Fluid control valve and method for assembling same

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve comprising: - a body (1) having an inner housing, - fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (B1, D1, B2), - a member (3) with the ability to rotate in said housing about an axis (X-X) and having flow openings (310, 320, 330), - seals (4) providing a seal between the openings and the orifices, wherein: - the orifices are formed in the body at distinct stages, - the rotary member comprises a plurality of plugs (31, 32, 33) each situated at one of said stages and the outer walls of which are included in a common envelope of frustoconical shape, - a seal holder (2) is installed in the inner housing of the body, -the seal holder has seal housings in which the seals are installed, - each seal housing has an axis perpendicular to the envelope.

Description

[0001] Description Title: FLUID CONTROL VALVE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME Technical field [1] The subject of the invention is a fluid control valve. The subject of the invention is also a method for the automated assembly of such a valve. [2] The invention relates in particular to the technical field of fluid control valves, in particular used to control the circulation of a cooling fluid in a motor vehicle heat exchanger system. State of the art [3] Heat exchanger systems for vehicle engines, in particular motor vehicles, comprise a cooling circuit for conveying one or more cooling fluids into several branches or sub-circuits. Valves integrated into these circuits make it possible to control the flow of the fluid in the different branches according to thermal requirements and / or according to desired temperature ranges. [4] Patent documents WO2014 / 187452 and EP1529937disclose such a valve comprising a valve body – or casing – having an internal housing. Fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices open on the one hand into this housing and on the other hand onto an external surface of the casing. A rotary member in the form of a ball valve is mounted to rotate in the housing so as to control the circulation of fluid between these orifices. The ball valve is driven by an actuator of the electric motor type. The fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices comprise annular seals in sealing contact with the ball valve. These prior art valves, however, have a certain number of drawbacks. [5] Mounting the ball valve in the casing appears complicated due to the spherical shape of said ball valve and / or requires a particularly complex design of the valve making it difficult to industrialize on a large scale. Also, to ensure a sealoptimal in the valves of WO2014 / 187452 and EP1529937, it is necessary to stress the seals by added spring elements. This results in increased friction between the seals and the ball so that the actuator must provide a relatively high torque to rotate said ball. In addition, the number of fluid circulation paths (or operating modes) is limited. [6] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to propose a valve whose design and assembly are easy, making it possible to simplify the industrialization process. The invention also aims to propose a solution for limiting the friction between the seals and the rotation member so as to limit the torque necessary to rotate said member and reduce the size and / or the power consumed by the actuator.A further objective of the invention is to provide a valve capable of offering more operating modes. Presentation of the invention [7] The solution proposed by the invention is a fluid control valve comprising: - a valve body having an internal housing, fluid inlet and / or outlet ports opening into the internal housing, - a rotary member having fluid flow openings, which member is mounted to rotate in the internal housing about an axis of rotation, so as to control the circulation of fluid between said flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet ports, - annular seals in sealing contact with the rotary member to ensure a fluid seal between the fluid flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet ports, and in which: - the inlet and / or outlet ports are arranged in the body at stagesdistinct from each other, - the rotary member comprises several valves arranged one above the other along the axis of rotation, each valve being located at one of said stages and the external walls of which are included in a common casing of truncated cone shape, - a single-piece seal holder is installed in the internal housing of the body, which seal holder has an internal housing in which the rotary member is mounted, - the seal holder has seal housings in fluid communication with the inlet and / or outlet orifices and in which the sealing gaskets are installed, - each seal housing has an axis perpendicular to the casing of truncated cone shape, the gaskets being installed along this axis. [8] The use of a rotary member formed of several distinct valves makes it possible to design each of them specifically in order to very simply offer all the combinations suitable for the desired operating modes. The number ofThe number of possible operating modes is therefore increased tenfold compared to the aforementioned valves of the prior art, while maintaining a small radial footprint. In addition, the configuration of the valves whose external walls are included in a common casing of truncated cone shape allows easy assembly of the rotary member in the seal housing, which can also be installed very simply in the valve body. The valve can ultimately consist of only three parts (rotary member, seal holder and valve body) thereby allowing a relatively simple industrialization process. In addition, the applicant has surprisingly found that the specific orientation of the seal housings and the seals makes it possible to limit the friction between said seals and the valves so that the torque required to rotate the member is reduced. A smaller actuator and / or with a lower power consumption than those fittedthe valves of the aforementioned prior art can thus be used. [9] Other advantageous characteristics of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above. Each of these characteristics contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the other characteristics defined above do not necessarily contribute. The following characteristics can thus be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0010] According to one embodiment, the frustoconical casing has a slope inclined at an angle of between 0.1° and 5° relative to the axis of rotation.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each plug has the shape of a spherical zone, a sphere or a substantially spherical shape.

