Fluid valve and associated production method

Abstract

A fluid valve has: a housing (10) which has an inner circumferential surface (11) with inlets (12); a valve slide (20) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation into different rotational positions and has an outer casing surface (21) which faces the inner circumferential surface and which has a passage arrangement with at least one passage (23); and a seal which includes an elastic support cylinder; and a net-like sealing element which is connected thereto and has multiple nodes and edges connecting said nodes and is arranged between the inner circumferential surface (11) and the outer casing surface (21), wherein, in at least one first rotational position, at least two first inlets of the inlets are connected via the passage arrangement; in at least one second rotational position, at least two of said at least two first inlets are separated from one another by means of the valve slide; and in at least one of said two rotational positions, at least one of said first inlets is surrounded by a mesh formed by a closed path of nodes and edges. The invention also relates to a method for producing the fluid valve and a motor vehicle comprising the fluid valve.

Description

Description

[0002] FLUID VALVE AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING PROCESS

[0004] The present invention relates to a fluid valve, a method for its manufacture, and a motor vehicle with the fluid valve.

[0006] In fluid valves where a valve spool is rotated in a housing to selectively connect or separate different ports, leakage between an inner circumferential surface of the housing and an outer surface of the valve spool at the ports can impair the function.

[0008] One object of an embodiment of the present invention is to improve a fluid valve, in particular its manufacture and / or functionality.

[0010] This problem is solved by a fluid valve with the features of claim 1 or a method with the features of claim 11. Claim 10 protects a motor vehicle with at least one fluid valve described herein. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fluid valve, in a particularly preferred embodiment a fluid valve for a motor vehicle and / or for adjusting fluid flows, in one embodiment in a coolant circuit or the like, comprises:

[0014] a housing that has an inner circumferential surface with access points; and

[0016] A valve spool rotatable about an axis of rotation into various rotational positions, with an outer surface facing the inner circumferential surface, and comprising a passage arrangement with one or more (fluid) passages. In one embodiment, the valve spool is at least partially arranged in the housing. In another embodiment, at least one (first) group with two or more inlets is intersected by a (first) plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve spool.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, in one version two or more access points are axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve slide.

[0020] In a further development, at least one further (second) group with two or more access points is cut by a further (second) plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide and thus parallel to the first plane, wherein the first and second groups are axially spaced apart from each other.

[0022] This allows for the realization of a more compact multi-way valve with multiple ports in a single design.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention:

[0026] In at least one rotational position, at least two of the access points are connected (fluidically) via the passage arrangement or communicate (fluidically) with each other, whereby these rotational position(s) or access points are referred to as the first rotational position(s) or access points without loss of generality; and

[0028] in at least one other rotary position, which without loss of generality is referred to as the second rotary position(s), at least two of these at least two first accesses are separated from each other by means of the valve slide.

[0030] In one embodiment, in at least one second rotary position, one or more of the first accesses (each) separated from each other by means of the valve slide are (fluidically) blocked or closed by means of the valve slide and are therefore not (fluidically) connected to alternative accesses.

[0032] Preferably, the fluid valve or valve slide also has further rotational positions in which the access points of the inner circumferential surface of the housing are interconnected differently or connected or separated from each other in different configurations, preferably at least partially blocked.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid valve has a seal comprising an elastic, preferably one-piece, support cylinder; and a mesh-like, preferably one-piece, sealing element with several nodes and edges connecting them, preferably at least two, particularly preferably three or more, axially spaced rows of nodes and (circumferential) edges connecting them in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or at least two, particularly preferably three or more, circumferentially spaced rows of nodes and (axial) edges connecting them around the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and arranged between the inner circumferential surface and the outer shell surface, preferably in a radial gap between the inner circumferential surface and the outer shell surface.

[0036] In one embodiment, the sealing element is arranged between the support cylinder and the outer shell surface or on a radially inner side of the support cylinder facing the outer shell surface and, in a further development, makes sealing contact with the outer shell surface; in another embodiment, it is clamped or pressed against the outer shell surface by the support cylinder.

