Motor-operated valve

Abstract

To provide a motor-operated valve that has a rotary type valve element, that can inhibit foreign matters from blocking rotation of the valve element even when the foreign matters in cooling fluid enter between an outer wall of the valve element and a housing inner wall, and that can suppress increase in size.SOLUTION: A motor-operated valve includes: a housing 11 having an opening at one end and a communication hole on an outer periphery; a valve element 12 rotatably inserted into the housing and opening / closing the communication hole; a seal member 14 fitted to the communication hole and coming into sliding contact with an outer periphery of the valve element; and a drive device for rotating and driving the valve element. The valve element includes a cylindrical valve part. An outer wall capable of closing the communication hole, a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication hole, a valve opening formed at one end of the valve part and communicating with the opening, and a foreign matter collection part 12h are formed in the valve element. The foreign matter collection part is a groove or a hole formed in a non-seal region that is the outer periphery of the valve part and with which the seal member does not come into sliding contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-operated valve. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a rotary type flow control valve used in an automobile cooling system has a cylindrical valve element with a spherical or straight outer wall housed in a valve housing so that it can be rotated from the outside. This rotary type flow control valve uses a spherical or cylindrical valve element, and is configured to open and close a passage connected to a valve chamber in the valve housing as desired by rotating the valve element.

[0003] The inner wall of the valve chamber in the valve housing is formed along the outer wall of the valve body, and the distance between the outer wall of the valve body and the inner wall of the housing is uniform in the circumferential direction. However, if foreign matter in the coolant in the valve housing becomes caught between the outer wall of the valve disc and the inner wall of the housing, or if the foreign matter remains there, the rotation of the valve disc may be hindered, and the load torque for driving the valve disc may increase, or the pressure drop resistance may increase.

[0004] In response to such problems, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the radial cross-sectional shape of an inner wall 201a of a housing 201 that rotatably houses a valve body 200 is polygonal, as shown in FIG. That is, since the housing inner wall 201a is formed so that the distance from the rotation axis 205 varies in the circumferential direction, if foreign matter M in the coolant gets into the gap between the outer wall 200a of the valve body 200 and the housing inner wall 201a, the valve body 200 rotates around the axis, causing the foreign matter M to move to the large gap 206. This reduces the possibility that the rotation of the valve body 200 will be hindered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-211069 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the radial cross-sectional shape of the inner wall 201a of the housing 201 is made polygonal as in the structure of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, and a gap 206 is provided between the valve body 200 to allow foreign matter M to escape, there is a problem that the electric valve becomes larger.

[0007] The present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an electric valve having a rotary type valve body, which can prevent foreign matter in the coolant from interfering with the rotation of the valve body and can prevent the valve body from becoming large, even if foreign matter in the coolant gets between the outer wall of the valve body and the inner wall of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the electric valve of the present invention comprises a housing having an opening at one end and a communication port on its outer periphery, a valve body rotatably inserted into the housing to open and close the communication port, a sealing member attached to the communication port and in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the valve body, and a drive device for rotating the valve body, wherein the valve body has a cylindrical valve portion, and the valve portion is formed with an outer wall capable of closing the communication port, a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port, a valve opening formed at one end of the valve portion and communicating with the opening, and a foreign matter collection portion, and the foreign matter collection portion is a groove or hole formed in a non-sealed area on the outer periphery of the valve portion where the sealing member does not slide.

[0009] According to this configuration, a foreign matter recovery portion is formed in a non-sealed area on the outer periphery of the valve portion where the seal member does not slide. As a result, even if foreign matter in the coolant gets into the gap between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the valve disc, the foreign matter can be collected in the foreign matter collection section as the valve disc rotates, thereby preventing the foreign matter from coming into contact with both the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the valve disc at the same time as the valve disc rotates, and preventing the foreign matter from impeding the rotation of the valve disc. In addition, since the foreign object collection section that contains the foreign objects is formed on the outer wall of the valve body, it is possible to prevent the motor-operated valve from becoming large. Furthermore, since the foreign object collection section is made up of a groove or hole formed in the valve body, the edges of the foreign object collection section can scrape off the foreign objects as the valve body rotates, resulting in a higher foreign object collection effect than in the past.

