FR3095011A1 - Valve unit, such as an exhaust valve unit for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an exhaust valve unit with a valve shaft rotatably mounted on a tubular section thereof, to which a valve is attached, and with a coupling provided between the valve shaft and a shaft. training. Figure 1

Description

Valve unit, such as an exhaust valve unit for motor vehicles

The invention relates to a valve unit, composed of a tubular section, a valve shaft mounted on and dipping therein, on which is provided a valve located in the tubular section and where the valve shaft is functionally connected to an output shaft of a drive means by a coupling which comprises on each of the shafts a coupling device provided integral in rotation with said shaft, and where the valve shaft is constrained by an accumulator of energy in the axial direction.

Such a valve unit is known from document FR 2 943 114. The coupling therein is composed of a respective coupling device provided integrally in rotation and axially on the valve shaft as well as on the output shaft of the valve. an electric drive motor, in the form of disc-shaped elements, and an interposed elastic coupling element, also made in the form of a disc, which causes the transmission of torque between the discs and consequently between the motor output shaft and the valve shaft, while exerting an axial force on the two discs. For the application of the axial force from the disc-shaped region of the coupling element, four tabs are cut out in the circumferential direction by being bent axially in pairs alternately towards each of the two discs and there pressing under axial prestress. Such axial preloading is generally customary to avoid axial vibrations of the plug shaft and the resulting noise. For the transmission of torque from the disk on the motor side to the coupling element and from this to the disk on the valve shaft side, two tabs are bent from each of the two disks to the other disk and engage in recesses of the window-shaped coupling element. Such a configuration must allow thermal coupling of the drive member and the output member by means of point or linear contacts.

Another coupling in the form of a conical coil spring or a conical wire-wound spring between a socket-shaped coupling device on the clapper shaft and another coupling device which may be in the form of a a slot in the output shaft of an electric drive motor, is shown in DE 10 2009 016 597.

The devices of these documents do not, however, make it possible to satisfy in particular the ever-increasing requirements of valve stiffness, with precision and rotational stability in defined intermediate positions and without delay, including in the event of high flow rates and high gas turbulence. exhaust and high temperatures.

The devices of DE 10 2009 016 597 are therefore generally only implemented for the control of open and closed positions, since they are not suitable for precision control because of too loose helical or conical springs. Limits are here placed on the use of a stiffer spring wire, since this is associated with axial stress and with it greater wear of the bearings of the valve unit and the mechanism of actuator, precise intermediate positions and a restraint free of valve excitations which cannot be obtained as a result. In such solutions, the springs are also provided directly on the thermal axis and therefore in particular subjected to the corresponding stresses.

However, the devices according to FR 2 943 114 only make it possible to satisfy the aforementioned requirements under certain conditions, since the relatively high number of components required for the transmission of torque and of the elements engaged on each other to obtain an effective assembly imply relatively large tolerances, causing quite a lot of slack in the chain, which is itself the cause of wear and an even worse slack in operating condition, becoming ever greater due to jerky excitations very common in the exhaust gas stream. The elastic washer provided between the two coupling discs is subject to high thermal stress, especially since it is exposed to significant heat radiation between the two discs in the event of unfavorable convection.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the valve units known up to now and to allow control as precise as possible, with high reactivity, free of delay, insensitive to turbulent and frequent flow rates, of the medium passing through the valve device, at improve the heat resistance and life of devices used in intake or exhaust passage systems, in the latter case in particular in connection with cylinder deactivation, exhaust gas recirculation, for exhaust catalysts or to influence the combustion or exhaust noise, and which are subject to high thermal stress there. The assembly must also be simplified and the manufacturing cost reduced.

According to the invention, this is obtained for valve units of the aforementioned kind by means of measuring and preparing means where coupling devices provided integral in rotation respectively on the output shaft of the drive means and on the valve shaft are in direct drive by force correspondence and integrally in rotation with each other and/or by reduction of the components participating in the torque transmission and/or by a tolerance compensation and/or a take-up between the devices participating in the torque transmission and/or by more favorable thermal positioning and configuration of the energy accumulator exerting the axial force and/or by improving the thermal environment with respect to the energy accumulator energy, in particular by improving cooling.

The coupling devices can in this case be formed by a component, in particular disc-shaped, provided on at least one of the shafts, having a disc-shaped base body and at least one axial bridging section, such as a lug or a tab, can start from at least one of the coupling devices, preferably radially spaced from the base body in the direction of the other coupling device in form-matching engagement therewith. But the two shafts may also include devices, in particular disc-shaped components, in rotational engagement with the other device by means of legs, and the legs of the two coupling devices may also rest one on the other. 'other.

It is particularly advantageous for wear compensation and/or tolerance compensation measures to be provided between the coupling components engaging one in the other, which can in particular be achieved in a simple manner in that legs will engage in tapering recesses of the other mating component and seat there under preload. In the case of tabs of the first coupling component extending in the axial direction, these may rest on contours of slots extending inwards in the radial direction and narrowing in the other coupling component. coupling made in the form of a disc, and this under a prestressing of the legs directed radially inwards. The tolerances will thus be compensated between the coupling components engaged one in the other as well as the wear formed between them, as well as the axial and angular offset of the two shafts.

