Valve device

Abstract

A valve device (11) includes: a valve body (12) having a valve chamber (13) inside; a valve element (21) having a flow path space (22) inside and changing a flow rate of a fluid by being driven to rotate inside the valve chamber; a first flow path hole (14) formed in the valve body, communicating with the flow path space, and allowing passage of the fluid; a second flow path hole (15) formed in the valve body, changing a communication state with the flow path space according to a rotational displacement position of the valve element, and allowing passage of the fluid when communicating with the flow path space; and a transmission mechanism including a valve element drive shaft (31) that transmits a driving force that rotates the valve element to the valve element, a rotational axis of the valve element and a rotational axis of the valve element drive shaft being orthogonal to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a valve device, and more particularly to a ball valve included in a refrigeration cycle device such as an air conditioner for regulating the flow of refrigerant. Background Technology

[0002] In refrigeration systems such as automotive air conditioning, needle valves and ball valves are used to regulate the flow of refrigerant. Figures 10 to 11 This illustrates an example of such a ball valve. As shown in these figures, conventional ball valves have a spherical valve core 3 disposed inside the box-shaped valve body 1 (valve chamber 2), and the flow rate of refrigerant is changed by rotating the valve core 3.

[0003] More specifically, the valve body 1 has an inlet hole 14 on its side for refrigerant to flow in, and an outlet hole 15 on its bottom surface for refrigerant to flow out. Inside the valve chamber 2, a pair of valve core support members 4 and 5, spaced apart horizontally and facing each other, are provided to support the valve core 3. The valve core 3 is supported between these two valve core support members 4 and 5 so that it can rotate. Furthermore, the valve core support member 4 on the inlet hole side has a valve seat port 14a that forms the end opening of the inlet hole 14 on the valve chamber side. The valve core 3 slides and rotates horizontally (refer to symbol R3) about a vertically extending central axis A1 while contacting the valve seat port 14a, as described later. The refrigerant flow rate (refrigerant flow indicated by symbol F) is changed according to this rotational state of the valve core 3.

[0004] Furthermore, the rotation of the valve core 3 is performed by a drive device (not shown) located on the upper surface of the valve body 1. In order to transmit the driving force of this drive device to the valve core 3, a drive shaft (not shown) is connected from above to the upper shell wall of the valve core 3. Figure 10 Reference numeral 6 in the attached figure indicates the hole into which the shaft is inserted.

[0005] The valve core 3 is a hollow sphere with a flow path space 22 inside for refrigerant to flow through. It has an inlet 23 on the side for introducing refrigerant flowing in through the inlet hole 14 into the flow path space 22, and an outlet 24 at the bottom for discharging refrigerant from the flow path space 22.

[0006] Here, the outlet 24 at the bottom of the valve core is always in communication with the outlet hole 15 on the bottom surface of the valve body. Conversely, by rotating the valve core 3, the relative position between the inlet 23 on the side of the valve core and the valve seat port 14a is changed. That is, when the valve is fully open, the inlet 23 of the valve core 3 is directly opposite the valve seat port 14a, and the inlet hole 14 is opened (the flow path space 22 of the valve core 3 and the inlet hole 14 on the side of the valve body are in complete communication).

[0007] On the other hand, in the fully closed state, where the valve core 3 has rotated horizontally by 90° from the fully open state, the inlet 23 of the valve core 3 leaves the valve seat port 14a (the inlet 23 and the valve seat port 14a no longer coincide), and the valve seat port 14a is sealed by the shell wall (outer wall surface) of the valve core 3. Furthermore, in these states between fully open and fully closed, the flow path area varies depending on the degree of overlap between the inlet 23 and the valve seat port 14a, thereby determining the refrigerant flow rate.

[0008] Furthermore, although it is a valve for switching flow paths, Patent Document 1 disclosed below discloses a valve for switching flow paths by rotating a rotor seal.

[0009] Existing technical documents

[0010] Patent documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-169613

[0012] However, the aforementioned ball valves have room for improvement in terms of valve dimensions and manufacturability during manufacturing.

[0013] Specifically, in conventional ball valves, in order to enable the valve core 3 to rotate laterally and support it by clamping it from both sides, a valve seat port 14a needs to be formed on the side. Therefore, there is a problem that the width of the valve body 1 (the horizontal dimension of the valve) becomes larger.

[0014] Furthermore, as with conventional ball valves, although the interior of the valve body 1 (the valve chamber 2 where the valve core 3 is located) has a square shape, it is not easy to form a square valve chamber space with high precision and in a short time because the valve body 1, which is made of a hard metal such as stainless steel or brass, is cut by, for example, hollowing it out. For example, compared with forming a cylindrical space as the valve chamber 2, forming a square space is more difficult, and the processing efficiency is significantly reduced.

