Valve device, motor-operated valve, and refrigeration cycle system

Abstract

To provide a valve gear which enables reduction of vibration and noise when a drive part rotates, and to provide a motor valve and a refrigeration cycle system.SOLUTION: A valve gear 1 includes a valve body 10, a female screw member 40, and a male screw member 60. The female screw member 40 and the male screw member 60 are threadedly engaged to form a feeding screw mechanism. The female screw member 40 has a first female screw member 41 and a second female screw member 54 which are formed separately. Each of the first female screw member 41 and the second female screw member 54 are threadedly engaged with the male screw member 60. The first female screw member 41 and the second female screw member 54 are connected in a manner that these female screw members cannot rotate around an axis L relative to each other and can move relative to each other in an axis L direction and biased to each other in the axis L direction by a coil spring 58.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device, a motor-operated valve, and a refrigeration cycle system. [Background technology]

[0002] A valve device (motorized valve) is known that includes a valve body (valve housing) having an internal valve chamber, a support member (female thread holder) fixed to the valve body, a female thread member fixed to the support member, a male thread member (rotor shaft) that is rotationally driven by a drive unit (stepping motor), and a valve member (valve holder and valve element) connected to the tip side of the male thread member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this valve device, a feed screw mechanism is formed that moves the valve member back and forth in the axial direction by rotationally driving the male thread member that is threadedly engaged with the female thread member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-148643 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional valve devices such as those described above, as in the motor-operated valve shown in Figure 4 of Patent Document 1, the threads of the mating female thread member 31 and rotor shaft 41 (male thread member) slide against each other, but a predetermined clearance is provided between the threads (sliding points) to stabilize operability, which causes vibration and noise when the drive unit rotates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a valve device, an electric valve, and a refrigeration cycle system that can reduce vibration and noise when a drive part rotates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the valve device of the present invention is a valve device comprising: a valve body having an internal valve chamber; a fixed screw member supported by the valve body; a drive screw member that is rotatably driven by a drive unit; and a valve member connected to the drive screw member, wherein the fixed screw member and the drive screw member are threadedly engaged with each other, and the drive screw member is driven to rotate, thereby forming a feed screw mechanism that moves the valve member back and forth in the axial direction, and one of the fixed screw member and the drive screw member is configured to have a first member and a second member that are separate from each other, and each of the first member and the second member is threadedly engaged with the other of the fixed screw member and the drive screw member, and the first member and the second member are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other but to be movable relative to each other in the axial direction, and are biased toward each other in the axial direction by a biasing means.

[0007] According to the present invention, the biasing means biases the first and second members of the fixation screw member and the drive screw member in the axial direction, allowing the fixation screw member and the drive screw member to slide relative to each other in the axial direction without clearance, and a load due to the axial biasing force can be constantly applied to the sliding points between the fixation screw member and the drive screw member. This load can then generate sliding resistance between the fixation screw member and the drive screw member, thereby reducing vibration and noise when the drive unit rotates. Therefore, a valve device can be provided that can reduce vibration and noise when the drive unit rotates.

[0008] In this case, the biasing means is preferably provided between the first member and the second member and biases the first member and the second member in a direction away from each other in the axial direction. In the motor-operated valve shown in FIG. 1 of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, a compression coil spring 66 is provided between the upper end of the rotor shaft 41 and the lower surface of the upper end of the rotor case 44 to bias the rotor shaft 41 toward the valve seat member 14 in the axial direction. This biasing force of the compression coil spring 66 applies a load to the threaded surface, generating sliding resistance, thereby reducing vibration and vibration noise during operation of the drive unit. However, with this configuration, the compression coil spring 66 expands and contracts with the movement of the rotor shaft 41, so a corresponding space must be secured. Furthermore, the expansion and contraction of the compression coil spring 66 changes the biasing force in accordance with changes in the aperture of the valve port 13 in the motor-operated valve. For example, the spring load of the compression coil spring 66 increases as the aperture of the valve port 13 increases. This makes it difficult to stably maintain the vibration suppression effect. However, with this configuration, the biasing means is provided between the first and second members, whose relative positional relationship is unlikely to change in the axial direction due to the screw engagement, and biases the first and second members in a direction away from each other in the axial direction. This prevents the biasing means from expanding or contracting in the axial direction as the valve member moves back and forth, eliminating the need for space for such expansion and contraction. This contributes to space-saving for the motor-operated valve. Furthermore, as described above, by preventing the biasing means from expanding or contracting in the axial direction as the valve member moves back and forth, the axial load applied by the biasing means can be kept constant even if, for example, the opening degree of the valve port of the motor-operated valve changes, and the above-mentioned vibration and noise reduction effect can be stably maintained. Therefore, in a valve device that can reduce vibration and noise when the drive unit rotates, space saving is achieved and the state in which vibration and noise when the drive unit rotates can be stably maintained.

[0009] In this case, the biasing means may be provided across from the end face of the first member in the axial direction to the end face of the second member in the axial direction.

[0010] The biasing means may be a coil spring or a leaf spring combination.

[0011] The first member is cylindrically shaped and has a female thread and a guide portion within it, the guide portion guides the second member in the axial direction, and the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member are fitted together so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other around the axis. According to this configuration, the inner periphery of the guide portion is fitted together with the outer periphery of the second member, so that the entire circumference of the second member around the axis is surrounded by the first member along its entire length in the axial direction. This more reliably connects the first member and the second member so that they are non-rotatable relative to each other but movable relative to each other in the axial direction. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the second member is guided by the guide portion along its entire length in the axial direction, which reduces tilt of the second member relative to the axial direction compared to a configuration in which only a portion of the axial length of the second member is guided by the guide portion. This prevents malfunctions caused by an unintended increase in sliding resistance between the set screw member and the drive screw member due to tilt of the second member.

