The invention relates to a thermostatic valve for a fluid circulation circuit. It also relates to a method of manufacturing such a thermostatic valve.
The invention is concerned more specifically to thermostatic valves sleeve, that is to say, the valves within the housing where the flow of fluid between inlet and outlet ports is controlled by a sleeve whose displacement is controlled by a thermostatic element biased by the fluid temperature.
Pinch valves are widely used in cooling systems associated with internal combustion engines high displacement, including equipping trucks and some cars, for which the coolant flows necessary for their operation are higher than those found for combustion engines of smaller displacements for which the thermostatic valves used are generally valve. Indeed, the use of a sleeve generally allows to have a balanced shutter says, that is to say a shutter for which the difference of pressures prevailing on either side of the sleeve walls is substantially zero sleeve according to the moving direction of the thermostatic element, this direction being parallel practice to the central axis of the sleeve. In contrast, in a thermostatic valve flap, the latter extending in a plane perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the valve by the thermostatic element, so that the difference in pressure prevailing on either side of the valve this direction reaches high values, especially when the fluid flow is interrupted by the valve. The energy required to remove the valve seat then proves often important, and even more so that the fluid flow rates to control are important.

To link kinematically to the housing part of the thermostatic element intended to remain fixed, one can use a bracket, that is to say a rigid piece which, without deformation, passes between the housing and said part of the element Temperature stress retention position generated during operation of the valve, especially during deployment and the return part of the thermostatic element kinematically connected to the sleeve. This bracket can be fixed easily and efficiently with the thermostat, for example by fitting, crimping, welding, etc., but the fixing of the bracket to the casing, generally made of plastic, is more problematic: in particular due the presence of the sleeve, as well as

assembly constraints of the valve, the yoke is often secured to the housing by snap or by means of similar installations, which should be arranged outside the geometric envelope defined by the outer lateral face of the sleeve, which considerably increases the outer diameter of the valve, and which run the risk of inadvertent detachment of the bracket during the initial installation of the valve, its use and / or maintenance.

It will be noted that the bracket mentioned above should not be confused with the stirrups, which are envisaged for example in WO 2016/016219 and FR 2993036, which are hung on the housing not to bind kinematically thereto Part of the thermostatic element intended to remain fixed, but to directly absorb the forces generated by a compressed spring provided to bias towards one another the fixed part and the movable part of the thermostatic element.

The purpose of the present invention to provide a thermostatic valve sleeve, which is more compact and safer.

To this end, the invention relates to a thermostatic valve for a fluid circulation circuit, as defined in claim 1.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a thermostatic valve for a fluid circulation circuit, in particular of the valve as defined above, said method being as defined in claim 12.

Thus, the valve yoke according to the invention fixedly connects to one another the thermostatic element and the housing, extending inside the sleeve. More precisely, in the sleeve of the position along its central axis controlled by the thermostatic element, at least a portion of the yoke is disposed within the sleeve, the rest of the stirrup emerging from one axial end the sleeve extending parallel to the central axis of the sleeve. Moreover, at its end facing the housing, the stirrup is attached, by plastic deformation, to a dedicated housing part, said attachment part: once this bracket end is plastically deformed, the bracket is locked to the fastening portion of the housing, that is to say it is retained in irreversibly heading, except to try to deform back the end of the yoke in an attempt to restore a similar configuration to its original undeformed configuration. In other words, thanks to the plastic deformation of its end in order to fix the latter to the attachment portion of the housing, the bracket is fixed so dismantled compared to fastening closure arrangements "simple", that is to -dire by collision between the parts do not involve significant deformation of these parts. The valve according to the invention thus proves to be both compact and safe, in that the fixation of a bracket to the housing based on improvements which are both included within the geometric envelope defined by the inner side of the sleeve and non-dischargeable or inadvertent mishandling during installation, operation and maintenance of the valve.