[0015] On the other hand, if a needle valve is used, which changes the refrigerant flow path area by moving a conical valve core linearly forward and backward relative to the valve seat, the above-mentioned problem will not occur. However, compared with ball valves, needle valves generally have a slower operating speed and are prone to valve leakage due to valve core tilting.

[0016] Furthermore, such a problem cannot be solved by the invention described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1. Summary of the Invention

[0017] Therefore, the object of this invention is to obtain a new valve device structure that features fast operating speed, low valve leakage, and reduced horizontal dimensions. Another object of this invention is to improve the manufacturability of the valve device.

[0018] To solve the aforementioned technical problems and achieve the objective, the valve device of the present invention comprises: a valve body having a valve chamber inside; a valve core having a flow path space inside and changing the flow rate of a fluid by being driven to rotate within the valve chamber; a first flow path orifice formed in the valve body and communicating with the flow path space, allowing fluid to pass through; a second flow path orifice formed in the valve body, changing the communication state between the second flow path orifice and the flow path space according to the rotational displacement position of the valve core, and allowing fluid to pass through when the second flow path orifice communicates with the flow path space; and a transmission mechanism comprising a valve core drive shaft (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "drive shaft") that transmits a driving force for rotating the valve core to the valve core, wherein the rotation axis of the valve core and the rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft are orthogonal to each other.

[0019] In the valve device of the present invention, unlike conventional ball valves where the valve core rotates laterally (rotates about the axis of rotation of the shaft driving the valve core), the valve core rotates longitudinally (rotates about an axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the valve core drive shaft). Therefore, in the present invention, it is not necessary to form the first flow path hole and the second flow path hole together on the side of the valve body as in the past. The first flow path hole can be formed on the side of the valve body, and the second flow path hole (the valve seat port that cooperates with the valve core to change the flow rate) can be disposed outside the side (e.g., on the bottom surface of the valve body), thereby reducing the horizontal dimension of the valve device.

[0020] In recent years, in particular, there is a need not only for in-vehicle air conditioning but also for cooling other equipment (such as batteries). To supply refrigerant to multiple devices, multiple valve bodies are sometimes arranged and connected laterally, or multiple valve cores are arranged laterally and assembled onto the valve body. Therefore, in such cases, if the lateral width of the valve device (valve body) can be reduced, multiple valve devices (valve bodies) can be installed in a narrow space, easily meeting such requirements.

[0021] The valve device of the present invention typically includes one or more of the following methods (1) to (9).

[0022] (1) The valve body has a first flow path hole on its side surface and a second flow path hole at any circumferential position about the axis of the first flow path hole. The valve core has: a first opening that connects the first flow path hole and the flow path space; a second opening that connects the second flow path hole and the flow path space when the valve is open; and a shell wall that closes the second flow path hole when the valve is closed. Furthermore, the valve core is supported to rotate about the axis of the first flow path hole between the open and closed states. In the open state, the second flow path hole connects to the flow path space via the second opening, and in the closed state, the second flow path hole is closed by the shell wall. The transmission mechanism also has a valve core driven shaft (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "driven shaft") and a locking unit. The valve core driven shaft extends in the axial direction of the first flow path hole, receives the driving force transmitted from the valve core drive shaft, rotates about the axis of the first flow path hole, and transmits this rotation to the valve core. The engaging unit transmits the rotation of the valve core drive shaft to the valve core driven shaft. The rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft is orthogonal to the axis of the first flow path orifice.

[0023] (2) The valve core has a spherical shape, the valve chamber has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the valve seat port is provided at the end edge of the valve chamber side of the second flow path hole. The valve core contacts the valve seat port and rotates and slides.

[0024] According to this method (2), unlike needle valves, the valve core is difficult to tilt (even if tilted, it is difficult to create a gap between it and the valve seat), thus preventing or suppressing valve leakage when the valve is closed. In addition, "spherical" does not need to be a perfect sphere; for example, it can have a flat surface, hole, protrusion, concave part, etc.

[0025] Furthermore, since the valve chamber has a circular cross-sectional shape, similar to the internal space of a cylinder, the machining of the valve chamber (e.g., machining the valve body by hollowing it out through cutting) becomes easier. In addition, the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve chamber does not need to be constant, and steps, protrusions, etc., can be present on the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber.

[0026] (3) In the above method (2), the first opening is formed opposite to the first flow path orifice, and communicates with the flow path space to allow fluid passage in any rotational position of the valve core. On the other hand, the second opening communicates with the flow path space by coinciding with the valve seat orifice in the open state. The valve core is supported so that it can rotate between the fully open state and the fully closed state of the valve. In the fully open state, the overlap between the second opening and the valve seat orifice is maximized. In the fully closed state, the second opening leaves the valve seat orifice and closes the valve seat orifice through the shell wall portion.

