VALVE SYSTEM AND VEHICLE WITH A VALVE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve assembly according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 14, in particular a commercial vehicle, especially a truck, which has such a valve assembly. Valve assemblies of this type are used, for example, as manually operated level control valves and for electronically controlled air suspension systems of trucks. Modern, electronically controlled air suspension systems use electrical and / or pneumatic actuators for inflating air springs and usually also have a manually operated level control valve with four positions: Raising: the air springs are vented from an air reservoir, Lowering: the air springs are vented to the environment, Stop position: the air springs are cut off from the environment and the air reservoir, and Driving position: the air springs are connected to an air spring valve.

[0002] A state-of-the-art level control valve, offered by ZF as the eTASC valve, occupies a special position. Here, the vehicle's ride height is regulated by a function integrated into a control unit, which is activated by the level control valve to raise or lower it. In this case, the driving position is identical to the stop position.

[0003] Level control valves for conventional air suspension systems typically lock in the "stop" position. Additionally, some level control valves lock in the "lower" position. To return the vehicle to its normal driving level after starting to drive, generally after exceeding a certain speed threshold, this locking mechanism must be released. On commercially available valves, this is achieved using an electro-pneumatically actuated piston or directly with a powerful magnet. This function is known as the RTR (Return-to-Ride) function.

[0004] The need for these additional components for the RTR function leads to increased manufacturing costs and larger dimensions of the device.

[0005] EP 2 263 893 A1 discloses a switching valve unit with a valve assembly, wherein a manual actuating device is provided. The actuating device has a cam disk that is pivotable about a pivot axis and has a cam surface with an actuating contour. The actuating contour actuates plungers that are guided translationally and parallel to the pivot axis of the cam disk. Valves of the valve assembly are actuated via the plungers. The valves can also be actuated by pneumatic force.

[0006] CN 103 253 102 B discloses a valve device with multiple valve systems, each valve system having a plunger for mechanical actuation and a plunger for pneumatic actuation. The valve systems are arranged around a shaft having circumferential actuation contours. Two opposing valve systems are arranged such that their plungers for mechanical actuation are in contact with the same actuation contour. Two further valve systems are arranged on another actuation contour located on the same shaft. The shaft is rotated by means of an operating element.

[0007] The unpublished DE 10 2021 125 122 A1 and DE 10 2021 125 123 A1 each disclose a valve device with a first and a second valve, each with manual, electrical and pneumatic actuation, wherein the manual actuation is effected via a cam disk with which a plunger of the first and second valve is moved.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a valve device that has electropneumatic and manual control, as well as an RTR function, and that is cost-effectively designed.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to specify such a valve device, as well as a truck with such a valve device.

[0010] This problem is solved by a valve device according to claim 1 and a truck according to claim 14.

[0011] The dependent claims include advantageous further developments and improvements of the invention in accordance with the following description of these measures.

[0012] The invention relates to a valve assembly comprising a first valve and a second valve. The first valve and the second valve can be arranged in a housing, the housing having a compressed air inlet, a compressed air outlet, and a vent outlet. Each valve has a piston, the piston of the first valve having a first contact element and the piston of the second valve having a second contact element. Additionally, each valve can have a return spring for each piston. The valve assembly has a home position. For actuating the valves, the valve assembly has an electropneumatic control and a mechanical control, which includes a manually operable, in particular a manually rotatable, operating element. The valve assembly also has a cam element coupled to the operating element.By activating the control element, the curve element can be moved.

[0013] When the control element is actuated in a first manner, which may in particular be actuating the control element in a first direction of rotation, the cam element actuates the first valve via the first contact element. When the control element is actuated in a second manner, which may in particular be actuating the control element in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first ("the other"), the cam element actuates the second valve via the second contact element. The cam element has at least one detent point into which one of the contact elements engages during one of the rotational movements. When the electropneumatic actuator is actuated, an overstroke occurs, which releases the detent position and returns the valve assembly to its home position. This actuation of the electropneumatic actuator thus triggers an RTR (Return to Throttle) function.

[0014] In this way, according to the state of the art, an additional piston is not required solely to provide the RTR function, but this can be achieved by advantageously utilizing other, already existing valve components.

[0015] According to the invention, a shaft is coupled to the control element and the cam element. The shaft thus serves to transmit a movement triggered by the actuation of the control element to the cam element. The contact elements and the pistons are arranged to be displaceable parallel to an axis defined by the shaft, and the cam element is arranged to be displaceable at right angles to the axis defined by the shaft.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the valve assembly has a spring which is arranged to move the cam element into a home position of the cam element which corresponds to the home position of the valve assembly.

