Solenoid valve device, solenoid valve, kit for producing the solenoid valve, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a solenoid valve device (32a-b) at least comprising a solenoid valve housing (10a-b), a coil body (12a-b) arranged at least partially in the solenoid valve housing (10a-b) for receiving at least one solenoid coil winding, and a valve seat element (18a-b) forming a valve seat (14a-b) for a solenoid armature (16a-b). According to the invention, the valve seat element (18a-b) has a fluid outlet (20a-b) with an integrally formed connection geometry (22a-b) for connecting counterparts, such as external fluid line elements.

Description

[0001] Solenoid valve device, solenoid valve, kit for manufacturing the solenoid valve and method

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a solenoid valve device according to the preamble of claim 1, a solenoid valve according to claim 8, a construction kit according to the preamble of claim 9 and a method according to the preamble of claim 10.

[0004] A solenoid valve device has already been proposed, comprising at least a solenoid valve housing, a coil body arranged at least partially in the solenoid valve housing for accommodating at least one solenoid coil winding, and a valve seat element forming a valve seat for a magnet armature. If the known solenoid valve devices are equipped with connection geometries for connecting counterparts such as external fluid line elements, these connection geometries are attached to a solenoid valve housing or are formed as part of the solenoid valve housing.

[0005] The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a generic device with advantageous properties with regard to cost optimization, in particular while simultaneously generating or maintaining a high degree of flexibility. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims. Advantages of the invention

[0006] The invention is based on a solenoid valve device at least comprising a solenoid valve housing, a coil body arranged at least partially in the solenoid valve housing for receiving at least one solenoid coil winding, and a valve seat element forming a valve seat for a magnet armature.

[0007] It is proposed that the valve seat element have a fluid outlet with a molded connection geometry for connecting counterparts, such as external fluid line elements. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve cost optimization, in particular compared to the known prior art. Advantageously, the number of parts and / or the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Advantageously, assembly effort can be significantly reduced. Advantageously, a simple, in particular universal, solenoid valve housing, preferably designed without connection geometries and without interfaces for connection geometries, can be provided for a solenoid valve with the solenoid valve device, which can in particular be designed to be particularly simple and / or cost-effective to manufacture.

[0008] In addition, a high degree of flexibility can be achieved in a simple and / or cost-effective manner, particularly for connections of a wide variety of counterparts.

[0009] A "solenoid valve device" is understood to mean, in particular, a functional component, in particular a structural and / or functional component, of a solenoid valve. A "solenoid valve" is understood to mean, in particular, a valve that is actuated by an electromagnet. The solenoid valve is advantageously designed as a seat valve. The seat valve can be designed, for example, as a valve for controlling and / or regulating a fluid flow of a sensor cleaning device of a sensor, for example, a driver assistance sensor of a vehicle. The solenoid valve housing forms, in particular, an outermost shell of the solenoid valve, which preferably comprises at least a majority of all components of the solenoid valve.In particular, the solenoid valve housing is provided at least for enclosing the electromagnet with at least one coil body and with at least one solenoid coil winding, a magnet armature, a magnet core, and / or a valve seat element. However, the solenoid valve housing can of course also comprise further components of the solenoid valve. It is also conceivable for one or more of the components of the solenoid valve to partially protrude from the solenoid valve housing. The solenoid coil winding is preferably wound around the coil body. The magnet armature is preferably movably mounted in an interior of the coil body. The valve seat element has, in particular, a flow channel which can be opened and closed by the magnet armature sitting on a valve seat of the valve seat element.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the seating of the magnet armature on the valve seat or even the approach of the magnet armature to the valve seat limits / sets a maximum flow cross-section through the flow channel / valve seat.

[0010] In particular, the valve seat is arranged at an end of the valve seat element facing the interior of the solenoid valve housing. The flow channel comprises, in particular, a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet of the valve seat element. The valve seat element is preferably formed at least in one piece. “Integral” should be understood to mean, in particular, materially connected, such as by a welding process and / or adhesive process, etc., and particularly advantageously, integrally formed, such as by production from a single casting and / or by production in a single- or multi-component injection molding process. In particular, the integrally formed connection geometry is connected in one piece with the rest of the valve seat element. It is conceivable for different valve seat elements to have different connection geometries for different counterparts.Examples of counterparts can be: hoses, (pipe) lines, manifolds, housings or other fluid line elements known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the connection geometry is intended for the (direct) plugging on of the counterpart. Alternatively, the connection geometry can also form an interface for adapters, to which different adapters for different external fluid line elements can be connected. In this case, the adapter can already form the counterpart. The external fluid line element would then be intended for plugging onto the adapter. “Intended” should be understood in particular to mean specially programmed, designed and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.In particular, the valve seat element forms a nozzle, in particular of the solenoid valve.

