EP2354563B1 - Valve assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a valve arrangement, comprising a valve group consisting of a plurality of successively arranged in an array direction, electrically actuated valve units, each having a first valve interface for receiving electrical valve actuation signals, which can cause an active switching of the valve unit in a first switching position, with a primary Connection unit for receiving the operation of the valve units controlling external electrical actuation signals, and having a first secondary terminal unit which is electrically connected on the one hand via first internal connection conductor of the valve assembly to the primary terminal unit and the other hand connected to them electrical first actuating cable for the transmission of Valve actuation signals is connected to the first valve interfaces.

One from the EP 1 094 260 B1 known valve assembly includes a plurality of multi-way valves formed valve units, which are summarized by juxtaposition to a valve group and each containing a laterally arranged first valve interface, can be fed to the electrical valve actuation signals to actively switch the relevant valve unit in a first switching position. These are probably monostable valve units that after Removal of the valve actuation signal automatically switch back to the starting position. Your valve actuation signals receive the valve units via a plurality of actuation cables, which are each connected via a separate plug to a laterally formed on the valve assembly secondary terminal unit. The contact elements of the secondary connection unit are connected via formed on a printed circuit board internal connection conductor with a multipole plug device having primary terminal unit to which a central plug is connected, are supplied via the coming from an external control device electrical actuation signals to the valve interfaces corresponding to forwarded valve actuation signals.

In many cases, valve units are needed to control consumers, which are actively switchable in either a first or a second switching position. These are so-called bistable valves or pulse valves. To supply the electrical valve actuation signals such valve units have two valve interfaces, which are each supplied via an actuating cable with the required valve actuation signals. An example of a valve assembly equipped with bistable valve assemblies discloses FIG EP 0 796 519 B1 ,

In general, in a valve arrangement equipped with at least one bistable valve unit, there is the problem of possible confusion of the cable connections. Inadvertently, it may happen accidentally that a provided for connection to a first valve interface actuating cable is connected to a second valve interface, so that the valve assembly is not operated correctly can be and in the worst case even consequential damage due to incorrectly driven consumers occur.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement of the type mentioned, in which the risk of producing faulty electrical connections is considerably reduced in the case of at least partial equipment with bistable valve units.

To achieve this object, it is provided in a valve arrangement of the type mentioned that at least one of the valve units has an additional second valve interface for receiving electrical valve actuation signals, which can cause an active switching of the valve unit in a deviating from the first switching position second switching position, and that a on the one hand via second internal connecting conductor of the valve assembly is electrically connected to the primary terminal unit second secondary terminal unit is present, on the other hand connected via it connected to electrical second actuating cable for transmitting the valve actuation signals to the at least one second valve interface, wherein all first actuating cable via a common first cable connection unit to the first secondary connection unit and all second operation cable via a common second cable connection unit to the zw Second secondary connection unit are connected.

In this valve arrangement, one, several or all valve units are each equipped with two separate valve interfaces, which allow a pertinent feed of valve actuation signals, that the respective affected valve unit is actively switched either in a first switching position or in second switching position. valve units This type can be in particular bistable valve units that maintain the respective switching position until an active switching takes place in the other switching position. Regardless of this configuration of the valve units, the risk of confusion in the manufacture of the electrical cable connections is very low because, on the one hand, the first actuating cables serving to connect the first valve interfaces and, on the other hand, the second actuating cables serving to connect the at least second valve interface each comprise a specifically assigned common secondary connection unit so that it is clear that the first actuating cable emanating from the first secondary connection unit are to be connected to the first valve interfaces and the second actuating cable emanating from the second secondary connection unit to the second valve interfaces. This results in a safe and clear cable assignment, without any increased handling effort would be connected.

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

Preferably, the first and second valve interfaces are arranged on the valve units such that all first valve interfaces lie in the region of a first longitudinal side of the valve group and all second valve interfaces are in the region of a second longitudinal side of the valve group opposite the first longitudinal side. In this way, the laying of the actuating cable is very simplified because the leading to the two longitudinal sides of the valve group operating cable can be easily summarized if necessary.

The valve units are in particular designed as pilot operated multiway valves, each valve interface component an electrically actuable pilot valve. Valve units with only a first valve interface are then expediently designed with only one pilot valve as a monostable valve unit, while equipped with two valve interfaces valve units have two pilot valves and are advantageously of the bistable type, which is often referred to as a pulse valve.

It is expedient to arrange the two secondary terminal units in a concentrated manner in a terminal region, which is upstream of the valve group in a front region in relation to the arrangement direction of the valve units. Starting from there, it is very easy to leave the first and second actuating cables in a clear manner, on the one hand, to the left and, on the other hand, to the right, that is to say opposite longitudinal sides of the valve group, in order to guide them to the two opposite longitudinal regions of the valve group. where, on the one hand, the first valve interfaces and, on the other hand, the second valve interfaces are located.

