Electric valve

Abstract

The invention provides an electric valve capable of improving the accuracy of flow control. The magnetic rotor (62) has a cylindrical portion (621) and a protruding portion (624) continuous with the cylindrical portion (621), and the protruding portion (624) has an intersecting surface (624B) intersecting with respect to the circumferential direction around the axis. By abutting the pressing jig (100) against the intersecting surface (624B), it is possible to suppress driving rotation of the magnetic rotor (62) in the valve opening rotation direction when the rotor shaft (61) is rotated, and the protruding portion (624) is continuous with the cylindrical portion (621), so that the strength of the protruding portion (624) is easily secured, and damage is easily suppressed even if the pressing jig (100) abuts against the intersecting surface (624B). There is no need to form a gap between the intersecting surface (624B) and the pressing jig (100), rotational displacement of the magnetic rotor (62) during manufacturing can be suppressed, and accuracy of flow control in the manufactured electrically operated valve (1) can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric valve. Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electric valve is known that regulates the valve opening by rotating a magnetic rotor and a rotor shaft and converting the rotational motion into a linear motion using a screw feed mechanism to move a valve element forward and backward. In such an electric valve, high-precision flow control is sometimes required, and a method for manufacturing an electric valve using a pressing jig that presses a magnetic rotor has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, a closing valve reference point of the rotor shaft and a rotation reference point of the magnetic rotor are set, and after the rotor shaft is relatively rotated while pressing the magnetic rotor with the pressing jig, the magnetic rotor and the rotor shaft are fixed, thereby setting the valve port to a specified valve opening.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-147241 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, a setting limiter is provided on the magnetic rotor and inserted into a setting limiter guide of the pressing jig to adjust the position of the pressing jig. At this time, in order to prevent damage to the setting limiter, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the setting limiter guide and the setting limiter so that they do not come into contact. Therefore, there is a possibility that the valve opening deviates by the amount of the gap due to the magnetic rotor shifting. Therefore, it is desired to suppress the deviation of the valve opening and further improve the accuracy of flow control.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric valve capable of improving the accuracy of flow control.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The electric valve of the present invention comprises: a valve body, which constitutes a valve chamber; a valve core, which adjusts the opening area between the valve core and a valve seat where a valve port is located, which is arranged on the inner side of the above-mentioned valve body; a rotor shaft, which is arranged in a manner that can rotate around a specified axis and drives the above-mentioned valve core forward and backward along the axial direction; a thread feed mechanism, which converts the rotational motion of the above-mentioned rotor shaft into a linear motion; a magnetic rotor, which rotates together with the above-mentioned rotor shaft; and a movable area determination mechanism, which determines the movable area of ​​the above-mentioned rotor shaft in the above-mentioned axial direction by limiting the rotation of the above-mentioned magnetic rotor. The above-mentioned electric valve is characterized in that the above-mentioned magnetic rotor has: a cylindrical portion, which extends along the above-mentioned axial direction on the outer side of the above-mentioned rotor shaft; a restricted portion, which is restricted in rotation in the above-mentioned movable area determination mechanism; and a protrusion, which is continuous with the above-mentioned cylindrical portion, and the above-mentioned protrusion has an intersection surface that intersects with the circumferential direction around the above-mentioned axis.

[0011] According to the present invention as described above, the intersection surface of the protrusion intersects with the circumferential direction around the axis, so that when the electric valve is manufactured, the clamp is brought into contact with the intersection surface, thereby suppressing the rotation of the magnetic rotor when the rotor shaft is rotated. At this time, since the protrusion is continuous with the cylindrical portion, it is easy to ensure the strength of the protrusion, and even if the clamp is brought into contact with the intersection surface, it is easy to suppress damage. Therefore, there is no need to form a gap between the intersection surface and the clamp, and the rotation deviation of the magnetic rotor during manufacturing can be suppressed, thereby improving the accuracy of flow control in the manufactured electric valve.

[0012] At this time, in the electric valve of the present invention, the circumferential dimension of the portion of the protrusion continuous with the cylindrical portion is preferably larger than the axial dimension of the intersection surface. With such a structure, the force applied to the protrusion is easily transmitted to the cylindrical portion, and damage to the protrusion can be suppressed.

[0013] In the electric valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the protrusion protrudes from the cylindrical portion toward the inner peripheral side. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the magnetic rotor in the axial direction.

[0014] In the electric valve of the present invention, the protrusion may protrude from the cylindrical portion toward the valve closing side in the axial direction. With such a structure, the magnetic rotor can be restricted from rotating from the valve closing side while the rotor shaft is operated from the valve opening side in the axial direction, thereby improving operability.

