DE102006017431B3 - Valve for filling air conditioning systems with refrigerant has an adjustable core pin in the spindle with an elastomeric seal at the conical seal face and threaded adjusting means to limit the flow of refrigerant - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve spindle (4) has an inlet (6) and outlet (7) for refrigerant and a core pin (5) whose upper part (8) has a conical sealing face (9) engages a spindle conical face (10) to close the flow through bores (24), a transverse bore (12) and axial bore (14) in the lower core pin section (13). A threaded (22,23) cap (21) and core pin threads (15,16) restricts the upper movement and hence the flow through the seal.

Description

The The invention relates to a valve for filling refrigerant pipes in air conditioning systems with a cavity continuous Spindle and a therein, adjustable valve core with an upper part, a middle part with a transverse bore and a lower part, wherein the surrounding spindle a the cavity associated inlet and an outlet belong.

In usual Motor vehicles containing the refrigerant R134a working air conditioning systems are pressure pin valves (English push-pin valve) used to seal the seat by means of a polymeric seal, preferably with an O-ring seal.

A valve for refrigerant charge for a cooling system is in the document US Pat. No. 6,266,971 B1 described having an attachable housing. There is a refrigerant system component in which refrigerant flows. The housing has a cavity and a fluid communication channel with a refrigerant charging port of the refrigerant system component. The filling valve includes a valve core placed in the cavity of the housing to open and close the channel, ie, to allow or prevent access to the refrigerant. The sealing takes place in the sealing or valve seat in the region of the connection of the spindle cavity to the refrigerant line, wherein a conical bottom of the valve core is brought to the reduced to an orifice spindle cavity to a sealable press seal.

One Problem is that the existing metallic and largely linear circumferential contact seal in a sealing seat is insufficient, the Sealing at high pressures of the high pressure refrigerant R744 withstand.

A problem of known seals is also that the CO ₂ refrigerant, eg R744, has a higher diffusibility than the refrigerant R134a. At the same time, the tightness requirements for air conditioning systems lead to corresponding requirements for the filling valves: Leakage <1.0 g CO ₂ / a. The tightness requirement is not guaranteed on the one hand with non-metallic sealing training and on the other hand with a largely linear circumferential metallic seal.

So is an air conditioner filling valve in the document EP 1 223 392 B1 described that includes
a valve body having a connection portion shaped to interconnect an air conditioning duct and a second portion including an outer annular ridge or an external thread, the valve body continuing
an orifice which communicates with the connection section via a liquid,
a valve seat surrounding the mouth to the outlet and a bore communicating with the mouth via a liquid;
and
a slip-sealing valve member sized to slide into the bore via a press fit with the valve body, the valve member being shaped to open the mouth of the valve seat when the valve member is in an open position, and to seal the mouth to the valve seat when the valve member is in a closed position, the valve member and the connecting portion being mounted on opposite sides of the mouth, the press fit operating to hold the valve member in a closed position without a threaded connection therebetween Valve element and the valve body.

One The problem is that in the valve seat a largely linear encircling metal-to-metal seal is present, which has the higher leakage-tightness requirement difficult to fulfill.

Another problem is explosive decompression. Explosive decompression is the process of destroying polymeric components, such as O-rings, by a sudden drop in pressure in devices where process gases and refrigerants are under a multiple of atmospheric pressure. In the event of a sudden pressure drop, eg due to a leak, the CO ₂ diffusing into the material expands and destroys the component.

The invention has for its object to provide a valve for filling refrigerant pipes in air conditioning, which is designed so suitable that a seal with a leakage of less than 1.0 g CO ₂ / a is ensured that the valve components, in particular in the Sections of the sealing elements are not damaged in case of pressure drop for multiple use in the service and that can be dispensed with polymeric sealing elements and thus on an explosive decompression.

The The object is solved by the features of claim 1.

In the valve for filling refrigerant pipes in air conditioners with a cavity-continuous spindle and therein, adjustable valve core having an upper part, a middle part with a transverse bore and a lower part, wherein the surrounding spindle belonging to an inlet and an outlet associated with the cavity, according to the characterizing part of claim 1, the upper part is formed as a head having a first circumferential sealing surface, which is a second circumferential Sealing surface of the spindle is conformed, wherein the adjoining the upper part middle part is connected to the transverse bore with the lower part via an axial bore and the lower part is provided with an external thread, which is in correspondence with an internal thread of the spindle, wherein the axial bore connects the transverse bore to the outlet and the valve core is adjustable over the head such that a filling channel is directed from the inlet via a flow channel at the head via the transverse bore and the axial bore to the outlet and a sealable seal over the conforming sealing surface hen between the head and the spindle are given.