Additional advantageous characteristics of the valve and / or process according to the invention are specified in dependent claims.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description given purely by way of example and with reference to the drawings:

- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a valve according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preassembled assembly which is part of the valve of Figure 1;

- Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figure 1 showing the valve in respective operating states which are different from each other and different from the shown operational state in Figure 1;

- Figures 5 and 6 are sections respectively according to the line VV in Figure 1 and VI-VI of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bracket belonging to the valve of Figure 1;

- Figures 8 to 10 illustrate three successive stages in a manufacturing process of the valve of Figure 1, the left half of these Figures 8 to 10 being an elevational view of the preassembled unit of Fig 1 while the right half of these figures is a sectional view of this assembly in the plane of Figure 5; and

- figures 1 1 to 13 are perspective views, partly in section, of a portion of respective variants of the valve of Figure 1, in accordance with the invention.

In Figures 1-6 there is shown a valve 1.

As is clearly visible in Figure 1, the valve 1 comprises a housing 10 including a main body 1 which defines one of the fluid passage openings 12, 13 and 14 all opening into an internal chamber 15 of the housing 10. The valve 1 is provided for use in a fluid circulation circuit, such a circuit, by circulating a coolant to cool a body involved in the propulsion of a vehicle such as a truck or a car of strong cars. At least one of the orifices 12, 13 and 14 allows fluid to enter the interior of the housing 10 to feed the internal chamber 15, while at least one other of these orifices 12, 13 and 14 allows the fluid out of the housing 10, by removing its chamber 15.

By way of example illustrated by the arrows F1, F2 and F3 plotted in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the orifice 12 is an inlet through which fluid enters the inner chamber 15 of housing 10, as indicated by the arrow F1, while the ports 13 and 14 are outlet ports through which fluid exits the chamber 15 respectively as indicated by arrows F2 and F3. Means a detailed regulation thereafter, the fluid flowing into the chamber 15 from the inlet port 12, out of this chamber 15:

- either entirely through the outlet port 13 as in Figure 1, being sent directly to a first member provided on the circulation circuit, in particular a body to be cooled by the fluid,

- either entirely through the outlet port 14 as in Figure 4, being sent first to a second member provided on the circulation circuit, in particular a heat exchanger which cools the fluid, such as a radiator, then, if necessary, to said first member, and

- either in part by the outlet port 13 and the remainder through the outlet orifice 14, as in Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 10 further includes a plug 16 which is fixedly reported to the main body 1 1 so as to sealingly close the chamber 15. Advantageously, for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, the attachment the stopper 16 of the main body 1 1 is removable, the cap 16 can thus be off vis-à-vis the main body 1 1 in order to open the chamber 15. in practice, the embodiment for fixing the plug 16 the main body 1 1 is not exhaustive.

To regulate the flow of fluid through the housing 10 between the orifices 12, 13 and

14, the valve 1 comprises a sleeve 20 which, as clearly visible in Figure 2, has a generally tubular shape, which is centered on an axis XX and which in the embodiment considered here has a circular base. Sleeve 20 thus has two opposite axial ends 20A and 20B, which are each open in the direction of the axis XX and which are connected to each other by a solid cylindrical skirt 21 of the sleeve 20, centered on the axis XX.

For convenience, the following description is directed Whereas the XX axis is vertical, with the end 20A of the sleeve 20 facing upward while its end 20B facing down.

The sleeve 20 is mounted to slide along its axis XX inside the housing

10, being received in the chamber 15 by being slidably guided by a cylindrical wall 17 of the main body 1 1, which cylindrical wall 17 surrounding the skirt 21 fittingly and sealingly. The orifices 13 and 14 are located on either side along the axis XX of the cylindrical wall 17, the orifice 13 being located above the latter, while the orifice 14 is located below the cylindrical wall 17. Similarly, the chamber 15 is distributed, axially on either side of the cylindrical wall 17 in an upper part and a lower part: the end 20B of the sleeve 20 is located in the lower part of the chamber 15, the port 12 opening into the lower part; the end 20A of the sleeve 20 is located in the upper part of the chamber 15 and the upper part is closed by the plug 16, the latter being advantageously aligned with the sleeve 20 along the axis XX.

