Fastening element

Abstract

A housing for a valve, preferably for a valve, in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve, said housing comprising: an outer housing and an inner housing, in which the outer housing and the inner housing can be screwed together with one another, in which the inner housing has an annular shoulder at the outer circumference; the fastening element has a clamping region and a fastening region, the fastening element is constructed as a single-piece independent part, the fastening region of the fastening element is arranged in a notch in a form-fitting manner, and the notch is arranged below the shoulder at the periphery of the inner shell. The outer housing has a shoulder, and the clamping region of the fastening element protrudes beyond the shoulder and engages into the outer housing, a pocket is provided on the inner circumference of the outer housing, into which pocket the clamping region of the fastening element engages in the final position, the clamping region having a flat clamping surface which is directed outwards, the clamping surface is inclined with respect to a vertically extending valve axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a housing for a valve, preferably for a valve in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve, the housing comprising an outer housing and an inner housing, wherein the outer housing and the inner housing can be screwed together, wherein the inner housing has an annular shoulder on the outer circumference, and a fixing element, wherein the fixing element has a clamping region and a fastening region, the fixing element being designed as a single-piece, independent component, wherein the fastening region of the fixing element is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a recess arranged below the shoulder on the outer circumference of the inner housing, and the clamping region of the fixing element protrudes beyond the shoulder and engages into the outer housing, wherein a pocket is provided on the inner circumference of the outer housing, into which the clamping region of the fixing element engages in an end position. The engagement of the clamping region into the pocket produces a click, thereby providing acoustic feedback that the outer housing is in the desired end position. Background Art

[0002] In pipeline construction, different housing parts are screwed together, for example in valves such as diaphragm valves or pressure reducing valves, as well as other valves in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve.

[0003] The housing parts must be able to be opened during operation in order to be able to replace the components therein.

[0004] During valve operation, the housing parts should be secured to prevent them from becoming loose.

[0005] EP 2264344 A1 discloses a housing in which two housing parts are fixed to one another using a fixing element. A disadvantage of this is the complex production of the snap-fit ​​between the fixing element and the inner circumference of the outer housing. Furthermore, when the outer housing is rotated, the snap-fit ​​resistance of the fixing element to engagement and disengagement in the outer housing is unnecessarily increased, with high torque already present due to the design of the central screw connection of the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a housing which can be opened again with the least possible expenditure of force and which is secured against unintentional release, as well as a simple assembly which ensures that the predetermined end position is achieved and allows for economical production.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the clamping region has an outwardly directed flat surface which is inclined relative to the vertically extending valve axis.

[0008] The housing for a valve according to the present invention is preferably used for a valve in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve, and the housing comprises an outer housing and an inner housing. Such a housing is preferably used for diaphragm valves, pressure reducing valves, and pressure maintaining valves. The outer housing has an internal thread, and the inner housing has an external thread, and the outer housing and the inner housing can be screwed together. The outer housing can be the upper housing part or the lower housing part, and this also applies to the inner housing. The designations of outer housing and inner housing depend on which housing part forms the nut and which housing part forms the screw of the threaded connection. Therefore, the outer housing is the component that protrudes from the inner housing in the connection area. The inner housing has an annular shoulder on the outer circumference. Advantageously, the inner housing has an external thread followed by a shoulder in which the diameter increases and the outer housing with the internal thread is limited by the shoulder when tightening.

[0009] In addition, a fixing element is also provided at the housing according to the present invention. The fixing element has a clamping area and a fastening area. The fixing element is designed as a one-piece independent component. The fixing element is arranged at the inner housing. The fastening area of ​​the fixing element is arranged in a form-locking manner in a matching recess below the shoulder on the outer periphery of the inner housing. The clamping area of ​​the fixing element protrudes beyond the shoulder and engages in the outer housing. The clamping area protrudes beyond the inner periphery of the outer housing, wherein a pocket is arranged at the inner periphery of the outer housing, into which the clamping area of ​​the fixing element snaps in the final position. The clamping area has a flat clamping surface pointing outward, which is inclined in an outward radial direction relative to the vertically extending valve axis. Because the clamping surface extends obliquely relative to the valve axis, the thickness of the clamping web increases in the radial direction starting from the fastening area, thereby producing a clamping effect and forming a lock in the pocket of the outer housing and ensuring the fixation of the housing.

[0010] The pocket is preferably configured as a depression in the inner diameter. The width of the pocket preferably corresponds to the width of the clamping web so that the clamping web snaps into place and ensures a form-locking connection to lock the outer housing in place.

[0011] Advantageously, a through-window is provided in the outer housing for identifying the fastening element. This window is designed as a through-opening in the wall of the outer housing, making it possible to identify the fastening element located behind it in the final position. This serves to visually check whether the fastening element has been locked into place and whether the housing is secured against accidental release.

