Fluid valve and production method for same

Abstract

A fluid valve comprising: a housing (10) having an inner circumferential surface (11) with inlets (12); a valve slide (20) which can rotate about an axis of rotation into different rotational positions, has an outer lateral surface (21) opposite the inner circumferential surface and has a passage arrangement with at least one passage; and a sealing arrangement comprising annular sealing assemblies which each have a sealing element proximal to the inner circumferential surface and an elastic supporting element proximal to the valve slide and which each engage in an annular groove in the outer lateral surface of the valve slide; wherein at least two first inlets are connected via the passage arrangement in at least a first rotational position; at least two of these at least two first inlets are separated from one another by means of the valve slide in at least a second rotational position; and at least one of these first inlets is surrounded by a sealing assembly in at least one of these two aforementioned rotational positions. The invention also relates to a method for producing the fluid valve and to a vehicle having the fluid valve.

Description

[0001] 202400157

[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. 202400157

[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] Additionally or alternatively, the housing has at least one axial connection which, in at least one rotational position, is connected via the passage arrangement to at least one access point of the inner circumferential surface.

[0015] This allows for the realization of a more compact multi-way valve with multiple ports in a single design.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In one embodiment, in at least one second rotary position, one or more of the first inlets (each) separated from each other by means of the valve slide are (flow-wise) closed or blocked by means of the valve slide and thus not (flow-wise) connected to alternative inlets. 202400157

[0018] 3

[0019] 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.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid valve has a sealing arrangement with ring-shaped sealing assemblies, each of which has a sealing element, preferably ring-shaped, facing the inner circumferential surface; and an elastic support element, preferably ring-shaped, facing the valve slide, and engages in a ring-shaped groove in the outer shell surface of the valve slide.

[0021] Dividing the seal into several assemblies can advantageously simplify assembly and / or reduce stress on less elastic sealing components. Additionally or alternatively, individual sealing assemblies can adapt better to uneven surfaces or similar irregularities.

[0022] By engaging the respective ring-shaped groove, the respective sealing assembly is advantageously positively locked to the valve slide in one version, and thus secured simply and / or reliably.

[0023] The support element allows the sealing element of the sealing assembly 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.

[0024] The individual sealing assemblies allow for the advantageous sealing of individual access points in rotational positions. Accordingly, in one design, the sealing elements are positioned, preferably sealingly, against the inner circumferential surface; in a further development, they are held against the respective support element by the 202400157.

[0025] 4

[0026] The inner circumferential surface is clamped or pressed. By dividing the component into subassemblies, tolerances and / or shape changes during operation can be advantageously compensated. Additionally or alternatively, this method can also advantageously compensate for unevenness, especially compared to a flat or surface-like sealing element.

[0027] In one embodiment, the sealing element and the support element of one or more sealing assemblies; and / or the groove into which the sealing assembly engages, and the sealing element and / or support element of this sealing assembly, have identical or congruent ring shapes. This allows the positive locking and / or support to be (further) improved.

[0028] 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 slide, 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 one of the sealing assemblies and thereby sealed against the remaining gap between the inner circumferential surface and the outer shell surface.

[0029] This allows for a particularly advantageous, and especially efficient, sealing to be achieved in a single design.

[0030] In one embodiment, in one or more rotational positions, or in a preferred embodiment in every operating or switching position of the valve slide, one or more accesses blocked by the valve slide, or in a preferred embodiment all accesses intended for use, and particularly preferably all existing accesses blocked by the valve slide, are enclosed (each) by a sealing assembly. In other words, in one embodiment, in one or more, preferably all, rotational positions, one or more, preferably all, blocked accesses are each enclosed by one of the 202400157

[0031] 5

[0032] Sealing assemblies are sealed. This advantageously prevents leakage from or into blocked access points.

[0033] 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 at least one other 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 at least one other access point via the passage arrangement, are (each) enclosed by a sealing assembly. 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 one of the sealing assemblies. This advantageously prevents leakage from or into open access points.

[0034] 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 one of the sealing assemblies. These seals advantageously prevent leakage from or into the inlet openings of the passage assembly.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sealing element of one or more of the sealing assemblies is shaped like a torus and / or protrudes from the groove into which it engages. This improves the support and / or sealing effect in one embodiment.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one or more of the sealing assemblies have an end face of the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene); in a further development, the sealing element of one or more of the sealing assemblies is made of PTFE. 202400157

[0037] 6

[0038] This can improve the sealing, especially when two or more of these features are combined.

[0039] In one embodiment, the support element of one or more of the sealing assemblies is designed in a torus-like shape. This allows for improved support and / or sealing performance in one embodiment.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, the support element of the sealing assembly in one or more of the sealing assemblies has at least one elastomer, preferably synthetic rubber, particularly preferably EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), and can in particular be made from this.

[0041] This allows for improved assembly and / or support and / or tolerance compensation, and therefore sealing, in one design.

[0042] In one embodiment, in one or more rotational positions, and 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 perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or two or more access points, which are axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve slide, are each individually or alone enclosed by one of the sealing assemblies, i.e., each of these access points is enclosed by a (separate or access point-specific or individual) sealing assembly.

[0043] This allows for improvements in assembly and / or support and / or tolerance compensation and / or sealing in one design.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sealing element of one or more of the sealing assemblies has a recess into which the support element engages, and / or 202400157

[0045] 7. In one or more of the sealing assemblies, the support element has a recess into which the sealing element engages.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, in one or more of the sealing assemblies, the sealing element and the support element are not materially bonded to each other.

[0047] This can simplify assembly and / or provide advantageous support.

