Electric valve

Abstract

The electric valve comprises a valve seat assembly and a valve element assembly, the valve element assembly can move in the axial direction of the electric valve to be matched with a valve port part of the valve seat assembly, the valve seat assembly comprises a first channel and a second channel, and the first channel and the second channel can communicate through a valve port of the valve port part; the valve element assembly comprises a valve element body, the valve element body comprises a first cavity, the inner diameter of the first cavity is L1, the valve element body comprises a first side wall, the first side wall is located on the periphery of the valve element body, the outer diameter of the valve element body on the first side wall is L2, L2 is larger than or equal to 8 mm and smaller than or equal to 18 mm, and L1 is larger than or equal to 0.125 L2 and smaller than or equal to 0.47 L2. The flow of a refrigerant directly flowing into the first cavity after throttling expansion can be reduced, fluid noise is reduced, and the weight of the valve element assembly can be relatively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of thermal management technology, specifically to an electric valve for an automotive thermal management system. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, electric valves include a valve seat assembly and a valve core assembly. The valve seat assembly has a valve seat portion and a valve port. The valve core assembly can cooperate with the valve port. When the required flow rate in the system is large, the valve port also needs to be made larger, and the valve core assembly also needs to be made larger accordingly. At this time, the lower end of the valve core assembly is often provided with a large receiving cavity to reduce the weight of the valve core assembly. However, with this setting, a considerable portion of the refrigerant fluid entering from the inlet, except for a portion that flows directly to the outlet, will bypass the bottom of the valve core assembly and flow into the receiving cavity at the lower end of the valve core assembly. Since the refrigerant flow velocity is relatively fast after expansion, the possibility of abnormal noise generation is greatly increased. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an electric valve that helps reduce fluid noise.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0005] An electric valve includes a valve seat assembly and a valve core assembly. The valve seat assembly includes a valve port. The valve core assembly is axially movable along the electric valve and engages with the valve port. The valve seat assembly includes a first channel and a second channel, which are connected through the valve port of the valve seat assembly. The valve core assembly includes a valve core body, which includes a first cavity located at the lower end of the valve core body. The inner diameter of the first cavity is L1. The valve core body includes a first sidewall located on the outer periphery of the valve core body. The outer diameter of the valve core body at the first sidewall is L2, wherein 8mm ≤ L2 ≤ 18mm, and satisfies 0.125L2 ≤ L1 ≤ 0.47L2.

[0006] In one technical solution provided in this application, the electric valve includes a valve seat assembly and a valve core assembly. The valve core assembly is axially movable along the electric valve and engages with the valve port of the valve seat assembly. The valve seat assembly includes a first channel and a second channel, which are connected through the valve port. The valve core assembly includes a valve core body, which includes a first cavity located at the lower end of the valve core body. The inner diameter of the first cavity is L1. The valve core body includes a first sidewall located on the outer periphery of the valve core body. The outer diameter of the first sidewall is L2. With a diameter of 8mm≤L2≤18mm and a requirement of 0.125L2≤L1≤0.47L2, the inner diameter of the first chamber of the valve core body is relatively small. A certain distance is left between the outer periphery of the valve core body and the first chamber as a buffer. When the valve is opened, the refrigerant expands through throttling and partially bypasses the lower end of the valve core assembly before flowing into the first chamber after being buffered. This can reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant that bypasses the lower end of the valve core assembly after throttling and expansion and flows directly into the first chamber, thereby reducing fluid noise. It can also reduce the weight of the valve core assembly while reducing fluid noise. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of the valve component provided in this application;

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the valve component along plane AA.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partially enlarged structural diagram of the valve component at point A;

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A top view of the valve core body of the valve component shown;

[0011] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the valve core body. Detailed Implementation

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the utility model and are not intended to limit the utility model.

[0013] Electric valves are widely used in automotive thermal management systems, such as vehicle air conditioning systems and vehicle battery cooling systems. In these systems, electric valves generally function as throttling or switching elements. This application uses an electric valve as an example of an electronic expansion valve with throttling function. Of course, in other embodiments, the electric valve can be a solenoid valve or a ball valve, etc. The electric valve includes a valve component 1, a coil assembly (not shown in the figure), and a valve body (not shown in the figure). The coil assembly is located on the outer periphery of the valve component 1, and the two are sealed together to prevent moisture or other impurities from the external environment from entering the gap between the coil assembly and the valve component 1, thereby preventing corrosion or failure of the component. At least a portion of the valve component 1 is located in the inner cavity formed by the valve body. The valve component 1 is fixedly connected or limited to the valve body. The coil assembly is connected to the valve body by screws. Of course, in other embodiments, the coil assembly and the valve body can be connected by snap-fit ​​or other means.

