Valve and valve assembly

Abstract

Valve (2, 2') with a valve housing (4) comprising a housing cover (6), a housing base (10) and an intermediate housing (8) arranged between the housing cover (6) and the housing base (10), wherein the housing cover (6), the housing base (10) and the intermediate housing (8) enclose a valve chamber (12) and have at least one valve opening (14), wherein within the valve chamber (12) at least one actuating element (16) axially movable between a closed position for closing the valve opening (14) and an open position for releasing the valve opening (14), a wire- or strip-shaped SMA element (18) made of a shape memory alloy for actuating the actuating element (16) in the opening direction, a return element (20) for moving the actuating element (16) in the closing direction and a printed circuit board (22) are arranged,wherein the SMA element (18) is fixed to the actuating element (16) by a central section (18c) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (22) by its ends (18a, 18b) for energizing, characterized in that at least part of the guiding means for guiding the actuating element (16) and / or the fastening means for fixing the circuit board (22) within the valve (2, 2') and / or a receiving space (34) for receiving the components required for electrical contacting the circuit board (22) are formed by the intermediate housing (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve with a valve housing that encloses a valve chamber and has at least one valve opening. To actuate such a valve, an actuating element is arranged within the valve chamber, which is movable between a closed position for closing the valve opening and an open position for releasing the valve opening. Furthermore, the invention relates to a valve arrangement with multiple valves.

[0002] The movement of the actuating element between the open and closed positions can be achieved using shape memory alloys (SMA), for example in the form of wires. These are alloys that can exist in two different crystal structures depending on their temperature. At room temperature, a martensitic microstructure with a body-centered tetragonal lattice exists, which transforms into an austenitic microstructure with a face-centered cubic lattice above a transformation temperature of around 80°C. A wire made of such a shape memory alloy therefore has the property that it shortens due to the lattice transformation from a martensite to an austenite structure when heated above the transformation temperature. To heat the SMA element, it is usually subjected to an electric current, which causes it to shorten and thus allows the actuating element to move.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2005 060 217 A1 discloses a valve with a valve housing enclosing a pressure chamber, wherein a plunger for opening and closing a valve opening is arranged within the pressure chamber. The plunger is actuated to open the valve opening by an SMA element, which is electrically connected to a circuit board arranged within the valve housing so that it can be supplied with current. In addition to the SMA element and the circuit board, the valve comprises numerous other components, such as a shielding wall, the electronics required to contact the circuit board, sealing elements for sealing the pressure chamber or the individual components from one another, or guide means for guiding the actuating element within the pressure chamber.However, due to the numerous individual components required for the valve to function, high material costs are incurred and the production of the individual components and their assembly are associated with a high level of effort.

[0004] Valves with SMA elements are also known, for example, from the publications DE 11 2013 006 786 T5, DE 10 2012 222 570 A1 and DE 10 2016 219 342 A1, whereby DE 10 2016 219 342 A1 is a republished document.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a valve and a valve arrangement with a reduced number of components, the assembly of which is simplified, while the actuating force of the SMA element can still be effectively utilized and control of the actuating element should be enabled.

[0006] The first-mentioned object is achieved by a valve with the features according to claim 1. The valve has a valve housing comprising a housing cover, a housing base, and an intermediate housing arranged between the housing cover and the housing base, wherein the housing cover, the housing base, and the intermediate housing enclose a valve chamber. The valve housing has at least one valve opening and at least one actuating element arranged within the valve chamber and axially movable between a closed position for closing the valve opening and an open position for releasing the valve opening, a wire- or strip-shaped SMA element made of a shape memory alloy for actuating the actuating element in the opening direction or stroke direction, a return element for moving the actuating element in the closing direction or return direction, and a printed circuit board.The SMA element is fixed to the actuating element by a central section, and its ends are electrically connected directly or indirectly to the circuit board for applying current. According to the invention, at least some of the guide means used to guide the actuating element and / or the fastening means used to fix the circuit board within the valve or valve chamber and / or a receiving space for accommodating the components required for electrically contacting the circuit board are formed by the intermediate housing.

[0007] The idea of ​​the invention is therefore to reduce the number of separate components required for the functionality of the valve by integrating them into the intermediate housing itself or forming them in one piece with it. This has the advantage that no additional plastic parts or subassemblies are required. In this case, the valve chamber refers to the entire interior of the valve enclosed by the valve housing.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the valve, the valve chamber comprises a flow chamber and an actuation chamber, which are at least partially fluidically separated from one another by a partition wall having the at least one valve opening, wherein the partition wall is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing. The flow chamber is thus enclosed or delimited by the intermediate housing and, on the upper side, by the housing cover, while the actuation chamber is enclosed or delimited by the intermediate housing and, on the lower side, by the housing base. In other words, the valve chamber is divided into two regions that are essentially fluidically separated from one another: the flow chamber, through which a fluid, in particular air, flows, and the actuation chamber or actuator chamber, within which all components required for actuating the valve or for opening the valve opening, i.e., the actuating element, the SMA element, and the circuit board, are arranged.This has the advantage that the main flow of the flow fluid flows predominantly through the flow chamber and thus not past the components required to actuate the valve opening, in particular the SMA elements, or the main flow is guided in an area separated from the SMA elements. This allows the temperature of the SMA elements to be set and controlled more precisely, as the heating and cooling of the SMA elements occurs largely independently of the flow of the fluid flowing through the valve. In addition, due to the uniform, but reduced cooling, lower currents are required to apply current to the SMA element or to actuate the actuating element, thereby increasing the service life of the SMA element. Furthermore, this allows for a uniform flow of the fluid, lower pneumatic resistance, and noise optimization.

[0009] The flow chamber also advantageously has a first region and a second region, wherein a connecting channel connecting the first region of the flow chamber with the second region of the flow chamber and / or the valve opening is closed when the actuating element is in the closed position and is released when the actuating element is in the open position. In other words: a first region of the flow chamber and a second region of the flow chamber are connected to one another via the valve opening and / or the connecting channel. The term connecting channel is understood to mean the valve region between the actuating element for closing and releasing the valve opening and the sealing seat surrounding the valve opening, which sealing seat, for example, completely surrounds the actuating element. When the valve opening is closed, the connecting channel is connected to one of the two regions of the flow chambers, so that the fluid can also flow within the connecting channel orof the valve area.

