Electronic expansion valve

Abstract

Electronic expansion valve, including valve body part, screw rod valve needle assembly and nut part, the valve body part includes valve port part, the nut part is fixedly connected with the valve body part, the screw rod valve needle assembly includes screw rod and valve needle, the screw rod includes screw rod threaded part, the nut includes nut threaded part, the screw rod threaded part is screwed with the nut threaded part, the valve body part includes guide part, the valve needle includes valve needle guide part, the valve needle guide part is slidably matched with the guide part, the valve needle can approach or away from the valve port part through the threaded cooperation; the screw rod includes support part, the valve needle includes hanging part, the support part is closer to the valve port part than the hanging part, the support part can abut against the hanging part, further including elastic member, when the valve needle abuts against the valve port part, the first end part abuts against the screw rod, and the second end part abuts against the valve needle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration control technology, and in particular to an electronic expansion valve. [Background Technology]

[0002] Electronic expansion valves are widely used in refrigeration systems as throttling elements to regulate the flow of refrigerant. They typically use a coil component to drive a rotor to rotate, which in turn drives the threaded transmission component to push the valve needle component to move up and down axially, thereby controlling the valve opening and regulating the refrigerant flow. Electronic expansion valves generally include components such as a valve body, valve core assembly, and lead screw. The valve body has a valve port, and when the valve is closed, the sealing part of the valve needle should remain in contact with the valve port. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel electronic expansion valve that maintains good contact between the valve needle and the valve port when the valve is closed.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic expansion valve, including a valve body component, a lead screw and valve needle assembly, and a nut component. The valve body component includes a valve port, and the nut component is fixedly connected to the valve body component. The lead screw and valve needle assembly includes a lead screw and a valve needle. The lead screw includes a lead screw threaded portion, and the nut includes a nut threaded portion. The lead screw threaded portion and the nut threaded portion are threadedly engaged. The valve body component includes a guide portion, and the valve needle includes a valve needle guide portion. The valve needle guide portion and the guide portion are slidably engaged. Through the threaded engagement, the valve needle can approach or move away from the valve port.

[0005] The lead screw includes a support portion, and the valve needle includes a suspension portion. The support portion is closer to the valve port portion than the suspension portion, and the support portion can abut against the suspension portion. The lead screw has a first groove and also includes a first receiving portion. The valve needle extends into the first receiving portion through the first groove in a generally radial direction. Alternatively, the valve needle has a second groove and also includes a second receiving portion. The lead screw extends into the second receiving portion through the second groove in a generally radial direction. The nut component generally limits the valve needle and the lead screw radially.

[0006] The electronic expansion valve also includes an elastic element, which includes a first end and a second end. The first end is farther away from the valve port than the second end. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end abuts against the lead screw, and the second end abuts against the valve needle.

[0007] This invention optimizes the structure of the electronic expansion valve by incorporating an elastic element. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, one end of the elastic element abuts against the lead screw, and the second end of the elastic element abuts against the valve needle. This ensures good contact between the valve needle and the valve port when the electronic expansion valve is closed. [Attached Image Description]

[0008] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of an electronic expansion valve (closed state) according to a first embodiment of the application of the elastic element provided by the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the electronic expansion valve (open state) according to the first embodiment of the application of the elastic element provided by the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the electronic expansion valve (open state) according to a second embodiment of the application of the elastic element provided by the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure (open valve state) of an electronic expansion valve according to a third embodiment of the application of the elastic element provided by the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the electronic expansion valve (open state) according to the fourth embodiment of the application of the elastic element provided by the present invention;

[0013] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure (open valve state) of the first embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0014] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure (valve closed state) of the first embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0015] Figure 8 A top sectional view showing the second stop portion of the stop structure being relatively far from the first stop portion and the second stop portion abutting against the first stop portion;

[0016] Figure 9 for Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of the nut having a first stop portion and the rotor seat having a second stop portion in the first embodiment;

[0017] Figure 10 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first mating connection of the lead screw valve needle assembly provided by the present invention;

[0018] Figure 11 A cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the second mating connection of the lead screw valve needle assembly provided by the present invention applied to an electronic expansion valve;

[0019] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the elastic element abutting against the end face of the lead screw and the end face of the valve needle, respectively.

[0020] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of a second embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A three-dimensional and cross-sectional schematic diagram of the nut component;

[0022] Figure 15 for Figure 13 A bottom-view sectional view of the rotor assembly;

[0023] Figure 16 and Figure 17 A schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the fourth embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure (open valve state) of the fourth embodiment of the electronic expansion valve stop structure provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 19 for Figure 18 Schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the second stop pin;

[0027] Figure 20 for Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the second stop pin installed on the rotor assembly;

[0028] Figure 21 A cross-sectional view and a top-view perspective of the rotor assembly with the second stop pin installed;

[0029] Figure 22 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the nut component with the first stop pin installed;

[0030] Figure 23 for Figure 22 Schematic diagram of the nut assembly without the first stop pin installed.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0031] It should be noted that this application focuses on protecting the elastic element structure of the electronic expansion valve and the positional relationship between the elastic element and the lead screw and valve needle respectively. Other structures of the electronic expansion valve, such as the stop structure and coil components, can be adapted and adjusted according to the system or other needs and occasions.