The sleeve 20 is movable between a lowered position, shown in Figure 1, and an upper position, shown in Figure 4, passing through an intermediate position, shown in Figure 3. When the sleeve 20 is in the low position of Figure 1, the skirt 21 closes the port 14 while leaving open the orifice 13 so that fluid admitted through port 12 in the lower part of the chamber 15, flows inside the skirt 21 to the upper part of the chamber 15 before reaching the orifice 13. When the sleeve 20 is in the upper position of Figure 4, the skirt 21 closes the port 13 while leaving open the orifice 14 so that the fluid admitted through the orifice 12 in the lower part of chamber 15 goes directly to the orifice 14. When the sleeve 20 is in the intermediate position of Figure 3, the skirt 21 leaves open the openings 13 and 14 , so that the fluid admitted through the orifice 12 in the lower part of the chamber 15 Rejo int both orifices 13 and 14.

To move the sleeve 20 along the axis XX between low, intermediate and high, and therefore for controlling the control sleeve of this action on the flow of fluid through the housing 10 between the orifices 12, 13 and 14, the valve 1 comprises a thermostatic element 30. as is known per se and shown only schematically in figures 1 and 3 to 5, the thermostatic element 30 comprises a heat-sensitive part 31 and a movable portion 32 which is movable with respect to the thermosensitive portion 31 in translation along a translation axis which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, is substantially merged with the axis XX. The heat-sensitive portion 31, which typically includes a metal cup, contains a heat expandable material, such as wax, and is disposed on the flow of fluid in the casing 10 between the openings 12, 13 and 14. In the example of embodiment considered in the figures, the heat sensitive portion 31 is arranged substantially at the level of the inlet 12. the movable part 32, which typically includes a piston retracts and expands vis-à-vis the thermosensitive portion 31, by translation along the axis XX at a volume variation of the heat expandable material contained in the thermosensitive portion 31. Thus, under the effect of expansion of the heat expandable material, the movable portion 32 unfolds in translation with respect to the heat sensitive part 31, while, during a contraction of the heat expandable material, the movable part 32 s' retracted in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion 31 under the action of a return spring 40 which, in the assembled state of the valve 1, is interposed, in a compressed state along the axis XX, between the movable part 32 and the housing 10.

Within the valve 1 seen in the figures, the movable portion 32 overcomes the thermosensitive portion 31, the axial end of the movable portion 32 which emerges and spreads vis-à-vis the temperature-sensitive part 31, as being its high end. In addition, the heat-sensitive portion 31 of the thermostatic element 30 is cinematically connected to the housing 10 by a bracket 50 to be presented in more detail later. The movable portion 32 is kinematically linked to the sleeve 20. It is understood that the relative movements between the thermosensitive portions 31 and mobile 32 of the thermostatic element 30 controls the movement of the sleeve 20 along the axis XX relative to the housing 10.

As is clearly visible in Figures 1 and 5, the connection between the mobile part 32 of the thermostatic element 30 and the sleeve 20 is, in the example considered here, realized by cooperation of shapes between the end of the mobile part high 32 and a connecting nozzle 22 which is internally and rigidly provided with the sleeve 20. to this end, the connecting piece 22 comprises a blind hole 23 which is centered on the axis XX and which axially receives the upper end of the movable part 32, with axial support of the top end against the bottom of the housing 23. Furthermore, the connecting cap 22 includes legs 24 which rigidly connect the housing 23 to the skirt 21, extending transversely to the axis XX as shown in figures 1, 5 and 6, these legs 24 are evenly distributed about the axis XX, being provided in quadruplicate in the embodiment seen in FIGS.

The axial support between the high end of the movable portion 32 and the connecting projection 22 is held under the effect of the return spring 40, the latter being arranged axially compressed by pressing downwardly against the end piece connection 22 and relying axially upwardly against the cap 16. Advantageously, as in the example considered here, the top end of the spring 40 cooperates with complementary shapes includes features of the underside of the plug 16 and , likewise, the bottom end of the spring 40 cooperates with complementary shapes includes features of the upper face of the connecting piece 22, so as to center the spring 40 on the axis XX.

