Stator unit, motor-operated valve, and motor-operated valve device

The stator unit's housing design with a separate lid member and connector portion simplifies the molding process, reducing labor and costs by allowing for simpler mold structures and separate installation of inserts.

JP2025188265APending Publication Date: 2025-12-25FUJIKOKI MFG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025176079
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-10-20
Publication Date
2025-12-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The complex shape of the housing in conventional motor-operated valves, including the connector portion, leads to a complex mold structure and increased labor and costs due to the need for multiple inserts during injection molding.

Method used

The stator unit is designed with a housing comprising a housing main body and a lid member, both made of synthetic resin, where the lid member includes a connector portion separate from the housing main body, allowing for separate molding and reducing the complexity of the mold structure.

Benefits of technology

This design simplifies the molding process, reduces labor requirements, and lowers manufacturing costs by allowing for simpler molding dies and separate installation of inserts.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a stator unit, a motor-operated valve, and a motor-operated valve devices that can reduce manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: A housing 70 of a stator unit 6 has a housing main body 71 and a lid member 81. The housing main body 71 has a peripheral wall portion 72 and a rectangular cylindrical case portion 75 extending forward from the peripheral wall portion 72. The lid member 81 has a lid main body 82 joined to the case portion 75 and a cylindrical connector portion 83 connected to the lid main body 82. A terminal body 190 of the stator unit 6 has: a holding member 193 arranged on a connection board 192 arranged in the board space 76 of the case portion 75 and connected to the connector portion 83; and a connector terminal 191 held by the holding member 193. A first end of the connector terminal 191 is arranged in an inner space 83a of the connector portion 83. A second end of the connector terminal 191 is connected to the connection board 192.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stator unit, a motor-operated valve, and a motor-operated valve device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional motor-operated valve is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This motor-operated valve has a rotor, a stator, a circuit board, and a housing. The housing is integrally injection molded (insert molded) with the stator and connector terminals. The housing has a first side wall and a first bottom that form a first chamber. A circuit board is disposed in the first chamber. The housing has a second side wall and a second bottom that form a second chamber. A case that houses the rotor is disposed in the second chamber. The housing has a cylindrical connector portion. Connector terminals are disposed inside the connector portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-501853 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The housing has a complex shape, including the connector portion, and is injection molded with multiple inserts. This results in a complex mold structure for the housing, and increases the labor required to install the inserts into the mold, resulting in high manufacturing costs.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stator unit, a motor-operated valve, and a motor-operated valve device that can reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a stator unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a stator unit having a stator, a housing, and a terminal body, wherein the housing has a housing main body and a lid member, the housing main body is made of synthetic resin, has a stator accommodating section and a cylindrical case section extending in one direction from the stator accommodating section, the lid member is made of synthetic resin, has a lid main body joined to the tip of the case section, and a cylindrical connector section connected to the lid main body, the terminal body has a retaining member arranged in the internal space of the case section and a connector terminal held by the retaining member, one end of the connector terminal is arranged in the internal space of the connector section, and the other end of the connector terminal is arranged in the internal space of the case section.

[0007] In the present invention, it is preferable that the connector portion extends in the one direction, the stator accommodating portion, the holding member, and the connector portion are aligned in the one direction, and the holding member is in contact with the stator accommodating portion and the connector portion.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that one of the stator accommodating portion and the holding member has a fitting protrusion, and the other has a fitting hole, and the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting hole in the one direction.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the stator unit has a substrate placed in the inner space of the case portion, the terminal body has a connection terminal held by the holding member, and the connection terminal connects the stator to the substrate.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the substrate is arranged parallel to the one direction and held by the housing body, and the cover member contacts an end of the substrate near the tip of the case portion.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention is an electric valve having a valve body assembly and the stator unit, wherein the valve body assembly has a main body member, a cylindrical case attached to the main body member, and a magnet rotor arranged inside the case, and the stator is arranged outside the case.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, an electric valve device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the electric valve and a flow path block provided with a mounting hole to which the main body member is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The stator unit includes a housing and terminal bodies. The housing includes a housing main body and a lid member. The housing main body is made of synthetic resin and includes a stator accommodating portion and a cylindrical case portion extending in one direction from the stator accommodating portion. The lid member is made of synthetic resin and includes a lid main body joined to the tip of the case portion and a cylindrical connector portion connected to the lid main body. The terminal body includes a retaining member disposed in the interior space of the case portion and a connector terminal held by the retaining member. One end of the connector terminal is disposed in the interior space of the connector portion, and the other end of the connector terminal is disposed in the interior space of the case portion. This configuration allows the lid member to be a separate component from the housing main body, and the lid member includes the connector portion. The connector portion and the terminal body form a connector for connecting the stator unit to an external device. Therefore, the housing main body that accommodates the stator and the lid member that includes the connector portion are molded separately, resulting in relatively simple molding dies for each. Furthermore, the labor required to install an insert into the molding die is reduced. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the stator unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an electric valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the motor-operated valve device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a stator unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for assembling the stator unit. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of the motor-operated valve ... device of FIG. [Figure 12] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another modified example of the motor-operated valve included in the motor-operated valve device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An electric valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. The electric valve device is incorporated into, for example, an air conditioning system mounted on a vehicle or an air conditioning system installed indoors.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electric valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric valve device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a stator unit. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 8 (mainly the housing case and its vicinity). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of assembling a stator unit. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a modified motor-operated valve included in the motor-operated valve device of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another modified motor-operated valve included in the motor-operated valve device of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 4, 7, 11, and 12, the valve body is shown as viewed from the side. In FIGS. 3 and 6, the members inside the peripheral wall of the housing are omitted. In each figure, the X direction indicated by the arrow X is the left-right direction, the Y direction indicated by the arrow Y is the front-back direction, and the Z direction indicated by the arrow Z is the up-down direction. The side with the letter "X" in the arrow X is the right side, the side with the letter "Y" in the arrow Y is the rear side, and the side with the letter "Z" in the arrow Z is the up side.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the motor-operated valve device 1 includes a flow path block 2 and a motor-operated valve 3. The flow path block 2 and the motor-operated valve 3 are electrically connected to each other.

