Multi-way valve for fluid for a device preparation device, multi-fluid multi-way valve for a device preparation device and device preparation device, in particular coffee machine

Abstract

Multi-way valve (01) for fluid, in particular water and / or water vapor, for a beverage preparation device, comprising a fluid opening (02) designed as a fluid inlet (03) for the fluid and a plurality of fluid openings (02) designed as controlled fluid outlets (04) for the fluid, where a plurality of modular valve segments (05), each having a fluid inlet (14) and at least one fluid outlet (04, 13) and a valve actuating device (17) controlling at least one fluid outlet (04), wherein the valve actuating device (17) is adjustable by a mechanical control unit (21) between at least one open position and at least one closed position and is preferably arranged in a valve segment housing (07), and wherein the modular valve segments (05), in particular also the valve segment housings (07), are connected to one another in such a way that a respective fluid outlet (13) of one of the valve segments (05) and a fluid inlet (14) of a subsequent one of the valve segments (05) form a main valve line (15) adjoining the fluid inlet (03) of the valve, characterized by that the mechanical control units (21) for controlling the modular valve segments (05) and / or valve actuating devices (17) are connected to one another, in particular coupled, in such a way that a common, in particular a uniformly movable control device (20) of the multi-way valve (01) is formed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-way valve for fluid, in particular water and / or steam, for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine. The present invention further relates to a multi-fluid multi-way valve for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine, with a corresponding multi-way valve and / or a multi-fluid multi-way valve.

[0002] In the various areas of beverage preparation devices, especially beverage vending machines, particularly coffee machines, various media, in particular various fluids, generally have to be handled and / or controlled. In many cases, the media or fluids are hot water, cold water, steam, and / or cleaning fluid.Since the respective fluids in the beverage preparation devices have to be made available to different components, consumers and / or dispensing and output points, a correspondingly complex control of the fluid flows is required in order to, on the one hand, make the fluids available reliably and with the desired properties, for example pressure, temperature and flow rate or volume, to the respective components or points of the device and, at the same time, to keep the effort involved, in particular the pumps or similar conveying devices to be provided accordingly, within a reasonable and economical framework.

[0003] For this purpose, multi-way valves have become established in the state of the art. In these valves, a corresponding fluid is provided at a fluid inlet or is fed to a fluid inlet by means of a pump or other conveying device and is then made available to the corresponding consumers, assemblies, or dispensing points in a controlled manner via a plurality of controlled or controllable valve outlets. In the past, the trend has prevailed that the required multi-way valve for controlling a fluid is individually developed or at least individually designed for the respective beverage preparation device, i.e. for the respective beverage vending machine or the corresponding coffee machine. A multitude of different design concepts are known on the basis of this approach. These include, among others:DE 10 2007 056 712 A1, EP 2 778 528 B1, DE 10 2008 001 520 A1, DE 10 2013 206 111 A1, WO 2006 / 135 864 A2 and DE 10 2016 216 045 A1.

[0004] What all of the aforementioned prior art concepts have in common is that adapting the multi-way valve to a changed or adapted functionality or task is only possible with relatively great effort and, in particular, with significant design changes. This means that, on the one hand, the effort required to adapt or revise the multi-way valves is particularly great. Furthermore, with regard to the individual parts or assemblies to be used, there is no standardization at all, and the use of identical parts or reuse of previously designed and possibly already manufactured identical parts or assemblies is only possible to a very limited extent. EP 2 502 531 A1 and DE 40 36 068 A1 disclose multi-way valves that are improved in some aspects.

[0005] Furthermore, the known multi-way valves often have the disadvantage that, as already mentioned above, they are specifically designed for use in a beverage preparation device, preferably in a beverage vending machine or a coffee machine, and are accordingly adapted to an individual installation situation or to an individual spatial situation, but that this installation situation cannot be transferred to a slightly modified or even fundamentally revised other beverage preparation device, so that either when trying to integrate a known or existing multi-way valve into a new or modified beverage preparation device, valuable installation space or valuable volume is lost, remains unused, or to avoid such a loss of volume, a further revision of the design or at least an adaptation of the overall design is necessary.which in turn leads to the disadvantages already mentioned above with regard to standardization and economies of scale.

[0006] Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present invention is to further develop the known multi-way valves and, in addition, to propose a multi-fluid multi-way valve that, through appropriate standardization of components and assemblies, allows for the implementation of multi-way valves of almost any complexity, while simultaneously requiring a minimum number or a minimum number of different parts or components. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to propose a multi-way valve with particularly simple control.

