Valve device and vehicle height adjustment device equipped with the valve device

Abstract

Valve device (10, 10A) comprising: an operating section (20) comprising an operating rod (24) that is switchable between a first state in which the operating rod is in its most retracted first position (Q1), a second state in which the operating rod (24) is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a predetermined first forward and backward movement amount (St1), and a third state in which the operating rod (24) is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a second forward and backward movement amount (St2) that is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount (St1); a sliding member (30) which can be advanced to the same forward and backward movement extent and in the same direction as the operating rod (24) by being pushed by the operating rod (24); a first valve (70) which can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod (24) and the sliding member (30) from the first position (Q1); a housing (80) in which the first valve (70) is housed; and a second valve (120) capable of switching, opening and closing a communication passage (45) allowing communication from inside and outside of the housing (80) between the first state and the second state by switching operation of the operating rod (24); wherein the actuating section (20) is formed by an electromagnetic solenoid provided with an excitation coil (21) which drives an actuating rod (24) for forward and backward movement, further comprising a control unit (140) which controls the excitation coil (21), wherein when the actuating rod (24) is in the first state, the control unit controls the operation of the actuating section (20) to change the excitation state of the excitation coil (21) only for a certain predetermined period of time, so that the actuating rod (24) is changed to the second state at predetermined regular intervals.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device that can be opened and closed by an operating portion including an operating rod capable of forward and backward movement, and a vehicle height adjusting device equipped with the valve device and suitable for use in a ride-on vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A valve device which can be opened and closed by an operating rod of an operating portion of an electromagnetic actuator or the like moving forward and backward is known, for example, from JP 6 496 089 B1.

[0003] The valve device known from JP 6 496 089 B1 comprises an operating portion including an operating rod capable of forward and backward movement, a sliding member capable of advancing to the same extent as the forward and backward movement and in the same direction as the operating rod by being pushed by the operating rod, a valve capable of being opened and closed according to the forward and backward movement operation of the sliding member, and a housing in which the valve is housed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The valve device known from JP 6 496 089 B1 can be used in various applications. In some cases, the air generated in a main device equipped with the valve device can accumulate in the housing of the valve device. In other words, the so-called air accumulation phenomenon can occur.

[0005] From DE 10 2014 219 726 A1 a valve device with a main valve spool and an additional spool is known, wherein the main valve spool and the additional spool are controlled by the same electromagnet by controlling the electromagnet with a normal control current or with a current higher than the normal control current.

[0006] For example, a configuration is conceivable in which a vehicle height adjustment device for a ride-on vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is equipped with the valve device. The vehicle height adjustment device raises the height of a vehicle when the vehicle is moving, lowers the vehicle height to facilitate entry and exit when the vehicle is stopped, and is used as a front fork shock absorber. In this case, the shock absorber may be attached to the ride-on vehicle in a substantially vertical state such that a pump is positioned below the valve device. Such a vehicle height adjustment device changes the height of a vehicle, for example, by increasing and / or decreasing the pressure in an oil chamber.

[0007] The tiny air content in the oil can gradually separate and accumulate in the upper portion of the pump or in the valve device housing. It is preferable to remove the accumulated air to ensure sufficient pump performance. To this end, it is conceivable to add a separate valve to discharge the air accumulated in the valve device housing and an actuating section to drive the valve. However, this leads to increased complexity in terms of the valve device configuration, and there is room for improvement.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a valve device or the like that improves an air accumulation phenomenon. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0009] Through extensive research, the present inventor has discovered that it is possible to provide a valve device that improves an air accumulation phenomenon in a housing by providing a second valve for opening and closing the housing where a first valve of the valve device is housed, and opening and closing the second valve with an operating portion that drives the first valve. The present invention was accomplished based on this finding.

[0010] The present disclosure is described below.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a valve device is provided, comprising: an operating portion including an operating rod switchable between a first state in which the operating rod is in its most retracted first position, a second state in which the operating rod is displaced by a predetermined first forward and backward movement amount from the first position, and a third state in which the operating rod is displaced by a second forward and backward movement amount greater than the first forward and backward movement amount; a sliding member that can be advanced by the same forward and backward movement amount and in the same direction as the operating rod by being pushed by the operating rod;a first valve that can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod and the sliding member from the first position; a housing in which the first valve is housed; and a second valve that can open and close a communication passage allowing communication from inside and outside the housing by switching operation of the operating rod to switch between the first state and the second state. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is conceivable to provide a valve device or the like that can improve an air accumulation phenomenon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a valve device according to Example 1. Fig. Figure 2A is a diagram showing a first state. Fig. Figure 2B is a diagram showing a second state. Fig. 2C is a diagram showing a third state. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of the valve device according to Example 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a part of the valve device according to Example 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a first sliding member and its vicinity. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the first sliding link and its surroundings. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the valve device according to Example 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the valve device according to Example 1. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a part of a valve device according to Example 2. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vehicle height adjusting device equipped with the valve device according to Example 1. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the valve device of the vehicle height adjusting device. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the description, left and right refer to left and right, respectively, based on an occupant in a vehicle. In the description, front and rear refer to front and rear, respectively, based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the drawings, Up and Dn indicate up and down, respectively. < Example 1 >

[0014] A valve device 10 according to Example 1 is described with reference to Fig. 1-8 described.

[0015] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the valve device 10 is a device having a coaxial direct-acting valve. The valve device 10 includes an operating portion 20 having an operating rod 24 that can change the forward and backward movement amount in a direction of the center line CL, a first sliding member 30 that can be advanced to the same extent and in the same direction as the operating rod 24, and a support member 40 that supports the first sliding member 30. The valve device 10 further includes a plate-shaped member 50 against which the tip (lower end) of the first sliding member 30 can abut, a second sliding member 60 that can be advanced in the same direction as the first sliding member 30, a first valve 70 that can be opened and closed by the second sliding member 60, and a housing main body 90 in which the first valve 70, etc., are housed.and a second valve 120 that can be opened and closed by moving the actuating rod 24 forward and backward. Both the first valve 70 and the second valve 120 of the valve device 10 can be opened and closed by changing the forward and backward movement amount of the actuating rod 24 in the direction of the center line CL.

[0016] The actuating section 20 includes the actuating rod 24, which is capable of forward and backward movement in the direction of the center line CL and is preferably formed by an electromagnetic solenoid. The electromagnetic solenoid 20 (the actuating section 20) is formed by a push solenoid that advances a plunger 23 by energizing an excitation coil 21.

[0017] The electromagnetic solenoid 20 is a so-called proportional solenoid in which the amount of current supplied to the excitation coil 21 is proportional to the advance distance (the forward and backward movement amount) of the plunger 23. The advance distance is the forward and backward movement amount from the most retracted first position, which is Fig. 1. Since the electromagnetic solenoid 20 has the configuration of a proportional solenoid, the opening degree of the first valve 70 and the opening degree of the second valve 120 can be adjusted according to the advancing distance of the plunger 23.

[0018] The electromagnetic solenoid 20 includes the excitation coil 21, a core 22 provided in the excitation coil 21, the plunger 23 guided to be capable of forward and backward movement within the core 22, and the actuating rod 24 connected to the plunger 23 and having a rod shape (including a tubular shape). The excitation coil 21 drives the actuating rod 24 for forward and backward movement.

[0019] The excitation coil 21, the core 22, the plunger 23, and the actuating rod 24 of the electromagnetic solenoid 20 are housed in a solenoid housing 25. The solenoid housing 25 has an open end which is closed by a cover 26. The actuating rod 24 is supported by a bushing 27 (a bearing 27) in the core 22 and by a bushing 28 (a bearing 28) in the cover 26. A tip portion 24a of the actuating rod 24 penetrates in the feed direction (direction of arrow Ag as shown in Fig. 5) the cover 26.