[0010] A pressure connection connecting the valve to an air supply unit, in particular a pneumatic pump, opens into the valve chamber, in particular into the flow chamber, particularly preferably into the first region of the flow chamber. A consumer connection connecting the valve to a media reservoir, in particular an air cushion, opens into the valve chamber, in particular into the flow chamber, particularly preferably into the second region of the flow chamber. Preferably, the pressure connection for supplying air to the valve chamber and the consumer connection for supplying air to the media reservoir are formed by the intermediate housing and, in particular, are arranged entirely within the intermediate housing, i.e., they do not protrude from the intermediate housing or the valve, thereby saving space and preventing damage to the connections or the supply lines or hoses connected to them.Furthermore, at least one opening is preferably formed in the housing cover, which connects the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, or the first or second region of the flow chamber for discharging air from the valve or the media reservoir and / or the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, with the atmosphere or via which the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, can be connected to the atmosphere.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the guide means for guiding a first end section of the actuating element facing the valve opening comprise an intermediate wall which at least partially surrounds the valve opening and extends in the direction of movement of the actuating element, which intermediate wall is in particular formed integrally with the partition, wherein the intermediate wall forms a receiving space for the actuating element. The partition is thus formed as a wall section of the intermediate housing or the partition and extends from an area surrounding the valve opening into the actuating chamber. As a result, the actuating element is reliably guided by the intermediate housing during the axial movement in the stroke direction or in the opening direction and in the return direction, i.e. in the closing direction.

[0012] To guide a second end section of the actuating element facing away from the valve opening, further guide means are integrated in the circuit board, in particular in the form of a recess formed in the circuit board, in particular a through opening, into which the second end section of the actuating element extends at least partially and is mounted so as to be axially movable both in the open position and in the closed position.

[0013] At least one deformable projection formed on the intermediate housing advantageously serves as the fastening means. When assembled, this projection extends through a through-hole in the circuit board and is permanently connected to the circuit board. The projection is, for example, a plastic dome that is positively and force-fitted to the circuit board by hot-staking, thereby securing it to the intermediate housing. Fixing the circuit board to the intermediate housing also ensures that it is held freely suspended within the valve or valve chamber, so that external influences, such as deformation of the valve housing, do not impair the functionality of the valve.

[0014] For this purpose, the fastening means, in particular the at least one projection, is preferably arranged on an end face of the intermediate wall facing the circuit board or is formed there in one piece, wherein the end face of the intermediate state forms a stop surface of the circuit board during assembly as well as in the assembled state in order to ensure a firm connection of the two components and thus also a straight-line guidance of the actuating element within the receiving space of the intermediate wall and the receptacle of the circuit board.

[0015] Furthermore, the intermediate wall preferably has recesses extending in the direction of movement of the actuating element, in particular longitudinal slots, within which the SMA element is guided, whereby its central section is reliably held on the actuating element and a vertical movement of the actuating element is ensured when the SMA element is supplied with current.

[0016] To actuate the valve, the SMA element is energized, causing it to shorten and the valve's actuator to move in the stroke direction, thus opening the valve. For this purpose, the two ends of the SMA element are each electrically connected to the circuit board, preferably using a crimp connector.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the SMA element are connected to the circuit board in particular such that the ends are each fixed in a receptacle of the crimp connector that protrudes laterally beyond the circuit board perpendicular to a direction of movement of the actuating element and / or is spaced from a top side of the circuit board in a stroke direction of the actuating element. A section of the crimp connector that is spaced from the receptacle is arranged on the top side of the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board, in particular by means of at least one clamping means that is held in a recess in the circuit board in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner when assembled. The crimp connector - like the circuit board itself - is arranged freely suspended within the valve chamber, more precisely within the actuating chamber, and is only fixed to the circuit board.The force exerted by the SMA element on the actuating element is limited by the length of the SMA element or the shortening of the length of the SMA element caused by current supply. The receptacle for the crimp connector, which protrudes laterally beyond the circuit board and also extends along the circuit board in the direction of movement of the actuating element, results in the advantage that the SMA element has a greater length for a valve of the same height and can therefore exert a greater force on the actuating element. On the other hand, the height of the valve can be reduced compared to known valves in which the ends of the SMA element are arranged above the circuit board, while the length of the SMA element remains the same. The circuit board itself can be or is contacted with an electrical connection, in particular via a connector that can be inserted into the receptacle space of the intermediate housing.

[0018] The overall height of the valve can be further achieved by an advantageous design of the actuating element, in which the first end section of the actuating element has a through-opening extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuating element, which extends in particular centrally through the first end section, with the middle section of the SMA element being guided within the through-opening. During assembly, the SMA element is guided or threaded through the through-opening, and its ends are then secured in the receptacle of the crimp connectors.

[0019] To further facilitate assembly, in a further preferred embodiment, the first end portion of the actuating element has a lateral slot that opens into the through-opening, wherein the slot extends, in particular, from a position on an outer circumferential surface of the first end portion of the actuating element that is spaced apart from the through-opening in the direction of movement of the actuating element to the through-opening. In other words, the through-opening is laterally accessible, wherein the slot extends from the through-opening to the outer circumferential surface of the actuating element both perpendicularly and parallel to the direction of movement of the actuating element in order to prevent the SMA element from slipping out laterally during use of the valve.In order to ensure a secure closure of the valve opening, the actuating element also has a sealing element at its first end section which closes the valve opening and which, due to the advantageous design of the first end section described above, can be arranged directly on the latter.

[0020] In order to be able to both fill and vent the media reservoir with just one valve, in one variant of the valve an actuator is arranged within the valve chamber, in particular within the flow chamber, particularly preferably within the second region of the flow chamber, which actuator is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the intermediate housing and is coupled or interacts with the actuator element in such a way that the opening to the atmosphere is released when the actuator element is in the closed position and the opening is closed when the actuator element is in the release position. The actuator preferably carries a sealing element on a section facing the opening to the atmosphere and comprises a return element, for example a leaf spring, which preloads the actuator in the closing direction of the opening.With such a variant, a cyclical filling and venting of the media reservoir can be achieved, ensuring that the valve and thus the media reservoir are always vented when the valve control element is not actuated.

