Fluid control valve
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DENSO CORP
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
Smart Images
Figure 2026121582000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0003]
[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid control valve.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a fluid control valve that controls the flow of fluid by switching the communication and blocking between a plurality of ports provided in a housing is known.
[0003] The fluid control valve described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a cylindrical valve is rotatably disposed inside a housing having a plurality of ports with a seal member interposed therebetween. The seal member is provided at a portion where a plurality of ports are formed, and is physically crushed in the thickness direction (i.e., the radial direction of the valve) by the housing and the valve to adhere to both, preventing leakage of fluid between a plurality of flow paths in the housing. Patent Document 1 describes that the torque input from an actuator that rotates the valve is 3.5 N·m to 4.5 N·m.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
[0006] Furthermore, when this fluid control valve starts rotating from a stationary state, a large torque is required because a portion of the valve, such as the circumferential end of the seal member, becomes embedded in the seal member, or because a portion of the valve embedded in the seal member becomes disengaged. As a result, large and small torques are input to the actuator in a wave-like pattern, causing large stress fluctuations on the gears that make up the reduction mechanism, which can lead to gear damage and accelerated wear.
[0007] In view of the above, the present invention aims to reduce the amount of fluid leakage between multiple flow paths within the housing of a fluid control valve while reducing the torque during valve rotation. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] To achieve the above objective, the invention according to claim 1 is a fluid control valve, A valve (40) having a side wall (41) formed along the conical side, and a flow path (44) recessed from the side wall toward the axial side of the cone, A housing (10) that rotatably houses a valve with a conical shaft as the axis of rotation (CL), the housing having a port (13) that penetrates the outer wall (14) and inner wall (16) of the housing, The device includes a sealing member (50) provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, with the housing-side surface (51) in contact with the port peripheral edge (131) of the inner wall of the housing and the valve-side surface (52) sliding in contact with the side wall of the valve, The valve has a stopper (49) that protrudes axially in one direction from one end face (42) formed on the apex side of the cone, at a position away from the axis. The housing has a stopper contact portion (19) that receives the stopper.
[0009] According to this, the fluid control valve according to claim 1 has a valve side wall shaped to follow the conical side surface. This minimizes or eliminates the gap between the valve and the sealing member, and the gap between the housing and the sealing member, thereby ensuring a seal that minimizes fluid leakage between the flow paths. Therefore, unlike the configuration in Patent Document 1, the valve does not sink into the sealing member, or the sinking is suppressed, thus reducing the torque during valve rotation and preventing the torque from becoming wave-like. As a result, this fluid control valve ensures a seal during valve rotation and stopping, while miniaturizing the actuator that drives the valve and reducing operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise during valve rotation. Furthermore, it prevents damage to the gears of the actuator and improves reliability.
[0010] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 1 ensures a reliable sealing surface (i.e., the surface on the side wall that makes surface contact with the sealing member) by providing a stopper on one end face of the valve and not on the side wall.
[0011] The invention according to claim 3, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 1, has the configuration that "the sealing member has different materials for the housing side and the valve side."
[0012] According to this, the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effects and advantages described in the invention of claim 1, allows for the selection of a material suitable for contact with the housing and sliding contact with the valve as the material of the sealing member. In the case of a sealing member provided in a fluid control valve, a material suitable for contact with the housing is a material that can be deformed and made to conform to the shape of the inner wall of the housing. Such a material improves the ease of assembly of the sealing member and ensures a sealing performance that minimizes or eliminates the gap between the valve and the sealing member, and the gap between the housing and the sealing member, thereby minimizing fluid leakage between the multiple flow paths of the valve. Furthermore, a material suitable for sliding contact with the valve is a material that ensures a sealing performance that minimizes fluid leakage between the multiple flow paths of the valve, and also reduces the sliding resistance between the valve and the sealing member.
[0013] The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between that component and the specific components described in the embodiments described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a fluid control valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of direction II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] These are plan views in direction III of Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, excluding the actuator. [Figure 5] This is a side view showing only the valve of a fluid control valve. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing only the housing of the fluid control valve. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of direction VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged view of section IX in Figure 8. [Figure 10]It is a perspective view showing only the seal member in a state of being removed from the housing. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing only the seal member in a state of being assembled to the housing. [Figure 12] It is a plan view showing a state where the housing and the seal member are assembled. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a front view of the fluid control valve according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a plan view in the XX direction of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22. [Figure 24] It is a cross-sectional view of the fluid control valve according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a plan view of the fluid control valve according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 26] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 25.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, parts that are identical or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0016] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The fluid control valve of this embodiment controls the flow of fluids with different properties (for example, cooling water at different temperatures) flowing through multiple fluid passages (not shown).
[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fluid control valve comprises a housing 10, a cover 20, an actuator 30, a valve 40, a sealing member 50, and a spring 60 as a biasing member.
[0018] The housing 10 has a cylindrical portion 11 and a bottom portion 12 that closes one side of the cylindrical portion 11. The housing 10 has a plurality of ports 13 in a part of the cylindrical portion 11. The ports 13 penetrate the inner wall 16 and the outer wall 14 of the cylindrical portion 11. The distance H of each port 13 parallel to the direction in which the axis CL of the cylindrical portion 11 extends (hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction") is, for example, 10 mm.
[0019] The housing 10 is formed from at least one of the following: a reinforcing material made of polyamide 66 (hereinafter referred to as "PA66"), a reinforcing material made of polyphthalamide (hereinafter referred to as "PPA"), and a reinforcing material made of polyphenylene sulfide (hereinafter referred to as "PPS"). The reinforcing material is, for example, glass fiber. Hereinafter, the side of the cylindrical portion 11 with the axial bottom 12 will be referred to as one side, and the side of the cylindrical portion 11 opposite the axial bottom 12 will be referred to as the other side.
[0020] The cover 20 closes the opening on the other side of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10. The cover 20 is fixed to a locking portion 15 provided on the outer wall 14 of the cylindrical portion 11 by a snap-fit 21. The actuator 30 is fixed to the other side of the cover 20 by a screw 31. The actuator 30 has an electric motor (not shown) and a reduction mechanism inside the case 32.
