Solenoid valve

Abstract

Provided is a solenoid valve having a small flow passage resistance.　A solenoid valve 1 includes: a drive part 20 including a coil 21, a fixed iron core 22, and a movable iron core 23; and a valve body 30 for adjusting the opening degree of a flow passage 16 via the drive part 20. The movable iron core 23 is provided to be able to rotate in relation to a rotary shaft 18 due to energization of the coil 21. The rotary shaft 18 and the coil 21 are provided apart from each other, and the valve body 30 moves in a direction crossing the flow passage 16 as the movable iron core 23 rotates.

Description

Solenoid valve

[0001] The present invention relates to a solenoid valve, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes a flow path through which a fluid flows or switches the flow path.

[0002] In various industrial fields, fluid circuits are used in which a fluid supply source and a fluid load such as a fluid actuator or a heat exchanger are connected by a flow path. Some of these fluid circuits are provided with solenoid valves for opening and closing the flow path or for switching between flow paths.

[0003] For example, the solenoid valve disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drive unit having a coil, a main valve element that adjusts the opening of a flow path in response to drive of the drive unit, and a housing. The drive unit is primarily composed of a coil, a plunger, an attractor, and a spring. The attractor is magnetized when current is applied to the coil and attracts the plunger. As the plunger moves, the main valve element moves away from the valve seat in the housing, opening the flow path. This allows fluid to pass from below the main valve element to the side. Furthermore, when current is stopped from passing through the coil, the spring moves the plunger together with the main valve element in the return direction, causing the main valve element to contact the valve seat in the housing and close the flow path.

[0004] JP 2019-7572 A (pages 6 and 7, Figure 1)

[0005] In the solenoid valve of Patent Document 1, a part of the flow path near the main valve body needs to be perpendicular to the main valve body and extend in the direction of movement of the main valve body. As a result, when the flow path is opened, the fluid changes direction near the main valve body, which causes a problem of high flow path resistance and a tendency for pressure loss to occur.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and has as its object to provide a solenoid valve with low flow resistance.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the solenoid valve of the present invention is a solenoid valve comprising: a drive unit having a coil, a fixed iron core, and a movable iron core; and a valve element that adjusts the opening of a flow path by the drive unit, wherein the movable iron core is rotatable about a rotation axis when current is applied to the coil, the rotation axis and the coil are spaced apart, and the valve element moves in a direction across the flow path as the movable iron core rotates. In this way, not only is the coil spaced apart from the rotation axis, but the valve element moves in a direction across the flow path, making it possible to form a flow path with low flow resistance.

[0008] The fixed core may have a core extending parallel to the rotation axis, and the coil may be wound around the core, thereby enabling a magnetic force to be efficiently applied to the movable core.

[0009] The fixed core may have a yoke extending toward the movable core, thereby enabling a magnetic force to be applied to the movable core more efficiently.

[0010] The yoke may have a shape such that the end of the yoke facing the movable core is aligned with the direction of rotation of the movable core, thereby enabling magnetic force to be applied to the movable core more efficiently.

[0011] The movable core may have an arc shape along the end of the yoke that faces the movable core, thereby enabling magnetic force to be applied to the movable core more efficiently.

[0012] The yoke may be a pair in the direction of the rotation axis, which allows a magnetic force to be applied to the movable iron core more efficiently.

[0013] The movable core may have a portion extending in the axial direction, which allows magnetic force to be applied to the movable core more efficiently.

[0014] 7 is a top view showing an open state of a solenoid valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. (b) is a bottom view showing a closed state of the solenoid valve according to the first embodiment. (c) is a top view of a solenoid valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (d) is a top view of a solenoid valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (e) is a top view of a solenoid valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a closed state and (b) is an open state. (f) is a top view of a solenoid valve according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a closed state and (b) is an open state. (g) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 7. (h) is a top view showing an example of another shape of the outer diameter side end of the movable core.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A solenoid valve according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the following examples.

[0016] A solenoid valve according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, the top and bottom of Figure 2 will be taken as the top and bottom of the solenoid valve.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a solenoid valve 1 of the present invention is used to open and close a fluid circuit.

[0018] The solenoid valve 1 is mainly composed of a housing 10 , a solenoid 20 as a drive unit, and a valve body 30 .

[0019] The housing 10 is mainly composed of a cap 11 and a case 12. The cap 11 and the case 12 are made of non-magnetic stainless steel. In Figures 1 and 3, the cap 11 is shown by a two-dot chain line to clearly show the valve body 30 and other components. The cap 11 and the case 12 may be made of resin, or may be made of any other non-magnetic material as appropriate.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2, the cap 11 is fixed by having the male threads on the side of a cylindrical male thread portion that extends axially downward from the radial center of the disk and is screwed into the female threads formed on the inner periphery of the case 12.

