Valve, preferably a vent valve

Abstract

Valve (90), preferably a vent valve, for a pressure sprayer, comprising a union nut and a rotary cap (106), a bolt (109) connected to the rotary cap (106) and sliding within an opening in the union nut, and a spring surrounding the bolt (109), wherein the bolt (109) has a helix or helical shape, wherein a force generated by air pressure on a pressure surface of the bolt (109) moves it upwards, and in addition to an axial movement, a rotational movement of the bolt and thus also of the rotary cap (106) is generated by the helix or helical shape of the bolt, characterized in that the bolt (109) is guided in a cavity of the valve and comprises a sealing ring (114) which preferably rests tightly against the wall of the cavity in a first position and does not rest tightly against the wall of the cavity in a second position and opens an air channel.

Description

The invention relates to a valve, in particular a vent valve for a sprayer, in particular a pressure sprayer, with a union nut or rotary cap and a bolt connected to the union nut or rotary cap, and a spring surrounding the bolt, wherein the bolt has a helix or screw line. According to current technology, safety valves are primarily used in pressure sprayers. They function by releasing air from the container when the operating pressure is exceeded, thus preventing further pressure surges. These safety valves consist of a sealing bolt and a spring. The air pressure inside the pressure vessel exceeds the spring force, causing the bolt to be pushed linearly out of its sealing position in the event of overpressure. Once the maximum permissible operating pressure is reached again, the spring force exceeds the air pressure inside the pressure vessel, and the bolt returns linearly to its sealing position. This venting process can also be triggered manually, usually by pulling or pushing the bolt. Additionally, an external pressure gauge is often mounted to another opening on the pressure vessel to inform the operator of the current operating pressure. The problem with the prior art is that the space around the axially moving bolt is severely limited due to the spout of the pressure sprayer. On the one hand, the spout must protect the vent valve if the pressure sprayer tips over or falls; on the other hand, this makes it difficult for the operator to pull the bolt axially to trigger the venting process. This means that manually triggering the safety valve is only possible with an awkward finger position and usually requires at least two fingers. The prior art also describes how the safety valve can be used as a pressure gauge. If the safety valve is used as a pressure gauge, a separate opening is created in the container for this purpose. Every opening in the container represents a potential stress point that must be reinforced with material. Another type of vent valve is a recess in the spout, from which approximately 20% of the circumference of a circle is visible and accessible. When manual venting is required, the circular element can be rotated with a finger, thus exposing the sealing surface and allowing air to escape from the pressure vessel. Once released, a built-in mechanism, usually a spring, ensures that the circular element automatically returns to its starting position, resealing the sealing surfaces. The current pressure in the pressure vessel can only be determined using an additional pressure gauge. Furthermore, it is only audible, not visual, whether the vent valve is currently functioning as a safety valve and releasing excess pressure. A typical manometer used is known from US 11 268 863 B2 and is mounted in an additional opening in the pressure vessel. Safety valves are already known from WO 2021 / 040 668 A1. WO 2015 / 013 299 A2 shows a valve for a pressurized container in which a bolt is moved upwards within the valve. WO 2015 / 013 299 A2 also shows a display device. From DE 10 2010 017 998 A1, a pressure vessel, in particular for pressure sprayers, is disclosed, wherein the pressure vessel can be filled with a spraying agent up to a certain liquid level, with a receptacle that is arranged, in particular, in a lid of the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel of DE 10 2010 017 998 A1 can accommodate a connection, in particular a compressor connection, which is rotatable or pivotable. An alternative pressure vessel is shown in WO 2022 / 229 484 A1. From DE 72 07 595 U a safety valve with an optical pressure indicator for pressure vessels of garden sprayers has become known. The GB 686 887 A shows another valve with a display device. The invention is based on the objective of providing a valve that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, allows for convenient venting of the pressure vessel while simultaneously enabling the current operating pressure to be determined at any time. The operator should also have the option of initiating manual pressure release at any time. Furthermore, the valve should reliably prevent the maximum operating pressure in the pressure vessel from being exceeded. To minimize the number of openings in the vessel and the number of individual parts, the pressure gauge and the safety valve should form a single unit. