Closing device for vacuum-tightly closing an opening in a wall

Abstract

The closing device for vacuum-tight closing of the opening (2) in the wall (3) has a valve plate (1) for opening and closing the opening (2), which is connected to the valve rod (4) via a connecting device. The connecting device has a joint head (16), of which at least a section of the outer surface is spherically shaped and which is arranged in a receiving space (18) of a joint body (17). To prevent the joint head (16) from rotating about the longitudinal axis (26) of the valve rod (4), at least one protruding pin (16d) arranged on the joint head (16) or on the joint body (17) protrudes into an assigned groove (19a) which is arranged on the other of these two parts and which extends in a plane (40) lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve rod (4) in the central position of the connecting device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a closure device for vacuum-tight closing of an opening in a wall, which comprises a valve plate which is displaceable between a closed position, in which it seals the opening, and an open position, in which it opens the opening, and which is connected to a valve rod of the closure device having a longitudinal axis via a connecting device, which has a joint head, of which at least a portion of the outer surface is spherically shaped, and which is arranged in a receiving chamber of a joint body.

[0002] It is known to fasten the valve plate of the vacuum valve to the valve rod by a screw fastening. It is further known to allow the valve plate to be mobile relative to the valve rod in order to achieve a uniform compression of an elastic sealing ring arranged between the valve plate and a valve seat relative to the valve plate (in this case the elastic seal is generally attached to the valve plate) in the closed state of the vacuum valve, despite the tolerances in the closed state of the vacuum valve. For example, from US 2002 / 0130288 A1, a coupling device between the valve rod and the valve plate is known. This coupling device has an elastic block in which a force transmission member is arranged, which allows the valve plate to be somewhat pivoted relative to the valve rod when the valve plate is pressed against the valve seat.

[0003] Other coupling arrangements between the valve plate and the valve rod which allow movement of the valve plate relative to the valve rod are evident from US Pat. No. 7,134,642 and US Pat. No. 3,837,617.

[0004] US 2011 / 0108750 A1 discloses a connection device between a valve rod and a valve plate, which has a torsionable lateral support, whereby a certain degree of pivoting of the valve plate relative to the valve rod is possible by twisting of the lateral support.

[0005] A closing device in the form mentioned at the outset is known from prior use. A shaft (which can be considered a "valve rod") which can be rotated by a drive motor is connected to the valve plate via a swing arm which runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. At its end opposite the shaft, the swing arm forms a ball joint to which the valve plate is attached. For this purpose, the swing arm has a pot-shaped recess in which a joint head is arranged, of which a section of the outer surface is spherically shaped. The joint head cooperates with joint socket parts which are placed on the joint head from opposite sides. The joint socket parts each have a concave joint surface in the form of a section of an inner spherical surface and are likewise arranged in the pot-shaped recess of the swing arm. The joint socket part is pressed against the joint head by a spring metal sheet which is screwed to the swing arm and which acts on the joint socket part located on this side. A through-hole in the joint head is passed through by the screw. The screw also passes through an opening in the spring sheet metal and screws the valve disk to the joint head in the area of ​​the opening in the spring sheet metal. Due to the movement possibilities of the ball joint about three mutually perpendicular axes, this holding of the valve plate is only suitable for valve plates with a circular outside diameter.

[0006] Ball joints are also used in various technical fields, for example for the pivotable connection between the wheel carrier and the control arm in the axle assembly of a motor vehicle. Such a special ball joint is evident from DE 10 2015213298 A1, where the joint head has a pin projecting on both sides. The pin projects into the assigned grooves. The grooves are arranged in the side walls of the receiving chamber of the housing-like joint body. This configuration makes it possible to support steering torques in the ball joint.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the closure device of the initially mentioned type in order to provide an advantageous closure device having a wide range of applications. According to the invention, this is achieved by a closure device having the features of claim 1.

