Valve arrangement

Abstract

A valve arrangement (1) is proposed which includes a valve assembly (2) having a valve carrier (8) which has valve mounting locations (18a) which are equipped with electrically actuated directional control valves. Formed in the valve carrier (8) are a plurality of valve carrier fluid channels (33), which at least partially open out to each valve mounting location (18a) and are fluidically connected to each directional control valve. Furthermore, a communication channel (24) is formed in the valve carrier (8), in which a communication line (23) having at least one electronic component (26) is arranged, with which the mounted directional control valves are electrically contacted to enable their electrical control. At least one collection fluid channel (34) also opens out to a cooling module mounting location (18b) of the valve carrier (8), on which a cooling module (21) is mounted.The cooling module (21) is penetrated by a cooling channel structure (56) which provides a fluid connection between the collecting fluid channel (34) and the communication channel (24), through which fluidic pressure medium branched off from the collecting fluid channel (34) can be introduced into the communication channel (24) as a cooling medium for cooling the at least one electronic component (26).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve arrangement, - with a valve assembly comprising a valve carrier extending in a main direction along a main axis and a plurality of electrically actuated directional control valves, - wherein the valve carrier has a mounting surface with a plurality of mounting locations arranged successively in the main direction, at least several of which are designed as valve mounting locations, on each of which one of the directional control valves can be mounted or is mounted, - wherein a plurality of valve carrier fluid channels through which a fluidic pressure medium can flow are formed in the valve carrier, which are at least partially collecting fluid channels extending in the main direction, which open out to each valve assembly location and which are fluidically connected to the directional control valves mounted at the valve assembly locations, - and wherein a communication channel extending in the main direction is formed in the valve carrier, in which an electrical communication line is arranged which has at least one electronic component and is connected or connectable to an electronic control device, with which the mounted directional control valves are electrically contacted in the region of the valve assembly location assigned to them.

[0002] A valve arrangement of this type known from EP 2 047 111 B1 comprises a valve assembly referred to as a valve battery, which has a plate-shaped valve carrier equipped with a plurality of electrically actuated directional control valves referred to as valve units. The directional control valves are mounted on valve mounting locations of the valve carrier and are provided to actuate connected fluid-operated drives through the controlled supply and discharge of a fluidic pressure medium. The fluidic pressure medium is, in particular, compressed air. Extending through a cavity formed in the valve carrier and referred to as a communication channel is an electrical communication line referred to as a linking board, with which all the directional control valves are electrically contacted and which is provided to transmit electrical control signals provided by an electronic control device to the directional control valves for actuation as required.The fluid pressure medium used by the directional control valves during their operation is passed through valve carrier fluid channels formed in the valve carrier, some of which are collecting channels that allow a collective supply and discharge of the pressure medium and open to all valve assembly locations.

[0003] The communication line of the valve assembly can be equipped with one or more electronic components that, for example, enable decentralized signal processing and / or handle electrical signal distribution in fieldbus control systems. However, the electronic equipment has certain temperature-related limitations, as excessive heating can lead to functional impairments that can impact the operational reliability of the entire valve assembly. High operating temperatures can be caused by the electronic components themselves and / or by the heat generated by electrically operated valve actuators of the directional control valves, such as solenoid valves.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of taking measures that reduce the risk of temperature-related functional impairments in a valve assembly.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in conjunction with the features mentioned at the outset in that - that at least one of the mounting locations of the valve carrier is designed as a cooling module mounting location, on which a cooling module of the valve arrangement penetrated by a cooling channel structure can be mounted or is mounted, - wherein, by means of the cooling channel structure of the mounted cooling module, a fluid connection can be provided or is provided between at least one collecting fluid channel of the valve carrier fluid channels opening out to the cooling module assembly location and the communication channel, through which fluidic pressure medium branched off from the collecting fluid channel can be introduced into the communication channel while executing a cooling flow as a cooling medium for cooling the at least one electronic component of the electrical communication line.

[0006] In this way, the valve carrier is equipped with at least one mounting location, referred to as a cooling module mounting location for easier differentiation, which is suitable for mounting a cooling module of the valve arrangement present in addition to the directional control valves according to the invention. A mounting area of ​​the valve carrier providing the mounting locations can define only a single or multiple cooling module mounting locations, the latter offering the possibility of equipping the valve assembly with multiple cooling modules simultaneously in the event of increased cooling requirements. At least one of the valve carrier fluid channels designed as collective fluid channels opens out to all mounting locations and thus also to the at least one cooling module mounting location, so that a fluidic pressure medium located in this collective fluid channel in connection with the operation of the directional control valves can be tapped off at the relevant cooling module mounting location by the cooling module mounted there.The said collecting fluid channel can, for example, be a venting channel used to vent the directional valves and / or the fluidic drives connected to the directional valves and, among other things, also communicate with the atmosphere, or a feed channel used to supply fluid to the directional valves, which, during operation of the valve arrangement, is connected to an external pressure source providing the fluidic pressure medium. For use by the cooling module, for example, only a single collecting channel or several, in particular different types of collecting channels, can lead to the cooling module assembly location.The fluidic pressure medium tapped by the mounted cooling module from one or more collecting fluid channels is introduced into the communication channel by the cooling module as a cooling medium for cooling purposes. For this purpose, a fluid channel structure referred to as a cooling channel structure is formed in the cooling module. This fluid channel structure is fed from at least one of the collecting fluid channels opening out at the cooling module assembly location and opens into the communication channel. Thus, the cooling module can perform a cooling operation that creates a cooling flow in the communication channel, resulting in effective cooling of electronic components of the electrical communication line, so that even in the event of excessive heat generation, no functional impairments are to be expected during operation of the valve arrangement.

[0007] Although the invention can be implemented using any gaseous or liquid pressure media, it is preferably used using compressed air as the fluidic pressure medium, so that the cooling flow is a cooling air flow that can be guided over electronic components to be cooled without special protective measures.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] The cooling module expediently has a module base area at which the cooling channel structure terminates and which, when the cooling module is mounted, faces the cooling module mounting location. In this way, the required fluid connection to both the collecting channel used as the cooling medium source and the communication channel can be established directly by attaching the cooling module to the valve carrier. Laying additional fluid lines is not required. Preferably, the cooling module is releasably fixed to the valve carrier in the mounted state, in particular by means of a screw connection.

[0010] A collecting fluid channel that opens into the cooling module assembly area and is fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure of the installed cooling module is preferably a venting channel that communicates with the atmosphere for venting purposes. Such a venting channel can also be referred to as an exhaust air channel when used in conjunction with compressed air as the fluidic pressure medium.

[0011] The aforementioned venting channel can, for example, be provided to discharge a pressure medium controlled by the directional control valves, such as the compressed air flowing back from a connected fluid-operated actuator. This measure is particularly suitable for non-pilot-operated, directly operated directional control valves.

[0012] If the directional valves of the valve assembly are electrofluidically pilot-operated directional valves, which is preferably the case, a collecting channel of the valve carrier, referred to as a pilot vent channel for ease of differentiation, is expediently used as the vent channel from which the cooling medium is tapped. This pilot vent channel is provided independently of the cooling function according to the invention in order to vent an electrically actuated pilot valve device of the directional valves, which can also be referred to as pilot venting. In electropneumatically pilot-operated directional valves, with each venting switching operation of a pilot valve device, its exhaust air is introduced into a pilot vent channel for use as a cooling medium.

[0013] When the valve assembly is in use, the pilot vent channel normally communicates directly with the atmosphere via a pilot vent port located on the valve carrier to vent the exhaust air from the pilot valve devices. While this can generally be retained if the cooling medium is tapped from the pilot vent channel, it is advisable in this case to close the pilot vent port so that all of the pilot exhaust air is available as a cooling medium for introduction into the communication channel. For this purpose, the valve assembly advantageously has a closure element, for example, designed as a plug, which is attachable or attached to the pilot vent port. The pilot valve devices can then be vented through the communication channel with a simultaneous cooling effect.Instead of closing the existing pilot vent connection, it can also be provided that there is no pilot vent connection at all on the valve carrier at the factory.

[0014] In the aforementioned context, the cooling channel structure of the cooling module expediently has a cooling channel, referred to as a venting cooling channel for better differentiation, which, in the assembled state of the cooling module, communicates on the one hand with the venting channel of the valve carrier, designed as a collecting fluid channel, and on the other hand opens into the communication channel.

[0015] Since the pressure medium generated during a venting process is not normally used for any further purpose, a cooling process that automatically starts whenever a venting process occurs is recommended, ensuring that the exhaust air is continuously used for cooling purposes. An explicit control to initiate a cooling flow is not necessary. In this context, it is advisable to design the venting cooling channel as a fluid channel through which the cooling medium flows purely dependent on the pressure difference, which always enables or permits a cooling flow when the pressure in the connected venting channel is higher than in the communication channel.Particularly in this context, but also in general, it is advantageous to have a check valve installed in the vent cooling channel. This check valve—apart from a principle-related response threshold—allows unhindered flow toward the communication channel, but prevents an opposite fluid flow into the vent channel. This prevents any backpressure that may build up in the communication channel or in a feed cooling channel described below.