[0021] Particularly in cases where the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection do not protrude from the intermediate housing, it is advantageous if the valve housing, in particular the intermediate housing, has a support device that at least partially encompasses the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection. This protects the connections from mechanical influences, and their wall thicknesses can be designed as thin as possible, thereby optimizing, for example, the flow within the connection or the connection piece. Furthermore, this prevents the piece from bending or breaking off if the hose or line is subjected to lateral load, for example, by pulling the hose downwards from the side.Furthermore, the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection are preferably designed such that they have a first end section tapering towards a free end, facing away from the valve chamber, and a second end section facing the valve chamber, wherein the second end section is at least partially radially narrowed in the circumferential direction. In other words: a free end of the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection or the connection piece has a smaller outer diameter than an end facing the valve chamber, so that plugging on the hose is simplified. The partial radial narrowing of the second end section forms a rear engagement surface, whereby a hose plugged onto the piece can be fixed or secured against removal.

[0022] The second object is achieved by a valve arrangement having the features according to claim 15. The valve arrangement comprises a plurality of valves, each designed in particular as described above. The valve housings enclosing the valve chamber of a valve, in particular the intermediate housings and / or housing covers and / or housing bases, and / or the printed circuit boards are formed in one piece. In other words: the valve chambers of all valves in the valve arrangement are enclosed by a common valve housing or a common intermediate housing and / or housing cover and / or housing base. Furthermore, all SMA elements of the plurality of valves are electrically connected to a common printed circuit board. This allows the number of required components to be significantly reduced. Such a valve arrangement is integrated, for example, into a vehicle seat with contour adjustment.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the valve arrangement, at least a first part of the plurality of valves has a common pressure connection, which in each case opens into the valve chamber, in particular into the flow chamber, particularly preferably into a first region of the flow chambers or a region of the first valves comprising the first regions of the flow chambers, or is in each case connected to the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, particularly preferably the first region of the flow chamber or the region via at least one air duct and / or at least a second part of the plurality of valves has a common opening for connection to the atmosphere, which in particular opens into the first region of the flow chambers or a region comprising the first regions of the flow chambers or is connected to the first regions of the flow chambers via at least one air duct.In other words: The valve chambers of some of the valves are fluidically connected to the common pressure connection, in particular via air channels and / or regions or chambers integrated into or formed by the intermediate housing for supplying air into the respective valve chambers or flow chambers, more precisely into the first region of the flow chambers of the first valves. Furthermore, the valve chambers of some of the valves are connected to the atmosphere via a common opening, in particular again via air channels and / or regions or chambers integrated into or formed by the intermediate housing for discharging air from the respective valve chambers or flow chambers, more precisely in the second regions of the flow chambers of the second valves.Such a valve arrangement is used, for example, in a vehicle seat with contour adjustment for adjusting lumbar support or lateral support. Two valves are assigned to each media reservoir in the form of an air cushion, which are connected to the reservoir via the consumer connection and a supply line or a hose. The first valve is connected to a pneumatic pump via the pressure connection and a supply line, and the second valve is connected to the atmosphere via the opening. By opening the first valve while the second valve is closed at the same time, the media reservoir is filled. By closing both valves, the air volume is enclosed and held gas-tight within the air cushion. By opening the second valve while the first valve is closed at the same time, the air cushion is emptied. On the consumer side, the valves assigned to a media reservoir are connected via a common air duct or hose.a common air chamber. The first and second valves thus form a 3 / 3-way valve assembly.

[0024] In an alternative advantageous embodiment, the plurality of valves have a common pressure connection, which each opens into the valve chamber, in particular into the flow chamber, particularly preferably into the first region of the flow chamber of the valves or an area comprising the first regions of the flow chambers, or is each connected to the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, particularly preferably the first region of the flow chambers or the area via at least one air duct, wherein each valve has a separate opening for connecting the valve chamber, in particular the flow chamber, to the atmosphere, which opening in particular into the second region of the flow chamber. In other words: the valve chambers of all valves are fluidically connected to the common pressure connection, in particular via air ducts and / or chambers integrated in the intermediate housing or formed by it.Areas for supplying air to the respective valve chambers or flow chambers, more precisely to the first area of ​​the flow chambers. In addition, the valve chambers of all valves are each connected or connectable to the atmosphere via an opening, in particular again through air ducts integrated into or formed by the intermediate housing and / or chambers or areas for discharging air from the media reservoirs or the respective valve chambers or flow chambers, more precisely from the second areas of the flow chambers. This achieves a 3 / 2-way functionality, for example to implement a massage function, whereby the valve opening and the opening to the atmosphere are alternately opened and closed in order to achieve cyclical adjustment of the contour of the vehicle seat.

[0025] The functionality of the valve, whether 3 / 3-way or 3 / 2-way, is therefore primarily determined by the design of the intermediate housing, which forms the valve chambers and the air ducts or chambers. Thus, by selecting or replacing the intermediate housing accordingly, either a cyclic massage function or a static adjustment function can be achieved.

[0026] To implement the 3 / 3-way functionality, in a preferred embodiment, the valve chambers of the plurality of valves are, on the one hand, separated from the receiving chamber for the electronic contacting of the circuit board by a partition wall, wherein the partition wall is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing. On the other hand, the valves, whose valve chambers, in particular their flow chambers, particularly preferably their first regions, are connected to the pressure connection, and the valves, whose valve chambers, in particular their flow chambers, particularly preferably their first regions, are connected to the atmosphere, are separated from one another by a partition wall, wherein the partition wall is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing.To implement the 3 / 2-way functionality, in a preferred embodiment, the valve chambers of the multiple valves are separated at least from the receiving chamber for the electronic contacting of the circuit board by a partition wall, wherein the partition wall is formed in particular integrally with the intermediate housing. The multiple valves can be operated independently of one another to specifically fill or deflate individual air cushions.

[0027] In particular, the partition walls have a through-opening for the circuit board that is pneumatically sealed when assembled.