[0014] refer to Figures 1-5 In one embodiment of the valve component 1 provided in this application, the valve component 1 includes a rotor assembly 11, a valve seat assembly 12, a valve core assembly 13, a nut assembly 14, a rod component 15, and a sleeve 16. The valve seat assembly 12 is located on the outer periphery of a portion of the rod component 15 and on the outer periphery of a portion of the valve core assembly 13. The valve seat assembly 12 is fixedly connected to the sleeve 16, and the fixing method includes welding, etc. The sleeve 16 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotor assembly 11. The rotor assembly 11 is fixedly connected to or limited to one end of the rod component 15, and the fixing method includes welding, snap-fit, etc. The nut assembly 14 includes a main body 141 and a connecting plate 142. The connecting plate 142 is fixedly connected to the valve seat assembly 12, and the connection method includes welding, snap-fit, etc. The rod component 15 is threadedly engaged with the main body 141. The valve seat assembly 12 has a valve port 1211, and the coil assembly includes a stator assembly (not shown in the figure). When the rotor assembly 11 rotates circumferentially under the magnetic field excitation of the stator assembly, the rotor assembly 11 drives the rod component 15 to rotate. The rod component 15 can drive the valve core assembly 13 to perform linear reciprocating motion along the axial direction of the electric valve. In this way, the valve core assembly 13 can adjust the opening of the valve port 1211 by moving closer to or further away from the valve port 1211, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant through the valve port 1211. The valve seat assembly 12 includes a first channel 124 and a second channel 125, which can be connected through the valve port 1211. In this embodiment, the first channel 124 can function as an inlet channel, and the second channel 125 can function as an outlet channel. Of course, the flow directions of the two can be opposite. In some other embodiments, other transmission mechanisms such as planetary gears can be used to drive the rotor assembly 11 to drive the valve core assembly 13.

[0015] The valve core assembly 13 includes a valve core body 131, which includes a first cavity 131a located at the lower end of the valve core body 131. In this embodiment, the first cavity 131a is arranged along the central axis of the valve core assembly 13. In other embodiments, the first cavity 131a may be arranged off-center from the central axis of the valve core assembly 13. The inner diameter of the first cavity 131a is L1. The valve core body 131 includes a first sidewall 1311 located on the outer periphery of the valve core body 131. The outer diameter of the valve core body 131 at the first sidewall 1311 is L2, wherein 8mm ≤ L2 ≤ 18mm, and satisfies 0.125L2. With a diameter of ≤L1≤0.47L2, compared to related technologies, the inner diameter of the first cavity 131a of the valve core body 131 is relatively small. A certain distance is left between the outer periphery of the valve core body 131 and the first cavity 131a as a buffer. When the valve is opened, the refrigerant expands through throttling, preventing the working medium fluid entering from the first channel 124 from flowing directly and unobstructed into the first cavity 131a after passing through the valve port 1211. This also reduces the refrigerant flow into the first cavity 131a, thereby reducing the noise generated by the refrigerant directly flowing into the first cavity 131a after throttling and expansion. It also relatively reduces the weight of the valve core assembly 13. For example, the diameter of L2 can be 16mm, and the diameter of L1 can be 2mm, 6mm, or 7.5mm. This configuration allows the working medium to expand rapidly after throttling through the valve port 1211, reducing the flow of working medium directly flowing into the first cavity 131a from the first channel 124. This could potentially cause eddies in the first cavity 111, forming a resonance chamber and resulting in abnormal noise. Furthermore, the relationship between L1 and L2 can be 0.125L2≤L1≤0.40L2; 0.175L2≤L1≤0.35L2; 0.155L2≤L1≤0.375L2. This can further reduce the diameter of the first cavity 131a, thereby reducing the flow rate of refrigerant diverted to the first cavity 131a, improving fluid noise, and at the same time relatively reducing the weight of the valve core body 131.