[0021] A communication passage 11a is formed in the cap 11, linearly penetrating a portion of the cap 11 between its radial center and its radially outer edge in the axial direction. The upper opening of the communication passage 11a is an inlet port P1 through which the fluid flows in.

[0022] Furthermore, the communication passage 11a is formed so as to substantially coincide with the axis of a communication passage 16, which will be described later, when the cap 11 is fixed to the case 12.

[0023] An O-ring 50 is provided as a sealing member between the cap 11 and the case 12. This more reliably seals the gap between the cap 11 and the case 12, preventing fluid leakage. Note that the sealing member is not limited to the O-ring 50 and may be changed as appropriate to a gasket or the like.

[0024] The case 12 comprises a bottom plate 13 which is circular when viewed from the axially downward side, a cylindrical peripheral wall 14 which extends axially upward from the outer diameter side edge of the bottom plate 13, and a cylindrical central base 15 which extends axially upward from the radial center of the bottom plate 13.

[0025] The bottom plate 13 has an extension 13a extending axially downward from a portion between its radial center and its radial outer edge.

[0026] A communication passage 16 is formed in the case 12, penetrating linearly along the center of the extension portion 13a from the lower end of the extension portion 13a to the upper end of the central base 15. The lower opening of the communication passage 16 is an outlet port P2 through which the fluid flows out.

[0027] The peripheral wall 14 has an internally threaded portion at its axial upper end, on the inside of which the above-mentioned internal thread is formed.

[0028] The central base 15 is formed so that its upper end surface 15a is located lower than the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 14. Furthermore, when the cap 11 is fixed to the case 12, the upper end surface 15a of the central base 15 is located lower than the lower end surface 11b of the cap 11. In other words, a space S is left between the lower end surface 11b of the cap 11 and the upper end surface 15a of the central base 15. The communication passage 11a in the cap 11 and the communication passage 16 in the case 12 communicate with the space S.

[0029] 1, the grayed-out portion of the upper end surface 15a of the central base 15 that surrounds the communication passage 16 is the valve seat 31 in this embodiment. The valve seat 31 and the valve element 30 form a valve 40.

[0030] The outer diameter of the central base 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 14. An annular groove 17 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the central base 15 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14. The annular groove 17 is continuous in the circumferential direction and opens upward in the axial direction. The lower axial end of the annular groove 17 is closed by the bottom plate 13 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0031] 2, a recess 15b that is circular in top view is formed in the upper part of the central base 15. The recess 15b is recessed axially downward from the upper end surface 15a in the radial center of the central base 15 and is open axially upward. A rotation shaft 18 is fixed to the radial center of the recess 15b on the axis of the recess 15b.

[0032] 1 and 2, a step portion 15c having a one-third circular shape in top view is formed on the upper portion of the central base 15. The step portion 15c is recessed axially downward from the upper end surface 15a at a position radially outer than the recessed portion 15b, and is open axially upward and radially outer.

[0033] 1, the step portion 15c has a side wall 15d on the counterclockwise side in a top view and a side wall 15e on the clockwise side in a top view. The communication passage 16 is formed on the clockwise side of the side wall 15e in a top view.

[0034] Furthermore, a shaft 19 is fixed to the center of the corner formed by side walls 15d and 15e of step portion 15c. A coil of a spring 24, which is a torsion coil spring, is fitted onto shaft 19. Spring 24 is a so-called return spring and is one of the components that make up solenoid 20.

[0035] The arm 24a of the spring 24 located on the counterclockwise side in top view is fixed to an end 29c of an outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23 described below, which is located on the clockwise side in top view. The arm of the spring 24 located on the clockwise side in top view is fixed to a side wall 15e of the step portion 15c, which is located on the clockwise side in top view. For ease of understanding, the movable core 23 is indicated by a dot.

[0036] Furthermore, the spring 24 disposed on the step 15c is located below the upper end surface 15a of the central base 15, and is prevented from coming into contact with the movable iron core 23 when the movable iron core 23 rotates. Furthermore, the step 15c is a location where fluid flow is unlikely to occur, and the spring 24 is unlikely to obstruct the flow of fluid.

[0037] The solenoid 20 is mainly composed of a coil 21 arranged outside the housing 10, i.e., radially spaced apart from the housing 10, a fixed iron core 22 arranged outside the housing 10, a movable iron core 23 arranged inside the housing 10, and a spring 24 arranged inside the housing 10.

