阅读说明：本技术 阀单元 (Valve unit ) 是由 马塞尔·拉姆斯佩格 约阿希姆·施密特 克里斯蒂安·艾尔布斯 于 2018-11-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种阀单元,具有：阀壳体(1),所述阀壳体具有工艺压力输入管路(31)、工艺压力输出管路(32)以及工艺导向杆(10)。此外存在用于关闭阀的切换活塞(2)、第一和第二控制管路(50,60)以及用于控制所述切换活塞(2)的第一和第二控制室(40,41)。切换活塞(2)可借助于动态的工艺密封件沿着轴向方向密封地在所述工艺导向杆(10)内部移动。所述切换活塞具有闭合环,所述闭合环在所述连接闭合的状态中密封地贴靠在所述阀壳体(1)的阀座(700)上。所述闭合环构成为环绕的密封棱边(250),其中阀座(700)与贴靠在其上的密封棱边(250)相比由更软和更具弹性的材料构成。环绕的密封棱边(250)具有对应于所述动态的工艺密封件的引导直径的直径。根据本发明的阀单元具有小的轴向力从而实现在大数量的切换周期中长的使用寿命。(A valve unit having: a valve housing (1) has a process pressure inlet line (31), a process pressure outlet line (32) and a process guide rod (10). Furthermore, a switching piston (2) for closing the valve, a first and a second control line (50, 60) and a first and a second control chamber (40, 41) for controlling the switching piston (2) are provided. The switching piston (2) can be moved in an axial direction in a sealing manner by means of a dynamic process seal within the process guide rod (10). The switching piston has a closing ring which, in the closed state of the connection, bears sealingly against a valve seat (700) of the valve housing (1). The closure ring is designed as a circumferential sealing edge (250), wherein the valve seat (700) is made of a softer and more elastic material than the sealing edge (250) resting thereon. The circumferential sealing edge (250) has a diameter corresponding to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal. The valve unit according to the invention has a low axial force and thus a long service life in a large number of switching cycles.)

1. A valve unit having

a) A valve housing (1) having a process pressure inlet line (31), a process pressure outlet line (32) and a process guide rod (10),

b) a switching piston (2) for closing and opening a connection between the process pressure input line (31) and the process pressure output line (32), wherein the switching piston (2) defines a longitudinal mid-axis,

and

c) a first and a second control line (50, 60) and a first and a second control chamber (40, 41) for controlling the switching piston (2),

wherein the switching piston (2) can be moved in an axial direction in a sealed manner within the process guide rod (10) by means of a dynamic process seal, and

wherein the switching piston (2) has a closing ring which in the closed state of the connection rests sealingly against a valve seat (700) of the valve housing (1) or

Wherein the valve housing (1) has a closing ring which in the closed state of the connection rests sealingly against a valve seat of the switching piston (2),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the closure ring is designed as a circumferential sealing edge (250), wherein the valve seat (700) is made of a softer and more elastic material than the sealing edge (250) resting thereon,

and the circumferential sealing edge (250) has a diameter corresponding to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal.

2. Valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching piston (2) has a sealing gland (25) which is of wedge-shaped design and whose circumferential tip forms the sealing edge (250).

3. Valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve seat (700) is embedded in a valve seat ring arrangement (71, 72), wherein the valve seat ring arrangement (71, 72) consists of a harder material than the valve seat (700).

4. Valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there is an annular sealing element (70) having the valve seat (700), and wherein the sealing element (70) has the shape of a truncated cone with an outwardly widening base.

5. Valve unit according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein there are a first and a second active surface (210, 213, 211, 214) which react against each other and which can be loaded by process pressure, and wherein the first and second active surfaces (210, 213; 211, 214) are equally large.

6. Valve unit according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first control chamber (40) is connected with a first pilot valve (51) via a first pilot bore (50), and wherein the second control chamber (41) is connected with a second pilot valve (61) via a second pilot bore (60).

7. Valve unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the switching piston (2) has a first control surface (200) which faces the first control chamber (40), and wherein the switching piston (2) has a second control surface (240) which faces the second control chamber (41), wherein the first and second control surfaces (200, 240) can be acted upon by pilot pressure, respectively, and wherein the first and second control surfaces (200, 240) are equally large.

8. Valve unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the two control chambers (40, 41), preferably wherein both control chambers (40, 41) are cylindrically formed and centrally arranged with respect to a longitudinal mid-axis of the switching piston (2).

9. Valve unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a first and a second dynamic control chamber seal are present, and wherein the guide diameters of the two dynamic control chamber seals are equally large and are arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal mid-axis of the switching piston (2).

