Learning device for valve device and learning method

Abstract

To appropriately implement learning while avoiding damage.SOLUTION: A learning device for a valve device 1 comprises: a partial annular groove part 50 which is recessed on an opposite face 5a which is disposed oppositely to an end face 3a of a valve body 3; a projecting part 30 which is projected on the end face 3a and moves inside of the groove part 50; a rib which is provided in a seal member 4, rides on an axial edge of a wall surface 37 when the valve body 3 is in a predetermined opening, and seals a gap; an acquisition section 11 which acquires information relating to torque T acting on the valve body 3; and a control section 12 which has a rotation control function for the valve body 3 and a learning function which learns a position of an end point as an initial position by determining whether or not the valve body 3 is abutted on the basis of information. The rib includes a first rib and a second rib which seal the gap with a first opening and a second opening. Central angles of a first region between a first end point and the first rib, a second region between a second end point and the second rib and a third region between the first rib and the second rib are respectively different regarding a circumferential direction DC of the valve device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for learning the initial position of a valve device and a learning method using the device. [Background technology]

[0002] A valve device is a valve that switches the communication state of a flow path through which a fluid or the like flows depending on the rotation angle (rotational position) of a valve element that is rotatably provided relative to a housing. The housing is provided with multiple ports that connect to multiple external flow paths, and the flow path is switched by rotating the flow path within the valve element to a position where it communicates with one of the ports in the housing. The valve device is equipped with an actuator (e.g., an electric motor) that rotates the valve element, and the rotational position of the valve element is changed by controlling the actuator.

[0003] When a valve device is not provided with a sensor or the like for detecting the rotation angle of the valve disc, an initial position serving as a reference for the rotation of the valve disc is learned (stored) in advance, and the desired rotation angle is controlled based on that initial position. In learning the initial position, the valve disc is brought into contact with one end (also referred to as a start point, first end point, fully closed position, etc.) and the other end (also referred to as an end point, second end point, fully open position, etc.) of its operating range, and the positions of the one end and the other end of the operating range are stored. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for implementing initialization learning of the operating range of a valve disc in a rotary valve, an example of a cooling water control valve. In this technique, a restriction means used for initialization learning is provided within the reducer of the actuator, thereby achieving size and cost reduction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5925604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A sealing member (e.g., packing) is often disposed in the gap between the housing and the valve disc to prevent leakage of fluids, etc. The sealing member is attached to the housing, for example, and slides against the circumferential surface of the valve disc when the valve disc rotates. Such a sealing member may be provided with a protrusion, also known as a rib. The rib further enhances the sealing performance when the valve disc is stopped, i.e., when the valve disc opens the flow path.

[0006] On the other hand, because the ribs are convex toward the circumferential surface of the valve disc, they create resistance when the valve disc rotates. Therefore, when the valve disc rotates, a high rotational torque is required to allow the convex ribs to ride over the portion of the valve disc that should be sealed. However, if the valve disc is rotated with a high rotational torque and abuts against one end and the other end of its operating range during initial position learning, there is a possibility that the valve disc and the actuator that rotates it will be damaged. In contrast, if the valve disc is rotated with a low rotational torque to avoid damage, the ribs will not ride over the portion, and learning will not be performed properly. Therefore, there is room for improvement in initial position learning in valve devices equipped with a sealing member provided with ribs.

[0007] The present invention was devised in view of these problems, and one of its objectives is to perform learning appropriately while avoiding damage. However, in addition to this objective, another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects derived from the configurations shown in the below-described embodiments of the invention, which cannot be obtained by conventional techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The disclosed learning device and learning method for a valve device can be realized as the following disclosed embodiments (application examples), which solve at least part of the above problems. Embodiment 2 is an optional embodiment that can be selected as needed. Embodiment 2 does not disclose an embodiment or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0009] Aspect 1. The disclosed learning device for a valve device is a learning device that learns the initial position of a valve device that includes an actuator that rotates a valve disc relative to a housing, and a seal member provided on one side of the valve disc and the housing, and is equipped with: a partially annular groove portion that is recessed into one of the end face of the valve disc and an opposing surface that is arranged opposite the end face, and has a central angle larger than the operating angle of the valve disc; a protrusion that protrudes from the other of the end face and the opposing surface, and moves within the groove portion as the valve disc rotates to determine the opening degree of the valve disc; a rib that is provided on the seal member, and slides against the valve disc and the other of the housing as the valve disc rotates, and when the valve disc is at a predetermined opening degree, the axial edge of the other wall surface rides up to seal the gap with the wall surface; an acquisition unit that acquires information about the torque acting on the valve disc; a function to control the rotation of the valve disc; and a control unit that has a learning function that determines whether the valve disc is in contact with the first end point and the second end point, which are one end and the other end of the groove, as the initial position.

[0010] The ribs include a first rib that seals the gap when the opening degree is a first predetermined value, and a second rib that seals the gap when the opening degree is a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value. Furthermore, when, with respect to the circumferential direction of the valve device, the area between the first end point and the first rib is defined as a first region, the area between the second end point and the second rib is defined as a second region, and the area between the first rib and the second rib is defined as a third region, the first region, the second region, and the third region have different central angles.

[0011] Aspect 2. In the above aspect 1, it is preferable that the first region, the second region, and the third region each have at least n (where n≧0) convex portions with a resistance smaller than the resistance when the rib rides over the axial edge portion, and the convex portions are arranged in different numbers.

