Electric valve and refrigeration cycle system

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric valve and a refrigeration cycle system, which reduce noise such as refrigerant passing sound when the refrigerant flows from the second joint pipe into the valve chamber through the gap between the valve component and the valve port. A valve seat component (2) having a valve port (2a) is provided between the valve chamber (1R) of the valve housing (1) and the second joint pipe (12). The valve seat component (2) is integrally formed by a valve seat portion (21) and a long cylindrical rectifying pipe portion (22) protruding from the valve seat portion (21) into the second joint pipe (12). The valve seat portion (21) of the valve seat component (2) and the reduced diameter portion (12a) of the second joint pipe (12) are fitted into the fitting hole (1a1) of the cylindrical portion (1a) of the valve housing (1). The valve port (2a) in the rectifying pipe portion (22) of the valve seat component (2) is used to rectify the refrigerant flowing from the second joint pipe (12) to the valve chamber (1R) side.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the invention application with application number 202010851317.1, invention name "Electric valve and refrigeration cycle system", and application date of August 21, 2020. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electric valve used in a refrigeration cycle system and the like, and to a refrigeration cycle system. Background Art

[0003] At present, as an electric valve provided in the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner, there is a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2005-98471 (Patent Document 1), for example. The electric valve of Patent Document 1 has a primary joint pipe (first joint pipe) and a secondary joint pipe (second joint pipe), wherein the primary joint pipe is connected to the valve chamber from the side of the valve shell, and the secondary joint pipe is connected to the valve chamber from the end of the lower part of the valve shell via the valve port of the valve seat component. Moreover, during the heating operation of the refrigeration cycle system, for example, the refrigerant flows into the valve chamber from the primary joint pipe, and then the refrigerant flows out from the valve chamber to the secondary joint pipe via the gap between the needle valve and the valve port. On the other hand, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows into the valve chamber from the secondary joint pipe via the gap between the needle valve and the valve port, and then the refrigerant flows out from the valve chamber to the primary joint pipe.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-98471 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the electric valve of Patent Document 1, the refrigerant passing sound in the opposite direction of the refrigerant flowing from the secondary joint pipe to the valve chamber through the gap between the needle valve and the valve port is not considered, so there is room for improvement as a noise countermeasure. For example, in the case of the refrigerant flowing in the opposite direction from the secondary joint pipe side, the refrigerant flows from the secondary joint pipe with a larger inner diameter to the valve port with a smaller inner diameter of the valve seat component, and then immediately flows out to the valve chamber from the gap between the valve port and the needle valve. Therefore, the flow rate from the inside of the secondary joint pipe to the gap between the valve port and the needle valve is large, which is easy to generate noise.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric valve that reduces noise such as refrigerant passing sound when refrigerant flows from a second joint pipe into a valve chamber through a gap between a valve member and a valve port.

[0010] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0011] In the electric valve of the present invention, a first connecting pipe is connected at the side of a valve body constituting a valve chamber, and a second connecting pipe is connected relative to the valve body in a direction intersecting with the above-mentioned first connecting pipe. The above-mentioned second connecting pipe and the above-mentioned valve chamber can be connected via a valve port whose opening area is increased or decreased by a valve component, and a valve seat component is provided between the above-mentioned valve chamber and the above-mentioned second connecting pipe, and the valve seat component has the above-mentioned valve port. The above-mentioned electric valve is characterized in that the above-mentioned valve body has a fitting hole that is fitted with at least a part of the above-mentioned valve seat portion, and the above-mentioned valve seat component is constituted as an integral part having a valve seat portion connected to the end portion of the above-mentioned second connecting pipe, and a long cylindrical rectifying pipe portion protruding from the above-mentioned valve seat portion into the above-mentioned second connecting pipe.

[0012] At this time, the following electric valve is preferred, characterized in that the outer diameter of the valve seat portion of the valve seat component is substantially the same as the diameter of the end portion of the second connecting pipe, and the valve seat portion and the end portion of the second connecting pipe are embedded in the embedding hole of the valve body.

[0013] Furthermore, the following electric valve is preferred, characterized in that the abutment surface of the valve seat portion of the valve seat component on the side of the rectifying pipe portion and the abutment surface of the end portion of the second connecting pipe on the side of the valve seat portion abut against each other to connect the valve seat portion and the second connecting pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the following electric valve is preferably characterized in that the second joint pipe is configured to include a reduced diameter portion connected to the valve seat portion of the valve seat member, and an expanded diameter portion having a larger diameter than that of the reduced diameter portion.