10. Valve unit according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pilot diameter of the dynamic process seal is larger than at least one of the pilot diameters of the first and second control chamber seals, preferably the pilot diameter of the dynamic process seal is larger than both pilot diameters of the first and second control chamber seals.

11. The valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

wherein the switching piston (2) has a piston foot (20), a piston head (24) and a piston ring (21),

wherein the piston ring (21) has a larger outer diameter than the piston foot (20) and the piston head (24),

wherein the piston foot (20) and the piston head (24) have the same outer diameter,

wherein the valve housing (1) has a first cylindrical central blind hole for receiving the piston foot (20) and a second cylindrical central blind hole for receiving the piston head (24),

wherein the first control chamber (40) is formed in the first blind hole and the second control chamber (41) is formed in the second blind hole, and

wherein the circumferential sealing edge (250) is formed on the piston ring (21).

12. The valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein

Wherein the switching piston (2) has a base body (26) with an H-shaped longitudinal section and piston rings (21),

wherein the base body (26) forms a first receiving portion opened downward and a second receiving portion opened upward,

wherein a fixed foot element (27) and a fixed head element (28) are formed on the valve housing (1),

wherein the foot element (27) engages into the first receptacle and the head element (28) engages into the second receptacle,

wherein the first accommodation part forms the first control chamber (40) and the second accommodation part forms the second control chamber (41), and

wherein the circumferential sealing edge (250) is formed on the piston ring (21).

13. The valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein

Wherein the switching piston (2) has a base body (29) with a U-shaped longitudinal section and a piston ring (21),

wherein the base body (29) forms a first receiving portion opened upward,

wherein a foot element (27) fixed in place is formed on the valve housing (1),

wherein the foot element (27) engages into the first receptacle, wherein the first receptacle forms the first control chamber (40),

wherein the valve housing (1) forms an annular gap around the piston ring (21),

wherein the annular gap forms the second control chamber (40), and

wherein the circumferential sealing edge (250) is formed on the piston ring (21).

14. Valve unit according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the switching piston (2) has a through-bore (22) connecting the valve chamber (30) with the pressure compensation chamber (80).

15. A valve unit having:

a) a valve housing (1) having a process pressure inlet line (31), a process pressure outlet line (32) and a process guide rod (10),

b) a switching piston (2) for closing and opening a connection between the process pressure input line (31) and the process pressure output line (32),

and

c) at least one control line (50, 60) and at least one control chamber (40, 41) for controlling the switching piston (2),

wherein the switching piston (2) can be moved in an axial direction in a sealed manner within the process guide rod (10) by means of a dynamic process seal, and

wherein the switching piston (2) has a closing ring which in the closed state of the connection rests sealingly against a valve seat (700) of the valve housing (1) or

Wherein the valve housing (1) has a closing ring which in the closed state of the connection rests sealingly against a valve seat of the switching piston (2),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the closure ring is designed as a circumferential sealing edge (250), wherein the valve seat (700) is made of a softer and more elastic material than the sealing edge (250) resting thereon,

and is

There is an annular sealing element (70) having the valve seat (700), wherein the sealing element (70) has the shape of a truncated cone with an outwardly widening base, wherein the sealing element (70) is embedded in a valve seat ring arrangement (71, 72), and wherein the valve seat ring arrangement (71, 72) consists of a harder material than the valve seat (700).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a valve unit, in particular for pneumatic switching in a blow molding process. The valve unit is particularly suitable for use in an extrusion blow molding machine or a stretch blow molding machine for producing hollow bodies made of plastic.

Background

For the production of plastic bottles, in particular PP or PET bottles (PP ═ polypropylene; PET ═ polyethylene terephthalate), preforms or preforms are blown into their final shape in a blow molding machine, in particular an extrusion blow molding machine or a stretch blow molding machine. For this purpose, the blank is held in the blow mould by its head already having its final shape and is connected to a compressed air system. By blowing compressed air through the bottle head, the blank is blown up and into its final shape.

The blow molding process is usually carried out in a two-stage process, in which in a first stage compressed air at a pressure of 2 to 20bar is blown in via a pre-blow valve and in a subsequent second stage final blow molding is carried out via a main blow valve with a pressure of 15 to 40 bar. Furthermore, a vent valve is typically used to release pressure from the bottle from which the blow-drum has been completed. A recovery valve is also known, which is arranged between the main blow valve and the exhaust valve in order to recover a portion of the used compressed air.

All these valves have to be manipulated for the process. It is important here that the individual process steps have to be carried out very quickly so that the valve has to have as short a response time as possible. Only in this way an economical production can be guaranteed. Furthermore, it is important that the valve has a large number of switching cycles and thus a high service life.

A pneumatically operated valve which uses compressed air which is already provided as working medium has proven to be advantageous.