[0027] In the above methods (2) to (3), although the valve core contacts the valve seat and rotates and slides, the second opening of the valve core overlaps with the valve seat, that is, the opening area (flow path area) of the valve seat, is changed by this rotation, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the first flow path hole, the flow path space inside the valve core and the second flow path hole is changed.

[0028] More specifically, when the second opening is directly opposite the valve seat orifice (facing the front), the opening area of ​​the valve seat orifice is at its maximum, and the valve is fully open. As the valve core rotates from this fully open state, the opening area of ​​the valve seat orifice gradually decreases. When the second opening no longer coincides with the valve seat orifice, the opening area of ​​the valve seat orifice is zero, and the valve is closed. In this closed state, the valve seat orifice is sealed by the valve core's shell wall (outer wall surface), releasing the connection between the flow path space inside the valve core and the second flow path orifice, thus cutting off the flow of fluid between the flow path space (first flow path orifice) and the second flow path orifice of the valve core.

[0029] Furthermore, in the valve device involved in this invention (the ball valve in the embodiments described later is also acceptable), fluid can flow in from the first flow path orifice and flow out from the second flow path orifice; conversely, fluid can flow in from the second flow path orifice and flow out from the first flow path orifice.

[0030] Furthermore, in the valve device according to the above-described method of the present invention, since the valve seat port can be provided on the bottom surface instead of the side of the valve body, the lateral width dimension of the valve can be reduced. Moreover, in needle valves, it is generally necessary to rotate the valve core a large number of times (multiple times) in order to move the valve core forward and backward relative to the valve seat port. In contrast, in the valve device according to the present invention, the rotation of the valve core can be performed between the open (fully open) state where the second opening of the valve core is facing the valve seat port and the closed (fully closed) state where the second opening is separated from the valve seat port (no longer overlapping) (less than one full turn, for example, about 90° or about a quarter turn is sufficient), thus enabling rapid opening and closing actions.

[0031] (4) The valve core drive shaft extends along a central axis extending in the vertical direction of the valve core. The valve core driven shaft extends along a central axis extending in the horizontal direction of the valve core, and the base end of the valve core driven shaft is fixed to the side shell wall of the valve core opposite to the first opening. The engaging unit is provided at the top end of the valve core drive shaft and the top end of the valve core driven shaft.

[0032] (5) The engaging unit includes: a driving bevel gear disposed on the valve core driving shaft; and a driven bevel gear disposed on the valve core driven shaft and meshing with the driving bevel gear.

[0033] (6) The number of teeth on the driven side bevel gear is greater than the number of teeth on the driving side bevel gear. This is so that even a drive with a small rotational output can reliably drive the valve core.

[0034] (7) The valve core drive shaft extends downward from the upper part of the valve body inside the valve body and passes through the upper shell wall of the valve core to reach the flow path space. The valve core has an opening in the upper shell wall through which the valve core drive shaft passes. The opening allows the valve core to rotate about the axis of the first flow path hole. The opening has: a first stop portion that abuts against the side of the valve core drive shaft in the fully open state of the valve and stops the rotation of the valve core; and a second stop portion that abuts against the side of the valve core drive shaft on the opposite side in the fully closed state of the valve and stops the rotation of the valve core.

[0035] According to this method (7), the rotation of the valve core can be reliably stopped at each of the fully open and fully closed positions.

[0036] (8) The opening is a guide groove that extends in an arc shape along the valve core shell wall parallel to the plane orthogonal to the axis of the first flow path hole, and allows the valve core to rotate about the axis of the first flow path hole. On the other hand, it restricts the movement of the valve core in the axial direction of the first flow path hole by abutting against the side of the valve core drive shaft in a slidable manner. The first stop portion is provided at one end of the guide groove, and the second stop portion is provided at the other end of the guide groove.

[0037] According to this method (8), not only can the valve core be reliably stopped at each of the fully open and fully closed positions, but it can also prevent the valve core from shifting towards the axis of the first flow path hole during rotation, and enable the valve core to rotate around the axis of the first flow path hole with high precision.

[0038] (9) A housing component capable of mounting a valve device comprises: a valve mounting hole capable of receiving a valve device; a first flow path that opens on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole and serves as either an inflow path or an outflow path for fluid; and a second flow path that opens on the bottom surface of the valve mounting hole and serves as the other of an inflow path or an outflow path for fluid. The valve device is mounted on the housing component by screwing it into the valve mounting hole of the housing component. The second flow path hole is formed on the bottom surface of the valve body. An internal thread is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole. The valve body has a cylindrical shape and an external thread that engages with the internal thread on its outer circumferential surface. When the external thread engages with the internal thread and the valve device is screwed into the valve mounting hole from the bottom surface side having the second flow path hole and mounted on the housing component, the first flow path hole communicates with the first flow path of the housing component, and the second flow path hole communicates with the second flow path of the housing component.