[0007] This object is achieved by a multi-way valve for fluid or fluids for a beverage preparation device having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, this object is achieved with regard to a multi-fluid multi-way valve for a beverage preparation device having the features of claim 15. Finally, the present invention is also achieved by a beverage preparation device having the features of claim 16. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] With regard to the multi-way valve for fluid, in particular for water and / or steam, for a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine, with a fluid opening designed as a fluid inlet for the fluid provided, for example, by a pump or other conveying device and a plurality of fluid openings designed as controlled fluid outlets for the fluid, the object according to the invention is achieved in that a plurality of modular valve segments are provided, each of which has a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and a valve actuating device controlling at least one fluid outlet, wherein the valve actuating device is adjustable by a mechanical control unit between at least one open position and at least one closed position and is preferably arranged in a valve segment housing, and wherein the modular valve segments, in particular also the valve segment housings,are connected to one another in such a way that a fluid outlet of a valve segment and a fluid inlet of a subsequent or adjacent valve segment form a valve main line adjoining the fluid inlet of the valve.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention therefore provides that a modular principle is implemented at least for the valve segments, in which multi-way valves of varying complexity can be implemented using very few different valve segment designs, in particular by arranging the valve segments next to one another to form a connection between the valve segments via the fluid outlets and fluid inlets, and as a result, by connecting the valve segments to one another or to one another, a common or uniform multi-way valve is nevertheless implemented, which enables a multitude of further advantages, which will also be discussed in the context of the subclaims.

[0010] The arrangement or connection of the modular valve segments, in particular also of the valve segment housings, provided according to the invention is to be understood in such a way that the respective connection of a fluid outlet to a fluid inlet of a subsequent valve segment applies only to the first to the penultimate (N-1) valve segment. The last valve segment coupled according to the invention, which naturally no longer has a subsequent valve segment, logically does not form a corresponding connection.

[0011] In an ideal case, for example, a single, standardized modular valve segment can be sufficient and still multi-way valves of any complexity can be implemented. As will be described in more detail below, it can also be advantageous if two or three different modular valve segments are implemented. In any case, it is particularly advantageous if the modular valve segments, for example each tailored to a fluid, are otherwise largely identical. In particular, it can be particularly advantageous if the valve actuating devices used, the mechanical control units and / or the valve segment housings are completely or largely identical or standardized. This is because the overall number of parts or assemblies required to implement the multi-way valve is significantly reduced.In other words, this means that the number of identical parts in a multi-way valve according to the invention can be significantly increased. This allows the multi-way valves according to the invention to be excellently adapted or customized, while at the same time minimizing costs, both for the individual parts and for the production of the multi-way valves. With regard to the valve actuating device and / or the valve segment housing, it can preferably be provided that these are designed completely identically, if necessary even for different valve segments. With regard to the mechanical control unit, it can be provided that these are designed at least largely identically. However, a completely identical implementation for the control units cannot generally be achieved, since these can or must control the controlled fluid outlet via or by means of the valve actuating device.But various individual parts can also be standardized for the control units.

[0012] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the multi-way valve, it can be provided that all controlled fluid outlets, preferably also the fluid inlet, of the multi-way valve are arranged on one side of a valve housing and preferably extend, at least in sections, in particular adjacent to the valve housing, in a common direction emanating from the valve housing. This embodiment is achieved or enabled in a particularly advantageous manner, largely automatically or naturally, by the inventive arrangement of the modular valve segments, in particular using a uniform valve segment or a few, slightly adapted valve segments, and offers particular advantages that in turn advantageously interact with the adaptability and the possibility of achieving economies of scale in the production of the multi-way valves.This is because a correspondingly common and uniform arrangement and alignment of the fluid outlets, and possibly also of a fluid inlet, can fundamentally save installation space when installing the corresponding multi-way valve. Furthermore, the arrangement or installation of the multi-way valve in the beverage preparation device can be planned or anticipated particularly easily. This is because it is already clear in advance or during the planning phase on which side and in which direction connections, such as hose connections or line connections, must be provided or taken into account. Accordingly, it can be particularly advantageous, for example, to arrange the multi-way valve in the edge area or even in a corner area of ​​the housing of the beverage preparation device. This is because only one side of the valve housing needs to be easily accessible to establish all connections or connections for the fluid or fluids.

[0013] However, it can also be provided that groups of two or more fluid outlets are aligned and / or arranged accordingly, preferably with fluid outlets arranged side by side. Overall, the installation space can be significantly reduced if several fluid outlets are arranged on the same side of a valve housing or exit, and preferably run or are oriented in the same direction in sections.

[0014] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the controlled valve outlets all run parallel to one another. Thus, even if the controlled valve outlets are curved or angled, it can advantageously be provided that they all have the same shape and are preferably aligned parallel to a base plane.

[0015] According to the invention, the mechanical control units for controlling the modular valve segments and / or valve actuating devices are connected, in particular coupled, to one another in such a way that a common, in particular uniformly movable, control device of the multi-way valve is formed. This particularly advantageously ensures that the multi-way valve not only has a compact design, but also that all valve segments and thus all controllable fluid outlets can be controlled by the common control device of the multi-way valve implemented within the framework of the connection or coupling.

