Dispenser with an embedded seal and manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a case (2) and a core (4), wherein the case (2) defines a chamber for receiving a core (4) which can rotate in a hydraulic chamber about a rotation axis (XX'), and comprises side walls (8) and two end walls (6, 10), at least one supply opening (11) and at least one outlet opening (12, 20), the core (4) comprises a side surface (32), an inlet opening (18), at least one side outlet (34), and a duct (38) or a chamber connecting the inlet opening (18) and the side outlet and enabling supply to each of the outlet openings (12, 20) according to the angular position of the core in the case, the core further comprises at least one non-removable seal in contact with the side surface of the core, each seal also comprises one or more fastening and / or injection protrusions (321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2) on the side surface (32) of the core (4), and the protrusions form an integral part with the seal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary valve or a hydraulic distributor, which is used, for example, for cooling in the automotive industry and is preferably electrically actuated. The present invention is also applicable to the distribution of the coolant of a fuel cell.

Background Art

[0002] In the automotive field, the use of valves or hydraulic distributors has become common for cooling specific parts of an engine. For example, these valves or hydraulic distributors are motorized valves with one or two inlets and two outlets, and solenoid valves with one inlet and two outlets. These valves or distributors are generally controlled via an electric motor.

[0003] There are several types of hydraulic valves or hydraulic distributors (the following description uses the term "distributor", but it should be understood to also apply to valves). Specifically, there are slide valves and rotary distributors.

[0004] A rotary distributor, also called a ball and plug distributor, comprises a case defining a chamber in the form of a rotating cylinder provided with at least one fluid inlet intended to be connected to a liquid supply source and at least one fluid outlet intended to be connected to a pipe for directing the liquid towards the area to be cooled. The inlet and the outlet open into the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The distributor also comprises a rotating central part or core mounted in the chamber. The core includes a rotating outer surface facing the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The core is provided with at least two openings in its outer surface connected by passages. The two openings are oriented relative to each other such that when one of the openings faces the inlet, the other faces the outlet. Thus, by rotating the core in the chamber, it is possible to interrupt the circulation between the inlet and the outlet, and thus between the liquid supply source and the area to be cooled.

[0005] In such dispensers, since the seal between the core and the case is usually obtained by using seals, the device needs to provide grooves in which these seals are positioned. This results in complex devices and manufacturing methods. There is a need to create a dispenser with a simple and reliable design and a reduced number of components.

[0006] Problems also arise from performing fewer manufacturing steps and fabricating such dispensers in a simpler manner than known methods. Specifically, a method that does not require the step of assembling each seal with the core is needed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reliable rotary hydraulic dispenser with a simplified manufacturing process compared to prior art hydraulic dispensers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a hydraulic rotary dispenser comprising a case and a core, wherein the case defines a chamber for accommodating a core that can rotate in a hydraulic chamber about a rotation axis (XX'), the case having a side wall and two end walls, at least one supply opening and at least one outlet opening that open into the hydraulic chamber, and the core having a side facing the side wall of the case, an inlet opening, at least one side outlet, and a duct connecting the inlet opening and the side outlet and enabling supply to each of the outlet openings according to the angular position of the core in the case.

[0010] The core further comprises at least one seal for sealing between the side surface of the core and the outlet opening (or corresponding outlet opening) of the side wall of the case, or for ensuring a seal therebetween. Each seal can be molded on the core, or molded with the core, and / or integrated with the core, and / or made non-removable with respect to the core. For example, each seal is connected to the side surface of the core, or directly coupled to the side surface of the core, by chemical and / or mechanical bonding. Each seal is arranged to seal one of the outlet openings at a given position of the core.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each seal may comprise one or more fastening and / or injection protrusions on the side surface of the core. The protrusions very advantageously form an integral part with the seal.

[0012] In such a device (or in its manufacturing method), each protrusion preferably results from the same method or the same steps as the manufacturing of the seal.

[0013] According to a specific embodiment, the side surface of the core comprises at least one hollow housing that each of the seals or one of the seals includes or receives. Such a hollow housing can be provided for each seal, and each hollow housing includes or receives different seals.

[0014] For example, at least one housing, or each housing, preferably is centrally arranged with respect to the housing, is recessed and positioned with respect to the outer surface of the core, and includes a recessed area that helps to seal the outlet opening.

