Electronic expansion valve

Abstract

It includes a valve seat assembly (10), a soft gasket (20), a spindle (30) and a drive assembly (40). The valve seat assembly (10) includes a valve seat (11) and a valve core seat (12) connected to each other. The valve core seat (12) has a flow hole (121). The soft gasket (20) is located at one end of the valve core seat (12) facing the valve seat (11). Both the valve seat (11) and the valve core seat (12) are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket (20). The soft gasket (20) has a valve port (21) communicating with the flow hole (121). The spindle (30) is provided in the valve seat (11) so as to be axially movable to open and close the valve port (21). When the spindle (30) closes the valve port (21), the spindle (30) abuts against the soft gasket (20), and there is a gap between the spindle (30) and the inner wall of the valve core seat (12). The drive assembly (40) includes a screw (41) and a transfer structure (42). The screw (41) is connected to the spindle (30) through the transfer structure (42). The screw (41) is rotatable relative to the spindle (30). When the screw (41) moves axially, it drives the spindle (30) to move axially. Electronic expansion valve. This electronic expansion valve can solve the problem that the sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve in the prior art is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of a patent application with an application number of 202221510246.X and an invention title of "Electronic Expansion Valve", which was filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 16, 2022.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of electronic expansion valves, and specifically to electronic expansion valves.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, in various cooling and heating devices such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pump water heaters, the flow rate of fluids is usually adjusted using electronic expansion valves. An electronic expansion valve generally consists of structures such as a valve seat assembly, a spindle, and a drive assembly, and realizes flow control by adjusting the opening degree of the valve port through the movement of the spindle. The electronic expansion valve in the prior art usually uses a line seal engagement between a metal spindle and a metal valve core to prevent internal leakage. However, due to factors such as the processing accuracy of parts and the surface roughness of metals, the defective rate of internal leakage increases, resulting in a decrease in the sealing effect of the valve port and an easy occurrence of problems such as fluid leakage. Summary of the Application

[0004] This application provides an electronic expansion valve to solve the problem of the low sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve in the prior art.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present application provides an electronic expansion valve including a valve seat assembly, a soft gasket, a spindle, and a drive assembly. The valve seat assembly includes a valve seat and a valve core seat connected to each other. The valve core seat has a flow hole. The soft gasket is located at one end of the valve core seat facing the valve seat. Both the valve seat and the valve core seat are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket. The soft gasket has a valve port communicating with the flow hole. The spindle is provided in the valve seat so as to be axially movable to open and close the valve port. When the spindle closes the valve port, the spindle abuts against the soft gasket, and there is a gap between the spindle and the inner wall of the valve core seat. The drive assembly includes a screw and a transfer structure. The screw is connected to the spindle through the transfer structure. The screw is rotatable relative to the spindle. When the screw moves axially, it drives the spindle to move axially.

[0006] Furthermore, when the spindle closes the valve port, a part of the spindle penetrates into the valve port, and the outer wall of the spindle abuts against the inner wall of the valve port.

[0007] Furthermore, the inner wall of the valve port is in a straight cylindrical shape or a tapered cylindrical shape.

[0008] Furthermore, the spindle includes a body segment, a first tapered segment, and a second tapered segment connected in sequence. The taper angle of the first tapered segment is larger than the taper angle of the second tapered segment. When the spindle closes the valve port, the outer wall of the first tapered segment abuts against the inner wall of the valve port, and the second tapered segment penetrates into the flow hole.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a mounting groove at one end of the valve core seat facing the valve seat, and the soft gasket is located in the mounting groove, or there is a mounting groove at one end of the valve seat facing the valve core seat, and the soft gasket is located in the mounting groove.

[0010] Furthermore, there is a positioning step on the inner wall of the valve seat, a part of the valve core seat penetrates into the positioning step, and the step surface of the positioning step abuts against the side of the soft gasket away from the valve core seat.

[0011] Furthermore, the valve core seat includes a first annular cylinder, a second annular cylinder, and a third annular cylinder connected in sequence. The diameters of the first annular cylinder, the second annular cylinder, and the third annular cylinder increase in sequence. The soft gasket is located within the first annular cylinder. The first annular cylinder penetrates into the positioning step, and the end face of the second annular cylinder abuts against the end face of the valve seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the transition structure includes a rotating member, a guide sleeve, and an elastic member. The inner ring of the rotating member is connected to the screw, the outer ring of the rotating member is connected to the inner wall of the guide sleeve. One end of the spindle away from the valve port is restrictively engaged with the guide sleeve. The elastic member is located within the guide sleeve and is positioned between the rotating member and the spindle.

