Valve device for smb chromatography

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an assembly comprising: a valve cartridge block (20) comprising a plurality of valves (25) controllable via a control surface (24) of the valve cartridge block (20); a valve control block (10) having an operating surface (11), the valve control block (10) configured to control each of the plurality of valves when the operating surface (11) is in intimate contact with the control surface (24) of the valve cartridge block (20) in an operating position; at least one revolving door (30) hinged to the valve control block (120) such that an open state of the revolving door (30) allows the arrangement of the valve cartridge block (20) into an operating position where the control surface (24) of the valve cartridge block (20) is arranged at the operating surface (11) of the valve control block, and a closed position of the revolving door (30) is configured to hold the valve cartridge block (20) in the operating position, wherein an inner surface of the revolving door (30) adjoins a rear surface (26) of the valve cartridge block (20), the rear surface (26) being opposite the control surface (24); and at least one flexible pressure tube (45) arranged at the inner surface of the revolving door (30) such that the pressure tube is pressed against the rear surface (26) of the valve cartridge block (20) when the pressure in the pressure tube (45) increases.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Biopharmaceutical or drug production involves the purification of solutions to extract active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) from solutions. These solutions, also called feeds, can be produced by chemical synthesis or bio-organic means. The feeds include multiple components that need to be separated from each other, such as one or more target components and impurities. Chromatography is a technique used to achieve this separation process.

[0002] One embodiment of the chromatography method for separating two components is a simulated moving bed (SMB). The SMB system includes multiple columns connected to a valve switching system. The valve system controls the delivery of fluid to the multiple columns through the inlet and outlet of the corresponding columns.

[0003] Sartorius' BioSMB system for performing SMB chromatography includes a valve assembly consisting of two separate blocks: a valve control block that regulates valve switching and a valve cartridge block that includes a plurality of valves. The valve cartridge block is the only part that comes into contact with the fluid and can be easily replaced after each use to avoid cumbersome cleaning procedures.

[0004] The connection between the valve control block and the valve box block needs to be airtight. Typically, the valve box block is pressed against the valve control block using multiple screws and washers tightened in a predetermined sequence, for example, first at 2Nm, then at 3.5Nm. This process requires a calibrated torque wrench and a long installation time (approximately 45 minutes).

[0005] Another conventional method for securing the valve box block to the valve control block is to use a hydraulically pressurized door that can apply the required sealing pressure. The hydraulically pressurized door is very heavy, bulky, and has a large number of parts. Therefore, the process involves a very complex design and is costly. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to one aspect, a valve device or assembly is provided. The assembly comprises:

[0007] a valve box block including a plurality of valves controllable via a control surface of the valve box block;

[0008] a valve control block having an operating surface, the valve control block being configured to (selectively) control (e.g., open and close) each of the plurality of valves when the operating surface is in close contact with a control surface of the valve box block in an operating position;

[0009] at least one swivel door hinged to the valve control block, such that an open state of the swivel door allows arranging the valve cartridge block into an operating position, wherein its control surface is arranged at the operating surface of the valve control block, while a closed position of the swivel door is configured to retain the valve cartridge block in the operating position, wherein an inner surface of the swivel door abuts a rear surface of the valve cartridge block opposite its control surface; and

[0010] At least one flexible pressurized tube is arranged at the inner surface of the rotating door so that when the pressure in the pressurized tube increases, the pressurized tube is pressed against the rear surface of the valve box block.

[0011] In one example, the valve box block may include a plurality of fluid connectors arranged along its peripheral edge (in a view perpendicular to the control surface and the rear surface). The fluid connector may be suitable for connecting an external fluid pipeline. The plurality of fluid connectors may include an inlet connector and an outlet connector. When the assembly is in an operating state, that is, when the valve box block is in an operating position, the at least one revolving door may be hinged to the valve control block by a hinge arranged at a portion of the peripheral edge of the valve control block, and in a view / projection perpendicular to the operating surface, the hinge does not overlap with any of the plurality of fluid connectors (or the straight extension of the fluid connector along their connection direction, at which the external pipeline can be connected). This allows the valve box block to be installed very conveniently, because when the valve box block is installed to the valve control block, the fluid connector or any pipeline connected thereto will not collide with the hinge. Specifically, with this arrangement, when the at least one revolving door is opened, the peripheral edge of the valve control block remains free at the fluid connector where the valve box block is arranged.

