Electric valve

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is, in an electrically operated valve, to prevent rapid outflow of a cooling liquid to an outflow port when a valve body rotates and the outflow port of the cooling liquid communicates with a valve hole, to control a small flow rate of the cooling liquid, and to suppress clogging by foreign matter. An electric valve is provided with: a housing (11) having an opening at one end and a communication port (11b) on the peripheral surface; a valve body (12) which is rotatably inserted into the housing and opens and closes the communication port; a cylindrical seal member (14) attached to the communication port and in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the valve body; and a drive device that rotationally drives the valve body, the valve body having a cylindrical valve body (12b) in which are formed: an outer wall capable of closing the communication port; a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port; and a valve opening which is formed at one end of the valve body and communicates with the opening, one end portion of the cylindrical sealing member in which the opening is formed is in sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the valve body, and a groove portion (14c) connected to the opening is formed at the one end portion of the sealing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electric valve. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in rotary flow control valves used in automotive cooling systems, a cylindrical valve core with a spherical or cylindrical outer wall is sometimes housed within the valve housing (valve core housing) in a manner that allows for external rotational operation. In this rotary flow control valve, a spherical or cylindrical valve core is used, and the rotation of the valve core appropriately opens and closes the outlet to the passage relative to a passage connected within the valve housing, thereby achieving the desired action. Specifically, a valve hole is formed on the side of the valve core, and the rotation of the valve core causes the valve hole to overlap with the outlet formed on the inner surface of the valve housing, allowing coolant to flow towards the outlet.

[0003] However, in such flow control valves, the connection between the outlet and the valve orifice is switched by rotating the valve core. Moreover, if the connection state is switched abruptly based on the rotation of the valve core, the flow rate of the coolant flowing at the outlet changes drastically, and the pressure and temperature fluctuations on the outlet side tend to increase.

[0004] As a countermeasure, Patent Document 1 discloses the following structure: in the initial stage of the connection between the outlet and the valve hole, the inflow of coolant from the valve hole side is gradually increased.

[0005] like Figure 6 As schematically shown, the flow control valve disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a slit 52a extending through the peripheral wall portion of the valve core 50 in the rotational direction, located at the edge of the valve hole 52 formed in the peripheral wall portion 51 of the cylindrical valve core 50. The slit 52a extends from the valve hole 52 along the rotational direction of the valve core 50, and in the stage before the outlet directly communicates with the valve hole 52, the coolant in the inner region of the valve core 50 is guided to the outlet through the slit 52a.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-138452

[0009] However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a slit 52a penetrating the wall is formed at the edge of the valve orifice 52, the width of the slit becomes narrower if a small flow rate is desired. As a result, foreign objects may clog the slit. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an electric valve that can prevent the rapid outflow of coolant to the outlet when the valve core rotates and the coolant outlet is connected to the valve hole, can control the small flow rate of coolant, and can suppress the blockage of foreign objects.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the electric valve of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a housing having an opening at one end and a communication port on its circumferential surface; a valve core rotatably inserted into the housing to open and close the communication port; a cylindrical sealing member installed in the communication port and slidingly contacting the circumferential surface of the valve core; and a driving device for rotating the valve core, the valve core having a cylindrical valve body having: an outer wall capable of sealing the communication port of the housing; a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port; and a valve opening formed at one end of the valve body and communicating with the opening of the housing, the end of the cylindrical sealing member having the opening slidingly contacting the circumferential surface of the valve core, and a groove connected to the opening being formed at one end of the sealing member.

[0012] With this structure, in the electric valve, the groove initially overlaps with the valve orifice due to the rotation of the valve core, thereby initiating the flow of coolant from the groove to the connecting port (outlet). Therefore, it prevents the rapid outflow of coolant into the connecting port and allows for control of a small coolant flow rate. Furthermore, since it is not a structure where a small flow rate passes through a narrow slit as in the past, it can suppress the blockage of foreign objects.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, at least a region on the radially outer side of one end of the sealing member with the opening is formed to be capable of sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the valve core.

[0014] This structural design can suppress the reduction in sealing effect when the valve orifice and the connecting port do not overlap.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the sealing member has a concave or convex engaging portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member and engaging with a protrusion or recess formed on the communication port side.

[0016] In this way, by providing a locking part for rotation suppression on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member, the circumferential rotation of the sealing member can be suppressed.