With such a design of the coupling components, the energy accumulator constraining the valve shaft can be provided between the coupling devices and produced in particular as an economical helical pressure spring or even as a spring washer, in particular for save space. The coupling itself will therefore consist of only two components participating in the transmission of torque, engaging one another with form correspondence in the peripheral direction, the chain of tolerance being thus reduced, the resistance to torsion increased, optimized cooling, in particular through better convection, and easier assembly.

The two coupling devices can in this case be provided fixed on the corresponding shafts, in the state p. ex. welded, matted, riveted, etc. In particular for assembly reasons, or if such welding, caulking or riveting is not envisaged, it may be advantageous to provide a rotary connection between at least one of the coupling components and the associated shaft. The coupling component designed as a disc-shaped component can for this purpose be in the form of a circular ring and therefore have a receiving opening for the shaft, a contour directed radially inwards starting from the inner contour of this one, p. ex. at least one radially inwardly directed lug or continuous bar extending through the opening, seated in an axial recess in the shaft, such as a slot. In this case, it will be particularly advantageous if a device is provided in addition between the disc-shaped or ring-shaped component and the device shaft, which will be suitable for ensuring automatic adjustment or compensation for wear. To this end, the slot provided in the shaft may be made by narrowing in the direction opposite to the end of the shaft, the lugs or the bar provided on the disc being able to penetrate it more deeply following wear under the constraint of the energy accumulator provided between the coupling devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic element may also be provided on the outside, in particular axially on the outside of the coupling devices, preferably on the face of the coupling device on the drive side, remote from the device. valve side coupling. The elastic element will thus be in a thermally more favorable position by being further away from the flow of exhaust gases. The first of the coupling devices, in most cases preferably the one on the valve side, can then be provided with lugs directed towards the coupling device on the drive side, which will be in rotational engagement with the latter, being fixed in radial slots of said disc-shaped coupling device. They may also pass axially through the coupling device on the axial drive side or project outwards from it and be constrained by a spring outside the coupling space, supported on the drive shaft. axial. An energy accumulator in the form of a spring washer will be particularly suitable for this purpose, which will rest against the axial drive shaft by the inner contour of its annular base body, on the one hand, and against tabs with axial extension of the coupling device on the valve side by fingers or tabs directed radially outwards, on the other hand, the valve shaft being elastically constrained. The coupling device on the drive side can in this case be made as previously described, as a circular ring component with a receiving opening and a bar passing through it, housed in a slot of the drive shaft and pressing against the narrowed slot contours. The spring washer provided axially behind may also be provided with a recess for the shaft and with a central bar passing through this recess, which will then be functionally narrower than the bar of the coupling device. The spring washer and the coupling device may be coupled by a fixed connection in the axial direction, such as a bayonet connection, so that the spring will draw the coupling component into the recess which tapers from the drive shaft.

One embodiment of the invention, however, provides that at least one of the coupling devices is itself formed by an elastic member, such as a disc-shaped elastic member, such as a disc- or a spring washer, in rotation with the corresponding shaft on the one hand, and with the other coupling device, on the other hand. In the latter case, at least one of these devices may comprise bridging sections directed towards the other, making it possible to achieve the connection in rotation between the coupling devices. For these thermal causes, it may be advantageous for the coupling device formed by the elastic member to be placed against the shaft on the drive side, being even further from the exhaust duct. Such an elastic member may be formed by a spring-washer with a base body in the form of a circular ring and tabs or fingers extending from it and engaging in slots of the other coupling device. Here too, the drive shaft will be able to penetrate into the reception opening of the base body of the spring washer, the reception opening being crossed by a central bar forming a connection by form correspondence with the shaft, this being pushed back by the spring washer, mounted in a pre-stressed state, in a slot which becomes thinner in the axial direction of the shaft, a connection by rotation automatically compensating for tolerances and wear being thus obtained between the elastic member and the drive shaft. The coupling device on the valve side may be formed by a coupling component fixedly provided on this shaft, provided with an annular or circular base body, from which tongues or arms extending axially in the direction of the washer– spring, on the end portions of which are provided V-shaped recesses which taper in the opposite direction to the arms or tabs of the spring washer which constrain them, so that a mechanism compensating for tolerances and wear between coupling devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, it will also be possible for a mechanism of the aforementioned kind, that the transmission of torque is not effected by immediate and direct meshing with each other of the first and second coupling devices provided integral in rotation on the shafts, but by inserting a third coupling device presented between the two coupling devices, a device allowing tolerance and/or wear compensation being provided by this aspect of the invention between at least one, and at least one other of the coupling devices. To this end, a coupling element may be used in the form of a plate spring, a disc spring or a spring washer, consisting of a circular base body, from which a plurality of tabs or arms start, p . ex. four, which extend in particular radially outwards and which have in their outer parts oblong recesses extending in the peripheral direction and or in the direction of the rope, where two tabs respectively starting from each of the devices of coupling, extending towards each other in the axial direction, with tapering zones. The tabs of the spring washer here preloaded in the axial direction ensure the axial preloading of the plug shaft and the compensation of tolerances and/or wear of the components and their contours, as well as an axial or angular offset of the shafts . Advantageously, the two coupling devices may consist of an annular base body, from which two tabs projecting in the radial direction. In combination with the tongue-shaped areas of the coupling devices and the coupling element, this will result in optimum heat dissipation by convection, because the annular base bodies of the coupling devices - as with the other Designs - as well as the disc-shaped basic body of the spring washer only have to be dimensioned with small diameters. The coupling device on the drive side and that on the output side can then be provided fixed on the associated shaft, or even at least one of the devices can, as described above, also have with its shaft a compensating connection for tolerance and/or d. 'wear.

