Electric valve and temperature control system

Abstract

The motor-operated valve 30 comprises a valve body 40 having a valve chamber 42 and a valve port 44 connected to the valve chamber 42, a valve element 46 that moves relative to the valve port 44, a drive unit 50 that drives the valve element 46, a temperature sensor 90 that acquires the temperature of the refrigerant, and a control unit 70 that controls the drive unit 50. The control procedure of the control unit 70 has a heteronomous mode in which the drive unit 50 is controlled based on a control command from a control device 22 that determines the control amount of the drive unit 50, and an autonomous mode in which the control amount of the drive unit 50 is determined based on the temperature of the refrigerant acquired by the temperature sensor 90 and the drive unit 50 is controlled.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a motorized valve and a temperature adjustment system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, an electric valve having a stator unit with an inner space in which a can is disposed is known, as disclosed in International Publication No. 2022 / 168651. In the electric valve of International Publication No. 2022 / 168651, the stator unit has a substrate that drives and controls a stepping motor. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present disclosure provides a motor-operated valve that is controlled based on a control index even when there is no control command from a control device to control a drive device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The first embodiment of the motor-operated valve is a motor-operated valve comprising a valve body having a valve chamber and a valve port connected to the valve chamber, a valve element that moves relative to the valve port, a drive unit that drives the valve element, an acquisition unit that acquires a control index, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, and the control method of the control unit includes a heteronomous mode in which the drive unit is controlled based on a control command of a control device that determines the control amount of the drive unit, and an autonomous mode in which the control amount of the drive unit is determined based on the control index acquired by the acquisition unit and the drive unit is controlled.

[0005] The motor-operated valve according to this aspect has a control method of a control unit, which is a heteronomous mode in which the drive unit is controlled based on a control command from a control device that determines a control amount of the drive unit, and an autonomous mode in which the drive unit is controlled by determining a control amount of the drive unit based on a control index acquired by the acquisition unit. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, control based on the control index can be performed even when there is no control command to control the drive unit from the control device.

[0006] The second aspect of the electric valve is the electric valve described in the first aspect, wherein when controlled in the autonomous mode, the control unit brings the control index closer to the target value notified by the control device.

[0007] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, when the control unit controls in autonomous mode, the control index is adjusted to approach the target value notified by the control device. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, control is more stable even without a control command notification from the control device than when the target value is determined by the motor-operated valve itself.

[0008] A third aspect of the motor-operated valve is the motor-operated valve according to the second aspect, wherein the control unit notifies the control device when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value.

[0009] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the control unit notifies the control device when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, when the control index cannot fall within the target range by the operation of the motor-operated valve alone, the control device can be notified of the control index.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the motor-operated valve is the motor-operated valve according to the third aspect, wherein the control unit controls in the heteronomic mode when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value.

[0011] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the control unit controls the control index in a heteronomic mode when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, when the control index cannot fall within the target range by the operation of the motor-operated valve alone, the control unit can receive a control command from the control device and control the control index.

[0012] A motor-operated valve according to a fifth aspect is the motor-operated valve according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the acquisition unit is a measurement unit that measures a control index.

[0013] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the acquisition unit is a measurement unit that measures the control index, and therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the control index can be acquired without relying on an external device.

[0014] The temperature adjustment system of the sixth aspect includes a pump that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from a heat absorber to a heat radiator, an electric valve described in any one of the first to fifth aspects that controls the flow of the fluid, and a control device that sends a control command to the control unit of the electric valve by operation of a user.