[0015] At least one housing, or each housing, is referred to as a holding element and may comprise an element that extends from the bottom surface of the housing, preferably is centrally arranged with respect to the housing, and helps to hold the seal in the housing.

[0016] At least one seal, or each seal, may have a lip that forms a closed contour and has a minimum dimension greater than the minimum dimension of the outlet opening corresponding to this seal.

[0017] In the hydraulic rotary distributor according to the present invention, - The case can be made of a plastic material, - At least one seal, or each seal, is made of a material that can be used for injection methods, such as an elastomeric material, and / or - The core is made of a thermoplastic material of the type of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide) or POM (polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, or polyacetal), or PA66 (nylon containing polyamide).

[0018] According to a specific exemplary embodiment of the hydraulic rotary distributor according to the present invention, - At least one supply opening is in one of the end walls of the case and extends substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, or - At least one of the said supply openings is in the side wall of the case.

[0019] According to a specific exemplary embodiment of the hydraulic rotary distributor according to the present invention, the side wall of the case includes a plurality of outlet openings, and the core includes a plurality of seals for sealing between the side surface of the core and one of the outlet openings in the side wall of the case, or for ensuring a seal therebetween, each seal being non-removable with respect to the core and being arranged to seal one of the outlet openings at a given position of the core.

[0020] For example, in such a hydraulic rotary distributor, the side wall of the case includes two outlet openings, and the core includes two seals for sealing between the side surface of the core and one of the two outlet openings in the side wall of the case, or for ensuring a seal therebetween, each seal being non-removable with respect to the core and being arranged to seal one of the two outlet openings at a given position of the core.

[0021] Preferably, each of the two seals is arranged on one side of one of the side outlets of the core, so that the core can be positioned between the two seals.

[0022] The invention also relates to a hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor comprising a distributor according to the invention and an actuator for rotationally driving the core.

[0023] The actuator includes, for example, an output shaft arranged along the rotation axis.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor according to the invention, the method - comprising a step of two-material injection molding of an assembly including a core and a seal, - and a step of introducing the core and the seal into a case and related to the method including these steps. In such a method, - at least one seal, or each seal, can be made of an elastomeric material, and / or - the core is made of a thermoplastic material of the type of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide) or POM (polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, or polyacetal), or PA66 (nylon containing polyamide).

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for distributing a fluid using a hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor according to the invention, wherein the fluid is introduced through a supply opening and guided by an internal duct of the core towards a side opening of the core, and then guided towards one and / or the other of the outlet openings depending on the orientation of the core in the case.

[0026] According to an example, the fluid is a mixture of water and glycol, for example, a mixture of 60% water and 40% glycol.

[0027] The fluid can be, for example, a coolant for a fuel cell.

[0028] The present invention will be better understood based on the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 10C

Figure 11A

Figure 11B

[0030] In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a rotary hydraulic distributor to which the present invention can be applied can be seen. This distributor includes an inlet and two outlets. It is understood that the distributor may include one or more inlets and / or one or more outlets.

[0031] The distributor D includes a case 2 or valve body that substantially has the shape of a rotating cylinder centered on the axis XX', and a central portion 4 called a core that is mounted on the case 2 and can rotate within the case 2.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the case 2 includes a bottom 6 and a substantially cylindrical integral side wall 8, and the inlet cover 10 includes an opening 11 through which fluid enters the device. Thus, in this example, the fluid flows along a direction aligned with the axis XX' and is distributed by the core 4 towards one or more side outlets of the case. The inlet cover 10 is assembled or firmly connected to the case 2, for example, by a removable method such as screws or by a fixing method such as welding (specifically, when the parts are made of plastic material) such as ultrasonic welding.

[0033] It should be noted that the coaxial arrival of the fluid makes it possible to reduce the torque generated and thereby reduce the torque on the entire dispenser. This is advantageous regardless of the fluid flow rate, but is particularly advantageous for large flow rates, for example 200 to 700 liters per minute. Case 2 comprises a first outlet opening 20 formed in the side wall 8, which can be extended by a first duct (not shown in the figure) intended to direct the liquid towards a given area such as the area to be cooled, and a second outlet opening 12 which can also be extended by a second duct (not shown in the figure) also intended to direct the liquid towards another given area such as the area to be cooled. These ducts are assembled, for example, at the base of the openings 12 and 20, by welding or using a clamping ring. Case 2 defines a hydraulic chamber 26. The outlet openings 12 and 20 are angularly distributed in the side wall about the axis XX'.

