CN116783432A

CN116783432A - Valve device

Info

Publication number: CN116783432A
Application number: CN202180092518.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·艾希霍恩
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2023-09-19
Also published as: DE102020215115A1; WO2022117648A1; EP4256254A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve device (10), in particular an expansion valve, for a refrigerant circuit of a vehicle, for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid, comprising a valve element housing (12) and a valve element (14) having at least three openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c), wherein the valve element (14) has a regulating passage (30) for a main fluid flow (32) and at least one expansion recess (40), wherein the openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) are fluidically connected to an interior volume (26) arranged in the interior of the housing, wherein the interior volume (26) is formed between the valve element (14) and the valve element housing (12), wherein the at least one opening (22 a, 22b, 22 c) is formed as a fluid inlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c) and the at least one opening (22 a, 22b, 22 c) is formed as a fluid outlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c). The valve element (14) has a separating element (42) which is designed to fluidically separate the expansion recess (40) and the adjustment opening (30) within the valve element (14) from one another.

Description

Valve device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a valve device and a valve element for a valve device according to the preamble of the independent claims.

Background

Valves for regulating fluid flow are known. In particular, DE 10200172086881 A1 discloses a valve with indentations at the surface.

Disclosure of Invention

Advantages are that

The invention relates to a valve device for regulating a fluid flow of a fluid, in particular an expansion valve, in particular for a refrigerant circuit of a vehicle, comprising a valve element housing with at least three openings and a valve element, wherein the valve element has a regulating passage for a main fluid flow and at least one expansion recess, wherein the openings are fluidically connected to an interior volume arranged in the interior of the housing, wherein the interior volume is formed between the valve element and the valve element housing, wherein at least one opening is formed as a fluid inlet and at least one opening is formed as a fluid outlet. According to the invention, the valve element has a separating element which is designed to fluidically separate the expansion recess and the adjustment opening within the valve element from one another.

The expansion valve according to the invention with the features of the independent claim has the following advantages: in the main flow position of the adjustment through-opening, a backflow from the adjustment through-opening into the interior of the housing via the expansion recess can be prevented by the separating element.

In the context of the present invention, the term "fluid" is understood to mean a medium which, depending on the prevailing thermodynamic conditions, can be present not only in the liquid phase but also in the gaseous phase. A fluid of the type referred to herein is a heat carrier medium that circulates within a fluid circuit. The fluid is in particular a natural refrigerant (e.g. hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane, butane, propylene, water) or a synthetic refrigerant (e.g. a fluorochlorocarbon or partially halogenated fluorocarbon).

In the context of the present invention, a "separating element" can be understood as an element which is constructed in a manner which is substantially impermeable to the type of fluid referred to herein. The separating element is preferably constructed in a liquid-impermeable manner. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the separating element is furthermore configured in a gas-impermeable manner within the valve element. A gas-permeable valve element is understood here to mean a separating element which only permits less than 10 ^-7 mbarl/s, preferably less than 10 ^-8 mbarl/s, particularly preferably less than 5 x 10 ^-8 Leakage rate of mbarl/s. The leakage rate corresponds approximately to a leakage diameter of 0.4 μm per 2mm wall thickness, approximately 3cm in one year ³ The average gas loss of the gas, wherein the leak rate can be determined quantitatively, for example, using a test gas leak detector. In this case helium or hydrogen synthesis gas is preferably used as the test medium.

A separation function of the separation element is provided within the valve element. The separating element interrupts the fluid connection between the expansion recess and the adjustment passage. In other words, the separating element, in the sense of a blocking element, fluidically separates the expansion recess from the adjustment through-volume within the interior volume of the valve element, which is delimited by the outer circumferential surface of the valve element. In order to check the separation function of the separating element within the valve element, it is therefore advantageous to substantially prevent a flow path outside the interior volume of the valve element.

Advantageous modifications and improvements of the individual features are achieved by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

An advantageous variant of the invention provides that the valve element can be rotated about a rotational axis, and that the valve element has a rotationally symmetrical base body, preferably a spherical or cylindrical base body. Such a valve element can be produced particularly easily and cost-effectively. The valve element preferably has an engagement portion which enables it to co-act with a valve stem which is moved by the electric drive.

