Multi-way valve for controlling a flow of a fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-way valve (100), which functions cost-effectively and reliably, for controlling a flow of a fluid. According to the invention, the multi-way valve (100) comprises the following: - a valve housing (10) in which a housing space (11) having a central axis (Z) is formed; - at least three separate connection openings (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5) which are oriented towards the central axis (Z) and / or a central region (ZA) of the housing space (11); and - a rotary slide valve (20) which can be inserted in the housing space (11) and can be rotated about the central axis (Z), wherein the rotary slide valve (20) can be used to set at least one state, in which at least two connection openings (12.1, 12.2) are communicatively connected while simultaneously at least one connection opening (12.3, 12.4, 12.5) is closed relative to the communicatively connected connection openings (12.1, 12.2), and a state that is different therefrom. The multi-way valve (100) is characterised in particular in that the rotary slide valve (20) has a slide valve body (21) and at least one sealing surface (22), the sealing surface (22) being made from a softer material than the slide valve body (21).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Multiple valve for controlling a flow of a fluid

[0003] The invention relates to a multiple valve for controlling a flow of a fluid according to claim 1.

[0004] The invention relates to a multiple valve for controlling a flow of a fluid, comprising - a valve housing in which a housing space with a central axis is formed;

[0005] - at least three separate connection openings aligned with the central axis and / or a central region of the housing space;

[0006] - a rotary valve which can be inserted into the housing space and is rotatable about the central axis, wherein by means of the rotary valve at least one state in which at least two connection openings are communicatively connected and at the same time at least one connection opening is closed relative to the communicatively connected connection openings, and a state different therefrom can be set.

[0007] Multiple valves for distributing and / or controlling fluids are known from the state of the art. The development of thermal management components for a central cooling system is currently a focus for various vehicle components.

[0008] From DE 102016 116 550 A1, a rotary slide valve with a compact sealing element of a rotary slide valve for a motor vehicle cooling circuit is known, in which the sealing element is formed as a coherent, separate element with a complementary curvature and is inserted into the housing of the rotary slide valve.

[0009] DE 102014207675 A1 discloses a valve assembly with an electrically driven rotary valve, which includes two stepper motors permanently engaged in rotation. This is intended to utilize a static seal fixed to the housing cover.

[0010] DE 102014 003 802 B4 discloses a multiple valve for a tubular passage, in which a single inlet opening with several outlet openings branching radially outward is controllable by means of a valve closing body rotatable in the passage. In one embodiment, an outlet opening is surrounded by an annular seal, which is attached to the distributor housing or to the valve closing body. Such an annular seal is formed by several O-rings, as shown in the figure therein. DE 2 136 857 OS discloses a rotary slide valve for lines of flowing media, in particular liquids, e.g., hydrocarbons, and a seal therefor, wherein a sealing ring is clamped in a multi-part rotary slide valve and preloaded against a corresponding sealing surface.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of developing a coolant distribution module that is highly compact and has fewer components, while retaining the currently standard functions. At the same time, cost advantages and reliable technology are to be achieved.

[0012] According to claim 1, the above object is achieved in that the rotary valve has a slide body and at least one sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface is formed from a softer material than the slide body.

[0013] Advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0014] According to a first embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the multiple valve comprises the following:

[0015] - a valve housing in which a housing space with a central axis is formed;

[0016] - at least three separate connection openings aligned with the central axis and / or a central region of the housing space;

[0017] - a rotary valve which can be inserted into the housing space and is rotatable about the central axis, wherein by means of the rotary valve at least one state in which at least two connection openings are communicatively connected and at the same time at least one connection opening is closed relative to the communicatively connected connection openings, and a state different therefrom can be set.

