Sealed shut-off valve for a fluid line

Abstract

The invention relates to a shut-off valve (1) for a fluid line, with an insert body (2) rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis (YY) with respect to its basic shape, and with a housing (3), wherein the insert body (2) is rotatably and detachably fixed in a receptacle (7) of the housing (3) between an open position and a closed position about its longitudinal axis (YY), wherein at least one seal (15) is arranged on the shell (14) of the insert body (2), which closes a gap (16) between the housing (3) and the insert body (2).It is proposed that the width of this gap (16) is variably set in the axial and / or circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (YY) of the insert body (2) by the design of an inner circumferential surface of the housing (3) and / or an outer circumferential surface of the insert body (2), wherein this surface(s) - viewed in cross-section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle - deviates or deviates at least partially from a circular shape.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shut-off valve for a fluid line, with an insert body which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis in terms of its basic shape, and with a housing which has in its wall an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a fluid and a receptacle for the insert body, wherein the receptacle has an insertion opening for the insert body and a base, wherein the insert body is sealed, rotatable about its longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position and detachably fastened in the receptacle of the housing, wherein in the open position of the insert body the inlet opening and the outlet opening for the fluid are connected to one another via a through-channel of the insert body and in the closed position of the insert body are each closed by a wall region of the insert body,wherein the passage channel of the insert body has a channel inlet opening and a channel outlet opening for the fluid corresponding to the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the housing, and wherein at least one seal is arranged on the casing of the insert body, which seals a gap between the housing and the insert body.

[0002] As standard, the seals, particularly elastomeric cord or ring seals, in known valves of this type are always uniformly compressed. This is because both the interior of the housing and the insert body, which is arranged coaxially with the axis of the receptacle, are generally (hollow) cylindrical or (hollow) conical in their basic shape and therefore – viewed in axial section – have a circular contour. Thus, an annular gap is formed between the outer circumference of the insert body and the inner circumference of the housing. The gap width is essentially constant and uniform in both the axial and circumferential directions. The seals, in the uncompressed state, have a characteristic thickness dimension that is greater than the gap width.

[0003] In this specific case, the known fittings may be those used in automotive engineering, particularly in fuel lines, where the insert body and / or housing are preferably manufactured as injection-molded plastic parts. This allows for cost-effective mass production with an optimally low mass-to-performance ratio.

[0004] All the aforementioned structural features known from the state of the art are fundamentally capable of ensuring high functionality of the known shut-off valve with low-cost production.

[0005] Of particular note is the location of the seal on the casing of the insert body, i.e. the seal is not mounted firmly, for example as a bushing or sealing cartridge, and also without additional fastening means in the housing, but moves with the insert body when the shut-off valve is actuated, which enables optimal simple assembly and also interchangeability.

[0006] However, with valves of this type, if they are only used infrequently, there is a risk that the seals, which are always compressed by default, will "stick" to the housing wall. The constant pressure applied to the seal also promotes the occurrence of viscoelastic flow processes, which can cause it to deform, which in turn impairs its sealing efficiency.

[0007] There are applications where the valve is only closed once or twice a year, for example, and is open for fluid flow the rest of the time. The shear stress that occurs when the insert body is rotated during such infrequent closing operations can damage the seal as it inevitably detaches from the housing wall.

[0008] In principle, it is possible to counteract this by using materials for the seal that have very low free surface energy and are therefore less prone to unwanted adhesion to the housing wall. However, such materials are generally more expensive than standard ones, which disadvantageously increases the manufacturing effort for the valve. Nor might this technical measure completely eliminate the problem.

[0009] It is also possible to close and reopen the shut-off valve briefly at specified intervals to prevent the seal from sticking to the housing during maintenance, even if this is not functionally necessary. However, this would disadvantageously increase maintenance requirements.

