EP0484624B1 - Thermostatic valve for controlling the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Thermostatic valve for controlling the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0484624B1
EP0484624B1 EP91109208A EP91109208A EP0484624B1 EP 0484624 B1 EP0484624 B1 EP 0484624B1 EP 91109208 A EP91109208 A EP 91109208A EP 91109208 A EP91109208 A EP 91109208A EP 0484624 B1 EP0484624 B1 EP 0484624B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
temperature
piston
thermostatic valve
housing
valve according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91109208A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0484624A1 (en
Inventor
Hans Dipl.-Ing. Wahler
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Gustav Wahler GmbH and Co KG
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Gustav Wahler GmbH and Co KG
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Publication of EP0484624A1 publication Critical patent/EP0484624A1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P7/00—Controlling of coolant flow
    • F01P7/14—Controlling of coolant flow the coolant being liquid
    • F01P7/16—Controlling of coolant flow the coolant being liquid by thermostatic control
    • F01P7/167—Controlling of coolant flow the coolant being liquid by thermostatic control by adjusting the pre-set temperature according to engine parameters, e.g. engine load, engine speed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P2031/00—Fail safe
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P2070/00—Details
    • F01P2070/04—Details using electrical heating elements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a thermostatic valve for regulating the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.
  • the abutment on which the working piston is supported is part of a coaxial temperature-dependent working element which can be heated, for example, electrically.
  • the arrangement is such that the piston of this actuator, which is led out of the housing, forms the abutment for the working piston of the working element of the thermostatic valve.
  • Heating by pushing out the piston causes the working piston to act in the sense of a shift to a lower opening temperature of the thermostatic valve, for example an adjustment to so-called summer operation.
  • This has the disadvantage that For example, in the event of a power failure in the heating circuit's supply circuit, the heating fails and then the thermostatic valve is automatically moved from this work area to another work area in which the valve only opens at a higher temperature and which corresponds, for example, to so-called winter operation.
  • the information summer operation and winter operation alone are used for better understanding designations, without the respective working area being thereby fixed to any temperature.
  • thermostatic valve is automatically set to a working position in which the valve only opens at a higher temperature in the event of a power failure of the heating, this can lead to increased load or even damage to the internal combustion engine, for example if the internal combustion engine is operated at full load if there are higher outside temperatures or the like
  • a piston guided in a cylinder engages at the free end of the working piston and is connected to a rod via a universal joint.
  • a vacuum motor is provided as an actuator, which can be connected to or disconnected from vacuum generation via a control device.
  • the vacuum motor contains a membrane to which the rod is attached. The membrane is acted upon by a spring which acts on the rod in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction.
  • the internal combustion engine generates a vacuum, which can be supplied to the vacuum motor, for example, when the internal combustion engine is under low load, by actuating the control device.
  • the diaphragm moves against the action of the spring and thus pulls the working piston of the thermostatic valve out of the housing of the latter via the rod and the piston.
  • the valve thus remains closed up to an opening temperature of 110 ° C, for example, and only opens when this temperature is reached.
  • the vacuum supply to the vacuum motor is interrupted by the control device.
  • the spring pressing on the membrane can then move the membrane together with the rod in the valve opening direction, which results in a displacement of the thermostatic valve into the open position via the piston and the working piston of the thermostatic valve supported on it.
  • This thermostatic valve is complicated by the control device including the vacuum supply and the vacuum motor as an actuator and is difficult to access a precise control, in particular a temperature-dependent control depending on the temperature of a medium or the outside temperature or the like.
  • control device in the event of a power failure fail and the vacuum supply to the vacuum motor can still be maintained, so that the thermostatic valve then only opens at a higher temperature. This can lead to increased load or even damage to the internal combustion engine, e.g. then, if higher outside temperatures prevail, the internal combustion engine is operated at full load or the like.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a thermostatic valve of the type mentioned so that it is ensured in a simple and cost-saving manner that the thermostatic valve is automatically adjusted in the event of malfunctions with respect to the abutment adjustment in the starting position associated with the lower working temperature.
  • the object is achieved according to the invention in a thermostatic valve of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the support part and above the working piston of the working element of the thermostatic valve is automatically pressed by the spring into the starting position, which corresponds to the lower opening temperature of the thermostatic valve, for example in summer.
  • the thermostatic valve is always brought to the starting position assigned to the lower working temperature, thereby avoiding an undesirable higher load or even damage to the internal combustion engine.
  • the drawing shows a schematic axial longitudinal section of a thermostatic valve, and to the left of the longitudinal central axis in a setting with a low opening temperature and to the right of the longitudinal central axis in a setting with a higher opening temperature.
  • the thermostatic valve 10 shown in the drawing is e.g. Similar to that according to DE-OS 33 15 308 or 37 05 232 and is used to regulate the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine, not shown, in particular a motor vehicle engine.
  • the thermostatic valve 10 regulates the coolant flow from the internal combustion engine (not shown further) through a bypass and / or through a heat exchanger (not shown) back to the internal combustion engine.
  • the thermostatic valve 10 has a valve housing 11 which has a connecting piece 12, via which the coolant can be guided to the heat exchanger.
  • a thermostatic working element 13 is arranged, which has a working piston 14 and a housing 15, in which there is in a known manner an expansion material which can expand when heated and can push out the working piston 14 relative to the housing 15. When it cools down, the expansion material reduces its volume.
  • the working piston 14 is then moved under the action of a valve spring 16 relative to the housing 15 back into the starting position, i.e. pressed into the housing 15.
  • valve plate 17 On the housing 15 of the working element 13, a valve plate 17 is fastened, which is pressed on, crimped or fixed in some other way, for example.
  • the valve disk 17 forms the valve closure member of the thermostatic valve 10. Its outer edge is assigned, for example, a frusto-conical valve seat 18 in the valve housing 11.
  • the valve spring 16 is axially supported at one end by means of a bracket 19 or the like, which in turn is held in arms 21 of the valve housing 11 depending on recesses 20.
  • the other end of the valve spring 16 is supported on the valve plate 17 and strives to press the valve plate 17 in the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 and against the valve seat 18. The drawing shows this condition.
  • Valve plate 17 and the associated valve seat 18 closes or opens the connection between an inlet, not shown, which can be provided, for example, in the area of the arms 21 and in a housing there, and the connection pipe 12 leading to the heat exchanger, in particular the cooler.
  • valve plate 23 is slidably arranged on the housing 15 and is supported on the housing 15 by means of a spring 24.
  • the valve plate 23 is used in a known manner to control a bypass channel, not shown, contained in a connection housing and thus the direct return of the coolant back to the engine.
  • the working piston 14 of the thermostatic valve 10 is axially supported on an abutment, which is generally designated 25.
  • the drawing shows the thermostatic valve in the starting position when the internal combustion engine is cold. If the internal combustion engine is started, the working element 13 is acted upon by the coolant coming from the engine, which is first led into the bypass channel (not shown) at low temperature and with the valve plate 23 open, while the coolant does not get into the connecting piece 12 due to the closed valve plate 17 can. With increasing heating of the cooling liquid, the expansion material in the housing 15 expands. When a temperature determined by the design of the expansion material is reached, the working piston 14 is extended over a specific working range according to a specific characteristic which is dependent on the expansion material.
  • the thermostatic valve 10 in particular the thermostatic working element 13, is set to a temperature range in which the working piston 14 is moved out of the housing 15 with a linear movement.
  • This temperature range is determined by the choice of the expansion material and other parameters.
  • the abutment 25 is axially adjustable, as a result of which the working range of the thermostatic valve 10 can be changed by external intervention.
  • the abutment 25 has an axially adjustable support part 26.
  • the support part 26 has a plunger 28 axially guided in a bore 27 in the valve housing 11 with an end-side ring part 29 into which the free end of the working piston 14 engages.
  • Part of the support member 26 is also an approximately V-shaped or U-shaped bracket 30, the opening of which is arranged on the side facing away from the working piston 14, that is to say in the drawing above.
  • the bracket 30 has, for example, two diametrically extending arms 31 and 32, which have a receptacle 33 in the region of the facing end of the plunger 28, in which the plunger 28 in the pulling and pushing directions is firmly accepted.
  • the support member 26 is therefore firmly connected to the working piston 14 in the pulling and pushing directions. Because of the housing part 34, in which the bore 27 leading the plunger 28 is contained, this ensures good guidance that is coaxial with the working piston 14.
  • the support part 26 is arranged coaxially to the working piston 14 and connected to the latter.
  • the support part 26 is acted upon by a spring 35, which is designed here as a cylindrical helical spring, in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 and pressed into the starting position, which is shown in the drawing on the left of the longitudinal central axis.
  • the spring 35 has a greater spring stiffness than the valve spring 16, so that when the thermostatic working element 13 responds and the housing 15 is displaced relative to the supported working piston 14, the valve spring 16 is compressed, while the axial position of the abutment 25, in particular the supporting part 26, remains unchanged .
  • the support member 26 is adjustable by means of an actuator 36 against the action of its spring 35.
  • the actuator 36 can be designed in various ways as an externally controllable element.
  • the actuator 36 is designed in a particularly advantageous manner as a temperature-dependent working element 37 similar to the thermostatic working element 13.
  • the actuator 36 is in particular designed as an expansion element which contains expansion material in a housing 38, into which a piston 39 is immersed and which is led out of the housing.
  • the temperature-dependent working element 37 can be heated.
  • an electric heating element 40 is used, which here consists of a PTC element in a known manner.
  • This so designed actuator 36 in particular temperature-dependent working element 37, is arranged coaxially to the working piston 14. It is located on the axial side adjacent to the working piston 14.
  • the support member 26 is coupled to the actuator 36, in particular the working element 37, such that an axial actuating force directed in the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 results in an axial adjustment of the support member 26 against the action of the spring 35 acting thereon, e.g. from the initial position shown on the left of the longitudinal central axis to the other position shown on the right of the longitudinal central axis, in which the abutment 25 has been displaced axially further upwards, which e.g. corresponds to a higher opening temperature in the working element 13.
  • a ring 41 is fastened, which the housing 38 of the actuator 36 arranged coaxially to the working piston 14, in particular temperature-dependent working elements 37, e.g. includes with play and by means of the spring 35 in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 to a driver 42 of the actuator 36, in particular the working element 37, is pressed.
  • the driver 42 is here e.g. from an annular shoulder of the housing 38, on which the ring 41 bears positively so that it cannot slide further down in the drawing.
  • the driver 42 consists of a radial projection or the like.
  • the spring 35 which is supported at one end on the ring 41 and thus on the support part 26, is at its other end facing away from the support part 26 on a housing part 43 axially supported.
  • This housing part 43 is designed, for example, as a rotationally symmetrical cup which is attached to the valve housing 11 with its end which is approximately adjacent to the support part 26. This end is formed here, for example, as a ring edge 44.
  • the housing part 43 is held at this end, for example by means of a flange connection on the valve housing 11.
  • the attachment here is carried out by a flanged edge 45 of the valve housing 11, which overlaps the ring edge 44.
  • the upper bottom part of the housing part 43 in the drawing contains a central opening 46 through which the end of the actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working element 37, extends outwards.
  • the spring 35 and / or the housing part 43 surrounds the actuator 36, in particular the temperature-dependent working element 37, with a radial distance, these parts being arranged at least essentially coaxially and concentrically with one another.
  • the actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working element 37 is arranged so that its piston 39 is directed towards the working piston 14.
  • the piston 39 is axially supported on the valve housing 11, in particular on the housing part 34 located approximately in the middle. If the working area is to be adjusted from that on the left of the longitudinal central axis to that on the right of the longitudinal central axis, the circuit feeding the heating element 40 is closed.
  • the electrical heating element 40 heats up, so that the expansion material contained in the housing 38 expands.
  • the bridge member 47 To support the piston 39, e.g. reversed U-shaped bridge member 47 is provided, which is designed similar to a fork.
  • the bridge member 47 has an upper web part 48, to which two spaced, approximately parallel legs extend downward, of which only one leg 49 can be seen in the drawing due to the sectional view. Between the spaced legs 49 of the bridge member 47, the two bracket arms 31 and 32 of the bracket 30 reach through with play and movement, so that the axial adjustment movement of the support member 26 is not hindered thereby.
  • the bridge member 47 is held and supported at the end of its legs 49 on the valve housing 11, specifically on the housing part 34.
  • the bridge member 47 forms an axial abutment for the piston 39 of the actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working elements 37.
  • the web part 48 contains e.g. a bore 50 in which the end of the piston 39 is received.
  • the circuit feeding the electrical heating element 40 is opened.
  • the heating and thus heating of the working element 37 is thus interrupted, so that the working element 37 can cool down again.
  • the cooling results in a volume reduction of the expansion material in the housing 38.
  • the spring 35 can adjust the support part 26 and with it the housing 38 relative to the axially supported piston 39 in the axial direction in the opposite direction to the arrow 22 into the other position shown on the left of the longitudinal central axis.
  • the temperature-dependent working element 13 is at a lower opening temperature set so that it opens at a lower temperature of the coolant in the manner described above.
  • the thermostatic valve 10 is simple, inexpensive and can be assembled using simple means and in a modular manner, since e.g. the thermostatic working elements 13 and 37 can be identical or at least functionally the same. Above all, the thermostatic valve has the advantage that, under the action of the spring 35, it then automatically returns to the starting position shown to the left of the longitudinal central axis and thus to a lower opening temperature, e.g. the electrical supply to the heating element 40 is interrupted by a malfunction or the like. In these cases, any impairment or even damage to the internal combustion engine is reliable and is ruled out in a simple and inexpensive manner.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Thermostatventil zur Regelung der Temperatur der Kühlflüssigkeit einer Brennkraftmaschine der im Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 genannten Art.The invention relates to a thermostatic valve for regulating the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

