Valve control device

Abstract

To provide a valve control device which enables proper rotation of a valve body.SOLUTION: A valve control device 1 controls a valve device 100 including: a valve body having a resin input shaft and being rotatable; a housing in which the valve body is accommodated; a seal member provided in the housing and against which the valve body slides during its rotation; and an actuator that rotates an output shaft transmitting rotational force to the input shaft. The valve control device comprises: a memory section 10 storing a plurality of maps representing a relation between sliding torque occurring between the valve body and the seal member and a correction amount of a torsional angle of the input shaft twisted during the rotation of the valve body; a map selection section 11 selecting one map among the plurality of maps according to target position information that indicates a target position when rotating the valve body; and a control section 12 controlling operation of the actuator in accordance with the selected map.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve control device that controls a valve device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, valve devices have been used to control the flow of fluids. Some of these valve devices have a valve body therein, and control the flow of fluid in response to the rotation of the valve body (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a flow path switching valve (corresponding to a "valve device"). This flow path switching valve includes a rotary drive device (corresponding to an "actuator"), a valve body (corresponding to a "housing"), a valve element, and a sealing member. The sealing member has a plurality of through holes formed in the circumferential direction, and has inner ribs formed of an elastic member that protrude inward from the inner peripheral surface along the periphery of the through holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-096543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the flow path switching valve described in Patent Document 1, when the valve disc is rotated, the inner rib elastically deforms in response to the rotation of the valve disc, and depending on the amount by which the rotary drive device is rotated, the valve disc may not be able to overcome the inner rib. However, even in such a situation, the control device that controls the flow path switching valve recognizes that the valve disc has rotated the intended amount of rotation because the rotary drive device is being rotated, and terminates control of the rotary drive device. As such, in the flow path switching valve described in Patent Document 1, a discrepancy occurs between the current position (actual position) of the valve disc and the position recognized by the control device (controlled position), which may prevent the flow of fluid from being properly controlled.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a valve control device that can rotate the valve body appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A characteristic configuration of a valve control device according to the present invention is a valve control device that controls a valve device having a rotatable valve element having a resin input shaft, a housing that accommodates the valve element, a seal member that is provided in the housing and against which the valve element slides when the valve element rotates, and an actuator that rotates an output shaft that transmits rotational force to the input shaft, and is equipped with: a memory unit that stores a plurality of maps that indicate the relationship between the sliding torque generated between the valve element and the seal member and the amount of correction for the torsional angle of the input shaft when the valve element rotates; a map selection unit that selects one of the plurality of maps based on target position information that indicates a target position for rotating the valve element; and a control unit that controls operation of the actuator based on the selected map.

[0008] In this characteristic configuration, the operation of the actuator is controlled based on a map selected from multiple maps showing the relationship between sliding torque and the amount of torsion angle correction. This makes it possible to use different maps depending on, for example, a situation in which the input shaft is likely to twist when the opening of the valve disc passes over a rib of the seal member, and other situations. In other words, the operation of the actuator can be controlled taking into account the elastic deformation of the seal member and the amount of correction corresponding to the torsion of the input shaft. This makes it possible to appropriately rotate the valve disc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a valve device. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a view showing the first position of the valve body. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the apexes of the ribs. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a view showing the second position of the valve body. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view showing the valve body in a third position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing the valve body in a fourth position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a valve control device. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a facing state and a non-facing state. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first map. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second map. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The valve control device according to the present invention is configured to be able to appropriately rotate the valve element of the valve device. The valve control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. However, the valve control device 1 is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axis X of a valve device 100 controlled by a valve control device 1 (see FIG. 11). In this embodiment, the valve device 100 is a five-way valve used to control a fluid flowing to a device to be cooled, such as a battery or motor mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The fluid is a cooling water such as a long-life coolant (LLC). The fluid may also be a paraffin-based insulating oil, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), or another refrigerant.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve device 100 includes a valve element 101, a housing 102, a seal member 103, and an actuator 105. The valve element 101 has a resin input shaft 101A. The housing 102 accommodates the valve element 101. The valve element 101 is rotatably supported within the housing 102 by a bushing 102A. The housing 102 also includes a seal member 103 against which the valve element 101 slides when the valve element 101 rotates. Therefore, the seal member 103 is provided between the housing 102 and the valve element 101. The actuator 105 rotates an output shaft 104, which transmits a rotational force to the input shaft 101A.

