Electrically driven valve

Abstract

An electrically driven valve is provided with: a valve body (13) having a main valve chamber (14) and a pilot valve chamber (22) therein, having an inlet (15) and an outlet (16) for a refrigerant, and having a main valve seat (17) formed at the end of the outlet on the main valve chamber side; a main valve body (18) that moves forward and backward with respect to the main valve seat and opens and closes the outlet; a valve opening spring (21) that biases the main valve body in the valve opening direction; a pilot passage (19) that passes through the main valve body and selectively connects the pilot valve chamber and the outlet port; a pressure equalizing path (20) that connects the main valve chamber and the pilot valve chamber; a pilot valve seat (23) formed at an end of the pilot passage on the pilot valve chamber side; a pilot valve body (24) that moves forward and backward with respect to the pilot valve seat and opens and closes the pilot passage; and an electric drive device (41) for driving the pilot valve body, in the electric drive valve, an inflow port is formed in a manner that the side surface part of the main valve chamber is open, and a valve opening spring is arranged in a manner that the lower end of the valve opening spring is positioned above the lower end of the inflow port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically driven valve, and more particularly to a valve structure for preventing a valve opening spring provided in a main valve of a pilot driven valve from biting into a valve seat. Background Art

[0002] An electrically driven valve (sometimes simply referred to as a "driven valve" in this application) that opens and closes the valve using an electrical drive device such as a solenoid or a motor is used in refrigeration cycle devices having a refrigerant circuit, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers.

[0003] Such a drive valve is a pilot-operated drive valve that drives the pilot valve to open and close by a drive device, and opens and closes the main valve in accordance with the opening and closing of the pilot valve. In the pilot-operated drive valve, a coil spring (valve opening spring) that urges the main valve core in the valve opening direction is generally provided in the main valve chamber in order to reliably open the main valve even when the differential pressure is zero.

[0004] Furthermore, there are the following patent documents as documents disclosing a pilot-operated drive valve including such a valve-opening spring.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-7572

[0008] However, in the conventional drive valve as described above, the valve opening spring may bite due to the fluid force of the refrigerant flowing into the main valve chamber, thereby causing malfunction of the drive valve and valve leakage.

[0009] Fig.12 The figure shows the open state of the conventional driving valve. The refrigerant (refer to symbol F1) flowing into the main valve chamber 14 from the inlet 15 squeezes the valve opening spring 21 to deform. When the valve is closed, the valve should be closed as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the main valve core 18 is seated on the main valve seat 17 to close the outlet 16. However, sometimes Fig.14 As shown, the main valve element 18 is not operating normally due to the bite of the valve opening spring 21 (being sandwiched between the main valve element 18 and the main valve seat 17).

[0010] In particular, in a heat pump cycle device in which a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows, the valve opening spring 21 is easily pressed by the liquid phase having a strong pressing force at the time of startup, causing biting.

[0011] On the other hand, to prevent biting, e.g. Fig.15As shown, it is also conceivable to arrange the valve opening spring 21 above the upper end of the inlet 15 so as to be separated from the refrigerant flow path. However, if such a structure is adopted, there is a disadvantage that the height dimension of the drive valve becomes large.

[0012] also, Figure 12 to Figure 15 The driving valve shown is a normally open type (normally open type) driving valve, but a normally closed type (normally closed type) driving valve also uses a valve opening spring and thus will also cause the above-mentioned biting problem.

[0013] Furthermore, in conventional drive valves including a valve-opening spring, particularly in a normally closed valve, there is room for improvement in assemblability.

[0014] Specifically, when assembling a normally closed drive valve, it is necessary to prepare the valve portion 12 and the drive portion 42, such as Fig.16 As shown, the valve portion 12 is inserted into the valve body 13 in sequence with the valve opening spring 21 and the main valve core 18, as shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown, the drive unit 42 inserts the valve closing spring 49 and the plunger 46 into the sleeve 48 in sequence from the other end side of the sleeve 48, one end of which is blocked by the suction member 45 and the other end of which is fixed the connecting member 26, and performs the operation of connecting the two (the valve portion 12 and the drive unit 42) by screwing the connecting member 26 into the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 (so that the external thread 26a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 26 and the internal thread 13c formed on the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 are screwed together) ( Fig.18 Indicates the connected state).

[0015] However, the valve opening spring 21 and the main valve core 18 of the valve portion 12 are only inserted into the valve body 13 but not fixed to the valve body 13. Similarly, the valve closing spring 49 and the plunger 46 are only inserted into the sleeve 48 but not fixed. Therefore, when the valve portion 12 is connected to the drive portion 42, there is the trouble of having to take these components into consideration while preventing them from falling off (respectively, preventing the main valve core 18 and the valve opening spring 21 from falling off from the valve body 13, and preventing the plunger 46 and the valve closing spring 49 from falling off from the sleeve 48). Summary of the invention

[0016] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to prevent the valve opening spring from biting due to the pressing force of the refrigerant, thereby preventing the electric drive valve from malfunctioning and leaking. Moreover, a further object of the present invention is to improve the assembly performance of the electric drive valve.

