Valve control device and valve control method

Abstract

To improve sealability in a gap between a housing and a valve body effectively.SOLUTION: A valve control device 1 is applied to a valve device 10 including a valve body 3, a housing 2, and a seal member 4 provided at the housing 2. The seal member 4 is provided with a rib which slides on the valve body 3 in conjunction with rotation of the valve body 3 and runs on an axial edge part of a wall surface 37 of the valve body 3 to seal a gap between the seal member 4 and the wall surface 37 when a rotation angle θ of the valve body 3 is in a predetermined range. The valve control device 1 includes: an acquisition part 11 which acquires slide information As related to slide torque Ts acting on the valve body 3 when the rib slides; a determination part 12 which determines, based on the slide information As, that the rib completes running on the axial edge part; and a stop part 14 which stops rotation of the valve body 3 when it is determined that the riding is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a valve device that switches flow paths depending on the rotational position of a valve element relative to a housing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known valve devices that switch the communication state of a flow path depending on the rotation angle (rotational position) of a valve element that is rotatably mounted relative to a housing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-port valve that selectively connects coolant flow paths to multiple ports mounted in a valve housing by rotating a stem shell (corresponding to the valve element). In this multi-port valve, port seals (sealing members) are placed between the ports and the stem shell to seal the gaps between them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6588646 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described in Patent Document 1, providing a sealing member (e.g., packing) on ​​either the housing or the valve disc is effective in improving the sealing performance of the gap between the housing and the valve disc. In this case, it is even more effective to provide a convex ridge, also called a rib, on the sealing member provided on either the housing or the valve disc, and to have this rib abut against the wall surface of the other of the housing or the valve disc. However, unless the rib is securely abutted against the wall surface (the rib rides up on the wall surface), there is a risk that the sealing performance of the gap between the housing and the valve disc will not be effectively improved.

[0005] The present invention was devised in consideration of these problems, and one of its objectives is to effectively improve the sealing performance of the gap between the housing and the valve body. However, this objective is not limited to this. Another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects that cannot be obtained by conventional techniques, which are derived from the configurations shown in the detailed description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention can be realized as the embodiments (application examples) disclosed below, which solve at least part of the above problems. Each of the embodiments 2 to 7 can be selected as an additional option, and each can be omitted. None of the embodiments 2 to 7 discloses an embodiment or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0007] Aspect 1. The disclosed valve control device is a control device for a valve device including a valve element, a housing, and a seal member provided on one of the valve element and the housing. The seal member is provided with a rib that slides relative to the other of the valve element and the housing as the valve element rotates, and that rides up on the axial edge of the other wall surface when the rotation angle of the valve element is within a predetermined range, thereby sealing a gap between the wall surface. The valve control device is characterized by including an acquisition unit that acquires sliding information related to the sliding torque acting on the valve element when the rib slides, a determination unit that determines whether the rib has completely climbed up on the axial edge based on the sliding information, and a stop unit that stops the rotation of the valve element when it is determined that the rib has completely climbed up on the axial edge.

[0008] Aspect 2. In the above aspect 1, it is preferable that the stopping unit stops the rotation of the valve element when the valve element has rotated a predetermined angle or for a predetermined time after it is determined that the climbing has been completed.

[0009] Aspect 3. In the above aspect 1 or 2, it is preferable that the determination unit determines the start of the rib climbing onto the axial edge portion at the time when the sliding torque starts to increase based on the sliding information, and determines the completion of the climbing at the time when a decrease in the sliding torque is detected after determining the start of the climbing.

[0010] Aspect 4. In the above aspect 3, it is preferable that the valve control device further includes a storage unit that stores a target angle, which is the theoretical rotation angle when rotation of the valve element is to be stopped. Furthermore, it is preferable that the stopping unit stops the rotation of the valve element when the actual rotation angle of the valve element or the rotation shaft that rotates the valve element reaches the target angle stored in the storage unit if the start of climbing has not been determined, and stops the rotation of the valve element when the actual rotation angle reaches an angle obtained by adding a predetermined angle to the target angle if the start of climbing has been determined but the completion of climbing has not been determined.

[0011] Aspect 5. In any of Aspects 1 to 4 above, it is preferable that the acquisition unit acquires steady-state information regarding the steady-state torque acting on the valve body when the rib and the wall surface are not in contact, and the determination unit confirms that the sliding torque is greater than the steady-state torque based on the sliding information and the steady-state information, and then determines whether the climbing has been completed based on the sliding information.

[0012] Aspect 6. In any of Aspects 1 to 5 above, it is preferable that the determination unit confirms that the actual rotation angle of the valve body or the rotation shaft that rotates the valve body is within the predetermined range, and then determines whether the riding has been completed based on the sliding information. Aspect 7. In any of Aspects 1 to 6 above, it is preferable that the acquisition unit acquires as the sliding information the current value required to drive the valve body when the rib slides against the other rib, and the determination unit determines that the riding-over is complete when the differential value of the current value changes from a positive value to a negative value.