[0016] Preferably, it can be provided that the corresponding control units assigned to a respective valve segment are partially or completely accommodated or enclosed by the valve segment housing. Especially in this preferred embodiment, in which the valve segment housing provides or effects encapsulation or structural separation or individualization of the respective valve segment, it is particularly advantageous if the control units are simultaneously connected, in particular coupled, to one another across the respective valve segments and / or valve segment housings, thereby achieving the realization of a uniform and uniformly movable control device.

[0017] In this context, but not limited to the embodiment described above, it should also be mentioned that the valve segments according to the invention can preferably be at least partially encompassed by a valve segment housing or can be accommodated in the valve segment housing. However, it can also be particularly advantageously provided that at least one fluid outlet, in particular the controlled fluid outlet of the respective valve segment with a corresponding connection or coupling point, in particular for connecting to lines, hoses or the like, can be led out of the valve segment housing, for which purpose the valve segment housing can preferably also have standardized openings or recesses. The same also applies to any fluid inlets or fluid outlets of the multi-way valve that may be provided.

[0018] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, it can also be provided that the mechanical control units assigned to the respective modular valve segment comprise a rotating body, in particular for at least indirectly adjusting the valve actuating device. The rotating bodies have a rotational axis, and preferably all rotational axes of the rotating bodies extend along a common rotational axis of the common, in particular uniformly movable or rotatable, control device. This significantly facilitates and simplifies the construction and assembly of the multi-way valve.The operation of the multi-way valve, in particular the individual control of the valve segments and / or control of the entire multi-way valve, is also made significantly easier if all axes of rotation of the rotating bodies form a common axis of rotation in the coupled or interconnected state of the respective control units.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be particularly advantageously provided that the multi-way valve provides a mechanical drive unit for driving the control device, in particular by a rotary drive of at least one control unit, particularly preferably of at least one rotating body, preferably an outer valve segment. This enables an advantageous design in which a drive unit can be arranged on one side and at the end of a series- or side-by-side arrangement of corresponding valve segments, preferably with associated valve segment housings or control units, which, by means of a rotary drive of an end-side control unit, in particular of a corresponding rotating body, effects or implements the control of all valve segments and thus also the control of all controlled fluid outlets.

[0020] The drive unit can be an electric motor with or without a gearbox. However, a manually operated drive unit, such as a hand crank or a lever, can also be used.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the multi-way valve, it can be provided that the mechanical control unit assigned to a valve segment and / or a valve segment housing comprises a camshaft segment which preferably forms the rotary body or encompasses the rotary body and an actuating element which is preferably positively guided by the camshaft segment, wherein the actuating element is movable, in particular translationally, depending on an angular position of the camshaft segment via a cam or at least one cam of the camshaft segment, and the valve actuating device interacts with the actuating element or is connected to the actuating element in such a way that the valve actuating device can be moved at least indirectly by the movement of the actuating element at least between an open position and a closed position.

[0022] By providing a camshaft segment and a correspondingly positively guided actuating element, the control or movement of the valve control device can be effected both safely and reliably and with the required rotational or angular accuracy and resolution. This means that, with regard to the rotational position of the mechanical actuation unit, in particular of the rotating body, it can be precisely specified and determined at which angular position of the rotating body and thus also at which angular position of a possibly provided common, uniformly movable actuation device the valve actuation device of the respective modular valve segment opens or closes the at least one controlled fluid outlet.

[0023] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can also be provided that the camshaft segments have coupling contours, in particular square or polygonal contours, that are complementary to one another on opposite sides in the axial direction. This allows the advantageous coupling of the mechanical control units of the respective valve segments described above to be achieved and, at the same time, the reliable and more effective transmission of forces, in particular rotational moments or torques, to be ensured in a particularly advantageous manner.The coupling can then, for example, be designed in such a way that preferably provided valve segment housings have recesses or openings in the region of the coupling contours, so that at least one of the complementary coupling contours can be led out of a valve segment housing or protrudes beyond the valve segment housing and can engage in the correspondingly complementary coupling contour of an adjacent camshaft segment, which in turn is possibly arranged or housed in a valve segment housing as part of a mechanical control unit.

[0024] Generally, the valve actuators are made of plastic. For example, the valve actuators, like other parts of the multi-way valve, can be manufactured from injection-molded plastic parts. These can be produced particularly cost-effectively in large quantities, which is made possible by standardization and the use of identical parts according to the invention.

[0025] According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, a part of the valve actuating device, particularly in the small-diameter region, may comprise a metallic, preferably sintered structure. This prevents fatigue and wear phenomena that could otherwise occur when the corresponding valve actuating devices undergo several hundred thousand or several million actuating cycles.

[0026] In connection with the basic idea of ​​the present invention, the relatively expensive or complex manufacture or production of the actuating device or a part of the valve actuating device made of metal, in particular made of sintered metal, can be compensated or overcompensated by using or installing one and the same valve actuating device for a correspondingly large number of different multi-way valves according to the present invention, so that the economies of scale necessary to be able to manufacture and install the improved valve actuating device economically are achieved via the correspondingly large quantities.

