Nut seat and electronic expansion valve

Abstract

The nut seat (3) includes a threaded member (31) and a nested member (32), the threaded member (31) is used to screw into the screw (4) of the electronic expansion valve, the outer circumferential surface of the threaded member (31) has a first tooth groove structure (314), the nested member (32) is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the threaded member (31) and is used to connect to the valve seat (2) of the electronic expansion valve, the inner circumferential surface of the nested member (32) has a second tooth groove structure (322), and the second tooth groove structure (322) engages with the first tooth groove structure (314). The nut seat (3) and the electronic expansion valve. The threaded member (31) and the nested member (32) are coupled together by the second tooth groove structure (322) and the first tooth groove structure (314).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This disclosure claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed on January 28, 2022, bearing application number 202220243115.3 and entitled "Nut Seat and Electronic Expansion Valve," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of refrigeration systems, and more particularly, to nut seats and electronic expansion valves. [Background technology]

[0003] With the widespread use of inverter air conditioners, the electronic expansion valve, as a main component of inverter air conditioners, has a great impact on the comfort and energy saving of air conditioners. The nut seat of the electronic expansion valve in the related art includes a screw member made of plastic and a nesting member that is fitted to the outer periphery of the screw member, and the screw member is used to screw into the screw and is connected to the valve seat by the nesting member. However, the connection strength between the screw member and the nesting member in the related art is insufficient. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a nut seat and an electronic expansion valve for improving the coupling strength between a threaded member and a nested member.

[0005] The nut seat of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to an electronic expansion valve, and includes a threaded member and a nested member, the threaded member is used to screw into a screw of the electronic expansion valve, the outer circumferential surface of the threaded member has a first tooth groove structure, the nested member is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the threaded member and is used to connect to a valve seat of the electronic expansion valve, the inner circumferential surface of the nested member has a second tooth groove structure, and the second tooth groove structure engages with the first tooth groove structure.

[0006] The embodiments in the above disclosure have at least the following advantages or beneficial effects. The nut seat of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a screw member and a nesting member that is fitted to the outer periphery of the screw member, and the screw member and the nesting member are coupled together by the second tooth groove structure and the first tooth groove structure. This increases the coupling area between the screw member and the nesting member, and further improves the coupling strength between the screw member and the nesting member, ensuring the stability of the operation of the nut seat. Furthermore, the second tooth groove structure of the nesting member can be manufactured in a single molding process, and does not require cutting, which significantly improves molding efficiency and reduces costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a perspective view of a nut seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a nut seat of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a screw member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 5] 1 shows a perspective view of a nesting member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] Here, the symbols in the drawings are explained as follows. 1. Housing 11 Pipe section 12 Seal cover 13. Chamber 2 Valve seat 21 Valve Orifice 22 Recess 221 Bottom 222 Side 25 Through hole 3 Nut seat 31 Screw member 311 Thread Segment 312 First Guide Segment 313 2nd Guide Segment 314 First tooth space structure 32 Inserted parts 321 1st plane 322 Second tooth space structure 323 Bottom wall 324 Perforation 325 Side wall 326 Notch 33 First step structure 34 Second step structure 4 Screw 41 Storage Groove 5 Spindle 6 Magnetic rotor 7 Stop Assembly 71 Wrapped Pillar 72 Spring guide rail 73 Retaining ring 74 Connection parts 75 Second stopper 76 First stopper 81 Elastic member 82 Balancing Passage 91 First connecting pipe 92 Second connecting pipe 93 Restriction Members DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Now, the exemplary embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be understood to be limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, by providing these embodiments, the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or similar configurations, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic expansion valve according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 1, a coil (not shown), a valve seat 2, a nut seat 3, a screw 4, a spindle 5 and a magnetic rotor 6.

[0011] It will be understood that the terms "comprising" and "having" in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and any variations thereof, are intended to include a non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may further include steps or units that are not listed, or may further include other steps or assemblies inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0012] The valve seat 2 is connected to the housing 1 and forms a chamber 13 together with the housing 1. The valve seat 2 has a valve port 21 and a recess 22 provided corresponding to the valve port 21. The coil is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 1.

