WO2023237235A1

WO2023237235A1 - Multi-way valve

Info

Publication number: WO2023237235A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/025278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippose RAJAN; Ulrich Erb; Lukas RÖHRIG; Sebastian Hagemann; Markus WELTHER
Original assignee: Voss Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-06-10
Filing date: 2023-06-12
Publication date: 2023-12-14
Also published as: DE102022002095A1

Abstract

In a multi-way valve (1) for controlling a flow of liquid and/or gaseous medium, having at least one valve housing (2), having at least one inlet (22) for the inflow of medium, having at least one outlet, in particular at least two outlets (23, 24), for the outflow of medium, having at least one valve plate, having at least one drive shaft (4) for adjusting the at least one valve plate, and having at least one actuator (3) for driving the at least one drive shaft (4), wherein the at least one valve housing (2) comprises at least one chamber (210, 211) and the at least one valve plate serves to control the flow of medium in the direction of the at least one chamber, in particular of the at least two chambers (210, 211), the valve housing (2) has more than one part, wherein a first part (20) thereof comprises the at least one inlet (22) and a second part (21) thereof comprises the at least one outlet (23, 24) and the at least one chamber (210, 211) assigned to the same, and the at least one drive shaft (4) is mounted in the valve housing (2).

Description

Multi-way valve

The invention relates to a multi-way valve for controlling a liquid and/or gaseous fluid or medium flow, comprising at least one valve housing, at least one inlet for the inflow of fluid or medium, at least one outlet, in particular at least two outlets, for the outflow of fluid or Medium, at least one valve disk, at least one drive shaft for adjusting the at least one valve disk and at least one actuator for driving the at least one drive shaft, the at least one valve housing comprising at least one chamber and the at least one valve disk for controlling the fluid or medium flow in the direction to the at least one chamber, in particular the at least two chambers.

Multi-way valves are known in the art. These serve to allow fluid or medium flowing into the multi-way valve to flow out through one or more outlets of the multi-way valve, thus dividing the fluid flow and/or allowing it to flow out specifically through only one of the outlets. Such multi-way valves are used, among other things, in motor vehicles to control fluid or medium flows, for example in a cooling system with several cooling circuits.

For example, such a multi-way valve in the form of a disk valve is known from EP 2 917 619 B1. This has a housing which has at least one inlet connection and at least one outlet connection as connections for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, the connections each opening into different chambers of the housing, and at least one valve disk, such as a ceramic valve disk, which has at least one provided with a first throughflow opening and rotatably mounted in the housing in order to fluidically connect and separate the different chambers from one another and from one another by means of the at least one throughflow opening, depending on their rotational position. Furthermore, a control shaft is provided which is rotatably connected to the valve disk in the housing, the control shaft or the valve disk having at least one Have radial projection. The housing also has a rotary stop which lies in the path of movement of the radial projection of the control shaft or valve disk. The housing has a cup-shaped distributor housing and a lid closing the distributor housing. The cover has a bearing opening through which the control shaft is guided outwards with a coupling end and in which the control shaft is rotatably mounted. The control shaft protrudes through the valve disk with an end opposite the coupling end and is rotatably mounted in a sealing disk, in particular a ceramic sealing disk, which rests flat on the valve disk and has at least one second flow opening and is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in the housing.

A similar multi-way valve is also known from EP 2 917 620 B1. This comprises a valve which has a first housing with a plurality of connections for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, and a drive unit which comprises a second housing and a drive device arranged therein, the two housings being arranged at a distance from one another, so that between them there is a thermally insulating air gap. The valve has a control shaft and the drive unit has a drive shaft which is operatively connected to the drive device and is operatively connected/operably connectable to the control shaft by a coupling device, the coupling device being arranged between the first and second housings and the coupling device being assigned a splash guard which has at least one of the coupling device on the circumference surrounding first protective wall. The splash guard further has at least one second protective wall surrounding the coupling device on the circumference, which has a larger or smaller diameter than the first protective wall in order to form a labyrinth seal for the coupling device together with the first protective wall. The first protective wall is formed in one piece with the first housing and the second protective wall is formed in one piece with the second housing. An axial distance between the free end faces of the protective walls is provided to the opposite housing and the first and/or the second housing has a spacer, which is designed in particular as a screw-on dome. A multi-way valve is also known from EP 2 917 621 B1, which comprises a housing which has at least one inlet connection and at least one outlet connection as connections for a liquid and / or gaseous medium, with at least one rotatably mounted valve disk, in particular ceramic valve disk, which with a first flow opening and is rotatably mounted in the housing in order to fluidly connect and separate the connections from one another depending on their rotational position. The valve disk lies flat on a sealing disk that is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner and has at least two second flow openings. An elastically deformable sealing element is arranged between the sealing disk and an intermediate base of the housing, the sealing element being disk-shaped and having third flow openings aligned with the second flow openings. The intermediate floor has at least one retaining projection which engages in one of the third flow openings in order to positively lock the sealing element against rotation. Furthermore, at least one axial projection is provided on the intermediate floor, arranged off-center in an area free of flow openings, which passes through a breakthrough in the sealing element in a form-fitting manner and rests in some areas in a receiving recess in the sealing disk to prevent it from rotating.

All of these multi-way valves each have a valve housing and a cover, with the respective drive shaft being mounted in a respective sealing element. Due to such storage of the drive shaft in a sealing element, leaks may occur and, in the event of wear, problems may arise when rotating the drive shaft. Furthermore, the structure of the multi-way valves according to the prior art is comparatively complicated and therefore expensive.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a multi-way valve according to the preamble of claim 1 for controlling a liquid and / or gaseous fluid or medium flow, which is improved compared to the solutions of the prior art, which is simpler and more cost-effective is constructed and in which unhindered rotation of the drive shaft and an efficient flow of power can be ensured.

