The invention relates to a fluid valve.
A fluid valve having a control means and a valve means is known.
The fluid valve in accordance with the invention has control means that comprises fail-safe means and has the advantage that the control means assumes a predefined position in the event of a malfunction. A further advantage is that the calibration procedure, in other words the procedure of determining the position of the control means, is omitted after a malfunction. The fail-safe means expands the application of the fluid valve to include a safety function.
It is particularly advantageous that the valve means comprises at least one malfunction position and in the event of a malfunction, the valve means assumes the malfunction position by means of the fail-safe means. The fail-safe means provides that the valve means assumes a malfunction position in the event of a malfunction. The valve means is consequently located in a defined position in the event of a malfunction. This position can be defined with the construction of the valve. The valve consequently does not require complex electronics that avoid malfunctions or that supply the fluid valve with energy by means of a rechargeable battery by way of example when the energy supply fails.
Furthermore, it is to be regarded as being advantageous that the fail-safe means comprises a coil body that comprises a functional direction. When energized, the coil body of the fail-safe means generates a magnetic field that attracts or repels magnets or ferromagnetic elements. Coil bodies can be produced in a very simple and consequently cost-effective manner. The coil body renders it possible in a simple and cost-effective manner to adjust a control means and valve means to a malfunction position. It is not necessary to use complex mechanical constructions.
Furthermore, the fail-safe means advantageously comprises a releasing element. During the normal operation, the releasing element is locked in the normal operating position by means of the coil body. In the event of a malfunction, the releasing element is locked in a second position by a resilient element. The resilient element can be embodied in particular as a return spring. The releasing element represents a simple and cost-effective possibility of locking the fail-safe means in two positions: a normal operating position and a second position.
Furthermore, it is to be regarded as advantageous that the releasing element cooperates with the valve means and is in particular connected to said valve means and the valve means assumes the malfunction position if the releasing element is locked in the second position. The cooperation of the releasing element with the valve means renders possible a simplified fluid valve and thereby a fluid valve that can be easily adjusted. As a result of this cooperation, the valve means assumes a malfunction position if the releasing element is locked in the second position.
A particularly simple embodiment is consequently achieved by virtue of the fact that the coil body pre-stresses the resilient element in the normal operating position. The fact that the resilient element is pre-stressed by means of the coil body simplifies the construction of the fluid valve. Additional components or electrical circuits whose function would have been to pre-stress the spring are not required. Consequently, the complexity of the fluid valve is kept to a minimum.
It is particularly advantageous that the control means comprises a drive. The drive comprises a rotor. The releasing element is secured against rotation and connected parallel to the rotor, in particular in such a manner that said releasing element can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the adjusting means. Furthermore, the releasing element is connected to the rotor in such a manner that said releasing element can be displaced along a rotor longitudinal axis. The releasing element comprises a positive-locking arrangement with respect to the rotor in the direction of rotation. The movement of the rotor can be transferred to the releasing element in a simple manner. Nevertheless, the releasing element can be displaced with respect to the rotor in the longitudinal direction.
It is advantageous that the releasing element comprises a threaded spindle and an anchor nut, wherein the threaded spindle cooperates with the anchor nut. The threaded spindle comprises in particular an outer thread and the anchor nut comprises an inner thread. The cooperation of the threaded spindle with the anchor nut renders possible a simple conversion of a rotational movement into a translational movement.
Furthermore, it is to be regarded as advantageous that the coil body when energized acts with a force upon the anchor nut of the releasing element and locks the releasing element in the normal operating position. The magnetic force by virtue of energizing the coil body represents a simple possibility for locking the releasing element in a position or for moving, in particular displacing or pressing the releasing element into the locked position.
The resilient element acts with a force on the anchor nut in a simple manner. The force that is applied by means of the resilient element counteracts the force that is generated by means of the energized coil body. Consequently, it is possible in dependence upon the strength of the forces to produce a locking arrangement by means of the force of the resilient element or the force of the energized coil body. Consequently, elements that increase the complexity are not required to implement the locking arrangement.
In a further advantageous further development, the wet region of the fluid valve is separated from the dry region by means of a pole pot. Additional lubrication is not required for the means of the releasing element as a result of arranging the releasing element within a pole pot. The releasing element can lubricate itself by means of the fluid that flows through the valve. Consequently, the durability of the fluid valve is improved.