[0017] [First invention]

[0018] In order to achieve the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, the first invention of the present application involves an electrically driven valve comprising: a valve body, which has a main valve chamber and a pilot valve chamber in the interior, and the valve body has an inlet for allowing refrigerant to flow into the main valve chamber and an outlet for allowing refrigerant to flow out of the main valve chamber, and a main valve seat arranged at an end of the main valve chamber side of the outlet; a main valve core, which opens and closes the outlet by moving forward and backward relative to the main valve seat; a valve opening spring, which applies force to the main valve core in the valve opening direction; and a pilot passage, which passes through the main valve core so that the pilot valve chamber and the outlet are selectively connected. Selectively connected; a pressure equalizing path, which connects the main valve chamber with the pilot valve chamber; a pilot valve seat, which is formed at the end of the pilot valve chamber side of the pilot passage; a pilot valve core, which opens and closes the pilot passage by moving forward and backward relative to the pilot valve seat; and an electric drive device, which drives the pilot valve core, the inlet is formed as an opening on the side portion of the main valve chamber, and when the direction from the main valve seat to the main valve core is taken as the upper direction and the direction from the main valve core to the main valve seat is taken as the lower direction, the valve opening spring is arranged in such a way that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the lower end of the inlet.

[0019] In the first invention of the present application, the valve opening spring is arranged in such a manner that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the lower end of the inlet through which the refrigerant flows. As a result, the pressing force exerted on the valve opening spring by the refrigerant flowing into the main valve chamber from the inlet can be reduced. In particular, when the refrigerant is in a two-phase gas-liquid state, the liquid phase, which has a larger mass (specific gravity) than the gas phase and exerts a stronger pressing force on the valve opening spring, flows on the lower end side of the inlet. However, by arranging the lower end of the valve opening spring above the lower end of the inlet, the liquid phase can be avoided (even if it cannot be avoided completely, the pressing force exerted on the liquid phase can be reduced). As a result, the valve opening spring can be effectively prevented from biting in, thereby preventing the electric drive valve from malfunctioning and causing valve leakage.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first invention, it is preferable that the valve opening spring is provided so that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located below the upper end of the inlet.

[0021] This is to suppress the height dimension of the driving valve. Although it is also possible to completely detach the valve opening spring from the inlet (arrange the valve opening spring as a whole above the upper end of the inlet) so that it is not directly subjected to the pressing force of the refrigerant flowing in from the inlet, such a structure will increase the height dimension of the driving valve as described above. Therefore, it is preferred to arrange the valve opening spring in such a manner that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the lower end of the inlet and below the upper end of the inlet as described above.

[0022] [Second Invention]

[0023] The second invention of the present application relates to an electrically driven valve comprising: a valve body, which has a main valve chamber and a pilot valve chamber in the interior, and the valve body has an inlet for allowing refrigerant to flow into the main valve chamber and an outlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the main valve chamber, and a main valve seat arranged at an end of the main valve chamber side of the outlet; a main valve core, which opens and closes the outlet by moving forward and backward relative to the main valve seat; a valve opening spring, which applies a force to the main valve core in the valve opening direction; a pilot passage, which passes through the main valve core so that the pilot valve chamber and the outlet are selectively connected. selectively connected; a pressure equalizing path, which connects the main valve chamber with the pilot valve chamber; a pilot valve seat, which is formed at the end of the pilot valve chamber side of the pilot passage; a pilot valve core, which opens and closes the pilot passage by moving forward and backward relative to the pilot valve seat; and an electric drive device, which drives the pilot valve core, and when the direction from the main valve seat to the main valve core is taken as upward, and the direction from the main valve core to the main valve seat is taken as downward, the valve opening spring is provided in such a way that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the main valve seat.

[0024] In the second invention of the present application, a valve opening spring is provided in such a manner that the lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the main valve seat. When the valve is opened, the refrigerant flows into the main valve chamber from the inlet and is discharged from the outlet. The main valve seat is provided at the upper end of the outlet, so as long as the valve opening spring is arranged above the main valve seat, the force on the valve opening spring from the flow of the refrigerant flowing in from the inlet and discharged from the outlet can be reduced, and the biting of the valve opening spring can be suppressed or even prevented.

[0025] Moreover, in one form of the present invention (when referred to as "the present invention", it refers to both the first invention and the second invention), in the above-mentioned first and second inventions and the preferred form of the first invention, a plurality of support portions are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the main valve chamber, the support portions protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the main valve chamber toward the center portion of the main valve chamber and are supported on the lower end side of the valve opening spring, and the main valve core is guided by the support portion by moving up and down while contacting the support portion.

