A seal comprises a plurality of sealing elements.

Abstract

Seal (10) comprising a plurality of sealing elements (11), wherein the seal (10) has connecting sections (20) for connecting the sealing elements (11), wherein the seal (10) is designed to be foldable at the connecting sections (20) so that the seal (10) can be brought into a folded state (41), wherein a hinge is arranged in each connecting section (20). characterized by the fact that the hinge is a film hinge or the connecting section is formed from a flexible material, wherein the sealing elements (11) each have a plurality of frame elements (12), wherein the frame sections (12) are formed from a rigid material.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal according to claim 1.

[0002] Seals comprising a variety of sealing elements are generally known from the prior art. For example, US 2008 / 0072866A1 describes an axial seal for an internal combustion engine, which has a cylinder head with a bore in which the seal rotates. EP 3964739A1 discloses a valve seal with a dynamic element, while EP 3067597A1 includes a fluid control valve with a valve body and at least two valve ports distributed around a circumferential chamber wall.

[0003] US 3,232,579 A discloses a flat, rectangular-shaped rubber compound seal in an angled valve, which has pins integrally molded at its respective corners with a pair of spaced-apart, elongated recesses, such that pressing one set of adjacent pins into a pair of longitudinally spaced retaining holes connects the recesses to the longitudinally spaced retaining holes, the flat seal being wrapped around the intermediate body of the key body, and pressing the other set of longitudinally aligned adjacent pins into the longitudinally spaced retaining holes aligns the recesses with the through-hole on the main body of the angled valve.The seal has a pair of spaced rectangular beads or ribbed seals that protrude from the surface of the seal, so that the rotation of the tap wrench in the cylindrical bore brings the ribbed seals into sealing engagement with the inner wall surface of the cylindrical bore next to the passages, thereby sealing these passages against the passage of fluid.

[0004] WO 2023 / 117 706 A1 relates to a method for manufacturing a sealing element with a substantially rectangular basic shape, a first extension direction, a second extension direction, and a plurality of openings. The manufacturing process is technically simple and cost-effective, as the sealing element is pre-formed in a developed mold using an injection molding or compression molding process, and subsequently a nearly cylindrical final contour is formed.

[0005] DE 10 2021 110 944 A1 relates to a valve seal for a valve with a valve housing having a plurality of valve housing openings, a valve body rotatably arranged in the valve housing about an axis of rotation with at least one flow-conducting connecting channel for the flow-conducting connection of at least two valve housing openings of the plurality of valve housing openings, and a valve actuator for automatically rotating the valve body about the axis of rotation, wherein the valve seal has valve sealing openings corresponding to the valve housing openings and the valve housing openings are arranged to seal against a gap formed between the valve housing and the valve body, wherein the valve seal has at least one additional sealing element.wherein this additional sealing element is arranged between the valve housing and a housing cover for the valve housing and seals a gap between the valve housing and the housing cover.

[0006] EP 3 385 583 A1 discloses a multi-way valve. The multi-way valve comprises a housing that defines an inner cavity. The housing further comprises a plurality of ports. Each of the multiple ports is connected to the inner cavity. A housing body is rotatably arranged within the inner cavity. A sealing element is also provided, which has a plurality of ports and surrounds the housing body in such a way that it encloses the housing body within the inner cavity.

[0007] The method proposed in US 2020 / 0 180 187 A1 for manufacturing and attaching a sealing element to a slide that slides in a cavity of a device for circulating and mixing chemically reactive polymeric components comprises the following steps: obtaining a precursor element of the sealing element from an elastic-plastic material with a lattice structure having a net-like shape; positioning the precursor element around the slide; applying a radial compression and contraction action to the precursor element by means of temporary clamping elements to insert it and connect it to one or more housing seats provided on the slide to ensure a good connection between the sealing element and the latter;Gradual removal of the clamping elements to successively release successive parts of the sealing element and gradually release the slide, allowing the successively released parts of the slide to be gradually inserted into the housing cavity. This enables the sealing element to gradually expand radially due to elastic recovery, adhering firmly to the inner surface of the same housing cavity. The special equipment for mounting the sealing element on the slide and the resulting recirculation and mixing device are also described.

