Valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve (1) comprising a base unit (2) with a base housing (3) that defines a receptacle (4) open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly (5) of the base unit (2) arranged in the base housing (3), and an actuator unit (7) inserted into the receptacle (4) of the base unit (2), the actuator unit having an actuator housing (10) in which a rotor assembly (32) that interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly (5) and a valve element (9) arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly (32) along an actuating axis (8) are received. Crucially, the actuator unit (7) and the base unit (2) are positively connected to each other with respect to a central axis (11) of the actuator unit (7) in a rotationally fixed and axially immovable manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A valve of the type mentioned above is described in publication JP 2020-153488 A. It comprises a base unit with a coil assembly arranged therein, and an actuator unit attached to the base unit, which has a rotor assembly that interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly and an axially adjustable valve element. The actuator unit and the base unit are bonded together by welding. The heat introduced into the valve during the joining of the two components can damage other components, for example, those made of plastic, and can cause distortion, which is undesirable and warrants improvement.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment for a valve.

[0004] In the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved by a valve, in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve, or a shut-off valve, comprising a base unit with a base housing that defines a receptacle open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly of the base unit arranged in the base housing, and an actuator unit inserted into the receptacle of the base unit, which has an actuator housing in which a rotor assembly that interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly and a valve element arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly along an actuating axis are received. It is essential for the invention that the actuator unit and the base unit are positively connected to each other with respect to a central axis of the actuator unit in a rotationally fixed manner and in a positively fixed axial manner.

[0006] In other words, the actuator unit is positively locked and thus fixed in place within the base unit's receptacle. This has the advantage of preventing undesirable distortion of the actuator housing, which previously occurred due to heat input during welding the actuator unit to the base unit. A further advantage is that the actuator unit is secured against a comparatively high pull-out force, particularly in an axial direction, within the receptacle.

[0007] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms "axial" and "radial" used in the present invention are to be understood as referring to the central axis of the actuator unit. An "axial direction" can be parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis of the actuator unit. Furthermore, a "radial direction" can be transverse and preferably orthogonal to the central axis of the actuator unit.

[0008] The coil arrangement can, for example, consist of at least one coil that can be activated by current. Preferably, the coil arrangement can comprise two coils axially spaced apart from each other, each of which can be activated by current.

[0009] Furthermore, the base housing may contain a circuit board electrically connected to the coil assembly, which has electrically conductive conductor tracks and / or at least one electronic component for controlling the coil assembly.

[0010] It can be provided that the aforementioned rotor assembly is mounted coaxially to the central axis of the actuator unit within the actuator housing and is rotatable in a circumferential direction around the central axis of the actuator unit. The rotor assembly expediently comprises a first component that electromagnetically interacts with the coil arrangement of the base unit to generate the rotary motion of the rotor assembly, and a second component fixed to the first component that translates the rotary motion of the rotor assembly into an axial positioning movement of the valve element along the positioning axis, for example, in the manner of a spindle drive.Furthermore, the first cooperation partner may have a permanent magnet arrangement consisting of at least one or more permanent magnets and / or the second cooperation partner may have an internal thread that meshes with an external thread of the valve element designed to be complementary to the internal thread.

[0011] Advantageously, the actuator unit can be arranged in the receptacle in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive-locking connection between the actuator unit and the base housing, particularly exclusively. Furthermore, it can be provided that the actuator unit is arranged in an axially immovable manner in the receptacle via a second positive-locking connection between the actuator unit and the base housing, distinct from the first positive-locking connection, particularly exclusively.

