Valve device and method for manufacturing valve device

Abstract

To reduce the number of components of a valve device.SOLUTION: The valve device 100 includes the spacer member 50 fixed to the housing 10 and provided with the through-hole 51 through which the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is inserted. A recessed portion 23 is provided on one end side of the spool 20, and the spacer member 50 is provided with an insertion hole 52 through which a bolt 60 for fixing the spacer member 50 to the housing 10 is inserted, and a recessed portion 53 to which the electric actuator 30 is fitted. A clearance S allowing the movement of the spacer member 50 is provided between the bolt 60 inserted into the insertion hole 52 and the insertion hole 52 while the bolt 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 52. The spacer member 50 is fixed to the housing 10 in a state where the spacer member 50 is moved such that the recessed portion 53 is located at a position for making the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool hole 11 coaxial with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device and a method for manufacturing the valve device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a spool valve device including a spool and an electric actuator that moves the spool in the axial direction. In the spool valve device of Patent Document 1, the electric actuator includes an electric motor that rotates a screw shaft and a linear motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the screw shaft into linear motion, and converts the rotation of the electric motor into linear motion to move the spool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-135937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the spool valve device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a ball joint is provided between the output shaft (intermediate member) of the electric motor and the spool to absorb any tilt of the spool. As a result, the spool valve device described in Patent Document 1 has a correspondingly large number of parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to reduce the number of parts in a valve device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a valve device comprising: a housing; a first spool slidably accommodated in a first spool hole formed in the housing; a first electric actuator having a first drive shaft connected to the first spool and moving the first spool in the axial direction; and a first spacer member fixed to the housing and provided with a first through hole through which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is inserted, wherein one end of the first spool is provided with a first position adjustment recess into which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is fitted so that the axis of the first spool and the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator are coaxially arranged, and the first spacer member has: The housing has a first insertion hole through which a first screw member for fixing the first spacer member to the housing is inserted, and a first fitting recess provided on one end side of the first through hole into which the first electric actuator is fitted, and a first gap is provided between the first screw member inserted into the first insertion hole and the first insertion hole, which allows the first spacer member to move radially of the first insertion hole when the first screw member is inserted into the first insertion hole, and the first spacer member is fixed to the housing in a state where it has moved so that the first fitting recess is positioned at a position that makes the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the first spool hole.

[0007] In this invention, the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is fitted into the first position adjustment recess, thereby coaxially aligning the axis of the first spool and the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator. Furthermore, in this invention, the first electric actuator is fitted into the first fitting recess of the first spacer member, which is fixed to the housing at a position that makes the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the first spool hole. This allows the axis of the first spool, the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, and the axis of the first spool hole to be coaxially aligned. Therefore, the drive shaft of the first electric actuator can be centered with respect to the first spool and the first spool hole without using a member that absorbs misalignment, such as a ball joint. This reduces the number of parts in the valve device.

[0008] The present invention further includes a second spool slidably accommodated in a second spool hole formed in the housing, a second electric actuator having a second drive shaft connected to the second spool and moving the second spool in the axial direction, and a second spacer member fixed to the first spacer member and having a second through hole through which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is inserted, wherein one end of the second spool is provided with a second position adjustment recess into which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is fitted so that the axis of the second spool and the axis of the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator are coaxially arranged, and the first spacer member is provided with a third through hole through which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is inserted. The second spacer member is further provided with a second through hole through which a second screw member for fixing the second spacer member to the first spacer member is inserted, and a second fitting recess provided on one end side of the second through hole into which the second electric actuator is fitted, and a second gap is provided between the second screw member inserted into the second through hole and the second insertion hole, which allows movement of the second spacer member in the radial direction of the second insertion hole when the second screw member is inserted into the second insertion hole, and the second spacer member is fixed to the first spacer member with the second fitting recess disposed at a position so as to make the axis of the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the second spool hole.

[0009] In this invention, the second spacer allows the axial centers of the multiple electric actuators to be adjusted. Also, in this invention, for example, if the housing of an existing non-electric valve device is provided with caps that seal one ends of multiple spool holes, the valve device can be electric without changing the housing by attaching the electric actuators using the first spacer member and the second spacer member instead of the caps.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the first through hole of the first spacer member is formed with a protrusion that protrudes radially inward to have an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first spool, and when the first spool is inserted, the axis of the first fitting recess and the axis of the first spool are aligned coaxially.

[0011] In this invention, when assembling the valve device, the first spacer member and the first spool can be centered without using a jig or the like by inserting the first spool into the protruding portion.

[0012] The present invention is also characterized in that the bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess and the tip surface of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator are formed parallel to planes perpendicular to the axial directions of the first spool and the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, respectively, and the bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess and the tip surface of the first drive shaft abut against each other.

[0013] In this invention, the bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess abuts against the tip surface of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, thereby eliminating tilt between the first spool and the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, thereby more reliably aligning the axis of the first spool with the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator.

[0014] The present invention is also characterized in that the first spool has a female thread portion that opens to the bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess, and the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator has a male thread portion that protrudes from the tip surface and screws into the female thread portion formed on the first spool.

[0015] In this invention, simply by screwing the female threaded portion of the first spool into the male threaded portion formed on the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, the axial center of the first spool and the axial center of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator can be aligned and connected.

[0016] The present invention is also characterized by including the steps of: positioning a first spacer member, which has a first fitting recess into which a first electric actuator fits, so that the first fitting recess is located at a position that makes the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the first spool hole in which the first spool is slidably housed, and fixing the first spacer member to the housing with a first screw member; fitting the first electric actuator into the first fitting recess of the first spacer member to fix the first electric actuator to the first spacer member; and fitting the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator into a first position adjustment recess provided on one end side of the first spool to make the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the first spool.