[0034] Case 2 also comprises a motor cowl 18, which is assembled or firmly connected to the case 2, for example, by a removable means such as screws, or by a fixing means such as welding, specifically when the parts are made of plastic material. These two parts (the cowl and the case) can be made as an integral part, for example, when injection or molding techniques are used to manufacture them. All of the device is actuated by an actuator 33 (for example, a motor or a geared motor). A connecting means or member 36 connects the shaft of the actuator to the core 4 in order to rotationally drive the core 4 about the axis XX'.

[0035] Fitting means 39, including as an example a crown 391 and fastening means 392 such as screws, can be provided for assembling the actuator 33 with the cowl 18. The axis of the actuator passes through the central opening of the crown.

[0036] The device of Figure 1 is shown assembled in Figure 9A.

[0037] Figures 2A - 2C show the core 4 which also has the shape of a rotating cylinder about the axis XX'. Figure 2A is a cross - section of the core along a plane perpendicular to the axis XX'. The core 4 is mounted in a hydraulic chamber, in which the core 4 can rotate about the axis XX'. The core 4 comprises two end faces 28, 30 and a side face 32, and on the side face 32, components 321, 322 which form a seal are provided (these components are described later), and each of the components 321, 322 is provided to seal one of the outlet openings 12 and 20 according to the position of the core about the axis XX'.

[0038] When this core 4 is mounted in the hydraulic chamber, the end face 28 of the core 4 faces the bottom of the case 2 (positioned on the actuator side), and its end face 30 faces the cover 10. The end face 30 includes an opening 31 (Figures 2B and 2C) intended to be aligned with the opening 11 of the cover 10 in order to receive the flow of fluid flowing along the axis XX'. The side face 32 of the core 4 includes a side opening 34 which enables guiding the fluid towards one or more of the outlet openings 12, 20 according to the position of the core about the axis XX'. To ensure guidance in the rotation of the core 4 in the case 2, a ball bearing 37 can be provided, and further, a fixed seal can be advantageously provided between the case 2 and the cover 10 to avoid leakage of liquid. Similarly, one or more seals 40 are advantageously provided between the end face 6 and the cowl 18 to avoid leakage of liquid. The reference numeral 37' also indicates a ball bearing.

[0039] The duct 38 inside the core 4 connects the opening 31 for the inlet of fluid to the core 4 and the opening 34 for the outlet of fluid from the core. An example of the shape of this duct is shown in more detail in Figure 3 and will be described later.

[0040] The core 4 is - In one area of the so-called sealing or around it on the side surface of the core 4, when this area and the outlet opening 12 face each other, a first seal 321 intended to seal the outlet opening 12, - In one area of the so-called sealing or around it on the side surface of the core 4, when this area and the outlet opening 20 face each other, a second seal 322 (seen in Fig. 2B but not in Fig. 2C) intended to seal the outlet opening 20 (see Figs. 2A to 2C and Fig. 9B).

[0041] The first seal 321 and the second seal 322 can not only be of the same or similar shape, but also their mounting on the core can be the same or similar.

[0042] The first seal 321 is in a hollow housing 323 formed on the side surface of the core 4. The shape of the housing 323 conforms to the shape of this first seal 321, and the outer surface of the seal is an extension of the side surface 32 of the core 4 or flush with the side surface 32.

[0043] The housing 323 - is preferably planar and / or is centrally arranged with respect to the housing, preferably recessed with respect to the outer surface of the core or the surface on which the seal is placed in contact, and is an area 335 that helps to seal the outlet opening 12, for example, a recessed area 335 having a circular or disc shape, and / or - an element 325, also referred to as a holding element, which extends from the bottom of the housing 323, such as from a recessed area 335 at the center of the housing 323, is preferably centrally arranged with respect to the housing 323, and helps to hold the seal 321 in the housing may be provided. This holding element has, for example, a circular shape.

