Valve device

Abstract

The utility model aims to provide a valve device which can prevent fluid from leaking to the outside with low cost. An electrically operated valve (1) is provided with: a valve body (10) having a valve port and a valve body therein; and a flow path block (70) having a mounting hole (71) into which the valve body (10) is inserted, a first flow path (75), and a second flow path (77). The valve body (10) is provided with: a metal valve housing (11); a resin molded part (14) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing (11); and an annular groove (17) to which a seal member (18) disposed between the valve body and the flow path block is attached. The annular groove (17) is formed to have a concave cross-section by a bottom surface formed from the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing (11) and a pair of side surfaces formed from the resin molded part (14). The seal member (18) is provided so as to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove (17) and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (71).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model relates to a valve device. Background Art

[0002] There is known a valve device (electric valve) including: a valve body having a valve port and a valve element inside; and a flow path block (pipe body) having a mounting hole for inserting the valve body and a flow path communicating with the valve port (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the valve device described in Patent Document 1, the valve body includes a metal valve housing (main body), and a sealing member (sealing ring) is provided in an annular groove on the peripheral surface of the valve housing. The sealing member is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole of the flow path block and the annular groove, thereby sealing the flow path.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-153488 Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Utility Model

[0007] In the above-described conventional valve device, the annular groove of the metal valve housing is formed by cutting, so the manufacturing cost increases. On the other hand, as shown, it is also considered to form the valve housing 200 by stamping and perform insert molding of the resin 201 on its outer peripheral surface, and form the entire annular groove 202 by the resin 201. However, in this case, there is a concern that the valve housing 200 and the resin 201 are peeled off and fluid leaks from the peeled portion 203 to the outside of the valve device. Figure 9

[0008] An object of the present utility model is to provide a valve device that can prevent fluid from leaking to the outside at low cost.

[0009] Solution for Solving the Problem

[0010] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, the valve device according to Solution 1 of the present utility model includes: a valve body having a valve port and a valve element inside; and a flow path block having a mounting hole for inserting the valve body and a flow path communicating with the valve port, characterized in that the valve body includes: a metal valve housing; a resin molding part provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing; and an annular groove in which a sealing member disposed between the valve body and the flow path block is mounted. The annular groove is formed in a concave cross-section by a bottom surface formed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing and a pair of side surfaces formed by the resin molding part, and the sealing member is provided in close contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole.

[0011] ​According to such a utility model of the present invention, an annular groove is formed by the resin molding part and the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing, so that there is no need to form the annular groove by machining. Therefore, the manufacture of the annular groove becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost of the valve device can be reduced. In addition, according to this structure, the metal bottom surface in the annular groove can be directly connected to the metal inner peripheral surface in the mounting hole through the sealing member. Therefore, even if the resin molding part peels off from the metal valve housing and a gap or the like is generated at the contact part between the resin molding part and the valve housing, the sealing performance between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the flow path block can be reliably ensured, and the fluid will not leak to the outside. Therefore, a valve device can be provided which can prevent the fluid from leaking to the outside at low cost.

[0012] In addition, at this time, the valve device of the second solution of the present invention preferably has a through hole penetrating through the inside and outside provided on the valve port side of the valve housing with respect to the sealing member, and a through resin part continuous with the resin molding part is provided in the through hole.

[0013] According to such a structure, the resin molding part can be continuously provided through the through resin part provided in the through hole of the valve housing, and the position deviation of the resin molding part with respect to the valve housing in the axial direction and the rotational direction around the axis can be suppressed. In addition, the through hole is formed on the valve port side with respect to the sealing member. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the through resin part peels off from the through hole and the fluid flows from the inside of the valve housing to the outside through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole and the through resin part, the flow of the fluid can be blocked by the sealing member. Therefore, the outflow of the fluid from the inside of the valve housing to the outside through the gap between the valve housing and the flow path block can be suppressed.

[0014] In addition, the valve device of the third solution of the present invention may be such that the resin molding part has: a first resin molding part which constitutes one of the sides of the annular groove; and a second resin molding part which constitutes the other of the sides of the annular groove, and the first resin molding part and the second resin molding part are not continuous.

[0015] In addition, the valve device of the fourth solution of the present invention is preferably such that the valve body has a resin component provided inside the valve housing, and the resin component and the first resin molding part are continuously formed through the through resin part.

[0016] According to such a structure, by continuously forming a resin component and a first resin molding part through the through resin part, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the resin component and the first resin molding part with respect to the valve housing in the axial direction and the rotational direction around the axis. Moreover, since the positional deviation of the resin component with respect to the valve housing is suppressed, for example, when the resin component includes a component that restricts the rotation of a valve element, which is subjected to a rotational force from a motor or the like, around the axis, it is possible to prevent this component from rotating around the axis in cooperation with the valve element that is intended to rotate around the axis. Therefore, the function of restricting the rotation of the valve element can be reliably ensured.

[0017] Furthermore, in the valve device according to the fifth aspect of the present utility model, it is preferable that the valve housing and the flow path block are installed in a non-contact state with each other with the resin molding part therebetween.

[0018] In a valve device, sometimes the valve housing is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and the flow path block is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like. In this case, if the valve housing and the flow path block come into contact, there is a concern about electrolytic corrosion due to the difference in ionization tendency. However, according to this structure, the valve housing and the flow path block can be made non-contact with each other with the resin molding part therebetween. Therefore, even if the valve housing is formed of stainless steel or the like and the flow path block is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like, the occurrence of the above-mentioned electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed.

