Rotary valve

Abstract

The invention provides a rotary valve capable of realizing miniaturization and inhibiting deformation of a sealing material to prevent fluid leakage. A rotary valve (100) is provided with: a rotor (2) that controls the flow of a fluid (F) by rotating about an axis (AX); a sealing material (3) that is disposed on the outside (DR2) in the radial direction of the rotor (2) and has formed therein a sealing opening (31h) through which the fluid (F) passes; a housing (1) that accommodates the rotor (2) and the sealing material (3); and a cover (4) disposed in the housing (1) so as to face the rotor (2) and the sealing material (3) in the axial direction (DX) along the axis (AX), the cover (4) having a pressing part (43) for pressing the sealing material (3) in a state in which the cover (4) is disposed in the housing (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a rotary valve. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a cylinder valve capable of maintaining water tightness for a long time. Specifically, the cylinder valve is configured to include a valve guide having an opening on the side and a valve core installed in the valve guide and having an opening on the side, and the flow of fluid is controlled by adjusting the positions of the opening of the valve core and the opening of the valve guide. A recessed portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the opening of the valve guide, a sealing member is embedded in the recessed portion, and a pressing member is installed at the opening of the sealing member.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-11813

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the case of a structure in which the opening is pressed by a pressing member so that the sealing member is embedded in the recessed portion, the sealing member is not deformed by the pressure of the fluid, etc. However, in a structure in which the valve guide forms a recessed portion to mount the pressing member, the size of the valve becomes larger. In order to reduce the size of the valve, in a sealing member in which the recessed portion is not formed in the valve guide and the opening is not pressed by a pressing member, etc., the sealing material may be deformed by the pressure of the fluid. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary valve which can be downsized and suppress deformation of a sealing material to prevent leakage of a fluid.

[0006] The rotary valve involved in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a rotor, which controls the flow of a fluid by rotating around an axis; a sealing material, which is arranged on the radially outer side of the rotor and forms an opening for the fluid to pass through; a housing, which accommodates the rotor and the sealing material; and a cover, which is arranged on the housing in an axial direction along the axis so as to be opposite to the rotor and the sealing material, and the cover has a pressing portion for pressing the sealing material when it is arranged on the housing.

[0007] According to this structure, the cover having the pressing portion is arranged on the housing in a manner opposite to the sealing material in the axial direction. When the cover is arranged on the housing, the pressing portion of the cover presses the sealing material, thereby preventing the sealing material from deforming in the axial direction. In addition, since the sealing material is pressed by the pressing portion of the cover formed to seal the interior of the housing, miniaturization can be achieved compared to a structure in which a seal accommodating recess is formed on the housing or the rotor and the sealing material is pressed by other components. Thus, miniaturization can be achieved and deformation of the sealing material can be suppressed, thereby preventing leakage of the fluid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the rotary valve according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the rotary valve according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a rotor according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a sealing material according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing the structure of the cover according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the rotary valve near the boss according to the embodiment.

[0014] Description of Reference Numerals

[0015] 1: Shell

[0016] 2: Rotor

[0017] 3: Sealing material

[0018] 4: Hood

[0019] 31C: Central Area

[0020] 31h: Seal opening (opening)

[0021] 100: Rotary valve

[0022] 43: Deformation suppression part (pressing part)

[0023] 431: Bump

[0024] 431m: Slot

[0025] 431S: Second opposing surface (opposing surface)

[0026] DC: Circumferential

[0027] DR: Radial

[0028] DR2: radially outward

[0029] DX: Axial

[0030] F: Fluid

[0031] AX: Axis DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, a rotary valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0033] 〔Basic structure〕

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view (longitudinal cross-sectional view) of the rotary valve 100 along the axis AX. In the present embodiment, the rotary valve 100 is used, for example, to control the flow of fluid F to cooling target equipment such as batteries and motors mounted on vehicles such as automobiles. The fluid F is cooling water such as long-life antifreeze (LLC). In addition, the fluid F may also be insulating oils such as paraffin, refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotary valve 100 includes a housing 1, a rotor 2 accommodated in the housing 1, a sealing material 3 disposed between the housing 1 and the rotor 2, a cover 4 disposed in the housing 1 to cover the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3, and an actuator 5 connected to the rotor 2. The rotary valve 100 is mounted on a manifold (not shown) that forms an internal flow path through which a fluid F flows by a driving force of a pump (not shown). The actuator 5 transmits a rotational force to the rotor 2. The rotor 2 rotates around the axis AX by the rotational force from the actuator 5. The flow of the fluid F is controlled by the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0036] Hereinafter, the direction along the axis AX of the rotor 2 is referred to as "axial direction DX", the circumferential direction of the rotor 2 is referred to as "circumferential direction DC", and the radial direction of the rotor 2 is referred to as "radial direction DR". In addition, the side where the cover 4 is arranged as viewed from the rotor 2 in the axial direction DX is referred to as "one axial side DX1", and the opposite side is referred to as "the other axial side DX2", and the axis AX side in the radial direction DR is referred to as "radial inner side DR1", and the opposite side is referred to as "radial outer side DR2".