[0018] The flow path block 2 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The flow path block 2 has a circular mounting hole 201. The mounting hole 201 is arranged on an upper surface 2d of the flow path block 2. The upper surface 2d is the outer surface of the flow path block 2. An internal thread is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 201. The flow path block 2 has a first flow path 205 extending forward from the mounting hole 201 and a second flow path 206 extending downward from the mounting hole 201.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the motor-operated valve 3 includes a valve body assembly 5 and a stator unit 6.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 7, the valve body assembly 5 includes a body member 10, a can 20, a drive mechanism 30, and a valve body 40.

[0021] The main body member 10 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The main body member 10 has a first portion 11 and a second portion 12.

[0022] The first portion 11 has a cylindrical shape. The first portion 11 is placed in the mounting hole 201 of the flow path block 2. A male thread is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first portion 11. The male thread is screwed into the female thread of the flow path block 2. The first portion 11 is attached to the flow path block 2 by a screw structure. An upper portion of the first portion 11 protrudes from the upper surface 2d of the flow path block 2.

[0023] The first portion 11 has a valve chamber 15, a valve port 16, a valve seat 17, and a connecting flow path 18. The valve port 16 opens to the valve chamber 15. The valve seat 17 has an inwardly tapered annular surface. The valve seat 17 surrounds the valve port 16 in the valve chamber 15. The connecting flow path 18 connects the valve chamber 15 to a mounting hole 201. The valve chamber 15 is connected to a first flow path 205 via the connecting flow path 18 and the mounting hole 201. The valve chamber 15 is connected to a second flow path 206 via the valve port 16. Note that, instead of the first portion 11, the flow path block 2 may have a valve chamber.

[0024] The second portion 12 has a cylindrical shape. The lower portion of the second portion 12 is disposed inside the upper portion of the first portion 11. The outer peripheral surface of the second portion 12 is provided with a male thread. The male thread is screwed into a female thread provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first portion 11. The second portion 12 is attached to the first portion 11 by a threaded structure. The upper portion of the second portion 12 protrudes from the upper surface 11d of the first portion 11. The inner peripheral edge of the connecting member 13, which has an annular plate shape, is joined to the upper end of the second portion 12. In this embodiment, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are separate components. The main body member 10 may be a single component in which the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are integrally formed.

[0025] The can 20 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The can 20 has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom end and a closed top end. The bottom end of the can 20 is joined to the outer periphery of the connecting member 13. The can 20 is attached to the main body member 10 via the connecting member 13. The can 20 may also be attached directly to the main body member 10. The can 20 is a case.

[0026] The drive mechanism 30 moves the valve element 40 in the vertical direction. The drive mechanism 30 has a magnet rotor 31, a valve stem holder 32, and a guide bush 33.

[0027] The magnet rotor 31 has a cylindrical shape. The magnet rotor 31 is disposed inside the can 20. The outer diameter of the magnet rotor 31 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the can 20. The outer peripheral surface of the magnet rotor 31 is provided with a plurality of north poles and a plurality of south poles. The plurality of north poles and a plurality of south poles extend in the vertical direction. The plurality of north poles and a plurality of south poles are disposed at equal intervals and alternately in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the magnet rotor 31 has 12 north poles and 12 south poles.

[0028] The valve stem holder 32 has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom and a closed top. A support ring 35 is fixed to the top end of the valve stem holder 32. The magnet rotor 31 and the valve stem holder 32 are connected via the support ring 35. A female thread 32c is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve stem holder 32. A movable stopper 37 is attached to the valve stem holder 32.

