Electric valve control device and electric valve device

Abstract

Provided are an electrically operated valve control device and an electrically operated valve device capable of suppressing malfunction of an electrically operated valve at a low temperature. The electrically operated valve control device (100) acquires a temperature (K) on the basis of a signal from a temperature sensor (126) disposed outside the tank (20), and transitions to a preparation mode when the temperature (K) is lower than a reference temperature (Kr). In the preparation mode, the electric valve control device (100) performs a heating operation of heating the stator (60) until the magnetic rotor (31) is normally rotated when the magnetic rotor (31) is not normally rotated, and transitions to the standby mode when the magnetic rotor (31) is normally rotated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric valve control device and an electric valve device having an electric valve and the electric valve control device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional electric valve. The electric valve includes a housing, a magnetic rotor, and a stator. The magnetic rotor is disposed inside the housing. The stator is disposed outside the housing. The magnetic rotor and the stator constitute a stepping motor.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-179133

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] The electric valve is incorporated into an air conditioning system, for example, and is used to control the flow rate of the refrigerant. The refrigerant is also introduced into the housing of the electric valve and enters the gap between the housing and the magnetic rotor. The refrigerant includes lubricating oil (refrigeration oil) for the compressor of the air conditioning system. When the air temperature drops while the power supply of the electric valve is cut off, the viscosity of the lubricating oil increases. The high-viscosity lubricating oil hinders the rotation of the magnetic rotor, and the electric valve malfunctions. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric valve control device and an electric valve device capable of suppressing malfunction of the electric valve at low temperatures.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electric valve control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0011] Control electric valve,

[0012] The electric valve includes: a valve body having a valve chamber, a tank body connected to the valve body, and a stepping motor.

[0013] The stepper motor has a magnetic rotor arranged inside the tank and a stator arranged outside the tank.

[0014] The space inside the tank is connected to the valve chamber.

[0015] The electric valve control device performs a heating operation in which the stator generates heat when a temperature acquired based on a signal of a temperature sensor disposed outside the can body is lower than a reference temperature.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, another embodiment of the present invention is an electric valve control device.

[0017] Control electric valve,

[0018] The electric valve includes: a valve body having a valve chamber, a tank body connected to the valve body, and a stepping motor.

[0019] The stepper motor has a magnetic rotor arranged inside the tank and a stator arranged outside the tank.

[0020] The space inside the tank is connected to the valve chamber.

[0021] When the temperature obtained based on the signal of the temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the tank body is higher than the reference temperature, the electric valve control device shifts to a standby mode capable of receiving a command from an external device, and when the temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the electric valve control device shifts to a preparation mode.

[0022] In the preparation mode,

[0023] When the magnetic rotor does not rotate normally, the electric valve control device performs a heating action of heating the stator until the magnetic rotor rotates normally.

[0024] When the magnetic rotor rotates normally, the electric valve control device shifts to the standby mode.

[0025] In the present invention, preferably, the heat generating operation includes a first operation of causing a current to flow to the coil of the stator for a continuous energizing time.

[0026] In the present invention, preferably, the heat generating operation includes a second operation of causing a current to flow through the coil of the stator until the temperature reaches or exceeds the reference temperature.

[0027] In the present invention, preferably, the heat generation operation includes an operation of repeatedly performing a second operation until the temperature reaches or exceeds the reference temperature, the second operation causing a current to flow to the coil of the stator for a continuous energization time.

[0028] In the present invention, preferably, the heat generating operation includes a third operation of causing a constant current to flow through the coil of the stator.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferred that

[0030] When the electric valve control device is shifted to the standby mode, the electric valve control device transmits information indicating the shift to the standby mode to the external device.

[0031] When the electric valve control device shifts to the preparation mode, the electric valve control device transmits information indicating the shift to the preparation mode to the external device.

[0032] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electric valve device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the electric valve and the electric valve control device.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, the electric valve control device performs a heating operation of the stator when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the tank body is lower than the reference temperature. The stator is used to heat the refrigerant in the space inside the tank body. The viscosity of the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant decreases, the magnetic rotor can rotate normally, and the malfunction of the electric valve can be suppressed.

[0035] According to the present invention, the electric valve control device is transferred to the preparation mode when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the tank body is lower than the reference temperature. In the preparation mode, when the magnetic rotor of the electric valve control device does not rotate normally, the stator is heated until the magnetic rotor rotates normally. The stator is used to heat the refrigerant in the space inside the tank body. The viscosity of the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant decreases, the magnetic rotor can rotate normally, and the malfunction of the electric valve can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning system including an electric valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the electric valve device.

