Coupling device for a rotary valve and rotary valve

Abstract

A coupling device for a rotary valve (1) comprises a drive element (18) rotatable about a rotary axis (22), a rotary shaft (10) coupling to the drive element (18), a coupling element (21) for coupling the drive element (18) to the rotary shaft (10), wherein the coupling element (21) is axially guided and displaceable on the rotary shaft (10) with respect to the axis of rotation (22) between a coupling position in which the drive element (18) and the rotary shaft (10) are connected to each other with respect to the axis of rotation (22) in a torque-transmitting manner, and a disengagement position in which the drive element (18) and the rotary shaft (10) are disengaged with respect to torque transmission, wherein the coupling element (21) is axially pre-tensioned on the rotary shaft (10) with respect to the axis of rotation (22) by means of a spring element (25), and wherein the coupling element (21) has a coupling section,by means of which the coupling element (21) is coupled to the drive element (18) in the coupling position with respect to the axis of rotation (22) in a rotationally secure manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling device for a rotary valve and to a rotary valve with such a coupling device.

[0002] DE 40 38 245 A1 discloses a coupling for a separable drive connection between a drive shaft and a rotary valve shaft of a rotary valve.

[0003] DE 20 2006 002 550 U1 discloses a rotary valve with a torque plug-in coupling that enables axial insertion of a plug-in pin into a corresponding receptacle for torque transmission around a rotary wheel's rotational axis. Axial insertion is possible when the non-circular contours of the plug-in pin and receptacle correspond. The torque plug-in coupling is rotationally position-dependent, so the rotary wheel must usually be rotated around the rotational axis before it can be coupled by axial movement.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of improving the coupling of the cellular wheel and the housing, in particular of simplifying it, so that the coupling can be carried out in particular independently of the rotational position of the cellular wheel.

[0005] This object is achieved by a coupling device having the features specified in claim 1 and by a rotary valve having the features specified in claim 9.

[0006] According to the invention, it was recognized that a rotational position-independent coupling of a cellular wheel shaft with a rotationally drivable drive element is made possible by a separate coupling element. The coupling element is axially displaceable relative to a rotational axis of the drive element. The coupling element is axially displaceable between a coupling position and a decoupling position. In the coupling position, the drive element and the cellular wheel shaft are connected to each other in a torque-transmitting manner relative to the rotational axis. In the decoupling position, the drive element and the cellular wheel shaft are decoupled with respect to the torque transmission. In the decoupling position, no torque is transmitted between the drive element and the cellular wheel shaft.

[0007] The cellular wheel shaft has in particular a longitudinal axis which is arranged in particular coaxially to the axis of rotation of the drive element.

[0008] The drive element is particularly designed in a sleeve-like manner.

[0009] By means of a spring element, the coupling element is arranged on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, axially preloaded with respect to the rotational axis. The spring element exerts a spring force on the coupling element, which acts along the rotational axis. By means of the spring element, the coupling element is pressed from the drive element to the cellular wheel shaft or in the opposite direction. The spring element is, in particular, a compression spring, in particular a helical compression spring.

[0010] The drive element and the cellular wheel shaft are components that can be coupled or uncoupled using the coupling device. It is essential that the coupling element is attached to one component, in particular releasably, and that a spring force is exerted on the coupling element by means of the spring element, which displaces the coupling element toward the other component. For the design of the coupling device and in particular its function, it is irrelevant whether the coupling element is attached to one or the other component.

[0011] In particular, the coupling device, in particular the drive element, the cellular wheel shaft, and the coupling element, are designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation. In the coupling position, torque transmission in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation is possible in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

[0012] It is essential that the coupling element can be displaced in an axially guided manner on one of the components to be coupled, i.e. on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, and can also be coupled to the other component, i.e. on the cellular wheel shaft or on the drive element, in a rotationally secure manner in the circumferential direction.

[0013] The coupling element has a coupling section by means of which the coupling element is coupled to the cellular wheel shaft or to the drive element in a rotationally secure manner relative to the rotation axis in the coupling position. "Rotationally secure" means that a torque relative to the rotation axis can be transmitted from the drive element to the cellular wheel shaft by means of the coupling element. In particular, the coupling element corresponds in the region of the coupling section to the element to be coupled, i.e., to the cellular wheel shaft or to the drive element. The coupling section can be designed such that there is play in the circumferential direction between the coupling element and the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element.