[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the valve 40 is mounted inside the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis CL. Here, a cone shape having the same axis as the axis CL of rotation of the valve 40 is defined. In Figure 5, only a part of the axis of the cone shape and a part of the generatrix G are shown by a dashed line. The axis of the cone shape coincides with the axis CL of the valve 40. In the definition of a cone shape, the surface obtained by rotating the generatrix G around the axis is called the side surface, the point of contact between the generatrix G and the axis is called the apex, and the surface opposite the apex and perpendicular to the axis is called the base surface. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the valve 40 has a side wall 41 formed along the side surface of the cone, a one-side end surface 42 formed on the apex side (i.e., one side) of the cone, and a other-side end surface 43 formed opposite the one-side end surface 42 and on the base side (i.e., the other side) of the cone. The interior angle θ between the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows and the axis CL of the valve 40 is set to 5 degrees or more. One end face 42 and the other end face 43 are formed perpendicular to the axis CL of the valve 40.
[0022] The valve 40 is positioned such that one end face 42 faces the bottom 12 of the housing 10, and is rotatably housed inside the housing 10 with a conical shaft as the axis of rotation CL. The inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 is shaped to follow the side surface of a cone that is similar to and coaxial with the cone along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows. In other words, the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 and the side wall 41 of the valve 40 are formed parallel to each other.
[0023] The valve 40 has multiple flow paths 44 that are recessed from the side wall 41 toward the axis CL. When the valve 40 changes its rotational phase, the multiple flow paths 44 of the valve 40 communicate with the multiple ports 13 of the housing 10, thereby switching between communication and blockage between the multiple ports 13.
[0024] The valve 40 has an input shaft 45 that protrudes axially toward the other side from a position centered on the axial center CL of the other-side end face 43. The input shaft 45 passes through an insertion hole 22 provided in the cover 20. A bearing 23 and a shaft seal member 24 are provided between the inner wall of the insertion hole 22 and the input shaft 45. The bearing 23 is, for example, a ball bearing, a rolling bearing, etc., and rotatably supports the input shaft 45 with respect to the cover 20. The shaft seal member 24 is, for example, an O-ring, an oil seal, etc., and prevents leakage of fluid from the gap between the inner wall of the insertion hole 22 and the input shaft 45. A gear 46 is provided at the tip of the input shaft 45 protruding from the cover 20, and torque for rotating the valve 40 from the actuator 30 is inputted. The torque inputted from the actuator 30 to the input shaft 45 to rotate the valve 40 with respect to the housing 10 and the seal member 50 is set to 2.0 N·m or less.
[0025] Furthermore, the valve 40 has a protrusion 47 that protrudes axially toward one side from a position centered on the axial center CL of the one-side end face 42, and a stopper 49 that protrudes axially toward one side from a position away from the axial center CL of the one-side end face 42.
[0026] The protrusion 47 of the valve 40 is inserted inside a hole 17 provided in the bottom 12 of the housing 10 and is rotatably supported by the inner wall of the hole 17. If the outer diameter of the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 is D1, the inner diameter of the hole 17 of the housing 10 is D2, and the outer diameter of the one-side end face 42 of the valve 40 is D3, then they have the relationship D1 < D3 and D2 < D3. Note that D1 is slightly smaller than D2 (i.e., D1 < D2 < D3). Thereby, by reducing the radius of the sliding part (i.e., D1, D2) where the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10 slide, the sliding resistance of the sliding part can be reduced, and the torque during the rotational drive of the valve 40 can be reduced. Note that the inner wall of the hole 17 is formed parallel to the axial center CL and allows axial movement of the protrusion 47 of the valve 40. Also, the tip face 48 on the axially one-side of the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 and the bottom face 18 on the axially one-side of the hole 17 of the housing 10 are non-contact.
[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the bottom 12 of the housing 10 is provided with a stopper contact portion 19 that the stopper 49 of the valve 40 can contact. The contact between the stopper 49 of the valve 40 and the stopper contact portion 19 of the housing 10 determines the default position of the valve 40 during rotation.
[0028] The valve 40 is formed from, for example, at least one of PA66 reinforcing material, PPA reinforcing material, PPS reinforcing material, and phenol (hereinafter referred to as "PF") reinforcing material.
[0029] As shown in Figure 4, a sealing member 50 is provided between the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the valve 40. The sealing member 50 is formed in a plate shape, with the surface 51 on the housing 10 side abutting against the peripheral portion of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 where the port 13 is located (hereinafter referred to as the "port peripheral portion 131"), and the surface 52 on the valve 40 side sliding against the portion of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 that slides against the sealing member 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "flow path peripheral portion 441"). The sealing member 50 has a plurality of openings 53 that penetrate in the direction of the plate thickness. The plurality of openings 53 of the sealing member 50 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of ports 13 of the housing 10.
[0030] Here, let W1 be the width of the flow path periphery 441 of the outer wall 14 of the valve 40, and W2 be the width of the port periphery 131 of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. In this case, the relationship W1 ≤ W2 exists. This reduces the pressure loss of the fluid flowing from the port 13 of the housing 10 into the flow path 44 of the valve 40. The width of the portion of the sealing member 50 that forms the opening 53 is formed to be approximately the same as the width W2 of the port periphery 131 of the housing 10.
[0031] The width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 and the width W2 of the port periphery 131 are both 2 mm or more. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the radius of curvature R of the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is the same as or greater than the radius of curvature of the valve 40 side surface 52 of the seal member 50, which is located at the same position in the axial direction. Note that "same" includes substantially the same. In other words, the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 is preferably a curved surface or plane with a radius of curvature equal to or greater than the cone shape along which the outer wall 14 of the valve 40 follows, and a radially outward convex R tip is relatively undesirable. This ensures surface contact between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the seal member 50. Therefore, by minimizing or eliminating the gap between the valve 40 and the seal member 50, and the gap between the housing 10 and the seal member 50, sealing performance that minimizes fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 can be ensured. This method of preventing fluid leakage through a small gap with a relatively long distance (for example, about 2 mm or more) is sometimes called a "gap seal."
[0032] The sealing member 50 has different materials for the part on the housing 10 side and the part on the valve 40 side. Specifically, the material of the sealing member 50 is at least one of the following: a combination of rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as "PTFE"), a combination of rubber and fluororesin, and a combination of rubber and a high-sliding material. More specifically, the material of the sealing member 50 is rubber on the housing 10 side and PTFE, fluororesin, or a high-sliding material on the valve 40 side. Examples of manufacturing methods for the sealing member 50 include coating the surface of the rubber material with PTFE, integrally assembling the rubber material and PTFE, insert molding, bonding, or baking.
[0033] As shown in Figure 10, the sealing member 50 is flat before being assembled to the housing 10 or when removed from the housing 10, or has a shape that is closer to flat than when assembled to the housing 10. In other words, the sealing member 50 is a flat member before being assembled to the housing 10.
