WO2004027268A1

WO2004027268A1 - Multiple-way valve

Info

Publication number: WO2004027268A1
Application number: PCT/DE2003/002985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Günter Baldauf; Hans-Joachim Pflüger
Original assignee: Imi Norgren-Herion Fluidtronic Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2002-09-13
Filing date: 2003-09-08
Publication date: 2004-04-01
Also published as: DE10242726A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a multiple-way valve (100) that is characterized by interlocked single seat valves (A, B, C, D) and a preadjustable distribution means (130), with the aid of which control ducts (110) of the single seat valves (A, B, C, D) can be fluidically connected to each other and to external connections.

Description

Multi-way valve

The invention relates to a multi-way valve.

It is known to design such multi-way valves as slide valves, in which a plurality of control channels can be opened and closed by a valve slide. Slider valves are problematic in terms of the friction that occurs during their operation, the wear associated therewith and, as a result, in terms of tightness.

In addition, there are also multi-way poppet valve designs with axial mechanical coupling of the sealing elements. These have the disadvantage that they have to be manufactured with high accuracy or tolerances have to be compensated for by additional complex measures. The various directional control valve functions are implemented using different components. A disadvantage of such an implementation is that the special parts required for this are only produced in small numbers, and their costly provision and assembly is disadvantageous. In addition, there are disadvantages that different directional control valve functions can often only be realized with different external dimensions of the valve. The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a multi-way valve which can be produced in a technically simple and therefore cost-effective manner, wears little and thus has a long service life. In addition, the switching function of the multi-way valve should also be able to be changed by the user by simple means.

In a multi-way valve of the generic type, this object is achieved by at least two individual seat valves, preferably blocked with one another, and a presettable distributor, by means of which control channels of the individual seat valves can be fluidly connected to one another.

The arrangement of a plurality of individual seat valves blocked with one another and the connection of the control channels of these individual seat valves with one another by means of a presettable distributor means not only create a modular structure of the multi-way valve in a very simple manner, but different switching functions can be implemented in a technically simple manner by changing the presettable distributor means. In addition, the use of single-seat valves ensures a long service life with high tightness. The use of single-seat valves also has the great advantage that a large opening and thus a large flow can be achieved by means of a small stroke, which in turn enables very fast switching operations and low switching time scatter and thus high switching frequencies of the multi-way valve. Finally, the use of mechanically uncoupled single-seat valves, for example with a piston or diaphragm drive, is also particularly advantageous because there is no need for complex tolerance compensation and therefore cost-effective production is possible. For example, the parts can be made entirely of plastic injection molding. Independence from external lubrication is particularly advantageous. In an advantageous embodiment, the distributor means is a distributor plate which forms fluidic connections between the channels of a plurality of individual valves. In this way, only two elements are to be provided for determining the switching function of the multi-way valve, namely the individual seat valves blocked with one another and the distributor plate acting as a distributor.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the distributor plate comprises a cover element which forms at least one control channel which is sealed off from the environment and connects the control channels of the individual seat valves and a sealing element which is adapted to and cooperates with the cover element and through which the control channels of one or more individual seat valves are lockable. With this arrangement it is advantageous that not only the sealing element is easily exchangeable and thus also variations of the sealing element and therefore variations of the switching function of the multi-way valve are possible, but that it has a very simple construction, particularly with regard to the tightness.

The sealing element itself can be designed in different ways. An advantageous embodiment provides that the sealing element has elastically arranged closure means, for example sealing plugs or closure membranes, which are pressed by openings in the cover element, raised areas, projections or the like. On openings of the control channels.

The presetting of the distributor means and thus the desired switching function of the multi-way valve is realized in that the arrangement of the cams in the cover element can be freely selected. The choice of the arrangement of the cams and thus the choice of the open and closed control channels of the blocked single-seat valves can be specified by the manufacturer or determined by the user. Another embodiment provides that the sealing element is a lattice gasket, by means of which the individual control channels of the individual seat valves are closed. The grille seal is preferably designed such that different switching functions, that is to say directional control valves with different switching functions, can be implemented by rotating and / or turning the grating seal.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the distributor plate is formed by at least one electronic component which can be deformed by the action of an electric current in such a way that the channels of one or more single-seat valves can be closed by their targeted deformation. In this way, an electrical control and thus a change in the switching function of the multi-way valve is implemented in a very simple manner.

In principle, the single-seat valves can have different switching functions.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the individual seat valves which are blocked with one another are 2/2-way seat valves which are arranged flat alongside one another. The use of 2/2-way seat valves has the advantage that they have a technically simple, failure-prone and ultimately also inexpensive construction at a high switching speed. The flat arrangement of the valves side by side accommodates the formation of the distributor plate and the cover element.

