Radial piston compressor, and method for assembling a radial piston compressor

Abstract

The invention relates to a radial piston compressor, comprising a compressor unit (1) and a drive device (2) for driving the compressor unit, wherein the compressor unit (1) comprises at least one piston / working chamber assembly, preferably a plurality of piston / working chamber assemblies (131, 132), which are arranged radially with respect to an eccentric shaft (11, 12); the eccentric shaft (11, 12) is driven by the drive device (2); each piston / working chamber assembly (131, 132) comprises a working chamber (131) and a piston (132) which is displaceable in the working chamber; the working chamber (131) is equipped, on the head side, with an inlet valve cover (15) having an inlet valve (24), the inlet valve (24) comprising an inlet channel (241) and a valve plate (242) with a valve tongue (243) which is configured to selectively open or close the inlet channel (241) in the inlet valve cover (15); and the working chamber (131) is equipped with an outlet valve (25) having an outlet channel (251); the valve plate (242´) being equipped with at least one form-fitting element (2422) which engages into the outlet channel (251) in order to fix the angular position of the valve plate (242´). The invention further relates to a method for assembling a radial piston compressor according to the invention, the radial piston compressor comprising a cylinder housing (16) in which the working chamber (131) of the at least one piston / working chamber assembly (13) is accommodated, the working chamber (131) being equipped with a receiving area (18) for the inlet valve cover (15) and the valve plate (242), and the valve plate (242') being introduced obliquely through the receiving area (18) such that the at least one form-fitting element (2422) is introduced first into the receiving area (18).

Description

[0001] Radial piston compressor, and methods for assembling a radial piston compressor

[0002] The present invention relates to a radial piston compressor according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for assembling a radial piston compressor according to the preamble of claim 7.

[0003] A radial piston compressor is a fluid power component. In contrast to an axial piston compressor, in this type of compressor at least one piston-working chamber assembly is arranged radially and perpendicular to the drive shaft. A radial piston compressor can also be referred to as a compressor based on the radial piston principle.

[0004] The piston's conveying or reciprocating motion is usually generated by an eccentric. Therefore, the drive shaft with the eccentric can also be referred to as an eccentric shaft. Typically, a radial piston compressor comprises several piston-working chamber assemblies that extend radially from the eccentric shaft in a star-shaped pattern.

[0005] A piston-work chamber assembly essentially comprises a working chamber, also called a cylinder, and a piston that moves up and down within the working chamber. The piston has a central geometric axis that coincides with the piston's direction of movement. In a radial piston compressor with an eccentric shaft, the piston has a contact point on its side facing the eccentric shaft, against which the eccentric disk strikes or rests during the rotation of the eccentric shaft. The eccentric shaft has an axis of rotation around which it rotates. When the eccentric disk strikes the piston or a transmission element, it causes the piston to move upwards, compressing the medium in the working chamber.

[0006] Radial piston compressors are used, for example, to compress refrigerant in the air conditioning systems of motor vehicles, especially in electric vehicles. The working fluid to be compressed could be, for example, a refrigerant such as CO2. However, other media or refrigerants are also conceivable.

[0007] A radial piston compressor of the aforementioned type is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 211 680 Al or DE 10 2022 133 723 Al. A radial piston compressor of the aforementioned type is also known from DE 10 2021 204 713 Al. In particular, an inlet valve cover is described as a closure for the working chamber of a radial piston compressor, separating it from the cylinder housing. The inlet valve cover is mounted in a recess in the cylinder housing.

[0008] The retaining ring, which makes contact with all seven intake valve covers, holds all intake valve covers against the cylinder block. This retaining ring prevents the intake valve covers from lifting off the cylinder block. To ensure a seal between the intake valve cover and the cylinder block, an O-ring, for example, acts as a sealing element between the intake valve cover and its receptacle. The housing retaining ring makes contact with all intake valve covers and holds them firmly against the cylinder block.