[0018] According to claim 1, the above object is achieved in that the rotary valve has a slide body and at least one sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface is formed from a softer material than the slide body.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one state can be set by means of the rotary valve in which all connection openings are closed or there is no fluidic connection between two connection openings. According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one state can be set by means of the rotary valve in which at least or exactly two connection openings, for example as an inlet, are communicatively connected to another connection opening, for example as an outlet, or vice versa.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one state can be set by means of the rotary slide valve, in which at least two connection openings are communicatively connected to one another and at least two further or other connection openings are communicatively connected to one another.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the soft material of the sealing surface in the sealing insert in the multiple valve is elastically deformable, preferably rubber-like, from a corresponding counter-surface of the valve housing or the housing space.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, in any state the slide body is in force-transmitting, preferably touching, contact with the valve housing with its sealing surface in the region of the connection openings.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, in every state the slide body, except for its sealing surface, is in force-transmitting, preferably touching, contact with the valve housing exclusively via a bearing device.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, in any state the slide body, apart from its sealing surface and possibly with its optionally separate bearing device, is free from force-transmitting, preferably free from contact, with the valve housing.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the valve housing has, in the region of the connection openings, an elevation directed towards the central axis and / or the central region of the valve housing.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the housing space is narrowed inwardly by an elevation, wherein this elevation forms a region in which at least one connection opening is formed.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an elevation is formed with a surface rounded to the central axis, preferably a concentric arc segment surface, wherein this rounded surface forms a complementary counter-surface for the at least one sealing surface of the slide body.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one sealing surface can be brought into sealing, preferably contacting, contact exclusively with a complementary counter-surface formed by such an elevation.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surface is free from contact with the valve housing outside of contact with a complementary counter-surface, preferably formed by such an elevation.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the valve housing has a pot and a cover, wherein the rotary slide can be inserted linearly into the pot for assembly.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary valve can be inserted into the pot for assembly axially to its own axis of rotation and / or concentrically to the central axis.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least two separate flow channels are formed in the rotary valve.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least two separate flow channels are permanently fluidically separated from one another by means of a partition wall of the rotary valve.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least two separate flow channels are both open in at least one state for communicating connection of two, preferably different, connection openings.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fluid from two connection openings can be mixed into another connection opening by means of at least one flow channel.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fluid from at least one connection opening can be distributed to at least two other connection openings by means of at least one flow channel. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fluid from at least two connection openings can be mixed or distributed to at least two other connection openings by means of at least one flow channel.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connection openings are arranged cylindrically to the central axis of the valve housing and are spaced from one another at an angle in the circumferential direction.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connection openings are arranged circularly and / or concentrically to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connection openings are arranged oval and / or concentrically to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0040] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surfaces of the slide body are arranged cylindrically to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surfaces of the slide body are arranged circularly and / or concentrically to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surfaces of the slide body are arranged oval and / or concentrically to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surfaces of the slide body are arranged in a free form relative to the central axis of the valve housing.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surfaces and the counter surfaces are arranged complementarily to one another in such a way that a desired state can be set at a certain angle.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the invention, only pairs of sealing surfaces and complementary counter-surfaces are formed, wherein no pairing for sealing can be formed by means of other sealing surfaces and complementary counter-surfaces, i.e. no complementary sealing pair is formed by such a sealing surface and counter-surface.

[0046] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the sealing surfaces has a size and arrangement such that at least one of the connection openings can be closed with this one sealing surface alone. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a single connection opening can be closed exclusively by means of two sealing surfaces of the slide body, thus preventing a fluidic connection to another connection opening.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing surface is axially higher and / or wider in the circumferential direction than the complementary counter surface of the respective connection opening.

[0048] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the complementary counter surface of the respective connection opening is axially higher and / or wider in the circumferential direction than at least one, preferably all, of the sealing surfaces.

[0049] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body of the rotary slide valve and the valve housing are formed from the same material.

[0050] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body and / or the valve housing is formed from a metal, preferably a steel alloy or aluminum alloy.

[0051] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body and / or the valve housing is formed from a plastic, preferably a reinforced plastic.

[0052] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one contact surface, preferably the entire material, of the valve housing is formed from the same, preferably identical, material as the material of the slide body apart from the sealing surface.

[0053] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body and the sealing surface are formed from the same plastic, wherein the sealing surface comprises a further softening component, for example an elastomer and / or plasticizer, and / or the slide body comprises a further hardening component, for example a duromer, a non-plastic and / or a fiber material.

[0054] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the softer material of the at least one sealing surface of the rotary valve is formed from a rubber-elastic material.

[0055] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the softer material is a thermoplastic, an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer [TPE]. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the harder material of the rotary valve and / or the valve housing is a thermoplastic, a duromer and / or a reinforced plastic.

[0056] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary valve is injection-molded, and the material of the valve body is formed from a first plastic component and the material of the sealing surface is formed from a second plastic component.

[0057] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the material of the second plastic component is softer than the material of the first plastic component.

[0058] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the material of the first plastic component is the same as the material of the second plastic component, wherein a reinforcing additive is added to at least the first plastic component.

