Proportional valve and shock absorber with such a proportional valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a proportional valve (1) comprising a valve housing (10) with at least one inlet (I) and at least one outlet (E), and a valve body (11) which is fluidically arranged between the at least one inlet (I) and the at least one outlet (E) and has at least two control bores (15) connecting the at least one inlet (I) and the at least one outlet (E) and opening onto an outer cylindrical surface (13) of the valve body (11), a valve spool (30) which is slidably mounted on the valve body (11) in the longitudinal axis (L), and an electromagnetic actuating device (50) by which the valve spool (30) is movable along a longitudinal axis (L) against a return spring (55) between a closed position closing the at least two control bores (15) and an open position at least partially releasing the at least two control bores (15).the at least two control bores (15) have different cross-sections and / or the at least two control bores (15) open offset along the longitudinal axis (L) onto the outer surface (13) of the valve body (11). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a shock absorber with such a proportional valve (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a proportional valve having the features of patent claim 1 and to a shock absorber having such a proportional valve having the features of patent claim 14.

[0002] Proportional valves are known in various designs from the prior art. Proportional valves of this type are also commonly referred to as control valves or piston spool valves and are used, for example, to regulate the flow of a medium. Proportional valves are widely used in electrically adjustable shock absorbers, where the proportional valve can adjust the flow of a hydraulic medium in a bypass of the shock absorber. In this type of proportional valve, the proportional characteristic is generated by appropriately matching and dimensioning the valve spool and the valve body. The valve body has one or more radial control bores that fluidically connect the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.An electromagnetic actuator designed as a proportional solenoid allows the valve spool to be moved axially on the valve body against the force of a return spring, allowing the control bores on the outlet side to be opened and closed. Valves that are always open when the actuator is de-energized or not actuated are referred to as NO (normally open), and valves that are always closed when the actuator is de-energized or not actuated are referred to as NC (normally closed).

[0003] Such a proportional valve is already known, for example, from DE 10 2008 015 416 A1, wherein the control bores are heart-shaped in order to achieve the most linear flow change possible with respect to the current applied to the actuating device.

[0004] Another proportional valve is known from DE 10 2008 035 899, A1, in which several control bores are provided.

[0005] Such proportional valves have proven themselves in the past, but it has been shown that both the control behavior and the manufacturing process offer room for improvement.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to propose a suitably improved proportional valve that eliminates the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the proposed improved proportional valve should exhibit improved control behavior and be cost-effective to manufacture.

[0007] These objects are achieved by a proportional valve having the features of patent claim 1 and a shock absorber having the features of patent claim 14.

[0008] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0009] The proportional valve according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has a valve housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. Furthermore, the valve housing comprises a valve body arranged between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet and having at least two control bores that fluidically connect the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet and open onto one of the outer surfaces of the valve body. Furthermore, the proportional valve comprises a valve spool and an electromagnetic actuating device.The valve spool is mounted on the valve body so that it can be displaced along its longitudinal axis, with the electromagnetic actuating device moving the valve spool along a longitudinal axis against the force of a return spring between a closed position that closes the at least two control bores and an open position that at least partially releases the at least two control bores. According to the invention, the at least two control bores have different cross-sections or diameters and / or the at least two control bores open onto the outer surface of the valve body in an offset manner along the longitudinal axis, i.e., axially.

[0010] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​setting a defined course of the released cross-section between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet via the valve spool stroke through the at least two control bores with different diameters and / or with axially different positions.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the at least two control bores can have different cross-sections and be arranged offset along the longitudinal axis.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the at least two control bores may preferably have the same cross-sections and be arranged offset along the longitudinal axis.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least two control bores can have different cross sections and have the same axial position.

[0014] The at least two control bores can be easily and cost-effectively incorporated into the valve body and have a circular cross-section. By appropriately dimensioning and / or positioning the at least two control bores, a defined profile of the opening cross-section can be achieved over the valve spool stroke. This allows a defined hydraulic characteristic curve to be created that is tailored to the requirements of the shock absorber's application.