[0015] The temperature adjustment system according to this aspect includes a pump that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from the heat absorber to the heat radiator, and an electric valve that controls the flow of the fluid. The temperature adjustment system according to this aspect also includes a control device that sends a control command to a control unit of the electric valve in response to a user's operation. Therefore, for a temperature adjustment system incorporating the electric valve according to this aspect, the control cost of the control device is reduced, thereby reducing the development cost of the control device and the performance required of the control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a motor-operated valve that performs control based on a control index even when there is no control command from a control device to control a drive device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a chiller unit having a cooling system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a motor-operated valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a motor-operated valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure by which the control device of the present embodiment operates. [Figure 5] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the procedure by which the control unit of the motor-operated valve of the present embodiment operates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] This embodiment will be described below. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between thickness and planar dimensions, the thickness ratio of each device or member, etc., differ from the actual ones. Therefore, specific thicknesses and dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios are included among the drawings.

[0019] (composition) 1 shows a chiller unit 10 having a cooling system 12 according to this embodiment. The chiller unit 10 has the cooling system 12 and a cooling water circuit 14.

[0020] The cooling system 12 is an example of a "temperature adjustment system" in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling system 12 includes a control device 22, an electric valve 30, an evaporator 18, a compressor 26, and a condenser 16. The electric valve 30, the evaporator 18, the compressor 26, and the condenser 16 are all connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe 20. A refrigerant, which is an example of a fluid in this embodiment, is placed inside the refrigerant pipe 20.

[0021] The compressor 26 is an example of a "pump" in this embodiment, and is a device that compresses a gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 26 flows into the condenser 16, which is an example of a "heat radiator" in this embodiment, and is liquefied while being cooled by the fan 24. The liquefied refrigerant flows into the motor-operated valve 30.

[0022] The flow of the liquefied refrigerant is controlled by the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, the pressure or flow rate of the refrigerant is adjusted by the motor-operated valve 30 as described below, and the refrigerant flows out. The specific configuration of the motor-operated valve 30 will be described later.

[0023] The refrigerant that flows out from the motor-operated valve 30 flows into the evaporator 18, which is an example of a "heat absorber" in this embodiment, and evaporates by absorbing thermal energy from the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit 14, as will be described later. The refrigerant that has absorbed thermal energy flows back into the compressor 26 and is compressed, thereby obtaining the refrigeration cycle of the cooling system 12 of the chiller unit 10 according to this embodiment.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water circuit 14 includes a cooling water pipe, a liquid pump 28 that causes cooling water to flow inside the cooling water pipe, and a water tank WT.

[0025] The cooling water piping is piping through which cooling water flows to cool a cooling object (not shown) that is arranged outside the chiller unit 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling water piping is connected to an outlet through which cooling water flows out of the chiller unit 10 and an inlet through which cooling water flows into the chiller unit 10. The cooling water piping also connects the evaporator 18, the water tank WT, and the pump.

[0026] The cooling water, whose temperature has increased by cooling the object to be cooled, flows through the cooling water piping into the evaporator 18 of the cooling system 12. The cooling water that flows into the evaporator 18 is cooled as described above, flows out, and is stored in the water tank WT. The cooling water is then flowed out of the water tank WT again by the liquid feed pump 28 to the outside of the chiller unit 10.

[0027] Next, the motor-operated valve 30 and the control device 22 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment, and Figure 3 shows the motor-operated valve 30 and the control device 22 in this embodiment.

[0028] (Configuration of the motor-operated valve 30) 2, the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment includes a valve body 40, a can 36, a valve element 46, a drive unit 50, and a control unit 70. The drive unit 50 includes a rotor 52, a stator 56, and a valve element lifting / lowering drive mechanism 54.

[0029] (Valve body 40) The valve body 40 is a cylindrical member with a bottom and an open top. The valve body 40 has a valve chamber 42 and a valve port 44. A valve seat 48 is formed on the upper surface of the valve port 44, with which a valve element 46 comes into contact, as will be described later. A drive unit 50 is inserted into the valve chamber 42 from the top of the valve body 40, as will be described later.

[0030] A first inlet / outlet 32 ​​made up of a pipe joint is joined to the left side of the valve chamber 42 of the valve body 40 in the drawing. Similarly, a second inlet / outlet 34 made up of a pipe joint is joined to the lower side of the valve chamber 42 of the valve body 40 in the drawing.