In such a way of laying cables there is also the advantage that the actuating cable does not have to be carried over the valve group and also do not need to be passed between adjacent valve units, which allows an overall very compact overall arrangement. The valve units can easily be strung together in such a way that they have only a minimal distance from each other or even abut each other.

The valve units can be installed independently of one another on a plate-shaped valve carrier of the valve arrangement, for example. There is also the possibility to combine the valve units to form a self-supporting valve group, which then, however, in turn can be installed on a valve carrier as needed.

Preferably, the primary connection unit is also arranged in the same connection region in front of the valve group in which the two secondary connection units are located. In this way, the internal electrical connection conductors can be very short. In addition, any central connection tasks that may be required concentrate on this connection area.

Particularly useful is an arrangement in which the two secondary terminal units are placed between the primary terminal unit and the valve group. As a result, the primary connection unit remains very accessible for the connection measure to be carried out for it. The two secondary connection units can be arranged laterally offset from one another transversely to the direction of arrangement of the valve units so that they can be placed in each case in the vicinity of that longitudinal side of the valve arrangement at which the first or second valve interfaces to be connected are located.

The two cable connection units producing the electrical connection to the secondary connection units are preferably designed as plug-in units which can be quickly attached as part of a plug-in operation. It is possible to permanently fix the cable connection units, but they are preferably detachably mounted, so that an easy replacement is possible, if a conversion to a changing number and / or type of valve units should be necessary.

To be able to attach the actuating cable to the valve interfaces, each actuating cable is expediently equipped at the end opposite the cable connection units with a plug connection device. Preferably, each actuating cable is equipped with its own, individual plug connection device. Each plug connection device can in particular be detachably connected to one of the valve interfaces.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that all the first actuating cable as well as all the second actuating cable are combined to form a separate, strand-shaped cable composite. In this way, the first actuating cable leading to the first valve interfaces as well as the second actuating cable to the second valve interfaces can each be laid very clearly and without confusion as a combined cable unit.

The combination into a cable composite is possible, for example, in that the respective plurality of actuating cables are tied together by means of so-called cable ties at a plurality of points spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, however, a design is considered, in which the belonging to a respective cable assembly operating cable with their cable sheaths, which are usually made of plastic material, are secured together. In particular, there is a cohesive fastening, wherein the advantageous possibility exists to combine all cable sheaths into a one-piece sheath body. One achieves in this way a kind of cohesive harness, but for example also has the ability to realize the cable network as a ribbon cable.

Within a respective cable network, the individual actuating cables can be stepped with respect to their length so that they extend differently along the valve group in the installed state, so that they each end in the region of a valve interface, where they can be equipped with a suitable plug connection device. By correspondingly matched length dimensions of the actuating cable can be achieved in this way that belonging to the same cable composite plug connection devices are arranged in a row consecutively, so that on the one hand, the connectable to the first valve interfaces plug connection devices as well as connectable to the second valve interfaces plug connection devices not among themselves can be confused.

The primary connection unit has for connecting an external connection device via, for example, a multipole plug-in device or via a serial signal transmission enabling fieldbus interface.

The primary connection unit and the two secondary connection units may be part of a connection body, in particular a housing-like design, in the interior of which the internal connection conductors are arranged.

To realize the internal electrical connections between the primary terminal unit and the secondary terminal units, the primary terminal unit expediently has a plurality of primary electrical contacts and the two secondary terminal units are each provided with a plurality of secondary contacts, to each one for the transmission of Valve actuation signals suitable operating cable can be connected. In addition, can Each connection unit also contain at least one ground contact.

In a possible first equipment variant, the secondary contacts of the two secondary connection units are connected exclusively to different primary contacts. In other words, therefore, each primary contact is connected to only one secondary contact. This variant is particularly advantageous when very many, and in particular all valve units of the valve group are equipped with two valve interfaces. If at least one valve unit has only one first valve interface, one of the primary contacts also remains unused accordingly.

In contrast, optimal utilization of the existing number of primary contacts is possible in an advantageous further embodiment in which one or more of the primary contacts is / are not only connected to a secondary contact of a secondary connection unit, but at the same time also has a secondary contact of the other secondary connection. connection unit. Thus, if one or more of the secondary contacts remain unused in the second secondary connection unit due to a corresponding number of nonexistent second valve interfaces, the secondary contacts of the first secondary connection unit also connected to these unused secondary contacts can be used to generate a correspondingly larger number of with only To connect a first valve interface equipped valve units. As a result of this multiple use of the primary contacts, the degree of equipment of the valve arrangement can thus be optimally optimized.