[0013] The nut seat 3 is provided in the chamber 13 and is provided in the recess 22. The screw 4 is provided in the chamber 13 and is screwed into the nut seat 3. The spindle 5 is connected to the screw 4 and is used to engage with the valve port 21 to adjust the opening degree of the valve port 21. The magnetic rotor 6 is provided in the chamber 13 and is inductively connected to the coil and connected to the screw 4.

[0014] When the coil is energized, the magnetic rotor 6 can rotate around its own axis, thereby moving and synchronously rotating the screw 4. When the screw 4 and the nut seat 3 rotate relatively due to the threaded structure, the screw 4 moves in the axial direction relative to the nut seat 3, and further moves the spindle 5 along the axial direction, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the valve port 21.

[0015] The housing 1 may include a tube portion 11 and a seal cover 12, and the seal cover 12 may be provided at one end of the tube portion 11. By way of example, the seal cover 12 and the tube portion 11 may be connected by welding, such as, but not limited to, laser welding.

[0016] The valve seat 2 is connected to the housing 1, and the valve seat 2 and the housing 1 together form a chamber 13. Specifically, the valve seat 2 is connected to the other end of the pipe portion 11 by, for example, welding or the like.

[0017] The valve seat 2 is also connected to a first connecting pipe 91 and a second connecting pipe 92. The valve port 21 of the valve seat 2 is provided between the first connecting pipe 91 and the second connecting pipe 92. When the spindle 5 seals the valve port 21, the first connecting pipe 91 and the second connecting pipe 92 are not electrically connected to each other. When the spindle 5 does not seal the valve port 21, the first connecting pipe 91 and the second connecting pipe 92 are electrically connected to each other.

[0018] The recess 22 of the valve seat 2 includes a bottom portion 221 and a side portion 222. The side portion 222 surrounds the outer edge of the bottom portion 221 and extends upward along the axial direction. The bottom portion 221 of the valve seat 2 further has a through hole 25 along the thickness direction, and the spindle 5 is inserted into the through hole 25.

[0019] In one embodiment, the valve seat 2 is a metallic member.

[0020] Alternatively, when the lower end of the nut seat 3 is provided in the recess 22, the upper end of the side portion 222 can deform radially inward to confine the nut seat 3 within the recess 22 and prevent the nut seat 3 from detaching from the valve seat 2 along the axial direction.

[0021] Alternatively, the thickness of the side portion 222 of the valve seat 2 is gradually reduced from bottom to top. This allows the upper end of the side portion 222 to be more easily deformed when the nut seat 3 is connected to the valve seat 2. Specifically, the nut seat 3 and the valve seat 2 can be crimped using a press-fitting method. After the nut seat 3 is installed in the recess 22 of the valve seat 2, the side portion 222 of the valve seat 2 is pressed in the axial direction, so that the side portion 222 can be deformed in the radial direction, and finally crimping is achieved.

[0022] The nut seat 3 further includes a balancing passage 82 which passes through the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the nut seat 3 .

[0023] By providing the equalizing passage 82, the space within the valve seat 2 can be communicated with the chamber 13, so that the spindle 5 does not encounter resistance due to an imbalance in air pressure during its axial movement.

[0024] The screw 4 further includes an accommodating groove 41. The electronic expansion valve further includes an elastic member 81, which is disposed in the accommodating groove 41, with one end abutting against the groove bottom of the accommodating groove 41 and the other end abutting against the spindle 5, so that the spindle 5 has a tendency to move away from the screw 4. One end of the spindle 5 is limited within the accommodating groove 41.

[0025] By providing an elastic member 81 between the screw 4 and the spindle 5, the contact between the spindle 5 and the screw 4 can be soft, not hard. When the screw 4 moves the spindle 5 to seal the valve port 21, the action of the elastic member 81 causes the spindle 5 to compress the elastic member 81 without continuing to move downward in the process of the screw 4 continuing to move downward, thereby preventing the spindle 5 from being locked in the valve port 21 and also preventing the screw 4 from being screwed into the nut seat 3 and locked. As a result, when moving in the opposite direction, the screw 4 and the nut seat 3 can still rotate easily, and furthermore, the spindle 5 can be moved upward to open the valve port 21.

