ACTUATOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] For various technical applications, it may be necessary to regulate the flow of a fluid through a fluid line. Control valves, also known as regulating valves, can be used for this purpose. A control valve can be continuously adjusted between a fully open and a fully closed position, thus altering the fluid flow through it. Depending on the technical application, this can influence, for example, the pressure, temperature, or flow rate. Such fluids can be gases or liquids. These control valves can be used, for example, in buildings with hot water heating systems and in building automation systems. In other words, these control valves can be used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.The setting of the control valve can be changed by means of a drive, which is accordingly called an actuator and can be operated, for example, electrically or pneumatically.

[0003] To regulate the temperature of individual rooms in a building, these control valves can be used as the valves of the heating circuit manifold in underfloor heating systems. Individual control valves can also be used as the valves for individual radiators. Depending on this application, these control valves can also be referred to as thermal control valves, and their actuators as thermal actuators. In both cases, the control valves are connected to a fluid circuit in the form of the heating circuit's return line. Depending on the valve position, which is achieved by means of the thermal actuator, a predetermined amount of heating water flows into the radiator or into the pipes of a section of the underfloor heating system.The position of the control valve can be predetermined by a thermostat via the respective actuator, depending on a detected room temperature, so that a user-defined target room temperature can be reached and maintained.

[0004] When installing such actuators on a valve, for example in a heating system, it's important to remember that the control valve and the pipe (which carries the heating system's fluid) are usually not from the same manufacturer as the actuators. While actuators are typically mechatronic or electronic components, often with an electric drive, control valves and pipes are more commonly considered plumbing components than purely mechanical ones. Therefore, compatibility between the actuator and the control valve, regardless of the manufacturer, is essential to ensure proper interaction between the two.

[0005] Therefore, it is known to use different adapters as a mechanical interface, which can be arranged between the various control valves and a standardized actuator to connect the control valve and actuator regardless of the manufacturer and enable them to interact as intended. In this way, only different adapters are needed for the various control valves commonly available on the market. The actuator, on the other hand, can be designed to fit the adapter uniformly. This avoids the need to provide a separate actuator for each of the different control valves available on the market, which would lead to a considerable variety of actuators and corresponding costs.

[0006] DE 201 09 774 U1 relates to an arrangement for attaching an actuating element to a valve located in a pipeline intended for conveying a fluid and adjustable by the actuating element. The arrangement consists of an adapter to be attached to the valve and a housing containing the actuating element, which, in the operating position, can be placed onto the adapter attached to the valve and locked to it by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is designed as a circularly curved plastic bracket with locking lugs, extending over an angle of more than 190° and less than 360°, and which, in the mounting position, is captive in a circumferential, outwardly open, groove-shaped recess in the housing. The bracket has a hinge accessible from the outside in the mounting position and can be attached in two different positions.In one position, corresponding to the locking position, the locking lugs protrude through holes in the housing and into the adapter, while in the other position they are located outside the dimensions of the adapter.

[0007] A disadvantage of this design is that the actuator housing must be positioned along a common longitudinal axis on the valve by the user. In this configuration, the locking lever must be pressed towards the common longitudinal axis of the valve and actuator by the user. This can significantly complicate the installation process, potentially requiring the user to use both hands.

[0008] Regarding the operation of such actuators and valves, it should be noted that the valve typically has a relatively weak valve spring or return spring. The spring force of this spring moves a valve plunger along the same longitudinal axis, thereby opening the valve and allowing fluid to flow. The spring force of the valve's return spring is counteracted by a relatively strong compression spring in the actuator, so that the valve is normally closed by the actuator. The actuator also has an actuating element which, when activated, can exert an additional force on the actuator's compression spring and assist the movement of the valve's return spring.Thus, when the actuating element is activated, the actuating element of the actuator and the return spring of the valve can together overcome the comparatively strong spring force of the actuator's compression spring and thereby open the valve. The actuating element of the actuator can, for example, be implemented using an electric heating element in combination with a temperature-dependent expansion element, see DE 31 40 472 C2.

[0009] The advantage here is the comparatively simple and / or compact implementation of the drive force or the actuating force of the actuator. This can keep the costs and / or the installation space of the actuator low.

[0010] A particular advantage of this design is that the spring force of the actuator's compression spring is greater than the spring force of the valve element's return spring. This means that when the actuator's control element is unactuated or de-energized, the valve is closed in its normal position. Assuming that there is no heat demand during most of the operating time of, for example, a heating system, the fact that the valve is normally closed (NC) and the actuator's heating element remains de-energized minimizes the actuator's energy consumption.

[0011] A disadvantage, however, is that when mounting the actuator to the valve, the user must overcome the comparatively large spring force of the actuator's compression spring in order to position the actuator on the valve as described previously and to secure it in this position perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis of the valve and actuator using the bracket, as previously described. This can require considerable effort from the user during installation. Applying this force can be particularly difficult or uncomfortable for the user, especially due to the need to use their other hand to press in the bracket and / or due to the typically limited installation space, for example, in a heating circuit manifold of an underfloor heating system.

[0012] A further disadvantage is that the installed actuator will keep the valve closed until it is activated, for example, electrically, and thus opened. This means, for instance, that underfloor heating cannot be used for drying the screed due to the closed valves of the heating circuit manifold, as long as the actuators have not been electrically wired. This can lead to additional construction work and, in particular, to restrictions or additional requirements for the scheduling of the various trades in order to avoid construction delays.

