CARTRIDGE VALVE AND ASSOCIATED CARTRIDGE VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge valve (14) intended to be mounted in a suitable housing (16) formed in a receiving frame (12), comprising: - a frame (26), - a plug (34) rotatably mounted on the frame (26) and comprising: - a main body (36) provided with fluid passages (38) opening into an external axial wall (40) of the main body (36) through at least two outlet ports (42), and - a drive shaft (44) adapted to be coupled to an actuator (46) to control the rotation of the plug (34), - a set of peripheral axial walls (56) which is integral with the frame (26), the set of peripheral axial walls (56) being provided with several radial openings (58) intended to be aligned inwards with outlet ports (42) of the plug (34), in determined angular positions of the plug (34), and outwards with associated conduits (18) of the receiving frame (12). Figure for the abbreviation: figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: CARTRIDGE VALVE AND ASSOCIATED CARTRIDGE VALVE ASSEMBLY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present application relates to a cartridge valve, that is to say a valve intended to be mounted in a housing belonging to a building.

[0002] The present application relates more particularly to a multi-way cartridge valve configured to allow the circulation of a fluid through several fluid passages. Technical background

[0003] Multi-way valves are commonly used to allow a fluid to be directed through different fluid passages depending on the desired use.

[0004] Typically, multi-way cartridge valves consist of a plug mounted to rotate relative to a frame fixed to a receiving frame. The receiving frame has conduits opening opposite the plug. The plug has a main body with fluid passages opening into an external axial wall of the main body through outlet ports.

[0005] The bushing can be provided with fluidic sealing elements so as to seal the fluidic passageway formed between the conduits of the receiving frame and the outlet orifices of the fluid passages.

[0006] However, the positioning of the fluidic sealing elements on the plug presents disadvantages, particularly with regard to the correct positioning of the latter and also with regard to the solidity of this positioning over time.

[0007] Furthermore, the manufacturing and handling operations related to the delivery of finished parts to the site responsible for mounting the valves in the receiving frames are not optimized, which increases manufacturing costs and complicates assembly operations. In addition, dynamic sealing cannot be guaranteed by the supplier.

[0008] Thus, there is currently a need to offer an improved cartridge valve. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention provides a cartridge valve designed to be mounted in a suitable housing fitted into a receiving frame, comprising: - a chassis designed to be fixed directly onto the receiving frame, - a plug mounted for rotation on the chassis about a main axis of rotation, the plug comprising: — a main body equipped with fluid passages opening into an external axial wall of the main body through at least two outlet ports, and — a drive shaft extending from the main body through a portion of the chassis, so that it can be coupled to an actuator capable of controlling the rotation of the throttle valve, - a set of peripheral axial walls which is integral with the frame, before mounting the valve in its housing, the set of peripheral axial walls being provided with several radial openings intended to be aligned inwards with outlet orifices of the plug, in determined angular positions of the plug, and outwards with associated conduits of the receiving frame.

[0010] According to other characteristics of the cartridge valve:

[0011] - the set of peripheral axial walls comprises at least two elements of peripheral axial wall elements which are fixed to the chassis so that they can be supported by the chassis before the valve is mounted in its housing, each peripheral axial wall element being provided with a radial opening, each peripheral axial wall element having a fixing portion suitable for attaching it to a complementary receiving portion of the chassis, before the valve is mounted in its housing;

[0012] - the fixing portion of each peripheral axial wall element comprises a elastic interlocking element capable of cooperating with a complementary element of the associated receiving portion of the chassis;

[0013] - the receiving portion of the chassis comprises, for each axial wall element peripheral, an axial groove suitable for receiving the fixing portion and a notch suitable for receiving by elastic interlocking the elastic interlocking element to retain the fixing portion on the receiving portion;

[0014] - each radial opening is provided with an annular sealing gasket which is carried by the set of peripheral axial walls, before mounting the valve in its housing, so as to interpose radially between the main body of the plug and a bearing surface opposite the receiving frame, when the valve is mounted in its housing;

[0015] - the annular sealing gasket and the assembly of peripheral axial walls are made in one piece by molding in two distinct materials;

[0016] - the main body of the bushing has a truncated conical shape with decreasing diameter towards the opposite end of the frame, and the set of peripheral axial walls is configured so that its external dimensions are also truncated conical in shape, following the truncated conical shape of the main body of the bushing;

[0017] - the set of peripheral axial walls comprises a tubular portion end, on the side opposite the chassis, which is configured to axially guide the valve during mounting in its housing;

[0018] A cartridge valve assembly comprising: is also proposed - a valve according to any one of the preceding characteristics, - a receiving frame equipped with a housing adapted to the valve, the frame comprising at least two conduits which open into the housing through radial orifices intended to be aligned radially with outlet orifices of the plug in at least one determined angular position of the plug.