[0016] It is also advantageous if a gas-permeable filter is incorporated into the vent cooling channel of the cooling channel structure, which filter retains any impurities contained in the cooling medium and thus prevents contamination of the communication channel and, in particular, the communication line contained therein. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the cooling channel structure has only the vent cooling channel to enable a cooling flow or, in addition to the vent cooling channel, a feed cooling channel (described below) that does not communicate with the vent cooling channel.

[0017] Preferably, a collecting fluid channel leading to the cooling module assembly location and fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure of the mounted cooling module is a feed channel of the valve carrier, which is intended to supply the electrically actuated directional control valves with fluidic pressure medium. During operation of the valve arrangement, this feed channel is connected to an external pressure source providing the fluidic pressure medium, which is in particular a compressed air source.

[0018] The aforementioned feed channel can be a valve carrier fluid channel that provides the directional valves with the controllable fluid pressure medium required to actuate a connected fluid-operated drive. However, if the directional valves are of an electrofluidic and, in particular, electropneumatic pilot-controlled type as explained above, each having a pilot valve device supplied with pressure medium via a special pilot feed channel, the cooling medium for the cooling module is expediently tapped from this pilot feed channel. The pilot feed channel leads both to the valve assembly locations and to the at least one cooling module assembly location.

[0019] Since the collecting fluid channel acting as a feed channel is constantly under overpressure when the valve arrangement is in the operational state, but cooling of the communication line is usually not constantly required, a cooling channel in the cooling channel structure of the cooling module that connects the feed channel to the communication channel and, for ease of differentiation, is referred to as a feed cooling channel, is expediently of a type that is externally controlled with regard to the available flow cross-section. This enables particularly energy-efficient cooling, in which the consumption of pressure medium can be limited to times when cooling is actually required. This is preferably achieved by inserting a controllable shut-off valve into the feed cooling channel. This shut-off valve is in particular a 2 / 2-way valve and enables the feed cooling channel to be selectively shut off or opened, particularly depending on the temperature.

[0020] In a particularly simple design that requires no electrical control, the shut-off valve is equipped with an actuator using a shape memory alloy or a bimetal that responds directly to the temperature prevailing in the communication channel. This allows for direct temperature-controlled actuation of the shut-off valve without the need for electrical control measures.

[0021] In a particularly advantageous alternative design, the shut-off valve assigned to the feed-cooling channel is of an electrically actuated type. The shut-off valve is expediently controlled by an electronic control device, to which the communication line is connected anyway when the valve arrangement is in the operational state. The electrical control signals for the shut-off valve are expediently generated using a temperature sensor implemented as part of the communication line, which delivers electrical temperature signals that can be evaluated by the electronic control device. The temperature sensor can be a standalone sensor or directly integrated into an electronic component to be cooled.For example, at least one electronic component is a processor that is internally equipped for temperature detection, so that the temperature can be queried directly at the critical point and, if necessary, reacted to by activating the cooling function.

[0022] As already mentioned, the valve assembly is expediently equipped with an electronic control device to which the communication line can be connected or is at least connected when the valve assembly is in use. The electronic control device can be integrated into the valve assembly or arranged externally. The control device offers, for example, the possibility of variably specifying a temperature threshold for actuating the shut-off valve.

[0023] The temperature-dependent control signals for the shut-off valve mentioned above do not necessarily have to be generated in the electronic control device, but the electrical communication line can be equipped with appropriate individual control electronics for this purpose.

[0024] It is advantageous if a gas-permeable filter is incorporated into the feed cooling channel of the cooling channel structure, which filter retains any impurities contained in the cooling medium and thus prevents contamination of the communication channel and, in particular, the communication line contained therein. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the cooling channel structure has only the feed cooling channel to enable a cooling flow or, in addition to the feed cooling channel, a vent cooling channel described above that does not communicate with the feed cooling channel.

[0025] With at least one cooling module, the cooling channel structure can contain only a vent cooling channel or only a feed cooling channel. However, a dual configuration with both a vent cooling channel and a feed cooling channel is particularly useful. Cooling via the vent cooling channel can be active continuously, while cooling via the feed cooling channel can be active only when needed. This allows for continuous, uniform basic cooling, which can be temporarily intensified when temperature peaks occur.

[0026] For the cooling module, a preferred design in conjunction with a dual cooling function provides a tapping unit and an inlet unit attached to the tapping unit. The tapping unit is penetrated by both the vent cooling channel and the feed cooling channel, which, on the one hand, open out onto a module base surface of the cooling module in such a way that, when the cooling module is installed, they communicate with a vent channel or a feed channel of the valve carrier and are capable of tapping fluid pressure medium as a cooling medium from the valve carrier. The tapped pressure medium is introduced into the communication channel as a cooling medium via the inlet unit. The inlet unit expediently contains a shut-off module with the shut-off valve mentioned above and a feed-through module positioned between the shut-off module and the tapping unit.The vent cooling channel passes exclusively through the through-pass module within the inlet unit and terminates with a cooling medium outlet opening formed on the through-pass module. The feed cooling channel, on the other hand, passes through both the through-pass module and the shut-off valve within the inlet unit, also terminating with the aforementioned cooling medium outlet opening, so that a common cooling medium outlet opening is assigned to the vent cooling channel and the feed cooling channel. Conveniently, the two aforementioned cooling channels have a common longitudinal section that ends with the cooling medium outlet opening and is also referred to below as the common outlet channel section.Since the outlet of the cooling medium is concentrated on the flow-through module, the shut-off valve in the electrically operated design can be very easily electrically contacted with the communication line via the shut-off module in order to receive the electrical control signals required for its operation.

[0027] If present, a gas-permeable filter is advantageously arranged in the common outlet channel section of the vent cooling channel and the feed cooling channel, which has the common cooling medium outlet opening. The filter can retain any impurities contained in the cooling medium and thus prevent contamination of the communication channel and, in particular, the communication line contained therein.

[0028] The fundamental advantage of a cooling module equipped with an electrically actuated shut-off valve is that it can be contacted with the electrical communication line in a similar way to electrically actuated directional control valves and, like directional control valves, can receive its electrical control signals via the communication line. The valve assembly is designed accordingly.

[0029] Preferably, each cooling module mounting location equipped with a cooling module is formed by one of the valve mounting locations suitable for mounting one of the electrically actuated directional control valves. The valve carrier is therefore preferably equipped with uniformly designed mounting locations that communicate with each other in the same way with the collecting channels of the valve carrier. These mounting locations are all valve mounting locations, each of which can be equipped with a directional control valve. Furthermore, however, each mounting location can also be used as a cooling module mounting location if required, in order to mount a cooling module there as an alternative to a directional control valve. This results in a high degree of variability with the possibility of mounting the cooling module at a location deemed particularly advantageous.For the electrical contacting of at least one cooling module, the contact elements of the communication line that are available as standard for contacting the directional control valves can be used, so that the contacting measures can be implemented extremely cost-effectively.

[0030] Of course, it is also possible to equip the assembly area of ​​the valve carrier with separate assembly locations for the directional control valves on the one hand and for at least one cooling module on the other hand, whereby the cooling module assembly location can be structurally different from the valve assembly locations.

[0031] For use in controlling fluid-operated drives, at least one, and in particular two, valve carrier fluid channels designed as individual working channels open to each valve assembly location. These fluid channels are fluidically connected to the electrically actuated directional control valve mounted at the respective valve assembly location. Each working channel also opens into a working opening formed on the outside of the valve carrier, to which the fluid-operated drive to be controlled by the directional control valve can be connected, in particular via a flexible fluid line.

[0032] When a valve assembly location is used as a cooling module assembly location, not all of the valve carrier fluid channels opening out at the valve assembly location are normally required for the cooling function. It is then expedient for the cooling module to have a cover section that, when the cooling module is installed, closes the valve carrier fluid channels not used for the cooling function and, in particular, those not communicating with the cooling channel structure. For example, the cooling module can have a cover section that covers and closes the channel openings of the valve carrier fluid channels not used for cooling purposes. In particular, a seal is also provided to prevent fluid leakage.

[0033] To shield the electrical components contained therein and to prevent contamination, the communication channel is expediently enclosed on all sides by a channel wall formed as part of the valve support. To ensure a highly effective cooling flow with efficient heat dissipation, at least one outlet channel is expediently formed in the valve assembly, through which the communication channel is connected to the atmosphere and through which the cooling medium can escape to the atmosphere after passing the communication line.

[0034] The exhaust duct is preferably equipped with a gas-permeable filter made of a sintered material, for example, to prevent unwanted ingress of contaminants. Alternatively, a silencer can be installed, which has the additional advantage of preventing the escaping cooling air from producing any disturbing noise.

[0035] In one possible embodiment, the outlet channel can be formed in a channel wall of the valve carrier that delimits the communication channel. For ease of differentiation, such an outlet channel is also referred to as a valve carrier outlet channel. If the wall thickness of the communication channel is correspondingly thin, the module carrier outlet channel can, for example, be formed by a simple, short opening in the channel wall.

