Abstract:
The invention relates to a valve for liquids ( 1 ) comprising valve means ( 40 ) and control means ( 10 ). According to the invention, the control means ( 10 ) comprise fail-safe means ( 15 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a fluid valve. 
         [0002]    A fluid valve having a control means and a valve means is known. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The fluid valve in accordance with the invention has control means that comprises fail-safe means and has the advantage that the control means assumes a predefined position in the event of a malfunction. A further advantage is that the calibration procedure, in other words the procedure of determining the position of the control means, is omitted after a malfunction. The fail-safe means expands the application of the fluid valve to include a safety function. 
         [0004]    It is particularly advantageous that the valve means comprises at least one malfunction position and in the event of a malfunction, the valve means assumes the malfunction position by means of the fail-safe means. The fail-safe means provides that the valve means assumes a malfunction position in the event of a malfunction. The valve means is consequently located in a defined position in the event of a malfunction. This position can be defined with the construction of the valve. The valve consequently does not require complex electronics that avoid malfunctions or that supply the fluid valve with energy by means of a rechargeable battery by way of example when the energy supply fails. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, it is to be regarded as being advantageous that the fail-safe means comprises a coil body that comprises a functional direction. When energized, the coil body of the fail-safe means generates a magnetic field that attracts or repels magnets or ferromagnetic elements. Coil bodies can be produced in a very simple and consequently cost-effective manner. The coil body renders it possible in a simple and cost-effective manner to adjust a control means and valve means to a malfunction position. It is not necessary to use complex mechanical constructions. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, the fail-safe means advantageously comprises a releasing element. During the normal operation, the releasing element is locked in the normal operating position by means of the coil body. In the event of a malfunction, the releasing element is locked in a second position by a resilient element. The resilient element can be embodied in particular as a return spring. The releasing element represents a simple and cost-effective possibility of locking the fail-safe means in two positions: a normal operating position and a second position. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, it is to be regarded as advantageous that the releasing element cooperates with the valve means and is in particular connected to said valve means and the valve means assumes the malfunction position if the releasing element is locked in the second position. The cooperation of the releasing element with the valve means renders possible a simplified fluid valve and thereby a fluid valve that can be easily adjusted. As a result of this cooperation, the valve means assumes a malfunction position if the releasing element is locked in the second position. 
         [0008]    A particularly simple embodiment is consequently achieved by virtue of the fact that the coil body pre-stresses the resilient element in the normal operating position. The fact that the resilient element is pre-stressed by means of the coil body simplifies the construction of the fluid valve. Additional components or electrical circuits whose function would have been to pre-stress the spring are not required. Consequently, the complexity of the fluid valve is kept to a minimum. 
         [0009]    It is particularly advantageous that the control means comprises a drive. The drive comprises a rotor. The releasing element is secured against rotation and connected parallel to the rotor, in particular in such a manner that said releasing element can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the adjusting means. Furthermore, the releasing element is connected to the rotor in such a manner that said releasing element can be displaced along a rotor longitudinal axis. The releasing element comprises a positive-locking arrangement with respect to the rotor in the direction of rotation. The movement of the rotor can be transferred to the releasing element in a simple manner. Nevertheless, the releasing element can be displaced with respect to the rotor in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0010]    It is advantageous that the releasing element comprises a threaded spindle and an anchor nut, wherein the threaded spindle cooperates with the anchor nut. The threaded spindle comprises in particular an outer thread and the anchor nut comprises an inner thread. The cooperation of the threaded spindle with the anchor nut renders possible a simple conversion of a rotational movement into a translational movement. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, it is to be regarded as advantageous that the coil body when energized acts with a force upon the anchor nut of the releasing element and locks the releasing element in the normal operating position. The magnetic force by virtue of energizing the coil body represents a simple possibility for locking the releasing element in a position or for moving, in particular displacing or pressing the releasing element into the locked position. 