[0011] If the valve seat element is of monolithic design, a particularly simple and / or cost-effective construction can advantageously be achieved. In addition, a long service life can advantageously be enabled. In particular, the preferably monolithic valve seat element comprises at least the valve seat, the flow channel and the connection geometry. In addition, the preferably monolithic valve seat element can have a receiving area / a receiving groove for receiving a sealing element, such as an O-ring or the like. In addition, the preferably monolithic valve seat element can have a mounting area for mounting the valve seat element to the solenoid valve housing and / or to the coil body. The mounting area can be provided to create a press fit. The mounting area can be designed as a surface to create a material connection.In particular, the valve seat element is rotationally symmetrical, at least in sections. In particular, the valve seat element and / or the solenoid valve housing is made of a plastic or a metal. In particular, the valve seat element is fluid-tightly sealed with respect to the solenoid valve housing and / or with respect to the coil body. If, in addition, the solenoid valve housing is free of connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements, a particularly simple (universal) and / or cost-effective design, in particular of the solenoid valve housing, can advantageously be achieved. In particular, the solenoid valve housing is completely free of integrated or mounted connection geometries for any type of external fluid line elements.

[0012] Furthermore, if the coil body is free of connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements, a particularly simple (universal) and / or cost-effective design, especially of the coil body, can be advantageously achieved. In particular, the coil body is completely free of integrated or mounted connection geometries for any type of external fluid line elements.

[0013] In a further aspect of the invention, which can be considered on its own or in combination with at least one, in particular in combination with one, in particular in combination with any number of the other aspects of the invention, it is proposed that the coil body directly forms a, in particular linear, movement guide region for a magnet armature. This advantageously makes it possible to optimize costs, in particular compared to the known prior art. Advantageously, the number of parts and / or the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Advantageously, assembly effort can be significantly reduced. In particular, the coil body, preferably the solenoid valve, is free of a separate guide tube or the like for guiding the magnet armature. In particular, the magnet armature directly contacts one or more inner walls of the coil body during a movement.In particular, the coil body is made of a plastic material. In particular, the magnet armature is designed to move, in particular to shift, within the motion-guiding region of the coil body depending on a magnetic field generated by the coil winding. Preferably, the motion-guiding region and / or the magnet armature have a cylindrical envelope contour.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that the coil body have one or more grooves, in particular pressure compensation grooves, in the movement guide region, which are intended to guide a fluid at least partially filling the movement guide region past the moving magnet armature. This can advantageously ensure a high degree of mobility of the magnet armature. Advantageously, a pressure build-up between opposite sides of the magnet armature can be prevented. Advantageously, these effects can be achieved in a particularly cost-effective manner. The grooves, in particular pressure compensation grooves, are straight. The grooves, in particular pressure compensation grooves, run parallel to an intended direction of movement of the magnet armature in the coil body. The grooves, in particular pressure compensation grooves, are arranged uniformly distributed around an inner circumference of the coil body, in particular of the movement guide region.The magnet armature is preferably guided on elevations between the grooves, in particular pressure compensation grooves (contacting / sliding).

[0015] It is further proposed that the valve seat element be connected to the coil body via a press fit and that the solenoid valve housing and / or the valve seat element be connected to the coil body by means of a fluid-tight material connection. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve simple and / or cost-effective, yet at the same time secure and durable, assembly of the solenoid valve device. In particular, the valve seat element has a plurality of integrally formed fin-like projections which are provided for press-fitting into the movement guide region of the coil body. In particular, the valve seat element has a radially projecting collar which forms surface regions which are provided for establishing the material connection, e.g. welded connection, adhesive connection, etc., with the solenoid valve housing and / or the coil body.In particular, a surface area for establishing the material connection with the solenoid valve housing is arranged on the collar opposite another surface area for establishing the material connection with the coil body. Preferably, the surface area of ​​the collar and the further surface area of ​​the collar are arranged on the collar facing away from each other.