[0020] According to the illustration in, for example, Fig. 1 and 2A to 2C, the electromagnetic solenoid 20 is capable of changing the forward and backward movement amount of the operating rod 24 in the direction of the center line CL by changing the forward and backward movement amount of the plunger 23 by energizing the excitation coil 21.

[0021] Fig. 2A to 2C are diagrams schematically illustrating a part of the valve device 10. Fig. 2A is a diagram illustrating a first state in which the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 is located at a first position Q1 at which the tip portion 24a is most retracted. Fig. 2B is a diagram illustrating a second state in which the tip portion 24a is advanced in a first forward and backward movement amount St1 from the first position Q1. Fig. 2C is a diagram illustrating a third state in which the tip portion 24a is advanced by a second forward and backward movement amount St2 from the first position Q1. The valve device 10 switches from the first state to the second state by advancing the operating rod 24 by the first forward and backward movement amount St1 along the center line CL, and switches from the first state to the third state by advancing the operating rod 24 by the second forward and backward movement amount St2 along the center line CL.Furthermore, the valve device 10 switches from the third state to the second state by retracting the operating rod 24 along the center line CL to change the forward movement amount of the operating rod 24 from the second forward and backward movement amount St2 to the first forward and backward movement amount St1, and switches from the second state to the first state by retracting the operating rod 24 to change the forward movement amount from the first forward and backward movement amount St1 to zero.

[0022] The case of the third state is considered as shown in Fig. 2C. In the third state, the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 moves forward to a third position Q3, which is a position advanced by the second forward and backward movement amount St2 from the first position Q1. In the third state, the first valve 70 and the second valve 120 can be opened.

[0023] In the second state as shown in Fig. 2B, the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 moves forward to a second position Q2, which is a position advanced by the first forward and backward movement amount St1 from the first position Q1. The first forward and backward movement amount St1 is smaller than the second forward and backward movement amount St2 as shown in Fig. 2C (St1 < St2). In the second state, only the second valve 120 can be opened.

[0024] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the first sliding member 30, the plate-shaped member 50, the second sliding member 60, and the first valve 70 are positioned on the center line CL of the actuating rod 24. The members are arranged in the following order in the direction from the electromagnetic solenoid 20 to the first valve 70: the first sliding member 30, the plate-shaped member 50, the second sliding member 60, and the first valve 70.

[0025] As in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the first sliding member 30 is a bottomed tubular member capable of advancing in the same direction as the operating rod 24 by being pushed by the operating rod 24 being advanced. The first sliding member 30 includes a bottomed tubular main body 31 and a circular flange-shaped sliding portion 32 integrally formed at the tip (open end) of the main body 31 and extending in a direction intersecting the forward and backward movement direction of the operating rod 24. The diameter of the sliding portion 32 is larger than the diameter of the main body 31.

[0026] According to the presentation in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, a rear end surface 31a of the first sliding member 30 is in contact with the tip surface 24a, so that the rear end surface 31a can be pushed by the tip surface 24a of the operating rod 24. The main body 31 of the first sliding member 30 is supported by the guide plate 40 to be capable of moving forward and backward in the axial direction of the first sliding member 30 (in the direction of the center line CL).

[0027] A tip surface 32a (see Fig. 4) The sliding portion 32 is a tapered outer conical surface. The tip surface 32a is not limited to the outer conical surface and may, for example, be a convex or concave curved surface. It is preferable that the front tip surface 32a be an outer conical surface or a curved surface, as described above. The reason for this will be described below.

[0028] According to the presentation in Fig. 4 is an extension surface 32b (surface 32b on the side opposite the tip surface 32a), which is the rear surface of the sliding portion 32, a surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction of the center line CL, which is the direction of the forward and backward movement operation of the operating rod 24. The extension surface 32b is a surface that intersects the direction of the forward and backward movement operation of the first sliding member 30 and faces the operating rod 24 side.

[0029] According to the presentation in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the support member faces the end surface of the cover 26 (the surface on the side opposite the electromagnetic solenoid 20) and is attached to the solenoid housing 25. The support member 40 includes a cylindrical base portion 43 extending in the direction of the center line CL, and a flange 44 integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the base portion 43 (the end on the side opposite the electromagnetic solenoid 20) and extending in a direction intersecting the center line CL. The outer diameter of the flange 44 is larger than the outer diameter of the base portion 43. The support member 40 has an end surface formed by a flange surface 44a, which is the end surface of the flange 44 facing the housing main body 90. Hereinafter, the flange surface 44a may be referred to as “the end surface 40a of the support member 40”.

[0030] According to the presentation in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the end surface 40a of the support member 40 (the surface 40a on the side opposite the electromagnetic solenoid 20) is provided with a recessed portion 41 recessed from the end surface 40a and a support portion 42 bulging from the end surface 40a. The recessed portion 41 is provided in the base portion 43.

[0031] The recessed portion 41 is a frustoconical recess, and the center line CL is the center line of the recessed portion 41. The diameter and depth of the recessed portion 41 are set to sizes that do not interfere with the forward and backward movement of the sliding portion 32.

[0032] The support portion 42 is a circular ring-shaped part that surrounds the open edge of the recessed portion 41 and extends to the side opposite the electromagnetic solenoid 20. An end surface 42a (tip surface 42a) of the support portion 42 is a surface inclined toward the center line CL of the operating rod 24. The circular ring-shaped support portion 42 has a plurality of communication passages 46 that connect the recessed portion 41 to the outside of the diameter of the support portion 42.

[0033] Furthermore, the support member 40 has a plurality of communication holes 45 penetrating the flange 44 along the center line CL of the actuating rod 24. The communication holes 45 are located on the side farther from the center line CL than the annular support portion 42. The communication holes 45 function as communication passages that allow communication between a storage chamber 92 in a housing 80, which will be described later, and the outside of the housing 80. Hereinafter, the communication holes 45 may be referred to as "the communication passage 45."

[0034] The second push member 60 will be described. In the second push member 60, a shaft 61 is arranged closer to the electromagnetic solenoid 20 side than the plate-shaped member 50, and an actuated portion 62 and a push rod 63 are arranged closer to the first valve 70 side than the plate-shaped member 50.

[0035] According to the presentation in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the plate-shaped member 50 is formed in a flat plate shape using a plate-shaped elastic member. The plate-shaped member 50 has a plate surface facing the tip surface 32a of the sliding portion 32 and the end surface 42a of the supporting portion 42. The plate-shaped member 50 includes one or more (more preferably, a plurality of) arm portions 51 and an annular frame portion 52 connecting the arm portions 51. Fig. 4 illustrates the plate-shaped member 50 including the plurality of arm portions 51.

[0036] The plurality of arm portions 51 extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first slide member 30, that is, in a direction intersecting the center line CL of the operating rod 24. The plurality of arm portions 51 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with equal pitches and are integrally connected by the frame portion 52.

[0037] Each arm section 51 uses the lever principle. As shown in Fig. 6, each arm portion 51 has a force point P1 at a first end portion 51a as an end portion on the center line CL side (hereinafter, referred to as "one end portion 51a" in some cases), and has a pivot point P2 at a second end portion 51b as an end portion on the side away from the center line CL (hereinafter, referred to as "the other end portion 51b" in some cases). Further, each arm portion 51 has an action point P3 between the force point P1 and the pivot point P2 (between the force point P1 and the pivot point P2 and on the back surface side of the force point P1 and the pivot point P2). In this way, a mechanical amplification mechanism employing the lever principle is formed by each arm portion 51.

