Electric valve

Abstract

To reduce a pressure loss when a cooling liquid passes through a valve body, in an electric valve having the rotary type valve body.SOLUTION: A valve body 12 has: a hollow valve part 12b; a rotating shaft holding part 12c located in a center of the valve part and inserted with a rotating shaft; and a film part 30 located in the valve part. In the valve part, there are formed an outer wall arranged while having one end directed to an opening 11a, and capable of blocking a communication port 11b, a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port, and a valve opening formed at one end of the valve part, and communicating with the opening. In the valve hole, when setting the opening side as a lower side, and setting an opposite side as an upper side, the film part is formed into a fan shape in a plane view, and connected to an inner wall of the valve part so that its upper end runs along an upper edge of the valve hole, and a lower end is connected to a portion facing the valve hole, being an external periphery of the rotating shaft holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, a rotary 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 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 by rotating the valve element. That is, a valve hole (opening) is formed on the side of the valve element, and the valve hole is aligned with the position of an outlet formed on the inner side of the valve housing by rotating the valve element, so that the coolant flows into the outlet.

[0003] The coolant from the engine (cylinder head) flows into the valve body from the axial direction of the valve body, passes through the valve hole on the side of the valve body, and flows to the outlet port. That is, due to the structure inside the valve body, the flow path of the coolant is at a substantially right angle.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, as shown in Fig. 5(a), a valve member bottom 203 provided at a position opposite to a coolant inlet 202 in the direction of a rotation axis 201 of a valve body 200 is provided with a plurality of plate-shaped ribs 205 extending radially outward as viewed from the rotation axis 201. The ribs 205 guide the coolant flowing through the valve body 200 from the center where the rotation axis 201 of the valve member bottom 203 is located in the radially outward direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6773247 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, since the ribs 205 are plate-shaped and there are gaps between adjacent ribs 205, into which the coolant flows, it is difficult to smoothly guide the coolant flowing inside the valve body 200 in the radially outward direction, and it is not possible to sufficiently reduce the pressure loss when the coolant passes through the valve body. This problem can also occur when the coolant flows in the opposite direction.

[0007] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an electric valve having a rotary valve body that can reduce the pressure loss when the coolant passes through the valve body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the motor-operated 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 that is inserted into the housing and rotates around a rotation axis to open and close the communication port, and a drive device that rotates the valve body, wherein the valve body has a hollow valve section, a rotating shaft holding section located at the center of the valve section and through which the rotating shaft is inserted, and a film section located inside the valve section, wherein the valve section is arranged with one end facing the opening, and is provided with an outer wall capable of closing the communication port, a valve hole that can communicate with the communication port, and a valve opening formed at one end of the valve section and communicating with the opening, wherein if the opening side of the valve hole is the lower side and the opposite side is the upper side, the film section is formed in a fan shape in a plan view, and has an upper end connected to the inner wall of the valve section so as to follow the upper edge of the valve hole, and a lower end connected to a portion of the outer periphery of the rotating shaft holding section that faces the valve hole.

[0009] With this configuration, the cooling liquid that has flowed into the valve portion from the opening can be smoothly guided to the valve hole, which reduces the pressure loss of the cooling liquid flowing through the valve body and reduces power consumption. In addition, since the pressure loss in the valve body can be reduced, the diameter of the valve hole can be designed to be smaller, improving layout flexibility. Furthermore, the valve body can be made lighter and its durability can be improved.

[0010] It is also preferable that the circumferential length of one side of the film portion connected to the inner wall of the valve portion so as to fit along the upper edge of the valve hole is greater than or equal to the circumferential length of the upper edge of the valve hole. With this configuration, the coolant that flows in from the opening can be efficiently directed to the valve hole.

[0011] In addition, in a vertical cross section of the valve body, it is preferable that the center of the film portion be curved or inclined in a direction away from the valve hole. With this configuration, the pressure loss of the cooling liquid flowing into the valve hole can be reduced as much as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the motor-operated valve of the present invention, in a motor-operated valve including a rotary type valve body, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss that occurs when the coolant passes through the valve body. [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 bottom view of the valve body of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a conventional valve body. 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] 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 convenience of explanation, the upper and lower sides in FIG. 1 are 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, for example, toward a cooling path and a 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 an accommodating space for accommodating the reducer 15 between the main body 11c and the top surface of the main body 11c, and the lid 11d has an open end (periphery) attached to the outer periphery of the top surface of the main body 11c to close the accommodating space. The reducer 15 accommodated in the accommodating space 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, an inlet 11a is formed at the lower end (one side in the axial direction) of the housing 11, which is an opening communicating with the cylinder head side and for taking 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 three 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 addition, in the valve element 12, the valve body 12b is provided at the center with a joint portion 12c (rotating shaft holding portion) that is joined to the outer periphery of the shaft 12a with the shaft 12a passing through. The valve body 12b has two valve portions connected vertically, each of which is cylindrical with valve openings at the top and bottom and has a spherical outer wall. The valve openings communicate with the inlet 11a (opening) of the housing 11. In this embodiment, one valve portion formed at the bottom is referred to as the first valve portion 12b1, and the other valve portion formed above it is referred to as the second valve portion 12b2.

