valve

Abstract

A valve (1) comprising a valve rod and a closing mechanism (3) arranged on the valve rod for closing a valve opening (4), wherein the closing mechanism (3) is displaceable by the valve rod only linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve rod between a closed position and a maximum open position, the valve (1) comprising a valve drive (7) with a handle (8) operable by hand, the valve drive (7) comprising a valve drive housing (9) and at least one pair of levers (10), each pair of levers (10) having a first lever (11) and a second lever (12).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve, in particular a vacuum valve, comprising a valve rod and a preferably plate- or wedge-shaped closing mechanism arranged on the valve rod for closing a valve opening, wherein the closing mechanism is displaceable by the valve rod only linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve rod between a closed position, in which it closes the valve opening, and a maximum open position, in which it partially or completely opens the valve opening, and wherein the valve has a valve drive with a manually operable handle for driving the valve rod to displace the closing mechanism between the closed position and the maximum open position.

[0002] The valve described above is a valve whose valve drive is operated manually using a handle. This can also be called a manually operated valve. German Patent Application Publication DE 1201143 B shows an example of such a valve in the form of a vacuum valve, in which the closing mechanism is manually operated by a lever. Furthermore, a means is known, for example from U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0285396, in which a rotatable element allows the closing mechanism to be manually operated in a spiral fashion.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve the valve of the type mentioned at the beginning so that it can be operated by hand as tactilely and reliably as possible.

[0004] For this purpose, the invention proposes a valve according to patent claim 1.

[0005] Therefore, according to the invention, a valve drive comprises a valve drive housing and at least one pair of levers, preferably two pairs of levers, each pair of levers comprising a first lever and a second lever, and for each pair of levers: - the first lever is pivotally supported on a first joint fixedly arranged on the valve drive housing; and - the first lever is pivotally connected to the second lever by a second joint; and - the second lever is pivotally connected to the valve rod by a third joint; and - the third joint is guided so as to be linearly displaceable in the valve drive housing or in at least one guide provided in the valve drive housing; and - A hand-operated handle is located on the second lever It has been identified that:

[0006] Valves according to the present invention equipped with corresponding valve drives are distinguished by reliable operation even under strong lateral forces. These valves enable an optimal transmission ratio and comfortable tactile response. A further advantage of the valves according to the present invention is their precise repeatability. Furthermore, the valve drives according to the present invention can be constructed with a small structural size and an attractive design. Both the first and second levers can be straight, but also curved or bent, e.g., C- or V-shaped. V-shaped levers can be used, for example, to minimize the structural size.

[0007] Furthermore, the valve drive of the valve according to the present invention is distinguished by an excellent mechanism of movement. The valve drive can produce a slow movement of the closing mechanism when leaving and reaching the end positions, given a constant operating speed of the handle. Furthermore, the valve drive configured according to the present invention allows for a high speed of movement of the closing mechanism in the intermediate region between the end positions. Overall, this results in rapid opening and closing of the valve, while at the same time allowing for gentle contact and closure of the valve element against the closing mechanism or valve seat, and pressing without damaging the seals between the closing mechanism and the valve seat. At the same time, however, a high force is provided when the closing mechanism reaches an end position, especially the closed position, to reliably close the valve opening. Overall, this means that significantly easier closing and opening are achieved, while also allowing for rapid bridging of intermediate operating paths.

[0008] The first joint, the second joint and the third joint are preferably configured as axial joints, particularly preferably as uniaxial joints.

[0009] The valve opening may be formed in the valve housing of the valve, in a chamber opening or the like. The valve drive housing may be integral with the valve housing of the valve, or may be separate from the valve housing for the time being. If separate, the valve drive housing may have an assembly plate for attachment to the valve housing of the valve.

[0010] The valve drive of the valve according to the invention can also be called a slider-crank transmission, and in the embodiment with two pairs of levers, i.e., four levers in total, it can also be called a four-piece slider-crank transmission or a four-lever slider-crank transmission.

