Fluid control valve and method of assembling same

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve comprising:-a body (1) having an inner housing,-a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice (B1, D1, B2),-a member (3) rotatable about an axis (X-X) in said housing and having a flow opening (310, 320, 330),-a seal (4) providing a seal between the opening and the orifice, in which:-the orifice is formed at different stages in the body,-the seal (4) is formed at different stages in the body, and-the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice (B1, D1, B2) is formed at different stages in the body. -the rotating member comprises a plurality of plugs (31, 32, 33), each located at one of said stages and the outer wall of which is contained in a frustoconical common envelope surface,-a seal holder (2) is mounted in the inner housing of the body,-the seal holder has a seal housing in which a seal is mounted, and-the seal holder has a seal housing in which the seal is mounted. -each sealed receptacle has an axis perpendicular to the envelope surface.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a fluid control valve. Another subject of the present invention is a method for automatically assembling such a valve.

[0002] The present invention particularly relates to the technical field of fluid control valves, which are particularly used to control the circulation of cooling fluid in a motor vehicle heat exchanger system. Background art

[0003] The heat exchanger system of a motor vehicle, especially an automobile, includes a cooling circuit for conveying one or more cooling fluids in a plurality of branches or sub-circuits. The valves incorporated into these circuits make it possible to control the fluid flow in different branches according to the heat demand and / or according to the desired temperature range.

[0004] Patent documents WO2014 / 187452 and EP1529937 disclose such a valve, which includes a valve body or housing having an internal accommodation portion. Fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices lead to this accommodation portion on one side and to the outer surface of the housing on the other side. A rotary member in the form of a spherical ball valve is rotatably mounted in the accommodation portion to control the fluid circulation between these orifices. The spherical ball valve is driven by an actuator of the electric motor type. The fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices include an annular seal in sealing contact with the spherical ball valve. However, these prior art valves have many drawbacks.

[0005] Mounting the ball valve in the housing is complicated due to the spherical shape of the ball valve and / or requires a particularly complex valve design, which makes it difficult to manufacture on an industrial scale. Similarly, in order to ensure optimal sealing in the valves of WO2014 / 187452 and EP1529937, it is necessary to stress the seal by means of an attached spring element. This results in an increase in friction between the seal and the spherical ball valve, so the actuator must provide a relatively high torque to rotate the ball valve. In addition, the number of fluid flow paths (or operating modes) is limited. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to propose a valve with a simple design and assembly, which makes it possible to simplify the industrial manufacturing process. Another object of the present invention is to propose a solution for limiting the friction between the seal and the rotary member, in order to limit the torque required to rotate the member and reduce the space requirement of the actuator and / or the power consumed by the actuator. Another object of the present invention is to propose a valve capable of providing more operating modes.

[0007] The solution proposed by the present invention is a fluid control valve, comprising:

[0008] - a valve body having an internal accommodation portion,

[0009] - Fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices leading to an internal receiving portion,

[0010] - A rotating member having fluid flow openings, the member being mounted in the internal receiving portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis to control the fluid flow between the flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices,

[0011] - An annular seal in sealing contact with the rotating member to ensure fluid tightness between the fluid flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices,

[0012] And wherein:

[0013] - The inlet orifice and / or the outlet orifice are provided at separate stages in the body,

[0014] - The rotating member includes a plurality of ball valves arranged one above the other along the rotation axis, each ball valve being located at one of the stages and the outer wall thereof being included in a frustoconical common envelope surface,

[0015] - A one-piece seal holder is mounted in the internal receiving portion of the body, the seal holder having an internal receiving portion in which the rotating member is mounted,

[0016] - The seal holder has a seal receiving portion that is in fluid communication with the inlet and / or outlet orifices and the seal is mounted in the seal receiving portion,

[0017] - Each seal receiving portion has an axis perpendicular to the frustoconical envelope surface and the seal is mounted along this axis.

