Seal Assembly

Abstract

A seal assembly (100) for use in a fluid valve (10) having a housing (20) and a flap (30), the fluid valve being configured to control fluid flow through a valve opening of the fluid valve (10) by adjusting the position of the flap (30) between a closed position and an open position, the seal assembly including a retaining ring (110) having a retaining ring abutment section (111) and a plurality of legs (112), and a ring-shaped flexible seal element (200), the seal element having an annular radial web (201) and a first radial surface (202) adjacent the radial web (201) and upstream in intended use, the first radial surface being fitted to a corresponding corresponding central ring provided on an inner wall (21) of the housing (20). a first upstream side (203) of the radial web (201) adapted to abut against an abutment surface (22) of an inner wall (21) of the housing (20) when intended in use, the retaining ring abutment section (111) having a retaining ring abutment surface adapted to abut against a second downstream side (204) of the radial web (201) when intended in use, and free ends of at least some of the plurality of legs (112) adapted to be supported under a preload on a support section (24) of the inner wall of the housing (20), the support section (24) extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow when intended in use.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal assembly for use in a fluid valve having a housing and a flap, a fluid valve with the seal assembly, a fuel cell assembly with the fluid valve, a vehicle with the fluid valve, and a method for installing the fluid valve. [Background technology]

[0002] According to in-house practice, valve flaps which pivot about a central axis at the valve opening to block the valve opening (so-called butterfly valves) or are moved to a valve seat about a lateral hinge axis (so-called hinge valves or door valves) are known for blocking gas lines. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved seal assembly for use in a fluid valve having a housing and a flap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This problem is solved by a seal assembly having the features of claim 1. Claims 9 to 15 claim a fluid valve, and claims 16, 17 and 18 claim a fuel cell assembly or a vehicle equipped with the fluid valve described herein, as well as a method for installing the fluid valve.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a seal assembly is provided for use in a fluid valve having a housing and a flap, the fluid valve being configured to control fluid flow through a valve opening of the fluid valve by adjusting the position of the flap between a closed position and an open position. In this case, a seal assembly according to one configuration includes a retaining ring having a retaining ring abutment section and a plurality of legs, and a ring-shaped flexible seal element, the seal element having an annular radial web and an upstream first radial surface adjacent to the radial web when in intended use, the first radial surface being configured to function as a centering surface for press-fitting with a corresponding corresponding centering surface provided on the inner wall of the housing, the upstream first side of the radial web when in intended use being configured to abut against the abutment surface of the inner wall of the housing, the retaining ring abutment section having a retaining ring abutment surface when in intended use being configured to abut against the downstream second side of the radial web when in intended use, and the free ends of at least some of the plurality of legs being configured to be supported under preload on a support section of the inner wall of the housing extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow when in intended use.

[0006] The open position referred to herein may in one configuration be the (open) end position of the flap. Thus, in one configuration, when the flap is in this open or end position, the valve device or valve opening is fully or maximally open or open. Similarly, the open position referred to herein may be located between the closed position and the (open) end position.

[0007] The use of a combination of a flexible sealing element and a retaining ring advantageously allows the flexible sealing element to be held, on the one hand, by a (radially acting) pressing force resulting from the press fit between the first radial surface of the ring-shaped radial web and the corresponding centering surface of the inner wall of the housing, and, on the other hand, by a spring force generated by the free ends of the legs of the retaining ring, which are supported under preload on the support section of the inner wall of the housing. Furthermore, this allows the radial fixation of the sealing element to be achieved in a simple and inexpensive manner in one embodiment.

[0008] The sealing elements can be manufactured from a range of flexible materials, including special low-friction materials such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). To improve the frictional properties and thus the positioning of the sealing elements, the sealing elements can be additionally coated with a suitable material.

[0009] The retaining ring can be or has been manufactured, for example, using a sheet metal stamping method. In one embodiment, the retaining ring is manufactured from a continuous section of sheet metal, with the legs being formed by cutting or punching the sheet metal. In this case, the cutting / punching process is performed in one embodiment so that the legs have the smallest width possible for the respective manufacturing method. In one embodiment, the cutting is preferably performed starting from the side of the retaining ring abutment section to prevent the formation of sharp edges that could cause damage to the sealing element. In one or more embodiments, the legs of the retaining ring have one or more bends and / or are elastically deformable.