[0010] It is preferable that the foreign matter recovery portion is formed long on the outer wall of the valve portion, extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction along an axis that is the center of rotation of the valve body. By forming the foreign object collection portion consisting of grooves and holes in a long shape extending from one end of the valve portion in the axial direction to the other end, the edge of the foreign object collection portion that scrapes off the foreign objects can be made longer, thereby further improving the effect of scraping off the foreign objects with the edge of the foreign object collection portion.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the valve body has two or more valve sections connected in the axial direction along an axis that is the center of rotation of the valve body, and the foreign matter collection section formed in the valve outer wall of at least one of the adjacent valve sections is located in a position that overlaps with the valve hole formed in the other valve section in the axial direction. With this configuration, the foreign matter contained in the foreign matter collection section can be flushed into the valve hole. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the electric valve of the present invention, in an electric valve equipped with a rotary type valve body, even if foreign matter in the coolant gets between the outer wall of the valve body and the inner wall of the housing, the foreign matter can be prevented from impeding the rotation of the valve body and the size can be prevented from increasing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a motor-operated valve according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of a valve body of a valve element included in the motor-operated valve of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a radial cross-sectional shape of a conventional valve body housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the motor-operated valve according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, in the specification and drawings of the present application, elements that can be similarly described may be given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a motor-operated valve according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are simply referred to as "upper" and "lower".

[0016] The motor-operated valve 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, in an automobile cooling circuit (coolant circulation system) that includes a cooling path through which coolant flowing out of the engine (cylinder head side) returns to the engine (cylinder block side) via a radiator, and a bypass path through which coolant flowing out of the engine returns to the engine without (bypassing) the radiator.The motor-operated valve 1 controls the opening and closing of a valve hole formed in the valve body to release the coolant that has flowed in through the engine toward the cooling path and the bypass path, respectively, and to control the flow rate.

[0017] <Basic structure of motor-operated valve> The motor-operated valve 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 11 in which a coolant inlet 11a and multiple outlets 11b (11b1, 11b2) are formed, a valve body 12 accommodated in the internal space of the housing 11 and rotatable about an axis (rotation axis) in the internal space, an adapter 13 (131, 132) connected to the outlet 11b, and seal members 14 (141, 142) for preventing leakage of the coolant that passes through valve holes 12f (12f1, 12f2) formed in the valve body 12 and is discharged to the adapter 13 side. This motor-operated valve 1 appropriately discharges the coolant toward the cooling path and the bypass path by controlling the rotation of the valve body 12 according to instructions from a control device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

[0018] The structure of the motor-operated valve 1 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below. In this embodiment, the direction along the axis that is the center of rotation of the valve body 12 will be described as the "axial direction", the direction perpendicular to the axis will be described as the "radial direction", and the direction around the axis will be described as the "circumferential direction".

[0019] The housing 11 includes a main body 11c having an internal space (valve body accommodating section 20) for accommodating the valve body 12, and a bottomed lid 11d that forms a space for accommodating the reducer 15 between the main body 11c and the upper surface of the main body 11c, and an open end (periphery) of the lid 11d is attached to the upper surface of the main body 11c to close the internal space of the lid 11d. The reducer 15 accommodated in the space of the lid 11d includes multiple gears and has the function of reducing the rotation of a motor (drive device: not shown) that operates in response to a command from a control device and transmitting the reduced rotation to the valve body 12.

[0020] In addition, in the housing 11, a cylindrical insertion tube portion 11e is provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 11c, and rotatably supports the shaft 12a that functions as the rotation axis of the valve body 12 while being inserted therethrough. A bearing 11f that rotatably supports the upper portion of the shaft 12a is provided on the inner periphery of the insertion tube portion 11e.

[0021] In the housing 11, a generally cylindrical outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) which is a communication port is provided on the outer periphery of the main body 11c (the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20) so as to protrude radially outward. The outlets 11b1, 11b2 shown in FIG. 1 are provided at different positions in the axial and circumferential directions. Furthermore, cylindrical adapters 13 (131, 132) which communicate with the above-mentioned cooling path and bypass path are inserted and fixed into the outlet 11b.

