Patent ID: 12188580

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a perspective view of a pinch valve2. A main body10comprises a receiving space12for a tube section in which a process medium flows. The main body10comprises two opposite openings18and19and a lateral opening14. The opposite openings18and19form a passage opening and serve to receive the tube section extending along a tube axis T. The lateral opening14leads from the outside into the receiving space12. The lateral opening14serves to remove and supply the tube section. The receiving space12is thus delimited by the main body10. The main body10is U-shaped.

A counter-bearing section30is provided and serves as a counter bearing for a compressor that moves along a actuating axis S.

A flap-like closure element20which is movably fastened to the main body10is movable relative to the main body10between a first position (not shown inFIG.1), in which the closure element20closes the lateral opening14of the main body10at least in sections, and a second position (shown inFIG.1), in which the closure element20exposes an insertion opening22for the tube section. The insertion opening22can also be referred to as an insertion and removal opening.

The flow of the process fluid flowing in the tube section which is inserted into the pinch valve2is influenced by the compressor pressing along the actuating axis from one side onto the tube section. The counter-bearing section30is fixedly in contact with the side of the tube section opposite the compressor. If the compressor now presses onto the flexible tube section, the internal diameter of the tube section decreases and thus limits the flow of the process fluid. The counter-bearing section30can also be referred to as a contact section.

The main body10, which is U-shaped at least in sections, comprises a lateral connecting section11which extends substantially in parallel to and at a distance from the actuating axis S. Two sections13and15, which are spaced apart from one another and extend substantially perpendicularly to the actuating axis S, project from the connecting section11. The connecting section11and the sections13and15projecting from the connecting section11delimit the receiving space12.

The lateral opening14is delimited by the main body10, in particular by the distal ends of the sections13and15. The insertion opening22is delimited jointly by the closure element20and the main body10or by the elements arranged on the main body10.

The closure element20is fastened to a distal region of the section10of the main body10so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation R. The axis of rotation R extends perpendicularly to and at a distance from the actuating axis S.

In the example shown, the closure element20provides the counter-bearing section30. The counter-bearing section30is formed integrally with the closure element20. As a result of the integral design, the closure element20provides the receptacle for the tube section. This means that the closure element20moves the tube section between a removal or insertion position shown inFIG.1and an operating position. A screw connection extending along the axis of rotation R allows for the closure element30to be replaced. The closure element20is thus detachably connected to the main body10.

In one example (not shown inFIG.1) of the pinch valve2, the counter-bearing section30is detachably connected to the closure element20. The separately designed counter-bearing section30is, for example, connected to the closure element along an axis A extending perpendicularly to and at a distance from the axis of rotation R. The connection between the counter-bearing section30and the closure element20is designed, for example, as a dovetail connection.

The closure element20and/or the counter-bearing section30comprise at least one stop region24for limiting a movement of the compressor along the actuating axis S and in the direction of the counter-bearing section30.

A contact contour26of the closure element20opposite the counter-bearing section30and an inner contact contour16of the main body10rest against one another when the closure element20is in the first position. The contact contour16comprises, for example, a cylindrical inner surface with an imaginary cylinder axis which extends perpendicularly and through the actuating axis S. Accordingly, the contact contour26has a cylindrical outer surface with an imaginary cylindrical axis, which extends perpendicularly and through the actuating axis S when the closure element20is in the first position.

Furthermore, the closure element20comprises a contact contour27which projects into the receiving space12and, when the closure element20is in the first position, rests on a contact contour17of the connecting section11.

A locking element50which is movably fastened to the main body10is movable relative to the main body10between a release position, in which the locking element50allows for a movement of the closure element20to the second position thereof, and a locking position, in which the locking element50limits a movement of the closure element20out of the first position thereof. The locking element50is rotatably mounted about the actuating axis S. A collar52of the locking element50projecting in the direction of the receiving space12fixes a distal section28of the closure element20in the locking position. In the release position, a recess54of the collar52of the locking element50releases the distal section28of the closure element20to move the closure element20to the second position. An angle of rotation of the locking element50is substantially 90°. In the end positions, a locking mechanism secures the locking element50against an unintentional rotation.

A fastening section60of the main body10is located radially outside a passage opening62for a valve rod. The fastening section60is provided inFIG.1by internal threads which open in distal openings.

A further fastening section80is located on the side of the pinch valve2opposite the passage opening62and is formed, for example, by internal threads which open in distal openings.

In one example, the main body10, the closure element20, the counter-bearing section30and the locking element50are manufactured from a respective plastic. In another example, the aforementioned components are manufactured from a respective metal alloy. In a further example, the aforementioned components are manufactured from a metal alloy or a plastic.

FIGS.2aand2bshow the pinch valve2fromFIG.1with the closure element20in different positions, with the tube axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing.