[0038] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining a magnetic rotor and a stator of an electric valve device.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining a microcomputer, a stepping motor, and a magnetic sensor of an electric valve device.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the electric valve control device is started.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing another example of the process performed when the electric valve control device is started.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing another example of the process when the electric valve control device is started. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, an electric valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning system including an electric valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the electric valve device. Figure 3 1 is a diagram illustrating a magnetic rotor and a stator of an electric valve device. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the magnetic poles of the magnetic rotor and the pole teeth of the stator are schematically shown. Figure 3 , the radially outer side corresponds to the upper side, and the radially inner side corresponds to the lower side. Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining a microcomputer, a stepping motor, and a magnetic sensor of an electric valve device. Figure 4 (A) schematically shows the connection relationship between the microcomputer, the stepping motor and the magnetic sensor. Figure 4 (B) shows an example of pulses input to the stepping motor. Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the electric valve control device is started.

[0045] The electric valve device 1 of the present embodiment includes an electric valve 5 and an electric valve control device (hereinafter simply referred to as a “control device 100 ”).

[0046] The electric valve device 1 is incorporated, for example, into Figure 1 The air conditioning system 400 shown. The air conditioning system 400 has a compressor 401, a condenser 402, an electric valve device 1 (electric valve 5), and an evaporator 403 connected in sequence via a pipe 405. The air conditioning system 400 has an air conditioning control device 410. The air conditioning control device 410 is an external device. The air conditioning control device 410 is connected to the electric valve device 1 (control device 100) via a communication bus 420 in a manner capable of communication. The air conditioning control device 410 uses the electric valve device 1 to control the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the pipe 405.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the electric valve 5 includes a valve body 10 , a can 20 , a drive mechanism 30 , a valve element 40 , a permanent magnet 45 , and a stator unit 50 .

[0048] The valve body 10 is made of a metal such as aluminum alloy. The valve body 10 includes a main body part 11, a support part 12 and a connecting part 13. The main body part 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body part 11 has a mounting hole 11a. The mounting hole 11a is arranged on the upper surface 11b of the main body part 11. The support part 12 has a cylindrical shape. The lower part of the support part 12 is arranged on the mounting hole 11a. The support part 12 is mounted on the main body part 11 using a threaded structure. The upper part of the support part 12 protrudes from the upper surface 11b of the main body part 11. The main body part 11 has a valve chamber 14, a flow path 15, a flow path 16, a valve port 17 and a valve seat 18. The flow path 15 is connected to the valve chamber 14. The flow path 16 is connected to the valve chamber 14 via the valve port 17. The valve seat 18 surrounds the valve port 17 in the valve chamber 14. The connecting part 13 has a circular ring plate shape. The inner peripheral edge of the connecting member 13 is joined to the upper portion of the supporting member 12 .

[0049] The can body 20 is made of metal such as stainless steel, for example. The can body 20 has a cylindrical shape. The upper end of the can body 20 is closed and the lower end is open. The lower end of the can body 20 is joined to the outer peripheral edge of the connecting member 13.

[0050] The drive mechanism 30 moves the valve body 40 in the up-down direction (the direction of the axis L). The drive mechanism 30 includes a magnet rotor 31 , a valve shaft holder 32 , a guide bushing 33 , and a valve shaft 34 .

[0051] The magnetic rotor 31 has a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the magnetic rotor 31 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tank body 20. A small gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the tank body 20 and the outer circumferential surface of the magnetic rotor 31. A plurality of magnetic poles (a plurality of N poles, a plurality of S poles) are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the magnetic rotor 31. The plurality of N poles and the plurality of S poles extend in the up-down direction. The plurality of N poles and the plurality of S poles are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the magnetic rotor 31 has twelve N poles and twelve S poles. The interval (angle) between adjacent N poles and S poles is 15 degrees.

[0052] The valve shaft holder 32 has a cylindrical shape. The upper end of the valve shaft holder 32 is closed and the lower end is open. A support ring 35 is fixed to the upper part of the valve shaft holder 32. The support ring 35 connects the magnetic rotor 31 and the valve shaft holder 32. The inner peripheral surface of the valve shaft holder 32 is provided with an internal thread 32c.

[0053] The guide bushing 33 integrally includes a first cylindrical portion 33a and a second cylindrical portion 33b. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 33b is smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 33a. The second cylindrical portion 33b is coaxially connected to the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 33a. An external thread 33c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 33b. The external thread 33c is screwed into the internal thread 32c of the valve shaft retainer 32. The first cylindrical portion 33a is pressed into the fitting hole 12a provided in the support member 12 of the valve body 10. The guide bushing 33 is combined with the valve body 10.

