valve

Abstract

This application discloses a valve, comprising: a housing, a valve body, a seal mounting groove, and a seal. The seal is inserted into the seal mounting groove from an insertion port. The seal is configured to contact the valve body and the housing sealing surface when the valve body closes the housing opening, thereby enabling the valve body to seal the housing opening. The seal mounting groove also includes a seal limiting structure disposed on the groove wall. The seal limiting structure is configured to restrict the movement of the seal relative to the housing towards the valve body. The valve structure of this application is simple, with the valve body and seal compactly assembled within the housing. This allows for the placement of more valve bodies within a limited space, correspondingly providing more housing channels, thus enabling the valve to be used in temperature control systems with more flow paths. Furthermore, the seal is made of a rigid material, ensuring a simple assembly structure and preventing the seal from easily detaching while maintaining its sealing performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a valve, and more particularly to a coolant valve or coolant regulating valve for internal temperature control of an internal combustion engine. Background Technology

[0002] A regulating valve (or thermostatic valve, temperature control valve, etc.) is used in the temperature control system inside an internal combustion engine. By controlling the valve, different coolant passages can be connected to control the flow path and flow rate of the coolant, thereby regulating the temperature of various components inside the internal combustion engine. A valve generally includes a housing and a valve body. The housing has several housing passages, each used to connect to different flow paths of the coolant in the temperature control system. The valve also has an internal fluid passage. The valve body can rotate within the housing. Rotation of the valve body changes the relative position of the fluid passages inside the valve and the housing passages on the housing, allowing the fluid passages to connect or disconnect from the housing passages. The valve also includes a seal between the valve body and the housing, which seals the fluid passages to connect or disconnect them in a secure manner.

[0003] As the internal structure of internal combustion engines becomes increasingly complex, the required flow paths for coolant also increase, leading to a more complex structure for multi-channel valves. Summary of the Invention

[0004] At least one object of the present application in a first aspect is to provide a valve comprising: a housing, an inner wall of which defines a housing cavity, the housing having a housing channel forming a housing opening on the inner wall; a valve body rotatably disposed about an axis in the housing cavity of the housing and configured to open or close the housing opening; a seal mounting groove disposed on the inner wall surrounding the housing opening, the seal mounting groove including a groove bottom, a groove wall surrounding at least a portion of the groove bottom, and an insertion port formed by the groove wall, wherein the groove bottom forms a housing sealing surface; and a seal inserted into the seal mounting groove from the insertion port, wherein the seal is configured to sealably close the housing opening by contacting the valve body and the housing sealing surface when the valve body closes the housing opening; wherein the seal mounting groove further includes a seal limiting structure disposed on the groove wall and configured to restrict movement of the seal relative to the housing toward the valve body.

[0005] According to the first aspect above, the groove wall includes an end groove wall and a pair of side groove walls, the pair of side groove walls being located on a first and a second side opposite to the bottom of the groove, and the end groove wall and the insertion port being located on a third and a fourth side opposite to the bottom of the groove; wherein the side groove walls extend along the direction of the axis, and the seal is inserted into the seal mounting groove along the direction of the axis.

[0006] According to the first aspect above, the sealing element limiting structure is symmetrically arranged on the pair of side groove walls.

[0007] According to the first aspect above, the sealing element includes an inner sealing portion and an outer sealing portion, the inner sealing portion having an inner sealing surface, the outer sealing portion having an outer sealing surface, the inner sealing surface being configured to fit the shape of the valve body, and the outer sealing surface being configured to fit the shape of the housing sealing surface.

[0008] According to the first aspect above, the sealing element limiting structure includes a pair of blocking blocks, which are respectively disposed on the pair of side groove walls and extend toward each other; wherein the pair of blocking blocks are spaced a certain distance from the bottom of the groove to clamp at least a portion of the sealing element between the pair of blocking blocks and the bottom of the groove.

[0009] According to the first aspect above, the seal further includes a neck connected between the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion, wherein the outer circumferential dimension of the neck is smaller than the outer circumferential dimensions of the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion.

[0010] According to the first aspect above, the outer periphery of the neck gradually decreases from both ends to the middle.

[0011] According to the first aspect above, at least a portion of the pair of side groove walls extends obliquely toward each other in the direction from the housing to the valve body to form the sealing element limiting structure; wherein the sealing element is clamped between the sealing element limiting structure and the bottom of the groove.

[0012] According to the first aspect above, the seal further includes a pair of sidewalls that extend obliquely toward each other in the direction from the outer sealing surface to the inner sealing surface; wherein the pair of sidewalls are configured to respectively engage with the seal limiting structures on the pair of side groove walls.

[0013] According to the first aspect above, the valve body includes a baffle plate having an arc-shaped valve body sealing surface, and the inner sealing surface is configured to match the shape of the valve body sealing surface.