[0044] The second seal 322 is in a hollow housing 327 formed on the side surface of the core 4. The shape of the housing 327 conforms to the shape of this second seal 322, and the outer surface of the seal is an extension of the side surface 32 of the core 4 or flush with the side surface 32.

[0045] With respect to the housing 323, the housing 327 is - The same or similar to the region 335, preferably planar, and / or centered with respect to the housing 327, preferably positioned recessed with respect to the outer surface of the core, and helps to seal the outlet opening 20, for example, a recessed region having a circular or disc shape, and / or - An element, also referred to as a holding element, which extends from the bottom of the housing 327, such as a recessed region at the center of the housing 327, is preferably centered with respect to the housing 327, and helps to hold the seal 322 at its center in the housing may be provided. This holding element has, for example, a circular shape.

[0046] The first and second housings 323, 327 that receive the seal and the duct 38 are arranged in such a way that by changing the angular position of the core 4 about the axis X, a selective flow between the outlet 34 of the duct 38 and one and / or the other of the outlet openings 12, 20 is enabled.

[0047] The first seal 321 and the second seal 322 are - In the first position (shown in Figure 2C), the housing 323 including the first seal 321 faces the outlet opening 20 and completely blocks the flow of liquid from the supply opening towards this outlet opening 20, so that the liquid is made to flow towards the other outlet opening 12, and - In the second position (not shown), the housing 327 including the second seal 322 faces the outlet opening 12 and completely blocks the flow of liquid from the supply opening towards this outlet opening 12, so that the liquid is made to flow towards the other outlet opening 20 mounted relative to each other in the core in such a way.

[0048] As can be understood from Figure 2C, around the outlet opening, the seal contacts the inner surface of the chamber 26.

[0049] In this example, the seals 321, 322 each have a substantially square shape with rounded corners (for seal 321 as seen in FIG. 2A) or a rectangle, and alternatively, the seals can be circular (or have any other shape).

[0050] Each of the seals 321, 322 may include a through-hole 341 (not shown for seal 322) that is passed through by the retaining element 325. The cross-sectional shape of the hole 341 matches the outer profile of the cross-section of the retaining element 325, and their dimensions are such that the outer surface of the retaining element 325 contacts the inner surface of the hole 341 to ensure a sealed contact (the same explanation applies to seal 322).

[0051] Preferably, each of the seals 321, 322 - includes a protruding element 366 (not shown for seal 322) that forms a closed contour so as to form a continuous lip or bead around the outlet opening intended to be sealed or around the hole 341. In the example shown, the lip 366 is annular, and / or - includes one or more lateral protrusions or pads 321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2 located on the core wall that may result from the injection or molding process and that help hold the seal in its housing 323, 327 and / or result from the injection method.

[0052] The inner diameter or minimum internal dimension of the lip 366 is greater than the diameter or maximum dimension of the outlet opening 20 that the corresponding seal is intended to seal. Preferably, the lip 366 has a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the outlet openings 20 and 12. If the outlet opening has an elliptical shape, the lip 366 preferably has an elliptical shape as well.

[0053] Preferably, - Each of the seals 321, 322 is made of a material that can be used for an injection method. For example, the material is an elastomeric material. An example is THERMOLAST® V TV6VAN (Series LTP / PA) of Kraiburg TPE, which can have a hardness of 60 Shore A (DIN ISO 48-4) and a density of 0.930 g / cm 3 (DIN EN ISO 1183-1), and other properties are available at www.kraiburg-tpe.com. - The core 4 is made of a thermoplastic material of the type, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide), or POM (polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, or polyacetal), or PA66 (PA with nylon).

[0054] Therefore, the assembly including the core 4 and the seals 321, 322 can be manufactured by a two-material injection method (similar to overmolding). This enables the manufacture of this assembly in a single method and eliminates the need to perform the attachment of a removable seal to the opening provided for this purpose in the core.

[0055] The assembly including the core 4 and the seals 321, 322 forms an integral part, and the seals are not removable from the core nor removable from the core. The seals are connected to the core by a chemical bond or an adhesive joint and / or by one or more of the lateral protrusions 321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2, which helps to firmly hold the seals in their positions in the housing, including during the rotational movement of the core in the case. Next, this assembly is introduced into the case, and the case can be further manufactured by injection and / or molding techniques, such as plastic injection.

