Device for regulating the flow of a fluid

Abstract

A device for regulating the flow of a fluid id formed with a valve housing having at least two valve ports. A first fluid path that extends between the at least two valve ports is formed in the valve housing. A first valve seat is assigned to the first fluid path. A first closing element is arranged to be coupled to the first valve seat to block or release the first fluid path, and an electromagnetic actuating unit for actuating the closing element. The actuating unit has a, first electromagnet and a second electromagnet that are coupled to the closing element via a coupling mechanism. The first and second electromagnets additively act on the closing element to displace the closing element between at least two positions.

Claims

1. A device for regulating the flow of a fluid, comprising: a valve housing having a first valve port and a second valve port; a first fluid path that extends in the valve housing between the first valve port and the second valve port; a first valve seat disposed at the first fluid path; a closing element that arranged to engage the first valve seat or to disengage from the first valve seat, to block or release the first fluid path; and an electromagnetic actuating unit that actuates the closing element; wherein the actuating unit comprises a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet; wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are coupled to the closing element via a coupling mechanism; and wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet additively act on the closing element to move the closing element between a first position and a second position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet have opposing effective directions.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electromagnet comprises a first armature and the second electromagnet comprises a second armature; and wherein the first armature and the second armature form part of the coupling mechanism.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein one of the first armature and the second armature is arranged as a pull-in armature.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein one of the first armature or the second armature is arranged as a pivoted armature.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet is coupled to a return unit comprising one of magnetic return elements and mechanical return elements.

7. The device according to claim 3, wherein one of the first armature and the second armature is coupled to the coupling mechanism via a compensating element.

8. The device according claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism forms a forced coupling between the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pivoting lever on which the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet act.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating unit is sealed off from the first fluid path.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closing element forms a seal between the first fluid path and the actuating unit; and wherein the closing element is at least sectionally deflectable to close or open the first valve seat.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closing element comprises a diaphragm.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is formed at a valve element that comprises a deflectable support.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are jointly operated in an energized state and in a non-energized state to bring the closing element into the first position and the second position.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are arranged to be jointly energized in parallel, to provide a first operating mode, and in series, to provide a second operating mode.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a third valve port at the valve housing; a second fluid path that extends in the valve housing between the second valve port and the third valve port; and a second valve seat disposed at the second fluid path; wherein the closing element is further arranged to engage the second valve seat or to disengage from the second valve seat, to block or release the second fluid path; wherein the closing element, in the first position, blocks the first fluid path and enables the second fluid path, and, in the second position, blocks the second fluid path and enables the first fluid path.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the closing element comprises a diaphragm, the diaphragm comprising a first sealing section that is arranged to seal off the first valve seat, and a second sealing section that is arranged to seal off the second valve seat.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are jointly operated in an energized state and in a non-energized state to bring the closing element into the first position and the second position; wherein in the first position the first valve seat is closed by the closing element; wherein in the second position the second valve seat is closed by the closing element; and wherein the first position is in the energized state and the second position is in the non-energized state.

19. A valve arrangement incorporating a regulating device for regulating the flow of a fluid, the regulating device comprising: a valve housing having a first valve port and a second valve port; a first fluid path that extends in the valve housing between the first valve port and the second valve port; a first valve seat disposed at the first fluid path; a closing element that arranged to engage the first valve seat or to disengage from the first valve seat, to block or release the first fluid path; and an electromagnetic actuating unit that actuates the closing element; wherein the actuating unit comprises a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet; wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are coupled to the closing element via a coupling mechanism; and wherein the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet additively act on the closing element to displace the closing element between a first position and a second position.

20. The valve arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the regulating device further comprises: a third valve port at the valve housing; a second fluid path that extends in the valve housing between the second valve port and the third valve port; and a second valve seat disposed at the second fluid path; wherein the closing element is further arranged to engage the second valve seat or to disengage from the second valve seat, to block or release the second fluid path; wherein the closing element, in the first position, blocks the first fluid path and enables the second fluid path, and, in the second position, blocks the second fluid path and enables the first fluid path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Further features and advantages of the invention become apparent from the description of multiple preferred exemplary embodiments that follows, with reference to the drawings. In the figures:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a valve arrangement that is provided with a device for regulating flow;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded partial depiction of the arrangement according to FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a sectional depiction of one further embodiment of a valve arrangement that is provided with a device for regulating flow;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of one further embodiment of a valve arrangement which is provided with a device for regulating flow;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows one further, partially cutaway view of the arrangement according to FIG. 4, wherein the cutting plane is offset from the cutting plane selected in FIG. 4;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, highly simplified, lateral partial view of an actuating unit for the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for further illustration; and

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a schematic, highly simplified depiction of one further embodiment of an actuating unit for a device for regulating flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are presented in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention and are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0060] Different embodiments of devices for regulating flow for valve arrangements, each of which comprises an actuating unit having two electromagnets, are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, which are described in greater detail in the following.