[0014] If the rotary wheel shaft and the drive element are aligned relative to each other in such a way that the coupling section is positioned correspondingly to the rotary wheel shaft or the drive element, coupling occurs directly by axial sliding. However, this rotational positioning of the rotary wheel shaft relative to the drive element is rather unlikely, so this case occurs comparatively rarely.

[0015] In the far more common case where the coupling section does not correspond to the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element, in particular is not aligned, the coupling element is pushed in against the spring force caused by the spring element on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, on which the coupling element is arranged in a guided and displaceable manner, when the cellular wheel shaft and drive element are pushed axially together. The coupling element is pressed in particular into a recess provided for this purpose on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, since coupling with the other component is not possible due to the respective rotational position.

[0016] The cellular wheel shaft can in particular be inserted into a housing side cover of the cellular wheel lock valve housing. The cellular wheel lock valve can be assembled regardless of the rotational position of the cellular wheel relative to the drive element. By operating the drive element about the rotational axis, the rotational position between the cellular wheel shaft and the drive element is changed. In particular, the coupling element is directly rotated with one of the components. As soon as the coupling element, in particular its coupling section, is in a rotational position in which the coupling element corresponds to the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element, the coupling element is displaced axially from the first component, i.e. from the drive element or the cellular wheel shaft, to the second component, i.e. to the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element, as a result of the spring force.

[0017] In the uncoupling position, in which the cellular wheel shaft can be arranged at a distance from one housing side cover, the cellular wheel shaft is held in particular on the other housing side cover. In particular, the cellular wheel shaft can be pulled out of the housing of the cellular wheel lock with the other housing side cover using a pull-out device (not shown in detail). The cellular wheel held on the other housing side cover is rotatable, in particular manually, with respect to the rotational axis relative to this housing side cover.

[0018] The axial displacement occurs passively from the uncoupling position to the coupling position as soon as the required rotational positioning is reached. The torque coupling therefore occurs with a delay, namely when the cellular wheel shaft is already attached to the drive element, i.e., axially coupled.

[0019] It is essential that the coupling element can be displaced axially in a form-fitting manner on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, and that the spring element enables automatic axial displacement from the uncoupling position to the coupling position.

[0020] The coupling device according to the invention enables, in particular, automated and fully automated coupling of the cellular wheel shaft to the drive element. The need for manual interaction is reduced and, in particular, eliminated.

[0021] The coupling device is particularly suitable for a rotary valve used for bulk materials with increased purity requirements, such as bulk materials, in particular powder, for use in or for the production of foodstuffs, in particular milk powder, infant formula and / or animal feed, or pharmaceutical products, in particular medicines.

[0022] A displacement contour of the coupling element according to claim 2 ensures advantageous, in particular stable and trouble-free, axial displacement of the coupling element on the first component, i.e. on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, which each have a corresponding guide section. The guide section is designed with a non-circular guide contour in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The axial displacement of the coupling element is possible in particular in a rotationally secure manner with respect to the axis of rotation, in particular free of play and in particular with a precise fit. The guide contour can be designed as an inner contour or as an outer contour. The specific geometric design of the guide contour can be implemented in various ways. It is advantageous if the geometry has several convex circumferential sections that are arranged, in particular, at equal angular intervals from one another.The guide contour of the drive element or cellular wheel shaft and the displacement contour of the coupling element can be designed in particular in accordance with DE 20 2006 002 550 U1.

[0023] It is advantageous if the guide contour is designed in such a way that the area used for torque transmission is sufficiently large to ensure high power transmission. Surface pressure occurs on the active surfaces of the coupling geometry. The force caused by a load acts on the active surface, resulting in mechanical stress. To ensure that the material used to manufacture the components of the coupling device does not fail, and in particular does not plasticize, the acting stress must be smaller than the load-bearing capacity of the material, in particular its yield point. The acting stress is smaller the larger the stressed area is, the smaller the area is. In this respect, the aim should be to achieve the largest possible area for torque transmission. A minimum radius between concave and convex circumferential sections of the guide contour or the displacement contour is also advantageous.This ensures the production of the geometries, especially in a hardening process. In particular, it guarantees that the respective contour is suitable for a heat treatment process.