[0056] A preferred form of the duct 38 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. It can be seen that this duct can be widened from an inlet opening 31, which is, for example, circular, towards an outlet opening 34, which preferably has an elongated shape, as will be described later.

[0057] A plane P that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow is shown in FIG. 3, and this plane P makes an angle α with a plane P0 that is parallel to the plane in which the inlet opening 31 is located. The intersection of this plane P with the duct 38 has an area S that can increase in a linear manner or the like as the angle α increases. This gradual increase enables a reduction in the head loss.

[0058] The following table indicates different values of the area S that increase as the angle α increases for different values of the angle α, as already indicated above.

[0059]

Table 1

[0060] In its last part, the angle α is equal to 90°, and the area S can further increase as can be understood from the above table (see the difference between the value of S for 90° and the "final" value).

[0061] For example, for each increase in the angle α that is 10° or more and generally between 7° and 12°, the area S can increase by a relative value between 1% and 3%, such as 2%.

[0062] Preferably, the outlet opening 34 is parallel to the axis XX' and has an elongated or oval shape along an axis YY' that is substantially perpendicular to the axis XX' in the projection in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the fluid outlet. For example, this projection of the outlet opening has an oval shape, and the major axis of the oval is the same as the axis YY'.

[0063] The distance d (FIG. 2B) between the points furthest from this opening along the axis YY' is preferably greater than the distance d1 separating two adjacent outlet openings 12, 20 of the rotary case 2, as shown in FIG. 4, which schematically shows the case 2 with two outlet openings 12, 20 and the core 4 with the outlet opening 34. In FIG. 4, the outlet opening 34 partially opens into each of the outlets 12 and 20, enabling a first flow F12 flowing through the outlet 12 and a second flow F20 flowing through the outlet 20. The ratio of these flows can be changed by using the actuator 33 to change the orientation of the core 4 in the case 2, and for some positions of the core, the opening 34 partially opens into the outlet 12 and partially opens into the outlet 20, and for each of these positions, the ratio of these flows is different from the ratio when in other positions. In FIG. 4, seals 321, 322 are shown, neither of which completely seals off one of the outlet passages 12, 20.

[0064] At certain positions, the outlet opening 34 can open only into one or the other of the outlets 12, 20. This is shown in FIG. 5A (where the flow outlet is fully directed towards the outlet 20 and a part of the core 4 including the seal 322 completely seals off the outlet passage 12) and in FIG. 5B (where the flow outlet is fully directed towards the outlet 12 and a part of the core 4 including the seal 322 completely seals off the outlet passage 20).

[0065] The connecting means 36 of the device as described above can have the form shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7A, and 7B. These means have a cylindrical shape (FIG. 7A) in the lower part where a groove 361 is made to enable receiving the end of the shaft 330 of the actuator 33 (see FIG. 1). The connecting part 36 is itself housed in the lower compartment 41 of the core 4 (see FIGS. 6 and 7A) and, in its upper part, is provided with a protrusion 360 having a shape such as a parallelepiped. When the shaft 330 rotates the part 36, the protrusion 360 enables the core 4 to also rotate. Preferably, the groove 361 extends in a direction perpendicular to the protrusion and enables compensating for or restoring coaxiality or alignment defects along two axes perpendicular to the rotation axis XX'.

[0066] The lower compartment 41 of the core 4 has a shape complementary to that of the part 36 and specifically includes one slot 282 (FIG. 7A) into which the protrusion 360 is inserted.

[0067] Alternatively (see FIG. 7B), the connecting means 36' has a parallelepiped shape in the lower part including a slot 361' enabling receiving the end of the shaft 330 of the actuator 33. This part 36' itself is housed in the lower compartment 41 of the core 4 having a parallelepiped shape (see FIGS. 6 and 7B). Thus, when the actuator 33 rotationally drives the part 36', the part 36' further rotationally drives the core 4.

[0068] Advantageously, the lower surface 28 of the core 4 has a round groove 280 enabling receiving a pin 181 connected to the motor cowl 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). This pin forms a stop for the movement of the core 4 when the core 4 is rotated by the actuator 33. The stop stops or limits the progression of the slot at the initial position of the core and then at its maximum position. This initial position can correspond to a zero flow at the outlet 20, and the final position can correspond to a zero flow at the outlet 12.

