Needle valve

Abstract

To provide a needle valve with a simple structure that is capable of precise, minute control of flow rate. [Solution] The device comprises a housing 1 having a communication chamber 11, a first flow path 12 communicating through a first opening 12b of the communication chamber 11, and a second flow path 13 communicating through a second opening 13b of the communication chamber 11, and a needle part 2 attached to the communication chamber 11. The needle part 2 has a sealing part 2b capable of sealing the first opening 12b and the second opening 13b, a first extension part 2a extending to one side of the sealing part 2b in the axial direction of the needle part 2, and a second extension part 2c extending to the other side of the sealing part 2b. A threaded part 21 formed on the first extension part 2a is threaded into the housing 1, and the second extension part 2c is restrained to the housing 1, or to the housing 1 via a fastener 3. By rotating the needle part 2, the needle part 2 moves up and down in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a needle valve, and more particularly to a needle valve having a simple structure and capable of finely controlling the flow rate.

Background Art

[0002] In a pipe through which a fluid such as a liquid or a gas flows, a valve is known as a device for controlling the direction of flow, the thrust due to the flow, the flow rate, etc. Among them, a needle valve controls the flow rate of a fluid by moving up and down a valve body having an elongated conical shape like a needle to adjust the opening degree of the fluid flow path.

[0003] As such a needle valve, there is known a needle valve comprising: a main body having an upper valve chamber, an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path respectively communicating with the valve chamber, the inlet flow path being opened at the center of the bottom of the valve chamber; a cylinder main body having a cylindrical space inside which communicates with two air supply ports provided on the side surface or the upper surface of the main body; a connecting bearing sandwiched between the cylinder main body and the main body and having a through hole at the center; a connecting shaft having a through hole of the connecting bearing passing through the center of the lower surface and being slidably contacted with the cylindrical space inside the cylinder main body; and a valve body fixed to the connecting shaft of the piston and having an inverted tapered protrusion that is inserted into and withdrawn from an inlet flow path opening provided at the center of the bottom of the valve chamber of the main body as the piston moves up and down (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, a high-pressure needle valve is known in which a needle portion is provided at a valve seat port in a body having an inlet and an outlet, so as to be able to open and close or adjust the flow rate of high-pressure fluid by moving the needle portion up and down non-rotatably, a lifting member is provided so as to be able to be screwed into the inside of the vertical axis of a cap screwed to the body, and a handle is fixed to the upper part of the lifting member, and the lifting member is configured such that a needle rod, which extends integrally with the needle portion, is provided within a sleeve having an external threaded portion on its outer circumference so as to be able to move up and down non-rotatably in conjunction with the up and down movement of the sleeve, and a flange provided at the lower end of the sleeve is engaged with a locking portion provided at the lift stop position inside the cap (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] Furthermore, a needle is known that is inserted into the flow hole of the valve body of a needle valve that controls the flow rate of fluid supplied to an internal combustion engine, and comprises a needle shaft having a tip portion that is inserted into the flow hole and a base portion that is exposed from the flow hole, and whose insertion length can be changed according to rotation, a knob provided at the base end of the needle shaft, a nut having a female thread portion that can be screwed onto the valve body and which is fitted onto the needle shaft, and a retaining member that prevents the needle shaft from coming out of the nut (see, for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-295717 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-156442 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-56390 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the needle valve described in Patent Document 1 may wobble due to the projection receiving thrust from the fluid during its flow, the high-pressure needle valve described in Patent Document 2 may wobble due to the tip of the needle receiving thrust from the fluid during its flow, and the needle valve described in Patent Document 3 may wobble due to the tip receiving thrust from the fluid during its flow. Furthermore, fluctuations in these parameters lead to an instability in the flow rate. This fluctuation has a particularly significant impact on the flow rate when precise control of the flow rate is required.