[0031] (Can 36) The can 36 is a cylindrical member with a bottom. The opening side of the can 36 faces downward in the figure and is joined to the valve body 40, thereby sealing the top surface of the valve body 40. Inside the can 36, there are disposed a disk body that is fixed by being fitted into the inner wall surface of the can 36, and a shaft body 52S that is joined at one end to the disk body and extends in the vertical direction in the figure.

[0032] (Rotor 52) The rotor 52 has a cylindrical magnet and is rotatably disposed inside the can 36 by a shaft 52S, so that it can rotate above the valve chamber 42 in the drawing. The lower part of the rotor 52 is joined to a valve element lifting and lowering drive mechanism 54.

[0033] (Valve element lifting drive mechanism 54) The valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 is a mechanism for lifting and lowering the valve element 46. More specifically, the valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 has a feed screw mechanism 54F, which converts the rotation of the rotor 52 into a vertical direction in the drawing. The feed screw mechanism 54F has a lower portion located inside the valve chamber 42. The feed screw mechanism 54F is also arranged so that its lower portion contacts the valve element 46. When the rotor 52 rotates, the valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 drives the valve element 46 in a vertical direction in the drawing.

[0034] (Valve body 46) As shown in the figure, the valve disc 46 is a component disposed inside the valve chamber 42, and moves relative to the valve orifice 44 by the operation of the valve disc lifting mechanism 54 described above. As shown in the figure, the valve disc 46 comes into contact with a valve seat 48 in the valve orifice 44, thereby closing the valve orifice 44. When the valve disc 46 moves away from the valve orifice 44, the refrigerant flows through the valve orifice 44. The flow of the refrigerant is adjusted by the distance between the valve disc 46 and the valve orifice 44.

[0035] (Stator 56) The stator 56 is disposed on the outer periphery of the can 36, i.e., on the outside of the can 36. The stator 56 includes a yoke, a bobbin, a coil 58, a resin mold, and the like. A pulse current is applied to the coil 58 of the stator 56 from the control unit 70. The stator 56 and the rotor 52 form a stepping motor. In other words, the stator 56 drives the rotor 52 to rotate, thereby driving the valve element 46.

[0036] (control unit 70) As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 70 includes a regulator 74, a communication unit 76, a microcomputer 80, an angle sensor 78, a motor driver 72, and a temperature sensor 90.

[0037] The regulator 74 is connected to the power supply Vcc and the ground Gnd as shown in FIG. 3, and serves as the power supply Vdd that operates the control unit 70.

[0038] The communication unit 76 is a component for communicating with other devices such as the control device 22. Specifically, the communication unit 76 communicates with other devices using communication means such as wired, wireless, the Internet, an intranet, or a public line such as a telephone line. Note that the communication means may also be communication means using sound, light, vibration, image, or the like.

[0039] The microcomputer 80 is a device that controls each part of the control unit 70. The microcomputer 80 has the functions of a computer, and as shown in Fig. 3, has a CPU 81 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 82 (Random Access Memory), a flash memory 83, an AD converter 84, an I / O interface 85, and an RTC 86 (Real-Time Clock). The CPU 81, RAM 82, flash memory 83, AD converter 84, I / O interface 85, and RTC 86 are each connected to one another by a control bus (not shown).

[0040] The CPU 81 is a central processing unit that executes various programs stored in the flash memory 83 and controls each component. The RAM 82 temporarily stores programs or data as a work area. The AD converter 84 communicates with the motor driver 72, converts analog signals received from the angle sensor 78 into digital signals, and stores the digital signals in the RAM 82. The RTC 86 is a component that keeps measuring time, and sends a time signal to the CPU 81 indicating the time at which a signal was sent.

[0041] The flash memory 83 stores various programs and data. More specifically, the flash memory 83 stores programs that are referenced in the control procedures described below. Furthermore, when multiple measurements are performed in the control procedures described below, the flash memory 83 also records each measurement value.