Bei einem bekannten Thermostatventil (DE-A- 37 05 232) ist das Widerlager, an dem der Arbeitskolben abgestützt ist, Teil eines koaxialen temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselementes, das z.B. elektrisch beheizbar ist. Dabei ist die Anordnung so getroffen, daß der aus dem Gehäuse herausgeführte Kolben dieses Stellorgans das Widerlager für den Arbeitskolben des Arbeitselements des Thermostatventils bildet. Bei Schließen des Stromkreises, an den das Heizelement des beheizbaren, temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements zur Verstellung des Widerlagers angeschlossen ist, wird der Kolben aus dem Gehäuse axial ausgeschoben, was eine Verschiebung des Arbeitskolbens des Arbeitselements des Thermostatventils zur Folge hat. Dabei bewirkt eine Beheizung mit Ausschieben des Kolbens eine Beaufschlagung des Arbeitskolbens im Sinne einer Verschiebung zu einer niedrigeren Öffnungstemperatur des Thermostatventils, z.B. eine Einstellung auf sog. Sommerbetrieb. Dies hat den Nachteil, daß z.B. bei Stromausfall im Speisekreis des Heizelementes die Beheizung ausfällt und dann das Thermostatventil selbsttätig aus diesem Arbeitsbereich heraus in einen anderen Arbeitsbereich verstellt wird, bei dem das Ventil erst bei höherer Temperatur öffnet und der z.B. dem sog. Winterbetrieb entspricht. Hierbei bedeuten die Angaben Sommerbetrieb und Winterbetrieb allein dem besseren Verständnis dienende Bezeichnungen, ohne daß dabei dadurch der jeweilige Arbeitsbereich auf irgendeine Temperatur festgelegt wäre. Wenn bei Stromausfall der Beheizung das Thermostatventil selbsttätig auf eine Arbeitsstellung verstellt wird, in der das Ventil erst bei höherer Temperatur öffnet, kann dies zu erhöhter Belastung oder gar Beschädigung der Brennkraftmaschine führen, z.B. dann, wenn höhere Außentemperaturen vorherrschen, die Brennkraftmaschine bei Vollast betrieben wird od. dgl.In a known thermostatic valve (DE-A-37 05 232), the abutment on which the working piston is supported is part of a coaxial temperature-dependent working element which can be heated, for example, electrically. The arrangement is such that the piston of this actuator, which is led out of the housing, forms the abutment for the working piston of the working element of the thermostatic valve. When the circuit is closed, to which the heating element of the heatable, temperature-dependent working element for adjusting the abutment is connected, the piston is axially pushed out of the housing, which results in a displacement of the working piston of the working element of the thermostatic valve. Heating by pushing out the piston causes the working piston to act in the sense of a shift to a lower opening temperature of the thermostatic valve, for example an adjustment to so-called summer operation. This has the disadvantage that For example, in the event of a power failure in the heating circuit's supply circuit, the heating fails and then the thermostatic valve is automatically moved from this work area to another work area in which the valve only opens at a higher temperature and which corresponds, for example, to so-called winter operation. Here, the information summer operation and winter operation alone are used for better understanding designations, without the respective working area being thereby fixed to any temperature. If the thermostatic valve is automatically set to a working position in which the valve only opens at a higher temperature in the event of a power failure of the heating, this can lead to increased load or even damage to the internal combustion engine, for example if the internal combustion engine is operated at full load if there are higher outside temperatures or the like

