Electric valve stator and electric valve

Abstract

The present application provides an electric valve stator and an electric valve, in the electric valve stator (21) which constitutes a motor part together with a magnetic force rotor of a valve device, a bracket (1) for fixing a cylindrical part of a housing (40) or the like of the valve device is improved, the electric valve stator (21) can maintain the holding fixing strength of the valve device and be easily inserted into the valve device, and the assembly is improved. The electric valve stator (21) has an insertion hole (21H) in which the valve device is embedded, and has the bracket (1) which engages with the valve device and fixes the electric valve stator (21) and the valve device. The bracket (1) has a resilient sheet (12) which engages with the valve device and a base (11) which is fixed to an opening part outer periphery of the insertion hole (21H). A cutout part (12A) in which a part of the resilient sheet (11) is cut out is provided on the bracket (1).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application; its parent application number is "2019110478169", and the invention title is "Stator for Electric Valve and Electric Valve". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a stator for an electric valve suitable for use in refrigeration circulation systems such as air conditioners, and an electric valve having the stator for the electric valve. Background Technology

[0003] Traditionally, electric valves of this type have a structure in which the valve components within the valve body are actuated by the rotation of a magnetic rotor from a motor unit, such as a stepper motor. In such electric valves, it is necessary to seal the fluid flow path, and the magnetic rotor of the motor unit is housed within a cylindrical housing that forms a closed structure together with the valve body. Furthermore, the stator of the motor unit is positioned on the outer periphery of the housing. For example, similar electric valves are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-10659 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-15104 (Patent Document 2).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-10659

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-15104

[0007] In recent years, the space-saving design of outdoor air conditioning units has become more popular, with an emphasis on improving energy efficiency. This has led to a diversification and increased complexity in the shapes of the piping within these units. Consequently, the limited space within these complexly piped outdoor units restricts the shape of the valve assembly. In Patent Document 1, a bracket for fixing the stator is provided around the entire circumference of the stator's axis, with the stator's outer circumference increasing in size. In Patent Document 2, the bracket's elastic force causes a convex bracket locking portion to engage with a dome-shaped recessed engaging portion formed in the valve body. However, this results in excessively strong elastic force on the bracket, making it difficult to insert the electromagnetic actuator (stator) into the valve body, leading to poor assembly workability. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide a stator for an electric valve and an electric valve. In the electric valve stator that forms the motor unit together with the magnetic rotor of the valve device, the bracket for fixing the cylindrical part to the housing of the valve device is improved to maintain the stability of the stator to the valve device and to allow easy insertion into the valve device, thereby improving assemblability.

[0009] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 1 is characterized in that it is mounted relative to a valve device that is driven by a motor unit, and the motor is formed by a coil built into the valve device along with a magnetic rotor. It has an insertion hole for inserting the valve device, and has an elastic member that engages and fixes the stator for the electric valve and the valve device. A fixing block is formed on the outer periphery of the opening of the insertion hole around the axis, at the end relative to the axis of the coil. The elastic member has an elastic sheet that engages with the valve device and a base fixed to the fixing block. The base is constructed by using a connecting plate to integrate the outer and inner plates of the fixing block in the radial direction of the insertion hole. A cut-off portion is provided on the elastic member, in which a portion of the elastic sheet is removed.

[0010] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 2 is the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 1. The elastic sheet extends from the side of the base and has a protrusion that engages with the recess of the valve device. The cut-off portion is located in a portion that does not interfere with the protrusion.

[0011] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 3 is the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 2. The elastic sheet has a pressing portion formed by bending a part opposite to the base, a fulcrum portion formed on the side closer to the base than the pressing portion, and a bending portion formed by bending a part closer to the base than the fulcrum portion. The cut-off portion is provided in at least one of the pressing portion, the fulcrum portion, and the bending portion.

[0012] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 4 is the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 2 or 3. The elastic sheet has a pressing portion formed by bending a part opposite to the base, a fulcrum portion formed on the side closer to the base than the pressing portion, and a bending portion formed by bending a part closer to the base than the fulcrum portion. The cut-off portion is provided in such a way that it crosses at least one of the fulcrum portion and the bending portion.

[0013] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 5 is the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 4. The cut-out portion is a cut that opens in one or the other direction of the width of the elastic sheet, or an opening that opens in the thickness direction of the elastic sheet.

[0014] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 6 is the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 5, wherein the cut-off portion is provided at at least one location on the elastic sheet.

[0015] The stator for the electric valve in Scheme 7 is the same as the stator for the electric valve described in Scheme 6, and the elastic component can adjust the elastic force of the elastic sheet by the number or size of the cut-off portion.

