VALVE APPARATUS

Abstract

A valve apparatus, in particular for a cooling system of a vehicle, includes a housing having at least two fluid connectors, a valve device which can be adjusted at least between a first valve position and a second valve position, and a drive for adjusting the valve device between the first valve position and the second valve position. The valve apparatus includes a fail-safe adjustment device in order to transfer the valve device from the first valve position into the second valve position in the event of an incident in which the power supply, in particular that of the vehicle, is interrupted.

Claims

1. A valve apparatus, in particular for a cooling system of a vehicle, comprising a housing having at least two fluid connectors, a valve device which can be adjusted at least between a first valve position and a second valve position, and a drive for adjusting the valve device between the first valve position and the second valve position, wherein a fail-safe adjustment device is provided in order to transfer the valve device from the first valve position into the second valve position in the event of an incident.

2. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an incident is a condition in which a power supply, in particular that of a vehicle, is interrupted, and/or in which there is an invalid signal, and/or in which there is an interference signal, and/or there is a switch signal to adjust the valve device by means of the adjustment device.

3. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fail-safe adjustment device comprises a fail-safe power source for deflecting or at least partially or completely transferring the valve device from the first valve position in the direction of the second valve position.

4. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fail-safe adjustment device comprises a spring device for at least partially or completely transferring the valve device from the first open valve position in the direction of the second valve position.

5. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fail-safe adjustment device comprises an eccentric gear for at least partially or completely transferring the valve device from the first open valve position in the direction of the second valve position.

6. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fail-safe adjustment device comprises an eccentric gear and/or a spring device, wherein the eccentric gear is coupled to the valve device and wherein the adjustment device is configured such that, when the valve device is disposed in the open position, the fail-safe power source supplies power to the drive such that it deflects the eccentric gear out of a neutral gear position in which the valve device is disposed in its open position about a predetermined angular range into a deflected gear position, wherein the spring device is coupled to the eccentric gear such that the eccentric gear in the deflected gear position is moved by means of spring force of the spring device such that the valve device is disposed in the second valve position.

7. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric gear comprises an eccentric disc and an eccentric pin, wherein the eccentric pin is moved along a circular path by means of the drive when the valve direction is adjusted between the open position and the closed position, and wherein the eccentric pin, and with it the valve device, is disposed in a lowest position in the spring direction of 180° in the first valve position and in a highest position in the spring direction of 360° in the second valve position.

8. The valve apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the eccentric pin is coupled to the spring device such that, when the valve device is transferred from the second valve position into the first valve position, the spring device is pretensioned in order to be able to retain the spring force.

9. The valve apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the eccentric gear has a section that is free of teeth, so that less spring force is required when the valve device is transferred from the second valve position into the first valve position.

10. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sensors are provided in order to detect a valve position of the valve device, wherein at least one further sensor is provided for detecting an incident, and wherein a control device is provided for actuating the valve apparatus and the adjustment device, said control device actuating the components of the valve apparatus using the data acquired by the sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The present invention will be described below on the basis of an embodiment shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a valve apparatus according to the invention with an opened housing in a perspective view in a closed position, in which an eccentric pin is disposed in a 0 degree or 360 degree position,

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a further opened view of the valve apparatus in the closed position,

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the valve apparatus with opened housing in which the eccentric pin is disposed in a 90 degree position,

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a further side view of the valve apparatus with opened housing in which the eccentric pin is disposed in a 180 degree position and the valve device is in the open position,

[0077] FIG. 5 shows a further side view of the valve apparatus with opened housing, in which the eccentric pin has been deflected out of the closed position by 15 degrees, because a fail-safe signal was detected, in which the eccentric pin is now disposed in a 195 degree position,

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the valve apparatus with opened housing in which the valve device is almost closed by the adjustment device and in which the eccentric pin is disposed in a 303 degree position,

[0079] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the valve apparatus according to the invention, and

[0080] FIGS. 8 to 16 show further views of the valve apparatus according to the invention in different operating states,

[0081] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a valve apparatus with the switchover function, and

[0082] FIG. 18 shows a side view of the valve apparatus from FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] A valve apparatus 1 according to the invention for a cooling system is described below on the basis of an embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 16).