[0015] It should be noted at this point that the position of one of the at least two control bores is always understood to be the intersection point of the central axis or symmetry line of the respective control bore with the outer surface of the valve body. The axial position describes the position of one of the at least two control bores in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the at least two control bores are arranged distributed around the longitudinal axis, preferably symmetrically. Preferably, more than two control bores are provided, preferably four, six, eight, or more than eight control bores. The control bores can preferably be arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the valve body. On the one hand, such a configuration can achieve a balance of the pressure forces acting on the valve spool, and on the other hand, it simplifies the manufacture of the valve body because the two control bores can be manufactured in a single manufacturing step.

[0017] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if one of the at least two control bores is axially offset to such an extent that this individual control bore is opened first – preferably completely. This allows the flow cross-section to be adapted to the shock absorber's requirements via the stroke of the valve spool.

[0018] A preferred development of the present invention provides that the at least two control bores are radially oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis. In particular, it is preferred if the central axis or line of symmetry of the respective control bore intersects the longitudinal axis perpendicularly.

[0019] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous to arrange a pressure sensing pin on the valve body which is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and has a first end and a second end on opposite sides along the longitudinal axis. A pressure acting at the at least one inlet can act on the first end, and the second end can be in operative contact with the valve spool. The pressure sensing pin is configured to transmit a pressure force corresponding to the pressure at the at least one inlet along the longitudinal axis to the valve spool. The pressure sensing pin can preferably displace the valve spool counter to the force of the actuating device. This enables mechanical actuation of the proportional valve when high pressures are present at the at least one inlet.

[0020] For example, the pressure sensing pin can move the valve spool towards the open position against the force of the actuating device.

[0021] By selecting a suitable effective hydraulic diameter for the pressure sensing pin, the force of the pressure sensing pin can be easily adjusted. This allows the pressure sensing pin to be designed with different diameters depending on the application of the proposed proportional valve, allowing it to exert different pressure forces on the valve spool.

[0022] A further development of the present invention provides that the pressure-sensing pin has a stop. The stop is preferably designed such that the stop between the valve spool and the valve body can come into contact with the valve body in an end position. The stop can be designed like a head and can have an enlarged diameter. The stop, on the one hand, determines the end position of the pressure-sensing pin and, on the other hand, serves as a safety device for the pressure-sensing pin.

[0023] In addition, an advantageous further development provides that in an end position of the valve slide, the pressure sensing pin is axially movable in the longitudinal axis by the control edge of the valve slide being in contact with the valve body, or in other words, has axial “air”.

[0024] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the pressure-sensing pin is freely movable in a pressureless state at the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet in the open position or in the closed position between the end position and a contact position on the valve spool. According to this preferred development, the pressure-sensing pin can be freely movable in the axial opening of the valve body. The pressure-sensing pin thus does not require its own return spring or the like, but is displaced exclusively by the applied pressure forces and by the return spring indirectly via the valve spool.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return spring keeps the valve spool preloaded against the actuating device. It is particularly preferred if the return spring keeps the valve spool preloaded in the open position. In this embodiment, the proportional valve is designed as a so-called NO valve, which means that when the actuating device is de-energized, the proportional valve is open. Alternatively, the return spring can keep the valve spool preloaded in the closed position. In this embodiment, the proportional valve is designed as an NC valve, which means that when the actuating device is de-energized, the proportional valve is closed.

[0026] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the actuating device comprises a tappet, and if the tappet is loosely coupled to the valve spool. The tappet can preferably be formed integrally with an armature of the actuating device, resulting in a proportional valve that is particularly simple to manufacture and easy to install.

[0027] According to the present invention, the at least two control bores open along the longitudinal axis into a control bore section on an inner circumferential surface of the valve body. Preferably, a flow-through cross-section of the valve body tapers along the longitudinal axis in the control bore section. This measure can improve the characteristics of the proposed proportional valve, whereby, with a defined course of the opening cross-section over the valve spool stroke, a defined hydraulic characteristic curve is also generated that is adapted to the needs of the overall system. In particular, the taper of the valve body along the longitudinal axis can improve flow conditions between the at least one inlet and the at least two control bores.