The object is achieved for a multi-way valve according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the valve housing is in several parts, a first part of which has at least one inlet and a second part of which has at least one outlet and the at least one chamber assigned to it or these comprises and the at least one drive shaft is mounted in the valve housing. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

This creates a multi-way valve for controlling a liquid or gaseous fluid or medium flow, in which the valve housing is in several parts, in particular in two parts, the first part being provided with the at least one inlet and the second part with the at least one outlet, in particular the at least two outlets. A valve cover is therefore no longer provided, so that the at least one actuator can be arranged in the area of the first part of the valve housing. The at least one drive shaft accordingly projects with its first end, the coupling end, through the first part of the valve housing and is operatively connected on the outside thereof to the actuator that can be arranged or arranged there. The remaining longitudinal extent of the drive shaft extends inside the valve housing into the second part of the latter. The drive shaft is advantageously mounted in the second part of the valve housing in the area of its second end opposite the first end which can be connected or connected to the actuator. The at least one drive shaft is thus accommodated and stored in the valve housing of the multi-way valve in a stable and easily drivable manner. By designing the valve housing as a two-part valve housing, in which the two parts are provided with the connections in the form of at least one inlet on the one hand and the outlets on the other hand, it is no longer necessary to provide a separate, usually large-sized, valve cover. The multi-way valve can thereby be designed to be simpler and more space-saving. The first part of the valve housing is provided with the at least one inlet, the second part of the valve housing with the at least one outlet, in particular the at least two outlets, and the at least one chamber or the at least two chambers assigned to this/these. Accordingly, if at least two chambers are provided, the second part of the valve housing has at least one partition wall separating the at least two chambers from one another. In the area of the at least one partition inside the second part of the valve housing, a receiving opening for supporting the second end of the at least one drive shaft can be provided. The drive shaft is thus stably mounted in the valve housing or its second part.

To promote the medium flow within the multi-way valve, the at least one drive shaft and the at least one valve disk are advantageously arranged within the valve housing at an angle of inclination other than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the at least one inlet and the longitudinal axes of the at least two outlets. In contrast to the prior art of EP 2 917 619 B1 or EP 2 917 620 B1 or EP 2 917 621 B1, this makes it possible for the fluid or medium flow inside the valve housing of the multi-way valve not to change by 90 ° is diverted, which otherwise leads to flow losses. Rather, the fluid or medium flow can be regulated by arranging the drive shaft and valve disk at an angle of inclination other than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the at least one inlet or the longitudinal axis of the at least one outlet, in particular the longitudinal axes of the at least two outlets of the valve housing, for example in an angle of inclination of 120 to 150 °, in particular 135 °, to the longitudinal axis of the inlet and / or the longitudinal axis of the outlet or the longitudinal axes of the outlets. This results in fewer flow losses inside the multi-way valve compared to the solutions of the prior art. The angle of inclination to the longitudinal axis of the at least one inlet and the angle of inclination to the longitudinal axis of the at least one outlet can be the same or different from one another, since the longitudinal axes of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet do not have to be parallel to one another. The at least one valve disk advantageously comprises at least one perforated disk and at least one control disk, wherein the at least one control disk is adjustable relative to the at least one perforated disk in order to control the fluid or medium flow through the at least one perforated disk. This makes it possible to partially or completely close or open through openings in the perforated disk, in particular two openings when two chambers are provided within the second part of the valve housing, by means of the at least one control disk. Accordingly, it is possible to control a fluid or medium flow starting from the at least one inlet in the first part of the valve housing through the latter in the direction of the at least one first outlet and/or the at least one second outlet. A fluid or medium flow can therefore be controlled only in the direction of the at least one first outlet or only in the direction of the at least one second outlet or in the direction of the at least two outlets. When the at least one control disk is switched in the direction of the first and second outlets of the multi-way valve, on the one hand a symmetrical distribution between the two outlets is possible. On the other hand, a proportional distribution of the fluid or medium flow between the two outlets can also be provided. This is possible in particular by choosing the design of the at least one actuator. This can, for example, include a self-locking gear or, for example, be or will be designed as a BLDC motor, i.e. as a brushless direct current motor. The actuator is advantageously not designed as a stepper motor. This makes it possible to control or achieve a continuously proportional distribution of the fluid flow or medium flow to the at least two outlets of the multi-way valve.

The at least one perforated disk is further advantageously mounted in the valve housing so that it cannot rotate. Accordingly, only the at least one control disk moves relative to the at least one perforated disk, but not the perforated disk itself. This makes it possible for the perforated disk with its through openings to be aligned over the at least two chambers within the second part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve or the To arrange inflow openings of the at least two chambers. Accordingly, the at least one perforated disk is not rotated relative to the inflow openings of the at least two chambers of the valve housing, but only the at least one control disk is rotated relative to the at least one perforated disk. This enables a more precise and therefore better adjustment or control of the flow volumes in the direction of the at least two outlets of the multi-way valve.

Further advantageously, at least one driver element is provided for engaging and driving the at least one control disk. The at least one driver element thus serves to move the at least one control disk into the desired position. For example, the at least one control disk is approximately semicircular in plan view with at least two approximately identical through-openings provided in the at least one perforated disk, so that in a control position one of the through-openings is completely covered by the control disk and thus the fluid/medium flow only through the other through-opening which allows at least one perforated disk to pass through. The at least one driver element can accordingly, for example, engage a flat end face of the approximately semicircular control disk in order to be able to move it into the desired position.

To optimize and direct the fluid flow within the valve housing in the direction of the at least one outlet, in particular towards the at least two outlets, at least one steering contour can advantageously be provided or arranged on or on the drive shaft. The at least one steering contour is particularly advantageously provided with the at least one driver element. This makes it possible to direct the fluid flow from the at least one inlet in the first part of the valve housing to the at least one outlet, in particular to the at least two outlets, in the second part of the valve housing via the steering contour, without the fluid or medium moving against the inner Housing wall bounces. At least the at least one steering contour can ensure that less fluid or medium impacts against the inner housing wall of the valve housing of the multi-way valve. At A collision against the inner housing wall of the valve housing of the multi-way valve disrupts a continuous flow of fluid through it and slows down the fluid. By providing the at least one steering contour, the fluid or medium flow can be guided or directed within the valve housing in such a way that it flows through it in the optimal flow direction and at the optimal flow speed.

By advantageously providing the at least one driver element on the at least one steering contour, it is possible to engage directly on the at least one control disk, so that no further driver element is required to actuate the at least one control disk. The cost of parts or components and the assembly effort can therefore be reduced compared to the solutions of the prior art.