[0013] Furthermore, the transition structure further includes a bush and a limiting sleeve. The bush is located within the guide sleeve and abuts against the outer ring of the rotating member. The elastic member is fitted into the bush. The limiting sleeve is fixedly connected to one end of the guide sleeve facing the valve port. The spindle penetrates through the limiting sleeve. The spindle has a limiting ring, and both sides of the limiting ring respectively abut against the elastic member and the limiting sleeve.

[0014] Furthermore, there is a flow hole in the side wall of the valve seat. When the valve port is opened, it communicates with the flow hole. The electronic expansion valve further includes a connection seat, a valve pipe, and a driving part. Both the valve seat and the valve pipe are connected to the connection seat. Both the flow hole and the valve core seat are located on the side of the connection seat away from the valve pipe. The driving part is provided within the valve pipe, and the driving part drives the screw to move.

[0015] Applying the technical solution of the present application, it includes a valve seat assembly, a soft gasket, a spindle and a drive assembly. The valve seat assembly includes a valve seat and a valve core seat connected to each other. The valve core seat has a flow hole. The soft gasket is located at one end of the valve core seat facing the valve seat. Both the valve seat and the valve core seat are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket. The soft gasket has a valve port communicating with the flow hole. The spindle is provided in the valve seat so as to be axially movable to open and close the valve port. When the spindle closes the valve port, the spindle abuts against the soft gasket, and there is a gap between the spindle and the inner wall of the valve core seat. The drive assembly includes a screw and a transfer structure. The screw is connected to the spindle through the transfer structure. The screw is rotatable relative to the spindle. When the screw moves axially, it drives the spindle to move axially, providing an electronic expansion valve. Using this embodiment, instead of using the method in the prior art where the metal spindle and the metal valve core are linearly sealed by engagement, the soft gasket is provided at one end of the valve core seat facing the valve seat, both the valve seat and the valve core seat are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket, and the soft gasket has a valve port communicating with the flow hole, so as to further improve the sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve, effectively avoid fluid leakage, and at the same time improve the service life of the electronic expansion valve. And although the screw rotates relative to the spindle when moving axially, in this embodiment, by providing a transfer structure to connect the screw and the spindle, when the screw moves axially, the spindle only moves axially without rotating, thus avoiding the problem of wear of the soft gasket caused by the rotation of the spindle and improving the service life of the soft gasket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The drawings in the specification constituting a part of the present application are for providing a further understanding of the present application. The schematic embodiments and their descriptions of the present application are for interpreting the present application and do not unduly limit the present application.

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

[0018] Here, the above drawings include the following reference numerals. 10 Valve seat assembly, 11 Valve seat, 111 Positioning step, 112 Flow hole, 12 Valve core seat, 121 Flow-through hole, 122 First annular cylinder, 123 Second annular cylinder, 124 Third annular cylinder, 20 Soft gasket, 21 Valve port, 30 Spindle, 31 Body segment, 32 First tapered segment, 33 Second tapered segment, 34 Limiting ring, 40 Driving assembly, 41 Screw, 42 Transition structure, 421 Rotating member, 422 Guide sleeve, 423 Elastic member, 424 Bush, 425 Limiting sleeve, 50 Connection seat, 60 Valve pipe, 70 Driving part.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely. However, it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Hereinafter, the description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and does not impose any limitation on the present application and its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present application includes a valve seat assembly 10, a soft gasket 20, a spindle 30, and a drive assembly 40. The valve seat assembly 10 includes a valve seat 11 and a valve core seat 12 connected to each other. The valve core seat 12 has a flow hole 121. The soft gasket 20 is located at one end of the valve core seat 12 facing the valve seat 11. Both the valve seat 11 and the valve core seat 12 are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket 20. The soft gasket 20 has a valve port 21 communicating with the flow hole 121. The spindle 30 is provided in the valve seat 11 so as to be axially movable to open and close the valve port 21. When the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, the spindle 30 abuts against the soft gasket 20, and there is a gap between the spindle 30 and the inner wall of the valve core seat 12. The drive assembly 40 includes a screw 41 and a transfer structure 42. The screw 41 is connected to the spindle 30 via the transfer structure 42. The screw 41 is rotatable relative to the spindle 30. When the screw 41 moves axially, it drives the spindle 30 to move axially, providing an electronic expansion valve.