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail below with regard to further features and advantages based on the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of these drawings shows a schematic diagram: Fig. 1A is a sectional view of a valve according to a first embodiment in the closed position, Fig. 1B is a sectional view of a valve according to a second embodiment in the closed position, Fig. 2 a crimp connector for connecting the SMA element to the circuit board, Fig. 3A-D an actuating element for closing and releasing the valve opening according to a first embodiment, Fig. 4A - C an actuating element for closing and releasing the valve opening according to a second embodiment, Fig. 5A - B an actuator for closing and releasing the atmosphere opening, Fig. 6 a valve arrangement with several valves in an exploded view with an intermediate housing according to a first embodiment, Fig. 7 a plan view of the intermediate housing of a valve arrangement according to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 a detailed view of the intermediate housing with actuator from Fig. 7, Fig. 9 a bottom view of the intermediate housing of the valve assembly according to Fig. 6 with integrated circuit board, Fig. 10 a detailed view of a bottom side of the intermediate housing of the valve assembly according to Fig. 6 without circuit board, Fig. 11 is a plan view of an intermediate housing of a valve arrangement according to a second embodiment, Fig. 12 a partial section of an intermediate housing with a support device, Fig. 13A - C a connecting piece in different views.

[0029] Fig. 1A shows a valve 2 with a valve housing 4, which is composed of an upper housing cover 6, a lower housing base 10, and an intermediate housing 8 arranged between the housing cover 6 and the housing base 10. The valve housing 4 encloses a valve chamber 12 into which a valve opening 14 opens. Arranged within the valve chamber 12 is an actuating element 16 that is axially movable in a direction of movement B between a closed position for closing the valve opening 14 and an open position for releasing the valve opening 14. A wire-shaped SMA element 18 made of a shape memory alloy is used to actuate the actuating element 16 in an opening direction or stroke direction H. This wire-shaped SMA element 18 is held by a central section 18c on the actuating element 16, more precisely on its first end section 16a.For the application of current, the SMA element 18 is electrically connected by its ends 18a, 18b to a circuit board 22 which is also arranged within the valve chamber 12.

[0030] A return element 20, in this case a helical compression spring, is used to move the actuating element 16 in a closing direction or return direction R, which concentrically surrounds a second end section 16b of the actuating element 16 and is supported with a first end on the printed circuit board 22 and with a second end on the first end section 16b of the actuating element 16, which is radially widened compared to the second end section 16b.

[0031] The intermediate housing 8 comprises all components required for the functionality of the valve 2, in other words, all components required for this purpose are integrated in the intermediate housing 8 itself, as described below.

[0032] The valve chamber 12 is divided into a flow chamber 24 and an actuation chamber 26, which are separated from each other by a partition wall 28. The actuating element 16 and the components required to actuate the actuating element 16, namely the SMA element 18, the return element 20, and the circuit board 22, are arranged within the actuation chamber 26. The partition wall 28 is formed integrally with the intermediate housing 8 or is molded onto it. The flow chamber 24 has a first region 24a and a second region 24b, which are connected to each other via a connecting channel 24c, which is closed when the actuating element 16 is in the closed position and released when the actuating element 16 is in the open position.

[0033] To supply air to the valve chamber 12, more precisely to the flow chamber 24, its first area 24a is connected to an air supply unit or a pneumatic pump or a - in Fig. 1A - a pressure connection that is or will be connected to the pneumatic pump via a supply line, opens directly or indirectly into the first region 24a of the flow chamber 24. By opening the valve opening 14, the supplied air can flow from the first region 24a into the second region 24b via the connecting channel 24c that passes through the valve opening. The valve 2 is used in particular for filling a media reservoir (not shown), for example an air cushion of a vehicle seat with contour adjustment. For this purpose, the valve chamber 12, more precisely the flow chamber 24 or its second region 24b, is fluidically connected to a consumer connection 30, or the consumer connection 30 opens into the second region 24b, so that the media reservoir can be connected to the valve 2 by means of hoses.Both the pressure port and the consumer port 30 are formed integrally with the intermediate housing 8 and do not protrude therefrom. If the valve 2 serves to discharge air from a media reservoir, the first region 24a of the flow chamber 24 is connected or connectable to the atmosphere. When the valve opening 14 is open, the air can flow from the media reservoir or from the second region 24b and via the connecting channel 24c into the first region 24a, from where it can be released into the environment.

[0034] Furthermore, the intermediate housing 8 has a receiving space 34 for receiving the components required for electrical contacting of the printed circuit board 22, such as plug connectors, which Fig. 1A is arranged in a rear part of the intermediate housing 8 and is shown only in dashed lines.

[0035] To guide the actuating element 16 during its actuation, guide means are provided, which are formed by the intermediate housing 8. The guide means comprise an intermediate wall 36, which extends from the partition 28 in a region of the valve opening 14 in the direction of movement B into the actuating chamber 26 and is formed integrally with the partition 28 or the intermediate housing 8. The intermediate wall 36 defines a receiving space 38 for the upper, first end section 16a facing the valve opening 14. To guide the second end section 16b, guide means are integrated into the circuit board 22, specifically in the form of a recess 40 formed therein, in this case a through-opening into which the second end section 16b extends in both the open and closed positions of the actuating element 16. To guide the SMA element 18, the intermediate wall 36 has recesses 27 extending in the direction of movement B.

[0036] Thus, no additional or separate guide means in the form of further components are required to guide the actuating element 16 during an axial movement in the direction of movement B, i.e. during the actuation of the actuating element 16.

[0037] To keep the valve opening 14 in the closed position - as shown in Fig. 1A - a sealing element 42 closing the valve opening 14 is arranged on the end section 16a facing the valve opening 14 and cooperates with a sealing seat surrounding the valve opening 14.

