Abstract
A housing block includes channels formed in an interior of the housing block with at least one of the channels having a slot or flat-channel geometry at least in portions. A method is disclosed for producing the housing block. A sand core is disclosed to be used with the method for producing the housing block.
Claims
1. A housing block, comprising: at least one receptacle configured to receive a hydraulic component; at least one of a further receptacle and a feed or discharge connection; a connecting channel defined internally in the housing block and hydraulically connecting the at least one receptacle to the at least one of the further receptacle and the feed or discharge connection, wherein the connecting channel has an opening that opens approximately axially into the at least one receptacle, and a cross section of the opening of the connecting channel is kidney-shaped and curved so as to run parallel to an outer circumference of the at least one receptacle.
2. The housing block according to claim 1, wherein one of (i) the housing block or (ii) a core used during a casting process that is configured to form a channel structure including the connecting channel in the housing block is formed via a generative process.
3. The housing block according to claim 2, wherein the core is a sand core formed in a 3D printing process.
4. The housing block according to claim 2, wherein the housing block, the channel structure, and the receptacles connected to the channel structure are formed by a selective laser melting process.
5. The housing block according to claim 1, wherein a width of a cross section of the connecting channel is a multiple of a height of the cross section.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of schematic drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a view of a housing block produced in a casting process;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a sand core, produced in a 3D-printing process, for producing the housing block as per FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3 is a partial illustration of the sand core as per FIG. 2 and those regions of the housing block which are formed by means of said sand core;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a further region, formed by means of the sand core as per FIG. 2, of the housing block as per FIG. 1;
(6) FIG. 5 is a partial illustration of a housing block in the case of which an annular channel is formed in a receptacle for a valve in the issuing region of a channel;
(7) FIG. 6 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 shows a variant of the channel layout as per FIG. 6;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 5;
(10) FIG. 9 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 8;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a variant of the channel profile as per FIG. 9;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a section along the line B-B in FIG. 10;
(13) FIG. 12 is a partial illustration of a housing block, in which an annular channel is formed in a receptacle;
(14) FIG. 13 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 12;
(15) FIG. 14 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 12, in which annular channels are formed in the region of a radial connection and of a control connection;
(16) FIG. 15 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 14, and
(17) FIG. 16 shows a section along the line B-B in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) On the basis of the figures, a description will be given of the construction and the production of a housing block for a control block which is produced in a casting process or in accordance with a generative production process (additive manufacturing), such that the channels for conducting pressure medium are formed, without drilling or the like, between valves and other hydraulic components that are accommodated in the control block.
(19) Here, FIG. 1 shows a casting of a housing block 1 of said type, wherein a multiplicity of receptacles for the valves or other hydraulic components issue into the side surfaces. In FIG. 1, three of these receptacles, which, in principle, form valve bores, are, for example, denoted by the reference designations 2, 4 and 6.
(20) FIG. 2 shows a core produced in accordance with a generative process, which core, in the specific exemplary embodiment, is formed as a sand core 8 produced in a 3D-printing process. Said sand core 8 forms the pressure medium channels via which inlet and outlet connections of the control block are hydraulically connected to the hydraulic components, for example the valves received in the receptacles 2, 4, 6, which hydraulic components are required for the activation of the one or more consumers. The receptacles 2, 4, 6 highlighted by way of example in FIG. 1 are formed by the end portions of sand core branches 10, 12, 14, which in turn are connected by core portions 16, 18, 20 which form the channels. The channel portion 18 extends approximately in an axial direction toward that end portion 22 of the sand core branch 10 which forms the receptacle 2. Said core portion 18 is formed with a circular cross section, such that a corresponding channel structure is also formed.