[0013] Hereinafter, the direction along the axis X of the valve disc 101 will be referred to as the "axial direction DX," the circumferential direction DC of the valve disc 101 will be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction DC," and the radial direction DR of the valve disc 101 will be simply referred to as the "radial direction DR." In addition, the direction from the outside to the inside of the radial direction DR will be referred to as the "radial inward direction DR1," and the opposite direction will be referred to as the "radial outward direction DR2."

[0014] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve device 100. Fig. 2 is a view of the valve device 100 viewed from the actuator 105 side. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 102 has a housing wall 111 that defines a space in which the valve element 101 is housed. The housing 102 has a plurality of input ports 112A and a plurality of discharge ports 112B.

[0015] The housing wall 111 has a circular shape when viewed in a direction along the axial direction DX. The housing wall 111 has a plurality of ports 112, i.e., a plurality of input ports 112A and a plurality of discharge ports 112B, formed along the circumferential direction DC. In this embodiment, four ports 112 are formed in the housing wall 111 along the circumferential direction DC, and the four ports 112 penetrate the housing wall 111 along the radial direction DR. Hereinafter, the four ports 112 will be described as a "first port 121 (an example of a "discharge port 112B")," a "second port 122 (an example of a "input port 112A")," a "third port 123 (an example of a "input port 112A")," and a "fourth port 124 (an example of a "discharge port 112B")," respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, a fifth port 125 (an example of an "input port 112A") is formed in the lower portion (bottom wall) of the housing wall portion 111. The first port 121, the second port 122, the third port 123, the fourth port 124, and the fifth port 125 are connected to different external flow paths, respectively. The external flow paths are connected to, for example, a battery, a motor, or the like.

[0017] 3 and 4 are perspective views of the valve body 101. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views seen from different directions. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve body 101 includes a shaft portion 120 coaxial with the axis X, and a cylindrical valve portion 119 that can rotate integrally with the shaft portion 120. The valve body 101 is made of a material such as resin, and the shaft portion 120 and the valve portion 119 are integrally formed.

[0018] The valve element 101 has an internal flow path L that communicates at least one of the multiple input ports 112A and at least one of the multiple discharge ports 112B. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve section 119 is formed with a first valve flow path L1 and a second valve flow path L2 through which fluid flows when the valve element 101 is in a predetermined position. The first valve flow path L1 and the second valve flow path L2 correspond to the internal flow path L described above. When viewed in the axial direction DX, the first valve flow path L1 is formed in a substantially V-shape that bends near the axis X (see FIG. 2). The second valve flow path L2 is formed by a section that is cut out in a sector shape (a truncated cone shape in three dimensions) centered on the axis X (see FIG. 2).

[0019] 2, the seal member 103 is disposed between the housing 102 and the valve body 101, over substantially the entire circumference of the valve body 101 in the circumferential direction DC. The seal member 103 is made of an elastically deformable material, and prevents fluid from flowing into other flow paths by being compressed by the housing 102 and the valve body 101. The seal member 103 is made of rubber, such as nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), or urethane rubber (U).

[0020] 2, 5, and 6, the seal member 103 has a cylindrical seal main body 103A (an example of a "main body"). For ease of understanding, in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a portion of the seal member 103 in the circumferential direction DC is shown cut away.

[0021] 2, when the seal member 103 is disposed between the housing 102 and the valve disc 101, the seal main body 103A extends along the circumferential direction DC and the axial direction DX. The seal main body 103A includes protrusions 411 that prevent rotation of the seal member 103 relative to the housing 102. When the seal member 103 is disposed between the housing 102 and the valve disc 101, the protrusions 411 protrude outward in the radial direction DR from both ends of the seal main body 103A in the circumferential direction DC and are received in recesses 113 formed in the housing wall 111. As a result, the protrusions 411 and the housing wall 111 of the housing 102 face each other (contact each other) in the circumferential direction DC, preventing rotation of the seal member 103 relative to the housing 102.