[0009] The intake valve cover is equipped with an intake valve comprising an intake port in the intake valve cover and a valve plate. The valve plate includes a valve tongue which is arranged on the valve plate via bending beams. The valve tongue is configured to selectively close or open the intake port. The valve plate is positioned between a shoulder of the receptacle and the intake valve cover.

[0010] The radial piston compressor also has an exhaust valve, which includes an exhaust port. Like the intake port, the exhaust port opens into the working chamber, but it is usually arranged radially to the working chamber, while the intake port is arranged axially with respect to the working chamber.

[0011] Since the intake port for the intake valve is located off-center to the center of the intake valve cover, it is necessary to insert the valve plate with the valve tongue, which optionally closes or opens the intake port, into the receptacle at an angle to the intake valve cover.

[0012] For this purpose, a pin-and-bore connection can be used as an anti-rotation device, for example, a locating bore in the receptacle and a locating bore in the intake valve cover, into which a cylindrical pin is inserted when the intake valve cover is mounted. The locating bore is machined into the receptacle, specifically into the shoulder of the receptacle, into which the pin is inserted, protruding beyond the surface of the shoulder. The circular valve plate is then placed into the receptacle so that a locating bore in the valve plate aligns with the pin, or rather, is positioned at an angle within the receptacle by the pin. The subsequently mounted intake valve cover has another locating bore into which the protruding pin engages when the intake valve cover is fully assembled.Since the pin protrusion cannot be defined in such a way that it only orients the valve sheet (with a sheet thickness of, for example, 0.3mm) at an angle, a fitting bore must also be provided in the intake valve cover into which the pin engages.

[0013] A locking mechanism to prevent the valve plate from rotating relative to the intake valve cover is necessary because the intake port is positioned off-center to the center of the valve plate and thus also to the central axis of the combustion chamber. The reason for this offset is that the valve tongue must be bent open within the valve plate to reflect the open position.

[0014] To ensure that the material stresses in this open state are permanently tolerable, the bending length (distance from the clamping point of the bending beam to the center of the valve) must be as large as possible. Due to the comparatively small diameter of the working chamber, within which the intake valve must open, the center of the valve plate is positioned off-center to the intake port, or the valve tongue is located below the off-center intake port.

[0015] It is evident that for angle fixing using a bore and pin, a fitting bore must be provided in both the mounting and the intake valve cover. This results in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, an additional pin is required.

[0016] The object of the present invention is accordingly to propose an improved radial piston compressor, in particular a radial piston compressor that can be assembled more easily and / or manufactured more cost-effectively, especially with regard to the angularly correct assembly of the valve plate and in particular the inlet valve cover.

[0017] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a radial piston compressor with the characterizing features of claim 1. Because the valve plate is equipped with at least one positive locking element that engages in the outlet channel to determine the angular position of the valve plate, for example, locating bores and pins for determining the angular position can be dispensed with. This results in particular advantages in terms of assembly and / or cost.

[0018] Further advantageous embodiments of the proposed invention arise in particular from the features of the dependent claims. The subject matter or features of the various claims can, in principle, be combined with one another in any way.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the positive locking element can be configured as a rib, in particular as a rib projecting beyond the diameter of the valve plate. Apart from the positive locking element(s), the valve plate, like the inlet valve cover, is preferably circular and is inserted accordingly into a corresponding circular receptacle. In other words, the diameter of the valve plate generally corresponds to the diameter of the receptacle. The positive locking element projecting beyond the circular circumference allows the valve plate to be inserted into the receptacle only at a predetermined angular position, since the positive locking element must be inserted into the outlet channel, which extends radially from the receptacle or working chamber.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve plate can be provided with two positive locking elements, in particular two webs, each bearing against the sides of the outlet channel. The two separate positive locking elements, together with the valve plate, can bear against two sides of the outlet channel with a slight degree of resilience.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intake valve may include an intake port, the intake port opening off-center into the working chamber. In other words, the piston axis and the central axis of the intake port do not intersect. Particularly for this off-center arrangement of the intake port, it is important that the valve tongue is positioned below the intake port, which can ultimately only be ensured with correct alignment of the valve cover. This is ensured, in particular, by the interaction of the positive locking element and the exhaust port.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a recess can be provided in the inlet valve cover in the area of ​​the outlet port. This measure ensures that the inlet valve cover does not obstruct the outlet port. At the same time, the radial piston compressor can be built more compactly, since the inlet valve cover can be positioned deeper in the working chamber.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to propose an advantageous method for assembling a radial piston compressor according to the invention, wherein the radial piston compressor comprises a cylinder housing in which the working chamber of the at least one piston-working chamber assembly is received, wherein the working chamber is equipped with a receptacle for the inlet valve cover and the valve plate.

