Valve Cartridge for a Solenoid Valve

Abstract

A valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, includes a capsule, a magnet armature which is guided in a movable manner within the capsule, a valve insert, and a valve body which has a main valve seat. The magnet armature, which is moved by a generated magnetic force, acts within the valve insert on a closing device, which has a plunger and a sealing element. The sealing element, in the currentlessly open state, opens up the main valve seat and, in the electrically energized, closed state, projects sealingly into the main valve seat of the valve body. The plunger and the sealing element are formed as separate components, and the sealing element is guided axially and/or radially by a guide device, which includes multiple guide balls arranged between the sealing element and an inner wall of the valve insert.

Claims

1. A valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, comprising: a capsule; a magnet armature, which is guided in a movable manner within the capsule and is moved by a magnetic force; a valve insert; a valve body comprising a main valve seat; a closing device acted on within the valve insert by the magnet armature, the closing device comprising: a plunger; and a sealing element configured to, in a currentlessly open state, open up the main valve seat and, in an electrically energized closed state, project sealingly into the main valve seat of the valve body, the plunger and the sealing element being formed as separate components; and a guide device that guides the sealing element at least one of axially and radially, the guide device comprising multiple guide balls arranged between the sealing element and an inner wall of the valve insert.

2. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element and/or the guide balls are formed as metal balls.

3. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a force acting on the sealing element from the plunger has a transverse component with respect to an axial closure component such that the guide balls are clamped at an angle to the sealing element and a resultant force on the sealing element has an axially acting closure component and a transverse component acting perpendicular to the closure component.

4. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide device further comprises a compression spring, which, in the currentlessly open state, generates a preload force that supplements a fluid force, the preload force acting on the sealing element via the guide balls so as to load the sealing element in a direction toward the plunger.

5. The valve cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: the guide device further comprises a guide cup, which is guided in an axially movable manner between the inner wall of the valve insert and the valve body and at least partially surrounds the compression spring, a base of the guide cup faces the sealing element and has a central passage opening through which the sealing element passes in the closed state, and the guide balls bear against the base of the guide cup.

6. The valve cartridge according to claim 5, wherein a hysteresis characteristic during an opening process and/or closing process is predefined by a friction force acting between the guide cup and the inner wall of the valve insert.

7. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide device includes at least one cutout defined in the valve body adjacent to the main valve seat, and, in the closed state, the at least one cutout at least partially receives the guide balls.

8. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plunger limits an opening movement of the sealing element.

9. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide device further comprises a stop, which limits an opening movement of the sealing element.

10. The valve cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the stop includes a press-in sleeve.

11. The valve cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide device further comprises an axially movable disk arranged between the sealing element and the plunger, and the guide balls are arranged between the axially movable disk and the sealing element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the drawing and will be discussed in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, the same reference signs denote components or elements which perform identical or analogous functions.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a valve cartridge according to the disclosure for a solenoid valve in the open state.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a valve cartridge according to the disclosure for a solenoid valve in the open state.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a valve cartridge according to the disclosure for a solenoid valve in the open state.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a valve cartridge according to the disclosure for a solenoid valve in the open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the illustrated exemplary embodiments of a valve cartridge 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D according to the disclosure for a solenoid valve comprises in each case a capsule 2, a magnet armature 3 which is guided in a movable manner within the capsule 2, a valve insert 6, and a valve body 8 which has a main valve seat 8.1. The magnet armature 3, which is moved by a generated magnetic force, acts within the valve insert 6 on a closing device 10, which has a plunger 12 and a sealing element 16. Here, the sealing element 16, in the illustrated currentlessly open state, opens up the main valve seat 8.1 and, in the electrically energized, closed state, projects sealingly into the main valve seat 8.1 of the valve body 8. Moreover, the plunger 12 and the sealing element 16 are formed as separate components, wherein the sealing element 16 is guided axially and/or radially by a guide device 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, which comprises multiple guide balls 22 which are arranged between the sealing element 16 and an inner wall 6.1 of the valve insert 6.

[0026] In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the valve cartridge 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, the sealing element 16 and the guide balls 22 are in each case in the form of metal balls. Moreover, a force acting on the sealing element 16 from the plunger 12 has a transverse component with respect to the axial closure component, such that the guide balls 12 are clamped at an angle to the sealing element 16 and a resultant force on the sealing element 16 has an axially acting closure component and a transverse component acting perpendicular to the closure component.

