GASKET DEVICE AND PNEUMATIC VALVE SYSTEM FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE

Abstract

A gasket device for a pneumatic valve system, in particular of a commercial vehicle, comprises gasket part being adapted to be inserted into at least a groove of a contact face of a first casing part, e.g. an adapter, the gasket part comprising at least one gasket chamber for sealingly connecting device channels of mounted casing parts; a body part being adapted to be received in a valve seat of the casing part; at least one spring part connecting the body part and the gasket part,
wherein the body part is moveable in an airflow direction relative to the gasket part by bending or stretching the at least one spring part,
wherein in an unbiased basic condition of the gasket device the body part is positioned above a gasket plane defined by the gasket chamber.

The gasket device is made as a single part of a flexible, elastic material.

Claims

1. A gasket device for a pneumatic valve system, said gasket device comprising: a gasket part being adapted to be inserted into at least a groove of a flange face of a first casing part, at least one gasket chamber for sealingly connecting channels of a mounted second casing part, a body part being adapted to be received in a valve seat of said second casing part, and at least one spring part connecting said body part and said gasket part, wherein said body part is moveable in an airflow direction relative to said gasket part by bending or stretching said at least one spring part, wherein in an unbiased basic condition of said gasket device said body part is positioned above a gasket plane defined by said gasket chamber, wherein said gasket device is made as a single part of a flexible, elastic material.

2. The gasket device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket device is made of rubber or a plastic material.

3. The gasket device according to claim 1, wherein said body part comprises a contact face for contacting said valve seat, which contact face comprises one of the following forms: at least partially spherical, at least partially conical, at least partially flat, or at least partially in form of a lip.

4. The gasket device according to claim 1, comprising three spring parts, said spring parts extending from said gasket part in a symmetrical arrangement, thereby forming a spider for supporting said body part above said gasket part, in said unbiased basic condition of said gasket device.

5. The gasket device according to claim 1, wherein said spring part comprises a smaller cross-section than said body part and/or said gasket part.

6. The gasket device according to claim 1, wherein said gasket part forms a net of at least two gasket chambers, each of said gasket chambers being provided for sealingly connecting two adjacent air flow channels of said mounted casing parts.

7. A pneumatic valve system for a use in commercial vehicle, said pneumatic valve system comprising: a first casing part comprising a first flange face and at least one first air flow channel, a gasket device according to claim 1, and a second casing part comprising a second flange face and at least one second air flow channel, wherein said at least one first air flow channel and said at least one second air flow channel are sealingly connected by said at least one gasket chamber of said gasket device, said gasket part of said gasket device being inserted into at least one groove of said first casing part and at least one groove of said second casing part, and said body part being pressed against a valve seat of the second casing part, thereby realizing a check valve, said check valve allowing an airflow in an airflow direction and blocking in the reverse direction.

8. The pneumatic valve system according to claim 7, wherein said pneumatic valve system is switchable between at least two modes, wherein said check valve is blocking in one mode and opening in the other mode.

9. The pneumatic valve system according to claim 7, wherein said pneumatic valve system is an air supply system for a use in a commercial vehicle, and wherein said first casing part is an adapter and said second casing part is a solenoid valve device comprising at least two solenoid valves.

10. The pneumatic valve system according to claim 9, wherein said gasket device provides a regeneration solenoid outlet, a solenoid inlet, at least one compressor solenoid outlet, and a solenoid exhaust channel, and wherein said check valve being realised at said regeneration solenoid outlet.

11. The pneumatic valve system according to claim 7, wherein the adapter comprises a dead end connection not sealed by the gasket device.

12. The pneumatic valve system according to claim 7, further comprising a third casing part housing at least one solenoid valve, said third casing part being mounted onto a back face of said adapter, and said second casing part being mounted onto a front face of said adapter, said gasket device being provided between said front face and said second casing part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of an adapter with air flow chambers and a gasket device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the invention with a check valve;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a back view of an adapter according to a first embodiment with one compressor outlet channel;

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the adapter of FIG. 4 with inserted gasket device, corresponding to FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a back view of an adapter according to a second embodiment with two compressor outlet channels;

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the adapter of FIG. 6 with inserted gasket device;

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a pneumatic scheme of an air supply system for use in a pneumatic system of a commercial vehicle;

[0037] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 8 representing a gasket device or check valve device according to an embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 10 shows a perspective back view of the gasket device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, 2;

[0039] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 10;

[0040] FIG. 12 shows a back view of the the gasket device, provided on the second casing part; and

