WO2020048937A1

WO2020048937A1 - Rotary slide valve unit for a thermal management module

Info

Publication number: WO2020048937A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/073380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Fries; Ralf LÜDERS
Original assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2018-09-04
Filing date: 2019-09-03
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Also published as: DE102018121563A1

Abstract

To provide a rotary slide valve unit (100) for a thermal management module (200), it is proposed that the sealing seat (13) comprises a flexible tubular element (20) having an axial length (L) which is dependent on a radial extent of a curvature (21), and the sealing ring (14) is arranged axially between the flexible tubular element (20) and the rotary slide valve (12), wherein the flexible tubular element (20) is arranged between the supply duct (10) and the discharge duct (11) and thus is arranged, in use, radially on both sides in pressure contact with the cooling liquid, with the result that the radial extent of the curvature (21) is dependent on the pressure gradient (Δ_ρ) present, wherein the radial extent of the curvature (21) decreases with increasing pressure gradient (Δ_ρ) and consequently the axial length (L) of the flexible tubular element (20) increases and/or consequently the axial force (F) of the sealing ring (14) on the rotary slide valve (12) increases.

Description

description

Rotary slide unit for a thermal management module

The invention relates to a rotary slide unit for a thermal management module according to claim 1, and a thermal management module for a motor vehicle according to claim 5.

The invention relates to a rotary slide unit for a thermal management module, comprising the following elements:

a supply channel for a cooling liquid;

a discharge channel for the cooling liquid, a pressure drop (D_r) from the supply channel to the discharge channel being present in use;

a rotary valve between the supply channel and the discharge channel for controlling a flow of the cooling liquid; and

a sealing seat for the rotary slide valve with a sealing ring pressed against the rotary slide valve when the rotary slide valve is in a closed position with an axial force (F) for sealingly closing off a flow connection between the supply channel and the discharge channel.

Thermal management modules (actively controlled rotary slide valve distribution) are increasingly being used to control coolant flows (internal combustion engine, fuel cell, battery). In order to ensure a leak-free connection of the respective cooling circuits to the control element, the rotary slide valve, sealing packets are used that are made up of several parts; these usually include a metallic guide sleeve, a metallic compression spring, an elastomer O-ring and a plastic sealing ring (usually made of PVDF or PTFE). The sealing packs must be flexible in order to be able to absorb a radial runout (wobble) of the rotary valve.

For example from EP 3 290 757 A1, according to the summary, a rotary slide valve (1) of a motor vehicle cooling circuit is known, with a valve housing (10), a control body (20) which is arranged movably in the valve housing (10) and a cylindrical outer contour (22), wherein a flow cross section (21) between one by moving the control body (20) first valve connection (11) and a second valve connection (12) arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal valve axis (A1) of the control body (20), and a sealing unit (30) which, within the second valve connection (12), on the outer contour (22 ) of the control body (20) is placed. In order to improve the sealing, it is proposed that the sealing unit (30) include a sealing element (31) for sliding sealing, a carrier element (32) for supporting at least the sealing element (31) and a spring element (33) for axially prestressing the sealing element (31 ), the sealing element (31) with an axial sealing face (311) facing the regulating body (20) abutting the outer contour (22) of the regulating body (20), and the carrier element (32) with one of the regulating body (20) first axial end (326) facing the sealing element (31) and a second axial end (327) facing away from the control body (20) against the spring element (33).

For example, from DE 10 2009 014 047 A1 a control valve is known, according to the summary set up for controlling a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine with a first supply connection (2) for cooling water of a bypass circuit arranged on a valve housing (1) and at least a second supply connection (2) for Cooling water of a cooler circuit which, depending on the position of a valve member (3) accommodated in the valve housing, can be connected to a discharge connection. According to the invention, for sealing the coolant flow paths in the axial direction (a) and / or radial direction (b) there is at least one dynamically resilient sealing element (4) which bears against the valve member (3) and which at least partially consists of polytetrafluoroethylene or is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene and for Ensuring a sealing system on the valve member (3) is acted upon by the pressure force of a compression spring (5).

The object of the invention is to find a rotary slide unit in relation to the known rotary slide units for a thermal management module, in which a seal remains reliably closed even with a high pressure drop (D_r).

