Disc valve

A multiway control valve is provided having a housing that has an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, a rotatably mounted ceramic valve disc, which is arranged with a first through-flow opening and rotatably mounted in the housing to fluidically connect and disconnect from each other the connections depending on its rotational position. The valve disc rests flatly on a ceramic sealing disc, arranged in a torque-proof manner and having two second through-flow openings, and a sealing element, which is arranged between the sealing disc and an intermediate floor of the housing and is elastically deformable. The sealing element has a disc shape and has third through-flow openings that are aligned with the second through-flow openings. The intermediate floor has at least one retaining projection that engages in one of the three through-flow openings for positively locking anti-twist protection of the sealing element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a disc valve, in particular to a multiway control valve, having a housing that has at least one inlet connection to at least one outlet connection as connections for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, at least one rotatably mounted valve disc, in particular a ceramic valve disc, which is provided with at least one first through-flow opening and is arranged rotatably mounted in the housing in order to fluidically connect and disconnect the connections depending on its rotational position, and the valve disc rests flatly on at least one sealing disc, in particular a ceramic sealing disc, which is in a torque-proof arrangement and has at least two second through-flow openings, and a sealing element, which is arranged between the sealing disc and an intermediate floor of the housing and is elastically deformable, the sealing element being configured in disc shape and having third through-flow openings that are aligned with the second through-flow openings.

BACKGROUND

Disc valves are generally known from the prior art and are used, for example, in motor vehicles to control cooling water circuits or in beverage vending machines. A generic disc valve, in which a sealing element is provided between sealing disc and housing, is known, for example, from DE 10 2008 041 122 A1. In order to prevent rotation of the sealing element, the latter is provided with an essentially square outer contour, while the housing that accommodates the sealing element has a circular cross section, and radial projections extend into the lateral free spaces produced by the different contours between sealing element and housing wall, which prevents rotation of the sealing disc. A secure anti-twist protection of the sealing element can indeed be ensured in this way, but this produces limitations with reference to the maximum respectively adjustable through-flow cross section of the disc valve.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to create a disc valve that easily and economically ensures anti-twist protection for the sealing element and at the same time offers optimal utilization of the installation space for a maximally large through-flow cross section.

The cross section or the interior of the housing can be optimally designed with reference to the largest possible through-flow cross section because the components of the disc valve necessary to ensure the anti-twist protection are relocated inwardly according to an exemplary embodiment in the area of the third through-flow openings. It is provided for this purpose according to the exemplary embodiment that the intermediate floor has at least one retaining projection that engages in one of the third through-flow openings for positively locking anti-twist protection of the sealing element. This takes advantage of the fact that the through-flow openings themselves already constitute a rotation stop, which is utilized by the respective retaining projection. The outer contour can thus be optimally adapted to the inner contour of the housing, whereby the surface of the sealing element is overall increased and the possible size of the through-flow openings can thereby be maximized. The configuration of the housing wall of the housing is furthermore simplified as a result of provision of the retaining projection in the area of the through-flow openings, which leads to advantages during production and ultimately also with regard to the durability of the disc valve.

It is preferably provided that at least one retaining projection engages into each of the third through-flow openings of the sealing element. This keeps the elastic sealing element from being pushed out of its position in some areas because of its deformability, so that the sealing effect of the sealing element is reduced. At least the third through-flow openings are retained essentially in place as a result of the provision of respectively one retaining projection in respectively one of the third through-flow openings, so that deformation that reduces the through-flow cross section is securely prevented.

According to an example embodiment, the respective retaining projection extends as a retaining bar over the entire inner periphery of the respective third through-flow opening. The contour of the in this respect ring-shaped retaining bar corresponds therefore to the contour of the respective third through-flow opening, so that the sealing element abuts laterally against the retaining bar in the area of the respective third through-flow opening. The appropriate tolerance selection ensures that the sealing element is always pressed in preloaded manner against the respective retaining bar in order to optimize the sealing effect in the area of the retaining bar. The retaining bar ensures that the contour of the respective third through-flow opening of the sealing element cannot change during operation.

According to another example embodiment, the second and/or third through-flow openings are configured at least essentially in the shape of segments of a circle. This ensures optimal utilization of the available, usually circular space of the disc valve. The available installation space can be especially optimally utilized for maximum possible through-flow cross sections by means of an additional arrangement of the flow openings in the shape of segments of a circle. Both the second and the third through-flow openings are practically configured in the shape of segments of a circle. The sealing element and/or the sealing disc have particularly preferably an area shaped as a segment of a circle, which is configured with no through-flow openings.