[0032] This application provides an electronic expansion valve, including a valve body component 10, a nut component 50, and a lead screw and valve needle assembly 60. The valve body component 10 includes a valve port portion 11, which has a valve port 110. The valve body component 10 can be integrally formed by machining or other methods. The valve port portion 11 refers to the part of the valve body component 10 that forms the valve port 110. The valve port portion 11 can be an integral structure with the valve body component 10 or it can be separately set and then fixedly connected. The nut component 50 is fixedly connected to the valve body component 10. The lead screw and valve needle assembly 60 includes a lead screw 61 and a valve needle 62. The lead screw 61 includes a lead screw thread portion 611, i.e., an outer thread portion. The threaded portion, nut component 50 includes a nut threaded portion 53, i.e., an internal threaded portion. The internal threaded portion and the external threaded portion form the threaded feeding mechanism of the electronic expansion valve. The lead screw threaded portion 611 is threadedly engaged with the nut threaded portion 53. Through the threaded engagement, the valve needle 62 can approach or move away from the valve port 110 of the valve port portion 11 to regulate the refrigerant flow through the valve port 110. The valve body component 10 also includes a guide portion 13. The valve needle 62 includes a valve needle guide portion 622, which slides with the guide portion 13. The valve needle 62 includes a suspension portion 621. The lead screw 61 includes a support portion 614. The support portion 614 is... The suspension portion 621 is closer to the valve port portion 11, and the support portion 614 can abut against the suspension portion 621. The lead screw 61 has a first groove 611A and also includes a first receiving portion 61A. The valve needle 62 extends into the first receiving portion 61A through the first groove 611A in a generally radial direction. Alternatively, the valve needle has a second groove 621A and also includes a second receiving portion 62A. The lead screw 61 extends into the second receiving portion 62A through the second groove 621A in a generally radial direction. The nut component 50 generally radially limits the valve needle 62 and the lead screw 61. The electronic expansion valve also includes an elastic element 200. The component 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 202. The first end 201 is farther from the valve port 11 than the second end 202. When the valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11, the first end 201 of the elastic component 200 abuts against the lead screw 62, and the second end 202 of the elastic component 200 abuts against the valve needle 62. Through the optimized design of the electronic expansion valve structure, the present invention adds an elastic component between the lead screw and the valve needle. When the electronic expansion valve is in the closed state, the elastic force applied by the elastic component can keep the valve needle 62 abutting against the valve port 11 in a good manner, preventing the valve needle from detaching from the valve port.