Such a configuration of the coupling with three coupling devices will also make it possible to produce the first and/or the second coupling devices in the form of a spring washer, to provide their legs with recesses or axial bridging sections cooperating with bridging sections or recesses of the third coupling device.

It will also be advantageous if the bridging sections starting from the first coupling device are in particular irregularly distributed over the periphery, as well as the areas on the other coupling device with which they are connected by shape correspondence, so to allow the assembly of the components participating in the transmission of torque only in a defined position with respect to each other. Such a measure could also be advantageous for the connection points of the shaft and of the coupling device, in particular for those described above with automatic compensation of tolerances and wear, which could be obtained by asymmetrical arrangement of the slot in the shaft and the bar bridging the shaft.

The invention will be commented on in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 14.

These represent:

Fig. 1 to 4 a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 showing an exhaust valve unit seen in section, FIG. 2 a section along the line II-II of fig. 1, fig. 3 a perspective view of FIG. 1, and fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of a detail of FIG. 2,

Fig. 5 and 6 a fragment of an exhaust valve unit according to another variant of the invention, seen in elevation and in section along the line VI-VI,

Fig. 7 to 10 a fragment of an exhaust valve unit according to another variant of the invention, seen in elevation and in section along the line VIII–VIII, seen in the direction of the arrow IX and seen in perspective,

Fig. 11 to 14 a fragment of an exhaust valve unit according to another variant of the invention, seen in elevation, in section along lines XII-XII and XIII-XIII, and seen in perspective.

The exhaust valve unit 1 shown in fig. 1 to 4 consists of a tubular section 2 which contains two bearing bushes 3, 4 in which slide bearings 5, 6 are housed in which the valve shaft 7 is mounted. The bush 5 is made gas-tight by a cap 8. The valve 9 is attached to the valve shaft 7. The bearing 6 is functionally a gas-tight bearing, which is constructed, manufactured and mounted in accordance with German patent application 10 2013 003 981.9 (own reference: K 0200 ), which is fully incorporated into this application. On the side of the plain bearing 6, the shaft 7 protrudes a short length from the bearing and it is fixedly connected to a disc 10, in particular by being welded, matted, riveted, etc. Three bridging sections start from the annular basic body of the disc 10 and extend in the axial direction in the form of tongues 11 which engage in the slots 12 of a disc 13 and form a non-rotating connection between the shaft 7 and the disc 13. The disc 13 is, as will be described later, fixed in rotation to the output shaft 14 of a drive unit 15 composed of an electric motor and a gear. The discs 10 and 13 thus form the coupling devices of the coupling K1 which couples the output shaft 14 and the valve shaft 7, provided integral in rotation on these shafts. The disc 13 has a central recess 16 which plunges axially into the shaft 14, the central recess 16 being however crossed by a strip or bar 18 which extends over the recess 16, the shaft 14 is provided with a slot 17 with axial extension and surrounds the central bar 18 by the sides 19, 20 delimiting this slot, which results in a connection integral in rotation, but movable in the axial direction, of the shaft 14 and of the disc 13. A pressure spring helical 19 with axial prestress is placed between the discs 10 and 13, and elastically pushes the bar 18 into the bottom of the slot 17 while elastically constraining the valve shaft 7 via the disc 10. The connection between the shaft 14 and the coupling device in the form of the disc 13 is produced in such a way as to compensate for the tolerances and to compensate for wear, the bottom of the slot 17 being provided in the form of an arc of a circle, in other words going while thinning. Such a connection can also be made in a simple way, in that the shaft end 14 will be provided with a polygonal section, and will shrink or present a conical extension towards its end part, plunging by this part in an at least substantially corresponding recess of disc 13.

As it appears from fig. 4, a tolerance compensator and automatic adjustment device is also provided between the coupling devices 10 and 13. The radial slots 12a are here made by tapering radially towards the inside of the disc 13a and the tongues 11a are engaged therein elastic prestress directed radially inwards. The tolerances between the tabs 11a of the disc 10 and the slots 12a can thus be compensated, but also the tolerances of the disc-shaped base bodies 10 and 13, as well as the axial and angular offsets of the shafts 7 and 14. wear between the tongues 13a and the slots 12a is automatically taken up.

In the present embodiment, the drive unit 15 is connected by a removable connection to a receiving shell 20, which is housed by a shoulder 21 in a tubular bracket 22 where it is connected thereto, p . ex. by welding. The console 22 is connected to the tubular section 2, p. ex. by welding, and it has at least on the lower point of its attachment with the tubular section 2 at least two openings 23 allowing the evacuation of condensation water, dirt, etc., or serving for ventilation. At least one opening may however also be provided in the upper part of the console, an improved heat dissipation by air flow thus adding to the construction favoring convection. This embodiment is described by the application DE 10 2014 012 601 (own reference K 0214), which is fully incorporated into the present application.

