Piston bearing cap

Abstract

Slide valve (2) with a valve housing (4) which forms a slide guide (10) extending along a slide plane (12), along which a slide tongue (14) is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the slide tongue (14) in the closed position closes a through channel (8) passing through the valve housing (4) transversely to the slide plane (12) and in the open position is arranged in a receiving pocket (16) formed by the valve housing (4) and composed of two housing parts (4A, 4B), releasing the through channel (8), with a drive rod (20) over which the sliding tongue (14) can be moved by means of a drive device (18), and with a connecting arrangement (22) by means of which the drive device (18) can be detachably fixed to the valve housing (4), characterized in that the connecting arrangement (22) has a bearing plate (24) through which the drive rod (20) extends, which forms a plug-in area (38) on one side of the housing (36), which in a releasable connection position encompasses two adjacent edge areas (46A, 46B) of the housing parts (4A, 4B) of the receiving pocket (16) in a U-shape, and which has drive-side bearing means (28) on a drive side (26) facing away from the housing side (36) for making a detachable connection with the drive device (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slide valve according to the preamble of claim 1. The slide valve comprises a valve housing that forms a slide guide extending along a slide plane, along which a slide tongue is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the slide tongue closes a passage through the valve housing transversely to the slide plane and, in the open position, with the passage channel released, is arranged in a receiving pocket formed by the valve housing and composed of two housing parts. Furthermore, the slide valve comprises an actuating rod via which the slide tongue can be displaced by means of an actuating device, and a connecting arrangement by means of which the actuating device can be detachably fixed to the valve housing.

[0002] These familiar slide valves are used, for example, in fresh water tanks, grey water tanks, and waste tanks of motorhomes, coaches, or campervans. One slide valve is typically located in the particularly contamination-prone area where the toilet bowl outlet connects to the grey water tank. Another such slide valve is mounted on the side of the grey water tank housing to allow the tank to be opened and emptied.

[0003] Since toilet paper remnants and similar items also accumulate in greywater tanks, fecal matter can clog or partially block the lower drain opening of the greywater tank. The sliding tongue then cuts through any remaining fecal matter in the drain, acting like a guillotine, thus ensuring the valve closes securely. The sliding tongue is typically made of plastic or metal. A plastic sliding tongue is easy to manufacture, while a metal one is more robust. Both types are suitable for use at the transition between the toilet bowl and the greywater tank, as well as at the greywater tank outlet.

[0004] From DE 20 2016 101 646 U1, a slide valve is known in which an actuating rod of the slide blade can be moved between the closed and open positions by means of a pneumatic cylinder. For this purpose, the pneumatic cylinder has an actuating housing that is screwed onto an external thread of a bearing eye, through which the actuating rod protrudes and which is formed on a rear wall of the receiving pocket. The rear wall consists of two edge regions of the valve housing and the receiving pocket that can be fixed to one another.

[0005] The object of the invention is to ensure a more stable bearing of the drive unit or a longer service life of the connection arrangement in a generic slide valve and to enable simpler assembly.

[0006] This problem is solved by a slide valve with the features of claim 1. The connection arrangement includes a bearing plate through which the drive rod extends. This bearing plate forms a plug-in area on one side of the housing. In a releasable connection position, this plug-in area engages two adjacent edge regions of the housing parts of the receiving pocket in a U-shape. On the drive side, which faces away from the housing side, the bearing plate has drive-side bearing means for creating a releasable connection with the drive unit. By using the bearing plate, which engages the two edge regions in a U-shape and thus in a form-fitting manner, the two housing parts can be fixed to one another with particular stability and connected to the drive unit.At the same time, this reduces the mechanical stresses between the bearing plate and the valve housing when adjusting the slide tongue, which in turn simplifies the sealing of the valve housing and its assembly.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bearing plate is attached or secured to the two edge regions of the receiving pocket by means of a screw connection in the connected position. This allows a preload suitable for sealing to be created between the bearing plate and the housing parts of the receiving pocket.

[0008] It is advantageous if the bearing plate, for the purpose of creating the screw connection, has at least one screw receptacle on each of two opposite sides relative to the drive mechanism, each corresponding to a threaded insert in the edge regions. In this way, the forces acting on the bearing plate when the drive rod is actuated can be absorbed particularly securely by the valve housing.

[0009] Advantageously, the drive-side bearing elements of the bearing plate have an external thread, and the drive unit or its drive housing has an internal thread that can be screwed onto the external thread. This allows the drive unit to be mounted to the bearing plate particularly easily and, if necessary, removed very easily.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the external thread is formed by a screw boss in the bearing plate, through which the drive rod protrudes, and in which a sliding bearing of the drive rod is accommodated. Particularly when the screw boss and bearing plate are formed as a single unit, this ensures exceptionally stable and precise guidance of the drive rod.