[0012] Preferably, a fitting portion formed of any one of a D-cut portion, a two-sided chamfered portion, a protrusion, a key groove, and a polygonal portion is provided on one of the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member, and a fitted portion that fits into the fitting portion is provided on the other of the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member. According to this configuration, the fitting portion is formed in various shapes such as a D-cut portion, a two-sided chamfered portion, a protrusion, a key groove, and a polygonal portion, and by fitting this fitting portion into the fitted portion, the first member and the second member can be connected so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other but movable relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0013] The fixing screw member may have the first member and the second member, the first member being a first female-threaded member having a first female thread and fixed to the valve body, the second member being a second female-threaded member having a second female thread, and the driving screw member being a male-threaded member having a male thread that screws into the first female thread and the second female thread. According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the fixing screw member is composed of the first female-threaded member and the second female-threaded member, and the driving screw member is a male-threaded member.

[0014] Furthermore, the fixed screw member may be a female screw member having a female screw thread and fixed to the valve body, and the drive screw member may have the first member and the second member, the first member being a first male screw member having a first male screw thread that threads into the female screw, and the second member being a second male screw member having a second male screw thread that threads into the female screw. According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the fixed screw member is a female screw member and the drive screw member is a first male screw member and a second male screw member.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixed screw member may be a male screw member having a male thread and fixed to the valve body, and the drive screw member may have the first member and the second member, the first member being a first female screw member having a first female thread that threadably engages with the male thread, and the second member being a second female screw member having a second female thread that threadably engages with the male thread. According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the fixed screw member is a male screw member and the drive screw member is a first female screw member and a second female screw member.

[0016] The fixing screw member may have the first member and the second member, the first member being a first male screw member having a first male screw thread and fixed to the valve body, the second member being a second male screw member having a second male screw thread, and the driving screw member being a female screw member having a female screw thread that screws into the first male screw thread and the second male screw thread. According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the fixing screw member is composed of the first male screw member and the second male screw member, and the driving screw member is a female screw member.

[0017] In addition, the motor-operated valve of the present invention is characterized in that the drive unit in any of the valve devices described above is equipped with an electric motor. With this configuration, in a motor-operated valve in which the drive unit is equipped with an electric motor, it is possible to reduce vibrations and noise when the drive unit rotates.

[0018] The present invention also provides a refrigeration cycle system including the motor-operated valve, which can reduce vibrations and noise generated when the drive unit rotates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valve device, an electric valve, and a refrigeration cycle system that can reduce vibration and noise when a drive part rotates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, taken along the axis of a needle portion. [Figure 2] 6(A) to 6(D) are schematic diagrams showing variations of the rotation restricting portion in the second female thread member. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged and simplified cross-sectional view of a main part of the valve device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1(A) to 1(D) are schematic diagrams showing the assembly procedure of the valve device. [Figure 5]4(E) to 4(G) are schematic diagrams showing the steps subsequent to the step shown in FIG. 4(D) in the assembly procedure of the valve device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve device according to a second embodiment, taken along the axis of a needle portion. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged and simplified cross-sectional view of a main part of the valve device according to the second embodiment of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve device according to a third embodiment, taken along the axis of a needle portion. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the valve device according to the third embodiment of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A valve device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The valve device 1 is a device for controlling the flow rate of a fluid, and is used, for example, as an electric valve constituting part of a refrigeration cycle system 100 (see Figure 10). In the following description, the direction along the axis L of a needle portion 88 (described later) will be referred to as the "axis L direction," one side of the axis L direction will be referred to as the "one side L1," and the other side of the axis L direction will be referred to as the "other side L2." Furthermore, a direction intersecting the axis L direction will be referred to as the radial direction. This is merely for the convenience of description, and does not necessarily limit the directions in the actual use state of the valve device 1.

[0022] The valve device 1 includes a valve body 10 formed into a cylindrical shape by machining a metal material such as stainless steel or brass. The interior of the valve body 10 defines a valve chamber 11. A first port 12 is formed radially through the side wall of the valve body 10, and a primary coupling pipe 13 is attached, the interior of which is in communication with the valve chamber 11 via the first port 12. A cylindrical second port 14 is formed in the bottom wall (wall portion on the other side L2) of the valve body 10, centered on the axis L and opening into the valve chamber 11. The opening periphery of one side L1 (the valve chamber 11 side) of the second port 14 defines a valve seat 15. The diameter of the second port 14 increases toward the other side L2, and the end of the other side L2 opens to the outside. A cylindrical portion 16 is formed on the surface of the other side L2 of the bottom wall of the valve body 10, protruding toward the other side L2, and a secondary coupling pipe 16a is attached within the cylindrical portion 16. The interior of the secondary joint pipe 16 a communicates with the valve chamber 11 via a second port 14 .

[0023] An opening 17 is formed in the upper wall (wall portion on one side L1) of the valve body 10, penetrating in the direction of the axis L. A cylindrical valve guide member 18 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the opening 17 and fixed by crimping. A valve guide hole 18a is formed in the center of the valve guide member 18, penetrating in the direction of the axis L, and a needle portion 88 of a valve member 80, described below, is inserted into the valve guide hole 18a. A cylindrical rim 19 rising toward the one side L1 is formed at the opening edge of the one side L1 of the opening 17. A support member 20 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim 19. The support member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material such as stainless steel or brass, and is fixed to the valve body 10 by crimping the rim 19 from the radially outward direction and brazing the end face of the other side L2 to the end face of the one side L1 of the valve body 10, for example.

[0024] One side L1 of the support member 20 is open in the direction of the axis L, and a case 30 made of a metal material such as stainless steel and shaped like a cylinder with a bottom is airtightly fixed to the open end surface by welding or the like to the open edge. A female screw member 40 (fixing screw member) is attached to and supported on the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the one side L1 of the support member 20. The female screw member 40 includes a first female screw member 41 (first member) and a second female screw member 54 (second member). The first female screw member 41 includes, in order from the other side L2 toward the one side L1, a press-fit portion 42, a flange portion 43, a holder guide portion 44, and a shaft guide portion 46.

