Electric valve

Abstract

An electrically operated valve (11) is provided with: a valve body (13) having a valve chamber (14) therein; a valve body (31) which has a flow path space (32) therein and which switches the flow path of the fluid by being driven to rotate in the valve chamber; and a transmission mechanism including a drive shaft (41) that transmits a driving force for rotating the valve body to the valve body, the valve body having: a first flow path hole (15) that communicates with the flow path space and through which a fluid flows into the flow path space; a second flow path hole (16) in which the state of communication with the flow path space is changed in accordance with the rotational displacement position of the valve body, and in which the second flow path hole communicates with the flow path space at the first rotational displacement position of the valve body; and a third flow path hole (17) in which the state of communication with the flow path space is changed in accordance with the rotational displacement position of the valve body, in the second rotational displacement position of the valve body, the third flow path hole communicates with the flow path space and causes the fluid to flow out from the flow path space, and the rotation axis (X) of the valve body and the rotation axis (Y) of the drive shaft intersect each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric valve, and more particularly to a ball valve capable of switching a flow path by the rotation position of a valve core. Background Art

[0002] In refrigeration cycle devices such as car air conditioners, a ball valve is sometimes provided to switch the flow path of the refrigerant. The ball valve has the characteristics of low pressure loss and can be operated in a short time.

[0003] In addition, in the refrigeration cycle device as described above, a cassette-type switching valve is sometimes used, which allows the switching valve to be incorporated into the refrigeration cycle device by simply inserting the switching valve (valve body) into a valve mounting hole of a housing having an inlet and outlet passage for the refrigerant like a cassette.

[0004] According to the cassette valve, for example, when the manufacturer of the switching valve provides the product to the manufacturer of the refrigeration cycle device as a customer, the valve manufacturer and the customer share the specifications of the outer dimensions of the valve body, the positions of each flow path hole, etc. in advance. As long as the customer manufactures the shell as a part of the refrigeration cycle device, the switching valve can be assembled by a simple operation of inserting the shell to complete the refrigeration cycle device. Therefore, the customer can efficiently manufacture the refrigeration cycle device. In addition, when the switching valve needs to be replaced during maintenance, the replacement operation can also be performed with the same simple operation.

[0005] In addition, as a document disclosing a ball valve, there is the following Patent Document 1.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0254728

[0009] However, in a box-type valve, it is necessary to open a flow path (if it is a three-way valve, a total of three flow paths, including an inlet path and two outlet paths connected to the valve) inside the valve mounting hole inserted into the valve body, and to make these flow paths connected to each other without short-circuiting to form independent flow paths, and at the same time connect to each other with the flow path openings formed on the outer surface of the valve body.

[0010] However, in conventional ball valves, since the valve core rotates laterally, even if the inflow path is arranged on the bottom surface of the mounting hole and can be sealed by providing a seal (e.g., an O-ring) on ​​the outer peripheral surface of the valve body, the two outflow paths switched by the rotation of the valve core have to be arranged around the valve core that rotates laterally, that is, at different positions on the inner peripheral surface of the valve mounting hole at the same height as the bottom surface, and it is not easy to seal the two outflow paths in the valve mounting hole without communicating with each other. Therefore, in the structure of the conventional ball valve, it is difficult to realize a cassette-type switching valve. Summary of the invention

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new structure of a ball valve to realize a box-type ball valve (electric valve).

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and achieve the purpose, the electric valve involved in the present invention comprises: a valve body, which has a valve chamber inside; a valve core, which has a flow path space inside and switches the flow path of the fluid by being driven to rotate in the valve chamber; and a transmission mechanism, which includes a valve core drive shaft that transmits the driving force that rotates the valve core to the valve core, and the body has: a first flow path hole, which is connected to the flow path space so that the fluid flows into the flow path space; a second flow path hole, the connection state of the second flow path hole and the flow path space changes according to the rotational displacement position of the valve core, and at the first rotational displacement position of the valve core, the second flow path hole is connected to the flow path space; and a third flow path hole, the connection state of the third flow path hole and the flow path space changes according to the rotational displacement position of the valve core, and at the second rotational displacement position of the valve core, the third flow path hole is connected to the flow path space, and the rotation axis of the valve core and the rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft intersect with each other.

[0013] Furthermore, typically, the “first flow path hole” is an inflow hole for allowing a fluid to flow into the flow path space, and the “second flow path hole” and the “third flow path hole” are both outflow holes for allowing a fluid to flow out of the flow path space.

[0014] However, the electric valve of the present invention can also be used in a manner (such a usage example is referred to as a "second usage example") to cause the fluid to flow in a direction opposite to the typical usage example (this usage example is referred to as a "first usage example"). In this case, the above-mentioned "first flow path hole" becomes an outflow hole for allowing the fluid to flow out of the flow path space, and the above-mentioned "second flow path hole" and "third flow path hole" both become inflow holes for allowing the fluid to flow into the flow path space.

[0015] In the electric valve of the present invention, unlike the conventional ball valve in which the valve core rotates laterally (the valve core rotates around the rotation axis of the shaft driving the valve core), the valve core rotates longitudinally, that is, rotates around an axis intersecting (typically orthogonal) with the rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft. Therefore, in the present invention, it is not necessary to arrange the second flow path hole (first outflow hole) and the third flow path hole (second outflow hole) at the same height (the same position in the vertical direction, that is, the axial direction of the valve body or the extension direction of the valve core drive shaft) in accordance with the rotating surface of the valve core as in the past, and these second flow path holes and third flow path holes can be allocated to the upper position and the lower position of the rotation axis of the valve core for arrangement. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, a box-type ball valve that can be mounted on a housing can be constructed as follows.

