EP2110562B1 - Valve assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (1) has connection units (15) alternatively mountable on a valve unit (14), in a replaceable manner. Each connection unit has a mechanical interface (35) detachably fixed to a mechanical interface (36) of the valve unit. The connection unit has an electrical interface unit that automatically and internally or externally engages with an electrical interface unit (27) of the valve unit, during fixing/removal of the connection unit at the valve unit. The connection units are different from each other based on design, position and/or orientation of plug-in interfaces (7).

Description

The invention relates to a valve arrangement comprising at least one valve unit having an electrically actuatable valve drive and carrying an electrical connection unit designed to connect an electrical cable to which an electrical plug interface accessible from the outside for detachably connecting a connector plug attached to the cable is arranged which is in electrical communication with the valve drive, the terminal unit being one of a plurality of valve assembly terminal units which differ in the configuration and / or position and / or orientation of their plug interface and which are alternatively mountable in replaceable fashion on the valve unit, in that they each have a first mechanical interface with which they can each be detachably attached to a second mechanical interface arranged on the valve unit, wherein the connection units au addition have first electrical interface means which come in mounting and removing the respective terminal unit automatically in and out of engagement with arranged on the valve unit second electrical interface means, and wherein the valve unit is fixed by fastening elements to a further component of the valve assembly.

From the undated product information "series SY3000 / 5000/7000", page 2.15 and 2.16 of the company SMC designed as a valve assembly valve assembly is known, the via a frontally arranged on a main valve, acting as a pilot stage valve unit having an electrically actuated valve drive. To the valve unit is fixedly mounted a terminal unit, at the main valve wegweisender front outer surface of an electrical connector interface is arranged, which allows the detachable connection of a connector connected to a cable connector. About the connector the valve drive can be supplied to the required electrical signals for its operation.

Since in the known case, the valve unit and the terminal unit form a firmly assembled unit, this entire assembly must be replaced if the valve assembly due to user-specific requirements of a different type or a different orientation of the connector interface is required. Therefore, in order to satisfy the various desires of the users, a large number of variants of the aforementioned units must be provided, which causes relatively high costs. In addition, the installation space available for accommodating electronic components in the interior of the terminal unit is severely limited because the external dimensions of the terminal unit can not be increased without impairing the accessibility of the fastening screws required for fastening the valve unit.

One from the US-A-4,736,177 Known valve arrangement of the type mentioned has a valve drive, which is mounted on the one hand to a valve body and on the other hand can be equipped with one of several terminal units alternatively in exchangeable manner.

It is the object of the present invention to take measures that create flexible uses for a valve assembly of the type mentioned at low cost.

To achieve this object, it is provided that the fastening elements serving for fixing the valve unit can be actuated from the side having the second mechanical interface and are at least partially covered by the respectively mounted connection unit.

The valve unit and the attached terminal unit form an easily detachable interconnected assembly, which allows the user to install the desired electrical connector interface directly on site by replacing the terminal units. All terminal units include a first mechanical interface, mating with the second mechanical interface, through which they may alternatively be mounted to the mating second mechanical interface of the valve unit, the assembly and disassembly procedure automatically resulting in the presence of the respective terminal unit first electrical interface means enter into or out of engagement with matching second electrical interface means of the valve unit. The term "engagement" is to be understood in a broader sense and also covers those types in which the electrical interface means are connected to each other purely touching each other without mutual intermeshing. The various terminal units provided in the valve assembly differ in the design and / or position and / or orientation of their connector interface, for example, connector interfaces having a circular or rectangular cross-section can act, or to connector interfaces of differing diameter or plug interfaces, which are arranged either on the opposite side of the valve unit or on a sideways-oriented outer surface of the terminal unit, or to male interfaces, for example, either side or forward aligned. The variety of variants here are virtually no limits, with the advantage that only changed the terminal units for a change of the terminal configuration while the valve unit can be maintained.

The easy removability of the terminal units also makes it possible to adapt the floor plan of the terminal units to the cross-sectional contour of the valve unit, even if in this case the fastening elements necessary for fastening the valve unit are covered inaccessible. In order to make the fasteners accessible, only remove the currently mounted connector unit. Particularly advantageous is an embodiment in which the attachment and removal of the terminal units is tool-free purely by manual intervention feasible. For this purpose, in particular offers a self-locking during attachment of the terminal unit and by pressing a release element again easily releasable locking connection.

From the subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of the valve arrangement emerge.