[0025] The press-fit portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material and extends in the direction of the axis L, and is press-fitted into the inner circumferential surface of an opening on one side L1 of the support member 20. The flange portion 43 is formed in an annular shape using a metal material and is integrated with the press-fit portion 42 by insert molding. An end face on the other side L2 of the flange portion 43 is fixed to an end face on the one side L1 of the support member 20 by welding or the like. The holder guide portion 44 is continuous with the press-fit portion 42 and extends to the one side L1 along the axis L. A holder guide hole 45 is formed in the interior center of the holder guide portion 44, penetrating the press-fit portion 42 and opening to the other side L2, and the one side L1 portion of the valve holder 81 described later is accommodated in the holder guide hole 45.

[0026] The shaft guide portion 46 is continuous with the holder guide portion 44 and is formed in a cylindrical shape, extending along the axis L to one side L1. A spiral guide groove 47 is formed on the outer wall surface of the shaft guide portion 46, and a coil-shaped slider 48 is installed in the guide groove 47. The slider 48 is formed with claw portions 49 that protrude radially outward, and the claw portions 49 are capable of abutting against magnet protrusions 63 of a magnet rotor 62 (described later) around the axis L. A first screw hole 50 extending in the direction of the axis L and opening on one side L1, and a guide portion 52 continuing from the first screw hole 50, extending in the direction of the axis L and opening on the other side L2, are formed in the center of the shaft guide portion 46. A first female thread 51 (female thread portion) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first screw hole 50. The first female thread 51 is threadedly engaged with a male thread 64 of a male screw member 60 (drive screw member) (described later). The guide portion 52 is formed with an inner diameter larger than that of the first screw hole 50, and extends to the other side L2. The inner wall surface (inner periphery) of the guide portion 52 is shaped to follow the outer periphery of the second female screw member 54, thereby forming a fitted portion 53 that fits into a rotation restricting portion 57 (fitting portion) described below.

[0027] The second female threaded member 54 is provided separately from the first female threaded member 41. The second female threaded member 54 has a cylindrical tubular portion 54a extending in the direction of the axis L and is housed in the guide portion 52. A second screw hole 55 penetrating in the direction of the axis L is formed in the center of the tubular portion 54a, and a second female thread 56 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second screw hole 55. The second female thread 56 is threadedly engaged with the male thread 64, similar to the first female thread 51 described above. In this way, the female threaded member 40 is configured with the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 which are separate from each other, and each of the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 is threadedly engaged with the male threaded member 60, which serves as a drive screw member, as will be described later. A rotation restricting portion 57 (fitting portion) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 54a of the second female threaded member 54 over the entire length in the direction of the axis L, thereby defining the outer peripheral shape of the second female threaded member 54. The rotation restricting portion 57 is a portion that restricts the rotation of the second female threaded member 54 about the axis L relative to the first female threaded member 41, and can be configured in various shapes to be fitted into the fitted portion 53 described above, as exemplified in Figures 2(A) to 2(D).

[0028] For example, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the rotation restricting portion 57 may be configured with a first surface 57a (D-cut portion, two-chamfered portion) along the axis L that constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the second female threaded member 54, and an arc-shaped second surface 57b (D-cut portion, two-chamfered portion) that extends around the axis L. That is, the second female threaded member 54 may be chamfered in two ways to form a D-shape in a plan view, thereby forming the rotation restricting portion 57. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(B), the rotation restricting portion 57 may be configured with a protrusion 57c that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second female threaded member 54, or with a concave keyway 57d that is recessed radially inward as shown in FIG. 2(C). When the rotation restricting portion 57 is configured with the protrusion 57c, it is preferable to provide a keyway (not shown) formed by a recess corresponding to the protrusion 57c on the fitted portion 53 side. On the other hand, when the rotation restricting portion 57 is configured with a key groove 57d, it is preferable to provide a protrusion 53a that fits into the key groove 57d on the mating portion 53 side, as shown in FIG. 2(C). Furthermore, the rotation restricting portion 57 may be configured with a plurality of surfaces 57e along the axis L and have a polygonal shape when viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 2(D). That is, the outer surface of the second female thread member 54 may be configured with a polygonal portion. In this case, a hole that is polygonal when viewed from above is provided on the mating portion 53 side, and the rotation restricting portion 57, which is polygonal when viewed from above, fits into this hole.

[0029] According to this configuration, the rotation restricting portion 57 is fitted into the fitted portion 53, thereby restricting the second female threaded member 54 from rotating about the axis L. That is, the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female threaded member 54 are fitted together so as to prevent relative rotation about the axis L. Furthermore, the rotation restricting portion 57 is configured to be in sliding contact with the fitted portion 53 in the direction of the axis L, thereby guiding the second female threaded member 54 in the direction of the axis L. In this way, the second female threaded member 54 is guided in the direction of the axis L by the guide portion 52, and the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female threaded member 54 are fitted together so as to prevent relative rotation about the axis L. In this embodiment, the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 serves as the fitted portion 53, and the rotation regulating portion 57 is provided on the outer periphery of the second female screw member 54. However, on the other hand, the rotation regulating portion 57 may be provided on the guide portion 52 side, and the shape of the outer periphery of the second female screw member 54 may be shaped to conform to the rotation regulating portion 57.

[0030] That is, a rotation regulating portion 57 consisting of a first surface 57a and a second surface 57b (D-cut portion, double-chamfered portion), a protrusion 57c, a key groove 57d, and a plurality of surfaces 57e (polygonal portion) may be provided on one of the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female thread member 54, and a mating portion 53 that is mated with the rotation regulating portion 57 may be provided on the other of the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female thread member 54. In the above explanation, it is stated that the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female screw member 54 are fitted together so as to be unable to rotate relative to each other around the axis L. However, in reality, a small gap exists between the rotation restricting portion 57 and the fitted portion 53 due to the fitting, and the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the second female screw member 54 may rotate slightly relative to each other around the axis L due to the gap. However, this slight relative rotation is included in the "unable to rotate relative to each other" in this embodiment.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, a coil spring 58 (biasing means) is disposed between the guide portion 52 and the second female thread member 54. The coil spring 58, mainly illustrated in FIG. 3 (or FIG. 7), is not depicted in its actual spiral shape but is depicted as a schematic diagram. An end portion on one side L1 of the coil spring 58 abuts against an end surface on the other side L2 of the guide portion 52, and an end portion on the other side L2 of the coil spring 58 abuts against an end surface on one side L1 of the second female thread member 54. That is, the coil spring 58 is disposed between the first female thread member 41 and the second female thread member 54, extending from the end surface of the first female thread member 41 in the axial direction L to the end surface of the second female thread member 54 in the axial direction L. The coil spring 58 biases the first female thread member 41 and the second female thread member 54 in directions away from each other along the axial direction L.

