Electrically operated valve and refrigeration cycle system

Abstract

The present application provides an electric valve and a refrigeration cycle system, which can improve the guiding accuracy of a valve core using a guide portion and improve the operability of the valve core. The electric valve (10) includes a valve body (1a), a valve core (3), a driving portion (4) having a driving shaft (42) for driving the valve core to advance and retreat, and a support member (2) supporting the driving shaft to be movable in the axial direction, wherein the valve core includes a valve portion (30) approaching or moving away from a valve port (1c) and a valve core body portion (31) connecting the driving shaft of the driving portion with the valve portion. The support member includes a fixed portion (21) fixed to the valve body, an internal thread portion (22a) supporting the driving shaft, and a valve core guide portion (23) extending from the fixed portion to the valve port side and guiding the valve core. A guide member (24) made of metal is integrally provided inside the valve core guide portion made of resin by insert molding, and the valve core body portion is guided in the axial direction by the guide member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electric valves and refrigeration circulation systems. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, an electric valve was known, comprising: a valve body having a valve port; a valve core that changes the opening degree of the valve port; and a drive unit that drives the valve core forward and backward, and serves as a guide unit that guides the valve core along the axial direction. Electric valves with a guide member (valve core guide 30a) fixed inside the valve body (see Patent Document 1) and electric valves with a cylindrical portion (main valve guide 13a) formed by extending the lower part of a support member (internal thread) along the valve seat direction (see Patent Document 2) were also known.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-164435

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-132394 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the electric valve described in Patent Document 1, because a separate guide component must be prepared and fixed inside the valve body, assembly time is increased, and the guiding accuracy of the valve core is difficult to improve due to the influence of the fixing accuracy of the guide component. In the electric valve described in Patent Document 2, because the cylindrical part is composed of a support component made of resin, deformation (shrinkage marks) occurs due to shrinkage during resin molding, and the guiding accuracy of the valve core is difficult to improve due to the influence of the molding accuracy of the resin. Thus, because it is difficult to improve the guiding accuracy of the valve core, valve core wobbling and other issues may lead to a deterioration in the valve core's operation.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electric valve that can improve the guiding accuracy of the valve core using the guide portion and improve the valve core's actuation.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] The electric valve of the present invention comprises: a valve body forming a valve chamber and a valve port; a valve core changing the opening degree of the valve port; a drive unit having a drive shaft for driving the valve core forward and backward; and a support member supporting the drive shaft for free movement in the axial direction. The electric valve is characterized in that the valve core has: a valve portion close to or away from the valve port; and a valve core body portion connecting the drive shaft of the drive unit to the valve portion. The support member has: a fixing portion fixed to the valve body; a shaft support portion supporting the drive shaft; and a valve core guide portion extending from the fixing portion toward the valve port side and guiding the valve core. A metal guide member is integrally formed inside the resin-made valve core guide portion by embedding, and the valve core body portion is guided in the axial direction by this guide member.

[0012] According to the present invention, by integrating the metal guide component and the support component, the time required for separately preparing and assembling the guide component can be reduced, and the positional and dimensional accuracy of the guide component can be improved. Therefore, the guiding accuracy of the valve core is less affected by the fixing and forming accuracy of the valve core guide portion, thus improving guiding accuracy and valve core actuation.

[0013] Preferably, the guide member is formed in a cylindrical shape and guides the valve core body portion from its inner circumferential surface.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the guide member has a radially recessed recess or a radially protruding protrusion on its outer periphery. According to this structure, by bringing the recess or protrusion into contact with the support member during insertion molding, the contact area between the guide member and the support member can be increased compared to the case where no recess or protrusion is provided. This allows for stable integration of the guide member and the support member. Furthermore, when an axial force is applied to the guide member or the support member, the recess or protrusion functions as a so-called anti-detachment part, preventing one of the guide member or the support member from detaching from the other along the axial direction.