[0008] In the closing device according to the invention, in order to prevent the joint head from rotating relative to the joint body about the longitudinal axis of the valve rod, at least one protruding pin is provided, which is arranged on the joint head or on the joint body and protrudes into an assigned groove on the other of these two components, which groove extends in a plane lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve rod in a central position of the connecting device, where the valve plate is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve rod. In this case, it is preferred that a protruding pin is arranged on each of the opposite sides of the joint head or the joint body, which engages in a respectively assigned groove on the other of these two components and which groove extends in the above-mentioned plane in the central position of the connecting device.

[0009] By preventing a rotational movement of the joint head relative to the joint body about the longitudinal axis of the valve rod, the closure device according to the invention is also suitable for valve plate configurations having shapes other than circular, in particular at least substantially rectangular, i.e. for example rectangular with rounded corners. Thus, while the rotational position of the valve plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve rod and thus also relative to the axis of the opening which can be closed by the valve plate is fixed, an adaptation of the plane in which the valve plate lies to the plane in which the opening lies is possible, so that in the closed position of the valve plate a uniform pressing against the valve seat and thus a uniform compression of the sealing ring over the entire circumference is achieved.

[0010] The closure device according to the invention may also be a vacuum valve, which comprises a valve housing with a wall having an opening that can be closed by a valve plate. In this case, such a valve housing has a further opening that forms a through passage through the valve housing in the open position of the valve plate. In another possible embodiment, the closure device according to the invention may be used to seal an opening in the wall of a vacuum chamber. In this embodiment, the wall having an opening that can be closed by the valve plate does not form part of the closure device according to the invention.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve plate is connected to the joint body and the valve rod is preferably connected to the joint head by means of a connecting screw which passes through a central through-hole in the joint head and is screwed into a threaded hole at the end of the valve rod. A threaded pin which is integrally formed in the joint head is also conceivable and possible.

[0012] The joint body is preferably designed as a housing with a pot part having a pot-shaped recess for receiving the joint head and a cover part covering the recess and sealed against the pot part by a seal located between them. In this case, the valve rod preferably passes through an opening in the cover part of the joint body, and in the central position of the connecting device, an annular gap is present between the valve rod and the edge of the opening in the cover part. Thus, particles formed during the movement of the joint head relative to the joint body can be advantageously at least largely contained within the housing-like joint body. In this case, it is particularly preferred if a sealing ring is arranged on the joint head, which contacts the inner surface of the cover part in the area surrounding the opening in the cover part. This allows the interior of the housing-like joint body to be effectively sealed against the surroundings.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for guiding the joint head in the joint body, a first joint socket part and a second joint socket part are arranged in the joint body, each of which has a concave joint surface in the form of a section of an inner spherical surface, the concave joint surface of the joint socket part cooperating with an assigned convex joint surface of the joint head, the convex joint surface of the joint head being formed by a section of the outer surface of the joint head formed in the form of a section of a sphere.

[0014] It is advantageous if the first joint socket part and the second joint socket part are pressed against the joint head by at least one spring-elastic element, so that the joint head can be held in each position in a frictionally connected manner relative to the joint socket part and thus to the joint body. The holding force with which the joint head is held is preferably so great that it is thereby possible to absorb the pivot moment exerted by the weight of the valve plate in all possible spatial arrangements of the closing device without the joint head being displaced relative to the joint body. When the closing device is closed for the first time, the valve plate can be positioned accordingly relative to the valve seat, so that this positioning is advantageously maintained even after the closing device is opened.

[0015] In order to press the joint socket part against the joint head, in one possible embodiment of the invention, a spring-elastic element can be provided in the form of a spring metal sheet which is located adjacent to the cover part of the joint body and presses against the joint socket part arranged on this side of the joint head, the other joint socket part being located on the bottom side of a pot-shaped recess in the pot part of the joint body.