[0016] Furthermore, the solenoid valve, in particular the seat valve, is proposed with the solenoid valve device and with the magnet armature guided linearly in the coil body. This advantageously allows for cost optimization, particularly compared to the known prior art.

[0017] Furthermore, a modular system for producing the solenoid valve is proposed, comprising at least a plurality of different valve seat elements with different connection geometries, each of which is provided for connecting different counterparts, in particular different external fluid line elements, and at least one coil body, preferably a plurality of different coil bodies, wherein all valve seat elements of the modular system are compatible with the coil body of the modular system, preferably with all coil bodies of the modular system, and in particular can be connected in a fluid-tight manner. This advantageously allows for cost optimization, in particular compared to the known prior art. A particularly high degree of flexibility can be achieved.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for connecting the solenoid valve to a counterpart, in particular to an external fluid line element, is proposed, wherein the counterpart is coupled to the connection geometry of the valve seat element in at least one connection step. This advantageously allows for a high degree of flexibility. Advantageously, a solenoid valve with a suitable connection geometry can be used for different counterparts. The solenoid valve device according to the invention, the solenoid valve according to the invention, the modular system according to the invention, and the method according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above.In particular, the solenoid valve device according to the invention, the solenoid valve according to the invention, the modular system according to the invention and the method according to the invention can have a number of individual elements, components and units that differs from a number stated herein in order to fulfill a function described herein.

[0019] Drawings

[0020] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0021] They show:

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an external view of a part of a solenoid valve without a solenoid valve housing with a solenoid valve device according to the invention,

[0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the part of the solenoid valve with the solenoid valve device and with the solenoid valve housing,

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic bottom view of a movement guide area of ​​a coil body of the solenoid valve device,

[0025] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a kit for producing solenoid valves and Fig. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for connecting the solenoid valve to a counterpart.

[0026] Description of the embodiments

[0027] Figure 1 schematically shows an external view of a portion of a solenoid valve 26a. The solenoid valve 26a is designed as a seat valve. The solenoid valve 26a comprises an electromagnet 36a. For the sake of clarity, the solenoid valve 26a is shown in Figure 1 without the solenoid valve housing 10a.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of part of the solenoid valve 26a, now with the solenoid valve housing 10a. The solenoid valve 26a comprises a solenoid valve device 32a. The solenoid valve device 32a comprises the solenoid valve housing 10a. The solenoid valve housing 10a delimits the solenoid valve 26a to the outside. The solenoid valve housing 10a forms an outer shell of the solenoid valve 26a. An interior of the solenoid valve housing 10a is sealed fluid-tight to the outside. For this purpose, the solenoid valve 26a has sealing elements 38a, 40a. The sealing elements 38a, 40a are designed, for example, as O-rings. The solenoid valve device 32a has a coil body 12a. The coil body 12a is provided to accommodate at least one magnetic winding of the electromagnet 36a. The coil body 12a is arranged entirely within the solenoid valve housing 10a.The solenoid valve housing 10a is connected to the coil body 12a by means of a material connection 42a (symbolized by a jagged line). The material connection 42a is fluid-tight.