[0032] With the above configuration, the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 are connected so as not to be able to rotate relative to each other about the axis L but to be able to move relative to each other in the direction of the axis L, and are urged toward each other in the direction of the axis L by the coil spring 58. Note that in this embodiment, the urging means is constituted by the coil spring 58, but this is not limited to this, and the urging means may also be constituted by, for example, a leaf spring combination in which leaf springs are combined. Note that in the above explanation, it is stated that the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 are connected so as to be able to move relative to each other in the direction of the axis L, but this "being able to move relative to each other" has the following meaning. In other words, when a force that resists the spring load of the coil spring 58 is generated, the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 are "relatively movable" in the direction of the axis L by the amount of thread play between the first female thread portion 51 of the first female threaded member 41 and the male thread 64 of the male threaded member 60 described below, or by the amount of thread play between the second female thread 56 of the second female threaded member 54 and the male thread 64.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , a male screw member 60 (drive screw member) is threadedly connected to the female screw member 40. The male screw member 60 is a drive shaft that is driven to rotate about the axis L by the drive unit 70 and extends in the direction of the axis L through the first screw hole 50 and the second screw hole 55. A magnet rotor 62 is attached to one end (L1) of the male screw member 60 via a cylindrical bushing 61. The magnet rotor 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis L. Together with a stator coil (not shown) installed outside the case 30, it constitutes an electric motor and serves as the drive unit 70 of the valve device 1. When driven to rotate, the magnet rotor 62 is rotatable about the axis L together with the male screw member 60 and movable in the direction of the axis L. A magnet protrusion 63 protruding radially inward is formed on a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the magnet rotor 62. The claws 49 of the slider 48 can abut against the magnet protrusion 63 about the axis L.

[0034] With this configuration, when the magnet rotor 62 rotates, the slider 48 rotates about the axis L in response to the rotation and is guided by the guide groove 47 to move to one side L1 or the other side L2. When the slider 48 abuts against the upper end or the lower end of the guide groove 47, it is unable to rotate any further, thereby stopping the rotation of the magnet rotor 62. A male thread 64 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the male screw member 60, and is engaged with the first female thread 51 and the second female thread 56. In this way, the first female thread 51 and the second female thread 56 (fixed screw member) are engaged with the male thread 64 (male screw member 60, drive screw member), and the male screw member 60 is driven to rotate, thereby forming a feed screw mechanism that moves a valve member 80, described later, back and forth in the direction of the axis L.

[0035] A flange portion 65 protruding radially outward is formed at the lower end of the male threaded member 60, and the male threaded member 60 is connected to the valve member 80 via the flange portion 65. The valve member 80 includes a valve holder 81 connected to the flange portion 65 and a needle valve 86 connected to the valve holder 81. The valve holder 81 is cylindrical and extends in the direction of the axis L. The outer diameter of the valve holder 81 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the holder guide hole 45, allowing the outer surface of the valve holder 81 to slide along the inner surface of the holder guide hole 45. A mounting hole 82 penetrating in the direction of the axis L is formed in the wall portion of one side L1 of the valve holder 81, and the lower end of the male threaded member 60, including the flange portion 65, is inserted into the mounting hole 82. An annular washer 83 is installed between the inner surface of the wall portion of one side L1 of the valve holder 81 and the end face of one side L1 of the flange portion 65.

[0036] A columnar spring retainer 84 is installed inside the valve holder 81. An end face on one side L1 of the spring retainer 84 abuts against an end face on the other side L2 of the washer 83. A spring 89 is installed around the spring retainer 84, covering the spring retainer 84 in the circumferential direction. An end face on one side L1 of the spring 89 abuts against an end face on the other side L2 of the spring retainer 84, and an end face on the other side L2 of the spring 89 abuts against an end face on one side L1 of a flange 87 (described later). With this configuration, the needle valve 86 is biased toward the other side L2. The end face on the other side L2 of the valve holder 81 opens in the axial direction L, and an annular retaining member 85 is fixed to this opening. The needle valve 86 includes a flange 87 and a needle portion 88. The flange 87 is located within the valve holder 81, and the end face on the other side L2 abuts against the end face on one side L1 of the retaining member 85 when the needle portion 88 is not seated on the valve seat 15. The needle portion 88 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in the direction of the axis L through the valve guide hole 18a of the valve guide member 18 described above into the valve chamber 11. The end portion of the needle portion 88 on the other side L2 is formed in a generally conical shape whose diameter decreases as it approaches the other side L2.

[0037] Next, the assembly of the female threaded member 40 and the male threaded member 60 in the valve device 1 will be described. FIGS. 4A to 4D are schematic diagrams showing the assembly procedure of the valve device 1. FIGS. 5E to 5G are schematic diagrams showing the procedure after the procedure shown in FIG. 4D in the assembly procedure of the valve device 1. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first female threaded member 41 is positioned with the other side L2 facing upward in FIG. 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the coil spring 58 is inserted into the first female threaded member 41 from the holder guide hole 45 side and positioned in the guide portion 52, and then the second female threaded member 54 is inserted into the first female threaded member 41. At this time, the second female threaded member 54 is biased toward the other side L2 by the biasing force of the coil spring 58. Therefore, simply inserting the second female threaded member 54 into the first female threaded member 41 does not position the second female threaded member 54 in the guide portion 52. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4(C), the second female screw member 54 is pressed into the guide portion 52 using a rod-shaped first pressing jig 45a extending in the direction of the axis L.