[0015] At this time, in the electric valve of the present invention, it is preferred that the intersection surface extends along the axial direction, and the protrusion has an inclined surface in the circumferential direction and on the opposite side of the intersection surface, and the inclined surface is inclined in a manner that the protrusion size decreases as it moves toward the opposite side. According to such a structure, when the clamp is brought into contact with the intersection surface to apply force, deformation such as the protrusion tipping over can be suppressed by the inclined surface.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] The electric valve according to the present invention can improve the accuracy of flow control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electric valve according to a first embodiment as an example of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1.

[0020] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state during the manufacture of the above electric valve.

[0021] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2.

[0022] Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing Figure 4 the double-dashed line portion.

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of an electric valve according to a second embodiment as an example of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the main part during the manufacture of the above electric valve.

[0025] Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing Figure 7 the double-dashed line portion.

[0026] Figure 9 is a side view showing the main part of an electric valve according to a third embodiment as an example of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state during the manufacture of the above electric valve.

[0028] Figure 11 is along Figure 10 a cross-sectional view taken along line A3-A3.

[0029] Figure 12 is showing Figure 11 a cross-sectional view of the situation of entering the next manufacturing process from the state shown.

[0030] Figure 13 is a side view showing the main part of an electric valve according to a fourth embodiment as an example of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 14It is a cross-sectional view showing an electric valve according to a fifth embodiment as an example of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 15 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the main part during the manufacture of the above-mentioned electric valve.

[0033] Symbol Explanation

[0034] 1, 400... Electric valve, 2... Valve body, 2R... Main valve chamber (valve chamber), 5... Sub-valve core (valve core), 41a... Sub-valve port (valve port), 61... Rotor shaft, 62... Magnetic rotor, 621... Cylindrical portion, 623... Restricted portion, 624 - 627... Protrusions, 624B, 624C, 625B, 625C, 626A, 626B, 627A... Intersection surfaces, 627B... Inclined surface, 6B... Thread feed mechanism, 6C... Movable region determination mechanism, 401... Valve core, 25a... Valve port. Detailed Embodiment

[0035] (First Embodiment)

[0036] The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The electric valve 1 of the first embodiment is used, for example, in the refrigeration cycle system of air conditioners such as split air conditioners and room air conditioners. As Figure 1 shown, it includes a valve body 2, a guide member 3, a main valve core 4, a sub-valve core 5, and a drive unit 6. The main valve core 4 and the sub-valve core 5 are arranged to move along a specified axial direction. Hereinafter, this axial direction will be set as the Z direction, the two directions orthogonal to the Z direction will be set as the X direction and the Y direction, and the up and down in the Z direction will be Figure 1 used as a reference. In addition, the side where the main valve core 4 and the sub-valve core 5 move when closing the valve in the Z direction ( Figure 1 the lower side) is taken as the valve closing side, and the side where they move when opening the valve ( Figure 1 the upper side) is taken as the valve opening side. In addition, the circumferential direction around the axis of the main valve core 4 and the sub-valve core 5 is sometimes simply referred to as the circumferential direction, the radial direction centered on this axis is sometimes simply referred to as the radial direction, the side closer to the axis in the radial direction is taken as the inner circumferential side, and the side farther from the axis is taken as the outer circumferential side.

[0037] The valve body 2 is a valve housing formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from, for example, brass or stainless steel, and has a main valve chamber 2R inside it. The valve body 2 has a first port 21 opening to the X-direction side on its side surface and a second port 22 opening to the lower side in the Z direction. A first joint pipe 11 extending in the X direction is connected to the first port 21, and a second joint pipe 12 extending in the Z direction is connected to the second port 22. The first joint pipe 11 and the second joint pipe 12 communicate with the main valve chamber 2R. The first joint pipe 11 and the second joint pipe 12 can be fixed to the valve body 2 by, for example, brazing.

[0038] At the lower end of the valve body 2, a cylindrical main valve seat 23 protruding toward the main valve chamber 2R side (upward) with the Z direction as the axial direction is formed. The inside of the main valve seat 23 forms a main valve port 23a, and the main valve port 23a communicates with the second port 22. That is, the second joint pipe 12 is conducted to the main valve chamber 2R via the main valve port 23a. In the first embodiment, the electric valve 1 uses the first port 21 as the primary side and the second port 22 as the secondary side, so that the fluid (refrigerant) flowing into the main valve chamber 2R from the first joint pipe 11 flows out from the second joint pipe 12. However, the electric valve 1 can also be assembled in a cycle in which the fluid can flow bidirectionally. In addition, in the present embodiment, the main valve seat 23 is formed as a part of the valve body 2, but a valve seat member having a main valve seat can also be provided as a part different from the cylindrical valve housing, and the valve seat member can be fixed to the lower end of the valve housing by brazing or the like.