[0010] One or two seals arranged on the casing of the insert body are also moved slidably over the housing-side inlet opening and, if applicable, also over the housing-side outlet opening in the wall of the housing when the shut-off valve is switched on, and are thus subject to rapid wear in the case of frequent operation. While this wear problem can be counteracted by high-quality deburring of the edges of the inlet and outlet openings, this deburring process is often relatively laborious and time-consuming due to the geometry of the inlet and outlet openings of the housing.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a shut-off valve of the type mentioned at the outset which ensures long-term stable functionality and sealing effect while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the characterising part of claim 1 in that a width of the gap between the housing and the insert body is variably adjusted in the axial and / or circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the insert body, namely by the structural geometric design of an inner circumferential surface of the housing and / or an outer circumferential surface of the casing of the insert body, wherein said surface(s) - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis of the receptacle - each deviates or deviates at least in some areas from a circular shape.

[0013] By varying the gap width between the housing and the insert body, it can be achieved that the pressure applied to the seal in the open position of the insert body is at least less than in the closed position of the insert body. In the best case, the seal is even positioned almost uncompressed in the sealing gap, i.e., it is free. Only when the valve is closed does the seal begin to compress, increasing particularly over the closing path, until the fully sealed position is reached when the insert body is in the closed position.

[0014] Another advantage is that the rotational resistance for closing the shut-off valve is optimally small compared to the state of the art - at least at the beginning of the actuation process.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the shut-off valve according to the invention, it can be provided in particular that the receptacle of the housing has a circular arc-shaped contour in a partial area of ​​its inner circumference, in which the inlet opening and the outlet opening for the fluid open, as well as in partial areas of the wall adjacent to this area on one or both sides, in cross-section - seen in the direction of the axis of the receptacle.

[0016] In partial areas of the inner circumference of the housing located between the aforementioned areas, the receptacle can be designed in such a way that the inner diameter of the housing, and thus the gap between the housing and the insert body, widens in the direction of rotation of the insert body which becomes effective when it is opened.

[0017] In the assembled state of the fitting according to the invention, the axis of the housing's receptacle coincides with the longitudinal and rotational axes of the insert body. An eccentric axis arrangement with the comparatively more complex mounting of the insert body in the housing advantageously does not need to be provided according to the invention.

[0018] The invention is based on the idea that the above-mentioned problems of the prior art are not primarily solved by a selection of the sealing materials or by additional maintenance processes of the valve, although these technical measures can of course be provided optionally within the scope of the invention, but by the structural geometric design of the housing and / or insert body, in particular by the structural geometric design of an inner circumferential surface of the housing and / or an outer circumferential surface of the insert body.

[0019] For the seal, conventional sealing rings or other sealing elements that are manufactured economically with little technological effort can advantageously be used by arranging at least one elastomeric seal on the jacket of the insert body, held as an O-ring seal in a recess of the insert body, or a seal formed in a multi-component injection molding process.

[0020] However, if conventional sealing rings are used, the recesses of the insert body, particularly those designed as grooves, must have pronounced undercuts, at least in some areas, so that the sealing rings cannot jump out of the recesses when the insert body is rotated.

[0021] The multi-component injection molding process offers particularly advantageous possibilities for seals. Multi-component injection molding is a manufacturing process in plastics engineering that can be used when injection-molded parts are to be made of two or more plastics. This allows for the advantageous combination of completely different materials. The term multi-component injection molding encompasses various processes, such as the sandwich molding process and the overmolding process. In both cases, at least two different melts are combined.

[0022] While in the sandwich molding process, both melts are injected simultaneously, the German translation of "overmolding" means something like "overinjection," because in this case, a previously manufactured injection-molded part made from a first melt is overinjected with a second melt during a subsequent process step. Depending on the selected plastics, this process can be used to produce so-called hard-soft joints. These usually consist of relatively hard plastics (here: the insert body) coated with a layer of elastic, relatively soft material (here: the seal). The machines used to implement the overmolding process are equipped with at least two independently controllable injection units, which - like the associated control system - can already be designed for a specific application.

[0023] In principle, various materials can be used for the seal, such as EPDM, FKM, NBR, HNBR, ACM, AEM, FFKM, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, whereby thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are particularly suitable for the multi-component injection molding process to implement the overmolding process.

[0024] A fluoroelastomer, such as the one known under the trade name Viton (international material abbreviation according to DIN-ISO standards: FKM), is not a TPE. Although this material is relatively expensive, it – unlike many other elastomers – can withstand hydrocarbons such as oils and fuels even at elevated temperatures without swelling or dissolving. As a sealing material, it is therefore characterized by its comparatively high thermal and chemical resistance. Its tendency to adhere is also comparatively lower than that of, for example, NBR seals, similar to PTFE.