[0015] The refrigeration cycle system of the present invention includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and is characterized in that the above-mentioned electric valve is used as the above-mentioned expansion valve.

[0016] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0017] According to the electric valve of the present invention, the rectifying pipe portion of the valve seat member is in the shape of a long cylinder protruding into the second joint pipe, and the rectifying pipe portion is connected to the valve port through a flow path having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second joint pipe. Therefore, the flow of the refrigerant flowing from the second joint pipe to the gap between the valve port and the valve member is rectified, thereby reducing the passing sound of the refrigerant flowing from the gap between the valve port and the valve member into the valve chamber.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, similarly to the above-mentioned electric valve, the passing sound of the refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber from the gap between the valve port and the valve member is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the electric valve according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the electric valve according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 It is an overall longitudinal sectional view of the electric valve according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the figure:

[0024] 1—valve housing (valve body), 1R—valve chamber, 1a—cylindrical portion, 1a1—fitting hole, 11—first connecting pipe, 12—second connecting pipe, 12a—reduced diameter portion, 12b—enlarged diameter portion, 2—valve seat component, 2a—valve port, 21—valve seat portion, 22—rectifying pipe portion, 3—support component, 4—sealed shell, 5—valve frame, 6—needle valve (valve component), 7—stepping motor, 100—electric valve, 200—outdoor heat exchanger, 300—indoor heat exchanger, 400—flow path switching valve, 500—compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Next, embodiments of the electric valve and the refrigeration cycle system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of an electric valve in an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 This is an enlarged view of the main parts of the electric valve. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the entire electric valve according to the embodiment. Figure 1 The electric valve 100 includes a valve housing 1 as a "valve body", a valve seat member 2, a support member 3, a sealed housing 4, a valve frame 5, a needle valve 6 as a "valve member", and a stepping motor 7.

[0026] The valve housing 1 is formed of, for example, brass, stainless steel, etc. and is roughly cylindrical in shape, and a valve chamber 1R is formed inside the valve housing 1. A first joint pipe 11 communicating with the valve chamber 1R is connected to one side of the outer periphery of the valve housing 1. In addition, a cylindrical portion 1a extending downward from the valve chamber 1R is formed at the lower end of the valve housing 1, and a valve seat member 2 and a second joint pipe 12 are engaged in a cylindrical engagement hole 1a1 inside the cylindrical portion 1a. The valve seat member 2 has a valve port 2a centered on the axis L, and is integrally assembled to the second joint pipe 12 by inserting through the end of the second joint pipe 12 on the valve chamber 1R side. The second joint pipe 12 has a reduced diameter portion 12a engaged in the cylindrical portion 1a of the valve housing 1 and an expanded diameter portion 12b having a larger diameter than the reduced diameter portion 12a. In addition, the second joint pipe 12 communicates with the valve chamber 1R via the valve port 2a of the valve seat member 2. Furthermore, the first joint pipe 11 , the second joint pipe 12 , and the valve seat member 2 are fixed to the valve housing 1 by brazing or the like.

[0027] The support member 3 is mounted on the opening of the upper end of the valve housing 1. The support member 3 includes a central bracket portion 31, a thick base portion 32 on the outer periphery of the bracket portion 31, and a fixing metal part 33, and the fixing metal part 33 is integrally formed with the bracket portion 31 and the base portion 32 by insert molding. The support member 3 is fixed to the upper end of the valve housing 1 via the fixing metal part 33 and by welding. An internal threaded portion 31a and a threaded hole thereof coaxial with the axis L are formed at the center of the bracket portion 31, and a cylindrical guide hole 31b is formed.

[0028] The sealed housing 4 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with a closed upper end, and is airtightly fixed to the upper end of the valve housing 1 by welding. A guide 41 is provided at the upper portion of the sealed housing 4, and a rotation stopper 42 is provided on the outer periphery of the guide 41.

[0029] The valve frame 5 is a cylindrical member, which is fitted into the guide hole 31b of the support member 3 and is arranged to be slidable in the direction of the axis L. In addition, a needle valve 6 is fixed to the lower end of the valve frame 5. A spring seat 51 is provided in the valve frame 5 so as to be movable in the direction of the axis L, and a compression coil spring 52 is installed between the spring seat 51 and the needle valve 6 in a state where a predetermined load is applied.

