Armature assembly and valve cartridge for a solenoid valve and method for assembling an armature assembly

Abstract

Anchor assembly (10) for a solenoid valve, comprising a base body (11) which accommodates at one end a sealing element (14) having a sealing geometry (19) cooperating with a valve seat (7.1) and at the other end a return spring (12) which is supported on a pressed-in spring support (13), wherein the sealing element (14) acts against the spring force (F E) of an elastic damping element (15) is guided axially movably in a continuous axial recess (11.1) of the base body (11), wherein the elastic damping element (15) is made of an elastomer and is arranged between the sealing element (14) and the pressed-in spring support (13) and dampens an impulse arising when the sealing geometry (19) impacts the valve seat (7.1), wherein the sealing element (14) has a stepped shaft (18), wherein the sealing geometry (19) is arranged at the thinner end of the shaft (18), and wherein the step forms a stop shoulder (18.1) which is supported on an edge of a taper of the axial recess (11.1) designed as a stop (11.2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an armature assembly for a solenoid valve and an associated valve cartridge for a solenoid valve as well as a method for assembling an armature assembly.

[0002] Normally open or closed solenoid valves are known from the prior art. These valves are used, for example, as inlet or outlet valves in a hydraulic unit of a vehicle braking system. The hydraulic unit can be used to control and / or regulate processes in an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an acceleration skid control system (ASR), or an electronic stability program (ESP) system for pressure buildup or pressure reduction in corresponding wheel brake calipers. These known solenoid valves generate a so-called closing noise when a sealing geometry, for example, designed as a spherical cap, meets a corresponding valve seat.

[0003] DE 10 2012 202 332 A1, for example, discloses a solenoid valve for a vehicle, comprising a magnet assembly and a valve cartridge. The valve cartridge comprises a pole core, a receiving sleeve connected to the pole core, and an armature assembly guided axially movable within the receiving sleeve between a closed position and an open position against the force of a return spring, said armature assembly comprising a sealing element with a sealing geometry. Furthermore, the receiving sleeve is connected to a valve sleeve, which comprises a valve seat arranged between at least one first flow opening and at least one second flow opening. In the closed position, the sealing geometry cooperates sealingly with the valve seat and interrupts a fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening and the at least one second flow opening.In the open position, the sealing geometry is lifted from the valve seat, allowing fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening and the at least one second flow opening. The armature assembly comprises a base body, which at one end at least partially accommodates the sealing element with the sealing geometry and at the other end a return spring, which is supported on a spring support.

[0004] US Pat. No. 6,644,623 B1 discloses an electromagnetic valve with a valve tappet guided in a valve housing, which has a valve closing element, a valve seat retaining element facing the valve closing element, which together with the valve housing forms an independent assembly, and an armature that actuates the valve tappet and can be excited by a valve coil arranged on the valve housing. The armature is designed as a cold-formed part, and the valve housing is designed as a deep-drawn part or cold-formed part.

[0005] DE 197 54 525 C1 discloses a solenoid armature for an electromagnetically actuated valve, comprising a sealing body that can be sealingly engaged with a valve seat. At least one stop buffer made of an elastomeric material is arranged on the end face facing away from the sealing body. The stop buffer has a cross-section that decreases in the opening direction to achieve a progressive spring characteristic.

[0006] US 2007 / 0 069 166 A1 discloses an armature assembly for a solenoid valve and a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve with such an armature assembly. The armature assembly comprises a base body, which at one end accommodates a sealing element with a sealing geometry that interacts with a valve seat, and at the other end, a return spring that is supported on a spring support. The sealing element is guided in a continuous axial recess of the base body so that it can move axially against the spring force of an elastic damping element. The elastic damping element is arranged between the sealing element and the spring support and dampens an impulse that occurs when the sealing geometry impacts the valve seat. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The armature assembly for a solenoid valve with the features of independent patent claim 1 and the corresponding valve cartridge for a solenoid valve with the features of patent claim 7 have the advantage that, by modifying the armature assembly, the closing noise occurring during closing can be reduced and, in the best case, even almost completely eliminated. By using an elastic damping element between the sealing element and the spring support, the impulse when the sealing geometry impacts the valve seat can be dampened, thus advantageously reducing structure-borne noise in the system.