[0019] Furthermore, in the valve device according to the sixth aspect of the present utility model, it is preferable that a fixing part fixed to the flow path block is provided on the valve housing, and at least a part of the fixing part is covered by the resin molding part.

[0020] According to such a structure, since at least a part of the fixing part is covered by the resin molding part, it is possible to prevent the fixing part from coming into direct contact with the flow path block. Therefore, for example, when the fixing part is formed of a metal such as stainless steel and the flow path block is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion caused by the contact between the fixing part and the flow path block can be suppressed.

[0021] Furthermore, in the valve device according to the seventh aspect of the present utility model, it is preferable to include a resin fastener that maintains the installation state of the valve housing and the flow path block. The fastener is inserted between the valve housing and the flow path block in the mounting hole in a state of elastic deformation, and is fixed to the mounting hole by a restoring force.

[0022] According to such a structure, a fastener can be used to maintain the mounting state of the valve housing and the flow path block. At this time, the fastener is clamped in the mounting hole by the restoring force after elastic deformation. Therefore, when fixing the valve housing and the flow path block, there is no need to perform cumbersome operations such as thread fastening. Therefore, the fastener can be easily fixed to the mounting hole. And, in the state where the fastener is clamped in the mounting hole, the fastener is interposed between the valve housing and the flow path block. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the valve housing and the flow path block from directly contacting each other by using this fastener. Therefore, for example, when the valve housing is formed of a metal such as stainless steel and the flow path block is formed of aluminum alloy, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion caused by the contact between the valve housing and the flow path block can be suppressed.

[0023] In addition, the electric valve according to Solution 8 of the present utility model is characterized in that it is used as the above-mentioned valve device.

[0024] According to such a structure, an electric valve can be provided which can prevent fluid from leaking to the outside at low cost.

[0025] Effect of the utility model

[0026] According to the present utility model, a valve device can be provided which can prevent fluid from leaking to the outside at low cost. Description of the drawings

[0027] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device according to the first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the valve body and the drive part of the valve device shown.

[0029] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the flow path block of the valve device shown.

[0030] Figure 4 is Figure 1 an enlarged cross-sectional view of area A of the valve device shown.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device according to the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged cross-sectional view of area B of the valve device shown.

[0033] Figure 7 is Figure 5 a top view of the fastener included in the valve device shown.

[0034] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve device according to a modification of the second embodiment.

[0035] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional valve device.

[0036] In the figure:

[0037] 1—Electric valve (valve device); 10—Valve body; 11—Valve housing; 14—Resin molded part; 17—Circular groove; 18—Sealing member; 19—First port (valve port); 21—Second port (valve port); 40—Valve core; 70—Flow path block; 71—Mounting hole; 75—First flow path (flow path); 77—Second flow path (flow path). Specific embodiments

[0038] Hereinafter, based on Figures 1 to 4 a first embodiment of the valve device of the present utility model will be described. The valve device is, for example, an electric valve 1 mounted on a vehicle or the like, and includes a valve body 10, a valve core 40, a drive unit 50, and a flow path block 70. In addition, in the following description, in the figure, the direction along the axis L of the valve body 10 is referred to as the "axis L direction", one side in the axis L direction is referred to as the "upper side L1", and the other side is referred to as the "lower side L2". In addition, the direction orthogonal to the axis L direction is referred to as the "radial direction X". The definitions of these directions are only for convenience of description, and do not necessarily coincide with the actual directions of the electric valve 1 in the actual use state, and do not limit the actual directions of the electric valve 1 in the actual use state.

[0039] As Figure 2 shown, the valve body 10 includes a cylindrical valve housing 11. The valve housing 11 is formed into a cylindrical shape, for example, by stamping a metal material such as SUS (stainless steel) and extends in the axis L direction. A through hole 12 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (inside and outside of the valve housing 11) is formed in the side wall of the valve housing 11. The through hole 12 is formed intermittently or continuously in the circumferential direction around the axis L within a range that does not go around the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 once. A resin is embedded in the through hole 12 and integrated with the valve housing 11 by insert molding, and this resin constitutes the through resin portion 13. On the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the valve housing 11, an annular resin molded part 14 is integrally formed by insert molding. The resin molded part 14 includes: a first resin molded part 15 that is continuous with the end portion on the outer side in the radial direction X of the through resin portion 13; and a second resin molded part 16 that is arranged on the upper side L1 at an interval from the first resin molded part 15 in the axis L direction.

[0040] That is, the resin molding portion 14 includes a first resin molding portion 15 and a second resin molding portion 16 that are discontinuous in the axial direction of the axis L. The first resin molding portion 15 is positioned at the periphery of the through hole 12 by being continuous with the through resin portion 13. The upper end surface of the second resin molding portion 16 abuts against the lower end surface of a flange portion 24 described later, and the displacement of the second resin molding portion 16 upward in the L1 direction is restricted by this abutment. In addition, the first resin molding portion 15 and the second resin molding portion 16 may be integrally molded into the valve housing 11 at the same time, or after one of the first resin molding portion 15 and the second resin molding portion 16 is integrally molded, the other may be integrally molded.

