Valve device

Abstract

To provide a valve device which enables a valve body to contact with a valve seat tightly to close its valve securely even if a shaft is slightly misaligned or moves in an inclined state.SOLUTION: A valve device includes: a housing 10 in which an upstream side passage 12a and downstream side passages 13a, 14a in which fluid passes and valve seats 11d, 11e disposed between the upstream side passage and the downstream side passage are defined; a shaft 60 which reciprocates along a predetermined axis S; and valve bodies 20, 30 which are fixed to the shaft and seated on or separated from the valve seats. The valve seats 11d, 11e are formed on annular taper surfaces each forming a part of a conical surface centered on the axis. The valve bodies 20, 30 are formed so as to include protruding curved surfaces 22a, 32a which contact with the annular taper surfaces when seated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve gear having a valve disc that seats on a valve seat to close the valve, and more particularly to a valve gear having a valve disc fixed to a shaft that reciprocates linearly. [Background technology]

[0002] A known conventional valve device is a check valve which includes a housing (curved pipe, valve box) having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a planar valve seat interposed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage, a valve body formed integrally with a valve stem that reciprocates within the housing, a flat packing member attached to the valve body so as to contact the valve seat when the valve is closed, and a spring body that biases the valve body in the valve closing direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this check valve, the packing member and the valve seat are both formed with flat surfaces, so if the valve stem is tilted even slightly, the packing member will not come into close contact with the valve seat, and the valve cannot be closed reliably.

[0003] Another known valve device is an electromagnetically controlled valve that includes a housing having an intake port, an exhaust port, and a valve seat interposed between the intake port and the exhaust port, a shaft that reciprocates within the housing, a valve member and a rubber member fixed to the end of the shaft, a compression spring that urges the valve member in the valve closing direction, and a solenoid including a movable iron core fixed to the shaft, a fixed iron core, and an electromagnetic coil (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this electromagnetic control valve, the valve seat is formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the shaft, and the rubber member is formed to include a flat surface facing the valve seat and an annular ridge protruding from the flat surface. However, because the top of the annular ridge is substantially located on the flat surface, if the shaft is tilted even slightly, the rubber member does not come into close contact with the valve seat, and the valve cannot be closed reliably. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-75357 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-56679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device in which the valve body can be brought into close contact with the valve seat reliably and close reliably even if the shaft moves slightly off-axis or tilted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The valve device of the present invention is a valve device comprising: a housing defining an upstream passage and a downstream passage through which a fluid passes, and a valve seat interposed between the upstream passage and the downstream passage; a shaft which reciprocates along a predetermined axis; and a valve disc fixed to the shaft and which seats on and releases from the valve seat, wherein the valve seat is formed into an annular tapered surface which is part of a conical surface centered on the axis, and the valve disc is formed so as to include a convex curved surface which contacts the annular tapered surface when seated on the valve seat.

[0007] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the convex curved surface is formed so as to include a part of a spherical surface having a center on the axis line.

[0008] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the valve seat is defined by a circular inner edge and a circular outer edge centered on the axis, the valve body includes an outer peripheral edge having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the circular outer edge of the valve seat, and the convex curved surface is formed over a predetermined range extending radially inward from the outer peripheral edge.

[0009] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the valve body includes a valve base material fixed to the shaft and an elastic seal member fixed to the valve base material, and the convex curved surface is formed on the elastic seal member.

[0010] In the above valve device, the valve substrate may include a hub portion fixed to the shaft and an annular plate portion extending radially from the outer periphery of the hub portion perpendicular to the axis, and the elastic sealing member may be joined so as to cover the annular plate portion.

[0011] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the elastic seal member and the hub portion are formed to have the same thickness dimension in the axial direction.

[0012] In the above valve device, the valve base material may have an uneven surface at the bonding interface with the elastic seal member.

[0013] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the elastic seal member is molded onto the valve base material.

[0014] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the valve body is formed to be rotationally symmetric about the axis and plane-symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis.

[0015] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the downstream passage includes a first downstream passage and a second downstream passage branching off from the upstream passage, the valve seat includes a first valve seat facing the first downstream passage and a second valve seat facing the second downstream passage, and the valve bodies are arranged spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and include a first valve body corresponding to the first valve seat and a second valve body corresponding to the second valve seat.

[0016] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the first valve body is in a closed state with the second valve body seated on the second valve seating surface and in an open state with the first valve body disengaged from the first valve seating surface, and the second valve body is in an open state with the first valve body seated on the first valve seating surface and in an open state with the second valve body disengaged from the second valve seating surface.

[0017] The valve device may further include a drive unit that drives the shaft.

[0018] In the above valve device, the drive unit may include a mover to which a shaft is fixed, an excitation coil, and a stator that forms a magnetic path, and the shaft may be made of a non-magnetic material.

[0019] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the valve base material is made of a non-magnetic material, and the elastic seal member is made of a rubber material.

[0020] In the above valve device, the first valve body and the second valve body may be fixed to the shaft by fitting, and the housing may include a housing main body including a joining surface for joining the drive unit, a first opening formed on the inside of the joining surface so as to allow the first valve body to be inserted from one side in the axial direction, a first valve seat and a second valve seat arranged sequentially in the axial direction following the first opening, and a second opening formed so as to allow the second valve body to be inserted from the other side in the axial direction, and a housing cover connected to the housing main body so as to close the second opening.