Further advantageously, the at least one drive shaft can be provided with at least one projecting element, in particular at least one web extending in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft, or can be used to transmit a driving force to the at least one steering contour of the at least one driver element. The drive shaft thus engages with its first end in the at least one actuator or this acts on the drive shaft. The driving force applied by the at least one actuator of the drive shaft can be transmitted via the at least one projecting element on the outside of the drive shaft to the steering contour, which is attached to the drive shaft, and thus also to the at least one driver element on the at least one steering contour. Due to the at least one projecting element, the at least one steering contour is arranged on the at least one drive shaft in a form-fitting and non-positive manner and at the same time secured against rotation and is connected to it. Thus, the driving force is transmitted from the actuator to the drive shaft and from this to the at least one steering contour and the at least one driver element that can be connected or connected to it and from this to the at least one control disk. The at least one projecting element can in particular be designed as at least one web extending in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft, which engages in a corresponding recess of the at least one steering contour and thus creates a positive connection between the drive shaft and the steering contour. The at least one steering contour can have a comparatively large height or longitudinal extent, so that the at least one projecting element on the drive shaft, in particular the at least one web extending in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft, can be made correspondingly long in order to ensure a very high power transmission between the at least one drive shaft and the at least one steering contour. For example, the at least one steering contour can be provided with at least two driver elements in web form, which engage the at least one control disk on its flat end face and thus enable force transmission to the at least one control disk.

The at least one drive shaft and the at least one steering contour and/or the at least one driver element can also be or will be designed in one piece. Due to the one-piece design, the provision of at least one projecting element on the outside of the at least one drive shaft and a corresponding recess in the area of the at least one steering contour can be omitted. Due to the one-piece design of the at least one drive shaft and the at least one steering contour and/or the at least one driver element, no further positive and/or non-positive connection between them is required.

Advantageously, at least one spring element can be arranged between the at least one steering contour and the at least one control disk. Such a spring element serves as a compression spring element or

Compensating spring element to compensate for tolerances, to hold the control disk and the steering contour in a desired position relative to one another and to allow the control disk to be placed as close as possible to the at least one perforated disk in order to avoid leakage flow between the control disk and the perforated disk due to an unwanted distance between them.

In order to enable predefined switching positions of the at least one control disk, at least one end stop can be provided for the at least one driver element in order to ensure its rotational movement in one predetermined position. For example, at least one end stop for the at least one driver element can be provided in the first part of the valve housing. Such an end stop can be designed, for example, in the form of a projecting web, against which the at least one driver element abuts, thereby preventing its further rotation.

Further advantageously, at least one flat sealing element is provided, which is or will be arranged in the second part of the valve housing so that it cannot rotate. Such a flat sealing element advantageously has a number of through openings corresponding to the number of through openings in the at least one perforated disk. It is further advantageously arranged in alignment with the at least one perforated disk in a rotation-proof manner in the second part of the valve housing. The at least one flat sealing element thus lies aligned with the at least two chambers in the interior of the second part of the valve housing on the top of the walls surrounding them and in particular of the at least one partition between them, the through openings of the flat sealing element being the inlet openings of the chambers in the interior of the second part of the valve housing. The at least one perforated disk lies approximately congruently on the at least one flat sealing element and is therefore also arranged in the second part of the valve housing so that it cannot rotate. In order to arrange the flat sealing element in the second part of the valve housing so that it cannot rotate, the top of the walls surrounding the at least two chambers and the at least one partition wall can be provided, for example, with projecting webs which at least partially engage in the through openings of the flat sealing element and thereby prevent the same from rotating an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the flat sealing element.

The valve housing can be at least in the area of positioning the at least one perforated disk, in particular the at least one flat sealing element and the at least one perforated disk with at least one element projecting into the interior of the valve housing and the at least one perforated disk, in particular both the at least one flat sealing element and the at least one perforated disk can be provided with at least one external recess that corresponds to it and can be interlocked or interlocked with the at least one projecting element. By interlocking the corresponding edge or outside recess(s) and the projecting element(s), it is possible to provide the desired anti-twist protection for the at least one flat sealing element and the at least one perforated disk. For example, projecting webs can be provided as projecting elements on the inside of the second part of the valve housing.

The at least one flat sealing element can have two flattened edge sections arranged opposite one another, in particular to save material. In order to hold the at least one flat sealing element in a rotation-proof manner inside the multi-way valve, the webs already mentioned can be used, in particular, from the top of the walls surrounding the at least two chambers and the at least one partition wall. When providing a travel path of approximately 90 ° for switching between two outputs of the multi-way valve, the at least one flat sealing element can be designed to be semicircular with an edge section flattened opposite the straight outer edge of the semicircle. The at least one flat sealing element can also be or will be shaped in the manner of a horizontal figure eight. Through these configurations, in comparison to the almost circular design of the at least one flat sealing element, smaller surfaces subjected to pressure difference can be created between the front and back of the control disk, considered for a pressure difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure, whereby a smaller actuation torque or starting torque of the multi-way valve is made possible when an exit is completely closed.

The present multi-way valve is designed to be simpler, cheaper and easier to install than the multi-way valves according to EP 2 917 619 B1, EP 2 917 620 B1 and EP 2 917 621 B1. The present multi-way valve is advantageously designed for high volume flows. These can, for example, be in the range of 350 to 400 l/min. The multi-way valve is therefore suitable for a wide variety of applications. For example, the multi-way valve can be used in a cooling system for a fuel cell, particularly in the vehicle sector.

Both the one flat sealing element and the at least one perforated disk and possibly the at least one control disk can consist of at least one ceramic material. The valve housing or the two parts of the valve housing and the at least one inlet and the at least two outlets can, for example, consist of a plastic material and/or metal or at least a metal alloy.

