Electronic expansion valve and temperature adjusting device

Abstract

The electronic expansion valve comprises a hollow valve body provided with a valve port, and is characterized in that a guide part, a rotor and a valve element assembly are arranged in the valve body, the guide part is fixed to the inner wall of the valve body, the rotor is fixedly connected with the valve element assembly arranged in the axial direction of the valve body, and the valve element assembly is fixed to the valve body. The valve element assembly is arranged in the guide part in a penetrating mode and matched with the guide part in a threaded mode, and when the valve element assembly rotates, the valve element assembly can move up and down in the axial direction of the valve body so as to open or close the valve port. A mounting groove is formed in the end, away from the valve port, of the valve element assembly, the reset spring is embedded in the mounting groove, and part of the reset spring extends out of the end face of the mounting groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of temperature regulation systems, and in particular, to an electronic expansion valve and a temperature regulation device. Background Art

[0002] A direct-acting valve includes a valve core assembly, a guiding portion fixed inside the valve body, and a rotor assembly fixedly connected to the valve core assembly. The valve core assembly is in threaded engagement with the guiding portion. When the rotor assembly rotates driven by a coil, the valve core assembly can rotate relative to the guiding portion and can perform a linear motion along the axial direction of the valve body.

[0003] In order to control the axial movement stroke of the valve core assembly, a return spring is usually further provided inside the valve body. A valve needle sleeve for fixing the return spring is provided at the end of the valve needle away from the valve port. A part of the return spring is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall of the valve needle sleeve.

[0004] However, the existing arrangement of the return spring may cause the return spring to be prone to deflection when the valve core assembly moves axially.

[0005] In view of this, there is an urgent need for a technical solution that can avoid the situation of the return spring being deflected. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a new technical solution for an electronic expansion valve and a temperature regulation device. By improving the internal structure of the valve, the deflection of the return spring is avoided.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electronic expansion valve, which includes a hollow valve body. The valve body is provided with a valve port. Inside the valve body, there are a guiding portion, a rotor, and a valve core assembly. The guiding portion is fixed to the inner wall of the valve body. The rotor is fixedly connected with a valve core assembly arranged along the axial direction of the valve body to drive the valve core assembly to rotate together. The valve core assembly passes through the guiding portion and is in threaded engagement with the guiding portion. When the valve core assembly rotates, it can move up and down along the axial direction of the valve body to open or close the valve port;

[0008] An installation groove is formed at one end of the valve core assembly away from the valve port. The return spring is embedded in the installation groove along the depth direction, and a part of the return spring extends out from the end face of the installation groove.

[0009] With the above solution, in the embodiment of the present invention, a valve core assembly is in threaded connection inside the guiding portion. The valve core assembly can rotate driven by the rotor. The valve core assembly moves up and down along the axial direction of the valve body through threaded engagement with the guiding portion to open or close the valve port. An installation groove is formed on the valve core assembly. The return spring is embedded in the installation groove. The top end of the return spring in the axial direction extends out of the installation groove.

[0010] When the rotor receives the valve-opening signal, the valve core assembly moves upward with the rotor until the guiding part disengages from the thread of the valve core assembly, and the valve core assembly stops moving upward. At this time, the top of the return spring contacts the corresponding part of the valve body. Under the action of the valve body, the return spring is compressed into the installation groove along the extension direction of the side wall of the installation groove by the valve body. During the compression of the return spring, the side wall of the installation groove guides the outer ring side of the return spring radially, preventing the return spring from skewing when it is compressed into the installation groove.

[0011] When the rotor receives the valve-closing signal, the return spring resumes its deformation and exerts an elastic force on the valve core assembly and the valve body, causing the valve core assembly to move downward. The guiding part re-engages with the thread of the valve core assembly. When the valve core assembly continues to move downward along the axial direction of the valve body, the return spring can extend out of the installation groove along the extension direction of the installation groove.

[0012] Similarly, before the return spring extends out of the installation groove, the side wall of the installation groove guides the outer ring side of the return spring radially. In this way, it can be avoided that when the return spring resumes its elastic deformation, the outer ring side lacks restraint and the return spring skews.