[0011] The guide in which the third joint is linearly displaceably guided can have a wide variety of configurations, such as a rail guide, a slider guide, or the like. However, preferred embodiments specify that the guide is configured as an elongated hole in the side wall of the valve drive housing and / or that the guide is arranged so as to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the valve rod. To further improve the ease of operation of the valve drive, preferred embodiments specify that the third joint is displaceably guided by a plastic slider mounted on the guide. This allows for almost friction-free and noise-free movement when opening and closing the valve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve drive housing has two opposing side walls, each with a corresponding side wall, and all lever pairs are arranged in an intermediate chamber between the side walls that is open toward the other side. This does not, however, preclude at least a partial region of the lever pair from laterally projecting from this intermediate chamber between the side walls in certain intermediate positions. However, it is preferred that the lever and handle are completely arranged inside the valve drive housing, i.e., hidden, in the first end position in which the closing mechanism is in the closed position and the second end position in which the closing mechanism is in the fully open position. This prevents, for one thing, accidental or unintentional operation of the handle and thus the valve drive. Furthermore, the side walls prevent the lever pairs from becoming exposed scissors, thus reducing the risk of injury, since the operator's fingers or the like are prevented from being accidentally pinched.

[0013] Preferably, the first joint and the second joint are specified to be spaced apart from each other on the first lever, and particularly preferably, the first joint and the second joint are located at opposite ends of the first lever.

[0014] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the handle and the third joint are arranged on the second lever at a distance from each other, preferably at opposite ends of the second lever, and / or the second joint is formed in the region of the second lever between the handle and the third joint. The second joint is advantageously located in the middle of the second lever when divided into thirds. However, preferably, the distance between the second joint and the third joint is smaller than the distance between the second joint and the handle.

[0015] Preferably, an elastic element is arranged and / or acts between the third joint and the valve rod for error compensation. This elastic element may be, for example, a metal spring, in particular a coil spring. The elastic element can, on the one hand, provide error compensation and, on the other hand, can be used to always generate a sufficiently high pressure in the closed position of the closing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic element is surrounded by a jacket tube. The elastic element may be supported on the axle pin of the third joint. At its opposite end, the elastic element is preferably supported on the valve rod, in particular on a support plate of the valve rod. This elastic element is also advantageously arranged in the intermediate chamber between the two side walls of the valve drive housing.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a locking device, preferably configured as a spring-loaded locking pin, is arranged on the valve drive housing, with which at least one of the levers automatically engages in an intermediate position between the end positions of at least one pair of levers, with the closing mechanism being in a closed position in a first of the end positions and in a fully open position in a second of the end positions. This, in part, provides closure for the valve drive. However, the locking device can also help reduce the risk of injury, particularly by requiring two-handed operation of the valve drive. It may therefore be specified that, to bring the closing mechanism into the closed or open position, one hand must operate the handle and the other hand must simultaneously operate the locking device.

[0017] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention specifies that the valve drive housing is provided with a stop, preferably configured as a stop pin, against which the lever pair abuts in one or a first end position in which the closing mechanism is in the closed position and in one or a second end position in which the closing mechanism is in the fully open position. This stop may thus form a system stop against which the lever pair abuts both in the fully open and closed positions of the closing mechanism. Advantageously, both levers of each lever pair form toggle levers that pass through their dead centers in both end positions, thereby providing a self-locking effect for the valve drive in both end positions.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve drive has exactly two pairs of levers. The levers of the pairs of levers preferably lie in planes parallel to one another. The joint axes of the first, second and third joints are preferably perpendicular to the planes in which the levers are arranged. Preferably, both the elastic element and the valve rod are arranged between the levers of the pairs of levers. The elastic element may be located within the jacket tube. The axes of the third joints of both pairs of levers may be formed by a common axle pin. In this case, the elastic element may be supported on this common axle pin. In this case, the elastic element is preferably supported on its opposite side by the valve rod, in particular by a support plate of the valve rod.

[0019] The valve according to the invention is preferably a vacuum valve. A vacuum valve is particularly a valve that operates at a pressure difference of less than 0.001 mbar (millibar) or 0.1 Pascal. However, valves designed for pressure differences below atmospheric pressure, i.e. below 1 bar, can also be called vacuum valves.

[0020] Further preferred features and details of the invention will now be explained, by way of example, on the basis of an embodiment according to the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the valve according to the present invention, shown in a closed position, seen from the outside; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view from the outside of a valve according to the present invention, showing the valve in a locked intermediate position; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a valve according to the present invention shown in a maximum open position; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 shows the valve drive with one side wall removed in a closed position. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 shows the valve drive with one side wall removed in a locked intermediate position. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 shows the valve drive with one side wall removed in the maximum open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows the embodiment with the closing mechanism in a closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows the embodiment with the closing mechanism in a closed position. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows the embodiment with the closing mechanism in a closed position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment in a locked intermediate position. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment in a locked intermediate position. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment with the closure mechanism in an open position. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment with the closure mechanism in an open position. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment with the closure mechanism in an open position.