[0017] According to the electric valve of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the rapid outflow of coolant to the outlet when the valve core rotates and the coolant outlet communicates with the valve hole, to control the small flow rate of coolant, and to suppress the blockage of foreign matter. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the electric valve according to this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the valve core of an electric valve.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the sealing component of this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the sealing component.

[0022] Figure 5 (a) is Figure 3 A plan view of the groove portion of the sealing component. Figure 5 (b) is a plan view showing a modified example of the groove.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a front view showing the shape of the existing valve orifice. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electric valve according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in the specification and drawings of this application, elements that can be described in the same way are sometimes omitted from repeated description by using the same reference numerals.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of an electric valve according to one embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, [the following will be noted:] Figure 1 The upper and lower sides are simply referred to as "upper" and "lower".

[0026] Imagine the electric valve 1 of this embodiment being used, for example, in the cooling circuit (coolant circulation system) of an automobile. This cooling circuit includes: a cooling path through which coolant flowing from the internal combustion engine (cylinder head side) returns to the internal combustion engine (cylinder block side) via the radiator; and a bypass path through which coolant flowing from the internal combustion engine returns to the internal combustion engine without passing through the radiator (by detour). Furthermore, the electric valve 1 controls the opening and closing of a valve orifice formed in the valve core, discharging coolant flowing into the internal combustion engine into the cooling path and the bypass path respectively, and controlling the flow rate.

[0027] <Basic Structure of Electric Valves>

[0028] The electric valve 1 of this embodiment includes: a housing 11 having a coolant inlet 11a and a plurality of outlets 11b (11b1, 11b2); a valve core 12 housed in the interior space of the housing 11 and rotatable about an axis within the interior space; adapters 13 (131, 132) connected to the outlets 11b; and sealing members 14 (141, 142) for preventing leakage of coolant released to the adapter 13 through valve holes 12f (12f1, 12f2) formed in the valve core 12. The electric valve 1 controls the rotation of the valve core 12 according to instructions from a control device (not shown) mounted on a vehicle, for example, appropriately releasing coolant into the cooling path and bypass path.

[0029] The structure of the electric valve 1 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below. In addition, in this embodiment, the direction along the axis that serves as the rotation center of the valve core 12 is called the "axial direction", the direction orthogonal to the axis is called the "radial direction", and the direction around the axis is called the "circumferential direction".

[0030] The housing 11 includes: a main body 11c having an internal space (valve core receiving portion 20) for receiving the valve core 12; and a bottom-shaped cover 11d forming a space for receiving the reducer 15 between itself and the upper surface of the main body 11c. The open end (periphery) of the cover 11d is mounted on the upper surface of the main body 11c to close the internal space of the cover 11d. Furthermore, the reducer 15, received in the space of the cover 11d, has multiple gears and functions to reduce the rotation of an electric motor (drive device: not shown) that operates according to instructions from a control device and transmits the speed to the valve core 12.

[0031] Furthermore, within the housing 11, a cylindrical insertion section 11e is provided at the upper part of the main body 11c. This insertion section 11e is rotatably supported when a shaft 12a, which functions as the rotating shaft of the valve core 12, is inserted through it. A bearing 11f is provided on the inner circumference of the insertion section 11e to support the upper part of the shaft 12a so that it can rotate freely.

[0032] Furthermore, in the housing 11, a generally cylindrical outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) protrudes radially outward from the circumferential surface of the main body 11c (the inner wall 20a of the valve core receiving portion 20) as a communication port. Moreover, Figure 1 The outlets 11b1 and 11b2 shown are located at different positions in the axial and circumferential directions, respectively. Furthermore, cylindrical adapters 13 (131, 132) that communicate with the aforementioned cooling path and bypass path are respectively inserted and fixed into the outlets 11b.

[0033] In addition, Figure 1In the cross-sectional view, outlets 11b are provided at two locations on the main body 11c, but this is not a limitation. The outlets 11b can be further formed according to the number and direction of the flow paths for discharging coolant. Figure 1 Other locations.

[0034] Furthermore, an inlet 11a is formed at the lower end of the housing 11. This inlet 11a is an opening that communicates with the cylinder head side and is used to draw coolant into the valve core 12 side. A frame 17 is mounted on this inlet 11a. A cylindrical portion 17a formed at the center of this frame 17 supports the lower end of the shaft 12a, allowing it to rotate freely. Coolant can flow into the housing 11 through this frame 17.

