Rotary valve

Abstract

A rotary valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) having a valve chamber (3), the valve chamber (3) having at least one chamber wall (4), at least two fluid openings (5) being machined in this chamber wall (4), the valve chamber (3) accommodating a valve core (7), a passage structure (8) cooperating with the fluid openings (5) being provided in this valve core (7), the valve core (7) being rotatably supported in the valve chamber (3), the rotary valve (1), wherein the valve core (7) is formed from at least two members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary valve, which comprises a valve housing having a valve chamber. The valve chamber has at least one chamber wall, on which at least two fluid openings are machined. The valve chamber houses a valve core, and a passage structure cooperating with the fluid openings is provided on the valve core. The valve core is rotatably supported in the valve chamber.

Background Art

[0002] Such a rotary valve is known, for example, from German Patent Application Publication No. 102018009680. The rotary valve of the above-described form is often used in a cooling circuit to control the refrigerant flow. Cooling fluid can flow in and out through the fluid openings machined in the valve housing. In this case, the passage structure machined in the valve core controls the refrigerant flow. In this case, different cooling circuits may be controlled, the volume flow rate may be adjusted, or the flow direction may be adapted according to the configuration and number of the fluid openings.

[0003] In this case, the configuration as a rotary valve is advantageous because the adaptation of the refrigerant flow rate is performed by rotating the valve core. In this case, a corresponding actuator for rotating the valve core is simply formed and easily controllable. Correspondingly, the rotary valve and the corresponding actuator can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, the rotary valve requires only a small amount of installation space.

[0004] A rotary valve of this type is particularly advantageous for use in temperature control circuits in the field of electromobility. To achieve a long range for an electric vehicle, for example, it is necessary to control the temperature of electrical components. In this case, the components to be temperature-controlled in an electric vehicle are, in particular, in addition to an electrical energy storage device, the plug-in connection means of power electronics or a rapid charging device. The electrical energy storage device has a good capacity only within a very small temperature range. Therefore, it is necessary to heat the electrical energy storage device of the electric vehicle when the ambient temperature is low and to cool it when the outdoor temperature is high or the load fluctuations are large.

[0005] For this purpose, it is known to provide a temperature control circuit through which a temperature control medium flows. In this case, the temperature control medium may be heated in a heating device or cooled in a cooling device as required. In this case, the control of the temperature control medium flow is effected at least in part via a rotary valve. In this case, there arises the need for a complex passage structure of the valve core. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] The underlying problem of the present invention is to provide a rotary valve that can be manufactured inexpensively and enables complex control of a temperature control circuit. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The rotary valve according to the present invention comprises a valve housing having a valve chamber, the valve chamber having at least one chamber wall in which at least two fluid openings are machined, the valve chamber housing a valve core, the valve core being provided with a passage structure cooperating with the fluid openings, the valve core being rotatably supported in the valve chamber, and the valve core being formed of at least two members.

[0009] By forming the valve core from at least two members, it becomes possible to realize a composite passage structure portion in the valve core, and in this case, the valve core can be manufactured simply and inexpensively at the same time.

[0010] The valve core has at least one inner member and an outer member, and this outer member may at least partially surround the inner member on the circumferential surface side. In this configuration, the inner member is inserted into the outer member, for example, inside the outer member, and thereby, it becomes possible to form a particularly composite passage structure portion in the inner member. On the other hand, the outer member is in contact with the chamber wall of the valve chamber and may be formed so as to achieve particularly good sealing against this chamber wall.

[0011] It is possible to provide a plurality of inner members. In this case, the plurality of inner members may be nested and inserted into each other inside and outside. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a plurality of inner members each extending over a sector shape, and in this case, these plurality of inner members are distributed over the entire circumference and arranged side by side. In both configurations, a particularly composite passage structure portion can be formed inexpensively. According to another alternative form, a plurality of inner members may be inserted into each other inside and outside, and another inner member may be arranged side by side.

[0012] The outer member is formed as a sleeve and may accommodate at least one inner member. In this configuration, since the outer member can at least partially cover the inner member in the circumferential direction, the inner member is particularly well protected against damage. In particular, it is possible to prevent the inner member from getting caught on the chamber wall. By the outer member formed as a sleeve, the inner member is particularly well protected against damage especially during assembly. In this configuration, the outer member can also be applied flat against the chamber wall of the valve chamber, and thereby, the risk of inner leakage inside the rotary valve can be reduced.

[0013] To improve the seal, the chamber wall may be provided, at least in part, with an elastic coating, for example made of an elastomeric material.

