Power transmission and lifting means for a rotary valve assembly, rotary valve assembly, pump-valve unit, thermal management system, and electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a power transmission and lifting means (KAM) for a rotary valve arrangement (2), by means of which power transmission and lifting means a settable / adjustable valve body (6) of a rotary valve can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (X – X) and, during this pivoting, can be lifted in a lifting movement along the axis of rotation (X – X) out of a conical sealing seat of the rotary valve in order to facilitate pivoting of the valve body (6). The power transmission and lifting means (KAM) has: a first power transmission element (26) which can be connected to a rotary actuator (10); a second, valve-body-side power transmission element (28) which participates in the lifting movement; and a third power transmission element (30) which is provided between the first and the second power transmission element and via which the first power transmission element (26), as a result of being pivoted by the rotary actuator (10) and relative to the axis of rotation (X – X), acts indirectly and obliquely on the second power transmission element (28) in order to bring about the lifting movement. The invention also relates to a rotary valve assembly, a pump-valve unit, a thermal management system, and an electric vehicle.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Power transmission and lifting means for a rotary valve assembly, rotary valve assembly, pump-valve unit, thermal management system and electric vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a power transmission and lifting means for a rotary valve arrangement and to a rotary valve arrangement with such a power transmission and lifting means. The invention further relates to a pump-valve unit with at least one such rotary valve arrangement, a thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one such rotary valve arrangement, and an electric vehicle with at least one such rotary valve arrangement.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to facilitate the adjustment of a rotary valve.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to enable such an adjustment of a rotary valve in the most energy-efficient manner possible or with the least possible energy requirement or expenditure.

[0006] This object is achieved by a power transmission and lifting means proposed and protected according to claim 1.

[0007] In this case, an indirect oblique action according to claim 1 is to be understood as meaning that a line of action of a force exerted obliquely by the first force transmission element on the second force transmission element with respect to the axis of rotation forms an acute angle with the axis of rotation of the rotary valve or the rotary valve arrangement.

[0008] This force can be broken down into a transverse force component perpendicular to the rotational axis and an axial force component along the rotational axis, with the axial force component causing the valve body's lifting movement along the rotational axis. This proposed force transmission and lifting device reduces the so-called breakaway torque, also known as peak torque, which must be applied briefly by the rotary actuator to pivot the valve body. Furthermore, the lifting of the valve body from its conical sealing seat during pivoting significantly facilitates pivoting the valve body between two rotary valve positions, in which this conical sealing seat acts as a fluid seal.

[0009] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the first force transmission element has a section, for example in the form of a disc-shaped or cylindrical section, on the end face of which facing the second force transmission element, approximately distributed over a circumference of this section, arranged projection sections are formed with stop surfaces inclined to the axis of rotation, which interact with associated, complementarily formed, inclined stop surfaces on the second force transmission element indirectly via the third force transmission element.

[0010] These projection sections with the inclined stop surfaces can extend transversely to the rotation axis and / or around the rotation axis.

[0011] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that these interacting stop surfaces are aligned parallel to each other.

[0012] In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the third force transmission element is designed in the form of a plurality of balls which are arranged relative to one another, distributed approximately over a circumference, and interact with the associated stop surfaces acting as ball ramps.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, it is proposed that the third force transmission element be designed in the form of an elastomer that fills a space between the first force transmission element and the second force transmission element and interacts deformably with the associated stop surfaces. Additionally or alternatively to such an elastomer, another plastic or material can also be provided that enables such deformation of the third force transmission element.

[0014] This elastomer and / or plastic or material is a material that can be easily deformed as such, but at least can hardly be compressed at all or only very slightly. This enables or ensures a change in shape while maintaining a constant volume, or at least a substantially constant volume, so that an axial force component can be generated along the axis of rotation.

[0015] A rotary valve arrangement with a power transmission and lifting means of the type described above is also proposed.

[0016] In addition, a pump-valve unit with at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0017] Furthermore, a thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0018] Such a thermal management system is used to control heat flows and heat transport in vehicles. Especially in electric vehicles, such a thermal management system is of great importance for ensuring high efficiency in such vehicles.

[0019] Furthermore, an electric vehicle with at least one rotary valve arrangement of the type described above is proposed.

[0020] The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the figures. Further advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. These are shown schematically: Fig. 1 shows a rotary valve arrangement with a proposed first force transmission and lifting means,

[0021] Fig. 2 shows the power transmission and lifting means shown in Fig. 1 in a larger view,

[0022] Fig. 3 shows another rotary valve arrangement with a proposed second power transmission and lifting means and

[0023] Fig. 4 shows the power transmission and lifting means shown in Fig. 3 in a larger view.

[0024] Figs. 1 and 3 each illustrate a multi-way valve arrangement 2 with a valve housing 4a, 4b which is at least divided into two parts and has a valve body 6 arranged therein which is adjustable or pivotable about a rotation axis in the X - X direction. A valve seal 8 is arranged between the valve housing 4b and the valve body 6.

