Expansion valve

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a cylindrical partition wall member (213) that houses a rotor (25); a case (22) that is disposed outside the partition wall member (213), that houses an electrical substrate (28), and that has a cylindrical section (22a) which is coaxial with the partition wall member (213); an O-ring (29) that is arranged between the cylindrical section (22a) and the partition wall member (213); a bracket (24) that has a body-side portion (24a) which extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition wall member (213) and is fastened and fixed to a body (211), and a case-side portion (24b) which extends in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition wall member (213) and is attached to the case (22); and a fastening member (30) that fastens and fixes the bracket (24) to the body (211) at the body-side portion (24a). The case (22) and the bracket (24) form allowance structures (22b, 24b) that allow the bracket (24) to move relative to the case (22) in a fastening direction of the fastening member (30).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-19562 filed on February 10, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an expansion valve that adjusts a refrigerant flow rate in a refrigeration cycle. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventionally, Patent Document 1 describes an electronic expansion valve equipped with an electric board. In this conventional technology, a rotor that drives a valve element of the electronic expansion valve is disposed in a space formed inside a cylindrical sleeve. An electric board that controls the operation of the electronic expansion valve is disposed outside the sleeve. The electric board is disposed in a space formed between the sleeve and a case. A high-pressure refrigerant that is decompressed by the electronic expansion valve is present in the internal space of the sleeve. The sleeve is a member that forms a partition wall against the high-pressure refrigerant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] China Patent Application Publication No. 106711533 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the above conventional technology, a seal structure must be provided between the sleeve and the case to prevent moisture from entering the electric board. For example, an O-ring may be provided in the gap between the sleeve and the case as a seal structure.

[0006] However, when the case is attached to the body of the electronic expansion valve, there is a risk that the case may become eccentric relative to the sleeve due to manufacturing errors. If the case becomes eccentric relative to the sleeve, the compression of the O-ring may become uneven, resulting in a deterioration of the sealing performance.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an expansion valve having a structure capable of suppressing eccentricity of the case.

[0008] An expansion valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body, a valve element, a rotor, an electric board, a partition member, a case, an O-ring, a bracket, and a fastening member.

[0009] The body forms a refrigerant flow path. The valve body adjusts the opening of the refrigerant flow path inside the body. The rotor drives the valve body. The electric board controls the rotation of the rotor. The partition member is cylindrical and houses the rotor, and is fixed to the body coaxially with the valve body. The case is disposed outside the partition member and houses the electric board, and has a cylindrical portion coaxial with the partition member. The O-ring is disposed between the cylindrical portion and the partition member, and suppresses the intrusion of liquid into the case. The bracket has a body side portion that extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition member and is fastened and fixed to the body, and a case side portion that extends in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition member and is attached to the case. The fastening member fastens and fixes the bracket to the body at the body side portion.

[0010] The case and the bracket form an allowance structure that allows movement of the bracket relative to the case in the fastening direction by the fastening members.

[0011] The provision of such an allowable structure makes it possible to absorb manufacturing errors when fastening the bracket to the body, making it easier to assemble the case coaxially with the partition member, thereby suppressing eccentricity of the case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a front view showing an expansion valve of a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve of a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the expansion valve of the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which a gap between a lower case and a valve body is within a tolerance. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the expansion valve of the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the gap between the lower case and the valve body is out of tolerance. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an expansion valve of a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a perspective view showing a rotation prevention structure between a lower case and a bracket in the expansion valve of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a front view showing a state in which a bracket is pressed against a body side by a jig during assembly of the expansion valve of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotation prevention structure between a lower case and a bracket in an expansion valve of a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotation prevention structure between a lower case and a bracket in an expansion valve of a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotation prevention structure between a lower case and a bracket in an expansion valve of a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotation prevention structure between a lower case and a bracket in an expansion valve of a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an expansion valve of a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an expansion valve of a sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a side view showing an expansion valve of a sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a bracket of the expansion valve of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the expansion valve of the seventh embodiment, illustrating a state in which the gap between the lower case and the valve body is within the tolerance. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the expansion valve of the eighth embodiment, illustrating a state in which the gap between the lower case and the valve body is out of tolerance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the same reference numerals may be used to designate parts corresponding to matters described in the preceding embodiment, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted. In each embodiment, when only a part of the configuration is described, other embodiments described previously may be applied to other parts of the configuration. In addition to combinations of parts that are specifically indicated as being possible in each embodiment, it is also possible to partially combine embodiments even if not indicated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0014] (First embodiment) The expansion valve of this embodiment is applied to an expansion valve 20 of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 shown in Fig. 1. The vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 is applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle. The air conditioner for a vehicle is applied to an electric vehicle that obtains driving force for running the vehicle from an electric motor for running the vehicle.