[0041] Moreover, in this case, the resin materials of the first resin molding portion 15 and the second resin molding portion 16 may be the same or different. For example, one of the first resin molding portion 15 and the second resin molding portion 16 may be molded from a resin material obtained by mixing PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) to improve the slidability with other components. Additionally, for example, the other of the first resin molding portion 15 and the second resin molding portion 16 may be formed from a resin material obtained by adding GF (glass fiber) to PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) to improve strength and insulation.

[0042] Among them, the first resin molding portion 15 can be molded from a resin material obtained by mixing PPS and PTFE as described above, which improves the slidability between the valve bracket guide hole 32a of the bracket guide portion 31 described later and the valve bracket 43. Therefore, the sliding resistance during the operation of the electric valve 1 is reduced, the wear of the sliding portion is reduced, and the operating stability of the electric valve 1 is maintained. Thus, as the resin material that can improve the slidability for the first resin molding portion 15, a resin material obtained by mixing PPS and PTFE is listed. However, in addition to this resin material, a resin material obtained by mixing CF (carbon fiber) into PPS and PTFE may also be used. Additionally, other than this, resin materials such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone) may also be used, which have the same effect of reducing wear and maintaining operating stability as described above.

[0043] In addition, the second resin molded part 16 is formed of a resin material obtained by adding GF to PPS as described above, so that the strength is improved and the insulation property is also improved. Therefore, when the valve body 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 71 of the flow path block 70, the second resin molded part 16 is hardly ground, the valve housing 11 is insulated from the flow path block 70, and electrolytic corrosion between the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 can be suppressed. Thus, as the resin material for the second resin molded part 16 that can improve the strength and insulation property, a resin material obtained by adding GF to PPS is cited. However, in addition to this resin material, resin materials such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PA (polyamide), and PS (polystyrene) can also be used, and they have the effect of suppressing electrolytic corrosion in the same manner as above.

[0044] By molding the first resin molded part 15 and the second resin molded part 16, an annular groove 17 having a concave cross section recessed in the radial direction X is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11. The bottom surface of the annular groove 17 is constituted by the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11, the side surface of the lower side L2 of the annular groove 17 is constituted by the end surface of the upper side L1 of the first resin molded part 15, and the side surface of the upper side L1 of the annular groove 17 is constituted by the end surface of the lower side L2 of the second resin molded part 16. That is, the annular groove 17 is formed in a concave cross section by the bottom surface constituted by the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 and a pair of side surfaces constituted by the resin molded part 14. An annular seal member 18 is installed in the annular groove 17. The seal member 18 is, for example, an O-ring formed of an elastic resin material such as rubber. And, a first port 19 (valve port) penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 that is lower than the through hole 12 in the lower side L2.

[0045] The first port 19 communicates the inside of the valve housing 11 with a first flow path 75 of the flow path block 70 described later. In addition, according to the configuration of the first port 19 and the configuration of the through hole 12, the through hole 12 penetrates inside and outside on the first port 19 side with respect to the seal member 18. The lower end portion of the valve housing 11 is open in the axial direction L, and a valve seat member 20 is fitted into this opening portion and fixed to the valve housing 11 by welding, brazing, or the like in the fitted state. The valve seat member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape of a metal material such as SUS (stainless steel) and extends in the axial direction L. A second port 21 (valve port) penetrating in the axial direction L is formed at the center of the valve seat member 20. The second port 21 communicates the inside of the valve housing 11 with a second flow path 77 of the flow path block 70 described later. A recess 22 recessed in the radial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat member 20. A second seal member 23 is installed in the recess 22. The second seal member 23 is, for example, an O-ring formed of an elastic resin material such as rubber.

[0046] The upper end of the valve housing 11 is open in the direction of the axis L, and a flange portion 24 protruding radially outward is formed at its opening edge portion. A bottomed cylindrical outer housing 25 made of a metal material such as SUS (stainless steel) is hermetically fixed to the upper end surface of the flange portion 24 by fixing its open end edge by welding or the like. Through the fixing of the outer housing 25 and the fixing of the above-mentioned valve seat member 20, the valve body 10 becomes an internally airtight pressure vessel. At the center of the bottom of the outer housing 25 (in Figure 2 which, the portion corresponding to the inner wall surface of the upper end portion inner side of the electric valve 1) a support portion 26 is installed. The support portion 26 includes: an umbrella portion 26a that extends along the upper inner wall surface of the outer housing 25 and is fixed to the outer housing 25; and a cylindrical portion 26b that protrudes downward along the axis L from the center of the umbrella portion 26a. The cylindrical portion 26b is formed to be open at the lower side L2, and a bearing 26c is fixed to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 26b. The upper end portion 57 of a drive shaft 56 described later is inserted into the inner periphery of the bearing 26c. Inside the valve housing 11, a resin cylindrical support member 30 (resin member) is integrally formed by insert molding.

[0047] The support member 30 includes a cylindrical bracket guide portion 31 that extends in the direction of the axis L. A valve bracket guide hole 32a extending downward along the axis L and a spool guide hole 32b that is continuous with the valve bracket guide hole 32a and opens downward are formed at the center of the bracket guide portion 31. A valve bracket 43 is inserted into the valve bracket guide hole 32a, and a large-diameter portion 42 of the spool 40 is inserted into the spool guide hole 32b. The lower side L2 portion of the bracket guide portion 31 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve housing 11. A part of the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion 33 of the bracket guide portion 31 is continuous with the above-mentioned through resin portion 13. A cylindrical shaft guide portion 34 protruding upward along the axis L1 is formed at the upper end portion of the bracket guide portion 31. The shaft guide portion 34 is coaxially formed with the bracket guide portion 31, and an internal thread 35 that engages with an external thread 58 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 56 is formed on its inner peripheral surface.