[0030] The stepping motor 7 is composed of a rotor shaft 71, a magnetic rotor 72 rotatably disposed inside the sealed housing 4, a stator coil 73 disposed on the outer periphery of the sealed housing 4 opposite to the magnetic rotor 72, and other yokes and exterior components not shown. Figure 3 The stator coil 73 is omitted in the figure. The rotor shaft 71 is mounted at the center of the magnetic rotor 72, and the rotor shaft 71 is configured to extend to the support member 3 side. An external thread portion 61a is formed on the outer periphery of the rotor shaft 71 on the support member 3 side, and the external thread portion 71a is threadedly engaged with the internal thread portion 31a of the support member 3. Moreover, in the guide hole 31b of the support member 3, the upper end of the valve frame 5 is engaged with the lower end of the rotor shaft 71, and the valve frame 5 and the needle valve 6 are supported by the rotor shaft 71 in a rotatable suspended state. In addition, the upper end of the rotor shaft 71 is rotatably embedded in the guide member 41 in the closed housing 4.

[0031] According to the above structure, the magnetic rotor 72 and the rotor shaft 71 are rotated by the drive of the stepping motor 7, and the rotor shaft 71 is moved along the axis L direction by the thread feed mechanism of the external thread portion 71a of the rotor shaft 71 and the internal thread portion 31a of the support member 3. Moreover, the needle valve 6 moves along the axis L direction to approach or separate from the valve seat member 2. As a result, the valve port 2a is opened and closed, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the first joint pipe 11 to the second joint pipe 12 or from the second joint pipe 12 to the first joint pipe 11 is controlled. In addition, the upper and lower rotational positions of the magnetic rotor 72 are limited by the rotation limit mechanism 42.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the valve seat member 2 is formed by metal cutting or the like, and is integrally formed with a valve seat portion 21 having a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12, and a long cylindrical rectifying pipe portion 22 protruding from the valve seat portion 21 into the second joint pipe 12. The outer diameter of the valve seat portion 21 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 12a, and each is fitted into the fitting hole 1a1 of the cylindrical portion 1a of the valve housing 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the rectifying pipe part 22 has an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12. Furthermore, the step surface 211 of the valve seat part 21 on the rectifying pipe part 22 side and the end surface 12a1 of the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12 respectively become "contact surfaces" orthogonal to the axis L, and the step surface 211 and the end surface 12a1 are brought into contact with each other to connect the valve seat part 21 and the reduced diameter portion 12a. Furthermore, from the end of the valve seat part 21 on the valve chamber 1R side to the end of the rectifying pipe part 22 in the second joint pipe 12, the valve port 2a of the valve seat member 2 is formed through the axis L as the center, and the valve port 2a is in the shape of an elongated cylinder. In addition, the relationship between the length "B" and the outer diameter "A" of the rectifying pipe part 22 is A<B. In addition, the relationship of 2A<B is more preferred.

[0034] As described above, the valve seat member 2 is configured to integrally include the valve seat portion 21 connected to the end of the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12, and the elongated cylindrical rectifying pipe portion 22 protruding from the valve seat portion 21 into the second joint pipe 12. That is, the rectifying pipe portion 22 is thinner than the second joint pipe 12, and the inner diameter of the valve port 2a at the center thereof is also smaller than the inner diameter of the second joint pipe 12. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing into the rectifying pipe portion 22 from the second joint pipe 12 is rectified while passing through the elongated valve port 2a, and the refrigerant passing sound when the rectified refrigerant flows out from the gap between the valve port 2a and the needle valve 6 into the valve chamber 1R is reduced.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the valve seat portion 21 of the valve seat member 2 is substantially the same as the diameter of the reduced diameter portion 12a (end portion) of the second joint pipe 12, and the valve seat portion 21 and the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12 are fitted into the fitting hole 1a1 of the cylindrical portion 1a of the valve housing 1 (main body). In addition, the step surface 211 of the valve seat portion 21 of the valve seat member 2 on the side of the rectifying pipe portion 22 and the end surface 12a1 of the reduced diameter portion 12a of the second joint pipe 12 form abutment surfaces orthogonal to the axis L, and the abutment surfaces abut against each other to connect the valve seat portion 21 and the second joint pipe 12. Therefore, the valve seat member 2 and the second joint pipe 12 can be correctly positioned and maintained relative to the axis L.

[0036] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the second joint pipe 12 is configured to include a reduced diameter portion 12a connected to the valve seat portion 21 of the valve seat member 2 and an expanded diameter portion 12b having a larger diameter than the reduced diameter portion 12a. Therefore, by utilizing the expanded diameter portion 12b, a space is formed between the rectifying pipe portion 22 of the valve seat member 2 and the second joint pipe 12, and the flow velocity of the refrigerant flowing along the rectifying pipe portion 22 is reduced in the second joint pipe 12, the rectifying effect at the rectifying pipe portion 22 is enhanced, and the refrigerant passing sound is further reduced.