[0028] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the flow-through cross-section of the valve body is tapered by a dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone protruding from the valve body along the longitudinal axis. The dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone can protrude along the longitudinal axis from a valve body base in the direction of the at least one inlet, wherein the dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone protrudes into the control bore section. It should be noted in this context that the dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone preferably only partially protrudes into the control bore section. The dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone preferably protrudes at least 10%, preferably approximately 25%, into the control bore section.

[0029] The dome, cylinder, cone, or truncated cone protruding along the longitudinal axis also extends the guide for the pressure sensing pin. As the guide length increases, leakage between the pressure sensing pin and the valve body can be reduced. At the same time, the dome, cylinder, cone, or truncated cone allows for a compact design while offering improved properties.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dome, cylinder, cone, or truncated cone is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis on the valve body. The dome, cylinder, cone, or truncated cone can be an integral part of the valve body.

[0031] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the dome, cylinder, cone or truncated cone has a cover surface and that the aforementioned pressure sensing pin penetrates the cover surface, preferably centrally.

[0032] A further development of the present invention provides for the valve spool to have tapered or wedge-shaped control edges. It is particularly preferred if the control edge is axially formed, which minimizes hydraulic flow forces.

[0033] Furthermore, a preferred development of the present invention can provide at least one pressure equalization bore on the valve spool, which fluidically connects the at least one outlet to a volume enclosed between the valve spool and the valve body. A medium enclosed in the volume between the valve spool and the valve body can flow out or in through the pressure equalization bore in the event of a change in the volume, for example, during a valve or pressure sensing pin stroke.

[0034] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the actuating device has a pressure equalization bore through which the at least one outlet is connected to a pressure equalization chamber on the rear side of the armature of the actuating device. This connection of the at least one outlet to the pressure equalization chamber can reduce the force required by the actuating device and improve the dynamic behavior of the proposed proportional valve.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a shock absorber with a proportional valve as described above.

[0036] A preferred embodiment of a proportional valve is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a proposed proportional valve with a valve body and a valve slide which is movable on the valve body and which is movable between an open position and a closed position by an actuating device, and Fig. 2 a partial section of the proportional valve according to Fig. 1 in an enlarged view.

[0037] Identical or functionally equivalent parts or features are identified by the same reference numerals in the following detailed description of the figures. Likewise, not all identical or functionally equivalent parts or features are provided with a reference numeral in the figures.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a proportional valve 1 for a medium, preferably a hydraulic medium. The proportional valve 1 can be used, for example, in a shock absorber (not shown), in particular of a motor vehicle, to adjust a damping characteristic of the shock absorber.

[0039] The proportional valve 1 comprises a valve housing 10, referred to as a whole, with an inlet I and an outlet E, a valve spool 30 and an electromagnetic actuating device 50, referred to as a whole.

[0040] The electromagnetic actuating device 50 comprises a return spring 55, an excitation coil 51, and an armature 54 and is configured to displace the valve spool 30 along a longitudinal axis L, for example by means of a tappet 52. The valve spool 30 and the tappet 52 are preferably not rigidly connected to one another, but rather rest loosely against one another.

[0041] The valve housing 10 comprises a valve body 11, which is fluidically arranged between the at least one inlet I and the at least one outlet E. The outlet E can be formed by at least one outflow opening 14 in the valve housing 10.

[0042] In addition, the valve housing 10 can have a pole tube 53 and a magnet flange 56, wherein the pole tube 53 can completely enclose the armature 54 on the side facing away from the valve slide 30. The pole tube 53 according to Fig. 1 has a non-magnetic intermediate piece which divides the pole tube 53 into two sections.

[0043] According to a further development not shown, the pole tube 53 can also be formed in one piece from a soft magnetic material without a non-magnetic intermediate piece, and in this case has a magnetic bottleneck. Furthermore, the pole tube 53 and the magnet flange 56 can be formed in one piece.

[0044] The valve body 11 can be described as substantially cup-shaped and rotationally symmetrical and has a first side and a second side opposite the longitudinal axis L. The first side faces the actuating device 50, and the second side has an open end that can form the inlet I.

[0045] The valve body 11 can be pressed into the pole tube 53 or welded into the pole tube 53. The valve body 11 can also be integral with a portion of the pole tube 53.