[0010] In one configuration, the thickness of the sealing element measured in the axial direction is selected, taking into account manufacturing tolerances of the radial webs and the influence of thermal effects, so that the radial webs provide an appropriate degree of pressing force / resistance to ensure that, when the retaining ring abutment surface presses the radial webs against the abutment surface of the inner wall of the housing, the free ends of the (elastic) legs of the retaining ring can, upon assembly, return from the bent state caused by contact with the inner wall of the housing to their original state for supporting on the support section.

[0011] In one configuration, the sealing element has an annular sealing lip that, when in intended use, extends upstream and toward the inner wall of the housing, the inner surface of the sealing lip forming a valve seat that defines the valve opening, and the valve seat is adapted to be contacted by the flap in the closed position of the fluid valve.

[0012] This allows the sealing element to be functionally divided into two sections, namely, on the one hand, an inner section which has the inner circumferential surface of the sealing lip and which is defined through itself for the primary sealing function of the valve and for optimizing the fluid flow, and on the other hand, an outer assembly section which fulfills the function of fixing in the flow path for the fluid formed by the housing and a secondary sealing function.

[0013] In one configuration, a recess is formed in the sealing element between the section having the first radial surface and the sealing lip.

[0014] In one embodiment, this allows the sealing element, in particular the sealing lip, to expand elastically in the direction of the inner wall of the housing during a movement of the fluid valve, in particular of the flap, for opening or closing the valve opening.

[0015] In one configuration, the recess is configured with a large radius at its base, which reduces the mechanical load in this area and therefore increases the service life of the sealing element. This configuration also allows a pressure difference to be created between the two sides of the valve (upstream / downstream), which can further increase or decrease the pressing pressure of the sealing lip against the flap depending on which pressure is higher.

[0016] In one embodiment, an upstream end section of the sealing element from the section having the first radial surface tapers radially inward.

[0017] In one embodiment, this allows for easy installation of the sealing element in the section of the housing having the corresponding centering surface during assembly of the fluid valve, and a press fit between the first radial surface and the corresponding centering surface ensures a seal between the sealing element and the housing.

[0018] In one configuration, the sealing element has a second radial surface that is adjacent the radial web and downstream in intended use, the second radial surface being offset radially inward relative to the first radial surface, where in one configuration the second radial surface extends parallel, or at least approximately parallel, to the direction of fluid flow.

[0019] In this case, in one embodiment, the downstream end section of the section of the sealing element having the second radial surface tapers radially inwards.

[0020] Furthermore, in this case, when used as intended, the retaining ring abutment section in particular can be arranged between the second radial surface and the inner wall of the housing, and in this case the retaining ring can be arranged spaced apart from the second radial surface.

[0021] In one configuration, several of the legs extend radially outwardly at an obtuse angle via an outer bent section relative to the (flat) retaining ring abutment section.

[0022] In this case, the radius of the bending section can be selected larger than specified during production to ensure that the spring action and bending occur exactly at this radius. In this case, in particular, the outer diameter of the retaining ring, defined by the free ends of at least some of the legs, is larger than the inner diameter of the section of the housing that surrounds the retaining ring in the assembled state when used as intended. In this way, the legs are in an elastically deformed state in the assembled state, which can thus advantageously ensure that the ends are supported under preload on the support section in one configuration.

[0023] The width of the (bent) legs of the retaining ring is selected in response to the conflicting requirements regarding resistance to plastic deformation during assembly and regarding the radially acting spring force for centering the retaining ring, and possibly the sealing element, and for preventing the retaining ring, and thus the sealing element, from moving out of their assembled position during operation of the fluid valve.

[0024] In one embodiment, one or more legs are relatively short or cut off to provide the necessary clamping surface for the manufacturing process, and the placement of the relatively short legs is selected to be evenly distributed around the circle to prevent imbalances in the radial spring forces caused by the (relatively long) legs.

[0025] In one embodiment, the retaining ring has an inner curved section that, when in intended use, extends in a direction substantially downstream from the retaining ring abutment section, particularly facing the second radial surface of the radial web.