         [0012]    The resilient element acts with a force on the anchor nut in a simple manner. The force that is applied by means of the resilient element counteracts the force that is generated by means of the energized coil body. Consequently, it is possible in dependence upon the strength of the forces to produce a locking arrangement by means of the force of the resilient element or the force of the energized coil body. Consequently, elements that increase the complexity are not required to implement the locking arrangement. 
         [0013]    In a further advantageous further development, the wet region of the fluid valve is separated from the dry region by means of a pole pot. Additional lubrication is not required for the means of the releasing element as a result of arranging the releasing element within a pole pot. The releasing element can lubricate itself by means of the fluid that flows through the valve. Consequently, the durability of the fluid valve is improved. 
         [0014]    It is advantageous that the valve means comprises at least one valve member and a valve housing. The releasing element cooperates with at least one valve member. Consequently, the valve member is controlled or regulated in a simple manner by the releasing means. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it is advantageous that the valve member is a sealing body that can be moved in a translational or rotational manner and opens a flow channel in dependence upon the position of said sealing body. The sealing effect can be improved in a simple manner by means of using a sealing body as a valve member. 
         [0016]    It is particularly advantageous that the at least one valve member cooperates with at least one valve seat. A valve seat that is adjusted to the valve member renders possible a best possible sealing arrangement of the valve. 
         [0017]    An embodiment that is particularly easy to produce is achieved by virtue of the fact that the valve member is embodied as one part with the threaded spindle. Assembly steps by means of which the valve member is connected to the threaded spindle are consequently omitted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings hereinunder and explained in detail in the following description. In the figures: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid valve in accordance with the invention comprising a valve means and a control means having a fail-safe means, 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the fluid valve in the normal operating position, 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates the fluid valve in the malfunction position, 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a valve means, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a valve means and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a valve means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid valve  1  in accordance with the invention. The fluid valve  1  comprises a control means  10  and a valve means  40 . The control means  10  comprises a fail-safe means  15  and a drive  30 . The fail-safe means  15  comprises a coil body  17  having a coil that comprises at least one winding  18  and an iron core  19 . The winding of the coil  18  is wound around the iron core  19 . The ends of the winding of the coil  18  are connected to the electronics system that controls the drive  30  or the energy source that supplies the drive with energy. The coil body  17  is attached to an end of the control means  10 . The coil body  17  is attached to the end of the control means  10  that is remote from the valve means  40 . The coil body  17  comprises a functional direction  60 . 
         [0026]    Furthermore, the fail-safe means  15  comprises a releasing element  21 . The releasing means  21  is arranged in the control means  10  in such a manner that said releasing means can move. Furthermore, the releasing element  21  is arranged in such a manner that it can move with respect to the coil body  17 . In the fluid valve  1  in accordance with the invention in accordance with  FIG. 1 , the control means  10  comprises a control functional direction  62 . The control functional direction  62  of the control means  10  is essentially identical to the functional direction  60  of the coil body  17 . The control functional direction  62  extends parallel to or on the longitudinal axis of the control means  10 . The movement of the releasing element  21  occurs in or opposite to the functional direction  60  of the coil body  17  or the control functional direction  62 . 
