Valve assembly and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The valve assembly comprises a valve element assembly and a valve seat, the valve element assembly comprises a sleeve and a nut lead screw component, the nut lead screw component and the valve seat are fixed or limited, the sleeve is arranged outside at least part of the nut lead screw component in a sleeving mode, the valve seat is provided with a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, and the metal connecting part is arranged on the plastic body part. The plastic body part and the metal connecting part are integrally formed, and the sleeve and the metal connecting part are welded and fixed. The weight of the valve assembly is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fluid control technology, and in particular to a valve assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Electronic expansion valves generally have valve core components, valve seats and valve bodies. The valve core components and valve seats are installed and matched. The valve seats and valve bodies are installed and matched. The valve core components have structures such as magnetic rotors, nuts, and valve cores, so that the valve core can adjust the valve opening under the drive of the magnetic rotor to adjust the flow of the fluid passing through the electronic expansion valve. Electronic expansion valves are often used for throttling refrigerants. The pressure of the refrigerant system is relatively high, generally around 2MPa. Therefore, the valve seat, valve body, etc. are currently made of metal materials. Metal materials have good pressure resistance, but are relatively heavy. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight valve assembly and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0005] A valve assembly includes a valve core assembly and a valve seat, the valve core assembly includes a sleeve and a nut screw component, the nut screw component is fixed or limited to the valve seat, the sleeve is sleeved outside at least a portion of the nut screw component, the valve seat has a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, the plastic body part and the metal connecting part are formed integrally, and the sleeve is welded and fixed to the metal connecting part.

[0006] The valve seat of the valve assembly of the above technical solution has a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, the plastic body part and the metal connecting part are formed in one piece, the sleeve is welded and fixed to the metal connecting part, and the weight is relatively light compared to the valve seat made of metal material in the background technology.

[0007] In order to achieve the above purpose, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0008] A method for manufacturing a valve assembly comprises the following steps:

[0009] placing a metal connection in an injection mold;

[0010] Injection-molding the plastic and the metal connecting part into a valve seat blank, wherein the valve seat blank comprises a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, wherein the plastic body part comprises a convex truncated cone, and the metal connecting part is at least partially located at the outer periphery of the convex truncated cone;

[0011] At least a portion of the convex platform is extended into the sleeve of the valve core assembly, and the sleeve and the metal connecting part are welded and fixed.

[0012] The above technical solution integrally injects the plastic and the metal connecting part, and fixes the sleeve and the metal connecting part by welding, so that the formed valve assembly is relatively light in weight compared with the valve in the background technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a valve assembly of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of part A;

[0015] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the valve seat and valve body;

[0016] Figure 4 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the valve assembly of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the valve assembly of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 6 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the valve assembly of the present invention;

[0019] In the figure, the valve assembly 10, the valve core assembly 1, the sleeve 11, the bottom wall portion 111, the side wall portion 112, the magnetic rotor 12, the nut screw rod component 13, the nut 131, the nut connecting plate 132, the valve seat 2, the plastic main body portion 21, the convex table 211, the peripheral side wall 2111, the metal connecting portion 22, the first portion 221, the top 2211, the second portion 222, the third portion 223, the connecting section 2231, the mounting hole 23, the extension section 24, the top wall portion 241, the first sealing member accommodating groove 25, the second sealing member accommodating groove 26, the valve body 3, the assembly hole 31, the fixing member 4, and the bottom 41. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following is a detailed description of the specific implementation of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following is only for illustration and does not limit the scope of the present application.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A valve assembly 10, i.e., a structure of an electronic expansion valve is shown. It should be known that Figure 1 For illustration only. Figure 1The valve assembly 10 shown includes a valve core assembly 1, a valve seat 2 and a valve body 3. The valve core assembly 1 and the valve seat 2 cooperate, and the valve seat 2 and the valve body 3 cooperate to form a relatively complete valve assembly 10 structure. Of course, the valve assembly 10 will also include a coil assembly, and the coil assembly is sleeved outside the valve core assembly 1. The coil assembly is not illustrated in this article. As a structure of other valve assemblies 10, the valve assembly 10 can also include a valve core assembly 1 and a valve seat 2, and the valve seat 2 is used to cooperate with an external structure. For example, when the valve assembly 10 is inserted into some multifunctional connection structures, the valve assembly 10 includes the valve core assembly 1 and the valve seat 2. This multifunctional connection structure can act as a valve body 3 that cooperates with the valve assembly 10.

