Valve device

Abstract

To provide a valve device that can suppress the entry of moisture. [Solution] The valve device 1 comprises a main body 10, a cylindrical can 30, a connecting member 20 connecting the main body 10 and the can 30, a housing 70 having a cylindrical peripheral wall 71 surrounding the can 30, and an annular first sealing member 81. The second upper surface 10b of the main body 10 is provided with a mounting hole 11 in which the connecting member 20 is placed. The main body 10 has an annular wall portion 16 that protrudes from the second upper surface 10b and surrounds the mounting hole 11. The mounting hole 11 is provided with a female thread, and the connecting member 20 is provided with a male thread that is screwed into the female thread. The first sealing member 81 is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71 and is compressed in the radial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional valve device. The valve device has a main body portion having a valve seat, a valve body facing the valve seat, a cylindrical guide attached to the main body portion, an annular connection plate attached to the guide, and a cylindrical can connected to the main body portion via the guide and the connection plate. The lower part of the guide is screwed into a mounting hole provided on the upper surface of the main body portion. The upper part of the guide protrudes from the upper surface of the main body portion. The upper part of the guide is joined to the inner peripheral edge of the connection plate. The lower end of the can is joined to the outer peripheral edge of the connection plate. The shaft portion of the valve body is disposed inside the guide. A drive mechanism for moving the valve body in the vertical direction is disposed inside the can.

[0003] The valve device has a stator and a housing. The stator has a cylindrical shape. The housing is made of synthetic resin and has a peripheral wall and an upper wall connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a cylindrical shape, and the stator is embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall and the inner peripheral surface of the stator are continuous and form an accommodation space. The can is disposed in the accommodation space, and the lower end of the peripheral wall is in contact with the upper surface of the main body portion. An annular sealing member is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the guide and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The sealing member is compressed radially and pressed with relatively strong force against the outer circumferential surface of the guide and the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall. Therefore, the sealing member can suppress the entry of moisture into the containment space. However, the sealing member is pressed with relatively weak force against the upper surface of the main body, and there is a risk that moisture may enter the screw connection between the main body and the guide. This may cause cracks in the main body and guide due to electrolytic corrosion caused by moisture or freezing of moisture.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a valve device that can suppress the entry of moisture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the valve device according to the present invention is a valve device having a main body, a cylindrical case, a connecting member connecting the main body and the case, a housing having a cylindrical peripheral wall surrounding the case, and an annular first sealing member, wherein the outer surface of the main body is provided with a mounting hole in which the connecting member is arranged, the main body has an annular wall protruding from the outer surface and surrounding the mounting hole, the mounting hole is provided with a female screw, the connecting member is provided with a male screw that is screwed into the female screw, and the first sealing member is arranged between the outer surface of the wall and the inner surface of the peripheral wall and is compressed in the radial direction.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the valve device further comprises a second annular sealing member, the connecting member has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion is provided with the male screw, and the second sealing member is positioned between the inner surface of the wall portion and the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion and is compressed in the radial direction.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting member has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, a bottom wall portion connected to one end of the peripheral wall portion, and a flange portion connected to the other end of the peripheral wall portion, is formed by press working, has the male threads on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion, and the flange portion is in contact with the tip of the wall portion.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer surface has a first plane and a second plane parallel to the first plane, the mounting hole is provided on the second plane, the wall portion protrudes from the second plane, and the first plane and the tip of the wall portion are included in a single virtual plane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a mounting hole for a connecting member is provided on the outer surface of the main body. The main body has an annular wall that protrudes from the outer surface and surrounds the mounting hole. The mounting hole is provided with a female thread, and the connecting member is provided with a male thread that is screwed into the female thread. The first sealing member is positioned between the outer surface of the wall and the inner surface of the peripheral wall surrounding the case, and is compressed in the radial direction. In this manner, the first sealing member seals the space between the wall of the main body and the peripheral wall of the housing, preventing moisture from entering the inside of the wall. Therefore, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the screw-fitting area between the main body and the connecting member in the mounting hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the flow path unit and valve unit of the valve device. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connecting member of the valve device and its vicinity. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0014] Each figure shows a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Valve device 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, as a flow control valve incorporated into a refrigeration cycle system to control the flow rate of refrigerant.