[0039] The guide member 3 is installed in the opening at the upper end of the valve body 2 and has: a press-fitting portion 31 that is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2; a substantially cylindrical guide portion 32 that is located inside the press-fitting portion 31; a support portion 33 that extends above the guide portion 32; and an annular flange portion 35 that is located on the outer periphery of the guide portion 32. The press-fitting portion 31, the guide portion 32, and the support portion 33 are configured as an integrally formed resin member. In addition, the flange portion 35 is a metal plate made of, for example, brass, stainless steel, etc., and the flange portion 35 is integrally provided together with the resin-made press-fitting portion 31 and support portion 33 by insert molding.

[0040] The guide member 3 is assembled to the valve body 2 and is fixed to the upper end portion of the valve body 2 by welding on the flange portion 35. In addition, on the guide member 3, a cylindrical guide hole 32a with the Z direction as the axial direction is formed in the guide portion 32. In addition, an internal thread portion (thread hole) 34a coaxial with the guide hole 32a and the insertion hole 33a is formed at the center of the support portion 33.

[0041] The main valve core 4 is disposed in the guide hole 32a of the support portion 33 and is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape with the Z direction as the axial direction. The main valve core 4 integrally has: a partition portion 41 that extends along the XY plane and allows the sub-valve core 5 to approach or separate; a cylindrical portion 42 that extends from the partition portion 41 toward the side opposite to the main valve port 23a (upward); and a main valve portion 43 that approaches or separates from the main valve seat 23.

[0042] The partition portion 41 is a sub-valve seat portion provided at the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 42, and is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined plate thickness (dimension in the Z direction). A bottomed cylindrical portion is formed by the partition portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 42, and the inside of this bottomed cylindrical portion becomes the sub-valve chamber 4R. A sub-valve port 41a serving as a through hole is formed in the central portion of the partition portion 41. The cylindrical portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a pressing member 7 described later is provided inside thereof. The inner peripheral surface of the pressing member 7 functions as a needle guide hole. A guide boss portion 53 attached to a valve shaft 51 described later is inserted through the needle guide hole, and an annular retainer 44 is fixed to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 42 by fitting and fixing or welding. In addition, a main valve spring 4a is disposed between the retainer 44 and the upper end portion of the guide hole 32a, and the main valve element 4 is urged by the main valve spring 4a toward the main valve seat 23 (the valve closing side).

[0043] A plurality of communication paths 421 that communicate the inside and outside thereof are formed in the cylindrical portion 42. The plurality of communication paths 421 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the Z direction. By forming the communication paths 421 in the cylindrical portion 42, the main valve chamber 2R, the sub-valve chamber 4R, the sub-valve port 41a, and the main valve port 23a communicate with each other.

[0044] The main valve portion 43 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the cylindrical portion 42 extends downward more than the partition portion 41. The main valve portion 43 is arranged to seat (abut) on the main valve seat 23 in the fully closed state.

[0045] The sub-valve element 5 is a needle valve, and is provided at the lower end portion of a rotor shaft 61 described later. It integrally has a valve shaft 51 connected to the rotor shaft 61 side and a needle-like portion 52 connected to the lower end of the valve shaft 51. The sub-valve element 5 also has a guide boss portion 53 fixed to the valve shaft 51. The guide boss portion 53 is fixed separately from the valve shaft 51, but the guide boss portion 53 may be integrally formed with the valve shaft 51. The guide boss portion 53 is slidably inserted through the needle guide hole formed by the pressing member 7.

[0046] The drive portion 6 is provided inside and outside a housing 24 fixed to the upper end of the valve body 2, and includes a stepping motor 6A, a screw feed mechanism 6B that converts the rotational motion of the rotor shaft 61 into a linear motion and advances and retracts the sub-valve element 5 by the rotation of the stepping motor 6A, and a movable region determination mechanism 6C that limits the rotational motion of the stepping motor 6A. The housing 24 is hermetically fixed to the valve body 2 by welding or the like, for example.

[0047] The stepping motor 6A is composed of a rotor shaft 61, a magnetic rotor 62 rotatably disposed inside the housing 24, a stator coil 63 disposed opposite to the magnetic rotor 62 on the outer periphery of the housing 24, and other yokes, exterior components, etc. not shown. The rotor shaft 61 is installed at the center of the magnetic rotor 62 via a bushing 64, and an external thread portion 61a is formed on the outer periphery of the rotor shaft 61 on the side of the guide member 3. The external thread portion 61a is screwed with the internal thread portion 34a of the guide member 3, whereby the guide member 3 supports the rotor shaft 61 on the axis along the Z direction. Moreover, the internal thread portion 34a of the guide member 3 and the external thread portion 61a of the rotor shaft 61 constitute a thread feed mechanism 6B. In the present embodiment, by observing the rotation clockwise from the valve opening side, the rotor shaft 61 and the magnetic rotor 62 move toward the valve closing side, so this rotation direction is taken as the valve closing rotation direction, and by observing the rotation counterclockwise from the valve opening side, the rotor shaft 61 and the magnetic rotor 62 move toward the valve opening direction, so this rotation direction is taken as the valve opening rotation direction. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the internal thread portion 34a and the external thread portion 61a are right-handed threads.

