VALVE DEVICE WITH TILTABLE GUIDE ELEMENT AND FLUID SYSTEM

Description

State of the art Disclosure of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a valve device for a fluid system, as well as a fluid system.

[0002] Valve devices are known from the prior art that can be transitioned from an open to a closed state by pressing a valve ball onto a valve seat. However, this frequently results in tolerance-related coaxiality, which is usually compensated for by a radial gap in the valve needle guide. Particularly in conjunction with a magnetic drive, however, a large radial gap places greater demands on the drive, such as a larger solenoid coil and / or higher power consumption. Furthermore, the radial play between the valve ball and the valve seat can cause increased wear and higher noise emissions.

[0003] US 4 699 351 A discloses a valve unit with a valve seat and a valve body which contacts the valve seat in a closed state of the valve unit to close a valve unit and is removed from the valve seat in an open state to release the valve opening for a fluid flow in the fluid system, a guide unit with a guide element which is connected to the valve body and is movable along a movement axis to transfer the valve unit from the closed state to the open state, and a counter-guide element for guiding the guide element along the movement axis.

[0004] WO 2020 / 120074 A1 discloses a tank device for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, with a valve device and a tank, wherein the valve device has a valve housing with a longitudinal axis, in which valve housing an interior space is formed.

[0005] From US 2018 / 038507 A1, a valve device is known which comprises: a main valve element which divides the space of a valve element of a housing into the first and second pressure chambers; a sealing element which is configured to isolate the first and second pressure chambers from each other; a first pilot passage having one end connected to a primary passage and the other end connected to the second pressure chamber.

[0006] US 2015 / 184805 A1 discloses an assembly for a fluid control valve, including: a main valve body having a first flow channel mounted at an inlet and through which a filling source gas flows, a second flow channel through which a supply source gas flows, and a third flow channel to which the first flow channel and the second flow channel are connected.

[0007] US 2014 / 239207 A1 discloses a valve device comprising: a housing on which a main passage and a second pressure chamber are formed, wherein the main passage comprises a primary passage, a first pressure chamber, and a secondary passage; a main valve body disposed between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a valve device for a fluid system is provided. The fluid system comprises a valve unit with a valve seat and a valve body which, in a closed state of the valve unit, contacts the valve seat to close a valve opening and, in an open state, is remote from the valve seat to release the valve opening for fluid flow in the fluid system. Furthermore, the valve device comprises a guide unit with a guide element which is connected to the valve body and movable along a movement axis to transfer the valve unit from the closed state to the open state. Furthermore, the guide unit comprises a counter-guide element for guiding the guide element along the movement axis.The guide unit has a tilting means by which the guide element can be tilted, i.e. preferably aligned obliquely, to the movement axis for contacting, in particular in the closed state, between the valve seat and the valve body.

[0009] This at least partially eliminates the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the valve device according to the invention achieves improved guidance of a valve body when opening and / or closing a valve unit of the valve device.

[0010] The fluid flow can be a gas or a liquid. Preferably, the fluid flow comprises hydrogen.

[0011] In particular, the valve unit is arranged between a valve inlet for the inflow of the fluid flow and a valve outlet for the outflow of the fluid flow. The valve opening is, in particular, part of the valve unit. The valve opening can have a cross-section through which the fluid flow can flow when the valve unit is open. In the closed state, the valve body can be pressed onto the valve seat. Preferably, the valve opening is completely closed in the closed state. However, it is conceivable that a leakage flow can continue to flow through the valve opening in the closed state.

[0012] The valve seat is designed to be movable, in particular, with the guide element. The valve seat can be stationary. The movement axis can comprise a central axis of the guide unit, along which the guide element and / or the valve body moves when the valve unit is transferred from the closed state to the open state and / or vice versa. The movement axis can form a central axis of the guide element and / or the valve body.

[0013] The guide unit can in particular comprise a linear guide. For example, the guide element can be slidably mounted in the valve body. It can be provided that a gap is formed between the guide element and the counter-guide element. When the guide element is tilted, the guide element can extend at least partially into the gap. In particular, tilting of the guide element can be understood to mean that the guide element and / or the valve body is at an angle to the axis of movement, i.e. can preferably be aligned obliquely to the axis of movement for tilting. The guide element can preferably rotate about a center of rotation, i.e. in particular a pivot point or an instantaneous center, on the axis of movement.