[0024] According to the invention, this problem is solved by inserting the valve plate obliquely through the receptacle, with the at least one positive locking element first facing the cylinder housing. In this way, the receptacle can have a shape corresponding to the valve plate, but can also be equipped with a projecting positive locking element. Due to the oblique insertion, the positive locking element(s) are first inserted into the exhaust port, and the valve plate can then come to rest on the shoulder of the receptacle. Subsequently, the intake valve cover can be inserted into the receptacle.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the proposed invention arise in particular from the features of the dependent claims. The subject matter or features of the various claims can, in principle, be combined with one another in any way.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a tool can be used to orient the intake valve cover angularly to the cylinder housing. This tool can engage in bores of the intake valve cover during the assembly process, thereby ensuring the correct angular orientation of the intake valve cover to the cylinder housing and thus also to the intake valve plate. Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a radial piston compressor according to the prior art in a side sectional view;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a radial piston compressor according to the prior art in a sectional view from the front;

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a radial piston compressor according to the prior art in a sectional view from the front;

[0030] Fig. 4 Piston-working chamber combinations with valve covers and a common retaining ring in a perspective view;

[0031] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of a section of a radial piston compressor according to Fig. 3;

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of an inlet valve cover with an inlet valve in the open state (to illustrate the bending line);

[0033] Fig. 7 shows an exploded view of a receptacle, an inlet valve and an inlet valve cover of a radial piston compressor according to the prior art;

[0034] Fig. 8 shows an inlet valve cover in a view from below;

[0035] Fig. 9 shows a detail of a radial piston compressor according to the invention, in particular a

[0036] Valve plate with positive locking element in a receptacle in the cylinder housing;

[0037] Fig. 10 shows a detail of a radial piston compressor according to the invention, in particular a

[0038] Valve plate in a recess in the cylinder housing with intake valve cover and retaining ring in a cutaway perspective view;

[0039] Fig. 11 shows a valve plate for a radial piston compressor according to the invention;

[0040] Fig. 12 shows an inlet valve cover for a radial piston compressor according to the invention in a top view;

[0041] Fig. 13 shows an inlet valve cover for a radial piston compressor according to the invention in a view from below.

[0042] The following reference symbols are used in the illustrations:

[0043] D axis of rotation

[0044] K Piston axis M Center I Central axis of the intake valve cover

[0045] Z Center / Central axis of the intake channel

[0046] A Center / central axis of the outlet channel h Opening height

[0047] I bending length

[0048] 1 compressor unit

[0049] 2 Drive unit

[0050] 3 - free -

[0051] 4 retaining rings

[0052] 11 Drive shaft

[0053] 12 eccentric discs

[0054] 13 Piston working chamber assembly 13a-e further piston working chamber assemblies

[0055] 14 Piston guide ring

[0056] 15 Intake valve covers

[0057] 16 cylinder housings

[0058] 17 high-pressure lids

[0059] 18 Recess for intake valve cover

[0060] 21 Drive housings

[0061] 24 Inlet valve

[0062] 25 Exhaust valve

[0063] 121 eccentric bearings

[0064] 131 Workspace

[0065] 132 pistons

[0066] 133 Transmission element

[0067] 151 Seal

[0068] 152 Fitting bore

[0069] 153 Recess (relief groove in the area of ​​the outlet channel) 154 Bore (for assembly tool)

[0070] 155 Contact point

[0071] Paragraph 181

[0072] 182 Fitting bore

[0073] 183 pens

[0074] 241 Inlet channel

[0075] 242 Valve plate

[0076] 242' Valve plate with positive locking element

[0077] 243 Valve tongue

[0078] 244 bending beams

[0079] 251 Outlet channel

[0080] 2421 Fitting bore

[0081] 2422 Positive locking element

[0082] Features and details described in connection with a method naturally also apply to the device according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure regarding the individual aspects of the invention always makes or can make reciprocal reference. Furthermore, any described method according to the invention can be carried out with the device according to the invention.