[0013] Aspect 8. The disclosed valve control method is a method for controlling a valve device including a valve element, a housing, and a seal member provided on one of the valve element and the housing. The seal member is provided with a rib that slides relative to the other of the valve element and the housing as the valve element rotates, and rides up on an axial edge of a wall surface of the other wall surface when the rotation angle of the valve element is within a predetermined range, sealing a gap between the wall surface. The valve control method acquires sliding information related to a sliding torque acting on the valve element when the rib slides, determines whether the rib has completely climbed up on the axial edge based on the sliding information, and stops the rotation of the valve element when it is determined that the rib has completely climbed up on the axial edge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the sealing performance of the gap between the housing and the valve body can be effectively improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a main part of a valve device according to an embodiment, together with an actuator and a valve control device. [Figure 2] 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the valve device of FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1). [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a valve body provided in the valve device of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the valve body of FIG. 3, seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a seal member provided in the valve device of FIG. 1 in a cutaway view. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged radial cross-sectional view of a main part of the seal member of FIG. 5 (a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB of FIG. 5). [Figure 7] 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure (valve control method) performed by the valve control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 8 is an example of a time chart illustrating the effect of the control of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A valve control device and a valve control method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the following embodiments. The configurations of the present embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0017] [1. Equipment configuration] FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a main portion of a valve device 10 to which a valve control device 1 according to this embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, the direction DX along which an axis X, which is the center of rotation of a valve element 3 of the valve device 10, extends is also referred to as the "axial direction DX." A direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX and extending away from and toward the axis X is also referred to as the "radial direction." A direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX and rotating around the axis X is defined as the "circumferential direction DC." The circumferential direction DC is the direction of rotation of the valve element 3. In addition, one side of the axial direction DX (a first direction of the axial direction DX, the upper side in FIG. 1) is defined as the upper side, and the other side of the axial direction DX (a second direction of the axial direction DX, the lower side in FIG. 1) is defined as the lower side. However, these up-down directions are defined for convenience and are unrelated to the orientation in which the valve device 10 is actually installed.

[0018] The valve device 10 is used, for example, in a thermal management system of an electric vehicle that centrally controls cooling of motor windings, heating and cooling of a battery, heat sources for heating and cooling, etc. The valve device 10 of this embodiment is used to switch the flow path of liquid coolant (fluid) in the thermal management system of the electric vehicle.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve device 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 2 that forms at least a part of the valve housing, a valve element 3 that is arranged in a valve chamber 21 within the housing 2, a seal member 4 that is provided between the housing 2 and the valve element 3, and a lid 5 that closes the valve chamber 21 from above.

[0020] In this embodiment, the housing 2, valve element 3, and cover 5 are all made of a relatively hard elastic material (e.g., plastic), and the seal member 4 is made of a relatively soft elastic material (e.g., rubber) (softer than at least the housing 2 and valve element 3). An actuator 6 that rotates the valve element 3 is connected to the valve device 10. The actuator 6 is, for example, an electric motor. Note that FIG. 1 shows only a part of the actuator 6 (an output shaft 61, which will be described later) in cross section.

[0021] The housing 2 has a substantially cylindrical housing wall 22 that is coaxial with the axis X, and a plurality of ports 23 formed in the housing wall 22. The space radially inside (on the axis X side) of the housing wall 22 is the valve chamber 21. All of the ports 23 of the housing 2 function as connection ports between the valve chamber 21 and an external cooling water flow path (not shown).

[0022] The valve element 3 is rotatably provided relative to the housing 2. The valve element 3 has a shaft portion 31 extending in the axial direction DX and a valve portion 32 formed radially outward of the shaft portion 31. The shaft portion 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical or columnar shape and is disposed on the axis X. A lower end portion 33 of the shaft portion 31 is rotatably supported by a bushing 26 provided in the housing 2. Meanwhile, an upper end portion 34 of the shaft portion 31 is disposed outside the valve chamber 21 through a through-hole 51 formed in the cover 5, and is connected to an output shaft 61 of the actuator 6 (a rotating shaft that rotates the valve element 3).

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve portion 32 has a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the stem portion 31, with spaces corresponding to the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36, which serve as cooling water flow paths, hollowed out. The valve portion 32 has a wall surface 37, which is an outer circumferential surface extending in the axial direction DX and the circumferential direction DC. The wall surface 37 has openings 38, 39 that open radially outward from the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36. That is, the wall surface 37 includes edge portions that define the openings 38, 39 (portions that abut against inner ribs 43, 44 of the seal member 4, described later). Hereinafter, of the edge portions that are part of the wall surface 37 of the valve portion 32 of the valve disc 3 and define the openings 38, 39, the portion that extends along the axial direction DX will be referred to as the "axial edge portion 37a."

[0024] 4, the first valve flow path 35 is tunnel-shaped and has two openings 38 corresponding to both ends thereof. The two openings 38 are open radially outward at different positions in the circumferential direction DC of the wall surface 37, and are rectangular when viewed from the radially outward direction.

[0025] 3, the second valve flow path 36 is a space that is open downward and radially outward. The second valve flow path 36 has an opening 39 in a wall surface 37 that is open in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the radially outward direction. The second valve flow path 36 forms the lower end face of the valve section 32 into a partially missing circular shape. In contrast, the upper end face of the valve section 32 is formed into an unmissive circular shape.

[0026] 2, the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36 are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft portion 31 (axis center X). Therefore, the axial edge portions 37a are provided at a total of six locations: on both sides in the circumferential direction DC of each of the two openings 38 and on both sides in the circumferential direction DC of one opening 39. Note that, although the portion of the valve portion 32 in this embodiment is hollow between the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36, it may also be solid.

[0027] The rotation angle θ (rotational position, valve angle) of the valve element 3 relative to the housing 2 is controlled so that the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36 communicate with either of the ports 23 of the housing 2. The rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 is the angle by which the valve element 3 rotates with respect to a predetermined reference. As a result, in the valve device 10, the above-mentioned multiple connection ports are selectively opened and closed, thereby switching the flow path of the cooling water. In this way, the valve device 10 switches the flow path depending on the positional relationship between the port 23 of the housing 2 and the openings 38, 39 of the first valve flow path 35 and the second valve flow path 36 of the valve element 3.

[0028] The seal member 4 is a packing that is provided between the housing 2 and the valve disc 3, which rotate relative to each other, and seals the gap between the housing 2 and the valve disc 3. That is, a gap is provided between the housing 2 and the valve disc 3 to allow the two to rotate relative to each other, but leakage of cooling water from this gap will result in heat loss, so in the valve device 10, the seal member 4 seals this gap to suppress heat loss.