Bei einem ferner bekannten Thermostatventil der eingangs genannten Art (EP-A-0272 117) greift am freien Ende des Arbeitskolbens ein in einem Zylinder geführter Kolben an, der über ein Universalgelenk mit einer Stange verbunden ist. Als Stellorgan ist ein Vakuummotor vorgesehen, der über eine Steuereinrichtung an eine Vakuumerzeugung anschließbar bzw. davon abtrennbar ist. Der Vakuummotor enthält eine Membran, an der die Stange befestigt ist. Die Membran ist von einer Feder beaufschlagt, die die Stange gegensinnig zur Ventilschließrichtung beaufschlagt. Die Brennkraftmaschine erzeugt ein Vakuum, das z.B. bei niedriger Belastung der Brennkraftmaschine durch die Betätigung der Steuereinrichtung dem Vakuummotor zugeführt werden kann. Dann bewegt sich die Membran gegen die Wirkung der Feder und zieht somit über die Stange und den Kolben den Arbeitskolben des Thermostatventiles aus dem Gehäuse des letzteren heraus. Das Ventil verbleibt somit bis zu einer Öffnungstemperatur z.B. von 110°C, geschlossen und öffnet erst bei Erreichen dieser Temperatur.In a further known thermostatic valve of the type mentioned (EP-A-0272 117), a piston guided in a cylinder engages at the free end of the working piston and is connected to a rod via a universal joint. A vacuum motor is provided as an actuator, which can be connected to or disconnected from vacuum generation via a control device. The vacuum motor contains a membrane to which the rod is attached. The membrane is acted upon by a spring which acts on the rod in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction. The internal combustion engine generates a vacuum, which can be supplied to the vacuum motor, for example, when the internal combustion engine is under low load, by actuating the control device. Then the diaphragm moves against the action of the spring and thus pulls the working piston of the thermostatic valve out of the housing of the latter via the rod and the piston. The valve thus remains closed up to an opening temperature of 110 ° C, for example, and only opens when this temperature is reached.

Soll hingegen eine gesteigerte Menge an Kühlwasser durch den Kühler und die Brennkraftmaschine hindurchgeführt werden und somit das Thermostatventil bei geringerer Temperatur öffnen, so wird über die Steuereinrichtung die Unterdruckspeisung des Vakuummotors unterbrochen. Daraufhin kann die auf die Membran drückende Feder die Membran mitsamt der Stange in Ventilöffnungsrichtung verschieben, was über den Kolben und den daran abgestützten Arbeitskolben des Thermostatventils eine Verschiebung des Thermostatventils in Öffnungsstellung zur Folge hat. Dieses Thermostatventil ist durch die Steuereinrichtung einschließlich die Vakuumzufuhr und den Vakuummotor als Stellorgan aufwendig und nur schlecht einer präzisen Steuerung zugänglich, insbesondere einer temperaturabhängigen Steuerung in Abhängigkeit von der Temperatur eines Mediums oder der Außentemperatur od. dgl. Nachteilig ist auch, daß bei Stromausfall die Steuereinrichtung versagen und die Unterdruckversorgung zum Vakuummotor nach wie vor aufrechterhalten bleiben kann, so daß das Thermostatventil auch dann erst bei höherer Temperatur öffnet. Dies kann zu erhöhter Belastung oder gar Beschädigung der Brennkraftmaschine führen, z.B. dann, wenn höhere Außentemperaturen vorherrschen, die Brennkraftmaschine mit Vollast betrieben wird od. dgl.If, on the other hand, an increased amount of cooling water is to be passed through the cooler and the internal combustion engine and thus the thermostatic valve is to be opened at a lower temperature, the vacuum supply to the vacuum motor is interrupted by the control device. The spring pressing on the membrane can then move the membrane together with the rod in the valve opening direction, which results in a displacement of the thermostatic valve into the open position via the piston and the working piston of the thermostatic valve supported on it. This thermostatic valve is complicated by the control device including the vacuum supply and the vacuum motor as an actuator and is difficult to access a precise control, in particular a temperature-dependent control depending on the temperature of a medium or the outside temperature or the like. It is also disadvantageous that the control device in the event of a power failure fail and the vacuum supply to the vacuum motor can still be maintained, so that the thermostatic valve then only opens at a higher temperature. This can lead to increased load or even damage to the internal combustion engine, e.g. then, if higher outside temperatures prevail, the internal combustion engine is operated at full load or the like.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Thermostatventil der eingangs genannten Art so auszubilden, daß in einfacher und kostensparender Weise gewährleistet ist, daß das Thermostatventil in Störungsfällen hinsichtlich der Widerlagerverstellung selbsttätig in die der niedrigeren Arbeitstemperatur zugeordnete Ausgangsstellung verstellt wird.The invention has for its object to provide a thermostatic valve of the type mentioned so that it is ensured in a simple and cost-saving manner that the thermostatic valve is automatically adjusted in the event of malfunctions with respect to the abutment adjustment in the starting position associated with the lower working temperature.