[0083] The terminology used herein serves only to describe certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context otherwise makes this clear. It will also be clear that the expressions "includes" and / or "include," when used in this description, specify the presence of the aforementioned features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated, listed elements. In Figures 1 to 8, a radial piston compressor is shown, respectively.A detail of a radial piston compressor according to the prior art is shown. Reference is first made to Figures 1 to 3.

[0084] A radial piston compressor essentially comprises a compressor unit 1 and a drive unit 2. The radial piston compressor includes a housing, which can be composed of individual housing components, such as, for example, in the present embodiment, a drive housing 21, a cylinder housing 16, and a high-pressure cover 17. Other housing configurations are also conceivable.

[0085] The compressor unit 1 comprises a drive shaft 11 with an eccentric disc 12. The combination of drive shaft 11 and eccentric disc 12 can also be referred to as an eccentric shaft. The drive shaft 11 has a rotational axis D. The compressor unit comprises at least one piston-working chamber assembly 13, preferably several piston-working chamber assemblies 13, 13a, 13b... 13f, which are arranged radially around the drive shaft 11. The piston-working chamber assemblies 13 can also be described as having a star-shaped arrangement around the drive shaft 11. The piston-working chamber assembly 13 comprises a working chamber 131 with a piston 132 slidably arranged therein. The piston 132 has a piston axis K. The direction of displacement of the piston 132 corresponds to the piston axis K. The working chamber 131 can also be referred to as a cylinder or cylinder bore. The working chamber 131 is equipped with an inlet valve cover 15 at the head end.Head-side here means on the side of the working chamber 131 facing away from the drive shaft 11. The working chambers 131 of the piston-working chamber assemblies 13 can be formed at least partially, preferably completely, from the cylinder housing 16.

[0086] The drive shaft 11, in turn, can be set in rotation by the drive unit 2, which can, for example, be designed as an electric motor. As the drive shaft 11 rotates, the eccentric disk 12 engages the piston 132 and moves it within the working chamber 131, thereby compressing the medium in the working chamber, for example, a refrigerant. The return movement of the piston 132 can be effected, for example, by a piston guide ring 14 in contact with the piston 132. In this way, the piston 132 can be moved back to bottom dead center (BDC) until the eccentric disk 12 again engages the piston crown. The piston 132, in particular the piston crown, can also be equipped with a transmission element 133, or a transmission element 133 can be arranged between the eccentric disk 12 and the piston 132.The transmission element 133 transfers the stroke of the eccentric disc 12 to the piston 132, enabling the piston to perform the compression movement towards top dead center (TDC). The transmission element 133 can be made of a different material than the piston 132 and eccentric disc 12, particularly plastic. This can, for example, reduce wear or provide some damping when the eccentric disc 12 impacts the piston. The eccentric disc 12 can also be equipped with an eccentric bearing 121, particularly a needle bearing.

[0087] Particular reference is made below to Fig. 4.

[0088] The radial piston compressor can be equipped with at least one, preferably a single, retaining ring 4 for securing all inlet valve covers 15, 15a to 15e of the radial piston compressor. In other words, it is particularly intended to secure the inlet valve covers 15(ae) of all piston-working chamber assemblies 13(ae) simultaneously by means of only one common retaining ring 4. This is shown in particular in Fig. 5 using the example of a 6-cylinder radial piston compressor. Thus, the retaining ring 4 generates the necessary holding force to keep all inlet valve covers 15 in position under operating conditions. Cylinder closure is preferably achieved via separate inlet valve covers 15.

