Expansion valve

Abstract

The invention relates to an expansion valve ( 10 ), for controlling a fluid flow, having a valve means housing ( 12 ) and at least one valve means ( 16 ), which is movably arranged in a valve means housing ( 12 ), and an actuator housing ( 14 ), in which the electrical drive of the expansion valve ( 10 ) is arranged, wherein the valve means housing ( 12 ) is formed substantially at least in part of a metal, in particular of aluminum, and wherein the actuator housing ( 14 ) is formed substantially at least in part of plastic and wherein the actuator housing ( 14 ) is secured on the valve means housing ( 12 ) by means of at least one connection element ( 40 ). According to the invention, the connection element ( 40 ) is formed at least in part as a latching element and/or clip element.

1 . An expansion valve ( 10 ) for controlling a fluid flow, having a valve housing ( 12 ) and at least one valve member ( 16 ) which is movably arranged in the valve housing ( 12 ), and an actuator housing ( 14 ) configured to house an electric drive of the expansion valve ( 10 ), wherein the valve housing ( 12 ) is substantially formed at least partly of a metal, and wherein the actuator housing ( 14 ) is substantially formed at least partly of plastic, and wherein the actuator housing ( 14 ) is secured on the valve housing ( 12 ) by at least one connecting element ( 40 ) formed at least partly as a latching element and/or clip element. 
     
     
         2 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) has at least a first portion ( 70 ) and a second portion ( 72 ), wherein the first portion ( 70 ) at least partly engages in the valve housing ( 12 ), and wherein the second portion ( 72 ) at least in portions latches to the actuator housing ( 14 ), and wherein the second portion ( 72 ) has a firtree-like toothing ( 74 ) on an outer casing surface of the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the first portion ( 70 ) of the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured so as to be elastic in a circumferential direction. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the second portion ( 72 ) extends substantially in an axial direction ( 18 ), wherein the second portion ( 72 ) is configured so as to be substantially flat and has an inlet chamfer ( 96 ) on a free end facing away from the first portion ( 70 ). 
     
     
         5 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) engages around the valve housing ( 12 ) and the actuator housing ( 14 ) in an axial direction ( 18 ). 
     
     
         6 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured so as to be substantially U-shaped and has at least two legs ( 58 ,  59 ), wherein the legs ( 58 ,  59 ) are arranged substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the legs ( 58 ,  59 ) of the connecting element ( 40 ) each have a free end ( 42   a, b ), wherein clamping protrusions ( 44 ,  45 ) are arranged on each free end ( 42   a, b ) of the connecting element ( 40 ). 
     
     
         8 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that an undercut ( 46 ,  47 ), in which the corresponding clamping protrusion ( 44 ,  45 ) of the connecting element ( 40 ) engages, is arranged on the valve housing ( 12 ) and/or the actuator housing ( 14 ). 
     
     
         9 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured as one piece. 
     
     
         10 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the valve housing ( 12 ) has at least two first openings ( 20 ,  22 ), wherein the valve member ( 16 ) is movably arranged inside the valve housing ( 12 ), and a fluid flow through the openings ( 20 ,  22 ) is definable and changeable depending on the position of the valve member ( 16 ) with respect to the openings ( 20 ,  22 ). 
     
     
         11 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the valve member ( 16 ) is configured to be moved by the electric drive. 
     
     
         12 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve housing ( 12 ) is substantially formed at least partly of aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the first portion ( 70 ) of the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured so as to be elastic in a circumferential direction as an at least partly slotted sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) engages around the valve housing ( 12 ) and the actuator housing ( 14 ) in an axial direction ( 18 ), wherein the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured as a clamping element. 
     
     
         15 . The expansion valve ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting element ( 40 ) is configured as one piece as a punched bent part.