Electronic expansion valve and air conditioning system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of expansion valves, in particular to an electronic expansion valve and an air conditioning system. The electronic expansion valve comprises a valve body assembly and a valve element assembly, a valve port is formed in the valve body assembly, and the valve element assembly is movably installed in the valve body assembly and used for controlling opening and closing of the valve port. The valve element assembly comprises a screw rod, a bearing and a valve needle, the bearing is located between the screw rod and the valve needle, and one end of the screw rod penetrates through an inner ring of the bearing and is fixedly connected with the bearing. The valve needle is fixedly connected with the outer ring of the bearing, and the screw, the bearing and the valve needle can be integrally close to or away from the valve port in the axial direction. According to the electronic expansion valve and the air conditioning system, the problem that the cost is increased due to the fact that the connecting structure between the screw and the valve needle of an existing electronic expansion valve is complex is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of expansion valve technology, and in particular to an electronic expansion valve and an air conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] Electronic expansion valves are commonly used in air conditioning systems. They regulate flow or throttle and pressurize by moving an internal valve needle closer to or further from the valve port. Currently, electronic expansion valves often use a screw to move the valve needle. This screw and valve needle are often connected by springs, spring sleeves, gaskets, and pressure sleeves, resulting in numerous components and a complex structure, which increases the cost of the electronic expansion valve. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an electronic expansion valve and air conditioning system to solve the problem of the complex structure of the connection between the screw and the valve needle of the existing electronic expansion valve, which leads to increased costs.

[0004] This application provides an electronic expansion valve, including a valve body assembly and a valve core assembly. The valve body assembly has a valve port, and the valve core assembly is movably installed within the valve body assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the valve port. The valve core assembly includes a screw, a bearing, and a valve needle. The bearing is located between the screw and the valve needle. One end of the screw passes through the inner ring of the bearing and is fixedly connected to the bearing. The valve needle is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing. The screw, the bearing, and the valve needle can move axially towards or away from the valve port as a single unit.

[0005] In one embodiment, the outer periphery of the screw protrudes in a direction away from its own axis to form a stepped portion, which abuts against the end face of one end of the inner ring of the bearing along the axial direction.

[0006] In one embodiment, the end face of the valve needle near the bearing abuts against the end face of the outer ring of the bearing along the axial direction.

[0007] In one embodiment, the valve needle has a clearance hole at one end near the bearing, and the projection of the clearance hole along the axial direction of the electronic expansion valve can cover the inner ring of the bearing and / or the screw.

[0008] In one embodiment, the valve body assembly is provided with an upper stop engagement portion, and the valve core assembly is provided with an upper stop portion. When the valve core assembly moves to its limit in a direction away from the valve port, the upper stop portion abuts against the upper stop engagement portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the valve needle is provided with a lower stop at one end near the valve port. When the screw drives the valve needle to move to its limit in the direction close to the valve port, the lower stop abuts against and seals the valve port.

[0010] In one embodiment, the valve body assembly includes a valve seat and a nut sleeve, the nut sleeve being fixedly connected to one end of the valve seat, and the screw passing through the nut sleeve and threadedly connected to the nut sleeve; wherein, the valve port is opened in the valve seat.

[0011] In one embodiment, the valve seat includes a main body and a guide portion, the guide portion being connected to the main body, and the guide portion and the main body being either separate or integrally formed; wherein, the nut sleeve and / or the guide portion are provided with a connecting hole, and the inner wall of the connecting hole is in sliding fit with a portion of the outer wall of the valve core assembly.

[0012] In one embodiment, the valve core assembly further includes a needle sleeve that is fitted over the bearing and at least a portion of the outer periphery of the valve needle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the end of the needle sleeve away from the valve needle protrudes towards its own axis to form a limiting portion, and the limiting portion abuts against the end face of one end of the outer ring of the bearing along the axial direction.