[0014] According to the first aspect above, the housing has an open end, and the insertion port of the seal mounting groove is disposed at the open end; the valve further includes a bearing disposed at the open end of the housing and above the seal, the bearing being configured to press the seal into the seal mounting groove.

[0015] According to the first aspect above, the seal is made of a hard material.

[0016] The valve structure of this application is simple, with the valve body and seal compactly assembled within the housing. This allows for the installation of more valve bodies within a limited space, resulting in more housing channels and enabling the valve to be used in temperature control systems with more flow paths. Furthermore, the seal is made of a rigid material, ensuring a simple assembly structure and preventing the seal from easily falling off while maintaining its sealing performance. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a three-dimensional structural view of the valve 100 according to this application from two angles, wherein Figure 1B The bearing 106 was omitted in the middle;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve body 108, gear 217, and auxiliary valve body 107 in the valve 100 shown.

[0019] Figure 3A for Figure 1A A three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing 101 and the seal 118 in the valve 100 shown;

[0020] Figure 3B for Figure 3A Top view;

[0021] Figure 3C for Figure 3A Decomposition structure diagram;

[0022] Figure 4A and 4B for Figure 1A A three-dimensional structural diagram of the seal 118 in the valve 100 at two angles;

[0023] Figure 5A and 5B for Figure 1A A three-dimensional structural diagram of the bearing 106 in the valve 100 at two angles;

[0024] Figures 6A-6C for Figure 1A The diagram shows the structure of valve 100 with the fluid passage 152 disconnected from the housing passage 110.

[0025] Figures 7A-7C for Figure 1A The diagram shows the structure of valve 100 in which the fluid passage 152 is connected to the housing passage 110.

[0026] Figure 8A A perspective structural view of the housing 801 and the seal 818 of another embodiment of the valve according to this application is shown;

[0027] Figure 8B for Figure 8A Top view;

[0028] Figure 8C for Figure 8A Exploded diagram of . Detailed Implementation

[0029] Various specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are used in this application to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements, their use is merely for illustrative purposes and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting. Where possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in this application refer to the same parts.

[0030] For ease of description, in this application, the direction of the axis x of the drive shaft 105 in the valve 100 is taken as the axial direction of the valve 100 and the housing 101, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is taken as the radial direction of the valve 100 and the housing 101, and the direction surrounding the axial direction of the valve 100 and the housing 101 is taken as the circumferential direction of the valve 100 and the housing 101.

[0031] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a perspective view of the valve 100 from two angles according to this application, used to show the position of the housing passage 110 on the housing 101 and to illustrate the overall structure of the valve 100. Figure 1B The bearing 106 is omitted to more clearly show the valve body 108 in the valve 100.

[0032] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, valve 100 includes a housing 101, a valve body 108, and a drive shaft 105. The housing 101 has a housing cavity 102 inside, and the valve body 108 is housed within the housing cavity 102 inside the housing 101. The drive shaft 105 drives the valve body 108 to rotate around axis x within the housing cavity 102 (see Figure 105). Figure 2Rotate along the axis x).

[0033] The housing 101 has several housing channels, each connected to a different flow path of the coolant in the temperature control system of the internal combustion engine. The housing 101 also has a fluid channel 152 inside. In this embodiment, the fluid channel 152 is generally defined by the housing cavity 102. As the valve body 108 rotates within the housing 101, the fluid channel 152 inside the housing 101 can connect or disconnect with one of the several housing channels to connect or disconnect different flow paths in the temperature control system. Among the several housing channels is a housing channel 110; the connection and disconnection between the housing channel 110 and the fluid channel 152 will be explained below using housing channel 110 as an example.

[0034] The upper part of the housing 101 has an open end 150, at which a bearing 106 is provided. The side of the open end 150 above the bearing 106 is for communication with a coolant pump (not shown in the figure), and the side of the open end 150 below the bearing 106 is for communication with a fluid passage 152. The bearing 106 has several channels spaced apart to allow fluid communication between the coolant pump and the fluid passage 152. The specific structure of the bearing 106 will be described later. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Detailed description.

[0035] Valve body 108 includes a baffle 109, which engages with housing passage 110 to disconnect housing passage 110 from fluid passage 152. Valve 100 also includes an auxiliary valve body 107. The specific structures of valve body 108 and auxiliary valve body 107 will be described in detail later. Figure 2 Detailed description.

[0036] Valve 100 also includes a seal 118, which is connected inside the housing 101. The seal 118 can cooperate with a baffle 109 of the valve body 108 to form a valve body sealing structure 165. When the valve body 108 is rotated to disconnect the housing passage 110 from the fluid passage 152, the seal 118 can contact the baffle 109 of the valve body 108, so that the valve body 108 can seally disconnect the housing passage 110 from the fluid passage 152.

[0037] It should be noted that, although in such Figure 1A and 1B In the figure shown, valve 100 is placed longitudinally so that drive shaft 105 is arranged in the longitudinal direction. However, when valve 100 is installed in an internal combustion engine, depending on the specific design of the internal combustion engine, valve 100 can also be placed laterally so that drive shaft 105 is arranged in the lateral direction.