[0015] The valve device 1 includes a flow path unit 5, a valve unit 7, and a stator unit 9.

[0016] The flow path unit 5 has a main body portion 10 and a valve seat 17.

[0017] The main body portion 10 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The main body portion 10 has a first upper surface 10a and a second upper surface 10b which are outer surfaces. The first upper surface 10a and the second upper surface 10b are planes parallel to each other. The second upper surface 10b is below the first upper surface 10a. The first upper surface 10a is the first plane and the second upper surface 10b is the second plane.

[0018] The main body portion 10 has a mounting hole 11, and flow paths 13 and 14. The mounting hole 11 is a circular hole and extends downward from the second upper surface 10b. The opening 11o of the mounting hole 11 is arranged on the second upper surface 10b. An internal thread 11t is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 11. The lower part of the mounting hole 11 is a valve chamber 12.

[0019] The main body portion 10 has a wall portion 16. The wall portion 16 has an annular shape. The wall portion 16 projects upward from the second upper surface 10b. The wall portion 16 surrounds the mounting hole 11. The upper end (tip) of the wall portion 16 and the first upper surface 10a are included in one virtual plane.

[0020] The valve seat 17 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The valve seat 17 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged at the lower part of the valve chamber 12. The valve seat 17 may be integrally formed with the main body portion 10. A valve port 18 is provided inside the valve seat 17. The flow path 13 communicates with the valve chamber 12 through the valve port 18. The flow path 14 extends horizontally from the valve chamber 12.

[0021] The valve unit 7 has a connection member 20, a cam 30, a valve body 40, and a drive mechanism 50.

[0022] The connection member 20 integrally has a peripheral wall portion 21, a bottom wall portion 22, and a flange portion 23.

[0023] The peripheral wall portion 21 has a cylindrical shape. On the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 21, a receiving surface 21c is provided. The receiving surface 21c is an annular plane facing upward. On the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 21, a male thread 21t is provided. The male thread 21t is screwed into the female thread 11t of the mounting hole 11 of the main body portion 10.

[0024] The bottom wall portion 22 has a disk shape. The outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 22 is connected to the lower end (one end) of the peripheral wall portion 21. The bottom wall portion 22 has a shaft hole 24 which is a through hole.

[0025] The flange portion 23 has an annular plate shape. The inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 is connected to the upper end (the other end) of the peripheral wall portion 21. The flange portion 23 is orthogonal to the peripheral wall portion 21. The outer diameter of the flange portion 23 is larger than the outer diameter of the wall portion 16.

[0026] In the manufacturing process of the connecting member 20, by pressing the sheet metal, the peripheral wall portion 21, the bottom wall portion 22 and the flange portion 23 are integrally formed, and the receiving surface 21c and the shaft hole 24 are formed. Then, a male thread 21t is formed on the peripheral wall portion 21, and the connecting member 20 is completed. The connecting member 20 is, for example, made of iron or stainless steel.

[0027] The connecting member 20 is disposed in the mounting hole 11 of the main body portion 10. Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 21 and the bottom wall portion 22 are inserted into the mounting hole 11, and the male thread 21t of the peripheral wall portion 21 is screwed into the female thread 11t of the main body portion 10. As the screwing of the male thread 21t into the female thread 11t progresses, the connecting member 20 moves downward. When the lower surface of the flange portion 23 contacts the upper end of the wall portion 16 of the flow path unit 5, the downward movement of the connecting member 20 is restricted, and the male thread 21t and the female thread 11t are tightened. The wall portion 16 is a positioning portion for the connecting member 20.

[0028] The can 30 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The can 30 has a cylindrical shape. The can 30 is open at the bottom and closed at the top. The bottom end of the can 30 is joined to the outer edge of the flange portion 23. The can 30 is a case.