[0048] The spool 40 is a needle valve that approaches or separates from the second port 21. The spool 40 includes a needle portion 41 inserted into the second port 21. The needle portion 41 is formed as a columnar shape extending in the direction of the axis L, and its lower end portion is formed as a substantially conical shape that tapers downward. A cylindrical large-diameter portion 42 is formed at the upper end portion of the needle portion 41. The large-diameter portion 42 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the needle portion 41 and smaller than the diameter of the spool guide hole 32b, and extends in the direction of the axis L. Thus, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 42 of the spool 40 can slide on the inner peripheral surface of the spool guide hole 32b. The upper end portion of the large-diameter portion 42 is inserted and fixed to the lower end portion of a valve bracket 43 formed as a cylinder.

[0049] The valve support 43 is formed to extend along the axis L direction. The outer diameter of the valve support 43 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve support guide hole 32a, whereby the outer peripheral surface of the valve support 43 can slide on the inner peripheral surface of the valve support guide hole 32a. In addition, the clearance in the radial direction X of the slidable portion between the outer peripheral surface of the valve support 43 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve support guide hole 32a is wider than the clearance in the radial direction X of the slidable portion between the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 42 of the valve element 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve element guide hole 32b. Therefore, when the electric valve 1 operates, the valve element 40 mainly slides on the slidable portion between the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 42 of the valve element 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve element guide hole 32b, and is thus guided in the axis L direction. A through hole 44 penetrating in the axis L direction is formed at the upper end portion of the valve support 43, and the lower end portion 59 of the drive shaft 56 is inserted through the through hole 44. A columnar spring seat 45 extending in the axis L direction is provided inside the valve support 43. The lower end portion of the spring seat 45 faces the upper end portion of the large-diameter portion 42 in the axis L direction, and a spring 46 is sandwiched between the spring seat 45 and the upper end portion of the large-diameter portion 42. By providing the spring 46, the needle portion 41 is biased toward the second port 21 side.

[0050] The drive unit 50 is a part that drives the valve element 40 in the axis L direction and includes a motor 51. The motor 51 includes: a stator coil 52 disposed outside the housing 25; and a magnetic rotor 53 disposed inside the housing 25 at a position surrounded by the stator coil 52. The stator coil 52 includes a winding portion 52a and a yoke, an exterior member, etc. not shown. The stator coil 52 is connected to a control unit not shown, and by receiving a pulse signal from the control unit, the magnetic rotor 53 rotates counterclockwise or clockwise about the axis L by a predetermined rotation angle corresponding to the pulse signal. In addition, a known means can be used for the fixing means of the stator coil 52 to the housing 25.

[0051] For example, brackets straddling the upper end of the housing 25 and brackets in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the housing can also be provided on the stator coil 52. Protrusions are provided on the brackets, and recesses are provided at positions corresponding to the protrusions of the housing 25. The housing 25 and the stator coil 52 are fixed by the engagement of the protrusions and the recesses. For example, in the Figure 1 structure of the first embodiment, it is a structure in which the protrusion of a bracket (not shown) straddling the upper end of the housing 25 is engaged with the recess 25a (recess) on the upper outer periphery of the housing 25. In the Figure 5 structure of the second embodiment described later, it is a structure in which the protrusion of a bracket (not shown) in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the housing 25 is engaged with the recess 25b (recess) on the lower outer periphery of the housing 25. In addition, the above brackets can also be bolt-fixed to a fixing plate 79, a main body of the flow path block 70, etc. described later.

[0052] The magnetic rotor 53 is formed into a cylindrical shape by insert molding a resin material mixed with magnetic powder into a bushing 55. A protruding magnetic protrusion 54 that protrudes inward in the radial direction X is formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface on the upper side L1 of the magnetic rotor 53. A bushing 55 is provided by insert molding at the center of the magnetic rotor 53, and a drive shaft 56 extending in the direction of the axis L is inserted through the center of the bushing 55. The drive shaft 56 is a shaft portion that rotates around the axis L together with the magnetic rotor 53. The upper end portion 57 of the drive shaft 56 is inserted into the inside of a bearing 26c in a cylindrical portion 26b of the support portion 26 described above and is supported so as to be able to rotate around the axis L and move forward and backward in the direction of the axis L. An external thread 58 that engages with an internal thread 35 of the support member 30 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 56. The lower end portion 59 of the drive shaft 56 is inserted through a through hole 44 of the valve bracket 43 and is located inside the valve bracket 43, and a flange 60 that protrudes outward in the radial direction X is formed on its outer peripheral surface. A washer 61 is provided on the upper side L1 of the flange 60, and the flange 60 is sandwiched between the washer 61 and the spring seat 45 in the direction of the axis L, so that the drive shaft 56 is connected to the valve bracket 43.