[0054] A movable stopper 32s is fixed to the valve shaft holder 32. A fixed stopper 33s is fixed to the first cylindrical portion 33a of the guide bushing 33. When the movable stopper 32s contacts the fixed stopper 33s, the rotation of the valve shaft holder 32 (i.e., the magnetic rotor 31) in the valve closing direction is restricted. The movable stopper 32s and the fixed stopper 33s constitute a stopper mechanism 38. The stopper mechanism 38 restricts the rotation of the magnetic rotor 31 in the valve closing direction.

[0055] The valve shaft 34 integrally includes a first portion 34a and a second portion 34b. The first portion 34a and the second portion 34b have a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the second portion 34b is smaller than that of the first portion 34a. The second portion 34b is coaxially connected to the upper end of the first portion 34a. The second portion 34b passes through the valve shaft holder 32. A thrust nut 36 for preventing disengagement is installed on the second portion 34b. The valve shaft 34 is arranged on the inner side of the guide bushing 33 and the inner side of the support member 12. The lower end of the first portion 34a is arranged in the valve chamber 14. The valve shaft 34 has a step portion 34d. The step portion 34d is arranged at the connection portion between the first portion 34a and the second portion 34b. A valve closing spring 37 is arranged between the step portion 34d and the valve shaft holder 32. The valve closing spring 37 is a compression coil spring. The valve closing spring 37 pushes the valve shaft 34 downward.

[0056] The valve element 40 is disposed in the valve chamber 14. The valve element 40 is opposed to the valve port 17 in the vertical direction. The valve element 40 opens and closes the valve port 17. The valve element 40 is connected to the lower end of the valve shaft 34. For example, the valve shaft 34 and the valve element 40 are integrally formed by cutting a cylindrical workpiece.

[0057] The permanent magnet 45 is arranged above the magnetic rotor 31 on the inner side of the tank body 20. The permanent magnet 45 has a circular ring plate shape. The permanent magnet 45 has an N pole and an S pole. The N pole and the S pole are arranged to be opposite to each other in the radial direction. The permanent magnet 45 is supported by a guide member 46 mounted on the support ring 35. The guide member 46 supports the permanent magnet 45 so that it can move relative to the guide member 46 in the up and down directions. The permanent magnet 45 transmits the rotation of the magnetic rotor 31 via the guide member 46. The permanent magnet 45 rotates together with the magnetic rotor 31. A support spring 47 is arranged between the permanent magnet 45 and the guide member 46. The support spring 47 is a compression coil spring. The support spring 47 pushes the permanent magnet 45 upward. A sliding member 48 is embedded in the inner side of the permanent magnet 45. The sliding member 48 protrudes from the upper surface of the permanent magnet 45. The sliding member 48 is made of, for example, an engineering plastic with a relatively small friction coefficient.

[0058] The permanent magnet 45 is pushed upward by the support spring 47, and the sliding member 48 is always in contact with the inner surface of the tank body 20. Even if the magnetic rotor 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the thread feed action of the internal thread 32c of the valve shaft holder 32 and the external thread 33c of the guide bushing 33, the position of the permanent magnet 45 in the vertical direction is constant.

[0059] The space 25 inside the tank body 20 is connected to the valve chamber 14. Specifically, the space 25 is connected to the valve chamber 14 via the gap between the support member 12 and the valve shaft 34, the gap between the guide bushing 33 and the valve shaft 34, and the through hole 33e of the guide bushing 33. The refrigerant flowing in the valve chamber 14 is introduced into the space 25. The refrigerant contains lubricating oil (refrigeration oil) for the compressor 401.

[0060] The stator unit 50 has a stator 60 and a housing 70 .

[0061] The stator 60 has a cylindrical shape and includes an A-phase stator 61 and a B-phase stator 62 .

[0062] The A-phase stator 61 has a plurality of pole claw-type pole teeth 61a and 61b on the inner circumference. The top of the pole tooth 61a faces downward, and the top of the pole tooth 61b faces upward. The pole teeth 61a and the pole teeth 61b are alternately arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the A-phase stator 61 has twelve pole teeth 61a and twelve pole teeth 61b. The angle between the adjacent pole teeth 61a and the pole teeth 61b is 15 degrees. When the coil 61c of the A-phase stator 61 is energized, the pole teeth 61a and the pole teeth 61b become different polarities.

[0063] The B-phase stator 62 has a plurality of pole claw-type pole teeth 62a and 62b on the inner circumference. The top of the pole tooth 62a faces downward, and the top of the pole tooth 62b faces upward. The pole teeth 62a and the pole teeth 62b are alternately arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the B-phase stator 62 has twelve pole teeth 62a and twelve pole teeth 62b. The angle between the adjacent pole teeth 62a and the pole teeth 62b is 15 degrees. When the coil 62c of the B-phase stator 62 is energized, the pole teeth 62a and the pole teeth 62b become different polarities.

