DE102018101437A1 - Valve device designed for guiding air and / or cooling liquid of a fuel cell assembly, fuel cell assembly and fuel cell drive with such a valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

Valve device, in particular a throttle valve, adapted for guiding air and / or cooling liquid of a fuel cell assembly, comprising a first plastic housing part with a first channel, and a second plastic housing part with a second channel, wherein the first channel and the second channel are arranged along a longitudinal axis and form a flow passage along the longitudinal axis, wherein on the first plastic housing part, a first throttle element and the second plastic housing part, a second throttle element are arranged in the flow passage, and wherein the first plastic housing part and the second plastic housing part plugged into each other and are transversely to the longitudinal axis against each other and thereby rotate the position of the first throttle element and the second throttle element is mutually variable, so that the flow of a medium through the flow passage through a combination of the first throttle element and the second throttle element is adjustable.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve device designed to guide the air and / or coolant of a fuel cell assembly, a fuel cell assembly, a fuel cell drive with such a valve device, and a method for adjusting the valve device for preferred use in media guides in the vehicle, especially in fuel cells in cooling water circuits.

Cooling water circuits in fuel cell systems are often provided with non-controllable electric pumps. Due to complexly branched cooling circuits and variable operating states flowing through several different components simultaneously with coolant, adjustability of flow values in different branches is often desirable.

The prior art uses flow-limiting valves, usually in the form of fixed restrictors, such as orifices, which are used in the cooling circuit and can not be set or only with great effort to vary the flow. A fine adjustment during operation is not possible. Likewise, design-related deviations can not be subsequently corrected. Other throttles used are e.g. a ball valve, which is used in a pipe system of the cooling circuit. Due to its size and weight, the ball valve requires a conventional bolted attachment to the cooling circuit. Such a ball valve is formed of metal and must be insulated in use and grounded to prevent electrical current flow or controlled to dissipate.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a finely adjustable and lightweight valve device designed to guide the air and / or coolant of a fuel cell assembly.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

A valve device according to the invention, in particular a throttle valve, which is designed to guide air and / or cooling liquid of a fuel cell assembly, has a first plastic housing part with a first channel and a second plastic housing part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel are arranged along a longitudinal axis and form a flow passage along the longitudinal axis. On the first plastic housing part is a first throttle element and on the second plastic housing part, a second throttle element is arranged in the flow passage. The first plastic housing part and the second plastic housing part are plugged into each other and transversely to the longitudinal axis against each other rotatable. Thereby, the position of the first throttle element and the second throttle element can be rotated to each other, so that the flow of a medium through the flow passage by combination of the first throttle element and the second throttle element is adjustable.

The valve device according to the invention has a low total weight and the flow through the valve device can be particularly easily adjusted by turning the two plastic housing parts and thus the two throttle elements against each other.

The first throttle element and the second throttle element may be arranged in the flow passage so as to abut each other in the axial direction. The throttling of the flow of a medium takes place through the two throttle elements, wherein the throttle elements in combination with each other open the flow passage, partially open or close.

Merging the two plastic housing parts by nesting results in a simple alignment of the two plastic housing parts to each other, wherein one of the two plastic housing parts serves as a guide for the other plastic housing part.

The first plastic housing part may be formed as an inlet nozzle or as an outlet. The same applies to the second plastic housing part. The plastic housing parts may be formed in particular tubular. The channels formed in the plastic housing parts may have a round, in particular a circular cross-section.

The valve device is advantageously designed so that it can be mounted directly in a flexible hose line, in particular in a low-pressure hose line for gaseous and liquid media, in particular cooling liquid or air. By training with plastic, it is particularly easy and does not require separate fixing elements for fixing the housing parts against each other, such as screws or sleeves, which additionally reduces the weight.

The valve device may comprise a holding element. The retaining element may be a retaining clip, which is formed so as to at least partially surround the first plastic housing part and the second plastic housing part and through outer plugging on both plastic housing parts transverse to the longitudinal direction, the plastic housing parts together and holds against each other. The holding element is a structurally simple solution and allows a quick release or connecting the plastic housing parts. In particular, the retaining clip can enclose a partial circumferential region of the plastic housing parts of 200 to 250 degrees, in particular a partial circumferential region of 220 to 240 degrees. The holding element may in particular have a U-shaped cross-section seen in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis.