[0027] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the valve actuating device comprises at least one sealing element, preferably an annular seal, wherein the at least one sealing element is arranged and designed such that, in the at least one open position of the valve actuating device, a fluid channel is created and / or opened from at least the main line formed by the valve segments to at least one controlled fluid outlet of the valve segment. The at least one seal or the at least one sealing element can be designed accordingly such that, by interacting with an inner surface of the valve segment, corresponding fluid paths are opened or closed. Sealing elements can also be provided which seal the valve segment as a whole, i.e., seal it independently of the position of the valve actuating device.Particularly preferably, it can be provided that a sealing element interacts with a valve seat provided or formed by the valve segment and comes into sealing contact with the corresponding valve seat, preferably in order to close a fluid channel in the closed position of the valve actuating device.

[0028] According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the multi-way valve, a segment sealing element for sealing the valve main line is arranged between the valve segments between a fluid outlet of a valve segment and a fluid inlet of a subsequent fluid segment, which together form a valve main line adjoining the fluid inlet of the valve. Sealing the transition between the valve segments can particularly advantageously further develop or improve the modular or modular design of the multi-way valve.The greater and more pressure-stable the seal or the tightness of the transition between adjacent modular valve segments is designed or constructed, the more valve segments can be coupled or connected together, especially without exceeding a tolerable leakage rate, in order to create complex multi-way valves with relatively few different components or assemblies. Possible segment sealing elements include both ring seals and other seals, preferably made of plastic, rubber, and / or polymer materials.

[0029] In addition to ring seals, dynamic sealing elements can also be used for the sealing elements of the valve actuator and / or the segment sealing elements. These sealing elements are characterized by the fact that their tightness or sealing effect is achieved or improved by an applied or acting fluid pressure on the sealing element. Different designs of dynamic sealing concepts can be implemented.

[0030] With regard to the tight connection of the valve segments, a material-to-material connection of the valve segments is an advantageous alternative to providing segment sealing elements. For example, adjacent valve segments can be welded together. Adhesive bonding is also possible.

[0031] Another particularly preferred embodiment of the multi-way valve according to the invention further provides that the valve segment housings have mechanical coupling means, preferably connecting recesses for receiving a coupling pin, in order to connect the valve segment housings, preferably directly to one another. Alternatively or in addition to the connecting recesses, the valve segment housings can also provide complementary coupling contours, particularly in the axial direction, which establish an intuitive and well-defined relative arrangement of the valve segment housings to one another when several or a plurality of valve segment housings are coupled or connected to one another to form a corresponding multi-way valve.

[0032] The coupling means can alternatively be designed as snap connections or bayonet locks. Preferably, the coupling means are designed to allow tool-free coupling.

[0033] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, it can also be provided that the valve segment housings essentially have a base and an edge or wall section adjacent to the base, preferably running circumferentially. Such a cover-free design of the respective valve segment housings again enables the use of identical or almost identical components with additional material savings. This is because, for the corresponding connection or coupling of valve segments, preferably including the corresponding connection or coupling of valve segment housings, two or more such valve segment housings can then be stacked on top of one another and optionally connected to one another, wherein the base of a subsequent valve segment housing then simultaneously acts or functions as the cover of a previously arranged valve segment housing.In this case, in addition to a uniform, coverless valve segment housing module, only one further housing part, which can also be used in different designs, is to be provided, namely a final valve segment housing cover, which closes the coverless valve segment housing structure for the last valve segment.

[0034] Such a valve segment housing cover can also incorporate additional devices or equipment to close or terminate the multi-way valve as a whole, thereby further increasing the use of identical parts, particularly with respect to the valve segments. For example, closure means can be provided to close and / or seal the main valve line, even if the last valve segment used has, in addition to a controlled fluid outlet, another fluid outlet, preferably in the axial direction along the main valve line. This, in turn, enables even greater reliance on or use of identical parts, since the closure or termination of the main valve line formed by the valve segments can then be accomplished without a correspondingly specialized valve segment, but rather using a general or standardized valve segment.Means for receiving, guiding and / or supporting the mechanical control unit, including any contours present, in particular coupling contours of rotating bodies, can also be provided or formed in the described valve segment housing cover.

[0035] A further, particularly preferred embodiment of the multi-way valve provides that the multi-way valve comprises at least one input valve segment valve, which comprises a fluid inlet as a non-controlled fluid inlet for connection to an external fluid source, a fluid outlet as a non-controlled fluid connection outlet for connection to a fluid inlet of a subsequent valve segment, and a fluid outlet as a fluid outlet controlled by the valve actuating device. The input valve segment proposed in this way would accordingly be a special form or specialized shape of a general valve segment, which in turn can also be used in a virtually unlimited number of different multi-way valves and ensures the coupling or connection to an external fluid source via the specially designed fluid inlet.