[0026] According to such a form, the inclination of the main valve body that moves up and down with the opening and closing of the valve can be suppressed, and the operability and durability of the drive valve can be improved. In addition, the support portion can be integrated with the valve body or can be a separate component.

[0027] Moreover, in one of the above-mentioned forms, sometimes one or more of the multiple support parts has a lower end locking portion, which holds the lower end of the valve opening spring and limits the movement of the lower end of the valve opening spring in the up and down directions, and the main valve core has an upper end locking portion, which holds the upper end of the valve opening spring and limits the relative movement of the upper end of the valve opening spring and the main valve core in the up and down directions.

[0028] The purpose is to improve the assembly performance of the drive valve. In the assembly of the drive valve, as described above, it is necessary to insert the valve opening spring and the main valve core into the valve body and connect it to the drive part (connecting component). However, according to the above-mentioned method having a lower end stopper for holding the lower end of the valve opening spring and an upper end stopper for holding the upper end, the valve opening spring is locked to the valve body by the lower end stopper, and the main valve core is locked to the upper end of the valve opening spring by the upper end stopper. Therefore, the valve opening spring and the main valve core are locked to the valve body together, and there is no need to worry that the valve opening spring and the main valve core provided in the valve body will fall off from the valve body during assembly, thereby improving the assembly performance of the drive valve. In addition, the specific assembly sequence will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the description of the embodiment described later.

[0029] Moreover, in a typical form of the present invention, the valve body has two or more openings on the side surface of the valve body that can serve as inlets, the upper end locking portion is a groove formed in a manner extending circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the main valve core, and can accommodate the upper end of the valve opening spring. The lower end locking portion is a groove formed in a manner extending circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber and formed between adjacent openings, and can accommodate the lower end of the valve opening spring.

[0030] According to the present invention, the valve opening spring can be prevented from biting due to the pressing force of the refrigerant, thereby preventing the electric drive valve from malfunctioning and causing valve leakage. In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, the assembly performance of the electric drive valve can be improved.

[0031] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an open valve state of an electrically driven valve (pilot solenoid valve) according to a first embodiment of the present invention ( Figure 3 X1-X1 section).

[0033] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the open valve state of the electrically driven valve according to the first embodiment ( Figure 3 X2-X2 section).

[0034] Figure 3 It is a top view of the electrically driven valve (the coil and the like are not shown) according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a cutaway view of a valve body of the electrically driven valve according to the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the closed valve state of the electrically driven valve according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 X1-X1 section).

[0037] Figure 6 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the closed valve state of the electrically driven valve according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 X2-X2 section).

[0038] Figure 7 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an electrically driven valve (pilot solenoid valve / state where a valve portion and a driving portion are connected / coil etc. are not shown) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process of the electrically driven valve according to the second embodiment (a state in which a valve opening spring is mounted on a main valve element).

[0040] Fig. 9 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process of the electrically driven valve according to the second embodiment (a state in which a main valve element to which a valve opening spring is attached is assembled with a valve body).

[0041] Fig.10 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process (a process of connecting a valve portion and a driving portion) of the electrically driven valve according to the second embodiment.

[0042] Fig.11 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example (the driving portion is not shown) of the electrically driven valve according to the second embodiment.

[0043] Fig.12 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional electrically driven valve (pilot solenoid valve) in an open valve state.

[0044] Fig.13 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a normal valve-closed state (a state in which the valve is normally closed by stopping the supply of electricity to the coil) of the conventional electrically driven valve.

[0045] Fig.14 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an abnormal valve-opening state of the conventional electrically driven valve (a state in which the valve-opening spring bites into the main valve seat surface after the energization to the coil is stopped).

[0046] Fig.15 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the valve opening state of the electrically driven valve (pilot solenoid valve) according to the comparative example.

[0047] Fig.16 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process of a conventional electrically driven valve (a state after the valve opening spring and the main valve element are assembled with the valve body).

[0048] Fig.17 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process of the conventional electrically driven valve (a state after the valve closing spring and the plunger are assembled with the sleeve of the driving portion).

[0049] Fig.18 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembly process of the conventional electrically driven valve (a state in which a valve portion and a driving portion are connected). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] [First embodiment]

[0051] like Figure 1 to Figure 6 As shown, the electric drive valve (solenoid valve 11) involved in the first embodiment of the present invention has a valve portion 12 for opening and closing the flow path of the refrigerant, and an electromagnetic actuator (electric drive device) 41 for driving the valve portion 12, and is a pilot-operated electromagnetic valve in which a main valve for opening and closing the flow path of the refrigerant is controlled by a pilot valve. In addition, the electromagnetic valve 11 is a so-called cassette-type electromagnetic valve that can be assembled in a refrigeration cycle device such as a heat pump type refrigeration and heating system by being installed in a shell member (not shown) having an inflow path and an outflow path for the refrigerant, and is a normally open (normally open) valve that is in an open valve state when not energized.