[0048] In the first embodiment, a first sound absorption member 8 and a second sound absorption member 9 are provided. The first sound absorption member 8 is integrally formed in an annular shape so that the valve shaft 51 and the needle-like portion 52 can pass through, and is disposed in the flow path from the communication path 421 to the sub-valve port 41a. In order to dispose the first sound absorption member 8 in the cylindrical portion 42, a pressing member 7 is provided. That is, the pressing member 7 and the first sound absorption member 8 are clamped from the Z direction by the partition wall portion 41 and the retainer 44. The second sound absorption member 9 is disposed in the flow path from the sub-valve port 41a to the main valve port 23a.

[0049] The first sound absorption member 8 and the second sound absorption member 9 are filters formed in a three-dimensional mesh shape by randomly bending linear members, and for example, as long as they are demisters. The sound absorption members 8 and 9 formed in such a mesh shape can subdivide the bubbles in the fluid by subdividing the flow path, thereby achieving a sound absorption effect and fully suppressing the function of the fluid passing sound.

[0050] Here, the detailed opening and closing operations of the main valve element 4 and the sub-valve element 5 of the electric valve 1 will be described. When the magnetic rotor 62 and the rotor shaft 61 are rotated by driving the stepping motor 6A, the rotor shaft 61 moves along the Z direction through the screw feed mechanism 6B of the external thread portion 61a of the rotor shaft 61 and the internal thread portion 34a of the guide member 3. As a result, the sub-valve element 5 moves forward and backward along the Z direction to approach or separate from the sub-valve port 41a, thereby controlling the valve opening degree of the sub-valve port 41a (small flow control). In addition, the guiding boss portion 53 of the sub-valve element 5 engages with the pressing member 7, and the main valve element 4 moves together with the sub-valve element 5 to approach or separate from the main valve seat 23 (large flow control). Thus, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the first joint pipe 11 toward the second joint pipe 12 is controlled. It should be noted that in the first embodiment, even when the sub-valve element 5 moves forward and backward along the Z direction and is in the state closest to the sub-valve seat portion having the sub-valve port 41a, the sub-valve element 5 does not abut (seat) on the sub-valve seat portion, and a gap is formed between the sub-valve element 5 and the sub-valve seat portion, and the fluid can pass through the sub-valve port 41a.

[0051] An externally threaded guide groove 34b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bracket portion 33 of the guide member 3, and a slider 65 is provided in the guide groove 34b. The slider 65 abuts on the magnetic rotor 62 and rotates and moves up and down along the guide groove 34b as the magnetic rotor 62 rotates. Further, the slider 65 abuts on the upper end or the lower end of the guide groove 34b, thereby constituting a movable region determining mechanism 6C that restricts the rotation of the magnetic rotor 62. Through this movable region determining mechanism 6C, the lowermost position and the uppermost position of the rotor shaft 61 and the magnetic rotor 62 are restricted. That is, the movable region determining mechanism 6C determines the movable region of the rotor shaft 61 in the Z direction.

[0052] Next, with reference to Figure 2 The details of the magnetic rotor 62 will be described. The magnetic rotor 62 rotates together with the rotor shaft 61 and has a cylindrical portion 621, a plate-like portion 622, a restricted portion 623, and a protruding portion 624.

[0053] The cylindrical portion 621 extends along the Z direction outside the rotor shaft 61 and faces the stator coil 63 with the housing 24 interposed therebetween. The Z-direction dimension of the cylindrical portion 621 is of the same degree as the Z-direction dimension of the entire stator coil 63. The plate-like portion 622 extends along the XY plane inside the cylindrical portion 621 and is a portion connected to the rotor shaft 61. The plate-like portion 622 is disposed closer to the valve opening side than the central portion of the cylindrical portion 621 in the Z direction, and the cylindrical portion 621 has a portion protruding toward the valve opening side and a portion protruding toward the valve closing side from the plate-like portion 622.

[0054] The restricted portion 623 is a portion that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface 621A of the cylindrical portion 621 and can come into contact with the slider 65. When the valve is opened, one circumferential side of the restricted portion 623 comes into contact with the slider 65, and when the valve is closed, the other circumferential side of the restricted portion 623 comes into contact with the slider 65.