[0011] Advantageously, the screw boss forms a cylindrical receiving space in which an O-ring is arranged between the drive rod and an inner wall of the screw boss to ensure a secure seal at the sliding bearing.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the drive mechanism is formed by a pneumatic cylinder, in which the drive rod acts as the piston rod and a drive housing of the drive mechanism functions as the cylinder. This allows relatively large actuating forces to be generated, thereby ensuring a permanently stable displacement of the sliding tongue between the closed and open positions.

[0013] Advantageously, the drive housing has an internal thread extending from an opening edge, and when the screw connection is made, the opening edge rests against a support area of ​​the bearing plate with an interposed ring-shaped seal. This ensures a particularly stable and reliable seal between the drive housing and the bearing plate.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the plug-in area of ​​the bearing plate rests against the two edge regions of the receiving pocket with the insertion of a circumferential seal. In this way, a reliable seal can also be ensured in the plug-in area between the inner surface of the bearing plate and the edge regions of the housing parts of the receiving pocket.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the bearing plate, together with the housing-side plug-in area and the drive-side bearing means, is manufactured in one piece from a plastic material, such as PVC in particular, in order to enable cost-effective manufacturing and to ensure a high level of tightness of the valve housing.

[0016] It should be noted that all the features of the object according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with each other, provided that such an exchange or combination is not excluded for technical reasons.

[0017] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a partially cutaway view of a slide valve according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective exploded view of the slide valve according to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 a perspective view of a housing side of a bearing plate of the slide valve according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a detachable connection between a drive unit and a valve body of the slide valve and Fig. 5 a sectional view of the detachable connection according to Fig. 4.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a gate valve 2 with a valve housing 4, which forms a through-channel 8 of the gate valve 2. This through-channel can be integrated into a piping system at its ends and, for this purpose, has flanged or tubular connection pieces 6, as shown by way of example for one end. These connection pieces can be connected to a pipe or a connection of a fresh, grey, or wastewater system of a motorhome, coach, or camper van (not shown). The valve housing 4 has a gate guide 10 at the level of the through-channel 8, which defines a gate plane 12 extending transversely to a flow direction of the through-channel 8. In this gate plane 12, a gate tongue 14 is displaceable between an open position (shown) and a closed position (shown with dashed lines).In the open position shown, the sliding tongue 14 is at least largely received in a receiving pocket 16, so that the passage channel 8 is at least largely open and can flow through it essentially freely. In the closed position, however, the sliding tongue 14 completely closes the passage channel 8.

[0019] To adjust the sliding tongue 14, a drive unit 18 is attached to the valve housing 4, which is exemplified by a pneumatic cylinder assembly. Alternatively, any other known and suitable actuating device can be provided, such as an electrically, hydraulically, or manually operated actuator. In any case, a drive rod 20, connected to the sliding tongue 14, can be displaced by the drive unit 18. In the pneumatic cylinder assembly shown, a drive housing 34 serves as the cylinder and the drive rod 20 as the piston rod.

[0020] The drive unit 18 is connected to the valve housing 4 via a connection arrangement 22, which includes a bearing plate 24. To create a detachable connection with the drive unit 18, the bearing plate 24 has drive-side bearing means 28 on a drive side 26, which form an external thread 30. An internal thread 32 is screwed onto this external thread 30, extending from an opening edge 35 on the drive housing 34 of the drive unit 18.

[0021] On a housing side 36 facing away from the drive side 26, the bearing plate 24 forms a plug-in area 38. In this area, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2 can be seen, two edge areas 46A and 46B can be inserted, each of which is formed on a housing part 4A and 4B, from which the valve housing 4 can be assembled.

[0022] As especially from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 3, the bearing plate 24 has two edge-side collar sections 40 on the housing side 36 to form this plug-in area 38, and a circumferential seal 42 arranged between and spaced apart from the collar sections 40. The seal 42 additionally encloses a through-opening 44 in the bearing plate 24, through which the drive rod 20 extends. In this way, the sliding tongue 14, which is received in the valve housing 4, can be moved through the bearing plate 24 by means of the drive unit 18.

