EP2333269B1 - Multi-directional valve with low pressure loss - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multi-way valve, in particular a 3/2-way valve, with a short-circuit channel and arranged between an inlet and a drain main valve unit comprising a valve seat and a cooperating valve body.

Multi-way valves are used for a wide variety of applications. In this case, two connection channels are referred to as inlet and outlet and a third connection channel as a short-circuit channel in connection with the invention. However, applications are also conceivable in which a connection of inlet and short-circuit channel forms a main flow direction in use. In addition, an installation is conceivable in which inlet and outlet are reversed in the function.

Multi-way valves are used, for example in the cooling circuit in motor vehicles, depending on the use of the valve in an engine exhaust control or an engine entry control coming from the engine or a motor going to the engine coolant flow depending on a position of use of the valve via a radiator or bypassing the radiator on a Shorting channel is performed.
In internal combustion engines, for example for motor vehicles, increasingly less powerful water pumps are used in a cooling circuit, so as to reduce fuel and / or to optimize energy management for the motor vehicle. To counteract a low-flow water pump low flow resistance, are valve units, in particular thermostatic valves, with a low flow resistance necessary. It is for example from the EP 1 754 869 A1 It is known to design a thermostatic valve having a main valve unit, comprising a valve seat and a valve disk that is movable relative thereto, such that the valve seat and valve disk have pressure-optimized shapes and / or contours.

From the DE 10 2006 934 982 A1 a thermostatic valve is known, wherein a valve plate or Vontilglied is inclined in an opening operation with respect to the longitudinal alignment of a valve housing to achieve an increase in a flow cross-section.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a low pressure loss multiway valve, particularly a thermostatic valve, and a method of reducing pressure loss in a multiway valve.

This object is achieved by a multi-way valve having an inlet, a drain and a short-circuit channel and having a main valve unit arranged between the inlet and the outlet, comprising a valve seat and a valve body cooperating therewith, wherein the main valve unit is designed as an oblique seat valve, such that the valve seat is arranged diagonally between inlet and outlet, forming an angle 0 ° <| α | <90 ° with a flow direction, and the valve body is at least partially displaceably mounted in the short-circuit channel.
The object is further achieved by a method for reducing the pressure loss in a multiway valve, wherein a valve seat of a main valve unit arranged between an inlet and a drain of a medium, diagonally forming an angle 0 ° <| α | <90 ° with the flow direction is arranged and a cooperating with the valve seat Valve body, is moved parallel to the axial direction of a short-circuit channel for actuating the main valve.

Valves, which are moved in the flow direction for opening and closing, are referred to in the context of the invention as axial valves. Valves with a valve disk, which is moved perpendicular to a flow direction, are referred to as a slide valve or poppet valve.

To minimize pressure loss, an effective area or flow area is maximized in accordance with the invention. Actuation of the main valve inlet opening designed as an inclined seat valve may be considered as a combination of actuating an axial valve with an axially effective surface and a poppet valve with a radially effective surface. The two effective surfaces are responsible for the pressure loss. In the diagonal arrangement, the two surfaces add together as far as possible. In a design of the valve body as a poppet valve, the surface viewed in the flow direction is an elliptical, crescent-shaped slider contour surface whose size depends on an angle α and a valve lift. Transverse to the flow direction is further to consider an additional radial surface, which results in the lifting of the valve body of the associated valve seat at the defined angle α and with a defined stroke. In sum, therefore, the surface responsible for the pressure loss is larger than in a conventional axial valve and / or in a conventional poppet valve with the same diameter of the valve body. As a result, the pressure loss is reduced.

The advantages of a pressure loss reduction only become fully apparent when the valve is fully open. However, even with an initial opening of the valve, the diagonal arrangement of advantage, since a gradual opening is possible, and so - for example, when Velwendung in a cooling circuit - prevents too much fluid from entering the valve on first opening. This can prevent temperature fluctuations in the fluid circuit and thus improve a control behavior.

By moving the valve body parallel to a short-circuit channel, special structural advantages arise. Preferably, the short-circuiting channel branches off substantially perpendicularly, so that the valve body is mounted so as to be displaceable substantially perpendicular to a flow direction.

