Fluid valve device

Abstract

Known fluid valve devices comprise: a housing (10) which has an inlet (42) and an outlet (44); a valve seat (40) arranged in the housing (10) between the inlet (42) and the outlet (44); a control element (34) which can be lowered onto the valve seat (40) and can be raised from the valve seat (40); and an actuator (18) by means of which the control element (34) can be lowered onto the valve seat (40) and can be raised from the valve seat (40). The aim of the invention is to avoid both leakages between the valve seat (40) and the housing (10) and leaks between the control element (34) lowered onto the valve seat (40) and the valve seat (40) and thus to achieve an overall high level of sealing tightness. To achieve this aim, the valve seat (40) is formed by an elastic valve seat ring (72) onto which the control element (34) can be lowered and which is fastened by a rigid retaining ring (82), the elastic valve seat ring (72) having an additional annular sealing contour (74) with which the elastic valve seat ring (72) is seated against the housing (10).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Fluid valve device

[0003] The invention relates to a fluid valve device with a housing which has an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat which is arranged between the inlet and the outlet in the housing, a control body which can be lowered onto the valve seat and lifted off the valve seat, and an actuator by means of which the control body can be lowered onto the valve seat and lifted off the valve seat.

[0004] Such fluid valve devices can be used, in particular, as coolant valve devices for coolant circuits in motor vehicles, which may be equipped with an electric and / or internal combustion engine, to shut off or release the coolant flow in a vehicle's cooling circuit. Besides their use as simple shut-off valves with a defined fail-safe position, they can also be used as control valves, depending on the application, if appropriate electronics are integrated. These fluid valves typically have a control element made of plastic, which is connected to a magnetizable armature of an electromagnet, usually made of metal, as an actuator. This provides a motion coupling that allows the control element to be lowered onto or lifted from a valve seat by energizing the electromagnet.The control element can be coupled to the armature via coupling elements and force-fit or form-fit connections, with the coupling element material being either metal or plastic. A return spring can be used for reset, and the fluid valves can be configured as either normally open or normally closed. Alternatively, an electric motor with a downstream gearbox can be used as the actuator.

[0005] Such a valve is known, for example, from WO 2021 / 052560 Al. This solenoid valve has an electromagnetic actuator to which the control element is connected. The control element has a sealing edge with which it rests on the valve seat when the valve is closed. Bores are formed in the control element so that the valve is pressure-balanced, meaning that only the spring force needs to be overcome to open it.

[0006] The problem with such a fluid valve is that it must be manufactured very precisely to ensure a completely tight seal between the axial inlet and the radial outlet when the valve closing element or control body rests on the valve seat.

[0007] The task is therefore to provide a fluid valve device that ensures both complete sealing between the valve closing element and the valve seat when the valve closing element is in contact with the valve seat and reliably prevents leakage flows from the inlet to the outlet between the valve seat and the housing.

[0008] This problem is solved by a fluid valve device having the features of claim 1.

[0009] The fluid valve device according to the invention consists of a housing with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid, for example a cooling medium, particularly preferably a coolant. In particular, the inlet is arranged axially and the outlet radially to an axial direction of movement of a valve closing element of the fluid valve. Furthermore, a valve seat is arranged in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, onto which the control element can be lowered and from which it can be lifted. An actuator is formed on or in the housing, by means of which the control element can be lowered onto and lifted from the valve seat. This actuator is particularly designed as an electromagnetic actuator having a movable armature that is coupled to the valve closing element.The fluid valve can be designed as a normally open or normally closed valve, with a first end position set by a spring force, which is overcome by an electromagnetic force to move the control element from the first end position to its second end position. According to the invention, the valve seat is formed by an elastic valve seat ring onto which the control element can be lowered and which is fixed in the housing by a rigid retaining ring. The elastic valve seat ring has an additional annular sealing contour with which it abuts the housing. The use of the elastic valve seat ring, which can be made of EPDM in particular, ensures a secure seal between the inlet and outlet even with slight angular misalignments or minor unevenness when the control element rests on the elastic valve seat ring.The sealing contour is thus selected such that any deviations in the shape of the components, particularly with regard to cylindricity, can be compensated for during assembly, ensuring the desired sealing effect between the valve seat and the nozzle. The rigid retaining ring, which is preferably made of a metal or plastic, reliably prevents the valve seat ring from loosening, with "rigid" meaning a non-deformable retaining ring. Leakage between the housing and the elastic valve seat ring from the inlet to the outlet is also prevented, as the additional annular sealing contour generates a corresponding pressure of the valve seat ring against the housing. Preferably, the elastic valve seat ring is arranged in an annular axial groove.In this case, an axial groove means that the groove depth runs in the axial direction and the axial groove surrounds a central axis along which the valve seat closing element moves. This axial groove surrounds the valve seat ring in cross-section on three sides by the housing and partially on its fourth side by the retaining ring, thus forming multiple sealing surfaces that prevent leakage.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment, the elastic sealing contour is formed as a radially inwardly extending, annular projection on the valve seat ring. Such a projection can generate an additional sealing force against the opposite wall of the housing.