[0038] Figure 2 for Figure 1A The diagram shows a three-dimensional structure of the valve body 108, gear 217, and auxiliary valve body 107 in the valve 100. It is used to illustrate the specific structure of the valve body 108 and the mating structure of the valve body 108, gear 217, and auxiliary valve body 107.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the valve body 108 includes a ball valve portion 254, the upper part of which is generally spherical, and its top has a valve body opening 255. The interior of the valve body 108 is hollow, and through the valve body opening 255, the hollow portion 272 inside the valve body 108 communicates with the housing cavity 102 outside the valve body 108 to jointly form a fluid passage 152. The lower part of the ball valve portion 254 is connected to a drive shaft 105 so that when the drive shaft 105 rotates about its axis x, it can drive the valve body 108 to rotate about the axis x.

[0040] The ball valve portion 254 has a baffle 109 at its top. The outer side of the baffle 109 has a valve body sealing surface 211, which is a smooth, arc-shaped surface. The shape of the sealing member 118 matches the shape of the valve body sealing surface 211, allowing the valve body sealing surface 211 to contact the sealing member 118 to form a valve body sealing structure 165. This allows the sealing member 118 to sealably disconnect the fluid passage 152 and the housing passage 110 on the housing 101. As an example, the baffle 109 extends upward from the top edge of the ball valve portion 254 at the valve body opening 255 along the axial direction of the valve 100 (i.e., in the direction of the axis x of the drive shaft 105). In other examples, the baffle 109 may also extend radially outward from the top edge of the ball valve portion 254 at the valve body opening 255, provided that the baffle 109 has a valve body sealing surface for mating with the sealing member 118.

[0041] In this embodiment, valve 100 further includes an auxiliary valve body 107, which is disposed outside valve body 108 and also has a fluid passage in fluid communication with the coolant pump. The baffle 109 is partially cylindrical, occupying only a portion of the top edge of the ball valve portion 254 in the circumferential direction (i.e., the rotation direction of the drive shaft 105) of valve 100. Engaging teeth 215 are provided on the top of the ball valve portion 254 on the opposite side of the baffle 109, and the auxiliary valve body 107 is engaged with valve body 108 via the engaging teeth 215. Thus, when valve body 108 rotates within a certain range, it can drive the auxiliary valve body 107 to rotate together. Specifically, the bottom of the auxiliary valve body 107 is also provided with engaging teeth 216, and the engaging teeth 216 of the auxiliary valve body 107 and the engaging teeth 215 of valve body 108 are engaged with each other via gears 217. In this embodiment, the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107 are axially offset and radially spaced by a gear 217, thus preventing contact and interference between the auxiliary valve body 107 and the valve body 108. By setting the length of the meshing teeth 215 in the circumferential direction at the top edge of the ball valve portion 254, the auxiliary valve body 107 can be rotated within a certain range when the valve body 108 rotates. When the valve body 108 rotates to the point where the meshing teeth 215 disengage from the gear 217, the rotation of the valve body 108 will no longer drive the auxiliary valve body 107 to rotate.

[0042] This arrangement of the valve body 108 allows for a compact arrangement of the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107 within the housing 101, while ensuring that the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107 do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, by simplifying the structure of the valve body 108, its volume is reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the housing cavity 102 within the housing 101, and consequently, the volume of the housing 101 itself. The ability to accommodate more valve bodies within the limited internal space of the internal combustion engine allows for the provision of more housing channels, connecting these channels to more coolant flow paths in the temperature control system.

[0043] Figures 3A-3C This is used to illustrate the specific structure of the housing 101. Figure 3A This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing 101 and the seal 118. Figure 3B for Figure 3A Top view, Figure 3C for Figure 3A The decomposition structure diagram. Among them... Figure 3A This describes the overall structure of the housing 101 and the seal 118 in conjunction. Figure 3B and 3C This is used to illustrate the specific structure of the sealing mounting groove 322 on the housing 101. Figure 3C The dashed box 313 in the image is a magnified view of a part.

[0044] like Figures 3A-3CAs shown, the housing 101 has an inner wall 323, which, as an example, is generally cylindrical. A seal mounting groove 322 extending axially (i.e., in the direction of axis x) is provided on the inner wall 323, and a seal 118 is mounted in the seal mounting groove 322. Specifically, the housing passage 110 of the housing 101 forms a housing opening 304 on the inner wall 323, and the seal mounting groove 322 is disposed around the housing opening 304 on the inner wall 323. With rotation of the valve body 108, the valve body 108 can sealably close the housing opening 304 to disconnect the housing passage 110 from the fluid passage 152, or open the housing opening 304 to connect the housing passage 110 with the fluid passage 152.

