Fluid valve and corresponding production method

Abstract

A fluid valve has: a housing (10) which has an inner circumferential surface with access points (12); a valve slide (20) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation into different rotational positions and has an outer lateral surface (21) facing the inner circumferential surface, the valve slide having a passage assembly with at least one passage (23); and a mesh-like seal which has a sealing element, the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface and having a plurality of vertices and edges connecting said vertices, and which has an elastic supporting element (40) facing the valve slide and engages into a mesh-like groove (24.1) in the outer lateral surface of the valve slide. In at least one first rotational position, at least two first access points of the access points are connected via the passage assembly; in at least one second rotational position, at least two of the aforementioned at least two first access points are separated from one another by means of the valve slide; and in at least one of the aforementioned two rotational positions, at least one of the aforementioned first access points is surrounded by a loop formed by a closed series of vertices and edges. The invention also relates to a method for producing the fluid valve and to a motor vehicle comprising the fluid valve.

Description

[0001] 202400156

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Fluid valve

[0005] 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.

[0007] One object of an embodiment of the present invention is to improve a fluid valve, in particular its manufacture and / or functionality.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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: a housing having an inner circumferential surface with access points; and a valve spool rotatable about an axis of rotation into various rotational positions, with an outer surface facing the inner circumferential surface, which has a passage arrangement with one or more (fluid) passages. In one embodiment, the valve spool is at least partially arranged in the housing. 202400156

[0010] 2

[0011] In one embodiment, at least one (first) group with two or more access points is intersected by a (first) plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] This allows for the realization of a more compact multi-way valve with multiple ports in a single design.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention: 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, wherein these rotational position(s) or access points are referred to as first rotational position(s) or access points without limitation of generality; and in at least one other rotational position, which is referred to as second rotational position(s) without limitation of generality, at least two of these at least two first access points are separated from each other by means of the valve slide.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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 in different constellations 202400156

[0018] 3 connected or separated from each other, preferably at least partially blocked.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid valve has a mesh-like seal comprising a (mesh-like) sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface, preferably a single piece, with several nodes and edges connecting them, preferably at least two, particularly preferably three or more, rows of nodes and (circumferential) edges axially spaced apart from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or at least two, particularly preferably three or more, rows of nodes and (axial) edges spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the valve slide; and an elastic support element facing the valve slide, preferably a single piece and / or also mesh-like, which engages in a mesh-like groove in the outer surface of the valve slide.

[0020] By engaging the mesh-like groove, the mesh-like seal is advantageously secured in a form-fitting manner to the valve slide, thus making it easy and / or reliable to secure.

[0021] The support element allows the sealing element to be advantageously tensioned or pressed against the inner circumferential surface, thereby improving the sealing effect and / or compensating for tolerances and / or shape changes during operation.

[0022] The mesh-like sealing element allows individual access points to be advantageously sealed in rotational positions. In one embodiment, the sealing element rests against the inner circumferential surface, preferably in a sealing manner; in a further development, it is tensioned or pressed against the inner circumferential surface by the support element. The mesh-like sealing element advantageously compensates for tolerances and / or deformations during operation. Additionally or alternatively, it can advantageously compensate for unevenness, particularly compared to a flat or surface-like sealing element. 202400156

[0023] 4

[0024] In one embodiment, the mesh-like sealing element and the mesh-like support element and / or the mesh-like sealing element and the mesh-like groove or their respective meshes have matching or congruent mesh structures or configurations. This allows the positive locking and / or support to be (further) improved.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the first rotary position and / or in the second rotary position, in a preferred embodiment in each operating or switching position of the valve slide, (each) one or more of these first accesses, in a preferred embodiment all accesses provided for use, particularly preferably all existing, are (each) 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.

[0026] This allows for a particularly advantageous, and especially efficient, sealing to be achieved in a single design.

[0027] In one embodiment, in one or more rotary positions, or in a preferred embodiment in every operating or switching position of the valve spool, one or more ports blocked by the valve spool, or in a preferred embodiment all ports intended for use, and particularly preferably all existing ports blocked by the valve spool, 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). 202400156

[0028] 5

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, in one or more rotary positions, or in a preferred embodiment, in every operating or switching position of the valve spool, one or more (each) access points connected to a different access point via the passage arrangement, or in a preferred embodiment, all access points intended for use, and particularly preferably all existing access points connected to a different access point via the passage arrangement, are enclosed (each) 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. This advantageously prevents leakage from or into open access points.

