FR3135503A1 - PROPORTIONAL ROTARY VALVE - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a housing (2) and a core (4), said housing (2) comprising a side wall (8), two end walls (6, 10) delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which the core is housed (4) capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, one of the end walls (6) comprising a supply orifice (11), the side wall of the housing comprising at least 2 orifices outlet (12, 20), which open into the hydraulic chamber, the core (4) comprising a side surface (32) facing the side wall (8), an inlet face (18) facing the supply port (11), a side outlet (34), allowing a supply of each of said outlet ports (12, 20) individually according to the angular position of the core in the housing, said side outlet (34) of the core having a shape allowing, in at least one other angular position, a partial supply of the 2 outlet orifices simultaneously. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

PROPORTIONAL ROTARY VALVE

TECHNICAL AREA AND STATE OF PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a rotary valve or a hydraulic distributor, for example used for cooling in the field of the automobile industry, the valve or distributor being preferably electrically actuated. The invention also applies to the distribution of a fuel cell cooling fluid.

In the automotive field, the use of hydraulic valves or distributors is common to cool certain parts of the engine, for example these are motorized valves with 1 or 2 inlet(s) and 2 outlets and solenoid valves with 1 inlet and 2 exits. These valves or distributors are generally controlled by means of an electric motor.

There are several types of hydraulic valves or distributors (the following description uses the term "distributor", but it should be understood to also apply to a valve), including spool valves and rotary distributors.

Rotary distributors, also called plug distributors, comprise a housing delimiting a cylindrical chamber of revolution provided with at least one fluid inlet intended to be connected to a source of liquid, and at least one fluid outlet intended to be connected to a pipe to lead the liquid to the area to be cooled. The inlet and outlet open into the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The distributor also has a rotating central portion or core mounted in the chamber. The core has an external surface of revolution facing the cylindrical wall of the chamber. The core has at least two holes in its outer surface connected by a channel. The two orifices are oriented relative to each other so that, when one of the orifices is facing the inlet, the other is facing the outlet. Thus by rotating the core in the chamber, we can allow or interrupt the circulation between the inlet and the outlet and therefore the circulation between the liquid source and the zone to be cooled.

Such a distributor is generally supplied laterally, the lateral inlet of fluid generating a torque which acts on the entire device. One problem is to produce a dispensing device making it possible to solve this problem.

Another problem is to produce a rotary distributor device making it possible to distribute a fluid simultaneously and proportionally between two distributor outlets. Indeed, we do not know of any device which can distribute a fluid between two outlets, according to a predetermined distribution.

Furthermore, a seal between the core and the housing is usually obtained by using seals, which poses the problem of monitoring the state of these seals and, also, of producing the device which must provide grooves in which these joints are positioned. This results in a device and a production method which are complex. However, we are seeking to produce distributors with a simple, reliable design and comprising a reduced number of components.

Another problem is that of driving a rotary distributor device: we are looking for a simple drive system, which makes it possible to easily transmit a movement from an actuator to the core.

There is also the problem of automatically returning the core to an equilibrium position when it has been taken to another position, for example to supply a conduit.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to offer a reliable rotary hydraulic distributor of simplified manufacturing compared to the hydraulic distributors of the state of the art.

It is another aim of the present invention to offer a rotary hydraulic distributor making it possible to solve at least one of the problems exposed above.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a rotary hydraulic distributor comprising a housing and a rotating central part, or core, the housing comprising a cylindrical chamber of revolution receiving the core. The wall of the box or the chamber has at least 2 outlet orifices, which open into the hydraulic chamber.

The core has a side surface facing the interior wall of the housing. It preferably comprises an inlet facing the supply orifice, a side outlet and a conduit which connects said inlet and said outlet. Thus, each of said outlet orifices is supplied individually in each of a ^1st angular position and a ^2nd angular position of the core in the housing. Preferably, the lateral outlet of the core has a shape such that, in at least one other intermediate angular position, a partial supply of the 2 outlet orifices is carried out simultaneously.

In a particular embodiment, the supply orifice is coaxial with the axis of rotation or extends so that the axis of rotation is perpendicular to it or substantially perpendicular. Thus, a fluid supply takes place in a direction aligned with the axis of rotation, which greatly reduces the torque produced by the fluid when it is introduced into the distributor.