[0017] In particular, the curve element can be designed as a cam disc.

[0018] The curved element can have a curved path in which the detent point is located. The detent point can, for example, be designed as a depression or recess in the curved path.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, one, both, or all of the contact elements are formed as part of the respective piston, for example, as an integral or attached extension of the piston. Alternatively, one, both, or all of the contact elements can also be formed separately from the respective piston, for example, as a plunger that is connected to the piston, for example, by a positive locking connection or in another way, to transmit a translational movement of the piston to the plunger. Such transmission of the translational movement from the piston to the plunger can also be achieved by the piston and the plunger merely being in surface contact and being held in this surface contact, for example, by gravity or the action of a spring.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the first valve is designed for a venting process and the second valve for a de-venting process, wherein the valve device has no flow in the basic position.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment, the first valve is a 4 / 2 valve and the second valve is a 4 / 2 or a 3 / 2 valve.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, after actuation of the control element in one of the ways, for example in one of the directions of rotation, one of the valves is actuated, wherein the contact element arranged for this valve engages in the detent position during this actuation, and wherein, upon actuation of the electropneumatic control for this valve, an overstroke of the piston of this valve takes place, by which the detent position of this contact element is released and the valve device returns to the basic position.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the exemplary embodiment, the first valve is configured for a venting process and the second valve for a de-venting process, wherein the valve assembly, in its home position, connects the compressed air outlet to an air spring valve. It is possible that, in an intermediate position—a stop position—arranged between the home position and a venting or de-venting position, the compressed air outlet is shut off.

[0024] The first valve can be a 5 / 2 valve and the second valve a 4 / 2 or a 3 / 2 valve. The cam element can have a curved path in which the detent point is located.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, the shaft and the cam element are rigidly connected to the control element. The spring can be a torsion spring coupled to the cam element and arranged to move the cam element into its home position, which corresponds to the home position of the valve assembly.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, the electropneumatic control system for each of the valves includes a solenoid valve for controlling a compressed air supply to the valves.

[0027] The valve device according to the invention is advantageously usable for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck, in particular a trailer, with an air suspension device.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the valve assembly in a basic position; Fig. 2 the valve assembly of the Fig. 1 in a lowered position; Fig. 3 the valve assembly of the Fig. 1 in a lifting position; Fig. 4 the valve assembly of the Fig. 1 in an RTR position; Fig. 5 a second embodiment of the valve assembly in a basic position; Fig. 6 the valve assembly of the Fig. 5 in a first stop position; Fig. 7 the valve assembly of the Fig. 5 in a lowered position; Fig. 8 the valve assembly of the Fig. 5 in a second stop position; Fig. 9 the valve assembly of the Fig. 5 in a lifting position; Fig. 10 the valve assembly of the Fig. 5 in an RTR position; Fig. 11 a third embodiment of the valve assembly in a cross-section not covered by the invention; Fig. 12 the valve assembly of the Fig. 11 in a lifting position; Fig. 13 the valve assembly of the Fig. 11 in a detent position; and Fig. 14 the valve assembly of the Fig. 11 in an RTR position.

[0030] The present description illustrates the principles of the inventive disclosure. It is therefore understood that those skilled in the art will be able to design various arrangements which, although not explicitly described here, embody principles of the inventive disclosure and which are also intended to be protected in their scope.

[0031] Fig. 1 Figure 10 schematically shows a valve assembly 10 with a housing 12 in which a first valve 14 and a second valve 15 are arranged, and which has a compressed air inlet 1 for a compressed air supply, a compressed air outlet 2, and a vent outlet 3. The first valve 14 is, in particular, a vent valve and has one port connected to the compressed air inlet 1 and one port connected to the vent outlet 3. The second valve 15 is, in particular, a vent valve and has two ports connected via two pneumatic connections 5, 6 within the valve assembly 10 to two ports of the valve 14, and two ports connected to the compressed air outlet 2.The pneumatic connections 5, 6 and the connections of the valves 14, 15 are designed such that, when valve 14 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air inlet 1 through the valves 14, 15 to the compressed air outlet 2, and when valve 15 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air outlet 2 through the valves 14, 15 to the vent outlet 3. In a neutral position of the valve arrangement 10, when neither valve 14, 15 is actuated, no flow occurs through the valve arrangement 10.