[0013] Therefore, according to DE 197 48 973 A1, it is provided that, in such an actuator, the compression spring is compressed at the factory during manufacturing by a distance smaller than the maximum stroke of the working piston as the actuating element before assembly by a user, and the compression spring is releasably fixed in this position. This can be achieved by a spring-loaded retaining element located inside the housing, which holds the compression spring in the compressed position. The retaining element is moved into the path of the compression spring against its spring force and clamped in this position by the compression spring. Upon initial activation of the heating element, the compression spring is further compressed, thereby releasing the spring-loaded retaining element so that it moves perpendicularly away from the compression spring and can no longer obstruct the movement of the compression spring along its longitudinal axis.Such an actuator with a compressed compression spring can be easily mounted by the user onto the valve or adapter without having to forcefully compress the spring. This type of actuator design is also known as a "first open" function.

[0014] For the same purpose, DE 102 15 473 A1 describes a valve actuating device with an assembly aid, which is attached to the upper end of a piston protruding from a housing, between the piston and the housing. In this case, too, a spring compressed before assembly can be released by a user pulling out the assembly aid perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. However, unlike in DE 197 48 973 A1, this release is not automatic; the user must manually remove the assembly aid. This can represent an additional effort for the user during assembly. Furthermore, this step of removing the assembly aid could be forgotten during assembly, which would prevent the valve actuating device from functioning as intended.

[0015] However, a disadvantage in any case is that relieving the valve's return spring or holding the actuator's compression spring using the "First Open" function is only possible in the actuator's original state before installation; after installation, it is no longer possible due to functional limitations. Therefore, once the actuator is installed, opening the valve by compressing the actuator's compression spring is only possible using the actuator's own actuating element.

[0016] If the valve needs to be opened during operation or while the actuator is installed, for example for a pipe leak test, inspection, or maintenance, this is only possible by actuating the actuator. This can limit the testing, inspection, and / or maintenance options.

[0017] From DE 10 2018 102 735 B3, an actuating device for a valve is known, comprising a housing that can be clamped onto the valve. The device includes a compression spring on which a drive element is arranged, the drive element having a piston that is displaceable against the force of the compression spring, and a mechanical force converter. Part of the mechanical force converter is mounted in the actuating device and generates a force acting against the force of the compression spring and / or the drive element. The mechanical force converter is an actuating lever having a load arm and a force arm. The load arm transmits the lever force to a functional element, preferably a rocker arm, which transmits this force to a piston arranged thereon. The piston counteracts the spring force of the compression spring and relieves the valve.

[0018] In this way, the compression spring can be pressed away from the valve along its longitudinal axis by means of leverage, independently of the actuator or control element. This makes it possible to open the valve manually, for example for the purpose of a leak test of the pipes, for inspection and / or maintenance, without requiring any actuation such as energizing the actuator or control element.

[0019] For the same purpose, DE 10 2018 104 148 A1 describes an actuator for a valve comprising an actuating element, a control element which moves the actuating element between two end positions depending on control or manipulated variables, and a manually operable switching element with which the actuating element can be moved to at least one of the two end positions independently of the control or manipulated variables. The switching element is an eccentric which can be actuated via a manual actuating element.

[0020] Furthermore, actuators are also known for this purpose that provide an adjustment mechanism which converts a rotary movement around the longitudinal axis into an axial movement along the longitudinal axis via a ramp acting as an inclined plane, in order to counteract the spring force of the actuator's compression spring and thus relieve the valve and actuate it. However, the disadvantage of this rotary movement is that it typically requires a certain amount of installation space around the actuator, which may not be available, for example, in a heating circuit manifold of an underfloor heating system.

[0021] A disadvantage of the previously described methods for manually operating the valve is that both opening and closing the valve must be performed by the user. Closing the valve can represent an additional effort for the user. Furthermore, the user might forget to close the valve after testing, inspection, or maintenance, thus preventing the actuator from being used as intended.

[0022] EP 1 720 086 A2 describes a thermostatic control device for controlling valves with an axially movable stem. The control device comprises a base body, an electrically actuated thermostatic actuator, and an intermediate connection between the thermostatic actuator and the valve stem. The device also includes a cap assembly, which in turn comprises a cylindrical section attached to the base body and a control knob movably supported by the cylindrical section. The control knob is operatively connected to the valve stem. The cylindrical section and the control knob have cam means designed to effect axial movement of the control knob through its manual rotation.The device also includes releasable retaining means for holding the control knob in an open position of the valve and torsion spring means for automatically returning the control knob to a closed position of the valve after releasing the retaining means from the same control knob.

[0023] This allows for manual operation of the valve to open it. Simultaneously, the valve can close automatically, thus saving the user effort and preventing them from forgetting to close it. In other words, the valve or its actuator can be automatically unlocked.

[0024] However, a disadvantage here is that the thermostatic control device of EP 1 720 086 A2 is highly complex. This can lead to correspondingly high costs for the manufacture and / or assembly of the components of the thermostatic control device.

[0025] One object of the present invention is to provide an actuator of the type described above, enabling both simple mounting of the actuator on the valve and simple opening of the valve with the actuator mounted. Preferably, the actuator should also have a first-open function. This should be implemented in a cost-effective, user-friendly, space-saving, energy-efficient, and / or robust and durable manner. At the very least, an alternative to known actuators of this type should be created.

[0026] The problem is solved according to the invention by an actuator having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0027] The present invention thus relates to an actuator configured to be connected, preferably by means of an adapter, to a valve, with an actuating element configured to actuate the valve. In other words, the present invention is based on an actuator as described above. Such an actuator can either be arranged directly on a valve or used by means of an adapter, as described above. In any case, the valve can be continuously actuated between a fully open and a fully closed position by means of the actuating element of the actuator as described above.

