DE102007002841A1 - Valve for controlling e.g. gaseous fuel, has valve seat arranged in housing, and sealing element including aperture and arranged at valve unit, to open and close passage opening of housing, and fixed at valve unit and valve seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve (1) has a valve seat (4) arranged in a housing (3) including a passage opening (4c). A sealing element (5) is arranged at a valve unit (2), and opens and closes the passage opening. The sealing element has an aperture (25) and is fixed at the valve unit and the valve seat. A supporting plate (6) with a passage opening (26) is arranged between the valve unit and the sealing element. A fixing bulge (5c) for attachment of the sealing element at the valve seat is arranged at a side boundary area (5b) of the sealing element.

Description

State of the art

The The present invention relates to a valve for controlling a gaseous medium. for example, for blowing a gaseous fuel into a Internal combustion engine or as a gas control valve in a fuel cell.

In recently, Time is increased gaseous fuels and / or fuel cells used in automobiles. in this connection have to Mass flows of gaseous Media controlled. Become frequent in the known vehicles from the injection and metering of liquid Fuels known valves used. However, have gaseous media compared to liquid Media different requirement profiles. For example Gases, such as hydrogen or methane, compared to liquid fuels a lower density. Therefore, gases often require much larger volume flow be provided, of course, nevertheless brief Einblaszeiten to be achieved. Furthermore, when using gas valves as injection valves for Internal combustion engines the risk that oil enters the valve. It has also been found that in gas valves in particular Cold start problems arise.

Advantages of the invention

The inventive valve for controlling a gaseous Medium with the features of claim 1, in contrast, the Advantage on that it is compact in construction and less expensive Manufacturability especially for gaseous Media is suitable. In particular, a cold start ability of the valve to be ensured at high tightness. Further points the valve according to the invention a very high durability on. Also occurs in a possibly occurring oil entry into the valve in particular no suit time extension. This is inventively characterized achieved that the valve for controlling a gaseous medium, a valve member, one on a housing fixed valve seat and a sealing element comprises. The sealing element is arranged on the valve member. The valve seat has at least one passage opening, which is released or closed by the sealing element, around a thereby flowing To control gas flow. The sealing element has at least one passage opening, wherein the sealing element attached to the valve member and the valve seat is. This makes it possible that according to the invention only one lifted predetermined area of the sealing element from the valve seat will, while another area is still attached to the valve seat. The gaseous medium can when open Valve thus through the passage opening flow in the sealing element and the released passage opening in the valve member. Thus, according to the invention the elasticity exploited the sealing element to the gaseous medium through the valve to control.

The under claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Preferably is a support disk between the valve member and the sealing element with at least one passage opening arranged. This can be a certain stiffening and support of the Seal element done. The gaseous Medium can be opened Valve through the passage opening in the support disk and the passage opening flow in the sealing element.

Especially Preferably, the sealing element is substantially pot-shaped with a bottom portion and a side edge portion formed. The Sealing element is connected to the valve seat on the side edge region. The side edge area is preferably at right angles to Floor area arranged. The passage opening is preferably in Floor area arranged.

Especially a free end of the side edge region of the sealing element is preferred Fixing bead provided. This can be a simple and secure Attach the sealing element to the valve seat. Preferably is at the valve seat a circumferential groove for receiving the mounting bead intended. Thus, a positive connection between the Fixing bead and the groove of the valve seat done. To hedge the fixing bead can additionally for example, by gluing o. Ä. be fixed.

Further Preferably, the side edge region of the sealing element contacts the casing of the valve. In this way, on the one hand in a simple way an additional Seal between the valve seat and the housing can be provided and on the other hand can the housing support the side edge region of the sealing element. This shows that in the Essentially cup-shaped Sealing element to a greater stability.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a central passage opening with a first diameter and a plurality of further passage openings are formed with a second diameter in the bottom region of the sealing element, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. In this way, a large passage area can be ensured by the sealing element, so that in particular with a smaller opening stroke of the valve, a large volume gas flow of the gaseous medium can flow through the valve. For a simple construction, the plurality of further passage openings are preferably arranged concentrically to a central passage opening of the sealing element.

Further preferred are in the support disk a Variety of passage openings provided in the same positions as the passage openings of the sealing element are arranged.

The Sealing element is preferably an elastomeric membrane.

Further Preferably, the valve member has its direction to the sealing element End no leadership on. This will be possible that the valve member, which in the prior art usually through two separate guides guided will, a guide is taken over by the sealing element, more precisely the side edge region of the sealing element. At the opposite end to the sealing element of the valve member preferably a common one Guide, z. B. a leadership o. Ä., intended.