[0061] A valve arrangement 10 comprising a so-called flapper valve, is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The valve arrangement 10 is provided with a device 100 for regulating flow.

[0062] The valve arrangement 10 comprises a valve housing 12 that is provided with a first connection 14, a second connection 16 and a third connection 18. The housing 12 is formed, by way of example, by a first housing part 20 and a second housing part 22. The connections 14, 16, 18 are formed on the housing part 20. A first valve seat 24 is assigned to the first connection 14. A second valve seat 26 is assigned to the second connection 16.

[0063] The valve arrangement 10 further comprises a valve element 30 which has a closing element 32. The valve element 30 is accommodated, by way of example, between the housing parts 20 and 22. The closing element 32 comprises a first section 34 and a second section 36. The sections 34, 36 also can be referred to as sealing sections or closing sections. The first section 34 is assigned to the first valve seat 24. The second section 36 is assigned to the second valve seat 26. The valve element 30 is designed in such a way that one of the two sections 34, 36 can come to rest in a sealing manner against the valve seat 24, 26 assigned thereto, when the other section 34, 36 is lifted off its valve seat 24, 26. Therefore, one of two valve paths formed between the connections 14, 16, 18 can be alternatively blocked or released. A first liquid path is defined between the connections 14 and 18. A second liquid path is defined between the connections 16 and 18.

[0064] The connection 18, at the least, leads into a valve chamber 38, which is delimited by the closing element 32. Depending on the position of the closing element 32, the connection 14 or the connection 16 is fluidically connected to the valve chamber 38. This is possible using only one closing element 32.

[0065] The valve element 30 further comprises a support 40 that supports the closing element 32, by way of example. The support 40 usually consists of a material which is substantially stiffer than the material of which the closing element 32 consists, i.e., steel or another metal material, for example. By way of example, the closing element 32 can comprise a soft component 42. The component can be a rubber-elastic material, for example, in this case. The more detailed configuration of the valve element 30 having the closing element 32 is shown in the exploded perspective depiction in FIG. 2.

[0066] The valve element 30 further comprises a receptacle seal 44 and an edge 46 which is designed as a circumferential edge, by way of example. In the installed state of the valve housing 30, the receptacle seal 44 is seated in a groove 48, which is jointly formed by the housing parts 20, 22 of the housing 12. In this way, the valve chamber 38 can be hermetically sealed by the valve element 30, in particular by the closing element 32. Therefore, by way of example, the housing part 22 is not contacted by the fluid that flows through the valve arrangement 10. The fluid can be, for example, a gaseous medium or a liquid medium.

[0067] The device 100 is used for regulating flow for the valve arrangement 10. The device 100 comprises an actuating unit 50. The actuating unit 50 comprises a first electromagnet 52 and a second electromagnet 54. The electromagnets 52, 54 are accommodated in a shared housing (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1), by way of example. The electromagnets 52, 54 are situated in direct spatial proximity to one another.

[0068] The first electromagnet 52 has an effective direction 56. The second electromagnet 54 has an effective direction 58. The effective directions 56, 58 of the electromagnets 52, 54 are opposed to one another.

[0069] The first electromagnet 52 comprises a coil 60 and an armature 62, which is guided in a guide sleeve 64. Furthermore, a stopper 66 is provided. The armature 62 is movably accommodated in the guide sleeve 64. The stopper 66 is fixedly connected to the guide sleeve 64.

[0070] The second electromagnet 54 comprises a coil 70 and an armature 72, which is movably accommodated in a guide sleeve 74. Furthermore, the second electromagnet 54 comprises a stopper 76 and a cap 78, which forms a seal. The armature 72 is accommodated in the guide sleeve 74 to be movable between the stopper 76 and the cap 78. The stoppers 66, 76 of the first electromagnet 52 and of the second electromagnet 54 can also be referred to as a magnet core.