[0026] More specifically, the valve body 12b is made of resin, has a hollow portion, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is accommodated in the valve body accommodating portion 20. The shaft 12a is located on the central axis of the valve body 12. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve body 12b as viewed from the lower side (the inlet side of the coolant). As shown in FIG. 2, the valve body 12b of the valve body 12 has a first valve portion 12b1 that opens vertically, and a second valve portion 12b2 that similarly opens vertically and is formed continuously in the axial direction from one end (the upper end in FIG. 1) of the first valve portion 12b1. The inside of the first valve portion 12b1 and the inside of the second valve portion 12b2 communicate with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, inside the valve body 12, a coolant communication passage R is formed by the first valve portion 12b1 and the second valve portion 12b2 and communicates 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 inner walls 12i, 12j of the valve portion 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] As shown in Fig. 2, for example, three reinforcing members 12h are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction within the first valve portion 12b1 to reinforce the valve body 12. These reinforcing members 12h are designed not to interfere with the insertion cylinder portion 11e. The shaft 12a is guided by the insertion cylinder portion 11e and rotates integrally with the valve body 12b. The communication passage R is a flow path for the coolant that passes between the multiple reinforcing members 12h in the first valve portion 12b1.

[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 a valve hole 12f1 and a valve hole 12f2, respectively. The valve hole 12f1 and the valve hole 12f2 are collectively referred to as a valve hole 12f. The valve hole 12f penetrates 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 hole 12f overlaps with 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, with rotation, the communication state between the corresponding outlet 11b (11b1, 11b2) and the internal space of the valve body 12 is switched. 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 discharged toward the cooling path and the bypass path according to the opening and closing operation of each valve hole 12f, and the flow rate is controlled.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the valve body 12b in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the valve body 12b. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the "upper" and "lower" are based on the up and down in Fig. 1, so that the inlet 11a (opening) side of the valve hole 12f is called the lower side, and the opposite side is called the upper side. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve hole 12f1 of the first valve portion 12b1 is disposed on a side 12f1 opposite to the inlet 11a in the axial direction. 11The film portion 30 is provided to guide the flow of the cooling liquid that has flowed in from the inlet 11a to the valve hole 12f1 (to the outlet 11b1 side). Note that the hatched portion in FIG. 3 does not show a cross section, but shows the film portion 30. The upper end of the film portion 30 is aligned with the upper edge of the valve hole 12f1 (one side 12f 11 The film portion 30 is connected to the inner wall 12i of the first valve portion 12b1 so as to extend along the inner wall 12i of the first valve portion 12b1, and its lower end is connected to a portion of the outer periphery of the joint portion 12c (rotary shaft holding portion) facing the valve hole 12f1. 11 It is formed in a fan shape (when viewed in a plane) connecting the

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one side 12f of the valve hole 12f1 11 The film portion 30 is provided from one end to the other end of the valve hole 12f1. 11 The circumferential length of one side (the upper end of the film portion 30) of the film portion 30 connected to the inner wall 12i of the first valve portion 12b1 so as to be aligned with the upper edge (side 12f 11 ) is formed to be longer than the circumferential length of the As shown in FIG. 4, the upper edge of the valve hole 12f1 (one side 12f 11 The position of the upper end of the film portion 30 connected to the inner wall 12i of the first valve portion 12b1 so as to follow the groove 12c (rotary shaft holding portion) is located downstream of the communicating passage R with respect to the position of the lower end of the film portion 30 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the joint portion 12c (rotary shaft holding portion). This allows the coolant flowing in from the inlet 11a to be smoothly guided to the valve hole 12f1, reducing pressure loss.

[0033] 4, the cross-sectional shape of the film portion 30 is curved so as to be concave toward the back side when viewed from the valve hole 12f1 or the coolant inlet 11a side (in the vertical cross section, the center of the film portion 30 is curved in a direction away from the valve hole 12f1) to minimize pressure loss. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the cross-sectional shape may be linear, for example. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the valve hole 12f1 (one side 12f 11 The circumferential length (width) of one side of the film portion 30 connected to the inner wall 12i of the first valve portion 12b1 is set to be equal to or larger than the upper edge (side 12f 11 In the above embodiment, the width of the port is set to be equal to or greater than the circumferential length of the port (communication port), but the present invention is not limited to this shape and may be formed to any width taking into consideration the difference in pressure loss with respect to other ports (communication ports).

