, on the one hand, direct the coolant flow in at least two different directions, i.e., to the fluid outlet 9a in the housing side wall 3a of the first housing part 2a or to the fluid outlet 9b in the housing side wall 3b of the second housing part 2b, and on the other hand, due to the lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 widened by the gap segment 27, the coolant flow can be adjusted at each of the two fluid outlets 9a and 9b, i.e., in one corresponding direction.

[0048] Figure 1C A perspective view of the L-shaped first housing part 2a viewed towards the inner wall is shown, wherein the bottom wall 4a and the housing side wall 3a are L-shaped limbs. The fluid inlet 17 is formed in the bottom wall 4a, while the fluid outlet 9a extends through the center of the housing side wall 3a. A sealing seat 18 for the throughflow control ball 6 and an associated internal sealing element 19 are arranged in the housing side wall 3a. The corresponding sealing seat 18 and the sealing element 19 are also located on the second housing side wall of the second housing part. In order to achieve an adequate seal with the permissible operating force, the sealing seat 18 must be fitted very accurately to the throughflow control ball 6.

[0049] Figure 2 A partial section of a housing side wall, for example a housing side wall 3a, is shown, wherein a fluid outlet 9a, and in particular a cross section of a receiving recess 16a and a sealing ring 10a arranged therein, is visible on the curved outer side of the housing side wall 3a. In this case, the receiving recess 16a for the sealing ring 10a, which is implemented as an O-ring, is formed so that the receiving recess 16a is aligned perpendicularly to the curved outer surface of the housing side wall 3a in each direction. This means that in the receiving recess 16a, which is U-shaped in cross section, at each point of the receiving recess 16a, the two U-shaped legs each extend perpendicularly to the surface of the outer side of the housing side wall 3a, or perpendicularly to the section of the curved surface of the outer side of the housing side wall 3a, which is supported against the corresponding U-shaped leg. This alignment of the recess ensures that the lateral sealing ring 10a or O-ring can neither be lost nor can it slip out of the receiving recess 16a. Figure 2 Everything described in relation to the housing side wall 3a, the sealing ring 10a and the receiving recess 16a of the first housing part 2a also applies in a corresponding manner to the housing side wall of the second housing part and the sealing ring arranged in the receiving recess.

[0050] Figure 3A sectional view along a section of a ball valve 1 is included, which shows the two housing parts 2a, 2b of the assembled ball valve housing 2, the throughflow control ball 6, the valve upper part 11 with the passage 14 for the shaft 15, and the shaft 15 itself. In addition, Figure 3 A cross-sectional view including a valve drive 28 arranged on the valve upper part 11, wherein the operative connection between the valve drive 28 and the shaft 15 is formed in the end region of the shaft 15 located above the valve upper part 11. The shaft 15 passes through the valve upper part 11 along a passage 14 sealed by a plurality of sealing elements 29, further through a passage opening 21 in the upper housing wall 4b of the ball valve housing 2, and finally engages in a corresponding recess 23 of the throughflow control ball 6 via an axially protruding engagement element 22 of the shaft 15, so as to establish an operative connection with the throughflow control ball 6. Figure 3 As shown in the cross-sectional view of the throughflow control ball 6, the throughflow channel 24 in the throughflow control ball 6 is formed in a rectangular or L-shape, so that the lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 is oriented at right angles to the bottom opening 30. When the bottom opening 30 is thus directed to the fluid inlet 17 in each rotational position of the throughflow control ball 6, the position of the lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 relative to the fluid outlets 9a and 9b can be changed by the rotation of the shaft 15. In the position shown, the lateral opening 25 of the throughflow control ball 6 points to the fluid inlet 9a of the first housing part 2a. By rotating the throughflow control ball 6 by 180°, the lateral opening 25 can be aligned in the direction of the fluid outlet 9b of the second housing part 2b, so that the direction of the fluid flow can be changed. By means of rotating the throughflow control ball 6, for example, the throughflow of a chemical refrigerant in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle can be adjusted.

[0051] Inside the ball valve housing 2, a valve ball arrangement or valve ball set is shown which is held by the two housing parts 2a, 2b and which comprises, in addition to the throughflow control ball 6, a sealing seat 18 arranged on the inside of the housing side walls 3a and 3b and an internal sealing element 19 in the form of an O-ring. The two sealing seats 18 are arranged on two opposite sides of the throughflow control ball 6 so that the two sealing seats 18 rest against the throughflow control ball 6. The internal sealing element 19 is formed in the shape of an O-ring, wherein a complementary contour with an annular recess is formed on the inside of the housing side walls 3a, 3b for receiving one of the sealing elements 19.