[0028] The actuator according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a functional part with the actuating element and a mounting part designed for connection to the valve, wherein the functional part and the mounting part are pivotably connected to each other by means of a pivoting element. In other words, the actuator according to the invention essentially consists of two components in the form of the functional part and the mounting part, which are movable relative to each other by means of a pivoting movement. The functional part and the mounting part are pivotably, tiltably, or rotatably connected relative to each other by means of the pivoting element. The pivoting movement is a rotational movement about the pivot axis of the pivoting element. The actuating element can actuate the valve directly or indirectly.

[0029] The present invention is based on the insight that, in this manner, the functional part with the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the mounting part and, in this position, which can also be referred to as the mounting position, can be positioned by the user on the valve or its adapter. Since the actuating element is pivoted away from the mounting part in this mounting position, the connection of the actuator's mounting part to the valve or adapter can be carried out without being affected by the actuating element. This can simplify the mounting of the actuator as a whole on the valve or adapter for the user, as the user does not have to counteract a force from an actuating element acting directly on the valve when connecting the mounting part to the valve or adapter.

[0030] This also applies if the actuating element is designed not to act directly on the valve but indirectly by counteracting a compression spring of the actuator's functional part. When using such an actuator operating principle, as described above, the compression spring of the actuator's functional part presses on the valve in an operating position. Therefore, to connect the actuator to the valve or adapter from the mounting position to the operating position, the user must overcome the spring force of the actuator's functional part's compression spring. However, if, according to the invention, the actuator's functional part is pivoted away from the actuator's mounting part in the mounting position, the compression spring of the actuator's functional part cannot act on the valve or the adapter.Accordingly, in the mounting position, the user can initially position the actuator's mounting part relatively easily on the valve or adapter without having to counteract the spring force of the actuator's compression spring. The actuator's functional part can then be pivoted from the mounting position to the operating position. This enables a first-open function.

[0031] Once the user has connected the actuator's mounting bracket to the valve or adapter in the actuator's installation position, as previously described, the user can now pivot the actuator's functional part towards the mounting bracket into the operating position and connect it, as described in more detail below. This allows the actuator's functional part to be positioned in its intended operating position, in which it can operate and act on the valve. The user can apply a certain amount of force to compress the actuator's compression spring by pivoting the actuator. At the end of the pivoting motion, the functional part can be held in the operating position on the mounting bracket, for example, by locking it into place, as described in more detail below.

[0032] According to the invention, this method simplifies, speeds up, and / or makes more convenient the mounting of the actuator to the valve or adapter for the user. In particular, the actuator can be mounted by the user with one hand, since the functional part and the mounting part are connected by means of the swivel element and can thus be handled as a single unit with one hand. Specifically, the movements for connecting the mounting part of the actuator to the valve or adapter in the mounting position and for swiveling the functional part of the actuator into the operating position can be performed sequentially and independently of each other.

[0033] According to the invention, it is also possible, in the operating position, to detach the functional part of the actuator from the mounting part of the actuator and pivot it away from the latter without having to detach the mounting part of the actuator from the valve or the adapter. This allows, for example, the function of the actuating element of the functional part of the actuator to be deactivated for a functional test, maintenance, and / or inspection without having to remove the entire actuator from the valve or the adapter. After completion of the functional test, maintenance, and / or inspection, the functional part of the actuator can then be returned from the mounting position to the operating position as described above.

[0034] Accordingly, the invention simplifies the installation of an actuator on a valve or on an adapter of a valve, for example, of a radiator or a heating circuit manifold of a hot water heating system. At the same time, the actuator can be equipped with a first-open function and the option of manually opening the valve during subsequent use of the actuator, without the actuator being obstructive.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the functional part and the mounting part are designed to be pivoted away from each other by a certain angle in a mounting position and to be aligned with each other in an operating position, wherein the pivot angle is such that the actuating element cannot actuate the valve. The operating position can also be referred to as the service position. An aligned arrangement means that the actuating element of the functional part of the actuator is oriented in a straight line towards the valve and can act accordingly. The mounting part of the actuator and the functional part of the actuator are arranged one behind the other along this straight direction of action.

[0036] In the operating position, the actuator can be used as intended to open and close the valve as a control valve, as previously described. In the mounting position, the actuator's mounting bracket can be connected to the valve or adapter without the actuator's actuating element directly or indirectly affecting the valve, as previously described. This can be achieved, in particular, by the user selecting a sufficiently large swivel angle between the actuator's functional part and its mounting bracket, for example, manually. This can be done by the user with one hand. This further clarifies the previously described characteristics.

[0037] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part and the fastening part each have a longitudinal axis, wherein in the assembly position the longitudinal axis of the functional part and the longitudinal axis of the fastening part are rotated relative to each other by the pivot angle, and wherein in the operating position the longitudinal axis of the functional part and the longitudinal axis of the fastening part are parallel or coincident. In this way, features already described can be described and implemented in a more geometrically concrete manner.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the actuating element is designed to actuate the valve along its longitudinal axis, wherein in the mounting position the longitudinal axis of the functional part is pivoted by the pivot angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve, and wherein in the operating position the longitudinal axis of the functional part runs parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the valve. In this way, previously described features can be described and implemented in a more geometrically concrete manner.