[0014] This application also provides an air conditioning system, which includes the electronic expansion valve described in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] Compared to existing technologies, the electronic expansion valve and air conditioning system provided in this application achieve the connection between the screw and the valve needle solely through a bearing. This prevents relative movement between the screw, bearing, and valve needle in the axial direction, forming a single unit. Consequently, the overall structure of the valve core assembly is simpler, reducing the cost of the electronic expansion valve. Furthermore, the bearing effectively prevents the screw from rotating and causing the valve needle to rotate. This reduces the probability of friction between the valve needle and the valve port when they engage, avoiding wear caused by friction and significantly extending the service life of the electronic expansion valve. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment provided in this application;

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve in the fully closed state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve in the fully open state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the flow rate change of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] The symbols in the diagram represent the following meanings:

[0022] 100. Electronic expansion valve; 10. Valve body assembly; 101. Valve port; 102. Assembly hole; 103. Upper stop mating part; 104. Communicating hole; 11. Valve seat; 111. Main body part; 112. Guide part; 12. Nut sleeve; 13. Outer cover; 20. Valve core assembly; 201. Upper stop part; 21. Screw; 211. Step part; 22. Bearing; 23. Valve needle; 2301. Clearance hole; 231. Lower stop part; 24. Needle sleeve; 241. Limiting part; 30. Rotor assembly; 31. Rotor body; 32. Rotor connecting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0024] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] Electronic expansion valves are commonly used in air conditioning systems. They regulate flow or throttle and pressurize by moving an internal valve needle closer to or further from the valve port. Currently, electronic expansion valves often use a screw to move the valve needle. This screw and valve needle are often connected by springs, spring sleeves, gaskets, and pressure sleeves, resulting in numerous components and a complex structure, which increases the cost of the electronic expansion valve.

[0029] Please see Figures 1-4 To address the issue of increased costs due to the complex structure of the connection between the screw and valve needle in existing electronic expansion valves, this application provides an electronic expansion valve 100. The electronic expansion valve 100 includes a valve body assembly 10 and a valve core assembly 20. The valve body assembly 10 has a valve port 101, and the valve core assembly 20 is movably installed within the valve body assembly 10 to control the opening and closing of the valve port 101. The valve core assembly 20 includes a screw 21, a bearing 22, and a valve needle 23. The bearing 22 is located between the screw 21 and the valve needle 23. One end of the screw 21 passes through the inner ring of the bearing 22 and is fixedly connected to the bearing 22. The valve needle 23 is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing 22. The screw 21, bearing 22, and valve needle 23 can move axially towards or away from the valve port 101 as a single unit.

[0030] It is understandable that the electronic expansion valve 100 provided in this application can connect the screw 21 and the valve needle 23 solely through the bearing 22, preventing relative movement between the screw 21, bearing 22, and valve needle 23 in the axial direction, thus forming a single unit. This simplifies the overall structure of the valve core assembly 20 and reduces the cost of the electronic expansion valve 100. Furthermore, the bearing 22 effectively prevents the screw 21 from rotating and causing the valve needle 23 to rotate. This reduces the probability of friction between the valve needle 23 and the valve port 101 when they engage, avoiding wear caused by friction and significantly extending the service life of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0031] Specifically, the screw 21 and the inner ring of the bearing 22 can be fixed by riveting or welding. Since the force exerted by the screw 21 on the bearing 22 is mainly axial, to reduce the probability of axial relative movement between the screw 21 and the bearing 22, in one embodiment, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, the outer periphery of the screw 21 protrudes in a direction away from its own axis to form a stepped portion 211, which abuts against the end face of one end of the inner ring of the bearing 22 along the axial direction. By providing the stepped portion 211, the bearing 22 can better withstand the force of the screw 21 when the valve is closed.

[0032] The valve needle 23 has a clearance hole 2301 at one end near the bearing 22. The projection of the clearance hole 2301 along the axial direction of the electronic expansion valve 100 can cover the inner ring of the bearing 22 and / or the screw 21. In this way, by setting the clearance hole 2301 in correspondence with the inner ring of the bearing 22, interference between the inner ring of the bearing 22 or the screw 21 and the valve needle 23 is prevented, thereby further reducing the probability of the valve needle 23 rotating and thus avoiding wear between the valve needle 23 and the valve port 101.

[0033] Furthermore, the end face of the valve needle 23 near the bearing 22 abuts against the end face of the outer ring of the bearing 22 along the axial direction. This increases the contact area between the valve needle 23 and the bearing 22, and facilitates the transmission of axial force of the screw 21, thereby improving the reliability of the connection.