[0016] The first flow path hole is formed on the rotation axis of the valve body so that the height position (position in the vertical direction) is consistent, and the second flow path hole (more accurately, the opening of the second flow path hole on the outer surface side of the valve body / the second outer opening described later) is arranged below the first flow path hole (more accurately, the opening of the first flow path hole on the outer surface side of the valve body / the first outer opening described later), and the third flow path hole (more accurately, the opening of the third flow path hole on the outer surface side of the valve body / the third outer opening described later) is arranged above the first flow path hole. In addition, if a seal extending over the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the valve body and sandwiched between the inner circumference of the valve mounting hole of the housing is arranged between the first flow path hole (first outer opening) and the second flow path hole (second outer opening) in the vertical direction and between the first flow path hole (first outer opening) and the second flow path hole (third outer opening) in the vertical direction, respectively, each flow path hole (also between each flow path on the housing side connected to them) can be cut off in a sealed state.

[0017] That is, according to the present invention, since three outer openings (openings formed on the outer surface (outer peripheral surface and bottom surface) of the valve body for connecting to the flow path opening in the valve mounting hole (housing) can be arranged at intervals in the vertical direction (in other words, the depth direction of the valve mounting hole or the axial direction of the valve body), each flow path can be separated by only arranging a seal between them. The seal is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve mounting hole, thereby forming three layers of annular closed spaces separated in the vertical direction between the valve mounting hole and the inserted valve body, and by using each space as an independent (in other words, cut off from each other) flow path, more specifically, by using the closed space in the middle as the inflow path and using the closed space in the lower part and the closed space in the upper part as the outflow paths (first outflow path and second outflow path), respectively, a box-type ball valve can be realized.

[0018] In addition, the configuration structure involved in the present invention as described above can be realized as long as the rotation axis of the valve core and the rotation axis of the valve core driving shaft are not parallel like the previous ball valve but cross each other. Therefore, the rotation axis of the valve core and the rotation axis of the valve core driving shaft do not necessarily have to be orthogonal as in the embodiment described later.

[0019] In addition, the "intersection" of the rotation axis of the valve core and the rotation axis of the valve core drive shaft does not necessarily mean that the two rotation axes intersect in a connected state. The concept of "intersection" also includes the state where the two rotation axes are not connected but intersected. Figure 2 Take this as an example to illustrate. Figure 2 In the electric valve shown in FIG. 1 , the rotation axis X of the valve core and the rotation axis Y of the valve core drive shaft intersect each other in a contact state. However, in the present invention, “intersection” does not only refer to such a state, but also includes, for example, the rotation axis X of the valve core or the rotation axis Y of the valve core drive shaft intersects each other in a contact state. Figure 2 The paper surface is perpendicular to the paper surface (the front or back of the paper surface), but the paper surface is perpendicular to the paper surface. Figure 2 The two rotating shafts can be staggered (intersected without touching) in this way by, for example, using helical gears instead of bevel gears.

[0020] The electric valve of the present invention typically includes the following aspect (1), and may include one or more of aspects (2) to (7).

[0021] (1) When the axial direction of the valve body and the direction parallel to the axial direction of the valve body are set as the up-down direction, one side of the up-down direction is set as the top, and the other side of the up-down direction is set as the bottom, the first flow path hole has: a first inner opening as the end opening on the valve chamber side; and a first outer opening as the end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber, the first inner opening is formed on the side of the valve chamber, and the first outer opening is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body. In addition, the second flow path hole has: a second inner opening as the end opening on the valve chamber side; and a second outer opening as the end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber, the second inner opening is formed at a first circumferential position around the axis of the first inner opening, and the second outer opening is formed at a lower position than the first outer opening. Furthermore, the third flow path hole has: a third inner opening as the end opening on the valve chamber side; and a third outer opening as the end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber, the third inner opening is formed at a second circumferential position around the axis of the first inner opening, and the third outer opening is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body at a higher position than the first outer opening. In addition, the rotation axis of the valve core coincides with the axis of the first inner opening.

[0022] In addition, the above-mentioned "opposite side to the valve chamber" refers to the outer surface (outer peripheral surface or bottom surface) side of the valve body, and the outer openings (first outer opening, second outer opening and third outer opening) which are end openings on the opposite side to the valve chamber are openings formed on the outer surface of the valve body in order to be connected to the flow passage opening opened on the inner surface (inner peripheral surface or bottom surface) of the valve mounting hole of the external flow passage, i.e., the shell.

[0023] The second outer opening is typically formed on the bottom surface of the valve body as in the embodiment described later, but may also be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body like other outer openings. However, even in this case, the second outer opening is formed at a lower position than the first outer opening.

[0024] (2) The valve body has, on its outer peripheral surface, a first sealing groove, which is located between the first outer opening and the second outer opening in the vertical direction and extends in a manner surrounding the valve body, and can be provided with a sealing member; and a second sealing groove, which is located between the first outer opening and the third outer opening in the vertical direction and extends in a manner surrounding the valve body, and can be provided with a sealing member. Sealing members such as O-rings are provided in the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove.

[0025] (3) The valve core has a first opening, a second opening, and a shell wall. Here, the first opening is opposite to the first inner opening, so that the first flow path hole is connected to the flow path space. In addition, the second opening is connected to the second flow path hole and the flow path space when it is opposite to the second inner opening as the valve core rotates, and the third flow path hole and the flow path space when it is opposite to the third inner opening. In addition, the shell wall is connected to the second inner opening when the second opening is not opposite to the second inner opening, and the third inner opening is closed when the second opening is not opposite to the third inner opening as the valve core rotates.

