Power transmission and lifting means for a rotary valve assembly, rotary valve assembly, pump-valve unit, thermal management system and electric vehicle

Abstract

A force transmission and lifting means (KAM) for a rotary valve arrangement (2) is proposed, with which an adjustable valve body (6) of a rotary valve can be pivoted about a rotation axis (X - X) and can be lifted from a conical sealing seat of the rotary valve in a lifting movement longitudinal to the rotation axis (X - X) in order to facilitate pivoting of the valve body (6). The force transmission and lifting means (KAM) comprises a first force transmission element (26) which can be connected to a rotary actuator (10) and a second force transmission element (28) on the valve body side and which participates in the lifting movement, on which the first force transmission element (26) acts directly obliquely as a result of its pivoting by the rotary actuator (10) and in this case with respect to the rotation axis (X - X) in order to effect the lifting movement. A rotary valve assembly, a pump-valve unit, a thermal management system and an electric vehicle are also proposed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a power transmission and lifting means for a rotary valve arrangement and to a rotary valve arrangement with such a power transmission and lifting means. The invention further relates to a pump-valve unit with at least one such rotary valve arrangement, a thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one such rotary valve arrangement, and an electric vehicle with at least one such rotary valve arrangement.

[0002] The object of the present invention is to facilitate the adjustment of a rotary valve.

[0003] A further object of the present invention is to enable such an adjustment of a rotary valve in the most energy-efficient manner possible or with the least possible energy requirement or expenditure.

[0004] This object is achieved by a power transmission and lifting means proposed and protected according to claim 1.

[0005] In this case, a direct oblique action according to claim 1 is to be understood as meaning that a line of action of a force exerted obliquely by the first force transmission element on the second force transmission element with respect to the axis of rotation forms an acute angle with the axis of rotation of the rotary valve or the rotary valve arrangement.

[0006] And this force can be broken down into a transverse force component transverse to the rotation axis and an axial force component along the rotation axis, with the axial force component causing the lifting movement of the valve body along the rotation axis.

[0007] This proposed force transmission and lifting device reduces the so-called breakaway torque, also known as peak torque, which must be applied briefly by the rotary actuator to pivot or rotate the valve body. Furthermore, the lifting of the valve body from its conical sealing seat during pivoting significantly facilitates pivoting the valve body between two rotary valve positions, in which this conical sealing seat acts as a fluid seal.

[0008] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the first force transmission element has a section, for example in the form of a disc-shaped or cylindrical section, on the end face of which facing the second force transmission element, approximately distributed over a circumference of this section, arranged projection sections are formed with stop surfaces inclined to the axis of rotation, which directly interact with associated, complementarily formed, inclined stop surfaces on the second force transmission element.

[0009] These projection sections with the inclined stop surfaces can extend transversely to the rotation axis and / or around the rotation axis.

[0010] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that these interacting stop surfaces are aligned parallel to each other.

[0011] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that a spacing section is formed or formed on each of the projection sections of the first force transmission element, which, when the valve body occupies the conical sealing seat, can be abutted against an associated base section between two projection sections of the second force transmission element.

[0012] A rotary valve arrangement with a power transmission and lifting means of the type described above is also proposed.

[0013] In addition, a pump-valve unit with at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0014] Furthermore, a thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0015] Such a thermal management system is used to control heat flows and heat transport in vehicles. Especially in electric vehicles, such a thermal management system is of great importance for ensuring high efficiency in such vehicles.

[0016] Furthermore, an electric vehicle with at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0017] The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the figures. Further advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. These schematically show: Fig. 1 a rotary valve arrangement with a proposed power transmission and lifting means and Fig. 2 that in Fig. 1 shows the power transmission and lifting devices shown in a larger view.

[0018] The Fig. 1 illustrates a multi-way valve arrangement 2 with a valve housing 4a, 4b which is at least divided into two parts and has a valve body 6 arranged therein which is adjustable or pivotable about a rotation axis in the X - X direction. A valve seal 8 is arranged between the valve housing 4b and the valve body 6.

[0019] A cavity or recess of the valve housing 4b accommodating the valve body 6, the valve body 6, and the valve seal 8 are shaped to complement each other and form a conical sealing seat (out), via which they interact in a fluid-tight manner. This conical sealing seat tapers in the X-X direction toward a rotary actuator 10, which is positively connected to the valve body 6 indirectly via a proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM and which can electrically adjust or pivot the valve body 6 about the rotational axis X-X via this force transmission and lifting means KAM.