[0038] In one embodiment, preferably combined with this, the seal is fixed to the housing; in a further development, the support cylinder is positively and / or materially connected to the housing, preferably the inner circumferential surface, for example by projections on the support cylinder that engage in recesses in the housing and / or projections on the housing that engage in recesses in the support cylinder.

[0040] A housing-mounted seal allows individual access points to be advantageously sealed by a stationary mesh of the mesh-like sealing element. Accordingly, in one embodiment, one or more, preferably all, and particularly preferably all, access points intended for use are enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges of the sealing element.

[0042] In one embodiment, the sealing element is arranged between the inner circumferential surface and the support cylinder or on a radially outer side of the support cylinder facing the inner circumferential surface and, in a further development, makes sealing contact with the inner circumferential surface; in another embodiment, it is clamped or pressed against the inner circumferential surface by the support cylinder.

[0044] In one embodiment, preferably combined with this, the seal is fixed to the valve slide or rotatable together with the valve slide, or rotates together with the valve slide; in a further development, the support cylinder is positively and / or materially connected to the valve slide, preferably the outer shell surface, for example by projections on the support cylinder that engage in recesses in the valve slide and / or projections on the valve slide that engage in recesses in the support cylinder.

[0046] By means of a valve-slide-proof seal, individual inlet openings of the passage arrangement can advantageously be sealed by a valve-slide-proof mesh of the net-like sealing element.

[0048] Accordingly, in one embodiment, one or more, preferably all, and particularly preferably all existing inlet openings of the passage assembly formed in the outer surface of the valve slide are enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges of the sealing element. These seals advantageously prevent leakage from or into the inlet openings of the passage assembly. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, in one or more rotational positions, and in a preferred further development, in every operating or...

[0050] In the switching position of the valve slide, one or more ports blocked by the valve slide, or in a preferred embodiment, all ports intended for use, and particularly preferably all existing ports blocked by the valve slide, are enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges. In other words, in one embodiment, in one or more, preferably all, rotary positions, one or more, preferably all, blocked ports are sealed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges of the sealing element. This advantageously prevents leakage from or into the blocked port(s).

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, in one version with one or more rotational positions, in a preferred further development in each operational or

[0054] In the switching position of the valve slide, one or more (each) access points connected to at least one other access point via the passage arrangement, in a preferred embodiment all access points intended for use, particularly preferably all existing access points connected to at least one other access point via the passage arrangement, are (each) enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges. In other words, in one embodiment, in one or more, preferably all, rotary positions, one or more, preferably all, at least partially open access points are each sealed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges of the sealing element.

[0056] This can advantageously prevent leakage from or into open access points.

[0058] In general, or in both a valve spool-fixed seal and a housing-fixed seal, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the first rotational position and / or in the second rotational position, in a preferred embodiment in each operating or switching position of the valve spool, one or more of the first access points, in a preferred embodiment all access points intended for use, particularly preferably all existing, are enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed or continuous thread of nodes and edges and thereby sealed against the remaining gap between the inner circumferential surface and the outer shell surface.

[0060] This allows for a particularly advantageous, and especially efficient, sealing to be achieved in a single design.

[0062] The support cylinder allows the sealing element to be advantageously clamped or pressed against the outer surface or inner circumferential surface, thereby improving the sealing effect and / or compensating for tolerances and / or deformations during operation. In one embodiment, the support cylinder is formed flat or has surfaces or flat sections that cover the edges of the mesh-like sealing element as well as the spaces between these edges. This simplifies the manufacturing of the cylinder in one embodiment and / or improves the connection and / or support of the sealing element. In another embodiment, the support cylinder has a through-opening in the area of ​​one or more, preferably all, inlet openings of the passage arrangement provided for use, and particularly preferably all existing ones, formed in the outer surface of the valve slide.

[0064] The mesh-like sealing element can advantageously compensate for tolerances and / or shape changes during operation. Additionally or alternatively, it can also advantageously compensate for unevenness, especially compared to a flat or surface-like sealing element.