[0036] Particularly advantageous is an outlet channel formed in an outlet module of the valve assembly, wherein at least one of the mounting locations of the valve carrier is designed as an outlet module mounting location, at which the outlet module can be mounted or is mounted while assuming a use position. When the outlet module is mounted on the outlet module mounting location, its outlet channel, also referred to as the module outlet channel for ease of differentiation, is fluidically connected to the communication channel via at least one inlet opening, so that the cooling medium, after flowing through the communication channel through the outlet module, can escape to the atmosphere through at least one outlet opening of the outlet module.

[0037] Preferably, at least one inlet opening is located on the front side of one of two module projections of the outlet module, which, when the outlet module is mounted at the associated outlet module assembly location, each dip into a wall opening of the valve carrier opening into the communication channel.

[0038] Conveniently, the outlet module mounting location equipped with an outlet module is formed by one of the valve mounting locations suitable for mounting one of the electrically actuated directional control valves. Preferably, any valve mounting location can be used as an outlet module mounting location.

[0039] Of course, it is also possible to equip the valve carrier's assembly area with a separate assembly location for the outlet module, whereby the outlet module assembly location can be structurally different from the valve assembly locations.

[0040] With respect to a row of assembly locations extending in the main direction within the valve assembly, it is advantageous if a first assembly location in the row of assembly locations is equipped with a cooling module and a last assembly location in the row of assembly locations is equipped with an outlet module, since this allows the communication channel to be exposed to a cooling flow over at least approximately its entire length. The cooling flow can enter in the area of ​​one channel end and exit in the area of ​​the other channel end.

[0041] The valve carrier is preferably constructed in multiple parts, expediently comprising a carrier body containing the component mounting surface. The carrier body preferably has a plate-like shape. In one possible design, the carrier body is formed in one piece. A carrier body structure segmented in the main direction is particularly advantageous, with the carrier body comprising a plurality of carrier body segments arranged in a row in the main direction with mutual sealing, each of which contains at least one of the component mounting locations. In this case, the collecting channels are composed, among other things, of lined-up openings in the carrier bodies.

[0042] The valve carrier preferably has a terminal module on each of its two axial ends, closing the communication channel. At least one of the terminal modules can be equipped with an electromechanical interface unit, which connects to the communication line and is intended for connecting the aforementioned electronic control device.

[0043] The communication line expediently contains a printed circuit board arrangement equipped with the at least one electronic component to be cooled, which consists of a single printed circuit board or of several printed circuit boards arranged in a row and in particular plugged together.

[0044] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the valve arrangement according to the invention with an isometric representation of an advantageous valve assembly, which is equipped with several directional valves, with a cooling module illustrated in the removed state, and with an outlet module, wherein a fluid-operated drive controllable by the valve arrangement is additionally indicated schematically, which is connected to the valve assembly via two fluid lines and wherein an optional closure element for a pilot vent connection of the valve carrier is illustrated, Fig. 2 the valve arrangement Fig. 1 in a top view of the valve assembly viewed in the direction of arrow II from Fig. 1, wherein an electronic control device is also shown which is expediently provided for the electrical control of the valve assembly, Fig. 3 the valve assembly Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a longitudinal section according to section line III-III from Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, where an arrow illustration indicates a cooling flow induced by the cooling module, Fig. 4 a cross-section of the valve assembly Fig. 1 to 3 in the area of ​​the mounted cooling module according to section line IV-IV Fig. 3, where an arrow illustration indicates a cooling flow generated by pressure medium tapped from a pilot vent channel, Fig. 5 shows a further longitudinal section of the valve assembly according to section line VV Fig. 3, where an arrow illustration indicates a cooling flow generated by pressure medium tapped from a pilot feed channel, Fig. 6 a detailed view of a valve assembly of the Fig. 1 to 5 in a plan view according to arrow VI-VI Fig. 1, Fig. 7 a longitudinal section of the cooling module according to section line VII-VII Fig. 6, Fig. 8 a cross-section of the cooling module in the area of ​​a pass-through module according to section line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 shows a further cross-section of the cooling module in the area of ​​a shut-off module according to section line IX-IX Fig. 7, Fig. 10 a detailed view of a valve assembly of the Fig. 1 to 9 belonging to the outlet module in an isometric view, Fig. 11 a top view of the outlet module with view direction according to arrow XI Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 a cross-section of the valve assembly according to section line XII-XII Fig. 3 and Fig. 11 in the area of ​​a mounted outlet module.

[0045] The valve arrangement, designated overall by reference numeral 1 in the drawing, includes a multi-part valve assembly 2 having a plurality of electrically actuated directional control valves 3, which can be electrically controlled for their actuation by means of an electronic control device 4, which is preferably also part of the valve assembly 1. The electronic control device 4 can be integrated into the valve assembly 2, but is preferably designed separately in this regard, as shown in the illustration, so that one can speak of an external electronic control device 4.

[0046] A preferred use of the valve arrangement 1 is the controlled actuation of at least one fluid-operated drive 5, wherein Fig. 1 schematically depicts such a fluid-operated drive 5 in a configuration as a double-acting working cylinder. The fluid-operated drive 5 has a drive housing 5a and an output member 5b that can be moved back and forth relative to it, executing a stroke movement indicated by a double arrow. The output member 5b separates two drive chambers in the drive housing 5a, each of which is connected to the valve assembly 2 via one of two fluid lines 6a, 6b. The connected drive chambers can be selectively pressurized or vented with a fluidic pressure medium via the two fluid lines 6a, 6b in order to cause the stroke movement of the output member 5b. The fluidic pressure medium controllable by the valve assembly 2 is preferably compressed air.

[0047] The valve assembly 2 is equipped with several electrically actuated directional control valves 3, which are arranged in a row along a main axis 7 of the valve assembly 2, referred to as the main direction 7a. A separate fluid-operated actuator 5 can be connected to each directional control valve 3 for its controlled actuation.

[0048] The valve assembly 2 contains a preferably multi-part valve carrier 8, which extends in the main direction 7a and has, on an upper side 11, which points in a vertical direction 12a oriented perpendicular to the main direction 7a, a mounting surface 13 on which the directional control valves 3 are mounted in a preferably detachable manner. The vertical direction 12a is the axial direction of a vertical axis 12 of the valve assembly 2. The mounting surface 13 lies in a plane orthogonal to the vertical axis 12.

[0049] By way of example, the mounting surface 13 is located on a carrier body 14 of the valve carrier 8, which can be a one-piece body, but which is segmented by way of example and is composed of several carrier body segments 14a which are placed next to one another in the main direction 7a and fixed to one another by fastening means not further illustrated.

[0050] At the front end, a first closure module 15 of the valve support 8 is connected to the support body 14 in the area of ​​a front side, and a second closure module 16 is connected to the support body 8 in the area of ​​an opposite rear side. The closure modules 15, 16 and the support body 14 are expediently screwed together. By way of example, the first closure module 15 is designed in two parts, as described further below, and the second closure module 16 is designed in one part.

[0051] The first terminal module 15 has an electromechanical interface unit 17 to which the electronic control device 4 can be connected and in the operational state of the valve arrangement 1 according to Fig. 2 is electrically connected via an electrical cable arrangement 19.

[0052] The Fig. 2 The assembly area 13 covered by the mounted directional control valves 3 is divided into several assembly area sections arranged successively in the main direction 7a and referred to as assembly locations 18.

[0053] If the carrier body 14 is segmented in the manner described, there is expediently exactly one assembly location 18 on each of the carrier body segments 14a, although at least one carrier body segment 14a can also easily have several assembly locations 18.

[0054] At least several of the mounting locations 18 are valve mounting locations 18a, which are designed and suitable for functionally mounting a directional control valve 3 thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, with the exception of a first mounting location 18 following the first terminal module 15 and a last mounting location 18 of the series of mounting locations 18 arranged next to the second terminal module 16, all existing mounting locations 18 are used as valve mounting locations 18a and are equipped with a directional control valve 3.

[0055] A cooling module 21, which will be explained in more detail below, is functionally mounted on the first assembly location 18, which is adjacent to the first terminal module 15 and is not equipped with a directional control valve 3, the possibility of mounting which results from the fact that the said front assembly location 18 is designed as a cooling module assembly location 18b suitable for equipping with a cooling module 21.

[0056] An optionally available outlet module 111, which will be explained in more detail below, is functionally mounted on the last assembly location 18 of the series of assembly locations 18, which is not equipped with a directional control valve 3 and is adjacent to the second end module 16. The possibility of mounting this outlet module 111 results from the fact that the said last assembly location 18 is designed as a end module assembly location 18c suitable for equipping with a end module 111.

[0057] In fact, it is preferred and exemplary that all mounting locations 18 are designed as valve mounting locations 18a suitable for mounting a respective directional control valve 3, which can also be used as a cooling module mounting location 18b or as an outlet module mounting location 18c. Accordingly, each mounting location 18 offers the possibility of optionally mounting either an electrically actuated directional control valve 3 or a cooling module 21 or an outlet module 111 thereon. It is expedient here if all mounting locations 18 are configured identically to one another, which applies to the illustrated embodiment. Normally, a majority of the placement locations 18 will be used as valve placement locations 18a and usually only a single placement location 18 as a cooling module placement location 18b and only a further single placement location 18 as an outlet module placement location 18c.However, if there is an increased cooling requirement, several assembly locations 18 can also be used as cooling module assembly locations 18b and / or as outlet module assembly locations 18c.

