Water valve

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water valve. The low-pressure-drop water valve is simple in structure compared with similar water valves, comprises very few elements, can be installed very quickly in an automatic mode, is small in flow resistance in the opening state, and enables the pressure drop to be as low as possible. According to the scheme, the valve body is provided with a split-type valve insert arranged in the valve body, the water medium flows through the valve insert, the valve insert guides the water into the downward flowing cavity, and a sealing element plays a blocking and sealing role or enables the water to flow through one of the two openings of the inlet outlet in a proper position. The valve insert includes at least two different mating valve inserts. Within the valve insert, a flow opening edge is formed with a specific radius, or a dimensioned chamfer, or an inner fillet that follows a specific function. As a result, the redirected flow medium does not flocculate as much as possible, and advantageously forms a more consistent fluid type and produces a very low pressure drop.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a low-pressure water-reducing valve used in heating appliances, water heaters and heat pumps, in particular to a three-way water valve. Background Art

[0002] In domestic heating devices or water heaters, in particular in the field of gas boilers or heat pumps, a number of different types of flow-carrying valves are known, which interrupt or redirect the flow of water in the water circuit as required. Usually, the valves are fully open or fully closed and produce a linear movement when driven by a stepper motor. Therefore, electromechanically actuated two-way or three-way valves are preferred. These valves must be designed in such a way that no significant pressure drop or pressure reduction occurs inside during the water flow and that leaks in the valve area within the water circuit can be reliably excluded over the entire temperature range in which they operate.

[0003] Such water valves are driven by linear-moving stepper motors that execute precisely defined steps. Since these water valves operate almost continuously, certain costs, which are not negligible to a certain extent, arise for the energy actually required when taking into account a long service life. Therefore, several parameters need to be taken into account in the overall system design. Often, additional power reserves are required, for example, in order to largely avoid rebound and to be able to compensate for the resulting power losses. In addition, the internally generated pressure drops also have a direct impact on the design of the stepper motor. Therefore, the linear stepper motors usually used to date have been oversized. Overall, this results in an unnecessarily greater mechanical load on both the valve system and the associated linear stepper motor.

[0004] DE 20 2011 004 433 U1 describes a three-way principle mixing valve with a cylindrical valve closure member guided in a linearly movable manner in a bushing. In the valve, a cylindrical valve body is arranged in a mixing chamber so that it closes or opens a variable ratio of the cross sections of two inlet pipes. Here, the valve core is made of stainless steel and the valve body is guided in a form-fitting manner in a bushing of carbon graphite material. Since the precise fit of the individual valve components to one another and the precise positioning of the valve core are important, this design is costly and difficult to manufacture automatically in large quantities.

[0005] DE 697 18 317 T2 describes a more spherical sealing body, which provides an improved valve device for heating systems and water heaters with better leakage resistance. The sealing body described here is a sealing ball of a cylindrical metal body, which must be moved into a cylindrical sealing surface. To prevent leakage, side rings (as actual sealing rings) are provided in the valve body for radial compression to ensure the sealing. This design is also intended to avoid any contamination or deposits in the valve body, or to ensure that these do not affect the sealing of the valve. The disadvantage of this solution is that the stroke of the sealing body is relatively long, because it must move a long distance in the cylindrical sealing surface of the valve seat until the central side ring (sealing ring) can play a role, and it has to endure a huge pressure drop. In addition, this solution is characterized by the use of expensive materials and relatively complex production of the sealing body, that is, the production is difficult to automate.

[0006] From DE 10 2012 219 745 A1 an electromechanically operated three-way valve with two valve seats is known, in which a single valve seal is arranged to move towards the valve seat with the smallest area in order to properly seal it. The sealing surfaces of the valve body are conical so that the sealing body lies flat on them. The diameter of the valve stem closing element is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body part. This has the advantage that only the area that rests on the sealing surface of the sealing body is stressed. The sealing body is axially guided at two opposite points inside the valve body, so that it cannot tilt or rest on the engaged valve seat in an eccentric position (i.e. in an inclined manner). However, this increases the flow resistance of the flowing fluid, for example generating a huge pressure drop. Any deformation of the sealing body is also disadvantageous, for example: when one side of the sealing body is pressed against one valve seat for a long time, it may affect the leakage of the sealing position in another position.