[0069] According to another aspect of the present invention, a return spring such as a torsion spring is connected to the core 4 via one of its ends, and via the other end to a portion such as the hood or end part 10 that remains fixed when the core is rotationally driven. Thus, the actuator 33 can rotationally drive the core from the first position to the second position and, when the operation of the actuator is stopped, automatically return the core to its first position or initial position. For example, the device can be in a rest position where fluid flows towards the outlet 12, and the actuator drives the core 4 towards a position where fluid flows towards the outlet 20, and stopping the operation of the actuator automatically causes the core to return towards its initial position, i.e., towards a position where fluid flows towards the outlet 12. This aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8, where a torsion spring 60, one end 61 of the torsion spring 60 connected to the upper part 30 of the core 4, and the other end 63 connected to the lower part of the inlet cover 10 can be seen.

[0070] The connecting means 36 described above in connection with FIGS. 6 - 8, and the accommodation of the connecting means 36 in the lower plenum chamber of the core 4, and / or the return means, are applicable not only to the dispenser described above in connection with FIGS. 1 - 3, but also to any other dispenser implementing a rotating element in a distributor body, specifically, - A dispenser including injection of fluid in a direction transverse to the body 2 rather than in the axial direction (along axis XX') as described above, and / or, - A dispenser in which the core includes a distribution passage of uniform cross - section and the end positioned towards the outlet opening can have an elongated shape as described above, or can have a circular shape corresponding to the cross - section of the openings 12, 20 and can be applied to any dispenser of this kind.

[0071] Preferably, the case 2 is made of a plastic material that reduces the mass of the dispenser, which is particularly preferred in the field of automation. Further, the plastic material advantageously contains a material that reduces friction. For example, the case is made of a polyphthalamide such as the type PA6T / 6I - GF30, which very preferably contains PTFE.

[0072] Furthermore, the case is preferably made by injection molding which simplifies its manufacture. Regarding the core, for example, in two parts 38-1 and 38-2 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, it is possible to create the shape of the internal duct 38 and then mold the core by injection around this shape. In these figures, the shape in the two parts 38-1 and 38-2 also has an increasing cross-section which is less gradual than in the case of the case of FIG. 3.

[0073] FIG. 9A shows an embodiment of the assembly of the dispenser of FIG. 1 after assembly. The reference signs are those already described above in relation to FIG. 1. The coolant enters this device through the opening 11 in the direction of the axis which is central when the rotation of the core is effected by the actuator 33. The actuator is, for example, a geared motor MR whose output shaft is connected to the core 4 as already described above. The geared motor is, for example, as described in application WO2019 / 129984.

[0074] FIG. 9B shows an exploded view of the same assembly with a seal 321 ensuring the sealing of the outlet passage 20, and the liquid flows towards the outlet passage 12.

[0075] The core with the sealing means as described above is not only the dispenser described above in relation to the figures described above, but also any dispenser implementing a rotating element in a distributor body, specifically, - a dispenser including the injection of fluid in a lateral manner with respect to the body 2 instead of in an axial manner (according to axis XX') as described above, in which case the case and the core each have a fluid inlet in the side wall 8 and the side face 32 as described in relation to FIGS. 11A - 11B described later, and / or, - The distributor includes a distribution passage 38 having a uniform cross-section, and the end positioned facing the outlet opening may have an elongated shape as described above, or may have a circular shape corresponding to or identical to the cross-sections of the openings 12, 20. It can be applied to any distributor, such as this one.

[0076] Figures 11A - 11B show the application of the present invention to fluid injection in the radial or transverse direction with respect to the body 2. In these figures, the same reference numerals from one figure to the other refer to the same or corresponding elements.

[0077] Figures 11A and 11B are top views of a cross-section of a distributor for radial injection. The inlet opening 31 of the core is made in the wall 38 and directs the fluid from this inlet opening to one of the two outlet openings 12, 20 according to the rotational position of the core 4 in the case.