[0022] In FIG. 1 (cross-sectional view), outlets 11b are provided in two locations on main body 11c; however, this is not limited to this, and outlets 11b may be formed in locations other than those shown in FIG. 1 depending on the number and direction of flow paths for discharging the cooling liquid.

[0023] Furthermore, at the lower end of the housing 11, an inlet 11a is formed, which is an opening that communicates with the cylinder head side and takes in the coolant to the valve body 12 side. A frame 17 is attached to the inlet 11a, and supports the lower end of the shaft 12a with a cylindrical part 17a formed in the center. Specifically, the frame 17 has an annular frame part 17b attached to the housing 11 along the periphery of the inlet 11a, the cylindrical part 17a formed in the center of the frame part 17b, and a plurality of bridge parts 17c for reinforcing the frame strength, which respectively connect a plurality of points (equally spaced) of the frame part 17b to the cylindrical part 17a. The coolant is allowed to flow into the housing 11 through the frame 17.

[0024] <Valve body> The valve element 12 has a shaft 12a that functions as a rotation axis, and a valve body 12b that has an outer wall that can switch the communication state with the outside and is joined to the shaft 12a so as to be rotatable together with the shaft 12a. A gear as a component of the speed reducer 15 is integrally attached to the shaft 12a. As a result, when the gear rotates by the drive of the motor, the valve element 12 (shaft 12a, valve body 12b) rotates together with the gear.

[0025] In the valve body 12, the valve body 12b is provided at its center with a joint portion 12c that is joined to the outer periphery of the shaft 12a with the shaft 12a passing through it. The valve body 12b is cylindrical, has upper and lower valve openings, and has a structure in which two valve portions each having a spherical outer wall are connected to each other. The valve openings communicate with the inlet 11a (opening) of the housing 11. In this embodiment, one valve portion formed at the bottom is the first valve portion 12b1, and the other valve portion formed above it is the second valve portion 12b2.

[0026] More specifically, the valve body 12b is made of resin and is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and is housed in the valve body housing portion 20. The shaft 12a is located on the central axis of the valve body 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve body 12b of the valve body 12 has a first valve portion 12b1 that opens upward and downward, and a second valve portion 12b2 that similarly opens upward and downward and is formed to communicate in the axial direction from one end (the upper end in the figure) of the first valve portion 12b1. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve body 12b has a coolant communication passage R formed therein by the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2, and communicating with the inlet 11a (opening).

[0027] The outer walls 12m, 12n (valve outer walls) of the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 are formed in a spherical shape (so-called ball valve) with the largest diameter at the axial center as shown in the figure, and the valve portion inner walls 12i, 12j which form the communicating passage R through which the coolant passes are formed parallel to the axial direction. Further, the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 is formed along the shape of the outer walls 12m, 12n of the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2, and the gap distance between the inner wall 20a and the outer walls 12m, 12n is formed to be approximately uniform in the circumferential direction.

[0028] In addition, within the second valve portion 12b2, for example, three reinforcing members 45 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction to reinforce the valve body 12. These reinforcing members 45 are designed not to interfere with the insertion cylindrical portion 11e. The shaft 12a is guided by the insertion cylindrical portion 11e and rotates integrally with the valve body 12b.

[0029] Also, the gap between the shaft 12a and the insertion cylinder portion 11e of the housing 11 is blocked by a seal ring 12d. This prevents the coolant in the main body portion 11c from flowing into the lid portion 11d from the insertion cylinder portion 11e. Also, the lower end opening of the first valve portion 12b1 functions as an inlet 12e that takes in the coolant flowing in from the cylinder head side through the frame 17 (inlet 11a) into the internal space of the valve body 12.

[0030] The first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 are provided with valve holes 12f1 and 12f2, respectively. The valve holes 12f penetrate the wall thickness of the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 in the radial direction. When the valve body 12 rotates and the valve holes 12f overlap the opening of the seal member 14, the coolant flows out from the overlapping portion. In this manner, each valve hole 12f opens and closes as the valve body 12b rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 12a, and this opening and closing action switches the communication state between the inlet 11a and the outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2). That is, each valve hole 12f provided in the valve body 12 is formed so that the communication state between the corresponding outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) and the internal space of the valve body 12 is switched as the valve body 12 rotates. As a result, the cooling liquid taken into the internal space of the valve body 12 (first valve portion 12b1, second valve portion 12b2) through the inlet 12e is released toward the cooling path and the bypass path in accordance with the opening and closing operation of each valve hole 12f, and the flow rate is controlled.