[0046] The valve body 11 comprises a valve body base 20 and a wall 21 protruding from the valve body base 20. The valve body base 20 is arranged on the first side of the valve body 11. The valve body 11, or more precisely the wall 21, comprises an inner surface 12 and an outer surface 13. The inner surface 12 and an outer surface 13 are preferably cylindrical surfaces.

[0047] The valve body 11 further comprises at least two control bores 15 with a circular cross-section, which fluidically connect the inlet I and the outlet E. The respective control bore 15 connects the inner surface 12 and the outer surface 13, or in other words, the respective control bore 15 opens at one end into the inner surface 12 and at the other end into the outer surface 13.

[0048] The control bores 15 are designated by reference numerals 15a, 15b and 15c in the accompanying figures for illustrative purposes and are designed as radial bores whose central axis preferably intersects the longitudinal axis L perpendicularly.

[0049] The control bores 15a, 15b, 15c are arranged axially offset along the longitudinal axis L and / or have different diameters.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, six control bores 15 are provided, with two control bores 15a, two control bores 15b, and two control bores 15c arranged on diametrical sides of the longitudinal axis L. The control bores 15a, 15b, and 15c are arranged axially offset in the longitudinal axis L and have different diameters.

[0051] The control bores 15 are preferably arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis L and open into a control bore section 16 on the inner circumferential surface 12 of the valve body 11 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment shown, several outflow openings 14 are arranged in the valve housing 10. The position of the respective outflow openings 14 preferably corresponds in circumference and / or size to the position and / or size of an associated control bore 15.

[0053] In the control bore section 16, a cross-section of the valve body 11 through which flow can pass along the longitudinal axis L tapers from the inlet, thereby improving the flow conditions on the inlet side of the control bores 15. The taper of the cross-section through which flow can pass can be achieved by a truncated cone 18 or cylinder that protrudes freely from the valve body base 20 toward the second side of the valve body 11 and at least partially projects into the control bore section 16.

[0054] The valve spool 30 can be described as cup-shaped and rotationally symmetrical and has a sleeve-shaped collar 32 that protrudes from a valve spool base 31 along the longitudinal axis L. The valve spool 31 has a first side and a second side opposite the longitudinal axis L with a free end. The first side faces the actuating device 50 and encompasses the valve spool base 31, which is in operative contact with the actuating device 50.

[0055] At the free end, a preferably axial control edge 33 is formed on the collar 32. The collar 32 of the valve spool 30 can taper in a wedge shape toward the free end, thereby forming a sharp-edged or strongly tapered control edge 33.

[0056] The valve spool 30 is movably mounted in the valve housing 10 on the valve body 11 along the longitudinal axis L and is pushed or plugged onto the valve body 11 for this purpose. The valve spool 30 engages over the valve body 11 and an inner surface of the valve spool 30, more precisely an inner surface of the collar 32, and the outer surface 13 of the valve body 11, more precisely the outer surface 13 of the wall 21, cooperate for support and preferably in a sealing manner.

[0057] The valve spool 30 can be moved along the longitudinal axis L via a so-called valve spool stroke between a closed position (not shown) closing the at least two control bores 15 and an open position at least partially releasing the at least two control bores 15.

[0058] In the closed position (not shown), the valve spool 30 rests sealingly on the outer surface 13 above the at least two control bores 50. As a result, the medium cannot flow from the inlet I through the at least two control bores 15 to the outlet E.

[0059] In the open position according to the accompanying figures, the at least two control bores 15 are at least partially released, whereby the medium can flow from the inlet I through the at least two control bores 15 to the outlet E.

[0060] Between the valve spool 30 and the valve body 11, a cavity 37 is enclosed with a volume equal to that of the valve spool 30 and the valve body 11. The volume enclosed in the cavity between the valve spool 30 and the valve body 11 depends on the valve spool stroke. The cavity 37 can be vented or vented through at least one pressure equalization opening 34. The pressure equalization openings 34 fluidically connect the enclosed volume to the outlet E.

[0061] According to the illustrated embodiment, the return spring 55 can be arranged in the cavity 37 between the valve slide 30 and the valve body 11.

