Expansion valve

Abstract

To provide an expansion valve capable of preventing wear from occurring on an inner peripheral surface of a valve chest.SOLUTION: An expansion valve 1 includes a valve body 10, a valve element 20, an energizing device 40 and a vibration damping spring 70. The valve element 10 includes a valve chest 11 and an orifice 12. The valve element 20 is disposed in the valve chest 11. The energizing device 40 is provided on the side opposite to the orifice 12 while sandwiching the valve element 20 in the valve chest 11. The energizing device 40 includes a coil spring 41 and a support part 44. The coil spring 41 energizes the valve element 20 toward the orifice 12. The support part 44 has the coil spring 41 disposed therein and supports the coil spring 41. The vibration damping spring 70 includes a base part and a plurality of leg parts. The base part is disposed between the valve element 20 and the coil spring 41. The plurality of leg parts extend from the base part to an outer peripheral surface of the support part 44, come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface and do not abut on an inner surface of the valve chest 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expansion valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Expansion valves have long been used in refrigeration cycles for air conditioning. One type of expansion valve is equipped with a vibration damping spring that suppresses vibration of a valve disc arranged in a valve chamber. One type of vibration damping spring is one that is integrally formed with the valve disc and has multiple legs. The multiple legs are in pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber and act as a leaf spring. This type of vibration damping spring displaces integrally with the valve disc, and during this displacement, the multiple legs slide in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber. Vibrations generated in the valve disc are absorbed and suppressed by the multiple legs sliding in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6697976 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve the vibration damping effect of the vibration damping spring having the above-mentioned multiple legs, it is conceivable to increase the load of the multiple legs on the circumferential surface inside the valve chamber.

[0005] However, the valve body, which contains the valve chamber, is generally made primarily of aluminum. On the other hand, the vibration damping spring is made primarily of stainless steel. As such, the hardness of the vibration damping spring is greater than the hardness of the valve chamber's circumferential surface. Therefore, increasing the load of the multiple legs on the valve chamber's circumferential surface may increase wear on the valve chamber's circumferential surface.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an expansion valve that can prevent wear on the circumferential surface inside the valve chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The expansion valve of the present invention comprises a valve body, a valve element, a biasing device, and a vibration damping spring. The valve body has a valve chamber and an orifice. The valve element is disposed in the valve chamber. The biasing device is provided in the valve chamber on the opposite side of the orifice with the valve element in between. The biasing device comprises a coil spring and a support portion. The coil spring biases the valve element toward the orifice. The support portion is cylindrical with the biasing member disposed inside and supporting the coil spring. The vibration damping spring comprises a base portion and a plurality of legs. The base portion is disposed between the valve element and the spring. The plurality of legs extend from the base portion toward the outer peripheral surface of the support portion and press against the outer peripheral surface, but do not abut against the inner surface of the valve chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an expansion valve can be provided that can prevent wear on the circumferential surface inside the valve chamber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view showing the main part of the expansion valve. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the protruding portion of the vibration damping spring of the expansion valve and its vicinity. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an expansion valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an expansion valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a bent portion of a vibration damping spring of the expansion valve and its vicinity. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F8-F8 in FIG. 6. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an expansion valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the expansion valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First embodiment] An expansion valve 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the expansion valve 1 in an exploded state. FIG. 2 shows the valve body 20, the valve body support member 30, the vibration damping spring 70, and the biasing device 40. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the vibration damping spring 70. Note that FIG. 3 does not show the side portions 75 of the vibration damping spring 70. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the protruding portions 77 of the legs 72 of the vibration damping spring 70.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the expansion valve 1 includes a valve body 10, a valve element 20, a valve element support member 30, a biasing device 40, a power element 50, an actuation rod 60, and a vibration damping spring 70. The expansion valve 1 is part of a refrigeration cycle used in, for example, a vehicle. The expansion valve 1 forms part of the flow path between the condenser and the evaporator and part of the flow path between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0012] For convenience of explanation, the direction from the valve body 20 to the orifice 12 (described later) is defined as the up direction, and one linear direction perpendicular to the up direction is defined as the width direction.