The first mechanical interfaces and / or the first electrical interface means of all connection units are preferably identical to each other. In principle, only a pertinent design must be given, that the desired mechanical coupling and electrical contact is guaranteed, which can be realized with mutually differently designed first mechanical interfaces or first electrical interface means. For cost reasons alone, however, it is advantageous to resort to mutually uniform designs.

The valve unit may include the single valve of the valve assembly. In this case, it is in the valve assembly a directly operated, non-pilot operated variant. However, a valve arrangement which comprises a fluidically activatable main valve, with which at least one valve unit functioning as a pilot stage is combined to form a block-shaped module in particular, is particularly advantageous.

As a valve drive in particular, an electromagnet in question, wherein the valve unit then comprises at least one so-called solenoid valve. Alternative designs provide a valve drive in the form of a piezoelectric actuator.

The valve drive is expediently combined with a base body to form a module forming the valve unit. The main body contains internal valve channels for the fluid to be controlled and expediently also at least one valve seat which cooperates with a valve member which can be actuated by the valve drive.

The usable for attaching the terminal units second mechanical interface extends to the valve unit expediently uninterrupted both on the valve drive and on the base body away. Thus, a very large footprint is available for attachment of a relatively large outline terminal unit.

For releasable, firm holding together of the valve unit and connection unit, the first and second mechanical interfaces advantageously have mutually cooperating holding means. It is preferred a design in which the terminal unit hooked to attach to the valve unit and then pivoted to the valve unit is, wherein when pivoting a locking engagement is brought about.

For accommodating electronic components, the terminal units are expediently equipped in each case with a hood-shaped housing part, on which the plug interface is arranged. The electronic components to be accommodated can comprise at least one printed circuit board, which can have a relatively large extent, since it is unproblematic when covering elements arranged on the valve unit in the region of the second mechanical interface are covered. When removing the terminal unit, the hood-shaped housing part is removed together with the fixed therein printed circuit board of the valve unit, so that a free access to the fasteners is possible.

Figur 1

eine bevorzugte Bauform der erfindungsgemäßen Ven- tilanordnung, wobei in dem strichpunktiert umrahm- ten Bereich eine mit einer Anschlußeinheit bestück- te Ventileinheit gezeigt ist, deren Kombinations- möglichkeit mit wahlweise einer von mehreren An- schlußeinheiten nochmals separat illustriert ist,

Figur 2

die in Figur 1 strichpunktiert umrahmte Baugruppe aus Ventileinheit und Anschlußeinheit in einer Ein- zeldarstellung und teilweise im Längsschnitt gemäß Schnittlinie II-II, und

Figuren 3 bis 5

verschiedene Phasen beim Anbringen einer An- schlußeinheit an eine ventileinheit, wobei die Fi- gur 5 eine der Figur 2 entsprechende, fertig mon- tierte Baugruppe aus Ventileinheit und Anschlußein- heit zeigt.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

FIG. 1

1 shows a preferred design of the valve arrangement according to the invention, wherein a valve unit equipped with a connection unit is shown in the area framed in dash-dotted lines whose combination possibility is again illustrated separately with optionally one of a plurality of connection units,

FIG. 2

in the FIG. 1 In dash-dotted line, assembly of valve unit and connection unit in a single representation and partly in longitudinal section along section line II-II, and

FIGS. 3 to 5

different phases when attaching a connection unit to a valve unit, the fi- gur 5 one of the FIG. 2 corresponding, fully assembled assembly of valve unit and connection unit shows.

In the exemplary embodiment, the valve arrangement, which is designated overall by reference numeral 1, comprises a block-like valve assembly 10 composed of a plurality of components in the form of a pilot-operated multi-way valve and with a longitudinal axis 2 indicated with dash-dotted lines.

The valve assembly 10 is composed of a fluid-actuated main valve 3 and a pre-control stage 4 attached thereto at one end side. The pilot stage 4 is actuated by means of electrical signals and generates in response to these electrical signals fluidic output signals with which the main valve 3 is driven. The electrical actuation signals originate from an external electronic control device, not shown, and are transmitted to the pilot control stage 4 via an electrical cable 5, to which a connector 6 is attached, which is detachably connectable to an electrical connector interface 7 of the pilot stage 4.

