EP1801425B1 - Kit for making valve arrays - Google Patents

Abstract

The kit (20) includes plate like valve (2) arranged in row direction (3) at right angles to principal plate plane (15) which has core module (4) having multiple valve ducts (14) extending at right angles to respective principal plate plane. A valve encasing element (27) separates from core module fixed by mutually matching an electrical interface (26) such that selected combination of core module with encasing elements of different type valves are produced for different purpose.

Description

The invention relates to a valve construction kit for the production of valve batteries, which have arranged transversely to their plate main plane plate-shaped valve units.

The EP 0678676 B1 describes a valve battery consisting of several juxtaposed plate-shaped valve units, each with a valve housing which includes a valve spool and which is equipped with electrically actuated pilot valves for activating the associated valve spool. The individual valve units sit between two end plates and are held together by several tie rods.

One from the DE 3917242 A1 known solenoid valve battery contains transversely to its plate main plane juxtaposed valve units, each with a frame-like body, which is interspersed by a plurality of valve channels and which defines an interior in which there are solenoid valves used in the body. The interior also includes a Circuit board connected to the solenoid valves.

One from the DE 19508011 C2 The known electromagnetic valve unit includes a valve body penetrated by valve bodies, which is equipped with a plurality of electromagnetic valves, which are surrounded by a patch on the valve body frame, which acts as a support for an electrically conductive member and a cover.

Such a valve battery is also in US 6,138,717 disclosed.

The known valve batteries are universally applicable to a certain extent and therefore suitable for different conditions of use. If there are special circumstances at the place of use that could impair the functionality - for example, high temperatures, aggressive media, etc. - you must do otherwise, for example by placing the entire valve battery in a cupboard or by removing the valve battery from the valve placed the actual place of use and uses correspondingly long fluid lines for connecting the operating devices to be actuated.

It is the object of the present invention to take measures that allow a cost-effective production of even for special applications allow suitable valve batteries.

This object is achieved by a valve assembly for the production of valve manifolds, which have arranged across transversely to their plate main plane plate-shaped valve units, each having a core module with one of several valve channels transversely to the plate main plane interspersed and at least one movable valve spool containing core housing and the core module under relevant Specification of the outer contour of the valve unit in the plate main plane enclosing, with respect to the core module separate, frame-shaped enveloping element, wherein the enveloping element and the core module are fixed by matched interface means to each other, the kit a plurality of core modules and several differing at least in their material properties frame-shaped enveloping different Type, whose interface means are matched to each other, so through the selected combination of core modules n with envelope elements of different types valve units for different applications can be produced.

In this way, it is possible, in the production of a valve battery, the outer skin formed by the enveloping elements Select the valve units according to the desired application and thus assemble the valve batteries individually specific application. For example, one can fall back on a wide-ranging universal use on enveloping elements, which consist of inexpensive material, such as a readily processable in the manufacture of plastic material average strength. If, on the other hand, it is a matter of making the valve battery particularly resistant to aggressive media, for example chemicals or cleaning agents, it is possible, for example, to resort to enveloping elements made of a highly resistant plastic material or of metal or a composite material. It is also possible to make the respective material properties and thus the possible uses of the assembled valve battery recognizable by different colors. It is advantageous that regardless of the type of shell element used, so independent of the material properties, can rely on similar core modules, so you have to make to the responsible for the functionality of the valve battery components no changes and you the different individual uses alone by selecting the envelope as such can be produced relatively inexpensively bill. Nonetheless, it goes without saying that it is possible to choose the various enveloping elements with core modules equip different functionality, the same interface means ensure that even in such a case can be used on their interface means standardized envelope elements of different types.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

A particular advantage of the invention becomes apparent, in particular, in a valve construction kit which has a plurality of identical core modules, ie core elements of different types, which, because of the coordinated interface means, can alternatively be combined with cover elements of different types, ie different materials. As a result, it is possible to produce alternative valve manifolds solely by the choice of the appropriate type of Hüllelementen that completely match in their functionality and in their structural design and differ only in the material properties of their outer skin.

Some or all of the different types of enveloping elements that differ in their material properties may be at least substantially identical Have outer contour and executed, for example, completely identical. However, there is also the possibility that several types of enveloping elements present in the construction kit may also differ from one another in at least one feature other than the nature of the material, for example the presence and absence of electrical inputs and / or outputs. It should be mentioned at this point that the valve construction kit can definitely also have additional modular units which do not correspond to the previously discussed construction of the valve units, but which can be combined with these valve units to obtain a valve battery. This applies in particular to the valve battery end-terminating termination units or purely electrical modular units.