(21) The core portion formed with the reference designation 16 is formed as a flat profile, such that a slot or flat-channel geometry of the formed channel is correspondingly realized. Said core portion 16 for example tangentially intersects end portions 22 and 23 of the sand core branches 10, 14, such that the correspondingly formed channel produces a pressure medium connection between the two receptacles 2, 6 and the other components, situated downstream or upstream of said channel, of the housing block 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
(22) In the illustration in FIG. 2, a multiplicity of such cylindrical or flattened core portions is provided, which each form channel portions which extend between the individual receptacles. For the understanding of the disclosure, it is not necessary to describe the specific profile of the core portions and thus the detailed structure of the sand core. According to the disclosure, it is to be emphasized that at least some of the core portions are formed with the described flat profile, such that corresponding internally situated channel portions are formed during the casting process.
(23) FIG. 3 shows that region of the sand core 8 which forms the sand core branch 10. In this illustration, it is possible to see that end portion 22 of the sand core branch 10 which forms the receptacle 2. In the transition region of said end portion 22 to the core portion 18, there is formed an annular projection 24 which is widened in a radial direction in relation to the end portion 22.
(24) During the casting process, the receptacle 2 illustrated on the right in FIG. 3 is then correspondingly formed by the end portion 22, wherein the annular projection 24 forms an annular channel 30 in the transition region to a feed channel 28 formed by the core portion 18, which feed channel issues axially into the receptacle 2. Such a structure will be discussed in more detail below.
(25) The core portion 16 formed with a flat profile intersects—as discussed above—the end portion 22 approximately tangentially, such that, as illustrated on the right in FIG. 3, an oval, slot-shaped issuing opening 31 is formed in the circumferential region of the receptacle 2. Said issuing opening extends over a relatively large circumferential region, wherein, depending on the profile of the core portion 16 formed as a flat profile, a circumferential region of more than 120° can be covered by the issuing opening 31. Accordingly, through suitable selection of the flat profile and of the profile of the corresponding core portions, it is possible to optimize the respective issuing regions of the channels in terms of flow, such that the inflow and outflow of the pressure medium to and from the valve or to and from the hydraulic components occurs with minimal pressure loss.
(26) FIG. 4 shows a variant in which a core portion formed with a flat profile issues axially, for example in a base surface 33 of a receptacle 32. In this exemplary embodiment, the core portion is formed as an elongated curved profile, such that a kidney-shaped issuing opening 34 is correspondingly realized, the radius of curvature of which is selected so as to run with a parallel spacing to the circumferential wall of the receptacle, such that, in turn, optimum inflow or outflow ratios are ensured. It is self-evidently also possible for the kidney-shaped curved issuing opening to be obliquely inclined relative to the circumferential wall.
(27) A number of possible variants of the embodiment of said issuing regions will be discussed on the basis of FIGS. 5 to 16.
(28) FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, a part of a housing block 1 in which a receptacle 2 which forms the valve bore is formed in the above-described manner. Said receptacle 2 is—as is conventional in the case of valve bores—formed as a stepped bore, into which, for example, a pressure-limiting valve 36 of cartridge design can be inserted. The basic construction of such valves is known, such that a description in this regard will not be given. The feed channel 28 formed by an axial core portion issues in the receptacle 2. Above this in FIG. 5, a discharge channel 40 issues in the receptacle 2 in a radial direction, and above this in turn, a control oil channel 42. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, said channels 38, 40, 42 are each formed with a circular cross section. In the issuing region of the discharge channel 40, there is formed an annular channel 30 formed in accordance with the above embodiments, into which annular channel the radially running discharge channel 40 issues in a flow-optimized manner.
(29) FIG. 6 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 5. It is possible in this illustration to see the schematically illustrated valve 36, which is inserted into the receptacle 2 (valve bore). Formed in the issuing region of the radially running discharge channel 40 is the annular channel 30, which engages around the valve 36 in the region of the discharge-side outlet connection, such that, in the pressure-limiting function of the valve 36, the pressure medium can flow out with minimal pressure loss. In this exemplary embodiment, a height h of the discharge channel 40 in the issuing region corresponds to the diameter of the annular channel 30.