The yoke 50, which, as mentioned above, kinematically links the housing 10 and the thermosensitive portion 31 is shown alone and not yet assembled to the rest of the valve 1 in Figure 7. As is clearly visible in this Figure 7, as well that as shown in figures 1 and 5, the yoke 50 comprises, at the bottom, a ring gear 51. In the exemplary embodiment considered here, the rim 51 surrounds the thermosensitive portion 31 and is secured thereto by any suitable means, for example by fitting,

by welding, by crimping, by clipping, etc. In practice, the embodiment of the crown 51 and the embodiment of the connection between this ring and the thermosensitive portion 31 are not restrictive of the invention, provided that, in the assembled state of the valve 1 and when the valve regulates the flow of fluid between the ports 12, 13 and 14 by moving the sleeve 20, the yoke 50 is kinematically linked to the thermosensitive portion 31.

Moreover, as clearly visible in Figures 5 to 7, the yoke 50 comprises two arms 52 which each extend in length upwardly from the crown 51 and which are diametrically opposed along the periphery of this crown. Each arm 52 and includes, sequentially along its longitudinal direction, a lower end 52A, a main part 52B and an upper end 52C.

The lower end 52A of each arm 52 fixedly connects the arm rest 52 to the rim 51. This lower end 52A is in particular secured rigidly to the ring 51, for example by being formed integrally with a portion of this ring, as in the example in FIGS. That said, other embodiments are possible for the fixed connection of the lower end 52A of each arm 52 to the crown 51, in particular taking account of the embodiment of this ring 51. In any case, through the crown 51 or functionally similar part of the yoke 50, the lower end 52A of each arm 52 is in the assembled state of the valve 1, kinematically linked to the thermosensitive portion 31 of the thermostatic element.

The main portion 52B of each arm 52 connects to each other the lower and upper ends 52A of the arm 52C. According to a practical embodiment, which is implemented in the example considered here, the main portion 52B is in the form of a plate which is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the arm and which is planar. In the assembled state of the valve 1, the main portion 52B of each arm 52 extends lengthwise parallel to the axis XX, and in the embodiment considered here, the plate forming the main part 52B is arranged orthoradial to the axis XX, as shown in figures 2 and 5. in addition, the arms 52 are, at least in the lower region of its running part 52B arranged inside the sleeve 20, being arranged according a peripheral direction about the axis XX, arranged between the legs 24 of the connecting tip 22.

The upper end 52C of each arm 52 is designed to fix the arm to the housing 10, by locking to the latter by plastic deformation of at least a portion of the upper end 52C. For this purpose, in the embodiment considered here, each end 52C comprises or consists of:

- a body 53, which is arranged in the longitudinal extension of the main portion 52B of the corresponding arm 52 and which in particular has a planar shape forming a rectilinear upward extension of the plate constituting the main portion 52B;

- two blades 54 which, as clearly visible in Figures 6 and 7, are projecting on either side of the body 53, extending respectively from opposite side edges of the body 53, it being noted that for reasons which will appear below, each vane 54 is, by plastic deformation, foldable towards the axis XX relative to the body 53, and advantageously about a folding axis ZZ parallel to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding arm 52; and

- a tongue 55 which, as clearly visible in Figures 5 and 7, extends upwardly body 53 in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding arm 52, this tongue 55 thus projecting upwardly from the upper edge of body 53.

According to a practical embodiment, which is also implemented in the example in the figures, each arm 52 is formed as a single piece, in particular metallic. More generally, the yoke 50 is preferably formed as a part of a single piece, made in particular from a metal sheet which is shaped by cutting and folding and / or embossing.

