Hydraulic equipment

Abstract

A hydraulic device has: a rotatable hydraulic device, such as a valve actuator or a peristaltic pump; an electric motor as a drive unit; and a gear unit between the drive unit and the hydraulic device, wherein the hydraulic device has at least two water ports. According to the invention, the drive unit, the hydraulic device and the gear unit are designed as a single functional unit and are detachably connected to each other as a complete functional unit in the form of a hydraulic device. The detachable connection is advantageously achieved by means of screws.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hydraulic device having a rotatable hydraulic device and having a drive unit and a gear unit therebetween, the hydraulic device being a valve actuator or a peristaltic pump or a gear pump. The hydraulic device has at least two ports. Summary of the invention

[0002] The object forming the basis of the invention is to create a hydraulic device mentioned at the outset with which the problems of the prior art can be solved and with which it is in particular possible to improve the design and operation of such hydraulic devices, in particular to allow easy repair of the hydraulic device.

[0003] This object is achieved by a hydraulic device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the further claims and are explained in more detail below. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by explicit reference.

[0004] The hydraulic device has a rotatable hydraulic device, such as a valve actuator or a peristaltic pump or a gear pump. An electric motor is provided as a drive unit, and a gear unit is arranged between the drive unit and the hydraulic device. The gear unit transmits the driving force from the drive unit to the hydraulic device. The gear unit may have gears or other similar transmission devices, such as belts, etc.

[0005] According to the invention, the drive unit, the hydraulic device and the gear unit are designed as separate functional units and are detachably connected to each other as a complete hydraulic device. Thus, the functional units can be designed individually and then connected to each other and, most importantly, replaced individually in case of repairs. It is then not necessary to replace the entire hydraulic device, which is cheaper and saves resources. Repairs can also be completed faster when it is not necessary to disconnect all water or electrical ports of all functional units.

[0006] In a development of the invention, the gear unit can have a gear housing, wherein on one side the drive unit is detachably fastened to the gear unit or the gear housing, and on the other side the hydraulic device is detachably fastened. Advantageously, the fastening can be achieved by means of screws, alternatively by other fastening means, which fasten and loosen quickly and easily, in particular also without the need for complex tools to do so. The gear housing can be designed to be sufficiently strong to provide stability for the entire hydraulic device.

[0007] In another development of the invention, the gear unit can have at least two gears that engage with each other, wherein one gear is arranged on the drive shaft of the drive unit. The other gear is arranged on the drive shaft of the hydraulic device. However, more gears than these two can also be provided, for example a total of three or four gears. This allows the torque and speed to be adjusted as well as the distance between the drive unit and the hydraulic device or between their respective drive shafts.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the rotation axis of the drive unit and the rotation axis of the hydraulic device are parallel to each other. The transmission of force by means of the gear unit, in particular when it has gears, is easier. Advantageously, the drive unit and the hydraulic device can be arranged on the same side of the gear housing and adjacent to each other. The distance between them can be less than 5 cm or less than 3 cm. This allows the dimensions of the hydraulic device to be kept low to save installation space.

[0009] In one embodiment, the hydraulic device can be a valve actuator with at least two ports, wherein preferably there can also be three or at most four ports. The ports can be connected to each other or can be connected to each other in various ways here. Advantageously, precisely two ports can be connected or connected to each other in a fluid-conducting manner. The valve actuator is then a water distributor, i.e. it guides the liquid in different directions or prevents the flow. Alternatively, the valve actuator can be a metering valve with different designs and the throughflow quantity can be set between the two ports, in particular between zero flow and maximum flow. In general, the valve actuator can be selected from the following group: metering valve, ball valve, cone valve, proportional valve, water distributor.

[0010] In another embodiment, the hydraulic device can be a peristaltic pump or a gear pump, preferably with two ports. In particular, the liquid can be pumped from the first port that is always the same to the second port that is always the same. This type of peristaltic pump (also called a hose pump or a gear pump) can be used as a metering pump, particularly in water-using household appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines. This allows very accurate and easy metering of additives or detergents for cleaning operations. For this reason, the port of such a pump can be connected to a container for detergents or additives, and the detergents or additives are extracted from the container and pumped out at another port. Therefore, they can be introduced into the water circuit of a metering device, for example. The main advantage of this type of pump is that, although it cannot pump larger amounts, it can be designed to be very simple and sturdy, and can also be metered / pumped very accurately.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the mating direction of both the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit can be a single direction or a consistent direction. Advantageously, the direction is perpendicular to the adjacent direction from the hydraulic device to the drive unit, or parallel to the rotation axis of the hydraulic device and the drive unit. The consistent mating direction simplifies the initial mating and repair of the hydraulic equipment.