[0016] The spring metal sheet can be attached to the pot part of the joint body, for example by means of screws, and in the region of the opening in the cover part the spring metal sheet has a corresponding opening, which is so large that it does not penetrate at least into the area of ​​the opening in the cover part (viewed in the axial direction of the opening in the cover part).

[0017] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained below on the basis of the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure device according to the invention in an open position of the valve plate; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with the valve plate in a closed position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the closure device with the valve plate in an open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows the closure device in an open position of the valve plate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of the front end of a valve rod with a valve plate coupled to the valve rod via a coupling device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front end of the valve rod, the coupling device, and the valve plate; [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling device taken along line BB in FIG. 8, with a section of a valve rod coupled to the coupling device shown diagrammatically in dashed lines. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coupling device without the cover portion. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is an exploded view of the coupling device as seen from a different direction from that in FIG. 11.

[0019] The figures are shown partially in simplified form and with different scales.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a closing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0021] The closure device has a valve plate 1 which is displaceable between an open position (FIG. 1) and a closed position (FIG. 2). In the open position of the valve plate, an opening 2 in a wall 3 is open, and in the closed position, the opening 2 is closed in a vacuum-tight manner by the valve plate 1.

[0022] A vacuum tight closure means at least 10 -4 This means a leak rate Q of less than mbar l / s.

[0023] The valve plate 1 is supported by a valve rod 4 having a longitudinal axis 26. In this embodiment, the displacement of the valve plate 1 between the open and closed positions is effected solely by the axial displacement of the valve rod 4. In modified embodiments of the invention, the valve plate may also be displaced between the open and closed positions, for example in an L- or J-motion, by moving the valve rod axially and then tilting or by moving the valve rod perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. This is known.

[0024] To displace the valve rod 4 and thus the valve plate 1 between the open and closed positions, a drive device 5, in this example formed by a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit, is used, to which the valve rod 4 is connected or which is formed integrally with the piston rod of this piston-cylinder unit.

[0025] To provide a seal between the valve plate 1 and the wall 3 in the closed position of the closing device, a sealing ring 8 made of an elastomeric material is used. This sealing ring 8 is attached to the valve plate 1 in this embodiment, which is preferred. The opening 2 in the wall 3 is surrounded by a sealing surface which forms a sealing seat against which the sealing ring 8 rests in the closed position of the valve plate 1. The reverse arrangement (sealing ring on the wall 3, sealing surface on the valve plate 1) is also fundamentally conceivable and possible.

[0026] The wall 3 may be part of a valve housing, of which only a part is shown in each of Figures 1 to 4. The remaining part of the valve housing is shown by dashed lines in Figure 5. This valve housing thus has an inner chamber in which the valve plate 1 is arranged. Furthermore, such a valve housing has a second opening 9, which is also shown in Figure 5, for example an opening 9 which is located opposite the opening 2 and which forms a through passage through the valve housing in the open position of the valve plate 1. The closure device thus also comprises a valve housing with a wall 3 having an opening 2 in this embodiment, forming a vacuum valve.

[0027] The valve housing has another opening 11, through which the valve rod 4 exits from the inner space of the valve housing. This opening 11 is closed in a vacuum-tight manner by a connecting piece 10, on which the drive 5 is attached. The valve rod 4 passes through a through passage in the connecting piece 10 and is guided axially by the connecting piece 10. For sealing between the valve housing and the connecting piece 10, an annular seal 12 is used. For sealing the valve rod 4 against the through passage in the connecting piece 10, a bellows 6 is used in this embodiment. At one end, the bellows 6 is vacuum-tightly connected to the connecting piece 10 via an annular connecting piece 13. In this case, a sealing ring (not shown) is arranged between the connecting piece 10 and the connecting piece 13. At the other end, the bellows 6 is vacuum-tightly connected to the valve rod 4. Instead of a bellows, a mechanical seal with at least one sealing ring can also be provided for sealing.