[0031] 2 and 3, the valve body 12 according to this embodiment has a groove portion 12h formed in a predetermined width W in the circumferential direction and extending long in the axial direction as a foreign matter collecting portion in an area where the valve hole 12f1 of the outer wall 12m of the first valve portion 12b1 is not formed and outside the area used for sealing the outlet 11b (a non-sealed area where the seal member 14 does not slide). In this embodiment, the groove portion 12h is formed in the outer wall 12m of the first valve portion 12b1 at a position overlapping with the valve hole 12f2 formed in the second valve portion 12b2 in the rotation axis direction. The groove 12h has an axial length H extending from one end (upper end) to the other end (lower end) of the first valve portion 12b1 along the axial direction. The deepest portion of the groove 12h has a predetermined dimension D.

[0032] As described above, the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 is formed along the shape of the outer walls 12m, 12n of the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2, and the gap distance between the inner wall 20a and the outer walls 12m, 12n is formed to be substantially the same in the circumferential direction. Therefore, if a foreign object M in the coolant enters the gap between the inner wall 20a and the outer wall 12m, there is a risk that the foreign object M cannot be discharged. Therefore, by providing the groove portion 12h as shown in FIG. 3, the foreign object M can be accommodated in the groove portion 12h as the valve body 12 rotates.

[0033] In addition, the groove portion 12h may be formed at a position that overlaps with the valve hole 12f2 formed in the second valve portion 12b2 in the axial direction, in which case foreign matter M contained in the groove portion 12h can flow into the valve hole 12f2. Furthermore, even if the foreign object M remains contained in the groove portion 12h, the foreign object M is prevented from simultaneously coming into contact with the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 and the outer wall 12m of the first valve portion 12b1 as the valve body 12 rotates, thereby preventing the foreign object M from hindering the rotation of the valve body 12.

[0034] Although not shown, a groove similar to the groove 12h may be formed in an area of ​​the outer wall 12g of the second valve portion 12b2 where the valve hole 12f2 is not formed and outside the area used for sealing the outlet 11b. In this case, the groove may be formed in the outer wall 12n of the second valve portion 12b2 at a position axially overlapping with the valve hole 12f1 formed in the first valve portion 12b1.

[0035] According to the above configuration, by providing a groove portion in the second valve portion 12b2, even if foreign matter M in the coolant enters the gap between the inner wall 20a and the outer wall 12n on the second valve portion 12b2 side, the foreign matter M can be contained within the groove portion as the valve body 12 rotates. Furthermore, if a groove portion is provided in the second valve portion 12b2, and this groove portion is formed at a position that overlaps with the valve hole 12f1 formed in the first valve portion 12b1 in the axial direction, foreign matter M can also be caused to flow into the valve hole 12f1. Furthermore, even if the foreign object M remains contained within the groove portion, the foreign object M is prevented from simultaneously coming into contact with the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 and the outer wall 12n of the second valve portion 12b2 as the valve body 12 rotates, thereby preventing the foreign object M from hindering the rotation of the valve body 12.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, a groove portion 12h, which is a foreign matter collection portion, is formed in the outer periphery of the first valve portion 12b1 (second valve portion 12b2), in a non-sealed area where the sealing member 14 does not slide, from one end to the other end in the axial direction. As a result, even if foreign matter M in the coolant enters the gap between the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 and the outer wall 12m (12n) of the valve body 12, the foreign matter can be accommodated in the groove portion 12h as the valve body 12 rotates. This prevents the foreign matter M from simultaneously contacting the inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20 and the outer wall 12m (outer wall 12n) of the first valve portion 12b1 (second valve portion 12b2) as the valve body 12 rotates, and prevents the foreign matter M from impeding the rotation of the valve body 12. Furthermore, since the groove portion 12h for accommodating foreign matter is formed in the outer wall of the valve body 12, it is possible to prevent the motor-operated valve from becoming large. Furthermore, since groove portion 12h is formed long from one end to the other end in the axial direction of first valve portion 12b1 (second valve portion 12b2), foreign matter can be scraped off by the edge of long groove portion 12h as valve body 12 rotates, thereby improving the foreign matter recovery effect. Furthermore, more preferably, the groove portion 12h is formed at a position that overlaps with the valve hole 12f2 (valve hole 12f1) formed in the second valve portion 12b2 (first valve portion 12b1) in the axial direction, so that foreign matter M contained in the groove portion 12h can flow into the valve hole 12f2 (valve hole 12f1). Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the valve body 12 is not hindered by the foreign matter M, and controllability and durability can be improved.