[0038] One end portion 51a of the arm portion 51 faces the tip surface 32a, so that one end portion 51a of the arm portion 51 can be pushed by the front outer conical tip surface 32a of the sliding portion 32. The point at the one end portion 51a of the arm portion 51 that is pushed by the tip surface 32a of the sliding portion 32 of the first sliding member 30 is the force point P1. Each arm portion 51 has a force point P1.

[0039] The other end portion 51b of the arm portion 51 is supported by the end surface 42a of the support portion 42 via a flat washer 53 or directly. The point at the other end portion 51b of the arm portion 51 supported by the end surface 42a of the support portion 42 is the pivot point P2. The frame portion 52 connects the parts where the pivot point P2 is located, which are provided in each of the plurality of arm portions 51.

[0040] The action point P3 is a point at which the force received at the force point P1 is increased and applied to the second sliding member 60 (thereby pushing the second sliding member 60).

[0041] The distance from the pivot point P2 to the force point P1 (first distance) is L1. The distance from the pivot point P2 to the action point P3 (second distance) is L2, which is shorter than the first distance L1 (L2 < L1). Here, W1 (input) is the force acting on the force point P1, and W2 (effect force) is the force acting on the effect point P3. The formula "L1 x W1 = L2 x W2" is based on the lever principle. W2 is equal to W1 x (L1 / L2), (L1 / L2) is greater than 1, and thus the effect force W2 can be increased with respect to the input W1. In other words, a large effect force W2 can be achieved with a small actuation force W1.

[0042] In the plate-shaped member 50, a width Wd1 of a portion 54 where the frame portion 52 and the plurality of arm portions 51 are connected is narrower than a width Wd2 of a portion 55 where the action point P3 is located.

[0043] At least a portion of the second sliding member 60 is positioned on a side opposite the first sliding member 30 with respect to the plate-shaped member 50. The second sliding member 60 can be advanced in the same direction as the first sliding member 30 by receiving a force from the action point P3 of each arm portion 51.

[0044] According to the presentation in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the second sliding member 60 includes the shaft 61 supported to be capable of moving forward and backward in the first sliding member 30, the actuated portion 62 integrally provided at the tip of the shaft 61, and the push rod 63 extending from the actuated portion 62 to the side opposite the first sliding member 30. The shaft 61, the actuated portion 62, and the push rod 63 are positioned on the center line CL of the operating rod 24 and are formed integrally or integrated by connecting the individual members. In Example 1, the push rod 63 is formed by a separate member with respect to the actuated portion 62.

[0045] An facing surface 62a of the actuated portion 62 facing the plurality of arm portions 51 is provided with an actuated surface 64 and a depressed portion 65 as an interference prevention recess.

[0046] The acted-on surface 64 is an annular surface that receives a force from each of the action points P3 of the plurality of arm portions 51. It is preferable that the acted-on surface 64 be a surface that intersects the axial direction of the first slide member 30 (the surface inclined with respect to the center line CL of the operating rod 24), that is, a surface parallel to the plurality of moment arms 51 so as to uniformly strike each of the action points P3. Further, it is preferable that the acted-on surface 64 has a conical shape with a cross section that tapers as it approaches the action point P3, so that the positioning of the contact point with each action point P3 is accurate.

[0047] The recessed portion 65 is recessed from the facing surface 62a. Each arm portion 51 receiving the force at the force point P1 is elastically deformed toward the facing surface 62a of the second slide member 60. Since the recessed portion 65 is provided in the facing surface 62a, the facing surface 62a does not interfere with each elastically deformed arm portion 51. The presence of the recessed portion 65 allows each arm portion 51 to be easily elastically deformed, regardless of whether each arm portion 51 and the facing surface 62a are close to each other.

[0048] Here, the reason why it is preferable that the tip surface 32a of the sliding portion 32 of the first sliding member 30 is formed as shown in Fig. 6 is designed as an outer conical surface or a curved surface.

[0049] First, assume that the tip surface 32a is a flat surface parallel to the arm portion 51. In this case, the tip surface 32a, which is advanced in the advance direction of the operating rod 24 (above the Ag direction), comes into surface contact with the surface of the arm portion 51. In this case, when the arm portion 51, which is pushed by the tip surface 32a, is bent, the position of the force point P1 changes radially outward from the tip surface 32a (the side away from the center line CL). The force acting on the force point P3 tends to decrease to this extent. In other words, in this form, it is difficult to sufficiently exhibit the effect of the amplification mechanism.

[0050] In Example 1, however, the tip surface 32a of the pushing portion 32 is an outer conical surface or a curved surface. Thus, even if the arm portion 51 pushed by the tip surface 32a is bent, the position of the force point P1 can be prevented from changing. As a result, the large force acting on the action point P3 can be maintained. In other words, the effect of the amplification mechanism can be sufficiently achieved even more by using the tip surface 32a as an outer conical surface or a curved surface. This is why an outer conical surface or a curved surface is used as the tip surface 32a.

[0051] In Example 1, an outer conical surface or a curved surface is used as the tip surface 32a of the pushing portion 32 in order to facilitate the construction of the first pushing member 30. Alternatively, the side of the second pushing member 60 facing the tip surface 32a of the pushing portion 32 may be an outer conical surface or a curved surface.

[0052] According to the presentation in Fig. 3, forces in directions extending away from each other in the axial direction are applied to the first sliding member 30 and the second sliding member 60 by a first applying member 66. The first applying member 66 applies a force directed toward the actuating rod 24 to the first sliding member 30. The first applying member 66 is formed, for example, by a helical compression spring disposed between the bottom of the main body 31 of the first sliding member 30 and the tip portion of the second sliding member 60.

[0053] According to the presentation in Fig. 3, the slide rod 63 opens and closes the first valve 70. Accordingly, the first valve 70 can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount (the forward and backward movement amount) of the operating rod 24 and the first slide member 30 from the first position Q1.

[0054] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the first valve 70 is housed in the housing 80 (valve housing 80). The housing 80 is formed by the support member 40 and the housing main body 90. The support member 40 and the housing main body 90 are fitted into a cylindrical housing connecting member 81 in a state of axial contact with each other. To integrate the valve device 10 into another device, the housing connecting member 81 is screwed into the other device. The housing connecting member 81 has a connecting hole 96 penetrating the housing connecting member 81 in a direction intersecting the center line CL. Hereinafter, the connecting hole 96 may be referred to as a "second connecting hole 96."

[0055] According to the presentation in Fig. 3, a first end surface 90a of the housing main body 90 is connected to the end surface 40a of the support member 40 (the flange surface 44a of the flange 44) with a gap Cr. A size □ of the gap Cr (width □ in the direction of the center line CL) is predetermined to define the opening and closing operation of the second valve 120 and corresponds to the first forward and backward movement amount St1 as shown in Fig. 2B.

[0056] The housing main body 90 is attached to the solenoid housing 25 via the support member 40 or directly and has a recessed portion 91. In other words, the housing main body 90 has a recessed portion 91 in which the plate-shaped member 50 and the second sliding member 60 are housed. The recessed portion 91 is a column recess, and the center line of the recessed portion 91 is the center line CL of the operating rod 24. The recessed portion 91 is connected to the recessed portion 41 of the support member 40. The storage chamber 92 (inner portion 92) of the housing 80 is formed by the recessed portion 41 of the support member 40 and the recessed portion 91 of the housing main body 90. The first sliding member 30, the plate-shaped member 50, and the second sliding member 60 are housed in the storage chamber 92.

[0057] The housing main body 90 has two channels 93 and 94 through which a fluid can flow, and a first communication opening 95. The first channel 93 is a fluid inlet and is open to a second end surface 90b of the housing main body 90 (the end surface 90b on the opposite side of the recessed portion 91). The second channel 94 is a fluid inlet and outlet and is open to a side surface 90c of the housing main body 90. The first communication opening 95 is open to the second end surface 90b of the housing main body 90 and communicates with the storage chamber 92.

