EP1013940A2 - Valve arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve arrangement has several valve units in series side-by-side, each with a base plate with internal valve channels, a main valve (13,14) with an electric actuator and channels communicating with valve channels in the adjacent vale unit's base plate. An electric drive unit (58) for the main valve actuators (17,17') mounted above and/or below the row of valve units with a circuit board parallel to the plane of the unit row is simultaneously connected to all actuators and has a field bus communications unit (67) and/or an electronic controller (69).

Description

The invention relates to a valve arrangement, with several Valve units arranged side by side in a row direction so consecutively in a common alignment level are lined up that their longitudinal axes parallel to the Alignment level and at the same time perpendicular to the row direction run, with each valve unit a base plate with internal valve channels, a main valve with a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide holder and one therein longitudinally movable valve spool and at least one that is used to control the main valve, electrically operated actuator, wherein at least one feed channel and at least one valve channel a ventilation channel is located, which channels with the Communicate slide holder and the base plate in parallel to the row direction from the front surface to the rear surface enforce such that they with similar valve channels the base plate of an immediately adjacent valve unit to be able to communicate.

A valve arrangement of this type is in DE 41 43 274 A. or described in FR 2 693 516 A. It includes several too a block-shaped unit lined up valve units that each have a base plate, that of feed and ventilation channels is enforced. On every base plate is a main valve designed as a multi-way valve is arranged, the one with a valve slide valve holder contains that communicates with the channels in the baseplate. To control the main valve is one as a solenoid valve trained electrically operated actuator provided that is integrated in the base plate and the loading of the valve spool with an actuating fluid can influence. By provided in the area of the base plates Printed circuit boards become the electrical connection to the actuators of the individual valve units. In the case of FR 2 693 516 A, a multi-pin plug connection can be used an electrical connection to a Manufacture control device.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement to create the kind mentioned in the compact Building a particularly favorable arrangement of an electrical Control unit offers.

This problem is solved by the characteristic features of claim 1.

The valve arrangement thus contains a control unit, with whose help is the operation of the actuators and thereby specify the switching state of the main valves leaves. The control unit comprises at least one parallel to PCB in line with the valve units, at the same time via electrical connection contacts is in contact with all actuators and via the actuators receive their actuation signals. This circuit board can be a simple signal distribution board be that has no intelligence of its own and via a fieldbus communication unit with an external communicates electronic control device. The fieldbus communication unit enables as part of a serial Data transfers communication with an external electronic Control device or the communication of several separately arranged valve arrangements with each other. The connection can be made here via a suitable fieldbus take place, for example a so-called ASI bus or so-called PROFI bus. Additionally or alternatively, a electronic control device a direct component the control unit, where it is expedient on a another circuit board is constructed, which is preferably in a plane parallel to the first printed circuit board.

FR 2 617 565 A already includes a valve arrangement several valve units in which each valve unit is equipped with its own valve control circuit. This is located in one under the main valve placed connection box, being between the individual valve control circuits none within the valve arrangement electrical connection exists.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the subclaims listed.

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 includes a plurality, here: three pieces, of valve units 2, with which the distribution of one to operate is not fluid serving consumers, in particular Compressed air, can be controlled. Controllable consumers are, for example, working cylinders.

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 on 4 sides in a row Side in such a way in a common alignment level 5 lined up that their longitudinal axes 3 parallel to the alignment level 5 and at the same time perpendicular extend to the row direction 4. Immediately successive Valve units 2 lie with their facing Surfaces firmly against each other. On the first and the last Valve unit 2 has an end plate 6, 6 ', between which the valve units 2 are firmly clamped together are. The cohesion is guaranteed in the row direction 4 extending tie rods 7, all valve units 2 pass through and on the connecting plates 6, 6 ' are anchored. This results in a block-like one Unit.

Each valve unit 2 comprises a central base plate 8, the Plate level 12 perpendicular to the alignment level 5 stands and runs parallel to the associated longitudinal axis 3. It has an 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 parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 is aligned. In this way, there are 8 per base plate superimposed and parallel slide receptacles 15 provided, in each of which is only a dot-dash line indicated valve slide 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 operated actuators 17, 17 'given as required, the two each other opposite end faces 18 one respective base plate 8 are releasably attached. You control the supply of an actuating fluid in a manner known per se, here: compressed air, to the opposite End faces of the valve slide 16 to act on them and thereby shift in one direction or the other.