[0012] In some examples, the at least one revolving door may include at least one pair of revolving doors, and the at least one pair of revolving doors are symmetrically hinged to the valve control block, such as rotationally symmetrically and / or mirror symmetrically.

[0013] In some examples, the peripheral edges of the valve control block (and optionally the peripheral edges of the valve box block) may each define a rectangular shape. The at least one revolving door may include two revolving doors (i.e., a pair of revolving doors), which are hinged to the valve control block via respective hinges, and the respective hinges are arranged on opposite sides of the diagonal on the adjacent diagonal of the peripheral edge, such as the left edge and the right edge, respectively, one of which is arranged adjacent to the lower corner, and the other is arranged adjacent to the upper corner of the corresponding edge side. Each of these hinges extends along the respective edge (e.g., the left edge or the right edge) not more than half of the respective edge (i.e., not more than the middle of the respective edge). The axis of rotation may be parallel to these edges (i.e., parallel to the respective sides of the rectangular shape). When installed, each of the revolving doors of the pair of revolving doors may cover approximately half of the rear surface of the valve box block, for example, the upper half and the lower half, respectively. With a vertical axis of rotation, the revolving door can be rotated horizontally, which makes operation quite easy because the revolving door can stay in any position when the valve box block is installed (no additional fixing is required). Additionally, this arrangement leaves the bottom and top edges of the assembly and half of each of the left and right edges free for fluid connectors of the valve cage block.

[0014] In some examples, the peripheral edges of the valve control block (and optionally the peripheral edges of the valve box block) may each define a rectangular shape. The at least one revolving door may include two revolving doors (i.e., a pair of revolving doors), which are hinged to the valve control block via corresponding hinges arranged at two (e.g., adjacent) corners of the peripheral edge, such as the lower left corner and the lower right corner, or the upper left corner and the upper right corner. The axis of rotation may be at an angle of 45° relative to the edge between the two adjacent corners (of the rectangular shape), which may be the lower edge in one example. Such an angular revolving door keeps most of the peripheral edges of the assembly free for the fluid connector of the valve box block. Since the angular revolving door allows the door to not rotate horizontally, but at least partially have a vertical component, the balancing (gas) spring can support the rotational action against gravity.

[0015] In some examples, the at least one rotating door can be locked in a closed state by a latch mechanism, which is disposed at one end of the rotating door, the end being opposite to the end of the rotating door hinged to the valve control block. Such a latch mechanism supports the rotating door to be reliably maintained in a closed state while being easy to operate even when pressure is applied through the pressurized pipe.

[0016] In some examples, the inner surface of the at least one revolving door may include at least one tube accommodating channel formed in the form of a recess to accommodate the at least one pressurized tube. In some examples, the at least one pressurized tube may include a plurality of parallel (e.g., equidistantly arranged) pressurized tubes. In some examples, the at least one pressurized tube may be adapted to be pressurized using air. However, any gas or liquid is feasible.

[0017] According to another aspect, a method for assembling a valve device or assembly is provided. The method comprises:

[0018] providing a valve box block including a plurality of valves controllable via a control surface of the valve box block;

[0019] providing a valve control block having an operating surface, the valve control block being configured to (selectively) control (e.g., open and close) each of the plurality of valves when the operating surface is in close contact with a control surface of the valve box block in an operating position, the valve control block comprising at least one second positioning member and a pair of articulated arms;

[0020] providing at least one swivel door hinged to the valve control block such that an open state of the swivel door allows the valve cartridge block to be arranged in an operating position, wherein a control surface of the valve cartridge block is arranged at an operating surface of the valve control block, and a closed position of the swivel door is configured to retain the valve cartridge block in the operating position, wherein an inner surface of the swivel door abuts a rear surface of the valve cartridge block opposite its control surface;

[0021] providing at least one flexible pressurizing tube disposed at the inner surface of the rotating door so that when the pressure in the pressurizing tube increases, the pressurizing tube presses against the rear surface of the valve box block;

[0022] When at least one of the rotating doors is in an open state, the valve box block is installed in an operating position;

[0023] locking at least one rotating door in a closed state with the valve box block in the operating position; and

[0024] The at least one pressurizing tube is pressurized so that the at least one pressurizing tube is pressed against the rear surface of the valve cartridge block, thereby pushing the valve cartridge block with its control surface against the operating surface of the valve control block.