[0029] The guide bush 33 integrally has a base 33a and a support portion 33b. The base 33a and the support portion 33b have a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the support portion 33b is smaller than the outer diameter of the base 33a. The support portion 33b is coaxially connected to the upper end of the base 33a. An external thread 33c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 33b. The external thread 33c is threadedly engaged with the internal thread 32c of the valve stem holder 32. The base 33a is press-fitted into the upper part of the second portion 12 of the main body member 10. The guide bush 33 is connected to the main body member 10. A fixed stopper 38 is attached to the base 33a.

[0030] The valve element 40 integrally includes a first shaft portion 41, a second shaft portion 42, and a valve portion 43. The first shaft portion 41 and the second shaft portion 42 are cylindrical. The outer diameter of the second shaft portion 42 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first shaft portion 41. The second shaft portion 42 is coaxially connected to the upper end of the first shaft portion 41. The second shaft portion 42 penetrates the upper wall portion 32a of the valve shaft holder 32. A push nut 45 is attached to the second shaft portion 42 to prevent it from coming off. The first shaft portion 41 is disposed inside the guide bush 33 and the second section 12. The first shaft portion 41 is supported by the guide bush 33 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The lower end of the first shaft portion 41 is disposed in the valve chamber 15. The valve portion 43 has a shape in which multiple tapered portions whose outer diameter decreases from top to bottom are connected coaxially. The valve portion 43 is coaxially connected to the lower end of the first shaft portion 41. The valve portion 43 is disposed in the valve chamber 15. The valve portion 43 faces the valve port 16 (valve seat 17) in the vertical direction. A step portion 44 is provided between the first shaft portion 41 and the second shaft portion 42. The step portion 44 is an annular flat surface facing upward. A valve-closing spring 36 is disposed between the upper wall portion 32a of the valve shaft holder 32 and the step portion 44. The valve-closing spring 36 is a compression coil spring. The valve-closing spring 36 presses the valve element 40 downward. The valve element 40 is moved in the vertical direction by the drive mechanism 30. The movement of the valve element 40 opens and closes the valve port 16.

[0031] In the valve body assembly 5, when the magnet rotor 31 rotates in the valve closing direction, the female thread 32c of the valve stem holder 32 and the male thread 33c of the guide bush 33 act as a screw thread, moving the magnet rotor 31 and the valve stem holder 32 downward. The valve stem holder 32 presses the valve disc 40 downward via the valve closing spring 36. The valve disc 40 moves downward and contacts the valve seat 17. At this time, the magnet rotor 31 is in the valve closing position Rc. If the magnet rotor 31 rotates further in the valve closing direction from this state, the valve closing spring 36 is compressed, causing the magnet rotor 31 and the valve stem holder 32 to move further downward. The valve disc 40 does not move downward. When the movable stopper 37 contacts the fixed stopper 38, rotation of the magnet rotor 31 in the valve closing direction is restricted. At this time, the magnet rotor 31 is in the reference position Rx.

[0032] In the valve body assembly 5, when the magnet rotor 31 rotates in the valve opening direction, the female thread 32c of the valve stem holder 32 and the male thread 33c of the guide bush 33 act as a screw thread, moving the magnet rotor 31 and the valve stem holder 32 upward. The valve stem holder 32 pushes the push nut 45 upward. The valve disc 40 moves upward and separates from the valve seat 17. The position of the magnet rotor 31 where the valve disc 40 separates from the valve seat 17 and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the valve port 16 reaches a predetermined set value is called the valve open position Ro. Note that the valve open position Ro may be the same as the valve closed position Rc. As the magnet rotor 31 continues to rotate in the valve opening direction, it reaches the fully open position Rz. When the magnet rotor 31 is in the fully open position Rz, the valve disc 40 is farthest from the valve port 16, and the valve port 16 is at its maximum opening.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the stator unit 6 includes a stator 60, a housing 70, a terminal body 90, and a control device 100.

[0034] The stator 60 has a cylindrical shape and includes an A-phase stator 61, a B-phase stator 62, and a mold 63 made of synthetic resin.

[0035] The A-phase stator 61 has a plurality of claw-pole-shaped pole teeth 61a, 61b on its inner circumference. The tips of the pole teeth 61a face downward, and the tips of the pole teeth 61b face upward. The pole teeth 61a and 61b are alternately arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the A-phase stator 61 has 12 pole teeth 61a and 12 pole teeth 61b. The angle between adjacent pole teeth 61a and 61b is 15 degrees. When the coil 61c of the A-phase stator 61 is energized, the pole teeth 61a and 61b have opposite polarities.

[0036] The B-phase stator 62 has a plurality of claw-pole-shaped pole teeth 62a, 62b on its inner circumference. The tips of the pole teeth 62a face downward, and the tips of the pole teeth 62b face upward. The pole teeth 62a and 62b are alternately arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the B-phase stator 62 has 12 pole teeth 62a and 12 pole teeth 62b. The angle between adjacent pole teeth 62a and 62b is 15 degrees. When the coil 62c of the B-phase stator 62 is energized, the pole teeth 62a and 62b have opposite polarities.

