Pneumatic valve and pneumatic spring system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a pneumatic valve and a pneumatic spring system. A pneumatic valve has a multi-part valve housing comprising a valve lower part, a valve middle part and a valve upper part, and has a valve body. Wherein the valve lower part and the valve middle part clamp the valve body, the valve lower part and the valve middle part are firmly connected through a one-time forming process, the valve middle part and the valve upper part are firmly connected through a one-time forming process, the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part are / is provided with corresponding pneumatic connectors, and the pneumatic connectors of the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part are / is configured as bayonet locks. The pneumatic spring system includes a pneumatic spring, an air strut or pneumatic spring bellows, and a residual pressure holding valve in the form of a pneumatic valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the configuration of a pneumatic valve, in particular to the configuration of a residual pressure maintaining valve. Background Art

[0002] In air suspension devices or pneumatic spring systems of motor vehicles, so-called residual pressure holding valves are often used at the connection of the air supply line to the pneumatic spring (pneumatic spring bellows, air struts, multi-chamber air struts, etc.). These valves are usually only mechanical valves or passive valves, which ensure that a defined residual pressure is maintained or remains locked in the pneumatic spring. In other words, the residual pressure holding valve ensures that the filling pressure in the pneumatic spring does not drop below a specified value defined by the valve. This function is relevant in the event of defects in the air supply system, such as compressor failure or line tearing. However, apart from the transportation of the component from the pneumatic spring manufacturer until installation on the axle of the motor vehicle, a minimum filling pressure in the pneumatic spring is usually required, for example in the case of elastic pneumatic spring bellows, in order to maintain the same inflation and avoid damage. Utility Model Content

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic valve which allows good integration as a residual pressure holding valve in a pneumatic spring system and ensures reliable sealing.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and developments are stated in the dependent claims.

[0005] The passive pneumatic valve according to the invention preferably comprises a multi-component, specifically a valve housing divided into three parts / components, the valve housing comprising a valve lower part, a valve middle part and a valve upper part, wherein preferably one or two or all valve housing parts are completely or partially composed of plastic. The three valve housing parts are firmly interconnected or connected by means of a one-shot forming process that produces a form-locking and / or material-locking connection and / or is welding or laser welding. This plastic construction type is not only lighter or more weight-saving than, for example, known metal solutions, but also provides advantages with regard to corrosion resistance and material costs.

[0006] Here, the multi-part valve housing accommodates various valve internal components. For example, before the valve middle part and the valve lower part are connected, the mechanical valve internal elements (compression spring, spring guide, membrane, etc.) are inserted into the valve middle part.

[0007] The valve body as elastic sealing element is preferably configured as a flat or planar surface or as a membrane and is firmly clamped or mounted at a circumferential and / or circular clamping edge or flange between the middle part of the valve and the lower part of the valve. The connection formed by the one-shot forming process, in particular the (laser) weld, forms a firm connection of the two parts that can only be separated if destroyed, and thus also maintains the clamping force of the membrane adjusted during welding. At the same time, the one-shot forming process allows the clamping force or retaining force acting on the valve body at the clamping edge to be adjusted accurately, thus forming a reliable seal of the valve. In addition, the valve has a sealing support or a sealing collar, against which a pressure spring or a biasing spring pushes the valve body in the closed state, thus likewise producing a reliable seal of the valve.

[0008] A multi-component execution of the valve housing (specifically, the division into a valve upper part and a valve middle part) is advantageous in order to facilitate the manufacture of the required pneumatic flow path from the pneumatic connector in the valve upper part through the valve middle part to the sealing seat of the valve body or the membrane on the valve lower part.

[0009] The multi-component or modular construction of the pneumatic valve also makes it easy to form variants. Thus, different interfaces for the air supply can be implemented by variants of the valve upper part or its pneumatic connector, and thus different market-customed pneumatic plug-in connectors and line diameters can be realized with minimal effort. Similarly, variants of the valve lower part or its pneumatic connector allow flexible implementation of different interfaces to the pneumatic spring. A preferred variant is a plug-in connector with a bayonet lock or a bayonet plug-in lock at the pneumatic connector of the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part.

[0010] The marking ring and / or colored ring, which is preferably inserted in the middle of the valve, protects the pneumatic connection of the inwardly arranged valve or spring space elements within the valve relative to the atmosphere from the ingress of dust and, at the same time, through its coloring or other (optical) characteristics, becomes an advantageous way of distinguishing different valve variants in an optically recognisable manner.