[0028] In a modified embodiment, a closure device formed as shown in Figures 1 to 4, i.e. as shown in Figure 5 without the dashed lines, may be provided on the outside of the wall of the vacuum chamber. In this case, the opening 2 is aligned with an opening provided in this wall of the vacuum chamber, and the wall 3 is sealed against the wall of the vacuum chamber in the area surrounding the opening 2. In such an application, the closure device may also be called a door.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the wall 3 with the opening 2 can also be part of the vacuum chamber. This vacuum chamber therefore has another opening corresponding to the illustrated opening 11, through which the valve rod 4 leaves the interior of the vacuum chamber and is closed by a connecting piece 10. In this case, the drive 5 is also attached to the connecting piece, and the valve rod extends through a through-passage in the connecting piece. The valve rod can also be guided into the vacuum region of the vacuum chamber, sealed by a bellows (or mechanical seal). In this embodiment, the wall 3 with the opening 2 therefore does not form part of the closing device according to the invention.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the wall 3 with the opening 2 may be arranged inside the wall of the vacuum chamber. In this case, the opening 2 in the wall 3 is aligned with an opening in the wall of the vacuum chamber. Such a closing device can also be called an "insert". In this case, the actuation device 5 is preferably located outside the vacuum area of ​​the vacuum chamber, since the valve rod 4 is also hermetically led out of the vacuum chamber.

[0031] The valve plate 1 is formed with a substantially rectangular outer peripheral contour, where "substantially rectangular" means in this specification that the valve plate is formed in a square shape with rounded corners.

[0032] The opening 2 has a corresponding contour and is surrounded by a sealing surface 14 against which a sealing ring 8 presses in the closed position of the valve plate 1.

[0033] To connect the valve rod 4 to the valve plate 1, a connecting device 15 is used. This connecting device 15 has a joint head 16 which is arranged in a receiving chamber 18 inside a joint body 17.

[0034] In this embodiment, the joint head 16 is rigidly connected to the valve rod 4 and the joint body 17 is rigidly connected to the valve plate 1. This is preferred.

[0035] The joint body 17 comprises a pot part 17a with a pot-shaped recess and a cover part 17b closing the pot part. The inner receiving chamber 18 is thus at least substantially formed by the pot-shaped recess of the cover part 17b. The cover part 17b is sealed against the pot part 17a by an annular seal 21 arranged between the pot part 17a and the cover part 17b. The connection of the cover part 17b to the pot part 17a is made via a screw 22.

[0036] The valve rod 4 is connected to the joint head 16 by means of a connecting screw 23, which passes through a central through-hole 24 in the joint head 16 and is screwed into a threaded hole 25 in the end face of the valve rod 4. In this case, the valve rod has a connecting section 4a with an at least substantially square cross section, and the joint head 16 has a recess 16a with a corresponding outer contour, into which the connecting section 4a of the valve rod 4 projects. This provides a rotation-proofing of the valve rod 4 relative to the joint head with respect to a rotation of the joint head 16 relative to the valve rod 4 about the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4. Instead of a square contour, another polygonal contour or other contours different from a circle, for example an elliptical or star-shaped contour, can also be provided. However, the rotation-proofing means can also be formed in other ways.

[0037] The cover part 17b has a window opening 27 through which the valve rod 4 projects in the region of the end section. In the central position of the coupling arrangement, in which the valve plate 1 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 (i.e. the central plane of the valve plate 1 lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26), an annular gap s exists between the valve rod 4 and the edge of the window opening 27 in the cover part 17b. This means that the valve rod 4 is preferably spaced uniformly from the edge of the window opening 27 around the entire circumference of the valve rod 4. This allows a (limited) pivoting of the valve plate 1 around any axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4, starting from the central position, as will be explained in more detail.

