Ball valve, liquid path system and working machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a ball valve liquid path system and an operation machine. The ball valve comprises a valve shell and a spherical valve element contained in the valve shell. The valve shell comprises a main body part and a plurality of valve shell channels connected to the main body part, and the main body part defines a valve shell inner cavity communicated with the valve shell channels respectively; the valve element is internally provided with at least one valve element channel, each valve element channel comprises paired openings leading to the spherical surface of the valve element, and each valve element channel can communicate with two valve shell channels to form an independent fluid flow channel. Protruding parts protruding out of the spherical surface of the valve element are arranged on the peripheries of the paired openings of the valve element channel, and the protruding parts are constructed to be capable of being connected with a port, located in the inner cavity of the valve body, of the valve shell channel so as to build the fluid flow channel. The valve core of the ball valve is only jointed with the inner wall of the main body part of the valve shell at the convex part, so that the resistance from the valve shell is greatly reduced in the moving process of the valve core.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of components for operating machinery, and in particular to a ball valve, a hydraulic system including the ball valve, and operating machinery including the ball valve or the hydraulic system. Background Technology

[0002] Ball valves are a common type of fluid control valve. They are simple in structure, flexible in operation, and have good sealing performance, making them suitable for various systems in machinery. For example, ball valves can be used in fluid systems containing fluid media, such as cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and refrigeration systems, to cut off, distribute, and change the flow direction of the fluid media.

[0003] Known ball valves typically include a valve body and a spherical valve core that rotates within the valve body. The valve body includes a valve body passage that can be connected to a fluid flow line, and the valve core has at least one valve core passage formed within it. During valve core rotation, the valve core passage within the valve core can engage with different valve body passages on the valve body to establish different fluid flow paths, thereby achieving the cutting off, distribution, and change of flow direction of the fluid medium. In the prior art, the valve core is usually tightly pressed against the inner wall of the valve body, so the valve core must constantly overcome the resistance from the valve body during rotation. Moreover, when there are particles falling into the ball valve or particulate impurities in the fluid medium, these particles may become stuck between the valve core and the valve body, thereby increasing the resistance to operating the ball valve, or even causing the valve core to jam and prevent it from rotating to the desired position. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a ball valve is provided, the ball valve comprising a valve housing and a spherical valve core housed within the inner cavity of the valve housing. The valve housing includes a main body portion and a plurality of valve housing channels connected to the main body portion, the main body portion defining a valve housing inner cavity that communicates with each of the plurality of valve housing channels. The valve core has at least one valve core channel, each valve core channel including a pair of openings leading to a spherical surface of the valve core, and each capable of connecting two of the valve housing channels to form an independent fluid flow path. The periphery of each pair of openings of the valve core channel has a protrusion protruding from the spherical surface of the valve core, the protrusion being configured to engage a port of the valve housing channel located within the inner cavity of the valve housing, thereby establishing the fluid flow path.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing ring is provided at the port of the valve housing channel, and the protrusion is configured to abut against the sealing ring.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is a first gap between the spherical surface of the valve core and the inner wall of the main body, and the sealing ring has a protruding thickness that protrudes toward the inner cavity of the valve housing relative to the inner wall of the main body, and the first gap is greater than the protruding thickness.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a second gap is provided between the protrusion and the inner wall of the main body, the second gap being smaller than the first gap and larger than the protrusion thickness.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the valve core has M valve core channels, and the valve shell includes N valve shell channels, where N≥2M.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the valve core has a valve core channel and is arranged to move between a first working position and a second working position. The valve housing includes three valve housing channels arranged circumferentially, the three valve housing channels respectively constituting an inlet channel, a first outlet channel and a second outlet channel. When the valve core is in the first working position, the valve core channel connects the inlet channel and the first outlet channel, and when the valve core is in the second working position, the valve core channel connects the inlet channel and the second outlet channel.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the valve core has two valve core channels and is arranged to move between two working positions. The valve housing includes four valve housing channels arranged circumferentially. When the valve core is in each working position, one of the two valve core channels connects to the two valve housing channels to form a fluid flow channel, and the other of the two valve core channels connects to the other two valve housing channels to form another fluid flow channel.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body is provided with an opening for detachably installing the valve housing channel.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hydraulic system is provided, which includes a ball valve as described above.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a working machine is provided, which includes a ball valve or hydraulic system as described above.

[0015] The ball valve of this invention features protrusions extending from the spherical surface of the valve core at the periphery of each pair of openings in the valve core channel. This ensures that the valve core contacts the inner wall of the valve body only at these protrusions. Consequently, the resistance from the valve body is significantly reduced during valve core movement. Furthermore, a gap exists between the spherical surface of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve body, allowing particles entering the ball valve to be contained within this gap, preventing the valve core and valve body from jamming and becoming unable to rotate. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The features and advantages of this utility model will become clear from the following detailed description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following drawings are merely schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and therefore should not be considered as limitations on this utility model, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A magnified view of point A on the ball valve shown;

[0019] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The diagram shows the ball valve core in its first working position.