[0032] In this embodiment, the two valves 14, 15 are 4 / 2 valves and each has a piston 18 or 19, respectively, in which Fig. 1 The diagram shows a return spring 20 or 21, and a valve body 16 or 17, in which the pistons 18 or 19 move. Alternatively, the valve 15 can also be designed as a 3 / 2-way valve with only one connection for the compressed air outlet 2.

[0033] Valve 14 is designed such that, in its resting position when not actuated, it allows venting through valves 14 and 15, and when valve 14 is actuated, it allows venting through valves 14 and 15. Valve 15 is designed such that, in its resting position when not actuated, it allows venting through valves 14 and 15, and when valve 15 is actuated, it allows venting through valves 14 and 15.

[0034] A valve assembly of this type can be used, for example, in the air suspension system of a vehicle body. When valve 14 is actuated and its piston 18 is moved, pressure is built up via ports 1 and 2 to raise the vehicle body. When valve 15 is actuated and its piston 19 is moved, pressure is released via ports 2 and 3 to lower the vehicle body. If neither valve 14 nor 15 is actuated, the pressure is maintained at compressed air outlet 2.

[0035] To actuate the piston, each of the valves 14, 15 has both an electropneumatic control 22 and a manual control 23 for controlling a compressed air supply or venting. The electropneumatic control 22 includes a solenoid valve 26 for valve 14 and a solenoid valve 27 for valve 15, which are connected to the compressed air inlet 1 via a pneumatic line 24. The solenoid valves 26, 27 can be controlled, for example, by a control unit in the Fig. 1 Not shown, can be actuated. When the solenoid valve 26 is actuated, a venting process is effected by a displacement of the piston 18, and when the solenoid valve 27 is actuated, a venting process is effected by a displacement of the piston 19.

[0036] The manual control 23 comprises a manual operating element, for example a lever 30, as well as a contact element 32 for the valve 14 and a contact element 33 for the valve 15, wherein the contact elements 32, 33 are formed as parts of the pistons 18, 19. For actuating the contact elements 32, 33, the manual control 23 includes a rotary mechanism with a cam element 34, here designed as a cam disk 34, which is configured such that when the lever 30 is rotated in one direction, the contact element 32 moves the piston 18 for a venting operation, and when the lever is rotated in the other direction, the contact element 33 moves the piston 19 for a venting operation.

[0037] The lever 30 is coupled to the cam disk 34 via a shaft 40. When the lever 30 is actuated, the contact element 32 or 33 is moved along the cam disk. For example, when the lever 30 is rotated clockwise, the contact element 32 is moved, causing the piston 18 to move and resulting in a venting process. Conversely, when the lever 30 is rotated counterclockwise, the contact element 33 is moved, causing the piston 19 to move and resulting in a venting process. The cam disk 34 has two cam tracks: one for clockwise rotation, which moves the contact element 32, and another for counterclockwise rotation, which moves the contact element 33.

[0038] The cam disk 34 is movably arranged within the housing 12, between two springs 36, 37, which attempt to push the cam disk 34 back into a home position corresponding to the home position of the valve assembly 10. For example, when the lever 30 is turned clockwise, the cam disk 34 is pushed towards the spring 37, and when the lever 30 is turned counterclockwise, the cam disk 34 is pushed towards the spring 36. In this embodiment, the springs 36, 37 are coil springs that can be both compressed and extended. However, instead of two springs 36, 37, a single spring can also be used, for example.

[0039] The cam disk 34 also has two detent points 38, 39, such that when the lever 30 is rotated clockwise, at the end of the rotation (during a venting process), the contact element 32 engages in detent point 38, and when the lever 30 is rotated counterclockwise, at the end of the rotation (during a venting process), the contact element 33 engages in detent point 39. The detent points 38, 39 are, for example, recesses in the cam track of the cam disk, wherein the contact element 32 is pressed into the recess of detent point 38 by the spring force of the return spring 20 when the contact element 32 is located above detent point 38, and the contact element 33 is pressed into the recess of detent point 39 by the spring force of the return spring 21 when the contact element 33 is located above detent point 39.

[0040] The one in Figur 1 The depicted position of valves 14, 15 corresponds to a basic position of the valve arrangement 10, in which no flow takes place through the valve arrangement 10. This position can be used, for example, for a driving position of a motor vehicle or for a stop position after a ventilation or venting process of a vehicle body.

