Electrically powered ball valve

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of electric ball valves, belong to control valve technical field, mainly including ball valve body mechanism, control drive mechanism, connecting piece, the upper fixed plate of control drive mechanism is opened with arc swing groove, microswitch is respectively equipped in the both ends of arc swing groove and is fixed on the upper fixed plate, two microswitches are electrically connected with PCBA board;Motor drives end gear through gear set, fixedly set with blocking column on end gear, end gear is fixedly connected with gear fixed shaft;Multiple sealing rings are axially spacedly sleeved between the main key shaft of key shaft assembly and the inner wall of valve body connecting section;The upper end of valve body connecting section is in the shape of necking, and pressure ring is arranged in the necking section of valve body connecting section, and valve outer sealing ring is further arranged between the upper end surface of valve body connecting section and the inner wall of connecting piece.The utility model structure design simplifies compact, sealing performance is good, stable and reliable in operation, manufacture is easy to realize, and practical value is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an electric ball valve, and more specifically, to an electric ball valve with a simplified and compact structure, good sealing performance, stable and reliable operation, and easy manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] An electric ball valve is a valve device that uses an electric actuator to drive the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the valve. It is widely used in industrial automation and fluid control systems.

[0003] Chinese patent publication number CN203051904U discloses an electric ball valve, specifically outlining the following technical solution: It includes a valve body with an internal valve core, at least two connection ports on the valve body, and a control mechanism above the valve body for controlling the rotation of the valve core. The control mechanism includes a base, a motor and at least two microswitches on the base, a circuit board, and a cam for controlling the opening and closing of the microswitches. The cam has a groove on its side for the contacts of the microswitches to extend from. The cam is connected to the motor shaft and to the valve core via a connecting shaft. The microswitches are evenly distributed on the outer edge of the cam and correspond to the positions of the connection ports on the valve body. Both the motor and the microswitches are connected to the circuit board, which controls the motor rotation based on signals sent by the microswitches at different positions. The valve body is a T-shaped three-way valve with three connection ports, and the valve core has three water passages arranged in a T-shape. There are four microswitches, three of which correspond one-to-one with the three connection ports of the valve body. The circuit board has a capacitor for storing the operating mode of the electric ball valve at the moment of power failure. In operating mode 0, the contact of the microswitch corresponding to the left inlet position of the valve body is in the groove of the cam. When the contact springs up, the microswitch closes, and the other three microswitches are in the open state under the pressure of the outer edge of the cam. The microswitch feeds a signal back to the circuit board through the wire connected to it. The program determines that the electric ball valve is currently in operating mode 0 by judging the feedback signal. In operating mode 1, the groove of the cam is aligned with the contact of the microswitch corresponding to the rear outlet position on the valve body. When the contact springs up, the microswitch closes, and the other three microswitches are in the open state under the pressure of the outer edge of the cam. The microswitch feeds a signal back to the circuit board through the wire connected to it. The program determines that the electric ball valve is currently in operating mode 1 by judging the feedback signal. In operating mode 2, the groove of the cam is aligned with the contact of the microswitch corresponding to the right outlet position on the valve body. When the contact springs up, the microswitch closes, and the other three microswitches are in the open state under the pressure of the outer edge of the cam. The microswitch feeds a signal back to the circuit board via a wire connected to it. The program determines the current operating mode (mode 2) of the electric ball valve by judging the feedback signal. In operating mode 3, the groove of the cam aligns with the contact of the microswitch corresponding to the front of the valve body. The contact springs back, closing the microswitch, while the other three microswitches are open under the pressure of the outer edge of the cam. The microswitch feeds a signal back to the circuit board via a wire connected to it. The program determines the current operating mode (mode 3) of the electric ball valve by judging the feedback signal. When the electric ball valve needs to change its operating mode, the program first determines whether the feedback signals from the four microswitches match the operating mode desired by the external control program.If they match, the motor does not work and the current working mode is fed back; if they do not match, the motor works as follows: The "Reset" function is used when the external control program requires the electric ball valve to close, or when the cam presses all microswitches due to power failure, motor malfunction, etc. The feedback signal determines that the current working mode of the electric ball valve does not belong to any of the working modes described in "Discrimination of Current Working Mode of Electric Ball Valve". In this case, the motor needs to be rotated to change the working mode. The program first determines the current working mode through the capacitor, then controls the motor shaft to rotate, further driving the transmission cam to rotate. The program controls the motor to stop rotating only when the feedback signal indicates that the current microswitches are closed, and the electric ball valve is currently in working mode 0.