[0021] In the above valve device, a configuration may be adopted in which the shaft includes a positioning portion that positions the second valve body in the axial direction. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the valve device having the above-mentioned configuration, even if the shaft moves with a slight axial deviation or inclination, the valve body can be brought into close contact with the valve seat and the valve can be closed reliably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a drive unit side; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a valve device according to an embodiment, as viewed from the opposite side to a drive unit. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to one embodiment, taken along a plane passing through an axis line. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a drive unit constituting a part of the valve device according to the embodiment, exploded along an axis line. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drive unit that constitutes a part of a valve device according to one embodiment, taken along a plane including an axis line. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a housing that constitutes a part of the valve device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a housing forming a part of a valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a region of a first valve seat of a housing in a valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a second valve seat area of ​​a housing in a valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a partial view showing valve bodies (a first valve body and a second valve body) fixed to a shaft in a valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing valve bodies (first valve body, second valve body) included in a valve device according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a valve body (a first valve body and a second valve body) included in a valve device according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a first valve body and a shaft, and a first valve seat, which are included in the valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a second valve body and a shaft, and a second valve seat, which are included in the valve device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open / closed state of valve bodies (a first valve body and a second valve body) when a drive unit is in a non-energized rest position in a valve device according to one embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open / closed state of valve bodies (a first valve body and a second valve body) when a drive unit is energized and in an actuated position in a valve device according to one embodiment. [Figure 17] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an assembly operation of the valve device according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an assembly operation of the valve device according to the embodiment. [Figure 19]5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an assembly operation of the valve device according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an assembly operation of the valve device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The valve device of the present invention is applied to, for example, a cooling water circulation system of a vehicle, in order to adjust the flow of cooling water as a fluid. A valve device according to one embodiment includes a housing 10, a first valve body 20 and a second valve body 30 as valve bodies, a seal member 40, and a drive unit U fixed to the housing 10, as shown in FIGS.

[0025] The housing 10 is made of a resin material or the like, and is composed of a housing main body 10a and a housing cover 10b. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing body 10a includes a cylindrical portion 11, an upstream pipe portion 12, a first downstream pipe portion 13, a second downstream pipe portion 14, a flange portion 15, and a cover connecting portion 16.

[0026] The tubular portion 11 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape centered on the axis S, and includes a side wall 11a, a first opening 11b, a second opening 11c, a first valve seat 11d, a second valve seat 11e, a central chamber 11f, a first working chamber 11g, and a second working chamber 11h.

[0027] The first opening 11b is a circular hole centered on the axis S inside the joining surface 15a of the flange portion 15 so as to face the first working chamber 11g, and is formed so that the first valve body 20 can be inserted from one side in the direction of the axis S. The first opening 11b is closed by joining the drive unit U with the seal member 40 sandwiched therebetween. The second opening 11c is a circular hole centered on the axis S inside the cover connecting portion 16 so as to face the second working chamber 11h, and is formed so that the second valve body 30 can be inserted from the other side in the direction of the axis S. Then, after the second valve body 30 is assembled, the second opening 11c is closed by connecting the housing cover 10b.

[0028] The first valve seat 11d is an area where the first valve body 20 is seated, and is formed into a part of a conical surface centered on the axis S and into an annular tapered surface that widens toward the first opening 11b. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the first valve seat 11d is formed as part of a conical surface that diverges on the axis S from a vertex P1 located near the central chamber 11f toward the first working chamber 11g at a vertex angle θ1, and is defined by a circular inner edge 11d1 and a circular outer edge 11d2. Here, the apex angle θ1 is formed in the range of, for example, about 110 degrees to 120 degrees, and is set to about 115 degrees here.

[0029] The second valve seat 11e is an area where the second valve body 30 is seated, and is formed into a part of a conical surface centered on the axis S and into an annular tapered surface that widens toward the second opening 11c. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the second valve seat 11e is formed as part of a conical surface that diverges on the axis S from a vertex P2 located near the central chamber 11f at a vertex angle θ2 toward the second working chamber 11h, and is defined by a circular inner edge 11e1 and a circular outer edge 11e2. Here, the apex angle θ2 is formed in the range of, for example, about 110 degrees to 120 degrees, and is set to about 115 degrees here. In this embodiment, the first valve seat 11d and the second valve seat 11e are formed symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis S.

[0030] The central chamber 11f is formed between the first valve seat 11d and the second valve seat 11e in the direction of the axis S, and is connected to the upstream passage 12a defined by the upstream pipe section 12. The central chamber 11f also functions as an upstream passage located upstream of the first valve seat 11d and the second valve seat 11e. The first working chamber 11g is formed downstream of the first valve seat 11d and is an area in which the first valve body 20 reciprocates in the direction of the axis S. The first working chamber 11g is connected to the first downstream passage 13a defined by the first downstream pipe section 13 and also functions as the first downstream passage located downstream of the first valve seat 11d. The second working chamber 11h is formed downstream of the second valve seat 11e and is an area in which the second valve body 30 reciprocates in the direction of the axis S. The second working chamber 11h is connected to the second downstream passage 14a defined by the second downstream pipe section 14 and also functions as a second downstream passage located downstream of the second valve seat 11e.

[0031] The upstream pipe section 12 is an area to which the fluid inlet piping of the application object (here, the inlet piping that is part of a cooling water circulation system) is connected, and defines an upstream passage 12a with a circular cross-section centered on an axis L1 perpendicular to the axis S. The first downstream pipe section 13 is an area to which the fluid outlet piping of the application object (here, the outlet piping that is part of a cooling water circulation system) is connected, and defines a first downstream passage 13a with a circular cross-section centered on an axis L2 perpendicular to the axis S. The second downstream pipe section 14 is an area to which other fluid outlet piping of the application object (here, other outlet piping that is part of a cooling water circulation system) is connected, and defines a second downstream passage 14a of circular cross-section centered on an axis L3 perpendicular to the axis S.

