Fluid control valve

Abstract

A valve (40) includes a side wall (41) formed along a surface of a conical shape. The housing (10) rotatably accommodates the valve (40) with the axis of the conical shape as the axial center (CL) and includes a port (13) extending through an outer wall (14) and an inner wall (16) of the housing (10). A sealing member (50) is provided between the inner wall (16) of the housing (10) and the valve (40) and includes a surface (51) on the housing (10) side that is in contact with a port periphery (131) of the inner wall (16) of the housing (10), and a surface (52) on the valve (40) side that is in sliding contact with the side wall (41) of the valve (40).The biasing member (60) urges the valve (40) toward the apex of the conical shape and maintains a state in which the side wall (41) of the valve (40) and the sealing member (50) are in sliding contact with each other during both rotation and stop of the valve (40), and maintains a state in which the inner wall (16) of the housing (10) and the sealing member (50) are in contact with each other.

Description

Cross-reference to related registration

[0001] This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2022-212180, filed on December 28, 2022. The complete disclosures of all the above-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a fluid control valve. background

[0003] A fluid control valve that controls the flow of a fluid by switching the connection and interrupting between a plurality of ports provided in a housing is generally known.

[0004] The fluid control valve described in patent reference 1 is configured such that a valve is rotatably arranged within a cylindrical housing with a base, which contains a plurality of ports with a sealing element positioned between them. The sealing element is provided on a section where the plurality of ports are formed and is physically compressed by the housing and the valve in the thickness direction (i.e., in the radial direction of the valve) to adhere to both, thereby preventing fluid leakage between the plurality of flow paths in the housing. Patent reference 1 describes that a torque of 3.5 Nm to 4.5 Nm is applied to the valve by an actuator that rotates it. Literature on the state of the art Patent literature

[0005] Patent literature 1: WO 2022 / 218405 Summary of the invention

[0006] In the fluid control valve described in patent literature 1, preventing fluid leakage between the majority of flow paths in the housing requires pressing the valve against the sealing element to ensure sufficient compression of the sealing element. However, as the compression clearance of the sealing element increases, so does the reaction force exerted by the sealing element on the valve. This increases the sliding resistance during valve rotation and the torque required to rotate the valve (specifically 3.5 Nm to 4.5 Nm). Therefore, a high-output motor, a high-reduction speed reduction mechanism, or similar is required as an actuator to drive the valve. This not only increases the size of the actuator but also leads to increased operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise during valve rotation.

[0007] When the valve in the fluid control valve begins to rotate from a stopped state, a large torque is required because part of the valve is stuck in the circumferential section of the sealing element, or part of the valve that is stuck in the sealing element is pulled out of the sealing element. As a result, large and small torques are introduced into the actuator in a wave-like pattern, causing large stress fluctuations on the gears that form the speed reduction mechanism, thus accelerating gear breakage and wear.

[0008] Furthermore, in the case of the fluid control valve, if wear occurs on the sliding surface between the valve and the sealing element due to aging or similar factors, the sealing capacity between the valve and the sealing element may be reduced, and the amount of fluid leakage between the majority of flow paths in the housing may increase.

[0009] The subject of the present disclosure is to reduce the torque during the rotation of the valve and simultaneously to reduce the fluid leakage between a plurality of flow paths in a housing in a fluid control valve.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid control valve comprises: a valve with a side wall along a side surface in a conical shape and a flow path recessed from the side wall in the direction of an axis of the side wall in the conical shape; a housing in which the valve is rotatably mounted about an axial center point which is the axis of the conical shape, the housing having a port extending through an outer wall and an inner wall; a sealing element provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, the sealing element having a surface on a housing side in contact with a port periphery of the inner wall of the housing and a surface on the valve side in sliding contact with a side wall of the valve; and a biasing element biasing the valve in the direction of a vertex of the conical shape of the valve.The preload element is configured to keep the side wall of the valve and the sealing element in sliding contact with each other both during rotation and during stopping of the valve, and to keep the inner wall of the housing and the sealing element in contact with each other.

[0011] Accordingly, the fluid control valve is configured such that the side wall of the valve is formed along the surface of the conical shape, and the valve is pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning element towards the apex of the conical shape. By adjusting the pressing force of the pre-tensioning element, the pressing force between the valve and the sealing element can be more easily adjusted, as can the pressing force between the housing and the sealing element. Therefore, the gap between the valve and the sealing element, and the gap between the housing and the sealing element, can be minimized or eliminated to ensure a tight seal with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths. This prevents or reduces the risk of the sealing element being grooved, as in the configuration described in patent literature 1.If the actuator is worn down, the torque during the valve's rotation can be reduced, preventing torque oscillation. As a result, the fluid control valve can reduce the size of the actuator driving the valve, as well as reduce operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise during valve rotation, while ensuring a tight seal during both rotation and when the valve stops. Furthermore, it can prevent actuator gear failure and improve reliability.

[0012] Furthermore, in a configuration where the valve's sidewall is formed along the conical surface and the valve is pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning element towards the apex of the conical shape, the valve and sealing element are held in sliding contact with each other, even if wear occurs on the sliding surface between the valve and the sealing element due to aging or similar wear. Therefore, the fluid control valve can maintain the sealing capability between the valve and the sealing element against aging wear.

[0013] A reference numeral in parentheses, appended to each element or the like, indicates an example of the correspondence between the element or the like and a specific element or the like described in an embodiment to be described later. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a front view of a fluid control valve according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view in the direction of II from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view in direction III from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 3 without actuator. Fig. Figure 5 is a side view illustrating only the valve of the fluid control valve. Fig. Figure 6 is a front view illustrating only the housing of the fluid control valve. Fig. 7 is a top view looking towards VII from Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of Section IX in Fig. 8. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view of only the sealing element in a state removed from the housing. Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating only one sealing element. Fig. Figure 12 is a top view illustrating a state in which the housing and sealing element are assembled. Fig. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a third embodiment. Fig. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a seventh embodiment. Fig. Figure 19 is a front view of a fluid control valve according to an eighth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a top view in the direction of XX from Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a sectional view along line XXI-XXI of Fig. 20. Fig. Figure 22 is a sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a ninth embodiment. Fig. 23 is a sectional view along line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 22. Fig. Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid control valve according to a tenth embodiment. Fig. Figure 25 is a top view of a fluid control valve according to an eleventh embodiment. Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view along line XXVI-XXVI of Fig. 25. Description of the embodiments

[0014] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, identical or equivalent sections are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. (First embodiment)

[0015] A first embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. The fluid control valve of the present embodiment controls the flow of fluids with different properties that flow through a plurality of fluid passages (not shown). The fluid with different properties is, for example, cooling water at different temperatures.

[0016] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the fluid control valve comprises a housing 10, a cover 20, an actuator 30, a valve 40, a sealing element 50, a housing-side regulating section 26, a cover-side regulating section 70, a spring 60 serving as a preload element, and the like.

[0017] The housing 10 contains a cylinder 11, which is cylindrical in shape, and a base 12 that closes one end of the cylinder 11. The housing 10 contains a plurality of ports 13 in a portion of the cylinder 11. The port 13 penetrates an inner wall 16 and an outer wall 14 of the cylinder 11. The spacing H of each port 13 parallel to a direction in which the center of axis CL of the cylinder 11 extends is, for example, 10 mm. Hereinafter, the direction in which the center of axis CL extends is referred to as the “axial direction”.

[0018] The housing 10, for example, is formed from at least one reinforcement of polyamide 66 (hereinafter referred to as "PA66"), one reinforcement of polyphthalamide (hereinafter referred to as "PPA"), and one reinforcement of polyphenylene sulfide (hereinafter referred to as "PPS"). The reinforcement is, for example, glass fiber. Hereinafter, the side of the base 12 in the axial direction of the cylinder 11 is referred to as one side, and the side opposite the base 12 in the axial direction of the cylinder 11 is referred to as the other side.