[0004] Traditional electric ball valves use a cam with a precision groove and four microswitches to detect the absolute position of the valve core (sealing ball). However, the mechanical structure is too complex. The wiring and precise positioning of the four microswitches, as well as the precision machining and installation of the cam, significantly increase the manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an electric ball valve with a simplified and compact structural design, good sealing performance, stable and reliable operation, and easy manufacturing.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: An electric ball valve includes a ball valve body mechanism, a control and drive mechanism, and a connecting member connecting the ball valve body mechanism and the control and drive mechanism. The ball valve body mechanism includes a valve body with a flow channel, and a sealing ball with a ball valve through-hole is placed inside the valve body. A valve body connecting section is fixedly connected to the connecting member. The control and drive mechanism includes a drive assembly housed within a drive housing, and the drive assembly drives the sealing ball to rotate. The drive assembly includes a gearbox consisting of a lower fixed plate, a side plate, and an upper fixed plate, and a gear set is installed inside the gearbox; the lower fixed plate is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate of the drive housing; an arc-shaped swing groove is provided on the upper fixed plate, and micro switches are respectively fixed to the upper fixed plate at both ends of the arc-shaped swing groove; both micro switches are electrically connected to the PCBA board. A motor fixedly supported on the upper fixed plate drives the end gear through the gear set, and a stop post is fixedly provided on the end gear; the stop post makes circumferential reciprocating motion in the arc-shaped swing groove to alternately squeeze the two micro switches; the end gear is fixedly connected to the gear fixed shaft, and the gear fixed shaft is connected to the sealing ball through the key shaft assembly; Multiple sealing rings are axially spaced between the main key shaft of the key shaft assembly and the inner wall of the valve body connecting section; the upper end of the valve body connecting section is constricted, and a pressure ring is provided in the constricted section of the valve body connecting section, which is used to press the uppermost sealing ring; an external valve sealing ring is also provided between the upper end face of the valve body connecting section and the inner wall of the connector.

[0007] Preferably, the PCBA board is an external circuit board; the two microswitches are electrically connected to the PCBA board via wires.

[0008] Preferably, the end gear is supported by a bushing fixed to the lower fixed plate, and the gear fixing shaft and the inner ring of the bushing are in clearance fit.

[0009] Preferably, the pressure ring is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0010] Preferably, the main key shaft has an annular groove corresponding to the position of the sealing ring, and the sealing ring is accommodated in the annular groove.

[0011] Preferably, the key shaft assembly further includes an extension key shaft, the upper end of which is connected to the gear fixing shaft by a key, and the lower end of which is connected to the upper end of the main key shaft by a key.

[0012] Preferably, the connector and the valve body connection section are fixedly connected by an internal and external threaded connection; the upper end of the connector is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate by welding.

[0013] Preferably, a wear-resistant sealing ring that mates with the sealing ball is provided around the inner wall of the channel opening of the flow channel.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This utility model features a simplified and compact structural design, using only two microswitches and a stop post that moves within an arc-shaped groove to set the physical endpoint of the sealing ball's rotation. This not only greatly reduces the number of parts and simplifies wiring and assembly, but also fundamentally improves the product's anti-interference capability and reliability through a stable physical hard limit mechanism. Therefore, it is stable and reliable in operation, easy to manufacture, and has high practical value.

