Refrigerant control valve and control method of it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant control valve and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to a refrigerant control valve and a method for controlling the same that controls the flow of refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode. The present invention controls the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the rotation of a ball member through a control unit, thereby enabling accurate control of the valve opening amount regardless of the assembly variation of the valve, and thereby preventing variation in the discharge flow rate of the refrigerant.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant control valve and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to a refrigerant control valve and a method for controlling the same that controls the flow of refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, automobiles are equipped with air conditioning systems to provide a comfortable ride for passengers. These systems maintain an appropriate interior temperature by heating or cooling the air inside or outside the vehicle and then introducing or circulating it into the cabin.

[0004] A conventional air conditioning system is configured to provide cooling or heating through heat exchange by the evaporator in the process where the refrigerant discharged by the operation of the compressor circulates back to the compressor after passing through the condenser, receiver dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator.

[0005] In addition, the air conditioning unit is further equipped with a refrigerant control valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant circulating through the compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator.

[0006] A refrigerant control valve comprises a valve body having an input port and a pair of output ports, a ball that selectively connects a flow path formed inside the valve body, and an actuator that rotates the ball according to a signal applied from the outside.

[0007] The aforementioned refrigerant control valve controls the flow of refrigerant by adjusting the rotation angle of the ball by an external signal to connect or block the ball's flow path to the input and output ports of the valve body.

[0008] Meanwhile, conventional air conditioning systems are configured to include an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant during cooling; however, recently, there has been a demand for the addition of an expansion function to the refrigerant control valve so that the expansion valve can be omitted.

[0009] Published Patent Application No. 2018-0087142 (August 1, 2018) discloses a valve for a heat pump system of a vehicle comprising a valve member having an expansion recess formed therein.

[0010] However, conventional valves for vehicle heat pump systems had a problem in that the valve opening amount could not be accurately controlled due to variations in the position of the valve member caused by assembly variations between parts, resulting in excessive variation in the refrigerant discharge flow rate. Prior art literature

[0012] Published Patent Application No. 2018-0087142 (August 1, 2018) The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art by providing a refrigerant control valve and a control method thereof that can prevent variation in the discharge flow rate of the refrigerant by accurately controlling the valve opening amount regardless of the assembly variation of the valve. means of solving the problem

[0015] A refrigerant control valve according to the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises a valve body, a ball member rotatably installed inside the valve body, and a control unit for controlling a step, which is the degree of rotation of the ball member.

[0016] The above valve body has an input port for refrigerant to flow in and one or more discharge ports for refrigerant to be discharged.

[0017] In addition, the ball member has a transfer passage formed internally for the transfer of refrigerant and an expansion groove formed externally for the expansion of refrigerant, and allows, blocks, or switches the transfer of refrigerant when the ball member is rotated.

[0018] In addition, the above step is determined by the flow correction trend line equation, and

[0019] The above flow correction trend line equation is and, above Y is the determined step, above x is the target flow rate, above , above , above n is the number of measurement points, above yi is the measured flow rate value, and above xi is the measurement step. Effects of the invention

[0021] The present invention, configured as described above, controls the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the rotation of the ball member through a control unit, thereby enabling accurate control of the valve opening amount regardless of the assembly variation of the valve, and thereby preventing variation in the discharge flow rate of the refrigerant. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 to 9 are operating state diagrams of a refrigerant control valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of stepwise ball member rotation of a refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0025] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0026] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0027] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that the any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between the component and the any configuration placed on (or below) the component.

[0028] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0029] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0030] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a longitudinal section and a transverse section of a refrigerant control valve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the refrigerant control valve according to the present embodiment comprises a driving unit (100) that operates by a signal transmitted from the outside, a valve unit (200) that allows, blocks, or switches the transfer of refrigerant by the operation of the driving unit (100), and a control unit (300) that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the opening amount of the valve unit (200).

[0033] The driving unit (100) includes a motor (110) that generates rotational force, a reduction gear (120) that increases and transmits the rotational force of the motor (110), and a PCB assembly (130) that transmits and receives signals for operating the motor (110).

[0034] The motor (110) is operated by a signal transmitted from the outside and received through the PCB assembly (130), and generates a predetermined rotational force.