[0020] This multi-way valve arrangement 2 can connect fluid-carrying channels 12, 16, 18, 22 of the valve housing 4b to one another via different heights of the multi-way valve along the rotation axis X - X.

[0021] For this purpose, the valve body 6 has a first fluid channel 14 and a second fluid channel 20, which - just like the channels 12, 16, 18, 22 - are spaced apart from each other along the rotation axis X - X.

[0022] The valve seal 8, which encloses the valve body 6 around the axis of rotation, has corresponding openings through which a liquid can be conveyed on the one hand from a liquid inlet channel 12 via the associated liquid channel 14 and an associated liquid outlet channel 16 and on the other hand from a liquid inlet channel 18 via the associated liquid channel 20 and an associated liquid outlet channel 22.

[0023] The valve body 6 is rotatable, adjustable, or pivotable into at least two valve positions, in which the conical sealing seat acts to seal against fluids. To facilitate the adjustment or pivoting of the valve body 6 between these valve positions, it is proposed that the valve body 6, during its rotation, adjustment, or pivoting by the rotary actuator 10 from such a first valve position to such a second valve position, be first lifted out of this conical sealing seat by means of the proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM in a first lifting movement - longitudinal to the rotation axis - and finally, to press it back into or against this conical sealing seat by means of at least one pressing means in the form of a spring 24 in a second lifting movement opposite to the first lifting movement - longitudinal to the rotation axis.

[0024] The proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM is provided or arranged in an interface area between the rotary actuator 10 and the valve body 6. The force transmission and lifting means KAM is supported relative to the upper housing part 4a via an axial bearing AL.

[0025] The spring 24 - in the sense of a compression spring - which acts in the sense of a pressing means, is provided or arranged in a region of an end of the valve body 6 facing away from the actuator 10 and between a valve housing bottom and the valve body 6.

[0026] In this described embodiment of a rotary valve assembly, the valve housing 4a, 4b and / or the valve body 6 can be made, for example, of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic with high wear resistance. The valve seal 8, on the other hand, can be made of a rubber material, which can be provided with a so-called PTFE coating (PTFE → abbreviation for polytetrafluoroethylene, also called Teflon) on the valve body side, which, as such, has a wear-reducing effect.

[0027] The proposed power transmission and lifting device KAM (see Fig. 2) has a first force transmission element 26 which can be connected to the rotary actuator 10 and a second force transmission element 28 on the valve body side and which participates in the stroke movement.

[0028] The upper illustration in Fig. 2 illustrates a position of the force transmission and lifting means KAM in which the valve body 6 does not experience any lifting movement along the rotation axis X - X. Rather, in this position, the valve body 6 is pressed into the conical sealing seat by the spring 24.

[0029] The lower illustration in Fig. 2, however, illustrates a position of the force transmission and lifting means KAM, in which the valve body 6 undergoes a lifting movement along the rotation axis X - X, counter to the action of the spring 24.

[0030] The resulting force F exerted directly obliquely by the first force transmission element 26 on the second force transmission element 28 with respect to the rotation axis X - X R can be divided into a transverse force component Fy transverse to the rotation axis X - X and an axial force component F X along the rotation axis X - X (see lower illustration in Fig. 2), where the axial force component F X the lifting movement of the valve body 6 along the rotation axis X - X.

[0031] The second force transmission element 28 can be a separate element that can be connected to the valve body 6. Alternatively, this second force transmission element 28 can also be formed or constructed in one piece with the valve body 6, i.e., integrated into the valve body 6 and thus form an integral part of the valve body 6.

[0032] When the second force transmission element 28 is directly driven by the first force transmission element 26, the second force transmission element 28 undergoes a lifting movement along the rotation axis X - X up to a certain point, so that the valve body 6 is lifted from its conical sealing seat.

[0033] The first force transmission element 26 has a disc-shaped or cylindrical section, on the end face of which, facing the second force transmission element 28, projection sections VA are arranged, distributed approximately over a circumference. I are formed with stop surfaces 32 inclined to the rotation axis X - X, which are connected to associated, complementarily formed, inclined stop surfaces 34 of projection sections VA on the second force transmission element 28 II interact directly.

[0034] These projection sections VA I , VA II with the inclined stop surfaces 32, 34 can extend transversely to the rotation axis and / or around the rotation axis X - X.

[0035] These interacting stop surfaces 32, 34 can be aligned parallel to each other.

