Temperature control device

Abstract

Provided is a temperature adjustment device with which it is possible to suppress an increase in sleeve size even if a housing is made from a synthetic resin, and suppress the rattling of a temperature adjustment member. A temperature adjustment member 40 has a flange portion 40b1 formed thereon. A sleeve 20e has formed therein: a groove 20f that extends along the outer circumference in the circumferential direction; and a lateral hole 20g that has one end thereof opening to the groove and penetrates the thickness of the sleeve. A clip member 45 has: an external fitting portion that is elastically deformable and fits into the groove; and inner-side protruding portions that extend facing each other from both ends of the external fitting part, are inserted into the lateral hole, and press the flange portion from the tip side of the sleeve. Wall surfaces of the groove include: a groove back wall that is positioned in the deepest section of the groove on the side opposite from the groove opening; a tip-side curved portion that is continuous from the groove back wall on the sleeve tip side thereof; and a base-side curved portion that is continuous from the groove back wall on the sleeve base side thereof. The radius of curvature of the tip-side curved portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the base-side curved portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control device provided with a temperature control member having a heating unit or a temperature sensing unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Known examples of temperature adjustment devices include thermostat devices that are provided in the cooling circuit of an engine (internal combustion engine) and adjust the temperature of the coolant. Some thermostat devices, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, have a sleeve provided in the housing of the thermostat device, to which an accessory such as a plug is attached using a clip member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-048142 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the accessory is a temperature control component that requires electrical conduction, such as a heater or temperature sensor, any looseness in the temperature control component can cause wear at the electrical connections due to vibration, resulting in poor contact (poor electrical conduction). Therefore, the temperature control component must be firmly secured to the housing without any looseness. However, if the temperature control component is firmly secured to a housing made of synthetic resin or the like with a clip, creep deformation of the housing can occur, causing looseness in the temperature control component and potentially resulting in poor contact.

[0005] Explaining in more detail, for example, a thermostat device 70 shown in Figures 11 and 12 includes a heater 55 as a temperature adjustment member, and this heater 55 is fixed to a sleeve 51 of a housing 50 with a clip member 60. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, a groove 52 with a U-shaped cross section that opens laterally along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer periphery of the sleeve 51, and a step 51a is formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve 51. Also, a horizontal hole 53 is formed in the sleeve 51, penetrating from the inside of the groove 52 to the upper side of the step 51a in the figure. Meanwhile, a flange portion 55a1 that protrudes outward is provided at the mounting portion of the heater 55, and this flange portion 55a1 is designed to rest on the step 51a (Figure 15).

[0006] 13, clip member 60 has a U-shaped outer ridge portion 60a in a plan view and inner protrusions 60b extending from both ends of the outer ridge portion 60a in opposing directions. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, clip member 60 has outer ridge portion 60a fitted into groove 52 and inner protrusion 60b inserted into sleeve 51 through horizontal hole 53, pressing flange portion 55a1 of heater 55 from above in FIG. 15. Movement of clip member 60 upward in the figure is prevented by the upper wall surface of groove 52, preventing heater 55 from being removed.

[0007] As mentioned above, when the heater 55 is firmly fixed to the housing 50, a force is applied to the upper wall of the groove 52 at the top in FIG. 16 in an upward direction from the clip member 60 side. If the groove 52 continues to receive this force and creeps so as to open up and down in FIG. 16, rattles will occur in the heater 55. To suppress such deformation of the groove 52, it is preferable to increase the radius of curvature R of the curved portions 52a, 52b that connect to the inner wall 52c of the groove located at the deepest part of the groove 52, thereby alleviating stress. However, if the radius of curvature R of the curved portions 52a, 52b is made sufficiently large, the vertical width of the groove 52 will increase, and the sleeve 51 will become larger, which will in turn increase the size of the thermostat device (temperature control device). Device )70 will become larger.