[0022] 5, the seal main body 103A is formed with seal openings 103h (an example of a "through hole") that penetrate the seal main body 103A and allow a fluid to pass through. More specifically, the seal main body 103A is formed with four seal openings 103h along the circumferential direction DC, and the four seal openings 103h are formed at positions corresponding to the four ports 112 of the housing 102 described with reference to FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the four seal openings 103h will be referred to as a "first seal opening h1," a "second seal opening h2," a "third seal opening h3," and a "fourth seal opening h4," respectively.

[0023] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the first seal opening h1 and the fourth seal opening h4 in the circumferential direction DC are formed to be larger than the dimensions of the second seal opening h2 and the third seal opening h3 in the circumferential direction DC. This allows fluids flowing in from different ports 112 (e.g., the second port 122 and the third port 123) to flow out to the same port 112 (e.g., the first port 121) (see FIGS. 2 and 8). Alternatively, fluids flowing in from the same port 112 (e.g., the third port 123) can flow into different ports 112 (e.g., the first port 121 or the fourth port 124) (see FIGS. 8 and 10).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the seal member 103 also includes ribs 142 that protrude from the seal main body 103A in the radial direction DR. The ribs 142 protrude from the seal main body 103A toward the valve body 101 along the periphery of the seal opening 103h. As shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 142 include circumferential ribs 143 that extend (are provided continuously) in the circumferential direction DC. The circumferential ribs 143 include inner circumferential ribs 144 that are provided in the radially inward direction DR1 of the seal main body 103A and protrude in the radially inward direction DR1, and outer circumferential ribs 145 that are provided in the radially outward direction DR2 of the seal main body 103A and protrude in the radially outward direction DR2. The number of inner circumferential ribs 144 is smaller than the number of outer circumferential ribs 145. In this embodiment, two inner circumferential ribs 144 and four outer circumferential ribs 145 are provided on the seal main body 103A.

[0025] The circumferential rib 143 is composed of two rib groups 143g provided at both ends of the seal main body 103A in the axial direction DX. The rib groups 143g are provided so as to sandwich the four seal openings 103h in the axial direction DX. In this embodiment, the rib groups 143g include two outer circumferential ribs 145 and one inner circumferential rib 144 provided between the two outer circumferential ribs 145. Hereinafter, of the two outer circumferential ribs 145 included in one rib group 143g, the outer circumferential rib 145 located closer to the end of the seal main body 103A in the axial direction DX will be referred to as the "first outer circumferential rib 145a," and the outer circumferential rib 145 located closer to the center of the seal main body 103A in the axial direction DX will be referred to as the "second outer circumferential rib 145b."

[0026] 6, the rib 142 further includes an axial rib 146 extending (continuously provided) along the axial direction DX. The axial rib 146 includes an inner axial rib 147 provided in a radially inward direction DR1 of the seal body 103A and protruding in the radially inward direction DR1, and an outer axial rib 148 provided in a radially outward direction DR2 of the seal body 103A and protruding in the radially outward direction DR2. Note that, hereinafter, the inner circumferential rib 144 and the inner axial rib 147 may be collectively referred to as "inner ribs," and the outer circumferential rib 145 and the outer axial rib 148 may be collectively referred to as "outer ribs."