[0041] The possible functions of the valve assembly 10 will now be described using the following examples: Figuren 2-4 explained in more detail below. For a venting process, for example, the lever 30 is turned counterclockwise, so that the cam disk 34 is rotated by the shaft 40 and simultaneously moves along the cam track in the direction of the compression spring 36 until the contact element 33 engages in the detent point 39, as shown in the Fig. 2 As shown, spring 36 is compressed and spring 37 is extended. The compressed air outlet 2 is thereby connected to the vent outlet 3 via the two valves 14, 15 and the pneumatic connection 5. This corresponds to a lowered position.

[0042] For a ventilation process, the lever 30 is turned clockwise, so that the cam disc 34 is rotated by the shaft 40 and simultaneously moves along the cam track in the direction of the spring 37 until the contact element 32 engages in the detent point 38, as shown in the Fig. 3 As shown, spring 37 is compressed and spring 36 is extended. The compressed air inlet 1 is thereby connected to the compressed air outlet 2 via the two valves 14, 15 and the pneumatic connection 6. This corresponds to a lifting position.

[0043] Should this now be after the one in the Fig. 3 During the ventilation process shown, when the valve arrangement 10 is returned to its initial position, the solenoid valve 26 is actuated. This creates an overstroke for the piston 18, causing the contact element 32 to disengage from the detent point 38, as shown in the Fig. 4 This is shown. The cam disk 34 is pushed back into its home position by the springs 36, 37. Actuating the solenoid valve 26 when the valve assembly 10 is in the lifting position thus corresponds to an RTR (Return-to-Ride) function, by which the valve assembly 10 switches to its home position, or a driving position.

[0044] The RTR function can also be used after a venting process of the valve arrangement 10, when the contact element 33 has engaged in the detent position 39, as described in the Fig. 2 As shown, the solenoid valve 27 is used. For this purpose, the solenoid valve 27 is actuated, so that an overstroke is created for the piston 19 and the contact element 33 disengages from the detent point 39. This pushes the cam disk 34 back into its initial position by the springs 36, 37.

[0045] The RTR function can alternatively be triggered by simultaneously actuating both solenoid valves 26 and 27. This causes an overstroke for both pistons 18 and 19. Thus, the valve assembly 10 can always be returned to its home position by a single control signal for the solenoid valves 26 and 27, regardless of whether the valve assembly 10 is in the raise or lower position. Therefore, the valve assembly 10 requires no additional means to return from a locked raise or lower position to its home position.

[0046] The valve assembly 10 can be used, in particular, for raising or lowering the body of a truck, wherein the valve assembly 10 can have a detent point for the raising position, one for the lowering position, or one for each of the two positions. A desired height of the body can be set either manually via the lever 30 or by the electro-pneumatic control 22. For example, when the truck is stationary, the body can be secured in the lowered position by the detent point 39. If the truck is then to be driven, the body can be returned to its home position, corresponding to the driving position, by the electro-pneumatic control without having to manually actuate the valve assembly 10.During the journey, an electronic control unit can then regulate the vehicle structure of the truck in this embodiment by confirming the electropneumatic control 22 accordingly.

[0047] Another embodiment of the invention, valve device 50, is described in the Fig. 5 The valve assembly 50 has a housing 52 in which a first valve 54 with a piston 56 and a second valve 55 with a piston 57 are arranged, and which has a compressed air inlet 1 for a compressed air supply, a compressed air outlet 2 and a vent outlet 3, as well as an air spring valve connection 58 for an air spring valve.

[0048] The first valve 54 is, in particular, a vent valve and has one port connected to the compressed air inlet 1, one port connected to the vent outlet 3, and one port connected to the air spring valve port 58. The second valve 55 is, in particular, a vent valve and has two ports connected via two pneumatic connections 5, 6 within the valve assembly 50 to two ports of the valve 54, and two ports connected to the compressed air outlet 2. The same reference numerals have been used for the other components of the valve assembly 50, which correspond to the valve assembly 10.

[0049] The pneumatic connections 5, 6 and the connections of the valves 54, 55 are designed such that, when valve 54 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air inlet 1 through the valves 54, 55 to the compressed air outlet 2, and when valve 55 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air outlet 2 through the valves 54, 55 to the vent outlet 3. In a neutral position of the valve arrangement 50, when neither valve 54, 55 is actuated, the compressed air outlet 2 is connected to the air spring valve connection 58. This corresponds to a driving position.