It has proven to be advantageous in this context if the number of connectable with an operating cable Secondary contacts of the first secondary connection unit is twice as large as that of the second secondary connection unit. In this case, half the number of existing secondary contacts of the first secondary connection unit is then connected in each case to such a primary contact, to which a secondary contact of the second secondary connection unit is also connected at the same time.

Figur 1

eine vorteilhafte erste Bauform der erfindungsgemäßen Ventilanordnung in perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei einer der Kabelverbunde ergänzend auch nochmals einzeln abgebildet ist,

Figur 2

die Ventilanordnung aus Figur 1 in einer Draufsicht mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil II,

Figur 3

eine Seitenansicht der Ventilanordnung mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil III aus Figur 1,

Figur 4

eine Vorderansicht der Ventilanordnung mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil IV aus Figur 1,

Figur 5

eine insbesondere hinsichtlich der Art der Ausgestaltung der Primär-Anschlusseinheit modifizierte Bauform der Ventilanordnung in wiederum perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 6

den Schaltplan einer möglichen ersten Art der internen Verdrahtung der diversen Anschlusseinheiten, und

Figur 7

den Schaltplan einer modifizierten Art und Weise der internen Verdrahtung der diversen Anschlusseinheiten.

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

FIG. 1

an advantageous first design of the valve arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view, wherein one of the cable assemblies is additionally shown again individually,

FIG. 2

the valve assembly FIG. 1 in a plan view as viewed in accordance with arrow II,

FIG. 3

a side view of the valve assembly as seen from arrow III FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

a front view of the valve assembly as seen from arrow IV FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5

a modified in particular with regard to the nature of the design of the primary connection unit design of the valve assembly in a perspective view in turn,

FIG. 6

the circuit diagram of a possible first type of internal wiring of the various terminal units, and

FIG. 7

the circuit diagram of a modified way of internal wiring of the various terminal units.

The valve arrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral 100 in the drawing, is preferably of modular construction and comprises a plurality of valve units 27 which are lined up in a line-up direction 28 marked by a dot-dash line.

The valve units 27 are expediently mounted on a plate-shaped valve carrier 29 during the exemplary embodiment. The valve carrier 29 has for this purpose on its upper side a valve unit 27 carrying mounting surface 30th

The valve units 27 are preferably fastened individually to the valve carrier 29. This is done, for example, by means of at least one fastening screw 31. However, it would also be possible to combine the several valve units 27 prior to assembly on the valve carrier 29 to a self-supporting valve assembly, which could then be mounted as a unit, so that an individual valve attachment would be unnecessary ,

All valve units 27 together are referred to below as the valve group 32. The longitudinal axis of the valve group 32 coincides with the line-up direction 28.

The valve group 32 has a valve carrier 29 opposite top. It also has oppositely oriented, aligned transversely to the alignment direction 28 first and second longitudinal sides 33, 34. The two oriented in the line-up direction 28 sides of the valve group 32 define a front 35 and an in FIG. 1 the viewer facing back 36.

Each valve unit 27 has at least one internal valve member 37, which can be positioned in at least two switching positions. Depending on the respectively assumed switching positions, the valve member 37 produces different connections between internal valve channels. These valve channels lead to a base 38, with the advance of the valve unit 27 is attached to the mounting surface 30.

The valve carrier 29 is penetrated by a plurality of valve carrier channels. Under these valve carrier channels are at least one feed channel 42 and at least one discharge channel 43, the latter being present twice in the embodiment. The at least one feed channel 42 can be connected to an external pressure source not shown, the at least one discharge channel 43 can be connected to the atmosphere. On the other hand, these aforementioned channels open out in each case several times to the placement surface 30, which they communicate with at least one valve channel of each valve unit 27. In this way, a common fluid supply and fluid removal with respect to the valve units 27 can be realized. The fluidic pressure medium delivered by the pressure source is in particular compressed air.

As a further valve carrier channels more working channels 44 are present, each communicate individually with only one valve unit 27. Conveniently, each valve unit 27 communicates with two such working channels 44, which at the same end also open to the assembly area 30 for this purpose. The others, in FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 allow visible mouth areas of the working channels 44 the connection of fluid lines, which lead to not further shown consumers, for example, fluid-operated actuators whose operation should be controlled by the valve units 27.

In the absence of a valve carrier 29, the pressure source, the atmosphere and the consumers could also be connected directly to the not visible from the drawing valve channels of the valve units 27.

The valve units 27 are of electrically operated type. By way of example, they are designed as pilot operated multiway valves and are each composed of a valve member 37 having main valve 45 and one or two electrically actuated pilot valves 46a, 46b. At least one valve unit 27 contains both a first pilot valve 46a and a second pilot valve 46b, wherein, by way of example, a total of three such valve units 27 equipped with two pilot valves 46a, 46b are present. In addition, at least one further valve unit 27 may be equipped with only a single (first) pilot valve 46a, the embodiment also including a total of three pieces of this type of valve unit 27.