[0013] The valve body 10 includes a valve chamber 11, an orifice 12, an inlet passage 13, an outlet passage 14, and a return passage 15. A hole 10a is formed in the lower part of the valve body 10. The hole 10a opens to the lower end of the valve body 10. A female thread 10b is formed in the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the hole 10a. A part of the hole 10a forms the valve chamber 11.

[0014] The orifice 12 is formed at the upper end of the valve chamber 11. A throat portion that is continuous with the orifice is formed downstream of the orifice 12. The periphery of the orifice is a valve seat on which the valve element 20 is seated. The inflow passage 13 is formed at the bottom of the valve body 11. The passage 13 is a passage through which the refrigerant flows into the valve chamber 11. The inflow passage 13 extends in the width direction.

[0015] The outflow passage 14 is formed in the vertical middle of the valve body 11. The outflow passage 14 is a flow path that allows the refrigerant that has passed through the orifice 12 to flow out of the valve body 10. The outflow passage 14 extends in the width direction. Furthermore, the outflow passage 14 includes a throat portion. The return passage 15 is formed in the upper part of the valve body 11. The return passage 15 is a flow path that allows the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator to flow. The return passage 15 is part of the flow path that connects the evaporator and the compressor. The return passage 15 extends in the width direction.

[0016] Such a valve body 10 is made of, for example, an aluminum material. "Aluminum material" refers to a metal material that primarily contains aluminum, and includes aluminum alloys as well as pure aluminum materials. The surface of the valve body 10 is, for example, anodized. However, the surface of the valve body 10 is not limited to being anodized. In other examples, it may not be anodized. The surface referred to here also includes the inner circumferential surface 11a of the valve chamber 11 of the valve body 10.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve element 20 is disposed in the valve chamber 11. The valve element 20 is, for example, spherical. The hardness of the valve element 20 is higher than the hardness of the valve body 10. In this embodiment, the hardness may be measured by any method as long as it indicates the susceptibility of wear between sliding contacting members. A higher hardness indicates less wear. In other words, when the valve body 10 and the valve element 20 are in sliding contact with each other, the valve body 10 is more susceptible to wear. As an example of hardness, Vickers hardness measured according to the method specified in JIS Z 2244-1:2020 is used. The valve element 20 is made of, for example, stainless steel.

[0018] The valve body support member 30 comprises a main body 31 and a flange 32. The main body 31 supports the lower part of the valve body 20. The lower part of the valve body 20 may be fixed to the main body 31. The main body 31 is columnar, e.g., cylindrical, and is long in the vertical direction. A portion of the main body 31 is disposed within a coil spring 41 (described later) of the biasing device 40. The flange 32 is formed at the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 31. The flange 32 is annular and extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main body 31.

[0019] The biasing device 40 biases the valve body 20 toward the orifice 12. In this embodiment, the biasing device 40 biases the valve body 20 toward the orifice 12 via the valve body support member 30. The biasing device 40 includes a coil spring 41, an adjustment member 42, and a seal member 45.

[0020] The adjustment member 42 includes a lid portion 43 and a support portion 44. The adjustment member 42 is a single member. A single member is not a member configured as a single member by fixing multiple members together, but rather a single member that cannot be disassembled. The lid portion 43 closes the opening at the lower end of the hole 10a of the valve body 10. A male thread 43a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lid portion 43. The male thread 43a is threadedly engaged with a female thread 10b formed in the opening 10a of the valve body 10, thereby fixing the lid portion 43 to the opening at the lower end of the hole 10a.

[0021] The support portion 44 is formed on the valve chamber 11 side of the lid portion 43. The support portion 44 is cylindrical in shape and at least the lower part of the coil spring 41 is disposed therein. The support portion 44 is coaxial with the orifice 12. The outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44 is cylindrical. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44 has a shape such that a cross section perpendicular to the axis is circular.