Of the Head can be directed to the inlet a hexagonal recess or a Hexalobular (TORX) recess or similar for adjusting the valve core in the cavity within the spindle.

Between the inlet and the head can be a Ausfahrbegrenzer for the valve core be arranged screwed, the Ausfahrbegrenzer with an outer thread that is in the associated inner mating thread engages in the spindle, and at least one flow channel having.

Of the screw-in extension limiter is provided above the valve core, around the flow area for all axial extension positions - opening, filling, closing - of the valve core to ensure and / or ensure.

The the head associated first sealing surface is circumferentially mounted on the head outside.

The the spindle associated second sealing surface is circumferentially on the Cavity limiting inner wall of the spindle attached.

The sealing surfaces can two adjacent conical surfaces be exactly in the other and a conical planar Form a seal.

Of the Umströmungskanal is between the head and the spindle inner wall in relation to the transverse bore by the optional rotation of the valve core open throughout or lockable designed for transverse drilling.

The Spindle may consist of an aluminum alloy.

Of the Valve core may be a softer metallic material than the spindle exhibit.

The valve core can therefore consist, for example, of brass material, such as core brass, CuZn ₃₇ Pb ₃ , tin-coated material or other metallic material with the same properties and the same compatibility as corrosion and / or thermal expansion coefficient.

The Transverse bore and axial bore can be selected preset diameter whereby a flow rate of flow of the refrigerant, e.g. R744, at fill the refrigerant line is achievable, with the outer dimensions the spindle are defined and remain unchanged.

Size and diameter the sealing surfaces the seal can be enlarged to an extent the level of sealing torque and the required Sealing surface pressure balances.

The sealing surfaces can a coating with a light metal, such as a tin coating, to improve the Surface contact quality in condition to have the seal.

The Invention allows it is that elimination of the mechanisms while at the same time satisfying the technical requirements.

The Invention opened also the possibility that no refrigerant and equipment out of the air conditioning and vice versa no contamination of the components of the air conditioning can take place.

In addition, can a reduction in the required number of components and as well Production steps compared to components according to the state of the art Technology can be achieved.

The Invention is based on an embodiment explained in more detail by means of several drawings.

It demonstrate:

1 a schematic representation of the valve according to the invention for filling refrigerant pipes in air conditioners in the sealed state and

2 a schematic representation of a valve according to the invention for filling cold Central lines in air conditioners in the open state essentially with the specification of the filling channel.

In 1 is a schematic representation of a valve according to the invention 1 for filling a refrigerant line 2 shown in an air conditioner, which has a cavity 3 continuous spindle 4 and an adjustable, valve core located therein 5 with an upper part 8th , a middle part 11 with a cross hole 12 and a lower part 13 , being to the surrounding spindle 4 a the cavity 3 assigned inlet 6 and an outlet 7 belong, are assigned.

According to the invention, the upper part 8th formed as a head, the first circumferential sealing surface 9 having, leading to a second circumferential sealing surface 10 the spindle 4 is conformed, which is at the upper part 8th subsequent middle part 11 with the cross hole 12 with the lower part 13 via an axial bore 14 connected and the lower part 13 with an external thread 15 that in correspondence to an internal thread 16 the spindle 4 stands, is provided, wherein the axial bore 14 the transverse bore 12 with the outlet 7 connected and the valve core 5 over the head 8th is adjustable so that a filling channel 17 , as in 2 shown from the inlet 6 from over a flow channel 18 on the head 8th over the cross hole 12 and the axial bore 14 to the outlet 7 directed and a sealable seal 19 about the conforming sealing surfaces 9 . 10 between the head 8th and the spindle 4 are predetermined.

About the spindle 4 a cover in the form of a housing (not shown) may be attached, depending on the external shape and dimensions of the spindle 4 can be designed differently.

The head 8th points to the inlet 6 directed a hexagonal recess 20 for adjusting the valve core in the cavity 3 inside the spindle 4 on.