[0045] As an example, the inner wall 323 includes an upper inner wall 326 and a lower inner wall 321, wherein the lower inner wall 321 protrudes radially inward relative to the upper inner wall 326 (i.e., protrudes relative to the housing 101 toward the valve body 108), thereby forming a stepped surface 329 between the upper inner wall 321 and the lower inner wall 326. The seal mounting groove 322 includes a groove bottom 387, a groove wall 396, and an insertion port 327. The groove bottom 387 forms a housing sealing surface 361 for mating with the seal 118. The groove wall 396 is disposed around the groove bottom 387 below the stepped surface 329, and the insertion port 327 is formed above the groove wall 396. In the embodiment shown, an operator inserts the seal 118 into the seal mounting groove 322 through the insertion port 327 to mount the seal 118 within the seal mounting groove 322.

[0046] Specifically, the groove wall 396 of the seal mounting groove 322 includes a pair of side groove walls 325 and an end groove wall 324. The pair of side groove walls 325 are located on a first side 391 and a second side 392 opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the groove bottom 387 of the housing 101. The end groove wall 324 and the insertion port 327 are located on a third side 393 and a fourth side 394 opposite to each other in the axial direction of the groove bottom 387 of the housing 101. The pair of side groove walls 325 extend axially (i.e., in the direction of axis x) so that the seal 118 can be inserted axially into the seal mounting groove 322 from the insertion port 327.

[0047] Still as Figures 3A-3C As shown, an anti-detachment structure 363 is provided between the seal 118 and the seal mounting groove 322 to prevent the seal 118 from detaching from the seal mounting groove 322. A housing sealing structure 364 is provided between the seal 118 and the housing 101, and the housing sealing structure 364 is configured to make the housing 101 and the seal 118 in sealing contact. Furthermore, a valve body sealing structure 165 is provided between the seal 118 and the valve body 108, and the valve body sealing structure 165 is configured to make the valve body 108 and the seal 118 in sealing contact.

[0048] Specifically, the seal mounting groove 322 also includes a seal limiting structure 330, which restricts the movement of the seal 118 radially inward (i.e., relative to the housing 101 toward the valve body 108) after the seal 118 is installed in the seal mounting groove 322. As an example, the seal limiting structure 330 is symmetrically arranged on a pair of side groove walls 325. The pair of side groove walls 325 extend obliquely toward each other in the direction from the housing 101 to the valve body 108 to form the seal limiting structure 330. That is, the side groove walls 325 extend obliquely along the axial direction of the housing 101 and away from the radial direction of the housing 101. The seal 118 also has a pair of opposing side walls 334, which also extend obliquely toward each other in the direction from the housing 101 to the valve body 108 to form a shape substantially the same as the pair of side groove walls 325. When the seal 118 is installed in the seal mounting groove 322, the seal 118 is clamped between the seal limiting structure 330 and the groove bottom 387. A pair of sidewalls 334 of the seal 118 can adhere tightly to a pair of side groove walls 325 of the seal mounting groove 322 to prevent the seal 118 from circumferentially moving along the rotation direction of the drive shaft 105. Furthermore, the inclined side groove walls 325 can also prevent the seal 118 from moving radially towards the drive shaft 105. Thus, the seal limiting structure 330 of the seal mounting groove 322 and the sidewalls 334 of the seal 118 together form an anti-detachment structure 363.

[0049] Of course, those skilled in the art should know that the anti-detachment structure 363 may also include other structures. For example, the seal limiting structure 330 may be configured as other structures, and the structure of the seal 118 may be configured accordingly to prevent the seal 118 from falling out of the seal mounting groove 322. For example, the seal limiting structure may be configured as a groove extending in opposite directions on a pair of side groove walls 325, or as a blocking block extending towards each other on a pair of side groove walls 325. In some embodiments, the seal limiting structure 330 may also be provided on the end groove wall 324, or on the groove bottom 387.

[0050] By setting the anti-detachment structure 363, even if the baffle 109 of the valve body 108 leaves the seal 118 and no longer abuts against the seal 118 from the inside, the seal 118 cannot move radially inward and fall out of the seal mounting groove 322.

[0051] like Figure 3C As shown, the end wall 324 of the seal mounting groove 322 is used to carry and support the seal 118. When the seal 118 is inserted downward into the seal mounting groove 322 from the mounting groove opening 327, the end wall 324 can prevent the seal 118 from continuing to move downward in the direction extending along the drive shaft 105. Figure 1A Looking at the bearing 106 used to press the seal 118, the bearing 106, together with the end groove wall 324, can jointly limit the position of the seal 118 relative to the housing 101 in the direction extending along the drive shaft 105. As an example, the shape of the end groove wall 324 is similar to the bottom 433 of the seal 118. Figure 3C Not shown in the image, see [link / reference]. Figure 4B The shape matches, and the bearing 106 has a shape that matches the top 332 of the seal 118.

