Improved valve arrangement for a fluid-carrying component

Abstract

To create a valve arrangement (10) for forming a fluid-conducting component (100) with an integrated rotary slide valve, having a rotary slide (11) which is coupled via a shaft (12) to an actuator (13), the actuator (13) being designed to rotationally adjust the rotary slide (11) along a rotation axis (R), which is produced technically particularly simply and can be replaced after assembly in the fluid-conducting component (100), it is proposed to use a cartridge base body (14) which at least partially surrounds the rotary slide (11) and seals the rotary slide (11) fluid-tight.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve arrangement for forming a rotary slide valve integrated into a fluid-conducting component, comprising a rotary slide which is coupled to an actuator via a shaft. Furthermore, a component with a valve arrangement is disclosed.

[0002] Precise control of coolant flows is required in various technical fields. For example, in electric vehicles, so-called proportional valves or mixing valves are often used in the coolant circuit to divide the coolant flow between different heat sinks or heat sources. Such proportional valves typically consist of a rotary slide valve that can open and close various channels on its outer surface. In current electric vehicles with thermal management modules, these proportional valves are either installed individually in the vehicle, coupled as a separate valve to a fluid-carrying component, or fully integrated into a fluid-carrying component. The integration of the proportional valve enables the smallest possible component diversity.Such integration typically prevents separate replacement of the proportional valve, which typically requires replacement of the entire component with the integrated proportional valve. The use of separate proportional valves that are fluidically coupled to other components requires increased installation space. Furthermore, separate mounting devices and an additional mounting of an actuator to control a valve body of the proportional valve are required.

[0003] WO 2013 / 071143 A1 shows an arrangement of separate proportional valves which are combined into a valve module with several proportional valves for more efficient use of space.

[0004] US 2020 / 0353811 A1 also describes a module that combines pumps, valves and fluid lines in a pre-assembled state.

[0005] A module with several proportional valves is also disclosed in KR20220011953A.

[0006] DE 10 2014 207 204 A1 discloses a thermal management module as a coolant distribution and / or blocking unit for the drive train and / or internal combustion engine of motor vehicles. The thermal management module comprises a module housing with a rotary valve and fluid connections on the module housing. The rotary valve has control cross sections.

[0007] US 10,295,076 B2 describes a modular proportional valve that can be replaced as a unit.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of creating a valve arrangement which is technically particularly simple to manufacture and can be replaced after assembly in a fluid-carrying component.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a valve arrangement is provided for forming a rotary slide valve integrated into a fluid-conducting component. The valve arrangement has a rotary slide valve coupled to an actuator via a shaft. The actuator is configured to rotate the rotary slide valve along a rotational axis. The actuator can drive the shaft and thus also the rotary slide valve. According to the invention, the valve arrangement has a cartridge base body that surrounds the rotary slide valve at least in part and seals the rotary slide valve in a fluid-tight manner.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, a component with a valve arrangement according to the invention is provided. The component can be configured, for example, as a coolant distribution plate, an expansion tank, and the like. The component has at least two fluid-carrying lines that open into a cartridge receptacle on the component side. The lines can open or end in the cartridge receptacle on opposite sides of the cartridge receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, the lines can open into the cartridge receptacle next to one another or offset at an angle to one another. Advantageously, the cartridge receptacle can have a substantially cylindrical or conical cross-section.

[0012] The cartridge body is inserted into the cartridge receptacle with the rotary valve, with the cartridge body sealing the rotary valve and the cartridge receptacle, at least in some areas, with seals. The cartridge body acts as a carrier for the seals and can therefore be replaced cost-effectively and easily in the event of wear or damage to the seals.