[0062] The return spring 55 can be designed as a helical compression spring and can be held positioned on both the valve slide 30 and the valve body 11 by means of a spring mandrel.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, when the actuating device 50 is in an unactuated or de-energized state, the valve spool 30 is held in the open position. A proportional valve 1 that is held in the open position by the return spring 55 in the unactuated state of the actuating device 50 is referred to as NO (=normally open).

[0064] In this embodiment, the proportional valve 1 has a single spring, namely the return spring 55.

[0065] An alternative and not shown embodiment of the proportional valve 1 can be designed such that, in the unactuated state of the actuating device 50, the return spring 55 holds the valve spool 30 in the closed position. Such a proportional valve is referred to as NC (normally closed).

[0066] When one excitation coil 51 of the electromagnetic actuating device 50 is energized, the tappet 52 pushes the valve spool 30 against the return spring 55 and displaces the valve spool 30 in a longitudinal axis L against the spring force of the return spring 55.

[0067] The control bores 15a, 15b, 15c are arranged axially offset along the longitudinal axis L and, in the illustrated embodiment, have an identical diameter. It should be noted that the control bores 15a, 15b, 15c can also have different diameters. It is also conceivable that the control bores 15a, 15b, 15c have the same axial position along the longitudinal axis L, but have different diameters.

[0068] Due to the control bores 15a, 15b, 15c arranged in this way, a defined profile of the opening cross-section of the control bores 15 and thus of the hydraulic characteristic curve can be set over the valve spool stroke when the valve spool 30 is displaced by the electromagnetic actuating device. This makes it possible for the proportional valve 1 to be adapted to the requirements of the overall system or the shock absorber. The at least two control bores 15 can be easily incorporated into the valve spool 30 during the manufacturing process of the valve spool 30, wherein, according to a preferred embodiment, two control bores 15 with the same diameter are simultaneously incorporated in one work step on diametrical sides of the longitudinal axis L.

[0069] Furthermore, it can be seen from the accompanying figures that the proportional valve 1 comprises a pressure-sensing pin 40 that is movable along the longitudinal axis L. The pressure-sensing pin 40 is arranged in an opening 35 of the valve body 11 and can preferably penetrate it. The opening 35 is preferably coaxial with the longitudinal axis L, i.e., centrally arranged in the valve body base 20. The opening 35 also penetrates the mandrel arranged on the valve body base 20 and the truncated cone 18 centrally. As a result, the pressure-sensing pin 40 is arranged radially within the return spring 55.

[0070] The pressure-sensing pin 40 has a first end 41 and a second end 42, which are arranged on opposite sides along the longitudinal axis. A pressure applied to at least inlet I can act on the first end 41. The second end 42 can come into operative contact with the valve spool 30 or the valve spool base 31.

[0071] The pressure-sensing pin 40 further comprises a stop 45 arranged in the cavity 37 between the valve spool 30 and the valve body 11. The stop 45 is preferably designed such that the stop 45 can come into contact with the valve body 11 or the valve body base 20 in an end position between the valve spool 30 and the valve body 11. The stop 45 is further preferably designed such that the pressure-sensing pin 40 remains axially movable in an end position of the valve spool 30, in which the control edge 33 of the valve spool 30 comes into contact with the valve body 11. The stop 45 can be designed in the manner of a head and can have a larger diameter than the opening 35. The stop 45, on the one hand, defines the end position and, on the other hand, serves as a loss protection for the pressure-sensing pin 40.

[0072] The pressure sensing pin 40 transmits a pressure force corresponding to the pressure at the at least one inlet I in the longitudinal axis L to the valve spool 30.

[0073] According to the illustrated embodiment, the pressure sensing pin 40 can move the valve slide 31 into the open position against the force of the actuating device 50, whereby a mechanical opening of the proportional valve 1 is possible when high pressures are present at the at least one inlet I.

[0074] By appropriately selecting an effective hydraulic diameter at the first end 41 of the pressure sensing pin 40, the force of the pressure sensing pin 40 can be adjusted. Depending on the application of the proposed proportional valve 1, the pressure sensing pin 40 can be designed with different diameters, allowing application-specific pressure forces of different magnitudes to be achieved for displacing the valve spool 31.