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 the base plate 8th across, i.e. enforce parallel to row direction 4, see above that they are each on the front surface pointing in the row direction 4 24 and rear surface 25 of the base plate 8 open out. The Distribution of these valve channels 19, 22, 23 in the base plate 8 is identical among the individual valve units 2, so that the channel mouths of adjacent valve units 2 with each other aligned and 4 continuous common in the row direction Form 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 mentioned valve channels 19, 22, 23 are aligned. About it is in the feed channel 22 that is required to operate the valve arrangement 1, pressurized fluid fed, a corresponding supply line is indicated at 27. To those with the ventilation channels 23 communicating connection openings 26 a silencer 28 can be attached to each a noise-reduced fluid flow guaranteed.

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

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 recordings 15 communicates. Both the feed channel 22 and the two Vent channels 23 open out circumferentially in both slide receptacles 15 a. This is expediently realized characterized in that said valve channels 19, 22, 23 so designed and are arranged so that they have parts 32 of their channel cross section push the slide receptacles 15 across. This results optimal flow through the two main valves, because the pressure medium within a respective valve unit 2 not only via a branch channel in the assigned slide holder must flow in or out of it. The Slider receptacles 15 are in the area of the mentioned sections 32 flows through the channel cross sections so that there is an optimal degree of filling. Because the main valves are integrated in the base plate 8, the design of the individual valve channels easily adapted to the needs become.

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

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 penetrate the located above the upper slide holder 15 upper Plate wall 35, on the one hand circumferentially in the upper Slider receptacle 15 opens and on the other hand on the outside upper side surface 37 of the base plate 8 opens out. Correspondingly, it is under the lower slide holder 15 extending lower plate wall 36 of a respective one Base plate 8 from the second set of working channels 34 'vertically interspersed, on the one hand in the lower slide holder 15 open out and on the other hand to the lower side surface 38 of the base plate 8 open out.

The working channels 34, 34 'are in the area of their outer mouths provided with fastening threads that the immediate Allow connection of the pressure medium lines mentioned. In the present case, a so-called BSP thread is introduced here. However, it is in the embodiment shown not used because the user wants a different thread is, for example, a so-called NTP thread. Around to provide these threads are those of a respective side surface 37, 38 associated mouths of the working channels 34, 34 'covered by a strip-shaped connecting plate 41, 41', which is provided with connection openings 42, their distribution matches that of the two rows of muzzle. These connection openings 42 have the relevant fastening thread 43 on. By connecting plates 41, 41 ' are detachably attached, easy replacement is possible, to retrofit as required Make thread types.

It is understood that in the transition area between a respective Connection plate 41, 41 'and the base plate 8 not shown seals are present, as well as the rest also between adjacent valve units 2 in the circumferential area the facing mouths of the food and Vent channels 22, 23.

Depending on the position of the valve slide 16, the pressure medium from the feed channel 22 into a working channel 34, 34 'or from one Working channel 34, 34 'flow into a ventilation channel 23, the associated slide holder 15 flows through becomes.

In the exemplary embodiment, each main valve 13, 14 is two Actuating devices 17; 17 'assigned. Here are the on a common outer surface 18 seated actuators 17, 17 'expediently in an actuating unit 44 summarized so that a uniform assembly and Disassembly on the base plate 8 is possible. Any actuator 17, 17 'comprises a known electromagnetic device 46 with 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 linear by excitation of the coil 47 movable, forming a valve member that cooperate with an opposite valve seat 49 the supply and / or discharge of the actuating fluid into an end face End region of a slide holder 15 controls. A respective one Actuating device 17, 17 'is thus present as a solenoid valve trained, the valve seat 49, however, not is an immediate part of the actuating unit 44, but is formed on an intermediate plate 52 which between the actuating unit 44 and the associated end face Side surfaces 18 of the base plate 8 sits.

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 protrudes from it and its top and bottom are freely accessible is. This facilitates the required fluidic and electrical connections. As an aid to the wall In the present case, a fastening plate 54 is provided for fastening, on a side face of the row of valve units 2 is fixed and with the help of fastening screws 56 or other fasteners on the supporting wall 53 is releasably fixable. Your attachment to the valve assembly expediently takes place via the two ends Connection plates 6,6 'with which the mounting plate 54 screwed in a manner not shown can.

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 the valve assembly 1 through conduit 57 is present, which enables that of the upper working channels 34 outgoing pressure medium lines protected downwards respectively.

The valve arrangement 1 has in addition to the advantageous embodiment the valve units 2 the further advantage of a special favorable arrangement of an electrical control unit 58 for the actuators 17, 17 '. This sits completely below the row of valve units 2 in the neighborhood the lower side surfaces 38 of the base plates 8.