[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the inside of the housing 10 is provided with a housing-side restricting portion 70 and a circumferential restricting portion 71 that restrict the movement of the sealing member 50. The housing-side restricting portion 70 protrudes from the bottom portion 12 of the housing 10 to the other axial direction. Also, as shown in Figure 7, when viewed from the other axial direction, the housing-side restricting portion 70 has a curved shape parallel to the inner wall 16 of the portion of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 that is on the bottom portion 12 side. The portion of the sealing member 50 that is located on the bottom portion 12 side is fitted between the housing-side restricting portion 70 and the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10. The housing-side restricting portion 70 restricts the movement of the sealing member 50 radially inward and to one axial direction of the cylindrical portion 11. Furthermore, the housing-side restricting portion 70 restricts the deformation of the sealing member 50 from its curved shape along the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 or the side wall 41 of the valve 40.
[0035] The circumferential restricting portion 71 protrudes radially inward from the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10. The height to which the circumferential restricting portion 71 protrudes radially inward from the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 is less than the thickness of the sealing member 50. The circumferential restricting portions 71 are provided on one and the other sides in the circumferential direction of the sealing member 50, which is located inside the housing 10, and restrict the movement of the sealing member 50 to one and the other sides in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 11. As a result, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when the sealing member 50 is assembled in the housing 10, the curved shape along the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 is maintained, and axial and circumferential movement is restricted.
[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the spring 60, acting as a biasing member, is provided between the other end face 43 of the valve 40 and the cover 20. The spring 60 is a compression coil spring and biases the valve 40 toward the apex of the cone. As described above, the internal angle θ between the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows and the axis CL of the valve 40 is set to 5 degrees or more. As a result, a component force is generated in response to the load applied by the spring 60 in the axial direction of the valve 40, acting from the side wall 41 of the valve 40 to the seal member 50 and the housing 10. Therefore, a portion of the biasing force of the spring 60 acts as a component force that presses the valve 40 against the seal member 50, and further acts as a component force that presses the seal member 50 against the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. Therefore, by adjusting the spring force of the spring 60, it is possible to maintain a state in which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 slide against each other with low sliding resistance when the valve 40 is rotating and when it is stopped, and to maintain a state in which the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing member 50 are in contact. In other words, the spring force of the spring 60 is adjusted so that the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 slide against each other with low sliding resistance, and the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing member 50 are in contact. Furthermore, the spring force of the spring 60 is adjusted so that there is no or suppression of the peripheral edge 441 of the flow path of the valve 40 sinking into the sealing member 50. As a result, the above-mentioned gap seal can be achieved between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and between the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, and the torque when the valve 40 is rotated can be reduced. Furthermore, since the axial length of the spring 60 is kept constant when the valve 40 rotates, the biasing force of the spring 60 is also kept constant. Therefore, torque fluctuations during rotational drive of the valve 40 can be suppressed.
[0037] A spring guide 61 is provided between the other end face 43 of the valve 40 and the spring 60. The spring guide 61 supports the end of the spring 60 that is on the valve 40 side. The spring guide 61 has an L-shaped cross-section parallel to the axis CL, with its radially inner surface sliding against the protrusion 29 that forms the insertion hole 22 of the cover 20, and its axially oriented surface sliding against the other end face 43 of the valve 40. The spring guide 61 prevents the spring 60 from shifting axially and can transmit the biasing force of the spring 60 to the valve 40.
[0038] The material of the spring guide 61 is different from the material of the valve 40. Specifically, the material of the spring guide 61 is at least one of the following: metal only, metal with PTFE coating on the surface, metal with fluororesin coating on the surface, metal with a high-sliding material coating on the surface, resin only, resin with PTFE coating on the surface, resin with fluororesin coating on the surface, and resin with a high-sliding material coating on the surface.
[0039] In the configurations of the fluid control valve described above, the valve 40, the sealing member 50, and the cover 20 are configured to be detachable from the housing 10 from the other axial side. Therefore, the following steps can be used as a method for manufacturing the fluid control valve. First, the flat sealing member 50 is deformed into a curved state and assembled to the housing side restricting portion 70 and the circumferential restricting portion 71 on the housing 10. Next, the valve 40 is assembled to the housing 10 from the other axial side. At this time, the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 is inserted into the hole 17 of the housing 10. Subsequently, the spring 60 and spring guide 61 are positioned, and the cover 20 is assembled to the housing 10 with the axis CL aligned so that the gear 46 of the input shaft 45 of the valve 40 and the axial sealing member 24 of the cover 20 do not come into contact. Finally, the actuator 30 is attached to the cover 20 with screws 31, and the assembly of the fluid control valve is completed.
[0040] The fluid control valve of the first embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) In the first embodiment, the side wall 41 of the valve 40 is shaped to follow the side of the cone, and the valve 40 is biased toward the apex of the cone by a spring 60. This makes it possible to easily adjust the pressing force between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and the pressing force between the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, by adjusting the spring force of the spring 60. As a result, by minimizing or eliminating the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, it is possible to ensure a seal that minimizes the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44. Therefore, unlike the configuration of the fluid control valve described in Patent Document 1, the valve 40 does not sink into the sealing member 50, or the sinking is suppressed, so that the torque when the valve 40 is rotated is reduced and the torque does not become wave-like. As a result, the fluid control valve of the first embodiment ensures sealing performance when the valve 40 is rotating and stopped, while miniaturizing the actuator 30 that drives the valve 40, and reducing operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise when the valve 40 is rotating. Furthermore, it prevents damage to the gears of the actuator 30 and improves reliability. Furthermore, in the fluid control valve of the first embodiment, the side wall 41 of the valve 40 is shaped to follow the conical side surface, and the valve 40 is biased by the spring 60. This configuration ensures that even if wear occurs on the sliding surface between the valve 40 and the seal member 50 due to aging or other factors, the valve 40 and the seal member 50 remain in sliding contact. Therefore, this fluid control valve can maintain the sealing performance between the valve 40 and the seal member 50 even with respect to aging.
[0041] (2) In the first embodiment, the sealing member 50 has different materials for the portion on the housing 10 side and the portion on the valve 40 side. According to this, a material suitable for contact with the housing 10 and sliding contact with the valve 40 can be selected for the sealing member 50.