[0038] Specifically, the male thread 45b formed on the end of the first holding jig 45a on one side L1 is threadedly engaged with the second female thread 56 of the second female thread member 54, thereby integrating the first holding jig 45a and the second female thread member 54. In this state, the second female thread member 54 is pushed into the one side L1. As a result, the rotation restricting portion 57 of the second female thread member 54 is engaged with the fitted portion 53 of the guide portion 52, and the second female thread member 54 is positioned within the guide portion 52. In this state, the second holding jig 45c is installed to restrict displacement of the second female thread member 54 toward the other side L2. As shown in FIG. 4(C), the second holding jig 45c is formed by bending a metal material into a U-shape, and each of its two tip ends is adapted to be inserted into a pair of jig insertion holes 45d that penetrate the holder guide hole 45. When the second holding jig 45c is inserted into the jig insertion hole 45d, as shown in Figure 4(D), even if the second female screw member 54 attempts to displace to the other side L2, the displacement is restricted by abutting against the second holding jig 45c.

[0039] Therefore, after the second holding jig 45c has been inserted into the jig insertion hole 45d, the first holding jig 45a may be removed from the second female-threaded member 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(E), the male-threaded member 60, which is integrated with the valve member 80 via the flange portion 65, is connected to the female-threaded member 40. First, the male-threaded member 60 is positioned so that the end of one side L1 of the male-threaded member 60 is positioned on the lower side in FIG. 5, and is moved toward the female-threaded member 40 along the axis L. Then, the male thread 64 of the male-threaded member 60 is threadedly engaged with the second female thread 56 and the first female thread 51, in that order. As shown in FIG. 5(F), the end of one side L1 of the male-threaded member 60 protrudes from the one side L1 of the female-threaded member 40, and the male-threaded member 60 is moved toward the one side L1 until the one side L1 portion of the valve holder 81 is accommodated in the holder guide hole 45. After the attachment of the male threaded member 60 to the female threaded member 40 is completed, the second holding jig 45c is removed from the jig insertion hole 45d as shown in Figure 5(G), thereby completing the assembly of the female threaded member 40 and the male threaded member 60 in the valve device 1.

[0040] Next, the operation of the valve device 1 will be described. In the valve device 1 configured as described above, when the electric motor of the drive unit 70 is driven, the magnet rotor 62 rotates about the axis L, and the feed screw mechanism feeds the male screw 64, causing the magnet rotor 62 and the male screw member 60 to move back and forth along the axis L. As the male screw member 60 moves back and forth, the valve member 80 also moves back and forth along the axis L. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the needle portion 88 moves (separates) from a position where it is seated on (or closest to) the valve seat portion 15 to one side L1, increasing the aperture of the second port 14. This increases the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the primary joint pipe 13, the first port 12, the valve chamber 11, the second port 14, and the secondary joint pipe 16a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first female screw member 41 and the second female screw member 54 are biased in directions away from each other along the axis L. Therefore, the female screw member 40 (first female screw member 41, second female screw member 54) and the male screw member 60 can slide against each other in the direction of the axis L without any clearance, and a load due to a biasing force in the direction of the axis L can always be applied to the sliding point between the female screw member 40 and the male screw member 60.

[0041] When the magnet rotor 62 is rotated in the opposite direction from this state, the feed screw mechanism feeds the male screw 64, moving the magnet rotor 62 and the male screw member 60 to the other side L2 and causing the needle portion 88 to seat on the valve seat 15. This closes the second port 14. Note that in this embodiment, when the needle portion 88 is displaced furthest to the other side L2, the needle portion 88 seats on the valve seat 15 to close the second port 14, but this is not limiting, and the present configuration can also be applied to a normally open valve device 1 in which the needle portion 88 approaches the valve seat 15 but does not seat on it.

[0042] Next, a refrigeration cycle system 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a refrigeration cycle system of the present invention. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1 denotes an expansion valve using the valve device 1 (motor-operated valve), 200 denotes an outdoor heat exchanger mounted in an outdoor unit, 300 denotes an indoor heat exchanger mounted in an indoor unit, 400 denotes a flow path switching valve constituting a four-way valve, and 500 denotes a compressor. The valve device 1 (expansion valve), outdoor heat exchanger 200, indoor heat exchanger 300, flow path switching valve 400, and compressor 500 are connected by conduits as shown in the figure to form a heat pump type refrigeration cycle. Note that an accumulator, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, etc. are not shown.

[0043] The flow path of the refrigeration cycle is switched by the flow path switching valve 400 between two flow paths: one for cooling operation and one for heating operation. During cooling operation, as shown by the solid arrows in Fig. 10, refrigerant compressed by the compressor 500 flows through the flow path switching valve 400 into the outdoor heat exchanger 200, which functions as a condenser, and the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 200 flows through the valve device 1 functioning as an expansion valve into the indoor heat exchanger 300, which functions as an evaporator. On the other hand, during heating operation, as shown by the dashed arrows in Fig. 10, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 500 circulates from the flow path switching valve 400 through the indoor heat exchanger 300, the valve device 1 functioning as an expansion valve, the outdoor heat exchanger 200, and the compressor 500 in this order, with the indoor heat exchanger 300 functioning as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 200 functioning as an evaporator.