[0052] The sealing rings 10a, 10b are respectively seated in corresponding receiving recesses 16a, 16b, which are located on the cone, i.e. on the outer sides 8a, 8b of the two housing side walls 3a, 3b, which are bent and aligned in the manner of opposite sections of a truncated cone that tapers downwards. Figure 3As shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 , a sealing ring 10 a extends around the opening of the fluid outlet 9 a and another sealing ring 10 b extends around the opening of the opposing fluid outlet 9 b.

[0053] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the assembly is schematically shown, i.e. the installation of the ball valve 1 as a valve core in the valve block 31 of the refrigerant valve device. A downwardly tapered truncated distributor recess 32 is formed in the valve block 31 between the opposite flow line ends 33a, 33b on a central axis perpendicular to the flow line ends, so that the distributor recess 32 can receive the two-piece ball valve housing 2 of the ball valve 1. The ball valve 1 benefits from the advantages of the valve core concept, because the valve ball device does not have to be completely closed, but can be retained in the ball valve housing 2 of open design. When the ball valve 1 is inserted into the distributor recess 32 of the valve block 31, the ball valve 1 acts as a conventional valve, because the open ball valve housing 2 is completely fitted in the distributor recess 32 during assembly, as shown in FIG. Figure 4A and Figure 4B . The opposite housing side walls 3a and 3b of the ball valve housing 2 are designed on their outer sides in the form of sections of a truncated cone that tapers downwards, i.e., sections of a cone, which ensures that the sealing rings 10a and 10b arranged on the outer sides are not damaged during the assembly or installation of the ball valve 1 in the valve block 31. The cone angle is preferably about 7°. Due to the fact that the receiving recesses 16a, 16b for the sealing rings 10a, 10b, each embodied as an O-ring, are formed so that the receiving recesses 16a, 16b are vertically aligned in each direction relative to the curved outer surfaces of the housing side walls 3a, 3b in which the corresponding receiving recesses 16a, 16b are formed, it is ensured that the lateral sealing rings 10a, 10b will not be lost or slip out of the receiving recesses 16a, 16b during assembly.

[0054] at last, Figure 5A partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerant valve device 34 is shown, which includes a ball valve 1, a valve block 31 and a valve drive 28. The ball valve 1 is completely inserted into a truncated distributor recess 32 of the valve block 31, and the distributor recess 32 is arranged between two mutually opposite flow line ends 33a and 33b adjacent to the distributor recess 32, wherein the diameters of the flow line ends 33a and 33b are the same as the diameters of the fluid outlets 9a and 9b of the ball valve 1. Since the ball valve 1 is completely received in at least one truncated distributor recess 32, the fluid outlets 9a and 9b are flush with the respectively adjacent flow line ends 33a, 33b. Below the distributor recess 32, another flow line 35 is arranged in the valve block 31 parallel to the flow line ends 33a and 33b, and a branch 36 leads from the flow line 35 to the bottom area of ​​the distributor recess 32. The branch 36 has the same diameter as the diameter of the fluid inlet 17 in the bottom wall 4a of the ball valve 1, wherein, since the ball valve 1 is completely received in the distributor recess 32, the branch 36 of the flow line 35 is flush with the fluid inlet 17 and the bottom opening 30 of the flow channel 24 of the flow control ball 6. If the ball valve 1 embodied as a 3 / 2-way valve is installed in the valve block 31 of the refrigerant valve device 34, the ball valve 1 is fully functional. Due to the rectangular shape of the flow channel 24, the refrigerant flow flowing in from the fluid inlet 17 of the bottom wall 4a can be directed to different fluid outlets 9a and 9b in two opposite directions by means of the rotation of the shaft 15 operatively connected to the flow control ball 6. In addition, the refrigerant flow can be adjusted in one direction. The seal between the two fluid outlets 9a and 9b is also ensured in the distributor recess 32 by means of sealing rings 10a and 10b which are arranged around the openings of the fluid outlets 9a and 9b on the curved outer sides 8a, 8b of the housing side walls 3a, 3b.

