Control valve, in particular electronically controllable control valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a control valve, in particular an electrically controllable control valve, comprising: a receptacle in which a valve closing element is arranged, which closes a valve seat in a closed position and is lifted away from the valve seat in a working position; a drive device (14) for controlling the stroke movement of the valve closing element, said drive device comprising a motor having a stator and a rotor drivable in rotation by the stator, the stator being arranged to be fixed to the housing and the rotor being arranged in a separating cap fixed to the housing; a spindle transmission comprising a spindle nut and a spindle, the stroke movement of the valve closing element being controllable by the spindle transmission, a ball-spindle transmission being arranged between the rotor and the spindle transmission, the ball-spindle transmission has at least one lower end stop for implementing a closed position of the valve closing element and / or an upper end stop for implementing a fixed position of the rotor in order to limit a stroke movement of the valve closing element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control valve, in particular to an electrically controllable control valve. Background Art

[0002] A motor-operated valve is known from JP2006-348962A. The valve comprises a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A regulating chamber is arranged between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. In the regulating chamber, a valve closing member is actuated to move up and down.

[0003] An electric drive is provided to control the stroke movement of the valve closing element. The electric drive includes a fixed stator and a rotor arranged in a separation cap-shaped member, and the rotor is driven to rotate by the stator. A spindle transmission device including a spindle and a spindle nut is provided in the separation cap-shaped member. The spindle that holds the rotor is installed in the separation cap-shaped member so that the spindle rotates but is stable in the separation cap-shaped member. The spindle nut guided axially in the fixed guide holds the spindle, thereby converting the rotary motion of the rotor and the spindle into axial motion. In order to limit the stroke movement of the valve closing element, an elastic element is provided, which is fixed to the regulating chamber and surrounds the guide on the outside. A stop element is provided along the coil of the elastic element, and the stop element rotates relative to the elastic element. The stop element is firmly connected to the guide. Stops are provided at the upper and lower ends of the elastic element. When the stop reaches the stop, the stop limits the up and down movement of the stop element relative to the entire stroke path by stopping the rotary motion of the rotor.

[0004] A control valve is also known according to CN101769389A. The control valve also has an electric actuator, which has a fixed stator and a rotor, which can be driven in a rotatable manner by the stator, and the rotor is located in a separate cap-shaped member. In this embodiment, the main shaft is firmly connected to the rotor so that the rotor moves up and down with the main shaft during the rotational movement. The stroke movement of the rotor and the main shaft is limited by a similar elastic element and a stop element guided in the stroke movement, and the elastic element has an upper stop and a lower stop, as described in the related art cited above.

[0005] The disadvantage of this travel limitation is that during the up and down movement, increased friction may be generated between the stop element and the coil of the elastic element. In addition, due to temperature effects, the upper and lower stop portions at the ends of each coil cannot be precisely aligned. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a control valve which can be operated safely.

[0007] This task is solved by a control valve, in particular an electrically controllable control valve, which comprises a housing in which a valve closing member is arranged, which closes the valve seat in the closed position and is lifted away from the valve seat in the working position. A drive device for controlling the stroke movement of the valve closing member comprises an electronically controlled motor, which comprises a stator and a rotor, and the rotor can be driven to rotate by the stator. The stator is fixed to the housing, and the rotor is arranged in a separating cap-shaped member, which is attached to the housing and preferably closes the housing relative to the outside. A spindle drive is provided to control the stroke movement of the valve closing element, and the spindle drive (spindle drive) comprises a spindle nut (spindle nut) and a spindle. A ball-spindle drive (ball-spindle drive) is provided. The ball-spindle drive acts between the spindle drive and the rotor. The advantage of the ball-spindle transmission is that at least one upper end stop and / or lower end stop can be formed on or by the ball-spindle transmission to control the stroke movement of the valve closing element along the stroke path and to limit the stroke movement of the rotor and / or the valve closing element in the event of erroneous actuation of the motor.

[0008] The ball-spindle transmission for such a control valve preferably comprises a ball track with a pitch and a ball, the ball track being between the spindle nut and the rotor, the ball being movable along the pitch and being guided by a guide, wherein the guide extends at least over the entire length of the ball track. Thus, the ball-spindle transmission has a simple design. On the one hand, the ball can be guided upward and downward along the guide. On the other hand, the ball can roll along the ball track. This achieves a simple force ratio and / or a low friction ratio.

[0009] The guide of the ball-spindle drive can be arranged on the inner circumference of the rotor, while the ball track of the ball-spindle drive can be arranged on the outer circumference of the spindle nut. Alternatively, this arrangement can also be reversed.

[0010] Furthermore, preferably, the longitudinal axis of the guide extends parallel to the rotation axis of the ball track. Alternatively, the following solution can be provided: the longitudinal axis of the guide is arranged at right angles to the pitch portion of the ball track. Compared with the above arrangement, this arrangement can provide an improved force ratio.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the guide is formed by a guide for the ball, preferably a guide for the ball with a U-shaped longitudinal groove, which is rotatably mounted on the spindle nut. Alternatively, it can be provided that the guide is rotatably mounted on the spindle nut and the inserted bushing, or on the spindle nut and the separating cap. This guide for the ball rotatably mounted on the spindle nut has the advantage that the rotor can have a simple design and the assembly of the valve is simplified.

