DE102018120858A1 - Control valve for a thermal management module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control valve (1) for a heat management module (2) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising at least the following components: - a valve plate (4) for sealingly seated on a valve seat (5) in a closed position; - a valve stem (6 ) with an axial extension, the valve stem (6) being connected to the valve plate (4); - a stem bearing (7) with a bearing surface (8) in which the valve stem (6) is axially movable guided by the bearing surface (8) is stored; and - a return energy store (9) for applying an axial force (10), which holds the valve disk (4) in a first normal position (11); - a solenoid coil (12) for generating a magnetic force (13) by energization, by means of which the valve disk (4) can be driven out of the first normal position (11). The control valve (1) is primarily characterized in that a permanent magnet (14) is also provided for the permanent generation of a permanent force (15), the valve disk (4) being stable in a second normal position (16) by means of the permanent force (15) A cost-effective and reliable control valve is proposed here, which can be easily integrated into a motor vehicle and requires little electrical energy during operation.

Description

The invention relates to a control valve for a motor vehicle, and a heat management module with such a control valve for a motor vehicle.

Various rotary slide devices are known from the prior art, which are set up for a heat management module (WMM), also referred to as a thermal management module (TMM), for example a cooling control circuit for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. For example from the DE 10 2013 209 582 A1 a rotary slide ball for a thermal management module is known. The thermal management module described therein is set up in particular for space-optimized components of a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine. Such a rotary slide valve is driven by an electric motor and can be transferred to various positions, for example a blocking position or an open position, but also intermediate positions.

For many applications it is necessary to look for cost-effective solutions and to find a construction with the smallest possible space requirement.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of at least partially overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features according to the invention result from the independent claims, for which advantageous configurations are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically sensible manner, the explanations from the following description and features from the figures, which include additional embodiments of the invention, being able to be used for this purpose.

• - einen Ventilteller zum dichtenden Aufsitzen auf einem Ventilsitz in einer Geschlossenstellung;
• - einen Ventilschaft mit einer axialen Erstreckung, wobei der Ventilschaft mit dem Ventilteller verbunden ist;
• - ein Schaftlager mit einer Lagerfläche, in welchem der Ventilschaft geführt von der Lagerfläche axial bewegbar gelagert ist; und
• - eine Rückholenergiespeicher zum Aufbringen einer Axialkraft, welche den Ventilteller in einer ersten Normalstellung hält;
• - eine Hubmagnetspule zum, unter Bestromung, Erzeugen einer Magnetkraft, mittels welcher der Ventilteller ansteuerbar aus der ersten Normalstellung herausführbar ist.

The invention relates to a control valve for a heat management module of a motor vehicle, comprising at least the following components:

• - A valve plate for sealing seating on a valve seat in a closed position;
• a valve stem with an axial extension, the valve stem being connected to the valve disk;
• - A shaft bearing with a bearing surface, in which the valve stem is axially movably guided by the bearing surface; and
• - A return energy store for applying an axial force, which holds the valve plate in a first normal position;
• - A solenoid for energizing, generating a magnetic force by means of which the valve plate can be controlled to be brought out of the first normal position.

The control valve is primarily characterized in that a permanent magnet is also provided for the permanent generation of a permanent force, the valve disk being stable in a second normal position by means of the permanent force.

In the following, reference is made to the mentioned axial extension of the valve stem if the axial direction and radial direction and corresponding terms are used without explicitly indicating otherwise. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the preceding and subsequent description serve only to clearly distinguish them and do not reflect the order or ranking of the components identified. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily mean that another such component must be present.

In contrast to previously known control valves, a first normal position and a second normal position can each be maintained without the supply of external energy, so that regulation of the volume flow that can be interrupted by the control valve is made possible, which has a low energy consumption. At the same time, the structure and control of the control valve are very simple and take up little space.