[0008] The present invention has been made with the above points in mind, and aims to provide a temperature control device that can prevent the sleeve from becoming too large and can prevent the temperature control component from rattling, even if the housing is made of synthetic resin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the temperature control device according to the present invention comprises a housing having a cylindrical sleeve, a temperature control member having a heating unit or a temperature sensing unit inserted into the housing from the sleeve, and a clip member for fixing the temperature control member to the sleeve, wherein the temperature control member is formed with a flange portion that protrudes outward, and the sleeve is formed with a groove formed along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery and a horizontal hole that penetrates the wall thickness of the sleeve and has one end that opens into the groove, and the clip member is The sleeve has an outer ridge portion that is elastically deformable and fits into the groove, and inner convex portions that extend oppositely from both ends of the outer ridge portion and are inserted into the horizontal hole to press the flange portion from the tip side of the sleeve, and the wall surface of the groove includes a groove inner wall that is located in the deepest part of the groove on the opposite side to the groove opening, a tip side curved portion that is connected to the groove inner wall on the tip side of the sleeve, and a base side curved portion that is connected to the groove inner wall on the base side of the sleeve, and the radius of curvature of the tip side curved portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the base side curved portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the radius of curvature of the distal curved portion and the proximal curved portion connected to the inner wall of the groove is different, which prevents the groove from becoming wider and the sleeve from becoming larger, thereby preventing the temperature control device from becoming larger. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the radius of curvature of the distal curved portion located on the distal side of the sleeve can be increased, so even if the housing is made of synthetic resin, deformation of the groove that would open due to force from the clip member side can be prevented, and rattle of the temperature control member can be suppressed.

[0011] The outer ridge portion of the clip member may be made of wire, and the radius of curvature of the distal curved portion may be equal to or less than the wire diameter of the wire and greater than half the wire diameter of the wire. In this way, when the housing is made of an elastically deformable synthetic resin, the outer ridge portion of the clip member can be easily inserted deep into the groove, and stress generated in the distal curved portion can be reduced.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer ridge portion may be made of wire, and the radius of curvature of the tip curved portion may be equal to or less than half the wire diameter of the wire. In this way, when the housing is made of a synthetic resin or the like that is difficult to elastically deform, the outer ridge portion of the clip member can be easily inserted deep into the groove.

[0013] Furthermore, ribs protruding radially inward may be provided at different circumferential positions on the inner periphery of the sleeve or the outer periphery of the temperature control member, and the temperature control member may be press-fitted into the sleeve. In this way, movement of the temperature control member due to external forces such as vibrations can be suppressed, and rattle of the temperature control member can be more reliably suppressed.

[0014] The device may also include a flow path for the cooling liquid formed within the housing, a valve body that opens and closes the flow path, a thermoelement that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the cooling liquid and drives the valve body to open and close, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a closing direction, wherein the thermoelement has a temperature-sensitive case that incorporates a temperature-sensitive member that changes volume according to temperature, and a piston whose one end is supported by the housing and moves in and out of the temperature-sensitive case according to the change in volume of the temperature-sensitive member, and the temperature control member has the heating unit, and the heating unit may be inserted into the piston.

[0015] In this way, when the temperature control device is a thermostat device equipped with a thermoelement and the heating portion of the temperature control member is inserted into the piston, it is necessary to firmly fix the temperature control member to the housing without rattle using only the clip member. Therefore, in such a case, if the groove deforms and opens, it will directly lead to rattle of the temperature control member, so it is particularly effective to apply the present invention to such a temperature control device.

[0016] The temperature adjusting member may be a temperature sensor having the temperature sensing portion. In this case, even if the housing in which the temperature sensor is attached is made of synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent the sleeve from becoming large and to prevent the temperature sensor from rattling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the temperature adjustment device of the present invention, even if the housing is made of synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent the sleeve from becoming large and to prevent rattle from occurring in the temperature adjustment member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermostat device as a temperature adjustment device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the thermostat device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the assembly procedure of the thermostat device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is another perspective view for explaining the assembly procedure of the thermostat device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a thermostat device as a temperature adjustment device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inner peripheral surface of a sleeve applicable to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional thermostat device. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermostat device of FIG. 11 taken along line CC. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clip member. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the thermostat device of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the thermostat device of FIG. 11 taken along the line DD. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the temperature control device is a thermostat device provided in a cooling circuit of an engine (internal combustion engine) to adjust the temperature of a coolant.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a thermostat device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the thermostat device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Fig. 3 (a portion surrounded by a dashed circle). Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Fig. 5.