[0014] At least one inner member may be formed in a ribbed shape. Thereby, the inner member can be formed particularly lightweight and with material savings, and the inner member can be optimized according to the conveying function of the passage structure. In this case, the outer peripheral wall of the passage formed in the inner member may be formed by the outer member, which simplifies the production of the inner member. When the inner member is formed of plastic, injection molding is particularly possible for production. Moreover, the ribbed configuration of the inner member enables the realization of a particularly complex passage structure in the valve core.

[0015] The outer member may be provided with a plurality of through holes. These through holes are communicated with the fluid openings according to the position of the valve core, and enable the passage of the temperature control medium into the passage structure of the inner member through these fluid openings.

[0016] The passage structure may be formed in at least one inner member. In this case, the passage structure is protected by the outer member, and a particularly complex passage structure can be realized.

[0017] At least one inner member and the outer member may be joined to each other in a materially connected manner. For this purpose, at least one inner member and the outer member may be joined to each other by an adhesive. Preferably, at least one inner member and the outer member are joined to each other via a welding joint, for example by laser welding or ultrasonic welding. In this case, this welding joint is formed linearly and may be arranged, for example, so as to surround a through hole. Furthermore, the welding joint arranged so as to surround the through hole is recessed, which enables the welding seam not to impair the sealing function between the valve core and the valve housing. By the materially connected joint, the inner member and the outer member form an invariant composite, which ensures the reliable and continuous operation of the rotary valve.

[0018] At least one inner member and the outer member may be joined to each other in a form-fitting manner. In this configuration, the inner member and the outer member can be joined to each other particularly quickly and easily. It is also possible to join the inner member and the outer member to each other both in a material-fitting manner and in a form-fitting manner.

[0019] At least one inner member and the outer member may be joined to each other in a fluid-tight manner. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the overflow of liquid from one passage of the passage structure of the inner member into another passage of the passage structure.

[0020] The outer member of the valve core may be in close contact with at least partially the chamber wall of the valve chamber. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of leakage inside the valve chamber that would impair the functionality of the rotary valve.

[0021] A contour seal may be assigned to the outer member and / or the inner member. In this case, this contour seal is preferably arranged on the outside in the region of the through-hole of the outer member and may be formed, for example, along the annular edge of the through-hole. In this case, the contour seal may form a separate component or may be integrally molded directly onto the outer member. In particular, it is possible to form the contour seal from a thermoplastic elastomer and to form this elastomer directly together with the outer member. It is likewise possible to form the contour seal as a sealing ring or a sealing lip. Furthermore, the contour seal may be arranged in a groove formed in the outer member.

[0022] In an alternative configuration, the valve housing and the valve core are formed in a conical shape. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a passage structure in the outer member. Furthermore, a plurality of outer members can be arranged inside and outside each other, and in this case, one outer member houses another outer member. The outer member may be formed from a plurality of parts, particularly in a fan shape. In this context, in particular, it is possible for the outer member to comprise two half-shells.

[0023] The configuration of the rotary valve according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a rotary valve 1 which is a component of a temperature adjustment circuit of an internal device to be air-conditioned. In this specification, this rotary valve 1 is used as a component of a temperature adjustment circuit of an electric vehicle in the field of electromobility. In this case, the rotary valve 1 is incorporated in a temperature adjustment circuit of an electric motor type drive device of an electric vehicle, and guides the volume flow of a medium guided in this temperature adjustment circuit to an electrical energy storage device, an electric motor, and power electronics. By the rotary valve 1, the temperature adjustment medium flow rate of the temperature adjustment circuit can be changed.

[0026] In particular, it is possible to change, for example, increase or decrease the volume flow rate of the temperature adjustment medium. Furthermore, by rotating the valve core 7, different fluid openings 5 can be connected to each other for guiding the flow, and thus the flow direction of the temperature adjustment medium can be changed. To this extent, the rotary valve 1 according to the present invention also forms a direction control valve, and by this direction control valve, the temperature adjustment medium can be individually and purposefully supplied to various different components of the device to be temperature-adjusted, and if necessary, the components can also be separated from the temperature adjustment medium flow.