[0029] In this embodiment, the valve disc 3 is provided in the valve chamber 21 inside the housing 2, and the seal member 4 is disposed radially outside the valve disc 3 inside the valve chamber 21. The seal member 4 is disposed so as to surround substantially the entire circumference of the valve disc 3. Note that in the drawings, the cross section of the seal member 4 is shown by dotted lines, and in Figure 2 the cross-sectional shape of the seal member 4 is shown in a simplified form.

[0030] The seal member 4 is provided on either the housing 2 or the valve body 3. In this embodiment, the seal member 4 is provided on the housing 2, and a configuration in which it is provided integrally with the housing 2 is exemplified. In other words, the seal member 4 of this embodiment can be said to be integral with the housing 2, and therefore slides against the valve body 3 (the other of the housing 2 and the valve body 3) when the valve body 3 rotates. Note that when the seal member 4 is provided on the valve body 3, the seal member 4, which rotates integrally with the valve body 3, slides against the housing 2.

[0031] 5, the seal member 4 has a substantially cylindrical seal main body 41, a plurality of seal openings 42 formed in the seal main body 41, and ribs 43 to 46 protruding from the surface of the seal main body 41. The seal openings 42 of the seal member 4 are openings provided at intervals in the circumferential direction DC so as to correspond to the plurality of ports 23 formed in the housing wall 22 of the housing 2, respectively. The seal member 4 is attached to the housing 2 after being positioned so that the seal openings 42 overlap (are in communication with) the ports 23 of the housing 2, respectively.

[0032] The ribs 43 to 46 are protruding stripes provided to improve the sealing properties of the seal member 4, and are provided in a frame shape that borders the seal opening 42. In the seal member 4 of this embodiment, the ribs 43 to 46 are molded integrally with the seal main body 41 (i.e., the seal member 4 has the ribs 43 to 46). However, the ribs 43 to 46 may also be molded separately from the seal main body 41 and then attached to the seal main body 41. In other words, the ribs 43 to 46 may be added later to the seal member 4 that already has the seal main body 41.

[0033] The ribs 43 to 46 are broadly divided into inner ribs 43, 44 protruding from the inner circumferential surface (surface facing radially inward) of the seal body 41 and outer ribs 45, 46 protruding from the outer circumferential surface (surface facing radially outward) of the seal body 41. The inner ribs 43, 44 are further divided into inner axial ribs 43 (ribs) extending along the axial direction DX and inner circumferential ribs 44 extending along the circumferential direction DC. The outer ribs 45, 46 are further divided into outer axial ribs 45 extending along the axial direction DX and outer circumferential ribs 46 extending along the circumferential direction DC. The specific shape and size of each of the ribs 43 to 46 can be set as appropriate and are not limited to those shown in FIG. 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, the seal member 4 is exemplified in which the inner ribs 43, 44 are provided in a single frame shape and the outer ribs 45, 46 are provided in a double frame shape for each seal opening 42. However, the configuration of the seal member 4 is not limited to this. For example, the outer ribs 45, 46 may be provided in a single frame shape similar to the inner ribs 43, 44, or the inner circumferential rib 44 may be provided in a double frame shape similar to the outer circumferential rib 46.

[0035] The inner ribs 43, 44 both protrude radially inward and are provided so as to abut against the wall surface 37 of the valve disc 3. The inner ribs 43, 44 slide relative to the valve disc 3 as the valve disc 3 rotates. The inner circumferential rib 44 extending along the circumferential direction DC is always in contact with at least a portion of the wall surface 37. In contrast, the inner axial rib 43 extending along the axial direction DX may or may not contact the wall surface 37 because it faces the openings 38, 39, depending on the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3. The following description focuses on the inner axial rib 43.

[0036] The inner axial rib 43 faces the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 and comes into contact with the wall surface 37 (specifically, the axial edge 37a) when the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is within a predetermined range, but does not face the axial edge 37a otherwise (when the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is outside the predetermined range). The above-mentioned predetermined range is a range obtained by adding a positive margin and a negative margin to the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 (a predetermined rotation angle) when a predetermined port 23 of the housing 2 is theoretically fully opened.

[0037] When the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is within the above-mentioned predetermined range, the inner axial rib 43 rides up on the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 and seals the gap with the wall surface 37 in a slightly crushed and deformed state. In other words, when the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is within the predetermined range, the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 rides up on the inner axial rib 43, and the wall surface 37 and the inner axial rib 43 come into close contact with each other. In this way, the inner axial rib 43 seals the gap between the wall surface 37 and the seal main body 41 of the seal member 4.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6 , the inner axial rib 43 of this embodiment has a mountain-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axial direction DX of the seal member 4. Hereinafter, an end 47 of the inner axial rib 43 in the circumferential direction DC that protrudes from the surface of the seal main body 41 will be referred to as the “seal end 47,” and an intermediate portion 48 sandwiched between the seal end 47 and an apex 49 of the inner axial rib (hereinafter referred to as the “inner axial rib apex 49”) that protrudes the most from the surface of the seal main body 41 will be referred to as the “inclined portion 48.” The inclined portion 48 is a portion where the amount of protrusion radially inward increases from the seal main body 41 toward the inner axial rib apex 49, and corresponds to the mountain-shaped ridge of the inner axial rib 43. In this embodiment, each inner axial rib 43 provided on the seal member 4 has the same shape and dimensions.

[0039] In order to improve the sealing performance of the gap between the wall surface 37 and the inner axial rib 43, it is effective to have the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 ride on the axial edge portion 37a of the valve portion 32, that is, to have the inner axial rib apex 49 ride on and abut against the wall surface 37.

[0040] 5 , the outer ribs 45, 46 both protrude radially outward and are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the housing wall portion 22 when the seal member 4 is disposed radially inside the housing wall portion 22 of the housing 2. In this embodiment, since the seal member 4 is provided on the housing 2, the outer ribs 45, 46 always contact the inner circumferential surface of the housing wall portion 22 of the housing 2 regardless of the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3. Therefore, the outer ribs 45, 46 always seal the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the housing wall portion 22 of the housing 2 and the seal main body 41 of the seal member 4 regardless of the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3.