[0016] The electric valve of Scheme 8 has a stator for an electric valve as described in any one of Schemes 1 to 7.

[0017] The effects of this invention are as follows.

[0018] According to the stator for electric valves in schemes 1 to 7, a stator for electric valves can be provided that can maintain the stator's fixed strength to the valve device and allow for easy insertion, thereby improving assemblability.

[0019] The electric valve in Scheme 8 can achieve the same effect as Schemes 1 to 7. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of the electric valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 These are longitudinal sectional views and bottom views of the stator for an electric valve according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 These are an inverted external view and an inverted bottom view of the coil portion of the stator for the electric valve according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the bracket in the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the area around the fixing block in the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which the bracket of the first embodiment is installed on the fixing block.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the engagement state of the bracket and the housing in the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view of the main part of the stator for the electric valve according to the second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the bracket in the embodiment.

[0029] In the diagram: 1—Bracket (elastic part), 11—Base, 11a—Outer side plate, 11b—Inner side plate, 11c—Connecting plate, 11a1—Clocking arm (locking piece), 12—Elastic piece, 12a—Protrusion, 51—Gap, 52—Embedding groove, 53—Protrusion, 53a—Conical surface, 53b—Clamping end, 54—Recess, 20—Stepper motor (motor part), 21—Stator (stator for electric valve), 21a—Coil frame, 21b—Coil, 21H—Insertion hole, 21H1—Opening, 21K—Skirt, 21B—Fixing block, 22—Magnetic rotor, 30—Valve body (valve device), 40—Housing (valve device, cylindrical part), 40A—Small diameter part, 40B—Large diameter part, L—Axis. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Next, embodiments of the stator for the electric valve and the electric valve of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of the electric valve according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 These are longitudinal sectional views and bottom views of the stator for the electric valve according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 (B) is Figure 1 AA section view, Figure 2 (A) is Figure 2 (B) BB section view. Figure 3 These are an inverted external view and an inverted bottom view of the coil portion of the stator for the electric valve according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 (B) is Figure 3 (A) is an EE section view before the bracket is installed. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the bracket in the first embodiment. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the area around the fixing block in the first embodiment. Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which the bracket of the first embodiment is installed on the fixing block. Furthermore, the concept of "upper and lower" in the following description is different from... Figure 1 The top and bottom correspondences in the diagram.

[0031] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the electric valve includes a bracket 1 as an "elastic component," a stepper motor 20 as a "motor unit," a valve body 30, and a cylindrical housing 40 made of a non-magnetic material. The stepper motor 20 consists of a stator 21, which is mounted on the outer periphery of the housing 40 and will be described later as an "electric valve stator," and a magnetic rotor 22 rotatably disposed inside the housing 40. Furthermore, a predetermined gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the magnetic rotor 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 40.

[0032] The valve body 30 has a housing 310 made of stainless steel or the like, and valve components are built inside the housing 310. Furthermore, the valve body 30 is operated by the stepper motor 20 (rotation of the magnetic rotor 22) to control the flow rate of fluid flowing from the first connector 31 to the second connector 32, or the flow rate of fluid flowing from the second connector pipe 32 to the first connector pipe 31.

[0033] A housing 40 is airtightly installed at the upper end of the outer shell 310 of the valve body 30 by welding or other means, thereby forming a "valve device" with the valve body 30 and the housing 40.

[0034] The stator 21 is constructed by winding coils 21a and 21b on a resin coil frame 21a, and stacking a pair of coil portions in the direction of the axis L. Furthermore, a yoke (magnetic yoke) 21c with magnetic pole teeth 21d is integrally assembled on the coil frame 21a by molding. The stator 21 also has a cylindrical insertion hole 21H at its center with the axis L as its center, and the magnetic pole teeth 21d of the yoke 21c are arranged on a portion of the inner circumferential surface of this insertion hole 21H. These magnetic pole teeth 21d are arranged facing the outer circumferential surface of the housing 40.

[0035] With the above structure, by applying pulse output to the stepper motor 20, the coil 21b generates magnetic lines of force. As a result, the magnetic poles (N and S poles) alternate on the magnetic pole teeth 21d, generating magnetic attraction and repulsion relative to the magnetic rotor 22, causing the magnetic rotor 22 to rotate. Thus, the opening of the valve port can be variably controlled by the operation of the valve components inside the valve body 30, thereby controlling the flow rate of refrigerant flowing from the first connector pipe 31 to the second connector pipe 32, or from the second connector pipe 32 to the first connector pipe 31, as described above.