The K2 coupling represented in fig. 5 and 6 consists of the first coupling device 26 with a circular ring base body, fixedly provided, in this case welded to the valve shaft 25, and the second coupling device 28 provided fixed in rotation but movable axially on the output shaft 27 of a drive means such as the drive unit of FIG. 1. Three tabs 29 starting from the disc body 26 cover the axial distance to the disc-shaped coupling component 28, pass axially through the slots 30 and produce with them a non-rotating connection between the two coupling devices. 26, 28. The shaft 27 is housed in an opening 31 of the disc 28, however traversed by a central bar 32 formed on the disc 28, itself fixed in the slot 33, a connection integral in rotation with the shaft 27 being thus carried out. As in the previous figures, a compensation of tolerances and a recovery of wear are also made possible here, the disc 28 being elastically clamped by its bar 32 in the narrowed slot contour. For this purpose, a spring in the form of a spring washer or disc spring 34 having an annular base body 35 with a recess or opening 36 and lugs or tabs 37 extending radially outside, is provided on the side of the coupling K2 or the second coupling device 28 remote from the valve shaft, in other words at a thermally favorable location. The lugs or tongues are prestressed in the axial direction during assembly and they also cause an axial prestress of the valve shaft 25. Like the disc 28, the opening 36 of the spring washer 34 is crossed by a bar 38, which is however thinner than the strip 32. The spring washer 34 is assembled to the second coupling element 28 by a bayonet connection; the spring washer is provided for this purpose with lugs 39 extending in the axial direction, which pass through the disc 28 by slots 40 formed therein and whose sections 41 oriented in the peripheral direction hold the disc 28 after guiding the lugs 39 in the slots 40 and rotation of the spring washer 34 relative to the disc. The spring 34 therefore pulls the bar 32 into the narrowed bottom of the slot 33 in the assembly state of the exhaust valve unit.

In the embodiment represented in FIG. 7 to 10, the first of the two coupling devices 47, 48 which transmit the torque from the output shaft 45 of a drive to the valve shaft 46, in this case the coupling piece 47, is provided on the remote side of the damper and is itself made as an elastic component. This has a circular ring-shaped base body 49 with a recess 50 and three lugs or tabs 51 extending from the circular ring-shaped base body 48, which in the illustrated assembly state rest under prestress in the axial direction on contours of slots 52 of the lugs 53, which extend from the annular base body 54 of the second coupling component 48, welded to the shaft 46, in the axial direction towards the first coupling component. The slots 52 are V-shaped, thin in the direction of effort of the spring washer tabs, so as to be able to compensate for the tolerances between the coupling components or their contours and the axial and angular offsets of the shafts, as well as wear on the tongues and on the contours of the slots 52. As in the preceding figures, the first coupling component 49 is here also provided with a bar 55 passing through the recess 50, which rests on narrowed slot contours 56 of the shaft 45, whereby a compensation of tolerances and wear is thus also made possible for the connection drive shaft 45/coupling component 47, and with it a precise control during the service life of the aggregate. Optimum heat dissipation will also be ensured by convection, because - seen in the axial direction of the coupling - the surface area of the disc-shaped components is significantly lower than that occupied by the legs on the periphery.

In coupling K 4 of the exhaust valve unit of figs. 11 to 14, the spring ensuring the transmission of torque as well as the axial preload is provided in the form of a spring washer 61, axially between the two coupling devices 62 and 63 as a third coupling device and between all components engaged with each other and participating in the torque transmission if they are not fixedly connected to each other, in other words a possibility of compensation of tolerances and wear is provided between the output shaft 64 of the drive and the coupling device 65, between the latter and the spring 61, and between the latter and the coupling device 63 fixed on the valve shaft 65, optimum cooling also being ensured.

The circular ring-shaped base body 66 of the coupling component 62 also has a recess 67 and a bar 68 extending therethrough, clamped by the axially preloaded spring 61 in the narrowed slot contour 69 of the shaft 64, the intermediate tolerances presented and the wear produced being thus compensated, which is clearly apparent in particular from FIG. 14. Starting from the base body 66 of the coupling device 62, two tabs 70 extend radially projecting from the latter then axially towards the other coupling device, and partially cross, by their end parts 71 which narrow, slots 72 in the arms 73 of the washer-spring which start from a circular basic body of the washer-spring 74 where they rest elastically by squeezing the arms 73 of the washer-spring in the first direction axial. The coupling component 63 is also provided with two tabs 76 starting from its base body 75 in a circular ring, in radial projection then in axial extension, the narrowed parts 77 of which partially pass through recesses 78 in the peripheral direction in the arms 79 starting of the basic body of the washer-spring, where they rest elastically by squeezing the arms 79 of the washer-spring in the other axial direction. This therefore also results in a possibility of compensating for tolerances and compensating for wear between the two coupling devices 62 and 63 fixed to the shafts 64 and 65 and the spring in the form of a torque transmitting disc. Arms, tongues or lugs protruding from the annular or circular base bodies of the coupling and spring bodies also ensure effective cooling and heat dissipation and thermal deformation of the components involved in torque transmission, in particular washers –springs used, will be practically excluded, or will be, if it should occur, compensated by the planned tolerance adjustment and/or wear compensation measures.