[0037] 〔case〕

[0038] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view (transverse cross-sectional view) obtained by cutting the rotary valve 100 along the radial direction DR. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the housing 1, the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3 as viewed from the cover 4 side. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1 accommodates the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3. The housing 1 has a housing wall 11, and the housing wall 11 divides the space for accommodating the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3.

[0039] The housing wall 11 is circular when viewed in the axial direction DX. A plurality of ports 12 are formed in the circumferential direction DC on the housing wall 11. The ports 12 penetrate the housing wall 11 in the radial direction DR and are connected to an external flow path connected to a battery, a motor, etc. via an internal flow path of a manifold (not shown).

[0040] 〔Rotor〕

[0041] Figure 3 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the rotor 2. Figure 3 As shown, the rotor 2 includes a shaft portion 20 coaxial with the axis AX and a cylindrical valve portion 21 rotatable integrally with the shaft portion 20. The rotor 2 is made of resin or the like, and the shaft portion 20 and the valve portion 21 are integrally formed.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the valve portion 21 is provided with a valve flow path L1 through which the fluid F flows. In the valve flow path L1, when the rotor 2 is in a posture such that the valve flow path L1 is aligned with the port 12 (see Figure 2 ) are in an opposing posture, fluid F flows in this posture.

[0043] [Sealing material]

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the sealing material 3 is arranged on the radially outer side DR2 of the rotor 2. The sealing material 3 is arranged on the substantially entire circumference of the rotor 2 in the circumferential direction DC to prevent the fluid F from leaking out of the flow path. The sealing material 3 is composed of an elastically deformable member and is compressed by the housing 1, the rotor 2, and the cover 4. Therefore, the fluid F is prevented from leaking out of the flow path (flowing into other flow paths). The sealing material 3 is made of rubber such as nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), and polyurethane rubber (U).

[0045] Figure 4 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the sealing material 3. Figure 4 As shown, the sealing material 3 has a cylindrical sealing body 31. A plurality of (eight in this embodiment) sealing openings 31h (an example of an opening) are formed on the sealing body 31. The plurality of sealing openings 31h are arranged along the circumferential direction DC. In addition, the plurality of sealing openings 31h are arranged in the same manner as in the reference Figure 2 The plurality of ports 12 described above are formed in corresponding positions and shapes.

[0046] The seal opening 31h penetrates the seal body 31 in the radial direction DR. When the rotor 2 is in a posture where the valve flow path L1 and the port 12 face each other in the radial direction DR, the fluid F flows into or out of the valve flow path L1 through the seal opening 31h.

[0047] The sealing member 3 has a plurality of ribs 32 protruding in the radial direction DR from the sealing body portion 31. In the present embodiment, the ribs 32 protrude from the sealing body portion 31 toward the radial inner side DR1 and the radial outer side DR2, respectively.

[0048] The plurality of ribs 32 are arranged so as to surround the seal opening 31 h. Specifically, the rib 32 includes a plurality of circumferential ribs 34 and a plurality of axial ribs 36 .

[0049] The plurality of circumferential ribs 34 are disposed opposite to each other across the seal opening 31 h in the axial direction DX, and each of the circumferential ribs 34 extends (is provided continuously) in the circumferential direction DC.

[0050] The plurality of axial ribs 36 are disposed opposite to each other in the circumferential direction DC with the seal opening 31 h interposed therebetween, and each of the axial ribs 36 extends (is provided continuously) in the axial direction DX.

[0051] The circumferential rib 34 and the axial rib 36 are connected outside the corner of the sealing opening 31h. Hereinafter, the connection portion between the circumferential rib 34 and the axial rib 36 is referred to as a "merging area P".

[0052] 〔cover〕

[0053] Figure 5 : is a diagram showing the structure of the cover 4 (a top view viewed along the axial direction DX). Figure 5 As shown, the cover 4 is a flat plate having a substantially circular shape when viewed along the axial direction DX. Figure 1 As shown, the cover 4 is arranged on the housing 1 so as to face the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3 in the axial direction DX.

[0054] The cover 4 has a base portion 41 which is circular (disc-shaped) when viewed in the axial direction DX, and an extension portion 42 (see FIG. 4 ) extending in the axial direction DX with the base portion 41 as a base end. Figure 1 ).

[0055] The base portion 41 has a first facing surface 41S facing the rotor 2. A through hole 41h is formed in a central portion of the base portion 41. The through hole 41h penetrates the base portion 41 in the axial direction DX and allows the shaft portion 20 of the rotor 2 to pass therethrough.