EP 1574771 a2 describes such an air-controlled valve. The valve has a switching piston, a process pressure inlet line, a process pressure outlet line and a control pressure line, which are movably arranged in a valve housing. The switching piston has a lower end face which closes the process pressure supply line relative to the process pressure discharge line in the closed position of the valve. The opposite end faces of the upper part are oriented towards the valve chamber. A channel extending inside the switching piston connects the two end faces to each other. In the closed state of the valve, the active surface of the lower end face is smaller than the active surface of the upper end face, so that the switching piston is held in its closed position by the process pressure. The switching piston also has a radially outwardly projecting piston ring, the lower ring surface of which serves as a control surface. The piston ring is located in an annular control chamber, which is connected to a control pressure line. The upper annular surface is located in another chamber which is subjected to ambient pressure. In the closed state of the valve, the control surface is greater than the difference between the lower and upper operating surfaces. If the control chamber is now pressurized, the switching piston is raised and the valve opens. For this reason, a relatively low pressure is sufficient. In one embodiment, the lower end face has a downwardly projecting, radially inwardly offset flange, which, due to the reduced contact surface on the valve housing, should achieve an improved sealing action.

EP 2142830B 1 likewise discloses an air-controlled valve. In this case, two control surfaces are present opposite one another, of which the lower first control chamber can be selectively subjected to a constant pressure or ambient pressure by means of a pilot valve, while the upper second control chamber is permanently subjected to a constant pressure. The first control surface is smaller than the second control surface, so that when a constant pressure is applied in the second control chamber, a force difference is produced between the first control chamber and the second control chamber, and the switching piston is raised. A valve seal is arranged on the control piston, said valve seal having a circumferential, downwardly projecting flange on its circumference. The flange forms a closing surface which interacts with a valve seat of the valve housing. Since the first and second active surfaces become approximately equally large when the switching piston is raised, i.e. when the valve is opened, only a small effort is required to open the valve quickly and completely. It is also advantageous to control the valve also when both valve chambers have the same pressure level. The valve is characterized by a fast response time and thus by a fast opening which is practically independent of the magnitude of the process pressure. However, this valve unit always requires a relatively high axial sealing force in the range of 1000N and therefore a pilot valve with a correspondingly large nominal width.

WO 2015/121285 a1 discloses an air-controlled valve with two pilot valves which control the pressure in two control chambers independently of each other.

Such process valves require high sealing forces of up to 1200N in order to comply with the leakage limit values in operating states of 0bar to 40 bar. Pilot-controlled valve units, i.e. valve units having at least one control chamber connected to a pilot valve as described above, require a relatively large control surface for this purpose. This results in a large control volume, which in turn is contradictory to the requirement for a valve that switches quickly, since the large control volume must be filled and emptied again quickly enough. To ensure sufficiently rapid filling and emptying, pilot valves with a relatively large nominal width are therefore used, which, however, switch more slowly than pilot valves with a smaller nominal width. Furthermore, the pilot valve is expensive and requires more space. The high sealing forces and acceleration forces that occur limit the switching times and also reduce the number of switching cycles and also the service life of the valve unit to a minimum. What applies in principle is: the higher the sealing force and the kinetic energy in the valve unit, the smaller the number of switching cycles to be reached and the shorter the service life of the valve unit.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a valve unit which minimizes the axial sealing forces and thus increases the service life of the valve unit.

This object is achieved by a valve unit having the features of claim 1.

The valve unit according to the invention has a valve housing with a process pressure inlet line, a process pressure outlet line and a process guide rod. The valve unit also has a switching piston for closing and opening a connection between the process pressure supply line and the process pressure discharge line, wherein the switching piston defines a longitudinal center axis. Furthermore, the valve unit comprises a first and a second control line and a first and a second control chamber for controlling a switching piston, wherein the switching piston is sealingly movable in the axial direction within the process guide rod by means of a dynamic process seal. The switching piston has a closing ring which, in the closed state of the connection, bears sealingly against a valve seat of the valve housing. As an alternative to this feature, the valve housing can have a closing ring which, in the closed state of the connection, bears sealingly against a valve seat of the switching piston. According to the invention, the closing ring is designed as a circumferential sealing edge, wherein the valve seat is made of a softer and more elastic material than the sealing edge resting thereon, and the diameter of the circumferential sealing edge corresponds to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal.

A dynamic process seal is defined here as a dynamic seal which seals the switching piston against the valve chamber, i.e. the chamber of the valve unit which is loaded with process pressure between the inlet and the outlet.

The sealing edge is designed as narrow as possible with a small bearing surface. Preferably, the sealing edge is approximately linear.