[0018] Using a rotating member formed by a plurality of individual ball valves allows each of them to be designed in a specific way so as to very easily provide all the combinations suitable for the desired operating modes. Thus, the number of possible operating modes is multiplied compared to the valves of the prior art described above, while maintaining a small radial space requirement. In addition, this configuration of the ball valves, where the outer walls of the ball valves are included in a frustoconical common envelope surface, allows the rotating member to be easily assembled in the seal receiving portion, which can also be very easily mounted in the valve body. Finally, the valve can consist of only three parts (rotating member, seal holder and valve body), thus allowing a relatively simple industrial manufacturing process. In addition, the applicant has surprisingly found that the specific orientation of the seal receiving portion and the seal makes it possible to limit the friction between the seal and the ball valve, such that the torque required to rotate the member is reduced. Thus, an actuator smaller than the actuator equipped with the valves of the prior art described above and / or an actuator consuming less power can be used.

[0019] The following lists other advantageous features of the present invention. Each of these features can be considered individually or in combination with the prominent features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where appropriate, to solving the specific technical problems defined earlier in the specification, and the other features defined above are not necessarily required to contribute to said problems. Accordingly, the following features may appropriately form the subject matter of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0020] According to one embodiment, the frustoconical envelope has a slope that is inclined at an angle between 0.1° and 5° with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0021] According to one embodiment, each ball valve has a spherical zone shape, a spherical shape, or a substantially spherical shape.

[0022] According to one embodiment, each seal has a proximal portion that contacts the outer wall of the ball valve and a distal portion that contacts a shoulder provided in a corresponding seal receptacle or contacts the inner wall of the valve body receptacle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the distal portion of each seal has one or more lips that contact the shoulder or the valve body and form a spring element to force the proximal portion of the seal against the outer wall of the corresponding ball valve.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the proximal portion of each seal is coated with a coating made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the inner wall of the seal is provided with an insert.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the inner receptacle of the valve body has a first set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices, a second set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices, and a third set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices that open into said receptacle on one side and into the outer surface of the body on the other side at separate levels.

[0027] According to one embodiment, at least two ball valves having fluid flow openings are connected together by a cavity or a channel provided in a rotating member such that fluid can flow through said openings and through said member simultaneously.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the cavity or the channel is open at one end of the rotating member, and the cavity or the channel is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice provided in an end wall of the valve body.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the rotating member includes a rod that is shaped in the cavity or the channel and forms the axis of rotation of the member, and the rod is received in a cup-shaped guide provided in an end wall of the valve body.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the rotating member has another ball valve separated from two ball valves connected by a cavity or a channel; a sealing element ensures fluid tightness between the another ball valve and the two ball valves in an inner receiving portion of the seal holder.

[0031] According to one embodiment, one end of the inner receiving portion of the seal holder is closed by a wall forming a cover, and the cover closes the inner receiving portion of the valve body in a sealed manner.

[0032] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for automatically assembling a valve according to one of the foregoing features, comprising the following successive steps:

[0033] - inserting the rotating member into the inner receiving portion of the seal holder in an automated manner from an open end of the seal holder, the insertion being along a rotation axis,

[0034] - installing the seal in the seal receiving portion in an automated manner,

[0035] - inserting the assembly composed of the seal holder, the seal and the rotating member into the inner receiving portion of the valve body in an automated manner through an opening provided in the valve body, the insertion being along the rotation axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the description of the embodiments given in the following reference drawings, which are produced by way of non-limiting indicative examples, wherein:

[0037] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a valve body of a valve according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1B and Figure 1C is Figure 1A a longitudinal sectional view of the valve body in

[0039] Figure 1D , Figure 1E and Figure 1F are respectively sectional views taken along A-A, B-B and C-C of the valve body in Figure 1B the valve body in

[0040] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a perspective view of a seal holder according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a perspective view of a rotating member of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3C is Figure 3A and 3BLongitudinal sectional view of the rotating member therein.

[0043] Figure 3D Schematically shows the common envelope surface in which the outer wall of the ball valve of the rotating member is included.

[0044] Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B and Figure 4C are cross-sectional views of the valve according to the present invention at the first stage (at the cross-section of A-A in Figure 1B ), the second stage (at the cross-section of B-B in Figure 1B ), and the third stage (at the cross-section of C-C in Figure 1B ) respectively.