[0013] In this way, by embedding the return spring into the installation groove, the installation groove can guide the return spring both when the return spring switches between the compressed state and the state of resuming deformation. Thus, it is avoided that the return spring is prone to skewing when the valve core assembly moves axially.

[0014] Optionally, the effective depth of the installation groove for accommodating the return spring is L, the axial length of the return spring in the undeformed state is H0, and H0 > L > H0 / .

[0015] Optionally, when the valve is in the fully closed state, the axial distance between the top of the valve core assembly and the valve body is b, and when the valve is in the fully closed state, b < H0 / .

[0016] Optionally, when the valve switches from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the stroke of the valve core assembly and the guiding part from thread engagement to thread disengagement is a, and b > a.

[0017] Optionally, the valve core assembly includes a lead screw and a valve needle. The valve needle is internally placed and fixed to the lead screw. The installation groove is located at the end of the lead screw away from the valve port. A part of the valve needle extends into the installation groove, and the bottom of the return spring is sleeved on the valve needle.

[0018] Optionally, the dimension of the part of the valve needle located inside the return spring is c, and c < L; or c = L.

[0019] Optionally, a valve needle sleeve is fixedly installed in the installation groove. The valve needle is internally placed in the valve needle sleeve and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the valve needle sleeve. One end of the return spring close to the valve port contacts the end face of the valve needle sleeve.

[0020] Optionally, the valve needle sleeve and the valve needle are of an integral structure.

[0021] Optionally, the rotor is disposed outside the radial direction of the guiding portion, the top end of the lead screw extends out from within the guiding portion, and the rotor is fixedly connected to the top end of the lead screw.

[0022] In a second aspect, a temperature regulating device is provided, and the temperature regulating device includes the above-mentioned electronic expansion valve.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present specification will become clear through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0024] The drawings incorporated in the specification and constituting a part of the specification illustrate embodiments of the present specification, and together with the description thereof are used to explain the principles of the present specification.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the electronic expansion valve in a fully closed state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the electronic expansion valve in a partially open state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the electronic expansion valve in a fully open state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic structure diagram of the electronic expansion valve in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is a partial schematic structure diagram of the electronic expansion valve in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram of the electronic expansion valve in a fully closed, partially open, and fully open states in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0032] 1, valve body; 11, valve seat; 12, housing; 13, valve port;

[0033] 2, guiding portion; 21, first limiting boss;

[0034] 3, rotor; 31, second limiting boss;

[0035] 4, return spring;

[0036] 5, valve core assembly; 51, lead screw; 511, installation groove; 52, valve needle; 53, valve needle sleeve;

[0037] 6. Coil Specific Embodiment

[0038] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic expansion valve is provided. As Figures 1-5 shown, the electronic expansion valve includes a hollow valve body 1. The valve body 1 is provided with a valve port 13. The valve body 1 includes a valve seat 11 and a housing 12 covering the valve seat 11. The valve seat 11 and the housing 12 enclose a valve cavity. The valve port 13 is opened on the valve seat 11 and communicates the valve cavity with the outside. The valve seat 11 and the housing 12 can be a split structure or an integrally formed structure.

[0040] A guiding portion 2, a rotor 3, and a valve core assembly 5 are arranged inside the valve body 1. A coil 6 is arranged outside the housing 12, and the coil 6 is used to drive the rotor 3. The rotor 3 is fixedly connected with a valve core assembly 5 arranged along the axial direction of the valve body 1 to drive the valve core assembly 5 to rotate together. The axial direction of the valve body 1 is the direction shown by the Y-axis in the figure.

[0041] Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 the guiding portion 2 in is fixed to the inner wall of the valve body 1. The valve core assembly 5 passes through the guiding portion 2. The guiding portion 2 is sleeved outside the valve core assembly 5. The valve core assembly 5 is in threaded cooperation with the guiding portion 2.

[0042] The coil 6 drives the rotor 3 to rotate. When the valve core assembly 5 rotates together with the rotor 3, the valve core assembly 5 can move up and down along the axial direction of the valve body 1 to open or close the valve port 13.