[0026] In addition, in the above-mentioned mode (3), there may be other components (for example, the valve seat component of the embodiment described later) between the valve core and the second flow path hole and the third flow path hole. Therefore, the shell wall portion is not limited to a structure that directly closes the second inner opening and the third inner opening, and may also have an indirect closing structure, for example, as in the embodiment described later, a structure that closes the second flow path hole and the third flow path hole by closing the valve port (lower valve port and upper valve port) of the valve seat component.

[0027] (4) The transmission mechanism further comprises: a valve core driven shaft (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "driven shaft"), which extends along the axial direction of the first inner opening, receives the driving force transmitted from the valve core drive shaft (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "drive shaft") and rotates around the axis of the first inner opening, and transmits the rotation to the valve core; and a locking unit, which transmits the rotation of the valve core drive shaft to the valve core driven shaft. In addition, the driven shaft comprises: a base end portion, which is fixed to the side shell wall of the valve core on the opposite side of the first opening portion so as to be able to transmit the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft to the valve core; and a top end portion, which extends from the base end portion in the direction opposite to the first opening portion and receives the driving force from the drive shaft.

[0028] (5) In the above-mentioned mode (4), the engaging unit includes: a driving side bevel gear, which is provided on the driving shaft; and a driven side bevel gear, which is provided on the driven shaft and meshes with the driving side bevel gear. In addition, in this case, it is preferred that the number of teeth of the driven side bevel gear is greater than the number of teeth of the driving side bevel gear. This is to enable the valve core to be reliably driven even by a drive device with relatively low power. In addition, the electric valve (drive device) can be miniaturized thereby.

[0029] (6) A stop mechanism is provided, which stops the rotation of the valve core at a preset rotation position. The stop mechanism comprises: a stop plate portion, which protrudes outward from the rotation axis of the driven shaft and rotates together with the driven shaft; a first abutment portion, which abuts against the stop plate portion when the valve core rotates to the first rotation displacement position and stops the valve core via the driven shaft; and a second abutment portion, which abuts against the stop plate portion when the valve core rotates to the second rotation displacement position and stops the valve core via the driven shaft. According to this method, the valve core can be reliably stopped at a predetermined position (the first rotation displacement position and the second rotation displacement position) to switch the flow path.

[0030] (7) An electric valve that can be installed in a housing by inserting it into a valve mounting hole of the housing having a valve mounting hole, a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path, the first flow path having an end opening on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole, the second flow path having an end opening on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole at a position lower than the end opening of the first flow path or on the bottom surface of the valve mounting hole, and the third flow path having an end opening on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole at a position higher than the end opening of the first flow path, and when the valve body is inserted into the valve mounting hole, the first flow path hole is connected to the first flow path of the housing, the second flow path hole is connected to the second flow path of the housing, and the third flow path hole is connected to the third flow path of the housing.

[0031] According to the present invention, a cassette-type ball valve (electric valve) can be realized.

[0032] Other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by the following description of the embodiments of the present invention described in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made within the scope of the scope of the claims for protection. In addition, in each figure, the same symbol represents the same or equivalent part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an electric valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the electric valve (first switching state) according to the above embodiment.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the electric valve (second switching state) according to the above embodiment.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section of the lower portion of a valve body by cutting away the electric valve (first switching state) according to the above embodiment.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section of the lower portion of a valve body by cutting away the electric valve (second switching state) according to the above embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a driven shaft and a bearing member (first switching state) included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0039] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a driven shaft and a bearing member (a second switching state) included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0040] Figure 8 It is a front view showing a bearing member provided in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 9 It is a side view showing a bearing member provided in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0042] Fig.10 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a bearing member provided in the electric valve according to the above embodiment. Figure 8 AA section).

[0043] Fig.11 It is a front view showing a driven shaft provided in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0044] Fig.12It is a side view showing a driven shaft included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0045] Fig.13 It is a plan view showing a driven shaft included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0046] Fig.14 It is a front view showing a driven shaft and a bearing member (first switching state) included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment.

[0047] Fig.15 : is a longitudinal sectional view showing a driven shaft and a bearing member included in the electric valve according to the above embodiment ( Fig.14 BB-view cross section). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Reference Figures 1 to 14 An electric valve involved in one embodiment of the present invention is described. In addition, mutually orthogonal two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinates representing the up-down direction, front-back direction, and left-right direction are appropriately displayed in each figure, and the following description is based on these directions. However, the electric valve of the present invention and this embodiment can be used in various directions, and each direction is shown for the convenience of description, and the various structures of the present invention are not subject to any limitation of these directions. In addition, the axial direction of the valve body or valve chamber, and the valve core drive shaft is consistent with the up-down direction. Furthermore, sometimes referred to as "vertical" and "horizontal", the vertical direction is consistent with the up-down direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is the horizontal direction including the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 14 As shown, the electric valve 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed in a housing 1 (only a housing 1) provided in a refrigeration cycle device such as a heat pump type refrigeration and heating system. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a so-called box-type three-way ball valve (hereinafter referred to as a "ball valve") is incorporated into the refrigeration cycle device to switch the flow path of the refrigerant.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the shell 1 includes: a valve mounting hole 2 in which a ball valve can be mounted; an inflow path (equivalent to the “first flow path” mentioned in the present invention) 3 which is opened on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole 2 to allow the refrigerant to flow into the ball valve 11; a first outflow path (equivalent to the “second flow path” mentioned in the present invention) 4 which is opened on the bottom surface of the valve mounting hole 2 to allow the refrigerant to flow out of the ball valve 11; and a second outflow path (equivalent to the “third flow path” mentioned in the present invention) 5 which is opened on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole 2 at a position above the above-mentioned inflow path 3 to allow the refrigerant to flow out of the ball valve 11.