[0012] According to one embodiment, each seal

[0013] According to one embodiment, the distal portion of each seal has one or more lips in contact with the shoulder or the valve body and forming a spring element so as to constrain the proximal portion of said seal against the external wall of the corresponding valve.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the proximal portion of each seal is coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the internal wall of the seals is provided with an insert.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the internal housing of the valve body has a first series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices, a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices, and a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices.fluid outlet and a third series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices opening on the one hand into said housing and on the other hand onto an external surface of said body, at stages distinct from each other.

[0017] According to one embodiment, at least two valves having fluid flow openings are connected to each other by a cavity or passage arranged in the rotary member in such a way that the fluid can flow simultaneously through said openings and through said member.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cavity or passage opens at one end of the rotary member, which cavity or passage is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice arranged in a bottom wall of the valve body.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the rotary member comprises a rod shaped in the cavity or passage and forming an axis of rotation of said member, which rod is housed in a guide in the form ofcup arranged in a bottom wall of the valve body.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the rotary member has another plug distinct from the two plugs connected by the cavity or passage; a sealing element ensures a fluid seal in the internal housing of the seal holder, between said other plug and the two said plugs.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the internal housing of the seal holder is closed at one of its ends by a wall forming a cover, which cover seals the internal housing of the valve body.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for the automated assembly of a valve in accordance with one of the preceding characteristics, comprising the following successive steps: - automatically inserting the rotary member into the internal housing of the seal holder from an open end of said seal holder, the insertion being carried out along the axis of rotation, - automatically installingthe seals in the seal housings, - automatically insert the assembly consisting of the seal holder, the seals and the rotating member into the internal housing of the valve body, through an opening provided in said body, the insertion being carried out along the axis of rotation. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of the embodiments which follow, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [Fig.1A] is a perspective view of a valve body of a valve according to the invention. [Fig.1B] and [Fig.1C] are longitudinal sectional views of the valve body of Figure 1A. [Fig.1D], [Fig.1E] and [Fig.1F] are sectional views respectively along AA, BB and CC of the valve body of Figure 1B. [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B] are perspective views of a seal holder according to the invention. [Fig.3A]and [Fig.3B] are perspective views of a rotary member according to the invention. [Fig.3C] is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary member of Figures 3A and 3B. [Fig.3D] shows schematically the common envelope in which the external walls of the valves of the rotary member are included. [Fig.4A], [Fig.4B] and [Fig.4C] are cross-sectional views of a valve according to the invention, respectively at a first stage (at the section along AA of Figure 1B), a second stage (at the section along BB of Figure 1B) and a third stage (at the section along CC of Figure 1B). [Fig.5] illustrates a seal according to the invention. [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional view of a valve according to the invention, in the assembled state. [Fig.7] partially illustrates the assembly of a seal. [Fig.8] is a longitudinal sectional view of a valve according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in the assembled state. Description of the embodiments

[0024] To possibly complete their current definition, the following clarifications are made to certain terms used in the claims and the description: - As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the possible use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not imply that the objects thus described must be in a given sequence, whether in time, in space, in a classification or in any other way. - "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. - Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various appended drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading. Valve body

[0025] Referring to Figures 1A to 1F, the valve which is the subject of the invention comprises a valve body 1 (or casing, the two terms being synonymous) consisting of a side wall 10 of general shapecylindrical with axis XX and a bottom wall 11.