[0058] Each directional control valve 3 has an electric valve actuator 22, which can be controlled by means of electrical control signals, referred to below as valve control signals, in order to set one of several possible switching states of the directional control valve 3. The valve control signals originate from the electronic control device 4 and can be fed to the valve actuators 22 via an electrical communication line 23 of the valve assembly 2, which extends inside the valve carrier 8 in the main direction 7a. The valve carrier 8 defines a channel-like cavity that is shielded from the environment and, for ease of differentiation, is referred to as the communication channel 24.

[0059] The communication channel 24 extends in the valve carrier 8 in the main direction 7a, passing through the carrier body 14, for example, and is closed at a front side by the first closure module 15 and at a rear side by the second closure module 16. It is spatially separated from the environment by a channel wall 25 formed jointly by the two closure modules 15, 16 and the carrier body 14. The communication line 23 arranged in the communication channel 24 is thus shielded and protected from external environmental influences.

[0060] The communication line 23 has at least one electronic component 26, which can be arranged at any location along the communication line 23. The communication line 23 can have only a single electronic component 26 or multiple electronic components 26. At least one electronic component 26 is, for example, a processor or a microcomputer, which is preferably implemented using an electronic chip.

[0061] The communication line 23 preferably contains a printed circuit board arrangement 27 extending in the main direction 7a, which is equipped with the at least one electronic component 26. The printed circuit board arrangement 27 extends, for example, in a main extension plane orthogonal to the vertical axis 12.

[0062] For example, the communication line 23 extends into the first termination module 15, in the area of ​​which it is electrically contacted with the electromechanical interface unit 17. Via electrical conductors of the communication line 23, which are designed in particular as conductor tracks, the interface unit 17 is contacted with the at least one electronic component 26 and further with several valve contact elements 28 of the communication line 23 used for electrically contacting the directional control valves 3.

[0063] Each valve assembly location 18b is assigned valve contact elements 28 of the communication line 23 located inside the communication channel 24, which are expediently positioned in the vertical direction 12a below the respectively assigned valve assembly location 18a in the communication channel 24. The valve drive 22 of each directional control valve 3 has at least one and, for example, two electrical contact units 30, which, when the directional control valve 3 is mounted, are electrically contacted with one of the valve contact elements 28 of the communication line 23 through at least one wall opening 32a, 32b formed in the channel wall 25 at the assigned valve assembly location 18a. This is shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. By way of example, these are a first wall opening 32a and a second wall opening 32b. Contact with the valve contact elements 28 is made either directly or, according to the illustrated embodiment, via a valve contact device 31 fixed to the communication line 23. This is particularly the case in Fig. 3. In this way, the electrical valve control signals can be fed to the valve actuators 22 of the individual directional control valves 3 via the communication line 23.

[0064] Formed in the valve carrier 8 are several fluid channels, which are referred to as valve carrier fluid channels 33 for ease of differentiation. Several of these valve carrier fluid channels 33 are fluid channels referred to as collective fluid channels 34, which extend in the valve carrier 8 in the main direction 7a and each open to each of the valve assembly locations 18a via a collective fluid channel opening 35. Depending on its type of use, each collective fluid channel 34 enables a collective supply or discharge of fluidic pressure medium to or from all of the valve assembly locations 18a.

[0065] Below the collecting fluid channels 34 there are, for example, two feed channels 36 and three vent channels 37.

[0066] One of the two feed channels 36 is a pilot feed channel 36a, which communicates with a pilot feed connection 38 accessible on the outside of the valve support 8, to which an external pressure source, also referred to as a pilot pressure source PV for ease of differentiation, can be connected or is connected. One of the vent channels 37 is a pilot vent channel 37a, which is connected to a pilot vent connection 39 accessible on the outside of the valve support 8 and communicates with the atmosphere R.

[0067] The pilot feed channel 36a and the pilot vent channel 37a are used when the directional control valves 3 according to the illustrated embodiment are of an electrofluidically piloted design, in which a respective valve drive 22 is designed as an electrically actuated pilot valve device 42 and the directional control valve 3 further comprises a main valve 43 combined with the pilot valve device 42 to form a structural unit, the fluidic actuation of which is provided by the associated pilot valve device 42. Both the pilot feed channel 36a and the pilot vent channel 37a open out at a collecting fluid channel opening 35 at each valve mounting location 18a and communicate with an internal pilot valve channel (not shown) of the pilot valve device 42 of the directional control valve 3 mounted there, in order to supply or discharge the pressure medium required for the pilot-controlled actuation of the main valve 43.

[0068] Each main valve 43 has a valve spool 44, indicated in the drawing by dashed lines only for one of the main valves 43, which can be moved into different switching positions by means of the associated pilot valve device 42 through the controlled application of a fluid force in order to specify different switching states of the respective directional control valve 3.

[0069] The main valve 4 has several internal valve channels (not further illustrated) that open out at a valve base surface 45 of the directional valve 3, and in particular of the main valve 43, which, when the directional valve 3 is mounted, is opposite the associated valve assembly location 18a. These valve channel openings are positioned such that they each communicate with one of the collective fluid channel openings 35, which are present in addition to the collective fluid channel openings 35 of the pilot control feed channel 36a and the pilot control vent channel 36b. Specifically, these are collective fluid channel openings 35 of valve carrier fluid channels 33, which are provided with the prefix "main" for easier differentiation. These valve carrier fluid channels 33 include a main feed channel 36b and two main vent channels 37b, 37c.The main feed channel 36b is connected to a main feed connection 46 accessible from the outside of the valve carrier 8, to which a pressure source P can be connected and is connected during operation of the valve arrangement 1, which provides a fluid pressure medium, in particular compressed air, to be controlled by the directional control valves 3. The pressure source P can be identical to the pilot pressure source PV. The two main vent channels 37b, 37c are connected to a main vent connection 47 accessible from the outside of the valve carrier 8, which is continuously in communication with the atmosphere R.

[0070] Two additional valve carrier fluid channels 33 also open out to each valve assembly location 18a. These are individual, unconnected working channels 48. Each working channel 48 has a working channel opening 49 arranged at the associated assembly location 18 and is also in fluid communication with a working opening 52 accessible from the outside of the valve carrier 8. According to Fig. 1 one of the two fluid lines 6a, 6b leading to a fluid-operated drive 5 can be connected.

[0071] The valve spool 44 can be positioned by the pilot valve device 42 in at least two switching positions, in which the main feed channel 36b, the two main vent channels 37b, 37c, and the two working channels 48 are connected to one another in different configurations. In particular, the two working channels 48 can be alternately connected to the main feed channel 36b and one of the two main vent channels 37b, 37c in order to cause alternating, opposing ventilation and venting of the two drive chambers of the fluid-operated drive 5 and, accordingly, the lifting movement of its output member 5b.

[0072] The pressure medium required to actuate the main valve 43 or its valve spool 44 originates from the pilot feed channel 36a and is supplied to the pilot valve device 42 inside the associated directional control valve 3 via at least one of the aforementioned pilot valve channels. The pilot valve device 42 is vented using another of the aforementioned pilot valve channels via the pilot vent channel 37a. All pilot valve devices 42 are supplied with pressure medium via one and the same pilot feed channel 36a and vented via one and the same pilot vent channel 37a, hence the respective designation as a collective fluid channel 34.

[0073] The pilot valve assembly 42 contains, as an example, two 3 / 2-way valves (not illustrated in detail), which are specifically solenoid valves. As already mentioned, their electrical control is via communication line 23.

[0074] The pilot feed channel 36a can be omitted if the directional control valves 3 are designed to be directly electrically actuated or, in the case of a pilot-operated design, the pressure medium for the pilot valve device 42 is branched off inside the main valve 43 from a valve channel connected to the main feed channel 36b.

[0075] The pilot control vent channel 37a can be omitted if the directional control valves 3 are of a directly electrically actuated type or if the pilot control valve device 42 is vented to the atmosphere directly at the directional control valve 3.

[0076] The cooling module 21 mentioned above serves to cool the electronic component(s) 26 of the communication line 23, wherein the fluidic pressure medium used for the operation of the directional control valves 3 is used as the cooling medium. The cooling module 21 is capable of branching off fluidic pressure medium from at least one of the collecting fluid channels 34 of the valve carrier 8 and introducing it into the communication channel 24 in order to generate a cooling flow 53 therein, flowing over the communication line 23 and thus over the at least one electronic component 26, thereby dissipating heat.

[0077] In a use position enabling the cooling function, to which the present description refers, the cooling module 21 is mounted on a cooling module mounting location 18b formed by one of the mounting locations 18. Several fastening screws 54 are used for fastening purposes.