[0051] In addition, there is no particular limitation on the method for fixing the ball valve 11 in a manner that does not allow the ball valve 11 to be removed from the valve mounting hole 2. For example, it is possible to form an internal thread on the inner circumferential surface of the valve mounting hole 2, and form an external thread that screws with the internal thread on the outer circumferential surface of the ball valve 11 (the valve body 13 described later), and screw the ball valve 11 into the valve mounting hole 2 while screwing these internal threads with the external thread.

[0052] On the other hand, the ball valve 11 installed on the shell 1 has: a valve part 12 for switching the flow path of the refrigerant; a driving device 51 for driving the valve part 12; a reduction mechanism 71 for reducing the rotation of the driving device 51; and a driving shaft (valve core driving shaft) 41 that transmits the rotation reduced by the reduction mechanism 71 to the valve part 12.

[0053] The valve portion 12 includes: a cylindrical valve body 13, which has a valve chamber 14 inside and is inserted into the valve mounting hole 2 of the housing 1; a spherical valve core 31, which has a flow path space 32 inside and is supported to be rotatable in the valve chamber 14; a driven shaft 37, which receives a rotational driving force transmitted by a drive shaft 41 and transmits it to the valve core 31; a bearing component 36, which supports the driven shaft 37 to be rotatable; and a stopper. A driving mechanism (a stop plate portion 37a, a first abutment portion 36a and a second abutment portion 36b described later), which stops the rotation of the valve core 31 at a specified position via a driven shaft 37; valve seat components 18, 19, which clamp the valve core 31 from top and bottom in a manner that allows sliding and rotation; a lower cover 20, which closes the lower surface of the valve chamber 14; and a guide component 47, which supports the drive shaft 41 so that it can rotate.

[0054] The valve seat member is composed of a lower valve seat member 18 disposed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber 14 and an upper valve seat member 19 disposed on the top surface (ceiling surface) of the valve chamber 14. Each valve seat member 18, 19 is a resin member made of Teflon (registered trademark). In addition, in order to enable the flow holes (first flow holes 16 and second flow holes 17) described later to communicate with the flow path space 32, through holes 18a, 19a that penetrate in the up-down direction are bored in the center of each valve seat member 18, 19, and valve seats are formed on the valve core 31 side (the side close to the center of the valve chamber 14) of these through holes 18a, 19a for the valve core 31 to contact and rotate. In addition, the through hole 18a bored in the lower valve seat member 18 is called a "lower valve port", and the through hole 19a bored in the upper valve seat member 19 is called an "upper valve port". The upper valve seat member 19 , the valve element 31 , and the lower valve seat member 18 are supported in the valve chamber 14 by a lower cover 20 screwed into the valve chamber 14 from the bottom surface portion thereof.

[0055] The valve body 13 comprises: an inflow hole (equivalent to the “first flow path hole” mentioned in the present invention) 15, which connects the inflow path 3 of the shell 1 with the valve chamber 14 (flow path space 32) so that the refrigerant can flow into the interior of the valve core 31 (flow path space 32); a first outflow hole (equivalent to the “second flow path hole” mentioned in the present invention) 16, which connects the first outflow path 4 of the shell 1 with the valve chamber 14 (flow path space 32) so that the refrigerant can flow out from the valve chamber 14 (flow path space 32) to the first outflow path 4; and a second outflow hole (equivalent to the “third flow path hole” mentioned in the present invention) 17, which connects the second outflow path 5 of the shell 1 with the valve chamber 14 (flow path space 32) so that the refrigerant can flow out from the valve chamber 14 (flow path space 32) to the second outflow path 5.

[0056] Here, the inflow hole 15 horizontally penetrates the peripheral wall on the front side of the valve body 13. In addition, the axis X of the inflow hole 15 extending horizontally in the front-back direction coincides with the rotation axis of the driven shaft 37, and the valve core 31 rotates around the axis X of the inflow hole 15. In addition, although the processing man-hour can be reduced by coinciding the axis X with the rotation axis of the driven shaft 37, a layout in which these axes do not coincide can also be adopted.

[0057] The first outflow hole 16 is formed by a lower cover through hole that is continuous with the lower valve port 18a and passes through the lower cover 20 in the up-down direction. In addition, the first outflow hole (lower cover through hole) 16 is formed to open on the bottom surface of the valve body 13, so that the opening (second outer opening 16a) is located below the first outer opening 15a at the end of the valve body outer peripheral surface side as the inflow hole 15.

[0058] The second outflow hole 17 is composed of a vertical hole portion 17b which is continuous with the upper valve port 19a and is bored in a manner extending vertically upward inside the valve body 13, and a horizontal hole portion 17a which extends horizontally forward in a manner bent at a right angle from the upper end of the vertical hole portion 17b and opens on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 13. The third outer opening 17c which is the end of the second outflow hole 17 (horizontal hole portion 17a) on the outer peripheral surface side of the valve body is located above the first outer opening 15a which is the end of the inflow hole 15 on the outer peripheral surface side of the valve body. In addition, in the figure, the first inner opening, the second inner opening, and the third inner opening which are the ends of the inflow hole 15, the first outflow hole 16, and the second outflow hole 17 on the valve chamber side are indicated by reference numerals 15b, 16b, and 17d, respectively.

[0059] Three sealing grooves 24, 25, and 26 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 13 so as to horizontally surround the valve body 13 and extend over the entire circumference of the valve body 13. The formation positions of the respective sealing grooves (positions in the vertical direction, the same applies hereinafter) are such that the first sealing groove 24 is formed between the first outer opening 15a of the inflow hole 15 and the second outer opening 16a of the first outflow hole 16. The second sealing groove 25 is formed between the first outer opening 15a of the inflow hole 15 and the third outer opening 17c of the second outflow hole 17. The third sealing groove 26 is formed at a position above the third outer opening 17c of the second outflow hole 17.