[0021] 3 and 5, the thermostat device 10 includes a housing 1, a coolant flow path 4 formed within the housing 1, a valve element 15 that opens and closes the flow path 4, a thermoelement 17 that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the coolant to open and close the valve element 15, a coil spring 16 as a biasing member that biases the valve element 15 in the closing direction, a frame 19 that supports one end of the coil spring 16, a heater 40 as a temperature adjustment member, and a clip member 45 that fixes the heater 40 to the housing 1. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the top and bottom of the thermostat device 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be simply referred to as "top" and "bottom".

[0022] In the first embodiment, the housing 1 is made of synthetic resin and includes a generally cylindrical main body 20 with an opening 20c at its bottom, a pair of flanges 2, 2 that extend outward from the outer periphery of the bottom of the main body 20, a pair of legs 21, 21 that extend downward and opposite each other from the edge of the bottom opening of the main body 20, a radiator-side connection port 23 that extends diagonally upward from the top of the main body 20, and a sleeve 20e that stands upward from the top of the main body 20 and to which a heater is fixed. The coolant passes through the connection port 23, the inside of the main body 20, and the opening 20c, which together form a flow path 4 within the housing 1.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, a bolt hole 2a is formed in each of the pair of flanges 2, 2. A metal cylinder is press-fitted into the bolt hole 2a, and a bolt (not shown) for fixing the thermostat device 10 to a mating member is inserted into this cylinder. As shown in Fig. 3, an annular groove 20d is formed in the lower opening edge of the main body 20, which is located more inward than the bolt hole 2a, so as to surround the opening 20c, and a gasket 25 is fitted into this groove 20d.

[0024] This gasket 25 seals between the thermostat device 10 and a mating member, preventing the coolant flowing inside the housing 1 from leaking out when the thermostat device 10 is attached to the mating member. The area (space) inside (inner side) of the gasket 25 in the main body 20 is referred to as the inside of the housing 1. The mating member here refers to, for example, a water pump, an engine water jacket, or a member for attaching the thermostat device to these. An annular valve seat 20b is formed on the inner periphery just above the lower end opening edge of the main body 20 located inside the housing 1, and the flow path 4 is opened and closed by the valve body 15 seating and lifting off this valve seat 20b.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, a thermoelement 17 is inserted inside the housing 1. The thermoelement 17 is arranged along the axial line of the axial core of the main body 20. The thermoelement 17 includes a temperature-sensing case 30 that houses a temperature-sensing material such as wax whose volume changes depending on the temperature, and a piston 3 whose upper end is supported by the housing 1 and moves in and out of the temperature-sensing case 30 depending on the volume change of the temperature-sensing material. When the temperature of the coolant around the temperature-sensing case 30 rises and the internal temperature-sensing member expands, the piston 3 retracts from the temperature-sensing case 30 and the thermo-element 17 extends. Conversely, when the temperature of the coolant around the temperature-sensing case 30 drops and the internal temperature-sensing member contracts, the piston 3 advances into the temperature-sensing case 30 and the thermo-element 17 contracts. In this way, the thermo-element 17 expands and contracts in response to temperature.

[0026] The tip of the piston 3, located at the upper end of the thermo-element 17, fits into a cylindrical boss 20a formed on the inside top of the main body 20. This prevents the piston 3 from moving upward relative to the housing 1. Therefore, when the thermo-element 17 expands or contracts, the position of the piston 3 relative to the housing 1 remains unchanged, and the temperature-sensing case 30 moves up and down.

[0027] The valve element 15 is fixed to the outer periphery of the temperature-sensing case 30. As a result, the valve element 15 moves up and down together with the temperature-sensing case 30 as the thermo-element 17 expands and contracts. When the thermo-element 17 expands and the valve element 15 moves downward, the valve element 15 leaves the valve seat 20b, allowing the coolant to pass between them and allowing communication through the flow path 4. Conversely, when the thermo-element 17 contracts and the valve element 15 moves upward and seats on the valve seat 20b, communication through the flow path 4 is blocked. In this way, the valve element 15 opens and closes the flow path 4 by coming into and out of contact with the valve seat 20b.

[0028] The upper end of a coil spring 16 abuts against the back surface of the valve body 15. The coil spring 16 is disposed so as to surround the thermo-element 17. The lower end (one end) of the coil spring 16 is supported by a frame 19.