[0041] 6, in the seal member 4 of this embodiment, the inner axial rib 43 and the outer axial rib 45 are provided so that, in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction DX, the inner axial rib apex 49 and the outer axial rib apex 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "outer axial rib apex 50") do not overlap (are not located on the same diameter line) in the circumferential direction DC. The outer axial rib apex 50 is the portion of the outer axial rib 45 that protrudes the most from the surface of the seal body 41. Specifically, the inner axial rib apex 49 is provided between the two outer axial rib apexes 50 in the circumferential direction DC.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, a current sensor 7 and an angle sensor 8 are connected to the input side of a valve control device 1, and an actuator 6 is connected to the output side of the valve control device 1. The current sensor 7 detects a current value I of the actuator 6. The angle sensor 8 detects an actual rotation angle θa of the valve disc 3. Note that instead of the actual rotation angle θa of the valve disc 3, the angle sensor 8 may detect an actual rotation angle of an output shaft 61 of the actuator 6, which theoretically corresponds to the actual rotation angle θa of the valve disc 3.

[0043] The current value I detected by the current sensor 7 is the value of the current that flows when the actuator 6 drives the valve disc 3 (the current required to drive the valve disc 3), and is a parameter that has a positive correlation with the torque (sliding torque Ts and steady-state torque Tn, which will be described later) acting on the valve disc 3. In other words, by detecting the current value I, the torque acting on the valve disc 3 can be determined.

[0044] The current value I in this embodiment includes a current value Is when the inner axial rib 43 slides against the wall surface 37 (hereinafter also referred to as the "sliding current value Is") and a steady current value In when the inner axial rib 43 is not sliding against (contacting) the wall surface 37 (hereinafter also referred to as the "steady-state current value In"). More specifically, the sliding current value Is is a current value required to drive the valve disc 3 when the inner axial rib 43 is riding on the wall surface 37 (i.e., from when the seal end 47 of the inner axial rib 43 rides on the axial edge portion 37a to when the inner axial rib apex 49 overcomes the axial edge portion 37a and the entire inner axial rib 43 is no longer in contact with the wall surface 37). On the other hand, the steady-state current value In is a current value (a current value other than the above-mentioned sliding current value Is) required to drive the valve disc 3 when the inner axial rib 43 is not in contact with the wall surface 37.

[0045] The valve control device 1 is an electronic control device configured as an embedded electronic device or an LSI device that integrates, for example, a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The valve control device 1 of this embodiment controls the rotation of the valve element 3 by controlling the actuator 6 based on the current value I and the actual rotation angle θa.

[0046] [2. Control configuration] [2-1. Overview] In the valve device 10, the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 when a predetermined port 23 of the housing 2 is fully opened (a predetermined flow path is opened) is predetermined. Therefore, when the predetermined port 23 is opened, the actuator 6 is controlled so that the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 becomes a predetermined value (target value). For example, when the target value of the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 is 45 degrees, the actuator 6 is controlled so that the output shaft 61 rotates 45 degrees relative to a reference angle. In this case, if the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 becomes exactly 45 degrees, theoretically, the inner axial rib 43 will completely ride on the axial edge portion 37a of the wall surface 37. Note that the "completely ride-on state" here refers to a state in which the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 rides on the axial edge portion 37a of the wall surface 37 and the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37 are in contact (close contact).

[0047] However, if the actuator 6 is controlled based only on the target value of the rotation angle θ as described above, there is a risk that the inner axial rib 43 will not completely ride up onto the axial edge 37a. This is because twisting may occur in at least one of the actuator 6, the valve disc 3, and the seal member 4 when the valve disc 3 rotates. In particular, if the actuator 6 includes a resin reducer or if the valve disc 3 is made of resin, twisting is likely to occur during rotation. Furthermore, since the seal member 4 is usually made of a flexible material that easily deforms elastically, twisting or misalignment may occur due to the torque acting as the valve disc 3 rotates.

[0048] Therefore, even if the actuator 6 is controlled so that the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is equal to the target value, if the actuator 6 or the valve disc 3 is twisted, the actual rotation angle θa of the valve disc 3 will deviate from the target value. In this case, there is a risk that the inner axial rib 43 will not completely ride up on the axial edge 37a. Furthermore, even if the actual rotation angle θa of the valve disc 3 matches the target value, there is a risk that the inner axial rib 43 will not completely ride up on the axial edge 37a if the seal member 4 is twisted or misaligned. Note that the phrase "not completely riding up" here refers to a state in which the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 does not ride up on the axial edge 37a and is not in contact with any part of the wall surface 37, i.e., a state in which only the seal end 47 is in contact with the axial edge 37a, or a state in which the entire inner axial rib 43 is separated from the wall surface 37 and even the seal end 47 is not in contact with the axial edge 37a.

[0049] Incidentally, when the inclined portion 48 of the inner axial rib 43 starts to ride up onto the axial edge 37a during rotation of the valve disc 3, the sliding torque Ts acting on the valve disc 3 starts to increase. Furthermore, when the valve disc 3 continues to rotate and the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 completely rides up onto the axial edge 37a, the inner axial rib 43 only slides against the wall surface 37, and the sliding torque Ts starts to decrease. From these phenomena, it can be said that the riding state (start of riding up, completion of riding up) of the inner axial rib 43 on the axial edge 37a can be determined (estimated) based on the change (decrease, increase) in the sliding torque Ts.

[0050] Therefore, the valve control device 1 acquires sliding information As related to the sliding torque Ts acting on the valve disc 3 when the inner axial rib 43 slides, i.e., when the inner axial rib 43 slides relative to the valve disc 3, and determines, based on this sliding information As, that the inner axial rib 43 has completely climbed over the axial edge 37a (completion of climbing). Note that the sliding information As is information that has a positive correlation with the sliding torque Ts, and a specific example will be described later. Then, the valve control device 1 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 after determining that climbing over has been completed. Here, "completion of climbing over" refers to a state in which the inner axial rib 43 has completely climbed over the axial edge 37a (completely climbed over), i.e., in this embodiment, a state in which the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 has exceeded the axial edge 37a and is in contact with the wall surface 37.