[0038] To control the valve 2 and to apply current to the SMA element 18 in order to shorten it and thus actuate the actuating element 16, the ends 18a, 18b are electrically connected to the circuit board 22, each by means of a crimp connector 44. Such a crimp connector 44 is in Fig. 2 is shown enlarged. The ends 18a, 18b of the SMA element 18 are each fixed in a receptacle 46 of the crimp connector 44 and thus indirectly contacted with the circuit board 22 via the crimp connectors 44. The crimp connectors 44 protrude laterally beyond the circuit board 22 perpendicular to the direction of movement B, each with a projection A1. Furthermore, the crimp connectors 44 extend in the stroke direction H from an upper side 22a of the circuit board 22 and parallel to this in the direction of the housing base 10, i.e. with a projection A2 starting from the upper side 22a of the circuit board 22 in the direction of its underside 22b, wherein the receptacle 46 of the crimp connector 44 ends at a distance in front of the housing base 10, i.e. is arranged freely suspended within the valve chamber 12. A section 48 of the crimp connector 44 spaced from the receptacle 46 is electrically connected to the circuit board 22 via clamping means 50.In this case, the section 48 can either lie flat on the upper side 22a or be at least partially spaced slightly from the upper side 22a. In order to achieve a connection that is independent of tolerances of the circuit board 22 or its upper side 22a, the crimp connector 44 or its section 48 is completely minimally spaced from the upper side 22a and the crimp connector 44 is supported only by the clamping means 50. Each crimp connector 44 in the present case has two clamping means 50, each extending through a recess in the circuit board 22, which in this case are essentially oval and annular, which are elastically deformable for insertion into the recess and are held in the recess in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner in the assembled state. The crimp connectors 44 thus establish the electrical connection between the ends 18a, 18b of the SMA element 18 fixed thereto and the circuit board 22.Due to the crimp connectors 44 projecting both laterally and in the stroke direction H, an additional length of the SMA element 18, namely the length of the diagonal of an imaginary rectangle with side lengths A1 and A2, can be used to actuate the actuating element 16, thereby achieving an overall reduction in the overall height of the valve 2. The circuit board 22 itself is contacted with an electrical connection by a connector that can be inserted into the receiving space 34 of the intermediate housing 8.

[0039] To secure the circuit board 22 within the valve chamber 12, the intermediate wall 36, which is formed integrally with the intermediate housing 8, has two deformable projections 52 as fastening means. These projections are formed on its end face and, in the assembled state, extend through a through-opening of the circuit board 22 and are permanently connected to the circuit board 22. The end face also forms a stop surface for the circuit board 22.

[0040] The Fig. The valve 2' shown in Figure 1B is designed as a 3 / 2-way valve and thus has a further valve opening, namely an opening 32, which connects the valve chamber 12 to the atmosphere in order to allow air to flow out of the valve chamber 12. Otherwise, the design of the valve 2' corresponds to that of the valve shown in Fig. 1A, so that the individual components are provided with the same reference numerals. To achieve the 3 / 2-way functionality, an actuator 58 is arranged within the valve chamber 12 or within the flow chamber 24, which actuator is rotatably mounted on the intermediate housing 8 and is operatively connected to the actuating element 16. The actuator 58 is in the Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B is shown in more detail. The actuator 58 has, on a section facing the opening 32, a sealing element 60 for closing the opening 32. At an end section facing the actuator 16, the actuator 58 comprises a switching finger 62, which is in contact with the actuator 16 or rests against its sealing element 42. If the actuator 16 is actuated and the valve opening 14 is opened, the switching finger 62 is also moved in the stroke direction by a return element 64, in this case a leaf spring, and the actuator 58 is thus rotated about its pivot point, so that the opening 32 is closed by the sealing element 60. If the SMA element 18 is no longer supplied with current and since the actuator 16 is thus moved in the return direction R by the return element 20, the switching finger 62 is also moved in the return direction R by the actuator 16 or its sealing element 42.As a result of this and due to a V-shaped pivot point 66 of the actuator 58, the sealing element 60 opens the opening 32. The opening 32 to the atmosphere is thus exposed when the actuator 16 is in the closed position and closed when the actuator 16 is in the released position, ensuring that the valve chamber 12 or a media reservoir is always vented when the valve 2 is not actuated. Such a 3 / 2-way valve is used, for example, in a vehicle seat with a massage function, wherein one or more air cushions are cyclically inflated and deflated.

[0041] In the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D shows an enlarged view of the actuating element 16 of the valves 2, 2' according to a first embodiment. The first end section 16a of the actuating element 16 has at least one through-opening 54 extending perpendicular to the direction of movement B of the actuating element 16, which extends centrally—relative to the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement B—through the first end section 16a. In the assembled state (cf. Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B), the central portion 18c of the SMA element 18 is guided within the through-opening 54. The SMA element 18 can be guided through this through-opening 54 according to the "needle-thread principle" and reliably held therein.

[0042] In the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. Figure 4C shows an alternative variant for the actuating element 16 of the valves 2, 2'. Corresponding components are again provided with the same reference numerals. Here, the through-opening 54 is additionally accessible via a lateral slot 56, or a lateral slot 56 is further provided in the first end section 16a, which opens into the through-opening 54. The slot 56 extends from a position spaced from the through-opening 54 in the direction of movement B of the actuating element 16 on an outer circumferential surface of the first end section 16a in the direction of the through-opening 54, i.e., obliquely from top to bottom, in order to prevent the SMA element 18 from slipping out in the assembled state and to ensure its secure hold.

[0043] Fig. 6 shows a valve arrangement 100 with a plurality of valves 2 in an exploded view. The valve arrangement 100 comprises a common valve housing for all valves 2. In other words, the valve housings each enclosing the valve chamber 12 of a valve 2, namely the intermediate housing 108, the housing cover 106, and the housing base 110, are formed as a single piece. The valve arrangement 100 therefore has a common intermediate housing 108, a common housing cover 106, and a common housing base 110, within which the respective valve chamber 12 of a valve is formed. Furthermore, the valve arrangement 100 has a single-piece, common printed circuit board 122 for all valves 2. This allows the space required by the plurality of valves 2 of the valve arrangement 100, as well as the number of required components and the assembly of the valve arrangement 100, to be significantly reduced compared to previously known valve arrangements.

[0044] The valves 2 of the exemplary valve arrangement 100 are essentially as shown in Fig. 1A, corresponding components are provided with the same reference numerals. They each have an actuating element 16 that is axially movable within the valve chamber 12 between a closed position for closing a valve opening and an open position for releasing the valve opening, a wire-shaped SMA element 18 that serves to actuate the actuating element 16 in the opening direction, and a return element 20 that serves to move the actuating element 16 in the closing direction. The SMA elements 18 are in turn electrically connected to the circuit board 22 at their respective ends by means of a crimp connector 44. The SMA elements 18 are each fixed to the associated actuating element 16 by a central section in order to actuate this in a stroke direction when supplied with current. For this purpose, the circuit board 22 is controlled or connected via an electrical connector 168 that can be inserted into a receiving space 34 of the intermediate housing 108.electrically contacted. Furthermore, a check valve 172, for example in combination with a pressure sensor, is arranged between the intermediate housing 108 and the housing cover 106. A damping foam 174 is also arranged within the valve housing to reduce noise generation, particularly when venting the valves 2. The intermediate housing 108 has a pressure connection 170 for connection to an air supply unit and four consumer connections 130 for connection to four media reservoirs, particularly air cushions of a vehicle seat with contour adjustment.