[0022] The valve core assembly 1 includes a sleeve 11, a magnetic rotor 12, and a nut-screw component 13, wherein the nut-screw component 13 includes a nut 131, a screw, a stop rod and other limiting structures. As a specific implementation method, the nut-screw component 13 includes a nut 131, a screw, a stop rod, a slip ring, and a spring guide rail. The stop rod and the magnetic rotor 12 are fixed or integrated. The magnetic rotor 12 can drive the stop rod to move. The stop rod rotates outside the nut 131. The rotation of the stop rod drives the slip ring to move along the spring guide rail arranged outside the nut 131. The slip ring has an upper limit position and a lower limit position on the spring guide rail. The position limit of the upper limit position and the lower limit position makes the stop rod have upper and lower limit positions, thereby realizing the upper and lower limit functions.

[0023] The nut screw component 13 is fixed or limited to the valve seat 2, and is used for the limiting effect of the nut 131, so that the position of the valve core is more accurate during the movement. The sleeve 11 is sleeved on at least part of the nut screw component 13, and the valve seat 2 has a plastic body part 21 and a metal connecting part 22, and the plastic body part 21 and the metal connecting part 22 are formed in one piece, and the sleeve 11 and the metal connecting part 22 are welded and fixed. In this way, the valve seat 2 can be made of plastic material as the main material, and the plastic body part 21 will be lighter than the metal valve seat 2, and the cost will also be lower. In addition, the metal connecting part 22 and the plastic body part 21 are formed in one piece, and the metal connecting part 22 and the sleeve 11 are welded and fixed, which ensures the fixation between the sleeve 11 and the valve seat 2.

[0024] The plastic body portion 21 and the metal connection portion 22 can be formed by integral injection molding, which is easy to process.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The valve seat 2 has a mounting hole 23, at least part of the nut screw component 13 is located in the mounting hole 23, the plastic body 21 has a convex platform 211, at least part of the convex platform 211 is located in the sleeve 11, the metal connection part 22 has at least a first part 221, the first part 221 is located on the peripheral side wall 2111 of the convex platform 211, and the peripheral wall of the sleeve 11 is welded and fixed to the metal connection part 22. The sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22 can be welded and fixed by laser welding. The sleeve 11 is welded to the metal connection part 22, which can achieve sealing in the sleeve 11 and meet the sealing requirements of the valve.

[0026] In order to further increase the fixing strength between the plastic body part 21 and the metal connecting part 22, as an embodiment, the plastic body part 21 has a rib or a groove, and the rib or the groove is matched with the metal connecting part 22. As another embodiment, the metal connecting part 22 has a rib or a groove for matching with the plastic body part 21.

[0027] Reference Figure 2 The valve seat 2 has an extension section 24, and the extension section 24 protrudes relative to the sleeve 11 in the radial direction of the valve assembly 10. The valve assembly 10 includes a valve body 3 and a fixing member 4. At least part of the valve seat 2 is located in the assembly hole 31 of the valve body 3. The bottom 41 of the fixing member 4 is limited to the top wall 241 of the extension section 24. The fixing member 4 is limited or fixed to the valve body 3. The fixing member 4 is, for example, a nut 131 with a thread on the outer wall. The matching part of the valve body 3 and the fixing member 4 has an internal thread. The valve seat 2 and the valve body 3 are limited by the threaded matching of the fixing member 4 and the valve body 3.

[0028] As another embodiment, the fixing member 4 may be a bayonet structure, for example, and the valve body 3 is provided with a plug hole, and the bayonet is inserted into the plug hole to limit the height direction of the valve seat 2. Of course, as another embodiment, the fixing member 4 may also be other structures that can be used to limit the height direction of the valve seat 2.