[0042] The angle sensor 78 is a so-called Hall sensor, and detects the amount of rotation (the angle of rotation including the direction of rotation) of the rotor 52. The detected amount of rotation of the rotor 52 is stored as data in the RAM 82 by the AD converter 84 of the microcomputer 80, as described above.

[0043] The motor driver 72 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 80 and the stator 56, and is a component that converts a control signal for the stator 56 received from the microcomputer 80 into a pulse signal and transmits it to the stator 56. The motor driver 72 is also capable of measuring parameters such as voltage and current for the pulse signal supplied to the stator 56 through the microcomputer 80. More specifically, the motor driver 72 is capable of measuring the back electromotive force generated when a pulse current is passed through the stator 56, as well as a current value according to the rotational torque of the rotor 52, which corresponds to the mechanical resistance when the valve element 46 is driven.

[0044] The temperature sensor 90 is a sensor that measures the temperature of the refrigerant circulating inside the refrigerant pipe 20. More specifically, the temperature sensor 90 measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant pipe 20 downstream of the motor-operated valve 30 and upstream of the evaporator 18, for example. The measured refrigerant temperature is then transmitted to the microcomputer 80 as an electrical signal. The refrigerant temperature is also stored in the RAM 82 as data.

[0045] The temperature sensor 90 corresponds to the "measurement unit" in this embodiment. The refrigerant is the object to be controlled by the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment. Measuring the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant by the temperature sensor 90 is an example of "obtaining a control index" in this embodiment. In other words, the temperature sensor 90 is also an example of the "detection unit" in this embodiment.

[0046] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the specific configuration of the control unit 70 is not limited to the above. That is, each of the above-described components may be provided as so-called hardware, or may be provided as software that functions when the microcomputer 80 executes a program.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 70 is disposed adjacent to the stator 56, as shown in FIG.

[0048] (Control device 22) The control device 22 is an external control device for the motor-operated valve 30, and includes an input unit 22I that receives user operations, an indication unit 22O that presents the status of the chiller unit 10 to the user, and a control unit 23. The control device 22 also transmits control commands to the motor-operated valve 30 in response to user operations input to the input unit 22I. The input unit 22I and the indication unit 22O may have any configuration, but as an example, a touch panel is used to serve the functions of both components.

[0049] The control unit 23 has a recording device (not shown) that stores various programs and various data. More specifically, the recording device stores programs that are referenced in the control procedures described below. The recording device also records past measurement values ​​measured in the control procedures described below.

[0050] In addition, the control unit 23 of the control device 22 sends a control command to the electric valve 30 based on the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit 14 measured by a sensor not shown in the figure so that the temperature of the cooling water becomes the set value input by user operation.

[0051] For example, when the temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit 14 is higher than a set value, the control device 22 sends a control command to the control unit 70 to increase the cooling capacity of the evaporator 18. The control device 22 includes the distance (coordinate value) of the motor-operated valve 30 to the valve orifice 44 in the control command to increase the opening degree (the distance between the valve orifice 44 and the valve element 46) of the motor-operated valve 30. Furthermore, based on the received control command, the control unit 70 sends a pulse signal to the stator 56 to drive the valve element 46 so that the position of the valve element 46 matches the coordinate value.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 23 of the control device 22 is capable of obtaining the temperature of the refrigerant from the control unit 70 of the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, the control unit 23 requests the microcomputer 80 to notify the microcomputer 80 of the temperature of the refrigerant measured by the temperature sensor 90. Then, upon receiving the request from the control unit 23, the microcomputer 80 notifies the control unit 23 of the temperature of the refrigerant, whereby the control unit 23 of the control device 22 obtains the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0053] Incidentally, in the cooling system 12 incorporating the motor-operated valve 30, maintaining the connection between the motor-operated valve 30 and the control device 22 may increase the control cost. For example, when the control device 22 sequentially calculates and determines the control amount of the connected motor-operated valve 30, the control unit 23 of the control device 22 incurs a cost for executing calculation processing. The cost required for the control device 22 to control the motor-operated valve 30 in this manner is referred to as the "control cost."

