FR2827357A1 - Fluid circulation control valve for automobile engine cooling circuit, has one input and two or three outputs and output fluid regulating part, with a sloping end, which rotates inside the valve body - Google Patents

Abstract

The sloping end (38) of the valves regulating part (26) has a generally plane face (40) which forms with the axis of rotation (XX) an angle (A) of about 45 degrees. At least one of the fluid outputs (20,22,24) is a radial tube, and at least one is a tangential tube. The regulating part (26) is covered by a split ring which is made solid during rotation by a projecting pin. The split ring is made from a material having a low coefficient of friction. Fluid circulation circuit control valve having a body (12), with fluid input (18) and at least two fluid outputs (20,22,24), which delimits a cylindrical location for a regulating part (26). The part (26) is designed to turn around an axis (XX) and to take up different angular positions so as to control the fluid distribution through the outputs. The body (12) includes a base wall (14) containing fluid input (18) and a lateral cylindrical wall (16) containing the outputs (20,22,24) at axial heights and in chosen angular positions with respect to the axis (XX). The regulating part (26) has a sloping end (38) turned towards the base wall (14), this gives control of the fluid outputs with a defined law as a function of the angular position of the part (26) turning in the valve body (12).

Description

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The invention relates to a control valve for a fluid circulation circuit, as well as to the circuit equipped with such a control valve for a fluid circulation circuit, in particular for a motor cooling circuit. valve.

It more particularly aims at providing a control valve intended for a cooling circuit of a thermal engine of a motor vehicle.

Such a cooling circuit is traversed by a cooling fluid, usually water with an antifreeze added, which circulates in a closed circuit under the action of a circulation pump.

Generally, such a cooling circuit comprises several branches, including a branch which contains a cooling radiator, a branch which constitutes a bypass of the cooling radiator and a branch which contains a radiator, also called "air heater", used for heating the cabin.

It is known to use a thermostatic valve which comprises a fluid inlet connected to the engine outlet and two fluid outlets which correspond respectively to the branch containing the cooling radiator and to the branch forming a branch.

During the cold start of the engine, and as long as the temperature of the coolant does not reach a certain threshold, the valve circulates the coolant in the branch branch by shorting the cooler. As soon as the coolant temperature reaches and exceeds the above threshold, the coolant

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 the cooling radiator and bypasses the branch branch.

Generally, the cooling fluid circulates permanently in the branch which contains the heating radiator, the heating of the passenger compartment being then obtained by mixing a flow of cold air and a flow of hot air which has swept the heating radiator. It is also known to provide a separate valve on the heating radiator to regulate the flow of cooling fluid passing through it.

The invention aims to provide a control valve for a fluid circulation circuit which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, constitutes a cooling circuit of a thermal engine of a motor vehicle.

In this particular application, it aims to provide a valve which makes it possible to independently manage the flow of cooling fluid in the different branches of the engine cooling circuit, in order to optimize the temperature of the heat engine and the heating of the passenger compartment.

The invention thus relates more particularly to a control valve for a fluid circulation circuit, comprising a body which is provided with a fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets and which delimits a cylindrical housing for a adjustment suitable for turning around an axis of rotation and for taking different angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the outlets.

According to a general definition of the invention, the body comprises a bottom wall into which the fluid inlet opens and a cylindrical side wall into which the fluid outlets open at axial heights and at angular positions chosen with respect to the axis of rotation, and in which the adjusting member comprises a truncated end

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 facing the bottom wall, which makes it possible to control the outlets of fluid with a law defined as a function of the angular position of the adjusting member in the valve body.

It is thus possible to manage the flow of the fluid through the various outputs of the valve, and this as a function of the angular position given to the valve adjustment member.

In this way, it is possible to manage the distribution of the fluid according to a predefined law.

Such a valve can thus equip a fluid circulation circuit, and in particular a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle engine, to independently manage the coolant flow rates in the different branches of the circuit.

Advantageously, the truncated end comprises a generally planar face which forms with the axis of rotation a chosen angle close to 45 degrees.

In the valve of the invention, at least one of the fluid outlets can be a radial pipe, or even a tangential pipe.

In a particular application, the valve includes three fluid outlets.

In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment member is covered with a split ring, made integral in rotation by a projecting lug which comprises the adjustment member.

In this case, the split ring is advantageously made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. Such a ring

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 The split advantageously has an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the valve body before mounting and an inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the adjusting member after mounting.