[0019] According to other characteristics of the cartridge valve assembly:

[0020] - the main internal wall of the housing has a generally frustoconical shape complementary to the truncated conical shape of the main body of the bushing equipped with the set of peripheral axial walls;

[0021] - the housing includes a shoulder adapted to receive an axially supported section tubular chassis, and the tubular section of the chassis is provided with an external peripheral annular groove and an O-ring mounted in said external peripheral annular groove. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] is a general perspective view of a cartridge valve assembly according to a first method of implementation;

[0024] [Fig.2] is an axial cross-sectional view along plane II-II which represents the cartridge valve assembly of [Fig.1];

[0025] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view which represents the cartridge valve belonging to the cartridge valve assembly of [Fig.1];

[0026] [Fig.4] is a perspective view similar to that of [Fig.1], without the receiving frame, which represents a second embodiment of a cartridge valve assembly;

[0027] [Fig.5] is an axial cross-sectional view along the VV plane which represents the cartridge valve assembly of [Fig.4];

[0028] [Fig.6] is a perspective view which represents a third embodiment comprising a fluid distribution manifold equipped with two valve assemblies according to the first embodiment;

[0029] [Fig.7] is an axial cross-sectional view along plane VII-VII which represents the fluid distribution manifold of [Fig.6]. Detailed description of the invention

[0030] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a cartridge valve assembly 10 comprising a receiving frame 12 and a valve 14 of the multi-way cartridge valve type according to a first embodiment.

[0032] The valve 14 is intended to be mounted axially, along a main axis Al, in a generally cylindrical housing 16 formed in the receiving frame 12.

[0033] In the remainder of this description, an axial orientation along the principal axis Al, oriented from bottom to top, will be used, without limitation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A radial orientation with respect to the principal axis AL will also be used.

[0034] According to the embodiment shown, the receiving frame 12 is in the form of a cylindrical body with a circular cross-section which extends along the main axis Al and which has several conduits 18. The conduits 18 extend radially here and open into the interior into the housing 16 and outwards through outlet openings 20.

[0035] Of course, the receiving frame 12 can take different forms. In particular, the receiving frame 12 can be part of a more complex component. The important thing is the shape of the housing 16 and the arrangement of the conduits 18, which must be complementary to the valve 14.

[0036] The receiving frame 12 preferably comprises at least two conduits 18 and at most four conduits 18, in the case of a single-stage valve 14 as shown. Of course, it is also possible to provide a different number of conduits 18, which can be stacked in the case of a multi-stage valve 14.

[0037] The housing 16 here has a main opening 22, here in the upper face of the receiving frame 12, through which the valve 14 is inserted into the housing 16. The main opening 22 is here provided with a shoulder 24 located above the conduits 16.

[0038] Valve 14 is now described also considering [Fig.3].

[0039] The valve 14 includes a frame 26 which is intended to be fixed directly onto the receiving frame 12. According to the example shown, the frame 26 includes, here in its lower part, a tubular cylindrical receiving portion 28 which is received in the main opening 22 and which comes to axial support against the shoulder 24.

[0040] The chassis 26 here includes fixing lugs 30 positioned to allow the chassis 26 to be fixed to the receiving frame 12 by means of screws 32.

[0041] The valve 14 comprises a plug 34 rotatably mounted on the frame 26 about the main axis AL. More particularly, the plug 34 comprises a main body 36 equipped with fluid passages 38 opening into an external axial wall 40 of the main body 36 through several outlet ports 42, here four radially opposed outlet ports 42.

[0042] The valve 34 has a drive shaft 44 which extends from the main body 36 through a portion of the frame 26, so as to be able to be coupled to an actuator 46 capable of controlling the rotation of the valve 36.

[0043] According to the embodiment shown, the actuator 46 is presented here in the form of an electric motor arranged in a housing 48, the housing 48 being mounted on the chassis 26, here on its upper face 50.

[0044] The actuator 46 includes a drive member 52 adapted to drive the shaft drive shaft 44, for example an inner ring which cooperates with outer teeth formed on a section of the drive shaft 44.

[0045] The chassis 26 is here provided with fixing studs 54 intended to allow the housing 48 to be fixed by screwing it into the chassis 26.