[0027] According to the ambient temperature and output requirements, for example, the temperature control medium flow is first led exclusively to the electrical energy storage, where the electrical energy storage can be cooled or heated according to the ambient temperature. When the output requirement is high, the refrigerant flow can be led to both the power electronics and the electric motor, thereby cooling these components. In this case, the change in the refrigerant flow rate is performed by the rotary valve 1. In this case, the rotary valve 1 can replace a plurality of solenoid valves, whereby the temperature control circuit can be manufactured inexpensively as a whole.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a rotary valve 1 provided with a valve housing 2 formed of plastic, and a valve chamber 3 is arranged in the valve housing 2. This valve chamber 3 has a chamber wall 4, and a plurality of fluid openings 5 are machined in this chamber wall 4. The valve chamber 3 has a housing opening 6 on the end face side and houses a valve core 7. A cover is provided on the housing opening 6, and a through guide path for the drive shaft 13 is machined in this cover. The valve core 7 is provided with a passage structure portion 8 that cooperates with the fluid opening 5. The valve core 7 is rotatably supported in the valve chamber 3 and includes a drive shaft 13. Through this drive shaft 13, the valve core 7 can be rotated by an actuator.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows in detail the valve core 7 of the rotary valve 1 shown in FIG. 1. This valve core 7 has an inner member 9 and an outer member 10. In this case, this outer member 10 surrounds the inner member 9 on the circumferential surface side. The outer member 10 is formed as a sleeve and houses the inner member 9. The inner member 9 and the outer member 10 are formed of plastic.

[0030] The outer member 10 is machined with a through hole 11. The passage structure portion 8 is formed in the inner member 9. Through the through hole 11 machined in the outer member 10, the passage structure portion 8 is selectively communicated with one or more fluid openings 5.

[0031] Figure 3 shows in detail the inner member 9 of the valve core 7 shown in Figure 2. It can be recognized that this inner member 9 is formed in a rib shape. The inner member 9 is made of plastic and is manufactured by injection molding. Depending on the configuration of the passage structure portion 8, it is possible to form the inner member 9 from a plurality of parts. In this case, the plurality of inner members 9 may be inserted into each other inside and outside, and / or may be fan-shaped, and may be arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The passage structure portion 8 is formed in the inner member 9.

[0032] Figure 4 shows in detail the outer member 10 of the valve core 7 shown in Figure 2. This outer member 10 is formed in the form of a sleeve. In this case, a plurality of through holes 11 are machined in the peripheral wall. One contour seal 14 is assigned to each of these through holes 11, and this contour seal 14 is arranged in the region of the edge of the through hole 11. The contour seal 14 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and is firmly bonded to the outer member 10.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration of the valve core 7 shown in Figure 2. In the illustrated configuration, the outer member 10 is also formed in a rib shape, whereby the passage structure portion 8 can have a particularly complex configuration formed in both the inner member 9 and the outer member.

[0034] Figure 6 shows the valve core 7 shown in Figure 2. In the illustrated configuration, it can be recognized that the inner member 9 and the outer member 10 are materially connected to each other via a welded joint portion 12. This welded joint portion is arranged in the region of the through hole 11 and is formed linearly. By means of the welded joint portion 12, in addition to ensuring the reliable connection between the inner member 9 and the outer member 10, it is possible to ensure that no leakage occurs in the region of the through hole 11 inside the valve core 7.

Claims

1. A rotary valve (1), comprising a valve housing (2) having a valve chamber (3), said valve chamber (3) having at least one chamber wall (4), at least two fluid openings (5) being machined in said chamber wall (4), said valve chamber (3) accommodating a valve core (7), said valve core (7) being provided with a passage structure (8) cooperating with said fluid openings (5), said valve core (7) being rotatably supported within said valve chamber (3), in the rotary valve (1), The rotary valve (1), characterized in that said valve core (7) is formed from at least two members.

2. The rotary valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said valve core (7) has at least one inner member (9) and an outer member (10), said outer member (10) at least partially surrounding said at least one inner member (9) on the circumferential surface side.

3. The rotary valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said outer member (10) is formed as a sleeve and accommodates said at least one inner member (9).

4. The rotary valve according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a plurality of through holes (11) are machined in said outer member (10).

5. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said passage structure (8) is formed in said at least one inner member (9).

6. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said at least one inner member (9) is formed in a rib shape.

7. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said at least one inner member (9) and said outer member (10) are joined to each other in a materially connected manner.

8. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said at least one inner member (9) and said outer member (10) are joined to each other in a form - fit connection manner.

9. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said outer member (10) of said valve core (7) is at least partially in close contact with said chamber wall (4) of said valve chamber (3).

10. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a contour seal is assigned to said outer member (10) and / or said at least one inner member (9).

11. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the valve core (7) is formed of plastic.

12. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein a passage structure portion (8) is formed in the outer member (10).

13. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the valve core (7) has a plurality of outer members (10).

14. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the valve housing (2) and the valve core (7) are formed of plastic.

15. A temperature control circuit for a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle, comprising at least one rotary valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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