[0089] Particular reference is made below to Fig. 5.

[0090] Figure 4 in particular illustrates the system pressures acting on the valves and the pressure surfaces involved in the intake valve cover 15, which is arranged radially to the drive shaft 1. The valve tongue 243 is resiliently connected to the valve plate 242 via the bending beams 244. The valve plate 242 rests at its edge on the shoulder 181 of the receptacle 18 and is pressed onto the shoulder 181 by the intake valve cover 15.

[0091] When the piston 132 moves from its upper end position to its lower end position, a vacuum is created in the working chamber 131 between the piston head and the intake valve cover 15. The intake valve 24 opens into the working chamber 131, and fresh gas is drawn in through the fluid inlet 241. Specifically, the valve tongue 243 is lifted from the intake valve cover 15 against the bending force of the flex bars 244, and the intake port 241 is opened accordingly. After the piston reaches bottom dead center (BDC), the piston 132 moves upwards again, the intake valve 242 closes, and the gas in the working chamber 131 is compressed. Specifically, the flex bars 244 rebound, and the valve tongue 243 closes the intake port 241 again. The compressed gas exits the working chamber 21 through the exhaust valve 25, specifically the fluid outlet 251.

[0092] The further details and operation of a radial piston compressor are sufficiently known to those skilled in the art. For further details, reference can be made, for example, to DE 10 2020 211 680 A1.

[0093] Particular reference is made below to Figures 6 and 7.

[0094] The intake valve cover 15 is received in a receptacle 18 above the respective working chamber 13. The receptacle 18 is designed as a recess or bore in the cylinder housing 16 and includes a shoulder 181 for supporting a valve plate 242 or the intake valve cover 15.

[0095] The shape of the receptacle 18 or recess ultimately depends on the shape of the intake valve cover 15, such that the intake valve cover 15, possibly with a circumferential seal 151, and the valve plate 242 can be received in the receptacle 18. A circular cylindrical recess 18 and a flat circular cylindrical intake valve cover 15 are shown here. The circular cylindrical receptacle 18 can also be referred to as a cover bore.

[0096] The inlet valve cover 15 comprises an inlet valve 24. The inlet valve 24 comprises an inlet channel 241, a valve plate 242, a valve tongue 243 and at least one, preferably two, bending beams 243. The inlet valve 24, in particular the valve tongue 243, is configured to selectively close or open the fluid inlet 241.

[0097] The fluid to be compressed flows through the fluid inlet 241 into the working chamber 131, is compressed there by the stroke of the piston 132, and exits the working chamber 131 through a fluid outlet valve 25 or outlet channel 251. The design of the valves, for example as spring-loaded valves, is well known to those skilled in the art and requires no further explanation here. In particular, a fluid inlet or inlet channel 241 is provided, oriented radially to the axis of rotation D of the eccentric shaft of the radial piston compressor. In particular, an outlet channel 251 is provided, oriented axially or parallel to the axis of rotation, i.e., an outlet from the working chamber 131 or the cylinder bore to a high-pressure collecting channel (not shown).

[0098] It can be seen that a locating bore 182 is provided in the cylinder housing 16, specifically in the support 181 of the receptacle 18 for the intake valve cover 15. A pin 183 is inserted into this bore, projecting beyond the surface of the support 181. The circular valve plate 242 is then inserted into the receptacle 18 such that a locating bore 2421 in the valve plate 242 coincides with the pin 183, or rather, is positioned at an angle within the cylinder housing 16 or the receptacle 18 by the pin 183. The intake valve cover 15, which is subsequently installed, also has a locating bore 152 into which the protruding pin 183 engages in the final assembly state of the intake valve cover. Since the pin protrusion cannot be defined in such a way that it only orients the valve plate 242 (with a sheet thickness of approximately 0.3 mm) at an angle, a bore 152 must also be provided in the inlet valve cover 15, into which the pin 183 engages.