[0036] Also according to an advantageous embodiment of the multi-way valve, it can be provided that it comprises at least one central valve segment, which comprises a fluid outlet as a non-controlled fluid connection inlet for connection to a preceding valve segment, a fluid outlet as a non-controlled fluid connection outlet for connection to a fluid inlet of a subsequent valve segment, and a fluid outlet as a fluid outlet controlled by the valve actuating device. Such a central valve segment could result in a significant reduction in the required components and assemblies for all multi-way valves comprising three or more valve segments, since this central valve segment can be used singly or even multiple times in each corresponding multi-way valve.

[0037] Likewise, according to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the multi-way valve, it can be provided that it comprises at least one end valve segment, which comprises a fluid inlet as a non-controlled fluid connection inlet for connection to a preceding valve segment and a fluid outlet as a fluid outlet controlled by the valve actuating device. This embodiment of the end or closing valve segment could also be used in any corresponding multi-way valve. Likewise, as already described or at least indicated above, the end valve segment of a multi-way valve could also be provided by a previously described central valve segment, in particular in the event that the associated, upper cooperating valve segment housing has corresponding means for closing and / or sealing the valve main line or another corresponding non-controlled valve outlet.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, in which the end valve segment can then preferably even be designed identically to an inlet valve segment, the end valve segment has a further fluid outlet, which interacts, for example, with a pressure relief valve and is therefore to be regarded as an indirectly controlled fluid outlet, which namely opens the pressure relief valve and thus discharges or reduces excess pressure from the valve main line.If the pressure relief valve can be applied to or fastened to a standardized connection or nozzle, which can also serve or is suitable for connecting a hose, line, or the like from an external fluid source, the inlet valve segment and end valve segment can even be designed as identical components. This is because the fluid opening of the inlet valve segment used as the fluid inlet can then be used as an overpressure fluid outlet in the corresponding end valve segment or can be made usable by attaching or fastening a corresponding pressure relief valve to the fluid opening. In this case, additional fluid openings running in the direction of the main valve line would have to be provided, which are preferably closed and / or sealed by means of the closing valve segment housing to form the main valve line.

[0039] In a further advantageous development of the multi-way valve according to the invention, at least one fluid coupling valve segment can be provided, which comprises a fluid inlet controlled by a valve actuating device, which, analogous to a controlled fluid outlet, enables the supply of a fluid, in particular air, into the valve, particularly preferably into a main line of the valve. With the difference that a fluid is coupled in or introduced through such valve segments, the corresponding fluid segments and valve actuating devices can be designed analogously to the segments described above with a controlled fluid outlet.

[0040] Air supply valves and / or throttles, as well as other functions, are possible. In particular, the controlled fluid inlets can be connected to a pressure source, such as a compressed air source, an air pump, or a compressed air reservoir.

[0041] Valve segments can also be provided that have both a preferably controlled fluid outlet and an additional fluid inlet for another fluid, for example, an air inlet. The fluid inlets can preferably be configured in addition to the fluid inlet that serves to form the main line and can preferably be designed as indirectly controlled, meaning that they are controlled, i.e., opened or closed, depending on ambient or valve parameters. These can be configured, for example, as air throttle devices.

[0042] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a multi-fluid multi-way valve which has at least two multi-way valves according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein according to the invention the at least two multi-way valves are connected to one another in such a way that the mechanical control units of the valve segments of the different multi-way valves are connected to one another, in particular coupled, in such a way that a common, in particular a uniformly movable, control device of the multi-fluid multi-way valve is formed.

[0043] This essentially allows two multi-way valves, each of which naturally has its own fluid inlets, a main valve line formed or configured by the respective valve segments, and the corresponding fluid outlets controlled by the valve actuating devices, to be formed simply by arranging the valve segments or, more generally, the multi-way valves one behind the other. They can also be controlled and / or driven uniformly. The only requirement is that the corresponding main lines or main valve lines are not connected to each other or will not be connected to each other.The provided common and in particular uniformly movable control device can ensure that for each intended operating state or opening or closing state of the respective valve segments, a position, in particular a rotational position of the control device is provided, which then ensures the desired opening or the desired closure of the respective valve segments or controlled fluid outlets of the valve segments.

[0044] Conversely, this also means that the complexity of a multi-fluid multi-way valve according to the invention is essentially only limited by the combinatorial requirements for individual switching or control states in conjunction with the control states that can be realized via the control device, in particular angular positions that can be defined independently of one another.

[0045] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is also achieved by a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine, which has a multi-way valve and / or a multi-fluid multi-way valve according to the preceding description.

[0046] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

[0047] These show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective view of a multi-way valve according to the invention including a mechanical drive unit; Fig. 2: a schematic perspective view of the multi-way valve according to the invention according to Fig. 1 with housing elements hidden; Fig. 3: the section through a multi-way valve according to the invention at the axial height of a central valve segment; Fig. 4: a schematic perspective view of part of a valve segment housing.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a multi-way valve 01 according to the invention with a fluid inlet 03 designed as a fluid opening 02 and a plurality of fluid openings 02 designed as controlled fluid outlets 04. The multi-way valve 01 further comprises a indirectly controlled fluid inlet 06, which functions or is provided as an air throttle device.

