DE19916839C1 - Pre-control valve device for modular fluid control valve unit has standard pre-control module combined with adaption part matched to main fluid control valve type - Google Patents

Abstract

The pre-control valve device has an adaption part (4) for connection with the controlled main valve (5) via a fluid interface (6) and a mechanical interface which are matched to the valve type and a standardised piezo- and/or micro-valve pre-control module (2) with a standard fluid interface (26) and an associated electronic valve control (3).

Description

The invention relates to a pilot valve device, according to claim 1 is suitable for controlling a main valve and with it Main valve combined to form a valve unit that can.

Valve units used for fluid control often have fig via a pilot operated main valve, whereby for pilot control pilot valve device is used, which previously consisted of a solenoid valve. Here will usually be the solenoid valve depending on main valve selected what a great product diversity requires and therefore high costs gently.

In addition, in the fluidic tax sector tion technology increasingly valve units with very low Ab measurements are required. In this context, DE 42 32 519 C2 a controlled by a computer bus Valve assembly described that a variety of valves contains units, each with a power valve include pre-control module. The pilot control module can each be integrated in a connector and has an ASIC with an assigned micromechanical  Pilot valve. Although such designs work very well suitable for miniaturization are available in larger scale so far mainly countered cost disadvantages. The specific adaptation mentioned in DE 42 32 519 C2 solution of the pilot control component to the respective application and in particular to different main valve types has high production due to the technological problems on costs.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a pre-tax he valve device to create, which if necessary in can realize small dimensions and still one inexpensive use in pilot control different Permitted valve types.

This problem is solved by a pilot valve device as a component of a modular valve concept, in which several valve units each having a main valve and at least one pilot valve device are provided, the main valves of which differ from one another in the valve type and the pilot valve devices correspondingly following Components include:

• a) an adaptation part, which is for connection to the respective main valve to be controlled and valve type-specific fish adapted to this first fluidic and first me has Chinese interface means,
• b) at least one trained as a piezo and / or micro valve Detes pilot module that one of the design of the ordered main valve independent standardized Has structure and which is fixed to the adapter, where  in the case of a standardized second fluidic Interface means via adapted third fluidi cal interface means of the adaptation part with a in this running and with the valve type specific communicate first fluidic interface means the fluid channel system are connected, and
• c) a participant in the control of the pilot module Valve electronics as a unit with the input tax Modular version or separately attached to the adapter is.

In this way there is a pilot valve device, which is part of a modular valve concept that it enables a piezo and / or micro valve to pilot control use purposes, the structure of the invention pays attention to a wide range of the valve type to be controlled de standardization allows so that one and the same before control module can be used in many ways and accordingly production costs per valve module can be kept relatively low. The valve spec fish adaptation to the respective main valve type happens via the adaptation part, which on the one hand uses standardized Interface means for coupling the pilot control module and on the other hand via individualized interface means for Connected to the respective main valve. Because of this Adaptation part functionally much lower requirements to be placed as on the pilot module is the individual All adaptation can be carried out much more cost-effectively here than with a comparative direct adaptation of the Pre-control module itself. This affects accordingly  the provision of the adaptation part necessary structural Effort does not adversely affect the overall concept. There and finally the valve electronics for the pilot control Space-saving module housed in the pilot module itself o which is fixed to the adapter part can be invented with the concept very small valve units with compact Realize th dimensions.

Although the use of adapter parts as such is already known in the valve technology sector. So shows for example DE 43 12 730 A1 a valve station, at the different sizes of fluid distributors by an interim Coupled adapter part are coupled together. The However, adaptation does not take place here for adaptation standardized components on components of individual design, but to link individual components together the. In addition, despite the use of an adapter Linking the fluid distributors to the fluid distributors ordered valves despite different types in con conventionally mounted with specific adaptation.

Advantageous developments of the invention go from the Un claims.

The pilot module can be placed on the adapter his. So that mostly with regard to external influences quite sensitive structure of the pilot module better ge protection is recommended, however, a design in which the pilot module in an adapted admission of the Adapti is partly placed. The valve electronics is off separately  formed, it also expediently finds protected Accommodation in a suitable reception of the adaptation part.

