Electronic expansion valve
The electronic expansion valve addresses pressure balance issues by using a sealing annular line and equalization passage to ensure consistent fluid pressures, enhancing valve opening performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG DUNAN ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENT CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-11
AI Technical Summary
Conventional electronic expansion valves face challenges in achieving pressure balance due to large sealing areas, which affect the opening valve performance.
An electronic expansion valve design with a sealing annular line radius R1, an upper chamber, and an equalization passage that communicates the valve port and the upper chamber, where R2 < R1 < R3 and R3 - R2 ≤ 0.1 mm, ensuring minimal error in force-receiving areas at both ends of the spindle portion.
This design achieves consistent fluid pressures at both ends of the spindle portion, reducing the influence of fluid pressure and improving valve opening performance by ensuring precise sealing and equalization.
Smart Images
Figure 2026514342000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application claims the priority of a patent application with the application number 202322142786.8 and the invention title "Electronic Expansion Valve", which was filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 9, 2023.
[0002] This application relates to the technical field of electronic expansion valves, specifically to electronic expansion valves.
Background Art
[0003] In an electronic expansion valve, in order to suppress the influence of fluid pressure on the opening and closing of the valve port, in some embodiments, an equalization passage is provided inside the spindle part. The equalization passage connects the valve port to a chamber on one side of the spindle part away from the valve port. As a result, the fluid pressures received at both ends of the spindle part become equal, and the fluid pressure received by the spindle part is determined by the fluid biasing force areas at both ends of the spindle part. In order to reduce the pressure difference between both ends of the spindle part, it is necessary to make the fluid biasing force areas received at both ends of the spindle part as consistent as possible.
[0004] Here, in a conventional electronic expansion valve, due to the large size of the sealing surface for sealing the valve port of the spindle part, the actual sealing area with the valve port sealing position becomes large. As a result, it becomes difficult to check the force-receiving area at one end of the spindle part facing the valve port after closing the valve, the differential pressure between both ends of the spindle part increases, which affects the pressure balance between both ends of the spindle part and the opening valve performance.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] This application provides an electronic expansion valve that solves the problem that it is difficult to achieve pressure balance due to the large sealing area of the spindle part in the electronic expansion valve in the prior art, which affects the opening valve performance.
[0006] To solve the above problems, the present application provides an electronic expansion valve including a valve seat portion, a gasket provided in the valve seat portion and having a valve port, and a spindle portion movably provided in the valve seat portion. A sealing annular line used for sealing is provided between the spindle portion and the valve seat portion, the radius of the sealing annular line is R1, an upper chamber is provided on one side of the spindle portion away from the gasket, an equalization passage is provided in the spindle portion, and the equalization passage includes a spindle portion that communicates the valve port and the upper chamber. An annular sealing surface surrounding the valve port is provided at the end of the spindle portion, the annular sealing surface is used for sealing engagement with the gasket, the inner diameter of the annular sealing surface is R2, the outer diameter is R3, where R2 < R1 < R3 and R3 - R2 ≤ 0.1 mm.
[0007] Furthermore, 0.02 mm ≤ R3 - R2 ≤ 0.04 mm.
[0008] Furthermore, 0.1 mm 2 < R1 * (R3 - R2) < 1.8 mm 2 is satisfied.
[0009] Furthermore, the annular sealing surface is a flat surface or an arc surface, and the surface where the gasket and the annular sealing surface are engaged is a flat surface.
[0010] Furthermore, an inner tapered surface is provided at the end of the spindle portion, the inner edge of the inner tapered surface overlaps with the inner edge of the annular sealing surface, and the inner tapered surface is located on one side of the annular sealing surface away from the gasket.
[0011] Furthermore, the included angle between the inner tapered surface and the radial direction of the valve port is A, and 5° ≤ A ≤ 40°.
[0012] Furthermore, an outer tapered surface is provided at the end of the spindle portion, the inner edge of the outer tapered surface overlaps with the outer edge of the annular sealing surface, and the outer tapered surface is located on one side of the annular sealing surface away from the gasket.
[0013] Furthermore, the included angle between the outer tapered surface and the radial direction of the valve port is B, and 15° ≤ B ≤ 45°.
