VALVE MEMBRANE WITH TRANSPONDER AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to valve membranes and their manufacturing processes.

[0002] Valve diaphragms are well known and are used to close and open process fluid lines in a valve body.

[0003] For identification purposes, it is known to connect an RFID chip in the sense of a transponder to the membrane.

[0004] US 2019 / 346063 A1 discloses a valve membrane comprising a flange portion and a membrane portion. It is proposed that the membrane comprises a data carrier accommodated in a housing, and that the housing be arranged at an edge of the flange portion such that, viewed from the outside, it is at least partially visible.

[0005] DE 20 2018 105 892 U1 discloses a device with a blind hole for inserting a transponder, wherein the transponder is surrounded by a sleeve made of elastomer, silicone or plastic, and wherein the sleeve is designed such that it is suitable for fixing the transponder in the blind hole.

[0006] The problems of the prior art are solved by valve membranes according to claim 1 and by a manufacturing method of a dependent claim. Advantageous developments can be found in the subclaims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the description, a valve membrane is provided, comprising: an edge region arranged on the narrow side, in particular a tab projecting beyond a functional region of the valve membrane, wherein a recess of the edge region comprises an enlarged diameter starting from an opening of the recess; and a plastic body comprising a transponder, the fastening section of which projects through the opening, wherein the fastening section at least partially fills the enlarged diameter by a deformation carried out in the enlarged diameter of the recess, in particular by hot caulking, of at least one region of the fastening section.

[0008] Especially with thin-walled valve membranes or with valve membranes whose material, such as PTFE, and whose material properties limit fastening options, it is only possible to attach a transponder to the valve membrane.

[0009] An advantageous example is characterized in that the recess is a passage extending, in particular, perpendicular to a membrane plane and has a further opening, and wherein the plastic body does not protrude significantly beyond the further opening or the plastic body terminates within the further opening. Advantageously, for example, a further membrane, such as an EPDM membrane, can be arranged on the side on which the further opening is located.

[0010] An advantageous example is characterized in that the recess is a passage running in particular perpendicular to the membrane plane and has a further opening, and wherein a surface of the edge region of the valve membrane surrounding the further opening and a surface of the plastic body are substantially flush.

[0011] In addition to improved arrangement options, the flush design also improves cleanability.

[0012] Consequently, the valve membrane is suitable for high hygiene requirements.

[0013] An advantageous example is characterized in that a head of the plastic body arranged outside the recess comprises a contact section facing the diameter enlargement, which contact section rests against a contact surface of the edge region.

[0014] The head protruding on one side of the valve membrane enables the positive connection to fix the plastic body to the valve membrane.

[0015] An advantageous example is characterized in that the contact section of the head and the area of the fastening section that at least partially fills the diameter enlargement fixes the plastic body to the edge area in a form-fitting manner.

[0016] The positive fit is particularly advantageous for valve membrane materials such as PTFE. An advantageous example is characterized by the head enclosing, in particular embedding, the transponder.

[0017] Advantageously, the transponder located outside the recess is easier to read. The functional decoupling of the transponder's mounting from the fastening allows for design freedom. In particular, the arrangement of thin-walled valve membranes is simplified.

[0018] An advantageous example is characterized by the fact that the contact surface of the edge region is recessed relative to a surrounding surface of the edge region.

[0019] This allows the outer contour of the head to be captured advantageously.

[0020] An advantageous example is characterized by the fact that a narrow outer contour of the head follows an imaginary cylindrical surface at least in the proximal direction.

[0021] Advantageous manufacturing advantages arise because the rotational orientation of the head is not crucial during production and the connection to the edge area.

[0022] An advantageous example is characterized in that a main body of the valve membrane is made of a polyolefin, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0023] An advantageous example is characterized in that the plastic body, in particular its main body, is made of polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyether ketone, polyoxymethylene or polypropylene.

[0024] A second aspect of the description relates to a method for producing the valve membrane according to the first aspect. The method comprises: producing the main body of the valve membrane, wherein the diameter enlargement is designed as a blind hole with an inner diameter that decreases at least partially towards the blind hole base in the main body; introducing, in particular punching, a passage in the region of the diameter enlargement to form the recess; arranging a blank fastening section of a plastic body blank in the region of the diameter enlargement, wherein the fastening section is guided through the opening; and forming, in particular hot-staking, the blank fastening section to produce the at least one region of the fastening section.