To explain the invention in more detail, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show in:

1 shows a perspective view of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a two-part valve housing and with an actuator arranged on the outside of the first part of the valve housing,

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1,

3 shows a perspective top view of the multi-way valve according to FIG. 1 with a view of its inlet,

Figure 4 is a perspective front view of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1 with a view of its two outlets,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-way valve along line AA of the view according to Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a perspective top view of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-way valve along line BB of the view according to Figure 6, 8 shows a further perspective exploded view of the multi-way valve according to FIG. 1,

Figure 9 is a perspective top view of the first part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1,

10 is a perspective bottom view of the first part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to FIG. 1, with a view of an end stop for a driver element of the multi-way valve,

Figure 11 is a perspective view looking into the interior of the second part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1

12 shows a perspective top view of two chambers separated from one another by a partition wall inside the second part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to FIG.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a steering contour according to the invention of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1

Figure 14 is a top view of the steering contour according to Figure 13,

Figure 15 is a perspective bottom view of the longitudinal contour according to Figure 13,

16 shows a further bottom view of the steering contour according to FIG. 13,

17 shows a first side view of the steering contour according to FIG. 13,

Figure 18 is a front view of the steering contour according to Figure 13,

19 shows a second side view of the steering contour according to FIG. 13,

Figure 20 is a perspective exploded view of a control disk, a perforated disk, a flat sealing element and a spring element in the form of a compression spring element or

Compensating spring element as components according to the invention of the multi-way valve according to Figure 1,

Figure 21 is a top view of a perforated disk according to the invention with two through openings and two edge recesses to create an anti-twist device,

Figure 22 is a top view of a control disk according to the invention for the multi-way valve according to Figure 1,

23 shows a side view of a drive shaft according to the invention for the multi-way valve according to FIG. 1, 24 is a perspective view of the control disk according to the invention according to FIG. 22, taken in the steering contour 5, as shown in FIG. 16,

25 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a two-part valve housing and with an actuator arranged on the outside of the first part of the valve housing,

Figure 26 shows a further perspective exploded view of the multi-way valve according to Figure 25,

Figure 27 is a perspective view looking into the interior of the second part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to Figure 25,

28 is an exploded perspective view of a control disk, a perforated disk, a flat sealing element and a spring element in the form of a compression spring element or compensating spring element as components according to the invention of the multi-way valve according to FIG. 25,

29 shows a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a two-part valve housing and with an actuator arranged on the outside of the first part of the valve housing,

30a to 30d show perspective views looking into the interior of the second part of the valve housing of the multi-way valve according to FIG

Figure 31 is a perspective exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a multi-way valve according to the invention with a two-part valve housing and with an actuator arranged on the outside of the first part of the valve housing.

Figures 1 and 2 show a multi-way valve 1 with a two-part valve housing 2, a first part 20 of the valve housing 2 being provided with an inlet 22, while a second part 21 of the valve housing 2 with two Outlets 23, 24 is provided. On the outside of the first part 20 of the valve housing 2, a receiving device 25 for receiving an actuator 3 is also provided. The receiving device 25 here comprises four column elements 250, 251, 252, 253 (see also Figure 9), on which the actuator 3 rests with fastening tabs 31 projecting away from its housing 30 (see Figure 3). For example, the housing 30 of the actuator 3 can be connected to the column elements 250 to 253 of the receiving device 25 on the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 using fastening screws or other fastening means. The receiving device 25 further comprises a cylindrical column body 254 arranged between the four column elements 250, 251, 252, 253, which is connected to the four column elements 250 to 253 via stiffening webs 255, 256, 257, 258 (see Figure 9). A through opening 259 extends through the cylindrical column body 254. A drive shaft 4, which can be driven by the actuator 3, can extend through this with its first end 40. As can be seen particularly well from Figures 2 and 23, this first end 40 of the drive shaft 4 is profiled on the outside, so that a transmission of a driving force to this first end 40 of the drive shaft 4 by the actuator 3 is possible. The actuator 3 can be designed, for example, in the form of a BLDC motor, i.e. a brushless direct current motor.

As can be seen in particular from Figure 23, the drive shaft 4 has, adjacent to the first end 40, a smooth section 41 with an outer diameter approximately corresponding to the outer diameter of the first end 40 and adjacent to this smooth section 41 has a cantilevered section 41 opposite it, thus with a larger one Outside diameter provided, second smooth section 42. This is followed by a plate-shaped cantilevered section 43 and this is followed by a second plate-shaped cantilevered section 44 with a smaller outer diameter than the section 43. The section 44 is adjoined by a comparatively long, externally smooth section 45 with an approximately constant outer diameter, which merges into a second end 46 of the drive shaft 4 at the end. The second end 46 of the drive shaft 4 has a smaller outer diameter than the section 45 in the one shown in Figure 23 Embodiment on. This second end 46 of the drive shaft 4 is stored in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2.

On the outside (outer side 48) on the smooth section 45 of the drive shaft 4, a projecting web 47 is arranged which extends in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 4, indicated by the dash-dotted line L ₄ . This serves to transmit a driving force, which is transmitted from the actuator 3 to the drive shaft, to a steering contour 5, which is added to the smooth section 45 of the drive shaft 4 on the outside. The steering contour 5 is shown not only in Figure 2, but in detail in Figures 13 to 19.

The steering contour 5 serves as a flow aid for steering a fluid flow from the inlet 22 through the two-part valve housing 2 towards the two outlets 23, 24 of the multi-way valve 1. For this reason, the steering contour 5 has a broad conical shape with a semi-conical lateral surface 56. As can be seen from the top view and bottom view of the steering contour 5 in Figures 14, 15 and 16, it is semicircular in the top view and bottom view, respectively a flat end face 50. Along this flat end face 50, the steering contour 5 has a central cylindrical connecting section 51 which projects in relation to it. This is stepped when viewed from the side with a wider lower or first section 52, which therefore has a larger outer diameter, and an upper or second section 53 with a smaller outer diameter. A through opening 54 extends through the central cylindrical connecting section 51 and is provided with a longitudinal groove 55 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the central cylindrical connecting section 51. The projecting web 47 on the outside 48 of the drive shaft 4 can engage in this longitudinal groove 55 and thus hold the steering contour 5 on the drive shaft 4 so that it cannot rotate.