[0023] Fig. Figure 4 shows a connection position in which the drive unit 18 is detachably connected to the valve housing 4 via the connection arrangement 22. For this purpose, the drive housing 34 is screwed onto the drive side 26 of the bearing plate 24 via the internal thread 32, which is screwed onto the external thread 30. Simultaneously, the two edge regions 46A, 46B of the housing parts 4A, 4B are inserted into the plug-in area 38 with the circumferential seal 42 interposed at the end face. In addition, the two edge regions 46A, 46B are pre-tensioned against the housing side 36 by a screw connection 48 in the connection position. Here, the two adjacent edge regions 46A, 46B are engaged in a U-shape by the plug-in area 38 or by the bearing plate 24 and its collar sections 40, so that a positive-locking connection is created.

[0024] To create the screw connection 48, screws 50 are screwed through respective screw receptacles 52 into corresponding screw threads 54 on two sides of the bearing plate 24 facing away from each other with respect to the drive device 18, as shown from Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0025] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the drive-side bearing means 28 with the external thread 30 are formed by a screw boss 56, which encloses a cylindrical receiving chamber 58 on the housing side, into which the through-opening 44 opens. In the cylindrical receiving chamber 58, ring-shaped bearing means 60 are received, which form a sliding bearing for the drive rod 20. In addition, an O-ring 62 is held in the receiving chamber 58, which seals the valve housing 4 towards the through-opening 44.

[0026] As from Fig.As can be further seen from Figure 5, in the case of a screw connection between the drive housing 34 and the bearing plate 24 made via the external thread 30 and the internal thread 32, the opening edge 35 is pre-tensioned against the drive side 26 of the bearing plate 24 with an interposition of an annular seal 64.

[0027] Preferably, the bearing plate 24, with the housing-side plug-in area 38 and the drive-side bearing means 28, is manufactured in one piece from a plastic material, such as PVC. The bearing plate 24 thus enables a stable connection between the valve housing 4 and the drive unit 18 and a reliable seal.

[0028] It should be noted that all the elements and features described above of the various embodiments of the object according to the invention are interchangeable or combinable with each other, provided that such an exchange or combination is not excluded for technical reasons. 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] DE 20 2016 101 646 U1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Slide valve (2) with a valve housing (4) which forms a slide guide (10) extending along a slide plane (12), along which a slide tongue (14) is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the slide tongue (14) in the closed position closes a through channel (8) passing through the valve housing (4) transversely to the slide plane (12) and in the open position is arranged in a receiving pocket (16) formed by the valve housing (4) and composed of two housing parts (4A, 4B), releasing the through channel (8), with a drive rod (20) over which the sliding tongue (14) can be moved by means of a drive device (18), and with a connecting arrangement (22) by means of which the drive device (18) can be detachably fixed to the valve housing (4), characterized by, that the connecting arrangement (22) has a bearing plate (24) through which the drive rod (20) extends, which forms a plug-in area (38) on one side of the housing (36), which in a releasable connection position encompasses two adjacent edge areas (46A, 46B) of the housing parts (4A, 4B) of the receiving pocket (16) in a U-shape, and which has drive-side bearing means (28) on a drive side (26) facing away from the housing side (36) for making a detachable connection with the drive device (18). [2] Slide valve according to claim 1, characterized by , that the bearing plate (24) is attached in the connection position by means of a screw connection (48) to the two edge areas (46) of the receiving pocket (16). [3] Slide valve according to claim 2, characterized by, that the bearing plate (24) for making the screw connection (48) has at least one screw receptacle (52) on each of two sides facing away from each other with respect to the drive device (18), which is assigned to a respective screw thread (54) in the edge areas (46A, 46B). [4] Slide valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the drive-side bearing means (28) of the bearing plate (24) form an external thread (30) and the drive device (18) has an internal thread (32) which can be screwed onto the external thread (30). [5] Slide valve according to claim 4, characterized by , that the external thread (30) is formed by a screw boss (56) of the bearing plate (24) through which the drive rod (20) protrudes, in which a sliding bearing of the drive rod (20) is formed. [6] Slide valve according to claim 5, characterized by, that the screw dome (56) forms a cylindrical receiving space (58) in which an O-ring (62) held between the drive rod (20) and the screw dome is arranged. [7] Slide valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the drive device (18) is formed by a pneumatic cylinder in which the drive rod (18) acts as a piston rod and a drive housing (34) of the drive device (18) acts as a cylinder. [8] Slide valve according to claim 7, characterized by , that the drive housing (34) has an internal thread (32) extending away from an opening edge (35) and that the opening edge (35) rests against the bearing plate (24) with an annular seal (64) in place when the screw connection (48) is made. [9] Slide valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the plug-in area (38) of the bearing plate (24) rests against the two edge areas (46A, 46B) of the receiving pocket (16) with an interposed circumferential seal (42). [10] Slide valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the bearing plate (24) with the housing-side plug-in area (38) and the drive-side bearing means (28) is manufactured in one piece from a plastic material.

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