[0029] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 The diagram shows the partial structure of the valve body 3, the valve seat 2 and the valve core assembly 1. The valve seat 2 has a first seal accommodating groove 25, which is located on the circumference of the plastic body 21 of the valve seat 2. In this way, radial sealing can be achieved between the valve seat 2 and the valve body 3 through the first seal. To further improve the sealing performance, the side wall of the valve seat 2 facing the valve body 3 has a second seal accommodating groove 26, and at least part of the second seal is located in the second seal accommodating groove 26. In this way, end face sealing can also be achieved between the valve seat 2 and the valve body 3.

[0030] As another embodiment, refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The partial structure of another embodiment of the valve assembly 10 is shown, the plastic body 21 has an extension section 24 and a convex platform 211, the extension section 24 protrudes relative to the sleeve 11 in the radial direction of the valve assembly 10, at least part of the convex platform 211 is located in the sleeve 11, the metal connection part 22 has at least a first part 221 and a second part 222, the first part 221 is located on the peripheral side wall 2111 of the convex platform 211, the bottom wall 111 of the sleeve 11 is welded and fixed to the top 2211 of the first part 221 of the metal connection part 22. The second part 222 and the first part 221 are integrated and arranged at an angle, and the second part 222 and the extension section 24 are integrated.

[0031] The valve assembly 10 includes a valve body 3 and a fixing member 4 , wherein at least a portion of the valve seat 2 is located in the assembly hole 31 of the valve body 3 , a bottom 41 of the fixing member 4 is limited to the second portion 222 , and the fixing member 4 is limited or fixed to the valve body 3 .

[0032] The fixing member 4 is, for example, a nut 131 with a thread on the outer wall, and the matching portion of the valve body 3 and the fixing member 4 has an internal thread. The threaded matching of the fixing member 4 and the valve body 3 limits the position of the valve seat 2 and the valve body 3.

[0033] For other embodiments of the fixing member 4 , refer to the above description.

[0034] As another embodiment, refer to Figure 5 The plastic body 21 has an extension section 24 and a convex platform 211. The extension section 24 protrudes relative to the sleeve 11 in the radial direction of the valve assembly 10. At least part of the convex platform 211 is located in the sleeve 11. The metal connection part 22 has at least a first part 221 and a second part 222. The first part 221 is located on the peripheral side wall 2111 of the convex platform 211. The bottom wall 111 of the sleeve 11 is welded and fixed to the top 2211 of the first part 221 of the metal connection part 22. The second part 222 and the first part 221 are integrated and arranged at an angle. The second part 222 and the extension section 24 are integrated. The bottom wall 111 of the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22 are fixed, for example, by laser welding. The laser welding gun is directed to the position between the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22, so that the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22 are welded and fixed.

[0035] The valve assembly 10 includes a valve body 3 and a fixing member 4, wherein at least a portion of the valve seat 2 is located in the assembly hole 31 of the valve body 3, the bottom 41 of the fixing member 4 is limited to the second portion 222, and the fixing member 4 is limited or fixed to the valve body 3. The structure of the fixing member 4 is, for example, as described above.

[0036] The metal connection part 22 also has a third part 223, which is located inside the sleeve 11, and the third part 223 is arranged opposite to the inner wall of the sleeve 11. The first part 221 and the third part 223 form a step, the bottom wall part 111 of the sleeve 11 is located on the step, and the bottom wall part 111 of the sleeve 11 and the first part 221 are welded and fixed.

[0037] In order to further increase the fixing strength between the plastic body part 21 and the metal connection part 22, as an embodiment, the plastic body part 21 has a rib or groove, and in the height direction of the valve assembly 10, the rib or groove is located below the step formed by the first part and the third part, and the rib or groove is matched and connected with the metal connection part 22. As another embodiment, the metal connection part 22 has a rib or groove for matching with the plastic body part 21.