[0026] The body 1 has an internal housing 12 which extends along the axis XX, from the bottom wall 11 to an open end of said body opposite said bottom wall and which is generally cylindrical in shape.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the body 1 is made of a rigid material, for example of the steel, metal, plastic, etc. type.

[0028] In the side wall 10 are arranged fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 which open into the housing 12. According to one embodiment, a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice 1323 is arranged at the level of the bottom wall 11 and opens into the housing 12.

[0029] The orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 are distributed over three levels or stages: a first series A1, B1, C1, D1 installed at a first stage, at least one orifice B2 installed at a second stage and at least one orifice C3 installed at a third stage. These stages aredistinct from each other and located in parallel planes normal to the axis XX. In the attached figures, the first stage has four orifices, the second stage one orifice and the third stage one orifice, but a different number of orifices can be provided at one and / or the other of the stages. Similarly, a greater or lesser number of stages can be provided (for example between 2 and 5 stages).

[0030] The orifices B1 and B2 on the one hand and C1 and C3 on the other hand are preferably aligned although this configuration is not essential to the operation of the valve. According to a preferred embodiment, the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 of the first series are positioned at 90° to each other.

[0031] According to the embodiment of Figures 1A to 1F, the orifices A1 and C1 are each connected to a tube 13 which projects from the external surface of the side wall 10. The orifice C3 is extended by an angled conduit opening out at the level of the bottom wall 11, but couldbe connected to a tube similar to the tubes 13. The orifices B1 and B2 open into a common channel or conduit B arranged in the side wall 10. The first stage and the second stage are thus in fluid communication through the channel B. This channel B is for example oriented parallel to the axis XX and extends from the bottom wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. The channel B can be open at its two ends or be blind. Other configurations of the channel B are however conceivable. The orifice D1 opens into a channel or conduit D arranged in the side wall 10. This channel D is for example oriented parallel to the axis XX and extends from the bottom wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. The channel D can be open at its two ends or be blind. Other configurations of the channel D are however conceivable. The port D1 could be connected to a tube similar to the tubes 13.

[0032] The bottom wall 11 canalso have an orifice 1323 opening into the housing 12. This orifice 1323 can be connected to a tube similar to the tubes 13.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the housing 12 has axial grooves 120 oriented parallel to the axis XX and which extend from the bottom wall 11 to the open end of the body 1. These grooves 120 are used to position the seal holder 2 as explained further in the description. Seal holder

[0034] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a seal holder 2 configured to be installed in the housing 12, between the body 1 and the rotary member described further in the description. The seal holder 2 is in one piece and consists of a side wall 20 delimiting an internal housing 22 extending along the axis XX and in which the rotary member 3 described further in the description is mounted. The side wall 20 has a shape complementary to the internal housing 12 of the body 1 and in particular complementary to the grooves 120 ofso as to ensure the positioning of the seal holder 2 in said housing. The contact between the external surface of the wall 20 and the internal wall of the housing 12 is preferably a tight contact ensuring a seal against the fluid. However, this seal can only be ensured by the seals 4 described further in the description.

[0035] In Figures 2A and 2B, the internal housing 22 of the seal holder 2 is open at one of its ends and closed at another end by a wall 23 forming a cover. According to a preferred embodiment, the cover 23 forms an integral part of the seal holder 2. According to an alternative embodiment, the seal holder 2 is open at both of its ends, the cover 23 being added later. The cover 23 has an orifice 230 for the passage of a shaft 300 of the member 3.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the seal holder 2 is made of a rigid material, for example of the steel, metal, plastic, etc. type. Itis preferably made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PA (polyamide).