[0050] To actuate the pistons 56 and 57, respectively, each of the valves 54 and 55 for controlling a compressed air supply or venting has both an electropneumatic control 22 and a manual actuation 60. The electropneumatic control 22 corresponds to the one described in Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 .

[0051] In this embodiment, valve 54 is a 5 / 2 valve and valve 55 is a 4 / 2 valve, which is connected to valve 15. Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 This corresponds to the following: In the basic position of the valve 54, when neither electro-pneumatic actuation 22 nor manual actuation 60 takes place, the air spring valve connection 58 and the compressed air outlet 3 are connected to the valve 55 via the pneumatic connections 5, 6 through the valve 54.

[0052] The manual actuation 60 comprises a manual operating element, for example a lever 30, as well as a contact element 32 for the valve 54 and a contact element 33 for the valve 55. For actuating the contact elements 32 and 33, the manual actuation 60 includes a rotary mechanism with a cam element 62, here designed as a cam disk 62. The lever 30 is coupled to the cam disk 62 via a shaft 40, which has a cam track, such that when the lever 30 is actuated, the contact element 32 and / or the contact element 33 are displaced.

[0053] The cam disk 62 is movably arranged within the housing 52, between two springs 36, 37, which attempt to push the cam disk 34 back into a home position corresponding to the operating position of the valve assembly 50. For example, when the lever 30 is turned clockwise, the cam disk 34 is pushed towards the spring 37, and when the lever 30 is turned counterclockwise, the cam disk 34 is pushed towards the spring 36. The springs 36, 37 are, for example, coil springs that can function as either compression or tension springs.

[0054] The cam track of the cam disk 62 is designed such that when the lever 30 is rotated in a first direction of rotation, a stop position is first reached in which both contact elements 32, 33 are displaced by the cam disk 62, and wherein the cam disk 62 has at least one detent point 64 into which one of the contact elements, in this embodiment the contact element 32, engages. Fig. 6 In this stop position, no flow takes place through the valve assembly 50.

[0055] Upon further rotation of the lever 30 in the first direction of rotation, a lowering position is reached in which the contact element 33 is displaced by the cam disk 62, but not the contact element 32. Fig. 7 In this lowered position, the compressed air outlet 2 is connected to the vent outlet 3 via the two valves 54, 55 and the pneumatic connection 5.

[0056] When the lever 30 is rotated in the other direction, a stop position is also first reached in which both contact elements 32, 33 are displaced by the cam disk 62, and wherein the cam disk 62 has at least one second detent point 65 into which one of the contact elements, in this embodiment the contact element 33, engages. Fig. 8 In this stop position, there is also no flow through the valve assembly 50.

[0057] Upon further rotation of the lever 30 in the second direction of rotation, a lifting position is reached in which the contact element 32 is displaced by the cam disk 62, but not the contact element 33. Fig. 9 In this lifting position, the compressed air inlet 1 is connected to the compressed air outlet 2 via the two valves 54, 55 and the pneumatic connection 6.

[0058] The functions of the valve assembly 50 will now be described using the Figuren 6-10 explained in more detail below. To set one of the stop positions of the valve assembly 50, the lever 30 is turned in the first direction of rotation, so that the cam disk 34 is rotated via the shaft 40 and simultaneously moves along the cam track in the direction of the compression spring 37, as shown in the Fig. 6 The cam disk 62 is designed such that in this position both pistons 56, 57 of the valves 54, 55 are displaced by the contact elements 32 and 33, respectively, so that no flow occurs through the valve assembly 50. Since the contact element 32 engages in the detent position 64 in this position, the valve assembly 50 remains in this position.

[0059] To adjust the lowering position on the valve assembly 50, the lever 30 is moved in the first direction of rotation past the stop position of the Fig. 6 turned outwards, as in the Fig. 7 The cam disk 34 is shown moving along the cam track towards the compression spring 37 until the cam track of the cam disk 34 reaches a recess 66 into which the contact element 32 is pushed by the return spring 20. The piston 57 of the valve 55 remains displaced by the contact element 33 in this position. This corresponds to the home position of the valve 54. The compressed air outlet 2 is thereby connected to the vent outlet 3 via the two valves 54 and 55 and the pneumatic connection 5, so that a venting process takes place.