[0051] Before determining whether the riding-up has been completed, the valve control device 1 of this embodiment first determines (estimates) that the inner axial rib 43 has started to ride-up on the axial edge 37a (start of riding-up) based on the sliding information As. In other words, the valve control device 1 first confirms the start of riding-up and then determines whether the riding-up has been completed. Here, "start of riding-up" refers to a state in which the inner axial rib 43 has started to ride-up on the axial edge 37a, that is, in this embodiment, a state in which one seal end 47 of the inner axial rib 43 and the axial edge 37a have started to come into contact with each other.

[0052] In addition to the above sliding information As, the valve control device 1 of the present embodiment acquires steady-state information An regarding the steady-state torque Tn acting on the valve body 3 at a steady state when the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37 are not in contact. Note that the steady-state information An is information having a positive correlation with the steady-state torque Tn, and specific examples will be described later. Then, based on the sliding information As and the steady-state information An, the valve control device 1 confirms that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady-state torque Tn (Tn < Ts), and then performs each determination of the start of overrunning and the completion of overrunning. Further, the valve control device 1 of the present embodiment performs each determination of the start of overrunning and the completion of overrunning after confirming that the actual rotation angle θa of the valve body 3 (or the output shaft 61 of the actuator 6) is within the above-mentioned predetermined range.

[0053] Although the valve control device 1 of the present embodiment is premised on stopping the rotation of the valve body 3 after determining the start of overrunning and the completion of overrunning as described above, as a fail-safe when the start of overrunning or the completion of overrunning cannot be determined for some reason, the above actual rotation angle θa is referred to. More specifically, when the determination of the start of overrunning cannot be made, the valve control device 1 stops the rotation of the valve body 3 when the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt, which is the theoretical rotation angle θ when the rotation of the valve body 3 is stopped. Also, when the determination of the completion of overrunning cannot be made, the valve control device 1 stops the rotation of the valve body 3 when the actual rotation angle θa reaches an angle obtained by adding a predetermined angle θp' to the target angle θt. Examples of the reason why the start of overrunning or the completion of overrunning cannot be determined include, for example, that the inner axial rib 43 is likely to slip on the wall surface 37 (the frictional force acting from the inner axial rib 43 to the wall surface 37 is small).

[0054] [2-2. Details] 1, the valve control device 1 of this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a stop unit 14 as elements for performing control to stop the rotation of the valve element 3 as described above. These elements are shown by conveniently classifying the functions of the valve control device 1. These elements may be realized by electronic circuits (hardware), may be programmed as software, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0055] The acquiring unit 11 acquires the sliding information As and steady-state information An. The acquiring unit 11 of this embodiment acquires the sliding current value Is transmitted from the current sensor 7 as the sliding information As, and acquires the steady-state current value In transmitted from the current sensor 7 as the steady-state information An. The acquired sliding current value Is and steady-state current value In may be subjected to filtering to remove noise, for example.

[0056] The sliding information As and steady-state information An acquired by the acquisition unit 11 are not limited to those exemplified here. For example, the sliding information As may be the sliding torque Ts itself, or the rotational speed of the valve disc 3 that changes in accordance with the sliding torque Ts (i.e., the change in the rotational speed of the valve disc 3). Similarly, the steady-state information An may be the steady-state torque Tn itself, or the rotational speed of the valve disc 3 that changes in accordance with the steady-state torque Tn (i.e., the change in the rotational speed of the valve disc 3).

[0057] The determination unit 12 determines the start and completion of the climb-up based on the sliding information As acquired by the acquisition unit 11. In this embodiment, the determination unit 12 determines the start of the climb-up based on the sliding information As when the sliding torque Ts starts to increase. Then, the determination unit 12 determines the completion of the climb-up when a decrease in the sliding torque Ts is detected after the start of the climb-up is determined.

[0058] The determination unit 12 of the present embodiment determines the start of lift when the differential value I' of the current value I (hereinafter also referred to as "current differential value I'") acquired by the acquisition unit 11 changes from a value of 0 or negative to a positive value. Further, the determination unit 12 of the present embodiment determines the completion of lift when the current differential value I' changes from a positive value to a negative value.

[0059] The current differential value I' is the time differential value of the current value I and corresponds to the amount of change per unit time of the current value I. If the current differential value I' is a positive value (0 < I'), it can be said that the current value I, that is, the torque acting on the valve element 3, is in an increasing state. Conversely, if the current differential value I' is a negative value (I' < 0), it can be said that the current value I, that is, the torque acting on the valve element 3, is in a decreasing state. Therefore, the switching of the current differential value I' to a positive value means that the torque acting on the valve element 3 has started to increase. Also, the switching of the current differential value I' to a negative value means that the torque acting on the valve element 3 has started to decrease.

[0060] The determination unit 12 of the present embodiment confirms both that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady torque Tn and that the actual rotation angle θa of the valve element 3 (or the output shaft 61 of the actuator 6) is within a predetermined range, and then performs the respective determinations of the start of lift and the completion of lift based on the sliding information As as described above. The determination unit 12 performs the former confirmation based on the sliding information As and the steady information An acquired by the acquisition unit 11, and performs the latter confirmation based on the actual rotation angle θa transmitted from the angle sensor 8. Incidentally, the acquisition unit 11 may also acquire the angle information from the angle sensor 8.

[0061] The memory unit 13 stores the target angle θt. The target angle θt is the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 at which the inner axial rib 43 is theoretically considered to have completed climbing over the axial edge portion 37a, and is determined according to the position of the inner axial rib 43 in the circumferential direction DC relative to a predetermined reference. In this way, the target angle θt is a predetermined theoretical rotation angle θ, and is a value that does not take into account torsion of the actuator 6 or the valve disc 3. In contrast, the actual rotation angle θa is the actual rotation angle θ as a result of controlling the actuator 6, and is a value that may include torsion of the actuator 6 or the valve disc 3.