[0019] The cover 20 closes an opening on the other side of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10. The cover 20 is attached to a locking section 15, which is provided on the outer wall 14 of the cylinder 11 by a snap lock 21. An actuator 30 is attached to the other side of the cover 20 by a screw 31. The actuator 30 contains an electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism, and the like (not illustrated) within a housing 32.

[0020] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the valve 40 is provided to be rotatable within the housing 10 about a predetermined axis center CL. Here, a conical shape is defined which has the same axis as the axis center CL of rotation of the valve 40. Fig. Figure 5 shows only a portion of the axis of the conical shape and a portion of a generating line G, indicated by dashed lines. The axis of the conical shape coincides with the center of the axis CL of valve 40. For the purposes of defining the conical shape, a surface obtained by rotating the generating line G around the axis is called a side surface, a contact point between the generating line G and the axis is called a vertex, and a surface facing the vertex and perpendicular to the axis is called a bottom surface. As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the valve 40 includes a side wall 41 formed along the side face of the conical shape. The valve 40 has an end face 42 on one side, formed on the apex (i.e., one side) of the conical shape, and an end face 43 on the other side, opposite the end face 42 on one side and formed on the bottom (i.e., the other side) of the conical shape. An interior angle θ, formed by the generating line G of the conical shape, along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends, and the center of axis CL of the valve 40, is set at 5 degrees or more. The end face 42 on one side and the end face 43 on the other side are perpendicular to the center of axis CL of the valve 40.

[0021] The valve 40 is arranged such that its end face 42 on one side faces the base 12 of the housing 10, and is rotatably mounted in the housing 10 with the axis of its conical shape serving as the axis of rotation CL. The inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10 is shaped along one side face similar to a conical shape and is coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends. That is, the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10 and the side wall 41 of the valve 40 are parallel.

[0022] The valve 40 contains a plurality of flow paths 44, which are recessed from the side wall 41 towards the axis center CL. The valve 40 changes its rotation phase, and the plurality of flow paths 44 of the valve 40 each communicate with (or are connected to) the plurality of ports 13 of the housing 10, thereby switching and interrupting the connection or communication between the plurality of ports 13.

[0023] The valve 40 includes an input shaft 45 that projects axially from the position of the end face on the other side 43, which is centered on the axis CL, to the other side. The input shaft 45 is inserted through an insertion hole 22 provided in the cover 20. A bearing 23 and a shaft seal element 24 are provided between the inner wall of the insertion hole 22 and the input shaft 45. The bearing 23 is, for example, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, or the like, and rotatably supports the input shaft 45 with respect to the cover 20. The shaft sealing element 24 is, for example, an O-ring, an oil seal, or the like, and prevents fluid leakage from the gap between the inner wall of the insertion hole 22 and the input shaft 45. A gear 46 is provided at the distal end of the input shaft 45, which protrudes from the cover 20, and torque for rotating the valve 40 is applied by the actuator 30.The torque applied by the actuator 30 to the input shaft 45 to rotate the valve 40 with respect to the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 is set at 2.0 N·m or less.

[0024] Furthermore, the valve 40 includes a projection 47 that extends from the position of the end surface 42 on one side centered on the axis center CL to one side in the axial direction, and a stopper 49 that extends from the position of the end surface 42 on one side that extends away from the axis center CL to one side in the axial direction.

[0025] The projection 47 of the valve 40 is inserted into a hole 17 provided in the base 12 of the housing 10 and is rotatably mounted by the inner wall of the hole 17. If D1 is the outer diameter of the projection 47 of the valve 40, D2 is the inner diameter of the hole 17 of the housing 10, and D3 is the outer diameter of the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40, then the relationships D1 < D3 and D2 < D3 hold. Since D1 is slightly smaller than D2, the relationship D1 < D2 < D3 applies. Thus, by reducing the radius of the sliding section on which the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10 slide, i.e., D1 and D2, the sliding resistance of the sliding section can be reduced, and the torque during the rotary operation of the valve 40 can be reduced. The inner wall of the hole 17 is designed parallel to the axis center CL and allows the movement of the projection 47 of the valve 40 in the axial direction.A distal end surface 48 on one side in the axial direction of the projection 47 of the valve 40 and a bottom surface 18 on one side in the axial direction of the hole 17 of the housing 10 do not have contact with each other.

[0026] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7, the base 12 of the housing 10 is provided with a stop contact section 19, which can be contacted by the stopper 49 of the valve 40. The contact between the stopper 49 of the valve 40 and the stop contact section 19 of the housing 10 defines the standard position of the valve 40 in rotation.

[0027] Valve 40, for example, is formed from at least one reinforcement made of PA66, one reinforcement made of PPA, one reinforcement made of PPS and one reinforcement made of phenol (hereinafter referred to as "PF").

[0028] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the sealing element 50 is provided between the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the valve 40. The sealing element 50 is formed in a plate shape; a surface 51 on the housing side 10 is in contact with a section of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 at the periphery of the port 13, and a surface 52 on the valve side 40 is in sliding contact with a section of the side wall 41 of the valve 40, which is in sliding contact with the sealing element 50. In the following description, the section of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 at the periphery of the port 13 is referred to as the "port periphery 131," and the section of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 that is in sliding contact with the sealing element 50 is referred to as the "flow path periphery 441." The sealing element 50 contains a plurality of openings 53 that penetrate in the direction of the plate thickness.The majority of openings 53 of the sealing element 50 are provided at positions corresponding to the majority of connections 13 of the housing 10.

[0029] Here, the width of the flow path periphery 441 of the outer wall 14 of the valve 40 is W1, and the width of the port periphery 131 of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 is W2. At this point, the relationship W1 ≤ W2 holds. This allows the pressure loss of the fluid flowing from the port 13 of the housing 10 into the flow path 44 of the valve 40 to be reduced. The width of the section forming the opening 53 in the sealing element 50 is set to correspond substantially to the same width W2 of the port periphery 131 of the housing 10.

[0030] The width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 and the width W2 of the connection periphery 131 are both 2 mm or more. As in Fig. 8 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 9, the radius of curvature R of the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the surface 52 on the valve side 40 of the sealing element 50 at the same position in the axial direction. The term "equal" essentially implies "same." In other words, the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is preferably a curved surface or a flat surface with a radius of curvature equal to or greater than that of the conical shape along which the outer wall 14 of the valve 40 extends, and the apex of the curved section with a radius R projecting radially outward is not preferred. Thus, surface contact is achieved between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50.Therefore, the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 and the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 can be made as small as possible or eliminated to ensure sealing capability with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths 44. The method of preventing fluid leakage using a tiny gap with a relatively large distance (e.g., about 2 mm or more), as described above, can be referred to as a “gap seal”.

[0031] In the sealing element 50, the material of a section on the housing side 10 differs from the material of a section on the valve side 40. Specifically, the material of the sealing element 50 is at least a combination of rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as "PTFE"), a combination of rubber and a fluoropolymer resin, and a combination of rubber and a highly lubricating material. More precisely, the material of the sealing element 50 is a rubber material on the housing side 10 and PTFE, a fluoropolymer resin, or a highly lubricating material on the valve side 40. Methods for manufacturing the sealing element 50 include, for example, applying PTFE or the like to the surface of the rubber material, integrally assembling the rubber material and the PTFE or the like, press-fitting, bonding, and baking.

[0032] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 10, the sealing element 50 has a planar shape, or a shape closer to a plane, before being mounted on the housing 10 or when removed from the housing 10, than when it is mounted on the housing 10. That is, the sealing element 50 is a planar element in the state before it is mounted on the housing 10.