[0014] Furthermore, the valve seat portion includes a valve seat body and a guide sleeve, and a gasket is fixed inside the valve seat body. The electronic expansion valve further includes a sealing ring, where the outer wall of the spindle portion has a sealing groove, the sealing ring is located within the sealing groove, and a sealing annular line is formed at the position where the outer wall of the sealing ring and the inner wall of the guide sleeve come into contact, or the inner wall of the guide sleeve has a sealing groove, the sealing ring is located within the sealing groove, and a sealing annular line is formed at the position where the inner wall of the sealing ring and the outer wall of the spindle portion come into contact.
[0015] Furthermore, the end of the spindle portion has a first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, which are provided in order. The first tapered surface is located inside the annular sealing surface, and the second tapered surface is located inside the first tapered surface. The taper angles of the first and second tapered surfaces are different. When the valve opening is closed, the second tapered surface is located inside the valve opening, and a portion of the first tapered surface is located inside the valve opening.
[0016] Furthermore, the gasket is made of an elastic material, is located in a groove in the valve seat, has a limiting ring which is crimped to the end face of the gasket, and the inner wall of the valve opening has a tapered surface for regulating the flow rate.
[0017] Furthermore, the spindle portion includes a valve head, a screw, a bearing, a bush, and an elastic member, the valve head having an annular sealing surface, one end of the screw penetrating into the chamber of the valve head, the bearing positioned between the screw and the inner wall of the valve head, the bearing, bush, elastic member, and the bottom wall of the valve head being in contact in sequence, the valve head having a first passage, the bush having a second passage, and the screw having a third passage, the valve port, the first passage, the second passage, the third passage, and the upper chamber being in sequential communication, and the first passage, the second passage, and the third passage constituting a balancing passage.
[0018] Apply the technical aspect of the present application to provide an electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve includes a valve seat portion, a gasket provided in the valve seat portion and having a valve port, and a spindle portion movably provided in the valve seat portion. There is a sealing annular line used for sealing between the spindle portion and the valve seat portion, and the radius of the sealing annular line is R1. On one side of the spindle portion away from the gasket, there is an upper chamber, and the spindle portion has a balancing passage. The balancing passage includes a spindle portion that communicates the valve port and the upper chamber. The end of the spindle portion has an annular sealing surface surrounding the valve port. The annular sealing surface is used for sealing engagement with the gasket. The inner diameter of the annular sealing surface is R2, and the outer diameter is R3. Here, R2 < R1 < R3, and R3 - R2 ≤ 0.1 mm. In this aspect, the sealing annular line seals between the valve seat portion and the spindle portion, the balancing passage communicates the valve port and the upper chamber, and the one-sided width of the annular sealing surface is limited within 0.1 mm. Therefore, after closing the valve port, the error between the dimension of the actually formed sealing ring and the dimension of the sealing annular line is very small. As a result, the error in the force-receiving area at both ends of the spindle portion is very small, ensuring that the fluid pressures received at both ends of the spindle portion are consistent, truly realizing the internal balancing of the electronic expansion valve, greatly reducing the influence of the fluid pressure on the spindle portion, enabling the spindle portion to smoothly open the valve port, and improving the valve opening performance.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] The drawings in the specification constituting a part of the present application are used to deepen the further understanding of the present application. The schematic embodiments and their descriptions of the present application are used to interpret the present application and do not unduly limit the present application.
[0020] <000 Here, the above drawings include the following reference numerals. 10 valve seat portion, 11 upper chamber, 12 valve seat body, 14 limiting ring, 20 gasket, 21 valve port, 30 spindle portion, 31 equalizing passage, 32 valve head, 321 annular sealing surface, 322 inner tapered surface, 323 outer tapered surface, 324 first tapered surface, 325 second tapered surface, 33 screw, 34 bearing, 35 bush, 36 elastic member, 40 sealing ring.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0022] Hereinafter, referring to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, the technical aspects in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described. It is clear that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Hereinafter, the description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only an explanation and is not any limitation on the present application and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the present application includes a valve seat portion 10, a gasket 20 provided in the valve seat portion 10 and having a valve port 21, and a spindle portion 30 movably provided in the valve seat portion 10. There is an annular sealing line used for sealing between the spindle portion 30 and the valve seat portion 10, and the radius of the annular sealing line is R1. On one side of the spindle portion 30 departing from the gasket 20, there is an upper chamber 11. The spindle portion 30 has an equalizing passage 31 inside, and the equalizing passage 31 communicates the valve port 21 and the upper chamber 11. The spindle portion 30 includes an annular sealing surface 321 surrounding the valve port 21 at the end of the spindle portion 30. The annular sealing surface 321 is used for sealing engagement with the gasket 20. The inner diameter of the annular sealing surface 321 is R2, and the outer diameter is R3. Here, R2 < R1 < R3 and R3 - R2 ≤ 0.1 mm, and an electronic expansion valve is provided. The upper chamber 11 can also be understood as the chamber on one side of the sealing annular line departing from the valve port 21.