The main valve 3 includes an elongate, in particular multi-part main valve housing 8, in which at least one main valve member 12 indicated only by dash-dotted lines is movably arranged, the position of which can be predetermined by the fluidic output signals generated by the pilot stage 4. On the main valve housing 8 there are two consumer outlets 13 to which leading to a consumer to be actuated, for example, a fluid-operated drive, leading fluid lines can be connected. Not visible in the drawing below the main valve housing 8 arranged housing openings, via which a the connected consumer fed and can be fed back and discharged by the consumer back working fluid. In this way, the pilot stage 4 also receives its fluidic input signal, which it imposes on the main valve member 12 in the corresponding operating state as a fluidic output signal. As a rule, the valve assembly 1 is seated with its main valve 3, usually together with other valve arrangements, on a connecting plate (not shown) via which a common fluid supply and fluid disposal of all main valves 3 takes place.

By way of example, a pilot stage 4 is arranged on only one end face of the main valve 3. Here, the valve assembly 1 represents a monostable multi-way valve, the main valve member 12 is moved in one direction by a fluidic output signal of the pilot stage 4 and its provision is caused by spring means. Deviating from this, however, the valve assembly 1 can also contain two pilot stages 4, which are then either arranged either side by side on one and the same end face of the main valve 3 or on opposite end faces of the main valve 3.

The pilot stage 4 is an assembly consisting of a mounted with its rear side 16 to the main valve 3 valve unit 14 and to the direction away in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2 from the main valve 3 front side 17 of the valve unit 14 releasably attached electrical terminal unit 15. The above-mentioned connector interface 7 a component of the connection unit 15.

The valve unit 14 is itself an assembly consisting of two held together by suitable fastening means 18 components in the form of an electrically actuated The only roughly indicated valve channels 24 open to the back 16 and communicate with running in the main valve 3 channels in communication, via which the fluidic input signal is supplied and via the fluidic output signal to the main valve member 12 is headed.

The valve drive 22 and the base body 23 are attached to each other in the axial direction of a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 vertical axis 25. Based on a common orientation of the installed valve assembly 1, the valve drive 22 is down and the base 23 sits up.

The valve drive 22 has arranged on the front side 17 of the valve unit 14 second electrical interface means 27, which are expediently designed in the form of two projecting forward, for example, formed as a contact lugs or pins contact elements 46. Via the second electrical interface means 27, the valve drive 22 receives the electrical signals required for its actuation. In the exemplary embodiment, the valve drive 22 is an electromagnet whose movable armature is drivingly connected to a valve member 28 or forms this directly. The valve member 28 cooperates with a valve seat 32, in particular formed on or in the base body 23, in order, depending on the position, to pass a fluidic output signal to the main valve 3 or shut off it.

The valve unit 14 is fixed to the main valve housing 8 independently of the terminal unit 15. This is done by means of one or more fastening elements 33, which the valve unit 14 in particular in the region of the base body 23rd permeate in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2 and are anchored in the main valve housing 8 such that they clamp the valve unit 14 firmly against the end face of the main valve housing 8. The fastening elements 33 are, in particular, fastening screws, which are inserted through the valve unit 14 from the front side 17 and are supported by their screw heads 34 on the front side 17 of the valve unit 14.

The front side 17 of the valve unit 14 forms a second mechanical interface 36, on which the connection unit 15 can be detachably fixed with a first mechanical interface 35 formed on its rear side 37. The fastening elements 33, in particular their screw heads 34, are arranged within the outline of the second mechanical interface 36, which corresponds to the outline of the valve unit 14 defined by the front side 17, viewed from the front in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2.

The screw heads 34 are expediently recessed in the valve unit 14, whose base body 23 has corresponding openings 38 for this purpose.

If the valve arrangement 1 is a non-pilot-controlled design, in which the valve unit 14 directly controls the fluid flow to and from a consumer, the place of the main valve housing 8 is replaced by another component, in particular equipped with fluid channels, on which the valve unit 14 the fasteners 33 is releasably secured.

The valve assembly 1 includes a plurality of terminal units 15, wherein in FIG. 1 three pieces of such terminal units 15 are shown. All these connection units 15th are equipped on their rear side 37 with first mechanical interfaces 35, which are designed such that they can be mounted on the second mechanical interface 36 on the valve unit 14 as an alternative to one another. The user of the valve arrangement 1 thus has the possibility of selecting from a supply of different electrical connection units 15 the connection unit 15 which is particularly suitable for the particular application and growing it on the valve unit 14. The remaining terminal units 14 can then be used for other valve assemblies 1 or are available for replacement, if later there is a need to replace the currently mounted valve unit 14 by another valve unit 14.

