Motorized fluid distribution valve
The motorized fluid distribution valve addresses the complexity and cost issues of traditional assembly methods by using plastic welding to integrate output tips with the valve body, resulting in a simpler, more economical assembly process.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001790
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-27
AI Technical Summary
The assembly of motorized fluid distribution valves, particularly those used in vehicle cooling systems, is complicated by the need for dedicated fixing and sealing parts, which increases costs and complexity.
The motorized fluid distribution valve features a plastic-bodied case with integrally molded outputs, a movable shutter, and an electromechanical activation device. Each output tip is assembled to the body using plastic welding, eliminating the need for dedicated fixing and sealing parts.
This design simplifies the assembly process, reduces component costs, and enhances the practicality and performance of the valve by using plastic welding to ensure both mechanical fixation and waterproof sealing.
Smart Images
Figure 00000018_0000 
Figure 00000019_0000 
Figure 00000020_0000
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Motorized fluid distribution valve
[0001] The present invention relates to a motorized fluid distribution valve.
[0002] The invention relates in particular to valves for fluid circulation circuits, in particular cooling fluid, on board vehicles with thermal, electric, hydrogen or hybrid engines. The fluid flows through the valve by means of its drive in the circulation circuit under the effect of a pump, typically electric. The valves concerned here comprise a shutter which is mounted movably, for example in rotation about an axis, in a housing of the valve, to regulate a flow of fluid through the housing between an inlet and outlets of the housing, this shutter being driven in movement by an electromechanical actuating device, integrated into the valve.At each outlet of the housing, a seat device is held in sliding sealing contact against the obturator during movement of the obturator and allows, depending on the position of the obturator, to selectively allow the fluid to flow through the seat device, in order to open the outlet, and prevent the fluid from flowing through the seat device, in order to close the outlet. In practice, each of these seat devices must be assembled to the housing under stress, using dedicated fixing and sealing parts, which complicates the assembly of the valve.
[0003] The aim of the present invention is to provide a motorized valve whose assembly is more practical and more economical.
[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a motorized fluid distribution valve, comprising:
[0005] - a housing which includes a body made of plastic material and defining a volume internal through which a fluid passes through the housing, this internal volume being connected to the outside of the housing by an inlet of the housing, through which the fluid enters the internal volume, and by outlets of the housing, through which the fluid leaves the internal volume, at least one of the outlets comprising a nozzle which is assembled to the body in a fixed and sealed manner,
[0006] - a shutter, which is arranged in the internal volume in a movable manner by relation to the body of the box so as to control the opening and closing of the box outputs,
[0007] - an electromechanical actuating device, which is carried by the housing and which is adapted to cause the shutter to move relative to the body of the housing, and
[0008] - for the or each end piece, a seat device, which is carried by the housing, in being interposed along a seat axis between the tip and the shutter so as to (i) allow the fluid to flow through the seat device from the internal volume to the tip when the shutter controls the opening of the outlet associated with the seat device and (ii) prevent the fluid from reaching the tip from the internal volume through the seat device when the shutter controls the closing of the outlet associated with the seat device,
[0009] wherein the or each seating device includes:
[0010] - a support member, which is movable along the seat axis relative to the end piece corresponding and which cooperates by sliding sealed contact with the shutter when the shutter moves relative to the body of the housing, and
[0011] - an elastic member which bears against the corresponding end piece so as to, when moving the shutter relative to the housing body, keep the support member applied against the shutter along the corresponding seat axis,
[0012] and in which the or each end piece is assembled to the body in a fixed and sealed manner by welding between the body and a plastic part of the end piece, forming a plastic weld which resists the stresses applied to the end piece by the elastic member of the corresponding seat device.
[0013] One of the ideas underlying the invention is, on the one hand, to make from plastic both a body of the valve housing, inside which the fluid passes through the housing and the shutter is mounted movably, and one or more end pieces of the housing, which respectively equip outlets of the housing and, on the other hand, to take advantage of the presence of these plastic parts to assemble them by plastic welding. To do this, each end piece is assembled to the body of the housing by welding between the body and a plastic part of the end piece, forming a plastic weld which ensures both the mechanical fixing between the body and the end piece and the sealing of this fixing.In addition, this plastic weld is designed, typically by its dimensioning, to withstand without damage the mechanical stresses which are applied to the end piece by a seat device interposed between the end piece and the shutter, more precisely by an elastic member of this seat device, which keeps applied against the end piece a support member cooperating by sliding contact with the shutter during the movement of the latter. The invention thus makes it possible not to use fixing and sealing parts dedicated to the assembly between the body and the end pieces of the housing, such as screws and added seals, which therefore reduces the cost in components and simplifies the assembly process of the valve according to the invention. Certain aspects of the seat devices and the end pieces can advantageously be provided to further gain in practicality and / or performance, as detailed below.Furthermore, also as explained in more detail below, the use of plastic welding is advantageously extended to other parts of the housing to further simplify the assembly process of the valve according to the invention. Finally, as detailed below, the invention is advantageously applicable to the case where the valve . according to the invention integrates a fluid drive pump and thus forms a module in which the pump and the shutter are received in the same housing; this being the case, the invention is also applicable to the case where such a pump is dissociated from the valve, the discharge of the pump then being connected by a hose or similar to the inlet of the valve housing, the internal volume of which mainly receives only the shutter.