[0017] In this invention, the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is fitted into the first position adjustment recess, thereby aligning the axis of the first spool and the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxially. Furthermore, in this invention, the first electric actuator is fitted into the first fitting recess of the first spacer member, which is fixed to the housing at a position that aligns the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator and the axis of the first spool hole coaxially. This allows the axis of the first spool, the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, and the axis of the first spool hole to be aligned coaxially. Therefore, the axis of the drive shaft of the electric actuator can be aligned with the axis of the spool and the axis of the spool hole without using a member that absorbs misalignment, such as a ball joint. This reduces the number of parts in the valve device.

[0018] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that in the process of fixing the first spacer member to the housing with the first screw member, the housing and the first spacer member are positioned so that the axis of the first fitting recess and the axis of the first spool hole are coaxial, using a jig having a first fitting portion that detachably fits into the first fitting recess, and a second fitting portion that is coaxial with the first fitting portion and has a smaller diameter than the first fitting portion and detachably fits into the first spool hole.

[0019] In this invention, by using a jig, the axial center of the first spacer member and the axial center of the first spool hole can be easily aligned.

[0020] The present invention is also characterized in that the first spacer member has a protrusion formed by protruding radially inward into the first through hole through which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is inserted so that the inner diameter thereof is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first spool, and in the process of fixing the first spacer member to the housing with the first screw member, the first spool is inserted into the protrusion of the first spacer member, thereby aligning the axis of the first fitting recess and the first spool hole coaxially.

[0021] In this invention, when assembling the valve device, the first spool can be inserted into the protrusion, thereby aligning the axis of the first through hole of the first spacer member with the axis of the first spool without using a jig or the like. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the number of parts of the valve device can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view showing a main part of a valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a first position adjustment recess and a first fitting recess of the valve device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a method of assembling the valve device according to the first embodiment of the present invention using a jig. [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a method of assembling the valve device according to the first embodiment of the present invention using a jig. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an assembly method of a valve device according to a modified example without using a jig. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electric actuator of the valve device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the top side. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a second position adjustment recess and a second fitting recess of a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] First Embodiment First, a valve device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0026] The valve device 100 is used to control the operation of an actuator (not shown) by switching between supplying and discharging hydraulic oil to the actuator, and is used, for example, to control the extension and contraction of a hydraulic actuator provided in a work machine such as a hydraulic excavator or a forklift. Note that, although the present embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where hydraulic oil is used as the working fluid flowing through the valve device 100, the working fluid may be other liquids such as hydraulic water, or may be gas.

[0027] The valve device 100 is, for example, a three-port, three-position selector valve that has a neutral position that cuts off the supply or discharge of hydraulic oil to an actuator or the like and stops the operation of the actuator, a supply position that supplies hydraulic oil to the actuator or the like to operate it in one direction, and a discharge position that discharges hydraulic oil from the actuator or the like to operate it in the other direction. Note that the type of the valve device 100 is not limited to a three-position selector valve, but may also be a two-position selector valve or a multi-position selector valve that can switch the position of the spool 20 to four or more positions. Furthermore, the number of ports of the valve device 100 is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately depending on the configuration of the actuator or the like to be controlled.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the valve device 100 includes a housing 10, a spool 20 as a first spool slidably accommodated in a spool hole 11 as a first spool hole formed in the housing 10, an electric actuator 30 as a first electric actuator that moves the spool 20 in the axial direction, and a spacer member 50 as a first spacer member fixed to the housing 10.

[0029] The spool 20 is a cylindrical member having a plurality of lands 21 and annular grooves 22 formed between adjacent lands 21. One end of the spool 20 is connected to a drive shaft 33 serving as a first drive shaft of the electric actuator 30. Although not shown, a spring is provided on the other end face of the spool 20 (the end face of the spool 20 opposite the electric actuator 30) to hold the spool 20 in a neutral position.

[0030] 1 and 2, one end of the spool 20 is formed with a recess 23 as a first position adjustment recess into which the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is fitted, and a female thread portion 24 that opens into a bottom surface 23a of the recess 23. The recess 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose axis coincides with the axis of the spool 20. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 23a is formed by a plane that is perpendicular to the axis (axial direction) of the spool 20.

[0031] In the valve device 100 of this embodiment, the spool 20 moves to a position where the thrust of the electric actuator 30 and the biasing force of the spring (not shown) are balanced. Note that the spool 20 may be configured to be displaced only by the thrust of the electric actuator 30, without providing a spring.

[0032] The housing 10 is formed with a spool hole 11 that accommodates the spool 20 and penetrates in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the spool 20), and is also formed with a plurality of ports (not shown) that have one end opening into the spool hole 11. The other ends of these ports are connected to a supply passage through which hydraulic oil pressurized by a pump (not shown) flows, a discharge passage through which hydraulic oil returns to the tank, and the like.

[0033] 1, the electric actuator 30 includes a motor 31, a case 32 that houses a conversion mechanism (not shown) that converts the rotation of the rotary shaft of the motor 31 into linear motion in the axial direction, a drive shaft 33 that is connected to the spool 20 and to which the output of the motor 31 is output via the conversion mechanism, and a male thread portion 34 that protrudes from a tip end surface 33a of the drive shaft 33 and that screws into the female thread portion 24 formed on the spool 20. The electric actuator 30 is attached to the housing 10 so that the axis of the drive shaft 33 is coaxial with the axis of the spool 20 and the axis of the spool hole 11.