[0012] In addition, the guide for the ball preferably has an upper bearing feature and a lower bearing feature, which are mounted on the upper guide part and the lower guide part of the spindle nut. These upper bearing features and lower bearing features can at least partially surround the upper guide part and the lower guide part. In particular, the guide for the ball can be positioned on the spindle nut in a rotatable manner. Advantageously, the upper bearing feature can have an annular design, which is attached to the top of the upper guide part of the spindle nut. In particular, the lower bearing feature can have a clamp-shaped design, so that the lower bearing feature can be assembled to the lower guide part of the spindle nut and / or mounted on another adjacent component. Preferably, the upper bearing position is designed to be used as a radial bearing portion, and the lower bearing position is designed to be used as a radial bearing portion.

[0013] The ball guide, in particular the U-shaped longitudinal groove, advantageously extends along the entire length of the ball track. This allows the ball of the ball-spindle transmission to move between an upper stop and a lower stop of the ball track.

[0014] The rotor interacting with the ball guide advantageously has a web on the inner circumferential portion of the rotor, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation and, depending on the direction of rotation of the rotor, rests against one or the other leg of the U-shaped longitudinal groove of the ball guide for driving the ball guide in rotation. The design of such a rotor is simplified. In addition, this allows the rotor to be preferably driven to rotate less than 360°, in particular in the range of 320° to 359°, before the rotational movement is transmitted to the spindle nut through the ball. This makes it possible to reduce the pitch length of the ball track portion.

[0015] In particular, the design of the ball guide and its rotatable mounting around the spindle nut allows the rotor to have a shorter length than the length of the ball guide. This can reduce costs because the rotor is made of magnetic material, in particular rare earth. In addition, a reduced rotor weight can be achieved, which can also reduce the drive torque or inertial forces when the rotor is accelerated and / or decelerated.

[0016] In particular, it is conceivable that the guide of the ball-spindle drive is formed by two parallel webs, between which a groove is arranged. The groove can have a semicircular or rectangular cross section. Preferably, the distance between the webs is only slightly greater than the diameter of the ball or is designed to have a clearance fit with a diameter portion of the ball.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be provided that the ball track has a slotted portion corresponding to the diameter of the ball and preferably has an arcuate circumferential portion between 120° and 180° in cross section. Alternatively, the cross section of the slotted portion can also be rectangular. This arcuate circumferential portion only requires that the ball is securely guided in the ball track. Preferably, the slotted portion is spiral.

[0018] The ball track can be made of plastic or metal. The advantage of the plastic design is that the ball-spindle transmission can be designed to save weight, especially when the spindle nut has a ball track made of plastic.

[0019] In particular, end stops are provided at the upper and lower ends of the ball track, which makes it easy to limit the rolling motion of the ball in the ball track, thereby also stopping the driving motion for the stroke motion of the valve closing element.

[0020] In case the ball track is made of plastic, it may be advantageous to provide an end stop made of a harder material than plastic. The end stop may be pressed onto the ball track, pressed into the ball track, bonded onto the ball track, or the end stop and ball track are in the form of a composite component. The end stop may be made of metal.

[0021] In this embodiment, it is conceivable to create an arrangement which saves space in terms of height for controlling the stroke movement of the valve closing element.

[0022] The spindle nut of the spindle drive is preferably connected in a non-rotatable manner to the accommodation, in particular to an opening in the accommodation, into which the valve closing element can be inserted. The separating cap can be arranged to seal the opening of the accommodation. Alternatively, the separating cap can also be arranged on the accommodation so that it surrounds the opening.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that the spindle nut is connected to the receptacle, in particular to the opening of the receptacle, in a rotationally fixed manner by a form-fit connection and / or a force-fit connection and / or a material-fit connection. On the one hand, this enables the rotor to be driven in rotation relative to the spindle nut and, on the other hand, the rotational movement of the rotor can be transmitted to the spindle, which is arranged to move up and down in the spindle nut.

[0024] The spindle nut, which is preferably made of plastic, can have a metal insert which connects the spindle nut to the housing so that the spindle nut cannot rotate. The insert can be incorporated, for example, by an injection molding process during the manufacture of the spindle nut. In this way, a metal connection can be established between the insert and the housing and an axial tightening of the spindle nut can be achieved, while retaining the weight-saving design of the plastic spindle nut.

[0025] The spindle nut of the spindle drive preferably has an internal thread, via which a spindle having an external thread engaging with the internal thread can be controlled for a stroke movement.

[0026] The rotational movement of the main shaft is advantageously controlled by a transmission element which engages with the rotor and is firmly connected to the main shaft. This allows a simple connection to be established between the rotor and the main shaft.

[0027] The receiving element can preferably be designed as a screw-in bushing, a press-fit bushing or an insert bushing. An insert bushing can be provided with an insert or press-in valve seat. The front end portion of the insert bushing provided with the valve seat can be inserted into the channel of the connecting device via the connecting opening of the connecting device. On the one hand, this makes it easy to manufacture the receiving element as an insert receptacle. On the other hand, the insert bushing allows valve closing elements and / or valve seats and / or channels in the valve seats of different designs to be inserted into the same connecting device.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferred that the spindle of the spindle drive comprises a valve closing element holder into which the valve closing element can be inserted against the force of the force storage element. This prevents thermal deformations which can occur when the closing force increases and the valve seat is subsequently heated up due to ambient conditions.