[0032] The flange portion 15 is an area where the drive unit U is joined and fixed, and is formed with a roughly rectangular contour around the first opening 11b. It has a joining surface 15a which forms a flat surface perpendicular to the axis S, an annular groove 15b into which the sealing member 40 is fitted, a positioning protrusion 15c which protrudes from the joining surface 15a in the direction of the axis S, and four female threaded holes 15d into which the fastening screws b are screwed.

[0033] The cover joining portion 16 is a region for joining the housing cover 10b, and includes an annular groove 16a centered on the axis S around the second opening 11c, and an annular joint surface 16b around the annular groove 16a. The housing cover 10b is connected to the cover connecting portion 16 to close the second operating chamber 11h, and has a disk-shaped lid portion 10b1 that fits into the second opening 11c, an annular protrusion portion 10b2 that fits into the annular groove 16a, and an annular connecting surface 10b3 that is connected to the annular connecting surface 16b. When assembling the valve device, the housing cover 10b is fitted into the cover connecting portion 16 of the housing main body 10a after the second valve body 30 is fitted and fixed to the shaft 60 of the drive unit U, and is also joined by gluing, welding, or the like, as necessary.

[0034] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the first valve body 20 is fitted and fixed at a predetermined position on the shaft 60 of the drive unit U, and is composed of a valve base material 21 formed using a metal material such as stainless steel or a resin material, and an elastic sealing member 22 molded to cover the valve base material 21.

[0035] The valve substrate 21 is formed by a hub portion 21a fixed to the shaft 60, and an annular plate portion 21b extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S from the outer periphery of the hub portion 21a. The hub portion 21a is formed in a cylindrical shape defining a fitting hole 21a1 centered on the axis S. The annular plate portion 21b is provided with a plurality of annular ridges 21b1 concentrically arranged about the axis S on both sides in the direction of the axis S. The peaks P and valleys V defined by the plurality of annular ridges 21b1 define uneven surfaces on both sides of the valve substrate 21.

[0036] The elastic sealing member 22 is made of a rubber material or the like and is joined so as to cover the annular plate portion 21b of the valve substrate 21, i.e., molded onto the valve substrate 21 so as to be fixed to the valve substrate 21 via the area including the uneven surface of the annular plate portion 21b. The elastic seal member 22 is formed so as to include a convex curved surface 22a that is convex outward on both sides in the direction of the axis S, an annular flat surface 22b, and an outer circumferential edge 22c that forms a cylindrical surface.

[0037] Here, the convex curved surface 22a is a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and is formed so as to have a center C1 on the axis S and include a part of a spherical surface Sp1 of radius R1, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. The convex curved surface 22a is formed so as to extend over a predetermined range from the outer circumferential edge 22c toward the inside in the radial direction, and here, as shown in Fig. 12, beyond the circular inner edge 11d1 of the first valve seat 11d to the inside in the radial direction. The flat surface 22b is formed at the same height as the height dimension of the hub portion 21a of the valve base material 21 in the direction of the axis S. The outer peripheral edge 22c is formed to have an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter (diameter perpendicular to the axis S) of the circular outer edge 11d2 of the first valve seat 11d. That is, the outer diameter of the first valve body 20 is formed to be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the first valve seat 11d.

[0038] In the first valve body 20 having the above-mentioned configuration, the convex curved surface 22a of the elastic seal member 22 is in close contact with the first valve seat 11d in the closed position. That is, the first valve body 20 is separated from the first valve seat 11d to open in the rest position shown in Fig. 15, and is seated on the first valve seat 11d to close in the actuated position shown in Fig. 16. Here, the first valve body 20 is formed to include a convex curved surface 22a that contacts the annular tapered surface serving as the first valve seat 11d. Therefore, even if the shaft 60 is seated on the first valve seat 11d in a state of inclination or axial misalignment, as shown by the dashed dotted line and the dashed double dotted line in FIG. 13, the convex curved surface 22a reliably adheres to the annular tapered surface, ensuring airtightness.

[0039] In particular, since the convex curved surface 22a is formed so as to include a part of a sphere having a center C1 on the axis S, even if the shaft 60 is seated at an angle, the valve can be reliably closed in a tight fit. Furthermore, since the first valve body 20 is formed with an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the circular outer edge 11d2 of the first valve seat 11d, even if the shaft 60 is seated in an inclined state, the outer peripheral edge 22c of the first valve body 20 will not ride up onto the outside of the first valve seat 11d, and the valve can be reliably closed in a tight fit. In addition, since the first valve body 20 is joined and fixed to the valve substrate 21 via an area in which the elastic sealing member 22 includes an uneven surface, the contact surface area is increased compared to when the first valve body 20 is simply joined to a flat surface, and the mechanical bonding strength can be increased by the anchor effect, etc.

[0040] Moreover, the elastic seal member 22 and the hub portion 21a are formed to have the same thickness dimension in the direction of the axis S. That is, since the outer contour of the first valve body 20 is formed as a continuous, integrated surface, the joining strength between them can be increased compared to a form having discontinuous steps, and even if the shaft 60 is tilted, the region inside the convex curved surface 22a does not interfere with the first valve seat 11d, so that a thinner and more compact structure can be achieved while ensuring a valve-closing operation. Furthermore, the first valve body 20 is formed to be rotationally symmetric about the axis S and plane symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis S. Therefore, the first valve body 20 has no directionality and can be assembled to the first valve seat 11d so that either one of the convex curved surfaces 22a on both sides faces the first valve seat 11d, making the assembly work easier.