[0043] An installation groove 511 is formed at one end of the valve core assembly 5 away from the valve port 13. The installation groove 511 extends along the Y direction. The return spring 4 is embedded in the installation groove 511 along the depth direction. A part of the return spring 4 extends from the end face of the installation groove 511.

[0044] Figure 2 and Figure 3 when the rotor 3 in receives an opening valve signal, the valve core assembly 5 moves upward with the rotor 3 until the guiding portion 2 is disengaged from the threaded connection with the valve core assembly 5, and the valve core assembly 5 stops moving upward. At this time, the top end of the return spring 4 contacts the corresponding part of the valve body 1. Under the action of the valve body 1, the return spring 4 is compressed in the installation groove 511 along the extension direction of the side wall of the installation groove 511. During the compression process of the return spring 4, the side wall of the installation groove 511 forms a guiding effect on the outer side of the return spring 4 in the radial direction ( Figure 1 the X-axis direction in ), avoiding the situation that the return spring 4 is deflected when being compressed in the installation groove 511.

[0045] As Figure 3 shown, when the rotor 3 receives a valve closing signal, the return spring 4 resumes its deformation to apply an elastic force to the valve core assembly 5 and the valve body 1. The valve core assembly 5 moves downward. The guiding portion 2 is re-threadedly engaged with the valve core assembly 5. When the valve core assembly 5 continues to move downward along the axial direction of the valve body 1, the return spring 4 can extend out of the mounting groove 511 along the extending direction of the mounting groove 511.

[0046] Similarly, before the return spring 4 extends out of the mounting groove 511, the side wall of the mounting groove 511 guides the outer side in the radial direction of the return spring 4. In this way, it is possible to avoid the situation where the return spring 4 is deflected due to the lack of restraint on the outer side in the radial direction when the return spring 4 resumes its elastic deformation.

[0047] In this way, by embedding the return spring 4 into the mounting groove 511, the mounting groove 511 can guide the return spring 4 when the return spring 4 switches between the compressed state and the state of resuming deformation. Thus, the situation where the return spring 4 is prone to deflection when the valve core assembly 5 moves axially is avoided.

[0048] In one embodiment, the effective depth of the mounting groove 511 for accommodating the return spring 4 is L. The axial length of the return spring 4 in the undeformed state is H0, and H0 > L > H0 / 2.

[0049] As Figures 1-3 shown, the effective depth L of the mounting groove 511 can be equal to the total depth of the mounting groove 511 or less than the total depth of the mounting groove 511. The mounting groove 511 has a space actually available for accommodating the return spring 4, and the dimension in the depth direction of this space is the effective depth of the mounting groove 511.

[0050] When the return spring 4 located in the mounting groove 511 is in the undeformed state, its dimension in the Y direction is H0. By the way of H0 > L, a part of the top end of the return spring 4 in the Y direction extends out of the mounting groove 511 in the undeformed state of the return spring 4. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be known that when the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state and the semi-open state, the return spring 4 can be in the undeformed state. It can be understood that the return spring 4 can also be in the undeformed state only when the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state.

[0051] Furthermore, to prevent the return spring 4 from falling off during the transportation or assembly of the electronic expansion valve, L > H0 / 2 is set. In this way, the wrapping range of the installation groove 511 around the return spring 4 is increased. This not only increases the contact area between the side wall of the installation groove 511 and the outer radial circle of the return spring 4, preventing the return spring 4 from falling off, but also further increases the guiding distance of the installation groove 511 for the return spring 4, thus further preventing the return spring 4 from skewing.

[0052] In one embodiment, to further prevent the return spring from skewing and falling off. As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown. When the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state, the axial distance between the top of the valve core assembly 5 and the valve body 1 is b. That is, b is the straight-line distance between the top of the valve core assembly 5 and the top of the housing 12. When the valve core assembly 5 moves up and down along the Y direction in the valve body 1, the distance b is the maximum moving space size of the valve core assembly 5 within the valve body 1.

[0053] When the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state, b < H0 / 2. In this way, the guiding effect and accommodation strength of the installation groove 511 for the return spring 4 can be further ensured, and the return spring 4 can be further prevented from falling off and skewing.

[0054] Furthermore, when the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state, the top of the return spring 4 is spaced from the top of the valve body 1. In this way, while effectively preventing the return spring 4 from falling off and skewing, the movable space range of the valve core assembly 5 can also be increased.

