EP3286469A1

EP3286469A1 - Thermostatic valve

Info

Publication number: EP3286469A1
Application number: EP16716849.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kai Saupe
Original assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Current assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Priority date: 2015-04-21
Filing date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2018-02-28
Also published as: WO2016169809A1; DE102015207232A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermostatic valve (1) for the temperature-dependent control of a fluid flow (2), said valve comprising a housing (3) having a first fluid channel opening (4), a second fluid channel opening (5) and a third fluid channel opening (6), a temperature-dependent expandable element (8), a valve body (9) having a plurality of openings (10, 11, 12), a restoring spring (13) and a spindle element (14) having a threaded section (15) and two end-face, opposite lying receptacles (16, 17), wherein the restoring spring (13) is supported on one side on the housing and on the other side in the first receptacle (16) of the spindle element (14), the expandable element (8) is supported on one side on the housing (3) and on the other side in the second receptacle (17) of the spindle element (14), and the valve body (9) has engaging noses (18) which are operatively connected to the threaded section (15) such that during an axial movement of the spindle element (14), the valve body (9) rotates and thus the fluid flow (2) is distributed to the three fluid channel openings (10, 11, 12).

Description

thermostatic valve

The present invention relates to a thermostatic valve for temperature-dependent control of a fluid flow. The invention also relates to an oil circuit of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such

Thermostatic valve.

Thermostatic valves are well known and control fluid flow as a function of temperature. In modern oil circuits of a motor vehicle, for example, thermostatic valves are installed in order to release or close different fluid channels depending on the oil temperature and thereby convey the oil flow through a radiator or a bypass duct and thus around the radiator.

A disadvantage of the known from the prior art thermostatic valves is, however, that they have a relatively high pressure loss, which in turn requires a high power to promote the fluid flow. In addition, known thermostatic valves are often also expensive and thus designed expensive. The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing a thermostatic valve an improved embodiment, which is characterized in particular by a low pressure loss and cost-effective production.

This problem is inventively achieved by the subject matter of

independent claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments are

Subject of the dependent claims. The present invention is based on the general idea

Thermostat valve for the first time no longer with an axial means of a

Expansible adjustable valve body equip, but the

Dehnkörper with a spindle element and the spindle element with the

To couple the valve body, so that at an axial extent of the

Dehnelements an axial displacement of the spindle member and thereby rotation of the valve body takes place. The thermostatic valve according to the invention has essentially only five components, namely a housing, a temperature-dependent expansion element, a valve body, a return spring and the aforementioned spindle element. In the housing is a first fluid channel opening, a second fluid channel opening and a third

Fluid channel opening arranged. The spindle element has a

Threaded section and two frontal and opposite

Recordings, namely a first recording and a second recording. In the assembled state, the return spring is supported on the one hand on

Housing and on the other hand in the first receptacle of the spindle member, while the expansion element is supported on the one hand on the housing and on the other hand in the second receptacle of the spindle member. The axial adjustment of the spindle member is thus in the one direction via an expansion of the expansion element and a compression of the return spring and in the opposite direction via a contraction of the expansion element and a rebound of the return spring. The valve body itself has engagement lugs,

For example, three engagement lugs, which are so in operative connection with the

Threaded portion of the spindle member are that in an axial displacement of the spindle member, a rotation of the valve body and thus a division of the fluid flow is carried out on the three fluid channel openings. For this purpose, the

Valve body several openings. With the invention

Thermostatic valve can thus one of relatively few components

composite thermostatic valve are created, which thereby not can only be produced inexpensively, but also requires only a small space requirement. By the rotatable valve body also a thermostatic valve can be created with a relatively low pressure loss, which in particular in motor vehicles fuel-saving effect.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the expansion element has a Wachsdehnstoffelement, a bimetal or a

Shape memory alloy. Already this non-exhaustive enumeration gives an idea of the manifold possibilities of use for expansion elements, whereby in particular wax expansion elements enable a comparatively cost-effective, precisely working and also durable possibility of temperature-dependent control of the fluid flow.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the threaded portion has a thread with a continuous thread pitch, or at least two thread portions with different

Thread pitches. By providing at least two threaded portions with different thread pitch can influence the

Switching speed of the thermostatic valve according to the invention are taken, which applies in rough terms, the higher the thread pitch, the slower is the switching speed of the thermostatic valve. Theoretically, threaded areas with different ones can be used

Thread pitch associated with individual temperatures, so that the thermostatic valve according to the invention, for example, in a first

Temperature range in the associated first threaded portion with higher thread pitch, for example, whereas it works in a second

Temperature range in a threaded area with a smaller pitch leads changes and thus faster. At a low thread pitch Already a small axial change in length of the expansion element is sufficient to cause a rapid rotation of the valve body and thus switching the thermostatic valve, and vice versa.