[0012] A learning method for a valve device disclosed in Aspect 3 is implemented in the learning device for a valve device described in Aspect 1 or 2 above. In this learning method, a first determination is made to determine whether or not the contact exists while the protrusion is moved a predetermined angle in one direction in the circumferential direction at a predetermined torque. If it is determined that contact exists in the first determination, the protrusion is moved the predetermined angle in the other direction in the circumferential direction at the predetermined torque and a second determination is made to determine whether or not the contact exists. If it is determined that contact exists in the second determination, the position is learned to be the position of the first end point or the second end point. If it is determined that no contact exists in the second determination, an overtaking process is performed in which the protrusion is moved in the other direction at a second predetermined torque greater than the predetermined torque to overcome the rib, and then the second determination is made again. Furthermore, if it is determined in the first determination that there is no contact, the overstepping process is performed, and then the protrusion is moved in the other direction by the specified angle with the specified torque, and then a third determination is performed to determine whether there is contact, and if it is determined in the third determination that there is contact, that position is learned to be the first end point or the second end point, and if it is determined in the third determination that there is no contact, the position where the protrusion contacts when the protrusion is moved in the other direction by the specified angle with the specified torque after the overstepping process is learned to be the first end point or the second end point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the disclosed learning device and learning method for a valve device, learning can be performed appropriately while avoiding damage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a learning device for a valve device according to an embodiment, together with an axial cross-sectional view of a main part of the valve device. FIG. [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] 2 is a plan view of a cover provided in the valve device of FIG. 1, viewed from the valve body side. FIG. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a diagram for explaining the learning device and learning method of FIG. 1, (b) is a modified example of FIG. 7(a), and (c) is a modified example of FIG. 7(b). [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart illustrating a learning method for the valve device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A learning device and learning method for a valve device 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.

[0016] [1. Equipment configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a learning device for a valve device 1 according to this embodiment, together with an axial cross-sectional view of a main portion of the valve device 1. Hereinafter, the direction DX in which the axis X, which is the center of rotation of the valve element 3 of the valve device 1, extends will be referred to as the "axial direction DX." For convenience, one side of the axial direction DX (first direction of the axial direction DX, upper side in FIG. 1) will be referred to as the "upper side," and the other side of the axial direction DX (second direction of the axial direction DX, lower side in FIG. 1) will be referred to as the "lower side." However, these up-down directions are unrelated to the orientation in which the valve device 1 is actually installed.

[0017] In the following description, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX and going away from and toward the axis X is referred to as a "radial direction," and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX and going around the axis X is referred to as a "circumferential direction DC." The circumferential direction DC is the rotation direction of the valve element 3, and the direction in which the operating angle of the valve element 3 is 0 degrees (fully closed) is referred to as a first direction DC1 of the circumferential direction DC, and the direction in which the operating angle of the valve element 3 is maximum (fully open) is referred to as a second direction DC2 of the circumferential direction DC.

[0018] The valve device 1 is used, for example, in an electric vehicle in a thermal management system that centrally controls the cooling of motor windings, the heating and cooling of batteries, and the heat source for heating and cooling. In this case, the valve device 1 is used to switch the flow path of liquid coolant (fluid) in the thermal management system of the electric vehicle. Note that products to which the valve device 1 is mounted (applied) are not limited to electric vehicles. In the following description, products to which the valve device 1 is applied are referred to as "applied products."

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve device 1 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 cover 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 1. 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 formed 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 53 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] The cover 5 is a member attached to the upper surface of the housing 2, and is formed with a shape and size that allows it to be attached to the housing 2 and to close the valve chamber 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 , the cover 5 of this embodiment has a circular outer shape centered on the axis X when viewed in the axial direction DX. The cover 5 has an attachment portion 54 that is attached to the housing 2, the above-mentioned through hole 53, and a groove portion 50 recessed in the underside 5a of the cover 5 that faces the valve section 32. The attachment portion 54 protrudes from the underside 5a and forms a wall portion that has a shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the housing 2 (for example, an annular shape centered on the axis X).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 , the groove 50 is formed in a partially annular shape with a central angle larger than the operating angle (described later) of the valve disc 3 when viewed from the axial direction DX. The valve disc 3 and the groove 50 are concentric. More specifically, the curved surface on the radially inner side of the groove 50 is an arc-shaped surface spaced radially outward from the through-hole 53 and centered on the axis X, while the curved surface on the radially outer side of the groove 50 is an arc-shaped surface spaced radially inward from the mounting portion 54 and centered on the axis X. One end 51 of the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC is a plane connecting one end of the radially inner and outer arc-shaped surfaces of the groove 50, and the other end 52 of the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC is a plane connecting the other ends of the radially inner and outer arc-shaped surfaces of the groove 50. Note that the surface corresponding to the bottom of the groove 50 is also a plane.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the valve portion 32 is shaped like a cylinder 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 coolant 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, and an upper end surface 3a and a lower end surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX. The wall surface 37 has openings 38 and 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 and 39 (portions that abut against inner ribs 43 and 44, described later, of the seal member 4 when the flow paths are in communication). Hereinafter, of the edge portions that are part of the wall surface 37 of the valve portion 32 of the valve body 3 and define the openings 38 and 39, the portion extending along the axial direction DX will be referred to as the “axial edge portion 37a.”

[0026] As shown in Fig. 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. As shown in Fig. 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 the 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 surface of the valve section 32 into a circular shape with a portion missing.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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. As a result, the valve device 1 selectively opens and closes the multiple connection ports, thereby switching the flow path of the cooling water. In this way, the valve device 1 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.