[0029] The valve closing element is preferably mounted in a rotationally decoupled manner in the valve closing element holder. This allows the valve closing element to rest in the valve seat with a predetermined closing force. This prevents damage in the event of increased pressure of the valve closing element against the valve seat.

[0030] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the housing, the valve closing member, the spindle transmission, the ball-spindle transmission and the rotor and preferably the separating cap can be inserted into the connecting device as a mounting unit. This makes the mounting and assembly of such a regulating valve with the electric actuator simple and rapid. After the mounting unit has been inserted into the connecting device, it may still be necessary to attach and fasten the separating cap and to arrange and fasten the stator to the connecting device.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the control valve, the following solution is provided: when the valve closing member is arranged in the closed position and the ball of the spindle transmission is arranged at the upper end stop of the ball recirculation path and the spindle transmission is designed to have a right-hand thread, the rotor is controlled to rotate counterclockwise to control the stroke movement of the valve closing member toward the working position. On the one hand, the rotor moves upward relative to the spindle nut, and on the other hand, the spindle also moves upward in the spindle nut. In addition, the ball and the spindle move in opposite directions.

[0032] Alternatively, when the valve closing member is arranged in the closed position and the ball of the spindle transmission device is arranged at the upper end stop of the ball track portion and the spindle transmission device is designed with a left-hand thread, the rotor can be controlled to rotate clockwise to start the stroke movement of the valve closing member toward the working position. In this embodiment, the rotor and the spindle also move upward relative to the spindle nut. In addition, the ball and the spindle move in opposite directions.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of the control valve, it can be provided that the valve closing element is arranged in the closed position and the ball of the ball-spindle drive contacts the lower end stop of the ball track and, in the case of a spindle drive designed with a right-hand thread, the rotor is driven in the clockwise direction to control the stroke movement of the valve closing element towards the working position. The ball and the spindle move in the same direction. In this embodiment, a shortened rotor can be provided.

[0034] As an alternative to the above-described embodiment, it can be provided that, with the valve closing element arranged in the closed position and the ball of the ball-spindle drive resting against the lower end stop of the ball track, and in the case of the spindle drive being designed with a left-hand thread, the rotor is actuated in the counterclockwise direction to control the stroke movement of the valve closing element towards the working position of the valve closing element. A shortened rotor can also be provided in this embodiment.

[0035] The above-described embodiments show that, on the one hand, the ball of the ball-spindle drive can be arranged at the upper end stop or at the lower end stop in the closed position of the valve closing element and in both cases the stroke movement of the valve closing element can be controlled. It is also possible to provide an interchangeable arrangement of the spindle drive with right-hand or left-hand thread. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention and other advantageous embodiments and further embodiments of the invention will be described and explained in more detail below in conjunction with the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. The features derived from the description and the drawings can be used alone or in any combination according to the invention. The drawings show:

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view of a control valve with a drive unit,

[0038] Figure 2 according to Figure 1 A perspective view of a control valve, wherein the stator of the drive device is not shown,

[0039] Figure 3 according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a control valve of , wherein the valve closing member is in a closed position,

[0040] Figure 4 according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a control valve of , wherein the valve closing member is in the working position,

[0041] Figure 5 according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a control valve of , wherein the valve closing member is in a fixed position,

[0042] Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the spindle nut of the control valve and the ball-spindle transmission ball track portion,

[0043] Figure 7 A cutaway perspective view of the rotor and the guide of the ball-spindle drive,

[0044] Figure 8 A cutaway perspective view of the ball-spindle drive between the rotor and the spindle nut,

[0045] Fig. 9 Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of

[0046] Fig.10 according to Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the valve closing member is in a fixed position,

[0047] Fig.11 A perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a ball-spindle drive for a control valve,

[0048] Fig.12 Fig.11 A perspective view of the spindle transmission device shown,

[0049] Fig.13 according to Fig.11 A three-dimensional view of the spindle nut of the spindle transmission device shown,

[0050] Fig.14 according to Fig.11 A three-dimensional view of a guide for a ball of a ball-spindle transmission,

[0051] Fig.15 Used according to Fig.11 A cutaway perspective view of the rotor of the ball-spindle drive is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 , a control valve 11 is shown in a stereoscopic view. The control valve 11 is arranged on the connecting device 5. The control valve 11 comprises a drive device 14. The drive device 14 comprises an electrical connector 15, in particular a plug connector, which can be connected to a control system not shown in detail. The drive device 14 comprises an electric motor 17 and a mounting device 16, the electric motor 17 is also called a separating cap motor, and the mounting device 16 is in particular a mounting flange. The drive device 14 is preferably attached to the connecting device 5 in a detachable manner via the mounting flange 16, and the drive device 14 is in particular a housing and a stator 18. The motor 17 comprises a stator 18 arranged in a fixed position in the housing of the drive device 14 and a rotor 19 ( Figure 3 A separating cap 21 is provided between the stator 18 and the rotor 19. The separating cap 21 is arranged to be provided to the connecting device 5 in a medium-tight manner, or to be provided to a connecting opening of the connecting device 5 in a medium-tight manner.

