Valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) having a base unit (2) with a base housing (3), the base housing delimiting a receiving area (4) which is open on one side and which is enclosed by a coil assembly of the base unit, the coil assembly being situated in the base housing; and an actuator unit (7) which is inserted into the receiving area of the base unit and has an actuator housing (10), the actuator housing accommodating a rotor device, which interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly, and a valve member (9), which is mounted on the rotor device so as to be axially adjustable along an actuating axis (8). It is essential to the invention that the actuator unit and the base unit are form-fittingly connected to one another for conjoint rotation with respect to a central axis (11) and are form-fittingly connected to one another so as to be axially immovable.

Description

[0001] December 9, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] valve

[0004] The present invention relates to a valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] A valve of the type mentioned above is described in publication JP 2020-153488 A. It comprises a base unit with a coil assembly arranged therein, and an actuator unit attached to the base unit, which has a rotor assembly that interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly and an axially adjustable valve element. The actuator unit and the base unit are bonded together by welding. The heat introduced into the valve during the joining of the two components can damage other components, for example, those made of plastic, and can cause distortion, which is undesirable and warrants improvement.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment for a valve.

[0007] In the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] The aforementioned problem is solved by a valve, in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve or a shut-off valve, comprising a base unit with a base housing that defines a receptacle open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil arrangement of the base unit arranged in the base housing, and a coil assembly of the base unit. 09.12.2025

[0009] 2. An actuator unit is inserted, comprising an actuator housing in which a rotor assembly, which interacts electromagnetically with the coil assembly, and a valve element, which is axially adjustable on the rotor assembly along an actuating axis, are received. A key aspect of the invention is that the actuator unit and the base unit are positively connected to each other with respect to a central axis of the actuator unit, preventing rotation and axial movement.

[0010] In other words, the actuator unit is positively locked and thus fixed in place within the base unit's receptacle. This has the advantage of preventing undesirable distortion of the actuator housing, which previously occurred due to heat input during welding the actuator unit to the base unit. A further advantage is that the actuator unit is secured against a comparatively high pull-out force, particularly in an axial direction, within the receptacle.

[0011] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms “axial” and “radial” used in the present invention are to be understood as referring to the central axis of the actuator unit. An “axial direction” can be parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis of the actuator unit.

[0012] Furthermore, a “radial direction” can run transversely and preferably orthogonally to the central axis of the actuator unit.

[0013] The coil arrangement can, for example, consist of at least one coil that can be activated by current. Preferably, the coil arrangement can comprise two coils axially spaced apart from each other, each of which can be activated by current.

[0014] Furthermore, the base housing can contain a circuit board electrically connected to the coil assembly, which is electrically conductive. 09.12.2025

[0015] 3

[0016] It has conductive traces and / or at least one electronic component for controlling the coil arrangement.

[0017] It can be provided that the aforementioned rotor assembly is mounted coaxially to the central axis of the actuator unit within the actuator housing and is rotatable in a circumferential direction around the central axis of the actuator unit. The rotor assembly expediently comprises a first component that electromagnetically interacts with the coil arrangement of the base unit to generate the rotary motion of the rotor assembly, and a second component fixed to the first component that translates the rotary motion of the rotor assembly into an axial positioning movement of the valve element along the positioning axis, for example, in the manner of a spindle drive.Furthermore, the first cooperation partner may have a permanent magnet arrangement consisting of at least one or more permanent magnets and / or the second cooperation partner may have an internal thread that meshes with an external thread of the valve element designed to be complementary to the internal thread.

[0018] Advantageously, the actuator unit can be arranged in the receptacle in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive-locking connection between the actuator unit and the base housing, particularly exclusively. Furthermore, it can be provided that the actuator unit is arranged in an axially immovable manner in the receptacle via a second positive-locking connection between the actuator unit and the base housing, distinct from the first positive-locking connection, particularly exclusively.

[0019] Furthermore, it may be expedient to provide that the first

[0020] Positive locking connection, at least one arranged on the actuator housing, 09.12.2025

[0021] 4

[0022] The actuator unit has a key surface and at least one mating key surface arranged on the base housing. The key surface and the mating key surface are tangentially aligned with an (imaginary) circle that is concentric with the central axis and are supported against each other over a surface (i.e., in contact). Because the key surface and the mating key surface are tangentially aligned with the imaginary circle and supported against each other over a surface, unwanted relative movement between the actuator unit and the base unit in a circumferential direction around the central axis is prevented. However, the first positive locking connection may allow axial movement of the actuator unit relative to the base unit. It is understood that the actuator housing may have multiple key surfaces and the base housing may have multiple mating key surfaces.