[0015] This invention features excellent sealing performance. The upper end of the valve body connecting section is machined into a constricted structure, and a matching pressure ring is placed within this constriction. This pressure ring presses downwards against the uppermost sealing ring, providing a stable preload to the multi-ring sealing assembly throughout the entire axial direction, ensuring a long-lasting seal. Furthermore, the added external valve sealing ring, together with the above structure, forms a multi-layered, protective sealing barrier from the inside out, effectively preventing potential leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a utility model Figure 2 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the micro switch structure of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a utility model Figure 5 Schematic diagram of three-dimensional structure.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Ball valve body mechanism; 11. Valve body; 111. Flow passage; 112. Valve body connecting section; 113. Wear-resistant sealing ring; 12. Sealing ball; 121. Ball valve through hole; 2. Control drive mechanism; 21. Drive housing; 211. Bottom pressure plate; 22. Drive assembly; 221. Lower fixed plate; 222. Side plate; 223. Upper fixed plate; 2231. Arc-shaped swing groove; 2241. Gear set; 2242. End gear; 225. Motor; 226. Micro switch; 227. Pressure ring; 228. Bushing; 2243. Gear fixing shaft; 2244. Stop post; 23. Key shaft assembly; 231. Main key shaft; 232. Sealing ring; 233. Extension key shaft; 3. Connecting parts; 31. Valve outer sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable readers to better understand the design intent of this utility model, the technical solution described below is further described in conjunction with embodiments. It should be noted that directional terms that may appear in the following paragraphs, including but not limited to "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back," are based on the visual orientation shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be considered as limitations on the scope of protection or technical solution of this utility model. Their purpose is solely to facilitate a better understanding of the technical solution described in this utility model by those skilled in the art.

[0024] In this specification, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] like Figures 1 to 6An electric ball valve includes a ball valve body mechanism 1, a control drive mechanism 2, and a connector 3 connecting the ball valve body mechanism 1 and the control drive mechanism 2. The ball valve body mechanism 1 includes a valve body 11 with a flow channel 111, and a sealing ball 12 with a ball valve through hole 121 is placed inside the valve body 11. The valve body connecting section 112 of the valve body 11 is fixedly connected to the connector 3. The control drive mechanism 2 includes a drive assembly 22 housed in a drive housing 21, and the drive assembly 22 drives the sealing ball 12 to rotate. In this embodiment, the drive assembly 22 includes a gearbox composed of a lower fixed plate 221, a side plate 222, and an upper fixed plate 223, and a gear set 2241 is installed in the gearbox. The lower fixed plate 221 is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate 211 of the drive housing 21 by bolts or other fasteners. The side plate 222 is fixedly connected to the lower fixed plate 221, and the upper fixed plate 223 covers the top of the side plate 222. In this embodiment, an arc-shaped swing groove 2231 is provided on the upper fixed plate 223, and micro switches 226 are respectively fixed to the upper fixed plate 223 at both ends of the arc-shaped swing groove 2231; both micro switches 226 are electrically connected to the PCBA board. The micro switches 226 are normally open; when the actuating spring of the micro switch 226 is compressed, the micro switch 226 will close and conduct. This embodiment includes a motor 225, which is fixedly supported on the upper fixed plate 223. The motor 225 drives the end gear 2242 via a gear set 2241, and a stop post 2244 is fixedly provided on the end gear 2242. The stop post 2244 extends into the arc-shaped swing groove 2231 and can perform circumferential reciprocating motion within the arc-shaped swing groove 2231 under the drive of the end gear 2242, thereby alternately compressing the two micro switches 226. The end gear 2242 is fixedly connected to the gear fixing shaft 2243, and the gear fixing shaft 2243 is keyed to the sealing ball 12 via the key shaft assembly 23. Multiple sealing rings 232 are axially spaced between the main key shaft 231 of the key shaft assembly 23 and the inner wall of the valve body connecting section 112. The upper end of the valve body connecting section 112 is constricted, and a pressure ring 227 is provided within the constricted section of the valve body connecting section 112. The pressure ring 227 is used to press the uppermost sealing ring 232. An external valve sealing ring 31 is also provided between the upper end face of the valve body connecting section 112 and the inner wall of the connector 3. In this embodiment, the pressure ring 227 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0027] Assuming that the valve body 11 has two flow channels 111, one inlet and one outlet, there are two extreme positions in this embodiment. When the ball valve through hole 121 of the sealing ball 12 is completely coaxial with the flow channel 111, the electric ball valve is in the "fully open" extreme position; when the non-through hole surface of the sealing ball 12 completely blocks the flow channel 111, the electric ball valve is in the "fully closed" extreme position.

