carbon canister solenoid valve

Abstract

The invention discloses a kind of carbon tank solenoid valve, it includes the valve mechanism (20) being arranged in valve housing (10), the valve mechanism (20) includes stator (21), armature (22) and coil assembly (23), wherein, the stator (21) and the armature (22) are arranged in a line, and with the coil assembly (23) side by side, the stator and the armature are arranged at the outside of the coil assembly (23) so as to be magnetized by the magnetic field induced by the coil assembly (23), whereby the armature (22) can be moved between the first position of closing the carbon tank solenoid valve and the second position of opening the carbon tank solenoid valve by the attraction between the stator (21) and the armature (22).The invention allows to increase the maximum number of turns of the coil by placing the stator outside the coil, thereby increasing the maximum ampere-turn ratio of the coil, improving the coil utilization rate, and increasing the electromagnetic force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive technology, and more particularly to a carbon canister solenoid valve. Background Technology

[0002] Because fuel (gasoline) is a volatile liquid, the fuel tank of a car is often filled with fuel vapor, and the rate of fuel evaporation increases with temperature. To prevent fuel vapor from being released into the atmosphere and polluting the environment, and to avoid fuel waste, fuel evaporation control systems or fuel vapor recovery and utilization control systems are known to be installed in automobiles. Such fuel vapor recovery and utilization systems include a carbon canister containing activated carbon, located between the fuel tank and the engine. The carbon canister receives fuel vapor from the fuel tank, temporarily stores it using the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon, and supplies it to the engine when it is running. For this purpose, a carbon canister solenoid valve is typically provided. This solenoid valve receives electrical pulse signals from the car's electronic control unit, depending on the engine operating conditions, and opens or closes in response to these signals, allowing fuel vapor from the carbon canister to be delivered into the engine cylinders during engine operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention proposes a method that can make maximum use of the available space in the valve body to wind as many coil turns as possible with the same length of copper wire, thereby achieving the maximum possible ampere-turn ratio and improving the electromagnetic force of the solenoid valve.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention provides a carbon canister solenoid valve, which includes a valve mechanism disposed in a valve housing. The valve mechanism includes a stator, an armature, and a coil assembly, wherein the stator and the armature are arranged in a row and side by side with the coil assembly. The stator and the armature are disposed outside the coil assembly so that they can be magnetized by a magnetic field induced by the coil assembly, thereby allowing the armature to move between a first position of closing the carbon canister solenoid valve and a second position of opening the carbon canister solenoid valve by means of the attractive force between the stator and the armature.

[0005] The present invention involves placing the stator core outside the coil, allowing the coil itself to be wound around a thinner central core to form an independent coil assembly. This increases the maximum number of turns or loops of the formed coil while keeping the available space and / or the length of copper wire available for winding the coil constant. This, in turn, improves coil utilization by increasing the maximum ampere-turn ratio and advantageously increases electromagnetic force.

[0006] The carbon canister solenoid valve of the present invention has the following preferred and advantageous technical features, which can be applied individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0007] - Both the stator and the armature are made of magnetically conductive material and are connected to the coil assembly through magnetically conductive components made of magnetically conductive material, preferably a soft magnetic material;

[0008] - The magnetic conductive component includes two end plates disposed at both ends of the coil assembly, wherein the stator and armature pass through through holes in one end plate and extend toward each other at a predetermined distance apart;

[0009] - The coil assembly includes a central core and a winding assembly surrounding the central core, the central core extending through the two end plates, and both ends of the central core having flange-like portions for abutting against the surfaces of the respective end plates away from the coil assembly.

[0010] - A rigid sleeve is held between the two end plates, and the portion of the stator and the armature located between the two end plates is positioned in the sleeve;

[0011] - The two ends of the sleeve are respectively embedded in the corresponding end plates; preferably, the thickness of the end plate is 1-5mm, the wall thickness of the sleeve is 0.3-1mm, and the depth of the sleeve embedded in the end plate is 1-4mm.

[0012] - The end of the stator away from the armature has a lateral protrusion for engaging the surface of the corresponding end plate;

[0013] - The portion of the transverse protrusion facing the corresponding end plate has a beveled portion for fitting the corresponding beveled portion formed at the through hole of the corresponding end plate;

[0014] The stator and the armature are connected by a return spring, which is inserted into a circular or annular blind hole in the armature on one hand, and into a circular or annular countersunk hole in the stator on the other hand.