[0062] The stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the determining unit 12 determines that the climbing-over is complete. Specifically, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 by stopping the rotation of the output shaft 61 of the actuator 6. The stopping unit 14 of this embodiment does not stop the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the climbing-over is complete, but stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the valve disc 3 has rotated a predetermined angle θp or a predetermined time tp from the time when the climbing-over is complete. In this way, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 at a timing that is intentionally delayed from the time when the climbing-over is determined to be complete. In other words, the stopping unit 14 waits for the lapse of a delay time corresponding to the predetermined angle θp or the predetermined time tp before stopping the rotation of the valve disc 3.

[0063] In this embodiment, as a fail-safe for the determination by the determination unit 12, when the determination unit 12 has not determined that climbing has started, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt stored in the storage unit 13. Furthermore, when the determination unit 12 has determined that climbing has started but not that climbing has completed, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the actual rotation angle θa reaches the angle obtained by adding a predetermined angle θp′ to the target angle θt stored in the storage unit 13.

[0064] [3. Flowchart] 7 is a flowchart illustrating the control procedure (valve control method of the valve device 10) performed by the valve control device 1. This flow is started, for example, when the actuator 6 rotates the valve element 3 to open a predetermined port 23. It is assumed that the valve element 3 has already rotated when the flow starts. Furthermore, it is assumed that the actual rotation angle θa detected by the angle sensor 8 is transmitted to the valve control device 1 as needed during execution of the flow.

[0065] In step S1, the determination unit 12 checks (determines) whether the actual rotation angle θa transmitted from the angle sensor 8 is within a predetermined range. If the actual rotation angle θa is outside the predetermined range (No route in step S1), the acquisition unit 11 acquires steady-state information An in step S2, and the process returns to step S1. That is, while the actual rotation angle θa is outside the predetermined range, the acquisition unit 11 continues to acquire steady-state information An.

[0066] On the other hand, if it is confirmed (determined) in step S1 that the actual rotation angle θa is within the predetermined range (Yes route in step S1), the acquisition unit 11 acquires sliding information As in step S3. In the following step S4, the determination unit 12 confirms (determines) whether the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady torque Tn, based on the latest steady-state information An and sliding information As acquired in steps S2 and S3, respectively. If the sliding torque Ts is equal to or less than the steady-state torque Tn (No route in step S4), the process returns to step S3, and the acquisition unit 11 acquires (updates) the sliding information As again. Then, the processes of steps S3 and S4 are repeated until the newly acquired sliding torque Ts becomes greater than the steady-state torque Tn.

[0067] If it is confirmed (determined) in step S4 that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady-state torque Tn (Yes route in step S4), the determination unit 12 determines in step S5 whether the sliding torque Ts has started to increase. If the sliding torque Ts has started to increase (Yes route in step S5), the determination unit 12 determines the start of run-up in step S6. As described above, the determination unit 12 of this embodiment determines (specifies) the start of run-up when the current differential value I' changes from 0 or a negative value to a positive value. In this way, the determination unit 12 of this embodiment confirms in step S1 that the actual rotation angle θa is within a predetermined range, and confirms in step S4 that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady-state torque Tn, and then determines the start of run-up in steps S5 and S6 (and the completion of run-up in steps S10 and S11, which will be described later).

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the sliding torque Ts has not started to increase (No route in step S5), the stopping unit 14 checks (determines) whether the actual rotation angle θa transmitted from the angle sensor 8 is the target angle θt in step S7. If the actual rotation angle θa has not become the target angle θt (No route in step S7), the process returns to step S3, and the acquiring unit 11 acquires (updates) the sliding information As again. Then, the processes of steps S3 to S7 are repeated until the reacquired sliding torque Ts is larger than the steady-state torque Tn and starts to increase (Yes route in steps S4 and S5) or the actual rotation angle θa becomes the target angle θt (Yes route in step S7).

[0069] On the other hand, in step S8 after determining the start of climbing (steps S5 and S6), the stopping unit 14 checks (determines) whether the actual rotation angle θa transmitted from the angle sensor 8 is the target angle θt. If the actual rotation angle θa is not the target angle θt (No route in step S8), the acquiring unit 11 acquires (updates) the sliding information As again in step S9. In the following step S10, the determining unit 12 determines whether a decrease in the sliding torque Ts has been detected based on the sliding information As acquired in step S9.

[0070] If a decrease in the sliding torque Ts has not yet been detected, the process returns to step S8, where the stopping unit 14 again checks (determines) whether the actual rotation angle θa is equal to the target angle θt. Then, the processes of steps S8 to S10 are repeated until the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt (proceeding to the Yes route of step S8) or a decrease in the sliding torque Ts is detected (proceeding to the Yes route of step S10).

[0071] If it is determined in step S10 that a decrease in the sliding torque Ts has been detected (Yes route in step S10), the determination unit 12 determines (specifies) the completion of the climb-up in step S11. As described above, the determination unit 12 in this embodiment determines the completion of the climb-up when the current differential value I' changes from a positive value to a negative value. In the subsequent step S12, the stop unit 14 delays the process of stopping the rotation of the valve element 3 until a delay time corresponding to a predetermined angle θp or a predetermined time tp has elapsed from the time when the completion of the climb-up is determined.

[0072] Then, in step S14, the stop unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3, and the flow ends. Also, if the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt in step S7 (Yes route in step S7), the stop unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 in step S14, and the flow ends. If the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt in step S8 (Yes route in step S8), the valve disc 3 is further rotated by a predetermined angle θp′ from the target angle θt in step S13, and then the stop unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 in step S14, and the flow ends. Thus, the stop unit 14 of this embodiment stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 in step S14 even when the actual rotation angle θa reaches the target angle θt or the angle obtained by adding the predetermined angle θp′ to the target angle θt, as a fail-safe in case the determination unit 12 does not determine that climbing has started or completed (the processing of step S6 or step S11 is not performed).