[0037] And, if Figure 3 As shown, the expanded diameter portion 12b of the second joint pipe 12 is bent from the portion of the valve seat member 2 that is forward of the front end of the rectifying pipe portion 22 in a direction parallel to the first joint pipe 11 (a direction that is perpendicular to the axis L). In this way, the second joint pipe 12 is bent transversely relative to the rectifying pipe portion 22, thereby reducing the flow velocity of the refrigerant reaching the rectifying pipe portion 22 and reducing noise. In addition, the length "C" of the straight portion 12b1 from the end of the expanded diameter portion 12b on the side of the reduced diameter portion 12a to the bent portion is shorter than the outer diameter "D" of the expanded diameter portion 12b, that is, C<D. Therefore, when the refrigerant flows from the second joint pipe 12 to the gap between the valve port 2a and the valve member 6, the increase in the flow velocity of the refrigerant before reaching the rectifying pipe portion 22 can be suppressed, further reducing noise. Furthermore, the length "E" from the end inside the second joint pipe 12 of the rectifying pipe portion 22 to the end of the second joint pipe 12 on the curved portion side at the straight portion 12b1 is also shorter than the outer diameter "D" of the expanded diameter portion 12b, which can further suppress the increase in the flow velocity of the refrigerant before reaching the rectifying pipe portion 22.

[0038] Figure 41 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle system of an embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 100 is an electric valve of an embodiment of the present invention constituting an expansion valve, reference numeral 200 is an outdoor heat exchanger mounted on an outdoor unit, reference 300 is an indoor heat exchanger mounted on an indoor unit, reference 400 is a flow path switching valve constituting a four-way valve, and reference 500 is a compressor. The electric valve 100, the outdoor heat exchanger 200, the indoor heat exchanger 300, the flow path switching valve 400, and the compressor 500 are connected by conduits as shown in the figure, respectively, to constitute a heat pump refrigeration cycle. In addition, the illustration of a memory, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. is omitted.

[0039] The flow path of the refrigeration cycle is switched to a flow path during cooling operation or a flow path during heating operation by the flow path switching valve 400. During cooling operation, as shown by the solid arrow in the figure, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 500 flows from the flow path switching valve 400 to the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functions as a condenser, and the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 300 via the electric valve 100, and the indoor heat exchanger 300 functions as an evaporator.

[0040] On the other hand, during heating operation, as shown by the dotted arrows in the figure, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 500 circulates from the flow path switching valve 400 to the indoor heat exchanger 300, the electric valve 100, the outdoor heat exchanger 200, the flow path switching valve 400, and the compressor 500 in sequence, and the indoor heat exchanger 300 functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functions as an evaporator. The electric valve 100 decompresses and expands the liquid refrigerant flowing in from the outdoor heat exchanger 200 during cooling operation or the liquid refrigerant flowing in from the indoor heat exchanger 300 during heating operation, and controls the flow rate of the refrigerant.

[0041] In addition, Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first joint pipe 11 of the electric valve 100 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 200 and the second joint pipe 12 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 300, but it is not limited to this. The first joint pipe 11 of the electric valve 100 can also be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 300, and the second joint pipe 12 can be connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 200.

[0042] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric valve, wherein a first joint pipe is connected to a side portion of a valve body constituting a valve chamber, and a second joint pipe is connected to the valve body in a direction intersecting the first joint pipe, the second joint pipe and the valve chamber can be connected via a valve port whose opening area is increased or decreased by a valve member, and a valve seat member is provided between the valve chamber and the second joint pipe, the valve seat member having the valve port, The above electric valve is characterized in that: The valve body has a fitting hole that fits with at least a portion of the valve seat member. The valve seat member is integrally formed with a valve seat portion that fits into the fitting hole and a long cylindrical rectifying pipe portion that protrudes from the valve seat portion into the second joint pipe. The valve port is coaxial with the second joint pipe, and a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the second joint pipe corresponding to the end of the rectifying pipe portion is arranged at a position greater than the inner diameter of the valve port and away from the inner circumferential surface of the valve port in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the second joint pipe. The second joint pipe is fixed to the valve body by brazing. The length of the rectifying tube portion in the axial direction of the fitting hole is greater than the length of a contact surface of the valve seat portion in the axial direction that contacts an inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole.

2. A refrigeration cycle system, comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, The above refrigeration cycle system is characterized in that: The electric valve according to claim 1 is used as the expansion valve.

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