Suitably, the thermostatic valve on at least three switching states, wherein the valve body is not rotated in the first switching state and the

Fluid flow to a connected to a radiator fluid passage opening, while it is rotated in the second switching state by about 90 ° and the fluid stream via a trained as a bypass fluid channel opening into a bypass channel, while it is rotated in the third switching state by about 180 ° and the Fluid flow again to the connected to the radiator fluid channel opening passes. The three different switching states can be taken at different temperatures, so that the thermostatic valve, for example, at a fluid temperature 0 ° C <t <65 ° C, the first switching state, at a fluid temperature 80 ° C <t <1 10 ° C, the second switching state and at a fluid temperature of t> 1 10 ° C assumes the third switching state. As a result, a so-called fail-safe function can be represented in a particularly simple manner, since the fluid flow is conducted through the radiator both with a broken return spring and a high temperature, as well as with a defective expansion element, whereby the return spring the valve body in its first switching state suppressed.

Suitably, the thermostatic valve is designed as an oil thermostatic valve.

Especially for tempering an oil circuit in a motor vehicle, it is thus advantageous to use the thermostatic valve according to the invention, since this is structurally simple and therefore inexpensive, almost any switching states allows and also compact builds, which is particularly in view of cramped, modern engine compartments of great advantage , Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated

Description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, in each case schematically,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through an inventive

Thermostatic valve for temperature-dependent control of a fluid flow,

2 is a view of an inner surface of the thermostatic valve,

3 shows a housing half, a spindle element and a valve body of the thermostatic valve according to the invention,

Fig. 4 to 6 is a sectional view through the inventive

Thermostatic valve with different switching states. According to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 6, an inventive

Thermostatic valve 1 for the temperature-dependent control of a fluid flow 2 (see Fig. 4 to 6), a housing 3 with a first Fluidkanaloffnung 4, a second Fluidkanaloffnung 5 and a third Fluidkanaloffnung 6. In addition, the thermostatic valve 1 according to the invention, which is designed in particular as an oil thermostatic valve and can be used in an oil circuit 7 of a motor vehicle not shown in detail, a temperature-dependent expansion element 8, a valve body 9 with a plurality of openings 10, 1 1, 12, a return spring thirteenth and a spindle element 14 with a threaded portion 15 with two end-side, opposite receptacles 16, 17, namely a first receptacle 16 and a second receptacle 17. The return spring 13 is supported on the one hand on the housing 3 and on the other hand in the first

Receiving 16 of the spindle member 14 from, whereas the expansion element 8 is supported on the one hand on the housing 3 and on the other hand in the second receptacle 17 of the spindle member 14. On the valve body 9 are beyond

Engagement lugs 18 (see Figures 1 and 3) are arranged, which are so in operative connection with the threaded portion 15, which in an axial displacement of the

Spindle element 14 simultaneously a rotation of the valve body 9 and thus dividing the fluid flow 2 to the three fluid channel openings 4, 5, 6 takes place. In contrast to thermostatic valves known from the prior art, the valve body 9 is thus not axially displaced in the thermostatic valve 1 according to the invention to change between different switching states, but it is merely rotated.

The expansion element 8 may be formed, for example, as Wachsdehnstoffelement, as a bimetal or as a shape memory alloy or such Wachsdehnstoffelement, such a bimetal or such

Have shape memory alloy. Looking at the spindle element according to FIGS. 1 to 6, it can be seen that the threaded portion 15 has a thread with a continuous thread pitch, which of course is also conceivable that the threaded portion 15 a thread with at least two threaded portions 19,19 'with different Has thread pitch, whereby different switching speeds can be realized at different temperatures, for example.

In principle, the thermostatic valve 1 according to the invention has at least two switching states, wherein the valve body 9 is not rotated in the first switching state and the fluid flow 2 via a trained as a bypass

Fluid channel opening 6 dissipates, while it is rotated in the second switching state such that it passes the fluid flow 2 to a connected to a cooler fluid channel opening 5. In this case, the third fluid passage opening 6 would be the one connected to the bypass passage, whereas the second fluid passage opening 5 would be that connected to the radiator. The first fluid channel opening 4 forms the inlet into the thermostatic valve 1.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention

Thermostatic valve 1 in this case has at least three switching states (cf., Fig. 4 to 6), wherein the valve body 9 is not rotated in the first switching state (see Fig .. 4) and the fluid flow 2 to the second connected to the radiator