[0039] According to this method (9), for example, when the valve device manufacturer provides the valve device to the manufacturer of the refrigeration cycle device who is the customer, the valve manufacturer and the customer share the specifications such as the external dimensions of the valve body and the positions of the first flow path orifice and the second flow path orifice in advance. If the customer manufactures the aforementioned housing component as part of the refrigeration cycle device, the valve device can be assembled and the refrigeration cycle device can be completed by simply screwing in the housing component. The customer can manufacture the refrigeration cycle device efficiently. In addition, when the valve device needs to be replaced during the maintenance of the refrigeration cycle device, the replacement operation can also be carried out with the same simple operation.

[0040] According to the present invention, a valve device with fast operating speed, low leakage, and small lateral width can be provided. Furthermore, according to a typical embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturability of the valve device can be improved.

[0041] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention based on the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the figures, the same symbols denote the same or equivalent parts. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall structure of the valve device (closed state) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a partial cutaway perspective view showing the internal structure of the valve device (excluding the main parts such as the drive device, the second bearing component, the upper part of the first bearing component, and the upper part of the valve core drive shaft) according to the above embodiments.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the operation (open valve state) of the valve core of the valve device involved in the above embodiment.

[0045] Figure 4 This indicates the operation (open valve state) of the valve core of the valve device involved in the above embodiments. Figure 3 The longitudinal section view of the X1-X1 section.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the operation (closed state) of the valve core of the valve device involved in the above embodiment.

[0047] Figure 6 This indicates the operation (closed state) of the valve core of the valve device involved in the above embodiments. Figure 5 The longitudinal section view of the X2-X2 section.

[0048] Figure 7This is a top view showing the main parts (closed state) of the valve device involved in the above embodiment.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a bottom view showing the main parts (closed state) of the valve device involved in the above embodiment.

[0050] Figure 9 This indicates the main part of the valve device involved in the above embodiments (valve closed state / Figure 7 The longitudinal section view (X3-X3 section view).

[0051] Figure 10 This is a top view showing the internal structure of a conventional valve device (ball valve).

[0052] Figure 11 This refers to the internal structure of a conventional valve assembly (ball valve). Figure 10 The longitudinal section view of the X4-X4 section. Detailed Implementation

[0053] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the valve device 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a so-called box-type ball valve that is assembled into a refrigeration cycle device, such as a heat pump refrigeration and heating system, by means of a housing component 61 installed in the refrigeration cycle device to regulate the flow rate of the refrigerant.

[0054] In addition, each figure displays mutually orthogonal two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinates representing the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions. The following explanation is based on these directions. Furthermore, each figure (especially...) Figure 2 The following figures are shown with the lower part of the valve core or valve seat, valve body, and transmission mechanism as the structure unique to this invention as the center, and the upper part of the valve body, i.e. the drive device or second bearing component, the upper part of the first bearing component, the upper part of the valve core drive shaft, etc. are appropriately omitted.

[0055] The housing component 61 has a valve mounting hole 62 for mounting a ball valve 11, a first flow path 63 that opens on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole 62 to serve as an inflow path for refrigerant, and a second flow path 64 that opens on the bottom surface of the valve mounting hole 62 to serve as an outflow path for refrigerant. An internal thread 65 for fixing the ball valve 11 into the valve mounting hole 62 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole 62.

[0056] On the other hand, the ball valve 11 installed on the housing component 61 has: a cylindrical valve body 12 having a valve chamber 13 inside and an opening on its upper surface; a cylindrical first bearing component 37 inserted into the opening on the upper surface of the valve body 12; a cylindrical second bearing component 38 inserted into the opening on the upper surface of the first bearing component 37; a housing 35 covering the upper surface of the valve body 12 containing the first bearing component 37 and the second bearing component 38 and forming a sealed space together with the valve body 12; a spherical valve core 21 that controls the flow rate of refrigerant by being rotatably supported in the valve chamber 13; a drive device disposed on the upper surface of the valve body 12 to drive the valve core 21; and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drive device to the valve core 21.

[0057] Furthermore, the outer casing 35 is a bottomless, covered (open bottom, closed top) cylindrical component, arranged to cover the upper part of the first bearing component 37, and is engaged with the first bearing component 37 via an annular base plate 36. In addition, an external thread 19 is formed on the upper outer peripheral surface of the valve body 12, which engages with the aforementioned internal thread 65 of the housing component 61.

[0058] Furthermore, the valve body 12 has an inlet hole (first flow path hole) 14 on its side (right side in this embodiment) for refrigerant to flow into the valve chamber 13, and an outlet hole (second flow path hole) 15 on its bottom surface (lower surface) for refrigerant to flow out. An annular valve seat (valve seat opening) 16 is provided on the upper surface (upper edge) of the outlet hole 15, where the valve core 21 can rotatably slide against. The valve core 21 is held rotatably and slidably by the valve seat 16 and a valve core support portion 17 formed on the inner wall of the valve chamber at a certain distance upward from the valve seat 16, opposite to the valve seat 16. That is, it is held so that it can rotate about the axis A2 of the inlet hole 14 (and the axis of the inlet 23 described later).