The holding element has, according to one embodiment, a 3-point support with which the two plastic housing parts are fastened together at three points. The holding element is located on three radially distributed surfaces with eccentric centers tangent to the nested plastic housing parts. The 3-point support allows directed to the plastic housing parts spring tension, whereby the holding element sits firmly on the plastic housing parts. To compensate for tolerance deviations of the two plastic housing parts, an internal dimension of the holding element can be greater than a nominal dimension or external dimension of the plastic housing parts.

The holding element can be designed such that it ensures a position of the first plastic housing part to the second plastic housing part and thus the position of the first throttle element to the second throttle element.

Furthermore, the valve device may have a third throttle element which is arranged between the first throttle element and the second throttle element. The third throttle element may be rotatably arranged on one of the plastic housing parts, so that the first, the second and the third throttle element in combination with each other set the flow of the medium through the flow passage. Further, the third throttle element may be formed rotatable relative to the first and second throttle element. When using three throttle elements results in a larger flow passage, because the individual throttle elements can be made filigree than two throttle elements. In the maximum opening position of the valve device, the throttle elements in the flow direction are aligned one above the other, so that a larger flow passage is made possible. It can also be used more throttle elements.

In one embodiment, at least one driver is formed in at least one of the first and / or second plastic housing parts. The driver or the driver are designed so that upon rotation of the first and / or second plastic housing part, the third throttle element is entrainable and is rotatable relative to the first and / or second plastic housing part.

In particular, according to one embodiment, a first driver is designed as a first stop pin extending on the first plastic housing part in the direction of the second plastic housing part, and / or a second driver can be designed as a second stop pin extending on the second plastic housing part in the direction of the first plastic housing part. At least one of the stop pins can be engaged with a recess formed on an outer wall of the third throttle element, and when the plastic housing parts are rotated relative to one another, the rotational movement is transmitted to the third throttle element and rotated. This ensures that the third throttle element is adjustable to each other solely by movement of the plastic housing parts.

At least one of the throttle elements may be disc-shaped. This results in a flat design of the throttle elements and thus a compact valve device.

At least one of the throttle elements may have at least one, in particular two or more, diaphragm elements. The one or more diaphragm elements may be formed so that by rotating the plastic housing parts to each other, a cross section of the flow passage can be changed and thereby the flow of a medium is adjustable. The throttle element is designed so that it has an outer and an inner ring, which are interconnected by at least one or more aperture elements. The diaphragm elements can each have a shape of a circular sector. A breakthrough between the outer ring and the inner ring is formed as a flow passage. The outer ring may be a separately formed ring or the plastic housing part itself. Other possible embodiments of the diaphragm element may be fan-shaped, square or striven.

wobei A_Q die Durchflussdurchgangsquerschnittsfläche, n die Anzahl von Blendenelementen (Kreissektoren) pro Drosselelement, A_KRSS die Blendenelementfläche (Kreissektorfläche) und p die Anzahl von Drosselelementen in der Ventilvorrichtung angibt.In the case of several diaphragm elements, in particular circular sectors, all may have the same center, wherein the diaphragm elements may be arranged in a star shape around a common center. A number n of diaphragm elements per throttle element is at least n = 1 and may be a multiple of n. When the throttle elements are rotated relative to each other, a flow passage is reduced or enlarged by a deflection of diaphragm elements and thus influences a flow velocity of the medium. A maximum achievable area of the cross-sectional constriction results from the formula $${\text{A}}_{\text{Q}}=\text{n}*{\text{A}}_{\text{KRSS}}*\text{p}$$

where A _{Q is} the flow passage _{sectional area} , n is the number of _{shutter elements} (circular sectors) per throttle _element , A _{KRSS is} the diaphragm _{element area} (circular sector area), and p is the number of throttle elements in the valve device.

According to one embodiment, the first plastic housing part and / or the second plastic housing part has a position indicator on an outer surface of the corresponding plastic housing part. The position indicator allows a labeling of a rotation to each other synonymous with a set flow. This gives a simple indication of the flow passage setting.

The position indicator may be an arcuate, multi-indicator scale disposed about a portion of the outer surface. For this purpose, the holding element can have a latching projection on a side pointing in the axial direction to the second or the first plastic housing part, which is designed to engage with the scale and to secure a rotation of the plastic housing parts relative to one another. The scale can be designed in particular as a tooth scale with tooth-shaped elevations as indicators in which the latching projection of the retaining element can engage securely. By means of this positive connection, an unwanted and / or independent adjustment of the plastic housing parts in addition to or alone to each other can be avoided.

The first plastic housing part and the second plastic housing part may be formed so that the first plastic housing part or the second plastic housing part can be guided radially in the second or in the first plastic housing part. This is a cost effective way to provide guidance because no additional guides are needed.