[0064] The A-phase stator 61 and the B-phase stator 62 are coaxially arranged. The A-phase stator 61 and the B-phase stator 62 are in contact with each other. When viewed from the axis L, the angle between the pole teeth 61a of the A-phase stator 61 and the pole teeth 62a of the B-phase stator 62 adjacent to each other is 7.5 degrees. The coil 61c of the A-phase stator 61 and the coil 62c of the B-phase stator 62 are connected to a plurality of terminals 65.

[0065] The housing 70 is made of synthetic resin. The housing 70 has a rectangular box shape. The housing 70 accommodates the stator 60. The tank 20 is arranged inside the stator 60 and inside the housing 70. The stator 60 and the magnetic rotor 31 constitute a stepping motor 66 for driving the valve core 40. The housing 70 is provided with a connector 83 protruding in a lateral direction (a direction perpendicular to the axis L).

[0066] In the electric valve 5, the center axes of the main body component 11 (valve port 17, valve seat 18), support component 12, connecting component 13, tank body 20, magnetic rotor 31, valve shaft 34, valve core 40, permanent magnet 45, and stator 60 (A phase stator 61, B phase stator 62) are consistent with the axis L.

[0067] In the electric valve 5, when the magnetic rotor 31 rotates in the valve closing direction, the magnetic rotor 31 and the valve shaft holder 32 are moved downward by the thread feed action of the internal thread 32c of the valve shaft holder 32 and the external thread 33c of the guide bushing 33. The valve shaft holder 32 pushes the valve shaft 34 downward via the valve closing spring 37. The valve shaft 34 and the valve core 40 move downward and the valve core 40 contacts the valve seat 18. The position of the magnetic rotor 31 at this time is the valve closing position Rc. When the magnetic rotor 31 further rotates in the valve closing direction from this state, the valve closing spring 37 is compressed, so that the magnetic rotor 31 and the valve shaft holder 32 move further downward. The valve core 40 does not move downward. Then, when the movable stopper 32s contacts the fixed stopper 33s, the rotation of the magnetic rotor 31 in the valve closing direction is restricted. The position of the magnetic rotor 31 at this time is the reference position Rx.

[0068] In the electric valve 5, when the magnetic rotor 31 rotates in the valve opening direction, the magnetic rotor 31 and the valve shaft holder 32 move upward by the thread feed action of the internal thread 32c of the valve shaft holder 32 and the external thread 33c of the guide bushing 33. The valve shaft holder 32 pushes the thrust nut 36 upward. The valve shaft 34 and the valve core 40 move upward and the valve core 40 leaves the valve seat 18. When the magnetic rotor 31 further rotates in the valve opening direction, the magnetic rotor 31 reaches the fully open position Rz. When the magnetic rotor 31 is at the fully open position Rz, the valve core 40 is farthest from the valve port 17.

[0069] The control device 100 includes a control substrate 110 , a magnetic sensor 115 , and a microcomputer 120 .

[0070] The control board 110 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. The control board 110 is housed in the housing 70. The control board 110 is arranged above the can body 20 in parallel with the horizontal direction. The control board 110 is connected to the plurality of terminals 65 of the stator 60 via wires 111. A magnetic sensor 115 and a microcomputer 120 are mounted on the control board 110.

[0071] The magnetic sensor 115 is arranged in the vertical direction with the permanent magnet 45 sandwiched between the tank body 20. In other words, the magnetic sensor 115 is configured to be opposite to the permanent magnet 45 in the vertical direction with the tank body 20 sandwiched between them. The magnetic sensor 115 detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 45. The magnetic sensor 115 outputs a signal (analog signal) corresponding to the rotation angle of the magnetic field. That is, the magnetic sensor 115 is a rotation angle sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 45 (i.e., the magnetic rotor 31). In addition, as the magnetic sensor 115, one or more Hall ICs that output binary signals can also be used.

[0072] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown in (A), the microcomputer 120 is, for example, a microcomputer for embedded devices that integrates a CPU 121 as a central processing unit, a nonvolatile memory 122, a motor driver 123, a working memory 124, a communication component 125, a temperature sensor 126, etc. in one package. The microcomputer 120 is responsible for controlling the electric valve 5. In addition, the nonvolatile memory, the working memory, the communication component, the motor driver, and the temperature sensor may also be separate electronic components externally connected to the microcomputer 120.