[0012] It is further advantageous that the first positive locking connection has at least one key surface arranged on the actuator housing and at least one mating key surface arranged on the base housing. The at least one key surface and the at least one mating key surface are tangentially aligned with an (imaginary) circle that is arranged concentrically to the central axis and are supported against each other in a surface area (i.e., in contact). Because the at least one key surface and the at least one mating key surface are tangentially aligned with the imaginary circle and supported against each other in a surface area, unwanted relative movement between the actuator unit and the base unit in a circumferential direction around the central axis is prevented. However, the first positive locking connection can allow axial movement of the actuator unit relative to the base unit.It is understood that the actuator housing may have several key surfaces and the base housing may have several counter-key surfaces.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned planar arrangement of at least one key surface on at least one counter-key surface ensures an angularly correct alignment of the actuator unit with respect to the base unit in a circumferential direction around the central axis.

[0014] The at least one key surface also enables easy handling of the actuator unit, for example by manipulators (especially robot arms) during valve manufacturing.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator housing may be made in multiple parts and comprise an annular housing cover, a hollow cylindrical sleeve body, and a cup-shaped housing base, each aligned coaxially to the central axis and arranged one another in the specified sequence, for example, by a force-fit and positive-locking connection, preferably by an interference fit. It is further provided that the housing cover has a projection at an axial end facing the sleeve body, preferably monolithically, which at least partially or completely encloses the housing cover in a circumferential direction around the central axis and projects radially outward from the housing cover.The aforementioned projection has a radially outwardly oriented outer circumference on which at least one key surface is arranged and / or on which the at least one key surface is realized as a planar flattening of the projection's outer circumference. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the actuator housing has two or more key surfaces arranged or realized on the projection's outer circumference. Any two of the multiple key surfaces can be arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis. It is also conceivable that the multiple key surfaces are arranged uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction (i.e., equidistant from each other). The multiple key surfaces can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis.

[0016] The pot-shaped housing base can have a round, flat base and a housing base ring projection arranged coaxially on the base and projecting away from the base. The latter can be pressed into the sleeve body to fix the housing base to the sleeve body.

[0017] The sleeve body can, for example, have a hollow circular cylindrical shape, i.e., be formed in particular by a hollow cylinder with an annular base.

[0018] The housing cover can have an annular or hollow cylindrical base body from which the aforementioned projection of the housing cover extends radially. Furthermore, the housing cover can have an annular projection extending away from the base body at its axial end facing the sleeve body. The latter can be pressed into the sleeve body to fix the housing cover to the sleeve body.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base housing may have a first housing side from which the receptacle opens, forming a receiving opening (particularly towards the surroundings). The base housing further comprises, on the first housing side, an axially raised annular collar enclosing the receiving opening. This collar has a radially inwardly oriented inner circumference on which at least one counter-key surface is arranged, or on which at least one counter-key surface is realized as a planar flattening of the inner circumference of the annular collar. It is conceivable that the base housing has two or more counter-key surfaces arranged on the inner circumference of the annular collar. Any two of these counter-key surfaces may be arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the multiple counter-key surfaces are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction (i.e., equidistant from each other). The multiple counter-key surfaces can also be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis.

[0020] The cross-section of the receiving opening of the receiver can be complementary to the cross-section of the actuator housing, for example circular.

[0021] It is further advantageous that the second positive-locking connection comprises: two stop surfaces arranged on the actuator housing, opposite each other and oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis; a first counter-stop surface arranged on the base housing and oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis; and at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces arranged on the base housing and oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis, opposite the first counter-stop surface. It is provided that a first stop surface of the two stop surfaces is supported (i.e., in contact) with the first counter-stop surface, and that a second stop surface of the two stop surfaces is supported (i.e., in contact) with the at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces.Because the at least two stop surfaces and the at least one or more counter-stop surfaces are aligned transversely or orthogonally to the central axis and supported against each other over a surface, relative movement between the actuator unit and the base unit in an axial direction parallel to the central axis is prevented. However, the second positive locking connection can allow rotational movement of the actuator unit relative to the base unit, i.e., relative rotation about the central axis.