[0052] In addition, the present invention is not limited to cassette-type valves. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to normally open valves, and is also applicable to normally closed valves. Furthermore, in each figure, two-dimensional coordinates orthogonal to each other representing the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions are appropriately indicated, and the following description is made based on these directions, but the solenoid valve of the present invention and this embodiment can be used in various directions, and each direction is used for convenience of description without any limitation on the various structures of the present invention.

[0053] The electromagnetic valve 11 involved in the present embodiment, as a valve portion 12 (main valve), includes: a valve body 13, which has a main valve chamber 14 inside; an inlet 15, which is formed on the side (peripheral surface) of the valve body 13 in a manner that allows the refrigerant to flow into the main valve chamber 14; an outlet 16, which passes through the bottom 13b of the valve body 13 in the up-down direction in a manner that allows the refrigerant to flow out of the main valve chamber 14, and has an upper end portion that stands vertically upward and protrudes into the main valve chamber 14; a main valve seat 17, which is formed at the upper end of the outlet 16; a main valve core 18, which opens and closes the outlet 16 by moving forward and backward (up and down) relative to the main valve seat 17; a valve opening spring 21, which applies force to the main valve core 18 in the valve opening direction (upward); and a connecting member 26, which connects the electromagnetic actuator 31 to the valve body 13.

[0054] The valve body 13 is a cylindrical member with the upper surface and the lower surface open (opened), the opening of the upper surface is closed by the above-mentioned connecting member 26, and the opening of the lower surface becomes the outflow port 16. In addition, the solenoid valve 11 of this embodiment is mounted on the housing member for use as described above, and when the valve body 13 is inserted into the valve mounting hole of the housing member, the outflow port 16 on the bottom surface of the valve body 13 is connected to the outflow path opened on the bottom surface of the valve mounting hole of the housing member, thereby enabling the refrigerant in the main valve chamber 14 to flow out through the outflow path.

[0055] On the other hand, the valve body 13 has a plurality of openings 25 (in the present embodiment, one each in the front, back, left, and right, a total of four) on the circumferential surface that can be used as the above-mentioned inlet 15, and these openings 25 serve as the above-mentioned inlet 15. Specifically, when the valve body 13 is inserted into the valve mounting hole of the housing member, the four openings 25 are connected through the annular gap formed between the valve body 13 and the housing member. As a result, the refrigerant can flow into the main valve chamber 14 through the openings 25.

[0056] Furthermore, the annular gap formed between the valve body 13 and the housing member is sealed by sealing members (O-rings, not shown) respectively attached to the recesses 60 and 61 of the valve body 13, so that the refrigerant does not leak to the outside or the outflow path.

[0057] The main valve core 18 is supported at its upper portion by a cylinder body portion 13a formed at the upper portion of the valve body 13 in a manner that allows it to slide in the up-down direction. In addition, a valve opening spring 21 that applies force to the main valve core 18 in the valve opening direction (upward) is provided between the bottom surface of the main valve chamber 14 and the main valve core 18. The valve opening spring 21 is a compression coil spring that is provided in a compressed state between a support portion 31 and a step portion, and the support portion 31 is formed in a plurality (four in the case of the present embodiment) on the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber 14 in a manner that surrounds the middle portion of the main valve core 18, and the step portion is formed on the lower surface of the upper portion of the main valve core 18 that is supported by the cylinder body portion 13a in a manner that allows it to slide.

[0058] Supporting portions 31 supporting the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 are formed between adjacent opening holes 25. Each supporting portion 31 includes a protrusion 32 protruding from the inner circumference of the valve body 18 (main valve chamber 14) toward the central axis A of the solenoid valve 11 (main valve chamber 14), and a fitting groove 33 into which the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 can be fitted when the valve opening spring 21 is set in the main valve chamber 14. The protrusion 32 includes an upper surface 32a horizontally extended so as to be able to carry the valve opening spring 21, and the fitting groove 33 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 13 along the outer circumference of the upper surface 32a (the edge farther from the central axis A of the solenoid valve 11).

[0059] The fitting groove 33 is a groove with a triangular cross-section formed by a tapered upper surface that expands outward (in a direction away from the central axis A of the solenoid valve 11) as the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder body 13a is directed downward, and a lower surface that expands outward horizontally continuously with the upper surface 32a of the protrusion. In addition, the valve opening spring 21 is formed such that its lower end is formed into a shape that gradually expands as it expands downward (increases its diameter) in a manner of being embedded in the fitting groove 33. Therefore, in this embodiment, the valve opening spring 21 can be set inside the valve body 13 by inserting the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 into the fitting groove 33 simply by a simple operation of causing the valve opening spring 21 to fall from the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 into the main valve chamber 14.