The control valve proposed here is designed in the manner of a solenoid valve for performing an axial stroke along the movement axis. The stroke can be carried out in a controlled manner by means of a magnetizable solenoid. A valve stem is provided for actuating the valve plate, that is to say for lifting the valve plate off the valve seat and / or for pressing the valve plate onto the valve seat, which is firmly connected to the valve plate. The valve stem has an axial extension. This axial extension defines the axis of movement of the valve plate in the shaft bearing, which for this purpose has a correspondingly axially extending bearing surface. In one embodiment, the bearing surface is not set up for (permanent) leading contact, but the valve stem is stabilized via the magnetic field of the solenoid coil or the associated magnetic winding, preferably also in de-energized operating states.

The control valve is suitable for a heat management module of a motor vehicle and a volume flow of a coolant, preferably one Coolant, controllable by means of this control valve, preferably can be switched off and switched on. For example, the control valve is arranged in a main line of a coolant circuit. Alternatively, the control valve is arranged in a secondary line of a coolant circuit, so that an auxiliary unit can be cooled (in the open position) and is not supplied with coolant (in the closed position) and / or the total volume flow in the main line can be changed by the flow volume of the secondary line. For this purpose, the control valve has a valve plate, which takes over the switchable sealing function and is seated on a valve seat in a closed position and is lifted off the valve seat in a (maximum) open position. In the closed position, the control valve for the coolant can no longer flow through or can be flowed through only to a negligible extent. The closed position and the (maximum) open position each represent a normal position.

The antagonists for holding the valve plate in the two normal positions are a return energy store and a permanent magnet. The return energy accumulator, for example a helical compression spring, a gas pressure accumulator or the like, permanently exerts an axial force towards the first of the two normal positions on the valve disk, preferably indirectly via the valve stem, for example on a collar of the valve stem. In the first normal position, the valve disk is preferably held only by the return energy store. In one embodiment, the valve plate is pressed by the return energy store against the valve seat, that is to say transferred to the closed position and held there. The permanent magnet permanently exerts a permanent force opposing the axial force towards the second of the two normal positions on the valve disk, preferably indirectly via the valve stem, for example on an (axial) end of the valve stem. In the second normal position, the valve disk is then preferably held only by the permanent magnet. In one embodiment, the valve disk is maximally spaced from the valve seat by the permanent magnet, that is to say transferred to the open position and / or held there.

So that the control valve can be transferred from one normal position to the other normal position, a solenoid coil is provided, which generates a magnetic field when an electrical voltage is applied, which in interaction with a yoke (axially fixed magnetic counter bearing, solenoid coil is fixed to the valve stem) or at reverse construction in interaction with an armature (solenoid coil is then axially fixed) generates a magnetic force in the axial direction. This magnetic force is reversible in its axial direction of action by reversing a voltage applied across the solenoid. As a result of this magnetic force that can be switched on and off, the axial force can be overcome in the first normal position in such a way that the valve plate is transferred to the second normal position, or, in the opposite direction of action, the permanent force can be overcome in the second normal position in such a way that the valve plate is transferred to the second normal position. If the solenoid coil is not energized, the valve disk remains in the present normal position or is transferred to the respective normal position by the stronger force depending on the position and then held there. Because the axial force increases with antagonistic force application, i.e. deflection of the valve disk from the first normal position, for example from the closed position to the open position, to a lesser extent, for example increases linearly, than the permanent force increases, which increases quadratically with the distance to the permanent magnet the permanent magnet and the return energy store can be designed accordingly for stable, preferably force-loaded, normal positions. In an alternative embodiment, the axial force decreases again during a stroke movement towards the permanent magnet, at least compared to a maximum axial force, for example by means of a (for example discontinuous) buckling effect. As an alternative or in addition, a flat spring characteristic is generated by means of a suitable preload. A higher axial force can thus be set up with (relatively) low permanent force of the permanent magnet and / or with (relatively) low (overactuating the axial force) magnetic force of the lifting magnet coil; conversely, a reduced permanent force and / or reduced (maximum) magnetic force can be set up with the same axial force.

A bistable magnet arrangement is thus created. The advantages of such a bistable magnet arrangement are, on the one hand, the low energy requirement, because the bistable rotary magnet only needs to be energized to switch to the other end position, the small size of the drive compared to, for example, a spindle drive, and the small size of the necessary power electronics and control technology Operation of the bistable magnet arrangement. In addition, a bistable magnet arrangement and the associated control technology are produced from comparatively inexpensive components or can be acquired as an inexpensive structural unit.