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a valve having the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims. Because the invention includes a bolt having a helix or helical shape, the bolt is moved linearly, preferably upwards, by a rotational movement of the rotating cap. The helix converts the linear movement of the bolt into a rotational movement, which then follows a helix. This arrangement allows for finely metered movement. A further advantage of this arrangement is that it prevents the elastic seal of the valve from seizing up after prolonged periods of inactivity, which would result in increased static friction. Furthermore, the helical movement of the valve piston applies thrust forces to the piston seal. The helical movement overcomes static friction more effectively than a purely axial movement of the piston. The valve according to the invention, in particular the venting valve, functions both as a manual venting valve and as a safety valve when a maximum permissible operating pressure is exceeded, reliably releasing the excess pressure. By providing a scale, position indicator, or pointer on the union nut or the rotating cap to display the current operating pressure, the operator is simultaneously informed of the current operating pressure. As pressure builds up, the rotating cap rotates automatically to display the current operating pressure via the pointer on the scale. In a further embodiment of the invention, a spring surrounding the bolt exerts a spring force such that the bolt is pressed downwards. To refill the pressure vessel, it must be manually vented to a depressurized state before opening the filling port. To ensure convenient manual venting, the process should ideally require minimal effort and be possible while wearing gloves. Therefore, it is advantageous if the manual venting of the pressure vessel is triggered by a rotating cap on the valve, as this movement can be performed even with gloves. To release the pressure, the rotating cap can be set into a rotary motion. The rotating cap moves both rotationally and axially in relation to the rotary motion. At a certain angle of rotation, the sealing surface is released via axial displacement, allowing air to escape from the container. Gloves are often worn when working with a pressure sprayer, so operation should be possible even while wearing gloves. A rotational movement can also be generated with just one finger and while wearing gloves. To allow for the release of excess pressure not only manually but also automatically, a preferred embodiment provides that, as the air pressure in the pressure vessel increases, an axial force acting opposite to the spring force is applied, lifting the bolt upwards and preferably setting it into a rotational movement by the helix. Specifically, the air pressure exerts a linear force on a bolt surface that is held in position by the spring. As the bolt moves, the sealing surface is released, allowing air to escape. Simultaneously, in a preferred embodiment, the axial movement is converted into a rotational axial movement so that the operator can visually determine the current pressure level of the pressure vessel. To ensure that the direction of rotation for manual venting can always be identified, an arrow indicating the direction of rotation is shown on the circumference of the venting valve. In order to be able to visually recognize the operating status, at least one scale element and one pointer element are also present on the vent valve, with the purpose of working together to display the current pressure level. To be able to recognize this pressure level, it is advantageous if the pointer has several operating positions that, with the help of the scale, provide information about the pressure in the container. Ideally, this pointer is analog and therefore stepless, so that a trend can also be detected. To ensure the current pressure level is visible from all sides, it is advantageous to have the scale or scale element mounted on the circumference of the vent valve. Since such a vent valve is usually round, the circular surface around the axis on the union nut is a suitable location. To ensure that the current pressure level can be quickly and reliably identified even in poor lighting conditions, the scale or scale element is highlighted in signal colors. Similarly, different colors for the scale depending on the current pressure level are advantageous to clearly indicate to the operator whether the container is depressurized, at operating pressure, or is venting air due to overpressure. According to the invention, the valve bolt is guided in a cavity, preferably a bore of the vent valve, in particular of the valve body. The bolt comprises a sealing ring, which preferably, in a first position, rests tightly against the wall of the cavity, so that it is not possible for the air blown into the pressure vessel to escape, and in a second position, no longer rests tightly against the wall of the cavity or bore, so that an air channel is opened through which the air introduced into the vessel escapes when a certain pressure is exceeded. Preferably, the valve, in particular the pressure valve, is located in a pressure vessel, preferably a pressure sprayer, preferably a pressure sprayer, as a vent valve, safety valve, or pressure gauge. Use. In addition to the valve, in particular the vent valve, the invention provides a container, in particular a pressure vessel with such a valve, preferably a vent valve. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and without limitations thereto. Figure 1a shows a valve in a depressurized position. Figure 1b shows a valve in a position under operating pressure. Figure 1c shows a valve in a position under overpressure. Figure 2 shows a pressure vessel of a sprayer with a built-in valve. Figure 3a shows a sectional view of a valve in a depressurized position. Figure 3b shows a sectional view of a valve under operating pressure. Figure 3c shows a sectional view of a valve under overpressure. Figure 1a shows a venting valve 90 according to the invention. This is a three-dimensional view of a valve according to the invention, in particular in the form of a pressure valve 90 with a rotating cap 106 connected to a bolt 109. The union nut 100 is marked with a scale 101 with highlights representing three different pressure stages. The first stage 103 informs the operator that a sprayer 40, into which the valve 90 according to the invention is inserted, is