[0037] In the wall 20 are arranged openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3. These openings open on the one hand into the housing 22 and on the other hand onto the external surface of the side wall 20. The openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 are respectively complementary to the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 so that when the seal holder 2 is installed in the body 1, the orifice A1 opens into the opening AO1, the orifice B1 opens into the opening BO1, the orifice C1 opens into the opening CO1, the orifice D1 opens into the opening DO1, the orifice B2 opens into the opening BO2 and the orifice C3 opens into the opening CO3. The openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 are thus in fluid communication with the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3.

[0038] In Figures 2A and 2B, the configuration of the wall 20 is such that it extends only at the level of the openings AO1,BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3. Thus, the wall 20 extends in the first stage where the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 and the openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1 are located; partially in the second stage where the orifice B2 and the opening BO2 are located, up to the third stage only in the area where the orifice C3 and the opening CO3 are located. This configuration allows a saving of material likely to lighten the weight of the seal holder 2. According to another embodiment, the wall 20 extends along the entire length of the seal holder 2.

[0039] The openings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 constitute seal housings in fluid communication with the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, and in which the sealing gaskets 4 are installed. Rotary member

[0040] The valve also comprises a rotary member 3 mounted to move in rotation in the housing 12, around the axis XX. A preferred embodiment of this rotary member 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. In use, the member3 takes different angular positions allowing to control the circulation of fluid through the orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3 of the valve.

[0041] The member 3 comprises several valves 31, 32, 33 arranged one above the other along the axis XX. The number of valves corresponds to the number of stages of the valve. According to the embodiment of the appended figures, a first valve 31 is located at the first stage (i.e. at the orifices A1, B1, C1 and D1), a second valve 32 is located at the second stage (i.e. at the orifice B2) and a third valve 33 is located at the third stage (i.e. at the orifice C3).

[0042] To reduce friction, the valves 31, 32, 33 are advantageously made of plastic material, preferably PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or PA (polyamide). They form a single piece obtained by molding and / or machining the member 3. According to an alternative embodiment, the valves31, 32, 33 can be produced independently of each other and assembled together for example by gluing, welding or screwing.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the external wall of each plug 31, 32, 33 has a spherical zone shape (truncated sphere of its spherical caps by two parallel planes, and in particular two planes perpendicular to the axis XX). Other equivalent shapes are however conceivable, such as spherical or substantially spherical shapes for example flattened ellipsoids. These shapes are particularly advantageous insofar as they make it possible to further reduce the friction zones between the rotating member and the seals and the seals described further in the description, this zone being limited to a linear contact. For example, the plugs 31, 32, 33 have a diameter of between 1 cm and 5 cm.

[0044] Referring to Figure 3D, the outer walls of the valves 31, 32, 33 are includedin a common casing E of truncated cone shape. In this figure, the diameters of the valves have been deliberately enlarged to illustrate this characteristic more clearly. This configuration of the valves 31, 32, 33 allows easy mounting of the member 3 in the seal holder 2 and ensures optimal sealing with limited friction between the seals and the valves 31, 32, 33 as explained further in the description. A good compromise between simplicity of manufacture and assembly and effectiveness of sealing is obtained when the casing E has a slope inclined at an angle a of between 0.1° and 5° relative to the axis XX. In Figure 3D, the diameter of the valves 31, 32, 33 increases according to the slope of the casing E (i.e. as the casing E moves away from the axis XX).

[0045] One end of the member 3 is provided with a shaft 300 extending along the axis XX and adapted to engage with the actuator 8 ensuring its rotation. On theattached figures, this shaft 300 is located at the end of the first slide 31.

[0046] The rotary member 3 is configured so as to have angular positions making it possible to control the circulation of fluid at the level of the different stages. To do this, the member 3 has fluid flow openings.