In general, the core modules will be designed for electrical operation. In particular, in such a case, it is advantageous if the space bounded by the enveloping interior in the plate main in the assembled state of the valve unit has a larger cross-sectional area than the enclosed core module, so within the Hüllelementes next to the core module at least one markable as a "workspace" space remains, for example, serving to receive the electrical control of the valve units electrical Verkettungsmitteln or of control electronics is used.

The interface means present within the valve units for fixing between the enveloping element and the core module can be at least partially embodied as a latching connection means, so that the enveloping element can be attached to the core module with very little assembly effort, in particular also detachably. However, it may be appropriate to provide additional Schraubverbindungsmittel or resort exclusively to such Schraubverbindungsmittel.

In order to prevent the penetration of contaminants into the region between two juxtaposed valve units in a particularly reliable manner, sealing means can be present which are placed in the joining region of the adjacent enveloping elements. The assembly is particularly simple if the sealing means are arranged directly on the enveloping elements and each form a structural unit with them.

Figur 1

in der linken Bildhälfte eine mit einem bevorzugt ausgestatteten Ventilbaukasten der erfindungsgemäßen Art zusammengebaute Ventilbatterie und in der rechten Bildhälfte mehrere in dem zugrundeliegenden Ventilbaukasten enthaltene Hüllelemente zur alternativen Verwendung beim Zusammenbau der Ventilbatterie, sowie im Hintergrund eines von mehreren Kernmodulen des Ventilbaukastens,

Figur 2

einen in weiten Teilen schematisierten Querschnitt durch die Ventilbatterie aus Figur 1 gemäß dortiger Schnittlinie II-II und

Figur 3

ein vergrößertes Detail der bei der illustrierten Anordnung vorhandenen Schnittstellenmittel im Querschnitt gemäß Schnittlinie III-III aus Figur 2.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

FIG. 1

in the left half of a preferably equipped with a valve assembly of the invention Type assembled valve battery and in the right half of several contained in the underlying valve assembly enveloping elements for alternative use in assembling the valve battery, as well as in the background of one of several core modules of the valve assembly,

FIG. 2

a largely schematic cross-section through the valve battery FIG. 1 according to section line II-II and

FIG. 3

an enlarged detail of the present in the illustrated arrangement interface means in cross section along section line III-III FIG. 2 ,

From the left half of the picture FIG. 1 goes out a valve battery 1, as it can be realized by means of a preferably assembled valve assembly 20 of the type according to the invention. This valve battery 1 contains a plurality of valve units 2 - in the exemplary embodiment exemplarily four pieces - of which one in FIG. 2 in a longitudinal section according to section line II-II is shown, wherein the sectional plane coincides with the plate main plane of the valve unit 2 concerned.

The various valve units 2 are juxtaposed transversely to their plate main plane in a lined-up direction 3 illustrated by a dot-dash line with mutually aligned outer contours. The frontal end of the valve battery 1 are two plate or block-shaped termination units 9, 10, wherein the entire assembly, for example, by tie rods not shown or other connection means, in particular releasably held together.

The various valve units 2 each include an in FIG. 2 in section and in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated individually as a component of the valve assembly 20 core module 4, which has a preferably substantially plate-shaped core housing 5, whose main plane of expansion coincides with the plate main plane.

The existing in the embodiment of metal, but in principle executable in plastic material core housing 5 includes an extending transversely to the alignment direction 3 elongated slide receptacle 6, in which a linearly adjustable according to double arrow 7 back and forth valve spool 8 is housed. Frontally arranged on the valve spool 8, exemplary piston-like drive elements 12 can only schematically indicated control channels 13 with a pressure medium be applied to shift the valve spool 8 in the desired switching position.

The core housing 5 is penetrated in the direction of arrangement 3 by a plurality of valve channels 14. These extend at right angles to the associated plate main plane and terminate in each case on opposite housing main surfaces 15 oriented in the alignment direction 3. In general, the valve channels 14 include a centrally located between two ventilation channels 14b, 14c feed channel 14a. However, a reverse arrangement would also be possible.

When assembled valve battery 1, the similar valve channels 14 of the juxtaposed valve units 2 are aligned with each other and form the entire valve battery 1 in its longitudinal direction traversing through channels, which open at one or both terminal units 9, 10 with connection openings 16. There, the pressure medium used in the operation of the valve battery 1, in particular compressed air, fed and discharged centrally. In the embodiment, the connection openings are located on the front side of the connection unit. Alternatively, a circumferential placement would be possible.

The valve channels 14 and thus the passage channels composed thereof communicate within the core housing 5 with the slide receptacle 6 formed therein. This occurs in particular in that the valve channels 14 penetrate the associated core housing 5 in such a way that they intersect the slide receptacle 6.