[0045] In Fig. 7 is the intermediate housing 108 of the valve assembly from Fig. 6 in a plan view, in Fig. 8 a section of the intermediate housing 108 and in Fig. 9 the intermediate housing 108 is shown in a bottom view with the printed circuit board 122 mounted. Fig. 10 shows section A of the intermediate housing 108 in a bottom view without the circuit board. Air is supplied to the flow chambers, more precisely to the first regions 24a of the flow chambers of a first part of the valves 2, in this case four valves 2a, via a common pressure connection 170, which can be connected to a pneumatic pump, via an air channel 176 formed by the intermediate housing 108 and delimited at the top by the intermediate housing 108 (indicated by dashed arrows). A check valve 172 is arranged within the air channel 176 between the pressure connection 170 and a region 182. The first regions 24a of the valves 2a together form the region 182 into which the air channel 176 opens, i.e., the end section of the air channel 176. However, it would also be conceivable to separate the first regions 24a from each other by partition walls, so that the first regions 24a each form an end section of the air duct 176.Air flowing into the first regions 24a is essentially held in the first regions 24a when the valve opening 14 is closed. However, a slight air exchange takes place between the flow chamber 24 or the first regions 24a and the respective actuation chamber 26 of the valve 2 via air gaps 92, so that pressure equalization is ensured. The dimension of the gap can also be used to set the desired cooling of the SMA elements 18 or to dissipate heat from the actuation chamber 26. If the valve opening 14 is opened, air flows from the first region 24a of the flow chamber via the connecting channel 24c through the valve opening 14 into the second region 24b or further via air channels 178a, b, c, d to consumer connections 130a, b, c, d for four media reservoirs or air cushions in the present case (see . Fig. 8 - solid arrows).

[0046] A second part of the valves 2, in this case four valves 2b, has a common opening 132 to the atmosphere, which is formed in the housing cover 106 (cf. Fig. 6) and via which the first regions 24a of the flow chambers 24 of the second part of the valves 2b or a region 184 comprising the first regions 24a of the valves 2b are connected to the atmosphere. If a media reservoir is vented, the air contained therein initially flows via the respective consumer connection 130a, b, c, d into the air channels 178a, b, c, d or the second regions 24b and then via the open valve opening 14 of the valves 2b and the connecting channel 24c into the region 184 (see Fig. 8 - dashed arrows). Here, too, an air exchange occurs via the air gaps 92 between the area 184 and the actuating chambers 26 of the valves 2b when the valve opening 14 is open.

[0047] The second regions 24b of the flow chambers of a first valve 2a and a second valve 2b are each fluidically connected in pairs to one another and to one of the four consumer connections 130a, b, c, d for four media reservoirs or air cushions. Each media reservoir or air cushion is assigned one of the air channels 178a, b, c, d or air chambers, wherein the air channels 178a, b, c, d, as well as the regions 182, 184 and the partition walls 180, 188 separating the regions 184, 186, are in turn integrally formed with the intermediate housing 108 or are formed by it. In other words: a first valve 2a and a second valve 2b are each assigned to a media reservoir and connected to it, wherein the first valve 2a serves to fill the media reservoir with air and the second valve 2b serves to empty the media reservoir.By combining ventilation and venting through air channels 178a, b, c, d formed in the intermediate housing 108, a 3 / 3-way functionality of the valve arrangement 100 is achieved. The valve arrangement 100 is thus divided into three areas with regard to air flow: a pressure area 182, which is connected to the pneumatic pump and in which the valves 2a or their first areas 24a are arranged; a venting area 184, which is connected to the opening 132 to the atmosphere and in which the first areas 24a of the valves 2b are arranged; and an electronics area 186, which contains the essential electronic components. Pressure sensors (not shown) can be provided in both the pressure area 182 and the venting area 184 or the electronics area 186 in order to be able to draw conclusions about the respective pressure in the air cushions.

[0048] The printing area 182, the venting area 184, and the electronics area 186 are each separated from one another by partition walls 180, 188 formed by the intermediate housing 108 and are pneumatically sealed from one another. To achieve a sealed transition of the printed circuit board 122 between the printing area 182 and the venting area 184 and between the venting area 184 and the electronics area 186, an adhesive is applied to the transition in the partition wall 180, 188 through an opening in the printed circuit board 122. This adhesive is distributed in the space between the printed circuit board 122 and the partition wall 180, 188 and can be cured, for example, by UV light, to form an adhesive joint 190.

[0049] For fastening the circuit board 122 to the intermediate housing 108, the latter has projections 52 which are formed on one end face of the intermediate walls 36 forming the receiving spaces 38 ( Fig. 10) and, in the assembled state, extend through recesses in the circuit board 122 and are permanently fixed therein ( Fig. 9).

[0050] The pneumatic pump and the media reservoirs are connected to the valve assembly via hoses that are pushed onto the pressure port 170 and the consumer ports 130a, b, c, d, respectively. To protect the pressure port 170 and the consumer ports 130a, b, c, d, which in this case are arranged entirely within the intermediate housing 108 and do not protrude therefrom, from mechanical influences, a support device 194 is integrated into the intermediate housing 108, through which the hoses can be pushed and onto the ports (see also Fig. 12). The support device 194 is, for example, a sheet metal part partially surrounding the pressure connection 170 and the consumer connections 130a, b, c, d, with an opening through which a hose can be inserted for connection to the connections. In a valve assembly 100 with such a support device 194, for example, the wall thickness of the cylindrically shaped connections can be reduced, which in turn increases the flow rate of the valve 2. Fig. 13A to 13C show an example of a consumer connection 30, 130; a pressure connection 170 has a corresponding shape. The consumer connection 30, 130 has a first end section 31a that tapers towards a free end and faces away from the valve chamber 12. Adjacent to this end section is a substantially elliptical second end section 31a, 31b that faces the valve chamber. The end section 31c has a larger outer diameter than the end section 31b, i.e., it is radially widened. The widened section 31c is arranged on the underside of the consumer connection 30, 130 in the assembled state. As a result, a rear engagement surface 31d is formed between the first end section 31a and the second end section 31b, c, which ensures a secure fit of the hose plugged onto the consumer connection 30, 130 and secures the hose against being pulled off.