[0008] Thus, embodiments of the present invention contribute to improving the NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) behavior of the vehicle by reducing and, ideally, completely eliminating the disturbing noises generated when the solenoid valve closes. This makes it possible to implement the vehicle braking system as a single-box system and bolt the hydraulic unit directly to the vehicle's firewall, as no disturbing closing noises can penetrate the interior.

[0009] The method for assembling an armature assembly with the features of independent patent claim 8 has the advantage that the manufacturing costs of the solenoid valve can be significantly reduced by eliminating assembly processes or by only one assembly direction.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide an armature assembly for a solenoid valve having a base body which accommodates a sealing element with a sealing geometry that interacts with a valve seat at one end and a return spring supported on a spring support at the other end. The sealing element is guided in a continuous axial recess of the base body so as to be axially movable against the spring force of an elastic damping element. The elastic damping element is arranged between the sealing element and the spring support and dampens an impulse that arises when the sealing geometry impacts the valve seat. The elastic damping element is made of an elastomer. The sealing element has a stepped shaft, with the sealing geometry arranged at the thinner end of the shaft.The step forms a stop shoulder, which rests against an edge of a tapered portion of the axial recess designed as a stop. The stepped design of the sealing element's shaft, which is thinner in the area of ​​the sealing geometry, advantageously allows for greater inherent elasticity in this area of ​​the component.

[0011] Furthermore, a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve is proposed, comprising a pole core, a receiving sleeve connected to the pole core, an armature assembly guided axially movable within the receiving sleeve between a closed position and an open position against the force of a return spring, said armature assembly comprising a sealing element with a sealing geometry, and a valve sleeve connected to the receiving sleeve with a valve seat arranged between at least one first flow opening and at least one second flow opening. In the closed position, the sealing geometry cooperates sealingly with the valve seat and interrupts a fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening and the at least one second flow opening.In the open position, the sealing geometry is lifted from the valve seat and enables fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening and the at least one second flow opening.

[0012] The proposed method for assembling an armature assembly with a base body having a continuous axial recess, a sealing element having a shaft and a sealing geometry interacting with a valve seat, a return spring, and a spring support on which the return spring is supported, comprises the steps of: inserting the sealing element and the elastic damping element into a larger-diameter opening in the axial recess of the base body until a stop shoulder arranged on the sealing element is supported on an edge of a tapered portion of the axial recess designed as a stop, and the shaft and the sealing geometry protrude from a smaller-diameter opening in the axial recess, pressing the spring support into the larger-diameter opening of the axial recess to size, wherein the preload force of the elastic damping element is adjusted by pressing in the spring support,and inserting the return spring into the larger diameter opening of the axial recess until the return spring rests against the spring support.

[0013] The measures and further developments listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous improvements to the armature assembly for a solenoid valve specified in independent patent claim 1.

[0014] A particularly advantageous feature is that the damping element can be designed as an insert. This enables a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the armature assembly for a solenoid valve.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the armature assembly, the damping element can be connected to the sealing element via an adhesive and / or vulcanization process. The one-piece design advantageously reduces the number of assembly parts.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the armature assembly, the sealing element can be designed as a cylindrical plastic injection-molded part. The sealing element can thus preferably be made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Furthermore, the sealing element can be manufactured using a two-component technology, whereby an elastic component of the sealing element can form the damping element. The design as a plastic injection-molded part can advantageously increase the inherent elasticity of the sealing element.

[0017] Preferably, the elastic damping element can be arranged over the entire width on an end face of the sealing element facing the spring support.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, identical reference numerals designate components or elements that perform identical or similar functions. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a valve cartridge according to the invention for a solenoid valve with an armature assembly according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0019] As from Fig. 1, the illustrated embodiment of a valve cartridge 1 according to the invention for a solenoid valve comprises a pole core 5, a receiving sleeve 3 connected to the pole core 5, an armature assembly 10 which is guided axially movably within the receiving sleeve 3 against the force of a return spring 12 between a closed position and an open position and which comprises a sealing element 14 with a sealing geometry 19, and a valve sleeve 7 connected to the receiving sleeve 3 with a valve seat 7.1 which is arranged between at least one first flow opening 7.2 and at least one second flow opening 7.3. In the closed position, the sealing geometry 19 cooperates sealingly with the valve seat 7.1 and interrupts a fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening 7.2 and the at least one second flow opening 7.3. In the open position, the sealing geometry 19 is separated from the valve seat 7.1 and enables the fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening 7.2 and the at least one second flow opening 7.3.