[0039] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part and the mounting part are designed to be detachably held in the operating position. In other words, the functional part of the actuator and the mounting part of the actuator can be connected and held in the operating position, in which the actuating element of the functional part of the actuator can act directly or indirectly on the valve, so that the operating position can be maintained permanently on its own. However, this operating position can be released by the user by actuation, as will be described in more detail below, and the functional part of the actuator can be pivoted back into the previously described mounting position relative to the mounting part of the actuator. This can be done while the actuator is held on the valve.The adapter allows manual operation of the valve by means of the actuator's mounting part, which may be necessary, for example, for the purposes of a functional test, inspection and / or maintenance, as previously described.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part has a locking element which is designed to be detached from the mounting part in the assembly position and detachably connected to the mounting part in the operating position. Such a locking element enables a positive-locking and / or force-locking connection of the functional part of the actuator to the mounting part of the actuator. This can be achieved simply, compactly, cost-effectively, and / or robustly and durably using mechanical means. Furthermore, releasing such a mechanical connection can be carried out relatively easily, quickly, and / or intuitively by the user using suitable mechanical means. This can facilitate the implementation of such a detachable connection between the functional part of the actuator and the mounting part of the actuator.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking element has a locking lever which is pivotably arranged on the functional part. The locking lever is configured to be pressed into a holding position by the spring force of a locking spring and to hold the fastening part releasably. The locking lever is further configured to be pressed into a release position by a user against the spring force of the locking spring and to release the fastening part. In this way, the locking function described above can be implemented by means of a lever-like element which can be pivoted between a holding position and a release position about a pivot axis.The pivoting movement from the holding position to the release position can be initiated by the user. This allows the connection between the actuator's functional part and its mounting part to be released as needed, and the actuator's functional part to be pivoted from its operating position back to its mounting position relative to the mounting part, as previously described. The locking spring automatically returns the locking lever from the release position to the holding position, relieving the user of this task and preventing it from being forgotten. This provides a simple, functional, and / or convenient way for the user to release the connection between the actuator's functional part and its mounting part when necessary.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking element, preferably the locking lever, has at least one detent element, preferably at least one detent hook, and the fastening part has at least one detent element, preferably at least one detent hook, which are configured to hold each other positively in the holding position and to release each other in the release position. This allows a positive locking connection between the functional part of the actuator and the fastening part of the actuator to be created in a simple manner in the holding position of the locking element, which can preferably be released again by means of the locking lever as described above.

[0043] Preferably, the two detent elements of the locking element and the mounting part of the actuator are designed such that the fixed detent element of the mounting part of the actuator springily pushes away the detent element of the locking element, in particular the pivotable locking lever, when the functional part of the actuator is pivoted from the mounting position towards the mounting part of the actuator into the operating position. This allows the detent element of the locking element to move out of the way of the fixed detent element of the mounting part of the actuator during the pivoting movement and then engage behind it. This can be achieved by the elasticity of the material of the locking element. In the case of using the previously described spring-loaded locking lever, this can be achieved by the spring action of the locking lever's locking spring.In any case, this allows the two locking elements of the locking element of the functional part of the actuator and the fastening part of the actuator to engage automatically without any action required from the user.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking lever has at least one limiting element designed to restrict the pivoting movement of the locking lever from the holding position to the release position. In this way, the pivoting movement of the locking lever from the holding position to the release position can be easily limited, so that the connection between the functional part of the actuator and the mounting part of the actuator, such as its detent, can be reliably released without simultaneously allowing the pivoting movement of the locking lever from the holding position to the release position to be greater than necessary. This can minimize the installation space required for the locking lever.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part comprises a housing that at least partially encloses the locking lever, wherein the housing has a recess through which the locking lever can be actuated by a user, and preferably the locking lever has an operating element that projects at least partially through the housing recess to the outside of the housing. This allows the locking lever and its components, such as its locking spring, pivot axis, and / or the previously described detent elements, to be separated from and protected by the housing from the environment. This can prevent damage, blockage, and / or contamination of these components. It can also improve the user's visual impression.However, at the same time the locking lever can be made accessible to the user through the housing recess via the operating element, so that the connection between the functional part of the actuator and the fastening part of the actuator, such as its locking mechanism, can be released by the user if necessary.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, the actuator is configured to actuate the valve along its longitudinal axis, wherein the mounting part is configured to be connected to the valve or to an adapter of the valve by means of a movement in a translational direction, at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve, and preferably perpendicular to the pivot axis of the pivoting element. In other words, the mounting part of the actuator is configured to be connected to the valve or to the adapter of the valve by the user performing a linear assembly movement that is at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve. Thus, the mounting part of the actuator can be slid laterally onto the valve or onto the adapter by the user and thereby connected to the valve or to the adapter. This facilitates the connection of the mounting part of the actuator to the valve or adapter.The adapter allows for easy user-generated movement. This can simplify and / or speed up the assembly process for the user.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention, the fastening element has a receptacle open at least on one side, preferably exactly on one side, in the translational direction, which is configured to receive at least one projection of the valve or the adapter. The fastening element, facing the valve, has at least one projection perpendicular to the translational direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve, which is configured to engage behind at least one corresponding recess of the valve or the adapter. In other words, the valve or the adapter has at least one projection perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which can be engaged behind a corresponding projection of the receptacle of the fastening element of the actuator, so that a positive locking connection can be achieved along the longitudinal axis of the valve.

[0048] For this purpose, the mounting bracket of the actuator can be open on both sides along the translational direction of assembly, allowing the user to mount the actuator to the valve or adapter from either side of the translational direction. Preferably, however, the mounting bracket is open only on one side, so that the closed side of the bracket can act as a stop to limit the mounting movement in the translational direction. In particular, the interlocking projections of the valve or adapter and the mounting bracket can also be formed on the closed side of the bracket, thus providing a correspondingly large contact area for the actuator to the valve or adapter.

[0049] In the case of a cylindrically shaped valve or adapter, the mounting bracket of the actuator can be semicircular, extending 180° around the valve or adapter, and preferably continuing in a straight line parallel to its open end along the translational direction. This simplifies the joining of the open end of the mounting bracket and the valve or adapter by means of the interlocking projections. This can simplify assembly for the user and, in particular, assist the user in performing the movement along the translational direction.