[0099] A rotation lock for the valve plate 242 in relation to the receiver 18 or the cylinder housing 16 is required because the fluid inlet 241 is located off-center to the central axis of the valve plate 242 and thus also to the piston axis K of the working chamber 131 in the cylinder housing 16. The reason for this offset is that the valve tongue 243, which opens and closes the fluid inlet 241, must be bent open in the valve plate 242 to reflect the open state.

[0100] Particular reference is made below to Fig. 8.

[0101] Fig. 8 shows the inlet valve cover 15 with inlet valve 24 in a general sectional view.

[0102] Fig. 8 shows the inlet valve 24 in the open state with an opening height (h) and a bending length (I). To ensure that the material stresses in this open state are permanently tolerable, the bending length (I) (distance from the clamping point of the bending beam to the center of the valve reed) should be as large as possible.

[0103] For orientation, the center M of the intake valve cover 15 is shown, which in this embodiment coincides with the piston axis K and thus with the central axis of the working chamber. Due to the small working chamber diameter within which the intake valve 24 must open, the center of the valve tongue 243 is located off-center relative to the working chamber 131. The intake port 241 is also arranged off-center, indicated here by its central axis Z. The valve tongue 243 is accordingly located below the intake port 241.

[0104] Particular reference is made below to Figures 9 to 13.

[0105] According to the invention, the valve plate 242' is provided with at least one positive locking element 2422 which engages in the outlet channel 251 in a mounted state of the valve plate 242'.

[0106] In other words, the angular orientation of the valve plate 242' relative to the cylinder housing 16 or to the receptacle 18 is designed such that a positive locking element 2422 on the valve plate 242' engages in the recess of the exhaust port 251 in the cylinder housing 16, thus eliminating the need for the pin-and-bore system according to the prior art. The angular position of the valve plate 242' therefore refers to its angular position with respect to the cylinder housing 16. The angular orientation of the intake valve cover relative to the cylinder housing is preferably achieved using a tool during assembly. For this purpose, two recesses or bores can be provided on the intake valve cover. Preferably, this combination, and the requirement that the retaining ring is joined to the covers without axial force, allows for the correct angular orientation to be achieved.

[0107] The valve plate 242' with the at least one positive locking element 2422 can be used in the radial piston compressor instead of the conventional valve plate 242. In this respect, reference can be made to Figures 1 to 7, in particular Figures 6 and 7, regarding the position of the valve plate 242' with the at least one positive locking element 2422.

[0108] For this purpose, for example, ribs 2422 projecting beyond the diameter of the valve plate 242' are incorporated. Their flanks, facing the side surfaces of the exhaust port 251, fix the valve plate 242' in the angular position relative to the receptacle 18 or cylinder housing 16 when installed. In this example, the intake valve cover 15 is pressed into the cylinder housing 16 at an angle using a tool (not shown). The positive locking element 2422 is designed here, for example, as a rib or ribs. Due to the exemplary solution in which the two positive locking elements, in particular the ribs 2422, project beyond the diameter of the valve plate 242', the valve plate 242' should be inserted obliquely through the receptacle 18 – with the ribs first – into the cylinder housing 16 or the receptacle 18.In one embodiment of the exhaust port 251, for example as a 7x3mm elongated hole, it is advantageous if the center of the exhaust port 251 coincides with the center of the valve plate 242'. Or in other words, the central axis A (see, for example, Fig. 10) preferably lies in the plane of the valve plate 242'.

[0109] To prevent the intake valve cover 15 from restricting the "upper part" of the exhaust port 251 in this design, it is advantageous to provide the intake valve cover 15 with a channel clearance or recess 153 in the area of ​​the exhaust port 251. The intake valve cover 15 is preferably equipped with a channel clearance 153 for the exhaust port, as otherwise the exhaust port would be reduced in size at top dead center (TDC) of the piston. This measure can particularly improve the thermodynamics.

[0110] In particular, as shown in Fig. 9, it can be seen that positive locking elements 2422, in particular geometric elements, are provided on the valve plate 242', which orient the valve plate 242' to the receiving 18 and thus also to the cylinder housing 16 with respect to its angle.