In the assembled state of the valve 1, the upper end 52C of each arm 52 is attached to a dedicated attachment portion 18 of the housing 10, which is advantageously carried by the cap 16. As shown in Figures 5 and 6 this attachment portion 18 includes, for each arm 52, a wall 18.1 for placing appropriately the body 53 of the corresponding upper end 52C vis-à-vis the attachment portion 18. specifically, this placement wall 18.1 comprises a main face 18.1 a, which is facing away from the axis XX and which is covered by the body wall 53. the placement of 18.1 also has two opposite side edges 18.1 B which laterally border the main face 18.1 A: in the assembled state of the valve 1, the fins 54 are, due to their bending towards the axis XX relative to the body 53, respectively folded against the side edges 18.1 B. As clearly seen in 6, the fins 54 of each arm 52 thus enclose, in a direction orthoradial to the axis XX, the lateral edges 18.1 B of the corresponding placement of wall 18.1. Furthermore, in its lower region, the fastening part 18 includes, for each blade 54 of each arm 52, a flange 18.2 which is arranged projecting from the lower axial end of the corresponding lateral flange 18.1 and B, as shown in Figure 6 and as clearly visible in the left half of Figure 10 which will be described in detail later, forms an axial stop down to the corresponding fin 54 when the latter is in its folded configuration associated with the assembled state of the valve 1. Moreover, in its upper region, the attachment portion 18 defines, for each arm 52, a recess 18.3, which opens axially downwards and which is complementary to the tongue 55 of the corresponding arm 52: in the assembled state of the valve 1, the aforementioned tongue 55 is inserted axially into the housing 18.3 so as to position the body 53 covering the main face A of 18.1 placement wall 18.1, as well visible in Figure 5.

Thus, in the assembled state of the valve 1, each arm 52 mechanically connects, through the interior of sleeve 20, the heat sensitive portion 31 of the thermostatic element 30 to the attachment portion 18 of the housing 10.

Other characteristics and interests of the yoke 50, in particular from the upper end 52C of its arm 52, also emerge from the description below of an example of a valve 1 of the manufacturing process, illustrated by figures 8 to 10.

Figures 8 to 10 as well as Figure 2 show a set containing all the hitherto described components of the valve 1, with the exception of the main body 1 1 of the housing 10. In Figures 8 and 9, the components of this assembly are being assembled, while in figures 2 and 10, the components of this assembly are assembled to each other, the assembly can then be handled in one piece, as a set pre-assembled in order to finalize the manufacture of the valve 1.

Before the sub-assembly state shown in Figure 8, the heat-sensitive parts 31 and mobile 32 of the thermostatic element 30 are respectively assembled to the yoke 50 and sleeve 20, so as to establish the kinematic connections between these components, as described above. In contrast, as shown in Figure 8, the plug 16 is not yet assembled to the yoke 50, however being noted that the return spring 40 is already placed between the connecting piece 22 and the stopper 16 with manner centered on the axis XX.

Note that obtaining the preassembled, as shown in Figure 8, requires arranging the arm 52 inside the sleeve 20: to this end, the yoke 50 is inserted axially inside the sleeve 20 through the lower end 20B of the sleeve, while making sure to place the arm 52 between the legs 24 of the connecting projection 22. in particular, it is understood that the upper ends 52C of the arms 52 may interfere with the legs 24 axially when the ends 52C progresses, inside the sleeve 20, from its lower end 20B towards its upper end 20A: means positioning the relative adjustment angle between the bracket 50 and the sleeve 20, then passing the arm 52 between the legs 54, thereby preventing their axial interference, provided that, as clearly visible in Figure 6, each of the angled portions a, which are respectively

occupied about the axis XX, through the upper edges 52C of the arms 52 and are maximum at the fins 54, is then distinct angular portions respectively occupied β around the axis XX, by the branches 24.

In order to link kinematically the thermosensitive portion 31 to the stopper 16, the method provides to implement two successive stages, the respective results are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

The first step is to arrange the arms 52 of the yoke 50 so that the longitudinal direction of each of these arms is substantially parallel to the axis XX and that each of these arms extends from the inside of the sleeve 20 , the thermosensitive portion 31 to the attachment portion 18. in practice, the embodiment of this first stage begins with the link bracket 50 and the thermosensitive portion 31, typically by means of the ring 51 and then by adjusting the positioning between the yoke 50 and the stopper 16 so as to position the upper end 52C of each arm 52 substantially at the axial level and facing the attachment portion 18, as shown by comparison between figures 8 and 9. This position adjustment is facilitated by the introduction of the tongue 55 of each upper end 52C in the corresponding housing 18.3 of the attachment portion 18.