As can also be seen particularly well from the top and bottom views of the steering contour 5 in Figures 13 to 19, especially the front view and the two side views in Figures 17 to 19, the steering contour 5 not only has the semi-conical lateral surface 56, but adjacent to it central cylindrical connecting section 51 has two hollow-shaped concave flow surfaces 57, 58 which extend like a wing adjacent to the central cylindrical connecting section 51. As a result, the fluid flow is directed towards the central cylindrical connecting section 51 or past it and around it towards the flat end face 50 of the steering contour 5. This becomes particularly clear from Figures 13 and 14. Along this flat end face 50 of the steering contour 5, two web-like driver elements 59, 159 are arranged adjacent to the central cylindrical connecting section 51, as can be seen particularly well in Figures 15, 16. The two web-like driver elements 59, 159 serve to engage a control disk 6, as can be seen in detail in particular in FIG. 2, but also in FIGS. 20 and 22, in order to take the control disk 6 along. 22 shows, the control disk 6 is semicircular to kidney-shaped in plan view with an end face 60 that is flat at least except for the central region, which merges into a circular segment-shaped outer edge 63 via rounded outer edges 61, 62. In the area of the flat end face 60, a central projecting section 64 is provided with a through opening 65. The drive shaft 4 is guided through the through opening 65. This can be seen in particular from the assembly view of the control disk 6, drive shaft 4 and steering contour 5 in Figure 24. Here the control disk 6 lies in the steering contour 5. Around the drive shaft 4, between it and the control disk 6 or within its through opening 65, and between the control disk 6 or its circular segment-shaped outer edge 63 and the surrounding, rounded driver contour 160 of the steering contour 5 There is clearance in each case in order to be able to achieve tolerance compensation and flatness compensation.

The control disk 6 serves to completely or only partially cover one or both through openings 70, 71 of a perforated disk 7 in order to be able to correspondingly control the flow of fluid or medium through the perforated disk 7 in the area of its first and second through openings 70, 71. The perforated disk 7 is flat. It can be seen not only in Figure 2, but particularly well in Figures 20 and 21. As can be seen in particular in Figure 21, the perforated disk 7 is essentially in plan view circular and has a central web 72 which separates the two through openings 70, 71 from each other. The middle web 72 is provided approximately in the middle of its longitudinal extent with a cantilevered section 73 which is circular in plan view and is provided with an inner through opening 74. The drive shaft 4 is guided through the through opening. As an extension of the central web 71, the perforated disk 7 has a recess 75, 76 on each edge. These two recesses 75, 76 lie opposite each other and serve to hold the perforated disk in the second part 21 of the valve housing 3 so that it cannot rotate. For this purpose, the valve housing 2 or its second part 21 has two projecting webs 27, 28 arranged on its inside 26. These can be seen in particular from Figures 8, 11 and 12.

To seal the perforated disk 7 from the second part 21 of the valve housing 2, a flat sealing element 8 is provided, which is designed to be approximately congruent with the perforated disk 7. This can be seen in particular from Figures 2, 8 and 20. As can be seen in particular from Figure 20, the flat sealing element 8 is thinner than the perforated disk 7. Just like the perforated disk 7, the flat sealing element 8 has two through openings 80, 81, which are separated from one another by a central web 82. The middle web 82 is also provided approximately centrally along its longitudinal extent with a cantilevered section 83 which is circular in plan view and is provided with a through opening 84 through which the drive shaft 4 protrudes or can protrude. In order to be able to hold the flat sealing element 8 in a rotation-proof manner in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2, the flat sealing element 8 also has two opposite edge recesses 85, 86 formed in an extension of the central web 82 on the edge of the flat sealing element 8. The two projecting webs 27, 28 on the inside 26 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 also engage in these recesses 85, 86. The perforated disk 7 and the flat sealing element 8 thus lie congruently on top of or on top of one another in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2. This can also be seen, for example, from the sectional views in FIGS. 5 and 7. Furthermore, the perforated disk 7 is through the circumferential and immersed in the second part 21 wall part 206 on the fastening flange 201 of the part 20 of the valve housing 2 pressed onto the flat sealing element 8, as can be seen particularly well in Figure 7. The wall part 206 is supported on the perforated disk 7 and therefore presses it onto the flat sealing element 8, which rests on a circumferential shoulder 220 of the part 21.

As can be seen particularly well in FIGS. 11 and 12, two chambers 210, 211 are formed in the interior of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2, which are separated from one another by a partition 212. The partition 212 is approximately in the middle of its longitudinal extent with a cylindrical receiving section 213 which projects from the lateral extent of the partition 212 and has an inner receiving opening 214. The drive shaft 4 engages with its second end 46 in the inner receiving opening 214 and is stored therein. This can be seen in Figure 5, for example.

The sectional view in Figure 5 can also be seen that in the area of the lower or first section 52 of the central cylindrical connecting section 51 of the steering contour 5, a spring element or compression spring element or compensating spring element 9 is arranged, which has one end on the steering contour 5 and supported with its other end on the outside of the control disk 6. By providing the spring element 9 between the steering contour 5 and the control disk 6, the latter is pressed in the direction of the perforated disk 7 and the former against the second plate-shaped projecting section 44 of the drive shaft 4, so that an unwanted lifting of the control disk 6 from the perforated disk 7 can be prevented and thus an unwanted incorrect flow of the liquid and/or gaseous medium or fluid flowing through the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1.

As can be seen from Figure 10, on the inside 200 of the first part 20 of the valve housing 2, in the area of its fastening flange 201, there is an end stop 29 for the two web-like driver elements 59, 159 the steering contour 5 is provided. The end stop 29 is designed in the form of a web or nose element projecting on the inside 200 of the first part 20 of the valve housing 2. The driver element 59 or 159 can abut on this when the steering contour 5 is rotated by means of the drive shaft 4 and thus prevent further rotation, so that predefined switching positions of the multi-way valve 1 can be achieved. The end stop 29 thus serves as a limiting means for the rotation of the control disk 6, since the two driver elements 59, 159 engage on the control disk 6 or its flat end face 60 and take the control disk 6 with them when the steering contour 5 is rotated by the drive shaft 4. The drive shaft 4 and the steering contour 5 are connected to one another in a positive and non-positive manner, while the control disk 6 is only taken along by the two driver elements 59, 159 in a non-positive manner when the steering contour 5 rotates by means of the drive shaft 4, see also Figure 24.

In Figure 5, the arrows P1, P2, P3 also show the power flow from the actuator 3 via the drive shaft 4, the steering contour 5 with the two web-like driver elements 59, 159 to the control disk 6. This enables very good power transmission from the actuator 3 to the control disk 6. As an alternative to the embodiment shown of an interconnected drive shaft 4 and steering contour 5 with driver elements 59, 159, these can also be designed in one piece, so that the drive shaft 4 is in one piece with the steering contour 5 or the driver elements 59, 159. This makes it possible, in particular, to omit the protruding web 47, since it is then no longer needed.