[0037] In this embodiment, the bottom of the groove 12h is formed flat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the bottom may be curved to fit the surface shape of the outer wall 12m. In this case, the depth of the groove 12h can be constant. In the present embodiment, the groove 12h has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 2, but the cross-sectional shape of the groove 12h is not limited to this invention. In addition, in this embodiment, the foreign matter collection portion has been described as a groove portion 12h, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the foreign matter collection portion may be formed as a hole (a bottomed hole or a through hole) in the outer wall 12m.

[0038] In addition, in the present embodiment, the valve body 12 in which the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 are connected in the axial direction has been described as an example, but the valve body according to the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the number of valve portions may be one, or three or more valve portions may be connected in the rotation axis direction. When three or more valve portions are connected in the rotational axis direction, the groove portion 12h formed in the valve outer wall of at least one of the adjacent valve portions may be positioned so as to overlap with the valve hole formed in the other valve portion in the rotational axis direction. In addition, in this embodiment, a valve body having a spherical outer wall (a so-called ball valve) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this shape and may also be a valve body having a straight outer wall surface.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, an electric valve 1 that releases the coolant that flows in from the inlet 11a (on the frame 17 side) toward the cooling path and the bypass path has been described, but the connection configuration of the flow path communicating with the electric valve 1 is not limited to this and can be changed appropriately depending on the specifications of the automobile's cooling circuit (coolant circulation system) (for example, a flow path that flows from the inlet (upstream side) formed on the outer periphery of the main body 11c of the housing 11 (inner wall 20a of the valve body accommodating portion 20) to the outlet (downstream side) on the frame 17 side).

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, the sealing member 14 (141, 142) is pressed against the outer wall of the valve body 12 by the biasing force of a coil spring as shown in FIG. 1, but this is not limited to this, and it is acceptable to use other structures as long as they are able to prevent leakage of the cooling liquid that passes through the valve hole 12f of the valve body 12 and is discharged to the adapter 13 side.

[0041] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, modifications, variations and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Motor-operated valve 11. Housing 11b Outlet (communication port) 12 Valve body 12a shaft 12b1 First valve section (valve body) 12b2 Second valve section (valve body) 12f1 valve hole 12f2 valve hole 12m Outer wall (valve outer wall) 12h Groove (foreign matter collection area) 14 Sealing material 20 Valve body receiving portion 20a inner wall R communication path

Claims

1. a housing having an opening at one end and a communication port on an outer periphery; a valve body that is rotatably inserted into the housing and opens and closes the communication port; a seal member that is attached to the communication port and that is in sliding contact with an outer periphery of the valve body; a drive device that rotationally drives the valve body, The valve body is A cylindrical valve portion is provided. The valve portion includes: an outer wall capable of closing the communication port, a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port, a valve opening formed at one end of the valve portion and communicating with the opening, and a foreign matter collection portion are formed; The motor-operated valve, wherein the foreign matter collection portion is a groove or a hole formed in a non-sealed area on the outer periphery of the valve portion with which the seal member does not slide.

2. The foreign matter collection portion is formed on the outer wall of the valve portion so as to be long from one end to the other end in the axial direction along the axis that is the center of rotation of the valve body.

2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1 .

3. The valve body has two or more valve portions connected in an axial direction along an axis that is a rotation center of the valve body, The foreign matter collecting portion formed on the valve outer wall of at least one of the adjacent valve portions is located at a position overlapping with the valve hole formed in the other valve portion in the axial direction.

2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1 .

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