[0053] Figure 2A connection device 5 is shown, to which the housing 12 of the control valve 11 is attached in a detachable manner, and to which a separating cap 21 is attached. The components of the control valve 11 are inserted into the connection device 5 and sealed from the outside by the separating cap 21. Preferably, the separating cap 21 is brazed or welded to the upper part of the housing 12, in particular to an annular collar of the housing 12. The stator 18 and the housing of the drive device 14 housing the stator 18 can then be mounted on the connection device 5 to complete the control valve 11.

[0054] like Figure 1 The control valve 11 shown can be used in a connection device 5 of a refrigeration circuit, in which refrigerants R134a, R1234y or the like are used, for example. The control valve 11 can also be used for the refrigerant CO2. The connection device 5 can be, for example, an internal heat exchanger, a cooler or a connection block.

[0055] Figure 3 Shown as Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the control valve 11 shown. The connecting device 5 can be made of aluminum, for example. In particular, the connecting device 5 can be an extruded profile, so that the connecting device 5 can be manufactured by cutting the profile to the final size. The connecting device 5 comprises a feed opening 6 and a discharge opening 7, which are connected to each other by a channel 8. A connecting opening 9 is provided on the outside of the connecting device 5, which extends into the connecting device 5 and ends in the channel 8. Therefore, the channel 8 is accessible from the outside via the connecting opening 9.

[0056] The control valve 11 comprises a receiving part 12, which is designed, for example, as a screw-in socket 31. The screw-in socket 31 can be designed to be inserted into the connection opening 9. The screw-in bush 31 is sealed against the connection opening 9 by a sealing element 13. A valve closing member 43 can be arranged in the screw-in bush 31 so that the valve closing member 43 can move up and down. In a simple design of the receiving part 12 or the screw-in bush 31, the screw-in bush 31 is only used to be fixed in the connection device 5. The valve closing member 43 can close the valve seat 32 arranged in the channel 8 or pressed into the channel 8. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in , the container 12 can have an end portion, which includes an inlet opening 24 and an outlet opening 26, which are connected to each other by a through channel 27. The through channel 27 extends in the valve seat 32. A regulating chamber 29 is arranged between the valve seat 32 and the inlet opening 24.

[0057] The screw-in bushing 31 may preferably have a sealing element 23 which extends around the outside of the front end portion between the inlet opening 24 and the outlet opening 26 , so that the end portion of the receiver 12 is isolated from the channel 8 .

[0058] The valve seat 32 in the receiving part 12 can be formed as a single piece or as a press-fit piece in the insert bushing 31. Alternatively, the valve seat 32 can also be arranged in a height-adjustable manner in the screw-in bushing 31 by means of a screw.

[0059] The receiving part 12 receives a spindle transmission 34. The spindle transmission 34 is arranged opposite to the front end portion of the receiving part 12, which can be inserted into the connecting opening 9. The spindle transmission 34 comprises a spindle nut 36 and a spindle 37. The internal and external threads 38, 39 act together between the spindle nut 36 and the spindle 37 to enable the spindle 37 and the spindle nut 36 to move relative to each other. The spindle 37 can rotate around the longitudinal axis 35 of the spindle nut 36.

[0060] The spindle nut 36 is preferably made of plastic. The spindle nut 36 has an insert 41. The insert 41 is used to axially fix the spindle 37 to the receiving part 12. The insert 41 is preferably made of metal. The insert 41 is connected to the part 42 in a non-rotatable manner, in particular to the annular part of the receiving part 12 or the insert bushing 31 in a non-rotatable manner. The insert 41 can be designed as an annular disk. It can be fixed to the part 42 by flanging, welding, pressing, friction connection, bonding, etc.

[0061] The spindle 37 has a valve closing member receptacle 44 at its lower end pointing toward the valve seat 32. The valve closing member is flexibly and / or rotationally decoupled on the longitudinal axis of the spindle 37 by means of the valve closing member receptacle 44. A force storage element 45 is arranged in the valve closing member receptacle 44, which transfers the valve closing member 43 to an initial position. In this initial position, a circumferential shoulder 46 of the valve closing member 43 rests against an annular collar 47 of the valve closing member holder 44.

[0062] The transmission element 51 is fixed at the upper end of the main shaft 37 or fixed opposite to the valve closing member 43. This transmission element 51 forms a connection between the main shaft 37 and the rotor 19. Therefore, the rotor 19 is connected to the main shaft 37 in a non-rotatable manner. At the same time, the rotor 19 is fixed in the position of the rotor relative to the main shaft 37 by the transmission element 51. If the main shaft 37 moves upward relative to the main shaft nut 36, the rotor 19 also moves upward.

[0063] A bearing 40 is provided between the upper end of the spindle 37 and the outer thread 39 of the spindle 37, by means of which the stroke movement of the spindle 37 relative to the spindle nut 36 is guided. The axial guidance of the spindle 37 in the spindle nut 36 via the bearing 40 prevents the rotor 19 from swinging during its rotational movement. This results in a very small gap between the outer circumferential portion of the rotor 19 and the separating cap 21, which in turn improves the power transmission from the stator 18 to the rotor 19.