[0042] (3) Specifically, the material of the sealing member 50 is rubber on the housing 10 side and PTFE, fluororesin, or a high-sliding material on the valve 40 side. According to this, by using at least one of rubber, silicone, PTFE, fluororesin, or elastic resin as the material for the sealing member 50, the spring force of the spring 60 allows the sealing member 50 to deform and conform to the shape of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. As a result, the ease of assembly of the sealing member 50 is improved, and by minimizing or eliminating the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, a sealing performance that minimizes fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 can be ensured. Furthermore, by making the material of the sealing member 50 on the valve 40 side at least one of PTFE, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material, it is possible to ensure a sealing performance that minimizes fluid leakage between the flow paths 44, while also reducing the sliding resistance between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50.
[0043] (4) In the first embodiment, the fluid control valve includes a spring guide 61 provided between the valve 40 and the spring 60. This prevents the edge of the spring 60 from catching on the surface of the valve 40, and prevents the edge of the spring 60 from scratching the surface of the valve 40, thereby preventing an increase in sliding resistance between the spring 60 and the valve 40. As a result, the torque during rotational drive of the valve 40 can be reduced.
[0044] (5) In the first embodiment, the material of the spring guide 61 and the material of the valve 40 are different. According to this, a material can be selected that can reduce the sliding resistance between the spring guide 61 and the valve 40.
[0045] (6) In the first embodiment, the material of the spring guide 61 is at least one of the following: a metal surface coated with PTFE, a metal surface coated with fluororesin, a metal surface coated with a high-sliding material, a resin surface coated with PTFE, a resin surface coated with fluororesin, and a resin surface coated with a high-sliding material. According to this, the sliding resistance between the spring guide 61 and the valve 40 can be reduced. The material of the spring guide 61 is not limited to those exemplified above; it may be made of metal only or resin only.
[0046] (7) In the first embodiment, the valve 40 has a projection 47 that protrudes axially from a position on one side end face 42 centered on the axis CL. The housing 10 has a hole 17 that rotatably supports the projection 47 of the valve 40. According to this, the hole 17 of the housing 10 rotatably supports the projection 47 of the valve 40, thereby preventing misalignment of the valve 40's axis CL. As a result, the pressing state between the valve 40 and the seal is stabilized, maintaining a state in which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 slide against each other with low sliding resistance, and ensuring sealing performance when the valve 40 is rotating and stopped.
[0047] (8) In the first embodiment, the outer diameter D1 of the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the inner diameter D2 of the hole 17 of the housing 10 are smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the one end face 42 of the valve 40. According to this, by reducing the radius of the sliding portion between the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10, the sliding resistance of the sliding portion can be reduced, thereby reducing the torque when the valve 40 is rotated.
[0048] (9) In the first embodiment, the tip surface 48 on one axial side of the projection 47 of the valve 40 and the bottom surface 18 on one axial side of the hole 17 of the housing 10 are not in contact. According to this, sliding between the hole 17 of the housing 10 and the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 is eliminated at points unrelated to the function of preventing misalignment of the valve 40's axis CL, thereby reducing the torque when the valve 40 is rotated.
[0049] (10) In the first embodiment, the width W1 of the flow path peripheral edge 441 of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the width W2 of the port peripheral edge 131 of the housing 10 are both 2 mm or more. According to this, in a configuration in which the port periphery 131 of the housing 10 and the sealing member 50 are in surface contact, increasing the width W2 of the port periphery 131 and widening the surface contact area makes it possible to reduce the amount of fluid leakage between the ports 13 and improve the sealing performance. Similarly, in a configuration where the peripheral edge 441 of the flow path of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 are in surface contact, increasing the width W1 of the peripheral edge 441 of the flow path and widening the surface contact area makes the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 smaller, thereby improving the sealing performance. Furthermore, by widening the surface contact width between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 does not sink into the sealing member 50, or the sinking is suppressed. As a result, the torque during rotational drive of the valve 40 can be reduced, and the torque can be prevented from becoming wave-like. Consequently, the stress on the actuator 30 that drives the valve 40 can be reduced.
[0050] (11) In the first embodiment, the width W1 of the flow path peripheral edge 441 of the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the width W2 of the port peripheral edge 131 of the housing 10 have the relationship W2 ≥ W1. According to this, by making the width W1 of the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 the same as or smaller than the width W2 of the port periphery 131 of the housing 10, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing from the port 13 of the housing 10 into the flow path 44 of the valve 40 can be reduced.
[0051] (12) In the first embodiment, the radius of curvature R of the flow path peripheral portion 441 of the valve 40 is the same as or greater than the radius of curvature of the valve 40 side surface 52 of the sealing member 50 which is located at the same position in the axial direction. According to this, in a configuration that ensures sealing performance by minimizing or eliminating the gap between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, surface contact between the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 is achieved. Therefore, the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44 within the housing 10 can be made even smaller, thereby improving sealing performance. Furthermore, by increasing the radius of curvature R of the flow path periphery 441, the flow path periphery 441 of the valve 40 does not sink into the seal member 50, or the sinking is suppressed. As a result, the torque during rotational drive of the valve 40 can be reduced, and the torque can be prevented from becoming wave-like. Consequently, the stress on the actuator 30 that drives the valve 40 can be reduced.
[0052] (13) In the first embodiment, the torque required to rotate the valve 40 relative to the housing 10 and the sealing member 50 is 2.0 N·m or less. According to this, the actuator 30 that drives the valve 40 can be miniaturized, and the operating noise, power consumption, and electrical noise when the valve 40 rotates can be reduced.
[0053] (14) In the first embodiment, the interior angle θ between the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows and the axis CL of the valve 40 is 5 degrees or more. According to this, it is possible to obtain a desired component force that can maintain the sliding contact state between the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and the contact state between the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, in response to the load applied by the spring 60 in the axial direction of the valve 40. Therefore, by minimizing or eliminating the gap between the valve 40 and the sealing member 50, and the gap between the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, it is possible to ensure a seal that minimizes the amount of fluid leakage between the flow paths 44. On the other hand, if the internal angle θ between the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows and the axis CL of the valve 40 is less than 5 degrees, it becomes difficult to obtain the desired component force and ensure a seal. The upper limit of the internal angle θ between the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows and the axis CL of the valve 40 is set appropriately according to the volume of the flow path 44 of the valve 40 and the radial dimensions of the housing 10.
[0054] (15) In the first embodiment, the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 is shaped to follow a conical side that is similar to and coaxial with the cone shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows. According to this, the component force generated by the spring 60 in response to the load applied to the valve 40 in the axial direction (i.e., the component force acting from the side wall 41 of the valve 40 to the sealing member 50 and the housing 10) maintains the contact state between the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 and the sealing member 50, thereby ensuring sealing performance.
[0055] (16) In the first embodiment, the material of the housing 10 is at least one of PA66 reinforcement, PPA reinforcement, and PPS reinforcement. According to this, it is possible to achieve both molding dimensional accuracy and strength for the housing 10.