[0055] The protruding portion 624 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 and protrudes inward from the cylindrical portion 621. That is, the protruding portion 624 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 in the radial direction. In addition, the protruding portion 624 is also continuous with the plate-like portion 622 and protrudes toward the valve-opening side from the plate-like portion 622. The protruding portion 624 has a specified circumferential dimension and has a front end face 624A and a pair of intersecting faces 624B, 624C. The front end face 624A is a face along the Z direction and the circumferential direction, and the pair of intersecting faces 624B, 624C are faces along the Z direction and intersect the circumferential direction. It should be noted that the intersecting faces 624B, 624C are preferably orthogonal to the circumferential direction (i.e., faces along the radial direction), but may have some inclination with respect to such orthogonal faces. In the first embodiment, the circumferential range in which the protruding portion 624 is formed in the cylindrical portion 621 is less than half of the whole.

[0056] By the protruding portion 624 being continuous with the cylindrical portion 621, the magnetic rotor 62 is continuously formed in the radial direction from the front end face 624A to the outer peripheral surface 621B of the cylindrical portion 621. The circumferential dimension L1 of the base end portion 624D (the portion continuous with the cylindrical portion 621) of the protruding portion 624 is larger than the Z-direction dimension H1 of the intersecting faces 624B, 624C. It should be noted that the Z-direction dimension H1 of the intersecting faces 624B, 624C is equal to the protruding dimension of the protruding portion 624 from the plate-like portion 622.

[0057] In the electric valve 1 of the first embodiment, the sub-valve core 5 as the valve core adjusts the opening area between the sub-valve core 5 and the valve seat where the sub-valve port 41a as the valve port is provided inside the valve body 2. At this time, as described above, even in the state where the sub-valve core 5 is closest to the valve seat, there is no contact and a gap is formed. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture the electric valve 1 such that the sub-valve port 41a has a specified valve opening degree when the slider 65 comes into contact with the lower end of the guide groove 34b. The manufacturing method of such an electric valve 1 will be described below.

[0058] When manufacturing the electric valve 1, as Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , a pressing jig 100 and an opening adjustment mechanism 200 are used. The pressing jig 100 includes an annular main body 101, a cylindrical rotor holding part 102 protruding from the main body 101 toward the valve closing side, and a plate contact part 103 protruding from the main body 101 toward the valve closing side at a position inside the rotor holding part 102. A through hole 104 is formed in the center of the main body 101 through which the rotor shaft 61 is inserted, and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 104 has a tapered surface whose inner diameter decreases toward the valve closing side. The magnetic rotor 62 is arranged inside the rotor holding part 102.

[0059] The plate abutting portion 103 abuts against the plate-shaped portion 622 and is disposed on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 621. Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, there is a recess 105 on the outer circumference. The recess 105 has a bottom surface 105A and a pair of side surfaces 105B and 105C. The circumferential dimension of the recess 105 (the interval between the pair of side surfaces 105B and 105C) is larger than the circumferential dimension of the protrusion 624, and the protrusion 624 can be arranged inside the recess 105.

[0060] The opening adjustment mechanism 200 has, for example, a plurality of relatively movable gripping parts, and the front end of the rotor shaft 61 is arranged at the arrangement part 201, and the gripping parts are brought close to each other to grip the rotor shaft 61. Furthermore, the opening adjustment mechanism 200 can rotate the rotor shaft 61 by a predetermined rotation angle and can manage the rotation angle.

[0061] First, the state other than the housing 24, the stator coil 63, and the magnetic rotor 62 in the electric valve 1 is assembled. In this state, the slider 65 is rotated in the valve closing rotation direction to abut against the lower end of the guide groove 34b, and the rotor shaft 61 is rotated in the valve closing rotation direction to seat the auxiliary valve core 5 on the valve seat of the auxiliary valve port 41a (the valve opening is set to 0). At this time, the method for confirming whether the auxiliary valve core 5 is seated is not particularly limited, and the fluid may be fed from the second port 22 side and the flow rate may be measured on the first port 21 side, or the operator may make a judgment based on the feeling during the operation, or a torque sensor or the like may be used for judgment.

[0062] Next, the magnetic rotor 62 is assembled and rotated in the valve closing rotation direction, thereby causing the restricted portion 623 to abut against the slider 65. Furthermore, the pressing jig 100 is mounted on the outer side of the magnetic rotor 62. At this time, the cylindrical portion 621 is arranged between the plate abutting portion 103 and the main body 101, and the protrusion 624 is arranged in the recess 105. Furthermore, the surface of the protrusion 624 facing the valve opening rotation direction, that is, the intersection surface 624B is abutted against the side surface 105B of the recess 105. At this time, the front end surface 624A of the protrusion 624 is separated from the bottom surface 105A of the recess 105.