[0012] In another further embodiment of the invention, the mating direction inside the hydraulic device or the mating direction of the hydraulic device can correspond to the mating direction of the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit. In particular, this may be advantageous if the hydraulic device is a valve or a cone valve, but it is also advantageous in the case of other embodiments of the hydraulic device.

[0013] Advantageously, the sensor can be arranged on the hydraulic device, in particular this can be a sensor for position detection or for rotational position detection of a valve body or a conical valve body as a valve of the hydraulic device. Such a sensor can be designed like conventional sensors for these detection purposes. It can be arranged both on the drive unit and on the hydraulic device; however, due to the higher speed of the drive unit and because it is primarily intended for position detection or rotational position detection of these hydraulic devices, it should be arranged on the hydraulic device.

[0014] In a development of the invention, the drive shaft of the hydraulic device can be designed and arranged so that it is freely accessible. The drive shaft moves or carries the valve actuator, and the gear unit engages it or it is connected to the gear unit, in particular to a gear or the like inside the gear unit. The drive shaft can extend through the gear unit, advantageously carrying at least one gear, and on the other side freely protrude beyond the gear unit. This free area or this free drive shaft is accessible and can be put to use, for example the aforementioned sensor can be arranged on it, or on it and on the gear housing.

[0015] In another development of the invention, the actuator, which is preferably designed to move or set the valve actuator, can be arranged on the valve actuator in general as a hydraulic device or, specifically for this purpose, on a drive shaft or on a gear. For example, the valve actuator is a conical valve that can be moved in this way. This allows the valve actuator to be moved in a vertical direction or in a direction along the drive shaft. For example, for cleaning purposes, the conical valve can actually be loosened or unscrewed; it can then be rinsed clean and reset as before. Such an actuator can have its own drive unit, for example in the form of an electromagnetic or motor. Alternatively, in a simple embodiment, it can also be a screw that can be adjusted manually or using a tool. In addition, the actuator can have a rotational position detector, which is simply a purely mechanical indicator or, alternatively, an electronic display.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, a cover covering or hiding the hydraulic device can be arranged between the hydraulic device and the gear unit or the gear housing. The cover can be, for example, a cover part for the gear unit or the gear housing and advantageously covers the entire side of the gear unit. The cover can be designed so that it can remain on the hydraulic device during or after the hydraulic device is disconnected from the gear unit or the gear housing. The hydraulic device can remain immobile, i.e., they do not have to be reset when they are reassembled. This applies to the valve actuator as well as the mentioned pump. Advantageously, the cover can also be fastened to the gear unit or the gear housing, whereby the hydraulic device can also be fastened thereto at the same time.

[0017] These and further features are disclosed in the description and in the drawings and in the claims, wherein, in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields, each feature can be implemented separately or in subcombinations and can represent inherently advantageous and protectable embodiments claimed herein. The subdivision of the application into subheadings and individual sections does not limit the general validity of the statements made under these sections and subheadings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings: Figure 1 The motor valve according to the invention is shown as a hydraulic device in a side view, wherein the gear unit is a sectional view, Figure 2 Shown from Figure 2 Plan view of a motor valve with the valve actuator and the drive unit on the same side of the gear housing, Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a motor valve as an initial installation with a long gear housing, in which the valve actuator and the drive unit are arranged on different sides, and a representation with a replacement of the drive unit and the gear unit, Figure 4 Shows a hydraulic device similar to Figure 1 an enlarged view of the hydraulic device in the form of a valve actuator, wherein the valve shaft passes through a gear unit and has a rotation sensor at the protruding end, and Figure 5 An exploded view of a further embodiment of a motor valve with a gear housing having a removable housing cover towards the valve actuator and the drive unit is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1A motor valve 11 according to the invention is shown as the hydraulic device mentioned at the outset. The motor valve 11 can be used, for example, in water-consuming household appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers, but can also be used in many other applications. The motor valve 11 has a valve actuator 12, which is shown here as a through valve and a proportional valve with two ports 15a and 15b. The valve actuator 12 has a valve housing 13, which is screwed to the gear unit 30 or its upper side 32a by means of two screws 14. The internal design of the valve actuator 12 is not important here, and the valve actuator 12 itself can be designed internally as is known from the prior art. Reference is also made to Figure 5 , in which a special cone valve is described and shown in detail.