[0045] Figure 5 Shows the seal according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 6 Is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve according to the present invention in the assembled state.

[0047] Figure 7 Partially shows the assembly of the seal.

[0048] Figure 8 Is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve according to a variant of the embodiment of the present invention in the assembled state. Detailed Description

[0049] In order to potentially supplement the current definitions of certain terms used in the claims and the specification, the following clarifications are made for them:

[0050] - Unless otherwise specified, when ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc. used herein describe objects, they only represent different instances of referring to similar objects, and do not imply that the described objects must be in a specific order, whether it is time, space, hierarchical order, etc.

[0051] - "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X + Y.

[0052] - Generally, it should be understood that in various drawings, objects are arbitrarily drawn for easier reading of the drawings.

[0053] Valve body

[0054] Referring to Figures 1A to 1F , the valve that is the subject of the present invention has a valve body 1 (or housing, these two terms are synonymous), and the valve body 1 is composed of a side wall 10 having a cylindrical integral shape with an axis X-X and an end wall 11.

[0055] The body 1 has an internal receiving portion 12 which extends along the axis X-X from the end wall 11 to the open end of the body opposite the end wall and has an overall cylindrical shape.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the body 1 is made of a rigid material, such as types of steel, metal, plastic, etc.

[0057] Fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 leading to the receiving portion 12 are provided in the side wall 10. According to one embodiment, the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices 1323 are provided in the end wall 11 and lead to the receiving portion 12.

[0058] The orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 are distributed over three levels or stages: a first group A1, B1, C1, D1 mounted on the first stage, at least one orifice B2 mounted on the second stage, and at least one orifice C3 mounted on the third stage. These stages are separated from each other and are located in parallel planes perpendicular to the axis X-X. In the drawings, the first stage has four orifices, the second stage has one orifice, and the third stage has one orifice, but different numbers of orifices can be provided at one stage and / or another stage. Similarly, a greater or lesser number of stages (e.g., from 2 to 5 stages) can be provided.

[0059] On the one hand, the orifices B1 and B2, and on the other hand, the orifices C1 and C3 are preferably aligned, although this configuration is not essential for the operation of the valve. According to a preferred embodiment, the first group of orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 are positioned at 90° to each other.

[0060] According to Figures 1A to 1F the embodiment in, the orifices A1 and C1 are each connected to a nozzle 13 protruding from the outer surface of the side wall 10. The orifice C3 is continued by a curved conduit open at the end wall 11, but can be connected to a nozzle similar to the nozzle 13. The orifices B1 and B2 lead to a common conduit or passage B provided in the side wall 10. Thus, the first stage and the second stage are in fluid communication through the passage B. The passage B, for example, is oriented parallel to the axis X-X and extends from the end wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. The passage B can be open at both ends or be blind. However, other configurations of the passage B are also conceivable. The orifice D1 leads to a conduit or passage D provided in the side wall 10. The passage D is, for example, oriented parallel to the axis X-X and extends from the end wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. The passage D can be open at both ends or be blind. However, other configurations of the passage D are also conceivable. The orifice D1 can be connected to a nozzle similar to the nozzle 13.

[0061] The end wall 11 can also have an orifice 1323 leading to the receiving portion 12. The orifice 1323 can be connected to a nozzle similar to the nozzle 13.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the receiving portion 12 has axial grooves 120 that are oriented parallel to the axis X-X and extend from the end wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. These grooves 120 are for positioning the seal holder 2 as described previously in the specification.

[0063] Seal holder

[0064] Figure 2A and 2B The seal holder 2 is shown, which is configured to be installed in the receiving portion 12, between the rotating member and the body 1 as described previously in the specification. The seal holder 2 is one-piece and consists of a side wall 20 that defines an internal receiving portion 22 extending along the axis X-X, and in which the rotating member 3 described previously in the specification is assembled. The side wall 20 has a shape complementary to the internal receiving portion 12 of the body 1, and in particular a shape complementary to the grooves 120, so as to ensure the positioning of the seal holder 2 in the said receiving portion. The contact between the outer surface of the wall 20 and the inner wall of the receiving portion 12 is preferably a tight contact to ensure a fluid seal. However, this sealing property can be ensured only by the seal 4 described previously in the specification.