The subject of the invention is then a hydraulic rotary distributor device comprising a housing and a core, said housing comprising a side wall, two end walls delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which is housed the core capable of rotating in said chamber around 'an axis (XX') of rotation, one of the end walls comprising a supply orifice which extends substantially perpendicular to said axis (XX') of rotation, the side wall of the housing comprising at least 2 outlet orifices, which open into the hydraulic chamber, the core comprising a lateral surface facing the side wall of the housing, an inlet face facing the supply orifice, a lateral outlet and a conduit, which connects said face of inlet and said lateral outlet, and which allows a supply of each of said outlet orifices individually in each of a ^1st angular position and a ^2nd angular position of the core in the housing, said lateral outlet of the core having a shape allowing , in at least one other, or in several, intermediate angular position(s) between said ^1st angular position and said ^2nd angular position, a partial supply of the 2 outlet orifices simultaneously.

In one embodiment of a device according to the invention according to one or other of the definitions above or as described in the remainder of this application, the lateral outlet of the core has:
- an angular opening, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the core, greater than the angle which separates, in the same plane, the 2 outlets in the side wall;
- or the distance which separates the 2 points farthest from the side outlet is greater than the distance which separates the 2 outlet holes of the housing.

Thus there are positions of the core in which the fluid is directed partly towards the ^1st outlet of the side wall and, simultaneously, partly towards the ^2nd outlet of the side wall. A rotation of the core makes it possible to vary or adjust the flows sent to each of these 2 outputs, the increase in the flow towards one of them going hand in hand with the reduction in the flow towards the other. A device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to achieve a proportional distribution of the fluid between two of its outlets.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the lateral outlet of the core has an oblong or oval or ellipsoidal shape.

According to a particular embodiment, a hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention may comprise one/the interior conduit to the core which connects the inlet of the core and the lateral outlet thereof, this conduit having a section, perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow, which increases from the inlet to the lateral outlet of the core. This increase allows a reduction in pressure losses.

For example, the section of this internal conduit gradually increases by a value of between 1% and 3% for any increase of between 7° and 12°, for example 10°, of an angle measured between the face of inlet containing the core opening and a plane perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow.

In a hydraulic rotary distributor, for example according to the invention as described above and in the present application, the seal between the 2 outlet channels can be ensured by the narrow passage or the small clearance, for example between 50 µm and 200 µm or even 300 µm (for example: 250 µm, in particular for a leak of 1% of 700 l/min), between this side surface and the side wall. Thus, the distributor does not implement additional means such as seals.

The invention also relates to a hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a housing and a core, said housing comprising a side wall, two end walls delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which is housed the core capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, at least one supply orifice, and at least one outlet orifice, which open(s) into the hydraulic chamber, the core comprising a side surface facing the side wall of the housing, an opening input, at least one lateral outlet and a conduit, or a chamber, which connects said inlet face and said lateral outlet, allowing supply to each of said outlet orifices as a function of the angular position of the core in the housing, the seal between the side surface of the core and the side wall of the housing being ensured by the narrow passage or the small clearance, for example between 50 µm and 200 µm or even 300 µm (for example: 250 µ), between this surface side and this side wall.

A hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention may further comprise return means for returning the core to an equilibrium or initial position after having been taken to a position separated from this equilibrium or initial position.

For example, these return means comprise a torsion spring, one end of which is fixed to the core and another end is fixed to a part of the distributor which remains fixed when the core is rotated.

According to yet another embodiment, the core may include coupling means for coupling the end of a shaft of an actuator to the core.

For example, the coupling means comprise a part provided with a groove for receiving the end of a shaft of an actuator, the core comprising a housing capable of receiving said part, so that the latter transmits a rotation of the tree at the core.

Said part, as well as the housing, have for example a cylindrical shape, and the part can be provided with a lug of parallelepiped shape, made on an end surface of said cylinder, the housing comprising a space for receiving said lug, this reception space also having a parallelepiped shape, so that the lug ensures the transmission of rotation to the core.

Preferably, the groove and the lug extend in directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, which makes it possible to compensate for coaxiality or alignment defects along the axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

According to another example, said part, as well as the housing, each have a parallelepiped shape, so that the part ensures the transmission of rotation to the core.

In addition, a device according to the invention may include means for limiting its movement or angular movement in rotation when it is driven by an actuator. For example, the core includes a slot of circular shape, which is stopped by a stop, in an initial position of the core, then in a maximum position of the latter.