[0024] A coupling device according to claim 3 simplifies coupling regardless of the rotational position. The fact that an axial recess is provided on the drive element or on the rotary wheel shaft such that the coupling element can be fully arranged therein in the uncoupling position ensures that the rotary wheel with the rotary wheel shaft can be fully pushed axially onto the drive element. The rotary wheel can be installed in the housing before the rotational position required for the torque coupling is reached. The rotary wheel lock can be mounted regardless of the rotational position of the rotary wheel shaft. In particular, the mounting of the rotary wheel lock is not hindered or disrupted by the coupling element.

[0025] The design of the coupling device according to claim 4 enables a particularly small and compact design. In particular, the axial recess completely encompasses the guide contour.

[0026] The design of the coupling device according to claim 5 simplifies the passive coupling function, in particular the automatic displacement of the coupling element into the coupling position. The coupling element can be pushed into the axial recess against the acting spring force.

[0027] A coupling device according to claim 6 enables advantageous torque transmission from the coupling element to the second component, i.e., to the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element. The coupling section has a non-circular coupling contour, which can be designed as an inner or outer contour. In particular, the design of the coupling contour is analogous and, in particular, identical to the displacement contour.

[0028] It is particularly conceivable for the coupling element to have a single, axially continuous contour in the axial direction. In this case, the displacement contour and the coupling contour are identical. However, it is also conceivable for the coupling contour to differ from the displacement contour. In particular, the coupling contour can be designed as an outer contour and the displacement contour as an inner contour, or vice versa. In particular, the second component in each case, i.e. the cellular wheel shaft or the drive element, has a coupling counter contour that is designed to correspond to the coupling contour, but does not have to be identical. In particular, it is possible for there to be play in the circumferential direction between the coupling contour and the coupling counter contour. It is essential that torque transmission is ensured by the coupling contour and the coupling counter contour.

[0029] A retaining element according to claim 7 ensures that the coupling element is reliably arranged on the first component, i.e., on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft, despite the spring force applied. The coupling element is held captively on the first component by means of the retaining element. Automated actuation of the coupling device is thus simplified. The coupling device is fail-safe in use.

[0030] The design of the retaining element according to claim 8 is uncomplicated yet efficient. The retaining element is held directly on the first component, i.e., on the drive element or on the cellular wheel shaft. The retaining element is detachably attached. In particular, the retaining element is designed as a fitting screw, which further improves, and in particular stabilizes, the axial displacement of the coupling element. In particular, a coaxial arrangement of the retaining element and the spring element is easily possible. The spring element is arranged, in particular, as a helical compression spring around the fitting screw.

[0031] A rotary valve according to claim 9 essentially has the advantages of the coupling device, to which reference is hereby made.

[0032] Both the features specified in the patent claims and the features specified in the exemplary embodiments of a coupling device according to the invention are suitable, either individually or in combination with one another, for further developing the subject matter of the invention. The respective combinations of features do not constitute any restrictions with regard to the further development of the subject matter of the invention, but are essentially merely exemplary in nature.

[0033] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a rotary valve in half section with housing, rotary wheel, rotary drive and coupling device, Fig. 2 an enlarged longitudinal section of the coupling device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view according to section line III-III in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a sectional view according to section line IV-IV in Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 perspective, partially sectioned views of the coupling device in coupled and uncoupled state, Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of the cell wheel according to Fig. 1, Fig. 8 an enlarged perspective view of the coupling element according to Fig. 1, Fig. 9 a perspective view of the drive element of the coupling device, Fig. 10 is a perspective, partially sectioned exploded view of a coupling device according to a second embodiment, Fig. 11 a representation of the coupling device according to Fig. 10 as a longitudinal section in coupled state, Fig. 12 a Fig. 11 corresponding representation in the uncoupled state, Fig. 13 a Fig. 9 corresponding representation of the drive element according to the second embodiment, Fig. 14 a Fig. 8 corresponding enlarged view of the coupling element according to the second embodiment, Fig. 15 a Fig. 7 corresponding representation of the cell wheel according to the second embodiment, Fig. 16 a Fig. 10 corresponding representation of a coupling device according to a third embodiment, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 Longitudinal sectional views of the coupling device according to Fig. 16 in coupled and uncoupled state, Fig. 19, Fig. 20 Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 corresponding representations of the coupling element and the drive element according to the third embodiment.