It is also advantageous to provide at least one of the pairs of contours in torque transmission engagement between them irregularly distributed p. ex. in the peripheral direction with respect to at least one other pair of such contours, in other words in FIG. 11 to 14, to distribute or configure irregularly p. ex. one of the tabs 70 and the arm 73 engages with it with respect to at least some of the others, to allow mounting in only one defined position of the components with respect to each other. It will likewise be advantageous to offset the slot and the central bar with respect to the center.

The invention further relates to a valve unit, such as an exhaust valve unit, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a valve body, a valve shaft mounted on and immersed therein. ci, on which is provided a valve located in the valve body and in which the valve shaft is operatively connected to a drive for rotating the valve, and in which the valve body and the drive are connected to each other the other by a support or a console in the state of assembly. Pneumatic or electric drives are used as drives or actuators, the latter in the form of electric motors with or without gears, the output shaft of which is connected by a coupling to the damper shaft.

Such valve units are used on internal combustion engines, in particular in an intake or exhaust passage system, and in the latter case in particular in connection with cylinder deactivation, exhaust gas recirculation , for exhaust catalysts or to influence combustion or exhaust noise. Due to the relatively high weight of the drive units - pneumatic or electric motors as mentioned above, the latter usually additionally coupled to a gear, and also provided with a coupling - and these drive units representing a strongly oscillating mass , especially during starting, but also during driving, the brackets or consoles are subjected to extremely high stresses.

Such supports or brackets serving as a connecting member between the valve body and the actuator are known in particular from the documents DE 10 2004 040 817 A1 and DE 195 26 143 A1 as supports made with an L shape.

Supports made with a U-shape, where the "branches" of the "U" are orthogonal to the flow direction or parallel to it and welded to the body, have in particular been disclosed by DE 10 2004 043 662 B3, DE 20 2006 003 593 U1, DE 10 2009 016 597 A1, DE 10 2009 013 815 A1 and a first embodiment of a console according to document DE 10 2009 011 951 B4.

Supports made with an L-shape should be considered the least suitable method of execution, for reasons of resistance. But U-shaped brackets exhibit a stiffness profile that is highly dependent on the excitation vector. Also the branches of the U-shaped brackets perpendicular to the extension of the duct have a resistance to tilting during dynamic excitations in the flow direction or in the longitudinal direction of the valve body, which is significantly lower than that during dynamic excitations orthogonal to the flow direction. Brackets with branches parallel to the direction of flow exhibit the opposite behavior. Both execution modes are critical, depending on the load and use case. Both L-shaped brackets and U-shaped brackets offer practically no protection for the bearing and joint against condensation water or splashing water, dust, salt and other impurities, and therefore against corrosion.

Some protection against the aforementioned influences is offered by the solutions of DE 699 27 323 T2 and US 20050109024 A1, but they involve complex manufacture and are expensive; they have a valve body as a molded part with a flange formed for fitting another flange, which supports yet another by means of a tubular part, the drive also provided with a flange being fixed on it.

The solutions of DE 696 11 604 and US 6,598,619 are at least as expensive.

An embodiment with a cylindrical valve body on which is mounted a U-shaped sheet metal support, where a retaining edge in the form of a collar or pipe is formed as a console, on which is fixed a protective part receiving the drive motor or an opposing molded edge retaining plate has been disclosed by DE 10 2010 027 930 A1. While it is true that the cylindrical bracket formed on the U-bracket here surrounds the closed bearing itself, the U-bracket nevertheless allows dust, water splashes, steam and dirt particles to penetrate. This embodiment is also expensive due to the relatively high number of relatively complex parts to manufacture, and the target length for such a console is limited.

It has also been attempted to manufacture the valve body and the console in a single piece of sheet metal, as shown in DE 94 19 537 U1. The valve body is made up of two symmetrical half-shells, preferably made by forging, the two half-shells each having a half-shell formed in one piece perpendicular to the axis of the body, the two half-shells being joined and receiving ceramic half-bearings for mounting the damper shaft. In addition, the half-shells formed in one piece on the valve body and which together constitute the console also serve to fix the drive, a piece of sheet metal being fixed for this purpose by its first end on the faces ends of the half-shells - which is logically only possible here by welding, and the other end of the sheet metal part supports the drive. Without even taking into account the expensive manufacturing, a precise assembly and with it the sealing at the level of the bearing are not guaranteed because of the manufacturing inaccuracies associated with the chosen process and therefore unavoidable when assembling the sheet metal parts without rectification. later. Thermal deformation is also unavoidable due to welding of the sheet metal part on the bracket holding the bearing and therefore on the bearing itself.

Also a clearly one-piece embodiment of the valve body with formed cylindrical bracket or formed cylindrical connecting piece for fastening the drive results from the second embodiment of DE 10 2009 011 951 B4 . A support is provided there between the connecting piece and the drive, which has on the one hand a holding section for the drive, and on the other hand a formed reception, corresponding to the connecting piece and by means of which the support and the connecting pipe are connected, in particular by welding. The length of the console is here also limited by the design, which represents a disadvantage due to the action of heat on the drive, in particular on its electrical, electronic or plastic components. Thermal deformation of the damper shaft bearing is also unavoidable by welding the reception and the connection pipe. The dimensioning of the diameter of the connecting pipe is also limited. In addition, splash water, dust, salt and other dirt or condensed water cannot be drained away when they penetrate, resulting in corrosion and malfunctions.