[0065] In Figure 2A and 2B the internal receiving portion 22 of the seal holder 2 is open at one end and closed at the other end by a wall 23 forming a lid. According to a preferred embodiment, the lid 23 forms an integral part of the seal holder 2. According to a variant of an embodiment, the seal holder 2 is open at both ends and the lid 23 is then attached. The lid 23 has an orifice 230 through which the shaft 300 of the member 3 passes.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the seal holder 2 is made of a rigid material, such as types of steel, metal, plastic, etc. It is preferably made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PA (polyamide).

[0067] Openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 are provided in the wall 20. These openings lead to the receiving portion 22 on one side and to the outer surface of the side wall 20 on the other side. The openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 are respectively complementary to the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, such that when the seal holder 2 is installed in the body 1, the orifice A1 leads to the opening AO1, the orifice B1 leads to the opening BO1, the orifice C1 leads to the opening CO1, the orifice D1 leads to the opening DO1, the orifice B2 leads to the opening BO2, and the orifice C3 leads to the opening CO3. Thus, the openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 are in fluid communication with the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3.

[0068] In Figure 2A and 2B , the wall 20 is configured such that it extends only in the regions of the openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3. Therefore, the wall 20 extends in the first stage, and the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 and the openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1 are located in this stage; it extends partially in the second stage, and the orifice B2 and the opening BO2 are located in this stage; it extends only to the third stage in the region where the orifice C3 and the opening CO3 are located. This configuration allows for material savings, thereby enabling the weight of the seal holder 2 to be reduced. According to another embodiment, the wall 20 extends along the entire length of the seal holder 2.

[0069] The openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 form a seal receiving portion that is in fluid communication with the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, and the seal 4 is installed in the seal receiving portion.

[0070] Rotating member

[0071] The valve further has a rotating member 3 installed in the receiving portion 12 so as to be rotatable about the axis X-X. A preferred embodiment of the rotating member 3 is shown in Figure 3A , 3B and 3C. In use, the member 3 occupies different angular positions for controlling the fluid flow through the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 in the valve.

[0072] The member 3 includes a plurality of ball valves 31, 32, 33, which are arranged one above the other along the axis X-X. The number of ball valves corresponds to the number of stages of the valve. According to the embodiment in the drawings, the first ball valve 31 is located in the first stage (i.e., at the orifices A1, B1, C1 and D1), the second ball valve 32 is located in the second stage (i.e., at the orifice B2), and the third ball valve 33 is located in the third stage (i.e., at the orifice C3).

[0073] To reduce friction, the ball valves 31, 32, 33 are advantageously made of a plastic material, preferably made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PA (polyamide). They form a single-piece component manufactured by molding and / or machining the member 3. According to a variant of an embodiment, the ball valves 31, 32, 33 can be manufactured independently of each other and assembled together, for example, by bonding, welding or screwing.

[0074] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer wall of each of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 has the shape of a spherical zone (the sphere is truncated at its spherical cap by two parallel planes, in particular two planes perpendicular to the axis X-X). However, other equivalent shapes are conceivable, such as spherical or substantially spherical shapes, such as flattened ellipsoidal shapes. These shapes are particularly advantageous because they make it possible to further reduce the friction area between the rotating member and the seal, which, as described previously in the specification, is limited to a linear contact. For example, the ball valves 31, 32, 33 have a diameter between 1 cm and 5 cm.

[0075] Reference Figure 3D , the outer walls of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 are included in a common frustoconical envelope surface E. In this figure, the diameter of the ball valve is intentionally enlarged in order to more clearly show this feature. This configuration of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 makes it possible to easily assemble the member 3 in the seal holder 2 and ensure an optimal seal with limited friction between the seal and the ball valves 31, 32, 33, as described previously in the specification. A good compromise between ease of manufacturing and assembly and the effectiveness of the seal is obtained when the envelope surface E has a slope inclined at an angle α between 0.1° and 5° with respect to the axis X-X. In Figure 3D , the diameter of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 increases along the slope of the envelope surface E (i.e., increases as the distance of the envelope surface E from the axis X-X increases).