[0034] One in Fig. The rotary valves 1 to 9, designated as a whole with the reference 1, are used to convey bulk materials, particularly in the food and / or pharmaceutical production sector. The rotary valve meets the highest cleanliness requirements and can be easily converted from an open state, for example, after cleaning or maintenance, back to the closed state for continued operation. It is particularly possible to couple the rotary valve 1 in an automated and, in particular, fully automatic manner.

[0035] The rotary valve 1 comprises a housing 2 with a substantially cylindrical interior 3. The interior 3 has a horizontal central axis 4. An inlet nozzle 5 opens into the interior 3 from above, and an outlet nozzle 6 opens out from below. The interior 3 of the housing 2 is open at its end faces. These end faces are covered by covers 7, 8, which are attached to the housing 2 by means of fastening elements, for example, screws.

[0036] In the interior space 3, a cellular wheel 9 is arranged concentrically to the central axis 4, on whose shaft 10, radially distributed to the central axis 4, vanes 11 formed by almost rectangular plates are attached. The shaft 10 is also referred to as a cellular wheel shaft. The vanes 11 are attached to the shaft 10 in the usual way at equal angular intervals distributed around the circumference of the shaft 10, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 7. Each adjacent wing 11 defines a cell 12 between them.

[0037] The shaft 10 passes through bearing openings 13 formed in the covers 7, 8 and is mounted in roller bearings 15 in bearing housings 14 attached to the respective cover 7 or 8. Furthermore, seals 16 are arranged between the respective roller bearing 15 and the interior 3, acting between the respective bearing housing 14 and the shaft 10. They are intended to prevent the product conveyed through the rotary valve 1 from escaping. Between the seals 16 and the interior 3, a purge air connection 17 opens into the respective bearing opening 13, by means of which product escaping from the interior 3 can be blown back into the interior 3.

[0038] The rotary drive of the cellular wheel 9 is provided by a drive pin 18, which has a groove 19 for the rotationally fixed attachment of a gear, the sprocket of a roller chain, or the like, and serves as a rotary drive device. The drive pin 18 is also referred to as the drive element. The drive pin 18 has a hollow first coupling section 20 located in the bearing housing 14 of the cover 7. The first coupling section 20 is radially supported and axially fixed in the bearing housing 14 via the roller bearing 15, but is freely rotatable.

[0039] The drive element 18 is rotatably driven about a rotational axis 22. The rotational axis 22 is oriented coaxially to the center length 4. The cellular wheel shaft 10 has a longitudinal axis 23. In the installed state according to Fig. 1, the cellular wheel shaft 10 is rotatably arranged in the housing 2 with the longitudinal axis 23 coaxial to the central axis 4 and coaxial to the rotational axis 22.

[0040] At wave 10, which is in Fig. 2 to 6 is only partially shown, a coupling element 21 is arranged.

[0041] The coupling element 21 is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the rotational axis 22 on the cellular wheel shaft 10. According to Fig. 5, the coupling element 21 is arranged in a coupling position in which the drive element 18 and the cellular wheel shaft 10 are connected to each other in a torque-transmitting manner with respect to the rotational axis 22. This means that a drive rotational movement is transmitted from the drive element 18 to the cellular wheel shaft 10 via the coupling element 21.

[0042] In the Fig. In the decoupling position shown in Figure 6, the drive element 18 and the cellular wheel shaft 10 have already moved toward each other, touching at the front, but are decoupled with respect to torque transmission about the rotational axis 22. In this position, no torque is transmitted from the drive pin 18 to the cellular wheel shaft 10.

[0043] The coupling element 21 is held captive but releasably on the cellular wheel shaft 10 by means of a retaining element 24 in the form of a fitting screw. The fitting screw is screwed with a threaded pin into a corresponding internal thread on the cellular wheel shaft 10. The fitting screw has a fitting outer diameter that corresponds to a fitting inner diameter of the coupling element 21. The coupling element 21 can be displaced along the shaft section of the fitting screw 24, guided coaxially to the rotation axis 22. The axial displacement of the coupling element 21 along the fitting screw 24 is stable and error-free. The screw head of the fitting screw 24 engages behind an inner contact shoulder 36 of the coupling element 21, thus reliably preventing unintentional detachment of the coupling element 21 from the cellular wheel shaft 10.