[0046] Advantageously, the valve 14 comprises a set of peripheral axial walls 56 which is integral with the frame 26, before mounting the valve 14 in its housing 16.

[0047] The peripheral axial wall assembly 56 is provided with several radial openings 58 which are intended to be aligned radially inwards with outlet ports 42 of the bushing 34, in determined angular positions of the bushing 34, and outwards with the associated conduits 18 of the receiving frame 12.

[0048] According to the first embodiment, the peripheral axial wall assembly 56 comprises several peripheral axial wall elements 60, here four in number, which are fixed on the frame 26 so as to be able to be supported by the frame 26 before mounting the valve 14 in its housing 16.

[0049] Each peripheral axial wall element 60 is presented here in the form of a removable plate curved so as to follow globally the curvature of the external axial wall 40 of the main body 36 of the bushing 34.

[0050] Each peripheral axial wall element 60 includes a radial opening 58 here of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the associated conduit 18 and to the diameter of an outlet orifice 42.

[0051] Each peripheral axial wall element 60 has, here near its upper end, a fixing portion 62 suitable for attaching it to the receiving portion 28 of the frame 26, before mounting the valve 14 in its housing 16.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown, the fastening portion 62 of each peripheral axial wall element 60 comprises a flexible interlocking member 64 adapted to cooperate with a complementary element of the receiving portion 28 of the frame 26. This flexible interlocking member 64 here takes the form of a flexible tongue 66 arranged in a window 68 formed in the fixing portion 62. The flexible tongue 66 is provided at its free end with a lug 70 intended to hook into a notch 72 arranged in the receiving portion 28.

[0053] The receiving portion 28 here includes a tubular section 74 complementary to the main opening 22. Each notch 72 is presented here in the form of an oblong light or bore in the tubular section 74.

[0054] The fixing portion 62 is received in an annular axial groove 76 formed in the receiving portion 28 and contiguous to the internal axial wall of the tubular section 74.

[0055] Advantageously, each radial opening 58 is provided with an annular sealing gasket 78 which is supported by the set of peripheral axial walls 56, before mounting the valve 14 in its housing 16. This annular sealing gasket 78 is configured to be able to be interposed radially between the main body 36 of the plug 34 and a bearing surface 80 opposite the receiving frame 12, when the valve 14 is mounted in its housing 16. The bearing surface 80 is here an annular area of ​​the internal axial surface of the housing 16 which borders the inlet of the corresponding conduit 18.

[0056] The annular sealing gasket 78 includes, for example, an internal annular bead 82 which is radially supported against the main body 36 of the plug 34 and an external annular bead 84 which is radially supported against the bearing surface 80 of the receiving frame 12.

[0057] Advantageously, each annular sealing ring 78 is made in one piece with the associated peripheral axial wall element 60, by molding in two separate materials, i.e. by injecting two materials into a mold. The peripheral axial wall element 60 and the annular sealing ring 78 are, for example, injection molded from a plastic material allowing a relatively rigid peripheral axial wall element 60 to be obtained and from an elastomer material allowing a relatively flexible and compressible annular sealing ring 78 to be obtained when the valve 14 is inserted into its housing 16.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown, the main body 36 of the bushing 34 has an overall frustoconical shape with diameter decreasing towards the end opposite the frame 26, here the lower axial end.

[0059] The angle al described by the external axial wall 40 of the main body 36 with respect to a direction A2 parallel to the main axis AL has been schematically represented. This angle al is for example between 2 and 6 degrees.

[0060] Advantageously, the set of peripheral axial walls 56 is configured so that its external dimensions are also frustoconical in shape, conforming to the frustoconical shape of the main body 36 of the bushing 34. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], each peripheral axial wall element follows the inclination of the external axial wall 40 with respect to the direction A2.

[0061] It is noted that the main external peripheral wall of the main body 36 has been designated as the "external axial wall" although this wall is slightly frustoconical and not exactly axially oriented, in order to facilitate the description of the structure of the bushing 34.

[0062] The frustoconical shape of the main body 36 and the positioning of the peripheral axial wall elements 60, which are pressed against the external axial wall 40, facilitate the installation of the valve 14 in the housing 16, notably by preventing damage to the sealing elements during installation. Indeed, the external diameter of the peripheral axial wall assembly 56, at its lower axial end, is thus smaller than the external diameter of the peripheral axial wall assembly 56, at its upper axial end. Also, since the housing 16 is configured to complement the valve 14, it too has an internal main axial wall 86 with a frustoconical shape that complements the frustoconical shape of the peripheral axial wall assembly 56.