depressurized. The second stage 104, as shown in Figure 1b, indicates that the pressure vessel 41, into which the valve according to the invention is inserted, is ready for operation. The last and third stage 105, as shown in Figure 1c, indicates to the operator that the pressure vessel 41, into which the valve is inserted, is about to vent due to overpressure or is currently venting.The pointer 102 is part of the rotating cap 106 and indicates to the operator which of the three pressure stages the sprayer, which houses the pressure valve, is currently in. The operator knows that when the pointer 102 is horizontally aligned with the first stage 103, the pressure vessel can be safely refilled, as it is no longer under pressure. Fig. 1b shows that the air pressure in the container, as shown in Fig. 3b, has caused the rotating cap 106 to turn due to the pressure surface 107, and the pointer 102 is now horizontally aligned with the scale 101 on the second pressure stage 104. The pressure surface 107 is shown, for example, in Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, and Fig. 3c. In this position, the operator knows that the sprayer 40, into which the pressure valve 90 is inserted and which is shown in Fig. 2, is ready for operation. During use of the pressure sprayer, the operator can always see how the pressure in the pressure vessel 41 is changing, i.e., whether it is increasing or decreasing, by means of the scale 101. Fig. 1c shows the pointer 102 horizontally aligned with the third pressure stage 105. The pressure vessel 41, into which the pressure relief valve is inserted, has reached and / or exceeded its maximum operating pressure, so that pressure is released to prevent overpressure. Furthermore, by manually turning the rotary cap 106, for example directly on the pointer 102, the pressure can be released from the pressure vessel not only automatically, but also manually at any time. The manual rotation of the rotary cap 106 is stepless. The arrow 110 on the rotary cap 106 indicates the direction of rotation to the operator. According to the invention, the rotary cap 106 is self-rotating due to the internal spring 108 and, in the depressurized state, tends to achieve horizontal alignment of the pointer 102 and the first stage 103. A typical application of the venting valve 90 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2. The venting valve 90 is screwed into a pressure vessel 41 of, for example, a sprayer 40. By unscrewing the pump 42 in the depressurized state, spraying agent, for example, can be added to the pressure vessel through the pump opening 43. After screwing in the pump 42, the pressure vessel 41 is pressurized to operating pressure. As soon as the maximum pressure is exceeded, the valve 90 automatically releases the excess pressure and emits an acoustic signal. Work with the pressure sprayer 40 can then begin. The operator can see the current pressure level via the indicator 106, as shown in Figs. 1a-1c. Figures 3a-3c show the vent valve according to the invention in sectional view under different pressure conditions. The vent valve is designed such that the bolt 109 is connected to the rotary cap 106 for all positions shown in Figures 3a-3c. Fig. 3a corresponds to Fig. 1a and shows a cross-sectional view of the valve, in particular the pressure relief valve, in the unpressurized state, i.e., when no pressure has yet built up in the pressure vessel into which the pressure relief valve is inserted. In the unpressurized state, the spring pushes the bolt 109 downwards. The seal, preferably designed as an O-ring 114, rests directly against the wall 152 of the cavity, preferably the bore 150 of the valve, in particular the vent valve, and thus blocks the escape of gas, in particular compressed air, from the pressure vessel into which the valve is inserted as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 1a shows that in the unpressurized state, the indicator 102 points to the first pressure stage, so that the user is informed that no pressure has yet built up in the vessel. As soon as the air pressure in the container 41 increases, as shown in Fig. 2, an axial force acting opposite to the spring force is applied to the pressure surface 107, as shown in Fig. 3. When the force of the air pressure exceeds the holding force of the spring 108, the bolt 109 moves upwards. The helix 113 moves the bolt 109, and consequently also the rotating cap 106, linearly upwards in a rotational motion towards the spout 43. This can be seen in Fig. 3b. Identical components as in Fig. 3a bear the same reference numerals. As can be seen in Fig. 3a, the bolt 109 is slightly raised upwards, but the O-ring 114 still lies tightly against the wall 152 of the bore 150, so that no air escapes from the pressure vessel into which the pressure valve is inserted. The position of the rotary cap 106 with the pointer 102, which informs the operator about the pressure status in the pressure vessel, can be seen in Fig. 1b. The higher the bolt 109 rises, the closer it gets to the vent point 112. If the bolt 109 exceeds the vent point 112, as shown in Fig. 3c, the O-ring 114 can no longer hold the pressure. When the bolt exceeds the vent point, the O-ring 114 no longer rests against the wall 152 of the bore 150, but instead opens a channel 154 through which the gas or air can escape from the pressure vessel shown in Fig. 2. The valve 90 releases the pressure by allowing the air or gas to flow past the O-ring 114 through the channel 154 until the air or gas pressure drops and the O-ring 114 seals again with the help of the valve body 111. The air inside the pressure vessel 41 can thus escape in a controlled manner. Due to the rotary linear movement of the rotating cap 106, the pointer 102 also rotates to the position as shown in Fig. 1c and thus transmits the current pressure level to the operator.