[0053] The drive unit 50 further includes a stopper mechanism 62 that restricts the rotation of the magnetic rotor 53. The stopper mechanism 62 includes the cylindrical portion 26b in the support portion 26 of the housing 25 described above. A guide portion 64 that forms a spiral groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 26b. A slider 65 that engages with the spiral groove is provided on the guide portion 64. A claw portion 66 that protrudes outward in the radial direction is formed on the slider 65, and the claw portion 66 can abut against the magnetic protrusion 54 of the magnetic rotor 53 around the axis L. According to this structure, when the magnetic rotor 53 rotates, the slider 65 follows the rotation and rotates around the axis L, and the slider 65 is guided by the guide portion 64 and moves upward to the upper side L1 or downward to the lower side L2. Moreover, if the slider 65 abuts against a cut-up portion of the support portion 26 located at the upper end portion of the guide portion 64 or the lower end portion of the guide portion 64, further rotation is not possible, and thus the rotation of the magnetic rotor 53 stops.

[0054] Next, the flow path block 70 will be described. The flow path block 70 is a component that constitutes a fluid flow path, and although its overall shape is not shown, it is formed into a box shape from a metal such as aluminum alloy, for example. As Figure 3 shown, an installation hole 71 that extends in the direction of the axis L and opens upward to the upper side L1 is formed at the center of the flow path block 70. The installation hole 71 is a portion for inserting the valve body 10. A stepped portion 72 that is recessed downward to the lower side L2 is formed at the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the installation hole 71. A reduced diameter portion 73 that has a smaller diameter than the stepped portion 72 is continuously formed on the lower side L2 of the stepped portion 72. A tapered portion 73a that tapers as it goes downward to the lower side L2 is formed on the lower side L2 of the reduced diameter portion 73, and a cylindrical first sealed portion 74 is formed on this lower side L2. A first flow path 75 (flow path) that extends in the radial direction X is formed in a part of the first sealed portion 74.

[0055] The end portion of the first flow path 75 on the inner side in the radial direction X communicates with the mounting hole 71, and the end portion on the outer side in the radial direction X communicates with the outside of the flow path block 70. A cylindrical second sealed portion 76 is formed on the lower side L2 of the first sealed portion 74. The second sealed portion 76 has a smaller diameter than the first sealed portion 74 and extends in the direction of the axis L. A second flow path 77 (flow path) extending in the radial direction X is formed in a part of the second sealed portion 76. The end portion of the second flow path 77 on the inner side in the radial direction X communicates with the mounting hole 71, and the end portion on the outer side in the radial direction X communicates with the outside of the flow path block 70. An internal thread portion 78 opening upward in the L1 direction is formed at a position on the upper surface of the flow path block 70 that is radially outward from the center.

[0056] In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the valve body 10 and the drive unit 50 configured as described above are connected to the flow path block 70 using a fixing plate 79 and bolts 82. The fixing plate 79 is a plate member that abuts against the upper end surface of the flange portion 24 of the valve body 10 and the upper end surface of the flow path block 70. A through hole 80 through which the outer shell 25 of the valve body 10 can be inserted is formed through the center of the fixing plate 79 in the direction of the axis L. In addition, on the upper surface of the fixing plate 79, at a position corresponding to the internal thread portion 78 of the flow path block 70 described above, a bolt hole 81 through which the bolt 82 can be inserted is formed through in the direction of the axis L. When connecting the valve body 10 and the flow path block 70, first, the valve body 10 without the stator coil 52 installed is inserted into the mounting hole 71 of the flow path block 70. Thereby, the lower end surface of the flange portion 24 of the valve body 10 abuts against the upper end surface of the stepped portion 72 of the flow path block 70.

[0057] Next, while passing the outer shell 25 through the through hole 80, the fixing plate 79 is placed on the upper end surface of the flow path block 70 and the upper end surface of the flange portion 24. Then, in this state, the bolt 82 is inserted into the bolt hole 81 and screwed with the internal thread portion 78. At the time of this screwing, the flange portion 24 is pressed against the stepped portion 72 by the fixing plate 79, so that the valve body 10 and the flow path block 70 are integrated, and the valve body 10 is fixed to the flow path block 70. In the state where the valve body 10 is fixed to the flow path block 70, as Figure 4 shown, a space communicating with the outside is generated between the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the second resin molding portion 16 and the inner surface in the radial direction X of the reduced diameter portion 73 and the tapered portion 73a of the flow path block 70. Contact occurs between the lower end of the flange portion 24 and the upper surface of the stepped portion 72 of the flow path block 70 and between the upper surface of the flange portion 24 and the lower surface of the fixing plate 79, but they are not sealed and fluid (atmosphere) flows through, so the above space constitutes an atmospheric pressure portion 83. In addition, in this state, the first flow path 75, the first port 19, the inside of the valve body 10, the second port 21, and the second flow path 77 communicate and form a space, and this space becomes a fluid high pressure portion 84 that is at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure portion 83.

[0058] In addition, in this state, the sealing component 18 is compressed in the radial direction X by the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 and the first sealed portion 74 of the flow path block 70. As a result, the sealing component 18 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 and the first sealed portion 74. In other words, the sealing component 18 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove 17 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 71. In addition, by configuring the sealing component 18, the fluid flowing in the fluid high pressure portion 84 is prevented from leaking to the atmospheric pressure portion 83 side. In addition, in this state, as Figure 1 As shown, the second sealing member 23 is compressed by the bottom surface of the recessed portion 22 of the valve seat member 20 and the second sealed portion 76 of the flow path block 70 in the radial direction X. As a result, the second sealing member 23 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 22 and the second sealed portion 76. Moreover, by configuring the second sealing member 23 in this way, the fluid flowing in the fluid high pressure portion 84 is prevented from leaking to the second flow path 77 side through the outside of the valve body 10.