The sealing disc preferably has two of the second through-flow openings, each of which extends over at least one third of the circular sealing disc. As a result, about one third of the sealing disc remains as a through-flow opening-free area. The contour of the sealing element corresponds fundamentally at least to the contour of the sealing disc. The sealing element accordingly has two third through-flow openings. The third through-flow openings are preferably configured and arranged according to the second through-flow openings. The third through-flow openings are particularly preferably configured somewhat larger than the second through-flow openings in order to achieve advantageous flow conditions.

The outer contour of the sealing disc, the sealing element and the intermediate floor is particularly preferably provided with a circular configuration. The circular configuration ensures optimal utilization of the available installation space. On the other hand, a circular outer contour is not necessarily an advantage for the valve disc. Here an outer contour shaped as a segment of a circle, whereby the production of the valve disc is simplified and the material costs are reduced, is preferred. The circular configuration of the sealing element, sealing disc and intermediate floor ensures a ring-shaped or circular ring-shaped sealing area extending over the entire periphery at the outer rim area, which ensures the tightness of the disc valve.

According to an example embodiment, the anti-twist protection has at least one axial projection arranged on the intermediate floor, which at least essentially extends with a positive lock effect through a breakthrough of the sealing element and in some areas is inserted in a receiving recess of the sealing disc for its anti-twist protection. The axial projection can also be one of the retaining projections, which extends through the respective third through-flow opening over the sealing element into a corresponding second through-flow opening of the sealing disc. However, this requires a particularly high tolerance accuracy during production. The axial projection is therefore preferably arranged separately from the retaining projections, in particular in the area that is free of through-flow openings. The sealing disc has at the same time a special trough-shaped receiving recess, which is aligned with the breakthrough of the sealing element, so that the axial projection protrudes through the breakthrough into the receiving recess. The cross sections of the axial projection and breakthrough of the receiving recess are selected at the same time in such a way that the axial projection is inserted with a positively locking effect in the breakthrough and receiving recess in order to form at least fundamentally play-free, anti-twist protection for the sealing disc.

It is preferably provided that the intermediate floor of the housing has fourth through-flow openings that are aligned with the second and third through-flow openings, which are respectively allocated to one of the connections. The contour of the intermediate floor corresponds particularly preferably fundamentally to the contour of the sealing element, so that the latter rests flatly on the intermediate floor and is supported in a torque-proof manner thereon by means of the retaining bar or bars. A correspondingly large volume flow through the disc valve is ensured, since then also the fourth of the through-flow openings have at least fundamentally the same through-flow openings as the third and second through-flow openings. The volume flow is guided at the same time through one and/or the other second, third or fourth through-flow opening, depending on the rotational position of the valve disc, in order to arrive at one or the other connection. The through-flow openings practically form chambers or end in chambers that are allocated to the respective connection.

The housing has particularly preferably at least one partition wall, which divides the housing into two chambers, and which forms or contributes to forming the intermediate floor at its free face. The partition wall thus also serves as a support surface for the sealing element. The disc valve has thus overall at least three chambers. Two first chambers are located on one side of the sealing element, sealing disc and valve disc, and at least one second chamber is located on the other side. It is thus preferably provided that the inlet connection is allocated to the at least one second chamber, and the outlet connections are respectively allocated to the first and in particular the second chamber.

At least one section of the intermediate floor is preferably formed by a section in a housing wall of the housing. The section is practically formed by means of tapering of the cross section of the housing. The section preferably has a circular configuration corresponding to the housing wall shape of the housing and thus supports the sealing element over its entire periphery.

The sealing element is preferably made from an elastomer, in particular a terpolymer elastomer, in particular rubber. As a result the disc valve has a high service life with a securely ensured sealing effect.

It is furthermore preferably provided that a control shaft is connected in a torque-proof manner to the valve disc and has at least one radially projecting supporting projection at an axial distance from the valve disc. At least one spring element is supported in a preloaded/preloadable state between the supporting projection and the valve disc. The control shaft itself is practically axially supported on the housing, so that the valve disc is tight against the sealing disc, the sealing disc against the sealing element, and the sealing element against the housing as a result of the spring preload, whereby the sealing effect of the disc valve is overall ensured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a valve mechanism1having a disc valve2as well as an actuator3according to an example embodiment.