[0060] Furthermore, each of the sealing grooves 24, 25, 26 is provided with a sealing member (in this embodiment, an O-ring) 27, 28, 29. When the valve body 13 is inserted into the valve mounting hole 2, each of the sealing members 27, 28, 29 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve mounting hole 2. Thus, three-layer annular closed spaces S1, S2, S3 separated in the vertical direction can be formed inside the valve mounting hole 2 (see Figure 2 The sealed spaces S1, S2, and S3 serve to cut off the connection between the flow holes 15, 16, and 17 of the ball valve 11 and the flow paths 3, 4, and 5 of the housing 1, thereby preventing short-circuit flow from occurring between the flow paths.

[0061] That is, a first outflow path 4 and a first outflow hole 16 (second outer opening 16a) connected to the first outflow path 4 are arranged in the bottommost enclosed space S1, a second outflow path 5 and a second outflow hole 17 (third outer opening 17c) connected to the second outflow path 5 are arranged in the topmost enclosed space S3, and an inflow path 3 and an inflow hole 15 (first outer opening 15a) connected to the inflow path 3 are arranged in the middle enclosed space S2. Since these connecting portions are respectively arranged in independent enclosed spaces, short-circuit flow between the flow paths can be prevented.

[0062] The valve core 31 has a shell wall portion 35 that is an outer shell covering the flow path space 32, and two openings (a first opening portion 33 and a second opening portion 34) that are provided in a manner penetrating the shell wall portion 35. The first opening portion 33 is always opposite (facing) the inflow hole 15 regardless of the rotation state (rotational displacement position) of the valve core 31. Therefore, the flow path space 32 inside the valve core and the inflow hole 15 (and therefore the inflow path 3) are connected to each other through the first opening portion 33 at any rotational displacement position of the valve core 31.

[0063] On the other hand, the second opening 34 is formed around the horizontal axis X of the valve core 31 extending in the front-rear direction (which serves as the rotation axis of the valve core 31 and coincides with the axis X of the inflow hole 15), and the communication state changes according to the rotation state of the valve core 31. Specifically, when the valve core 31 rotates and the second opening 34 faces vertically downward, it is opposite to (facing) the lower valve port 18a, and the flow path space 32 is communicated with the first outflow hole 16 ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 In addition, at this time, the upper valve port 19a is closed by the shell wall portion 35 of the valve core 31.

[0064] When the valve core 31 rotates and the second opening 34 faces vertically upward, it faces (is directly opposite to) the upper valve port 19a, and the flow path space 32 communicates with the second outflow hole 17 ( Figure 3 and Figure 5 At this time, the lower valve port 18a is closed by the shell wall portion 35 of the valve core 31. In this way, by rotating the valve core 31 by 180°, the flow path can be switched, that is, it is possible to switch whether the refrigerant flowing into the flow path space 32 from the inlet hole 15 flows out from the first flow path hole 16 (first switching state) or flows out from the second flow path hole 17 (second switching state).

[0065] In addition, in the ball valve 11 of this embodiment (the same applies to the present invention), as described above, not only can the flow path be simply switched, but also both flow paths can be cut off (fully closed state) or the flow rate can be adjusted. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The first switching state shown may be rotated by 90 degrees, for example. In this rotation state, both the first outflow hole 16 (lower valve port 18a) and the second outflow hole 17 (upper valve port 19a) are closed by the casing wall 35, and the ball valve 11 is in a fully closed state.

[0066] In addition, if the state in which the second opening 34 faces the outflow hole (the first outflow hole 16 or the second outflow hole 17) is set to a fully open state, and the state in which the outflow holes 16 and 17 are closed by the shell wall 35 is set to a fully closed state, then in the intermediate state between these fully open states and fully closed states, if the overlap between the second opening 34 and the outflow holes 16 and 17 (the lower valve port 18a or the upper valve port 19a) is large, the flow path cross-sectional area is large, and the refrigerant flow rate is large, and if the overlap is small, the flow path cross-sectional area is small, and the refrigerant flow rate is small. Therefore, for example, by moving the valve core 31 from Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the first switching state shown, the refrigerant flow rate can be adjusted by stopping when the refrigerant is rotated by an arbitrary angle such as 15° or 30°.

[0067] In addition, the ball valve 11 of this embodiment has a Hall element 74 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotor 52 (described later) included in the drive device 51. By detecting the rotation angle of the rotor 52, the rotation displacement position (rotation angle) of the valve core 31 can be detected, and the opening and closing control and flow control of the valve as described above can be performed. In addition, the above-mentioned operation and function of the valve core 31 can be realized as long as the shape around the horizontal axis X of the valve core 31 is circular. Therefore, even if the valve core 31 is not a complete sphere, it can be "spherical", and the "spherical" also includes shapes such as a prolate sphere (rotational ellipsoid) or a cylinder.

[0068] The driven shaft 37 that transmits the driving force for rotating the valve core 31 to the valve core 31 is arranged on the rear outer side of the valve core 31. Specifically, the driven shaft 37 extends horizontally in the axis X direction of the inflow hole 15, and is supported by a bearing component 36 so as to be rotatable. The bearing component 36 is arranged inside the driven shaft arrangement hole 21 that is penetrated in a manner extending horizontally to the rear from the rear side of the valve chamber 14. In addition, the driven shaft 37 has a base end (front end) fixed to the shell wall portion 35 on the rear side of the valve core 31, and on the other hand, a bevel gear (driven side bevel gear) 38 is provided at the top end (rear end). The driven side bevel gear 38 is a structure that meshes with the drive side bevel gear 42 described later and receives the driving force from the drive device 51.