[0011] In one embodiment, a pneumatic valve is provided, having a multi-part valve housing including a valve lower part, a valve middle part and a valve upper part, and having a valve body, wherein the valve lower part and the valve middle part clamp the valve body, the valve lower part and the valve middle part are firmly interconnected by a one-time forming process, the valve middle part and the valve upper part are firmly interconnected by a one-time forming process, the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part have corresponding pneumatic connectors, and the pneumatic connectors of the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part are configured as bayonet locks.

[0012] Therein, the one-shot forming process produces a form-locking and / or material-locking connection and / or is welding or laser welding. The valve body is configured as a flat or planar membrane and / or has a circumferential and / or rounded edge or flange in the edge region. The valve lower part and / or the valve middle part and / or the valve upper part partially or completely consist of a plastic that is transparent or absorptive for the specified wavelength of the welding laser and / or can or cannot be melted by the welding laser surface. The valve middle part has a marking ring or a colored ring.

[0013] The pneumatic valve according to the invention, which advantageously forms part of a pneumatic spring system according to the invention, is pneumatically (directly) connected to a pneumatic spring (pneumatic spring bellows, air strut, multi-chamber air strut, etc.) in the pneumatic spring system or is inserted therein and acts as a residual pressure holding valve. With the aid of such a residual pressure holding valve, a certain pressure can be maintained in the pneumatic spring for a longer period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only schematic diagrams, and the present invention is not limited to the specific illustrated embodiments.

[0015] Figure 1A , 1B : the valve according to the first embodiment example is in a closed position and in an open position,

[0016] Figure 2A , 2B : The valve according to the second embodiment example is in a closed position and in an open position,

[0017] Figure 3 : the valve according to the third embodiment example is in the closed position, and

[0018] Figure 4A , 4B 4C: A side view and a cross-sectional view of a valve according to a fourth embodiment example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1A The arrangement of a sealing membrane or valve body 4 in a pneumatic valve 10 is shown. The valve 10 has an inlet A and an outlet B, and the valve body 4 closes or opens the passage between A and B. The pressure present at the inlet A acts on a central area 4a of the valve body 4 configured as a sealing disk or sealing membrane. The valve body 4 is pushed axially from the opposite side against a sealing seat or sealing collar 5 by means of a biasing spring 3, which then closes the passage.

[0020] Once the pressure present at the inlet A overcomes the reaction force exerted by the biasing spring 3 on the valve body 4, the valve body 4 moves or deforms in its central area 4a and releases the passage to the outlet B, as shown in FIG. Figure 1B. The movement or deformation of the valve body 4 is facilitated by the pressure compensation bore 14. In order to avoid an unintentional lateral displacement of the valve body 4 when the valve 10 is opened, the valve body 4 is held radially outward in the edge region 4b. For this purpose, the valve housing of the valve 10 comprises two elements, namely the valve lower part 1 and the valve middle part 2, between which the valve body 4 is held or clamped. In the embodiment example represented, the valve body 4 is held with a defined holding force F R The valve body 4 is clamped between the two elements 1, 2 and thus held in a force-locking manner. In addition, the valve body 4 is also prevented from sliding in the radial direction by a form-locking engagement. For this purpose, the lug 1a of the valve lower part 1 engages a recess 4c of the valve body 4, which is arranged radially on the inside of the edge area 4b of the valve body 4.

[0021] The two elements 1 and 2 are firmly interconnected. For this purpose, the valve lower part 1 rests on a circumferentially axially protruding bearing shoulder 6 of the valve middle part 2 and is welded continuously in this region to the valve middle part 2 in the circumferential direction. On the one hand, this achieves a leak-proof seal and a firm connection of the two elements 1, 2. At the same time, the holding force F, which clamps the valve body between the two elements 1, 2, can be adjusted by pressing the valve lower part 1 against the valve body 4 with a predetermined force F during the welding process. R The surface molten material in the region of the bearing shoulder 6 thus flows laterally or radially into the recess 7 and the valve lower part 1 moves along the valve axis towards the valve middle part 2 until the valve body 4 blocks further movement. From this point on, the valve body 4 is held in place by a defined force F or a reaction force F R The holding force F is maintained between the two elements 1 and 2, and once the joint has cooled sufficiently and the surface molten material has entered the solid state again, the holding force F R The same result can also be achieved when the material surface of only one of the two elements 1 , 2 is melted.