[0052] By providing an end groove wall 324 that matches the shape of the seal 118 and a bearing 106, the axial movement of the seal 118 can be restricted. Thus, the seal 118 can be fixedly connected in the seal mounting groove 322.

[0053] Still as Figure 3B and 3C As shown, the housing sealing surface 361 is approximately arc-shaped, and the housing opening 304 is located on the housing sealing surface 361. The seal 118 has an inner sealing surface 338 and an outer sealing surface 447. Figure 3B and 3C Not shown in the image, see [link / reference]. Figure 4B The outer sealing surface 447 has an arcuate shape that matches the housing sealing surface 361, so that when the seal 118 is installed in the seal mounting groove 322, the outer sealing surface 447 is in close contact with the housing sealing surface 361 to form a housing sealing structure 364. The inner sealing surface 338 has an arcuate shape that matches the valve body sealing surface 211 of the baffle 109 of the valve body 108, so that when the valve body 108 is rotated to a certain angle, the inner sealing surface 338 is in close contact with the valve body sealing surface 211 to form a valve body sealing structure 165. In this embodiment, the thickness of the seal 118 is greater than the thickness of the seal mounting groove 322, so that the inner sealing surface 338 of the seal 118 protrudes inward beyond the lower inner wall 321 of the housing 101, thus the inner sealing surface 338 can contact the valve body sealing surface 211 and form the valve body sealing structure 165.

[0054] The seal 118 also includes a seal passage 328 extending through the inner sealing surface 338 and the outer sealing surface 447. When the seal 118 is installed in the seal mounting groove 322, the seal passage 328 is in fluid communication with the housing opening 304 and, consequently, with the housing passage 110. Therefore, the seal 118 can connect the fluid passage 152 to the housing passage 110 via the seal passage 328.

[0055] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a three-dimensional structural view of the seal 118 from both the front and rear angles, illustrating a more specific structure of the seal 118. (See diagram below.) Figure 4A and 4B As shown, the seal 118 has opposing inner and outer sealing portions. The inner surface of the inner sealing portion forms an inner sealing surface 338 for forming a valve body sealing structure 165, and the outer surface of the outer sealing portion forms an outer sealing surface 447 for forming a housing sealing structure 364. A pair of sidewalls 334 are formed for forming an anti-detachment structure 363, and the seal 118 has a top 332 and a bottom 433. The inner sealing surface 338 and the outer sealing surface 447 are approximately concentric arcuate shapes. An inner opening 441 is provided on the inner sealing surface 338, and an outer opening 442 is provided on the outer sealing surface 447. The seal passage 328 fluidly communicates with the inner opening 441 and the outer opening 442. Thus, the inner opening 441 can fluidly communicate with the housing passage 110 through the seal passage 328. When the valve body 108 is rotated to the point that the baffle 109 contacts the inner sealing surface 338 and forms the valve body sealing structure 165, the baffle 109 can close the inner opening 441, thereby closing the sealing passage 328, and thus disconnecting the housing passage 110 from the fluid passage 152.

[0056] As an example, the outer opening 442 has the same shape and size as the housing opening 304; for example, the outer opening 442 and the housing opening 304 are approximately circular or elliptical in size. The inner opening 441, however, has a different shape than the outer opening 442; it is approximately square. To prevent the seal 118 from affecting the flow rate and volume of the coolant flowing between the fluid passage 152 and the housing passage 110, although the shapes of the inner opening 441 and the outer opening 442 are different, their flow areas are the same. Furthermore, the seal passage 328 smoothly connects the inner opening 441 and the outer opening 442, ensuring that the flow rate and volume of fluid flowing through the outer opening 442 are the same as those flowing through the inner opening 441. Given the same flow area and width, the height of the square inner opening 441 is smaller than the height of the circular outer opening 442, thus saving the space occupied by the inner sealing part of the seal 118 in the height direction. This ensures that the baffle 109 and the bearing 106 on the inner side of the inner sealing part of the seal 118 can have a safe clearance in the axial direction, preventing the bearing 106 from affecting the rotation of the baffle 109.

[0057] As an example, the top 332 of the seal 118 has an arcuate upper protrusion 443 for engaging with the bearing 106. The outer portion of the bottom 433 of the seal 118 is recessed upwards to form an arcuate lower protrusion 444. The arcuate lower protrusion 444 mates with the end groove wall 324 of the seal mounting groove 323. When the seal 118 is installed in the seal mounting groove 322, the arcuate lower protrusion 444 is supported on the end groove wall 324, and the inner portion of the bottom 433 abuts against the corresponding lower inner wall 321, causing the inner sealing surface 338 to protrude inwards beyond the inner wall 323 to contact the valve body 108.

[0058] like Figure 4A As shown, a pair of sidewalls 334 and a pair of chamfered surfaces 435 are connected between a pair of corresponding edges of the inner sealing surface 338 and the outer sealing surface 447. The chamfered surfaces 435 are connected to the inner side of the sidewalls 334 and connected to the inner sealing surface 338, for guiding and engaging with the edge of the baffle 109 of the valve body 108. As described above, the sidewalls 334 are connected to the outer sealing surface 447.