[0025] In one example, pressurizing the at least one pressurized tube may include filling the at least one pressurized tube with compressed air. However, any gas or liquid is feasible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The details of the exemplary embodiments are described below in conjunction with the exemplary drawings. Other features will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims. However, it should be understood that although the various embodiments are described separately, individual features of different embodiments may also be combined into further embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 An example of a valve box block is shown.

[0028] Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example of a valve control block is shown.

[0029] Figure 3a Portions of an exemplary valve box block including valves and channels are shown.

[0030] Figure 3b The functionality of an exemplary valve is shown.

[0031] Figure 4a and Figure 4b An example of a revolving door is shown.

[0032] Figure 5a and Figure 5b An example of a pressurized tube array is shown.

[0033] Figure 6a and Figure 6b An example of a combination of a revolving door and a pressurized tube array is shown.

[0034] Figure 7a and Figure 7b An example of a partially assembled valve arrangement is shown.

[0035] Figure 8a and Figure 8b An example of an almost fully assembled valve arrangement is shown.

[0036] Figure 9a and Figure 9b An exemplary cross section of a valve arrangement is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The examples will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that various modifications may be made to the examples. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, elements of one example may be combined and used in other examples to form new examples.

[0038] The following description relates to components constituting a valve device for use in a SMB chromatography separation method. Exemplarily, the chromatography separation method may be performed to purify a recombinant protein product, a monoclonal antibody, a viral vector or a DNA product.

[0039] The assembly includes two modules: a valve box block including a plurality of valves and a valve control block controlling the plurality of valves. Figure 1 An example of a valve box block 20 is shown, and Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example of a valve control block 10 is shown.

[0040] The valve box block 20 includes a plurality of valves 25 ( Figure 1 The valve 25 can be controlled (for example, switched between an open state and a closed state, or switched between a connected state and a disconnected state) via the control surface 24 of the valve box block 20. Figure 1In the example of FIG. 1 , the control surface 24 is on the distal side of the valve box block 20, opposite the rear surface 26 of the valve box block 20. The plurality of valves may be arranged in a regular array along the control surface 24. For example, each of the valves may be addressed (controlled) separately from the other valves.

[0041] The valve control block 10 includes a plurality of control elements 15, such as a plurality of solenoids, arranged at the operating surface 11 of the valve control block 10, for controlling valves 25 in the valve box block 20, wherein each solenoid is configured to control (open / close) the corresponding valve 25 when the control surface 24 of the valve box block 20 is in close contact with the operating surface 11 of the valve control block 10. Therefore, the valve box block 20 may include n valves 25, and the valve control block 10 may include n control elements 15, such as solenoids.

[0042] The control surface 24 may be a generally flat surface of the valve box block 20. Similarly, the operating surface 11 may be a generally flat surface of the valve control block 10. The arrangement of the valves 25 on the valve box block 20 may be consistent with the arrangement of the control elements on the valve control block 10, so that when the valve box block 20 is placed close to the valve control block 10, each valve 25 may correspond to its corresponding control element 15. Exemplarily, a plurality of valves 25 (and similar control elements 15) may be arranged according to a grid including rows and columns. However, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternative arrangements are also possible.

[0043] The valve box block 20 includes a plurality of channels that can be connected or disconnected by actuating valves 25 . Figure 3a FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve box block 20, which includes a membrane valve 25 and two mutually orthogonal channels. The structure of the valve box block 20 may include multiple components such as Figure 3a The parts shown are arranged to provide interconnecting pipes and various valves 25 forming a flow path.

[0044] Figure 3b The function of an exemplary membrane valve 25 in the valve box block 20 controlled by a corresponding solenoid in the valve control block 10 is shown. In particular, the valve control block 10 may further include a plurality of air chambers, each air chamber being associated with a corresponding solenoid so that the solenoid is used as a pneumatic actuator for the corresponding valve 25. The air chamber may include one or more cavities, such as a cavity on the surface of the valve control block 10 configured to receive the membrane valve. The air chamber may further include cavities used as inlets and outlets of the air passage.

[0045] For example, the solenoid may be a normally open (NO) solenoid, which means that the membrane valve is normally closed ( Figure 3b When the solenoid switches from open to closed, the air pressure on the diaphragm valve is removed and the diaphragm valve opens, connecting the pipes in the valve box block 20 ( Figure 3bon the right).

