Actuator for a pneumatic valve, valve element, valve assembly and pump

Abstract

An actuator for a valve element includes one base plate; one actuating element having a first end section, a second end section, and a sealing element on the first end section; one connecting element; and one SMA element having a U-shape including two parts substantially parallel to one another, a first end, a second end, and a middle section between the two parts. The actuating element is at least partially arranged on and connected to the base plate via the second end section. The connecting element is conductively connected to two points of the SMA element. A middle section of the SMA element is connected to the first end section of the actuating element so that a shortening of the SMA element causes a stroke of the sealing element.

Claims

1. An actuator for a valve element comprising: one base plate; one actuating element having a first end section, a second end section, and a sealing element on the first end section; one connecting element; and one SMA element having a U-shape including two parts substantially parallel to one another, a first end, a second end, and a middle section between the two parts; wherein the actuating element is at least partially arranged on and connected to the base plate via the second end section; wherein the connecting element is conductively connected to two points of the SMA element; and wherein the middle section of the SMA element is connected to the first end section of the actuating element so that a shortening of the SMA element causes a stroke of the sealing element.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element includes a stepped configuration, and wherein the base plate includes a stop for contacting the actuating element.

3. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a stop for contacting the actuating element.

4. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element defines a passage hole in the first end section, and the sealing element extends through and is attached within the passage hole via a form-fit.

5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element includes a printed circuit board, and wherein one of: the middle section of the SMA element is connected to the connecting element as a first contact via the actuating element, the actuating element being conductive, and the first end and the second end of the SMA element being conductively connected as a second contact of the connecting element; and the actuating element is not conductively connected to the SMA element and the first end and the second end of the SMA element are conductively connected respectively as a first contact and a second contact.

6. The actuator according to claim 5, wherein the base plate includes connectors to fix the printed circuit board in place.

7. The actuator according to claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board and the base plate are arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element.

8. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element has a lateral wall extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the actuating element in the first end shielding the SMA element from an air current.

9. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the SMA element is mounted on the printed circuit board in an area facing away from the first end of the actuating element, and wherein the SMA element is mounted in a pre-deflected condition.

10. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element includes a flexible spring attached in a torque-proof way to the base plate.

11. The actuator according to claim 10, wherein the flexible spring includes a bending-resistant area and a middle elastic area in a first end and wherein at least one of: (a) the middle elastic area is arranged at least partially between the printed circuit board and the base plate, and (b) the middle elastic area is pre-stressed.

12. A valve element with a valve housing having an intermediate housing enclosing a valve chamber, at least a first opening and a second opening, and having at least one actuator according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first opening and the second opening can be opened and closed as a valve opening via the sealing element.

13. A valve arrangement with at least two of the valve elements according to claim 12, wherein the valve housings enclosing the respective valve chambers are formed as one unitary valve housing.

14. The valve arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least a first part of the at least two valve elements has a common pressure connection that one of: ends in in the valve chamber, is connected to the valve chamber via at least one air channel, and wherein at least one second part of the valve elements has a common opening for connection to the atmosphere.

15. The valve arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the at least two valve elements have a common pressure connection ending in the valve chamber or connected to the valve chamber, and wherein each valve element has a separate opening for connection to the atmosphere.

16. The valve arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the at least one air channel is formed from the intermediate housing.

17. The valve arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the at least two valve elements have a common printed circuit board.

18. The valve arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one of: (a) the SMA elements of at least two of the valve elements are configured as a common SMA element, and (b) several of the valve elements have at least one common second contact.

19. A pump device for a seating comfort function having a valve arrangement according to claim 13 and a pump.

20. The pump device according to claim 19, wherein the pump is incorporated in a housing attached to the valve housing, wherein a housing lid of the valve housing has electrical and pneumatic connections, and wherein a printed circuit board with mounted actuator assembly units is housed in the housing.

21. The pump device according to claim 19, further including two filling valve elements and one venting valve element, the pump device being configured for filling lateral support bubbles of an automobile seat.

22. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element includes a lever element made of a bending-resistant material swivelably attached to the base plate.

23. The actuator according to claim 22, wherein the lever element is reset with a spring tension, wherein the spring tension is generated by a reset actuating element including a spring acting against one of the printed circuit board of a valve housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained below in more detail, also with respect to additional characteristics and advantages, by describing the embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show in each case in a schematic sketch:

(2) FIG. 1A is a sectional view of an actuator according to a first embodiment in closing position,

(3) FIG. 1B is a sectional view of an actuator according to a first embodiment in opening position,

(4) FIG. 2A is a sectional view of an actuator according to a second embodiment,

(5) FIG. 2B is a sectional view of an actuator according to a third embodiment,

(6) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an actuator according to a fourth embodiment,

(7) FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an actuating element with base plate in a fifth embodiment,

(8) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an actuating element in a sixth embodiment,

(9) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of two actuators with a common printed circuit board,

(10) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the valve element of the first embodiment with an actuator for filling a lateral support bubble,

(11) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the valve element of the second embodiment with an actuator for venting a lateral support bubble,

(12) FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of a pump for lateral support bubbles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a sectional view of an actuator according to a first embodiment. The actuator includes an actuating element 16, which is arranged on a base plate 17 and attached to it. The actuating element 16 is two-dimensionally connected to the base plate 17 on a second end section 16b.