[0078] Since the cooling module mounting location 18b according to the illustrated embodiment is preferably formed by one of the valve mounting locations 18a, its implementation form, including the fluid channel openings located there, corresponds to that of the valve mounting locations 18a described above. The cooling module assembly location 18b accordingly has collecting fluid channel openings 35 of the pilot control feed channel 36a, the pilot control vent channel 37a, the main feed channel 36b and the two main vent channels 37b, 37c, as well as the working channel openings 49 of two working channels 48. In addition, two wall openings 32a, 32b of the channel wall 25 leading into the communication channel 24 are located at the cooling module assembly location 18b. With regard to the structure of the cooling module assembly location 18b, the above statements regarding the valve assembly locations 18a apply accordingly, so that a repetition is omitted.

[0079] The cooling module 21 has a module base surface 55 on a module underside, with which it is mounted in advance on the associated cooling module assembly location 18b. The cooling module 21 is penetrated by a fluid channel arrangement designed to generate the cooling flow 53 and therefore referred to as a cooling channel structure 56. This fluid channel arrangement consists of one or more fluid channels and provides a fluid connection between at least one of the collecting fluid channels 34 of the valve carrier 8 opening out at the cooling module assembly location 18b and the communication channel 24, so that fluidic pressure medium, in particular compressed air, can be branched off from the respective collecting fluid channel 34 and, with the cooling flow 53 being implemented, can be introduced into the communication channel 24 as a cooling medium for cooling the at least one electronic component 26.

[0080] The cooling module 21 has at least one, and by way of example, exactly one, cooling medium outlet opening 59, which belongs to the cooling channel structure 56 and opens into the communication channel 24 when the cooling module 21 is mounted. The pressure medium tapped from at least one of the collecting fluid channels 34 can exit therefrom and flow into the communication channel 24 as a cooling medium.

[0081] Of the existing collecting fluid channels 34, only the pilot control feed channel 36a and the pilot control vent channel 37a are used by the cooling module 21, for example. The cooling channel structure 56 has two cooling channel openings 57, 58 opening out at the module base surface 55, which are referred to as the vent cooling channel opening 57 and the feed cooling channel opening 58 for ease of differentiation, and which are fluidically connectable or connected to the cooling medium outlet opening 59 via the cooling channel structure 56. The vent cooling channel opening 57 is opposite the collecting fluid channel opening 35 of the pilot control vent channel 37a, and the feed cooling channel opening 58 is opposite the collecting fluid channel opening 35 of the pilot control feed channel 36a.A sealing structure 61 inserted between the module base area 55 and the assembly area 13 enables leakage-free fluid transfer, on the one hand between the pilot control vent channel 37a and the vent cooling channel opening 57 and on the other hand between the pilot control feed channel 36a and the feed cooling channel opening 58.

[0082] All other fluid channel openings present at the cooling module assembly location 18b that are not used for the cooling function of the cooling module 21 – for example, the collecting fluid channel openings 35 of the main feed channel 36b and the two main vent channels 37b, 37c, as well as the working channel openings 49 of the two working channels 48 – are sealed in a fluid-tight manner by the cooling module 21, in particular with the assistance of the sealing structure 61, if present. For this purpose, the cooling module 21 has a cover section 62 in the area of ​​its module base surface 55 that covers said fluid channel openings. The working channel openings 49 do not necessarily have to be covered by the cover section 62, since they are non-functional here and do not contain any pressure medium.

[0083] For the cooling function of the cooling module 21, only fluid pressure medium is used, which, during operation of the valve arrangement 1, is present or flows in the pilot control vent channel 37a designed as a collecting fluid channel 34 and in the pilot control feed channel 36a, which is also designed as a collecting fluid channel 34.

[0084] Not illustrated in the drawing are possible embodiments of the invention in which the cooling medium is branched off from the main feed channel 36b and / or from at least one of the main vent channels 37b, 37c. This is particularly the case when neither a pilot feed channel 37a nor a pilot vent channel 37b is present that is used for the operation of the valve assembly 2.

[0085] For effective heat dissipation from the communication channel 24, at least one outlet channel 63 is expediently formed in the valve assembly 2, which provides a free fluid connection between the communication channel 24 and the atmosphere surrounding the valve assembly 2. After the cooling function has been completed, the cooling medium can flow through the outlet channel 63 according to the arrows in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 12 escape from the communication channel 24 to the atmosphere.

[0086] To prevent external contaminants from entering the communication channel 24 through the at least one outlet channel 63, it is advantageous if the outlet channel 63 is provided with a filter 64, which consists, for example, of a fine-pored sintered material. The filter 64 can be a compact filter element that is inserted into the outlet channel 63 in a space-saving manner. Alternatively, a membrane can be used as the filter 64, which is permeable to gases but not to liquids and solids.

[0087] Preferably, at least one outlet channel 63 is formed in the outlet module 111 already mentioned above. This offers the advantageous possibility of implementing an outlet channel 63 without having to form any additional fluid channel structures on the valve carrier 8. The outlet channel 63 of the outlet module 111 is also referred to below as the module outlet channel 63a for easier differentiation. The outlet module 111 is mounted in its use position on an outlet module assembly location 18c formed by one of the assembly locations 18. For fastening, several fastening screws 113 are used, for example.

[0088] Since the outlet module mounting location 18c according to the illustrated embodiment is preferably formed by one of the valve mounting locations 18a, its implementation form, including the fluid channel openings located there, corresponds to that of the valve mounting locations 18a described above. The outlet module mounting location 18c accordingly has - see Fig. 12 - Collective fluid channel openings 35 of the pilot feed channel 36a, the pilot vent channel 37a, the main feed channel 36b, and the two main vent channels 37b, 37c, as well as the working channel openings 49 of two working channels 48. Furthermore, at the outlet module assembly location 18c, there are two wall openings 32a, 32b of the channel wall 25 that open into the communication channel 24. These openings, when equipped with a directional control valve 3, are used for its electrical contact with the communication line 23. With regard to the structure of the outlet module assembly location 18c, the above statements regarding the valve assembly locations 18a apply accordingly, so that a repetition is omitted.

[0089] The outlet module 111 has a module base area 114 on a module underside, with which it is mounted in the use position on the associated outlet module mounting location 18c.

[0090] The outlet module 111 is penetrated by the aforementioned module outlet channel 63a. The module outlet channel 63a has at least one inlet opening 112 on the module base surface 114 and at least one outlet opening 115 on a module outer surface that is not covered when the outlet module 111 is mounted, for example on an upper module outer surface 116, which is located on a module top side of the outlet module opposite the module base surface 114. For example, an outlet opening 115 can also be arranged on one of the two frontal module outer surfaces.

[0091] By way of example, the module outlet channel 63a has exactly one inlet opening 112 and exactly one outlet opening 115.

[0092] The at least one inlet opening 112 is positioned on the module base surface 114 such that, when the outlet module 111 is mounted in the position of use, it is in fluid communication with the communication channel 24 in order to, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 12 to allow the cooling medium to enter.

[0093] The fluid channel openings of the valve carrier 8 located at the outlet module assembly location 18c are not used for the cooling medium outlet function of the outlet module 111. They are therefore sealed fluid-tight by the outlet module 111, in particular with the assistance of a sealing structure 117 inserted between the module base area 114 and the assembly area 13. For this purpose, the outlet module 111 has a cover section 118 in the area of ​​its module base area 114 that covers said fluid channel openings. The working channel openings 49 do not necessarily have to be covered by the cover section 118, since they are non-functional here and do not contain any pressure medium.

[0094] The outlet module 111 expediently consists - apart from a filter 64 optionally inserted into the module outlet channel 63a - of a one-piece block body 119, which forms the cover section 118, is penetrated by the module outlet channel 63a and has both the module base surface 114 and the upper module outer surface 116. It is made in particular of plastic and can be laterally Fig. 10 obvious emaciations.

[0095] The outlet module 111 has on the module base surface 114 two preferably cylindrically shaped module projections 120a, 120b which, when the outlet module 111 is mounted, each penetrate into one of the two wall openings 32a, 32b of the channel wall 25 formed at the outlet module assembly location 18c in the valve carrier 8, wherein they expediently each carry a seal 121 which interacts with the channel wall 25, so that the associated wall opening 32, 32b is tightly closed.

[0096] The inlet opening 112 is expediently located on the front side of one of the two module projections 120a, 120b and thus opens directly into the communication channel 24 when the outlet module 111 is installed. For example, it is located on the outer module projection 120b, which extends into the second wall opening 32b. The other of the two module projections 120a, 120b is closed and is made, in particular, of solid material. Optionally, the module outlet channel 63a can branch inside the outlet module 111 and open into an inlet opening 112 at each of the two module projections 120a, 120b.

[0097] With respect to the row of assembly locations 18 extending in the main direction 7a within the valve assembly 2, it is advantageous if a row leader of the assembly locations 18 is equipped with the cooling module 21 and a row last of the assembly locations 18 is equipped with the outlet module 111, since in this way the communication channel 24 can be flowed through by the cooling flow 53 over at least approximately its entire length.