[0063] Next, through the opening degree adjusting mechanism 200, only the rotor shaft 61 is rotated relative to the pressing jig 100 in the valve opening rotation direction, so that the sub-valve element 5 is separated from the valve seat of the sub-valve port 41a. The minimum valve opening degree (flow rate) in the electric valve 1 is determined by this rotation amount (rotation angle). At this time, the intersecting surface 624B facing the valve opening rotation direction abuts against the side surface 105B, whereby the rotation of the magnetic rotor 62 in the valve opening rotation direction is restricted.

[0064] Then, the rotor shaft 61 and the magnetic rotor 62 are joined by welding or the like with a bushing 64 interposed therebetween, so as to be in a state where they cannot move relative to each other. Further, the housing 24 and the stator coil 63 are assembled, whereby the manufacture of the electric valve 1 is completed.

[0065] According to the above first embodiment, the intersecting surface 624B of the protruding portion 624 intersects the circumferential direction around the axis, so that by bringing the pressing jig 100 into contact with the intersecting surface 624B, it is possible to suppress the driven rotation of the magnetic rotor 62 in the valve opening rotation direction when the rotor shaft 61 is rotated. At this time, since the protruding portion 624 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621, it is easy to ensure the strength of the protruding portion 624, and it is easy to suppress damage even when the pressing jig 100 is brought into contact with the intersecting surface 624B. Therefore, there is no need to form a gap between the intersecting surface 624B and the pressing jig 100, and it is possible to suppress the rotational deviation of the magnetic rotor 62 during manufacture, and improve the flow control accuracy in the manufactured electric valve 1.

[0066] In addition, the circumferential dimension L1 of the portion of the protruding portion 624 that is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 is larger than the Z-direction dimension H1 of the intersecting surface 624B, whereby it is easy to transmit the force received by the protruding portion 624 to the cylindrical portion 621, and damage to the protruding portion 624 can be suppressed.

[0067] In addition, the protruding portion 624 protrudes inward from the cylindrical portion 621, whereby it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the magnetic rotor 62 in the Z direction.

[0068] (Second Embodiment)

[0069] In the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the structures common to the first embodiment and the description thereof is omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment are described. The structures not particularly described have the same shape and function as those of the first embodiment.

[0070] In the second embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the magnetic rotor 62 has a cylindrical portion 621, a plate-like portion 622, a restricted portion 623, and a protruding portion 625. The protruding portion 625 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 and protrudes inward. The protruding portion 625 has a front end surface 625A and a pair of intersecting surfaces 625B, 625C.

[0071] The formation range of the protrusion 625 in the second embodiment is different from that of the protrusion 624 in the first embodiment on the cylindrical portion 621. That is, in the first embodiment, the circumferential range in the cylindrical portion 621 where the protrusion 624 is formed is less than half of the whole, while in the second embodiment, the circumferential range in the cylindrical portion 621 where the protrusion 625 is formed is greater than half of the whole. Therefore, a recess is formed by a pair of intersecting surfaces 625B, 625C and the inner circumferential surface 621A of the cylindrical portion 621. It should be noted that the combined wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 621 on the valve-opening side relative to the plate-like portion 622 and the protrusion 625 is larger than the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 621 on the valve-closing side relative to the plate-like portion 622. Therefore, although the recess is formed as described above, the protrusion 625 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 621. Figure 6 The chain line in it corresponds to the inner circumferential surface 621A, and the protrusion 625 protrudes inwardly from the inner circumferential side relative to this chain line.

[0072] Since the formation range of the protrusion 625 in the second embodiment is wider than that of the protrusion 624 in the first embodiment, the circumferential dimension of the portion of the protrusion 625 continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 is larger than the dimension in the Z direction of the intersecting surfaces 625B, 625C.

[0073] In the pressing jig 100 used in such a second embodiment, as Figure 7 , Figure 8 shown, the plate contact portion 103 has a convex portion 106 on the outer peripheral side. The convex portion 106 has a front end surface 106A and a pair of side surfaces 106B, 106C. The circumferential dimension of the convex portion 106 is smaller than the interval between the pair of intersecting surfaces 625B, 625C (the circumferential dimension of the range where the protrusion 625 is not formed), and the convex portion 106 can be arranged between the pair of intersecting surfaces 625B, 625C.