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. According to claim 1, the sealing seat comprises a hose element with an axial length (L) which is dependent on a radial extent of the curvature, the sealing ring being arranged axially between the hose element and the rotary slide valve, and the hose element between the feed duct and the discharge duct and thus in use is arranged radially on both sides in pressure contact with the coolant, so that the radial extent of the curvature depends on the pressure drop (D_r) present.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the rotary slide unit for a thermal management module comprises the following elements:

a supply channel for a cooling liquid;

The rotary slide unit is characterized in that the sealing seat comprises a hose element with an axial length (L) dependent on a radial extent of the curvature, and the sealing ring is arranged axially between the hose element and the rotary slide valve, the curvature of the hose element between the feed channel and the The discharge channel and thus in use is arranged radially on both sides in pressure contact with the coolant, so that the radial extent of the curvature depends on the pressure drop (D_r).

According to one embodiment of the rotary slide unit, the convex side is supported radially on the convex side by a spring means.

According to one embodiment of the rotary slide unit, the hose element forms an axial seal to a duct housing and / or to the sealing ring. According to one embodiment of the rotary slide unit, the supply channel and the discharge channel are formed by a channel housing, and a flow bay toward the hose element is formed in the channel housing on the supply side and / or on the discharge side.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a thermal management module for a motor vehicle is proposed, the thermal management module comprising a heat exchanger and a cooler for a drive machine. The heat exchanger and the cooler are connected to one another in a heat-dissipating manner by means of a coolant circuit via the heat exchanger, a rotary valve unit as described above being provided in the coolant circuit for controlling the flow of a coolant.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a rotary valve unit, and

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a thermal management module in one

Motor vehicle.

1 shows a schematic sectional view of a rotary slide unit 100, which is set up for use in a thermal management module 200, also referred to as a heat management module, for example a controllable cooling circuit for the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle 300 (see FIG. 2). In the illustration, to the left of a central axis, along which the axial direction (R) is defined, there is a pressure gradient D_r from (according to the illustration) from bottom to top. In the illustration there is a pressure drop D_r from (according to the illustration) from top to bottom to the right of the central axis. For the sake of clarity, the same elements are sometimes only labeled on the left or only on the right.

The rotary slide unit 100 comprises, as a rule, among other elements, the following elements:

a feed channel 10 (left below the rotary valve 12 and right above the rotary valve 12) for a cooling liquid, which, for example, with a pressure output side of a pump is connected indirectly via a line or directly, so that a supply pressure (p_Z) is present in the supply duct 10;

a discharge channel 11 (above the rotary valve 12 on the left and below the rotary valve 12 on the right) for the cooling liquid, which is connected, for example, directly to an input side of a cooler or a heat exchanger via a line or directly, with a pressure drop (D_r = p_Z - p_A ) from the supply duct 10 to the discharge duct 11, that is to say the supply pressure (p_Z) in the supply duct 10 is higher than the discharge pressure (p_A) in the discharge duct 11 and thus with the rotary slide unit 100 open, a flow direction from the supply duct 10 the discharge channel 11 is present;

a rotary valve 12 (shown here only in sections) between the supply channel 10 and the discharge channel 11 for controlling a flow of the cooling liquid through a passage opening 15 (here identified as a plane perpendicular to the axial direction (R)), the rotary valve 12 being rotatable about a slide axis is, for example by means of a servo motor, and can be transferred from a passage position to a closed position, the cooling liquid in the passage position with a pressure drop (D_r = p_Z - p_A) through a flow connection 15 from the feed channel 10 into the discharge channel 11 can flow and in the closed position (shown) the coolant cannot flow from the feed channel 10 into the discharge channel 11 even when there is a pressure drop (D_r); and

a sealing seat 13, which is in sealing contact with the rotary valve 12 in the closed position of the rotary valve 12 by means of a sealing ring 14, that is to say closes the flow connection 15, and instead the sealing ring 14 is pressed against the rotary valve 12 with an axial force (F), so that the flow connection 15 between the feed channel 10 and the discharge channel 11 is closed and can no longer be flowed through, so that then no convective cooling power is provided by the thermal management module 200.

The rotary slide unit 100 or the sealing seat 13 is characterized in that a hose element 20 is curved with a radial extension of the curvature 21 (in each case from left to right as shown, with the curvature 21 extending radially inward on the left and the curvature on the right in the representation) 21 has an extension to the radially outward) dependent axial length (L). The amount of length (L) is thus (for example proportionally) depending on the amount of the curvature 21. The sealing ring 14 is arranged axially between the hose element 20 and the rotary valve 12. The hose element 20 has an axial extent, for example in the rotary slide unit 100 perpendicular to a sealing plane spanned by a sealing line of the sealing seat 13, that is to say the passage opening 15 identified here. A vertical alignment has the advantage that by changing the axial length (L) of the hose element 20, from which an axial force (F) results on the sealing seat 13, a very uniform distribution of the axial pressure is brought about on each (infinitesimal) section of the sealing line and a reliable seal is thus achieved with simple means.