[0013] A valve assembly inserted into the cartridge receptacle forms a valve or rotary valve that is integrated into the component. This allows the valve assembly to be installed in the fluid-carrying component in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0014] The valve assembly according to the invention reduces the number of assembly steps during valve assembly. Due to the reduction in the number and variety of components, cost savings can be realized, particularly with regard to logistics costs. Furthermore, the valve assembly can be removed from the cartridge holder and replaced particularly easily. Depending on the design, replacing the cartridge body may also be sufficient, for example, to replace the valve assembly's seals.

[0015] In one embodiment, the rotary valve is inserted into an inner receiving section of the cartridge base body and rotatably mounted in the receiving section, with a shaft of the rotary valve protruding from the receiving section into the actuator. Advantageously, the rotary valve can be inserted axially into the inner receiving section of the cartridge base body with the shaft first. The shaft can protrude from the cartridge base body. The actuator can be positioned on an axially opposite side of the cartridge base body. The shaft can protrude into or engage with a corresponding section of the actuator to enable drive by the actuator. The actuator can then be connected to the shaft and / or to the cartridge base body.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the shaft is designed in the form of a stub shaft that extends from the actuator into the rotary valve. This allows the shaft to be part of the actuator or to be firmly coupled to the actuator and only engage the rotary valve in a rotationally secure manner. This measure can further simplify the assembly of the valve assembly.

[0017] The assembly of the valve assembly can be simplified if the cartridge body is connected to the actuator in a torsion-proof manner. This measure allows the actuator of the valve or rotary slide valve to be connected to the cartridge body and the rotary slide during pre-assembly. This can also be simplified in advance, for example using clips or a single screw connection, and only taken into its final form when the valve assembly is mounted on the fluid-carrying component. The connection between the actuator and the cartridge body can also be reinforced or formed after the valve assembly has been attached to the component, for example by additional screw connections or by tightening the existing screw connections.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the cartridge base body has seals designed to at least partially seal the control cross-sections of the rotary valve. The respective seals can be inserted into corresponding grooves or receiving recesses or can be integrally connected to the cartridge base body by an injection molding process. The seals can be provided, for example, on an outer side and / or an inner side of the cartridge base body in order to realize both an internal seal between the fluid-carrying lines that open into the cartridge receptacle and an external seal.

[0019] External sealing can protect the respective control cross-sections of the rotary valve and the lines connecting to the control cross-sections from leakage from the fluid-carrying component. Internal sealing can seal the control cross-sections and / or the connecting lines from each other, preventing or at least reducing leakage between the respective lines.

[0020] The insertion of seals into the component-side cartridge receptacle can be omitted if the cartridge body has seals on an outer surface. In an alternative design, the insertion of seals onto the outer surface of the cartridge body can be omitted in order to install seals in the component-side cartridge receptacle. The seal can be positioned in the component-side cartridge receptacle by injection molding or mechanical insertion.

[0021] The seals can be designed as static seals and / or as dynamic seals. The seals can have sealing lips, be designed as O-rings, have multiple sealing sections arranged side by side, and the like.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the cartridge base body, in particular an outer surface of the cartridge base body, is cylindrical or conical. This measure allows the cartridge base body to be substantially rotationally symmetrical along the rotation axis of the rotary valve shaft and thus be insertable into the component-side cartridge receptacle. Openings are provided in the cartridge base body to allow fluid flows to the control cross sections of the rotary valve to pass unhindered.

[0023] The cartridge body can be manufactured in a particularly versatile manner if the seals are integrated into the cartridge body using injection molding or subsequently inserted into corresponding grooves in the cartridge body. For example, injection-molded seals can reduce the number of components and prevent assembly errors and malfunctions caused by the seals or sealing elements slipping.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the cartridge base body and / or the rotary valve has an inserted or integrated shaft seal for sealing the shaft of the rotary valve. Thus, the seal of the shaft of the rotary valve, which can be configured, for example, as a rotary valve shaft stub, can also be dynamically sealed for connecting the actuator by a seal molded onto the cartridge base body or the rotary valve.