[0044] As described above, according to the embodiment, the first female threaded member 41 (first member) and the second female threaded member 54 (second member) of the female threaded member 40 (fixed screw member) and the male threaded member 60 (drive screw member) are biased relative to each other in the direction of the axis L by the coil spring 58 or the leaf spring combination (biasing means). This allows the female threaded member 40 and the male threaded member 60 to slide relative to each other in the direction of the axis L without any clearance, and a load due to a biasing force in the direction of the axis L can always be applied to the sliding portion between the female threaded member 40 and the second female threaded member 54. This load can then generate sliding resistance between the female threaded member 40 and the male threaded member 60, thereby reducing vibration and noise when the drive unit 70 rotates.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this configuration, the coil spring 58 is provided between the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54, whose relative positional relationship in the axial direction L is unlikely to change due to screwing, and urges the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 in directions separating them from each other in the axial direction L. Therefore, even if the male threaded member 60 is rotated and the valve member 80 is moved back and forth in the axial direction L to change the opening degree of the second port 14, the coil spring 58 is prevented from expanding and contracting in the axial direction L due to the forward and backward movement, and there is no need to provide space for such expansion and contraction. For example, in the structure of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , if the coil spring 58 were disposed between the upper end of the male threaded member 60 and the lower surface of the upper end of the case 30 and biased toward the other side L2, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, it would be necessary to extend the case 30 in the axial direction L and increase the overall length of the valve device 1 to allow for space for expansion and contraction of the coil spring 58. However, in this configuration, the coil spring 58 biases the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 in directions away from each other between them, eliminating the need to increase the overall length of the valve device 1. This contributes to space-saving of the valve device 1. Furthermore, as described above, the coil spring 58 is prevented from expanding and contracting in the axial direction L as the valve member 80 moves back and forth. This prevents the load of the coil spring 58 in the axial direction L from being constantly constant, even if the aperture of the second port 14 changes, for example. This allows the above-described vibration and noise reduction effect to be stably maintained. Therefore, in the valve device 1 that can reduce vibration and noise when the drive part 70 rotates, space saving is achieved and the state in which vibration and noise when the drive part 70 rotates can be stably maintained reduced. As described above, the coil spring 58 can be provided particularly from the end face of the first female threaded member 41 in the axial direction L to the end face of the second female threaded member 54 in the axial direction L.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the inner periphery of the guide portion 52 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 54a of the second female threaded member 54 are fitted together over the entire length of the cylindrical portion 54a in the direction of the axis L, so that the entire circumference of the second female threaded member 54 around the axis L is surrounded by the first female threaded member 41 over the entire length in the direction of the axis L. This more reliably connects the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other around the axis L but can move relative to each other in the direction of the axis L. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the cylindrical portion 54a of the second female threaded member 54 is guided by the guide portion 52 over the entire length in the direction of the axis L, so that tilt of the second female threaded member 54 with respect to the direction of the axis L can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which only part of the entire length of the cylindrical portion 54a in the direction of the axis L is guided by the guide portion 52. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an unintended increase in sliding resistance between the female screw member 40 and the male screw member 60 due to tilt of the second female screw member 54, which would otherwise cause malfunction.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rotation regulating portion 57 (engagement portion) is configured with various shapes such as a first surface 57a (D-cut portion, two-sided chamfered portion) and a second surface 57b (D-cut portion, two-sided chamfered portion), a protrusion 57c, a key groove 57d, and multiple surfaces 57e (polygonal-shaped portion), and by engaging this rotation regulating portion 57 with the engaged portion 53, the first female thread member 41 and the second female thread member 54 can be connected so that they cannot rotate relative to each other around the axis L but can move relative to each other in the direction of the axis L.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the fixed screw member is made up of the first female screw member 41 and the second female screw member 54, and the drive screw member is made up of the male screw member 60.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in an electrically operated valve in which the drive unit 70 is equipped with an electric motor, it is possible to reduce vibration and noise when the drive unit 70 rotates. Note that, although this embodiment has been described with an example of an electrically operated valve as the valve device 1, the electrically operated valve also includes, for example, an electronic expansion valve that opens and closes (or moves closer to or further away from) the second port 14 using a stepping motor. Furthermore, the valve device 1 is not limited to being a electrically operated valve, and may be a solenoid valve that moves a plunger back and forth using a solenoid coil, or a manual valve in which the valve member 80 is moved manually.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle system 100 can be configured using the valve device 1 that can reduce vibrations and noise when the drive part 70 rotates.

[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve device 2 according to the second embodiment, taken along the axis L of the needle portion 88. FIG. 7 is an enlarged and simplified cross-sectional view of a main portion of the valve device 2 according to the second embodiment of FIG. 6. The valve device 2 includes a valve body 10′. A valve guide portion 18′ is formed in the valve body 10′. The valve guide portion 18′ is formed in a columnar shape and extends from the center of the upper wall of the valve body 10′ to one side L1. The valve guide portion 18′ corresponds to the valve guide member 18 of the first embodiment, but differs from the valve guide member 18 in that it is formed integrally with the valve body 10′. A valve guide hole 18a is formed in the center of the valve guide portion 18′, and the needle portion 88 of the valve member 80 is inserted into the valve guide hole 18a. A support recess 18b, which opens to one side L1, is formed in the center of the upper end of the valve guide portion 18′. An end portion of the other side L2 of a male screw member 60' (described later) is inserted into and fixed in the support recess 18b. That is, in the second embodiment, the male screw member 60' is fixed to the valve body 10 to form a fixed screw member.

[0052] A support member 20 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the valve guide portion 18', and a case 30 is fixed to the opening edge of the support member 20. In the second embodiment, a support shaft 31 that protrudes along the axis L to the other side L2 is attached to the center of the bottom of the case 30 (a portion corresponding to the upper end of the valve device 1 in FIG. 6). A guide 32 that forms a spiral groove on the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 31 is formed on the outer peripheral surface. A slider 33 that fits into the spiral groove is installed on the guide 32. Claw portions 34 that protrude radially outward are formed on the slider 33, and the claw portions 34 abut against the magnet protrusion portion 63' of the magnet rotor 62' around the axis L. In the second embodiment, the magnet protrusion portion 63' is formed to extend from an end of the magnet rotor 62' on the one side L1 to the one side L1.

[0053] The male threaded member 60' of the second embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis L. An male thread 64 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male threaded member 60'. A drive shaft 66 extending in the direction of the axis L and a valve member 80 are inserted inside the male threaded member 60'. The drive shaft 66 extends in the direction of the axis L, and its end on one side L1 protrudes from the male threaded member 60' to the one side L1. The valve member 80 includes a cylindrical main body portion 87' that abuts against the end on the other side L2 of the drive shaft 66, and a needle portion 88 that is continuous with the main body portion 87' and extends in the direction of the axis L through the valve guide hole 18a into the valve chamber 11. A female threaded member 40' is threadedly engaged with the male threaded member 60'. The female thread member 40' includes a first female thread member 41' (first member) and a second female thread member 54' (second member).