Advantageously, the housing and/or the core is or are made of molded plastic, which makes it possible to reduce the mass of the distributor and the manufacturing time.

For example, the housing and/or the core are made of plastic.

The present application also relates to a hydraulic rotary solenoid valve comprising a distributor according to one of the preceding claims and an actuator, for example a motor or a geared motor, driving the core in rotation.

For example, the actuator includes an output shaft aligned along the axis (XX') of rotation.

The invention also relates to a method of distributing a fluid using a hydraulic rotary electrodistributor according to the invention, the fluid being introduced through the supply orifice, for example in the direction of the axis ( XX') of rotation or perpendicular to it, and being guided by the internal conduit of the core towards the lateral outlet thereof then, depending on the orientation of the core in the housing, towards one and/or the other of the 2 outlet ports.

According to one example, the fluid is a mixture of water and glycol, for example 60% water and 40% glycol. This fluid is suitable, for example, for cooling a fuel cell.

The present invention will be better understood on the basis of the description which follows and the appended drawings in which:

is an exploded view of an example of a hydraulic rotary distributor according to the invention comprising one inlet and two outlets.

is a perspective view of the rotating central part of the distributor of the .

is a front view of the rotating central part of the distributor of the .

is a side view of the conduit of the central rotating part of the distributor of the .

is a top view of the housing and core of the distributor, allowing partial flow to each of the 2 outlet channels.

is a top view of the housing and core of the distributor in a ^1st switching state, allowing flow only to one of the 2 distributor outlet channels.

is a top view of the housing and core of the valve in a ^2nd switching state, allowing flow only to the other of the 2 valve output paths.

is a view of a compartment of a lower part of the core for accommodating means of coupling with a shaft of an actuator.

is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the coupling means making it possible to couple the core with a shaft of an actuator.

is a view of another embodiment of the coupling means making it possible to couple the core with a shaft of an actuator.

is a view illustrating an embodiment of return means making it possible to return the core to an initial position.

is a view of a distributor according to the invention, with axial feed.

represent steps for producing a core of a rotary hydraulic distributor according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

On the , we can see an exemplary embodiment of a rotary hydraulic distributor according to the invention comprising one inlet and two outlets. It will be understood that the distributor may have one or more outlets.

The distributor D comprises a housing 2 or valve body, of essentially cylindrical shape of revolution around the axis XX', and a central part 4, designated core, mounted in the housing 2 and able to rotate therein.

In the example shown, the housing 2 comprises a bottom 6 and a side wall 8 substantially cylindrical in one piece, and an inlet cover 10 which has an opening 11 through which the fluid enters the device; the fluid therefore flows in a direction aligned with the axis XX', then is distributed, by the core 4, towards one or more side outlets of the housing. The inlet cover 10 is for example assembled or secured to the housing 2 in a removable manner, for example by screws, or in a fixed manner, for example by welding, for example also by ultrasonic welding (in particular if the parts are made of material plastic).

It should be noted that the coaxial arrival of the fluid makes it possible to reduce the torque produced by it throughout the distributor. This is advantageous whatever the flow rate of the fluid, but particularly for high flow rates, for example between 200 and 700 liters per minute. The housing 2 comprises a first outlet 20 formed in the side wall 8, which can be extended by a ^1st conduit (not shown in the figure) intended for example to bring the liquid to a given zone, for example a zone to be cool, and a second outlet 12, which can be extended by a ^2nd conduit (not shown in the figure) intended for example also to bring the liquid towards a given zone, for example another zone to be cooled. These conduits are for example welded on the base of the orifices 12 and 20 respectively. Housing 2 defines a hydraulic chamber 26. The outlet orifices 12 and 20 are distributed angularly on the side wall around the axis XX'.

The housing 2 also includes a motor cover 18, which can for example be assembled or secured to the housing 2 in a removable manner, for example by screws, or in a fixed manner, for example by welding, for example also by ultrasonic welding (in particular if the parts are made of plastic material). The entire device is actuated by an actuator 33 (for example a motor or a geared motor). Coupling means, or a member, 36 connect a shaft of the actuator to the core 4 in order to cause the latter to rotate around the axis XX'.