[0046] In other words, the valve control block 10 and the valve box block 20 cooperate to switch the flow path, thereby switching the connection to the inlet and outlet of the feed and solvent. The valve control block 10 and the valve box block 20 are formed separately and then mechanically connected to form an operating position. One advantage of this configuration is that the valve control block 10 can be a permanent (i.e., reusable) component of the chromatography system, and the valve box block 20 can be a single-use component.

[0047] Figure 3b The dashed line in the left side shows the interface between the valve control block 10 and the valve box block 20. In order to ensure that the valve device operates correctly, the valve control block 10 and the valve box block 20 must be in airtight sealing contact with each other. For this purpose, a combination of a rotating door and a pressurized pipe array as described below can be used.

[0048] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the valve box block 20 may further include at least one first positioning member 22. Exemplarily, the valve box block 20 may include two first positioning members 22. Further details about the at least one first positioning member 22 will be provided below.

[0049] The valve box block 20 may include an inlet and outlet connector 28 for connecting to external components, such as a chromatographic column, a membrane device or a collecting container. In particular, the valve box block may include two groups of inlets and outlets. One group of inlets and outlets may provide fluid connection for buffering and feed stream, wash-out and / or washing components. Another group of inlet and outlet connectors may connect the inlet and outlet of the valve box block and a chromatographic column / membrane adsorber. Exemplarily, the valve box block 20 may include an integrally formed center body (such as made of plastics such as acrylic resin) and one or more components, a valve 25 is located on the center body, and the one or more components are connected to the center body, such as the at least one first positioning component 22 and an inlet / outlet connector 28 (fluid connector).

[0050] In particular, the inlet and outlet connectors 28 may be located laterally relative to the valve, for example on the sides of the central body. For example, the central body may be generally cubic in shape, wherein a pair of opposing surfaces having the greatest extension comprises the rear surface 26 and a control surface, on which the valve 25 is located. The inlet / outlet connectors 28 may be located on one or more of the remaining (four) side surfaces.

[0051] Illustratively, if the valves 25 are arranged in a grid having x columns and y rows, each row may have one inlet / outlet connector 28 and each column may have one inlet / outlet connector 28. Thus, each side surface extending parallel to the rows may have x inlet / outlet connectors 28 corresponding to the positions of the columns, and the side surfaces extending parallel to the columns may have a total of y inlet / outlet connectors 28 corresponding to the positions of the rows.

[0052] The valve box block 20 may further include a pair of handles on two opposite side surfaces, for example, arranged along a second direction B relative to the central body, the second direction B being perpendicular to the first direction A. The handles enable comfortable and safe operation during the transportation and installation of the valve box block 20 to the valve control block 10 .

[0053] Continue to refer Figure 2a and Figure 2b , the valve control block 10 may include at least one second positioning member 12 and a pair of articulated arms 16. The at least one second positioning member 12 may be configured to cooperate with the at least one first positioning member 22 to connect the valve box block 20 to the valve control block 10. In particular, the interaction between the at least one second positioning member 12 and the at least one first positioning member 22 allows the valve box block 20 to be accurately positioned relative to the valve control block 10. Specifically, the valve 25 is disposed correspondingly to the control element 15.

[0054] Therefore, the valve box block 20 can be positioned adjacent to the valve control block 10 by engaging the at least one first positioning member 22 with the at least one second positioning member 12. In particular, the substantially flat surface of the valve box block 20, i.e., the operating surface 24 on which the valve 25 is placed, contacts the substantially flat surface of the valve control block 10 on which the control element 15 is placed.

[0055] The at least one first positioning member 22 and the at least one second positioning member 12 may have complementary features that enable the valve box block 20 to be stably but removably connected to the valve control block 10. Exemplarily, the features (e.g., shapes) and / or positions of the at least one first positioning member 22 and the at least one second positioning member 12 may enable gravity to hold the valve box block 20 in place relative to the valve control block 10. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one first positioning member 22 and the at least one second positioning member 12 may interlock with each other to create a stable connection.

[0056] As mentioned above, the valve control block 10 may also include a pair of articulated arms 16, i.e. two articulated arms. The articulated arms 16 may be integrally formed with or attached to the valve control block 10. Each articulated arm 16 is configured to provide a means for movably connecting a corresponding revolving door to the valve control block 10.

