An electronic expansion valve for a vehicle and a vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of electronic expansion valves for vehicle, it includes valve seat, shell, be provided with valve core, rotor, nut and hollow screw rod in shell, nut is fixed with connecting sleeve, nut is threadedly connected hollow screw rod, hollow screw rod is fixed with rotor, hollow screw rod is sleeved on the outside of valve core, spring is arranged between valve core and hollow screw rod, linear guide module is provided in shell, linear guide module includes slidingly fitted guide assembly and displacement assembly, guide assembly is arranged on the inner wall of shell along the axial extension of valve core, displacement assembly is connected with valve core, the stroke length of linear guide module corresponds with the target stroke length of valve core.The application not only simple structure, but also can stably realize the stop of rotor, avoid the violent vibration of rotor in the process of stop to bring noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic expansion valve, belonging to the field of expansion valve technology, and particularly to an electronic expansion valve for automobiles and a vehicle using the electronic expansion valve. Background Technology

[0002] In refrigeration systems, electronic expansion valves are installed between the receiver and evaporator. They throttle and reduce the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the receiver, regulating and controlling the refrigerant flow into the evaporator. With increasing demands for flow control accuracy, electronic expansion valves are increasingly used in automotive air conditioning systems, heat pump air conditioning systems, and battery cooling systems. The electronic expansion valve is driven by a controller that calculates parameters collected by sensors and sends adjustment commands to a drive board. The drive board then outputs an electrical signal to the electronic expansion valve, which, via a stepper motor, moves the valve core axially up and down, adjusting the throttling area of ​​the valve orifice, thereby controlling the cooling capacity.

[0003] Current automotive electronic expansion valves are threaded cartridge type. The main difference between manufacturers lies in the rotor's stop structure: there are two main types—preloaded spring stops and rigid stops. Preloaded spring stops are complex and prone to overshoot, while rigid stops are simpler but can only be set to a closed stop (lower stop), unable to control both upper and lower position limits. Furthermore, rigid stops have a small contact area, posing a risk of failure. Additionally, during use, especially when initiating the reset procedure, the over-movement of the stop mechanism repeatedly occurs, causing significant noise. These are all shortcomings of existing electronic expansion valves that cannot be completely eliminated through structural optimization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new automotive electronic expansion valve structure to solve these technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings and deficiencies of the existing technology, this invention provides an electronic expansion valve for vehicles, which not only has a simple structure but also can stably stop the rotor, avoiding severe vibration of the rotor during the stopping process and thus preventing noise.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention discloses an electronic expansion valve for vehicles, which includes a valve seat, a connecting sleeve fixedly connected to the valve seat, a housing connected to the connecting sleeve, a valve core, a rotor, a nut and a hollow screw arranged coaxially inside the housing, the nut being fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve, the nut being threadedly connected to the hollow screw, the hollow screw being fixedly connected to the rotor, the hollow screw being sleeved on the outside of the valve core, a preload spring being provided between the valve core and the hollow screw, and a linear guide module being provided inside the housing, the linear guide module including a slidingly fitted guide component and a displacement component, the guide component being provided on the inner wall of the housing extending axially along the valve core, the displacement component being connected to the valve core, and the stroke length of the linear guide module corresponding to the target stroke length of the valve core.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after the displacement component is connected to the valve core, there is no relative axial displacement between the valve core and the displacement component, and the valve core is able to rotate around its own central axis.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide assembly includes a plurality of guide grooves disposed on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the housing and extending along the axial direction of the valve core, wherein the displacement assembly is slidably connected in the guide grooves, and the length of the guide grooves along the axial direction of the valve core corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the displacement assembly includes a stop bar, the stop bar including a valve core connecting portion coaxially arranged with the valve core and a limiting slide bar portion extending radially along the valve core, the number of limiting slide bars portions corresponding to the number of guide grooves, and the width of each limiting slide bar portion corresponding to the groove width of the guide groove.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve core connecting part is annular, and a bearing is fitted into the inner hole of the valve core connecting part.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve core connecting portion is axially limited to the valve core by an E-type snap ring and a sleeve.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a hollow cylindrical portion, a limiting retaining ring portion, and a sleeve top. A plurality of guide grooves are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the sleeve top and extend along the axial direction of the valve core. One end of the limiting retaining ring portion is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion and the other end is inserted into the sleeve top. The limiting retaining ring portion is provided with an annular boss for axially blocking the guide grooves.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nut is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve by a nut connecting plate.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotor is fixedly connected to the hollow screw via a rotor connecting plate.