It is advantageous for the split ring to cover a region of the adjusting member which is provided with circular grooves. These grooves indeed guarantee the plating of the split ring against the internal wall of the body, thus ensuring good sealing in operation.

As a variant or in addition, the truncated end of the adjustment member may comprise a channel having a chosen shape, advantageously in an arc, which makes it possible to optimize the opening progressiveness.

As a variant or in addition, the adjustment member may be provided with a sealing pad, preferably mounted on a spring, which makes it possible to obtain sealing, in particular on the branch of the circuit which is the most critical.

In another embodiment, the adjusting member comprises, opposite the truncated end, two portions of cylindrical walls substantially diametrically opposite to control one of the fluid outlets. This is particularly suitable in the case where this fluid outlet has a large section and avoids increasing the diameter of the valve body. This is useful when you want to isolate a chosen branch from the circuit.

The control valve advantageously comprises motorization means capable of driving the adjustment member to bring it into selected angular positions relative to the valve body.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a circuit for

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 fluid circulation, which comprises a control valve as defined above, the fluid inlet of which is connected to a source of fluid and the fluid outlets of which are respectively connected to branches of the circuit.

In a preferred application, the circuit is produced in the form of a cooling circuit of a thermal engine of a motor vehicle which is traversed by a cooling fluid under the action of a circulation pump.

In this application, the control valve is a three-way valve, the fluid inlet of which is connected to a coolant inlet from the engine, and the three fluid outlets of which are respectively connected to a first branch of the circuit which contains a cooling radiator, to a second branch of the circuit which constitutes a bypass of the cooling radiator and to a third branch of the circuit which contains an air heater for heating the passenger compartment.

- la Figure 2 est une vue de dessus de la vanne de la Figure 1. In the description which follows, given solely by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a control valve, of the three-way type, according to a first form of carrying out the invention;

- Figure 2 is a top view of the valve of Figure 1.

- la Figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un organe de réglage d'une vanne de commande, selon une autre forme de réalisation - Figures 3 and 4 are side views of the valve of Figures 1 and 2; - Figure 5 is a sectional view along line VV of Figure 3; Figures 6 to 8 are sectional views taken respectively along lines VI-VI, VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Figure 4;

- Figure 9 is a perspective view of an adjustment member of a control valve, according to another embodiment

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réglage équipé d'une bague fendue ; - la Figure 32 est une vue de côté correspondant à la Figure 31 ; - la Figure 33 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne XXXIII- XXXIII de la Figure 32 ; - la Figure 34 montre à chaque fois trois vues en coupe différentes de la vanne pour des positions angulaires de l'organe de réglage, numérotées de 1 à 21, qui se suivent par incréments de 15 degrés dans le sens horaire ; - la Figure 35 représente un circuit de refroidissement d'un moteur thermique de véhicule automobile équipé d'une vanne de commande ou régulation selon l'invention ; - la Figure 36 est une vue en perspective d'une vanne de commande, du type à trois voies, selon une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention ; - la Figure 37 est une vue latérale de la vanne de la Figure of the invention, which is provided with a channel; - Figures 10 and 11 are two side views of the rotating member of Figure 9; - Figures 12 to 15 are sectional views, corresponding respectively to Figures 5 to 8, for a control valve equipped with a rotating member according to Figures 9 to 11; - Figure 16 is a perspective view of an adjustment member equipped with a sealing pad; - Figure 17 is a side view of the adjustment member of Figure 16; - Figure 18 is a sectional view along line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17; - Figures 19 to 22 are different sectional views, corresponding respectively to Figures 5 to 8, of a control valve equipped with an adjustment member according to Figures 16 to 18; Figures 23 to 30 are different views, similar to Figures 1 to 9, respectively, of a control valve according to another embodiment; - Figure 31 is a perspective view of a member of

adjustment fitted with a split ring; - Figure 32 is a side view corresponding to Figure 31; - Figure 33 is a sectional view along the line XXXIII- XXXIII of Figure 32; - Figure 34 shows each time three different sectional views of the valve for angular positions of the adjusting member, numbered from 1 to 21, which follow each other in increments of 15 degrees clockwise; - Figure 35 shows a cooling circuit of a thermal engine of a motor vehicle equipped with a control or regulation valve according to the invention; - Figure 36 is a perspective view of a control valve, of the three-way type, according to another embodiment of the invention; - Figure 37 is a side view of the valve of Figure