[0049] Alternatively, a pressure relief valve could be provided instead of the fluid inlet 06. Fig. 1 shows that the multi-way valve 01 has a modular design, and the controlled fluid outlets 04 are formed by a plurality of modular valve segments 05, which in turn are at least partially accommodated in likewise modular valve segment housings 07. The valve segment housings 07 have various recesses 08.1 and projections 08.2, which, as coupling means 08, are complementary to one another, in particular complementary to one another in the axial direction A, in order to enable a simple and secure relative arrangement of the valve segment housings 07 next to one another or to one another. The valve segment housings 07 further have recesses 09, which allow the accommodation of coupling bolts 10 and thus connect or couple the individual valve segment housings 07 to one another. The coupling bolts 10 can have closure and / or fastening means, for example screw means 10, at one end.1 in order to fasten the valve segment housings 7 together or to one another.

[0050] From the presentation of the Fig. 1, which also has the mechanical drive unit 11, it is already very intuitively clear that the multi-way valve 01 can be manufactured or produced with a minimum of different components or assemblies, whereby an extension, in particular the provision of further controlled fluid outlets 04, is also readily possible by providing further valve segments 05 and / or further valve segment housings 07, in particular by interposing them. An even better illustration with regard to the inventive concept enables the representation of the Fig. 2, in which essentially the valve segment housing 07, as well as the drive housing 12 are hidden.

[0051] Another special advantage that applies to both the multi-way valves 01 and the corresponding multi-fluid multi-way valves is the fact that, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, all fluid outlets 04 are arranged on one side of the valve housing 30 and, in addition, initially extend in sections in a common direction from the valve housing 30. Furthermore, they are arranged parallel overall and have an identical shape. Even individual features of the aforementioned can already enable space-saving installation in a beverage preparation device.

[0052] In the Fig. 2, the individual valve segments 05 can be seen more clearly. Furthermore, the inventive concept can also be clearly seen, according to which a fluid outlet 13, in particular a non-controlled fluid outlet 13 of a valve segment 05, is connected to a fluid inlet 14 of a subsequent valve segment 05 in such a way that a main valve line 15 adjoining the fluid inlet 03 is formed by the fluid outlet 13 and the fluid inlet 14. In particular, it can be seen that the valve segments 05, or at least the middle valve segments 05.1, are all identical and can therefore be produced and installed as identical parts. This also applies to the initial valve segments 05.2 and the end valve segment 05.3 can, depending on the design of the fluid inlet 06 and the connection of the air throttle device 16 to the corresponding fluid opening 02 of the end valve segment 05, be designed as an identical component or as the same component. Even if this is not the case, a total of three different valve segments 05 could be used, as shown in the . Fig. 2, virtually any multi-way valve of any complexity can be designed. It is further advantageous that the valve actuating devices 17 installed or provided in the respective valve segment 05 are also identical or designed as identical parts, regardless of the design or functionality of the valve segment 05.

[0053] In the Fig. 2 also shows that the valve actuating devices 17 are at least indirectly actuated by actuating elements 18, in particular adjustable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the actuating elements 18 are positively guided, which is realized by the inner contour 18.1 of the actuating elements 18 in interaction with the respective two-stage camshaft segments 19. It is also evident that the actuating elements 18 can be designed largely or completely identically. Only the camshaft segments 19 must be individually designed or individually manufactured depending on the opening or closing state of the respective valve segment 05 and the rotational position of the mechanical control device 20.

[0054] The respective control units 21 can, for example, comprise the actuating elements 18 and the camshaft segments 19 and can be mounted in the respective valve segment housing. The control units 21 can be controlled by the Fig. 2, form a uniform, common control device 20 among themselves or with each other, which in turn is coupled and / or connected to the drive unit 11 via an end-side control unit 21.1.

[0055] Consequently, a further advantage of the multi-way valves 01 according to the invention is that the mechanical control units 21, which in turn each comprise a rotary body forming the camshaft segment 19, form a common, in particular a uniformly movable, preferably rotatable, control device 20, which in turn can be driven by the mechanical drive 11. For this purpose, the camshaft segments 19 can each be arranged in the Fig. 2 not shown valve segment housings 07, wherein the valve segment housings 07 accordingly also have openings or apertures in order to connect or couple the camshaft segments 19 to one another, preferably via Fig. 2 coupling contours not shown, for example polygonal contours, wherein the coupling contours are preferably designed to be complementary to one another and in each case a coupling contour protrudes from a valve segment housing 07 and protrudes into an adjacent valve segment housing 07 and engages there in the complementary, recessed or withdrawn coupling contour in order to thus form the common, uniformly movable control device 20.