[0026] This may increase the rigidity of the retaining ring in one configuration.

[0027] In one configuration, the first side and / or the second side of the radial web is formed as a structured surface and / or has at least one ring-shaped rib.

[0028] This allows, in one configuration, the first side of the radial web to ensure axial retention when pressing against the abutment surface of the inner wall of the housing and sealing against air leakage from the fluid valve, and the second side to ensure retention when compressed by the retaining ring abutment surface.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, a fluid valve, particularly for a gas line of a fuel cell and / or an automobile drive system, comprises a housing having an inner wall, a flap, and the aforementioned seal assembly, wherein the fluid valve is configured to control fluid flow through a valve opening of the fluid valve by adjusting the position of the flap between a closed position and an open position, the inner wall of the housing having a corresponding centering surface, an abutment surface, and a support section, wherein a first radial surface of the seal element abuts against the corresponding centering surface under a preload, a first side of the radial web abuts against the abutment surface, and a second side of the radial web abuts against a retaining ring abutment surface, and the support section supports the free ends of at least some of the multiple legs under a preload.

[0030] In one configuration, the sealing element has an annular sealing lip, the inner wall has an extended section that continues upstream to a corresponding centering surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing lip is spaced from and faces the extended section.

[0031] In one configuration, the inner wall has a straight section followed upstream by an expanding section, the straight section extending parallel to the direction of fluid flow.

[0032] This advantageously provides space for the movement of the sealing lip in one configuration, and furthermore, in this case, the transitions between the individual sections of the inner wall can be rounded to avoid sharp edges that could cause damage.

[0033] In one configuration, the inner wall has a section that continues downstream from the corresponding centering surface, the section extending radially outward perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow and having an abutment surface.

[0034] This division allows the press-fit tolerance of the flap in the closed position to be adjusted by the distance of the shaft that moves the flap relative to the axis of rotation.

[0035] In one configuration, the inner wall has another section that continues downstream from the section that continues from the corresponding centering surface, this other section extending parallel to the direction of fluid flow, and a partial section of the other section facing the outwardly directed upper surface of the radial web and spaced apart from this upper surface.

[0036] This allows, in one configuration, radial restriction of movement of the legs of the retaining ring.

[0037] In one configuration, the support section follows the other section downstream and extends radially inward from the other section.

[0038] In one configuration, the inner wall of the housing has a further section that continues downstream from the support section, and this further section has a first section that continues from the support section and a second extension section that continues from the first section, extending parallel to the direction of fluid flow.

[0039] According to one configuration of the invention, a fuel cell assembly, in particular for a motor vehicle drive, comprises at least one fuel cell, at least one gas line, in particular for supplying gas to the fuel cell or for withdrawing gas from the fuel cell, and the above-mentioned fluid valve for blocking the gas line by adjusting a flap to a closed position.

[0040] According to one configuration of the invention, the motor vehicle comprises at least one fluid valve as described above for blocking lines of the motor vehicle, in particular gas lines, in particular motor vehicle drive lines and / or fuel cell assembly lines, in particular by adjusting the flap to a closed position.

[0041] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method for installing the above-described fluid valve comprises the following steps: providing a housing with an aperture; introducing a shaft into the hole; introducing a flap from a downstream side of the housing and attaching the flap to the shaft; introducing the sealing element from a downstream side of the housing so that a first side of the radial web abuts against an abutment surface of the inner wall of the housing and a first radial surface abuts against a corresponding centering surface of the inner wall of the housing; introducing the retaining ring from the downstream side of the housing, wherein when a retaining ring abutment surface of the retaining ring is pressed against a second side surface of the radial web so that the radial web is compressed along the fluid flow direction, free ends of at least some of the legs are elastically bent inward by contact with an inner wall of the housing during the introduction, and then snap back radially outward by the spring force of the legs after passing through the support section; It has the following characteristics.

[0042] Further advantages and features are apparent from the dependent claims and the examples, which are shown partly in schematic form. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid valve with a seal assembly according to one aspect of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a retaining ring of the seal assembly. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the retaining ring shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a fluid valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a fluid valve with a seal assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a retaining ring of the seal assembly. Figure 3 shows a top view of the retaining ring shown in Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the fluid valve.