[0054] The first female threaded member 41' is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom and opens to the other side L2. The outer peripheral surface of the first female threaded member 41' is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the magnet rotor 62', thereby integrating the first female threaded member 41' and the magnet rotor 62'. A first female thread 51' is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first female threaded member 41', and the first female thread 51' is threadedly engaged with the male thread 64. A through hole 41'b penetrating in the direction of the axis L is formed in the center of the bottom wall 41'a of the first female threaded member 41', and the end of one side L1 of the drive shaft 66 is inserted into the through hole 41'b. The first female threaded member 41' is connected to the drive shaft 66 by a connecting member 90. The connecting member 90 includes a first support portion 91 disposed on the other side L2 of the bottom wall 41'a of the first female threaded member 41', and a second support portion 94 disposed on one side L1 of the bottom wall 41'a of the first female threaded member 41'. The first support portion 91 is fixed to the drive shaft 66 so as to be rotatable relative to the drive shaft 66 about the axis L, and includes a cylindrical portion 92 that circumferentially covers the drive shaft 66, and a flange 93 that radially protrudes from the end of the cylindrical portion 92 on the one side L1.

[0055] A spring 89' is installed between an end surface on the other side L2 of the cylindrical portion 92 and an end surface on one side L1 of the main body portion 87' of the valve member 80 described above, thereby biasing the valve member 80 toward the other side L2. The end surface on the one side L1 of the flange 93 abuts against an end surface on the other side L2 of the bottom wall 41'a of the first female threaded member 41'. The second support portion 94 is formed in a disk shape and circumferentially covers the end of the one side L1 of the drive shaft 66, and is fixed to the drive shaft 66 so as not to be rotatable relative to it around the axis L. The end surface on the other side L2 of the second support portion 94 abuts against an end surface on the one side L1 of the bottom wall 41'a of the first female threaded member 41'. In this way, by sandwiching the bottom wall 41'a in the direction of the axis L between the flange 93 of the first support portion 91 and the second support portion 94, the first female screw member 41' and the magnet rotor 62' are connected to the connecting member 90 and the drive shaft 66 so as to be able to rotate relative to each other around the axis L.

[0056] The second female threaded member 54' is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided separately from the first female threaded member 41'. It is housed in a guide portion 52' formed on a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the magnet rotor 62'. A second female thread 56' is formed in the center of the second female threaded member 54', and the second female thread 56' is threadedly engaged with the male thread 64. A coil spring 58 is disposed between the first female threaded member 41' and the second female threaded member 54'. An end portion on one side L1 of the coil spring 58 abuts against an end surface on the other side L2 of the first female threaded member 41', and an end portion on the other side L2 of the coil spring 58 abuts against an end surface on the one side L1 of the second female threaded member 54'. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 , the coil spring 58 biases the first female threaded member 41' and the second female threaded member 54' in directions away from each other along the axis L.

[0057] In the valve device 2 configured as described above, when the electric motor of the drive unit 70 is driven, the magnet rotor 62' rotates about the axis L, and the feed screw mechanism threads the female screw member 40' (first female screw member 41', second female screw member 54'), causing the magnet rotor 62' and the female screw member 40' to move back and forth in the direction of the axis L. Accompanying this movement, the connection member 90 and the drive shaft 66 move back and forth in the direction of the axis L. Accompanying the movement of the drive shaft 66, the valve member 80 moves back and forth, changing the aperture of the second port 14. Thus, in the second embodiment, the female screw member 40' constitutes the drive screw member, and the drive screw member has the first and second members. As described above, the male screw member 60' constitutes the fixed screw member. According to this second embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the drive screw member is composed of a first female screw member 41' and a second female screw member 54', and the fixed screw member is composed of a male screw member 60', and the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0058] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a valve device 3 according to the third embodiment, taken along the axis L of the needle portion 88. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the valve device 3 according to the third embodiment of FIG. 8. The valve device 3 of the third embodiment includes a male threaded member 600 and a female threaded member 700. The male threaded member 600 corresponds to the male threaded member 60′ of the second embodiment, and the female threaded member 700 corresponds to the female threaded member 40′ of the second embodiment. Since the configuration other than the male threaded member 600 and the female threaded member 700 is the same as that of the second embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted or simplified. As shown in FIG. 9, the male threaded member 600 includes a first male threaded member 601 (first member) and a second male threaded member 604 (second member). That is, in the third embodiment, the fixed screw member side includes the first member and the second member. The first male threaded member 601 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis L. A first male thread 602 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first male threaded member 601, and the first male thread 602 is threadedly engaged with a female thread 701 of a female threaded member 700 (described later). A first recess 603 recessed toward one side L1 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the other side L2 of the first male thread 602.

[0059] The second male threaded member 604 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis L. An end of the second male threaded member 604 on the other side L2 is inserted into and fixed in the support recess 18b of the valve guide portion 18' of the valve body 10'. A second male thread 605 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second male threaded member 604, and the second male thread 605 is threadedly engaged with the female thread 701 of the female threaded member 700. A second recess 606 recessed toward the other side L2 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of one side L1 of the second male threaded member 604. A coil spring 58 is installed between the first recess 603 and the second recess 606. An end of the coil spring 58 on the one side L1 abuts against the bottom surface of the first recess 603, and an end of the coil spring 58 on the other side L2 abuts against the bottom surface of the second recess 606. As a result, the coil spring 58 biases the first male threaded member 601 and the second male threaded member 604 in directions away from each other along the axis L direction.

[0060] The first male screw member 601 and the second male screw member 604 are connected by a rotation prevention mechanism 607 so as to be non-rotatable about the axis L but movable in the direction of the axis L. Various configurations can be used for the rotation prevention mechanism 607. For example, the rotation prevention mechanism 607 may be configured such that an end of the other side L2 of the first male screw member 601 is provided with one protrusion protruding toward the other side L2, and an end of the one side L1 of the second male screw member 604 is provided with two protrusions protruding toward the one side L1, with one protrusion sandwiched between the two protrusions. Alternatively, the rotation prevention mechanism 607 may be configured such that an end of the other side L2 of the first male screw member 601 is provided with two protrusions protruding toward the other side L2, and an end of the one side L1 of the second male screw member 604 is provided with one protrusion protruding toward the one side L1, with one protrusion sandwiched between the two protrusions.