[0037] The A-phase stator 61 and the B-phase stator 62 are arranged coaxially. The A-phase stator 61 and the B-phase stator 62 are in contact with each other. When viewed from the top-bottom direction (the direction of the axis L), the angle between the pole teeth 61a of the A-phase stator 61 and the pole teeth 62a of the B-phase stator 62, which are adjacent to each other, is 7.5 degrees.

[0038] The mold 63 is filled inside the A-phase stator 61 and the B-phase stator 62. The mold 63, together with the pole teeth 61a, 61b and the pole teeth 62a, 62b, constitutes the stator inner peripheral surface 60a. The diameter of the stator inner peripheral surface 60a is the same as (or substantially the same as) the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the can 20. The mold 63 has a terminal support portion 64.

[0039] Terminal support portion 64 extends forward from A-phase stator 61 and B-phase stator 62. Terminal support portion 64 supports four coil terminals 65. Coil terminals 65 protrude forward from the tip of terminal support portion 64. Coil terminals 65 are connected to coil 61c of A-phase stator 61 and coil 62c of B-phase stator 62.

[0040] The stator 60 is disposed outside the can 20. The stator 60 constitutes a stepping motor 66 together with the magnet rotor 31 disposed inside the can 20.

[0041] The housing 70 includes a housing main body 71 and a cover member 81 .

[0042] The housing body 71 is made of synthetic resin and integrally includes a peripheral wall portion 72, an upper wall portion 73, a case portion 75, and support columns 78.

[0043] The peripheral wall portion 72 has a cylindrical shape. The stator 60 is embedded in the peripheral wall portion 72. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface 72a of the peripheral wall portion 72 is the same as the diameter of the stator inner peripheral surface 60a. The inner peripheral surface 72a is continuously connected to the stator inner peripheral surface 60a without any steps. The upper wall portion 73 has a dome shape. The upper wall portion 73 is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 72. The inner peripheral surface 72a of the peripheral wall portion 72, the inner surface 73a of the upper wall portion 73, and the stator inner peripheral surface 60a form an inner space 74 of the stator unit 6. A can 20 is disposed in the inner space 74.

[0044] The case portion 75 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. The case portion 75 extends forward from the peripheral wall portion 72. The case portion 75 is arranged along the front-to-rear direction. A board space 76 is provided inside the case portion 75. The board space 76 is the internal space of the case portion 75. An opening 77 is provided at the tip 75a of the case portion 75. The opening 77 faces forward. The opening 77 is connected to the board space 76. Retaining grooves 75b extending in the front-to-rear direction are provided on inner surfaces of the case portion 75 facing each other in the left-to-right direction. "Forward" is included in the front-to-rear direction and refers to "one direction" within the front-to-rear direction.

[0045] Two support pillars 78 are provided in the housing main body 71. The support pillars 78 have a rectangular pillar shape. The support pillars 78 are arranged in the board space 76 and extend forward from the peripheral wall portion 72. The support pillars 78 are aligned in the front-rear direction with the stator 60 via the peripheral wall portion 72. A fitting protrusion 78f is provided on a tip surface 78a of the support pillars 78. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 72 and the support pillars 78 form a stator accommodating portion that accommodates the stator 60.

[0046] The substrate space 76 is adjacent to the inner space 74. A partition wall 79 is disposed between the inner space 74 and the substrate space 76. The partition wall 79 separates the inner space 74 from the substrate space 76. The partition wall 79 is a part of the peripheral wall portion 72.

[0047] The lid member 81 is made of synthetic resin. The lid member 81 integrally includes a lid main body 82 and a connector portion 83. The lid main body 82 has a flat plate shape. The peripheral edge of the lid main body 82 is joined to the front end 75a of the case portion 75. The lid main body 82 is arranged to cover the opening 77. The lid main body 82 is arranged parallel to the left-right direction and the up-down direction (parallel to the XZ plane). The lid main body 82 closes the opening 77. The connector portion 83 has a cylindrical shape. The cross section of the connector portion 83 is oval. The connector portion 83 is arranged in the center of the lid main body 82 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the lid main body 82. When the lid main body 82 is joined to the case portion 75, the connector portion 83 extends in the front-rear direction. A through-hole 85 is provided at the rear end of the connector portion 83, connecting the board space 76 and an inner space 83a of the connector portion 83.

[0048] The bracket 86 is made of metal. The bracket 86 integrally includes a bracket main body 87 and a mounting plate 88. The bracket main body 87 has an annular plate shape. The bracket main body 87 is fixed to the lower part of the peripheral wall portion 72. The mounting plate 88 has a rectangular plate shape. The mounting plate 88 is connected to the outer periphery of the bracket main body 87 and extends downward. The mounting plate 88 is fixed to the flow path block 2 with screws 89. The bracket 86 may be welded to the stator 60.