[0047] In Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, the first slide 31 comprises a fluid flow opening 310 configured to control the circulation of fluid at the level of the first stage, in particular between at least two orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 of said first stage. This opening 310 is preferably arranged over an angular sector of between 90° and 180°, that is to say an angular sector capable of covering at least two orifices of the first stage. In the angular position of Figure 4A, the opening 310 is positioned opposite the orifices B1 and C1, so that these two orifices are in fluid communication; and the orifices A1 and D1 are closed.by the external wall of the first valve 31. The opening 310 may however be arranged on a different angular sector, for example 20° or 270°. According to one embodiment, the opening 310 is configured so that the first valve 31 has at least one angular position preventing, at the first stage, any circulation of fluid between the different orifices A1, B1, C1, D1.

[0048] The second valve 32 comprises a fluid flow opening 320 configured to control the circulation of fluid at the second stage, in particular at the orifice B2. This opening 320 is preferably arranged on an angular sector between 90° and 180°, but may however be arranged on a different angular sector, for example 20° or 270°. According to one embodiment, the opening 320 is offset by 180° from the opening 310. In the angular position of Figure 4B, the opening 320 is positioned opposite the orifice B2. Combined with theangular position of Figure 4A, the orifices C1, B1 and B2 (via the conduit B) are in fluid communication.

[0049] The third valve 33 comprises a fluid flow opening 330 configured to control the circulation of fluid at the third stage, in particular at the orifice C3. This opening 330 is preferably arranged on an angular sector corresponding to that of the orifice C3, but can however be arranged on a different angular sector, for example 20°, 90° or 120°. According to one embodiment, the opening 330 is offset by 180° from the opening 320. In the angular position of Figure 4C, the opening 330 is positioned opposite the orifice C3. Combined with the angular position of Figures 4A and 4B, the ports C1, B1 and B2 (via conduit B) and C3 (via cavity 323) are in fluid communication.

[0050] Referring to Figure 3C, the openings 320 and 330 are connected to each other by a cavity orpassage 323 such that the fluid can flow simultaneously through the two said openings and therefore through the member 3. The second stage and the third stage can thus be in fluid communication. This cavity 323 does not communicate with the opening 310.

[0051] In Figure 3C, the cavity 323 opens at the end of the third valve 33 (i.e. at one end of the member 3) so that said cavity is in fluid communication with the orifice 1323 arranged in the bottom wall 11. In the example of the appended figures, the opening 3230 of the cavity 323 is such that said cavity is in fluid communication with the orifice 1323 whatever the angular position of the member 3. This opening 3230 can however be arranged over a predefined angular sector, so that said cavity is in fluid communication with the orifice 1323 only in one or more angular positions of the member 3.

[0052] The different positionsangular of the member 3 offer a large number of possible combinations of fluidic connection between the orifices of A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, 1323 of the valve, in comparison with the valves of the aforementioned prior art. Each combination makes it possible to obtain a particular operating mode. In particular, the common channel or conduit B makes it possible to put the first stage in fluidic communication with the second stage and / or the third stage. And the cavity or passage 323 makes it possible to put the second stage and the third stage in fluidic communication.

[0053] In Figure 3C, the member 3 further comprises a rod 3231 shaped in the cavity 323 and forming the axis of rotation of the member 3. This rod 3231 is adapted to be housed in a cup-shaped guide 123 visible in Figures 1A to 1F and arranged on the bottom wall 11. The rod 3231 preferably comprises a point-shaped end so as to limit friction with the guide 123. Seals

[0054] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the sealing elements 4 are each designed in the form of an annular seal bearing in a sealed manner on the external surface of the valves 31, 32, 33. When the latter have the shape of a spherical zone, a sphere or a substantially spherical shape, the contact between the seals and said valves is limited to a linear contact. This results in a particularly reduced friction zone, so that the friction is negligible.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the seals 4 are made of elastomer material, preferably of an ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM, EPM type). Other elastomer materials may however be provided, such as for example fluorocarbon rubbers (e.g. Viton®) or butyl rubbers.