[0059] In addition, in this state, if Figure 1 As shown, the first resin molded portion 15 and the second resin molded portion 16 are sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 and the first sealed portion 74, and the valve housing 11 and the first sealed portion 74 are not in direct contact. Figure 1 In the figure, it seems that there is no gap between the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat component 20 and the second sealed portion 76, but in fact, a gap is generated in this portion. According to this structure, the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 are installed in a non-contact state with each other via the resin molded portion 14. Among them, for example, when the valve housing 11 is made of stainless steel or the like, and the flow path block 70 is made of aluminum alloy or the like, and they are installed in a state of contact with each other, sometimes electrical corrosion occurs due to the difference in ionization tendency between different types of metals. However, in this embodiment, since the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 are installed in a non-contact state with each other, the occurrence of this electrical corrosion can be suppressed.

[0060] Next, the operation of the electric valve 1 will be described. The electric valve 1 of this embodiment is provided in a refrigerant flow path provided in a vehicle or the like, for example, to control the flow rate of the refrigerant. Figure 1In the state shown, the needle portion 41 of the valve element 40 seats on the valve seat member 20 to close the second port 21. In this state, the flow path of the refrigerant flowing between the first flow path 75 and the second flow path 77 is partially cut off by the portion of the second port 21, so that the flow of the refrigerant stops. Next, the drive motor 51 is driven. When the drive motor 51 is driven, the magnetic rotor 53 and the drive shaft 56 rotate about the axis L. By this rotation, the external thread 58 of the drive shaft 56 is thread-fed into the internal thread 35 of the support member 30, and the magnetic rotor 53 and the drive shaft 56 move upward along the L1 side. And, as the drive shaft 56 moves upward along the L1 side, the valve bracket 43 is pulled upward along the L1 side within the valve bracket guide hole 32a. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 42 of the valve element 40 is pulled upward along the L1 side while sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the valve guide hole 32b. Correspondingly, the needle portion 41 disengages from the second port 21 and moves upward along the L1 side.

[0061] If the needle portion 41 disengages, the second port 21 opens, and the first flow path 75, the first port 19, inside the valve body 10, the second port 21, and the second flow path 77 communicate with each other, and the refrigerant flows through this communication portion. In addition, at this time, during the period when the needle portion 41 is located inside the second port 21, the farther the needle portion 41 is from the second port 21, the larger the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the needle portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the second port 21 becomes, and the flow rate of the refrigerant gradually increases. Moreover, if the needle portion 41 is located outside the second port 21, the opening degree of the second port 21 is the largest, and after that, even if the valve element 40 rises, the flow rate of the refrigerant remains constant. And, if the slider 65 of the stopper mechanism 62 abuts against the cut-up portion of the support portion 26 located at the upper end portion of the guide portion 64, the rotation of the magnetic rotor 53 is restricted, so that the upward movement of the valve element 40 stops. After that, if the magnetic rotor 53 is rotated in the reverse direction, the magnetic rotor 53 and the drive shaft 56 move downward along the L2 side while rotating about the axis L. In contrast, the valve element 40 moves downward along the L2 side, and the needle portion 41 seats on the valve seat member 20. By this seating, the second port 21 is closed again.

[0062] As described above, according to the above-described first embodiment, the resin molding portion 14 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 form the annular groove 17, so that it is not necessary to form the annular groove 17 by cutting. Therefore, the manufacture of the annular groove 17 becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost of the electric valve 1 (valve device) can be reduced. In addition, according to this structure, the metal bottom surface in the annular groove 17 and the metal inner peripheral surface in the mounting hole 71 can be directly connected by the sealing member 18. Therefore, even if a part of the resin molding portion 14 peels off from the metal valve housing 11 and a gap or the like is generated at the contact portion between the resin molding portion 14 and the valve housing 11, the sealing performance between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the flow path block 70 can be reliably ensured, and the fluid will not leak to the outside. Therefore, an electric valve 1 (valve device) can be provided that can prevent fluid leakage to the outside at low cost.

[0063] In addition, by providing the resin molded portion 14 continuously with the through-resin portion 13 provided in the through-hole 12 of the valve housing 11, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the resin molded portion 14 relative to the valve housing 11 in the direction of the axis L and in the rotational direction around the axis L. In addition, the through-hole 12 is formed on the first port 19 (valve port) side relative to the sealing member 18. Therefore, even if the through-resin portion 13 is peeled off from the through-hole 12, and the fluid flows from the inside of the valve housing 11 to the outside through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 12 and the through-resin portion 13, the flow of the fluid can be blocked by the sealing member 18. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fluid from flowing out from the inside of the valve housing 11 through the space between the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 to the outside.

[0064] Furthermore, since the support member 30 (resin member) and the first resin molded portion 15 are continuously formed via the through resin portion 13, it is possible to suppress positional deviation of the support member 30 and the first resin molded portion 15 relative to the valve housing 11 in the direction of the axis L and in the direction of rotation about the axis L. Furthermore, since positional deviation of the support member 30 relative to the valve housing 11 is suppressed, for example, when the support member 30 includes a holder guide portion 31 or the like that restricts the rotation about the axis L of the valve core 40 that receives a rotational force from a motor or the like, it is possible to prevent the holder guide portion 31 or the like from rotating about the axis L in cooperation with the valve core 40 that is intended to rotate about the axis L. Therefore, the function of restricting the rotation of the valve core 40 can be reliably ensured.

