Solenoid Valve, and Method for Producing a Solenoid Valve

Abstract

A solenoid valve includes a magnet assembly, a valve cartridge having a pole core, a valve sleeve connected to the pole core, an armature, a valve body, and at least one spring tongue. The armature is guided in an axially movable manner within the valve sleeve and is coupled to a closing element. The magnet assembly generates a magnetic field via energization of a coil winding. The magnetic field is configured to move the armature counter to a force of a restoring spring. The valve body is positioned within the valve sleeve. A main valve seat of the valve body forms a main valve with the closing element that sets a fluid flow between at least one first fluid opening and at least one second fluid opening. The spring tongue is arranged on the valve sleeve and forms a positively locking connection between the valve sleeve and the valve body.

Claims

1. A solenoid valve, comprising: a magnet assembly including a coil winding, the magnet assembly configured to generate a magnetic field via energization of the coil winding; a valve cartridge including a pole core; a valve sleeve connected to the pole core; an armature configured to be guided in an axially movable manner within the valve sleeve and coupled to a main closing element; a valve body arranged within the valve sleeve and including a main valve seat, the main valve seat forming a main valve with the main closing element; and at least one spring tongue arranged on the valve sleeve and configured to form a positively locking connection between the valve sleeve and the valve body, wherein the magnetic field is configured to move the armature counter to a force of a restoring spring, and wherein the main valve is configured to set a fluid flow between at least one first fluid opening and at least one second fluid opening.

2. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein: the valve body is introduced into the valve sleeve in a direction of introduction; and the at least one spring tongue prevents a movement of the valve body counter to the direction of introduction of the valve body.

3. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one spring tongue is formed via a remaining part region of the valve sleeve; and the remaining part region is arranged within a U-shaped cutout of the valve sleeve.

4. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring tongue has an elastic spring action substantially in a radial direction.

5. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring tongue is configured to deform plastically.

6. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring tongue is configured to deform inward relative to the valve sleeve.

7. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one spring tongue includes at least two spring tongues; and the at least two spring tongues are distributed uniformly over a circumference of the valve sleeve.

8. The solenoid valve according to claim 7, wherein: the at least one second fluid opening includes at least two second fluid openings; and at least one of the at least two second fluid openings is arranged within a spring tongue of the at least two spring tongues.

9. A method for producing a solenoid valve including a magnet assembly having a coil winding and a valve cartridge having a pole core, the method comprising: connecting a valve sleeve to the pole core; coupling an armature to a main closing element, the armature configured to be guided in an axially movable manner within the valve sleeve; generating a magnetic field via energization of the coil winding of the magnet assembly; positioning a valve body within the valve sleeve, the valve body including a main valve seat, the main valve seat forming a main valve with the main closing element; and forming a positively locking connection between the valve sleeve and the valve body with at least one spring tongue formed on the valve sleeve, wherein the magnetic field is configured to move the armature counter to a force of a restoring spring, and wherein the main valve is configured to set a fluid flow between at least one first fluid opening and at least one second fluid opening.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein forming the positively locking connection comprises: an axial press-on operation during an introduction of the valve body into the valve sleeve in which the at least one spring tongue snaps over an upper edge of the valve body.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: producing the at least one spring tongue with a punching operation or a peeling cut.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: plastically deforming the at least one spring tongue inward relative to the valve sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] It is to be noted that the features which are described individually in the description can be combined with one another in any desired, technically appropriate way, and can indicate further refinements of the disclosure. Further features and practicalities of the disclosure result from the description of exemplary embodiments using the appended figures, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic sectional illustration of a solenoid valve in accordance with the prior art,

[0044] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatic illustrations of a part of a solenoid valve in accordance with the prior art,

[0045] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatic illustrations of a part of a solenoid valve in accordance with one possible embodiment of the disclosure, and

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a process illustration in accordance with one possible embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic sectional illustration of a solenoid valve in accordance with the prior art. Reference is made in this regard to the comments in respect of the prior art.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatic illustrations of a part of a solenoid valve in accordance with the prior art. Here, the valve sleeve 27 is configured in two pieces, the valve lower part 18 being shown. Here, the left-hand image half shows a three-dimensional illustration of the valve lower part 18 with the fluid openings 5. A sectional illustration of the valve lower part 18 is found in the right-hand image half. Furthermore, the valve body 18 and the main closing element 17 are shown here.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows diagrammatic illustrations of a part of a solenoid valve in accordance with one possible embodiment of the disclosure. Here, the left-hand depiction shows a three-dimensional illustration of the valve lower part 18 with fluid openings 5. A spring tongue 25 is configured in the left-hand region. It can also be seen here that the spring tongue 25 is deformed inward by a few degrees. Furthermore, a fluid opening 5 is configured within the spring tongue 25. The middle depiction likewise shows a three-dimensional illustration of the valve lower part 18. Here, however, the valve lower part is depicted in a somewhat turned position, in order to show the spring tongue 25 from the front. As a result, the selected exemplary shape of the cutout is clarified, by way of which the spring tongue 25 is formed. The right-hand depiction shows a sectional illustration with spring tongues 25. Here, the valve body 19 is also shown which is introduced into the valve lower part 18 as far as a contour stop 26. It can be seen here how a movement of the valve body 19 counter to its direction of introduction is prevented by means of the spring tongues 25. Here, the spring tongues 25 are snapped over the upper edge of the valve body and form a positively locking connection. Furthermore, the main closing element 17 and the first fluid opening 3 are shown.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the method steps of one embodiment of the disclosure. Here, in a first step S1, the production of the basic shape of the valve sleeve or the valve lower part is brought about. In a second step S2, the punching process of the second fluid openings takes place. The punching operation is configured as a radial punching operation. In a next step S3, the punching process of the U-shaped cutouts takes place, which U-shaped cutouts form the tabs which form the spring tongues after the subsequent plastic deformation. Here, the steps S2 and S3 can also be configured as one working step. That is to say, all the fluid openings and tabs would be produced in only one process step. This does not require an additional step in the tool, but rather only a different punch, or a different die geometry. In the following step S4, a plastic deformation of the tabs takes place. Here, the tabs which are produced in the interior of the cutouts are bent inward by a few degrees and are deformed plastically. As a result, spring tongues which protrude toward the inside are produced on the valve sleeve. Instead of the punching process of the U-shaped cutouts for producing a spring tongue, the spring tongues can also be produced by means of a peeling cut. The spring tongues are advantageously produced by way of a peeling cut with subsequent bending into their end position.

[0051] In a next step S5, the introduction of the valve body into the valve sleeve or the valve lower part takes place. This takes place by way of axial pressing in. Here, the spring tongues yield outward in an elastically resilient manner until the upper planar face of the valve body has passed the lower edge of the tongue. The spring tongues then spring back and thus form a positively locking connection which prevents it being possible for the valve body to move axially out of the valve sleeve. The system can be set in terms of force and tolerances in such a way that the fixing is without play: to this end, the system can be designed in such a way that the valve body is pressed somewhat beyond its theoretical end position in the elastic region/is displaced axially, until the tongues of the sleeve snap over the upper edge of the pressed-in valve body. After the axial relief, the valve body is then seated fixedly between the contour stop and the spring tongues of the valve sleeve. Subsequently, in step S6, the installation of the joined-together components into the solenoid valve or the assembly of the solenoid valve takes place.