Adaptation means 39, comprising for example a crown 391 and fixing means 392, for example screws, can be provided to assemble the actuator 33 with the cover 18. The axis of the actuator passes through the central hole of the crown.

The device of the is shown assembled in .

In Figures 2A and 2B, we can see the core 4 also having a cylindrical shape of revolution of axis XX'. This core 4 is mounted in the hydraulic chamber, in which it is able to rotate around the axis XX'. It has two end faces 28, 30 and a side surface 32.

When this core 4 is mounted in the hydraulic chamber, its end face 28 faces the bottom of the housing 2 (located on the actuator side) and its end face 30 faces the cover 10. The face end 30 has an opening 31 intended to be aligned with the opening 11 of the cover 10 in order to accommodate the flow of fluid which flows along the axis XX'. The lateral surface 32 of the core 4 has a lateral opening 34, which will make it possible to guide the fluid towards one or more of the outlet orifices 12, 20. A ball bearing 37 can be provided, to ensure the rotational guidance of the core 4 in box 2; Furthermore, a static seal may advantageously be provided between the housing 2 and the cover 10 to prevent liquid leaks. Likewise, one or more seal(s) 40 is/are advantageously provided between the end face 6 and the cover 18 to prevent liquid leaks. The reference 37’ also designates a ball bearing.

A conduit 38 connects the fluid inlet opening 31 into the core 4 and the fluid outlet opening 34 from the core. The shape of this conduit is shown in more detail in . Preferably, this conduit widens from the inlet opening 31, which is for example circular, towards the outlet opening 34, which is preferably of elongated shape as explained below.

A plane P, substantially orthogonal to the direction of flow of the fluid, is represented in : this plane P makes an angle α with a plane P ₀ , parallel to the plane in which the inlet opening 31 is located. The intersection of this plane P with the conduit 38 has a surface S, which increases, for example linearly, as the angle α increases. This progressive increase allows a reduction in pressure losses.

We indicate, in the table below, for different values of the angle α, different values of the surface S which, as already indicated above, increases progressively as the increase in l angle α.
[Table]

In its final part, while the angle α is equal to 90°, the surface S can further increase as can be understood from the table above (see the difference between the value of S for 90° and the “final” value ).

For example, for each increase in the angle α of 10°, or more generally between 7° and 12° , the surface S can be increased by a relative value of between 1 and 3%, for example 2%.

Preferably, the outlet orifice 34 has, in projection in a plane parallel to the axis XX' and perpendicular to the direction of outlet of the fluid, an elongated or oblong shape along an axis YY' substantially perpendicular to the 'XX axis'. For example, this projection of the outlet has an ellipsoidal shape, the major axis of the ellipsoid extends coincident with the axis YY'.

The distance d ( ) between the points most distant from this opening along the axis YY' is preferably greater than the distance d ₁ which separates 2 neighboring outlet openings 12, 20, from the rotation housing 2, as illustrated in , which represents, schematically, the housing 2, with its 2 outlets 12, 20 and the core 4 with its outlet orifice 34. On the , the latter opens partially onto outlet 12 and partially onto outlet 20, thus allowing a ^1st flow F12 to flow through outlet 12 and a ^2nd flow F20 to flow through outlet 20. The ratio of these flows can be modified by modifying, using the actuator 33, the orientation of the core 4 in the housing 2: for several positions of the core, the orifice 34 opens partially onto the outlet 12 and partially onto the outlet 20 and, for each of these positions, the flow ratio is different from what it is in the other positions.

In certain positions, the outlet orifice 34 can open only into one or the other of the outlets 12, 20. This is what is represented in Figures 5A (exit of the flow entirely towards the outlet 20) and 5B ( output of the flow entirely to output 12).

Preferably, the clearance between the core 4 and the interior surface of the housing 2 makes it possible to ensure sealing between 2 neighboring outlet channels 12, 20, without implementing a seal. This helps avoid:

- additional friction (between the seal and the interior surface of the housing 2 or between the seal and the exterior surface of the core 4);

- monitoring of the condition of the seal and a replacement step when it is worn.