[0008] Furthermore, conventional needle valves, including those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 above, have the disadvantage of having a more complex structure compared to gate valves and the like. For this reason, needle valves are difficult to manufacture and expensive, making them less economical.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a needle valve that has a simple structure yet is capable of precise, minute control of flow rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The inventors of the present invention have found that the above problems can be solved by providing a first extension portion on one side of the sealing portion and a second extension portion on the other side of the needle portion, screwing the first extension portion into the housing portion, and restraining the second extension portion to the housing portion, thereby completing the present invention.

[0011] The present invention relates to a needle valve for precise control of the flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a housing portion having a communication chamber, a first flow path communicating through a first opening of the communication chamber, and a second flow path communicating through a second opening of the communication chamber; and a needle portion attached to the communication chamber, wherein the needle portion has a sealing portion capable of sealing the first and second openings, a first extension portion extending in the axial direction of the needle portion toward one side of the sealing portion, and a second extension portion extending toward the other side of the sealing portion, wherein a threaded portion formed on the first extension portion is threaded into the housing portion, and the second extension portion is restrained to the housing portion by the housing portion or by a fastener, and the needle portion moves up and down in the axial direction by rotating the needle portion.

[0012] In the needle valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the first flow path, the first opening, the second opening, and the second flow path are arranged in a straight line. Furthermore, in the needle valve of the present invention, it is more preferable that the linear direction in which the first flow path, first opening, second opening, and second flow path are arranged is perpendicular to the axial direction of the needle portion.

[0013] In the needle valve of the present invention, the sealing portion is preferably in the shape of an inverted frustoconical cone, and the inclination angle of the tapered surface of the needle portion with respect to the axial direction is preferably 1 to 80 degrees.

[0014] In the needle valve of the present invention, it is preferable that a lock nut is screwed into the fastening threaded portion formed on the second extension, and that the second extension is restrained to the housing portion via the lock nut.

[0015] In the needle valve of the present invention, it is preferable that a first orifice having a smaller diameter than the first flow path is formed between the first flow path and the first opening, and a second orifice having a smaller diameter than the second flow path is formed between the second flow path and the second opening.

[0016] In the needle valve of the present invention, the fluid is preferably a beverage concentrate, and it is preferable to place it in a liquid delivery pipe for delivering the concentrate to a beverage server that provides a beverage after mixing the concentrate with dilution water. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the needle valve of the present invention, the first extension is screwed into the housing, and the second extension is restrained by the housing. In other words, the needle portion is temporarily fixed to the housing at two points: the first extension portion and the second extension portion, which are flanking the sealing portion. As a result, in the needle valve of the present invention, vibration can be reliably prevented even when the sealing portion receives thrust from the fluid during the flow of the fluid.

[0018] Furthermore, in the needle valve of the present invention, since the needle portion is screwed into the housing portion, the needle portion can be moved up and down in the axial direction by rotating it with a force exceeding the restraining force on the housing portion. In other words, the opening degree of the flow path can be adjusted. As a result, the needle valve of the present invention makes it possible to precisely control the flow rate of a fluid with greater accuracy.

[0019] The needle valve of the present invention has a simple structure in which a first flow path, a connecting chamber, and a second flow path are sequentially formed in the housing, and the needle part is attached to the connecting chamber, which has the advantage of being easy to manufacture. Furthermore, in the needle valve of the present invention, if the first flow path, first opening, second opening, and second flow path are arranged in a straight line, it can be manufactured by machining alone, thus enabling inexpensive manufacturing and shortening the manufacturing time. Furthermore, in this case, since the fluid flows along the same straight line from the inlet to the outlet, it does not matter which of the first and second flow paths is designated as the inlet (or outlet) of the fluid. Therefore, the needle valve of the present invention offers superior convenience.

[0020] In the needle valve of the present invention, by making the linear direction in which the first flow path, the first opening, the second opening, and the second flow path are arranged orthogonal to the axial direction of the needle portion, a simpler structure can be achieved. Also, regardless of whether the first flow path or the second flow path is used as the inlet, the thrust received from the fluid is the same, making it easier to finely control the flow rate.