[0027] As can furthermore be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the valve insert 6 in the illustrated exemplary embodiments is inserted by way of a first end into the capsule 2. Moreover, the plunger 12 can be moved within the valve insert 6 by the magnet armature 3 counter to the force of a restoring spring 5, wherein the magnet armature 3 is moved by a magnetic force generated by a magnet assembly (not illustrated).

[0028] As can furthermore be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the capsule 2 can be calked via a calking bushing 2.1 at a calking region (not illustrated) in a receiving bore of a fluid block. The restoring spring 5 for the plunger 12 is arranged outside the flow region, wherein the restoring spring 5 is supported on a spring support 5.1, which, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is in the form of a clamping ring inserted into the valve insert 6. As a result of the relocation of the restoring spring 5 from the flowed-through structural space, the wear on the plunger 12 can be reduced and the throughflow between the main valve seat 8.1 and corresponding radial bores 6.2 formed in the valve insert 6 can be increased. In the illustrated open state of the exemplary embodiments, it is possible for there to be a fluid flow between an axial fluid inlet FE and a radial a fluid outlet FA via the open main valve seat 8.1.

[0029] As can furthermore be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the valve body 8 is in the form of a hood-like sleeve. The sleeve-like valve body 8 is formed for example as a deep-drawn part and can be inserted into a second end of the valve insert 6 such that the main valve seat 8.1 is arranged within the valve insert 6. As can furthermore be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, a valve bottom part 9, in the form of a plastic insert, is placed and supported axially against the valve insert 6, wherein the valve bottom part 9 is sealingly inserted via a dome 9.3 into an interior space of the valve body 8 and, by way of the outer contour, provides sealing action with respect to the surrounding fluid block. Moreover, the illustrated valve bottom part 9 comprises an eccentrically arranged check valve 9.1, which performs a direction-oriented throughflow function. Additionally, the valve bottom part 9 accommodates a flat filter 9.2.

[0030] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1, the guide device 20A in the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of the valve cartridge 1A comprises a compression spring 24, which, in the currentlessly open state, generates a preload force, additional to a fluid force, which preload force, via the guide balls 22, acts on the sealing element 16 and loads the sealing element 16 in the direction of the plunger 12. The guide device 20A in the illustrated first exemplary embodiment moreover comprises a guide cup 26, which is guided in an axially movable manner between the inner wall 6.1 of the valve insert 6 and the valve body 8 and at least partially surrounds the compression spring 24. As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1, a base of the guide cup 26 faces the sealing element 16 and has a central passage opening which the sealing element 16 passes through in the closed state. The guide balls 22 bear against the base of the guide cup 26. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a hysteresis characteristic during an opening process and/or closing process is predefined by a friction force acting between the guide cup 26 and the inner wall 6.1 of the valve insert 6.

[0031] As can furthermore be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide device 20B, 20C in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the valve cartridge 1B, 1C has at least one cutout 21, which, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is formed as an encircling annular groove in the valve body 8 adjacent to the main valve seat 8.1 and, in the closed state, at least partially receives the guide balls 22.

[0032] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 2, the guide device 20B in the illustrated second exemplary embodiment of the valve cartridge 1B has a stop means 28, which limits the opening movement of the sealing element 16. In the illustrated second exemplary embodiment of the valve cartridge 1B, the stop means 28 is in the form of a press-in sleeve 28A.

[0033] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 3, the guide device 20C in the illustrated third exemplary embodiment of the valve cartridge 1C does not have a stop means 28, with the result that the plunger 12 limits the opening movement of the sealing element 16.

[0034] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 4, the guide device 20D in the illustrated fourth exemplary embodiment of the valve cartridge 1D has an axially movable disk 23, which is arranged between the sealing element 16 and the plunger 12. In this case, the guide balls 22 are arranged between the disk 23 and the sealing element 16. Moreover, the axially movable disk 23 has at least one passage opening for the fluid flow. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, multiple passage openings in the form of bores are formed in the disk. Alternatively, the at least one passage opening may be formed as a cutout at the edge of the disk.