The first plastic housing part and / or the second plastic housing part preferably have a tool engagement surface arranged on an outer side of the corresponding plastic housing part in the circumferential direction. The tool engagement surface may in particular have two, three, four, six or more surfaces distributed radially around the circumference of the plastic housing part. The tool engagement surface may be configured such that a conventional open-end wrench may be used as the engagement member.

Furthermore, the valve device according to one embodiment has a sealing element. The sealing element can be arranged between the first plastic housing part and the second plastic housing part and in particular be designed as a sealing ring. This allows an advantageous sealing of the plastic housing parts to each other, so that the medium is prevented at an exit between the plastic housing parts.

The first and / or the second plastic housing part, as well as the holding element, the throttle elements, so all the valve device associated components can be produced by a 3D printing process. In this way, the components can be produced quickly and inexpensively.

The first and / or the second throttle element is, according to one embodiment, integrally formed with the corresponding plastic housing part. This results in a reduction of the moving parts in the valve device and increases the reliability of the valve device.

Another possibility of adjusting the flow is the use of an electrical, mechanical or pneumatic actuator, which automatically rotates the two plastic housing parts to each other and thus adjusts the flow of the medium through the valve device.

The invention also relates to a fuel cell arrangement with a media guide for air and / or coolant and a valve device according to the invention.

The invention likewise relates to a fuel cell drive of a vehicle having a fuel cell arrangement according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a valve device according to the invention. For this purpose, the first and the second plastic housing part are rotated relative to each other, whereby the first throttle element and the second throttle element are rotated to each other, so that an opening size of the flow passage is set.

This position of the first and the second plastic housing part to one another can be fixed by a holding element, which is placed on the two plastic housing parts and thus fixes the positioning of the throttle elements to each other.

The advantages and embodiments of the valve device apply in the same way also for the fuel cell arrangement, for the fuel cell drive and for the method for adjusting and fixing the valve device. To repetitions To avoid these are not listed again.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures:

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a valve device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 shows a view along an axis A on the valve device according to 1 ;
• 3 shows a schematic perspective view with a section of a first plastic housing part of the valve device according to 1 ;
• 4 shows a schematic perspective view with a section of a second plastic housing part of the valve device according to 1 ;
• 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a throttle element of the valve device according to 1 ;
• 6 shows in four sub-figures different views of a holding element of the valve device according to 1 , 6a) shows a schematic perspective view of the holding element, 6b) shows a front view of the retaining element, 6c ) shows a sectional view of the holding element in front view, and 6d ) shows a view of an inner dimension of the holding member;
• 7 shows in one 7a) a sectional view of the valve device according to 1 , and in one 7b) an exploded view of the valve device according to 1 ;
• 8th shows in three sub-figures an adjustment of a flow passage of the valve device according to 1 , 8a) shows the valve device in a maximum open position with fully open flow passage, 8b) shows the valve device in the half-open position with half-open flow passage, and 8c ) shows the valve device in closed position with closed flow passage.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of a valve device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 2 is along a longitudinal axis A aligned from right behind to left front. The valve device 2 has a first plastic housing part 4 with a first hidden channel 6 and a second plastic housing part 8th with a second channel 10 on. The first channel 6 and the second channel 10 are along the longitudinal axis A arranged and form a flow passage 12 in the flow direction S from the first plastic housing part 4 to the second plastic housing part 8th along the longitudinal axis A out. The first plastic housing part 4 and the second plastic housing part 8th are intertwined. A holding element 14 As an additional safeguard, each holds a section of the two plastic housing parts 4 and 8th and is transverse to the longitudinal axis A on the sections of the two plastic housing parts 4 and 8th placed. The holding element 14 has at its second plastic housing part 8th pointing side a prominent locking projection 17 on, a rest area 18 that is radial to the longitudinal axis A protrudes. The first plastic housing part 4 and the second plastic housing part 8th are transverse to the longitudinal axis A rotatable against each other.