As a rule, the electrical connection of the pilot Valve device to an associated control device the valve electronics take place. Their electrical connection with the actuator of the pilot module can then either di rectly or via electrical leads running in the adaptation part ter. The latter has the advantage that the input tax dul and the valve electronics installed independently of each other or can be uninstalled in the event of malfunctions.

In particular in the case of a front designed as a piezo valve control module, it is advantageous if the valve electronics ne voltage boost circuit includes the actuator of the piezo valve with a possibly higher one Power supplied.

The valve module is expediently designed such that it has the functionality of a 3/2-way valve. To one realizing such functionality could also be two ge separate valve modules with 2/2 functionality each hen be, which then together in terms of control technology who are linked.  

Another cost advantage in producing the pre control valve device then sets itself, even if the valve electronics have a standardized structure, which is adapted to the standardized pilot control module. In this way, main valves can be different Types with one and the same type of pilot module and the valve electronics, the Adap tion part as a link to the respective main valve is used, which is correct with the main valve corresponding fluidic and mechanical interfaces to the corresponding assigned interfaces of the main valve is individually adjusted.

The invention is described below with reference to the enclosed Drawing explained in more detail. In this show:

Fig. 1, the illustration of the basic concept of the invention Before control valve means by way of exporting approximately example in a perspective exploded,

Fig. 2 shows a valve unit consisting of the pilot control valve device of Fig. 1 and a zugeord Neten main valve,

Fig. 3 shows another valve unit equipped with a preferred design of the pilot valve device, highly schematic and partially cut open in the loading area of the adaptation part and the pilot module, and

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the pilot valve device with a modified Ge design of the adaptation part to adapt to another main valve type.

The illustrated in Fig. 1 in its individual parts before control valve device 1 includes, as essential constituents, a pilot loading module 2, an electronic valve 3, and an adaptation part 4. It is provided for use as a component of a modular valve concept, whereby it is suitable by modification only of the adaptation part 4 for use in pilot control under various types of main valves 5 , which are shown in the drawing in several different designs.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 to 4, the adaptation is part 4 on the one hand designed as a connecting element between the pre control module 2 with associated valve electronics 3 and on the other hand, any main valve 5. By means of the adaptation part 4 , the pre-control components designed in a standardized design can be adapted in the form of the pre-control module 2 and the valve electronics 3 to the individual interface conditions of the main valve 5 to be controlled, so that a variable modular valve system can be realized based on uniform basic components can be produced relatively inexpensively because the technologically sophisticated components can be used as identical parts.

The adaptation part 4 has first fluidic interface means 6 , presently in the form of connection openings, and first mechanical interface means 7 , in the present case a suitably structured mounting surface, the design of which is individually oriented to the conditions of the main valve 5 to be controlled. If the main valve 5 to be piloted is provided with threaded holes, for example, the first mechanical interface means 7 can in a corresponding manner contain fixed fastening screws on the adaptation part 4 , via which the adaptation part 4 is mechanically fastened to the main valve 5 .

The pilot module 2 is ausgebil det in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 as a miniaturized piezo valve. In the case of FIG. 4, which shows a valve unit 8 equipped with two pilot control valve devices 1 at the same time, the pilot control modules 2 are formed by micro valves, which were produced by micromechanical manufacturing processes. Frequent representatives of this type of valve are micro-valves in multi-layer construction, which are realized by etching or molding processes using microstructuring processes. Their housing usually consists of silicon and / or plastic material.

Pilot control modules constructed in this way require a relatively high level of technological effort to produce them. There is therefore interest in producing such products in large numbers. Through the module concept according to the invention, this possibility is given by the control modules 2 before, regardless of the specific structure of the main valve 5 to be controlled, have an unchanged, that is, standardized construction, so that each of the valve units 8 resulting from the combination with a main valve 5 with the same pilot module 2 is equipped. The individual adaptation to the respective main valve 5 takes place through the specific configuration of the associated adaptation part 4 and in particular the first fluidic and mechanical interfaces 6 , 7 provided on it .