[0075] Furthermore, it can be seen from the accompanying figures that the tappet 52 or the armature 54 has a pressure compensation bore 58 through which the tappet 52 or the armature 54 can flow along the longitudinal axis L. Consequently, the medium can flow through the tappet 52 and / or the armature 54 into a pressure compensation chamber 59 arranged on the side of the armature 54 facing away from the valve spool 30. The pressure compensation chamber 59 is thus fluidly connected to the outlet E, and pressure compensation can occur. List of reference symbols 1 proportional valve 10 valve housings 11 Valve body 12 inner surface of 11 13 outer surface of 11 14 Outlet opening 15 control holes 16 Control bore section 18 truncated cone 19 Cover area 20 Valve body base 21 Wall 30 valve slides 31 Valve slide base 32 collars 33 Control edge 34 Pressure equalization hole 35 Breakthrough 37 Cavity 40 pressure sensing pin 41 first end 42 second end 45 stop 50 Actuating device 51 Excitation coil 52 tappets 53 Pole tube 54 anchors 55 Return spring 56 Magnetic flange 58 pressure compensation holes 59 Pressure equalization chamber E Outlet I Entrance L Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Proportional valve (1), comprising - a valve housing (10) with at least one inlet (I) and with at least one outlet (E) and a valve body (11) which is fluidically arranged between the at least one inlet (I) and the at least one outlet (E) and has at least two control bores (15) which connect the at least one inlet (I) and the at least one outlet (E) and which open onto an outer surface (13) of the valve body (11), - a valve slide (30) which is mounted on the valve body (11) so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis (L), and - an electromagnetic actuating device (50) by means of which the valve slide (30) is movable along a longitudinal axis (L) against a return spring (55) between a closed position closing the at least two control bores (15) and an open position at least partially releasing the at least two control bores (15), wherein the at least two control bores (15) have different cross-sections and / or that the at least two control bores (15) open offset along the longitudinal axis (L) onto the outer surface (13) of the valve body (11), characterized by that the at least two control bores (15) open along the longitudinal axis (L) into a control bore section (16) on an inner circumferential surface (12) of the valve body (11) and that in the control bore section (16) the flow-through cross section of the valve body (11) decreases along the longitudinal axis (L) coming from the inlet (I). [2] Proportional valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least two control bores (15) are arranged distributed around the longitudinal axis (L). [3] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least two control bores (15) are radially oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis (L). [4] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a pressure sensing pin (40) which is displaceable in the longitudinal axis (L) is arranged on the valve body (11), the first end (41) of which can be acted upon by a pressure acting on at least one inlet (I) and the second end (42) of which can be in operative contact with the valve slide (30). [5] Proportional valve (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the pressure sensing pin (40) has a stop (45) which can come into abutment on the valve body (11) in an end position between the valve slide (30) and the valve body (11). [6] Proportional valve (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the pressure sensing pin (40) is freely movable in a pressureless state at at least one inlet (I) and at least one outlet (E) in the open position or in the closed position between the end position and a contact position on the valve slide (30). [7] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the return spring (55) keeps the valve slide (30) pre-tensioned against the actuating device (50). [8] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flow-through cross-section of the valve body (11) along the longitudinal axis (L) coming from the inlet (I) is reduced by a truncated cone (18), a cylinder, a dome or a cone. [9] Proportional valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the pressure sensing pin (40) penetrates a cover surface (19) of the truncated cone (18). [10] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the valve slide (30) has wedge-shaped control edges. [11] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the valve slide (30) has at least one pressure equalization bore (34) which fluidically connects the at least one outlet (E) to a volume enclosed between the valve slide (30) and the valve body (11). [12] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (50) has pressure compensation bores (58) which connect the at least one outlet (E) to a pressure compensation chamber (59) of the actuating device (50). [13] Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the valve housing (10) has at least one outflow opening (14) forming the at least one outlet (E), and that the at least one outflow opening (14) corresponds in position about the longitudinal axis (L) and / or in size to the position and / or size of at least one of the at least two control bores (15). [14] Shock absorber with a proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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