[0015] The present invention also relates to vehicles including the aforementioned carbon canister solenoid valve. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A perspective view of a carbon canister solenoid valve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the carbon canister solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The applicant's research revealed that the valve mechanism of a conventional carbon canister solenoid valve includes a movable iron core and a fixed iron core, at least one of which is disposed within a coil. However, this arrangement of the iron core occupies space where the coil can be wound, reducing the number of turns of the coil that can be wound with a limited length of copper wire, thereby lowering the maximum ampere-turn ratio of the coil. The applicant further discovered that in a prior art carbon canister solenoid valve, a coil assembly is disposed within the valve body, containing a movable iron core and a fixed iron core. The fixed iron core can attract the movable iron core when the coil assembly is energized, thereby opening the valve port. In this solenoid valve, the movable and fixed iron cores are inserted in the center of the coil, limiting the maximum ampere-turn ratio of the coil.

[0020] In view of the above, the technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The description is intended to explain the overall concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0021] See Figure 1 The carbon canister solenoid valve of the present invention may include a valve housing 10. The valve housing 10 may be an integral component manufactured by injection molding and may be mounted in a vehicle's fuel vaporization control system via a mounting portion 15 with an insulating bushing 4 inserted, for example, mounted on a fuel supply line near the engine. The valve housing 10 may define a space for accommodating a valve mechanism 20 (see...). Figure 2 The internal space of the valve body 10 can be sealed by attaching a cover plate 13 to the valve body 10, for example, using a laser welding process.

[0022] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the valve body 10 of the carbon canister solenoid valve may have an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 12, wherein the inlet port 11 is intended to connect to the output end of the carbon canister, and the outlet port 12 is intended to connect to the engine intake manifold. The inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12 may have an axial or longitudinal orientation (i.e.,...). Figure 1 and 2 The nozzle is in the form of a cylindrical tube extending in the vertical direction to facilitate connection (e.g., insertion or socketing) of the corresponding pipeline.

[0023] As is generally known and can be obtained from Figure 2 As can be seen, the end output opening of the inlet port 11, especially the pipe-shaped inlet port 11 (i.e., its opening in the valve body 10), and the end input opening of the outlet port 12, especially the pipe-shaped outlet port 12 (i.e., its opening in the valve body 10), can be in the radial or lateral direction (i.e., Figure 1 and 2The valve body 10 is staggered in the left-right direction and the valve mechanism 20 is arranged between them. Thus, the valve mechanism 20 divides the internal space of the valve body 10 into two parts that are respectively connected to the inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12, and can connect the two parts when open and isolate the two parts when closed.

[0024] Here, advantageously, such as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the outlet port 12 can be formed on the cover plate 13. Advantageously, the cover plate 13 can be considered as part of the valve housing 10.

[0025] See Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a valve mechanism 20 of the present invention. This valve mechanism 20 may include a stator 21, an armature 22, and a coil assembly 23, wherein the stator 21 and the armature 22 are arranged in a row. According to the invention, the stator 21 and the armature 22 are arranged side-by-side with the coil assembly 23 outside the coil assembly 23, and are arranged relative to the coil assembly 23 such that they can be magnetized by a magnetic field induced by the coil assembly 23, thereby allowing the armature 22 to move between a first position of closing the carbon canister solenoid valve and a second position of opening the carbon canister solenoid valve by means of the attractive force between the stator 21 and the armature 22.

[0026] The concept of this invention lies in separating the stator 21 (and armature 22) from the coil assembly 23, that is, placing the stator 21 (and armature 22) outside the coil assembly 23, rather than inserting the stator as a core into the coil as known in the prior art. Therefore, this invention allows the use of a core with a smaller diameter in the coil, thereby making it possible to increase the number of turns in the coil.

[0027] The stator 21 can be fixed in the valve housing 10, for example, it can be mounted on a bracket for mounting the coil assembly 23. The armature 22 can be aligned with the stator 21 and the outlet port 12, and is arranged to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the armature 22 is against the end inlet opening of the outlet port 12, thereby preventing gas from flowing out of the valve housing 10 through the outlet port 12. In the second position, the armature 22 is attracted by the stator 21 and moved away from the end inlet opening of the outlet port 12, thereby allowing gas to flow through the outlet port 12.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the armature 22 can extend toward the stator 21 at a predetermined distance or interval, which defines the maximum travel of the armature 22 between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, the armature 22 can be connected to the stator 21 at its longitudinal end toward the stator 21 via a return spring 25, while at its other longitudinal end it is wrapped with a buffer 28, such as a rubber pad, to mitigate impact with the corresponding portion of the valve housing 10 (i.e., the end inlet opening of the outlet port 12), thereby reducing noise and wear.