[0022] The outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44 has, from the top to the bottom, a first outer peripheral surface 44a, a second outer peripheral surface 44b, and a third outer peripheral surface 44c. The diameter of the second outer peripheral surface 44b is larger than the diameter of the first outer peripheral surface 44a. The diameter of the third outer peripheral surface 44c is larger than the diameter of the second outer peripheral surface 44b. The support portion 44 is not limited to a cylindrical shape having multiple outer diameters. In another example, the support portion 44 may be a cylindrical shape having a single outer diameter. The adjustment member 42 can be made of the same material as the vibration damping spring 70, for example, stainless steel. In another example, the adjustment member 42 may be made of a resin material with high friction resistance. Examples of this resin include glass fiber-reinforced resin and polyphenylene sulfide.

[0023] The coil spring 41 is disposed within the support portion 44. The outer diameter of the coil spring 41 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the support portion 44. "Slightly smaller" means that there is a slight gap between the coil spring 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the support portion 44. The slight gap is a gap that allows the coil spring 41 to be inserted into the support portion 44 without hindering the expansion and contraction of the coil spring 41. The upper end of the coil spring 41 abuts against the lower surface of the flange portion 32 of the valve body support member 30 via the vibration damping spring 70.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the seal member 45 is provided between the second outer peripheral surface 44b of the support portion 44 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 11.

[0025] The power element 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the valve body 10. The power element 50 generates a driving force that displaces the valve body 20 in the valve opening direction. The power element 50 includes a housing 51 fixed to the valve body 10, a diaphragm 52 provided within the housing 51, and a stopper member 53 that restricts deformation of the diaphragm 52.

[0026] The housing 51 has an opening at its bottom that communicates with the return flow path 15. The diaphragm 52 is provided inside the housing 51. The diaphragm 52 divides the interior of the housing into upper and lower sections. This defines a pressure actuated chamber 54 and a communication chamber 55 inside the housing 51. The pressure actuated chamber 54 is filled with working fluid. The communication chamber 55 is located below the diaphragm 52 and communicates with the return flow path 15.

[0027] The stopper member 53 is disposed within the communication chamber 55. An upper portion of the stopper member 53 abuts against the diaphragm 52. The stopper member 53 is displaced downward in response to the downward displacement of the diaphragm 52. The stopper member 53 has a flange, and when the flange abuts against the housing 51, the stopper member 53 is restricted from moving downward beyond a predetermined position. By restricting the downward movement of the stopper member 53, deformation of the diaphragm 52 is restricted.

[0028] The actuating rod 60 transmits the driving force generated by the power element 50 to the valve body 20. The actuating rod 60 is provided between the stopper member 53 and the valve body 20. The actuating rod 60 has a linear rod shape extending in the vertical direction. The upper end of the actuating part 60 is fixed to the stopper member 53. The lower end of the actuating rod 60 abuts against the valve body 20. The actuating rod 60 is maintained in a state sandwiched between the stopper member 53 and the valve body 20 by the biasing force of the biasing device 40 input via the valve body 20.

[0029] The vibration damping spring 70 suppresses or prevents vibration of the valve body 20. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the vibration damping spring 70 includes a base 71 and a plurality of legs 72. The base 71 is provided between the valve body 20 and the coil spring 41 of the biasing device 40. In this embodiment, the base 71 is sandwiched between the flange 32 of the valve body support member 30 and the upper end of the coil spring 40.

[0030] The base 71 is formed in an annular shape and has a hole 71a. The hole 71a is located at the center of the base 71. A part of the base 31 of the valve body support member 30 is located in the hole 71a. The shape and size of the hole 71a are set so that the inner circumferential surface of the hole 71a abuts against the base 31, thereby preventing the base 31 from moving. The movement of the base 31 is movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the base 31. The hole 71a is a circular hole.

[0031] Alternatively, the shape and size of the hole 71a are set to allow the base 31 to move slightly. "Slight movement" here refers to movement that occurs due to a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the hole 71a and the outer circumferential surface of the base 31. This gap is small and makes it easier to insert the base 31 into the hole 71a. The base 71 is plate-shaped. The upper and lower surfaces of the base 71 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the axis of the hole 71a. The base 71 is thinner than the base 31 of the valve body support member 30.