For a valve actuation various drives, such as mechanical drives such as a threaded spindle or a threaded rod, electronic drives, for example via an electric motor, drives with shape memory materials and thermostatic drives are conceivable. The multi-way valve is for any fluids, such as liquids such as engine oils, gear oils or coolants, or gases, such as exhaust gases, advantageous.

When opening the diagonally arranged valve body perpendicular to the flow direction results in comparison to an opening of the likewise diagonally disposed valve body perpendicular to the valve body, the advantage that the effective valve lift perpendicular to the flow direction always corresponds to the valve lift of the valve actuation. At the opening perpendicular to the valve body is the effective valve lift perpendicular to the flow direction only cos angle α multiplied by the valve lift of the valve actuation.

In one embodiment, the valve body is designed as a valve disk, in particular as a valve disk with a substantially circular cross-section. Such a mold can be produced inexpensively, as only implement simple shapes such as circles or cylinders on a tool are. Alternatively or additionally, a contour of the valve body is designed for a flow optimization, for example, the valve body has a semi-circular or conical contour.

In another embodiment, the valve body is designed as a valve disk having an elliptical cross section, wherein a main axis of the ellipse extends transversely to the flow direction and to the axial direction. Due to the elliptical cross-section, a further reduction of pressure distortion can be realized.

In an advantageous embodiment, the valve body is displaceably mounted by means of at least one, preferably by means of three guide means. The number of guides is dependent on a shape of the valve body. Particularly in the case of a valve body with a circular cross-section, three guides are preferably provided in order to reliably avoid undesired shifting.

Preferably, a guide nose is provided on a peripheral surface of the valve body, which is guided in a slot on a housing of the multi-way valve to prevent rotation of the valve body. The guide nose is designed, for example prism-shaped. Such a guide lug allows good guidance in the axial direction, i. in the direction of a valve lift, at the same time a rotation is reliably prevented.

In one embodiment, the angle α of the valve seat is preferably between 20 ° and 70 °; in particular between 30 ° and 60 °; preferably between 40 ° and 50 °. In particular, an angle of 45 ° is particularly advantageous for tool production. Depending on the requirements, however, other angles are conceivable and favorable for a valve behavior.

In a further embodiment, a return spring is provided, wherein the valve body is adjustable against the force of the return spring. The return spring is mounted in one embodiment in the short-circuit channel. In other embodiments, the short-circuit spring is supported on a housing cover. In still other embodiments, a cross member is provided for a holder of the return spring.

Due to the diagonal or oblique seat arrangement, a force influence on the return spring, which causes the flow of the fluid through the valve is reduced, since the effective forces are divided according to the angle α. In addition, in an oblique seat valve, the effective area for an attacking pressure and thus a resulting force is lower. Compared to a conventional poppet valve, which is adjusted transversely to the flow direction, thus, a return spring can be used with a smaller wire diameter and a lower biasing force.

In yet another embodiment, a valve body of the main valve unit is designed with a valve body of a short-circuit valve unit as a common component. This results in a particularly space-optimized design.

The short-circuit valve comprises an annular slide element in one embodiment. The annular slide element is arranged, for example together with the valve body of the main valve on a piston, so that both valves are actuated together. In another embodiment, the annular slide element is formed on the valve body of the main valve.

In yet another embodiment, the short-circuit valve comprises a differential pressure valve. The differential pressure or overpressure valve is designed such that until reaching a defined opening pressure, a flow is prevented.

The object is further achieved by a thermostatic valve with a multi-way valve according to the invention. In a thermostatic valve, at least one thermostatic working element is provided, wherein the main valve and the short-circuit valve can be actuated by means of the at least one thermostatic working element. The thermostatic valve can be used for example in a cooling circuit of a vehicle for an engine inlet control and / or an engine outlet control. In this case, an identical design of the valve body is possible for an engine inlet control and an engine outlet control. Preferably, however, an arrangement of the guide elements for the valve body and the other components is adapted for use in an engine inlet control or engine exhaust control.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are shown schematically in the drawings. For identical or similar components, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings. Features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may also be used in another embodiment to obtain a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines ersten Ausführurigsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils;

Fig. 2:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils mit einem thermostatischen Arbeitselement;

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils mit einem Dif- ferenzdruckventil;