Each pilot valve 46a, 46b can be activated by electrical valve actuation signals, wherein it generates a fluidic actuating signal in the activated state, by means of which the valve member 37 is switched to one of the exemplary two possible switching positions.

Thus, the valve member 37 and the relevant valve unit 27 can be actively switched by electrical activation of the first pilot valve 46a in a first switching position and, if a second pilot valve 46b is present, by its activation in a second switching position.

As far as the valve units 27 include only a single (first) pilot valve 46a, it is expediently so-called monostable valve units 27, which automatically switch back to the starting position due to existing fluidic and / or mechanical spring means when the first pilot valve 46a is deactivated. The valve units 27 equipped with two pilot valves 46a, 46b are, in particular, bistable valve units in which the valve member 37 maintains the switching position assumed by actuation of a pilot control valve 46a or 46b even after deactivation of the relevant pilot valve until it activates the respective other valve Pilot valve 46b and 46a is actively switched back to the other switching position.

Deviating from the exemplary embodiment, the valve units 27 could also be, at least in part, of a directly actuable design and, to that extent, should not contain a pilot valve. An electrically operable drive device in this case causes the direct switching of the associated valve member 37.

If present, the pilot valves 46a, 46b are arranged on the end face of the valve units 27 such that they come to lie in the region of one of the two longitudinal sides 33, 34 of the valve group 32. Preferably, all first pilot valves 46a of the first longitudinal side 33 and all second pilot valves 46b of the second longitudinal side 34 are assigned.

In order to receive the necessary electrical valve actuation signals, each first pilot valve 46a with a suitable first valve interface 47a and each second pilot valve 46b equipped with a correspondingly formed second valve interface 47b. These are electrical or electromechanical interfaces, which are designed in particular for the production of a plug connection.

If a valve unit 27 does not contain a pilot valve, the at least one valve interface 47a, 47b is located at another suitable location. In any case, it is advantageous if all first valve interfaces 47a in the line-up direction 28 are arranged successively in the region of the first longitudinal side 33 of the valve group 32 and all second valve interfaces 47b, also in the line-up direction 28, in the region of the second longitudinal side 34 of the valve group 32nd are located.

A pertinent orientation of the valve interfaces is expedient in that the first valve interfaces 47a point in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the second valve interfaces 47b are oriented. These are expediently to the line-up direction 28 perpendicular directions. All valve interfaces 47a, 47b are in particular aligned at right angles to a center plane 48, which is spanned by the alignment direction 28 and the vertical axis 49 of the valve group 32, which is perpendicular to the component surface 30 as an example.

Their electrical valve actuation signals receive the valve units 27, starting from a primary connection unit 52 arranged on board the valve arrangement 100, to which, in particular, a primary cable connection unit 54 can be connected, which is connected to at least one electrical control cable 55, which leads to a non-illustrated external electronic control device. This external electronic control device provides electrical actuation signals to the valve assembly 100 which, depending on the configuration of the primary connection unit 52, either directly form the valve actuation signals or are converted by the primary connection unit 52 into such valve actuation signals.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 The supplied external electrical actuating signals act directly as valve actuation signals and are looped directly to the valve interfaces 47a, 47b. In this context, the electromechanical interface 53 is designed as a multipole plug-in device, which allows a parallel signal transmission.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 In contrast, illustrates a variant in which the primary terminal unit 52 is formed as a field bus unit or includes such, wherein the electromechanical interface 53 is designed as a field bus interface, which is designed for a serial signal transmission.

However, the electromechanical interface 53 is expediently designed in any case as a plug-in interface in order to be able to connect a primary cable connection unit 54 realized in the form of a plug-in connection unit by means of a plug-in operation.

The valve interfaces 47a, 47b receive their valve actuation signals not directly from the primary terminal unit 52, but from each one of an intermediate first and second secondary terminal unit 56a, 56b. The primary connection unit 52 is electrically connected to both secondary terminal units 56a, 56b, the connection to the first secondary terminal unit 56a via first internal connection conductors 57a and the connection to the second secondary connection unit 56b via second internal connection conductors 57b of the valve arrangement 100. Thus, in the primary connection unit 52, the valve actuation signals are split into those for the first secondary connection unit 56a and those for the second secondary connection unit 56b.

The division takes place such that only those valve actuation signals which are intended for the first valve interfaces 47a reach the first secondary connection unit 56a, while only those valve actuation signals which are intended for the second valve interfaces 47b are transmitted to the second secondary connection unit 56b.