[0023] Furthermore, the aforementioned planar arrangement of at least one key surface on at least one counter-key surface ensures an angularly correct alignment of the actuator unit with respect to the base unit in a circumferential direction around the central axis.

[0024] The at least one key surface also enables easy handling of the actuator unit, for example by manipulators (especially robot arms) during valve manufacturing.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator housing may be designed in multiple parts and comprise an annular housing cover, a hollow cylindrical sleeve body, and a cup-shaped housing base, each aligned coaxially to the central axis and arranged one another in the specified sequence, for example, each by a force-fit and form-fit connection, preferably each 09.12.2025

[0026] 5 by an interference fit. It is further provided that the housing cover has a projection at an axial end facing the sleeve body, preferably monolithically, which surrounds the housing cover at least partially or completely in a circumferential direction around the central axis and projects radially outwards from the housing cover. The projection has a radially outward oriented outer circumference on which at least one key surface is arranged and / or on which at least one key surface is realized as a planar flattening of the outer circumference of the projection. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the actuator housing has two or more key surfaces arranged or realized on the outer circumference of the projection. Any two of the multiple key surfaces can be arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the multiple key surfaces are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction (i.e., equidistant from each other). The multiple key surfaces can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis.

[0027] The pot-shaped housing base can have a round, flat base and a housing base ring projection arranged coaxially on the base and projecting away from the base. The latter can be pressed into the sleeve body to fix the housing base to the sleeve body.

[0028] The sleeve body can, for example, have a hollow cylindrical shape, i.e., be formed in particular by a hollow cylinder with an annular base. 09.12.2025

[0029] 6

[0030] The housing cover can have an annular or hollow cylindrical base body from which the aforementioned projection of the housing cover extends radially. Furthermore, the housing cover can have an annular projection extending away from the base body at its axial end facing the sleeve body. The latter can be pressed into the sleeve body to fix the housing cover to the sleeve body.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base housing may have a first housing side from which the receptacle opens, forming a receiving opening (particularly towards the surroundings). The base housing further comprises, on the first housing side, an axially raised annular collar enclosing the receiving opening. This collar has a radially inwardly oriented inner circumference on which at least one counter-key surface is arranged, or on which at least one counter-key surface is realized as a planar flattening of the inner circumference of the annular collar. It is conceivable that the base housing has two or more counter-key surfaces arranged on the inner circumference of the annular collar. Any two of these counter-key surfaces may be arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the multiple counter-key surfaces are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction (i.e., equidistant from each other). The multiple counter-key surfaces can also be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis.

[0032] The cross-section of the receiving opening of the receiver can be complementary to the cross-section of the actuator housing, for example circular.

[0033] Furthermore, it may be expedient to provide that the second

[0034] Features a positive locking connection: two arranged on the actuator housing, 09.12.2025

[0035] The device comprises seven mutually opposing stop surfaces oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis, a first counter-stop surface arranged on the base housing and oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis, and at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces arranged on the base housing and oriented transversely (and preferably orthogonally) with respect to the central axis, which are opposite the first counter-stop surface. It is provided that a first stop surface of the two stop surfaces is supported (i.e., in contact) with the first counter-stop surface, and that a second stop surface of the two stop surfaces is supported (i.e., in contact) with the at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces.Because the at least two stop surfaces and the at least one or more counter-stop surfaces are aligned transversely or orthogonally to the central axis and supported against each other over a surface, relative movement between the actuator unit and the base unit in an axial direction parallel to the central axis is prevented. However, the second positive locking connection can allow rotational movement of the actuator unit relative to the base unit, i.e., relative rotation about the central axis.