[0059] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the material of the sealing surface is connected to the slide body by means of positive locking, frictional locking, gluing, welding, injection molding and / or vulcanization.

[0060] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body of the rotary slide valve is formed from a metal, wherein the material of the sealing surface is connected to the slide body by means of positive locking, frictional locking, gluing, injection molding and / or vulcanization.

[0061] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the slide body of the rotary slide valve is injection-molded and the sealing surface, as a material inserted into the injection mold, is connected to the slide body in a material-locking and / or form-locking manner by means of the injection process, preferably in a non-destructive manner.

[0062] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0063] Fig. 1 : in a spatial view a valve housing with three connection openings,

[0064] Fig. 2: in a spatial view a valve housing with four connection openings,

[0065] Fig. 3: a plan view of a valve housing with five connection openings,

[0066] Fig. 4: in a spatial view a rotary valve with a closing angle of 120°,

[0067] Fig. 5: in a spatial view a rotary valve with a closing angle of 90°,

[0068] Fig. 6: in a spatial view the rotary valve according to Fig. 5 rotated by 90°,

[0069] Fig. 7: a plan view of a rotary valve with two flow channels, Fig. 8: a schematic view of a section of a base surface of a rotary valve with force-locking material of the sealing surface,

[0070] Fig. 9: in a schematic view, a section of a base surface of a rotary valve with positively and / or materially connected material of the sealing surface,

[0071] Fig. 10: a plan view of a multiple valve with three connection openings including a rotary slide, and

[0072] Fig. 11 : a plan view of a multiple valve with five connection openings including a rotary slide.

[0073] Fig. 1 shows a spatial view of a valve housing 10 for a multiple valve 100, as shown for example in Fig. 10, with three connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3. Here, the valve housing 10 is circularly cylindrical to a central axis Z. In this embodiment, the central axis Z and the central region ZA are identical and / or the central region ZA is a concentric circular cylinder around the central axis Z, for example with the radial extension of the bearing receptacle 18 shown. The valve housing 10 comprises a pot 15 with the connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and a cover 14, shown here in dashed lines, with a bearing receptacle 18 for a bearing device 28 of a complementary rotary slide valve 20 (cf. Fig. 4 to Fig. 7). The valve housing 10 or its pot 15 encloses a housing space 11, into which, here three, elevations 13 each protrude inward in the area of ​​a connection opening 12.1, 12.2, 12.3.The elevations 13 here have a curved, more precisely a circular arc-segment-shaped, mating surface 16 directed towards the central axis Z, and here also concentrically therewith, for the sealing engagement of a complementary sealing surface 22 of a rotary valve 20. Of the mating surfaces 16, purely for the sake of clarity, only the one at the rear right, i.e., the first connection opening 12.1, is provided with a reference symbol in this view. By means of the elevations 13, the contact phases, i.e., the phases causing increased torque, with the complementary sealing surface 22 are locally limited to what is necessary, compared to a continuous wall.

[0074] Independently of this, the connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 each have a connection projection 17 on the outside, i.e. radially facing away from the central axis Z, which is designed for easy assembly or connection to a line. These connection projections 17 are preferably formed integrally with the remaining cup 15 of the valve housing 10, for example by injection molding. Of the connection projections 17, purely for the sake of clarity, only the one at the front, i.e. the second connection opening 12.2, is provided with a reference numeral in this view. The cover 14 of the valve housing 10 is formed separately from the cup 15 here, so that a slide body 21 can be inserted into the housing space 11 along the central axis Z, i.e. is easy to assemble.

[0075] The pot 15 has here, purely optionally, a further bearing holder 18 for a rotary valve 20 in the center.

[0076] Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a valve housing 10 with four connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4. Otherwise, without excluding generality, purely for the sake of clarity, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, so reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, four connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4 are provided here, which are optionally regularly spaced 90° from each other in the direction of rotation CD.

[0077] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a valve housing 10 for a multiple valve 100, as shown, for example, in Fig. 11, with five connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.5. Otherwise, without excluding generality, purely for the sake of clarity, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, so that reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, five connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 are provided here, of which the first connection opening 12.1 is spaced from the second connection opening 12.2, and the second connection opening 12.2 is spaced from the third connection opening 12.3 by 90° in the circumferential direction CD. The remaining connection openings 12.1, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 are spaced 60° apart from each other in the direction of rotation CD.