[0073] The CPU 121 executes the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 122 and functions as various functional units. The current position of the magnetic rotor 31 before the power of the CPU 121 is about to be cut off is stored in the nonvolatile memory 122. When the power of the CPU 121 is turned on, the CPU 121 reads the current position of the magnetic rotor 31 from the nonvolatile memory 122. The working memory 124 stores variables used by the functional units. The communication component 125 is connected to the air conditioning control device 410 via the communication bus 420. The temperature sensor 126 outputs a signal corresponding to the ambient temperature K of the microcomputer 120 (i.e., the air temperature inside the housing 70). The motor driver 123 is connected to the stepping motor 66. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , the motor driver 123 is connected to the coil 61c of the A-phase stator 61 and the coil 62c of the B-phase stator 62. The motor driver 123 supplies a drive current corresponding to the pulse P to the coil 61c and the coil 62c.

[0074] The magnetic rotor 31 is rotated by inputting a plurality of pulses P (P[1] to P[8]) to the stepping motor 66. Specifically, the magnetic rotor 31 is rotated by supplying a drive current corresponding to the pulses P to the stator 60 of the stepping motor 66. In this specification, "inputting pulses P to the stepping motor 66" is synonymous with "supplying a drive current corresponding to the pulses P to the stator 60 of the stepping motor 66". The pulses P are repeatedly input to the stepping motor 66 in ascending or descending order. That is, pulses P[1] to P[8] are pulses P for one cycle, and are a plurality of pulses P repeatedly input to the stepping motor 66 in a predetermined order.

[0075] In this embodiment, the excitation mode of the stepping motor 66 is 1-2 phase excitation. The step angle of the stepping motor 66 is 3.75 degrees. When the magnetic rotor 31 is located at the reference position Rx, the movable stopper 32s contacts the fixed stopper 33s, and the rotation of the magnetic rotor 31 in the valve closing direction is restricted. The number of pulses (initialization number) required to rotate the magnetic rotor 31 from the reference position Rx to the fully open position Rz is 500.

[0076] Input to the stepping motor 66 in sequence Figure 4 When pulses P are input to the stepping motor 66 in ascending order (in the order of P[1] to P[8]), the magnetic rotor 31 moves in the valve closing direction (in the order of Figure 3 When pulses P are input to the stepping motor 66 in descending order (in the order of P[8] to P[1]), the magnetic rotor 31 moves in the valve opening direction (in the order of P[8] to P[1]). Figure 3 (counterclockwise in the middle) rotation.

[0077] When the magnetic rotor 31 rotates, the permanent magnet 45 also rotates, and the signal of the magnetic sensor 115 changes. When the magnetic rotor 31 does not rotate, the permanent magnet 45 also does not rotate, and the signal of the magnetic sensor 115 does not change. Therefore, the control device 100 can determine whether the magnetic rotor 31 rotates normally based on the signal of the magnetic sensor 115. The normal rotation of the magnetic rotor 31 means that the magnetic rotor 31 rotates in response to the pulse P input to the stepping motor 66.

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 5 An example of the process when the control device 100 is started is described with reference to the flowchart.

[0079] When the power is turned on, the control device 100 (specifically, the CPU 121) reads the current position of the magnet rotor 31 from the nonvolatile memory 122. The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126, and determines whether the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S110).

[0080] When the temperature K is higher than the reference temperature Kr (S110: No), the control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that it is the standby mode (S120). Specifically, the control device 100 sends information indicating the shift to the standby mode to the air conditioning control device 410. The control device 100 can receive a command from the air conditioning control device 410 in the standby mode. Then, the control device 100 ends the processing at the start-up.

[0081] When the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S110: Yes), the control device 100 shifts to the preparation mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that it is the preparation mode (S130). Specifically, the control device 100 sends information indicating the shift to the preparation mode to the air conditioning control device 410. The control device 100 does not receive a command from the air conditioning control device 410 in the preparation mode.

[0082] The control device 100 detects the rotatable direction of the magnet rotor 31 based on the current position of the magnet rotor 31 , and inputs a pulse P for rotating the magnet rotor 31 in the rotatable direction to the stepping motor 66 ( S140 ).