[0021] Using this mode, instead of using the method in the prior art where the metal spindle and the metal valve core are line-sealed by engagement, the soft gasket 20 is provided at one end of the valve seat 11 of the valve core seat 12 facing the valve seat 11. Both the valve seat 11 and the valve core seat 12 are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket 20, and the soft gasket 20 has a valve port 21 communicating with the flow hole 121, so as to further improve the sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve, effectively avoid fluid leakage, and at the same time improve the service life of the electronic expansion valve. And when the screw 41 moves axially, it will rotate relative to the spindle. However, in this mode, by providing a transition structure 42 to connect the screw 41 and the spindle 30, when the screw 41 moves axially, the spindle 30 will only move axially without rotating. Therefore, the problem of wear of the soft gasket 20 caused by the rotation of the spindle 30 is avoided, and the service life of the soft gasket 20 is improved. Here, the soft gasket 20 is made of a soft material such as a non-metallic material or a soft metal material. It is preferable to use a material with excellent wear resistance and a lower material hardness than the spindle 30 and the valve core seat 12. In this mode, the material of the soft gasket 20 may be rubber or plastic.

[0022] Here, when the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, a part of the spindle 30 penetrates into the valve port 21, and the outer wall of the spindle 30 abuts against the inner wall of the valve port 21. By doing so, a sealing method in which the spindle 30 and the soft gasket 20 are engaged is realized. By using the soft seal method, the sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve is further improved, and fluid leakage is effectively avoided.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner wall of the valve port 21 is in a straight cylinder shape. By making the inner wall of the valve port 21 in a straight cylinder shape, when the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, the seal between the spindle 30 and the valve port 21 becomes a line seal. By using the line seal method, the sealing effect is ensured, and fluid leakage is effectively avoided.

[0024] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner wall of the valve port 21 is in the shape of a tapered cylinder. By making the inner wall of the valve port 21 in the shape of a tapered cylinder, when the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, the seal between the spindle 30 and the valve port 21 becomes a surface seal. By using the surface seal method, the sealing effect is further ensured, and fluid leakage is effectively avoided. Here, the end face or the inner wall surface of the soft gasket 20 forms a contact surface. When the soft gasket 20 uses the inner wall surface as the contact surface, the inner wall of the soft gasket 20 may be of a single segment structure with the same inclination or formed by a plurality of segment structures with different inclinations. When the inner wall of the soft gasket 20 is of a plurality of segment structures, one tapered surface among the plurality of segment structures on the inner wall forms a contact surface for contacting the spindle 30 when the valve port 21 is closed.

[0025] In this embodiment, the spindle 30 includes a main body segment 31, a first tapered segment 32, and a second tapered segment 33 connected in sequence. The taper angle of the first tapered segment 32 is larger than the taper angle of the second tapered segment 33. When the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, the outer wall of the first tapered segment 32 contacts the inner wall of the valve port 21, and the second tapered segment 33 penetrates into the flow hole 121. By providing the first tapered segment 32 and the second tapered segment 33 and making the taper angle of the first tapered segment 32 larger than the taper angle of the second tapered segment 33, when the spindle 30 closes the valve port 21, the second tapered segment 33 penetrates into the flow hole 121, so that the outer wall of the first tapered segment 32 contacts the inner wall of the valve port 21, thereby realizing the closing of the valve port 21. By doing so, it is possible to adapt to valve ports 21 with different apertures and improve the versatility of the electronic expansion valve.

[0026] Specifically, there is a mounting groove at one end of the valve core seat 12 facing the valve seat 11, and the soft gasket 20 is located within the mounting groove, or there is a mounting groove at one end of the valve seat 11 facing the valve core seat 12, and the soft gasket 20 is located within the mounting groove. When the soft gasket 20 is provided within the mounting groove, the mounting groove plays a role in restricting the soft gasket 20, preventing the soft gasket 20 from falling off, and ensuring the stability and reliability of the sealing effect of the electronic expansion valve. Here, the mounting groove may be provided on the valve core seat 12 or on the valve seat 11.

[0027] In this embodiment, there is a positioning step 111 on the inner wall of the valve seat 11, a part of the valve core seat 12 penetrates into the positioning step 111, and the step surface of the positioning step 111 abuts against the side of the soft gasket 20 away from the valve core seat 12. By providing the positioning step 111, when the valve core seat 12 penetrates into the valve seat 11, the positioning step 111 plays a role in positioning the valve core seat 12, restricting the insertion depth of the valve core seat 12, and at the same time, abutting against the side of the soft gasket 20 away from the valve core seat 12, further ensuring that the soft gasket 20 does not fall off.