[0029] according to Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the return spring 25 can be inserted into the respective bodies of the armature 22 and the stator 21. Preferably, the body of the armature 22 may have a circular or annular blind hole-like portion for receiving at least a portion of the return spring 25 (especially the main body portion of the return spring 25); and the body of the stator 21 may have a circular or annular countersunk hole-like portion for receiving at least a portion of the return spring 25 (especially the end portion of the return spring 25). It should be noted that the term "countersunk hole-like portion" means that the portion extends to a shallower depth in the relevant component (here, the stator 21), which is less than the depth of the "blind hole-like portion" in the relevant component (here, the armature 22).

[0030] See also Figure 2 According to the present invention, the coil assembly 23 may include a central core 231 and a winding assembly 232 surrounding the central core 231. The central core 231 may be in the form of a cylinder, and its diameter may be smaller than the diameter of the cylinder-shaped stator 21, for example, at most half the latter.

[0031] In this way, when the space available for winding the coil or the length of the copper wire is limited, a denser coil than known schemes can be obtained. The number of turns or loops of the coil is much greater than that of the coil in known schemes, thereby increasing the maximum number of turns of the coil, improving the maximum ampere-turn ratio of the coil, and thus improving the utilization rate of the coil, which enables the generation of a greater electromagnetic force.

[0032] Advantageously, the stator 21 can be made of a magnetically conductive material, especially a soft magnetic material, such as low-carbon manganese steel. Similarly, the armature 22 can also be made of a magnetically conductive material, especially a soft magnetic material, such as low-carbon manganese steel. In this way, they can be easily magnetized by receiving the magnetic field lines generated by the magnetic field generated by the coil assembly 23 when energized, thereby generating magnetism respectively, especially at the adjacent or facing end portions.

[0033] Preferably, the stator 21 and the armature 22 can be connected to the coil assembly 23 via magnetically conductive components to facilitate the reception of magnetic field lines from the coil assembly 23. The magnetically conductive components can be made of magnetically conductive materials, particularly soft magnetic materials such as low-carbon manganese steel.

[0034] Of course, it is also conceivable not to use magnetically conductive components, but to place the stator 21 and armature 22 close to the coil assembly 23, such that the distance between them and the coil assembly 23 is small enough that they can receive magnetic field lines from the magnetic field of the coil assembly 23 through the air and thus be magnetized.

[0035] according to Figure 2 In the preferred embodiment shown, an end plate 24 can be provided as a support for housing the coil assembly 23. The end plate 24 can, for example, be fixed within the valve housing 10 during injection molding. In this case, the stator 21 and armature 22 can be placed side-by-side with the coil assembly 23 on the end plate 24. In other words, the stator 21 and armature 22 can be positioned substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction to the coil assembly 23, particularly its central core 231.

[0036] Preferably, the end plate 24 can be made of a magnetically conductive material, especially a soft magnetic material. In this way, the end plate 24 can serve as a support while also constituting the magnetically conductive component described above.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, two end plates 24 can be provided at both longitudinal ends of the coil assembly 23 to hold the coil assembly 23, and in particular to clamp its winding assembly 232. Preferably, the central core 231 of the coil assembly 23 can have an overall "I" shape and can extend through the two end plates 24 at both longitudinal ends. The flange-like portions (i.e., laterally protruding portions) at both ends of the I-shaped central core 231 can abut against the surfaces of the corresponding end plates 24. Thus, the two end plates 24 can be connected by the structural snap-fit ​​of the central core 231 of the coil assembly 23, preventing the gap between the two end plates 24 from widening due to tension in the winding assembly 232. This ensures reliable support for the coil assembly 23 without requiring additional components. This configuration advantageously simplifies the structure of the valve mechanism 20 and saves costs.

[0038] As an example, the central core 231 may have a diameter of 3-8 mm (i.e., the transverse dimension) and a height of 10-30 mm (i.e., the longitudinal dimension). The flange-like portions at both ends of the central core 231 may have a transverse dimension of 5-10 mm (i.e., the diameter) and a longitudinal dimension of 0.5-2 mm (i.e., the height or thickness).

[0039] like Figure 2As shown, the stator 21 can in particular be configured to pass through an end plate 24 ( Figure 2 The through hole in the lower end plate faces the other end plate 24. Figure 2 The armature 22 extends in the direction of the upper end plate, and the armature 22 may be configured to extend in the direction of the stator 21 through a through hole in the other end plate 24.

[0040] exist Figure 2 In the preferred embodiment shown, the stator 21 can be configured with an inverted T-shape, with its lateral branches or protrusions located at its ends away from the armature 22, and intended to engage—especially abut—the surfaces of the corresponding end plates 24 facing away from the armature 22 (i.e., opposite to the other end plate). Thus, the lateral protrusions can abut against the corresponding end plates 24 to form stops, preventing the stator 21 from shifting due to electromagnetic attraction and consequently affecting the travel of the armature 22 between the first and second positions.