[0014] According to additional advantageous characteristics of the valve according to the invention, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:
[0015] - For the or each end piece, the plastic weld runs continuously throughout around the corresponding seat axis.
[0016] - The or each end piece comprises:
[0017] - a tubular skirt, which extends in length along the corresponding seat axis, in being substantially centered on this seat axis, which is received along the seat axis in a complementary opening of the body of the housing, and which internally receives the corresponding seat device, and
[0018] - a peripheral rim, which externally surrounds the tubular skirt and which constitutes said plastic part of the tip.
[0019] - The tubular skirt of the or each end piece includes an internal shoulder against which the corresponding elastic member is supported along the corresponding seat axis.
[0020] - For the or each tip, the seat device further includes a member sealing, which is inserted along the corresponding seat axis between the corresponding support member and the corresponding elastic member, and which is applied in a sealed manner all around the corresponding seat axis against an inner periphery of the tubular skirt of the end piece.
[0021] - The or each end piece comprises a part for connection to a pipe, such as than a hose.
[0022] - The shutter is movable relative to the body of the housing in rotation around an axis of shutter relative to which the seat axis of the or each seat device extends transversely.
[0023] - The shutter comprises at least one spherical relief, which is centered on the axis shutter and which cooperates by complementarity of shapes with the support member of the or one of the seat devices.
[0024] - The housing further comprises a cover, which closes the internal volume and which guides in moving the shutter relative to the body, being assembled to the body in a fixed and sealed manner by welding to the body a plastic part of the cover.
[0025] - The valve further comprises an electric pump, which is arranged in a first sub-volume of the internal volume and which is provided with a suction, opening into the inlet of the housing, and a discharge, opening into a passage of the internal volume, this passage connecting the first sub-volume to a second sub-volume of the internal volume by opening into this second sub-volume along a passage axis; the shutter is arranged in the second sub-volume; the body delimits an opening, by which the second sub-volume is directly connected to the outside of the body, and which is formed by molding-demolding the body, being aligned with the passage along the passage axis; and the housing further comprises a plug, which closes the opening in a fluid-tight manner and which is assembled to the body in a fixed and watertight manner by welding between the body and a plastic part of the plug.
[0026] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a valve according to the invention; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view along arrow II of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a section along plane III of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a section along line IV-IV of [Fig.3], after removal of a valve cover; - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an elevation view along arrow V of [Fig.4]; - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a larger scale view of the circled detail VI at [Fig.3] ; - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a larger scale view of the circled detail VII at [Fig.3] ; and - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a larger scale view of the circled detail VIII at the [Fig.3],
[0027] Figures 1 to 8 show a motorized fluid distribution valve, referenced 1. This valve 1 is suitable for integration into a fluid circulation circuit, in particular a cooling fluid. The valve 1 is for example used in a cooling circuit of a vehicle engine, this engine being thermal, electric, hydrogen or hybrid.
[0028] The valve 1 comprises a housing 10 through which the fluid to be distributed, in other words to be regulated, by the valve 1 is intended to flow. For this purpose, as clearly visible in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing 10 comprises a body 11, which delimits an internal volume Vil through which the fluid passes through the housing 10, as well as an inlet 10.1 and outlets, here four in number and respectively referenced 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5. The inlet 10.1 can communicate with the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 through the body 11 via the internal volume Vil of the latter, the effective communication between the inlet 10.1 and one or more of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 being operated by components of the valve, as detailed below. In operation, the fluid enters the internal volume Vil through the inlet 10.1, as indicated schematically by the arrow F10.1 in the figures, and the fluid leaves the internal volume Vil through the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 as indicated schematically in the figures by the respective arrows F10.2, F10.3, F10.4 and F10.5.
[0029] The body 11 is made from a single piece of plastic material, preferably molded. The nature of the plastic material constituting the body 11 is not limiting as long as this plastic material, preferably moldable, gives the body 11 sufficient rigidity to fixedly delimit the internal volume VII. Examples for this plastic material are polyphenylene sulfide, polyphthalamide and polyamide 6-6. In practice, this plastic material is filled if necessary.