[0014] The present invention also discloses a vehicle that uses the aforementioned automotive electronic expansion valve.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it has the advantages of simple structure, stable performance, high precision, good stopping performance and low noise. By introducing a linear guide module, which includes a slidingly fitted guide component and a displacement component, the guide component is set on the inner wall of the housing along the valve core axis. The displacement component is connected to the valve core. The stroke length of the linear guide module corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core. After the displacement component is connected to the valve core, there is no relative axial displacement between the valve core and the displacement component. The valve core can rotate around its own central axis, thereby achieving the stopping of the valve core. This not only reduces the noise caused by the stopping mechanism, but also facilitates the stable control of the axial position of the valve core.

[0016] Furthermore, the guide assembly of the present invention includes a plurality of guide grooves disposed on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the housing and extending along the axial direction of the valve core. A displacement assembly is slidably connected in the guide groove. The length of the guide groove along the axial direction of the valve core corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core. This structural design is not only easy to process and manufacture, but also does not require any additional parts.

[0017] Furthermore, the displacement assembly of the present invention includes a stop rod, which includes a valve core connecting portion arranged coaxially with the valve core and a limiting slide rod portion extending radially along the valve core. The number of limiting slide rod portions corresponds to the number of guide grooves, and the width of each limiting slide rod portion corresponds to the groove width of the guide groove. This structural design not only facilitates assembly but also enables a stable connection between the stop rod and the valve core.

[0018] Furthermore, the valve core connecting part of the present invention is annular, and a bearing is provided in the inner hole of the valve core connecting part. The stop rod and the valve core are connected by a bearing, which can effectively reduce the frictional resistance between the valve core and the stop rod, ensure the smooth rotation of the valve core, and prevent the rotor from jamming.

[0019] Furthermore, the valve core connection part of the present invention is axially limited to the valve core by an E-type snap ring and a sleeve. This structural design can release the radial movement of the valve core and is beneficial to the rotor sealing surface fit.

[0020] Furthermore, the housing of the present invention includes a hollow cylindrical part, a limiting retaining ring part and a sleeve top. Multiple guide grooves are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the sleeve top and extend along the axial direction of the valve core. One end of the limiting retaining ring part is inserted into the hollow cylindrical part and the other end is inserted into the sleeve top. An annular boss for axially blocking the guide groove is provided on the limiting retaining ring part. The above-mentioned three-section split housing design can ensure the assembly accuracy between the retaining rod and the track groove.

[0021] Furthermore, the nut of the present invention is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve through the nut connecting plate, and the rotor is fixedly connected to the hollow screw through the rotor connecting plate. This structural design has the advantage of being easy to assemble. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stop lever of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the lever of an electronic expansion valve for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the housing of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the housing of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a hollow screw for an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the hollow screw of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a nut for an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of the nut of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the valve core of an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an E-type retaining ring for an automotive electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] In the diagram: 1-valve seat, 2-connecting sleeve, 3-housing, 4-valve core, 5-rotor, 6-nut, 7-hollow screw, 8-preload spring, 9-guide assembly, 10-displacement assembly, 11-guide groove, 12-stop bar, 13-valve core connection part, 14-limiting slide bar part, 15-bearing, 16-E-type snap ring, 17-sleeve, 18-hollow cylindrical part, 19-limiting retaining ring part, 20-sleeve top, 21-annular boss, 22-nut connecting plate, 23-rotor connecting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0036] Electronic expansion valves are widely used in residential and commercial air conditioners, and are gradually being used in automotive air conditioners as well. A typical electronic expansion valve mainly consists of the following three parts:

[0037] 1. Valve seat: includes inlet channel, outlet channel, and intermediate channel connecting the inlet and outlet channels, with the valve core component installed and fixed in the intermediate channel;

[0038] 2. Valve core assembly (detachably mounted on the valve seat via a threaded connection):

[0039] 1) Valve core seat assembly: including a valve core seat with a valve port (which cooperates with the valve core to regulate flow and connects to the connecting sleeve), a connecting sleeve (which connects to the housing for sealing), a valve core seat sealing ring, and a valve seat sealing ring;

[0040] 2) Rotor assembly (riveted to the valve core seat assembly via bearing): including bearing, nut (with internal thread and a fully closed lower stop), rotor (mounted on the nut via slotted teeth, which cooperates with the coil assembly to form radial rotational motion), retaining ring 1 (fixing the connection between the nut and the bearing), and retaining ring 2 (fixing the connection between the nut and the rotor).

