VALVE BLOCK, SECURING ELEMENT, VALVE UNIT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING A VALVE BLOCK, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SECURING ELEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve block, for at least one valve, in particular a slip-in valve having at least one cavity for receiving the valve; a first opening for inlet of a fluid and a second opening for outlet of the fluid, wherein the openings open into the cavity; a mounting area in which the openings are provided; and a collar for securing the valve, which collar extends at least in sections around the cavity, wherein the collar integrally formed with the valve block by primary shaping, in particular injection molding or die casting.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A valve block for a slip-in valve comprising: at least one cavity for receiving the valve; a first opening for inlet of a fluid and a second opening for outlet of the fluid, wherein the openings open into the cavity; a mounting area in which the openings are provided; and a collar extending at least in sections around the cavity for securing the valve, wherein the collar extends radially outwards from the cavity, wherein the collar is adapted for connecting the valve block to the valve using a retaining element, and wherein the valve block is integrally formed by injection molding or die casting.

29. The valve block according to claim 28, wherein the collar is formed at a first axial end of the cavity, and wherein the cavity is open outward for inserting the valve.

30. The valve block according to claim 28, wherein the collar connecting the valve block is formed to radially extend circumferentially around the cavity.

31. The valve block according claim 28, wherein the collar has a contact surface on a front side against which the valve rests during mounting.

32. The valve block according to claim 28, wherein at least one extension is formed radially outwards and axially spaced apart from the collar.

33. The valve block according to claim 28, further comprising a multiplicity of grid-shaped ribs.

34. The valve block according to claim 28, further comprising at least one positive-locking connection for connecting the valve block to further valve blocks in a space-saving manner.

35. The valve block according to claim 34, wherein the positive-locking connection is V-shaped or dovetail-shaped.

36. The valve block according to claim 28, wherein the mounting area is arranged on an underside of the valve block for coupling to at least one flange connection.

37. The valve block according to claim 28, wherein the mounting area is connected to the cavity through the openings for flow of the fluid.

38. A valve block comprising: at least one cavity for receiving a valve; a first opening for inlet of a fluid and a second opening for outlet of the fluid, wherein the openings open into the cavity; a mounting area in which the openings are located; and a collar extending at least in sections around the cavity for securing the valve, wherein the collar extends radially outwards from the cavity, wherein the collar is adapted for connecting the valve block to the valve using a retaining element, and wherein the valve block is integrally formed by injection molding or die casting; and wherein the retaining element includes, an annular body formed to be open radially outwards and having a plurality of extensions which extend radially inwards, wherein the extensions are respectively arranged at axial ends of the annular body and are axially spaced apart from one another such that a space is formed between the extensions for receiving the valve or valve block, wherein the extensions have at least one contact surface formed axially on an inside, wherein the annular body has a multiplicity of ribs extending radially outwards, and wherein each of the ribs connects two axially opposed extensions for increasing a holding force.

39. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the annular body is elastically deformable for mounting or dismantling.

40. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of extensions is arranged at axial ends, and wherein the extensions are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction.

41. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein at least one transition between the extensions and the annular body is formed according to a method of tensile triangles.

42. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the extensions are each formed to be trapezoidal in cross-section.

43. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the extensions have a modulus of resistance increasing from an inside radially outwards towards the annular body.

44. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the extensions at both axial ends of the annular body each form at least one insertion chamfer for the valve and valve block which extends axially inwards.

45. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the annular body has at least two receiving elements for elastically deforming the retaining element.

46. The valve block according to claim 38, wherein the ribs are arranged uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction so that stress occurring in the retaining element during elastic expansion is distributed homogeneously during mounting.

47. A method of manufacturing a valve block comprising: injection molding the valve block having at least one cavity for receiving a valve and having a first opening for inlet of a fluid and a second opening for outlet of the fluid, wherein the openings open into the cavity, the valve block including a mounting area in which the openings are located, the valve block including a collar extending at least in sections around the cavity for securing the valve, wherein the collar extends radially outwards from the cavity, wherein the collar is adapted for connecting the valve block to the valve using a retaining element; and injection molding the retaining element having an annular body formed as a single piece which is open radially outwards and has a multiplicity of extensions which extend radially inwards, the extensions each being arranged at an axial end of the annular body and being axially spaced apart from one another such that a space is formed between the extensions for receiving the valve and valve block.

48. The method of manufacturing according to claim 47, wherein the annular body is positively arranged on a core of an injection mold by an injection molding process.

49. The method of manufacturing according to claim 47, further comprising removing the annular body from the core by elastic deformation.

50. The method of manufacturing according to claim 49 further comprising elastically deforming the annular body for removal by a puller collet.