The electrical communication between a respective secondary connection unit 56a, 56b and the valve interfaces 47a, 47b associated therewith takes place by means of preferably bendable actuating cables. More specifically, from the first secondary terminal unit 56a, first electric operation wires 58a lead to the first valve interfaces 47a, while from the second secondary terminal unit 56b, second electric operation wires 58b are led to lead to the second valve interfaces 47b.

For connection to the relevant secondary connection unit 56a, 56b, all first electrical actuation cables 58a are connected at one end to a common first cable connection unit 59a, and furthermore all second electrical actuation cables 58b are connected at one end to a common second cable connection unit 59b. Of the first common cable connection unit 59a, therefore, only first electrical actuation cables 58a start, and only second electrical actuation cables 58b of the second common cable connection unit 59b.

The first common cable connection unit 59a is contacted with the first secondary connection unit 56a, the second common cable connection unit 59b with the second secondary connection unit 56b.

The connection of the cable connection units 59a, 59b to the secondary connection units 56a, 56b may be insoluble or detachable. A detachable connection is preferred to allow rapid retrofitting to accommodate varying valve unit populations. In both cases, it is advantageous if the cable connection units 59a, 59b are designed as plug-in units, in particular in the manner of multipole plug-in units, so that with a simple Ansteckvorgang or removal process can be made or interrupting all electrical connections.

For the connection to the valve interfaces 47a, 47b, each electrical actuation cable 58a, 58b is equipped at the end opposite the common cable connection unit 59a, 59b with an electromechanical connection device in the form of in particular a plug connection device 62. Expediently, each electrical actuating cable 58a, 58b is assigned an individual plug connection device 62. Deviating from this, however, it would be possible to combine several or all such longitudinal side 33 or 34 associated plug connection devices 62 together in a connector strip.

The plug-in connection devices 62 are in particular designed such that they have receiving holes in which, when plugged onto a valve interface 47a, 47b, dipped contact pins are arranged on the relevant valve interface.

The two secondary connection units 56a, 56b are expediently placed together in a connection region 63 of the valve arrangement 100, which is arranged upstream of the valve group 32 on the front side 35. The secondary terminal units 56a, 56b and the valve group 32 are accordingly arranged in the line-up direction 28 in succession.

Within the connection region 63, the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b are expediently arranged laterally offset from one another transversely to the arrangement direction 28. Thus, the first secondary connection unit 56a is closer to the first longitudinal side 33 and the second secondary connection unit 56b closer to the second longitudinal side 34. In this way it is optically clear from the outset which of the electrical actuation cables 58a, 58b for the first valve interfaces 47a and which are intended for the second valve interfaces 47b.

In order to keep the transverse dimensions as small as possible despite the lateral offset, it is possible to offset the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b in the line-up direction 28 and at the same time in a manner that they overlap transversely to the arrangement direction 28.

Both secondary terminal units 56a, 56b have seen in plan view of the connection side expediently longitudinal shape and are in particular aligned so that their Longitudinal axes perpendicular to the line-up direction 28 and in particular parallel to the longitudinal axes of the preferably also transverse to the alignment direction 28 aligned elongated valve units 27 extend. The connection sides of the secondary connection units 56a, 56b are oriented in particular pointing upwards.

It is advantageous if the primary connection unit 52 is also placed in the abovementioned connection region 63. It may be arranged there in particular in the immediate vicinity of the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b. The connection side of the primary connection unit 52 also expediently faces upwards. If the associated electromechanical interface 53 is designed as a multipole plug-in device, it expediently has a longitudinal shape and is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axes of the likewise likewise elongated secondary connection units 56a, 56b.

In order for the primary connection unit 52 to be optimally accessible for easy connection and disconnection of a primary cable connection unit 54, it is advisable to position it on the opposite side of the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b relative to the arrangement direction 28 of the valve group 32 comes. In other words, then the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b are located in a region lying between the valve group 32 and the primary connection unit 52.

The arrangement of the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b arranged upstream of the valve group 32 in the arrangement direction 28 opens up the advantageous possibility of routing the first and second actuation cables 58a, 58b outgoing there in such a way that they initially pass the front side the valve group 32 laterally to the line-up direction 28 sideways and then, laterally outside the valve group 32, in the alignment direction 28 along the two longitudinal sides 33, 34 extend. All actuating cables 58a, 58b are expediently located in the height range covered by the valve group 32, so that the entire valve group 32 is not crossed by any of the actuating cables 58a, 58b and easily accessible from above for any handling measures.

Each actuating cable 58a, 58b, starting from the associated secondary connection unit 56a, 56b up to the associated plug-in connection device 62, can have a substantially L-shaped profile, the L-shape conveying, in particular, a top view of the valve arrangement 100 in the direction of the arrow II becomes.