[0022] In Figure 1, the valve 1 is shown in a perspective view in a closed position with the closing mechanism 3 closing the valve opening 4. Figure 2 shows a locked intermediate position, and Figure 3 shows the valve 1 with the closing mechanism 3 in an open position.

[0023] In this embodiment, the valve 1 has a valve housing 24 in which a valve opening 4 is formed. The valve opening 4 can be opened and closed by a closing mechanism 3. In this embodiment, a valve drive housing 9 is attached to the valve housing 24 by means of an assembly plate 25. It was already mentioned at the beginning that the valve housing 24 and the valve drive housing 9 can be formed integrally, i.e., as a common housing. Furthermore, it was also mentioned that the valve opening 4 does not necessarily have to be formed in the valve housing 24, but can also be formed, for example, as an opening in the process chamber.

[0024] In this embodiment, the valve drive housing 9 has two side walls 17 and 18 in addition to the mounting plate 25. The side walls 17 and 18 are spaced apart and, in this embodiment, lie in parallel planes. In addition to the valve drive housing 9, the valve drive 7 also has two lever pairs 10, each consisting of a first lever 11 and a second lever 12 in this embodiment.

[0025] With regard to the arrangement and connection of these levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10, please refer in particular to Figures 4 to 6. All three figures 4 to 6 show the valve drive 7 of the valve 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. However, the side wall 18 of the valve drive housing 9 is not shown, so that the lever pair 10, arranged directly adjacent to this not-shown side wall 18, can be clearly seen, along with its first joint 13, second joint 14 and third joint 15. A second lever pair 10, arranged in a plane parallel to the first lever pair 10, is hidden behind the lever pair 10 visible in Figures 4 to 6, but is constructed in a similar manner.

[0026] 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the first lever 11 is pivotally supported at a first joint 13, which is fixedly arranged on the valve drive housing 9. This first joint 13 is fixed in the sense that it is permanently attached to the valve drive housing 9, in this example, in particular to an assembly plate 25. It can also be seen that the first lever 11 is pivotally connected to the second lever 12 by a second joint 14, and that the second lever 12 is pivotally connected to the valve rod 2 by a third joint 15. In the example shown here, this connection between the second lever 12 and the valve rod 2 via the third joint 15 is effected via an elastic element 21, which will be described further below. However, it is equally possible for the second lever 12 to be directly connected to the valve rod 2 via the third joint 15.

[0027] In any case, the third joint 15 is linearly displaceably guided in a guide 16 provided in the valve drive housing 9. In this embodiment, the guide 16 is formed as an elongated hole in each of the side walls 17 and 18. Preferably, as specified in this embodiment, the guides 16, which are elongated holes in this embodiment, are arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension 6 of the valve rod 2. The direction 5 in which the valve rod 2 can be displaced parallel to its longitudinal extension 6 is also indicated in Figures 4 to 6. A handle 8 that can be operated by hand is arranged on the second lever 12. The valve drive 7 is manually operated by grasping the handle 8.

[0028] 4 to 6, it can also be seen that the first joint 13 and the second joint 14 are arranged at a distance from each other on the first lever 11 and, in this embodiment, specifically at opposite ends of the first lever 11. It can also be seen that the handle 8 and the third joint 15 are formed at a distance from each other on the second lever 12, preferably again at opposite ends of the second lever 12. The second joint 14 is advantageously, as is also realized in this embodiment, located in the region of the second lever 12 between the handle 8 and the third joint 15.

[0029] Although in this example the valve is configured with two lever pairs 10, it is also possible that the valve drive 7 simply has only one lever pair 10 or three or more lever pairs 10. The first lever 11 and the second lever 12 of each lever pair 10 may be correspondingly configured and pivotally connected to each other.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the valve drive 7 in an end position corresponding to the closed position of the closing mechanism 3 (not shown in FIG. 4) arranged on the valve rod 2. FIG. 6 shows the opposite end position, in which the closing mechanism 3 (also not shown in FIG. 6) is in its maximum open position. It can be clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 that the valve housing 9 has a stop 23, which in this example is configured as a stop pin, against which the lever pair 10 abuts in both of the end positions mentioned above. To this extent, this stop 23 could also be called a system stop. The stop 23 predefines a defined end position for the lever pair 10.