[0041] FIG. 13 shows a pneumatic valve system according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 13 shows a pneumatic valve system 1001 with a casing 1002, a check valve 1003, and an air flow channel 1004. The check valve 1003 is inserted into the air flow channel 1004, thereby defining an air inlet 1004a and an air outlet 1004b in the air flow channel 1004. The check valve 1003 allows an air flow from the air inlet 1004a to the air outlet 1004b and blocks an inverse air flow. Therefore the check valve 1003 comprises a valve body 1005, a valve seat 1006, a spring 1007 for pressing the valve body 1005 against the valve seat 1006, and in general a valve insert 1008, which serves as an end support for the spring 1007 and is inserted into the air flow channel 1004. Those check valves 1003 are reliable for controlling the air flow; however, the assembly comprises several parts. Further, when assembling the check valve 1003 the casing 1002 is mounted onto a further casing part with an additional gasket 1019 for sealing the air flow channels.

[0043] FIGS. 1 to 3 and 10 to 12 depict parts of a pneumatic valve system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, with an adapter 30 and a gasket device 9 being inserted into a flange face 12 of the adapter 30, wherein the flange face 12 is located at the front face 30b of the adapter visible in FIG. 1.

[0044] The adapter 30 comprises several air flow channels 104, 114, 124, 114a, 114b at its flange face; the gasket device 9 shown in FIG. 10 is inserted into the flange face 12 and comprises corresponding gasket channels 304, 314, 324, 334, 344 fitting to the respective air flow channels 104, 114, 124, 114a, 114b of the of the adapter 30.

[0045] Thus the adapter 30 constitutes a first casing part. A second casing part 2, which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, is mounted onto the front face 30b of the adapter 30, and the gasket device 9 is provided between the casing parts 30, 2 and seals the air connections between the casing parts 30, 2 by its gasket chambers 304, 314, 324, 334, and 344, which are explained more in detail below.

[0046] Further, a third casing part 32, which preferably is a solenoid casing part, is connected to the back face 30a of the adapter 30, as can be seen from FIG. 3. The assembly of the casing parts, i.e. the adapter 30, the second casing part 2 and the third casing part 32, is fixed by screws 33 inserted into screw holes 13 provided in the adapter 30.

[0047] FIGS. 10 and 11 depict the gasket device 9 in its unbiased, untensioned basic condition. Further, FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the adapter 30 and the inserted gasket device 9; thus in FIG. 2, the gasket device 9 is in its mounted condition, in which it is unbiased or pre-loaded. The gasket device 9 is realized as a single part, preferably made of rubber or a plastic material, preferably without further inserts of e. g. metal. The gasket device 9 includes a gasket part 19 serving as a gasket, three spring parts 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 serving as a valve spring, and a valve body part 5 serving as a valve body, in particular as a valve ball. Thus the gasket device 9 comprises an integrated check valve function. An additional valve insert, which in conventional check valves includes the movable parts of a valve, i.e. the valve body and the spring, is not necessary; the function of the conventional valve insert is already realized by the three spring parts 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 and the valve body part 5.

[0048] The adapter 30 comprises a flange face 12 with grooves 11 for receiving the gasket part 19 of the gasket device 9. The three spring parts 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 and the valve body part 5, which correspond to a conventional valve insert, form a spider 8 (a spider-like feature), thereby supporting the valve body part 5 above a gasket plane defined by the gasket part 19. In the mounted condition, the body part 5 is pressed against a conical valve seat 6 of the casing 2, see FIG. 2. Thus the body part 5 is biased by the spring force of the spring parts 7 into its closing direction.

[0049] According to FIG. 2 the spring part 7, which can be each of the three spring parts 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, have a smaller cross-section than the body part 5, which is preferably spherical in order to serve a valve ball. However, other forms of the body part 5 are possible for interacting with the corresponding valve seat 6 of the second casing part 2. The gasket part 19 is inserted in grooves 11 of the adapter 30 and corresponding grooves 211 of the second casing part 2. The second casing part 2 comprises at least one second air flow channel 220.

[0050] When mounting the second casing part onto the flange face (contact face) 12 of the adapter 30, the gasket part 19 of the gasket device 9 is pressed into the grooves 211 of the second casing part 2, thereby ensuring the seating function.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a pneumatic device, with the adapter 30, a gasket device 9 according to an embodiment, and a third casing part 32, in particular a solenoid casing part housing solenoid valves. This assembly is fixed by screws 33 inserted in screw holes of the third casing part 32 and screw holes 31 of the adapter 30.