The alternative mountability of the various connection units 15 on one and the same valve unit 14 can in principle be realized with differing first mechanical interfaces 35 as long as they are each designed in a manner that ensures compatibility with the second mechanical interface 36. Preferably, however, as in the exemplary embodiment, access is made to mutually identical first mechanical interfaces 35, since this allows a particularly cost-effective production to be ensured.

The alternative mountability of the individual terminal units 15 is advantageous in that the various terminal units 15 differ in the design and / or position and / or orientation of their connector interface 17 from each other. In this respect, with regard to the connection of the cable 5, the space available at the point of use of the valve arrangement 1 can be taken into account, as well as the types of plug commonly used in the respective application environment.

The type of connection units 15 belonging to a valve arrangement 1 is in principle arbitrary. By way of example, three variants are shown, wherein the plug interface 7 is arranged on a first connection unit 15a at a lateral outer surface 42 oriented at right angles to the first mechanical interface 35, while at a second and third connection unit 15b, 15c respectively at the first mechanical interface 35 opposite front outer surface 43 is located. The plug interfaces 7 thus differ initially in their position or position at the respective terminal unit 15, but preferably also different orientations of the plug interface 7 are added. Thus, the connector interface 7 of the first terminal unit 15a is oriented laterally transversely to the longitudinal axis 2 and in particular at right angles thereto, while in the other two terminal units 15b, 15c in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2 of the valve unit 14 points away towards the front.

The plug interfaces 7 of the second and third terminal units 15b, 15c also differ in their position on the front outer surface 43, wherein the plug interface 7 is arranged in the case of the second terminal unit 15b at the edge region, while in the case of the third terminal unit 15c in the middle Area of the front outer surface 43 sits.

The plug interfaces 7 of the first and second connection units 15a, 15b also differ from the plug interface 7 of the third connection unit 15c by their type or by their type. One is a rectangular interface geometry, the other is a circular interface geometry. In addition, the connector interface 7 of the third terminal unit 15c designed for a Schraubbefestigung of the connector 6, while in the first and second terminal unit 15a, 15b measures for a snap-in fastening exist.

Plug interfaces 7 of the same kind can easily differ in their dimensions from each other, such as in the case of the connector interface 7 of the third terminal unit 15c in the size of the fastening thread.

In mounted on the valve unit 14 state of a connector plug 6 is the electrical connector interface 7 with the valve drive 22 in electrical connection. For this purpose, the terminal unit 15 includes in the region of its first mechanical interface 35 first electrical interface means 26, which are permanently connected via an internal electrical conductor of the terminal unit 15 to the connector interface 17 associated electrical contact means 44, and to the other releasably connected to the second electrical interface means 27 of the valve unit 14 are in electrically conductive engagement.

All terminal units 15 are expediently equipped with first electrical interface means 26 in mutually coincident manner. The arrangement is such that when a terminal unit 15 is attached to the valve unit 14, the first electrical interface means 26 automatically come into contact with the second electrical interface means 27 and that contact engagement upon removal of the terminal unit 15 and thus upon separation of the first and second mechanical interfaces 35, 36 is also automatically separated from each other. Automatic means here that except the process of mechanical mounting and dismounting of a terminal unit 15 no specific intervention is required to the electrical Interface means to connect or disconnect from each other.

The mutual engagement of the first and second electrical interface means 26, 27 may be a plug-in engagement, for example by the second electrical interface means 27 formed as projecting contact elements 46 immersing in electrically conductive plug-in receptacles of the first electrical interface means 26. In the present case, however, an electrically conductive intervention is to be understood quite generally as meaning any electrically conductive connection, even one which is based only on a frontal contact, without mutual mutual immersion.

The latter electrical connection variant is realized in the embodiment. Here, the first electrical interface means 26 comprise a resilient contact element 45, which comes to the end face of an opposite, to the second electrical interface means 27 associated contact element 46 under bias to the plant when the two mechanical interfaces 35, 36 are combined.

Due to the second mechanical interface 36 extending over the entire front face of the valve unit 14, the first mechanical interface 35 has a correspondingly large extent, with the result that the valve unit 14 at its front side 17 of the respectively attached terminal unit 15 at least substantially completely covered. Out FIG. 1 is in connection with the valve assembly 1 shown completely assembled shown that thus the screw heads 34 are covered and can not be operated in this state. To remove the valve unit 14 from the main valve body 8 or of an alternative component, thus the respective mounted terminal unit 15 is previously to be removed from the valve unit 14, but this is easily possible because of the easily detachable attachment.