[0054] Here, the procedure by which the control device 22 and the motor-operated valve 30 control the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling system 12 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0055] The procedure shown in Fig. 4 is executed by the control unit 23 of the control device 22 reading a program (not shown) recorded in a recording unit (not shown). The procedure shown in Fig. 5 is executed by the microcomputer 80 reading a program (not shown) recorded in the flash memory 83. In this embodiment, the conditions under which the control device 22 starts to execute the procedure shown in Fig. 4 and the conditions under which the microcomputer 80 starts to execute the procedure shown in Fig. 5 are set appropriately. As an example, these procedures are started when power is supplied to the control device 22 and the motor-operated valve 30 (i.e., when the cooling system 12 is started).

[0056] (Control procedure of the control device 22) First, in step S102, the control unit 23 acquires the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the refrigerant. More specifically, the control unit 23 acquires the temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit 14, measured by a sensor (not shown). The control unit 23 also acquires the temperature of the refrigerant from the motor-operated valve 30. Then, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S104.

[0057] Next, in step S104, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the control authority can be transferred to the motor-operated valve 30. As an example, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the coolant temperature is approaching the set temperature based on the deviation of the coolant temperature from a predetermined set temperature and the amount of change in the coolant temperature per unit time. Furthermore, in step S104, the control unit 23 determines that the control authority can be transferred to the motor-operated valve 30 if the coolant temperature is approaching the predetermined set temperature. Note that, in step S104, the amount of change in the coolant temperature when it is determined that the coolant temperature is approaching the predetermined set temperature is set appropriately.

[0058] Then, if the control unit 23 determines that the control authority cannot be transferred to the motor-operated valve 30, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the control unit 23 determines that the control authority can be transferred to the motor-operated valve 30, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0059] Furthermore, in step S106, the control unit 23 notifies the motor-operated valve 30 of a control command. More specifically, the control unit 23 notifies the microcomputer 80 of the motor-operated valve 30 of a signal to drive the valve element 46. Note that the control command to drive the valve element 46 also includes a case where the valve element 46 is not driven, i.e., a case where the position of the valve element 46 is maintained. Then, when the control unit 23 notifies the motor-operated valve 30 of the control command, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0060] Furthermore, in step S108, control unit 23 notifies motor-operated valve 30 of the target value of the refrigerant temperature and transfers control authority. More specifically, in step S108, control unit 23 notifies microcomputer 80 of motor-operated valve 30 of the target value of the refrigerant temperature when the coolant temperature becomes a predetermined set temperature. Then, when control unit 23 has notified microcomputer 80 of motor-operated valve 30 of the target value, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0061] Next, in step S110, the control unit 23 determines whether the temperature of the coolant is stable. As an example, the control unit 23 determines whether the temperature of the coolant is deviated based on the deviation of the temperature of the coolant from a predetermined set temperature and the amount of change in the temperature of the coolant per unit time. That is, in step S110, the control unit 23 makes the same determination as in step S104. Note that, when the control unit 23 determines in step S110 that the temperature of the coolant is stable with respect to the predetermined set temperature, the amount of change in the temperature of the coolant is set appropriately.

[0062] Note that, when the control unit 23 has received a notification from the microcomputer 80 of the motor-operated valve 30, the control unit 23 may make a determination in step S110 based on the content of the notification. The specific notification received from the microcomputer 80 in step S110 will be described later.

[0063] If the temperature of the cooling water is not stable, that is, if the control unit 23 determines that the temperature of the cooling water is different from a predetermined temperature, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, if the control unit 23 determines that the temperature of the cooling water is stable, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S114.