[0022] In this embodiment example, surface melting in the region of the bearing shoulder 6 is achieved by means of a laser in a laser transmission method. For this purpose, the valve lower part 1 consists of a material which partially or preferably completely transmits laser radiation E of a certain wavelength, at least in the region to be penetrated by the radiation. In contrast, the valve middle part 2 has a material which preferably completely absorbs the same laser radiation E, but at least more absorbently than the material of the element 1, at least in the region of the bearing shoulder 6. The energy supplied by means of the laser beam thus heats the material of the valve middle part 2 in the relevant region. This has the following result: the material of the valve middle part 2 is surface-melted in this region and, due to the heat transfer, the material of the valve lower part 1 is also surface-melted in the corresponding adjacent region. Therefore, both materials are preferably plastics, which in this way produce a material-locked connection between the two elements 1 and 2.

[0023] However, it is also possible that only one of the two materials is surface-melted. For example, the valve middle part 2 can be metal or a plastic with a high melting point and heated without surface melting, so that only the valve lower part 1, which consists of a plastic with a relatively low melting point, for example, is surface-melted in the corresponding adjacent areas. The melt of the valve lower part 1 can then flow into the holes and / or undercuts of the valve middle part 2 and, after cooling, produce a form-locking connection between the two elements 1 and 2.

[0024] The valve 10 can be inserted into a pneumatic spring (pneumatic spring bellows, air strut, multi-chamber air strut, etc.) of a pneumatic spring system of a vehicle. The valve then acts as a residual pressure holding valve and thus allows a predetermined pressure to be maintained in the air strut. The required pressure can be adjusted with the aid of the bias spring 3. The stronger the bias spring 3 is adjusted, the greater the reaction force required to overcome the spring force, i.e., the higher the residual pressure maintained in the air strut, and vice versa.

[0025] Figure 2A and 2B A second embodiment example of a valve 10 is shown in a closed position and in an open position, which is substantially different from the embodiment according to Figure 1A and 1B The first embodiment example differs only in that the connection interface interconnecting the two elements 1 and 2 by means of the laser radiation E is parallel to the direction of the force F by which the valve body 4 is held between the two elements 1 and 2. In this second embodiment example, the valve lower part 1 is inserted into the gap 8 of the valve middle part 2 without the need for the connection interface according to Figure 1A and 1B The circumferential collar does not bear against the element 2 as is the case in the embodiment example of FIG. Instead, the force F by which the valve lower part 1 is pressed into the gap 8 of the valve middle part 2 acts directly on the valve body 4. In this state, the two elements 1 and 2 can be welded together again in a sealing manner all around, preferably by a laser transmission method. The force F is thus "frozen" as a reaction force or holding force F of the valve body 4. R .

[0026] In order to realize the connection between the two elements 1 and 2 by means of a laser transmission method, both elements can also consist of a plastic having corresponding transmissivity or absorption properties for a certain wavelength of the laser radiation. Alternatively, the valve lower part 1 inserted in the gap 8 can be metallic, for example, and only the valve middle part 2 can consist of a plastic that is transmissive for the laser radiation, which plastic then melts on the surface due to heat conduction.

[0027] Figure 3A third embodiment example of a pneumatic valve 11 in a closed position is shown. As in the second embodiment example, the connection interface 6 interconnecting the two elements 1 and 2 by means of laser radiation E is parallel to the direction of the force by which the valve body 4 is held between the two elements 1 and 2. In addition, the valve 10 of this third embodiment example has a valve upper part 2a as a third element, which is connected to the valve middle part 2 in the region 13 by means of laser radiation E. Similar to the connection of the valve lower part 1 to the valve middle part 2, the connection of the valve upper part 2a to the valve middle part 2 is achieved in the radial direction by means of laser radiation E. In this embodiment example, the first element 1 forms the lower element, the second element 2 forms the intermediate element, and the third element 2a forms the upper element. Specifically, the valve upper part 2a is arranged on the side of the valve body 4 opposite to the valve lower part 1. The valve upper part 2a has a recess for accommodating a pneumatic connector 12 in the valve outlet B, wherein the pneumatic connector 12 can also be an integral part of the valve upper part 2a. Due to the configuration of the valve housing divided into three parts, the valve inlet A and the valve outlet B can be coaxially arranged, so that the valve 11 has a smaller size in the radial direction than the valve 10 according to the first and second embodiment examples. The inlet A and the outlet B are arranged on a common valve axis as a common axis in a mutually coaxial manner.

[0028] Also in other embodiment examples, the valve body 4 is configured as a membrane or a sealing disk and is axially pushed against the sealing collar 5 by means of the biasing spring 3 via the sleeve 9 in order to close the valve 11. The valve body 4 has a lug 4d which engages with a corresponding recess of the sleeve 9 in order to avoid unintentional radial displacement of the valve body 4. It should be understood that this can also be achieved in other embodiment examples.