[0011] Advantageously, the additional elastic sealing contour rests against an inner annular wall of the housing, which laterally delimits the axial groove. Accordingly, an additional sealing surface is formed on the radially inner wall of the axial groove, and thus on the wall surface where there is less axial pressure on the valve seat ring, since the retaining ring does not bear axially on the valve seat ring in this area.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the inner circumference of the valve seat ring is smaller than the inner circumference of the axial groove by the radial extent of the annular projection. Thus, even during installation, the annular projection creates a compression of the valve seat ring against the inner wall, thereby preventing leaks by increasing the sealing force.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferred if the retaining ring is fastened in the housing in such a way that the elastic valve seat ring is axially compressed. This axial compression creates additional contact forces, first between the bottom of the axial groove and the valve seat ring, and subsequently, through the elastic deformation of the valve seat ring, additional sealing effects against both laterally bounding side walls of the axial groove.

[0014] Preferably, the retaining ring has an annular plate that radially surrounds the control element in its position on the valve seat ring and rests axially on the valve seat ring in the area radially surrounding the control element. Such a retaining ring allows the valve seat ring to be axially compressed while still keeping the bearing surface for the control element on the valve seat ring clear.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the axial height of the annular plate, with which the retaining ring rests on the valve seat ring, increases outwards. This reduces pressure losses when opening or in the open state of the fluid valve, as a direct flow surface on the retaining ring is avoided.

[0016] In a further embodiment, an annular side wall extends from a radially outer region of the ring-shaped plate, which rests axially on the valve seat ring, into the axial groove. This provides an additional mounting surface for the retaining ring on the housing.

[0017] It is particularly preferred if the annular side wall of the retaining ring projects into the axial groove between a radial outer wall surface of the valve seat ring and a side wall surface of the housing or the axial groove that radially defines the outer boundary of the axial groove. The side wall of the retaining ring thus defines the outer wall of the valve seat ring, ensuring that the latter is securely fastened and pressed in place by the retaining ring. To prevent crushing of the valve seat ring, which could lead to damage, the side wall of the retaining ring is spaced apart from the bottom of the axial groove.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the retaining ring is attached to the housing using ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding creates a secure and durable connection between a plastic retaining ring and the thermoplastic housing, even under high flow loads.

[0019] This creates a fluid valve device that reliably closes the passage between the inlet and outlet using the elastic valve seat ring, while still ensuring it is securely held in the housing. Leaks between the housing and the valve seat ring are also reliably prevented. This is achieved with a component that is simple in terms of both manufacturing and function, yet integrates several functions: providing a sealing surface for the control element and sealing contours for the assembly. The component is cost-effective to manufacture and easy to assemble. This sealing function and the correct assembly of the component, consisting of the housing, valve seat ring, and retaining ring, are maintained even under extreme flow conditions.

[0020] An embodiment of a fluid valve device according to the invention is shown in the figures and is described below with reference to the figures.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a fluid valve device according to the invention in a sectional view. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the valve seat area from Figure 1.

[0022] The fluid valve device shown in Figure 1 for a fluid, preferably for a cooling liquid, consists of a housing 10, which is designed in two parts and has a flow housing 12 with a flow channel 14 formed therein and an actuator housing 16 attached to the flow housing 12, in which an electromagnetic actuator 18 is arranged.