[0033] The following is combined Figure 1 and Figure 6The electronic expansion valve structure provided in this application is described in detail. The electronic expansion valve also includes a connecting seat 20, which is fixedly connected to the valve body component 10. The connecting seat 20 can also be integrally formed with the valve body component 10. The outer shell 30 is fixedly connected to the connecting seat 20. This fixed connection roughly defines the valve cavity 12 of the electronic expansion valve. It should be noted that the valve cavity 12 refers to the entire cavity before the rotor component, nut component, and valve needle screw assembly are installed. After the components are installed, part of the valve cavity 12 is occupied. The valve body component 10 may also include a guide portion 13, which has a guide hole through which the valve needle 62 passes. The guide portion 13 provides guidance for the valve needle 62. The valve needle 62 includes a valve needle guide portion 6. 22. The valve needle guide portion 622 slides with the guide portion 13. Through the above design, the valve needle 62 can form its own guide, which reduces the influence of the valve needle 62 being deflected by the lead screw 61 due to the external environment during operation. The valve cavity 12 is provided with a rotor component 40 and a nut component 50. The rotor component 40 includes a rotor 41 and a rotor seat 42. The rotor seat 42 can be integrally formed with the rotor 41 as an insert. The rotor seat 42 includes a rotor seat body 421 and a rotor seat guide portion 422. The lead screw 61 can be interference-fitted with the rotor seat guide portion 422 to form a fixed connection between the lead screw 61 and the rotor seat guide portion 422. The outer periphery of the outer shell 30 is fitted with a coil component. The rotor 41 rotates under the excitation of the coil component. The rotor seat 42 and the lead screw 61 rotate synchronously. The nut component 50 includes a nut body 51 and a connecting part 52. The nut body 51 can be made of plastic and can be inserted into the connecting part 52 through injection molding. The connecting part 52 is welded to the valve body component 10 to fix the nut component 50 to the valve body component 10 as a whole. Alternatively, the nut component 50 can be made of metal to directly achieve a fixed connection with the valve body component 10. The nut component 50 described in this application can be a structure formed integrally by machining or other methods, or it can be a nut assembly structure consisting of several parts formed by fixed connection or insert molding. The nut component 50 includes a nut threaded part 53 and a nut guide. Part 56, the lead screw 61 includes a lead screw threaded part 611, a lead screw guide part 612, a stop part 613, and a support part 614. The lead screw threaded part 611 is threadedly engaged with the nut threaded part 53. The valve needle 62 can approach or move away from the valve port 110 of the valve port 11 through the threaded engagement of the lead screw and the nut, thereby regulating the flow of refrigerant through the valve port 110. The stop part 613 can abut against the housing 30 to form the upper stop position of the electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve also has a receiving cavity 50A. To ensure the coaxiality of the valve needle, lead screw, and valve port, the lead screw guide part 612 can be configured to slide and guide the nut guide part 56, or the lead screw guide part 612 can also be clearance-fitted with the nut guide part 56. Figure 10As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the support portion 614 of the lead screw 61 of the electronic expansion valve is a first support portion 6141. The lead screw 61 is provided with a first receiving portion 61A and a first slot 611A. The lead screw guide portion 612 includes a lead screw guide portion body and a lead screw extension wall 6121. The lead screw extension wall 6121 extends axially downward from the lead screw guide portion body. The first support portion 6141 is generally a radially inwardly extending protrusion from the lead screw extension wall toward the direction close to the central axis of the lead screw. The suspension portion 621 of the valve needle 62 is the first suspension portion 6211. A valve needle recess 625 is formed between the first suspension portion 6211 and the valve needle guide portion 622. The first suspension portion 6211 is farther from the valve port portion 11 than the valve needle recess 625. The first suspension portion 6211 extends radially outward from the valve needle recess 625 in a direction away from the central axis of the valve needle 62. The first support portion 6141 is closer to the valve port portion 11 than the first suspension portion 6211. 1. It can abut against the first suspension part 6211. In this embodiment, the lead screw 61 has a first receiving part 61A and a first slot 611A. The lead screw end face 615, the extension wall 6121, and the first support part 6141 generally define the first receiving part 61A. The valve needle 62 can be freely inserted into the lead screw 61 in a generally radial direction, and in at least one radial direction, the lead screw 61 and the valve needle 62 are not provided with a structure that can prevent the lead screw and the valve needle from detaching from each other. The first suspension part 6211 extends into the first receiving part 61A from the first slot 611A in a generally radial direction. The valve needle recess 625 is fitted with the first support part 6141 with a small clearance. After the valve needle and the lead screw are installed, the first support part 6141 and the first suspension part 6211 are located in the receiving cavity 50A. The nut guide part 56 of the nut component 50 generally limits the lead screw and the valve needle radially to prevent the valve needle from detaching from the lead screw. The connection structure of the valve needle and the lead screw is relatively convenient and reliable, and the installation method is relatively simple. It should be noted that... Figure 12 The assembly and connection methods of the lead screw and valve needle shown can also be interchanged, or as follows: Figure 12As shown, in another embodiment of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application, the support portion 614 of the lead screw 61 is a second support portion 6142. The lead screw 61 also includes a lead screw recess 617, which is located between the lead screw guide portion 612 and the second support portion 6142. The second support portion 6142 is closer to the valve port 11 than the lead screw recess 617, and the second support portion 6142 generally protrudes radially outward from the lead screw recess 617 in a direction away from the central axis of the lead screw. The suspension portion 621 of the valve needle 62 is the second suspension portion 6212. The valve needle guide portion 622 includes a valve needle guide body and a valve needle extension wall 6221. 1. The valve needle guide body extends upward in a general axial direction. The second suspension part 6212 is a radially inward protrusion extending from the valve needle extension wall 6221 toward the valve needle central axis. The valve needle 62 has a second receiving part 62A and a second slot 621A. The lead screw 61 can be freely inserted into the valve needle 62 in a general radial direction. The second support part 6142 extends into the second receiving part 62A from the second slot 621A in a general radial direction. The lead screw recess is fitted with the second suspension part 6212 with a small clearance. The second support part 6142 is closer to the valve port 11 than the second suspension part 6212. The second support part 6142 can abut against the second suspension part 6212.

[0034] It should be noted that the radial direction described in this application does not only include the strictly horizontal radial direction, but may also include a roughly inclined radial direction. In addition, the mutual aggression described in this application includes both direct mutual aggression of components and indirect mutual aggression achieved by adding a third component.