[0084] The valve apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 with at least two fluid connectors 3, 4 that are configured as coolant connectors in the present embodiment.

[0085] A valve device 5 is disposed in the housing 1. The valve device 5 is a ball valve element, wherein a ball 6 with a passageway 7 forms a locking body of the ball valve element.

[0086] According to the present embodiment, the ball 6 or the locking body with the passageway 7 is adjustable between an open position 8, which releases an interface between the fluid connectors 3, 4 and constitutes a first valve position, and a closed position 9, which separates the interface between the fluid connectors and constitutes a second valve position.

[0087] Furthermore, a drive 10 for adjusting the valve device 5 between the open position 8 and the closed position 9 is provided. The drive 10 is configured as an electric motor.

[0088] The drive is connected to a fail-safe power source (not shown) and can be a battery, an accumulator, or preferably a capacitor. The fail-safe power source provides sufficient power in order to deflect the eccentric pin about a predetermined angular range in the event of an incident.

[0089] A drive shaft 11 of the drive 10 is connected to a drive gear 12. The drive gear 12 is connected to an eccentric disc 20 having a toothing 19 via a first gear device 13 having two gears 14, 15 and a second gear device 16 having two gears 17, 18. This toothing forms an eccentric gear 35.

[0090] The eccentric disc 20 also has a tooth-free section 33, so that a lower spring force is necessary when transferring the valve device from the closed position 9 into the open position 8.

[0091] The toothing 19 of the eccentric disc 20 extends approximately over an angular range of the eccentric disc 20 from about 180° to 270°. The remaining angular range forms the tooth-free section 33.

[0092] The eccentric disc 20 is also referred to below as the eccentric gear. The toothing 19 of the eccentric disc 20 is coupled to the gear 18 of the second gear device 16.

[0093] Furthermore, the eccentric disc 20 is connected to the ball 6 of the valve device 5 via a valve shaft 21 and a corresponding securing and storage device 22.

[0094] An eccentric pin 23 is integrally formed on a side of the eccentric disc 20 facing away from the ball device 5. The eccentric pin 23 is formed as a rod having a round cross-section that extends orthogonally outward from an end wall of the eccentric disc 20.

[0095] The eccentric disc 20 and the eccentric pin 23 are part of a fail-safe adjustment device 24, which in the present embodiment is a closure device 24.

[0096] The adjustment device 24 also comprises a spring device 25.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the spring device 25 has two springs 26. The springs extend approximately parallel to the end face of the eccentric disc 20 in a spring direction 32.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the spring device 25 is formed by two compression springs. Alternatively, one or more tension springs can also be provided in order to form the spring device.

[0099] Furthermore, the springs 26 are disposed on corresponding prongs 27 of a spring seat 28. The spring seat 28 also has a linear guide 29. The linear guide 29 comprises two guide rails 30, which extend approximately parallel to the end wall of the eccentric disc 20.

[0100] The guide rails 30 are configured in order to guide an actuating element 31 in and against a spring direction 32.

[0101] The springs 26 are disposed on the prongs 27 of the spring seat 28 of the spring device 25 and are coupled to the actuating element 31, which is linearly guided in the guide rails 30.

[0102] Furthermore, a sensor and preferably a plurality of sensors (not shown), in particular Hall sensors, are provided for detecting a valve position of the valve device.

[0103] Furthermore, at least one further sensor or a detection device (not shown) is provided for detecting an incident.

[0104] In addition, a control device (not shown) for driving the valve apparatus and the adjustment device is provided, said control device driving the components of the valve apparatus on the basis of the data recorded by the sensors.

[0105] According to a further embodiment, a valve apparatus 1 with a switchover function is provided (FIGS. 17 and 18). This valve apparatus has the same technical features as the valve apparatus described above.

[0106] The valve apparatus 1 with the switchover function has three fluid connectors 3, 4 and serves to demonstrate that the fail-safe adjustment device is suitable for a variety of the types of valves described above.

[0107] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the adjustment device comprises a fail-safe power source whose amount of electrical energy alone is sufficient in order to transfer the valve device of the valve apparatus from the open position into the closed position.

[0108] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a fail-safe or redundant method for closing or locking the valve apparatus 1 is provided. This method is carried out by the sensors discussed above in connection with the control device, which actuates the drive 10 and with it the adjustment device 24.