         [0027]    The releasing element  21  comprises a threaded spindle  22  and an anchor nut  23 . The threaded spindle  23  cooperates with the coil body  17 . The anchor nut  23  is arranged in such a manner that it can move in and opposite to the control functional direction  62 . The anchor nut  23  is in particular produced at least in part from a metal or includes metal or magnetic elements. Furthermore, the fail-safe means  15  comprises a resilient element  16 . The resilient element  16  counteracts the functional direction  60  of the coil body  17 . The resilient element  16  is embodied in  FIG. 1  in an exemplary manner as a spring, in particular a return spring  16 . Further examples for a resilient element  16  in accordance with the invention are coil springs, helical springs, leg springs, zigzag springs, torsion springs, leaf springs, cup springs or conical springs. The resilient element  16  can also be formed from a resilient synthetic material or further resilient materials. The resilient element  16  behaves in a resilient resetting manner. The resilient element  16  comprises two ends. The resilient element  16  is connected with its first end to the coil body  17 . A washer (not illustrated) is advantageously located between the resilient element  16  and the coil body  17 . The second end of the resilient element  16  is connected to the releasing element  21 . A washer (not illustrated) is also advantageously located between the releasing element  21  and the resilient element  16 . In accordance with  FIG. 1 , the second end of the resilient element  16  is connected to the threaded spindle  22 . The resilient element  16  is embodied in  FIG. 1  as a compression spring  16 . The compression spring  16  presses the releasing element  21  away from the coil body  17 . The resilient element  16 , in particular the return spring, preferably the compression spring  16 , presses the releasing element  21  away from the coil body  17 . However, it is also possible to design the resilient element  16  based on tensile force. Consequently, the releasing element  21  would not be pulled away from the coil body  17  by way of a compressive force according to the compression spring  16  in  FIG. 1  but rather by way of a tensile force. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the anchor nut  23  comprises an inner thread  24 . The outer thread  25  of the threaded spindle  22  engages in the inner thread  24  of the anchor nut  23 . The inner thread  24  and the outer thread  25  cooperate. The rotation of the anchor nut  23  relative to the threaded spindle  22  displaces the threaded spindle  22  along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control means  10 , in particular in and opposite to the control functional direction  62 . The threaded spindle  22  screws into the anchor nut  23  or out of said anchor nut in dependence upon the direction of rotation. The anchor nut  23  and the threaded spindle  22  convert a rotational rotating movement into a translational movement. The threaded spindle  22  is embodied essentially from a threaded rod, in other words a cylindrical round bar having an outer thread, in particular a trapezoidal or flat thread. 
         [0029]    The control means  10  comprises a drive  30 . The drive  30  comprises a stator  34  and a rotor  32 . The stator  34  comprises at least one coil that comprises at least one further winding. The stator  34  can be embodied from an arbitrary number of coils having an arbitrary number of windings. In the case of an EC drive, the stator comprises in particular 3 phases that in each case comprise at least one coil having at least one winding. The coils generate a magnetic field owing to a current flow. The magnetic field in turn leads to the rotor  32  rotating. The windings of the coils are energized by a current according to the position of the rotor  32 . By way of example, an electronic circuit (not illustrated) controls the current flow for this purpose. The control by way of the electronic circuit can be performed in dependence upon the number of coils, in particular one, two or three coils and the type of circuit (star connection or delta connection) by way of example by way of a full bridge, an inverter connection or an EC motor control. 
         [0030]    The rotor  32  is embodied from a ferromagnetic material, a magnetic material or a material that is drawn from a magnetic pole of an exterior magnetic field. It is also possible that the rotor  32  is embodied from a synthetic material and ferromagnetic or magnetic elements, in particular magnets are injection molded into said synthetic material. The magnetic elements or elements that cooperate with a magnetic field are consequently encased in an injection molded synthetic material. The synthetic material and the magnets form the rotor  32 . 
         [0031]    The rotor  32  cannot be moved in the longitudinal direction of the control means  10 . A positive locking arrangement prevents the rotor  32  moving along the longitudinal axis of the control means  10  or in or opposite to the control functional direction  62 . 
         [0032]    In accordance with  FIG. 1 , the rotor  32  of the drive  30  corresponds to the rotor  32  of the releasing element  21 . In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the rotor  32  of the releasing element  21  can be connected by way of a belt or a transmission to a further rotor of the drive  30 . 