In the over the entire front 17 of the valve unit 14 of time extending terminal unit 15 is very much space to accommodate any required electronic components available. The installation space for electronic components made available within the connection unit 15 is thus not impaired by measures which enable the fastening elements 33 to be actuated even when the connection unit 15 is mounted. Such considerations should be taken into account in the design of the terminal unit 15 no consideration.

As belonging to the terminal unit 15 electronic component in the embodiment, inter alia, in each case a circuit board 47 is provided, which is housed in a hood-shaped housing part 48 of the terminal unit 15 and is fixed therein, in particular by a latching connection. The printed circuit board 47, on the one hand, carries the electrical contact means 44 of the plug interface 7 and is connected to the at least one contact element 45 of the first electrical interface means 26. It contributes to this not further illustrated interconnects and, if necessary, other electronic components to form an electronic circuit that is used in the control of the valve drive 22. Within the hood-shaped housing part 48 is advantageously a circuit board 47 large outline space, so that a multiple arrangement of printed circuit boards is unnecessary and the dimensions of the terminal unit 15 in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2 can be kept very low.

It is understood that the terminal unit 15 is attached to the open side of the hood-shaped housing part 48 ahead of the valve unit 14.

The first and second mechanical interface 35, 36 are equipped with holding means 52 which serve for releasably securing the terminal unit 15 to the valve unit 14. These holding means 52 are formed in an advantageous manner so that the terminal units 15 attach without the aid of a tool to the valve unit 14 and can be solved by this again. A conversion of the valve unit 14 with respect to its terminal unit 15 can thus be carried out very quickly.

Preferably, the holding means 52 are divided into two groups of holding means 52a, 52b, wherein the one, first holding means group 52a in the region of the top and the other, second holding means group 52b in the region of the bottom of the valve unit 14 and terminal unit 15 is located. Considering that the valve assembly 1 has a flat shape and in the direction of its vertical axis 25 has larger dimensions than in the transverse direction perpendicular thereto, results for the two mechanical interfaces 35, 36 each an elongated shape oriented in the axial direction of the vertical axis 25 Narrow sides, wherein the two holding means groups 52a, 52b are arranged in the region of these two narrow sides.

Preferably, the above arranged first holding means group 52a rigidly arranged on the terminal unit 15 and projecting beyond the rear first hook means 53, which are formed on the front of the valve unit 14 formed first recess means 54 in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2. The first hook means 53 are bent upwards and the first recess means 54 are accessible from below.

The second holding means group 52b includes in the region of the underside of the terminal unit 15 arranged second hook means 55, the hook portion opposite to the hook portion of the first hook means 53 projects down and opposite to which arranged on the front side of the valve unit 14 second recess means 56 which are open at the top.

The second hook means 55 are formed resiliently in the direction of the vertical axis 25. They can therefore be pivoted according to double arrow 57.

The first and second recess means 54, 56 are each formed in a wall section of the valve unit 14 extending in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2, which can engage under the hook means 53, 55.

For mounting a terminal unit 15, this is based on the in FIG. 3 shown separated state with its rear side 37 obliquely attached to the front 17 of the valve unit 14, wherein the relative to the hood-shaped housing part 48 rigid and immovable trained first hook means 53 engage from the inside into the likewise rigidly arranged first recess means 54. In this way, the first group of holding means 52a is brought into mutual engagement and it lies out FIG. 4 apparent condition.

In the next step, the connecting unit 15 is pivoted about the first holding means group 52a defining a pivot axis according to arrow 58 and pivoted up to the valve unit 14, until the first and second mechanical interfaces 35, 36 abut each other.

In this pivoting, the second hook means 55 slide on a second recess means 56 upstream inclined surface 62 and are briefly deflected according to arrow 57a against a restoring spring force acting on them up until they finally snap back and engage in the second recess means 56.

In the aforementioned pivoting the spring-loaded contact elements 45 are simultaneously pressed against the facing rigid contact elements 46 of the second electrical interface means 27.

Now only the connector 6 is to be plugged into the connector interface 7 in order to produce the desired electrical connection between the valve drive 22 and the electric cable 5.

The removal of the terminal unit 15 is done in a comparatively simple manner. On the hood-shaped housing part 48 of the inclined surface 62 upstream release slide 63 is slidably mounted in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 2. He can also join in the pivotal movement of the second hook means 55. To release the latching connection, it is manually displaced in the direction of the valve unit 14, wherein it slides upwards on the inclined surface 62 and in this case lifts the second hooking means 55 out of the second recessing means 56. In this state, the terminal unit 15 can be reversed as in FIG. 4 shown in an inclined position pivoted away from the valve unit 14 and then removed from their engagement with the first recess means 54. The first hook means 53 are in the embodiment part of an inserted into the hood-shaped housing part 48 closure plate 64, between which and the front wall of the hood-shaped housing part 48, the circuit board 47 is held. The closure plate 64 is provided with openings which allow the passage of the first and / or second electrical interface means 26, 27. By lateral locking means 65, the closure plate 64 is expediently releasably latched to the peripheral side wall of the hood-shaped housing part 48.