[0044] Because the fitting screw 24 is screwed into the cellular wheel shaft 10, the retaining element 24 is detachably connected to the cellular wheel shaft 10. The assembly of the coupling element 21 to the cellular wheel shaft 10 is straightforward.

[0045] The coupling element 21 is subjected to a spring force by means of a spring element 25. The spring element 25 is designed as a compression spring, in particular as a helical compression spring. The helical compression spring is axially supported on an axial contact surface 26 of the cellular wheel shaft 10 and on an outer end face 27 of the coupling element 21. The spring element 25 is in particular designed such that an axial compressive force acts on the coupling element 21. The compressive force is directed away from the cellular wheel shaft 10 and towards the drive element 18. This means that an axial prestressing force acts on the coupling element 21 such that the coupling element 21 is directed towards the drive element 18. In particular, the spring element 25 is dimensioned such that even in the coupling position according to Fig. 5 an axial spring force acts on the coupling element 21 in the direction of the drive element 18. The coupling element 21 is reliably coupled to the drive element 18 in the coupling position. An axial displacement of the coupling element 21 is possible by overcoming the spring force.

[0046] For the coupling of the coupling element 21 with the drive element 18, the coupling element 21 has a coupling section which corresponds to a coupling counter-section of the drive element 18, as is particularly shown in Fig. 3. The coupling section of the coupling element 21 has in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation 22, which corresponds to the plane of the drawing Fig. 3, a non-circular coupling contour 28 which corresponds to a coupling mating contour 29 of the drive element 18. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the coupling contour 28 is an outer contour. Accordingly, the coupling mating contour 29 is an inner contour. The coupling contour 28 essentially corresponds to a cross geometry or a plus geometry. The coupling contour 28 has four convex, partially cylindrical circumferential sections 30, which are each connected to one another by four concave circumferential sections 31. The respective transition between convex circumferential sections 30 and concave circumferential sections 31 is continuous, i.e., without a kink. It is understood that the coupling contour 28 could also be designed in a different way and, in particular, could have more or fewer than four circumferential sections 30, 31. For specific designs of this geometry, please refer to DE 20 2006 002 550 U1.

[0047] The coupling counter-contour 29 differs from the coupling contour 28 in that concave circumferential counter-sections 32, which correspond to the convex circumferential sections 30 of the coupling contour 28, have a width that is greater than a width of the convex circumferential sections 30. This results in a play s in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation 22. The play s enables a rotational movement of the coupling element 21 about the axis of rotation 22 in the drive element 18. The play s is at most 30°, in particular at most 20°, in particular at most 15° and in particular at most 10°, but in particular at least 1°, in particular at least 2° and in particular 5°.

[0048] The cellular wheel shaft 10 has an axial recess 33 in which the coupling element 21 is at least partially arranged. The axial recess 33 is designed as a blind hole and extends from one end face of the cellular wheel shaft 10 to a depth T. The depth T is at least as large as the axial length L. Aof the coupling element 21. The coupling element 21 can in particular be arranged completely within the axial recess 33. In particular, the coupling element 21 can be arranged on the cellular wheel shaft 10 in such a way that the coupling element 21 does not protrude in the axial direction on the cellular wheel shaft 10. The insertion of the coupling element 21 into the axial recess 33 occurs counter to the spring force of the spring element 25. This means that in this retracted state of the coupling device, the spring element 25 is compressed and exerts a spring force on the coupling element 21, which presses the coupling element 21 out of the axial recess 33. The coupling element 21 is arranged flush with an end face of the cellular wheel shaft 10 and axially offset inwards, i.e. set back.

[0049] A guide section is formed in the axial recess 33, which has a non-circular guide contour 34 in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation 22. The guide contour 34 extends in the axial recess 33 over its entire axial length, i.e., its depth T. The guide contour 34 corresponds in particular to the coupling contour 28 of the coupling element 21. In particular, the coupling contour 28 and the guide contour 34 are designed to be free of play in the circumferential direction. The coupling contour 28 and the guide contour 34 enable a stable and tilt-free axial displacement of the coupling element 21 into the axial recess 33. The coupling element 21 is arranged in the axial recess 33 in a particularly rotationally secure manner, in particular free of play, and in particular with a precise fit.