[0069] In addition, the above-mentioned stopper mechanism is provided in the middle portion of the driven shaft 37. Figures 6 to 15 As shown, the stop mechanism is composed of a stop plate portion 37a and two abutment portions (a first abutment portion 36a and a second abutment portion 36b). The stop plate portion 37a extends radially outward along the driven shaft 37. The abutment portion is arranged on the bearing component 36 and abuts against the stop plate portion 37a as the valve core 31 rotates as follows.

[0070] The valve core 31 receives the rotation of the driven shaft 37 and rotates together with the driven shaft 37, but when the second opening portion 34 faces vertically downward, the stopper portion 37a of the driven shaft 37 abuts against the first abutment portion 36a of the bearing member 36, and the rotation of the driven shaft 37 stops, thereby stopping the rotation of the valve core 31. On the other hand, when the valve core 31 rotates 180° from this state until the second opening portion 34 faces vertically upward, the stopper portion 37a of the driven shaft 37 abuts against the second abutment portion 36b of the bearing member 36, thereby stopping the rotation of the driven shaft 37 and the valve core 31.

[0071] The valve core drive shaft 41 extends vertically in the up-down direction behind the valve chamber 14. Specifically, a drive shaft arrangement hole 22 extending vertically downward from the upper surface of the valve body 13 and communicating with the driven shaft arrangement hole 21 is bored in the upper rear side of the valve body 13. The drive shaft arrangement hole 22 has an enlarged diameter portion 23 with an increased diameter at the upper end portion, and is fixed by screwing the lower portion of the guide member 47 into the enlarged diameter portion 23. In addition, the bottom surface of the enlarged diameter portion 23 is a horizontally expanded step portion 23a.

[0072] The guide member 47 is a cylindrical member extending vertically, and has a center hole 48 penetrating in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). The drive shaft 41 is rotatably supported by inserting the upper portion of the drive shaft 41 into the center hole 48. In addition, an output shaft 72 (described later) of the drive device 51 is inserted into the upper end portion of the center hole 48 of the guide member 47, and the output shaft 72 and the drive shaft 41 are connected inside the center hole 48.

[0073] The drive shaft 41 is configured in such a manner that its rotation axis Y is orthogonal to the rotation axes of the driven shaft 37 and the valve core 31 and the axis X of the inflow hole 15. In addition, the rotation axis Y of the drive shaft coincides with the rotation axis of the rotor of the driving device. In addition, the drive shaft 41 has a bevel gear (driving side bevel gear) 42 at its lower end that meshes with the driven side bevel gear 38 of the driven shaft 37 to transmit the rotational driving force of the driving device 51 to the driven shaft 37. The number of teeth of each bevel gear is preferably greater than the number of teeth of the driven side bevel gear 38 than the number of teeth of the driving side bevel gear 42. This is to ensure that even a relatively small-power driving device 51 can reliably drive the valve core 31 to rotate.

[0074] The drive shaft 41 has a disc-shaped flange 43 extending horizontally outward at its middle portion. The flange 43 has an effect of preventing the drive shaft 41 from being displaced (moved) in the vertical direction.

[0075] Specifically, an enlarged diameter portion 49 having an increased diameter is formed at the lower portion of the center hole 48 of the guide member 47, and a coil spring 46 is provided at the enlarged diameter portion 49 of the center hole 48. The coil spring 46 is a compression coil spring arranged in a compressed state between the ceiling surface of the enlarged diameter portion 49 of the center hole 48 and the flange portion 43, and applies force downward in a manner that presses the flange portion 43 against the step portion 23a of the drive shaft arrangement hole 22. Thus, it is possible to prevent the drive shaft 41 from being misaligned in the vertical direction. In addition, in order to allow the drive shaft 41 to rotate smoothly, washers 44 and 45 are respectively sandwiched between the coil spring 46 and the flange portion 43, and between the flange portion 43 and the step portion 23a.

[0076] The drive device 51 and the speed reduction mechanism 71 are not particularly limited to specific types and structures as long as they can rotate the drive shaft 41 , and an example thereof is as follows.

[0077] In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the driving device 51. Therefore, a housing (sealed container) 62 forming a closed space is provided on the upper surface of the guide member 47. The housing 62 is a bottomless and covered cylindrical member (the bottom surface is open and the top surface is closed), and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 47 via an annular base member 73.

[0078] The stepping motor 51 is composed of a stator 53 provided on the outside (outer periphery) of a housing 62 and a rotor 52 provided rotatably on the inside (inner periphery) of the housing 62 .

[0079] The stator 53 includes a yoke 54, a coil 56 on which a winding wire is wound on a bobbin 55, and a resin molded cover 63 covering the yoke 54 and the coil 56. On the other hand, the rotor 52 is formed by integrally connecting a cylindrical rotor component 57 made of a magnetic material and a sun gear component 58 made of a resin material. A support shaft 60 is inserted into the center of the sun gear component 58, and the upper part of the support shaft 60 is supported by a support component 61 arranged on the inner side of the top of the housing 62.

[0080] The sun gear 59 of the sun gear member 58 meshes with a plurality of planetary gears 66, which are rotatably supported by a shaft 65 provided on a planetary gear carrier 64 mounted on the bottom surface of the output gear 70. The upper portion of the planetary gear 66 meshes with an annular ring gear (internal gear fixed gear) 67 attached to the upper portion of a cylindrical member 69 fixed to the upper portion of the guide member 47, and the lower portion of the planetary gear 66 meshes with an internal gear 68 of the annular output gear 70. The number of teeth of the ring gear 67 and the number of teeth of the internal gear 68 of the output gear 70 are slightly different, and thus the rotation speed of the sun gear 59 is reduced at a large reduction ratio and transmitted to the output gear 70. In addition, these gear mechanisms (sun gear 59, planetary gears 66, ring gear 67 and output gear 70) constitute a reduction mechanism (single planetary gear reduction mechanism) 71 that reduces the rotation speed of the above-mentioned drive device 51.