[0029] The valve body 40 has a shaft portion 41 and a valve portion 45. The shaft portion 41 has a cylindrical shape. A spring receiving surface 46 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41. The spring receiving surface 46 is an annular plane facing upward. The valve portion 45 has a frustoconical shape. The valve portion 45 is coaxially connected to the lower end of the shaft portion 41. The diameter of the lower part 41a of the shaft portion 41 is the same as the diameter of the axial hole 24 of the connecting member 20. The lower part 41a is inserted through the axial hole 24 of the connecting member 20. The connecting member 20 supports the shaft portion 41 so that it can move in the vertical direction. The valve portion 45 faces the valve seat 17 in the vertical direction. The tip of the valve portion 45 is positioned at the valve opening 18. When the valve portion 45 contacts the valve seat 17, the valve opening 18 closes. When the valve portion 45 moves away from the valve seat 17, the valve opening 18 opens. Figures 1 to 3 show the valve body 40 in a front view.

[0030] The drive mechanism 50 moves the valve body 40 in the vertical direction. The movement of the valve body 40 changes the opening degree of the valve port 18. The drive mechanism 50 includes a rotor 51, a valve stem holder 52, a guide bush 53, a connecting plate 55, a retaining member 56, and a valve closing spring 57.

[0031] The rotor 51 has a cylindrical shape. The rotor 51 is positioned inside the can 30. The rotor 51 has multiple magnetic poles. The multiple magnetic poles are arranged on the outer surface of the rotor 51. The rotor 51 is a magnetic rotor.

[0032] The valve stem holder 52 has a cylindrical shape. The lower end of the valve stem holder 52 is open. The valve stem holder 52 has an upper wall portion 52b. The valve stem holder 52 is fixed to the rotor 51 via an annular connecting plate 55. The valve stem holder 52 rotates together with the rotor 51. The upper part 41b of the shaft portion 41 of the valve body 40 is inserted through a hole provided in the upper wall portion 52b. A retaining member 56 is fixed to the upper part 41b. A valve closing spring 57 is positioned between the upper wall portion 52b and the spring receiving surface 46 of the valve body 40. The valve closing spring 57 is a coil spring that pushes the valve body 40 toward the valve seat 17. An internal thread 52t is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve stem holder 52.

[0033] The guide bush 53 has a base portion 53a and a support portion 53b. The base portion 53a and the support portion 53b have a cylindrical shape. The base portion 53a is press-fitted into the peripheral wall portion 21 of the connecting member 20, and the lower end surface of the base portion 53a abuts against the receiving surface 21c of the peripheral wall portion 21. The support portion 53b is connected to the upper end of the base portion 53a. A male thread 53t is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the support portion 53b. The male thread 53t is screwed into the female thread 52t of the valve stem holder 52. The shaft portion 41 of the valve body 40 is positioned inside the guide bush 53. The guide bush 53 supports the shaft portion 41 so that it can move in the vertical direction.

[0034] The stator unit 9 is attached to the valve unit 7. The stator unit 9 includes a stator 60 and a housing 70.

[0035] The stator 60 has a cylindrical shape. A can 30 is positioned inside the stator 60. The stator 60 has multiple coils and multiple pole teeth. The multiple pole teeth face the outer surface of the rotor 51 with the can 30 in between. By supplying drive current to the multiple coils, the multiple pole teeth are magnetized, and the rotor 51 rotates. The rotor 51 and stator 60 constitute a stepping motor 66. Note that the rotor 51 and stator 60 may constitute a motor of a different type than a stepping motor.

[0036] As the rotor 51 rotates, the rotor 51 and the valve stem holder 52 move vertically due to the feed screw action between the female thread 52t of the valve stem holder 52 and the male thread 53t of the guide bush 53. The valve body 40 moves vertically along with the valve stem holder 52.

[0037] The housing 70 is made of synthetic resin. The housing 70 houses the stator 60. The housing 70 integrally has a peripheral wall 71 and an upper wall 72. The peripheral wall 71 has a cylindrical shape. The upper wall 72 has a dome shape and is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall 71. The stator 60 is embedded in the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71. The inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the stator 60 are connected. The inner circumferential surface of the stator 60, the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71 and the inner surface of the upper wall 72 form a housing space 75. The can 30 is placed in the housing space 75, and the lower end of the peripheral wall 71 is in contact with the second upper surface 10b of the main body 10.