It is advantageous that the valve means comprises at least one valve member and a valve housing. The releasing element cooperates with at least one valve member. Consequently, the valve member is controlled or regulated in a simple manner by the releasing means.
Furthermore, it is advantageous that the valve member is a sealing body that can be moved in a translational or rotational manner and opens a flow channel in dependence upon the position of said sealing body. The sealing effect can be improved in a simple manner by means of using a sealing body as a valve member.
It is particularly advantageous that the at least one valve member cooperates with at least one valve seat. A valve seat that is adjusted to the valve member renders possible a best possible sealing arrangement of the valve.
An embodiment that is particularly easy to produce is achieved by virtue of the fact that the valve member is embodied as one part with the threaded spindle. Assembly steps by means of which the valve member is connected to the threaded spindle are consequently omitted.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings hereinunder and explained in detail in the following description. In the figures:
Furthermore, the fail-safe means 15 comprises a releasing element 21. The releasing means 21 is arranged in the control means 10 in such a manner that said releasing means can move. Furthermore, the releasing element 21 is arranged in such a manner that it can move with respect to the coil body 17. In the fluid valve 1 in accordance with the invention in accordance with
The releasing element 21 comprises a threaded spindle 22 and an anchor nut 23. The threaded spindle 23 cooperates with the coil body 17. The anchor nut 23 is arranged in such a manner that it can move in and opposite to the control functional direction 62. The anchor nut 23 is in particular produced at least in part from a metal or includes metal or magnetic elements. Furthermore, the fail-safe means 15 comprises a resilient element 16. The resilient element 16 counteracts the functional direction 60 of the coil body 17. The resilient element 16 is embodied in
Furthermore, the anchor nut 23 comprises an inner thread 24. The outer thread 25 of the threaded spindle 22 engages in the inner thread 24 of the anchor nut 23. The inner thread 24 and the outer thread 25 cooperate. The rotation of the anchor nut 23 relative to the threaded spindle 22 displaces the threaded spindle 22 along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control means 10, in particular in and opposite to the control functional direction 62. The threaded spindle 22 screws into the anchor nut 23 or out of said anchor nut in dependence upon the direction of rotation. The anchor nut 23 and the threaded spindle 22 convert a rotational rotating movement into a translational movement. The threaded spindle 22 is embodied essentially from a threaded rod, in other words a cylindrical round bar having an outer thread, in particular a trapezoidal or flat thread.
The control means 10 comprises a drive 30. The drive 30 comprises a stator 34 and a rotor 32. The stator 34 comprises at least one coil that comprises at least one further winding. The stator 34 can be embodied from an arbitrary number of coils having an arbitrary number of windings. In the case of an EC drive, the stator comprises in particular 3 phases that in each case comprise at least one coil having at least one winding. The coils generate a magnetic field owing to a current flow. The magnetic field in turn leads to the rotor 32 rotating. The windings of the coils are energized by a current according to the position of the rotor 32. By way of example, an electronic circuit (not illustrated) controls the current flow for this purpose. The control by way of the electronic circuit can be performed in dependence upon the number of coils, in particular one, two or three coils and the type of circuit (star connection or delta connection) by way of example by way of a full bridge, an inverter connection or an EC motor control.
The rotor 32 is embodied from a ferromagnetic material, a magnetic material or a material that is drawn from a magnetic pole of an exterior magnetic field. It is also possible that the rotor 32 is embodied from a synthetic material and ferromagnetic or magnetic elements, in particular magnets are injection molded into said synthetic material. The magnetic elements or elements that cooperate with a magnetic field are consequently encased in an injection molded synthetic material. The synthetic material and the magnets form the rotor 32.
The rotor 32 cannot be moved in the longitudinal direction of the control means 10. A positive locking arrangement prevents the rotor 32 moving along the longitudinal axis of the control means 10 or in or opposite to the control functional direction 62.