Fig. 4:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils in einem Kurz- schlussbetrieb;

Fig. 5:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 4 in einem Mischbetrieb;

Fig. 6:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 4 in einem Kühlerbetrieb;

Fig. 7:

eine perspektivische Unteransicht eines Ventilkörpers des Mehrwege-Ventils gemäß Fig. 4;

Fig. 8:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils in einem Heiz- betrieb;

Fig. 9:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 8 in einem Kurzschlussbe- trieb;

Fig. 10:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 8 in einem Mischbetrieb;

Fig. 11:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 8 in einem Kühlerbetrieb;

Fig. 12:

eine Schnittdarstellung eines sechsten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrwege-Ventils in einem Heiz- betrieb;

Fig. 13:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 12 in einem Kurzschluss- betrieb;

Fig. 14:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 12 in einem Mischbetrieb;

Fig. 5:

das Mehrwege-Ventil gemäß Fig. 12 in einem Kühlerbetrieb;

The figures show in schematic:

Fig. 1:

a sectional view of a first Ausführurigsbeispiels a multi-way valve according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

a sectional view of a second embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a thermostatic working element;

3:

a sectional view of a third embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a differential pressure valve;

4:

a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention in a short-circuit operation;

Fig. 5:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 4 in a mixed operation;

Fig. 6:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 4 in a cooler operation;

Fig. 7:

a perspective bottom view of a valve body of the multi-way valve according to Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 8:

a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention in a heating operation;

Fig. 9:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 8 in a short-circuit operation;

Fig. 10:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 8 in a mixed operation;

Fig. 11:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 8 in a cooler operation;

Fig. 12:

a sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention in a heating operation;

Fig. 13:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 12 in a short-circuit operation;

Fig. 14:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 12 in a mixed operation;

Fig. 5:

the multi-way valve according to Fig. 12 in a cooler operation;

Fig. 1 schematically shows a multi-way valve 1 with a arranged between an inlet 2 and a drain 3 main valve unit 4 and a short-circuit channel 5, which is closed by a short-circuit valve unit 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the short-circuit channel 5 branches off substantially perpendicularly from a flow direction S between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3. In Fig. 1 a short-circuit operation is shown, wherein the main valve unit 4 is closed and the short-circuit valve unit 6 is opened. Depending on the use of the Mehrwegew valve 1 is a medium flow from the inlet 2 to the short-circuit channel 5, as shown by arrows I or the short-circuit channel 5 to the inlet, as shown by arrows II, possible. A space in the housing 10 between the main valve unit and the short-circuit valve unit 6 is also referred to as a mixing space or distribution space.

The main valve unit 4 comprises a valve seat 41, which is formed in a housing 10 of the multi-way valve 1, and a cooperating with the valve seat 41 valve body 40, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a valve disk. The valve body 40 and the associated valve seat 41 are arranged so that they form an angle α with the flow direction S. In the illustrated Embodiment, the angle α is about 45 °. The valve body 40 is displaceably mounted in the short-circuit channel 5. An adjustment of the valve body 40 is carried out substantially perpendicular to the flow direction S in the axial direction A of the short-circuiting channel fifth

For adjusting the valve body 40 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 a drive 7 comprising a schematically illustrated threaded spindle 70 is provided. The valve body 40 is guided during displacement by guide grooves 80, 81 in the housing 10. A displacement of the valve body 40 takes place counter to the force of a return spring 9, which is mounted in the short-circuit channel 5 in the illustrated embodiment.

The short-circuit valve unit 6 comprises an annular slide element 61, wherein in the illustrated embodiment, the annular slide element 61 and the valve body 40 are designed as a common component.

Due to the diagonal arrangement of the valve body 40 in the flow channel between inlet 2 and outlet 3 and a displacement transversely to the flow direction S in the axial direction A of the short-circuit channel 5 is responsible for a pressure loss surface compared to embodiments with a perpendicular to the flow direction poppet valve at the same sizes and increases the same valve lift, thereby reducing a pressure drop. At the same time act due to the storage of lower forces on the return spring 9, so that the return spring 9 can be made smaller in comparison to a perpendicular to the flow direction S poppet valve.

In order to allow easy assembly and good workability of the valve seats 41, the housing 10 is divided into two parts.