Description

[0052] In the Figures:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a valve block according to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the valve block according to FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the valve block according to FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a retaining element according to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the retaining element according to FIG. 4;

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the retaining element according to FIG. 4; and

[0059] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a transition according to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0060] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a valve block 10 for a valve, in particular a slip-in valve, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The valve block 10 is formed in one piece by primary shaping, in particular injection molding or die casting. The valve block 10 can be formed from one piece by casting. The valve block can be formed by an injection-molded plastic part or an aluminum die cast part.

[0061] The valve block 10 comprises a cavity 11 for receiving a valve, three openings 12 for the inlet and/or outlet of a fluid, a collar 13 for securing the valve and an mounting area 14 for securing the valve block 10 to a connection of a fluid system, in particular a hydraulic system. The fluid may be hydraulic oil. Alternatively, the fluid can also be a different fluid or gas.

[0062] According to FIG. 1, the mounting area 14 of valve block 10 is plate-shaped. The valve block 14 has a base body 36 which is arranged on the mounting area 14. The base body 36 has cavity 11, which is formed in the main body 26 in the longitudinal direction. The base body 36 has a grid-shaped reinforcing structure 37, which is formed by a multiplicity of ribs 22. The base body 36 is integrally formed with the mounting area 14 by primary shaping.

[0063] Further, the mounting area 14 has two through holes 38 to connect the valve block 10 to the connection of a fluid system, which is not shown. The through holes 38 can also be used for mounting on a solid body. In the area of the through holes 38, the base body 36 has a material recess so that the through holes 38 are freely accessible.

[0064] According to FIG. 3 it is shown that the mounting area 14 comprises a total of four positive-locking means 23, wherein two first positive-locking means 23′ are in each case formed by a recess and two second positive-locking means 23″ are in each case formed by a recess. The positive-locking means 23 are each V-shaped. The valve block 10 can be positively connected 10 to further valve blocks by the positive-locking means 23.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, collar 13 is formed for securing a valve, not shown, to an extension 21. The extension 21 is formed on the front side of the valve block 10. The extension 21 is formed radially outwards extending from the cavity 11. The collar 13 is formed at a first axial end 17 of the cavity 11. The cavity 11 is formed to be open to the outside at the first axial end 17 for inserting or mounting the valve in the longitudinal direction. The collar 13 extends around the cavity 11. The collar 13 is arranged outside the cavity 11.

[0066] The collar 13 is integrally formed with the valve block 10 exclusively by primary shaping, in particular injection molding or die casting. In other words, the collar 13 is mechanically unmachined after being formed by primary shaping. The collar 13 is therefore not subjected to any subsequent machining.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the collar 13 extends radially around the cavity 11. Starting from the cavity 11, the collar 13 extends radially outwards. The collar 13 is spaced apart from the extension 21. Specifically, a circumferential groove 39 is formed between the extension 21 and the collar 13. The width of the circumferential groove 39 defines the distance between the extension 21 and the collar 13. The collar 13 has a contact surface 19 at the front side against which the valve rests during mounting. During operation, the valve can be spaced apart from the contact surface 19. The distance between the valve and the contact surface 19 can be very small. The collar 13 and the circumferential groove 39 are integrally formed with the valve block 10 exclusively by primary shaping, in particular injection molding or die casting.

[0068] A transition 42 is formed between the collar 13 and the circumferential groove 39. The transition 42 is designed according to the method of tensile triangles, which will be discussed later in FIG. 7. Due to the transition 42, the collar 13 shows an increased failure force. In other words, due to the transition 42, the collar 13 can better introduce the tensile forces occurring in the groove 39 or the basic body 36 of the valve block 10. This improves the distribution of local tensile stresses and thus increases the service life.

[0069] According to FIG. 2, the cavity 11 is formed by a blind hole 15 into which the valve can be inserted for mounting. The cavity 11 has a total of three steps 41 which taper the cavity 11 towards a second axial end 43. The steps 41 are formed as chamfers, each of which taper the cavity 11 towards the second axial end 43. Also, each of the steps 41 can be formed as a curve, tapering the cavity 11 towards the second axial end 43. The cavity 11 is formed to be rotationally symmetrical.

[0070] Furthermore, the cavity 11 has several conical sections 44. The conical sections 44 each form a draft. The draft serves to remove or demold a core of at least one primary shaping tool from the cavity 11 after a primary shaping process, in particular injection molding or die casting process. Depending on the material of the valve block 10, the draft can be between 0.5° and 3°. It is conceivable that the cavity 11 is unmachined after forming by primary shaping.

[0071] According to FIG. 2, two of the conical sections 44 are formed between the three steps 41. In the two conical sections 44, at least one sealing surface 16 is provided to seal the valve block 10 against the valve in the mounted state. By means of the steps 41, a plurality of tight connections of the valve with respect to the valve block 10 can be implemented in the longitudinal direction of the cavity 11.