[0014] The tilting means can define the center of rotation. Furthermore, the tilting means can be integrated into the guide element or the counter-guide element. During tilting, the tilting means can contact the guide element or the counter-guide element, particularly permanently or temporarily. Preferably, the guide element and the counter-guide element have a gap between them. The gap can have the smallest cross-section in the region of the tilting means.

[0015] Preferably, the guide element and the counter-guide element can form a cardanic joint through the tilting means. The tilting can occur in particular when transferring the valve unit from the open state to the closed state or vice versa. The tilting can compensate for any coaxiality, particularly due to tolerances, of the valve body and / or the movement axis to the valve seat. The tilting means can minimize or even eliminate a gap between the guide means and the counter-guide means. This can simplify the change of state of the valve unit between the open state and the closed state. For example, requirements for a drive unit can be reduced. Furthermore, the guidance enabled by the guide unit can be improved, so that wear and / or noise emissions can be reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, in a valve device according to the invention, it is conceivable for the valve seat to have a support surface for the valve body that is at least partially or completely conical, wherein the valve body has a contact surface that is at least partially round or completely round, wherein the contact surface rests on the support surface when the valve unit is in the closed state. In particular, the contact surface can slide along the support surface to close the valve opening when the valve unit is transferred from the open state to the closed state, whereby the guide element can be tilted towards the counter-guide element and / or the movement axis. In the closed state, the support surface and the contact surface can contact one another circumferentially to seal the valve opening. In particular, the contact surface can be spherical in design, at least in sections.The contact surface can comprise one or more spherical segments, spherical cutouts, and / or spherical rings. However, it is also conceivable for the valve body to be formed entirely as a sphere. The support surface can, for example, be truncated cone-shaped. The valve opening is preferably located in the center of the conical shape. In particular, the support surface can taper conically toward the valve opening all the way around. Due to the round design of the contact surface, the valve body can rest, in particular completely, on the support surface all the way around, even when tilted in an inclined position.

[0017] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the counter-guide element has a cylindrical interior in which the guide element is movably arranged. The interior can be hollow and / or circumferentially surrounded by the counter-guide element. The counter-guide element can advantageously be tubular. The guide element can have a cylindrical shape, at least in sections, in order to be guided in the counter-guide element. This allows the guide element to be guided linearly in the counter-guide element. In the event of tilting, guidance in different spatial directions can be ensured.

[0018] It is further conceivable in a valve device according to the invention that a magnetic drive unit is provided for moving the guide element, in particular wherein the guide element is designed as a magnet armature. The drive unit can generate a magnetic drive force in order to move the guide element and the valve body. The magnetic drive unit can, for example, comprise an electrical coil in order to move the magnet armature. Especially with a magnetic drive unit, it is advantageous to keep a gap in the guide unit small in order to reduce a coil and / or power consumption of the drive unit. Alternatively, however, further drives, such as an electric motor, are also conceivable for moving the guide element.

[0019] Preferably, it can be provided that the valve body is prestressed into the closed state by a prestressing unit, wherein the prestressing unit is designed to bring the valve unit into the closed state when the drive unit is de-energized. The prestressing unit can, for example, comprise a spring, in particular in the form of a compression spring. Preferably, the valve body is movable against the fluid flow and against the prestressing unit in order to transfer the valve unit into the open state. This can enable self-locking of the valve unit. In particular, if the drive unit fails, e.g. due to a technical defect, the prestressing unit can further ensure that the fluid does not flow through the valve device in an uncontrolled manner. The safety of the fluid system can thus be improved.

[0020] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the tilting means surrounds the guide element in a ring-like manner. The tilting means can be part of the guide element or the counter-guide element. The ring-like configuration around the guide element allows for a tolerance-related offset between the valve seat and / or the valve opening and the valve body in different spatial directions to be compensated.