The pilot control module 2 used in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 3, which is shown again schematically in individual parts in FIG. 1, contains a multi-part and preferably two-part module housing 12 , the housing parts 12 ', 12 ''of which, for example, by gluing or by ultrasound or laser welding are firmly and fluid-tightly connected. In the interior of the module housing 2 , a piezo actuator 13 , in the present case a bending transducer, is installed, which has a control section 14 which is able to control a valve opening 15 formed in the module housing 12 . The piezo actuator 13 is identical in all pilot control modules 2 , so it has a standardized structure with the same dimensions and the same layout for electrical voltages. In the exemplary embodiment, a stroke of the piezo bender of 0.1 mm is provided.

The module housing 12 also has a standard structure, expediently using a relatively high-quality plastic. In addition to the valve opening 15, which can also be referred to as a nozzle, it contains in particular a clamping means 16 for clamping the piezo actuator 13 .

The pilot module 2 is manufactured independently of the adaptation part 4 and is therefore relatively inexpensive. The pilot module 2 is expediently workable in itself and has the functionality of a 3/2-way valve in the exemplary embodiment.

The valve electronics 3 already mentioned is assigned to the pilot control module 2 for its control. It also expediently has a standardized structure which is independent of the specific configuration of the adaptation part 4 .

The valve electronics 3 can be coupled via electrical contact means 17 to an electronic control device, not shown, via which it receives the necessary control signals, on the basis of which it supplies the pilot control module 2 with suitable electrical actuation signals. In the exemplary embodiment, the valve electronics 3 contains, among other things, a voltage boost circuit 18 in order to raise the voltage of 24 volts which is usually present in electro-pneumatic applications to the higher voltage which is regularly required for the operation of a piezo valve.

As can be seen clearly from FIG. 1, the valve electronics 3 expediently contains a printed circuit board 22 which is equipped with the required electronic components.

In the embodiment of FIGS . 1 and 2, the elec trical contact means 17 on the adapter part 4 are seen easily. In this case, the valve electronics 3 has suitable electrical connecting means 23 , via which the electrical coupling of the valve electronics 3 with the electrical contact means 17 takes place. These electrical connecting means 23 can be, for example, plug-in contact means, touch contact means or simply soldered cables.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the electrical contact means 17 are a direct part of the valve electronics 3 and expediently firmly connected to the circuit board 22 . In all these cases, further electrical connecting means 24 are provided, via which the valve electronics 3 are electrically coupled to the pilot control module 2 and in particular to its actuator. As already mentioned, the actuator can be a piezo actuator 13 or another suitable actuator, for example based on an electrostatic or magnetostrictive active principle.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, the pilot module 2 and the valve electronics 3 are out separately and each fixed to the adaptation part 4 . The other electrical connection means 24 can run directly between the pilot module 2 and the valve electronics 3 as shown , but it would also be possible to effect the contacting via electrical conductors integrated in the adaptation part 4 , as is indicated by dash-dotted lines at 25 . This latter design usually has the advantage that the pilot module 2 and the valve electronics 3 can be installed and dismantled entirely independently of one another, since they do not require a direct connection, which allows simplified handling during manufacture and also during maintenance work. The contact with the electrical conductors 25 can preferably be made here by plug or touch contact means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the valve electronics 3 are each integrated directly into the assigned pilot control module 2 . The electrical contact means 17 provided for connection to a higher-level control device are expediently located on the pilot module 2 .

Each pilot control module 2 has second fluidic interface means 26 , which are designed in a standardized distribution and configuration and which, when mounted on the adaptation part 4 , are in sealed fluid communication with third fluidic interface means 27 provided on the latter. These third fluidic interface means 27 belong to a fluid channel system 28 which runs through the adaptation part 4 and consists of a number of fluid channels corresponding to the requirements and which on the other hand communicates with the individualized first fluidic interface means 6 .