[0038] To connect the joint body 17 to the valve plate 1, a connecting section 29 arranged on the back side of the valve plate 1 has a recess 30. The pot part 17a has a protruding section which can be inserted into the recess 30. Between this protruding section of the pot part 17a and the part following this protruding section, a step is located. An annular seal 31 is arranged on this step. In the connected state, this seal 31 is pressed against the surface of the connecting section 29 surrounding the recess 30. The recess 30 of the connecting section 29 has lateral extensions which are located opposite each other. In these extensions, a number of connecting pins 32 project. The connecting pins 32 are screwed from the outside into threaded holes in the area of ​​the step of the pot part 17a. The shank of each connecting pin 32 has a reduced diameter section 32a. In this reduced diameter section, a fixing pin 33 projects. The fixing pin 33 is inserted into a hole 34 in the connecting section 29 which extends transversely to the connecting pin 32. The hole 34 opens into the region of the lateral expansion of the recess 30.

[0039] The connecting section 29 is part of a cross beam, which is connected to the plate part of the valve plate on both sides of the connecting section 29 and is spaced apart from the plate part of the valve plate in the area located between them. This allows the valve plate 1 to adapt to a certain area of ​​curvature (relative to the longitudinal extension of the valve plate) if the wall 3 with the opening 2 has a certain curvature. This additionally assists in uniform compression of the sealing ring 8.

[0040] A first joint socket part 35 and a second joint socket part 36 are arranged in the receiving chamber 18 of the joint body 17. These joint socket parts 35, 36 each have a concave joint surface 35a, 36a. The concave joint surfaces 35a, 36a each have the form of a section of the inner surface of a sphere. The concave joint surfaces 35a, 36a of the joint socket parts 35, 36 are placed on the joint head 16 from opposite sides and cooperate with respectively assigned convex joint surfaces 16b, 16c of the joint head 16. The convex joint surfaces 16b, 16c are each formed in the form of a section of a sphere and each form a section of the outer surface of the joint head 16. In particular, each convex joint surface 16b, 16c has the form of a surface lying radially outside a spherical truncation (i.e. a portion of a sphere cut by two parallel planes), i.e. has the form of a so-called spherical zone. Correspondingly, the concave joint surfaces 35a, 36a each have the form of a spherical inner surface of a hollow truncated sphere. The joint socket parts 35, 36 therefore at least essentially have the form of a hollow truncated sphere. In this case, the central planes of the joint socket parts 35, 36 lie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4. In other words, in the central position, the central planes of the truncated sphere sections of the joint head 16 which form the convex joint surfaces 16b, 16c also lie in a plane which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26.

[0041] The joint socket parts 35, 36 are pressed against the joint head 16 by a spring-resilient element 37, which in the present example is formed by a spring disk. This spring disk is arranged next to the cover part 17b and has an opening 37a in the region of the window opening 27 of this cover part. The spring-resilient element 37 is screwed to the pot part 17a by means of screws 38. In the region following the opening 37a, the spring-resilient element 37 has a radial cutout, by which the separated segment is bent upwards. In this region, the spring-resilient element 37 contacts the second joint socket part 36 and presses it towards the joint head 16. This presses the joint head 16 towards the first joint socket part 35, which rests on the bottom surface at the bottom of the pot-shaped recess in the pot part 17a.

[0042] This ensures that the joint head is held in exactly the position shown in the figure with a frictional connection which is strong enough to also support the weight of the valve plate 1 without changing the position of the joint head 16 and independently of the spatial position of the closing device.

[0043] The opening 37a of the spring-elastic element 37 is larger than the window opening 27 of the cover part 17b. The sealing ring 19 arranged in the joint head 16 in the area surrounding the recess 16a can therefore pass through the opening 37a of the spring-elastic element 37 and be pressed against the inner surface of the cover part 17b in the area surrounding the window opening 27. Conversely, the sealing ring 19 may be attached to the inner surface of the cover part 17b and be pressed against the surface of the joint head 16 in the area surrounding the recess 16a through the opening 37a.

