Valve unit and valve device

Abstract

The utility model provides a valve unit and valve device can restrain by the bad influence of abrasion powder. Valve unit (7) has rotor (51), valve shaft holder (52), guide bushing (53) and valve core (40). The inner thread (52t) and holder sliding surface (52s) are provided with in the inner periphery surface of valve shaft holder (52). The outer thread (53t) that is screwed with inner thread (52t) and guide piece sliding surface (53s) that is contacted with holder sliding surface (52s) are provided with in the outer periphery surface of guide bushing (53). Outer thread (53t) is arranged in the upper end of guide bushing (53). Valve shaft holder (52) has the horizontal hole (52h) that connects the space (52v) of valve shaft holder (52) with outer thread (53t) arranged with the outside space of valve shaft holder (52).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a valve unit and a valve device having the valve unit. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional valve device. The valve device includes: a valve body with a valve port, a magnetic rotor, a cylindrical valve shaft retainer fixed to the magnetic rotor, a cylindrical guide bushing fixed to the valve body, and a cylindrical valve core inserted into the guide bushing and moving together with the valve shaft retainer. The valve core and the valve port are axially opposed. An internal thread is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve shaft retainer. An external thread that engages with the internal thread is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the guide bushing. The valve shaft retainer rotates together with the magnetic rotor and moves axially by threaded feed. The valve core moves together with the valve shaft retainer, thereby changing the opening degree of the valve port.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent document 1: International Publication No. 2023 / 068125.

[0006] The problem to be solved by utility models

[0007] In valve assemblies, increasing the valve orifice diameter necessitates increasing the valve core diameter. Increasing the valve core diameter reduces the thickness of the guide bushing, potentially decreasing its rigidity. By providing an external thread at the upper end of the guide bushing and setting the diameter of the portion of the valve core positioned at the upper end of the guide bushing smaller than the diameter of the portion near the valve orifice, a suitable valve core diameter for the orifice can be ensured, and the reduction in guide bushing thickness can be prevented. However, since the upper end of the guide bushing is surrounded by the valve shaft cage, wear dust from the internal and external threads can remain between the guide bushing and the valve shaft cage, potentially causing adverse effects such as difficulty in rotating the valve shaft cage. Utility Model Content

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a valve unit and valve device that can suppress the adverse effects caused by wear powder.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a valve unit comprising: a magnetic rotor; a cylindrical retainer fixed to the magnetic rotor; a cylindrical guide disposed on the inner side of the retainer; and a cylindrical valve core inserted into the guide and moving together with the retainer. The retainer has an internal thread and a retainer sliding surface on its inner circumferential surface, and the guide has an external thread and a guide sliding surface on its outer circumferential surface. The external thread engages with the internal thread, and the guide sliding surface contacts the retainer sliding surface. The external thread is disposed at the end of the guide, and the retainer or the guide has a passage connecting the space in the retainer containing the external thread to the outer space of the retainer.

[0011] In this invention, preferably, the passage is a hole that penetrates the cage radially.

[0012] In this invention, preferably, the passage is a groove provided on the sliding surface of the cage or the sliding surface of the guide.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, another aspect of the present invention relates to a valve device comprising: the valve unit; a flow path unit on which the valve unit is mounted; and a stator unit having a stator that together with the magnet rotor constitutes a motor.

[0014] Effects of the utility model

[0015] According to this invention, an internal thread and a sliding surface of the cage, which moves together with the valve core, are provided on its inner circumferential surface. An external thread that engages with the internal thread and a sliding surface of the guide member that contacts the sliding surface of the cage are provided on its outer circumferential surface. The external thread is located at the end of the guide member. Furthermore, the cage or guide member has a passage connecting the space in the cage containing the external thread to the outer space of the cage. This allows wear particles from the internal and external threads to be discharged from the space of the cage through this passage. Therefore, the adverse effects caused by wear particles can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the flow path unit and the valve unit of the valve device.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a sectional view of the valve unit.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve unit.

[0020] Figure 5 It means Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the first modified example of the valve unit.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the valve shaft cage of the valve unit.

[0022] Figure 7 It means Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the valve unit.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the valve shaft cage of the valve unit.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A sectional view along the IX-IX line.