[0048] 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.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, to manufacture a fluid valve described herein, the ring-shaped sealing assemblies are arranged such that they each engage in one of the ring-shaped grooves in the outer surface of the valve spool. In a further embodiment, in one or more of the sealing assemblies, the elastic support element is first arranged in the groove, followed by the sealing element on this support element and engaging in the groove. Alternatively, in one or more of the sealing assemblies, the elastic support element and the sealing element are arranged together to engage in the groove. The valve spool is then inserted into the housing.

[0050] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments. These are shown, in part schematically:

[0051] Fig. 1 : a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention in an axial section;

[0052] Fig. 2: a close-up of Fig. 1; and

[0053] Fig. 3: A perspective view of a fluid valve spool. 202400157

[0054] 8

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a fluid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention in an axial section.

[0056] The fluid valve has a housing 10 with an inner circumferential surface 11 with access points 12.

[0057] The fluid valve further comprises a valve spool 20, rotatable about a rotational axis (horizontal on the drawing sheet with Fig. 1 in a transverse orientation), with an outer surface 21 facing the inner circumferential surface, and featuring a passage arrangement with multiple passages 23 and inlet openings 22 (see Fig. 3). It is clear to those skilled in the art that other configurations are possible to achieve the desired flow-related connections of the inlets in the (corresponding switching or operating) rotational positions of the valve spool. In particular, axially spaced inlets can also be connected by means of an axial passage. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the housing has an axial connection 13.

[0058] The fluid valve further comprises a sealing arrangement with ring-shaped sealing assemblies, each of which has a sealing element 30 facing the inner circumferential surface and an elastic support element 40 facing the valve slide and engages in a ring-shaped groove 24 in the outer shell surface 21 of the valve slide 20.

[0059] The sealing arrangement or sealing assemblies are configured and positioned on the valve spool such that, in every operating or switching position, each of the inlets 12 is always enclosed by a sealing assembly and thereby sealed against the remaining radial gap between the inner circumferential surface 11 and the outer shell surface 21. For this purpose, for example, a sealing assembly is provided in the area of ​​the outer shell surface marked 21 A in Fig. 3, which does not encompass any inlet opening of the valve spool. 202400157

[0060] 9

[0061] In the enlarged detail of Fig. 1, it can be seen that the sealing elements 30 each have a recess into which the respective torus-like support element 40 engages, and that the sealing element 30 protrudes from the groove 24 into which the sealing assembly engages.

[0062] By dividing the components into individual, ring-shaped sealing assemblies, each of which engages in a ring-shaped groove 24 in the outer surface 21 of the valve slide 20, the stiffer PTFE sealing elements 30 together with the elastomeric support elements 40, which are not bonded to the sealing elements, can advantageously compensate for tolerances, be well assembled and seal advantageously.

[0063] To manufacture the fluid valve, the elastic support element 40 and the sealing element 30 of the sealing assemblies are inserted one after the other or together into the corresponding ring-shaped groove 24 on the outer shell surface 21 and then the valve slide 20 is inserted into the housing 10.

[0064] 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. 202400157

[0065] 10

[0066] Reference symbol list

[0067] 10 cases

[0068] 11 Interior perimeter area 12 Access

[0069] 13 Axial connection

[0070] 20 valve slides

[0071] 21 Outer shell area

[0072] 21 A Outer shell surface area 22 Inlet opening

[0073] 23 Passage

[0074] 24 Nut

[0075] 30 sealing element

[0076] 40 support element

Claims

202400157 11 Patent claims 1. Fluid valve comprising: a housing (10) having an inner circumferential surface (11) with inlets (12); a valve spool (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation into various rotational positions, with an outer surface (21) opposite the inner circumferential surface, the valve spool having a passage arrangement with at least one passage (23); and a sealing arrangement with ring-shaped sealing assemblies, each comprising a sealing element (30) facing the inner circumferential surface and an elastic support element (40) facing the valve spool, each engaging in an ring-shaped groove (24) in the outer surface of the valve spool; wherein, in at least one first rotational position, at least two first inlets are connected via the passage arrangement; in at least one second rotational position, at least two of these at least two first inlets are separated from each other by means of the valve spool;and in at least one of these two rotational positions, at least one of these first access points is enclosed by a sealing assembly.

2. Fluid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that in at least one rotational position at least one access is blocked by the outer surface of the valve slide and surrounded by a sealing assembly.

3. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one rotational position at least one access is connected via the passage arrangement to at least one other access and is surrounded by a sealing assembly.

4. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one in the outer surface of the 202400157 12 The inlet opening (22) of the passage arrangement is formed by a valve slide and is enclosed by a sealing assembly.

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; and / or the housing has at least one axial connection which is connected to at least one inlet in at least one rotational position via the passage arrangement.

6. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one of the sealing assemblies: the sealing element is designed in a torus-like form; and / or the sealing element protrudes from the groove into which this sealing assembly engages; and / or an end face of the sealing element facing the inner circumferential surface is made of PTFE.

7. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one sealing assembly the support element is: torus-shaped and / or comprises at least one elastomer.

8. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one rotational position at least two accesses which are intersected by a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valve slide, and / or at least two accesses which are axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve slide, are each individually enclosed by a sealing assembly. 202400157 13 9. Fluid valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one sealing assembly: one of the sealing element and the support element has a recess into which the other of the sealing element and the support element engages; and / or in at least one of the sealing assemblies the sealing element and the support element are not materially bonded to each other.

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 sealing assemblies are arranged such that they each engage in one of the grooves in the outer shell surface of the valve slide.

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