In the context of the present invention, "valve element" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, also a valve device or a valve body. The valve element is preferably arranged on the valve stem in a rotationally fixed manner. The valve element is movably, preferably rotatably, arranged within the valve element housing. Depending on the position of the valve element, in particular the rotational position within the valve element housing, the valve element can allow a flow through the valve device, wherein depending on the valve position and the flow direction, the fluid flow can be expanded or compressed or can flow through the valve device unimpeded.

An advantageous variant of the invention provides that the adjustment through-opening has a first through-opening and a second through-opening in the flow direction. Furthermore, it is provided that the expansion recess is arranged in the region of the second through opening of the adjustment through, and that the separating element is arranged between the expansion recess and the second through opening of the adjustment through.

The separating element is thus arranged in the region of a through opening which, in the main flow position of the valve device, rests against the fluid outlet. Such a separating element can thus advantageously prevent backflow of part of the fluid flow in the region of the fluid outlet. Advantageously, the efficiency of the valve device in the main flow direction is improved.

An advantageous further development of the invention provides that in the main flow position the first through opening is largely entirely fluidically connected to the fluid inlet and the second through opening is largely entirely fluidically connected to the fluid outlet, wherein the separating element is configured to separate the expansion recess from the fluid outlet in the main flow position. In the context of the present invention, the main flow position of the valve device is understood to be the arrangement of the valve element relative to the valve element housing, wherein the main fluid flow can flow through the valve substantially uncompressed, i.e. without a significant reduction in the flow cross section. Preferably, in the main flow position, a low-pressure gas is applied at the fluid inlet of the valve device, which is guided further to the fluid outlet with a low pressure loss. Preferably, a refrigerant compressor is connected to the fluid outlet.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, a sealing seat is arranged at the fluid outlet, wherein the separating element rests in a fluid-tight manner against the sealing seat in the main through-position of the valve device. According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the fluid outlet is configured substantially cylindrically. The sealing seat preferably has a substantially cylindrical inner surface which is arranged in the region of the opening. Thus, the flow resistance acting on the flowing fluid is minimized. The sealing seat preferably has a sealing seat edge, against which the separating element is in contact according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the expansion recess has a flow cross section which is configured such that it increases in the direction of the second through opening of the adjustment opening, in particular in the direction of the separating element. In the expanded position, the flow cross section can be adjusted as a function of the rotational position.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the separating element is configured as a separating wall, preferably as a separating wall extending in the radial direction, particularly preferably as a separating wall connecting the expansion recesses in the circumferential direction.

An advantageous variant of the invention provides that the separating element is formed in one piece or in one piece with the valve element base body. In this way, the separation of the expansion volume from the adjustment through-opening can be achieved in terms of structure.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the separating element extends over a circumferential angle of the valve element between 5 ° and 15 °, preferably between 8 ° and 12 °, particularly preferably substantially over a circumferential angle of 10 °. Such a dimension of the separating element enables, on the one hand, an efficient fluid-tight separation of the expansion recesses and, on the other hand, an optimization of the length of the expansion recesses with regard to setting the expansion cross section. The separating element is advantageously constructed in a thin-walled manner. It is also conceivable for the valve element to have a diffusion-resistant barrier, in particular in the region of the separating element.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the expansion recess extends in a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the expansion recess is preferably arranged in the plane of symmetry of the valve element.

An advantageous variant of the invention provides that the expansion recess is configured as an expansion groove in the peripheral side of the valve element. Advantageously, the expansion recess is formed at the surface of the valve element. Such a recess which is open at least on one side can be realized in an advantageous manner: in the expanded position of the valve device, the fluid flow through the interior volume of the valve element housing is easily regulated.

In particular, a valve with particularly low pressure losses can be provided by: the openings of the at least one and the at least one fluid outlet are configured to be substantially aligned. In the main flow position, the fluid can thus flow through the valve in an unimpeded, uncompressed and straight manner from the fluid inlet toward the fluid outlet through the straight adjustment through opening. The pressure loss is significantly reduced. The adjustment through opening preferably extends centrally through the centre line of the valve element.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the valve element has exactly one adjustment through, wherein the adjustment through is essentially straight. The adjustment through-hole is formed essentially without bending, in particular without a projection and a deflection.