[0059] In this embodiment, the seal 118 is made of a rigid material. It should be noted that "rigid material" is relative to soft materials such as rubber; for example, the seal 118 can be made of plastic or metal. When the seal 118 is made of a rigid material, it can have better support strength, wear resistance, and heat resistance. By providing a simple seal mounting groove 322, the seal 118 can be fixed in place and is less likely to fall off.

[0060] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of bearing 106 viewed from both top and bottom angles, used to illustrate the specific structure of bearing 106. For example... Figure 5A and 5B As shown, the bearing 106 includes an annular ring 551 and a central support portion 553. The central support portion 553 is supported at the center of the annular ring 551 by a plurality of spaced-apart support rods 552. The lower end of the central support portion 553 has a shaft hole 555 for accommodating one end of a drive shaft 105, allowing the bearing 106 to support the drive shaft 105. A plurality of channels 558 are formed between adjacent support rods 552, through which a coolant pump (not shown) connected above the bearing 106 can be fluidly connected to a fluid channel 152 located in the housing 101 below the bearing 106. In this embodiment, there are three support rods 552, which form an angle of approximately 120° with each other, and the number of channels 558 formed is also three.

[0061] The lower surface of the annular ring 551 is provided with an upwardly recessed groove 557. The shape of the groove 557 matches the shape of the top 332 of the seal 118, so that the bearing 106 can press the seal 118 into the seal mounting groove 322 from above.

[0062] Figures 6A-6C A structural diagram of valve 100 with the fluid passage 152 disconnected from the housing passage 110 is shown. To more clearly illustrate the internal structure of valve 100, the bearing 106 has been omitted. Figure 6A This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of valve 100 in the off state. Figure 6B for Figure 6A Top view, Figure 6C for Figure 6B A cross-sectional view along line AA.

[0063] like Figure 6A As shown, driven by the drive shaft 105, the valve body 108 rotates to the position shown. Figure 6A The position shown. At this time, the baffle 109 of the valve body 108 and the inner sealing surface 338 of the seal 118 are pressed together to form the valve body sealing structure 165. The baffle 109 seals the inner opening 441 of the seal 118, and then seals the housing opening 304.

[0064] like Figure 6B As shown, at this time, the seal 118 is held in the seal mounting groove 322, and the outer sealing surface 447 of the seal 118 and the housing sealing surface 361 of the housing 101 are closely attached to each other to form the housing sealing structure 364.

[0065] like Figure 6C As shown, although the housing passage 110 is still connected to the sealing passage 328 through the outer opening 442 on the outer sealing surface 447, the baffle 109 seals the sealing passage 328 of the sealing element 118. Therefore, the baffle 109 can seal the housing opening 304, so that the housing passage 110 and the fluid passage 152 are sealed off under the action of the valve body sealing structure 165.

[0066] Figures 7A-7C A structural diagram of valve 100 with fluid passage 152 connected to housing passage 110 is shown. To more clearly illustrate the internal structure of valve 100, bearing 106 is omitted. Figure 7A A three-dimensional structural diagram of valve 100 in the connected state. Figure 7B for Figure 7A Top view, Figure 7C for Figure 7B A cross-sectional view along line BB.

[0067] like Figure 7AAs shown, driven by the drive shaft 105, the valve body 108 rotates to the position shown. Figure 7A The position shown. At this time, the baffle 109 of the valve body 108 leaves the inner sealing surface 338 of the seal 118 and no longer forms the valve body sealing structure 165. The inner opening 441 of the seal 118 is opened, which in turn opens the housing opening 304. Therefore, the housing channel 110 can communicate with the fluid channel 152.

[0068] like Figure 7B As shown, although the baffle 109 leaves the inner sealing surface 338 of the seal 118, the seal 118 remains within the sealing mounting groove 322 due to the anti-detachment structure 363 on the seal mounting groove 322. At this time, the outer sealing surface 447 of the seal 118 is still tightly pressed against the housing sealing surface 361 of the housing 101 to form the housing sealing structure 364.

[0069] like Figure 7C As shown, at this time, the housing channel 110 is in fluid communication with the sealing channel 328 through the outer opening 442 on the outer sealing surface 447. And the sealing channel 328 is in fluid communication with the fluid channel 152 through the inner opening 441, thereby making the housing channel 110 in fluid communication with the fluid channel 152 through the sealing channel 328.