[0025] A third aspect of the description relates to a valve membrane. This comprises: a narrow-sided edge region, in particular a tab projecting beyond a functional region of the valve membrane; and a plastic body comprising a head with a transponder arranged therein, wherein a fastening section arranged within the edge region protrudes from the head, and wherein the fastening section comprises: at least two first form-fitting sections arranged on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of the plastic body and tapering in the distal direction; and at least two second form-fitting sections arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the plastic body and projecting in the proximal direction.

[0026] This combines differently shaped form-fitting sections, which, when combined, improve the pull-out strength of the plastic body. The first form-fitting sections ensure the opening of a cavity during insertion. The second form-fitting sections increase the pull-out strength.

[0027] An advantageous example is characterized in that surfaces of the first form-fitting sections oriented in the distal direction each enclose a smaller angle, in particular an angle that is at least 10° smaller, in particular an angle that is at least 15° smaller, with the central longitudinal axis than surfaces of the second form-fitting sections oriented in the distal direction with the central longitudinal axis.

[0028] Advantageously, the penetration resistance is reduced in the area of the first form-fitting sections. The second form-fitting sections increase the pull-out resistance.

[0029] An advantageous example is characterized in that a surface of the distal end of the fastening section forms an edge in the transition to the respective first form-fitting section, and / or wherein the surface of the distal end of the fastening section does not form an edge in the transition to the respective second form-fitting section.

[0030] The edges improve the opening of the elastomer material to create a cavity that allows the plastic body to penetrate.

[0031] An advantageous example is characterized in that a surface oriented in the direction of the head adjoins a surface of the respective first form-fitting section oriented in the distal direction, and a surface oriented in the lateral direction adjoins a surface of the respective second form-fitting section oriented in the distal direction.

[0032] The surfaces oriented toward the head provide the pullout resistance. The surface oriented laterally allows the plastic body to slide into the elastomer. It also provides an edge between the lateral surface and the proximal surface oriented toward the head.

[0033] An advantageous example is characterized in that a main body of the valve membrane, which comprises the edge region, is made of an elastomer such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.

[0034] The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows a multi-part membrane in a schematic perspective view; Figure 2 shows an edge region of a membrane with a passage in a schematic section from Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a plastic body arranged in the passage in a schematic section from Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a schematic flow diagram; Figure 5 shows a further plastic body in a schematic perspective view; Figure 6 shows the further plastic body in a side view; and Figure 7 shows the further plastic body in a schematic section.

[0035] Figure 1shows a schematic perspective view of a multi-part diaphragm 2 comprising a wet-side diaphragm 100 and a dry-side diaphragm 500. The two-part diaphragm 2 thus comprises the first diaphragm 100 facing a valve body of a diaphragm valve and the second diaphragm 500 facing a drive of the diaphragm valve. The two-part diaphragm 2 is clamped in a lateral region, the clamping region, between the valve body and the drive. The first diaphragm 100 can also be referred to as a diaphragm shield. The first diaphragm 100 comprises, for example, a synthetic fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The first diaphragm 100 comprises a sealing web, wherein the sealing web of the first diaphragm 100 is moved along an actuating axis S to close the fluid channel and presses against the valve seat. Of course, the sealing web can also be omitted in other embodiments.Four outer through-openings serve to pass through fastening devices such as stud bolts for clamping the membrane 2, which may, however, be omitted in other embodiments.

[0036] The following description concerns the membrane 100 and refers to the Figures 2 to 4 .

[0037] The valve membrane 100 comprises a narrow-side edge region 102 of a main body 104, in particular a tab protruding beyond a functional region 106 of the valve membrane 100. The functional region 106 comprises, for example, a flexion region that enables the diaphragm valve to be closed and opened, and a clamping region for laterally clamping the membrane. A recess 108 of the edge region 102, extending from an opening 110 of the recess 108, comprises a diameter enlargement 112.

[0038] A substantially one-piece plastic body 200 comprises a fastening portion 204, which, when installed, protrudes through the opening 110. A transponder 202 is arranged in a head 230 of the plastic body 200.

[0039] The fastening section 204 is formed by a deformation, in particular by hot caulking, in the enlarged diameter 112 of the recess 108. For this purpose, at least one region 206 of the fastening section 204 is deformed. The enlarged diameter 112 is at least partially filled by the fastening section 204 or its region 206.

[0040] For example, an electronic identifier of the valve membrane 100 is stored on the transponder 202, which can be read contactlessly via a reader.