By means of the straight design of the adjustment through-hole, pressure losses during the flow-through adjustment through-hole can be advantageously prevented. By configuring the adjustment through-hole as a through-hole through the valve element, a particularly simple, flow-optimized through-hole can be provided.

In particular, by arranging all three openings of the valve element housing in a common radial plane, a particularly simple, smaller valve can be provided. The bottom of the valve element housing, i.e. the side of the valve element housing opposite the actuator, is thus constructed without joints. The fluid can advantageously be prevented from turning at 90 °. Thus, the inlet pipe or the inlet flange fitted at the opening lies in one plane. Such a valve device can be constructed with significantly more space-saving construction. Preferably, the symmetry axis of the opening and the rotation axis of the valve element coincide with a common centre point.

The valve device advantageously has, in addition to the main through-position, an expansion position in which the first through-opening is fluidically connected as completely as possible to the fluid outlet and the expansion recess is fluidically connected to the fluid inlet, wherein the separating element is arranged at a distance from the first sealing seat arranged at the fluid inlet in the expansion position. In this way, fluid can flow from the separating element through the interior of the valve element housing in the expanded position towards the adjustment opening.

Drawings

Embodiments of the valve device are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in detail in the following description. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve housing element 12;

fig. 2a shows a schematic representation of a top view of valve device 12 in main throughflow position 55;

fig. 2b shows a schematic representation of a top view of the valve device 12 in the expanded position 57.

Detailed Description

In different variant embodiments, identical components are given the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a valve device 10 according to the invention in a perspective view. The valve device 10 has a substantially hexahedral housing which is configured as a valve element housing 12 for a valve element 14 (not shown here). The valve element 14 is mounted so as to be movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the valve element housing 12 about a rotational axis 18 extending substantially in the axial direction 16.

The valve element housing has a cavity 20 in the interior, in which the valve element 14 is arranged in the assembled state of the valve device 10. In the assembled state, a flow-through interior volume 26 is thus left in the cavity 20, which is formed between the valve element 14 and the valve element housing 12. The valve element housing 12 has three openings 22a, 22b, 22c. These openings 22a, 22b, 22c are configured as through openings through the housing wall of the valve element housing 12.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 1, the openings 22a, 22b, 22c are designed as through-holes. According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 1, the opening 22a is configured as a fluid inlet 23a, the opening 22b is configured as a fluid outlet 23b, and the opening 22c is configured as a fluid outlet 23c. As can be seen from fig. 1, the openings 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged in one plane, namely the radial plane 24. The fluid inlet 22a and the fluid outlet 22b are arranged in alignment. The second fluid outlet 22c is orthogonally configured with respect to the fluid inlet 22a and the fluid outlet 22b.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing seat is arranged at least in the region of one of the openings 22a, 22b, 22c. The sealing seat is preferably configured as a sealing ring, which is arranged in the opening cross section of the at least one opening 22a, 22b, 22c.

The sealing seat is preferably arranged here in the region of the at least one opening 22a, 22b, 22c facing the interior volume 26 and substantially completely surrounds the opening 22a, 22b, 22c in the circumferential direction. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first opening 22a has a first sealing seat 27a and the second opening 22b has a second sealing seat 27b. It is also conceivable that all openings 22a, 22b, 22c have a corresponding sealing seat 27a, 27b, 27c, respectively.

As can be seen in fig. 1, the valve element housing 12 has a through-guide 30 for a valve rod 32, which is driven by an electric drive. The valve element 14 is arranged on the valve stem 32. The valve stem 32 penetrates the through-guide 30 of the valve element housing 12 and extends substantially in the axial direction 16. According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 1, the valve element housing 12 is configured as a valve element block. Such valve device blocks are preferably constructed from aluminum or aluminum alloys.