[0058] A valve 100 (a one-way valve 100), which is a ball check valve, is arranged between the first passage 93 and the second passage 94. The valve 100 is housed in the housing main body 90. The valve 100 includes a valve chamber 101 provided between the first passage 93 and the second passage 94, a spherical valve body 102 housed in the valve chamber 101, a valve seat 103 facing the valve chamber 101 and provided on the first passage 93, and an applying member 105 that applies a force in the direction of pressing against the valve seat 103 to the valve body 102 via an urging member 104. The applying member 105 is formed, for example, by a helical compression spring. Hereinafter, the valve 100 may be appropriately referred to as "the first check valve 100."

[0059] The second channel 94 and the valve chamber 101 are connected to a valve chamber 71 of the first valve 70 via a third connecting opening 97.

[0060] The valve 100 allows the first channel 93 and the valve chamber 101 to communicate with each other when the pressure of the first channel 93 exceeds a predetermined reference pressure. As a result, the first channel 93, the second channel 94, the valve chamber 101, and the valve chamber 71 of the first valve 70 communicate with each other.

[0061] The first valve 70 is housed in the housing main body 90 of the housing 80. The first valve 70 includes a valve body 73, the valve chamber 71 that accommodates the valve body 73, a pressing member 74 that supports the valve body 73, a valve seat 72 that can come into contact with the valve body 73, and an abutment member 75 that applies a force to the pressing member 74 in the direction of bringing the pressing member 74 closer to the valve seat 72. The abutment member 75 is formed, for example, by a helical compression spring.

[0062] The valve seat 72, the valve body 73, the pressing member 74 and the applying member 75 are arranged in this direction in the advancing direction of the second sliding member 60 so that their center line is the center line CL.

[0063] The valve seat 72 includes a columnar base portion 111 that is screwed into the housing main body 90, an annular portion 112 that has a bottomed annular shape and is integrally provided at one end of the base portion 111 (the end of the second sliding member 60 on the side of the actuated portion 62), and a seat surface 113 formed in the end portion of the base portion 111 on the side opposite to the side where the annular portion 112 is provided. The seat surface 113 is an inner conical surface.

[0064] Furthermore, the valve seat 72 has a first flow path 114 connecting along the center line CL from the seat surface 113 to one end of the base portion 111, and a second flow path 115 penetrating the valve seat 72 from the first flow path 114 to the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat 72. The annular portion 112 includes a guide hole 116 connecting along the center line CL to the first flow path 114 and slidably guiding the push rod 63, and an annular guide ring 117 slidably guiding the outer peripheral surface of the actuated portion 62 of the second sliding member 60. The push rod 63 can move forward and backward through the first flow path 114 and the valve seat 72.

[0065] The valve body 73 is a member housed in the valve chamber 71 that opens and closes the valve seat 72. The valve body 73 is preferably spherical. The tip of the push rod 63 can be pushed through the valve body 73 relative to the seat surface 113. The push member 74 presses the valve body 73 against the seat surface 113 by the force of the contact member 75, which is formed by a helical compression spring or the like.

[0066] According to the presentation in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the second valve 120 has a valve body 121 and a second contact member 122.

[0067] The valve body 121 is a flat plate-shaped member and is arranged in the gap Cr between the end surface 40a of the support member 40 and the first end surface 90a of the housing main body 90. The valve body 121 is a member in which an annular first plate body 121a having a small diameter, an annular second plate body 121b having a larger diameter than the first plate body 121a and arranged to surround the first plate body 121a, and a plurality of arm portions 121c using the first plate body 121a and the second plate body 121b are integrally formed. The annular first plate body 121a is slidably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 32 and abuts against the extension surface 32b, which is the rear surface of the sliding portion 32.

[0068] The second plate body 121b can open and close the plurality of communication passages 45 penetrating the flange 44 of the support member 40. As shown in Fig. 3, a state in which the communication passage 45 is closed by the second plate body 121b superimposing the flange surface 44a of the flange 44 is the closed state of the second valve 120. On the other hand, a state in which the second plate body 121b is located away from the flange surface 44a is the open state of the second valve 120.

[0069] The second application member 122 applies a force to the valve body 121 in the direction away from the flange surface 44a of the support member 40 (the opening direction of the second valve 120) by being disposed between the lower surface of the recessed portion 41 of the support member 40 and the first plate body 121a of the valve body 121. The second application member 122 is formed, for example, by a helical compression spring.

[0070] In this way, the valve body 121 of the second valve 120 abuts against the extending surface 32b of the first sliding member 30, and a force directed toward the extending surface 32b of the first sliding member 30 is applied by the second applying member 122 (the second spring 122).

[0071] Furthermore, the second applying member 122 applies a force in the direction of bringing the extending surface 32b of the sliding portion 32 of the first sliding member 30 closer to the plate-shaped member 50 via the valve body 121 of the second valve 120. Thus, the second applying member 122 applies a force directed away from the actuating rod 24 to the first sliding member 30.

[0072] As described above, the first applying member 66 applies a first applying force, which is a force directed toward the operating rod 24, to the first sliding member 30. The first applying force is greater than a second applying force, which is directed away from the operating rod 24 and is applied to the first sliding member 30 by the second applying member 122. The second valve 120 closes the communication passage 45 in the first state by receiving the force that is the difference between the first applying force and the second applying force, and changes as shown in Fig. 2B to the second state in which the communication passage 45 is opened by displacing the operating rod 24 while receiving a force from the operating portion 20 to move forward from the first position Q1 to the second position Q2.

[0073] According to the presentation in Fig. 3, a gap Sr is provided between an end surface 25a of the solenoid housing 25 and a rear surface 44b of the flange 44 (the surface 44b on the side opposite the end surface 40a of the support member 40). A check valve 130 (one-way valve 130) is disposed in the gap Sr. The check valve 130 includes a valve body 131 that opens and closes the plurality of communication passages 45, and an applying member 132 that applies a force to the valve body 131 in the direction of closing the communication passage 45.

[0074] The valve body 131 is formed by an annular flat plate loosely fitted to the base portion 43 of the support member 40. The valve body 131 closes the plurality of communication passages 45 by overlying the rear surface 44b of the flange 44. The abutment member 132 applies a force directed toward the rear surface 44b of the flange 44 to the valve body 131 and is formed, for example, by a wave spring.

[0075] For example, the pressure in the bearing chamber 92 (internal pressure) acts on the valve body 131 through the connecting passage 46 (see Fig. 4) and the communication passage 45. In a case where the internal pressure does not exceed the pressure outside the storage chamber 92 (the pressure outside the valve device 10), the valve body 131 closes the communication passage 45 by the force applied by the applying member 132. However, when the pressure in the receiving chamber 92 exceeds the pressure outside the storage chamber 92, the force in the direction of moving the valve body 131 away from the rear surface 44b of the flange 44 exceeds the force in the direction of bringing the valve body 131 closer to the rear surface 44b, and thus the valve body 131 is separated from the rear surface 44b, and the communication passage 45 is opened. As a result, the storage chamber 92 and the outside of the valve device 10 communicate with each other, and communication from inside and outside the housing 80 is possible.

[0076] In the following, the check valve 130 may be referred to accordingly as “a second check valve 130”.

[0077] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the actuating section 20 is controlled by a control unit 140. The control unit 140 controls the operation of the actuating section 20 to adjust the excitation state of the excitation coil 21 for switching the actuating rod 24 between the first state shown in Fig. 2A, the second state shown in Fig. 2B, and the third state shown in Fig. 2C. For example, the control unit 140 controls the operation of the operating section 20 to energize the excitation coil 21 only for a certain predetermined period of time (e.g., a minute period of approximately 10 ms) to switch the operating rod 24 from the first state to the second state at predetermined regular intervals.