The second step is to fix and lock each arm 52 to the attachment portion 18 by plastically deforming the fins 54, by folding about the folding axis corresponding ZZ. By comparing Figures 9 and 10, it is understood that the implementation of the second step led to pass, by bending towards the axis XX, each flap 54 of a mounting configuration, the fin initially occupies and wherein the fin does not interfere with the axially from fastener 18 during the implementation of said first step, and a locking configuration, that occupies the fin at the end of the second stage and which this fin abuts axially downwardly against the corresponding edge 18.2 of the attachment portion 18.

In practice, the folding of the fins 54 between the mounting pattern and locking configuration is performed by any suitable tool, this folding being facilitated by the conformation of the corresponding placement of wall 18.1, in the sense that by covering the major face 18.1 A placement of this wall 18.1, the body 53 of the top end 52C of the corresponding arm 52 is stabilized with respect to the attachment portion 18 upon application of bending stress, while at the same time , each vane 54 is guided by folding against the corresponding lateral edge 18.1 B of this placement of wall 18.1. As an advantageous option, each fin 54 is in the mounted configuration, arched towards the axis XX, that is to say slightly bent in the direction of this axis XX, in particular around the folding axis corresponding ZZ

as shown in Figure 7: the folding of the fin to move from its mounting configuration to its locking configuration is facilitated and made reliable.

More generally, by providing, at the upper end 52C of each arm 52, attachment means of the arm in the fastening part 18 designed to be locked to the latter by plastic deformation of at least part of these fixing means such as the fins 54, it is understood that the attachment of arm 52 to the housing 10 combines compactness and safety, in that, firstly, these fastening means have a low profile, which allows to connect the thermosensitive portion 31 to the attachment portion 18 from inside the sleeve 20, and, secondly, the fixing is obtained irremovable because of the irreversibility of the plastic deformation, which makes the bracket screw unremovable -to-16 screw cap.

Once it has all pre-assembled as shown in Figures 2 and 10, this assembly is manipulated in one piece so as to be introduced into the chamber 15 of the housing 10, to close this chamber by the plug 16. this gives the valve 1 as shown in figures 1 and 3 to 6.

Various arrangements and variants to the thermostatic valve 1 described so far, as well as its manufacturing process are possible elsewhere. Examples:

- the relative disposition of ports 12, 13 and 14 is not limited to that shown, but may instead meet different requirements of integration within a fluid flow circuit; thus, the main body 1 1 can for example be an integral part of components of the circulation circuit, such as the body of a pump or a dispenser housing;

- Similarly, the valve 1 is used in circuits of movement whose direction of flow are different from those shown by the arrows F1, F2 and F3 in Figures 1, 3 and 4; for example, rather than providing an inlet and two fluid outlets, two inlets and an outlet, or one intake and one discharge can be envisaged;

- in the extension of the two foregoing, in particular based on the integration of the valve characteristics in a circulation circuit, it may be envisaged to control moving the sleeve 20 up to a service position, wherein the axial end 20A of the sleeve is pressed against the stopper 16, as shown in figures 1 1 to 13; in other words, in this case, the face of the stopper 16 facing the chamber 15 has a seat 16A for axial support of the end 20A of the sleeve 20; this support is sealed either by cooperation of shapes between the axial end 20A of the sleeve 20 and the seat 16A of the cap 16 as in Figures 1 1 and 12, or by interposition of a seal 60, such that an insert ring seal or a molded lining, as shown in Figure 13; in practice, this arrangement may require the integration, within the valve 1, an overtravel system, known per se, which accommodates the relative deployment of the movable part 32 vis-à-vis the thermosensitive portion 31 of the thermostatic element 30, beyond their deployment configuration controlling the support sleeve 20 against the stopper 16;