[0021] In the needle valve of the present invention, by configuring to seal the first opening and the second opening with the tapered surface of the sealing portion, it becomes easier to finely control the flow rate. Also, regardless of whether the first flow path or the second flow path is used as the inlet, a part of the thrust received from the fluid can be released to reduce the thrust applied to the sealing portion. At this time, by setting the inclination angle of the tapered surface with respect to the axial direction of the needle portion within the above range, it becomes easier to perform fine control.

[0022] In the needle valve of the present invention, by adopting a lock nut as a fixture, the housing portion can easily and firmly restrain the needle portion via the lock nut. At this time, since the needle portion is screwed in both the screwed portion and the screwed portion for the fixture, it will be more firmly temporarily fixed to the housing portion. Thereby, in the needle valve of the present invention, even when the sealing portion of the needle portion receives thrust from the fluid during the flow of the fluid, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of wobbling.

[0023] In the needle valve of the present invention, when the first flow path is the inlet, by providing a first orifice with a small diameter between the first flow path and the first opening, the thrust at the time of collision of the fluid flowing through the first flow path against the sealing portion can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of wobbling in the sealing portion. Similarly, if the second flow path is an inlet, a second orifice with a smaller diameter can be provided between the second flow path and the second opening to reduce the thrust when the fluid flowing through the second flow path collides with the sealing portion. This further prevents vibration in the sealing portion. Furthermore, the needle valve of the present invention is more convenient because, by providing both a first orifice and a second orifice, it does not matter whether the first or second flow path is used as the inlet for the fluid.

[0024] In beverage dispensers that mix a concentrate with diluted water, if the concentration of the concentrate is not stable, the taste of the beverage will change each time it is dispensed. However, by using the needle valve of the present invention in the liquid delivery pipe for delivering the concentrate, it becomes possible to precisely control the flow rate of the concentrate, thereby enabling the provision of beverages of the same concentration at all times. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the needle valve according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the vertical movement of the needle portion in the needle valve according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of using the needle valve according to this embodiment in a beverage dispenser. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another first embodiment of the needle valve according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing examples of fittings attached to the needle valve according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are schematic diagrams showing examples of lock nuts used in the needle valve according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. In the drawings, identical elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right shall be based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in drawings are not limited to those shown.

[0027] The needle valve according to the present invention is for precisely controlling the flow rate of a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, in a pipe through which the fluid flows, by raising and lowering the needle portion to adjust the opening of the flow path. In this specification, "fluid" means a liquid or gas that is free-flowing. Furthermore, "opening adjustment" refers to adjusting the degree to which the flow path is open, between the state where the needle is at top dead center and the flow path is fully open, and the state where the needle is at bottom dead center and the flow path is fully closed. Furthermore, "axial direction" refers to the length direction of the needle-shaped part. Furthermore, the terms "upper side," "lower side," "left side," and "right side" are based on the descriptions on the paper in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the length of the housing 1 corresponds to the left-right direction, and the length and axial direction of the needle section correspond to the up-down direction. Furthermore, "beverage" refers to the liquid substances mentioned above, including soft drinks, carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, etc. Furthermore, "dilution water" refers to water or carbonated water.

[0028] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the needle valve according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment comprises a housing portion 1 in which a flow path is formed, a needle portion 2 attached to the housing portion 1, and a fastener 3 for restraining the needle portion 2.

[0029] The needle valve 10 has a simple structure in which a flow path is formed in the housing 1, the needle part 2 is attached to the housing 1, and the needle part 2 is temporarily fixed to the housing 1 by a fastener 3. Furthermore, in the needle valve 10, the flow path opening can be adjusted by moving the needle portion 2 up and down relative to the housing portion 1. This makes it possible to precisely control the flow rate in the needle valve 10. Further details will be provided later.