[0078] Next, the operation of the valve device 10 will be described.

[0079] As described above, the electromagnetic solenoid 20 used in Fig. 1, the amount of current supplied to the excitation coil 21 and the extent to which the actuating rod 24 is advanced are proportional to each other. The control unit 140 can change the extent to which the actuating rod 24 is advanced by supplying a predetermined current value to the excitation coil 21, which causes the actuating rod 24 to be in the first state. This allows the actuating rod 24 to be switched between, for example, the first state and the second state.

[0080] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the plunger 23 and the actuating rod 24 are in a state in which, for example, the excitation coil 21 of the electromagnetic solenoid 20 is not excited, ie, a current value I of 0 is present (not shown) at a retracted position. According to the illustration in Fig. 2A, in this state, the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 is at the most retracted first position Q1, and the operating rod 24 is in the first state.

[0081] In the second state, which is Fig. 2B, a first current amount, which is the amount supplied from the control unit 140 to the excitation coil 21, is small. The operating rod 24 moves forward by the smallest first forward and backward movement amount St1 with respect to the most retracted first position Q1. In other words, the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 moves the first slide member 30 forward by moving forward from the first position Q1 to the second position Q2. At this time, the slide portion 32 supporting the valve body 121 of the second valve 120 also moves forward. As a result, the valve body 121 of the second valve 120, to which a force is applied from the second applying member 122, is separated from the flange surface 44a of the support member 40 and opens the communication passage 45. In other words, the second valve 120 is opened.In this state, the forward movement amount of the first slide member 30 is small, and thus the first valve 70 can be kept in the closed state, and the second valve 120 can be opened alone.

[0082] The second condition, which Fig. 2B is described with reference to Fig. 7. A fluid entering the bearing chamber 92 of the housing 80 from the first communication passage 95 reaches the communication passage 45 from the second valve 120 in the open state. In a case where the internal pressure of the bearing chamber 92 exceeds the pressure outside the bearing chamber 92, the force in the direction of moving the abutment member 132 away from the rear surface 44b is greater than the force in the direction of bringing the abutment member 132 closer to the rear surface 44b, and thus the valve body 131 is opened. In other words, the check valve 130 is opened to release the pressure in the bearing chamber 92 to the outside of the valve device 10. This allows the air accumulated in the housing 80 to be discharged to the outside of the valve device 10, and thus the air accumulation phenomenon can be improved.

[0083] In the third state, which is Fig. 2C, however, a second current quantity, which is the amount of current supplied from the control unit 140 to the excitation coil 21, is greater than the first current quantity than the amount of current supplied in the Fig. 2B. Accordingly, the operating rod 24 moves forward with respect to the most retracted first position Q1 by the second forward and backward movement amount St2, which is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount St1. In other words, the tip portion 24a of the operating rod 24 moves the first slide member 30 forward by moving it forward from the first position Q1 to the third position Q3. This opens the first valve 70 and the second valve 120.

[0084] The third condition, which Fig. 2C is illustrated with reference to Fig. 8. A fluid entering from the first passage 93 and the second passage 94 enters the bearing chamber 92 through the first check valve 100, the first valve 70 in the open state, the first flow path 114, and the second flow path 115. The fluid entering the bearing chamber 92 reaches the communication port 45 from the second valve 120 in the open state. In a case where the internal pressure of the bearing chamber 92 exceeds the pressure outside the bearing chamber 92, the force in the direction of moving the abutment member 132 away from the back surface 44b is greater than the force in the direction of bringing the abutment member 132 closer to the back surface 44b, and thus the valve body 131 is opened. In other words, the check valve 130 is opened to release the pressure in the storage chamber 92 to the external environment of the valve device 10.Thereby, the air accumulated in the housing 80 can be discharged to the outside of the valve device 10, and thus the air accumulation phenomenon can be improved.

[0085] The above description of Example 1 is summarized as follows.

[0086] According to the presentation in Fig. 1 and 2A to 2C, the valve device 10 comprises the actuating section 20 provided with the actuating rod 24 which can be moved between the first state, which is at the most retracted first position Q1 shown in Fig. 2A, the second state displaced from the first position Q1 by the predetermined first forward and backward movement amount St1 and the third state displaced from the first position Q1 by the second forward and backward movement amount St2 that is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount St1. Here, the direction in which the operating rod 24 moves when changing from the first state to the second state corresponds to the direction in which the operating rod 24 moves when changing from the first state or the second state to the third state.The valve device 10 further includes the first slide member 30 that can be advanced to the same forward and backward movement amount and in the same direction as the operating rod 24 by being pushed by the operating rod 24, the first valve 70 that can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod 24 and the slide member 30 from the first position Q1, and the housing 80 in which the first valve 70 is housed. In addition to these configurations, the valve device 10 includes the second valve 120 that can open and close the communication passage 45, thereby allowing communication from inside and outside the housing 80, by switching the operation of the operating rod 24 from the first state shown in FIG. Fig. 2A, into the second state shown in Fig. 2B is shown, is able to change.

[0087] By opening and closing the second valve 120 with the single actuating portion 20 driving the first valve 70, the housing 80 in which the first valve 70 is housed can be opened and closed reciprocally. Accordingly, there is no need for a separate actuating portion for opening and closing the second valve 120. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the valve device 10 capable of eliminating the air accumulation phenomenon in the housing 80. Furthermore, the opening and closing operation of the first valve 70 is not affected.

[0088] According to the presentation in Fig. 1, the valve device 10 further includes the first applying member 66, which applies a force directed toward the actuating rod 24 to the sliding member 30, and the second applying member 122, which applies a force directed away from the actuating rod 24 to the sliding member 30. The first applying force applied by the first applying member 66 to the sliding member 30 is greater than the second applying force applied by the second applying member 122 to the sliding member 30. The second valve 120 blocks the communication passage 45 in the first state by receiving the force that is the difference between the first applying force and the second applying force, and opens the communication passage 45 by switching the actuating rod 24 from the first state to the second state or the third state.

[0089] The valve device 10 maintains the second valve 120 in the closed state by the force that is the difference between the first application force and the second application force. Accordingly, by simply eliminating the difference between the first application force and the second application force, the actuating force of the actuating rod 24 that opens the second valve 120 can be a small force, improving the air accumulation phenomenon.

[0090] According to the presentation in Fig. 1 and 2A to 2C, the actuating section 20 is formed by the electromagnetic solenoid 20 including the excitation coil 21 that drives the actuating rod 24 to move forward and backward, and further includes the control unit 140 that controls the excitation coil 21. When the actuating rod 24 is in the first state, the control unit 140 controls the operation of the actuating section 20 to change the excitation state of the excitation coil 21 only for a certain predetermined period of time, so that the actuating rod 24 is switched to the second state at predetermined regular intervals.

[0091] The control unit 140 controls the operation of the actuating section 20 to change the excitation state of the excitation coil 21 only for a certain period of time at regular intervals. Accordingly, by temporarily moving the actuating rod 24 in the first state to change to the second state, the second valve 120 can be opened only for a certain period of time (e.g., a minute period) at regular intervals. This makes it possible to improve the air accumulation phenomenon while affecting the performance of the valve device 10 as little as possible.

