EP0754866B1 - Valve arrangement - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a valve arrangement with a plurality of valve units, that side by side in a row like this consecutively lined up in a common level are that their longitudinal axes are parallel to the alignment plane and at the same time run perpendicular to the row direction, where each valve unit has a base plate with internal Valve channels, a main valve with a parallel to the longitudinal axis extending slide receptacle and a longitudinally movable therein Valve slide and at least one for control of the main valve, electrically operated actuator has, at least under the valve channels there is a feed channel and at least one ventilation channel, which channels communicate with the slide holder and which Base plate parallel to the row direction from the front surface push through to the rear surface in such a way that they are similar Valve channels of the base plate of an immediately adjacent one Valve unit can communicate.

A valve arrangement of this type is described in DE 41 43 274 A1. It comprises several in a block-shaped unit lined up valve units, each with a base plate, which is penetrated by feed and ventilation channels. On Each base plate is a main valve designed as a multi-way valve arranged, the one equipped with a valve spool Slider mount contains that with the channels in the base plate communicates. To control the main valve is one as a solenoid valve trained electrically operated actuator provided that is integrated into the base plate and the application of the actuating fluid to the valve spool can influence.

Because the feed and ventilation channels are relatively far from Main valve are connected to the slide holder special branch channels required that are relatively long Result in airways and limit the possible flow rate. In addition, this type of construction is relatively large Dimensions connected.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement to create the kind mentioned in the compact Construction of shorter airways and better flow values enables.

To solve this problem, the invention provides that a respective valve unit has two main valves which arranged at right angles to the alignment level one above the other are that the base plate of each valve unit as a common Housing of the two main valves is formed and two superposed, parallel slide receptacles each with a valve slide, and that the at least a feed channel and the at least one ventilation channel in the intermediate wall between the two slide holders the base plate run and simultaneously with both communicate slide receptacles arranged in the base plate.

In this way, the base plate and two main valves combined into a practically integral unit. The existing feed and ventilation channels can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the slide receptacles, so that there are only short airways. The design a respective valve unit as a double valve has the Advantage that short lengths of the valve arrangement can be realized can. The associated increase in overall height keeps within reasonable limits because of the feed and ventilation channels in the partition between the two slide holders run and thereby both main valves at the same time assigned. Overall, this makes it extremely compact Realize valve arrangements.

From the older German patent application P 44 13 657.9-53 goes already a valve arrangement in which a base plate forms the housing of a main valve, so that also short airways and high flow values result. The special advantageous measures to achieve a common one Base plate integrated double valve are there, however not provided.

Furthermore, there are already valve arrangements with individual valve units known in which switching valves in a base plate are integrated. In this context, for example to DE 35 10 283 A1, EP 0 116 500 A1, DE 39 19 413 A1 or DE 37 01 211 A1. In all of these cases however, the slide is actuated mechanically and immediately without special electrically operated actuators.

DE 41 37 868 C2 shows a valve whose housing itself from a base plate containing the slide holder and is composed of two end parts attached, whereby electrically operated actuators in the form of Solenoid valves are provided to control the valve spool are. A comparable arrangement is shown in DE 40 20 024 A1, in which the existing controls on the same end face of the housing. An embodiment as However, double valve is just as little present as the integration a main valve in a base plate with this in a row direction penetrating feed and ventilation channels.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the subclaims listed.

Expediently include those in a respective base plate trimmed valve channels two sets of working channels that the Allow connection to be operated consumers, and each on the one hand communicate with one of the slide receptacles. and on the other hand on opposite upper and lower Open out the side surfaces of the base plate. In this way can be connected to the working channels and to consumers leading fluid lines conveniently up and be led away below.

Will the existing on the lower and / or upper side surface Mouths of the working channels covered by a connection plate, the via openings communicating with the mouths has, the valve arrangement can be particularly simple to the different ones prevailing in the different countries Adjust thread standards. There are only connection plates as required apply, the connection openings with the desired Fastening threads corresponding to the standard are.

Also contributes to the compactness of the valve arrangement the pairing of two electrically operated actuators to an attachable to the respective base plate Actuating unit, the actuating devices expediently comprise an electromagnetic device and are designed in particular as solenoid valves. Actuators As such, they are already state of the art and can be seen, for example, from DE 43 09 695 A1. they allow also a particularly simple connection of the one above the other arranged actuating devices to an electrical control unit, which expediently above or below the Row of valve units in the area of the upper or lower Side surfaces of the lined up base plates is arranged. about this control unit can be the operation of the actuators specify and thereby the switching state of the Main valves.