In each core housing 5 also run two working channels 17, which communicate at one end with the slide holder 6 and the other end to a rectangular to the main surfaces 15 housing edge surface 18 of the core housing 5 open. There is associated with them in each case a connection device 22, which makes possible the preferably releasable connection of a fluid line 23, which leads to a consumer, not shown in more detail, to be actuated by means of the valve battery 1, for example a fluid-actuated drive.

Corresponding to the respective switching position of the valve slide 8, pressure medium fed in via the feed channel 14a can be output via a working channel 17 or can be discharged via a working channel 17 back through pressure medium via one of the vent channels 14b, 14c. This is a conventional operation of a valve, so that further explanations are unnecessary at this point.

The respective core module 4 in the embodiment also includes two peripherally arranged on the core housing 5, electrically actuated pilot valves 24, such as solenoid valves or piezo valves. They receive their electrical actuation signals via an electrical interconnection device 25 running in the line-up direction 3, which is indicated only schematically and which can communicate with an electronic control device via an electrical interface 26 arranged on at least one of the connection units 9, 10.

The pilot valves 24, depending on their operating state, the fluid loading of the control channels 13 and thus specify the switching position of the valve slide 8. The fluidic control medium can in this case be branched off from the feed channel 14a within the core housing 5 or alternatively via one or more separate pilot control passages passing through the core housing 5.

The electrical interlinking device 25 is expediently subdivided into individual interlinking modules 25a, one of which is located on board a respective valve unit 2, and which come into contact with one another when the valve units 2 are put together to produce the battery-like subassembly.

Between the mutually facing housing main surfaces 15 of the core housing 5 adjacent valve units 2 are sealing means, not shown, which guarantee a leak-free connection of the valve channels 14 of the assembled valve units 2.

In addition to the valve-technical components already mentioned, each valve unit 2 contains a frame-shaped enveloping element 27. The enveloping element 27 is a separate component relative to the associated core module 4 and bounds a receiving space 28 corresponding in its width to the maximum width of the associated core module 4, into which the core module 4 is inserted is. The core module 4 is thus surrounded on its edge surfaces 18 all around by the associated enveloping element 27. By means of coordinated interface means 32, 33, the enveloping element 27 and the core module 4 of a respective valve unit 2 are fixed to each other to form an assembly forming the valve unit 2.

By the wrapping element 27 is the apparent in view in the alignment direction 3 and off FIG. 2 well-outward outer contour 34 of a respective valve unit specified. It could also be said that the enveloping elements 27 each form the outer skin of the associated valve unit 2, which encloses the core module 4 in a protective manner.

When assembled valve battery 1, the respective frame-like self-contained enveloping elements 27 abut each other with their facing in the alignment direction 3 edge surfaces 35 and thus together cause encapsulation of the core modules contained in them 4. The front end take over the above-mentioned connection units 9, 10, whose Au ßenkontur that of the enveloping elements 27 corresponds, so that there is a direct connection.

Immediately juxtaposed valve units 2 are suitably sealed in the joint area of adjacent enveloping elements 27 by suitable sealing means 36 against each other, so that even under unfavorable environmental conditions no impurities can occur and the required protection for the respective operation is guaranteed. The sealing means 36 may be separate components which are placed during assembly of the valve battery 1 between two successive units 2, 9, 10. However, it is more advantageous to resort to the implemented in the embodiment measure, in which the sealing means 36 are directly supported by the enveloping elements 27 and form a uniformly manageable unit with these. The sealing means 36 may, for example, be molded onto the associated enveloping element 27 by injection molding or may also be adhesively bonded in the context of an adhesive bond. Shown is a design in which the sealing means 36 are fixed in an anchoring groove 37 of the associated enveloping element 27.

The valve construction kit 20 in question here contains all the components required for the production of one or more of the valve units 2, wherein as a special feature several in the right half of the image FIG. 1 illustrated enveloping elements 27 of different types are present. The different typing is based at least on the different material properties of these enveloping elements 27. Each of these enveloping elements 27 of different types differs from the other enveloping elements 27 in the material from which it is made.

It is understood that of the shell elements of different types each have a larger number is available; in FIG. 1 By way of example, only one representative of the enveloping elements 27 of different types is shown. The number of similar enveloping elements 27 present in a valve construction system will be selected such that at least one valve manifold 1 can be assembled from enveloping elements 27 of each type, the valve units 2 of which are then provided with enveloping elements 27 of the same type.