[0025] Overmolding can be achieved, for example, with an EPDM-based TPE.

[0026] After the insert body has been manufactured, a polymer sealing base material can be cold-sprayed onto it and then vulcanized.

[0027] Preferably, the O-ring seal used according to the invention or the seal molded according to the invention in a multi-component injection molding process has a basic rectangular or at least elliptical contour, forming two axial sealing tracks arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insert body and two radial sealing tracks (sealing sections) arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insert body in projection on the jacket of the insert body. For or in these sealing tracks, additional, similar or dissimilar, technical measures can advantageously be provided individually.

[0028] Within the scope of the different design of the sealing tracks, for example, an axial sealing track, which is referred to as a first axial sealing track, can no longer be compressed due to the geometric design of the inner circumferential surface of the housing when the open position is present, because this part of the seal is arranged in the extended area of ​​the inner contour.

[0029] The other section of the axial sealing tracks of the seal, which is referred to as the second axial sealing track, can still be located in the area of ​​the inner wall of the housing which has a circular contour in cross-section, although here too compression can be avoided when the open position is present, namely by the second axial sealing track being arranged closer to the center axis of the insert body with regard to its position in the housing on the jacket of the insert body when the open position is present, such that it only touches the housing wall without pressure or - like the first axial sealing track - is also completely free.

[0030] Overall, this preferred geometric design described above has the advantage that the seal is largely uncompressed when the shut-off valve is open. Only when the valve is closed does the compression of the seal increase progressively along its sealing tracks, reaching a maximum when the fully closed position is reached.

[0031] The first sealing track is pressed by being guided from the extended area of ​​the inner contour of the housing, as if via a ramp, into the circular area of ​​the inner contour.

[0032] For the second sealing track, a separate ramp leading to a sealing surface can advantageously be formed. In particular in this context, a special preferred embodiment of the invention can advantageously provide for the width of the gap between the housing and the insert body to be variably adjusted in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert body by means of a structural geometric design of the housing and / or insert body.

[0033] Around the inlet opening and, if applicable, the outlet opening of the housing, the sealing surfaces, i.e. the width of the gap between the housing and the insert body, are designed by the structural geometric design of the inner circumferential surface of the housing and / or the outer circumferential surface of the insert body in such a way that the seal surrounding the opening(s) is pressed evenly everywhere when the closed position is present.

[0034] The insert body can be hollow-cylindrical or hollow-conical in its basic shape and, in particular, essentially centrally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis. It should be noted that the shut-off valve according to the invention also functions with only one seal, expediently arranged on the side of the fluid inlet. "Essentially centrally symmetrical with respect to its basic shape" means that the insert body may possibly have structural details that deviate from this symmetry.

[0035] To prevent the insert body from warping after the injection molding process and thus becoming, for example, out of round, it is advantageous to provide two diametrically opposed sealing contours, thus making the insert body symmetrical. However, it is particularly preferred to provide only one of the sealing contours with a seal for use.

[0036] During assembly of the shut-off valve according to the invention, the insert body and the housing can be connected by means of a C-shaped connecting element known per se from European patent EP 1 781 979 B1, for which purpose in this case radially projecting, corresponding flange projections are to be provided on the insert body and on the housing, which are clamped by the C-shaped connecting element in the assembled state.

[0037] In these flange areas, mutually associated stops can be provided, which limit the rotation of the insert body in the housing to an angle, preferably an angle of 90°. This can prevent the insert body from undesirably overrunning the open and closed positions, which could potentially lead to damage to the seal, particularly in the previously described design, to its first axial sealing track.

[0038] Connecting elements, such as mandrels, can be provided in or on the housing, adjoining the inlet opening and / or the outlet opening for the fluid.

[0039] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and the dependent claims.