[0056] Again Fig. 2, the rotary bodies 23 forming the camshaft segments 19 are arranged and / or connected to one another in such a way that the axes of rotation formed by the rotary bodies 23 all run along a common axis of rotation A.

[0057] The Fig. 3 shows a section through the multi-way valve 01 according to the invention perpendicular to the axial direction or perpendicular to the common rotation axis A at the height of a central valve segment 05.1. In the illustration of Fig. 3, the functioning of the mechanical control unit 21 is explained again. The mechanical control unit 21 comprises, on the one hand, the actuating element 18, but also the rotary bodies 23 forming the camshaft segment 19. The actuating elements 18 are in turn coupled or connected to the valve actuating devices 17, so that a corresponding rotation of the camshaft segment 19 exerts a positive guidance, preferably in cooperation with the valve segment housing 07, on the actuating element 18 and the position thereby assumed, depending on the rotational position of the rotary body 23, leads to a translatory or lateral, positively guided displacement of the actuating element 18, which in turn causes the valve actuating element 17 to either be in the Fig. 3 or into an alternative opening state. In the closed state of the Fig. 3, the valve actuating element 17, acting together with a sealing element 24, closes a possible fluid channel from the Fig. 3 only indicated main line 15 to the controlled fluid outlet 04. A further sealing element 24 seals the valve actuating device 17 relative to the valve segment 05, regardless of the setting position or position of the valve actuating device 17, so that the fluid can only spread in the valve main line 15 and, if necessary, flow out of the controlled fluid outlet 04.

[0058] The Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a valve segment housing 07 or a part of a valve segment housing 07. On the one hand, the recesses 09 for receiving the coupling bolts 10 can be seen. It can also be seen that the valve segment housing 07 is essentially formed from a base 25 and a wall 26 which adjoins the base 25 and is at least partially circumferential. The base 25 also comprises recesses 09 which, on the one hand, serve to receive or pass through camshaft segments 19 or parts of camshaft segments 19, and on the other hand, to receive or pass through fluid inlets 14 or fluid outlets 13 of the valve segments 05. Advantageously, with the exception of the last valve segment housing 07, all valve segment housings 07 encompassed by the multi-way valve 01 can be made exclusively from two of the Fig. 4. In this case, the base 25 of a subsequent valve segment housing also simultaneously forms the cover of a previously arranged valve segment housing 07. This also makes it possible to significantly reduce the basic or total number of components for implementing the multi-way valves 01 according to the invention. Overall, not only the formation of the main valve line 15 by coupling modular valve segments 05 but preferably also the use of correspondingly standardized valve segment housings 07 for receiving and / or guiding the mechanical control units 21 for the likewise preferably standardized valve actuating devices 17 results in the possibility of constructing, modifying and adapting multi-way valves 01 of any complexity with a minimum number of different parts or, in other words, with a maximum number of identical parts.

[0059] To the same extent, in addition to a multi-way valve 01, as for example in the Fig. 1, a multi-fluid multi-way valve can also be provided in a correspondingly simple manner and using very many identical parts, for example also using a common drive unit 11 and providing two self-contained, and otherwise analogous to the representation of the multi-way valve 01 of Fig.1 constructed multi-way valves 01 in a corresponding series arrangement, a multi-fluid multi-way valve according to the invention can be realized. In this case, it is preferably ensured, on the one hand, that the mechanical control units 21 at the transition between the two or more multi-way valves 01 are coupled or connected to one another in order to thus be able to use a common and uniform drive. However, this is easily possible in the same way as the connection or coupling of the control units 21 of the respective valve segments 05 or valve segment housings 07. Likewise, it must be ensured that the main valve lines 15 of different multi-way valves are separated from one another, which can be ensured either by corresponding start and / or end valve segments 05, but alternatively can also be achieved by appropriately designed valve segment housings 07. List of reference symbols 01 Multi-way valve 02 Fluid openings 03 Fluid inlet 04 Fluid outlets 05 Valve segment 05.1 Middle valve segment 05.2 Initial valve segment 05.3 End valve segment 06 Fluid inlet 07 Valve segment housing 08 Coupling agent 08.1 Recess 08.2 Lead 09 recesses 10 coupling bolts 11 Drive unit 12 drive housing 13 Fluid outlet 14 Fluid inlet 15 Valve main line 16 Air throttle device 17 valve control devices 18 control elements 18.1 Inner contour of the control element 19 camshaft segments 20 Control device 21 control units 21.1 end-side control unit 23 rotation bodies 24 Sealing element 25 floor 26 surrounding wall 30 valve housings A Rotation axis / axial direction