[0022] The actuator housing may be designed in multiple parts, comprising an annular housing cover, a hollow cylindrical sleeve body, and a cup-shaped housing base, each aligned coaxially to the central axis and arranged in the specified sequence, for example, by a force-fit and positive-locking connection, preferably by an interference fit. The housing cover has a projection at one axial end facing the sleeve body, preferably monolithically, which at least partially or completely encloses the housing cover in a circumferential direction around the central axis and projects radially outward from the housing cover.The projection has two opposing annular surfaces, each oriented transversely, preferably orthogonally, with respect to the central axis, which form the stop surfaces. This provides at least one stop surface on the actuator housing of the actuator.

[0023] Furthermore, the base housing may have a first housing side from which the receptacle opens, forming a receiving opening (particularly towards the environment). The base housing also has an axially raised annular collar on the first housing side, enclosing the receiving opening. The annular collar has an axially oriented, annular collar end face and at least one or more tabs on the collar end face, arranged circumferentially, in particular uniformly (i.e., equidistantly) and plastically formed, preferably by hot riveting. In embodiments with multiple tabs, these are arranged circumferentially such that two tabs are radially opposite each other, with each tab being radially opposite another tab.The tabs advantageously each have an axially oriented tab surface. It is further provided that the ring collar has an inner collar circumference oriented radially inward with respect to the central axis and a circumferential annular projection raised radially inward from the inner collar circumference, which has an axially oriented collar annular surface. The first counter-stop surface is formed by the collar annular surface of the annular projection of the ring collar. Furthermore, the at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces are formed by the at least one or more tab surfaces of the at least one or more tabs.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base unit may have a centering arrangement that radially positions the actuator unit in the receptacle or centers it with respect to a receptacle center axis. This allows the actuator unit to be positioned radially in the correct orientation within the receptacle before it is axially fixed to the base housing by a positive locking mechanism.

[0025] The centering arrangement may include at least one centering element with several centering sections projecting into the receptacle and possessing spring-like properties. Furthermore, the at least one centering element may have a central section arranged in the base housing and connected, preferably integrally, to the centering sections, which at least partially surrounds or completely encloses the coil arrangement. In particular, the centering sections are deflectable, or deflected, by inserting the actuator unit while it rests against the actuator unit, thus ensuring the radially correct positioning of the actuator unit in the receptacle.

[0026] Furthermore, the centering sections can be arranged in a circumferential direction around one (or the) central axis of the receptacle, evenly spaced relative to each other (i.e., equidistant from each other). The centering element can also be made of sheet metal. Advantageously, each centering section can be made of a strip, preferably tooth-shaped. Particularly preferably, the centering elements are formed by pole claw sections of one or more claw pole plates of the coil assembly. The pole claw sections are spring-loaded and deflectable, particularly by inserting the actuator unit into the receptacle.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, it further relates to a base unit for a valve. The base unit has a base housing that defines a recess open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly of the base unit arranged in the base housing. An actuator unit can be inserted into the recess of the base unit. The actuator unit has an actuator housing in which a rotor assembly designed to interact electromagnetically with the coil assembly and a valve element arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly along an actuating axis are received. The actuator unit can be inserted into the recess of the base unit such that the actuator unit and the base unit are positively locked together with respect to a central axis of the actuator unit, preventing rotation and, in particular, preventing axial movement.In advantageous embodiments, the coil arrangement can each have features that are described above in connection with the valve.

[0028] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0029] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0031] Each of these shows, schematically, Fig. 1 a valve according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2. Turn off the valve Fig. 1 in a sectional view, Fig. 3 in a perspective view an actuator unit of the valve made of Fig. 1 as a semi-finished product, Fig. 4 in a perspective view a basic unit of the valve made of Fig. 1 as a semi-finished product, Fig. 5 a detail of the base unit from Fig. 4, Fig. 6. Final assembly of the valve. Fig. 1 based on the semi-finished products from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, Fig. 7 a detail of the valve from Fig. 1.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a valve 1, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1, for example an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve (HGV for short) or a shut-off valve, which can be used in automotive engineering and / or air conditioning engineering to control a fluid flow.