[0050] According to a further aspect of the invention, the receptacle tapers along the longitudinal axis of the valve in the translational direction, so that a force-fit connection can be achieved against the projection of the valve or adapter. This creates a clamping effect along the longitudinal axis of the valve between the interlocking projections of the valve or adapter and the receptacle of the actuator's mounting element. This can improve or ensure the secure connection between the actuator's mounting element and the valve or adapter. This can be achieved in a mechanically relatively simple yet effective manner.

[0051] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part comprises an actuating element, preferably a piston, for actuating a valve spring of the valve, preferably along its longitudinal axis. The actuating of the valve spring can be effected by means of a valve plunger against which the actuating element of the functional part of the actuator can act or press. The plunger of the valve can then open a passage of the valve, allowing a fluid to flow through the passage.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, the functional part comprises a compression spring configured to counteract a valve spring of the valve by means of an actuating element, preferably a piston, wherein the spring force of the compression spring is greater than the spring force of the valve spring, and wherein the actuating element is configured to counteract the compression spring when actuated, particularly when energized, and to overcome the spring force of the compression spring together with the spring force of the valve spring. This enables the actuator to function as described above.

[0053] In other words, the present invention is based on the understanding that, with known mounting methods for thermal actuators on a valve, whether, for example, with a union nut or an adapter, when mounting the actuator on the valve, whether it has a first-open function or a manual opening option, the actuator must be pressed completely or partially against the valve force by the user using a lever or a rotary knob. Furthermore, with actuators that allow manual valve opening, the opening stroke of the valve is typically limited by the manual stroke of the actuator.

[0054] According to the invention, by dividing the actuator into a mounting part and a functional part, which are connected to each other by means of a pivot element or a tilting joint, the actuator can be pushed onto the adapter by the user in the mounting position with almost no force required, either radially or laterally. By pressing against the functional part, which is the upper part of the actuator, the valve can be closed and the actuator simultaneously locked onto the adapter in the operating position. By actuating a locking lever from the holding position to the release position, the valve can be opened manually by the user at any time without having to remove the actuator from the valve. The opening angle between the mounting part of the actuator and the functional part of the actuator ensures that the valve can always be fully opened.

[0055] Sliding the actuator radially onto the adapter allows for easy installation, even on heating circuit manifolds with, for example, small valve spacing.

[0056] Overall, according to the invention, the assembly of the actuator can be simplified and a time-open function as well as a possibility of manually opening the valve can be combined.

[0057] An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are presented and explained in more detail below in purely schematic terms in connection with the following figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of an actuator according to the invention in its mounting position and a valve with adapter; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the actuator according to the invention in its mounting position at the beginning of a translational mounting movement onto the adapter of the valve; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of the actuator according to the invention in its mounting position at the end of the translational mounting movement onto the adapter of the valve; Fig. 4 the representation of the Fig. 3 without housing of the actuator according to the invention; Fig. 5 the illustration of the Fig. 4 rotated by 90°; Fig. 6 a schematic side view of the actuator according to the invention without housing in operating position on the adapter of the valve with locking lever in release position; Fig. 7 the representation of the Fig. 6rotated by 90°; Fig. 8 a schematic side view of the actuator according to the invention in operating position on the adapter of the valve with locking lever in holding position; and Fig. 9 the view of the Fig. 8 without the housing of the actuator according to the invention.

[0058] The figures above are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal direction X extends, which can also be called depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends a transverse direction Y, which can also be called width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y extends a vertical direction Z, which can also be called height Z. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X,Y, which can also be called the horizontal plane X,Y.

[0059] A hot water heating system (not shown) has multiple pipes (not shown) that carry heated water from the system's supply line to multiple radiators (not shown) and / or at least one manifold (not shown). The rooms of the building (not shown) can be heated via the radiators and / or the pipes supplied with hot water by the manifold. To regulate the amount of hot water flowing to each room, for example, via the radiators or the manifold, the supply pipes of the hot water heating system are each equipped with a valve 1 at the connection point to the radiators or the manifold. This valve 1 regulates the flow of hot water to the radiator or pipes in each room. Therefore, valve 1 can also be referred to as a control valve 1.Valve 1 can be continuously adjusted between a fully closed and a fully open position.

[0060] Valve 1 can be adjusted using an actuator 3, which can also be referred to as a thermal actuator 3. To connect actuators 3 from one manufacturer to different valves 1 from different manufacturers, an adapter 2 is provided. This adapter can be connected to the actuator 3 on the one side and to the valve 1 on the other. The side of the adapter 2 facing the actuator can always be the same; only the side of the adapter 2 facing the valve 1 needs to be adapted to the respective valve 1.

[0061] The actuator 3 can be used to regulate the amount of heating water flowing through valve 1. For this purpose, a thermostat (not shown) can sensorily detect the temperature of, for example, the corresponding room in the building, compare it with a user's preset temperature, and then control the actuator 3 accordingly to regulate the position of valve 1 so that a preset room temperature can be achieved by adjusting the amount of heating water flowing through valve 1.

[0062] The actuator 3 has an actuating element 34, which can also be referred to as actuating element 34, see for example Figure 4The actuating element 34 can exert an adjustable force along a longitudinal axis C of the actuator 3 against a compression spring 32 of the actuator 3 by means of an electrically heated expansion element or an electrically heated expansion element (not shown), in order to compress the compression spring 32 along the longitudinal axis C in the opposite direction to its direction of action. The expansion element of the actuating element 34 can be electrically heated from outside the actuator 3 via an electrical connection 39. The compression spring 32 then pushes an actuating element 35 out of the actuator 3 towards the valve 1 along the longitudinal axis C. The actuating element 35 is designed as a pin 35 or a piston 35.