To this end, we can calculate the maximum clearance h to be implemented between the exterior surface of the core and the interior surface of the housing 2. We can model the slot by a system consisting of 2 plates, arranged between the 2 outlets and separated by a width b over a length l, the slot having a thickness h; one of the outlets is at a pressure p1 (upstream pressure) while the other outlet is at a pressure p2 (downstream pressure, p1>p2). The fluid having a dynamic viscosity η, we apply the following formula, which gives the flow rate dV/dt of the leak:

For :
- a fluid consisting of a mixture of water (60%) and glycol (40%);
- having a viscosity, at 100°C, of 2x10 ^-3 Pa.s,
- a pressure difference (p1-p2) of 1 bar,
- values of b = 4.5 x10 ^-2 m and L = 1.77 x10 ^-2 m,

This results in a maximum clearance of 1.85 x10 ^-4 m at the radius in order to have a maximum leak rate of 4 l per minute.

Depending on the desired maximum leak rate, the viscosity of the fluid (which itself can depend on the temperature), the geometric parameters, the pressure difference, the above formula can be adapted. The dimensions of parts 2, 4 actually obtained during manufacturing can then be compared to the maximum clearance obtained according to the modeling above, in order to check whether these parts will meet the desired sealing requirement.

Generally speaking, we will choose the operating temperature which results in the lowest viscosity, since the flow rate of the leak is inversely proportional to the viscosity. This temperature is most often the maximum use temperature. For example, for an application to a cooling fluid used between - 40°C and + 100°C, we will use the latter value of 100°C.

More generally, the clearance will for example be between 50 µm and 200 µm or even 300 µm (for example: 250 µm, in particular for a leak of 1% of 700 l/min).

This seal without seal can be applied not only to the distributors described above in connection with Figures 1 - 3 but also to any other distributor using a rotating element in a distribution body, in particular to any distributor:
- comprising an injection of the fluid, not axially (along the axis XX') as described above, but laterally to the body 2 ; in this case, the housing and the core each have a fluid inlet in the side wall 8 and in the side surface 32;
- and/or for which the core comprises a distribution channel of uniform section and whose end, located opposite the outlet orifice(s), may have an elongated shape as described above or have a circular shape which corresponds, or is identical, to the sections of the openings 12, 20.

Consequently, the seal can be ensured by the narrow passage or the small clearance between this side surface and this side wall.

The coupling means 36 of a device as described above can have the shape shown in Figures 1 and 6, 7: these means have for example the shape of a cylinder ( ) in the lower part of which a groove 361 is made which makes it possible to receive the end of the shaft 330 of the actuator 33 (see the ). The coupling part 36 is itself housed in a lower compartment 41 of the core 4 (see Figures 6 and 7) and comprises, in its upper part, a lug 360, for example of parallelepiped shape, which makes it possible to actuate the core 4 in rotation when the shaft 330 activates the part 36 also in rotation. Preferably, the groove 361 extends in a direction perpendicular to the lug, which makes it possible to compensate for or recover from coaxiality or alignment defects along the 2 axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation XX'.

The lower compartment 41 of the core 4 has a shape complementary to that of part 36: in particular, it has 1 slot 282 in which the lug 360 is inserted.

Alternatively (see ), The coupling means 36' have a parallelepiped shape in the lower part has a slot 361' which makes it possible to receive the end of the shaft 330 of the actuator 33. This part 36' is itself housed in the lower compartment 41 of the core 4 (see Figures 6 and 7) which is of parallelepiped shape, so that, when the actuator 33 drives the part 36' in rotation, the latter in turn drives the core 4 in rotation.

Advantageously, the lower face 28 of the core 4 has a circular groove 280 (see Figures 1, 5 and 6) which makes it possible to accommodate a pin 181 connected to the engine cover 18: this pin forms a stop for the movement of the core 4 when this is rotated by the actuator 33. The stop stops or limits the travel of the slot, in an initial position of the core, then in a maximum position of the latter; the initial position can correspond to a flow of 0 in output 20, the final position can correspond to a flow of 0 in output 12.

According to another aspect of the invention, a return spring, for example a torsion spring can be connected, by one of its ends, to the core 4 and, by its other end, to a part which remains fixed when the core is rotated, for example the cover or end piece 10. Thus, the actuator 33 can cause the core to rotate from a ^1st position to a ^2nd position, stopping the actuation of the actuator automatically returning the core to its ^1st position, or initial position. For example, the device can be in a rest position in which the fluid flows towards the outlet 12, the actuator driving the core 4 towards a position in which the fluid flows towards the outlet 20, the stopping of the actuation of the actuator automatically causing the core to return to its initial position, that is to say towards the position in which the fluid flows towards the outlet 12. This aspect of the invention is illustrated in , on which we see a torsion spring 60, one end 61 of which is connected to the upper part 30 of the core 4 and the other end 63 of which is connected to an interior part of the inlet cover 10.