[0045] The fluid valve 10 has a housing 20, a flap 30, and a seal assembly 100 housed within the housing 20, and is configured to control the flow of fluid through the valve opening of the fluid valve 10, which flows from top to bottom as shown by arrow P in Figure 1, in a fluid pipeline, particularly a gas pipeline, to which the fluid valve 10 is connected or incorporated, by adjusting the position of the flap 30 between a closed position and an open position using a shaft 40 connected to the flap 30 by a screw 41 introduced into a hole in the housing 20 as shown in Figure 4.

[0046] The seal assembly 100 includes a retaining ring 110 having a retaining ring abutment section 111 and a plurality of legs 112, and a ring-shaped flexible seal element 200 having an annular radial web 201 and an upstream first radial surface 202 adjacent to the radial web 201, the first radial surface serving as a centering surface for press-fitting with a corresponding corresponding centering surface 23 provided on the inner wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0047] The upstream first side 203 of the radial web 201 abuts against an abutment surface 22 of the inner wall 21 of the housing 20, and in this case the retaining ring abutment section 111 has a retaining ring abutment surface that abuts against a downstream second side 204 of the radial web 201, and the free ends of at least some of the multiple legs 112 are supported under preload on a support section 24 of the inner wall of the housing 20, which extends substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow direction P.

[0048] As can be seen particularly in Figures 1 and 2, the legs 112 extend radially outward at an obtuse angle via an outer bent section relative to the retaining ring abutment section 111 in both the preloaded state (Figure 1) and the non-preloaded state (Figure 2).

[0049] Preferably, one or more legs 112-1 are relatively short or cut off to provide the necessary clamping surface for the manufacturing process, as can be seen in Figure 3. In this case, the placement of the relatively short legs 112-1 is evenly distributed around the circle to prevent imbalances in the (radial) spring forces caused by the (relatively long) legs 112-2.

[0050] The sealing element 200 further has an annular sealing lip 205 extending upstream and toward the inner wall 21 of the housing 20, the inner surface of which forms a valve seat that defines the valve opening and against which the flap 30 contacts in the closed position of the fluid valve 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0051] In this case, a recess 206 is formed between the section of the sealing element 200 having the first radial surface 202 and the sealing lip 205, and the end section of the sealing element 200 located upstream of the section having the first radial surface 202 tapers radially inward.

[0052] The inner wall 21 of the housing 20 has an enlarged section 28 that continues upstream from the corresponding centering surface 23, and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing lip 205 is spaced apart from and faces the enlarged section 28.

[0053] The inner wall 21 of the housing 20 further comprises a straight section 29 which continues upstream from the widened section 28 and which extends parallel to the direction P of fluid flow.

[0054] The sealing element 200 further has a downstream second radial surface 207 adjacent to the radial web 201, which is offset radially inward with respect to the first radial surface 202. Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, in this case the first side 203 and the second side 204 of the radial web 201 are formed as a structured surface and / or have at least one ring-shaped rib 208.

[0055] The retaining ring 110 has an inner bent section 113 that extends substantially downstream from the retaining ring abutment section 111 as shown in FIG. 1 and specifically faces the second radial surface 207 of the sealing element 200.

[0056] The inner wall 21 of the housing further has a section that continues downstream to the corresponding centering surface 23, which section extends radially outward perpendicular to the fluid flow direction P and has an abutment surface 22 against which the first side 203 of the radial web 201 abuts.

[0057] Furthermore, the inner wall 21 of the housing has another section 25 that continues downstream from the section that continues to the corresponding centering surface 23, this section extending parallel to the fluid flow direction P, and a partial section of the other section 25 faces the outwardly directed upper surface of the radial web 201 and is spaced apart from this upper surface.

[0058] The support section 24 is joined downstream by another section 25 from which it extends radially inwards.

[0059] The inner wall 21 of the housing 20 further has a further section 26 that continues downstream from the support section 24, and this further section has a first section that continues from the support section 24 and a second extension section that continues from the first section, extending parallel to the fluid flow direction.