[0020] The two ports 15a and 15b are opposite one another, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. In addition, further ports can also be provided. Thus, the valve actuator 12 can have up to four ports, in which case the intention is not to regulate the flow of liquid or water, but to convert in each case as the aforementioned water distributor with a substantially full flow cross section.

[0021] A drive unit 26 with an electric motor 27 is provided for the valve actuator 12. The electric motor 27 has a drive shaft 28 which passes through and extends into the gear unit 30 or is mounted inside a blind hole on the underside 32b of the gear housing 31. The electric motor 27 can be designed in any desired way. It can also apply a torque sufficient to operate the valve actuator 12 via the gear unit 30. The electric motor 27 can be a stepper motor and / or a motor with an integrated gear unit.

[0022] The drive shaft 28 of the electric motor 27 or drive unit 26 is mounted on the far left side of the gear housing 31. A relatively small drive pinion 33 is fastened to the drive shaft. It engages in a large lower gear 36a seated on a gear shaft 34. The gear shaft 34 is in turn mounted on the upper side 32a and on the lower side 32b in corresponding blind holes. A small upper gear 36b is also arranged on the gear shaft 34, wherein it can be a separate component and fastened thereto. Alternatively, it can be integrally connected to the lower gear 36a.

[0023] The upper gear 36b in turn drives the significantly larger valve gear 27. The valve gear 37 is fastened to the previously mentioned valve shaft 17. The valve shaft 17 is mounted at the bottom inside a blind hole in the lower side 32b and extends at the top into the valve actuator 12, for example to operate a valve body, valve ball, piston, etc.

[0024] By loosening the screws 14 on the valve actuator 12 on one side or the screws 29 on the drive unit 26 on the other side, each of these two components can be removed from the motor valve 11 or the structural unit, respectively, and then replaced. This can be done when one of the components is defective or when requirements or performance specifications change. Thus, the gear unit 30 can also be replaced separately, especially when it is defective.

[0025] Figure 3 At the top is shown a motor valve 111 which is initially manufactured and installed in a washing machine, for example. The motor valve 111 has a gear unit 130 which has a gear housing 131 which has an upper side 132a and a lower side 132b. The valve actuator 112 is advantageously also fastened to the lower side 132b in the right-hand region by means of screws. In the left-hand region, the drive unit 126 is arranged on the other side of the gear housing 131, namely on the upper side 132a. This is of course possible within the framework of the invention and is easy to implement.

[0026] Figure 3 At the bottom is shown a repaired motor setting valve 111 ', which can be generally similar in terms of valve function, although this is not necessary. However, it should still be installed in the same installation. When the motor valve 111 ' is changed, the valve actuator 112 is unchanged, i.e. the same. On the one hand, the drive unit is replaced, the current drive unit 126' is slightly longer and has a smaller diameter instead. It is also a standard component, but from a different series than the old drive unit 126. It may have replaced the old drive unit 126, for example during a repair process. This may be because the new drive unit 126' is more efficient, or alternatively because the old drive unit 126 no longer functions and the same drive unit is no longer available.

[0027] On the other hand, the gear unit 130' is also modified, wherein the gear housing 131' is significantly shorter (approximately 12% to 15%). This may also be because the old gear unit 130 is no longer available. Therefore, it is possible to continue to use the valve actuator 112 and replace the other two main components. Usually, only a single component will be replaced. It is important here that for the embodiments of the gear housing, valve actuator (or hydraulic device in general) and drive unit, they only fit together when connected, in particular the gear unit fits the valve actuator (or hydraulic device in general and drive unit) alone.