The counter-bearing section30opens in an opening which has a smaller diameter32extending perpendicularly to the tube axis than an inner diameter34of the counter-bearing section30extending perpendicularly to the tube axis.

The fastening section60of the pinch valve2comprises a flange64in which internal threads extending in parallel to the actuating axis S are formed.

An opening angle between the first and the second position of the closure element20is limited to a range between 40° and 80°, in particular to a range between 50° and 60°. The opening angle results, for example, between an inclination axis N of the closure element20and the actuating axis S.

In the first position, which is shown inFIG.2b, the locking element50is rotated out of its release position and into the locking position such that the concavely curved recess54visually delimits the opening18of the receiving space for the tube section. This means that, in the locking position, the visual impression arises that the recess54delimits an imaginary enlarged outer contour of the tube section.

FIGS.3aand3bshow the pinch valve2fromFIG.1with the closure element20in different positions, with the tube axis extending in parallel to the plane of the drawing.

FIG.4shows a section of the pinch valve2without the closure element. The compressor40can be replaced without the attached closure element. For this purpose, the compressor40is detachably fastened to a distal end of the valve rod42extending along the actuating axis S. On the distal end of the valve rod42, a round-wire snap ring44is accommodated on the circumferential side in a circumferential groove. The compressor40comprises an inner groove in which the round-wire snap ring44is accommodated. When the compressor40is pulled manually, the round-wire snap ring44contracts and releases the compressor40.

The locking element50comprises an inner groove55, into which a ring56, which is arranged in an outer groove of the main body10, engages. The locking element50is thus forced into a rotational movement about the actuating axis S.

Furthermore, the locking element50comprises an inner latching recess58which engages in at least two latching elements59projecting from the main body10, when the locking element50is rotated. The at least two latching elements59define the locking position and the release position of the locking element50.

FIG.5shows a side view of the pinch valve2without the closure element20. The contact contour16for the contact of the closure element has an inner cylindrical contact surface.

FIGS.6aand6bshow an example of the pinch valve2with the closure element20in different positions. The closure element20is designed like a drawer and comprises a guide section602which is accommodated in a guide section of the main body10accommodating said guide section. The closure element20is thus linearly guided.

The second position shown inFIG.6afacilitates the insertion of the tube section via the insertion opening22. The first position of the closure element20shown inFIG.6bcloses the opening14of the main body10.

The locking element50can be designed as shown in the preceding examples. In another example, the locking element50is displaced in parallel to the actuating axis S and locks the closure element20.

FIGS.7aand7bshow an example of the pinch valve2with the closure element20in different positions. In this example, the closure element20and the counter-bearing section30are designed to be separate and are each movably fixed to the main body10. The closure element20is rotatable about the axis of rotation R. The counter-bearing section30is mounted in such a way that it can be pushed through a passage opening in the main body10into the receiving space12.

In one example (not shown), the pinch valve2comprises a plurality of counter-bearing sections which are arranged in particular at a distance from one another along the actuating axis S in the first position of the closure element20. A compressor assigned to the respective counter-bearing section moves along the common actuating axis S. Of course, the compressor/counter-bearing section pairs can also be arranged at an offset from one another. In one example, the plurality of the compressors is driven by means of a single drive, wherein the plurality of the compressors is connected to one another by means of lateral force-transmission sections which extend in parallel to but at a distance from the actuating axis S. Advantageously, a plurality of tube sections can thereby be operated by means of a single pinch valve.

In one example (not shown), a plurality of closure elements20of one or more pinch valves2are connected to one another by means of one or more connecting elements such that the closure elements20can be moved together between the first and the second position. Advantageously, a plurality of closure elements20, which expose a respective insertion opening, can thus be operated simultaneously.

FIG.8shows the closure element20fromFIGS.6aand6bwith different inserts which serve as respective counter-bearing section30a,30b,30cfor the compressor. A receiving section802of the closure element20accommodates one of the counter-bearing sections30a,30b,30c.

FIG.9shows a plurality of compressor/counter bearing pairs902,904,906, showing, on the left side, the tube center axis T extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing and, on the right side, a section along the tube center axis T.

The compressor/counter bearing pair902comprises the hemispherical compressor40. The counter-bearing section30comprises a substantially circular counter surface910opposite the compressor40. Starting from the distal openings912,914of the counter-bearing section, the receiving channel is tapered to receive the tube section toward the counter surface910.

The compressor/counter bearing pair904comprises the hemispherical compressor40. The counter-bearing section30comprises the receiving channel that extends along the tube axis T and follows a cylindrical inner surface.

The compressor/counter bearing pair906comprises a wedge-like compressor40and a wedge-like counter-bearing section30. The compressor40and the counter-bearing section30lead to a guillotine-like clamping of the tube section, which means that the clamping takes place substantially perpendicularly to the tube axis T.