[0041] 3) Valve core components: including valve core (which cooperates with the valve port to adjust the flow rate), screw (with external thread, which screws into the nut), preload spring, gasket, valve core sleeve (to fix the valve core), limit component (with a fully closed stop block), and reset preload spring (installed on the upper part of the screw, which applies a downward force to the screw when the valve is fully open).

[0042] 4) Housing (installed on the outer periphery of the rotor and connected and sealed with the connecting sleeve), cover plate (installed on the upper part of the housing and connected and sealed with the housing);

[0043] 3. Coil assembly: mounted outside the valve core component (to provide a magnetic field for the rotor to generate radial rotational motion).

[0044] Its structure can be referenced from Chinese utility model patents CN211202920U, CN211423508U, CN101956830B, CN103388694B, and CN111963695A. The core of this invention focuses on the improvement of the housing and valve core. Therefore, the valve core seat assembly and rotor assembly, which are existing technologies, can be referenced from the contents disclosed in patents such as CN211202920U, CN211423508U, CN101956830B, CN103388694B, and CN111963695A, and will not be elaborated on in this article.

[0045] The present invention discloses an electronic expansion valve for vehicles, comprising a valve seat 1, a connecting sleeve 2 fixedly connected to the valve seat 1, a housing 3 connected to the connecting sleeve 2, and a valve core 4, a rotor 5, a nut 6, and a hollow screw 7 arranged coaxially within the housing 3. The nut 6 is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve 2 and threadedly connected to the hollow screw 7, which is fixedly connected to the rotor 5. The hollow screw 7 is fitted onto the outside of the valve core 4, and a preload spring 8 is provided between the valve core 4 and the hollow screw 7. A linear guide module is provided within the housing 3, comprising a slidingly fitted guide component 9 and a displacement component 10. The guide component 9 extends axially along the valve core 4 and is disposed on the inner wall of the housing 3, and the displacement component 10 is connected to the valve core 4. The stroke length of the linear guide module corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core 4. The working principle of this invention is as follows: When the rotor 5 rotates, it drives the hollow screw 7 to rotate. Because the nut 6 is fixed, the hollow screw 7 will displace along the axial direction of the valve core 4 under the action of the lead screw mechanism. The valve core 4, under the action of the preload spring 8, will also displace axially along with the hollow screw 7. The presence of the linear guide module not only provides effective limitation on its axial displacement, but also, because the stroke length of the linear guide module corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core 4, the stroke of the valve core 4 is controlled by the linear guide module, thus achieving the limitation of the valve core's up and down movement. After the valve core 4 reaches its limit position, even if the hollow screw 7 continues to rotate, it will not cause further axial displacement of the valve core 4. It should be noted that the target stroke length of the valve core 4 is predetermined according to product requirements. The target stroke length of the valve core 4 determines the stroke of the linear guide module. The target stroke length of the valve core 4 is the distance from the upper stop position to the lower stop position of the valve core in the prior art.

[0046] Preferably, after the displacement component 10 is connected to the valve core 4, there is no relative displacement between the valve core 4 and the displacement component 10 in the axial direction, and the valve core 4 can rotate around its own central axis.

[0047] Preferably, the guide assembly 9 includes a plurality of guide grooves 11 disposed on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the housing 3 and extending axially along the valve core 4. A displacement assembly 10 is slidably connected within the guide grooves 11, and the length of the guide grooves 11 along the axial direction of the valve core 4 corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core 4. Figure 5-6 As shown, there are two guide grooves 11, which are arranged 180° opposite each other. There can also be three, four or more guide grooves 11. The optimal solution is to arrange multiple guide grooves 11 in a rotationally symmetrical manner with respect to the central axis of the valve core 4.

[0048] Preferably, the displacement assembly 10 includes a stop rod 12, which includes a valve core connecting portion 13 coaxially arranged with the valve core 4 and a limiting slide rod portion 14 extending radially along the valve core 4. The number of limiting slide rod portions 14 corresponds to the number of guide grooves 11, and the width of each limiting slide rod portion 14 corresponds to the groove width of the guide groove 11. Figure 3-4 As shown, the limiting slide bar 14 includes two parts, which are arranged symmetrically at 180°.