Die Aufgabe ist bei einem Thermostatventil der im Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 genannten Art erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale im Kennzeichnungsteil des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Im Falle einer Störung des die Verstellung des Abstützteils bewirkenden Stellorgans in Form des temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements wird das Abstützteil und darüber der Arbeitskolben des Arbeitselements des Thermostatventils mittels der Feder selbsttätig in die Ausgangsstellung gedrückt, die der niedrigeren Öffnungstemperatur des Thermostatventils, z.B. dem Sommerbetrieb, entspricht. Dadurch ist sichergestellt, daß bei etwaigen Störfällen des die Verstellung des Abstützteils bewirkenden Stellorgans in Form des temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements das Thermostatventil immer auf die der niedrigeren Arbeitstemperatur zugeordnete Ausgangsstellung gebracht wird und dadurch eine unerwünschte stärkere Belastung oder gar Beschädigung der Brennkraftmaschine vermieden wird.The object is achieved according to the invention in a thermostatic valve of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. In the event of a malfunction of the adjustment of the support part effecting actuator in the form of the temperature-dependent working element, the support part and above the working piston of the working element of the thermostatic valve is automatically pressed by the spring into the starting position, which corresponds to the lower opening temperature of the thermostatic valve, for example in summer. This ensures that in the event of malfunctions of the actuator causing the adjustment of the supporting part in the form of the temperature-dependent working element, the thermostatic valve is always brought to the starting position assigned to the lower working temperature, thereby avoiding an undesirable higher load or even damage to the internal combustion engine.

Vorteilhafte weitere Erfindungsmerkmale und Ausgestaltungen enthalten die Ansprüche 2 bis 20.Advantageous further features of the invention and refinements are contained in claims 2 to 20.

Weitere Einzelheiten und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung.Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description.

Der vollständige Wortlaut der Ansprüche ist vorstehend allein zur Vermeidung unnötiger Wiederholungen nicht wiedergegeben, sondern statt dessen lediglich durch Nennung der Anspruchsnummern darauf Bezug genommen, wodurch jedoch alle diese Anspruchsmerkmale als an dieser Stelle ausdrücklich und erfindungswesentlich offenbart zu gelten haben. Dabei sind alle in der vorstehenden und folgenden Beschreibung erwähnten Merkmale sowie auch die allein aus der Zeichnung entnehmbaren Merkmale weitere Bestandteile der Erfindung, auch wenn sie nicht besonders hervorgehoben und insbesondere nicht in den Ansprüchen erwähnt sind.The full wording of the claims is not reproduced above solely in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, but instead is referred to only by mentioning the claim numbers, whereby all these features of the claim are to be regarded as being explicitly disclosed here and essential to the invention. All of the features mentioned in the above and the following description, as well as the features that can only be inferred from the drawing, are further components of the invention, even if they are not particularly emphasized and in particular are not mentioned in the claims.

Die Erfindung ist nachfolgend anhand eines in der Zeichnung gezeigten Ausführungsbeispieles näher erläutert. Die Zeichnung zeigt einen schematischen axialen Längsschnitt eines Thermostatventils, und dabei links der Längsmittelachse in einer Einstellung mit niedriger Öffnungstemperatur und rechts der Längsmittelachse in einer Einstellung mit höherer Öffnungstemperatur.The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows a schematic axial longitudinal section of a thermostatic valve, and to the left of the longitudinal central axis in a setting with a low opening temperature and to the right of the longitudinal central axis in a setting with a higher opening temperature.

Das in der Zeichnung gezeigte Thermostatventil 10 ist z.B. ähnlich demjenigen gemäß DE-OS 33 15 308 oder 37 05 232 ausgebildet und dient zur Regelung der Temperatur der Kühlflüssigkeit einer nicht gezeigten Brennkraftmaschine, insbesondere eines Kraftfahrzeugmotors. Das Thermostatventil 10 regelt den Kühlmittelfluß von der nicht weiter gezeigten Brennkraftmaschine durch einen Bypaß und/oder durch einen nicht gezeigten Wärmeaustauscher zurück zur Brennkraftmaschine.The thermostatic valve 10 shown in the drawing is e.g. Similar to that according to DE-OS 33 15 308 or 37 05 232 and is used to regulate the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine, not shown, in particular a motor vehicle engine. The thermostatic valve 10 regulates the coolant flow from the internal combustion engine (not shown further) through a bypass and / or through a heat exchanger (not shown) back to the internal combustion engine.

Das Thermostatventil 10 weist ein Ventilgehäuse 11 auf, das einen Anschlußstutzen 12 hat, über den das Kühlmittel zum Wärmeaustauscher führbar ist. Im Ventilgehäuse 11 ist ein thermostatisches Arbeitselement 13 angeordnet, das einen Arbeitskolben 14 und ein Gehäuse 15 aufweist, in dem sich in bekannter Weise ein Dehnstoff befindet, der sich bei Erwärmung ausdehnen kann und dabei den Arbeitskolben 14 relativ zum Gehäuse 15 ausschieben kann. Bei Abkühlung verringert der Dehnstoff sein Volumen. Der Arbeitskolben 14 wird dann unter der Wirkung einer Ventilfeder 16 relativ zum Gehäuse 15 wieder in die Ausgangsstellung verschoben, d.h. in das Gehäuse 15 hineingedrückt.The thermostatic valve 10 has a valve housing 11 which has a connecting piece 12, via which the coolant can be guided to the heat exchanger. In the valve housing 11, a thermostatic working element 13 is arranged, which has a working piston 14 and a housing 15, in which there is in a known manner an expansion material which can expand when heated and can push out the working piston 14 relative to the housing 15. When it cools down, the expansion material reduces its volume. The working piston 14 is then moved under the action of a valve spring 16 relative to the housing 15 back into the starting position, i.e. pressed into the housing 15.

Am Gehäuse 15 des Arbeitselements 13 ist ein Ventilteller 17 befestigt, der z.B. aufgepreßt, aufgebördelt oder in sonstiger Weise fest angebracht ist. Der Ventilteller 17 bildet das Ventilverschlußglied des Thermostatventiles 10. Seinem äußeren Rand ist ein z.B. etwa kegelstumpfförmiger Ventilsitz 18 im Ventilgehäuse 11 zugeordnet. Die Ventilfeder 16 ist mit einem Ende mittels eines Bügels 19 od. dgl. axial abgestützt, der seinerseits in Aussparungen 20 herabhängender Arme 21 des Ventilgehäuses 11 gehalten ist. Das andere Ende der Ventilfeder 16 ist am Ventilteller 17 abgestützt und bestrebt, den Ventilteller 17 in die Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 und gegen den Ventilsitz 18 zu drücken. Diesen Zustand zeigt die Zeichnung. Das aus dem Ventilteller 17 und dem zugeordneten Ventilsitz 18 gebildete Ventil verschließt oder öffnet die Verbindung zwischen einem nicht gezeigten Zulauf, der z.B. im Bereich der Arme 21 und in einem dortigen Gehäuse vorgesehen sein kann, und dem zum Wärmeaustauscher, insbesondere Kühler, führenden Anschlußstutzen 12.On the housing 15 of the working element 13, a valve plate 17 is fastened, which is pressed on, crimped or fixed in some other way, for example. The valve disk 17 forms the valve closure member of the thermostatic valve 10. Its outer edge is assigned, for example, a frusto-conical valve seat 18 in the valve housing 11. The valve spring 16 is axially supported at one end by means of a bracket 19 or the like, which in turn is held in arms 21 of the valve housing 11 depending on recesses 20. The other end of the valve spring 16 is supported on the valve plate 17 and strives to press the valve plate 17 in the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 and against the valve seat 18. The drawing shows this condition. That from the Valve plate 17 and the associated valve seat 18 closes or opens the connection between an inlet, not shown, which can be provided, for example, in the area of the arms 21 and in a housing there, and the connection pipe 12 leading to the heat exchanger, in particular the cooler.