[0049] The terminal body 90 has a connector terminal 91, a connection terminal 92, and a holding member 93. The connector terminal 91 has an L-shape. The connection terminal 92 has a linear shape. In this embodiment, the terminal body 90 has four connector terminals 91 and four connection terminals 92. The shape and number of the connector terminals 91 are determined appropriately depending on the configuration of the stator unit 6. The shape and number of the connection terminals 92 are also determined appropriately depending on the configuration of the stator unit 6. The housing main body 71, the cover member 81, and the terminal body 90 are separate parts.

[0050] The holding member 93 is made of synthetic resin and integrally includes a holding body 94, a terminal support protrusion 95, and a support portion 96.

[0051] The holding body 94 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A front surface 94a of the holding body 94 contacts the rear end of the connector portion 83. The terminal support protrusion 95 is disposed on the front surface 94a of the holding body 94. The terminal support protrusion 95 extends in the left-right direction. The terminal support protrusion 95 is fitted into the through hole 85 of the connector portion 83.

[0052] The holding body 94 and the terminal support protrusion 95 hold the connector terminal 91. A first end 91a of the connector terminal 91 extends forward from the front surface of the terminal support protrusion 95. A second end 91b of the connector terminal 91 extends upward from the upper surface of the holding body 94. The first end 91a is one end of the connector terminal 91. The second end 91b is the other end of the connector terminal 91. The first end 91a is disposed in the inner space 83a of the connector part 83. The second end 91b is disposed in the board space 76. The connector terminal 91 extends from the board space 76 to the inner space 83a.

[0053] The holding body 94 holds the connection terminal 92. A first end 92a of the connection terminal 92 extends downward from the lower surface of the holding body 94. The first end 92a has an annular shape. A second end 92b of the connection terminal 92 extends upward from the upper surface of the holding body 94. The connection terminal 92 is disposed rearward of the connector terminal 91.

[0054] The support portion 96 has a rectangular cylindrical shape. The support portion 96 extends rearward from the rear surface of the holding body 94. The support portion 96 is arranged to correspond to the support pillar 78. The fitting protrusion 78f fits into the inside of the support portion 96. The inner space of the support portion 96 is a fitting hole 96f. When the fitting protrusion 78f fits into the fitting hole 96f, the support portion 96 comes into contact with the tip surface 78a of the support pillar 78.

[0055] The connector portion 83, the holding member 93, the support pillars 78, and the peripheral wall portion 72 are aligned in a line in the front-to-rear direction. The holding member 93 is disposed between the connector portion 83 and the support pillars 78. A front surface 94a of a holding body 94 of the holding member 93 contacts the connector portion 83. The support portions 96 of the holding member 93 contact the support pillars 78. Therefore, when a force is applied to the connector portion 83 from the front to the rear, the force is received by the support pillars 78 and the peripheral wall portion 72 (stator accommodating portion) via the holding member 93. Furthermore, because the peripheral wall portion 72 and the stator 60 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction, the force can also be received by the stator 60. Note that the support pillars 78 may be omitted from the housing main body 71, and the holding member 93 may directly contact the peripheral wall portion 72.

[0056] The control device 100 is disposed in the board space 76 of the housing 70. The control device 100 includes a board 105, a magnetic sensor 110, and a microcomputer 120.

[0057] The substrate 105 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. The substrate 105 is accommodated in the substrate space 76. The substrate 105 is arranged parallel to the left-right and front-rear directions (parallel to the XY plane). A magnetic sensor 110 and a microcomputer 120 are mounted on the substrate 105. The second ends 91b of the connector terminals 91 and the second ends 92b of the connection terminals 92 are connected to the substrate 105. In this embodiment, the substrate 105 is arranged above the stator 60, but the substrate 105 may also be arranged below the stator 60, as in the motor-operated valve 3A shown in FIG. 11. The motor-operated valve 3A has the same configuration (including substantially the same configuration) as the motor-operated valve 3, except for the arrangement of the substrate 105. In FIG. 11, the same components as the motor-operated valve 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0058] The left and right ends of the substrate 105 are held in the holding grooves 75b of the case portion 75. The front end 105a of the substrate 105 contacts the lid main body 82 of the lid member 81. The front end 105a is the end of the substrate 105 that is closest to the tip 75a of the case portion 75. A notch 105c is provided in the rear end 105b of the substrate 105. An edge 105d that forms the notch 105c in the substrate 105 contacts the partition wall 79 of the housing main body 71.

[0059] The magnetic sensor 110 is, for example, a Hall IC. The magnetic sensor 110 is disposed near the edge 105d of the substrate 105. The magnetic sensor 110 faces the partition wall 79 in the front-rear direction. The magnetic sensor 110 is aligned with the magnet rotor 31 in the front-rear direction via the can 20 and the partition wall 79. The magnetic sensor 110 outputs a signal according to the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet rotor 31. In this embodiment, the control device 100 has two magnetic sensors 110.