[0052] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of the adapter 30.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the back face 30a of the adapter 30, which back face 30a is connected to the third casing part 32. The back face 30a comprises a regeneration channel 104 to be connected to a solenoid outlet of the third casing part 32, a compressor channel 114, and an exhaust channel 124. The back face 30a of the adapter 30 can further comprise a dead end connection 130, which is not in connection with a conduct or opening on its front face 30b. The air channels 104, 114, 124 of the back face 30a are connected to air channels 104, 114a, 114b 124 on the front face 30b of the adapter 30; thus the channel arrangements of the front face 30b and the back face 30a can differ.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the front face 30b of the adapter 30, which comprises grooves 11, in which the gasket device 9 is received. Thus the front face 30b of the adapter 30 is covered by the gasket device 9 comprising the gasket chambers 304, 314, 344, 324 and 334. The air flow chamber arrangement of the front face 30b of the adapter 30 corresponds to the topology of the gasket device 9, as already described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0055] In this embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the compressor channel 114 of the back face 30a is connected to a first compressor channel 114a and a second compressor channel 114b of the front face 30b, wherein the first compressor channel 114a is sealed by the gasket chamber 334 and the second compressor channel 114b is sealed by the gasket chamber 314.

[0056] Thus the compressor channels 114a, 114b are in parallel connected to a compressor outlet of the third casing part 32.

[0057] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the adapter 30, which in general corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5; however, only a first compressor channel 114a is provided on the front face of FIG. 7, in order to supply only one air channel, for example a pneumatic brake channel, with compressed air.

[0058] Thus the invention offers the possibility to realize different types of adapters, and a different number of air flow channels and supplied pneumatic circuits.

[0059] FIGS. 10 and 11 show more details of the gasket device 9 which can be used in both embodiments of FIG. 4, 5 as well as FIG. 6, 7.

[0060] Thus the gasket device 9 can be made with low costs and comprises different gasket chambers 304, 314, 344, 324 and 334, for sealing the corresponding channels 104, 114a, 114b, 124 of the adapter 30 and the corresponding connecting face of the second casing part 2.

[0061] The gasket device 9 of FIGS. 4 to 7 in particular comprises a regeneration gasket chamber 304, a solenoid inlet chamber 344, which is positioned in the central part of the gasket device 9, a first compressor solenoid outlet chamber 314 and a second compressor solenoid outlet chamber 334, and an exhaust chamber 324. The spider 8 comprised of three spring parts 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 and the body part (ball part) 5 realizes the check valve function or non-return valve function between the chambers connected by the regenerator gasket chamber 304. Thus the body part 5 comes into contact with the valve seat 6 provided in the second casing part 2.

[0062] The amount, form and cross section of spring parts 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3 is design-specific in order to provide the required valve functionality, depending on the air flow conditions.

[0063] FIG. 12 therefore depicts the position of the body channels or casing channels relative to the gasket chambers. Thus the body channels provided for different air flow functions are surrounded by the respective gasket chambers. As can be seen from FIG. 12 and FIG. 1, both casing parts to be connected by the gasket device 9 comprise a flange face: the adapter 9 comprises the flange face 12, and the other casing part 2 comprises a corresponding, mating flange face to be connected with the flange face 12, with the gasket device 9 being between them and being pressed by them. Further both flange faces comprise screw holes to be fixed by screws 33.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a pneumatic scheme of an air supply system, in particular comprising inlet ports p11, p12 and outlet ports p21, p22, p23, p24, p25, p26, p3, p4. A compressor is connected with its compressor outlet to the compressor inlet port p11 and via an air flow valve 401 and a filter 402 to the solenoid valves 404, 405, which in particular are provided as regeneration valve and compressor valve, for switching between a supply phase, in which the compressor supplies pressurized air to the outlet ports p21, p22, p23, p24 and p25, and regeneration phase for regenerating the filter 402. The filter 402 preferably comprises one or two desiccant cartridges, which are regenerated in the regeneration phases. The outlet port p21 to p25 are provided for supplying air consumption circuits with pressurized air; these air consumption circuits are in particular brake circuits, a trailer brake circuit and/or further pneumatic consumer circuits.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the scheme of FIG. 8, with an assembly to be realized by the inventive gasket device 9. Thus the gasket device 9 realizes the function of the check valve 408 and the sealing function or gasket function between the solenoid valves 404, 405 and a casing with a supply line 410. According to invention the gasket device 9 can combine the function of one or more check valves and the sealing function or gasket function to one or more valves to be connected.