The coupling means 36, and their housing in a lower compartment of the core 4, and/or the return means which have been described above in connection with Figures 6-8 can be applied not only to the distributor described above above in connection with Figures 1 - 3 but also to any other distributor using a rotating element in a distribution body, in particular to any distributor:
- comprising an injection of the fluid, not axially (along the axis XX') as described above, but laterally to the body 2 ;
- and/or for which the core comprises a distribution channel of uniform section and whose end located opposite the outlet orifice(s) may have an elongated shape as described above or have a circular shape which corresponds to the sections of the openings 12, 20.

Preferably, the housing 2 and the core 4 are made of plastic material reducing the mass of the distributor, which is particularly favorable in the automotive field. In addition, the plastic material is advantageously loaded with a friction-reducing material. For example, the housing and/or the core are made of polyphthalamide, for example of the PA6T/6I-GF30 type, very advantageously loaded with PTFE.

In addition, they are preferably made by injection molding which simplifies their manufacture. Concerning the core, it is possible to produce a shape of the inner conduit 38, for example in 2 parts 38-1 and 38-2 as illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, then to mold the core by injection around this shape; in these figures, the shape in 2 parts 38-1 and 38-2 also has a section which increases, but less progressively than in the case of the .

However, the housing and the core can be made of metallic material, for example stainless steel or aluminum. The stresses on the surface conditions of the interior surface of the housing and the surface of the core are significantly reduced because they do not ensure sealing.

There represents an achievement of the entire distributor of the , after assembly. The references are those already described above in connection with the . The cooling fluid enters this device through the opening 11, in the direction of the axis around which the rotation of the core is carried out by the actuator 33. The actuator is for example an MR geared motor whose output shaft is coupled to core 4, for example as already described above. The gear motor is for example that described in application WO2019/129984 .

The operation of the distributor will now be described.

The supply inlet 11 is connected to a source of pressurized liquid, for example a pump connected to a liquid reservoir, and the two outlet ports 12, 20 are connected for example to a thermal or electric motor to be cooled.

When it is desired to supply the outlet orifice 20 with a maximum flow rate, the core 4 is rotated around the axis circulates from the supply port 18 to the outlet port 20 through the conduit 38 as shown in the .

When it is desired to supply the outlet 12 with a maximum flow rate, the core 4 is rotated around the axis XX', so as to align the outlet 34 with the outlet 20, the conduit 38 then connecting the supply port 11 and the outlet port 20, as shown in the .

As already explained above, the core 4 can take any intermediate angular position to ensure a proportional supply of the outlet orifices 12 and 20.

Other relative angular orientations of outputs 12 and 20 are possible.

The invention makes it possible to offer a distributor with reliable operation while significantly relaxing the constraints on dimensions, surface conditions, required materials and manufacturing processes.

The example described comprises a supply orifice and two outlet orifices, but as mentioned above the present invention also applies to distributors comprising an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, or an orifice supply and more than two outlet orifices, and to distributors having two supply orifices; a distributor according to the invention may comprise two axial fluid inlets, the actuator being able to be offset to allow the passage of fluid into the second end or more and one or more outlet orifices. Configurations with multiple inlet ports and multiple outlet ports can implement cores with multiple cavities or recesses 43 to allow multiple flows simultaneously or not in the distributor.

The distributor, in particular associated with the gear motor, is particularly suitable for applications in the automotive field (heat engine or electric motor) due to its reduced mass.

The distributor according to the present invention is suitable for equipping all vehicles with thermal, hybrid or electric engines, implementing for example temperature regulation system(s) and/or temperature control system(s). airflow direction.