[0029] The rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 is the angle by which the valve element 3 rotates relative to a predetermined reference. The rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 varies within a predetermined operating angle range (hereinafter referred to as the "operating range"), such as 0 to 125 degrees. The reference is, for example, a 0-degree angle position (fully closed position, 0% opening position). The valve control device 10, which will be described later, accurately grasps this reference (preferably the operating range) by performing a learning process, which will be described later, and can thereby align the actual rotation angle θa of the valve element 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "actual rotation angle θa") with a target rotation angle θt (hereinafter referred to as the "target angle θt"). The target angle θt is the rotation angle of the valve element 3 (a target value in controlling the valve element 3) when a predetermined port 23 of the housing 2 is fully opened (a predetermined flow path is brought into communication), and is set in advance for each of the multiple flow paths. For example, if the target angle θt of the valve element 3 is 45 degrees, the actuator 6 is controlled so that the output shaft 61 rotates 45 degrees relative to the reference.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper end surface 3a of the valve portion 32 is a surface disposed opposite the lower surface 5a of the cover body 5. The end surface 3a of the valve body 3 and the lower surface 5a of the cover body 5 correspond to the "valve body end surface" and the "opposing surface" in the claims, respectively. Hereinafter, the end surface 3a of the valve body 3 will be referred to as the "valve body end surface 3a."

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve disc end face 3a is a plane extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DX, and is provided with a protrusion 30 protruding in the axial direction DX. In this embodiment, the valve disc end face 3a has a circular shape centered on the axis X when viewed from the axial direction DX. When the housing 2, valve disc 3, seal member 4, and cover 5 are assembled, the protrusion 30 fits into a groove 50 of the cover 5, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 . The protrusion 30 rotates integrally with the valve disc 3 and is sized and shaped (e.g., a partially annular shape with a small central angle) to allow it to slide within the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC as it rotates. The protrusion 30 is not movable within the groove 50 in the radial direction or the axial direction DX.

[0032] The protrusion 30 is movable between one end 51 and the other end 52 of the groove 50. In other words, when the protrusion 30 moves in a first direction DC1 in the circumferential direction DC and abuts against the one end 51 of the groove 50, it cannot move any further in the first direction DC1. Similarly, when the protrusion 30 moves in a second direction DC2 in the circumferential direction DC and abuts against the other end 52 of the groove 50, it cannot move any further in the second direction DC2. In other words, the movement of the protrusion 30 is restricted (restricted) at each of the positions of the one end 51 and the other end 52 of the groove 50. In the valve device 1 of this embodiment, the position (circumferential position) of the protrusion 30 relative to the groove 50 is physically restricted in this manner, and thereby a learning process is performed for the position of the protrusion 30 relative to the groove 50, i.e., the initial position of the valve disc 3.

[0033] Since the protrusion 30 is an element that determines the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3, it can also be said to be a part that specifies the opening degree of the valve disc 3. Note that the opening degree here refers to the ratio of the actual rotation angle to the maximum value of the operating angle of the valve disc 3 (the angle when fully open, the maximum rotation angle), expressed, for example, as a percentage. By learning the initial position of the valve disc 3 and accurately grasping the reference, it becomes possible to accurately control the position of the protrusion 30 relative to the groove 50, improving the accuracy of control of the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3. Furthermore, by accurately grasping the operating range including the reference, it is possible to improve the accuracy when controlling by the opening degree.

[0034] 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 1, the seal member 4 seals this gap to suppress heat loss.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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. At least a portion of the inner circumferential rib 44 extending along the circumferential direction DC is always in contact with the wall surface 37. In contrast, the inner axial rib 43 extending along the axial direction DX may or may not come into contact with the wall surface 37 because it faces the openings 38, 39, depending on the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3.

[0041] When the valve element 3 is at a predetermined opening, the inner axial rib 43 faces the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37, thereby coming into contact with the wall surface 37 (specifically, the axial edge 37a); otherwise (when the valve element 3 is not at the predetermined opening), the inner axial rib 43 does not face the axial edge 37a. The predetermined opening is an opening corresponding to the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 when a predetermined port 23 of the housing 2 (a port 23 on a flow path that is in a communicating state) is fully open. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the communication opening. The number of switchable flow paths (the number of valve switching modes) and the number of communication openings (e.g., 0%, 50%, 100%) of the valve device 1 are the same and are at least two or more.

[0042] When the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 is the communication opening, 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 the communication opening, 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.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the inner axial rib 43 includes a first rib 43a that seals the gap when the communication opening degree is a first predetermined value (e.g., 0%) and a second rib 43b that seals the gap when the communication opening degree is a second predetermined value (e.g., 100%) that is greater than the first predetermined value. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are both predetermined values ​​(opening degrees). When the number of communication opening degrees is three or more, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(b), a third rib 43c is provided that seals the gap when the communication opening degree is a third predetermined value (a value greater than the first predetermined value and less than the second predetermined value). Note that FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) and FIG. 7(c), which will be described later, are schematic diagrams in which the circumferential direction DC is drawn as a straight line to explain the relationship between the circumferential positions of the grooves 50 and the protrusions 30 and the circumferential position of the seal member 4.