[0034] The conversion mechanism for converting rotary motion into linear motion is well known and will not be described here, but for example, a mechanism using a ball screw or a rack and pinion mechanism can be used.

[0035] The motor 31 is configured by, for example, a servo motor whose rotation amount and rotation direction can be controlled in accordance with the supplied power. The motor 31 may also be a stepping motor or the like.

[0036] The drive shaft 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is formed so that its outer diameter is approximately the same as the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion 23 of the spool 20. As a result, by fitting the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 into the recessed portion 23 of the spool 20, the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axial center of the recessed portion 23 of the spool 20 can be aligned. In this embodiment, the tip end surface 33a of the drive shaft 33 is formed by a plane that is perpendicular to the axial center (axial direction) of the drive shaft 33.

[0037] In addition, when the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is fitted into the recess 23 of the spool 20, the male thread portion 34 formed at the tip of the drive shaft 33 is screwed into the female thread portion 24 formed on the spool 20, thereby connecting the drive shaft 33 and the spool 20.

[0038] The rotational motion of the rotary shaft of motor 31 is converted into linear motion by a conversion mechanism and transmitted to drive shaft 33. Therefore, when motor 31 is rotated a predetermined amount in one direction, spool 20 moves a predetermined amount in one direction within spool hole 11. Conversely, when the rotary shaft of the electric motor is rotated a predetermined amount in the other direction, spool 20 moves a predetermined amount in the other direction within spool 20.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 , the spacer member 50 is attached to the housing 10 with a bolt 60 serving as a first screw member so as to cover the spool hole 11. The spacer member 50 has a through hole 51 serving as a first through hole through which the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is inserted, an insertion hole 52 serving as a first insertion hole through which the bolt 60 for fixing the spacer member 50 to the housing 10 is inserted, and a recess 53 formed on one end of the through hole 51 and serving as a first fitting recess into which the end 32 a of the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 is fitted. The insertion hole 52 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt 60. In other words, a gap S serving as a first gap is provided between the insertion hole 52 and the bolt 60. This allows radial movement of the insertion hole 52 of the spacer member 50 relative to a fastening hole provided in the housing 10 into which the bolt 60 is threaded. The spacer member 50 is fixed to the housing 10 at a position that makes the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool hole 11 coaxial.

[0040] The recess 53 is formed so that its axis is coaxial with the axis of the through hole 51. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the recess 53 is also formed so that it is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the end portion 32a of the electric actuator 30 (case 32). As a result, by fitting the end portion 32a of the electric actuator 30 into the recess 53 of the spacer member 50, the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spacer member 50 can be aligned.

[0041] Next, a method for assembling (manufacturing) the valve device 100 will be described.

[0042] First, the spacer member 50 is attached to the housing 10 so that the axial center of the spool hole 11 formed in the housing 10 and the axial center of the recess 53 formed in the spacer member 50 are aligned coaxially. Specifically, first, a jig 70 is used to align the axial center of the spool hole 11 formed in the housing 10 with the axial center of the recess 53 formed in the spacer member 50 (see FIG. 3). Here, the shape of the jig 70 used for assembly will be described.

[0043] 3, the jig 70 has a first cylindrical portion 71 as a first fitting portion that detachably fits into the recess 53 provided in the spacer member 50, and a second cylindrical portion 72 that has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 71 and detachably fits into the spool hole 11 provided in the housing 10. The first cylindrical portion 71 and the second cylindrical portion 72 are formed coaxially. The outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 71 is formed to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the recess 53 of the spacer member 50, and the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 72 is formed to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10.

[0044] During assembly, first, as shown in Fig. 3, the jig 70 is inserted into the through-hole 51 of the spacer member 50 and the spool hole 11 of the housing 10 so that the first cylindrical portion 71 is fitted into the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 and the second cylindrical portion 72 is fitted into the spool hole 11 of the housing 10. As a result, the axis of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 is aligned with the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10 by the jig 70. In this state, by inserting the bolt 60 into the insertion hole 52 of the spacer member 50 and fastening it to the housing 10, the spacer member 50 is fixed to the housing 10 in a state in which the axis of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 is aligned with the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10 (a state in which the axis of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 and the axis of the spool hole 11 are coaxially arranged).

[0045] Next, as shown in Fig. 4, the end portion 32a of the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 is fitted into the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50. As described above, the inner diameter of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the end portion 32a of the case 32. Therefore, by fitting the end portion 32a of the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 into the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50, the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 are aligned (the axial centers of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axial center of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50 are arranged coaxially).

[0046] Then, with the end 32a of the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 fitted into the recess 53 of the spacer member 50 in this manner, the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 is fixed to the spacer member 50 with the bolts 61. The spacer member 50 is fixed with the axis of the recess 53 and the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10 aligned, so by fitting the end 32a of the case 32 of the electric actuator 30 into the recess 53 of the spacer member 50, the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10 are aligned.

[0047] Next, the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is connected to the spool 20. Specifically, the spool 20 is inserted from the opening of the spool hole 11 on the side opposite the electric actuator 30 until it abuts against the drive shaft 33. Thereafter, the rotation of the spool 20 is restricted, and the electric actuator 30 is driven. As a result, the female thread portion 24 formed on the spool 20 and the male thread portion 34 formed on the tip of the drive shaft 33 are threadedly engaged.