[0015] Furthermore, preferably, the recess or the convex portion is formed continuously in the circumferential direction and is provided in one or more locations in the axial direction. According to this structure, compared to cases where the recess or convex portion is not formed continuously in the circumferential direction, or where multiple portions are not provided along the axial direction, the integration of the guide member and the support member can be further stabilized, and it can prevent one of the guide member and the support member from detaching from the other along the axial direction.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that the guide member is made of a metal that is softer than the valve core body. According to this structure, since the guide member is made of a metal that is softer than the valve core body, the sliding properties of the valve core body relative to the guide member can be improved compared to the case where it is made of a metal of equal or greater hardness.

[0017] The refrigeration cycle system of the present invention includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. Its characteristic feature is that any one of the electrically operated valves is used as the expansion valve. According to this refrigeration cycle system, similar to the effect of the electrically operated valve, the assembly time of the electrically operated valve can be reduced, and the positional and dimensional accuracy of the guiding components can be improved, as can the guiding accuracy of the guide portion to the valve core, thus improving the valve core's actuation. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle system can operate more smoothly.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] The electric valve and refrigeration circulation system according to the present invention can improve the guiding accuracy of the valve core using the guide portion and improve the actuation of the valve core. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the fully closed state of the electric valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is an enlarged sectional view of the supporting component.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side view of the guide component.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a side view of the guide member in the first variation of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a side view of the guide member in a second variation of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 10—Electric valve; 1A—Valve chamber; 1a—Valve body; 1c—Valve port; 2—Support component; 3—Valve core; 4—Drive part; 21—Fixing part; 22a—Internal thread part (shaft support part); 23—Valve core guide part; 24—Guide component; 30—Valve part; 31—Valve core body part; 42—Drive shaft; L—Axis. Detailed Implementation

[0028] based on Figures 1-3An electric valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the electric valve 10 of the embodiment includes a valve housing 1, a support member 2, a valve core 3, and a drive unit 4. Furthermore, the concept of "upper and lower" in the following description is different from... Figure 1 , 2 The top and bottom correspondences in the attached diagram.

[0029] The valve housing 1 has a cylindrical valve body 1a made of stainless steel, inside which a cylindrical valve chamber 1A is formed. A primary connector pipe 11 and a secondary connector pipe 12 are installed on the valve body 1a. The primary connector pipe 11 communicates with the valve chamber 1A from the side and allows refrigerant to flow in, while the secondary connector pipe 12 communicates with the valve chamber 1A from the bottom and allows refrigerant to flow out. Further, a valve seat 1b is formed on the valve body 1a at the position connecting the valve chamber 1A and the secondary connector pipe 12. The valve seat 1b is inclined upwards towards the axis L of the valve body 1a from the end of the secondary connector pipe 12 on the valve chamber 1A side and stands upright. Furthermore, a valve port 1c is formed from the valve seat 1b to the secondary connector pipe 12 side. Due to the shape of the valve seat 1b, the cross-sectional shape of the valve port 1c is formed as an inverted cone. A housing 13 and a support member 2 are fixed at the upper opening of the valve body 1a. The housing 13 is a component with a rotor housing chamber 13A inside, which houses the magnetic rotor 41 described later. The housing 13 is fixed to the valve body 1a by welding or the like. An airtight space is formed inside the valve housing 1 by the valve body 1a and the housing 13.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the support member 2 is a component that supports the drive shaft 42 (described later) so that it can move freely along the axis L, and has a resin part 20 that is integrally formed into a generally cylindrical shape. Various engineering plastics with suitable hardness, heat resistance, etc., can be used as the resin material constituting the resin part 20. The central portion of the resin part 20 in the axis L direction has a larger diameter than other portions, and a ring-shaped metal fixing part 21 is integrally provided in its large-diameter portion by insertion molding. The outer peripheral edge of this fixing part 21 is welded to the upper opening of the valve body 1a. Figure 2 As shown, the resin part 20 includes: a support part 22 that extends above the fixing part 21 (on the side opposite to the valve port 1c) and supports the drive shaft 42; and a valve core guide part 23 that extends from the lower end of the support part 22 to the lower part of the fixing part 21 (on the side of the valve port 1c).

