Refrigerant valve

Abstract

In order to provide a refrigerant valve which can be produced cost-effectively and simply, a refrigerant valve (100) comprising a valve housing (10) and a valve needle (11) is proposed, wherein: the valve housing (10) has a substantially cylindrical channel (12); the channel (12) has at least one inlet opening (13) for a refrigerant and an axial outlet opening (14) for a refrigerant; the valve needle (11) is arranged in the channel (12) such that the valve needle can be axially moved between a closed position and an open position; the valve needle (11) is cylindrical; an outer diameter (15) of the valve needle (11) is smaller than an inner diameter (16) of the channel (12); the valve needle (11) has a collar (18) at an end; the collar (18) forms a valve seat (19); the channel (12) has a stop surface (20) for the collar (18) at the outlet opening (14).

Description

[0001] K 34226

[0002] Description

[0003] Refrigerant valve

[0004] The present invention relates to a refrigerant valve comprising a valve body and a valve needle.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant valve and to a motor vehicle comprising a refrigeration circuit with a refrigerant valve.

[0006] Refrigerant valves are required in large quantities in modern motor vehicles, especially battery-electric and hybrid electric vehicles with complex thermal management systems. Due to the high production volume, one goal is to manufacture the refrigerant valves as cost-effectively as possible. The valve bodies of known refrigerant valves typically have a complex geometry that is expensive to manufacture. For example, these valve bodies often feature undercuts. Therefore, the valve bodies represent a significant portion of the overall cost of the refrigerant valve.

[0007] DE 10 2006 029 267 A1 discloses a control valve for the refrigerant R744 for controlling a high pressure difference between an inlet and outlet of the refrigerant in the valve with an actuating device which actuates an actuating rod in a guide bore arranged in the valve and extending in the axial direction, the actuating rod having a sealing element at its end facing the inlet and outlet, wherein a stroke movement of the actuating rod opens or closes the sealing element in its sealing seat and thus the inlet or outlet.

[0008] From EP 2 003 331 A1, a valve arrangement for an injection valve and an injection valve for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine are known, with a valve body having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the valve body has a cavity forming an inner wall, the cavity having a fluid outlet section with a seat area being part of the inner wall, and a valve needle being axially movable in the cavity, wherein the valve needle, in a closed position, allows a fluid flow through the K 34226

[0009] - 2 -

[0010] The fluid outlet section prevents the fluid flow and, in other positions, releases the fluid flow in one fluid flow direction through the fluid outlet section.

[0011] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a refrigerant valve that can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily.

[0012] To solve the problem underlying the invention, a refrigerant valve comprising a valve housing and a valve needle is proposed, wherein the valve housing has a substantially cylindrical channel, the channel having at least one inlet opening for a refrigerant and one axial outlet opening for a refrigerant, the valve needle being axially displaceable in the channel between a closed position and an open position, the valve needle being cylindrical, with an outer diameter of the valve needle being smaller than an inner diameter of the channel, the valve needle having a collar at its end, the collar forming a valve seat, and the channel having a stop surface for the collar at the outlet opening.

[0013] According to the invention, the valve needle is arranged to be axially displaceable in the channel between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the outlet opening is closed by the valve seat of the valve needle, so that no refrigerant can escape from the outlet opening.

[0014] In the open position, the valve needle releases the outlet opening, allowing a refrigerant to enter the channel through the inlet opening and exit through the axial outlet opening.

[0015] The valve seat is formed by a collar on the valve needle, which, in the closed position, rests against the stop surface of the port's outlet opening, thereby closing and sealing the outlet. The valve seat is preferably designed as a line contact, meaning that the collar, in the closed position, rests against the stop surface with a border line. A surface seal is also conceivable in principle.

[0016] The outer diameter of the valve needle is smaller than the inner diameter of the channel. This means that the valve needle, at least in a region of its axial extent, has a section with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the region of the channel surrounding the valve needle. The region in which K 34226

[0017] - 3 - the outer diameter of the valve needle is smaller than the inner diameter of the channel, in particular the area in which the at least one inlet opening of the channel is located. This ensures that refrigerant entering the inlet opening can flow between an inner wall of the channel and the outer wall of the valve needle and, when the valve needle is open, can flow out through the outlet opening.

[0018] The channel and / or the valve needle are essentially cylindrical. In particular, the channel and the valve needle can be cylindrical in sections with varying diameters. Within the scope of the invention, a channel and a valve needle with an elliptical or a hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal cross-section are also considered to be essentially cylindrical. Preferably, however, the channel and the valve needle have a circular cross-section.

[0019] The collar preferably extends radially from one end of the valve needle.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one inlet opening is a radial inlet opening.