[0065] In addition, in the present embodiment, the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 are installed in a non-contact state with each other via the resin molding portion 14. In the electric valve 1, there is a case where the valve housing 11 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and the flow path block 70 is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like. In this case, if the valve housing 11 is in contact with the flow path block 70, there is a concern that electrical corrosion will occur due to a difference in ionization tendency. However, according to the present structure, the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 can be placed in a non-contact state with the resin molding portion 14. Therefore, even if the valve housing 11 is formed of stainless steel or the like, and the flow path block 70 is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like, the occurrence of the above-mentioned electrical corrosion can be suppressed.

[0066] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an electric valve 100 (valve device) according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a region B of the electric valve 100 is shown. Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a top view of a push nut 90 (fastener) provided in the electric valve 100 of the second embodiment. The electric valve 100 includes a flange member 27 (fixing portion) provided separately from the valve housing 11'. The flange member 27 is a portion for fixing the valve housing 11 to the flow path block 70. Figure 5As shown, it is composed of a cylindrical portion 28 that circumferentially covers the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11 and a flange portion 29 that is continuous with the upper end of the cylindrical portion 28 and projects outward in the radial direction X. The flange member 27 is fixed to the valve housing 11 by welding or brazing, etc. And, in the second embodiment, in the state where the flange portion 29 is fixed to the valve housing 11, the first resin molding portion 15' and the second resin molding portion 16' are insert-molded. The first resin molding portion 15' is continuous with the through resin portion 13 and is molded from the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 28 to the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the cylindrical portion 28.

[0067] The second resin molding portion 16' is molded from the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the flange portion 29 to the lower surface of the flange portion 29 and the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the cylindrical portion 28. In addition, the second resin molding portion 16' can also be molded in a manner that covers a part of the flange portion 29, but the structure of the second resin molding portion 16' is not limited to this. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electric valve 100 which is a modification of the second embodiment. As Figure 8 shown, the second resin molding portion 16'a is molded over the upper surface of the flange portion 29, the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the flange portion 29, and the lower surface of the flange portion 29. In this way, at least a part of the outer surface of the flange member 27 (fixing portion) is covered by the resin molding portion 14.

[0068] And, an annular groove 17' is formed by the end surface on the outer side in the radial direction X of the cylindrical portion 28 (outer peripheral surface of the valve housing 11), the upper surface of the first resin molding portion 15', and the lower end surface of the second resin molding portion 16'. The annular groove 17' corresponds to the annular groove 17 in the first embodiment, and a sealing member 18 is installed in the annular groove 17'. On the support member 30' in the second embodiment, a shaft guide portion 34' extending upward in the upper side L1 from the upper end portion of the bracket guide portion 31 is formed. The shaft guide portion 34' corresponds to the shaft guide portion 34 in the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, a spiral guide portion 64' is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft guide portion 34'. A slider 65 is provided on the guide portion 64'. The claw portion 66 of the slider 65 abuts against the magnetic protruding portion 54 of the magnetic rotor 53. That is, in the second embodiment, the above-described stop mechanism 62 is provided on the support member 30.

[0069] As Figure 6As shown, an installation recess 85 and an installation projection 86 are formed in the installation hole 71' of the flow path block 70' in the second embodiment. The installation recess 85 is continuous with the upper end portion of the stepped portion 72 and recesses radially outward in the radial direction X over the entire circumference around the axis L. The installation projection 86 projects radially inward in the radial direction X from the upper end portion of the installation recess 85 over the entire circumference around the axis L. The electric valve 100 in the second embodiment includes a push nut 90 (fastening member). The push nut 90 is a part for maintaining the installation state of the valve body 10' and the flow path block 70'. For example, in the present embodiment, it is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material. The push nut 90 includes: a cylindrical main body portion 91 that covers the valve housing 11 in the circumferential direction; and a flange portion 92 that projects radially outward from the upper end portion of the main body portion 91. A locking projection 93 that projects radially outward is formed in the main body portion 91.

[0070] As Figure 7 shown, a dividing portion 94 that straddles the main body portion 91 when viewed from the direction of the axis L is formed in a part of the flange portion 92. When the flange portion 92 is viewed from the direction of the axis L, the dividing portion 94 is formed around the axis L at a predetermined angle θ. By forming the dividing portion 94, the main body portion 91 can elastically deform radially inward. The locking projection 93 is formed to have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the installation projection 86 of the flow path block 70 in a state before the main body portion 91 elastically deforms. The valve body 10' is installed on the flow path block 70 as follows. First, the valve body 10' without the stator coil 52 installed is inserted into the installation hole 71' of the flow path block 70'. Thereby, as Figure 6 shown, the portion of the second resin molding portion 16' that covers the lower surface of the flange portion 29 abuts against the upper end surface of the stepped portion 72 of the flow path block 70'.