[0035] <valve core>

[0036] The valve core 12 has: a shaft 12a that functions as a rotation axis; and a valve body 12b, which has an outer wall capable of switching between communication with the outside and is integrally rotatably engaged with the shaft 12a. A gear, which is a component of the speed reducer 15, is integrally mounted on the shaft 12a. Thus, if the gear is rotated by the drive of an electric motor, the valve core 12 (shaft 12a, valve body 12b) rotates integrally with it.

[0037] Furthermore, in the valve body 12b of the valve core 12, a connecting portion 12c (rotation shaft holding portion) is provided at the center, which engages with the outer periphery of the shaft 12a when the shaft 12a passes through it. Additionally, the valve body 12b has two valve portions connected vertically. These two valve portions are cylindrical, have valve openings at the top and bottom, and have spherical outer walls. The valve openings communicate with the inlet 11a (opening) of the housing 11. In this embodiment, the valve portion formed on the lower part is designated as the first valve portion 12b1, and the valve portion formed on the upper part is designated as the second valve portion 12b2.

[0038] To be more specific, the valve core 12 is formed of resin into a generally cylindrical shape and is housed within the valve core housing 20. The shaft 12a is located on the central axis of the valve core 12. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the valve core 12. As described above, the valve body 12b of the valve core 12 has a first valve portion 12b1 with openings at both the top and bottom, and also has openings at both the top and bottom and extends from one end of the first valve portion 12b1 (at... Figure 1 The second valve section 12b2 is formed by axially connecting the upper and middle parts of the valve core 12. The valve core 12 has a coolant passage R inside, which is formed by the first valve section 12b1 and the second valve section 12b2 and is connected to the inlet 11a (opening).

[0039] Furthermore, the outer wall 12m of the first valve section 12b1 is connected and supported by a plurality of bridges (e.g., three, not shown) between the joint portion 12c that engages with the outer peripheral portion of the shaft 12a, in order to obtain the desired strength. The connecting passage R in the first valve section 12b1 becomes a flow path for coolant through the plurality of bridges.

[0040] The outer walls 12m and 12n (valve outer walls) of the first valve section 12b1 and the second valve section 12b2 are formed as shown in the figure into a spherical shape with the largest diameter in the axial center (so-called ball valve), and the inner walls 12i and 12j of the valve section that form the connecting passage R for coolant to pass through are formed parallel in the axial direction.

[0041] Furthermore, within the second valve section 12b2, three reinforcing members 45 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction to reinforce the valve core 12. These reinforcing members 45 are designed to prevent interference with the insertion cylinder section 11e. The shaft 12a is guided by the insertion cylinder section 11e and rotates integrally with the valve body 12b.

[0042] Furthermore, the shaft 12a and the insertion cylinder portion 11e of the housing 11 are sealed by a sealing ring 12d. As a result, the coolant in the main body portion 11c will not flow from the insertion cylinder portion 11e into the cover portion 11d. In addition, the lower end opening of the first valve portion 12b1 functions as an inlet 12e for drawing coolant flowing in from the cylinder head side via the frame 17 (inlet 11a) into the internal space of the valve core 12.

[0043] Furthermore, valve holes 12f1 and 12f2 are respectively provided in the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2. The valve hole 12f penetrates the wall thickness of the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 in the radial direction. If the valve core 12 rotates and the valve hole 12f coincides with the opening of the sealing member 14, the coolant flows out from the overlapping part. In this way, each valve hole 12f is opened and closed by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the valve body 12b and the shaft 12a, and by this opening and closing action, the communication state of the inlet 11a and the outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) is switched respectively. That is, each valve hole 12f provided in the valve core 12 is formed to switch the communication state between the corresponding outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) and the internal space of the valve core 12 with the rotation. Therefore, the coolant taken in through the inlet 12e into the internal space of the valve core 12 (first valve part 12b1, second valve part 12b2) is released into the cooling path and bypass path according to the opening and closing action of each valve hole 12f, and its outflow is controlled.