The hose element 20 is (radially) arranged between the feed channel 10 and the discharge channel 11 and thus in use radially on both sides in pressure contact with the cooling liquid. The pressure drop (D_r = p_Z - p_A) is therefore present (at least approximately) over the hose element 20. It follows that the radial extent of the curvature 21 is dependent on the pressure drop (D_r) present. The hose element 20 or its extension of the curvature 21 is arranged in such a way that with increasing pressure gradient (D_r), i.e. increasing supply pressure (p_Z) and / or decreasing discharge pressure (p_A), the radial extension of the curvature 21 decreases and thereby the axial length (L) of the hose element 20 increases or, as a result, the axial force (F) of the sealing ring 14 on the rotary valve 12 increases.

This has the advantage that the sealing seat 13 has an increasing sealing effect with increasing pressure drop (D_r). In one embodiment, the structure of the sealing ring 14 and / or its surround on the movement-free, that is to say the channel-side, sealing side can thus be designed more easily. In one embodiment, the axial force (F) for a pressure drop (D_r) can be reduced at a desired operating pressure, because the sealing effect at higher pressure drops (D_r) is ensured by the increase in the axial force (F) by means of the hose element 20. The friction on the rotary slide valve 12 can thus be reduced (during an opening process or a closing process). The (larger) supply pressure acts on the mountain of the curvature and thus causes the hose element 20 forming a bellows seal to be set up axially. The orientation of the extension of the curvature must be chosen to match the pressure gradient (D_r). The (optional) spring means acts like a bandage and, on the one hand, prestresses the bellows seal (with a pressure drop of zero or even negative pressure drop, i.e. higher discharge pressure (p_A) than feed pressure (p_Z)) and on the other hand prevents collapse of the hose element 20 radially inward (in the case of an hourglass-shaped hose element 20) or radially outward (in the case of a barrel-shaped hose element 20). A spring means 22 designed as a flat ring or a round ring can be used to preload radially outwards or radially inwards. A spring means 22 as a worm spring only acts inwards and can therefore only be used when the curvature extends radially outwards. The radial bias of the spring means 22 acts in the same direction as the pressure drop (D_r). The hose element 20 is made of an elastomer, for example. The most suitable material depends on the surrounding medium (e.g. EPDM for pure coolant, or FINBR for oily components). In such a cooling circuit, pressures up to 3 bar act.

In the embodiment shown here, the radial extension of the curvature 21 is supported radially on the convex side by a spring means 22. The convex side is related to a cross section of the tube element 20, that is to say arranged radially on the outside in the case of a barrel-shaped curvature 21 and radially on the inside in the case of an hourglass-shaped curvature 21. The hose element 20 can thus be designed with a relatively large wall diameter and / or made of a solid material, so that the hose element 20 is sufficiently rigid to apply a large axial force (F) and at the same time is reliable on a change in the pressure gradient (D_r) with a corresponding change in length or Change in axial force (F) reacts. At the same time, the spring means 22 creates a reduction in the radial stiffness relative to the side of the supply pressure (p_Z) and, depending on the design, also an increase in the radial stiffness relative to the side of the discharge pressure (p_A) and the spring characteristic of the hose element 20 is by means of the spring means 22 safely adjustable. Such a spring means 22 is, for example, a spring steel band, a worm band spring or the like. The axial stroke as a result of a change in the axial length (L) of the hose element 20 causes a radial curvature in the hose element 20. The size of the curvature 21 can be adjusted by the hardness of the material and the spring means 22. The arching is impeded with increasing pressure drop (D_r). It should be noted that a Curvature 21 can also be referred to as a waist if the radial extension of the curvature 21 is directed radially inward (see illustration on the left in FIG. 1). The convex side of a waist is then arranged radially on the inside and the spring means 22 radially inside the hose element 20, so that the spring means 22 counteracts the waist (radially outwards). The spring means 22 can be made of metal or plastic in any cross-sections, open or closed all round.