[0020] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 The diagram shows the ball valve core in the second working position.

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the valve core of a ball valve according to another embodiment of the present invention in one of two working positions; and

[0022] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 The diagram shows the ball valve core in one of two working positions.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Valve housing; 11. Main body; 12. Valve housing channel; 121. First outlet channel; 122. Second outlet channel; 123. Outlet channel; 13. Valve housing inner cavity; 14. Sealing ring; 2. Valve core; 21. Valve core channel; 22. Protrusion; H1. First gap; H2. Second gap; K. Protrusion thickness. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand and implement the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that implementations of the present invention may not include some of these specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the present invention can be conceived to be implemented with any combination of the features and elements described below, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as elements or limitations of the claims unless expressly set forth in the claims.

[0026] The terms "first" and "second" are used below to describe the elements of this application. These terms are used only to distinguish the individual elements and not to limit the nature, order, or number of these elements. The terms "comprising" and "having" are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion and mean that there may be additional elements / components besides those listed.

[0027] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A ball valve according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ball valve according to this embodiment may include a valve body 1 and a valve core 2.

[0028] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The valve housing 1 includes a main body 11 and a plurality of valve housing channels 12 connected to the main body 11. The main body 11 is generally spherical and surrounds a valve housing cavity 13. The plurality of valve housing channels 12 are spaced apart from each other, and each valve housing channel 12 opens into the valve housing cavity 13, thereby forming an end opening, also known as a "port," on the inner wall of the main body 11. These valve housing channels 12 can each be connected to the fluid medium flow pipeline of the hydraulic system, and can form an outlet channel or an inlet channel depending on the flow direction of the fluid medium inside.

[0029] The valve core 2 is generally spherical and housed within the valve housing cavity 13. The valve core 2 has at least one valve core channel 21. The number of valve core channels 21 can be set according to actual needs or depends on the number of valve housing channels 12. Each valve core channel 21 has a pair of openings on the spherical surface of the valve core 2. These paired openings can vary depending on the working position of the valve core 2, serving as either an inlet or an outlet. When the valve core 2 rotates to the working position within the valve housing cavity 13, at least one of the valve core channels 21 connects to two corresponding valve housing channels 12 to form an independent fluid flow path.

[0030] Although Figure 1 The main body 11 of the valve housing 1 shown is generally spherical, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the main body 11 can also be an irregular or regular three-dimensional shape that facilitates the arrangement of multiple valve housing channels 12, such as a cuboid, cube, or cone. The inner cavity 13 of the valve housing can also be other shapes. In this embodiment, the inner cavity is spherical to facilitate the rotation of the spherical valve core 2 within it.

[0031] According to this invention, each valve core channel 21 of the valve core 2 has a protrusion 22 at the periphery of its paired openings, which protrudes relative to the spherical surface of the valve core 2. This makes the distance between the periphery of these openings and the inner wall of the main body 11 of the valve housing 1 greater than the distance between the spherical surface of the valve core 2 and the inner wall of the main body 11. Thus, only the protrusion 22 can contact or engage with the inner wall of the main body 11, especially at the working position of the valve core 2 and the port of the valve housing channel 12, to form an independent fluid flow channel. This significantly reduces the contact area between the valve housing 1 and the valve core 2, thereby reducing the resistance generated by the valve housing 1 to the rotation of the valve core 2.

[0032] Optionally, the valve housing passage 12 can be detachably connected to the main body 11. For example, the main body 11 has an opening with an internal thread. The outer peripheral surface of the corresponding port of the valve housing passage 12 has an external thread, so that the valve housing passage 12 can be fixed to the main body 11 by a threaded connection.

[0033] Advantageously, a sealing ring 14 can be fixed at the port of the valve body passage 12 by welding or bonding. When the valve core 2 rotates to the working position within the valve body cavity 13, the protrusion 22 of the valve core 2 can abut against or compress the sealing ring 14, thereby sealing the fluid flow path formed by the mutually aligned and communicating valve core passage 21 and valve body passage 12 through the sealing ring 14. When the protrusion 22 and the sealing ring 14 are misaligned, the valve core 2 as a whole does not contact the valve body 1 or the sealing ring 14. In this way, the valve core 2 will only experience a small resistance generated by the sealing ring 14 when the protrusion 22 and the sealing ring 14 are misaligned or aligned.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, there is a first gap H1 between the spherical surface of the valve core 2 and the inner wall of the main body 11. The sealing ring 14 protrudes into the inner cavity 13 of the valve housing relative to the inner wall of the main body 11 and has a protrusion thickness K. The first gap H1 is greater than the protrusion thickness K, which ensures that the sealing ring 14 will not contact the spherical surface of the valve core 2 during the rotation of the valve core 2.