[0048] At this time, as the female thread portion 24 formed on the spool 20 and the male thread portion 34 formed on the tip of the drive shaft 33 are increasingly threaded together, the drive shaft 33 is drawn into the recess 23, and the drive shaft 33 is fitted into the recess 23 of the spool 20. Thereafter, the electric actuator 30 is driven until the bottom surface 23a of the recess 23 abuts against the tip surface 33a of the drive shaft 33, thereby threading the female thread portion 24 formed on the spool 20 and the male thread portion 34 formed on the tip of the drive shaft 33 together.

[0049] As described above, the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 is formed so that its outer diameter is approximately the same as the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion 23 of the spool 20. Therefore, by fitting the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 into the recessed portion 23 of the spool 20, the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axial center of the spool 20 are aligned (the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axial center of the spool hole 11 are coaxial). Note that, as described above, the axial centers of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50, the axial center of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10, and the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 are already aligned, so the axial center of the spool 20 is aligned with all of these. In other words, the axial center of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 50, the axial center of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10, the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30, and the axial center of the spool 20 are all arranged coaxially.

[0050] In this way, in the valve device 100, the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool 20 can be arranged coaxially.

[0051] The valve device 100 according to the first embodiment described above provides the following advantages.

[0052] In the valve device 100, the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 can be aligned with the axis of the spool 20. This eliminates the need to use a member that absorbs misalignment between the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool 20. Therefore, since no member that absorbs misalignment is used, the overall length of the valve device 100 can be shortened and costs can be reduced.

[0053] Furthermore, in the valve device 100, a gap S is provided between the insertion hole 52 formed in the spacer member 50 and the bolt 60. This allows movement of the insertion hole 52 of the spacer member 50 in the radial direction. Therefore, the axis of the recess 53 of the spacer member 50 and the axis of the spool hole 11 can be easily adjusted. That is, in the valve device 100, the spacer member 50 can be moved and fixed to the housing 10 so that the recess 53 is positioned at a position that makes the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axis of the spool hole 11 coaxial.

[0054] Furthermore, in the valve device 100 of this embodiment, the axial center of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10, the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30, and the axial center of the spool 20 can be aligned. This makes it possible to prevent the spool 20 from contacting the spool hole 11 unevenly. As a result, uneven wear due to uneven contact or the like can be suppressed, and the life of the valve device 100 can be extended.

[0055] In the valve device 100 of this embodiment, the axial center of the recess 53 of the spacer member 50, the axial center of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10, and the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 are aligned coaxially, and then the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the spool 20 are connected. This improves assembly efficiency compared to the case where the spool 20 is inserted into the spool hole 11 after the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the spool 20 are connected.

[0056] Furthermore, in the valve device 100, the axial center of the spool 20 and the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 are aligned simply by screwing the recess 23 of the spool 20 into the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30, so there is no need to align the axial centers of the spool 20 and the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 before connecting them. This allows for improved productivity of the valve device 100.

[0057] Note that if the coaxiality between the axial center of the spool 20 and the axial center of the spool hole 11 is sufficiently ensured, in other words, if it is not necessary to align the axial center of the spool 20 and the axial center of the spool hole 11, the valve device 100 can be assembled without using the jig 70 by forming the spacer member 50 into a shape like the spacer member 150 shown in Fig. 5. This modified example will be described below with reference to Fig. 5.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 5, the spacer member 150 in this modified example has a protruding portion 54 formed in the through hole 51 so as to protrude radially inward. The protruding portion 54 is provided in an annular shape along the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 51. The inner diameter of the protruding portion 54 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the spool 20. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, by fitting the land portion 21 of the spool 20 into the protruding portion 54 of the spacer member 150, the axial center of the spool 20 and the axial center of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 150 can be aligned. As described above, the coaxiality of the spool 20 axis and the spool hole 11 axis is sufficiently ensured; in other words, in this modified example, the spool 20 axis and the spool hole 11 axis can be considered to be coaxial, so by fitting the land portion 21 of the spool 20 into the protrusion 54 of the spacer member 150, the axial center of the recess 53 of the spacer member 150 is centered relative to the axial center of the spool hole 11.

[0059] In this state, by inserting the bolts 60 into the insertion holes 52 of the spacer member 150 and fastening it to the housing 10, the spacer member 150 is fixed to the housing 10 with the axis of the recess 53 of the spacer member 150 aligned with the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10. Thereafter, in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the electric actuator 30 is attached to the spacer member 150, and the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the spool 20 are connected.

[0060] In this way, even with this modification, the axis of the spool hole 11 of the housing 10, the axis of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30, and the axis of the spool 20 can be aligned.

[0061] In this modified example, the protrusion 54 is provided in a circular ring shape along the inner surface of the through hole 51, but multiple protrusions 54 may also be provided at intervals along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the through hole 51.

[0062] Second Embodiment Next, a valve device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0063] The valve device 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the valve device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of electric actuators 30A, 30B, and the electric actuators 30A, 30B are attached to the housing 10 via a common spacer member 250. Note that, hereinafter, only the differences from the valve device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be assigned the same numbers and will not be described again.

[0064] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the valve device 200 has two electric actuators 30 and two spools 20 arranged in parallel. The two electric actuators 30A, 30B and spools 20A, 20B shown in Figures 6 and 7 are denoted by the symbols "A" and "B" for ease of explanation, but these have the same configurations as the electric actuator 30 and spool 20 of the valve device 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that, for ease of explanation, some of the other components in Figures 6 and 7 will also be described by denoting one with the symbol "A" and the other with the symbol "B".

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the valve device 200 includes a spacer member 250 as a first spacer member fixed to the housing 10, and a spacer member 80 as a second spacer member fixed to the spacer member 250.