[0021] It is further conceivable in a valve device according to the invention for the tilting means to be formed by a rolling section on the guide element or on the counter-guide element, in particular wherein the rolling section is designed in the shape of a spherical ring. The rolling section can be formed, for example, by a shape of the guide element or the counter-guide element. For example, the outer contour of the guide element or the counter-guide element can define the rolling section. The rolling section enables the guide element to roll on the counter-guide element when the guide element tilts relative to the counter-guide element and / or the movement axis. This can enable a defined tilting movement.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, it is further conceivable for the rolling section to be arranged, preferably centrally, between two ends of the guide element, in particular wherein the guide element has a conical guide surface between each of the two ends and the rolling section, which can be placed against the counter-guide element when the guide element is tilted relative to the counter-guide element and / or to the movement axis. The guide surfaces can thus form, in particular, opposing cones. Due to the conical design, a gap between the guide element and the counter-guide element can be enlarged in the direction of the ends and thus a space for tilting the guide element can be increased. The conical design of the guide surface can enable tolerance compensation in different spatial directions.

[0023] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the guide surfaces each extend tangentially to the rolling section. Due to the tangential extension of the guide surfaces, the guide surfaces can preferably rest against the counter-guide element on at least one side at a maximum tilt angle of the guide element. This can further ensure linear guidance of the guide element, while simultaneously keeping the gap between the guide element and the counter-guide element small. For example, the magnetic force required to move the guide element can depend on an average gap size.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, a fluid system is provided. The fluid system comprises a fluid tank for storing a fluid and a utilization device for utilizing the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid system has a valve device according to the invention, which is arranged between the fluid tank and the utilization device.

[0025] Thus, a fluid system according to the invention brings with it the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to a valve device according to the invention. The fluid system can, for example, be designed for arrangement in a vehicle. For example, the usage device can comprise a fuel cell system, in particular for driving the vehicle. The usage device can in particular also be referred to as a consumption device. The fluid can be stored or stored in the fluid tank, in particular under high pressure. A fluid flow of the fluid from the fluid tank to the usage device can be influenced, in particular regulated, by the valve device. It is conceivable for the fluid system to have a control unit for controlling a drive unit of the valve device.

[0026] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically: Figure 1 shows a fluid system according to the invention with a valve device according to the invention in a first exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 shows a valve unit of the valve device in a detailed view, Figure 3 shows a valve body of the valve unit in a plan view, and Figure 4 shows a tilting means of the valve device.

[0027] In the following description of some embodiments of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a fluid system 1 according to the invention in a first exemplary embodiment. The fluid system 1 comprises a fluid tank 2 for storing a fluid and a utilization device 3 for utilizing the fluid. The fluid can preferably be hydrogen. The utilization device 3 can, for example, comprise a fuel cell system. Furthermore, a valve device 10 according to the invention is arranged between the fluid tank 2 and the utilization device 3 in order to influence a fluid flow 200 of the fluid from the fluid tank 2 to the utilization device 3.

[0029] The valve device 10 comprises a valve unit 20 with a Figure 2illustrated valve seat 21 and a valve body 22, which contacts the valve seat 21 in a closed state II of the valve unit 20 to close a valve opening 23. In an open state I to release the valve opening 23 for a fluid flow 200 in the fluid system 1, the valve body 22 is arranged away from the valve seat 21. To transfer the valve unit 20 from the open state I to the closed state II and vice versa from the closed state II to the open state I, the valve body 22 can be moved along a movement axis 30.1. For this purpose, the valve device 10 has a guide unit 30, which preferably forms a linear guide.

[0030] The guide unit 30 has a guide element 31, which is connected to the valve body 22 and can be moved with the valve body 22 when the valve unit 20 is transferred from the open state I to the closed state II and vice versa. Furthermore, the guide unit 30 has a counter-guide element 32 for guiding the guide element 31 along the movement axis 30.1. The counter-guide element 32 is preferably fixed in place. To guide the guide element 31, the counter-guide element 32 comprises a cylindrical interior space 35 in which the guide element 31 is movably arranged.

[0031] In order to drive the guide element 31 with the valve body 22, the valve device 10 further comprises a magnetic drive unit 40 for moving the guide element 31. The guide element 31 is designed, at least in section, as a magnetic armature 41. A gap 36 is also formed between the guide element 31 and the counter-guide element 32 in order to enable a relative movement between the guide element 31 and the counter-guide element 32 by the magnetic drive unit 40. The valve body 22 is preloaded into the closed state II by a preload unit 42. For increased safety in the event of a fault, the preload unit 42 is designed to bring the valve unit 20 into the closed state II when the drive unit 40 is de-energized.