[0076] One end of the member 3 is provided with a shaft 300 that extends along the axis X-X and is designed to engage with the actuator 8 so as to rotate the actuator 8. In the drawings, the shaft 300 is located at the end of the first ball valve 31.

[0077] The rotating member 3 is configured to have an angular position that makes it possible to control the flow of fluid at different levels. For this purpose, the member 3 has fluid flow openings.

[0078] In Figure 3A , 3B and 3C, the first ball valve 31 includes a fluid flow opening 310 that is configured to control the flow of fluid at the first level, in particular the flow of fluid between at least two orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 of the first level. The opening 310 is preferably provided in an angular sector between 90° and 180°, i.e., an angular sector that can cover at least two orifices of the first level. In Figure 4AIn the angular position, the opening 310 is located beside the orifices B1 and C1 such that these two orifices are in fluid communication; the orifices A1 and D1 are closed by the outer wall of the first ball valve 31. However, the opening 310 can be provided in different angular sectors, for example 20° or 270°. In one embodiment, the opening 310 is configured such that the first ball valve 31 has an angular position that prevents any fluid flow between the different orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 at the first stage.

[0079] The second ball valve 32 includes a fluid flow opening 320, which is configured to control the fluid flow at the second stage, in particular at the orifice B2. This opening 320 is preferably provided in an angular sector between 90° and 180°, but can also be provided in different angular sectors, for example 20° or 270°. According to one embodiment, the opening 320 is offset 180° from the opening 310. In Figure 4B the angular position, the opening 320 is located beside the orifice B2. In combination with Figure 4A the angular position, the orifices C1, B1 and B2 (via conduit B) are in fluid communication.

[0080] The third ball valve 33 includes a fluid flow opening 330, which is configured to control the fluid flow at the third stage, in particular at the orifice C3. This opening 330 is preferably provided in an angular sector corresponding to the angular sector of the orifice C3, but can also be provided in different angular sectors, for example 20°, 90° or 120°. According to one embodiment, the opening 330 is offset 180° from the opening 320. In Figure 4C the angular position, the opening 330 is located beside the orifice C3. In combination with Figure 4A and 4B the angular position, the orifices C1, B1 and B2 (via conduit B) and C3 (via cavity 323) are in fluid communication.

[0081] Referring to Figure 3C , the openings 320 and 330 are connected together by a cavity or channel 323 such that fluid can flow through both said openings simultaneously and thus through the member 3. Accordingly, the second stage and the third stage can be in fluid communication. The cavity 323 is not in communication with the opening 310.

[0082] In Figure 3C , the cavity 323 is open at the end of the third ball valve 33 (i.e., at one end of the member 3) such that said cavity is in fluid communication with an orifice 1323 provided in the end wall 11. In the example in the drawings, the opening 3230 of the cavity 323 places said cavity in fluid communication with the orifice 1323, regardless of the angular position of the member 3. However, this opening 3230 can be provided in a predetermined angular sector such that said cavity is in fluid communication with the orifice 1323 only at one or more angular positions of the member 3.

[0083] Compared with the valves of the above-mentioned prior art, these different angular positions of the member 3 provide a large number of possible combinations of fluid connections between the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, 1323 of the valve. Each combination enables a specific operating mode to be obtained. In particular, the common duct or passage B enables the first stage to be in fluid communication with the second stage and / or the third stage. In addition, the cavity or passage 323 enables the second stage to be in fluid communication with the third stage.

[0084] In Figure 3C it, the member 3 further includes a rod 3231 which is formed in the cavity 323 and forms the axis of rotation of the member 3. This rod 3231 is designed to be received in a cup-shaped guide 123, as Figure 1A and 1F shown, and this guide 123 is provided on the end wall 11. The rod 3231 preferably includes an end in the form of a point in order to limit the friction with the guide 123.