[0029] The frame 19 is caught on the tips of a pair of legs 21, 21 formed on the housing 1, preventing it from moving downward relative to the housing 1. A through-hole 19a is formed in the center of the frame 19. The temperature sensor case 30 is inserted into this through-hole 19a so that it can move up and down. In other words, the temperature sensor case 30 is movable up and down relative to the frame 19.

[0030] The coil spring 16 is a compression spring and is disposed in a compressed state between the valve element 15 and the frame 19. Therefore, the valve element 15 is biased upward (towards the valve seat 20b) by the coil spring 16. In this configuration, when the coolant around the thermo-element 17 becomes hot and the thermo-element 17 expands, the valve element 15 moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring 16 and moves away from the valve seat 20b. On the other hand, when the coolant around the thermo-element 17 becomes cold and the thermo-element 17 contracts, the valve element 15 moves upward under the biasing force of the coil spring 16 and approaches the valve seat 20b.

[0031] Furthermore, in this thermostat device 10, the temperature-sensitive member is heated by energizing the heater 40, thereby actively driving the valve element 15 to open and close. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the heater 40 has a rod-shaped heating portion 40a that is inserted inside the piston 3, an attachment portion 40b that is connected to one end of the heating portion 40a and clipped onto the sleeve 20e, and a connector 40d that protrudes laterally from the attachment portion 40b. A cable or the like for applying electricity is connected to the connector 40d, allowing electricity to be applied to the heater 40 from a power source such as a vehicle power source. When the heater 40 is energized, the heating portion 40a generates heat. As a result, the temperature-sensing member in the temperature-sensing case 30 is heated and expanded via the piston 3, pushing the piston 3 out of the temperature-sensing case 30 and opening the valve element 15.

[0032] The sleeve 20e is provided on the axial center line of the main body 20 of the housing 1 so as to stand upward from the top of the main body 20. eIn the sleeve 20e, the end (lower end) connected to the main body 20 is the base end of the sleeve 20e, and the end opposite to the base end (upper end) is the tip end of the sleeve 20e. A groove 20f having a generally U-shaped cross section is formed on the outer periphery of the sleeve 20e, opening to the side in the circumferential direction (a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 20e). The inner diameter of the tip end of the sleeve 20e is larger than the inner diameter directly below it, and as shown in FIG. 6, a step 20e1 is formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e so as to face the tip end. A horizontal hole 20g is formed in the sleeve 20e, penetrating from the inside of the groove 20f to the tip end side beyond the step 20e1.

[0033] 6, the mounting portion 40b of the heater 40 is formed with a flange portion 40b1 that protrudes outward. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, when the heater 40 is inserted into the sleeve 20e from the heating portion 40a side and the mounting portion 40b is inserted into the sleeve 20e, the flange portion 40b1 hits the step 20e1, preventing the heater 40 from advancing further into the housing 1. A sealing member 46 such as an O-ring is attached to the outer periphery of the mounting portion 40b below the flange portion 40b1 to prevent water, dust, and the like from outside the thermostat device 10 from entering the housing 1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, the clip member 45 that secures the heater 40 to the sleeve 20e is made of a metal wire such as stainless steel. It has an elastically deformable U-shaped or C-shaped outer ridge 45a in a planar view and inner protrusions 45b extending oppositely from both ends of the outer ridge 45a. As described above, when the clip member 45 is attached to the sleeve 20e as shown in FIG. 8 with the flange 41b1 of the heater 40 abutting against the step 20e1 on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e, the outer ridge 45a fits into the groove 20f on the outer periphery of the sleeve 20e, and the inner protrusion 45b is inserted into the sleeve 20e through the horizontal hole 20g, pressing the flange 40b1 from above (the tip end of the sleeve 20e). This prevents the heater 40 from slipping out of the sleeve 20e and secures it to the sleeve 20e.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 20f6 of the groove 20f into which the outer fitting portion 45a of the clip member 45 fits is arranged to face the outside on the side of the sleeve 20e, and the groove 20f opens laterally. Further, the wall surface of the groove 20f has a groove bottom wall 20f1 located at the deepest part of the groove 20f on the side opposite to the opening 20f6, and a pair of opposing walls 20f4 and 20f5 extending from the distal end side and the proximal end side of the groove bottom wall 20f1 toward the opening 20f6. The portions of these opposing walls 20f4 and 20f5 continuous with the groove bottom wall 20f1 are each curved, forming a distal end side curved portion 20f2 and a proximal end side curved portion 20f3. The distance W between the portion of the distal end side opposing wall 20f4 where the clip member 45 abuts, shown in FIG. 6, and the portion of the flange portion 40b1 where the clip member 45 abuts is slightly narrower than the wire diameter D of the wire material of the clip member 45 (W < D). Thereby, an upward force is applied to the distal end side opposing wall 20f4 from the clip member 45 side, and a downward force is applied to the flange portion 41b1 from the clip member 45 side, and it is pressed against the step 20e1. In this way, the heater 40 is fixed to the sleeve 20e without rattling.