[0031] An internal thread (shaft support) 22a is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the support portion 22. The internal thread 22a is formed coaxially with the axis L, and by engaging with the external thread 42b described later, it supports the drive shaft 42 so that it can rotate freely about the axis L and move freely in the direction of the axis L. The valve core guide portion 23 is formed with a diameter larger than that of the support portion 22 and smaller than that of the fixing portion 21. A cylindrical receiving space 23A for receiving the valve core 3 is formed inside the valve core guide portion 23. The receiving space 23A communicates with the interior of the support portion 22 and has a diameter larger than that of the support portion 22. A first equalizing hole 23a communicating with the rotor receiving chamber 13A is formed on the side wall of the valve core guide portion 23. A guide member 24 is provided on the lower inner peripheral wall of the valve core guide portion 23.

[0032] The guide member 24 is a cylindrical component disposed inside the valve core guide portion 23, and is integrally formed with the valve core guide portion 23 by insertion molding. This guide member 24 functions as a guide portion that guides the valve core body portion 31 (described later) along the axis L direction, and is made of a metal (e.g., brass) that is softer than the valve core body portion 31. The inner diameter of the guide member 24 is formed to be the same size as the inner diameter of the valve core guide portion 23, and the inner circumferential surface of the valve core guide portion 23 and the inner circumferential surface of the guide member 24 are continuous without steps along the axis L direction. The lower end of the guide member 24 is formed to protrude further downward (towards the valve port 1c) than the lower end of the valve core guide portion 23. Figure 3 As shown, a trapezoidal groove-shaped recess 24a is continuously formed radially in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the guide member 24. During insertion molding, the resin constituting the valve core guide portion 23 flows into this recess 24a. Thus, near the recess 24a, the resin constituting the valve core guide portion 23 and the metal constituting the guide member 24 are aligned along the axis L, thereby the recess 24a functions as a so-called anti-detachment portion, specifically preventing one of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 from detaching relative to the other along the axis L. Here, the shape of the recess 24a is, as described above, a radially recessed trapezoidal groove, but the shape of the recess 24a could also be a radially recessed quadrilateral groove. In this case, the same function and effect can be achieved as when the shape of the recess 24a is a trapezoidal groove.

[0033] The valve core 3 comprises: a valve portion 30 that changes the opening degree of the valve port 1c; and a cylindrical valve core body portion 31 that connects the valve portion 30 to the drive shaft 42 of the drive portion 4. The valve core 3 is disposed within the storage space 23A. The valve portion 30 is the part that is close to or far from the valve port 1c, and is provided at the lower end of the valve core 3 in a manner opposite to the valve port 1c. The valve portion 30 has a diameter that decreases downwards, forming a generally conical cross-section. The valve core body portion 31 is a generally cylindrical stainless steel component that extends upwards along the axis L from the upper end of the valve portion 30. A second equalizing hole 31a is formed on the side wall of the valve core body portion 31, communicating with the interior of the valve core body portion 31 and the valve chamber 1A. A connecting portion 31b that bends towards the axis L is formed at the upper end of the valve core body portion 31. A connecting hole 31c that extends along the axis L is formed in the center of the connecting portion 31b.

[0034] The upper diameter of the valve core body 31 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the guide member 24, while the lower diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the guide member 24. With this structure, a circumferential gap is formed within the receiving space 23A between the upper side of the valve core body 31 and the inner peripheral walls of the valve core guide 23 and the guide member 24. Conversely, the lower side of the valve core body 31 slides in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 24. Therefore, the valve core body 31 is guided by the guide member 24 along the axial direction L.