[0092] More specifically, the valve device 10 includes the electromagnetic solenoid 20. The electromagnetic solenoid 20 includes the operating rod 24, which is switchable between the first state of the most retracted first position Q1, the second state of being displaced from the first position Q1 by the predetermined first forward and backward movement amount St1, and the third state of being displaced from the first position Q1 by the second forward and backward movement amount St2, which is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount St1, and the excitation coil 21, which drives the operating rod 24 to move forward and backward.The valve device 10 includes the control unit 140, which controls the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 20 to change the excitation state of the excitation coil 21 only for a certain predetermined period of time, so as to change the operating rod 24 from the first state to the second state at predetermined regular intervals. The valve device 10 further includes the first sliding member 30, which can be advanced to the same forward and backward movement amount and in the same direction as the operating rod 24 by being pushed by the operating rod 24, and has the extending surface 32b extending in a direction intersecting the direction of the forward and backward movement operation and facing the operating rod 24 side.Furthermore, the valve device 10 includes the first valve 70, which can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod 24 and the first sliding member 30 from the first position Q1, the housing 80 in which the first valve 70 is housed, and the second valve 120, which can reciprocally open and close the housing 80 by switching the operation of the operating rod 24 between the first state and the second state. The valve device 10 further includes the first spring 66, which applies a force directed toward the first sliding member 30 to the operating rod 24, and the second spring 122, which applies the second application force, which is smaller than the first application force applied by the first spring 66 to the operating rod 24, to the operating rod 24 in the direction away from the first sliding member 30.The second valve 120 includes the flat plate-shaped valve body 121, which overlies the extending surface 32b of the first sliding member 30. A force directed toward the extending surface 32b is applied to the flat plate-shaped valve body 121 by the second spring 122. The second valve 120 blocks the communication passage 45 in the first state by receiving the force that is the difference between the first application force and the second application force, and opens the communication passage 45 by switching the operating rod 24 from the first state to the second state or the third state.

[0093] Next, a valve device 10A of Example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 described. < Example 2 >

[0094] Fig. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a part of the valve device 10A, and corresponds Fig. 3, which represents the valve device 10. The Fig. The valve device 10A shown in Figure 9 is characterized in that the second valve 120 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 is replaced by a second valve 120A. The valve device 10 shown in Fig. The valve device 10A shown in Fig. 9 is identical to the valve device 10 with respect to the other basic configurations. In describing the valve device 10A, the same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the valve devices 10 and 10A, and redundant detailed description is omitted.

[0095] The second valve 120A of the valve device 10A is a “closed” configuration by having the actuating rod 24 at the first position Q1 (see Fig. 2A) receives a forward movement force and the force corresponds to the difference between the first application force of the first application member 66 and the second application force of the second application member 122, which is canceled out.

[0096] In Example 2, a communication hole 98 allowing communication inside and outside the housing 80 is formed in the first end surface 90a of the housing main body 90. The communication hole 98 is positioned on the opposite side to the communication passage 45 with respect to the valve body 121 of the second valve 120A. The second valve 120A of Example 2 opens and closes the communication hole 98. Accordingly, the second valve 120A of Example 2 is opened in the first state and closed in the second state and the third state. The second valve 120A of Example 1 is closed in the first state and opened in the second state and the third state.Accordingly, the second valve 120A is closed when the actuating rod 24 is moved in the same manner as if the second valve 120 is opened, and the second valve 120A is opened when the actuating rod 24 is moved in the same manner as if the second valve 120 is closed.

[0097] The control unit 140 of Example 2 supplies a small amount of current to the electromagnetic solenoid 20 to close the second valve 120A, that is, to advance the actuating rod 24 by applying a force sufficient to cancel the difference between the first applying force of the first applying member 66 and the second applying force of the second applying member 122 to the actuating rod 24. This cancels the difference between the first applying force and the second applying force, and thus closes the communication port 98 of the valve body 121. The control unit 140 can alternate the open and closed states of the second valve 120A by controlling the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 20 to change the energization state of the excitation coil only for a certain predetermined period of time (e.g., a minute period of approximately 10 ms) at predetermined regular intervals.

[0098] The other processes and effects of Example 2 correspond to those of Example 1 described above.

[0099] Next, Example 3 is described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 described. < Example 3 >

[0100] Example 3 is characterized in that the valve device 10 according to Example 1 is applied to a vehicle height adjusting device 200. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle height adjusting device 200 equipped with the valve device 10 according to Example 1. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the valve device 10 in the vehicle height adjusting device 200 shown in Fig. 10 is shown.

[0101] The vehicle height adjustment device 200 raises the height of a vehicle when the vehicle is moving and lowers the vehicle height to facilitate entry and exit when the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle height adjustment device 200 is applied to a vehicle, etc. As an example, the vehicle height adjustment device 200 is applicable to the front wheel forks of a motorcycle or a motor tricycle as a ride-on vehicle on which an occupant sits. The vehicle height adjustment device 200 will be described in more detail below.

[0102] The vehicle height adjustment device 200 includes an outer tube 201, an inner tube 202 configured to be capable of forward and backward movement relative to the outer tube 201, a spring 203 provided in the inner tube 202, and a cylinder 204 provided in the inner tube 202. A piston rod 205 extends from the lower end of the inner tube 202 to the interior of the cylinder 204, and the piston rod 205 has an end portion to which a piston 206 is connected. In other words, the vehicle height adjustment device 200 has a telescopic configuration in which the inner tube 202 provided on the lower side can be moved forward and backward relative to the outer tube 301 provided on the upper side. The center line of each of these members is the same center line CL.

[0103] The outer tube 201 is a cylindrical member provided on a vehicle body side of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle height adjustment device 200. The outer tube 201 extends in the up-down direction, and the upper end of the outer tube 201 is covered by a cover body 207. The upper end of the outer tube 201 is a closed end, and the lower end of the outer tube 201 is an open end.

[0104] The inner tube 202 is a cylindrical member provided on the vehicle wheel side of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle height adjustment device 200. The inner tube 202 is fitted inside the outer tube 201 so that a part of the inner tube 202 can move forward and backward along the center line CL. The lower end of the inner tube 202 is provided on an axle bracket 208 for front wheel axle support and is covered by a cover body 209. The lower end of the inner tube 202 is a closed end, and the upper end of the inner tube 202 is an open end.

[0105] The spring 203 is formed by a helical compression spring positioned within the inner tube 202. The spring 203 applies forces directed away from each other along the center line CL to the outer tube 201 and the inner tube 202.

[0106] The cylinder 204 is a cylindrical member extending to the inside of the inner tube 202 from the upper portion of the outer tube 201 and positioned on the center line CL.

[0107] The piston rod 205 is a cylindrical member extending toward the interior of the cylinder 204 from the lower end of the inner tube 202.

[0108] The piston 206 is connected to the upper end of the piston rod 205 and divides the interior of the cylinder 204 into a first oil chamber 211 above the piston 206 and a second oil chamber 212 below the piston 206.

[0109] The first oil chamber 211 is positioned below the valve device 10. A pump chamber that pressurizes the oil therein during a compression stroke in which the piston 206 moves upward is configured by the first oil chamber 211. Hereinafter, the first oil chamber 211 may be appropriately referred to as a "pump chamber 211." A pump 213 is formed by the piston 206 and the pump chamber 211. The vehicle height adjustment device 200 is mounted on a ride-on vehicle such that the pump chamber 211 is positioned below the valve device 10.

[0110] The valve device 10 is attached to the cover body 207. Specifically, the housing connecting member 81 of the valve device 10 is fixed by screwing it into the cover body 207. In the housing 80 of the valve device 10, the second end surface 90b is located in the pump chamber 211.

[0111] Furthermore, the vehicle height adjustment device 200 comprises a jack chamber 214 and a reserve chamber 215.

[0112] The lift chamber 214 is provided, for example, in the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder 204. The oil pressurized by the pump chamber 211 during the compression stroke of the piston 206 can flow into the lift chamber 214.