[0066] In one embodiment, in one or more rotational positions, in a preferred embodiment in every operating or switching position of the valve slide, two or more access points, which are intersected by a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or two or more access points that are axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve slide, are each enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges, wherein these nodes and edges are formed integrally.

[0068] In one embodiment, an end face of the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface and / or an end face of the sealing element facing the outer shell surface is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene); in a further development, the sealing element is made of PTFE.

[0070] This can improve the sealing.

[0072] In one embodiment, the support element comprises at least one elastomer, preferably synthetic rubber, particularly preferably EPDM.

[0074] (Ethylene propylene diene rubbers), can be produced in particular from these.

[0076] This allows for improved assembly and / or support and / or tolerance compensation, and therefore sealing, in one design.

[0078] In one embodiment, one or more (circumferential) edges of the sealing element, which connect (each) two nodes of the sealing element adjacent in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the valve slide, are designed in a meandering or wave-like manner; preferably the wave troughs or crests extend axially in the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0080] This makes it particularly advantageous to compensate for tolerances and changes in shape in the circumferential direction and / or to simplify assembly.

[0082] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one or more (axial) edges of the sealing element, which connect (each) two nodes of the sealing element axially adjacent in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve spool, are designed in a meandering or wave-like manner; preferably, the wave troughs or crests extend in the circumferential direction. This advantageously allows tolerances and deformations in the direction of the rotation axis to be compensated and / or simplifies assembly.

[0084] In one embodiment, the sealing element is continuous or closed around the axis of rotation, so that it cannot be unrolled into a flat shape without being destroyed or cut. Additionally or alternatively, in another embodiment, the support cylinder is continuous or closed around the axis of rotation, so that it cannot be unrolled into a flat shape without being destroyed or cut. This can be achieved, in each case, by appropriate pre-forming or by a non-destructive joining method, particularly a material-bonded joining, preferably by gluing or welding.

[0086] In one embodiment, this allows the sealing to be improved, in particular leakage through a continuous axial slot to be avoided, whereby a variation in the circumferential direction, in particular for assembly and / or compensation of tolerances and shape changes, can preferably be realized instead of through a continuous axial slot by the aforementioned meandering design of the mesh-like sealing element and / or elasticity of the support cylinder.

[0088] In one embodiment, the sealing element has one or more (each) meshes formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges, the circumferential extent of which around the axis of rotation of the valve spool (each) is less than the circumferential extent of one or more of the access points, or, in another embodiment, of an access point axially adjacent to these meshes in the direction of rotation. In other words, the mesh-like sealing element has at least partial circumferential spacing between (axial) edges that is shorter than the circumferential extent of one or more access points, preferably of an access point arranged axially adjacent to these (axial) edges. This improves assembly and / or fixing, and thus the sealing.

[0090] A fluid valve described here can be used with particular advantage in a motor vehicle and / or in a coolant circuit; preferably it is a multi-way valve for adjusting fluid flows, especially liquid flows.

[0092] A loop formed by a closed train of nodes and edges can encompass one or more (transverse) edges that do not belong to this train or the loop formed by this train - for example, in a digital 8 with three vertically spaced pairs of two horizontally spaced nodes each and these six nodes connected by three horizontal and four vertical edges:

[0094] the top four nodes and the top two vertical and top two horizontal edges connecting them form a loop created by a closed pull from these nodes and edges;

[0096] the lower four knots and the lower two vertical and lower two horizontal edges connecting them form another loop by a closed pull from these knots and edges; and also

[0098] the six knots and the vertical edges connecting them, and the lower and upper horizontal edges, form another loop through a closed pull from these knots and edges.

[0100] According to one embodiment of the present invention, to produce a fluid valve described herein, the mesh-like sealing element is connected, preferably by means of vulcanization, to the elastic support cylinder.

[0102] In a further development, the seal produced in this way or by this connection is subsequently or after this connection arranged on the inner circumferential surface, especially in the case of a housing-fixed seal, or outer shell surface, especially in the case of a valve slide-fixed seal.