The disc valve2has a housing4, which is formed by a distributor housing5and a cover6. The distributor housing5has three connections, of which one is configured as an inlet connection7, and the other two are configured as outlet connections8or9. The distributor housing5additionally has a support device10for mounting the valve mechanism1, for example, on a body of a motor vehicle.

Assembled on the cover is the actuator3, which is especially configured as an electromotor actuator3and has for this purpose an electric motor, which is not depicted in detail, as well as a gear mechanism that can be coupled to a control shaft of the disc valve2in order to distribute as desired a medium made available at the inlet connection7to the outlet connections8,9.

FIG. 2shows for this purpose a longitudinal sectional view of the disc valve2. The distributor housing5has an essentially cup-shaped configuration, so that it has a U-shaped basic shape seen in longitudinal section. The connections7,8,9are configured in this case as one piece with the distributor housing5. The cover6seals the open end of the distributor housing5. In addition, a sealing element11, which is configured as O-ring in this case, is provided between cover6and distributor housing5. The inlet connection7ends—seen from the axial direction—above the outlet connection8in the distributor housing5, that is, close to the cover6. A partition wall13runs from the base12of the distributor housing5located opposite the cover6and extends parallel to the longitudinal extension of the distributor housing5or extends axially and ends above the connection8, forming an intermediate floor14with its free face.

FIG. 3shows for this purpose a plan view of the intermediate floor14or the distributor housing5above the outlet connections8and9in a cross sectional view of the disc valve2. The partition wall13forms two chambers55,56in the distributor housing5, in which ends one of the outlet connections8,9. The chambers55and56make up about two thirds of the distributor housing5, while a remaining third is formed by the intermediate floor14and is configured free of through-flow openings. The partition wall13has an area that widens at one end for this purpose in the shape of a segment of a circle. The intermediate floor14extends in part in the shape of a bar along the inner side of the housing wall of the distributor housing5over the entire periphery of the distributor housing5in order to form a continuous support surface. The bar-shaped section is formed by a section58in the distributor housing5, which is realized by means of a cross sectional tapering, as shown in particular inFIG. 2. It is supplemented by means of the free face of the partition wall13. The chambers55and56respectively thus extend fundamentally over approximately 120° of the circular distributor housing5, while a large part of the intermediate floor14is formed by the remaining 120° through the partition wall13.

A sealing element15configured as profile seal15′, whose contour essentially corresponds to the contour of the intermediate floor14and is configured to be elastically deformable, rests on the intermediate floor14. The profile seal15′ has a breakthrough16, through which an axial projection17of the intermediate floor14protrudes in order to form anti-twist protection24for the profile seal15′. The height of the axial projection17is selected at the same time in such a way that it projects beyond the profile seal15′.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare two perspective views of a ceramic sealing disc18of the disc valve2. According toFIG. 2, the sealing disc18rests on the sealing element15. The contour of the sealing disc18at least fundamentally corresponds to the contour of the profile seal15′ or the intermediate floor14.

FIG. 4Ais a plan view of the sealing disc18from the direction of the cover6according toFIG. 2. The sealing disc18has two through-flow openings19,20, which each likewise represent a segment of a circle, which extends over approximately 120° corresponding to the chambers55and56. The sealing disc18has in addition a bearing seat21, which is configured as a cylindrical recess in the center in the sealing disc18on the face that faces toward the cover16. Each of the through-flow openings19,20is provided on the same face with a chamfer22, which serves for improvement of the flow conditions.

Such chamfers22are also provided on the rear side of the sealing disc18in the area of the through-flow openings19,20, as shown inFIG. 4B. The sealing disc18also has, on its face that faces away from the cover16, a receiving recess23whose contour essentially corresponds to the contour of the axial projection17and serves at least in certain areas to receive the axial projection17, in order to form an at least fundamentally play-free, anti-twist protection for the sealing disc18on the intermediate floor14.