[0074] Similar to the first embodiment, when manufacturing the electric valve 1, first rotate the rotor shaft 61 in the valve-closing rotation direction to seat the sub-valve element 5 on the valve seat of the sub-valve port 41a, install the magnetic rotor 62 and rotate it in the valve-closing rotation direction so that the restricted portion 623 abuts against the slider 65, and install the pressing jig 100 outside the magnetic rotor 62. At this time, make the intersecting surface 625C, which is the surface of the protrusion 625 facing the valve-opening rotation direction, abut against the side surface 106C of the convex portion 106.

[0075] According to the above second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the flow control accuracy can be improved in the manufactured electric valve 1. Further, by expanding the formation range of the protrusion 625, damage to the magnetic rotor 62 can be further suppressed. If the formation range of the protrusion 625 is expanded, the circumferential dimension of the convex portion 106 of the pressing jig 100 becomes smaller, but the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the pressing jig 100 relative to the magnetic rotor 62 is relatively high, so it is easy to suppress damage.

[0076] (Third Embodiment)

[0077] In the third embodiment, as Figure 9 , Figure 10 shown, the magnetic rotor 62 has a cylindrical portion 621, a plate-like portion 622, a restricted portion 623, and a protruding portion 626. The protruding portion 626 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 and protrudes from the cylindrical portion 621 toward the valve closing side in the Z direction, and has a different protruding direction from the protruding portion 624 of the first embodiment. The protruding portion 626 has a pair of intersecting surfaces 626A and 626B, and its inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface are respectively continuous with the inner peripheral surface 621A and the outer peripheral surface 621B of the cylindrical portion 621. The intersecting surfaces 626A and 626B intersect the circumferential direction and extend along the Z direction.

[0078] The range in which the protruding portion 626 is formed in the cylindrical portion 621 is less than half of the whole. In the third embodiment, the circumferential dimension L2 of the portion of the protruding portion 626 that is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 is also larger than the Z-direction dimension H2 of the intersecting surfaces 626A and 626B.

[0079] In such a third embodiment, in addition to the pressing jig 100, a separate jig 300 is also used. At this time, the recess 105 may not be formed in the plate contact portion 103 of the pressing jig 100. As Figure 11 , Figure 12 shown, the jig 300 has a contact surface 301 that intersects the circumferential direction and extends along the Z direction. By moving such a jig 300 from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side, the contact surface 301 is brought into contact with the intersecting surface 626A, which is the surface facing the valve opening rotation direction.

[0080] According to the above third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of flow control in the manufactured electric valve 1. Moreover, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the magnetic rotor 62 from the valve closing side by the jig 300 while operating the rotor shaft 61 from the valve opening side through the opening degree adjusting mechanism 200, thereby improving workability.

[0081] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0082] In the fourth embodiment, as Figure 13As shown, the magnetic rotor 62 has a cylindrical portion 621, a plate-like portion 622, a restricted portion 623, and a protruding portion 627. The protruding portion 627 is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 and protrudes from the cylindrical portion 621 toward the valve-closed side in the Z direction. Different from the third embodiment having a pair of intersecting surfaces 626A and 626B with respect to the protruding portion 626, the fourth embodiment is different in that the protruding portion 627 has one intersecting surface 627A and one inclined surface 627B. The intersecting surface 627A intersects the circumferential direction and extends along the Z direction, and is a surface facing the valve-opening rotation direction. The inclined surface 627B faces the valve-closed rotation direction, that is, is formed on the side opposite to the intersecting surface 627A in the circumferential direction. In addition, the inclined surface 627B is inclined such that the protruding dimension protruding from the cylindrical portion 621 decreases (i.e., toward the valve-opening side) as it faces the valve-closed rotation direction.

[0083] The range in the cylindrical portion 621 where the protruding portion 627 is formed is less than half of the whole. In the fourth embodiment, the circumferential dimension of the portion of the protruding portion 627 continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 is also larger than the Z-direction dimension of the intersecting surface 627A.

[0084] In such a fourth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, in addition to the pressing jig 100, a separate jig 300 is also used. By moving the jig 300 from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side, the abutting surface 301 is brought into contact with the intersecting surface 627A, which is the surface facing the valve-opening rotation direction.

[0085] If the magnetic rotor 62 is to rotate in the valve-opening rotation direction in a state where the intersecting surface 627A is in contact with the abutting surface 301, deformation such that the protruding portion 627 is about to tilt toward the valve-closed rotation direction will occur in the protruding portion 627. The force to tilt like this becomes a force along the direction of the inclined surface 627B, so the deformation is suppressed by the inclined surface 627B.

[0086] According to the above fourth embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the flow control accuracy can be improved in the manufactured electric valve 1. And by forming the inclined surface 627B on the side opposite to the intersecting surface 627A, deformation such that the protruding portion 627 tilts can be suppressed.