[0036] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the radii of curvature of the distal end side curved portion 20f2, which is the curved portion of the distal end side opposing wall 20f4, and the proximal end side curved portion 20f3, which is the curved portion of the proximal end side opposing wall 20f5, are different. Specifically, the radius of curvature R1 of the distal end side curved portion 20f2 is larger than the radius of curvature R2 of the proximal end side curved portion 20f3 (R1 > R2). Here, in order to suppress the opening of the groove 20f due to creep deformation, it is preferable to increase the radius of curvature of the curved portion continuous with the groove bottom wall 20f1 to reduce the stress. However, if the radii of curvature R1 and R2 of both the distal end side curved portion 20f2 and the proximal end side curved portion 20f3 continuous with the groove bottom wall 20f1 are increased, the vertical width of the groove 20f becomes large, and it becomes impossible to use the same assembly equipment as before, or the sleeve 20e becomes larger and the thermostat device becomes larger. In contrast, in the thermostat device 10 according to the first embodiment, the distal curved portion 20f2 and the proximal curved portion 20f3, which are connected to the groove inner wall 20f1, have different curvature radii R1 and R2, so that even if the curvature radius R1 of the distal curved portion 20f2 is increased, the vertical width of the groove 20f can be prevented from increasing. This allows the use of conventional assembly equipment and prevents the sleeve 20e from becoming larger, thereby preventing the thermostat device (temperature control device) 10 from becoming larger. Furthermore, with the above configuration, stress can be sufficiently reduced by increasing the radius of curvature R1 of the tip-side curved portion 20f2, which is the curved portion of the opposing wall 20f4 located on the tip side of the sleeve 20e that receives the upward force from the clip member 45. Therefore, even if the housing 1 is made of synthetic resin, deformation that opens the groove 20f due to the force from the clip member 45 can be suppressed, and rattle of the heater (temperature adjustment member) 40 can be suppressed.

[0037] In the thermostat device 10 according to the first embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 45a of the clip member 45 is made of a wire material. The value of the radius of curvature R1 of the distal curved portion 20f2 is equal to or less than the value of the wire diameter D of the wire material and is greater than 1 / 2 of the wire diameter D of the wire material (1 / 2D <R1≦D)。 In order to reduce stress, it is preferable to increase the radius of curvature R1 of the distal curved portion 20f2, but if the radius of curvature R1 of the distal curved portion 20f2 is increased without changing the vertical width of the groove 20f, it becomes difficult to insert the outer ridge portion 45a of the clip member 45 all the way into the groove 20f. If the clip member 45 cannot be inserted all the way into the groove 20f, the clip member 45 will be more likely to come off due to vibration, and the increased moment will be unfavorable to deformation. In contrast, with the above configuration, when the housing 1 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as polyamide 6T (polyhexamethylene terephthalamide), polyamide 9T (polynonamethylene terephthalamide), or polyphenylene sulfide resin containing elastomer, the clip member 45 can be easily inserted to the depth of the groove 20f while elastically deforming the housing 1, and the stress generated in the tip-side curved portion 20f2 can be reduced.

[0038] However, when the housing 1 is formed of a material that is difficult to elastically deform, such as polyphenylene sulfide resin without elastomer, the value of the radius of curvature R1 of the tip curved portion 20f2 can be set to a value equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the wire diameter D of the wire (R1≦1 / 2D), thereby making it possible to easily insert the clip member 45 to the depth of the groove 20f.

