Fluid dispensing motorized valve

Abstract

The valve (1) comprises a housing (10) defining an internal volume (V10) through which a fluid passes. An electric pump (20) arranged in the first sub-volume (V11) is provided with a suction opening (21) which opens into the inlet (11) of the housing and a discharge opening (22) which opens into the passage (V13) in the internal volume. A valve disc (30) arranged in a second sub-volume (V12) of the inner volume can be rotated about a valve disc axis (X30) in order to open and close the outlet (12, 13) of the housing, the first and second sub-volumes (V11, V12) being directly connected to each other via a channel (V13) delimited by the housing (10) and opening into the second sub-volume in a radial direction with respect to the valve disc. An electric actuator supported by the housing is provided with a drive output that rotates about an actuator axis (X40). A mechanical transmission system (50) supported by the housing connects the valve disc to the drive output such that rotation of the drive output causes rotation of the valve disc. An electronic device (70) supported by the housing controls the pump and the actuator by electrically connecting to the pump and the actuator and a single connector (80) supported outside of the housing, the connector being connected to an external power source.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid distributing electric valve.

[0002] The invention concerns in particular a valve for a fluid circulation circuit, in particular a coolant circulation circuit, mounted on a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric engine, a hydrogen engine or a hybrid engine. Such a valve comprises a valve disc which is movably mounted in a housing of the valve in order to regulate the flow of a fluid passing through the housing between an inlet and an outlet of the housing. The valve disc is driven into motion by an electric actuator integrated into the valve and having an integrated rotary motor output. The invention relates more particularly to a valve whose valve disc rotates about an axis relative to the housing. The fluid flows through the valve by driving the fluid into the circulation circuit to which the valve belongs, under the action of a pump, usually an electric pump.

[0003] In practice, a hose connects the valve to the pump. More specifically, the hose can connect the pump discharge to the valve inlet. Furthermore, powering the valve and the pump actuator requires two separate wiring harnesses, each extending from an external power source. This results in considerable bulk and weight, with associated costs, and the risk of hose leaks and head loss.

[0004] Therefore, US2018 / 347448 discloses a valve for distributing coolant to an automobile engine. Figure 1 In the first embodiment shown in Figure 7, the valve includes a housing assembled from a plurality of covers, one of which is cylindrical and coaxially receives a rotating valve disc that controls the opening / closing of three connection ports, which lead to a line supplying a heat exchanger, a line supplying an oil cooler, and a line supplying a radiator, respectively. The cylindrical cover is supplied with fluid from a motor, upstream of which the fluid is driven under pressure by a pump. The fluid supply of the cylindrical cover is provided along the axis of the cylindrical cover via the axial end opening of the cylindrical cover. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 9 of US2018 / 347448, the pump is arranged directly upstream of the valve, and without implementation details, it is envisaged that the pump and the valve can form a single integrated unit.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose an electric valve which is more compact and has higher performance.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a fluid dispensing electric valve as defined in claim 1 .

[0007] One of the basic concepts of the invention is to integrate a fluid-driven pump into a valve to form a module with a single housing and a single connector for connection to an external power source. To this end, the internal volume of the housing of the valve according to the invention, in which the fluid is provided to flow between the inlet of the housing and at least two outlets, is divided into two sub-volumes, which are directly connected to each other by a channel defined by the housing: the pump is mounted in the first sub-volume so as to suck the fluid at the inlet of the housing and deliver it to the above-mentioned channel, while the valve disc is rotatably mounted in the second sub-volume so as to deliver the fluid from the above-mentioned channel to one or more of the at least two outlets, thereby controlling the opening-closing of the outlets. The above-mentioned channel avoids the need for hoses, eliminates the risk of leakage, reduces head loss, saves weight, saves assembly time and improves compactness. The invention also provides a "collection" of electrical devices controlling the pump and the actuator in the form of electronic devices connected to a single connector supported externally by the housing. Here again, weight is saved and reliability is achieved, in particular by limiting the number of wiring harnesses and facilitating the corresponding assembly of the valve according to the invention. The arrangement of the pump, valve disc and actuator may advantageously be optimized to achieve a more compact structure and higher performance, as discussed in detail below.

[0008] Advantageous additional features of the valve according to the invention are set forth in the other claims.

[0009] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a valve according to the present invention.

[0011] - Figure 2 For Figure 1 Similar views from different viewing angles;

[0012] - Figure 3 is along Figure 1 a cross section of plane 3 as shown; and

[0013] - Figure 4 Remove the rear edge of the valve cover Figure 3 Front view of arrow IV.