The second plastic housing part 8th indicates a partial area of an outer surface 16 a position indicator 22 on. The position indicator 22 is a scale with indicators, which is designed in particular as a dental scale. The position indicator 22 extends over a partial circumferential area of the subregion of the outer surface 16 , The scale of the position indicator 22 indicates at its from the longitudinal axis A radially pioneering side a plurality of circumferentially arranged thereon teeth 26 on. The teeth 26 are adapted to a receiving surface for the rest area 18 the locking projection 17 to build. The position indicator 22 has a first material projection at a first end 28 extending radially from the longitudinal axis A further outward than the teeth 26 and is designed to limit the first end. At a second end of the position indicator 22 it has a second material projection 30 on, extending radially from the longitudinal axis A further outward than the teeth 26 and is designed to limit the second end. The position indicator 22 can with a first side in the axial direction to the portion of the plastic housing part 8th adjoin, over which the holding element 14 slidable. In the embodiment, the position indicator takes 22 a peripheral portion of the outside 16 from about 80 °. This peripheral region is dependent on the number of throttle elements

The second plastic housing part 8th points to another portion of the outside 16 a tool engagement surface 32 here, as six circumferentially uniformly arranged tangential surfaces 34 is trained. Another number of surfaces 34 is possible, especially four surfaces. The tool interface 32 is designed so that an open-end wrench advantageously on this tool engagement surface 32 can be attached. The tool interface 32 can be in the axial direction to a second side of the position indicator 22 adjacent, the opposite to the first page of the position indicator 22 is.

The first plastic housing part 4 indicates on its outside 36 away from the portion of the first plastic housing part 4 over which the retaining element 14 slidable, over the entire circumference a vault 38 in the radial direction away from the longitudinal axis A on. The vault 38 is formed a hose or a pipe, which over the corresponding portion of the outside 36 slidable, to hold. The second plastic housing part 8th indicates on its outside 16 away from the portion of the plastic housing part 8th over which the retaining element 14 slidable, a vault 40 in the radial direction away from the longitudinal axis A on. The vault 40 is formed, another hose or another pipe, which over the corresponding portion of the outside 16 slidable, to hold.

The first plastic housing part 4 can as inlet socket and the second plastic housing part 8th be designed as outlet for the medium. Likewise, the first plastic housing part 4 as outlet and the second plastic housing part 8th be formed as inlet nozzle. At least one of the two plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is designed so that it can be produced by a 3D printing process. Preferably, both plastic housing part 4 and 8th produced by a 3D printing process. Likewise, the retaining element 14 be produced by 3D printing process.

The valve device 2 is designed to lead a medium, in particular air or coolant of a fuel cell assembly. The valve device is designed in particular as a throttle valve.

2 shows a view of the valve device 2 along the longitudinal axis A from the direction of the second plastic housing part 8th , In the flow passage 12 is a first hidden throttle element 42 in the first channel 6 and a first throttle element 42 concealing second throttle element 44 in the second channel 10 arranged. The throttle elements 42 and 44 each have at least one, in this embodiment, three aperture elements 46 on. Each panel element 46 is designed as a circular sector, which extends from a lying on the longitudinal axis of the first inner circular element 50 to an inside 52 of the first plastic housing part 4 or from a lying on the longitudinal axis of the second circular element 54 to an inside 56 of the second plastic housing part 8th extends. The inner circle element 50 has a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of the flow passage 12 , Between adjacent aperture elements 46 the respective throttle element 42 and 44 a passage is formed. For example, with an aperture element 46 a first range of 180 degrees of the first channel 6 obscured and a second area of 180 degrees of the first channel 6 permeable. The throttle elements 42 and 44 in combination with each other, provide a flow of the medium through the flow passage 12 on. There may also be a third or more throttle elements in addition to the throttle elements 42 and 44 in the valve device 2 be used. This affects an angular range of the through the aperture elements 46 is covered. 2 also shows the retaining element 14 , the position indicator 22 and the tool interface 32 ,

3 shows a schematic perspective view with a connection of the first plastic housing part 4 the valve device 2 , The first throttle element 42 is transverse to the flow direction S of the medium in the first channel 6 arranged. The throttle element 42 Can be an integral part of the plastic housing part 4 his. It is also possible that the throttle element 42 separately to the plastic housing part 4 is trained. The throttle element 42 has three aperture elements in this embodiment 46 up, extending from the inner circle element 50 to the inside 52 of the first plastic housing part 4 extend. From the inner circle element 50 extends in the flow direction S a centering pin 58 , which is adapted to receive a further throttle element. The centering pin 58 indicates at its, from the inner circle element 50 distant end a locking projection 60 out. The throttle element 42 is closer to a downstream end of the first plastic housing part 4 arranged as to an upstream side end of the first plastic housing part 4 , Especially in a third quarter of the first plastic housing part 4 in the flow direction S seen.

At the upstream side end of the first plastic housing part 4 is the vault 38 positioned. At the downstream end of the plastic housing part 4 is a first flange area 62 with a radially outwardly directed outer circumferential surface 63 on the outside 36 educated. From the flange area 62 opposite to the flow direction S is another tool interface 64 formed, which has a same configuration as the Werkzeugingrifffläche 32 can have. Between the flange area 62 and the tool engagement surface 64 is a groove 66 arranged circumferentially around the outside 36 extends. The groove 66 is formed as a Halteklammerführungsnut.