[0041] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the second valve body 30 is fitted and fixed at a position where it abuts against the positioning portion 61 of the shaft 60 of the drive unit U, and is composed of a valve base material 31 formed using a metal material such as stainless steel or a resin material, and an elastic sealing member 32 molded to cover the valve base material 31.

[0042] The valve substrate 31 is formed by a hub portion 31a fixed to the shaft 60, and an annular plate portion 31b extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S from the outer periphery of the hub portion 31a. The hub portion 31a is formed in a cylindrical shape defining a fitting hole 31a1 centered on the axis S. The annular plate portion 31b is provided with a plurality of annular ridges 31b1 concentrically arranged about the axis S on both sides in the direction of the axis S. The peaks P and valleys V defined by the plurality of annular ridges 31b1 define uneven surfaces on both sides of the valve substrate 31.

[0043] The elastic sealing member 32 is made of a rubber material or the like and is joined so as to cover the annular plate portion 31b of the valve substrate 31, i.e., molded onto the valve substrate 31 so as to be fixed to the valve substrate 31 via the area including the uneven surface of the annular plate portion 31b. The elastic seal member 32 is formed so as to include a convex curved surface 32a that is convex outward on both sides in the direction of the axis S, an annular flat surface 32b, and an outer circumferential edge 32c that forms a cylindrical surface.

[0044] Here, the convex curved surface 32a is a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and is formed so as to have a center C2 on the axis S and include a part of a spherical surface Sp2 of radius R2, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. The convex curved surface 32a is formed so as to extend over a predetermined range from the outer circumferential edge 32c toward the inside in the radial direction, and here, as shown in Fig. 12, beyond the circular inner edge 11e1 of the second valve seat 11e to the inside in the radial direction. The flat surface 32b is formed at the same height as the height dimension of the hub portion 31a of the valve base material 31 in the direction of the axis S. The outer peripheral edge 32c is formed to have an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter (diameter perpendicular to the axis S) of the circular outer edge 11e2 of the second valve seat 11e. That is, the outer diameter of the second valve body 30 is formed to be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the second valve seat 11e.

[0045] In the second valve body 30 having the above-mentioned configuration, the convex curved surface 32a of the elastic seal member 32 is in close contact with the second valve seat 11e in the closed position. That is, the second valve body 30 is seated on the second valve seat 11e to close the valve in the rest position shown in Fig. 15, and is separated from the first valve seat 11d to open the valve in the actuated position shown in Fig. 16. Here, the second valve body 30 is formed to include a convex curved surface 32a that contacts the annular tapered surface serving as the second valve seat 11e. Therefore, as shown by the dashed dotted line and the dashed double dotted line in FIG. 14, even if the shaft 60 is seated on the second valve seat 11e in a state of inclination or axial misalignment, the convex curved surface 32a reliably adheres to the annular tapered surface, ensuring airtightness.

[0046] In particular, since the convex curved surface 32a is formed so as to include a portion of a sphere having a center C2 on the axis S, the valve can be reliably closed tightly even if the shaft 60 is seated at an angle. Furthermore, since the second valve body 30 is formed with an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the circular outer edge 11e2 of the second valve seat 11e, even if the shaft 60 is seated in an inclined state, the outer peripheral edge 32c of the second valve body 30 will not ride up onto the outside of the second valve seat 11e, and the valve can be reliably closed in a tight fit. In addition, since the second valve body 30 has the elastic sealing member 32 bonded and fixed to the valve base material 31 via an area including an uneven surface, the contact surface area is increased compared to when the second valve body 30 is simply bonded to a flat surface, and the mechanical bonding strength can be increased by the anchor effect, etc.

[0047] Moreover, the elastic seal member 32 and the hub portion 31a are formed to have the same thickness dimension in the direction of the axis S. That is, since the outer contour of the second valve body 30 is formed as a continuous, integral surface, the joining strength between them can be increased compared to a form having discontinuous steps, and even if the shaft 60 is tilted, the region inside the convex curved surface 32a does not interfere with the second valve seat 11e, achieving a thin and compact design while reliably closing the valve. Furthermore, the second valve body 30 is formed to be rotationally symmetric about the axis S and plane symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis S. Therefore, the second valve body 30 has no directionality and can be assembled to the second valve seat 11e so that either one of the convex curved surfaces 32a on both sides faces the second valve seat 11e, making the assembly work easier.

[0048] Here, as described above, the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30 are formed of valve base materials 21, 31 having the same structure and shape, and elastic seal members 22, 32 having the same structure and shape. In other words, since the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30 are parts having the same shape (shape), the number of management steps can be reduced and costs can be reduced compared to the case where separate parts are used. Furthermore, the first valve body and the second valve body do not need to be the same part as long as they have a convex curved surface, and may be formed in different shapes depending on the specifications of the first valve seat and the second valve seat that form the annular tapered surfaces of the valve device.

[0049] As described above, the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30 are arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of the axis S relative to the shaft 60, and as the shaft 60 reciprocates, the first valve body 20 reciprocates within the first working chamber 11g to seat on and disengage from the first valve seat 11d, and the second valve body 30 reciprocates within the second working chamber 11h to seat on and disengage from the second valve seat 11e.