[0008] To provide a sealing element capable of reliably preventing fluid leakage between a valve chamber and each outlet, while reducing the number of components and assembly hours, and a port selector valve utilizing this element, a sealing element is proposed in JP 2015-34 560 A. This element comprises a cylindrical body with a plurality of through-holes formed in a circumferential direction, and external ribs projecting outwards from an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body along the circumference of each of the through-holes 3a-3d. The external ribs are formed from an elastic material.

[0009] WO 2003 / 006 859 A1 relates to a control valve with a generally cylindrical body, which is provided with an axially extending fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets arranged in a cylindrical side wall. This body defines a cylindrical receptacle for a hollow cylindrical control element, which rotates about an axis of rotation and assumes various angular positions to control the distribution of fluid through the outlets by means of through-holes arranged in the cylinder. The valve comprises a one-piece sealing connection provided with circular arms that form a seal between the side wall of the housing and the control element, and with transverse arms connecting the circular arms.

[0010] To create a rotary valve for a thermal management system of a motor vehicle, DE 10 2022 200 540 A1 proposes a rotary valve with at least the following components: - a housing with at least three fluid openings; a rotary valve rotatably arranged in the housing about a rotational axis;and a sealing element arranged between the housing and the rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve, in a rotational position, partially closes at least one of the fluid openings and has a flow recess by means of which, in a rotational position of the rotary valve, at least two of the fluid openings are fluidically connected, and wherein the sealing element circumferentially encloses at least one of the fluid openings, characterized in that the sealing element comprises a first projection and a second projection extending in a first radial direction, and a third projection extending in an oppositely directed second radial direction, wherein the projections are formed circumferentially around at least one of the fluid openings, and wherein the third projection is arranged between the first projection and the second projection with respect to this at least one fluid opening.

[0011] In the current state of the art, however, the assembly effort for the seals is very high, since either many individual parts are used or a very high tooling effort is required to manufacture sealing elements cylindrically and, for example, to bring them into the appropriate installation position before assembly.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a seal in such a way that both the tooling effort and the assembly effort are significantly reduced.

[0013] The aforementioned problem is solved by a seal comprising a plurality of sealing elements, wherein the seal further includes connecting sections for joining the sealing elements. The seal is designed to be foldable at the connecting sections, so that the seal can be folded. The folded state refers to the installation position in a housing, in particular in the housing of a rotary valve.

[0014] In particular, the seal can be folded from a flat state to a folded state. The connecting sections are, in particular, adjacent in a first direction, while in a second direction the connecting sections extend between adjacent sealing elements in the flat state. The term "flat state" does not mean that the entire seal must lie flat on a surface, but preferably that each sealing element rests on a flat surface at least at one point, while each sealing element itself may have a curvature. In particular, each sealing element has a curvature of a circular segment in cross-section.

[0015] In its folded state, the seal exhibits at least an approximate cylindrical shape. The first direction then preferably corresponds to the circumferential direction. In other words, the sealing elements are adjacent to each other circumferentially, while the connecting sections extend axially. The cylindrical shape refers specifically to the installation position of the seal.

[0016] The seal's foldability allows it to be manufactured in its flat state – in other words, unfolded – using simple tooling, and to be easily folded for installation in the housing. The folding process automatically gives the seal an almost perfect cylindrical shape.

[0017] The seal can be made of an elastomer, in particular a two-layer elastomer component. The seal is formed in one piece and therefore requires no further effort regarding its composition.

[0018] Each connecting section incorporates a hinge, specifically a film hinge, to enable the seal to fold. Alternatively, each connecting section is formed from a flexible material to allow for foldability. These are preferably flexible material sections that permit the necessary flexibility. In particular, the thickness of the seal at the location of the connecting sections can be reduced compared to the thickness at the location of the sealing elements.

[0019] As already indicated above, the sealing elements can be folded into an approximately cylindrical shape. Preferably, the sealing element comprises at least two, preferably at least three, and most preferably at least four sealing elements. Each sealing element comprises a plurality of frame elements, the frame elements being made of a rigid material. Preferably, each sealing element comprises four frame elements, in the center of which an opening is formed. The frame elements can be rectangular, so that the opening is also rectangular.