[0035] The reduction gear (120) increases the rotational force generated by the motor (110) and transmits it to the valve section (200). That is, by reducing the rotational speed of the motor (110) and increasing the rotational force through the reduction gear (120), it provides the rotational force required for the operation of the valve section (200). This reduction gear (120) may be composed of a plurality of gear combinations.

[0036] The PCB assembly (130) serves to receive a signal for the operation of the motor (110) or to transmit the operating status of the valve unit (200) to the outside. At this time, the PCB assembly (130) is equipped with a control unit (300) that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the step, which is the degree of rotation of the motor (110).

[0037] The valve section (200) is configured to include a valve body (210) and a valve cover (220, 230) that is detachably coupled to the valve body (210).

[0038] An inlet port (212) is formed on the front of the valve body (210), and a first discharge port (214) and a second discharge port (216) are formed on each side, respectively, and a connecting chamber (218) connecting the inlet port (212) and the discharge ports (214, 216) is formed inside.

[0039] Here, the connection chamber (218) of the valve body (210) is opened upward so that the valve cover (220, 230), on which the ball member (240) to be described later is installed, can be assembled in a top entry type.

[0040] Additionally, the connection chamber (218) is also opened downwards to allow the refrigerant to flow in through the lower part of the ball member (240), and for this purpose, the open lower part of the connection chamber (218) is connected to an inlet port (212) formed on the front of the valve body (210).

[0041] In this embodiment, the valve body (210) is exemplified as a 3-way valve having one inlet port (212) and two outlet ports (214, 216), but it is not necessarily limited to this, and it is obvious that a 2-way valve having one inlet port and one outlet port can be used as needed.

[0042] The valve cover (220, 230) consists of a cover plate (220) that is in close contact with the upper surface of the valve body (210) and a cover housing (230) that is inserted into the chamber (218).

[0043] The cover plate (220) is a part for assembly with the valve body (210), has a predetermined thickness, and has a roughly square plate shape corresponding to the cross-section of the valve body (210).

[0044] The cover housing (230) is a part in which a ball member (240) that allows, blocks, or switches the transfer of refrigerant is installed, and has a hollow cylindrical shape with an operating chamber (238) formed inside for the installation of the ball member (240).

[0045] An inlet port (232) connected to an inlet port (212) is formed on the bottom of the cover housing (230), a mounting hole (234) connected to a first discharge port (214) is formed on one side of the cover housing (230), and a second discharge port (236) connected to a second discharge port (216) is formed on the other side. Additionally, an operating chamber (238) connecting the inlet port (232), the mounting hole (234), and the second discharge port (236) is formed inside the cover housing (230).

[0046] As described above, a ball member (240), a seat (250) that rotatably supports the ball member (240), and a sealing ring (260) are installed inside the operating chamber (238). At this time, the ball member (240), the seat (250), and the sealing ring (260) are assembled in a side entry type through the mounting hole (234).

[0047] It is preferable that the mounting hole (234) be formed with a diameter larger than that of the ball member (240) so that parts such as the ball member (240), the seat (250), and the sealing ring (260) can be assembled in a side entry manner.

[0048] Additionally, to prevent the parts (240-260) assembled in a side entry manner from being arbitrarily separated, a plug (270) is coupled to the mounting hole (234), and at this time, a first discharge port (272) connecting the first discharge port (214) and the operating chamber (238) is formed in the plug (270).

[0049] The ball member (240) serves to allow, block, or divert the transfer of refrigerant flowing into the cover housing (230) through the inlet port (212) of the valve body (210).

[0050] These ball members (240) are formed in a sphere shape and installed in an operating chamber (238), but are supported in a floating manner so as to be rotatable by a pair of seats (250).

[0051] A transfer passage (242) for transferring refrigerant is formed inside the ball member (240). At one end of the transfer passage (242), an inlet hole (244) is formed that is open toward the lower side of the ball member (240) and connected to the inlet port (232), and at the other end, a discharge hole (246) is formed that is open toward the side of the ball member (240) and connected to the first discharge port (272) or the second discharge port (236).

[0052] Additionally, on the outside of the ball member (240), an expansion groove (248) for expanding the refrigerant during the cooling mode of the air conditioning device and a key groove (249) for installing a shaft (280) that transmits the rotational force of the driving unit (100) to the ball member (240) are formed.

[0053] The aforementioned expansion groove (248) is formed on the discharge hole (246) side of the transfer passage (242) and extends along the outer circumference of the ball member (240). At this time, the expansion groove (248) is formed with a width smaller than the diameter of the discharge hole (246) and has a shape in which the depth decreases as it moves away from the discharge hole (246).