[0015] The vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 has a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 20, and an evaporator 14. The compressor 11 is an electric compressor that draws in, compresses, and discharges a refrigerant. A fluorocarbon refrigerant (e.g., R134a) is used as the refrigerant that circulates through the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The vapor compression refrigeration cycle is a subcritical cycle in which the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant.

[0016] The condenser 12 condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 by exchanging heat with cooling water or air. The expansion valve 20 reduces the pressure and expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 12. The evaporator 14 evaporates the refrigerant reduced in pressure and expanded in the expansion valve 20 by exchanging heat with air.

[0017] The expansion valve 20 is an electric expansion valve in which a valve body is driven by an electric actuator. As shown in Fig. 2, the expansion valve 20 has a main body 21, a lower case 22, an upper case 23, and a bracket 24. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 21 has a valve body 211, a valve body 212, a partition member 213, etc. The valve body 211 is a block-shaped member.

[0018] A refrigerant inlet 211a, a refrigerant flow path 211b, a valve seat 211c, and a refrigerant outlet 211d are formed in the valve body 211. The valve body 211 accommodates a valve element 212 and a screw mechanism (not shown).

[0019] The driving force from the rotor 25 is transmitted to the valve element 212 via a screw mechanism (not shown). The screw mechanism converts the rotational motion of the rotor 25 into linear motion and transmits it to the valve element 212. The valve element 212 moves in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) by the driving force from the rotor 25, thereby approaching or moving away from the valve seat 211c, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant flow path 211b. When the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 211b, it is reduced in pressure and expanded by the throttling action in the gap between the valve element 212 and the valve seat 211c.

[0020] The partition member 213 is a rotor housing member that houses the rotor 25. The partition member 213 is formed into a cylindrical shape from a metal such as stainless steel. The partition member 213 is disposed coaxially with the valve body 212. One end (the upper end in FIG. 3) of the partition member 213 is closed. The other end (the lower end in FIG. 3) of the partition member 213 is open and in close contact with the valve body 211. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant before pressure reduction is present in the internal space of the partition member 213, and the partition member 213 serves as a partition between a refrigerant sealing circuit containing the high-pressure refrigerant and the outside.

[0021] Specifically, an O-ring is placed between the partition member 213 and the valve body 211, and a male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the partition member 213 and a female thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 211 are fastened together, thereby sealing and fixing the partition member 213 and the valve body 211 together.

[0022] When electricity is applied to the coil 26, the rotor 25 rotates and generates a driving force for driving the valve body 212. The rotor 25 has a plurality of magnetic poles in the rotation direction of the rotor 25 itself. When electricity is applied to the coil 26, a magnetic field is generated that rotates the rotor 25. The rotor 25 and the coil 26 constitute a stepping motor.

[0023] The lower case 22 is a member that houses the coil 26, the partition member 213, the magnetic flux sensor 27, and the control board 28. The lower case 22 is disposed outside the partition member 213, and forms a waterproof case together with the upper case 23.

[0024] A cylindrical portion 22a into which the partition member 213 is coaxially inserted is opened at the bottom of the lower case 22. A seal structure using an O-ring 29 is provided in the gap between the cylindrical portion 22a of the lower case 22 and the partition member 213. The O-ring 29 is disposed between the cylindrical portion 22a and the partition member 213, and is a seal member that prevents liquid from entering the inside of the lower case 22.

[0025] An insertion groove 22b into which the bracket 24 is inserted is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower case 22. The insertion groove 22b extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve body 212 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3).

[0026] 4 and 5, a body groove 211e into which the lower end of the lower case 22 fits is formed on the upper surface of the valve body 211. The depth dimension Dc of the body groove 211e is the same as the clearance tolerance between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22.