[0064] In addition, in step S112, the control unit 23 acquires control authority from the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, in step S112, the control unit 23 notifies the motor-operated valve 30 of a control command to acquire control authority. Then, when the control unit 23 notifies the motor-operated valve 30 of the control command, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 23 waits in step S114. In other words, the control unit 23 does not transmit a control command to the motor-operated valve 30 for a predetermined time. Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S116.

[0066] In step S116, the control unit 23 determines whether or not to continue the control procedure. If the determination in step S116 is affirmative, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the determination in step S116 is negative, the control unit 23 ends the control procedure.

[0067] Next, the control procedure of the microcomputer 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] (Microcomputer 80 control procedure) First, in step S202, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the control authority is held by the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the control unit 23 has executed the procedure of step S108 and transferred the control authority to the motor-operated valve 30. If the microcomputer 80 makes a positive determination in step S202, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 80 makes a negative determination in step S202, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S216.

[0069] Furthermore, in step S204, the microcomputer 80 measures the temperature of the refrigerant. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 acquires the temperature of the refrigerant from the temperature sensor 90. Then, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S216.

[0070] In step S206, microcomputer 80 calculates the amount of movement of valve element 46 so that the refrigerant temperature reaches the target value. More specifically, based on the refrigerant temperature measured in step S204, microcomputer 80 determines the amount of movement of valve element 46 so that the refrigerant temperature reaches the target value notified by control unit 23 in the procedure of step S108. Then, microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S208.

[0071] In step S208, the microcomputer 80 drives the valve element 46 based on the calculation result of the movement amount of the valve element 46. In other words, the microcomputer 80 drives the valve element so that the refrigerant temperature acquired in step S204 approaches the target value notified by the control unit 23. Then, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S210.

[0072] Next, in step S210, microcomputer 80 determines whether the refrigerant temperature is within a target range. More specifically, microcomputer 80 determines whether the measurement result of the refrigerant temperature is included in the target range based on the target value notified by control unit 23. Note that when microcomputer 80 determines in step S210 that the refrigerant temperature is within the target range, the target range based on the target value is set appropriately.

[0073] If the refrigerant temperature is not within the target range, i.e., if the microcomputer 80 determines that the refrigerant temperature is far from the target value, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S212. In other words, if the microcomputer 80 determines that the measurement result of the refrigerant temperature is not within the target range based on the target value, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 80 determines that the refrigerant temperature is within the target range, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S222.

[0074] In step S222, the microcomputer 80 determines whether to continue the control procedure. If the determination in step S222 is affirmative, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the determination in step S222 is negative, the microcomputer 80 ends the control procedure.

[0075] In step S212, microcomputer 80 notifies control device 22 of the unstable state. More specifically, in step S212, microcomputer 80 notifies control device 22 that the refrigerant temperature is deviating from the target value due to the influence of an external disturbance or the like. In other words, microcomputer 80 causes control unit 23 to make a negative determination in step S110. When microcomputer 80 notifies control device 22 of the unstable state, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0076] Next, in step S214, the microcomputer 80 transfers the control authority to the control device 22. In other words, the microcomputer 80 communicates with the control unit 23 to cause the control unit 23 to execute step S112. Then, when the microcomputer 80 has transferred the control authority to the control device 22, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S222.

[0077] In step S216, the microcomputer 80 drives the valve 46 based on the control command notified from the control unit 23. More specifically, in step S216, the microcomputer 80 drives the valve 46 based on the control command notified by the control unit 23 by executing the procedure of step S106. Then, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S218.

[0078] Next, in step S218, microcomputer 80 determines whether the refrigerant temperature is stable. More specifically, microcomputer 80 measures the refrigerant temperature in the same manner as in step S204, and determines whether the amount of change in the refrigerant temperature per unit time is greater than a predetermined threshold. In other words, the specific threshold used by microcomputer 80 to determine that the refrigerant temperature is stable in step S218 is set as appropriate.

[0079] If the temperature of the refrigerant is stable, i.e., if the microcomputer 80 determines that the amount of change in the temperature of the refrigerant per unit time is less than the threshold, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 80 determines that the temperature of the refrigerant is not stable, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S222.