The release slide 63 is expediently an integral part of the closure plate 64.

The first mechanical interface 35 may also be formed at least partially on the closure plate 64. Expediently there is a position securing projection 66 protruding toward the valve unit 14, which can engage in a complementary position securing recess 67 on the front end face of the valve unit 14, whereby the assembled connection unit 15 is fixed immovably with respect to the valve unit 14 in the axial direction of the vertical axis 25 and an accidental Loosening the second holding means group 52b can be excluded.

Claims (16)

1. Valve assembly with at least one valve unit (14) with an electrically actuable valve drive (22) and carrying an electrical connection unit (15) designed for the connection of an electrical cable (5) and on which is provided an electrical connector interface (7) serving for the releasable connection of a plug connector (6) attached to the cable (5) and in electrical connection with the valve drive (22), wherein the connection unit (15) is one of several connection units (15) of the valve assembly (1), differing from one another in their design and/or position and/or orientation of their connector interface (17) and which may be fitted to the valve unit (14) alternatively in an interchangeable manner since they each have a first mechanical interface (35) with which they be attached releasably to a second mechanical interface (36) located on the valve unit (14), wherein the connection units (15) also have first electrical interface means (26) which, on attachment and removal of the connection unit (15) concerned, automatically come into or out of engagement with second electrical interface means (27) located on the valve unit (14), and wherein the valve unit (14) is fixed by fastening elements (33) to a further component (8) of the valve assembly (1), characterised in that the fastening elements (33) used for fixing the valve unit (14) are actuable from the side with the second mechanical interface (36) and are at least partly covered by the connection unit (15) fitted in each case.
2. Valve assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the first mechanical interfaces (35) provided on the several connection units (15) are designed to match one another.
3. Valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first electrical interface means provided on the several connection units (15) are designed to match one another.
4. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the valve unit or units (14) is or are part of a pilot stage (4) combined with a fluidically actuable main valve (3) to form a module.
5. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the valve drive (22) is an electromagnet.
6. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the valve unit (14) has a base body (23) containing internal valve passages (24) and combined with the valve drive (22) to form a module.
7. Valve assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the second mechanical interface (36) extends over both the valve drive (22) and the base body (23).
8. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the fastening elements (33) used for fixing the valve unit (14) are located within the outline of the second mechanical interface (36).
9. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the first and second mechanical interfaces (35, 36) have releasable holding means (52) which cooperate with one another to hold the fitted connection unit (15) tightly to the valve unit (14).
10. Valve assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that the holding means (52) have first hook means (53) mounted rigidly on the connection units and, assigned to these hook means, first recess means (54) located on the valve unit (14) and which through angled positioning relative to the valve unit (14) and subsequent swivelling of the valve unit (14) may be brought together in hooked engagement and that, with clearance from the former, there are located on the valve unit (14) second recess means (56) in which sprung, resilient second hook means (55) located on the connection unit (15) may releasably engage when the connection unit (15) is swivelled on to the valve unit (14).
11. Valve assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that a release slide (63) is mounted on the connection unit (15) and may be moved manually to release the latching engagement, thereby lifting the second hook means (55) out of the second recess means (56) against the sprung restoring force acting on them.
12. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that in the case of at least one connection unit (15) the connector interface (7) is located on the front outer surface (43) opposite the first mechanical interface (35).
13. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that in the case of at least one connection unit (15) the connector interface (7) is located on a side outer surface (42) oriented at right-angles to the first mechanical interface (35).
14. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that each of the connection units (15) has a hood-shaped housing part (48) in which at least one printed circuit board (47) is mounted and via which the connector interface (7) is in electrical connection with the first electrical interface means (26) and which expediently has mounted in front of it a cover plate (64) closing the hood-shaped housing part (48) and through which the first and/or second electrical interface means (26, 27) may reach.
15. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it has at least one plug connector (6) attached to an electrical cable (5) and releasably connectable to the electrical connector interface (7).
16. Valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the first and second mechanical interfaces (35, 36) are designed to effect both connection without tools and also disconnection without tools.

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