[0063] If the actuator 3 is mounted on the valve 1 by means of the adapter 2, as will be explained in more detail below, the piston 35 of the actuator 3 presses along the longitudinal axis C of the actuator 3 against a comparatively weak valve spring or return spring (not shown) of the valve 1. The valve spring of the valve 1, in turn, presses along a longitudinal axis A of the valve 1, which in the mounted state coincides with the longitudinal axis C of the actuator 3, i.e., is identical, in the opposite direction against a plunger (not shown) of the valve 1 in order to open a flow-through opening of the valve 1, allowing fluid to flow in the heating water.

[0064] If the expansion element of the actuator 34 is not energized or heated, no force opposes the compression spring 32 of the actuator 3. The spring force of the compression spring 32 then overcomes the spring force of the valve spring of the valve 1, causing the valve plunger to close its flow opening. If the expansion element of the actuator 34 is sufficiently energized or heated to at least partially counteract the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the actuator 3 with its driving force, such that the force of the actuator 34 together with the spring force of the valve spring of the valve 1 is greater than the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the actuator 3, then the valve plunger can at least partially open its flow opening and allow the flow of heating water through the valve 1.When the current to the expansion element of the actuator 34 is reduced or stopped, the expansion element of the actuator 34 retracts from the plunger of the valve 1. The plunger of the valve 1 is then increasingly, until fully, actuated by the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the actuator 3, so that its flow orifice is increasingly, until fully, closed. Such an actuator 3 is also referred to as an NC actuator 3 ("normally closed").

[0065] This operating principle of the thermal actuator 3 is advantageous in that no actuation or energizing of the actuating element 34 of the actuator 3 is required to close the valve 1. Assuming that the hot water heating system is not required most of the time, the operation of the actuator 3 and the resulting consumption of electrical energy can thus be kept as low as possible.

[0066] A disadvantage of this operating principle of the actuator 3 is that the piston 35 is always pushed out of the actuator 3 along its longitudinal axis C by the compression spring 32. This can be problematic if the actuator 3 is to be mounted on the adapter 2 of the valve 1 by a user, as the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the actuator 3 must be overcome during assembly in order to attach the actuator 3 to the adapter 2 of the valve 1. Furthermore, opening the valve 1 without using the actuator 3, i.e., manually by the user, is only possible by completely removing the actuator 3 from the adapter 2 of the valve 1. This can lead to a considerable effort in disassembling and subsequently reassembling the actuator 3.

[0067] According to the invention, the actuator 3 therefore essentially consists of a functional part 30 and a fastening part 38, which are connected to each other by means of a pivoting element 37 in the form of a joint 37 in a pivotable, tiltable or rotatable manner.

[0068] The mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 is designed to be fixedly but releasably arranged and held on the adapter 2 of the valve 1. For this purpose, the mounting part 38, which is essentially cylindrical and rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis B, is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis B and, for example, as shown in the illustration of the Figure 1 A recess 38a is laterally mounted along the transverse direction Y, which is U-shaped by means of projections 38b opposing each other in the longitudinal direction X, see for example Figure 5 The mounting 38a of the fastening part 38 is shown in the illustration, for example, of the Figure 1The transverse direction Y is open to the right and closed in a semi-circular shape to the left. Accordingly, the recess 38a and the projections 38b of the fastening element 38 run in the illustration of the Figure 1 in the transverse direction Y to the right, it is closed in a semicircular, arched shape.

[0069] The adapter 2, which is essentially cylindrical and rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2, has a corresponding annular projection 20, which is spaced apart from the valve 1 along the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2 by an annular recess 21. Accordingly, as will be explained in more detail below, the actuator 3 with its mounting part 38 or its receptacle 38a can be, for example, shown in the illustration of the Figures 1 to 3The user slides the actuator 3 onto the adapter 2 in the transverse direction Y (translational direction from left to right) with a translational movement, thereby engaging the recess 21 of the adapter 2 with its projections 38b and thus engaging the projection 20 of the adapter 2 along the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2. This allows the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 to be positively locked to the adapter 2 along the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2, on both sides in the longitudinal direction X and on one side in the transverse direction Y. If the receptacle 38a of the mounting part 38 tapers progressively from the open end along the longitudinal axis B of the mounting part 38, at least a certain degree of frictional locking can also be achieved between the mounting part 38 and the adapter 2.

[0070] The functional part 30 of the actuator 3 comprises the previously described compression spring 32, the actuating element 34, and the piston 35, which are arranged along the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30. The compression spring 32 surrounds the actuating element 34 in an annular form, which is cylindrical along the longitudinal axis C. Overall, the functional part 30 is essentially cylindrical and rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis C. The piston 35 projects along the longitudinal axis C towards the mounting part 38. Along the longitudinal axis C in the opposite direction, the upper surface of the actuating element 34, when actuated, projects outwards through a corresponding through-opening (not shown) in the housing 31, so that the actuated state of the actuator 3 can be directly and easily recognized visually by the user from the outside.The top side of the actuator 34 can therefore be referred to as the stroke indicator 33.

[0071] In the previously described assembly of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 to the adapter 2 of the valve 1, compare for example Figures 1 to 3 In this configuration, the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is pivoted, tilted, inclined, or rotated by a swivel angle α relative to the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 in its assembly position. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis B of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 and the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 have the same swivel angle α between them. When the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 is mounted or slid onto the adapter 2 of the valve 1, see, for example, Figure 3If the longitudinal axis B of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 and the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2 coincide, then the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2 and the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 also have the swivel angle α between them. The swivel angle α is determined by the user in the mounting position of the mounting part 38 and the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 relative to each other, as previously described. Figures 1 to 3 described, selected and adjusted in such a way that the translational movement of the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3 in the transverse direction Y cannot be hindered by the piston 35 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3.