[0044] 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. In this embodiment, the seal member 4 is provided in the housing 2, and therefore 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 and the seal main body portion 41 of the seal member 4 regardless of the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a current sensor 7 is connected to the input side of a valve control device 10, and an actuator 6 is connected to the output side of the valve control device 10. The current sensor 7 detects a current value I of the actuator 6. The current value I detected by the current sensor 7 is the value of a current (required to drive the valve disc 3) that flows when the actuator 6 drives the valve disc 3, and is a parameter that has a positive correlation with the torque T acting on the valve disc 3. The current value I is detected instead of detecting the torque T. In other words, the current value I is detected by the current sensor 7 to determine the torque T. The current value I (torque T) corresponds to the rotational resistance of the valve disc 3 (resistance acting when rotating). When the rotational resistance is low, the current value I (torque T) is low, and when the rotational resistance is high, the current value I (torque T) is high. Therefore, by detecting the current value I, it is possible to determine the torque T acting on the valve disc 3 (and therefore the rotational resistance).

[0046] The rotational resistance varies depending on the state of the valve disc 3, specifically, whether or not there is sliding and whether or not there is contact. For example, when the valve disc 3 rotates, the inner axial rib 43 slides against the wall surface 37 at a position where the wall surface 37 of the valve disc 3 faces the inner axial rib 43. The rotational resistance during this sliding is greater than the rotational resistance when the wall surface 37 and the inner axial rib 43 are not in contact with each other. Furthermore, when the valve disc 3 rotates from a state where the wall surface 37 and the inner axial rib 43 are not in contact with each other, and the inner axial rib 43 comes into contact with the axial edge portion 37a of the wall surface 37 and then rides over the axial edge portion 37a, the rotational resistance is greater than the rotational resistance during sliding. Furthermore, the rotational resistance when the protrusion 30 comes into contact with one end 51 and the other end 52 of the groove portion 50 is also greater than the rotational resistance during sliding.

[0047] The valve control device 10 is an electronic valve control device configured as, for example, an LSI device or an embedded electronic device that integrates a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The learning device of this embodiment is configured with an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12 (both of which will be described later) that are provided as functional elements of the valve control device 10, as well as the groove 50, protrusion 30, and inner axial rib 43 described above. The learning process will be described in detail below while explaining the functional elements of the valve control device 10.

[0048] [2. Control configuration] 1, the valve control device 10 of this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. These elements conveniently classify the functions of the valve control device 10. 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.

[0049] The acquisition unit 11 acquires information related to the torque T. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the current value I transmitted from the current sensor 7 as the information. The acquired current value I may be subjected to filtering to remove noise, for example. Note that instead of the current value I, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the torque T itself, or may acquire the rotational speed of the valve disc 3 that changes in accordance with the torque T (i.e., the change in the rotational speed of the valve disc 3) or the rotational resistance value.

[0050] The control unit 12 has a function of controlling the rotation of the valve element 3 and a learning function of determining whether the valve element 3 (the protrusion 30 or the axial edge 37a) is in contact with the valve element 3 based on information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, and learning the positions of one end 51 and the other end 52 of the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC as initial positions. Hereinafter, the one end 51 of the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC will be referred to as the "first end point 51," and the other end 52 of the groove 50 in the circumferential direction DC will be referred to as the "second end point 52." In the valve device 1 of this embodiment, the first end point 51 is located on the side smaller than the position where the angle is 0 degrees, and the second end point 52 is located on the side larger than the position where the operating angle is at its maximum value. The former function will be described first, and then the latter function will be described in detail.

[0051] The control unit 12 controls the rotation of the valve element 3 when the valve device 1 is in use other than during learning, specifically when switching the flow paths. When it is necessary to switch the communication state of the flow paths, the control unit 12 sets a target angle θt and controls the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3. For example, the control unit 12 sets (or selects) a target angle θt for fully opening the port 23 located in the flow path to be switched, and controls the actuator 6 to change the position of the protrusion 30 relative to the groove 50 so that the target angle θt is reached, thereby controlling the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3. Note that the specific method of rotation control is not particularly limited. For example, multiple valve switching modes may be set in advance, and a target angle θt may be set for each mode. When one mode is selected, the control unit 12 controls the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 so that the target angle θt corresponding to that mode is reached.

[0052] The control unit 12 performs a learning process when learning of the initial position is necessary. Learning is necessary when the valve control device 10 does not accurately grasp the position information of the protrusion 30. For example, when an applicable product (e.g., an electric vehicle) to which the valve device 1 is applied is shipped from a factory, when the valve device 1 is replaced for repairs, when the position information is lost due to a malfunction of the valve control device 10, or when the valve disc 3 rotates due to an external force while the applicable product is powered off. A determination as to whether learning is necessary is made when the power of the applicable product is switched from off to on. This determination may be made by the control unit 12, or may be made by an element other than the control unit 12 (e.g., a determination unit) provided in the valve control device 10.

[0053] In learning the initial position, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 to abut against one end 51 of the groove 50, and learns (stores) the abutting position (circumferential position, angle) as the "position of the first endpoint 51." Next, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 in the opposite direction to abut against the other end 52 of the groove 50, and learns (stores) the abutting position (circumferential position, angle) as the "position of the second endpoint 52." Furthermore, the control unit 12 learns (calculates and stores) the reference (for example, the position of 0 degrees) and operating range (the position of 0 angle and the position of the maximum value) of the operating angle of the valve disc 3 based on the learned positions of the first endpoint 51 and the second endpoint 52.

[0054] For example, the difference (position difference, angle difference) between the position of the first endpoint 51 and a reference is set in advance, and the value obtained by adding the difference to the learned position of the first endpoint 51 is learned as the reference. Also, for example, the difference (position difference, angle difference) between the position of the second endpoint 52 and the position of the maximum value is set in advance, and the value obtained by subtracting the difference from the learned position of the second endpoint 52 is learned as the position of the maximum value, and this value, together with the learned reference, is learned as the operating range.