[0098] When the valve assembly 1 is in use, the pilot vent channel 37a normally communicates directly with the atmosphere via the pilot vent connection 39 arranged on the valve carrier 8. If the cooling medium is tapped from the pilot vent channel 37a according to the illustrated embodiment, it is, however, expedient to close the pilot vent connection 39 so that the entire pilot exhaust air is available as a cooling medium for introduction into the communication channel 24. For this purpose, the valve assembly 1 expediently has a Fig. 1 illustrates a closure element 122 that can be inserted into the pilot vent port 39 and secured there to close it. The pilot valve devices 42 are then vented through the communication channel 24 with a simultaneous cooling effect.

[0099] According to an alternative embodiment for realizing an outlet channel 63, an outlet channel 63 is shown in the dash-dotted representation in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in the valve carrier 8 and is therefore also referred to as a valve carrier outlet channel 63b for better differentiation. By way of example, such a valve carrier outlet channel 63b is introduced in the form of a wall opening in a front-side channel wall section 25a of the channel wall 25, which is, by way of example, a component of the second closure module 16. In this case, the valve assembly 2 expediently does not contain an outlet module 111.

[0100] It is understood that the valve carrier outlet channel 63b can also be located elsewhere in the valve carrier 63. For example, at least one of the wall openings 32a, 32b present at the assembly locations 18 can be used as the valve carrier outlet channel 63b without an associated outlet module 111 by simply leaving it unclosed. For example, a closure plate can be mounted at one of the assembly locations 18, which closes all fluid channel openings present at the assembly location, but does not close at least one of the two wall openings 32a, 32b.

[0101] There may easily be several outlet channels 63 opening into the communication channel 24 at different points.

[0102] It is possible to equip one and the same valve carrier 2 with at least one valve carrier outlet channel 63b and additionally with at least one module outlet channel 63a as outlet channels 63.

[0103] Furthermore, it is possible to form at least one outlet channel 63 as a combination of a valve carrier outlet channel 63b and a module outlet channel 63a. For this purpose, a drain module 111 can be mounted such that its module outlet channel 63a is connected to a valve carrier outlet channel 63b.

[0104] The supply connections 38, 46 and the vent connections 39, 47 are equipped with connecting devices, each of which can be detachably connected to a fluid line (not illustrated). In the case of the supply connections 38, 46, this line leads to the pressure source PV or P, respectively, and in the case of the vent connections 39, 47, this line enables a ducted discharge of the used pressure medium or exhaust air. Alternatively, the vent connections 39, 47 can also be designed for direct venting to the atmosphere and / or be equipped with a silencer.

[0105] For example, the pilot supply port 38 and the pilot vent port 39 are located on the second terminal module 16, while the main supply port 46 and the main vent port 47 are arranged on the first terminal module 15. The latter is preferably constructed in several parts and divided into an end unit 15a and an intermediate unit 15b placed between the end unit 15a and the support body 14, wherein the main supply port 46 and the main vent section 47 are located on the intermediate unit 15b and the end unit 15a is equipped with the electromechanical interface unit 17.

[0106] The valve carrier 8 has, at least in the region of the carrier body 14, a fluid channel section 65 through which the valve carrier fluid channels 33 pass and a communication channel section 66 arranged longitudinally next to it and through which the communication channel 24 passes. The fluid channel section 65 and the communication channel section 66 lie next to one another in a transverse direction 67a of the valve carrier 8, wherein the transverse direction 67a is the axial direction of a transverse axis 67 of the valve carrier 8, which is oriented perpendicular to the main axis 7 and the vertical axis 12.

[0107] The component mounting surface 13 is composed of a first surface section 13a formed on the fluid channel section 65 and a second surface section 13b formed on the communication channel section 66, which adjoins it in the transverse direction 67a. The collecting fluid channel openings 35 and the working channel openings 49 are located on the first surface section 13a, while the wall openings 32a, 32b, which open into the communication channel 24 on the one hand, open out at the second surface section 13b of the component mounting surface 13. As mentioned, said wall openings 32a, 32b are located not only at each valve component mounting location 18a, but also at each cooling module component mounting location 18b.When the cooling module 21 is mounted, the cooling medium outlet opening 59 is located, for example, in the area of ​​the first wall opening 32a of the two wall openings 32a, 32b, so that the cooling medium from the cooling module 21 can enter the communication channel 24 through the first wall opening 32a.

[0108] Preferably, at each assembly location 18, the associated channel openings 35, 49 and wall openings 32a, 32b are arranged successively in the transverse direction 67a.

[0109] The mounting surface 13 is located, for example, on an upper side of the valve carrier 8 and faces away from a lower outer surface 68 of the valve carrier 8 in the vertical direction 12a. For example, the mounting surface 13 is stepped, with its first surface section 13a having a greater distance from the lower outer surface 68 than its second surface section 13b. Alternatively, however, the mounting surface 13 can also lie entirely in one and the same plane.

[0110] The cooling channel structure 56 preferably contains, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, two cooling channels 71, 72, which, for ease of differentiation when individually referenced, are referred to as the vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72. Both cooling channels 71, 72 penetrate the cooling module 21. The vent cooling channel 71 connects the cooling medium outlet opening 59 to the vent cooling channel opening 57 and thus, when the cooling module 21 is installed, communicates on the inlet side with the pilot vent channel 37a. The feed cooling channel 72 connects the cooling medium outlet opening 59 to the feed cooling channel opening 58 and thus communicates with the pilot feed channel 36a when the cooling module 21 is installed.

[0111] The vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72 can independently connect the vent cooling channel opening 57 and the feed cooling channel opening 58 to the cooling medium outlet opening 59 in fluidic parallel connection.

[0112] By way of example, the two cooling channels 71, 72 merge within the cooling module 21 in a merging region 74 spaced apart from the cooling medium outlet opening 59, so that they have a common outlet channel section 73 extending between the merging region 74 and the cooling medium outlet opening 59. Alternatively, they can also be formed separately from one another and each have its own cooling medium outlet opening 59.

[0113] The vent cooling channel 71 provides a permanent fluid connection between the vent cooling channel opening 57 and the cooling medium outlet opening 59, subject to the open position of a check valve 75, which is exemplary inserted into its course. The check valve 75, which is to be understood as optional, operates depending on the pressure difference between the vent cooling channel opening 57 and the cooling medium outlet opening 59, wherein it only permits fluid passage if the fluid pressure at the vent cooling channel opening 57 is at least slightly greater than the fluid pressure at the cooling medium outlet opening 59, which results in the formation of a cooling flow 53.In the event of pressure equilibrium or a greater fluid pressure at the cooling medium outlet opening 59 than at the vent cooling channel opening 57, the check valve 75 prevents fluid flow through the vent cooling channel 71, which in particular prevents pressure medium from undesirably flowing from the communication channel 24 or from the feed cooling channel 72 into the pilot vent channel 37a. The latter could otherwise occur if the check valve 75 were missing, particularly if an additional cooling flow 53 is switched on via the feed cooling channel 72.

[0114] For example, the check valve 75 includes a movable check valve member 76, which is biased into a closed position by a spring 77. The spring 77 is also supported by a pressed-in ball 78.

[0115] During operation of the valve arrangement 1, a cooling flow 53 flowing through the venting cooling channel 71 automatically occurs whenever a higher fluid pressure is present in the pilot venting channel 37a compared to the pressure prevailing in the communication channel 24, which is regularly the case when one of the pilot valve devices 42 of the directional control valves 3 has switched to venting and is discharging pressure medium into the pilot venting channel 37a. Due to the presence of a plurality of directional control valves 3 and their generally asynchronous actuation, during normal operation of the valve arrangement 1, a possibly pulsating, but nevertheless quasi-continuous cooling flow 53 through the venting cooling channel 71 can be expected.

[0116] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the vent cooling channel 71 does not contain a check valve 75, so that an open fluid connection is provided between the pilot vent channel 37a and the communication channel 24 through the vent cooling channel 71, regardless of the prevailing pressure conditions.

[0117] The feed cooling channel 72 is preferably designed for pressure-independent controlled generation of a cooling flow 53. In particular, it enables temperature-dependent switching on and off of a cooling flow 53 tapped from the pilot control feed channel 36a. The temperature used for the temperature-dependent control is a temperature prevailing in the communication channel 24, which can be, for example, the temperature of the medium surrounding the communication line 23 and / or a temperature of a component of the communication line 23 and in particular of an electronic component 26. To detect the temperature used to control the cooling flow 53, at least one temperature sensor 81 is located inside the communication channel 24, which is capable of outputting temperature-dependent electrical temperature signals.

[0118] According to the illustrated embodiment, the temperature sensor 81 is preferably a direct component of an electronic component 26 of the communication line 23, formed, for example, by a processor. An embodiment in which at least one temperature sensor 81 is present separately from the at least one electronic component 26 to be cooled is not illustrated. However, such a separate temperature sensor 81 is nevertheless preferably a component of the communication line 23.