[0029] In order to realize the connection between the three elements 1, 2, 2a of the multi-component valve housing by the laser transmission method, the elements can, as in other embodiment examples, consist of a plastic having corresponding transmissivity or absorption properties for laser radiation of a certain wavelength, wherein, for example, the valve middle part 2 is more absorptive to the laser radiation used than the valve lower part 1 and the valve upper part 2a. Alternatively, the valve lower part 1 and the valve upper part 2a can, for example, be metallic and only the middle element 2 consists of a plastic that is transmissive to laser radiation, which then melts on the surface due to heat conduction.

[0030] Since the connection between the three elements 1, 2, 2a is achieved in the circumferential direction by means of laser welding, a leak-free sealing of the valve housing is achieved. This does not require additional seals, so that the valve structure can be configured in a compact and space-saving manner.

[0031] The valve 11 according to the third embodiment example can be used as a residual pressure holding valve in a pneumatic spring system of a vehicle similar to the valve 10 according to the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the valve can be inserted and / or directly plugged into a pneumatic spring (pneumatic spring bellows, air strut, multi-chamber air strut, etc.) of the pneumatic spring system.

[0032] Figure 4A , 4B 4C show a fourth embodiment example of a pneumatic valve 11 in a side view and in two cross-sectional views along the longitudinal axis or valve axis rotated 90° relative to each other about the longitudinal axis. The valve 11 according to the fourth embodiment example is a variant of the third embodiment example and, similar to the latter, has a recess in the valve upper part 2a for accommodating a pneumatic connector 12 for the outflow port B. In contrast, the pneumatic connector 12 at the inflow port A is configured in a single piece with the valve lower part 1, is further configured as a plug-in connector with a bayonet lock 1b and has an O-ring 1c.

[0033] In a variant that is not shown, the pneumatic connector 12 at the outflow opening B is configured in one piece with the valve upper part 2 a and / or as a bayonet lock.

[0034] As mentioned, the multi-component or modular construction of the valve 11 makes it easy to form variants. The valve middle part 2 of the valve 11 therefore has (on its outside and / or visually recognizable from the outside) a marking ring 15, in particular a colored ring, which allows different valve variants to be easily optically recognizable and to make these variants easily distinguishable. In addition, the colored ring 15 inserted in the valve middle part 2 protects the pneumatic coupling of the valve inner elements (bias spring 3, sleeve 9, valve body 4, etc.) of the inwardly arranged valve space or spring space relative to the atmosphere from dust ingress.

[0035] The various embodiment examples and modifications described can be combined with one another as desired.

[0036] Reference numerals list

[0037] 1 Valve lower part, components

[0038] 1a Lug

[0039] 1b Bayonet lock

[0040] 1c O-ring

[0041] 2 Valve middle part, components

[0042] 2a Upper part of valve, components

[0043] 3 Bias spring, pressure spring

[0044] 4 Valve body, sealing element, membrane

[0045] 4a Central Area

[0046] 4b Marginal area

[0047] 4c Depression

[0048] 4d lugs

[0049] 5 Sealing ring, sealing support

[0050] 6 Load-bearing shoulder

[0051] 7 concavity

[0052] 8 Gap

[0053] 9 Bushing, spring guide

[0054] 10, 11 Pneumatic valves, valves, residual pressure holding valves

[0055] 12 Pneumatic connector

[0056] 13 Regions

[0057] 14 Pressure compensation hole

[0058] 15 Marking ring, color ring

[0059] A Inlet

[0060] B Outlet

[0061] E Laser Radiation

Claims

1. A pneumatic valve, characterized in that: A multi-part valve housing is provided, which includes a valve lower part, a valve middle part and a valve upper part, and a valve body, wherein - The lower and middle parts of the valve clamp the valve body, -The valve lower part and the valve middle part are firmly interconnected through a one-step forming process, -The valve middle part and the valve upper part are firmly interconnected through a one-step forming process, - the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part have corresponding pneumatic connectors, and The pneumatic connector of the valve lower part and / or the valve upper part is configured as a bayonet lock.

2. The pneumatic valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: - a one-step forming process produces a form-locking and / or material-locking connection and / or is welded or laser welded, and / or - the valve body is configured as a flat membrane or planar membrane and / or has a circumferential and / or rounded edge or flange in the edge region, and / or - the valve lower part and / or the valve middle part and / or the valve upper part partially or completely consists of a plastic which is transparent or absorptive for the specified wavelength of the welding laser and / or can be melted or cannot be melted by the welding laser surface, and / or - The valve has a marking ring or a colored ring in the middle.

3. A pneumatic spring system, characterized in that: It comprises a pneumatic spring, an air strut or a pneumatic spring bellows and a residual pressure holding valve in the form of a pneumatic valve according to any of the preceding claims.

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