The first plastic housing part 4 has a first at its downstream end radial guide 68 formed, the second plastic housing part 8th to lead in the radial direction. On the inside 52 at the downstream end of the plastic housing part 4 is a seal receiving area 70 formed having a larger inner diameter than the first channel 6 having. The seal receiving area 70 has an inner surface 72 and a first sealing stop surface 74 on, in a plane transverse to the flow direction S is arranged. To the seal receiving area 70 closes a throttle element receiving area 76 upstream with a first length. The throttle element receiving area 76 has a smaller inner diameter than the seal receiving area 70 and a larger inner diameter than the first channel 6 on. The throttle element receiving area 76 has an inner surface 78 and a throttle element stop surface 80 on, in a plane transverse to the flow direction S is arranged. In the embodiment, the throttle element stop surface 80 in the same plane as a downstream side of the throttle element 42 positioned. When the valve device 2 only two throttle element 42 and 44 has, then the sealing stop surface 74 in the same plane as the downstream side of the throttle element 42 be positioned.

From an inner surface 78 the throttle element receiving area 76 extends a first driver 79 , in particular a stop pin radially inwardly near the Drosselelementanschlagfläche 80 , The driver 79 does not protrude from the outside to the inside over the inner diameter of the first channel 6 out and points in the direction of flow S a shorter length than the length of the throttle element receiving area 76 on.

If the first plastic housing part 4 flows in the opposite direction with the medium, the same training results only in opposite form.

4 shows a schematic perspective view with a section of the second plastic housing part 8th the valve device 2 , The plastic housing part 8th has the curvature at a downstream end 40 on. At an upstream side end of the plastic housing part 8th is the throttle element 44 arranged and has an identical number of aperture elements 46 as the first throttle element 42 on. It is also possible that the second throttle element 44 another number of aperture elements 46 has as the first throttle element 42 , The throttle element 44 is transverse to the flow direction S in the channel 8th arranged. The inner circle element 54 has a recess 82 , in particular a blind hole or a bore, from an upstream side of the throttle element 44 in the flow direction S on. In this embodiment, the throttle element 44 three aperture elements 46 on. The upstream side of the throttle element 44 forms an end surface of the upstream side end of the second plastic housing part 8th , From the upstream side of the throttle element 44 and an inner diameter of the second plastic housing part 8th inside, a second driver extends 84 , in particular a stop pin counter to the flow direction S. A second seal receiving area 86 extends from the upstream end of the second plastic housing part 8th on the outside 16 in the flow direction S and has a second sealing stop surface 90 on, in a plane transverse to the flow direction S lies.

From a radially outer region of the sealing stop surface 90 extends a second radial guide 92 in the upstream direction. The second radial guide 92 Forms an upstream end face, a Radialführungsinnenfläche 94 and a radial guide outer surface 96 out. Downstream of the radial guide 92 is the position indicator 22 on the outside 16 of the second plastic housing part 8th educated. In the axial direction is between the radial guide 92 and the position indicator 22 a groove 98 arranged. The groove 98 is formed as Halteklammerführungsnut. The radial guide 92 forms together with the radial guide outer surface 96 and the groove 98 a second flange area 99 made, which is adapted to the holding element 14 to be included. In the flow direction S adjacent to the position indicator 22 is the tool interface 32 arranged. The outer diameter of the radial guide 92 is larger than the outer diameter of the second seal receiving area 86 , The groove 98 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the channel 10 and smaller than the outer diameter of the second radial guide 92 is.

The first radial guide 68 and the second radial guide 92 are designed so that they fit together and a mutual movement of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th prevent in the radial direction. The outer diameter of the flange area 99 is approximately identical to the outer diameter of the flange area 62 , so that the outer circumferential surface 63 and the radial guide outer surface 96 in alignment in the flow direction S are arranged to each other and form a common contact surface.