[0028] Figure 4The valve shaft 217 is shown in an enlarged view extending from the valve actuator 212 into the gear unit 230 or its gear housing 231, which has four outlets 215a, 215b and 215d, the fourth outlet being indistinguishable. However, it is of the utmost importance that the valve shaft 217 extends through the gear housing 231 and therefore extends from the valve actuator 212 on the upper side 232a to beyond the lower side 232b. The rotation sensor 240 is arranged here on the lower side 232b. The rotation sensor 240 is generally intended to accurately determine the rotation position of the valve shaft 217 and therefore the rotation position of the valve actuator 212, and to make this position available as a signal. One possibility shown here by way of example has a ring of an optical mark 241 at the free lower end of the valve shaft 217, or the ring is arranged here. The optical mark 241 can be designed, for example, alternately as black and white stripes or as a reflective and non-reflective surface. Next to them on the right side is a light sensor 243 which advantageously scans these optical markings 241 by means of emitted and possibly reflected light and detects therefrom the rotational position or can detect the rotational position from a change in the rotational position. Many forms of rotation sensors of this type are known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] The rotation sensor 240 or the light emitter 243 is connected to a controller 247 by means of a connecting cable 245. The controller can also control further functions, in particular a drive unit for the valve actuator 212. By connecting the controller 247 also to the drive unit or to a power source or to a power control system for the drive unit, a possible improvement in the accuracy of the detection of the rotational position can be achieved. If a rotation sensor is also included in the drive unit itself, for example as an incremental encoder, the controller 247 is advantageously also connected to this rotation sensor.

[0030] Figure 5 A further motor valve 311 is shown, wherein the valve actuator 312 is designed here as a so-called water distributor and furthermore as a so-called cone valve. The valve actuator 312 has a valve housing 313 with three ports 315a, 315b and 315c. At the bottom of the valve housing 313, a flanged ring 316 is provided to facilitate screwing onto the gear unit 330. This is explained below. A sealing ring 318 is also provided here, which seals the valve housing 313 against the gear unit 330.

[0031] A conical valve body 320 is provided as a valve body and is designed to fit a conical valve seat 319 formed on the inner side of the valve housing 313. The conical valve body 320 has three holes 321, of which only one hole 321a is shown here. The hole 321 in the conical valve body 320 is designed so that any two of the ports 315a to 315c are connected to each other in a liquid-conducting manner, while the other port is blocked. Therefore, the valve actuator 312 is less used here to adjust the volume flow in terms of its intensity or flow rate than to guide or divert the liquid flow as a water distributor.

[0032] Two projections 322 are formed on the underside of the conical valve body 320, which engage in corresponding recesses in the valve gear 337, instead of in the valve shaft as explained previously, thereby ensuring a torque-transmitting connection. In addition, in the extension of the axis of rotation of the conical valve body 320, a grub screw 339 designed as a point at its upper end is screwed into the underside 332b of the gear housing 331. It engages in a recess 338 in the valve gear, and on the one hand it serves for centering, and on the other hand it is also possible, by screwing in or unscrewing the grub screw 339, to set the pressure by which the valve gear 337 is pressed against the conical valve body 320 and the latter is pressed further into the valve housing 313 or against the conical valve seat 319. This allows the rotational resistance to be set, but also the tightness of the valve actuator 312 or of the water dispenser in conjunction with the design of the gasket 318 and the applied pressure in the ports 315a to 315c to be set. Instead of such a grub screw engaging with its tip in the recess 338, another pressing element with a ball instead of a tip, in particular a resilient or elastically designed pressure piece, can also be used. Then, the conical valve body 320 can be pressed against the conical valve seat 319 in a resilient manner.

[0033] As a further special feature, the gear housing 331 is provided here with a separate upper side 332a, which is removable as a cover. This upper side 332a can be firmly screwed to the remaining gear housing 331 by means of four screws distributed around the valve housing 313. The valve actuator 312 is then firmly screwed to the upper side 332a using the aforementioned flanged ring 316 with four screws, each of which is turned 45°. Therefore, the valve actuator 312 can be removed, for example for replacement, while the gear unit 330 remains closed, and therefore the valve gear 337 and the drive pinion 333 remain unchanged in their positions. This also allows the position of the gear housing 331 to be changed relative to the ports 315a to 315c, which is also related to the position of the drive unit 326.

[0034] This drive pinion 333 sits on a drive shaft 328 of a drive unit 326, which here has been provided with a small integrated gear unit, but which does not play any role. The drive unit 326 can be screwed securely to the upper side 332a by means of two screws.