The control unit preferably comprises at least one in parallel PCB running to the line of the valve units, the electrical connection contacts in particular is contacted with all actuators at the same time and via the actuators their actuation signals receive. This circuit board can be a simple signal distribution board be that has no intelligence of its own and control signals coming from an electronic control device just forwards. The electronic control device is, however, also expediently an immediate one Part of the control unit, it expediently on another circuit board is constructed, which is preferably in a plane parallel to the first printed circuit board.

The control unit can also have a fieldbus communication unit be equipped as part of a serial data transfer communicating with an external electronic Control device enables or the communication of several separately mutually arranged valve arrangements. The connection can be made here via a suitable fieldbus, for example a so-called ASI bus or a so-called PROFI bus.

Figur 1

eine erste Bauform der erfindungsgemäßen Ventilanordnung in schematischer perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei der vordere Bereich gemäß Schnittlinie I-I aus Figur 2 abgeschnitten wurde, um den inneren Aufbau einer Ventileinheit deutlich zu machen, und

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht der vollständigen Ventilanordnung mit Blick gemäß Pfeil II aus Figur 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The individual shows:

Figure 1

a first design of the valve assembly according to the invention in a schematic perspective view, the front area having been cut according to section line II of Figure 2 to make the internal structure of a valve unit clear, and

Figure 2

a side view of the complete valve assembly with a view according to arrow II of Figure 1.

The valve assembly generally identified by reference number 1 comprises a plurality, here: three pieces, of valve units 2, with which the distribution of a not shown for operation Fluids serving consumers, in particular compressed air, can be controlled. Controllable consumers are, for example Working cylinder.

The individual valve units 2 each have an elongated one Structure, their longitudinal axes are indicated at 3.

The valve units 2 are combined into a compact unit. To do this, they are 4 side by side in a row direction so consecutively in a common alignment level 5 lined up that their longitudinal axes 3 parallel to the alignment level 5 run and at the same time perpendicular to the Extend row direction 4. Immediately successive Valve units 2 lie firmly against one another with their facing surfaces on. On the first and last valve unit 2 is each have an end plate 6, 6 ', between which the Valve units 2 are firmly clamped together. The cohesion ensure tie rods 7 extending in the row direction 4, which all valve units 2 pass through and on the connection plates 6, 6 'are anchored. This way a block-like unit.

Each valve unit 2 comprises a central base plate 8, the Plate level 12 is perpendicular to the alignment level 5 and runs parallel to the associated longitudinal axis 3. she has a essentially rectangular cross-section.

A respective base plate 8 forms the housing of two in the Plate level 12 offset from each other and therefore arranged at right angles to the alignment level 5 one above the other Main valves 13, 14. Each of these main valves 13, 14 includes a substantially cylindrical in the embodiment Slider receptacle 15, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 is. In this way, there are two on top of each other per base plate 8 horizontal and mutually parallel slide receptacles 15 are provided, in each of which there is only a dash-dotted line Valve spool is located.

The valve slide 16 is longitudinally movable in the slide holder 15 added and can therefore have different switching positions take in. These switch positions are under mediation of electrically operable actuating devices 17, 17 ' predefined as required, the opposite of the two front side surfaces 18 of a respective base plate 8 are detachably attached. You steer in a more familiar way Assign the supply of an actuating fluid, here: compressed air the opposite faces of the valve spool 16 to act on them and thereby in one or the other To shift direction.

Each base plate 8 is traversed by a plurality of valve channels 19. Among these are, for example, a feed channel 22 and two ventilation channels 23 which cross the base plate 8 transversely, i.e. parallel enforce to the row direction 4, so that they each on the front surface 24 and rear surface pointing in the row direction 4 25 of the base plate 8 open out. The distribution of these valve channels 19, 22, 23 in the base plate 8 is among the individual Valve units 2 identical, so that the channel mouths are adjacent Valve units 2 aligned with each other and in Row direction form 4 continuous common channels.