[0064] A ball-spindle drive 55 is provided between the rotor 19 and the spindle drive 34, in particular between the rotor 19 and the spindle nut 36. The ball-spindle drive 55 is used to control the valve closing member 43 from Figure 3 The closed position shown is 48 to Figure 4 The working position 57 shown and Figure 5 The closing position 48 is determined by a lower end stop 66 on the spindle nut 36. The securing position 58 is determined by an upper end stop 67 on the spindle nut 36. The ball-spindle transmission 55 includes a ball track 61, which is arranged on the outer circumference of the spindle nut 36. The ball-spindle transmission 55 includes a ball 62 and a guide 63, which is preferably arranged on the inner circumference of the rotor 19.

[0065] The separation cap 21 surrounds the rotor 19, the ball-spindle transmission 55, the spindle nut transmission 34 and is fixed to the insert bushing 31 or the end face of the connecting device 5 in a medium-tight manner. A container of the drive unit 14 has an opening. The separation cap 21 is arranged in the orifice. The stator 18 and the rotor 19 are therefore separated by the separation cap 21. The stator 18 and the rotor 19 are arranged at approximately the same height. The rotor 19 can include a plurality of sections, which are positioned in a row with their north and south poles alternating. By starting the stator 18, the rotor 19 can be rotated. The stroke of the valve closing element 43 can be controlled by a predetermined number of rotations of the rotor 19.

[0066] In the closed position 48 , the valve closing element 43 closes the valve seat 32 , according to Figure 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the ball 62 is positioned to contact the lower end stop 66 .

[0067] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the valve closing member 43 moves to the working position 57. The working position 57 is located at Figure 3 The closed position 48 shown is Figure 5By controlling the motor 17 at a predetermined number of steps or revolutions, the valve closing member 43 is lifted from the closed position 48 relative to the valve seat 32 and releases the passage 27. With the start of the opening stroke of the valve closing member 43, the valve closing member 43 can be in the working position 57. Figure 5 The valve closing member 43 is shown in a fixed position 58. The valve closing member 43 is lifted into a position relative to the valve seat 32. After the stroke movement of the valve closing member 43 has been initiated by the motor 17, the ball 62 of the ball-spindle drive 61 is located at the upper end stop 67. As a result, the stroke movement of the valve closing member 43 is limited in the opening direction. During normal operation, the fixed position 58 or the upper stop position is not used. If the motor 18, which is controlled in a drive-stepping manner, loses a step (step loss), i.e. loses the position of the motor, the opening movement of the valve closing element 43 is limited by the fixed position 58 and the control valve 11 remains in operation.

[0068] like Figures 3 to 5 Such a control valve 11 shown in FIG. 4 can be designed as follows for the spindle drive 34 and the ball-spindle drive 55. The valve closing element 43 is in the closed position 48, so that the spindle 37 is in a lowered position. In this lowered position of the spindle 37, the rotor 19 is also in a lowered position. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ball 62 is arranged in the lower position of the ball track 61.

[0069] If the spindle drive 34 is designed with a right-hand thread, and the ball track portion 61 is designed to rotate clockwise, the rotation direction of the rotor 19 is controlled to the left to open the valve closing element 43 .

[0070] If in the above embodiment the spindle drive 34 is designed with a left-hand thread and the ball is rotated counterclockwise with the track portion 61 , the rightward rotation direction of the rotor 19 is activated to move the valve closing element 43 toward the open position.

[0071] In both embodiments, the ball 61 and the spindle 67 move in the same direction. This has the advantage that the rotor 19 can be formed with a shortened length, so that the overall height of the separating cap 21 can be reduced.

[0072] Figure 6A perspective view of a spindle nut 36 with an upper end stop 67 is shown. The spindle nut 36 comprises a ball track 61, which is formed with a right-hand thread, for example, on the outer circumferential portion. The extended surface of the ball track 61 is adapted to the diameter of the ball 62. Preferably, the diameter of the ball 62 and therefore the pitch of the ball track 61 are adapted to the stroke distance that the valve closing member 43 must overcome from the closed position 48 to the working position 57. The upper end stop 67 can be formed by a cross-sectional surface that blocks the ball track 61. Alternatively, a pin-shaped stop or the like can also be provided. When the spindle nut 36 is designed as a plastic component, such a pin-shaped stop can also be designed as an insert. One end of the spindle 37 protrudes from the upper end of the spindle nut 36. The connecting portion 41 is arranged on the spindle nut 36 on the opposite side. The connecting portion 41 can be made of metal. The spindle nut 36 and the connecting part 41 can be designed as a composite component. The composite component is in turn connected to the part 42 of the receiving part 12 or the insert bushing 31 .