[0024] In this embodiment, a sealing annular line seals the space between the valve seat portion 10 and the spindle portion 30, and an equalizing passage 31 connects the valve port 21 and the upper chamber 11. Since one side width of the annular sealing surface 321 is limited within 0.1 mm, after the valve port 21 is closed, the error between the dimension of the actually formed sealing ring and the dimension of the sealing annular line is very small. As a result, the error of the force-receiving areas at both ends of the spindle portion 30 becomes very small, ensuring that the fluid pressures received at both ends of the spindle portion 30 are consistent, truly realizing the internal equalization of the electronic expansion valve, greatly reducing the influence of the fluid pressure on the spindle portion 30, enabling the spindle portion 30 to smoothly open the valve port 21, and improving the valve opening performance.
[0025] Here, the annular sealing surface 321 is provided coaxially with the sealing annular line, and preferably, the relationship among R1, R2, and R3 is R1 = (R3 + R2) / 2.
[0026] Furthermore, 0.02 mm ≤ R3 - R2 ≤ 0.04 mm. Thereby, while ensuring the accuracy in machining, the one side width of the annular sealing surface 321 can be made as small as possible. As a result, the dimension of the actually formed sealing ring and the dimension of the sealing annular line after the annular sealing surface 321 seals the valve port 21 are closer or approximately equal, the differential pressure at both ends of the spindle portion 30 further decreases, and the valve opening performance is improved.
[0027] In this embodiment, 0.1 mm 2 < R1 * (R3 - R2) < 1.8 mm 2 is satisfied. R1, R2, and R3 are limited within this range so that the electronic expansion valve has good sealing performance of the valve port 21, realizes internal equalization, and has good valve opening performance. For different specifications of electronic expansion valves, the specific dimensions of R1, R2, and R3 are designed as needed to satisfy the above relationships.
[0028] Here, the annular sealing surface 321 may be a flat surface or an arc surface, and the surface where the gasket 20 engages with the annular sealing surface 321 may be a flat surface, or of course, an arc surface.
[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end of the spindle portion 30 has an inner tapered surface 322, the inner edge of the inner tapered surface 322 and the inner edge of the annular sealing surface 321 overlap, and the inner tapered surface 322 is located on one side of the annular sealing surface 321 that is separated from the gasket 20. By machining the inner tapered surface 322, the inner edge of the annular sealing surface 321 is machined, and the inner diameter dimension of the annular sealing surface 321 is precisely defined.
[0030] Specifically, the angle between the inner tapered surface 322 and the valve opening 21 in the radial direction is A, where 5° ≤ A ≤ 40°. This ensures the machining accuracy of the inner edge of the annular sealing surface 321 while also satisfying the feasibility of the cutter in actual machining.
[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end of the spindle portion 30 has an outer tapered surface 323, the inner edge of the outer tapered surface 323 overlaps with the outer edge of the annular sealing surface 321, and the outer tapered surface 323 is located on one side of the annular sealing surface 321 that is separated from the gasket 20. By machining the outer tapered surface 323, the outer edge of the annular sealing surface 321 is machined, and the outer diameter dimension of the annular sealing surface 321 is precisely defined. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the machining is performed using a tapered surface method (i.e., chamfering), which reduces the difficulty of machining compared to when machining is performed using a fillet.
[0032] Specifically, the angle between the outer tapered surface 323 and the valve opening 21 in the radial direction is B, where 15° ≤ B ≤ 45°. This ensures the machining accuracy of the outer edge of the annular sealing surface 321 while also satisfying the feasibility of the cutter in actual machining.