[0054] If the expansion groove (248) is formed with a width smaller than the diameter of the discharge hole (246) and manufactured in such a way that the depth decreases as it moves away from the discharge hole (246), the refrigerant can be expanded more effectively when the ball member (240) rotates.

[0055] In this embodiment, the expansion groove (248) is illustrated as having a decreasing depth as it moves away from the discharge hole (246), but it is not necessarily limited thereto, and it may be manufactured in a form where the width decreases as it moves away from the discharge hole (246), or in a form where both the depth and width decrease as it moves away from the discharge hole (246).

[0056] Additionally, the expansion groove (248) extends in a range of 50 to 60 degrees along the outer surface of the ball member (240) around the axis of rotation of the ball member (240). This is to allow the inlet (232) and the outlet (272, 236) to be connected or blocked when the ball member (240) rotates, and also to prevent the refrigerant from leaking between the cover housing (230) and the ball member (240) through the expansion groove (248).

[0057] The seat (250) is a means for rotatably floating and supporting the ball member (240). The seat (250) is composed of a pair provided on the side of the first outlet (272) and the side of the second outlet (236) of the operating chamber (238). At this time, the seat (250) is formed in the shape of a multi-stage disc having a predetermined diameter, and one surface is formed concave so that a part of the ball member (240) can be inserted.

[0058] Additionally, a sealing ring (260) is provided on the narrow portion side of the sheet (250) to seal the space between it and the cover housing (230). That is, it is provided on the first discharge port (272) side and the second discharge port (236) side of the operating chamber (238), respectively, to seal the space between it and the cover housing (230).

[0059] Meanwhile, the outer surface of the cover housing (230) is provided with a sealing seal (290) to seal the space between it and the valve body (210).

[0060] The sealing seal (290) is composed of an annular first sealing ring (292) that surrounds the upper outer surface of the cover housing (220), an annular second sealing ring (294) that surrounds the lower outer surface of the cover housing (220), and a sealing bar (296) that connects the first sealing ring (292) and the second sealing ring (294). At this time, the sealing bar (296) is arranged along the outer surface of the cover housing (220) to seal the space between the inlet (232), the mounting hole (234), and the second outlet (236).

[0061] The refrigerant switching valve (10) according to the present embodiment configured as described above can implement various air conditioning modes by switching the discharge direction of the refrigerant to various directions, and in particular, can expand the refrigerant or control the amount of expansion.

[0062] The control unit (300) controls the rotation of the ball member (240) to achieve a specific flow rate according to a step. The control unit (300) controls the rotation of the ball member (240) to achieve a specific flow rate at a specific step, and this step is determined by a flow rate correction trend line equation. Here, the flow rate correction trend line equation is as shown in Equation 1 below.

[0063]

[0064] In Equation 1, Y is the determined step and x is the target flow rate. a0 is the intercept that varies according to the trend point and is calculated as shown in Equation 2 below.

[0065]

[0066] In addition, in Equation 1, a1 is the slope that determines the rate of change of the step according to the change in flow rate, and is calculated as shown in Equation 3 below.

[0067]

[0068] In mathematical formulas 2 and 3, n is the number of measurement points, and yi is the measured flow rate value. Also, xi is the measurement step. That is, n is the number of points, for example, steps, that are substantially measured in the graph of FIG. 10 to generate the aforementioned mathematical formulas, and xi and yi represent the steps of the points that are substantially measured and the flow rate value measured at those steps. FIG. 5 illustrates the first mode (first expansion mode) of the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0069] When a signal is applied from the outside, the driving unit (100 in FIG. 2) operates to rotate the ball member (240) counterclockwise. At this time, the discharge hole (246) of the ball member (240) is connected to the first discharge port (272) through the expansion groove (248) and is partially opened.

[0070] Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing into the inlet hole (244) of the ball member (240) through the inlet port (212 in FIG. 3) of the valve body (210) is discharged toward the first outlet (272) through the transfer passage (242) and the expansion groove (248), and the refrigerant expands during this process. At this time, the expansion of the refrigerant can be controlled by controlling the rotation of the ball member (240) in various ways.