[0040] They show: Fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in a sectional view along the line II in Fig. 2, Fig. 2 that in Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in plan view, Fig. 3 enlarged, which in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in a sectional view along the line DD in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a perspective exploded view of the insert body and half-cut housing of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention, wherein the half-sectioned housing is shown in two different positions, Fig. 5 the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in a sectional view along the line HH in Fig. 6, Fig. 6 the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention shown in the preceding figures in a side view, Fig. 7 the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in a sectional view along the line EE in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention in a sectional view along the line CC in Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 enlarged sections from Fig. 7 without the seal, Fig. 11 a particularly enlarged section of Fig. 8, where the seal is shown without hatching, i.e. as if it were unpressed, Fig. 12 a side view of the insert body of the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention, as it is shown in particular as a solid body in the right half of Fig. 4 is shown, Fig. 13 to 19 various sectional views of the insert body of the preferred embodiment of a shut-off valve according to the invention according to the Fig. 12 specified cutting planes, in Fig. 16 to 18 enlarged compared to Fig. 12, Fig. 20 different conventional views (perspective, top view, side view, sections) of a first embodiment of a seal for a shut-off valve according to the invention, Fig. 21 shows a model, in perspective view, of a second embodiment of a seal, in particular produced by multi-component injection molding, for a shut-off valve according to the invention, Fig. 22 to 24 different views of an insert body of a shut-off valve according to the invention with the Fig. 21 shown second seal design.

[0041] In the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore generally described only once, unless otherwise required.

[0042] The Fig. 1 to 3 as well as 5 and 6 refer to the shut-off valve according to the invention as a whole, which Fig. 4 and 7 to 11 to the shut-off valve according to the invention without the connecting element for the housing and insert body, the Fig. 12 to 19 and 23 to 24 on the insert body (with or without seal) and the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 on the seal in unique position.

[0043] With regard to the following description, it is claimed that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and not to all or several features of described combinations of features, but rather each individual partial feature of the / each exemplary embodiment is also important for the subject matter of the invention, even independently of all other partial features described in connection therewith, and also in combination with any features of another exemplary embodiment.

[0044] The above figures represent by way of example a shut-off valve 1 according to the invention for a fluid line (not shown), which comprises an insert body 2 which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis YY with regard to its basic shape and a housing 3 which has in its wall 4 an inlet opening 5 and an outlet opening 6 for a fluid, which is diametrically opposite in particular on a longitudinal axis XX of the housing 3, and a receptacle 7 for the insert body 2, wherein the receptacle 7 has an insertion opening 8 (see in particular Fig. 4) for the insert body 2 and a particularly closed bottom 9, wherein the insert body 2 is sealed between an open position (see in particular Fig. 7 and Fig. 9) and a closed position (see especially Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 8, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and detachably fastened in the receptacle 7 of the housing 3, wherein in the open position of the insert body 2, the inlet opening 5 and the outlet opening 6 for the fluid are connected to one another via a through-channel 10 of the insert body 2 and in the closed position of the insert body 2 are closed by a (closed) wall region 11 of the insert body 2, wherein the through-channel 10 of the insert body 2 has a channel inlet opening 12 and a channel outlet opening 13 corresponding to the inlet opening 5 and to the outlet opening 6 of the housing 3 (see in particular Fig. 7) for the fluid, and wherein at least one seal 15 is arranged on the casing 14 of the insert body 2, which seal closes a gap 16 between the housing 3 and the insert body 2.

[0045] According to the invention, it is provided that a width W of the gap 16 between the housing 3 and the insert body 2 is variably set in the axial and / or circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis YY of the insert body 2, namely by the structural geometric design of an inner circumferential surface 17 of the housing 3 and / or an outer circumferential surface 18 of the insert body 2, wherein this surface(s) 17, 18 - seen in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 - each deviates or deviates at least in some areas from a circular shape.

[0046] In particular, it can be provided that the receptacle 7 of the housing 3 has a circular arc-shaped contour K in a region into which the inlet opening 5 or the outlet opening 6 for the fluid opens circumferentially, as well as in partial regions of its wall 4 adjoining this region on one or both sides - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis of the receptacle 7 (see in particular Fig. 10 and Fig. 11).

[0047] In other intermediate partial areas of its wall 4, the housing receptacle 7 can have a contour G deviating from the circular arc shape when viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 (see in particular Fig. 9 and Fig. 11).