The valve assembly 20 of the embodiment also contains a plurality of mutually identical core modules 4, one of which in FIG. 1 is shown as an example. The number of existing core modules 4 corresponds at least to that number which is required for the construction of at least one valve battery 1.

Regardless of their type, the various enveloping elements 27 are formed with identical interface means 33, which equally applies to the interface means 32 of the core modules 4. In this way, each core module 4 can optionally be combined with an enveloping element 27 of each of the existing types and combined to form a valve unit 2. This creates the possibility of producing valve units 2 for different purposes by a selected combination of enveloping elements 27 of a selected type and core modules having similar interface means 32, 33 and to assemble a valve manifold with their use.

The valve construction kit 20 of the embodiment exemplarily contains four different types of enveloping elements 27, each of which is present in a plurality, not shown, by being held in stock in a suitable number. The wrapping element 27, 27a of a first type, the example was used to build the illustrated valve battery 1, consists of stainless steel. A second available envelope element type 27b is made of aluminum material. A third type of sheath element 27c is of average grade plastic material which, like the aluminum version, is universally suitable for a variety of applications. The fourth Hüllelementtyp 27d consists of a chemically resistant, high-quality plastic material.

When assembling a valve battery 1 thus the manufacturer has the opportunity to select the type of Hüllelement to be used individually, so as to make a specific adaptation to the particular application. The usually relatively complex designed and more expensive to manufacture core modules 4 can always remain the same, are varied only the various enveloping elements 27th

However, the various enveloping elements 27 can also be selectively combined with different types of core modules 4. It only requires the guarantee of functionally coordinated interface means 32, 33 and matching outlines. Thus, while the apparent from the drawing core module 4 is equipped with two pilot valves 24, for example, would be a type with only a pilot valve and spring return of the valve spool 8 conceivable. There are virtually no combination limits set here.

In the valve construction kit 20 of the embodiment, existing enveloping elements 27 are present both of metal and of plastic material. Instead, however, only metallic or only non-metallic Hüllelementtypen could be present. Also, any material variants are possible within the same type of material, ie either metal or plastic. Also composite materials can be used.

The different types of enveloping elements 27 may in principle deviate from each other in their outer contour. This can result, for example, from the fact that, for reasons of strength, a greater wall thickness is required for cladding elements made of plastic material than for a metal version. As a rule, however, one will aim for the smallest possible wall thickness in all embodiments.

In the embodiments shown, the frame-shaped enveloping elements 27 are each designed as a rectangular frame, but it is quite possible, some or all of the four frame sections 54 here a slightly convex To give outer contour, like this FIG. 1 as an example.

The envelope elements 27 can also be provided with a different frame shape, for example any polygonal shape or also round shapes, in accordance with the application and also in coordination with the shaping of the core modules 4, for example if they are circular or oval.

In the exemplary embodiment, the enveloping elements 27 have the same width with one another in the direction of the alignment direction 3. However, different widths within one and the same valve battery 1 would be possible.

As it turned out FIG. 2 can be seen when using the mentioned electrical interlinking device 25 fall back on enveloping elements 27, in which the space bounded by them receiving space 28, viewed in the alignment direction 3, has a larger cross-sectional area than the enclosed core module. In this way remains in the receiving space 28 a not occupied by the core module 4 work space 38, which can accommodate the electrical interlinking device 25.

In the exemplary embodiment, the enveloping elements 27 are continuously open transversely to the plate main plane. In particular, for optimizing the attachment of the valve mechanism containing Core module 4, however, also provides the possibility of providing one or more of the frame sections 54 transversely to the alignment direction 3 inwardly projecting elements, which can act as support elements or support walls, on which the core module 4 can be brought into abutment. Also could serve to stiffen the frame structure serving stiffening struts between one or more of the frame portions 54 and thereby, in particular in the region of one of the edge surfaces 35, the area bounded by the enveloping element 27.

With regard to the mutual attachment of enveloping element 27 and core module 4 within a respective valve unit 2, in the exemplary embodiment, recourse has been made to interface means 32, 33, which represent a combination of latching connection means 42 and screw connection means 43.

During assembly can be done by the latching connection means 42, a prefixing of the components to be coupled. The latching is done expediently by inserting the previously assembled core module 4 at right angles to the plate main plane in the receiving space 28. Here are several of the frame portions 54 of the enveloping element 27 into the receiving space 28 projecting locking projections 33a in positive locking engagement with complementary locking recesses 32a on the core housing 5. The arrangement of locking projections and locking recesses can of course be chosen vice versa.

In order to avoid mutual tilting of the components, it is expediently provided that the core housing 5 is supported with its edge surface 18 at least partially on the inner surface of the frame-shaped enveloping element 27 when the locking connection means 42 engage in mutual engagement.