[0071] The electromagnets 52, 54 are each designed as pull-in magnets, wherein the armatures 62, 72 are designed as pull-in armatures. A pulling direction of the armature 62 of the first electromagnet 52 corresponds to the effective direction 56. A pulling direction of the pull-in armature 72 of the second electromagnet 54 corresponds to the effective direction 58. When the electromagnets 52, 54, in particular their coils 60, 70, are energized, the armatures 62, 72 are pulled in, wherein opposing directions of movement result, in accordance with the effective directions 56, 58. In other words, the armature 62 moves away from the valve element 30 of the valve arrangement 10. In contrast, the armature 72 moves in the direction toward the valve element 30 of the valve arrangement 10.

[0072] The device 100 further comprises a coupling mechanism 80, which couples the electromagnets 52, 54 to one another. Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 80 couples the actuating unit 50 to the valve element 30 to its closing element 32.

[0073] The coupling mechanism 80 comprises actuating elements 82, 84, which are designed as actuating forks, by way of example. The actuating element 82 is assigned to the first electromagnet 52. The actuating element 84 is assigned to the second electromagnet 54. One exemplary design of the actuating elements 82, 84 is shown in the exploded depiction, according to FIG. 2.

[0074] The actuating elements 82, 84 couple the electromagnets 52, 54, in particular, their armatures 62, 72, to the closing element 32.

[0075] When the electromagnets 52, 54 shown in FIG. 1 are energized, the armatures 62, 72 are pulled in. This effectuates a movement or deflection of the closing element 32, whereby the section 34 of the closing element 32 is lifted off the valve seat 24. Furthermore, the section 36 comes to rest in a sealing manner against the valve seat 26. Accordingly, the state shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the non-energized state of the electromagnets 52, 54.

[0076] The armature 62 of the electromagnet 52, in the energized state, counteracts a pre-load force of a closing spring 86. The armature 72 of the electromagnet 54, in the energized state, counteracts a pre-load force of a closing spring 90. The closing spring 86 forces the armature 62 in the direction of the closing element 32. The closing spring 90 forces the armature 72 away from the closing element 32. In this way, in the non-energized state of the electromagnets 52, 54, a defined idle position of the closing element 32 is effectuated; see the position shown in FIG. 1. The electromagnets 52, 54 supplement one another and additively act on the closing element 32.

[0077] Together, the closing springs 86, 90 form return elements of a return unit.

[0078] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling between the actuating element 82 and the armature 62 takes place via a buffer spring 88. Furthermore, the coupling between the actuating element 84 and the armature 72 takes place via a buffer spring 92 and a tappet 94. The buffer springs 88, 92 can also be referred to as compensating elements. The compensating elements can optimize the force ratios of the electromagnets 52, 54 and between the electromagnets 52, 54 and the coupling mechanism 80. By way of example, the buffer springs 88, 92 can be used for defining or minimizing the resultant air gap between the armature 62 and the stopper 66 and between the armature 72 and the stopper 76.

[0079] The tappet 94, which connects the buffer spring 92 to the actuating element 84, extends through the stopper 76 and is preferably made of a non-magnetic material. The stopper 76 is fixedly accommodated on the guide sleeve 74.

[0080] The actuating elements 82, 84 designed as actuating forks and each comprise a fork shaft 96 and fork arms 98; see also FIG. 2. Formed on each of the fork arms 98 is a carry-along recess 102 for the interlocked carrying-along of the valve element 30 to displace the closing element 32. The carry-along recesses 102 can act on the edge 46 of the valve element 30, for example. The carrying-along can include a pull (see the arrow 56 in FIG. 1) and a push (see the arrow 58 in FIG. 1).

[0081] In the valve element 30, the support 40 extends not only within the area delimited by the receptacle seal 44. In addition, at least sections of the support extend in the area of the edge 46. Accordingly, a transfer of force or a transfer of movement from the actuating elements 82, 84 to the sections 34, 36 can take place via the support 40.

[0082] Further exemplary embodiments of valve arrangements are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, which valve arrangements are provided with flow-regulating devices that comprise an actuating unit having two electromagnets. It is understood that individual features and individual aspects of one of the exemplary embodiments shown herein can also be transferred to other embodiments.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates a valve arrangement which is labeled in entirety with reference numeral 110 and comprises a flow-regulating device labeled with reference numeral 200.