[0055] As described above, in the learning process, it is necessary to bring the protrusion 30 into contact with the end points 51, 52. During this contact, it is desirable to move the protrusion 30 with a weak output torque (rotational torque applied to the valve disc 3) of the actuator 6 so as not to damage the valve disc 3 or the actuator 6. However, when the protrusion 30 is moved with a low rotational torque, there is a possibility that the inner axial rib 43 will not be able to move up onto the axial edge 37a from a state where it is not in contact with the wall surface 37, and in this case, learning will not be performed appropriately.

[0056] Therefore, the learning device of this embodiment determines the circumferential position of the protrusion 30. This makes it possible to adjust the strength of the output torque of the actuator 6 depending on whether the inner axial rib 43 is in a position where it rides over the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 or whether the protrusion 30 is in a position where it abuts against the end points 51, 52. That is, when the inner axial rib 43 rides over the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37, the output torque of the actuator 6 is increased, and when the protrusion 30 abuts against the end points 51, 52, the output torque of the actuator 6 is decreased. In this way, by determining the circumferential position of the protrusion 30, it becomes possible to appropriately adjust the strength of the output torque of the actuator 6, and both the riding of the inner axial rib 43 and the abutment of the inner axial rib 43 against the end points 51, 52 are appropriately performed.

[0057] Specifically, in this learning device, as shown in FIG. 7(a), with respect to the circumferential direction DC of the valve device 1, the area between the first end point 51 and the first rib 43a is defined as a first region R1, the area between the second end point 52 and the second rib 43b is defined as a second region R2, and the area between the first rib 43a and the second rib 43b is defined as a third region R3. The central angle α1 of the first region R1, the central angle α2 of the second region R2, and the central angle α3 of the third region R3 are set to be different from one another. The three central angles are set to satisfy the relationship α1<α2<α3, for example. Although FIG. 7(a) depicts the circumferential direction DC as a straight line, in reality, the groove 50 has a partially annular shape centered on the axis X, and the seal member 4 is also disposed to have a cylindrical shape centered on the axis X. Therefore, the central angles α1 to α3 refer to the angles from one end face to the other end face of each of the regions R1 to R3 in the circumferential direction DC (the central angles when each of the regions R1 to R3 is regarded as a sector).

[0058] The control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 (i.e., rotates the valve disc 3) and determines whether or not there has been contact based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. This determination can be made, for example, from an increase in the torque T, an increase in the current value I, or the time change rate thereof. However, the control unit 12 cannot determine what the valve disc 3 has contacted (i.e., whether the inner axial rib 43 has contacted the axial edge 37a or whether the protrusion 30 has contacted the end points 51, 52) from the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Therefore, the control unit 12 can determine at least whether or not the protrusion 30 has contacted the end points 51, 52 by determining the circumferential position of the protrusion 30 using the above-mentioned length relationship.

[0059] For example, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 by a predetermined angle θ1 in a second direction DC2 (one direction) of the circumferential direction DC, and determines whether or not there is contact during this movement. The output torque of the actuator 6 during this movement is set to a low value that does not cause damage even if the protrusion 30 contacts the end points 51, 52. The predetermined angle θ1 is the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3 that corresponds to the angle obtained by subtracting the central angle of the protrusion 30 from the smallest angle of the three central angles (central angle α1 in this embodiment).

[0060] That is, at the start of learning, the control unit 12 does not know which of the three regions R1 to R3 the protrusion 30 is in, and therefore determines whether the valve element 3 actually comes into contact with anything while moving the protrusion 30 with a low rotational torque (predetermined torque) that is small enough that it will not cause any problems if the protrusion 30 hits the second end point 52 when moved in the second direction DC2. The determination process including this movement corresponds to the "first determination" in the claims.

[0061] If the control unit 12 determines that the protrusion 30 has contacted the first end point 51, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 by a predetermined angle θ1 in a first direction DC1 (another direction) in the circumferential direction DC while maintaining a low rotational torque (predetermined torque), and determines whether or not the protrusion 30 has contacted the first end point 51 at the time of the movement. The determination process including this movement corresponds to the "second determination" in the claims. If the protrusion 30 has contacted the first end point 51, the control unit 12 determines that the protrusion 30 has contacted the first end point 51 in one of the three regions R1 to R3. If the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 by a predetermined angle θ1 in the first direction DC1 (the opposite direction). If the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1, the control unit 12 determines that the valve element 3 does not contact anything.

[0062] Therefore, if the control unit 12 determines that contact has occurred in the second determination, it can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1 (it can determine that the contact object was the first endpoint 51), and learns the position of contact as the "position of the first endpoint 51." On the other hand, if the control unit 12 determines that contact has not occurred in the second determination, it can determine that the protrusion 30 is not located in the first region R1. In this case, the inner axial rib 43 is present on the first direction DC1 side of the protrusion 30.

[0063] Therefore, the control unit 12 increases the output torque of the actuator 6 to an extent that the inner axial rib 43 can climb over the axial edge 37a, and moves the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 with a high rotational torque (second predetermined torque), causing the inner axial rib 43 to climb over the axial edge 37a. Note that the "climbing over process" in the claims refers to a process of moving the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 with a high rotational torque, causing the protrusion 30 to climb over the inner axial rib 43.