[0104] This can improve the connection process in particular.

[0106] In another further development, the support cylinder is already arranged on the inner circumferential surface, especially in the case of a housing-fixed seal, or outer shell surface, especially in the case of a valve slide-fixed seal, when connecting the sealing element and the support cylinder, or the connection takes place in situ.

[0108] This allows for easier assembly of the support cylinder and / or protects the sealing element in one version.

[0110] In one version, the valve slide with mounted seal, connected sealing element and support cylinder is inserted into the housing.

[0112] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments. These are shown, in part schematically:

[0114] Fig. 1 : a housing of a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention in an axial section along line 11 in Fig. 2;

[0116] Fig. 2: the fluid valve in a cross-section along line 11-11 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a seal of the fluid valve in an axial section corresponding to Fig. 1;

[0118] Fig. 4: a seal of a fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a radial top view; and Fig. 5: a valve spool, a sealing element and a support cylinder of a fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a perspective exploded view. Fig. 2 shows a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention in a cross-section.

[0120] The fluid valve has a housing 10 with an inner circumferential surface 11 with access points 12, which is shown in an axial section in Fig. 1.

[0122] The fluid valve further comprises a valve spool 20, rotatable about an axis of rotation (vertical in Fig. 1) into various rotational positions, with an outer surface 21 facing the inner circumferential surface, which has a passage arrangement with at least one passage 23 and inlet openings 22. In Fig. 2, one such passage and two inlet openings are shown purely by way of example; it is clear to those skilled in the art that other configurations are possible in order to realize the desired flow-related connections of the inlets in (corresponding switching or operating) rotational positions of the valve spool. In particular, axially spaced inlets can also be connected to one another by means of an axial passage.

[0124] The fluid valve further comprises a seal which has an elastic support cylinder 40 and an associated mesh-like sealing element with several nodes 30 and these connecting edges 31 , 32 and is arranged between the inner circumferential surface 11 and the outer shell surface 21.

[0126] In the embodiment of Fig. 1-3, the sealing element is arranged between the support cylinder 40 and the outer shell surface 21 and the seal is fixed to the housing, in the exemplary embodiment indicated by a projection 41 on the support cylinder which engages in a recess in the housing 10.

[0128] Each of the access points 12 is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges, and is thereby sealed against the remaining radial gap between the inner circumferential surface 11 and the outer shell surface 21. In this way, each of the access points 12, which are connected to or separated from other access points in different configurations depending on the rotational position of the valve slide 20, is always enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges.

[0130] In the axial section of Fig. 3, which also illustrates the radially inner side of the support cylinder 40 facing the valve slide 20 or its outer surface 21 and the sealing element arranged thereon, it can be seen that the circumferentially extending (circumferential) edges 31 of the sealing element, which each connect two nodes of the sealing element adjacent in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the valve slide, are each designed in a meandering shape.

[0132] This allows the stiffer PTFE sealing element, together with the elastomeric support cylinder 40, to advantageously compensate for tolerances, be easily mounted and seal advantageously.

[0134] The support cylinder 40 is designed in the form of a hollow cylinder with recesses with closed edges in the area of ​​the access points 12 and is thus continuous in the circumferential direction.

[0136] As can be seen, for example, in the lower left area of ​​Fig. 3, the sealing element has meshes formed by a closed train of nodes and edges, the extent of which in the circumferential direction is less than the extent of at least one access 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0138] This can particularly improve the handling of the sealing element and its connection with the support cylinder, which can be advantageously achieved by vulcanization.

[0140] Fig. 4 shows a seal of a fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a radial top view, which corresponds to the view or

[0142] The perspective of the axial section in Fig. 3 corresponds to the view without the section, i.e., a radially outer side of the seal. The fluid valve is identical in construction to the fluid valve in Figs. 1-3, except for the differences explained below, so reference is made to the description above.