[0030] In the embodiment considered in the figures, and for reasons which will appear later, the internal volume VI1 of the body 11 is, as clearly visible in [Fig.3], distributed between:
[0031] - a sub-volume Vll.l into which the entry 10.1 opens,
[0032] - a sub-volume VI 1.2 into which the exits 10.2 to 10.5 open, and
[0033] - a passage V11.3, which directly connects the sub-volumes Vll.l and VI 1.2 and which opens into sub-volume VI 1.2 along a passage axis XI1, or which extends along this passage axis XI1 over its entire extent between its ends opening respectively into sub-volume Vll.l and into sub-volume V11.2.
[0034] Furthermore, also in the embodiment considered in the figures, the body 11 delimits an opening 011 by which the sub-volume VI 1.2 is directly connected to the outside of the body 11. The opening 011 is formed by molding-demolding the body 11, in the sense that the opening 011 results from the use, during the molding of the body 11, of a molding pin, which extends along the passage axis XI1 and around which a part of the plastic material constituting the body 11 is molded, to form the passage VI 1.3. In practice, this molding pin is advantageously used in conjunction with a mold to manufacture the body 11 by molding.More specifically, in order to manufacture the body 11 as shown in the figures, it is in particular possible to provide that plastic material is introduced, typically injected, into the aforementioned mold to form the body 11 by molding, while the aforementioned molding pin is arranged in this mold extending along the passage axis XI1, so that this plastic material introduced into the mold spreads therein until it surrounds the molding pin and thus forms both the peripheral wall of the passage VI 1.3 and the peripheral wall of the opening O11. To release the body 11 at the end of its molding thus produced, the aforementioned mold and molding pin are respectively released: to do this, the molding pin is for example extracted from the mold before opening the latter, by pulling this molding pin along the passage axis XI1 to gradually remove it from the internal volume V11. via the opening 011. In all cases, after the demolding of the body 11, the latter delimits, in a single piece, the passage VI 1.3 and the opening 011, which are aligned with each other along the passage axis XI1, while being separated from each other by the sub-volume VI 1.2, as clearly visible in [Fig.3].
[0035] In addition to the opening 011, the body 11 delimits openings 012, 013, 014 and 015, which, like the opening 011, each directly connect the sub-volume VI 1.2 to the outside of the body 11, but which, unlike the opening 011, are respectively associated with the outlets 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5, as explained a little further on. In practice, each of the openings 012, 013, 014 and 015 is typically formed by molding-demolding the body 11.
[0036] The inlet 10.1 of the housing 10 is, in the embodiment considered in the figures, molded with the body 11. That said, in a variant not shown, it may be otherwise.
[0037] As regards the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 of the housing 10, these outlets are respectively parts which are distinct from the body 11 and fixedly attached in a sealed manner to the latter. More precisely, each of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 comprises an end piece, respectively referenced 12 to 15, which is assembled to the body 11 in a fixed and sealed manner.
[0038] To this end, in the embodiment considered in the figures, and as more particularly visible in [Fig.6] for the end piece 12, each of the end pieces 12 to 15 comprises a tubular skirt 12.1, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1 which is centered on an axis X12, X13, X14, X15 along which this tubular skirt extends in length. In the assembled state of the housing 10, the respective tubular skirts 12.1 to 15.1 of the end pieces 12 to 15 are axially received in a complementary manner in, respectively, the openings 012 to 015 of the body 11. In other words, the end pieces 12 to 15 are mounted on the body 11 by means of the coaxial and complementary engagement of their tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1 in the respective openings 012 to 015 of the body 11, as clearly visible in Figures 3 and 4. For reasons which will become apparent later, each of the tubular skirts 12.1 to 15.1 is internally shouldered, forming a shoulder 12.2, 13.2, 14.2, 15.2 internal, that is to say projecting from the internal face of the tubular skirt, this internal shoulder being located at a distance, along the corresponding axis X12, X13, X14, X15 from the axial end of the tubular skirt, facing the sub-volume VI 1.2. .
[0039] In addition, each of the end pieces 12 to 15 comprises a peripheral rim 12.3, 13.3, 14.3, 15.3, which externally surrounds the corresponding tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1. Each of the peripheral rims 12.3 to 15.3 extends projecting from the external face of the corresponding tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1, running all around the corresponding axis X12 to X15. These peripheral rims 12.3 to 15.3 are made of plastic material, in particular the same plastic material as that constituting the body 11. In In practice, the tubular skirts 12.1 to 15.1 are also made of plastic and are made of the same material, in particular by molding, with the corresponding peripheral edges 12.3 to 15.3, as in the example illustrated in the figures. In all cases, in the assembled state of the housing 10, each of the peripheral edges 12.3 to 15.3 is welded to the body 11, more precisely to the external face of the wall of the latter, surrounding the corresponding opening 011 to 015, and this so as to assemble the corresponding end piece 12 to 15 to the body 11 in a fixed and sealed manner. The welding between the body 11 and the peripheral edges 12.3 to 15.3 forms respective plastic welds W2, W3, W4 and W5, as shown schematically in figures 3, 4 and 6: the specificities of these plastic welds W2 to W5 are not limiting as long as these plastic welds W2 to W5 ensure the fixed and sealed connection between the body 11 and the respective end pieces 12 to 15.In this respect, each of the plastic welds W2 to W5 advantageously runs continuously all around the corresponding axis X12 to X15. In practice, multiple plastic welding techniques are conceivable, for example by applying vibrations and / or ultrasound, and this advantageously without worrying about the relative orientation around the corresponding axis X12 to X15 between the body 11 and the peripheral edges 12.3 to 15.3. As more particularly visible in [Fig. 6], each of the plastic welds W2 to W5 is advantageously produced by welding together reliefs of plastic material, which belong respectively to the body 11 and to the corresponding peripheral edge 12.3 to 15.3 and which are associated with hollows in which the plastic material in the heated state during the welding itself spreads in a contained manner.