[0060] Each support portion 31 has the function of retaining the lower end portion of the valve opening spring 21 in the fitting groove 33, and abuts against the lower circumferential surface of the main valve core 18 through the protrusion 32 in a manner that the main valve core 18 can slide in the upward and downward directions, thereby guiding the main valve core 18 to move forward and backward (up and down) relative to the main valve seat 17 in the main valve chamber 14, thereby achieving the function of preventing the main valve core 18 from lateral displacement (displacement in a direction intersecting the center axis A) and tilting.

[0061] In particular, according to the present embodiment (the same also applies to the second embodiment described later), not only is the upper portion of the main valve core 18 supported so as to be slidable by the cylinder body portion 13a at the upper portion of the valve body, but the lower portion of the main valve core 18 is also supported so as to be slidable by the support portion 31 (protrusion 32) (supporting both the upper end portion and the lower end portion), thereby more reliably preventing lateral displacement and tilting of the main valve core 18, and further improving the operability and durability of the solenoid valve 11.

[0062] The height h of the support portion 31 (the distance in the vertical direction from the lower end of the inlet 15 to the upper surface 32a of the protrusion 32), that is, the height of the upper surface 32a of the protrusion supporting the lower end of the valve opening spring 21, is a height at which the upper surface 32a of the protrusion is arranged above the center of the inlet 15 in the vertical direction (the height position from the lower end of the inlet 15 to half the diameter of the inlet 15, in other words, the central axis of the inlet 15) and below the upper end of the inlet 15.

[0063] The reason why the support portion 31 (the upper surface 32a of the protruding portion) is made higher than the center of the inlet 15 in the vertical direction is to minimize the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the inlet 15 into the main valve chamber 14 to the valve opening spring 21. In particular, when the refrigerant is in a gas-liquid two-phase state, since the liquid phase with a strong pressure on the valve opening spring 21 flows on the lower end side of the inlet 15, such a height setting can avoid and reduce the strong pressure from the liquid phase on the valve opening spring 21, and can effectively prevent the valve opening spring 21 from biting. In addition, in the present embodiment, the height of the support portion 31 is made higher than the height of the main valve seat 17. Based on this point, the present embodiment can also be a structure in which the valve opening spring 21 is less likely to be pressed by the refrigerant flowing from the inlet 15 to the outlet 16 (main valve seat 17).

[0064] On the other hand, the reason why the protrusion upper surface 32 a is located below the upper end of the inlet 15 is to suppress the height of the solenoid valve 11 .

[0065] In the present embodiment, since the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 is supported at the height position as described above, the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 can be seen through the opening 25 when it is installed in front of the case member.

[0066] The connecting member 26 that blocks the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 is an annular member having a center hole, and has an outer thread 26a on the outer circumference that is screwed with the inner thread 13c formed on the inner circumference of the upper surface opening of the valve body 13, and is screwed into the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 to fix the connecting member 26 to the valve body 13. In addition, a suction member 45 (described later) is inserted and fixed in the center hole of the connecting member 26.

[0067] The main valve core 18 has a pilot passage 19 that passes through its center in the up-down direction and connects the main valve chamber 14 with the pilot valve chamber 22, and an equalizing passage 20 that passes through the same main valve core 18 in the up-down direction and connects the main valve chamber 14 with the pilot valve chamber 22 and has a smaller diameter than the pilot passage 19. The main valve chamber 14 is a space facing the space between the main valve core 18 and the main valve seat 17 and the inlet 15, and the pilot valve chamber 22 is a space formed on the upper side of the main valve core 18 (between the main valve core 18 and the connecting member 26). In addition, the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the main valve core 18 is made to protrude upward, and the peripheral edge abuts against the lower surface of the connecting member 26 when the main valve core 18 is in the valve-opening state when it is raised, so that the main valve core 18 stops.

[0068] A pilot valve is provided between the upper surface of the main valve core 18 and the electromagnetic actuator 41. Specifically, a pilot valve seat 23 is formed at the upper end of the pilot passage 19 (the center of the upper surface of the main valve core 18), and the pilot passage 19 opens to a pilot valve chamber 22 formed on the upper side of the main valve core 18. A pilot valve core 24 is provided so as to be able to contact and separate (abut and disengage) from the pilot valve seat 23. The pilot valve core 24 is fixed to the lower end of a plunger 46 (described later), and opens and closes the pilot passage 19 by moving up and down together with the plunger 46.

[0069] The electromagnetic actuator 41 for driving the pilot valve includes a coil 44 wound on a bobbin 43, an attracting member 45 disposed inside the coil 44, and a plunger 46 attracted by the attracting member 45 by the magnetic force generated by the coil 44. The bobbin 43 has a cylindrical portion at the center, and the attracting member 45 and the plunger 46 are disposed in the cylindrical portion while being accommodated in a sleeve 48. The sleeve 48 is a bottomless and covered cylindrical member (the upper surface is closed and the lower surface is open), and the lower end of the sleeve 48 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the attracting member 45, and together with the connecting member 26, a closed space is formed on the upper surface of the valve body 13. The plunger 46 is accommodated in the sleeve 48 in a manner that allows it to slide in the vertical direction, and an upper coil spring (compression coil spring) 47 that urges the plunger 46 upward is provided between the plunger 46 and the attracting member 45, thereby urging the pilot valve element 24 in the valve opening direction.