[0066] The spacer member 250 is provided with a through hole 51A as a first through hole that penetrates the spacer member 250, a through hole 51B as a third through hole that is arranged in parallel to the through hole 51A and penetrates the spacer member 250, a recess 53 as a first fitting recess into which an end 32a of a case 32 of an electric actuator 30A as a first electric actuator is fitted, an insertion hole 252 as a first insertion hole into which a bolt 60 for fixing the spacer member 250 to the housing 10 is inserted, and an accommodation recess 253 that accommodates the spacer member 80 and has one end of the through hole 51B opening at the bottom. A drive shaft 33A as a first drive shaft of the electric actuator 30A is inserted through the through hole 51A, and a drive shaft 33B as a second drive shaft of an electric actuator 30B as a second electric actuator is inserted through the through hole 51B.

[0067] The spacer member 250 is fixed to the housing 10 by a bolt 60 inserted into the insertion hole 252. As shown in Fig. 7, the insertion hole 252 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt 60. In other words, a gap S1 serving as a first gap is provided between the insertion hole 252 and the bolt 60.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the spacer member 80 is fixed to the bottom surface of an accommodating recess 253 provided in the spacer member 250 by a bolt 62. The spacer member 80 is provided with a through hole 81 as a second through hole through which the drive shaft 33B of the electric actuator 30B is inserted, and an insertion hole 82 as a second insertion hole through which a bolt 62 as a second screw member for fixing the spacer member 80 to the spacer member 250 is inserted. In this embodiment, the end portion 32 a of the electric actuator 30B is fitted into the through hole 81. Therefore, the through hole 81 in this embodiment also corresponds to a "second fitting recess" in the claims. However, without being limited thereto, for example, a second fitting recess having a smaller diameter than the through hole 81 may be formed at one end of the through hole 81, into which the end portion 32 a of the electric actuator 30B is fitted.

[0069] 7 and 8, the spacer member 80 is fixed to the spacer member 250 by a bolt 62 inserted into an insertion hole 82. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, the insertion hole 82 is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt 62. In other words, a gap S2 is provided between the insertion hole 82 and the bolt 62 as a second gap.

[0070] Next, a method for assembling (manufacturing) the valve device 200 will be described.

[0071] First, the housing 10 and the spacer member 250 are attached. Specifically, first, the axis of the spool hole 11A provided in the housing 10 and the axis of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 250 are aligned using a jig 70 shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the jig 70 is inserted into the through-hole 51A of the spacer member 250 and the spool hole 11A of the housing 10 so that the first cylindrical portion 71 is fitted into the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 250 and the second cylindrical portion 72 is fitted into the spool hole 11A of the housing 10. In this way, the axis of the recessed portion 53 of the spacer member 250 and the axis of the spool hole 11A of the housing 10 are aligned by the jig 70. In this state, by inserting a bolt 60 into the insertion hole 52 of the spacer member 250 and fastening it to the housing 10, the spacer member 250 is fixed to the housing 10 with the axis of the recess 53 of the spacer member 250 aligned with the axis of the spool hole 11A of the housing 10.

[0072] The end portion 32a of the electric actuator 30A is fitted into the recess 53 of the spacer member 250, and then the drive shaft 33A of the electric actuator 30A is connected to the spool 20A. Note that these specific procedures are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] Next, the spacer member 80 is attached to the spacer member 250. At this time, the spacer member 80 is positioned so that the axis of the through hole 81 formed in the spacer member 80 and the axis of the spool hole 11B are coaxial, and the spacer member 80 is fixed to the spacer member 250 with the bolts 62. In this embodiment, a jig 70 is used to make the axis of the through hole 81 formed in the spacer member 80 and the axis of the spool hole 11B coaxial. The inner diameter of the through hole 81 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 72 of the jig 70. However, without being limited thereto, the inner diameter of the through hole 81 and the dimensions of the second cylindrical portion 72 of the jig 70 may be different from those of the jig 70 used in assembling the valve gear 100 of the first embodiment.

[0074] The jig 70 is inserted into the through hole 81 of the spacer member 80, the through hole 51B of the spacer member 250, and the spool hole 11B of the housing 10 so that the first cylindrical portion 71 is fitted into the through hole 81 of the spacer member 80 and the second cylindrical portion 72 is fitted into the spool hole 11B of the housing 10. As a result, the axis of the through hole 81 of the spacer member 80 and the axis of the spool hole 11B of the housing 10 are aligned by the jig 70. In this state, by inserting the bolt 62 into the insertion hole 82 of the spacer member 80 and fastening it to the spacer member 250, the spacer member 80 is fixed to the housing 10 via the spacer member 250 with the axis of the through hole 81 of the spacer member 80 and the axis of the spool hole 11B of the housing 10 aligned.

[0075] The end portion 32a of the electric actuator 30B is fitted into the through-hole 81 of the spacer member 80, and then the drive shaft 33B of the electric actuator 30B is connected to the spool 20B. Note that these specific procedures are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] As described above, according to the valve device 200 of this embodiment, the axial centers of the drive shafts 33A, 33B of the electric actuators 30A, 30B can be aligned with the axial centers of the spools 20A, 20B (first spools) and the axial centers of the spool holes 11A, 11B. Furthermore, according to the valve device 200 of this embodiment, for example, in the case where the housing of an existing non-electric valve device is provided with caps that seal one ends of multiple spool holes, by attaching the electric actuators 30A, 30B using the spacer members 250 and 80 instead of the caps, the valve device can be electric without changing the housing.