[0056] (17) In the first embodiment, the material of the valve 40 is at least one of PA66 reinforcement, PPA reinforcement, PPS reinforcement, and PF reinforcement. According to this, the sliding resistance between the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 can be reduced while ensuring the molding dimensional accuracy and strength of the valve 40.
[0057] (18) In the first embodiment, the valve 40, the sealing member 50, and the cover 20 are configured to be detachable from the housing 10 from the other axial side. According to this, if, contrary to the configuration of the first embodiment, the input shaft 45 is located on one end face 42 of the valve 40, then the through hole 22 through which the input shaft 45 is inserted and the shaft seal member 24 will be located at the bottom 12 of the housing 10. In that case, when assembling the valve 40 to the housing 10 during the manufacturing of the fluid control valve, care must be taken to prevent the gear 46 of the input shaft 45 from coming into contact with the shaft seal member 24 and damaging the shaft seal member 24, which is difficult. Specifically, the valve 40 must be assembled to the housing 10 with the axis CL of the housing 10 and the axis CL of the valve 40 aligned throughout the entire assembly stroke. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the input shaft 45 is located on the other end face 43 of the valve 40, and the cover 20 has an insertion hole 22 and a shaft seal member 24. Therefore, when assembling the valve 40 to the housing 10 during the manufacturing of the fluid control valve, the risk of contact between the input shaft 45 and the shaft seal member 24 is reduced, making assembly easier.
[0058] (19) In the first embodiment, the cover 20 is fixed to the housing 10 with a snap fit 21. According to this, the number of parts required to assemble and fix the cover 20 to the housing 10 can be reduced.
[0059] (20) In the first embodiment, the valve 40 has a stopper 49 on one side end face 42. The housing 10 has a stopper contact portion 19 that receives the stopper 49 of the valve 40. According to this, by providing a stopper 49 on one end face 42 of the valve 40 and not on the side wall 41, a sealing surface can be reliably ensured.
[0060] (21) In the first embodiment, the stopper contact portion 19 is provided on the bottom portion 12 of the housing 10 and not on the cover 20. According to this, by providing the stopper contact portion 19 on the housing 10 and not on the cover 20, the load factors on the fastening portion (e.g., snap fit 21) between the housing 10 and the cover 20 can be reduced.
[0061] (Second to seventh embodiments) The second to seventh embodiments modify the configuration of the sliding portion between one end face 42 of the valve 40 and the bottom 12 of the housing 10 compared to the first embodiment. Since the other aspects are the same as the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.
[0062] (Second Embodiment) As shown in Figure 13, the fluid control valve of the second embodiment includes a bearing 171 between a projection 47 protruding from one end face 42 of the valve 40 and a hole 17 provided in the bottom 12 of the housing 10. The bearing 171 is, for example, a sliding bearing, fixed inside the hole 17 of the housing 10, and slides against the projection 47 of the valve 40. The bearing 171 and the housing 10 are integrally molded by insert molding or two-color molding. Alternatively, the bearing 171 may be post-assembled inside the hole 17 of the housing 10 by an insert or press-fit.
[0063] The material of the bearing 171 may be different from the material of the valve 40 or housing 10, for example, metal. Alternatively, if the material of the bearing 171 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or housing 10, it shall be a compound of PTFE, fluororesin, and at least one of a high-sliding material. Alternatively, the bearing 171 may be a metal or resin surface coated with at least one of PTFE, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material.
[0064] The fluid control valve of the second embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) The fluid control valve of the second embodiment includes a bearing 171 provided between the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10. According to this, the sliding resistance between the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 and the hole 17 of the housing 10 can be reduced.
[0065] (2) In the second embodiment, the material of the valve 40 or housing 10 is different from the material of the bearing 171. According to this, any material different from that of the valve 40 or housing 10 can be selected for the bearing 171.
[0066] (3) In the second embodiment, if the material of the bearing 171 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or the housing 10, it shall be a compound of PTFE, fluororesin and at least one of a high-sliding material. According to this, the sliding resistance between the bearing 171 (specifically, the sliding bearing) and the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 can be reduced.
[0067] (4) In the second embodiment, the bearing 171 may have at least one of PTFE, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material applied to the surface of a metal. This also makes it possible to further reduce the sliding resistance between the bearing 171 (specifically, the sliding bearing) and the protrusion 47 of the valve 40.
[0068] (Third embodiment) As shown in Figure 14, the fluid control valve of the third embodiment also includes a bearing 471 between a projection 47 protruding from one end face 42 of the valve 40 and a hole 17 provided in the bottom 12 of the housing 10. The bearing 471 is, for example, a sliding bearing, fixed to the outside of the projection 47 of the valve 40, and sliding against the inner wall of the hole 17 of the housing 10. The bearing 471 and the valve 40 are integrally molded by insert molding or two-color molding. Alternatively, the bearing 471 may be post-assembled to the outside of the projection 47 of the valve 40 by an insert or press-fit.
[0069] The material of the bearing 471 can be the same as that described in the second embodiment.
[0070] The fluid control valve of the third embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as the second embodiment.
[0071] (Fourth Embodiment) As shown in Figure 15, the fluid control valve of the fourth embodiment includes a shaft 410 that is insert-molded into the valve body 400. The portion of the shaft 410 that protrudes to one side from one end face 42 of the valve 40 constitutes the projection 47 of the valve 40. The projection 47 of the valve 40 is rotatably supported in the hole 17 of the housing 10. The portion of the shaft 410 that protrudes to the other side from the other end face 43 of the valve 40 constitutes the input shaft 45.
[0072] The fluid control valve of the fourth embodiment described above has the following effects. In the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 47 of the valve 40 is formed by a shaft 410 insert-molded into the valve body 400. According to this, the dimensional accuracy of the protrusion 47 in the valve 40 can be improved, and the amount of displacement of the axial center CL of the valve 40 can be further reduced.
[0073] (Fifth Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 16, the fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment does not include a protrusion 47 protruding from one end face 42 of the valve 40 described in the first to fourth embodiments and a hole 17 provided in the bottom 12 of the housing 10. Instead, the housing 10 of the fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment has a protruding portion 110 protruding axially to the other side at a position centered on the axial center CL in the bottom 12. Further, the valve 40 has a hole-shaped portion 420 recessed axially to the other side at a position centered on the axial center CL in one end face 42.