[0078] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a rotary slide valve 20 with a closing angle W of 120° in the direction of rotation CD relative to the central axis Z. In this embodiment, the rotary slide valve 20 is optionally circular-cylindrical and concentric to the central axis Z. This shape can be modified as required to meet specific requirements, for example, oval, eccentric, angular, or a free-form shape. The shape does not have to correspond directly to the shape of the valve housing 10 (see, for example, Fig. 1 to Fig. 3). Only, as required, a sealing surface 22 of the rotary slide valve 20 and an associated counter-surface 16 of the corresponding valve housing 10 must be designed to be complementary, i.e., to seal for the desired conditions. Purely for the sake of clarity, a simple, complementary circular shape is shown here, with the sealing surfaces 22 complementing the counter-surfaces 16 in the areas near the connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, for example in the embodiments according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the counter surfaces 16 formed by the elevations 13 are formed as a circular cylindrical arc segment surface. The sealing surfaces 22, here two, the rear one being concealed, extend over a closing angle W in the circumferential direction CD to the central axis Z. In the case of the front, visible sealing surface 22, the closing angle W extends purely by way of example over 120° of 360°, and the concealed sealing surface 22 preferably also does so. In the circumferential direction CD between the sealing surfaces 22, an opening is formed in each case, i.e. two openings 25, 26, so that a single flow channel 23 is formed here, through which a fluid, for example a gas or a liquid, can flow in a corresponding relative orientation, i.e. a relative angle of rotation, to at least two connection openings 12.1, 12.2 according to the indicated flow path F.

[0079] For example, the rotary slide valve 20 shown is formed in one piece by injection molding with two plastic components C1, C2, wherein the slide body 21 is formed from a first plastic component C1, for example a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, and the sealing surface 22 is formed from a second plastic component C2, for example an elastomeric thermoplastic [TPE], and can therefore be made softer.

[0080] It should be noted that it is also possible in principle to provide only a single sealing surface 22, for example as shown here.

[0081] Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a rotary valve 20 with a closing angle W of 90° in the direction of rotation CD relative to the central axis Z. Otherwise, without excluding generality, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 for the sake of clarity, so reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, the closing angle W here is 90° out of 360°.

[0082] Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the rotary slide valve 20 according to Fig. 5, rotated by 90° in the direction of rotation CD relative to the central axis Z compared to the illustration there, so that the flow channel 23 is clearly visible, with the rear, concealed opening 26 being shown by dashed lines. Here, another possible flow path F is also shown, namely with two connection openings at the front opening 25, as well as with two connection openings at the rear opening 26, which are not shown here, however. This shows a state in which two separate fluid streams flow in at the front opening 25 according to the flow path F shown and mix, and then split again at the rear opening 26 into two separate fluid streams according to the flow path F shown.

[0083] Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a rotary slide valve 20 with two flow channels 23, 24. Otherwise, without excluding generality, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 purely for the sake of clarity, so that reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, two flow channels 23, 24 are provided, which are fluidically separated from one another by means of a central partition 27, so that in a corresponding state the separate flow paths F shown can be established. It should be noted that the flow direction is arbitrary and can, for example, even be designed in the opposite direction. Furthermore, one of the flow channels 23, 24 can also be closed, for example by at least one of the two openings 25, 26 of the flow channel 23, 24 in question not being positioned relative to a connection opening.Furthermore, although it is often advantageous, it is not necessary for the flow channels 23, 24 to be identical and / or mirrored. The sealing surfaces 22 or the closing angles W (see Fig. 4 to Fig. 6) can be larger or smaller than shown here and / or can be designed with different dimensions.

[0084] Preferably, a connecting disc on the bottom or cover side, as shown at the top and bottom in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, is shown transparently here. Alternatively, such a disc is provided only on one side, and therefore the wall profiles of the flow channels 23, 24 shown are shown in dashed lines.

[0085] Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a section of a base surface of a rotary valve 20 in the region of the sealing surface 22 with the material of the sealing surface 22 non-positively connected to the valve body 21. The material from which the valve body 21 is formed is, for example, a first plastic component C1 or a metal part. In this section of the valve body 21, a recess R is provided for the material from which the sealing surface 22 of the rotary valve 20 is formed. This second material is formed by a second plastic component C2, for example, pushed or clicked into the recess R and elastically deformed in the process. The second plastic component C2 is, for example, an elastomer.