Between the inlet 6 and the head 8th is an extension limiter 21 for an adjustable maximum upper position of the valve core 5 arranged, with the Ausfahrbegrenzer 21 with an external thread 22 is provided in the associated inner mating thread 23 in the inner wall 25 the spindle 4 engages, and at least one flow channel 24 has, through which the refrigerant is pressed.

The head 8th associated first sealing surface 9 is outside around the head 8th appropriate.

The spindle 4 associated second sealing surface 10 is circumferential to the cavity 3 delimiting inner wall 25 the spindle 4 appropriate.

The two sealing surfaces 9 . 10 are in particular conically conforming to the areal sealing 19 customized.

The flow channel 18 between the head 8th and the spindle inner wall 25 in relation to the transverse bore 12 can by the optional rotation of the valve core 5 open throughout or lockable.

The spindle 4 may consist of an aluminum alloy.

The valve core 5 can be a softer metallic material than the spindle 4 exhibit. In this case, the AC line material for the refrigerant R744 can be designed so that it is a condition that the spindle material is an aluminum alloy, which in turn has consequences for the metallic material of the valve core 5 Has. The use of aluminum requires for the spindle 4 an aluminum alloy that is as hard as possible and still has good brazing ability, as it can be eg the material AA 6082-T6.

Since the valve described after US Pat. No. 6,266,971 B1 Also based on a metal-to-metal seal, it is convenient to avoid any wear that may occur due to repeated operation or Befüllausführungen largely avoided.

It follows that according to the invention for the valve core material a softer material than for the spindle 4 is selected. Therefore, it is appropriate to use brass material such as core brass, CuZn ₃₇ Pb ₃ , tin-coated material or other metallic material having the same properties and compatibility (corrosion, thermal expansion coefficient). In this case, the connection 7 by raising or lowering the valve core 5 in the field of sealing 19 to be served.

The converging tapered sealing surface 9 is at the head, ie at the top 8th the valve core 5 appropriate. This includes a divergent sealing surface 10 on the inner wall 25 the spindle 4 , The threads 15 . 16 for executing the opening / closing positions of the valve 1 are on the ground, so at the bottom 13 the valve core 5 placed.

Together with an axial bore 14 coming from the cross to the ground 13 the valve core 5 extending transverse bore 12 Initially guided, forms the transverse to the valve core longitudinal axis 26 extending cross hole 12 mainly the middle flow area of the filling channel 17 that there in the valve core 5 is integrated. Due to an adjustable design of the diameter of the transverse bore 12 and in particular the axial bore 14 can a larger flow of the refrigerant, eg R744, when filling in the refrigerant line 2 in general, being the outer dimensions of the spindle 4 are defined and remain unchanged at specified standards.

With an accommodation of the sealing surface 9 in the upper part 8th - The valve core head - and the adjacent sealing surface 10 on the inner wall 25 is the filling channel 17 also alternatively by moving the thread 15 . 16 within the lower part 13 educated.

The invention opens up the possibility that the risk that the solder flow the sealing surfaces 8th . 10 inside the valve 1 polluted, is eliminated by the sealing surfaces 9 . 10 compared to the prior art on the opposite side - in the area of the inlet side -, namely in the region of the head 8th , from a connection process to the refrigerant piping 2 is placed, wherein the connecting operation serves to the valve 1 with the connection spindle 4 to the refrigerant line 2 to join.

The screwed-in extension limiter 21 is therefore for the valve core 5 provided to the flow area for all axial extension positions - opening, filling, closing - the valve core 5 to ensure and / or ensure.

Furthermore, the size and diameter of the sealing surfaces 9 . 10 the seal 19 be increased to an extent that compensates the level of sealing torque and the required sealing surface pressure. As a result, the valve core can 5 have a certain robustness and handle the repeated operation and Befüllausführungen with the inventive, selected material combinations.

Due to insufficient elasticity of the valve materials, the sealing function is achieved by pressing two adjacent conical surfaces against each other - the sealing surfaces 9 . 10 -, So in terms of area, achieved that fit exactly into the other and the intended conical areal seal 19 form.

The surface contact quality is determined by the rotational movement of the valve core 5 improved during the sealing process. This effect can be achieved by coating the sealing surfaces 9 . 10 be improved with a light metal, such as a tin coating.