[0020] A rib for engaging in a recess of a rotary valve housing can be provided on the end face of at least one sealing element. The rib of a sealing element preferably extends along the entire width of the sealing element in the primary or circumferential direction. In particular, each sealing element preferably has a corresponding rib on both end faces. These end faces are primarily the axial ends of the sealing elements. The rib extends in the secondary direction, and thus in the axial direction, when folded, and its thickness can decrease in the axial or secondary direction. This facilitates the installation of the seal in a housing. The rib can therefore be considered an extension of the sealing element in the secondary direction.A bridge cannot be provided at the locations of the connecting sections, so a recess is provided at the corresponding points. The bridges are specifically designed as tabs.

[0021] Preferably, the sealing elements can be arranged in several, preferably two, rows, with connecting sections provided in each row for joining the sealing elements of the same row. Each row can extend in the first direction, while different rows are adjacent in the second direction. The connecting sections are arranged at the same location in the first direction.

[0022] In other words, a seal can be designed with a multi-row cylindrical shape. A second row is specifically attached to the end face of a first row, whereby no web can be formed on the corresponding end faces of the rows. Instead, the webs can only be formed on the end faces of the multi-row arrangement. Thus, each sealing element of a first row can be associated with a sealing element of a second row. These sealing elements can be rigidly connected to one another.

[0023] In particular, the housing of a rotary slide valve can have a corresponding recess for inserting the webs. The recess in the housing can be designed, in particular, as an annular groove. The annular groove can have radial ribs, in other words, interruptions in the circumferential direction. In particular, the interruptions are arranged such that the recesses of the seal, which are located between the webs, bear against the radial ribs. The seal is thus fixed in the circumferential direction. The webs can have further recesses, preferably grooves, to form additional fixing points in the circumferential direction.

[0024] Primarily, the ribs at the first axial end of the seal are inserted into the recess in the housing. On the other axial side, the ribs can be fixed between the housing and a cover of the rotary valve. The cover is specifically shaped so that the ribs can be received in a recess formed between the cover and the housing.

[0025] The inner surface of the sealing elements can have a friction-optimized surface finish. Preferably, the outer surface does not have a friction-optimized surface finish. A friction-optimized surface finish can, in particular, be understood to mean a foil coating on the inner surface. Furthermore, the inner surface can have a preferably two-layer, material-bonded structure. In particular, the positive-locking structure relates to a rotary slide of the rotary slide valve on which the seal is applied. Alternatively or additionally, a positive-locking structure, preferably two-layer, can be provided. Single-layer designs can also be provided, which can be designed to be friction-optimized by material additives.

[0026] The invention relates in particular to a rotary valve comprising a seal as described above. Preferably, the rotary valve includes a rotary slide onto which the seal is applied. In other words, the seal then encompasses the rotary slide in the circumferential direction. The rotary slide is preferably cylindrical. Radial inlet and outlet channels are formed in the corresponding housing of the rotary valve. These are preferably not circular for material-saving design. The seal can be designed to fit the inlet and outlet channels in the housing. Due to the present design of the seal, it can not only be easily folded from the flat tool position into the cylindrical installation position, but after assembly, it is also completely fixed in the housing without any supporting effect from the valve slide.All sealing points of the inlet and outlet channels of the rotary slide valve can be sealed in a single assembly operation. Since complete fixation in the housing can be achieved without the aid of the valve spool, the adjustment torque for the valve spool and the material requirements for the valve spool are significantly reduced compared to the prior art.

[0027] They show, in purely schematic form: Fig. 1: a poem in perspective representation; Fig. 2: a perspective representation of the poetry of Fig. 1 in the folded state; Fig. 3: a cross-sectional view of the seal of the Fig. 1 in a housing of a rotary valve; Fig. 4: a top view of the seal inserted into the housing of the Fig. 3; and Fig. 5: the cover of the rotary slide valve in axial view.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a seal 10 in perspective. The seal 10 comprises sealing elements 11, specifically in the following example: Fig. 1 Four sealing elements 11. Adjacent sealing elements 11 are connected to each other by a connecting section 20. The sealing elements 11 are adjacent in a first direction 53, while the connecting elements extend in a second direction 54. The connecting sections 20 allow the structure to be folded. Fig. 1 the flat state 40 shown into a folded state 41, as shown in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0029] The sealing elements 11 comprise frame elements 12, preferably four frame elements 12, and an opening 13 spanned by them. In the specific example of the Fig. 1 The frame elements 12 form a rectangle, so that the opening 13 is also rectangular.