[0073] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of the rotor 19 is shown. The rotor 19 is shaped like a sleeve member. A transmission element 51 is attached to one end of the sleeve member of the rotor 19. The transmission element 51 may also be cast in. Alternatively, the transmission element may also be attached to the rotor 19 by adhesive, press fit, threaded connection or other connection methods. A guide 63 is formed on the inner circumferential portion of the rotor 19. The guide 63 includes two webs 64 spaced apart and parallel to each other, with a groove 65 formed between the webs 64. The distance between the webs 64 or the width of the groove 65 corresponds to the diameter of the ball 62 or is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 62. The length of the guide 63 may be greater than the distance between the upper end stop 66 and the lower end stop 67. In the case where the thread direction of the main shaft 37 and the ball track portion 61 is the same, the guide 63 may be smaller than the distance between the upper end stop 66 and the lower end stop 67. The guide 63 on the rotor 19 may be made of plastic or metal.

[0074] Figure 8 A cutaway perspective view of a ball-spindle transmission 55 is shown. The ball 62 shown in a half-section is held by a guide 63 of the rotor 18 on the one hand and is guided by the guide 63 into the ball track 61 on the other hand. A clockwise rotation of the rotor relative to the spindle nut 36 is blocked by the upper stop 67. The ball 62 then comes into contact with the upper stop 67. The same is true for the lower stop 66.

[0075] In accordance with Figures 3 to 5In the ball-spindle transmission device 55 of the control valve 11, when the valve closing member 44 is positioned in the closed position 48, the ball 62 of the ball-spindle transmission device 55 is arranged at the lower end stop 66. The ball-spindle transmission device 55 can, for example, have a ball track portion 61 with a pitch of 2.5 mm per turn and four turns. Figure 3 The closed position 48 in the Figure 5 58 in the fixed position, the rotor 19 moves a stroke of 10 mm. For example, between the spindle nut 36 and the spindle 37, the thread may have a pitch of 0.5 mm. For the same number of revolutions of the spindle 37, which is limited by the ball track 61 on the spindle nut 36, in particular according to the embodiment example, the valve closing member 43 travels a stroke path of 2 mm when the spindle 37 rotates four times relative to the spindle nut 36. This results in a total stroke of the rotor 19 of 8 mm from the closed position 48 to the locked position 58.

[0076] Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of the control valve 11 is shown. The cross-sectional view corresponds to Figure 3 , with the difference that, when the valve closing member 43 is arranged in the closed position 48, the ball 62 of the ball-spindle transmission 55 is positioned at the upper end stop 67 of the spindle nut 36. This alternative arrangement for actuating the stroke movement of the valve closing member 43 is also possible. In this embodiment, the direction of rotation of the ball track 61 or the internal thread 38 of the spindle 37 is in accordance with the rotation direction of the ball track 61 or the internal thread 38 of the spindle 37. Figure 3 Compared with the implementation method in , there are changes, especially from clockwise rotation to counterclockwise rotation.

[0077] When the opening movement of the valve closing member 43 is activated, the ball 62 moves in the ball track 61 in the direction of the lower end stop 66 of the spindle nut 36. The valve closing member 43 can be in contact with the Figure 4 The position shown in corresponds to the working position 57.

[0078] Fig.10 The fixed position 58 of the control valve 11 is shown, wherein the ball 62 rests against a lower end stop 66 of the spindle nut 36 .

[0079] exist Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the embodiment of the control valve 11 shown, the following configuration of the spindle drive 34 and the ball-spindle drive 55 can be provided. The spindle drive 34 can have a right-hand thread, and the ball-spindle drive 55 can have a left-handed rotating ball track portion 61. Therefore, the rotation direction of the rotor 19 for opening the valve closing member 43 is counterclockwise.

[0080] Alternatively, the spindle gear 34 may have a left-hand thread, and the ball-spindle gear 55 may include a ball track portion 61 of a clockwise rotation type, so that clockwise rotation of the rotor 19 is controlled to open the valve closing member 43 .

[0081] In both alternative embodiments, the ball 62 is moved from the upper end stop 67 in the direction towards the lower end stop 66 .

[0082] In order to remove the valve closing element 43 from Fig. 9 The closed position 48 shown is transferred to Fig.10 The fixed position 58 shown preferably also actuates the rotor 19 to four revolutions. However, this results in a total stroke of 12 mm. Therefore, the total stroke of this embodiment is greater than Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is due to the positioning of the ball 62 relative to the lower end stop 66 or the upper end stop 67 of the ball spindle drive 55.

[0083] Fig.11 A schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a ball-spindle drive 55 is shown. Fig.12 FIG. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of the ball-spindle drive 55. This embodiment of the ball-spindle drive 55 differs from the embodiment of the ball-spindle drive 55 in terms of the design of the rotor 19 and the guide 63. Figures 1 to 10 . In this embodiment, a guide 71 for a ball is provided between the spindle nut 36 and the rotor 19. The guide 71 for a ball is designed separately from the rotor 19 or as a separate component relative to the rotor 19. The guide 71 for a ball is mounted in a manner that it can rotate relative to the spindle nut 36 around the same rotation axis 35. The guide 71 for a ball is preferably designed to be separate from the spindle nut 36. Fig.14 The ball guide 71 shown in the figure is a component separate from the spindle nut 36 and the rotor 19. The ball guide 71 includes a U-shaped longitudinal groove 72. The width and depth of the longitudinal groove 72 are adapted to the size of the ball 62 or vice versa, so that the ball 62 can move up and down along the longitudinal groove 72 by interacting with the ball track portion 61. An upper support feature 73 and a lower support feature 74 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the ball guide 71. The upper support feature 73 and the lower support feature 74 are connected to the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal groove 72, preferably connected to the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal groove 72 in an integral manner. The upper support feature 73 is designed as a closed annular member, for example. The lower support feature 74 is designed as an open annular member, for example. The lower support feature 74 can be designed as an attachable clamp.