The inventive valve is thus very particular as a gas valve with a long service life good tightness suitable. In particular, a sufficient Cold start and ensuring a sufficient volume flow through the gas valve become. Due to the structure of the sealing element also results in a only slight swelling of the sealing element.

drawing

following becomes a preferred embodiment the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in Detail described. In the drawing is:

1 a schematic sectional view of a gas valve according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in the closed state,

2 a schematic sectional view of the gas valve of 1 in the open state, and

3 a schematic plan view of a in the 1 and 2 shown sealing element.

Preferred embodiment the invention

The following is with reference to the 1 to 3 a gas valve 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention described in detail.

How out 1 can be seen, includes the gas valve 1 a valve member 2 , a housing 3 in which the valve member 2 is arranged and a sealing seat 4 , The seal seat 4 is firmly in the housing 3 attached. At one end of the valve member 2 , which is the sealing seat 4 is directed, is a sealing element 5 and a support plate 6 arranged. The support plate 6 is between the end of the valve member 2 and the sealing element 5 arranged. The support plate 6 For example, by gluing to the valve member 2 be attached and the sealing element 5 can z. B. also by gluing to the support plate 6 be attached. However, there are also other types of attachment, eg. B. welding, conceivable.

As further out 1 it can be seen has the valve member 2 at his to the seal seat 4 directed end further a stepped portion 2a on, leaving the end of the valve member 2 has a slightly reduced diameter D1. In the valve member 2 is also a central hole 2 B as well as several cross bores 2c intended. By the at the end of the valve member 2 reduced diameter D1 is thus, in particular from 1 it can be seen, a substantially annular pressure chamber 7 educated.

How farther 1 can be seen, the valve seat 4 a first valve sealing area 4a and a second valve sealing area 4b on. The two valve sealing areas 4a . 4b are annular and slightly spaced from each other. Between the two valve sealing areas are several through holes 4c educated. The valve sealing areas 4a . 4b stand something in the direction of the sealing element 5 in front. In the closed state of the valve thus arise two annular seals, as shown 1 is apparent. The valve sealing areas 4a . 4b and the annularly arranged passage openings 4c are arranged concentrically to a central axis XX of the valve.

The sealing element 5 shows, as from the sectional views of 1 and 2 can be seen, essentially a pot-shaped shape with a bottom portion 5a and a margin area 5b on. The margin area 5b is the floor area 5a arranged at an angle of 90 °. At the free end of the margin area 5b is a circumferential fixing bead 5c arranged. The fastening bead 5c is partly directed inwards. The fastening bead 5c serves to fasten the sealing element 5 at the valve seat 4 , For this purpose, the valve seat 4 an annular groove 14 whose shape is the shape of the fastening bead 5c equivalent. In the ground area 5a of the sealing element 5 is also a central passage opening 15 and a variety of smaller passage openings 25 arranged. The passage openings 25 are arranged concentrically to the central axis XX. A diameter of the central passage opening 15 is greater than a diameter of the lateral passage openings 25 , How farther 1 it can be seen, are the outlet openings 25 radially further out than the through holes 4c in the valve seat 4 arranged.

In the support plate 6 are, like from the 1 and 2 becomes clear at positions corresponding to the positions of the openings in the floor area 5a of the sealing element 5 correspond to a central passage opening 16 and a plurality of lateral passage openings 26 arranged. The diameters of the passage openings in the sealing element 5 and in the support plate 6 are the same. This plurality of passage openings allow a large amount of gas to the passage openings when the valve is open 4c in the valve seat 4 be supplied and can be blown out.

How farther 1 it can be seen is on the to the sealing element 5 directed end of the valve member 2 no side guide available. This results in a gap 8th between the valve member 2 and the housing 3 , This is possible because the sealing element 5 during the opening and closing process assumes the leadership function. Thus, the valve member must 2 instead, as in the prior art, with two guide elements, only by a guide element (not shown in the figures) and the sealing element 5 be guided. As a result, in particular the number of parts of the valve can be reduced.

The function of the gas valve according to the invention 1 is as follows: If the valve member 2 , as in 2 shown, is moved in the direction of arrow A, at the same time the support plate 6 at the end of the valve member 2 is fixed and the sealing element 5 , which on the support plate 6 is fixed, also moved in the direction of arrow A. This raises the floor area 5a of the sealing element 5 from the valve sealing areas 4a . 4b at the valve seat 4 from.