[0025] A cavity or recess of the valve housing 4b accommodating the valve body 6, the valve body 6, and the valve seal 8 are shaped to complement each other and form a conical sealing seat (aus), via which they interact in a fluid-tight manner. This conical sealing seat tapers in the X-X direction toward a rotary actuator 10, which is positively connected to the valve body 6 indirectly via a proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM and which can electrically adjust or pivot the valve body 6 about the rotational axis X-X via this force transmission and lifting means KAM.

[0026] This multi-way valve arrangement 2 can connect fluid-carrying channels 12, 16, 18, 22 of the valve housing 4b to one another via different heights of the multi-way valve along the rotation axis X - X. For this purpose, the valve body 6 has a first fluid channel 14 and a second fluid channel 20, which are spaced apart from one another along the rotation axis X - X, just as the channels 12, 16, 18, 22 are spaced apart from one another.

[0027] The valve seal 8, which encloses the valve body 6 around the axis of rotation, has corresponding openings through which a liquid can be conveyed on the one hand from a liquid inlet channel 12 via the associated liquid channel 14 and an associated liquid outlet channel 16 and on the other hand from a liquid inlet channel 18 via the associated liquid channel 20 and an associated liquid outlet channel 22.

[0028] The valve body 6 is rotatable, adjustable, or pivotable into at least two valve positions, in which the conical sealing seat acts to seal against fluids. To facilitate the adjustment or pivoting of the valve body 6 between these valve positions, it is proposed that the valve body 6, during its adjustment or pivoting by the rotary actuator 10 from such a first valve position to such a second valve position, be first lifted from this conical sealing seat by means of the proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM in a first lifting movement - longitudinal to the rotation axis - and finally, to press it back into or against this conical sealing seat by means of at least one pressing means in the form of a spring 24 in a second lifting movement opposite to the first lifting movement - longitudinal to the rotation axis.

[0029] The proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM is provided or arranged in an interface area between the rotary actuator 10 and the valve body 6. The force transmission and lifting means KAM is supported relative to the upper housing part 4a via an axial bearing AL.

[0030] The spring 24 - in the sense of a compression spring - which acts as a pressure means, is provided or arranged in an area of ​​an end of the valve body 6 facing away from the actuator 10 and between a valve housing base and the valve body 6. In this described embodiment of a rotary valve arrangement, the valve housing 4a, 4b and / or the valve body 6 can be made, for example, from a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic with a high level of wear resistance. The valve seal 8, on the other hand, can be made from a rubber material, which is coated on the valve body side with a so-called PTFE coating. Abbreviation for polytetrafluoroethylene, also called Teflon) and which as such has a wear-reducing effect.

[0031] The force transmission and lifting means KAM proposed according to Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a first force transmission element 26 connectable to a rotary actuator 10, a second force transmission element 28 located on the valve body side and participating in the lifting movement, and a third force transmission element 30 provided between the first and second force transmission elements. This third force transmission element 30 is designed in the form of a plurality of balls, which are distributed approximately around a circumference, arranged relative to one another, and interact with the associated stop surfaces 32, 34 acting as ball ramps.

[0032] The first force transmission element 26 has a disc-shaped or cylindrical section, on the end face of which, facing the second force transmission element 28 - distributed approximately over a circumference - arranged projection sections VAi are formed with stop surfaces 32 inclined to the rotation axis X - X, which interact indirectly via the balls with associated inclined stop surfaces 34 of projection sections VAn, which are formed complementarily on the second force transmission element 28.

[0033] These projection sections VAi, VAn with the inclined stop surfaces 32, 34 can extend transversely to the rotation axis and / or around the rotation axis X-X.

[0034] These interacting stop surfaces 32, 34 can be aligned parallel to one another. In contrast to Figs. 1 and 2, the force transmission and lifting means KAM proposed according to Figs. 1 and 2 has a third force transmission element 30, which is designed in the form of an elastomer—filling a space between the first force transmission element 26 and the second force transmission element 28—which interacts deformably with the associated stop surfaces 32, 34.

[0035] This elastomer – in Fig. 4 – is a material that can be easily deformed as such, but at least almost impossible or hardly compressible. This allows the elastomer shown to change its shape while at least essentially retaining its volume, so that an axial force component Fx can be generated along the rotation axis X - X.

[0036] Via this respective third force transmission element 30, the first force transmission element 26 acts indirectly obliquely on the second force transmission element 28 as a result of its pivoting by the rotary actuator 10 and thereby with respect to the rotation axis X - X in order to effect the lifting movement.

[0037] This third force transmission element 30 acts in the sense of a pressure medium, via which the first force transmission element 26 is supported indirectly and obliquely against the second force transmission element 28 with respect to the rotation axis X - X.

[0038] The resulting force FR exerted indirectly obliquely by the first force transmission element 26 on the second force transmission element 28 with respect to the rotation axis X - X can be broken down into a transverse force component Fy transverse to the rotation axis X - X and an axial force component Fx longitudinal to the rotation axis X - X (see lower illustration in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4), whereby the axial force component Fx causes the lifting movement of the valve body 6 longitudinal to the rotation axis X - X. In these two previously proposed embodiments, the second force transmission element 28 can be a separate element that can be connected to the valve body 6. Alternatively, this second force transmission element 28 can also be formed or constructed in one piece or in one part with the valve body 6, i.e., be integrated into the valve body 6 and thus form an integral part of the valve body 6.