[0119] The control for switching the cooling flow 53 in the feed cooling channel 72 on and off is carried out by the electronic control device 4, for example. It receives the electrical temperature signals from the temperature sensor 81 via the communication line 23 and, depending on these electrical temperature signals - again via the communication line 23 - transmits electrical valve control signals to an electrically actuated shut-off valve 82, which is a component of the cooling module 21 and is connected in the course of the feed cooling channel 72.

[0120] The electrically actuated shut-off valve 82 has an electrically operable actuating device 80 that responds to the valve control signals. Preferably, the shut-off valve 82 is a solenoid valve with an electromagnet as the actuating device 80. This is the case by way of example.

[0121] By means of the shut-off valve 82, the feed cooling channel 72 can be selectively shut off to prevent fluid passage or opened to allow fluid passage. For this purpose, the shut-off valve 82 can assume either a closed or an open position.

[0122] The shut-off valve 82 preferably has a 2 / 2-way valve function, and is expediently of the "normally closed" type. Its switching state can be specified by selectively applying or not applying a control voltage generated by the electronic control device 4 to the actuating device 80, with the applied or not applied control voltage forming the valve control signals. When the control voltage is not applied, the shut-off valve 82 is in the closed position, and when the control voltage is applied, it is in the open position.

[0123] The electronic control device 4 is preferably configured to bring about the closed position of the shut-off valve 82 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 81 is below a predetermined temperature threshold, and further to bring about the open position of the shut-off valve 82 when the detected temperature has reached or exceeded the predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature threshold is expediently fixed based on empirical values ​​or can be variably adjusted. The aforementioned temperature management can also be easily implemented independently of the electronic control device 4 by means of control electronics implemented by at least one electronic component 26 of the communication line 23.

[0124] The electrical contacting of the shut-off valve 82 with the communication line 23 is expediently effected through the second wall opening 32b, in particular in the same way as the electrical contacting of the valve drives 22 or the pilot valve devices 42 is effected in the directional control valves 3. Accordingly, the cooling module 21 has, in the region of the module base area 55, an electrical contacting unit 83 designed comparable to a contacting unit 30 of the directional control valves 22, which is contacted with cooling module contact elements 28a of the communication line 23 via a cooling module contact device 31a fixed to the communication line 23. By way of example, the cooling module contact device 31a is formed by a valve contact device 31, while the cooling module contact elements 28a are formed by valve contact elements 28.In this way, the contacting measures used for the directional control valves 3 can also be used cost-effectively and unchanged for the electrical contacting of the shut-off valve 82 of the cooling module 21.

[0125] The cooling module 21 is expediently equipped with a filter 84 for filtering the cooling medium, particularly designed as an air filter, which is installed, for example, in the outlet channel section 73 of the cooling channel structure 56 and is thus assigned to both the vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72. The filter 84 prevents contamination of the communication channel 24 by impurities that may be carried along by the pressure medium tapped from the valve carrier 8 for cooling.

[0126] In particular, if the vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72 are formed completely separately from each other, each of these two cooling channels 71, 72 can contain its own filter 84.

[0127] The filter 84 is implemented, in particular, as a compact filter element that is inserted into the respective cooling channel 71 or 72. Thus, the installed filter element 84 does not affect the external dimensions of the cooling module 21.

[0128] According to the illustrated embodiment, the cooling module 21 is preferably composed of several functional units combined into a single structural unit. These functional units comprise a tapping unit 85 responsible for tapping the cooling medium from the valve carrier 8 and an inlet unit 86 responsible for introducing the cooling module into the communication channel 24. The cooling module 21 has a longitudinal axis 87, with the inlet unit 86 being attached to a front end face 88 of the tapping unit 85 in the axial direction of this longitudinal axis 87. Fastening measures used for fixation, for example, a screw connection or snap-in connection, are not shown in the drawing.

[0129] The cooling module 21 is mounted on the cooling module assembly location 18b such that its longitudinal axis 87 is aligned parallel to the transverse axis 67. The tapping unit 85 extends along the first surface section 13a, and the introduction unit 86 extends along the second surface section 13b of the assembly area 13. The module base area 55 of the cooling module 21 has a first surface section 55a formed on the tapping unit 85 and facing the first surface section 13a of the assembly area 13, and a second surface section 55b formed on the introduction unit 86 and facing the second surface section 13b of the assembly area 13. These two surface sections 55a, 55b are offset from one another in the axial direction of a vertical axis 91 of the cooling module 21 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 87 and parallel to the vertical axis 12 when the cooling module 21 is mounted, so that the module base area 55 is stepped according to the assembly area 13.

[0130] The inlet unit 86 preferably has a modular structure and contains, for example, a pass-through module 92 attached to the front end face 88 of the tapping unit 85 and a shut-off module 93 attached to the pass-through module 92 in a joining area 94 on the front side opposite the tapping unit 85. The shut-off module has the shut-off valve 82 already described or is formed by it.

[0131] The vent cooling channel opening 57 and the feed cooling channel opening 58 are both located on the tapping unit 85, so that both cooling channels 71, 72 penetrate the tapping unit 85. The cooling channel openings 57, 58 are located, for example, on the first surface section 55a of the module base area 55. The vent cooling channel 71 has a first channel section 71a running in the tapping unit 85, which, like a first channel section 72a of the feed cooling channel 72 running in the tapping unit 85, opens out at the front end face 88 of the tapping unit 85.

[0132] The check valve 75 is expediently integrated into the tapping unit 85. The latter expediently contains a single- or multi-part block body 89, which forms the cover section 62, has the first surface section 55a of the module base surface 55, and is penetrated by the first channel sections 71a, 72a of the two cooling channels 71, 72.

[0133] The venting cooling channel 71 continues with a second channel section 71b within the feed-through module 92, communicating at one end with the first channel section 71a in the region of the front end face 88 of the tapping unit 85 and terminating at the other end with the cooling medium outlet opening 59a. Within the inlet unit 86, the venting cooling channel 71 thus extends exclusively within the feed-through module 92.

[0134] The feed cooling channel 72 continues within the inlet unit 86 with a second channel section 72b, which communicates at one end in the region of the front end face 88 of the tapping unit 85 with the first channel section 72a of the feed cooling channel 72. At its opposite end, the second channel section 72b also opens into the communication channel 24 via the cooling medium outlet opening 59.

[0135] Within the inlet unit 86, the second channel section 72b of the feed-cooling channel 72 has an inlet section 95a and an adjoining outlet section 95b. The inlet section 95a, which communicates with the first channel section 72a, passes through the feed-through module 92 and, in the joining area 94, merges into the shut-off module 93, where it terminates with a control opening 101 that opens into a valve chamber 102 of the shut-off valve 82. The outlet section 95b connects this valve chamber 102 to the cooling medium outlet opening 59, extending partly in the shut-off module 93 and partly in the feed-through module 92, thereby passing through the joining area 94.

[0136] Located in the valve chamber 102 is a valve member 103 of the shut-off valve 82, which is biased by a spring 104 into a closed position, in which it closes the control opening 101 and thus normally blocks the feed cooling channel 72. By electrically actuating the shut-off valve 82 in the manner already explained above and supplying an electrical valve control signal, the valve member 103 can be lifted from the control opening 101, so that the inlet section 95a and the outlet section 95b are connected to one another through the valve chamber 102 and the cooling medium can flow through.

[0137] The common outlet channel section 73 of the vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72 is formed by the end sections of the second channel sections 71b, 72b of the vent cooling channel 71 and the feed cooling channel 72 extending in the passage module 92.

[0138] The pass-through module 92 and the shut-off module 93 each have one of two fixing nozzles 105a, 105b in the area of ​​the second surface section 55b of the module base area 55, which, when the cooling module 21 is mounted, each dip into one of the two wall openings 32a, 32b, wherein they expediently each carry a seal 106 which interacts with the channel wall 25, so that the associated wall opening 32a, 32b is tightly closed.

[0139] The cooling medium outlet opening 59 is expediently located on the front side of the fixing socket 105a of the feed-through module 92. The electrical contacting unit 83 of the shut-off valve 82 is expediently arranged on the fixing socket 105b of the shut-off module 93. The latter offers the advantageous possibility of electrically controlling the shut-off valve 82 via a switching output present as standard on the communication line 23 for electrically controlling the valve actuators 22, which is formed by at least one of the valve contact elements 28 and functions as the cooling module contact element 28a.