[0035] The drive unit 4 includes a stepper motor 40 as an electric motor, a threaded feed mechanism 43, and a limiting mechanism 44 for restricting the rotation of the stepper motor 40. The stepper motor 40 includes: a magnetic rotor 41, the outer periphery of which is magnetized into multiple poles; a stator coil (not shown) disposed on the outer periphery of the housing 13; and a drive shaft 42 fixed to the magnetic rotor 41, extending along the axis L and driving the valve core 3 forward and backward. The stepper motor 40 is configured to provide pulse signals to the stator coil, causing the magnetic rotor 41 to rotate according to the number of pulses. The drive shaft 42 is a long, rod-shaped component fixed to the magnetic rotor 41 via a fixing member 42a, and is made of a metal such as stainless steel. The drive shaft 42 is inserted into the interior of the bracket portion 22 and extends into the interior of the valve core body portion 31 through a connecting hole 31c formed in the aforementioned connecting portion 31b.

[0036] An external threaded portion 42b is integrally formed in the middle of the drive shaft 42. This external threaded portion 42b engages with the internal threaded portion 22a of the support member 2, thereby forming a threaded feed mechanism 43. When the magnetic rotor 41 of the drive unit 4 and the drive shaft 42 rotate, the external threaded portion 42b is guided by the internal threaded portion 22a, and the magnetic rotor 41 and the drive shaft 42 move along the axis L according to the pitch. Here, the magnetic rotor 41 and the drive shaft 42 are configured to descend as they rotate in the forward direction. On the other hand, the magnetic rotor 41 and the drive shaft 42 are configured to rise as they rotate in the reverse direction.

[0037] A flange portion 42c with a diameter larger than that of the connecting hole 31c is formed at the lower end of the drive shaft 42. The flange portion 42c functions as an anti-detachment portion to prevent the drive shaft 42 from disengaging from the valve core body portion 31 along the axis L. Furthermore, an annular washer 5 is disposed between the upper surface of the flange portion 42c and the lower surface of the connecting portion 31b. Thus, the drive shaft 42 and the valve core body portion 31 are connected via the washer 5, the connecting portion 31b, and the flange portion 42c, and the valve core body portion 31 is configured to move back and forth along the axis L as the drive shaft 42 moves in the axis L direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the portion surrounded by the connecting portion 31b of the drive shaft 42 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the connecting hole 31c, and the valve core body portion 31 and the drive shaft 42 are connected with a gap in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the gasket 5 is made of a metal gasket with a high-lubricity surface, a gasket made of a high-lubricity resin such as fluororesin, or a gasket coated with a high-lubricity resin. Therefore, the rotational force of the drive shaft 42 during forward or reverse rotation is not transmitted to the valve core body 31. Moreover, a valve spring 6 is provided between the lower surface of the gasket 5 and the upper surface of the valve part 30 via a spring receiving part 6a, applying force to the valve core 3 downwards (in the valve-closing direction) along the axis L. Thus, the valve core 3 is forced in the valve-closing direction.

[0038] The limiting mechanism 44 includes: a guide thread 45 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 22; and a coil-shaped movable slider 46 screwed onto the outer periphery of the guide thread 45. The movable slider 46 is formed with a claw portion 46a protruding radially outward, which abuts against the magnetic rotor 41 in the circumferential direction. When the magnetic rotor 41 rotates, it pushes against the claw portion 46a, thereby causing the movable slider 46 to rotate and move up and down following the guide thread 45. An upper limit member 45a that limits the uppermost position of the magnetic rotor 41 and a lower limit member 45b that limits the lowermost position of the magnetic rotor 41 are formed on the guide thread 45. If the movable slider 46, which descends as the magnetic rotor 41 rotates in the forward direction, abuts against the lower limit member 45b, the movable slider 46 cannot rotate at the abutting position, thereby restricting the rotation of the magnetic rotor 41 and stopping the descent of the valve core 3. On the other hand, when the movable slider 46, which rises as the magnetic rotor 41 rotates in the opposite direction, abuts against the upper limiting member 45a, the movable slider 46 cannot rotate at the abutting position. Thus, the rotation of the magnetic rotor 41 is restricted, and the rising of the valve core 3 also stops. In this embodiment, the position where the magnetic rotor 41 stops descending is defined as the position where, after the valve portion 30 is seated on the valve seat 1b, the flange portion 42c slightly presses the spring receiving portion 6a towards the valve portion 30 (the upper end of the valve spring 6 is slightly pressed into the valve portion 30). On the other hand, the position where the magnetic rotor 41 stops rising is defined as the position where the flange portion 42c raises the valve core 3 to the maximum opening position of the valve port 1c.