[0064] After performing the overtaking process, the control unit 12 again performs the second determination. That is, at the time when the protrusion 30 has climbed over the inner axial rib 43, there is a possibility that the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1, so the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1 with a low rotational torque. Then, at the time of movement, it determines whether or not there has been contact. If it determines that there has been contact, the control unit 12 can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1 (the contact object can be determined to be the first end point 51), and learns that the position of contact is the "position of the first end point 51."

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no contact here either, the control unit 12 can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in the second region R2. In this case, the control unit 12 again performs the above-described overtaking process to move the protrusion 30 into the first region R1, and then moves the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1 with a low rotational torque. Then, the control unit 12 learns that the position where the protrusion 30 contacts is the "position of the first endpoint 51."

[0066] Furthermore, if the control unit 12 determines in the initial first determination that there is no contact, it can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in regions R2 and R3 other than the first region R1. In other words, in this case, since the inner axial rib 43 is always present on the first direction DC1 side of the protrusion 30, the control unit 12 performs the above-described overtaking process, then moves the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1 with a low rotational torque (predetermined torque), and determines whether or not there is contact at the time of movement. The determination process including this movement corresponds to the "third determination" in the claims. The third determination and the above-described second determination are identical in processing content, with only the implementation timing differing.

[0067] If the control unit 12 determines that contact has occurred in the third determination, it can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1 (it can determine that the contact object is the first endpoint 51), and learns the contact position as the “position of the first endpoint 51.” On the other hand, if the control unit 12 determines that contact has not occurred in the third determination, it can determine that the protrusion 30 is located in the second region R2. In this case, because the inner axial rib 43 is present on the first direction DC1 side of the protrusion 30, the control unit 12 performs the above-described overtaking process. As a result, the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1, and the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1 with a low rotational torque. Then, it learns the contact position of the protrusion 30 as the “position of the first endpoint 51.”

[0068] After learning the "position of the first end point 51" using the above-described method, the control unit 12 moves the protrusion 30 in the second direction DC2 with a high rotational torque, causing it to climb over the inner axial rib 43 twice, and then moves it a second predetermined angle θ2 with a low rotational torque. The control unit 12 then learns the position where the protrusion 30 abuts as the "position of the second end point 52." The second predetermined angle θ2 is the rotation angle θ of the valve disc 3 corresponding to the angle obtained by subtracting the central angle of the protrusion 30 from the central angle α2 of the second region R2. Instead of moving the protrusion 30 by the second predetermined angle θ2, the protrusion 30 may be moved with a low rotational torque after two climb-over processes and then the presence or absence of abutment may be determined. The above-described method allows the positions of the first end point 51 and the second end point 52 to be learned. While the above-described method first learns the position of the first end point 51, the position of the second end point 52 may be learned first. Furthermore, in this learning device, the magnitude relationship is set based on the central angles α1 to α3 of the regions R1 to R3, but the magnitude relationship may also be set based on the lengths of the regions R1 to R3 in the circumferential direction DC.

[0069] 7(b), when the inner axial rib 43 includes a third rib 43c, the third region R3 between the first rib 43a and the second rib 43b is divided into two by the third rib 43c. In this case, the central angle α31 of a portion R31 of the third region R3 (the region R31 between the first rib 43a and the third rib 43c) and the central angle α32 of the other portion of the third region R3 (the region R32 between the second rib 43b and the third rib 43c) are set to be different from the central angle α1 of the first region R1 and the central angle α2 of the second region R2. The central angles α31 and α32 of the third regions R31 and R32 may be the same or different. The learning device for this valve device 1 can also determine the circumferential position of the protrusion 30, and the above-described learning method can be applied.

[0070] 7(c) shows a modified example of FIG. 7(b). In the valve device 1 of FIG. 7(c), n or more (n≧0) protrusions 70 having a resistance smaller than the resistance when the inner axial rib 43 rides over the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 are arranged in each of the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3. In FIG. 7(c), zero protrusions 70 are arranged in the first region R1 (i.e., no protrusions 70 are arranged), one protrusion 70 is arranged in the second region R2, two protrusions 70 are arranged in a portion R31 of the third region R3, and three protrusions 70 are arranged in the other portion R32 of the third region R3. Thus, the number of protrusions 70 arranged in each of the regions R1, R2, and R3 (R31, R32) is different.

[0071] The protrusion 70 is provided, for example, to protrude from the inner circumferential rib 44 of the seal member 4. The size of the protrusion 70 is set so that it can ride up the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 when the protrusion 30 is moved with the above-mentioned low rotational torque. For example, the radially inward protrusion amount and circumferential length of the protrusion 70 are smaller than those of the inner axial rib 43. During rotation of the valve body 3, the rotational resistance when the protrusion 70 rides up the axial edge 37a is greater than the rotational resistance during sliding, but is smaller than both the rotational resistance when the inner axial rib 43 rides up and the rotational resistance when the protrusion 30 abuts against one end 51 and the other end 52 of the groove 50.

[0072] In the learning device for the valve device 1, the control unit 12 can determine, from the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, whether the convex portion 70 has climbed over the axial edge portion 37a during rotation of the valve disc 3. Furthermore, the control unit 12 can clearly determine in which region the protrusion 30 is located based on the number of convex portions 70. As a result, if the protrusion 30 is located in the first region R1 or the second region R2, the control unit 12 can simply bring the protrusion 30 into contact with the end points 51, 52 with a low rotational torque (predetermined torque), and if it is necessary to cause the protrusion 30 to climb over the inner axial rib 43, it can quickly move the protrusion 30 with a high rotational torque (second predetermined torque).