[0086] Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of a section of a base surface of a rotary slide valve 20 in the region of the sealing surface 22 with material of the sealing surface 22 connected to the slide body 21 in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. Otherwise, without excluding generality, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 8 for the sake of clarity, so that reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, the second material is only connected in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner and is inserted into the recess R, for example with a clearance. For example, the second material is fixed in the recess R by means of gluing or vulcanization. Fig. 10 shows a plan view of a multiple valve 100 with three connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, for example according to Fig. 1, with an inserted rotary slide valve 20, which here has a single sealing surface 22.By means of the single sealing surface 22 in interaction with the complementary mating surface 16 of the elevation 13 there, the third connection opening 12.3 is closed in a fluid-tight manner, for example in a multiple valve 100 for a liquid, this is sealed against the ingress of a liquid, but not sealed against the ingress of a gas. For example, tightness is only achieved above a predetermined low viscosity. Irrespective of this, a seal is considered to be present, for example, if the ingress of a fluid to be blocked is possible, but negligible or does not disrupt the desired control behavior. It should be noted that this does not rule out the possibility of such a multiple valve 100 or the sealing surface 22 and a complementary mating surface 16 being designed to be tight in the technical sense.

[0087] In the state shown, a single flow channel 23 is formed between the first connection opening 12.1 and the second connection opening 12.2, so that the flow pattern F shown can be set with any desired or operationally dependent flow direction. By rotating the rotary slide valve 20 about the central axis Z, any one of the connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 or, with a suitable extension of the closing angle W of the sealing surface 22, even two, and thus ultimately all of the connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, can be closed at the same time. To ensure good stability of the rotary slide valve 20 or the slide body 21, a support column 29 is preferably formed in the central region ZA and / or at least one other location.

[0088] Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a multiple valve 100 with a valve housing 10 with five connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, as shown, for example, in Fig. 3, together with a rotary slide valve 20, as shown, for example, in Fig. 7. Otherwise, without excluding generality, and purely for the sake of clarity, the embodiment shown is identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 10, so that reference is made to the description therein. In contrast, here five connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 and a rotary slide valve 20 with two flow channels 23, 24 separated by a partition 27, i.e., separate, are provided. Here, a state is shown in which the fourth connection opening 12.4 and the fifth connection opening 12.5 are connected to each other in a communicating manner, but are closed to the other connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, so that the flow pattern F shown there can be established.Furthermore, the first connection opening 12.1 to the third connection opening 12.3 are connected to one another in a communicating manner, so that the flow pattern F shown here can be split or, in the case of the reverse flow direction, mixed. This is achieved by providing the partition wall 27 and the sealing surfaces 22 sealingly abutting the ends of the partition wall 27 against the counter surfaces 16 of the elevations 13 of the first connection opening 12.1 and oppositely against the third connection opening 12.3, while the remaining sealing surfaces 22 have no sealing function in this state.

[0089] Regardless of the fact that the state of the art includes many solutions, today's multiple valves 100 have some disadvantages: for example, no sealing elements are provided, or corresponding sealing elements lead to more complex assembly, and / or the sealing elements require separate production, thus necessitating the entire evaluation process from tool release to type approval. Furthermore, sealing elements from the state of the art are often inadequately protected against wear. It is stated that the rotary slide 20 is built into the valve housing 10 of the multiple valve 100, which must constantly rotate when changing functions, and that, moreover, the floating bearing of the seal can lead to significant differences in torque. Furthermore, today's solutions are designed such that the sealing element, when installed, is located between the housing and the rotary slide 20, thus ensuring its proper function.With such an assembly, the transported medium (fluid, paste, gel, etc.) can very quickly penetrate the interface between the housing and the sealing element, thus negatively impacting operational capability. Furthermore, the sealing element is not firmly attached to the housing and is therefore subject to uncontrolled movement along the x-, y-, and z-axes, which can, in turn, negatively impact operational capability. Furthermore, sealing materials with improved wear resistance are required today to reduce negative influences on operation.

[0090] These disadvantages are overcome by the present invention by providing a novel sealing concept for a multiple valve 100 and the multiple valve 100 itself, which is easy to manufacture and ensures a secure seal with sufficient mechanical strength. Furthermore, a multiple valve 100 with reduced torque and less contact at the respective sealing point (sealing surface) during the open and closed positions is proposed compared to known solutions, whereby the multiple valve 100 can fully fulfill its function.