[0030] In the needle valve 10, the housing 1 is made of metal and has a horizontally elongated hollow cylindrical shape. The material used for the housing 1 is not particularly limited, and any known material such as iron or stainless steel can be used as appropriate. In the housing section 1, a communication room 11 is formed approximately in the center in the length direction (left-right direction). Furthermore, the communication room 11 has an opening at the top, allowing the needle unit 2 to be attached. Therefore, the communication room 11 is located at the center of the flow path that extends in the left-right direction, and is a fixed area of ​​space that extends upward perpendicular to that left-right direction.

[0031] Specifically, the connecting chamber 11 is formed in the following order from bottom to top: small diameter section 11a, intermediate section 11b, and large diameter section 11c, with these sections being continuous. The small-diameter section 11a is a cylindrical space, a so-called blind hole formed in the housing section 1. Furthermore, a screw groove is formed in the side wall of the housing portion 1 that the small-diameter portion 11a contacts. As will be described later, these threaded grooves can be screwed into the threaded portion of the needle portion 2.

[0032] The intermediate portion 11b is an inverted truncated cone-shaped space located between the smaller diameter portion 11a and the larger diameter portion 11c. The intermediate section 11b is a part of the flow path formed in the housing section 1, and the opening degree of the flow path is adjusted in the intermediate section 11b by the sealing section 2b of the needle section 2. Here, the side wall of the housing portion 1 that the intermediate portion 11b contacts is an inclined tapered surface. These side walls serve as so-called valve seats, with which the sealing portion 2b, described later, makes surface contact. Therefore, the inclination angle of the side wall of the housing portion 1 that the intermediate portion 11b contacts is the same as the inclination angle of the side wall of the sealing portion 2b. The angle of inclination will be discussed later.

[0033] The larger diameter section 11c is a cylindrical space with a larger diameter than the smaller diameter section 11a and an open top. Incidentally, the needle portion 2 is inserted into the connecting chamber 11 from the upper part of the diameter portion 11c and attached thereto. In the needle valve 10, when the needle portion 2 is moved up and down, the needle portion 2 slides along the side wall of the housing portion 1 with which the enlarged diameter portion 11c is in contact.

[0034] In the housing section 1, a circular first opening 12b is provided in the inclined side wall on the left side (one side) of the housing section 1 to which the communication room 11 (intermediate section 11b) is adjacent. A cylindrical first orifice 12a is connected to the first opening 12b, and a cylindrical first flow path 12 is connected to the first orifice 12a. In other words, in the housing portion 1, a first orifice 12a is formed between the first flow path 12 and the first opening 12b.

[0035] Similarly, a circular second opening 13b is provided in the inclined side wall on the right side (the other side) of the housing section 1 to which the communication room 11 (intermediate section 11b) is adjacent. A cylindrical second orifice 13a is connected to the second opening 13b, and a cylindrical second flow path 13 is connected to the second orifice 13a. In other words, in the housing portion 1, a second orifice 13a is formed between the second flow path 13 and the second opening 13b.

[0036] Here, the first orifice 12a is cylindrical with a smaller diameter than the first channel 12, and the second orifice 13a is cylindrical with a smaller diameter than the second channel 13. Therefore, in the needle valve 10, when the first flow path 12 is the inlet, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the first flow path 12 decreases at the first orifice 12a, thereby reducing the thrust when it collides with the sealing part. Similarly, when the second flow path 13 is the inlet, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the second flow path 13 decreases at the second orifice 13a, thereby reducing the thrust when it collides with the sealing part. This makes it possible to suppress wobble in the sealing portion of the needle valve 10. Furthermore, since the needle valve 10 is provided with a first orifice 12a and a second orifice 13a, the thrust reduction effect due to the orifices can be achieved regardless of which inlet is used.