Fig. 2a shows a sectional view of the valve device 10 along the radial plane 24 in the main flow position. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the valve element housing 12 has at least three openings 20a, 20b, 20c. According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2a, the opening 22a is configured as a fluid inlet 23a, the opening 22b is configured as a fluid outlet 23b, and the opening 22c is configured as a fluid outlet 23c. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the fluid inlet and outlet openings 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged in a radial plane 24. The fluid inlet 22a and the first fluid outlet 22b are arranged in alignment with respect to each other. The second fluid outlet 22c is orthogonally configured with respect to the fluid inlet 22a and the first fluid outlet 22b.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2a, sealing seats 27a, 27b are arranged not only at the fluid inlet 23a, but also at the first fluid outlet 23b opposite the fluid inlet 23a, respectively. The sealing seats 27a, 27b are here embodied by way of example as sealing rings, which are arranged in the open cross section of the openings 22a, 22b. The sealing seats 27a, 27b are arranged in the region facing the inner volume 26 and enclose the respective openings 22a, 22b in the circumferential direction. A first seal seat 27a is arranged at the fluid inlet 23a and a second seal seat 27b is arranged at the first fluid outlet 23 b.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2a, the valve device 10 has a valve element 14, which has a substantially spherical base body 38. The valve element 14 is configured to be movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the valve element housing 12. Furthermore, the first valve element housing 12 has an inner volume 26 which can be flowed through by the fluid.

The fluid of the type referred to here is preferably a heat carrier medium which circulates within the fluid circuit. The fluid is in particular a natural refrigerant (e.g. hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane, butane, propylene, water) or a synthetic refrigerant (e.g. a fluorochlorocarbon or partially halogenated fluorocarbon).

The valve element housing 12 of the type referred to here can be embodied in particular as a valve element block, which is constructed essentially in a gas-tight manner as a result of the thermodynamic conditions prevailing in the expansion valve. In the valve device 10 of the type referred to here, the fluid in the internal volume 26 of the valve element housing 12 through which it can flow is at least partially in the gaseous phase, wherein high pressures in the range between 1 and 30bar and up to 100bar in a short time prevail. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve element housing 12 can be constructed from metal, preferably from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, on the basis of this thermodynamic boundary condition.

However, it is also conceivable for at least one housing part of the valve element housing 12 to have a plastic body with a diffusion-proof barrier layer containing metal. Such a valve element housing 12 can be produced easily and cost-effectively compared to an aluminum block housing. At the same time, the valve device, due to its gas tightness, can be used in a fluid circuit in which the fluid is at least partially in the gaseous phase.

As can be seen in fig. 2a, the valve element 14 has a regulating through-opening 30 for a main flow 32 of fluid through the valve device 10. Here, the adjustment through-section 30 has two through-openings 34, 36 along the flow direction of the main flow 32. The through openings 34, 36 are arranged on the circumferential side of the valve element 14, wherein the second through opening 36 is arranged upstream of the first through opening 34.

The openings 22a, 22b, 22c are through holes formed through the wall of the valve element housing 12. The openings 22a, 22b, 22c preferably have the same inner diameter, respectively. The symmetry axes of the openings 22a, 22b, 22c intersect in a common point, which is preferably at least approximately the center point of the spherical valve element 14.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2a, the adjustment through 30 is designed as a through opening, in particular as a through hole. In order to avoid flow losses, the adjustment through-opening 30 is essentially straight in construction, the first through-opening 34 and the second through-opening 36 being preferably arranged in diametrical alignment with respect to one another. The inner wall of the adjustment through-hole 30 is preferably constructed without bending or without protruding. The valve element 14 has no further opening cross section for the main flow 32 of fluid, except for the adjustment of the through opening 30.

The valve element 14 preferably has exactly one adjustment through 30, which is essentially straight. In the sectional view shown in fig. 2a, the axis of rotation 18 extends perpendicularly from the plane of the drawing. All openings 22a, 22b, 22c of the valve element housing 12 are arranged in a radial plane 24.