In principle, both the first electrical actuating cable 58a and the second electrical actuating cable 58b could be designed as non-contiguous individual cables. The laying work, however, is much simpler and clearer if, as in the exemplary embodiment, all first actuating cables 58a are combined to form a strand-shaped first cable composite 64a and all second actuating cables 58b are combined to form a strand-shaped second cable composite 64b.

In the exemplary embodiment, this is realized in that both the first actuating cable 58a and the second electrical actuating cable 58b are fastened together to one another within the longitudinal section extending between the respective common cable connection unit 59a, 59b and the plug connection devices 62. This is in particular a cohesive attachment before, by the cable sheaths of the various actuating cables 58a and 58b are molded together and there is a one-piece connection. Alternatively, for example, an adhesive connection would be conceivable. It would also be possible for the actuating cables 58a or 58b belonging to the same cable assembly 64a or 64b to be lashed together by a so-called cable tie, which annularly surround all associated actuating cables at axially spaced locations.

Each cable network 64a, 64b expediently also contains at least one ground cable 65. This can be integrated in the same cable network 64a, 64b in the same way as the associated actuating cable 58a or 58b. By way of example, each of the common cable connection units 59a, 59b only receives one such ground cable 65, which is connected at the other end to one of the plug connection devices 62, from where the ground connection to all further plug connection devices 62 is continued by further bridging cables 66.

The bridging cables 66 can also be responsible for ensuring that the plug connection devices 62 assigned to the respective same cable assembly 64a or 64b are fixed relative to one another in a certain relative position. In this connection, it should be mentioned that the length of the actuating cable 58a or 58b combined in a cable assembly 64a or 64b is appropriately stepped, so that the actuating cables 58a, 58b leading to the respective same longitudinal side 33 and 34 each have different widths in the region the longitudinal sides 33, 34 along the valve group 32 extend. The length is chosen so that each one actuating cable 58a or 58b extends into that axial region in which the valve unit 27 to be connected is placed is. The operating cable 58a, 58b leading to the foremost valve unit 27 is thus shorter than the actuating cable leading to the subsequent valve unit 27, etc.

In this way, for the arranged at the cable ends plug connection devices 62 a juxtaposed arrangement results in a dash-dotted lines indicated distribution direction 67, which is parallel to the line-up direction 28.

Due to the fact that each plug connection device 62 is fastened to one of the actuation cables 58a or 58b and, in addition, adjacent plug connection devices 62 are connected to one another by a bridging cable 66, a relatively stable fixing of the relative association between the plug connection devices to be attached to the same longitudinal side 33, 34 results 62. This association ensures in particular that there is no confusion when connecting the actuating cables 58a, 58b belonging to the same cable assembly 64a, 64b to the first and second valve interfaces 47a, 47b.

The primary connection unit 52 and the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b are expediently combined in a housing-like connection body 68. This is arranged in the exemplary embodiment in which the valve group 32 upstream region and in particular attached to the valve carrier 29. By way of example, the connecting body 68 is placed on the mounting surface 30 and is clamped by means of one or more fastening screws 71 with the valve carrier 29. The fastening screws 71 are in particular designed so that they pass through the valve carrier 29 and in a dual function also still be used to the Whole valve assembly 100 to fix a dot-dash line indicated support structure 72.

Apart from that, of course, there is also the possibility of the connecting body 68 regardless of the installation state of the valve carrier 29 to fix the latter, for example, by separate fastening screws or by a latching connection.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate on the basis of a respective circuit diagram special possibilities for internal wiring of the various terminal units 52, 56 a, 56 b by means of the already mentioned internal connection conductors 57 a, 57 b.

The primary connection unit 52, which has a plurality of electrical primary contacts 73 in the exemplary embodiment, which internally output the valve actuation signals generated from the electrical actuation signals fed from the outside, can be seen in each case. In addition, at least one ground contact 75 is present, which is present twice in the embodiments.

The first secondary connection unit 56a contains a certain number of first secondary electrical contacts 74a and the second secondary connection unit 56b is equipped with a certain number of second secondary electrical contacts 74b. In addition, each secondary connection unit 56a, 56b expediently also contains at least one ground contact 76, which in the exemplary embodiment is provided in duplicate.

Via the already mentioned first internal connection conductors 57a, all the first secondary electrical contacts 74a are connected to one of the primary contacts 73, and furthermore each one second secondary contacts 74b also connected to one of the primary contacts 73, respectively.

There is also an internal electrical connection between each ground contact 76 of the two secondary terminal units 56a, 56b and at least one ground contact 75 of the primary terminal unit via at least one internal ground conductor 77a, 77b.

