Valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) having a valve stem and a closing member (3) arranged on the valve stem for closing a valve opening (4), the closing member (3) being displaceable between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of the valve stem only linearly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal extension of the valve stem, and having a valve drive (7) which drives the closing member (3) in the direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve stem. The invention relates to a valve drive (7) having a manually actuatable handle (8), the valve drive (7) having a valve drive housing (9) and at least one lever pair (10), each lever pair (10) having a first lever (11) and a second lever (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve, in particular a vacuum valve, comprising a valve stem and a preferably plate-shaped or wedge-shaped closing member arranged on the valve stem for closing a valve opening, wherein the closing member can be moved between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of the valve stem only in a straight line along a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve stem, the closing member closes the valve opening in the closed position, and partially or completely opens the valve opening in the maximum open position, and the valve has a valve drive having a handle that can be operated by hand for driving the valve stem to move the closing member between the closed position and the maximum open position. Background Art

[0002] A universal valve is a valve in which the valve drive is manually operated using a handle. It can also be called a manually driven valve. DE 1 201143 discloses an example of such a universal valve in the form of a vacuum valve, in which a lever can be used to manually operate the closing member. In addition, in a solution known, for example, from US 2015 / 0285396A1, a rotatable part allows the closing member to be operated by hand by screwing. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve a valve of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that it allows manual actuation which is as tactilely comfortable as possible and which is reliable.

[0004] To this end, the invention proposes a valve according to claim 1 .

[0005] Therefore, according to the invention, it is provided that the valve drive has a valve drive housing and at least one lever pair, preferably two lever pairs, wherein each lever pair has a first lever and a second lever, and the following is provided for each lever pair: - the first lever is rotatably mounted on a first joint which is fixedly arranged on the valve drive housing; and - the first lever is rotatably connected to the second lever via a second joint; and - the second lever is rotatably connected to the valve stem via a third joint; and The third joint is guided in or on the valve drive housing so as to be linearly displaceable in at least one guide device; and A handle operable by hand is arranged on the second lever.

[0006] The valve according to the invention with a corresponding valve drive is characterized by reliable actuation even under large lateral forces. These valves allow for an optimal transmission and a pleasant haptic feel. A further advantage of the valve according to the invention is the precise repeatability. In addition, the valve drive according to the invention can be configured with small dimensions and an attractive design. Both the first lever and the second lever can be straight, but also curved or angled, for example in a C- or V-shape. The latter can, for example, be used to minimize the size of the structure.

[0007] In addition, the valve drive of the valve according to the invention is characterized by excellent kinematic characteristics. With the same actuation speed of the handle, the valve drive can cause a slow movement of the closing member starting from the end position and when reaching the end position. In addition, with the help of the valve drive designed according to the invention, a high movement speed of the closing member in the intermediate area between the end positions can be achieved. In short, this leads to a rapid opening and closing of the valve, while enabling the sealing component to touch the closing member or the valve seat gently, as well as to close and squeeze the seal between the closing member and the valve seat gently. However, when reaching the end position, in particular when reaching the closed position of the closing member, a strong force is provided at the same time to reliably close the valve opening. In short, easier closing and opening will be achieved, while quickly crossing the intermediate actuation path.

[0008] The first, second and third joints are preferably designed as axial joints, particularly preferably as monoaxial joints.

[0009] The valve opening can be provided on the valve housing of the valve, but can also be provided on a chamber opening or the like. The valve drive housing can be integrated into one or the valve housing of the valve, or can also be designed initially separately therefrom. If the latter is the case, the valve drive housing can have a mounting plate for fastening to the valve housing of the valve.

[0010] The valve drive of the valve according to the invention can also be referred to as a crank mechanism. In the embodiment with two lever pairs, ie a total of four levers, it can also be said to be a four-section crank mechanism or a four-lever crank mechanism.

[0011] In principle, the guide device can be designed in various ways, on which the third joint is guided in a linearly displaceable manner. It can be, for example, a guide rail, a guide slot, etc. However, a preferred variant provides that the guide device is designed as an elongated hole in the side wall of the valve drive housing, and / or the guide device is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve stem. In order to further improve the portability of the valve drive, a preferred variant provides that the third joint is movably guided in the guide device by means of a plastic slide. This allows almost frictionless and noiseless operation when opening and closing the valve.