[0056] The extension portion 42 is a circular cylindrical shape (cylindrical shape) when viewed in the axial direction DX. The extension portion 42 is arranged along the outer edge of the base portion 41. The extension portion 42 is engaged with the housing 1, thereby fixing the cover 4 and the housing 1 to each other. For example, in the radially outer side DR2 of the extension portion 42, an engaging groove (for example, a male thread) not shown is formed in a spiral shape centered on the axial direction DX, and is engaged with an engaged groove (for example, a female thread) not shown formed in the housing 1. Therefore, the cover 4 and the housing 1 are fixed to each other.

[0057] 〔Deformation suppression unit〕

[0058] The cover 4 includes a deformation suppressing portion 43 (an example of a pressing portion) that suppresses deformation of the sealing material 3 in the axial direction DX. In the present embodiment, the deformation suppressing portion 43 is disposed on the radially inner side DR1 of the extending portion 42 .

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, the deformation suppression portion 43 includes a projection 431 that projects toward the other axial side DX2 (axial direction DX) with the first opposing surface 41S as a base end. Figure 6 431 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the rotary valve near the protrusion 431. Figure 6 The extension portion 42 is omitted.

[0060] When the cover 4 is fixed to the housing 1, the projection 431 contacts the sealing material 3 (sealing body 31). Specifically, the projection 431 is designed to press the sealing material 3 toward the other axial side DX2 to elastically compress the sealing material 3 when the cover 4 is fixed to the housing 1.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the deformation suppression portion 43 includes a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) protrusions 431. The plurality of protrusions 431 are arranged along the circumferential direction DC. The plurality of protrusions 431 are arranged to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction DC. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of protrusions 431 are arranged not to contact the entire circumference of the sealing material 3 (sealing body 31), but to contact only a portion of the sealing material 3 in the circumferential direction DC. By arranging the plurality of protrusions 431 in a manner of contacting a portion of the sealing material 3 in the circumferential direction DC, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown by the two-dot chain line, the sealing material 3 is locally elastically compressed, and excessive elastic compression of the sealing material 3 can be avoided. Thus, the deformation of the sealing material 3 can be suppressed.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, the protrusion 431 is configured with reference Figure 4 The projection 431 is arranged at a position corresponding to the seal opening 31h formed in the seal material 3. The projection 431 is arranged at a position opposite to the seal opening 31h formed in the seal material 3 in the axial direction DX. In other words, the projection 431 is arranged at a position overlapping with the seal opening 31h when viewed from the axial direction DX.

[0063] That is, the projection 431 is arranged at a position that does not face the axial rib 36 in the axial direction DX. Therefore, deformation (distortion) of the sealing material 3 due to deformation of the axial rib 36 can be avoided.

[0064] In the present embodiment, when the cover 4 is fixed to the housing 1 , the projection 431 is arranged at a position overlapping with the central region 31C (including the center of the seal opening 31h in the circumferential direction DC) of the seal opening 31h in the axial direction DX.

[0065] In addition, the projection 431 has a second opposing surface 431S (an example of an opposing surface) opposing the sealing material 3. A groove 431m is formed on the second opposing surface 431S. In detail, the projection 431 includes two recessed portions 431k that are recessed in the axial direction DX so as to approach the first opposing surface 41S, and the groove 431m is formed by the two recessed portions 431k. In addition, in the present embodiment, the two recessed portions 431k are arranged in line symmetry with the imaginary line L passing through the center of the projection 431 as the symmetry axis.

[0066] As described above, by forming the groove 431m on the protrusion 431, the seal body 31 that is pressurized by the fluid F can enter the recess 431k of the groove 431m. As a result, the deformation of the seal material 3 that avoids the protrusion 431 (deformation outside the protrusion 431) can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the seal material 3 and the sealing surface (the surface of the housing 1 and / or the rotor 2 that the seal material 3 contacts in the posture of preventing leakage of the fluid F).

[0067] For example, when the sealing material 3 is deformed in a manner avoiding the protrusion 431 by the fluid pressure of the fluid F, the confluence area P where the circumferential ribs 34 and the axial ribs 36 intersect is stretched, and the axial ribs 36 are inclined relative to the axial direction DX, so that the sealing material 3 is deformed as a whole, and a gap may be generated between the sealing material 3 and the sealing surface. When a gap is generated between the sealing material 3 and the sealing surface, the fluid F will leak out of the flow path. However, according to this embodiment, the recess 431k can absorb the deformation of the sealing material 3 to the axial side DX1 (accommodating a part of the deformed sealing material 3), so that the deformation of the sealing material 3 in a manner avoiding the protrusion 431 can be suppressed. As a result, the generation of a gap between the sealing material 3 and the sealing surface can be avoided, and the fluid F can be prevented from leaking out of the flow path.