[0059] Furthermore, when the ball valve 11 is installed on the housing component 61, the inlet hole 14 of the valve body 12 is connected to the first flow path 63 of the housing component 61, and the outlet hole 15 of the valve body 12 is connected to the second flow path 64 of the housing component 61 via the valve core 21. In addition, the ball valve 11 is installed on the housing component 61 by screwing the valve body 12 into the valve mounting hole 62 of the housing component 61 (so that the external thread 19 on the circumference of the valve body is screwed into the internal thread 65 of the housing component 61, thus embedding the valve body 12 into the valve mounting hole 62), until the flange portion 18 on the upper part of the valve body abuts against the upper surface of the housing component 61.

[0060] The valve core 21 is a hollow sphere with an internal cavity (flow path space 22). It has an inlet 23 on its right side for refrigerant to flow into the flow path space 22, and an outlet 24 at its lower part (bottom) for refrigerant to flow out of the flow path space 22. The valve core 21 is driven to rotate to regulate the refrigerant flow rate. However, the inlet 23 of the valve core 21 is positioned opposite (directly facing) the inlet hole 14 of the valve body 12. Regardless of the rotational state (rotational displacement position) of the valve core 21, the inlet hole 14 and the inlet 23 (the flow path space 22 inside the valve core) are always in communication.

[0061] On the other hand, due to the rotation of the valve core 21, the relative position of the outlet 24 of the valve core 21 and the outlet 15 (valve seat 16) of the valve body 12 changes. In the fully open state of the valve, where the outlet 24 of the valve core 21 and the valve seat 16 are most overlapped, the outlet 24 (flow path space 22) of the valve core 21 and the outlet 15 of the valve body 12 are in communication with the valve seat 16 (outlet 15). On the other hand, if the valve core 21 is rotated approximately 90° (a quarter turn) from this fully open state, it no longer overlaps with the valve seat 16, and the valve seat 16 (outlet 15) is closed by the shell wall (outer wall surface of the valve core) 21a of the valve core 21, and the valve becomes fully closed.

[0062] Furthermore, in the intermediate states between these fully open and fully closed states, if the overlap between the outlet 24 of the valve core 21 and the valve seat 16 increases, the flow path cross-sectional area increases and the refrigerant flow rate increases; if the overlap decreases, the flow path cross-sectional area decreases and the refrigerant flow rate decreases, thereby regulating the refrigerant flow rate. Moreover, the operation and function of this valve core 21 can be achieved simply by having a circular shape around the horizontal axis A2. Therefore, even if the valve core 21 is not a perfect sphere, as long as it is "spherical," this "spherical" shape includes elongated spheres (ellipsoids of revolution), cylindrical shapes, etc.

[0063] The transmission mechanism for transmitting driving force to the valve core 21 includes a valve core drive shaft 31 and a valve core driven shaft 33. The upper end of the valve core drive shaft 31 is connected to the output shaft 39 of the drive device (described later) and passes through the center of the second bearing component 38, penetrating the first bearing component 37 and the upper shell wall of the valve core 21. It extends vertically downward to the upper part of the flow path space 22 inside the valve core. The valve core driven shaft 33 extends horizontally in the left-right direction (axis A2 direction of the inlet hole 14) within the flow path space 22 of the valve core 21. It receives the rotational driving force (rotational force about the central axis A1 in the up-down direction) R1 transmitted from the drive device via the valve core drive shaft 31 and rotates about the axis A2 of the inlet hole 14 (refer to symbol R2).

[0064] Furthermore, in order to convert the rotation about the vertical axis A1 based on the drive shaft 31 into rotation about the horizontal axis A2 and transmit it to the driven shaft 33, a bevel gear (drive-side bevel gear) 32 is provided at the lower end of the drive shaft 31, and a bevel gear (driven-side bevel gear) 34 that meshes with the drive-side bevel gear 32 is provided at the top (right end) of the driven shaft 33. The number of teeth of these bevel gears 32 and 34 is greater in the driven-side bevel gear 34 than in the drive-side bevel gear 32. This is to ensure that even a drive device with a small output can reliably rotate the drive valve core 21. Additionally, the teeth of each gear 32 and 34 are not shown in the figures.

[0065] The driven shaft 33 has its base end (left end) 33a fixed to the shell wall (left side wall) of the valve core 21. More specifically, a through hole is formed through the shell wall (left side wall) of the valve core 21, and the driven shaft 33 is fixed to the valve core 21 by inserting the base end 33a into the through hole from the inside (flow path space 22) side of the valve core 21. Furthermore, in order to allow the rotating shaft portion 33b, described below, to be inserted into the through hole from the outside of the valve core 21, the base end 33a of the driven shaft 33 is shorter than the through hole. Therefore, the valve core 21 rotates together with the driven shaft 33.