[0084] The valve arrangement 110 comprises a housing 112 which has, by way of example, a first housing part 120 and a second housing part 122. The housing 112 further comprises a first connection 114, a second connection 116, and a third connection 118, which are formed on the housing part 120, by way of example. A first valve seat 124 is assigned to the first connection 114. A second valve seat 126 is assigned to the second connection 116. Furthermore, a seal labeled with reference numeral 128 is accommodated on the housing 112 and seals the connections 114, 116, 118 as necessary.

[0085] The valve arrangement 110 further comprises a valve element 130, which has a closing element 132. The closing element 132 comprises a first section (sealing section) 134 and a second section (sealing section) 136. The section 134 is assigned to the valve seat 124. The section 136 is assigned to the valve seat 126. The valve element 130, in particular, the closing element 132, hermetically seals a valve chamber 138.

[0086] The closing element 132 comprises or substantially consists of a soft component 142. The valve element 130 can be referred to, in entirety, as a valve diaphragm. Further provided on the valve element 130 is a receptacle seal, which is labeled with reference numeral 144 and, for example, effectuates a seal between the first housing part 120 and the second housing part 122. For the purpose of actuating the valve arrangement 110, the device 200 comprises an actuating unit 150 which has a first electromagnet 152 and a second electromagnet 154. The electromagnets 152, 154 have opposed effective directions, similarly to the valve arrangement 10 which was illustrated, by way of example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0087] The electromagnet 152 comprises a coil 160 and an armature 162 which is movably accommodated in a guide sleeve 164. Furthermore, a stopper, which is labeled with reference numeral 166 and also can be referred to as a magnet core, is provided. The stopper 166 is fixedly connected to the guide sleeve 164.

[0088] The electromagnet 154 comprises a coil 170 and an armature 172 which is movably accommodated in a guide sleeve 174. Furthermore, a stopper, which is labeled with reference numeral 176 and is fixedly connected to the guide sleeve 174, is provided. The electromagnet 154 further comprises an end cap 178.

[0089] The armature 162 of the electromagnet 152 is situated between the stopper 166 and the valve element 130. The stopper or core 176 of the electromagnet 154 is situated between the armature 172 and the valve element 130.

[0090] Similarly, to the design of the valve arrangement 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electromagnets 152, 154 of the valve arrangement 110 according to FIG. 3 are also designed as pull-in magnets and are provided with pull-in armatures 162, 172. In the energized state of the magnet 152, the armature 162 is moved away from the valve element 130 or the valve seat 124 (see the arrow 156). If the electromagnet 154 is energized, the armature 172 is moved in the direction of the valve element 130 or the valve seat 126; see the arrow 158.

[0091] The device 200 further comprises a coupling mechanism 180 which couples the actuating unit 150 to the valve arrangement 110 to the valve element 130.

[0092] The coupling mechanism 180 comprises an actuating element 182 which is assigned to the electromagnet 152. Furthermore, an actuating element 184 is provided, which is assigned to the electromagnet 154. The actuating element 182 is designed as a tappet 194. The actuating element 184 is designed as a tappet 196.

[0093] Assigned to the first electromagnet 152 is a closing spring 186, which can also be referred to as a return element. Assigned to the second electromagnet 154 is a closing spring 190, which can also be referred to as a return element. The force applied by the spring 186 must be overcome during the movement of the armature 162 when the electromagnet 152 is energized. The force applied by the closing spring 190 must be overcome during the movement of the armature 172 when the electromagnet 154 is energized.

[0094] Furthermore, a buffer spring 188 is assigned to the electromagnet 152. Furthermore, a buffer spring 192 is assigned to the electromagnet 154. The actuating element 182 designed as a tappet 194 is coupled to the armature 162, wherein the buffer spring 188 is connected therebetween. The actuating element 184 designed as a tappet 196 is coupled to the armature 172, wherein the buffer spring 192 is situated therebetween.

[0095] The coupling mechanism 180 further comprises a pivoting lever 198, which is accommodated on a swivel pin 202. The pivoting lever 198 is coupled to the actuating elements 182, 184, each of which is preferably assigned to one side of the pivoting lever 198. The pivoting lever 198 effectuates a forced coupling of the movement of the electromagnets 152, 154. However, there is no infinitely rigid or stiff coupling, since a buffer spring 188, 192, respectively, is situated between the (movable) armatures 162, 172 and the actuating elements 182, 184 assigned thereto. This has the advantage that there are no excessively high tolerance requirements on the components involved.