[0109] In the valve apparatus 1 according to the invention, it is provided that, when a supply voltage is no longer available and the valve device 1 is disposed, for example, in the open position 8 (first position), a failure assistance mode is activated, and the adjustment device intervenes.

[0110] It is provided that the fail-safe power source provides power to the drive 10 or electric motor, whereby a drive shaft 11 of the motor 10 is moved preferably counter-clockwise. However, the direction of rotation can be freely selected depending on the design of the valve apparatus.

[0111] In the valve apparatus 1, the eccentric pin 23 is at a lowest operating position in the first position, for example the open position 8. As a result of the rotational movement of the drive shaft 11 of the motor 10 and the corresponding gear stages of the eccentric gear 35, the eccentric disc 20 moves counter-clockwise.

[0112] After a rotational movement about a predetermined angular range of about 15°, the eccentric gear and the second gear are separated from one another. By means of the spring force of the spring device 25, the eccentric disc 20 and the valve device 5 connected thereto are exposed to the spring force of the spring device 25 and moved by approximately 303 degrees. The interface between the fluid connectors 3, 4 is disconnected such that the second valve position, for example a closed position, is present.

[0113] When supply voltage is again available, for example in a vehicle, it is detected by means of at least one Hall sensor that there is no longer a fail-safe signal, because the valve device 5 is disposed either in the first valve position, for example a normal open position, or in the second valve position, for example a normal closed position.

[0114] The motor 10 is then actuated to rotate slowly, preferably clockwise, in order to ensure that the gears of the second gear and the eccentric gear are not stuck.

[0115] The remaining spring force from the not yet fully expanded springs of the spring device 25 ensure that the eccentric gear and the second gear reengage with one another. The eccentric gear then moves clockwise until the highest position of the eccentric pin is detected.

[0116] The valve is then back in normal operation mode.

[0117] The normal position of the valve apparatus 1 is, for example, the closed position. The eccentric pin 23 on the eccentric gear is in the highest position. Alternatively, depending on the use of the valve apparatus 1, it can also be provided that the normal position of the valve apparatus 1 is, for example, the open position. The eccentric pin 23 on the eccentric gear is then still in the highest position in order to ensure a fail-safety.

[0118] As soon as the valve apparatus receives the signal to switch from the closed position into the open position (or vice versa), the drive shaft 11 of the motor 10 rotates preferably counter-clockwise. The eccentric gear then accordingly moves clockwise.

[0119] With the assistance of a magnet and a corresponding Hall sensor, the lowest position of the eccentric pin 23 can be detected, and the rotational movement is stopped. During this movement, the eccentric pin 23 pushes the actuating element 31 and the spring device 25 connected thereto downward against the spring direction and pre-tensions the spring(s) of the spring device.

[0120] The valve apparatus 1 is now in the open position. When the valve apparatus receives the signal to dispose the valve element in the closed position, the drive shaft of the motor rotates preferably clockwise. The eccentric gear then rotates counter-clockwise.

[0121] With a further Hall sensor, the highest position of the eccentric pin can be detected.

[0122] The valve apparatus is again in the normal closed position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0123] 1 Valve apparatus

[0124] 2 Housing

[0125] 3 Fluid connector

[0126] 4 Fluid connector

[0127] 5 Valve device

[0128] 6 Ball

[0129] 7 Passageway

[0130] 8 Open position

[0131] 9 Closed position

[0132] 10 Drive

[0133] 11 Drive shaft

[0134] 12 Drive gear

[0135] 13 First gear device

[0136] 14 Gear

[0137] 15 Gear

[0138] 16 Second gear device

[0139] 17 Gear

[0140] 18 Gear

[0141] 19 Toothing

[0142] 20 Eccentric disc

[0143] 21 Valve shaft

[0144] 22 Securing and storage device

[0145] 23 Eccentric pin

[0146] 24 Adjustment device

[0147] 25 Spring device

[0148] 26 Spring

[0149] 27 Prong

[0150] 28 Spring seat

[0151] 29 Linear guide

[0152] 30 Guide rail

[0153] 31 Actuating element

[0154] 32 Spring direction

[0155] 33 Tooth-free section

[0156] 34 Fluid connector

[0157] 35 Eccentric gear