[0027] 6, in this embodiment, the inner axial rib 147 and the outer axial rib 148 are provided to sandwich each of the four seal openings 103h in the circumferential direction DC. The ribs 142 (the circumferential rib 143 and the axial rib 146) are provided to surround the seal openings 103h. Specifically, the inner axial rib 147 has an end in the axial direction DX connected to the inner circumferential rib 144, and the outer axial rib 148 has an end in the axial direction DX connected to the second outer circumferential rib 145b. In this embodiment, a first connection portion C1 between the inner axial rib 147 and the inner circumferential rib 144 and a second connection portion C2 between the outer axial rib 148 and the second outer circumferential rib 145b have a rounded R shape when viewed along the radial direction DR.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the apexes of the ribs 142. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner circumferential rib 144 and the outer circumferential rib 145 are arranged so that the inner circumferential rib apex 144t and the outer circumferential rib apex 145t do not overlap when viewed along the radial direction DR. Specifically, the inner circumferential rib apex 144t is arranged between the two outer circumferential rib apexes 145t in the axial direction DX. Similarly, the inner axial rib 147 and the outer axial rib 148 are arranged so that the inner axial rib apex 147t and the outer axial rib apex 148t do not overlap when viewed along the radial direction DR. Specifically, the inner axial rib apex 147t is arranged between the outer axial rib apexes 148t of the two outer axial ribs 148 in the circumferential direction DC.

[0029] Next, fluid control by the valve device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 8 to 10. The valve device 100 in this embodiment controls two flow paths simultaneously. Fig. 2 shows the valve device 100 with the valve element 101 set to a first position P1, Fig. 8 shows the valve device 100 with the valve element 101 set to a second position P2, Fig. 9 shows the valve device 100 with the valve element 101 set to a third position P3, and Fig. 10 shows the valve device 100 with the valve element 101 set to a fourth position P4.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, when the valve element 101 is set to the first position P1, the fluid supplied to the second port 122 passes through the first valve flow path L1 and flows to the first port 121, and the fluid supplied to the fifth port 125 passes through the second valve flow path L2 and flows to the fourth port 124.

[0031] Next, when the valve element 101 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise around the axis X from the first position P1 shown in Fig. 2 and is set to the second position P2 as shown in Fig. 8, the fluid supplied to the third port 123 passes through the first valve flow path L1 and is supplied to the first port 121. At the same time, the fluid supplied to the fifth port 125 passes through the second valve flow path L2 and flows to the fourth port 124.

[0032] Next, when the valve element 101 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise around the axis X from the second position P2 shown in Fig. 8 and is set to the third position P3 as shown in Fig. 9, the fluid supplied to the second port 122 passes through the first valve flow path L1 and flows to the fourth port 124. At the same time, the fluid supplied to the fifth port 125 passes through the second valve flow path L2 and flows to the first port 121.

[0033] Next, when the valve element 101 further rotates clockwise about the axis X from the third position P3 shown in Fig. 9 by a predetermined angle and is set to the fourth position P4 as shown in Fig. 10, the fluid supplied to the third port 123 passes through the first valve flow path L1 and flows to the fourth port 124. At the same time, the fluid supplied to the fifth port 125 passes through the second valve flow path L2 and flows to the first port 121.

[0034] Next, the valve control device 1 will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram that schematically shows the configuration of the valve control device 1. As shown in Fig. 11, the valve control device 1 is configured with a storage unit 10, a map selection unit 11, a control unit 12, and a temperature detection unit 13. Each of these functional units is constructed using hardware or software, or both, with a CPU as its core component, in order to perform processing related to the control of the valve device 100.

[0035] The memory unit 10 stores multiple maps indicating the relationship between the sliding torque generated between the valve disc 101 and the seal member 103 and the correction amount for the torsion angle of the input shaft 101A when the valve disc 101 rotates. As described above, the seal member 103 is provided in the housing 102, and when the valve disc 101 rotates, the valve disc 101 rotates while sliding on the seal member 103. At this time, a frictional force is generated on the valve disc 101 from the seal member 103, and this frictional force corresponds to the sliding torque. Meanwhile, the valve disc 101 is rotated by the actuator 105, and the input shaft 101A may twist due to the sliding torque described above. The angle of twist at this time corresponds to the torsion angle. When controlling the valve device 100, such a torsion angle can cause the opening of the valve disc 101 to differ from the desired opening. It is desirable to correct such a torsion angle. The storage unit 10 stores a map showing the amount of correction for correcting the torsion angle in relation to the sliding torque.

[0036] In this embodiment, a first map and a second map are stored in the storage unit 10. The first map corresponds to a map indicating the amount of correction when the sliding torque is relatively large, and the second map corresponds to a map indicating the amount of correction when the sliding torque is relatively small.