[0034] To further enhance the safety of bearing 22, in one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the valve core assembly 20 also includes a needle sleeve 24, which is fitted around the bearing 22 and at least part of the valve needle 23. This effectively reduces the probability of the bearing 22 seizing due to interference from impurities, and the needle sleeve 24 further improves the reliability of the connection between the bearing 22 and the valve needle 23.

[0035] In this design, the end of the needle sleeve 24 furthest from the valve needle 23 protrudes towards its own axis to form a limiting part 241, which abuts against the end face of one end of the outer ring of the bearing 22 along the axial direction. The abutment between the limiting part 241 and the bearing 22 further improves the reliability of the connection between the needle sleeve 24 and the bearing 22.

[0036] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the valve needle 23 is welded to the needle sleeve 24. This effectively improves the reliability of the valve needle 23 connection, simplifies assembly, and increases assembly efficiency.

[0037] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the valve needle 23 has a lower stop 231 at one end near the valve port 101. When the screw 21 drives the valve needle 23 to move to its limit towards the valve port 101, the lower stop 231 abuts against and seals the valve port 101. At this time, the electronic expansion valve 100 is in the fully closed state. That is, the axial lower limit of the valve needle 23 is achieved by the direct contact between the valve needle 23 and the valve port 101, thus enabling the valve port 101 to be closed and ensuring that no flow passes through the electronic expansion valve 100 when it is closed.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the valve body assembly 10 is provided with an upper stop mating part 103, and the valve core assembly 20 is provided with an upper stop part 201. When the valve core assembly 20 moves to its limit in the direction away from the valve port 101, the upper stop part 201 abuts against the upper stop mating part 103. At this time, the electronic expansion valve 100 is in the fully open state. In this way, the upper limit of the axial movement of the valve needle 23 is achieved.

[0039] Specifically, when the electronic expansion valve 100 is fully closed, the axial distance from the valve port 101 to the upper stop mating part 103 is defined as H1, the axial distance from the valve port 101 to the upper stop part 201 is defined as H2, and the stroke of the valve needle 23, i.e., the maximum distance that the valve needle 23 can move axially, is defined as H, where H = H1 - H2. Here, the upper stop part 201 can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it is formed by the end face of the bearing 22 away from the valve port 101, or as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it is formed by the end face of the upper limit portion 241 of the needle sleeve 24 away from the valve port 101.

[0040] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the valve body assembly 10 also has an assembly hole 102, in which the needle sleeve 24, bearing 22, and part of the valve needle 23 are installed. The end of the assembly hole 102 furthest from the valve port 101 forms an upper stop fitting part 103. Thus, the upper stop fitting part 103 cooperates with the valve port 101 to achieve stroke control of the valve needle 23.

[0041] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the valve body assembly 10 includes a valve seat 11 and a nut sleeve 12. The nut sleeve 12 is fixedly connected to one end of the valve seat 11, and a screw 21 passes through the nut sleeve 12 and is threadedly connected to it. A valve port 101 is formed in the valve seat 11. This facilitates the machining of the valve port 101, and also simplifies the assembly of the valve core assembly 20, further improving the machining and assembly efficiency of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0042] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the valve seat 11 includes a main body 111 and a guide portion 112, where the main body 111 and the guide portion 112 can be an integral structure. Of course, it can also be a separate structure. For example, the guide portion 112 can be mounted and limited by opening a hole in the main body 111 to improve coaxiality. In this case, the guide portion 112 can adopt a structure such as a guide sleeve.

[0043] In one specific embodiment of this application, one end of the guide portion 112 can be inserted into and connected to the nut sleeve 12, and the other end is connected to the main body portion 111. Wherein, when the guide portion 112 is inserted into the nut sleeve 12, it can form an assembly hole 102 with the nut sleeve 12.

[0044] To improve the coaxiality of the valve core assembly 20 and the valve port 101, a connecting hole 104 is provided on the nut sleeve 12 and / or the guide portion 112. The inner wall of the connecting hole 104 slides in contact with a portion of the outer wall of the valve core assembly 20. That is, the connecting hole 104 can move and guide in contact with the screw 21 or the valve needle 23, which helps to improve the accuracy of flow control by the electronic expansion valve 100 and improve the reliability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0045] Specifically, when the connecting hole 104 is provided on the guide portion 112, it can be located on the side of the mounting hole 102 closer to the valve port 101. When the connecting hole 104 is provided on the nut sleeve 12, it can be located on the side of the mounting hole 102 away from the valve port 101. In this way, higher precision can be achieved through guidance from both the upper and lower parts. In addition, the mounting hole 102 can also be guided and fitted with the outer wall of the needle sleeve 24 or the outer wall of the bearing 22 or the valve needle 23.