[0057] In practice, the assembly may also include a pair of (ie two) revolving doors 30 , each revolving door 30 being hinged to the valve control block 10 via a respective hinge, ie via an articulated arm 16 . Figure 4a and Figure 4b An example of a revolving door 30 is shown. Figure 4a The revolving door 30 may be configured to be connected to Figure 2aThe articulated arm 16 shown (first example) and Figure 4b The revolving door 30 may be configured to be connected to Figure 2b On the articulated arm 16 shown (second example).

[0058] Due to the hinged connection, each revolving door 30 can be opened and closed by a corresponding rotational movement around a corresponding hinge axis. Any form of pivot mechanism can be used in the hinge. Each hinge can have a corresponding hinge pin 17, which connects the blocking joint 18 formed in the corresponding hinge arm in the valve control block with the corresponding door joint 38 on the revolving door 30 and defines a hinge axis.

[0059] Each rotary door 30 is hinged to the valve control block 20, so that the open state of the rotary door 30 allows the valve box block 20 to be arranged in an operating position, wherein the control surface 24 of the valve box block is arranged at the operating surface 11 of the valve control block. When the rotary door 30 is brought to its closed position, the rotary door holds the valve box block in the operating position, wherein the inner surface of the rotary door 30 abuts against the rear surface 26 of the valve box block 20. Thus, the valve box block 20 can be clamped between the rotary door 30 and the valve control block 10, with reference to Figure 8a and Figure 8b This will be shown in more detail. When the rotating doors are closed, the rotating doors may (together) cover at least 50%, or at least 75%, or even at least 90% of the rear surface 26 of the valve box block. In some examples, they may even cover substantially the entire rear surface 26. Thus, pressure may be applied to most or all of the valve box block 20.

[0060] Each revolving door 30 may include at least one tube receiving channel 35 configured to receive at least a portion of a pressurized tube array 40, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 5a and Figure 5b Shown in. Figure 4a The revolving door 30 may be configured to receive Figure 5a The pressurized tube array 40 in (first example), and Figure 4b The revolving door 30 may be configured to receive Figure 5b The pressurized tube array 40 in (second example).

[0061] The pressurized tube array 40 may include a plurality of pressurized tubes 45 and at least one supply pipe 43 that connects the pressurized tubes 45 to each other and is suitable for supplying fluid pressure to the pressurized tubes 45. Specifically, the supply pipe 43 may be configured to be connected to an external pressurized air supplier and allow pressurized air to enter the pressurized tubes 45. The pressurized tubes 45 are tubes configured to expand when pressurized air flows therein. In particular, the pressurized tubes 45 may be configured to expand in a thickness direction thereof or to change their shape from a compressed shape to an expanded shape when pressurized.

[0062] For example, Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, the pressurized tube 45 may include: a braided tube wall made of metal or plastic, for example; and a filler made of an open-cell foam, such as polyurethane foam 44. The air pressure used to inflate the pressurized tube 45 may be between about 4 bar and about 10 bar, preferably between about 5 bar and about 8 bar, and more preferably about 6 bar. For example, the number of pressurized tubes 45 may be equal to the number of columns in the grid of the valve 25.

[0063] The tube receiving passage 35 may include at least one recess in the revolving door 30, and in particular, one or more recesses may be located on the inner surface of the revolving door 30. In other words, there may be one or more recesses in the inner surface. The pressurized tube array 40 is at least partially inserted into the tube receiving passage 35 of the corresponding revolving door 30. In particular, at least the plurality of pressurized tubes 45 are inserted into the tube receiving passage 35.

[0064] With the inward major surface as a reference, the tube accommodating channel 35 may have a depth corresponding to 1.5 times the thickness of the compressed pressurized tube 45, so that when the compressed pressurized tube 45 is inserted into the tube accommodating channel 35, the pressurized tube is substantially flush with the inward major surface of the revolving door 30. In contrast, once the pressurized tube 45 is inflated by compressed air, the pressurized tube will protrude beyond the level of the inward major surface.

[0065] The combination of each rotating door 30 and the corresponding embedded pressurized tube array 40 may be referred to as a "pressurized door." Figure 6a and Figure 6b An example of a pressurized door is shown.