[0085] Seal

[0086] Referring Figure 5 and 6 , the sealing elements 4 are each designed in the form of an annular seal and are supported in a sealing manner on the outer surfaces of the ball valves 31, 32, 33. When the ball valves have a spherical zone shape, a spherical shape or a substantially spherical shape, the contact between the seal and the said ball valves is limited to a linear contact. This results in a particularly small friction area such that the friction can be neglected.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the seal 4 is made of an elastomeric material, preferably made of ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM, EPM type). However, other elastomeric materials can also be provided, such as fluorocarbon rubber (e.g. Viton®) or butyl rubber.

[0088] Each seal 4 has a proximal part 40 in contact with the outer wall of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 and a distal part 41 in contact with the shoulders provided in the corresponding seal receptacles AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 or in contact with the valve body 1.

[0089] The proximal part 40 advantageously has a convex surface or curvature in order to further limit the contact surface (friction area) with the outer wall of the corresponding ball valves 31, 32, 33. In order to further reduce the friction, the proximal part 40 is advantageously coated with a fluoropolymer-based coating 400, and the best results are provided by a coating made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0090] The distal part 41 has one or more lips 410 which are in contact with the shoulders of the corresponding seal receptacles or preferably with the inner wall of the receptacle 12 of the body 1 ( Figure 7). These lips 410 form spring elements for forcing the proximal part 40 against the outer walls of the ball valves 31, 32, 33. The configuration of these lips 410, in particular their length L410, enables a controlled force of the seal 4 against the outer walls of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 to be generated and thus ensures optimal sealing while limiting friction. By way of example, the lips 410 are in the form of bosses or nipples with a diameter (length L410) between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

[0091] The inner wall of the seal 4 is advantageously provided with an insert 42, which is advantageously made of plastic or metallic material. This insert 42 enables the seal 4 to be reinforced and makes it easier to hold and position the seal 4 in the corresponding receiving portion, especially when this positioning is carried out as part of an automated process of industrial manufacture. The insert 42 also enables the outer wall of the seal 4 to be forced against the inner wall of the corresponding receiving portion in order to form a sealing contact between said seal and said receiving portion. According to one embodiment, the insert 42 is in the form of an annular ring, optionally grooved, and is inserted into the seal 4 either before or after positioning the seal in its receiving portion.

[0092] Assembly of the valve

[0093] Figure 6 The assembled valve is shown. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve is assembled by the following steps. The member 3 is first inserted into the internal receiving portion 22 of the seal holder 2 along the axis X-X from the open end of the seal holder 2, the shaft 300 of said member passing through the orifice 230 in the cover 23. This insertion can be easily carried out in an automated manner.

[0094] When the member 3 is installed in the seal holder 2, the seals 4 are inserted into the receiving portions AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3. This insertion is carried out from the outer surface of the side wall 20. This insertion can be easily carried out in an automated manner. The insert 42 can be installed in the seal 4 either before or after installation in the corresponding receiving portion. If the seals 4 are assembled after the member 3 has been installed in the seal holder 2, said seals are not squeezed and their physical integrity and their positioning are maintained. On the other hand, if the member 3 is installed in the seal holder 2 after the seals 4 have been installed in their receiving portions, the equatorial portions of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 will squeeze the seals 4, with the risk of squeezing them and / or changing their position to ensure optimal sealing.

[0095] The assembly formed by the component 3, the seal retainer 2 and the seal 4 is then installed in the internal receiving portion 12 of the body 1 from the open end of the receiving portion. This insertion can be easily carried out in an automated manner. When the assembly is in place in the body 1, the lip 410 of the seal 4 presses against the inner wall of the receiving portion 12 of the body 1, such that, under the action of the spring, their proximal portion 40 presses against the outer walls of the ball valves 31, 32, 33 to ensure a controlled fluid tightness.

[0096] The cover 23 closes the internal receiving portion 12 of the body 1 in a sealed manner. The cover 23 is advantageously fastened to the body 1 by means of screw fastening elements, and seals are advantageously provided in the cover and / or at the open end of the receiving portion 12 of the body 1 to ensure the tightness.