[0068] [Overview of the above-mentioned embodiment]

[0069] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the following structure is conceivable.

[0070] (1) The rotary valve 100 includes: a rotor 2, which controls the flow of a fluid F by rotating about an axis AX; a sealing material 3, which is arranged on the radially outer side DR2 of the rotor 2 and forms a sealing opening 31h for the fluid F to pass through; a housing 1, which accommodates the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3; and a cover 4, which is arranged on the housing 1 in an axial direction DX along the axis AX so as to be opposite to the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3, and the cover 4 has a deformation suppression portion 43 (pressing portion) for pressing the sealing material 3 when arranged on the housing 1.

[0071] According to this structure, the sealing material 3 can be prevented from deforming in the axial direction DX. Thus, the fluid F can be prevented from leaking out of the flow path. In addition, since the sealing material 3 is pressed by the deformation suppression portion 43 (pressing portion) formed on the cover 4 that seals the inside of the housing 1, it is possible to achieve miniaturization compared to a structure in which a seal accommodating recess is formed on the housing 1 or the rotor 2 and the sealing material 3 is pressed by other members.

[0072] (2) In the rotary valve 100 of (1), preferably, the sealing material 3 forms a plurality of sealing openings 31h along the circumferential direction DC of the rotor 2, and the deformation suppression portion 43 includes a plurality of protrusions 431 arranged along the circumferential direction DC, and each of the plurality of protrusions 431 is respectively arranged at a position corresponding to each 31h of the plurality of sealing openings.

[0073] According to this configuration, each of the plurality of protrusions 431 is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of sealing openings 31 h , and thus deformation of the sealing material 3 due to pressure from the fluid F passing through the sealing openings 31 h can be suppressed.

[0074] (3) In the rotary valve 100 of (2), the projection 431 is preferably arranged at a position overlapping with the central region 31C of the seal opening 31h in the circumferential direction DC when viewed from the axial direction DX.

[0075] According to this configuration, the pressure from the fluid F passing through the seal opening 31h is greater in the central region 31C than in other portions, and the projection 431 is arranged at a position overlapping the central region 31C when viewed from the axial direction DX. Therefore, deformation of the sealing material 3 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0076] (4) In the rotary valve 100 of (2) or (3), preferably, the projection 431 has a groove 431 m formed on a second facing surface 431S facing the sealing member 3 .

[0077] According to this structure, the sealing body 31 of the sealing material 3 that is pressurized by the fluid F can enter the recess 431k of the groove 431m. Thus, deformation of the sealing material 3 that avoids the protrusion 431 (deformation outside the protrusion 431) can be avoided. As a result, leakage of the fluid F to the outside of the flow path can be prevented.

[0078] [Other implementation methods]

[0079] Next, other embodiments of the rotary valve will be described.

[0080] (a) In the above embodiment, the deformation suppression portion 43 includes a plurality of (eight) protrusions 431, but the deformation suppression portion 43 may include only one protrusion 431. In this case, for example, one protrusion 431 may be an annular shape continuously formed along the circumferential direction DC. In addition, the number of protrusions 431 can be appropriately changed according to at least one of the number, shape, and position of the sealing openings 31h of the sealing material 3.

[0081] (b) In the above embodiment, the case where the projection 431 faces the central region 31C in the axial direction DX has been described. However, the projection 431 may not face the central region 31C in the axial direction DX.

[0082] (c) In the above embodiment, the groove 431m is composed of two recessed portions 431k, but the number of recessed portions 431k included in the groove 431m is not limited to two, and may be one, three or more. In addition, the projection 431 may omit the groove 431m.

[0083] (d) The method for fixing the cover 4 and the housing 1 is not particularly limited, and the cover 4 and the housing 1 may be fixed by, for example, welding, fastening (fastening with fastening members such as screws and bolts), or the like.

[0084] Industrial Applicability

[0085] The present invention can be used for a rotary valve.

Claims

1. A rotary valve, wherein: have: The rotor controls the flow of fluid by rotating around the axis; A sealing material is disposed on the radially outer side of the rotor and is formed with an opening for the fluid to pass through; A housing for accommodating the rotor and the sealing material; as well as a cover arranged on the housing in an axial direction along the axis so as to face the rotor and the sealing material, The cover includes a pressing portion that presses the sealing material when the cover is disposed on the housing.

2. The rotary valve according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing material is formed with a plurality of the openings along the circumferential direction of the rotor. The pressing portion includes a plurality of protrusions arranged along the circumferential direction, Each of the plurality of protrusions is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of openings.

3. The rotary valve according to claim 2, wherein: The projection is arranged at a position overlapping with a central region of the opening in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction.

4. The rotary valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The projection has a groove formed on a surface facing the sealing material.

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