[0037] In the housing section 1, the first channel 12, the first orifice 12a, the intermediate section 11b (connecting chamber 11), the second orifice 13a, and the second channel 13 are arranged in a straight line. In other words, with respect to the intermediate section 11b (connecting room 11), the flow path on the left side (one side) and the flow path on the right side (the other side) are formed on the same line. Therefore, since the needle valve 10 can be manufactured solely by machining, it can be produced at a low cost and the manufacturing time can be shortened. Furthermore, in this case, it is not necessary to specify which of the first channel 12 and the second channel 13 is the inlet (or outlet) for the fluid, thus improving convenience.

[0038] For example, in the needle valve 10, if the first flow path 12 is the inlet, the flow path will be in the order of first flow path 12, first orifice 12a, connecting chamber 11 (intermediate section 11b), second orifice 13a, and second flow path 13, with the second flow path 13 being the outlet. If the second channel 13 is the inlet, the channels are in the reverse order, and the first channel 12 becomes the outlet.

[0039] The housing 1 has connecting portions 14 with increased diameters on both of its outer surfaces. In other words, in the needle valve 10, the connecting portion 14 is circumferentially bulging relative to the housing portion 1 on the central side of the connecting portion 14, making it easy to attach a joint for connecting to another flow pipe by utilizing the connecting portion 14.

[0040] As described above, in the needle valve 10, the needle portion 2 is attached to the communication chamber 11 of the housing portion 1. In the needle valve 10, it is preferable that the axial direction of the needle portion 2 is perpendicular to the linear direction in which the first flow path 12, the first orifice 12a, the second orifice 13a, and the second flow path 13 are arranged. In this case, the structure becomes simpler, making manufacturing even easier. Furthermore, since the thrust received by the needle section 2 from the fluid is the same regardless of whether the first or second flow path is used as the inlet, it becomes easier to precisely control the flow rate.

[0041] The needle portion 2 is a metal needle-shaped component with a shape corresponding to the shape of the communication room 11. The material of the needle portion 2 is not particularly limited; known materials such as iron and stainless steel can be used as appropriate. Furthermore, the metal material used for the housing 1 and the metal material used for the needle 2 may be the same or different.

[0042] Specifically, the needle portion 2 is formed integrally from bottom to top in the order of a first extension portion 2a, a sealing portion 2b, and a second extension portion 2c, so that they are continuous. The first extension portion 2a extends in the axial direction of the needle portion 2 to the lower side (one side) of the sealing portion 2b. The first extension section 2a is cylindrical in shape, approximately the same size as the smaller diameter section 11a of the connecting room 11, and has a threaded section 21 with a threaded groove formed on its side. As described above, the threaded portion 21 can be screwed into a threaded groove formed in the side wall of the housing portion 1, which is in contact with the smaller diameter portion 11a of the communication chamber 11.

[0043] The sealing portion 2b is located between the first extension portion 2a and the second extension portion 2c, and has an inverted truncated cone shape with a tapered surface. Therefore, the sealing portion 2b can release some of the thrust it receives from the fluid, thereby reducing the thrust applied to the sealing portion 2b. Furthermore, as described above, the sealing portion 2b changes the volume of the intermediate portion 11b as the needle portion 2 moves up and down. This adjusts the opening of the flow path.

[0044] In the needle valve 10, the inclination angle of the tapered surface of the sealing portion 2b with respect to the axial direction of the needle portion 2 is preferably 1 to 80 degrees, and more preferably 5 to 15 degrees. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the tapered surface of the housing portion 1 that the intermediate portion 11b contacts is the same as the inclination angle of the tapered surface of the sealing portion 2b. If the tilt angle is less than 1 degree, the amount of variation in opening adjustment is too small compared to when the tilt angle is within the above range, which has the disadvantage of taking a long time for fine control. If the tilt angle exceeds 80 degrees, the amount of variation in opening adjustment is too large compared to when the tilt angle is within the above range, which may make fine control itself difficult.