The drive 7 is merely exemplary. Of course, other drives, such as an electric motor drive and / or a drive can be used by means of shape memory material.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a multi-way valve 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a thermostatic valve. An actuation of the main valve unit 4 and the short-circuit valve unit 6 takes place by means of a thermostatic working element 7, comprising a piston 73, which is mounted verkuschlich in a housing 74 and expelled depending on a temperature by means of an expansion material, not shown, from the housing 74 becomes.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the return spring 9 is supported on a housing cover 11. The annular slide element 61 is operatively connected to the piston 73 by means of a cage 62, so that upon adjustment of the piston 73 and opening of the main valve unit 4, the short-circuit valve unit 6 shoots.

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a multi-way valve 1 according to the invention, which essentially according to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 corresponds, In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 The short-circuit valve unit 6 includes a differential pressure valve that opens when it exceeds an opening pressure defined in advance to allow a short circuit current as indicated by the arrow I.

Fig. 4 to 7 show a multi-way valve 1 with a thermostatic working element 7, which is arranged for example in a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle. The multi-way valve 1 is similar to the valves of Fig. 1 to 3 and for the same or similar components, the same reference numerals are used. The inlet 2 is connected, for example, to a motor and the outlet 3 to a cooler.

The multi-way valve 1 can be used for an engine inlet control or an engine outlet control for cooling water in a motor vehicle. In the Fig. 4 to 7 the arrows I show a flow in an engine exhaust control and the arrows II a flow at an engine inlet control, wherein in the 4 to 6 a pressure loss-optimized arrangement of the valve body 40 in the flow direction 5 is given only at an engine entry control (arrows II). The space in which the thermostatic working element 7 is arranged is correspondingly referred to as a distributor space or mixing space. In Fig. 4 is a short circuit operation with closed main valve unit 4 is shown. In Fig. 5 a mixed operation is shown, wherein the main valve unit 4 and the short-circuit valve unit 6 are partially opened. Fig. 6 shows a cooling operation in which the main valve unit 4 is fully open and the short-circuit valve unit 6 is closed. A reduction of the pressure loss compared to a configuration with a valve disc arranged parallel to the axial direction of the short-circuit channel 5 is in accordance with FIG. 3, in particular in the case of the full openings of the main valve unit 4 Fig. 6 advantageous. But even in a mixed operation according to Fig. 5 the diagonal arrangement of the main valve unit 4 is advantageous because an advantageous opening movement is achieved and forces are reduced to the return spring 9.

A displacement of the Vertilkörpers 40 takes place in the embodiment by means of the thermostatic working element 7 with a sleeve-shaped piston 73, which is displaceable relative to a fixed housing pin 75. The short-circuit valve unit 6 comprises an annular slide element 61, which is formed integrally with the piston 73. The valve body 40 is operatively connected to the piston 73 and is displaced with this against the force of the return spring 9. Due to the diagonal arrangement of the valve body 40, in particular at an angle of approximately 45 °, and an adjustment perpendicular to the flow direction S is thereby a good opening movement and a low pressure level between inlet 2 and outlet 3 is reached. The trained as a valve plate valve body 40 is the same plate diameter for a pressure loss-optimized arrangement between inlet 2 and 3 flow in the flow direction S identical for both an engine entry control (arrows II) and for an engine outlet control (arrows I) can be used, the arrangement of the components and the opening direction of the valve body 40 for a pressure loss-optimized arrangement with an engine outlet control (arrow I), preferably as in the Fig. 12 to 15 is arranged.

The valve body 40 is displaceably mounted in the short-circuit channel 5 and the housing 10. For better guidance, the valve body 40 comprises a guide nose 42 designed as a prism, which in FIG Fig. 7 is shown in more detail. As in Fig. 7 can be seen, the guide lug 42 protrudes into a guide groove or link 80 on the housing 10, so that the valve body 40 is slidably mounted in the axial direction of the short-circuiting channel 5 and at the same time prevents rotation of the valve body 40. As further guide elements serve the piston 73 and a guide rib 81st