In addition to adjusting the through opening 30, the valve element 30 has an expansion recess 40. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the expansion recess 40 is configured as an expansion groove in the peripheral side 44 of the valve element 14. The expansion recess 40 has the form of a surface score. In this case, the expansion recess 40 extends over an imaginary circumferential line on the circumferential side 44 of the substantially spherical valve element 14. Expansion recess 40 extends a small amount of a few millimeters deep into valve element 14. The expansion recess 40 can be in particular configured as a groove-like element and has a substantially rectangular cross section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also contemplated. It is then also conceivable, for example, for the expansion recess 40 to have a substantially rounded edge.

It is now provided according to the invention that the valve element 14 has a separating element 42 which is designed to fluidically separate the expansion recess 40 and the adjustment opening 30 within the valve element 14 from one another. In other words, the separating element 42, in the sense of a blocking element, fluidically separates the expansion recess 40 from the adjustment through-volume 30 within the interior volume of the valve element 14, which is delimited by the peripheral side 44. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the separating element 42 is configured as a separating wall, preferably as a separating wall extending in the radial direction. Any flow path from the expansion recess 40 to the adjustment through 30 (or vice versa) is forced to follow outside the internal volume of the valve element 14, which is braced by the peripheral side 44, thanks to the dividing element 42.

As already explained at the outset, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2a, the valve element 14 has a substantially spherical shape. The separating element 42 is closed in the circumferential direction along an imaginary separating wall which is connected to the expansion recess 40. The separating element 42 extends over a circumferential angle phi of the valve element 14 of between 5 deg. and 15 deg., preferably between 8 deg. and 12 deg., particularly preferably substantially over a circumferential angle of 10 deg.. The expansion valve extends over a circumferential angle gamma of 30 deg. to 50 deg.. The valve element 14 is preferably designed such that the sum of the circumferential angle phi of the separating element 42 and the circumferential angle gamma of the expansion recess 40 is less than 90 °, in particular less than 80 °, particularly preferably less than 70 °. Preferably, the circumferential angle phi of the separation element 42 is many times smaller than the circumferential angle gamma of the expansion recess 40.

Fig. 2a shows the valve device 10 in the main flow position 50. In the main flow position 55, the first through opening 34 is as completely as possible fluidly connected to the fluid outlet 23a, and the second through opening 36 is as completely as possible fluidly connected to the opposite fluid outlet 23 b. The respective through-openings 34, 36 are preferably located within the coverage area of the fluid inlet 23a or of the fluid outlet 23 b. The through openings 34, 36 bear fluidtight against the fluid seat. The through openings 34, 36 and the fluid inlet 23a and the fluid outlet 23b are arranged in alignment with respect to each other. The fluid flowing through the valve is guided through the valve essentially without diversion and therefore with as low a flow loss as possible. As can be seen in fig. 2a, the separating element 42 rests in a fluid-tight manner against the second sealing seat 27b in the main flow-through position 55. The separating element 42 is thus configured to fluidly separate the expansion recess 40 from the fluid outlet in the main flow position 55. Backflow from the adjustment through 30 can be avoided in an advantageous manner.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the expansion recess 40 has a flow cross section which is configured such that it increases in the direction of the first through opening 36 of the adjustment through 30, in particular in the direction of the separating element 42.

Fig. 2b shows the valve device shown in fig. 2a in the expanded position 57. As can be seen from fig. 2b, in the expanded position 57, the valve element 14 is rotated by 90 ° about the axis of rotation 18 relative to the main flow position in such a way that the first through-opening 34 is now substantially completely adjacent to the second fluid outlet 23c, or the projection of the second fluid outlet 23c covers the first through-opening substantially entirely.

The second through opening 36 is located in the interior cavity 26 of the valve element housing 12. Due to the selected circumferential angle γ of the expansion recess 40, the expansion recess is now close to the fluid inlet 23 a. As can be seen in fig. 2b, the expansion recess 40 sweeps in the circumferential direction over the first sealing seat 27a. Thus, fluid flows from the fluid inlet 23a via the expansion recess 40, the inner chamber 26 and out of the fluid outlet 23c through the adjustment through opening 30 in the expanded position 57.

The partition element 42 faces the inner cavity 27 and does not rest against the sealing seat. A flow gap 60 remains between the sealing seat 27a and the separating element 42. In this way, an expansion valve can be provided in a particularly easy manner, in which an opening at the bottom of the housing, i.e. at the side facing away from the electric drive, can be avoided particularly advantageously. At the same time, a structurally simple, lighter valve element housing 12 can be provided which is optimized in terms of costs and at the same time has less pressure loss by avoiding a diverter in the main flow position.