[0077] Furthermore, in the valve device 200, a gap S2 is provided between the insertion hole 82 formed in the spacer member 80 and the bolt 62. This allows radial movement of the insertion hole 82 of the spacer member 80. Therefore, the axis of the through hole 81 of the spacer member 80 and the axis of the spool hole 11B can be easily adjusted. That is, in the valve device 200, with the spacer member 250 fixed to the housing 10, the spacer member 80 can be moved so that the through hole 81 is positioned to make the axis of the drive shaft 33B of the electric actuator 30B coaxial with the axis of the spool hole 11B, and then fixed to the spacer member 250.

[0078] The configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described below.

[0079] The valve device 100, 200 includes a housing 10, spools 20, 20A (first spools) slidably housed in spool holes 11, 11A (first spool holes) formed in the housing 10, and electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators) having drive shafts 33, 33A (first drive shafts) connected to the spools 20, 20A (first spools) and axially moving the spools 20, 20A (first spools), and a drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) fixed to the housing 10 and inserted into the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators). and a spacer member 50, 150, 250 (first spacer member) having a through hole 51 (first through hole) through which the spool 20, 20A (first spool) is fitted. At one end side of the spool 20, 20A (first spool), a recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess) is provided, in which a drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted, so that the axial center of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the axial center of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) are coaxially arranged. The spacer member 50 (first spacer member) has insertion holes 52, 252 (first insertion holes) through which bolts 60 (first screw members) for fixing the spacer members 50, 150, 250 (first spacer members) to the housing 10 are inserted, and recesses 53 (first fitting recesses) that are provided on one end sides of the through holes 51, 51A (first through holes) and into which the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators) are fitted. The bolts 60 (first screw members) are inserted between the insertion holes 52, 252 (first insertion holes) and the insertion holes 52, 252 (first insertion holes). When inserted into the insertion holes 52, 252 (first insertion holes), gaps S, S1 (first gaps) are provided that allow the spacer members 50, 150, 250 (first spacer members) to move radially through the insertion holes 52, 252 (first insertion holes), and the spacer members 50, 150, 250 (first spacer members) are fixed to the housing 10 in a state in which they have been moved so that the recess 53 (first mating recess) is positioned to make the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) coaxial with the axis of the spool hole 11 (first spool hole).

[0080] In this configuration, the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted into the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess), so that the axis of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) are arranged coaxially. In addition, in this configuration, the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted into the recess 53 (first fitting recess) of the spacer member 50, 150, 250 (first spacer member) which is fixed to the housing 10 at a position so as to make the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) coaxial with the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole), so that the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is arranged coaxially with the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole). This allows the axial centers of the spools 20, 20A (first spools), the drive shafts 33, 33A (first drive shafts) of the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators), and the spool holes 11, 11A (first spool holes) to be coaxially arranged. Therefore, the axial centers of the drive shafts 33, 33A (first drive shafts) of the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators) can be aligned with the axial centers of the spools 20, 20A (first spools) and the spool holes 11, 11A (first spool holes) without using a member such as a ball joint that absorbs misalignment. This allows the number of parts in the valve devices 100, 200 to be reduced.

[0081] The valve device 200 also includes a spool 20B (second spool) slidably accommodated in a spool hole 11B (second spool hole) formed in the housing 10, an electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) having a drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) connected to the spool 20B (second spool) and moving the spool 20B (second spool) in the axial direction, and a through hole 81 (second through hole) fixed to a spacer member 250 (first spacer member) and through which the drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) is inserted. The spool 20B (second spool) further includes a spacer member 80 (second spacer member) fitted thereto, and a recess 23B (second position adjustment recess) is provided at one end side of the spool 20B (second spool) so that the axis of the spool 20B (second spool) and the axis of the drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) are coaxially arranged by fitting the drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator). The spacer member 250 (first spacer member) is fitted with a recess 23B (second position adjustment recess) at one end side of the spool 20B (second spool) so that the axis of the drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) is coaxially arranged. The spacer member 80 (second spacer member) is further provided with a through hole 51B (third through hole) through which a bolt 62 (second screw member) for fixing the spacer member 80 (second spacer member) to the spacer member 250 (first spacer member) is inserted, and a second fitting recess (through hole 81) is provided on one end side of the spacer member 80 and into which the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) is fitted, and the bolt 62 (second screw member) inserted into the through hole 252 (second through hole) and the through hole 252 (second through hole) are fitted. A gap S2 (second gap) is provided between them to allow the spacer member 80 (second spacer member) to move radially through the insertion hole 252 (second insertion hole) when the bolt 62 (second screw member) is inserted into the insertion hole 252 (second insertion hole), and the spacer member 80 (second spacer member) is fixed to the spacer member 250 (first spacer member) with a through hole 81 (second mating recess) positioned at a position to make the axis of the drive shaft 33B (second drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30B (second electric actuator) coaxial with the axis of the spool 20B (second spool hole).

[0082] In this configuration, by providing the spacer member 80 (second spacer member), it is possible to adjust the axial centers of the multiple electric actuators 30A, 30B (second electric actuators). Also, in this configuration, for example, if the housing of an existing non-electric valve device is provided with caps that seal one ends of multiple spool holes, by attaching the electric actuators 30A, 30B using the spacer member 250 (first spacer member) and the spacer member 80 (second spacer member) instead of the caps, it is possible to electric the valve device without changing the housing.