[0060] A stop position is also reached when the valve assembly 50 is turned in the opposite direction, as shown in the Fig. 8 As shown, by rotating the lever 30 in the second direction of rotation, the cam disk 34 moves along the cam track towards the compression spring 36. The cam disk 62 is designed such that in this position both pistons 56, 57 of the valves 54, 55 are displaced by the contact elements 32 and 33, respectively, so that no flow occurs through the valve assembly 50. Since the contact element 33 engages in the detent position 65 in this position, the valve assembly 50 remains in this stopped position.

[0061] To adjust the lifting position on the valve assembly 50, the lever 30 is moved in the second direction of rotation past the stop position of the Fig. 8 turned outwards, as in the Fig. 9 The cam disk 34 is shown moving along the cam track towards the compression spring 36 until the contact element 33 reaches a recess 67 on the cam track of the cam disk 34, into which the contact element 33 is pushed by the return spring 21. The piston 56 of the valve 54 remains displaced by the contact element 32 in this position. This corresponds to the home position of the valve 55. The compressed air outlet 2 is thereby connected to the compressed air inlet 1 via the two valves 54 and 55 and the pneumatic connection 6, so that a venting process takes place.

[0062] Should the valve arrangement 50 be made up in the Fig. 6 When the valve assembly 50 is returned from the stop position shown to its initial position, which corresponds to the driving position, the solenoid valve 26 is actuated, as shown in the Fig. 10 This creates an overstroke for the piston 56, causing the contact element 32 to disengage from the detent point 64. This pushes the cam disk 34 into its home position by the springs 36, 37. Actuating the solenoid valve 26 when the valve assembly 50 is in the stop position thus corresponds to an RTR function, which switches the valve assembly 50 to the driving position.

[0063] The RTR function can also be used in the Fig. 8 The depicted stop position of the valve assembly 50 is used when the contact element 33 is engaged in the detent position 65. For this purpose, the solenoid valve 27 is actuated, so that an overstroke for the piston 57 occurs and the contact element 33 disengages from the detent position 65. This pushes the cam disk 34 back into its home position by the springs 36, 37.

[0064] The RTR function can alternatively be triggered by simultaneously actuating both solenoid valves 26 and 27. This causes an overstroke for both pistons 56 and 57 of the valves 54 and 55. Thus, the valve assembly 50 can always be returned to its home position by a single control signal for the solenoid valves 26 and 27, regardless of the stop position of the valve assembly 50. Therefore, the valve assembly 50 requires no additional means to return from a latched stop position to its home position, thus enabling a cost-effective design.

[0065] The valve assembly 50 is particularly suitable for use in a manually controlled air suspension system of a truck, especially in the body of a truck. The basic position of the valve assembly 50 is the driving position. When the lever 30 actuates the valve 54 and thereby moves its piston 56, pressure is built up for the air suspension via ports 1 and 2. When the valve 55 is actuated and its piston 57 is moved, pressure is released via ports 2 and 3.

[0066] Another embodiment of a valve device is shown in the Fig. 11 The valve assembly 100 is shown in a top view. The valve assembly 100 has a housing 102 and a lever 140, as well as an electropneumatic control system with solenoid valves 124, 125, which are arranged on one side of the housing 120 of the valve assembly 100. The solenoid valves 124, 125 can be controlled, for example, by an electronic control unit, in the Fig. 11 not displayed, must be activated.

[0067] The valve assembly 100 of the Fig. 11 is in the Fig. 12 in a cross-section through a cutting axis B - B of the valve assembly 100, Fig. 11 The housing 102 contains a first valve 110 and a second valve 111. The valve assembly 100 further comprises a compressed air inlet for supplying compressed air, a compressed air outlet, and a vent outlet. The first valve 110 is specifically a vent valve and has one port connected to the compressed air inlet and one port connected to the vent outlet. The second valve 111 is specifically a vent valve and has two ports connected via two pneumatic connections within the valve assembly 100 to two ports of the valve 110, and two ports connected to the compressed air outlet.The pneumatic connections and the connections of the valves 110, 111 are designed in such a way that, when valve 110 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air inlet through the valves 110, 111 to the compressed air outlet, and when valve 111 is actuated, compressed air is passed from the compressed air outlet through the valves 110, 111 to the vent outlet.

[0068] Valve 110 is designed such that, in its resting position when not actuated, it allows venting through valves 110 and 111, and when valve 110 is actuated, it allows venting through valves 110 and 111. Similarly, valve 111 is designed such that, in its resting position when not actuated, it allows venting through valves 110 and 111, and when valve 111 is actuated, it allows venting through valves 110 and 111. If both valves 110 and 111 are actuated, no flow occurs.