[0029] The solenoid valve device 32a has a valve seat element 18a. The valve seat element 18a comprises a valve seat 14a. The solenoid valve 26a has a magnet armature 16a. The magnet armature 16a is designed to sit sealingly on the valve seat 14a. The magnet armature 16a is movably mounted in the coil body 12a. The magnet armature 16a is linearly guided in an inner recess of the coil body 12a / in a motion guide region 24a of the coil body 12a. The magnet armature 16a can either be placed sealingly on the valve seat 14a or lifted off the valve seat 14a. The magnet armature 16a can be manipulated / moved in the motion guide region 24a of the coil body 12a by a magnetic field generated by the coil winding of the electromagnet 36a. The coil body 12a directly forms the motion control area 24a for the magnet armature 16a. The motion control area 24a is a linear motion control area.The valve seat element 18a has a flow channel 44a. The flow channel 44a penetrates the valve seat element 18a in the longitudinal direction (parallel to an intended direction of movement 46a of the magnet armature 16a). The valve seat 14a is formed at an (inner) end of the flow channel 44a. The valve seat 14a thus forms a fluid inlet 48a of the valve seat element 18a. In the reverse flow direction, the valve seat 14a can also form a fluid outlet. The valve seat element 18a forms a fluid outlet 20a. In the reverse flow direction, the fluid outlet 20a can also form a fluid inlet. The fluid outlet 20a is arranged at an end of the flow channel 44a in the valve seat element 18a opposite the fluid inlet 48a. The valve seat element 18a is connected to the coil body 12a via a press fit.The valve seat element 18a has a plurality of fins 50a, the outer diameter of which, in the unassembled state, is slightly larger than an inner diameter of an inner recess of the coil body 12a, in particular of the motion guide region 24a of the coil body 12a. During assembly, the fins 50a are pressed into the motion guide region 24a of the coil body 12a to create a press fit. Parts of the fins 50a are also shown in Fig. 1. The valve seat element 18a protrudes from the solenoid valve housing 10a. The solenoid valve housing 10a is connected to the valve seat element 18a by means of a material connection 42a (symbolized by a jagged line). The valve seat element 18a forms a collar 52a. The material connection 42a of the solenoid valve housing 10a with the valve seat element 18a is created with a part of the collar 52a. The valve seat element 18a forms a nozzle of the solenoid valve 26a. The valve seat element 18a is formed in one piece.The valve seat element 18a is monolithic.

[0030] The valve seat element 18a has a connection geometry 22a. The connection geometry 22a is integrally formed on the valve seat element 18a. The fluid outlet 20a of the valve seat element 18a has the connection geometry 22a. The connection geometry 22a forms the fluid outlet 20a of the valve seat element 18a. The connection geometry 22a is provided for connecting counterparts, such as external fluid line elements. The connection geometry 22a has an insertion bevel 54a, which facilitates insertion of the connection geometry 22a into the counterpart. The connection geometry 22a has a projection 56a, which makes it difficult to loosen the mounted counterpart / prevents unwanted loosening of the mounted counterpart. The connection geometry 22a shown in Figures 1 and 2 is designed as a male connection geometry onto which the counterpart must be plugged.Alternatively, however, a female connection geometry could also be formed by the valve seat element 18a. In this case, the counterpart would be inserted into the connection geometry 22a. The solenoid valve housing 10a is designed free of any connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements. The coil body 12a is designed free of any connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements.

[0031] Figure 3 schematically shows a bottom view of the motion guide region 24a of the coil body 12a. The viewing direction is parallel to the intended direction of movement 46a of the magnet armature 16a in the solenoid valve 26a. The coil body 12a has a plurality of grooves 28a, 30a in the motion guide region 24a. The grooves 28a, 30a form pressure equalization grooves. The grooves 28a, 30a are provided to guide a fluid that at least partially fills the motion guide region 24a, in particular a fluid flow-controlled by the solenoid valve 26a, past the moving magnet armature 16a. Between the grooves 28a, 30a, the coil body 12a forms projections 58a. The magnet armature 16a is slidably guided on the projections 58a. The solenoid valve 26a is intended for guiding / flow control of different media / fluids (liquids and / or gases).By designing the pressure compensation grooves in the coil body 12a instead of in the magnet armature 16a, no magnetic material is lost from a magnetic circuit of the solenoid valve 26a formed by the magnet armature 16a, the magnetic core (not shown), and, if applicable, the solenoid valve housing 10a. This advantageously maintains the availability of a high magnetic force. Advantageously, the cost optimization achieved by directly guiding the magnet armature 16a through the coil body 12a does not result in any technical disadvantages, such as a reduction in the available magnetic force of the solenoid valve 26a.