[0028] The operation process in this embodiment is as follows: After receiving the start signal, the motor 225 starts to rotate, and drives the end gear 2242 to rotate through the gear set 2241 connected to it. The stop post 2244 fixed on the end gear 2242 moves circumferentially in the arc-shaped swing groove 2231.

[0029] When the motor 225 rotates in the first direction, the stop post 2244 rotates with the end gear 2242. Its trajectory gradually approaches and eventually presses the actuating spring of one of the microswitches 226. The actuating spring of the microswitch undergoes elastic deformation under the pressure of the stop post 2244, causing the microswitch to conduct. After the PCBA board detects the electrical signal generated by this circuit, it immediately controls the motor 225 to be de-energized, and the sealing ball 12 stops rotating. At this time, the electric ball valve in this embodiment reaches the first limit position.

[0030] When motor 225 rotates in the second reverse direction, opposite to the first direction, the stop post 2244 rotates in the opposite direction with the end gear 2242. Its trajectory gradually approaches and presses against the other micro switch 226. The actuating spring of the micro switch undergoes elastic deformation under pressure, causing the micro switch to conduct. After the PCBA board detects the electrical signal generated by this circuit, it immediately controls motor 225 to be de-energized, and the sealing ball 12 stops rotating. At this time, the electric ball valve in this embodiment reaches the second limit position. Thus, the valve opening and closing functions are realized.

[0031] The structure of this embodiment is simplified and compact, using only two microswitches and a stop post that moves in an arc groove to set the physical endpoint of the rotating sealing ball. This not only greatly reduces the number of parts and simplifies wiring and assembly, but also fundamentally improves the product's anti-interference ability and reliability through a stable physical hard limit mechanism. Therefore, it is stable and reliable in operation, easy to manufacture, and has high practical value.

[0032] This embodiment exhibits excellent sealing performance. The upper end of the valve body connecting section is machined into a constricted structure, and a matching pressure ring is placed within this constriction. This pressure ring presses downwards against the uppermost sealing ring, thereby providing a stable preload force for the multi-seal ring assembly throughout the entire axial direction, ensuring a long-lasting sealing effect. Furthermore, the added external valve sealing ring, together with the above structure, forms a multi-layered, protective sealing barrier from the inside out, effectively eliminating the risk of leakage.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment continues to describe in detail the technical features involved therein and the functions and roles of these technical features in this utility model, so as to help those skilled in the art to fully understand the technical solution of this utility model and reproduce it.

[0035] In this embodiment, the PCBA board is an external circuit board; the two microswitches 226 are electrically connected to the PCBA board via wires. In this embodiment, the end gear 2242 is supported by a bushing 228 fixed to the lower fixing plate 221, and the gear fixing shaft 2243 is clearance-fitted with the inner ring of the bushing 228. The structural design of the bushing 228 makes the drive assembly 22 run more stably and accurately.

[0036] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, an annular groove corresponding to the position of the sealing ring 232 is formed on the main key shaft 231, and the sealing ring 232 is accommodated in the annular groove. The sealing ring 232 is compressed and deformed in the annular groove, thereby forming a sealing effect. The multiple sealing rings 232 design further enhance the sealing performance of the product. The O-ring is made of a wear-resistant and chemically resistant elastic material, such as hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), fluororubber (FKM), or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

[0037] In this embodiment, the key shaft assembly 23 further includes an extension key shaft 233. The upper end of the extension key shaft 233 is connected to the gear fixing shaft 2243 via a key, and the lower end of the extension key shaft 233 is connected to the upper end of the main key shaft 231 via a key. To prevent the high-temperature fluid inside the valve body 11 from affecting the service life of the micro switch, this embodiment uses the extension key shaft 233 to increase the installation height, which effectively provides thermal isolation and protects the micro switch 226.