Another advantage is that, for switching, the solenoid can be energized aggressively because the load is brief, namely only for transferring to the other normal position. With aggressive energization, a high current density is generated, with the result of heating and a relatively large power loss over the resistance increasing with the heat, but in comparison to a thermal safety limit for continuous or long-term operation of the solenoid coil, a high magnetic force can also be generated. The solenoid coil can cool down again when one of the two normal positions is in contact. Thus, in comparison to a solenoid valve with only a single stable normal position, namely that first normal position held by the return energy store, a very quick switchover is possible and / or the material used for such a solenoid coil can be (significantly) reduced.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the control valve, the control valve is closed in one of the normal positions of the valve plate and the control valve is opened to the maximum in the other normal position of the valve plate.

In one embodiment, the valve disk is pressed against the valve seat by the permanent force of the permanent magnet, that is to say transferred to the closed position and / or held there. The closed position is then the second normal position. Then the control valve is opened to the maximum by the axial force of the return energy store, that is to say transferred to the open position and / or held there. The open position is then the first normal position.

In an alternative embodiment, the valve disk is pressed against the valve seat by the axial force of the return energy accumulator, that is to say transferred to the closed position and / or held there. The closed position is then the first normal position. Then the control valve is opened to the maximum by the permanent force of the permanent magnet, that is to say transferred to the open position and / or held there. The open position is then the second normal position.

In a preferred embodiment, the axial force of the return energy store over a first section of at least 80% [eighty percent], preferably 90% or more, of the entire stroke distance between the two normal positions is so much stronger than the permanent force of the permanent magnet that the valve disk is in it Section of the stroke distance is safely transferred to the first normal position. In the (remaining) second section, the permanent force of the permanent magnet reliably transfers the valve plate into the second normal position against the axial force.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the control valve, the solenoid can be controlled by means of an H-bridge with reversible polarity, in that the solenoid is arranged in the bridge branch of the H-bridge.

The advantage of an H-bridge is that the current source, i.e. the technically positive potential, and current sink, i.e. the technically negative potential, can remain unchanged, and with appropriate wiring of the line branches, for example by means of transistors, i.e. electronically (with low power currents) and can be switched on and switchable (almost) infinite resistors, the current direction in the H-bridge is reversible. With the reversal of the current direction, the polarity of the magnetic field of the solenoid coil is reversed. This results in a low-loss and equivalent reversal of the polarity of the magnetic field of the lifting magnet coil, which generates an equally strong magnetic force. Only a single magnetic coil is required.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the control valve, the solenoid coil, arranged in the bridge arm of an H-bridge, comprises two oppositely wound partial coils, a resistance branch being branched off between the partial coils to a technically negative potential.

With this alternative embodiment, the same advantages as in the H-bridge described above can be achieved. This H-bridge configuration can be manufactured more cost-effectively for large quantities. The sub-coils are arranged in such a way that they generate a magnetic field that is oppositely polarized. With a first (technical) current direction, however, the current intensity in the first partial coil is (considerably) greater than in the second partial coil, so that the (first) magnetic field of the first partial coil predominates in such a way that a magnetic force is generated in accordance with the polarity of the first magnetic field. When the current is reversed, the current intensity in the second coil section is (considerably) greater than in the first coil section, so that the (second) magnetic field of the second coil section predominates in such a way that a magnetic force corresponding to the polarity of the second magnetic field is generated. This is achieved via the resistance branch, through which a large part of the current is diverted, so that the coil lying behind it in the (technical) current direction is (considerably) under-supplied compared to the coil lying in front of it in the technical current direction.