[0037] As described above, the seal member 103 is provided with inner ribs (the inner circumferential rib 144 and the inner axial rib 147) around the seal opening 103h. When the valve disc 101 rotates, if the inner axial rib 147 is present along the radial direction DR at least at either end along the circumferential direction DC of the opening of the internal flow path L of the valve disc 101, the inner axial rib 147 needs to climb over the end of the opening of the internal flow path L (see A and B of FIG. 12), and therefore the sliding torque is larger than when the inner axial rib 147 is not present along the radial direction DR (see C of FIG. 12). In other words, when the opening of the internal flow path L of the valve disc 101 faces the rib 142 (the inner axial rib 147), the sliding torque is larger than when the opening of the internal flow path L of the valve disc 101 does not face the rib 142 (the inner axial rib 147).

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, the storage unit 10 stores a first map showing the relationship between the sliding torque and the correction amount of the torsion angle in an opposed state (state of A in FIG. 12 or state of B in FIG. 12) in which the ribs 142 are opposed to both ends of the internal flow path L along the circumferential direction DC of the valve body 101, and a second map showing the relationship between the sliding torque and the correction amount of the torsion angle in a non-opposed state (state of C in FIG. 12) in which the ribs 142 are not opposed to both ends of the internal flow path L along the circumferential direction DC of the valve body 101. Such first and second maps are stored in advance in the storage unit 10.

[0039] FIG. 13 shows an example of the first map. The first map shows the amount of correction for the torsion angle when the sliding torque is greater than T1. As shown in FIG. 13, the amount of correction varies depending on the environmental temperature in which the valve device 100 is used. As described above, the valve element 101 including the input shaft 101A is made of resin, and the maximum and minimum values of the torsion angle of the input shaft 101A vary depending on the temperature. Therefore, the maximum and minimum values of the torsion angle are set depending on the temperature. FIG. 13 shows examples where the temperatures are TH, TM, and TL (where TH>TM>TL).

[0040] Here, it is not easy to detect the sliding torque. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correction amount is determined based on the maximum and minimum values of the temperature. Specifically, when the opening of the internal flow path L in the valve element 101 faces the rib 142, if the environmental temperature is in the TH temperature range, a, which is the average value of the correction amount in this temperature range, is used as the correction amount. When the environmental temperature is in the TM temperature range, b, which is the average value of the correction amount in this temperature range, is used as the correction amount. When the environmental temperature is in the TL temperature range, c, which is the average value of the correction amount in this temperature range, is used as the correction amount.

[0041] 14 shows an example of the second map. The second map shows the correction amount of the torsion angle when the sliding torque is equal to or less than T1. When the opening of the internal flow path L in the valve element 101 does not face the rib 142, if the ambient temperature is in the TH temperature range, d, which is the average correction amount for this temperature range, is used as the correction amount. If the ambient temperature is in the TM temperature range, e, which is the average correction amount for this temperature range, is used as the correction amount. If the ambient temperature is in the TL temperature range, f, which is the average correction amount for this temperature range, is used as the correction amount. In this way, the storage unit 10 stores correction amounts according to the magnitude of the sliding torque.

[0042] The map selection unit 11 selects one of a plurality of maps based on target position information indicating a target position for rotating the valve disc 101. The target position information indicating a target position for rotating the valve disc 101 is, for example, information indicating a position to which the valve disc 101 is rotated in response to a rotation command from a higher-level system. When rotating the valve disc 101 to such a target position, if the target position is in an opposing state, the map selection unit 11 selects the first map and transmits the selected first map or information indicating the selection of the first map to the control unit 12. On the other hand, when rotating the valve disc 101 to a target position, if the target position is in a non-opposing state, the map selection unit 11 selects the second map and transmits the selected second map or information indicating the selection of the second map to the control unit 12.

[0043] The control unit 12 controls the operation of the actuator 105 based on the map selected by the map selection unit 11. That is, when the first map is selected by the map selection unit 11, the control unit 12 controls the operation of the actuator 105 by making a correction by the correction amount indicated by the first map, and when the map selection unit 11 selects the second map, the control unit 12 controls the operation of the actuator 105 by making a correction by the correction amount indicated by the second map,.