1

Valve

 2

Refrigerant line

3

cavity

4

spindle

5

valve core

 6

inlet

7

outlet

8th

Oberer part

 9

First sealing surface

10

Second sealing surface

11

middle part

12

lower part

13

cross hole

14

axial bore

15

external thread

16

inner thread

17

filling channel

18

Umströmungskanal

19

seal

 20

Hexagonal recess

21

Ausfahrbegrenzer

 22

Outer thread

23

Interior thread

 24

flow channels

25

inner wall

26

Valve core longitudinal axis

Claims (16)

Valve for filling refrigerant pipes in air conditioning systems with a cavity integrated spindle and located therein a adjustable valve core having an upper part, a middle part with a transverse bore and a lower part, wherein part of the surrounding spindle an associated cavity inlet and an outlet, characterized characterized in that the upper part ( 8th ) is formed as a head having a first circumferential sealing surface ( 9 ) leading to a second peripheral sealing surface ( 10 ) of the spindle ( 4 ) conforming to the upper part ( 8th ) subsequent middle part ( 11 ) with the transverse bore ( 12 ) with the lower part ( 13 ) via an axial bore ( 14 ) and the lower part ( 13 ) with an external thread ( 15 ) in correspondence with an internal thread ( 16 ) of the spindle ( 4 ) is provided, wherein the axial bore ( 14 ) the transverse bore ( 12 ) with the outlet ( 7 ) and the valve core ( 5 ) over the head ( 8th ) is adjustable such that a filling channel ( 17 ) from the inlet ( 6 ) via a flow channel ( 18 ) on the head ( 8th ) over the transverse bore ( 12 ) and the axial bore ( 14 ) to the outlet ( 7 ) and a sealable seal ( 19 ) about the conforming sealing surfaces ( 9 . 10 ) between the head ( 8th ) and the spindle ( 4 ) are given. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the head ( 8th ) to the inlet ( 6 ) directed a hexagonal recess ( 20 ) for adjusting the valve core ( 5 ) in the cavity ( 3 ) within the spindle ( 4 ) having. Valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the inlet ( 6 ) and the head ( 8th ) an extension limiter ( 21 ) for the valve core ( 5 ), wherein the Ausfahrbegrenzer ( 21 ) at least one flow channel ( 24 ) having. Valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the extension limiter ( 21 ) with an external thread ( 22 ) provided in the associated inner mating thread ( 23 ) in the spindle ( 4 ) intervenes. Valve according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the extension limiter ( 21 ) above the valve core ( 5 ) is provided to the flow area for all axial extension positions - opening, filling, closing - the valve core ( 5 ) and / or ensure. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the head ( 8th ) associated first sealing surface ( 9 ) around the outside of the head ( 8th ) is attached. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the spindle ( 4 ) associated second sealing surface ( 10 ) encircling the cavity ( 3 ) delimiting inner wall ( 25 ) of the spindle ( 4 ) is attached. Valve according to claim 6 and 7, characterized in that the sealing surfaces ( 9 . 10 ) are two adjacent surfaces that fit exactly in / to the other and a surface seal ( 19 ) form. Valve according to claim 8, characterized in that the two adjacent surfaces are conical, which fit exactly in the other and a conical surface seal ( 19 ) train. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow channel ( 18 ) between the head ( 8th ) and the spindle inner wall ( 25 ) in relation to the transverse bore ( 12 ) by the optional rotation of the valve core ( 5 ) open throughout or closable to the transverse bore ( 12 ). Valve according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the spindle ( 4 ) consists of an aluminum alloy. Valve according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the valve core ( 5 ) a softer metallic material than the spindle ( 4 ) having. Valve according to claim 12, characterized in that the valve core ( 5 ) Brass material, such as core brass, CuZn ₃₇ Pb ₃ , tin-coated material or other metallic material having the same properties and the same compatibility as corrosion and / or thermal expansion coefficient. Valve according to claim 1, characterized. that the transverse bore ( 12 ) and the axial bore ( 14 ) have selectable predetermined diameters, whereby a throughput-changed flow of the refrigerant, eg R 744, when filling the refrigerant line ( 2 ), the outer dimensions of the spindle ( 4 ) are defined and remain unchanged. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the size and diameter of the sealing surfaces ( 9 . 10 ) of the seal ( 19 ) are increased to an extent that balances the level of sealing torque and the required sealing surface pressure. Valve according to claim 14, characterized in that the sealing surfaces ( 9 . 10 ) a coating with a light metal, such as a tin coating, to improve the surface contact quality in the state of the seal ( 19 ) to have. For this a sheet of drawings