In the embodiment of the rotary slide valve unit 100 shown here, the hose element 20 (optionally) forms a first axial seal 23 to the channel housing 16 of the feed channel 10 or the discharge channel 11 and a second axial seal 24 to the sealing ring 14. Thus, no additional sealing means are necessary, and that Setup is particularly easy. The hose element 20 lies without a gap both on the sealing ring 14 (second axial seal 24), for example non-positively, positively clamped, or chemically bonded (for example by means of two-component injection molding) and in the same or different manner on the housing (first axial seal 23). Due to the elastic properties, there is a good sealing effect. In one embodiment, the tube element 20 is inserted into a groove in the sealing ring 14 and clamped captively. On the housing side, the hose element 20 is supported against a step and is thus securely positioned.

In the embodiment of the rotary slide unit 100 shown here, the feed channel 10 and the discharge channel 11 are formed by a (common) channel housing 16, the channel housing being formed, for example, in one piece. In the channel housing 16 (in the embodiment according to the illustration on the left), a flow bay 17 toward the hose element 20 is formed on the supply side and (in the embodiment on the right as shown) on the discharge side. The static pressure of the respective channel is present (approximately) in this flow bay 17. The hose element 20 remains (almost) unaffected by dynamic (brief) pressure changes, for example on the discharge side when the rotary slide valve 12 opens.

In a structure according to an embodiment of the rotary valve unit 100 described above, a stronger hitting of the rotary valve 12 is without loss the tightness tolerable. The rotary slide unit 100 can not only be used in a thermal management module 200, but in any application with flow control by means of a rotary slide 12.

A thermal management module 200 in a motor vehicle 300 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The thermal management module 200 comprises a heat exchanger 30, for example a radiator grille, and a cooler 31, for example a cooling chamber integrated in an engine block for one or more combustion chambers of an engine 40. The engine 40 is heat-dissipating by means of a coolant circuit 32 via the heat exchanger 30 connected, a rotary slide unit 100, for example as shown in FIG. 1 and / or described above, being provided in the coolant circuit 32 for controlling or regulating the flow of a coolant and / or the temperature, for example of the combustion chamber.

Reference list

100 rotary valve unit

200 thermal management module

300 motor vehicles

10 feed channel

11 discharge channel

12 rotary valves

13 sealing seat

14 sealing ring

15 flow connection

16 channel housing

17 current bay

18 radial stop

20 hose element

21 curvature

22 spring means

23 first axial seal

24 second axial seal

30 heat exchangers

31 cooler

32 Coolant circuit

40 drive machine

F axial force

L axial length

R axial direction

p_Z supply pressure

p_A discharge pressure

D_r pressure drop

Claims

1. Rotary slide unit (100) for a thermal management module (200), comprising the following elements:

- A feed channel (10) for a cooling liquid;

- a discharge channel (11) for the cooling liquid, a pressure drop (D_r) from the feed channel (10) to the discharge channel (11) being present in use;

- A rotary valve (12) between the feed channel (10) and

Discharge channel (11) for controlling a flow of the cooling liquid; and

- A sealing seat (13) for the rotary valve (12) with a in a closed position of the rotary valve (12) with an axial force (F) against the rotary valve (12) pressed sealing ring (14) for sealingly closing a flow connection (15) between the feed channel (10) and the discharge channel (11),

characterized in that

the sealing seat (13) comprises a hose element (20), the hose element (20) having a curvature (21) with a radial extent and an axial length (L) depending on the radial extent of the curvature (21), and the sealing ring ( 14) is arranged axially between the hose element (20) and the rotary slide valve (12),

wherein the curvature (21) of the hose element (20) is arranged between the supply channel (10) and the discharge channel (11) and thus in use radially on both sides in pressure contact with the cooling liquid, so that the radial extent of the curvature (21) from the pressure drop present (D_r) is dependent.

2. Rotary slide unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the radial extension of the curvature (21) is supported radially on the convex side by a spring means (22).

3. Rotary slide unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose element (20) forms an axial seal (23, 24) to a channel housing (16) and / or to the sealing ring (14).

4. Rotary slide unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed channel (10) and the discharge channel (11) are formed by a channel housing (16) and in the channel housing (16) on the feed side and / or discharge side a flow bay (17) to the hose element (20) is formed.

5. Thermal management module (200) for a motor vehicle (300), comprising a heat exchanger (30) and a cooler (31) for a drive machine (40), which removes heat by means of a coolant circuit (32) via the heat exchanger (30) are connected to one another, a rotary slide unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 being provided in the coolant circuit (32) for controlling the flow of a coolant.