[0060] The microcomputer 120 is a microcomputer for embedded devices that integrates, for example, a central processing unit, non-volatile memory, working memory, a communication module, a motor driver, and the like into a single package. The microcomputer 120 controls the motor-operated valve 3. Note that the non-volatile memory, working memory, communication module, and motor driver may be individual electronic components externally connected to the microcomputer 120.

[0061] The control device 100 is communicably connected to a control unit of an air conditioning system (not shown) in which the motor-operated valve device 1 is incorporated. The control device 100 is connected to the control unit by a cable. The cable has a connector (plug) that fits into the connector portion 83. The control unit is an external device. The control device 100 controls the stepping motor 66 (i.e., the rotation of the magnet rotor 31) in accordance with commands sent from the control unit. Note that the motor-operated valve 3 may be directly controlled by the control unit of the air conditioning system, omitting the control device 100.

[0062] In the electric valve device 1, the mounting hole 201, main body member 10 (first part 11, second part 12, valve port 16, valve seat 17), can 20, magnet rotor 31, valve shaft holder 32, guide bush 33, valve body 40, stator 60 (A-phase stator 61, B-phase stator 62), and bracket 86 (bracket main body 87) each have a central axis that coincides with the axis L.

[0063] Next, an example of a method for assembling the stator unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] The stator 60 is placed in a mold for the housing body 71, and the housing body 71 is injection molded (insert molded) integrally with the stator 60. A bracket 86 is attached to the peripheral wall portion 72 of the housing body 71. The lid member 81 is injection molded separately from the housing body 71.

[0065] The connector terminals 91 and the connection terminals 92 are placed in a mold for forming the holding member 93, and the holding member 93 is injection molded (insert molded) integrally with the connector terminals 91 and the connection terminals 92. The holding member 93 may have grooves corresponding to the shape of the connector terminals 91 and holes corresponding to the shape of the connection terminals 92. In this case, the connector terminals 91 and the connection terminals 92 are attached to the holding member 93 after the holding member 93 is injection molded.

[0066] The magnetic sensor 110 and the microcomputer 120 are mounted on the substrate 105. The second end 91b of the connector terminal 91 and the second end 92b of the connection terminal 92 are soldered to the substrate 105. The substrate 105 is inserted into the substrate space 76 through the opening 77 of the case portion 75, and the left and right ends of the substrate 105 are held in the case portion 75 (holding grooves 75b). The edge 105d of the substrate 105 is abutted against the partition wall 79. The fitting protrusion 78f of the support pillar 78 is fitted into the fitting hole 96f of the support portion 96 of the holding member 93. The support portion 96 is abutted against the tip surface 78a of the support pillar 78. The coil terminal 65 of the stator 60 is placed inside the first end 92a of the connection terminal 92, and the coil terminal 65 is soldered to the first end 92a.

[0067] The peripheral edge of the lid body 82 of the lid member 81 is brought into contact with the tip 75a of the case portion 75, and the lid body 82 closes the opening 77. The lid body 82 is brought into contact with the front end 105a of the circuit board 105. The first end 91a of the connector terminal 91 is inserted into the through hole 85 of the connector portion 83 of the lid member 81, and the first end 91a is positioned in the internal space 83a of the connector portion 83. The terminal support protrusion 95 of the holding member 93 is fitted into the through hole 85. The peripheral edge of the lid body 82 is joined to the tip 75a of the case portion 75. Examples of joining methods that can be used include infrared welding, ultrasonic welding, or bonding with an adhesive. This completes the stator unit 6.

[0068] The motor-operated valve device 1 of this embodiment has a motor-operated valve 3 and a flow path block 2. The flow path block 2 is provided with a mounting hole 201 to which a main body member 10 of the motor-operated valve 3 is attached. The motor-operated valve 3 has a valve main body assembly 5 and a stator unit 6. The valve main body assembly 5 has the main body member 10, a cylindrical can 20 attached to the main body member 10, and a magnet rotor 31 arranged inside the can 20.

[0069] The stator unit 6 includes a stator 60, a housing 70, and a terminal body 90. The stator 60 is disposed outside the can 20. The housing 70 includes a housing main body 71 that houses the stator 60 and a lid member 81 that is joined to the housing main body 71. The housing main body 71 is made of synthetic resin. The housing main body 71 includes a peripheral wall portion 72 and support columns 78 that form a stator housing portion. The housing main body 71 includes a rectangular cylindrical case portion 75 that extends forward (in one direction) from the peripheral wall portion 72. The case portion 75 includes a board space 76 and a forward-facing opening 77 that is connected to the board space 76. The lid member 81 is made of synthetic resin. The lid member 81 includes a lid main body 82 that closes the opening 77 and a cylindrical connector portion 83 that is connected to the lid main body 82. The lid main body 82 is joined to a tip 75a of the case portion 75. The terminal body 90 has a holding member 93 disposed in the board space 76 and a connector terminal 91 held by the holding member 93. A first end 91a of the connector terminal 91 is disposed in the inner space 83a of the connector portion 83. A second end 91b of the connector terminal 91 is disposed in the board space 76.