[0048] A preferred geometric design is one in which a region G of the inner circumferential surface 17 of the housing 3, which - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 - deviates from a circular arc shape, and a region K of the inner circumferential surface 17 of the housing, which - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 - has a circular arc-shaped contour, merge into one another in such a way that the inner diameter of the housing 3 increases and thus the width W of the gap 16 between the housing 3 and the insert body 2 increases in the direction of rotation TO of the insert body 2 which becomes effective upon opening.

[0049] The direction of rotation TC of the insert body 2 which takes effect during closing and the direction of rotation TO of the insert body 2 which takes effect during opening are particularly shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 and 11 are indicated by corresponding arrows.

[0050] The insert body 2 is preferably hollow-cylindrical or hollow-conical in its basic shape and is designed to be substantially centrally symmetrical, in particular with respect to its longitudinal axis YY.

[0051] At least one elastomeric seal 15, held as an O-ring seal in a recess 19 in the jacket 14 of the insert body 2, or a seal 15 formed in a multi-component injection molding process, can be arranged on the jacket 14 of the insert body 2. The respective advantages of the different seal designs have already been explained above.

[0052] With regard to the recess 19 of the insert body 2, it should be noted that this has an increasing effect on the width W of the gap 16 between the housing 3 and the insert body 2. For reasons of clarity, the recess 19 is only shown in the Fig. 9 to 11 as well as 16 and 17, i.e. the drawings without the seal 15, are marked with a reference symbol.

[0053] It should be added that in the case of a seal 15 formed onto the insert body 2 in a multi-component injection molding process, the size of the recess 19 serving as a form-fitting holder can be kept optimally small or a recess 19 can be dispensed with entirely, because in this case the seal 15 forms an adhesive connection with the insert body 2.

[0054] As already mentioned, the seal 15 can advantageously consist of a particularly thermoplastic elastomer, preferably of a fluoroelastomer.

[0055] As in particular the Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, but also the Fig. 4, the seal 15 can have a basic rectangular or at least elliptical contour, wherein it forms on the casing 14 of the insert body 2 two axial sealing tracks SY arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis YY of the insert body 2 and two radial sealing tracks SX arranged in projection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis YY of the insert body 2.

[0056] In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the two axial sealing tracks SY, which are arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis YY of the insert body 2, are further differentiated into a first axial sealing track SY1, which, when the open position is present, lies in an extended region of the inner contour of the housing 3, which is formed by the fact that a region G of the inner circumferential surface 17 of the housing 3 - seen in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 - deviates from a circular arc shape, and into a second axial sealing track SY2, which, with regard to its position in the housing 3 on the casing 14 of the insert body 2, lies in a region K which - seen in cross section in the direction of the axis YY of the receptacle 7 - has a circular arc-shaped contour K.

[0057] However, it is provided that the second axial sealing track SY2 - characterized by the cross-sectional center of the seal 15 - is arranged at a distance a closer to the center axis YY of the insert body 2 than the cross-sectional center of the first sealing track SY1 is from the center axis YY of the insert body 2, so that the second axial sealing track SY2, although not located in the widened area G, also only touches the housing wall 4 without pressure or is free. This is particularly evident from the enlarged illustrations in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 ( Fig. 9: Distance b, Fig. 10: Distance a) clearly shows not the seals 15, but the recesses 19 in which the seals 15 are arranged.

[0058] The fact that the second axial sealing track SY2 is arranged closer to the center axis YY of the insert body 2 (a < b) can preferably be realized by the fact that it lies on a smaller radius in the insert body 2 than the first axial sealing track SY1, so that the corresponding recess 19 for the seal 15 extends radially further into the insert body 2 than the recess 19 of the first axial sealing track SY1, and / or by the fact that the sealing radius r in the second axial sealing track SY2 is selected to be smaller, for which purpose the molding of the seal 15 onto the insert body 2 in the multi-component injection molding process is particularly suitable, as is shown in the Fig. 22 to 24.

[0059] This can lead to a springback of the second axial sealing track SY2, as shown in Fig. 21 and also in Fig. 24 - there on the casing 14 of the insert body 2 - is shown.