[0083] When the magnetic rotor 31 is at the reference position Rx, the magnetic rotor 31 can rotate only in the valve opening direction. When the magnetic rotor 31 is at the fully open position Rz, the magnetic rotor 31 can rotate only in the valve closing direction. When the magnetic rotor 31 is at a position other than the reference position Rx and the fully open position Rz, the magnetic rotor 31 can rotate in the valve opening direction and the valve closing direction. When the current position of the magnetic rotor 31 is a position closer to the reference position Rx than the intermediate position Ry between the reference position Rx and the fully open position Rz, the control device 100 inputs a pulse P for rotating the magnetic rotor 31 in the valve opening direction. When the current position of the magnetic rotor 31 is at the intermediate position Ry or a position closer to the fully open position Rz than the intermediate position Ry, the control device 100 inputs a pulse P for rotating the magnetic rotor 31 in the valve closing direction. In step S140, the number of pulses P (determination number) input by the control device 100 to the stepping motor 66 is a number that enables the control device 100 to determine whether the magnetic rotor 31 rotates normally. In the present embodiment, the determination number is, for example, 2 to 8. In step S140, the control device 100 may, for example, input a determination number of pulses P for rotating in one direction (valve opening direction or valve closing direction) after inputting a determination number of pulses P for rotating in the other direction. In this way, the current position of the magnet rotor 31 is the same before and after the input of the pulses P.

[0084] The control device 100 obtains the rotation angle of the magnet rotor 31 based on the signal of the magnetic sensor 115 , and determines whether the magnet rotor 31 rotates normally based on the rotation angle ( S150 ).

[0085] When the magnet rotor 31 rotates normally (S150: YES), the control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that the mode is in the standby mode (S120). Then, the control device 100 ends the process at the start-up.

[0086] When the magnet rotor 31 does not rotate normally (S150: No), the control device 100 starts energizing the stator 60 (S160). Specifically, the control device 100 flows current to the coil 61c of the A-phase stator 61 and the coil 62c of the B-phase stator 62. The stator 60 generates heat due to the energization.

[0087] In step S160, the current flowing to coil 61c and coil 62c is a constant current. A constant current is a current whose magnitude and direction are constant. In the present embodiment, the current flowing to coil 61c and coil 62c is a constant current whose magnitude and direction are the same as the current corresponding to any one of pulses P[2], P[4], P[6], and P[8]. In the following description of step S160, "the current corresponding to pulse P" means "the constant current whose magnitude and direction are the same as the current corresponding to pulse P".

[0088] In step S160, when the last pulse P input to the stepper motor 66 is any one of the pulses P[2], P[4], P[6], and P[8] (case 1), the control device 100 causes a current corresponding to the last pulse P input to flow. When the last pulse P input to the stepper motor 66 is not any one of the pulses P[2], P[4], P[6], and P[8] (case 2), the control device 100 causes a current corresponding to the pulse P adjacent to the last pulse P input to flow. For example, when the last pulse P input is the pulse P[2], the control device 100 causes a current corresponding to the pulse P[2] to flow to the coil 61c and the coil 62c. When the last pulse P input is the pulse P[1], the control device 100 causes a current corresponding to the pulse P[2] or the pulse P[8] to flow to the coil 61c and the coil 62c. In case 2, the control device 100 updates the current position of the magnetic rotor 31 to a position corresponding to the current (pulse P) input for heating the stator 60. In this way, it is possible to suppress the stepping out of the stepping motor 66. In addition, the magnitude of the current flowing to the coil 61c and the coil 62c in step S160 may be greater than the magnitude of the current corresponding to the pulse P. In addition, the current flowing to the coil 61c and the coil 62c in step S160 may not be a constant current.

[0089] The control device 100 waits for the energization time E to elapse (S170). The energization time E is a preset time, and in this embodiment, is 1 to 30 seconds. Then, after the energization time E has elapsed, the control device 100 stops energizing the stator 60 (S180).

[0090] The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126, and determines whether the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S190).

[0091] When the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S190: YES), the control device 100 repeats the energization (S160 to S180) of the stator 60. Steps S160 to S190 are heating operations for the stator 60 to generate heat.

[0092] When the temperature K is higher than the reference temperature Kr (S190: No), the control device 100 returns to step S140 and repeats steps S140 to S190. Thus, when the air temperature (temperature K) inside the housing 70 is lower than the reference temperature Kr in the preparation mode, the control device 100 repeats the heating operation until the magnet rotor 31 rotates normally.

[0093] The electric valve device 1 of the present embodiment includes an electric valve 5 and a control device 100. The electric valve 5 includes a valve body 10 having a valve chamber 14, a tank body 20 connected to the valve body 10, and a stepping motor 66. The stepping motor 66 includes a magnetic rotor 31 disposed inside the tank body 20 and a stator 60 disposed outside the tank body 20. The space 25 inside the tank body 20 is connected to the valve chamber 14. The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126 disposed outside the tank body 20, and when the temperature K is higher than the reference temperature Kr, it shifts to the standby mode that can receive the command from the air conditioning control device 410, and when the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr, it shifts to the preparation mode. When the magnetic rotor 31 does not rotate normally in the preparation mode, the control device 100 performs a heating action of heating the stator 60 until the magnetic rotor 31 rotates normally, and when the magnetic rotor 31 rotates normally, it shifts to the standby mode.