[0071] FIG. 6 illustrates the second mode (first switching mode) of the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0072] When the ball member (240) rotates further counterclockwise in the aforementioned first mode (first expansion mode), the discharge hole (246) of the ball member (240) is fully opened toward the first discharge port (272) and the flow path of the refrigerant is switched. At this time, the expansion groove (248) is not connected to the second discharge port (236).

[0073] In this way, the state in which the discharge hole (246) of the ball member (240) is completely open toward the first discharge port (272) is called the full-open state, and at this time, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet hole (244) of the ball member (240) is discharged toward the first discharge port (272) without undergoing an expansion process.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates the third mode (closed mode) of the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0075] When the ball member (240) is rotated further clockwise in the aforementioned second mode (first switching mode), the discharge hole (246) and the expansion groove (248) of the ball member (240) are positioned between the first discharge port (272) and the second discharge port (236), thereby blocking the transfer of refrigerant.

[0076] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet hole (244) of the ball member (240) is not discharged through either the first outlet (272) or the second outlet (236).

[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth mode (second expansion mode) of the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0078] When the ball member (240) is rotated further clockwise in the aforementioned third mode (closed mode), the discharge hole (246) of the ball member (240) is connected to the second discharge port (236) through the expansion groove (248) and is partially opened.

[0079] Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing into the inlet hole (244) of the ball member (240) via the inlet port (212) of the valve body (210) is discharged toward the second outlet (236) through the transfer passage (242) and the expansion groove (248), and the refrigerant expands during this process. At this time, the expansion of the refrigerant can be controlled by varying the rotation of the ball member (240).

[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates the fifth mode (second switching mode) of the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0081] In the aforementioned fourth mode (second expansion mode), when the ball member (240) is rotated further clockwise, the discharge hole (246) of the ball member (240) is fully opened toward the second discharge port (236) and the flow path of the refrigerant is switched. At this time, the expansion groove (248) is not connected to the first discharge port (272).

[0082] In this way, the state in which the discharge port (246) of the ball member (240) is completely open toward the second discharge port (236) is called the full-open state, and at this time, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet port (244) of the ball member (240) is discharged toward the second discharge port (236) without undergoing an expansion process.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of stepwise ball member rotation of a refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment.

[0084] In the refrigerant switching valve according to the present embodiment, the steps for each flow rate are determined by the aforementioned mathematical formula. For example, referring to FIG. 10, it is closed at step 0, opened at step 400, expanded at step 1600, and fully opened at step 2200. Additionally, the ball is rotated in the closing direction at step 3000 and closed at step 3450. Subsequently, it can be made to start opening again at step 3900, expand at step 5100, and fully open again at step 5900.

[0085] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration according to the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized. Explanation of the symbols

[0087] 100: Drive unit 110: Motor 120: Reducer 130: PCB Assembly 200: Valve section 210: Valve body 212: Inflow port 214: First discharge port 216: Second discharge port 218: Connection chamber 220,230: Valve cover 220: Cover plate 230: Cover housing 232: Inlet 234: Mounting hole 236: Second outlet 238: Operating chamber 240: Ball missing 242: Transfer passage 244: Inlet 246: Exhaust port 248: Expansion Home 249: Key Home 250: Sheet 260: Sealing ring 270: Plug 272: First discharge point 280: Shaft 290: Sealing seal 292: First sealing ring 294: Second sealing ring 296: Sealing bar 300: Control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A refrigerant control valve characterized by comprising: a valve body having an input port for refrigerant inflow and one or more discharge ports for refrigerant discharge; a ball member rotatably installed inside the valve body, having a transfer passage for refrigerant transfer formed inside and an expansion groove for refrigerant expansion formed outside, which allows, blocks, or switches the transfer of refrigerant upon rotation; and a control unit that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting a step, which is the degree of rotation of the ball member. Claim 2 A refrigerant control valve according to claim 1, wherein an inlet hole connected to the inlet port is formed at one end of the transfer passage and an outlet hole connected to the outlet port is formed at the other end, and the expansion groove is formed on the side of the outlet hole and extends along the outer surface of the ball member from the outlet hole. Claim 3 A refrigerant control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the expansion groove decreases in width or depth as it moves away from the discharge passage. Claim 4 In any one of claims 1 to 3, the step is determined by a flow correction trendline equation, and the flow correction trendline equation is and, above Y is the determined step, above x is the target flow rate, above , above , above n is the number of measurement points, above yi is the measured flow rate value, above xi is the measurement step of the refrigerant control valve.

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