To further optimize the switching function, at least one pilot valve can be connected upstream and / or downstream of the distributor means. Further advantages and features of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawing of some exemplary embodiments.

The drawing shows:

1a schematically shows a circuit diagram of a multi-way valve making use of the invention;

1 b is a table which illustrates the switching positions of the individual seat valves for implementing several switching functions of the multi-way valve;

1c shows a table illustrating the different directional valve functions;

2a schematically shows a circuit diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a multi-way valve making use of the invention;

FIG. 2b shows a table from which the switching function of the multi-way valve shown in FIG. 2a can be seen by changing the connection of the individual valves;

2c shows a table illustrating the different directional valve functions;

3a schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of one in FIG.

1a or Fig. 2a shown multi-way valve;

3b shows a detail identified by III in FIG. 3a in an enlarged manner

Presentation;

3c shows the detail marked III in FIG. 3a with a modified sealing element;

4a, b schematically show further exemplary embodiments of two multi-way valves making use of the invention and

Fig. 4c schematically opened and closed control channels one

Single seat valve. The basic idea of the invention is to selectively implement different switching functions of multi-way valves from a plurality of, preferably juxtaposed, single-seat valves, for example 2/2-way valves, with the aid of a distributor plate which is sealed off from the environment and which establishes connections between control channels of the individual valves.

A multi-way valve, designated as a whole in FIG. 1a with 100, comprises four 2/2-way valves A, B, C, D, which are closed in the rest position and are used to control the consumers (not shown) connected to connections 2 and 4. Furthermore, control valves E, F and electrically actuable control valves G, H of small nominal sizes are provided. Fluidic switches S1 to S11 are provided to implement different switching functions. The design of these switches is illustrated in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4. In Fig. 1 b different switching positions of the switches S1, ... S11 are shown, which enable the directional control valve functions listed in table 1c.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 b, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the 2/2-way seat valves A, B, C, D are arranged blocked next to each other, so to speak they form a valve plate with control channels 110 arranged side by side. Depending on the desired Switching function of the multi-way valve 100, individual control channels 110 are closed or opened. This takes place, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3a, b, c with the aid of a distributor in the form of a distributor plate 130. The distributor plate 130 comprises a cover element 132 and a sealing element interacting with it in the form of a grille seal 134. Individual grille valves 134 are formed by the grille seal 134 110 fluidly connected to one another or fluidly separated from one another. The separation takes place in the fluidic connection cavity formed on the basis of the cover element 132 by means of webs 136 of the grille seal 134 arranged between the individual valves. Openings or openings of connections can be changed by using different grille seals 134, by rotating a single grille seal and / or by turning a grille seal. In this case, the cover element 132 and the grid seal 134 form the fluidic switches S1,... S11.

4a schematically shows a further embodiment of a distributor plate 130 'designed as a distributor means. Here, a cover element 132 'has projections 133' which press the closure membranes 135 'of a sealing element 134' onto respective openings of the control channels 110 of the 2/2-seat valves and thereby close them or, if no projections 133 'are provided, leave them open.

A further exemplary embodiment of the fluidic switches S1,... S11 is shown in FIGS. 4b and 4d. Here, a distributor plate 130 "comprises a cover element 132" and a sealing element 134 "which cooperates with it. The sealing element 134" itself has a plurality of closable elastically arranged closure means in the form of closure plugs 135 ", which in dependence in the cover element 132" switching cams 133 "arranged from the desired switching position are pressed onto a control channel 110 of the 2/2-way seat valves A, B, C, D and close or leave them open. In this way, by designing the cover element 132", that is to say formation and arrangement of the switching cams 133, depending on the connection shown in Table 1c, a plurality of multi-way valve switching functions are implemented, for example the 5/2 rest position specified in Table 1c or the 5/3 blocking means (APB - AII Ports Blocked) position.

If, for example, a 5/2-way valve with a rest position function is to be realized, the cover element 132, 132 'or 132 "and the sealing element 134 or 134' or 134" are designed so that the fluidic switches S1, S3, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 are not closed, whereas the fluid ones Switches S2, S4, S5, S6 are closed. The control medium can thus control the two 2/2-way valves A and C coming from the pressure connection 1 via the valve E, via the switches 2 and 6. As a result, port 4 is vented to valve A after 5 and port 2 is pressurized via valve C. The valves B and D remain vented via the connection of the fluidic switches 4 and 5 via the uncontrolled valve G, ie the 2/2-way valves B and D remain closed. If control valve G is now switched on, valve E is thereby switched on at the same time. The valves B and D are controlled by valve G via the connection of the fluidic switches 4 and 5, the valves A and C are vented by the connection of the fluidic switches 2 and 4 via the switched-on valve E, ie the fluid can flow from the pressure connection 1 to Work port 4 flow. Port 2 is vented via valve D. The valves F and H are not addressed with this switching function.