[0078] These figures show seals 321, 322. The seal 321 in the housing 323 closes the outlet opening 20 in Figure 11A, while the seal 322 is oriented towards a part of the wall and thus does not perform its function. These seals 321, 322 have the same structure and are manufactured in the same way as described above. Specifically, the description already given above applies to each seal, and they are formed in the corresponding housings 323, 327.

[0079] The means for driving this transverse injection distributor can specifically be the ones described above in relation to Figures 1, 6 - 9A.

[0080] Here, as in the embodiment of Figures 5A - 5B, the duct 38 is wide and enables the simultaneous supply of each of the outlet ducts 12, 20 (Figure 11B). Alternatively, this duct may be narrower and enable the supply of only one outlet duct at a time. Also, alternatively, the distributor according to the present invention may include one or more supply openings and / or one or more outlet openings.

[0081] Here, the operation of the dispenser will be described.

[0082] The supply inlet 11 is connected to a source of pressurized liquid, such as a pump connected to a liquid tank, and the two outlet openings 12, 20 are connected to, for example, a heat or electric motor to be cooled.

[0083] When it is desired to supply the maximum flow rate to the outlet opening 20, the core 4 is rotated about the axis XX' so as to position the outlet 34 of the core towards the outlet opening 20. The pressurized liquid flows from the supply opening 11 through the conduit 38 to the outlet opening 20 as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0084] When it is desired to supply the maximum flow rate to the outlet opening 12, the core 4 is rotated about the axis XX' so as to align the outlet 34 with the outlet opening 20, and the conduit 38 connects the supply opening 11 and the outlet opening 12 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0085] As already explained, the core 4 can take any intermediate angular position in order to ensure a proportional supply to the outlet openings 12 and 20.

[0086] Other relative angular orientations of the outlets 12 and 20 are possible.

[0087] The present invention makes it possible to provide a dispenser that operates reliably while substantially reducing the constraints in terms of dimensions, surface conditions, required materials, and manufacturing methods.

[0088] The examples described have a supply opening and two outlet openings, but as previously mentioned, the present invention also applies to dispensers having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, or a supply opening and three or more outlet openings, as well as dispensers having two supply openings. The dispenser according to the present invention may have two axial fluid inlets, and the actuator can be shifted to allow the passage of fluid to a second or further end and one or more outlet openings. Configurations with several supply openings and several outlet openings can implement a core with several cavities or recesses 43 to allow several flows, either simultaneously or outside the dispenser.

[0089] Specifically, the dispenser associated with a gear motor is particularly adapted for use in the automotive field (thermal or electric engine) due to its reduced mass.

[0090] The dispenser according to the present invention is suitable for mounting on any vehicle a thermal, hybrid, or electric engine that implements, for example, one or more temperature control systems and / or one or more air flow orientation systems.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0091] 2 case, valve body, main body 4 central part, core 6 bottom, end face 8 side wall 10 inlet cover, hood, end part 11 supply opening 12 second outlet opening, outlet passage, outlet duct 18 motor cowl 20 first outlet opening, outlet passage, outlet duct 26 hydraulic chamber 28 lower face, end face 30 end face 31 inlet opening 32 side 33 actuator 34 Side opening, outlet opening, outlet opening part 36, 36' Connecting means, member, component 37, 37' Ball bearing 38 Internal duct, distribution passage, wall, conduit 38-1, 38-2 Component 39 Fitting means 40 Seal 41 Lower studio 43 Cavity, recess 60 Torsion spring 61 One end 63 The other end 181 Pin 280 Round groove 282 Slot 321 First seal 321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2 Lateral protrusion or pad 322 Second seal 323 Hollow housing 325 Retaining element 327 Hollow housing 330 Shaft 335 Recessed area 341 Through hole 360 Protrusion 361 Groove 361' Slot 366 Protruding element, lip 391 Crown 392 Fastening means D Dispenser d Distance d1 Distance F12 First flow F20 Second flow MR Gear motor P Plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow P0 Plane parallel to the plane in which the inlet opening 31 is located S Area of intersection of the duct 38 with the plane P XX', YY' Axis α Angle between the plane P and the plane P0