Claims

1. Valve device (10), in particular expansion valve, for regulating a fluid flow, in particular for a refrigerant circuit of a vehicle, having a valve element housing (12) with at least three openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) and having a valve element (14), wherein the valve element (14) has a regulating through-opening (30) for a main fluid flow (32) and at least one expansion recess (40), wherein the openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) are in fluid connection with an inner volume (26) arranged in the interior of the housing, wherein the inner volume (26) is formed between the valve element (14) and the valve element housing (12), wherein at least one opening (22 a, 22b, 22 c) is formed as a fluid inlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c) and at least one opening (22 a, 22b, 22 c) is formed as a fluid outlet (23 b, 23 c), characterized in that the valve element (14) has a separating through-opening (42) for separating the valve element (14) from the regulating through-opening (30) in the interior.

2. Valve device (10) according to claim 1, the valve element (14) being rotatable about an axis of rotation (18), and wherein the valve element (14) has a rotationally symmetrical base body (38), preferably a spherical or cylindrical base body (38).

3. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment through-hole (30) has a first through-hole opening (34) and a second through-hole opening (36) along the flow direction, wherein the expansion recess (40) is arranged in the region of the second through-hole opening (36) of the adjustment through-hole (30), and wherein the separation element (42) is arranged between the expansion recess (40) and the second through-hole opening (36) of the adjustment through-hole (30).

4. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the main flow position (50) the first through opening (34) is as completely fluidically connected to the fluid inlet (23 a) as possible and the second through opening (36) is as completely fluidically connected to the fluid outlet (23 b, 23 c) as possible, wherein the separating element is configured for fluidly separating the expansion recess (40) from the fluid outlet (23 b, 23 c) in the main flow position.

5. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second sealing seat (27 b) is arranged at the fluid outlet (23 b), wherein in a main through position of the valve device (10) the separating element (42) is fluidtightly abutted against the second sealing seat (27 b).

6. Valve device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion recess (40) has a flow cross section which is configured such that it increases in the direction of the second through opening (36) of the adjustment through (30), in particular in the direction of the separating element (42).

7. Valve device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating element (42) is configured as a separating wall, preferably as a separating wall extending in a radial direction, particularly preferably as a separating wall connecting the expansion recess (42) in a circumferential direction.

8. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the separating element (42) extends over a circumference angle of the valve element (14) between 5 ° and 15 °, preferably over a circumference angle of between 8 ° and 12 °, particularly preferably substantially over a circumference angle of 10 °.

9. Valve device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the expansion recess (40) extends in a radial plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (18), wherein the expansion recess (40) is preferably arranged in a symmetry plane of the valve element (14).

10. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve element (14) has exactly one adjustment through-hole, wherein the adjustment through-hole is configured essentially straight, preferably through a through-hole of the valve element (14).

11. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) of the at least one fluid inlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c) and the at least one fluid outlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c) are configured substantially aligned.

12. The valve device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the expansion recess (40) is configured as an expansion groove in a peripheral side (44) of the valve element (14).

13. Valve device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) of the valve element housing (12) are arranged in a radial plane (24), wherein in particular the symmetry axes of the openings (22 a, 22b, 22 c) and the rotation axis (18) of the valve element (14) coincide as far as possible with a common center point.

14. Valve device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the expanded position the first through opening (34) is as completely fluidly connected as possible to the fluid outlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c) and the expansion recess (40) is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c), wherein in the expanded position the separating element (42) is arranged spaced apart from a first sealing seat (27 a, 27b, 27 c) arranged at the fluid inlet (23 a, 23b, 23 c).

15. Valve element (14) for a valve device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the valve element (14) has a regulating through-opening (30) for a main fluid flow (32) and at least one expansion recess (40), characterized in that the valve element (14) has a separating element (42) which is configured for fluidly separating the expansion recess (40) and the regulating through-opening (30) within the valve element (14) from each other.