- the number of arms 52 of the bracket 50 is not limiting; where appropriate, even if the bracket 50 comprises a plurality of arms, one of them may be provided functionally similar to arm 52 described heretofore; similarly, the yoke 50 may comprise more than two respectively similar arm to arm 52 described so far;

- the number and embodiment of the fins 54 are not limitative as long as, at the top end 52C of the or each arm 52, a portion of this upper end is plastically deformable relative to the rest of the arm 52 in order to fixedly lock the attachment portion 18 of the housing 10; and or

- instead of linking kinematically the thermosensitive portion 31 of the thermostatic element to the housing 10 and kinematically linking the movable part 32 of the thermostatic element to the sleeve 20, these kinematic connections may be reversed; this means that it is then for instance the movable part 32 which is fixedly connected to the housing 10 while the sleeve 20 is driven in displacement by the thermosensitive portion 31; this design reversal can be obtained from the valve 1 in question so far by reversing the orientation of the thermostatic element 30, the heat sensitive part 31 is then rotated upwardly while the movable part 32 is turned downward .

CLAIMS
1. - Thermostatic valve (1) for a fluid circulation circuit, the valve comprising:
- a housing (10) which is provided with openings (12, 13, 14) for passage of a fluid circulation circuit and inside which flows the fluid between the ports,

- a sleeve (20) the flow control of the fluid in the housing between the ports, wherein the sleeve defines a central axis (XX) and is movable relative to the housing along this central axis,

- a thermostatic element (30) which comprises both a thermosensitive portion

(31) containing a heat-expandable material and disposed on the fluid flow in the housing between the ports, and a movable part (32) movable in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion substantially along the central axis (XX) under the effect of expansion of the heat expandable material,

a first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30) from its heat-sensitive and movable parts, being kinematically connected to the housing (10) by a bracket (50) while the second portion (32) of the thermostatic element is kinematically connected to the sleeve (20) so that displacements between the movable and heat-sensitive parts of the thermostatic control element, by moving the sleeve according to the central axis, the control action of the sleeve on the fluid flow in the housing between the ports (12, 13, 14),

characterized in that the bracket (50) comprises at least one arm (52):

- here Irish en longueur de manière sensiblement parallèle in the central alignment (XX), - relie here, by the lack of Manchon (20), the première partie (31) of the thermostatic loop (30) at partie d'attache (18) du boîtier (10), and

- which, at its longitudinal end (52C) ​​opposite the first part of the thermostatic element, is provided with means (53, 54, 55) for fastening to the fastening portion, said fastening means being adapted to lock to the attachment portion by plastic deformation of at least a portion (54) of the fastening means.

2. - A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means (53, 54, 55) of the or each arm (52) comprise at least one fin (54) by plastic deformation, is folded towards the central axis (XX) relative to the rest of the arm, and in that the fastening portion (18) of the housing (10) includes, for each blade, a flange (18.2) which is adapted to form an abutment in the direction of the central axis (XX) for the fin.

3. - valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the or each fin (54) is folded about a folding axis (ZZ) which is substantially parallel to the central axis (XX).

4. - Valve according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixing means (53, 54, 55) of the or each arm (52) further comprises a body (53) which is arranged in the longitudinal extension of the arm, or the fins (54) of which arm is projecting from the body and bent toward the central axis (XX) relative to this body, and in that the fastening portion (18) of housing (10) includes, for each arm (52), a placement of wall (18.1) having:

- a main face (18.1 A), which is covered by the body (53), and

- for each fin (54), a lateral edge (18.1 B) at one axial end of which the corresponding flange (18.2) is arranged projecting and against which the fin is folded.

5. - valve according to Claim 4, characterized in that there is provided for each arm (52), two wings (54) which protrude on either side of the body (53) and which are folded respectively against the corresponding side edges (18.1 B) of the placement of wall (18.1) by sandwiching therebetween this placement wall.