[0014] Figures 1 to 4 A fluid distribution electric valve is shown, which is referenced 1. The valve 1 is suitable for integration into a circuit for the circulation of a fluid, in particular a coolant. The valve 1 is used, for example, in the cooling circuit of a motorization device of a vehicle, which motorization device is an internal combustion engine, an electric engine, a hydrogen engine or a hybrid engine.

[0015] The valve 1 comprises a housing 10 through which the fluid to be regulated / distributed by the valve 1 is provided to flow. Figure 3 As can be clearly seen in the figure, the housing 10 fixedly defines an internal volume V10 through which fluid passes through the housing, which internal volume leads to the exterior of the housing via an inlet 11 and outlets (four in this context, denoted by 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively). The inlet 11 can communicate with outlets 12 to 15 through the housing 10 via the internal volume V10, and the effective communication between the inlet 11 and one or more of the outlets 12 to 15 is operated by the rest of the valve 1, as discussed in detail below. In use, the fluid enters the internal volume V10 via the inlet 11, as schematically shown by arrows F1 in the figure, and the fluid leaves the internal volume V10 via outlets 12 to 15, as schematically shown by corresponding arrows F2, F3, F4 and F5 in the figure.

[0016] The embodiment of the housing 10 is not limiting, as long as the housing consists of a sufficiently rigid body to fixedly delimit the internal volume V10. In fact, the body of the housing 10 may consist of a plurality of parts fixedly assembled to each other by any suitable means.

[0017] In all cases, as in Figure 3 As can be clearly seen, the internal volume V10 is divided into:

[0018] - a sub-volume V11 into which the inlet 11 opens;

[0019] a subvolume V12 into which the outlets 12 to 15 open; and

[0020] A channel V13 which connects the sub-volumes V11 and V12 directly to one another.

[0021] Specific features relating to the sub-volumes V11 and V12 and to the channel V13 will be given below.

[0022] The valve 1 further comprises a pump 20 for driving the fluid through the housing 10 via the internal volume V10. Figure 3 and Figure 4Shown only schematically, the pump 20 is supported by the housing 10 and is arranged in the subvolume V11. The pump 20 is provided with a suction port 21, i.e. an orifice through which the fluid pumped by the pump 20 flows towards the interior of the pump and thereby enters the body of the pump 20. The pump 20 is also provided with an outlet 22, i.e. an orifice through which the fluid pumped by the pump 20 flows towards the exterior of the pump and thereby leaves the body of the pump. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the suction port 21 leads to the inlet 11, so that all fluid entering the internal volume via the inlet 11 directly enters the inlet of the pump 20; the outlet 22 leads to the channel V13, so that all fluid discharged by the pump 20 is directly sent to the inlet of the channel V13, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 This is schematically shown by arrow F6 in FIG.

[0023] The pump 20 is electric, ie driven by an electric motor integrated into the pump. In practice, a number of embodiments of electric pumps can be envisaged for the pump 20, without limitation in this respect.

[0024] The valve 1 further comprises a valve disc 30 supported by the housing 10, which is arranged in the subvolume V12 and can rotate therein relative to the housing 10 about a valve disc axis X30. The valve disc 30, due to its rotational mobility about the valve disc axis X30, makes it possible to regulate the flow of fluid through the housing 10 by controlling the opening-closing of the outlets 12 to 15 of the housing 10. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the valve disc 30 cooperates by sealing contact with a plurality of seats respectively associated with the outlets 12 to 15 and supported by the housing 10, so that for each seat, depending on the position of the valve disc 30 about the valve disc axis X30, the valve disc 30 is arranged:

[0025] - passing the fluid through the seat so that the fluid flows from the subvolume V12 to the outlet associated with the seat, which is equivalent to opening the outlet associated with the seat, such as Figure 3 The outlet 12 is schematically indicated by arrow F7; or

[0026] - preventing the fluid from passing from the subvolume V12 through the seat to the outlet associated with this seat, which is equivalent to closing the outlet associated with this seat, such as Figure 3 As shown by the crossed arrow F8 pointing to the outlet 13.

[0027] At least in each of a plurality of positions of the valve disc 30 about the valve disc axis X30, which positions control the opening of at least one of the outlets 12 to 15, the valve disc 30 allows fluid to enter the subvolume V12 from the channel V13, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As indicated schematically by arrow F9 in , valve disc 30 allows fluid to enter sub-volume V12 from channel V13 by cooperating in a sealed manner with a dedicated seat supported by housing 10 where channel V13 opens into sub-volume V12 , where appropriate.