[0066] According to FIG. 9 the check valve 408 is provided between the regeneration solenoid outlet 404a of the regeneration solenoid valve 404. Further a throttle 411 connected to the regeneration solenoid outlet and the check valve 408 can be realized by the gasket device 9.

[0067] The terms “comprising” or “comprise” are used herein in their broadest sense to mean and encompass the notions of “including,” “include,” “consist(ing) essentially of,” and “consist(ing) of. The use of “for example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” and “including” to list illustrative examples does not limit to only the listed examples. Thus, “for example” or “such as” means “for example, but not limited to” or “such as, but not limited to” and encompasses other similar or equivalent examples. The term “about” as used herein serves to reasonably encompass or describe minor variations in numerical values measured by instrumental analysis or as a result of sample handling. Such minor variations may be in the order of ±0-25, ±0-10, ±0-5, or ±0-2.5, % of the numerical values. Further, The term “about” applies to both numerical values when associated with a range of values. Moreover, the term “about” may apply to numerical values even when not explicitly stated.

[0068] Generally, as used herein a hyphen “-” or dash “-” in a range of values is “to” or “through”; a “>” is “above” or “greater-than”; a “≥” is “at least” or “greater-than or equal to”; a “<” is “below” or “less-than”; and a “≤” is “at most” or “less-than or equal to.” On an individual basis, each of the aforementioned applications for patent, patents, and/or patent application publications, is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in one or more non-limiting embodiments.

[0069] It is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the detailed description, which may vary between particular embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for describing particular features or aspects of various embodiments, it is to be appreciated that different, special, and/or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group independent from all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0070] The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both single and multiple dependent, is herein expressly contemplated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

[0071] 1 pneumatic valve system, pneumatic valve device [0072] 2 second casing part [0073] 3 check valve [0074] 4 air flow channel [0075] 4a inlet of the air flow channel [0076] 4b outlet of the air flow channel [0077] 5 body part [0078] 6 conical valve seat [0079] 7 spring part [0080] 8 spider, movable part of the gasket device [0081] 9 gasket device [0082] 11 grooves in the adapter 30 [0083] 12 flange face (contact face) of the adapter 30 [0084] 13 screw hole [0085] 14, 24, 34, 44 air flow chamber [0086] 19 gasket part [0087] 22 recess in the adapter 30 [0088] 30 adapter (first casing part) [0089] 30a back face of adapter 30 [0090] 30b front face of adapter 30 [0091] 33 screws [0092] 34 pneumatic supply device [0093] 104 regeneration channel of the adapter 30 [0094] 114 compressor channel of the adapter 30 [0095] 114a, 114b first and second compressor channel [0096] 124 solenoid exhaust channel of the adapter 30 [0097] 130 dead end connection, of the adapter 30 [0098] 211 grooves in the second casing part 2 [0099] 212 second flange face, in the second casing part 2 [0100] 220 second air flow channel in the second casing part 2, [0101] 304, 314, 324, 334, 344 gasket chambers: [0102] 304 regeneration gasket chamber [0103] 314 first compressor solenoid outlet chamber [0104] 324 exhaust chamber [0105] 334 second compressor solenoid outlet chamber [0106] 344 solenoid inlet chamber [0107] 404 regeneration solenoid valve [0108] 405 compressor solenoid valve [0109] 401 over flow valve [0110] 402 filter, comprising a desiccant cartridge [0111] 404a regeneration solenoid outlet [0112] 412 compressor solenoid outlets [0113] 414 solenoid inlet [0114] 1001 pneumatic valve system (prior art) [0115] 1002 casing part (prior art) [0116] 1003 check valve (prior art) [0117] 1004 air flow channel (prior art) [0118] 1004a inlet of the air flow channel (prior art) [0119] 1004b outlet of the air flow channel (prior art) [0120] 1005 valve body (prior art) [0121] 1006 valve seat (prior art) [0122] 1007 spring (prior art) [0123] 1008 valve insert (prior art) [0124] 1019 gasket (prior art) [0125] p3 outlet port [0126] p11 compressor inlet ports, to be connected to a compressor [0127] p12 inlet port [0128] p21 consumer circuit outlet [0129] p22 consumer circuit outlet [0130] p23 consumer circuit outlet [0131] p24 consumer circuit outlet [0132] p25 consumer circuit outlet [0133] p26 consumer circuit outlet