• - zumindest einen Kühlmittelkreislauf mit einem Kühlmittel,
• - zumindest eine Druckquelle für das Kühlmittel,
• - zumindest eine Wärmeabgabeschnittstelle für eine Wärmesenke,
• - zumindest eine Wärmeaufnahmeschnittstelle für eine Wärmequelle,
• - ein Steuerventil nach einer Ausführungsform gemäß der obigen Beschreibung, wobei der Kühlmittelkreislauf mittels des Steuerventils öffenbar und sperrbar ist, sodass mittels Schalten des Steuerventils ein Volumenstrom des Kühlmittels veränderbar ist.

According to a further aspect, a heat management module for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising at least the following components:

• at least one coolant circuit with a coolant,
• at least one pressure source for the coolant,
• at least one heat emission interface for a heat sink,
• at least one heat absorption interface for a heat source,
• - a control valve according to an embodiment according to the above description, wherein the coolant circuit can be opened and blocked by means of the control valve, so that a volume flow of the coolant can be changed by switching the control valve.

The heat management module proposed here is set up to remove the heat from a heat source and to use a heat sink to supply a coolant, preferably a coolant, with a suitable temperature and thus heat capacity to the heat source. For this purpose, the heat management module has a coolant circuit, preferably with a partial circuit, for example a bypass, the coolant circuit being able to be operated, for example, in a map-controlled manner. Furthermore, the heat management module has a pressure source, by means of which the circulation of the coolant, preferably pressure-controlled, that is to say approximately with a constant pressure, is ensured in the coolant circuit.

The heat management module has a heat absorption interface for a heat source and a heat emission interface for a heat sink. The heat sink is, for example, ambient air and / or, in a motor vehicle, airflow.

The thermal management module includes a (bistable) control valve as described above. The control valve is connected to the main circuit for opening and closing the main circuit or the entire volume flow. Alternatively, the control valve or another such control valve is connected in a partial circuit so that the partial circuit is flowed by the coolant when the control valve is in the open position and is not supplied with current when the valve disk of the control valve is in the closed position. By setting the volume flow of the coolant (by switching the flow through the partial circuit or completely switching off or switching on the coolant flow) by means of the (bistable) control valve, the desired temperature control is ensured quickly, easily and safely. At the same time, the (bistable) control valve consumes little electricity and space and is an inexpensive component.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the heat management module, the pressure source is a coolant pump and / or the heat sink is a cooler and / or the heat source is a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

In this embodiment, the thermal management module is part of a motor vehicle. If the pressure source is a coolant pump, the coolant pump can be operated, for example, in a pressure-controlled manner, with a volume flow being controllable or at least switchable via the control valve. If the heat sink is a cooler and / or the heat source is a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the heat management module can easily be integrated into a known cooling architecture, with only a previously known control valve being replaced by the (bistable) control valve proposed here.

• 1: ein bistabiles Steuerventil;
• 2: ein Wärmemanagementmodul in einem Kraftfahrzeug;
• 3: eine H-Brücke mit einer einzigen Hubmagnetspule; und
• 4: eine H-Brücke mit zwei Teilspulen.

The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred configurations. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, it being noted that the drawings are not true to size and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is shown in

• 1 : a bistable control valve;
• 2 : a thermal management module in a motor vehicle;
• 3 : an H-bridge with a single solenoid; and
• 4 : an H-bridge with two coil sections.

In 1 is a control valve in a schematic diagram 1 shown, which is designed as a slide valve. That is, the valve plate 4 of the control valve 1 must close the flow opening 33 from the (rear) valve stem 6 on the associated valve seat 5 be pressed. In the embodiment shown is a return energy store 9 , shown here as a helical compression spring, provided by means of its mechanically stored axial force 10 the valve plate 4 along the axis of movement 34 , against the valve seat 5 presses when the permanent force 15 of the permanent magnet 14 (and, if applicable, the one on the control valve 1 acting flow forces in the coolant channel 40 ) is overcome. This is the return energy storage 9 here between a valve collar 37 of the control valve 1 and a housing abutment 39 of the housing 38 (or here one rigid with the housing 38 connected and by means of a static seal 41 outwardly sealed valve closure in the housing 38 ) tense. Here is the return energy storage 9 in a wet room, i.e. in a non-sealant to the coolant channel 40 sealed room. In the direction along the axis of movement 34 towards the shaft bearing 7 is a sealant with a dynamic sealing lip 42 downstream, which prevents the penetration of (cooling) liquid from the wet room into the storage room. There is a in the storage room or drive room active or controllable drive 36 formed, which consists of a solenoid 12 and the valve stem 6 composed. The solenoid 12 also forms a magnetic guide and can therefore be used as a bearing surface 8th be considered. Alternatively, there is a bearing surface at the valve collar 37 educated.