[0028] In the embodiment considered in the figures, the valve disc 30 comprises a monolithic tubular body 31 centered on the disc axis X30. The tubular body 31 bears fixedly on its outer side spherical reliefs centered on and distributed along the disc axis X30, so as to cooperate by matching the shape of the aforementioned seat, which is therefore provided in this context as spherical: in the example shown in the figures, the spherical relief is provided in three parts, with the reference numerals 32, 33 and 34. At the spherical relief 32, located here along the disc axis X30 between the spherical reliefs 33 and 34, the side wall of the tubular body 31 is traversed radially by four openings, which are regularly distributed around the disc axis X30 and which can each be aligned with an opening of the channel V13 in the subvolume V12 when the valve disc 30 occupies a corresponding one of the four angular positions of the valve disc spaced 90° from one another. Therefore, when the valve disc 30 is driven to rotate successively around the valve disc axis X30 from one of the above four angular positions to another, the four openings of the spherical undulation 32 (three of the four openings are in the Figure 3 ) is aligned successively with the channel V13, wherein the spherical undulation 32 seals against a seat provided at the opening of the channel V13 into the sub-volume V12. At the spherical undulation 33, the side wall of the tubular body 31 is radially penetrated by two openings, which are distributed around the valve disc axis X30 and one of which is aligned with the outlet 12 leading to the sub-volume V12 when the valve disc 30 occupies the first of the four angular positions mentioned above, and the other of which is aligned with the outlet 14 leading to the sub-volume V12 when the valve disc occupies the second of the four angular positions mentioned above, wherein the spherical undulation 33 seals against the seats associated with the outlets 12 and 14, respectively. At the spherical relief 34, the side wall of the tubular body 31 is radially pierced by two openings distributed around the disc axis X30 and one of which is aligned with the outlet 13 leading to the subvolume V12 when the disc 30 occupies the third of the four angular positions mentioned above, and the other of which is aligned with the outlet 15 leading to the subvolume V12 when the disc 30 occupies the fourth of the four angular positions mentioned above, wherein the spherical relief 34 rests sealingly on the seats associated with the outlets 13 and 15, respectively. It will be understood that the disc 30 passes all the fluid leaving the channel V13 through it (i.e. via its internal bore) to only one of the four outlets 12 to 15, which is determined by the angular position of the disc 30 around the disc axis X30:

[0029] - When the valve disc 30 is in the above-mentioned first angular position, the valve disc 30 thus completely delivers all the fluid leaving the channel V13 to the outlet 12. The first angular position is Figure 3 As shown in;

[0030] - When the valve disc is in the second angular position, the valve disc 30 completely delivers all the fluid leaving the channel V13 to the outlet 14;

[0031] - when the valve disc 30 is in the third angular position, the valve disc 30 delivers all the fluid leaving the channel V13 completely to the outlet 13; and

[0032] When the valve disc 30 is in the fourth angular position, the valve disc 30 sends all the fluid leaving the channel V13 to the outlet 15 .

[0033] In other words, the valve disc 30 selectively distributes the fluid entering the interior volume V10 of the housing 10 to one of the four outlets 12 to 15 .

[0034] Indeed, embodiments other than those discussed in detail below are contemplated for the valve disc 30 , such as a vane-type valve disc.

[0035] In all cases, according to an advantageous arrangement implemented in the figures and limiting the overall dimensions of the valve 1, the valve disc 30 is arranged opposite the pump 20 in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis X30. In other words, the valve disc 30 and the pump 20 are arranged side by side as a whole in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis X30, which in particular reduces the extent of the passage V13 between the ends of the valve discs leading to the outlet 22 of the pump 20 and the subvolume V12, respectively.

[0036] In order to limit the head losses, the channel V13 opens into the subvolume V12 in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis X30, or even only in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis X30. Preferably, the channel V13 extends in a radial direction over its entire extent between its ends, which respectively open into the outlet 22 of the pump 20 and into the subvolume V12. In practice, as in Figure 3 As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , the opening of the channel V13 leading to the subvolume V12 is advantageously located between and at a distance from the opposite axial ends of the subvolume V12 along the valve disc axis X30 . Thus, the head losses at the channel V13 are further limited.

[0037] In order to control the displacement of the valve disc 30, in particular the displacement between the above four angular positions thereof, the valve 1 comprises an actuator 40. The actuator 40 is electric, in that the actuator is designed to convert the electric power supplied thereto into a mechanical driving power, which is applied to the outside of the actuator through a driving output 41 of the actuator 40, which can rotate about a geometric axis.