[0060] The difference b - a can, for example, be in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. In particular, the gap 16 can be designed such that the difference b - a is 5-15% below a minimum compression of the seal 15 in all tolerance ranges.

[0061] From the Fig. 8 corresponding representation in Fig. 11 initially shows that, when the valve is in the closed position, the first axial sealing track SY1 seals on the circularly contoured region K of the inner contour of the receptacle 7. The second axial sealing track SY2 seals in a region of the inner contour of the receptacle 7 in which, directly next to the inlet opening 5 in the wall 4, there is a radially inwardly projecting projection 20 which separates the inlet opening 5 (or, on the other hand, the outlet opening 6) from the region G of the wall 4 with the contour deviating from a circular arc. In the region of the radially inwardly projecting projection 20, the inner circumferential surface 17 of the housing 3 can preferably have a circular arc-shaped contour. The sealing surfaces around the openings 5, 6 of the housing 3 are thus designed such that, when the valve is in the closed position, the circumferential seals 15 are compressed almost evenly everywhere.

[0062] Furthermore, Fig. 11 also summarizes a preferred geometric design of the inner peripheral surface 17 of the housing 3 and the outer peripheral surface 18 of the insert body 2 including the seal 15. This can be summarized as follows: - a = distance of the second axial sealing track SY2 to the center axis YY of the valve body 2 - r = radius of the seal 15 - b > a (as explained above) - R1 > b + r (radius of 17 in the area of ​​G, where R1 increases continuously from the starting point of the expanding area G to its end point) - R2 > a + r (radius of 17 in the range of K) - R2 < b + r - R3 < a + r (R3 = radius in the range of 20)

[0063] In particular, the following applies to a seal with a cord thickness of 1.5 mm: R1 = 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm + R2, R2 = 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm + R3.

[0064] In addition to the circumferential variation in the geometry of the shut-off valve 1 according to the invention for varying the gap width W, in a preferred embodiment it can also be provided that the width W of the gap 16 between the housing 3 and the insert body 2 is variably adjusted in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis YY of the insert body 2 by a structural geometric design of the housing 3 and / or insert body 3.

[0065] Thus, in order to prevent the second axial sealing track SY2 from immediately striking the projection 20 in the wall 4 of the housing 3, which forms a ramp to the sealing surface, over its entire length when the insert body is transferred into the closed position, a contour with a transition surface 21 leading the second sealing track SY2 to the sealing surface can be provided in the housing 3 on the projection 20, as shown in the left part of Fig. 4. This transition surface can consist of a part 21a lying parallel to the axis YY and a part 21b lying obliquely thereto and converging towards the base. This advantageously results in the second axial sealing track SY2 initially only touching the projection 20 at the bottom, i.e. in a small area near the base 9, which then becomes increasingly larger until, shortly before reaching the closed position, the initially unpressed remainder of the second axial sealing track SY2 at the top, i.e. in the area of ​​the insertion opening 8 for the insert body 2, also comes into contact with the part 21a of the projection 20 lying parallel to the axis YY.

[0066] Preferably, the seal 25 is contact-free until the inlet opening 5 and outlet opening 6 are completely passed over, and thus cannot be damaged by any burrs or sharp edges that may be present at the opening edges.

[0067] The various sectional views in the Fig. 13 to 19, with sections FF ( Fig. 16) and JJ ( Fig. 18) and the cuts GG ( Fig. 16) and MM ( Fig. 19) lie in the same plane once without and once with seal 15, illustrate that the insert body 2 can also be designed differently in its geometric shape along its longitudinal axis YY, for example with respect to the recess 19 in its outer circumferential surface 18.

[0068] Conveniently, connecting elements 22, such as mandrels, are provided in or on the housing 3, which are connected to the inlet opening 5 and / or the outlet opening 6 for the fluid.

[0069] The insert body 2 and the housing 3 can preferably be connected by a C-shaped connecting element 23, for which purpose radially projecting, corresponding flange projections 24, 25 are provided on the insert body 2 and on the housing 3, which are clamped by the C-shaped connecting element 23 in the assembled state.