[0032] The plurality of legs 72 are formed continuously with the base 71. The plurality of legs 72 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the hole 71a of the base 71. For example, eight legs 72 are formed.

[0033] The leg portion 72 has an upper portion 73, a bent portion 74, and a side portion 75. The upper portion 73 is formed continuously with the base portion 71. The upper portion 73 extends in the radial direction of the hole 71a. The thickness of the upper portion 73 is the same as or approximately the same as that of the base portion 71. The upper and lower surfaces of the upper portion 73 are formed flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the base portion 71. A gap S is formed between two circumferentially adjacent upper portions 73. The gap S is semicircular when viewed in the axial direction of the hole 71a. In another example, the gap S may be triangular.

[0034] The width of the tip end of the upper portion 73 is constant. Here, "constant" means that the length in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction is the same or approximately the same.

[0035] The bent portion 74 is formed continuously with the upper portion 73. The thickness and width of the bent portion 74 are the same as or approximately the same as those of the upper portion 73. The bent portion 74 has a shape that bends downward. The bent portion 74 has a shape that bends around an axis that is perpendicular to the radial direction of the hole 71a. The outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the bent portion 74 are curved surfaces.

[0036] The side portion 75 is formed contiguous with the bent portion 74. The width and thickness of the side portion 75 are the same or approximately the same as those of the bent portion 74. The side portion 75 extends downward. The side portion 75 has a first portion 75a, an elbow portion 75b, and a second portion 75c. The first portion 75a is formed contiguous with the bent portion 74. The first portion 75a has a shape that extends outward in the radial direction of the hole 71a as it extends downward. The first portion 75a does not abut against the inner circumferential surface 11a of the valve chamber 11. In the initial state, the first portion 75a is a plate-like member that extends linearly. The initial state refers to a state in which the valve chamber 11 is not assembled.

[0037] The elbow 75b is formed continuously with the lower end of the first portion 75a. The elbow 75b has a shape that bends toward the support portion 44 so that the second portion 75c faces the support portion 44.

[0038] The second portion 75c is formed continuously with the elbow portion 75b. In an initial state, the second portion 75c is a plate-like member extending linearly. As the second portion 75c extends downward, it approaches the support portion 44 in the radial direction of the hole 71a. The second portion 75c extends to a position where it abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44. A portion of the second portion 75c is a sliding contact portion 76 that slides against the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44. In this embodiment, a protruding portion 77 that protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44 is formed at the lower end or lower edge of the second portion 75c. A portion of the protruding portion 77 becomes the sliding contact portion 76.

[0039] Here, the lower end portion refers to the area near the lower end of the second portion 75c. The protruding portion 77 has a bulging shape. Both the surface of the protruding portion 77 facing the support portion 44 and the surface facing the inner circumferential surface 11a are hemispherical. The protruding portion 77 is formed so that the sliding contact portion 76 is located at the center of the second portion 75c in the width direction.

[0040] The width of the tip end of the upper portion 73, the width of the bent portion 74, and the width of the side portion 75 are the same or approximately the same. The vibration damping spring 73 can be formed by press-molding a single plate member. In this embodiment, the adjusting member 42 and the vibration damping spring 70 are made of materials that can prevent or suppress wear of the adjusting member 42 due to the vibration damping spring 70 sliding against the adjusting member 42. As an example, if the adjusting member 42 is made of metal, the hardness of the metal material that makes up the vibration damping spring 70 is the same as or approximately the same as the material that makes up the adjusting member 42. The material that makes up the vibration damping spring 70 is, for example, the same as the material of the support part 44. If the material that makes up the adjusting member 42 is resin, the adjusting member 42 is made of a material that has wear resistance that can prevent or suppress wear due to the sliding of the vibration damping spring 70. In other words, the adjusting member 42 is made of a material with high wear resistance. Alternatively, the vibration damping spring 70 is made of a metal material that has the same or approximately the same wear resistance as the wear resistance of the support part 44.