[0040] Axially opposite their tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1, each of the end pieces 12 to 15 advantageously comprises a connection part 12.4 to 15.4 around which a pipe, not shown, such as a hose, which is attached externally to the valve 1 is easily connected. The specificities of these connection parts 12.4 to 15.4 are not limiting, multiple embodiments being possible. In the example illustrated in the figures, each of the connection parts 12.4 to 15.4 forms a tube, which is centered on the corresponding axis X12 to XI5, being rectilinear here but which in a variant not shown can be bent, and which advantageously is integral with the rest of the end piece 12 to 15.
[0041] More generally, other embodiments than that detailed above are conceivable for the end pieces 12 to 15 provided that a plastic part of each end piece, such as the respective peripheral edges 12.3 to 15.3 of the end pieces 12 to 15, is welded to the body 11 by forming a corresponding plastic weld, such as the plastic welds V2 to V5, so as to assemble each end piece 12 to 15 to the body 11 in a fixed and sealed manner.
[0042] Furthermore, as clearly visible in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the housing 10 comprises a plug 16 which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, closes the opening 011 in a sealed manner with respect to the fluid regulated by the valve 1. In other words, the plug 16 completely closes the opening 011, normally preventing any flow of fluid through this opening.
[0043] In the embodiment considered here, the plug 16 includes a solid wall 16.1, which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, completely covers the opening 011, being arranged transversely, or even perpendicularly to the passage axis XI1, and which, at the outer periphery, is extended by a rim 16.2. This rim 16.2 is made of plastic material, in particular the same plastic material as that constituting the body 11 of the housing 10: for the purposes of the sealed assembly of the plug 16 to the body 11, the rim 16.2 is welded to the body 11, more precisely to the external face of the wall of the latter, surrounding the opening 011. In practice, the technical considerations, detailed above regarding the plastic welding of the end pieces 12 to 15 to the body 11, apply correspondingly to the welding of the plug 16 to the body 11.
[0044] The plug 16 here advantageously includes a skirt 16.3, which projects from the solid wall 16.1 and which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, is received coaxially and complementary in the opening 011, as clearly visible in [Fig.7].
[0045] In practice, the cap 16 is advantageously made from a single piece, made of plastic material. Thus, the solid wall 16.1 and the skirt 16.3 are advantageously molded with the rim 16.2 of the cap 16.
[0046] Furthermore, in the embodiment considered in the figures, the housing 10 further comprises a cover 17 which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, is fixedly attached to the body 11, as clearly visible in Figures 1 to 3. In Figures 4 and 5, the cover 17 does not appear since the valve 1 is shown there without this cover. This cover 17 and the body 11 delimit between them a compartment V17 which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, is separated in a sealed manner from the internal volume VI1, thus forming an internal region of the housing 10, which is sealed with respect to the fluid circulating through the valve 1 via the internal volume VI1. For this purpose, the cover 17 is secured in a sealed manner to the body 11, and this by any appropriate means, in particular by removable securing means to facilitate the assembly and maintenance of components of the valve 1 placed inside the compartment V17, such components being detailed below.
[0047] In the embodiment considered in the figures, the valve 1 comprises, inside the housing 10, a pump 30 making it possible to drive the aforementioned fluid through the housing 10 via the internal volume Vil. This pump 30 comprises a hydraulic part 31 whose embodiment is not limiting since this hydraulic part 31 acts on the fluid to drive it through the housing 10 via the internal volume Vil. This hydraulic part 31 of the pump 30 is provided with a aspiration 32, that is to say an orifice through which the fluid to be pumped by the pump 30 flows towards the inside of this hydraulic part 31 and thus enters the hydraulic part 31, and a discharge 33, that is to say an orifice through which the fluid pumped by the pump 30 flows towards the outside of the hydraulic part 31 and thus leaves this hydraulic part 31. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the hydraulic part 31 of the pump 30 is carried by the body 11 of the housing 10, being arranged in the sub-volume VI 1.1 so that, on the one hand, the suction 32 opens into the inlet 10.1 of the housing 10 so that all the fluid entering the internal volume Vil, via the inlet 10.1, is directly admitted at the inlet of the hydraulic part 31, as indicated schematically by arrow F32 in [Fig.4], and, on the other hand, the discharge 33 opens into passage VI 1.3 so that all the fluid delivered by the hydraulic part 31 is directly sent to the inlet of this passage VI 1.3, as indicated schematically by the arrow F33 in [Fig.3]. In practice, the hydraulic part 31 is assembled to the housing 10 with the interposition of sealing gaskets, which respectively form ad hoc sealing lines at the level of the suction 32 and the discharge 33. In addition, in the embodiment considered in the figures, the pump 30 participates in delimiting, jointly with the body 11 and the cover 17, the compartment V17 and comprises for this purpose a flange 34 or similar, by means of which a casing of the hydraulic part 31 is secured to the body 11 and on which the cover 17 is mounted in a sealed manner.