[0027] This makes it possible to reliably inspect whether the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 is within the tolerance in the quality inspection process of the expansion valve 20. Inspection of whether the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 is within the tolerance is determined by whether light irradiated from the side is transmitted to the opposite side as shown by the white arrows in Figures 4 and 5.

[0028] In other words, if the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 exceeds the tolerance, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of the lower case 22 will not be located within the body groove 211e of the valve body 211, and light irradiated from the side will be transmitted to the opposite side.

[0029] On the other hand, when the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 is within the tolerance, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of the lower case 22 is located within the body groove 211e of the valve body 211, so that the light irradiated from the side does not pass through to the opposite side. Therefore, it is possible to reliably inspect whether the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 is within the tolerance.

[0030] Coil 26 is disposed coaxially with rotor 25 and partition member 213 on the radially outer side of rotor 25 and partition member 213. As shown in Fig. 6, coil 26 is formed with holding portion 26a for holding magnetic flux sensor 27. Holding portion 26a is integrally molded with a molded resin that seals the wire of coil 26.

[0031] The magnetic flux sensor 27 is a magnetic flux density detector that detects magnetic flux density. In other words, the magnetic flux sensor 27 is a magnetic flux change detector that detects magnetic flux change accompanying the rotation of the rotor 25.

[0032] Because the magnetic flux sensor 27 is held by the coil 26, the positional accuracy of the magnetic flux sensor 27 with respect to the rotor 25 can be improved compared to when the magnetic flux sensor 27 is held by the lower case 22. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux sensor 27 can be improved.

[0033] The control board 28 is an electric board that controls the supply of electricity to the coil 26 based on the detection signal of the magnetic flux sensor 27 .

[0034] The upper case 23 is a lid member for sealing the lower case 22. The lower case 22 and the upper case 23 are formed of resin. The lower case 22 and the upper case 23 are fixed together by laser welding. This makes the lower case 22 and the upper case 23 liquid-tightly sealed, preventing water from entering electrical control components such as the control board 28 and the magnetic flux sensor 27.

[0035] The bracket 24 is a member used to fix the lower case 22 to the valve body 211. The bracket 24 has a flat plate shape bent into an L shape. Specifically, the bracket 24 has a body side portion 24a extending toward the valve body 211 side and a case side portion 24b extending toward the lower case 22 side. The body side portion 24a extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition member 213. The case side portion 24b extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member 213.

[0036] The bending angle of the bracket 24 is 90 degrees (in other words, a right angle). The outer shape of the bracket 24 is line symmetrical. The bracket 24 is made of stainless steel.

[0037] A screw hole 24c is provided in the body side portion 24a. A female screw hole 211f is provided in a side surface of the valve body 211. The bracket 24 is fastened and fixed to the valve body 211 with a body side screw 30.

[0038] The case side portion 24b has a cutout portion 24d formed in a shape corresponding to the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22. A portion of the case side portion 24b adjacent to the cutout portion 24d is inserted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22.

[0039] The cutout 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 form a rotation prevention structure. As shown in Fig. 7, the cutout 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 have corresponding polygonal shapes, thereby forming the rotation prevention structure.

[0040] Since the polygonal shape of the notch 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 are regular polygonal shapes, the bracket 24 can be inserted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 from multiple directions. This allows the bracket 24 and the lower case 22 to be used in other products, allowing for the sharing of parts.

[0041] The bracket 24 is fitted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 in a clearance fit that allows the bracket 24 to move in the insertion direction. In other words, a clearance is provided between the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 in both the width direction and the thickness direction of the bracket 24.

[0042] When the bracket 24 is inserted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22, the bracket 24 protrudes from the lower case 22 when viewed from the axial direction of the valve body 212. A portion 24e of the case side portion 24b of the bracket 24 protruding from the insertion groove 22b (hereinafter referred to as the protruding portion 24e) has an axisymmetric shape.

[0043] Next, a description will be given of the procedure for assembling the expansion valve 20. First, in the bracket insertion process, the bracket 24 is inserted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22. The bracket 24 is fitted into the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 with a clearance fit, so in this state the bracket 24 can move relative to the lower case 22 in the insertion direction.

[0044] In the subsequent lower case assembly process, the lower case 22 and the bracket 24 are assembled to the valve body 211 of the main body 21. At this time, as shown by the outline arrow in Fig. 8, the bracket 24 is fastened and fixed to the valve body 211 while pressing the protruding portion 24e of the bracket 24 against the valve body 211 (the lower side in Fig. 8) with a jig 40. Specifically, the bracket 24 is fastened and fixed with a body-side screw 30 by utilizing the screw hole 24c of the bracket 24 and the female screw hole 211f of the valve body 211.