[0036] The actuator housing may be designed in multiple parts and comprise an annular housing cover, a hollow cylindrical sleeve body, and a cup-shaped housing base, each aligned coaxially to the central axis and arranged in the specified sequence, for example, by a force-fit and positive-locking connection, preferably by an interference fit. The housing cover has a projection at one axial end facing the sleeve body, preferably monolithically, which secures the housing cover in 09.12.2025

[0037] 8. The projection encompasses at least part or all of the circumferential direction surrounding the central axis and projects radially outwards from the housing cover. The projection has two opposing annular surfaces, each oriented transversely, preferably orthogonally, with respect to the central axis, which form the stop surfaces.

[0038] This provides at least one stop surface on the actuator housing.

[0039] Furthermore, the base housing may have a first housing side from which the receptacle opens, forming a receiving opening (particularly towards the environment). The base housing also has an axially raised annular collar on the first housing side, enclosing the receiving opening. The annular collar has an axially oriented, annular collar end face and at least one or more tabs on the collar end face, arranged circumferentially, in particular uniformly (i.e., equidistantly) and plastically formed, preferably by hot riveting. In embodiments with multiple tabs, these are arranged circumferentially such that two tabs are radially opposite each other, with each tab being radially opposite another tab.The tabs advantageously each have an axially oriented tab surface. It is further provided that the ring collar has an inner circumference oriented radially inward with respect to the central axis and a circumferential annular projection raised radially inward from the inner circumference of the collar, which has an axially oriented collar annular surface. The first counter-stop surface is formed by the collar annular surface of the annular projection of the ring collar. Furthermore, the at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces are formed by the at least one or more tab surfaces of the at least one or more tabs. 09.12.2025.

[0040] 9

[0041] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base unit may have a centner arrangement that radially positions the actuator unit in the receptacle or centers it with respect to a receptacle center axis. This allows the actuator unit to be positioned radially in the correct orientation within the receptacle before it is axially fixed to the base housing by a positive locking mechanism.

[0042] The arrangement may include at least one centner element with several centering sections projecting into the receptacle and possessing spring-like properties. Furthermore, the at least one centner element may have a central section arranged in the base housing and connected, preferably integrally, to the centering sections, which at least partially surrounds or completely encloses the coil arrangement. In particular, the centner sections are deflectable, or deflected, by inserting the actuator unit while resting against it, to radially position the actuator unit correctly in the receptacle.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be provided that the centner sections are arranged uniformly distributed (i.e., equidistant from each other) in a circumferential direction around one (or the) central axis of the receptacle. It can also be provided that the centner element is made of sheet metal. Advantageously, the centering sections can each be made of a strip, preferably tooth-shaped. Particularly preferably, the centner elements are each formed by pole claw sections of one or more claw pole plates of the coil assembly. The pole claw sections are each spring-loaded and deflectable, in particular by inserting the actuator unit into the receptacle. 09.12.2025

[0044] 10

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, it further relates to a base unit for a valve. The base unit has a base housing that defines a recess open on one side, which is enclosed by a coil assembly of the base unit arranged in the base housing. An actuator unit can be inserted into the recess of the base unit. The actuator unit has an actuator housing in which a rotor assembly designed to interact electromagnetically with the coil assembly and a valve element arranged axially adjustably on the rotor assembly along an actuating axis are received. The actuator unit can be inserted into the recess of the base unit such that the actuator unit and the base unit are positively locked together with respect to a central axis of the actuator unit, preventing rotation and, in particular, preventing axial movement.In advantageous embodiments, the coil arrangement can each have features that are described above in connection with the valve.

[0046] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0047] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings. 09.12.2025

[0048] 11

[0049] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0050] Each of these shows, schematically,

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a valve according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0052] Fig. 2 shows the valve from Fig. 1 in a sectional view,

[0053] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an actuator unit of the valve from Fig. 1 as a semi-finished product.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a basic unit of the valve from Fig. 1 as a semi-finished product.

[0055] Fig. 5 shows a detail of the basic unit from Fig. 4.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows a final assembly of the valve from Fig. 1 using the semi-finished products from Figs. 3 and 4.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a detail of the valve from Fig. 1.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve 1, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1, for example an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve (HGV for short) or a shut-off valve, which is used in automotive engineering 09.12.2025

[0059] 12 and / or can be used in air conditioning systems to control a fluid flow.

[0060] The valve 1 comprises a base unit 2, which has a base housing designated as a whole by reference numeral 3, and an actuator unit 7, which is rod-shaped overall and is fixedly mounted in a receptacle 4 of the base unit 2 that is open on one side and bounded by the base housing 3. The actuator unit 7 has a valve element 9 that is axially adjustable along an actuating axis 8 for controlling the fluid flow (not illustrated).