[0070] As a result, the lid member 81, which is a separate part from the housing main body 71, has the connector portion 83. The connector portion 83 and the terminal body 90 form a connector (receptacle) for connecting the stator unit 6 to an external device. Therefore, the housing main body 71 that houses the stator 60 and the lid member 81 that has the connector portion 83 are molded separately, and the molding dies for each have a relatively simple structure. In addition, the number of steps required to install an insert in the molding die is reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the stator unit 6 can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, the connector portion 83 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The peripheral wall portion 72, the support pillars 78, the holding member 93, and the connector portion 83 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The holding member 93 is in contact with the support pillars 78 and the connector portion 83. In this manner, when the cable connector is mated with the connector portion 83, a force is applied to the connector portion 83 from the front to the rear. This force is received by the support pillars 78 and the peripheral wall portion 72 via the holding member 93. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the cover member 81, and to more reliably fit the cable connector with the connector portion 83.

[0072] Furthermore, the support pillars 78 of the housing main body 71 have mating protrusions 78f. The holding member 93 has mating holes 96f. The mating protrusions 78f are fitted into the mating holes 96f in the front-rear direction. This configuration prevents the holding member 93 from moving left-right and up-down relative to the housing main body 71. Note that the holding member 93 may have the mating protrusions, and the housing main body 71 (peripheral wall portion 72 or the support pillars 78) may have the mating holes.

[0073] Furthermore, the stator unit 6 has a substrate 105 disposed in the substrate space 76. The terminal body 90 has a connection terminal 92 held by a holding member 93. The connection terminal 92 connects the coil terminal 65 of the stator 60 to the substrate 105. In this manner, the stator 60 can be connected to the substrate 105 with a relatively simple configuration.

[0074] Furthermore, the circuit board 105 is arranged parallel to the front-rear direction, and its left and right ends are held by the housing main body 71. The cover member 81 contacts the front end 105a of the circuit board 105. In this manner, movement of the circuit board 105 within the circuit board space 76 can be further restricted.

[0075] Fig. 12 shows an electric valve 3B, which is a modified example of the electric valve 3. The electric valve 3B has the same configuration (including being substantially the same) as the electric valve 3, except that (1) the stator unit 6 has a terminal body 190 instead of the terminal body 90, and (2) the housing main body 71 has a support column 178 instead of the support column 78. In Fig. 12, the same components as those in the electric valve 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0076] The terminal body 190 has a connector terminal 191, a connection board 192, and a holding member 193. The connector terminal 191 has a linear shape. In this embodiment, the terminal body 190 has four connector terminals 191. The connection board 192 is a printed circuit board. The connection board 192 has a rectangular flat plate shape. Fitting holes (not shown) are provided at the four corners of the connection board 192. The connection board 192 is accommodated in the board space 76. The connection board 192 is arranged parallel to the left-right direction and the up-down direction (parallel to the XZ plane). The connection board 192 is connected to the board 105. The connection board 192 is connected to the coil terminal 65.

[0077] The holding member 193 is made of synthetic resin and integrally includes a holding body 194 and a terminal support protrusion 195.

[0078] The holding body 194 has a rectangular flat plate shape. The holding body 194 extends in the left-right direction. The front surface of the holding body 194 contacts the rear end of the connector portion 83. The terminal support protrusion 195 is arranged on the front surface of the holding body 194. The rear surface of the holding body 194 contacts the front surface of the connection board 192. The holding body 194 is arranged on the front surface of the connection board 192. The terminal support protrusion 195 extends in the left-right direction. The terminal support protrusion 195 is fitted into the through hole 85 of the connector portion 83.

[0079] The holding body 194 and the terminal support protrusion 195 hold a connector terminal 191. A first end of the connector terminal 191 extends forward from the front surface of the terminal support protrusion 195. A second end of the connector terminal 191 extends rearward from the rear surface of the holding body 194 and is connected to the connection board 192. The first end is one end of the connector terminal 191. The second end is the other end of the connector terminal 191. The first end is disposed in the inner space 83a of the connector portion 83. The second end is disposed in the board space 76. The connector terminal 191 extends from the board space 76 to the inner space 83a.

[0080] The housing main body 71 is provided with four support pillars 178. The support pillars 178 have a cylindrical shape. The support pillars 178 are arranged in the board space 76 and extend forward from the peripheral wall portion 72. The support pillars 178 are arranged to correspond to the fitting holes of the connection board 192. The tip surfaces of the support pillars 178 are provided with fitting protrusions (not shown) that fit into the fitting holes. When the fitting protrusions are fitted into the fitting holes, the rear surface of the connection board 192 comes into contact with the tip surfaces of the support pillars 178. The connection board 192 is supported by the support pillars 178.