[0045] The second extension 2c extends in the axial direction of the needle portion 2 to the upper side (other side) of the sealing portion 2b. The second extension 2c consists of a body portion 2c1 that extends upward from the upper end of the sealing portion 2b, and a head portion 2c2 formed to protrude upward from the center of the upper surface of the body portion 2c1. The sealing portion 2b and the body portion 2c1 are continuous with their sides flush, and the body portion 2c1 and the head portion 2c2 are continuous in a stepped manner.

[0046] In the second extension section 2c, the body section 2c1 is cylindrical in shape and is approximately the same size as the larger diameter section 11c of the connecting chamber 11. A groove is formed in the circumferential direction in the middle section of the body section 2c1, and an O-ring 25 is attached to this groove. Therefore, the needle portion 2 slides along the side wall of the housing portion 1, with which the enlarged diameter portion 11c is in contact, via the O-ring 25.

[0047] In the second extension section 2c, the head section 2c2 is cylindrical with a smaller diameter than the body section 2c1. A slit groove 26 is provided on the upper surface of the head section 2c2. The slit groove 26 may be positive or negative in shape when viewed from above. The slit groove 26 is for rotating the needle portion 2 using a screwdriver. Furthermore, a fastener 3 is attached to the body 2c1 side of the head 2c2.

[0048] In the needle valve 10, a lock nut is used as the fastener 3. Therefore, the second extension portion 2c has a fastening screw portion 22 with a screw groove formed on its head 2c2. Then, in the second extension portion 2c, a lock nut is screwed onto the fastening screw portion 22. The lock nut is screwed into the fastening threaded portion 22 of the head 2c2 and also contacts the housing portion 1, thereby restraining the needle portion 2 to the housing portion 1. In other words, the second extension portion 2c is restrained to the housing portion 1 via the lock nut.

[0049] Thus, in the needle valve 10, the needle portion 2 has a first extension portion 2a that is screwed into the housing portion 1, and a second extension portion 2c that is restrained by the housing portion 1. Therefore, the needle portion 2 is temporarily fixed to the housing portion 1 at two points on both sides of the sealing portion 2b of the first extension portion 2a and the second extension portion 2c, which sandwich the sealing portion 2b. Furthermore, since a lock nut is used as a fastener, the needle portion will be screwed into both the threaded portion 21 and the fastener threaded portion 22, thus providing a more secure temporary fixation to the housing. As a result, the needle valve 10 can reliably prevent wobbling even when the sealing portion 2b receives thrust from the fluid during the flow of the fluid.

[0050] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the vertical movement of the needle portion in the needle valve according to this embodiment. In Figure 2, the upper side shows the needle portion 2 at its top dead center, and the lower side shows the needle portion 2 at its bottom dead center. As shown in the upper part of Figure 2, in the needle valve 10, when the needle portion 2 is at top dead center, the flow path is fully open. In this case, the fluid introduced from the first channel 12 passes through the first orifice 12a, enters the intermediate section 11b through the first opening 12b, and then flows out from the second channel 13 through the second orifice 13a via the second opening 13b. In other words, the fluid will flow in a linear fashion.

[0051] In the needle valve 10, since the threaded portion 21 of the needle portion 2 is threaded into the housing portion 1, the needle portion 2 can be moved downward in the axial direction by rotating the needle portion 2 with a force that exceeds the restraining force on the housing portion 1 via the lock nut. In this case, the sealing portion 2b of the needle portion 2 reduces the volume of the intermediate portion 11b, thereby reducing the flow rate.

[0052] Furthermore, by rotating the needle portion 2 in the opposite direction, the needle portion 2 can be moved upward in the axial direction. In this case, the sealing portion 2b of the needle portion 2 increases the volume of the intermediate portion 11b, thereby increasing the flow rate. In other words, the opening of the flow path can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical movement of the needle portion 2. Furthermore, as described above, in the needle valve 10, the needle portion 2 does not vibrate even when subjected to thrust from the fluid, so it is possible to precisely control the flow rate of the fluid with greater accuracy.