FIG. 5is another plan view of the sealing disc18, namely on the face that faces toward the cover. A valve disc25, which is likewise made from ceramic and whose outer diameter essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the sealing disc18, is additionally arranged at the same time on the sealing disc18. The outer diameter of the valve disc25is configured to be slightly smaller in the present exemplary embodiment in order to prevent frictional contact with the surface of the inner side of the distributor housing5, as is also shown inFIG. 2. The valve disc25is configured in the form of a segment of a circle and extends over a segment of a circle of about 240°. The remaining 120° of the valve disc25are free and configured with open edges in order to form a through-flow opening26, which set a through-flow cross section with an overlapping position with at least one of the through-flow openings19,20of the sealing disc18. A desired through-flow cross section between the inlet connection7and at least one of the outlet connections8,9can be set depending on the rotational position of the valve disc25. The valve disc25rests flatly on the sealing disc18and has two trough-shaped hollows27, which are arranged at both sides of the center point of the valve disc25and are mirror symmetric, but not point symmetric, on its face that faces away from the valve disc18, so that incorrect assembly of the disc valve2is prevented, as will be explained in more detail later. The valve disc25also has a circular breakthrough28in the center, which forms an extension of the bearing seat21and in this respect also has a circular contour. The valve disc25is also provided with chamfers29on the through-flow opening26for an improved through-flow behavior.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a preassembled structural component30, which consists of the valve disc25, an intermediate element31, a spring element32and a control shaft33.

The control shaft33protrudes with a free end34through the breakthrough28of the valve disc25in order to engage in the bearing seat21, as shown inFIG. 2. For this purpose, the free end34of the control shaft33is likewise configured in a cylinder shape, and the outer diameter of the free end34and the inner diameter of the bearing seat21are selected in such a way that together they form a radial friction bearing for the control shaft33.

The control shaft33has an asymmetrical cross sectional contour at a distance from the free end34, as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B.FIG. 7Bshows for this purpose a cross section through the control shaft33in the area of the intermediate element31. The control shaft33has herein two mutually opposite projections35,36, which jut radially out of the control shaft33. The projection36has an additional projection37on a side wall, which has a curved contour in the present exemplary embodiment. The intermediate element31has an opening38that corresponds to the contour of the control shaft33in the area of the projections36,35. The opening38has an additional recess39on the side, in which the additional projection37can be inserted. The control shaft33and the intermediate element31can thus be connected to in just one way. Incorrect assembly is securely prevented in this way.

FIG. 7Ais a perspective view of the control shaft33with the intermediate element31. On its side that faces toward the valve disc25, the intermediate element31has two leg supports40, which are preferably configured as one piece with the intermediate element31and can be introduced or engage into the recesses27of the valve disc25. Only a single assembly position for the control shaft33and the valve disc25is possible here also because of the asymmetrical shape of the recesses27and the asymmetrical configuration of the leg supports40. Positively locking, anti-twist protection54is formed in this way on the whole between the control shaft33and the valve disc25.

The spring element32is configured as a helical spring41in the present exemplary embodiment. The helical spring41is axially supported between the laterally projecting leg supports40of the intermediate element31and several radially projecting support projections42of the control shaft33. The supporting projections42are at the same time evenly distributed over the periphery of the control shaft33and are configured as one piece with same. Two mutually opposite supporting projections42preferably merge into the lateral projections35and26. The supporting projections42together form a first axial stop43for the helical spring41, while the leg supports40form a second axial stop for the helical spring41. The helical spring41is pushed onto the control shaft33up to the first axial stop43during assembly; the intermediate element31is then pushed onto the control shaft33as previously described, and finally the valve disc25, so that the supports40engage in the recesses27.

The intermediate element31has several deformable clamping ribs45, which extend in bar-like manner parallel to the longitudinal extension of the disc valve2or to the rotational axis of the control shaft33, to lock the preassembled structural component30, as shown inFIG. 8. The dimensioning of the clamping ribs45is selected at the same time in such a way that a frictional connection between the intermediate element31and the helical spring41as well as between the intermediate element31and the valve disc25is produced because of the preloading force made available by the elasticity, which ensures the cohesion of the preassembled structural component30.

It is furthermore provided that the control shaft33has a radial projection46on the side of the supporting projections42that face away from the spring element41, which is shown inFIG. 6. The radial projection46is arranged in a predefined position relative to the control shaft33with reference to projections35and36and is especially configured as one piece therewith, so that a clear position of the valve disc25relative to the radial projection46exists during assembly of the disc valve2or the preassembled structural component30. This is also ensured by means of the respective connections that make available only one assembly option.