The internal connection conductors 57a, 57b, as well as the internal ground conductors 77a, 77b, are expediently realized in the form of conductor tracks, which are formed on a carrier body formed, for example, as a circuit board. However, a realization by means of flexible cables would also be conceivable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 For example, each secondary connection unit 56a, 56b has a number of first and second secondary electrical contacts 74a, 74b, which corresponds to half the number of primary contacts 73 of the primary connection unit 52. Each first secondary electrical contact 74a and each second secondary electrical contact 74b is connected to a primary contact of the primary connection unit 52 specifically assigned to it, so that each primary contact 73 is connected to only one secondary contact 74a or 74b.

In this way, the same number of first and second electrical actuating cables 58a, 58b can be connected to the two secondary connection units 56a, 56b. In the embodiment according to FIG. 6 Thus, it is possible to connect twelve valve units 27 equipped with two valve interfaces 47a, 47b. In cases where a valve unit 27 only a first valve interface 47a, only the electrical secondary contacts 74a of the first secondary connection unit 56a come to full application, while in the second secondary connection unit 56b the unneeded secondary contacts 74b remain unused. In effect, this means that regardless of whether its valve units 27 have only one or two valve interfaces 47a, 47b, the valve arrangement 100 can be equipped maximally with a number of valve units 27 corresponding to half the number of primary contacts 73 present.

It is understood that the number of twenty-four primary contacts 73 present in the exemplary embodiments is only one example and, in principle, a different number of primary contacts and thus consequently also secondary contacts could be present.

With an equipment of the valve arrangement 100 in the sense of the circuit diagram in accordance with FIG. 7 There is a significant improvement in the possibility of exploiting the existing primary contacts 73. Deviating from the embodiment of FIG. 6 , Here corresponds to the number of the first secondary electrical contacts 74a of the number of primary electrical contacts 73. Compared to FIG. 6 additionally present first electrical secondary contacts 74a are connected to the primary terminal unit 52 each having such a primary contact 73, which is also connected to a second secondary contact 74b of the second secondary terminal unit 56b. This results in an at least partial double assignment of the electrical primary contacts 73 in that each double-occupied primary contact 73 is connected both to a first secondary contact 74a of the first secondary connection unit 56a and to a second secondary contact 74b of the second secondary connection unit 56b.

By way of example, the number of the first secondary contacts 74a is twice as large as that of the second secondary contacts 74b, so that half the number of existing first secondary contacts 74a is in each case contacted by a primary contact 73 which is simultaneously also connected to a second secondary contact 74b.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 thus opens up the possibility of equipping the valve arrangement 100 with a number of valve units 27 having in each case two valve interfaces 47a, 47b, which corresponds to half the number of primary contacts 73 present. In the embodiment, this is twelve pieces. Due to the double occupancy of a portion of the primary contacts 73, however, it is also possible in addition to each valve unit 27, which has only a first valve interface 47a, to install another such valve unit 27 equipped with only one first valve interface 47a. This additional valve unit 27 can then be connected to the first secondary contact 74a which is connected to the same primary contact as the second secondary contact 74b which, in the absence of a corresponding number of bistable valve units 27, is unused.

Thus, instead of each bistable valve unit 27 equipped with two valve interfaces 47a, 47b, two monostable valve units 27 equipped with only one valve interface 47a can be mounted, which can then be electrically actuated with full utilization of the existing number of primary electrical contacts 73.

It is understood that one can align the number of actuation cables 58a, 58b required in each case to the respective requirement. Accordingly, also in the in FIGS. 1 to 5 shown Embodiments, each equipped with three bistable and three monostable valve units 27, the number of first actuating cable 58a greater than that of the second actuating cable 58b. It is expedient to keep correspondingly tailored cable assemblies 64a, 64b available for the respective application. However, such cable assemblies can also be made individually from case to case.

Expediently, the valve units 27 will be placed in such a sequence that, beginning with the front of the valve group 32 facing the connection region 63, first the bistable valve units 27 and only then the monostable valve units 27 are arranged.

Claims (15)