[0025] Symbol Explanation

[0026] 1…Valve assembly; 5…Flow path unit; 10…Main body; 11…Mounting hole; 17…Valve seat; 18…Valve port; 7, 7A, 7B…Valve unit; 20…Connecting component; 30…Housing; 40…Valve core; 50…Drive mechanism; 51…Rotor; 52, 52A, 52B…Valve shaft cage; 52s…Cage sliding surface; 52t…Internal thread; 52v…Space; 52h…Transverse hole; 52j…Helical groove; 52k…Straight groove; 53…Guide bushing; 53s…Guide sliding surface; 53t…External thread; 9…Stator unit; 60…Stator; 70…Housing; L…Axis. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following is for reference Figures 1-4 The following describes a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The figures illustrate a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The valve device 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, assembled into a refrigeration cycle system and used as a flow control valve to control the flow rate of the refrigerant.

[0029] The valve device 1 has a flow path unit 5, a valve unit 7, and a stator unit 9.

[0030] The flow path unit 5 has a main body 10 and a valve seat 17.

[0031] The main body 10 is made of, for example, aluminum alloy. The main body 10 has a first upper surface 10a and a second upper surface 10b as its outer surface. The first upper surface 10a and the second upper surface 10b are planes parallel to each other. The second upper surface 10b is located below the first upper surface 10a. The first upper surface 10a is a first plane, and the second upper surface 10b is a second plane.

[0032] The main body 10 has a mounting hole 11 and flow paths 13 and 14. The mounting hole 11 is a circular hole that extends downward from the second upper surface 10b. The opening 11o of the mounting hole 11 is disposed on the second upper surface 10b. An internal thread 11t is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 11. The lower part of the mounting hole 11 is a valve chamber 12.

[0033] The main body 10 has a wall portion 16. The wall portion 16 has an annular shape. The wall portion 16 protrudes upward from the second upper surface 10b. The wall portion 16 surrounds the mounting hole 11. The upper end (top) of the wall portion 16 and the first upper surface 10a are contained within an imaginary plane.

[0034] The valve seat 17 is made of stainless steel, for example. The valve seat 17 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed at the lower part of the valve chamber 12. The valve seat 17 may also be integrally formed with the main body 10. A valve port 18 is provided on the inner side of the valve seat 17. The flow path 13 communicates with the valve chamber 12 via the valve port 18. The flow path 14 extends horizontally from the valve chamber 12.

[0035] The valve unit 7 has a connecting component 20, a housing 30, a valve core 40, and a drive mechanism 50.

[0036] The connecting member 20 integrally has a peripheral wall portion 21, a bottom wall portion 22, and a flange portion 23.

[0037] The peripheral wall portion 21 has a cylindrical shape. A receiving surface 21c is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 21. The receiving surface 21c is an upward-facing annular plane. An external thread 21t is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 21. The external thread 21t engages with the internal thread 11t of the mounting hole 11 of the main body portion 10.

[0038] The bottom wall portion 22 has a circular plate shape. The outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 22 is connected to the lower end (one end) of the peripheral wall portion 21. The bottom wall portion 22 has a shaft hole 24 as a through hole.

[0039] The flange portion 23 has an annular plate shape. The inner periphery of the flange portion 23 is connected to the upper end (the other end) of the peripheral wall portion 21. The flange portion 23 is orthogonal to the peripheral wall portion 21. The outer diameter of the flange portion 23 is larger than the outer diameter of the wall portion 16.

[0040] In the manufacturing process of the connecting component 20, the peripheral wall portion 21, the bottom wall portion 22, and the flange portion 23 are integrally formed by stamping sheet metal, and the receiving surface 21c and the shaft hole 24 are formed. Then, an external thread 21t is formed in the peripheral wall portion 21, thereby completing the connecting component 20. The connecting component 20 is made of iron or stainless steel, for example.

[0041] The connecting member 20 is disposed in the mounting hole 11 of the main body 10. Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 21 and the bottom wall portion 22 are inserted into the mounting hole 11, and the external thread 21t of the peripheral wall portion 21 is screwed into the internal thread 11t of the main body 10. As the external thread 21t is pushed into engagement with the internal thread 11t, the connecting member 20 moves downward. When the lower surface of the flange portion 23 contacts the upper end of the wall portion 16 of the flow path unit 5, the downward movement of the connecting member 20 is restricted, thereby fastening the external thread 21t and the internal thread 11t. The wall portion 16 is a positioning portion for the connecting member 20.

[0042] The outer casing 30 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The outer casing 30 has a cylindrical shape. The lower end of the outer casing 30 is open and the upper end is closed. The lower end of the outer casing 30 is engaged with the outer periphery of the flange 23. The outer casing 30 is a cover.