[0035] Continue to refer to Figure 2A second gap H2 exists between the protrusion 22 of the valve core 2 and the inner wall of the main body 11 of the valve housing 1. This second gap H2 is smaller than the first gap H1 and larger than the protrusion thickness K. This ensures that the protrusion 22 can elastically abut against the sealing ring 44, allowing a good seal to be maintained between the valve housing channel 12 and the valve core channel 21 through the elastic abutment between the protrusion 22 and the sealing ring 44. Furthermore, direct contact between the protrusion 22 and the inner wall of the main body 11 of the valve housing 1 can be avoided.

[0036] According to this invention, the valve core 2 can be provided with M valve core channels 21, and the valve shell 1 can include N valve shell channels 12, where N≥2M, and N and M are both natural numbers. Thus, the valve core 2 can be positioned in different working positions, and in each working position, some of the valve core channels 21 can be connected to some of the paired valve shell channels 12. Alternatively, there can be multiple groups of paired valve shell channels 12, with the valve core 2 connected to different groups of paired valve shell channels 12 through all the valve core channels 21 in different working positions.

[0037] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A first embodiment of the ball valve of this utility model is shown. In this embodiment, the valve body 1 of the ball valve has three valve body channels 12, and the valve core 2 has one valve core channel 21. Figure 3 As shown, the three valve body channels 12 are located on the left, lower, and right, respectively, and constitute the first outlet channel 121, the second outlet channel 122, and the inlet channel 123. When the valve core 2 is in the first working position, one opening (lower opening) of the valve core channel 21 is aligned and connected with the valve core channel serving as the inlet channel 123, and the other opening (left opening) is aligned and connected with the valve core channel serving as the first outlet channel 121, thereby forming a passage from channel 123 to channel 121 (in... Figure 3 The fluid flow path is from bottom to left. In this state, the lower protrusion 22 of the valve core passage 21 abuts against the sealing ring 14 at the port of the inlet passage 123, and the left protrusion 22 of the valve core passage 21 abuts against the sealing ring 14 at the port of the first outlet passage 121. In this first working position of the valve core 2, the fluid medium can flow from the inlet passage 123 through the valve core passage 21 to the first outlet passage 121.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, when the valve core 2 rotates 90° counterclockwise or 270° clockwise within the valve housing cavity 13 to the second working position, one opening of the valve core channel 21 (in...) Figure 4 The middle part is the bottom opening, which is... Figure 3 The left opening shown is aligned with and connected to the inlet channel 123, and the other opening (in...) Figure 4 The middle part is the opening on the right, which means... Figure 3The lower opening shown is aligned with and connected to the second outlet channel 122, thereby forming a passage from channel 123 to channel 122 (in Figure 4 The fluid flow path is from bottom to right in the middle. In this second working position of the valve core 2, the fluid medium can flow from the inlet channel 123 through the valve core channel 21 to the second outlet channel 122.

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of the ball valve of this utility model is shown. In this embodiment, the valve body 1 of the ball valve has a generally cubic shape and a spherical valve body cavity 13. Four valve body channels 12 are arranged on the four circumferential sidewalls of the valve body 1. The valve core 2 has two valve core channels 21, and the valve core 2 can move between two operating positions. Figure 5 As shown, four valve housing channels 12 are located on the left, lower, right, and upper sides of the valve housing 1, respectively. When the valve core 2 is in the first working position, the two protrusions 23 of the paired openings of one valve core channel 21 abut against the sealing rings 14 at the ports of the left and upper valve housing channels 12, respectively, so that the valve core channel 21 connects the two valve housing channels 12 to form an independent fluid flow channel. The two protrusions 23 of the paired openings of the other valve core channel 21 abut against the sealing rings 14 of the lower and right valve housing channels 12, respectively, so that this valve core channel 21 connects the two valve housing channels 12 to form another independent fluid flow channel. At this time, the left and lower valve housing channels 21 constitute the inlet channels of the two fluid flow channels, respectively, and the upper and right valve housing channels 21 constitute the outlet channels of the two fluid flow channels, respectively.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, when the valve core 2 rotates 90° clockwise or counterclockwise within the valve housing cavity 13 to the second working position, Figure 5 The valve core passage 21, which connects the left and upper sides of the valve housing passage 12, is in Figure 6 The middle part becomes a valve housing passage 12 connected to the upper and right sides, in Figure 5 The valve core passage 21, which connects the lower and right sides of the valve housing passage 12, is in Figure 6 The valve core 21 is then connected to the valve housing passages 12 on the left and lower sides. At this point, the valve housing passages 21 on the left and upper sides respectively constitute the inlet passages of the two fluid channels, and the valve housing passages 21 on the lower and right sides respectively constitute the outlet passages of the two fluid channels. Therefore, the flow direction of the fluid medium in the two fluid channels can be changed simultaneously by moving the valve core 2 between different operating positions.