[0056] Each seal 4 has a proximal part 40 in contact with the external wall of a valve 31, 32, 33 and a distal part 41 in contact with a shoulder provided inthe corresponding seal housing AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3 or in contact with the valve body 1.

[0057] The proximal portion 40 advantageously has a convexity or a curvature so as to further limit the contact surface (friction zone) with the external wall of the corresponding plug 31, 32, 33. To further reduce friction, the proximal portion 40 is advantageously covered with a coating 400 based on fluoropolymer, the best results being obtained with a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0058] The distal portion 41 has one or more lips 410 in contact with the shoulder of the corresponding seal housing or, preferably, in contact with the internal wall of the housing 12 of the body 1 (figure 7). These lips 410 form a spring element making it possible to force the proximal part 40 against the external wall of the valve 31, 32, 33. The configuration of these lips 410, in particular their length L410, makes it possible togenerate a controlled force of the seal 4 against the external wall of the valve 31, 32, 33, and therefore ensure optimal sealing while limiting friction. For example, the lips 410 are in the form of a bump or nipple whose diameter (length L410) is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

[0059] The internal wall of the seal 4 is advantageously provided with an insert 42, advantageously made of plastic or metal material. This insert 42 makes it possible to stiffen the seal 4 and to facilitate its handling and its positioning in the corresponding housing, in particular when this positioning is carried out within the framework of an automatic industrialization process. The insert 42 also makes it possible to constrain the external wall of the seal 4 against the internal wall of the corresponding housing so as to have a sealed contact between said seal and said housing. According to one embodiment, the insert 42 is in the form of an annular ring, possibly split,inserted into the seal 4 before or after positioning said seal in its housing. Valve assembly

[0060] Figure 6 illustrates an assembled valve. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve is assembled according to the following steps. The member 3 is first inserted along the axis XX into the internal housing 22 of the seal holder 2, from the open end thereof, the shaft 300 of said member passing through the orifice 230 of the cover 23. This insertion can easily be carried out in an automated manner.

[0061] When the member 3 is installed in the seal holder 2, the seals 4 are inserted into the housings AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3. This insertion is carried out from the external face of the side wall 20. This insertion can easily be carried out in an automated manner. The insert 42 can be installed in the seal 4 before or after its installation in the corresponding housing. As far as the seals 4 are put in place afterthe member 3 is installed in the seal holder 2, said seals are not crushed, their physical integrity and their positioning being preserved. Conversely, if the member 3 is installed in the seal holder 2 after the seals 4 are installed in their housing, the equatorial part of the valves 31, 32, 33 would crush the seals 4 with the risk of crushing them and / or modifying their positioning ensuring optimal sealing.

[0062] The assembly formed by the member 3, the seal holder 2 and the seals 4 is then installed in the internal housing 12 of the body 1, from the open end of said housing. This insertion can easily be carried out in an automated manner. When this assembly is in position in the body 1, the lips 410 of the seals 4 are compressed against the internal wall of the housing 12 of the body 1 so that, by spring effect, their proximal part 40 is forced against the external wall of the valve 31, 32, 33 to ensure a controlled seal.to the fluid.

[0063] The cover 23 seals the internal housing 12 of the body 1 in a sealed manner. The cover 23 is advantageously fixed to the body 1 by means of screw elements, sealing gaskets being advantageously provided in said cover and / or at the open end of the housing 12 of the body 1 to ensure sealing.

[0064] The valve is thus made up of only three parts (rotary member 3, seal holder 2 – and seals 4 – and valve body 1) allowing a relatively simple industrialization process.

[0065] An actuator 8, of the rotary motor type, ensures the rotation of the member 3, the valves 31, 32, 33 being driven simultaneously in rotation and having the same number of angular positions. The actuator 8 is preferably fixed on the cover 23 of the seal holder 2 and engages with the shaft 300 of the member 3.