[0012] Preferably, the window is arranged in the area of ​​the pocket. This ensures that the fixing element can be identified when it is engaged in the pocket. The window is preferably configured to be smaller than the pocket.

[0013] The preferred embodiment is that the window opens toward the end face of the outer housing. This results in the window having a U-shape that opens downwards. This embodiment is easy to implement in terms of its manufacture.

[0014] Preferably, the outer housing and the inner housing are made of plastic. It is advantageous if the fixing element is made of plastic.

[0015] Of course, if necessary, a plurality of fixing elements with recesses provided for this purpose can be arranged along the circumference.

[0016] If the internal diameter of the outer housing axially at the height of the clamping area is configured as a flat annular surface, it is advantageous. By existing fixing elements, which utilize the clamping area to engage in the pocket and thus prevent the outer housing from coming loose, the bite at the internal diameter of the outer housing can be abandoned.

[0017] It has been shown as a preferred embodiment that the fastening element has an outer edge in the transition between the fastening region and the clamping region, wherein the outer edge has a concavely running radius.

[0018] A preferred embodiment has been shown to include a touch element on the outer circumference of the outer housing for tactilely checking the position of the securing element. The touch element is arranged so that it is axially aligned with the securing element when the end position is reached. This allows for tactile verification of whether the touch element and the securing element are also in the correct closed and secured position relative to each other, and therefore, the securing element.

[0019] It is advantageous if a sliding contour is arranged at the upper end of the clamping surface so that the inner circumference of the outer housing slides on the sliding contour. This prevents the end face of the outer housing from coming into contact with the upper surface of the fixing element extending parallel to the valve axis. Advantageously, the sliding contour is designed as a bevel, radius, curve, or other contour that allows the inner diameter of the outer housing or an edge at the inner diameter to slide smoothly thereon or prevents the end face of the outer housing from coming into contact with the surface of the fixing element extending parallel to the valve axis in a blunt manner.

[0020] It has been shown as a preferred embodiment that the inner edge of the inner circumference of the outer housing is configured as a sliding profile. The sliding profile can be configured as a bevel, radius, curve or other shape, which helps to ensure that the end face of the outer housing does not rest on the clamping area of ​​the fixing element, but slides smoothly on the clamping surface.

[0021] All design possibilities can be freely combined with one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention is described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, without the invention being restricted to these embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a housing according to the invention,

[0024] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the fixing element when the housing is not yet fully tightened,

[0025] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the fixing element when the housing has been screwed into its final position,

[0026] Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a fixing element with side walls,

[0027] Figure 5 shows a side view of a fixing element without side walls,

[0028] Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the outer shell,

[0029] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the pocket at the inner diameter, and

[0030] Figures 8 to 10 Different embodiments of the fastening element and its arrangement in the housing are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] exist Figure 1 The drawings shown in show a housing 1 for a valve according to the present invention. Among them, such a housing 1 is preferably used for a pressure-maintaining valve, a pressure-regulating valve and a diaphragm valve. The housing 1 is suitable for any valve in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve. The housing 1 consists of an outer housing 2 and an inner housing 3, which can be screwed together. The outer housing 2 has an internal thread and constitutes a nut for a threaded connection, and the inner housing 3 has an external thread and constitutes a bolt. In the embodiment shown, the upper part of the housing is formed as the outer housing 2 and the lower part of the housing is formed as the inner housing 3. However, it goes without saying that this is also possible in the reverse case. A recess 11 is arranged below the shoulder 4 on the outer periphery of the inner housing 3, in which a fixing element 5 is arranged. The fixing element 5 has a fastening area 6 and a clamping area 7. The fixing element 5 is constructed as an independent component, which is inserted into the recess 11 in a form-locking manner to fix the outer housing 2 to prevent it from being accidentally loosened. The clamping area 7 of the fixing element 5 protrudes beyond the shoulder 4 and engages in the outer housing 2. In Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be clearly seen how the clamping area 7 protrudes beyond the shoulder 4. In addition, Figure 3It is clearly shown how the clamping area 7 and the clamping web 14 engage with their outwardly directed clamping surfaces 12 in the pocket 8 at the inner circumference 10 of the outer shell. Figure 2 It can also be clearly seen that the clamping surface 12 extends obliquely relative to the valve axis 13 and, when it engages the pocket 8 on the inner circumference 10 of the outer housing 2, is pressed into position, thereby achieving a clamping and snap-fitting effect on the outer housing 2. It has proven advantageous if the outwardly pointing upper edge of the clamping surface 12 is configured as a sliding contour 20. This ensures that the end face of the outer housing 2 does not rest against the upper surface extending parallel to the valve axis 13, but rather slides smoothly over the sliding contour 20. It is also advantageous that the inner edge on the inner circumference 10 of the outer housing 2 also has a sliding contour 21, which further assists this process. Figure 4 and Figure 5 A one-piece fixing element 5, preferably made of plastic, is shown separately. Figure 4 An embodiment with laterally arranged walls is shown, while Figure 5 An embodiment without such a wall is shown. The edge 15 with the concavely arranged radius portion (at Figure 4 and Figure 5 The clamping region 7 (shown only schematically in FIG) extends between the fastening region 5 and the clamping region 7, thereby reducing local stresses and avoiding the clamping region 7 from breaking off from the fastening region 6. Figure 6 A separate outer shell 2 is shown in which a pocket 8 is shown. Figure 7 is shown again enlarged in FIG. The pocket 8 is arranged axially at the outer end or lower edge region of the inner circumference 10 of the outer housing 2. The inner circumference 10 of the outer housing 2 is designed as a flat annular surface at the axial height of the pocket 8. In order to also visually ensure that the fastening element 5 engages in the pocket 8 and that the housing 1 is fixed, the outer housing 1 preferably has a window 16 that allows the fastening element 5 located behind it to be identified. Figures 8 to 10 An alternative embodiment is shown with regard to the arrangement and design of the window 16 and the fixing element 5. Figure 8 , an embodiment is shown in which the window 16 is open throughout toward the end face 17 of the outer housing, the window 16 forming a U-shaped notch. Regardless of the embodiment of the window 16, if present, it is always arranged in the region of the pocket 8, since the clamping region 7 of the fixing element 5 is located there. Figure 9An embodiment of the window 16 is shown, in which the outer housing 2 completely surrounds the window 16. As a further identification element for identifying whether the fixing element 5 is correctly present at the housing and performs its function, a touch element 18 is arranged. If the visibility of the fixing element 5 cannot be guaranteed, this enables the installer to identify by pressing a button whether the fixing element 5 is aligned with the touch element 18. As a possible embodiment, the fixing element 5 has a radially extending recess 19 in the fastening area. This makes it easier to pry out the fixing element 5 with the help of a screwdriver to open the housing 1. Figure 10 In the embodiment, the fixing element 5 has a recess 19 so that it can be pried out with a tool before opening the housing 1 .