The rear end plate 6 'is completely closed and thus forms a front end of the continuous Valve channels 19, 22, 23. On the other hand is the front end plate 6 provided with connection openings 26 which with the valve channels mentioned 19, 22, 23 are aligned. About it is in the dining channel 22 that required for the operation of the valve arrangement 1 under Pressurized fluid fed, a corresponding feed line is indicated at 27. To those with the ventilation channels 23 communicating connection openings 26 can each have a silencer 28 can be used, which is a noise-reduced Fluid flow guaranteed.

The feed and ventilation channels 22, 23 expediently run in the vertical between the two slide receptacles 15 lying intermediate wall 31 of a respective base plate 8. Die arrangement according to the example is such that the feed channel 22 approximately in the middle with approximately the same distance from the two end faces Side surfaces 18 runs and on both sides of one Vent channel 23 is flanked in the area between the feed channel 22 and a respective end face 18 run.

The central arrangement of the feed and ventilation channels is supplemented 22, 23 still by the measure that each of these Channels simultaneously with both assigned slide receptacles 15 communicates. Both the feed channel 22 and the two ventilation channels 23 open out on both sides in both slide receptacles 15 a. This is expediently realized in that said valve channels 19, 22, 23 so designed and arranged are that they have the slide receptacles with parts 32 of their channel cross section 15 push through. This results in an optimal one Flow through the two main valves because of the pressure medium not within a respective valve unit 2 Branch channel in or out of the assigned slide holder this must flow out. The slide receptacles 15 are in the area of the above-mentioned sections 32 of the channel cross sections flows through, so that an optimal degree of filling is established. Since the main valves are integrated in the base plate 8, can the design of the individual valve channels without any problems be adjusted.

About the position of a respective valve spool 16 flow of the pneumatic pressure medium indicated by arrows 33 controlled to and by consumers. The pressure medium flows here via pressure medium lines, not shown, which connected to working channels of a respective main valve 13, 14 become.

Under the valve channels running in a respective base plate 8 19, for example, there are two sets of working channels 34, 34 ', each comprising two working channels. The first set of working channels 34 passes through the one above upper slide receptacle 15 located upper plate wall 35, wherein he on the one hand circumferentially into the upper slide holder 15 flows out and on the other hand on the outer upper side surface 37 of the base plate 8 opens out. In a similar way is the lower one running under the lower slide holder 15 Plate wall 36 of a respective base plate 8 from the second Set of working channels 34 'vertically interspersed on the one hand open into the lower slide holder 15 and on the other hand to open lower side surface 38 of the base plate 8.

The working channels 34, 34 'are in the area of their outer mouths provided with fastening threads that connect directly enable the pressure medium lines mentioned. Present a so-called BSP thread is introduced here. It is however not used in the embodiment shown, because a different thread is desired by the user, for example a so-called NTP thread. To provide these threads are those assigned to a respective side surface 37, 38 Mouths of the working channels 34, 34 'from a strip-shaped Connection plate 41, 41 'covers that with connection openings 42 is provided, the distribution of which of the two Muzzle rows match. These connection openings 42 have the relevant fastening thread 43. By connecting plates 41, 41 'are releasably attached, is an easy replacement possible to retrofit as required desired thread type.

It is understood that in the transition area between a respective Connection plate 41, 41 'and the base plate 8, not shown Seals are available, as are the rest between adjacent valve units 2 in the peripheral area the mutually facing mouths of the feed and ventilation channels 22, 23.

Depending on the position of the valve slide 16, the pressure medium from Feed channel 22 into a working channel 34, 34 'or from a working channel 34, 34 'flow into a ventilation duct 23, wherein the associated slide holder 15 is flowed through.

In the exemplary embodiment, each main valve 13, 14 has two actuating devices 17; 17 'assigned. They are on one common outer surface 18 seated actuators 17, 17 'advantageously combined in an actuating unit 44, so that a uniform assembly and disassembly the base plate 8 is possible. Each actuator 17, 17 'includes an electromagnet device 46 known per se a coil 47 and a movable armature 48, which together in a housing 45 of the actuator 44 are housed. The armature 48 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 and is through Excitation of the coil 47 linearly movable, being a valve member forms that in cooperation with an opposite valve seat 49 the supply and / or discharge of the actuating fluid in controls an end region of a slide holder 15. A respective actuating device 17, 17 'is present thus designed as a solenoid valve, the valve seat 49 however not a direct component of the actuation unit 44, but is formed on an intermediate plate 52, that between the actuator 44 and the associated one front side surfaces 18 of the base plate 8 is seated.