[0069] In this embodiment, the two valves 110, 111 are 4 / 2 valves and each has a piston 112 or 113, respectively, with a return spring 114 or 115. Alternatively, valve 111 can also be designed as a 3 / 2 valve with only one connection for the compressed air outlet.

[0070] To actuate the piston, each of the valves 110, 111 for controlling a compressed air supply has a mechanical actuation in addition to the electropneumatic actuation. The mechanical actuation has a manual operating element, for example a lever 140, as well as a contact element 130 for valve 110 and a contact element 131 for valve 111. To actuate the contact elements 130, 131, the mechanical actuation also has a rotary mechanism with a shaft 142, a cam disk 144 and a torsion spring 146.

[0071] The cam disk 144 and the lever 140 are attached to the shaft 142. When the lever 140 is actuated, the cam disk 144 moves the contact element 130, and thus the piston 112, when the lever 140 rotates in one direction. When the lever 140 rotates in the opposite direction, the cam disk moves the contact element 131, and thus the piston 113. In this process, the cam disk 144 converts the rotary movement of the lever 140 into a translational movement. The cam disk 144 has a surface with a cam track along which either the contact element 130 or the contact element 131 is moved when the lever 140 is actuated. Actuating the lever 140 in one direction causes a venting process, and acting the lever 140 in the other direction causes a deventing process.The torsion spring 146 exerts a force in the direction of the valve assembly 100's home position, in which no force acts on any of the contact elements 130, 131. When the valve assembly 100 is in its home position, the set pressure is maintained.

[0072] In the Figur 13 In the illustrated position of the valve assembly 100, a lifting position of the valve assembly 100 is set via the lever 140, in which the contact element 130 and thereby the piston 112 are displaced by the cam disk 144, so that a venting process takes place. Here, the contact element 130 is engaged in a detent point 148, as shown in the Fig. 13 depicted.

[0073] Should this now be after the one in the Fig. 13 During the ventilation process shown, when the valve arrangement 100 is returned to its initial position, the solenoid valve associated with valve 110, for example solenoid valve 126, or both solenoid valves 126, 127, are actuated. This creates an overstroke for the piston 112, so that the contact element 130 disengages from the detent point 148, as shown in the Fig. 14 As shown, the cam disk 144 is rotated back into its home position by the torsion spring 146, which corresponds to the home position of the valve assembly 100. Actuating the solenoid valve 126 when the valve assembly 100 is in the lifting position, or both solenoid valves 126 and 127, therefore also corresponds to an RTR function, by which the valve assembly 100 switches to its home position, or a driving position.

[0074] All examples and conditional formulations mentioned herein are to be understood without limitation to the specifically cited embodiments. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. There is scope for various adaptations and modifications that a person skilled in the art would consider based on their expertise and in relation to the disclosure, without deviating from the features of claim 1. Reference numeral list (part of the description)

[0075] 1 Compressed air inlet 2 Compressed air outlet 3 Vent outlet 5, 6 Pneumatic connections 10 Valve assembly 12 Housing 14, 15 Valves 16, 17 Valve housing 18, 19 Piston 20, 21 Return springs 22 Electropneumatic actuation 23 Manual actuation 24 Pneumatic line 26, 27 Solenoid valves 30 Lever 32, 33 Contact element 34 Cam element, cam disc 36, 37 Springs 38, 39 Detent points 40 Shaft 50 Valve assembly 52 Housing 54, 55 Valve 56, 57 Piston 58 Air spring valve connection 60 Manual actuation 62 Cam element, cam disc 64, 65 Detent points 66, 67 Recess 100 Valve assembly 102 Housing 110, 111 Valves 112, 113 Piston 114, 115 Return springs 124, 125 Solenoid valves 130, 131 Contact element 140 Lever 142 Shaft 144 Cam element, cam disc 146 Torsion spring 148 Detent point