[0051] Fig. 11 shows an intermediate housing 208 according to a further embodiment, namely for a valve arrangement comprising several according to Fig. 1B, and several air cushions are used, for example, to perform a massage function on a vehicle seat, i.e., for cyclical ventilation and de-aeration. Since the remaining components of the valve arrangement essentially correspond to those of the previously described valve arrangement 100, reference should be made to this. By selecting the intermediate housing 108 or 208 and thus the air channels arranged therein, a desired functionality—massage or static setting—can be achieved.

[0052] The intermediate housing 208 has a common pressure connection 270, via which all valves 2' can be connected to a pneumatic pump. The pressure connection 270 is connected to the first regions 24a of the flow chambers 24 of the valves 2' via an air channel 276 formed within the intermediate housing 208, or opens into them. For reasons of clarity, the actuator 58 is shown in dashed lines for only one of the valves 2'. An opening to the atmosphere of each valve 2' is formed in the housing cover, which connects the second regions 24b of the flow chambers to the atmosphere (see Fig. 1B). Each valve 2' is assigned a media reservoir, with which the respective valve 2' or its second area 24b is connected via an air duct 278 and via consumer connections 230, which in turn are connected according to Fig. 13A - C can be formed.

[0053] In an intermediate housing 208 designed in this way, the valve assembly has a continuous pressure area 282, which is in turn separated from an electronics area 286 by a partition wall 288. A transition of the circuit board between the pressure area 282 and the electronics area 286 is also pneumatically sealed here by means of an adhesive joint 190, in accordance with the above explanations.

[0054] To fill a media reservoir, air flows via the air channel 276 into the first regions 24a or into the pressure region 282 comprising the first regions 24a and - as with the intermediate housing 108 - via air gaps 92 into the actuating chamber 26. If the valve opening 14 is opened, air flows from the first region 24a via the connecting channel 24c through the valve opening 14 into the second region 24b and from there, if necessary via further air channels not shown here, via the consumer connections 230 to the respective media reservoir. At the same time, the actuator 58 is moved so that the opening 32 is closed. To vent the media reservoir, the valve opening 14 is closed by moving the actuating element 16 in the return direction, which in turn also moves the actuator 58 and thus opens the opening 32.As a result, the excess pressure in the media reservoir causes the air trapped therein to flow out of the valve 2' through the opening 32. In the intermediate housing 208, the air channels 276 and the pressure area 282 are also formed by the intermediate housing itself. List of reference symbols 2, 2a, 2b valve 4 valve housings 6 housing cover 8 intermediate housings 10 Case back 12 Valve chamber 14 Valve opening 16 Control element 16a first end section of the adjusting element 16b second end section of the adjusting element 18 SMA element 18a first end of the SMA element 18b second end of the SMA element 18c middle section of the SMA element 20 Return element (coil spring) 22 circuit board 22a Top of the circuit board 22b Bottom of the circuit board 24 flow chamber 24a first area of ​​the flow chamber 24b second area of ​​the flow chamber 26 Actuating chamber 28 Partition wall 30, 130, 230 consumer connection 31a, b, c, d sections of the consumer connection 32 Opening 34 Recording room 36 Partition wall 38 Recording Room 40 recess 42 Sealing element 44 crimp connectors 46 Crimp connector holder 48 section of the crimp connector 50 clamping devices 52 lead 54 passage opening 56 slot 58 Actuator 60 sealing element 62 shift fingers 64 Reset element 66 Pivot point 92 air gap 100 valve arrangement 106 Housing cover 108, 208 intermediate housing 110 Case back 116 Control element 168 connectors 170, 270 pressure connection 172 Check valve 174 Damping foam 176, 276 air duct 178a, b, c, d, 278 air channels 180 partition wall 182 print area 184 Ventilation area 186 Electronics sector 188, 288 partition wall 190 splice B Direction of movement of the actuator H stroke direction R Reset direction A1 lateral overhang of the crimp connector A2 axial projection of the crimp connector