[0070] When the valve body 108 includes a partial baffle 109, space can be freed up to connect the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107, thereby avoiding interference between them. This application, by configuring the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107, allows the valve 100 to form more coolant flow paths, while also enabling the valve body 108 and the auxiliary valve body 107 to be arranged as compactly as possible within the housing 101, thereby reducing the volume of the valve 100, saving materials, and reducing the weight of the valve 100. However, this can easily cause the seal 118 to detach when not in contact with the baffle 109, affecting the function of the valve 100. This application prevents the seal 118 from moving radially and circumferentially relative to the seal mounting groove 322 along the drive shaft 105 by setting an anti-detachment structure 363. Furthermore, by setting an end groove wall 324 and a bearing 106 that cooperate with the structure of the seal 118, the seal 118 is prevented from moving axially along the drive shaft 105. Therefore, the seal 118 can be well held in the seal mounting groove 322 by designing a simple structure. Moreover, during assembly, the seal 118 only needs to be inserted into the seal mounting groove 322 from top to bottom, making the assembly process simple.

[0071] Furthermore, since the seal 118 is made of a hard material, it possesses better support strength, wear resistance, and heat resistance. Therefore, the seal 118 can be fixed securely by providing a simple seal mounting groove 322, preventing it from easily falling off. Additionally, by designing the inner and outer openings of the seal 118 with different shapes, space can be saved, such as in height, thus reducing the space required for the valve body and housing.

[0072] Figures 8A-8C A portion of another embodiment of the valve according to this application is shown, wherein Figure 8A This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing 801 and the seal 818. Figure 8B for Figure 8A Top view, Figure 8C for Figure 8A An exploded view. The structure of the valve body in this embodiment is the same as that of valve body 108. To more clearly show the structure of the housing 801 and the seal 818, in... Figures 8A-8C The valve body is not shown in detail.

[0073] like Figures 8A-8C As shown, similar to housing 101 and seal 118, housing 801 also has a seal mounting groove 822 extending from top to bottom on the inner wall 823 surrounding housing opening 804. The seal mounting groove 822 includes a groove bottom 887, a pair of side groove walls 825, an end groove wall 824, and an insertion port 827. The groove bottom 887 forms a housing sealing surface 861. Seal 818 is inserted into the seal mounting groove 822 through the insertion port 827. An anti-detachment structure 863 exists between seal 818 and seal mounting groove 822, and a housing sealing structure 864 exists between seal 818 and housing sealing surface 861 of housing 801. Although the valve body is not shown in the figure, those skilled in the art will understand that a valve body sealing structure also exists between seal 818 and valve body. In this embodiment, the valve body sealing structure is substantially the same as the valve body sealing structure 165 in valve 100, and will not be described again here. However, the anti-detachment structure 863 and the housing sealing structure 864 are slightly different from those in valve 100.

[0074] Specifically, in the anti-detachment structure 863 of this embodiment, the sealing member limiting structure 830 on the housing 801 includes a pair of blocking blocks 878 respectively disposed on a pair of side groove walls 825 of the sealing member mounting groove 822. The pair of blocking blocks 878 extend toward each other and are spaced apart by a certain distance D from the bottom of the groove 887. The outer sealing portion 876 on the sealing member 818 is generally thin and square in shape, and its thickness is approximately equal to or less than the distance D. The outer sealing portion 876 has a pair of side portions 881 disposed opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the housing. The pair of side portions 881 can abut against a blocking block 878 respectively to clamp the pair of side portions 881 of the sealing member 818 between the bottom of the groove 887 and the pair of blocking blocks 878. As an example, ribs 885 are also provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side portions 881 of the sealing member 818, and the pair of side portions 881 contact the corresponding blocking block 878 through the ribs 885. In this embodiment, the seal 818 can be blocked by a pair of blocking blocks 878 and cannot move radially toward the valve body along the housing 801. The side groove wall 825 does not serve to block the seal 818 from moving radially along the housing 801. Therefore, the side groove wall 825 only needs to prevent the seal 818 from moving circumferentially along the housing 801. It does not need to be inclined, which makes it easier to process.

[0075] The length of the seal 818 (i.e., the distance between a pair of sidewalls 882 of the seal 818 in the circumferential direction of the housing) is less than the distance between a pair of blocking blocks 878, so that the outer seal 876 will not come off between the pair of blocking blocks 878. The seal limiting structure 830 on the housing 801 and the pair of sidewalls 881 on the seal 818 together form the anti-disengagement structure 863.

[0076] In the housing sealing structure 864 of this embodiment, the housing sealing surface 861 on the housing 801 is planar, and the housing opening 804 is located on the housing sealing surface 861. The outer surface of the outer sealing portion 876 of the seal 818 forms an outer sealing surface 847, which is also planar. When the seal 818 is installed in the seal mounting groove 822, the outer sealing surface 847 abuts against the housing sealing surface 861 to form the housing sealing structure 864.

[0077] like Figures 8A-8C As shown, the inner surface of the inner sealing portion 875 of the seal 818 forms an inner sealing surface 838. Similar to the inner sealing surface 338 of the seal 118, the inner sealing surface 838 is also an arc shape that matches the shape of the baffle of the valve body so that it can contact the baffle.