The valve disc is shown in the illustration 4 of the control valve 1 in the closed position, here the first normal position 11 , and is there (without energy) solely by the axial force 10 of the return energy store 9 held. The opposite permanent force 15 is in the first normal position 11 preferably (almost) negligible. For transferring the valve plate 4 in the open position, here the second normal position 16 , is from the drive 36 one of the axial force 10 opposite magnetic force 13 generated which is greater than the axial force 10 (or, if applicable, plus or minus that on the control valve 1 acting flow forces in the coolant channel 40 ). Then the valve stem 6 as long as along the axis of movement 34 towards the permanent magnet 14 out until it strikes there or until the permanent force 15 is greater than the axial force 10 (or, if applicable, plus or minus that on the control valve 1 acting flow forces in the coolant channel 40 ). Then the energization of the solenoid 12 switched off again because of the valve plate 4 then from the permanent force 15 of the permanent magnet 14 in the open position, here the second normal position 16 is held. The axial force 10 can the permanent force 15 not overcome now. Only when the solenoid coil 12 is energized again in such a way that the polarity is reversed and the magnetic force 13 towards the valve seat 5 shows, the valve disc 4 again from the second normal position 16 pulled out and in the first normal position 11 transferred. The control valve 1 is then closed again and a volume flow in the coolant channel 40 prevented.

In 2 is a section of a motor vehicle 3 shown, in which in the engine compartment, i.e. where the internal combustion engine 23 is arranged, a thermal management module 2 comprising a coolant circuit 24 for the internal combustion engine 23 , is shown. The coolant circuit 24 connects a heat absorption interface 30 , here with the internal combustion engine 23 which with their combustion chambers 32 the heat source 31 and a heat dissipation interface 27 which, for example, by (driving) wind in interaction with the heat emission interface 27 as a cooler 29 which is the heat sink 28 represents, used for heat emission. The coolant in the coolant circuit 24 is from the pressure source 25 promoted, for example a coolant pump 26 , The coolant circuit 24 has a (bistable) control valve here 1 which, for example, as in 1 shown is executed. Here is the control valve 1 The coolant circuit is shown in the locked state and by moving the switch symbol to the left in the display 24 open. The pressure source is preferred here 25 constant pressure, so that the valve disc is in the maximum open position 4 (see 1 ) of the control valve 1 the volume flow is (almost) constant.

In 3 is a circuit diagram shown, in which a solenoid 12 in the bridge branch 18 an H-bridge 17 is arranged. It's between a technically positive potential 21 and a technically negative potential 35 a first line branch in the sense of the definition of the technical current direction 43 with a first transistor 47 , a second line branch 44 with a second transistor 48 , a third line branch 45 with a third transistor 49 and a fourth line branch 46 with a fourth transistor 50 provided between which the bridge branch 18 is arranged. Become the first transistor 47 and the fourth transistor 50 switched to pass is a (first) polarity of the magnetic field of the solenoid 12 because the current flows from left to right through the solenoid as shown 12 flows. Become the third transistor 49 and the second transistor 48 switched to pass, is the polarity of the magnetic field of the solenoid 12 vice versa, because the current as shown from right to left through the solenoid 12 flows.