The actuating fluid controlled by the actuators 17, 17 ' can be branched from the feed channel 22 or via separate Pilot feed channels are supplied.

The valve arrangement 1 can be laterally advantageously set on any support wall 53 so that it from this protrudes and their top and bottom are freely accessible. This facilitates the required fluidic and electrical Connections. As an aid for fastening on the wall In the present case, a mounting plate 54 is provided, which on a lateral end face of the row of valve units 2 set is and with the help of mounting screws 56 or other Fasteners on the support wall 53 releasably fixable is. They are expediently attached to the valve arrangement over the two end connection plates 6,6 ', with the mounting plate 54 in a manner not shown can be screwed.

The mounting plate 54 according to the example is designed that even in the mounted state on the support wall 53 in the vertical direction of the valve arrangement 1 through conduit 57 is present, which makes it possible for the upper working channels 34 outgoing pressure medium lines protected to lead down.

The valve arrangement 1 has in addition to the advantageous embodiment the valve units 2 the further advantage of a particularly favorable Arrangement of an electrical control unit 58 for the Actuators 17, 17 '. This sits completely below the series of valve units 2 in the vicinity of the lower one Side surfaces 38 of the base plates 8.

The electrical control unit 58 is in one from below the series of valve units 2 attached protective housing 59 housed. Its front and back surfaces as well as the two frontal side surfaces close with the correspondingly oriented Outer surfaces of the valve units 2 or end plates 6, 6 'essentially flush, so that a clear compact block-like unit is present.

The electrical control unit according to the example comprises a parallel one first printed circuit board aligned with the alignment level 5 62, with a variety of upward electrical Connection contacts 63 is equipped. The first circuit board 62 is attached to the valve unit 2 from below, its electrical connection contacts 63 simultaneously with complementary further electrical connection contacts 64 are contacted, which are provided on the underside of the actuating units 44 are and with the actuators 17, 17 'in connection stand. The actuating units 44 can be of a design have, which corresponds to that described in DE 43 09 659 A1.

Provided on the first printed circuit board 62, but in the present case Conductors, not shown, provide a connection between the plate-side electrical connection contacts 63 and one first multipole connection device also provided on the first printed circuit board 62 65 ago. This in turn is in Detachable electrical connection with a complementary second Multipole connector 66 of a second circuit board 61, which are parallel and spaced below the first Printed circuit board 62 is arranged. This is with one only schematically indicated electronic control device 67 equipped, which are arranged on the circuit board electronic components. It is programmable Control device (PLC) trained, according to Program demand via a connector 68 going down leaves.

In operation, the first circuit board 62 acts as a distribution board for electrical actuation signals generated by the electronic Control device 67 received control signals according to the instructions to the relevant electronic connection contacts 64 or the associated actuating devices 17, 17 '.

If required, a higher-level connector can also be used external control device can be connected.

It is also possible to use the connector 68 or a other suitable connectors a connection option for to create a fieldbus, particularly as a two-wire bus is executed and signals in serial transmission technology introduces that of one installed on the second circuit board 61 Fieldbus communication unit 69 received, decrypted and forwarded to the actuation units 44 become.

It is possible to have both an electronic control device 67 as well as a fieldbus communication unit 70 on the second To provide circuit board 61, the facilities such shown, can also be carried out in structural units.

The fieldbuses that can be connected are, for example a so-called ASI bus or PROFI bus.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second circuit board 61 also has via electrical inputs 69, via the sensor signals can be fed by the electronic control device 67 are processed.

A diagnostic function can also be carried out via the electrical control unit run with the intermediation of pressure sensors is working. The pressure sensors can be connected to the working channels 34, 34 'to be connected to when certain pressures occur generate a reusable signal.

In the embodiment, a side housing wall 72 of the Protective housing 59, which points away from the support wall 53, with a A plurality of optical display elements 73, which are connected to the electrical Control unit 58 are connected and for example the respective switching status of the individual main valves and, for example can also display the respective diagnostic status.

To the pneumatic connection to the lower working channels 34 ' to enable, the base plates 8 with protruding downwards Provided extensions 74 in which the relevant working channels 34 'and the existing printed circuit boards 61, 62 push through.

It is understood that the electrical control unit 58 is also on the top of the row of valve units 2 are arranged can. However, the exemplary embodiment has the advantage that both the pneumatic and the electrical connections led from below to the valve assembly 1 can be.