[0016] In this embodiment, the valve core body 131 further includes a second cavity 131b, which communicates with the first cavity 131a. The second cavity 131b is relatively close to the valve port 1211. The inner diameter of the second cavity 131b is larger than the inner diameter of the first cavity 131a. The wall forming the second cavity 131b includes a bottom wall 131b1 and a side wall 131b2. The included angle between the bottom wall 131b1 and the side wall 131b2 is greater than 90°. The inner radial direction of the side wall 131b2 gradually expands towards the valve port 1211. The second cavity bottom wall 131b1 and the second cavity side wall 131b2 are both planar. The second cavity bottom wall 131b1 is perpendicular to the wall forming the first cavity 131a. This arrangement allows the refrigerant to be further guided along the second cavity bottom wall 131b1 and the second cavity side wall 131b2. The stepped structure further diverts the refrigerant flow, resulting in a more uniform fluid distribution, a smoother and more even flow velocity, reduced fluid pressure fluctuations, and further reduced noise. It also allows for weight reduction of the valve core assembly 13. The working medium flow direction can be referenced... Figure 3 The direction is indicated by the arrow curve. In other embodiments, the bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity can be a combination of a plane and a curved surface. The bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity has a groove, which is arc-shaped. The bottom surface of the groove forms part of the bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity. The groove is a certain distance away from the first cavity 131a. The part of the bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity that connects to the wall forming the first cavity 131a is a plane. This is beneficial to improve the fluid flow direction, which can slow down the flow speed of the working medium flowing through it, further reduce the flow rate of the working medium that directly flows into the first cavity 131a from the first channel 124, further reduce noise, and further reduce the weight of the valve core assembly 13.

[0017] refer to Figures 2-5 In this embodiment, the valve core body 131 includes a sealing protrusion 1312, which protrudes downward from the bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity. The sealing protrusion 1312 can abut against the valve port 1211. The inner peripheral wall of the sealing protrusion 1312 forms the side wall 131b2 of the second cavity. The vertical height between the end of the sealing protrusion 1312 and the bottom wall 131b1 of the second cavity is H1. The first cavity 131a includes the bottom wall 131a1 of the first cavity. The vertical height from the end of the sealing protrusion 1312 to the bottom wall 131a1 of the first cavity is H2. Wherein, 1mm≤H1≤0.5H2, for example, H1=2mm. This setting can further ensure the slowing down of the fluid flow rate, thereby reducing fluid noise, and at the same time, it can also relatively reduce the weight of the valve core body 131. Furthermore, the relationship between H1 and H2 can be 1.5mm≤H1≤0.4H2; 1.75mm≤H1≤0.3H2, which can further improve fluid noise and also relatively reduce the weight of valve core assembly 13.

[0018] The valve seat assembly 12 includes a first valve seat portion 122 and a second valve seat portion 123. A first channel 124 and a second channel 125 are located in the second valve seat portion 123. The valve component 1 also includes a sealing assembly 17. The sealing assembly 17 is fixed by snapping together with the first valve seat portion 122 and the second valve seat portion 123. The sealing assembly 17 is located in the inner cavity formed by the first valve seat portion 122. The sealing assembly 17 is located between the first side wall 1311 and a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the first valve seat portion 122. The portion of the inner peripheral wall of the first valve seat portion 122 is in clearance fit with the valve core body 131. The sealing assembly 17 includes a first sealing ring 171 and a first annular member 172. The first sealing ring 171 is made of rubber material, such as a sealing ring. The first sealing ring 171 is pressed between the inner peripheral wall of a portion of the valve seat assembly 17 and the first annular member 172. The first annular member 172 is made of resin material, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The first annular member 172 is clearance-fitted with the first sidewall 1311 of the valve core body 131 to achieve dynamic sealing. The end of the sealing protrusion 1312 has a rounded corner 1312b. This arrangement allows the working medium fluid entering through the first channel 124 to be guided through the rounded corner 1312b. Part of it flows directly to the second channel 125, which serves as the outlet channel, while the other part is diverted through the second cavity sidewall 131b2, thereby reducing the refrigerant flowing to the first cavity 131a. This avoids the resonant noise caused by some of the working medium directly and rapidly entering the first cavity 131a after throttling and expansion. Furthermore, the sealing protrusion 1312 has an enlarged diameter portion 1312a, the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the first sidewall 1311 of the valve core body 131; the valve seat assembly 12 also includes a sealing element 121. In this embodiment, the sealing element 121 is made of rubber material and is fixed by snap-fit. In other embodiments, the sealing element 121 can also be fixed by bonding, vulcanization, etc.; the valve port portion 1211 is located on the upper end face of the sealing element 121, and the aforementioned rounded corner 1312b The valve core body 1312b abuts against the seal 121 to form a seal. The diameter of the abutment sealing point of the above-mentioned rounded corner 1312b is larger than the diameter of the first sidewall 1311. By setting the diameter expansion portion 1312a, the above-mentioned abutment sealing point can be set relatively outward in the radial direction, which can reduce the severe deformation of the seal 121 when the valve core body 131 abuts against the seal 121, thereby affecting the service life of the seal 121. In other embodiments, the valve core body 131 can be radially sealed with the valve seat assembly 12.