[0045] In this way, the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211 while having some degree of freedom in the insertion direction of the bracket 24 relative to the lower case 22, so that manufacturing errors can be absorbed and the lower case 22 can be assembled coaxially with the partition member 213. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the compression of the O-ring 29 from becoming uneven.

[0046] When fastening the bracket 24 to the valve body 211, the bracket 24 is pressed against the valve body 211 (the downward side in FIG. 8) by the jig 40, so that the lower case 22 is fixed to the valve body 211 while being pressed against the valve body 211. This makes it possible to prevent the lower case 22 from moving in the fastening direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 8) after the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211.

[0047] In the subsequent coil assembly process, the coil 26 is assembled to the lower case 22. Next, the magnetic flux sensor 27 is assembled to the holding portion 26a of the coil 26. Next, the control board 28 is assembled to the lower case 22. At this time, the terminal portion of the control board 28 is connected to the terminal portion of the coil 26, and the lead wire of the magnetic flux sensor 27 is soldered to the control board 28.

[0048] In the subsequent upper case assembly process, the upper case 23 is assembled to the lower case 22 by laser welding and the lid is closed. Through the above processes, the assembly of the expansion valve 20 is completed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the bracket 24 has a body-side portion 24a that extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition member 213 and is fastened to the valve body 211 by fastening members 30, and a case-side portion 24b that extends in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition member 213 and is attached to the lower case 22. The bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211 at the body-side portion 24a by the fastening members 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member 213.

[0050] The lower case 22 and the bracket 24 form an allowance structure that allows movement of the bracket 24 relative to the lower case 22 in the fastening direction by the fastening members 30.

[0051] By forming such an allowable structure, manufacturing errors can be absorbed when fastening the bracket 24 to the valve body 211, making it easier to assemble the lower case 22 coaxially with the partition member 213. Therefore, eccentricity of the lower case 22 can be suppressed.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bracket 24 has a protruding portion 24e that protrudes from the lower case 22 when viewed in the axial direction of the partition member 213. With this, when fastening and fixing the bracket 24 to the valve body 211, the bracket 24 can be fastened and fixed to the valve body 211 while pressing the protruding portion 24e against the valve body 211 by an external force. Therefore, after fastening and fixing the bracket 24 to the valve body 211, movement of the lower case 22 in the fastening direction (left and right direction in FIG. 8) can be suppressed.

[0053] In this embodiment, the allowable structure that allows movement of the bracket 24 has an insertion groove 22b. The insertion groove 22b is formed in the lower case 22, and the bracket 24 is inserted into it. The fit between the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b is a clearance fit that allows movement of the bracket 24 relative to the lower case 22 in the fastening direction. This allows movement of the bracket 24 relative to the lower case 22 in the fastening direction by the fastening member 30.

[0054] In this embodiment, the insertion groove 22b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower case 22, and a notch 24d corresponding to the shape of the insertion groove 22b is formed in the bracket 24. This simplifies the allowance structure that allows the movement of the bracket 24.

[0055] In this embodiment, the insertion groove 22b and the cutout portion 24d form a rotation prevention structure that prevents the bracket 24 from rotating relative to the lower case 22 in the axis direction of the partition member 213. This makes it possible to prevent the lower case 22 from rotating relative to the valve body 211 in the axis direction of the partition member 213 after assembly.

[0056] In this embodiment, the coil 26 is formed with a holding portion 26a that holds the magnetic flux sensor 27. Since the magnetic flux sensor 27 is held by the coil 26, the positional accuracy of the magnetic flux sensor 27 with respect to the rotor 25 can be improved compared to the case where the magnetic flux sensor 27 is held by the lower case 22. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux sensor 27 can be improved.

[0057] Second embodiment In the above embodiment, the cutout portion 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 have corresponding polygonal shapes, thereby forming a rotation prevention structure.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the cutout portion 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 have a concave-convex shape that meshes with each other, thereby forming a rotation prevention structure.