[0072] The valve block 10 comprises three openings 12 for the inlet and/or outlet of the fluid. As shown in FIG. 2, openings 12 are provided in the mounting area 14. The openings 12 extend through the mounting area 14 and lead into the cavity 11. In other words, the openings 12 each form a free passage from an underside 24 of the valve block 10 into the cavity 11. Thus, the underside 24 of the valve block 10 is fluidly connected to the cavity 11 through the openings 12. The underside 24 can be connected to at least one flange connection of a fluid system, in particular a fluid component, which is not shown. During operation, the fluid enters the cavity 11 and/or the valve (not shown) inserted into the cavity 11 through the openings 12, and/or the fluid exits the cavity 11 and/or the valve inserted into the cavity 11 through the openings 12.

[0073] According to FIGS. 4 to 6, a retaining element 25 for securing a first component to a second component according to a preferred exemplary embodiment according to the invention is shown. The first component can be a valve and the second component can be a valve block. Alternatively, the first component can be a connection of a fluid line and the second component can be a connection of a tank, in particular a hydraulic tank. The aforementioned components are examples only and thus are not limited thereto.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the retaining element 25 has an annular body 26 which is formed to be open radially outwards. In other words, the annular body 26 is formed to be slotted so that the annular body 26 has a C-shape. Specifically, the annular body 26 comprises two ring ends 45 that are spaced apart from each other. Between the ring ends 45, a slot 46 is formed through which the annular body 26 is open radially outwards. The annular body 26 is elastically deformable for mounting and/or dismantling and/or demolding.

[0075] Furthermore, the annular body 26 has a multiplicity of extensions 27 extending radially inward. Together, the extensions 27 define, with a radially inner head side 47, a through hole formed in the longitudinal direction. The extensions 27 have the same length radially inwards. It is also conceivable that at least one individual extension is longer or shorter than the extensions 27. The extensions 27 are formed to be evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the extensions 27 are formed on the inner circumference of the ring-shaped body 26 and are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The extensions 27 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, starting from the ring ends 45, in each case two transitions 32′ are formed in the circumferential direction between the extensions 27. The respective transition 32′ is provided between the individual extension 27 and the annular body 26. The transitions 32′ are formed according to the method of tensile triangles, which will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 7. The transitions 32′ are formed such that a longitudinal side 51 of the respective transition 32′ extends along the extension 27 towards the through hole.

[0077] According to FIGS. 4 and 6, the projections 27 are each arranged at an axial end 28 of the body 26 and are axially spaced apart from each other such that a space 29 is formed between the projections 27 to receive the components. Specifically, the axial space 29 between the extensions 27 is formed such that the components can be received. The extensions 27 each have a contact surface 31, in particular a holding surface, for the components, which is formed axially inside. In other words, the contact surfaces 31 on the extensions 27 face the space 29. The space 29 is radially bounded by an inner circumferential surface 48 of the annular body 26 and axially bounded on both sides by the contact surfaces 31 of the extensions 27. A further transition 32″ is formed according to the method of tensile triangles between the contact surface 31 of the inner circumferential surface 48 in order to better introduce the tensile forces occurring during mounting and dismantling as well as during operation into the annular body 26. The longitudinal side 51 of the transition 32″ extends axially along the inner circumferential surface 48 towards the space 29.

[0078] The extensions 27 are each trapezoidal in cross-section. Specifically, the extensions 27 have a modulus of resistance which increases from the head side 47 of extensions 27 towards the annular body 26. Thus, stress distribution is improved and failure force of the extensions 27 is increased.

[0079] As can be clearly seen in FIG. 6, the extensions 27 are formed at both axial ends 28 of the annular body 26. The extensions 27 each form an insertion chamfer 33 at both axial ends 28 for the components, which runs inward in the axial direction. The insertion chamfer 33 is oriented towards the space 29. Due to the insertion chamfer 33, the components can be easily and quickly connected to each other with the retaining element 25.

[0080] The retaining element 25 further comprises two receiving elements 34 for at least one mounting means, which is not illustrated. The receiving elements 34 are formed in the area of the ring ends 45. The receiving elements 34 are substantially hook-shaped. The receiving elements 34 form noses which face each other in the area of the ring ends 45. The receiving elements 34 serve to receive the mounting means, in particular the removal tool, in order to elastically deform the retaining element 25 for demolding during manufacture or for dismantling. In the process of this, the retaining element 25 is spread apart in opposite circumferential directions. The retaining element 25 can be spread apart during a manufacturing step by means of the mounting means so that the retaining element 25 can be demolded or removed from a core of an injection mold.