(14) The actuating element 16 has one first end section 16a and the second end section 16b. Between both end sections 16a and 16b extends a middle section of the actuating element 16c, in which the actuating element 16 is bent in form of a step and includes an elastic section 16d. The elastic section 16d is arranged above the base plate 17. However, the elastic section 16d and the base plate 17 have been arranged in such a way with regard to one another that the elastic section 16d can be bent. A bending of the elastic section 16d is limited by a stop of the actuating element 16 in a stopping area of the actuating element 16f. By bending the elastic section 16d and mounting on the base plate 17, a pre-stressing can be especially achieved.

(15) A sealing element 42 for closing and releasing a valve opening 14 is arranged in the first end section of the actuating element 16a. To allow this, the first end section of the actuating element 16a has a passage hole 19, e.g. a bore hole, in which the sealing element 42 is arranged in a form-fitting way.

(16) Furthermore, the first end section of the actuating element 16a has lateral walls 16e, which extend in sections circumferentially perpendicular from the first end section of the actuating element 16a.

(17) The base plate 17 has connectors 17a for connecting a printed circuit board 22. The printed circuit board 22 is arranged with the connectors 17a on an opposite side of the actuating element 16. Here, the connectors 17a are designed as a press-fit pin. Hence, a top side of the printed circuit board 22a points towards the SMA element 18 while a bottom side of the printed circuit board 22b is aligned towards the base plate 17.

(18) A bracket that includes a crimp connector 44 is arranged on a side of the printed circuit board—which is the back side 22c of the printed circuit board—that faces away from the first end section of the actuating element 16a. The crimp connector 44 has a seat 46. By means of two crimp connectors 44 arranged parallel to one another, an SMA element 18 is held on a first end 18a and a second end (not shown, adjacent end 18a). The SMA element 18 extends U-shaped from the crimp connector 44 to the first end section 16a of the actuating element 16. The SMA element 18 is attached in such a way with a middle section of the SMA element 18c to the first end section 16a that a shortening of the SMA element 18 creates a stroke of the actuating element 16 from a closing position (cf. FIG. 1A) to an opening position (FIG. 1B).

(19) In the embodiment shown, the SMA element 18 is connected to the connecting element 15 for electrical contacting, whereby the connecting element 15 includes an area of the crimp connector and where appropriate projections of the actuating element 16g.

(20) FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of an actuator. In this embodiment, the actuating element 16 is rigidly executed. In a second end section 16b of the actuating element, the base plate 17 and the actuating element 16 are joined with a hinge 23a. The position of the hinge 23a on the base plate 17 can be arranged under or adjacent to the printed circuit board 22. If the position of the hinge 23a is adjacent to the printed circuit board 22, the actuating element 16 expediently has only one angle. The hinge 23a can be, for example, a film hinge. To reset the actuating element to a closing position, a reset actuating element 20 is provided as leaf spring in the embodiment shown, whereby the leaf spring presses against a bottom side 22b of the printed circuit board. The reset actuating element 20 can be executed as one piece with the actuating element 16. Expediently, the SMA element 18 is in this embodiment electrically connected to a first contact in the area of the crimp connector 44 with a first end 18a, and to a second contact in the area of the crimp connector 44 with a second end (not shown, adjacent end 18a).

(21) FIG. 2B shows a third embodiment of the actuator. In the third embodiment, the reset actuating element 20 has been replaced by a reset actuating element 21. The reset actuating element 21 is designed as a spiral spring, which expediently acts against a valve housing wall. Alternative positions or spring designs are possible to reset the actuating element.

(22) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of an actuator. The fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the actuating element 16 is connected to the base plate through a bearing 23b in a second end section 16b. The bearing 23b can be especially designed as angle or notch, in which the second end section 16b of the actuating element is received, whereby—as in the second embodiment—the length of the second end section of the actuating element and thus the position of the bearing 23b along the base plate 17 can have a different design. In the fourth embodiment, either a reset actuating element 20 or a reset actuating element 21 is provided.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a view of the fifth embodiment of the actuating element 16 with a base plate 17. The actuating element 16 is a stamped-bent part designed in form of a step. The base plate 17 has connectors 17a in form of press-fit pins. Moreover, the base plate 17 also has a clamping device to clamp down and hold the actuating element 16.

(24) The actuating element 16 has a second end section 16b connected in a clamping way to the clamping device 17b of the base plate 17. An elastic area 16d joins the second end section 16b. The elastic area 16d superimposes the base plate 17 and has the stopping area 16f in an area facing away from the second end section 16b. The stopping area 16f is arranged on a first edge of the actuating element 16. The middle area of the actuating element 16c can include a reinforcement rib in a central area.

(25) The sealing element 42 is arranged in the first end section of the actuating element 16a. Lateral walls 16e of the actuating element 16 are arranged in sections circumferentially around the first end section of the actuating element 16a. The lateral walls 16e of the actuating element are executed as one piece together with the actuating element 16 and extend perpendicularly from the first end section of the actuating element 16a.