[0044] The joint head 16 has pins projecting from opposite sides. The pins 16d project in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26. In this case, the pins 16d are coaxial with each other. Each pin 16d projects into a corresponding groove 17c in the pot part 17a of the joint body 17. Each groove 17c is formed in a wall that defines a pot-shaped recess, i.e. it extends this pot-shaped recess of the pot part 17a. The grooves 17c extend in a plane 20 (shown in FIG. 11) that lies parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 at the center of the coupling device. In the present embodiment, the grooves 17c extend in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 at the center of the coupling device. The inner wall defining the pot-shaped recess of the pot portion 17a may be curved relative to a direction parallel to the valve rod, so that the groove 17c extends with a corresponding curve.

[0045] The pin 16d starts from the outer surface of the joint head 16 in an annular region located between the joint faces 16b, 16c of the joint head 16. In particular, the pin 16d is located on the equator of the joint head 16, which in this case lies in an equatorial plane located at right angles to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4. This equatorial plane passes through the joint head 16 in the middle.

[0046] The joint head 16 is prevented from rotating relative to the joint body 17 about the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 by a pin cooperating with a groove. However, the joint head 16 can be tilted about any axis lying at right angles to the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 (until the annular gap s is eliminated).

[0047] The coupling device therefore forms a ball joint which is prevented from rotational movement about an axis lying perpendicular to the equatorial plane of the joint head 16, i.e. about the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 which is coupled to the joint head.

[0048] Since the convex joint surfaces 16b, 16c of the joint head 16 cooperate with the cooperating concave joint surfaces 35a, 36a of the joint head 16 across its equator, the joint formed by the connecting device can also be referred to as a ball joint which is secured with respect to rotational movements about an axis lying perpendicular to the equatorial plane of the joint head 16, i.e. about the longitudinal axis 26 of the valve rod 4 connected to the joint head.

[0049] Because the accommodating chamber 18 is sealed by the seal 21 between the cover part 17b and the pot part 17a and by the sealing ring 19 between the cover part 17b and the joint head 16, and because the pot part 17a is furthermore sealed against the connecting section 29 by the seal 31, particles which are generated, in particular during the movement of the joint head 16 relative to the joint socket parts 35, 36, are prevented from reaching the chamber surrounding the connecting device and the valve plate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Valve plate 2 aperture 3. Wall 4 Valve Rod 4a Combined category 5. Drive unit 6 Bellows 8 Seal ring 9 aperture 10 Connection piece 11 Aperture 12 Seal 13 Connecting piece 14 Sealing surface 15 Coupling device 16 Joint Head 16a Recessed part 16b Joint surface 16c Joint surface 16d Pin 17 Joint Body 17a Pot part 17b Cover part 17c groove 18 Containment Room 19 Seal ring 20 planes 21 Seal 22 Screw 23 Connecting screw 24 Through hole 25 Threaded Hole 26 Longitudinal axis 27 Window opening 29 Combined category 30 Recessed part 31 Seal 32 coupling pin 32a Reduced diameter part 33 Fixing pin 34 holes 35 Joint socket part 35a Joint surface 36 Joint socket part 36a Joint surface 37 Spring Elasticity Element 37a aperture 38 Screw

Claims

1. A closing device for vacuum-tight closing of an opening (2) in a wall (3), comprising a valve plate (1) displaceable between a closed position in which it seals the opening (2) and an open position in which it opens the opening (2), the valve plate (1) being connected to a valve rod (4) of the closing device having a longitudinal axis (26) via a connecting device (15), the connecting device (15) having a joint head (16), at least a portion of the outer surface of which is spherically shaped, the joint head (16) being arranged in a receiving chamber (18) of a joint body (17), 1. A closure device, characterized in that, for preventing a rotation of the joint head (16) about the longitudinal axis (26) of the valve rod (4), at least one protruding pin (16d) arranged on the joint head (16) or on the joint body (17) projects into an assigned groove (17c) which is arranged on the other of these two parts and which extends in a plane (20) lying parallel to the longitudinal axis (26) of the valve rod (4) in a central position of the coupling device in which the valve plate (1) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26) of the valve rod (4).