In accordance with
The releasing element 21 cooperates with the rotor 32. The releasing element 21 is connected to the rotor 32 so as to be able to move in parallel or along the longitudinal axis of the control means 10. Consequently, the releasing element 21 is arranged in such a manner that it can be displaced in or opposite to the control functional direction 62 with respect to the rotor 32. A retaining element (not illustrated), in particular stops, prevents the releasing element 21 from detaching from the rotor 32. The releasing element 21 and the rotor 32 are connected to one another in a rotationally secure manner. A rotation of the rotor 32 is transferred to the releasing element 21 and leads to a rotation of the releasing element 21. The anchor nut 23 of the releasing element 21 cooperates with a rotor 32. By way of example, the anchor nut 23 comprises a groove along the longitudinal axis, said groove extending in or opposite to the direction of rotation. The rotor 32 comprises an element that engages in the groove and forms a positive locking arrangement with the rotor 32. Elements of this type are formed by way of example by means of a screw head, a phase, a soldering point or welding point. The releasing element 21 and the rotor 32 comprise a positive locking arrangement in the direction of rotation. In the case of a rotation of the rotor 32, the positive locking arrangement leads to a rotation of the releasing element 21, preferably the anchor nut 23, and conversely.
Furthermore, the control means 10 comprises a pole pot 38. The pole pot 38 comprises a peripheral surface, a pole pot base and a pole pot ring. The peripheral surface and the pole pot base form an interior space. The pole pot ring is used by way of example so as to fasten the pole pot to the control means 10. The releasing element 21, the resilient element 16 and the rotor 32 are located in the interior space of the pole pot 38. The pole pot 38 prevents fluids or gases being exchanged between the interior space and the region outside the pole pot 38. The coil carrier 17 is arranged outside the pole pot 38 on the pole pot base. The pole pot base is arranged between the anchor nut 23 and the coil body 17. Furthermore, a thrust washer or a ball bearing is arranged between the pole pot base and the anchor nut 23. The ball bearing and/or the thrust washer render it possible for the anchor nut 23 to rotate with respect to the pole pot base. The stator 34 of the drive 30 is arranged on the peripheral surface of the pole pot. The pole pot 38 is advantageously produced from a material that does not comprise magnetic characteristics, in particular synthetic material or aluminum. However, the pole pot 38 can also be embodied from a ferromagnetic material or a material that conducts the magnetic field and can conduct the magnetic flux of the coil body 17 or the drive 30.
The valve means 40 comprises at least one valve member 42 and a valve housing (not illustrated). The valve housing comprises fluid lines by way of which the fluids can be conveyed into the valve housing and can be conveyed out of the valve housing. Furthermore, the valve housing comprises guiding elements 44 that guide the valve member 42. The guiding elements 44 form a stop for the valve member 42. Furthermore, the valve means 40 comprises a valve seat 46. The valve seat 46 cooperates with the valve member 42. A channel of an arbitrary size is opened in dependence upon the position of the valve member 42 with respect to the valve seat 46. The size of the channel is dependent upon the position or the adjustment position of the valve member 42 with respect to the valve seat 46. The valve member 42 and the valve seat 46 render it possible to open the channel entirely and consequently render possible a maximum through flow of fluid. However, said valve member and valve seat also render it possible to completely close the channel and thereby not allow a flow of fluid through the fluid valve 1. Furthermore, said valve member and valve seat render possible any extent of opening between entirely open and completely closed.
The control means 10 controls the valve means 40. For this purpose, the valve means 40 comprises a guiding arbor 48. The guiding arbor 48 connects the valve member 42 to the releasing element 21 of the control means 10. The guiding arbor 48 is connected to the threaded spindle 22 of the releasing element 21. In particular, it is also possible that the threaded spindle 22 is directly connected to the valve member 42. Or the threaded spindle 22, the guiding arbor 48 and the valve member 42 are embodied as one part. An articulated joint 50 is arranged between the guiding arbor 48 and the threaded spindle 22. The articulated joint 50 renders possible an angle between the longitudinal axis of the control means 10 and the longitudinal axis of the valve means 40. Furthermore, by way of example the valve member 42 can rotate by means of the articulated joint while the threaded spindle 22 is not rotated. The articulated joint 50 is embodied as a ball joint in an exemplary manner. The further
In
If the malfunction is repaired, initially the starting position in accordance with
In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the coil carrier 17 can also be connected to the releasing element 21. The coil carrier 17 then acts upon a part of the control means 10, by way of example the pole pot base.
The fluid valve 1 in accordance with the invention can in particular be used in vehicles or heating systems.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2013 226 566.2 | Dec 2013 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2014/078374 | 12/18/2014 | WO | 00 |