[0081] An output shaft 72 for transmitting the rotation of the output gear 70 to the drive shaft 41 is connected to the center of the bottom surface of the output gear 70. The output shaft 72 is supported to be rotatable by inserting the support shaft 60 at the upper end and inserting the lower part into the center hole 48 of the guide member 47, and is connected to the drive shaft 41 inside the center hole 48 of the guide member 47.

[0082] The operation of the ball valve 11 according to the present embodiment is as follows.

[0083] exist Figure 2 and Figure 4In the first switching state shown in FIG. 1 , the second opening 34 of the valve core 31 is directly opposite to the first outflow hole 16 (lower valve port 18a), and the refrigerant flowing from the inflow path 3 into the valve chamber 14 through the inflow hole 15 flows through the flow path space 32 inside the valve core and the second opening 34 of the valve core 31 from the first outflow hole 16 to the first outflow path 4 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 At this time, the second outflow hole 17 (upper valve port 19a) is closed by the shell wall portion 35 of the valve core 31. In addition, the stopper portion 37a of the driven shaft 37 abuts against the first abutment portion 36a of the bearing member 36.

[0084] When current is supplied to the stator 53 (coil 56) from the first switching state to rotate the rotor 52 in one direction (the direction in which the stopper piece 37a rotates toward the second contact portion 36b), the rotation of the rotor 52 is decelerated by the speed reduction mechanism 71 and then transmitted to the drive shaft 41 via the output shaft 72, causing the drive shaft 41 to rotate. Then, the rotation is transmitted to the driven shaft 37 via the driving side bevel gear 42 and the driven side bevel gear 38, causing the driven shaft 37 to rotate, thereby causing the valve core 31 to rotate about the horizontal axis X. When the valve core rotates 180°, the second opening 34 of the valve core 31 faces the second outflow hole 17 (upper valve port 19a), and the flow path space 32 inside the valve core communicates with the second outflow hole 17, while the first outflow hole 16 (lower valve port 18a) is closed by the shell wall 35 of the valve core 31 (second switching state). Thus, the refrigerant flowing from the inflow path 3 into the valve chamber 14 through the inflow hole 15 flows out from the second outflow hole 17 to the second outflow path 5 through the flow path space 32 of the valve element 31 and the second opening 34 (see Figure 3 In addition, at this time, the stopper portion 37a of the driven shaft 37 abuts against the second abutment portion 36b of the bearing member 36.

[0085] In this way, the flow path can be switched between the first switching state and the second switching state. In addition, as described above, the flow path can be cut off (the first outflow hole 16 and the second outflow hole 17 are closed to become a closed valve state) not only by simply switching the flow path but also by stopping the valve core 31 midway (for example, in a state of rotating 90°), and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out of each outflow hole 16, 17 can be adjusted by changing the relative degree (overlap degree) of the second opening portion 34 of the valve core 31 and the lower valve port 18a (or the upper valve port 19a).

[0086] In addition, in the description of the above embodiment, the case of using in the above first usage mode as a typical usage example is described, but the above electric valve 11 can also be used in the second usage mode which is a reverse process. When the electric valve 11 is used in the second usage mode, the first outflow hole 16 and the second outflow hole 17 become inflow holes for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the flow path space 32, and the inflow hole 15 becomes the outflow hole for allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the flow path space 32.

[0087] Explanation of symbols

[0088] Flow of F1 and F2 refrigerants

[0089] X Axis of the inflow hole (rotation axis of the valve core and valve core driven shaft)

[0090] Y-spool drive shaft rotation axis

[0091] S1, S2, S3 confined space

[0092] 1 Shell

[0093] 2 Valve mounting holes

[0094] 3 Inflow path (first flow path)

[0095] 4First flow path (second flow path)

[0096] 5 Second flow path (third flow path)

[0097] 11Ball valve (electric valve)

[0098] 12 valve parts

[0099] 13 Valve body

[0100] 14 Valve chamber

[0101] 15 Inflow hole (first flow path hole)

[0102] 15a first outer opening

[0103] 15b first inner opening

[0104] 16 First outflow hole (lower cover through hole) (second flow path hole)

[0105] 16a Second outer opening

[0106] 16b Second inner opening

[0107] 17 Second outflow hole (third flow path hole)

[0108] 17a horizontal hole

[0109] 17b vertical hole

[0110] 17c Third outer opening

[0111] 17d Third inner opening

[0112] 18 Lower valve seat component

[0113] 18a Lower valve port (through hole of the lower valve seat component)

[0114] 19 Upper valve seat component

[0115] 19a Upper valve port (through hole of the upper valve seat member)

[0116] 20 Lower cover

[0117] 21 Driven shaft configuration hole

[0118] 22 drive shaft configuration hole

[0119] 23 expansion part

[0120] 23a Step

[0121] 24First sealing groove

[0122] 25 Second sealing groove

[0123] 26 Third sealing groove

[0124] 27, 28, 29 Sealing element (O-ring)

[0125] 31 valve core

[0126] 32 flow path space

[0127] 33 first opening

[0128] 34 Second opening

[0129] 35 Shell wall

[0130] 36 Bearing parts

[0131] 36a First contact portion

[0132] 36b Second contact portion

[0133] 37 valve core driven shaft

[0134] 37a Stopper

[0135] 38 driven side bevel gear

[0136] 41 Valve core drive shaft

[0137] 42 driving side bevel gear

[0138] 43 flange

[0139] 44, 45 washers

[0140] 46 Helical Spring

[0141] 47 Guide parts

[0142] 48 center hole

[0143] 49 expansion part

[0144] 51 drive device (stepping motor)

[0145] 52 rotor

[0146] 53 stator

[0147] 54 yoke

[0148] 55 bobbin

[0149] 56 coils

[0150] 57 Rotor parts

[0151] 58 sun gear parts

[0152] 59 sun gear

[0153] 60 Support shaft

[0154] 61 Supporting parts

[0155] 62 Shell

[0156] 63 resin molded cover

[0157] 64 planetary gear carrier

[0158] 65 axis

[0159] 66 planetary gear

[0160] 67 ring gear (internal fixed gear)

[0161] 68 internal gear

[0162] 69 Cylinder parts

[0163] 70 Output gear

[0164] 71 reduction mechanism (singular planetary gear reduction mechanism)

[0165] 72 Output shaft

[0166] 73 base plate

[0167] 74 Hall elements.