The 8 to 11 show a further embodiment of a multi-way valve 1 according to the invention in a heating operation ( Fig. 8 ), a short-circuit operation ( Fig. 9 ), a mixed operation ( Fig. 10 ) and a cooler operation ( Fig. 11 ). In the embodiment according to the 8 to 11 is also a diagonally arranged main valve unit 4 is provided between the inlet 2 and the outlet, wherein the main valve unit 4 has a curved in the direction of inlet 2 valve body 40 for flow optimization. For actuation of the main valve unit 4, a thermostatic working element 7 is provided, comprising a housing 10 mounted in the expansion housing 74 and a piston 73, wherein the piston 73 against a force of the expansible during heating of a provided in the Dehnstoffgehäuse 74 expansion material Return spring 9 is driven out. In the short-circuit channel 5 is further designed as a differential pressure valve short-circuit valve which opens when an adjustable pressure is exceeded,

In the in Fig. 8 illustrated heating operation, the main valve unit 4 and the short-circuit valve unit 6 are closed, wherein the coolant as indicated by arrows I is passed through a heater. For the in Fig. 9 shown short-circuit operation opens the differential pressure valve of Kurzschlussventilemheit 6, wherein the main valve unit 4 remains closed. Only with a further warming opens the main valve unit 4, as in the Fig. 10 and 11 The valve body 40 is moved to open in the axial direction A of the short-circuit channel 5, wherein a guide of the valve body 40 by means of a guide nose 42 in a guide groove or link 80 on the housing 10 takes place.

The Fig. 12 to 15 show a further embodiment of a multi-way valve 1 according to the invention with a designed as an oblique seat valve main valve unit 5 and a Kurzschlussvertil unit 6, which comprises in the dargestellen embodiment, a differential pressure valve. An actuation of the main valve unit 4 by means of a thermostatic working element 7 as a function of a temperature of the fluid. The show Fig. 12 to 15 a heating operation, a shunt operation, a mixed operation and a cooling operation, respectively.

In the embodiment according to the Fig. 12 to 15 the return spring 9 is supported on the housing cover 11. In the short-circuit channel 5, a projection 12 is formed, on which the housing 74 of the thermostatic working element 7 is mounted. Upon heating of the Kühknuttekstrins the valve body 40 opens against the force of the return spring 9 - in the illustrated arrangement, upwards - and releases a arranged below the valve body 40 channel portion.

In this case, a good flow around the thermostatic Arbeitsseleinents 7 both in the short-circuit operation according to Fig. 13 , as well as in the cooler operation according to Fig. 15 guaranteed. In addition, by the illustrated arrangement of the valve body 40, a pressure loss-optimized design for the medium flow from inlet 2 to outlet 2 (engine outlet control can be implemented.

Claims (10)

1. Multi-directional valve (1) with an inlet (2), an outlet (3) and a short-circuit duct (5) and a main valve unit (4) arranged between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3), comprising a valve seat (41) and a valve body (40) interacting with this valve seat, wherein the main valve unit (4) is formed as a slanted seat valve, wherein the valve seat (41) is mounted diagonally between the inlet (2) and outlet (3) to form an angle 0° <| α | <90° with respect to a direction of flow in the inlet and the valve body (40) is at least partially movably supported in the short-circuit duct (5), characterized in that the valve body (40) is substantially movably supported at a right angle to the direction of flow (S).
2. Multi-directional valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve body (40) is designed as a valve disc, in particular as a valve disc with a substantially circular cross-section or an elliptical cross-section.
3. Multi-directional valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve body (40) is movably supported by means of at least one, preferably by three guidance devices (80, 81, 73).
4. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on a circumferential surface of the valve body (40) a guide key (42) is provided, which is guided into a connecting link (80) on a housing (10) of the multi-directional valve (1) in order to prevent rotation of the valve body (40).
5. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the angle α of the valve seat (41) preferably lies between 20° and 70°; in particular between 30° .and 60°; preferably between 40°and 50°.
6. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a return spring (9) is provided with the valve body (40) being movable against the force of the return spring (9).
7. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the valve body (40) of the main valve unit (4) is designed with an annular slide valve element (61) of a short-circuit valve unit (6) as a shared component.
8. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a short-circuit valve unit (6) is provided with an annular slide valve element (61).
9. Multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a short-circuit valve unit (6) is provided with a differential pressure valve.
10. Thermostatic valve with a multi-directional valve (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 9.

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