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36 ; - les Figures 38,39 et 40 sont des vues en coupe radiale de la vanne des Figures 36 et 37, passant respectivement par les axes des trois tubulures de sortie ; - les Figures 41,42 et 43 sont des vues coupe respectivement selon les lignes XLI-XLI, XLII-XLII et XLIII-XLIII de la Figure 37 ; - la Figure 44 est une vue latérale de l'organe de réglage de la vanne des Figures 36 à 43 ; - la Figure 45 est une vue en perspective de l'organe de réglage de la Figure 44 ; - Les Figures 46 et 47 sont des vues analogues aux Figures 44 et 45, respectivement, l'organe de réglage étant équipé d'une bague fendue ; et - la Figure 48 montre à chaque fois trois vues en coupe différentes de la vanne des Figures 36 à 43 pour des positions angulaires de l'organe de réglage, numérotées de 1 à 36, qui se suivent par incréments de 10 degrés dans le sens horaire.

36; - Figures 38,39 and 40 are views in radial section of the valve of Figures 36 and 37, passing respectively through the axes of the three outlet pipes; - Figures 41,42 and 43 are section views respectively along the lines XLI-XLI, XLII-XLII and XLIII-XLIII of Figure 37; - Figure 44 is a side view of the valve adjusting member of Figures 36 to 43; - Figure 45 is a perspective view of the adjustment member of Figure 44; - Figures 46 and 47 are views similar to Figures 44 and 45, respectively, the adjusting member being equipped with a split ring; and - Figure 48 shows each time three different section views of the valve of Figures 36 to 43 for angular positions of the adjusting member, numbered from 1 to 36, which follow each other in increments of 10 degrees in the direction schedule.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 8 which show a control valve 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. This control valve comprises a cylindrical body 12 limited by a bottom wall 14 and a cylindrical lateral cylindrical wall 16 of axis XX. In the bottom wall 14, a fluid inlet pipe 18 opens axially. In the cylindrical side wall 16, three fluid outlet pipes 20, 22 and 24 open. These three outlet pipes open at axial heights and at angular positions chosen with respect to the axis of rotation XX. In the example, the pipes 20, 22 and 24 open radially into the wall 16. The pipes 20 and 24 are diametrically opposite, while the pipe 22 forms an angle of 90 degrees relative to the common axis of the pipes 20 and 24. Furthermore, the pipes 20, 22 and 24 have successively decreasing diameters.

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Inside the valve body 12 is housed an adjusting member 26, also called a rotating member, which is produced in the form of a solid cylindrical element whose diameter corresponds substantially to the internal diameter of the valve body. The adjusting member 26 is extended by a rod 28 directed along the axis XX. This rod 28 passes through a central opening that has a cover 30 of circular shape which is screwed onto a flange 32 of the valve body by means of four fixing screws 34, with the interposition of a seal. (not shown). The adjusting member 26 is suitable for being driven in rotation about the axis XX by motorization means 36 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. These motorization means can be constituted, for example, by a motor of the stepper type. not likely to bring the adjusting member 26 into a multiplicity of different positions, either in successive increments, or continuously.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the adjustment member 26 comprises a truncated end 38 which is turned towards the side of the bottom wall 14 (as best seen in Figure 5). In the example, this truncated end is formed by a generally planar face 40 which forms, with the axis of rotation XX, a chosen angle which, in the example, is close to 45 degrees.

In this way, the adjusting member 26 makes it possible to control the fluid outlets 20, 22 and 24 with a law defined as a function of the angular position of said member in the valve body.

In the position shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the fluid which arrives through the inlet pipe 18 can escape only through the outlet pipe 24, the other outlet pipes 20 and
22 being closed.

Then by changing the angular position of the

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 adjustment, the fluid flow can be adjusted through the various outlet pipes 20, 22 and 24, and this in a progressive manner.

The adjusting member 26 shown in Figures 9 to 11, is similar to that of the previous embodiment, except that the truncated end 38 comprises a channel 42 of selected shape which, here, has substantially a shape of an arc centered around the XX axis. This arcuate channel extends over substantially 90 degrees, as can be seen in Figures 12 to 15, which correspond respectively to Figures 5 to 8 of the previous embodiment.

The presence of this channel allows a progressive opening of the valve on two ways of the latter, namely on the outlet pipes 22 and 24.

The position of the adjusting member 26 of Figures 12 to 15 corresponds to that of the adjusting member 26 of Figures 5 to 8.

However, the presence of this channel means that a slight flow of fluid can escape through the outlet tubing 22, while this outlet tubing is completely closed in the case of the previous embodiment. On the other hand, here again, the outlet pipe 20 is closed by the adjusting member 26.