[0033] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7, the housing-side regulating section 70 and a circumferential regulating section 71, which regulate the movement of the sealing element 50, are provided within the housing 10. The housing-side regulating section 70 projects axially from the bottom 12 of the housing 10 to the other side. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7, the housing-side regulating section 70, viewed from the other side in the axial direction, has a curved shape parallel to the inner wall 16 of the section of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10 on the bottom side 12. A section of the sealing element 50, located on the bottom side 12, is fitted between the housing-side regulating section 70 and the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10. The housing-side regulating section 70 regulates the movement of the sealing element 50 inwards in the radial direction and to one side in the axial direction of the cylinder 11. The housing-side regulating section 70 regulates the deformation of the sealing element 50 from a curved surface shape along the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10 or the side wall 41 of the valve 40.

[0034] The circumferential regulating section 71 projects radially inwards from the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10. The height of the circumferential regulating section 71, which projects radially inwards from the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10, is less than the thickness of the sealing element 50. The circumferential regulating section 71 is provided on each side of the sealing element 50, which is located inside the housing 10, and regulates the movement of the sealing element 50 to one side and the other in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 11. Thus, as shown in the Fig. 12 and Fig. Figure 13 illustrates that the sealing element 50 in a mounted state is held on the housing 10 in a curved surface shape along the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10, thereby regulating movement in the axial and circumferential directions.

[0035] As again in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, the spring 60, which serves as a preload element, is located between the end face 43 on the other side of the valve 40 and the cover 20. The spring 60 is a compression coil spring and preloads the valve 40 in the direction of the apex of the conical shape. As described above, the internal angle θ formed by the generating line G of the conical shape, along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends, and the axis center CL of the valve 40 is set to 5 degrees or more. This generates a force component that acts on the sealing element 50 and the housing 10 from the side wall 41 of the valve 40 in response to the load exerted by the spring 60 in the axial direction of the valve 40. Thus, part of the preload force of the spring 60 acts as a component for pressing the valve 40 and the sealing element 50, and furthermore acts as a component for pressing the sealing element 50 and the inner wall 16 of the housing 10.Therefore, by adjusting the spring force of spring 60, it is possible to maintain a condition in which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 are in sliding contact with each other with low sliding resistance, and a condition in which the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 are in contact with each other both during rotation and when the valve 40 is stationary. In other words, the spring force of spring 60 is adjusted so that the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 are brought into sliding contact with each other with low sliding resistance, and the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 are brought into contact with each other. Furthermore, the spring force of spring 60 is adjusted so that gouging or abrasion of the sealing element 50 by the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is prevented or reduced.This allows the gap seal described above to be achieved between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50, as well as between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50, and the torque during the rotary operation of the valve 40 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the axial length of the spring 60 is kept constant during the rotation of the valve 40, the preload force of the spring 60 is also kept constant. Therefore, the torque fluctuation during the rotary operation of the valve 40 can be reduced.

[0036] A spring guide 61 is provided between the end surface 43 on the other side of the valve 40 and the spring 60. The spring guide 61 supports the end section of the spring 60 on the valve side 40. The spring guide 61 has an L-shaped cross-section parallel to the center of the axis CL and includes an inner surface in radial direction in sliding contact with the projecting section 29, which forms the insertion hole 22 of the cover 20, and a surface on one side in axial direction in sliding contact with the end surface 43 on the other side of the valve 40. The spring guide 61 prevents axial displacement of the spring 60 and transmits the preload force of the spring 60 to the valve 40.

[0037] The material of the spring guide 61 differs from the material of the valve 40. Specifically, the material of the spring guide 61 is at least one of metal alone, a material with PTFE applied to a metal surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a metal surface, a material with a highly lubricating material applied to a metal surface, resin alone, a material with PTFE applied to a resin surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a resin surface, and a material with a highly lubricating material applied to a resin surface.

[0038] In each of the fluid control valve configurations described above, the valve 40, the sealing element 50, and the cover 20 are configured to be axially removable from the housing 10 from the opposite side. Therefore, the following steps can be used as a method for manufacturing the fluid control valve. First, the planar sealing element 50 is deformed in a component state relative to the housing 10 and mounted on the housing-side regulating section 70 and the circumferential regulating section 71. Next, the valve 40 is axially mounted to the housing 10 from the opposite side. At this point, the projection 47 of the valve 40 is inserted into the hole 17 of the housing 10.Next, the spring 60 and the spring guide 61 are positioned, and the cover 20 is mounted on the housing 10 in such a way that the center of the axis CL is aligned so that the gear 46 of the input shaft 45 of the valve 40 and the shaft sealing element 24 of the cover 20 do not come into contact with each other. Finally, the actuator 30 is mounted to the cover 20 by means of the screw 31, and the assembly of the fluid control valve is complete.

[0039] The fluid control valve of the first embodiment described above has the following effects.

[0040] (1) In the first embodiment, the side wall 41 of the valve 40 is formed along the side surface of the conical shape, and the valve 40 is biased towards the apex of the conical shape by the spring 60. Thus, by adjusting the spring force of the spring 60, it is possible to facilitate the adjustment of the pressing force between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 and the pressing force between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50. Therefore, the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 and the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 can be made as small as possible or eliminated to ensure sealing capability with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths 44. Since thus a hollowing orBy preventing or reducing abrasion of the sealing element 50 by the valve 40 as in the configuration of the fluid control valve according to the aforementioned patent literature 1, the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40 can be reduced, and the torque can be prevented from being wave-like. As a result, the fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment can reduce the size of the actuator 30 that drives the valve 40, as well as reduce the operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise during the rotation of the valve 40, while ensuring sealing capability both during rotation and when the valve 40 is stopped. Furthermore, breakage of the actuator 30 gear can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, the fluid control valve of the first embodiment is configured such that the side wall 41 of the valve 40 is formed along the side surface of the conical shape and the valve 40 is preloaded by the spring 60. Thus, the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 are kept in sliding contact with each other even when wear occurs on the sliding surface between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 due to aging or similar causes. Therefore, the fluid control valve can maintain the sealing capability between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 against aging wear.

[0042] (2) In the first embodiment, a material of a section of the sealing element 50 on the housing side 10 differs from a material of a section on the valve side 40.

[0043] Accordingly, the material of the sealing element 50 can be selected as a material suitable for contact with the housing 10 and sliding contact with the valve 40.

[0044] (3) Specifically, the material of the sealing element 50 on the housing side 10 is a rubber material and on the valve side 40 is PTFE, a fluoropolymer or a material with high lubricity.

[0045] Accordingly, at least one of the following materials is used for the sealing element 50: a rubber material, silicone, PTFE, a fluoropolymer, and an elastic resin. Thus, the sealing element 50 can be deformed by the spring force of the spring 60 to conform to the shape of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. This simplifies the assembly of the sealing element 50, and the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50, as well as the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50, can be kept as small as possible or eliminated to ensure a tight seal with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths 44.

[0046] Furthermore, by using at least one of the materials PTFE, fluoropolymer and a material with high lubricity as the material of the sealing element 50 on the valve side 40, it is possible to ensure the sealing capability with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 and to reduce the sliding resistance between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50.

[0047] (4) In the first embodiment, the fluid control valve includes the spring guide 61, which is provided between the valve 40 and the spring 60.

[0048] This prevents the edge of the spring 60 from sticking on the surface of the valve 40, and it prevents the sliding resistance between the spring 60 and the valve 40 from increasing due to the edge of the spring 60 scratching the surface of the valve 40. Therefore, the torque during the rotary operation of the valve 40 can be reduced.

[0049] (5) In the first embodiment, the material of the spring guide 61 differs from the material of the valve 40.

[0050] Accordingly, it is possible to select a material that can reduce the sliding resistance between the spring guide 61 and the valve 40.