[0096] By way of example, the pivoting lever 198 comprises, on each of its ends, a carry-along recess 206, which is assigned to a corresponding carry-along section 204 of the tappet 194, 196. In other words, the pivoting lever 198 has a rocker-like configuration. The pivoting lever 198 causes the movement of one of the actuating elements 182, 184 in the direction of the valve element 130 to be converted into an opposite movement of the other actuating element 182, 184 away from the valve element 130. This also corresponds to the opposed effective directions 156, 158 of the electromagnets 152, 154.

[0097] At their end facing the valve element 130, the tappets 194, 196 are designed, by way of example, for an interlocked connection to the valve element 130. For this purpose, a joining section 208 is formed on the valve element 130 and, by way of example, surrounds an end piece of the tappet 194, 196 in a cap-like or grommet-like manner. The joining section 208 can effectuate an interlocked, force-locked and/or bonded coupling between the valve element 130 and the actuating elements 182, 184.

[0098] Yet another embodiment of a valve arrangement 210, which is provided with a flow-regulating device labeled with reference numeral 300, is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Similarly to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the valve arrangement 210 also comprises a housing 212, which is provided with connections 214, 216, 218. A valve seat 224 is assigned to the connection 214. A valve seat 226 is assigned to the connection 216. Furthermore, on the connection side, the housing 212 comprises a seal 228 for the connections 214, 216, 218.

[0099] The valve arrangement 210 further comprises a valve element 230 which has a closing element 232 comprising a first section (sealing section) 234 and a second section 236 (sealing section). The first section 234 is assigned to the valve seat 224. The second section 236 is assigned to the valve seat 226. Furthermore, the valve element 230 comprises a support, which is labeled with reference numeral 240 and is formed from a metal material, for example. The closing element 232 is produced, by way of example, from a flexible material or a rubber-elastic material. The valve element 230 further comprises a receptacle seal 244 which hermetically seals a valve chamber 238 with respect to an actuating unit 250.

[0100] The valve element 30, which was illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, is designed as a valve flap or an isolating lever, for example, wherein partially flexible sections are provided. The valve element 130, which was illustrated with reference to FIG. 3, is designed as a diaphragm, for example. The valve element 230, which is shown in FIG. 4, is designed as a pivoting element or a closing lever which is deflectable, due to the elasticity of the support 240 and the closing element 232, to reciprocally block or release either the valve seat 224 or the valve seat 226.

[0101] For the purpose of actuating the valve element 230, the device 300 having the actuating unit 250 comprises an arrangement which has a first electromagnet 252 (FIG. 4) and a second electromagnet 254 (FIG. 5).

[0102] The spatial arrangement of the electromagnets 252, 254 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 6, which shows a schematic, highly simplified depiction of a lateral partial view of the actuating unit 250 according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0103] In other words, the electromagnets 252, 254 are situated one behind the other according to the view utilized in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0104] The first electromagnet 252 comprises a coil 260 and an armature 262, which is designed as a pivoted armature. Furthermore, a core labeled with reference numeral 266 is provided. A yoke 268 extends between the core 266 and the armature 262 on both sides of the coil 260.

[0105] The second electromagnet 254 comprises a coil 270 and an armature 272 which is designed as a pivoted armature. Furthermore, the electromagnet 254 comprises a core 276. A yoke 278 extends between the core 276 and the armature 272 on both sides of the coil 270.

[0106] The armatures 262, 272 are designed as pivoted armatures and can pivot about a pivot axis 264, 274, respectively. FIG. 6 shows that the pivot axes 264, 274 can be formed by a shared part.

[0107] The actuating unit 250 is connected to the valve element 230 via a coupling mechanism 280. Assigned to the coupling mechanism are actuating elements which are designed, by way of example, as leaf springs and effectuate a pivoted carry-along of the valve element 230 when the armatures 262, 272 are pivoted.

[0108] The pivoted armature 262 is provided with actuating elements 282, 283, which are designed, for example, as actuating springs in the form of leaf springs. The pivoted armature 272 is provided with actuating elements 284, 285 which are designed as actuating springs in the form of leaf springs. The actuating elements 282, 283 are assigned to sides of a carry-along section 304 of the support 240 positioned opposite each other. The actuating elements 284, 285 are assigned to sides of a carry-along section 306 of the support 240 positioned opposite each other. Depending on the present pivot position of the armature 262, 272, the actuating elements 282, 283 or 284, 285, respectively, force the support 240 into one of two directions, to which a corresponding switching position of the closing element 232 is assigned.