[0070] Such a C-shaped connecting element 23 is known as a holding element from European patent EP 1 781 979 B1 in connection with a plug-in connection for fluid lines. It is provided that the plug-in connection comprises a locking device with two pluggable coupling parts, which, in the plugged-together state, can be releasably locked by means of the locking device. The locking device consists, on the one hand, of two outer, radial, flange-like holding webs of the two coupling parts, which are axially adjacent in the plugging direction and have the same diameter when plugged in, and, on the other hand, of the holding element, which, with at least one holding section that is C-shaped in axial section, positively engages the axially adjacent holding webs of the two coupling parts axially and radially. The holding element is designed in such a way and is captively pre-assembled on one of the two coupling parts in such a way thatthat on the one hand it is axially and radially fixed and on the other hand is radially elastically movable in the region of the / each holding section, wherein the holding element in the region of the / each holding section and the holding web of the other coupling part are designed to adapt to one another to form a positive locking connection in the plug-in direction.

[0071] For further possible configurations of the connecting element 23, reference is made in full to European Patent EP 1 781 979 B1. For example, the Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 an optionally provided button element 30 described therein, which serves as a captive securing device.

[0072] As in particular Fig.5, mutually associated stops 26, 27 and 28, 29 can be formed on the insert body 2 and on the housing 3, in particular in areas of their flange projections 24, 25, which limit the rotatability of the insert body 2 in the housing 3 to an angle, preferably to an angle of 90°, during opening and closing.

[0073] Finally, it should be noted that the insert body 2 can expediently be sealed against the housing 3 near its insertion opening 8 with a sealing ring 31 that completely surrounds the insert body 2 (or with a corresponding seal formed using a multi-component injection molding process). For this purpose, a retaining groove 32 can be provided on the insert body 2.

[0074] The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments, but also encompasses all equivalent embodiments within the meaning of the invention. It is expressly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to all features in combination; rather, each individual partial feature can also have an inventive significance in itself, independently of all other partial features. Furthermore, the invention is not yet limited to the combination of features defined in claim 1, but can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all the individual features disclosed as a whole. This means that, in principle, practically every individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. List of reference symbols 1 shut-off valve 2 insert bodies of 1 3 cases of 1 4 wall of 3 5 entrance opening in 4 6 outlet opening in 4 7 Recording in 3 for 2 8 insertion opening of 7 for 2 9 bottom of 7 10 passage channel of 2 11 closed wall area of ​​2 12 channel inlet opening of 10, corresponding to 5 13 Channel outlet opening of 10, corresponding to 6 14 coat of 2 15 Seal 16 Gap between 2 and 3 17 inner circumferential surface of 3 18 outer peripheral surface of 2 (to 14) 19 recess for 15 in 2 20 lead in 4 between G and 5 21 transition area in 17 for SY2 21a upper part of 21 (parallel to YY axis) 21b lower part of 21 (inclined to YY) 22 Connecting element at 3 for fluid line 23 Connecting element for 2 and 3 24 flange attachment of 3 25 flange attachment of 2 26 attack of 3 for 27 27 attack of 2 for 26 28 stop of 2 for 29 29 attack of 3 for 28 30 button element 31 Sealing ring 32 retaining groove for 31 in 2 a Distance from SY2 to YY b Distance from SY1 to YY G contour deviating from a circular arc of 4 K Circular arc contour of 4 R1 radius of 17 in the range of G R2 radius of 17 in the range of K R3 radius of 17 in the range of 20 r radius of 15 TC closing direction of 2 TO Opening rotation direction of 2 W width of 16 XX Longitudinal axis of 3 YY Longitudinal axis of 2 (transverse axis to XX) QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 781 979 B1 [0036, 0070, 0071]