Auf dem Gehäuse 15 ist gleitbeweglich ein weiterer Ventilteller 23 angeordnet, der mittels einer Feder 24 am Gehäuse 15 abgestützt ist. Der Ventilteller 23 dient in bekannter Weise der Steuerung eines nicht gezeigten, in einem Anschlußgehäuse enthaltenen Bypaßkanales und damit dem direkten Rücklauf der Kühlflüssigkeit zurück zum Motor.Another valve plate 23 is slidably arranged on the housing 15 and is supported on the housing 15 by means of a spring 24. The valve plate 23 is used in a known manner to control a bypass channel, not shown, contained in a connection housing and thus the direct return of the coolant back to the engine.

Der Arbeitskolben 14 des Thermostatventils 10 ist axial an einem Widerlager abgestützt, das allgemein mit 25 bezeichnet ist. Die Zeichnung zeigt das Thermostatventil in der Ausgangsstellung bei kalter Brennkraftmaschine. Wird die Brennkraftmaschine gestartet, so wird das Arbeitselement 13 mit der vom Motor her kommenden Kühlflüssigkeit beaufschlagt, die zunächst bei niedriger Temperatur und geöffnetem Ventilteller 23 in den nicht gezeigten Bypaßkanal geleitet wird, während aufgrund des geschlossenen Ventiltellers 17 die Kühlflüssigkeit nicht in den Anschlußstutzen 12 gelangen kann. Mit zunehmender Erwärmung der Kühlflüssigkeit dehnt sich der Dehnstoff im Gehäuse 15 aus. Wenn eine durch die Auslegung des Dehnstoffes festgelegte Temperatur erreicht ist, wird der Arbeitskolben 14 nach einer bestimmten, vom Dehnstoff abhängigen Charakteristik über einen bestimmten Arbeitsbereich ausgefahren. Da der Arbeitskolben 14 am Widerlager 25 axial abgestützt ist, hat dies eine Relativverschiebung des Gehäuses 15 entgegen dem Pfeil 22 und der Ventilschließrichtung gegen die Wirkung der Ventilfeder 16 zur Folge. Das Gehäuse 15 wird zunächst axial so bewegt, daß über einen gewissen Temperaturbereich nun sowohl der Ventilteller 17 als auch der Ventilteller 23 des Bypaßventiles geöffnet sind. Bei anschließender weiterer Erhöhung der Temperatur wird durch weiteres Ausschieben des Gehäuses 15 gegensinnig zum Pfeil 22 das Bypaßventil über den Ventilteller 23 geschlossen, während das andere Ventil 17, 18 nun völlig geöffnet ist.The working piston 14 of the thermostatic valve 10 is axially supported on an abutment, which is generally designated 25. The drawing shows the thermostatic valve in the starting position when the internal combustion engine is cold. If the internal combustion engine is started, the working element 13 is acted upon by the coolant coming from the engine, which is first led into the bypass channel (not shown) at low temperature and with the valve plate 23 open, while the coolant does not get into the connecting piece 12 due to the closed valve plate 17 can. With increasing heating of the cooling liquid, the expansion material in the housing 15 expands. When a temperature determined by the design of the expansion material is reached, the working piston 14 is extended over a specific working range according to a specific characteristic which is dependent on the expansion material. Since the working piston 14 is axially supported on the abutment 25, this results in a relative displacement of the housing 15 against the arrow 22 and the valve closing direction against the action of the valve spring 16. The housing 15 is first moved axially so that both the valve plate 17 and the valve plate 23 of the bypass valve are now over a certain temperature range are open. In the event of a further increase in the temperature, by further pushing out the housing 15 in the opposite direction to the arrow 22, the bypass valve is closed via the valve plate 23, while the other valve 17, 18 is now fully open.

In dieser Funktionsweise ist das Thermostatventil 10, insbesondere das thermostatische Arbeitselement 13, auf einen Temperaturbereich festgelegt, in welchem der Arbeitskolben 14 mit linearer Bewegung aus dem Gehäuse 15 ausgefahren wird. Dieser Temperaturbereich ist durch die Wahl des Dehnstoffes und sonstige Parameter festgelegt.In this mode of operation, the thermostatic valve 10, in particular the thermostatic working element 13, is set to a temperature range in which the working piston 14 is moved out of the housing 15 with a linear movement. This temperature range is determined by the choice of the expansion material and other parameters.

Das Widerlager 25 ist axial verstellbar, wodurch der Arbeitsbereich des Thermostatventils 10 durch einen Eingriff von außen verändert werden kann.The abutment 25 is axially adjustable, as a result of which the working range of the thermostatic valve 10 can be changed by external intervention.

In der Zeichnung ist rechts der Längsmittelachse eine andere Axialposition des Widerlagers 25 und damit ein anderer Arbeitsbereich gezeigt, der z.B. dem Winterbetrieb einer Brennkraftmaschine, insbesondere einem Kraftfahrzeugmotor, entspricht, in dem das Ventil 17, 18 erst bei höherer Temperatur öffnet, als dies bei der Einstellung des Arbeitsbereiches links der Längsmittelachse der Fall ist.In the drawing, another axial position of the abutment 25 and thus another working area is shown to the right of the longitudinal central axis, which e.g. corresponds to the winter operation of an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle engine, in which the valve 17, 18 only opens at a higher temperature than is the case when the work area is set to the left of the longitudinal central axis.

Das Widerlager 25 weist ein axial verstellbares Abstützteil 26 auf. Das Abstützteil 26 hat einen im Ventilgehäuse 11 in einer Bohrung 27 axial geführten Stößel 28 mit endseitigem Ringteil 29, in den das freie Ende des Arbeitskolbens 14 eingreift. Bestandteil des Abstützteiles 26 ist ferner ein etwa V-förmiger oder U-förmiger Bügel 30, dessen Öffnung auf der dem Arbeitskolben 14 abgewandten Seite, also in der Zeichnung oben, angeordnet ist. Der Bügel 30 hat z.B. zwei diametral zueinander verlaufende Arme 31 und 32, die im Bereich des zugewandten Endes des Stößels 28 eine Aufnahme 33 aufweisen, in der der Stößel 28 in Zug- und Druckrichtung fest aufgenommen ist. Das Abstützteil 26 ist daher mit dem Arbeitskolben 14 in Zug- und Druckrichtung fest verbunden. Aufgrund des Gehäuseteils 34, in dem die den Stößel 28 führende Bohrung 27 enthalten ist, ist dadurch eine gute und zum Arbeitskolben 14 koaxiale Führung gewährleistet.The abutment 25 has an axially adjustable support part 26. The support part 26 has a plunger 28 axially guided in a bore 27 in the valve housing 11 with an end-side ring part 29 into which the free end of the working piston 14 engages. Part of the support member 26 is also an approximately V-shaped or U-shaped bracket 30, the opening of which is arranged on the side facing away from the working piston 14, that is to say in the drawing above. The bracket 30 has, for example, two diametrically extending arms 31 and 32, which have a receptacle 33 in the region of the facing end of the plunger 28, in which the plunger 28 in the pulling and pushing directions is firmly accepted. The support member 26 is therefore firmly connected to the working piston 14 in the pulling and pushing directions. Because of the housing part 34, in which the bore 27 leading the plunger 28 is contained, this ensures good guidance that is coaxial with the working piston 14.