[0036] The stator 21 has a skirt 21K at its bottom on the valve body 30 side of the coil frame 21a, which expands in diameter from the opening 21H1 of the insertion hole 21H towards the valve body 30. The housing 40 has an axis L as its central axis and is composed of a small-diameter portion 40A opposite to the outer periphery of the magnetic rotor 22 and a large-diameter portion 40B that expands in diameter towards the valve body 30. The small-diameter portion 40A of the housing 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 21H of the stator 21, and a portion of the large-diameter portion 40B of the housing 40 is housed within the skirt 21K of the stator 21 when the opening 21H1 is located on the valve body 30 side. Thus, the stator 21 is mounted to the valve device. A bracket 1, serving as an "elastic member," is mounted at the bottom of the stator 21.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing bracket 1. Figure 4 (A) is Figure 4 (C) F-direction view, Figure 4 (B) is Figure 4(C) G-direction view, Figure 4 (C) is to Figure 2 (B) is a diagram showing the bracket 1 being pulled out. As shown, the bracket 1 has a base 11 formed by stamping or other processes of a metal sheet and having a groove structure consisting of three plate-like portions, and an elastic sheet 12 integrally extending from the side of the base 11. The base 11 is composed of an inner plate 11b opposite to the outer plate 11a and having the elastic sheet 12 extending therefrom, and a connecting plate 11c connecting the outer plate 11a and the inner plate 11b. The outer plate 11a has a pair of locking arms 11a1, 11a1 protruding in a direction intersecting the axis L (circumferential direction around the axis L) on both sides parallel to the axis L. In addition, the inner plate 11b has claws 11b1 cut out toward the inside of the base 11. The elastic sheet 12 has a protrusion 12a integrally formed with the elastic sheet 12 as a "first engaging portion", a pressing portion 12b formed by bending a portion opposite to the base 11 of the elastic sheet 12, and a fulcrum portion 12c.

[0038] A generally rectangular fixing block 21B is formed on a portion of the skirt 21K of the stator 21 via a coil frame 21a. That is, the fixing block 21B is formed on the outer periphery of the opening 21H1 of the insertion hole 21H around the axis L, and is formed on the coil frame 21a at an outer end in the direction of the axis L of the coil 21b. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the area surrounding the fixed block 12B. Figure 5 (B) is Figure 5 (A) CC section view. Additionally, Figure 5 (C) is Figure 5 (A) HH view. On the coil holder 21a constituting the fixing block 21B, a slot 51 is formed on the inner side (axis L side) of the fixing block 21B, and an insertion groove 52 is formed on the outer side of the fixing block 21B. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions 53, 53 having conical surfaces 53a are formed on the outer side of the fixing block 21B (the side opposite to axis L), and a recess 54 for the outer side plate 11a of the bracket 1 to fit between these protrusions 53, 53 is formed. The bracket 1 is then mounted on the fixing block 21B. And, as... Figure 5 (C) The elongated hole formed by the embedding groove 52 and a pair of protrusions 53 on the coil frame 21a remains as a hole after the bracket is installed. When filling the molding material, air bubbles are easily released from the hole, which has the effect of making the molding material flow easily in the filling part.

[0039] During the installation of the bracket 1 relative to the fixing block 21B, the inner plate 11b and claw 11b1 of the bracket 1 are inserted into the gap 51 on the inner side of the fixing block 21B, while the outer plate 11a is inserted into the outer side of the fixing block 21B. At this time, the outer plate 11a and the inner plate 11b are slightly opened by overcoming the elastic force of the base 11, so that the locking arms 11a1, 11a1 of the outer plate 11a slide on the conical surfaces 53a, 53a of the protrusions 53, 53. Furthermore, the locking arms 11a1, 11a1 pass over the protrusions 53, 53, as... Figure 6 As shown, while the outer plate 11a is fitted into the recess 54 by the elastic restoring force of the base 11, the locking arms 11a1, 11a1 are engaged with the engaging ends 53b, 53b of the protrusions 53, 53.

