The invention relates to a housing for a gas valve or the like, said housing comprising a first housing portion, which is connected to a second housing portion with the interposition of a flexible sealing element, whereby each housing portion is provided with a substantially circular contact surface, against which the sealing element abuts. A housing of this type may also be used for components for fluid control and fluid power application, whereby there may be a pressure difference between the space within the housing and the ambient atmosphere. Consequently the term gas valve used herein is to be considered as an example of such a component .

A housing of this type comprises two or more housing portions, which together must form a gas-tight or liquid- tight envelope of the component. It is very important, therefore, that the sealing element is capable of providing an adequate seal between the hous.ing portions. In addition to that the seal must be reliable, that is, also when fitted less expertly the seal must meet all the requirements to be made thereof.

With a usual seal, whereby two contact surfaces, between which a flexible sealing element is provided, are pressed together, the magnitude of the press-on force determines the quality of the seal, and it is often difficult to ensure that the required press-on force is applied, in particular when the fitting operation must be carried out without using any special tools.

The object of the invention is to provide a housing whereby an adequate and reliable seal between two housing portions can be provided in an effective and efficient manner.

In order to accomplish that objective the sealing element and/or either one or both contact surfaces are shaped in such a manner that only part of a contact surface is in contact with a part of the surface of the sealing element at the location of the contact surfaces, and the two housing portions are kept a predetermined distance apart by connecting means, so that there will only be local deformation in the part of the sealing element that is located between the contact surfaces. The space between the contact surfaces is not entirely filled with parts of the sealing element, so that the contact surfaces are pressed together with relatively little force, whereby the sealing element is deformed only locally. Small differences in the spacing between the contact surfaces can be readily offset by the sealing element, whereby there will be hardly any variations in the press-on force of the contact surfaces.

In a preferred embodiment the shape of the contact surfaces corresponds with the surface of a cone, in another embodiment the contact surfaces lie in a substantially flat plane.

According to a further aspect of the invention the sealing element is provided with at least one annular rib, which abuts against a contact surface with part of its surface. At the location where the rib surface does not abut against a contact surface, a space is present which may be utilized for the flexible sealing element to deform therein. Although the term rib (singular) will be used hereafter, it is preferred to use more than one rib.

According to a further aspect of the invention the annular rib tapers off from the surface of the sealing element and is oriented towards the central axis of the ring, seen in cross-sectional view. The rib is substantially triangular, seen in the aforesaid cross-sectional view, and the part of the rib that butts against the contact surface can readily deform. Since the rib is slightly oriented towards the central axis, said deformation will take place in radially inward direction. The consequence of this is that any excess pressure prevailing within the housing will make the seal more effective. This will be explained in more detail in the description of the Figures.

According to another aspect of the invention a contact surface is provided with at least one annular rib, which can press into the sealing element locally and thus cause the sealing element to deform locally. Also in this embodiment there is some space locally between the contact surface and the sealing element, seen in a transverse plane of section through the central axis of the housing.

It is preferred to use the housing for a component comprising a membrane, whereby according to one aspect of the invention the sealing element forms part of said membrane. The edge of said membrane thereby forms the sealing element, whilst the other part of the membrane may divide the space within said housing into two parts, for example. The integration of the sealing element and the membrane, which must both have a high degree of flexibility, leads to a considerably simplified construction.

According to another aspect of the invention the connecting means are made up of a clip connection, whereby a spring

clip engages parts of the first housing portion as well as parts of the second housing portion, thereby fixing said portions with respect to each other. In this manner an accurate fixation of the two housing portions relative to each other can be effected in a simple and reliable manner. Preferably said clip consists of a substantially annular metal bar having a circular cross-section, which is capable of abutment against radially oriented stop surfaces of the first and the second housing portions .

According to another aspect of the invention the one housing portion is near its contact surface provided with a groove which is open in radially outward direction, in which groove said clip may be provided, said groove at a number of locations being provided with a recess extending behind said clip, into which connecting parts of the other housing portion can exte-nd, said connecting parts having a hook-shaped part, which is capable of moving the clip against its spring force when the housing portions are brought into abutment with each other, and which is provided with a stop surface which abuts against said clip, thus preventing the housing portions from being moved apart. In this manner the maximum spacing between the contact surfaces is determined, whilst the contact surfaces are kept in their relative positions by the force of the sealing element pressing the contact surfaces apart. This construction of the clip connection will be explained in more detail by means of an embodiment .

In order to be able to position the two housing portions precisely with respect to each other, the connecting parts are according to another aspect of the invention provided with a cylindrical stop surface at their radial inner side, which stop surface surrounds a cylindrical surface of said

one housing portion in the interconnected position of the housing portions.

The invention furthermore relates to components which are provided with the above-described housing and to a method for connecting two housing portions together, as will be defined in the claims. Further aspects of the invention, which may be used separately as well as in combination with each other, are described with reference to the Figures and defined in the claims.