[0028] Here, the valve core seat 12 includes a first annular cylinder 122, a second annular cylinder 123, and a third annular cylinder 124 that are connected in sequence. The diameters of the first annular cylinder 122, the second annular cylinder 123, and the third annular cylinder 124 increase in sequence. The soft gasket 20 is located within the first annular cylinder 122. The first annular cylinder 122 penetrates into the positioning step 111, and the end face of the second annular cylinder 123 abuts against the end face of the valve seat 11. By using the above installation method and providing the soft gasket 20 within the first annular cylinder 122, it is ensured that the soft gasket 20 does not fall off. By making the end face of the second annular cylinder 123 abut against the end face of the valve seat 11, the end face of the second annular cylinder 123 can play a role in restricting the end face of the valve seat 11. The flow hole 121 within the valve core seat 12 is provided through the valve core seat 12. The flow hole 121 is provided as a flare hole with an increasing diameter or a columnar hole with an equal diameter along the direction away from the spindle 30. The minimum diameter of the flow hole 121 is provided to be equal to the minimum inner diameter of the soft gasket 20. While supporting the soft gasket 20, it is easy to prevent throttling to the valve port 21.

[0029] Specifically, the transition structure 42 includes a rotating member 421, a guide sleeve 422, and an elastic member 423. The inner ring of the rotating member 421 is connected to the screw 41, the outer ring of the rotating member 421 is clearance-fitted to the inner wall of the guide sleeve 422, one end of the spindle 30 away from the valve port 21 is restrictively engaged with the guide sleeve 422, the elastic member 423 is located within the guide sleeve 422, and the elastic member 423 is located between the rotating member 421 and the spindle 30. With the above connection method, when the screw 41 moves axially, it rotates relative to the spindle. The outer ring of the rotating member 421 is clearance-fitted to the inner wall of the guide sleeve 422, and one end of the spindle 30 away from the valve port 21 is restrictively engaged with the guide sleeve 422, so that when the screw 41 moves the spindle 30 axially, it stops rotating, avoiding the problem of wear of the soft gasket 20 caused by the rotation of the spindle 30 and improving the service life of the soft gasket 20. By providing the guide sleeve 422, it can play a guiding role for the movement of the spindle 30. Here, the rotating member 421 is preferably a rotating member.

[0030] Here, the transition structure 42 further includes a bush 424 and a limiting sleeve 425. The bush 424 is located within the guide sleeve 422 and abuts against the outer ring of the rotating member 421. The elastic member 423 is fitted onto the bush 424. The limiting sleeve 425 is fixedly connected to one end of the guide sleeve 422 facing the valve port 21. The spindle 30 passes through the limiting sleeve 425. The spindle 30 has a limiting ring 34, and both sides of the limiting ring 34 abut against the elastic member 423 and the limiting sleeve 425 respectively. By providing the bush 424 and locating the bush 424 within the guide sleeve 422 and abutting it against the outer ring of the rotating member 421, not only can the rotating member 421 be restricted, but also the stability of the elastic member 423 during operation can be ensured. By providing the limiting sleeve 425, it can play a role in restricting the spindle 30 and prevent the spindle 30 from rattling. By providing the limiting ring 34 and abutting both sides of the limiting ring 34 against the elastic member 423 and the limiting sleeve 425 respectively, the stability of the spindle 30 during movement can be further ensured.

[0031] Specifically, there is a flow hole 112 in the side wall of the valve seat 11. When the valve port 21 is opened, it communicates with the flow hole 112. The electronic expansion valve further includes a connection seat 50, a valve pipe 60, and a driving part 70. Both the valve seat 11 and the valve pipe 60 are connected to the connection seat 50. Both the flow hole 112 and the valve core seat 12 are located on the side of the connection seat 50 away from the valve pipe 60. The driving part 70 is provided within the valve pipe 60, and the driving part 70 drives the screw 41 to move. By providing the flow hole 112, when the valve port 21 is opened, the valve port 21 communicates with the flow hole 112, that is, the flow function of the electronic expansion valve is realized. By providing the connection seat 50, the connection with the external structure becomes easy. By providing the valve pipe 60, it can play a role in protecting the internal structure of the electronic expansion valve. By providing the driving part 70 and driving the screw 41 to move, the opening and closing function of the electronic expansion valve is realized.