The above expression includes: the valve unit according to the invention can also have more than two control lines and control chambers. Preferably, however, there are exactly two control lines and two control chambers.

The air-controlled valve unit according to the invention has a minimized sealing surface, so that a high pressure per unit area can be generated at low axial forces. In particular, a process pressure of 40bar can be sealed in both directions, i.e. bidirectionally. The selected soft and hard material pairs of the two sealing partners compensate for possible unevennesses, so that a seal is ensured.

Furthermore, the use of a valve seat seal of the same sealing diameter and an adjacent dynamic process seal prevents: a force is generated which acts on the moving switching piston in the direction of movement and is dependent on the process pressure.

Preferably, the switching piston has a sealing gland which is of wedge-shaped design, and the encircling tip of the sealing gland forms a sealing edge. The wedge-shaped design results in an optimum introduction of force onto the sealing edge and also serves to achieve an optimum flow path for the supplied compressed air when the valve is open.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve seat is embedded in a valve seat ring arrangement, wherein the valve seat ring arrangement is made of a harder material than the valve seat. The embedding ensures that: the valve seat is not displaced laterally by the forces occurring. This displacement may impair the sealing power.

Preferably, there is an annular sealing element forming a valve seat, wherein the sealing element has the shape of a truncated cone with an outwardly widening base. The sealing element can thereby be optimally fixed in order to also withstand large forces. The sealing element also forms a buffer.

In a preferred embodiment, there is a first active surface and a second active surface, which react with each other and can be acted upon by the process pressure. The first and second active surfaces are equally large. The switching piston can thereby be controlled independently of the process pressure.

Each of the control chambers is connected to a pilot valve via a pilot hole. Preferably, a two-position three-way valve is used for this purpose. A pilot valve having a relatively small nominal width may be used. A typical nominal width is about 1 mm.

Preferably, the switching piston has a first control surface facing the first control chamber and a second control surface facing the second control chamber. Both control surfaces can be loaded with pilot pressure. The control surface is preferably equally large. This has the following advantages: the opening and closing forces are equally large.

Preferably, at least one of the two control chambers, preferably both control chambers, is of cylindrical design and is arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the switching piston. This arrangement achieves: a relatively small control room is constructed and a relatively small control surface is used. Thereby, the control chamber can be filled and emptied quickly. The valve unit can thus be switched relatively quickly. The service life of the valve unit is also increased, since the applied forces are relatively small due to the control chamber miniaturization.

In a preferred embodiment, a first and a second dynamic control chamber seal are present, wherein the guide diameters of the two dynamic control chamber seals are equally large and are arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the switching piston.

Preferably, the pilot diameter of the dynamic process seal is greater than at least one of the pilot diameters of the first and second control chamber seals. More preferably, the pilot diameter of the dynamic process seal is greater than both pilot diameters of the first and second control chamber seals. This arrangement reduces the volume of the control chamber.

The teaching according to the invention can be realized by differently shaped switching pistons. Three preferred variants are mentioned in the following. In a first variant, the switching piston has a piston foot, a piston head and a piston ring, wherein the outer diameter of the piston ring is greater than the outer diameter of the piston foot and the piston head. The outer diameters of the piston foot and the piston head are the same. The valve housing has a first cylindrical central blind bore for receiving the piston foot and a second cylindrical central blind bore for receiving the piston head. The first control chamber is formed in the first blind hole and the second control chamber is formed in the second blind hole. The circumferential sealing edge is formed on the piston ring.

In a second variant, the switching piston has a base body with an H-shaped longitudinal section and a piston ring, wherein the base body forms a first receptacle which is open at the bottom and a second receptacle which is open at the top. A stationary base element and a stationary head element are formed on the valve housing, the base element engaging in the first receptacle and the head element engaging in the second receptacle. The first housing portion forms a first control chamber and the second housing portion forms a second control chamber. The circumferential sealing edge is again formed on the piston ring. The switching piston has a smaller mass than the switching piston of the first variant. Furthermore, the switching piston has a very small longitudinal extension.

In a third variant, the switching piston has a base body with a U-shaped longitudinal section and a piston ring, wherein the base body forms a first receptacle which is open toward the top. A stationary base element is formed on the valve housing, wherein the base element engages into the first receptacle. The first housing portion forms a first control chamber. The valve housing has an annular gap surrounding the piston ring, wherein the annular gap forms a second control chamber. The circumferential sealing edge is again formed on the piston ring. The switching piston is also very compact and short. Furthermore, the valve unit as a whole can be very compact and short due to the annular second control chamber.

The switching piston is preferably solid, i.e. not formed with a core bore. Preferably, however, the switching piston has a through-opening to connect the valve chamber with the pressure compensation chamber.