[0033] The valve 1 comprises a base unit 2, which has a base housing designated as a whole by reference numeral 3, and an actuator unit 7, which is rod-shaped overall and is fixedly mounted in a receptacle 4 of the base unit 2 that is open on one side and bounded by the base housing 3. The actuator unit 7 has a valve element 9 that is axially adjustable along an actuating axis 8 for controlling the fluid flow (not illustrated).

[0034] For example, in Fig. The base housing 3 of the base unit 2, as shown in Figure 1, is multi-part and preferably made of a plastic material. It defines an internal volume and limits the aforementioned, open-on-one receptacle 4, which is enclosed by a coil assembly 5 of the base unit 2 arranged entirely within the internal volume of the base housing 3. This coil assembly 5 is formed, in this case, by two coils 12, each activatable by current and arranged at an axial distance from one another. Fig. 2. Furthermore, a printed circuit board 6 of the base unit 2 is mounted in the base housing 3 of the base unit 2. This board is electrically connected on one side to the aforementioned coil assembly 5 and on the other side to a connector interface 61 integrated into the base housing 3, which can be coupled to an external power source (not shown). This connection allows the coil assembly 5 and the printed circuit board 6 to be supplied with electrical energy. The printed circuit board 6 itself has a plate-like base body 71 and, as electronic components, electrically conductive conductors 72 and several electronic components 73, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductor chips, or sensors, arranged on the base body 71. The latter may be provided, in particular, for controlling the coil assembly 5 of the base unit 2.

[0035] The figures further show that the base housing 3 has a housing side 38, designated as the "first housing side," from which the receptacle 4 opens, forming a substantially round receiving opening 39. The receiving opening 39 is framed or enclosed by an annular collar 40 of the base housing 3, which is axially raised from the base housing 3. The annular collar 40 has a radially inwardly oriented inner collar circumference 41 and an axially oriented, substantially annular collar end face 42. A circumferential annular projection 43, raised radially inward from the inner collar circumference 41, is provided on the collar end face 41 and has an axially oriented collar annular surface 44. Furthermore, several tabs 52, arranged equidistant from one another in the circumferential direction 13, are arranged on the collar end face 42 of the annular collar 40, which, according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 are preferably plastically deformed by hot riveting and each has an axially oriented tab surface 53. In the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the tabs 52 in their undeformed initial state.

[0036] The actuator unit 7 has, in addition to the aforementioned valve element 9, an actuator housing 10, also of a multi-part design, which is inserted at least partially or only partially into the receptacle 4 of the base housing 3 and in which the valve element 9 is received.

[0037] The valve element 9 of the actuator unit 7 has a cylindrical valve element stem 62, which has a first stem end 63 arranged in the actuator housing 10 and a second stem end 64 opposite the first stem end 63, which projects from the actuator housing 10 and the receptacle 4. The first stem end 63 is equipped with a drive section formed by or having an external thread 21 of the valve element 9, cf. the Fig. 2. A functional section is provided at the second shaft end 64, which in this case is defined by or includes a valve element head 65, for example, forming a closing element. In this case, the valve element head 65 is considered to be that part of the valve element 9 which directly interacts with a fluid flow to be controlled by the valve 1 for the purpose of controlling the fluid flow, i.e., in particular, is directly wetted by the fluid. The part in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. The valve head 65 shown in section 7 is purely symbolic.

[0038] The valve stem 62 is further equipped with a circumferential stop (not illustrated) formed by a flat surface of the valve stem 62, which positively locks an unwanted rotational movement of the valve element 9 about the actuating axis 8 by contacting a flat counter surface (also not shown) of the actuating element housing 10.