[0007] US11592041 A1 describes a flow channel in which an additional lining is arranged in the form of a contoured vena contracta on the surface of a fluid channel carrying a fluid flow, so that the flow field can be distributed in a targeted manner by the vena contracta. Despite the narrowing of the cross section of the flow channel, a specific new flow geometry is generated in the flow direction after the vena contracta and in some embodiments also in front of the vena contracta. This prevents flow separation and increases the flow rate. Various possible applications are described. The lining can be installed in different flow channels or it can be manufactured integrally with the flow channel itself. Utility Model Content

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a low-pressure drain valve for use, in particular for heating appliances, water heaters and heat pumps, which, compared with the water valves known in the prior art, is simple in structure, comprises very few components and uses a minimum of material, can be installed very quickly in an automatic manner, has a low flow resistance in the open state, is leak-free in either of the two valve positions, has a long service life, has optimal flow characteristics and has a low pressure drop.

[0009] As is well known, low-pressure water-relief valves are used for switching, and the fluid-carrying water valve is driven by a driver configured on the valve cover, and the driver is generally a linear motor. This linear motor acts on the seal through a valve drive rod connected to the linear motor. By adjusting the valve drive rod and by the seal arranged in the valve body, different flow directions are blocked or released. Usually, the valve body has a valve insert arranged in an inner part, the valve insert is flowed by the supplied water medium, and the valve insert guides the water into the downstream valve chamber, wherein the seal plays a blocking and sealing role, or when the seal is in the appropriate position, releases one of the two openings flowing to the outlet. In a completely unusual and novel way, the valve insert includes at least two different mutually matching valve inserts. In the valve insert, a groove is formed on the flow opening edge of the opening, for example, a certain radius following a specific function, or a chamfer of a limited size, or an inner fillet. As a result, through these different geometries at these positions, the redirected flow medium has less turbulence, and advantageously forms a more consistent fluid type, and produces a very low pressure drop. Usually, these flow opening edges in water valves with a one-part valve insert are sharp edges due to the manufacturing process, which certainly leads to a higher pressure drop. However, if, for example, radii are formed, which makes it possible to manufacture by a multi-part design, the size of these radii in the range of greater than or equal to 5 mm to less than or equal to 10 mm is advantageous. In particular, if the ratio of the radius to the hydraulically effective cross section of the valve insert is close to 1:3, a low pressure drop can be achieved. Instead of a radius, a chamfer is suitable, with a tangential transition, such as an inner fillet, or, for example, an uninterrupted parabolic curve. In addition, an inner fillet can also be formed on another edge of the valve insert, allowing a further small lift.

[0010] It is advantageous if a distributed joint edge is formed on the two-part or multi-part valve insert of the low pressure drop water valve, in particular on a valve insert or valve insert of a two-part design. Furthermore, it is useful to form a corresponding recess on the other valve insert so that the two valve inserts are self-centering when joined. Generally, such a joint edge does not need to be sealing, since small amounts of water can usually flow around the valve insert anyway. However, an additional circumferential seal can be provided.

[0011] In order to achieve reliable connection and easy installation of the valve insert, a fixing lug is arranged on one valve insert of the low-pressure dewatering valve, and the fixing lug is inserted into the recess of the other valve insert.

[0012] It is also useful to interconnect multiple valve inserts in a low-pressure dewatering valve, for example mechanically or physically by a bayonet connection. This can be done, for example, by friction welding or by bonding with a suitable adhesive, wherein the adhesive should match the respective plastic used and should also be waterproof.

[0013] The advantage of the low-pressure-drop fluid-carrying water valve for heating appliances, water heaters and heat pumps according to the present invention is that the pressure drop previously generated in the water valve is greatly reduced, so that the water circuit can be operated with significantly reduced pump energy. In addition, a smaller-sized stepper motor can be used to adjust the valve. Considering the entire service life, both lead to significant energy savings and cost reduction results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Next, this case will refer to Figures 1 to 4 Elaborate in detail.

[0015] Figure 1 A general diagram of a complete three-way water valve according to the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 Shown is a cross-section through a valve insert connected to a valve housing.

[0017] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of two valve inserts with a mechanical connection is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 The flow path through the three-way water valve according to the present case is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1In the figure, a complete three-way water valve 1 according to the present invention is drawn as a general diagram of its overall structure. The three-way water valve 1 is driven by a driver, which is designed as a linear stepper motor 2 here. The linear stepper motor 2 is connected to the actual valve body 5 via the valve cover 3, and the actual valve body 5 forms the actual valve housing. An inlet 15 and two outlets 16 are flange-connected to the valve body 5. A linearly movable seal 6 is arranged in the valve chamber 8, and the seal 6 can block the flow direction, for example, block the entire flow through the three-way water valve 1, or the seal 6 can open one or two outlets 16. The seal 6 is driven by the valve drive rod 4, and the seal 6 is connected to the linear stepper motor 2 in the valve cover 3. This valve drive rod 4 is guided by the valve cover 3 in a reliable and sealed manner. A two-part internal valve insert 7 is arranged inside the valve body 5 in the area of ​​the inlet 15, and the valve insert 7 consists of two different valve insert parts 8, 9. The valve body 5 is connected to the valve cover in a reliable and sealed manner. Likewise, the valve insert 9 is built against the valve cavity 18 of the valve body 5 so that no water can flow into the valve cavity 18 in the sealing position and the three-way water valve 1 is reliably closed. In order to reduce the pressure drop that occurs in all water valves of this type, the flow opening edge 10 has a specific radius 11, chamfer 11, or fillet 11 as a groove in the direction of the valve cavity 18 that follows a specific function without interruption. These radii, chamfers, or fillets 11 can produce a significantly significant reduction in the pressure drop in the three-way water valve 1 when flowing through it. The avoidance of this pressure drop allows the linear stepper motor 2 to have less energy than the drive used so far for this three-way water valve 1, and allows the pump for the water circuit to have less energy, which leads to energy and cost savings. This energy saving adds up because this three-way water valve 1 is used continuously for many years.