[0051] (6) In the first embodiment, the material of the spring guide 61 comprises at least a material with PTFE applied to a metal surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a metal surface, a material with a high lubricity applied to a metal surface, a material with PTFE applied to a resin surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a resin surface, and a material with a high lubricity applied to a resin surface.

[0052] This reduces the sliding resistance between the spring guide 61 and the valve 40.

[0053] The material of the spring guide 61 is not limited to the examples mentioned above and can be either metal or resin.

[0054] (7) In the first embodiment, the valve 40 includes the projection 47, which projects axially from the position of the end face 42 on one side centered on the axis CL. The housing 10 includes the hole 17, which rotatably supports the projection 47 of the valve 40.

[0055] Accordingly, the hole 17 of the housing 10 rotatably supports the projection 47 of the valve 40, thereby preventing displacement of the axis center CL of the valve 40. Therefore, the contact pressure between the valve 40 and the seal can be stabilized, the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 can be kept in sliding contact with each other with low sliding resistance, and the sealing capability can be ensured both during rotation and when the valve 40 is stationary.

[0056] (8) In the first embodiment, the outer diameter D1 of the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the inner diameter D2 of the hole 17 of the housing 10 are smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40.

[0057] Accordingly, by reducing the radius of the sliding section between the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10, the sliding resistance of the sliding section can be reduced, and the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40 can be reduced.

[0058] (9) In the first embodiment, the distal end surface 48 on one side in the axial direction of the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the bottom surface 18 on one side in the axial direction of the hole 17 of the housing 10 do not have contact with each other.

[0059] Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate sliding at the points of sliding of the hole 17 of the housing 10 and the projection 47 of the valve 40, which are not related to the function of preventing the positional displacement of the axis center CL of the valve 40, and to reduce the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40.

[0060] (10) In the first embodiment, both the width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the width W2 of the connection periphery 131 of the housing 10 are 2 mm or more.

[0061] Accordingly, in the configuration in which the connection periphery 131 of the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 are brought into surface contact with each other, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid leakage between the connections 13 to an even lower level and to improve the sealing capability by increasing the width W2 of the connection periphery 131 and increasing the width of the surface contact area.

[0062] Similarly, in the configuration where the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 are brought into surface contact with each other, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 to an even lower level and to improve the sealing capability by increasing the width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 and increasing the width of the surface contact area.

[0063] Additionally, increasing the width of the surface contact between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 prevents or reduces the hollowing or abrasion of the sealing element 50 by the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40. Therefore, the torque during the rotary actuation of the valve 40 can be reduced, and the torque can be prevented from being wave-like. Consequently, the load on the actuator 30, which drives the valve 40, can be reduced.

[0064] (11) In the first embodiment, the width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the width W2 of the connection periphery 131 of the housing 10 have the ratio W2 ≥ W1.

[0065] Accordingly, by making the width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 equal to or smaller than the width W2 of the connection periphery 131 of the housing 10, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing from the connection 13 of the housing 10 into the flow path 44 of the valve 40 can be reduced.

[0066] (12) In the first embodiment, the radius of curvature R of the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the surface 52 on the valve side 40 of the sealing element 50 at the same position in the axial direction.

[0067] Accordingly, in the configuration where the gap between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 can be made as small as possible or eliminated to ensure sealing capability, surface contact between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 to an even lower level in the housing 10 and to improve the sealing capability.

[0068] Additionally, by increasing the radius of curvature R of the flow path periphery 441, the hollowing or abrasion of the sealing element 50 by the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 can be prevented or reduced. Therefore, the torque during the rotary actuation of the valve 40 can be reduced, and the torque can be prevented from being wave-like. Consequently, the load on the actuator 30, which drives the valve 40, can be reduced.

[0069] (13) In the first embodiment, the torque required to rotate the valve 40 with respect to the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 is 2.0 N·m or less.

[0070] Accordingly, the size of the actuator 30, which drives the valve 40, can be reduced, thereby achieving a reduction in operating noise, power consumption and electrical noise during the rotation of the valve 40.

[0071] (14) In the first embodiment, the internal angle θ formed by the generating G of the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends and the axis center CL of the valve 40 is 5 degrees or more.

[0072] Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a target component force capable of maintaining the condition as a component between the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50, and the condition as a component between the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing element 50, in response to the load applied by the spring 60 in the axial direction of the valve 40. Therefore, the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing element 50, as well as the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing element 50, can be minimized or eliminated to ensure tightness with minimal fluid leakage between the flow paths 44.However, if the internal angle θ formed by the generating G of the cone shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends and the axis center CL of the valve 40 is less than 5 degrees, a target component force cannot be achieved, which makes ensuring tightness more difficult.

[0073] The upper limit of the internal angle θ, which is formed by the generating G of the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends, and the axis center CL of the valve 40, is appropriately determined according to the volume in the flow path 44 of the valve 40, the radial size of the housing 10 and the like.

[0074] (15) In the first embodiment, the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11 of the housing 10 has a conical shape along a surface which is similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends.

[0075] Accordingly, in response to the load applied by the spring 60 in the axial direction of the valve 40, a component force is generated that acts from the side wall 41 of the valve 40 onto the sealing element 50 and the housing 10. This component force allows the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing element 50 to be held in a state of contact, thus ensuring a tight seal.

[0076] (16) In the first embodiment, the material of the housing 10 is at least one of a reinforcement made of PA66, a reinforcement made of PPA, a reinforcement made of PPS.

[0077] According to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the dimensional accuracy of the shaping and the strength of the housing 10.

[0078] (17) In the first embodiment, the material of the valve 40 is at least one of a reinforcement made of PA66, a reinforcement made of PPA, a reinforcement made of PPS and a reinforcement made of PF.

[0079] This makes it possible to reduce the resistance between the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 while ensuring the dimensional accuracy and strength of the valve 40.

[0080] (18) In the first embodiment, the valve 40, the sealing element 50 and the cover 20 are configured so that they can be removed from the housing 10 from the other side of the housing in an axial direction.

[0081] If the input shaft 45 is located at the end face 42 of the valve 40, the insertion hole 22, through which the input shaft 45 is inserted, and the shaft sealing element 24 are provided in the base 12 of the housing 10, according to the first embodiment. When the valve 40 is mounted in the housing 10 during the manufacture of the fluid control valve, the valve must be carefully mounted to prevent the teeth 46 of the input shaft 45 and the shaft sealing element 24 from coming into contact and damaging the shaft sealing element 24, which is difficult. In particular, when mounting the valve 40 to the housing 10, care must be taken to ensure that the center of rotation CL of the housing 10 and the center of rotation CL of the valve 40 are aligned over the entire mounting stroke.

[0082] In contrast, in the first embodiment, the input shaft 45 is provided on the other-side end face 43 of the valve 40, and the cover 20 contains the insertion hole 22 and the shaft sealing element 24. Therefore, when assembling the valve 40 onto the housing 10 during the manufacture of the fluid control valve, the risk of contact between the input shaft 45 and the shaft sealing element 24 is reduced, thus facilitating assembly.

[0083] (19) In the first embodiment, the cover 20 is attached to the housing 10 by means of the snap lock 21.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the number of parts required for mounting and attaching the cover 20 to the housing 10 can be reduced.

[0085] (20) In the first embodiment, the valve 40 includes the stopper 49 at the one-sided end face 42. The housing 10 includes the stopper contact section 19, which receives the stopper 49 of the valve 40.

[0086] According to this embodiment, by providing the stopper 49 on the one-sided end surface 42 of the valve 40 and not on the side wall 41, the sealing surface can be reliably ensured.

[0087] (21) In the first embodiment, the stopper contact section 19 is located on the bottom 12 of the housing 10 and not on the cover 20.