[0012] In a preferred design variant of the present invention, it is provided that the valve drive housing has side walls on two opposite sides, respectively, and all lever pairs are arranged in an intermediate space between the side walls that is open to the other sides. However, this does not exclude the possibility that at least a partial area of ​​the lever pair can also protrude laterally from the intermediate space between the side walls in certain intermediate positions. However, it is preferably provided that in the first end position and in the second end position, these levers and handles are completely arranged in the valve drive housing, or in other words, are hidden, in the first end position and in the second end position, the closing member is in the closed position, and in the second end position the closing member is in the maximum open position. On the one hand, this prevents the handle and thus the valve drive from being accidentally or unintentionally actuated. In addition, the side walls prevent the lever pair from opening to form scissors, and thus reduce the risk of injury, because the operator's fingers, etc. are prevented from being accidentally clamped.

[0013] Preferably, it is provided that the first joint and the second joint are arranged on the first lever at a distance from each other. Particularly preferably, the first joint and the second joint are arranged at mutually opposite ends of the first lever.

[0014] Furthermore, in a preferred design variant, it is also provided that the handle and the third joint are arranged on the second lever at a distance from each other, preferably at the ends of the second lever opposite to each other, and / or the second joint is configured on the second lever in the area between the handle and the third joint. The second joint is advantageously located in the middle third of the second lever. However, the distance between the second joint and the third joint is preferably smaller than the distance between the second joint and the handle.

[0015] Preferably, it is provided that, in order to compensate for tolerances, an elastic component is arranged and / or acts between the third joint and the valve stem. The elastic component can be a spring, in particular a helical spring, for example made of metal. On the one hand, tolerance compensation can be provided by means of the elastic component. On the other hand, the elastic component can also be used to continuously ensure a sufficiently large extrusion force in the closed position of the closing member. In a preferred variant, the elastic component is surrounded by a sleeve. The elastic component can be supported on the axle bolt of the third joint. At the opposite end of the elastic component, the elastic component is preferably supported on the valve stem, and in particular on the support plate of the valve stem. The elastic component is also advantageously arranged in the already mentioned intermediate space between the side walls of the valve drive housing.

[0016] In a preferred design of the invention, it is provided that a locking device is arranged on the valve drive housing, the locking device is preferably designed as a spring-loaded locking pin, into which at least one lever is automatically locked in an intermediate position between the end positions of at least one pair of levers, wherein the closing member is in a closed position in a first end position and in a maximum open position in a second end position. On the one hand, this makes it possible to provide closure for the valve drive. However, the locking device can also be used to reduce the risk of injury, in particular in the following way: it requires two-handed operation of the valve drive. It can therefore be provided that the handle must be actuated with one hand and the locking device must be actuated with the other hand at the same time in order to bring the closing member into the closed position or the open position.

[0017] A particularly preferred variant of the invention provides that a stop, preferably designed as a stop pin, is provided on the valve drive housing, against which the lever pair abuts in one or the first end position, in which the closing element is in the closed position, and in one or the second end position, in which the closing element is in the maximum open position. The stop can thus form a system stop against which the lever pair abuts both in the maximum open position of the closing element and in its closed position. Advantageously, the two levers of each lever pair together form a toggle lever, which in each of the two end positions moves past a dead center, so that self-locking of the valve drive is achieved in both end positions.

[0018] In a particularly preferred variant of the present invention, the valve drive has exactly two lever pairs. The levers of these lever pairs are advantageously located in planes parallel to one another. All joint axes of the first, second and third joints are advantageously perpendicular to these planes in which the levers are arranged. The elastic component and the valve stem are advantageously arranged between the levers of these lever pairs. The elastic component can be located in a sleeve. The axis of the third joint of the two lever pairs can be formed by a common axle bolt. Thus, the elastic component can be supported on the common axle bolt. On the opposite side, the elastic component is advantageously supported on the valve stem, in particular on a support plate of the valve stem.

[0019] The valve according to the invention is preferably a vacuum valve. In particular, it is said to be a vacuum valve when it operates with a pressure difference of less than or equal to 0.001 mbar (millibar) or 0.1 Pascal. However, it can also be called a vacuum valve if it is designed for a pressure difference below the normal pressure (i.e. below one bar). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further preferred features and details of the invention are explained by way of example with reference to exemplary embodiments according to the invention.

[0021] Figures 1 to 3is a perspective view from the outside of the valve according to the invention in the closed position of the closing member, in the locked intermediate position and in the maximum open position; Figures 4 to 6 The valve actuator is shown with the side wall removed on one side in these three positions; Figures 7 to 9 is a view of the embodiment in the closed position of the closing member; Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a view of the embodiment in a locked intermediate position; and Figure 12 to Figure 14 is a view of the embodiment in the open position of the closure member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] exist Figure 1 In the perspective view, the valve 1 is in a closed position in which the closing member 3 closes the valve opening 4 . Figure 2 shows the locked intermediate position, and Figure 3 The valve 1 is shown in the open position of the closing member 3 .