[0038] In the assembled state of the valve 1, the actuator 40 is supported by the housing 10 so that the drive output end 41 of the actuator can rotate relative to the housing 10 around the actuator axis X40. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown schematically, the actuator 40 generally comprises an outer housing 42, inside which the electromechanical components of the actuator are arranged, which convert the electrical power into the driving power, and through which the driving output 41 extends. The driving output 41 is provided herein in the form of a toothed shaft centered on the actuator axis X40, with the proviso that other embodiments can be envisaged for the driving output 41. The outer housing 42 is fixed to the housing 10 by any suitable means, in particular to a dedicated housing of the housing 10, different from the internal volume V10.

[0039] According to an advantageous arrangement implemented in the example shown in the attached drawings and contributing to the compactness of the valve 1, the actuator axis X40 is parallel to the valve disc axis X30. Furthermore, the actuator 40 is arranged opposite the pump 20 in a radial direction relative to the actuator axis X40 and opposite the valve disc 30 in a radial direction relative to the actuator axis X40: in this way, as in Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in the figure, the actuator 40 is arranged side by side with the pump 20 and with the valve disc 30 in a radial direction relative to its actuator axis X40, at least partially occupying the free space separating the valve disc 30, which further limits the overall size of the valve 1.

[0040] In order to transmit the driving power applied by the driving output end 41 of the actuator 40 to the valve disc 30, the valve 1 includes a mechanical transmission system 50. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the transmission system 50 is supported by the housing 10 and mechanically connects the valve disc 30 (herein the tubular body 31 ) to the drive output 41 , so that rotation of the drive output 41 about the actuator axis X40 drives the valve disc 30 to rotate about the valve disc axis X30 .

[0041] In the embodiment considered in the attached figures, the transmission system 50 comprises a gear 51 consisting of a plurality, here four, of toothed wheels 52. The plurality of toothed wheels 52 mesh successively with one another, rotatable relative to the housing 10 about respective axes of rotation parallel to the valve disc axis X30. The first toothed wheel 52 meshes with the drive output 41, here with the toothed shaft formed by the drive output 41, while the last toothed wheel 52 meshes with the valve disc 30, here with the axial end of its tubular body 31, in order to drive the valve disc 30 in rotation about the valve disc axis X30. The gear 51, whose nature is not limited, makes it possible to multiply the movement transmitted from the drive output 41 to the valve disc 30. Of course, embodiments other than the gear 51 can be envisaged for the transmission system 50.

[0042] In all cases, according to advantageous arrangements aimed at improving the design and performance of the valve 1, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the transmission system 50 is arranged in a sealed compartment V60 delimited by the housing 10 and a cover 60 mounted directly on the housing 10. The compartment V60 is completely separated from the internal volume V10, thus forming a region of the valve 1 that is sealed relative to the fluid circulating through the valve 1. Figures 1 to 3 It can be clearly seen in Figure 4 The cover 60, which is removed from the rest of the valve 1, is rigidly attached in a sealed manner to the body of the housing 10 by any suitable means, in particular by removable rigid attachment means, so as to facilitate the assembly and maintenance of the elements arranged in the compartment V60, including the transmission system 50. The cover 60 is advantageously arranged at one end of the body of the housing 10 along the disc axis X30: the pump 20 and the disc 30 and, herein, the actuator 40 are arranged on the same axial side of the compartment V60, which makes it possible to limit the overall dimensions of the valve 1.

[0043] The valve 1 also comprises electronic devices 70 for controlling the actuation of the pump 20 and the actuation of the actuator 40. The electronic devices 70 are supported directly or indirectly by the housing 10, the electronic devices being advantageously arranged in the compartment V60, such as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , where the electronic device 70 is only schematically shown. In each case, the electronic device 70 is electrically connected to the pump 20 and the actuator 40 for controlling the actuator and delivering current to the actuator to power it. To this end, the electronic device 70 generally comprises a printed circuit 71, the insulating support of which (for example a board) is fastened to the housing 10, and a conductor 72, which connects the electronic components and / or electrical components supported by the insulating support to the pump 20 and the actuator 40, such as Figure 4 In practice, the insulating support of the printed circuit 71 is fastened directly or indirectly, in particular via the cover 60, to the housing 10. In all cases, the electronic and / or electrotechnical components of the printed circuit 71 make it possible to send electrical control and supply signals to the pump 20 and the actuator 40: this aspect is known per se and will therefore not be described in detail hereinafter.