[0041] When the vibration damping spring 70 is assembled in the valve chamber 11, the sliding contact portion 76 is deflected so as to be displaced outward in the radial direction of the hole 71a compared to the initial state.

[0042] The restoring force against this deflection causes the multiple sliding contact portions 76 of the vibration damping spring 70 to press against the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44. This pressing force urges the valve body support member 30 to a position where the base portion 31 is coaxial with the support portion 44. As a result, the valve body 20 is positioned via the valve body support member 30 at a position where it is coaxial with the orifice 12, which is coaxial with the support portion 44.

[0043] Next, a portion of the operation of the expansion valve 1 will be described. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the communication chamber 55 of the power element 50 are transmitted to the diaphragm 52 directly or via the stopper member 53. The volume of the working fluid in the pressure actuated chamber 54 changes depending on the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant received through the diaphragm 52. The diaphragm 52 deforms in response to this volume change, and as this deformation occurs, the valve element 20 strokes between the closed state and the fully open state. As the valve element 20 strokes, the valve element support member 30 and the vibration damping spring 70 are displaced integrally with the valve element 20. As the vibration damping spring 70 displaces, the sliding contact portion 76 comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44.

[0044] Vibrations occur in the valve body 20 due to various causes. The vertical vibration component of this vibration is absorbed by the sliding contact of the sliding contact portion 76 with the outer circumferential surface of the support portion 44. The vibration component in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is absorbed by the deflection of the vibration damping spring 70.

[0045] In this expansion valve 1, the vibration damping spring 70 does not slide against the inner circumferential surface 11a of the valve chamber 11, preventing wear on the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber 11. Furthermore, having the vibration damping spring 70 slide against the adjusting member 42 rather than the inner circumferential surface 11a of the valve chamber 11 offers advantages in terms of mass production of the expansion valve 1. For mass production, the valve body 10 requires workability, such as extrusion or complex cutting. Therefore, constructing the valve body 10 from a wear-resistant material would sacrifice workability and increase costs. On the other hand, the adjusting member 42 is small and has a simple shape, making it relatively easy to process. Therefore, even if the adjusting member 42 is constructed from a wear-resistant material, the increase in costs can be kept to a minimum, and there is also the advantage that the adjusting member 42 does not wear.

[0046] Furthermore, the adjustment member 42 is smaller and has a simpler shape than the valve body 10. This allows the adjustment member 42 to be made of a material that can prevent or minimize wear caused by sliding contact with the vibration damping spring 70. Compared to forming the valve body 10, which is larger and more complex than the adjustment member 42, from stainless steel or a highly wear-resistant resin, the adjustment member 42 is easier to form from the above-mentioned materials. In this embodiment, the vibration damping spring 70 can be made of a material that has the same or approximately the same hardness or wear resistance as the adjustment member 42 and the vibration damping spring 70. As a result, wear of the adjustment member 42 and the vibration damping spring 70 can be minimized. In this embodiment, the adjustment member 42 and the vibration damping spring 70 are made of the same material. Furthermore, because the leg portion 72 does not slide against the inner circumferential surface 11a of the valve chamber 11, the vibration damping spring 70 does not interfere with the inlet 13a of the inlet passage 13. This allows greater freedom in designing the length and shape of the legs of the vibration damping spring 70.

[0047] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the side portion 75 has been described as having a curved shape with a first portion 75a, an elbow portion 75b, and a second portion 75b. In another example, as in the second embodiment described using Figure 5, the side portion 75 may have a shape that is linear in the initial state of the vibration damping spring 70. In the vibration damping spring 70 of the second embodiment, a protrusion 77 is formed at the lower end or lower edge portion thereof.