The valve unit according to the invention described below can also be used in the case of different diameters of the dynamic seal and the seat seal. Due to the special embedding and shape of the sealing element, the valve unit is also characterized by a long service life. The valve unit can likewise be combined as desired with the features of the claims following claim 1.

The valve unit according to the invention has a valve housing with a process pressure inlet line, a process pressure outlet line and a process guide rod. The valve housing also has a switching piston for closing and opening a connection between the process pressure inlet line and the process pressure outlet line, and at least one control line and at least one control chamber for controlling the switching piston. The switching piston can be moved in the axial direction within the process guide rod by means of a dynamic process seal. The switching piston has a closing ring which, in the closed state of the connection, bears sealingly against a valve seat of the valve housing. Alternatively, the valve housing can have a closing ring which, in the closed state of the connection, bears sealingly against a valve seat of the switching piston. According to the invention, the closing ring is designed as a circumferential sealing edge, wherein the valve seat is made of a softer and more elastic material than the sealing edge resting thereon. For this purpose, there is an annular sealing element forming a valve seat, wherein the sealing element has the shape of a truncated cone with an outwardly widened base, wherein the sealing element is embedded in a valve seat ring arrangement, and wherein the valve seat ring arrangement consists of a harder material than the valve seat.

Further embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting. Shown in the drawings are:

fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a valve unit according to the invention in a closed valve position in a first embodiment;

fig. 2 shows the valve unit according to fig. 1 in an open valve position;

fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a valve unit according to the invention in a closed valve position in a second embodiment;

fig. 4 shows the valve unit according to fig. 3 in an open valve position;

fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a valve unit according to the invention in a closed valve position in a third embodiment; and

fig. 6 shows the valve unit according to fig. 5 in an open valve position.

Like parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

A first embodiment of the valve unit according to the invention is shown in fig. 1 and 2. The valve unit has a valve housing 1, which is preferably formed in two or more parts. The valve housing can in particular comprise an insert. The housing 1 is preferably made of metal or of hard plastic.

The housing 1 has a substantially rotationally symmetrical cavity in the interior, which cavity has a different inner diameter in the axial direction. A part of this hollow space is formed as a rotationally symmetrical valve chamber 30 into which at least one process pressure supply line 31 leads and from which at least one process pressure discharge line 32 leads. The process pressure supply line 31 is preferably of annular design, as can be seen in fig. 1 and 2. Other shapes are also possible.

The process pressure feed line 31 may be connected to a compressed air source, not shown. The process pressure outlet line 32 can be connected to a blow molding unit, which is likewise not shown. Examples of such blow-molding units are blow molds and blow carriers for holding blanks of plastic bottles.

A switching piston 2 is arranged in the cavity, said switching piston being movable inside the cavity and opening and closing again the connection between the process pressure supply line 31 and the process pressure discharge line 32 by this movement. The switching piston is preferably made of hard plastic or metal, in particular coated metal.

At least one pilot valve controls the movement of the switching piston 2 in the valve housing 1. Here, a first pilot valve 51 is present, which is connected to the cavity of the valve housing 1, more precisely to the first control chamber 40, via a first pilot line, which is referred to here as a first control line or first pilot bore 50. Furthermore, a second pilot valve 61 is present, which is likewise connected to the cavity of the valve housing 1, more precisely to the second control chamber 41, via a second pilot line, which is referred to here as a second control line or a wide pilot opening 60. The pilot valves 51, 61 are preferably two-position three-way valves. Alternatively, instead of two-position three-way valves, a common two-position five-way valve can also be used.

The switching piston 2 is preferably formed in one piece. The switching piston basically has: a piston foot 20; a radially outwardly projecting piston ring 21 disposed on the piston foot, the piston ring having a radially extending, continuous pressure compensation bore 22; a piston neck 23 connected to the piston foot 20; and a piston head 24 adjacent the piston neck. The switching piston 2 is preferably rotationally symmetrical in all these regions, in its entirety.

The cavity of the valve housing 1 tapers in each step toward the piston foot 20 and the piston head 24. Blind holes forming the first and second centers, which form the lower and upper guide rods, respectively, of a hollow cylinder shape, the guide rods having the same diameter. These guide rods are referred to below as upper and lower control guide rods 11, 12.

The piston foot 20 has a lower first end face 200 facing the first control chamber 40. Piston head 24 also has a second end face 240 that faces an upper portion of second control chamber 41. The two end faces 200, 240 form a first and a second control surface, on which the first and the second control pressure of the pilot valves 51, 61 acts. The control pressure is also referred to as the pilot pressure. The two end faces are preferably of the same size. Both control surfaces are preferably rotationally symmetrical and are preferably arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the shifting piston.