FIG. 9shows the cover6in a perspective view from below or seen from the distributor housing5. The cover6has a bearing opening47, through which the end of the control shaft33that is opposite the free end34can be guided. This end is configured as a coupling end48and has for this purpose an external tooth system49on its outer periphery, which can be coupled to the actuator3or can be brought into operative connection therewith. As shown inFIG. 2, the leg supports42form at their side that is opposite to the first axial stop43a second axial stop50, with which the control shaft33is supported on the inner side of the cover6. A sealing ring51is advantageously provided for sealing. The bearing opening47as well as the coupling end48of the control shaft33are configured in such a way that the control shaft33is mounted radially in the bearing opening47and axially on the cover6.

As is apparent fromFIG. 9, the cover6additionally has on its lower side two rotation stops52and53formed by respectively one axial projection on the lower side of the cover and is located in the movement path of the radial projection46when the disc valve2is assembled. If the control shaft33is actuated by means of the actuator3, then it can only be turned between the two positions defined by the rotation stops42and43until respectively the radial projection46strikes one of the rotation stops52or53. The rotation stops52and53can naturally also be formed by a single correspondingly wide or shaped projection of the cover6.

The cover6as well as the distributor housing5are configured in such a way that they can only be connected to each other in a specific relative position, so that the cover6is unequivocally oriented toward the distributor housing5. The rotation stops53and52are located as a result at known positions with reference to the chambers55,56or with reference to the through-flow openings19and20. The disc valve2can be brought during the assembly by means of the actuator into a clear initial position as a result of the torque-proof connection of the valve disc25with the control shaft33as well as the torque-free position of the sealing disc18and the known arrangement of the radial projection as well as the rotation stops52,53without having to verify this by checking the actually adjusted volume flow through the disc valve2.

The preassembled structural component30is put together during assembly according toFIG. 6. The preassembled structural component is subsequently inserted into the distributor housing5, in which the profile seal15′ as well as the sealing disc18are already arranged and aligned according to the axial projection17, so that the free end34of the control shaft33engages in the bearing seat21, as shown inFIG. 2. The cover6is additionally pushed with the bearing opening47onto the coupling end48of the control shaft33and the control shaft33is braced against the helical spring41as a result of the first axial stop43, so that the valve disc25is pressed against the sealing disc18under the action of the spring, so that the valve disc25and the sealing disc18abut tightly against each other and securely prevent an undesired flow through the disc valve2. The cover6can be screwed, for example, with the distributor housing5, as shown inFIG. 1, in order to ensure a durable connection to the housing4. The rotation stops52,53and the radial projection46are securely protected from external influences and are in this respect less susceptible to contamination because they are arranged inside the housing4. The valve disc25and sealing disc18disconnect or connect the chambers55and56from or to a chamber57, which is allocated to the inlet connection7and is delimited by the distributor housing5, the cover6and the valve disc25and sealing disc18, depending on the rotational position of the valve disc25.

Going back toFIG. 3, the profile seal15′ will be described in more detail with the aid ofFIG. 10.FIG. 10shows for this purpose a sectional view of the disc valve2according to line A-A ofFIG. 3. The profile seal15′ itself is not shown in section.

As already explained with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the profile seal15′ rests flatly on the intermediate floor14of the housing4of the distributor housing5. The intermediate floor14is formed by the free face of the partition wall13. The contour of the intermediate floor14corresponds fundamentally to the contour of the profile seal15′ or the sealing element15. The chambers55,56form respective through-flow openings59or60, which correspond to the through-flow openings19,20of the sealing disc18, at their end that faces toward the profile seal15′ as a result of the previously described configuration of the distributor housing5by means of the partition wall13. The sealing element15likewise has two through-flow openings61,62, which are respectively aligned with the through-flow openings59or60, as a result of the previously described configuration that corresponds to the contour of the intermediate floor14. The intermediate floor14is configured somewhat wider than the profile seal15′ in the area of the through-flow openings61,62, so that the through-flow openings59,60have a slightly smaller cross section than the through-flow openings61,62. The intermediate floor14has in this area a retaining projection63or64, which is configured as a retaining bar and extends over the entire periphery of the respective through-flow opening61,62or59,60, at each of the through-flow openings59,60. The configuration of the intermediate floor14and the sealing element15is selected in such a way that the sealing element15is kept braced between the lateral housing wall of the distributor housing5and the retaining projections63,64. The retaining projections63,64have at the same time a height that is less than the height of the sealing element15, so that the latter—seen axially—is inserted in some areas into the groove formed by the housing wall and retaining projections63,64. Since the contours of the retaining projections63,64or the retaining bars correspond to the contour of the through-flow openings61,62of the sealing element15, they likewise serve for anti-twist protection of the sealing element15and ensure that the elastically deformable sealing element15is not deformed during operation in such a way that it covers some areas of the through-flow openings59,60, whereby the respectively predeterminable through-flow cross section would be accordingly reduced.