As can be seen in particular from Figure 5, the drive shaft 4 and the perforated disk 7 extend in the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 at an angle of inclination a deviating from 90 ° to the longitudinal axis L ₂ 2 of the inlet 22 or the longitudinal axes L ₂ 3, L24 of the two outlets 23, 24. The angle of inclination a relative to the longitudinal axis L ₂₂ of the inlet 22 can be, for example, a = 120 to 150 °, in particular 135 °. The two parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that their connecting plane E, which is between their two circumferential fastening flanges 201 and 215, at the same or a different angle of inclination to the longitudinal axis L ₂ 2 of the inlet 22 or the longitudinal axes L ₂ 3, L24 of the two outlets 23, 24 is like the perforated disk 7. The perforated disk 7 is approximately vertical arranged to the drive shaft 4. This connection level E is the level in which the connection or fastening of the two parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 lies with one another. As can be seen in FIG. 5, for example, the longitudinal axes L22, L23 and L24 extending through the inlet 22 and the two outlets 23, ₂₄ are arranged approximately parallel to one another. However, this can also be different with another embodiment variant. The connecting plane E or the two fastening flanges 201, 215 of the two parts 20, 21 can, on the one hand, be arranged approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L ₄ of the drive shaft 4. On the other hand, it is also possible for the connecting plane E of the two fastening flanges 201, 215 or these to extend at a different angle to the longitudinal axis L ₄ of the drive shaft 4. A flow of fluid or medium through the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 is due to the fact that the drive shaft 4 and the perforated disk 7 in the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 are at an angle of inclination a deviating from 90 ⁰ to the longitudinal axis L ₂₂ of the inlet 22 and the longitudinal axes L ₂₃ , L ₂₄ of the two outlets 23, 24 extend, particularly possible since, in contrast to the prior art, the flow is not deflected by 90 ⁰ , but rather the flow through due to the inlets 22 and outlets 23 aligned approximately parallel to one another, 24 and the arrangement of the drive shaft 4 and the perforated disk 7 at an angle of inclination a deviating from 90 ⁰ to the longitudinal axis L ₂₂ of the inlet 22 or the longitudinal axes L ₂₃ , L ₂₄ of the two outlets 23, 24 is favored. Even if the longitudinal axes of the inlets and the outlets are not aligned parallel to one another, the drive shaft 4 and the perforated disk 7 can each be at an angle of inclination a that deviates from 90 ^° , but may then be different, to the longitudinal axis L ₂₂ of the inlet 22 or the Longitudinal axes L ₂₃ , L ₂₄ of the two outlets 23, 24 stand.

As can be seen particularly well in Figures 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the two fastening flanges 201, 215 of the two parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 each have a number of fastening openings 202, 216 in order to be able to releasably connect the two fastening flanges 201, 215 to one another, for example via screws or other fastening means.

In the embodiment of the multi-way valve 1 according to FIGS. 25 and 26, the flat sealing element 8 is not completely congruent with the perforated disk 7. Rather, the flat sealing element 8 according to Figures 25 and 26 has two flattened edge sections 87, 88 lying opposite each other, as can be seen better from Figure 28. These are arranged approximately at right angles to the central web 82 of the flat sealing element 8. In the edge region in which the recesses 85, 86 arranged on the outside are arranged in the embodiment of the flat sealing element 8 according to FIG. 1, the flattened edge sections 87, 88 are arranged in the embodiment of the flat sealing element 8 according to FIGS. 25, 26 and 28. As a result, the flat sealing element 8 can be designed to be particularly material-saving. In order to provide anti-twist protection relative to the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 in this embodiment variant of the flat sealing element 8, this is provided with projecting webs 221, 222 in the area flanking the partition 212 between the two chambers 210, 211 and this in the area of the two chambers 210 , 211 surrounding wall 223 is provided. The two projecting webs 221, 222 thus delimit the area of the two through openings 80, 81 in the flat sealing element 8, as can also be seen in Figure 28. The projecting webs 221, 222 can be clearly seen in FIG. 27. The projecting webs 221, 222 engage in the through openings 80, 81 of the flat sealing element 8 after it has been inserted into the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 and thus serve as an anti-rotation device for this embodiment of the flat sealing element 8 according to FIGS. 25, 26 and 28, respectively.

30a to 30d show the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 in the embodiment according to FIG cannot be seen in the figures, and the steering contour 5 is arranged above this. The drive shaft 4 engages through the respective through openings 54, 65, 74 and 84 of the components mentioned and is mounted in the inner receptacle of the opening 214 in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2. In Figure 30a, the second chamber 211 is covered by the steering contour 5 and control disk 6, so that flow is only permitted in the direction of the first chamber 210. In the position of the steering contour 5 and control disk 6 according to Figure 30b, this is reversed, where the output into the first chamber 210 is covered by the steering contour 5 and control disk 6, so that an outflow of medium is only permitted into the second chamber 211. 30c, half of the outputs into the chambers 210 and 211 are covered by the control disk 6 and steering contour 5, so that approximately half of the medium can flow out into the two chambers 210, 211 . In the position of the control disk 6 and steering contour 5 shown in Figure 30d, a larger portion of medium is allowed to flow out into the first chamber 210 and a small portion into the second chamber 211. Control disk 6 and steering contour 5 can thus vary the outflow of medium into the two chambers 210, 211 as desired between completely closing a respective chamber 210 or 211 and completely opening a respective one of the chambers 210, 211.

Figure 29 and Figure 31 each show embodiments of the multi-way valve 1. Here, not only is the flat sealing element 8 shaped differently than shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. In the embodiment of the multi-way valve 1 shown in FIG. 29, the flat sealing element 8 is designed in the top view in the form of a lying eight or in the form of a Gerono's lemniscate. The perforated disk 7 is also designed in the plan view essentially in the form of a horizontal figure eight or a lemniscate by Gerono. In the central narrow area 226, the perforated disk 7 has two recesses 77, 78 arranged opposite one another. To prevent rotation, the two projecting webs 27, 28 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 can engage in this, the two projecting webs 27, 28 in the embodiment of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 according to Figure 29 are designed to be significantly longer than in the embodiment variants according to Figures 1 to 28 or 30a to 30d. The reason for this is that both the perforated disk 7 and the flat sealing element 8 have significantly different shapes than the corresponding perforated disks 7 and flat sealing elements 8 according to Figure 1 and according to Figures 25, 26 and 28.