[0044] The connection structure between valve orifices 12f1, 12f2 and outlet 11b is described in more detail. Sealing members 14 (141, 142) are located between valve core 12 and cylindrical adapter 13 (131, 132). Figure 3 This is a perspective view of sealing component 14. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member 14. As shown, the sealing member 14 is a cylindrical body composed of a large-diameter portion 14A (first cylindrical portion) and a small-diameter portion 14B (second cylindrical portion) with different diameters. The small-diameter portion 14B is inserted into the end of the adapter 13. Figure 1 As shown, one end of the helical spring 19 (191, 192) provided in the adapter 13 abuts against the end of the small diameter portion 14B, and the sealing member 14 is pressed against the outer wall 12m (12n) of the valve core 12 by the force of the helical spring 19.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the large-diameter portion 14A has an opening 14A1 at one end. The end portion 14A2 of the large-diameter portion 14A with the opening 14A1 slides in contact with the peripheral surface of the valve core 12, i.e., the outer wall 12m (12n), to prevent leakage of coolant released to the adapter 13 side. In addition, multiple valve holes (12f1, 12f2) are individually formed corresponding to the outlet 11b on the peripheral surface (outer wall 12m, 12n) of the valve core 12, which are aligned with the outlet 11b by axial rotation.

[0046] Here, when the valve core 12 rotates and one end 14A2 of the sealing member 14 overlaps with the valve holes (12f1, 12f2) of the valve core 12, if the connection state is switched abruptly, the flow rate of the coolant flowing at the outlet 11b changes drastically, and the pressure and temperature fluctuations at the outlet 11b side tend to increase. Therefore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, in one end 14A2 of the large diameter portion 14A of the sealing member 14, at the position where it initially overlaps with the valve holes 12f1 and 12f2 due to the rotation of the valve core 12, a bottomed groove 14C connected to the opening 14A1 is provided in the radial direction.

[0047] Furthermore, at least the radially outer region 14A21 of one end 14A2 of the sealing member 14 is formed to be able to slide in contact with the outer wall 12m (12n) of the valve core 12, so that the sealing effect is not reduced when the opening 14A1 does not overlap with the valve holes 12f1, 12f2.

[0048] The shape of the groove 14C can also be as follows: Figure 5 As shown in the plan view (a), the sides of the groove 14C1, 14C2 widen into a fan shape towards the inner diameter, or as shown in the plan view (a). Figure 5As shown in the plan view in (b), the distance (i.e., the lateral width) between the groove sides 14C1 and 14C2 is constant in the radial direction. The groove bottom surface 14C3 can also be a surface shape that is inclined at a specified angle relative to the radial direction, or a surface shape that is orthogonal to the axial direction. In addition, the depth of the groove back surface 14C4 can be arbitrarily set. The design of these groove shapes can be determined according to the required specifications, control methods, etc.

[0049] In this way, by forming a groove 14C at one end 14A2 of the sealing member 14 that contacts the valve core 12, where an opening 14A1 is formed, the inflow of coolant to the outlet 11b at the start of connection can be slowed down, abrupt pressure changes can be suppressed, and the flow rate of coolant supplied to the outlet 11b can be varied with high precision.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the groove 14C is located in the end 14A2 of the large-diameter portion 14A of the sealing member 14, where an opening 14A1 is formed, at a position where it initially overlaps with the valve holes 12f1 and 12f2 due to the rotation of the valve core 12. However, if the sealing member 14 rotates relative to the adapter 13, the inflow of coolant from the valve holes 12f1 and 12f2 to the outlet 11b at the beginning of communication with the inlet 11a cannot be slowed down.

[0051] Therefore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, a locking groove 14D (locking part) for preventing rotation is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 14B. On the other hand, a rib (protrusion, not shown) is provided on the inner peripheral surface (communication port side) of the adapter 13 into which the small diameter portion 14B is inserted, which is formed to engage with the locking groove 14D.

[0052] Thus, the sealing member 14 can move axially (towards the valve core 12) by the force of the helical spring 19, and suppress circumferential rotation.

[0053] In such a structure, for example, if the valve core 12 is rotated by the drive of the shaft 12a (rotation shaft), the valve hole 12f1 (12f2) of the first valve part 12b1 (second valve part 12b2) begins to communicate with the outlet 11b1 (outlet 11b2), and the coolant flowing in from the internal combustion engine side first begins to flow from the groove 14C formed on the opening 14A1 side of the sealing member 141 (142) to the outlet 11b1 (outlet 11b2). That is, the flow of coolant to the outlet 11b at the beginning of the connection is slowed down, suppressing abrupt pressure changes.