[0038] 1 and 2, the coil 21 is wound around a core 25 in the fixed core 22. The coil may be wound around a bobbin that is wrapped around the core.

[0039] 2, the fixed core 22 is composed of a cylindrical core 25 and two yokes 26 fixed to the upper or lower end of the core 25. The core 25 and the two yokes 26 are made of steel, i.e., a magnetic material. However, the core 25 and the two yokes 26 may be made of iron, or may be made of any other magnetic material as appropriate.

[0040] The core 25 has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 10 .

[0041] 2A, the core 25 has an axis Ax1 that is substantially parallel to the axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 18. In other words, the core 25 extends parallel to the rotation shaft 18. The axes of the communicating passages 11a and 16 are also substantially parallel to the axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 18.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 , the yoke 26 is a plate member that is trapezoidal in top view and extends so as to widen toward the housing 10 .

[0043] The yoke 26 has a through hole 26a formed therethrough in the vertical direction on the side opposite to the housing 10. The core 25 is fitted and fixed in this through hole 26a.

[0044] Furthermore, the yoke 26 has a notch 26c formed at its end 26b on the housing 10 side, the notch 26c being semicircular in top view and conforming to the outer peripheral surface of the case 12. More specifically, the notch 26c is formed so as to conform to the outer periphery of the housing 10, the annular groove 17, and the outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23.

[0045] For convenience of explanation, direct illustration is omitted, but the yoke 26 is integrated with the case 12 by being molded together with the case 12 in the housing 10 with the case 12 inserted into the notch 26c.

[0046] The yoke 26 and the case 12 may be fixed together by adhesive or welding, or the yoke 26, the case 12, and the coil 21 may be integrated in whole or in part by molding.

[0047] When the housing 10 is fixed to the yoke 26, the generally semicircular portion of the housing 10 in top view is disposed within the notch 26c.

[0048] 1 and 2, the movable core 23 includes a shaft portion 27 rotatably fitted onto the rotary shaft 18, arm portions 28 extending radially outward from the shaft portion 27, outer diameter side end portions 29 having a half-circular arc shape in top view extending circumferentially on both sides from the arm portions 28, and a disk-shaped valve body 30 fixed to the shaft portion 27. The movable core 23 is made of steel, i.e., a magnetic material.

[0049] The movable core 23 may be made of iron, a magnet, or any other suitable magnetic material. The movable core 23 only needs to have its outer diameter end 29 made of a magnetic material, and the shaft 27, arm 28, and valve element 30 may be made of a non-magnetic material.

[0050] The shaft portion 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the axial direction and has a bottom on its lower side. The bottom of the shaft portion 27 is also penetrated in the axial direction. A bearing 32 is fitted and fixed inside the shaft portion 27.

[0051] The arm 28 is formed in the shape of a narrow flat plate, in other words, a strip. The arm 28 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 27 and placed on the upper end surface 15 a of the central base 15 .

[0052] The outer diameter side end portion 29 has a generally half-circular arc shape in top view, and its circumferential center is continuous with the arm portion 28. More specifically, the outer diameter side end portion 29 has a flat horizontal plate portion 29a (see FIG. 1) that is continuous with the arm portion 28 in the horizontal direction, and a curved vertical plate portion 29b (see FIG. 2) that is bent at approximately 90 degrees from the outer diameter end of the horizontal plate portion 29a toward the axially downward side and extends axially downward.

[0053] 1, the horizontal plate portion 29a extends in the circumferential direction along the peripheral surface of the notch 26c in the yoke 26. Furthermore, the arm 24a of the spring 24 on the clockwise side in top view is fixed to the lower end surface of the end 29c of the horizontal plate portion 29a on the clockwise side in top view.

[0054] The vertical plate portion 29 b extends in the circumferential direction along the peripheral surface of the notch 26 c of the yoke 26 .

[0055] Furthermore, the vertical plate portion 29b is formed so as to pass through the radial center of the annular groove 17, and its outer peripheral surface is located radially inward relative to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14 of the case 12. The inner peripheral surface of the vertical plate portion 29b is located radially outward relative to the outer peripheral surface of the central base 15 of the case 12. In other words, the vertical plate portion 29b is prevented from coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 14 or the outer peripheral surface of the central base 15.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the outer diameter side end portion 29 has a vertical dimension L1 from the upper end surface of the horizontal plate portion 29a to the lower end surface of the vertical plate portion 29b, which is approximately the same as a vertical dimension L2 from the upper end surface of the upper yoke 26 to the lower end surface of the lower yoke 26 (L1 ≒ L2).