[0048] In all cases, the pump 30 is electric, in the sense that its hydraulic part 31 is actuated by an electric motor, integrated into the pump. In practice, multiple embodiments are conceivable for this electric motor and for its integration with the rest of the pump 30, without this aspect of the pump being limiting. In all cases, the pump 30 comprises an electronic part 35 which controls the hydraulic part 31 by driving the electric motor of the pump 30. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the electronic part 35 includes a printed circuit 36, which is here fixedly carried by the casing of the hydraulic part 31, and various electronic components 37, which are mounted on the printed circuit 36 and which are designed to control the electric motor of the pump 30, by sending the latter electrical power and control signals.The functional and structural specificities of the electronic part 35 are not limiting, they will not be detailed further here. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the electronic part 35 is housed inside the compartment V17, as clearly visible in figures 3 and 5.
[0049] The valve 1 further comprises a shutter 40 which is carried by the housing 10, being arranged in the internal volume VII, more precisely, here, in the sub-volume VI 1.2, and being movable therein relative to the housing 10, here in rotation around an axis X40 shutter relative to which the axes X12 to X15 of the end pieces 12 to 15 each extend transversely, or even perpendicularly. The shutter 40 makes it possible, by virtue of its mobility, here in rotation around the shutter axis X40, to regulate the flow of fluid through the housing 10 by controlling the opening-closing of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 of the housing 10. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the shutter 40 cooperates by sliding sealed contact with seat devices 22, 23, 24 and 25, which are respectively associated with the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 and which are carried by the housing 10, so that, for each of the seat devices 22 to 25, the shutter 40 is designed, depending on the position of the latter relative to the housing 10, here around the shutter axis X40, to:
[0050] - either command the opening of output 10.2 to 10.5 associated with the seat device 22 to 25, allowing the fluid to flow through the seat device from sub-volume VI 1.2 to the nozzle 12 to 15 of this outlet, as schematically illustrated by arrow F40 in [Fig.3] for outlet 10.2,
[0051] - either order the output 10.2 to 10.5 associated with the seat device 22 to close to 25, preventing fluid from reaching the tip 12 to 15 of this outlet from sub-volume VI 1.2 through the seat device, as illustrated by the crossed-out arrow G40 in [Fig.3] for outlet 10.3.
[0052] Furthermore, at least in each of the positions of the shutter 40 relative to the housing 10, here around the shutter axis X40, which control the opening of at least one of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5, the shutter 40 allows the fluid to enter the sub-volume VI 1.2 from the passage VI 1.3, as indicated schematically by the arrow F40' in [Fig.3].
[0053] Thus, more generally, the shutter 40 makes it possible to distribute the fluid entering the internal volume V11 of the body 11 of the housing 10 selectively into one or more of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5 of the housing.
[0054] In the embodiment considered in the figures, the shutter 40 advantageously comprises a generally tubular body 41, which is centered on the shutter axis X40. For reasons which will appear later, the tubular body 41 fixedly carries, on its external lateral face, spherical reliefs 42, which are centered on the shutter axis X40 and which are distributed in such a way that, during the movement of the shutter around the shutter axis X40, each of the spherical reliefs 42 cooperates, by complementarity of shapes, with one or more of the seat devices 22 to 25 to control the opening-closing of the outlets 10.2 to 10.5. Of course, other embodiments than that detailed above are conceivable for the shutter 40, such as a vane shutter.
[0055] Whatever the embodiment of the shutter 40, each of the seat devices 22 to 25 is interposed between the shutter 40 and the end piece 12 to 15 of the outlet 10.2 to 10.5 associated with the seat device, and this along a seat axis which here coincides with the axis X12 to X15 of the corresponding end piece. According to an advantageous arrangement which facilitates the mounting of the seat devices 22 to 25, each of the seat devices is received inside the tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1 of the corresponding end piece 12 to 15, as clearly visible in figures 3, 4 and 6.