[0070] The operation of the solenoid valve according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0071] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the valve opening state shown, the pilot passage 19 is open, and the high-pressure refrigerant that flows into the main valve chamber 14 from the inlet 15 and flows into the pilot valve chamber 22 through the pressure equalizing passage 20 is not accumulated in the pilot valve chamber 22 but is discharged from the outlet 16 through the pilot passage 19. For this reason, the pressure in the pilot valve chamber 22 does not increase, and the main valve core 18 is pressed by the lower surface of the connecting member 26 by the elastic force of the valve opening spring 21 that applies force to the main valve core 18 upward (valve opening direction) to maintain the valve opening state, and the refrigerant that flows into the main valve chamber 14 from the inlet 15 (see arrow F1) flows out from the outlet 16 (see arrow F2).

[0072] Furthermore, in this valve open state, as already described in the present embodiment, since the lower end portion of the valve opening spring 21 is arranged above as compared with the past, the pressing force received by the valve opening spring 21 from the refrigerant can be suppressed to a smaller value, thereby preventing the valve opening spring 21 from deforming and displacing. During the valve closing action described subsequently, the valve opening spring 21 can be prevented from biting into the main valve seat surface, causing the main valve to fail to close and causing valve leakage, and other malfunctions.

[0073] In the above-mentioned valve-opening state, when the coil 44 in the electromagnetic actuator 41 is energized, the plunger 46 is attracted by the attracting member 45 and descends against the elastic force of the upper coil spring 47, so that the pilot valve element 24 is seated on the pilot valve seat 23. As a result, the pilot passage 19 is closed, and the refrigerant pressure introduced into the pilot valve chamber 22 through the pressure equalizing passage 20 is not released through the pilot passage 19 but is accumulated, so that the pressure in the pilot valve chamber 22 increases. Furthermore, when the force pressing the main valve element 18 downward based on the refrigerant pressure in the pilot valve chamber 22 (more accurately, the differential pressure between the pilot valve chamber 22 and the main valve chamber 14) and the attractive force of the attracting member 45 (the downward force of the attracting plunger 46) exceeds the upward elastic force of the valve-opening spring 21, the main valve element 18 descends and is seated on the main valve seat 17. As a result, the valve-closing state in which the outflow port 16 is closed is achieved.

[0074] On the other hand, when the power supply to the coil 44 stops from this closed valve state, the attraction of the attraction member 45 disappears, and the plunger 46 is released from the attraction member 45, so that the plunger 46 is pushed back upward by the upper coil spring 47, the pilot valve core 24 leaves the pilot valve seat 23, and the pilot passage 19 is opened. As a result, the refrigerant accumulated in the pilot valve chamber 22 is discharged from the outflow port 16 through the pilot passage 19, and the pressure in the pilot valve chamber 22 drops. Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the pilot passage 19 is larger than that of the equalizing pressure passage 20, a differential pressure is generated between the upper and lower surfaces of the main valve core 18 to lift the main valve core 18 upward. In addition, the valve opening spring 21 has an elastic force to lift the main valve core 18 upward. As a result, the main valve core 18 is lifted up, and the main valve core 18 leaves the main valve seat 17, and the outflow port 16 is opened to enter the open valve state (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0075] In addition, in this valve open state, the plunger 46 is lifted up by the upper coil spring 47 and is in the uppermost position abutting against the top surface portion 48a of the sleeve 48, and the main valve core 18 abuts against the lower surface of the connecting part 26 and stops, thereby forming a constant gap between the pilot valve core 24 at the lower end of the plunger and the pilot valve seat 23 at the center of the upper surface of the main valve core 18, and the pilot passage 19 is opened.

[0076] [Second embodiment]

[0077] Reference Figure 7 to Figure 11 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7As shown, the electrically driven valve (solenoid valve 51) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is, like the first embodiment, a cassette-type solenoid valve having a pilot-type valve portion 12 and an electromagnetic actuator 41 (coil, etc. not shown) including a driving portion 42 for driving the valve portion 12, and having a support portion 31 for preventing the valve opening spring 21 from biting in, the support portion 31 supports the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 that urges the main valve core 18 in the valve opening direction at an upper position in the main valve chamber 14, and has a structure that improves assemblability. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted, and the description is centered on the differences.