[0043] The valve core 40 has a shaft portion 41 and a valve portion 45. The shaft portion 41 is cylindrical. A spring receiving surface 46 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 41. The spring receiving surface 46 is an upward-facing annular plane. The valve portion 45 is frustoconical in shape. The valve portion 45 is coaxially connected to the lower end of the shaft portion 41. The diameter of the lower portion 41a of the shaft portion 41 is larger than the diameter of the central portion 41b of the shaft portion 41. The diameter of the central portion 41b of the shaft portion 41 is larger than the diameter of the upper portion 41c of the shaft portion 41. The diameter of the lower portion 41a is the same as the diameter of the shaft hole 24 of the connecting member 20. The lower portion 41a is inserted through the shaft hole 24 of the connecting member 20. The connecting member 20 supports the shaft portion 41 so that it can move in the vertical direction. The valve portion 45 is opposite to the valve seat 17 in the vertical direction. The top end of the valve portion 45 is disposed at the valve port 18. When valve part 45 contacts valve seat 17, valve port 18 is closed. When valve part 45 moves away from valve seat 17, valve port 18 is opened. In each figure, valve core 40 is shown in front view.

[0044] The drive mechanism 50 moves the valve core 40 in the vertical direction. The movement of the valve core 40 changes the opening degree of the valve port 18. The drive mechanism 50 includes a rotor 51, a valve shaft retainer 52, a guide bushing 53, a connecting plate 55, an anti-disengagement component 56, and a valve closing spring 57.

[0045] The rotor 51 has a cylindrical shape. The rotor 51 is disposed inside the housing 30. The rotor 51 has multiple magnetic poles. The multiple magnetic poles are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 51. The rotor 51 is a magnetic rotor.

[0046] The valve stem retainer 52 is made of, for example, brass. The valve stem retainer 52 has a cylindrical shape. The lower end of the valve stem retainer 52 is open. The valve stem retainer 52 integrally has a peripheral wall portion 52a and an upper wall portion 52b. The upper wall portion 52b is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 52a. A retainer sliding surface 52s and an internal thread 52t are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 52a. The inner diameter of the internal thread 52t is smaller than the diameter of the retainer sliding surface 52s. The internal thread 52t is positioned above the retainer sliding surface 52s. Furthermore, the valve stem retainer 52 has a transverse hole 52h. The transverse hole 52h is located at the upper end of the retainer sliding surface 52s. The valve stem retainer 52 is a retainer. The transverse hole 52h is a passageway.

[0047] The valve shaft retainer 52 is fixed to the rotor 51 via an annular connecting plate 55. The valve shaft retainer 52 rotates together with the rotor 51. The upper part 41c of the shaft portion 41 of the valve core 40 is inserted through a hole provided in the upper wall portion 52b. An anti-disengagement component 56 is fixed to the upper part 41c. The valve closing spring 57 is disposed between the upper wall portion 52b and the spring receiving surface 46 of the valve core 40. The valve closing spring 57 is a helical spring that presses the valve core 40 toward the valve seat 17. A movable stop 52c is provided on the valve shaft retainer 52.

[0048] The guide bushing 53 is made of, for example, brass or stainless steel. The guide bushing 53 integrally comprises a base 53a and a support 53b. The base 53a and the support 53b are cylindrical in shape. The guide bushing 53 is fixed to the main body 10 via a connecting member 20. The guide bushing 53 is a guide element.

[0049] The base 53a is pressed into the peripheral wall 21 of the connecting member 20, and the lower end face of the base 53a abuts against the receiving surface 21c of the peripheral wall 21.

[0050] The support portion 53b is connected to the upper end of the base portion 53a. A guide sliding surface 53s and an external thread 53t are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 53b. The outer diameter of the external thread 53t is smaller than the diameter of the guide sliding surface 53s. The external thread 53t is located at the upper end of the support portion 53b (the end of the guide bushing 53). The external thread 53t is positioned above the guide sliding surface 53s. The external thread 53t and the guide sliding surface 53s are arranged sequentially from the upper end of the support portion 53b. The external thread 53t engages with the internal thread 52t. The outer diameter of the portion of the support portion 53b with the guide sliding surface 53s is the same as the inner diameter of the portion of the peripheral wall portion 52a of the valve shaft retainer 52 with the retainer sliding surface 52s. The guide sliding surface 53s contacts the retainer sliding surface 52s throughout its entire circumference.