[0021] The refrigerant is thus introduced radially into the channel and, when the valve needle is in the open position, flows between the inner wall of the channel and the valve needle and out through the outlet opening.

[0022] It is preferably provided that the outlet opening has a profile section, so that the inner diameter of the channel widens in the area of ​​the profile section.

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the profile section implements a valve characteristic curve. Furthermore, it is particularly possible that the valve characteristic curve is implemented by the profile section and the stop surface, i.e., by the combination of the profile section and the stop surface.

[0024] When the valve needle is moved from the closed position to the open position, it moves into the profile section. This initially moves the collar away from the stop surface, allowing refrigerant to flow out through the outlet. K 34226

[0025] - 4 -

[0026] Since the inner diameter of the channel widens in the area of ​​the profile section, the opening cross-section of the refrigerant valve also widens when the valve needle moves into the open position. Depending on the design of the profile section, the functional relationship between the opening cross-section and the travel of the valve needle, i.e., the valve characteristic curve, can be adjusted. Because control can be particularly difficult with small valve opening cross-sections, i.e., with small movements of the valve needle from the closed to an open position, it is especially advantageous if the valve characteristic curve is implemented by the profile section and the stop surface, i.e., by the combination of the profile section and the stop surface.

[0027] The profile section can be, for example, hemispherical, dome-shaped, or conical. However, any other suitable profile section is also conceivable.

[0028] Furthermore, it may be provided that the channel has no undercut.

[0029] Since the inner diameter of the channel is larger than the outer diameter of the valve needle, particularly in the area of ​​the inlet opening, and since the valve seat is formed by the collar, which preferably projects radially from the end of the valve needle, no undercut for the channel is required. This simplifies the geometry of the valve housing and / or the channel and reduces the manufacturing costs of the refrigerant valve.

[0030] Preferably, the valve needle is secured in the valve housing by means of an anti-rotation device.

[0031] The anti-rotation device can, for example, be designed as a tongue-and-groove connection between the channel and the valve needle. For instance, a spring can be arranged on the outside of the valve needle and a groove on the inside of the channel. However, a variety of other suitable anti-rotation devices are also conceivable.

[0032] A further advantage is that the valve needle may have a seal, in particular an O-ring. The seal may also be a combination of an O-ring and a plastic ring and may be designed in the form of a piston seal. K 34226

[0033] - 5 -

[0034] For this purpose, a circumferential groove can be provided in the valve needle, in which, for example, an O-ring is arranged.

[0035] A further advantage is that the refrigerant valve can include an electric motor designed to move the valve needle between at least one open position and the closed position.

[0036] Furthermore, a valve block may be provided, wherein the valve housing has a connection section for attachment to the valve block.

[0037] The valve housing is preferably inserted into the valve block and attached to the valve block by means of the connecting section.

[0038] Preferably, a sealing element is arranged between the valve block and the valve housing.

[0039] It is particularly preferred that the connection section is a screw thread, and / or that the connection section includes a union nut.

[0040] If a union nut is provided, this has the advantage that when attaching the valve housing to the valve block, no relative movement occurs between the sealing element and the valve block or between the sealing element and the valve housing.

[0041] Another solution to the problem underlying the invention consists in a refrigeration circuit comprising at least one refrigerant valve as described above.

[0042] Furthermore, the task is solved by a motor vehicle comprising a previously described refrigeration circuit and / or comprising a previously described refrigerant valve.

[0043] All the designs, features, and functions described above regarding the refrigerant valve can also be applied analogously to the refrigeration circuit and the motor vehicle. K 34226

[0044] - 6 -

[0045] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a refrigerant valve,

[0047] Fig. 2a shows a detailed view of the refrigerant valve in an open position,

[0048] Fig. 2b shows a detailed view of the refrigerant valve in a closed position,

[0049] Fig. 3 shows another refrigerant valve, and

[0050] Fig. 4 shows a motor vehicle with a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant valve.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a refrigerant valve 100 comprising a valve body 10 and a valve needle 11. The valve body 10 has a cylindrical channel 12 which includes radial inlet openings 13 and an axial outlet opening 14 for a refrigerant.

[0052] The valve needle 10 is axially displaceable within the channel 12 between an open position (shown in detail view of Fig. 2a) and a closed position (shown in detail view of Fig. 2b). In the region of the inlet openings 13, the outer diameter 15 of the valve needle 11 is smaller than the inner diameter 16 of the channel 12, so that a gap 17 exists between the inner wall of the channel 12 and the outer wall of the valve needle 11. When the valve needle 11 is in the open position, refrigerant entering through the inlet openings 13 can flow through this gap and exit through the outlet opening 14.