[0035] The first embodiment of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application is described below, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the electronic expansion valve also includes an elastic element 200, which is located between the lead screw and the valve needle. The valve needle includes a valve needle end face 624 and a first recess 623. The first recess 623 is recessed inward from the valve needle end face 624 and has a first recessed bottom wall 623a. The lead screw 61 includes a lead screw end face 615. Part of the elastic element 200 is located in the first recess 623, and the first recess 623 substantially radially limits the elastic element 200. A portion of the elastic element 200 is exposed from the valve needle end face 624. The first end 201 is further away from the valve port 11 relative to the valve needle end face 624. When the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port 11, i.e., when the electronic expansion valve is in the open state, or when the valve needle just contacts the valve port 11, the elastic element 200 is approximately in an extended state. The first support portion 6141 abuts against the first suspension portion 6211. The abutment between the first support portion 6141 and the first suspension portion 6211 as stated in this application refers to the first suspension portion 6211. Suspended from the first support 6141 without external force, when the electronic expansion valve needs to close, the lead screw 61 and the rotor assembly 40 rotate synchronously according to the coil excitation. The threaded engagement is converted into axial downward movement of the lead screw and the valve needle. The lead screw end face 615 of the lead screw 61 applies rotational torque to the elastic element 200. The elastic element 200 is compressed by the force applied by the lead screw 61, and at the same time, the elastic force is applied to the valve needle 62. The valve needle 62 gradually approaches the valve port 11. The lead screw 61 continues to move axially downward until the valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11. At this time, a gap L is formed between the first support part 6141 and the first suspension part 6211. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port 11, the first end 201 of the elastic member 200 abuts against the lead screw end face 615 of the lead screw 61, and the second end 202 abuts against the first recessed bottom wall 623a. It should be noted that the abutting mentioned in this application refers to the state in which the valve needle applies force to the valve port and abuts against it.

[0036] The second embodiment of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application is described below, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the lead screw 61 is provided with a second recess 616. The second recess 616 is recessed inward from the lead screw end face 615' toward the valve port. Part of the elastic member 200 is located in the second recess 616 and is radially limited by the second recess 616. Another part of the elastic member 200 is exposed from the lead screw end face 615'. The second end 202 is closer to the valve port 11 than the lead screw end face 615'. The second recess 616 has a second recess bottom wall 616a. When the valve needle part abuts against the valve port part, the second end 202 of the elastic member 200 abuts against the valve needle end face 624' of the valve needle 62, and the first end 201 abuts against the second recess bottom wall 616a.

[0037] The third embodiment of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application is described below, such as... Figure 4As shown, the valve needle has a first recessed portion 623 and the lead screw has a second recessed portion 616. Part of the elastic element 200 is located in the first recessed portion 623, another part of the elastic element 200 is located in the second recessed portion 616, and another part of the elastic element 200 is located between the valve needle end face 624' and the lead screw end face 615'. When the valve needle and valve port abut against each other, the first end 201 of the elastic element 200 abuts against the bottom wall 623a of the first recess, and the second end 202 abuts against the bottom wall 616a of the second recess.

[0038] The fourth embodiment of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application is described below, such as... Figure 5 As shown, neither the valve needle 62 nor the lead screw 61 has a recessed portion. The elastic element 200 is located in the second receiving portion 62A of the valve needle 62. When the valve needle portion and the valve port portion abut together, the first end 201 of the elastic element 200 abuts against the end face 615' of the lead screw, and the second end 202 abuts against the end face 624' of the valve needle.

[0039] Or like Figure 10In the screw-valve-needle assembly structure, neither the screw nor the valve needle has a recessed portion. The elastic element 200 can be located in the first receiving portion 61A of the screw 61. When the valve needle portion and the valve port portion abut, the first end 201 of the elastic element 200 abuts against the end face 615 of the screw, and the second end 202 abuts against the end face 624 of the valve needle. By adding the elastic element 200, when valve closure is required, the elastic force applied by the elastic element 200 enables the valve needle 62 to reliably abut against the valve port portion 11, ensuring that the electronic expansion valve can achieve a fully closed state. Furthermore, when the refrigerant enters from the vertical pipe in the reverse direction, the elastic force applied by the elastic element 200 prevents the valve needle 62 from detaching from the valve port 11. When switching from the state where the valve needle and valve port 11 are in contact to the open state, the coil magnetic force causes the lead screw 61 and rotor 40 to rotate synchronously. The lead screw 61 lifts the valve needle 62 axially upward to open the valve and gradually move it away from the valve port 11. The first suspension part 6211 is suspended from the first support part 6141, and the first support part 6141 and the first suspension part 6211 are in a contact state. Because there is a gap between the lead screw end face 615 and the valve needle end face 624, the valve needle 62 is easily pushed upward by the refrigerant inlet pressure. Especially during the instantaneous valve opening state, the first support part 6141 is easily disengaged from the first suspension part 6211 under the refrigerant pressure, resulting in a gap between them and preventing them from maintaining a resisting state. This causes a nut movement gap between the lead screw thread 611 and the nut thread 53 of the nut 50, making the valve needle 62 prone to vertical movement. The lead screw 61 drives the valve needle 62. The operation of the valve has a certain lag, so flow deviation will occur during each flow adjustment process. However, after adding the elastic element 200, when the electronic expansion valve changes from the closed state to the open state, the restoring force of the elastic element 200 can keep the support and the suspension in good contact. The valve needle is stably driven axially upward by the screw. The force of the elastic element 200 can relatively improve the situation where the valve needle 62 moves up and down due to the pressure of the refrigerant inlet, thereby achieving a more stable valve opening operation and a more stable flow adjustment.