2. 2. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that a protruding pin (16d) is arranged on each of the joint head (16) and the joint body (17) on opposite sides thereof, said pin (16d) engaging in a respectively assigned groove (17c) on the other of these two components.

3. 3. A closing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the joint body (17) has a pot part (17a) having a pot-shaped recess and a cover part (17b), the cover part (17b) being sealed against the pot part (17a) by a seal (21) located therebetween.

4. 4. A closing device according to claim 1, wherein the valve rod (4) is connected to the joint head (16) and the valve plate (1) is connected to the joint body (17).

5. 5. A closure device according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve rod (4) is connected to the joint head (16) by means of a connecting screw (23) which passes through a central through hole (24) in the joint head (16) and is screwed into a threaded hole (25) in the end face of the valve rod (4).

6. 6. A closure device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting section (4a) of the valve rod (4) has a cross-section which differs from circular, the joint head (16) has a recess with a corresponding outer contour into which an end section of the valve rod (4) projects, and the valve rod (4) is prevented from rotating relative to the joint head (16) against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the valve rod (4).

7. 4. A closing device according to claim 3, characterized in that one end section of the valve rod (4) passes through an opening (11) in the cover part (17b) of the joint body (17) and in that in the central position of the coupling device (15) there is an annular gap (s) between the valve rod (4) and the edge of the opening (11) in the cover part (17b).

8. 8. A closing device according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that a sealing ring (19) is arranged on the joint head (16) in the area surrounding the opening (11) of the cover part (17b) and in contact with the inner surface of the cover part (17b) or a sealing ring is arranged on the inner surface of the cover part (17b) in the area surrounding the opening (11) of the cover part (17b) and in contact with the joint head (16).

9. 9. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint head (16) has convex joint surfaces (16b, 16c) spaced apart from one another, the joint surfaces (16b, 16c) being formed by sections of the outer surface of the joint head (16) which are each formed in the form of a segment of a sphere, and at least one of the pins (16d) being arranged between the joint surfaces (16b, 16c).

10. A closure device according to claim 9, characterized in that the convex joint surfaces (16b, 16c) of the joint head (16) each have the form of a spherical zone.

11. 11. A closing device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in the receiving chamber (18) of the joint body (17) a first joint socket part (35) and a second joint socket part (36) are arranged, the first joint socket part (35) and the second joint socket part (36) each having a concave joint surface (35a, 36a) in the form of a section of an inner spherical surface, the concave joint surface of the joint socket parts (35, 36) each cooperating with an assigned one of the convex joint surfaces (16b, 16c) of the joint head (16).

12. The joint body (17) has a pot portion (17a) having a pot-shaped recessed portion, 12. A closure device according to claim 11, characterized in that a first one of the joint socket parts (35) is mounted on a bottom surface of the pot part (17a) of the joint body (17) and the second one of the joint socket parts (36) is mounted on the joint head (16) on a side opposite to the first joint socket part (35).

13. 13. A closing device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the first joint socket part (35) and the second joint socket part (36) are pressed against the joint head (16) by at least one spring-elastic element (37).

14. The joint body (17) has a cover portion (17b), 14. A closing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the spring-elastic element (37) is a spring metal sheet which is located adjacent to the cover part (17b) of the joint body (17) and is pressed against the second joint socket part (36) on its side opposite to the cover part (17b), and which has an opening (11) in the region of the opening in the cover part (17b).

15. 15. The closing device according to claim 14, characterized in that a sealing ring (19) arranged on the joint head (16) and in contact with an inner surface of the cover part (17b) in the area surrounding the opening (11) of the cover part (17b) or on the inner surface of the cover part (17b) in the area surrounding the opening (11) of the cover part (17b) and in contact with the joint head (16) protrudes through the opening (37a) in the spring metal sheet.

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