[0039] In the Fig. Figure 2 further shows that the actuator unit 7 is equipped with a rotor assembly 15, which is mounted in the actuator housing 10 coaxially to a central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10, which in this case is congruent with the actuating axis 8, and which is rotatable in a rotary motion 14 in a circumferential direction 13 about the central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10. The aforementioned drive section of the valve element 9 is mounted in the rotor assembly 15. The rotor assembly 15 has two cooperating components 16, 17. The first cooperating component 16 of the two cooperating components 16, 17 interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement 5 of the base unit 2 to generate the rotary motion 14 of the rotor assembly 15. The second cooperating component 17 of the two cooperating components 16, 17 is fixed to the first cooperating component 16 and is configured to convert the rotary motion 14 of the rotor assembly 15 into a motion that is in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 to translate the axial (i.e. linear) actuating movement 18 of the valve element 9 indicated by a double arrow.

[0040] By way of example, the first cooperation partner 16 comprises a permanent magnet arrangement 19 consisting of several permanent magnets. The second cooperation partner 17 is formed in this case by a gear sleeve 66 with a cylindrical gear sleeve body 67. The gear sleeve body 67 has a central sleeve opening 68, an inner circumference 69 defining the sleeve opening 68, and an outer circumference 70 oriented opposite to the inner circumference 69. The first cooperation partner 16, i.e., the permanent magnet arrangement 19 consisting of permanent magnets, is fixed to the outer circumference 70 of the gear sleeve body 67. Furthermore, the gear sleeve body 67 is rotatably mounted on the actuator housing 10, for example, by means of a sliding bearing arrangement, which preferably comprises at least one sliding bearing or, more preferably, two axially spaced sliding bearings.In order to translate the rotary movement 14 of the rotor device 15 into the axial positioning movement 18 of the valve element 9, it is provided that the gear sleeve body 67 of the gear sleeve 66 of the second cooperation partner 17 has an internal thread 20 on its inner circumference 69, which meshes with the external thread 21 of the valve element 9 which is designed to be complementary to the internal thread 20.

[0041] Furthermore, it should be explained that the actuator housing 10 of the actuator unit 7 comprises three separate housing parts, which are fixed together, for example, by a press fit. The first housing part is formed by a pot-shaped housing base 29, the second housing part by a hollow cylindrical sleeve body 28, and the third housing part by an annular or sleeve-shaped housing cover 27.

[0042] The hollow cylindrical sleeve body 28 is monolithic and, in a cost-effective embodiment, can have a hollow circular cylindrical shape, i.e., be formed by a hollow cylinder with an annular base. Furthermore, it can advantageously be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel.

[0043] The cup-shaped housing base 29 has a flat, round base 34, from which a housing base annular projection 35, circumferentially around the central axis 11, projects axially. The housing base 29 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. The housing base 29 can be pressed into the sleeve body 28 by means of the housing base annular projection 35 in a force-fit and form-fit manner (in particular, an interference fit).

[0044] The housing cover 27 has an annular base body 36 from which an annular projection 37 of the housing cover 27, circumferentially around the central axis 11, projects axially. The housing cover 27 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. The housing cover 27 can be pressed into the sleeve body 28 by means of the annular projection 37 in a force-fit and form-fit manner (in particular, an interference fit). The figures further show that the housing cover 27 has a projection 31 at an axial end 30 of the housing cover 27 facing the sleeve body 28. This projection completely encloses the housing cover 27 in the circumferential direction 13 and projects radially outwards from the housing cover 27.The projection 31 has a radially outward oriented outer circumference 32 and two axially opposite annular surfaces 50, 51, each oriented transversely, preferably orthogonally, with respect to the central axis 11.

[0045] The base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are, as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 indicated, provided as separate semi-finished products for logistical and cost reasons, and one in Fig. 5 illustrated final assembly of the valve 1, wherein the actuator unit 7 is initially loosely inserted into the receptacle 4 of the base unit 2 in an insertion direction 74 with the housing base 29 leading.