[0053] The valve needle 11 has a radially projecting collar 18 at its end, which forms a valve seat 19. The channel 12 has a stop surface 20 for the collar 18 at the outlet opening 14. In the closed position according to Fig. 2b, the collar 18 of the valve needle 11 rests against the stop surface 20, so that the outlet opening 14 is closed. In the open position according to Fig. 2a, the valve needle 11 exposes an opening cross-section 21 between the collar 18 and the stop surface 20. The valve seat 19 is designed as a line contact, i.e., that the collar 18 rests against the stop surface 20 with a border 34 in the closed position. A surface seal is also conceivable in principle. The outlet opening 14 has a profile section 22 within which the inner diameter of the channel 12 widens. The profile section 22 implements a valve characteristic curve.The valve characteristic curve can also be realized from the profile section 22 in combination with the stop surface 20. K 34226.

[0054] - 7 -

[0055] According to Fig. 1, the valve needle 11 has a seal 23 in the form of an O-ring 24 and a plastic ring (not shown). The O-ring 24 is inserted into a circumferential groove 25 in the valve needle 11. The plastic ring, made of PTFE, for example, is pushed over the O-ring 24. Together, the O-ring 24 and the plastic ring form a piston seal. To move the valve needle 11 between the closed and open positions, the refrigerant valve 100 further comprises an electric motor 26, including a stator 32 and a rotor 33. The valve housing 10 is inserted into a valve block 27. A sealing element 28 is located between the valve housing 10 and the valve block 27 for sealing. A connection section 29, designed as a screw thread 30, is provided on the valve housing 10 to fasten it in the valve block 27.

[0056] In another embodiment of Fig. 3, the connection section 29 comprises a union nut 31.

[0057] Fig. 4 shows a motor vehicle 200 with a refrigeration circuit 300. The refrigeration circuit 300 includes at least one of the refrigeration valves 100 described above.

[0058] K 34226

[0059] - 8 -

[0060] Reference symbol list

[0061] 100 Refrigerant valve

[0062] 200 motor vehicles

[0063] 300 refrigeration circuit

[0064] 10 Valve housings

[0065] 11 Valve needle

[0066] 12-channel

[0067] 13 Entrance opening

[0068] 14 Outlet opening

[0069] 15 Outer diameter

[0070] 16 inner diameter

[0071] 17 gaps

[0072] 18 collars

[0073] 19 Valve seat

[0074] 20 stop surface

[0075] 21 Opening cross-section

[0076] 22 Profile section

[0077] 23 Seal

[0078] 24 O-ring

[0079] 25 Nut

[0080] 26 Electric motor

[0081] 27 Valve block

[0082] 28 Sealing element

[0083] 29 Connection section

[0084] 30 screw threads

[0085] 31 Union nut

[0086] 32 Stator

[0087] 33 Rotor

[0088] 34 Edge line

Claims

K 34226 - 9 - Patent claims 1. Refrigerant valve (100) comprising a valve housing (10) and a valve needle (11), wherein the valve housing (10) has a substantially cylindrical channel (12), wherein the channel (12) has at least one inlet opening (13) for a refrigerant and an axial outlet opening (14) for a refrigerant, wherein the valve needle (11) is arranged to be axially displaceable in the channel (12) between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve needle (11) is cylindrical, characterized in that an outer diameter (15) of the valve needle (11) is smaller than an inner diameter (16) of the channel (12), that the valve needle (11) has a collar (18) at its end, wherein the collar (18) forms a valve seat (19), and wherein the channel (12) has a stop surface (20) for the collar (18) at the outlet opening (14).

2. Refrigerant valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inlet opening (13) is a radial inlet opening (13).

3. Refrigerant valve (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet opening (14) has a profile section (22) wherein the inner diameter (16) of the channel (12) widens in the area of ​​the profile section (22).

4. Refrigerant valve (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the profile section (22) realizes a valve characteristic curve.

5. Refrigerant valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (12) has no undercut.

6. Refrigerant valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve needle (11) is secured in the valve housing (10) by means of an anti-rotation device, and / or that the valve needle (11) has a seal (23), in particular an O-ring (24).

7. Refrigerant valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electric motor (26) is provided which is configured to move the valve needle (11) between the at least one open position and the closed position. K 34226 - 10 - 8. Refrigerant valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a valve block (27) is provided, and that the valve housing (10) has a connection section (29) for attachment to the valve block (27), wherein preferably the connection section (29) is a screw thread (30), and / or wherein preferably the connection section (29) comprises a union nut (31).

9. Refrigeration circuit (300) comprising at least one refrigerant valve (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle (200) comprising a refrigeration circuit (300) according to claim 9 and / or comprising a refrigerant valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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