[0040] Therefore, the engaging ends 53b and locking arms 11a1 restrict the movement of the outer plate toward the base 11 in the direction away from the fixing block 21B. Furthermore, in the natural state of the bracket 1 ( Figure 4 In (A), the interior angle α between the outer plate 11a and the connecting plate 11c is set to α < 90°. The fixing block 21B is approximately a cuboid, and the side surface (recess 54) of the fixing block 21B1 is approximately a right angle to the fixing block 21B. Therefore, in the installed state of the bracket 1, the fixing block 21B is held in place by the elastic force of its base 11, with the outer plate 11a and the inner plate 11b clamping it. Furthermore, the coil holder 21a is made of resin, and in the installed state of the bracket 1, the claws 11b1 of the inner plate 11b bite into the inner wall of the fixing block 21B. This prevents the bracket 1 from detaching from the fixing block 21B in the axial direction L and securely fixes it to the fixing block 21B. Thus, in this embodiment, the locking arm 11a1 of the outer side plate 11a of the bracket 1 is an example of a "locking piece" and the protrusion 53 of the fixing block 2 is an example of a "protrusion". The locking arm 11a1 and the protrusion 53 constitute a "fixing structure", which is located within the width W1 in the axial direction L of the fixing block 21B. The width W1 is Figure 6 The length between the upper 21B1 and the lower 21B2 of the fixing block 21B is such that the distance from the lower 21B2 to the coil 21b (winding wire) is separated by the length W2 between the end face 21B3 of the coil 21b (winding wire) and the lower 21B2. Therefore, if the locking arm 11a1 is located within the width W1, the distance between the locking arm 11a1 and the coil 21b (winding wire) is separated by the dimension of the length W2.

[0041] As described above, with the bracket 1 installed on the stator 21, the elastic piece 12 is positioned facing the opening 21H1 within the skirt 21K located outside the opening 21H1 of the insertion hole 21H in the stator 21. Additionally, as... Figure 2As shown in (B), the protrusion 12a of the elastic sheet 12 protrudes toward the center side (axis L side) of the skirt 21K of the stator 21. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the housing 40 has a plurality of recesses 40a on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 40B, which are shaped to engage with the protrusions 12a of the bracket 1. In this embodiment, five recesses are formed.

[0042] Figure 7 This diagram shows the engagement state of the bracket 1 and the housing 40. The protrusion 12a of the bracket 1 and the recess 40a of the housing 40 are engaged when the stator 21 is assembled to the valve device. Thus, while positioning the stator 21 relative to the housing 40 about the axis L, the stator 21 is mounted on the housing 40 in a manner that prevents disengagement in the direction of the axis L. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, with the pressing portion 12 abutting against the outer periphery of the housing 40, the fulcrum portion 12c abuts against the inner periphery of the skirt portion 21K. Thus, the elastic sheet 12, through its own elastic force, uses the fulcrum portion 12c as a fulcrum to push against the housing 40. This results in the housing 40 being clamped by the elastic sheet 12 and the opposing inner wall of the opening 21H1 on the opposite side of the elastic sheet 12.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, the bracket 1, which is an elastic member, has an elastic sheet 12 that engages with the valve device and a base 11 fixed to the fixing block 21B. The base 11 is connected by a connecting plate 11c to integrate the outer side plate 11a and the inner side plate 11b of the fixing block 21B in the radial direction of the fitting hole 21H. It also has a fixing structure in which the fixing block 21B and the outer side plate 11a of the base 11 are located within the width W1 in the axial direction L of the fixing block 21B and the movement of the base 11 in the axial direction L is restricted relative to the fixing block 21B. Furthermore, the fixing block 21B is formed on the outer side of the end of the coil 21b in the direction of the axis L. The fixing structure that restricts the movement of the base 11 of the bracket 1 in the direction of the axis L relative to the fixing block 21B is composed of the fixing block 21B and the outer side plate 11a of the base 11. Moreover, the fixing structure is located within the width W1 of the fixing block 21B in the direction of the axis L. Therefore, a part of the base 11 of the bracket 1 (the outer side plate 11a, etc.) will not protrude toward the coil 21b side. While preventing damage to the coil 21b, it can also prevent the deterioration of insulation caused by water immersion from the bracket 1.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 4As shown, an arc-shaped cutout 11a2 is formed at the root of the locking arm 11a1 on the bracket 1. This allows the engaging ends 53b of the protrusions 53 to reliably abut against the horizontal straight portion of the locking arm 11a1. Furthermore, the end of the outer plate 11a including the locking arm 11a1 is slightly bent outwards midway along the cutout 11a2. This allows the locking arm 11a1 to slide smoothly on the conical surfaces 53a and 53a.