The present invention aims to produce improved valve units, which can in particular be manufactured in a simple and economical manner and are distinguished by great rigidity, in particular resistance to tilting, in particular of their console, and their operating reliability. An appropriate design must also make it possible to configure the rigidity of the brackets differently according to the directions, so as to provide areas of greater rigidity, opposite to the main direction of the dynamic excitations, which will in particular make it possible to obtain better resistance to loads and/or to save material. Finally, to reduce the effects of heat on the drive, the spacing between the exhaust duct and the drive should be optimized in a simple and economical way for maximum protection of the "inner life", so to speak, of the entire exhaust valve, as well as the bearing and its sealing, but also of the coupling, and the drive, against dust and dirt particles, projected water, salt, vapors and corrosion, optimum cooling must also be achieved.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that the console is made with a tubular shape. As its own, separately manufactured component, it is in this case positioned directly on the body via one of its end faces and is connected to it by material bonding, in particular by welding, laser beam welding being particularly indicated. The bracket is functionally radially spaced from the bearing bushing.

In many cases, it is advantageous for the console to be closed around its periphery, and thus surrounds a cavity, a circular ring-shaped cross-section being able to be the optimal solution, even with relatively small wall thicknesses, by its profile. of homogeneous rigidity also under significant excitations, including coming from different directions, and this all the more than a standard tube - economic profile tube can be implemented and that no expensive special tool will be required.

In some cases, it may also be advantageous, in particular for reasons of space, strength or cost, to provide the bracket with a cross-section other than annular, and to provide for this p. ex. polygonal, elliptical or similar. The bracket can in this case be oriented so that the parts with high bending resistance are directed towards the strongest excitations. The thickness of the material can thus be reduced.

In other cases of application, it may be advantageous for the bracket to be open at least partially on its periphery, i.e. p. ex. over its entire longitudinal extension, or at least over parts of its longitudinal extension on its periphery. For reasons of rigidity, among others, it may be advantageous for the wall to surround more than 180°, preferably more than 2/3, more precisely ¾, and very particularly 85% of the periphery, so as to leave only a narrow gap or gap. The axis of symmetry of the console is therefore included or surrounded, the lateral edges or longitudinally extending edges of the body are opposed to each other, the console tends in a way to have a closed shape. Since the peripheral edge by which the console rests on the body and is connected, in particular welded to it, exceeds the apex line of the curvature of the body, a high resistance to tilting is achieved, which saves material and space. In addition, the manufacture of such a console is simple and economical.

Here too, the bracket may, depending on the application profile, extend at least substantially circularly over its periphery, or have a shape other than circular, p. ex. with a polygonal cross-section, but also an elliptical or C-shape.

The longitudinal edges of such consoles open on their periphery may extend parallel to each other, but also, advantageously for defined cases of application, obliquely with respect to each other and/or not parallel to the axis of the console, or even deviate from a straight line.

Brackets closed on their periphery as well as those not closed on their periphery may, depending on their functional purpose, define a straight or oblique cylindrical cavity - in particular with respect to the axis of the body - or a conical or pyramidal cavity, but also a cavity of a shape different from those mentioned above.

In terms of resistance, it will be advantageous in most cases for the console to be welded all around the periphery to the exhaust duct if possible, in some cases it may be more advantageous to weld only occasionally, and in other cases exclude certain areas from welding.

This last possibility will be envisaged in particular in cases where, according to a complementary inventive concept, a clearance, in other words a spacing, will be provided on the lower parts of the bracket and of the body opposite one another. This spacing may be formed by a groove on the body and/or by a recess on the console. Such clearance will allow dirt or dust particles, water, salt, deposits, etc., present inside the console to exit, drain or be evacuated from it. , whereby corrosion is also prevented inside the exhaust valve, the bearing and the coupling. The recesses will also allow heat dissipation.

The provision of at least such clearance at the lowest point of the console / body assembly will be functional for both consoles closed and consoles not closed on their periphery. On open consoles, it may be wise to arrange it in such a way that the open part of the console associated with the body is the lower part.

In particular for consoles closed on their periphery, it could be advantageous that at least one opening is also provided in the upper part, to optimize the thermal conditions for the bearing, the coupling and the actuator with its electrical, electronic components or plastic. If a spacer such as a retaining plate is used to secure the drive to the console, it is a good idea to provide an opening between this and the console. For better heat dissipation, it may also be advantageous to perforate the console along its length, and it may be wise to provide this perforation in the direction least exposed to external influences such as splashing water.

It will also be advantageous for the console to be at least partially covered by a piece in the form of a cover on the side opposite the actuator, or sealed - except for the passage of the drive shaft - so that exhaust gases possibly escaping from the bearing, but also dust, humidity, etc., cannot get on or in the actuator with its plastic components, nor on the electrical and electronic components. The part in the form of a cover may also be provided with an edge folded over the axial parts of the bracket and welded to the bracket. This cover can also support a cover or retaining plate on which the drive will be fixed. A pipe can also be formed on the cover or retaining plate, preferably housed in the bracket where it will be centered.

The invention will be discussed in detail with reference to Figures 15 to 19. These represent:

Fig. 15 a valve unit or exhaust valve unit in the direction of the axis of the valve body,

Fig. 16 a section along the line II–II of fig. 15,

Fig. 17 a perspective view of a valve unit according to the invention,

Fig. 18 a variant, in accordance with the concept of the invention, corresponding to fragment IV of the. fig. 16, seen in enlargement,

Fig. 19 a fragment between the arrows V–V, with another feature of the invention.