Claims

1. Valve device (10, 50, 100) comprising a first valve (14, 54, 110) and a second valve (15, 55, 111), each of the valves comprising a piston (18, 19, 112, 113), the piston (18, 112) of the first valve (14, 54, 110) having a first contact element (32, 130) and the piston (19, 113) of the second valve (15, 55, 111) having a second contact element (33, 131), the valve device (10, 50, 100) having a basic position, the valve device (10, 50, 100) having an electropneumatic control (22) and a manual control (23) for actuating the first valve (14, 54, 110) and the second valve (15, 55, 111), the manual control (23) having a rotatable operating element (30, 140) and a cam element (34, 62, 144) which is coupled to the operating element (30, 140), the first valve (14, 54, 110) being actuated by the cam element (34, 62, 144) via the first contact element (32, 130) when the operating element (30, 140) is actuated in a first manner, in particular in a first direction of rotation, and the second valve (15, 55, 111) being actuated by the cam element (34, 62, 144) via the second contact element (33, 131) when the operating element (30, 140) is actuated in a second manner, in particular in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, and the cam element having at least one latching point (38, 39, 148) in which one of the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) latches as a result of the operating element (30, 140) being actuated in the first manner or in the second manner, so that the valve device (10, 50, 100) assumes a latching position, and when the electropneumatic control (22) is actuated, an overstroke takes place, by means of which the latching position is released and the valve device (10, 50, 100) returns to the basic position, a shaft (40, 142) being coupled to the operating element (30, 140) and the cam element (34, 62, 144), and the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) and the pistons (18, 19, 112, 113) being arranged so as to be displaceable parallel to an axis defined by the shaft (40, 142), characterized in that the cam element (34) is arranged so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the axis.

2. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve device (10, 50, 100) has a spring (36, 37, 146), wherein the spring (36, 37, 146) is arranged so as to move the cam element (34, 62, 144) into a basic position of the cam element (34, 62, 144), which basic position corresponds to the basic position of the valve device.

3. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cam element (34, 62, 144) is formed as a cam plate (34, 62, 144).

4. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cam element (34, 62, 144) has a cam track in which the latching point (38, 39, 148) is arranged.

5. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) is formed as part of the relevant piston (18, 19, 112, 113) or as a tappet (32, 33, 130, 131) connected to the relevant piston (18, 19, 112, 113).

6. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve (14) is configured for a ventilation process and the second valve (15) is configured for a venting process, and wherein the valve device in the basic position has no throughflow.

7. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve (14) is a 4 / 2 valve and the second valve (15) is a 4 / 2 valve or a 3 / 2 valve.

8. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the operating element (30, 140) is actuated in the first manner or in the second manner, one of the valves (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111) is actuated and the contact element (32, 33, 130, 131) of this valve (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111) thus latches in the latching point (38, 39), and wherein when the electropneumatic control (22) for this valve (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111) is actuated, an overstroke of the piston (18, 19, 112, 113) of this valve (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111) takes place, through which overstroke the latching position of this contact element (32, 33, 130, 131) is released and the valve device (10, 50, 100) returns to the basic position.

9. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first valve (14, 54, 110) is configured for a ventilation process and the second valve (15, 55, 111) is configured for a venting process, and wherein the valve device (10, 50, 100) in the basic position connects the compressed air outlet (2) to an air spring valve connection (58).

10. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to claim 9, wherein the first valve (14, 54, 110) is a 5 / 2 valve and the second valve (15, 55, 111) is a 4 / 2 valve or a 3 / 2 valve.

11. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of claims 9 to 10, wherein the cam element (34, 62, 144) has a cam track which is configured such that when the operating element (30, 140) is actuated in the first manner, a stop position is reached first, in which both of the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) are displaced by the cam element (34, 62, 144), and in which the cam element (34, 62, 144) has at least one latching point (64, 65) in which one of the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) latches, and in which no flow through the valve device (10, 50, 100) takes place, and wherein when the operating element (30, 140) is further actuated in the first manner, a lowering position or a raising position is achieved in which only one of the contact elements (32, 33, 130, 131) is displaced by the cam element (34, 62, 144).

12. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the shaft (40, 142) and the cam element (34, 62, 144) are fixedly connected to the operating element (30, 140) and / or wherein the spring (36, 37, 146) is a rotational spring (146) which is coupled to the cam element (34, 62, 144) and which is arranged so as to move the cam element (34, 62, 144) into the basic position of the cam element (34, 62, 144), which basic position corresponds to the basic position of the valve device (10, 50, 100).

13. Valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electropneumatic control (22) for each of the valves (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111) has a solenoid valve (26, 27, 124, 125) for controlling a compressed air supply for the valves (14, 15, 54, 55, 110, 111).

14. Vehicle which has a valve device (10, 50, 100) according to any of claims 1 to 13.