We now refer to Figures 16 to 18 which show an adjustment member 26 similar to that of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8. The main difference lies in the fact that this member is here provided with a sealing pad 44 of cylindrical shape, received in a housing 46 formed at the periphery of the rotating member and biased by a spring 48. This shoe makes it possible to ensure sealing at the most critical level of the circuit. The presence of the spring makes it possible to compensate for the variations in expansion of the materials, due to the variations in temperature of the fluid passing through the valve.

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In FIGS. 19 to 22, which are similar to FIGS. 5 to 8 respectively, the sealing pad 44 ensures, in the position shown, sealing with the pipe 20.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 23 to 30 which are respectively similar to FIGS. 1 to 8, the adjusting member 26 here being provided with a shoe 44 as in the previous embodiment. The main difference here lies in the fact that the pipes 20 and 24 open tangentially in the valve body 12, while the pipe 22 opens radially in the latter.

We now refer to Figures 31 to 33 which show an adjustment member similar to that of Figures 1 to 8. The adjustment member is here covered with a split ring 50 which includes a slot 52 to allow passage to a lug 54 formed radially projecting from the adjusting member. It follows that this split ring is integral in rotation with the adjusting member 26. The split ring 50 is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, for example in Teflon vs (polytetrafluoroethylene, in PPA or in PPS, with or without surface coating.

In addition, this split ring has an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the valve body before mounting and an inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the adjusting member after mounting. This ensures a tight contact of the ring on the body, and this without causing too high a torque.

Reference is now made to FIG. 34 which shows different successive positions of the adjustment member, numbered from 1 to 21, each time respectively at the level of the three outlet pipes 20, 22 and 24. In the example, these positions are obtained by successive rotations of 15 degrees, clockwise, from the adjuster inside the body

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 valve. It is thus noted that the various outlet pipes can be opened or closed with a defined law, and gradually.

These different positions are obtained by the motorization means 36 which are controlled by an appropriate control circuit.

Referring now to Figure 35 which shows a circuit 60 for cooling a heat engine 62 of a motor vehicle. The circuit 60 is traversed by a cooling fluid, typically water with an antifreeze added, which circulates under the action of a pump 78. The fluid is heated by the engine, leaves the latter via an outlet 64 which is connected to the inlet pipe 18 of a control valve 10 of the type described above. This valve comprises three outlet pipes 20, 22 and 24 which are connected to three branches of the circuit. This circuit includes a first branch 66 which contains a cooling radiator 68 and an expansion tank 70, a branch 72 which forms a bypass of the cooling radiator 68 and a branch 74 which contains an air heater 76 used for heating the passenger compartment. of the vehicle. The tubing 20 is connected to the branch 66 (radiator), the tubing 22 to the branch 74 (air heater) and the tubing 24 to the branch 72 (bypass).

The valve thus makes it possible to independently manage the flow rates of fluid in the abovementioned branches, in order to optimize the temperature of the heat engine and the heating of the passenger compartment.

 In particular, when the engine is started cold, it makes it possible to circulate the fluid in the branch branch 72 without passing through the radiator 68. During this start-up phase, it is also possible to pass part or all of the fluid flow in the heater 76, if heating is desired.

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When the temperature of the fluid has reached or exceeded a given threshold, the fluid passes through the radiator 68 and bypasses the bypass 72. In addition, depending on whether or not heating is desired, part of the fluid may or may not pass through the heater 76.

The control valve of Figures 36 to 47 is similar to those described above, the common elements being designated by the same reference numerals.

The outlet pipes 20 and 22 form an angle between them of 90 ', while the outlet pipe 24 extends between the pipes 20 and 22. In addition, the outlet pipe 24, which is closest to the cover 30, has a diameter greater than that of the previous embodiments. Therefore, the diameter of the valve body would normally have to be increased. To avoid this, the adjustment member 26 comprises, opposite the truncated end 38, two portions of cylindrical wall 78 and 80 substantially diametrically opposite to control the outlet pipe 24.

These two wall portions 78 and 80 extend the adjusting member 26 in the direction opposite to that of the truncated end 38 and they are produced in the form of two webs of material which extend away from the rod 28 of the 'regulator. It can be seen, in particular in FIGS. 39 to 41, how these two wall portions make it possible to close or open access to the outlet pipe 24 as a function of the angular position of the adjusting member.