Fluid channel opening 5 passes, while it is rotated in the second switching state (see Fig. 5) by approximately 90 ° and the fluid stream 2 via the third fluid channel opening formed as a bypass 6, while in the third switching state (see FIG 180 ° is twisted and the fluid flow 2 back to the with the cooler

connected second fluid channel opening 5 passes. The thermostatic valve 1 can at a fluid temperature between 0 ° C <t <65 ° C, the first

Switching state (see Fig. 4) at a fluid temperature between 80 ° C <t <1 10 ° C. The second switching state (see Fig. 5) and at a fluid temperature t> than 1 10 ° C occupy the third switching state (see Fig. 6). This can

For example, a so-called fail-safe function can be realized, which remains, for example, in a broken return spring 13 in the third switching state (see Fig .. 6), whereas in a defective expansion element 8 the

Return spring 13, the valve body 9 in its first switching state (see Fig. 4) rotated and thereby allows in both cases, a steering of the fluid flow 2 via the second fluid channel opening 5 to the radiator, whereby a so

equipped motor vehicle remains operational in the long term.

Of course, those described in the previous paragraph must

Angle specifications for the individual temperature ranges are not exactly adhered to, so that the angle data are only approximate. Of course, more than three switching states are conceivable. However, it would be of particular advantage if the spindle element 14

For example, two or more threaded portions 19, 19 '(see Fig. 3), whereby a different speed switching in different

Temperature ranges is possible.

With the thermostatic valve 1 according to the invention not only a comparatively structurally simple constructed thermostatic valve 1 can be realized, which consists of only five individual parts, namely the housing 3, the

Return spring 13, the spindle member 14, the valve body 9 and the

Expansion element 8 is, but the thermostatic valve 1 according to the invention also builds extremely compact and works extremely reliable.

Claims

claims

1 . Thermostatic valve (1) for temperature-dependent control of a fluid flow (2),

a housing (3) having a first fluid channel opening (4), a second fluid channel opening (5) and a third fluid channel opening (6)

Temperature-dependent expansion element (8), a valve body (9) having a plurality of openings (10,1 1, 12), a return spring (13) and a spindle element (14) with a threaded portion (15) and two frontal,

opposite receptacles (16, 17), namely a first receptacle (16) and a second receptacle (17),

wherein the return spring (13) on the one hand on the housing (3) and

on the other hand in the first receptacle (16) of the spindle element (14) is supported, wherein the expansion element (8) on the one hand on the housing (3) and on the other hand in the second receptacle (17) of the spindle element (14) is supported,

wherein the valve body (9) has engagement lugs (18) which engage in such

An operative connection with the threaded portion (15) is that upon an axial adjustment of the spindle element (14), a rotation of the valve body (9) and thus a splitting of the fluid flow (2) on the three

Fluid channel openings (10,1 1, 12) takes place.

2. Thermostat valve according to claim 1,

characterized,

the expansion element (8) comprises a wax expansion element, a bimetal or a shape memory alloy.

3. Thernnostatic valve according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

that the threaded portion (15) is a thread with continuous

Has thread pitch, or

in that the threaded portion (15) is threaded with at least two

Has threaded portions (19,19 ') with different thread pitch.

4. Thermostat valve according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized,

that the thermostatic valve (1) has at least two switching states, wherein the valve body (9) is not twisted in the first switching state and the fluid flow (2) via a trained as a bypass third fluid channel opening (12), while it is twisted in the second switching state in that it directs the fluid flow (2) to the second fluid channel opening (5) connected to a cooler.

5. Thermostat valve according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized,

the thermostatic valve (1) has at least three switching states, wherein the valve body (9) is not rotated in the first switching state and directs the fluid flow (2) to a second fluid channel opening (5) connected to a cooler, whereas in the second switching state it Is rotated 90 ° and the fluid flow (2) via a trained as a bypass third fluid channel opening (6), while it is rotated in the third switching state by approximately 180 °, and the fluid flow (2) back to the connected to the radiator fluid channel opening ( 5) conducts.

6. Thermostat valve according to claim 5,

characterized,

that the thermostatic valve (1) at a fluid temperature 0 ° C <t <65 ° C, the first switching state, at a fluid temperature 80 ° C <t <1 10 ° C the second Switching state and at a fluid temperature 1 10 ° C <t occupies the third switching state.

7. Thermostat valve according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized,

that the thermostatic valve (1) is designed as an oil thermostatic valve.

8. Oil circuit (7) of a motor vehicle with a thermostatic valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Motor vehicle with a thermostatic valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.