[0059] In a first embodiment shown in Fig. 9, a concave shape is formed in the cutout portion 24d of the bracket 24, and a convex shape is formed in the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22. In a second embodiment shown in Fig. 10, a convex shape is formed in the cutout portion 24d of the bracket 24, and a concave shape is formed in the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22. According to these embodiments, the anti-rotation function can be reliably achieved.

[0060] Third embodiment In the above embodiment, the anti-rotation structure is formed by the notch 24d of the bracket 24 and the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 having corresponding polygonal shapes. In the present embodiment, the anti-rotation structure is formed by the case side screws 31 fastened to the lower case 22, as shown in FIG.

[0061] A pedestal 22d is formed in the lower case 22. A female screw hole 22c is formed in the pedestal 22d, into which a case-side screw 31 is fastened. A pedestal hole 24f is formed in the bracket 24, into which the pedestal 22d is inserted. The thickness of the pedestal 22d is greater than the thickness of the bracket 24. The inner diameter of the pedestal hole 24f is greater than the outer diameter of the pedestal 22d.

[0062] With base 22d inserted into base hole 24f of bracket 24, case side screw 31 is fastened into female threaded hole 22c, whereby bracket 24 is assembled to lower case 22 with a degree of freedom in the left-right direction of FIG. 11 relative to lower case 22.

[0063] According to this embodiment, since the bracket 24 is attached to the lower case 22 using the case side screws 31, the bracket 24 can be attached to the lower case 22 reliably.

[0064] (Fourth embodiment) In the above third embodiment, the bracket 24 is attached to the lower case 22 by the case side screws 31, but in this embodiment, the bracket 24 is attached to the lower case 22 by thermal welding, as shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the shape of the lower case 22 before thermal welding is performed is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0065] Before thermal welding, a pin 22g is formed on the base 22d of the lower case 22. The base 22d is inserted into the base hole 24f of the bracket 24, and a metal (e.g., stainless steel) washer 32 is inserted into the pin 22g. Heat is then applied to the pin 22g to melt it in this state. This allows the bracket 24 to be assembled to the lower case 22 with some degree of freedom in the left-right direction of FIG.

[0066] By placing the washer 32 on the bracket 24, it is possible to prevent the pin 22g, which has been melted by application of heat, from entering between the bracket 24 and the base 22d and becoming stuck there.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the bracket 24 is attached to the lower case 22 by thermal welding, so that the bracket 24 can be attached to the lower case 22 reliably.

[0068] Fifth embodiment In the above embodiment, the bending angle of the bracket 24 is 90 degrees (in other words, a right angle), but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the bending angle of the bracket 24 is an acute angle.

[0069] The angle between the surface of the valve body 211 against which the bracket 24 abuts and the direction in which the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 extends is 90 degrees. Therefore, the bending angle of the bracket 24 is smaller than the angle between the surface of the valve body 211 against which the bracket 24 abuts and the direction in which the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 extends.

[0070] Therefore, when the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211 with the body side screws 30, the bracket 24 presses the lower case 22 against the valve body 211 (the downward side in FIG. 13). This allows movement of the bracket 24 relative to the lower case 22 in the fastening direction by the fastening members 30 (the left-right direction in FIG. 13).

[0071] In this embodiment, the insertion groove 22b extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member 213, and the bracket 24 has a plate shape bent between the portion fastened and fixed to the valve body 211 and the portion attached to the lower case 22, and the bending angle of the bracket 24 is an acute angle.

[0072] According to this, when the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211, the bracket 24 can press the lower case 22 toward the valve body 211. Therefore, after the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211, movement of the lower case 22 in the fastening direction (left and right direction in FIG. 13 ) can be suppressed.

[0073] Sixth embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, when the bracket 24 is fastened and fixed to the valve body 211, the protruding portion 24e of the bracket 24 is pressed against the valve body 211 with the jig 40, thereby pressing the lower case 22 against the valve body 211. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the pressing portion 24g of the bracket 24 presses the lower case 22 against the valve body 211 (the downward side in Figures 14 to 15).

[0074] The pressing portion 24g is formed by plastically deforming a part of the bracket 24 so as to twist it as shown by the arrow in Fig. 15 after the bracket 24 is fastened and fixed to the valve body 211. The bracket 24 is formed with a notch 24h to facilitate the plastic deformation.