[0066] Figure 7a and Figure 7b An example of a partially assembled valve device including the above elements is shown, wherein the pressurization door is in an open state. Exemplarily, in this open configuration, the valve box block 20 can be connected to the valve control block 10.

[0067] It can be seen that the valve box block 20 in this example includes a plurality of fluid connectors 28 (specifically Figure 1 ), the fluid connector 28 is arranged along its peripheral edge (in a view perpendicular to the control surface 24 and the rear surface 26). The fluid connector 28 is suitable for connecting to an external fluid pipeline. The plurality of fluid connectors 28 include an inlet connector and an outlet connector. Figure 7a and Figure 7b In both examples, two (symmetrically arranged) revolving doors 30 are used.

[0068] exist Figure 7a In the example of FIG. 1 , the height of each revolving door 30 is approximately half the height of the valve box block 20. In particular, the two revolving doors 30 according to the first embodiment are horizontally adjacent to each other in the closed state. Figure 7b In the example of , the width of each rotary door 30 is approximately half the width of the valve box block 20. In particular, the two rotary doors 30 according to the second embodiment are vertically adjacent to each other in the closed state.

[0069] In both examples, the revolving door 30 is hinged to the valve control block 10 by a corresponding hinge, which is arranged on a portion of the peripheral edge of the valve control block 10, and when the assembly is in an operating state, that is, when the valve box block is in an operating position, the hinge does not overlap with any of the multiple fluid connectors in a view / projection perpendicular to the operating surface (or overlaps with the straight extension of the fluid connectors along their connection direction, where the external pipeline can be connected). This makes the installation of the valve box block very convenient, because when the valve box block is installed to the valve control block, the fluid connector or any pipeline connected thereto will not collide with the hinge. Specifically, with this arrangement, when at least one revolving door is opened, the peripheral edge of the valve control block can remain free at the fluid connector where the valve box block is arranged.

[0070] In both examples, the revolving door is hinged to the valve control block symmetrically, for example rotationally symmetrically (first example) and / or mirror-symmetrically (second example).

[0071] More specifically, the peripheral edges of the valve control block (and the valve box block) in at least these two examples define a rectangular shape. In the first example, the hinges are arranged at the opposite sides of the diagonals on the adjacent diagonals of the peripheral edge, i.e., on the left side adjacent to the lower corner and on the right side adjacent to the upper corner. Each of these hinges extends along its own edge no more than half of the corresponding edge (i.e., no more than the middle of the corresponding edge). The axis of rotation is parallel to these edges and is thus vertical in the assembly. When closed, each of the revolving doors 30 covers approximately half of the rear surface of the valve box block, i.e., the upper half and the lower half, respectively. With the vertical axis of rotation, the revolving door can be rotated horizontally, which makes operation quite easy because the revolving door can be stopped in any position when the valve box block is installed (no additional fixing is required). In addition, this arrangement leaves the bottom and top edges of the assembly and half of the left and right edges free for the fluid connector of the valve box block.

[0072] In a second example, the hinges are arranged at the two lower corners of the peripheral edge, or alternatively at the two upper corners of the peripheral edge. The axis of rotation is oriented at an angle of about 45° relative to the lower edge and thus also at an angle of about 45° relative to the horizontal. This angular rotation door leaves most of the edge of the assembly free for the fluid connector of the valve box block. Since the angular rotation door does not allow the door to rotate horizontally, but at least partially has a vertical component, the balancing (gas) spring can support the rotation action against gravity.

[0073] In order to press the valve cage block 20 against the valve control block 10 , the rotary door 30 is in a closed state so that the pressurizing pipe(s) are in contact with the rear surface of the valve cage block 20 . Figure 8a and Figure 8b An example of an almost fully assembled valve device is shown, wherein the rotary door 30 is closed. The valve box block 20 is sandwiched between the valve control block 10 on one side and a pair of pressurized doors on the other side. Exemplarily, the entire control surface of the valve box block 20 provided with the valve 25 may be adjacent to the operating surface of the valve control block 10 provided with the control element 25. Similarly, the entire rear surface of the valve box block 20 may be adjacent to the inner surface of the rotary door 30 and the pressurized pipe 45 inserted therein.