[0083] In the valve device 100, the through hole 51 (first through hole) of the spacer member 150 (first spacer member) is formed to protrude radially inward so as to have an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the spool 20 (first spool), and when the spool 20 (first spool) is inserted, a protrusion 54 is formed that aligns the axis of the recess 53 (first mating recess) coaxially with the axis of the spool 20 (first spool).

[0084] In this configuration, when assembling the valve device 100, the spool 20 (first spool) can be inserted into the protrusion 54, thereby aligning the axis of the recess 53 (first mating recess) of the spacer member 150 (first spacer member) with the axis of the spool 20 (first spool) without using a jig or the like.

[0085] In the valve device 100, 200, the bottom surface 23a of the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess) and the tip surface 33a of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) are formed parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator), respectively, and the bottom surface 23a of the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess) and the tip surface 33a of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) abut against each other.

[0086] In this configuration, the bottom surface 23a of the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess) abuts against the tip surface 33a of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator), thereby eliminating the tilt of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator), thereby more reliably aligning the axial center of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) with the axial center of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator).

[0087] In the valve device 100, the spool 20, 20A (first spool) is formed with an internal thread portion 24 that opens to the bottom surface 23a of the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess), and the drive shaft 33 (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is formed with an external thread portion 34 that protrudes from the tip surface 33a and screws into the internal thread portion 24 formed in the spool 20, 20A (first spool).

[0088] In this configuration, simply by screwing the female thread portion 24 of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) into the male thread portion 34 formed on the drive shaft 33 (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator), the axial center of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the axial center of the drive shaft 33 (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) can be aligned and connected.

[0089] The manufacturing method of the valve device 100, 200 includes the steps of: disposing a spacer member 50, 150, 250 (first spacer member) provided with a recess 53 (first fitting recess) into which the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted, so that the recess 53 (first fitting recess) is positioned so that the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is coaxial with the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole) in which the spool 20, 20A (first spool) is slidably accommodated; and fixing the recess 53 (first fitting recess) of the spacer member 50, 150, 250 (first spacer member) to the housing 10 with a bolt 60 (first screw member); and a step of fitting the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) to a recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess) provided on one end side of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) to align the axial center of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) coaxially with the axial center of the spool 20, 20A (first spool).

[0090] In this configuration, the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted into the recess 23, 23A (first position adjustment recess), so that the axis of the spool 20, 20A (first spool) and the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) are arranged coaxially. In addition, in this configuration, the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is fitted into the recess 53 (first fitting recess) of the spacer member 50, 150, 250 (first spacer member) which is fixed to the housing 10 at a position so as to make the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) coaxial with the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole), so that the axis of the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is arranged coaxially with the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole). This allows the axial centers of the spools 20, 20A (first spools), the drive shafts 33, 33A (first drive shafts) of the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators), and the spool holes 11, 11A (first spool holes) to be coaxially arranged. Therefore, the axial centers of the drive shafts 33, 33A (first drive shafts) of the electric actuators 30, 30A (first electric actuators) can be aligned with the axial centers of the spools 20, 20A (first spools) and the spool holes 11, 11A (first spool holes) without using a member such as a ball joint that absorbs misalignment. This allows the number of parts in the valve devices 100, 200 to be reduced.

[0091] In the manufacturing method of the valve device 100, 200, in the process of fixing the spacer member 50, 250 (first spacer member) to the housing 10 with a bolt 60 (first screw member), a jig 70 is used which has a first cylindrical portion 71 (first fitting portion) that fits removably into the recess 53 (first fitting recess), and a second cylindrical portion 72 (second fitting portion) that is coaxial with the first cylindrical portion 71 (first fitting portion) and has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 71 (first fitting portion) and fits removably into the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole), and the housing 10 and the spacer member 50, 250 (first spacer member) are positioned so that the axis of the recess 53 (first fitting recess) and the axis of the spool hole 11, 11A (first spool hole) are coaxial.

[0092] In this configuration, by using the jig 70, the axial center of the recess 53 (first fitting recess) of the spacer member 50, 250 and the axial center of the spool hole 11, 11A can be easily aligned.

[0093] In the manufacturing method of the valve device 100, the spacer member 150 (first spacer member) has a protrusion 54 formed by protruding radially inward into a through hole 51 (first through hole) through which the drive shaft 33, 33A (first drive shaft) of the electric actuator 30, 30A (first electric actuator) is inserted so that the inner diameter thereof is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the spool 20 (first spool), and in the process of fixing the spacer member 150 (first spacer member) to the housing 10 with a bolt 60 (first screw member), the spool 20 (first spool) is inserted into the protrusion 54 of the spacer member 150 (first spacer member), thereby aligning the axis of the recess 53 (first mating recess) and the spool hole 11 (first spool hole) coaxially.

[0094] In this configuration, when the spool 20 is accommodated in the spool hole 11, if the spool hole 11 and the spool 20 can be considered to be concentric, the spacer member 150 and the spool hole 11 can be centered by inserting the spool 20 into the protrusion 54 of the spacer member 150. This eliminates the need for a jig, simplifying the work.