[0026] In one embodiment, the elastic member 81 is, but is not limited to, a compression spring.

[0027] In one embodiment, the electronic expansion valve further includes a restricting member 93, which is disposed on the groove wall of the accommodating groove 41 and adjacent to the groove mouth of the accommodating groove 41. One end of the spindle 5 is provided with a flange, which is engaged with the restricting member 93 to restrict the flanged end of the spindle 5 within the accommodating groove 41, thereby preventing the spindle 5 from falling out of the accommodating groove 41.

[0028] For example, the restricting member 93 may be sleeve-shaped, with its outer wall surface connected to the groove wall of the accommodating groove 41 and fitted onto the outer periphery of the spindle 5 .

[0029] The electronic expansion valve of the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a stop assembly 7, which is disposed within the chamber 13 and connected to the seal cover 12, and is used to limit the range of movement of the screw 4 along the axial direction.

[0030] The stop assembly 7 includes a winding post 71, a spring guide rail 72, a retaining ring 73, and a connecting member 74. One end of the winding post 71 is connected to the inner wall surface of the seal cover 12, and extends along the axial direction. The spring guide rail 72 is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the winding post 71. The connecting member 74 is connected to the screw 4. The retaining ring 73 abuts against the connecting member 74, and is spirally wound around the outer periphery of the winding post 71, and both ends of the spring guide rail 72 respectively have a first retaining portion 76 and a second retaining portion 75. At the same time, the retaining ring 73 can spirally move in the spiral groove formed by the spring guide rail 72.

[0031] When the screw 4 rotates around its own axis, the retaining ring 73 revolves along the spiral groove of the spring guide rail 72. When the retaining ring 73 comes into contact with the first stop portion 76 in the process of the screw 4 moving toward the seal cover 12, it indicates that the screw 4 has moved to the upper limit point, in which case the screw 4 cannot continue moving upward. When the retaining ring 73 comes into contact with the second stop portion 75 in the process of the screw 4 moving away from the seal cover 12, it indicates that the screw 4 has moved to the lower limit point, in which case the screw 4 cannot continue moving downward.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a nut seat of an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a nut seat of an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a screw member of an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a nesting member of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] The nut seat 3 in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a threaded member 31 and a nested member 32. The threaded member 31 is used to screw into the screw 4, and has a first tooth groove structure 314 on its outer circumferential surface. The nested member 32 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the threaded member 31 and is used to connect to the valve seat 2. The nested member 32 has a second tooth groove structure 322 on its inner circumferential surface, and the second tooth groove structure 322 engages with the first tooth groove structure 314.

[0034] It can be understood that the engagement of the second tooth groove structure 322 with the first tooth groove structure 314 refers to the teeth of the first tooth groove structure 314 entering into the grooves of the second tooth groove structure 322 and the teeth of the second tooth groove structure 322 entering into the grooves of the first tooth groove structure 314.

[0035] The nut seat 3 in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a screw member 31 and a nesting member 32 fitted onto the outer periphery of the screw member 31, and the screw member 31 and the nesting member 32 are coupled together by a second tooth groove structure 322 and a first tooth groove structure 314. This increases the coupling area between the screw member 31 and the nesting member 32, and further improves the coupling strength between the screw member 31 and the nesting member 32, thereby ensuring the stability of the operation of the nut seat 3. In addition, the second tooth groove structure 322 of the nesting member 32 can be manufactured in a single molding process, and does not require cutting, which significantly improves molding efficiency and reduces costs.

[0036] It should be clarified that one-time molding refers to injection molding, molding, etc.