[0049] Preferably, such as Figure 4 As shown, the valve core connecting part 13 is annular, and a bearing 15 is fitted into the inner hole of the valve core connecting part 13.

[0050] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the valve core connecting part 13 is axially limited to the valve core 4 by the E-type snap ring 16 and the sleeve 17. The valve core 4 is provided with an annular groove for connecting the E-type snap ring 16.

[0051] Preferably, such as Figure 5-6As shown, the housing 3 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 18, a limiting retaining ring portion 19, and a sleeve top 20. Multiple guide grooves 11 extend along the axial direction of the valve core 4 on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the sleeve top 20. One end of the limiting retaining ring portion 19 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 18, and the other end is inserted into the sleeve top 20. An annular boss 21 for axially blocking the guide grooves 11 is provided on the limiting retaining ring portion 19. The inner hole of the limiting retaining ring portion 19 is stepped shaft-shaped. A first groove and a second groove are machined on the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the limiting retaining ring portion 19. The first groove is used to insert the sleeve top 20, and the second groove is used to insert the hollow cylindrical portion 18. It can be understood that the outer diameter of the second groove corresponds to the inner diameter of the open end of the sleeve top 20. The annular boss 21 of the first groove and the inner hole can block the guide grooves 11. From a processing perspective, the limiting retaining ring 19 can be understood as follows: First, the blank of the limiting retaining ring 19 is a ring. First, a stepped inner hole can be drilled, and then the first groove and the second groove can be milled to form the limiting retaining ring 19. The blank of the top 20 of the sleeve can be a cylinder. First, a first groove with a diameter of D1 and a depth of H1 is milled, and then a second groove with a diameter of D2 and a depth of H2 is milled, where D1 < D2 and H1 > H2. Then, a guide groove 11 is milled inside the diameter D1. The depth of the guide groove 11 is H1-H2, where H1-H2 = the target stroke length of the valve core 4.

[0052] Preferably, such as Figure 9-10 As shown, nut 6 is fixedly connected to connecting sleeve 2 via nut connecting plate 22.

[0053] Preferably, such as Figure 7-8 As shown, the rotor 5 is fixedly connected to the hollow screw 7 via the rotor connecting plate 23.

[0054] The present invention also discloses a vehicle that uses the aforementioned automotive electronic expansion valve.

[0055] It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic expansion valve for vehicles, comprising a valve seat, a connecting sleeve fixedly connected to the valve seat, a housing connected to the connecting sleeve, a valve core, a rotor, a nut, and a hollow screw arranged coaxially within the housing, the nut being fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve, the nut being threadedly connected to the hollow screw, the hollow screw being fixedly connected to the rotor, the hollow screw being fitted onto the outside of the valve core, and a preload spring being provided between the valve core and the hollow screw, characterized in that: The housing contains a linear guide module, which includes a slidingly fitted guide component and a displacement component. The guide component extends axially along the valve core and is disposed on the inner wall of the housing. The displacement component is connected to the valve core. The stroke length of the linear guide module corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core. The guide component includes multiple guide grooves disposed on the inner peripheral wall of the end of the housing and extending axially along the valve core. The displacement component is slidably connected within the guide grooves. The length of the guide groove along the axial direction of the valve core corresponds to the target stroke length of the valve core. The housing includes a hollow cylindrical portion, a limiting retaining ring portion, and a sleeve top. The inner peripheral wall of the end of the sleeve top is provided with multiple guide grooves extending axially along the valve core. One end of the limiting retaining ring portion is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion, and the other end is inserted into the sleeve top. The limiting retaining ring portion is provided with an annular boss for axially blocking the guide grooves.

2. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the displacement component is connected to the valve core, there is no relative axial displacement between the valve core and the displacement component, and the valve core can rotate around its own central axis.

3. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The displacement assembly includes a stop bar, which includes a valve core connecting portion coaxially arranged with the valve core and a limiting slide bar portion extending radially along the valve core. The number of limiting slide bars portions corresponds to the number of guide grooves, and the width of each limiting slide bar portion corresponds to the groove width of the guide groove.

4. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The valve core connecting part is annular, and a bearing is fitted into the inner hole of the valve core connecting part.

5. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve core connection part is axially limited to the valve core by an E-type snap ring and a sleeve.

6. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nut is fixed to the connecting sleeve via a nut connecting plate.

7. The automotive electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotor is fixedly connected to the hollow screw via a rotor connecting plate.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle electronic expansion valve as described in any one of claims 1-7 is used.

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