[0023] In this embodiment, the valve 1 has a valve housing 24, in which a valve opening 4 is provided. The valve opening 4 can be opened and closed by a closing member 3. In this embodiment, the valve drive housing 9 is fixed to the valve housing 24 by a mounting plate 25. As explained at the beginning, the valve housing 24 and the valve drive housing 9 can also be integrated, that is, designed as a common housing. In addition, it has also been explained that the valve opening 4 does not necessarily have to be opened on the valve housing 24, but can also be formed as an opening in the processing chamber, for example.

[0024] In this embodiment, the valve actuator housing 9 has two side walls 17 and 18 in addition to the mounting plate 25, which are spaced apart from each other and are located in mutually parallel planes in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the valve actuator housing 9, the valve actuator 7 also includes two lever pairs 10, each lever pair consisting of a first lever 11 and a second lever 12.

[0025] With regard to the arrangement and connection of these levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10, particular reference is made to Figures 4 to 6 All three Figures 4 to 6 All show Figures 1 to 3 The valve actuator 7 of the valve 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is shown, but the side wall 18 of the valve actuator housing 9 is not shown, so that the lever pair 10 arranged directly adjacent to the side wall 18 (not shown) can be clearly seen, which has the first, second and third joints 13, 14 and 15. The second lever pair 10 arranged in a plane parallel to it is hidden in the Figures 4 to 6 The lever pair visible in 10 is behind, but is designed in a similar manner.

[0026] exist Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be clearly seen that the first lever 11 is rotatably mounted on the first joint 13, and the first joint 13 is fixedly arranged on the valve drive housing 9. The first joint 13 is fixed in the sense that it is fixed to the valve drive housing 9, and is particularly fixed to the mounting plate 25. It can also be clearly seen that the first lever 11 is rotatably connected to the second lever 12 via the second joint 14, and the second lever 12 is rotatably connected to the valve stem 2 via the third joint 15. In the illustrated embodiment, this connection of the second lever 12 to the valve stem 2 via the third joint 15 is carried out by interposing an elastic component 21 that will be explained below. However, it is also entirely conceivable that the second valve stem 12 is directly connected to the valve stem 2 via the third joint 15.

[0027] In any case, the third joint 15 is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide 16 in the valve drive housing 9. In this embodiment, the guide 16 is designed as an elongated hole in each side wall 17 and 18. Preferably, as also provided here, the guide 16 in the form of a corresponding elongated hole is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension 6 of the valve stem 2. In the direction 5, the valve stem 2 can be moved parallel to its longitudinal extension 6, and the direction 5 is also Figures 4 to 6 A handle 8 operable by hand is provided on the second lever 12. The valve drive 7 is manually operated by holding the handle 8.

[0028] exist Figures 4 to 6 It can also be clearly seen that the first joint 13 and the second joint 14 on the first lever 11 are spaced apart from each other and are here specifically arranged at the mutually opposite ends of the first lever 11. It can also be clearly seen that the third joint 15 on the handle 8 and the second lever 12 are spaced apart from each other and are preferably formed again at the mutually opposite ends of the second lever 12. As is also realized here, the second joint 14 is advantageously located on the second lever 12 in the area between the handle 8 and the third joint 15.

[0029] Even if the valve is designed here with two lever pairs 10, it is also possible to provide that the valve drive 7 has only a single lever pair 10 or more than two lever pairs 10. The first lever 11 and the second lever 12 of the respective lever pair 10 can both be designed accordingly and connected to each other in an articulated manner.

[0030] Figure 4 The valve drive 7 is shown in an end position corresponding to Figure 4 The closed position of the closing member 3 which is arranged on the valve stem 2 is shown in FIG. Figure 6The opposite end position is shown, in which the closing member 3, also not shown here, is in the maximum open position. Figure 4 and Figure 6 It can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 that the valve housing 9 has a stop 23, which is designed here as a stop pin, against which the lever pair 10 abuts at the two mentioned end positions. Therefore, the stop 23 can also be called a system stop. The stop sets a defined end position for the lever pair 10.