[0044] As described above, the first map and the second map each indicate a correction amount for the torsion angle corresponding to the magnitude of the sliding torque, but this correction amount is indicated according to the environmental temperature. Therefore, it is preferable to detect the environmental temperature of the valve device 100 and use a correction amount corresponding to the environmental temperature from each of the first map and the second map according to the detection result. In this embodiment, instead of a sensor that detects the environmental temperature of the valve device 100, a temperature detection unit 13 that detects the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve device 100 is provided. This is because the fluid comes into direct contact with the valve disc 101 of the valve device 100, and therefore there is a correlation between the temperature of this fluid and the torsion angle of the input shaft 101A.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 12 is configured to change the correction amount based on the temperature of the fluid. In this case, the temperatures TH, TM, and TL in the first and second maps may be displayed based on the temperature of the fluid. In this case, when the first map is selected by the map selection unit 11, the control unit 12 uses a as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TH temperature range, b as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TM temperature range, and c as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TL temperature range. Furthermore, when the second map is selected by the map selection unit 11, the control unit 12 uses d as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TH temperature range, e as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TM temperature range, and f as the correction amount when the temperature of the fluid is in the TL temperature range.

[0046] As described above, by controlling the operation of the actuator 105 based on the map selected based on the target position information indicating the target position for rotating the valve disc 101, the valve control device 1 can appropriately rotate the valve disc 101 regardless of whether or not there are ribs 142 at both ends of the opening of the internal flow path L of the valve disc 101. Therefore, the valve control device 1 can appropriately control the valve device 100.

[0047] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the valve control device 1 will be described.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the maximum and minimum values of the torsion angle are set according to the temperature, and the correction amount is determined based on the maximum and minimum values. However, if the configuration is such that the sliding torque is measured, it is also possible to configure the correction amount to be determined according to the measured sliding torque.

[0049] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the valve device 100 further includes a temperature detection unit 13 that detects the temperature of the fluid flowing through it, and the control unit 12 is configured to change the correction amount based on the temperature of the fluid. However, it is also possible to configure the valve control device 1 not to include the temperature detection unit 13, and to change the correction amount using temperature information indicating a temperature detected by another device (such as an outside air temperature sensor) different from the valve control device 1.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the housing 102 has been described as having a plurality of input ports 112A and a plurality of discharge ports 112B. However, the housing 102 does not necessarily have to have a plurality of either or both of the input ports 112A and the discharge ports 112B.

[0051] In the above embodiment, two maps are used as an example of the number of maps, but three or more maps may be used. Also, although the average value for each temperature range is used as the correction amount, the correction amount may be set proportionally distributed according to the actual temperature, or the correction amount may be set by weighting each temperature range.

[0052] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described valve control device 1 will now be outlined.

[0053] (1) The valve control device 1 controls a valve device 100 having a rotatable valve element 101 having a resin input shaft 101A, a housing 102 that accommodates the valve element 101, a sealing member 103 that is provided in the housing 102 and against which the valve element 101 slides when the valve element 101 rotates, and an actuator 105 that rotates an output shaft 104 that transmits rotational force to the input shaft 101A. The valve control device 1 is equipped with a memory unit 10 that stores a plurality of maps that indicate the relationship between the sliding torque generated between the valve element 101 and the sealing member 103 and the correction amount of the torsion angle of the input shaft 101A when the valve element 101 rotates, a map selection unit 11 that selects one of the plurality of maps based on target position information that indicates the target position for rotating the valve element 101, and a control unit 12 that controls the operation of the actuator 105 based on the selected map.

[0054] According to this configuration, the operation of the actuator 105 can be controlled taking into consideration, for example, the elastic deformation of the seal member 103 and the amount of correction according to the torsion of the input shaft 101A. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the valve body 101 appropriately.

[0055] (2) In the valve control device 1 described in (1), it is preferable that the maximum and minimum values of the torsion angle are set according to the temperature, and the correction amount is determined based on the maximum and minimum values.