[0073] In addition, if the number of inner axial ribs 43 located within the third region R3 is two or more, the third region R3 will be divided into equal parts by the number of inner axial ribs 43. However, as in Figures 7(b) and 7(c), by setting the central angles α1, α2, α3 (α31, α32) relative to the circumferential direction DC to be different, learning can be performed in the same manner as the learning device described above.

[0074] The memory unit 13 stores information necessary for control and learning in the control unit 12, as well as the learning results. The necessary information includes, for example, the reference and operating range of the rotation angle θ of the valve element 3, the valve switching mode and target angle θt, and the difference between the positions of the end points 51 and 52 and the reference.

[0075] [3. Flowchart] 8 is a flowchart illustrating the learning procedure (learning method of the valve device 1) performed by the valve control device 10. This flow is started when it is determined that learning is necessary. Note that it is assumed that the valve element 3 is stopped at the start of the flow.

[0076] In step S1, the output torque of the actuator 6 is weakened, and the protrusion 30 begins to move in the second direction DC2 with a low rotational torque, and in the following step S2, it is determined whether or not there is contact (first determination). If there is no contact, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the protrusion 30 has moved by a predetermined angle θ1. If the protrusion 30 has not moved by the predetermined angle θ1, the process returns from step S3 to step S2. If it is determined that there was contact before the protrusion 30 moved by the predetermined angle θ1, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S4.

[0077] In step S4, the rotation direction is reversed while the output torque of the actuator 6 is kept weak, and the protrusion 30 is moved in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1, and then in the following step S5, it is determined whether or not there is contact (second determination). If it is determined that there is contact, in step S6, the contact position is learned to be the position of the first end point 51. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no contact in step S5, the process proceeds to step S8, where the output torque of the actuator 6 is increased and then the protrusion 30 is moved in the first direction DC1 to overcome the inner axial rib 43, thereby performing a process of overcoming the inner axial rib 43.

[0078] Thereafter, the process proceeds again to step S4, where the output torque of the actuator 6 is reduced and the protrusion 30 is moved in the first direction DC1 by a predetermined angle θ1, and then the presence or absence of contact is determined in the following step S5 (second determination). If it is determined that there is no contact here, the process proceeds again to step S8, where the above-mentioned process of overcoming the inner axial rib 43 is performed, and the process returns to step S4. If the number of inner axial ribs 43 is two as shown in FIG. 7(a), the processes of steps S4 and S5 are performed up to three times when proceeding to the Yes route of step S2, and the position of the first end point 51 is learned in step S6. Furthermore, if the number of inner axial ribs 43 increases, the number of times steps S4 and S5 are processed may increase accordingly.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the protrusion 30 has moved the predetermined angle θ1 without any contact (No in step S2), the process proceeds to step S7, where the rotation direction of the actuator 6 is reversed to change the moving direction of the protrusion 30 to the first direction DC1, and the output torque of the actuator 6 is increased to perform a process of getting over the inner axial rib 43 (step S8).Then, the processes of steps S4 and S5 similar to those described above are performed, and the position of contact is learned to be the position of the first end point 51 (step S6).

[0080] After the learning in step S6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S9, where the output torque of the actuator 6 is increased, and the protrusion 30 is moved in the second direction DC2 with a high rotational torque. Next, in step S10, the overtaking process is performed a number of times equal to the number of inner axial ribs 43. In step S11, the output torque of the actuator 6 is decreased, and the protrusion 30 is moved in the second direction DC2, and it is determined whether or not contact has occurred (step S12). In step S11, the protrusion 30 continues to move until it is determined in step S12 that contact has occurred. Then, if it is determined in step S12 that contact has occurred, the position of the contact is learned to be the position of the second end point 52 (step S13), and the flow ends. Note that in step S11, the protrusion 30 may be moved by a second predetermined angle θ2.

[0081] [4. Actions and Effects] (1) In the above-described learning device, the control unit 12 determines whether or not there is contact based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, and learns the positions of the first end point 51 and the second end point 52 as initial positions, and the central angle α1 of the first region R1, the central angle α2 of the second region R2, and the central angle α3 of the third region R3 are all different in the circumferential direction DC of the valve device 1. For this reason, the circumferential position of the protrusion 30 can be determined by rotating the valve disc 3 and determining whether or not there is contact.

[0082] As a result, the protrusion 30 can be moved with a high rotational torque when it is necessary to make the inner axial rib 43 ride up, and can be moved with a low rotational torque when there is a possibility of hitting the end points 51, 52. Therefore, the inner axial rib 43 can be reliably made to ride up, so learning can be performed appropriately, and since the protrusion 30 can be made to abut the end points 51, 52 with a low rotational torque, damage is not inflicted on the valve disc 3 or the actuator 6. As described above, the above-described learning device can perform the learning process appropriately while avoiding damage.

[0083] (2) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), when the number of protrusions 70 arranged in each of the regions R1 to R3 differs, the rotational resistance (torque T and current value I) changes each time the protrusions 70 ride over the axial edge 37a of the wall surface 37 as the valve disc 3 rotates. This allows the control unit 12 to determine in which region the protrusions 30 are located based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. This eliminates the need to weaken the output torque of the actuator 6 to determine whether the protrusions 30 abut against the end points 51 and 52. In other words, appropriate control (output torque and rotation direction) of the actuator 6 can be performed according to the position of the protrusions 30, and the learning process can be completed quickly.