[0074] The protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 is inserted inside the hole-shaped portion 420 provided in one end face 42 of the valve 40 and is rotatably supported by the inner wall of the hole-shaped portion 420. When the outer diameter of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 is D4, the inner diameter of the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 is D5, and the outer diameter of one end face 42 of the valve 40 is D3, they have the relationship of D4 < D3 and D5 < D3. Note that D4 is slightly smaller than D5 (that is, D4 < D5 < D3). Thus, by reducing the radius of the sliding portion (that is, D4, D5) where the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 and the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 slide, the sliding resistance of the sliding portion can be reduced, and the torque during the rotational drive of the valve 40 can be reduced. Note that the inner wall of the hole-shaped portion 420 is formed parallel to the axial center CL and allows the axial relative movement of the protruding portion 110. Further, the tip surface 111 on the other axial side of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 and the bottom surface 421 on the other axial side of the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 are not in contact.
[0075] The fluid control valve of the fifth embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) In the fifth embodiment, the valve 40 has a hole-shaped portion 420 that is recessed in the axial direction on one side end face 42 at a position centered on the axis CL. The housing 10 has a protruding portion 110 that rotatably supports the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40. According to this, the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 rotatably supports the bore portion 420 of the valve 40, thereby preventing misalignment of the valve 40's axis CL. As a result, the pressing state between the valve 40 and the seal is stabilized, maintaining a state in which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 and the sealing member 50 slide against each other with low sliding resistance, thereby ensuring sealing performance when the valve 40 is rotating and when it is stopped.
[0076] (2) In the fifth embodiment, the inner diameter D5 of the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the outer diameter D4 of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 are smaller than the outer diameter D3 of the one-sided end face 42 of the valve 40. According to this, by reducing the radius of the sliding portion between the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10, the sliding resistance of the sliding portion can be reduced, thereby reducing the torque when the valve 40 is rotated.
[0077] (3) In the fifth embodiment, the bottom surface 421 on the other axial side of the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the tip surface 111 on the other axial side of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 are not in contact. According to this, sliding between the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 is eliminated in areas unrelated to the function of preventing misalignment of the valve 40's axis CL, thereby reducing the torque when the valve 40 is rotated.
[0078] (Sixth Embodiment) As shown in Figure 17, the fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment includes a bearing 422 between the bore portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 422 is, for example, a sliding bearing, fixed inside the bore portion 420 of the valve 40, and sliding against the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 422 and the valve 40 are integrally molded by insert molding or two-color molding. Alternatively, the bearing 422 may be post-assembled inside the bore portion 420 of the valve 40 by an insert or press-fit.
[0079] The material of the bearing 422 may be different from the material of the valve 40 or housing 10, such as metal, as described in the second embodiment. Alternatively, if the material of the bearing 422 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or housing 10, it shall be a compound of PTFE, fluororesin, and at least one of a high-sliding material. Alternatively, the bearing 422 may be a metal or resin surface coated with at least one of PTFE, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material.
[0080] The fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) The fluid control valve of the sixth embodiment includes a bearing 422 provided between the bore-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10. According to this, the sliding resistance between the hole-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 can be reduced.
[0081] (2) In the sixth embodiment, the material of the valve 40 or housing 10 is different from the material of the bearing 422. According to this, any material different from that of the valve 40 or housing 10 can be selected for the bearing 422.
[0082] (3) In the sixth embodiment, if the material of the bearing 422 is the same as the material of the valve 40 or housing 10, it shall be a compound of PTFE, fluororesin and high-sliding material. According to this, the sliding resistance between the bearing 422 (specifically, the sliding bearing) and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 can be reduced.
[0083] (4) In the sixth embodiment, the bearing 422 may have a metal surface coated with at least one of PTFE, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material. This also makes it possible to further reduce the sliding resistance between the bearing 422 (specifically, the sliding bearing) and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10.
[0084] (Seventh Embodiment) As shown in Figure 18, the fluid control valve of the seventh embodiment also includes a bearing 112 between the bore-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40 and the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10. The bearing 112 is, for example, a sliding bearing, fixed to the outside of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10, and sliding against the inner wall of the bore-shaped portion 420 of the valve 40. The bearing 112 and the housing 10 are integrally molded by insert molding or two-color molding. Alternatively, the bearing 112 may be post-assembled to the outside of the protruding portion 110 of the housing 10 by an insert or press-fit.
[0085] The material of the bearing 112 can be the same as that described in the second and sixth embodiments.
[0086] The fluid control valve of the seventh embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as the sixth embodiment.
[0087] (Eighth embodiment) The eighth embodiment will now be described. The eighth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and the like in the first embodiment and the like in the first embodiment and the like in the first embodiment and the like in the other embodiments, so only the parts that differ from the first embodiment and the like will be described.
[0088] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, in the eighth embodiment, the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are fixed to the housing 10 with the same screw 31. For example, a tapping screw is used as the screw 31. The housing 10 has a housing-side screw receiving portion 130 for attaching the screw 31 at a position radially outward from the inner wall 16 of the cylindrical portion 11. The cover 20 has a cover-side screw receiving portion 25 at a position that axially overlaps with the housing-side screw receiving portion 130. The actuator 30 also has an actuator-side screw receiving portion 33 at a position that axially overlaps with the housing-side screw receiving portion 130 and the cover-side screw receiving portion 25. The case 32 of the actuator 30 and the actuator-side screw receiving portion 33 are connected by an arm 34. In this configuration, the housing-side screw receiving portion 130, the cover-side screw receiving portion 25, and the actuator-side screw receiving portion 33 overlap axially and are fixed together by fastening them with the screw 31.
[0089] The fluid control valve of the eighth embodiment described above provides the following effects. In the eighth embodiment, the actuator 30, the cover 20, and the housing 10 are fixed together with the same screw 31. According to this, the number of parts required for assembling and fixing the actuator 30 and cover 20 to the housing 10 can be reduced.
[0090] (Ninth Embodiment) The ninth embodiment is a modification of the shape of the flow path 44 of the valve 40 compared to the first embodiment, etc., and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment, etc. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment, etc. will be described.
[0091] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, in the ninth embodiment, the deep portion 440 on the axial CL side of the multiple flow paths 44 of the valve 40 is shaped along the side surface of a cone that is similar to and coaxial with the cone shape along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows. In Figure 22, a portion of the conical generatrix G along which the side wall 41 of the valve 40 follows is shown as a dashed line, and the conical generatrix Gs along which the deep portion 440 on the axial CL side of the multiple flow paths 44 follows is shown as a dashed line. As a result, the deep portions 440 of the multiple flow paths 44 of the valve 40 and the side wall 41 of the valve 40 are formed parallel to each other. Therefore, the distance D6 between the deep portion 440 on the axial CL side of the flow path 44 and the side wall 41 is the same for all of the multiple flow paths 44 arranged in the axial direction.