[0031] exist Figure 1 and Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 and Figure 6 It can also be clearly seen in the figure that the levers 11 and 12 and the handle 8 are arranged completely in the drive housing 9 or hidden in the two mentioned end positions, in which the closing member 3 is either in the closed position or in the maximum open position. However, in the intermediate position of the lever pair 10 between these end positions, parts of the respective levers 11 and 12 can also protrude laterally a certain distance from the intermediate space 20 open to the outside between the side walls 17 and 18, which is, for example, in Figure 2 and Figure 5 Clearly visible.

[0032] exist Figures 1 to 6 In the figure, plastic slides 19 can also be seen, with which the third joint 15 is movably guided in the corresponding guide device 16. As explained at the beginning, these plastic slides 19 ensure that the third joint 15 is guided in the guide device 16 in a substantially frictionless manner.

[0033] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The valve 1 according to the invention is now shown in two mutually orthogonal longitudinal sections, wherein the closing member 3 is in each case in a closed position in which the closing member 3 completely closes the valve opening 4 and abuts against the valve seat in a sealing manner. Figure 8 As can be seen in the figure, the closing member 3 is a wedge-shaped closing member known per se. However, the closing member 3 can of course also be designed in another way, for example in the form of a plate. In the valve 1 according to the invention, it is provided in any case that the closing member 3 can be moved by means of the valve stem 2 and the valve drive 7 only linearly in a direction 5 parallel to the longitudinal extension 6 of the valve stem 2. For sealing, the valve stem 2 is also surrounded by a rod seal 28 known per se in this embodiment. Such rod seals are generally known for vacuum valves and do not require further explanation.

[0034] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the valve 1 shown here is a vacuum valve. However, the invention can also be implemented in other valves.

[0035] exist Figure 7 It can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 that the lever pair 10 shown is designed as a toggle lever type, which is in a self-locking position in the end position shown here, wherein the lever pair 10 has moved past the dead center and abuts against the stop 23. Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 middle- Fig. 9 The enlarged view shows Figure 8 In the area A in FIG. 1 , it can be clearly seen that in this embodiment, the axes of the two third joints 15 of the two lever pairs 10 are formed by a common axle bolt 27. In the embodiment shown here, the elastic component 21, which is designed as a helical spring and arranged in the sleeve 26, is supported at one end on the axle bolt 27. At the opposite end, the elastic component 21 is supported on the valve stem 2 with a support plate 29 sandwiched in between. Thus, as already explained at the beginning, the elastic component 21 is used to compensate for tolerances between the valve drive 7 and the valve stem 2. In addition, however, the elastic component 21 can also ensure that the closing member 3 always has a sufficiently large pressing force in the closed position. In any case, from Fig. 9 , it can be seen that in this end position, i.e. in the closed position of the closing member, the elastic element 21 is compressed to a certain distance, i.e. to be more precise, by a stroke 30. If larger tolerances are to be compensated, the stroke 30 is correspondingly larger, and if smaller tolerances are to be compensated, the stroke 30 is correspondingly smaller. The sleeve 26 surrounds the elastic element 21, but it is not necessarily necessary to provide the sleeve 26 if the elastic element 21 is fixed to the axle bolt 27 or the support plate 29 in another way.

[0036] Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 A corresponding view is shown in the other end position when the closing member 3 is in the maximum open position. Fig.14 The enlarged view shows Fig.13 Region B in FIG. It can be clearly seen here that the elastic element 21 is not compressed in this end position, so that there is no travel 30 .

[0037] exist Figure 7 and Fig.12 It can also be clearly seen in FIG. 1 that the lever pair 10 together with the handle 8 is arranged completely within the valve drive housing 9 in the mentioned end position.

[0038] Even according to Figure 12 to Figure 14 The end position of the toggle lever is designed to 10 and is also in the self-locking position having moved through the dead point. Here, they also block against the stop 23 respectively.

[0039] exist Fig.10 and 11, now also in the corresponding sectional view, an intermediate position of the lever drive 7 is shown, in which at least one of the levers 11, 12 of the corresponding lever pair 10 automatically engages in a locking device 22 on the valve housing 9. The locking device 22 is a spring-loaded locking pin here. The spring loading ensures that the locking pin is always prestressed toward the locked state. In the embodiment shown, the locking device 22 engages in the two levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10 arranged adjacent to the side wall 18 in the intermediate position between these end positions. In order to release, the locking device 22 must be pulled with one hand, thereby releasing the levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10, and the valve drive 7 can be moved further toward the corresponding end position. It is designed here to require two-handed operation. The locking device 22 must be actuated with one hand, and the handle 8 is actuated with the other hand in order to pivot the lever pair 10 accordingly.