[0020] As from Fig. 1, the illustrated embodiment of the armature assembly 10 for a solenoid valve comprises a base body 11, which at one end receives the sealing element 14 with the sealing geometry 19 cooperating with the valve seat 7.1 and at the other end the return spring 12, which is supported on a spring support 13. Here, the sealing element 14 is against the spring force F E an elastic damping element 15 is guided axially movably in a continuous axial recess 11.1 of the base body 11, wherein the elastic damping element 15 is arranged between the sealing element 14 and the spring support 13 and dampens an impulse arising when the sealing geometry 19 strikes the valve seat 7.1.

[0021] During a closing process of the solenoid valve, an impulse force F is generated when the sealing geometry 19 hits the valve seat 7.1. I This is reduced by the sealing element 14 being axially displaceable in the axial recess 11.1 of the base body 11 and being damped by the elastic damping element 15. This is the case when the impulse force F I greater than the preload force F E of the elastic damping element 15.

[0022] The axially movable armature assembly 10 is moved by a generated magnetic force within the receiving sleeve 3 against the force of the return spring 12 when a magnet assembly (not shown in detail) is energized, ie when an electric current is applied to a coil winding of the magnet assembly via electrical connections. The maximum possible stroke of the armature assembly 10 is determined by an air gap between the pole core 5 and the base body 11 of the armature assembly 10. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the sealing geometry 19 of the sealing element 14 cooperates sealingly with the valve seat 7.1 in the illustrated closed position and interrupts a fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening 7.2 and the at least one second flow opening 7.3. In an open position not illustrated in detail, the sealing geometry 19 of the sealing element 14 is lifted from the valve seat 7.1 and enables the fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening 7.2 and the at least one second flow opening 7.3.

[0023] As from Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 1, the valve cartridge 1 can be caulked into a corresponding receiving bore of a fluid block (not shown in detail) via a valve bushing 4. Furthermore, a radial filter 9 is arranged on the outside of the valve sleeve 7 in the area of ​​the at least one second flow opening 7.3 to filter dirt particles from the fluid flow.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the damping element 15 is designed as an insert. Alternatively, the damping element 15 can be connected to the sealing element 14 via an adhesive process and / or vulcanization process. Furthermore, the sealing element 14 can be manufactured using a two-component technology, with an elastic component of the sealing element 14 forming the damping element 15.

[0025] As from Fig.1, the sealing element 14 in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a cylindrical plastic injection-molded part with a stepped shaft 18. The elastic damping element 15 is made of an elastomer and arranged across the entire width on an end face of the sealing element 14 facing the spring support 13. The sealing geometry 19 is arranged at the thinner end of the shaft 18. The step forms a stop shoulder 18.1, which is supported on an edge of a tapered portion of the axial recess 11.1, designed as a stop 11.2. By reducing the outer diameter of the shaft 18, greater inherent elasticity is achieved in this area of ​​the sealing element 14. By attaching the elastic damping element 15 to the end face of the guide diameter of the sealing element 14, it is advantageously possible to dampen slight "over-springing" of the sealing element 14.

[0026] During assembly of the armature assembly 10, the sealing element 14 and the elastic damping element 15 are inserted into a larger-diameter opening of the axial recess 11.1 of the base body 11 until the stop shoulder 18.1 arranged on the sealing element 14 rests against the edge of a tapered portion of the axial recess 11.1, designed as a stop 11.2, and the shaft 18 and the sealing geometry 19 protrude from a smaller-diameter opening of the axial recess 11.1. Then, the spring support 13 is pressed into the larger-diameter opening of the axial recess 11.1, whereby the preload force F E of the elastic damping element 15 is adjusted. The return spring 12 is then inserted into the larger diameter opening of the axial recess 11.1 until the return spring rests against the spring support 13. The spring support, which is pressed in to size, results in a preload force F when the solenoid valve is closed.F the return spring 12, which is greater than the preload force F E of the elastic damping element 15.