[0097] Thus, the valve consists of only three parts (the rotating component 3, the seal retainer 2 - and the seal 4 - and the valve body 1), such that the industrial manufacturing process is relatively simple.

[0098] An actuator 8 of the rotary motor type rotates the component 3, the ball valves 31, 32, 33 are simultaneously driven to rotate, and have the same number of angular positions. The actuator 8 is preferably fastened to the cover 23 of the seal retainer 2 and engages with the shaft 300 of the component 3.

[0099] According to Figure 8 In an embodiment variant, between the stages, in particular between, on the one hand, the first stage and, on the other hand, the second and third stages, a seal is provided. This tightness is ensured by a sealing element 50, such as a sealing element of the O-ring or lip seal type, which is installed on the outer wall of the component 3 or on the wall of the internal receiving portion of the seal retainer 2, at the junction between the first ball valve 31 and the second ball valve 32. This sealing element 50 provides the fluid tightness in the internal receiving portion of the seal retainer 2 between the first ball valve 31 and the other ball valves 32, 33. This additional tightness makes it possible to completely isolate the first stage from the stages below; this may be desirable when different types of fluids flow through each of these stages. If the second ball valve 32 and the third ball valve 33 are in fluid communication through the cavity 323, the tightness between these two ball valves is not necessary.

[0100] The valve which is the subject of the present invention is particularly suitable for installation in a motor vehicle heat exchanger system, which is configured to allow cooling and / or heating of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or other elements of the vehicle (engine, battery, radiator, etc.). The orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, 1323 are particularly connected to the fluid flow branches or sub-circuits of the system.

[0101] Figure 7Partially shows the assembly of the seal, and for a clearer illustration of the following features, the angle is intentionally enlarged. Similarly, the inclined shape of the walls of the body 1 and / or the seal holder does not necessarily correspond to industrial reality, and these walls can in particular be parallel or substantially parallel to the axis X-X.

[0102] This Figure 7 Shows a first ball valve 31 in a corner position, where its flow opening 310 is positioned to align with the orifice A1 in the body 1 and the opening AO1 in the seal holder 2. The opening AO1 forms a receiving portion for the seal 4. This receiving portion has an axis Y-Y perpendicular to the envelope surface E (with a tolerance of ±10% of the angle α), such that the seal 4 is installed along this axis. This configuration is applied to each receiving portion AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3, to each seal 4, and has many advantages described below.

[0103] Since the seals 4 are installed at an angle with respect to the rotation axis X-X, they form a bracket for correctly positioning the member 3.

[0104] In addition, due to the inclination of the seals 4, the seals 4 exert a load F along the axis Y-Y, and this load F has a component FX oriented along the axis X-X (upward in Figure 7 ), and this component tends to limit the friction between the seals and the ball valves 31, 32, 33, thereby reducing the torque required to rotate the member 3. Specifically, the component FX tends to reduce the pressure in the region of the proximal part 40 of the seal 4, and this pressure is in the direction of this component ( Figure 7 the upper region of the proximal part 40 in

[0105] In the above embodiments, the arrangement of the various elements and / or devices and / or steps of the present invention should not be construed as requiring such an arrangement in all embodiments. In any case, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and / or devices and / or steps without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular:

[0106] - The valve can have more stages, for example four or five stages, and each of these stages is associated with a ball valve.

[0107] - The second and third stages can have more than one orifice.

[0108] - The groove 120 is not necessary, and the side wall 10 can be provided without the groove 120.

[0109] - The first set of orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 are not necessarily positioned at 90° to each other.

[0110] - The flow orifices 310, 320, 330 provided in the ball valves 31, 32, 33 can have different configurations depending on the desired operating mode.

[0111] - The cavity or passage 323 can be configured to place the opening 310 in the first ball valve in fluid communication with the opening 320 in the second ball valve 32 or with the opening 330 in the third ball valve 33.

[0112] In addition, one or more features described only in one embodiment can be combined with one or more other features described only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features described only in one embodiment can be generalized to other embodiments, even if the feature or features are described only in combination with other features.