[0046] To ensure that the base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are permanently fixed to one another during the intended operation of the valve 1, it is provided that the base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are positively connected to each other with respect to the central axis 11 of the actuator unit 7 in a rotationally fixed and axially immovable manner, or in the Fig. In the ready-to-ship state of valve 1 shown in Figure 1, the actuator unit 7 and base unit 2 are positively locked, rotationally fixed, and axially immovable. A previously used material-bonded connection between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2, in particular a welded connection, can therefore be omitted, and any potential heat input during the creation of the material-bonded connection into the actuator unit 7 and / or the base unit 2 can be avoided.

[0047] The invention specifically proposes for a positive-locking, rotationally fixed and axially immovable connection of the said two components that the actuator unit 7 is arranged in the receptacle 4 in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive-locking connection 22 between the actuator unit 7 and the base housing 3 and in an axially immovable manner via a second positive-locking connection 23 between the actuator unit 7 and the base housing 3, which is different from the first positive-locking connection 22.

[0048] The first positive-locking connection 22 has two opposing, diametrically opposed key surfaces 24 arranged on the actuator housing 10 and two opposing, diametrically opposed mating key surfaces 25 arranged on the base housing 3. The key surfaces 24 and the mating key surfaces 25 are tangentially aligned with an (imaginary) circle that is concentric with the central axis 11 and, in the assembled state of the valve 1, are supported against each other over a surface. Because the key surfaces 24 and the mating key surfaces 25 are tangentially aligned with the imaginary circle and supported against each other over a surface, unwanted relative movement between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2 in the circumferential direction 13 is prevented. The first positive-locking connection 22 allows axial movement of the actuator unit 7 relative to the base unit 2.Furthermore, the flat design of the key surfaces 24 on the counter-key surfaces 25 simplifies the assembly of the valve 1, as it allows for an angular alignment of the actuator unit 7 with respect to the base unit 2 in the circumferential direction 13.

[0049] The figures show that the said key surfaces 24 are each realized as a planar flattening 33 of the outer circumference 32 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27 and the counter-key surfaces 25 are each realized as a planar flattening 45 of the inner circumference 41 of the ring collar 40 of the base housing 3.

[0050] The second positive-locking connection 23 has two stop surfaces 46, 47 arranged on the actuator housing 10, axially opposite to each other and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11. Furthermore, the second positive-locking connection 23 has a first counter-stop surface 48 arranged on the base housing 3 and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11, and several second counter-stop surfaces 49 arranged on the base housing 3 and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11, which are axially opposite the first counter-stop surface 48. In the assembled state of the valve 1, a first stop surface 46 of the two stop surfaces 46, 47 is supported on the first counter-stop surface 48, and a second stop surface 47 of the two stop surfaces 46, 47 is supported on the several second counter-stop surfaces 49.It is conceivable that the stop surfaces 46, 47 are clamped between the first counter-stop surface 48 and the multiple counter-stop surfaces 49. Because the aforementioned stop surfaces 46, 47 and the aforementioned counter-stop surfaces 48, 49 are oriented transversely to the central axis 11 and supported against each other over a surface area, relative movement between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2 in an axial direction parallel to the central axis 11 is blocked. However, the second positive locking connection 23 allows rotational movement of the actuator unit 7 relative to the base unit 2.

[0051] The figures show that the stop surfaces 46, 47 are formed by the two annular surfaces 50, 51 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27. Furthermore, the first counter-stop surface 48 is formed by the axial collar ring surface 44 of the annular projection 43 of the ring collar 40 of the base housing 3. The several second counter-stop surfaces 49 are formed by the tab surfaces 53 of the several tabs 52 of the base housing 3 facing the projection 31 of the housing cover 27.

[0052] The proposed valve 1 further comprises a centering arrangement located on the base unit 2, which is designated 54 in its entirety. It is designed to radially position the actuator unit 7 in the receptacle 4, or to center the actuator unit 7 in the receptacle 4, in particular with respect to a receptacle center axis 55 of the receptacle 4 that lies congruently on the center axis 11. This ensures that the actuator unit 7 is radially positioned correctly in the receptacle 4.