[0063] Thus, when the valve 14 is inserted axially into the housing 16 from above, as shown in [Fig. 2], the lower axial end of the valve 14 easily enters the housing 16 since this end has an external diameter significantly smaller than the diameter of the housing 16 at its upper end. The valve 14 is inserted into the housing 16 until the annular sealing gasket 78 is in a tight bearing contact with the bearing surface 80 of the main inner axial wall 86 of the housing 16. The frustoconical configuration of the main body 36 and the housing 16 prevents any damage to the annular sealing gasket 78 as it passes in front of the internal orifices of the conduits 18, thereby preserving the integrity of the annular sealing gasket 78 during assembly.

[0064] Advantageously, the peripheral axial wall assembly 56 includes an end tubular portion 88, on the side opposite the frame 26, which is configured to axially guide the valve 14 during mounting in its housing 16. More specifically, the end tubular portion 88 fits into a complementary lower end portion of the housing 16 which facilitates the centering of the valve 14 in the housing 16.

[0065] Preferably, the tubular section 74 of the frame 26 is provided with an external peripheral annular groove 90 and an O-ring 92 which is mounted in said external peripheral annular groove 90 so as to ensure a tight fit of the frame 26 in the housing 16.

[0066] A second embodiment of the cartridge valve assembly 10 is now described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The focus will be on describing primarily The technical differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Identical technical characteristics will not be described a second time.

[0067] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment by the set of peripheral axial walls 56 which is here made in one piece by molding with the frame 26. According to this embodiment, the four peripheral axial wall elements 60 form only one overall tubular wall which extends axially downwards from the frame 26.

[0068] According to the second embodiment, it is therefore no longer necessary to provide a portion of fixing or elastic interlocking elements to secure the set of peripheral axial walls 56 with the frame 26.

[0069] Various embodiments of the invention are possible, whether for the first or second embodiment. In particular, the annular sealing gasket 78 can be manufactured separately from the peripheral axial wall assembly 56 and then mounted in the radial opening 58, for example by elastic interlocking. The peripheral axial wall assembly 56 and the annular sealing gasket 78 can also be made in one piece from an elastomeric material and overmolded onto the frame 26.

[0070] The set of peripheral axial walls 56 may include a different number of peripheral axial wall elements 60 adapted to the number of conduits 18 arranged in the receiving frame 12. Similarly, the number of fluid passages 38 arranged in the bushing 34 may be different from what has been shown in the figures.

[0071] According to another embodiment, the peripheral axial wall elements 60 can be fixed to the frame 26 by welding or by press fitting.

[0072] The valve 14 described above allows for great modularity, allowing for example the change of the plug 34 and the peripheral axial wall elements 60 according to the number of fluid passages 38 and / or the number of conduits 18 in the receiving frame 12 defined by the customer of the valve 14.

[0073] The valve 14 is particularly suited to a cartridge-type liquid multiway valve (or LMV) used to control the flow of a glycol-water mixture. It allows the use of a low-torque motor to control the position of the plug 34.

[0074] It is possible to provide a multi-stage valve 14. In this case, the set of peripheral axial walls 56 comprises several radial openings 58 superimposed axially.

[0075] The valve 14 is particularly compact. It provides both static sealing with the receiving frame 12 and dynamic sealing with the external axial wall 40 of the plug 34.

[0076] The valve 14 can be fully assembled at its manufacturer's, with the set of peripheral axial walls 56 and the annular sealing gaskets 78, possibly with the actuator 46, and then delivered complete to the customer who has a product including the receiving frame 12. This makes it possible in particular to control and guarantee the internal sealing, to reduce the number of parts to be referenced and facilitates assembly operations at the customer's.

[0077] Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment comprising a fluid distribution manifold 94 equipped with two valve assemblies 10, each valve assembly 10 being made in accordance with the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

[0078] The fluid distribution manifold 94 includes a receiving frame 12 adapted to receive two valves 14 of the type described above. The fluid distribution manifold 94 is, for example, made by molding in one piece from plastic and here includes two recesses 16 configured to receive the associated valves 14.

[0079] The two housing units 16 are here connected to each other by a connecting conduit 96 which constitutes one of the conduits 18 of the receiving frame 12.

[0080] The rest of the structure of the valve assemblies 10 and the operation of the two valves 14 are identical to what has been described for the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

[0081] The technical advantages described for the first embodiment of the valve assembly 10 apply of course to the fluid distribution manifold 94 of Figures 6 and 7.