[0039] In addition, in the first embodiment, the temperature control device is a thermostat device 10, which includes a coolant flow path 4 formed within the housing 1, a valve body 15 that opens and closes the flow path 4, a thermoelement 17 that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the coolant and drives the valve body 15 to open and close, and a coil spring (biasing member) 17 that biases the valve body 15 in the closing direction. The thermoelement 17 has a temperature-sensing case 30 that houses a temperature-sensing member whose volume changes depending on the temperature, and a piston 3 that has one end supported by the housing 1 and moves in and out of the temperature-sensing case depending on the volume change of the temperature-sensing member. The temperature-regulating member is a heater 40 that has a heating portion 40a, and this heating portion 40a is inserted into the piston 3.

[0040] In this way, the temperature control device is the thermostat device 10, the temperature control member is the heater 40 having the heating portion 40a, and the heating portion 40a is a piston. 3 When the heater 40 is inserted into the housing 1, it is necessary to fix the heater 40 firmly to the housing 1 without any rattle using only the clip member 45. This is because, for example, when the temperature control member is a temperature sensor having a temperature sensing portion and the temperature sensing portion is inserted into the flow path of the coolant, the temperature control member is urged in the retracting direction by the pressure in the flow path, which may reduce rattle. On the other hand, in the case of a heater 40 in which the heating portion 40a is inserted into the piston 3, it is necessary to fix the heater 40 firmly to the housing 1 without any rattle. 3 If the groove 20f is deformed and opened, it will directly lead to rattle of the heater (temperature adjusting member) 40. For this reason, it is particularly effective to apply the present invention to the thermostat device 10 having the above configuration.

[0041] Next, a thermostat device 10 according to a second embodiment will be described. The thermostat device 10 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the temperature adjustment member is a temperature sensor 41 equipped with a temperature sensing portion 41a, but the basic structure of the thermostat device is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, parts and portions that are the same as or correspond to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. 9, in the thermostat device 10 of the second embodiment, a sleeve 20e is provided on the side of the main body 20 of the housing 1, and a temperature sensor 41 is fixed to the sleeve 20e with a clip member 45. The temperature sensor 41 includes a rod-shaped temperature sensing portion 41a that is inserted into the flow path 4, an attachment portion 41b that is provided at one end of the temperature sensing portion 41a, and a connector (not shown) that extends laterally from the attachment portion 41b. The attachment portion 41b has a flange portion, similar to the attachment portion 40b of the first embodiment. 41b1 The temperature sensor 41 is fixed to the sleeve 20e in the same manner as the heater 40 of the first embodiment. In this way, the temperature control member may be a temperature sensor 41. Furthermore, the sleeve 20e and temperature control member according to the present invention do not necessarily have to be used in a thermostat device. For example, the sleeve 20e according to the present invention may be provided in a pipe through which a liquid or gas flows, and the temperature control member may be fixed with a clip 45.

[0042] 10, multiple ribs 24 may be provided at different circumferential positions on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e, and temperature control members such as a heater 40 and a temperature sensor 41 may be press-fitted into the sleeve 20e. This prevents the temperature control members from moving due to external forces such as vibration, and more reliably prevents the temperature control members from becoming loose. This more reliably prevents electrical connections from wearing out and causing poor contact. Furthermore, when the clip member 45 is attached, the temperature control member is moved by the clip member 45 in the attachment direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8 ), which prevents the temperature control member from being fixed at a position radially offset from the center of the sleeve 20e. If the temperature control member becomes radially offset from the center of the sleeve 20e in this way, the sealing member 46 will be compressed unevenly, reducing the sealing performance of the sealing member 46 (the compression will increase in one portion of the circumferential direction of the sealing member 46 and decrease in the opposite portion). For this reason, providing a rib 24 on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e and press-fitting the temperature control member into it can prevent the temperature control member from becoming offset, thereby preventing a reduction in the sealing performance of the sealing member 46. In particular, when the temperature control member is firmly fixed to the housing 1 with the clip member 45 as in the first embodiment, there is an increased possibility that the temperature control member will become eccentric when the clip member 45 is attached. For this reason, in such cases, it is particularly effective to provide the rib 24 and press-fit the temperature control member into the sleeve 20e.