[0030] 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. These seals advantageously prevent leakage from or into the inlet openings of the passage assembly.

[0031] In one design, the sealing element protrudes from the groove into which it engages. This can improve the sealing effect in one design.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, in one or more rotational positions, or in a preferred embodiment, in every operating or switching position of the valve spool, two or more access points intersected by a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve spool, and / or two or more access points axially spaced apart from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve spool, are each enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed loop of nodes and edges, wherein these nodes and edges are integrally formed. 202400156

[0033] 6

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, an end face of the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface has PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene); in a further development, the sealing element is made of PTFE.

[0035] This can improve the sealing, especially when two or more of these features are combined.

[0036] In one embodiment, the support element has support nodes and connecting support edges, wherein these support nodes and support edges are formed integrally and / or a support node of the support element is arranged at one or more nodes of the sealing element (each) and / or a support edge of the support element is arranged at at least one or more edges of the sealing element (each).

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment the support element comprises at least one elastomer, preferably synthetic rubber, particularly preferably EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), and can in particular be made from this material.

[0038] This allows for improved assembly and / or support and / or tolerance compensation, and therefore sealing, in one design.

[0039] 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.

[0040] This allows for particularly advantageous compensation of tolerances and shape changes in the circumferential direction and / or simplification of assembly. 202400156

[0041] 7

[0042] 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 slide, are designed in a meandering or wave-like manner, preferably the wave troughs or crests extend in the circumferential direction.

[0043] This allows for the advantageous compensation of tolerances and shape changes in the direction of the axis of rotation and / or simplifies assembly.

[0044] 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 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. 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.

[0045] 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 the support element and / or its elasticity.

[0046] In one embodiment, the sealing element has one or more (each) meshes formed by a closed train of nodes and edges, the circumferential extent of which around the axis of rotation of the valve slide is (each) less than the circumferential extent of one or more of the access points, in one embodiment of an access point which in the direction of rotation 202400156

[0047] 8 axially adjacent to these meshes. In other words, the mesh-like sealing element has at least partial circumferential distances between (axial) edges that are shorter than the circumferential extent of one or more access points, preferably of an access point arranged axially next to these (axial) edges.

[0048] This can improve the assembly and / or fixing, and therefore the sealing.

[0049] 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.

[0050] A loop formed by a closed train of knots and edges can encompass one or more (transverse) edges that do not belong to this train.The loop formed by this pull – for example, in a digital figure 8 with three vertically spaced pairs of two horizontally spaced nodes each, and the three horizontal and four vertical edges connecting these six nodes: the upper four nodes and the upper two vertical and upper two horizontal edges connecting them form a loop formed by a closed pull from these nodes and edges; the lower four nodes and the lower two vertical and lower two horizontal edges connecting them form another loop formed by a closed pull from these nodes and edges; and also the six nodes and the vertical edges connecting them and the lower and upper horizontal edges form another loop formed by a closed pull from these nodes and edges.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, to manufacture a fluid valve described herein, the mesh-like seal is arranged such that it engages in the mesh-like groove in the outer surface of the valve slide, in a 202400156

[0052] 9

[0053] Further development involves first arranging the elastic support element in the groove and then the sealing element on this support element, engaging in the groove; in another development, the elastic support element and the sealing element are arranged together, engaging in the groove. The valve spool is then inserted into the housing in one embodiment.

[0054] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments. These are shown, in part schematically:

[0055] 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;

[0056] Fig. 2: the fluid valve in a cross-section along line 11-11 in Fig. 1;

[0057] Fig. 3: a seal of the fluid valve in Fig. 1 in a radial direction

[0058] Top view; and

[0059] Fig. 4: a valve slide, a sealing element and a support element of a

[0060] Fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a perspective exploded view.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention in a cross-section.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The fluid valve further comprises a valve spool 20, rotatable about a rotational axis (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 to achieve (in corresponding switching or operating) rotational positions of the 202400156

[0064] 10

[0065] To achieve the desired flow-related connections of the inlets for the valve slide. In particular, axially spaced inlets can also be connected to each other via an axial passage.