[0056] Each of the seat devices 22 to 25 comprises, along the corresponding axis X12 to X15 and moving away from the shutter 40, a support member 22.1, 23.1, 24.1, 25.1 and an elastic member 22.2, 23.2, 24.2, 25.2. Advantageously, each of the seat devices 22 to 25 here also comprises a sealing member 22.3, 23.3, 24.3, 25.3 which is interposed along the corresponding axis X12 to X15 between the support member 22.1 to 25.1 and the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2.
[0057] The support member 22.1 to 25.1 of each of the seat devices 22 to 25 is mounted to move along the corresponding axis X12 to X15 relative to the corresponding end piece 12 to 15. On its axial side facing the shutter 40, the support member 22.1 to 25.1 cooperates by sliding sealed contact with the shutter 40 during the movement of the shutter 40 relative to the body 10, here in rotation about the shutter axis X40. For this purpose, the support member 22.1 to 25.1 is provided with a sliding contact surface, which is complementary to the shutter 40, here complementary to one of the spherical reliefs 42. This sliding contact surface is typically made of a non-stick material, such as a plastic material based on polytetrafluoroethylene. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the support member 22.1 to 25.1 advantageously has a generally annular shape, which is centered on the corresponding axis X12 to X15 and of which an axial end edge carries the aforementioned sliding contact surface.
[0058] The elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 of each of the seat devices 22 to 25 is mounted bearing against the corresponding end piece 12 to 15 so as to keep the bearing member 22.1 to 25.1 applied against the shutter 40 along the corresponding axis X12 to X15 during the movement of the shutter 40 relative to the body 10, here in rotation around the shutter axis X40.
[0059] In the embodiment considered here, the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 bears, on one axial side, against the internal shoulder 12.2 to 15.2 of the tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1 of the corresponding end piece 12 to 15 and, on the opposite axial side, against the corresponding sealing member 22.3 to 25.3, here with the interposition of a positioning ring 22.4 to 25.4 of the seat device concerned 22 to 25, the interest of which will appear a little later. By way of example, the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 is a wave spring, otherwise called a zigzag spring, centered on the corresponding axis X12 to X15; in a variant not shown, other embodiments are conceivable for the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2. In all cases, the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 applies mechanical stresses to the corresponding end piece 12 to 15, here to the internal shoulder 12.2 to 15.2 of the corresponding tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1, which tend to separate the corresponding end piece 12 to 15 from the body 11, in particular parallel to the axis X12 to X15: in order to guarantee the integrity of the housing 10 in the assembled state of the valve 1, the plastic weld W2 to W5 associated with the corresponding end piece 12 to 15 is designed, in particular by its dimensioning, to resist these stresses that the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 applies to the corresponding end piece 12 to 15.
[0060] The sealing member 22.3 to 25.3 of each of the seat devices 22 to 25 is mounted to be applied in a sealed manner all around the corresponding axis X12 to X15 against an inner periphery of the tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1 of the corresponding end piece 12 to 15. For this purpose, in the assembled state of the valve 1, the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2 deforms the sealing member 22.3 to 25.3 to force the latter to be applied in a sealed manner against the inner periphery of the corresponding tubular skirt 12.1 to 15.1. In practice, the corresponding positioning ring 22.4 to 25.4 makes it possible to control the deformation stress applied to the sealing member 22.3 to 25.3 by the elastic member 22.2 to 25.2, this positioning ring 22.4 to 25.4 being mounted in abutment, along the corresponding axis X12 to X15, against the corresponding support member 22.1 to 25.1, as more particularly visible in [Fig.6] for the seat device 22.In the embodiment considered in the figures, the sealing member 22.3 to 25.3 advantageously has a generally annular shape which is centered on the corresponding axis X12 to X15.
[0061] According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the shutter 40 is guided in movement relative to the housing 10, here in rotation about the shutter axis X40, by a cover 18 of the housing 10. This cover 18 closes the internal volume Vil, here the sub-volume VI 1.2, by sealingly closing an opening 018 of the body 11 of the housing 10. Like the openings 011 to 015, the opening 018 directly connects the sub-volume VI 1.2 to the outside of the body 11 and is typically formed by molding-demolding the body 11. The opening 018 has the specific feature of being provided for the purpose of mounting the shutter 40 inside the volume Vil, more precisely the sub-volume VI 1.2. As more particularly visible in [Fig.8], the cover 18 includes a solid wall 18.1, which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, completely covers the opening 018, being arranged here perpendicular to the shutter axis X40, and which, at the outer periphery, is extended by a rim 18.2. This rim 18.2 is made of plastic material, in particular the same plastic material as that constituting the body 11. The rim 18.2 is welded to the body 11, more precisely to the external face of the wall of the latter, surrounding the opening 018. The considerations developed above on the subject . plastic welding between the end pieces 12 to 15 and the body 11 advantageously applies to the welding between the edge 18.2 of the cover 18 and the body 11, to ensure a fixed and sealed assembly of the cover 18 to the body 11.