[0051] The shaft portion 41 of the valve core 40 is disposed inside the guide bushing 53. The inner diameter of the upper end of the support portion 53b is the same as the diameter of the central portion 41b of the shaft portion 41. The guide bushing 53 supports the shaft portion 41 so that it can move in the vertical direction. A fixing stop 53c is provided on the guide bushing 53. The guide bushing 53 is fixed to the main body portion 10.

[0052] Stator unit 9 is mounted on valve unit 7. Stator unit 9 has a stator 60 and a housing 70.

[0053] The stator 60 has a cylindrical shape. A housing 30 is disposed inside the stator 60. The stator 60 has multiple coils and multiple pole teeth. The multiple pole teeth are positioned opposite the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 51 across the housing 30. The multiple pole teeth are magnetized by supplying drive current to the multiple coils, thereby causing the rotor 51 to rotate. The rotor 51 and stator 60 constitute a stepper motor 66. Alternatively, the rotor 51 and stator 60 can also constitute a different type of motor than a stepper motor.

[0054] When the rotor 51 rotates in the closing direction, the rotor 51 and the valve shaft holder 52 move downwards due to the threaded feed action of the internal thread 52t of the valve shaft holder 52 and the external thread 53t of the guide bushing 53. The valve core 40 moves downwards together with the valve shaft holder 52, thereby reducing the opening degree of the valve port 18. When the valve shaft holder 52 reaches the lower limit position, the movable stop 52c abuts against the fixed stop 53c, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotor 51 and the valve shaft holder 52 in the closing direction. At this time, the transverse hole 52h of the valve shaft holder 52 is radially opposite to the lower end of the external thread 53t of the guide bushing 53. The transverse hole 52h connects the space 52v in the valve shaft holder 52 containing the external thread 53t to the inner space 30v of the housing 30 (i.e., the outer space of the valve shaft holder 52).

[0055] When the rotor 51 rotates in the opening direction, the rotor 51 and the valve shaft holder 52 move upwards due to the threaded feed action of the internal thread 52t of the valve shaft holder 52 and the external thread 53t of the guide bushing 53. The valve core 40 moves upwards together with the valve shaft holder 52, thereby increasing the opening degree of the valve port 18. The transverse hole 52h is always radially opposite to the external thread 53t when the valve shaft holder 52 moves up and down.

[0056] The housing 70 is made of synthetic resin. The housing 70 houses the stator 60. The housing 70 integrally has a peripheral wall 71 and an upper wall 72. The peripheral wall 71 has a cylindrical shape. The upper wall 72 has a dome shape and is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall 71. The stator 60 is embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 71. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 71 is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the stator 60. The inner peripheral surface of the stator 60, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 71, and the inner surface of the upper wall 72 form a receiving space 75. An outer shell 30 is disposed in the receiving space 75, and the lower end of the peripheral wall 71 contacts the second upper surface 10b of the main body 10.

[0057] The valve device 1 has a first sealing component 81 and a second sealing component 82. The first sealing component 81 and the second sealing component 82 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0058] The first sealing member 81 has an annular shape. The first sealing member 81 surrounds the wall portion 16 of the main body portion 10. The first sealing member 81 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion 16 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 71 of the housing 70, and is compressed radially. The first sealing member 81 seals the space between the wall portion 16 and the peripheral wall 71.

[0059] The second sealing member 82 has an annular shape. The second sealing member 82 is disposed inside the wall portion 16 of the main body portion 10 and surrounds the mounting hole 11. The second sealing member 82 is sandwiched between the main body portion 10 and the flange portion 23 of the connecting member 20 and is compressed in the vertical direction. The second sealing member 82 seals the space between the main body portion 10 and the flange portion 23.

[0060] In valve device 1, the central axis of each of the following components is aligned with axis L: mounting hole 11, wall portion 16, valve seat 17, connecting component 20, housing 30, valve core 40, rotor 51, valve shaft retainer 52 (peripheral wall portion 52a, upper wall portion 52b), guide bushing 53 (base portion 53a, support portion 53b), stator 60, housing 70, first sealing component 81, and second sealing component 82.