[0075] In this manner, by pressing the lower case 22 toward the valve body 211 (the downward side in Figures 14-15) with the pressing portion 24g of the bracket 24, the lower case 22, which is fastened and fixed to the valve body 211 by the bracket 24, can be prevented from moving in the fastening direction (left-right direction in Figure 14).

[0076] In this embodiment, the bracket 24 has a pressing portion 24g that is bent so as to press the lower case 22 toward the valve body 211. This makes it possible to prevent the lower case 22 from moving in the fastening direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 14 ) after the bracket 24 is fastened and fixed to the body 211.

[0077] Seventh embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, a body groove 211e into which the lower end of the lower case 22 fits is formed on the upper surface of the valve body 211. However, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 17 to 18, a body cutout portion 211g into which the lower end of the lower case 22 fits is formed on the upper surface of the valve body 211.

[0078] The depth dimension Dc of the body cutout portion 211g is the same as the clearance tolerance between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22.

[0079] As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, in the quality inspection process of the expansion valve 20, it is possible to reliably inspect whether or not the gap dimension Dg between the valve body 211 and the lower case 22 is equal to or smaller than the tolerance.

[0080] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as follows without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] In the above-described fifth embodiment, the bending angle of the bracket 24 is an acute angle, and the angle between the surface of the valve body 211 against which the bracket 24 abuts and the direction in which the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 extends is 90 degrees. However, conversely, the bending angle of the bracket 24 may be 90 degrees, and the angle between the surface of the valve body 211 against which the bracket 24 abuts and the direction in which the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22 extends may be an obtuse angle.

[0082] The bending angle of the bracket 24 is smaller than the angle between the surface of the valve body 211 against which the bracket 24 abuts and the extending direction of the insertion groove 22b of the lower case 22, so that when the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211 with the body-side screw 30, the bracket 24 presses the lower case 22 against the valve body 211. This makes it possible to prevent the valve body 211 from moving after the bracket 24 is fastened to the valve body 211.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the valve body 212 is driven by a stepping motor having the rotor 25 and the coil 26, but various motors may be adopted as an electric actuator for driving the valve body 212.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 is applied to a vehicle air conditioner, but the application of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 is not limited to this.

[0085] For example, the vapor compression refrigeration cycle 10 may be applied to a stationary air conditioner, a refrigeration / freezing device, a hot water supply device, or the like.

[0086] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or structure. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A body (211) that forms a refrigerant flow path (211b); A valve body (212) for adjusting the opening degree of the refrigerant flow path; A rotor (25) that drives the valve body; an electrical board (28) for controlling the rotation of the rotor; A cylindrical partition member (213) fixed to the body and housing the rotor; a case (22) disposed outside the partition member, housing the electric board, and having a cylindrical portion (22a) coaxial with the partition member; an O-ring (29) disposed between the cylindrical portion and the partition member to prevent liquid from entering the case; a bracket (24) having a body side portion (24a) extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition member and fastened to the body, and a case side portion (24b) extending in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition member and attached to the case; a fastening member (30) for fastening the bracket to the body at the body side portion, The case and the bracket form an allowance structure (22b, 24b) that allows movement of the bracket relative to the case in the fastening direction by the fastening member.

2. 2. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a protruding portion that protrudes from the case when viewed in the axial direction of the partition member.

3. The allowable structure has an insertion groove (22b) formed in the case and into which the bracket is inserted, 3. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the bracket and the insertion groove are fitted together in a clearance manner that allows movement of the bracket relative to the case in the fastening direction.

4. The insertion groove is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the case, The expansion valve according to claim 3, wherein the bracket is formed with a notch (24d) that corresponds to a shape of the insertion groove.

5. The expansion valve according to claim 4 , wherein the insertion groove and the notch form a rotation prevention structure that prevents the bracket from rotating relative to the case in a direction around the axis of the partition member.

6. The insertion groove extends in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the partition member, The bracket has a plate shape bent between a portion fastened to the body and a portion attached to the case, 4. The expansion valve according to claim 3, wherein the bending angle of the bracket is an acute angle.

7. 2. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a pressing portion (24g) bent so as to press the case against the body.

8. A coil (26) that is housed in the case and generates a magnetic field that rotates the rotor; a magnetic flux sensor (27) for detecting a change in magnetic flux accompanying the rotation of the rotor; 2. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the coil is formed with a holding portion (26a) for holding the magnetic flux sensor.

Images