[0046] In one embodiment, the valve body assembly 10 further includes an outer cover 13, which is fitted over the nut sleeve 12 and connected to the valve seat 11. Thus, the outer cover 13 protects the components inside the valve body assembly 10.

[0047] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the electronic expansion valve 100 also includes a rotor assembly 30, which is installed inside the valve body assembly 10 and connected to the end of the screw 21 away from the valve port 101, for driving the screw 21 to rotate. This enables the screw 21 unit to rotate relative to the nut sleeve 12.

[0048] Specifically, the rotor assembly 30 includes a rotor body 31 and a rotor connecting plate 32, which is connected to both the rotor body 31 and the screw 21 body. The rotor body 31 rotates in conjunction with an external motor and drives the screw 21 body to rotate synchronously via the rotor connecting plate 32, thereby driving the valve core assembly 20.

[0049] This application also provides an air conditioning system, which includes the electronic expansion valve 100 of any of the above embodiments.

[0050] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0051] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic expansion valve, comprising a valve body assembly (10) and a valve core assembly (20), wherein the valve body assembly (10) has a valve port (101), and the valve core assembly (20) is movably installed in the valve body assembly (10) for controlling the opening and closing of the valve port (101); Its features are, The valve core assembly (20) includes a screw (21), a bearing (22) and a valve needle (23). The bearing (22) is located between the screw (21) and the valve needle (23). One end of the screw (21) passes through the inner ring of the bearing (22) and is fixedly connected to the bearing (22). The valve needle (23) is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the bearing (22), and the screw (21), the bearing (22), and the valve needle (23) can move axially towards or away from the valve port (101) as a whole.

2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the screw (21) protrudes in a direction away from its own axis to form a stepped portion (211), and the stepped portion (211) abuts against the end face of one end of the inner ring of the bearing (22) along the axial direction.

3. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end face of the valve needle (23) near the bearing (22) abuts against the end face of the outer ring of the bearing (22) along the axial direction.

4. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve needle (23) has a clearance hole (2301) at one end near the bearing (22). The projection of the clearance hole (2301) along the axial direction of the electronic expansion valve can cover the inner ring of the bearing (22) and / or the screw (21).

5. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (10) is provided with an upper stop fitting part (103), and the valve core assembly (20) is provided with an upper stop part (201). When the valve core assembly (20) moves to the limit in a direction away from the valve port (101), the upper stop part (201) abuts against the upper stop fitting part (103).

6. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve needle (23) has a lower stop (231) at one end near the valve port (101). When the screw (21) drives the valve needle (23) to move to the limit in the direction close to the valve port (101), the lower stop (231) abuts against and seals the valve port (101).

7. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body assembly (10) includes a valve seat (11) and a nut sleeve (12). The nut sleeve (12) is fixedly connected to one end of the valve seat (11). The screw (21) passes through the nut sleeve (12) and is threadedly connected to the nut sleeve (12). The valve port (101) is opened on the valve seat (11).

8. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve seat (11) includes a main body (111) and a guide (112), the guide (112) being connected to the main body (111), and the guide (112) and the main body (111) being either separate or integrally formed. The nut sleeve (12) and / or the guide portion (112) are provided with a connecting hole (104), and the inner wall of the connecting hole (104) slides in cooperation with part of the outer wall of the valve core assembly (20).

9. The electronic expansion valve according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The valve core assembly (20) further includes a needle sleeve (24) which is fitted around the bearing (22) and at least part of the valve needle (23).

10. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 9, characterized in that, The end of the needle sleeve (24) away from the valve needle (23) protrudes towards its own axis to form a limiting part (241), and the limiting part (241) abuts against the end face of one end of the outer ring of the bearing (22) along the axial direction.

11. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, Includes the electronic expansion valve as described in any one of claims 1-10.

Images