[0039] The electric valve 10 described above operates as follows. First, in Figure 1 In the closed state, the valve portion 30 of the valve core 3 sits on the valve seat 1b, and the valve port 1c is closed. At this time, the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber 1A from the primary connector pipe 11 does not flow out from the secondary connector pipe 12. Next, if the stepper motor 40 of the drive unit 4 is driven to rotate the magnetic rotor 41 in the reverse direction, the drive shaft 42 rises, and the valve core 3 is pulled up. As the valve core 3 rises, the front end of the valve portion 30 is located inside the valve port 1c, forming a flow path (not shown) for the valve port 1c in this gap. At this time, the refrigerant flowing in from the primary connector pipe 11 flows out through the flow path to the secondary connector pipe 12. Here, the valve portion 30 is formed in a conical shape, so the gap gradually increases, thereby expanding the flow path and gradually increasing the refrigerant flow rate.

[0040] According to the above embodiment, by integrating the metal guide member 24 with the support member 2, the time required for separately preparing and assembling the guide member 24 can be reduced, and the positional and dimensional accuracy of the guide member 24 can be improved. Therefore, the guiding accuracy of the valve core 3 is less affected by the fixing and forming accuracy of the valve core guide portion 23, thus improving the guiding accuracy and the operability of the valve core 3.

[0041] Furthermore, a radially recessed recess 24a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24, and the resin constituting the valve core guide portion 23 flows into this recess 24a during insertion molding. Therefore, compared with the case where the recess 24a is not provided, the contact area between the guide member 24 and the support member 2 is increased, and the integration of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 can be stably performed. In addition, when a force in the axial direction L is applied to the guide member 24 or the support member 2, the recess 24a functions as a so-called anti-detachment part, thereby preventing one of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 from detaching relative to the other in the axial direction L.

[0042] Furthermore, by continuously forming the recess 24a in the circumferential direction, the integration of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 can be further stabilized compared to the case where it is not formed continuously, and it is possible to prevent one of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 from separating relative to the other in the direction of axis L.

[0043] Furthermore, by making the valve core body 31 out of stainless steel and the guide member 24 out of a metal that is softer than stainless steel, such as brass, the sliding properties of the valve core body 31 relative to the guide member 24 can be improved compared to the case where the guide member 24 is out of a metal that is the same as or harder than the valve core body 31.

[0044] Next, based on Figure 6The refrigeration cycle system of the present invention will be described. The refrigeration cycle system 90 is used, for example, in an air conditioner such as a household air conditioner. The electric valve 10 of the above embodiment is an expansion valve installed between the outdoor heat exchanger (condenser or evaporator) 91 and the indoor heat exchanger (condenser or evaporator) 92 of the air conditioner, and together with the compressor 93 and the four-way valve 94, constitutes a heat pump refrigeration cycle. The indoor heat exchanger 92 and the electric valve 10 are installed indoors, while the compressor 93, the four-way valve 94, and the outdoor heat exchanger 91 are installed outdoors, constituting a cooling and heating device. According to this refrigeration cycle system 90, similar to the electric valve 10 of this embodiment, the assembly time of the electric valve 10 can be reduced, and the positional and dimensional accuracy of the guide component 24 can be improved, as can the guiding accuracy of the valve core 3 and the actuation performance of the valve core 3. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle system 90 can operate more smoothly.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes other structures that can achieve the purpose of the present invention, as well as variations shown below. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a radially recessed recess 24a is continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the guide member 24, but the structure of the guide member 24 is not limited to this. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a first modified example of the guide component 24. (See diagram below.) Figure 4 As shown in (A), a radially recessed quadrilateral groove-shaped recess 24b may also be provided intermittently along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown in (B) and (C), a radially protruding side-view quadrilateral protrusion 24c may be continuously provided along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24, or the same protrusion 24d may be provided intermittently along the circumferential direction.