         [0033]    The releasing element  21  cooperates with the rotor  32 . The releasing element  21  is connected to the rotor  32  so as to be able to move in parallel or along the longitudinal axis of the control means  10 . Consequently, the releasing element  21  is arranged in such a manner that it can be displaced in or opposite to the control functional direction  62  with respect to the rotor  32 . A retaining element (not illustrated), in particular stops, prevents the releasing element  21  from detaching from the rotor  32 . The releasing element  21  and the rotor  32  are connected to one another in a rotationally secure manner. A rotation of the rotor  32  is transferred to the releasing element  21  and leads to a rotation of the releasing element  21 . The anchor nut  23  of the releasing element  21  cooperates with a rotor  32 . By way of example, the anchor nut  23  comprises a groove along the longitudinal axis, said groove extending in or opposite to the direction of rotation. The rotor  32  comprises an element that engages in the groove and forms a positive locking arrangement with the rotor  32 . Elements of this type are formed by way of example by means of a screw head, a phase, a soldering point or welding point. The releasing element  21  and the rotor  32  comprise a positive locking arrangement in the direction of rotation. In the case of a rotation of the rotor  32 , the positive locking arrangement leads to a rotation of the releasing element  21 , preferably the anchor nut  23 , and conversely. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, the control means  10  comprises a pole pot  38 . The pole pot  38  comprises a peripheral surface, a pole pot base and a pole pot ring. The peripheral surface and the pole pot base form an interior space. The pole pot ring is used by way of example so as to fasten the pole pot to the control means  10 . The releasing element  21 , the resilient element  16  and the rotor  32  are located in the interior space of the pole pot  38 . The pole pot  38  prevents fluids or gases being exchanged between the interior space and the region outside the pole pot  38 . The coil carrier  17  is arranged outside the pole pot  38  on the pole pot base. The pole pot base is arranged between the anchor nut  23  and the coil body  17 . Furthermore, a thrust washer or a ball bearing is arranged between the pole pot base and the anchor nut  23 . The ball bearing and/or the thrust washer render it possible for the anchor nut  23  to rotate with respect to the pole pot base. The stator  34  of the drive  30  is arranged on the peripheral surface of the pole pot. The pole pot  38  is advantageously produced from a material that does not comprise magnetic characteristics, in particular synthetic material or aluminum. However, the pole pot  38  can also be embodied from a ferromagnetic material or a material that conducts the magnetic field and can conduct the magnetic flux of the coil body  17  or the drive  30 . 
         [0035]    The valve means  40  comprises at least one valve member  42  and a valve housing (not illustrated). The valve housing comprises fluid lines by way of which the fluids can be conveyed into the valve housing and can be conveyed out of the valve housing. Furthermore, the valve housing comprises guiding elements  44  that guide the valve member  42 . The guiding elements  44  form a stop for the valve member  42 . Furthermore, the valve means  40  comprises a valve seat  46 . The valve seat  46  cooperates with the valve member  42 . A channel of an arbitrary size is opened in dependence upon the position of the valve member  42  with respect to the valve seat  46 . The size of the channel is dependent upon the position or the adjustment position of the valve member  42  with respect to the valve seat  46 . The valve member  42  and the valve seat  46  render it possible to open the channel entirely and consequently render possible a maximum through flow of fluid. However, said valve member and valve seat also render it possible to completely close the channel and thereby not allow a flow of fluid through the fluid valve  1 . Furthermore, said valve member and valve seat render possible any extent of opening between entirely open and completely closed. 
         [0036]    The control means  10  controls the valve means  40 . For this purpose, the valve means  40  comprises a guiding arbor  48 . The guiding arbor  48  connects the valve member  42  to the releasing element  21  of the control means  10 . The guiding arbor  48  is connected to the threaded spindle  22  of the releasing element  21 . In particular, it is also possible that the threaded spindle  22  is directly connected to the valve member  42 . Or the threaded spindle  22 , the guiding arbor  48  and the valve member  42  are embodied as one part. An articulated joint  50  is arranged between the guiding arbor  48  and the threaded spindle  22 . The articulated joint  50  renders possible an angle between the longitudinal axis of the control means  10  and the longitudinal axis of the valve means  40 . Furthermore, by way of example the valve member  42  can rotate by means of the articulated joint while the threaded spindle  22  is not rotated. The articulated joint  50  is embodied as a ball joint in an exemplary manner. The further  FIGS. 2 and 3  have the identical reference numerals as  FIG. 1  and illustrate the fluid valve  1  in further operating positions. The