[0019] refer to Figures 2-5The valve core body 131 also has a balance hole 131c, which connects the upper and lower spaces of the valve core body 131c. The upper space specifically refers to the inner cavity formed by part of the first valve seat 122, and the lower space specifically refers to the inner cavity formed by the second valve seat 123. Specifically, in this embodiment, there are three balance holes 131c. The centers of the three balance holes 131c are connected sequentially to form an equilateral triangle. The pitch circle diameter of the balance hole 131c is L3, where the pitch circle is the circle formed by the centers of the three balance holes 131c. The balance hole 131c includes a first part 131c1, and the inner diameter of the first part 131c1 is L4, where (L2-L1) / 2≤L3≤(L2-L4). That is, it is necessary to ensure that the balance hole 131c is located between the wall forming the first cavity 131a and the first side wall 1311. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the balance hole 131c can reduce the weight of the valve core body 131 to the greatest extent. The setting of the balance hole 131c is also important. It can also further divert the flowing working medium, improve the fluid flow direction, reduce fluid pressure fluctuations, and also help improve fluid noise; furthermore, the main body 141 of the nut assembly 14 includes a first balance hole 141a. The first balance hole 141a can ensure that the inner cavity formed by part of the first valve seat part 122 is connected to the inner cavity formed by the rotor assembly 11. The setting of the first balance hole 141a and the circumferentially evenly spaced arrangement of the three balance holes can meet the usage requirements of the electric valve under multiple working conditions, and ensure that the pressure balance between the second channel 125 and the cavity formed by the rotor assembly 11 can still be achieved when the electric valve is installed horizontally, which helps to reduce the valve opening resistance and thus reduce the driving force of the valve component 1.

[0020] In this embodiment, the rod component 15 is fixedly connected to the valve core body 131, which may include welding, riveting, etc. Specifically, the valve core body 131 also includes a valve core upper cavity 131d and a flow hole 131e. Part of the rod component 15 is located in the valve core upper cavity 131d, and the flow hole 131e connects the valve core upper cavity 131d with the first cavity 131a. The valve core assembly 13 includes an elastic element 132, which is located in the valve core upper cavity 131d. The upper end of the elastic element 132 abuts against part of the rod component 15, and the lower end of the elastic element 132 abuts against the lower end face forming the valve core upper cavity 131d. The rod component 15 can drive the valve core body 131 to move axially through the elastic element 132. The setting of the flow hole 131e can realize the pressure balance between the valve core upper cavity 131d and the first cavity 131a, ensuring the axial movement of the valve core body 131. In this embodiment, the balancing hole 131c further includes a second part 131c2, which is located near the upper cavity 131d of the valve core. The inner diameter of the second part 131c2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first part 131c1. The bottom wall of the first part 131c1 is approximately at the same height as the bottom wall 131a1 of the first cavity. This avoids the distance between the second part 131c2 and the upper cavity 131d of the valve core being too small, which would affect the machining strength of the valve core body 131. Of course, in other embodiments, the balancing hole 131c can be a through hole with equal upper and lower diameters. In this embodiment, the elastic element 132 provided in the upper cavity 131d of the valve core is specifically a buffer spring. In other embodiments, the upper cavity 131d of the valve core can be provided with a small valve core, and the flow hole 131e functions as a small valve port.