As it appears from figs. 15 to 17, the valve unit A consists of a valve body 101 - preferably made of stainless steel - on which a valve shaft 104 is rotatably mounted by means of an upper bearing and a bearing 102 and 103. The valve 105, shown here in the open position, is fixed on the shaft 104. The bearings 102 and 103 each consist of a bearing bush 102a and 103a fixed to the body in a weathertight manner. gas, where a respective support 102b, 103b is provided. These bearings 102 and 103 may in particular be executed in accordance with German patent application P 10 2013 003 981, included in priority application P 10 2014 003 133, which are incorporated into the present application.

The drive for damper adjustment here consists of a drive unit 106 with electric motor and gear, which is attached to a retaining or protective plate 107. The retaining plate is here attached by means of a console 109 on the body 101, by inserting a cup-shaped sleeve 108, the retaining plate 107 being welded to the sleeve 108, the latter by its edge part 108a to the console 109 and the latter to the body 101 .

The cylindrical console 109, which can be made from a standard profiled tube, preferably stainless steel, is fitted to the contour of the body over practically the main part of its end part remote from the drive unit 106 - except for two recesses 109a in the bracket 109 - and it is connected by welding thereto. It is radially spaced from the bearing 102, so that the risk of thermal deformation is non-existent in this zone. On its end part remote from the body 101, the bracket 109 is made largely sealed by the sleeve 108 and by its bottom 108b, which has only a single recess 108c closely attached to the output shaft 110 of the unit. workout 106.

The output shaft 110 is - as also apparent from fig. 18 - connected to the valve shaft 104 by a coupling 111 which here consists of a disk 110a provided integral in rotation against the shaft 110, with radial slots on its outer periphery and, penetrating into these, axial tongues 104a of a disc 104b connected to the shaft 104, and which can be produced in accordance with one of the couplings described in the German patent application P 10 2013 019 956 - incorporated into the present application.

In cooperation with the body 101 and the sleeve 108, the bracket 109 seals the bearing 102 and the coupling 111 largely against the outside atmosphere and protects them against possible mechanical damage.

Contamination by dirt or dust particles, water, salt, is practically excluded, these can be removed together with the condensation water, deposits, residues of possible wear of the coupling or supports, by the interstices made in the form of the recesses 109a between the sleeve 109 and the body 101 and which are provided in the lowest parts in the state of assembly on the vehicle, where the console and the body are opposite -screw.

The opening 108c closely adjoining the shaft 110 largely protects the drive unit 106 against the possible escape of hot exhaust gases through the bearing.

It may also be advantageous to provide at least one opening at least in the upper part of the console 109 or of the socket 108, like that indicated by the reference sign 112, better heat dissipation thus being able to be obtained. This effect can be further improved if the console 109 or the socket 108 have several openings, such as those indicated by the reference sign 113, so if a perforation is practically provided.

As represented in fig. 18, the fixing of the drive unit on the console 109 could however also be carried out by means of a flange 107a formed on the retaining plate 107 and centered in a groove 109b of the console 109. The welding of the console 109 and retaining plate will be here directly performed.

The cylindrical conformation of the bracket shown here offers optimal rigidity for several applications, including strong dynamic excitations from different directions, as well as protection against dirt.

While Figs. 15 to 18 represent a console closed on its periphery, it is a console open on its periphery which is represented in fig. 19. The console 115 here has an elliptical basic shape, in this case the shape of a "C", it surrounds a cavity over more than half of its periphery, it is therefore closed over more than 180° around its axis of symmetry, has two longitudinal edges or edges 115a, 115b opposite to each other and tends towards a closed shape. It has great stability as a result. It can also be oriented by its open part so that it is in the direction of the weakest excitation. Material can thus be saved, even in wall thickness. It may also be judicious to provide the two edges 115a, 115b in the lowest parts of the console in the state of assembly on the vehicle. It may also be wise to provide a clearance, as indicated by reference sign 117, on the other lower part, also higher at the apex point, where the console and body face each other. As in the previous example of execution, openings or a perforation can also be provided in the console 115, to improve the thermal conditions.

The brackets according to the present invention may also be arranged or produced on the connection part, p. ex. depending on the available construction space, so that their axis is oblique to the axis of the connecting piece and/or passes against it. The axis may also deviate from a straight line.

Claims (36)