[0041] The recess 108 is a passage extending, in particular, perpendicular to a membrane plane xy and has a further opening 120. The plastic body 200 does not protrude significantly beyond the further opening 120, or the plastic body 200 terminates within the further opening 120. In one example, the surface 122 of the edge region 102 of the valve membrane 100 surrounding the further opening 120 and a surface 222 of the plastic body 200 are substantially flush.

[0042] The head 230 of the plastic body 200, arranged outside the recess 108, comprises a contact section 232 facing the diameter enlargement 112, which rests against a contact surface 132 of the edge region 132. The head 230 thus encompasses the transponder 202 and embeds it in the plastic material.

[0043] The contact section 232 of the head 230 and the region 206 of the fastening section 204 which at least partially fills the diameter enlargement 112 fix the plastic body 200 in a form-fitting manner to the edge region 102.

[0044] The circular contact surface 132 is recessed relative to a surface 134 of the edge region 102 surrounding the head 230, thus forming a receiving area 136 for a proximal portion of the head 230. The recessed contact surface 132 positively secures the head 230 in or parallel to the membrane plane xy. A connecting passage 154 connects the receiving area 136 and the diameter enlargement 112.

[0045] A narrow-sided outer contour 234 of the head 230 follows an imaginary cylindrical surface at least in the proximal direction.

[0046] The main body 104 of the valve membrane 100, which can also be referred to as a shield or membrane shield, is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride. The plastic body 200, in particular its main body, is made of polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyether ketone, polyoxymethylene, or polypropylene.

[0047] As an alternative to the example shown, Figures 2 to 4 For example, the recess runs parallel to the membrane plane, and the opening is located on a narrow side. In this example, not shown, the head 230 of the plastic body 200 is arranged on the narrow side of the membrane 100 or the edge region 102. The recess therefore has no opening opposite the opening 110 and is designed, for example, as a blind hole. In this example, the longitudinal axis of the recess is parallel to the membrane plane xy, for example.

[0048] The following steps are performed to manufacture the valve membrane 100. Manufacturing 402 of the main body 104 of the valve membrane 100 includes forming the diameter enlargement 112 as a blind hole with an inner diameter that decreases at least in sections toward the bottom of the blind hole. Inserting 404, in particular punching, the passage 154 is performed in the region of the diameter enlargement 112 to form the recess 108. Arranging 406 a blank fastening section 690 of a plastic body blank 600 in the region of the diameter enlargement 112 includes guiding the fastening section 602 through the opening 110. A forming 408, in particular a hot staking, of the blank fastening section 602 is carried out in order to fix the at least one region 206 of the fastening section 204 in the diameter enlargement 112.

[0049] In step 404, the plastic body 600 is made of Figure 5The diameter enlargement 112 is volume-wise adapted to the blank fastening section 690 of Figure 5 adjusted so that after hot caulking no material can escape through the opening 120 Figure 2 protrudes.

[0050] The following description concerns the membrane 500 made of Figure 1 and refers to the Figures 1 and 5 to 7.

[0051] The valve membrane 500 comprises a narrow-side edge region 502 of a main body 504, in particular a tab protruding beyond a functional region of the valve membrane 500. A plastic body 600 comprises a head 630 with a transponder 602 arranged therein. A fastening section 604 arranged within the edge region 502 protrudes from the head 630. A distal surface 650 of the head 630 is concavely curved.

[0052] In an example not shown, the tabs are arranged offset from one another by an angle of, for example, 180° according to the edge regions 102, 502.

[0053] The fastening section 604 comprises at least two first form-fitting sections 610a, 610b arranged on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis U of the plastic body 600 and tapering in the distal direction. Furthermore, the fastening section comprises at least two second form-fitting sections 620a, 620b arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis U of the plastic body 600 and projecting in the proximal direction.

[0054] A surface 612a, 612b of the respective first form-fitting section 610a, 610b encloses an angle with the central longitudinal axis U in a range between 20° and 40°, in particular between 25° and 35°.

[0055] The second form-fitting sections 620a, 620b protrude obliquely from the distal end of the fastening section 604 and their respective surface 622a, 622b arranged in the distal direction forms an angle with the central longitudinal axis in a range between 40° and 60°, in particular between 45° and 55°.

[0056] The distally oriented surfaces 612a, 612b of the first form-fitting sections 610a, 610b each enclose a smaller angle, in particular an angle that is at least 10° smaller, in particular an angle that is at least 15° smaller, with the central longitudinal axis U than the distally oriented surfaces 622a, 622b of the second form-fitting sections 620a, 620b with the central longitudinal axis U.