[0080] In addition, in step S220, the microcomputer 80 requests control authority from the control device 22. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 notifies the control device 22 to make a positive determination in step S110. Then, when the microcomputer 80 notifies the control device 22 of the request for control authority, the process proceeds to step S222.

[0081] In this embodiment, the control unit 23 of the control device 22 and the microcomputer 80 of the motor-operated valve 30 control the flow of the refrigerant by performing the control procedure and communication described above. Here, in the procedure from step S206 to step S208, the microcomputer 80 determines the control amount of the drive device 50 and controls the drive device 50. In other words, the procedure from step S206 to step S208 is an example of the "autonomous mode" in this embodiment.

[0082] In addition, in the procedure of step S216, the microcomputer 80 controls the drive device 50 based on the control command received from the control device 22. That is, the procedure of step S216 is an example of the "heteronomic mode" in this embodiment.

[0083] In step S220, the microcomputer 80 requests control authority from the control device 22, and the criteria by which the control unit 23 makes a judgment are set as appropriate. More specifically, when the control unit 23 receives a notification requesting control authority from the microcomputer 80, the control unit 23 may be configured to make a judgment at step S110 based on the request, or may be configured to ignore the request. Furthermore, for example, when the control unit 23 receives a notification requesting control authority from the microcomputer 80 more than a predetermined number of times, the control unit 23 may be configured to make an affirmative judgment at step S110.

[0084] Furthermore, the control procedure of the control unit 23 shown in Fig. 4 and the control procedure of the microcomputer 80 shown in Fig. 5 are executed at the same time. For example, in Fig. 4, the control unit 23 requests the motor-operated valve 30 to provide the refrigerant temperature, but the receipt and notification of this request are omitted in Fig. 5. Note that the control unit 23 appropriately receives and notifies requests not shown in Fig. 5.

[0085] Next, the operation and effect of the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment will be described.

[0086] (Action and effect) The motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment has a control method for the microcomputer 80, which is a heteronomous mode in which the drive unit 50 is controlled based on a control command from the control device 22 that determines the control amount of the drive unit 50, and an autonomous mode in which the control amount of the drive unit 50 is determined based on the refrigerant temperature acquired by the acquisition unit, and the drive unit 50 is controlled. Therefore, according to the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment, the refrigerant temperature can be controlled based on the control command even when there is no control command from the control device 22 to control the drive unit 50.

[0087] Furthermore, in the cooling system 12 incorporating the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment, the frequency with which the control device 22 executes control operations can be reduced, thereby reducing the development costs of the control device 22 and the capabilities required of the control device 22. Therefore, the cooling system 12 incorporating the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment reduces development costs.

[0088] Furthermore, when the microcomputer 80 controls the motor-operated valve 30 in the autonomous mode, the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment brings the refrigerant temperature closer to the target value notified by the control device 22. Therefore, the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment makes it easier to maintain the refrigerant temperature even without a control command notification from the control device 22, compared to when the microcomputer 80 determines the target value itself.

[0089] Furthermore, in the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, the microcomputer 80 notifies the control device 22 when the refrigerant temperature does not fall within a target range based on the target value. Therefore, according to the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, when the refrigerant temperature cannot be kept within the target range by the operation of the motor-operated valve 30 alone, the control device 22 can be notified of the refrigerant temperature.

[0090] Furthermore, the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment controls the refrigerant temperature in a heteronomic mode when the microcomputer 80 does not fall within a target range based on a target value. Therefore, according to the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment, when the refrigerant temperature cannot fall within the target range by the operation of the motor-operated valve 30 alone, the motor-operated valve 30 can receive a control command from the control device 22 to control the refrigerant temperature.

[0091] Furthermore, in the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, the acquisition unit is a temperature sensor 90 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant. Therefore, according to the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, the temperature of the refrigerant can be acquired without relying on the control device 22.