[0074] Once the valve box block 20 is closed by the rotating door 30, each rotating door 30 can be locked by a latch mechanism so that the door can remain stably closed during the pressurization of the pipe. In particular, this can prevent the rotating door 30 from moving away, especially when the pressurized pipe 45 expands. Therefore, the valve control block 10 may include a plurality of block-side screw holes 13, and each rotating door 30 may include at least one door-side screw hole 33, and the at least one door-side screw hole 33 may be configured to be fastened to a corresponding block-side screw hole 13 in the plurality of block-side screw holes 13. Exemplarily, each door-side screw hole 33 can be fastened to the block-side screw hole 13 by a latch bolt 14. Thus, the valve device in a fully assembled state may also include a plurality of latch bolts 14.

[0075] Those skilled in the art will be able to readily identify alternative designs for securing and locking the valve box to the control module including different hole arrangements. As another example, there may also be a valve box having the same structure as in the following "Another Example" (with Figure 2b , Figure 4b and Figure 5b ) described in the relevant ). This design can use four block side screw holes similar to 13 and four rotating door side screw holes.

[0076] In another example (e.g., Figure 2b , Figure 4b and Figure 8b ), the valve control block 10 may include a plurality of block-side screw holes 13 (e.g., four), and each rotating door 30 may include a plurality of door-side screw holes 33 (e.g., four). Each block-side screw hole 13 may include a hole in the surface of the valve control block 10 (having the control element 15 thereon), and each door-side screw hole 33 may include a hole in the rotating door 30. The assembly may also include a plurality of latch bolts 14 (e.g., four).

[0077] Two of the block-side screw holes 13 may be located at the upper corners of the valve control block 10, the third may be located at the midpoint between the first two and the fourth block-side screw holes 13, and the fourth block-side screw hole 13 may be vertically aligned with the third but located in the lower portion of the valve control block 10. In other words, the fourth block-side screw hole 13 may be located at the midpoint between the two articulated arms 16. In other examples (not shown), the number and arrangement of the block-side screw holes 13 may be different.

[0078] As shown in the figures, in these examples, the latch mechanism is at least partially disposed at one end of the revolving door, which is opposite to the end of the revolving door hinged to the valve control block. The latch mechanism supports the revolving door to stably remain in a closed state even when pressure is applied through the pressurized pipe, while being easy to operate. In addition, the outer surface of the revolving door 30 includes a plurality of ridges to stabilize the revolving door 30 through increased rigidity.

[0079] When the valve device is assembled, that is, the valve box block 20 is between the valve control block 10 and the rotating door 30, the pair of pressurized tube arrays 40 are filled with compressed air to push the valve box block 20 against the valve control block 10. In particular, the pressurized tubes 45 of the pressurized tube array 40 can be inflated to push the valve box block 20 against the valve control block 10. Figure 9a and Figure 9b 2 shows an exemplary cross section of the assembled valve device. As described above, the pressurizing tube 45 is configured to expand when compressed air flows into the pressurizing tube and exert pressure on the valve box block 20, thereby forming the desired airtight contact between the valve box block and the valve control block 10. Therefore, the valve box block 20 can be fully pressed against the valve control block 10 to provide an operational valve device. During operation, as shown in FIG. Figure 9a and Figure 9b As shown, all tubes 45 are compressed to be nearly flat. This increases the contact surface under pressure, thereby ensuring uniformity of applied force. In one possible embodiment, when the door is closed, the door compresses / squeezes the tubes so that the initial circular shape of the tubes changes to an elliptical shape. Alternatively, a custom tube of the desired elliptical shape can be used as shown.

[0080] The pneumatic method described above for mounting the valve box block 20 (i.e., functionally connecting it to the valve control block 10) is simple, intuitive, and requires minimal effort. In particular, assembly time is significantly reduced relative to the conventional method of directly fixing the valve box block 20 to the valve control block 10 using screws. In addition, the cost and complexity of the present method are greatly reduced compared to hydraulic mounting systems.