In this embodiment, the adjusting member 26 comprises a peripheral region 82 which is provided with circular grooves 84 (see in particular Figures 44 and 45). As in the previous embodiments, the adjusting member
26 receives a split ring 50. The latter covers both the peripheral region 82 and the two wall portions 78

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 and 80. The function of these circular grooves 84 is to press the split ring 50 against the inner wall of the valve body by pressure difference, which ensures good sealing in operation.

The valve of Figures 36 to 47 finds particular use in a circuit of the type shown in Figure 35. In this case, the pipe 20 is connected to the branch 66 (radiator), the pipe 22 to the branch 74 (air heater) and the tubing 24 to the branch 72 (bypass).

We now refer to Figure 48 which shows different successive positions of the adjustment member, numbered from 1 to 36, each time respectively at the three outlet pipes 20, 22 and 24. In the example, these positions are obtained by successive rotations of 10 degrees, clockwise, from the regulating member inside the valve body. It is thus noted that the various outlet pipes can be opened or closed with a defined law, and gradually.

Of course, the valve of the invention is susceptible of numerous variant embodiments. It is not limited to a three-way valve as in the embodiments described above. Similarly, it is possible to envisage an embodiment where the inputs and outputs are reversed on the valve body. For example, the body may include three fluid inlets and one outlet. In addition, the valve is also not limited to an application to a cooling circuit of a thermal engine of a motor vehicle.

Claims (16)

Claims 1. Control valve for a fluid circulation circuit, comprising a body (12) which is provided with a fluid inlet (18) and at least two fluid outlets (20,22, 24) and which delimits a cylindrical housing for an adjustment member (26) adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation (XX) and to take different angular positions to control the distribution of the fluid through the outlets, characterized in that the body (12 ) comprises a bottom wall (14) into which the fluid inlet opens (18) and a cylindrical side wall (16) into which the fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) open at axial heights and at positions angular chosen with respect to the axis of rotation (XX), and in that the adjustment member (26) comprises a truncated end (38) facing the bottom wall (14), which makes it possible to carry out the control fluid outlets with a law defined as a function of the angular position of the organ not turning in the valve body (12). 2. Control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the truncated end (38) comprises a generally planar face (40) which forms with the axis of rotation (XX) a chosen angle (A) close to 45 degrees . 3. Control valve according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the fluid outlets (20,22, 24) is a radial pipe. 4. Control valve according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the fluid outlets (20,22, 24) is a tangential manifold. 5. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises three fluid outlets <Desc / CRUD Page number 15>  (20,22, 24). 6. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjustment member (26) is covered with a split ring (50) made integral in rotation by a lug (54) projecting as includes the adjusting member. 7. Control valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the split ring (50) is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. 8. Control valve according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the split ring (50) has an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the valve body (12) before mounting and an inside diameter slightly greater than diameter of the adjusting member (26) after mounting. 9. Control valve according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the split ring (50) covers a region (82) of the adjusting member which is provided with circular grooves (84). 10. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the truncated end (38) of the adjustment member (26) comprises a channel (42) having a chosen shape, advantageously in arc of circle. 11. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the adjustment member (26) is provided with a sealing pad (44). 12. Control valve according to claim 11, characterized in that the sealing pad (44) is mounted on a spring (48). <Desc / Clms Page number 16> 13. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the adjustment member () comprises, opposite the truncated end (38), two portions of cylindrical wall (78,80 ) substantially diametrically opposite to control one (24) of the fluid outlets. 14. Control valve according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises motorization means (36) capable of driving the adjustment member (26) to bring it into angular positions chosen by relative to the valve body (12). 15. Fluid circulation circuit, characterized in that it comprises a control valve according to one of claims 1 to 14, whose fluid inlet (18) is connected to a source of fluid (64) and of which the fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) are respectively connected to branches (66, 72, 74) of the circuit. 16. Fluid circulation circuit according to claim 15, characterized in that it is produced in the form of a cooling circuit (60) of a heat engine (62) of a motor vehicle, which is traversed by a fluid cooling under the action of a circulation pump (78), and in that the control valve (10) is a three-way valve, the fluid inlet (18) of which is connected to an inlet (64 ) of coolant coming from the engine (62), and whose three fluid outlets (20, 22, 24) are connected respectively to a first branch (66) of the circuit which contains a cooling radiator (68), a second branch (72) of the circuit which constitutes a bypass of the cooling radiator (68), to a third branch (74) of the circuit which contains an air heater (76) for heating the passenger compartment.