[0055] In addition, during assembly, after welding the rotor 3 to the valve core assembly 5, the return spring 4 can be placed in the installation groove 511. In this way, the assembly process of the electronic expansion valve is effectively simplified.

[0056] In one embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, Figure 6 shows the flow chart when the electronic expansion valve switches from the fully closed state to the fully open state. The stroke of the valve core assembly 5 and the guiding part 2 from thread engagement to thread disengagement is a, and b > a.

[0057] For example, the valve core assembly 5 includes a lead screw 51 and a valve needle 52. The valve needle 52 is internally placed and fixed to the lead screw 51. The bottom end of the valve needle 52 extends out from the bottom end of the lead screw 51 to block the valve port 13. The installation groove 511 is located at one end of the lead screw 51 away from the valve port (13), that is, the installation groove 511 is located at the top end of the lead screw 51. The bottom end of the lead screw 51 is closer to the valve port 13. The rotor 3 is arranged on the outer side of the radial direction of the guiding part 2. The top end of the lead screw 51 extends out from within the guiding part 2. The rotor 3 is fixedly connected to the top end of the lead screw 51.

[0058] For example, thread structures are respectively provided on the outer wall of the lead screw 51 and the inner wall of the guiding portion 2. When a thread fit is formed between the lead screw 51 and the guiding portion 2, the thread structure converts the rotational motion of the lead screw 51 into a linear motion along the Y direction. When the lead screw 51 moves along the Y direction until the thread disengages from the guiding portion 2, the lead screw 51 no longer moves linearly. When b > a, it effectively avoids the situation where the top of the lead screw 51 contacts the top of the housing 12 and causes wear when the electronic expansion valve is in the fully open state, and avoids the interference between the top of the lead screw 51 and the top of the housing 12.

[0059] See Figure 1 With Figure 2 , in order to enable the return spring 4 to be compressed, the distance between the top of the return spring 4 and the top of the valve body 1 is h, and b > h. As the electronic expansion valve gradually opens from the fully closed state, h gradually decreases to 0.

[0060] When h = 0, the top of the return spring 4 contacts the top of the housing 12. The guiding portion 2 and the lead screw 51 are still in the engaged state, and at this time the spring is still in the undeformed state.

[0061] See Figure 3 , as the rotor 3 continues to rotate, the lead screw 51 continues to move upward along the Y direction. The return spring 4 is compressed until the stroke of the thread disengagement between the guiding portion 2 and the lead screw 51 reaches a. At this time, the compressed length of the return spring 4 is H1.

[0062] Conversely, when closing the valve, under the action of the return spring 4, the guiding portion 2 and the lead screw 51 are re-threaded and engaged to move downward along the Y direction until the valve is closed.

[0063] In one example, a first limiting boss 21 is provided at the lower end of the guiding portion 2, and a second limiting boss 31 is provided on the rotor 3. When the electronic expansion valve is closed, the first limiting boss 21 and the second limiting boss 31 form a limiting fit.

[0064] In one embodiment, in order to further prevent the return spring 4 from being skewed or falling off, a part of the valve needle 52 on the side away from the valve port 13 extends into the installation groove 511. The bottom of the return spring 4 is sleeved on the valve needle 52. In this way, the valve needle 52 and the installation groove 511 respectively form guiding on the inner ring side and the outer ring side of the return spring 4, thereby further preventing the spring from being skewed or falling off.

[0065] Further, see Figure 3 In order to prevent the valve core assembly 5 from being impacted abnormally when the thread between the lead screw 51 and the guiding portion 2 is disengaged, and hitting the top of the housing 12 to cause deformation and cracking of the top of the housing 12. The dimension of the part of the valve needle 52 located inside the return spring 4 is c, such that c < L.

[0066] In this way, when the top of the housing 12 is impacted, the top surface of the valve needle 52 is always located within the mounting groove 511. When the valve core assembly 5 impacts the top of the housing 12, the top surface of the lead screw 51 impacts the top of the housing 12. Since the diameter of the top of the lead screw 51 is relatively large, deformation and cracking of the housing 12 due to impact are avoided.