[0046] According to this structure, similar to the effect of the guide member 24 in this embodiment, the integration of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 can be stably achieved. Furthermore, when a force is applied to the guide member 24 or the support member 2 in the L-axis direction, the recess 24b and the protrusions 24c and 24d function as so-called anti-detachment portions, preventing one of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 from detaching from the other in the L-axis direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 (A) Figure 4As shown in (C), if the recesses 24b and protrusions 24d are provided intermittently along the circumferential direction, they also serve as anti-rotation portions to prevent the guide member 24 from rotating circumferentially relative to the support member 2. Furthermore, the recesses 24a in the above embodiment, the recesses 24b in the first modified example, and the protrusions 24c and 24d can also be provided in multiples along the axis L. According to this structure, compared to the case where multiple recesses 24a, 24b, and protrusions 24c and 24d are not provided along the axis L, the integration of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 can be further stabilized, and it is possible to prevent one of the guide member 24 and the support member 2 from separating relative to the other along the axis L. Furthermore, the shapes of the recesses 24a and 24b are not limited to trapezoidal grooves or quadrilateral grooves, and the shapes of the protrusions 24c and 24d are not limited to quadrilaterals in side view. For example, as long as the shape is an R-shaped form that bends when viewed from the side, or a shape that increases the contact area with the support member 2 and functions as an anti-slip part, the shapes of the recesses 24a, 24b and the protrusions 24c, 24d can be arbitrary.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a second modified example of the guide component 24. (See diagram for example.) Figure 5 As shown in (A), a so-called knurling process based on continuous circumferential and axial grooves 24e can also be performed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown in (B), a spiral groove 24f with at least one circumference can also be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24. Further, as... Figure 5 As shown in (C), at least one or more radially recessed V-grooves 24g may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 24, either continuously or intermittently along the axial direction L. Each guide member 24, like the guide member 24 of this embodiment, can stably integrate with the support member 2. Furthermore, when a force along the axial direction L is applied to the guide member 24 or the support member 2, the portions 24e, 24f, and 24g corresponding to the recesses 24a of this embodiment function as so-called anti-detachment portions, preventing one of the guide member 24 or the support member 2 from detaching from the other along the axial direction L.

[0048] Furthermore, the portions 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f, and 24g corresponding to the recess 24a in this embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example do not need to be formed at the same size all the time; they can also be formed at different sizes along the circumferential direction or the axial direction L. In addition, this embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example can be used in combination. For example, a guide member 24 may be constructed with recesses 24a, 24b, and protrusions 24c sequentially formed along the upper part of the axial direction L.