[0088] According to this embodiment, by providing the stopper contact section 19 in the housing 10 and not on the cover 20, the load on the fastening section between the housing 10 and the cover 20, e.g. the snap lock 21, can be reduced. (Second to seventh embodiments)

[0089] The second to seventh embodiments differ from the first embodiment in the design of the sliding section between the one-sided end surface 42 of the valve 40 and the bottom 12 of the housing 10, while the other sections are the same as in the first embodiment, so that only the part that differs from the first embodiment is described. (Second embodiment)

[0090] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 13, the fluid control valve of the second embodiment includes a bearing 171 between the projection 47, which extends from the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40, and the hole 17, which is provided in the base 12 of the housing 10. The bearing 171 is, for example, a plain bearing, is attached to the inside of the hole 17 of the housing 10, and slides on the projection 47 of the valve 40. The bearing 171 and the housing 10 are formed in one piece by insert molding or two-material injection molding. Alternatively, the bearing 171 can be subsequently mounted to the inside of the hole 17 of the housing 10 by outsert molding, press fit, or the like.

[0091] The material used for bearing 171 can be a different material than that used for valve 40 or housing 10, for example, metal. Alternatively, if the same type of material is used for bearing 171 as for valve 40 or housing 10, at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin, and a highly lubricating material can be added. Alternatively, bearing 171 can be a material in which at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin, and a highly lubricating material is applied to a metal or resin surface.

[0092] The fluid control valve of the second embodiment described above has the following effects.

[0093] (1) The fluid control valve of the second embodiment includes the bearing 171, which is provided between the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10.

[0094] Accordingly, the sliding resistance between the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10 can be further reduced.

[0095] (2) In the second embodiment, the material of the valve 40 or the housing 10 differs from the material of the bearing 171.

[0096] Accordingly, any material different from that of the valve 40 or the housing 10 can be selected as the material of the bearing 171.

[0097] (3) In the second embodiment, where the material of the bearing 171 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or the housing 10, at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin and a material with high lubricity is added.

[0098] Accordingly, the sliding resistance between the bearing 171 and the projection 47 of the valve 40 can be further reduced. The bearing 171 is specifically a plain bearing.

[0099] (4) In the second embodiment, the bearing 171 can be a material in which at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin and a material with high lubricity is applied to a metal surface or a resin surface.

[0100] This also further reduces the sliding resistance between the bearing 171 and the projection 47 of the valve 40. The bearing 171 is specifically a plain bearing. (Third embodiment)

[0101] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 14, the fluid control valve of the third embodiment also includes a bearing 471 between the projection 47, which extends from the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40, and the hole 17, which is provided in the base 12 of the housing 10. The bearing 471 is, for example, a plain bearing, is attached to the outside of the projection 47 of the valve 40, and slides on the inner wall of the hole 17 of the housing 10. The bearing 471 and the valve 40 are formed in one piece by insert molding or two-material injection molding. Alternatively, the bearing 471 can be subsequently attached to the outside of the projection 47 of the valve 40 by outsert molding, press fit, or the like.

[0102] The same material as in the second embodiment can be used for bearing 471.

[0103] The fluid control valve of the third embodiment described above can also exert the same effects as that of the seventh embodiment. (Fourth embodiment)

[0104] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 15, the fluid control valve of the fourth embodiment contains the shaft 410 which is injected into a valve body 400.

[0105] A section of shaft 410 projecting from the end face 42 of valve 40 on one side forms the projection 47 of valve 40. The projection 47 of valve 40 is rotatably mounted through the hole 17 of housing 10. A section of shaft 410 projecting from the end face 43 of valve 40 on the other side forms the input shaft 45.

[0106] The fluid control valve of the fourth embodiment described above exerts the following effects.

[0107] In the fourth embodiment, the projection 47 of the valve 40 is formed by the shaft 410 inserted into the valve body 400.

[0108] This allows the dimensional accuracy of the projection 47 in the valve 40 to be improved and the amount of the positional displacement of the axis center CL of the valve 40 to be further reduced. (Fifth embodiment)

[0109] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 16, the fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment does not include the projection 47 extending from the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40, and the hole 17 provided in the base 12 of the housing 10, as described in the first to fourth embodiments. Instead, the housing 10 of the fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment includes a projecting section 110 extending axially to the opposite side at a position on the base 12 centered on the axis CL. The valve 40 includes a hole-shaped section 420 that is recessed axially to the opposite side at a position on the end face 42 centered on the axis CL.

[0110] The projecting section 110 of the housing 10 is inserted into the perforated section 420, which is provided on the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40, and is rotatably mounted by the inner wall of the perforated section 420. If the outer diameter of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 is D4, the inner diameter of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 is D5, and the outer diameter of the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40 is D3, then the relationships D4 < D3 and D5 < D3 apply. Since D4 is slightly smaller than D5, the relationship D4 < D5 < D3 applies. Thus, by reducing the radius of the sliding section on which the protruding section 110 of the housing 10 and the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 slide, i.e. D4 and D5, the sliding resistance of the sliding section can be reduced and the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40 can be reduced.The inner wall of the perforated section 420 is parallel to the axis center CL and allows the relative movement of the projecting section 110 in the axial direction. A distal end surface 111 on the other side in the axial direction of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 and a bottom surface 421 on the other side in the axial direction of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 do not contact each other.

[0111] The fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment described above has the following effects.

[0112] (1) In the fifth embodiment, the valve 40 includes a hole section 420 which is recessed axially at a position of the end face 42 on one side centered on the axis CL. The housing 10 includes the projecting section 110 which rotatably supports the hole section 420 of the valve 40.

[0113] Accordingly, the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 rotatably supports the perforated section 420 of the valve 40, thereby preventing displacement of the axis center CL of the valve 40. Therefore, the contact pressure between the valve 40 and the seal can be stabilized, the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing element 50 can be kept in sliding contact with each other with low sliding resistance, and the sealing capability can be ensured both during rotation and when the valve 40 is stationary.

[0114] (2) In the fifth embodiment, the inner diameter D5 of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the outer diameter D4 of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 are smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the end face 42 on one side of the valve 40.

[0115] Accordingly, by reducing the radius of the sliding section between the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10, the sliding resistance of the sliding section can be reduced and the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40 can be reduced.

[0116] (3) In the fifth embodiment, the bottom surface 421 on the other side in the axial direction of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the distal end surface 111 on the other side in the axial direction of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 do not make contact with each other.

[0117] According to this, it is possible to eliminate sliding at the locations of the hole section 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding section 110 of the housing 10, which are not related to the function of preventing the positional displacement of the axis center CL of the valve 40, and to reduce the torque during the rotary drive of the valve 40. (Sixth embodiment)

[0118] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 17, the fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment includes a bearing 422 between the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 422 is, for example, a plain bearing, is attached to the inside of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40, and slides on the projecting section 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 422 and the valve 40 are formed in one piece by insert molding or two-material injection molding. Alternatively, the bearing 422 can be subsequently installed in the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 by outsert molding, press fit, or the like.

[0119] As described in the second embodiment, the material used for the bearing 422 can be, for example, a material different from that of the valve 40 or the housing 10, such as metal. Alternatively, if the bearing 422 is made of the same type of material as the valve 40 or the housing 10, at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin, and a highly lubricating material can be added. Alternatively, the bearing 422 can be a material in which at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin, and a highly lubricating material is applied to a metal or resin surface.

[0120] The fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment described above exerts the following effects.

[0121] (1) The fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment includes the bearing 422, which is provided between the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10.

[0122] This allows the sliding resistance between the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding section 110 of the housing 10 to be further reduced.

[0123] (2) In the sixth embodiment, the material of the valve 40 or the housing 10 differs from the material of the bearing 422.

[0124] Accordingly, any material different from that of the valve 40 or the housing 10 can be selected as the material of the bearing 422.

[0125] (3) In the sixth embodiment, where the material of the bearing 422 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or the housing 10, at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin and a material with high lubricity is added.