[0020] Figure 2 A detailed cross-sectional view of a two-part valve insert 7 connected to a valve cover 3 is shown. The two valve inserts 8, 9 are shown in side view. In particular, the flow opening edge 10, extending along a specific radius 11 or fillet 11 of a specific function, is again shown separately.

[0021] Figure 3The view in FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a valve insert 7 connected to a valve cover 3, wherein two different valve inserts 8, 9 are shown before assembly. The valve insert 7 has two valve inserts 8, 9 that are preferably designed to be mechanically connected. The valve insert 8 has two recesses 14 that are offset by 180 degrees. When installed, these recesses 14 engage with two slightly elastic fixing lugs 13, which correspond to these recesses 14 and are also offset by 180 degrees accordingly. A distributed engagement edge 12 is formed on the valve insert 9 to engage with the corresponding distributed recesses in the valve insert 8 so that the two valve inserts 8, 9 are mutually centered. These fixing lugs 13 and the corresponding recesses 14 can also be distributed in a plurality in the circumferential direction. In order to avoid a pressure drop when flowing through the three-way water valve, the flow opening edge 10 is formed with a radius 11 or an inner fillet 11 that follows a specific function in the direction toward the valve chamber 18. Here, the radius 11 is advantageously designed to be in a ratio of 1:3 to the flow cross section. Generally, the fixing lugs can also be replaced by elastic hooks or snap-in clips, which can reliably and firmly mechanically connect the two valve inserts 8, 9.

[0022] Figure 4 The flow path 17 through a three-way water valve 1 according to the present case is shown in a closed position with an outlet toward the bottom in the axial direction of the valve drive rod 4 working principle, which means that the seal 6 has moved against the inner sealing surface of the valve body so that the outlet 16 facing vertically downward is sealed. The sealing surface of the valve insert part 9 of the valve insert 7 is released, and water can flow radially to the left in the direction of the radial outlet 16 (axial outlet 16 is not shown) without being hindered. Here, the curve of the radius 11 is additionally provided to avoid that the pressure drop is again particularly significant.

[0023] In particular, the invention is applied to heat pumps, heating appliances and water heaters in the domestic and industrial fields.

[0024] Reference Symbols List

[0025] 1 Water valve

[0026] 2 Linear Motor

[0027] 3 Valve cover

[0028] 4 Valve drive rod

[0029] 5 Valve body

[0030] 6 Seals

[0031] 7 Valve insert

[0032] 8 Valve insert

[0033] 9 Valve insert

[0034] 10 Flow opening edge

[0035] 11Radiuses, chamfers, fillets that follow specific functions

[0036] 12 Joint edge

[0037] 13 Fixing lug

[0038] 14 recess

[0039] 15 Entrance

[0040] 16 Exit

[0041] 17 flow path

[0042] 18 Valve chamber

Claims

1. A water valve (1) for switching, the water valve (1) being driven by a stepper motor (2) arranged on a valve cover (3) and adjusted by a valve drive rod (4) and a seal (6) arranged in a valve body (5), characterized in that: The water valve (1) comprises a valve insert (7), the valve insert (7) comprising at least two mutually matching valve insert parts (8, 9), and in the valve insert parts (8, 9), a specific radius, a chamfer, or an inner fillet is formed on the flow opening edge (10) according to a specific function.

2. The water valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve insert (8) or the valve insert (9) is provided with distributed joining edges (12).

3. The water valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of fixing lugs (13) are formed on the valve insert portion (8) or the valve insert portion (9), and a recess (14) for the fixing lugs (13) to be inserted is formed on the other valve insert portion.

4. The water valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve insert part (8) and the valve insert part (9) are mechanically connected to each other or physically connected. The mechanical connection includes a bayonet connection, and the physical connection includes welding or adhesive bonding.

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