5 shows a schematic perspective view of a third throttle element 100 for the embodiment of the valve device 2 , The third throttle element 100 is disc-shaped and lies in a plane transverse to the flow direction S. The throttle element 100 has one inner ring 102 with a radially outwardly facing outside 104 and one the inner ring 102 surrounding outer ring 105 with a radially inwardly facing inside 106 on. The outside 104 and the inside 106 are at least one, in the embodiment with three aperture elements 107 connected. The inner ring 102 has a central hole 109 on. The outside 104 has a smaller diameter than the inside 106 on. On an outside 108 of the outer ring 105 is a recess in the circumferential direction 110 arranged radially towards the inside 106 of the outer ring 105 extends. The aperture elements 107 are analogous to the aperture elements 46 trained and have a Kreissektorform. The aperture elements 107 may also have a fan-shaped, square or strut-like shape. The throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 have a propeller-like shape, similar to a radioactivity warning sign. The recess 110 is trained to the stop pin 79 and the stopper pin 84 take.

6 shows in four sub-figures different views of the retaining element 14 of the embodiment of the valve device 2 , Partial figure a) shows a schematic perspective view of the holding element 14 , where the flow direction S from the back right to the left left. Part figure b) shows a front view of the holding element 14 in the flow direction S . c ) shows a sectional view of the holding element 14 in front view in the flow direction S , and d ) shows a view of an inner diameter 112 of the holding element 14 , The holding element 14 is formed as a U-shaped retaining clip, which encompasses a circumferential range of 200 to 250 degrees, in particular a circumferential range of 220 to 240 degrees. The holding element 14 has one in the flow direction S lying main wall 114 one on an upstream side of the main wall 114 arranged, radially inwardly directed side wall 116 , and one on a downstream side of the main wall 114 arranged, radially inwardly directed side wall 118 on. The main wall 114 and the side walls 116 and 118 clamp a rectangular space, which is designed to the flange areas 62 and 99 take.

At a radially outwardly facing outside 120 the main wall 114 is the locking projection 17 arranged in the flow direction S over the side wall 118 protrudes. At the locking projection 17 is a locking area pointing radially inwards 18 arranged in the form of a tooth, which is adapted to the position indicator 22 to be engaged when the retaining element 14 on both plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is deferred. The side wall 116 has an upstream side in the flow direction S extending recess 122 on. The depression 122 forms four radially inwardly directed straight inner surfaces 124 out, which are arranged in the circumferential direction and tangential to an inner diameter of the side wall 116 issue. It is also a smaller or a larger number of inner surfaces 124 possible. The depression 122 is designed to fit with the tool-engaging surface 32 is engaged when the retaining element 114 on both plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is attached.

An inside 126 the main wall 114 has the inside diameter 112 or an internal dimension. The inner diameter 112 is larger than an outside diameter 128 the flange areas 62 and 99 , also referred to as nominal size, tolerance deviations in the manufacture of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th compensate. An inner surface of the inside 126 has three circumferential inner surfaces 130 . 132 and 134 , and two peripheral joint surfaces 136 and 138 on. The circumference surfaces 130 . 132 and 134 have a larger radius than the peripheral connection surfaces 136 and 138 , The inner circumference 130 and the circumference inner surface 132 are with the perimeter connection area 136 connected and the inner circumference 134 is with the circumference inner surface 132 with the peripheral connection surface 138 connected. A center B1 the circumferential inner surface 130 , a focal point B3 the circumferential inner surface 132 and a center B2 the circumferential inner surface 134 are eccentric about a middle point C arranged. This results in a 3-point holder for the holding element 14 , because only the inner peripheral surfaces 130 . 132 and 134 are in contact with the outer diameter 128 , This configuration results in a spring tension, the radially inward to the outer diameter 128 the flange areas 62 and 99 acts.

7 shows in a partial figure a) is a sectional view of the embodiment of the valve device 2 , and in a sub-figure b) an exploded view of the embodiment of the valve device 2 , The plastic housing parts 4 and 8th are nested and are radial through the radial guides 68 and 92 guided so that the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th secured in the radial direction against displacement. The flow passage 12 allows a flow of the medium from the first plastic housing part 4 to the second plastic housing part 8th , The flow through the valve device can also take place in a different direction. The throttle elements 42 and 44 are in the flow direction S arranged to each other. Between the throttle elements 42 and 44 is the third throttle element 100 arranged and with the hole 109 on the centering pin 58 placed. In the seal receiving areas 70 and 86 is a sealing element 140 arranged so that between the first plastic housing part 4 and the second Plastic housing part 8th no medium passing through the valve device 2 is guided, can escape. Preferably, it is an O-ring seal or a radial seal. The side wall 116 of the holding element 14 is in the groove 66 and the side wall 118 of the holding element 14 is in the groove 98 positioned when the retaining element 14 on the flange areas 62 and 99 the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is plugged. When the retaining element 14 in its final position on the two plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is arranged, is the recess 122 with the tool engagement surface 64 of the first plastic housing part 4 and the locking projection 17 with the position indicator 22 on the second plastic housing part 8th engaged. This can be a position of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th , and thus the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 to be fixed to each other. The plastic housing parts 4 and 8th can also do without the retaining element 14 be fixed to each other, for example, if the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th have a press fit to each other and are thus secured against twisting each other.