[0084] (3) In the above-described learning method, the circumferential position of the protrusion 30 is detected by an initial first determination, and depending on the result of the first determination, one of the second determination and the overtaking process or the overtaking process and the third determination is performed, thereby learning the positions of the end points 51, 52. In this way, by repeatedly determining whether or not there is contact and changing the rotational torque while performing the overtaking process and learning the positions of the end points 51, 52, it is possible to appropriately perform the learning process while avoiding damage.

[0085] [5. Other] The configuration of the learning device and the configuration of the valve device 1 described above are both examples. For example, the housing 2 and the valve element 3 do not have to 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.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described valve device 1, the protrusion 30 is provided on the upper valve end surface 3a of the valve portion 32 of the valve element 3, and the groove 50 is recessed on the lower surface 5a (opposing surface) of the cover 5 facing this valve end surface 3a. However, a groove may be provided on the valve end surface 3a, and a protrusion may be provided on the lower surface 5a. Alternatively, a groove or a protrusion may be provided on the lower end surface of the valve portion 32 of the valve element 3, and a protrusion or a groove may be provided on the surface facing this lower end surface. The configuration of the valve element 3 is not limited to the above. For example, two openings forming separate valve flow paths may be arranged closely 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 above-described axial edges, and therefore the initial positions can be learned using the same learning device and learning method as described above.

[0087] The seal member 4 may be provided on the valve disc 3 instead of the housing 2. In the seal member provided on the valve disc 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 disc 3 is the communication angle, 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) to seal the gap with this wall surface. Note that the fluid flowing through the valve device 1 may be gas instead of liquid cooling water.

[0088] The relationship between the central angles α1 to α3 in the circumferential direction DC of the valve device 1 is not limited to α1<α2<α3, and may be, for example, α2<α1<α3. Furthermore, when the protrusions 70 are provided, the number of the protrusions 70 arranged in each region only needs to be different, and the number is not limited to 0 to 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Valve device 2. Housing 3 Valve body 3a Valve body end face (valve body end face) 4 Sealing material 5 Lid 5a Opposite surface (underside of lid) 6 Actuators 10 Valve control device 11 Acquisition Department 12 Control Unit 30 Protrusion 37 Wall 37a Axial edge 43 Inner axial rib (rib, inner rib) 43a First Rib 43b Second Rib 44 Inner circumferential rib (rib, inner rib) 45 outer axial rib (rib, outer rib) 46 outer circumferential rib (rib, outer rib) 50 Groove 51 First end point (one end in the circumferential direction of the groove portion) 52 Second end point (other end of groove in the circumferential direction) 70 Convex part R1 First area R2 second area R3 Third area T Torque α1 Central angle of the first region α2 Central angle of the second region α3 Central angle of the third region θ rotation angle θ1 Predetermined angle

Claims

1. 1. A learning device that learns an initial position of a valve device including an actuator that rotates a valve element relative to a housing, and a seal member that is provided on one of the valve element and the housing, a partially annular groove portion recessed into one of the end surface of the valve body and an opposing surface arranged opposite to the end surface, the partially annular groove portion having a central angle larger than the operating angle of the valve body; a protrusion provided on the other of the end surface and the opposing surface, the protrusion moving within the groove as the valve body rotates to determine the opening degree of the valve body; a rib provided on the seal member, the rib sliding relative to the other of the valve body and the housing as the valve body rotates, and riding up on an axial edge of the other wall surface when the valve body is at a predetermined opening degree to seal a gap between the wall surface and the other wall surface; an acquisition unit that acquires information about a torque acting on the valve element; a control unit having a function of controlling the rotation of the valve element and a learning function of determining whether or not the valve element is in contact based on the information and learning the positions of a first end point and a second end point which are one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the groove portion as the initial position, the ribs include a first rib that seals the gap when the opening degree is a first predetermined value, and a second rib that seals the gap when the opening degree is a second predetermined value that is greater than the first predetermined value, In the circumferential direction of the valve device, when the area between the first end point and the first rib is defined as a first region, the area between the second end point and the second rib is defined as a second region, and the area between the first rib and the second rib is defined as a third region, the central angles of the first region, the second region, and the third region are different from each other. A learning device for a valve device.

2. In the first region, the second region, and the third region, different numbers of protrusions, each having a resistance smaller than the resistance when the rib rides over the axial edge portion, are arranged, and the number of protrusions is n or more (n is 0 or a positive integer).

2. The learning device for a valve device according to claim 1.

3. A learning method implemented in the learning device for a valve device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a first determination is made to determine whether or not the protrusion contacts the contact portion while the protrusion is moved in one circumferential direction by a predetermined angle with a predetermined torque; If it is determined in the first determination that contact has occurred, a second determination is made to determine whether or not there is contact by moving the protrusion in the other circumferential direction by the predetermined angle at the predetermined torque, and if it is determined in the second determination that there is contact, the position is learned to be the position of the first end point or the second end point, and if it is determined in the second determination that there is no contact, an overtaking process is performed in which the protrusion is moved in the other direction at a second predetermined torque greater than the predetermined torque to overcome the rib, and then the second determination is made again, If it is determined in the first determination that there is no contact, the protrusion is moved in the other direction by the predetermined angle with the predetermined torque after the overstepping process, and then a third determination is performed to determine whether there is contact, and if it is determined in the third determination that there is contact, the position is learned to be the first end point or the second end point, and if it is determined that there is no contact in the third determination, the position where the protrusion contacts when the protrusion is moved in the other direction by the predetermined angle with the predetermined torque after the overstepping process is learned to be the first end point or the second end point. A method for learning a valve device.

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