[0078] Furthermore, the electromagnetic valve 51 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it is a normally closed valve that is in a closed state when not energized. For this purpose, the electromagnetic actuator 41 as a driving part 42 includes: a sleeve 48, which is a bottomless and coverless (the upper and lower surfaces are open) cylindrical member; a suction member 45, which closes the upper surface of the sleeve 48 by fixing the upper end of the sleeve 48 on the outer circumference; a plunger 46, which is provided below the suction member 45 in a manner that can slide (move up and down) in the sleeve 48; and a valve closing spring (compression coil spring) 49, which is arranged between the suction member 45 and the plunger 46. The valve closing spring 49 applies force to the plunger 46 downward (in the direction of closing the pilot valve).

[0079] The plunger 46 has a pilot valve core 24 at its lower end and is attracted by the attracting member 45 by a magnetic force generated by a coil (not shown) disposed outside the sleeve 48. The sleeve 48 is fixed to the upper surface of the connecting member 26 by inserting the lower end thereof into the center hole of the connecting member 26.

[0080] Furthermore, the solenoid valve 51 involved in this embodiment, like the first embodiment, has a protrusion 32 and an interlocking groove 33 (referred to as a "lower interlocking groove" in this embodiment) as a support portion 31 for retaining the lower end of the valve opening spring 21, and also has an upper interlocking groove 35 for retaining the upper end of the valve opening spring 21.

[0081] This upper interlocking groove 35 is formed on the lower surface of the upper part of the main valve core 18 in a manner extending circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface of the main valve core 18. The main valve core 18 is supported on the cylinder body 13a of the valve body 13 in a slidable manner. By embedding the upper end portion of the valve opening spring 21 in the upper interlocking groove 35, the valve opening spring 21 can be integrated with the main valve core 18.

[0082] The assembly process of the solenoid valve according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0083] First, if Figure 8As shown, the valve opening spring 21 is mounted on the main valve element 18 by inserting the upper end portion of the valve opening spring 21 into the upper fitting groove 35 .

[0084] Then, if Fig. 9 As shown, the main valve core 18 with the valve opening spring 21 installed thereon is dropped into the interior of the valve body 13 from the upper surface opening of the valve body 13. As a result, the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 is inserted into the lower fitting groove 33 of the valve body 13 (support portion 31), and the valve opening spring 21 and the main valve core 18 can be set in the valve body 13. Moreover, in this state, the main valve core 18 and the valve opening spring 21 are integrated with each other by means of the upper fitting groove 35, and the valve opening spring 21 and the valve body 13 are integrated with each other by means of the lower fitting groove 33, so that even if the valve body 13 is turned upside down (upside down), the valve opening spring 21 and the main valve core 18 will not fall off from the valve body 13.

[0085] So, if Fig.10 As shown, the separately prepared drive portion 42 is supported in an upside-down state, the valve portion 12 is turned upside down to cover the drive portion 42 and rotate the two relative to each other, and the connecting component 26 is screwed into the upper surface opening of the valve body 13 (the external thread 26a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting component 26 is screwed into the internal thread 13c formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface opening of the valve body 13), so that the valve portion 12 and the drive portion 42 can be connected.

[0086] In addition, during this connection operation, there is no need to worry about the plunger 46 and the valve closing spring 49 falling off from the drive unit 42 (sleeve 48). This is because, although the plunger 46 and the valve closing spring 49 of the drive unit 42 are only inserted into the sleeve 48 from the lower surface opening and are not fixed, the lower surface opening of the sleeve 48 is located on the upper side because the operation is performed in a state where the drive unit 42 is turned upside down, and the upper surface opening of the sleeve 48 located on the lower side is closed by the fixed suction member 45 during the operation.

[0087] Moreover, the various parts of the valve portion 12 (valve body 13, valve opening spring 21, main valve core 18) are integrated by fixing the valve opening spring 21 in the upper fitting groove 35 and the lower fitting groove 33, so the main valve core 18 and the valve opening spring 21 will not fall off the valve portion 12 (valve body 13).

[0088] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the connection work between the valve portion 12 and the drive portion 42 can be efficiently performed, and the assemblability of the solenoid valve 51 can be improved.

[0089] and then, Fig.11 3 is a diagram showing a modified example of the present embodiment. In this modified example, the upper surface of the lower fitting groove 36 of the lower end of the valve opening spring 21 is formed horizontally in a manner parallel to the upper surface 32a of the protrusion. According to such a form, in the connection operation ( Fig.10 ) can make it difficult for the valve opening spring 21 to fall off from the lower fitting groove 36, and can more reliably prevent the main valve core 18 and the valve opening spring 21 from falling off.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

[0091] For example, the present invention is not limited to electromagnetic valves, and can also be applied to electrically driven valves such as electric valves that have an actuator that uses an electric motor to move a valve body. In addition, when applied to electric valves, as long as a pilot valve core is provided at the top end of a lifting member (such as a valve shaft or a valve stem) that is a moving body that moves up and down by a lifting device using a screw feed mechanism, the pilot passage can be opened and closed.