[0050] The seal member 40 is formed in a disk shape from an elastically deformable thin-film rubber material or the like, and includes an annular fitting portion 41, a central connecting portion 42, and a communication hole 43, as shown in FIG. The communication hole 43 is formed to a size that does not allow foreign matter to pass therethrough, and serves as an air hole to contribute to the pressure regulation function. The sealing member 40 is connected by having the shaft 60 of the drive unit U pass through the central connecting portion 42, and the annular fitting portion 41 is fitted into the annular groove 15b of the housing 10, so that the flat yoke 100 of the drive unit U is joined and clamped. In this assembled state, the seal member 40 performs a sealing function at the joint interface between the housing 10 and the drive unit U, and also elastically deforms to move integrally with the shaft 60, preventing foreign matter in the fluid from entering the drive unit U. When the seal member 40 elastically deforms, it regulates pressure through the communication hole 43 so as not to impede the movement of the shaft 60.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drive unit U includes a mover 50, a shaft 60, a first inner yoke 70, a second inner yoke 80, a cylindrical yoke 90, a flat yoke 100, a biasing spring 110, a coil module 120, a tubular member 130, and a sealing member Sr. The coil module 120 includes a bobbin 121, an excitation coil 122, and a molded portion 123 in which the bobbin 121 and the coil 122 are embedded. Moreover, the first inner yoke 70, the second inner yoke 80, the cylindrical yoke 90, and the flat yoke 100 function as a stator that forms a magnetic path.

[0052] The mover 50 functions as a magnetic path through which magnetic lines pass, and also functions as a movable core that moves in the direction of the axis S when current is applied to the coil 122. It is formed into a cylindrical shape by machining or forging using free-cutting steel (SUM) or the like, and has an outer circumferential surface 51, a fitting hole 52, a spring support portion 53, a convex portion 54, and an annular end surface 55, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The outer circumferential surface 51 is formed as a cylindrical surface centered on the axis S, and is in slidable contact with the inner wall of the tubular member 130 . The fitting hole 52 is a through hole centered on the axis S, into which one end side region of the shaft 60 is press-fitted, and is formed with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the shaft 60. The spring receiving portion 53 is formed in a circular recess centered on the axis S, and receives one end 111 of the biasing spring 110 and positions the one end 111 in a direction perpendicular to the axis S. The protrusion 54 is formed in a truncated cone shape so as to fit into the recess 83 of the second inner yoke 80 without contacting it. The annular end surface 55 is formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the axis S, and faces an annular end surface 84 of the second inner yoke 80 in the direction of the axis S. In order to facilitate smooth movement of the mover 50, for example, a groove extending in the direction of the axis S may be formed on the outer circumferential surface so that the pressure before and after the mover 50 is adjusted as it moves.

[0053] The shaft 60 is made of a non-magnetic material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or a resin material, and is formed into a long cylindrical shape in the direction of the axis S, and is provided with a positioning portion 61 near the other end side. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10, the positioning portion 61 is formed in a flange shape that protrudes in the radial direction, and abuts against the second valve body 30 to position it in the direction of the axis S. In this way, by providing the positioning portion 61, when the second valve body 30 is fitted and fixed to the shaft 60 inside the housing main body 10a, the second valve body 30 can be easily positioned at a predetermined position on the shaft 60 simply by abutting it against the positioning portion 61. One end region of the shaft 60 is fitted into the fitting hole 52 and fixed to the movable element 50. The central connecting portion 42 of the seal member 40 is connected to the shaft 60 at approximately the center in the direction of the axis S, and the first valve body 20 is fixed by fitting at a position closer to the other end (free end) side than the center in the direction of the axis S, and the second valve body 30 is fixed by fitting at the other end side so as to abut against the positioning portion 61. The shaft 60 reciprocates in the direction of the axis S integrally with the movable element 50, the first valve body 20, and the second valve body 30.

[0054] The first inner yoke 70 is formed by machining or forging using soft iron or the like and functions as a magnetic path through which magnetic lines of force pass. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first inner yoke 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a first outer peripheral surface 71, an inner peripheral surface 72, and a first annular flange portion 73. The first outer peripheral surface 71 is formed as a cylindrical surface centered on the axis S, and is formed so that the inner peripheral surface 91a of the small diameter cylindrical portion 91 of the cylindrical yoke 90 is fitted thereto, and also so that the bobbin 121 of the coil module 120 is fitted thereto. The inner peripheral surface 72 is formed as a cylindrical surface centered on the axis S, and is formed so that the tubular member 130 is fitted therein. The first annular flange portion 73 is formed in a disk shape protruding from the first outer circumferential surface 71 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S, and includes an annular flat surface 73a and an annular tapered surface 73b. The annular flat surface 73a is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis S, and is joined to an annular joining surface 94a of the cylindrical yoke 90 in the direction of the axis S. The annular tapered surface 73b is formed on the opposite side to the annular flat surface 73a, and is formed so as to widen toward the annular joint surface 94a of the cylindrical yoke 90.

[0055] The second inner yoke 80 is formed by machining or forging using soft iron or the like, and functions as a magnetic path for passing magnetic lines of force as well as a fixed iron core that attracts the mover 50 when current is applied to the coil 122. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second inner yoke 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a second outer circumferential surface 81, a second annular flange portion 82, a recess 83, an annular end surface 84, a spring accommodating recess 85, and a guide hole 86.