[0032] Reference Symbols List:

[0033] 1 shell

[0034] 2External shell

[0035] 3Inner shell

[0036] 4 shoulders

[0037] 5Fixing elements

[0038] 6 Fastening area

[0039] 7 Clamping area

[0040] 8. Pocket

[0041] 9Outer circle of inner shell

[0042] 10Inner circumference of outer shell

[0043] 11 Recesses on the inner housing for fixing elements

[0044] 12 Clamping surface

[0045] 13 valve axis

[0046] 14 Clamping the web

[0047] 15 Edge between the fastening area and the clamping area

[0048] 16 windows

[0049] 17 End surface of the outer shell

[0050] 18 touch elements

[0051] 19 Recess in the fixing element

[0052] 20 Sliding profile at the fixing element

[0053] 21 Sliding profile at the inner diameter of the outer housing.

Claims

1. A housing (1) for a valve, preferably for a valve in which the stroke for opening and closing is perpendicular to the flow direction of the valve, the housing comprising: An outer housing (2) and an inner housing (3), wherein the outer housing (2) and the inner housing (3) can be screwed together, wherein the inner housing (3) has an annular shoulder (4) at the outer circumference (9); and a fixing element (5), wherein the fixing element (5) has a clamping area (6) and a fastening area (7), the fixing element being constructed as a one-piece independent component, wherein the fastening area (6) of the fixing element (5) is arranged in a form-fitting manner in a recess (11) which is arranged in the inner The fixing element (5) is provided with a clamping area (7) below a shoulder (4) at the outer periphery (9) of the housing (3), and the clamping area (7) of the fixing element (5) protrudes beyond the shoulder (4) and engages in the outer housing (2), wherein a pocket (8) is provided at the inner periphery (10) of the outer housing (2), into which the clamping area (7) of the fixing element (5) is snapped in the final position, characterized in that the clamping area (7) has a flat clamping surface (12) pointing outward, which is inclined relative to the vertically extending valve axis (13).

2. The housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that A through-going window (16) for identifying the fixing element (5) is arranged in the outer housing (2).

3. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that The window (16) is arranged in the region of the pocket (8).

4. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The window (16) opens toward the end surface (17) of the outer shell (2).

5. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The outer shell (2) and the inner shell (3) are made of plastic.

6. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The inner circumference (10) of the outer housing (2) located axially at the level of the clamping region (7) is designed as a flat annular surface.

7. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The fixing element (5) has an outer edge (15) in the transition between the fastening region (6) and the clamping region (7), wherein the outer edge (15) has a concavely running radius.

8. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that A touch element (18) is arranged on the outer circumference of the outer housing (2) for tactilely checking the arrangement of the fixing element (5).

9. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that A sliding contour (20) is arranged at the upper end of the clamping surface (12) so that the inner periphery (10) of the outer housing slides on the sliding contour (20).

10. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The inner edge of the inner circumference (10) of the outer housing (2) is configured as a sliding profile (21).

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