[0032] Figure 4 schematically shows an exemplary kit 62a for producing solenoid valves 26a. The kit 62a can of course also have more elements, in particular more different valve seat elements 18a and / or coil formers 12a than shown by way of example in Fig. 4. The kit 62a comprises at least a plurality of different valve seat elements 18a, 18b with different connection geometries 22a, 22b, which are each provided for connecting different counterparts, in particular different external fluid line elements or different interfaces. In the kit 62a of Fig. 4, a valve seat element 18a with a male connection geometry 22a and another valve seat element 18b with a female connection geometry 22b are shown by way of example. The kit 62a has at least one coil former 12a. The kit 62a preferably has a plurality of different coil formers 12a.All valve seat elements 18a of the modular system 62a are compatible with the coil body 12a of the modular system 62a, preferably with all coil bodies 12a of the modular system 62a, and can be connected, in particular, in a fluid-tight manner. Figure 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for connecting the solenoid valve 26a to a counterpart, in particular to an external fluid line element. In at least one method step 60a, a valve seat element 18a, 18b is selected from the modular system 62a and mounted on the coil body 12a. The selected combination is then installed in a solenoid valve 26a. In at least one connection step 34a, the counterpart is then coupled to the connection geometry 22a, 22b of the selected valve seat element 18a, 18b. The flow through the counterpart can then be controlled and / or regulated by means of the solenoid valve 26a.

[0033] Reference symbol

[0034] 10 Solenoid valve housing

[0035] 12 coil bodies

[0036] 14 Valve seat

[0037] 16 magnet armatures

[0038] 18 Valve seat element

[0039] 20 Fluid outlet

[0040] 22 Connection geometry

[0041] 24 Motion control area

[0042] 26 Solenoid valve

[0043] 28 grooves

[0044] 30 grooves

[0045] 32 Solenoid valve device

[0046] 34 Connection step

[0047] 36 Electromagnet

[0048] 38 Sealing element

[0049] 40 sealing element

[0050] 42 Material connection

[0051] 44 Flow channel

[0052] 46 Direction of movement

[0053] 48 Fluid inlet

[0054] 50 Finn

[0055] 52 collars

[0056] 54 insertion bevel

[0057] 56 overhang

[0058] 58 lead

[0059] 60 process steps

[0060] 62 construction kits

Claims

Claims 1. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) at least comprising: a solenoid valve housing (10a-b), a coil body (12a-b) arranged at least partially in the solenoid valve housing (10a-b) for receiving at least one magnetic coil winding, and a valve seat element (18a-b) forming a valve seat (14a-b) for a magnet armature (16a-b), characterized in that the valve seat element (18a-b) has a fluid outlet (20a-b) with a molded connection geometry (22a-b) for connecting counterparts, such as external fluid line elements.

2. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat element (18a-b) is monolithic.

3. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solenoid valve housing (10a-b) is free of connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements.

4. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil body (12a-b) is free of connection geometries suitable for connecting the same counterparts, in particular any external fluid line elements.

5. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil body (12a-b) directly forms a, in particular linear, movement guide region (24a-b) for a magnet armature (16a-b).

6. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to claim 5, characterized in that the coil body (12a-b) in the movement guide area (24a-b) has one or more grooves (28a-b, 30a-b), in particular pressure compensation grooves, which are provided for guiding a fluid at least partially filling the movement guide area (24a-b) past the moving magnet armature (16a-b).

7. Solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve seat element (18a-b) is connected to the coil body (12a-b) via a press fit and that the solenoid valve housing (10a-b) is connected to the coil body (12a-b) by means of a fluid-tight material connection (42a).

8. Solenoid valve (26a-b), in particular a seat valve, with a solenoid valve device (32a-b) according to one of the preceding claims and with a magnet armature (16a-b) guided linearly in the coil body (12a-b).

9. A kit (62a-b) for producing a solenoid valve (26a-b) according to claim 8, at least comprising a plurality of different valve seat elements (18a-b) with different connection geometries (22a-b), each of which is provided for connecting different counterparts, in particular different external fluid line elements, and at least one coil body (12a-b), preferably a plurality of different coil bodies (12a-b), characterized in that all valve seat elements (18a-b) of the kit (62a-b) are compatible with the coil body (12a-b) of the kit (62a-b), preferably with all coil bodies (12a-b) of the kit (62a-b), and can be connected, in particular in a fluid-tight manner.

10. Method for connecting a solenoid valve (26a-b) according to claim 8 to a counterpart, in particular to an external fluid line element, characterized in that in at least one connection step (34a-b) the counterpart is coupled to the connection geometry (22a-b) of the valve seat element (18a-b).

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