[0056] The second outer peripheral surface 81 is formed as a cylindrical surface centered on the axis S, and is formed so that the bobbin 121 of the coil module 120 is fitted into it via the tubular member 130, and the fitting hole 103 of the flat yoke 100 is also fitted into it. The second annular flange portion 82 is formed in a disk shape protruding from the second outer circumferential surface 81 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S, and includes an annular flat surface 82a and an annular tapered surface 82b. The annular flat surface 82a is a flat surface perpendicular to the axis S, and is joined to the annular joining surface 101a of the flat yoke 100 in the direction of the axis S. The annular tapered surface 82b is formed on the opposite side to the annular flat surface 82a, and is formed so as to widen toward the annular joint surface 101a of the flat yoke 100. The recess 83 is formed in a truncated cone shape so as to receive the protrusion 54 of the mover 50 in a non-contact manner in the direction of the axis S. The annular end surface 84 is formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the axis S, and faces the annular end surface 55 of the mover 50 in the direction of the axis S. The spring accommodating recess 85 is formed with a smaller diameter than the recess 83 to receive the biasing spring 110 and includes a spring receiving portion 85 a that receives the other end 112 of the biasing spring 110 . The guide hole 86 is formed as a cylindrical hole centered on the axis S, and guides the shaft 60 slidably in the direction of the axis S.

[0057] The cylindrical yoke 90 is a press-molded product that is pressed (deep-drawn) into a cylindrical shape with a bottom using a metal plate such as soft iron of a specified thickness so as to function as a magnetic path for passing magnetic lines of force, and as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, it has a small-diameter cylindrical portion 91, a bottom wall 92, a large-diameter cylindrical portion 93, an annular flat portion 94, a flange portion 95, and a notched portion 96.

[0058] The small diameter cylindrical portion 91 defines an inner circumferential surface 91a centered on the axis S. The first outer circumferential surface 71 of the first inner yoke 70 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface 91a. That is, the first inner yoke 70 is joined and fixed to the cylindrical yoke 90 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S via the inner circumferential surface 91a of the small diameter cylindrical portion 91. The bottom wall 92 is formed continuously with the end of the small diameter cylindrical portion 91 in the direction of the axis S, and is disposed in a non-contact manner with the tubular member 130. The large diameter cylindrical portion 93 defines an inner circumferential surface 93a centered on the axis S. A molded portion 123 of the coil module 120 is fitted onto the inner circumferential surface 93a.

[0059] The annular flat portion 94 is formed continuously with the boundary region between the small diameter cylindrical portion 91 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 93, and defines an annular joining surface 94a where the annular flat surface 73a of the first inner yoke 70 is joined in the axis S direction. The flange portion 95 is formed in a generally rectangular shape continuing from the end of the large diameter cylindrical portion 93, and has four circular holes 95a through which the fastening screws b are passed. In the assembled state, the flange portion 95 is joined to the flat yoke 100 to form a magnetic path. The cutout portion 96 is formed so as to expose the connector 123a of the coil module 120 to the outside.

[0060] The flat yoke 100 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate such as soft iron of a specified thickness so that it can be joined to the open end of the cylindrical yoke 90 and function as a magnetic path for passing magnetic lines of force. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flat yoke 100 has a substantially rectangular flat portion 101, an attachment portion 102 bent from the flat portion 101 and extending in the direction of the axis S, and a fitting hole 103.

[0061] The flat plate portion 101 has an annular joint surface 101a to which the annular flat surface 82a of the second inner yoke 80 is tightly joined in the direction of the axis S, an annular joint surface 101b to which the flange portion 95 of the cylindrical yoke 90 is tightly joined in the direction of the axis S, and four circular holes 101c through which the fastening screws b pass. The mounting portion 102 is used to mount the valve device to an application object, and is provided with two circular holes 102a through which fixing bolts pass. The fitting hole 103 is an area into which the second outer peripheral surface 81 of the second inner yoke 80 is fitted, and defines a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 103a centered on the axis S. The inner peripheral surface 103a is closely joined to the second outer peripheral surface 81 of the second inner yoke 80 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S. That is, the second inner yoke 80 is joined and fixed to the flat yoke 100 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis S via the inner circumferential surface 103a of the fitting hole 103.

[0062] The biasing spring 110 is a compression type coil spring, and is disposed compressed in the direction of the axis S with one end 111 abutting against the spring receiving portion 53 of the mover 50 and the other end 112 abutting against the spring receiving portion 85a of the second inner yoke 80. The biasing spring 110 biases the mover 50 in the direction of the axis S toward the rest position.

[0063] As described above, the coil module 120 includes the bobbin 121, the excitation coil 122, and the molded portion 123. The bobbin 121 is made of a resin material, and as shown in FIG. 5, includes a small diameter cylindrical portion 121a centered on the axis S, a large diameter cylindrical portion 121b, an annular stepped portion 121c, a flange portion 121d, a flange portion 121e, and a recess 121f. The small diameter cylindrical portion 121a is formed so that the tubular member 130 is fitted inside the small diameter cylindrical portion 121a and the coil 122 is wound around the outside of the small diameter cylindrical portion 121a. The large diameter cylindrical portion 121b is formed so that the first outer circumferential surface 71 of the first inner yoke 70 is fitted on the inside thereof, and the coil 122 is wound around the outside thereof. The annular step portion 121c abuts against an end face of the first inner yoke 70 so as to be positioned in the direction of the axis S in an assembled state.

[0064] The flange portion 121d is formed in an annular shape centered on the axis S and is arranged so as to face the first annular flange portion 73 (annular tapered surface 73b) of the first inner yoke 70 and the annular flat portion 94 of the cylindrical yoke 90 in the direction of the axis S. The flange portion 121e is formed in an annular shape centered on the axis S, defines an annular tapered surface 121e1 at its base region, faces the flat yoke 100 in the direction of the axis S, and is disposed so as to receive the flange portion 133 of the tubular member . The recess 121f is formed to receive the flange portion 133 of the cylindrical member 130 and to receive the seal member Sr.