(30) FIG. 7 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 5. In this exemplary embodiment, too, an annular channel 36 is formed in the issuing region of the discharge channel 40. The discharge channel 40 however does not issue radially into the receptacle 2 (valve bore) but rather intersects the latter tangentially, such that a pressure medium connection to the annular channel 36 is produced, and a channel branch 44 runs onward to the discharge connection of a further valve, to a pressure medium sink or to some other component. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the diameter or the width of the discharge channel 40 is smaller than the diameter of the annular channel 30.
(31) It is self-evidently possible for such channel structures to also be formed in the region of the feed channel 38 or of the control oil channel 42.
(32) In the exemplary embodiments described above, the channels 40, 44 are preferably formed, at least in the issuing region, as flat channels—this structure will be discussed in more detail below.
(33) FIG. 8 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 5, wherein the discharge channel 40 again issues in radially.
(34) In this exemplary embodiment, as per FIG. 8 and the sectional illustration in FIG. 9, the discharge channel 40 is likewise formed as a flat channel, whose width B (see FIG. 9) running perpendicular to the view in FIG. 8 is greater than the height h that is visible in FIG. 8. As per FIG. 9, said width B is also greater than the diameter of the valve in said region, wherein the flat channel (discharge channel 40) extends beyond the circumference of the valve 36, such that, as per FIG. 9, a flow around the valve is possible in the region of the outlet connection. In principle—if permitted by structural space and the valve construction—it is also possible for the height h to correspond to the width B in the issuing region, such that, in turn, a channel with a circular cross section is formed which likewise extends beyond the valve 36.
(35) FIG. 10 shows a variant corresponding to FIG. 7, wherein the discharge channel 40 again tangentially intersects the receptacle 2 and extends with a channel branch 44 beyond the receptacle 2 or the valve 36 to the next component. In this case, it is then the case that the annular channel 30—as in the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 7—extends only over a part of the circumference. In the case in which the channel branch 44 is not angled in relation to the discharge channel 40, said circumferential region amounts to approximately 180°. In the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 7, the circumferential region is correspondingly larger, because in this case the channel branch 44 is angled in relation to the discharge channel 40.
(36) FIG. 11 shows a section along the line B-B in FIG. 10. In this illustration, it is possible to see the narrowed channel cross section 48 situated in the region of the transition between the discharge channel 40 and the channel branch 44, and, at the rear, the annular channel 30 which extends over a part of the circumference of the valve 36.
(37) FIGS. 12 and 13 show an exemplary embodiment in which, in the axial spacing to the feed channel 28, an annular channel 30 is formed which, as per the sectional illustration in FIG. 13, engages around the entire circumference of the valve 36. Said annular channel 30 may then be connected, via a channel which is not illustrated, to a pressure medium sink or to some other component.
(38) On the basis of FIGS. 14 to 16, an exemplary embodiment will be discussed in which, in the region of the discharge channel 40, there is likewise formed an encircling annular channel 30 into which the discharge channel 40 issues. As can be seen in the section as per FIG. 15, it is the case in this exemplary embodiment that the discharge channel 40 is formed with a widening 50 in the direction of the annular channel 30, which widening is for example formed such that the discharge channel 40 issues approximately tangentially into the annular channel 30 in the region situated at the bottom in FIG. 14, and opens into the annular channel 30 by means of a rounded portion in the region situated at the top in FIG. 15. Said widening 50 may self-evidently also be formed in some other way. By means of said widening 50, the outflow (or inflow) of the pressure medium from or to the valve 36 is further optimized.
(39) FIG. 16 shows the section B-B in FIG. 15. Accordingly, the discharge channel 40, which runs rectilinearly or in curved fashion, is in turn formed as a flat channel (or with a slot geometry), wherein the width B is considerably greater than the height h.
(40) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, it is furthermore also the case that a further annular channel 52 is formed in the region of the control oil channel 42 in the circumferential wall of the receptacle 2, into which further annular channel the control oil channel 42 then issues correspondingly to the exemplary embodiments described above, such that the control oil guidance is also optimized.
(41) A housing block, a method for producing a housing block of said type, and a sand core usable in such a method, are disclosed, wherein channels with a slot or flat-channel geometry are formed in the interior of the housing block.