[0066] Furthermore, the valve core 21 is rotatably supported on the valve body 12 via a rotating shaft portion 33b. Specifically, one end (left side) of the rotating shaft portion 33b is fixed to the valve chamber 13 (the left side wall of the valve body 12), and the other end is inserted from the outer side of the valve core 21 (the side of the valve chamber 13) into the aforementioned through hole in the shell wall of the valve core 21, thus supporting the valve core 21 so that it can rotate. Therefore, when the valve core 21 is subjected to a rotational driving force from the drive shaft 31, it slides and rotates around the rotating shaft portion 33b.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotating shaft portion 33b is configured as another component (a separate component), but it can also be formed integrally with other components (as part of other components). For example, the rotating shaft portion 33b can also be formed by protruding from the wall of the valve body 12 as part of the valve body 12. Alternatively, for example, the base end portion 33a of the driven shaft 33 can be extended in a manner that passes through the aforementioned through hole and extends to the outside of the valve core 21, and the extended base end portion 33a can be rotatably inserted into a recess (e.g., a hole) formed in the inner wall of the valve chamber 13.

[0068] Furthermore, in order to enable the valve core 21, through which the drive shaft 31 passes, to rotate and to prevent lateral displacement of the valve core 21 (displacement in a direction intersecting the rotation direction), a guide groove 25, which is a slit-shaped opening, is formed in the valve core 21. This guide groove 25 extends in an arc shape along the shell wall of the valve core 21 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even though the valve core 21 is penetrated by the drive shaft 31, it can still rotate about the axis A2 of the inflow hole 14.

[0069] Furthermore, the two ends of the guide groove 25, namely the front end 25a and the rear end 25b, serve as stop parts to prevent the rotation of the valve core 21 from occurring. That is, when the valve is open (fully open), the front end 25a of the guide groove 25 abuts against the side of the drive shaft 31, and when the valve is closed, the rear end 25b of the guide groove 25 abuts against the opposite side of the drive shaft 31, thus reliably stopping the rotation of the valve core 21.

[0070] Furthermore, the width of the guide groove 25 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the drive shaft 31, and the pair of opposing inner wall surfaces forming the guide groove 25 allow the valve core 21 to rotate and slide, and to contact the two sides (left and right sides) of the drive shaft 31. That is, the valve core 21 rotates along the guide groove 25 that clamps the drive shaft 31 from the left and right sides. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the valve core 21 from shifting laterally or tilting during rotation, and to achieve reliable valve opening and closing actions based on the stable rotation of the valve core 21.

[0071] In this embodiment, the drive device consists of a stepper motor 41 and a reduction mechanism (singular planetary gear reduction mechanism) 56. The stepper motor consists of a mold assembly 42, which is a stator disposed on the outer periphery (outer side) of the housing 35, and a rotor 47, which is rotatably disposed on the inner periphery (inner side) of the housing 35. The reduction mechanism 56 reduces the rotation of the stepper motor 41.

[0072] The stator (mold assembly) 42 includes a magnetic yoke 43, a winding frame 44, a coil 45, and a resin molding cover 46. The rotor 47 is formed by connecting a cylindrical rotor component 47a made of magnetic material and a sun gear component 48 made of resin material. A shaft 49 is inserted into the center of the sun gear component 48, and the upper part of the shaft 49 is supported by a support component 50 disposed on the top inner side of the housing 35.

[0073] The sun gear 48a of the sun gear assembly 48 meshes with a plurality of planetary gears 51, which are supported by a shaft 52 of a gear carrier 54 mounted on the bottom surface of the output gear 55 and are rotatable. The upper part of the planetary gear 51 meshes with an annular gear ring (internal fixed gear) 57 mounted on the upper part of a cylindrical component 40 fixed to the upper part of the valve body 12, and the lower part of the planetary gear 51 meshes with the internal gear 53 of the annular output gear 55. The number of teeth on the gear ring 57 is slightly different from the number of teeth on the internal gear 53 of the output gear 55, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the sun gear 48a by a large reduction ratio and transmitting it to the output gear 55. Furthermore, these gear mechanisms (sun gear 48a, planetary gears 51, gear ring 57, and output gear 55) constitute a reduction mechanism (exotic planetary gear reduction mechanism) 56 for reducing the rotation of the aforementioned stepper motor 41.

[0074] The output gear 55 contacts the upper surface of the second bearing member 38 in a rotatable and sliding manner. Furthermore, by pressing the upper part of the stepped cylindrical output shaft 31 to the center of the bottom of the output gear 55, the lower part of the output shaft 39 is inserted into the fitting hole 38a formed on the upper surface of the center portion of the second bearing member 38 in a rotatable manner. Additionally, the lower end of the shaft 49 is inserted into the upper part of the output shaft 39 in a rotatable manner.