[0037] The nesting member 32 includes a bottom wall 323 and a side wall 325. The bottom wall 323 has a bore 324 along the thickness direction, and the screw member 31 is inserted into the bore 324. The side wall 325 surrounds the edge of the bottom wall 323 and extends upward from the bottom wall 323. The second tooth groove structure 322 is provided on the inner wall surface of the side wall 325.

[0038] The side wall 325 is provided with a notch 326, which penetrates the inner and outer wall surfaces of the side wall 325 and penetrates the top surface of the side wall 325 remote from the bottom wall 323. The number of the notches 326 may be one or more, where "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0039] The screw member 31 has a balancing passage 82, which penetrates the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the screw member 31. The notch 326 and the balancing passage 82 are provided at corresponding positions.

[0040] In one embodiment, the side wall 325 has two notches 326, one of which corresponds to the balancing passage 82. The two notches 326 are located on a diameter of a ring surrounded by the side wall 325 and divide the second tooth space structure 322 into two portions.

[0041] In this embodiment, two symmetrically spaced notches 326 are provided in the side wall 325 to ensure that the molding forces experienced by the nesting member 32 when it is molded are more uniform.

[0042] Of course, it can be appreciated that in other embodiments, the number of notches 326 in the side wall 325 can be one, three, or other numbers.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the number of notches 326 is equal to or greater than the number of balancing passages 82 .

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, a second step structure is formed at the joining portion between the bottom wall 323 and the side wall 325, and a first step structure 33 that engages with the second step structure is formed on the outer periphery of the screw member 31.

[0045] By providing a first step structure 33 and a second step structure 34 that engage with each other at a position between the screw member 31 and the nested member 32, the bonding area between the screw member 31 and the nested member 32 can be further increased, and the bonding strength can be improved.

[0046] The screw member 31 includes a screw segment 311, a first guide segment 312, and a second guide segment 313. The first guide segment 312 is provided at one end of the screw segment 311, and the second guide segment 313 is provided at the other end of the screw segment 311. The screw segment 311 has a female screw structure, which is screwed into the male screw structure of the screw 4. When the coil is energized, the magnetic rotor 6 can rotate around its own axis, thereby moving the screw 4 to rotate synchronously. When the screw 4 and the screw segment 311 of the screw member 31 rotate relatively due to the screw structure, the screw 4 moves axially relative to the nut seat 3, and further moves the spindle 5 along the axial direction, so that the opening degree of the valve port 21 can be adjusted.

[0047] The screw 4 is movably inserted into the first guide segment 312 along the axial direction. The spindle 5 is movably inserted into the second guide segment 313 along the axial direction. A portion of the second guide segment 313 is inserted into the through hole 25 of the valve seat 2.

[0048] The first tooth space structure 314 is provided on the outer periphery of the second guide segment 313. The balancing passage 82 is provided in the second guide segment 313 and passes through the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the second guide segment 313.

[0049] The insert member 32 and the thread segment 311 are offset in the axial direction, which makes it possible to prevent the thread segment 311 from being pressed and deformed when the insert member 32 is mounted in the recess 22 of the valve seat 2.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, there is further a limiting structure between the outer peripheral surface of the nesting member 32 and the recess 22, which is used to limit the nut seat 3 and the valve seat 2 from rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0051] In one embodiment, the limiting structure includes a first plane 321, which is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 325 of the insert member 32, and faces the side wall of the recess 22 of the valve seat 2. The interaction between the first plane 321 and the side wall of the recess 22 can prevent the insert member 32 and the valve seat 2 from rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0052] The number of first planes 321 may be multiple, where "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0053] In other embodiments, the limiting structure may include a protrusion and a groove that engages the protrusion. The protrusion may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the nesting member 32 and the groove may be provided on the side wall 2 of the recess 22.

[0054] The insert member 32 is a metal member formed by powder metallurgy die casting or injection molding. As described above, since the insert member 32 has the second tooth groove structure 322 exposed to the outside, the insert member 32 can be manufactured by a single molding process such as die casting or injection, and there is no need to further use cutting processing, which significantly improves molding efficiency.