The piston foot 20 and the piston head 24 have circumferential first and second sealing rings 90, 91 on their circumference, which bear sealingly against the inner surfaces of the control guide rods 11, 12 and form a lower and an upper dynamic control chamber seal, respectively, during the movement of the switching piston 2. The sealing rings 90, 91 are preferably formed of a suitable soft and resilient material, preferably plastic. The guide diameters of the two dynamic control chamber seals are preferably equally large. The control chamber seal is centrally disposed.

The cavity forms a further guide bar, which is referred to hereinafter as process guide bar 10. The piston ring 21 has a third, encircling sealing ring 92 which bears sealingly against the inner surface of the process guide rod 10 and forms a further dynamic process seal during the movement of the switching piston 2. The piston ring 21 has a circumferential annular groove 212 on its outer lateral surface, which minimizes the volume and thus the weight of the switching piston 2.

The piston ring 21 has a downwardly oriented, annular third end face 210, which forms part of the first active surface of the valve unit, on which the process pressure acts, the third end face 210 is preferably formed flat, the cavity forms a pressure compensation chamber 80 in this region, which maintains a minimum volume even in the open position of the switching piston 2 due to an annular stop element 81 arranged therein, the stop element 81 is preferably formed flexibly and/or flexibly and at the same time serves as a damping element, the stop element preferably has a longitudinal section in the shape of L and is held in a positionally fixed manner in a correspondingly formed receptacle of the valve housing 1.

The piston ring 21 has an upwardly oriented, annular fourth end face 211 which faces the valve chamber 30. The fourth end surface forms part of a second active surface on which the process pressure acts and which reacts with the first active surface. The other mutually opposite faces, which likewise form the active faces, have the reference numerals 213 and 214. The surfaces 210 and 213 form a first active surface, and the surfaces 211 and 214 form a second active surface, which is opposite to the first active surface.

The pressure compensation bore 22 connects the fourth end face 211 with the third end face 210 and ensures pressure compensation. The pressure-effective surface compensates so that the valve closes as independently of the pressure as possible.

The fourth end face 211 is in this example formed in a pot-like manner so as to be curved. The fourth end transitions outwardly into an elevated edge oriented toward piston head 24. The piston ring 21 thus has a sealing gland 25. The gland 25 has an outer lateral surface which forms a straight, i.e. flush, extension of the remaining lateral surface of the cylindrical piston ring 21.

The tip of the gland 25 is designed as a circumferential sealing edge 250 with a minimized material thickness. The inner circumference of the gland 25 runs obliquely, so that the material thickness increases from the sealing edge 250 toward the piston ring 21. The sealing gland is thus formed in a wedge-like manner on its inner circumference. This circumferential sealing edge 250 with a minimized end surface forms a closed ring which, in the closed valve position, forms a static seal between the switching piston 2 and the valve housing 1 in order to interrupt the connection between the process pressure supply line 31 and the process pressure discharge line 32.

The sealing edge 250 has a sealing diameter which corresponds to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal. Furthermore, both are centrally disposed. This prevents: a force dependent on the process pressure acting on the switching piston is generated in the direction of movement.

Preferably, the guide diameter of the two dynamic control chamber seals is smaller than the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal, i.e. as can be seen clearly in fig. 1 and 2, the dynamic control chamber seals are close to the longitudinal mid-axis of the switching piston 2. Preferably, the dynamic process seal is located in the axial direction between the first dynamic control chamber seal and the second dynamic control chamber seal, as can also be clearly seen in fig. 1 and 2. Thereby, the switching piston 2 is optimally guided during its movement.

For this purpose, the valve housing 1 has a corresponding valve seat which is designed as an insert element of the valve housing 1 and is therefore understood as an integral part of the valve housing 1 in this context. The valve seat has a valve seat ring arrangement with an inner valve seat ring 71 and an outer valve seat ring 72, which are preferably connected to each other via a tight fit. The two valve seat rings 71, 72 are preferably made of metal or hard plastic. An annular sealing element 70 is held between the two valve seat rings 71, 72. The sealing element is preferably made of a soft and/or flexible material. Preferably, the sealing element is made of plastic.

The sealing element 70 preferably has a plane-parallel base which merges via a horizontal step into a conically tapering truncated cone. The base is clamped between two valve seat rings 71, 72. The free end of the truncated cone is located in a freely accessible manner between the two valve seat rings 71, 72 and forms the valve seat 700 or the valve seat surface, i.e. the effective valve seat for sealing against the sealing edge 250.