Another embodiment of a multi-way valve is shown schematically in FIG. 2. In this exemplary embodiment, two times two valves which are closed in the rest position and open in the rest position are used, with the exception of the 5/3 blocking center position (APB - All Ports Blocked) function. Four 2/2 valves, which are closed in the rest position, are used here. With this optional equipment, the advantage of simple conversion on site is somewhat limited, but at the same time the pilot or control valves E and F described above are saved.

In the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 2a, the valves A 'to D' and the control lines shown in dash-dotted lines represent only the optional equipment, so it is not an additional valve. The illustration is intended to clarify that, depending on the desired function according to table Fig. 2b, valve A 'can be used instead of valve A. The connections of the control lines required depending on the desired function, designated II, III and IV in FIGS. 2a and 2b, are carried out in the same way as explained above. The directional valve Functions are shown in a table in FIG. 2c. If, for example, a 5/2-way valve with a rest position function is to be implemented, valves A, B ', C and D' are required according to Table 2b. The connection is now made according to the connection of the control channels designated II, ie the control line of the control valve G is connected to the control inputs of the valves A, B ', C and D'. The control valve H is not required for this function. If control valve G is not switched on as shown, the control connections of valves A, B ', C, D' are vented via the connected control lines and via valve G. The operating pressure can pass from port 1 via valve C to working port 2, valve D 'is closed, ie the fluid connection of port 2 to 3 is blocked. The working connection 4 is vented to the connection 5 via the valve A, the valve B 'is closed, so that there is no pressure connection to the connection 4. If the control valve G is switched on, the control pressure is passed to the control connections of the valves A, B ', C and D'. As a result, pressurized fluid is passed via valve B 'to port 4, port 2 is vented via valve D'. At the same time the connection to the working connection 2 is blocked by the valve C. The venting of the working connection 4 is shut off via the valve A.

Instead of the distributor plates explained above, it is also possible, for example, to use an electrically controllable distributor plate having electrical components, in which the components are deformed by the action of an electrical current in such a way that the control channels 110 of one or more single-seat valves can be closed by this deformation. In principle, a distribution means which can be predetermined as desired and in particular can also be changed by the user on site can be used, which enables different switching functions of the individual valves.

Claims

claims

1. Multi-way valve (100), characterized by at least two, preferably interlocked individual seat valves (A, B, C, D) and a presettable distributor means (130) through which control channels (110) of the single seat valves (A, B, C, D) are fluidly connectable to one another and to external connections.

2. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor means is a fluidic connections between the control channels of a plurality of individual seat valves forming distributor plate (130).

3. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the distributor plate (130) comprises a cover element (132; 132 '; 132 "), the at least one sealed from the environment, the control channels of the single seat valves (A, B, C , D) forms a connecting control channel and a sealing element (134; 134 '; 134 ") adapted to and interacting with the cover element (132; 132'; 132"), through which the control channels of one or more individual valves (A, B, C , D) can be closed.

4. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing element (134; 134 '; 134 ") has elastically arranged closure means (135; 135'), which in the cover element (132; 132 ';132") Arranged cams (133; 133 ') are pressed onto openings of the control channels (110).

5. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the arrangement of the cams (133; 133 ') in the cover element (132; 132'; 132 ") is freely selectable.

6. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing element is a lattice seal (134 ").

7. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the grille seal (134 ") can be arranged in a plurality of rotated and / or turned positions.

8. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the distributor plate (130) has at least one electronic component which is deformable by the action of an electric current in such a way that control channels (110) of one or more fluidic switches (S1, S2, S3, ..., S11) can be closed due to its deformation.

9. Multi-way valve (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the interlocked individual seat valves are in particular flat 2/2-way seat valves (A, B, C, D).

10. Multi-way valve (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the distributor means at least one, an electrical, fluidic or mechanical control or pilot valve (E, F, G, H) is connected upstream and / or downstream.

11. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control or pilot valve (E, F, G, H) is part of the multi-way valve (100).

2. Multi-way valve (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control or pilot valve (E, F, G, H) is arranged separately from the multi-way valve.