[0061] The base housing 3 of the base unit 2, shown for example in Fig. 1, is multi-part and preferably made of a plastic material. It defines an internal volume and delimits the aforementioned, open-ended receptacle 4, which is enclosed by a coil assembly 5 of the base unit 2 arranged entirely within the internal volume of the base housing 3. This coil assembly consists of two coils 12, each activatable by current and arranged at an axial distance from one another (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, a printed circuit board 6 of the base unit 2 is accommodated in the base housing 3. This circuit board is electrically connected on one side to the aforementioned coil assembly 5 and on the other side to a connector interface 61 integrated into the base housing 3, which can be coupled to an external power source (not shown). This connection allows the coil assembly 5 and the printed circuit board 6 to be supplied with electrical energy.The printed circuit board 6 itself comprises a plate-like printed circuit board base body 71 as well as electrically conductive conductor tracks 72 and several electronic components 73, for example resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductor chips or sensors, arranged on the printed circuit board base body 71, the latter being intended in particular for controlling the coil arrangement 5 of the base unit 2. 09.12.2025.

[0062] 13

[0063] The figures further show that the base housing 3 has a housing side 38, designated as the "first housing side," from which the receptacle 4 opens, forming a substantially round receiving opening 39. The receiving opening 39 is framed or enclosed by an annular collar 40 of the base housing 3, which is axially raised from the base housing 3. The annular collar 40 has a radially inwardly oriented inner collar circumference 41 and an axially oriented, substantially annular collar end face 42. A circumferential annular projection 43, raised radially inward from the inner collar circumference 41, is provided on the collar end face 41 and has an axially oriented collar annular surface 44. Furthermore, several tabs 52, arranged equidistant from one another in the circumferential direction 13, are arranged on the collar end face 42 of the annular collar 40, as shown in the figures.Figures 1, 2 and 7 are preferably plastically deformed by hot riveting and each has an axially oriented tab surface 53. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the tabs 52 in their undeformed initial state.

[0064] The actuator unit 7 has, in addition to the aforementioned valve element 9, an actuator housing 10, also of a multi-part design, which is inserted at least partially or only partially into the receptacle 4 of the base housing 3 and in which the valve element 9 is received.

[0065] The valve element 9 of the actuator unit 7 has a cylindrical valve element shaft 62, which has a first shaft end 63 arranged in the actuator housing 10 and a second shaft end 64 opposite the first shaft end 63, which projects from the actuator housing 10 and the receptacle 4. The first shaft end 63 is equipped with an actuation section formed by or having an external thread 21 of the valve element 9, see Fig. 2. A functional section is provided at the second shaft end 64, which in this case is defined by or has a valve element head 65, for example forming a closing element. As of 09.12.2025

[0066] 14

[0067] The valve element head 65 is considered to be that part of the valve element 9 which directly interacts with a fluid flow to be controlled by the valve 1 for the purpose of controlling the fluid flow, i.e., in particular, is directly wetted by the fluid. The valve element head 65 shown in Figures 1 to 7 is purely symbolic.

[0068] The valve stem 62 is further equipped with a circumferential stop (not illustrated) formed by a flat surface of the valve stem 62, which positively locks an unwanted rotational movement of the valve element 9 about the actuating axis 8 by contacting a flat counter surface (also not shown) of the actuating element housing 10.

[0069] Figure 2 further shows that the actuator unit 7 is equipped with a rotor assembly 15, which is mounted in the actuator housing 10 coaxially with a central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10 (which in this case is congruent with the actuating axis 8) and is rotatable in a rotary motion 14 in a circumferential direction 13 about the central axis 11 of the actuator housing 10. The aforementioned drive section of the valve element 9 is mounted in the rotor assembly 15. The rotor assembly 15 has two cooperating components 16 and 17. The first cooperating component 16 of the two cooperating components 16 and 17 interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement 5 of the base unit 2 to generate the rotary motion 14 of the rotor assembly 15. The second cooperation partner 17 of the two cooperation partners 16, 17 is fixed to the first cooperation partner 16 and is designed to convert the rotary movement 14 of the rotor device 15 into a, in the Fig.To translate the axial (i.e. linear) actuating movement 18 of the valve element 9 indicated by a double arrow 1 to 7.