8th shows in three subfigures an adjustment of an opening of the flow passage 12 in the embodiment of the valve device 2 with view along the longitudinal axis A from the downstream direction. Part figure a) shows the valve device 2 in the maximum opening position of the flow passage 12 Part b) shows the valve device 2 with half open opening position of the flow passage 12 , and c ) shows the valve device 2 with closed opening position of the flow passage 12 ,

8a) shows the valve device 2 from the direction of the second plastic housing part 8th , The plastic housing part 8th and that through the plastic housing part 8th concealed plastic housing part 4 is in this embodiment of the holding element 14 includes. The locking projection 17 is with his rest area 18 with the first end of the position indicator 22 next to the first material projection 28 engaged. In this position, the valve device 2 the maximum opening position in which the flow passage 12 allows the greatest possible passage for a medium. In this maximum opening position are the throttle element 44 and through the throttle element 44 concealed throttle elements 42 and 100 in the flow direction S arranged in alignment with each other.

In 8b) is the valve device 2 shown in half open opening position. Here is the second plastic housing part 8th preferably in a twist angle of 40 ° relative to the first plastic housing part 4 twisted, which also causes the throttle element 42 . 44 and 100 are twisted relative to each other. As a result, the flow passage 12 in comparison to 8a) partially closed, because the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 a larger area of the opening transverse to the longitudinal axis A cover. Thus, there is a reduction in the flow of a medium through the flow passage 12 , The locking projection 17 with his rest area 18 of the holding element 14 is with a central area of the position indicator 22 engaged.

In 8c ) is the valve device 2 shown in the closed position, in which the flow passage 12 by the arrangement of the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 closed to each other and no medium can flow through the valve device. This is the second plastic housing part 8th relative to the first plastic housing part 4 twisted in the twist angle by about 80 °. The locking projection 17 with his rest area 18 of the holding element 14 is at the second end of the position indicator 22 adjacent to the second material projection 30 engaged. The holding element 14 allows additional fixation of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th and thus the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 to each other. The plastic housing parts 4 and 8th can also without holding element 14 be connected.

The angle of rotation of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th and thus the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 to each other to move from an open position to a closed position, is dependent on the number of throttle elements, the number of diaphragm elements 46 , and the shape of the aperture elements 46 , For example, the twist angle decreases as the number of throttle elements increases, thereby increasing the number of available shutter elements 46 in the flow passage 12 ,

The twisting of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th and thus the throttle elements 42 . 44 and 100 can be almost infinitely. When the position indicator 22 a plurality of juxtaposed indicators, such as teeth, has a fine adjustment of the rotation of the plastic housing parts depends 4 and 8th from the number of indicators when the holding element 14 as an additional safeguard of the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th is used to each other.

To the flow passage 12 the valve device 2 of the embodiment, an adjustment of the valve device takes place 2 by twisting the two plastic housing parts 4 and 8th each other without the holding element 14 from the valve device 2 to remove. During twisting holds the holding element 14 the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th continue together, in particular fluid-tight or form-fitting together. The holding element 14 is determined by the indicators of the position indicator 22 by means of the latching area 18 lifted and, after a corresponding indicator has happened, of the spring tension of the holding element 14 again in an abutting position on the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th brought, so the recess 122 with the tool engagement surface of the first plastic housing part 4 , and the locking projection 17 with his rest area 18 with the position indicator 22 are engaged again. As a result, the plastic housing parts 4 and 8th with the holding element 14 secured against each other against unintentional twisting.

Claims (20)