[0055] The screw member 31 may be a plastic member, and the insert member 32 may be a metal member. The screw member 31 and the insert member 32 are integrally injection molded. Processing the screw member 31 using a mold can ensure the quality of the screw, and injection molding not only increases efficiency but also improves the stability of the quality of the screw.

[0056] In one embodiment, the screw member 31 may be made of, but is not limited to, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0057] It can be understood that when the insert member 32 has the second tooth groove structure 322, the insert member 32 is placed in a mold, and then an injection material is injected into the mold chamber to form an integral member of the threaded member 31 and the insert member 32, and when the injection material enters the second tooth groove structure 322 of the insert member 32, the plastic material will fully fill the second tooth groove structure 322, and further form a corresponding first tooth groove structure 314 on the outer periphery of the threaded member 31. This can increase the bonding area between the threaded member 31 and the insert member 32 and improve the bonding strength.

[0058] It is understood that each example / embodiment provided by the present disclosure can be combined with each other unless a contradiction occurs, but each example will not be described here.

[0059] In the disclosed embodiments, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying a relative importance, and the term "plurality" refers to two or more than two unless expressly limited. Terms such as "attached", "coupled", "connected", and "fixed" should all be understood in a broad sense, for example, "connected" may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, and "connected" may be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the disclosed embodiments according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] In describing the disclosed embodiments, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," and the like are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are merely for ease of describing and simplifying the disclosed embodiments, and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosed embodiments, as they do not indicate or imply that the depicted devices or units must have a particular orientation, be configured and operated in a particular manner.

[0061] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "particular embodiments," and the like, mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, exemplary expressions for the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics of the description can be combined as appropriate in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0062] The above are only preferred embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, and are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the disclosed embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the disclosed embodiments should be included within the protection scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A nut seat applied to an electronic expansion valve, The nut seat includes a threaded member and a nesting member, the threaded member has an outer peripheral surface having a first tooth groove structure; The nesting member is fitted onto the outer periphery of the screw member and is used to connect to the valve seat of the electronic expansion valve, the inner circumferential surface of the nesting member has a second tooth groove structure, and the second tooth groove structure engages with the first tooth groove structure.

2. The nesting member includes a bottom wall and a side wall; The bottom wall has a hole extending in a thickness direction, and the screw member is inserted into the hole. The nut seat of claim 1 , wherein the side wall surrounds an edge of the bottom wall, and the second tooth groove structure is provided on an inner wall surface of the side wall.

3. The side wall is provided with a notch, the notch penetrating the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the side wall and penetrating the top surface of the side wall remote from the bottom wall; 3. The nut seat according to claim 2, wherein the threaded member has a balancing passage extending through an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the threaded member, and the notch and the balancing passage are provided at corresponding positions.

4. 4. The nut seat of claim 3, wherein the screw member has at least one of the balancing passages, and the side wall has at least one of the notches, the number of the notches being equal to or greater than the number of the balancing passages, and one of the notches being provided corresponding to a balancing passage.

5. The nut seat according to claim 2 , wherein a second step structure is formed at a joining portion between the bottom wall and the side wall, and a first step structure is formed on an outer periphery of the screw member, the first step structure being engaged with the second step structure.

6. the threaded member includes a thread segment, a first guide segment, and a second guide segment; the threaded segment is adapted to be threadedly engaged with a screw of the electronic expansion valve; The first guide segment is provided at one end of the screw segment and is used to insert the screw; 2. The nut seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second guide segment is provided at the other end of the threaded segment and is used for inserting a spindle of the electronic expansion valve, and the first tooth groove structure is provided on an outer periphery of the second guide segment.

7. 7. The nut seat of claim 6, wherein the threaded member further comprises a balancing passageway disposed in the second guide segment and extending through an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface of the second guide segment.

8. 2. The nut seat of claim 1, wherein said screw member is a plastic member, said insert member is a metal member, and said screw member and said insert member are integrally injection molded.

9. 2. The nut seat according to claim 1, wherein the insert member is a metal member formed by powder metallurgy die casting or an injection molded metal member.

10. An electronic expansion valve comprising a nut seat according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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