[0066] According to the variant embodiment of FIG. 8, a seal is provided between thestages, in particular between on the one hand the first stage and on the other hand the second stage and the third stage. This sealing is ensured by a sealing element 50, for example of the O-ring or lip seal type, installed on the external wall of the member 3 or on the wall of the internal housing of the seal holder 2, at the junction between the first plug 31 and the second plug 32. This sealing element 50 ensures a seal against the fluid in the internal housing of the seal holder 2, between the first plug 31 and the other plugs 32, 33. This additional sealing makes it possible to completely isolate the first stage from the lower stages, which may be desirable when fluids of a different nature circulate in each of these stages. Insofar as the second plug 32 and the third plug 33 are in fluid communication through the cavity 323, a seal between these two said plugs is not necessary.

[0067] The valve object ofthe invention is particularly suitable for installation in a motor vehicle heat exchanger system, which system is configured to allow the cooling and / or heating of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or other elements of said vehicle (engine, batteries, radiator, etc.). The orifices A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3, 1323 are in particular connected to branches or fluid circulation sub-circuits of the system.

[0068] Figure 7 partially illustrates a seal assembly, the angles having been deliberately amplified to illustrate more clearly the following characteristics. Similarly, the inclined shape of the walls of the seal holder 2 and / or of the body 1 do not necessarily correspond to industrial reality, these walls being able in particular to be parallel, or substantially parallel to the axis XX.

[0069] In this figure 7 is shown the first valve 31 in an angular position where its flow opening 310 is positioned inalignment of the orifice A1 of the body 1 and the opening AO1 of the seal holder 2. The opening AO1 forms the housing of the seal 4. This housing has an axis YY perpendicular to the casing E (with a tolerance of ± 10% of the angle a) so that the seal 4 is installed along this axis. This configuration applies to each housing AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3, to each seal 4 and has several advantages described below.

[0070] The seals 4 being mounted at an angle relative to the axis of rotation XX, they form a cradle ensuring the correct positioning of the member 3.

[0071] Furthermore, due to their inclination, the seals 4 exert a stress F along the axis YY having a component FX oriented along the axis XX (upwards in FIG. 7), which component tends to limit the friction between said seals and the valves 31, 32, 33 so that the torque necessary for rotating the member 3 is reduced. Indeed, the component FX tends to relieve the pressure of the seal 4at the area of ​​the proximal portion 40 which is in the direction of said component (the upper area of ​​the proximal portion 40 in Figure 7) and in fact, the friction at this area. The component FX also makes it possible to discharge the pressure of the rod 3231 in the guide 123, which further contributes to reducing the friction to which the member 3 is subjected and the torque necessary for its rotation.

[0072] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular: - The valve may have more stages, for example four or five stages, each of said stages being associated with a plug.- The second stage and the third stage may have more than one orifice. - The grooves 120 are not essential, the side walls 10 may be devoid of them. - The orifices A1, B1, C1, D1 of the first series are not necessarily positioned at 90° to each other. - The flow openings 310, 320, 330 arranged in the valves 31, 32, 33 may have other configurations depending on the desired operating modes. - The cavity or passage 323 may be configured to put the opening 310 of the first valve in fluid communication with the opening 320 of the second valve 32 or with the opening 330 of the third valve 33.

[0073] Furthermore, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features disclosed only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features exhibited only in one embodiment may begeneralized to other embodiments, even if this or these features are described only in combination with other features.