[0040] Furthermore, the lead screw 61 includes a lead screw mating surface AA. The elastic element 200 can be a helical spring or an elastic sheet. The specific structure of the elastic element 200 is not limited here; this application only illustrates one embodiment of the elastic element 200. The elastic element 200 includes a first end 201 and a second end 202. The first end 201 is farther from the valve port 11 than the second end 202. A first distance L1 is set between the lead screw mating surface AA and the second end 202. L1, as stated in this application, refers to the height of the elastic element 200 itself. A second distance L2 is formed between the first end 201 and the second end 202. When the valve needle is in a state of just-contact with the valve port 11, or when the valve needle is relatively far from the valve port in the open state, L1 > L2, meaning there is a gap between the elastic element 200 and the lead screw. It should be noted that the state of the valve needle abutting against the valve port, as stated in this application, refers to the valve needle receiving additional force to apply a force to the valve port 11 and press against it. Specifically, in situations such as... Figure 2In the design, the screw mating surface AA is the screw end face 615. When the valve needle is in contact with the valve port 11, or when the valve needle is relatively far from the valve port in the open state, a first distance L1 is formed between the screw end face 615 and the second end 202, and a second distance L2 is formed between the first end 201 and the second end 202. L2 is the height of the elastic element 200 itself, and L1 > L2. When the valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11, the screw 61 applies torque to the elastic element 200. The elastic element 200 transmits the force to the valve needle 62 and moves it axially downward. The first end 201 of the elastic element 200 abuts against the screw end face 615, and the second end 202 abuts against the valve needle. Through the above design, when the electronic expansion valve needs to close, the screw 61 and the rotor component 40 rotate synchronously due to the coil excitation. Through the threaded engagement, the screw 61 and the valve needle 62 move axially downward together. During the operation, the first suspension... The hanging part 6211 is suspended and supported by the first support part 6141. When the valve needle 62 contacts the valve port 11 downwards, it is not subjected to spring load. The valve needle 62 performs self-centering sealing. The valve needle 62 can automatically align with the valve port 110 by its own weight, and the sealing effect is more reliable. Then, through the threaded engagement, the screw 61 moves further axially downwards to compress the elastic element 200. The valve port 11 is pressed against the valve needle 62 by the weight of the valve needle 62 and the spring force of the elastic element 200. A stroke gap L is formed between the first hanging part 6211 and the first support part 6141. The valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11, and the first end 201 of the elastic element 200 abuts against the end face 615 of the screw, and the second end 202 abuts against the valve needle 61. The above arrangement can relatively ensure the coaxiality of the valve needle 62 and the valve port 11, which can reduce the internal leakage caused by the valve needle 62 being misaligned relative to the valve port, and the sealing effect of the valve port is relatively good. Of course, it is also possible to set L1=L2, with the distance L1 between the screw mating surface AA and the second end being the same as the height of the elastic element 200 itself. This can also achieve the effect of keeping the valve needle and valve port in good contact when the valve is closed. However, if the elastic element 200 is set so that the first end 201 abuts against the screw 61 and the second end 202 abuts against the valve needle 62 when the valve needle and valve port 11 just come into contact or when the valve is open, the end face of the first end 201 of the elastic element 200 will inevitably have a flatness problem due to the influence of processing deviation or process. When the screw transmits the force to the elastic element 200 to push the valve needle 62 downward, the valve needle 62 may also be affected by the elastic element 200 and become deviated relative to the valve port. In terms of technical effect, it is not as good as setting L1>L2.

[0041] Simultaneously, through this design, when the valve needle just contacts the valve port 11 or when the valve is open, a first distance L1 is formed between the screw end face 615 and the second end 202, and a second distance L2 is formed between the first end 201 and the second end 202, and L1 > L2. When the screw 61 moves axially downward with the valve needle 62 to gradually close the valve port 11, at the instant the valve needle 62 contacts the valve port 11, the valve port 11 is only subjected to the gravity of the valve needle 62 itself, and is not subjected to additional spring load, so the wear of the valve needle on the valve port is small.