[0126] Accordingly, the sliding resistance between the bearing 422 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 can be further reduced. The bearing 422 is specifically a plain bearing.

[0127] (4) In the sixth embodiment, the bearing 422 can be a material in which at least one of PTFE, a fluorinated resin and a material with high lubricity is applied to a metal surface or a resin surface.

[0128] This also further reduces the sliding resistance between the bearing 422 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 422 is specifically a plain bearing. (Seventh embodiment)

[0129] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 18, the fluid control valve of the seventh embodiment also includes a bearing 112 between the perforated section 420 of the valve 40 and the projecting section 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 112 is, for example, a plain bearing, is attached to the outside of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10, and slides on the inner wall of the perforated section 420 of the valve 40. The bearing 112 and the housing 10 are formed in one piece by insert molding or two-material injection molding. Alternatively, the bearing 112 can be subsequently attached to the outside of the projecting section 110 of the housing 10 by outsert molding, press fit, or the like.

[0130] The same material as in the second and sixth embodiments can be used for bearing 112.

[0131] The fluid control valve of the seventh embodiment described above can also exert the same effects as that of the sixth embodiment. (Eighth embodiment)

[0132] An eighth embodiment is described. The eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment and similar embodiments in the method for attaching the actuator 30, the cover 20, and the housing 10, while the other methods are identical to those of the first embodiment and similar embodiments; therefore, only the part that differs from the first embodiment and similar embodiments is described.

[0133] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figures 19 to 21, in the eighth embodiment, the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are fastened to the housing 10 by the same screw 31. For example, a sheet metal screw is used as the screw 31. The housing 10 includes a housing-side screw receptacle 130 for fastening the screw 31 at a position located radially outside the inner wall 16 of the cylinder 11. The cover 20 includes a cover-side screw receptacle 25 at a position that axially overlaps the housing-side screw receptacle 130. The actuator 30 also includes an actuator-side screw receptacle 33 at a position that axially overlaps the housing-side screw receptacle 130 and the cover-side screw receptacle 25. The housing 32 and the actuator-side screw receptacle 33 of the actuator 30 are connected to each other by an arm 34.In such a configuration, the housing-side screw receptacle 130, the cover-side screw receptacle 25 and the actuator-side screw receptacle 33 overlap in the axial direction and are connected and fixed together by the screw 31.

[0134] The fluid control valve of the eighth embodiment described above performs the following effects.

[0135] In the eighth embodiment, the actuator 30, the cover 20 and the housing 10 are fixed by the same screw 31.

[0136] According to this embodiment, the number of parts required for mounting and fastening the actuator 30 and the cover 20 to the housing 10 can be reduced. (Ninth embodiment)

[0137] The ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment and the like by the shape of the flow path 44 of the valve 40, while the other shapes are the same as in the first embodiment and the like, and therefore only the part that differs from the first embodiment and the like is described.

[0138] As in Fig. 22 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 23, in the ninth embodiment a deep section 440 on the side of the axis center CL of the plurality of flow paths 44 contained in the valve 40 is formed along a conical surface which is similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends. Fig. 22 is a part of the generating line G of the conical shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 extends, indicated by a dashed line, and a generating line Gs of the conical shape along which the deep section 440 on the side of the axis center CL of each of the plurality of flow paths 44 extends is indicated by a dashed line. Thus, the deep sections 440 of the plurality of flow paths 44 of the valve 40 and the side wall 41 of the valve 40 are parallel. Therefore, for each of the plurality of flow paths 44 arranged in the axial direction, a distance D6 between the deep section 440 on the side of the axis center CL of the flow path 44 and the side wall 41 is uniform.

[0139] The fluid control valve of the ninth embodiment described above leads to the following effects.

[0140] In the ninth embodiment, it is possible to reduce a phenomenon inherent in a conical valve, namely, that the depth width of the flow path 44 decreases as the outer diameter of the valve 40 decreases towards one side in the axial direction of the valve 40. That is, for the majority of the flow paths 44 contained in the valve 40, the distance D6 between the deep section 440 on the side of the axis center CL of the flow path 44 and the side wall 41 can be made uniform. Therefore, the pressure drop of the fluid flowing through each of the majority of flow paths 44 can be made uniform, and water permeability can be ensured. (Tenth embodiment)

[0141] The tenth embodiment differs from the first embodiment and the like in the method for installing the spring guide 61, while the others are the same as those in the first embodiment and the like, and therefore only the part that differs from the first embodiment and the like is described.

[0142] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 24, in the tenth embodiment a projecting section 460, which projects axially to the other side, is provided on the end face 43 of the valve 40 on the other side. The projecting section 460 is provided radially within the spring guide 61.

[0143] The spring guide 61 has an L-shaped cross-section parallel to the axis center CL and includes an inner surface in the radial direction that is in sliding contact with the projecting section 460, which is provided on the other end surface 43 of the valve 40, and a surface on one side in the axial direction that is in sliding contact with the other end surface 43 of the valve 40. Even with such a configuration, the spring guide 61 can prevent the axial displacement of the spring 60 and transmit the preload force of the spring 60 to the valve 40.

[0144] The fluid control valve of the tenth embodiment can also exert the same effects as those of the first to ninth embodiments. (Eleventh embodiment)

[0145] An eleventh embodiment is described. The eleventh embodiment differs from the first and eighth embodiments and the like in the method for attaching the actuator 30, the cover 20, and the housing 10, while the other methods are the same as those of the first and eighth embodiments and the like. Therefore, only the part that differs from the first and eighth embodiments and the like is described.

[0146] As in Fig. 25 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 26, in the eleventh embodiment, the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are attached to the housing 10 by the same screw 31 as in the eighth embodiment. That is, the housing-side screw receiving section 130, the cover-side screw receiving section 25, and the actuator-side screw receiving section 33 overlap in the axial direction and are fastened and fixed together by the screws 31.

[0147] In the eleventh embodiment, the snap connection described in the first and eighth embodiments for securing the cover 20 and the housing 10, and the like, is omitted. If, as described above, the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are attached to the housing 10 by the same screw 31, the snap connection for securing the cover 20 and the housing 10 can be omitted.

[0148] The fluid control valve of the eleventh embodiment described above can simplify the fastening of the actuator 30, the cover 20 and the housing 10. (Other embodiments)

[0149] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the preload element has been described as a compression coil spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the preload element may, for example, consist of rubber, a disc spring or the like.

[0150] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the number of ports 13 has been specified as eight, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of ports 13 can be arbitrarily determined. The shape of the flow path 44 of the valve 40 can also be arbitrarily determined.

[0151] (3) In each of the above embodiments it has been described that the material of the spring guide 61 differs from the material of the valve 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto and, for example, the material of the spring guide 61 and the material of the valve 40 may be the same or of the same type.

[0152] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the sealing element 50 has been described assuming that the material of the section on the housing side M10 differs from the material of the section on the valve side 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the sealing element 50, the material of the section on the housing side M10 and the material of the section on the valve side 40 may be the same or of the same type.