Claims

[1] Multi-way valve (01) for fluid, in particular water and / or water vapor, for a beverage preparation device, comprising a fluid opening (02) designed as a fluid inlet (03) for the fluid and a plurality of fluid openings (02) designed as controlled fluid outlets (04) for the fluid, where a plurality of modular valve segments (05), each having a fluid inlet (14) and at least one fluid outlet (04, 13) and a valve actuating device (17) controlling at least one fluid outlet (04), wherein the valve actuating device (17) is adjustable by a mechanical control unit (21) between at least one open position and at least one closed position and is preferably arranged in a valve segment housing (07), and wherein the modular valve segments (05), in particular also the valve segment housings (07), are connected to one another in such a way that a respective fluid outlet (13) of one of the valve segments (05) and a fluid inlet (14) of a subsequent one of the valve segments (05) form a main valve line (15) adjoining the fluid inlet (03) of the valve, characterized by , that the mechanical control units (21) for controlling the modular valve segments (05) and / or valve actuating devices (17) are connected to one another, in particular coupled, in such a way that a common, in particular a uniformly movable control device (20) of the multi-way valve (01) is formed. [2] Multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized by that all controlled fluid outlets (04), preferably also the fluid inlet (03), of the multi-way valve (01) are arranged on one side of a valve housing (30) and preferably extend at least in sections, in particular adjacent to the valve housing (30), in a common direction starting from the valve housing (30). [3] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the mechanical control units (21) comprise a rotary body (23), in particular for at least indirectly adjusting the valve actuating device (17), wherein the rotary bodies (23) have a rotation axis (A), wherein preferably all rotation axes (A) of the rotary bodies (23) run along a common rotation axis (A) of the control device (20). [4] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a mechanical drive unit (11) for driving the control device (20), in particular by a rotary drive of at least one control unit (21), in particular of at least one rotary body (23), preferably an outer valve segment (05). [5] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized byin that the mechanical control unit (21) comprises a camshaft segment (19) and a positively guided actuating element (18), wherein the actuating element (18) is movable, in particular translationally, depending on an angular position of the camshaft segment (19), in particular via a cam of the camshaft segment (19), and preferably the valve actuating device (17) interacts with the actuating element (18) in such a way that the valve actuating device (17) is movable between the open position and the closed position, at least indirectly by the movement of the actuating element (18). [6] Multi-way valve according to claim 5, characterized by that the camshaft segments (19) have coupling contours, in particular polygonal contours, which are complementary to one another on opposite sides in the axial direction (A). [7] Multi-way valve according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the mechanical control unit (21) is arranged and / or mounted in the valve segment housing (07), in particular rotatably, in such a way that a first protruding coupling contour protrudes from the valve segment housing (07) and preferably a second, axially opposite, recessed coupling contour is arranged within the valve segment housing (07). [8] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that a part of the valve actuating device (17), in particular in a region with a small diameter, comprises a metallic, preferably sintered, structure. [9] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized bythat the valve actuating device (17) comprises at least one sealing element (24), preferably an annular seal, wherein the at least one sealing element (24) is arranged and designed such that in the at least one opening position a fluid channel from at least the main valve line (15) to at least one fluid outlet (04) of the valve segment (05) is created and / or released. [10] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by in that between a respective fluid outlet (13) of a valve segment (05) and a fluid inlet (14) of a subsequent valve segment (05), which form a valve main line (15) adjoining the fluid inlet (03) of the valve, a segment sealing element for sealing the valve main line (15) is arranged between the valve segments (05). [11] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized bythat the valve segment housings (07) have mechanical coupling means (08), preferably connecting recesses (09) for receiving a coupling bolt (10), in order to connect the valve segment housings (07), preferably directly, to one another. [12] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the multi-way valve (01) comprises at least one inlet valve segment (05.2), which has a fluid inlet (03) as a non-controlled fluid inlet (03) for connection to an external fluid source; a fluid outlet (13) as a non-controlled fluid connection outlet for connection to a fluid inlet (14) of a subsequent valve segment (05) and a fluid outlet (04) as a fluid outlet (04) controlled by the valve actuating device (17). [13] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the multi-way valve (01) comprises at least one central valve segment (05.1), which a fluid inlet (14) as a non-controlled fluid connection inlet for connection to a preceding valve segment (05); a fluid outlet (13) as a non-controlled fluid connection outlet for connection to a fluid inlet (14) of a subsequent valve segment (05) and a fluid outlet (04) as a fluid outlet (04) controlled by the valve actuating device (17). [14] Multi-way valve according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by , that the multi-way valve (01) comprises at least one end valve segment (05.3), which a fluid inlet (14) as a non-controlled fluid connection inlet for connection to a preceding valve segment (05) and a fluid outlet (04) as a fluid outlet (04) controlled by the valve actuating device (17). [15] Multi-fluid multi-way valve, comprising at least two multi-way valves (01) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by , that the at least two multi-way valves (01) are connected to one another in such a way that the mechanical control units (21) of the Valve segments (05) of the different multi-way valves (01) are connected to one another, in particular coupled, in such a way that a common, in particular a uniformly movable control device (20) of the multi-fluid multi-way valve is formed. [16] Beverage preparation device comprising a multi-way valve (01) according to one of claims 1 to 14 and / or a multi-fluid multi-way valve according to claim 15.

Images