Valve device (2), in particular a throttle valve, designed to guide air and / or coolant of a fuel cell assembly, comprising: a first plastic housing part (4) having a first channel (6); and a second plastic housing part (8) having a second channel (10); wherein the first channel (6) and the second channel (10) are arranged along a longitudinal axis (A) and form a flow passage (12) along the longitudinal axis (A); wherein on the first plastic housing part (4) a first throttle element (42) and on the second plastic housing part (8) a second throttle element (44) in the flow passage (12) are arranged; and wherein the first plastic housing part (4) and the second plastic housing part (8) are plugged into one another and transversely to the longitudinal axis (A) against each other and thereby the position of the first throttle element (42) and the second throttle element (44) is mutually variable, so that the Flow of a medium through the flow passage (12) by a combination of the first throttle element (42) and the second throttle element (44) is adjustable. Valve device (2) after Claim 1 , further comprising a holding element (14), wherein the holding element (14) is a retaining clip, which is formed so as to at least partially surround the first plastic housing part (4) and the second plastic housing part (8) and by external attachment transversely to the longitudinal axis ( A) connects to each other plastic housing parts (4, 8) and holds against each other. Valve device (2) after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the holding element (14) has a 3-point support, with which the two plastic housing parts (4,8) are fastened together at three points. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (14) is formed so that there is a position of the first plastic housing part (4) to the second plastic housing part (8) and thus the position of the first throttle element (42) to the second throttle element ( 44). Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third throttle element (100) which is arranged between the first throttle element (42) and the second throttle element (44) and is rotatably arranged on one of the plastic housing parts (4,8), such that the first, second and third throttle elements (42, 44, 100) in combination with one another adjust the flow of the medium through the flow passage (100), the third throttle element (100) being relative to the first and / or second throttle elements (42, 44) ) is rotatable. Valve device (2) after Claim 5 , wherein at least one driver (79,84) is provided in at least one of the first and / or second plastic housing parts (4,8), which entrains the third throttle element (100) upon rotation of the first and / or second plastic housing part (4,8) and twisted relative to the first or second plastic housing part (4, 8). Valve device (2) after Claim 6 in which a first driver (79) is designed as a first stop pin extending on the first plastic housing part (4) in the direction of the second plastic housing part (8), and / or a second driver (84) acting as one on the second plastic housing part (8 ) is formed in the direction of the first plastic housing part (4) extending second stop pin, wherein at least one of the stop pin with a on an outer side (108) of the third throttle element (100) introduced recess (110) is engaged, and upon rotation of the plastic housing parts ( 4,8) to each other transmit the rotary motion to the third throttle element (100) and rotate it. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the throttle elements (42,44,100) is disk-shaped. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the throttle elements (42,44,100) at least one, in particular two or more, diaphragm elements (46), in particular circular sectors, wherein the or the diaphragm elements (46) are formed by Rotating the plastic housing parts (4,8) to each other to change a cross section of the flow passage (12) and thereby adjust the flow. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plastic housing part (4) or the second plastic housing part (8) has a position indicator (22) on an outer side (16, 36) of the corresponding plastic housing part (4, 8). has, by means of which a rotation to each other and thus a set flow is characterized. Valve device (2) after Claim 10 wherein the position indicator (22) is an arc-shaped multi-indicator scale disposed about a portion of the outer surface (16, 36), a retaining element (14) comprising the first plastic housing portion (4) and the second plastic housing portion (8). comprises at least partially and by external plugging transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) on both plastic housing parts (4, 8) together and holds against each other, on a side facing the second or the first plastic housing part has a locking projection (17) which is adapted to, with the scale to be engaged and to secure a rotation of the plastic housing parts (4,8) to each other. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plastic housing part (4) and the second plastic housing part (8) are formed so that the first plastic housing part (4) radially in the second plastic housing part (8) or the second plastic housing part (8) radially in the first plastic housing part (4) is feasible. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plastic housing part (4) and / or the second plastic housing part (8) has a tool engagement surface (32, 32) arranged peripherally on an outer side (16, 36) of the corresponding plastic housing part (4, 8). 64). Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing element (140), in particular a sealing ring, wherein the sealing element (140) between the first plastic housing part (4) and the second plastic housing part (8) is arranged. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the valve device are produced by a 3D printing process. Valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second throttle element (42,44) is formed integrally with the corresponding plastic housing part (4,8). Fuel cell arrangement with a media guide for air and / or cooling liquid and a valve device (2) according to one of the preceding claims. Fuel cell drive of a vehicle having a fuel cell assembly according to Claim 17 , Method for adjusting and fixing a valve device (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 16 twisting the first and the second plastic housing parts (4, 8) relative to one another and thereby rotating the first throttle element (42) and the second throttle element (44) relative to each other so that an opening size of the flow passage (12) is adjusted. Method according to Claim 19 further comprising fixing the first and the second plastic housing parts (4, 8) to one another by a holding element (14) which at least partially encloses the first plastic housing part (4) and the second plastic housing part (8) and by external attachment transversely to the longitudinal axis (A) on both plastic housing parts (4, 8) connects together and holds against each other. Placing the holding element (14) on the two plastic housing parts (4,8) and thus fixing the positioning of the throttle elements (42,44) to each other.

Images