function of the fluid valve  1  is explained hereinunder with reference to the  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates the fluid valve  1  in the normal operating position. The coil body  19  is energized in an electrical manner and generates a magnetic field. The magnetic field generates a force in the functional direction  60  of the coil body  17 . The force attracts the anchor nut  23 . The anchor nut  23  is consequently moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control means  10  or in a translational manner in the functional direction  60 . The anchor nut  23  moves until a stop. The stop forms by way of example the pole pot base, a thrust washer, a ball bearing or the coil carrier  23 . In accordance with  FIG. 1 , the anchor nut  23  is displaced until it makes physical contact with the pole pot base. The threaded spindle  22  and anchor nut  23  are moved out to their maximum possible extent in  FIG. 1 . Said threaded spindle and anchor nut comprise their maximum length. The resilient element  16 , in particular the return spring  16 , is pre-stressed. The valve member  42  lies against the stop of the valve means  40 . The valve member  42  covers the openings of the valve seat  46 . The channel is consequently closed in the valve housing. Fluids cannot flow through the valve means  40 . It is possible by means of adjusting the valve member  42  and the valve seat  46  that the channel is entirely opened (cf.  FIG. 4 ) in this operating state. It is also possible that only one part of the channel is opened. The extent to which the channel is opened or closed is dependent upon the design of the valve member  42  and the valve seat  46  or on the design of the valve member  42  with respect to the valve seat  46 . If the drive  30  is activated, the rotor  32  starts to rotate. The rotational movement is transferred from the rotor  32  to the anchor nut  23  by means of a positive locking arrangement between the rotor  32  and the anchor nut  23 . The anchor nut  23  rotates with the rotor  32 . The anchor nut  23  and the threaded spindle  22  convert the rotational movement into a translational movement of the threaded spindle  22 . The translational movement of the threaded spindle  22  occurs in or opposite to the control functional direction  62 . Whether the translational movement occurs in or opposite to the control functional direction  62  is dependent upon the direction of rotation of the rotor  32  or the drive  30  and the type of thread. The threaded spindle  22  is rotated into the anchor nut  23  by means of rotating said anchor nut, in particular screwed in or rotated out, in particular screwed out. The valve member  42  is moved by means of screwing the threaded spindle  22  into the anchor nut  23 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates the fluid valve  1  in the normal operating position. As is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the coil body  17  is energized in an electrical manner. The coil body  17  attracts the releasing element  21 . In contrast to  FIG. 1 , the rotor  32  is rotated. The rotation of the rotor  32  leads to the threaded spindle  22  being screwed into the anchor nut  23 . The rotatory rotational movement of the rotor  32  was converted into a translational movement of the threaded spindle  22 . The threaded spindle  22  is displaced in a translational manner in the control functional direction  62 . In addition, the valve member  42  is displaced into the control functional direction  62 . The valve member  42  and the valve seat  46  open at least one channel. In  FIG. 2 , two channels are opened in an exemplary manner or a flow can be allowed through said channels. The channel renders possible a flow of liquid or a flow of gas through the valve means  40 . It is also possible that the channel is blocked in this operating state. This is dependent upon the design of the valve member  42  with respect to the valve seat  46 . 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3 , a malfunction has occurred. Malfunctions occur by way of example owing to electronic malfunctions, current supply failures, ruptured cables, ruptured lines, problems at further components of the motor vehicle or software problems. If a malfunction of the electronics is identified or is broadcast by way of communications channels of the electronics system, the supply of current to the coil body  17  is thus interrupted. If there is a failure of the current supply, the coil body  17  is also thus not supplied with current. A magnetic field is not generated owing to the interruption of the current supply to the coil body  17 . Consequently, the releasing element  21  is not influenced in the functional direction  60  by a force. The releasing element  21  is moved from the resilient element  16  in a direction opposite to the functional direction  60 . The resilient element  16  presses the releasing element  21  in the control functional direction  62 . The releasing element  21  is locked in a second position by the resilient element  16 . The releasing element  21  is connected to the valve means  40 . If the releasing element  21  is located in the second position, the valve means  40  is thus located in the malfunction position. The releasing element  21  moves the valve member  42  as far as the stop of the valve means  40 . The channel is closed in the valve means  40 . The flow of fluid through the valve means  40  is blocked. 