[0060] To assemble the fluid valve 10, first, the housing 20 is prepared with a hole, and the shaft 40 is introduced into the housing 20 through the hole. Next, the flap 30 is introduced into the housing 20 from the downstream side until the flap 30 contacts the flat surface of the shaft 40. In this state, the flap 30 is centered using a tool that will later also be used to center the sealing element 200, with the annular centering surface of the tool contacting the surface of the inner wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0061] The two screws 41 are then introduced into the interior of the housing 20 from the upstream side, screwed into two threaded holes provided for this purpose in the shaft 40, and tightened after making any necessary adjustments.

[0062] The sealing element 200 is then inserted into the housing 20 and pressed into the section of the housing 20 provided for it, which section includes the corresponding centering surface 23, until the first side 203 of the upstream (structured) radial web 201 abuts against the abutment surface 22 of the inner wall 21 of the housing 20. In this state, the sealing element 200 is centered in the housing 20.

[0063] The retaining ring 110 is then introduced into the housing 20 from the downstream side until the retaining ring abutment surface abuts the downstream second (structured) side 204 of the radial web 201. During assembly, when the retaining ring 110 is pressed against the radial web 201 of the flexible sealing element 200, the legs 112 are elastically compressed, which provides sufficient play space for further insertion of the retaining ring 110 until the free ends of the legs 112 of the retaining ring 110 snap back radially outward due to the spring force of the legs 112 after passing through the support section 24, when the retaining ring abutment surface of the retaining ring 110 is pressed against the second side 204 of the radial web 201 so that the radial web 201 is compressed in the fluid flow direction.

[0064] Although exemplary configurations have been described in the foregoing description, it should be noted that numerous modifications are possible. Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples that in no way limit the scope of protection, applications, and structures. Rather, the above description provides a person skilled in the art with guidance for implementing at least one exemplary configuration, whereby various modifications can be made, particularly with respect to the function and arrangement of the components described above, without departing from the scope of protection as arising from the claims and combinations of such equivalent features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Fluid Valve 20. Housing 21 Inner wall 22 Contact surface 23 Corresponding centering surface 24 Support division 25 Other divisions 26 Further divisions 28 Extended Division 29 Straight line section 30 Flap 40 axes 41 Screw 100 Seal Assembly 110 retaining ring 111 Retaining ring abutment section 112 legs 112-1 Short legs 112-2 Long legs 113 Inner curved section 200 sealing element 201 Radial Web 202 first radial surface 203 First Aspect 204 Second Aspect 205 Seal Lip 206 Recess 207 Second radial surface 208 Ring-shaped rib

Claims

1. A seal assembly (100) for use in a fluid valve (10) having a housing (20) and a flap (30), the fluid valve being configured to control fluid flow through a valve opening of the fluid valve (10) by adjusting the position of the flap (30) between a closed position and an open position, the seal assembly (100) including a retaining ring (110) having a retaining ring abutment section (111) and a plurality of legs (112), and a ring-shaped flexible seal element (200), the seal element having an annular radial web (201) and a first radial surface (202) adjacent the radial web (201) and upstream in intended use, the first radial surface contacting a corresponding corresponding seal provided on an inner wall (21) of the housing (20). a first upstream side (203) of the radial web (201) is adapted to abut against an abutment surface (22) of the inner wall (21) of the housing (20) when used as intended, the retaining ring abutment section (111) having a retaining ring abutment surface adapted to abut against a second downstream side (204) of the radial web (201) when used as intended, and free ends of at least some of the plurality of legs (112) are adapted to be supported under preload on support sections (24) of the inner wall of the housing (20), the support sections extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow when used as intended, the sealing element (200) has an annular sealing lip (205) that, when used as intended, extends in an upstream direction and toward the inner wall (21) of the housing (20), the inner circumferential surface of the sealing lip forming a valve seat that defines the valve opening, the valve seat being adapted to be contacted by the flap (30) in the closed position of the fluid valve; a recess (206) is formed between the section of the sealing element (200) having the first radial surface (202) and the sealing lip (205); A seal assembly (100).