Claims

Claims

1. A fluid control valve comprising: - a valve body (1) having an internal housing (12), - fluid inlet and / or outlet ports (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3) opening into the internal housing (12), - a rotary member (3) having fluid flow openings (310, 320, 330), which member is mounted to rotate in the internal housing (12) about an axis of rotation (XX), so as to control the circulation of fluid between said flow openings and the fluid inlet and / or outlet ports (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3), - annular seals (4) in sealing contact with the rotary member (3) to ensure a fluid seal between the fluid flow openings (310, 320, 330) and the fluid inlet and / or outlet ports (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3), characterized in that: - the inlet and / or outlet ports (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2,C3) are arranged in the body (1) at stages distinct from each other, - the rotary member (3) comprises several valves (31, 32, 33) arranged one above the other along the axis of rotation (XX), each valve being located at one of said stages and the external walls of which are included in a common casing (E) of truncated cone shape, - a single-piece seal holder (2) is installed in the internal housing (12) of the body (1), which seal holder has an internal housing (22) in which the rotary member (3) is mounted, - the seal holder (2) has seal housings (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) in fluid communication with the inlet and / or outlet ports (A1, B1, C1, D1, B2, C3) and in which the seals (4) are installed, - each seal housing (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) has an axis (YY) perpendicular to the truncated cone-shaped envelope (E), the joints (4) being installed along this axis.

2. Valve according to claim 1, wherein the frustoconical casing (E) has a slope inclined at an angle (a) of between 0.1° and 5° relative to the axis of rotation (XX).

3. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each plug (31, 32, 33) has a spherical zone shape, a sphere shape or a substantially spherical shape.

4. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each seal (4) has a proximal portion (40) in contact with the external wall of a plug (31, 32, 33) and a distal portion (41) in contact with a shoulder provided in the corresponding seal housing (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3) or in contact with an internal wall of the housing (12) of the valve body (1).

5. Valve according to claim 4, wherein the distal portion (41) has one or more lips (410) in contact with the shoulder or the valve body (1) and forming a spring element so as to constrain the proximal portion (40) against the external wall of the corresponding plug (31, 32, 33).

6. Valve according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the proximal portion (40) is coated with a coating (400) of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

7. Valve according to one of the preceding claims wherein the internal wall of the seals (4) is provided with an insert (42).

8. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the internal housing (12) of the valve body (1) has a first series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (A1, B1, C1, D1), a second series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (B2) and a third series of fluid inlet and / or outlet orifices (C3) opening on the one hand into said housing (12) and on the other hand onto an external surface of said body, at stages distinct from each other.

9. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least two valves (32, 33) having fluid flow openings (320, 330) are connected to each other by a cavity or passage (323) arranged in the rotary member (3) in such a way that the fluid. can flow simultaneously through said openings and through said member.

10. Valve according to claim 9, wherein the cavity or passage (323) opens at one end of the rotary member (3), which cavity or passage is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and / or outlet orifice (1323) arranged in a bottom wall (11) of the valve body (1).

11. Valve according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the rotary member (3) comprises a rod (3231) shaped in the cavity or passage (323) and forming an axis of rotation of said member, which rod is housed in a cup-shaped guide (123) arranged in a bottom wall (11) of the valve body (1).

12. Valve according to one of claims 9 to 11, in which: - the rotary member (3) has another plug (31) distinct from the two plugs (32, 33) connected by the cavity or passage (323), - a sealing element (50) ensures a fluid seal in the internal housing (22) of the seal holder (2), between said other plug (31) and the two said plugs (32, 33).

13. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, in which the internal housing (22) of the seal holder (2) is closed at one of its ends by a wall (23) forming a cover, which cover seals the internal housing (12) of the valve body (1).

14. Method for automated assembly of a valve according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following successive steps: - automatically inserting the rotary member (3) into the internal housing (22) of the seal holder (2) from an open end of said seal holder, the insertion being carried out along the axis of rotation (XX), - automatically installing the sealing gaskets (4) in the seal housings (AO1, BO1, CO1, DO1, BO2, CO3), - automatically inserting the assembly consisting of the seal holder (2), the seals (4) and the rotary member (3) into the internal housing (12) of the body of. valve (1), through an opening provided in said body, the insertion being carried out along the axis of rotation (XX).

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