[0073] [4. Time Chart] The operation of the valve control device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 8. The horizontal axis of this time chart represents time. In Figure 8, it is assumed that the valve disc 3 begins to rotate (the rotation angle θ increases) at time t0. From time t0 to time t1 when the rotation angle θ falls within a predetermined range, the inner axial rib 43 does not slide against the wall surface 37, so the steady-state torque Tn is constant or approximately constant, and accordingly the current value I also remains constant or approximately constant. Therefore, from time t0 to time t1, the current differential value I' is 0 or approximately 0.

[0074] At time t1, the actual rotation angle θa is confirmed (determined) to be within a predetermined range, and acquisition of the sliding torque Ts (sliding information As) begins. At this point, the inner axial rib 43 is not sliding against the wall surface 37, so Ts = Tn. Next, around time t2, the inclined portion 48 of the inner axial rib 43 begins to slide against the axial edge portion 37a. As a result, the sliding torque Ts begins to increase, so the current value I also begins to increase, and the current differential value I' switches to a positive value. Therefore, the determination unit 12 determines that riding has started around time t2.

[0075] At a subsequent time t3, the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 passes over the axial edge 37a and starts to slide against the wall surface 37. As a result, the sliding torque Ts starts to decrease, so the current value I also starts to decrease, and the current differential value I' switches to a negative value. Therefore, the determination unit 12 determines that the riding has completed at time t3.

[0076] Then, at time t4, when the valve disc 3 has rotated by a predetermined angle θp from time t3 or when a predetermined time tp has elapsed, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3. Therefore, the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 does not change after time t4. Furthermore, if it is not determined that the ride-on has started by time t4' when the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 reaches the target angle θt, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 at time t4'. Therefore, in this case, as shown by the two-dot chain line, the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 does not change after time t4'. If it is determined that the ride-on has started but the ride-on has not been completed, the stopping unit 14 stops the rotation of the valve disc 3 at time t4'', when the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 reaches the target angle θt plus the predetermined angle θp'.

[0077] [5. Actions and Effects] (1) According to the above-described valve control device 1, the sliding torque Ts decreases when the inner axial rib 43 completes riding over the axial edge portion 37a. This determines the completion of riding over based on the sliding information As related to the sliding torque Ts, enabling highly accurate determination. Furthermore, when the completion of riding over is determined, the rotation of the valve disc 3 is stopped. Therefore, the valve disc 3 can be stopped in a state where the inner axial rib 43 reliably rides over the axial edge portion 37a of the wall surface 37. This effectively improves the sealing performance of the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37. Therefore, if the valve device 10 is applied to a flow path through which coolant flows, it is possible to reduce the leakage of coolant from the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37. As a result, the reduction in thermal efficiency due to coolant leakage is suppressed.

[0078] (2) If the rotation of the valve disc 3 were stopped when it was determined that the riding-over was complete, there is a possibility that the valve disc 3 would stop with the inner axial rib apex 49 riding on the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 (i.e., with the inner axial rib apex 49 in contact with the axial edge 37a). In contrast, in the above-described valve control device 1, the rotation of the valve disc 3 is stopped when the valve disc 3 has rotated a predetermined angle θp or a predetermined time tp from the time when it was determined that the riding-over was complete, that is, at a deliberately delayed timing. Therefore, the valve disc 3 can be stopped with the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 riding on the wall surface 37 beyond the axial edge 37a. Therefore, compared to when the rotation of the valve disc 3 is stopped with the inner axial rib apex 49 of the inner axial rib 43 riding on the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37, the sealing performance of the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37 can be further improved.

[0079] (3) The valve control device 1 utilizes the phenomenon in which the sliding torque Ts decreases when the inner axial rib 43 starts to climb up, and then determines the completion of the climbing up based on the sliding information As. This improves the accuracy of determining the completion of the climbing up. This allows the rotation of the valve element 3 to be stopped at a more appropriate timing. This further improves the sealing performance of the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37.

[0080] (4) Even if the start or completion of the riding-over cannot be determined for some reason, the rotation of the valve element 3 is stopped based on the actual rotation angle θa of the valve element 3 or the output shaft 61, thereby increasing the possibility that the valve element 3 will stop in a state where the inner axial rib 43 has completed riding-over onto the axial edge portion 37a of the wall surface 37. In other words, a fail-safe can be achieved for determining the completion of riding-over. Therefore, even if some malfunction occurs in the determination of the completion of riding-over, the sealing performance of the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37 can be ensured.

[0081] (5) Because the torque acting on the valve element 3 (sliding torque Ts and steady-state torque Tn) fluctuates depending on the ambient temperature, the accuracy of determining whether the climb-up has been completed can be improved by determining whether the climb-up has been completed after confirming that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady-state torque Tn. That is, in the above-described valve control device 1, it is confirmed that the sliding torque Ts is greater than the steady-state torque Tn as a prerequisite for determining whether the climb-up has been completed, and therefore erroneous determinations due to the ambient temperature can be reduced.

[0082] (6) If the actual rotation angle θa of the valve element 3 or the output shaft 61 is within a predetermined range, it is considered that the inner axial rib 43 slides against the wall surface 37. Therefore, by confirming that the actual rotation angle θa is within the predetermined range before determining whether the climbing-up has been completed, the accuracy of determining whether the climbing-up has been completed can be improved. In other words, by referring to not only the sliding information As but also the actual rotation angle θa, the completion of the climbing-up can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0083] (7) Since obtaining the sliding torque Ts itself requires equipment costs, obtaining the current value I linked to the sliding torque Ts as the sliding information As reduces costs. Furthermore, by using the current differential value I' instead of the current value I itself, it is possible to determine the completion of running-on with high accuracy even if the current value I changes due to the ambient temperature. This makes it possible to more reliably improve the sealing performance of the gap between the inner axial rib 43 and the wall surface 37. (8) According to the valve control method for the valve device 10, the same actions and effects as those of the valve control device 1 can be obtained.