[0038] In this embodiment, the connector 3 and the valve body connecting section 112 are fixedly connected by an internal and external thread connection; the upper end of the connector 3 is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate 211 by welding.

[0039] In this embodiment, a wear-resistant sealing ring 113 that mates with the sealing ball 12 is provided around the inner wall of the channel opening of the flow channel 111. The wear-resistant sealing ring 113 is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, wear resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene (POM), or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and other engineering plastics.

[0040] In summary, this is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. All equivalent variations and modifications made in accordance with the shape, structure, features and spirit of the claims of the present utility model should be included within the scope of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electric ball valve, comprising a ball valve body mechanism (1), a control drive mechanism (2), and a connector (3) connecting the ball valve body mechanism (1) and the control drive mechanism (2); the ball valve body mechanism (1) comprises a valve body (11) having a flow channel (111), the valve body (11) containing a sealing ball (12) with a ball valve through hole (121), and the valve body connecting section (112) of the valve body (11) being fixedly connected to the connector (3); the control drive mechanism (2) comprises a drive assembly (22) housed within a drive housing (21), the drive assembly (22) driving the sealing ball (12) to rotate, characterized in that: The drive assembly (22) includes a gearbox consisting of a lower fixed plate (221), a side plate (222), and an upper fixed plate (223), and a gear set (2241) is installed inside the gearbox; the lower fixed plate (221) is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate (211) of the drive housing (21); an arc-shaped swing groove (2231) is provided on the upper fixed plate (223), and micro switches (226) are respectively fixed to the upper fixed plate (223) at both ends of the arc-shaped swing groove (2231); both micro switches (226) are electrically connected to the PCBA board; A motor (225) fixedly supported on an upper fixed plate (223) drives an end gear (2242) via a gear set (2241). A stop post (2244) is fixedly provided on the end gear (2242). The stop post (2244) reciprocates in a circumferential direction within an arc-shaped swing groove (2231) to alternately press the two micro switches (226). The end gear (2242) is fixedly connected to a gear fixed shaft (2243), and the gear fixed shaft (2243) is connected to the sealing ball (12) via a key shaft assembly (23). Multiple sealing rings (232) are axially spaced between the main key shaft (231) of the key shaft assembly (23) and the inner wall of the valve body connecting section (112); the upper end of the valve body connecting section (112) is constricted, and a pressure ring (227) is provided in the constricted section of the valve body connecting section (112), the pressure ring (227) is used to press the sealing ring (232) located at the uppermost end; an external valve sealing ring (31) is also provided between the upper end face of the valve body connecting section (112) and the inner wall of the connector (3).

2. The electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCBA board is an external circuit board; the two micro switches (226) are electrically connected to the PCBA board through wires.

3. An electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end gear (2242) is supported by a bushing (228) fixed to the lower fixed plate (221), and the gear fixing shaft (2243) is in clearance fit with the inner ring of the bushing (228).

4. An electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure ring (227) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. An electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main key shaft (231) has an annular groove corresponding to the position of the sealing ring (232), and the sealing ring (232) is accommodated in the annular groove.

6. An electric ball valve according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: The key shaft assembly (23) also includes an extension key shaft (233), the upper end of which is connected to the gear fixing shaft (2243) by a key, and the lower end of which is connected to the upper end of the main key shaft (231) by a key.

7. An electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector (3) is fixedly connected to the valve body connection section (112) by means of internal and external thread; the upper end of the connector (3) is fixedly connected to the bottom pressure plate (211) by means of welding.

8. An electric ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A wear-resistant sealing ring (113) that mates with the sealing ball (12) is provided around the inner wall of the channel opening of the flow channel (111).

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