[0023] The electromagnetic actuator 18 comprises an electromagnetic circuit consisting of a coil 20 wound on a coil carrier 22 and energized via a connector 24, a magnetizable core 26, return elements 28, a yoke 30, and a movable armature 32. When the coil 20 is energized, the armature 32 is moved in the direction of the core 26 by the resulting magnetic forces in a known manner.

[0024] The armature 32 forms a motion unit 35 with a control element 34 by connecting the armature 32 to the control element 34 via a coupling element 36, which is integrally formed with the control element 34 and extends into a bore of the armature 32 and is fixed in the bore on the armature 32. A spring 38 biases the motion unit 35 in a direction away from the core 26, thereby pressing the control element 34 onto a valve seat 40, which is formed in the flow housing 12 between an axial inlet 42 and a radial outlet 44, thus closing a flow cross-section of the flow channel 14. When the coil 20 is energized, the magnetic force exceeds the force of the spring 38, lifting the control element 34 from the valve seat 40 and thus opening the flow cross-section.The armature 32 is guided in a sleeve 46, in which the core 26 is also mounted and which extends radially inside the actuator 18 to a housing projection 48 of the actuator housing 16, which extends axially into the flow housing 12. An O-ring 50 is arranged between this housing projection 48 and an end region of the sleeve 46, by means of which the radially outer region of the sleeve 46 is sealed against the conveyed fluid or the cooling fluid, so that no fluid can reach the coil 20.

[0025] Furthermore, the sleeve 46 defines a space 52, which is formed on a side of the control body 34 or the movement unit 35 facing away from the inlet 42 and which is sealed against the outlet 44 by means of a lip seal 54, the closed side of which faces the outlet 44. The lip seal 54 moves with the control body 34 and is fastened via its inner leg 56 in a radial groove 58 of the control body 34 and rests against the sleeve 46 with its outer leg 59. Axially, the lip seal 54 rests with its closed side on a bearing surface 60 of the control body 34, which is designed as a circumferential radial projection on the control body 34.

[0026] The chamber 52 is continuously connected to the inlet 42 via through-openings 62 formed in the control body 34, which are designed as axial through-bores, thus pressure-balanced the movement unit 35. Since the area on the side furthest from the inlet 42, on which the pressure acts, also corresponds to the area of ​​the control body 34 radially within the valve seat 40, there is also a force equilibrium with respect to the hydraulic forces. Accordingly, the control body 34 is movable solely dependent on the spring force and the electromagnetic force. In the present embodiment, three through-openings 62 and three dirt pockets 64 are formed on the control body 34, evenly distributed around its circumference and in alternating sequence, each extending axially within the control body 34 and radially within the valve seat 40.

[0027] The connection between the inlet 42 and the chamber 52 is not entirely axial via the through-openings 62, as the ends of the through-openings 62 are largely covered by a particle shield 66, which is formed centrally at the end of the control body 34 facing the inlet 42. Accordingly, the flow into the through-openings 62 initially occurs between the particle shield 66 and an axially extending annular projection 68, which allows the control body 34 to be placed on the valve seat 40. From here, the flow is first deflected radially inwards into the through-openings 62 and from there axially into the chamber 52.

[0028] In order to ensure a tight seal between the inlet 42 and the outlet 44 when the control body 34 rests on the valve seat 40, an annular axial groove 70 is formed in the housing 10, in which an elastic valve seat ring 72, which is made in particular of EPDM, is arranged, on which the control body 34 rests with its axially extending annular projection 68 in the position closing the flow channel 14.

[0029] The elastic valve seat ring 72 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, from which an additional sealing contour 74 extends radially inwards in the form of an annular projection 76 at approximately half the height of a radial inner wall surface 78. With this sealing contour 74, the valve seat ring 72 abuts an inner annular wall 80 of the housing 10, which radially inwards defines the axial groove 70. The outer diameter of this wall is to be selected to be approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the radial inner wall surface 78 of the valve seat ring 72, so that the sealing contour 74, formed as a projection 76, extends radially inwards beyond the outer diameter of the inner annular wall 80 in the unassembled state. Accordingly, this projection 76 is pressed against the wall 80 in the assembled state, thereby creating an additional sealing effect between the valve seat ring 72 and the housing 10.