[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the valve seat portion 10 includes a valve seat body 12 and a guide sleeve, and the gasket 20 is fixed inside the valve seat body 12. The electronic expansion valve further includes a sealing ring 40, where the outer wall of the spindle portion 30 has a sealing groove, the sealing ring 40 is located within the sealing groove, and a sealing annular line is formed at the position where the outer wall of the sealing ring 40 and the inner wall of the guide sleeve come into contact, or the inner wall of the guide sleeve has a sealing groove, the sealing ring 40 is located within the sealing groove, and a sealing annular line is formed at the position where the inner wall of the sealing ring 40 and the outer wall of the spindle portion 30 come into contact.
[0034] With the above-described installation, the guide sleeve can guide the movement of the spindle portion 30, stabilizing its movement and ensuring stable valve opening and closing, as well as a sealing effect that closes the valve port 21. The sealing ring 40 provides a good seal between the guide sleeve and the spindle portion 30, preventing internal leakage of the electronic expansion valve. The specific mounting position of the sealing ring 40 is selected according to actual requirements.
[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the end of the spindle portion 30 has a first tapered surface 324 and a second tapered surface 325, which are provided in order. The first tapered surface 324 is located inside the annular sealing surface 321, and the second tapered surface 325 is located inside the first tapered surface 324. The tapered angles of the first tapered surface 324 and the second tapered surface 325 are different. When the valve opening 21 is closed, the second tapered surface 325 is located inside the valve opening 21, and a portion of the first tapered surface 324 is located inside the valve opening 21. The first tapered surface 324 and the second tapered surface 325 can perform a flow rate adjustment function, and by adjusting the angles of the first tapered surface 324 and the second tapered surface 325, different flow curves can be achieved in the electronic expansion valve to satisfy the usage requirements.
[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the gasket 20 is made of an elastic material, thus providing a good sealing effect. The gasket 20 is located in a groove in the valve seat 10, and the valve seat 10 has a restricting ring 14, which is crimped to the gasket 20, thus ensuring secure fixation to the gasket 20. The inner wall of the valve port 21 has a tapered surface for adjusting the flow rate, thereby achieving a specific flow curve during the opening and closing process of the electronic expansion valve and satisfying the requirements for use.
[0037] In this embodiment, the electronic expansion valve further includes a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe, the first connecting pipe communicating with the valve port 21, the second connecting pipe communicating with the chamber in the valve seat portion 10, and the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe being perpendicular to each other. When the valve port 21 is closed, the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are not communicating, and when the valve port 21 is open, the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are communicating.
[0038] Specifically, the spindle portion 30 includes a valve head 32, a screw 33, a bearing 34, a bush 35, and an elastic member 36. The valve head 32 has an annular sealing surface 321, one end of the screw 33 is inserted into the chamber of the valve head 32, the bearing 34 is located between the screw 33 and the inner wall of the valve head 32, and the bearing 34, bush 35, elastic member 36, and the bottom wall of the valve head 32 are in contact in sequence. Here, the valve head 32 has a first passage, the bush 35 has a second passage, and the screw 33 has a third passage. The valve port 21, the first passage, the second passage, the third passage, and the upper chamber 11 are in communication in sequence, and the first passage, the second passage, and the third passage constitute a balancing passage 31. As described above, a buffer effect is obtained when opening and closing the valve port 21, shock to the valve head 32 is avoided, and the installation of the first passage, second passage, and third passage ensures that the fluid pressure strength in the valve port 21 and the upper chamber 11 are equal.
[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the valve seat portion 10 and the spindle portion 30 are sealed by a sealing annular line, the valve port 21 and the upper chamber 11 are connected by an equalization passage 31, and the width of one side of the annular sealing surface 321 is limited to within 0.1 mm. As a result, the error between the dimensions of the sealing ring actually formed after closing the valve port 21 and the dimensions of the sealing annular line is very small. This results in a very small error in the force-bearing area at both ends of the spindle portion 30, ensuring that the fluid pressure at both ends of the spindle portion 30 is equal, truly achieving internal equalization of the electronic expansion valve, significantly reducing the influence of fluid pressure on the spindle portion 30, allowing the spindle portion 30 to smoothly open the valve port 21, and improving valve opening performance.
[0040] The foregoing describes only preferred embodiments of this application and does not limit it. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements within the scope of the intent and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection.