[0042] In addition, in such Figure 3 In the process, the lead screw mating end face AA is the second recessed bottom wall 616a. When the valve needle is just in contact with the valve port 11 or when the valve is open, a first distance L1 is formed between the second recessed bottom wall 616a and the second end 202, and a second distance L2 is formed between the first end 201 and the second end 202, and L1 > L2. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end 201 of the elastic member 200 abuts against the second recessed bottom wall 616a, and the second end 202 abuts against the valve needle end face. The corresponding operating principle and technical effect have been described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0043] To prevent the valve needle 62 from excessively engaging the valve port 11, the electronic expansion valve also includes a stop structure 100. The stop structure 100 includes a first stop portion 70 and a second stop portion 80. In a first embodiment of the stop structure, the first stop portion 70 includes a first stop boss 70A, and the second stop boss includes a second stop boss 80A. The first stop boss 70A protrudes upward in the axial direction from the nut end face 501 away from the valve port 11. The rotor seat 42 has a rotor seat end face 425, and the second stop boss protrudes upward from the rotor seat end face 425 towards the valve port. Part 11 extends downward along the axial direction, and the first stop boss 70A can abut against the second stop boss 80A. The first stop boss 70A can be integrally injection molded with the nut body 51 through injection molding, or the first stop boss 70A can be integrally machined with the nut component 50 through powder metallurgy or other processes. Similarly, the second stop boss 80A can be integrally injection molded with the rotor seat 42, or the second stop boss 80A and the rotor seat 42 can be integrally machined through powder metallurgy or other processes. When the second stop boss 80A is relatively far away from the first stop boss 70A, such as Figure 4 As shown in the left-side view, the valve needle 62 is relatively far from the valve port 11, and the support part 614 abuts against the suspension part 621. When the second stop boss 80A abuts against the first stop boss 70A, as... Figure 4 As shown in the right-side view, the valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11, and a gap L is formed between the support portion 614 and the suspension portion 621, as shown. Figure 3As shown, at this time, the elastic element 200 is in a compressed state, and the valve needle 62 is in a pressing state with the valve port 11. The first stop boss 70A and the second stop boss 80A abut against each other to form the lower stop position of the electronic expansion valve, preventing the valve needle 62 from excessively biting into the valve port 11. This application optimizes the overall structure of the electronic expansion valve by providing a stop structure 100 and an elastic element 200, which can eliminate the stroke tolerance of the valve needle screw assembly, enabling the valve needle to reliably abut against the valve port 11 to ensure the valve is fully closed. At the same time, when the first stop part abuts against the second stop part, the valve... The needle 62 remains in a tight position with the valve port 11. When the valve needle receives reverse refrigerant pressure, it can prevent the valve needle from detaching from the valve port. When the first stop part and the second stop part abut against each other, the rotor of the electronic expansion valve is further rotated in the lower stop position mode, thereby preventing the valve needle from excessively biting into the valve port. The overall structure of the stop structure has relatively few parts, and the processing and assembly of the stop structure are more convenient. The overall stop structure is relatively simple, and the impact formed when the first stop boss 70A and the second stop boss 80A abut against each other is small, which can relatively improve the stop noise problem.

[0044] The following is combined Figure 10-11 The second embodiment of the stop structure provided by the present invention is briefly introduced. The difference between the second and third embodiments of the stop structure is the setting position of the first stop boss 70A'. The nut component 50 includes a nut sidewall 502. The first stop boss 70A' extends radially from the nut sidewall 502 toward the rotor 41. The first stop boss 70A' can abut against the second stop boss 80A. The corresponding actuation method and principle have been specifically described in the first embodiment of the stop structure and will not be repeated here.

[0045] The following is combined Figure 12-13This invention provides a third embodiment of the stopping structure. In this embodiment, the first stopping part 70 is a third stopping pin 70C, and the second stopping part 80 is a fourth stopping pin 80C. As shown in Figure 12, the nut component 50 has a first mating hole 503. The third stopping pin 70C is generally cylindrical and passes through the first mating hole 503. The third stopping pin 70C is press-fitted into the first mating hole 503 or welded to the first mating hole 503, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the third stopping pin 70C and the nut component 50. The first mating hole 503 can be axially or radially arranged, and the third stopping pin 70C can be inserted axially or radially. The first mating hole 503 is used to insert the third stop pin radially into the first mating hole 503. Part of the third stop pin 70C extends from the nut side wall 502 to abut against the fourth stop pin 80C. When the third stop pin 70C is inserted axially into the first mating hole 503, part of the third stop pin 70C extends from the nut end face 501. The rotor seat 42 is provided with a second mating hole 424. The fourth stop pin 80C passes through the second mating hole 424, and part of the fourth stop pin 80C extends from the rotor seat end face 425 to abut against the third stop pin 70C. The corresponding actuation mode and principle have been specifically described in the first embodiment of the stop structure and will not be repeated here.

[0046] The following is combined Figure 14-19This invention introduces a fourth embodiment of the stop structure. In this embodiment, the first stop is a first stop pin 70B, the second stop is a second stop pin 80B, and the nut component 50 is provided with a first notch 54 that is generally annularly grooved. The nut component 50 also includes a first complete part 55. The first notch 54 is generally a C-shaped annular structure formed by an inward recess from the outer surface of the nut sidewall 502. The first stop pin 70B is embedded in the first notch 54 and engaged and limited by the first notch 54. The first stop pin 70B includes a first annular body 71B, a first stop 72B, and a first notch 73B. A first notch 73B is formed between the end face of the first annular body 71B and the first stop 72B. The first stop 72B extends radially from the first annular body 71B toward the rotor 41. The first notch 73B is generally adapted to the first complete part 55. The rotor seat 42 includes a rotor seat body 421 and a rotor seat body 422. The rotor seat guide portion 422 and the rotor seat body 421 are provided with a plurality of through holes 423. The rotor seat guide portion 422 is provided with a second notch 4221 with a generally C-shaped structure. The rotor seat guide portion 422 also includes a second complete portion 4222. The second notch 4221 is formed by the inward recess of the outer peripheral surface of the rotor seat guide portion 422. The second stop pin 80B is embedded in the second notch 4221 by elastic deformation and is engaged and limited with the second notch 4221. The second stop pin 80B includes a second annular body 81B, a second stop portion 82B and a second notch 83B. The second notch 83B is formed between the end face of the second annular body 81B and the second stop portion 82B. The second stop portion 82B is generally perpendicular to the plane where the second annular body 81B is located. The second stop portion 82B passes through the through holes 423 and extends axially downward toward the valve port portion 11. The first stop pin 70B can abut against the second stop pin 80B.