[0049] Furthermore, the guide member 24 does not necessarily need to be made of a metal of a material softer than the valve core body 31; it can also be made of a metal of the same or harder material as the valve core body 31. Moreover, the valve core body 31 does not necessarily need to slide in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the guide member 24. As long as the valve core body 31 is guided by the guide member 24, a circumferential gap can exist between the valve core body 31 and the guide member 24. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the first modification, and the second modification, an electric valve 10 used in air conditioners such as household air conditioners was illustrated. However, the electric valve of the present invention is not limited to household air conditioners; it can also be used in industrial air conditioners, and is not limited to air conditioners, but can be applied to various refrigeration machines, etc.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the threaded feed mechanism 43 is composed of the external thread portion 42b of the drive shaft 42 and the internal thread portion 22a of the support member 2. However, the structure of the threaded feed mechanism 43 is not limited to the above embodiment, and any structure can be adopted. Furthermore, as the mechanism for driving the valve core 3 forward and backward, it is not limited to the threaded feed mechanism, and an appropriate mechanism can be used. In addition, in the above embodiment, the limiting mechanism 44 is composed of a guide thread 45 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 22, a movable slider 46 screwed with the guide thread 45, an upper limiting member 45a, and a lower limiting member 45b. However, as the limiting mechanism 44, as long as it can limit the rotation of the magnetic rotor 41, its placement position and structure are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the shape of the resin portion 20, the guide thread 45 constituting part of the limiting mechanism 44, etc., can be formed during the embedding molding of the support member 2, or they can be formed by machining or other methods after the embedding molding.

[0051] Furthermore, the guide member 24, which is integrally formed with the support member 2 through embedding molding, is formed by methods such as stamping and machining. Compared with stamping, machining can improve dimensional accuracy, so machining is used in this embodiment. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the guide member 24 can be improved, the guiding accuracy of the valve core 3 can be improved, and the actuation of the valve core 3 can be improved. In addition, the guide member 24 and the fixing part 21, which is also integrally formed with the support member 2, are composed of different parts. As a result, the manufacturing method of the guide member 24 can be made into a manufacturing method with high dimensional accuracy (such as the machining described above) regardless of the manufacturing method of the fixing part 21. Furthermore, according to this structure, even if the central axis of the fixing part 21 is offset from the central axis of the internal thread 22a of the support member 2 for some reason, the central axis of the guide member 24 can be aligned and positioned with the central axis of the internal thread 22a of the support member 2 through embedding molding, so it is not affected by the offset of the central axis.

[0052] Therefore, by using machining to manufacture the guide component 24 separately from the fixing part 21, compared to manufacturing the guide component 24 and the fixing part 21 as a single unit through stamping or other methods, the dimensional accuracy of the guide component 24 can be improved, the guiding accuracy of the valve core 3 can be improved, and the actuation performance of the valve core 3 can be improved. Furthermore, the guide component 24 may not be entirely machined. For example, after forming the external shape through stamping or other methods, only the inner diameter, which requires particularly high dimensional accuracy, may be machined or finished.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric valve comprising: The valve body, which comprises the valve chamber and valve port; Valve core, which changes the opening degree of the valve port; The drive unit has a drive shaft that drives the valve core forward and backward; and A support component that supports the drive shaft so that it can move freely in the axial direction. The electric valve is characterized in that... The valve core includes: a valve portion that is close to or away from the valve port; and a valve core body portion that connects the drive shaft of the drive portion to the valve portion. The support member includes: a fixing portion fixed to the valve body; a shaft support portion supporting the drive shaft; and a valve core guide portion extending from the fixing portion toward the valve port side and guiding the valve core. The fixing part, the shaft support part, and the valve core guide part are integrally formed. A metal guide member is integrally formed by embedding and molding inside the resin valve core guide portion, through which the valve core body portion is guided in the axial direction. The guide component is formed in a cylindrical shape and guides the valve core body portion from its inner circumferential surface. The guide member has a recessed portion in the radial direction or a protruding portion in the radial direction on its outer periphery. The entire recess or protrusion is covered by the resin constituting the valve core guide portion. The lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the guiding component that guides the valve core body is located inside the valve chamber.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recess or the protrusion is formed continuously in the circumferential direction and is provided in one or more in the axial direction.

3. The electric valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The guide component is made of a metal material that is softer than the valve core body.

4. A refrigeration cycle system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle system is characterized in that... The electric valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is used as the expansion valve.

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