[0113] The oil in the siphoning chamber 214 can be collected in the reserve chamber 215, which can return the oil to the pump chamber 211 and is provided between the inner tube 202 and the cylinder 204. The oil collected in the reserve chamber 215 can be returned to the pump chamber 211 from the lower end portion of the reserve chamber 215 via a check valve 216 (one-way valve 216), the hollow piston rod 205, and the connecting port of the piston 206.

[0114] The vehicle height adjustment device 200 can change the vehicle height of the ride-on vehicle using the forward and backward movement of the piston 206.

[0115] Next, the connection relationship of the pump chamber 211, the siphon chamber 214 and the reserve chamber 215 with respect to the valve device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 11. As described above, the housing 80 includes the first channel 93, the second channel 94, the first connection opening 95, the second connection opening 96, and the third connection opening 97.

[0116] The first channel 93 allows the inner portion 92 (the storage chamber 92) of the housing 80 and the pump chamber 211 to communicate with each other via the first valve 70. The second channel 94 allows the first channel 93 and the siphon chamber 214 to communicate with each other. The first communication port 95 allows the inner portion 92 (the storage chamber 92) of the housing 80 and the pump chamber 211 to communicate directly with each other. The second communication port 96 allows the inner portion 92 (the storage chamber 92) of the housing 80 and the reserve chamber 215 to communicate with each other. The third communication port 97 allows the second channel 94 and the inner portion 92 (the storage chamber 92) of the housing 80 to communicate with each other via the first valve 70.

[0117] Next, the action of the vehicle height adjusting device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 described.

[0118] During travel of a ride-on vehicle, the piston 206 of the ride height adjustment device 200 moves upward relative to the cylinder 204 with each front fork travel stroke. As a result, the piston 206 presses on the oil in the pump chamber 211, and the pressure of the oil in the pump chamber 211 increases.

[0119] For example, the control unit 140 of the valve device 10 does not energize the excitation coil 21 of the electromagnetic solenoid 20 (current value I = 0) in the first state of raising the vehicle height during travel of the ride-on vehicle. In the first state, the first valve 70 and the second valve 120 are in the closed state. When the pressure of the oil in the pump chamber 211 becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value due to the upward movement of the piston 206 with respect to the cylinder 204, the pressurized oil flows through the first passage 93, opens the first check valve 100, and enters the lift chamber 214 from the second passage 94. As a result, the vehicle height adjusting device 200 is extended to raise the vehicle height.

[0120] Thereafter, the control unit 140 switches to the second vehicle height maintenance state when it is determined that the height of the traveling vehicle has reached a target value or when it is determined that the vehicle height should be maintained. In the second state, the first amount of current is supplied to the excitation coil 21, for example, as a small current. As a result, the operating rod 24 moves in the first forward and backward movement amount St1 from the first position Q1 as shown in FIG. Fig. 2B and Fig. 7 forward, the first valve 70 is held in the closed state, and the second valve 120 is released. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, the pressurized oil in the pump chamber 211 enters the bearing chamber 92 of the housing 80 from the first communication port 95, flows through the communication passage 45 from the second valve 120 in the open state, opens the second check valve 130, and enters the reserve chamber 215 from the second communication port 96. As a result, the vehicle height adjusting device 200 switches from the first state of raising the vehicle height to the second state of maintaining the vehicle height. As a result, the vehicle height is maintained when switching to the second state.

[0121] The control unit 140 switches to the third state of lowering the vehicle height when, for example, it is determined that the traveling speed of the ride-on vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined value. In the third state, for example, the second current quantity, which is greater than the first current quantity, is supplied to the excitation coil 21. As a result, the operating rod 24 moves in the second forward and backward movement amount St2 from the first position Q1 as shown in FIG. Fig. 2C and Fig. 8 forward, and both the first valve 70 and the second valve 120 are released. As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig.11, in the third state, the oil in the siphoning chamber 214 flows through the valve chamber 101 of the first check valve 100 and the third communication port 97 of the second passage 94, enters the storage chamber 92 of the housing 80 from the first valve 70 in the open state, flows through the communication passage 45 of the second valve 120 in the open state, opens the second check valve 130, and enters the reserve chamber 215 from the second communication port 96. The vehicle height is thus reduced.

[0122] The minute air content in the oil in the pump chamber 211 has a lower relative density than the oil, and thus a so-called air accumulation phenomenon may occur in which the air is gradually separated and accumulates in the upper portion of the pump chamber 211 or in the bearing chamber 92 of the housing 80. It is preferable to eliminate the accumulated air, for example, to achieve a state in which the performance of the pump 213 can be sufficiently maintained.

[0123] As described above, the control unit 140 of the valve device 10 temporarily supplies a small current (a first current amount) to the excitation coil 21 only for a certain predetermined period of time at predetermined regular intervals. This switches the operating rod 24 to the second state, opens the second valve 120, and thus allows the oil and air in the storage chamber 92, an internal portion of the housing 80, to reach the communication passage 95. After flowing into the communication passage 95, the oil and air push the second valve 120 open to reach the second communication port 96 and flow into the reserve chamber 215.

[0124] The reserve chamber 215 is located outside the valve device 10. Accordingly, by switching from the first state to the second state, the air in the valve device 10 can be released to the outside of the valve device 10. This makes it possible to improve the air accumulation phenomenon in which air accumulates in the upper portion of the pump chamber 211 or in the storage chamber 92 of the housing 80. This makes it possible to achieve a state in which the performance of the pump 213 can be sufficiently provided. Furthermore, the method of temporarily switching from the first state of raising the vehicle height to the second state of maintaining the vehicle height has less impact on ride comfort than another method, such as switching from the first state of raising the vehicle height to the third state of lowering the vehicle height.Accordingly, by temporarily switching from the first state of raising the vehicle height to the second state of maintaining the vehicle height, it is possible to improve the air accumulation phenomenon while preventing deterioration of ride comfort.

[0125] The description of Example 3 is summarized as follows.

[0126] The vehicle height adjustment device 200 includes the valve device 10, the outer tube 201 having a closed upper end and an open lower end, and the inner tube 202 having an open upper end and a closed lower end and fitted inside the outer tube 201 so as to be capable of partial forward and backward movement. The vehicle height adjustment device 200 further includes the cylinder 204 extending toward the interior of the inner tube 202 from the upper portion of the outer tube 201, the cylindrical piston rod 205 extending toward the interior of the cylinder 204 from the lower end of the inner tube 202, and the piston 206 connected to the upper end of the piston rod 205. The piston 206 divides the interior of the cylinder 204 into the first oil chamber 211 on the upper side and the second oil chamber 212 on the lower side.The first oil chamber 211 is positioned below the valve device 10. The pump chamber 211, which pressurizes the oil therein during the compression stroke of the piston 206, is formed by the first oil chamber 211. The vehicle height adjustment device 200 further includes the lift chamber 214, into which the oil pressurized by the pump chamber 211 during the compression stroke can flow, and the reserve chamber 215, into which the oil in the lift chamber 214 can flow and through which oil can be returned to the pump chamber 211.The housing 80 of the valve device 10 has the first channel 93, which allows the storage chamber 92 as an inner portion of the housing 80 and the pump chamber 211 to communicate with each other via the first valve 70, the second channel 94, which allows the first channel 93 and the siphon chamber 214 to communicate with each other, and the first communication port 95, which allows the storage chamber 92 as an inner portion of the housing 80 and the pump chamber 211 to communicate directly with each other. The housing 80 of the valve device 10 further includes the second communication port 96, which allows the storage chamber 92 as an inner portion of the housing 80 and the reserve chamber 215 to communicate with each other, and the third communication port 97, which allows the second channel 94 and the storage chamber 92 as an inner portion of the housing 80 to communicate with each other via the first valve 70.

[0127] Accordingly, by switching the operating rod 24 between the first state and the second state, it is possible to provide the vehicle height adjusting device 200 with the following two functions.