[0031] 1 and 3 as well as 4 and 6, it can be clearly seen that in both of these end positions, in which the closing mechanism 3 is in the closed position or in the maximum open position, the levers 11 and 12 and the handle 8 are completely arranged or hidden inside the drive housing 9. However, in intermediate positions of the lever pair 10 between these end positions, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, a part of each of the levers 11 and 12 may slightly protrude laterally from the outwardly opening intermediate chamber 20 between the side walls 17 and 18.

[0032] 1 to 6 also show plastic sliders 19, by means of which the third joints 15 are respectively displaceably guided in their respective guides 16. As explained at the beginning, these plastic guides 19 ensure an almost frictionless guidance of the third joints 15 in their guides 16.

[0033] 7 and 8 show two mutually perpendicular longitudinal cross-sectional views of the valve 1 according to the present invention in this embodiment, in which the closing mechanism 3 is in a closed position, completely closing the valve opening 4 and sealingly abutting the valve seat. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that the closing mechanism 3 in this embodiment is a wedge-shaped closing mechanism known per se. However, the closing mechanism 3 can, of course, also be designed differently, for example, in the form of a plate. In any case, the valve 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that the closing mechanism 3 is exclusively linearly displaceable by the valve rod 2 and the valve drive 7 in a direction 5 parallel to the longitudinal extension 6 of the valve rod 2. In this embodiment, the valve rod 2 is also surrounded by a rod seal 28, known per se, for sealing purposes. Such rod seals are commonly known in vacuum valves and do not require further explanation.

[0034] For completeness, it is pointed out that the valve 1 shown here is a vacuum valve, but the invention can also be implemented in other valves.

[0035] In FIG. 7, it can be clearly seen that the illustrated lever pair 10 is configured as a kind of toggle lever, which in its end position shown in FIG. 7 is in a self-locking position when the lever pair 10 passes through the dead center and abuts against a stop 23. In FIG. 8 and also in FIG. 9, which shows an enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 8, it can be clearly seen that the axes of both third joints 15 of both lever pairs 10 are formed in this example by a common axle pin 27. In the example shown here, an elastic element 21, configured as a coil spring and arranged in a jacket tube 26, is supported at one end on this axle pin 27. At the opposite end, the elastic element 21 is supported by the valve rod 2 via a support plate 29. As already explained at the beginning, the elastic element 21 therefore serves to compensate for the deviations between the valve drive 7 and the valve rod 2. Furthermore, the elastic element 21 can also constantly generate a sufficiently large pressing force on the closing mechanism 3 in the closed position. 9, it can be seen that in this end position, i.e., the closed position of the closing mechanism, the elastic element 21 is slightly compressed, or more precisely, by a lift 30. If larger errors have to be compensated, the lift 30 is correspondingly larger, and for smaller errors the lift 30 is correspondingly smaller. A jacket tube 26 surrounds the elastic element 21, but if the elastic element 21 is attached in a different way to the pivot pin 27 or to the support plate 29, the jacket tube 26 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0036] Figures 12, 13 and 14 show corresponding views in the other end positions when the closing mechanism 3 is in the maximum open position. Figure 14 shows an enlarged view of the area B shown in Figure 13. In Figure 14 it can be clearly seen that the elastic element 21 is not compressed in this end position and therefore there is no lift 30.

[0037] 7 and 12 it can also be seen that the lever pair 10 together with the handle 8 is arranged completely inside the valve drive housing 9 in the end positions mentioned above.

[0038] 12 to 14, the lever pair 10 configured as a toggle lever is in a self-locking position after passing the dead point. Even in this position, the lever pair 10 abuts against the stopper 23.

[0039] 10 and 11 show corresponding cross-sectional views of intermediate positions of the lever drive 7, in which at least one of the levers 11, 12 of each lever pair 10 automatically engages a locking device 22 provided on the valve housing 9. In this embodiment, the locking device 22 is a spring-loaded locking pin. This spring load ensures that the locking pin is always preloaded toward the engaged position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 22 engages both levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10, which are located adjacent to the side wall 18, in the intermediate positions between the end positions. To release, the locking device 22 must be pulled with one hand, which releases the levers 11 and 12 of the lever pair 10, allowing the valve drive 7 to move further toward the respective end position. In this embodiment, the valve drive 7 is designed to require two-handed operation. The locking device 22 must be operated with one hand, while the other hand operates the handle 8 to pivot the lever pair 10 accordingly.