The electrical control unit 58 is in one from below 2 protective housings attached to the series of valve units 59 housed. Its front and back surfaces as well as the the two side faces close with the corresponding oriented outer surfaces of the valve units 2 or End plates 6, 6 'essentially flush, so that a Clear, compact block-like unit is available.

The exemplary electrical control unit comprises a first printed circuit board aligned parallel to the alignment level 5 62, which with a variety of upward electrical connection contacts 63 is equipped. The first PCB 62 is attached to the valve unit 2 from below, their electrical connection contacts 63 simultaneously with complementary additional electrical connection contacts 64 can be contacted at the bottom of the actuators 44 are provided and with the actuators 17, 17 'are connected. The actuation units 44 can have a design that the 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 also provided on the first circuit board 62 first multipole connector 65 forth. This in turn is in detachable electrical connection with a complementary second multipole connector 66 one second circuit board 61, which is parallel and spaced below the first circuit board 62 is arranged. This is with an only schematically indicated electronic Control device 67 equipped, which is made on the circuit board arranged electronic components. It is a programmable logic controller (SPS) trained, which can be moved down as needed outgoing connector 68 can be programmed.

In operation, the first circuit board 62 acts as a distribution board for electrical actuation signals that the of the electronic control device 67 received control signals as instructed to the relevant electronic connection contacts 64 or the associated actuating devices 17, 17 'forwards.

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 to create for a fieldbus, especially as a two-wire bus is carried out and in serial transmission technology Signals coming from one on the second circuit board 61 installed 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 to provide second circuit board 61, the devices, as shown, can also be carried out as a unit.

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

In the exemplary embodiment, the second printed circuit board 61 additionally 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 Press to generate a reusable signal.

In the exemplary embodiment, a side housing wall 72 of the protective housing 59, which points away from the support wall 53, with a plurality of optical display elements 73, the on the electrical control unit 58 are connected and for example the respective switching status of the individual Main valves and, for example, the respective diagnostic status can display.

For the pneumatic connection to the lower working channels To allow 34 ', the base plates 8 with down projecting projections 74 in which the relevant Working channels 34 'run and the existing circuit boards Enforce 61, 62.

It is understood that the electrical control unit 58 also arranged at the top of the row of valve units 2 can be. However, the exemplary embodiment has the Advantage that both the pneumatic and the electrical Connections brought up to the valve assembly 1 from below can be.

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

Claims (8)

Valve arrangement, with several valve units (2), the in a row direction (4) side by side in such a sequence lined up in a common alignment level (5) are that their longitudinal axes (3) parallel to the leveling (5) and at the same time perpendicular to the row direction (4) run, with each valve unit (2) one Base plate (8) with internal valve channels (19), a main valve (13, 14) with a parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) Slide holder (15) and one longitudinally movable therein arranged valve slide (16) and at least one for control of the main valve (13, 14), serving, electrically operated Actuating device (17, 17 '), wherein there is at least one feed channel under the valve channels (19) (22) and at least one ventilation channel (23), which Channels (22, 23) communicate with the slide holder (15) and the base plate (8) parallel to the row direction (4) push through from the front surface to the rear surface in such a way that they have the same valve channels of the base plate (8) communicate with an immediately adjacent valve unit (2) can, characterized in that above and / or below the row of valve units (2) in the area the upper and lower side surfaces (37, 38) of the Base plates (8) an electrical control unit (58) for the actuating devices (17, 17 ') of the main valves (13, 14) is arranged, the at least one parallel to the alignment level (5) extending circuit board (62), the via electrical connection contacts (63) simultaneously with all Actuators (17, 17 ') is contacted, the electrical control unit (58) connecting a Fieldbus communication unit enabling fieldbus (69) comprises and / or an electronic control device (67) contains. Valve arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical control unit (58) is designed such that they are connecting a so-called ASI bus or PROFI bus enables. Valve arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the electronic control device (67) as programmable logic controller (PLC) executed is. Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the electronic control device (67) and / or the fieldbus communication unit (69) on one Printed circuit board (61) are constructed parallel to the Alignment level (5) runs. Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the control unit (58) in one protective housing attached to the series of valve units (2) (59) is housed. Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized that the front and back surfaces as well the two end faces of the protective housing (59) with the correspondingly oriented outer surfaces of the valve units (2) and to these possibly attached end plates (6, 6 ') to be essentially flush. Valve arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that that at least one side housing wall (72) of the Protective housing (59) with optical display elements (73) is connected to the control unit (58) are and for example the switching state of each Show main valves (13, 14). Valve arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized characterized in that each base plate (8) as a housing is designed for one or two main valves (13, 14).

Images