[0036] It is proposed to use the projection sections VA Iof the first force transmission element 26, a spacing section 36 is formed which, when the valve body 6 assumes the conical sealing seat, ie, does not experience any lifting movement along the rotation axis X - X, against an associated base section between two adjacent projection sections VA II of the second force transmission element 28 (see upper illustration in Fig. 2).

[0037] These individual spacing sections 36 can be formed in a pin-shaped or web-shaped manner on the associated conical projection sections, from which they protrude in the sense of individual stop elements.

[0038] The proposed power transmission and lifting device KAM can also be made entirely of a plastic, such as a glass-fiber reinforced plastic with a high level of wear resistance.

[0039] By not only pivoting the valve body 6 during its adjustment between two rotary valve positions, but also lifting it from its conical sealing seat, a contact pressure between the valve housing 4b, the valve seal 8 and the valve body 6 can be temporarily eliminated or at least significantly reduced in order to facilitate the pivoting of the valve body.

[0040] And the proposed design of the first and second force transmission elements 26, 28 ensures that only a minimal breakaway torque is required or has to be provided or applied by the rotary actuator 10 for adjusting or pivoting the valve body 6.

[0041] Overall, the rotary actuator 10 requires a minimum of power so that it can not only be operated in a more energy-efficient manner, but can also be designed in a smaller size.

[0042] It is proposed that the stop surfaces 32, 34 be inclined such that their inclination represents the lowest possible resistance, which as such must be overcome by the rotary actuator 10. This inclination should ultimately be selected or designed such that a sufficient axial stroke or a sufficient stroke movement along the rotational axis X - X is achieved in the most energy-efficient manner or with the least possible energy requirement or expenditure.

[0043] The valve seal 8 can be designed or shaped in such a way that it encloses the valve body 6 in a closed manner around the rotation axis X - X and has openings via which a liquid can be conveyed from at least one liquid inlet channel of the valve housing via at least one liquid channel of the valve body and at least one liquid outlet channel of the valve housing 4b.

[0044] The valve seal 8 can be designed or formed in a closed, circumferential manner and then pushed onto the valve body 6. Alternatively, the valve seal 8 can be designed or formed in the form of a sealing strip, the two ends of which can be designed or formed in such a complementary manner that they can be joined together in a form-fitting manner, so that the sealing strip forms or assumes such a closed, circumferential sealing shape.

[0045] However, the concept proposed in this disclosure for facilitating the adjustment or pivoting of a valve body 6 is also applicable to rotary valve arrangements of this type with several separately designed valve seals, each of which is assigned to a liquid inlet channel or a liquid outlet channel and extends in a closed circumferential manner around such a channel.

[0046] All these possible designs of the valve seals 8 are designed or shaped conically in a longitudinal extension of the rotary valve arrangement 2 along the rotation axis X - X at least in sections and corresponding to the valve housing 4b and the valve body 6.

[0047] Although exemplary embodiments are explained in the foregoing description, it should be noted that numerous modifications are possible. Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides the skilled person with a guide for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims and equivalent combinations of features.

Claims

[1] Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) for a rotary valve arrangement (2), with which an adjustable valve body (6) of a rotary valve can be pivoted about a rotation axis (X - X) and can be lifted in a lifting movement longitudinally to the rotation axis (X - X) from a conical sealing seat of the rotary valve in order to facilitate pivoting of the valve body (6), wherein the force transmission and lifting means (KAM) comprises a first force transmission element (26) connectable to a rotary actuator (10) and a second force transmission element (28) on the valve body side and which participates in the lifting movement, on which the first force transmission element (26) acts directly obliquely as a result of its pivoting by the rotary actuator (10) and thereby relative to the axis of rotation (X - X) in order to effect the lifting movement. [2] Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to claim 1, wherein the first power transmission element (26) has a section, on the end face of which facing the second power transmission element (28) arranged projection sections (VA I ) are formed with stop surfaces (32) inclined to the axis of rotation (X - X), which interact with associated stop surfaces (34) formed complementarily on the second force transmission element (28). [3] Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to claim 2, wherein the cooperating stop surfaces (32, 34) are aligned parallel to each other. [4] Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein on the projection portions (VA I) of the first force transmission element (26) has a spacing section (36) formed thereon, which, when the valve body (6) occupies the conical sealing seat, bears against an associated base section between two projection sections (VA II ) of the second force transmission element (28). [5] Rotary valve arrangement (2) with a force transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4. [6] Pump-valve unit with at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 5. [7] Thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 5. [8] Electric vehicle with at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 5.

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