[0084] [6. Other] The configuration of the valve device 10 described above is one example. The housing 2 and the valve element 3 may not have the shapes shown in the above embodiment, and the material is not limited to resin. Furthermore, the shape and material of the seal member 4 are not limited to the above example. For example, the seal member 4 may omit the ribs 44 to 46 other than the inner axial rib 43. Alternatively, minute ribs extending slightly in the circumferential direction DC from the inner axial rib 43 may be provided in parallel. The presence of the minute ribs has the advantage of allowing the wall surface 37 to smoothly climb up onto the axial edge portion 37a.

[0085] The seal member 4 may be provided on the valve body 3 instead of the housing 2. In the seal member provided on the valve body 3, a rib extending in the axial direction DX like the outer axial rib 45 is provided to protrude toward the housing 2. When the rotation angle θ of the valve body 3 is within a predetermined range, this rib rides up on a part (a portion extending in the axial direction DX, an axial edge portion) of the wall surface of the housing 2 (for example, the inner circumferential surface of the housing wall portion 22) and seals the gap with this wall surface. The configuration of the valve element 3 is not limited to the one described above. For example, two openings forming separate valve flow paths may be arranged close to each other in the circumferential direction DC. Even in this case, the portions of the edges defining each opening that extend in the axial direction DX function in the same way as the axial edges described above.

[0086] The configuration and control details of the valve control device 1 described above are also one example. The acquisition unit 11 is only required to acquire at least the sliding information As, and does not necessarily have to acquire the steady-state information An. The determination unit 12 may omit the process of determining whether the climbing-up has started, or may omit one or both of the confirmation based on the steady-state information An and the confirmation based on the actual rotation angle θa. Furthermore, the stopping unit 14 may stop the rotation of the valve disc 3 when the determination unit 12 determines that the climbing-up has been completed, or may omit the fail-safe process based on the actual rotation angle θa. Note that if the fail-safe process by the stopping unit 14 is omitted, the target angle θt is unnecessary, and therefore the storage unit 13 can be omitted from the valve control device 1.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the valve device 10 is described as being applied to an electric vehicle, but the use of the valve device 10 is not particularly limited. The above valve control device 1 can be applied to valve devices of various devices used for other purposes. Furthermore, the fluid flowing through the valve device 10 may be gas instead of liquid cooling water. In this case, the valve control device 1 effectively improves the sealing performance as described above, thereby reducing gas leakage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Valve control device 2. Housing 3 Valve body 4 Sealing material 10 Valve device 11 Acquisition Department 12 Judgment section 13 Storage section 14 Stop part 37 Wall 37a Axial edge 43 Inner axial rib (rib, inner rib) 61 Output shaft (rotating shaft) An steady-state information As sliding information I Current value I' Current differential value In steady-state current value Is sliding current value Tn steady torque Ts sliding torque tp Predetermined time θ rotation angle θa Actual rotation angle θp Predetermined angle θt Target angle

Claims

1. A valve control device for a valve device including a valve body, a housing, and a seal member provided on one of the valve body and the housing, the sealing member is provided with a rib that slides relative to the other of the valve body and the housing as the valve body rotates, and that rides on an axial edge of the other wall surface when the rotation angle of the valve body is within a predetermined range, thereby sealing a gap between the wall surface and the rib, The valve control device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires sliding information related to a sliding torque acting on the valve body when the rib slides; a determination unit that determines whether the rib has completely climbed onto the axial edge portion based on the sliding information; a stopper that stops the rotation of the valve body when it is determined that the riding-up has been completed. A valve control device.

2. The stopping unit stops the rotation of the valve element when the valve element has rotated a predetermined angle or a predetermined time after it is determined that the valve element has climbed over the valve element. The valve control device according to claim 1 .

3. The determination unit determines, based on the sliding information, when the sliding torque starts to increase, that the rib has started to ride over the axial edge portion, and when a decrease in the sliding torque is detected after determining the start of the riding over, determines that the riding over has been completed. The valve control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a storage unit configured to store a target angle, which is a theoretical rotation angle at which the rotation of the valve element is stopped; When the start of the climb-up has not been determined, the stopping unit stops the rotation of the valve element when the actual rotation angle of the valve element or the rotation shaft that rotates the valve element reaches the target angle stored in the storage unit, and when the start of the climb-up has been determined but the completion of the climb-up has not been determined, the stopping unit stops the rotation of the valve element when the actual rotation angle reaches the target angle plus a predetermined angle. The valve control device according to claim 3 .

5. the acquisition unit acquires steady-state information related to a steady-state torque acting on the valve element in a steady state in which the rib and the wall surface are not in contact with each other, The determination unit determines whether the running-over has been completed based on the sliding information after confirming that the sliding torque is greater than the steady-state torque based on the sliding information and the steady-state information. The valve control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The determination unit determines whether the running-over has been completed based on the sliding information after confirming that the actual rotation angle of the valve body or the rotation shaft that rotates the valve body is within the predetermined range. The valve control device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the acquiring unit acquires, as the sliding information, a current value required to drive the valve body when the rib slides relative to the other rib; The determination unit determines that the climbing-up is complete when the differential value of the current value changes from a positive value to a negative value. The valve control device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A valve control method for a valve device including a valve body, a housing, and a seal member provided on one of the valve body and the housing, comprising: the sealing member is provided with a rib that slides relative to the other of the valve body and the housing as the valve body rotates, and that rides on an axial edge of the other wall surface when the rotation angle of the valve body is within a predetermined range, thereby sealing a gap between the wall surface and the rib, The valve control method includes: acquiring sliding information relating to a sliding torque acting on the valve body when the rib slides; determining whether the rib has completely climbed onto the axial edge portion based on the sliding information; When it is determined that the climbing has been completed, the rotation of the valve body is stopped. A valve control method comprising:

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