[0111] It is specifically intended that the valve plate 242' is inserted obliquely through the receptacle 18.

[0112] A seal is to be created for the receptacle 18 in the cylinder housing with a radial sealing surface between the inlet valve cover 15 and the receptacle 18.

[0113] The inlet valve cover 15 is preferably equipped with two bores 154 for the engagement of an assembly tool (not shown). This allows for angular orientation during assembly.

[0114] The intake valve cover 15 is preferably equipped with a single contact point 155 to the housing retaining ring 4. In this case, no rotation of the intake valve cover 15 is to be expected during the assembly of the housing retaining ring 4.

[0115] The risk of deflection at a sealing surface of the inlet valve cover 15 can alternatively be countered by two contact points 155. The exhaust port 251 should preferably be moved upwards so that the center of the valve plate 242' corresponds to the center of the exhaust port 251. The resulting advantage lies particularly in the fact that the burr edge on the working chamber 131 or cylinder bore is mitigated.

[0116] Figures 9 to 13 show, in particular, positive locking elements 2422 for preventing the valve plate 242' from rotating relative to the cylinder housing 16 or to the receptacle 18 in the cylinder housing 16. Figure 11 shows the design of the valve plate 242' with the positive locking elements 2422 on the valve plate 242' and its other features. Figure 9 shows the valve plate 242' in its installed state. It shows how the positive locking elements 2422 of the valve plate 242' are fixed to the corresponding flanks of the exhaust port 251 in the cylinder housing 16.

[0117] Preferably two positive locking elements 2422 can be provided, which bear against the respective edges of the outlet channel 251.

[0118] In summary, the proposed radial piston compressor is characterized in particular by the following feature.

[0119] Positive locking elements 2422 are provided on the valve plate 242', which engage in the outlet channel 251 opening into the working chamber 131.

[0120] Thus, the function of the angular orientation of the valve plate 242' is integrated into the geometry of the valve plate 242' and the valve plate 242' is directly fixed in the corresponding geometry of the exhaust port 251 in the cylinder housing 16 with respect to the rotational position.

[0121] This eliminates the need for positioning bores 152, 182, 2421 and positioning pins 183, resulting in cost and functional advantages.

[0122] A recess 153 is preferably provided in the inlet valve cover 15 in the area of ​​the outlet channel 251.

[0123] In principle, the invention is not limited to the embodiments outlined above. Rather, variations are conceivable without deviating from the inventive idea, particularly with regard to the number of contact points 155 of the inlet valve cover to the housing retaining ring 4. For example, one contact point 155, in particular coaxial with the center of the inlet valve cover, can be provided.

[0124] Alternatively, two or more contact points 155 can be provided between the intake valve cover 15 and the housing retaining ring 4. However, this preferably requires a longitudinally force-free joining of the housing retaining ring 4 to fix the intake valve covers 15, so that the intake valve covers 15 do not require angular orientation / anti-rotation device with respect to the cylinder housing 16.

[0125] Variations are also conceivable in the shape of the positive locking elements 2422 on the valve plate 242', in particular with regard to length, width, geometry, etc.

[0126] Variations are also conceivable in the number of positive locking elements 2422 - but preferably at least 2 - for both directions of rotation around the axis of rotation of the receptacle 18 for the inlet valve cover 15 in the cylinder housing 16.

[0127] Variations are also conceivable in the type of cover attachment to the cylinder housing 16, in particular pressed, intake valve cover 15 with O-ring, intake valve cover 15 screwed, etc.

[0128] Variations are also conceivable in the type of sealing function of the inlet valve cover 15 to the cylinder housing 16, in particular O-ring; press fit, etc.

[0129] The method according to the invention will be explained in more detail below. It is understood that only a few selected process steps are presented here, as they are helpful for understanding the method according to the invention. The method may include further steps or intermediate steps known to those skilled in the art.