[0035] As explained earlier, in Figure 5 In the case of a motor valve 311, each of the three main components can also be replaced. Replacing the valve actuator 312 and the drive unit 326 is particularly simple, since each of them must only be disassembled or unscrewed individually from the gear unit 330. Therefore, in the case of replacement, they are very easy to handle. If the gear unit 330 has to be replaced, this is slightly more complicated, but still feasible. It is only important that the interface between the gear unit 330 and the drive unit 326 on one side and the interface between the gear unit 330 and the valve actuator 312 on the other side are identical and also match. In addition, the overall structural dimensions should not differ too much so that it can still be adapted to the given installation situation.

Claims

1. A hydraulic device having: - a rotatable hydraulic device, such as a valve actuator or a peristaltic pump or a gear pump, wherein The hydraulic device has at least two ports, - an electric motor as a drive unit for the rotatable hydraulic device, and - a gear unit between the drive unit and the hydraulic device, The drive unit, the hydraulic device and the gear unit are designed as a single functional unit and are detachably connected to each other as a complete hydraulic device.

2. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The gear unit has a gear housing, wherein on one side the drive unit is detachably fastened to the gear unit or the gear housing and on the other side the hydraulic device is detachably fastened.

3. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The gear unit has at least two gears that engage with each other, wherein one gear is arranged on a drive shaft of the drive unit and the other gear is arranged on a drive shaft of the hydraulic device.

4. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation axis of the drive unit and the rotation axis of the hydraulic device extend parallel to one another.

5. The hydraulic device according to claim 4, wherein: The gear unit has a gear housing, and wherein the drive unit and the hydraulic device are arranged on the same side of the gear housing and adjacent to each other.

6. The hydraulic device according to claim 5, wherein: The hydraulic devices are adjacent at a distance of less than 5 cm.

7. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic device is a valve actuator having at least two ports or having at most four ports.

8. The hydraulic device according to claim 7, wherein: A maximum of two ports are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner.

9. The hydraulic device according to claim 7, wherein: The valve actuator is selected from the group consisting of a ball valve, a cone valve, a proportional valve, a metering valve, a water dispenser.

10. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic device is a peristaltic pump with two ports.

11. The hydraulic device according to claim 10, wherein: Liquid can be pumped from always the same first port to always the same second port.

12. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic device and the drive unit both cooperate with the gear unit in a single direction or in a consistent direction.

13. The hydraulic device according to claim 12, wherein: The mating direction of both the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit is a single direction perpendicular to an adjacent direction between the hydraulic device and the drive unit.

14. The hydraulic device according to claim 12, wherein: The mating directions of both the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit are directions parallel to the rotation axes of the hydraulic device and the drive unit.

15. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The mating direction inside the hydraulic device corresponds to the mating direction of the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit.

16. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The mating direction for mating the hydraulic device corresponds to the mating direction of the hydraulic device and the drive unit to the gear unit.

17. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic device is designed as a valve having a valve body, wherein a sensor for detecting a position of the valve body is arranged on the hydraulic device.

18. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic device has a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft can freely approach and pass through the gear unit and protrude freely beyond the gear unit on the other side.

19. The hydraulic device according to claim 18, wherein: The sensor device is arranged on the drive shaft in a freely accessible manner.

20. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: An actuator is arranged on the drive shaft of the valve actuator, wherein the actuator is designed to set or move the valve actuator in a vertical direction.

21. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: An actuator is arranged on the drive shaft of the valve actuator, wherein the actuator is designed to set or move the valve actuator in a direction along the drive shaft.

22. The hydraulic device according to claim 20, wherein: The actuator has a rotational position detection unit.

23. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: A cover covering or hiding the hydraulic device is arranged between the hydraulic device and the gear unit, wherein the cover is designed such that the cover remains on the hydraulic device during or after disconnection of the hydraulic device from the gear unit.

24. The hydraulic device according to claim 1, wherein: The gear unit has a gear housing, and wherein a cover covering or concealing the hydraulic device is arranged between the hydraulic device and the gear unit or the gear housing, wherein the cover is designed such that the cover remains on the hydraulic device during or after disconnection of the hydraulic device from the gear unit or from the gear housing.

25. The hydraulic device according to claim 24, wherein: The cover is fastened to the gear unit or the gear housing.

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