[0061] As described above, the valve device 1 includes a flow path unit 5, a valve unit 7, and a stator unit 9. The valve unit 7 includes a rotor 51, a cylindrical valve shaft retainer 52 fixed to the rotor 51, a cylindrical guide bushing 53 disposed inside the valve shaft retainer 52, and a cylindrical valve core 40 inserted into the guide bushing 53 and moving together with the valve shaft retainer 52. An internal thread 52t and a retainer sliding surface 52s are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve shaft retainer 52. An external thread 53t that engages with the internal thread 52t and a guide sliding surface 53s that contacts the retainer sliding surface 52s are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the guide bushing 53. The external thread 53t is disposed at the upper end of the guide bushing 53. The valve shaft retainer 52 has a transverse hole 52h connecting the space 52v in the valve shaft retainer 52 containing the external thread 53t to the inner space 30v of the housing 30. Therefore, wear powder from the internal thread 52t and the external thread 53t can be discharged from the space 52v of the valve shaft holder 52 through the transverse hole 52h. Thus, the valve unit 7 can suppress the adverse effects of wear powder.

[0062] Furthermore, the transverse hole 52h is a hole that penetrates radially through the peripheral wall portion 52a of the valve shaft retainer 52. This allows wear particles from the internal threads 52t and external threads 53t to be discharged from the space 52v of the valve shaft retainer 52 with a relatively simple structure.

[0063] Next, refer to Figures 5-9 A modified example of valve unit 7 will be described. Figures 5-9 In the text, structures that are the same as (including substantially the same as) valve unit 7 are marked with the same symbols.

[0064] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of valve unit 7A, which is a first modified example of valve unit 7, is shown. Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the valve shaft retainer 52A of the valve unit 7A is shown. The valve unit 7A has the same structure as the valve unit 7, except that it has a valve shaft retainer 52A with a helical groove 52j provided on the retainer sliding surface 52s instead of the valve shaft retainer 52 with the transverse hole 52h. The helical groove 52j connects the space 52v in the valve shaft retainer 52A, which has an external thread 53t, to the inner space 30v of the housing 30 (the outer space of the valve shaft retainer 52A). Alternatively, the helical groove can be provided on the guide sliding surface 53s instead of the helical groove 52j.

[0065] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of valve unit 7B, a second variation of valve unit 7, is shown. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the valve shaft retainer 52B of the valve unit 7B is shown. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The IX-IX line cross-sectional view shows that the valve unit 7B has the same structure as the valve unit 7, except that it has a valve shaft retainer 52B with multiple straight grooves 52k provided on the retainer sliding surface 52s instead of the valve shaft retainer 52 with the transverse hole 52h. The straight grooves 52k extend in the vertical direction. The straight grooves 52k connect the space 52v in the valve shaft retainer 52B with the external thread 53t to the inner space 30v of the housing 30 (the outer space of the valve shaft retainer 52B). The straight grooves can also be provided on the guide sliding surface 53s instead of the straight grooves 52k. Alternatively, only one straight groove 52k can be provided on the retainer sliding surface 52s.

[0066] Valve units 7A and 7B can also achieve the same effect as valve unit 7.

[0067] The flow path unit 5 of the valve device 1 described above has a valve seat 17 that is opposite to the valve core 40 in the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the valve device 1 may also have a valve port as a through hole in the bottom wall portion 22 of the connecting member 20, and a valve seat surrounding the valve port and opposite to the valve core 40 in the vertical direction.

[0068] In this specification, the terms "cylinder," "cylindrical," etc., are also used for parts or portions of parts that substantially have the shape of that term. For example, "cylindrical-shaped part" includes both cylindrical-shaped parts and substantially cylindrical-shaped parts. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "identical" includes both strictly identical and substantially identical cases.

[0069] The embodiments of this utility model have been described above, but this utility model is not limited to these embodiments. Any solutions obtained by adding, deleting, or modifying constituent elements, or by appropriately combining features of the embodiments, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this utility model, are included within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A valve unit comprising: a magnetic rotor; a cylindrical retainer fixed to the magnetic rotor; a cylindrical guide disposed inside the retainer; and a cylindrical valve core inserted into the guide and moving together with the retainer, characterized in that, The inner circumferential surface of the cage is provided with an internal thread and a cage sliding surface. The guide member has an external thread and a guide member sliding surface on its outer peripheral surface. The external thread engages with the internal thread, and the guide member sliding surface contacts the cage sliding surface. The external thread is disposed at the end of the guide member. The cage or the guide has a passageway connecting the space in the cage with the external thread to the outer space of the cage.

2. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passage is a hole that penetrates the cage radially.

3. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passage is a groove provided on the sliding surface of the cage or the sliding surface of the guide.

4. A valve device, characterized in that, have: The valve unit as described in claim 1; A flow path unit, wherein the valve unit is installed; and A stator unit having a stator that together with the magnet rotor forms the stator of the motor.

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