Claims

[1] Shut-off valve (1) for a fluid line, with an insert body (2) which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis (YY) in terms of its basic shape, and with a housing (3) which has in its wall (4) an inlet opening (5) and an outlet opening (6) for a fluid and a receptacle (7) for the insert body (2), wherein the receptacle (7) has an insertion opening (8) for the insert body (2) and a base (9), wherein the insert body (2) is sealed, rotatable about its longitudinal axis (YY) between an open position and a closed position and detachably fastened in the receptacle (7) of the housing (3), wherein in the open position of the insert body (2) the inlet opening (5) and the outlet opening (6) for the fluid are connected to one another via a through-channel (10) of the insert body (2) and in the closed position of the insert body (2) are closed by a respective wall region (11) of the insert body (2) are,wherein the through-channel (10) of the insert body (2) has a channel inlet opening (12) and a channel outlet opening (13) for the fluid corresponding to the inlet opening (5) and to the outlet opening (6) of the housing (3), and wherein at least one seal (15) is arranged on the casing (14) of the insert body (2), which seal closes a gap (16) between the housing (3) and the insert body (2), , characterized byin that a width (W) of the gap (16) between the housing (3) and the insert body (2) is variably set in the axial and / or circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (YY) of the insert body (2), namely by the structural geometric design of an inner circumferential surface (17) of the housing (3) and / or an outer circumferential surface (18) of the casing (14) of the insert body (2), wherein said surface(s) (17, 18) - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle (7) - each deviates or deviates at least in some regions from a circular shape (K). [2] Shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the receptacle (7) of the housing (3) has a circular arc-shaped contour (K) in a region in which the inlet opening (5) or the outlet opening (6) for the fluid opens circumferentially, as well as in partial regions of its wall (4) adjoining this region on one or both sides - seen in cross-section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle (7). [3] Shut-off valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the receptacle (7) of the housing (3) has, in partial areas of its wall (4), a contour (G) deviating from the shape of a circular arc when viewed in cross-section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle (7). [4] Shut-off valve (1) according to claim 2 and 3, characterized bythat a region (G) of the inner circumferential surface (17) of the housing (3), which - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle (7) - deviates from a circular arc shape, and a region (K) of the inner circumferential surface (17) of the housing (3), which - viewed in cross section in the direction of the axis (YY) of the receptacle (7) - has a circular arc-shaped contour, merge into one another in such a way that the inner diameter of the housing (3) increases and thus the width (W) of the gap (16) between the housing (3) and the insert body (2) widens in the direction of rotation (TO) of the insert body (2) which becomes effective upon opening. [5] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that at least one elastomeric seal (15) held as an O-ring seal in a recess (19) of the insert body or a seal (15) formed in a multi-component injection molding process is arranged on the casing (14) of the insert body (2). [6] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the seal (15) consists of EPDM, FKM, NBR, HNBR, ACM, AEM, FFKM, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, in particular of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably of a fluoroelastomer. [7] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by in that the seal (15) has a contour which is rectangular or at least elliptical in its basic shape, wherein it forms on the casing (14) of the insert body two axial sealing tracks (SY) arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (YY) of the insert body (2) and two radial sealing tracks (SX) arranged in the projection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (YY) of the insert body (2). [8] Shut-off valve (1) according to claim 7, characterized bythat a first axial sealing track (SY, SY1) lies in an extended area of the inner contour of the housing (3) when the open position is present and a second axial sealing track (SY, SY2) is arranged with regard to its position in the housing (3) on the jacket of the insert body (14) closer to the center axis (YY) of the insert body (2) than the first sealing track (SY1) in such a way that it only touches the housing wall (4) without pressure or is free. [9] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the width (W) of the gap (16) between the housing (3) and the insert body (2) is variably adjusted in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (YY) of the insert body (2) by a structural geometric design of the housing (3) and / or insert body (2). [10] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the insert body (2) is hollow-cylindrical or hollow-conical in its basic shape and is essentially centrally symmetrical in particular with respect to its longitudinal axis (YY). [11] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that connecting elements (22), such as mandrels, are provided in or on the housing (3) which are connected to the inlet opening (5) and / or the outlet opening (6) for the fluid. [12] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the insert body (2) and the housing (3) are connected by a C-shaped connecting element (23), for which purpose radially projecting, corresponding flange projections (24, 25) are provided on the insert body (2) and on the housing (3), which are clamped by the C-shaped connecting element (23) in the assembled state. [13] Shut-off valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in particular according to claim 12, characterized bythat mutually associated stops (26 / 27, 28 / 29) are formed on the insert body (2) and on the housing (3), in particular in the region of the flange projections (24, 25), which limit the rotatability of the insert body (2) in the housing (3) between the open position and the closed position to an angle, preferably to an angle of 90°.

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