The margin area 5b of the sealing element 5 However, it remains essentially in its original position, as it passes through the Befestigungswulst 5c firmly on the valve seat 4 is held. However, especially in the transition area between the floor area 5a and the sidewall area 5b to a certain deformation of the sealing element 5 to allow the opening process. This makes it possible for a gas, starting from the central bore 2 B through the passage openings 16 and 15 as well as over the cross holes 2c and the plurality of passage openings 26 . 25 , to the passageways 4c in the valve seat 4 can flow and is blown out of there from the valve. This is in 2 indicated by the plurality of small arrows, which represent the flow of the gas. Thus, a large passage cross section in the sealing element 5 provided so that a large amount of gas through the through holes 4c can flow. The valve member 2 For example, it may be a magnetic armature, which is attracted by applying a voltage in a coil and is thereby moved in the direction of the arrow A.

When the gas injection is to be stopped, the valve member becomes 2 returned to its original position, z. B. by means of a return spring o. Ä., So that the sealing element 5 again on the valve sealing areas 4a . 4b of the valve seat 4 rests and closes the passage through the valve.

As a sealing element 5 Preferably, a sealing membrane is used, which is made of a non-metal-adherent material. Particularly preferably, the sealing membrane has silicone components which adhere the sealing element to the valve sealing regions 4a . 4b prevent. The support plate 6 is preferably made of a steel. How out 1 is apparent, is an outer diameter of the support plate 6 while slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the sealing element 5 , As a result, the deformability of the transition region of the sealing element 5 improved. Also, an optionally occurring oil entry can not affect the function of the gas valve according to the invention. Furthermore, due to the provision of the two annular valve sealing areas 4a . 4b and the flat bottom area sealing with them 5b the sealing element a good cold start capability can be ensured because only low adhesive forces between the sealing element and the valve sealing areas 4a . 4b may occur.

It should also be noted that the passage openings 4c for example, may have a kidney shape or a cylindrical shape. It should also be noted that instead of gluing the sealing element with the support plate 6 and the support plate with the end of the valve member 2 Other attachment options, such as rivets, welding, etc., can be used. Also, instead of the mounting bead 5c the sealing element 5 in another way, eg. B. by riveting or gluing the valve seat 4 be attached.

The gas valve according to the invention 1 Especially in connection with vehicles, for example as a gas injection valve for injecting gaseous fuels into an internal combustion engine or as a gas control valve, for. As used in conjunction with a fuel cell. Since the membrane seal in addition to the sealing function also a guiding function for the valve member 2 can take over, it is also possible to provide a very simple and inexpensive construction, since the valve member 2 then only another guide element on whose the sealing element 5 opposite end needed.

It should be noted that the passage openings 25 . 26 not only circular but also different, in particular oval or kidney-shaped, may be formed or may be any combination of differently shaped passage openings.

Claims (11)

Valve for controlling a gaseous medium, comprising a valve member ( 2 ), one in a housing ( 3 ) arranged valve seat ( 4 ), the at least one passage opening ( 4c ), and a sealing element ( 5 ), which on the valve member ( 2 ) is arranged, and in the valve seat ( 4 ) formed through openings ( 4c ) and closes, wherein the sealing element ( 5 ) at least one passage opening ( 15 . 25 ) and wherein the sealing element ( 5 ) on the valve member ( 2 ) and at the valve seat ( 4 ) is attached. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that between the valve member ( 2 ) and the sealing element ( 5 ) a support disk ( 6 ) with at least one passage opening ( 16 . 26 ) is arranged. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 5 ) substantially cup-shaped with a bottom portion ( 5a ) and a side edge area ( 5b ) is formed, and the sealing element ( 5 ) with the valve seat ( 4 ) through the side edge area ( 5b ) connected is. Valve according to claim 3, characterized in that at the side edge area ( 5b ) of the sealing element ( 5 ) a fastening bead ( 5c ) for fastening the sealing element to the valve seat ( 4 ) is arranged. Valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve seat ( 4 ) a circumferential groove ( 14 ) for receiving the fastening bead ( 5c ) of the sealing element ( 5 ) having. Valve according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the side edge area ( 5b ) of the sealing element ( 5 ) the housing ( 3 ) of the valve. Valve according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that in the bottom area ( 5a ) of the sealing element ( 5 ) a central passage opening ( 15 ) and a plurality of further passage openings ( 25 ), wherein the further passage openings ( 25 ) at positions radially further outside than the central passage opening ( 15 ) are arranged. Valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the further passage openings ( 25 ) concentric with the central passage opening ( 15 ) are arranged. Valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the support disk ( 6 ) a plurality of passage openings ( 16 . 26 ), which are at the same positions as the passage openings ( 15 . 25 ) of the sealing element ( 5 ) are arranged. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 5 ) is an elastomeric membrane. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve member ( 2 ) at its to the sealing element ( 5 ) directed end has no guide and the sealing element ( 5 ) the guide of the valve member ( 2 ) takes over.