[0056] According to this configuration, the operation of the actuator 105 can be controlled using a correction amount according to temperature. This makes it possible to rotate the valve element 101 while taking into consideration temperature fluctuations related to the elastic deformation of the seal member 103 and the torsion of the input shaft 101A. Therefore, even if the temperature at which the valve device 100 is used fluctuates, it is possible to rotate the valve element 101 appropriately.

[0057] (3) In the valve control device 1 described in (2), it is preferable to further include a temperature detection unit 13 that detects the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve device 100, and the control unit 12 changes the correction amount based on the temperature of the fluid.

[0058] According to this configuration, the environmental temperature at the valve element 101 can be estimated based on the temperature of the fluid. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate sensor for detecting the environmental temperature at the valve element 101, which makes it possible to suppress an increase in costs.

[0059] (4) In the valve control device 1 described in (1) to (3), the housing 102 has a plurality of input ports 112A and a plurality of discharge ports 112B, the valve body 101 has an internal flow path L that communicates at least one of the plurality of input ports 112A and at least one of the plurality of discharge ports 112B, the seal member 103 has a seal main body portion 103A (main body portion) in which a plurality of seal openings 103h (through holes) are formed along the circumferential direction DC, and ribs 142 that protrude from the seal main body portion 103A toward the valve body 101 along the periphery of the seal openings 103h, and the maps include a first map that shows a relationship of an opposing state in which the ribs 142 are opposed to both ends of the internal flow path L along the circumferential direction DC of the valve body 101, and a second map that shows a relationship of a non-opposing state in which the ribs 142 are not opposed to both ends, and it is preferable that the map selection unit 11 selects the first map when the target position is in the opposing state, and selects the second map when the target position is in the non-opposing state.

[0060] The magnitude of the sliding torque generated between the valve disc 101 and the seal member 103 varies depending on the target position when rotating the valve disc 101. Therefore, with this configuration, different maps can be used depending on the target position, making it possible to rotate the valve disc 101 appropriately regardless of fluctuations in the sliding torque. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in a valve control device that controls a valve device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10: memory unit, 11: map selection unit, 12: control unit, 13: temperature detection unit, 100: valve device, 101: valve body, 101A: input shaft, 102: housing, 103: seal member, 103A: seal main body (main body), 103h: seal opening (through hole), 104: output shaft, 105: actuator, 112A: input port, 112B: output port, 142: rib, DC: circumferential direction, L: internal flow path

Claims

1. A valve control device for controlling a valve device having a rotatable valve element having a resin input shaft, a housing that accommodates the valve element, a seal member that is provided in the housing and against which the valve element slides when the valve element rotates, and an actuator that rotates an output shaft that transmits rotational force to the input shaft, a storage unit that stores a plurality of maps that indicate a relationship between a sliding torque generated between the valve element and the seal member and a correction amount for a torsion angle of the input shaft when the valve element rotates; a map selection unit that selects one of the plurality of maps based on target position information that indicates a target position when the valve element is rotated; a control unit that controls operation of the actuator based on the selected map.

2. The twist angle has a maximum value and a minimum value set according to temperature, The valve control device according to claim 1 , wherein the correction amount is determined based on the maximum value and the minimum value.

3. a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve device; The valve control device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit changes the correction amount based on the temperature of the fluid.

4. the housing has a plurality of input ports and a plurality of outlet ports; the valve body has an internal flow path that communicates at least one of the plurality of input ports with at least one of the plurality of discharge ports; the seal member has a main body portion in which a plurality of through holes are formed along a circumferential direction, and a rib protruding from the main body portion toward the valve body along a periphery of the through holes, the maps include a first map showing the relationship in an opposing state in which the ribs are opposed to both ends of the internal flow path along the circumferential direction of the valve body, and a second map showing the relationship in a non-opposing state in which the ribs are not opposed to both ends, 4. The valve control device according to claim 1, wherein the map selection unit selects the first map when the target position is in the opposed state, and selects the second map when the target position is in the non-opposed state.

Images