The advantageous arrangement of the electronic control unit 58 above and preferably below the row of valve units can also be realized when a respective base plate only as a housing for a single one Main valve is equipped, with a corresponding one reduced number of actuating devices (17, 17 ') for Use can come.

Claims (16)

1. Valve assembly with several valve units (2) so arranged in a linear direction (4) consecutively side by side in a common line-up plane (5) that their longitudinal axes (3) extend parallel to the line-up plane (5) and at right angles to the linear direction (4), each valve unit (2) comprising a base plate (8) with internal valve passages (19), a main valve (13, 14) with a spool mounting (15) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) and housing a valve spool (16) capable of longitudinal movement, and at least one electrically operated actuator (17, 17') for driving the main valve (13, 14), at least one feed passage (22) and at least one vent passage (23) being arranged below the valve passages (19), said passages (22, 23) communicating with the spool mounting (15) and so penetrating the base plate (8) parallel to the linear direction (4) from the front face to the rear face that they are capable of communicating with similar valve passages of the base plate (8) of an immediately adjacent valve unit (2), characterised in that each valve unit (2) comprises two main valves (13, 14) arranged on top of each other at right angles to the line-up plane (5), that the base plate (8) of each valve unit (2) is designed as a common housing for the two main valves (13, 14) and has two spool mountings (15) arranged on top of and parallel to each other, each housing a valve spool (16), and that the at least one feed passage (22) and the at least one vent passage (23) extend in the partition (31) of the base plate (8) lying between the two spool mountings (15) and simultaneously communicate with both spool mountings (15) located in the base plate (8).
2. Valve assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that two sets of working passages (34, 34'), each communicating with one of the spool mountings (15) on the one hand while terminating on opposite upper and lower side faces (37, 38) of the base plate (8) on the other hand, are provided below the valve passages (19) extending in each base plate (8).
3. Valve assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the openings of the working passages (34, 34') in both the upper side face (37) and the lower side face (38) form a single or multiple row of openings covered by a manifold (41, 41'), in particular detachably mounted, extending parallel to the line-up direction (4) and provided with connecting ports (42) communicating with the openings and having a fastening thread (43) for the connection of continuing fluid lines.
4. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that two vent passages (23) are provided in the partition (31) of each base plate (8) adjacent to the end faces (18) of the base plate (8) and a feed passage (22) is provided between the two vent passages (23).
5. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one electrically operated actuator (17, 17') located on an end face (18) of the base plate (8) is assigned to each main valve (13, 14) integrated into the base plate (8).
6. Valve assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that an actuating unit (44) simultaneously containing two actuators (17, 17'), each assigned to a main valve (13, 14) is arranged on at least one end face (18) of each base plate (8).
7. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each actuator (17, 17') comprises a solenoid device (46).
8. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that each actuator (17, 17') is formed by a solenoid controlling the admission of an operating fluid to the associated valve spool (16) to initiate its longitudinal movement.
9. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the row of valve units (2) is located between front and rear end plates (6, 6'), at least one of which is provided with ports (26) communicating with the feed and vent passages (22, 23).
10. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a mounting plate (54) for mounting the valve assembly (1) on a supporting wall (53) is provided on at least one side face (55) of the row of valve units (2).
11. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that an electrical driver (58) for the actuators (17, 17') of the main valves (13, 14) is arranged above and/or below the row of valve units (2) in the area of the upper or lower side faces (37, 38) of the base plates (8).
12. Valve assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the driver (58) comprises at least one printed circuit board (62) extending parallel to the line-up plane (5) and simultaneously bonded to all actuators (17, 17') via electrical terminals (63).
13. Valve assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the electrical driver (58) comprises a held bus communication unit (69) permitting the connection of a field bus, for instance the connection of a so-called ASI bus or PROFI bus.
14. Valve assembly according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the driver (58) contains an electronic control unit (67), preferably a programmable logical controller (PLC).
15. Valve assembly according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the electronic control unit (67) and/or the field bus communication unit (69) are constructed on a printed circuit board (61) extending parallel to the line-up plane (5).
16. Valve assembly according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterised in that the driver (58) is installed in a protective housing (59) fitted to the row of valve units (2), at least one side wall (72) of the protective housing (59) being expediently fitted with optical display elements (73) connected to the driver (58) and, for instance, indicating the switching status of individual main valves (13, 14).

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