[0061] Alternatively, a convex portion protruding in the direction of the axis L may be provided on one of the end portions of the other side L2 of the first male threaded member 601 and the end portion of the one side L1 of the second male threaded member 604, and a concave portion recessed in the direction of the axis L may be provided on the other, forming the anti-rotation mechanism 607 through a convex-concave engagement. The number and arrangement of the protrusions, convex portions, and concave portions are not particularly limited. For example, two sets of anti-rotation mechanisms 607 each composed of a convex portion and a concave portion may be provided and positioned 180° apart around the axis L. The female threaded member 700 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom and opens on the other side L2. The outer circumferential surface of the female threaded member 700 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the magnet rotor 62′, thereby forming the female threaded member 700 and the magnet rotor 62′ as a single unit. A female thread 701 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the female threaded member 700, and the female thread 701 is threadedly engaged with the first male thread 602 and the second male thread 605. According to the third embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the fixed screw member is composed of a first male screw member 601 and a second male screw member 604, and the drive screw member is composed of a female screw member 700, and the same functions and effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

[0062] Although the first, second, and third embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the fixing screw member is composed of the first female thread member 41 and the second female thread member 54, and the driving screw member is composed of the male thread member 60. However, this is not limiting, and the first female thread member 41 and the second female thread member 54 as the fixing screw member may be combined into one member, and the male thread member 60 as the driving screw member may be divided into two members. Specifically, the second female thread member 54 shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted, and the fixing screw member may be composed of only the first female thread member 41.

[0063] The male screw member 60 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into a first male screw member fixed to the magnet rotor 62 and constituting one side L1 portion, and a second male screw member connected to the valve member 80 and constituting the other side L2 portion. The first male thread of the first male screw portion and the second male screw portion are threadedly engaged with the female threads 56 of the first female screw member 41. A coil spring 58 is then interposed between the first male screw member and the second male screw member to unite the first male screw member and the second male screw member. In this manner, the first male screw member and the second male screw member constitute a drive screw member. In this configuration, when the electric motor of the drive unit 70 is driven, the magnet rotor 62 rotates about the axis L, and the first male screw member and the second male screw member are each screw-fed by the feed screw mechanism, causing the magnet rotor 62, the first male screw member, and the second male screw member to move back and forth together in the direction of the axis L. As the valve member 80 moves forward and backward, it approaches or moves away from the second port 14, changing the degree of opening of the second port 14.

[0064] In this way, the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which the fixation screw member is the first female threaded member 41 and the drive screw member is the first male threaded member and the second male threaded member. In either case, one of the fixation screw member and the drive screw member may be configured with a first member and a second member that are separate from each other, and each of the first member and the second member may be threadedly engaged with the other of the fixation screw member and the drive screw member. In addition, in the first embodiment, the coil spring 58 or the like is disposed between the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54, and the coil spring 58 or the like biases the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 in directions away from each other in the direction of the axis L. However, this configuration is not limiting, and biasing means such as the coil spring 58 can be used in various arrangements as long as they are capable of biasing the first female threaded member 41 and the second female threaded member 54 in the direction of the axis L. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] L axis 1 Valve gear 10 Valve body 40 Female threaded member (fixed threaded member) 41 first female thread member (first member) 54 Second female thread member (second member) 58 Coil spring (biasing means) 60 Male threaded member (driving screw member) 70 Drive unit 80 Valve member

Claims

1. A valve device comprising: a valve body having a valve chamber therein; a fixed screw member supported by the valve body; a drive screw member rotatably driven by a drive unit; and a valve member connected to the drive screw member, the fixed screw member and the drive screw member are threadedly engaged with each other, and the drive screw member is rotationally driven to form a feed screw mechanism that moves the valve member back and forth in the axial direction; one of the fixed screw member and the drive screw member is configured to have a first member and a second member that are separate from each other, and each of the first member and the second member is threadedly engaged with the other of the fixed screw member and the drive screw member; The valve device is characterized in that the first member and the second member are connected to each other so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other but movable relative to each other in the axial direction, and are biased toward each other in the axial direction by a biasing means.

2. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is provided between the first member and the second member and biases the first member and the second member in directions away from each other in the axial direction.

3. 3. The valve device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means is provided across from an end surface of the first member in the axial direction to an end surface of the second member in the axial direction.

4. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is a coil spring or a leaf spring assembly.

5. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first member has a cylindrical interior with a female thread portion and a guide portion, the guide portion guides the second member in the axial direction, and the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member are fitted together so as not to rotate relative to each other around the axis.

6. 6. The valve device according to claim 5, wherein a fitting portion consisting of any one of a D-cut portion, a two-sided chamfered portion, a protrusion, a key groove, and a polygonal portion is provided on one of the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member, and a fitted portion that fits into the fitting portion is provided on the other of the inner periphery of the guide portion and the outer periphery of the second member.

7. the fixing screw member has the first member and the second member, the first member is a first female threaded member that has a first female thread and is fixed to the valve body, the second member is a second female threaded member having a second female thread, 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the drive screw member is a male screw member having a male thread that is threadably engaged with the first female thread and the second female thread.

8. the fixing screw member is a female screw member having a female thread and fixed to the valve body, the drive screw member has the first member and the second member; the first member is a first male threaded member having a first male thread that screws into the female thread, 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is a second male threaded member having a second male thread that is threadably engaged with the female thread.

9. the fixing screw member is a male screw member having a male thread and fixed to the valve body, the drive screw member has the first member and the second member; the first member is a first female threaded member having a first female thread that threadably engages with the male thread, 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is a second female threaded member having a second female thread that is threadably engaged with the male thread.

10. the fixing screw member has the first member and the second member, the first member is a first male threaded member that has a first male thread and is fixed to the valve body, the second member is a second male threaded member having a second male thread, 2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the drive screw member is an internally threaded member having internal threads that are threadably engaged with the first external thread and the second external thread.

11. 11. The electrically operated valve according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises an electric motor.

12. A refrigeration cycle system comprising the motor-operated valve according to claim 11.

Images