[0092] The fluid control valve of the ninth embodiment described above provides the following effects. In the ninth embodiment, the phenomenon unique to conical valves, where the depth width of the flow path 44 decreases as the outer diameter of the valve 40 decreases toward one axial side of the valve 40, is suppressed, and the distance D6 between the deep part 440 on the axial CL side of the flow path 44 and the side wall 41 can be made uniform in the multiple flow paths 44 of the valve 40. As a result, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the multiple flow paths 44 can be made uniform, and water flow can be ensured.
[0093] (Tenth embodiment) The tenth embodiment is a modification of the installation method of the spring guide 61 compared to the first embodiment, etc., and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment, etc., so only the parts that differ from the first embodiment, etc. will be described.
[0094] As shown in Figure 24, in the tenth embodiment, the other end face 43 of the valve 40 is provided with a projection 460 that protrudes in the other axial direction. The projection 460 is provided on the radially inward side of the spring guide 61.
[0095] The spring guide 61 has an L-shaped cross-section parallel to the axis CL, with its radially inner surface sliding against a protrusion 460 provided on the other end face 43 of the valve 40, and its axially oriented surface sliding against the other end face 43 of the valve 40. Even with this configuration, the spring guide 61 can prevent the spring 60 from shifting axially and transmit the biasing force of the spring 60 to the valve 40.
[0096] The fluid control valve of the tenth embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as those of the first to ninth embodiments.
[0097] (11th embodiment) The 11th embodiment will now be described. The 11th embodiment is similar to the first and eighth embodiments in that the method of fixing the actuator 30, cover 20, and housing 10 is changed, and other aspects are the same as the first and eighth embodiments, so only the parts that differ from the first and eighth embodiments will be described.
[0098] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, in the 11th embodiment, the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are fixed to the housing 10 with the same screw 31, just as in the 8th embodiment. That is, the housing-side screw receiving portion 130, the cover-side screw receiving portion 25, and the actuator-side screw receiving portion 33 overlap in the axial direction and are fixed together by fastening them with the screw 31.
[0099] In this 11th embodiment, the snap-fit used to secure the cover 20 and the housing 10, as described in the first and eighth embodiments, is eliminated. Thus, when the actuator 30 and the cover 20 are secured to the housing 10 with the same screw 31, the snap-fit used to secure the cover 20 and the housing 10 is not necessary.
[0100] The fluid control valve of the 11th embodiment described above simplifies the fixing of the actuator 30, cover 20, and housing 10.
[0101] (Other embodiments) (1) In the above embodiments, the biasing member was described as a compression coil spring, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the biasing member may be rubber or a disc spring.
[0102] (2) In the above embodiments, the number of ports 13 was described as 8, but the number of ports 13 is not limited to this and can be set arbitrarily. Also, the shape of the flow path 44 of the valve 40 can be set arbitrarily.
[0103] (3) In the above embodiments, the spring guide 61 and the valve 40 were described as being made of different materials, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the spring guide 61 and the valve 40 may be made of the same material or of the same type.
[0104] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the sealing member 50 was described as having different materials for the portion on the housing 10 side and the portion on the valve 40 side. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the sealing member 50 may have the same or the same material for the portion on the housing 10 side and the portion on the valve 40 side.
[0105] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the embodiments and parts thereof are not unrelated to each other, and can be combined as appropriate, except in cases where the combination is clearly impossible. In addition, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in the embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical values, quantities, or ranges of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, the invention is not limited to those specific numbers, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc., of the components, etc., are mentioned in the embodiments, the invention is not limited to those shapes, positional relationships, etc., except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc., in principle.
[0106] The features of this invention are as follows: [Perspective 1] A fluid control valve, A valve (40) having a side wall (41) formed along the side surface of a cone, and a flow path (44) recessed from the side wall toward the axis of the cone, A housing (10) that rotatably houses the valve with the aforementioned conical shaft as the axis of rotation (CL), the housing having a port (13) that penetrates the outer wall (14) and inner wall (16) of the housing, A sealing member (50) is provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, with the housing-side surface (51) in contact with the port peripheral edge (131) of the inner wall of the housing, and the valve-side surface (52) sliding in contact with the side wall of the valve, A fluid control valve comprising a biasing member (60) that biases the valve toward the apex of the cone, maintains a state in which the side wall of the valve and the sealing member are in sliding contact when the valve is rotating and stopped, and maintains a state in which the inner wall of the housing and the sealing member are in contact. [Perspective 2] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 1, wherein the sealing member has different materials for the housing side and the valve side. [Perspective 3] The biasing member is a spring, A fluid control valve according to viewpoint 1 or 2, further comprising a spring guide (61) provided between the valve and the spring, which supports the spring and transmits the biasing force of the spring to the valve. [Perspective 4] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 3, wherein the material of the spring guide and the material of the valve are different. [Perspective 5] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 3 or 4, wherein the material of the spring guide is at least one of the following: a metal surface coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, a metal surface coated with fluororesin, a metal surface coated with a high-sliding material, a resin surface coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, a resin surface coated with fluororesin, and a resin surface coated with a high-sliding material. [Perspective 6] The valve has one end face (42) formed on the apex side of the cone, the other end face (43) formed on the bottom side of the cone opposite the one end face, and a projection (47) that protrudes axially from a position centered on the axis of the one end face. The fluid control valve according to any one of views 1 to 5, wherein the housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, a bottom portion (12) facing the one-sided end face and closing one end of the cylindrical portion, and a hole portion (17) that rotatably supports the projection. [perspective 7] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 6, wherein the outer diameter (D1) of the projection and the inner diameter (D2) of the hole are smaller than the outer diameter (D3) of the one-sided end face. [Perspective 8] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 6 or 7, wherein the tip surface (48) on one axial side of the projection and the bottom surface (18) on one axial side of the hole are in non-contact. [Perspective 9] A fluid control valve according to any one of views 6 to 8, further comprising bearings (171, 471) provided between the projection and the hole. [Perspective 10] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 9, wherein the material of the valve or the housing and the material of the bearing are different. [Perspective 11] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 9, wherein the material of the bearing is the same as the material of the valve or the housing, and is a compound of at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material. [Perspective 12] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 9 or 10, wherein the bearing has at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material coated on the surface of a metal. [Perspective 13] The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 6 to 12, wherein the projection is formed by a shaft (410) that is insert-molded into the valve body (400) that forms the flow