[0030] The sealing elements 11 have two end faces 14, on which a web 30 is formed with respect to each sealing element in the second direction 54. The web 30 extends along the entire width of the corresponding sealing elements 11 in the first direction 53. The thickness of the webs 30 can decrease in the second direction 54 towards the outer end of the respective web. Since no web 30 is provided at the locations of the connecting sections 20, a corresponding recess 32 is formed there between adjacent webs 30.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the poem 10 of the Fig. 1 in the folded state 41. In the folded state 41, the seal 10 forms a cylindrical shape 50. The first direction 53, in which the sealing elements 11 are adjacent to each other in the flat state, now corresponds to the circumferential direction 51, while the second direction 54 corresponds to the axial direction 52.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of seal 10 of the Fig. 1 in a housing 60 of a rotary valve 80 with a rotary valve 81. The seal 10 surrounds the rotary valve 81. The housing 60 has a recess 61, the recess 61 being designed as an annular groove 62. The webs 30 of the seal 11 are inserted into the recess 61.

[0033] It is clearly visible how the thickness of the web 31 decreases in the axially outward direction, just like the extent of the corresponding annular groove 62. Webs 30 are also formed on the corresponding other axial side of the seal 11. The housing 60 has a cover 70 which is adapted to the housing 60 and the webs 30 such that the webs 30 are enclosed in all directions. For this purpose, a radially outer side of the webs 30 can be flush with the inner wall 64 of the housing 60, while a radially inner edge rests against the cover 70.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the seal 11 inserted into the housing 60. Fig. 3 without cover 70. The annular groove 62 may not be continuous, but may be interrupted by radial ribs 63. At the locations of the radial ribs 63, the recesses 32 are arranged with respect to the formation of the webs 30, so that the seal 10 is secured in the circumferential direction 51.

[0035] Fig. Figure 5 shows the cover 70 in axial view. The cover 70 is adapted to the design of the seal 10, namely the webs 30 which project in the axial direction, and the radial ribs 63, so that the cover 70 includes corresponding projections 71. Reference symbol list 10 Seal 11 Sealing element 12 frame elements 13 Opening 14 Front 20 Connecting section 30 Bridge 31 Thickness of the bridge 32 Exclusion 40 flat state 41 folded state 50 cylindrical shape 51 Circumferential direction 52 axial direction 53 first direction 54 second direction 60 cases 61 Exclusion 62 Ring groove 63 radial rib 64 Interior wall 70 lids 71 Bulge 80 Rotary valve 81 rotary valves

Claims

[1] Seal (10) comprising a plurality of sealing elements (11), wherein the seal (10) has connecting sections (20) for connecting the sealing elements (11), wherein the seal (10) is designed to be foldable at the connecting sections (20) so that the seal (10) can be brought into a folded state (41), wherein a hinge is arranged in each connecting section (20). characterized by , that the hinge is a film hinge or the connecting section is formed from a flexible material, wherein the sealing elements (11) each have a plurality of frame elements (12), wherein the frame sections (12) are formed from a rigid material. [2] Seal (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each connecting section (20) is formed from a flexible material to allow it to be folded. [3] Seal (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the seal (10) in the folded state (41) forms at least an approximately cylindrical shape. [4] Seal (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing elements (11) are arranged in two rows, wherein in each row connecting sections (20) are provided for connecting the sealing elements (11) of the same row. [5] Seal (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the end face (14) of at least one sealing element (11) has a web (30) for engaging in a recess (61) of a housing (60) of a rotary slide valve (80). [6] Seal (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the inside of the sealing elements (11) has a friction-optimized surface finish. [7] Rotary slide valve (80) comprising a seal (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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