Valve unit, consisting of a tubular section, a valve shaft mounted on and immersed therein, on which is provided a valve disposed in the tubular section and where the valve shaft is operatively connected to a output shaft of a drive means by a coupling which comprises on each of the shafts a coupling device provided integral in rotation with said shaft, and where the valve shaft is forced by an energy accumulator in the axial direction , characterized in that the two coupling devices are in direct engagement by correspondence of shape and integrally in rotation with one another by means of at least one bridging section of at least one of the coupling devices opposite to the other. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy accumulator is an elastic member supported by the two coupling devices. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the energy accumulator is active between the two coupling devices. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device is arranged between the two coupling devices. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy accumulator is a helical pressure spring. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device is a spring washer. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the coupling devices is a disc-shaped component with lugs which extend in the axial direction. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 7, characterized in that the tabs are spaced from the radial component. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the further coupling device is a component with a disc-shaped basic body and with recesses which extend radially inward. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses which extend in radial direction have contours which narrow radially inwards, on which the tabs of the further device of coupling are supported under elastic prestress in the radial direction. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device is arranged outside the coupling space. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device is provided on the side opposite to the drive means. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the coupling devices is itself the energy storage device. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two coupling devices are fixedly connected to the shaft associated with them. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the coupling devices is however integrally rotatable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft associated with it. Valve unit, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tolerance compensating and / or wear compensating connection is provided between the axially movable coupling device and its shaft. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 16, characterized in that the axially displaceable coupling element is provided with a recess surrounding the shaft and engages in a slot axially extending the shaft by at least a section directed radially inward and starting from the interior contour of the recess. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 17, characterized in that the section is one passing through the recess. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the slot narrows as it moves away from the shaft end. Valve unit, in particular according to Claim 19, characterized in that the sides of the slot form an angle of between 2 and 10 °, preferably between 2 and 5 °. Valve unit, in which the energy accumulator is provided in the space outside the coupling devices, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the axial coupling components has legs which are rotatably engaged with the other coupling component, project axially therefrom and are constrained by the energy accumulator in the axial direction. Valve unit, in particular according to Claim 21, characterized in that the spring washer has an annular base body and is resiliently supported against the first coupling component by lugs which extend radially outward therefrom. . Valve unit, in particular according to claim 21, characterized in that the spring washer surrounds the shaft, preferably the drive shaft, by a recess provided in its annular base body and engages in the recess in slot axially extending the drive shaft by a contour extending from the interior contours of the recess. Valve unit, in particular according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the further coupling component and the spring washer are fixedly connected to each other in the axial direction. Valve unit, where one of the coupling devices is itself the elastic component, in particular in connection with one of claims 1, 3, 6 to 8, 12 to 20, 22, 23, characterized in that the elastic component has a base body in the form of a circular ring from which protruding radially outwardly tabs, which resiliently bear against the other coupling component. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 25, characterized in that the further coupling component is rotatably engaged with the tabs of the spring washer by axially extending tabs, in particular from a body of the valve spring. base in the form of a circle or circular ring. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 26, characterized in that the axially V-shaped tabs resiliently rest on narrowing slots in the tabs of the other coupling component. Valve unit, in particular according to claim 26, characterized in that the spring washer surrounds the shaft, preferably the drive shaft by a recess provided in its annular base body and engages in the recess at slot axially extending the drive shaft by a contour extending from the interior contours of the recess. Valve unit, consisting of a tubular section, a valve shaft mounted on and immersed therein, on which is provided a valve disposed in the tubular section and where the valve shaft is rotatably connected to an output shaft of a drive means, by a coupling which comprises on the output shaft of a drive means a first coupling device integrally connected in rotation thereto and a second device for coupling rotatably connected to the valve shaft, and in which the valve shaft is constrained by an energy accumulator in the axial direction, in particular according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 28, where, unlike According to claim 1, there is provided a third coupling device on the torque transmission stroke between the first and second coupling devices, and wherein at least one of the coupling devices is an elastic component with individual sections exerting a fo Axially directional spring rce, at least one of the coupling devices having axially extending bridging sections with end portions which tapering and partially dipping and resting under elastic preload in provided recesses in at least one of the other coupling devices, and are in torque transmission engagement therewith. Valve unit according to claim 29, characterized in that the third coupling device is the elastic component having arms which extend radially outward from a central base body, on the end portions of which are provided. recesses in which bridging sections are supported with torque transmission extending from the annular base bodies of the first and second coupling devices and extending axially towards the respective other coupling device, partially dipping by their narrowed parts. Valve unit according to claim 29, characterized in that the first and / or the second coupling devices are the resilient component having arms which extend radially outward from a central annular base body, on the parts. at the end of which recesses are provided in which, with torque transmission, rest the bridging sections starting from the annular base body of the third coupling device and extending axially in the direction of the first and second coupling devices, by partially plunging through their narrowed parts. Valve unit according to claim 29, characterized in that the third coupling device is the resilient component having arms which extend radially outward from a central base body, from which radial end portions depart. Bridge sections extending axially towards one of the other respective coupling devices and bearing with torque transmission by partially dipping through their narrowed parts into recesses provided in the first and second coupling devices. Valve unit, in particular according to one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the recesses as well as the axially extending bridging sections are provided in or on radially outer parts of the arms projecting radially from the bodies annular bases of the first and second radial coupling devices. Valve unit, in particular according to one of Claims 29 to 33, characterized in that a connection according to one of Claims 15 to 20 or 28 is provided between the basic body formed in the form of a circular ring of the first and / or the second coupling devices and the associated shaft. Valve unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pairs of contours of the coupling in torque transmission engagement between them is provided with an irregular distribution and / or a slot and a central bar are offset together from the center with respect to at least one other pair of such contours. A valve unit, such as an exhaust valve unit for a motor vehicle, composed of a valve body, a valve shaft mounted on and immersed therein, on which is provided a valve arranged in the valve body and where the valve shaft is operatively connected to a drive for rotating the valve, and where the valve body and the driver are connected to each other by a bracket in assembled condition, characterized in that the console is a tubular profiled part attached to the valve body.