[0084] An upper guide part 76 is provided on the spindle nut 36 and at the upper end of the spindle nut 36 for rotatably holding the ball guide 71. A lower guide part 77 is provided opposite to the upper guide part. The spindle nut 36 and the connecting part 41 are preferably designed as one part made of plastic. Fig.13 One such embodiment is shown. The upper end stopper 67 and the lower end stopper 66 of the ball track portion 61 are arranged between the upper guide portion 76 and the lower guide portion 77. The upper guide portion 76 can be designed as an annular portion having a smaller diameter than the outer circumferential portion of the spindle nut 36. The lower guide portion 77 can be designed as a U-shaped recess. In this way, after the ball guide 71 is attached to the spindle nut 36, the ball guide 71 can be securely mounted relative to the spindle nut 36. The ball guide 71 is axially fixed relative to the spindle nut 36 by the lower guide portion 77. The ball guide 71 can be rotated 360° relative to the spindle nut 36.

[0085] Fig.15 FIG. 1 shows a cutaway perspective view of a rotor 19. The rotor 19 and Figure 7 The difference between the embodiment in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that only one web 64 is provided on the inner circumferential portion of the rotor 19. Fig.15 In the embodiment of the rotor 19 shown in FIG. 1 , the web 64 is not designed as a guide for the ball 62, but as a driver. The web 64 causes the ball guide 71 to rotate relative to the spindle nut 36. The web 64 contacts the outer side of the longitudinal groove 72 of the ball guide 71.

[0086] The web 64 is designed to act as a driver on the rotor 19 so that when the rotor 19 is driven in one direction of rotation, the web 64 is able to perform a free rotation of almost 360° and then comes into contact with the longitudinal groove 72 to rotate the ball guide 71. Since the transmission element 51 of the rotor 19 is connected to the spindle 37 in a non-rotatable manner, the rotational movement of the spindle 37 can already be triggered by the rotation of the rotor 19 without driving the ball guide 71 and the ball 62 will not move along the ball track 61. This design makes it possible to Figures 11 to 15 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a larger stroke path is controlled, and the pitch and number of turns of the ball track portion 61 are the same as those described above. Figures 1 to 10 The implementation method is the same as in.

Claims

1. A control valve, in particular an electrically controllable control valve, - the control valve has a receiving element (12), - a valve closing member (43) is arranged in the housing (12), the valve closing member (43) closes the valve seat (32) in the closed position (48), and the valve closing member (43) is lifted away from the valve seat (32) in the working position (57), - the control valve has a drive device (14) for controlling the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43), the drive device (14) comprising a motor (17) having a stator (18) and a rotor (19), the rotor (19) being rotatably driven by the stator (18), the stator (18) being arranged to be fixed to the housing (12), and the rotor (19) being arranged in a separate cap-shaped member (21) fixed to the housing (12), the control valve has a spindle drive (34) comprising a spindle nut (36) and a spindle (37), the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43) being controllable by the spindle drive (34), It is characterized in that - a ball-spindle drive (55) acting between the rotor (19) and the spindle drive (34), and - The ball-spindle drive (55) has at least one lower end stop (66) for achieving the closed position (48) of the valve closing member (43) and / or an upper end stop (67) for achieving the fixed position (58) of the rotor (19) in order to limit the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43).

2. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball-spindle transmission device (55) includes a ball track portion (61) with a pitch, and the ball (62) is guided between the spindle nut (36) and the rotor (19) along the ball track portion (61) so as to be able to move through a guide (63), and the guide (63) is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the ball track portion (61), and preferably the guide (63) extends in a tangential direction at least along the entire length of the ball track portion (61).

3. The control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide member (63) is arranged on the inner circumferential portion of the rotor (19), and the ball member track (61) is arranged on the outer circumferential portion of the spindle nut (36); or the guide member (63) and the ball member track portion (61) are arranged in an interchangeable arrangement structure.

4. The control valve according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The longitudinal axis of the guide member (63) is aligned with the rotation axis of the ball member track portion (61), in particular, the longitudinal axis of the guide member (63) is parallel to the rotation axis, or parallel to the pitch portion, in particular, the longitudinal axis of the guide member (63) is at right angles to the pitch portion.

5. The control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that The guide member (63) is formed by two webs (64), preferably, the guide member (63) is formed by two parallel webs (64), a groove (65) is provided between the two webs (64), the width of the groove (65) corresponds to the diameter of the spherical member (62), or the width of the groove (65) is greater than the diameter of the spherical member (62).

6. The control valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The guide member (63) is formed by a guide member (71) for a spherical member, preferably the guide member (71) for a spherical member has a U-shaped longitudinal groove (72), and the U-shaped longitudinal groove (72) is rotatably mounted on the spindle nut (36) or on the spindle nut (36) and the screw-in bushing (31) or on the spindle nut (6) and the separation cap (21).

