Patent ID: 10113664

Abstract:
A control valve for controlling a fluid flow is disclosed, in particular a coolant flow in a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine, including a valve element which is provided with at least one opening, and which can move relative to a valve housing. With a movement of the valve element, the at least one opening can be brought into a position in which it overlaps a line cross-section defined on the valve housing side, in order to permit a flow of fluid. In addition, a sealing element is provided which is accommodated on the valve housing such that it radially surrounds the line cross-section, and a sealing surface of which can be brought into contact with a surface of the valve element, thus bridging a gap that extends between the surface of the valve element and the valve housing in a region of the sealing element. In order to provide a control valve that has minimal friction losses over the working range thereof, the extent of the gap changes according to the movement of the valve element in relation to the valve housing. In addition, the extent of the gap reaches a maximum in a region in which the at least one opening overlaps the line cross-section, at which extent the sealing element with its sealing surface is raised from the surface of the valve element.