[0078] In this embodiment, the seal 818 further includes a pair of wings 884, which extend obliquely from the inner sealing portion 875 on both sides of the housing circumferential direction in opposite directions and slightly towards the outer sealing portion 876. The wings 884 function similarly to the chamfered surface 435 of the seal 118, and can also be guided by engaging with the edge of the baffle of the valve body.

[0079] Still as Figures 8A-8C As shown, in this embodiment, the seal 818 further includes a neck 883, which connects the inner sealing portion 875 and the outer sealing portion 876. The neck 883 is generally annular in shape, and its outer circumferential dimensions are smaller than those of the inner sealing portion 875 and the outer sealing portion 876. The interior of the neck 883 is hollow, forming a portion of a sealing channel 828 that penetrates the seal 818. The smaller outer circumferential dimensions of the neck 883 facilitate a certain degree of deformation of the seal 818 radially along the housing, for example, causing the inner sealing portion 875 to move slightly toward the outer sealing portion 876 a certain distance. Thus, in this embodiment, the deformation of the seal 818 can prevent the seal 818 from affecting the rotation of the valve body, and ensure that the inner sealing surface 838 of the seal 818 can fit tightly against the baffle of the valve body. As an example, the neck 883 may also have a certain curvature to facilitate deformation of the neck; for example, the outer circumferential dimensions of the neck 883 may gradually decrease from both ends to the middle.

[0080] In this embodiment, the axial height of the inner sealing portion 875 of the seal 818 is set to be less than the height of the outer sealing portion 876, so that the inner opening and the outer opening of the seal 818 do not need to be set to different shapes, thus avoiding interference between the baffle 109 and the bearing 106 and making it easier to process.

[0081] Although this application will be described with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the valves of this application can be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit, scope, and context of the teachings of this application. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that there are different ways to modify the structure of the embodiments disclosed in this application, all of which fall within the spirit and scope of this application and the claims.

Claims

1. A valve, characterized in that... include: A housing, the inner wall of which defines a housing cavity, the housing having a housing channel forming a housing opening on the inner wall; A valve body, rotatably disposed about an axis in the housing cavity of the housing, and configured to open or close the housing opening; A sealing element mounting groove is disposed on the inner wall around the opening of the housing. The sealing element mounting groove includes a groove bottom, a groove wall disposed around at least a portion of the groove bottom, and an insertion port formed by the groove wall, wherein the groove bottom forms a housing sealing surface. as well as A seal is inserted from the insertion port into the seal mounting groove, wherein the seal is configured to contact the valve body and the housing sealing surface when the valve body closes the housing opening, such that the valve body can sealably close the housing opening; The sealing element mounting groove further includes a sealing element limiting structure, which is disposed on the groove wall and configured to restrict the movement of the sealing element relative to the housing toward the valve body.

2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove wall includes an end groove wall and a pair of side groove walls, the pair of side groove walls being located on a first and a second side opposite to the bottom of the groove, and the end groove wall and the insertion port being located on a third and a fourth side opposite to the bottom of the groove; The pair of side groove walls extend along the direction of the axis, and the seal is inserted into the seal mounting groove along the direction of the axis.

3. The valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing element limiting structure is symmetrically arranged on the pair of side groove walls.

4. The valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sealing element includes an inner sealing portion and an outer sealing portion. The inner sealing portion has an inner sealing surface, and the outer sealing portion has an outer sealing surface. The inner sealing surface is configured to fit the shape of the valve body, and the outer sealing surface is configured to fit the shape of the housing sealing surface.

5. The valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing element limiting structure includes a pair of blocking blocks, which are respectively disposed on the pair of side groove walls and extend toward each other; The pair of blocking blocks are spaced a certain distance from the bottom of the groove to clamp at least a portion of the seal between the pair of blocking blocks and the bottom of the groove.

6. The valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The seal also includes a neck connected between the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion, wherein the outer circumferential dimension of the neck is smaller than the outer circumferential dimensions of the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion.

7. The valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer circumference of the neck gradually decreases from both ends to the middle.

8. The valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least a portion of the pair of side groove walls extends obliquely toward each other in the direction from the housing to the valve body to form the sealing limiting structure; The sealing element is held between the sealing element limiting structure and the bottom of the groove.

9. The valve according to claim 8, characterized in that: The seal also includes a pair of sidewalls that extend obliquely toward each other in the direction from the outer sealing surface to the inner sealing surface; The pair of sidewalls are configured to mate with the sealing limiting structures on the pair of side groove walls, respectively.

10. The valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve body includes a baffle plate having an arc-shaped valve body sealing surface, and the inner sealing surface is configured to mate with the shape of the arc-shaped valve body sealing surface.

11. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has an open end, and the insertion port of the sealing element mounting groove is located at the open end; The valve also includes a bearing disposed at the open end of the housing and above the seal, the bearing being configured to press the seal into the seal mounting groove.

12. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seal is made of a hard material.

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