Since the sealing edge 250 is made of a harder material than the valve seat 700, an optimum seal is achieved, which maintains a high pressure inside the cavity or inside the process pressure supply line 31 even when the sealing force is low. For example, a sealing force of 150N is sufficient to maintain a pressure of 40 bar. Thereby, a pilot valve with a relatively small nominal width can be used.

In a review of fig. 1 and 2, it can now be seen that the cavity is divided into various chambers and the mode of action of the valve unit.

In fig. 1, the switching piston 2 is in the closed position of the valve. Sealing edge 250 presses against valve seat 700. The inlet of the process pressure supply line 31 into the valve chamber 30 is closed off in an annular manner. The first pilot valve 51 pressurizes the first control chamber 40 and the second pilot valve 61 switches the second control chamber 41 to ambient pressure, so that the switching piston 2 has moved into the second control chamber 41 and its volume is minimized.

At this time, in order to open the valve, pressure is applied in the second control chamber 41 via the second pilot valve 61. If this pressure is greater than the pressure of the first control chamber 40 or if the pressure there is reduced, the switching piston 2 is pushed downwards. As a result, the sealing edge 250 is moved away from the valve seat 700 and the inlet into the valve chamber 30 is released. Compressed air for blowing out the plastic bottles can enter the valve chamber 30 through the process pressure supply line 31 and from there through the process pressure discharge line 32 to the blanks.

In order to close the valve again, the first control chamber 40 is now pressurized again and the pressure in the second control chamber 41 is reduced to ambient pressure, so that the switching piston 2 moves again toward the second control chamber 41.

Thereby, preferably the first control chamber 40 is filled with compressed air and the second control chamber 41 is emptied, so that the valve is closed. When the valve is open, the first control chamber 40 is emptied and the second control chamber 41 is filled.

In fig. 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the valve unit according to the invention is shown. Like parts are provided with the same reference numerals and are not described in detail here. The valve unit in turn has a valve housing 1 which forms a cavity. The process pressure supply line 31 opens into the cavity, specifically into the valve chamber 30. From which a process pressure outlet line 32 leads. Valve cavity 30 is connected to a pressure compensation chamber 80 via a plurality of pressure compensation bores 22. The pressure compensation bore 22 extends in this example at an angle to the longitudinal center axis of the valve unit, wherein the pressure compensation bore 22 is preferably oriented toward the longitudinal center axis toward the pressure compensation chamber 80. However, the pressure compensation bore 22 of the second exemplary embodiment can also run parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the switching piston, as in the first exemplary embodiment, or the pressure compensation bore of the first exemplary embodiment can likewise run obliquely, as shown here.

In the cavity of the valve housing 1, the valve seat is held in a fixed position by inner and outer valve seat rings 71, 72 and a sealing element 70 arranged therein. The sealing edge 250 rests against the valve seat 700. In this case, the valve seat 700 is preferably significantly larger than the contact surface of the sealing edge 250, so that a slight radial axial displacement of the switching piston 2 also always results in a sealing support. The sealing element 70 is held clamped between the inner and outer valve seat rings 71, 72.

As is clearly visible in fig. 3 and 4, the first and second pilot valves 51, 61 are connected to the first or second control chamber 40, 41 via pilot openings 50, 60.

As in the first exemplary embodiment, the switching piston 2, which is movable in the cavity, is again rotationally symmetrical but of smaller design. The switching piston in this second example has a base body 26 with an H-shaped longitudinal section which forms an upper and a lower receiving opening.

The lower region of the base body 26 widens towards the piston ring 21, which projects radially outwards, as in the first example. The piston ring 21 again has the sealing gland 25 already described, which has a sealing edge 250 serving as a closing surface. The outer diameter of the sealing edge 250 again corresponds to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal.

The lower receiving opening constitutes a first downwardly oriented end face 200. The upper receiving opening constitutes a second upwardly oriented end face 240. The two end faces 200, 240 form first and second control surfaces for controlling the movement of the switching piston 2. Preferably, the two control surfaces are equally large. The lower receiving opening of the base body 26 forms a first control chamber 40, while the upper receiving opening forms a second control chamber 41.

The foot element 27, which is fixed in place relative to the valve housing 1, projects into the lower receiving opening. A head element 28 fixed in place relative to the valve housing 1 projects into the upper receiving opening. The foot element 27 and the head element 28 are penetrated by axially extending first or second control openings 270, 280 which open into first or second guide openings 50, 60 which lead to the first or second guide valves 51, 61. The foot element 27 and the head element 28 are each provided with a circumferential sealing ring 90, 91 of a first or second elastomer type or of another suitable design in order to form a dynamic control seal during the movement of the switching piston 2.

The second embodiment has the following advantages: the service life of the valve unit is longer with respect to the first example. The reproducibility of the switching movement is better so that the valve unit as a whole works more accurately.