[0070] By way of example, the first cooperation partner 16 has a permanent magnet arrangement 19 consisting of several permanent magnets. December 9, 2025

[0071] 15. The second cooperation partner 17 is formed in the present case by a gear sleeve 66 with a cylindrical gear sleeve body 67. The gear sleeve body 67 has a central sleeve opening 68, a sleeve opening

[0072] The gear sleeve body 67 has an inner circumference 69 limiting its diameter and an outer circumference 70 oriented opposite to the inner circumference 69. The first cooperation partner 16, i.e., the permanent magnet arrangement 19 made of permanent magnets, is fixed to the outer circumference 70 of the gear sleeve body 67. Furthermore, the gear sleeve body 67 is rotatably arranged on the actuator housing 10, for example, by means of a sliding bearing arrangement, which preferably comprises at least one sliding bearing or, more preferably, two axially spaced sliding bearings. In order for the rotary movement 14 of the rotor assembly 15 to be translated into the axial actuating movement 18 of the valve element 9, it is provided that the gear sleeve body 67 is fixed to the gear sleeve 66 of the second cooperation partner 17 at its inner circumference.

[0073] 69 has an internal thread 20 which meshes with the external thread 21 of the valve element 9 which is designed to be complementary to the internal thread 20.

[0074] Furthermore, it should be explained that the actuator housing 10 of the actuator unit 7 comprises three separate housing parts, which are fixed together, for example, by a press fit. The first housing part is formed by a pot-shaped housing base 29, the second housing part by a hollow cylindrical sleeve body 28, and the third housing part by an annular or sleeve-shaped housing cover 27.

[0075] The hollow cylindrical sleeve body 28 is monolithic and, in a cost-effective embodiment, can have a hollow circular cylindrical shape, i.e., be formed from a hollow cylinder with an annular base. Furthermore, it can advantageously be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. 09.12.2025

[0076] 16

[0077] The cup-shaped housing base 29 has a flat, round base 34, from which a housing base annular projection 35, running in a ring around the central axis 11, projects axially. The housing base 29 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, for example, steel. The housing base 29 can be pressed into the sleeve body 28 by means of the housing base annular projection 35 in a force-fit and form-fit manner (in particular, an interference fit).

[0078] The housing cover 27 has an annular base body 36 from which an annular projection 37 of the housing cover 27, circumferentially around the central axis 11, projects axially. The housing cover 27 is monolithic. It can be made of a plastic material or a Meta II material, for example, steel. The housing cover 27 can be pressed into the sleeve body 28 by means of the annular projection 37 in a force-fit and form-fit manner (in particular, an interference fit). The figures further show that the housing cover 27 has a projection 31 at an axial end 30 of the housing cover 27 facing the sleeve body 28. This projection completely encloses the housing cover 27 in the circumferential direction 13 and projects radially outwards from the housing cover 27.The projection 31 has a radially outwardly oriented outer circumference 32 and two axially opposite annular surfaces 50, 51, each oriented transversely, preferably orthogonally, with respect to the central axis 11.

[0079] The base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, each provided as separate semi-finished products for logistical and cost reasons and assembled in a final assembly of the valve 1 illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the actuator unit 7 is inserted in an insertion direction 74 09.12.2025

[0080] 17 is inserted loosely into the recess 4 of the base unit 2 with the housing base 29 leading.

[0081] To ensure that the base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are permanently fixed to one another during the intended operation of the valve 1, the base unit 2 and the actuator unit 7 are positively connected to each other with respect to the central axis 11 of the actuator unit 7, preventing rotation and axial movement. Alternatively, in the ready-to-ship state of the valve 1 shown in Fig. 1, they are positively connected to each other with rotation and axial movement. A previously used material-bonded connection between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2, in particular a welded connection, can therefore be omitted, and any potential heat input into the actuator unit 7 and / or the base unit 2 during the implementation of the material-bonded connection can be avoided.

[0082] The invention specifically proposes for a positive-locking, rotationally fixed and axially immovable connection of the said two components that the actuator unit 7 is arranged in the receptacle 4 in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive-locking connection 22 between the actuator unit 7 and the base housing 3 and in an axially immovable manner via a second positive-locking connection 23 between the actuator unit 7 and the base housing 3, which is different from the first positive-locking connection 22.