[0030] In order to reliably hold the valve seat ring 72 in the axial groove 70 and to press it into the axial groove 70 to achieve an additional sealing effect, a rigid retaining ring 82, which is made of plastic in particular, rests on the valve seat ring 72 in the radially outer area and is attached to the housing 10, for example by ultrasonic welding.

[0031] The retaining ring 82 has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the axially extending annular projection 68 of the control body 34, so that the latter is set further onto the valve seat ring 72. The retaining ring 82 consists of an annular plate 84 whose axial height initially increases from the radial inside to the radial outside and then remains constant. In the inner region, this plate 84 is very thin to avoid providing any additional flow area when the fluid valve is open. With this plate 84, the retaining ring 82 thus rests on the valve seat ring 72 in the radially outer region over approximately half the cross-section of a wall surface 86 of the valve seat ring 72 that bounds the valve seat ring 72 upwards in the direction of the control body 34.

[0032] From the plate 84 of the retaining ring 82, an annular side wall 88 extends radially outward into the axial groove 70, this side wall 88 terminating before a base 90 of the axial groove 70. This side wall 88 abuts radially outward against the housing 10 or a side wall surface 92 that radially outwardly delimits the axial groove 70, and radially inward against a radial outer wall surface 94 of the valve seat ring 72.

[0033] After the valve seat ring 72 is inserted into the axial groove 70, the retaining ring 82 is pressed axially against the valve seat ring 72 from above and secured in this position by ultrasonic welding. This deforms the elastic valve seat ring 72 and presses it against the bottom 90 of the axial groove 70, the side wall 88 of the retaining ring 82, and the inner annular wall 80 of the housing 10. This generates a further increased contact force, particularly in the area of ​​the additional sealing contour 74, and consequently an increased sealing force, thereby preventing leaks between the housing 10 and the valve seat ring 72.

[0034] It should be clear that the described fluid valve device can also be designed differently than described in the exemplary embodiment. For example, different actuators, housing shapes, and control elements can be used. The additional sealing contour can also be arranged in a different plane or shaped differently.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Fluid valve device with a housing (10) having an inlet (42) and an outlet (44), a valve seat (40) arranged between the inlet (42) and the outlet (44) in the housing (10), a control element (34) that can be lowered onto and lifted from the valve seat (40), an actuator (18) by means of which the control element (34) can be lowered onto and lifted from the valve seat (40), characterized in that the valve seat (40) is formed by an elastic valve seat ring (72) onto which the control element (34) can be lowered and which is fixed by a rigid retaining ring (82), wherein the elastic valve seat ring (72) has an additional annular sealing contour (74) with which the elastic valve seat ring (72) bears against the housing (10).

2. Fluid valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic valve seat ring (72) is arranged in an annular axial groove (70).

3. Fluid valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic sealing contour (74) is designed as an annular projection (76) extending radially inwards.

4. Fluid valve device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the additional elastic sealing contour (74) rests against an inner annular wall (80) of the housing (10), which laterally limits the axial groove (70).

5. Fluid valve device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner circumference of the valve seat ring (72) is smaller by the radial extension of the annular projection (76) than an inner circumference of the axial groove (70).

6. Fluid valve device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (82) is fastened in the housing (10) in such a way that the elastic valve seat ring (72) is axially compressed.

7. Fluid valve device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (82) has an annular plate (84) which radially surrounds the control body (34) in its state resting on the valve seat ring (72) and which rests axially on the valve seat ring (72) in a region radially surrounding the control body (34).

8. Fluid valve device according to claim 7, characterized in that the axial height of the annular plate (84), with which the retaining ring (82) rests on the valve seat ring (72), increases outwards.

9. Fluid valve device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an annular side wall (88) extends from a radially outer area of ​​the annular plate (84) of the retaining ring (82) into the axial groove (70).

10. Fluid valve device according to claim 9, characterized in that the annular side wall (88) of the retaining ring (82) projects into the axial groove (70) between a radial outer wall surface (94) of the valve seat ring (72) and a side wall surface (92) of the housing (10) which radially delimits the axial groove (70).

11. Fluid valve device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the annular side wall (88) of the retaining ring (82) is spaced apart from a bottom (90) of the axial groove (70).

12. Fluid valve device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining ring (82) is attached to the housing (10) by means of ultrasonic welding.

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