[0071] And, in this state, while elastically deforming the main body portion 91 of the push nut 90 radially inward, it is inserted between the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70. At this time, due to the elastic deformation, the radially outer end portion of the locking projection 93 passes over the installation projection 86 of the flow path block 70. After that, when the insertion of the push nut 90 is completed, the main body portion 91 returns to its state before elastic deformation. Due to this restoration, the locking projection 93 is fitted into the installation recess 85 of the flow path block 70 and is pressed against the installation recess 85 by the restoring force. And, in this state, the locking projection 93 engages with and is locked by the installation projection 86, thereby restricting the displacement of the push nut 90 upward in the L1 direction. And, when the installation of the push nut 90 is completed, the sealing member 18 is compressed in the radial direction X by the outer peripheral surface of the flange member 27 (valve housing 11) and the first sealed portion 74 of the flow path block 70. Thereby, the sealing member 18 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange member 27 and the first sealed portion 74.

[0072] Also, at this time, the first resin molding portion 15' and the second resin molding portion 16' are interposed between the flange member 27 and the flow path block 70, and the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 do not directly contact each other. Thus, even if the valve housing 11 is made of stainless steel or the like and the flow path block 70 is made of aluminum alloy or the like, electrolytic corrosion caused by the difference in ionization tendency of the above-mentioned dissimilar metal tubes can be prevented. In addition, at this time, as in the second embodiment shown in Figure 6 , when the entire outer surface of the flange member 27 is not covered by the second resin molding portion 16, if the thrust nut 90 is formed of a resinous material, resin is interposed between the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 in the portion from the lower end of the first resin molding portion 15 to the upper end of the thrust nut 90. Therefore, direct contact between the valve housing 11 and the flow path block 70 can be reliably prevented in this portion, and the above-mentioned electrolytic corrosion can be prevented.

[0073] On the other hand, as in the modified example of the second embodiment, when the entire outer surface of the flange member 27 is covered by the second resin molding portion 16, even if the thrust nut 90 is formed of a metallic material, in particular, the flange member 27 and the flow path block 70 do not directly contact each other. Therefore, the thrust nut 90 does not have to be formed of a resinous material. Thus, in consideration of compatibility with other structures such as the valve body 10', the thrust nut 90 can be formed of various materials. For example, the thrust nut 90 can be formed of a metallic material, can be formed of a resinous material, or can be formed by methods such as coating with resin or insert molding resin after being formed of a metallic material.

[0074] According to the second embodiment and the modified example of the second embodiment, at least a part of the flange member 27 (fixing portion) is covered by the resin molding portion 14, so that direct contact between the flange member 27 and the flow path block 70 can be prevented. Therefore, for example, when the flange member 27 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel and the flow path block 70' is formed of aluminum alloy or the like, electrolytic corrosion caused by contact between the flange member 27 and the flow path block 70' can be suppressed. In addition, according to this structure, the thrust nut 90 (fastening member) can be used to maintain the mounting state of the valve housing 11' and the flow path block 70'. At this time, since the thrust nut 90 is clamped in the mounting hole 71' by the restoring force after elastic deformation, complicated operations such as screw fastening are not required when fixing the valve housing 11' and the flow path block 70'. Therefore, the thrust nut 90 can be easily fixed in the mounting hole 71'.

[0075] Further, in a state where the push nut 90 is fixed to the mounting hole 71', since the push nut 90 is sandwiched between the valve housing 11' and the flow path block 70', it is possible to prevent the valve housing 11' from directly contacting the flow path block 70' through the push nut 90. Therefore, for example, when the valve housing 11' is formed of a metal such as stainless steel and the flow path block 70' is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like, it is possible to suppress electrolytic corrosion caused by the contact between the valve housing 11' and the flow path block 70'.

[0076] As described above, the embodiments and modification examples of the valve device 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. For example, in the present embodiment, as an example of the valve device, the electric valve 1 and the electric valve 100 are illustrated. However, the electric valve 1 and the electric valve 100 also include, for example, an electronic expansion valve that opens and closes the second port 21 by a stepping motor. In addition, the valve device is not limited to the electric valve 1 and the electric valve 100, and may be a solenoid valve that moves a plunger forward and backward by an electromagnetic coil, or may be a manual valve that manually moves a valve element.

Claims

1. A valve device comprising: a valve body having a valve port and a valve core inside; and a flow path block having a mounting hole for inserting the valve body and a flow path communicating with the valve port, characterized in that: The valve body comprises: a metal valve housing; a resin molded portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the valve housing; and an annular groove in which a sealing member disposed between the valve body and the flow path block is installed. The annular groove is formed into a concave cross-section by a bottom surface formed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing and a pair of side surfaces formed by the resin molded portion. The sealing member is provided to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that A through hole penetrating inside and outside is provided on the valve housing closer to the valve port than the sealing member, and a through resin portion continuous with the resin molded portion is provided in the through hole.

3. The valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that The resin molded portion includes: a first resin molded portion constituting one of the side surfaces of the annular groove; and a second resin molded portion constituting the other side surface of the annular groove. The first resin molded portion is discontinuous with the second resin molded portion.

4. The valve device according to claim 3, characterized in that The valve body includes a resin member provided inside the valve housing, and the resin member and the first resin molded portion are continuously formed via the through-resin portion.

5. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that The valve housing and the flow path block are mounted in a non-contact state with each other via the resin molded portion.

6. The valve device according to claim 5, characterized in that The valve housing is provided with a fixing portion fixed to the flow path block, and at least a part of the fixing portion is covered by the resin molded portion.

7. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A resin fastener is provided for maintaining the mounting state of the valve housing and the flow path block, The fastener is inserted between the valve housing and the flow path block in the mounting hole in an elastically deformed state, and is locked in the mounting hole by a restoring force.

8. An electric valve, characterized in that: Used as the valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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