[0083] The first positive locking connection 22 has two opposing key surfaces 24 arranged diametrically on the actuator housing 10 and two opposing mating key surfaces 25 arranged diametrically on the base housing 3. The key surfaces 24 and the mating key surfaces 25 are tangentially aligned with an (imaginary) circle that is arranged concentrically with the central axis 11 and, on 09.12.2025

[0084] 18. The valve 1 is mounted in its final position and supported against each other over a surface. Because the wrenching surfaces 24 and the mating wrenching surfaces 25 are tangentially aligned with the imaginary circle and supported against each other over a surface, unwanted relative movement between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2 in the circumferential direction 13 is prevented. The first positive locking connection 22 allows axial movement of the actuator unit 7 relative to the base unit 2. Furthermore, the surface contact of the wrenching surfaces 24 with the mating wrenching surfaces 25 simplifies the assembly of the valve 1, as it allows for angular alignment of the actuator unit 7 relative to the base unit 2 in the circumferential direction 13.

[0085] The figures show that the said key surfaces 24 are each realized as a planar flattening 33 of the outer circumference 32 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27 and the counter-key surfaces 25 are each realized as a planar flattening 45 of the inner circumference 41 of the ring collar 40 of the base housing 3.

[0086] The second positive-locking connection 23 has two stop surfaces 46, 47 arranged on the actuator housing 10, axially opposite to each other and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11. Furthermore, the second positive-locking connection 23 has a first counter-stop surface 48 arranged on the base housing 3 and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11, and several second counter-stop surfaces 49 arranged on the base housing 3 and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis 11, which are axially opposite the first counter-stop surface 48. In the assembled state of the valve 1, a first stop surface 46 of the two stop surfaces 46, 47 is in contact with the first counter-stop surface 48, and a second stop surface 47 of the two stop surfaces 46, 47 is in contact with the several second counter-stop surfaces 49. 09.12.2025

[0087] 19 are supported over a surface. It is conceivable that the stop surfaces 46, 47 are clamped between the first counter-stop surface 48 and the several counter-stop surfaces 49. Because the aforementioned stop surfaces 46, 47 and the aforementioned counter-stop surfaces 48, 49 are aligned transversely to the central axis 11 and supported against each other over a surface, relative movement between the actuator unit 7 and the base unit 2 in an axial direction parallel to the central axis 11 is blocked. However, the second positive locking connection 23 allows rotational movement of the actuator unit 7 with respect to the base unit 2.

[0088] The figures show that the stop surfaces 46, 47 are formed by the two annular surfaces 50, 51 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27. Furthermore, the first counter-stop surface 48 is formed by the axial collar ring surface 44 of the annular projection 43 of the ring collar 40 of the base housing 3. The several second counter-stop surfaces 49 are formed by the tab surfaces 53 of the several tabs 52 of the base housing 3 facing the projection 31 of the housing cover 27.

[0089] The proposed valve 1 further comprises a centering arrangement located on the base unit 2, which is designated 54 in its entirety. It is designed to radially position the actuator unit 7 in the receptacle 4, or to center the actuator unit 7 in the receptacle 4, in particular with respect to a receptacle center axis 55 of the receptacle 4 that lies congruently on the center axis 11. This ensures that the actuator unit 7 is radially positioned correctly in the receptacle 4.

[0090] The centering arrangement 54 has at least one centner element 56 made of sheet metal, which has several finger-like centering sections 57 projecting into the receptacle 4 and possessing spring-elastic properties. The at least one centner element 56 also has a [missing information - likely a specific feature or component] in the base housing 3 09.12.2025

[0091] The central section 58 is arranged 20 and connected, preferably integrally, to the centner sections 57, and at least partially encloses or completely encloses the coil assembly 5. The centner assembly 54 can further have several raised lugs 75, arranged, for example, equidistantly to one another in the circumferential direction 13, which are integrally arranged on the inner circumference 41 of the annular collar 40 of the base housing 3 and are designed to achieve positive guidance or positive centering of the actuator unit 7 with respect to the receptacle 4 by bearing against the outer circumference 32 of the projection 31 of the housing cover 27. At least the lugs 75 arranged in the region of a flattening 45 of the inner circumference 41 of the collar can form or have a mating key surface 25 of the first positive locking connection 22.