[0082] According to one embodiment (not shown), the fluid distribution manifold 94 could include more than two valves 14, connected by several connecting conduits 96, or include a set of valves 10 according to the second embodiment of Figures 4 and 5.

[0083] LEGEND

[0084] 10: valve assembly 12: Receiving frame 14: valve 16: Housing 18: conduit 20: Exit opening 22: Main opening 24: shoulder 26: chassis 28: Reception portion 30: mounting bracket screw bushel main body fluid passage external axial wall outlet drive shaft actuator housing top surface drive unit mounting block set of peripheral axial walls with radial opening peripheral axial wall element fixing portion elastic interlocking element flexible tongue window lug, notch, tubular section, axial annular groove, annular sealing gasket, bearing surface internal annular ridge external annular ridge main inner axial wall, tubular end portion, peripheral outer annular groove, O-ring fluid distribution manifold connecting conduit angle of the frustoconical body with respect to direction A2 Al: main axis A2: direction parallel to the main axis

Claims

Demands

1. A cartridge valve (14) intended to be mounted in a suitable housing (16) formed in a receiving frame (12), comprising: - a frame (26) intended to be fixed directly to the receiving frame (12), - a plug (34) rotatably mounted on the frame (26) about a main axis of rotation (A1), the plug (34) comprising: — a main body (36) provided with fluid passages (38) opening into an external axial wall (40) of the main body (36) through at least two outlet ports (42), and — a drive shaft (44) extending from the main body (36) through a portion of the frame (26), so as to be able to be coupled to an actuator (46) capable of controlling the rotation of the plug (34), - a set of peripheral axial walls (56) which are integral with the frame (26), prior to valve mounting (14) in his lodging (16),the set of peripheral axial walls (56) being provided with several radial openings (58) intended to be aligned inwards with outlet orifices (42) of the flue (34), in determined angular positions of the flue (34), and outwards with associated conduits (18) of the receiving frame (12).

2. Valve (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the peripheral axial wall assembly (56) comprises at least two added peripheral axial wall elements (60) which are fixed to the frame (26) so as to be able to be carried by the frame (26) before mounting the valve (14) in its housing (16), each peripheral axial wall element (60) being provided with a radial opening (58), each peripheral axial wall element (60) having a fixing portion (62) suitable for allowing its attachment to a complementary receiving portion (28) of the frame (26), before mounting the valve (14) in its housing (16).

3. Valve (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing portion (62) of each peripheral axial wall element (60) comprises an elastic interlocking member (64) capable of cooperating with a complementary element of the associated receiving portion (28) of the frame (26).

4. Valve (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the receiving portion (28) of the frame (26) comprises, for each peripheral axial wall element (60), an axial groove (76) suitable for receiving the fixing portion (62) and a notch (72) suitable for receiving by elastic interlocking the elastic interlocking member (64) to retain the fixing portion (62) on the receiving portion (28).

5. Valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each radial opening (58) is provided with an annular sealing gasket (78) which is carried by the set of peripheral axial walls (56), before mounting the valve (14) in its housing (16), so as to interpose radially between the main body (36) of the plug (34) and a bearing surface (80) opposite the receiving frame (12), when the valve (14) is mounted in its housing (16).

6. Valve (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annular sealing gasket (78) and the peripheral axial wall assembly (56) are made in one piece by molding in two distinct materials.

7. Valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (36) of the plug (34) has a frustoconical shape with diameter decreasing towards the end opposite the frame (26), and in that the peripheral axial wall assembly (56) is configured so that its external dimensions are also frustoconical in shape, following the frustoconical shape of the main body (36) of the plug (34).

8. Valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral axial wall assembly (56) comprises an end tubular portion (88), on the side opposite the frame (26), which is configured to axially guide the valve (14) during mounting in its housing (16).

9. Cartridge valve assembly (10) comprising: - a valve (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a receiving frame (12) having a housing (16) adapted to the valve (14), the frame (12) having at least two conduits (18) opening into the housing (16) through radial ports provided to be radially aligned with outlet ports (42) of the bushel (34) in at least one determined angular position of the bushel (34).

10. Cartridge valve assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising a valve (14) according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal main wall of the housing (16) has a frustoconical shape that is globally complementary to the frustoconical shape of the main body (36) of the plug (34) equipped with the peripheral axial wall assembly (56).

11. Cartridge valve assembly (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the housing (16) has a shoulder (24) adapted to receive in axial stop a tubular section (74) of the frame (26), and in that the tubular section (74) of the frame (26) is provided with an external peripheral annular groove (90) and an O-ring (92) mounted in said external peripheral annular groove (90).

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