[0130] For the assembly of a radial piston compressor according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the valve plate 242' is first inserted obliquely into the receptacle 18 by means of at least one positive locking element 2422. With the engagement of the at least one positive locking element 2422 in the outlet channel 252, the valve plate 242' can be placed on the shoulder 181 of the receptacle 18. Subsequently, the inlet valve cover 15 can be placed onto the valve plate 242' with the inlet valve 24 or inserted into the receptacle 18.For this purpose, it is preferably provided that a tool (not shown) is used for the angular orientation of the inlet valve cover 15 to the cylinder housing 16, in particular to the receiving 18, which can engage in bores 154 of the inlet valve cover 15 during the assembly process, thereby ensuring the angular orientation of the inlet valve cover 15 to the cylinder housing 16 and thus also to the inlet valve plate 242' during the assembly process.

[0131] The valve plate 242' and the inlet valve cover 15 are preferably mounted individually in the receptacle 18 or cylinder housing 16.

[0132] Preferably, the housing retaining ring is joined without longitudinal force to fix the intake valve covers, so that the intake valve covers do not require any angular orientation / anti-rotation device to the cylinder housing.

[0133] The longitudinally force-free joining of the retaining ring is particularly advantageous or even necessary to prevent the intake valve covers—which come into contact with the retaining ring—from rotating during assembly. The intake valve cover preferably features two contact zones / points with the retaining ring, each with a "lever arm" extending from the central axis of the intake valve cover. Typically, one of these two contact points comes into contact with the retaining ring first. Therefore, if the retaining ring is joined axially and a force is exerted on one point on the cover, it can rotate around its axis.

Claims

Claims 1. Radial piston compressor, comprising - a compressor unit (1) and a drive unit (2) for driving the compressor unit, wherein - the compressor unit (1) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of piston working chamber assemblies (131, 132) arranged radially to an eccentric shaft (11, 12), wherein - the eccentric shaft (11, 12) is driven by the drive device (2), wherein - each piston-working chamber assembly (131, 132) comprises a working chamber (131) and a piston (132) that is movable in the working chamber, wherein - the working chamber (131) is equipped at the head end with an inlet valve cover (15) with an inlet valve (24), wherein the inlet valve (24) comprises an inlet channel (241), wherein - the inlet valve (24) comprises a valve plate (242) with a valve tongue (243) which is configured to selectively open or close the inlet port (241) in the inlet valve cover (15), wherein - the working chamber (131) is equipped with an outlet valve (25) with an outlet channel (251), characterized in that the valve plate (242') is equipped with at least one positive locking element (2422) which engages in the outlet channel (251) to determine the angular position of the valve plate (242').

2. Radial piston compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the positive locking element (2422) is designed as a web, in particular as a web (2422) projecting beyond the diameter of the valve plate (242').

3. Radial piston compressor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve plate (242') is equipped with two positive locking elements (2422), in particular two bridges, which are located on the sides of the outlet channel (251).

4. Radial piston compressor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet valve (24) comprises an inlet channel (241), wherein the inlet channel opens off-center into the working chamber (131).

5. Radial piston compressor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a recess (153) is provided in the inlet valve cover (15) in the area of ​​the outlet channel (251).

6. Radial piston compressor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet valve cover (15) is equipped with bores (154) for engagement of a tool during the assembly process.

7. Method for assembling a radial piston compressor according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial piston compressor comprises a cylinder housing (16) in which the working chamber (131) of the at least one piston-working chamber assembly (13) is received, wherein the working chamber (131) is equipped with a receptacle (18) for the inlet valve cover (15) and the valve plate (242), characterized in that the valve plate (242') is inserted obliquely through the receptacle (18) with the at least one positive locking element (2422) first into the receptacle (18).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a tool is used for the angular orientation of the intake valve cover (15) to the cylinder housing (16), which can engage in bores (154) of the intake valve cover (15) during the assembly process, thereby ensuring the angular orientation of the intake valve cover (15) to the cylinder housing (16) and thus also to the intake valve plate (242') during the assembly process.

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