[0040] 8, 11 and 13, it can be clearly seen that in this embodiment, the levers 11 and 12 of each lever pair 10 are arranged in mutually parallel planes. The joint axes of the first joint 13, the second joint 14 and the third joint 15 are located perpendicular to these planes. Between each lever pair 10, an elastic element 21 is located. The elastic element 21 is arranged in a jacket tube 26 and is supported on one side by a common axle pin 27 and on the other side by a support plate 29 of the valve rod 2.

[0041] However, as already explained, this does not necessarily have to be the case: the valve drive 7 according to the invention can be configured with only one lever pair 10 or with three or more lever pairs 10. It is also possible to configure the valve drive 7 without the elastic element 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 valve 2 Valve rod 3 Closing mechanism 4 Valve opening 5 directions 6 Longitudinal extension 7 Valve drive system 8 Handle 9 Valve drive housing 10 Lever Pairs 11 First Lever 12 Second Lever 13 First Joint 14 Second Joint 15 Third Joint 16 Guide 17 Side wall 18 Side wall 19 Plastic Slider 20 Intermediate Room 21 Elastic Elements 22 Locking device 23 Stopper 24 Valve housing 25 Mounting plate 26 Jacket pipe 27 Axle pin 28 Rod seal 29 Support Plate 30 Lift

Claims

1. A valve (1), particularly a vacuum valve, comprising a valve rod (2) and a preferably plate-shaped or wedge-shaped closing mechanism (3) disposed on the valve rod (2) for closing a valve opening (4), The closing mechanism (3) is displaceable by the valve rod (2) only linearly in a direction (5) parallel to the longitudinal extension (6) of the valve rod (2) between a closed position in which the closing mechanism (3) closes the valve opening (4) and a maximum open position in which the closing mechanism (3) partially or completely opens the valve opening (4). The valve (1) has a valve drive device (7) equipped with a hand-operable handle (8) for driving the valve rod (2) to displace the closing mechanism (3) between the closed position and the maximum open position, The valve drive device (7) comprises a valve drive device housing (9) and at least one pair of levers (10), preferably two pairs of levers (10), each of which has a first lever (11) and a second lever (12), and each of which has the following characteristics: - The first lever (11) is rotatably supported by a first joint (13) which is fixedly positioned in the valve drive housing (9), and - The first lever (11) is rotatably connected to the second lever (12) by the second joint (14), and - The second lever (12) is rotatably connected to the valve rod (2) by the third joint (15), and - The third joint (15) is guided to be linearly displaceable within the valve drive housing (9) or within at least one guide (16) provided in the valve drive housing (9), and - The handle (8), which can be operated by hand, is positioned on the second lever (12). A valve (1) characterized in that it is specified that

2. The valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide (16) is formed as an elongated hole provided in the side wall (17, 18) of the valve drive housing (9), and / or the guide (16) is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal extension (6) of the valve rod (2).

3. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the third joint (15) is displaceably guided by a plastic slider (19) provided on the guide (16).

4. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve drive housing (9) has one side wall (17, 18) on each of two sides facing each other, and all of the lever pairs (10) are arranged in an intermediate chamber (20) between the side walls (17, 18) that is open to the other side.

5. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the levers (11, 12) and the handle (8) are completely hidden inside the valve drive housing (9) at a first end position where the closing mechanism (3) is in the closed position and at a second end position where the closing mechanism (3) is in the maximum open position.

6. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first joint (13) and the second joint (14) are spaced apart from the first lever (11), preferably at opposite ends of the first lever (11).

7. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (8) and the third joint (15) are spaced apart from the second lever (12), preferably at opposite ends of the second lever (12), and / or the second joint (14) is formed in the region of the second lever (12) between the handle (8) and the third joint (15).

8. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an elastic element (21) is positioned and / or acting between the third joint (15) and the valve rod (2) for error compensation.

9. Valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a locking device (22), preferably configured as a locking pin to which a spring load is applied, is disposed in the valve drive housing (9), and at least one of the levers (11, 12) automatically engages with the locking device (22) at an intermediate position between the end positions of the at least one pair of levers (10), and in this case, the closing mechanism (3) is in the closed position at the first end position of the end positions and in the maximum open position at the second end position of the end positions.

10. The valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a stopper (23), preferably formed as a stopper pin, is formed in the valve drive housing (9), and the lever pair (10) contacts the stopper (23) when the closing mechanism (3) is in the closed position or the first terminal position, and when the closing mechanism (3) is in the maximum open position or the second terminal position.

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