6. - Valve according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the fixing means (53, 54, 55) of the or each arm (52) further comprises a tongue (55), which extends the body (53) in the longitudinal direction of the arm, and in that the fastening portion (18) of the housing (10) defines, for each arm (52), a housing (18.3), which is complementary to the tongue (55 ) and wherein the tab is inserted substantially in the direction of the central axis (XX), so as to position the body (53) covering the principal face (18.1) of the corresponding placement of wall (18.1).

7. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of arms (52) which are distributed substantially regularly around the central axis (XX).

8. A valve according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (20) is internally provided with at least one branch (24) connecting to the second part (32) of the thermostatic element (30 ), the or each branch

extending transversely to the central axis (XX), and in that the fixing means (53, 54, 55) occupy about the central axis (XX), one or more angular portions (a) are distinct from the angular portions or (β) respectively occupied, about the central axis, the branch or branches (24).

9. - Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening portion (18) is carried by a plug (16) of the housing (10) which is removable relative to the rest (1 1) the housing and which, in the assembled state of the valve (1), sealingly closes an internal chamber (15) of the housing, through which fluid flows into the housing between the ports (12, 13, 14) .

10. - Valve according to Claim 9, characterized in that the stopper (16) bears on its side facing the inner chamber (15), a seat (16A) to sealingly support for one axial end (20A) of the sleeve (20).

January 1. - Valve according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the valve (1) further comprises a return spring (40) provided for returning the movable part (32) to the thermosensitive portion (31) of the thermostatic element during contraction of the heat-expandable material, and in that the return spring (40) is interposed, in a compressed state along the central axis (XX) between the second portion (32) of the element Temperature (30) and the housing (10), relying axially against the cap (16).

12. - A method of manufacturing a thermostatic valve (1) for a fluid circulation circuit,

the valve comprising:

- a housing (10) which is provided with openings (12, 13, 14) for passage of a fluid circulation circuit and inside which flows the fluid between the ports,

- a sleeve (20) the flow control of the fluid in the housing between the ports, the sleeve defining a central axis (XX) and being movable relative to the housing along this central axis, and

- a thermostatic element (30) which comprises both a thermosensitive portion (31) containing a heat-expandable material and disposed on the fluid flow in the housing between the ports, and a movable part (32) movable in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion substantially along the central axis under the effect of expansion of the heat expandable material,

method wherein kinematically is bonded by a stirrup (50) a first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30) from its heat-sensitive and movable parts, while it binds kinematically the second portion (32) of the element thermostatic the sleeve (20) so that, in the assembled state of the valve (1), the displacements between moving and heat-sensitive parts of the thermostatic control element, by moving the sleeve according to the central axis, the control action of the sleeve on the fluid flow in the housing between the ports,

characterized in that for linking kinematically the first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30) to the housing (10), the method provides that:

- in a first step, is arranged at least one arm (52) of the bracket (50) so that the longitudinal direction of this arm is substantially parallel to the central axis (XX) and that the or each arm extends lengthwise through the interior of the sleeve (20), the first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30) an attachment portion (18) of the housing (10) and

- in a second step, is fixed and the or each arm is locked (52) to the fastening portion (18) of the housing (10) by plastically deforming at least a portion (54) of securing means ( 53, 54, 55) which is provided with the longitudinal end (52C) ​​of the arm (52) opposite the first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30).

13.- Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that to perform the first step, the method provides that:

- is bonded kinematically bracket (50) to the first portion (31) of the thermostatic element (30), then

- adjusting the relative positioning of the bracket (50) and the housing (10) so as to position the fixing means (53, 54, 55) substantially at the axial level and facing the fastening part (18) the housing (10).

14.- Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that to carry out the second step is folded toward the central axis (XX) at least one fin (54) of the fastening means (53, 54, 55) so as to move the or each blade a mounting configuration in which the fin does not interfere axially with the fastening portion (18) at the first step, to a locking configuration, in which the vane abuts in the direction of the central axis (XX), against a flange (18.2) of the fastening part (18).

15.- Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that in the assembly configuration, the or each vane is bent towards the central axis (XX).