In 4 is a circuit diagram shown, in which a solenoid 12 in the bridge branch 18 an H-bridge 17 is arranged, the solenoid 12 a first coil section 19 and a second coil section 20 has, which are connected in series, but are wound in opposite directions, so that the respective polarity is reversed. Between the two coil sections 19 and 20 is a resistance branch 22 to the technically negative potential 35 diverted. Here it is like in the circuit diagram 3 between a technically positive potential 21 and a technically negative potential 35 a first line branch in the sense of the definition of the technical current direction 43 with a first transistor 47 , a second line branch 44 with a second transistor 48 , a third line branch 45 with a third transistor 49 and a fourth line branch 46 with a fourth transistor 50 provided between which the bridge branch 18 is arranged. The resistance of the resistance branch 22 is set such that the magnetic field of the second coil section 20 compared to the magnetic field of the first coil section 19 is negligible if the first transistor 47 and the fourth transistor 50 are switched to pass, and the magnetic field of the first coil section 19 compared to the magnetic field of the second coil section 20 is negligible if the third transistor 49 and the second transistor 48 are switched on. So with the same wiring of the transistors 47 to 50 as shown in the circuit diagram 3 the polarity of the (superimposed) magnetic field of the solenoid 12 reversible.

Here, an inexpensive and reliable control valve is proposed, which can be easily integrated into a motor vehicle and requires little electrical energy overall during operation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

control valve

2

Thermal management module

3

motor vehicle

4

valve disc

5

valve seat

6

valve stem

7

stem bearing

8th

storage area

9

Rückholenergiespeicher

10

Axial force

11

first normal position

12

lift solenoid

13

magnetic force

14

permanent magnet

15

permanent force

16

second normal position

17

H-bridge

18

bridge branch

19

first coil section

20

second coil section

21

positive potential

22

resistive branch

23

Internal combustion engine

24

Coolant circuit

25

pressure source

26

Coolant pump

27

Heat output interface

28

heat sink

29

cooler

30

Heat absorption interface

31

heat source

32

combustion chamber

33

flow opening

34

motion axis

35

negative potential

36

drive

37

valve collar

38

casing

39

Housing abutment

40

Coolant channel

41

static seal

42

dynamic sealing lip

43

first line branch

44

second line branch

45

third line branch

46

fourth line branch

47

first transistor

48

second transistor

49

third transistor

50

fourth transistor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102013209582 A1 [0002]

Claims (6)

Control valve (1) for a heat management module (2) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising at least the following components: - a valve plate (4) for sealingly seated on a valve seat (5) in a closed position; - A valve stem (6) with an axial extension, the valve stem (6) being connected to the valve disk (4); - A shaft bearing (7) with a bearing surface (8) in which the valve stem (6) is axially movably guided by the bearing surface (8); and - a return energy store (9) for applying an axial force (10) which holds the valve disk (4) in a first normal position (11); - A solenoid coil (12) for, when energized, generating a magnetic force (13), by means of which the valve plate (4) can be driven out of the first normal position (11); characterized in that a permanent magnet (14) is also provided for the permanent generation of a permanent force (15), the valve disk (4) being stable in a second normal position (16) by means of the permanent force (15). Control valve (1) after Claim 1 , In one of the normal positions (11) of the valve plate (4) the control valve (1) is closed and in the other normal position (16) of the valve plate (4) the control valve (1) is open to the maximum. Control valve (1) after Claim 1 or 2 The lifting solenoid (12) can be controlled by means of an H-bridge (17) with reversible polarity, in that the lifting solenoid (12) is arranged in the bridge branch (18) of the H-bridge (17). Control valve (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the solenoid coil (12), arranged in the bridge branch (18) of an H-bridge (17), comprises two sub-coils (19, 20) wound in opposite directions, whereby between the sub-coils (19, 20) leads to a technically negative potential ( 21) a resistance branch (22) is branched off. Thermal management module (2) for a motor vehicle (3), comprising at least the following components: - at least one coolant circuit (24) with a coolant, - at least one pressure source (25) for the coolant, - at least one heat emission interface (27) for a heat sink (28), - at least one heat absorption interface (30) for a heat source (31), - A control valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coolant circuit (24) can be opened and blocked by means of the control valve (1), so that a volume flow of the coolant can be changed by switching the control valve (1). Thermal management module (2) after Claim 5 , wherein the pressure source is a coolant pump (26) and / or the heat sink (28) is a cooler (29) and / or the heat source (31) is a combustion chamber (32) of an internal combustion engine (23).

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