[0081] The motor-operated valve 3B also provides the same (including substantially the same) functions and effects as the motor-operated valve 3.

[0082] In this specification, terms indicating shapes, such as "cylinder" and "cuboid," are also used to refer to members and portions of members that have substantially the shape of the term. For example, a "cylindrical member" includes both cylindrical members and substantially cylindrical members.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or modify components of the above-described embodiments, or appropriately combine features of the embodiments, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1...Motor-operated valve device 2...flow path block, 2d...upper surface, 201...mounting hole, 205...first flow path, 206...second flow path 3, 3A, 3B…Electric valve 5...valve body assembly, 10...body member, 11...first portion, 11d...upper surface, 12...second portion, 13...connecting member, 15...valve chamber, 16...valve port, 17...valve seat, 18...connecting flow passage, 20...can, 30...drive mechanism, 31...magnet rotor, 32...valve stem holder, 32a...upper wall portion, 32c...female thread, 33...guide bush, 33a...base portion, 33b...support portion, 33c...male thread, 35...support ring, 36...valve closing spring, 37...movable stopper, 38...fixed stopper, 40...valve disc, 41...first shaft portion, 42...second shaft portion, 43...valve portion, 44...step portion, 45...push nut 6... stator unit, 60... stator, 60a... stator inner peripheral surface, 61... A-phase stator, 61a... pole teeth, 61b... pole teeth, 61c... coil, 62... B-phase stator, 62a... pole teeth, 62b... pole teeth, 62c... coil, 63... mold, 64... terminal support portion, 65... coil terminal, 66... ​​stepping motor, 70... housing, 71... housing main body, 72... peripheral wall portion, 72a... inner peripheral surface, 73... upper wall portion, 73a... inner surface, 74... inner space, 75... case portion, 75a... tip, 75b... holding groove, 76... board space, 77... opening, 78... support column, 78a... tip surface, 78f... mating protrusion, 79... partition wall, 81... lid member, 82... lid main body, 83... connector portion, 83a... inner side Space, 85...through hole, 86...bracket, 87...bracket body, 88...mounting plate, 89...screw, 90...terminal body, 91...connector terminal, 91a...first end, 91b...second end, 92...connection terminal, 92a...first end, 92b...second end, 93...holding member, 94...holding body, 94a...front surface, 95...terminal support protrusion, 96...support portion, 96f...fitting hole, 100...control device, 105...board, 105a...front end, 105b...rear end, 105c...notch, 105d...edge, 110...magnetic sensor, 120...microcomputer, 178...support column, 190...terminal body, 191...connector terminal, 192...connection board, 193...holding member, 194...holding body, 195...terminal support protrusion, L...axis

Claims

1. A stator unit having a stator, a housing, and a terminal body, The housing has a housing main body and a cover member, the housing body is made of synthetic resin and has a stator accommodating portion and a cylindrical case portion extending in one direction from the stator accommodating portion, the lid member is made of synthetic resin and has a lid main body joined to a tip of the case portion and a cylindrical connector portion connected to the lid main body, the terminal body has a holding member disposed in the inner space of the case portion and a connector terminal held by the holding member, the cover member and the terminal body are separate parts, One end of the connector terminal is disposed in the inner space of the connector portion, the other end of the connector terminal is disposed in the inner space of the case portion, the connector portion extends in the one direction, the stator accommodating portion, the holding member, and the connector portion are aligned in the one direction, The holding member is in contact with the stator accommodating portion and the connector portion.

2. one of the stator accommodating portion and the holding member has a fitting protrusion, and the other has a fitting hole; The stator unit according to claim 1 , wherein the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting hole in the one direction.

3. A stator unit having a stator, a housing, and a terminal body, The housing has a housing main body and a cover member, the housing body is made of synthetic resin and has a stator accommodating portion and a cylindrical case portion extending in one direction from the stator accommodating portion, the lid member is made of synthetic resin and has a lid main body joined to a tip of the case portion and a cylindrical connector portion connected to the lid main body, the terminal body has a holding member disposed in the inner space of the case portion and a connector terminal held by the holding member, the cover member and the terminal body are separate parts, One end of the connector terminal is disposed in the inner space of the connector portion, the other end of the connector terminal is disposed in the inner space of the case portion, the stator unit has a substrate disposed in the internal space of the case portion, the terminal body has a connection terminal held by the holding member, The connection terminal connects the stator to the substrate.

4. the substrate is arranged parallel to the one direction and held by the housing body; The stator unit according to claim 3 , wherein the cover member is in contact with an end portion of the base plate that is close to the tip of the case portion.

5. An electrically operated valve having a valve body assembly and a stator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The valve body assembly includes a body member, a cylindrical case attached to the body member, and a magnet rotor disposed inside the case, The stator is disposed outside the case.

6. 6. A motor-operated valve device comprising: the motor-operated valve according to claim 5; and a flow path block provided with a mounting hole to which the main body member is attached.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Electronic Expansion Valve

    JP2021501853A