         [0040]    If the malfunction is repaired, initially the starting position in accordance with  FIG. 1  is reinstated. For this purpose, the rotor  32  is rotated by means of the drive  30 . The rotation causes a translational movement of the threaded spindle  22  with respect to the anchor nut  23 . The valve member  42  lies against the stop of the valve means  40 . The rotation of the rotor  32  is intended to unscrew the threaded spindle  22  from the anchor nut  23 . Consequently, the anchor nut  23  is moved in the control functional direction  62 . The anchor nut  23  is moved in the control functional direction  62  owing to the threaded spindle  22  being unscrewed with respect to the anchor nut  23 . The rotational movement of the rotor  32  is consequently converted into a translational movement of the anchor nut  23 . The anchor nut  23  is moved until the anchor nut  23  makes physical contact with the pole pot base or the coil body  17 . However, the movement can be locked prior to the anchor nut  23  making physical contact with the pole pot base or the coil body  17 . If the translational movement of the anchor nut  23  occurs, the coil body  17  can be energized. The coil body  17  attracts the releasing element  21  by means of the magnetic field of said coil body. A minimal supply of current to the coil body  17  is necessary owing to the small spacing between releasing element  21  and coil body  17 . The fluid valve  1  is in the normal state in accordance with  FIG. 1 . The fluid valve  1  can be calibrated by means of the above described process in the event of a malfunction. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a valve means  40 .  FIG. 4  comprises the identical reference numerals as  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The form of the valve seat  46  is changed with respect to the  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The valve member  42  and the valve seat  46  open a channel in the event of a malfunction. Consequently, it is possible in the malfunction state for a flow to occur through the valve means  40 , in particular a flow of fluid. The valve member  42  is connected to a guiding arbor  48 . The guiding arbor  48  is connected to the threaded spindle  22  of the control means  10  by way of the articulated joint  50 . The guiding arbor  48  and the threaded spindle  22  can also be embodied as one part. The guiding arbor  48  comprises means that allow a translational movement but do not allow rotational movement. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a further valve means  40  in accordance with the invention. The valve means  40  comprises a valve housing. The valve housing comprises an inlet line  70  and an outlet line  72 . The inlet line  70  and the outlet line  72  are connected to one another by way of a channel. A valve seat  46  is arranged in the channel. The valve seat  46  cooperates with the valve member  42 . The channel is opened or blocked in dependence upon the position of the valve member  42  with respect to the valve seat  46  for transporting gas and/or liquid. In  FIG. 4 , the channel is closed. Consequently, fluid cannot flow from the inlet line  70  to the outlet line  72  and conversely. The valve member  42  is connected to the guiding arbor  48 . The guiding arbor  48  is connected by way of the articulated joint  50  to the threaded spindle  22  of the control means  10 . The guiding arbor  48  and the threaded spindle  22  can also be embodied as one part. The guiding arbor  48  comprises means that allow a translational movement but do not allow rotational movement. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a further exemplary embodiment for a valve means  40 . The valve means  40  comprises a valve member  42  that is embodied as a round disk, hereinunder described as valve member disk  79 . The valve member disk  79  is mounted in such a manner that it can rotate about its own axis  75 . The valve disk  79  comprises at least one opening  77 . In dependence upon the rotational position of the valve disk  79  with respect to a valve seat (obscured in the drawing by the valve disk), a channel is formed by means of the at least one opening  77  and a further opening in the valve seat. The channel renders possible a flow of liquid or a flow of gas through the valve means  40 . A guiding arbor  48  is attached to the valve disk  79 . The guiding arbor  48  comprises an articulated joint  50 . The articulated joint  50  connects the guiding arbor  48  to the threaded spindle  22 . 
         [0044]    In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the coil carrier  17  can also be connected to the releasing element  21 . The coil carrier  17  then acts upon a part of the control means  10 , by way of example the pole pot base. 
         [0045]    The fluid valve  1  in accordance with the invention can in particular be used in vehicles or heating systems.