Claims

Valve (90), preferably a vent valve, for a pressure sprayer, comprising a union nut and a rotary cap (106), a bolt (109) connected to the rotary cap (106) and sliding within an opening in the union nut, and a spring surrounding the bolt (109), wherein the bolt (109) has a helix or helical shape, wherein a force generated by air pressure on a pressure surface of the bolt (109) moves it upwards, and in addition to an axial movement, a rotational movement of the bolt and thus also of the rotary cap (106) is generated by the helix or helical shape of the bolt, characterized in that the bolt (109) is guided in a cavity of the valve and comprises a sealing ring (114) which preferably rests tightly against the wall of the cavity in a first position and does not rest tightly against the wall of the cavity in a second position and opens an air channel. Valve, in particular vent valve, according to claim 1, characterized in that a scale or a position indicator or a pointer for indicating the current operating pressure is arranged on the rotary cap (106). Valve, preferably a vent valve, according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that a spring force is exerted by the spring such that the bolt (109) is pressed downwards. Valve, preferably a vent valve, according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the valve is used in a pressure vessel, an axial force acting opposite to the spring force is applied when the pressure in the pressure vessel increases, and the bolt (109) is pushed upwards and preferably set into a rotational movement by the helix. Valve according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve, in particular the vent valve, comprises a pointer, wherein the pointer interacts with a scale on the rotary cap, such that information about the container pressure of the container, in particular the pressure vessel, in which the valve, preferably the vent valve, is inserted, is provided with the aid of the scale. Container of a pressure sprayer, characterized in that the container of the pressure sprayer comprises at least one valve according to one of claims 1 to 5. Use of a valve according to one of claims 1 to 5 in a pressure vessel of a pressure sprayer as a vent valve and / or safety valve and / or pressure gauge

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