[0065] The coil 122 is for excitation, generating a magnetic force when energized, and is wound around the small diameter cylindrical portion 121a and the large diameter cylindrical portion 121b of the bobbin 121, and is connected to two terminals 122a. Molded portion 123 is molded using a resin material, and is molded so as to cover the entire bobbin 121 with coil 122 wound around it and terminal 122a connected thereto, while exposing terminal 122a within connector 123a.

[0066] The tubular member 130 is formed by pressing (deep drawing) a thin metal plate made of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel into a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, it has a cylindrical portion 131 centered on the axis S, a bottom wall 132, and a flange portion 133. The cylindrical portion 131 is formed so that the outer peripheral surface 51 of the mover 50 is slidably inserted into its inside and the second outer peripheral surface 81 of the second inner yoke 80 is fitted into it, and so that the inner peripheral surface 72 of the first inner yoke 70 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 121a of the bobbin 121 of the coil module 120 are fitted into its outside. The bottom wall 132 is disposed so that the mover 50 and the shaft 60 are not in contact with each other in the rest state. The flange portion 133 abuts against a flange portion 121e of the bobbin 121 of the coil module 120 so as to be positioned in the axis S direction.

[0067] In the assembled state, the tubular member 130 accommodates the movable member 50 and the second inner yoke 80, and exposes the shaft 60 fixed to the movable member 50 to the outside, in this case to the internal space of the housing 10 (the first working chamber 11g, the central chamber 11f, and the second working chamber 11h). That is, the cylindrical member 130 guides the mover 50 so that it can slide freely, and also isolates the internal region in which the mover 50 operates from the external region, thereby providing a seal to prevent fluids and the like from leaking out to the outside.

[0068] The seal member Sr is an O-ring made of a rubber material, and in an assembled state, is interposed between the flange portion 133 of the tubular member 130 and the flat yoke 100 to provide a seal to prevent fluids and the like from leaking out to the outside.

[0069] Next, the assembly operation of the valve device having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, prior to the assembly of the valve device, the drive unit U is assembled. In this assembly process, the first valve body 20 is fitted and fixed in a predetermined position on the shaft 60, and the central connecting portion 42 of the seal member 40 is connected. Thereafter, the shaft 60 is fitted and fixed to the movable element 50. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, a drive unit U incorporating the first valve body 20 and the seal member 40, a housing main body 10a, a second valve body 30, a housing cover 10b, and four fastening screws b are prepared.

[0070] Next, the shaft 60 and the first valve body 20 are inserted into the housing body 10a through the first opening 11b, the annular fitting portion 41 of the seal member 40 is fitted into the annular groove 15b, and the flat portion 101 of the flat yoke 100 is joined to the joining surface 15a of the flange portion 15, as shown in Fig. 18. Then, the fastening screw b is screwed into the female screw hole 15d of the housing body 10a through the circular holes 95a and 101c.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the second valve body 30 is inserted into the housing main body 10a through the second opening 11c, and is fitted and fixed to the shaft 60 so as to abut against the positioning portion 61 while holding the shaft 60 using a predetermined jig inserted from the upstream passage 12a or the first downstream passage 13a. 20, the housing cover 10b is fitted and fixed to the cover joining portion 16 of the housing main body 10a. The housing cover 10b may be fixed using an appropriate adhesive or the like. The above procedure completes the assembly of the valve device. This assembly procedure is merely an example, and other methods and procedures may be used for assembly.

[0072] Next, the operation of the valve device according to the embodiment will be described. First, when the coil 122 is not energized, the movable element 50 and the shaft 60 are positioned at a rest position by the biasing force of the biasing spring 110, as shown in Fig. 15. In this rest position, the first valve body 20 is separated from the first valve seat 11d and is in an open state, and the second valve body 30 is seated on the second valve seat 11e and is in a closed state. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed in from the upstream passage 12a flows through the central chamber 11f and the first working chamber 11g into the first downstream passage 13a.

[0073] 16, the mover 50 is attracted to the second inner yoke 80, and the mover 50 and the shaft 60 are positioned at the actuated position against the biasing force of the biasing spring 110. In this actuated position, the first valve body 20 is seated on the first valve seat 11d to be in a closed state, and the second valve body 30 is separated from the second valve seat 11e to be in an open state. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed in from the upstream passage 12a flows through the central chamber 11f and the second working chamber 11h into the second downstream passage 14a.

[0074] In this way, by switching between energizing and de-energizing the coil 122, the fluid can be made to flow from the first downstream passage 13a toward an external fluid discharge pipe, or from the second downstream passage 14a toward another external fluid discharge pipe.

[0075] Here, in a configuration including a housing 10 in which the first valve seat 11d and the second valve seat 11e are formed into annular tapered surfaces that form part of a conical surface centered on the axis S, and a first valve body 20 and a second valve body 30 that include convex curved surfaces 22a, 32a that contact the annular tapered surfaces of the first valve seat 11d and the second valve seat 11e, respectively, even if the shaft 60 moves with a slight axial misalignment or tilt, the first valve body 20 can be in close contact with the first valve seat 11d to reliably close the valve, and the second valve body 30 can be in close contact with the second valve seat 11e to reliably close the valve.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the valve body includes the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which one valve body is provided on the shaft may be adopted. In this case, the valve base material of the valve body and the shaft may be integrally formed from a resin material, and an elastic seal member may be molded onto the valve base material of the integrally formed shaft.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30 are shown as valve bodies composed of valve substrates 21, 31 and elastic sealing members 22, 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any valve body including a convex curved surface that contacts a valve seat forming an annular tapered surface may be used as the valve body, and may be formed from a single material, for example, a metal material or a resin material.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the valve body (first valve body 20, second valve body 30) is shown as being rotationally symmetric about the axis S and plane-symmetric with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis S, but this is not limited to this and the valve body may be formed asymmetric with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis S as long as it has the configuration of the present invention.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been shown in which the sealing member 40 having a structure similar to a diaphragm is used as a component of the valve gear to prevent foreign matter in the fluid from entering the drive unit U side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a lip-type seal may be fitted into the end of the guide hole 86 of the second inner yoke to seal the periphery of the shaft 60. In this way, the pressure of the fluid does not act on the moving parts, so that the moving element and the valve body can be driven by a smaller electromagnetic force.