Das Abstützteil 26 ist koaxial zum Arbeitskolben 14 angeordnet und mit letzterem verbunden. Das Abstützteil 26 ist mittels einer Feder 35, die hier als zylindrische Schraubenfeder ausgebildet ist, gegensinnig zur Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 beaufschlagt und in die Ausgangsstellung gedrückt, die in der Zeichnung links der Längsmittelachse gezeigt ist. Die Feder 35 hat eine größere Federsteifigkeit als die Ventilfeder 16, so daß bei Ansprechen des thermostatischen Arbeitselements 13 und Verschieben des Gehäuses 15 relativ zum abgestützten Arbeitskolben 14 die Ventilfeder 16 zusammengedrückt wird, während die Axialposition des Widerlagers 25, insbesondere des Abstützteils 26, unverändert bleibt.The support part 26 is arranged coaxially to the working piston 14 and connected to the latter. The support part 26 is acted upon by a spring 35, which is designed here as a cylindrical helical spring, in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 and pressed into the starting position, which is shown in the drawing on the left of the longitudinal central axis. The spring 35 has a greater spring stiffness than the valve spring 16, so that when the thermostatic working element 13 responds and the housing 15 is displaced relative to the supported working piston 14, the valve spring 16 is compressed, while the axial position of the abutment 25, in particular the supporting part 26, remains unchanged .

Das Abstützteil 26 ist mittels eines Stellorgans 36 gegen die Wirkung seiner Feder 35 verstellbar. Das Stellorgan 36 kann in verschiedenster Weise als von außen steuerbares Element ausgestaltet sein. Beim gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Stellorgan 36 in besonders vorteilhafter Weise als temperaturabhängiges Arbeitselement 37 ähnlich dem thermostatischen Arbeitselement 13 ausgebildet. Dabei ist das Stellorgan 36 insbesondere als Dehnstoffelement ausgebildet, das in einem Gehäuse 38 Dehnstoff enthält, in den ein Kolben 39 eintaucht, der aus dem Gehäuse herausgeführt ist. Das temperaturabhängige Arbeitselement 37 ist beheizbar. Zur Beheizung dient z.B. ein elektrisches Heizelement 40, das hier in bekannter Weise aus einem PTC-Element besteht.The support member 26 is adjustable by means of an actuator 36 against the action of its spring 35. The actuator 36 can be designed in various ways as an externally controllable element. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator 36 is designed in a particularly advantageous manner as a temperature-dependent working element 37 similar to the thermostatic working element 13. The actuator 36 is in particular designed as an expansion element which contains expansion material in a housing 38, into which a piston 39 is immersed and which is led out of the housing. The temperature-dependent working element 37 can be heated. For heating, for example, an electric heating element 40 is used, which here consists of a PTC element in a known manner.

Dieses so gestaltete Stellorgan 36, insbesondere temperaturabhängige Arbeitselement 37, ist koaxial zum Arbeitskolben 14 angeordnet. Es befindet sich auf der dem Arbeitskolben 14 benachbarten Axialseite. Das Abstützteil 26 ist mit dem Stellorgan 36, insbesondere Arbeitselement 37, derart gekoppelt, daß eine axiale, in Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 gerichtete Stellkraft eine Axialverstellung des Abstützteils 26 gegen die Wirkung der daran angreifenden Feder 35 zur Folge hat, z.B. von der links der Längsmittelachse gezeigten Ausgangsstellung in die rechts der Längsmittelachse gezeigte andere Stellung, bei der das Widerlager 25 axial weiter nach oben verschoben wurde, was z.B. beim Arbeitselement 13 einer höheren Öffnungstemperatur entspricht. Fällt die beschriebene Stellkraft ab, so hat dies eine axiale Verstellung des Abstützteils 26 und des davon mitgenommenen Stellorgans 36, insbesondere thermostatischen Arbeitselements 37, unter der Wirkung der Feder 35 zurück und dabei gegensinnig zur Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 zur Folge.This so designed actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working element 37, is arranged coaxially to the working piston 14. It is located on the axial side adjacent to the working piston 14. The support member 26 is coupled to the actuator 36, in particular the working element 37, such that an axial actuating force directed in the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 results in an axial adjustment of the support member 26 against the action of the spring 35 acting thereon, e.g. from the initial position shown on the left of the longitudinal central axis to the other position shown on the right of the longitudinal central axis, in which the abutment 25 has been displaced axially further upwards, which e.g. corresponds to a higher opening temperature in the working element 13. If the described actuating force drops, this results in an axial adjustment of the support part 26 and the actuating member 36, in particular thermostatic working element 37, which is carried away by the action of the spring 35 and in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction according to arrow 22.

Am Abstützteil 26, und zwar dem Ende der Arme 31, 32, die dem Stößel 28 abgewandt sind, ist ein Ring 41 befestigt, der das Gehäuse 38 des koaxial zum Arbeitskolben 14 angeordneten Stellorgans 36, insbesondere temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements 37, z.B. mit Spiel umfaßt und mittels der Feder 35 gegensinnig zur Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 an einen Mitnehmer 42 des Stellorgans 36, insbesondere des Arbeitselements 37, angedrückt ist. Der Mitnehmer 42 besteht hier z.B. aus einer Ringschulter des Gehäuses 38, an der der Ring 41 formschlüssig so anliegt, daß er in der Zeichnung nicht weiter nach unten rutschen kann. Bei einem anderen, nicht gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel besteht der Mitnehmer 42 aus einem Radialvorsprung od. dgl.On the support part 26, namely the end of the arms 31, 32, which face away from the plunger 28, a ring 41 is fastened, which the housing 38 of the actuator 36 arranged coaxially to the working piston 14, in particular temperature-dependent working elements 37, e.g. includes with play and by means of the spring 35 in the opposite direction to the valve closing direction according to arrow 22 to a driver 42 of the actuator 36, in particular the working element 37, is pressed. The driver 42 is here e.g. from an annular shoulder of the housing 38, on which the ring 41 bears positively so that it cannot slide further down in the drawing. In another embodiment, not shown, the driver 42 consists of a radial projection or the like.

Die Feder 35, die mit einem Ende am Ring 41 und damit am Abstützteil 26 abgestützt ist, ist mit ihrem dem Abstützteil 26 abgewandten anderen Ende an einem Gehäuseteil 43 axial abgestützt. Dieser Gehäuseteil 43 ist z.B. als rotationssymmetrischer Napf ausgebildet, der mit seinem dem Abstützteil 26 in etwa benachbarten Ende am Ventilgehäuse 11 befestigt ist. Dieses Ende ist hier z.B. als Ringrand 44 ausgebildet. Der Gehäuseteil 43 ist mit diesem Ende z.B. mittels einer Bördelverbindung am Ventilgehäuse 11 gehalten. Die Befestigung erfolgt hier durch einen umgebördelten Rand 45 des Ventilgehäuses 11, der den Ringrand 44 übergreift. Der in der Zeichnung obere Bodenteil des Gehäuseteils 43 enthält eine zentrale Öffnung 46, durch die sich das Ende des Stellorgans 36, insbesondere temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements 37, hindurch nach außen erstreckt.The spring 35, which is supported at one end on the ring 41 and thus on the support part 26, is at its other end facing away from the support part 26 on a housing part 43 axially supported. This housing part 43 is designed, for example, as a rotationally symmetrical cup which is attached to the valve housing 11 with its end which is approximately adjacent to the support part 26. This end is formed here, for example, as a ring edge 44. The housing part 43 is held at this end, for example by means of a flange connection on the valve housing 11. The attachment here is carried out by a flanged edge 45 of the valve housing 11, which overlaps the ring edge 44. The upper bottom part of the housing part 43 in the drawing contains a central opening 46 through which the end of the actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working element 37, extends outwards.