In the two embodiments described so far, the first control chamber 40 and the second control chamber 41 are cylindrically formed and are not divided. Furthermore, there are upper and lower dynamic control chamber seals 90, 91 with the same pilot diameter, between which the dynamic process seal 92 and the valve seal are arranged. Other arrangements are possible. Preferably, all embodiments described herein are bi-directional operational, i.e., the inputs and outputs are interchangeable.

In the previous example, the guide diameter of the process seal 92 is greater than the guide diameter of the control chamber seals 90, 91, the guide diameter of the process seal being as large as the diameter of the sealing edge 250.

In the embodiments according to fig. 5 and 6, there are arrangements which are modified with respect to this. The third embodiment is in principle constructed analogously, so that identical parts with the same reference numerals are not described in detail again.

In the third example, the process pressure supply line 31 leads into the valve chamber 30 through a valve seat, to be precise through an inner valve seat ring 71.

The switching piston 2 is again of relatively small design. The switching piston is formed by a base body 29 having a U-shaped longitudinal section, from which piston rings 21 project radially outward. The piston ring 21 has a through hole 22 for connecting the valve chamber 30 to the pressure compensation chamber 80. In this example, the through holes 22 are arranged axially in parallel. However, the through-hole may be provided obliquely.

The piston ring 21 merges into a sealing gland 25 having an annularly closed, circumferential sealing edge 250. In the region of the gland 25, the valve housing 1 has an insertion element in the form of a stationary sealing block 13. The sealing block 13 comprises a third sealing ring 92 which forms a dynamic process seal and which radially seals the gland 25 moving relative to the sealing block 13. The outer diameter of the sealing edge 25 in turn corresponds to the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal.

The piston ring 21 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the gland 25.

The base body 29 forms an upwardly open receptacle, the upwardly oriented bottom surface of which forms the first end face 200 and thus the pressure-loadable surface for the first control chamber 40. The control chamber 400 is thus always of cylindrical design, without an internal interruption. In the valve housing 1, the foot element 27 remains fixed in place and is penetrated by a first control opening 270, which opens into the first guide opening 50 and leads to the first guide valve 51, similarly to the second example. A first sealing ring 90 is arranged on the foot element 27, which sealing ring seals against the inner wall and forms a first dynamic control chamber seal.

The second control chamber 41 is formed in this example in the shape of a ring. The second control chamber is located in the transition region of the piston ring 21 to the gland 25, as is apparent from an overview of fig. 5 and 6. For this purpose, the valve housing 1 forms a corresponding annular groove.

The downwardly oriented circular end face of the piston ring 21 forms a second control surface 240 of the valve control device. The first and second control surfaces 200, 240 are preferably likewise embodied to be large. A second sealing ring 91 is arranged on the piston ring 21, said second sealing ring sealing against a corresponding wall of the seal housing and forming a second dynamic control chamber seal.

The guide diameter of the second dynamic control chamber seal is thus greater in this third example than the guide diameter of the first dynamic control chamber seal. The guide diameter of the dynamic process seal is in the range between these two diameters, wherein the guide diameter of the dynamic process seal is preferably only slightly smaller than or as large as the guide diameter of the second dynamic control chamber seal.

Reference numeral 62 denotes an exhaust opening 62 for exhausting the second control chamber 41.

The valve unit according to this embodiment can be constructed extremely compactly.

The elements, which are also illustrated by black squares in the figures, are static seals between the fixed-in-place parts of the valve unit. The static seal is not provided with its own reference numeral.

The valve units according to the second and third example function in the same way as in the first example and are therefore not further described.

The valve unit according to the invention has a low axial force due to the low sealing force, so that a long service life is achieved with a large number of switching cycles.

List of reference numerals

1 valve housing

10 craft guide rod

11 lower part control guide rod

12 upper control guide rod

13 sealing block

2 switching piston

20 piston foot

200 first end face

21 piston ring

210 third end face

211 fourth end surface

212 annular groove

213 noodles

214 sides

22 pressure compensating orifice

23 piston neck

24 piston head

240 second end face

25 sealing gland

250 sealing edge

26 base body having H-shaped longitudinal section

27 foot element

270 first control aperture

28 head element

280 second control hole

29 base body with a U-shaped longitudinal section

30 valve cavity

31 process pressure input line

32 process pressure output pipeline

40 first control room

41 second control room

50 first guide hole

51 first pilot valve

60 second pilot hole

61 second pilot valve

62 exhaust opening

70 sealing element

700 valve seat

71 internal seat ring

72 external seat ring

80 pressure compensation chamber

81 stop element

90 first seal ring

91 second seal ring

92 third seal ring