Hereafter a few embodiments of a housing of a gas valve will be described by way of illustration with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the gas valve;

Figure 2 is a side view -of the gas valve;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the gas valve;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the gas valve; Figure 5 shows an alternative valve body;

Figure 6 shows a detail indicated at VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a gas valve;

Figure 8 shows a detail indicated at VIII in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the valve body of the second embodiment;

Figure 10 shows a detail indicated at X in Figure 9;

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the valve body of the second embodiment; and

Figure 13 shows a detail of another embodiment.

The Figures are merely schematic representations of the embodiments, whereby like parts are numbered alike in the various Figures.

Figure 1 shows the various parts of the gas valve in sectional view. The gas valve comprises a housing which consists of a valve housing 1 and a cover 2. Valve housing 1 thereby comprises a gas inlet 3 and a gas outlet 4. Both openings are provided with connecting means, so that gas pipes can be connected thereto. In the illustrated embodiment said means consist of internal screw thread in openings 3, 4, so that the end of an externally threaded pipe can be screwed into said openings . By suitably selecting the appropriate shape of the screw thread or by interposing a sealing element a gas-tight seal can be obtained.

In the position of the gas valve shown in Figure 1 said gas valve is closed, in which position a valve member 5 butts against the valve seat 6. Valve seat 6 is formed in such a manner that the gas resi-stance is minimal in the open position of the valve. Preferably valve seat 6 is designed to have a relatively large radius thereby, and valve member 5 forms a seal thereon in such a manner that the annular mating surface between valve member 5 and valve seat 6 lies on a cone surface.

Valve member 5 is connected to a membrane 7, which is fixed between the valve housing 1 and the cover 2 at its outside edge. The membrane 7 is flexible to such an extent that valve member 5 can be lifted off valve seat 6, so that a free passage of gas from gas inlet 3 to gas outlet 4 is realized. The housing 1 is provided with three guide bars 8 (only one being shown) , which guide the valve member 5 during its movement.

In the embodiment according to Figure 1 the underside of membrane 7 is in direct contact with the gas inlet 3, so

that the gas supply pressure is prevalent on this side of the membrane. A control chamber 9 is formed on the other side of the membrane 7, which control chamber 9 is connected to the gas inlet by means of a throttle channel 10. The cover 2 is furthermore provided with a connecting opening 11, via which said control chamber can be connected to a control unit (not shown) . Said control unit (not shown) is capable of closing connecting opening 11, so that no gas can be displaced through connecting opening 11, whilst said control unit is furthermore capable of allowing gas to escape from control chamber 9 via connecting opening 11 in order to open the gas valve.

The operation of the gas valve shown in Figure 1 is as follows. As long as the passage of gas via connecting opening 1 is blocked, the gas valve will be closed because valve member 5 butts aga-inst valve seat 2. The gas supply pressure in gas inlet 3 is thereby higher than the gas pressure in gas outlet . The gas supply pressure is prevalent not only in gas inlet 3 and at the bottom side of membrane 7, but also in control chamber 9, which control chamber is connected to said gas inlet by means of throttle channel 10. As long as connecting opening 11 is closed, the resultant of the forces exerted on the membrane and the valve member will be directed downwards, as a result of which the gas valve will remain closed. The gas valve can be opened by allowing gas to escape from control chamber 9 via connecting opening 11, so that the gas pressure in control chamber 9 falls out. The resultant of the force exerted on the membrane and the valve member will be directed upwards thereby. The amount of gas that can be supplied via throttle channel 10 will thereby be insufficient to build up sufficient pressure in control chamber 9, so that the gas supply pressure prevailing at

the bottom side of the membrane 7 will cause the gas valve to remain open until the discharge of gas via connecting opening 11 is stopped, so that a pressure will build up in control chamber 9 again as a result of gas being supplied to control chamber 9 via throttle channel 10, which pressure will cause the gas valve to close.

The control unit which is connected to connecting opening

11 may be a magnetic valve, which is connected directly to connecting opening 11. It is also possible for several gas valves to be controlled by a central control unit, so that a gas pipe to said central control unit is connected to connecting opening 11.

Figure 2 is a side view of the gas valve according to Figure 1, and Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Valve member 5 is attached to membrane 7 in that membrane 7 is fitted in a radially outward groove of valve member 5. Membrane 7 is to that end provided with a circular hole in the central part thereof, whereby the edge of said hole extends into groove 12. The fitting of membrane 7 in groove

12 can take place by deformation of membrane 7, which is made of a flexible material. The hole in membrane 7 may also be sufficiently large to enable placing valve member 5 without said hole being expanded, whereby the valve member 5 is provided on membrane 7 with some play.

Since the fixation of membrane 7 between valve body 1 and cover 2 does not take place in a flat plane, but slightly obliquely, that is, according to the surface of a cone, the membrane is given a certain bias, which will keep the valve in its closed position when there is no pressure difference within the gas valve. Membrane 7 is fitted between valve

housing 1 and cover 2 with some play, that is, the distance between valve housing 1 and cover 2 is slightly larger than the thickness of the membrane. As is shown in more detail in Figure 13, the fixing and sealing of the membrane may take place in that valve housing 1 and/or cover 2 are provided with one or more edges 13, 14, which are slightly pressed into the surface of membrane 7. In this manner an adequate fixation and an adequate seal are obtained with a predetermined position of cover 2 with respect to valve housing 1, without cover 2 and valve housing 1 being pressed together with a certain force.