2. The seal assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein an upstream end section of the section of the seal element (200) having the first radial surface (202) tapers radially inward.

3. 2. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal element has a downstream second radial surface adjacent the radial web when in intended use, the second radial surface being offset radially inward relative to the first radial surface.

4. The seal assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the legs (112) extend radially outward at an obtuse angle via an outer bend section relative to the retaining ring abutment section (111).

5. 4. The seal assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein the retaining ring (110) has an inner bent section (113) that extends in a substantially downstream direction from the retaining ring abutment section (111) when used as intended, and specifically faces the second radial surface (207) of the radial web (201).

6. The seal assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the first side (203) and / or the second side (204) of the radial web (201) are formed as a structured surface and / or have at least one ring-shaped rib (208).

7. A fluid valve, particularly for a gas line of a fuel cell and / or an automotive drive, comprising a housing (20) having an inner wall (21), a flap (30), and a seal assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the fluid valve being configured to control fluid flow through a valve opening of the fluid valve (10) by adjusting the position of the flap (30) between a closed position and an open position, the inner wall (21) of the housing (20) having a corresponding centering surface (23). a first radial surface (202) of a sealing element (200) abuts under preload against the corresponding centering surface (23), a first side (203) of a radial web (201) abuts against the abutment surface (22), a second side (204) of the radial web (201) abuts against a retaining ring abutment surface, and free ends of at least some of a plurality of legs (112) are supported under preload on the support section (24).

8. 8. The fluid valve according to claim 7, wherein the sealing element (200) has an annular sealing lip (205), the inner wall (21) has an extended section that continues upstream from the corresponding centering surface (23), and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing lip (205) is spaced apart from and faces the extended section.

9. 9. A fluid valve according to claim 8, wherein the inner wall (21) has a straight section following the widening section upstream, the straight section extending parallel to the direction of fluid flow.

10. 10. The fluid valve according to claim 9, wherein the inner wall (21) has a section that continues downstream from the corresponding centering surface (23), the section extending radially outward perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid and having the abutment surface (22).

11. 11. The fluid valve according to claim 10, wherein the inner wall (21) has another section that continues downstream from the section that continues to the corresponding centering surface (23), the another section extending parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid, and a partial section of the another section faces an outwardly directed upper surface of the radial web (201) and is spaced apart from the upper surface.

12. 12. The fluid valve of claim 11, wherein the support section (24) is a downstream contiguous section of the other section and extends radially inward from the other section.

13. 13. The fluid valve according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall (21) has a further section downstream of the support section (24), the further section having a first section following the support section (24) and a second extending section following the first section, the first section extending parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid.

14. 10. A fuel cell assembly, in particular for a motor vehicle drive, comprising at least one fuel cell, at least one gas line, in particular for supplying gas to the fuel cell or for withdrawing gas from the fuel cell, and a fluid valve according to claim 7 for blocking the gas line by adjusting a flap (30) to a closed position.

15. 8. A motor vehicle comprising at least one fluid valve according to claim 7, in particular for blocking a line of the motor vehicle, in particular a gas line, in particular a motor vehicle drive line and / or a fuel cell assembly line, by adjusting the flap (30) into a closed position.

16. 8. A method for installing a fluid valve according to claim 7, comprising the steps of: Providing a housing (20) with a hole; Introducing a shaft (40) into said hole; introducing a flap (30) from the downstream side of the housing (20) and attaching the flap (30) to the shaft (40); introducing the sealing element (200) from the downstream side of the housing (20) so that a first side (203) of the radial web (201) abuts against an abutment surface (22) of the inner wall (21) of the housing (20) and a first radial surface (202) abuts against a corresponding centering surface (23) of the inner wall (21) of the housing; introducing a retaining ring (110) from a downstream side of the housing (20), wherein the introduction is performed such that, when a retaining ring abutment surface of the retaining ring (110) is pressed against a second side surface (204) of the radial webs (201) so that the radial webs (201) are compressed along the fluid flow direction, free ends of at least some of the legs (112) are elastically bent inward by contact with the inner wall (21) of the housing (20) during the introduction, and then, after passing through a support section (24), snap back radially outward by the spring force of the legs (112); The method has the following features:

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