path. [Perspective 14] The valve has one end face (42) formed on the apex side of the cone, the other end face (43) formed on the bottom side of the cone opposite the one end face, and a hole-shaped portion (420) that is recessed in the axial direction at a position centered on the axis of the one end face. The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 5, wherein the housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, a bottom portion (12) facing the one end face and closing one end of the cylindrical portion, and a protruding portion (110) that rotatably supports the hole-shaped portion. [Perspective 15] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 14, wherein the inner diameter (D5) of the hole-shaped portion and the outer diameter (D4) of the protruding portion are smaller than the outer diameter (D3) of the one-sided end face. [Perspective 16] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 14 or 15, wherein the bottom surface (421) on the other axial side of the hole-shaped portion and the tip surface (111) on the other axial side of the protruding portion are in non-contact. [Perspective 17] A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 14 to 16, further comprising bearings (422, 112) provided between the hole-shaped portion and the protruding portion. [Perspective 18] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 17, wherein the material of the valve or the housing and the material of the bearing are different. [Perspective 19] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 17, wherein the material of the bearing is the same as the material of the valve or the housing, and is a compound of at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material. [perspective 20] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 17 or 18, wherein the bearing has a metal surface coated with at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluororesin, and a high-sliding material. [Perspective 21] A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 20, wherein when the width of the flow path peripheral portion (441) of the side wall of the valve that slides against the sealing member is W1, and the width of the port peripheral portion (131) of the inner wall of the housing that abuts against the sealing member is W2, both W1 and W2 are 2 mm or more. [Perspective 22] A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 21, wherein the width of the peripheral flow path portion of the side wall of the valve that slides against the sealing member is W1, and the width of the peripheral port portion of the inner wall of the housing that abuts against the sealing member is W2, such that W2 ≥ W1. [Perspective 23] The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 22, wherein the radius of curvature (R) of the peripheral edge of the flow path that slides against the sealing member among the side walls of the valve is the same as or greater than the radius of curvature of the valve-side surface of the sealing member that is at the same position in the axial direction. [Perspective 24] A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 23, wherein the torque required to rotate the valve relative to the housing and the sealing member is 2.0 N·m or less. [Perspective 25] A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 24, wherein the internal angle (θ) between the conical generatrix (G) along which the side wall of the valve follows and the axis of the valve is 5 degrees or more. [Perspective 26] The housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, and a bottom portion (12) that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 25, wherein the inner wall of the cylindrical portion has a shape that follows a conical side surface that is similar to and coaxial with the cone shape along which the side wall of the valve follows. [perspective 27] The valve has an input shaft (45) that protrudes axially from the other end face formed on the bottom surface side of the cone and to which torque is input. The housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, and a bottom portion (12) that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The fluid control valve further comprises a cover (20) that closes the opening on the other side of the cylindrical portion and has a through hole (22) through which the input shaft is inserted, and a shaft seal member (24) provided inside the through hole to prevent fluid leakage from the gap between the inner wall of the through hole and the input shaft. The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 26, wherein the valve, the sealing member, and the cover are configured to be detachable from the housing from the other axial side. [Perspective 28] The fluid control valve according to viewpoint 27, wherein the cover is fixed to the housing by a snap fit (21). [Perspective 29] The valve is further provided with an actuator (30) that inputs the torque to the input shaft, The fluid control valve according to view 27 or 28, wherein the actuator and the cover are fixed to the housing with the same screw (31). [Perspective 30] The valve has a stopper (49) that protrudes axially to one side from one end face formed on the apex side of the cone, at a position away from the axis. The fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 29, wherein the housing has a stopper contact portion (19) for receiving the stopper. [Perspective 31] The housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, and a bottom portion (12) that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The stopper contact portion is provided at the bottom, as described in any one of viewpoints 1 to 30, for the fluid control valve. [Perspective 32] The valve has a plurality of the aforementioned flow paths arranged in the axial direction, A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 31, wherein the axial deep portion (440) of the plurality of flow paths has a shape that follows the side surface of a cone that is similar to and coaxial with the cone shape along which the side wall of the valve follows. [Perspective 33] The valve has a plurality of the aforementioned flow paths arranged in the axial direction, A fluid control valve according to any one of viewpoints 1 to 32, wherein the distance (D6) between the axial deep portion and the side wall of the multiple flow channels is the same. [Explanation of symbols]
[0107] 10: Housing, 13: Port, 14: Outer wall, 16: Inner wall, 40: Valve, 41: Side wall, 44: Flow path, 51: Housing-side surface of seal member, 52: Valve-side surface of seal member, 60: Spring, 131: Port periphery, CL: Axis
Claims
1. A fluid control valve, A valve (40) having a side wall (41) formed along the side surface of a cone, and a flow path (44) recessed from the side wall toward the axis of the cone, A housing (10) that rotatably houses the valve with the aforementioned conical axis as the axis of rotation (CL), the housing having a port (13) that penetrates the outer wall (14) and inner wall (16) of the housing, The sealing member (50) is provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, with the housing-side surface (51) in contact with the port peripheral edge (131) of the inner wall of the housing, and the valve-side surface (52) sliding in contact with the side wall of the valve. The valve has a stopper (49) that protrudes in one axial direction from one end face (42) formed on the apex side of the cone, at a position away from the axis, The housing is a fluid control valve having a stopper contact portion (19) that receives the stopper.
2. The housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, and a bottom portion (12) that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The fluid control valve according to claim 1, wherein the stopper contact portion is provided at the bottom.
3. A fluid control valve, A valve (40) having a side wall (41) formed along the side surface of a cone, and a flow path (44) recessed from the side wall toward the axis of the cone, A housing (10) that rotatably houses the valve with the aforementioned conical axis as the axis of rotation (CL), the housing having a port (13) that penetrates the outer wall (14) and inner wall (16) of the housing, The sealing member (50) is provided between the inner wall of the housing and the valve, with the housing-side surface (51) in contact with the port peripheral edge (131) of the inner wall of the housing, and the valve-side surface (52) sliding in contact with the side wall of the valve. The sealing member has different materials for the housing side and the valve side. The valve has a stopper (49) that protrudes in one axial direction from one end face (42) formed on the apex side of the cone, at a position away from the axis, The housing is a fluid control valve having a stopper contact portion (19) that receives the stopper.
4. The housing has a cylindrical portion (11) provided radially outward of the valve, and a bottom portion (12) that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The fluid control valve according to claim 3, wherein the stopper contact portion is provided at the bottom.