Cover 2 is connected to valve housing 1 by means of a clip 15, which clip 15 substantially consists of a resilient annular round bar. Clip 15 is fitted in a radially outward groove 16 of the housing 1, which groove 16 comprises three segments of a circle, as- is shown in particular in Figure 4. Clip 15 is retained within said groove 16, whereby at least one side wall of groove 16 forms a radial stop surface. Cover 2 is provided with a connecting part 17, which is likewise divided into three segments of a circle, which connecting part 17 may extend behind clip 15 when cover 2 is mounted on valve housing 1. Connecting part 17 has a hook-shaped part 12 comprising a sloping surface, which is capable of pushing clip 15 away against its spring force when cover 2 is being pressed on valve body 1. Connecting part 17 furthermore comprises a radially oriented stop surface, which butts against clip 16 in the position in which cover 2 is mounted on valve body 1. At the inner side the three parts of connecting part 17 form parts of a cylindrical stop surface, which is capable of abutment against corresponding parts of valve body 1, so that cover 2 is properly positioned with respect to valve body 1.

In this manner cover 2 is mounted on valve body 1 in a simple but highly effective manner, whereby clip 15 is first mounted on valve housing 1, after which cover 2 can be moved into position and snap down there. Furthermore cover 2 can be removed from valve housing 1 in a simple manner by removing clip 15 by means of a screwdriver, after which cover 2 can be detached from valve housing 1. Recesses 18 are provided in order to make it possible to remove clip 15, into which recesses the end of a screwdriver can be inserted. With the above-described clip connection cover 2 can be mounted on valve body 1 and be removed therefrom by hand, without using special tools, whilst an adequate seal is maintained. The sealing action of sealing element 7 will be retained as a result of the small amount of deformation thereof.

As is apparent in particular from Figure 1, the use of valve member 5 makes it possible to fit the valve seat centrally in the valve housing at the desired location, whilst the membrane 7 may be fitted near the cover 2, in order to obtain a control chamber having a minimum volume. The use of the valve member furthermore makes it possible to effect an optimum through-flow of the gas, because there is a large degree of freedom in selecting the shape of the valve seat.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of valve member 5 and membrane 7, whereby membrane 7 has a circumferential edge formed with ribs 21, as is shown on a larger scale in Figure 6. Said ribs 21 extend on either side of the membrane 7 and taper off from the membrane, seen in cross- sectional view. Ribs 21 thereby slope in the direction of the central axis of valve member 5, so that a gas pressure within valve body 1 will press the ribs 21 against parts of

valve body 1 and cover 2 in such manner as to form a seal when the edge of membrane 7 is present between said parts . This will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 8.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the gas valve, wherein the valve body, which comprises membrane 7 as well as valve member 5, is integrally made of the same material, preferably plastic material. The part of the valve body which forms membrane 7 is relatively thin-walled, in order to obtain the required flexibility, whilst the part of the valve body which forms valve member 5 has a thicker wall and is moreover provided with strengthening ribs 20.

Figure 8 is a detailed view of the manner in which the circumferential edge of membrane 7 is clamped between valve housing 1 and cover 2. The edge of membrane 7 thereby fits in a chamber present between valve housing 1 and cover 2, whereby four ribs 21, two on either side of the membrane near the edge of membrane 7, are slightly deformed, so that an adequate fixation of the membrane is obtained.

Membrane 7 is thereby confined with a certain bias. Since the ribs 21 taper off from membrane 7, seen in sectional view, and extend obliquely in the direction of valve member 5 (see also Figure 10), the deformation during the fixation will be such that the sealing action of ribs 21 is reinforced as a result of the gas pressure within the valve body. The force with which valve housing 1 and cover 2 are pressed together may remain limited thereby, such that the joining of valve housing 1 and cover 2 may be done by hand without using any auxiliary means. In addition to that the sealing action is not sensitive to small variations in the spacing between valve housing 1 and cover 2, as a result of

which the above-described clip connection may be used without any problem.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of valve body 5, 7, which shows that at least part of the membrane 7 is substantially conical in its stable form. Because the valve body 5, 7 more or less has this stable form in the closed condition of the valve, it has become apparent in practice that no additional means such as guide bars 8 are required for guiding the valve member 5. Membrane 7 provides the guiding of valve member 5 during the closing of the valve.

Figure 10 is a view of the edge of membrane 7, showing the ribs 21, two on either side of the membrane. The ribs 21 are preferably obliquely oriented and tapered, seen in cross-sectional view. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the valve body -5, 7, wherein the throttle channel 10 and the ribs 20 can be clearly distinguished.

The embodiments described above are to be considered as examples, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who have studied the invention that many variations in using the invention are possible.