[0025] The valve assembly can be attached to the component particularly easily if it is connected to the component at the cartridge base and / or if the valve assembly is connected to the component at the actuator. The connection can be made by clipping, screwing, gluing, or welding.

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a valve arrangement according to the invention according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a component according to the invention according to an embodiment with a built-in valve arrangement from Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the fluid-carrying component from Fig. 2.

[0027] In the figures, the same structural elements have the same reference numerals.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a valve assembly 10 according to the invention according to one embodiment. The valve assembly 10 serves to form a rotary slide valve integrated into a fluid-conducting component 100. The valve assembly 10 has a rotary slide 11, which is coupled to an actuator 13 via a shaft 12.

[0029] The rotary valve 11 is in an inner receiving section 15 (see Fig. 3) of a cartridge base body 14. The shaft 12 of the rotary valve 11 protrudes through an axial opening 16 of the cartridge base body 14 from the inner receiving section 15 into the actuator 13.

[0030] The actuator 13 is configured to rotate the rotary valve 11 along a rotational axis R. The actuator 13 can drive the shaft 12 and thus also the rotary valve 11. The shaft 12 can be driven or rotated, for example, by means of a driver (not shown) of the actuator 13.

[0031] The cartridge base body 14 is part of the valve assembly 10 and has seals 21, 22. The cartridge base body 14 surrounds the rotary valve 11 at least in some areas and seals the rotary valve 11 in a fluid-tight manner, at least in some areas.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the seals 21, 22 of the cartridge base body 14 are designed as integrated seals 21, 22, which were applied to the cartridge base body 14 by means of an injection molding process.

[0033] External seals 21 are arranged on an outer casing section 17 of the cartridge base body 14 to protect the cartridge base body 14 from fluids escaping from the fluid-carrying component 100. Furthermore, internal seals 22 are provided to create an internal seal between different control cross-sections 18 of the rotary valve 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal seals 22 protrude from the outer casing surface 17 into the inner receiving section 15. In particular, all or some of the internal seals 22 can be pressed against the rotary valve 11 to achieve a fluid-tight effect, at least in some areas.

[0034] Alternatively, internal seals 22 can be mounted directly on the rotary valve 11 and / or arranged in the inner receiving section 15 of the cartridge body 14.

[0035] The rotary valve 11 can be inserted into the inner receiving section 15 of the cartridge base body 14 opposite to the direction of the rotation axis R and sealed by the cartridge base body 14 by means of the seals 22. The shaft 12 protrudes through the opening 16 from the cartridge base body 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a shaft seal 23 (see Fig. 3) is provided at the opening 16 to additionally seal the shaft 12.

[0036] Furthermore, the actuator 13 is connected to the cartridge body 14 by means of connecting means 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 13 can be mechanically coupled by connecting means 30 in the form of snap-in connections and / or screw connections. For this purpose, the cartridge body 14 has connecting sections 19 to which the actuator 13 is attached. This is particularly clearly shown in the Fig. 2 shown.

[0037] If the shaft 12 of the rotary valve 11 is actuated by the actuator 13, the cartridge body 14 remains stationary relative to the actuator 13 by the connecting means 30.

[0038] The Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the component 100 according to the invention according to an embodiment with the installed valve arrangement from Fig. 1. The Fig. 2 is used in conjunction with Fig. 3, in which a schematic sectional view of the fluid-carrying component 100 from Fig. 2. Is illustrated.

[0039] The fluid-conducting component 100 can be configured, for example, as a coolant distribution plate, an expansion tank, and the like. The component 100 has at least two fluid-conducting lines 111, 112, which open into a component-side cartridge receptacle 120. The cartridge receptacle 120 is, for example, inserted into a section 110 of the component 100 and has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cartridge base body 14.

[0040] The lines 111, 112 can open or end in the cartridge receptacle 120 on opposite sides thereof. The cartridge receptacle 120 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional shape.