[0053] As shown in the lower part of Figure 2, when the needle portion 2 of the needle valve 10 is at the bottom dead center, the flow path is completely closed. In this case, the tapered surface of the sealing portion 2b of the needle portion 2 makes surface contact with the tapered surface of the housing portion 1 with which the intermediate portion 11b is in contact, sealing the first opening 12b and the second opening 13b. As a result, the flow of the fluid is obstructed.

[0054] In the needle valve 10, even when the fluid is introduced from the second flow path 13, the flow rate of the fluid can be precisely controlled by the same mechanism. Furthermore, in the needle valve 10, when the flow path is completely closed, both the first opening 12b and the second opening 13b are sealed, so regardless of whether the first flow path 12 or the second flow path 13 is used as the inlet for the fluid, the flow of the fluid can be obstructed. Furthermore, since the first opening 12b and the second opening 13b are sealed at the same time by the sealing portion 2b, errors in micro-volume control can be suppressed when the first flow path 12 is used as the inlet for the fluid and when the second flow path 13 is used as the inlet for the fluid.

[0055] The needle valve 10 is suitable for applications where precise control of the flow rate of a fluid is desired in piping through which a fluid flows. For example, in a beverage dispenser, it is used by being placed in a liquid delivery pipe that delivers the concentrate to the beverage server. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of using the needle valve according to this embodiment in a beverage dispenser. As shown in Figure 3, the beverage dispenser includes a beverage server 50 that mixes and dispenses a concentrate and diluted water, a concentrate bottle 53 in which the concentrate of the beverage is stored, and a gas cylinder 52.

[0056] In the beverage dispenser, gas is injected from the gas cylinder 52 into the concentrate bottle 53, causing the concentrate in the bottle 53 to be delivered to the beverage server 50 via the liquid delivery pipe 51. Note that the flow of the dilution water is not shown in the diagram. The needle valve 10 is used by being attached to the liquid delivery pipe 51. In the beverage server 50, if the concentration of the concentrate is not stable, a problem arises in that the taste of the beverage changes each time it is served. However, by using the needle valve 10 placed in the liquid delivery pipe 51 for delivering the concentrate, it becomes possible to precisely control the flow rate of the concentrate, thereby making it possible to provide a beverage of the same concentration at all times.

[0057] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0058] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, directions such as "upper side," "lower side," "left side," and "right side" may be reversed, and are not limited to the above description. For example, the length direction of the housing 1 may be vertical, and the length direction and axial direction of the needle portion may be horizontal.

[0059] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, metal is used as the material for the housing portion 1 and metal is used as the material for the needle portion 2, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, resin may be used as the material for the housing 1, and similarly, resin may be used as the material for the needle 2.

[0060] The needle valve 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a fastener 3 for restraining the second extension portion 2c of the needle portion 2, but the fastener 3 is not essential if the housing portion 1 can directly restrain the second extension portion 2c. For example, instead of using the fastener 3, the second extension portion 2c may be restrained by press-fitting, fitting, locking, pinning, etc., into the diameter portion 11c of the housing portion 1.

[0061] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, the housing portion 1 is a horizontally elongated hollow cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the housing 1 may have an external appearance such as a hollow polygonal prism.

[0062] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, the housing portion 1 has a first orifice 12a and a second orifice 13a, but these are not essential. In other words, the first channel 12 and the second channel 13 may be directly connected to the intermediate section 11b.

[0063] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, the first flow path 12, the first orifice 12a, the intermediate section 11b (connecting chamber 11), the second orifice 13a, and the second flow path 13 are arranged in a straight line, but this is not essential. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another first embodiment of the needle valve according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, in the needle valve 30, the first flow path 32 and the first orifice 32a communicating with the intermediate section 31b (communication chamber) are straight, but are inclined to rise as they approach the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Similarly, the second orifice 33a and the second flow path 33 communicating with the intermediate section 31b (communication chamber) are straight, but are inclined to descend as they approach the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Furthermore, the heights of the first opening and the second opening do not match.