[0144] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the sealing element is arranged between the inner circumferential surface 11 and the support cylinder 40, and the seal is fixed to the valve slide, for example analogous to the projection 41 in Fig. 3, but then engaging in a recess in the valve slide 20 (not shown).

[0146] Inlet openings 22 of the passage arrangement formed in the outer surface 21 of the valve slide 20 are each enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges. The mesh-like sealing element is configured such that in operating or

[0148] Switching rotary positions are blocked by means of the valve slide and / or connected to other access points or open access points are each enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges and thereby sealed.

[0150] To manufacture the fluid valve, the mesh-like sealing element is connected to the elastic support cylinder 40 and the seal produced in this way is placed on the inner circumferential surface 11 in the embodiment of Fig. 1-3 or on the outer shell surface 21 in the embodiment of Fig. 4 and then the valve slide 20 is inserted into the housing 10.

[0152] Fig. 5 shows a valve slide 20, a support cylinder 40 and a mesh-like sealing element with several nodes 30 and these connecting edges 31, 32 of a fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a perspective exploded view.

[0154] In the present disclosure, "has an X" does not generally imply an exhaustive list, but is a short form of "has at least one X". 1 and also includes "has two or more X" as well as "has Y in addition to X". 1Although exemplary embodiments were explained in the preceding description, it should be noted that a multitude of modifications are possible. Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to restrict the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the skilled person with a guideline 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 these equivalent combinations of features. Reference numeral list

[0156] 10 cases

[0158] 11 Inner perimeter area

[0160] 12 Access

[0162] 20 valve slides

[0164] 21 Outer shell area

[0166] 22 Entrance opening

[0168] 23 Passage

[0170] 30 knots

[0172] 31 meandering circumferential edge 32 axial edge

[0174] 40 support cylinders

[0176] 41 lead

Claims

Patent claims 1. Fluid valve, comprising: a housing (10) having an inner circumferential surface (11) with access points (12); a valve slide (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation into different rotational positions, with an outer surface (21) facing the inner circumferential surface and having a passage arrangement with at least one passage (23); and a seal that an elastic support cylinder (40); and a connected net-like sealing element with several nodes (30) and these connecting edges (31 , 32) exhibits and is arranged between the inner circumferential surface (11 ) and the outer lateral surface (21 ), where In at least one first rotational position, at least two of the first access points are connected via the passage arrangement; in at least one second rotational position at least two of these at least two first accesses are separated from each other by means of the valve slide; and in at least one of these two rotational positions at least one of these first accesses is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges.

2. Fluid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element is arranged between the support cylinder and the outer shell surface.

3. Fluid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element is arranged between the inner circumferential surface and the support cylinder.

4. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal is fixed to the housing.

5. Fluid valve according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one access point is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges.

6. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the seal is valve-slide-proof.

7. Fluid valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: in at least one rotational position at least one access blocked by means of the valve slide is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges; and / or In at least one rotational position, at least one access point connected via the passage arrangement to at least one other access point is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges; and / or at least one inlet opening of the passage arrangement formed in the outer surface of the valve slide is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges.

8. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: at least two access points are intersected by a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide; and / or at least two access points are axially spaced apart in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve slide; and / or has a PTFE end face facing the inner circumferential surface and / or an end face facing the outer shell surface; and / or the support element contains at least one elastomer.

9. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: at least one edge of the sealing element, which connects two nodes of the sealing element adjacent in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the valve slide, is designed in a meandering manner; and / or at least one edge of the sealing element, which connects two nodes of the sealing element axially adjacent in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve slide, is designed in a meandering manner; and / or the sealing element and / or the support cylinder is continuous in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation; and / or the sealing element has at least one mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges, the extent of which in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the valve slide is less than the extent of at least one access in the circumferential direction.

10. Motor vehicle with at least one fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Method for manufacturing a fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh-like sealing element is connected to the elastic support cylinder (40); and wherein the seal produced in this way is then arranged on the inner circumferential surface (11) or outer shell surface (21); or the support cylinder (40) is already arranged on the inner circumferential surface (11) or outer shell surface (21) during the connection.

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