[0038] Reference Figure 6 As another embodiment, the plastic body 21 has an extension section 24 and a convex terrace 211, the extension section 24 protrudes relative to the sleeve 11 in the radial direction of the valve assembly 10, at least part of the convex terrace 211 is located in the sleeve 11, the metal connection part 22 has at least a first part 221, a second part 222 and a third part 223, the first part 221 is located on the peripheral side wall 2111 of the convex terrace 211, and the bottom wall 111 of the sleeve 11 is welded and fixed to the top 2211 of the first part 221 of the metal connection part 22. The second part 222 and the first part 221 are integral and arranged at an angle, and the second part 222 and the extension section 24 are integral. The bottom wall 111 of the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22 are fixed, for example, by laser welding, and the laser welding gun is directed to the position between the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22, so that the sleeve 11 and the metal connection part 22 are welded and fixed.

[0039] The third part 223 of the metal connecting part 22 is located inside the sleeve 11, and at least part of the third part 223 is arranged opposite to the inner wall of the sleeve 11. The first part 221 and the third part 223 form a step, and the bottom wall part 111 of the sleeve 11 is located on the step, and the bottom wall part 111 of the sleeve 11 and the first part 221 are welded and fixed. The third part 223 has a connecting section 2231, and the connecting section 2231 protrudes in the radial direction of the nut 131 relative to the first part 221, and the connecting section 2231 protrudes toward the nut 131. A nut connecting plate 132 protrudes in the radial direction of the nut 131, and the connecting section 2231 and the nut connecting plate 132 are welded and fixed or fixed by limiting. The connecting section 2231 is used to stabilize the position of the nut connecting plate 132, so that the position of the nut 131 inside the sleeve 11 is accurate, and at the same time, it is conducive to the coaxial arrangement of the nut 131 and the valve seat 2.

[0040] The valve assembly 10 includes a valve body 3 and a fixing member 4, wherein at least a portion of the valve seat 2 is located in the assembly hole 31 of the valve body 3, the bottom 41 of the fixing member 4 is limited to the second portion 222, and the fixing member 4 is limited or fixed to the valve body 3. The structure of the fixing member 4 is, for example, as described above.

[0041] The metal connection part 22 and the plastic body part 21 of the valve assembly 10 can be formed by integral injection molding. The manufacturing method of the valve assembly 10 comprises the following steps:

[0042] Providing a valve body, the valve body having a mounting hole;

[0043] The metal connecting part is placed in an injection mold, and the plastic and the metal connecting part for the valve seat are integrally injection molded, wherein the valve seat blank comprises a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, wherein the plastic body part comprises a convex truncated cone, wherein the metal connecting part is at least partially located at the outer periphery of the convex truncated cone, and wherein the interior of the plastic body part comprises a mounting hole;

[0044] At least a portion of the convex platform is extended into the sleeve of the valve core assembly, and the bottom wall of the sleeve and the metal connecting part are welded and fixed.

[0045] After the injection molding is completed, the general shape of the assembly hole 31 and the convex cone 211 has been formed. In order to further ensure the coaxiality of the assembly hole 31 and the convex cone 211, the outer peripheral wall of the metal connecting part is used as a reference to process the mounting hole and the convex cone of the plastic main body so that the outer peripheral wall of the metal connecting part, the mounting hole and the assembly hole are coaxial.

[0046] After the sleeve and the metal connection part are welded, the fixing piece is inserted into the sleeve to fix or limit the fixing piece and the valve body, for example, by threaded connection.

[0047] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention but not to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention, such as the directional definitions of "front", "back", "left", "right", "up" and "down". Although the present invention has been described in detail in this specification with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can still be combined, modified or replaced by each other, and all technical solutions and improvements thereof that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve assembly, comprising a valve core assembly (1) and a valve seat (2), characterized in that: The valve core assembly (1) comprises a sleeve (11) and a nut screw component (13); the nut screw component (13) is fixed or limited to the valve seat (2); the sleeve (11) is sleeved on at least a portion of the nut screw component (13); the valve seat (2) comprises a plastic body portion (21) and a metal connecting portion (22); the plastic body portion (21) and the metal connecting portion (22) are integrally formed; the sleeve (11) and the metal connecting portion (22) are fixed by welding.

2. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The plastic body (21) and the metal connection part (22) are integrally formed by injection molding, the valve seat (2) has a mounting hole (23), at least a portion of the nut screw component (13) is located in the mounting hole (23), the plastic body (21) has a convex table (211), at least a portion of the convex table (211) is located in the sleeve (11), the metal connection part (22) has at least a first portion (221), the first portion (221) is located on the peripheral side wall (2111) of the convex table (211), the peripheral wall of the sleeve (11) and the first portion (221) are welded and fixed, and / or the bottom wall (111) of the sleeve (11) and the top (2211) of the first portion (221) of the metal connection part (22) are welded and fixed.

3. The valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The plastic body part (21) has a convex rib or a groove, and the convex rib or the groove is matched and connected with the metal connecting part (22); or the metal connecting part (22) has a convex rib or a groove, and the convex rib or the groove is matched and connected with the plastic body part (21).

4. The valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The valve seat (2) has an extension section (24), and the extension section (24) protrudes relative to the sleeve (11) in the radial direction of the valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises a valve body (3) and a fixing member (4). At least a portion of the valve seat (2) is located in the mounting hole (23) of the valve body (3), and the bottom (41) of the fixing member (4) is limited to the top wall (241) of the extension section (24), and the fixing member (4) is limited or fixed to the valve body (3).

5. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The metal connection part (22) comprises at least a first part (221) and a second part (222), the first part (221) being located on the peripheral side wall (2111) of the convex truncated platform (211), the bottom wall part (111) of the sleeve (11) being welded and fixed to the top (2211) of the first part (221) of the metal connection part (22), and the second part (222) and the first part (221) being integrated and arranged at an angle; The valve seat (2) has an extension section (24), the extension section (24) protrudes relative to the sleeve (11) in the radial direction of the valve assembly, and the second portion (222) and the extension section (24) are integrated; The valve assembly comprises a valve body (3) and a fixing member (4); at least a portion of the valve seat (2) is located in a mounting hole (23) of the valve body (3); a bottom portion (41) of the fixing member (4) is limited to the second portion (222); and the fixing member (4) and the valve body (3) are limited or fixed.

6. The valve assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The metal connecting part (22) has a third part (223), the third part (223) is located inside the sleeve (11), the third part (223) and the inner wall of the sleeve (11) are arranged opposite to each other, the first part (221) and the third part (223) form a step, the bottom wall part (111) of the sleeve (11) is located on the step, and the bottom wall part (111) of the sleeve (11) and the first part (221) are welded and fixed.

7. The valve assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The plastic body (21) has a rib or a groove, and the rib or the groove is connected to the metal connecting part (22); or the metal connecting part (22) has a rib or a groove, and the rib or the groove is connected to the plastic body (21); in the height direction of the valve assembly, the rib or the groove is located below the step.

8. The valve assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The third part (223) has a connecting section (2231), the nut screw component (13) has a nut (131), the connecting section (2231) protrudes in the radial direction of the nut (131) relative to the first part (221), and the connecting section (2231) protrudes toward the nut (131), and a nut connecting plate (132) protrudes in the radial direction of the nut (131), and the connecting section (2231) and the nut connecting plate (132) are welded to fix or limit.

9. A method for manufacturing a valve assembly, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: placing a metal connection in an injection mold; Injection-molding the plastic and the metal connecting part into a valve seat blank, wherein the valve seat blank comprises a plastic body part and a metal connecting part, wherein the plastic body part comprises a convex truncated cone, and the metal connecting part is at least partially located at the outer periphery of the convex truncated cone; At least a portion of the convex platform is extended into the sleeve of the valve core assembly, and the sleeve and the metal connecting part are welded and fixed.

10. The method for manufacturing a valve assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Providing a valve body, the valve body having a mounting hole; After the valve seat blank is formed, the interior of the plastic body has a mounting hole. The mounting hole and the convex cone of the plastic body are processed based on the outer peripheral wall of the metal connecting part, so that the outer peripheral wall of the metal connecting part, the mounting hole and the assembly hole are coaxial.

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