Claims

1. An electric valve, comprising: a valve body having a valve chamber therein; a valve core having a flow path space inside and switching a flow path of a fluid by being driven to rotate in the valve chamber; as well as a transmission mechanism including a valve core drive shaft for transmitting a driving force for rotating the valve core to the valve core, The valve body has: a first flow path hole, the first flow path hole being in communication with the flow path space so as to allow the fluid to flow into the flow path space; a second flow path hole, the communication state between the second flow path hole and the flow path space being changed according to the rotational displacement position of the valve core, the second flow path hole being communicated with the flow path space at a first rotational displacement position of the valve core; as well as A third flow path hole, wherein the communication state between the third flow path hole and the flow path space is changed according to the rotation displacement position of the valve core, and the third flow path hole is communicated with the flow path space at the second rotation displacement position of the valve core, characterized in that: A rotation axis of the valve core and a rotation axis of the valve core driving shaft intersect each other.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the axial direction of the valve body and the direction parallel to the axial direction of the valve body are defined as the up-down direction, one side of the up-down direction is defined as the upper side, and the other side of the up-down direction is defined as the lower side, The first flow path hole has: a first inner opening as an end opening on the valve chamber side; and A first outer opening as an end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber, The first inner opening is formed on a side of the valve chamber, The first outer opening is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body. The second flow path hole has: a second inner opening as an end opening on the valve chamber side; and A second outer opening as an end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber, The second inner opening is formed at a first circumferential position around the axis of the first inner opening, The second outer opening is formed at a lower position than the first outer opening, The third flow path hole has: a third inner opening as an end opening on the valve chamber side; and The third outer opening is an end opening on the opposite side to the valve chamber. The third inner opening is formed at a second circumferential position around the axis of the first inner opening, The third outer opening is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body at a position higher than the first outer opening. The rotation axis of the valve core is consistent with the axis of the first inner opening.

3. The electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve body has on its outer peripheral surface: a first sealing groove, the first sealing groove being located between the first outer opening and the second outer opening in the up-down direction and extending in a manner of surrounding the valve body and capable of being provided with a sealing member; A second sealing groove is located between the first outer opening and the third outer opening in the up-down direction and extends so as to surround the valve body, and a sealing member can be disposed in the second sealing groove.

4. The electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core has: a first opening portion, the first opening portion being opposite to the first inner opening and allowing the first flow path hole to communicate with the flow path space; a second opening portion, which, as the valve core rotates, allows the second flow path hole to communicate with the flow path space when facing the second inner opening, and allows the third flow path hole to communicate with the flow path space when facing the third inner opening; as well as The case wall portion closes the second inner opening when the second opening portion is not opposite to the second inner opening, and closes the third inner opening when the second opening portion is not opposite to the third inner opening as the valve element rotates.

5. The electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism further comprises: A valve core driven shaft, which extends along the axis direction of the first inner opening, receives the driving force transmitted from the valve core driving shaft and rotates around the axis of the first inner opening, and transmits the rotation to the valve core; as well as a locking unit, the locking unit transmitting the rotation of the valve core driving shaft to the valve core driven shaft, The valve core driven shaft has: a base end portion fixed to a side wall of the valve core on the opposite side to the first opening so as to be able to transmit a driving force transmitted from the valve core driving shaft to the valve core; as well as A tip portion extends from the base end portion in a direction opposite to the first opening portion and receives a driving force from the valve element driving shaft.

6. The electric valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The engaging unit comprises: A driving side bevel gear, the driving side bevel gear being arranged on the valve core driving shaft; and A driven side bevel gear is disposed on the valve core driven shaft and meshes with the driving side bevel gear.

7. The electric valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of teeth of the driven-side bevel gear is greater than the number of teeth of the driving-side bevel gear.

8. The electric valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: A stop mechanism is provided, which stops the rotation of the valve core at a preset rotation position, The stop mechanism has: a stopper portion, the stopper portion protruding outwardly from the rotation axis of the valve core driven shaft and rotating together with the valve core driven shaft; a first abutment portion, which abuts against the stopper portion when the valve core rotates to the first rotation displacement position and stops the valve core via the valve core driven shaft; A second abutment portion abuts against the stopper portion when the valve element rotates to the second rotation displacement position, and stops the valve element via the valve element driven shaft.

9. The electric valve according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The electric valve can be installed in the housing by inserting the valve installation hole of the housing having the valve installation hole, the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path, the first flow path has an end opening on the inner peripheral surface of the valve installation hole, the second flow path has an end opening on the inner peripheral surface of the valve installation hole at a position lower than the end opening of the first flow path or on the bottom surface of the valve installation hole, and the third flow path has an end opening on the inner peripheral surface of the valve installation hole at a position higher than the end opening of the first flow path. When the valve body is inserted into the valve mounting hole, the first flow path hole communicates with the first flow path of the housing, the second flow path hole communicates with the second flow path of the housing, and the third flow path hole communicates with the third flow path of the housing.

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