[0053] The centering arrangement 54 has at least one centering element 56 made of sheet metal, which has several finger-like centering sections 57 projecting into the receptacle 4 and possessing spring-elastic properties. The at least one centering element 56 also has a central section 58 arranged in the base housing 3 and connected, preferably integrally, to the centering sections 57, which at least partially surrounds or completely encloses the coil arrangement 5.

[0054] The centering arrangement 54 can further comprise several raised lugs 75, for example, arranged equidistantly to one another in the circumferential direction 13, which are integrally arranged on the inner circumference 41 of the annular collar 40 of the base housing 3 and are designed to achieve positive guidance or positive centering of the actuator unit 7 with respect to the receptacle 4 by bearing against the outer circumference 32 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27. At least the lugs 75 arranged in the region of a flattening 45 of the inner circumference 41 of the collar can form or have a mating key surface 25 of the first positive locking connection 22. Reference symbol list 1 valve 2 Base unit 3 Base cases 4 recording 5 coil arrangement 6 circuit board 7 Actuator unit 8 axes 9 valve element 10 actuator housings 11 Center axis 12 coils 13 Circumferential direction 14 Rotational movement 15 Rotor assembly 16 first cooperation partners 17 second cooperation partner 18 axial positioning movements 19 Permanent magnet arrangement 20 internal threads 21 external threads 22 first positive locking connection 23 second positive locking connection 24 key area 25 Counter key surface 27 Housing covers 28 shell bodies 29 Case base 30 axial end of the housing cover 31 lead 32 external circumference 33 Flattening of the outer circumference 34 plate base 35 Case base ring projection 36 hollow cylindrical base body 37 Housing cover ring projection 38 first case side 39 Intake opening 40 Ring Collar 41 inner collar circumference 42 Collar frontal area 43 ring lead 44 collar ring area 45 Flattening of the inner collar circumference 46 first stop surface 47 second stop surface 48 first counter-stop surface 49 second counter-stop surfaces 50 first ring surface 51 second ring surface 52 tabs 53 tab surfaces 54 Centering arrangement 55 shots - center axis 56 Centering element 57 centering sections 58 Central section 59 shots - Circumference direction 61 Connector interface 62 Valve stem 63 First shaft end 64 Second shaft end 65 Valve head 66 Gear sleeve 67 Gearbox sleeve bodies 68 Sleeve opening 69 inner circumference 70 external circumference 71 Printed circuit board bodies 72 conductor tracks 73 Electronic components 74 Insertion direction 75 noses QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2020-153488 A

[0002]