[0041] In this configuration, the contact surface of the lateral protrusion of the stator 21 with the corresponding end plate 24 (especially the periphery of the through hole formed in the end plate) can have a chamfered or beveled portion to fit against the corresponding chamfered or beveled portion formed at the through hole of the corresponding end plate 24. This ensures good contact and positioning between the stator 21 and the corresponding end plate 24, and ensures that the stator 21 receives magnetic field lines from the coil assembly 23 through the end plate 24.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, a rigid support 26 can be clamped between the two end plates 24 to prevent the two end plates 24 from bending toward each other due to the attraction between the stator 21 and the armature 22, thereby ensuring a constant stroke of the armature 22 and thus ensuring the normal operation of the valve mechanism 20 and the entire carbon canister solenoid valve. Particularly preferably, the support 26 can be embedded in the two end plates 24 at its longitudinal ends respectively.

[0043] Preferably, the support member 26 is formed of a sleeve, and the portions of the stator 21 and the armature 22 located between the two end plates 24 can be positioned within the sleeve, thereby allowing the sleeve 26 to function as a guide for the armature 22, enabling the armature 22 to move correctly between the first and second positions. Here, the portions of the stator 21 and the armature 22 can have dimensions matching the inner diameter of the sleeve, wherein the diameter of the portion of the armature 22 can be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve to prevent wear of the armature 22 due to friction with the sleeve during movement.

[0044] The sleeve may be made of stainless steel, for example, and have a small wall thickness so as not to affect the reception of magnetic field lines by the stator 21 and armature 22. As an example, the end plate 24 has a thickness of 1-5 mm, the sleeve 26 has a wall thickness of 0.3-1 mm, and the sleeve 26 is embedded in the respective end plate 24 to a depth of 1-4 mm.

[0045] See also Figure 2 The valve mechanism 20 may also include a pin 27 for receiving control signals and electrical signals, which may be mounted on a pin holder 29. The pin holder 29 may be disposed on an end plate 24.

[0046] While the general concept of the invention has been described in conjunction with embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept. This specification and the examples disclosed herein should be considered merely illustrative, and the true scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A carbon canister solenoid valve, comprising a valve mechanism (20) disposed in a valve housing (10), the valve mechanism (20) comprising a stator (21), an armature (22), and a coil assembly (23), wherein, The stator (21) and the armature (22) are arranged in a row. The stator (21) and the armature (22) are arranged outside the coil assembly (23) so that they can be magnetized by the magnetic field induced by the coil assembly (23), thereby allowing the armature (22) to move between a first position of closing the carbon canister solenoid valve and a second position of opening the carbon canister solenoid valve by means of the attractive force between the stator (21) and the armature (22). The stator (21) and the armature (22) are placed side by side with the coil assembly (23) and positioned substantially parallel to the coil assembly (23) in the longitudinal direction. The valve mechanism (20) further includes two end plates (24) for holding the coil assembly (23), the two end plates (24) being arranged at both longitudinal ends of the coil assembly (23). The coil assembly (23) includes a central core (231) and a winding assembly (232) surrounding the central core (231). The central core (231) extends through the two end plates (24), and both ends of the central core (231) have flange-like portions that abut against the surfaces of the respective end plates (24) away from the coil assembly (23), so that the two end plates (24) clamp the winding assembly (232).

2. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stator (21) and the armature (22) are placed side by side with the coil assembly (23) on the two end plates (24), with the stator (21) and the armature (22) passing through a through hole in one end plate (24) and extending toward each other at a predetermined distance.

3. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end plate (24) is made of magnetic material.

4. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The magnetic material is a soft magnetic material.

5. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, A rigid sleeve (26) is held between the two end plates (24), and the portions of the stator (21) and the armature (22) located between the two end plates (24) are positioned in the sleeve (26).

6. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The two ends of the sleeve (26) are respectively embedded in the corresponding end plates (24).

7. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The end plate (24) has a thickness of 1-5 mm, the sleeve (26) has a wall thickness of 0.3-1 mm, and the sleeve (26) is embedded in the end plate (24) to a depth of 1-4 mm.

8. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the stator (21) away from the armature (22) has a lateral protrusion for engaging the surface of the corresponding end plate (24).

9. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The portion of the surface of the transverse protrusion facing the corresponding end plate (24) has a beveled portion for fitting the corresponding beveled portion formed at the through hole of the corresponding end plate (24).

10. The carbon canister solenoid valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The stator (21) and the armature (22) are connected by a return spring (25), which is inserted into a circular or annular blind hole in the armature (22) on one hand and into a circular or annular countersunk hole in the stator (21) on the other hand.

11. A vehicle comprising a carbon canister solenoid valve according to any one of the preceding claims.

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