Independently of the main valve 5 to be controlled, the third fluidic interface means 27 are provided in a distribution on the adaptation part 4 corresponding to the standardized distribution of the second fluidic interface means 26 . In addition, the before control module in the drawing only schematically indicated second mechanical interface means 32 , which cooperate with the third mechanical interface means 33 provided on the adaptation part 4 , in order to bring about a fixed fixation of the pilot module 2 on the adaptation part 4 . The second and third mechanical interface means 32 , 33 could represent, for example, a screw connection device or a snap connection device. These second and third mechanical interface means 32 , 33 are advantageously carried out in standardized form.

In all Ausführungsbei play shown in the drawing, an accommodation of the pilot module 2 and the associated valve electronics 3 is provided in an adapted receptacle 34 , 35 of the adaptation part 4 . . While doing so in the case of designs in accordance with Figures 1, 2 and 4, both above-mentioned components are placed in a common housing 34 -. Wherein the valve electronics 3 in the case of Figure 4 is located in the interior of the pilot module 2 -, it follows in the embodiment of Figure . 3, a fixing of the two components in two separate on took 34, 35 of the adaptation part 4.

In this last-mentioned exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, a main valve 5 designed as a 5/2-way valve is provided, in which a feed channel 36 runs, via which the fluid pressure medium to be controlled, for example compressed air, is fed. Furthermore, two ventilation channels 37 , 37 'and two dash-dotted lines, which serve to connect to a consumer to be actuated working channels 38 , 38 ' extend in the main valve 5 . All of the above-mentioned channels communicate with an elongated recess 42 in which, for example, a slide-like valve member 43 is arranged to be movable. Via the pilot valve device 1 , the position of the valve member 43 can be influenced and, accordingly, the fluidic connection of the working channels 38 , 38 'in a manner known per se.

The main valve 5 contains a mounting surface 44 to which the recess 42 is open on the one hand and on which there are also fourth fluidic interface means 45 which are formed by the mouths of two channels branched off from the feed channel 36 and the ventilation channels 37 , 37 ' , which are referred to below as the feed branch duct 46 and the vent branch duct 47 .

The pilot valve device 1 is attached with its adaptation part 4 to the mounting surface 44 , whereby it comes to rest on this with a mounting surface 48 which is part of the first mechanical interface means 7 . By means of screws or other fastening means 52 , which also belong to the first mechanical interface means 7 , the adaptation part 4 is fastened to the main valve 5 .

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the fluid channel system 28 of the adaptation part 4 contains a pilot control feed channel 53 and a pilot control ventilation channel 54 , which are coupled to one another via the corresponding first and fourth fluidic interface means 6 , 45 . A pilot control working channel 55 of the fluid channel system 28 has an extended end section 56 which is open towards the fastening surface 48 , the opening of which in turn is part of the first fluidic interface means 6 and which corresponds to the opening of the recess 42 provided on the mounting surface 44 . The valve member 43 is immersed with a pressure surface 57 and, for example, piston-like actuating body 58 in the expanded end portion 56 of the pre-control working channel 55 .

The pilot control module 2, which is designed as a 3/2-way valve, can now be controlled via the valve electronics 3, for example, in such a way that, in a first switching position, the pilot control feed channel 53 connected to the feed channel 36 switches through to the pilot control working channel 55 , so that the application area 57 pressurized with an actuation and the valve member 43 is switched to a first switching position. Furthermore, the pilot control module 2 can be activated to the effect on the acting as electronic control valve electronics 3 that the pilot supply channel closed off 53 and the pilot control working channel 55 channel with at least one vent 37 of the main valve 5 associated pilot Ent ventilating duct is vented 54 via the. As a result, a return mechanism 62 formed by a spring device, for example, is able to move the valve member 43 back into the original switching position.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the receptacle 34 which contains the control module 2 is designed as a recess in the adaptation part 4 going over a corner. The receptacle 35 for the valve electronics 3 has a pocket-like construction and is located on the side next to the pilot control module 2 .