[0092] December 9, 2025

[0093] 21

[0094] Reference symbol list

[0095] Valve 1

[0096] Basic Unit 2

[0097] Base housing 3

[0098] Recording 4

[0099] Coil arrangement 5

[0100] Circuit board 6

[0101] Actuator unit 7

[0102] Actuating axis 8

[0103] Valve element 9

[0104] Actuator housing 10

[0105] Center axis 11

[0106] Coils 12

[0107] Circumferential direction 13

[0108] Rotational movement 14

[0109] Rotor device 15 first cooperation partner 16 second cooperation partner 17 axial positioning movement 18

[0110] Permanent magnet arrangement 19

[0111] Internal thread 20

[0112] External thread 21 first positive locking connection 22 second positive locking connection 23

[0113] Key area 24

[0114] Counter key surface 25

[0115] Housing cover 27

[0116] Shell body 28 09.12.2025

[0117] 22

[0118] Housing base 29 axial end of housing cover 30

[0119] Lead 31

[0120] Outer circumference 32

[0121] Flattening of the outer circumference 33

[0122] Plate base 34

[0123] Housing base ring projection 35 hollow cylindrical base body 36

[0124] Housing cover ring projection 37 first housing side 38

[0125] Opening 39

[0126] Ring collar size 40

[0127] Collar inner circumference 41

[0128] Collar end face 42

[0129] Ring protrusion 43

[0130] Collar ring surface 44

[0131] Flattening of the inner collar circumference 45 first stop surface 46 second stop surface 47 first counter-stop surface 48 second counter-stop surfaces 49 first ring surface 50 second ring surface 51

[0132] Tabs 52

[0133] Tab surfaces 53

[0134] Centering arrangement 54

[0135] Recording center axis 55

[0136] Centering element 56

[0137] Centering sections 57

[0138] Central Section 58 09.12.2025

[0139] 23

[0140] Recording circumference 59

[0141] Connector interface 61

[0142] Valve stem 62

[0143] First shaft end 63 Second shaft end 64

[0144] Valve head 65

[0145] Gear sleeve 66

[0146] Gearbox sleeve body 67

[0147] Sleeve opening 68 mm, inner circumference 69 mm

[0148] External circumference 70

[0149] Printed circuit board body 71

[0150] 72 conductor tracks

[0151] Electronic components 73 Insertion direction 74

[0152] Noses 75

Claims

December 9, 2025 24 Patent claims 1. Valve (1), in particular an expansion valve, a hot gas bypass valve or a shut-off valve, comprising - a base unit (2) with a base housing (3) that defines a one-sided open receptacle (4) which is enclosed by a coil arrangement (5) of the base unit (2) arranged in the base housing (3), - an actuator unit (7) inserted into the receptacle (4) of the base unit (2), which has an actuator housing (10) in which a rotor device (15) which interacts electromagnetically with the coil arrangement (5) and a valve element (9) arranged axially adjustable on the rotor device (15) along an actuating axis (8) are received, characterized in that - the actuator unit (7) and the base unit (2) are positively connected to each other in a rotationally fixed and axially immovable manner with respect to a central axis (11) of the actuator unit (7).

2. Valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the actuator unit (7) is arranged in the receptacle (4) in a rotationally fixed manner via a first positive locking connection (22) between the actuator unit (7) and the base housing (3), and / or - the actuator unit (7) is arranged axially immovably in the receptacle (4) via a second positive locking connection (23) between the actuator unit (7) and the base housing (3), which is different from the first positive locking connection (22).

3. Valve (1) according to claim 2, December 9, 2025 25 characterized in that - the first positive locking connection (22) has at least one key surface (24) arranged on the actuator housing (10) and at least one mating key surface (25) arranged on the base housing (3), - wherein the at least one key surface (24) and the at least one counter-key surface (25) are tangentially aligned to a circle which is arranged concentrically to the central axis (11) and are supported against each other over a surface.

4. Valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that - the actuator housing (10) is made up of multiple parts and has an annular housing cover (27), a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (28) and a pot-shaped housing base (29), each of which is aligned coaxially to the central axis (11) and arranged next to each other in the specified sequence, - wherein the housing cover (27) has a projection at an axial end (30) of the housing cover (27) facing the sleeve body (28), preferably arranged monolithically on the housing cover (27). (31 ) which at least partially or completely encloses the housing cover (27) in a circumferential direction (13) around the central axis (11 ) and projects radially outwards from the housing cover (27), - wherein the projection (31 ) has a radially outward oriented outer circumference (32) has on which the at least one key surface (24) is arranged or on which the at least one key surface (24) is realized as a planar flattening (33) of the outer circumference (32) of the projection (31).

5. Valve (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that December 9, 2025 26 - the base housing (3) has a first housing side (38) at which the receptacle (4) opens to form a receiving opening (39), - wherein the base housing (3) continues to have an axially raised ring collar surrounding the receiving opening (39) on the first housing side (38). (40) has a collar inner circumference oriented radially inwards (41 ) has on which the at least one counter key surface (25) is arranged or on which the at least one counter key surface (25) is realized as a planar flattening (45) of the inner circumference of the collar (41 ) of the ring collar (40).

6. Valve (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second positive locking connection (23) has: - two stop surfaces (46, 47) arranged on the actuator housing (10), opposite to each other and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), - a first counter-stop surface (48) arranged on the base housing (3) and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), and - at least one or more second counter-stop surfaces (49) arranged on the base housing (3) and oriented transversely with respect to the central axis (11), which are opposite the first counter-stop surface (48), - wherein a first stop surface (46) of the two stop surfaces (46, 47) is supported over a flat surface on the first counter stop surface (48), and - wherein a second stop surface (47) of the two stop surfaces (46, 47) is supported over a surface on at least one or several second counter-stop surfaces (49).

7. Valve (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that December 9, 2025 27 - the actuator housing (10) is made up of multiple parts and has an annular housing cover (27), a hollow cylindrical sleeve body (28) and a pot-shaped housing base (29), each of which is aligned coaxially to the central axis (11) and arranged next to each other in the specified sequence, - wherein the housing cover (27) has a projection (31) arranged on the housing cover (27), preferably monolithically, at an axial end (30) of the housing cover (27) facing the sleeve body (28), which at least partially or completely surrounds the housing cover (27) in a circumferential direction (13) around the central axis (11) and projects radially outwards from the housing cover (27), - wherein the projection (31) has two opposing ring surfaces (50, 51) oriented transversely to the central axis (11), which form the stop surfaces (46, 47).

8. Valve (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that - the base housing (3) has a first housing side (38) at which the receptacle (4) opens to form a receiving opening (39), - wherein the base housing (3) further comprises an axially raised ring collar (40) surrounding the receiving opening (39) on the first housing side (38), - wherein the ring collar (40) has an axially oriented, annular collar end face (42) and on the collar end face (42) at least one or more tabs (52) arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction (13) and which are preferably plastically formed by hot riveting, each having an axially oriented tab surface (53), - wherein the ring collar (40) continues to have an inner collar circumference (41) oriented radially inwards with respect to the central axis (11) and a December 9, 2025 28 The inner circumference of the collar (41) has a radially inward raised, circumferential ring projection (43) which has an axially oriented collar ring surface (44), - wherein the first counter-stop surface (48) is formed by the collar ring surface (44) of the ring projection (43) of the ring collar (40), - wherein the at least one or the several second counter-stop surfaces (49) are formed by the at least one or the tab surfaces (53) of the at least one or the several tabs (52).

9. Valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the base unit (2) has a centner arrangement (54) which radially positions the actuator unit (7) in the receptacle (4) or centers it with respect to a receptacle center axis (55) of the receptacle (4).

10. Valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that - the centner arrangement (54) has at least one centner element (56) which has several centner sections (57) projecting into the receptacle (4) with spring-elastic properties, and / or - that at least one centner element (56) has a central section (58) arranged in the base housing (3) and connected to the centering sections (57), preferably integrally, which at least partially surrounds or completely encloses the coil arrangement (5).

11. Valve (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the hundredweight sections (57) are arranged evenly distributed to each other in a periphery direction (59) of the recording (4) around a central axis (55). December 9, 2025 29 12. Valve (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that - the centner element (56) is made of sheet metal.

13. Valve (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that - the hundredweight sections (57) are each realized from a strip body, preferably tooth-shaped.

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