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0096] The electric actuators 30, 30A, and 30B may be, for example, linear actuators.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the axial center of the recess 53 provided in the spacer member 50 and the axial center of the spool hole 11 provided in the housing 10 are coaxial. However, this is not limiting. For example, the axial center of the recess 53 provided in the spacer member 50 may be offset from the axial center of the spool hole 11 provided in the housing 10 as long as the recess 53 has a shape such that the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 and the axial center of the spool hole 11 are coaxial when the end 32a of the electric actuator 30 is fitted into the recess 53 provided in the spacer member 50. In other words, the axial center of the drive shaft 33 of the electric actuator 30 does not need to be at the center of the case 32. In this case, the axial center of the second cylindrical portion 72 of the jig 70 is also offset to match the shape of the recess 53. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 100, 200··· valve device, 10··· housing, 11, 11A··· spool hole (first spool hole), 11B··· spool hole (second spool hole), 20, 20A··· spool (first spool), 20B··· spool (second spool), 23··· recess (first position adjustment recess), 23A··· recess (first position adjustment recess), 23B··· recess (second position adjustment recess), 23a... bottom surface, 24... female thread portion, 30, 30A... electric actuator (first electric actuator), 30B... electric actuator (second electric actuator), 32... case, 32a... end portion, 33, 33A... drive shaft (first drive shaft), 33B... drive shaft (second drive shaft), 33a... tip surface, 34... male thread portion, 50... Spacer member (first spacer member), 51, 51A... through hole (first through hole), 51B... through hole (third through hole), 52... insertion hole (first insertion hole), 53... recess (first fitting recess), 54... protrusion, 60... bolt (first screw member), 61... bolt, 62... bolt (second screw member), 70... jig, 71... first cylindrical portion, 72... Second cylindrical portion, 80 spacer member (second spacer member), 81 through hole (second through hole, second fitting recess), 82 insertion hole (second insertion hole), 150 spacer member (first spacer member), 250 spacer member (first spacer member), 252 insertion hole (first insertion hole), 253 accommodation recess, S gap, S1 gap, S2 gap

Claims

1. a first spool slidably received in a first spool hole formed in the housing; a first electric actuator having a first drive shaft connected to the first spool and configured to move the first spool in the axial direction; a first spacer member fixed to the housing and having a first through hole through which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is inserted, a first position adjustment recess is provided on one end side of the first spool, into which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is fitted so that an axis of the first spool and an axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator are coaxially arranged; The first spacer member has: a first insertion hole through which a first screw member for fixing the first spacer member to the housing is inserted; a first fitting recess provided on one end side of the first through hole, into which the first electric actuator is fitted; a first gap is provided between the first screw member inserted into the first insertion hole and the first insertion hole, the first gap allowing movement of the first spacer member in a radial direction of the first insertion hole in a state in which the first screw member is inserted into the first insertion hole; the first spacer member is fixed to the housing in a state where it is moved so that the first fitting recess is positioned at a position where the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator and the axis of the first spool hole are coaxial.

2. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, a second spool slidably received in a second spool hole formed in the housing; a second electric actuator having a second drive shaft connected to the second spool and configured to move the second spool in the axial direction; a second spacer member fixed to the first spacer member and having a second through hole formed therein through which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is inserted, a second position adjustment recess is provided on one end side of the second spool, into which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is fitted so that an axis of the second spool and an axis of the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator are coaxially arranged; the first spacer member is further provided with a third through-hole through which the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator is inserted, The second spacer member has: a second insertion hole through which a second screw member for fixing the second spacer member to the first spacer member is inserted; a second fitting recess provided on one end side of the second through hole, into which the second electric actuator is fitted; a second gap is provided between the second screw member inserted into the second insertion hole and the second insertion hole, the second gap allowing movement of the second spacer member in a radial direction of the second insertion hole in a state in which the second screw member is inserted into the second insertion hole; The second spacer member is fixed to the first spacer member, and the second fitting recess is positioned at a position that makes the axis of the second drive shaft of the second electric actuator coaxial with the axis of the second spool hole.

3. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, a protrusion formed in the first through hole of the first spacer member so as to protrude radially inward to have an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first spool, and which, when the first spool is inserted, causes the axis of the first fitting recess to be coaxial with the axis of the first spool.

4. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, a bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess and a tip surface of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator are formed parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axial directions of the first spool and the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator, and the bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess and the tip surface of the first drive shaft abut against each other.

5. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, The first spool has a female screw portion formed therein that opens into a bottom surface of the first position adjustment recess, a male threaded portion that screws into the female threaded portion formed in the first spool and protrudes from a tip surface of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator;

6. A method for manufacturing a valve device, comprising: a step of disposing a first spacer member provided with a first fitting recess into which a first electric actuator is fitted so that the first fitting recess is positioned at a position that makes the axis of a first drive shaft of the first electric actuator coaxial with the axis of a first spool hole in which a first spool is slidably accommodated, and fixing the first spacer member to the housing with a first screw member; a step of fitting the first electric actuator into the first fitting recess of the first spacer member to fix the first electric actuator to the first spacer member; and a step of fitting the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator and a first position adjustment recess provided on one end side of the first spool so that the axis of the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator and the axis of the first spool are coaxial.

7. A method for manufacturing a valve device according to claim 6, comprising the steps of: In the step of fixing the first spacer member to the housing with the first screw member, a jig having a first fitting portion that detachably fits into the first fitting recess, and a second fitting portion that is coaxial with the first fitting portion and has a smaller diameter than the first fitting portion, and that detachably fits into the first spool hole, and the housing and the first spacer member are positioned so that an axis of the first fitting recess and an axis of the first spool hole are coaxial.

8. A method for manufacturing a valve device according to claim 6, comprising the steps of: the first spacer member has a protruding portion formed in a first through hole, through which the first drive shaft of the first electric actuator is inserted, protruding radially inward so as to have an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first spool, In the step of fixing the first spacer member to the housing with the first screw member, a first spool hole formed in the first spacer member and having a first fitting recess and a first spool hole formed in the first spacer member;

Images