[0021] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of several implementations of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these modifications all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An electric valve, characterized in that, The electric valve includes a valve seat assembly (12) and a valve core assembly (13). The valve seat assembly (12) includes a valve port (1211), and the valve core assembly (13) is axially movable along the electric valve to cooperate with the valve port (1211). The valve seat assembly (12) includes a first channel (124) and a second channel (125), which are connected through the valve port (1211). The valve core assembly (13) includes a valve core body (131). The main body (131) includes a first cavity (131a) located on the lower side of the valve core body (131). The inner diameter of the first cavity (131a) is L1. The valve core body (131) includes a first sidewall (1311) located on the outer periphery of the valve core body (131). The outer diameter of the valve core body (131) at the first sidewall (1311) is L2. Wherein, 8mm≤L2≤18mm, and 0.125L2≤L1≤0.47L2 is satisfied.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve core body (131) further includes a second cavity (131b), which communicates with the first cavity (131a). The second cavity (131b) is relatively close to the valve port (1211). The inner diameter of the second cavity (131b) is larger than the inner diameter of the first cavity (131a). The wall forming the second cavity (131b) includes a bottom wall (131b1) and a side wall (131b2). The included angle between the bottom wall (131b1) and the side wall (131b2) is greater than 90°. The inner radial direction of the side wall (131b2) gradually increases towards the valve port (1211).

3. The electric valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve core body (131) includes a sealing protrusion (1312), which can abut against the valve port (1211). The bottom wall (131b1) of the second cavity is flat. The sealing protrusion (1312) protrudes downward from the bottom wall (131b1) of the second cavity. The inner peripheral wall of the sealing protrusion (1312) forms the side wall (131b2) of the second cavity. The vertical height between the end of the sealing protrusion (1312) and the bottom wall (131b1) of the second cavity is H1. The first cavity (131a) includes a first cavity bottom wall (131a1). The vertical height from the end of the sealing protrusion (1312) to the bottom wall (131a1) of the first cavity is H2. Wherein, 1mm≤H1≤0.5H2.

4. The electric valve according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The electric valve also includes a sealing assembly (17) located between the first sidewall (1311) and a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the valve seat assembly (12), with the end of the sealing protrusion (1312) having a rounded corner (1312b).

5. The electric valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sealing protrusion (1312) has an enlarged diameter portion (1312a), the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the first sidewall (1311) of the valve core body (131); the valve seat assembly (12) includes a sealing element (121), the valve port portion (1211) is located on the sealing element (121), the rounded corner (1312b) abuts against the sealing element (121) and seals, the diameter of the sealing point is larger than the diameter of the first sidewall (1311); the valve core body (131) has a balance hole (131c), the balance hole (131c) communicates the upper and lower spaces of the valve core body (131).

6. The electric valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The number of balance holes (131c) is 3, the pitch circle diameter of the balance hole (131c) is L3, the balance hole (131c) includes a first part (131c1), the inner diameter of the first part (131c1) is L4, and (L2-L1) / 2≤L3≤(L2-L4).

7. The electric valve according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The electric valve includes a rod component (15) fixedly connected to the valve core body (131). The valve core body (131) includes an upper valve core cavity (131d) and a flow hole (131e). A portion of the rod component (15) is located in the upper valve core cavity (131d). The flow hole (131e) connects the upper valve core cavity (131d) with the first cavity (131a). The valve core assembly (13) includes an elastic element (132) located in the upper valve core cavity (131d). The upper end of the elastic element (132) abuts against a portion of the rod component (15), and the lower end of the elastic element (132) abuts against the lower end face forming the upper valve core cavity (131d).

8. The electric valve according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, 0.125L2≤L1≤0.40L2; 0.175L2≤L1≤0.35L2; 0.155L2≤L1≤0.375L2.

9. The electric valve according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that, 1.5mm≤H1≤0.4H2, or 1.75mm≤H1≤0.3H2.

10. The electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve core body (131) further includes a second cavity (131b), the inner diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the first cavity (131a). The wall forming the second cavity (131b) includes a bottom wall (131b1) and a side wall (131b2). The bottom wall (131b1) has a groove, which is arc-shaped and is a certain distance from the first cavity (131a). The inner radial direction of the side wall (131b2) gradually expands towards the valve port (1211).

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