Claims

[1] Valve (2, 2') with a valve housing (4), comprising a housing cover (6), a housing base (10) and an intermediate housing (8) arranged between the housing cover (6) and the housing base (10), wherein the housing cover (6), the housing base (10) and the intermediate housing (8) enclose a valve chamber (12) and have at least one valve opening (14), wherein at least one actuating element (16) axially movable between a closed position for closing the valve opening (14) and an open position for releasing the valve opening (14), a wire- or strip-shaped SMA element (18) made of a shape memory alloy serving to actuate the actuating element (16) in the opening direction, a return element (20) serving to move the actuating element (16) in the closing direction and a printed circuit board (22) are arranged within the valve chamber (12),wherein the SMA element (18) is fixed to the actuating element (16) by a central section (18c) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (22) by its ends (18a, 18b) for supplying current, characterized by that at least some of the guide means serving to guide the actuating element (16) and / or fastening means serving to fix the printed circuit board (22) within the valve (2, 2') and / or a receiving space (34) for receiving the components required for electrically contacting the printed circuit board (22) are formed by the intermediate housing (8). [2] Valve (2, 2') according to claim 1, wherein the valve chamber (12) comprises a flow chamber (24) and an actuation chamber (26) which are fluidically separated from one another by a partition wall (28) having the at least one valve opening (14), wherein the partition wall (28) is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing (8). [3] Valve (2, 2') according to claim 2, wherein a connecting channel (24c) connecting a first region (24a) of the flow chamber (24) and a second region (24b) of the flow chamber (24) and / or the valve opening (14) is closed in the closed position of the actuating element (16) and is released in the open position of the actuating element (16). [4] Valve (2, 2') according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein a pressure connection connecting the valve (2) to an air supply unit and opening into the valve chamber (12), in particular into the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably into the first region (24a) of the flow chamber (24), and / or a consumer connection (30) connecting the valve (2) to a media reservoir, in particular an air cushion, and opening into the valve chamber (12), in particular into the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably into the second region (24b) of the flow chamber (24), are formed by the intermediate housing (8), wherein the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection (30) are arranged in particular completely within the intermediate housing (8), and / or wherein at least one opening (32, 132) is formed in the housing cover (6), which opens the valve chamber (12), in particular the flow chamber (24), for discharging air from the media reservoir and / or the valve chamber (12),in particular the flow chamber (24) with the atmosphere or via which the valve chamber (12), in particular the flow chamber (24) can be connected to the atmosphere., [5] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means for guiding a first end section (16a) of the actuating element (16) facing the valve opening (14) comprise an intermediate wall (36) which at least partially surrounds the valve opening (14) and extends in the direction of movement (B) of the actuating element (16), which is formed integrally with the intermediate housing (8), in particular integrally with the partition wall (28), and which forms a receiving space (38) for the actuating element (16). [6] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein guide means for guiding a second end section (16b) of the actuating element (16) facing away from the valve opening (14) are integrated in the printed circuit board (22), in particular in the form of a recess (40) formed in the printed circuit board (22) into which the second end section (16b) of the actuating element (16) extends at least partially. [7] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means comprise at least one deformable projection (52) formed on the intermediate housing (8), which, in the assembled state, extends through a recess of the printed circuit board (22) and is non-detachably connected to the printed circuit board (22). [8] Valve (2, 2') according to claim 7, wherein the fastening means, in particular the at least one projection (52) is formed on an end face of the intermediate wall (36) facing the circuit board (22), wherein the end face of the intermediate wall (36) forms a stop surface for the circuit board (22). [9] Valve (2, 2') according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the intermediate wall (36) has recesses (27) extending in the direction of movement (B) of the actuating element (16), within which the SMA element (18) is guided. [10] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ends (18a, 18b) of the SMA element (18) are each electrically connected to the circuit board (22) by means of a crimp connector (44), in particular such that the ends (18a, 18b) of the SMA element (18) are each fixed in a receptacle (46) of the crimp connector (44) which projects laterally beyond the circuit board (22) perpendicular to a direction of movement (B) of the actuating element (16) and / or is spaced apart from an upper side (22a) of the circuit board (22) in a stroke direction (H) of the actuating element (16), and wherein a section (48) of the crimp connector (44) spaced apart from the receptacle (46) is arranged on the upper side (22a) of the circuit board (22) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (22), in particular by means of at least one clamping means (50), which, in the assembled state, is held positively and / or non-positively in a recess of the printed circuit board (22). [11] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end section (16a) of the actuating element (16) has a through-opening (54) extending perpendicular to the direction of movement (B) of the actuating element (16), which extends through the first end section (16a), in particular centrally, wherein the central section (18c) of the SMA element (18) is guided within the through-opening (54). [12] Valve (2, 2') according to claim 11, wherein the first end portion (16a) of the actuating element (16) has a lateral slot (56) which opens into the through-opening (54), wherein the slot (56) extends in particular from a position spaced from the through-opening (54) in the direction of movement (B) of the actuating element (16) on an outer circumferential surface of the first end portion (16a) of the actuating element (16) to the through-opening (54). [13] Valve (2, 2') according to one of claims 2 to 12, wherein an actuator (58) is arranged within the valve chamber (12), in particular within the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably within the second region (24b) of the flow chamber (24), which actuator (58) is rotatably mounted on the intermediate housing (8) and coupled to the actuating element (16) in such a way that the opening (32) to the atmosphere is released when the actuating element (16) is in the closed position and the opening is closed when the actuating element (16) is in the released position. [14] Valve (2, 2') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve housing (4), in particular the intermediate housing (8) has a support device which at least partially encompasses the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection (30) and / or wherein the pressure connection and / or the consumer connection (30) have a first end section (31a) tapering towards a free end and facing away from the valve chamber (12) and a second end section (31b, 31c) facing the valve chamber (12), wherein the second end section (31b, 31c) is at least partially radially narrowed in the circumferential direction. [15] Valve arrangement (100) with a plurality of valves (2, 2') each designed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate housings (108, 208) and / or housing covers (106) and / or housing bases (110), and / or printed circuit boards (122) each enclosing the valve chamber (12) of a valve (2, 2') are formed in one piece. [16] Valve arrangement (100) according to claim 15, wherein at least a first part of the plurality of valves (2a) has a common pressure connection (170, 270), which each opens into the valve chamber (12), in particular into the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably into a first region (24a) of the flow chambers (24) or a region (182) comprising the first regions (24a) of the flow chambers (24), or is each connected to the valve chamber (12), in particular the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably the first region (24a) of the flow chamber (24) or the region (182) via at least one air duct (176), and / or wherein at least a second part of the plurality of valves (2b) has a common opening for connection to the atmosphere,which in particular opens into the first region (24a) of the flow chamber (24) or a region (184) comprising the first regions (24a) of the flow chambers (24) or is connected to the first regions (24a) of the flow chambers (24). [17] Valve arrangement (100) according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of valves (2') have a common pressure connection (270), which each opens into the valve chamber (12), in particular into the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably into the first region of the flow chambers (24) of the valves (2') or a region (282) comprising the first regions (24a) of the flow chambers (24), or is each connected to the valve chamber (12), in particular the flow chamber (24), particularly preferably the first region (24a) of the flow chambers (24) or the region (282) via at least one air duct (276), and wherein each valve (2') has a separate opening (32) for connection to the atmosphere, which opening in particular into the second region (24b) of the flow chamber (24). [18] Valve arrangement (100) according to one of claims 16 or 17, wherein the at least one air channel (176, 276) and / or the region (182, 184, 282) comprising the first regions (24a) of the flow chambers (24) are formed by the intermediate housing (108, 208). [19] Valve arrangement (100) according to one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the valve spaces (12) of the plurality of valves (2, 2') are separated from the receiving space (34) for the electronic contacting of the printed circuit board (122) by a partition wall (180, 288), wherein the partition wall (180, 288) is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing (108, 208), and / or wherein the valves (2a) and the valves (2b) are separated from one another by a partition wall (188), wherein the partition wall (188) is in particular formed integrally with the intermediate housing (108), wherein the partition walls (180, 188, 288) have a through-opening for the printed circuit board (122) which is pneumatically sealed in the assembled state.

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