Claims

Valve (1), in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve or a shut-off valve, comprising: - a base unit (2) with a base housing (3) which defines a receptacle (4) open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil arrangement (5) of the base unit (2) arranged in the base housing (3); - an actuator unit (7) inserted into the receptacle (4) of the base unit (2), which has an actuator housing (10) in which a rotor assembly (15) which interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement (5) and a valve element (9) arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly (15) along an actuating axis (8) are received; characterized in that: - the actuator unit (7) and the base unit (2) are positively connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner and in a positively fixed axial manner with respect to a central axis (11) of the actuator unit (7). Valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator unit (7) is arranged in the receptacle (4) in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive locking connection (22) between the actuator unit (7) and the base housing (3), and / or the actuator unit (7) is arranged in the receptacle (4) in an axially immovable manner via a second positive locking connection (23) between the actuator unit (7) and the base housing (3), which differs from the first positive locking connection (22). Valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first positive locking connection (22) has at least one key surface (24) arranged on the actuator housing (10) and at least one counter-key surface (25) arranged on the base housing (3), wherein the at least one key surface (24) and the at least one counter-key surface (25) are tangentially aligned to a circle which is arranged concentrically to the central axis (11) and are supported against each other over a planar area. Valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: - the actuator housing (10) is multi-part and comprises an annular housing cover (27), a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (28) and a cup-shaped housing base (29), each aligned coaxially to the central axis (11) and arranged one another in the specified sequence; - the housing cover (27) has a projection (31) at an axial end (30) of the housing cover (27) facing the sleeve body (28), preferably monolithically, which at least partially or completely encloses the housing cover (27) in a circumferential direction (13) around the central axis (11) and projects radially outwards from the housing cover (27); - the projection (31) has a radially outwardly oriented outer circumference (32).on which at least one key surface (24) is arranged or on which at least one key surface (24) is realized as a planar flattening (33) of the outer circumference (32) of the projection (31). Valve (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the base housing (3) has a first housing side (38) at which the receptacle (4) opens to form a receiving opening (39); - the base housing (3) further has on the first housing side (38) an axially raised annular collar (40) enclosing the receiving opening (39), which has a radially inwardly oriented inner collar circumference (41) on which the at least one counter-key surface (25) is arranged or on which the at least one counter-key surface (25) is realized as a planar flattening (45) of the inner collar circumference (41) of the annular collar (40). Valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second positive locking connection (23) comprises: - two stop surfaces (46, 47) arranged on the actuator housing (10), opposite to each other and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), - a first counter-stop surface (48) arranged on the base housing (3) and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), and - at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces (49) arranged on the base housing (3) and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), which are opposite the first counter-stop surface (48), - wherein a first stop surface (46) of the two stop surfaces (46, 47) is supported planarly on the first counter-stop surface (48), and - wherein a second stop surface (47) of the two stop surfaces (46, 47) is supported planarly on the at least one or the several second counter-stop surfaces (49). Valve (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: - the actuator housing (10) is multi-part and comprises an annular housing cover (27), a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (28), and a cup-shaped housing base (29), each aligned coaxially to the central axis (11) and arranged one another in the specified sequence; - the housing cover (27) has, at an axial end (30) of the housing cover (27) facing the sleeve body (28), a projection (31) arranged on the housing cover (27), preferably monolithically, which at least partially or completely encloses the housing cover (27) in a circumferential direction (13) around the central axis (11) and projects radially outwards from the housing cover (27); - the projection (31) has two annular surfaces (50, 51) opposite each other, each oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), which form the stop surfaces (46, 47) form. Valve (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: - the base housing (3) has a first housing side (38) at which the receptacle (4) opens, forming a receiving opening (39); - the base housing (3) further comprises an axially raised annular collar (40) surrounding the receiving opening (39) on the first housing side (38); - the annular collar (40) has an axially oriented, annular collar end face (42) and at least one or more tabs (52) arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction (13) and plastically formed, preferably by hot riveting, on the collar end face (42), each tab having an axially oriented tab surface (53); - the annular collar (40) further comprises an inner collar circumference (41) oriented radially inward with respect to the central axis (11) and a circumferentially raised circumferential collar circumference (41) extending radially inward from the inner collar circumference (41). has a ring projection (43),which has an axially oriented collar ring surface (44),- wherein the first counter-stop surface (48) is formed by the collar ring surface (44) of the ring projection (43) of the ring collar (40),- wherein the at least one or the several second counter-stop surfaces (49) are formed by the at least one or the tab surfaces (53) of the at least one or the several tabs (52). Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base unit (2) has a centering arrangement (54) which positions the actuator unit (7) radially in the receptacle (4) or centers it with respect to a receptacle center axis (55) of the receptacle (4). Valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that - the centering arrangement (54) has at least one centering element (56) which has several centering sections (57) projecting into the receptacle (4) with spring-elastic properties, and / or - the at least one centering element (56) has a central section (58) arranged in the base housing (3) and connected to the centering sections (57), preferably integrally, which at least partially surrounds or completely encloses the coil arrangement (5). Valve (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the centering sections (57) are arranged uniformly distributed to each other in a receiving circumferential direction (59) around a receiving central axis (55) of the receiving (4). Valve (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the centering element (56) is made of sheet metal. Valve (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the centering sections (57) are each realized by a, preferably tooth-shaped, strip body.

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