[0047] The fifth embodiment of the stop structure provided by the present invention is described below. The difference from the previous four embodiments is that in this embodiment, the second stop part of the stop structure is formed by the rotor seat end face 425, and the first stop part of the stop structure is formed by the nut end face 501. When the nut end face 501 and the rotor seat end face 425 are relatively far apart, the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port 11, and the support part 614 abuts against the suspension part 621. When the nut end face 501 and the rotor seat end face 425 abut against each other, the valve needle abuts against the valve port 11. A gap L is formed between the support part 614 and the suspension part 621. The rotor seat end face 425 can directly or indirectly abut against the nut end face 501 to form the lower stop position of the electronic expansion valve, so that the valve needle does not overact and bite into the valve port 11.

[0048] This application provides an electronic expansion valve, including a valve body component 10, a nut component 50, and a lead screw and valve needle assembly 60. The valve body component 10 includes a valve port portion 11, which has a valve port 110. The nut component 50 is fixedly connected to the valve body component 10. The lead screw and valve needle assembly 60 includes a lead screw 61 and a valve needle 62. The lead screw 61 includes a lead screw thread portion 611, and the nut component 50 includes a nut thread portion 53. The lead screw thread portion 611 and the nut thread portion 53 are threadedly engaged, and the valve needle 62 can move through the threaded engagement. The valve body component 10 also includes a guide portion 13, a valve needle 62 including a valve needle guide portion 622, which slides in conjunction with the guide portion 13, the valve needle 62 including a suspension portion 621, and a lead screw 61 including a support portion 614, the support portion 614 being closer to the valve port 11 than the suspension portion 621, and the support portion 614 being able to abut against the suspension portion 621. The lead screw 61 is provided with a first groove 611A and also includes a first receiving portion. The valve needle 62 extends into the first receiving portion 61A through the first slot 611A in a generally radial direction, or the valve needle has a second slot 621A and also includes a second receiving portion 62A. The lead screw 61 extends into the second receiving portion 62A through the second slot 621A in a generally radial direction. The nut component 50 generally limits the valve needle 62 and the lead screw 61 radially. The electronic expansion valve also includes an elastic element 200, which includes a first end 201 and a second end 202. The second end 202 is farther from the valve port 11. When the valve needle 62 abuts against the valve port 11, the first end 201 of the elastic member 200 abuts against the lead screw 62, and the second end 202 of the elastic member 200 abuts against the valve needle 62. Through the optimized design of the electronic expansion valve structure, the present invention adds an elastic member between the lead screw and the valve needle. When the electronic expansion valve is in the closed state, the elastic force applied by the elastic member can keep the valve needle 62 abutting against the valve port 11 in a good manner, preventing the valve needle from detaching from the valve port.

[0049] It should be noted that the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" and the directional terms "upper" and "lower" used in this application are based on the accompanying drawings of this invention and are not intended to limit the structure or order of the components.