[0153] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified appropriately. Each of the above embodiments and parts thereof are not independent of one another and may be appropriately combined, provided that the combination is not obviously impossible. It is understood that in each of the above embodiments, the elements comprising the embodiment are not necessarily essential, except where it is expressly stated that the elements are particularly essential, and where the elements are generally considered to be obviously essential.When, in the above embodiments, a numerical value such as the number, numerical value, quantity, or range of the elements constituting the embodiment is mentioned, the numerical value is not limited to specific numerical values ​​unless it is otherwise specified that the elements are, in principle, substantially or obviously limited to those specific numerical values. When, in any of the above embodiments, reference is made to the shapes, positional relationships, and the like of the constituting elements, the shapes, positional relationships, and the like are not limited to them unless they are otherwise specified or are, in principle, limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, and the like. (Considerations of the present revelation)

[0154] The revelation described above can be understood from the following perspectives, for example. (Point of view 1)

[0155] A fluid control valve comprises: a valve (40) with a side wall (41) along a conical side surface and a flow path (44) recessed from the side wall towards an axis of the conical side wall; a housing (10) in which the valve rotates about an axial axis of rotation (CL) which is the axis of the conical shape, the housing having a port (13) extending through an outer wall (14) and an inner wall (16); a sealing element (50) provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, the sealing element having a surface (51) on a housing side in contact with a port periphery (131) of the inner wall of the housing and a surface (52) on the valve side in sliding contact with a side wall of the valve; and a preloading element (60) that preloads the valve towards a vertex of the conical shape of the valve.The preload element is configured to keep the side wall of the valve and the sealing element in sliding contact with each other both during rotation and during stopping of the valve, and to keep the inner wall of the housing and the sealing element in contact with each other. (Point of view 2)

[0156] The fluid control valve according to point 1, in which the sealing element has a material of a section on the housing side that differs from a material of a section on the valve side. (Point of view 3)

[0157] The fluid control valve according to point 1 or 2, wherein the preload element is a spring, the fluid control valve includes a spring guide (61) provided between the valve and the spring, and the spring guide supports the spring and transmits a preload force of the spring to the valve. (Point 4)

[0158] The fluid control valve according to point 3, in which a material of the spring guide differs from a material of the valve. (Point 5)

[0159] The fluid control valve according to point 3 or 4, wherein the spring guide material is at least one of a material with polytetrafluoroethylene applied to a metallic surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a metallic surface, a material with a high lubricity applied to a metallic surface, a material with polytetrafluoroethylene applied to a resin surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a resin surface, and a material with a high lubricity applied to a resin surface. (Point 6)

[0160] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the valve has a one-side end face (42) on a vertex side of the conical shape, a other-side end face (43) on a side opposite the one-side end face and on a bottom surface side of the conical shape, and a projection (47) extending in an axial direction from a position of the one-side end face centered on the axis center, and the housing comprising a cylinder (11) extending radially outward from the valve, a bottom (12) facing the one-side end face and closing a one-side end section of the cylinder, and a hole (17) rotatably supporting the projection. (Point 7)

[0161] The fluid control valve according to point 6, wherein an outer diameter (D1) of the projection and an inner diameter (D2) of the hole are smaller than an outer diameter (D3) of the end face on one side. (Point 8)

[0162] The fluid control valve according to point 6 or 7, wherein a distal end surface (48) of the projection on one side in the axial direction and a bottom surface (18) of the hole on one side in the axial direction do not have contact with each other. (Point 9)

[0163] The fluid control valve according to one of points 6 to 8 further includes: a bearing (171, 471) which is provided between the projection and the hole. (Point 10)

[0164] The fluid control valve according to point 9, in which a material of the valve or the housing differs from a material of the bearing. (Point 11)

[0165] The fluid control valve according to point 9, wherein the bearing material is of the same type as the valve or housing material and is obtained by mixing at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluoropolymer and a material with high lubricity. (Point 12)

[0166] The fluid control valve according to point 9 or 10, wherein the bearing consists of a material in which at least one of the following materials is applied to a metallic surface: polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoropolymer and a highly lubricious material. (Point 13)

[0167] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 6 to 12, wherein the projection is part of a shaft (410) cast into a valve body (400) which forms the flow path. (Point 14)

[0168] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the valve has a one-side end face (42) on the apex side of the conical shape, a other-side end face (43) facing the one-side end face and located on a bottom surface side of the conical shape, and a perforated section (420) recessed in an axial direction and at a position in the one-side end face centered on the axis center, and wherein the housing has a cylinder (11) extending radially outward from the valve, a bottom (12) facing the one-side end face and closing the one-side end section of the cylinder, and a projecting section (110) rotatably supporting the perforated section. (Point 15)

[0169] The fluid control valve according to point 14, wherein an inner diameter (D5) of the hole-shaped section and an outer diameter (D4) of the protruding section are smaller than an outer diameter (D3) of the one-sided end face. (Point 16)

[0170] The fluid control valve according to point 14 or 15, wherein a bottom surface (421) on the axially opposite side of the hole-shaped section and a distal end surface (111) on the axially opposite side of the protruding section do not have contact with each other. (Point 17)

[0171] The fluid control valve according to one of points 14 to 16 further includes: a bearing (422, 112) which is provided between the perforated section and the projecting section. (Point 18)

[0172] The fluid control valve according to point 17, in which a material of the valve or the housing differs from a material of the bearing. (Point 19)

[0173] The fluid control valve according to point 17, wherein the bearing material is of the same type as the valve or housing material and is obtained by mixing at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluoropolymer resin and a material with high lubricity. (Point of view 20)

[0174] The fluid control valve according to point 17 or 18, wherein the bearing consists of a material in which at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoropolymer and a material with high lubricity is applied to a metallic surface. (Point 21)

[0175] Fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 20, wherein a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve (441) in sliding contact with the sealing element has a width W1, a connection periphery (131) of the inner wall of the housing, which is in contact with the sealing element, has a width W2 and both W1 and W2 are 2 mm or more. (Point of view 22)

[0176] Fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 21, wherein a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve, which is in sliding contact with the sealing element, has a width W1, a connection periphery of the inner wall of the housing, which is in contact with the sealing element, has a width W2 and a ratio of W2 ≥ W1 applies. (Point of view 23)

[0177] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 22, wherein a radius of curvature (R) of a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve, which is in sliding contact with the sealing element, is equal to or greater than a radius of curvature of a valve-side surface of the sealing element at the same position in the axis-center direction. (Point of view 24)

[0178] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 23, where the torque required to rotate the valve in relation to the housing and sealing element is 2.0 Nm or less. (Point 25)

[0179] The fluid control valve according to one of points 1 to 24, wherein an internal angle (θ) formed by a generating line (G) of the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends and the axis center of the valve is 5 degrees or more. (Point 26)

[0180] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 25, wherein the housing has a cylinder (11) extending radially outwards from the valve and a bottom (12) closing a one-sided end section of the cylinder, and an inner wall of the cylinder is located along a side wall having a conical shape similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends. (Point 27)

[0181] Fluid control valve according to any one of aspects 1 to 26, wherein the valve has an input shaft (45) projecting axially from a other-side end face on a bottom face of the conical shape and to which a torque is supplied, wherein the housing has a cylinder (11) extending radially outward from the valve and a bottom (12) closing a one-side end section of the cylinder, wherein the fluid control valve comprises a cover (20) closing an opening on the other side of the cylinder and having an insertion hole (22) through which the input shaft is inserted, and a shaft sealing element (24) provided within the insertion hole and configured to prevent fluid leakage from a gap between an inner wall of the insertion hole and the input shaft, and the valve,The sealing element and the cover can be removed from the housing from the other side in the axial direction. (Point of view 28)

[0182] The fluid control valve according to point 27, in which the cover is attached to the housing by a snap connection (21). (Point 29)

[0183] The fluid control valve according to point 27 or 28 further comprises: an actuator (30) configured to exert a torque on the input shaft of the valve, the actuator and the cover being fastened to the housing by a common screw (31). (Point of view 30)

[0184] Fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 29, wherein the valve includes a stopper (49) which projects axially from the one-sided end face on the vertex side of the conical shape to one side at a location away from the center of the axis, and the housing includes a stopper contact section (19) which receives the stopper. (Point 31)

[0185] The fluid control valve according to point 30, wherein the housing includes a cylinder (11) which is provided in a radial direction outwards from the valve, and a bottom (12) which closes a one-side end section of the cylinder, and the stopper contact section is provided at the bottom. (Point of view 32)