Claims
1. Valve seat (10) and A gasket (20) provided within the valve seat portion (10) and having a valve opening (21), A spindle portion (30) is movably provided within the valve seat portion (10), wherein a sealing annular wire is provided between the spindle portion (30) and the valve seat portion (10) for sealing, the radius of the sealing annular wire is R1, and on one side of the spindle portion (30) that is separated from the gasket (20) is an upper chamber (11), and a balancing passage (31) is provided within the spindle portion (30), the balancing passage (31) includes the spindle portion (30) which connects the valve opening (21) and the upper chamber (11), The end of the spindle portion (30) has an annular sealing surface (321) surrounding the valve opening (21), and the annular sealing surface (321) is used to seal and engage with the gasket (20), the inner diameter of the annular sealing surface (321) is R2 and the outer diameter is R3. Here, an electronic expansion valve where R2 < R1 < R3 and R3 - R2 ≤ 0.1 mm.
2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein 0.02 mm ≤ R3 - R2 ≤ 0.04 mm.
3. 0.1 mm ２ <R1*(R3-R2)<1.8mm ２ The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1.
4. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the annular sealing surface (321) is a flat or arcuate surface, and the surface on which the gasket (20) and the annular sealing surface (321) engage is flat.
5. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the end of the spindle portion (30) has an inner tapered surface (322), the inner edge of the inner tapered surface (322) and the inner edge of the annular sealing surface (321) overlap, and the inner tapered surface (322) is located on one side of the annular sealing surface (321) that is separated from the gasket (20).
6. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 5, wherein the angle between the inner tapered surface (322) and the valve opening (21) in the radial direction is A, and 5° ≤ A ≤ 40°.
7. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the end of the spindle portion (30) has an outer tapered surface (323), the inner edge of the outer tapered surface (323) and the outer edge of the annular sealing surface (321) overlap, and the outer tapered surface (323) is located on one side of the annular sealing surface (321) that is separated from the gasket (20).
8. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 7, wherein the angle between the outer tapered surface (323) and the valve opening (21) in the radial direction is B, and 15° ≤ B ≤ 45°.
9. The valve seat portion (10) includes a valve seat body (12) and a guide sleeve, the gasket (20) is fixed inside the valve seat body (12), and the electronic expansion valve further includes a sealing ring (40), where, The outer wall of the spindle portion (30) has a sealing groove, the sealing ring (40) is located within the sealing groove, and the sealing annular line is formed at the position where the outer wall of the sealing ring (40) and the inner wall of the guide sleeve come into contact, or, The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the guide sleeve has a sealing groove, the sealing ring (40) is located within the sealing groove, and the sealing annular line is formed at a position where the inner wall of the sealing ring (40) and the outer wall of the spindle portion (30) come into contact.
10. The end of the spindle portion (30) has a first tapered surface (324) and a second tapered surface (325) provided in order, the first tapered surface (324) is located inside the annular sealing surface (321), the second tapered surface (325) is located inside the first tapered surface (324), the tapered angles of the first tapered surface (324) and the second tapered surface (325) are different, and when the valve opening (21) is closed, the second tapered surface (325) is located inside the valve opening (21), and a part of the first tapered surface (324) is located inside the valve opening (21), as described in claim 1.
11. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the gasket (20) is made of an elastic material, the gasket (20) is located in a groove of the valve seat (10), the valve seat (10) has a limiting ring (14), the limiting ring (14) is crimped to the end face of the gasket (20), and the inner wall of the valve opening (21) has a tapered surface for adjusting the flow rate.
12. The spindle portion (30) includes a valve head (32), a screw (33), a bearing (34), a bush (35), and an elastic member (36), wherein the valve head (32) has the annular sealing surface (321), one end of the screw (33) is inserted into the chamber of the valve head (32), the bearing (34) is located between the screw (33) and the inner wall of the valve head (32), and the bearing (34), the bush (35), the elastic member (3 6) and the bottom wall of the valve head (32) are in contact in order, wherein the valve head (32) has a first passage, the bush (35) has a second passage, the screw (33) has a third passage, the valve port (21), the first passage, the second passage, the third passage, and the upper chamber (11) are in communication in order, and the first passage, the second passage, and the third passage constitute the balancing passage (31), as described in claim 1.