[0039] With such indirect entrainment of the second force transmission element 28 by the first force transmission element 26, the second force transmission element 28 undergoes a lifting movement along the rotation axis X - X up to a certain point, so that the valve body 6 is lifted from its conical sealing seat.

[0040] The proposed force transmission and lifting means KAM can also be made of a plastic, such as a glass fiber reinforced plastic with a high wear resistance, at least with regard to the first and second force transmission elements 26, 28.

[0041] By not only pivoting the valve body 6 during its adjustment between two rotary valve positions, but also lifting it from its conical sealing seat, a contact pressure between the valve housing 4b, the valve seal 8 and the valve body 6 can be temporarily eliminated or at least significantly reduced in order to facilitate the pivoting of the valve body.

[0042] And the proposed designs of the first, second and third force transmission elements 26, 28, 30 ensure that only a minimal breakaway torque is required or has to be provided or applied by the rotary actuator 10 for adjusting or pivoting the valve body 6.

[0043] Overall, therefore, the rotary actuator 10 requires a minimum of power, allowing it to be operated not only more energy-efficiently but also be designed to be smaller. It is proposed that the stop surfaces 32, 34 be inclined such that their inclination represents the lowest possible resistance, which, as such, must be overcome by the rotary actuator 10. This inclination should ultimately be selected or designed such that a sufficient axial stroke or a sufficient stroke movement along the rotational axis X-X is achieved with the least possible energy consumption or expenditure.

[0044] The valve seal 8 can be designed or shaped in such a way that it encloses the valve body 6 in a closed manner around the rotation axis X - X and has openings via which a liquid can be conveyed from at least one liquid inlet channel of the valve housing via at least one liquid channel of the valve body and at least one liquid outlet channel of the valve housing 4b.

[0045] The valve seal 8 can be designed or formed in a closed, circumferential manner and then pushed onto the valve body 6. Alternatively, the valve seal 8 can be designed or formed in the form of a sealing strip, the two ends of which can be designed or formed in such a way that they complement each other and can be brought together in a form-fitting manner, so that the sealing strip forms or assumes such a closed, circumferential sealing shape.

[0046] However, the concept proposed in this disclosure for facilitating the adjustment or pivoting of a valve body 6 is also applicable to rotary valve arrangements of this type with several separately designed valve seals, which are each assigned to a liquid inlet channel or a liquid outlet channel and extend in a closed circumferential manner around such a channel.

[0047] All these possible designs of the valve seals 8 are designed or shaped conically in a longitudinal extension of the rotary valve arrangement 2 along the rotation axis X - X at least in sections and corresponding to the valve housing 4b and the valve body 6.

[0048] Although exemplary embodiments are explained 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 and are not intended to limit the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides the skilled person with a guide for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims and equivalent combinations of features.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Force transmission and lifting means (KAM) for a rotary valve arrangement (2), with which an adjustable valve body (6) of a rotary valve can be pivoted about a rotational axis (X - X) and can be lifted in a lifting movement longitudinal to the rotational axis (X - X) from a conical sealing seat of the rotary valve in order to facilitate pivoting of the valve body (6), wherein the force transmission and lifting means (KAM) has a first force transmission element (26) connectable to a rotary actuator (10), a second force transmission element (28) on the valve body side and participating in the lifting movement, and a third force transmission element (30) which is provided between the first and the second force transmission element and via which the first force transmission element (26) is indirectly obliquely acted upon the second force transmission element as a result of its pivoting by the rotary actuator (10) and in this case with respect to the rotational axis (X - X). (28) acts,to effect the lifting movement., 2. Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to claim 1, wherein the first power transmission element (26) has a section on whose end face facing the second power transmission element (28) arranged projection sections (VAi) are formed with stop surfaces (32) inclined to the axis of rotation (X - X), which interact with associated, complementarily formed, inclined stop surfaces (34) on the second power transmission element (28) indirectly via the third power transmission element (30).

3. Power transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to claim 2, wherein the cooperating stop surfaces (32, 34) are aligned parallel to one another.

4. Power transmission and lifting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third power transmission element (30) is designed in the form of a plurality of balls which are arranged relative to one another, in particular distributed over a circumference, and which interact with the associated stop surfaces (32, 34) acting as ball ramps.

5. Power transmission and lifting means according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third power transmission element (30) is designed in the form of a plastic material filling a space between the first power transmission element (26) and the second power transmission element (28), in particular in the form of an elastomer, which cooperates deformably with the associated stop surfaces (32, 34).

6. Rotary valve arrangement (2) with a force transmission and lifting means (KAM) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5.

7. Pump-valve unit with at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 6.

8. Thermal management system with fluid circuits and at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 6.

9. Electric vehicle with at least one rotary valve arrangement according to claim 6.

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