[0050] Specific examples have been used in this paper for illustration, and the descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic expansion valve, characterized in that, The device includes a valve body component, a lead screw and valve needle assembly, and a nut component. The valve body component includes a valve port. The nut component is fixedly connected to the valve body component. The lead screw and valve needle assembly includes a lead screw and a valve needle. The lead screw includes a lead screw threaded portion, and the nut includes a nut threaded portion. The lead screw threaded portion and the nut threaded portion are threadedly engaged. The valve body component includes a guide portion, and the valve needle includes a valve needle guide portion. The valve needle guide portion and the guide portion are slidably engaged. Through the threaded engagement, the valve needle can approach or move away from the valve port. The lead screw includes a support portion, and the valve needle includes a suspension portion. The support portion is closer to the valve port than the suspension portion and can abut against the suspension portion. The lead screw has a first groove and also includes a first receiving portion. The valve needle extends into the first receiving portion through the first groove in a generally radial direction. Alternatively, the valve needle has a second groove and also includes a second receiving portion. The lead screw extends into the second receiving portion through the second groove in a generally radial direction. The nut component generally radially limits the valve needle and the lead screw. The electronic expansion valve further includes an elastic element, which includes a first end and a second end. The first end is farther from the valve port than the second end. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end abuts against the lead screw, and the second end abuts against the valve needle. When the valve needle is relatively far from the valve port and the electronic expansion valve is in the open state, or when the valve needle just contacts the valve port, the elastic element is approximately in the extended state. The lead screw includes a lead screw guide portion, and the nut component includes a nut guide portion. The lead screw guide portion and the nut guide portion are in a sliding guide fit, or the lead screw guide portion and the nut guide portion are in a clearance fit. At least in one radial direction, the lead screw and the valve needle are not provided with a structure that prevents the lead screw and the valve needle from disengaging from each other. The electronic expansion valve includes a receiving cavity, the nut generally defines the receiving cavity, a portion of the lead screw and a portion of the valve needle are located in the receiving cavity, and the nut generally radially limits the lead screw and the valve needle so that the valve needle cannot disengage from the lead screw. The support portion includes a first support portion, the suspension portion includes a first suspension portion, the first support portion is closer to the valve port relative to the first suspension portion, the first support portion can abut against the first suspension portion, the lead screw guide portion includes a lead screw guide portion body and a lead screw extension wall, the lead screw extension wall extends axially downward from the lead screw guide portion body, the first support portion protrudes radially inward from the lead screw extension wall toward the central axis of the lead screw, the valve needle includes a valve needle recess, the valve needle recess is located between the first suspension portion and the valve needle guide portion, the first suspension portion is farther from the valve port relative to the valve needle recess, the first suspension portion protrudes radially outward from the valve needle recess toward the central axis away from the valve needle, the valve needle recess is clearance-fitted with the first support portion; Alternatively, the support portion may include a second support portion, and the suspension portion may include a second suspension portion. The second support portion is closer to the valve port relative to the second suspension portion, and the second support portion can abut against the second suspension portion. The lead screw may also include a lead screw recess, which is located between the lead screw guide portion and the second support portion. The second support portion extends radially outward from the lead screw recess in a direction away from the central axis of the lead screw. The valve needle guide portion includes a valve needle guide portion body and a valve needle extension wall, which extends axially upward from the valve needle guide portion body. The second suspension portion extends radially inward from the valve needle extension wall in a direction close to the central axis of the valve needle. The lead screw recess and the second suspension portion are in clearance fit.

2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lead screw has a lead screw mating surface. When the valve needle is in a state of just contact with the valve port or when the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port, a first distance is set between the lead screw mating surface and the second end, and a second distance is set between the first end and the second end. The first distance is greater than the second distance.

3. An electronic expansion valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve needle includes a valve needle end face, the lead screw includes a lead screw end face, the valve needle is provided with a first recessed portion, the first recessed portion is recessed inward from the valve needle end face, the first recessed portion includes a first recessed bottom wall, part of the elastic element is located in the first recessed portion, and another part of the elastic element is exposed from the valve needle end face. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end of the elastic element abuts against the lead screw end face, and the second end abuts against the first recessed bottom wall. The lead screw mating surface is the lead screw end face. When the valve needle is in a state of just contact with the valve port or when the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port, there is a gap between the elastic element and the lead screw end face.

4. An electronic expansion valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve needle includes a valve needle end face, and the lead screw includes a lead screw end face. The lead screw has a second recessed portion, which is recessed inward from the lead screw end face. The second recessed portion has a second recessed bottom wall. Part of the elastic element is located in the second recessed portion, and another part of the elastic element is exposed from the lead screw end face. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end of the elastic element abuts against the second recessed bottom wall, and the second end abuts against the valve needle end face. The lead screw mating surface is the second recessed bottom wall. When the valve needle is in a state of just contact with the valve port or when the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port, there is a gap between the elastic element and the second recessed bottom wall.

5. An electronic expansion valve according to claim 2, characterized in that... The valve needle includes a valve needle end face, and the lead screw includes a lead screw end face. The valve needle has a first recessed portion, which is recessed inward from the valve needle end face. The lead screw has a second recessed portion, which is recessed inward from the lead screw end face. Part of the elastic element is located in the first recessed portion, another part of the elastic element is located in the second recessed portion, and another part of the elastic element is located between the valve needle end face and the lead screw end face. The first recessed portion has a first recessed bottom wall, and the second recessed portion has a second recessed bottom wall. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the second end of the elastic element abuts against the first recessed bottom wall, and the first end abuts against the second recessed bottom wall. The lead screw mating surface is the lead screw end face. When the valve needle and the valve port are in a state of just contact or when the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port, there is a gap between the elastic element and the second recessed bottom wall.

6. An electronic expansion valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lead screw has a lead screw end face, and the valve needle has a valve needle end face. When the valve needle abuts against the valve port, the first end of the elastic member abuts against the lead screw end face, and the second end abuts against the valve needle end face. When the valve needle is in a state of just contact with the valve port or when the valve needle is relatively far away from the valve port, there is a gap between the elastic member and the lead screw end face.

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