[0094] The control device 100 shifts to the preparation mode when the temperature K detected by the temperature sensor 126 disposed on the outside of the tank body 20 is lower than the reference temperature Kr. When the magnet rotor 31 does not rotate normally in the preparation mode, the control device 100 performs a heating operation of the stator 60 until the magnet rotor 31 rotates normally. The refrigerant in the space 25 inside the tank body 20 is heated by the stator 60. The viscosity of the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant decreases, the magnet rotor 31 can rotate normally, and the malfunction of the electric valve 5 can be suppressed.

[0095] In addition, the heating action includes a first action of causing the current to flow to the stator 60 (coil 61c, coil 62c) throughout the power-on time E (steps S160 to S180). The heating action includes a second action of causing the current to flow to the stator 60 until the temperature K becomes higher than the reference temperature Kr (steps S160 to S190). The heating action includes an action of repeating the second action until the temperature K becomes higher than the reference temperature Kr, the second action causing the current to flow to the stator 60 continuously for the power-on time E (steps S160 to S190). The heating action includes a third action of causing a constant current to flow to the stator 60. In this way, the control device 100 can perform the heating action with relatively simple control.

[0096] In addition, when the control device 100 is transferred to the standby mode, it sends information indicating the transfer to the standby mode to the air conditioning control device 410, and when the control device 100 is transferred to the preparation mode, it sends information indicating the transfer to the preparation mode to the air conditioning control device 410. In this way, when the electric valve 5 may not operate normally, it is possible to suppress the air conditioning control device 410 from sending a command to the control device 100.

[0097] In addition, the processing when the control device 100 is started is not limited to Figure 5 Processing shown.

[0098] Next, refer to Figure 6 Another example of the processing when the control device 100 is started will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0099] When the power is turned on, the control device 100 reads the current position of the magnet rotor 31 from the nonvolatile memory 122. The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126, and determines whether the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S210).

[0100] When the temperature K is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Kr (S210: No), the control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that the mode is in the standby mode (S220). Then, the control device 100 ends the startup process.

[0101] When the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr ( S210 : YES), the control device 100 shifts to the preparation mode and notifies the air-conditioning control device 410 that the mode is the preparation mode ( S230 ).

[0102] The control device 100 starts energizing the stator 60 (S260). In step S260, Figure 5 The same processing as step S160 is performed.

[0103] The control device 100 waits for the power-on time E to pass (S270). The power-on time E is a preset time. The power-on time E is the time for the refrigerant in the space 25 inside the tank 20 to be fully heated, for example, 30 to 180 seconds. Then, after the power-on time E has passed, the control device 100 stops supplying power to the stator 60 (S280). Steps S260 to S280 are a heating action in which the stator 60 generates heat.

[0104] The control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that the mode is the standby mode (S220). Then, the control device 100 ends the process at the start-up.

[0105] Next, refer to Figure 7 Another example of the processing at the time of startup of the control device 100 is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0106] When the power is turned on, the control device 100 reads the current position of the magnet rotor 31 from the nonvolatile memory 122. The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126, and determines whether the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S310).

[0107] When the temperature K is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Kr (S310: No), the control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that the mode is in the standby mode (S320). Then, the control device 100 ends the startup process.

[0108] When the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr ( S310 : YES), the control device 100 shifts to the preparation mode and notifies the air-conditioning control device 410 that the mode is the preparation mode ( S330 ).

[0109] The control device 100 starts to energize the stator 60 (S360). In step S360, Figure 5 The same processing as step S160 is performed.

[0110] The control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126, and determines whether the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr (S370).

[0111] When the temperature K is lower than the reference temperature Kr ( S370 : YES), the control device 100 continues to energize the stator 60 .

[0112] When the temperature K is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Kr (S370: No), the control device 100 stops the supply of electricity to the stator 60 (S380). Steps S360 to S380 are heating operations for the stator 60 to generate heat.

[0113] The control device 100 shifts to the standby mode and notifies the air conditioning control device 410 that the mode is the standby mode (S320). Then, the control device 100 ends the process at the start-up.

[0114] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the control device 100 performs a heating operation to heat the stator 60 when the temperature K detected by the temperature sensor 126 disposed outside the tank body 20 is lower than the reference temperature Kr. The control device 100 can perform the heating operation with very simple control. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant decreases, the magnetic rotor 31 can rotate normally, and the malfunction of the electric valve 5 can be suppressed.

[0115] In the present embodiment, the control device 100 controls the electric valve 5, but the air conditioning control device 410 may directly control the electric valve 5. In this case, the air conditioning control device 410 is an electric valve control device.