[0040] exist Figure 8 , Fig.11 and Fig.13 It can be clearly seen that in this embodiment, the levers 11 and 12 of the respective lever pair 10 are arranged in mutually parallel planes. The joint axes of the first, second and third joints 13, 14 and 15 are perpendicular to these planes. The elastic component 21 is located between the respective lever pairs 10, which is arranged in a sleeve 26 and is supported on one side on a common axis bolt 27 and on the other side on a support plate 29 of the valve stem 2.

[0041] As already explained, this is of course not necessarily the case. It is conceivable that the valve drive 7 according to the invention is provided with only one lever pair 10, but also with more than two lever pairs 10. A variant without the elastic element 21 is also conceivable.

[0042] List of Reference Numerals 1 valve 2 stem 3. Close component 4 valve openings 5 Directions 6 longitudinal extension 7-valve driver 8 handles 9 Valve driver housing 10 Leverage Pairs 11First Lever 12 Second Lever 13 First joint 14 Second joint 15Third joint 16 Guide device 17 Sidewall 18 Sidewall 19 Plastic Sliders 20 The Space Between 21 Elastic components 22 Locking device 23 Stop 24 valve housing 25 Mounting plate 26 Casing 27 Axis bolt 28 rod seals 29 Support plate 30 strokes.

Claims

1. A valve (1), in particular a vacuum valve, comprising a valve stem (2) and a preferably plate-shaped or wedge-shaped closing member (3) arranged on the valve stem (2) for closing a valve opening (4), wherein: The closing member (3) can be moved between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of the valve stem (2) only linearly along a direction (5) parallel to the longitudinal extension (6) of the valve stem (2), the closing member (3) closing the valve opening (4) in the closed position, and the closing member (3) partially or completely opening the valve opening (4) in the maximum open position, and the valve (1) has a valve drive (7), the valve drive having a handle (8) operable by hand for driving the valve stem (2) to move the closing member (3) between the closed position and the maximum open position, characterized in that the valve drive (7) has a valve drive housing (9) and at least one lever pair (10), preferably two lever pairs (10), wherein each lever pair (10) has a first lever (11) and a second lever (12), and the following provisions are made for each lever pair (10): - the first lever (11) is rotatably mounted on a first joint (13), which is fixedly arranged on the valve drive housing (9); and - the first lever (11) is rotatably connected to the second lever (12) via a second joint (14); and - the second lever (12) is rotatably connected to the valve stem (2) via a third joint (15); and The third joint (15) is guided in at least one guide device (16) in or on the valve drive housing (9) so as to be linearly movable; and The handle (8) operable by hand is arranged on the second lever (12).

2. The valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The guide device (16) is designed as an elongated hole in the side wall (17, 18) of the valve drive housing (9), and / or the guide device (16) is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension (6) of the valve stem (2).

3. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The third joint (15) is displaceably guided in the guide device (16) by means of a plastic slide (19).

4. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The valve drive housing (9) has side walls (17, 18) on two opposite sides, respectively, and all lever pairs (10) are arranged in an intermediate space (10) between the side walls (17, 18) which is open toward other sides.

5. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that In a first end position, in which the closing member (3) is in the closed position, and in a second end position, in which the closing member (3) is in the maximum open position, the lever (11, 12) and the handle (8) are completely concealed in the valve drive housing (9).

6. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first joint (13) and the second joint (14) are arranged on the first lever (11) at a distance from each other, preferably at opposite ends of the first lever (11).

7. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The handle (8) and the third joint (15) are arranged on the second lever (12) at a distance from each other, preferably at mutually opposite ends of the second lever (12), and / or the second joint (14) is formed on the second lever (12) in a region between the handle (8) and the third joint (15).

8. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that In order to compensate for tolerances, an elastic component (21) is arranged and / or acts between the third joint (15) and the valve stem (2).

9. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that A locking device (22) is arranged on the valve drive housing (9), which is preferably designed as a spring-loaded locking pin, into which at least one of the levers (11, 12) is automatically locked in an intermediate position between the end positions of at least one of the lever pairs (10), wherein the closing member (3) is in the closed position in the first end position and in the maximum open position in the second end position.

10. The valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that A stop (23) which is preferably designed as a stop pin is constructed on the valve drive housing (9), and the lever pair (10) abuts against the stop in one or the first end position, in which the closing member (3) is in the closed position, and in one or the second end position, in which the closing member (3) is in the maximum open position.

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