[0041] The cartridge base body 14 is inserted with the rotary valve 11 into the cartridge receptacle 120, wherein the cartridge base body 14 seals the rotary valve 11 and the cartridge receptacle 120 at least partially with seals 21, 22. The cartridge base body 14 functions as a carrier for seals 21, 22 and can thus be replaced separately and easily in the event of wear or damage to seals 21, 22. The cartridge base body 14 also functions as a holder for the actuator 13 and connects the actuator 13 to the component 100 by means of the connecting sections 19.

[0042] The valve assembly 10 inserted into the cartridge receptacle 120 forms a valve or rotary slide valve that is integrated into the component 100. Thus, the valve assembly 10 can be mounted in the fluid-carrying component 100 in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0043] Openings 20 are provided in the cartridge body 14 to allow fluid flows to pass unhindered to the control cross-sections 18 of the rotary valve 11. Fluid flows between the lines 111, 112 can be connected to each other, separated from each other, or otherwise regulated, controlled, or sealed. List of reference symbols 100 fluid-carrying component 110 Section of the component 111 first fluid-carrying line 112 second fluid-carrying line 120 component-side cartridge holder 10 Valve arrangement 11 rotary valves 12 Wave 13 Actuator 14 cartridge body 15 inner receiving section 16 axial opening of the cartridge body 17 outer surface of the cartridge body 18 control cross-sections 19 connecting section 20 openings in the cartridge body 21 external seals 22 inner seals 23 Shaft seal 30 lanyards R axis of rotation 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] WO 2013 / 071143 A1

[0003] US 2020 / 0353811 A1

[0004] KR 20220011953A

[0005] DE 10 2014 207 204 A1

[0006] US 10,295,076 B2

[0007]

Claims

[1] Valve arrangement (10) for forming a fluid-conducting component (100) with an integrated rotary slide valve, comprising a rotary slide (11) which is coupled to an actuator (13) via a shaft (12), wherein the actuator (13) is designed to adjust the rotary slide (11) rotationally along a rotation axis (R), characterized by that the valve arrangement (10) has a cartridge base body (14) which surrounds the rotary slide (11) at least in regions and seals the rotary slide (11) in a fluid-tight manner. [2] Valve arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rotary slide (11) is inserted into an inner receiving section (15) of the cartridge base body (14) and is rotatably mounted in the receiving section (15), wherein the shaft (12) of the rotary slide (11) projects from the receiving section (15) into the actuator (13) or wherein the shaft (12) is designed in the form of a stub shaft which projects from the actuator (13) into the rotary slide (11). [3] Valve arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge base body (14) is connected to the actuator (13) in a rotationally secure manner. [4] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cartridge base body (14) has seals (21, 22) which are designed to seal control cross sections (18) of the rotary slide (11) at least in regions. [5] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cartridge base body (14) has seals (21, 22) on an outer circumferential surface (17). [6] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cartridge base body (14), in particular an outer circumferential surface (17) of the cartridge base body (14), is cylindrical or conical. [7] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seals (21, 22) of the cartridge base body (14) are integrated into the cartridge base body (14) by injection molding or are subsequently inserted into corresponding grooves of the cartridge base body (14). [8] Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cartridge base body (14) and / or the rotary slide (11) has an inserted or integrated shaft seal (23) for sealing the shaft (12) of the rotary slide (11). [9] Component (100) with a valve arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (100) has at least two fluid-carrying lines (111, 112) which open into a component-side cartridge receptacle (120), wherein a cartridge base body (14) with a rotary slide (11) is inserted into the cartridge receptacle (120), wherein the cartridge base body (14) seals the rotary slide (11) and the cartridge receptacle (120) at least in regions by seals (21, 22, 23). [10] Component (100) according to claim 9, wherein the valve arrangement (10) is connected to the component (100) by the cartridge base body (14), and / or wherein the valve arrangement (10) is connected to the component (100) by the actuator (13).

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