[0066] The fluid valve further comprises a mesh-like seal, which has a sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface with several nodes 30 and these connecting edges 31 , 32 and an elastic support element 40 facing the valve slide with a congruent mesh structure like the sealing element and engages in a mesh-like groove in the outer shell surface 21 of the valve slide 20.

[0067] In the axial section of Fig. 2, several axial sections or channels 24.1 of this groove are visible, and in Fig. 3, in particular, several circumferential sections or channels 24.2 are visible.

[0068] The mesh structure of the seal is configured and positioned on the valve slide in such a way that each of the access points 12 is always enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges and is thereby sealed against the remaining radial gap between inner circumferential surface 11 and outer shell surface 21.

[0069] In the radial top view of Fig. 3, 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 manner.

[0070] This allows the stiffer PTFE sealing element, together with the elastomeric support element 40, to advantageously compensate for tolerances, be well mounted and seal advantageously.

[0071] 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 circumferential extent of which is less than the circumferential extent of at least one access point 12. 202400156

[0072] 11

[0073] This can particularly improve the handling of the sealing element and the support element, which can be advantageously achieved through vulcanization.

[0074] To manufacture the fluid valve, the elastic support element 40 and the mesh-like sealing element are inserted one after the other or together into the mesh-like groove 24.1 , 24.2 on the outer shell surface 21 and then the valve slide 20 is inserted into the housing 10.

[0075] Fig. 4 shows a valve slide 20, a mesh-like sealing element with several nodes 30 and these connecting edges 31 , 32 and an elastic support element 40 with the same mesh structure with corresponding nodes 41 and these connecting edges 42 of a fluid valve according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a perspective exploded view.

[0076] 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 person skilled in the art 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. 202400156

[0077] 12

[0078] Reference symbol list

[0079] 10 cases

[0080] 11 Inner perimeter area

[0081] 12 Access

[0082] 20 valve slides

[0083] 21 Outer shell area

[0084] 22 Entrance opening

[0085] 23 Passage

[0086] 24.1 Slot axial section

[0087] 24.2 Groove Circumferential Section

[0088] 30 knots

[0089] 31 meandering circumferential edge

[0090] 32 Axial edge

[0091] 40 support element

[0092] 41 knots

[0093] 42 edge

Claims

202400156 13 Patent claims 1. Fluid valve comprising: a housing (10) having an inner circumferential surface (11) with access points (12); a valve spool (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation into different rotational positions, with an outer shell surface (21) facing the inner circumferential surface, which has a passage arrangement with at least one passage (23); and a mesh-like seal comprising a sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface with several nodes (30) and edges (31, 32) connecting them, and an elastic support element (40) facing the valve spool, and which is inserted into a mesh-like groove (24.1, 24.2) engages in the outer surface of the valve slide; wherein in at least one first rotational position at least two first accesses 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 at least one of the first accesses separated from each other by means of the valve slide is blocked by means of the valve slide.

3. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, 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 202400156 14 in at least one rotational position at least one access connected via the passage arrangement with a little other access is enclosed by a mesh formed by a closed train of nodes and edges.

4. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 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.

5. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: at least two inlets are intersected by a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve spool; and / or at least two inlets are axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve spool.

6. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the sealing element protrudes from the groove into which it engages; and / or in at least one rotational position, at least two access points, which are intersected by a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or at least two access points, which 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 with each other; and / or has an end face of the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface made of PTFE.

7. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: 202400156 15 the support element has support nodes and connecting support edges, wherein these support nodes and support edges are formed integrally with each other and / or a support node of the support element and / or a support edge of the support element is arranged at at least one node of the sealing element; and / or the support element has at least one elastomer.

8. 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 axis of rotation of the valve slide, is designed in a meandering manner; and / or the sealing element and / or the support element is designed to be continuous in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation.

9. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 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 seal is arranged such that it engages in the mesh-like groove in the outer shell surface of the valve slide.

Images