Claims

1. A component, include: A valve box block (20) comprising a plurality of valves (25), wherein the plurality of valves (25) can be controlled via a control surface (24) of the valve box block (20); a valve control block (10) having an operating surface (11), wherein the valve control block (10) is configured to control each of the plurality of valves when the operating surface (11) is in close contact with the control surface (24) of the valve box block (20) in an operating position; at least one rotating door (30) hinged to the valve control block (20), such that an open state of the rotating door (30) allows the valve box block (20) to be arranged in the operating position, wherein the control surface (24) of the valve box block (20) is arranged at the operating surface (11) of the valve control block, and a closed position of the rotating door (30) is configured to maintain the valve box block (20) in the operating position, wherein an inner surface of the rotating door (30) abuts a rear surface (26) of the valve box block (20), the rear surface (26) being opposite to the control surface (24); as well as At least one flexible pressurized tube (45) is arranged at the inner surface of the rotating door (30) so that when the pressure in the pressurized tube (45) increases, the pressurized tube is pressed against the rear surface (26) of the valve box block (20).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, in, The valve box block (20) includes a plurality of fluid connectors (28) arranged along its peripheral edge, and wherein the at least one rotating door (30) is hinged to the valve control block (10) via a hinge, wherein the hinge is arranged on a portion of the peripheral edge of the valve control block (10), and in a view (projection) perpendicular to the operating surface (11), the hinge does not overlap with any of the plurality of fluid connectors (28).

3. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one revolving door (30) comprises at least one pair of revolving doors (30), and the at least one pair of revolving doors (30) are symmetrically hinged to the valve control block (10).

4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The peripheral edge of the valve control block (10) defines a rectangular shape; and Wherein, the at least one revolving door (30) comprises two revolving doors (30), the two revolving doors (30) are hinged to the valve control block (10) via respective hinges, the hinges are arranged on opposite sides of the diagonals on the adjacent diagonal lines of the peripheral edge, and wherein each hinge extends along the respective edge for no more than half of the respective edge, and wherein the rotation axis is parallel to the respective edge.

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The peripheral edge of the valve control block (10) defines a rectangular shape; and Wherein, the at least one revolving door (30) comprises two revolving doors (30), and the two revolving doors (30) are hinged to the valve control block (10) through respective hinges, and the hinges are arranged at two adjacent corners of the peripheral edge, and the rotation axis forms an angle of 45° relative to the edge between the two adjacent corners.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one revolving door (30) can be locked in a closed state by a latch mechanism, which is arranged at an end of the revolving door (30) opposite to the end where the revolving door (30) is hinged to the valve control block (10).

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The inner surface of the at least one rotating door (30) includes at least one tube receiving channel (35), and the tube receiving channel (35) is formed as a recess to receive the at least one pressurized tube (45).

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one pressurized tube (45) comprises a plurality of parallel pressurized tubes (45).

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one pressurizing tube (45) is adapted to be pressurized with air.

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one pressurized tube (45) comprises a filling made of an open-cell foam, preferably a polyurethane foam.

11. A method for assembling a valve device, the method include: A valve box block (20) is provided which includes a plurality of valves (25), wherein the plurality of valves (25) can be controlled via a control surface (24) of the valve box block (20); A valve control block (10) having an operating surface (11) is provided, wherein the valve control block (10) is configured to (selectively) control (e.g., open or close) each of the plurality of valves when the operating surface (11) is in close contact with the control surface (24) of the valve box block (20) in an operating position, wherein the valve control block comprises at least one second positioning member and a pair of articulated arms; at least one revolving door (30) is provided, the at least one revolving door (30) being hinged to the valve control block (20), such that an open state of the revolving door (30) allows the valve box block (20) to be arranged in the operating position, wherein the control surface (24) is arranged at the operating surface (11) of the valve control block, and a closed position of the revolving door (30) is configured to maintain the valve box block (20) in the operating position, wherein an inner surface of the revolving door (30) abuts a rear surface (26) of the valve box block (20), the rear surface (26) being opposite to the control surface (24); at least one flexible pressurizing tube (45) is provided, the flexible pressurizing tube (45) being arranged at the inner surface of the rotating door (30) so that when the pressure in the pressurizing tube (45) increases, the pressurizing tube is pressed against the rear surface (26) of the valve box block (20); When the at least one rotating door (30) is in an open state, installing the valve box block to the operating position; locking the at least one rotating door (30) in a closed state, wherein the valve box block is in the operating position; and The at least one pressurizing tube (45) is pressurized so that the at least one pressurizing tube (45) is pressed against the rear surface (26) of the valve box block (20), thereby pushing the valve box block, wherein the control surface (24) of the valve box block abuts against the operating surface (11) of the valve control block (10).

12. The method according to claim 11, in, Pressurizing the at least one pressurizing tube (45) includes filling the at least one pressurizing tube (45) with compressed air.

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