[0055] Industrial Applicability

[0056] The invention relates to a ball valve for a refrigerant valve device of an air-conditioning system, in particular an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A ball valve (1) for a refrigerant valve device (34) of an air conditioning system, the ball valve (1) comprising: - a ball valve housing (2), the ball valve housing (2) consisting of two housing parts (2a, 2b), the two housing parts (2a, 2b) each having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry and being aligned rotationally symmetrically with respect to one another, and the two housing parts (2a, 2b) being connected to one another at the ends of the two housing parts (2a, 2b) by means of a fastening element (7) to form a ball valve housing (2) having a rectangular cross-sectional geometry, the ball valve housing (2) having two opposite housing side walls (3a, 3b), a bottom wall (4a) and an upper housing wall (4b) opposite the bottom wall (4a) and two opening sides (5) opposite one another, wherein the ball valve housing (2) has a fluid inlet (17) formed in the bottom wall (4a) and two fluid outlets (9a; 9b) formed in the opposite housing side walls (3a, 3b); - a ball assembly, which comprises a throughflow control ball (6) and a sealing seat (18) and an internal sealing element (19), and is held together by the ball valve housing (2), wherein a flow channel (24) having a bottom opening (30) pointing to the fluid inlet (17) and a lateral opening (25) extends through the flow control ball (6), wherein the flow control ball (6) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall (4a), and thereby the position of the lateral opening (25) of the flow control ball (6) relative to the fluid outlet (9a; 9b) is adjustable, and wherein two spaced-apart and mutually opposing housings The side walls (3a, 3b) are bent and aligned in the manner of two opposite sections of a downwardly tapering truncated cone on the outer sides (8a, 8b) of the housing side walls (3a, 3b), and wherein the bent outer sides (8a, 8b) of the two housing side walls (3a, 3b) are attached with corresponding sealing rings (10a; 10b), which extend around the opening of the fluid outlet (9a; 9b) in the corresponding housing side walls (3a; 3b).

2. The ball valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: A corresponding annular receiving recess (16a; 16b) for a corresponding one of the sealing rings (10a; 10b) is formed on the curved outer side (8a, 8b) of the housing side wall (3a, 3b) of the ball valve housing (2).

3. The ball valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: On the curved outer side (8a, 8b) of the housing side wall (3a, 3b), the corresponding receiving recesses (16a; 16b) for the corresponding lateral sealing rings (10a; 10b) are formed so that the receiving recesses (16a; 16b) are aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the curved outer side (8a, 8b) in each direction.

4. The ball valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The cone angle of the ball valve housing (2) which tapers conically in the region of the curved outer sides (8a, 8b) of the ball valve housing (2) is approximately 7°, ie, 7°±0.5°.

5. The ball valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a shaft (15) for driving the throughflow control ball (6), wherein: The shaft (15) passes through the center of the upper housing wall (4b) by means of a passage opening (21) and is connected to the throughflow control ball (6) or is in operative connection with the throughflow control ball (6).

6. The ball valve (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a valve upper part (11), which is fixed to the upper housing wall (4b) of the ball valve housing (2) and has a central area, wherein the central area has a sealing passage (14), and the shaft (15) passes through the sealing passage (14).

7. The ball valve (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The operational connection between the shaft (15) and the throughflow control ball (6) is achieved in that the shaft (15) has an engagement element (22) at its end pointing toward the throughflow control ball (6), the engagement element (22) protruding in the axial direction of the shaft (15) and engaging a corresponding recess (23) of the throughflow control ball (6).

8. The ball valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The sealing seat (18) and the inner sealing element (19) of the ball device held in the interior of the ball valve housing (2) are arranged on the inner side of the housing side wall (3a, 3b) around the opening of the fluid outlet (9a, 9b).

9. The ball valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The internal sealing element (19) is an O-ring and a corresponding complementary profile with an annular recess is formed on the inner side of the housing side wall (3a, 3b).

10. A refrigerant valve device (34), the refrigerant valve device (34) comprising: - at least one ball valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; - a valve drive device (28), the valve drive device (28) being used to drive the ball valve (1); - a valve block (31) having at least one truncated distributor recess (32) tapering downwards, the distributor recess (32) being formed between two opposite flow line ends (33a, 33b) adjoining the distributor recess (32) at right angles to the central axis of the two opposite flow line ends (33a, 33b), so that the distributor recess (32) can receive the two-piece ball valve housing (2) of the ball valve (1), and the valve block (31) having a flow line (35), a branch (36) of which opens into the bottom region of the distributor recess (32), The two-piece ball valve housing (2) is received in the distributor recess (32) so that the corresponding fluid outlet (9a; 9b) is flush with one of the flow line ends (33a, 33b), and the branch of the flow line (35) is flush with the fluid inlet (17) and the bottom opening (30) of the flow channel (24) of the flow control ball (6).

Images