7. The control valve according to claim 6, characterized in that The guide member (71) for the spherical member has an upper supporting feature portion (73) and a lower supporting feature portion (74), and the upper supporting feature portion (73) and the lower supporting feature portion (74) are rotatably mounted on the upper guide member portion (76) and the lower guide member portion (77) of the spindle nut (36). Preferably, the upper supporting feature portion (73) and the lower supporting feature portion (74) are mounted on the upper guide member portion (76) and the lower guide member portion (77) of the spindle nut (36) in a manner that at least partially surrounds the spindle nut (36).

8. The control valve according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The ball guide (71) extends along the entire pitch of the ball rail portion (61).

9. The control valve according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The rotor (19) has a web (64) on its inner circumferential portion, and in particular, the rotor (19) has a web (64) on its inner circumferential portion extending parallel to the rotation axis (35). Depending on the rotation direction of the rotor (19), the web (64) bears against one leg or the other leg of the U-shaped longitudinal groove (72) of the ball guide (71) to drive the ball guide (71) to rotate.

10. The control valve according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The rotor (19) has a length shorter than that of the ball member guide (71).

11. The control valve according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that The ball track portion (61) has a groove portion corresponding to the diameter of the ball (62), and preferably, the groove portion includes a circumferential portion between 120° and 180° when viewed in cross section, and preferably, the groove portion has a spiral path.

12. The control valve according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that The ball track portion (61) is made of plastic or metal.

13. The control valve according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that The upper end stopper (67) and the lower end stopper (66) are provided at the upper end and the lower end of the ball rail portion (61).

14. The control valve according to claim 13, characterized in that A ball track portion (61) made of plastic includes end stops (66, 67) made of metal.

15. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spindle nut (36) is non-rotatably connected to the housing (12), in particular to an opening (22) of the housing (12), into which the valve closing member (43) can be inserted.

16. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spindle nut (36) is connected to the receiving part (12) in a non-rotatable manner by at least one of a positive connection, a non-positive connection or a material-locking connection.

17. Control valve according to one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that The spindle nut (36) and the ball track portion (61) are made of plastic, and the spindle nut (36) includes a metal insert (41) which is connected to the receiving part (12) in a manner fixed in the rotation direction, in particular, the metal insert (41) is connected to the opening (22) of the receiving part (12) in a manner fixed in the rotation direction.

18. Control valve according to one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that The spindle nut (36) includes an internal thread (38), by means of which the spindle (37) having an external thread (39) engaged with the internal thread (38) can be controlled to control the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43), and the rotation of the spindle (37) can be controlled by a transmission element (51) engaged on the rotor (19) and firmly connected to the spindle (37).

19. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A valve seat (32) that can be inserted or pressed into is arranged in the receiving part (12).

20. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The main shaft (37) includes a valve closing member receptacle (44), into which the valve closing member (43) can be inserted against the force of a force storage element (45), and the valve closing member (43) is mounted in the valve closing member receptacle (44) in a rotationally disconnected manner.

21. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The container (12) comprises an inlet opening (24) and an outlet opening (26), wherein the inlet opening (24) and the outlet opening (26) are connected to each other via a through passage (27), and the container (12) comprises a regulating chamber (29) between the inlet opening (24) and the outlet opening (26), wherein the valve closing member (43) is arranged in the regulating chamber.

22. Control valve according to one of claims 2 to 21, characterized in that The receiving part (12) is designed as an insertable bushing (31), and the valve closing member (43), the spindle transmission (34), the ball-spindle transmission (55), the rotor (18) and the separating cap (21) which preferably seals the opening (22) of the receiving part (12) are designed as a mounting unit and can be inserted into the connecting device (5).

23. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the valve closing member (43) is set in the closed position (48) and the spindle drive device (34) has a right-handed thread and the ball track portion (61) of the spindle nut (36) has a left-handed thread, wherein the ball (62) of the ball-spindle drive device (55) is resting against the upper end stop portion (67), the rotor (19) can be controlled to rotate counterclockwise to actuate the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43) toward the working position (57).

24. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that When the valve closing member (43) is arranged in the closed position (48) and the spindle drive (34) has a left-handed thread and the ball track portion (61) of the spindle nut (36) has a right-handed thread, wherein the ball (62) of the ball-spindle drive (55) is resting against the upper end stop (67), the rotor (19) can be driven clockwise to control the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43) toward the working position (57).

25. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that When the valve closing member (43) is set in the closed position (57) and the spindle drive (34) has a right-hand thread and the ball track portion (61) of the spindle nut (36) has a right-hand thread, wherein the ball (62) of the ball-spindle drive (55) is resting in the lower end stop portion (66), the rotor (19) is actuated counterclockwise to control the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43).

26. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that When the valve closing member (43) is set in the closed position (57) and the spindle drive (34) has a left-handed thread and the ball track portion (61) of the spindle nut (36) has a left-handed thread, wherein the ball (62) of the ball-spindle drive (55) is resting in the lower end stop portion (66), the rotor (19) is actuated clockwise to control the stroke movement of the valve closing member (43).

Images