While the adaptation part 4 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 has a substantially plate-like shape, it has an L-shaped construction in the embodiment of FIG. 4. One of the L-legs contains the receptacle 34 for the pilot control module 2 , in the interior of which the valve electronics 3 is simultaneously contained. The function corresponds, for example, to that explained in relation to FIG. 3, components which correspond to one another being provided with the same reference symbols. The main valve 5 here, however, has a somewhat different design, in which, in addition to the feed channel 36, at least one separate pilot channel 63 is provided, which is acted upon by a fluid which is under a desired pilot pressure and from which here the feed communicating with the pilot feed channel 53 Branch channel 46 goes out. In addition, the valve member 43 extends over its entire length within the main valve 5 , so that the pilot operating channel 55 running in the adaptation part 4 opens out via first fluidic interface means 6 to the main valve 5 in such a way that it with the facing end portion of the recess 42 communicates.

Further deviating from the embodiment according to FIG. 3 it is provided that the valve member 43 is actuated in both directions by fluid force, for which purpose the main valve 5 is simultaneously equipped with two pilot-valve devices 1 .

The exemplary implementation of the pilot valve device results in numerous advantages. If the pilot control module 2 is based on a piezo valve, standardized piezo benders with standardized dimensions and electrical voltages can be used, likewise the module housing can be designed in a standardized design, for example made of plastic material, whereby the piezo actuator is pre-assembled and pre-adjusted can. It is also possible to use standardized valve electronics, and overall a pneumatic and electrical adaptation to the valve type to be controlled can be carried out by means of a valve family-specific adaptation part 4 . The adaptation part 4 can at least partially be designed like a housing, so that one could speak of an adaptation housing. At the respective main valve itself, constructive changes are not necessary, the adaptation measures are limited to the adaptation part 4 .

Claims (8)

1. Pilot valve device as a component of a modular valve concept, in which several valve units ( 8 ) each having a main valve ( 5 ) and at least one pilot valve device ( 1 ) are provided, whose main valves ( 5 ) differ from one another in the valve type and their pilot valve devices ( 1 ) contain the following components:

• a) an adaptation part ( 4 ), which is used for connection to the main valve ( 5 ) which is to be piloted in each case and which is adapted to the first fluidic ( 6 ) and first mechanical ( 7 ) interface means adapted to this type of tilt,
• b) at least one designed as a piezo and / or microvalve pilot module ( 2 ) which has an independent of the design of the assigned main valve ( 5 ) independent standardization structure and which is fixed to the adaptation part ( 4 ), being provided on it standardized second fluidic interface means ( 26 ) are connected, via third fluidic interface means ( 27 ) of the adaptation part ( 4 ), to a fluid channel system ( 28 ) running therein and communicating with the valve type-specific first fluidic interface means ( 6 ), and
• c) one in the control of the pilot module ( 2 ) with active valve electronics ( 3 ), which is designed as a structural unit with the pilot module ( 2 ) or separately fixed to the adaptation part ( 4 ).

2. Pilot valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pilot module ( 2 ) and / or the associated valve electronics ( 3 ) are placed in an adapted receptacle ( 34 , 35 ) of the adaptation part ( 4 ). 3. Pilot valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pilot module ( 2 ) and with respect to this separate valve electronics ( 3 ) in separate receptacles ( 34 , 35 ) of the adaptation part ( 4 ) are placed. 4. Pilot valve device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the valve electronics ( 3 ) and the pilot module ( 2 ) are directly electrically contacted in a separate embodiment. 5. Pilot valve device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the valve electronics ( 3 ) and the pilot module ( 2 ) in a separate configuration via in the adaptation part ( 4 ) extending electrical conductors ( 25 ) are electrically contacted. 6. Pilot valve device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the valve electronics ( 3 ) includes a voltage boost circuit ( 18 ). 7. Pilot valve device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pilot module ( 2 ) has the functionality of a 3/2-way valve. 8. Pilot valve device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the valve electronics ( 3 ) has a standardized structure.