[0048] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of a vibration damping spring 70 of the second embodiment. When the vibration damping spring 70 is assembled in the valve chamber 11, as shown in Figure 5, all or part of the upper portion 73, bent portion 74, and side portion 75 of the vibration damping spring 70 bend, thereby achieving the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of the side portion 75 can be simplified.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second outer peripheral surface 44b and the third outer peripheral surface 44c of the adjustment member 42 have the same diameter, and an O-ring 45 is provided between the first outer peripheral surface 44a and the inner peripheral surface 11a of the valve chamber 11. In the first embodiment, the second outer peripheral surface 44b and the third outer peripheral surface 44c of the adjustment member 42 may also have the same diameter.

[0050] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, the expansion valve 1 is described in which the protruding portion 77 is formed on the side portion 75, and a part of the protruding portion 77 is the sliding contact portion 76. In another example, as in the third embodiment described using Figures 6, 7, and 8, the side portion 75 of the leg portion 72 of the vibration damping spring 70 may be formed with a bent portion 78 instead of the protruding portion 77.

[0051] An example of the third embodiment will be described based on the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the expansion valve 1 of the third embodiment. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the bent portion 78 and its vicinity. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cross section F8-F8 shown in Fig. 6.

[0052] 5, 6 and 7, in the expansion valve 1 of the third embodiment, the side portion 75 of the vibration damping spring 70 has a bent portion 78 instead of the protruding portion 77. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] The bent portion 78 is formed by bending the lower end of the second portion 75c of the side portion 75 in a direction away from the support portion 44. The position of the bent portion 78 in the side portion 75 (in other words, the position of the valley portion 78a described later) is not limited to the lower end. In another example, the bent portion 78 may be located at the middle position in the up-down direction of the second portion 75c.

[0054] The bent portion 78 has a valley portion 78a facing the support portion 44. The valley portion 78a is formed in a range from one end to the other end of the side portion 75 in the width direction. The valley portion 78a is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the radial direction of the support portion 44. The portion of the valley portion 78a that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 44 becomes the sliding contact portion 76. The sliding contact portion 76 is at or near the center of the valley portion 78a in the width direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the shape of the side portion 75 can be simplified. Note that in the vibration damping spring 70 of the second embodiment as well, a bent portion 78 may be used instead of the protruding portion 77. When the bent portion 78 is used in the second embodiment, the valley portion 78a is formed at the lower end portion of the side portion 75. Note that the position of the valley portion 78a is not limited to the lower end portion of the side portion 75, and in another example, it may be at the middle position in the up-down direction of the side portion 75.

[0056] [Fourth embodiment] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the adjustment member 42 has been described as being a single member having the lid portion 43 and the support portion 44. In another example, as in the fourth embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the adjustment member 42 may be configured such that the portion including the contacted portion against which the sliding portion 76 of the vibration damping spring 70 slides is separate from the other portion, and the portion including the contacted portion is detachable. In other words, the adjustment member 42 may be configured such that the portion against which the vibration damping spring 70 slides is replaceable. The other portion includes at least the lid portion 43.

[0057] The fourth embodiment will be described based on the first embodiment. The expansion valve 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the adjustment member 42, but the other configurations are the same. Figures 9 and 10 are both cross-sectional views showing the main parts of the expansion valve 1.

[0058] 9, the adjustment member 42 of the fourth embodiment includes a main body 100 and a tubular member 101. The adjustment member 42 is configured by fixing the tubular member 101 to the main body 100. Other configurations of the expansion valve 1 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0059] The tubular member 101 is an example of a second member of the adjustment member 42 that includes a sliding contact portion with which the vibration damping spring 70 slides. The tubular member 101 is a portion that forms the first outer peripheral surface 44a of the support portion 44. The tubular member 101 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a tubular portion 101a and a bottom wall portion 101b. The coil spring 41 is disposed inside the tubular member 101.

[0060] The main body 100 has a shape obtained by removing the first outer peripheral surface 44a of the support portion 44 from the adjustment member 42 described in the first embodiment, and further having a fixing portion 100a. The main body 100 is an example of a first member fixed to the valve main body 10. The fixing portion 100a has a shape that allows the tubular member 101 to be detachably fixed. The fixing portion 100a is, for example, a recess. The tubular member 101 is fitted into the fixing portion 100a. The inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion 100a is, for example, cylindrical.