[0044] Furthermore, the electronic device 70 is electrically connected to a single connector 80 for connection to an external power source. This external power source is external to the valve 1 and is not shown in the figures, the embodiments of which are not limiting: this external power source comprises, for example, a battery mounted on the vehicle to which the valve 1 belongs. In practice, the electrical connection between the connector 80 and the external power source is ensured by a single wiring harness, known per se and not shown in the figures; this wiring harness can have several embodiments, in addition to integrating one or more lines suitable for conducting the power from the external power source, in particular one or more lines connected to a control unit and / or a monitoring unit, for example an on-board computer. In all cases, the connector 80 is the only component of the valve 1, allowing the valve to be connected for the purpose of controlling and supplying the pump 20 and the actuator 40.

[0045] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be clearly seen in the figure, the connector 80 is supported externally by the housing 10, thereby enabling it to be connected to the above-mentioned wiring harness from outside the valve 1. In practice, the connector 80 is thus supported by the housing 10, directly or indirectly (in particular, through the cover 60 as in the embodiment envisaged in the figures).

[0046] Finally, various arrangements and variants of the valve 1 described so far are also conceivable:

[0047] - the actuator axis X40 is not parallel to the valve disc axis X30, but the actuator axis X40 extends transversely to the valve disc axis X30, in particular perpendicularly or orthogonally to the valve disc axis X30; and / or

[0048] The number of output terminals of the housing 10 is not necessarily equal to four, but may be limited to two or equal to three or a number greater than four, for example.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing electric valve (1), comprising: a housing (10) defining an internal volume (V10) through which a fluid passes through the housing, the internal volume being connected to the exterior of the housing through an inlet (11) of the housing, through which the fluid enters the internal volume, and at least two outlets (12, 13, 14, 15) of the housing, the fluid leaving the internal volume through the at least two outlets, an electric pump (20) arranged in a first subvolume (V11) of the inner volume (V10) and provided with a suction opening (21) leading to the inlet (11) of the housing (10) and a discharge opening (22) leading to the channel (V13) of the inner volume, - a valve disc (30) arranged in a second subvolume (V12) of the inner volume (V10) and capable of rotational movement relative to the housing (10) about a valve disc axis (X30) in order to control the opening-closing of the at least two outlets (12, 13, 14, 15) of the housing, the first subvolume and the second subvolume (V11, V12) being directly connected to each other via the channel (V13), which is defined by the housing (10) and opens into the second subvolume in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis, an electric actuator (40) supported by the housing (10) and provided with a drive output (41) rotatable relative to the housing (10) about an actuator axis (X40), - a mechanical transmission system (50) supported by the housing (10) and connecting the valve disc (30) to the drive output (41) such that rotation of the drive output about the actuator axis (X40) drives the valve disc (30) to rotate about the valve disc axis (X30); as well as - Electronic equipment (70) supported directly or indirectly by the housing (10) and suitable for controlling the pump (20) and the actuator (40) by being electrically connected to the pump and the actuator and to a single connector (80) for connection to an external power source, the connector being supported externally by the housing.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein: The opening of the passage (V13) to the second subvolume (V12) is positioned along the valve axis (X30) between opposite axial ends of the second subvolume and spaced apart from said axial ends.

3. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein: The channel (V13) extends in a radial direction relative to the valve axis (X30) between two opposite ends of the channel opening into the first sub-volume (V11) and the second sub-volume (V12), respectively.

4. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pump (20) and the valve disc (30) are arranged opposite to each other in a radial direction relative to the valve disc axis (X30).

5. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The valve axis (X30) and the actuator axis (X40) are substantially parallel relative to each other.

6. A valve according to claim 4 in combination with claim 5, wherein: The actuator (40) is disposed opposite to the pump (20) in a radial direction relative to the actuator axis (X40), and is disposed opposite to the valve disc (30) in a radial direction relative to the actuation axis (X40).

7. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transmission system (50) and the electronic device (70) are arranged in the same sealed compartment (V60), which is defined by the housing (10) and a cover (60) directly mounted on the housing.

8. The valve according to claim 7, wherein: The pump (20), the valve disc (30) and the actuator (40) are arranged on the same axial side of the compartment (V60).

9. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transmission system (50) comprises a gear (51) consisting of mutually meshing toothed wheels (52) which are rotatable relative to the housing (10) about respective rotation axes substantially parallel to the valve disc axis (X30).

10. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The electronic device (70) comprises a printed circuit (71) having an insulating support directly or indirectly attached to the housing (10).

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