[0043] Furthermore, by providing ribs 24 and press-fitting the temperature control member, the temperature control member is fixed in the radial direction and is prevented from rotating circumferentially within sleeve 20e, which allows the orientation of connector 40d to be constant, reducing the installation space in the vehicle and facilitating the connection to cables, etc.

[0044] When the temperature control member is press-fitted into the sleeve 20e, the ribs 24 may be omitted and the member may be press-fitted all around. However, from the viewpoints of the press-fit load on the housing 1, reducing the load during assembly, and avoiding welding, it is preferable to provide the ribs 24 and press-fit the member. The ribs 24 in FIG. 10 are long (vertically long) and are arranged to extend along the axial direction of the sleeve 20e, protruding from the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e toward the center (radially inward). Three ribs 24 are provided at equal intervals on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e. Furthermore, the ribs 24 are preferably provided along the vibration direction, and the assembling direction of the temperature control member and the vibration direction are preferably aligned. If the press-fitting depth cannot be increased, it is desirable to increase the number of ribs 24. The number of ribs 24 is preferably an odd number of three or more to ensure coaxiality, but this can be changed as appropriate. The shape of the ribs 24 is not limited to an elongated shape and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the ribs 24 may be provided on the outer periphery of the temperature adjusting member, and in this case too, the same effect as when the ribs are provided on the inner periphery of the sleeve 20e is achieved.

[0045] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, modifications, variations and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Housing 2 flanges 3 pistons 10 Thermostat device 15 Valve body 16 Coil spring (biasing member) 19 frames 19b Engagement part 20 Main body 20a boss part 20b Valve seat 20c aperture 20d groove 20e sleeve 20f groove 20f1 Groove back wall 20f2 Tip side curved part 20f3 Proximal curved part 20g horizontal hole 21 legs 24 Ribs 40 Heater (temperature control component) 40b Mounting part 41 Temperature sensor (temperature control component) 45 Clip member 45a External fitting part 45b Inner convex part D Wire diameter R radius of curvature

Claims

1. a housing having a cylindrical sleeve; a temperature adjusting member having a heating unit or a temperature sensing unit inserted into the housing from the sleeve; a clip member that fixes the temperature adjustment member to the sleeve, The temperature control member has a flange portion that protrudes outward, The sleeve has a groove formed on the outer periphery along the circumferential direction, and a horizontal hole having one end opening into the groove and penetrating the wall thickness of the sleeve, The clip member has an outer ridge portion that is elastically deformable and fits into the groove, and inner convex portions that extend oppositely from both ends of the outer ridge portion and are inserted into the horizontal hole to press the flange portion from the tip side of the sleeve, the wall surface of the groove includes a groove inner wall located at the deepest part of the groove on the opposite side to the opening of the groove, a distal end side curved portion continuing from the groove inner wall to the distal end side of the sleeve, and a proximal end side curved portion continuing from the groove inner wall to the proximal end side of the sleeve, The radius of curvature of the distal curved portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the proximal curved portion. A temperature control device characterized by:

2. The outer rib portion is made of a wire, The value of the radius of curvature of the tip-side curved portion is equal to or less than the value of the wire diameter of the wire material and is greater than 1 / 2 of the wire diameter of the wire material. The temperature control device according to claim 1 .

3. the outer ring portion is made of a wire, The radius of curvature of the tip-side curved portion is equal to or less than half the wire diameter of the wire. The temperature control device according to claim 1 .

4. ribs protruding radially inward are provided at different circumferential positions on the inner periphery of the sleeve or the outer periphery of the temperature adjustment member, The temperature control member is press-fitted into the sleeve. The temperature control device according to claim 1 .

5. a coolant flow path formed within the housing; a valve body that opens and closes the flow path; a thermoelement that expands and contracts in response to the temperature of the cooling liquid to open and close the valve body; a biasing member that biases the valve body in a closing direction, The thermoelement has a temperature-sensitive case that houses a temperature-sensitive member whose volume changes depending on temperature, and a piston whose one end is supported by the housing and moves in and out of the temperature-sensitive case depending on the volume change of the temperature-sensitive member, the temperature adjustment member has the heating unit, The heating portion is inserted into the piston. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The temperature adjusting member is a temperature sensor having the temperature sensing portion. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images