[0081] The annular body 26 further has a multiplicity of ribs 35 extending radially outward. The ribs 35 connect in each case two axially opposite extensions 27 so as to increase a holding force. In other words, the ribs 35 project radially outwards beyond the annular body 26. If an increased force is applied to the extensions 27 during operation and/or mounting or dismantling, the ribs 35 support the extensions 27 in the axial direction.

[0082] The ribs 35 are arranged evenly distributed in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the annular body 26, so that stress occurring during elastic expansion, in particular during mounting or dismantling or demolding are homogeneously distributed in the annular body 26.

[0083] When assembling a valve unit which substantially comprises a valve, in particular a slip-in valve, a valve block 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and a retaining element 25 according to FIGS. 4 to 6, the retaining element 25 is pre-positioned by sliding it onto the collar 13 of the valve block 10. During the sliding process, the collar 13 interacts with the insertion chamfer 33 of the retaining element 25 in such a manner that the latter is expanded in the circumferential direction. As a result, the through hole of the retaining element 25 becomes larger so that the collar 13 of the valve block 10 engages with the space 29. Subsequently, the valve is inserted at least partially into the cavity 11 of the valve block until the valve engages with a mating contour, in particular a mating collar, in the same way as the collar 13 of the valve block 10 engages with the space 29. In the mounted state, the valve block 10 and the valve are positively connected through the retaining element 25. The retaining element 25 holds the valve axially in and/or on the valve block 10. In other words, in the mounted state, the valve is axially fixed in and/or on the valve block 10 by the retaining element 25.

[0084] In a manufacturing method according to the invention, the retaining element 25 is formed in one piece by at least one injection molding process. By means of the injection molding process, the retaining element 25 is positively arranged on a core of an injection mold. In order to remove the retaining element 25 from the core, the retaining element 25 or the annular body 26 is elastically deformed by spreading it apart using a removal tool. In doing so, the retaining element 25 is elastically deformed until the through hole of the annular body 26 corresponds to the maximum size of an outer contour of the core. As a result of the improved structural configuration of the retaining element 25, a complex and cost-intensive collapsible core for demolding the retaining element 25 can be eliminated, as a result of which manufacturing costs can be reduced considerably.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the transitions 32′, 32″, 42, which are formed according to the method of tensile triangles. The transitions 32′, 32″, 42 have the longitudinal side 51 and the broad side 52. The longitudinal side 51 of the transitions 32′, 32″, 42 extends in the direction of the tensile force. The broad side 52 runs substantially transverse to the direction of tensile force.

[0086] In general, the method of tensile triangles combines several, in particular three, tensile triangles 49. The tensile triangles 49 are configured as isosceles triangles. A first tension triangle 49′ can substantially form a right-angled triangle. The two legs of a second tensile triangle 49″ correspond to the length of half the hypotenuse of the first tensile triangle 49″, wherein the hypotenuse of the second tensile triangle 49″ extends from half the length, in particular the middle, of the hypotenuse of the first tensile triangle 49″. Furthermore, the two legs of a third tensile triangle 49′″ correspond to the length of half the hypotenuse of the second tensile triangle 49″, wherein the hypotenuse of the third tensile triangle 49′″ extends from the middle of the hypotenuse of the second tensile triangle 49″. With such an arrangement of the tensile triangles 49, stress in the region of the respective transition 32′, 32″, 42 is reduced, and the service life of the retaining element 25 as well as the collar 13 of the valve block 10 is thus increased.

[0087] By means of the method of tensile triangles, the tensile stress occurring during operation and/or mounting is homogeneously distributed in the transitions 32′, 32″, 42. In other words, the tensile stress occurring locally in the transitions 32′, 32″, 42 are minimized by means of the tension triangle formation.

REFERENCE LIST

[0088] 10 valve block [0089] 11 cavity [0090] 12 openings [0091] 13 collar [0092] 14 mounting area [0093] 15 blind hole [0094] 16 sealing surface [0095] 17 first axial end of the cavity [0096] 18 contour [0097] 19 contact area [0098] 21 extension [0099] 22 ribs [0100] 23 positive-locking means [0101] 24 underside [0102] 25 retaining element [0103] 26 annular body [0104] 27 extensions [0105] 28 axial end of the annular body [0106] 29 space [0107] 31 contact surface [0108] 32 transition [0109] 33 insertion chamfer [0110] 34 receiving element [0111] 35 ribs [0112] 36 base body [0113] 37 reinforcement structure [0114] 38 through holes [0115] 39 circumferential groove [0116] 41 steps [0117] 42 transition [0118] 43 second axial end [0119] 44 conical sections [0120] 45 ring ends [0121] 46 slot [0122] 47 head side [0123] 48 inner circumferential surface [0124] 49 tensile triangles [0125] 51 longitudinal side [0126] 52 broad side