[0038] The valve device 1 includes a first sealing member 81 and a second sealing member 82. The first sealing member 81 and the second sealing member 82 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0039] The first sealing member 81 has an annular shape. The first sealing member 81 surrounds the wall portion 16 of the main body portion 10. The first sealing member 81 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71 of the housing 70, and is compressed radially. The first sealing member 81 seals the space between the wall portion 16 and the peripheral wall 71.

[0040] The second sealing member 82 has an annular shape. The second sealing member 82 is positioned inside the wall portion 16 of the main body portion 10 and surrounds the mounting hole 11. The second sealing member 82 is sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 21 of the connecting member 20 and is compressed radially. The second sealing member 82 seals the space between the wall portion 16 and the peripheral wall portion 21.

[0041] In the valve device 1, the mounting hole 11, wall portion 16, valve seat 17, connecting member 20 (circumferential wall portion 21, bottom wall portion 22, flange portion 23, shaft hole 24), can 30, valve body 40, rotor 51, valve shaft holder 52, guide bush 53, stator 60, housing 70 (circumferential wall 71, upper wall 72, housing space 75), first sealing member 81, and second sealing member 82 each have their central axes coincide with the axis L.

[0042] Next, the assembly method for valve device 1 will be explained.

[0043] An aluminum alloy workpiece is machined to form a main body 10 having mounting holes 11 and wall portions 16. A valve seat 17 is attached to the main body 10 to create a flow path unit 5.

[0044] The connecting member 20 is formed by press-forming sheet metal. The connecting member 20, can 30, valve body 40, and drive mechanism 50 are assembled to manufacture the valve unit 7.

[0045] Resin is injected into the cavity of the mold in which the stator 60 is installed to produce a stator unit 9 in which the stator 60 and the housing 70 are integrally molded.

[0046] A first sealing member 81 is installed on the outside of the wall portion 16 of the main body 10, and a second sealing member 82 is installed on the inside. The peripheral wall portion 21 and bottom wall portion 22 of the connecting member 20 are inserted into the mounting hole 11 of the main body 10, and the male thread 21t of the connecting member 20 is screwed into the female thread 11t of the main body 10. As the screwing of the male thread 21t and the female thread 11t progresses, when the lower surface of the flange portion 23 of the connecting member 20 contacts the upper end of the wall portion 16, the downward movement of the connecting member 20 is restricted, and the male thread 21t and the female thread 11t are tightened. As a result, the connecting member 20 is fixed to the main body 10. The valve body 40 faces the valve seat 17 in the vertical direction. At this time, the second sealing member 82 is sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 21 of the connecting member 20, and is compressed radially. The can 30 is inserted into the housing space 75 of the stator unit 9. After the lower end of the peripheral wall 71 of the housing 70 comes into contact with the second upper surface 10b of the main body, the bracket 77 of the housing 70 is fixed to the main body 10 with bolts 78, and the stator unit 9 is attached to the valve unit 7. At this time, the first sealing member 81 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the wall 16 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 71 and compressed radially. In this way, the valve device 1 is completed.

[0047] As described above, the valve device 1 comprises a main body 10, a cylindrical can 30, a connecting member 20 connecting the main body 10 and the can 30, a housing 70 having a cylindrical peripheral wall 71 surrounding the can 30, and an annular first sealing member 81. The second upper surface 10b of the main body 10 is provided with a mounting hole 11 in which the connecting member 20 is positioned. The main body 10 has an annular wall portion 16 that protrudes from the second upper surface 10b and surrounds the mounting hole 11. The mounting hole 11 is provided with a female thread 11t. The connecting member 20 is provided with a male thread 21t that is screwed into the female thread 11t. The first sealing member 81 is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 71 and is compressed radially. In this manner, the first sealing member 81 seals the space between the wall portion 16 and the peripheral wall 71, preventing moisture from entering the inside of the wall portion 16. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the entry of moisture into the screw-fitting point between the main body 10 and the connecting member 20 in the mounting hole 11.