[0032] As in Figure 2As shown, the valve seat 21 has a support surface 24 for the valve body 22, which is at least partially conical. The valve body 22 further comprises a contact surface 25, which is at least partially round. In the closed state II, the contact surface 25 rests on the support surface 24 in the closed state II of the valve unit 20. The contact surface 25 and / or the support surface 24 can preferably comprise a hardened steel. The contact surface 25 can, as in Figure 3 shown in a sectional plan view of the valve body 22, have lateral, for example flat, recesses 25.1, whereby the fluid can advantageously flow past the valve body 22 in the opening state I of the valve unit 20 without a large valve stroke being required.

[0033] In order to compensate for tolerance-related coaxiality between the valve seat 21, the valve opening 23, the movement axis 30.1 and / or the valve body 22, the guide unit 30 comprises a tilting means 33, as in Figure 4 shown. The tilting means 33 allows the guide element 31 to be tilted relative to the movement axis 30.1 for contact between the valve seat 21 and the valve body 22 relative to the counter-guide element 32 and / or relative to the movement axis 30.1. Due to the round, preferably spherical design of the contact surface 25, the valve body 22 can contact the support surface 24 at an angle, whereby a circumferential seal of the valve opening 23 is not or hardly impaired by the contact between the support surface 24 and the contact surface 25.

[0034] Furthermore, the tilting means 33 is formed by a rolling section 33.1 on the guide element 31, which surrounds the guide element 31 in a ring-like manner. The rolling section 33.1 is designed like a spherical ring. Furthermore, the rolling section 33.1 is arranged between two ends of the guide element 31. The guide element 31 has a conical guide surface 34 between each of the two ends and the rolling section 33.1, which can be placed against the counter-guide element 32 when the guide element 31 is tilted relative to the counter-guide element 32 and / or to the movement axis 30.1. The guide surfaces 34 each run tangentially to the rolling section 33.1, so that the guide surfaces 34 rest against the counter-guide element 32 when the guide element 31 tilts.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the tilting means 33 is located on the guide element 31. However, it is also conceivable that the tilting means 33 is arranged on the counter-guide element 32 and the guide element 31 has a straight course.

Claims

1. Valve device (10) for a fluid system (1), having a valve unit (20) with a valve seat (21) and a valve body (22) which in a closed state (II) of the valve unit (20) contacts the valve seat (21) so as to close a valve opening (23), and in an open state (I) is removed from the valve seat (21) so as to release the valve opening (23) for a fluid flow (200) in the fluid system (1), a guide unit (30) with a guide element (31) which is connected to the valve body (22) and for transferring the valve unit (20) from the closed state (II) to the open state (I) is movable along a motion axis (30.1), and a counter guide element (32) for guiding the guide element (31) along the motion axis (30.1), characterized in that the guide unit (30) has a tilting means (33) by way of which the guide element (31) is tiltable relative to the motion axis (30.1) for establishing contact between the valve seat (21) and the valve body (22).

2. Valve device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat (21) has an at least in portions conical contact surface (24) for the valve body (22), wherein the valve body (22) has an at least in portions round contact surface (25), wherein the contact surface (25) in the closed state (II) of the valve unit (20) rests on the contact surface (24).

3. Valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter guide element (32) has a cylindrical interior (35) in which the guide element (31) is movably disposed.

4. Valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provided is a magnetic drive unit (40) for moving the guide element (31), wherein the guide element (31) is formed as an armature (41).

5. Valve device (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the valve body (22) is preloaded to the closed state (II) by a preload unit (42), wherein the preload unit (42) is designed to move the valve unit (20) to the closed state (II) when the drive unit (40) is de-energized.

6. Valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tilting means (33) surrounds the guide element (31) in an annular manner.

7. Valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tilting means (33) is formed by a rolling portion (33.1) on the guide element (31), wherein the rolling portion (33.1) is in the shape of a spherical ring.

8. Valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling portion (33.1) is disposed between two ends of the guide element (31), wherein the guide element (31) has between each of the two ends and the rolling portion (33.1) a conical guide surface (34), which is able to be brought to bear on the counter guide element (32) when tilting the guide element (31).

9. Valve device (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the guide surfaces (34) extend in each case tangentially to the rolling portion (33.1).

10. Fluid system (1) having a fluid tank (2) for storing a fluid, a usage device (3) for utilizing the fluid, and a valve device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is disposed between the fluid tank (2) and the usage device (3).