[0041] This utility model also provides a hydraulic circuit system including the above-mentioned ball valve, and a working machine including the above-mentioned ball valve or hydraulic circuit system.

[0042] Industrial applicability

[0043] The ball valve according to this invention is particularly suitable for the hydraulic systems of machinery. However, it should be understood that the ball valve according to this invention can also be used in other equipment that requires changing the direction of fluid flow, such as motor vehicles with cooling or refrigeration systems.

[0044] In existing ball valves, the valve core must constantly overcome the resistance of the valve body or the sealing ring within the valve body during the rotation of the valve core to cut off, distribute, and change the flow direction of the fluid medium. When particulate matter is present in the ball valve, it may become stuck between the valve core and the valve body or sealing ring, further increasing the resistance on the valve core and even causing it to jam and become unable to rotate.

[0045] Compared with the prior art, the ball valve according to this utility model has protrusions 22 protruding from the spherical surface of the valve core 2 at the periphery of the paired openings defining the valve core channel 21. This ensures that the valve core 2 only abuts against the inner wall of the main body 11 of the valve housing 1 or the sealing ring therein at the protrusions 22. This greatly reduces the resistance experienced by the valve core 2 from the valve housing 1 during movement. Furthermore, a gap exists between the spherical surface of the valve core 2 and the inner wall of the main body 11 of the valve housing 1, allowing particles entering the ball valve to be contained within this gap, preventing the valve core 2 and valve housing 1 from jamming and becoming unable to rotate.

[0046] Various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the practice of this invention disclosed in this specification. This specification and the examples disclosed herein should be considered illustrative only, and the true scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A ball valve, characterized in that The ball valve comprises: a valve housing (1) including a main body portion (11) defining a valve housing inner cavity (13) in communication with a plurality of valve housing passages (12) connected to the main body portion; and a ball valve spool (2) received in the valve housing inner cavity, the valve spool having at least one spool passage (21) therein, each of the spool passages including a pair of openings to a spherical surface of the valve spool and being capable of communicating two of the valve housing passages to form an independent fluid flow path; wherein the pair of openings of the spool passage (21) each have a protrusion (22) protruding from the spherical surface of the valve spool, the protrusion being configured to engage a port of the valve housing passage at the valve housing inner cavity to establish the fluid flow path.

2. The ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that A seal ring (14) is provided at the port of the valve housing passage (12), the protrusion being configured to abut the seal ring (14) to establish a sealed fluid flow path.

3. The ball valve of claim 2, wherein, The spherical surface of the valve spool (2) and an inner wall of the main body portion (11) have a first gap (H1), the seal ring (14) has a protruding thickness (K) protruding towards the valve housing inner cavity (13) relative to the inner wall of the main body portion, the first gap (H1) being greater than the protruding thickness (K).

4. The ball valve according to claim 3, characterized in that The protrusion (22) and the inner wall of the main body portion (11) have a second gap (H2), the second gap (H2) being smaller than the first gap (H1) and greater than the protruding thickness (K).

5. The ball valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The valve spool (2) has M spool passages (21), and the valve housing (1) includes N valve housing passages (12), where N≥2M.

6. The ball valve of claim 5, wherein, The valve spool (2) has one spool passage (21) and is arranged to move between a first working position and a second working position, the valve housing (1) includes three valve housing passages (12) arranged circumferentially, the three valve housing passages respectively constituting an inlet passage (123), a first outlet passage (121) and a second outlet passage (122), wherein the spool passage communicates the inlet passage and the first outlet passage when the valve spool is in the first working position, and the spool passage communicates the inlet passage and the second outlet passage when the valve spool is in the second working position.

7. The ball valve of claim 5, wherein The valve spool (2) has two spool passages (21) and is arranged to move between two working positions, the valve housing (1) includes four valve housing passages (12) arranged circumferentially, wherein one of the two spool passages communicates two valve housing passages to form one fluid flow path and the other of the two spool passages communicates the other two valve housing passages to form another fluid flow path when the valve spool is in each working position.

8. The ball valve according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The main body portion (11) is provided with an opening hole for detachably mounting the valve housing passages (12).

9. A fluid circuit system characterized by comprising: The hydraulic system includes the ball valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A work machine characterized by, The working machine includes the ball valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the hydraulic system according to claim 9.

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