[0032] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes are possible to the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the scope of the spirit and principle of the present application should all be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. comprising a valve seat assembly (10), a soft gasket (20), a spindle (30) and a drive assembly (40), the valve seat assembly (10) includes a valve seat (11) and a valve core seat (12) connected to each other, and the valve core seat (12) has a flow hole (121), the soft gasket (20) is located at one end of the valve core seat (12) facing the valve seat (11), and both the valve seat (11) and the valve core seat (12) are restrictively engaged with the soft gasket (20), and the soft gasket (20) has a valve port (21) communicating with the flow hole (121), the spindle (30) is provided in the valve seat (11) so as to be axially movable to open and close the valve port (21). When the spindle (30) closes the valve port (21), the spindle (30) abuts against the soft gasket (20), and there is a gap between the spindle (30) and the inner wall of the valve core seat (12), the drive assembly (40) includes a screw (41) and a transfer structure (42), the screw (41) is connected to the spindle (30) through the transfer structure (42), the screw (41) is rotatable relative to the spindle (30), and when the screw (41) moves axially, it drives the spindle (30) to move axially, electronic expansion valve.

2. When the spindle (30) closes the valve port (21), a part of the spindle (30) penetrates into the valve port (21), and the outer wall of the spindle (30) abuts against the inner wall of the valve port (21). The electronic expansion valve according to Claim 1.

3. The inner wall of the valve port (21) is in a straight cylindrical shape or a tapered cylindrical shape. The electronic expansion valve according to Claim 2.

4. The spindle (30) includes a main body segment (31), a first tapered segment (32) and a second tapered segment (33) connected in sequence. The taper angle of the first tapered segment (32) is larger than the taper angle of the second tapered segment (33). When the spindle (30) closes the valve port (21), the outer wall of the first tapered segment (32) abuts against the inner wall of the valve port (21), and the second tapered segment (33) penetrates into the flow hole (121). The electronic expansion valve according to Claim 2.

5. One end of the valve core seat (12) facing the valve seat (11) has a mounting groove, and the soft gasket (20) is located in the mounting groove, or One end of the valve seat (11) facing the valve core seat (12) has a mounting groove, and the soft gasket (20) is located in the mounting groove. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1.

6. There is a positioning step (111) on the inner wall of the valve seat (11), a part of the valve core seat (12) penetrates into the positioning step (111), and the step surface of the positioning step (111) abuts against the side of the soft gasket (20) away from the valve core seat (12). The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1.

7. The valve core seat (12) includes a first annular cylinder (122), a second annular cylinder (123), and a third annular cylinder (124) connected in sequence. The diameters of the first annular cylinder (122), the second annular cylinder (123), and the third annular cylinder (124) increase in sequence. The soft gasket (20) is located in the first annular cylinder (122), the first annular cylinder (122) penetrates into the positioning step (111), and the end surface of the second annular cylinder (123) abuts against the end surface of the valve seat (11). The electronic expansion valve according to claim 6.

8. The transition structure (42) includes a rotating member (421), a guide sleeve (422), and an elastic member (423). The inner ring of the rotating member (421) is connected to the screw (41), the outer ring of the rotating member (421) is clearance-fitted to the inner wall of the guide sleeve (422), one end of the spindle (30) away from the valve port (21) is restrictively engaged with the guide sleeve (422), the elastic member (423) is located in the guide sleeve (422), and the elastic member (423) is located between the rotating member (421) and the spindle (30). The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1.

9. The transition structure (42) further includes a bush (424) and a limiting sleeve (425). The bush (424) is located within the guide sleeve (422) and abuts against the outer ring of the rotating member (421). The elastic member (423) is fitted onto the bush (424). The limiting sleeve (425) is fixedly connected to one end of the guide sleeve (422) facing the valve port (21). The spindle (30) passes through the limiting sleeve (425). The spindle (30) has a limiting ring (34). Both sides of the limiting ring (34) abut against the elastic member (423) and the limiting sleeve (425) respectively. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8.

10. There is a flow hole (112) in the side wall of the valve seat (11). When the valve port (21) is opened, it communicates with the flow hole (112). The electronic expansion valve further includes a connection seat (50), a valve pipe (60), and a driving part (70). Both the valve seat (11) and the valve pipe (60) are connected to the connection seat (50). Both the flow hole (112) and the valve core seat (12) are located on the side of the connection seat (50) away from the valve pipe (60). The driving part (70) is provided within the valve pipe (60). The driving part (70) drives the screw (41) to move. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1.

Images