The two through openings 224, 225 in the two chambers 210, 211 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 according to FIG. 29 correspond in terms of their shape to the two halves of the flat sealing element 8, which is designed in the manner of a lying eight, and the perforated disk 7, which is designed in the manner of a lying eight. This can also be seen particularly well in Figure 29. Due to the small dimensions of the through openings 224, 225 in the two chambers 210, 211 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 according to Figure 29, significantly smaller pressure differences of the acted upon surfaces between the front and the back of the control disk 6 are possible with respect to the control disk 6, whereby The input pressure P _E acts on the top side of the control disk 6, which is arranged in the direction of the steering contour 5, while the output pressure P acts on the underside or back of the control disk 6, which is directed in the direction of the perforated disk 7. Since the through openings 80, 81 through the flat sealing element 8 according to FIG. 29 or the through openings 70, 71 through the perforated disk 7 are significantly smaller than, for example, in the embodiment of the perforated disk 7 and the flat sealing element 8 according to FIG The output pressure P _A acting on the control disk 6 is significantly lower than in the embodiment of the multi-way valve 1 according to FIG. 1 or according to FIGS 29 is a low actuation torque and thus starting torque of the multi-way valve 1 in the completely closed state of one of the two outputs, thus one of the two through openings 224, 225 in the two chambers 210, 211 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 according to Figure 29 in comparison to the embodiments of the multi-way valve 1 according to Figure 1 and Figures 25, 26 and 28 possible. In the further embodiment of the multi-way valve 1 according to FIG. 31, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 29, switching between the two outputs into the two chambers 210, 211 is possible with a travel of 90 ° of the steering contour 5 and control disk 6. 31, comparatively small surfaces are provided which are subjected to a pressure difference between the front and back of the control disk 6, which also provide for a smaller actuation torque, i.e. starting torque, of the multi-way valve in the completely closed state of an output, i.e. one of the two through openings 227, 228 in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1. In the embodiment of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 shown in Figure 31, the two through openings 227, 228 in the two chambers 210, 211 of the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 have approximately half the dimensions of the through openings in the two chambers 210, 211 in second part 21 of the valve housing 2 according to Figure 1 or Figure 25 or Figure 27. In order to adapt to this shape of the two through openings 227, 228 in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 according to FIG Embodiment according to Figures 25, 26 and 28. The perforated disk 7 has an edge web 79 approximately perpendicular to its central web 72. Opposite this and aligned with the central web 72, an external recess 76 is also provided in the perforated disk 7 according to FIG is not visible. The projecting web 28 is diametrically opposite the projecting web 27 according to FIG. 31, as also shown in FIG. 12 for the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The flat sealing element 8 according to Figure 31 has no recess, but is opposite to an edge web 89 and somewhat perpendicular to the central web 82 of the flat sealing element 8 according to Figure 31 provided with a flattened edge section 88, as is also the case the embodiment of the flat sealing element 8 according to Figures 25, 26 and 28 is provided. This also makes it possible to save material and thus also costs in the production of the flat sealing element 8. To prevent rotation, the flat sealing element 8 is held by projecting webs 229, 230, which engage in the corresponding through openings 80, 81 in the flat sealing element 8 according to FIG. The projecting webs 229, 230 surround the respective through openings 227, 228 into the two chambers 210, 211, as can be seen from FIG. 31.

In the embodiment of the multi-way valve 1 according to FIG. 31, the shape of the control disk 6 also differs from that shown in the other figures. In the embodiment according to FIG. 31, the control disk 6 is designed to have two wings with two segments lying opposite one another. This enables a very good individual covering of a respective through opening 70 or 71 of the perforated disk 7 and accordingly also of the two through openings 80, 81 of the flat sealing element 8 and thus of the respective through opening 227, 228 in the second part 21 of the valve housing 2.

In order to be able to operate the control disk 6 shaped in this special way, the steering contour 5 also has a greater degree of overlap compared to the embodiments of the steering contours 5 in the other embodiment variants of the multi-way valve 1. Since the steering contour 5 for actuating the control disk 6 overlaps it along its respective flat end faces 66, 67, but in the embodiment of the control disk according to FIG the steering contour 5 is designed accordingly, as can also be seen in FIG. 31, in order to be able to engage and actuate the end faces 66, 67 of the control disk 6 according to FIG. 31.

As can be seen particularly well in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 25, 26, 29, 31, the two parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 have reinforcing ribs 203, 204 and 217, 218 on the outside on, which is like a net on the Outside of the first part 20 and the second part 21 of the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1 extend. By providing such reinforcing ribs on the respective outside 205 or 219 of the two parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 of the multi-way valve 1, it is possible to keep the respective wall thickness of the first and second parts 20, 21 of the valve housing 2 comparatively small and still sufficient To provide stability for the valve housing 2.

At the inlet 22 of the valve housing 2, which is shown in the figures as an inlet port, and the two outlets 23, 24, which are also shown as outlet ports, lines, such as coolant lines, can be connected in order to provide a coolant flow as a medium flow via the multi-way valve 1 into two cooling circuits in a desired or specifiable manner. This makes it possible to branch the coolant flow to several cooling circuits that are in medium communication with the multi-way valve 1. For example, the multi-way valve 1 can be integrated into a cooling system for a fuel cell of a vehicle.

The multi-way valve 1 is designed for high volume flows. These can, for example, be in the range of 350 to 400 l/min. Of course, other volume flows can also flow through the multi-way valve 1.

The control disk 6, the perforated disk 7 and the flat sealing element 8 can each consist of at least one ceramic material. By using ceramic material, manufacturing to close tolerances is possible, as is providing abrasion resistance and wear resistance.