[0061] The tubular member 101 is inserted with the bottom wall portion 101b facing downward until it abuts against the inner bottom surface of the fixed portion 100a. The tubular member 101 is fixed to the fixed portion 100a by fitting into the fixed portion 100a and by the pressing force of the coil spring 41 pressing the tubular member 101 against the inner bottom surface of the fixed portion 100a. In other words, by also using the pressing force of the coil spring 41 as a fixing means, it is possible to reduce the degree of fitting of the tubular member 101 into the fixed portion 100a. Reducing the degree of fitting of the tubular member 101 into the fixed portion 100a makes it easier to attach and detach the tubular member 101 to and from the fixed portion 100a.

[0062] It should be noted that the cylindrical member 101 only needs to be detachably fixed to the main body 100, and the fixing means is not limited to fitting or the pressing force of the coil spring 41. The fixing means may be, for example, an adhesive or a screw.

[0063] Additionally, as an example, the cylindrical member 101 has a shape that does not include the second and third outer peripheral surfaces 44b, 44c, but is not limited to this. The cylindrical member 101 only needs to include a sliding portion on which the vibration damping spring 70 slides. In another example, the cylindrical member 101 may be cylindrical and have both the first outer peripheral surface 44a and the second outer peripheral surface 44b.

[0064] Moreover, while the tubular member 101 is cylindrical with a bottom, in another example, it may be cylindrical with both ends open, as shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, the main body 100 to which the tubular member 101 is detachably fixed is, in one example, a single member, but in another example, it may be configured by fixing a plurality of members.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the tubular member 101 is detachable from the main body 100. Therefore, even if the tubular member 101 is made of metal and has a lower hardness than the vibration damping spring 70, and the tubular member 101 wears out, it can be replaced. Alternatively, if the tubular member 101 is made of resin and has a lower wear resistance than the vibration damping spring 70, it can be replaced even if the tubular member 101 wears out. The adjustment member 42 of this embodiment may be used in the second and third embodiments.

[0066] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...expansion valve, 10...valve body, 11...valve chamber, 12...orifice, 20...valve body, 30...support member, 40...biasing device, 41...coil spring (biasing member), 44...support portion, 50...power element, 60...operating rod, 70...vibration damping spring, 71...base portion, 72...leg portion, 73...upper portion, 74...bent portion, 75...side portion, 75a...first portion, 75c...second portion, 76...sliding contact portion, 77...protruding portion, 78...bent portion.

Claims

1. a valve body having a valve chamber and an orifice; a valve body disposed in the valve chamber; an urging device provided in the valve chamber on the opposite side of the orifice with the valve body sandwiched therebetween, the urging device including a coil spring that urges the valve body toward the orifice, and a cylindrical support portion inside which the coil spring is disposed and which supports the coil spring; a vibration damping spring including a base portion disposed between the valve body and the coil spring, and a plurality of legs extending from the base portion toward an outer peripheral surface of the support portion and pressingly contacting the outer peripheral surface but not abutting the inner surface of the valve chamber; An expansion valve comprising:

2. the leg portion includes a first portion extending from the base portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber and a second portion extending from the first portion to the support portion, the second portion is pressed against the support portion; The expansion valve according to claim 1 .

3. the leg portion includes a first bent portion that bends from the base portion side toward the support portion side, and a side portion that extends from the first bent portion to the support portion, When the vibration damping spring is removed from the biasing device, the side portion is straight. The expansion valve according to claim 1 .

4. The leg portion has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the support portion, A part of the protruding portion is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the support portion. The expansion valve according to claim 1 .

5. the leg portion has a second bent portion bent toward a side away from the support portion, a part of a valley portion of the second bent portion facing the support portion is in pressure contact with the support portion; The expansion valve according to claim 1 .

6. The biasing device includes a first member detachably fixed to the valve body, and a second member detachably fixed to the first member and having a sliding contact portion with which the vibration damping spring is pressed; Equipped with The expansion valve according to claim 1 .

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