[0050] The coupling contour corresponding to the guide contour 34 is also referred to as the displacement contour. According to the illustrated embodiment of the coupling element 21, the displacement contour and the coupling contour are identical. This simplifies the manufacture of the coupling element 21. The coupling element 21 is designed to be particularly simple.

[0051] The coupling of the cell wheel 9 with the drive element 18 when inserting the cell wheel 9 into the housing 2 of the cell wheel lock 1 is explained in more detail below.

[0052] Starting from an open state of the rotary valve 1, when the side cover 8 is removed from the housing 2 and the rotary valve 9 is arranged outside the interior 3, the rotary valve 9 is inserted into the interior 3 and the rotary valve shaft 10 is moved towards the drive element 18. Since the front end of the rotary valve shaft 10 facing the drive element 18 is unloaded, the coupling element 21 on the front side of the rotary valve shaft 10 is pushed out as a result of the spring force applied by the spring element 25. This means that the coupling element 21 protrudes from the front side of the rotary valve shaft 10.

[0053] In the event that the rotational position of the cellular wheel shaft 10 with the coupling element 21 is designed such that the coupling element 21 with the coupling contour 28 can be introduced into the coupling counter contour 29, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the axial plug-in coupling is immediate. The coupling of the cellular wheel shaft 10 with the drive element 18 is immediate.

[0054] In all other cases in which the rotational position of the coupling element 21 is designed such that the coupling contour 28 and the coupling counter-contour 29 do not correspond to one another, the coupling element 21 comes to rest on the end face against a contact surface 37 of the drive element 18. The contact surface 37 is essentially annular with a non-circular inner contour. Upon further axial movement of the components relative to one another, the coupling element 21 is pushed into the axial recess 34 against the spring force of the spring element 25. This means that the axial attachment of the cellular wheel shaft 10 onto the drive element 18 is possible even if the rotational position of the two components 10, 18 does not correspond to one another. This means that the axial attachment of the cellular wheel shaft 10 onto the drive element 18 is possible regardless of the rotational position.

[0055] In this case, a rotational movement of the drive element 18 then occurs. As soon as the rotational movement has occurred to such an extent that the coupling contour 28 and the coupling counter contour 29 correspond, the coupling element 21 is moved axially out of the axial recess 34 due to the spring force due to the preloaded arrangement in the axial recess 34 and displaced into the corresponding recess of the drive element 18.

[0056] In the following, with reference to Fig. 10 to 15, a second embodiment is described. Structurally identical parts are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, to the description of which reference is hereby made. Structurally different but functionally similar parts are given the same reference numerals with an a suffix.

[0057] A key difference is that in the second embodiment, the coupling element 21a is arranged on and secured to the drive element 18a. Accordingly, the fitting screw, as a retaining element 24, is secured with its threaded portion in a corresponding internally threaded bore on the drive element 18a.

[0058] Accordingly, the compression spring 25 is arranged between the drive element 18a and the coupling element 21a, so that the coupling element 21a is pressed away from the drive element 18a, towards the cellular wheel shaft 10.

[0059] The guide contour 34a is designed as an internal hexagon contour. The guide contour 34a is arranged in the axial recess 33a formed in the drive element 18a. Accordingly, the displacement contour 35 of the coupling element 21a is an external hexagon contour that corresponds to the guide contour 34a. The coupling counter-contour 29a is formed integrally with the cellular wheel shaft 10a and is arranged on the front side in the form of a plug-in pin on the cellular wheel shaft 10a. The coupling counter-contour 29a is raised with a non-circular outer contour. The geometry of this integrally formed pin essentially corresponds to the geometry of the coupling element 21 according to the first embodiment.

[0060] The coupling contour 28a, corresponding to the coupling counter contour 29a, is formed as an inner contour on the coupling element 21a. Accordingly, the coupling contour 28a and the displacement contour 35 differ on the coupling element 21a.

[0061] The coupling element 21a is designed to be particularly short in terms of its axial extension. Because the coupling contour 28a and the displacement contour 35 are functionally decoupled, they can be arranged overlapping one another in the axial direction.