[0075] Furthermore, a slit-shaped fitting groove 39a is formed at the lower end of the output shaft 39 connected to the output gear 55. On the other hand, a negative actuator-shaped plate portion 31a is formed at the upper end of the valve core drive shaft 31, which can be inserted into the fitting groove 39a. By inserting the plate portion 31a into the fitting groove 39a to connect the drive shaft 31 and the output shaft 39, the rotational motion of the output gear 55 can be transmitted to the drive shaft 31 via the output shaft 39.

[0076] In the ball valve 11 of this embodiment, the rotational driving force of the stepper motor 41 is transmitted to the valve core 21 via the reduction mechanism 56 and the transmission mechanism (drive shaft 31 and driven shaft 33). As described above, the refrigerant flow rate can be adjusted by changing the amount of rotational displacement (rotational displacement position) of the valve core 21. Furthermore, according to the ball valve 11 of this embodiment, since the ball valve 11 can be easily assembled into the refrigeration cycle device by simply screwing it into the valve mounting hole 62 of the housing component 61 during assembly or replacement, the refrigeration cycle device can be constructed or maintenance can be performed with good workability.

[0077] Furthermore, in the ball valve 11 of this embodiment, since the valve seat 16 and the valve core support 17 that hold the valve core 21 are arranged vertically, the overall size of the valve in the horizontal direction can be reduced. In addition, since the valve core 21 is spherical and its positional displacement in the left and right directions is restricted by the guide groove 25, it is difficult for the valve core 21 to shift laterally or tilt, thereby reducing valve leakage.

[0078] Furthermore, by abutting against both ends (front end 25a and rear end 25b) of the guide groove 25, the rotation of the valve core 21 can be reliably stopped and the fully open and fully closed states can be maintained. Moreover, even between fully open and fully closed states, only a quarter turn of the valve core 21 needs to be rotated, thus enabling rapid opening and closing and flow regulation. Additionally, since a stepper motor 41 is used as the drive device, the rotation angle of the valve core 21 can be accurately determined, enabling high-precision flow control.

[0079] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0080] For example, although bevel gears 32 and 34 are used as engagement units to transmit the rotation of the valve core drive shaft 31 to the valve core driven shaft 33, other engagement units such as worm gears can also be used. Furthermore, to suppress the rotation of the valve core 21 about the vertical axis A1, as long as the valve core support 17, valve seat 16, or valve core 21 is constructed, the valve core 21 can rotate about the axis of the driven shaft 33 even without a structure having a rotating shaft portion 33b. As such a structure, for example, changing the shape of the valve seat and valve core support, and configuring a cylindrical valve core (a cylindrical valve core with its central axis approximately parallel to the horizontal axis A2) as a ball valve structure could be considered.

[0081] Furthermore, the ball valve of the present invention is typically preferred for use in refrigeration cycle devices with refrigerant circuits, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers, but its applications are not necessarily limited to these. The ball valves of the present invention and its various embodiments can also be used for various other applications. Therefore, the term "fluid" in the present invention and its various embodiments includes various liquids and gases in addition to the heat medium (refrigerant or heat transfer medium).

[0082] Symbol Explanation

[0083] The central axis (vertical axis) of A1 in the vertical direction

[0084] The axis (horizontal axis) of the A2 inlet hole (inlet).

[0085] A3 front-to-back axis

[0086] F Refrigerant Flow

[0087] Rotation of R1 and R3 around the central axis A1 in the vertical direction

[0088] Rotation of R2 about the axis A2 of the inlet hole

[0089] 1. Valve body

[0090] 2, 13 valve chambers

[0091] 3.21 Valve Core

[0092] 4, 5 Valve core support components

[0093] 6 drive shaft embedded holes

[0094] 11. Valve assembly (ball valve)

[0095] 14 Inlet Ports (First Flow Path Ports)

[0096] 14a, 16 valve seats (valve seat ports)

[0097] 15 Outlet orifice (second flow path orifice)

[0098] 17 Valve core support section

[0099] 18 flanges

[0100] 19 External Thread

[0101] 21a valve core shell wall

[0102] 22 Flow space

[0103] 23 Flow Inlets

[0104] 24-channel outlet

[0105] 25 guide slots

[0106] The front end (stop) of the 25a guide groove

[0107] The rear end (stop) of the 25b guide groove.