[0048] Furthermore, the valve device 1 has an annular second sealing member 82. The connecting member 20 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 21. A male screw 21t is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 21. The second sealing member 82 is positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 16 and the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 21 and is compressed in the radial direction. In this way, the second sealing member 82 seals the space between the wall portion 16 and the peripheral wall portion 21, preventing moisture from entering the mounting hole 11. Therefore, the entry of moisture into the screw-fitting portion between the main body portion 10 and the connecting member 20 in the mounting hole 11 can be further suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, the connecting member 20 has a peripheral wall portion 21, a bottom wall portion 22 connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 21, and a flange portion 23 connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 21, and is formed by press working. A male thread 21t is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 21. The flange portion 23 is in contact with the upper end of the wall portion 16. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the connecting member 20. Also, when the male thread 21t of the connecting member 20 is screwed into the female thread 11t of the main body portion 10, and the flange portion 23 comes into contact with the upper end of the wall portion 16, the male thread 21t and the female thread 11t are tightened, closing the gap between the flange portion 23 and the wall portion 16. Therefore, the entry of moisture into the screwed portion between the main body portion 10 and the connecting member 20 in the mounting hole 11 can be further suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, the main body portion 10 has a first upper surface 10a and a second upper surface 10b parallel to the first upper surface 10a. A mounting hole 11 is provided on the second upper surface 10b. A wall portion 16 protrudes from the second upper surface 10b. The first upper surface 10a and the upper end of the wall portion 16 are contained within a single virtual plane. In this way, by forming the mounting hole 11 and the annular groove surrounding the mounting hole 11 on one plane of the workpiece, that plane becomes the first upper surface 10a, the bottom surface of the annular groove becomes the second upper surface 10b, and the protrusion between the mounting hole 11 and the annular groove becomes the wall portion 16. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the mounting hole 11 and the wall portion 16 are provided on one upper surface, the amount of workpiece cutting is reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0051] The valve device 1 described above had a flow path unit 5 having a valve seat 17 that faces the valve body 40 in the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the valve device 1 may have a bottom wall portion 22 of the connecting member 20 having a valve opening which is a through hole, and a valve seat that surrounds the valve opening and faces the valve body 40 in the vertical direction.

[0052] In this specification, terms indicating shapes such as "cylinder" and "column" are also used to refer to members or parts of members that substantially have the shape of those terms. For example, "cylindrical member" includes both cylindrical members and substantially cylindrical members. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "same" may include both strictly identical and substantially identical items.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, deletions, design modifications, and combinations of features of the embodiments, as appropriate by those skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1… Valve device 5...flow channel unit, 10...main body, 10a...first upper surface, 10b...second upper surface, 11…Mounting hole, 11t…Female thread, 16…Wall portion, 17…Valve seat, 7... Valve unit, 20... Connecting member, 21... Peripheral wall, 21t... Male screw, 22... Bottom wall, 23...Flange section, 24...Shaft hole, 30...Can, 40... Valve body, 50... Drive mechanism, 51... Rotor 9... Stator unit, 60... Stator, 70... Housing, 71... Surrounding wall, 81...first sealing member, 82...second sealing member, L…Axis line

Claims

1. A valve device comprising a main body, a cylindrical case, a connecting member connecting the main body and the case, a housing having a cylindrical peripheral wall surrounding the case, and an annular first sealing member, Mounting holes for the connecting member are provided on the outer surface of the main body portion. The main body portion has an annular wall portion that protrudes from the outer surface and surrounds the mounting hole, The mounting hole is provided with a female thread. The connecting member is provided with a male thread that is screwed into the female thread, A valve device characterized in that the first sealing member is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the wall and the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall and is compressed in the radial direction.

2. The valve device further comprises a second annular sealing member, The connecting member has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, The outer surface of the peripheral wall portion is provided with the male screw, The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the second sealing member is disposed between the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion and the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall portion and is compressed in the radial direction.

3. The connecting member has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, a bottom wall portion connected to one end of the peripheral wall portion, and a flange portion connected to the other end of the peripheral wall portion, and is formed by press working. The outer surface of the peripheral wall portion is provided with the male screw, The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is in contact with the tip of the wall portion.

4. The outer surface has a first plane and a second plane parallel to the first plane, The mounting holes are provided on the second plane. The wall portion protrudes from the second plane, The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the first plane and the tip of the wall portion are included in a single virtual plane.

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