[0062] In all cases, to control the movement of the shutter 40 and thus control the opening-closing of the outputs 10.2 to 10.5 of the housing 10, the valve 1 comprises an actuating device 50. This actuating device 50 is electromechanical in the sense that this actuating device is designed to transform the electrical energy supplying it into a mechanical driving force, applied to the shutter 40 to drive the latter relative to the housing 10, here in rotation around the shutter axis X40.
[0063] In the assembled state of the valve 1, the actuating device 50 is carried by the housing 10, being at least partially housed in the compartment V17. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the actuating device 50 comprises an electric motor 51 and a mechanical transmission 52 which connects a drive output 53 of the electric motor 51 to the shutter 40.
[0064] The electric motor 51 typically comprises a casing 54 inside which are arranged electromechanical components of the electric motor 51, which transform the electrical energy into motive force, the driving output 53 extending through the casing 54. The casing 54 is fixedly secured to the housing 10, in particular its body 11, by any suitable means, in particular in a dedicated housing of the latter, advantageously belonging to the compartment V17, as indicated schematically in [Fig.l]. Here, the driving output 53 is rotatable about a motor axis X51 relative to the casing 10, the mechanical transmission 52 being designed so that a rotation of the driving output 53 about the motor axis 51 drives the shutter 40, here in rotation about the shutter axis X40.
[0065] In the example considered in the figures, the mechanical transmission 52 comprises a gear 55 consisting here of several toothed wheels meshing successively with each other, a first of these wheels is engaged with the drive output 53 while the last of these toothed wheels is engaged with the shutter 40, here with an axial end of its tubular body 4L This gear 55, the specificities of which are not limiting, makes it possible to multiply the movement transmitted from the drive output 53 to the shutter 40. Of course, other embodiments than the gear 55 are conceivable for the mechanical transmission 52, in particular depending on the kinematics of the drive output 53 and the kinematics of the shutter 40. In all cases, as clearly visible in Figures 3 to 5, the drive output 53 and the mechanical transmission 52 are advantageously arranged in the compartment V17.
[0066] The actuating device 50, in particular its electric motor 51, and the pump 30, in particular its electronic part 35, are electrically connected, inside the compartment V17, to respective connectors or, as here, to a single connector 19, this or these connectors being carried by the housing 10. In the example illustrated in the figures, the single connector 19 is fixedly and tightly secured to the cover 17, and this by any appropriate means. In all cases, the connector(s) are designed to, outside the valve 1, each be connected to an attached harness, not shown, to electrically connect the valve 1 to one or more external units, which are not shown and which include an electrical power source. This electrical power source, the embodiment of which is not limiting, comprises for example a battery which is on board the vehicle to the cooling circuit of which the valve 1 belongs.According to one possible embodiment, the aforementioned external units include one or more control and / or supervision units, such as an on-board computer of the vehicle to the cooling circuit of which the valve 1 belongs: one or more of these control and / or supervision units is advantageously designed to control the electric motor 51, by sending ad hoc electrical control signals to the latter, via the attached harness.According to another possible embodiment, the control of the electric motor 51 is operated by an electronic device, which belongs to the valve 1 and which is housed in the compartment VI7, being in particular integrated into the electrical connection between the connector 19 and the electric motor 51: this electronic device, which is not shown in the figures, can be partially coupled to the electronic part 35 of the pump 30 as well as being totally separated from the latter, being in all cases adapted to send to the electric motor 51 electrical control signals and, where appropriate, power supply signals.
[0067] Finally, various arrangements and variants of the valve 1 described so far are also conceivable:
[0068] - rather than integrating the pump 30 into the valve 1, this pump can be separated from it; this amounts to saying that the valve then does not include the pump 30 and that the internal volume Vil can be limited to the sub-volume VI 1.2, by means of a corresponding adaptation of the body 11 of the housing 10 and a connection by hose of the discharge of the remote pump with the inlet of the valve housing;
[0069] - the number of outputs of the box 10 is not necessarily equal to four, as envisaged in the figures, but may, for example, be limited to two or three or be equal to a number greater than four; and / or
[0070] - the relative arrangement between the shutter axis X40 and the motor axis X51 is not limited to what is envisaged in the figures in which these two axes are parallel, the motor axis X51 thus being able to extend transversely to the shutter axis X40, in particular perpendicularly or orthogonally to this shutter axis X40.