Wie ersichtlich ist, umgibt die Feder 35 und/oder der Gehäuseteil 43 das Stellorgan 36, insbesondere das temperaturabhängige Arbeitselement 37, mit radialem Abstand, wobei diese Teile zumindest im wesentlichen koaxial und konzentrisch zueinander angeordnet sind. Das Stellorgan 36, insbesondere temperaturabhängige Arbeitselement 37, ist dabei so angeordnet, daß dessen Kolben 39 zum Arbeitskolben 14 hin gerichtet ist. Der Kolben 39 ist dabei am Ventilgehäuse 11, insbesondere am etwa in der Mitte befindlichen Gehäuseteil 34, axial abgestützt. Soll der Arbeitsbereich von demjenigen links der Längsmittelachse auf denjenigen rechts der Längsmittelachse verstellt werden, so wird der das Heizelement 40 speisende Stromkreis geschlossen. Das elektrische Heizelement 40 heizt sich auf, so daß der im Gehäuse 38 enthaltene Dehnstoff sich ausdehnt. Dies hat eine Relativverschiebung zwischen dem Gehäuse 38 und dem Kolben 39 in Achsrichtung zur Folge. Da der Kolben 39 am Ventilgehäuse 11 endseitig abgestützt ist, ist dabei das Gehäuse 38 relativ zum Kolben 39 in Ventilschließrichtung gemäß Pfeil 22 unter Mitnahme des Abstützteils 26 mitsamt dem Arbeitskolben 14 in die Position rechts der Längsmittelachse bewegbar und dadurch der Arbeitsbereich des Thermostatventils 10 auf einen solchen höherer Arbeitstemperatur verstellbar.As can be seen, the spring 35 and / or the housing part 43 surrounds the actuator 36, in particular the temperature-dependent working element 37, with a radial distance, these parts being arranged at least essentially coaxially and concentrically with one another. The actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working element 37, is arranged so that its piston 39 is directed towards the working piston 14. The piston 39 is axially supported on the valve housing 11, in particular on the housing part 34 located approximately in the middle. If the working area is to be adjusted from that on the left of the longitudinal central axis to that on the right of the longitudinal central axis, the circuit feeding the heating element 40 is closed. The electrical heating element 40 heats up, so that the expansion material contained in the housing 38 expands. This results in a relative displacement between the housing 38 and the piston 39 in the axial direction. Since the piston 39 is supported on the end of the valve housing 11, the housing 38 can be moved relative to the piston 39 in the valve closing direction according to arrow 22, taking the supporting part 26 together with the working piston 14 into the position on the right of the longitudinal central axis, and thereby the working range of the thermostatic valve 10 such higher working temperature adjustable.

Zur Abstützung des Kolbens 39 ist ein z.B. etwa umgekehrt U-förmiges Brückenglied 47 vorgesehen, das ähnlich einer Gabel gestaltet ist. Das Brückenglied 47 weist einen oberen Stegteil 48 auf, an den sich zwei beabstandete, etwa parallel zueinander verlaufende Schenkel nach unten hin anschliessen, von denen in der Zeichnung aufgrund der Schnittdarstellung lediglich ein Schenkel 49 zu sehen ist. Zwischen den beabstandeten Schenkeln 49 des Brückengliedes 47 greifen die beiden Bügelarme 31 und 32 des Bügels 30 mit Spiel und beweglich hindurch, so daß dadurch die axiale Verstellbewegung des Abstützteiles 26 nicht behindert ist. Das Brückenglied 47 ist mit dem Ende seiner Schenkel 49 fest am Ventilgehäuse 11, und zwar am Gehäuseteil 34, gehalten und abgestützt. Mit dem quer zwischen den Schenkeln 49 verlaufenden Stegteil 48 bildet das Brückenglied 47 ein axiales Widerlager für den Kolben 39 des Stellorgans 36, insbesondere temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements 37. Der Stegteil 48 enthält z.B. eine Bohrung 50, in der das Ende des Kolbens 39 aufgenommen ist.To support the piston 39, e.g. reversed U-shaped bridge member 47 is provided, which is designed similar to a fork. The bridge member 47 has an upper web part 48, to which two spaced, approximately parallel legs extend downward, of which only one leg 49 can be seen in the drawing due to the sectional view. Between the spaced legs 49 of the bridge member 47, the two bracket arms 31 and 32 of the bracket 30 reach through with play and movement, so that the axial adjustment movement of the support member 26 is not hindered thereby. The bridge member 47 is held and supported at the end of its legs 49 on the valve housing 11, specifically on the housing part 34. With the web part 48 running transversely between the legs 49, the bridge member 47 forms an axial abutment for the piston 39 of the actuator 36, in particular temperature-dependent working elements 37. The web part 48 contains e.g. a bore 50 in which the end of the piston 39 is received.

Soll ausgehend von der in der Zeichnung rechts der Längsmittelachse dargestellten und durch Beheizung des temperaturabhängigen Arbeitselements 37 erreichten Arbeitsstellung eine andere, z.B. die links der Längsmittelachse dargestellte, Arbeitsstellung für das Thermostatventil 10 erreicht werden, so wird der das elektrische Heizelement 40 speisende Stromkreis geöffnet. Die Heizung und damit Erwärmung des Arbeitselements 37 wird damit unterbrochen, so daß das Arbeitselement 37 sich wieder abkühlen kann. Die Abkühlung hat eine Volumenverringerung des Dehnstoffes im Gehäuse 38 zur Folge. Dadurch kann die Feder 35 das Abstützteil 26 und mit diesem das Gehäuse 38 relativ zum axial abgestützten Kolben 39 in Achsrichtung gegensinnig zum Pfeil 22 in die links der Längsmittelachse gezeigte andere Stellung verstellen. In dieser Stellung ist z.B. das temperaturabhängige Arbeitselement 13 auf eine niedrigere Öffnungstemperatur eingestellt, so daß es schon bei niedrigerer Temperatur der Kühlflüssigkeit in eingangs beschriebener Weise öffnet.If, starting from the working position shown in the drawing on the right of the longitudinal central axis and achieved by heating the temperature-dependent working element 37, another working position, for example the working position shown on the left of the longitudinal central axis, is to be reached for the thermostatic valve 10, the circuit feeding the electrical heating element 40 is opened. The heating and thus heating of the working element 37 is thus interrupted, so that the working element 37 can cool down again. The cooling results in a volume reduction of the expansion material in the housing 38. As a result, the spring 35 can adjust the support part 26 and with it the housing 38 relative to the axially supported piston 39 in the axial direction in the opposite direction to the arrow 22 into the other position shown on the left of the longitudinal central axis. In this position, for example, the temperature-dependent working element 13 is at a lower opening temperature set so that it opens at a lower temperature of the coolant in the manner described above.

Das Thermostatventil 10 ist einfach, kostengünstig und läßt sich mit einfachen Mitteln und baukastenähnlich zusammensetzen, da z.B. die thermostatischen Arbeitselemente 13 und 37 baugleich oder zumindest funktionsgleich sein können. Vor allem hat das Thermostatventil den Vorteil, daß es sich jeweils von selbst unter der Wirkung der Feder 35 dann in die links der Längsmittelachse gezeigte Ausgangsstellung und damit auf eine niedrigere Öffnungstemperatur zurückstellt, wenn z.B. die elektrische Speisung des Heizelements 40 durch einen Störungsfall od. dgl. unterbrochen wird. In diesen Fällen ist somit eine etwaige Beeinträchtigung oder gar Beschädigung der Brennkraftmaschine zuverlässig und dabei in einfacher und kostengünstiger Weise ausgeschlossen.The thermostatic valve 10 is simple, inexpensive and can be assembled using simple means and in a modular manner, since e.g. the thermostatic working elements 13 and 37 can be identical or at least functionally the same. Above all, the thermostatic valve has the advantage that, under the action of the spring 35, it then automatically returns to the starting position shown to the left of the longitudinal central axis and thus to a lower opening temperature, e.g. the electrical supply to the heating element 40 is interrupted by a malfunction or the like. In these cases, any impairment or even damage to the internal combustion engine is reliable and is ruled out in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Claims (20)