[0186] Fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 31, wherein the valve contains a plurality of flow paths arranged in the axis-center direction, and a deep section (441) on an axis-center side of the plurality of flow paths is conically shaped along a side surface such that they are similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends. (Point 33)

[0187] The fluid control valve according to one of aspects 1 to 32, wherein the valve contains a plurality of flow paths arranged in the axial direction, and a distance (D6) between the side wall and a deep section on the axis mid-side of each of the plurality of flow paths is uniform. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-212180

[0001] WO 2022 / 218405

[0005]

Claims

[1] comprising a fluid control valve: a valve (40) with a side wall (41) along a conical side surface and a flow path (44) that is recessed from the side wall towards an axis of the conical side wall; a housing (10) in which the valve rotates about an axial axis of rotation (CL) which is the axis of the conical shape, wherein the housing has a port (13) which passes through an outer wall (14) and an inner wall (16); a sealing element (50) provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, wherein the sealing element has a surface (51) on a housing side and in contact with a connection periphery (131) of the inner wall of the housing and a surface (52) on the valve side in sliding contact with a side wall of the valve; and a preloading element (60) that preloads the valve towards a vertex of the conical shape of the valve, and wherein The preload element is configured to keep the side wall of the valve and the sealing element in sliding contact with each other both during rotation and during stopping of the valve, and to keep the inner wall of the housing and the sealing element in contact with each other. [2] Fluid control valve according to claim 1, wherein in the sealing element a material of a section on the housing side differs from a material of a section on the valve side. [3] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preload element is a spring, the fluid control valve includes a spring guide (61) which is provided between the valve and the spring, and The spring guide supports the spring and transmits a preload force of the spring to the valve. [4] Fluid control valve according to claim 3, wherein a material of the spring guide differs from a material of the valve. [5] Fluid control valve according to claim 3, wherein The material of the spring guide, at least one of it, is made of a material containing polytetrafluoroethylene applied to a metallic surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a metallic surface, a material with high lubricity that is applied to a metallic surface, a material containing polytetrafluoroethylene applied to a resin surface, a material with a fluorinated resin applied to a resin surface, and a material with high lubricity that is applied to a resin surface. [6] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve has a one-sided end face (42) on a vertex face of the conical shape, has a other-side end face (43) on a side opposite the one-side end face and on a bottom surface side of the conical shape, and a projection (47) which extends in an axial direction from a position of the one-sided end face centered on the axis center, and the housing has a cylinder (11) which is provided in a radial direction outwards from the valve, a bottom (12) which faces the one-sided end face and closes a one-sided end section of the cylinder, and a hole (17) which rotatably supports the projection. [7] Fluid control valve according to claim 6, wherein an outer diameter (D1) of the projection and an inner diameter (D2) of the hole are smaller than an outer diameter (D3) of the one-sided end face. [8] Fluid control valve according to claim 6, wherein a distal end surface (48) of the projection on one side in the axial direction and a bottom surface (18) of the hole on one side in the axial direction do not have contact with each other. [9] Fluid control valve according to claim 6, further comprising: a bearing (171, 471) that is provided between the projection and the hole. [10] Fluid control valve according to claim 9, wherein the material of the valve or housing differs from the material of the bearing. [11] Fluid control valve according to claim 9, wherein The bearing material is of the same type as the valve or housing material and is obtained by mixing at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluoropolymer resin and a material with high lubricity. [12] Fluid control valve according to claim 9, wherein the bearing consists of a material in which at least one of the following materials is applied to a metallic surface: Polytetrafluoroethylene, fluoropolymer resin and a highly lubricious material. [13] Fluid control valve according to claim 6, wherein the projection is part of a shaft (410) which is cast into a valve body (400) which forms the flow path. [14] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve has a one-side end surface (42) on the vertex side of the conical shape, a other-side end surface (43) facing the one-side end surface and located on a bottom surface side of the conical shape, and a hole-shaped section (420) that is recessed in an axial direction and at a position in the one-sided end face centered on the axis center, and the case has a cylinder (11) which is provided in a radial direction outwards from the valve, a bottom (12) which faces the one-sided end face and closes the one-sided end section of the cylinder, and a projecting section (110) which rotatably supports the perforated section. [15] Fluid control valve according to claim 14, wherein an inner diameter (D5) of the hole-shaped section and an outer diameter (D4) of the protruding section are smaller than an outer diameter (D3) of the one-sided end face. [16] Fluid control valve according to claim 14, wherein a bottom surface (421) on the axially opposite side of the hole-shaped section and a distal end surface (111) on the axially opposite side of the protruding section do not have contact with each other. [17] Fluid control valve according to claim 14, further comprising a bearing (422, 112) that is provided between the hole-shaped section and the projecting section. [18] Fluid control valve according to claim 17, wherein the material of the valve or housing differs from the material of the bearing. [19] Fluid control valve according to claim 17, wherein The bearing material is of the same type as the valve or housing material and is obtained by mixing at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluoropolymer resin and a material with high lubricity. [20] Fluid control valve according to claim 17, wherein the bearing consists of a material in which at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororesin and a material with high lubricity is applied to a metallic surface. [21] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve (441) in sliding contact with the sealing element has a width W1, a connection periphery (131) of the inner wall of the housing, which is in contact with the sealing element, has a width W2, and Both W1 and W2 must be 2 mm or more. [22] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve, which is in sliding contact with the sealing element, has a width W1, a connection periphery of the inner wall of the housing, which is in contact with the sealing element, has a width W2, and A ratio of W2 ≥ W1 applies. [23] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a radius of curvature (R) of a flow path periphery of the side wall of the valve, which is in sliding contact with the sealing element, is equal to or greater than a radius of curvature of a valve-side surface of the sealing element at the same position in the axis center direction. [24] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the torque required to rotate the valve with respect to the housing and the sealing element is 2.0 Nm or less. [25] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an internal angle (θ) formed by a generating line (G) of the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends and the axis center of the valve, is 5 degrees or more. [26] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a cylinder (11) extending radially outwards from the valve, and a base (12) closing a one-sided end section of the cylinder, and an inner wall of the cylinder is located along a side wall with a conical shape that is similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends. [27] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve has an input shaft (45) which projects axially from an other-side end face on a bottom-face side of the conical shape and to which a torque is supplied, the housing has a cylinder (11) extending radially outwards from the valve and a base (12) that closes a one-sided end section of the cylinder, The fluid control valve comprises a cover (20) that closes an opening on the other side of the cylinder and has an insertion hole (22) through which the input shaft is inserted, and a shaft sealing element (24) that is provided inside the insertion hole and configured to prevent fluid leakage from a gap between an inner wall of the insertion hole and the input shaft, and The valve, the sealing element and the cover can be removed from the housing from the other side in the axial direction. [28] Fluid control valve according to claim 27, wherein the cover is attached to the housing by a snap connection (21). [29] Fluid control valve according to claim 27, further comprising: an actuator (30) configured to exert a torque on the input shaft of the valve, wherein the actuator and the cover are attached to the housing by a common screw (31). [30] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve includes a stopper (49) which projects axially from the one-sided end face on the vertex side of the conical shape to one side at a location away from the center of the axis, and the housing contains a stopper contact section (19) that accommodates the stopper. [31] Fluid control valve according to claim 30, wherein the housing includes a cylinder (11) extending radially outwards from the valve, and a base (12) closing a one-sided end section of the cylinder, and The stopper contact section is located on the ground. [32] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve contains a plurality of flow paths arranged in the axis-center direction, and a deep section (441) on an axis mid-side of the majority of flow paths along a side surface is conically shaped so that they are similar to and coaxial with the conical shape along which the side wall of the valve extends. [33] Fluid control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve contains a plurality of flow paths arranged in the axial direction, and a distance (D6) between the side wall and a deep section on the axis mid-side is uniform from each of the plurality of flow paths.

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