[0062] The operation of the coupling device according to the second embodiment corresponds to that of the first embodiment. In the coupled state, the coupling element 21a projects axially due to the spring force applied by the spring element 25 at the axial recess 33a in the drive element 18a. When the cellular wheel with the cellular wheel shaft 10a, in particular with the plug-in pin on which the coupling counter-contour 29a is formed, is inserted into the sleeve-shaped drive element 18a, the coupling element 21a is pressed into the axial recess 33a against the spring force. As soon as the rotational position of the coupling contour 28a and the coupling counter-contour 29a correspond, the coupling element 21a is pushed axially onto the plug-in pin with the coupling counter-contour 29a due to the spring force applied. The coupling device is then in the coupling position shown in Fig. 11 is shown.

[0063] In the following, with reference to Fig. 16 to 20, a third embodiment is described. Structurally identical parts are given the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments, to whose description reference is hereby made. Structurally different but functionally similar parts are given the same reference numerals with a suffix "b."

[0064] As in the second embodiment, the coupling element 21b is arranged on the drive element 18b and held thereon.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the displacement contour 35b is designed as an external square profile extension on the coupling element 21b. The displacement contour 35b is designed as a square hollow profile with an internal bore as a through hole for the fitting screw 24.

[0066] The manufacture of the coupling element 21b is simplified. In particular, the coupling element 21b can be designed with a round outer contour in the area of ​​the coupling contour 28b. This simplifies manufacture.

[0067] The procedure for coupling the cellular wheel 9 with the cellular wheel shaft 10b in the drive element 18b is analogous to the second embodiment.

Claims

[1] Coupling device for a rotary valve (1), wherein the coupling device comprises a drive element (18; 18a; 18b) which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (22), b. a cellular wheel shaft (10; 10a; 10b) which can be coupled to the drive element (18; 18a; 18b), c. a coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) for coupling the drive element (18; 18a; 18b) to the cellular wheel shaft (10; 10a; 10b), wherein the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) i. is arranged on the drive element (18a; 18b) or on the cellular wheel shaft (10) so as to be guided axially relative to the axis of rotation (22) between a coupling position in which the drive element (18; 18a; 18b) and the cellular wheel shaft (10; 10a; 10b) are connected to one another in a torque-transmitting manner relative to the axis of rotation (22), and a decoupling position in which the drive element (18; 18a; 18b) and the cellular wheel shaft (10; 10a; 10b) are uncoupled with respect to torque transmission, ii. is arranged by means of a spring element (25) on the drive element (18a; 18b) or on the cellular wheel shaft (10) so as to be prestressed axially with respect to the axis of rotation (22), iii. has a coupling section by means of which the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) is coupled to the cellular wheel shaft (10a; 10b) or to the drive element (18) in the coupling position in a rotationally secure manner with respect to the rotation axis (22). [2] Coupling device according to claim 1, characterized by in that the drive element (18a; 18b) or the cellular wheel shaft (10) has a guide section which, in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (22), has a non-circular guide contour (34; 34a; 34b) which corresponds to a displacement contour (35; 35b) of the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b). [3] Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the drive element (18a; 18b) or the cellular wheel shaft (10) has an axial recess (33; 33a; 33b) in which the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) can be completely arranged in the uncoupling position. [4] Coupling device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized by that the axial recess (33; 33a; 33b) has the guide contour (34; 34a; 34b) at least in sections, in particular completely. [5] Coupling device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) projects axially from the axial recess (33; 33a; 33b) due to the spring force exerted by the spring element (25). [6] Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the coupling section has a non-circular coupling contour (28; 28a; 28b) in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (22), which corresponds to a coupling counter contour (29; 29a; 29b) of the cellular wheel shaft (10a; 10b) or of the drive element (18). [7] Coupling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a retaining element (24) with which the coupling element (21; 21a; 21b) is held on the drive element (18a; 18b) or on the cellular wheel shaft (10). [8] Coupling device according to claim 7, characterized by that the retaining element (24) is designed as a screw, in particular as a fitting screw. [9] Rotary valve with a housing (2), b. an interior space (3) formed in the housing (2), c. an inlet (5) leading into the interior (3), d. an outlet (6) leading from the interior (3), e. Covers (7, 8) closing the front sides of the interior (3), f. a cellular wheel (9) arranged in the interior (3) with a cellular wheel shaft (10; 10a; 10b), wherein the cellular wheel (9) is rotatably mounted in the covers (7, 8), g. a rotary drive device for the cellular wheel (9) associated with a cover (7), the rotary drive device comprising a drive element (18; 18a; 18b), h. a coupling device according to one of the preceding claims.

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