[0091] The invention disclosed here relates to a multiple valve 100, comprising a valve housing 10, in which at least two connection openings 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 or connections for fluid lines, namely at least one supply connection, also simply referred to as inlet, and at least one return connection, also simply referred to as outlet, are provided. Furthermore, a rotary slide valve 20 is arranged within the valve housing 10 between the supply and return connections, to which the sealing elements are attached or in which the sealing elements are integrated. Upon rotation, the rotary slide valve 20 with the integrated sealing element moves into the connection opening 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 and thus performs the sealing function.In an advantageous embodiment, the valve housing 10 includes a mounting opening for the rotary valve 20 on one side, wherein the mounting opening is tightly closed, for example, by a closure element detachably connected to the valve housing 10. Essentially, the purpose of the multiple valve 100 is fully fulfilled by this invention, while manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, better functional reproducibility can be achieved, and less wear on the surface of the sealing element, i.e., the sealing surface 22, during aging can be achieved. The proposed concept is also advantageous for more complex applications.

[0092] This multiple valve 100 makes it possible to control a plurality of external flow channels of a system with, for example, a plurality of fluid circuits in a simple design and circuitry. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a plurality of conventional multiple valves 100 and replace them with just a single multiple valve 100. Furthermore, the assembly effort is simplified and reduced, thus lowering costs.

[0093] List of reference symbols

[0094] 100 multi-valve

[0095] 10 Valve housing 11 Housing chamber 12.1 First connection opening

[0096] 12.2 second connection opening

[0097] 12.3 third connection opening

[0098] 12.4 fourth connection opening

[0099] 12.5 fifth connection opening

[0100] 13 Survey

[0101] 14 lids

[0102] 15 pot

[0103] 16 Counter surface

[0104] 17 Connection projection

[0105] 18 Stock recording

[0106] 20 rotary valves

[0107] 21 slide body

[0108] 22 Sealing surface

[0109] 23 first flow channel

[0110] 24 second flow channel

[0111] 25 first opening

[0112] 26 second opening

[0113] 27 Partition wall

[0114] 28 Storage facility

[0115] 29 Support column

[0116] F Flow pattern

[0117] R recess

[0118] W Closing angle z Central axis CD Direction of rotation ZA Central area

[0119] C1 first plastic component C2 second plastic component

Claims

Patent claims 1. Multiple valve (100) for controlling a flow of a fluid, comprising: - a valve housing (10) in which a housing space (11) with a central axis (Z) is formed; - at least three separate connection openings (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5) aligned with the central axis (Z) and / or a central region (ZA) of the housing space (11); - a rotary slide valve (20) which can be inserted into the housing space (11) and is rotatable about the central axis (Z), wherein by means of the rotary slide valve (20) at least one state in which at least two connection openings (12.1, 12.2) are communicatively connected and at the same time at least one connection opening (12.3, 12.4, 12.5) is closed relative to the communicatively connected connection openings (12.1, 12.2), and a state different therefrom can be set, characterized in that the rotary slide valve (20) has a slide body (21) and at least one sealing surface (22), wherein the sealing surface (22) is formed from a softer material than the slide body (21).

2. Multiple valve (100) according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing (10) in the region of the connection openings (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5) has a respective elevation (13) directed towards the central axis (Z) and / or the central region (ZA) of the valve housing (10).

3. Multiple valve (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the valve housing (10) has a pot (15) and a cover (14) and the rotary slide (20) can be inserted linearly into the pot (15) for assembly.

4. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two separate flow channels (23, 24) are formed in the rotary slide (20).

5. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection openings (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5) are arranged cylindrically to the central axis (Z) of the valve housing (10) and are spaced from one another at an angle in the circumferential direction (CD).

6. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sealing surfaces (22) has a size and arrangement such that at least one of the Connection openings (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5) can be closed with this one sealing surface (22) alone.

7. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide body (21) of the rotary slide valve (20) and the valve housing (10) are formed from the same material.

8. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the softer material of the at least one sealing surface (22) of the rotary valve (20) is formed from a rubber-elastic material.

9. Multiple valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary slide (20) is injection-molded and the material of the slide body (21) is formed from a first plastic component (C1) and the material of the sealing surface (22) is formed from a second plastic component (C2).

10. Multiple valve (100) according to one of claim 1 to claim 8, wherein the material of the sealing surface (22) is connected to the slide body (21) by means of positive locking, frictional locking, gluing, welding, injection molding and / or vulcanization.

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