[0045] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view of the main part of the stator for the electric valve according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 The portion shown is identical to the structure in the first embodiment. Furthermore, elements identical to those in the first embodiment are those that perform the same functions, and are labeled accordingly. Figures 1 to 7 The same symbols and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. The difference between this second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the fixing structure. In the second embodiment, a rectangular hole 11a3 is formed on the outer side plate 11a in the base 11 of the bracket 1, and a rectangular protrusion 55 is formed on the outer side of the fixing block 21B. Furthermore, when the base 11 is inserted into the fixing block 21B, the protrusion 55 engages within the hole 11a3 of the outer side plate 11a. Thus, the engaging end 55b of the protrusion 55 and the outer peripheral piece 11a4 outside the hole 11a3 restrict the movement of the outer side plate 11a in the direction away from the fixing block 21B from the base 11. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral piece 11a4 of the outer side plate 11a is an example of a "locking piece," and the protrusion 55 of the fixing block 2 is an example of a "protrusion." Furthermore, the outer peripheral plate 11a4 and the protrusion 55 constitute a "fixed structure", which is located within the width W1 in the direction of the axis L of the fixed block 21B.

[0046] Furthermore, in the bracket 1 of the above embodiments, a cut-off portion 12A is formed on a part of its elastic sheet 12. This requires the elastic sheet 12 to have a certain width in order to provide the protrusion 12a on the bracket 1. In the electromagnetic actuator bracket shown in Patent Document 2, the elastic force of the bracket is too strong due to the lack of a cut-off portion, making it difficult to insert when used to fix the electromagnetic actuator onto the valve body, resulting in poor assembly workability. However, in this embodiment, by providing the cut-off portion 12A on a portion that does not interfere with the protrusion 12a, the elastic force of the elastic sheet 12 can be adjusted, thus maintaining the stator's fixed strength to the valve device while allowing for easy insertion, improving assembly workability. In particular, it is effective that the cut-off portion is provided across the fulcrum portion 12c and the bending portion 12d, which are the curved portions of the bracket. Furthermore, the elastic force can be freely adjusted by changing the width, height, and number of the cut-off portions. Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a variation of bracket 1. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9(A) DD sectional view. In this modified example, the bracket 1 has a structure in which an opening is provided in the pressing part 12b to form a cut-out portion 12A'. That is, the cut-out portion for adjusting the elastic force can be either a cut or a hole. Furthermore, Figure 9 The bracket shown has cuts (cut-off portions) on the fulcrum portion 12c and the bending portion 12d, and an opening (cut-off portion) on the pressing portion 12b, allowing for adjustment of the elastic force in three positions. However, the number of cut-off portions is not limited to three; there can also be one or two. Furthermore, the elastic force can be adjusted by adjusting the maximum value of each cut-off portion.

[0047] 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 any design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A stator for an electric valve, mounted relative to a valve device that is actuated by a motor unit, wherein the motor unit is constituted by a coil built into the stator together with a magnetic rotor on the valve device side, characterized in that... It has an insertion hole for inserting the aforementioned valve device, and also has an elastic member that engages and secures the stator of the electric valve and the aforementioned valve device. A fixing block is formed on the outer periphery of the opening of the insertion hole around the axis, at an end further outward than the end of the coil in the axial direction. The elastic member has an elastic sheet that engages with the valve device and a base fixed to the fixing block. The aforementioned base is constructed by using a connecting plate to integrate the outer and inner side plates that clamp the aforementioned fixing block radially in the aforementioned insertion hole. The aforementioned elastic member has a cut-off portion, from which a portion of the aforementioned elastic sheet has been removed.

2. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned cut-off portion is disposed at at least once on the aforementioned elastic sheet.

3. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned elastic sheet extends from the side of the aforementioned base. The aforementioned elastic sheet is provided with a protrusion that engages with the recess of the aforementioned valve device. The aforementioned cut-off portion is located in a part that does not interfere with the aforementioned protrusion.

4. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned elastic sheet has a pressing portion formed by bending a portion opposite to the base, a fulcrum portion formed on the side closer to the base than the pressing portion, and a bending portion formed by bending a portion closer to the base than the fulcrum portion. The aforementioned cut-off portion is disposed in at least one of the aforementioned pressing portion, the aforementioned fulcrum portion, and the aforementioned bending portion.

5. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned elastic sheet has a pressing portion formed by bending a portion opposite to the base, a fulcrum portion formed on the side closer to the base than the pressing portion, and a bending portion formed by bending a portion closer to the base than the fulcrum portion. The aforementioned cut-off portion is provided in a manner that crosses at least one of the aforementioned fulcrum portion and the aforementioned bend portion.

6. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cut portion is either an opening in one or the other direction of the width of the elastic sheet, or an opening in the thickness direction of the elastic sheet.

7. The stator for an electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic component described above can adjust the elastic force of the elastic sheet by the number or size of the cut-off portion.

8. An electric valve, characterized in that, The valve device of the electric valve includes the stator for the electric valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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