Claims (22)

Hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a housing (2) and a core (4), said housing (2) comprising a side wall (8), two end walls (6, 10) delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which the core is housed (4) capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, one of the end walls (6) comprising a supply orifice (11) which extends substantially perpendicular to said axis (XX' ) of rotation, the side wall of the housing comprising at least 2 outlet orifices (12, 20), which open into the hydraulic chamber, the core (4) comprising a side surface (32) facing the side wall (8) of the housing (2), an inlet face (18) facing the supply port (11), a lateral outlet (34) and an internal conduit (38) which connects said inlet face (18) and said lateral outlet (34), allowing a supply of each of said outlet orifices (12, 20) individually in each of a ^1st angular position and a angular position of the core in the housing, said lateral outlet (34) of the core having a shape allowing, in at least one other intermediate angular position between said angular position and said angular position, partial supply of the 2 outlet ports simultaneously. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 1, in which said lateral outlet (34) of the core has an oblong or oval or ellipsoidal shape, elongated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis (XX') of rotation. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the distance which separates the 2 points furthest from said lateral outlet (34) of the core is greater than the distance which separates the 2 outlet orifices (12,20 ) of the housing (2). Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which said internal conduit (38) of the core connects the inlet face (18) of the core and said lateral outlet (34) of the core, this conduit having a section, perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow, which increases from the inlet (18) towards said lateral outlet (34). Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 4, in which the section of the internal conduit (38) gradually increases by a value of between 1% and 3% for any increase, of between 7° and 12°, of a measured angle between the inlet face (18) of the core and a plane perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the seal between the 2 outlet channels is ensured by the clearance or the slight clearance between this side surface and this side wall. Hydraulic rotary distributor comprising a housing (2) and a core (4), said housing (2) comprising a side wall (8), two end walls (6, 10) delimiting a hydraulic chamber, in which the core is housed (4) capable of rotating in said chamber around an axis (XX') of rotation, at least one supply orifice (11), and at least one outlet orifice (12, 20), which opens into in the hydraulic chamber, the core (4) comprising a side surface (32) facing the side wall (8) of the housing (2), an inlet opening (18), at least one side outlet (34) and a conduit (38) or a chamber which connects said inlet face (18) and said lateral outlet (34) and which allows supply to each of said outlet orifices (12, 20) as a function of the angular position of the core in the housing, the seal between the side surface of the core and the side wall of the housing (2) being ensured by the narrow passage or the small clearance between this side surface and this side wall. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 6 or 7, in which the seal between the 2 outlet channels is ensured by the passage or the clearance between the side surface and the side wall, this passage or this clearance being between 50 µm and 300 µm. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising return means (60,61, 63) for returning the core (4) to an equilibrium or initial position after having been rotated in a position separated from this equilibrium or initial position. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 9, said return means (60,61, 63) comprising a torsion spring, one end of which is fixed to the core (4) and another end is fixed to a part of the distributor which remains fixed when the core (4) is rotated. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 10, the core (4) comprising coupling means (28, 36, 36', 282) for coupling the end of a shaft (330) of an actuator (33) to the core (4). Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 11, the coupling means (28, 36, 36', 282) comprising a part (36, 36') provided with a slot (361,361) for receiving the end of a shaft ( 330) of an actuator (33), the core (4) comprising a housing (41) capable of receiving said part (36, 36'), so that the latter transmits a rotation of the shaft to the core. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 12, said part (36, 36'), as well as the housing (41), having a cylindrical shape, and being provided with a lug (360) of parallelepiped shape, the housing (41) comprising a reception space (282) of said lug. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 12, said part (36, 36') as well as the housing (41) having a parallelepiped shape. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of claims 1 to 14, the core (4) comprising means (280) for guiding in rotation when it is rotated by an actuator (33). Hydraulic rotary distributor according to claim 15, the core (4) comprising a slot in the shape of an arc of a circle into which a stop (181) penetrates. Hydraulic rotary distributor according to one of the preceding claims, in the housing and/or the core are made of plastic. Hydraulic rotary solenoid valve comprising a distributor according to one of the preceding claims and an actuator (33) driving the core in rotation. Hydraulic rotary solenoid valve according to the preceding claim, the actuator comprising an output shaft (330) aligned along the axis (XX') of rotation. Method of distributing a fluid using a hydraulic rotary solenoid valve according to claim 18 or 19, the fluid being introduced through the supply orifice (11), for example in the direction of the axis (XX ') of rotation or perpendicular thereto, and being guided by the internal conduit (38) of the core towards the lateral outlet (34) thereof then, depending on the orientation of the core in the housing (2) , towards one and/or the other of the 2 outlet orifices (12, 20). Method according to the preceding claim, the fluid being a mixture of water and glycol. Method according to claim 20, the fluid being a fuel cell cooling fluid.