[0080] As described above, the valve device of the present invention can close the valve body tightly against the valve seat even if the shaft moves slightly off-axis or tilted, so it can be used not only as a valve device in cooling water circulation systems for vehicles, etc., but also as a valve device in other fields. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] S axis 10. Housing 10a Housing body 10b Housing cover 11b 1st opening 11c 2nd opening 11d First valve seat 11d1 circular inner edge 11d2 circular outer edge 11e Second valve seat 11e1 circular inner edge 11e2 circular outer edge 12a Upstream Passage 13a 1st downstream passage 14a Second downstream passage 15a Joint surface 20 First valve body 21 Valve base material 21a Hub section 21a1 fitting hole 21b Annular plate portion 22 Elastic sealing member 22a Convex curved surface 22b flat surface 22c Outer rim 30 Second valve body 31 Valve base material 31a Hub section 31a1 fitting hole 31b Annular plate part 32 Elastic sealing member 32a Convex curved surface 32b flat surface 32c Outer rim 40 Sealing material U Drive Unit 50 mover 60 Shaft 61 Positioning part 70 First inner yoke (stator) 80 Second inner yoke (stator) 90 Cylindrical yoke (stator) 100 Flat yoke (stator) 110 Spring 120 Coil Module 121 Bobbin 122 Excitation coil 123 Molding section 130 Cylinder member Sr sealing material

Claims

1. a housing defining an upstream passage and a downstream passage through which a fluid passes, and a valve seat interposed between the upstream passage and the downstream passage; A shaft that reciprocates along a predetermined axis; a valve body fixed to the shaft and adapted to be seated on and removed from the valve seat; A valve device comprising: The valve seat is formed on an annular tapered surface that forms a part of a conical surface centered on the axis line, The valve body is formed to include a convex curved surface that contacts the annular tapered surface when seated against the valve seat. A valve device characterized in that

2. The convex curved surface is formed so as to include a part of a sphere having a center on the axis line.

2. The valve device according to claim 1.

3. the valve seat is defined by a circular inner edge and a circular outer edge centered about the axis; The valve body includes an outer circumferential edge having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the circular outer edge, The convex curved surface is formed over a predetermined range extending from the outer circumferential edge toward the radially inward direction.

2. The valve device according to claim 1.

4. The valve body includes a valve base material fixed to the shaft and an elastic seal member fixed to the valve base material, The convex curved surface is formed on the elastic seal member.

2. The valve device according to claim 1.

5. The valve base material includes a hub portion fixed to the shaft and an annular plate portion extending from an outer periphery of the hub portion in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis, The elastic seal member is joined to cover the annular plate portion.

5. The valve arrangement according to claim 4.

6. The elastic seal member and the hub portion are formed to have the same thickness dimension in the axial direction.

6. The valve arrangement according to claim 5.

7. The valve base material includes an uneven surface at a bonding interface of the elastic seal member.

5. The valve arrangement according to claim 4.

8. The resilient seal member is molded to the valve base.

5. The valve arrangement according to claim 4.

9. The valve body is formed to be rotationally symmetric about the axis and plane-symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis.

2. The valve device according to claim 1.

10. the downstream passage includes a first downstream passage and a second downstream passage branched from the upstream passage, the valve seat includes a first valve seat facing the first downstream passage and a second valve seat facing the second downstream passage, The valve bodies are disposed apart from each other in the axial direction and include a first valve body corresponding to the first valve seat and a second valve body corresponding to the second valve seat.

10. A valve device according to claim 1, wherein the valve device is a valve member.

11. The first valve body is in a closed state in which the second valve body is seated on the second valve seat surface and in an open state in which the first valve body is separated from the first valve seat surface, The second valve body is in a closed state in which the first valve body is seated on the first valve seat surface and in an open state in which the second valve body is separated from the second valve seat surface.

11. The valve arrangement according to claim 10.

12. a drive unit for driving the shaft; 12. The valve arrangement according to claim 11.

13. The drive unit includes a mover to which the shaft is fixed, an excitation coil, and a stator that forms a magnetic path, The shaft is made of a non-magnetic material.

13. The valve arrangement according to claim 12.

14. The valve substrate is made of a non-magnetic material, The elastic seal member is made of a rubber material.

14. The valve arrangement according to claim 13.

15. the first valve body and the second valve body are fixed to the shaft by fitting, the housing includes a housing main body including a joint surface for joining the drive unit, a first opening formed inside the joint surface so that the first valve body can be inserted from one side in the axial direction, the first valve seat and the second valve seat sequentially arranged in the axial direction following the first opening, and a second opening formed so that the second valve body can be inserted from the other side in the axial direction; and a housing cover coupled to the housing main body so as to close the second opening.

13. The valve arrangement according to claim 12.

16. The shaft includes a positioning portion that positions the second valve body in the axial direction.

16. The valve arrangement according to claim 15.

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