[0108] 31 Valve Core Drive Shaft

[0109] 31a plate-shaped part

[0110] 32 drive side bevel gears

[0111] 33 driven shaft

[0112] 33a The base end of the driven shaft

[0113] 33b Rotating Shaft

[0114] 34 Driven side bevel gear

[0115] 35 casing

[0116] 36 base plate

[0117] 37 First bearing component

[0118] 38 Second bearing component

[0119] 39 output shaft

[0120] 39a Fitting Groove

[0121] 40 cylindrical components

[0122] 41 stepper motor

[0123] 42 Stator (Mold Assembly)

[0124] 43 magnetic yoke

[0125] 44 winding frame

[0126] 45 coil

[0127] 46 Resin Molded Cover

[0128] 47 rotors

[0129] 47a Rotor Components

[0130] 48 Sun Gear Components

[0131] 48a Sun Gear

[0132] Axles 49 and 52

[0133] 50 support components

[0134] 51 Planetary Gears

[0135] 53 Internal Gear

[0136] 54 Gear Carrier

[0137] 55 Output Gear

[0138] 56. Reduction Mechanism (Exotic Planetary Gear Reduction Mechanism)

[0139] 57 gear ring

[0140] 61 Housing Components

[0141] 62 valve mounting hole

[0142] 63First flow path (inflow path)

[0143] 64. Second flow path (outflow path)

[0144] 65 internal thread

Claims

1. A valve device comprising: Valve body, which has a valve chamber inside; A valve core, which has a flow path space inside and changes the flow rate of fluid by being driven to rotate in the valve chamber; A first flow path orifice is formed in the valve body and communicates with the flow path space, allowing the fluid to pass through; The second flow path orifice is formed in the valve body. The communication state between the second flow path orifice and the flow path space is changed according to the rotational displacement position of the valve core. When the second flow path orifice is in communication with the flow path space, the fluid is allowed to pass through. as well as The transmission mechanism includes a valve core drive shaft that transmits a driving force to the valve core to rotate the valve core. Its features are, The rotation axis of the valve core is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft. The valve core drive shaft extends downward from the upper part of the valve body inside the valve body and passes through the upper shell wall of the valve core to reach the flow path space. The valve core has an opening in the upper housing wall through which the valve core drive shaft passes, allowing the valve core to rotate about the axis of the first flow path hole. The opening has: The first stop part abuts against the side of the valve core drive shaft in the fully open state of the valve to stop the rotation of the valve core. as well as The second stop part, when the valve is fully closed, abuts against the side opposite to the valve core drive shaft to stop the rotation of the valve core. The opening is a guide groove as follows: The guide groove extends in an arc shape along the valve core's shell wall, parallel to a plane orthogonal to the axis of the first flow path orifice, and... The valve core is allowed to rotate about the axis of the first flow path orifice, while its movement in the axial direction of the first flow path orifice is restricted by slidably abutting against the side of the valve core drive shaft. The first stop is provided at one end of the guide groove, and, The other end of the guide groove is provided with the second stop.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body has the first flow path hole on its side surface, and, The valve body has a second flow path hole at any circumferential position around the axis of the first flow path hole. The valve core has: A first opening connects the first flow path hole and the flow path space; The second opening connects the second flow path orifice to the flow path space when the valve is opened; as well as The shell wall portion, which closes the second flow path orifice when the valve is closed, The valve core is supported so that it can rotate about the axis of the first flow path orifice between an open valve state and a closed valve state. In the open valve state, the second flow path orifice communicates with the flow path space via the second opening. In the closed valve state, the second flow path orifice is closed by the shell wall portion. The transmission mechanism also has: A valve core driven shaft, extending along the axial direction of the first flow path orifice, receives a driving force transmitted from the valve core drive shaft and rotates about the axis of the first flow path orifice, and transmits this rotation to the valve core; and The engaging unit transmits the rotation of the valve core drive shaft to the valve core driven shaft. The rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft is orthogonal to the axis of the first flow path hole.

3. The valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve core has a spherical shape. The valve chamber has a circular cross-sectional shape. The second flow path orifice has a valve seat port at its end edge on the valve chamber side. The valve core contacts the valve seat and rotates and slides.

4. The valve device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first opening is formed opposite to the first flow path orifice, and communicates with the flow path space at any rotational position of the valve core to allow the passage of fluid. On the other hand, When the valve is open, the second opening overlaps with the valve seat opening, thereby connecting the second flow path orifice with the flow path space. The valve core is supported so that it can rotate between a fully open state and a fully closed state. In the fully open state, the second opening is maximized to overlap with the valve seat port. In the fully closed state, the second opening leaves the valve seat port and closes the valve seat port through the shell wall.

5. The valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve core drive shaft extends along a central axis that extends vertically to the valve core. The valve core driven shaft extends along the central axis that extends in the horizontal direction of the valve core. The base end of the valve core driven shaft is fixed to the side shell wall of the valve core, which is opposite to the first opening. The engaging unit is located at the top end of the valve core drive shaft and the top end of the valve core driven shaft.

6. The valve device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The engagement unit includes: A drive-side bevel gear, which is disposed on the valve core drive shaft; and The driven bevel gear is disposed on the driven shaft of the valve core and meshes with the driving bevel gear.

7. The valve device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driven bevel gear has more teeth than the driving bevel gear.

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