1. Valve assembly comprising a valve bank (32) consisting of a plurality of electrically actuated valve units (27) which are lined up in sequence in a line-up direction (28) and each of which has a first valve interface (47a) for receiving electric valve actuation signals which can cause an active switching of the valve unit (27) into a first switching position, further comprising a primary connecting unit (52) for receiving external actuating signals controlling the actuation of the valve units (27), and further comprising a first secondary connecting unit (56a) which is on the one hand electrically connected to the primary connecting unit (52) via first internal connecting conductors (57a) of the valve assembly (100) and which is on the other hand connected to the first valve interfaces (47) via first electric actuating cables (58a) connected thereto for transmitting the valve actuation signals, characterised in that at least one of the valve units (27) has an additional second valve interface (47b) for receiving electric valve actuation signals which can cause an active switching of the valve unit (27) into a second switching position which differs from the first switching position, and in that a second secondary connecting unit (56b) is provided which is on the one hand electrically connected to the primary connecting unit (52) via second internal connecting conductors (57b) of the valve assembly (100) and which is on the other hand connected to the at least one second valve interface (47b) via second actuating cables (58b) connected thereto for transmitting the valve actuation signals, wherein all first actuating cables (58a) are connected to the first secondary connecting unit (56a) via a common first cable connecting unit (59a) and all second actuating cables (58b) are connected to the second secondary connecting unit (56b) via a common second cable connecting unit (59b).
2. Valve assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that all first valve interfaces (47a) are arranged in sequence in the line-up direction (28) in the region of a first long side (33) of the valve bank (32) and all second valve interfaces (47b) are arranged in sequence in the line-up direction (28) in the region of a second long side (34) opposite the first long side (33) of the valve bank (32), the first valve interfaces (47a) and the second valve interfaces (47b) expediently pointing into mutually opposite directions perpendicular to the line-up direction (28).
3. Valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the valve units (27) are designed as pilot-controlled multiway valves, each first valve interface (47a) and the second valve interface (47b) being a part of one of two electrically actuated pilot valves (46a, 46b) of the associated valve unit (27).
4. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b) are located in a connecting region (63) of the valve assembly (100) which is in front of the valve bank (32) as viewed in the line-up direction (28).
5. Valve assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that the first actuating cables (58a) and the second actuating cables (58b) extend in mutually opposite directions in the connecting region (63) and then extend along opposite long sides (33, 34) of the valve bank (32) to the assigned valve interfaces (47a, 47b).
6. Valve assembly according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the primary connecting unit (52) is also located in the connecting region (63) of the valve assembly (100), in particular adjacent to the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b), the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b) being expediently located between the primary connecting unit (52) and the valve bank (32), in particular with mutual lateral offset.
7. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the two cable connecting units (59a, 59b) are designed as plug-in units and/or releasably connected to the assigned secondary connecting unit (56a, 56b).
8. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a connecting device suitable for connection to a valve interface (47a, 47b) and in particular designed as a plug-in connecting device (62) is provided at the end of each actuating cable (58a, 58b) which is opposite the secondary connecting unit (56a, 56b).
9. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that all first actuating cables (58a) are combined to form a first stranded cable compound (64a) and all second actuating cables (58b) are combined to form a second stranded cable compound (64b).
10. Valve assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that within each cable compound (64a, 64b) the cable sheaths of the individual actuating cables (58a, 58b) are joined to one another, in particular by adhesive force.
11. Valve assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the length of the individual actuating cables (58a, 58b) of each cable compound (64a, 64b) is graduated in such a way that the actuating cables (58a, 58b) extend to different lengths along the valve bank (32), wherein at each cable end of the actuating cables (58a, 58b) which is opposite a secondary connecting unit (56a, 56b), there is provided a connecting device suitable for connection to a valve interface (47a, 47b) and in particular designed as a plug-in connecting device (62), so that the connecting devices belonging to the same cable compound (64a, 64b) are arranged in sequence in a row.
12. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the primary connecting unit (52) comprises an electromechanical interface (53) which is expediently designed as a multipole plug-in device or as a field bus interface configured for serial signal transmission for feeding in the external electric actuating signals.
13. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the primary connecting unit (52) has a plurality of electric primary contacts (73) and each of the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b) has a plurality of secondary contacts (74a, 74b), each of which is assigned to an actuating cable (58a, 58b) and each of which is connected to one of the primary contacts (73) via one of the internal connecting conductors (57a, 57b), wherein the secondary contacts (74a) of the first secondary connecting unit (56a) and the secondary contacts (74b) of the second secondary connecting unit (56b) are exclusively connected to different primary contacts (73), wherein further the primary connecting unit (53) is expediently contacted electrically to the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b) via the same number of internal connecting conductors (57a, 57b).
14. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the primary connecting unit (52) has a plurality of electric primary contacts (73) and each of the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b) has a plurality of secondary contacts (74a, 74b), each of which is assigned to an actuating cable (58a, 58b) and each of which is connected to one of the primary contacts (73) via one of the internal connecting conductors (57a, 57b), wherein several of the primary contacts (73) are simultaneously connected to a secondary contact (74a, 74b) each of the two secondary connecting units (56a, 56b).
15. Valve assembly according to claim 14, characterised in that the number of the secondary contacts (74) of the first secondary connecting unit (56a) which can be connected to an actuating cable (58a, 58b) is twice the number of the secondary contacts (74b) of the second secondary connecting unit (56b), wherein half the number of the existing secondary contacts (74a) of the first secondary connecting unit (56a) is connected to a primary contact (73) to which a secondary contact (74b) of the second secondary connecting unit (56b) is connected as well.

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