[0109] The actuating unit 250 further comprises a return element which is designed as a permanent-magnet return unit. The return unit comprises at least one permanent magnet 286, 288 which is assigned to the pivoted armature 262. Preferably, two permanent magnets 286, 288 are provided. Furthermore, the return unit comprises, by way of example, at least one electromagnet 290, 292, which is assigned to the pivoted armature 272, on sides of the electromagnet 254. Preferably, two permanent magnets 290, 292 are provided.

[0110] Similarly, to the previously described closing springs 86, 90, the permanent magnets 286, 288, 290, 292, each also counteract a force (here: magnetic force), which is generated in the energized state of the electromagnets 252, 254.

[0111] In FIGS. 4 and 5, a polarity of the permanent magnets 286, 288, 290, 292 is indicated using the letters N (north pole) and S (south pole). The polarity of the permanent magnets 286, 288 is opposed to the polarity of the permanent magnet 290, 292. This means that the electromagnets 252, 254 have opposed effective directions (in the sense of Lenz's law) to be able to ultimately additively act on the valve element 230.

[0112] Furthermore, it becomes apparent from FIG. 6 that the support 240 provided with the carry-along sections 304, 306 can be designed to be T-shaped, by way of example, to enable the electromagnets 252, 254 to apply an additive force to the carry-along sections 304, 306 to actuate the valve arrangement 210.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates, with reference to a schematically highly simplified depiction, yet another embodiment of an actuating unit 350 for a valve arrangement. The actuating unit 350 can be combined with the above-described valve configurations.

[0114] The actuating unit 350 comprises a first electromagnet 352 and a second electromagnet 354, which have opposed effective directions 356, 358. Assigned to the actuating unit 350 is a coupling mechanism 380, which comprises actuating elements 382, 384. The actuating element 382 is coupled to an armature of the first electromagnet 352, by way of example. The actuating element 384 is coupled to an armature of the second electromagnet 354, by way of example. The coupling mechanism 380 further comprises a pivoting lever 398 which can pivot about an axis 402. An arrow labeled with reference numeral 404 in FIG. 7 describes a pivoting direction of the pivoting lever 398 when the electromagnets 352, 354 are energized. The movement of the pivoting lever 398 induces a synchronization or forced coupling of the electromagnets 352, 354.

[0115] As described above, a closing spring (compression spring) 386 is assigned to the first electromagnet 352, by way of example. Furthermore, a closing spring (extension spring) 390 is assigned to the second electromagnet 354, by way of example.

[0116] Furthermore, a control device is schematically indicated in FIG. 7 by a block labeled with reference numeral 410 and comprises, by way of example, a voltage source or is coupled to a voltage source. The control device 410 comprises contacts 412, 414, wherein the contact 412 corresponds to a first contact type and the contact 414 corresponds to a second contact type. The contact type can be assigned to a corresponding polarity, by way of example.

[0117] The electromagnets 352, 354, in particular, their coil windings, are also provided with contacts 422, 424, 432, 434. The contacts 422, 424 are assigned to the first electromagnet 352. The contacts 432, 434 are assigned to the second electromagnet 354. The type of the contacts 422, 432 corresponds to the contact 412. The type of the contacts 424, 434 corresponds to the contact 414.

[0118] FIG. 7 illustrates different activation modes for the electromagnets 352, 354, which are can be used, in principle, in each of the embodiments illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0119] Dashed lines, which are labeled with reference numeral 440, between the contacts 412, 414 and the contacts 422; 424, 432, 434 illustrate a parallel activation of the electromagnets 352, 354. Solid lines, which are labeled with reference numeral 442, between the contacts 412, 414 and the contacts 422, 424, 432, 434 illustrate a serial interconnection of the electromagnets 352, 354.

[0120] In the case of the parallel interconnection 440, a high magnetic force is generated, which is associated with a high-power demand. In the case of the serial activation 442, a low magnetic force is generated, which is associated with a lower power demand.

[0121] It is understood that it is possible to switch between the activation modes. This can comprise, by way of example, a parallel activation for a pull-in time period and a subsequent switch to a serial activation for a reduced holding force. In this way, a high magnetic force can be initially provided, on the one hand. To hold the load, however, frequently only a relatively low force is required, which can be provided using a lower amount of energy.

[0122] As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, except to the extent that the following claims so limit that.