Claims

1. A fluid control valve, comprising: - A valve body (1), the valve body (1) having an internal accommodation portion (12), - Fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3) leading to the internal accommodation portion (12), - A rotary member (3) having fluid flow openings (310, 320, 330), the member being mounted in the internal accommodation portion (12) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (X-X) to control the fluid flow between the flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3), - An annular seal (4), the annular seal (4) being in sealing contact with the rotary member (3) to ensure fluid tightness between the fluid flow openings (310, 320, 330) and the fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3), Characterized in that: - The inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3) are provided at separate stages in the body (1), - The rotary member (3) includes a plurality of ball valves (31, 32, 33) arranged one above the other along the rotation axis (X-X), each ball valve being located at one of the stages, and the outer wall of each ball valve being included in a frustoconical common envelope surface (E), - A one-piece seal holder (2) is mounted in the internal accommodation portion (12) of the body (1), the seal holder having an internal accommodation portion (22), and the rotary member (3) is mounted in the internal accommodation portion (22), - The seal holder (2) has seal accommodation portions (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) which are in fluid communication with the inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3), and the seal (4) is mounted in the seal accommodation portions, - Each seal accommodation portion (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) has an axis (Y-Y) perpendicular to the frustoconical envelope surface (E), and the seal (4) is mounted along this axis.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein The frustoconical envelope surface (E) has a slope inclined at an angle (α) between 0.1° and 5° with respect to the rotation axis (X-X).

3. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each ball valve (31, 32, 33) has a spherical region shape, a spherical shape or a substantially spherical shape.

4. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Each seal (4) has a proximal portion (40) in contact with the outer wall of the ball valve (31, 32, 33) and a distal portion (41) in contact with a shoulder provided in the corresponding seal accommodation portion (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) or in contact with the inner wall of the accommodation portion (12) of the valve body (1).

5. The valve according to claim 4, wherein, The distal portion (41) has one or more lips (410) that contact the shoulder or the valve body (1) and form a spring element to urge the proximal portion (40) against the outer wall of the corresponding ball valves (31, 32, 33).

6. The valve according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The proximal portion (40) is coated with a coating (400) made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

7. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, An insert (42) is provided on the inner wall of the seal (4).

8. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The inner receiving portion (12) of the valve body (1) has a first set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1), a second set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (B2), and a third set of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (C3), which open into the receiving portion (12) on one side at separate levels and into the outer surface of the body on the other side.

9. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least two ball valves (32, 33) having fluid flow openings (320, 330) are connected together by cavities or channels (323) provided in the rotating member (3) such that the fluid can flow through the openings and through the member simultaneously.

10. The valve according to claim 9, wherein, The cavity or channel (323) is open at one end of the rotating member (3), and the cavity or channel is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice (1323) provided in the end wall (11) of the valve body (1).

11. The valve according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The rotating member (3) includes a rod (3231) that is shaped in the cavity or channel (323) and forms the axis of rotation of the member, and the rod is received in a cup-shaped guide (123) provided in the end wall (11) of the valve body (1).

12. The valve according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, - the rotating member (3) has another ball valve (31) separate from the two ball valves (32, 33), and the two ball valves (32, 33) are connected by a cavity or channel (323), - a sealing element (50) ensures fluid tightness between the other ball valve (31) and the two ball valves (32, 33) in the inner receiving portion (22) of the seal holder (2).

13. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The inner receiving portion (22) of the seal holder (2) is closed at one end by a wall (23) forming a cover, and the cover closes the inner receiving portion (12) of the valve body (1) in a sealed manner.

14. A method for automatically assembling a valve according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following successive steps: - inserting the rotating member (3) into the inner receiving portion (22) of the seal holder (2) in an automated manner from the open end of the seal holder (2), the insertion being along the axis of rotation (X-X), - installing the seal (4) in the sealing receiving portions (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) in an automated manner, - The assembly consisting of the seal holder (2), the seal (4) and the rotating member (3) is inserted into the internal accommodation portion (12) of the valve body (1) in an automated manner through an opening provided in the valve body (1), and the insertion is performed along the rotation axis (X-X).

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