Claims

**Claim 1** A hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a case (2) and a core (4), wherein said case (2) defines a chamber for receiving said core (4) which can rotate in a hydraulic chamber about a rotation axis (XX'), said chamber being defined by side walls (8) and two end walls (6, 10), and said case is provided with at least one supply opening (11) and at least one outlet opening (12, 20) opening into said hydraulic chamber, said core (4) comprising a side face (32) facing said side wall (8) of said case, an inlet opening (18), at least one side outlet (34), and a duct (38) or chamber connecting said inlet opening (18) and said side outlet (34) and enabling supply to each of said outlet openings (12, 20) according to the angular position of said core in said case, said core further comprising at least one seal (321, 322) for sealing between said side face of said core and said outlet openings (12, 20) of said side wall of said case, each seal (321, 322) being non-removable with respect to said core, and each seal also including one or more fastening and / or injection protrusions (321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2) on said side face (32) of said core (4), said protrusions forming an integral part with said seal, a hydraulic rotary distributor. **Claim 2** Each seal is connected to said side face (32) of said core (4) or directly coupled to said side face (32) of said core (4) by chemical and / or mechanical bonding and / or integration with said core, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 1. **Claim 3** Each of said plurality of fastening and / or injection protrusions (321-1, 321-2, 322-1, 322-2) results from the same manufacturing method as said seal, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 1 or 2. **Claim 4** Said side face (32) of said core (4) comprises at least one hollow housing (323, 327) each containing or receiving said seal or one of said seals (321, 322), the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 3. **Claim 5** At least one housing (323, 327) is preferably centered with respect to said housing, recessed and positioned with respect to the outer surface of said core, and includes a recessed region (335) that helps to seal said outlet opening (12, 20), the hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 4.

6. At least one housing (323, 327) comprises an element (325), said element being referred to as a holding element, said element extending from the bottom surface of said housing (323, 327), preferably centered with respect to said housing (323, 327), and helping to hold said seal (321, 322) in said housing, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 4 or 5.

7. Each of said seals (321, 322) or said seals (321, 322) forms a closed contour and comprises a lip (366) having a minimum dimension larger than the minimum dimension of said outlet opening (20) sealed by said seal, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The case is made of a plastic material, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Each of the seals (321, 322) is made of a material that can be used for injection methods, such as an elastomeric material, and / or Said core (4) is made of a thermoplastic material of the type of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide) or POM (polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, or polyacetal), or PA66 (nylon containing polyamide), the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. At least one of said supply openings (11) is in one of said end walls (6) of said case and extends substantially perpendicular to said rotation axis (XX'), the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. At least one of said supply openings (11) is in said side wall of said case, the hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The side wall of the case (2) includes a plurality of outlet openings (12, 20), and the core includes a plurality of seals (321, 322) for sealing between the side surface of the core and one of the outlet openings of the side wall of the case (2). Each seal (321, 322) is non-removable with respect to the core and is arranged to seal one of the outlet openings (12, 20) at a given position of the core. The hydraulic rotary distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The side wall of the case (2) includes two outlet openings (12, 20), and the core includes two seals (321, 322) for sealing between the side surface of the core and one of the two outlet openings of the side wall of the case (2). Each of the seals (321, 322) is non-removable with respect to the core and is arranged to seal one of the two outlet openings (12, 20) at a given position of the core. The hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 12.

14. Each of the two seals is arranged on one side surface (321, 322) of the side outlet (34) of the core. The hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 13.

15. A hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor comprising the distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and an actuator (33) for rotationally driving the core.

16. The actuator includes an output shaft (330) arranged along the rotation axis (XX'). The hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor according to claim 15.

17. A method for manufacturing a hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, a step of two-material injection molding of an assembly including the core (4) and the seals (321, 322), a step of introducing the core and the seals into the case A method including.

18. Each of the seals (321, 322) is made of an elastomeric material, and / or The core (4) is made of a thermoplastic material of the type of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide) or POM (polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde, or polyacetal), or PA66 (nylon containing polyamide). The method according to claim 17.

19. A method for distributing a fluid using the hydraulic rotary electromagnetic distributor according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the fluid is introduced by the supply opening (11) and guided by the internal duct (38) of the core towards the side opening (34) of the core, and then guided towards one and / or the other of the outlet openings (12, 20) depending on the orientation of the core in the case.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the fluid is a mixture of water and glycol.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the fluid is a coolant for a fuel cell.

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