[0057] A surface 640 of the distal end of the fastening section 604 at the transition to the respective first form-fitting section 610a, 610b forms an edge 614a, 614b. In an xy section, the distal surface 640 extends substantially or almost perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis U and has only a small convex curvature.

[0058] The surface 640 of the distal end of the fastening section 604 does not form an edge at the transition to the respective second form-fitting section 620a, 620b, but rather transitions smoothly. In an xz plane, the distal surface 640 is convexly curved.

[0059] A surface 616a, 616b oriented in the direction of the head 630 adjoins a distally oriented surface 612a, 612b of the respective first form-fitting section 610a, 610b via an edge. A surface 624a, 624b oriented in the laterally oriented surface 622a, 622b of the respective second form-fitting section 620a, 620b via an edge is adjoined by a surface 624a, 624b oriented in the lateral direction. The surface 626a, 626b oriented in the direction of the head 630 adjoins the lateral surface 624a, 624b via an edge, which surface runs, for example, parallel to the opposite surface 622a, 622b and, together with a web section 638 of the fastening section, creates a space into which elastomer material of the edge region can penetrate.

[0060] A frustoconical portion 660 tapers in the proximal direction and connects the web portion 638 and the cylindrical head 630. The portion 660 improves the connection of the head to the attachment portion.

[0061] A main body 504 of the valve diaphragm 500, which includes the edge region, is made of an elastomer such as ethylene propylene diene rubber.

Claims

1. Valve diaphragm (100) comprising: an edge region (102) arranged on a narrow side, wherein a cutout (108) in the edge region (102) has a diameter enlargement (112) starting from an opening (110) of the cutout (108); and a plastics body (200) which comprises a transponder (202), the fastening portion (204) of which plastics body protrudes through the opening (110), characterized in that, the fastening portion (204) at least partially fills the diameter enlargement (112) by at least one region (206) of the fastening portion (204) having been shaped in the diameter enlargement (112) of the cutout (108).

2. Valve diaphragm (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cutout (108) is a passage running in particular perpendicularly to a diaphragm plane (xy) and has a further opening (120), and wherein the plastics body (200) does not protrude substantially beyond the further opening (120) or the plastics body (200) terminates within the further opening (120).

3. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cutout (108) is a passage running in particular perpendicularly to the diaphragm plane (xy) and has a further opening (120), and wherein a surface (122) of the edge region (102) of the valve diaphragm (100), which surface surrounds the further opening (120), and a surface (222) of the plastics body (200) are substantially flush.

4. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a head (230) of the plastics body (200), which head is arranged outside the recess (108), comprises an abutment portion (232), facing the diameter enlargement (112), which abuts against an abutment surface (132) of the edge region (132).

5. Valve diaphragm (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the abutment portion (232) of the head (230) and the region (206) of the fastening portion (204), which region at least partially fills the diameter enlargement (112), interlockingly secure the plastics body (200) to the edge region (102).

6. Valve diaphragm (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the head (230) comprises, in particular embeds, the transponder (202).

7. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the abutment surface (132) of the edge region (132) is set back with respect to a surrounding surface (134) of the edge region (102).

8. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a narrow-side outer contour (234) of the head (230) follows an imaginary cylinder surface at least in the proximal direction and at least in portions.

9. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a main body (104) of the valve diaphragm (100) is made of a polytetrafluoroethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride.

10. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastics body (200), in particular the main body thereof, is made of polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyether ketone, polyoxymethylene or polypropylene.

11. Valve diaphragm (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the edge region (102) arranged on the narrow side is a tab projecting beyond a functional region (106) of the valve diaphragm (100).

12. Valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening portion (204) at least partially fills the diameter enlargement (112) by the at least one region (206) of the fastening portion (204) having been hot caulked in the diameter enlargement (112) of the cutout (108).

13. Method for producing the valve diaphragm (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: producing (402) the main body (104) of the valve diaphragm (100), wherein the diameter enlargement (112) is implemented as a blind hole which has an inner diameter which decreases at least in portions towards the bottom of the blind hole, in the main body (104); forming (404), in particular punching, a passage (154) in the region of the diameter enlargement (112) to form the cutout (108); arranging (406) a blank fastening portion (690) of a plastics body blank (600) in the region of the diameter enlargement (112), wherein the fastening portion (602) extends through the opening (110); and shaping (408), in particular hot caulking, the blank fastening portion (602) to produce the at least one region (206) of the fastening portion (204) in the diameter enlargement (112).