As can be seen inFIG. 11, which shows a perspective bottom view of the assembly arrangement of sealing element15and sealing disc18, the through-flow openings61,62of the sealing element15are configured to be somewhat larger than the through-flow openings19,20of the sealing disc18, so that the sealing element15rests fully flat on the lower side of the sealing disc18. The through-flow values are not or hardly influenced by the sealing element15. A circular sealing section, which extends over the entire periphery and accordingly interacts with the sealing disc18and the intermediate floor14, is formed on the outer periphery as a result of the provision of means for anti-twist protection of the profile seal15′ or sealing element15in the inner area.

One or several detents65are preferably configured on the housing wall of the distributor housing5in order to axially secure the sealing element15on the intermediate floor14, in particular for assembly purposes, and lead to a radial deformation of the sealing element15during insertion on the intermediate floor14. A rear grip seat with the detents65is formed in the inserted state, which prevents spontaneous release of the sealing element15out of the distributor housing5. As also shown inFIG. 3, three detents65that are distributed at regular intervals over the periphery are provided according to the present exemplary embodiment. The detents65serve at the same time preferably as clamping ribs for the sealing disc18for further anti-twist protection of the sealing disc18.

Thus on the whole a disc valve2is offered, which allows the largest possible through-flow cross sections by virtue of the advantageous anti-twist protection and securely and economically prevents twisting in particular of the sealing element15.

In summary, a disc valve2, in particular a multiway control valve is provided which has a housing4that has at least one inlet connection7and at least one outlet connection8,9as connections7,8,9for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, at least one rotatably mounted valve disc25, in particular a ceramic valve disc, which is provided with at least one first through-flow opening26and is arranged rotatably mounted in the housing4, in order to fluidically connect and disconnect the connections7,8,9depending on its rotational position. The valve disc25rests flatly on at least one sealing disc, in particular a ceramic sealing disc18, which is arranged in a torque-proof manner and has at least two second through-flow openings19,20, and a sealing element15, which is arranged between the sealing disc18and an intermediate floor14of the housing4and is elastically deformable. The sealing element15is configured in disc shape and has third through-flow openings61,62that are aligned with the second through-flow openings19,20, characterized in that the intermediate floor14has at least one retaining projection63,64that engages in one of the three through-flow openings61,62for positively locking anti-twist protection of the sealing element15.

According to an example embodiment, at least one retaining projection63,64engages in each of the third through-flow openings61,62.

According to another example embodiment, each retaining projection63,64extends as a retaining bar over the entire inner periphery of the respective third through-flow opening61,62.

According to a further example embodiment, the second and/or third through-flow openings19,20;61,62are configured at least fundamentally in the shape of a segment of a circle.

According to yet another example embodiment, the sealing disc18has two of the second through-flow openings19,20, which respectively extend in particular over one third of the sealing disc18.

According to an example embodiment, the contour of the sealing element15at least fundamentally corresponds to the contour of the sealing disc18. The outer contour of the sealing disc18, the sealing element15and the intermediate floor14are respectively configured in a circular shape.

According to another example embodiment, the anti-twist protection24has at least one axial projection17that is arranged off-center on the intermediate floor14and extends through the breakthrough16of the sealing element15at least fundamentally in a positively locking manner and is inserted at least in some areas into a receiving recess23of the sealing disc18for its anti-twist protection.

According to a further example embodiment, the intermediate floor14has fourth through-flow openings59,60that are aligned with the second and third through-flow openings19,20;61,62and are respectively allocated to only one of the connections8,9.

According to yet another example embodiment, at least one partition wall13, which divides the housing4into at least two chambers55,56and forms or contributes to forming the intermediate floor14on its free face. At least one section of the intermediate floor14is formed by a section58on a housing wall of the housing4.

According to an example embodiment, the sealing element15is made from an elastomer, in particular from a terpolymer elastomer.

According to another example embodiment, a control shaft33is connected in a torque-proof manner to the valve disc25and has at least one supporting projection42at an axial distance from the valve disc25. At least one spring element32is supported in a preloaded/preloadable state between the supporting projection42and the valve disc25.