[0034] In such a configuration, for example, when the valve body 12 rotates by driving the shaft 12a (rotating axis) and the valve hole 12f1 of the first valve portion 12b1 communicates with the outlet 11b1, the coolant flowing in from the engine side enters the first valve portion 12b1 from the inlet 11a, is guided along the surface of the film portion 30 to the valve hole 12f1, and flows to the outlet 11b1. That is, unlike the conventional art, the cooling liquid that has flowed to the second valve portion 12b2 does not return to the first valve portion 12b1, but the cooling liquid that has flowed in from the inlet 11a can flow to the valve hole 12f1 of the first valve portion 12b1. On the other hand, when the valve body 12 rotates and the valve hole 12f2 of the second valve portion 12b2 is connected to the outlet 11b2, the coolant flowing in from the engine side flows through the connecting passage R to the second valve portion 12b2 and then flows directly from the valve hole 12f2 to the outlet 11b2.

[0035] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the valve hole 12f1 of the first valve portion 12b1 is provided on the side 12f1 opposite to the inlet 11a in the axial direction. 11 The film portion 30 is provided on the valve hole 12f1 so as to guide the flow of the cooling liquid that has flowed in from the inlet 11a to the valve hole 12f1. The film portion 30 extends from the outer wall of the cylindrical joint portion 12c to one side 12f in the circumferential direction of the valve hole 12f1. 11 It is formed in a fan shape that connects the As a result, even if the second valve section 12b2 having the valve hole 12f2 is located downstream of the first valve section 12b1 where the inlet 11a is provided, the coolant that has flowed in from the inlet 11a and flowed to the second valve section 12b2 can be guided directly to the valve hole 12f2 without returning to the first valve section 12b1. As a result, the pressure loss can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the pressure loss in the valve body can be reduced, the diameter of the valve hole can be designed to be smaller, improving layout flexibility. Furthermore, the valve body can be made lighter and its durability can be improved.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the film portion 30 is shown to be formed integrally with the joint portion 12c of the first valve portion 12b1 and the valve hole 12f. However, in the present invention, it may be either formed integrally or formed separately and then assembled.

[0037] 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 motor-operated valve according to the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, three or more spherical valve portions may be connected in the axial direction. Also, each valve portion may be provided with a film portion 30, or, if necessary, only some of the valve portions may be provided with a film portion 30. For example, by providing the second valve portion 12b2 with a film portion 30 in the same manner as the first valve portion 12b1, it is possible to reduce pressure loss when the coolant flows into the valve hole 12f2.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the cooling liquid flows from the opening, inlet 11a, to valve hole 12f1 and valve hole 12f2 has been described as an example, but the present invention is also suitable for a configuration in which the cooling liquid flows in the opposite direction.

[0039] 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 form and may be a cylindrical valve body having a straight outer wall surface.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, modifications, variations, and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. In the claims, the opening side of the housing in the valve hole is defined as the lower side and the opposite side as the upper side, but this does not limit the vertical direction of the motor-operated valve of the present invention when it is installed. For example, depending on the direction in which the motor-operated valve is installed, the "lower side of the valve hole" as defined in the claims may be positioned vertically upward or horizontally. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Motor-operated valve 11. Housing 11a opening 11b Outlet (communication port) 12 Valve body 12a shaft 12b1 First valve section (valve section) 12b2 Second valve section (valve section) 12f1 valve hole 12f2 valve hole 12c Joint (rotating shaft holding part) 12m Outer wall (valve outer wall) 12n Outer wall (valve outer wall) 20 Valve body receiving portion 20a inner wall 30 Film Section 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 inserted into the housing and rotates about a rotation axis to open and close the communication port; a drive device that rotationally drives the valve body, The valve body is a hollow valve portion, a rotating shaft holding portion located at the center of the valve portion and through which the rotating shaft is inserted, and a film portion located inside the valve portion, The valve portion is One end is disposed toward the opening, an outer wall capable of closing the communication port, a valve hole capable of communicating with the communication port, and a valve opening formed at one end of the valve portion and communicating with the opening, If the opening side of the valve hole is defined as the lower side and the opposite side is defined as the upper side, the film portion is formed in a fan shape when viewed in a plane, has an upper end connected to the inner wall of the valve portion so as to follow the upper edge of the valve hole, and has a lower end connected to a portion of the outer periphery of the rotating shaft holding portion that faces the valve hole.

2. 2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1, wherein a circumferential length of one side of the film portion connected to the inner wall of the valve portion so as to follow an upper edge of the valve hole is formed to be greater than or equal to the circumferential length of the upper edge of the valve hole.

3. In a longitudinal section of the valve body, 3. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1, wherein the film portion has a center that is curved or inclined in a direction away from the valve hole.

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