[0072] Is the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 arranged on the adapter 2 of the valve 1, see for example Figure 3, the user can pivot the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 towards the mounting part 38 by means of the swivel element 37 and thereby move it from the mounting position to an operating position, see for example Figures 6 to 9This brings the piston 35 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, whose longitudinal axis C in the operating position coincides with both the longitudinal axis B of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 and the longitudinal axis A of the valve 1 or the adapter 2, into contact with the plunger of the valve 1, so that the actuator 3 can interact with the valve 1 as intended. Simultaneously, a hook (not shown), which is located on the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 near the pivoting element 37 and projects from the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 towards the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3, engages with the adapter 2 in the operating position, so that the hook engages behind the edge of the adapter 2 on the inside, thus preventing the actuator 3 from being removed from the adapter 2 in the operating position.

[0073] To hold the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 in the operating position, fixed but releasably attached to the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 and thus also to the adapter 2 of the valve 1, and in particular to counteract the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 can be positively locked to the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 by means of a releasable detent. For this purpose, the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 has a locking element 36, see for example Figures 4 to 7 and 9 The locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 has a locking lever 36a which is pivotably mounted on the functional part 30. The pivot axis of the locking lever 36a of the locking element 36 runs along the longitudinal direction X.

[0074] The locking lever 36a has at its upper end an operating element 36b in the form of a release button 36b, which projects outwards, essentially laterally, through a housing recess 31a of the housing 31 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, making it accessible to a user. The housing 31 is fixedly arranged on the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 and surrounds the components of the functional part 30 circumferentially and upwards along the longitudinal axis C. The electrical connection 39 of the actuator 3 projects outwards through the housing 31 along the longitudinal axis C, or at a height Z below the operating element 36b.

[0075] The pivot axis (not shown) of the locking lever 36a of the locking element 36 is located approximately midway along its elongated extent. Below the pivot axis of the locking lever 36a, the locking lever 36a splits into a fork-like shape and surrounds the electrical connection 39 on both sides in the longitudinal direction X in the form of two fork-shaped legs 36f. A locking spring 36c is arranged in the lower region of each of the two fork-shaped legs 36f of the locking lever 36a, see for example Figures 5 and 7 , which can push the lower section of the two fork-shaped legs 36f of the locking lever 36a towards the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 and accordingly push the upper part of the locking lever 36a with the operating element 36b away from the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3.

[0076] The upper section of the locking lever 36a can rest against the housing 31 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 from the inside, between its pivot axis and the operating element 36b, such that the locking lever 36a is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3. If the user pushes the locking lever 36a into the housing 31 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 by pressing the operating element 36b towards the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, the lower section of the two fork-shaped legs 36f of the locking lever 36a is thereby pushed away from the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 against the spring force of the locking spring 36c.In this case, the movement of the upper section of the locking lever 36a with the operating element 36b towards the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is limited by a limiting element 36e, which can bear against the compression spring 32 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3.

[0077] The lower ends of the two fork-shaped legs 36f of the locking element 36a each have a detent element 36d in the form of a detent hook 36d pointing towards the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3. Two corresponding detent elements 38c in the form of detent hooks 38c are fixedly formed on the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3, pointing to the right in the transverse direction Y.The locking hooks 36d of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 and the locking hooks 38c of the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3 have inclined surfaces facing each other, by means of which the locking hooks 36d, 38c come into contact and the locking hooks 38c of the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3 can push the locking hooks 36d of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 away from the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 against the spring force of the locking spring 36c of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3.

[0078] Thus, if the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is moved by the user from the mounting position by pivoting it, see Figures 1 to 5 , into the operating position, see Figures 6 to 9, brought and pressed against the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 towards the adapter 2 of the valve 1 until the longitudinal axes A, B, C of the valve 1 or of the adapter 2, of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 and of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 are congruent, so that during the pivoting movement the locking hooks 38c of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 are brought into contact with the locking hooks 36d of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3. As the pivoting movement of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 continues towards the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3, the locking lever 36a of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is released from its holding position, which can be assumed without a holding function in the mounting position of the functional part 30, see for example Figure 4, brought into a swiveled position, see Figure 6 , which corresponds to a release position of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3.

[0079] If the pivoting movement of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 relative to its mounting part 38 is continued by the user into the operating position and the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is pressed onto the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3, then, in the operating position, the piston 35 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 engages in the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 as described above. Simultaneously, the locking hooks 36d of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 pass the fixed locking hooks 38c of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3. In doing so, the locking spring 36c of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 pushes the locking hooks 36d of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 behind the fixed locking hooks 38c of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3.This pivots the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 from the release position into the holding position, so that the locking hooks 36d, 38c engage behind each other and the holding position with holding function is assumed, see . Figure 9 . In this operating position of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 relative to the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3 and in the holding position of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 relative to the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3, the actuator 3 according to the invention can now be used as intended, as described above.

[0080] For example, if the compression spring 32 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 needs to be removed from the adapter 2 of the valve 1 for a functional test, inspection, or maintenance, this can be done relatively easily according to the invention by the user moving the locking lever 36a of the locking element 36 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 from the holding position to the release position by pressing the operating element 36b towards the longitudinal axis C of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, see Figure 6This releases the locking hooks 36d and 36c from each other, allowing the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 to pivot about the pivoting element 37 of the actuator 3. The pivoting movement of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 is carried out by the spring force of the compression spring 32 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3, so that the piston 35 of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 can no longer act on the valve 1. This allows the orifice of the valve 1 to open automatically by its valve spring. At the same time, the actuator 3 is held in the mounting position on the adapter 2 of the valve 1 by the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3, as described previously.