[0092] The cooling system 12 according to this embodiment also includes a compressor 26 that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from the evaporator 18 to the condenser 16, and an electric valve 30 that controls the flow of the fluid. The cooling system 12 according to this embodiment also includes a control device 22 that sends control commands to a microcomputer 80 of the electric valve 30 in response to a user's operation. Therefore, for the cooling system 12 incorporating the electric valve 30 according to this embodiment, the control cost of the control device 22 is reduced, and therefore the development cost of the control device 22 and the performance required of the control device 22 are reduced.

[0093] (Variation) Note that some of the steps described above in relation to the control procedure of the microcomputer 80 for controlling the refrigerant temperature may be omitted. More specifically, step S212 or step S214 may be omitted. Alternatively, step S210 may be omitted, and once the procedure of step S208 has been executed, the process may proceed to step S222. Also, steps S218 and S220 may be omitted. In this case, as in the above description, the motor-operated valve 30 can control the refrigerant temperature even when there is no control command from the control device 22 to control the drive device 50.

[0094] The order of the steps described above in the control procedure of the microcomputer 80 for controlling the refrigerant temperature may be changed. More specifically, steps S210 to S214 may be executed before step S206. Furthermore, step S204 may be executed before step S202, as long as it is executed before step S206. In this case, as in the above description, the motor-operated valve 30 can control the refrigerant temperature even when there is no control command from the control device 22 to control the drive device 50.

[0095] In the above description, the temperature sensor 90, which is an example of a measurement unit, measures the temperature of the refrigerant. However, the object measured by the measurement unit in the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of the temperature of the refrigerant, the pressure or flow rate of the refrigerant may be measured. Furthermore, instead of the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant, the measurement unit may measure the temperature of the coolant circulating through the coolant circuit 14, etc.

[0096] In the above description, the control unit 23 of the control device 22 acquires the refrigerant temperature from the control unit 70 of the motor-operated valve 30. In the present disclosure, the method by which the control unit 23 acquires the refrigerant temperature is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 23 may acquire the refrigerant temperature from a sensor other than the control unit 70 of the motor-operated valve 30. In other words, the control unit 23 may measure the refrigerant temperature using a sensor other than the temperature sensor 90 that the microcomputer 80 uses to measure the refrigerant temperature.

[0097] In the above description, the temperature sensor 90, which is an example of a measuring unit, is used as an example of a detecting unit included in the motor-operated valve 30. However, the configuration of the detecting unit in the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the microcomputer 80 may obtain the state of the refrigerant by obtaining the temperature of the refrigerant from an external device of the motor-operated valve 30. In other words, the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment may not be provided with the temperature sensor 90, and the microcomputer 80 may obtain a control indicator (control index or parameter) from an external device.

[0098] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0099] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-157782, filed on September 11, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and herein indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. a valve body having a valve chamber and a valve port connected to the valve chamber; a valve body that moves relative to the valve port; a drive device that drives the valve body; an acquisition unit that acquires a control index; a control unit that controls the drive device; A motor-operated valve comprising: The control method of the control unit includes a heteronomous mode in which the drive device is controlled based on a control command of a control device that determines a control amount of the drive device, and an autonomous mode in which the drive device is controlled by determining a control amount of the drive device based on the control index acquired by the acquisition unit. Electric valve.

2. When performing control in the autonomous mode, the control unit causes the control index to approach a target value notified by a control device. The electrically operated valve according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit notifies the control device when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value; The motor-operated valve according to claim 2.

4. the control unit performs control in the heteronomic mode when the control index does not fall within a target range based on the target value.

4. The motor-operated valve according to claim 3.

5. The acquisition unit is a measurement unit that measures a control index. The electrically operated valve according to claim 1 .

6. a pump for circulating a fluid that transfers thermal energy from the heat sink to the heat sink; The motor-operated valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which controls the flow of the fluid; a control device that transmits a control command to the control unit of the motor-operated valve in response to a user's operation; A temperature control system comprising:

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