  1. Thermostatic valve for regulating the temperature of coolant in an internal combustion engine, in particular an automobile engine, which regulates the flow of coolant from the internal combustion engine by means of a bypass and/or back to the internal combustion engine by means of a heat exchanger, wherein a housing (15) containing a resilient material is provided, which is loaded by a valve spring (16) when the valve is in closed position, has at least one valve disc (17) and is provided with a working piston (14), which extends relative to the housing (15) when the temperature rises, exerts the stroke of the valve disc (17) and is provided with an adjustable support means (26) as abutment (25), which is arranged coaxially to the working piston (14), is connected thereto and loaded by a spring (35) in contrary direction to that of the valve closure and is pressed into an initial position, said support means (26) being adjustable against the action of the spring (35) by means of a control means (36), characterised in that said control means (36) is provided in the form of a temperature-dependent working element (37) and herein as a resilient element, which is provided with a resilient material contained in a housing (38), into which resilient material a piston (39) guided out of said housing (38) plunges; that said temperature-dependent working element (37) is arranged so that its piston (39) is directed towards the working piston (14); and that said piston (39) of said temperature-dependent working element (37) is supported axially on the valve housing (11, 34), and on response of said temperature-dependent working element (37), its piston (38) may be moved relative to piston (39) in the direction of closure of the valve together with said working piston (14) and taking the support means (26) with it, the working range of the valve thus being adjustable to a range with a higher opening temperature.
  2. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 1, characterised in that the rigidity of the spring (35) is greater than that of the valve spring (16).
  3. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support means (26) has an approximately V-shaped or approximately U-shaped bow (30), the opening of which is arranged on the side averted from the working piston (14).
  4. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 3, characterised in that the portion of the bow (30) lying approximately in the area of the longitudinal central axis of the working piston (14) is connected directly or indirectly to the facing end of the working piston (14), e.g. by means of a tappet (28).
  5. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterised in that the support means (26) is firmly connected to the working piston (14) in the direction of thrust and compression.
  6. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the temperature-dependent working element (37) may be heated, in particular be electrically heated.
  7. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the temperature-dependent working element (37) is arranged coaxially to the working piston (14).
  8. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 7, characterised in that the temperature-dependent working element (37) is arranged on the axial side adjacent to the working piston (14).
  9. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 8, characterised in that the support means (26) is coupled to the thermostatic working element (37) in such a way that an axial actuating force directed in the direction of closure of the valve (arrow 22) results in said support means (26) being axially displaced against the force of the spring (35) acting thereon.
  10. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 9, characterised in that a drop in actuating force results in axial displacement of the support means (26) and the temperature-dependent working element (37) taken with it on action of the spring (35) in contrary direction to that of closure of the valve (arrow 22).
  11. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 10, characterised in that a ring (41) is fastened to the support means (26), which encloses the housing (38) of the temperature-dependent working element (37) arranged coaxially to the working piston (14) and which is pressed by means of the spring (35) in contrary direction to that of closure of the valve (arrow 22) against a driver (42), e.g. a radial projection, a ring shoulder or similar, of the temperature-dependent working element (37).
  12. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 11, characterised in that the spring (35) is provided in the form of a cylindrical coil spring.
  13. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 12, characterised in that the spring (35) is axially supported on a housing section (43) at the end averted from the support means (26).
  14. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 13, characterised in that the housing section (43) is provided in the form of a bow or cup, which is fastened to the valve housing (11) at its end adjacent to the support means (26).
  15. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 14, characterised in that the housing section (43) is held by its end on the valve housing (11) by means of a flared joint (44, 45), e.g. by means of a flanged edge (45).
  16. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 15, characterised in that the spring (35) and/or the housing section (43) surrounds the temperature-dependent working element (37) spaced radially therefrom.
  17. Thermostatic valve according to one of Claims 1 - 16, characterised in that for support of the piston (39), a bridge element (47) approximately in the shape of an inverted U, for example, is provided, in which the spaced legs (49) movably engage through the bow arms (31, 32) of the bow-shaped support means (26).
  18. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 17, characterised in that the bridge element (47) is firmly held and supported on the valve housing (11, 34) at the end of its legs (49).
  19. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the bridge element (47) forms an axial abutment for the piston (39) of the temperature-dependent working element (37) with its web section (48) running obliquely between the legs (49).
  20. Thermostatic valve according to Claim 19, characterised in that the piston (39) is received in a hole (50) in the web section (48).
EP91109208A 1990-11-06 1991-06-06 Thermostatic valve for controlling the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine Expired - Lifetime EP0484624B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4035179 1990-11-06
DE4035179A DE4035179A1 (en) 1990-11-06 1990-11-06 THERMOSTAT VALVE FOR CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0484624A1 EP0484624A1 (en) 1992-05-13
EP0484624B1 true EP0484624B1 (en) 1994-07-13

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91109208A Expired - Lifetime EP0484624B1 (en) 1990-11-06 1991-06-06 Thermostatic valve for controlling the temperature of the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine

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EP (1) EP0484624B1 (en)
DE (2) DE4035179A1 (en)

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DE4233913C2 (en) * 1992-10-08 2003-04-30 Behr Thermot Tronik Gmbh Electrically heated thermostatic valve for a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine
DE4332101B4 (en) * 1993-09-22 2005-09-15 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Cooling device for a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
DE4422272A1 (en) * 1994-06-24 1996-01-04 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Cooling device for a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
DE4444685A1 (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-06-20 Behr Thomson Dehnstoffregler Thermostatic working element with an electrical resistance heating element
DE4445588C2 (en) * 1994-12-20 2002-12-05 Danfoss As Diaphragm controlled differential pressure valve
JP2948916B2 (en) * 1994-12-21 1999-09-13 バイエリッシェ モートーレン ウエルケ アクチエンゲゼルシャフト Thermostat valve for refrigerant circulation system of internal combustion engine
DE59703327D1 (en) * 1996-02-01 2001-05-17 Modine Mfg Co Device for tempering the gear oil of a motor vehicle
DE29610679U1 (en) * 1996-06-18 1997-11-27 Behr Thermot-Tronik Gmbh & Co., 70806 Kornwestheim Actuator with a thermostatic working element
DE19637818C1 (en) * 1996-09-17 1998-04-16 Laengerer & Reich Gmbh & Co Thermostatic valve unit
FR2791787B1 (en) * 1999-03-30 2001-06-22 Vernet Sa THERMOSTATIC DEVICE WITH TWO REGULATING REGIMES, WITH TWO THERMOSTATIC ELEMENTS
DE19940975A1 (en) * 1999-08-28 2001-03-01 Mann & Hummel Filter Expansion thermostat for internal combustion engine intake system, has housing filled with expandable material for linearly moving plunger acting on switching element
FR2805591B1 (en) * 2000-02-28 2002-05-31 Vernet Sa THERMOSTATIC DEVICE WITH TWO SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED REGULATIONS
FR2811709B1 (en) * 2000-07-17 2003-02-21 Vernet Sa PROPORTIONAL CONTROL PILOT THERMOSTATIC DEVICE, WITH SAFETY THERMOSTATIC ELEMENT
DE102007005557B4 (en) 2007-01-24 2019-06-19 Mahle International Gmbh Thermostat valve for a coolant flow
GB2495096A (en) 2011-09-28 2013-04-03 Gm Global Tech Operations Inc A thermostat with an auxiliary wax chamber for very cold starts

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0484624A1 (en) 1992-05-13
DE4035179A1 (en) 1992-05-07
DE59102172D1 (en) 1994-08-18

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