[0116] In this embodiment, the control device 100 obtains the temperature K based on the signal of the temperature sensor 126 , but the air conditioning control device 410 may obtain the temperature K based on the signal of a separate temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the tank body 20 and notify the control device 100 of the temperature K.

[0117] In this specification, the terms "cylindrical" and "column" indicating the shape of a component are also used for components substantially having the shape of these terms. For example, "a cylindrical component" includes a cylindrical component and a substantially cylindrical component.

[0118] The embodiments of the present invention are described above, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. A person skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, design and modify the structure of the constituent elements of the above embodiments, or appropriately combine the features of the embodiments, and these are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they do not violate the gist of the present invention.

[0119] Explanation of symbols

[0120] 1…Electric valve device, 5…Electric valve, 10…Valve body, 11…Main body member, 11a…Mounting hole, 11b…Upper surface, 12…Support member, 12a…Engagement hole, 13…Connecting member, 14…Valve chamber, 15…Flow path, 16…Flow path, 17…Valve port, 18…Valve seat, 20…Can body, 25…Space, 30…Drive mechanism, 31…Magnetic rotor, 32…Valve shaft holder, 32c…Internal thread, 32s…Movable stopper, 33…Guide bushing sleeve, 33a...first cylindrical portion, 33b...second cylindrical portion, 33c...external thread, 33e...through hole, 33s...fixed stopper, 34...valve shaft, 34a...first portion, 34b...second portion, 34d...step portion, 35...support ring, 36...thrust nut, 37...valve closing spring, 38...stop mechanism, 40...valve core, 45...permanent magnet, 46...guide member, 47...support spring, 48...sliding member, 50...stator unit, 60 ...stator, 61 ...A-phase stator, 61a ...pole teeth, 61b ...pole teeth, 61c ...coil, 62 ...B-phase stator, 62a ...pole teeth, 62b ...pole teeth, 62c ...coil, 65 ...terminal, 66 ...stepping motor, 70 ...housing, 83 ...connector, 100 ...electric valve control device, 110 ...control board, 111 ...wire, 115 ...magnetic sensor, 120 ...microcomputer, 121 ...CPU, 122 ...non-volatile memory, 123 …motor driver, 124…operating memory, 125…communication component, 126…temperature sensor, 400…air conditioning system, 401…compressor, 402…condenser, 403…evaporator, 405…piping, 410…air conditioning control device, 420…communication bus, E…power-on time, K…temperature, Kr…reference temperature, L…axis line, P…pulse, Rc…valve closing position, Rx…reference position, Ry…middle position, Rz…fully open position.

Claims

1. An electric valve control device for controlling an electric valve, characterized in that: The electric valve includes: a valve body having a valve chamber, a tank body connected to the valve body, and a stepping motor. The stepper motor has a magnetic rotor arranged inside the tank and a stator arranged outside the tank. The space inside the tank is connected to the valve chamber. The electric valve control device performs a heating operation in which the stator generates heat when a temperature acquired based on a signal of a temperature sensor disposed outside the can body is lower than a reference temperature.

2. An electric valve control device for controlling an electric valve, characterized in that: The electric valve includes: a valve body having a valve chamber, a tank body connected to the valve body, and a stepping motor. The stepper motor has a magnetic rotor arranged inside the tank and a stator arranged outside the tank. The space inside the tank is connected to the valve chamber. When the temperature obtained based on the signal of the temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the tank body is higher than the reference temperature, the electric valve control device shifts to a standby mode capable of receiving a command from an external device, and when the temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the electric valve control device shifts to a preparation mode. In the preparation mode, When the magnetic rotor does not rotate normally, the electric valve control device performs a heating action of heating the stator until the magnetic rotor rotates normally. When the magnetic rotor rotates normally, the electric valve control device shifts to the standby mode.

3. The electric valve control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat generation operation includes a first operation of causing a current to flow to the coil of the stator for a continuous energization time.

4. The electric valve control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heating operation includes a second operation of causing a current to flow through the coil of the stator until the temperature reaches or exceeds the reference temperature.

5. The electric valve control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat generation operation includes repeating a second operation until the temperature reaches or exceeds the reference temperature, the second operation causing current to flow to the coil of the stator for a continuous energization time.

6. The electric valve control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The heat generating operation includes a third operation of causing a constant current to flow through the coil of the stator.

7. The electric valve control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the electric valve control device is shifted to the standby mode, the electric valve control device transmits information indicating the shift to the standby mode to the external device. When the electric valve control device shifts to the preparation mode, the electric valve control device transmits information indicating the shift to the preparation mode to the external device.

8. An electric valve device, characterized in that: A motor-driven valve control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and the motor-driven valve.

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