In addition to the embodiment variants of a multi-way valve described above and shown in the figures for controlling a liquid and/or gaseous medium or fluid flow, numerous others can be formed, in particular any combinations of the features mentioned above, the multi-way valve in each case having at least one valve housing, at least one inlet for the inflow of fluid or Medium, at least one outlet for flowing out fluid or medium, at least one valve disk, at least one drive shaft for adjusting the at least one valve disk and at least one actuator for driving the at least one drive shaft, wherein the at least one valve housing comprises at least one chamber, in particular at least two Chambers, and which serves at least one valve disk for controlling the fluid flow or medium flow in the direction of the at least one chamber and wherein the valve housing is multi-part, in particular two-part, wherein a first part of the valve housing has the at least one inlet and a second part of the valve housing the at least one outlet and the at least one chamber assigned to it or these. Furthermore, the at least one drive shaft is mounted in the valve housing.

Reference symbol list

1 multi-way valve

2 valve housings

3 actuator

4 drive shaft

5 steering contour

6 control disc

7 hole disc

8 flat sealing element

9 spring element/compression spring element/compensating spring element

20 first part of 2

21 second part of 2

22 entrance

23 outlet

24 outlet

25 recording facility

26 inside of 21

27 projecting bridge

28 projecting bridge

29 end stop for 59, 159

30 cases of 3

31 cantilevered fastening tab

40 first end of 4

41 smooth section

42 second smooth section

43 plate-shaped cantilevered section

44 second plate-shaped cantilevered section

45 smooth section on the outside

46 second end of 4

47 jetty

48 outside

50 flat face

51 central cylindrical connecting section lower section/first section upper section/second section

Passage opening

Longitudinal groove semi-conical lateral surface, hollow-shaped concave flow surface, hollow-shaped concave flow surface, web-like driving element, flat end face, rounded outer edge, rounded outer edge, circular segment-shaped outer edge, central cantilevered section

Through opening, flat end face, flat end face, first through opening, second through opening, middle web, cantilevered section

Passage opening

recess

Recess on the edge of the web, first through opening, second through opening, middle web, cantilevered section

Passage opening

recess

Recess flattened edge section flattened edge section, web on the edge, web-like driver element, rounded driver contour on the inside

Fastening flange fastening opening reinforcing rib reinforcing rib outside wall part first chamber second chamber partition receiving section inner receiving opening fastening flange fastening opening reinforcing rib reinforcing rib outside paragraph of 21 protruding web protruding web wall

Through opening through opening middle area through opening through opening cantilevered web cantilevered web cantilevered web cantilevered web 250 column element

251 column element

252 column element

253 column element

254 cylindrical column body

255 stiffening bar

256 stiffening bar

257 stiffening bar

258 stiffening bar

259 Through opening l_4 Longitudinal direction of 4 L22 Longitudinal axis of 22

L23 Longitudinal axis of 23

L ₂ 4 long axis of 24

E connecting plane of 20 and 21 a inclination angle

P1 arrow/power flow

P2 arrow/power flow

P3 arrow/power flow

P _E inlet pressure PA outlet pressure

Claims

Claims multi-way valve (1) for controlling a liquid and/or gaseous medium flow, comprising at least one valve housing (2), at least one inlet (22) for the inflow of medium, at least one outlet, in particular at least two outlets (23, 24), for the outflow of medium, at least one valve disk, at least one drive shaft (4) for adjusting the at least one valve disk and at least one actuator (3) for driving the at least one drive shaft (4), the at least one valve housing (2) having at least one chamber (210, 211) and which serves at least one valve disk for controlling the medium flow towards the at least one chamber, in particular the at least two chambers (210, 211), characterized in that the valve housing (2) is made up of several parts, with a first part ( 20) of which the at least one inlet (22) and a second part (21) of which comprises the at least one outlet (23, 24) and the at least one chamber (210, 211) assigned to this or these and the at least one drive shaft ( 4) is stored in the valve housing (2). Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that to promote the medium flow within the multi-way valve (1) the at least one drive shaft (4) and the at least one valve disk within the valve housing (2) in one of 90 ° deviating inclination angle (a) to the longitudinal axis (L22) of the at least one inlet (22) and the longitudinal axis (L23, L24) of the at least one outlet (23, 24) are arranged. Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one valve disk comprises at least one perforated disk (7) and at least one control disk (6), the at least one Control disk (6) is adjustable relative to the at least one perforated disk (7) to control the medium flow through the at least one perforated disk (7). Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one perforated disk (7) is mounted in the valve housing (2) so that it cannot rotate. Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one driver element (59, 159) is provided for engaging and driving the at least one control disk (6). Multi-way valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for optimizing and steering the medium flow within the valve housing (2) in the direction of the at least one outlet, in particular the at least two outlets (23, 24), at least one steering contour (5) on or on the at least one drive shaft (4) is provided. Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one steering contour (5) is provided with the at least one driver element (59, 159). Multi-way valve (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one drive shaft (4) with at least one projecting element, in particular at least one web (47) extending in the longitudinal direction (L ₄ ) of the drive shaft (4), can be provided or provided for transmitting a driving force to the at least one steering contour (5) and the at least one driver element (59, 159). Multi-way valve (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one drive shaft (4) and the at least one steering contour (5) and / or the at least one driver element (59, 159) are formed in one piece. Multi-way valve (1) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that at least one end stop (29) is provided for the at least one driver element (59, 159), in particular at least one end stop in the first part (20) of the valve housing (2). (29) for which at least one driver element (59, 159) is provided. Multi-way valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one flat sealing element (8) is provided, which can be arranged or is arranged in the second part (21) of the valve housing (2) so that it cannot rotate. Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the valve housing (2) at least in the area of positioning the at least one perforated disk (7), in particular the at least one flat sealing element (8) and the at least one perforated disk (7), with at least one element (27, 28) projecting into the interior of the valve housing (2) and the at least one perforated disk (7), in particular both the at least one flat sealing element (8) and the at least one perforated disk (7), with at least one corresponding and with the at least one projecting element (27, 28) is/are provided with an interlocking or interlocking external recess (75, 76, 85, 86). Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one flat sealing element (8) has two flattened edge sections (87, 88) arranged opposite one another or is semicircular with a flattened edge section opposite a straight outer edge, in particular an edge-side web (89), of the semicircular flat sealing element (8) ( 88) is trained. Multi-way valve (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one flat sealing element (8) is shaped in the manner of a horizontal figure eight. Use of the multi-way valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a cooling system for a fuel cell.