[0087] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0088] The electric valve 1 of the first embodiment includes a main valve core 4 and a sub-valve core 5 to perform two-stage flow control, while the electric valve 400 of the fifth embodiment includes a valve body 2, a guide member 3, a valve core 401, and a drive unit 6 to perform flow control in one stage. The valve core 401 has a valve core main body 402, a valve holder 403, and a compression coil spring 404. That is, the valve core main body 402 having a needle valve is connected to the rotor shaft 61 by being suspended by the valve holder 403. At this time, by providing the compression coil spring 404 inside the valve holder 403, the valve core main body 402 can move relative to the rotor shaft 61 in the Z direction.

[0089] In the electric valve 400 of the fifth embodiment, in a state where the valve core main body 402 moves forward and backward in the Z direction and is closest to the valve seat portion 25 having the valve port 25a, the valve core main body 402 abuts against the valve seat portion 25, and the fluid cannot pass through. In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the magnetic rotor 62 has the same protruding portion 624 as that of the first embodiment.

[0090] In the first embodiment where the minimum valve opening (flow rate) is not 0, after installing the pressing jig 100 outside the magnetic rotor 62, only the rotor shaft 61 is rotated in the valve opening rotation direction, thereby setting the minimum valve opening. In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, since the compression coil spring 404 is provided between the rotor shaft 61 and the valve core main body 402, it is possible to achieve both the mode where the minimum valve opening is not 0 as in the first embodiment and the mode where the valve opening starts after the rotor shaft 61 is located on the most valve closing side and the rotation of the magnetic rotor 62 in the valve closing rotation direction is restricted and rotated by a predetermined angle. In the case of the latter mode, the rotation direction of the rotor shaft 61 after installing the pressing jig 100 is set as the valve closing rotation direction.

[0091] Therefore, in the case of the latter mode, as Figure 15 shown, the surface of the protruding portion 624 facing the valve closing rotation direction (i.e., the surface on the side opposite to the first embodiment), that is, the crossing surface 624C, is brought into contact with the side surface 105C of the concave portion 105. Thereby, the rotation of the magnetic rotor 62 in the valve closing rotation direction is restricted.

[0092] If the rotor shaft 61 is rotated in the valve closing rotation direction after installing the pressing jig 100 as described above, the valve core main body 402 cannot move toward the valve closing side. Therefore, the rotor shaft 61 moves toward the valve closing side and the compression coil spring 404 is compressed.

[0093] According to the above fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of flow control in the manufactured electric valve 400.

[0094] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above first to fifth embodiments, including other structures that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following deformations and the like are also included in the present invention. For example, in the above first to fifth embodiments, the circumferential dimension of the portion of the protruding portions 624 to 627 that is continuous with the cylindrical portion 621 is larger than the Z-direction dimension of the intersection surface. However, when the Z-direction dimension of the intersection surface is large, or when the connection strength of the continuous portion can be ensured, etc., the circumferential dimension may also be equal to or less than the Z-direction dimension of the intersection surface.

[0095] In addition, according to the set value of the minimum valve opening degree, the rotation direction of the rotor shaft in the state where the pressing jig is installed is determined, but as long as the intersection surface is formed on the surface facing the rotation direction.

[0096] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric valve, comprising: a valve body, which forms a valve chamber; A valve core, which adjusts an opening area between the valve core and a valve seat provided on the inner side of the valve body where the valve port is located; A rotor shaft, which is arranged to be rotatable about a predetermined axis and to drive the valve core forward and backward along the axis direction; A thread feed mechanism, which converts the rotational motion of the rotor shaft into a linear motion; a magnetic rotor, which rotates together with the rotor shaft; as well as a movable region determining mechanism which determines the movable region of the rotor shaft in the axial direction by limiting the rotation of the magnetic rotor, The electric valve is characterized in that The magnetic rotor has: A cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction outside the rotor shaft; a restricted portion, the rotation of which is restricted in the movable region determining mechanism; and a protruding portion, which is continuous with the cylindrical portion, The protrusion has an intersecting surface intersecting with the circumferential direction around the axis.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A portion of the protruding portion that is continuous with the cylindrical portion has a circumferential dimension that is larger than an axial dimension of the intersecting surface.

3. The electric valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The protrusion protrudes from the cylindrical portion toward the inner peripheral side.

4. The electric valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The protrusion protrudes from the cylindrical portion toward the valve closing side in the axial direction.

5. The electric valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The above-mentioned intersection surface extends along the above-mentioned axis direction, The protrusion has an inclined surface on the opposite side to the intersection surface in the circumferential direction, and the inclined surface is inclined so that the protrusion dimension decreases toward the opposite side.

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