They are preferably realized by the connection devices 22, which each engage with a threaded connector 44 through an opening 45 of the Hüllelementes 27 and are screwed into the provided with an internal thread end portion 46 of the there opening out working channel 17. Arranged in the region of a respective opening 45, annular sealing elements 47 seal off the screw connection, so that neither pressure medium can escape from the valve channels nor contaminants can enter the receiving space 28 via the openings 45.

Alternatively or additionally, it would also be possible to provide a screw connection, which does not engage the connection devices 22, between the enveloping element 27 and the core housing 5. There is also the possibility of the interface means 32, 33 exclusively as latching connection means or screw connection means.

Apart from the different material properties, the different types of enveloping elements 27 may be completely identical to each other or additionally differ from each other in at least one further feature.

Coincidentally, in the exemplary embodiment, all enveloping elements 27 are provided with manual actuation means 48, for example of push-buttons inserted into an opening of the enveloping element 27, which can cooperate with the pilot control valves 24 for the purpose of optional manual activation. Also consistent in the embodiment of inserted into the enveloping elements 27 translucent bodies 49 existing viewing window in each envelope member 27 are present, which can visualize the current switching state of a respective valve unit 2 from the outside by visualizing a lighting device of the core module 4, not shown.

As a different equipment feature in the valve battery 1 of the embodiment of at least one valve unit 2 in addition electrical inputs and / or outputs 52 are provided with the core module 4 or the Verkettungsmodul 25a of the relevant valve unit 2 are in electrical connection. They are inserted into openings 53 of one of the four frame sections 54 of the respective enveloping element 27.

Also in other features, the valve units 2 can differ from each other both in terms of their core modules 4 and with respect to their enveloping elements 27. By providing a corresponding number of types of enveloping elements 27 that can be used in principle, a highly variable valve construction kit can be realized overall.

Claims (15)

1. Modular valve system for the production of valve banks (1) comprising plate-shaped valve units (2) lined up at right angles to their plate main plane, each of which comprises a core module (4) with a core housing (5), through which a plurality of valve passages (14) passes at right angles to the plate main plane and in which is located at least one movable valve spool (8), and a frame-like casing element (27) enclosing the core module (4) while predetermining the external contour of the valve unit (2) in the plate main plane, which is separate from the core module (4), wherein the casing element (27) and the core module (4) are secured to one another by matching interface means (32, 33), characterised in that the modular system comprises a plurality of core modules (4) and a plurality of frame-like casing elements (27) of various types differing at least in their material characteristics, the interface means (32, 33) of which are matched to one another, so that valve units (2) can be produced for different applications by selecting a combination of core modules (4) and casing elements (27) of various types.
2. Modular valve system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least two different types of casing elements (27, 27c, 27d) made of different plastic materials, for example plastic materials of different strength, are provided.
3. Modular valve system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least two different types of casing elements (27, 27a, 27b) made of different metals, for example an aluminium material and stainless steel, are provided.
4. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least two different types of casing elements (27, 27a-27d) are provided, of which one is made of a plastic material and the other is made of metal.
5. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a plurality of mutually identical core modules (4) is provided for alternative combination with casing elements (27) of different types.
6. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a plurality of different types of casing elements (27) has an at least substantially conform external contour.
7. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises casing elements (27) of different types differing in at least one other feature apart from their material characteristics, for example in the presence or absence of electric inputs and/or outputs (52).
8. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the core modules (4) are at least partially fitted with at least one electrically operated pilot valve (24).
9. Modular valve system according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least one electrically operated pilot valve (24) is mounted on the outside of the core housing (5), being enclosed by the casing element (27) secured to the core housing (5).
10. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the location (28) bounded by the casing elements (27) has a larger cross-sectional area in the plate main plane than the enclosed core module (4), leaving at least one space (38) available for use if required, in particular for housing components of an electric interconnection device (25) for electrically interconnecting lined-up valve units (2).
11. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the interface means (32, 33) provided for securing the casing element (27) and the core module (4) to one another are at least partially designed as latching means (42).
12. Modular valve system according to claim 11, characterised in that the latching means (42) are designed such that the casing element (27) can be latched to the associated core module (4) from the side in the line-up direction of the valve units (2).
13. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the interface means (32, 33) provided for securing the casing element (27) and the core module (4) to one another are at least partially designed as screw connection means (43).
14. Modular valve system according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised by sealing means (36) for mutually sealing assembled valve units (2) in the joining region of the casing elements (27).
15. Modular valve system according to claim 14, characterised in that the sealing means (36) are directly supported by the casing elements (27), forming an assembly therewith.

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