Claims
Claims
1. Motorized fluid distribution valve (1), comprising: - a housing (10) which includes a body (11) made of plastic material and defining an internal volume (Vil) through which a fluid passes through the housing, this internal volume being connected to the outside of the housing by an inlet (10.1) of the housing, through which the fluid enters the internal volume, and by outlets (10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5) of the housing, through which the fluid leaves the internal volume, at least one of the outlets comprising a nozzle (12, 13, 14, 15) which is assembled to the body (11) in a fixed and sealed manner, - an electric pump (30), which is arranged in a first sub-volume (V11.2) of the internal volume (VI1) and which is provided with a suction (32), opening into the inlet (10.1) of the housing (10), and a discharge (33), opening into a passage (VI 1.3) of the internal volume, which passage connects the first sub-volume to a second sub-volume (VI 1.2) of the internal volume by opening into this second sub-volume along a passage axis (XI1), the body (11) delimiting an opening (011), by which the second sub-volume (VI 1.2) is directly connected to the outside of the body and which is formed by molding-demolding the body, being aligned with the passage (VI 1.3) along the passage axis (XI1), - a plug (16), which closes the opening (011) in a fluid-tight manner and which is assembled to the body (11) in a fixed and watertight manner by welding between the body and a plastic part (16.2) of the plug, - a shutter (40), which is arranged in the second sub-volume (VI 1.2) of the internal volume (VI1) in a movable manner relative to the body (11) of the housing (10) so as to control the opening-closing of the outlets (10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5) of the housing, - an electromechanical actuating device (50), which is carried by the housing (10) and which is adapted to cause the shutter (40) to move relative to the body (11) of the housing, and - for the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15), a seat device (22, 23, 24, 25), which is carried by the housing (10), being interposed along a seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15) between the end piece and the shutter (40) so as to (i) allow the fluid to flow through the seat device from the internal volume (Vil) towards the end piece when the shutter controls in opening the outlet associated with the seat device and (ii) prevent the fluid from reaching the end piece from the internal volume through the seat device when the shutter controls the closing of the outlet associated with the seat device, wherein the or each seat device (22, 23, 24, 25) includes: - a support member (22.1, 23.1, 24.1, 25.1), which is movable along the seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15) relative to the corresponding end piece (12, 13, 14, 15) and which cooperates by sliding sealed contact with the shutter (40) during the movement of the shutter relative to the body (11) of the housing, and - an elastic member (22.2, 23.2, 24.2, 25.2) which bears against the corresponding end piece so as, when the shutter is moved relative to the body of the housing, to keep the support member applied against the shutter along the corresponding seat axis, and in which the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15) is assembled to the body (11) in a fixed and sealed manner by welding between the body and a plastic part (12.3, 13.3, 14.3, 15.3) of the end piece, forming a plastic weld (W2, W3, W4, W5) which resists the stresses applied to the end piece by the elastic member (22.2, 23.2, 24.2, 25.2) of the corresponding seat device (22, 23, 24, 25).
2. Valve according to claim 1, in which, for the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15), the plastic weld (W2, W3, W4, W5) runs continuously all around the corresponding seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15).
3. Valve according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15) comprises: - a tubular skirt (12.1, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1), which extends in length along the corresponding seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15), being substantially centered on this seat axis, which is received along the seat axis in a complementary opening (012, 13, 014, 015) of the body (11) of the housing (10), and which internally receives the corresponding seat device (22, 23, 24, 25), and - a peripheral rim (12.3, 13.3, 14.3, 15.3), which externally surrounds the tubular skirt and which constitutes said plastic part of the end piece.
4. A valve according to claim 3, wherein the tubular skirt (12.1, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1) of the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15) includes an internal shoulder (12.2, 13.2, 14.2, 15.2) against which the member corresponding elastic (22.2, 23.2, 24.2, 25.2) is supported along the corresponding seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15).
5. Valve according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein, for the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15), the seat device (22, 23, 24, 25) further includes a sealing member (22.3, 23.3, 24.3, 25.3), which is interposed along the corresponding seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15) between the corresponding support member (22.1, 23.1, 24.1, 25.1) and the corresponding elastic member (22.2, 23.2, 24.2, 25.2), and which is applied in a sealed manner all around the corresponding seat axis against an inner periphery of the tubular skirt (12.1, 13.1, 14.1, 15.1) of the end piece.
6. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each end piece (12, 13, 14, 15) comprises a part (12.4, 13.4, 14.4, 15.4) for connection to a pipe, such as a hose.
7. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the shutter (40) is movable relative to the body (11) of the housing (10) in rotation about a shutter axis (X40) relative to which the seat axis (X12, X13, X14, X15) of the or each seat device (22, 23, 24, 25) extends transversely.
8. Valve according to claim 7, in which the shutter (40) comprises at least one spherical relief (42), which is centered on the shutter axis (X40) and which cooperates by complementarity of shapes with the support member (22.1, 23.1, 24.1, 25.1) of the or one of the seat devices (22, 23, 24, 25).
9. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (10) further comprises a cover (18), which closes the internal volume (VI1) and which guides the movement of the shutter (40) relative to the body (11), being assembled to the body in a fixed and sealed manner by welding to the body a plastic part (18.2) of the cover (18).