[0140] As an alternative to an electrically controllable shut-off valve 82, a type of shut-off valve 82 is recommended which can be actuated by a shape memory alloy or a bimetal by the temperature prevailing in the communication channel 24. 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 2 047 111 B1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Valve arrangement, - with a valve assembly (2) which has a valve carrier (8) extending in a main direction (7a) along a main axis (7) and a plurality of electrically actuated directional control valves (3), - wherein the valve carrier (8) has a mounting surface (13) with a plurality of mounting locations (18) arranged successively in the main direction (7a), at least several of which are designed as valve mounting locations (18a), on each of which one of the directional control valves (3) can be mounted or is mounted, - wherein a plurality of valve carrier fluid channels (33) through which a fluidic pressure medium can flow are formed in the valve carrier (8), which are at least partially collecting fluid channels (34) extending in the main direction (7a), which open out to each valve assembly location (18a) and which are fluidically connected to the directional control valves (3) mounted at the valve assembly locations (18a), - and wherein a communication channel (24) extending in the main direction (7a) is formed in the valve carrier (8), in which an electrical communication line (23) is arranged, which has at least one electronic component (26) and is connected or connectable to an electronic control device (4), with which the mounted directional control valves (3) are electrically contacted in the region of the valve assembly location (18a) assigned to them, characterized by , - that at least one of the mounting locations (18) of the valve carrier (8) is designed as a cooling module mounting location (18b) on which a cooling module (21) of the valve arrangement (1) penetrated by a cooling channel structure (56) can be mounted or is mounted, - wherein by means of the cooling channel structure (56) of the mounted cooling module (21) a fluid connection can be provided or is provided between at least one collecting fluid channel (34) of the valve carrier fluid channels (33) opening out to the cooling module assembly location (18b) and the communication channel (24), through which fluidic pressure medium branched off from the collecting fluid channel (34) can be introduced into the communication channel (24) while executing a cooling flow (53) as a cooling medium for cooling the at least one electronic component (26) of the electrical communication line (23). [2] Valve arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the cooling module (21) has a module base surface (55) facing the associated cooling module assembly location (18b) in the assembled state, at which the cooling channel structure (56) opens. [3] Valve arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a collecting fluid channel (34) of the valve carrier fluid channels (33) opening out to the cooling module assembly location (18b) and fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure (56) of the mounted cooling module (21) is a venting channel (37) serving for venting purposes. [4] Valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized bythat the electrically actuated directional control valves (3) are at least partially of an electrofluidically pilot-controlled type, wherein they have a main valve (43) and an electrically actuated pilot valve device (42) serving to actuate the main valve (43), wherein the pilot valve device (42) is electrically contacted with the communication line (23) and wherein the venting channel (37) of the valve carrier (8), which is fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure (56) of the mounted cooling module (21) and designed as a collecting fluid channel (34), is a pilot venting channel (37a) provided for venting the pilot valve devices (42). [5] Valve arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat the cooling channel structure (56) of the cooling module (21) has a venting cooling channel (71) which, when the cooling module (21) is mounted, communicates on the one hand with the venting channel (37) of the valve carrier (8) and on the other hand opens into the communication channel (24). [6] Valve arrangement according to claim 5, characterized by that the venting cooling channel (71) is a fluid channel through which the cooling medium can flow as a function of the pressure difference, such that the cooling medium flows through automatically when a higher pressure prevails in the venting channel (37) of the valve carrier (8) than in the communication channel (24). [7] Valve arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that a check valve (75) is inserted into the venting cooling channel (71) to prevent fluid flow through the cooling module (21) into the venting channel (37) of the valve carrier (8) and to allow it in the opposite direction. [8] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that a gas-permeable filter (84) is arranged in the venting cooling channel (71). [9] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that a collecting fluid channel (34) of the valve carrier fluid channels (33) opening out to the cooling module assembly location (18b) and fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure (56) of the mounted cooling module (21) is a feed channel (36) supplying the electrically actuated directional control valves (3) with fluidic pressure medium and being connected or connectable to an external pressure source (P, PV) for this purpose, the pressure source (P, PV) expediently being a compressed air source. [10] Valve arrangement according to claim 9, characterized bythat the electrically actuated directional control valves (3) are at least partially of an electrofluidically pilot-controlled type, wherein they have a main valve (43) and an electrically actuated pilot valve device (42) serving to actuate the main valve, wherein the pilot valve device (42) is electrically contacted with the communication line (23) and wherein the feed channel (36) of the valve carrier fluid channels (33), which is fluidically connected to the cooling channel structure (56) of the mounted cooling module (21) and is designed as a collecting fluid channel (34), is a pilot feed channel (36a) provided for supplying fluid to the pilot valve devices (42). [11] Valve arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterized bythat the cooling channel structure (56) of the cooling module (21) has a feed cooling channel (72) which, when the cooling module (21) is mounted, communicates on the one hand with the feed channel (36) of the valve carrier (8) and on the other hand opens into the communication channel (24) and in the course of which a shut-off valve (82) is switched on, which is in particular controllable in a temperature-dependent manner and which enables a controlled optional shut-off or opening of the feed cooling channel (72) and which expediently has a 2 / 2-way valve function. [12] Valve arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the shut-off valve (82) is designed to be electrically actuated for its control, wherein it is expediently electrically contacted with the communication line (23) when the cooling module (21) is mounted, such that it can be electrically actuated by means of electrical control signals that can be supplied via the communication line (23). [13] Valve arrangement according to claim 12, characterized bythat at least one temperature sensor (81) is arranged in the communication channel (24), which is expediently designed as a component of the communication line (23) and is designed to output electrical temperature signals, the electrical temperature signals of which can be used in the electrical actuation of the shut-off valve (82). [14] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that a gas-permeable filter (84) is arranged in the feed cooling channel (72). [15] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 11 to 14 in conjunction with one of claims 5 to 8, characterized bythat the cooling module (21) has a tapping unit (85) through which both the vent cooling channel (71) and the feed cooling channel (72) pass, which taps the fluidic pressure medium acting as a cooling medium from the valve carrier (8), and an inlet unit (86) attached to the tapping unit (85) and introduces the cooling medium into the communication channel (24), wherein the inlet unit (86) has a shut-off module (93) having the shut-off valve (82) and a pass-through module (92) placed between the shut-off module (93) and the tapping unit (85), wherein the vent cooling channel (71) within the inlet unit (86) exclusively passes through the pass-through module (92) and the feed cooling channel (72) within the inlet unit (86) passes through both the pass-through module (92) and the shut-off module (93),wherein the vent cooling channel (71) and the feed cooling channel (72) open into the communication channel (24) via a common cooling medium outlet opening (59) formed on the feed-through module (92) when the cooling module (21) is mounted. [16] Valve arrangement according to claim 15, characterized by that a gas-permeable filter (84) is arranged in a common outlet channel section (73) of the vent cooling channel (71) and the feed cooling channel (72) ending with the common cooling medium outlet opening (59). [17] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by that the cooling module mounting location (18b) equipped with a cooling module (21) is formed by one of the valve mounting locations (18a) suitable for mounting with one of the electrically actuated directional control valves (3), wherein expediently any valve mounting location (18a) can be used as a cooling module mounting location (18b). [18] Valve arrangement according to claim 17, characterized by that at least one and in particular two valve carrier fluid channels (33) designed as individual working channels (48) open out to each valve assembly location (18a), which are fluidically connected to the electrically actuated directional control valve (3) mounted on the relevant valve assembly location (18a) and which each lead to a working opening (52) accessible on the outside of the valve carrier (8), to which a fluid-actuated drive (5) controllable by the associated directional control valve (3) can be connected. [19] Valve arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, characterized by that the cooling module (21) has a cover section (62) by means of which, when the cooling module (21) is mounted, valve carrier fluid channels (33) opening out at the valve assembly location (18a) used as the cooling module assembly location (18b) and not communicating with the cooling channel structure (56) are closed. [20] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized bythat the communication channel (24) is delimited all around by a channel wall (25) formed as a component of the valve carrier (8), wherein at least one outlet channel (63, 63a, 63b) is provided which connects the communication channel (24) to the atmosphere and allows the cooling medium to escape to the atmosphere, which outlet channel is expediently provided with a gas-permeable filter (64). [21] Valve arrangement according to claim 20, characterized by that at least one outlet channel (63, 63b) is formed in the valve carrier (8), expediently in the form of a wall opening in the channel wall (25) of the communication channel (24). [22] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized bythat at least one of the assembly locations (18) of the valve carrier (8) is designed as an outlet module assembly location (18c) on which an outlet module (111) of the valve assembly (2) can be mounted or is mounted, which is penetrated by an outlet channel (63, 63a) which, in the mounted state of the outlet module (111), is connected to the communication channel (24), which communicates with the communication channel (24) via at least one inlet opening (112) located on the outlet module (111) and with the atmosphere via at least one outlet opening (115) located on the outlet module (111). [23] Valve arrangement according to claim 22, characterized by that at least one inlet opening (112) is located on the front side of one of two module projections (120a, 120b) of the outlet module (111), which, when the outlet module (111) is mounted on the associated outlet module assembly location (18c), each dip into a wall opening (32a, 32b) opening into the communication channel (24). [24] Valve arrangement according to claim 23, characterized by that the outlet module mounting location (18c) equipped with an outlet module (111) is formed by one of the valve mounting locations (18a) suitable for mounting with one of the electrically actuated directional control valves (3), wherein expediently any valve mounting location (18a) can be used as an outlet module mounting location (18c). [25] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized by that the valve carrier (8) has a carrier body (14) which has the assembly surface (13) and is penetrated by the communication channel (24), which is expediently segmented in the main direction (7a) by having a plurality of carrier body segments (14a) arranged in a row, on each of which at least one of the assembly locations (18) is formed. [26] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized bythat the communication line (23) contains a printed circuit board arrangement (27) equipped with the at least one electronic component (26) to be cooled.

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