[0067] Furthermore, make c = L. In this way, when the valve core assembly 5 impacts the housing 12, both the top surface of the valve needle 52 and the top surface of the lead screw 51 are in contact with the housing 12. In this way, the force-bearing area when the valve core assembly 5 impacts the housing 12 is increased, thereby further avoiding deformation and cracking of the housing 12.

[0068] In one embodiment, a valve needle sleeve 53 is fixedly provided in the mounting groove 511. The valve needle 52 is disposed inside the valve needle sleeve 53 and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the valve needle sleeve 53. The bottom end of the return spring 4 is disposed on the top end face of the valve needle sleeve 53. The distance between the top end face of the valve needle sleeve 53 and the notch of the mounting groove 511 is the effective depth L of the mounting groove 511 for accommodating the return spring 4.

[0069] Optionally, in order to further simplify the installation steps, the valve needle sleeve 53 and the valve needle 52 are of an integral structure. It can be understood that the valve needle 52 can be fixedly connected to the lead screw 51 through the valve needle sleeve 53; alternatively, the valve needle sleeve 53 may not be provided, and a fixed connection is formed between the portion of the outer wall of the valve needle 52 in contact with the inner wall of the lead screw 51. No specific limitation is made here, as long as the valve needle 52 can form a fixed connection with the lead screw 51.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature adjustment device is further provided. The temperature adjustment device includes the above-mentioned electronic expansion valve.

[0071] In this article, specific examples are used to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core idea. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art in this technical field, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic expansion valve, comprising a hollow valve body (1), the valve body (1) is provided with a valve port (13), and is characterized in that, A guide portion (2), a rotor (3) and a valve core assembly (5) are provided in the valve body (1). The guide portion (2) is fixed to the inner wall of the valve body (1). The valve core assembly (5) is arranged along the axial direction of the valve body (1). The rotor (3) is fixedly connected to the valve core assembly (5) to drive the valve core assembly (5) to rotate together. The valve core assembly (5) passes through the guide portion (2) and can be in threaded cooperation with the guide portion (2). When the valve core assembly (5) rotates, it can move up and down along the axial direction of the valve body (1) to open or close the valve port (13). An installation groove (511) is formed at one end of the valve core assembly (5) away from the valve port (13). A return spring (4) is embedded in the installation groove (511), and a part of the return spring (4) extends out from the end face of the installation groove (511).

2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein The effective depth L of the installation groove (511) for accommodating the return spring (4) is such that the axial length of the return spring (4) in the undeformed state is H0, and H0 > L > H0 / 2.

3. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein When the electronic expansion valve is in the fully closed state, the axial distance between the top of the valve core assembly (5) and the valve body (1) is b. When the valve is in the fully closed state, b < H0 / 2.

4. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the electronic expansion valve is switched from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the stroke of the valve core assembly (5) and the guide portion (2) from threaded engagement to threaded disengagement is a, and b > a.

5. The electronic expansion valve according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The valve core assembly (5) includes a lead screw (51) and a valve needle (52). The valve needle (52) is internally placed and fixed to the lead screw (51). The installation groove (511) is located at the end of the lead screw (51) away from the valve port (13). A part of the valve needle (52) extends into the installation groove (511), and the bottom of the return spring (4) is sleeved on the valve needle (52).

6. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 5, wherein, The dimension of the part of the valve needle (52) located within the return spring (4) is c, and c < L; or c = L.

7. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, A valve needle sleeve (53) is fixedly provided in the installation groove (511). The valve needle (52) is internally placed in the valve needle sleeve (53) and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the valve needle sleeve (53). One end of the return spring (4) close to the valve port (13) is in contact with the end face of the valve needle sleeve (53).

8. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 7, wherein The valve needle sleeve (53) and the valve needle (52) are of an integral structure.

9. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 5, characterized in that The rotor (3) is arranged outside the radial direction of the guide portion (2). The top end of the lead screw (51) extends out from the guide portion (2), and the rotor (3) is fixedly connected to the top end of the lead screw (51).

10. A temperature regulating device, characterized in that, An electronic expansion valve according to any one of claims 1-9.

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