[0054] If the valve core 12 continues to rotate, the valve orifice 12f1 (12f2) connects with the outlet 11b1 (outlet 11b2), and the coolant flowing in from the internal combustion engine side is guided from the valve orifice 12f1 (valve orifice 12f2) to the outlet 11b1 (outlet 11b2) at the desired flow rate.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, a groove 14C is provided in one end 14A2 of the large-diameter portion 14A of the sealing member 14, where an opening 14A1 is formed, at a position where it initially overlaps with the valve holes 12f1 and 12f2 due to the rotation of the valve core 12. As a result, coolant begins to flow from the groove 14C to the outlet 11b, thus preventing a rapid outflow of coolant to the outlet 11b and controlling the small flow rate of coolant. Furthermore, since it is not a structure where a small flow rate passes through a narrow slit as in the past, blockage by foreign matter can be suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, if the sealing member 14 rotates in the circumferential direction, the effect based on the groove 14C formed in the large diameter portion 14A cannot be obtained. However, by providing a rotation-suppressing engagement groove 14D on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 14B, the circumferential rotation of the sealing member 14 can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, the above structure can suppress rapid pressure and temperature changes, and improve the durability of each core component connected to the outlet 11b without increasing the number of components.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which a groove 14C is provided on the side of the opening 14A1 of the large diameter portion 14A of the sealing member 14. However, in this invention, it is not limited to this method, and multiple grooves 14C may be provided circumferentially along one end 14A2 of the sealing member 14 with the opening 14A1.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which an engagement groove 14D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 14B of the sealing member 14. However, in this invention, it is not limited to this method, and multiple engagement grooves 14D may be provided along the circumference of the small diameter portion 14B.

[0060] Furthermore, in this invention, the engaging groove 14D, which serves as the engaging part, may not be a groove shape (concave shape) but a convex shape such as a rib. In this case, it is sufficient to provide a groove or concave part (not shown) on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 13 into which the small diameter part 14B is inserted, so as to engage with the convex part of the small diameter part 14B as the engaging part.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a valve core 12 in which the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 are connected axially has been described as an example. However, the valve core involved in this invention is not limited to this method. For example, there may be one valve portion or three or more spherical valve portions connected axially.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a valve core with a spherical outer wall (so-called a ball valve) has been described, but in this invention, it is not limited to this method, and a cylindrical valve core with a straight cylindrical outer wall surface may also be used.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, an electric valve 1 is described that allows coolant flowing in from the inlet 11a (frame 17 side) to be discharged into the cooling path and the bypass path. However, the connection structure of the flow path connected to the electric valve 1 is not limited to this. It can be appropriately modified according to the specifications of the vehicle's cooling circuit (coolant circulation system) (e.g., a flow path that flows from the inlet (upstream side) of the circumferential surface (inner wall 20a of the valve core receiving portion 20) formed on the main body portion 11c of the housing 11 to the outlet (downstream side) of the frame 17 side).

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sealing member 14 (141, 142) is a structure that is pressed against the outer wall of the valve core 12 by the force of the helical spring 19 (191, 192), but it is not limited to this. As long as it can prevent the leakage of coolant released to the adapter 13 side through the outlet 11b, it can also be achieved by other structures.

[0065] Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but modifications, variations, and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0066] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0067] 1 Electric valve

[0068] 11. Shell

[0069] 11a Inlet (Opening)

[0070] 11b Outlet (Connection Port)

[0071] 12 Valve Core

[0072] 12a axis

[0073] 12b1 First valve section (valve body)

[0074] 12b2 Second valve section (valve body)

[0075] 12f1 Valve Port

[0076] 12f2 valve orifice

[0077] 12m outer wall (valve outer wall)

[0078] 12n groove

[0079] 14 Sealing components

[0080] 14A Large-diameter section (first cylindrical section)

[0081] 14A1 Opening

[0082] 14A2 One end

[0083] 14B Small Diameter Section (Second Cylindrical Section)

[0084] 14C groove

[0085] 14D locking groove (locking part)

[0086] 20 Valve core housing section

[0087] 20a Inner wall

[0088] R connecting path

Claims

1. An electric valve characterized by comprising: a housing having an opening at one end and a communication port on a peripheral surface; a valve core rotatably inserted into the housing and opening and closing the communication port; a cylindrical sealing member installed to the communication port and in sliding contact with a peripheral surface of the valve core; and a driving device that rotationally drives the valve core.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a region of the one end of the sealing member in which the opening is formed, which is more radially outward than the groove portion, is formed to be in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the valve core.

3. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing member has a concave shape or a convex shape engaging portion formed on a peripheral surface of the sealing member and engaged with a convex portion or a concave portion formed on the communication port side. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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