[0092] Explanation of symbols

[0093] A The center axis of the solenoid valve

[0094] Flow of F1 and F2 refrigerants

[0095] 11.51 solenoid valve

[0096] 12 valve parts

[0097] 13 Valve body

[0098] 13a Cylinder body

[0099] 13b Bottom of valve body

[0100] 13c internal thread

[0101] 14 Main valve chamber

[0102] 15 Inlet

[0103] 16 outflow ports

[0104] 17 Main valve seat

[0105] 18 Main valve core

[0106] 19 pilot pathway

[0107] 20 pressure equalization road

[0108] 21 Valve opening spring

[0109] 22 Pilot valve chamber

[0110] 23 pilot valve seat

[0111] 24 pilot valve core

[0112] 25 openings

[0113] 26 Connecting parts

[0114] 26a external thread

[0115] 31 Supporting part

[0116] 32 protrusion

[0117] 32a Upper surface of the protrusion

[0118] 33, 36 fitting groove (lower fitting groove)

[0119] 35 upper fitting groove

[0120] 41 Electromagnetic actuator

[0121] 42 drive unit

[0122] 43 bobbin

[0123] 44 coils

[0124] 45 Attractions

[0125] 46 Plunger

[0126] 47 Upper coil spring

[0127] 48 sleeve

[0128] 48a The top surface of the sleeve

[0129] 49 closing valve spring

[0130] 60, 61 concave parts.

Claims

1. An electrically driven valve, characterized in that: have: a valve body having a main valve chamber and a pilot valve chamber inside the valve body, and having an inlet for allowing refrigerant to flow into the main valve chamber and an outlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the main valve chamber, and a main valve seat provided at an end of the outlet on the main valve chamber side; a main valve core, which opens and closes the outflow port by moving forward and backward relative to the main valve seat; A valve opening spring, the valve opening spring applies force to the main valve core in a valve opening direction; a pilot passage penetrating the main valve element to selectively connect the pilot valve chamber with the outflow port; a pressure equalizing circuit, the pressure equalizing circuit communicating the main valve chamber with the pilot valve chamber; a pilot valve seat formed at an end portion of the pilot passage on the pilot valve chamber side; a pilot valve core that opens and closes the pilot passage by moving forward and backward relative to the pilot valve seat; as well as an electric drive device, the electric drive device drives the pilot valve core, The inlet is formed to open at a side surface of the main valve chamber. When the direction from the main valve seat to the main valve core is regarded as the top, and the direction from the main valve core to the main valve seat is regarded as the bottom, The valve opening spring is provided so that a lower end of the valve opening spring is located above a lower end of the inlet.

2. The electrically driven valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve opening spring is provided so that a lower end of the valve opening spring is located below an upper end of the inlet.

3. An electrically driven valve, characterized in that: have: a valve body having a main valve chamber and a pilot valve chamber inside the valve body, and having an inlet for allowing refrigerant to flow into the main valve chamber and an outlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the main valve chamber, and a main valve seat provided at an end of the outlet on the main valve chamber side; a main valve core, which opens and closes the outflow port by moving forward and backward relative to the main valve seat; A valve opening spring, the valve opening spring applies force to the main valve core in a valve opening direction; a pilot passage penetrating the main valve element to selectively connect the pilot valve chamber with the outflow port; a pressure equalizing circuit, the pressure equalizing circuit communicating the main valve chamber with the pilot valve chamber; a pilot valve seat formed at an end portion of the pilot passage on the pilot valve chamber side; a pilot valve core that opens and closes the pilot passage by moving forward and backward relative to the pilot valve seat; as well as an electric drive device, the electric drive device drives the pilot valve core, When the direction from the main valve seat to the main valve core is regarded as the top, and the direction from the main valve core to the main valve seat is regarded as the bottom, The valve opening spring is provided so that a lower end of the valve opening spring is located above the main valve seat.

4. The electrically driven valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A plurality of support portions are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber, the support portions protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber toward the center of the main valve chamber and supporting the lower end side of the valve opening spring, The main valve element is guided by the support portion by moving up and down while contacting the support portion.

5. The electrically driven valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least one of the plurality of support parts has a lower end stopper, which holds the lower end of the valve opening spring and restricts movement of the lower end of the valve opening spring in the up-down direction. The main valve body has an upper end stopper that holds the upper end of the valve opening spring and restricts relative movement of the upper end of the valve opening spring and the main valve body in the up-down direction.

6. The electrically driven valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The valve body includes two or more openings that can serve as the inlet on a side surface of the valve body. The upper end stopper is a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body in a manner extending in the circumferential direction and capable of fitting the upper end of the valve opening spring. The lower end locking portion is a groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main valve chamber so as to extend in the circumferential direction and formed between the adjacent opening holes, into which the lower end of the valve opening spring can be fitted.

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