[0128] The first function is to keep the height of a vehicle at a certain predetermined height.

[0129] The second function is to improve the air accumulation phenomenon in the upper portion of the pump chamber 211 or the bearing chamber 92 of the housing 80 by very temporarily and intermittently releasing the second valve 120 at regular intervals.

[0130] The valve devices 10 and 10A according to the present invention are not limited to the examples insofar as the valve devices 10 and 10A provide the operations and effects of the present invention.

[0131] For example, the valve device 10A of Example 2 can be applied to a vehicle height adjusting device in the same manner as the valve device 10 of Example 1.

[0132] The valve devices 10 and 10A are not limited in the manner of application to the vehicle height adjustment device 200.

[0133] Furthermore, the plate-shaped member 50 and the second sliding member 60 are not essential, and the first valve 70 can be directly opened and closed by the first sliding member 30.

[0134] The check valve 130 (one-way valve 130) is also not essential. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0135] The valve devices 10 and 10A of the present invention are suitable for use in a vehicle height adjustment device for a ride-on vehicle having two or three vehicle wheels. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10, 10A valve device 20 Actuating section (electromagnetic solenoid) 21 Excitation coil 24 operating rod 24a top section 30 first sliding link (sliding link) 32b Extension area 50 plate-shaped member 60 second sliding link 66 first contact link (first spring) 70 first valve 80 housings 120, 120A second valve 121 valve body 122 second contact link (second spring) 140 Control / regulation unit 200 vehicle height adjustment device 201 outer tube 202 inner tube 204 cylinders 205 piston rod 206 pistons 211 first oil chamber (pump chamber) 212 second oil chamber 214 Lifting chamber 215 Reserve Chamber CL Centerline of the operating rod (axial center) Q1 first position Q2 second position Q3 third position St1 first forward and backward movement extent St2 second forward and backward movement extent

Claims

[1] Valve device (10, 10A) comprising: an operating section (20) comprising an operating rod (24) that is switchable between a first state in which the operating rod is in its most retracted first position (Q1), a second state in which the operating rod (24) is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a predetermined first forward and backward movement amount (St1), and a third state in which the operating rod (24) is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a second forward and backward movement amount (St2) that is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount (St1); a sliding member (30) which can be advanced to the same forward and backward movement extent and in the same direction as the operating rod (24) by being pushed by the operating rod (24); a first valve (70) which can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod (24) and the sliding member (30) from the first position (Q1); a housing (80) in which the first valve (70) is housed; and a second valve (120) capable of switching, opening and closing a communication passage (45) allowing communication from inside and outside of the housing (80) between the first state and the second state by switching operation of the operating rod (24); wherein the actuating section (20) is formed by an electromagnetic solenoid provided with an excitation coil (21) which drives an actuating rod (24) for forward and backward movement, further comprising a control unit (140) which controls the excitation coil (21), wherein when the actuating rod (24) is in the first state, the control unit controls the operation of the actuating section (20) to change the excitation state of the excitation coil (21) only for a certain predetermined period of time, so that the actuating rod (24) is changed to the second state at predetermined regular intervals. [2] Valve device (10,10A) according to claim 1, further comprising: a first application member (66) which applies a force directed toward the actuating rod (24) to the sliding member (30); and a second application member (122) which applies a force directed away from the actuating rod (24) to the sliding member (30), wherein a first application force as a force applied by the first application member (66) to the sliding member (30) is greater than a second application force as a force applied by the second application member (122) to the sliding member (30), and the second valve (120,120A) blocks the communication passage in the first state by receiving a force as a difference between the first application force and the second application force, and opens the communication passage by switching the operating rod (24) from the first state to the second state or the third state. [3] Valve device (10,10A) according to claim 1, further comprising: a first applying member (66) which applies a force directed towards the sliding member to the actuating rod (24); and a second applying member (122) which applies a force directed away from the sliding member (30) to the actuating rod (24), wherein a first application force as a force applied by the first application member (66) to the actuating rod (24) is greater than a second application force as a force applied by the second application member (122) to the actuating rod (24), and the second valve (120, 120A) opens the communication passage in the first state by receiving a force as a difference between the first application force and the second application force, and closes the communication passage by switching the operating rod (24) from the first state to the second state or the third state. [4] Valve device (10,10A) comprising: an electromagnetic solenoid (20) comprising an actuating rod (24) switchable between a first state in which the actuating rod (24) is in its most retracted first position (Q1), a second state in which the actuating rod is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a predetermined first forward and backward movement amount (St1), and a third state in which the actuating rod (24) is displaced from the first position (Q1) by a second forward and backward movement amount (St2) that is greater than the first forward and backward movement amount (St1), and an excitation coil (21) that drives the actuating rod (24) to move forward and backward; a control unit (140) that controls the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid (20) to change the excitation state of the excitation coil (21) only for a certain predetermined period of time, so that the actuating rod (24) is changed from the first state to the second state at predetermined regular intervals; a sliding member (30) which can be advanced in the same forward and backward movement amount and in the same direction as the operating rod (24) by being pushed by the operating rod (24), and has an extending surface (32b) as a surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction of the forward and backward movement operation and facing the operating rod side; a first valve (70) which can be opened and closed according to the displacement amount of the operating rod (24) and the sliding member (30) from the first position (Q1); a housing (80) in which the first valve (70) is housed; and a second valve (120, 120A) capable of switching, opening and closing a communication passage allowing communication from inside and outside of the housing (80) between the first state and the second state by switching operation of the operating rod (24); first spring (66) applying a force directed toward the sliding member (30) to the actuating rod (24); and a second spring (122) applying the second application force, which is smaller than a first application force applied to the actuating rod (24) by the first spring (66), to the actuating rod (24) in a direction away from the sliding member (30), wherein the second valve (120, 120A) comprises a flat plate-shaped valve body overlying the extension surface (32b) of the sliding member (30), wherein a force directed toward the extension surface (32b) is applied by the second spring (122) to the flat plate-shaped valve body, blocks the communication passage in the first state by receiving a force as a difference between the first application force and the second application force, and opens the communication passage by changing the operating rod (24) from the first state to the second state or the third state. [5] Vehicle height adjustment device (200) equipped with a valve device (10, 10A) according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising: an outer tube (201) having a closed upper end and an open lower end; an inner tube (202) having an open upper end and a closed lower end and fitted into the interior of the outer tube (201) to be capable of partial forward and backward movement; a cylinder (204) extending to the interior of the inner tube (202) from an upper portion of the outer tube (201); a cylindrical piston rod (205) extending to the interior of the cylinder (204) from the lower end of the inner tube (202); and a piston (206) connected to an upper end of the piston rod (205) and dividing the interior of the cylinder (204) into a first oil chamber (211) on an upper side and a second oil chamber (212) on a lower side, wherein the first oil chamber (211) positioned below the valve device (10, 10A) and forming a pump chamber (211) that pressurizes oil therein during a compression stroke, comprising: a lift chamber (214) into which oil pressurized by the pump chamber (211) during the compression stroke can flow; and a reserve chamber (215) into which oil in the siphoning chamber (214) can flow and through which oil can be returned to the pumping chamber (211), and wherein the housing (80) of the valve device (10,10A) comprises: a first channel allowing an inner portion of the housing (80) and the pump chamber (211) to communicate with each other via the first valve (70); a second channel allowing the first channel and the siphoning chamber (214) to communicate with each other; a first communication opening allowing the inner portion of the housing (80) and the pump chamber (211) to communicate directly with each other; a second communication opening allowing the inner portion of the housing (80) and the reserve chamber (215) to communicate with each other; and a third communication opening allowing the second channel and the inner portion of the housing (80) to communicate with each other via the first valve.

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