[0081] By pivoting or pressing the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 from the mounting position towards the fastening part 38 of the actuator 3 into the operating position, the operating position can be resumed as described above. REFERENCE MARK LIST (Part of the description)

[0082] α Swivel angle of the swivel element 37 or between the longitudinal axes B, C A Longitudinal axis of the valve 1 or of the adapter 2 B Longitudinal axis of the mounting part 38 of the actuator 3 C Longitudinal axis of the functional part 30 of the actuator 3 X Longitudinal direction; depth; length Y Transverse direction; width Z Vertical direction; height X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane 1 Valve; Control valve 2 Adapter 20 Projection 21 Recess 3 (Thermal) actuator 30 Functional part 31 Housing 31a Housing recess 32 Compression spring 33 Stroke indicator 34 Actuating element; Actuator 35 Actuating element; Pin; Piston 36 Locking element 36a Locking lever of the locking element 36 36b Operating element or release button of the locking element 36 36c Locking spring of the locking element 36 36d Detent elements or detent hooks of the locking element 36 36e Limiting element of the locking element 36 36f Forked legs of the locking element 36 37 Swivel element; Joint 38 Fastening part 38a Receptacle of the fastening part 38 38b Projection of the fastening part 38 38c Detent elements or detent hooks of the fastening part 38 39 Electrical connection

Claims

1. Electric or pneumatic actuator (3), which is designed to be connected, preferably by means of an adapter (2), to a valve (1), the actuator comprising an actuating element (34) which is designed to activate the valve (1), characterized in that the actuator (3) comprises a functional part (30) having the actuating element, and a fastening part (38) which is designed to connect to the valve (1), the functional part (30) and the fastening part (38) being pivotably connected to one another by means of a pivoting element (37).

2. Actuator (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (30) and the fastening part (38) are designed to be pivoted away from one another in an assembly position by a pivot angle (α) and to be arranged in an operational position in alignment with one another, the pivot angle (α) being so large that the actuating element (34) cannot activate the valve (1).

3. Actuator (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the functional part (30) has a longitudinal axis (C) and the fastening part (38) has a longitudinal axis (B), the longitudinal axis (C) of the functional part (30) and the longitudinal axis (B) of the fastening part (38) running rotated relative to one another by the pivot angle (α) in the assembly position, and the longitudinal axis (C) of the functional part (30) and the longitudinal axis (B) of the fastening part (38) running in parallel or congruently in the operational position.

4. Actuator (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating element (34) is designed to activate the valve (1) along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof, the longitudinal axis (C) of the functional part (30) running pivoted to the longitudinal axis (A) of the valve (1) by the pivot angle (α) in the assembly position and the longitudinal axis (C) of the functional part (30) running in parallel to or congruently with the longitudinal axis (A) of the valve (1) in the operational position.

5. Actuator (3) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the functional part (30) and the fastening part (38) are designed to detachably hold one another in the operational position.

6. Actuator (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the functional part (30) comprises a locking element (36) which is designed to be detached from the fastening part (38) in the assembly position and to be detachably connected to the fastening part (38) in the operational position.

7. Actuator (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking element (36) comprises a locking lever (36a) which is pivotably arranged on the functional part (30), the locking lever (36a) being designed to be pressed into a holding position by the spring force of a locking spring (36c) and to hold the fastening part (38) detachably, the locking lever (36a) being further designed to be pressed into a release position by a user against the spring force of the locking spring (36c) and to release the fastening part (38).

8. Actuator (3) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the locking element (36), preferably the locking lever (36a), comprises at least one latching element (36d), preferably at least one latching hook (36d), and the fastening part (38) comprises at least one latching element (38c), preferably at least one latching hook (38c), which latching elements are designed to hold one another form-fittingly in the holding position and to release one another in the release position.

9. Actuator (3) according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the locking lever (36a) comprises at least one limiting element (36e) which is designed to limit the pivoting movement of the locking lever (36a) from the holding position into the release position.

10. Actuator (3) according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the functional part (30) comprises a housing (31) which at least partially encloses the locking lever (36a), the housing (31) comprising a housing opening (31a) through which the locking lever (36a) can be activated by a user, preferably the locking lever (36a) comprising an operating element (36b) which projects at least partially through the housing opening (31a) to the outside of the housing (36).

11. Actuator (3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (34) is designed to activate the valve (1) along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof, the fastening part (38) being designed to be connected to the valve (1) or to an adapter (2) of the valve (1) at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the valve (1), and preferably perpendicular to the pivot axis of the pivoting element (37), by means of a movement in a translational direction.

12. Actuator (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that the fastening part (38) comprises a receptacle (38a) that is open at least on one side, preferably exactly on one side, in the translational direction and which is designed to receive at least one projection (20) of the valve (1) or of the adapter (2), the fastening part (38) comprising, perpendicular to the translational direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the valve (1) and facing the valve (1), at least one projection (38b), which is designed to engage behind at least one corresponding recess (21) of the valve (1) or of the adapter (2).

13. Actuator (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that the receptacle (38a) is designed to taper over the course of the translational direction along the longitudinal axis (A) of the valve (1), so that a force-fitting hold can be achieved against the projection (20) of the valve (1) or of the adapter (2).

14. Actuator (3) according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the functional part (30) comprises an activating element (35), preferably a piston (35), for activating a valve spring of the valve (1), preferably along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof.

15. Actuator (3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional part (30) comprises a compression spring (32) which is designed to counteract a valve spring of the valve (1) by means of an activating element (35), preferably by means of a piston (35), the spring force of the compression spring (32) being greater than the spring force of the valve spring of the valve (1), the actuating element (34) being designed to counteract, when activated, in particular when energized, the compression spring (32), and to overcome the spring force of the compression spring (32) together with the spring force of the valve spring of the valve (1).