[0064] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, connecting portions 14 with a larger diameter are provided on the outer surfaces of both sides of the housing portion 1, but this is not essential. Furthermore, the outer surfaces on both sides of the housing 1 can be deformed according to the fitting to be attached. Figures 5(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing examples of fittings attached to the needle valve according to this embodiment. Suitable fittings that can be attached using the connecting portion 14 of the needle valve 10 include the one-touch fitting shown in Figure 5(a), the M-type threaded fitting shown in Figure 5(b), the stepped fitting shown in Figure 5(c), and the F-type threaded fitting shown in Figure 5(d).

[0065] In the needle valve 10 according to this embodiment, a lock nut is used as the fastener 3, but the invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the lock nut used is not limited to the one shown in Figure 1. Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are schematic diagrams showing examples of lock nuts used in the needle valve according to this embodiment. Examples of lock nuts used as fasteners 3 for the needle valve 10 include the thick lock nut shown in Figure 6(a), the flange nut shown in Figure 6(b), and the set screw shown in Figure 6(c). [Industrial applicability]

[0066] The needle valve of the present invention is suitably used in applications where precise control of the flow rate of a fluid is desired in piping through which a fluid flows. According to the needle valve of the present invention, it is possible to precisely control the minute amount of flow rate with high precision despite having a simple structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Enclosure 10.30... Needle valve 11. Liaison Room 11a... Small diameter section 11b,31b...middle part 11c...Large diameter part 12,32...First channel 12a, 32a... First orifice 12b...1st opening 13,33...Second channel 13a, 33a... Second orifice 13b...Second opening 14...Connection part 2. Needle section 21... Threaded section 22... Threaded part for fastener 25···O-ring 26... Slit groove 2a...1st extension section 2b...Sealing part 2c...2nd extension section 2c1... Torso 2c2...Head 3. Fasteners 50... Beverage dispenser 51... Liquid delivery pipe 52... Gas cylinder 53...Concentrated bottle

Claims

1. In a needle valve used for precise control of the flow rate of a fluid, A housing portion having a communication chamber, a first flow path communicating through a first opening of the communication chamber, and a second flow path communicating through a second opening of the communication chamber, The needle section attached to the aforementioned communication room, Equipped with, The needle portion is A sealing portion capable of sealing the first opening and the second opening, In the axial direction of the needle portion, there is a first extension portion extending to one side of the sealing portion, and a second extension portion extending to the other side of the sealing portion, It has, The threaded portion formed in the first extension is screwed into the housing portion. The second extension is constrained to the housing portion, or to the housing portion via fasteners. A needle valve in which the needle portion moves up and down in the axial direction by rotating the needle portion.

2. The needle valve according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path, the first opening, the second opening, and the second flow path are arranged in a straight line.

3. The needle valve according to claim 2, wherein the linear direction in which the first flow path, the first opening, the second opening, and the second flow path are arranged is perpendicular to the axial direction of the needle portion.

4. The sealing portion is shaped like an inverted truncated cone with a tapered surface. The needle valve according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the tapered surface with respect to the axial direction of the needle portion is 1 to 80 degrees.

5. A lock nut is screwed into a fastening threaded portion formed in the second extension, and the second extension is restrained to the housing portion via the lock nut, as described in claim 1.

6. A first orifice having a smaller diameter than the first flow path is formed between the first flow path and the first opening. The needle valve according to claim 1, wherein a second orifice having a smaller diameter than the second flow path is formed between the second flow path and the second opening.

7. The aforementioned fluid is the concentrate of a beverage. The needle valve according to claim 1, which is used in a liquid delivery pipe for delivering the concentrate to a beverage server that provides a mixture of the concentrate and dilution water.

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