(26) Furthermore, in the first end section of the actuating element 16a, the actuating element 16 has been provided with projections 16g around which a middle section of the SMA element 18c (not show) is pre-stressed, or on which a third and fourth end section of the SMA element is mounted.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a sixth embodiment of the actuating element 16. In a modification of the fifth embodiment, the actuating element 16 has lateral walls 16e arranged in the middle section of the actuating element 16c too so the actuating element 16 can be stiffened.

(28) Furthermore, the second end section 16b of the actuating element 16b is bent in a U-shape and has a clamping device 16h for receiving a printed circuit board 22.

(29) FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of two actuating elements 16 on a common base plate 17 with a common printed circuit board 22. The printed circuit board is mounted on the base plate 17 with connectors 17a. In the embodiment shown, the first and second end of the SMA element 18a, 18b is incorporated in a joint seat 46 of a crimp connector 44. The first and second end of the SMA elements 18a, 18b are bent by about 90° over a rounded surface of the crimp connector 44 with regard to the seat 46.

(30) FIG. 7 shows a valve element 2 with an actuator of the first embodiment for filling a lateral support bubble. The valve element 2 includes a housing 4 with a housing lid 6 and a housing bottom 8. In the housing, an actuator with an actuating element 16 and a base plate 17 are incorporated. The actuating element 16 includes a sealing element 42 with which a valve opening 14 can be opened and closed. A consumer connection 30 is fluidically connected to the valve opening 14. Expediently, the consumer connection 30 tapers in an end section.

(31) FIG. 8 shows a valve element with an actuator of the second embodiment for venting a lateral support bubble. The valve element for venting has essentially the same design as the valve element shown in FIG. 7 to fill a lateral bubble. Instead of the consumer connection 30, it is connected to the atmosphere through an opening 32. A noise-reducing device, especially a foam, can be arranged between the valve opening 14 and the opening 32.

(32) The valve elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to fill and vent a lateral support bubble of a seating comfort system are, for example, incorporated in a pump device as in FIG. 9. An exploded view drawing in FIG. 9 shows such a pump device. The pump device includes a pump 200 with a housing and a pressurized air outlet 202, which is connected to a housing bottom 110 of a valve housing 104. The valve housing 104 is fluidically connected with a pressure connection 170 to the pressurized air outlet 202 through the housing bottom 110.

(33) An intermediate housing 110 that includes the printed circuit board 122 and three actuating elements 116 has been incorporated in the valve housing 104. Plug connectors 168 extend from the intermediate housing 110 through the housing lid 106. The housing lid 106 includes two consumer connections 130 and a venting area 184. The venting area 184 can be provided with damping foam 174 (not shown). The middle actuating element 116 is part of a venting valve element 180, as shown in FIG. 8, and each one of the two external actuating elements 116 are part of a filling valve, as shown in FIG. 7.

(34) To fill the lateral support bubbles, air is introduced through the pump in the valve housing and the two filling valve elements are simultaneously opened. To vent the sides, both lateral support bubbles and the venting valve element are opened at the same time, so that air from the lateral support bubbles can flow back to the valve housing filling valve elements and then released into the atmosphere through the venting valve element.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(35) 2 Valve

(36) 4 Valve housing

(37) 6 Housing lid

(38) 8 Intermediate housing

(39) 10 Housing bottom

(40) 12 Valve chamber

(41) 14 Valve opening

(42) 15 Connecting element

(43) 16 Actuating element

(44) 16a First end section of the actuating element

(45) 16b Second end section of the actuating element

(46) 16c Middle section of the actuating element

(47) 16d Elastic section of the actuating element

(48) 16e Lateral walls of the actuating element

(49) 16f Stopping area of the actuating element

(50) 16g Projection

(51) 16h Clamping device

(52) 17 Base plate

(53) 17a Connectors

(54) 17b Clamping device

(55) 18 SMA element

(56) 18a First end of the SMA element

(57) 18b Second end of the SMA element

(58) 18c Middle section of the SMA element

(59) 19 Passage hole

(60) 20 First reset actuating element

(61) 21 Second reset actuating element

(62) 22 Printed circuit board

(63) 22a Top side of the printed circuit board

(64) 22b Bottom side of the printed circuit board

(65) 22c Back side of the printed circuit board

(66) 23a Hinge

(67) 23b Bearing

(68) 28 Separating wall

(69) 30, 130 Consumer connection

(70) 30a, 30b End sections of the consumer connection

(71) 32 Opening

(72) 42 Sealing element

(73) 44 Crimp connectors

(74) 46 Seat of the crimp connector

(75) 100 Valve arrangement

(76) 106 Housing lid

(77) 108 Intermediate housing

(78) 110 Housing bottom

(79) 116 Actuating elements

(80) 122 Printed circuit board

(81) 168 Plug connectors

(82) 170 Pressure connector

(83) 174 Damping foam

(84) 182 Pressure area

(85) 184 Venting area

(86) 200 Pump

(87) 202 Pressurized air outlet