[0027] By maintaining an assembly direction and eliminating the spring force adjustment, the assembly costs of the valve cartridge 1 of the solenoid valve can be significantly reduced.

[0028] The illustrated embodiment relates to a valve cartridge 1 for a normally closed solenoid valve. However, the armature assembly 10 according to the invention can also be used for a valve cartridge (not shown in detail) of a normally open solenoid valve to dampen the closing noise.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention provide an armature assembly and a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, which, through the use of an elastic damping element and an axially movable sealing element, advantageously dampen the impulse when the sealing geometry impacts the valve seat and thus reduce the structure-borne noise in the vehicle.

Claims

[1] Armature assembly (10) for a solenoid valve, comprising a base body (11) which accommodates at one end a sealing element (14) having a sealing geometry (19) cooperating with a valve seat (7.1) and at the other end a return spring (12) which is supported on a pressed-in spring support (13), wherein the sealing element (14) acts against the spring force (F E) of an elastic damping element (15) is guided axially movably in a continuous axial recess (11.1) of the base body (11), wherein the elastic damping element (15) is made of an elastomer and is arranged between the sealing element (14) and the pressed-in spring support (13) and dampens an impulse arising when the sealing geometry (19) impacts the valve seat (7.1), wherein the sealing element (14) has a stepped shaft (18), wherein the sealing geometry (19) is arranged at the thinner end of the shaft (18), and wherein the step forms a stop shoulder (18.1) which is supported on an edge of a taper of the axial recess (11.1) designed as a stop (11.2). [2] Anchor assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the damping element (15) is designed as an insert. [3] Anchor assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the damping element (15) is connected to the sealing element (14) via an adhesive process and / or vulcanization process. [4] Anchor assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the sealing element (14) is designed as a cylindrical plastic injection-molded part. [5] Anchor assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized by that the sealing element (14) is manufactured using a two-component technique, wherein an elastic component of the sealing element (14) forms the damping element (15). [6] Anchor assembly (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the elastic damping element (15) is arranged over the entire width on an end face of the sealing element (14) facing the spring support (13). [7] Valve cartridge (1) for a solenoid valve, with a pole core (5), a receiving sleeve (3) connected to the pole core (5), an armature assembly (10) designed according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is guided axially movably within the receiving sleeve (3) against the force of a return spring (12) between a closed position and an open position, which armature assembly comprises a sealing element (14) with a sealing geometry (19), and a valve sleeve (7) connected to the receiving sleeve (3) with a valve seat (7.1) which is arranged between at least one first flow opening (7.2) and at least one second flow opening (7.3), wherein the sealing geometry (19) in the closed position cooperates sealingly with the valve seat (7.1) and interrupts a fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening (7.2) and the at least one second flow opening (7.3), and wherein the sealing geometry (19) in the open position is separated from the valve seat (7.1) and enables fluid flow between the at least one first flow opening (7.2) and the at least one second flow opening (7.3). [8] Method for assembling an armature assembly (10) with a base body (11) which has a continuous axial recess (11.1), a sealing element (14) which has a shaft (18) and a sealing geometry (19) cooperating with a valve seat (7.1), a return spring (12) and a spring support (13) on which the return spring (12) is supported, characterized by the steps: Inserting the sealing element (14) and an elastic damping element (15) made of an elastomer into a larger-diameter opening of the axial recess (11.1) of the base body (11) until a stop shoulder (18.1) arranged on the sealing element (14) is supported on an edge of a tapered portion of the axial recess (11.1) designed as a stop (11.2) and the shaft (18) and the sealing geometry (19) protrude from a smaller-diameter opening of the axial recess (11.1), pressing the spring support (13) into the larger-diameter opening of the axial recess (11.1) to size, wherein by pressing in the spring support (13) a preload force (F E ) of the elastic damping element (15) is adjusted, and Insert the return spring (12) into the larger diameter opening of the axial recess (11.1) until the return spring rests on the spring support (13).

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