[0057] 1, when the valve 40 is in an open state, the valve element 30 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft portion 27 at approximately the 3 o'clock position in a top view. The valve element 30 is placed on the upper end surface 15a of the central base 15.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, when the movable core 23 is supported by the rotary shaft 18, it is positioned below the lower end surface 11b of the cap 11 to prevent contact with the lower end surface 11b.

[0059] Next, we will explain the opening and closing of the flow path by the solenoid valve 1. First, we will explain the operation when no current is applied.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, when the current is not applied, the spring 24 is in its most extended state, and as will be described in detail later, a portion of the outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23 (more specifically, the portion from approximately 6 o'clock to 7 o'clock) is stationary at a position where it overlaps with the yoke 26 in the radial direction.

[0061] In this state, the valve element 30 is seated on the valve seat 31 in the housing 10. In other words, the valve 40 is closed. The solenoid valve 1 is a normally closed type.

[0062] When current begins to flow through the coil 21, magnetic flux is generated. The fixed core 22 forms a magnetic path that collects the generated magnetic flux, and is magnetized.

[0063] Furthermore, when the coil 21 is not energized, the end 29c of the outer diameter side end 29 on the clockwise side in a top view radially overlaps with a part of the notch 26c of the yoke 26. This forms a magnetic path by the core 25, one yoke 26, the outer diameter side end 29, and the other yoke 26. Therefore, the electromagnetic force generated by energizing the coil 21 can be efficiently applied to the movable iron core 23.

[0064] When the generated electromagnetic force exceeds the biasing force of the spring 24, the outer diameter side end 29 is attracted to the fixed core 22 and moves in the clockwise direction as viewed from above.

[0065] More specifically, the end 29c of the outer diameter side end 29 on the clockwise side when viewed from above is positioned so as to overlap radially with the fixed iron core 22, while the end 29d of the outer diameter side end 29 on the counterclockwise side when viewed from above is spaced circumferentially away from the fixed iron core 22 and does not overlap radially. Therefore, when current is applied to the coil 21, the outer diameter side end 29 can be stably moved in the clockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0066] As the outer diameter side end 29 moves, the movable core 23 rotates clockwise as viewed from above about the rotation axis 18. The rotation of the movable core 23 stops when the generated electromagnetic force and the biasing force of the spring 24 become substantially equal, or when the movable core 23 abuts against the stopper 311a as in Example 4 (see FIG. 6 ), which will be described later. As the movable core 23 rotates, the valve disc 30 moves clockwise as viewed from above and leaves the valve seat 31, thereby opening the valve 40 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0067] 2(b), when the valve 40 is opened, the fluid that has flowed into the space S from the communication passage 11a in the cap 11 passes through the communication passage 16 in the case 12. Because the communication passage 16 extends linearly in the axial direction, flow resistance is small and pressure loss is unlikely to occur.

[0068] Furthermore, when the power supply to the valve 40 is stopped from being open, the outer diameter side end portion 29 moves counterclockwise in the circumferential direction due to the biasing force of the spring 24. Accordingly, the movable core 23 rotates counterclockwise in a top view about the rotation axis 18. Then, as the movable core 23 rotates, the valve element 30 moves counterclockwise in the circumferential direction and seats on the valve seat 31, thereby closing the valve 40 (see FIG. 3 ).

[0069] As described above, in the solenoid valve 1 of this embodiment, the coil 21 is disposed outward of the pivot shaft 18, in other words, the pivot shaft 18 is disposed away from the axis Ax1 of the coil 21. In addition, the valve element 30 moves in a direction crossing the communication passage 16. As a result, the solenoid valve 1 is able to form a linear communication passage 16 that extends in the axial direction, thereby reducing flow path resistance.

[0070] Furthermore, since the communication paths 11a and 16 are arranged in a substantially straight line, the flow path resistance can be further reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, the axial centers of the communication passages 11a and 16 are substantially parallel to the axial center Ax2 of the rotation shaft 18, which further reduces the flow resistance.

[0072] Furthermore, since the solenoid valve 1 has a space S between the communicating passages 11a and 16, the flow path resistance can be reduced even when the communicating passages 11a and 16 are arranged at different phases in the circumferential direction or when one or more communicating passages other than the communicating passage 11a are formed in the cap 11.

[0073] Furthermore, since the fixed core 22 has the core 25, it can efficiently apply a magnetic force to the movable core 23.

[0074] Furthermore, because the coil 21 is wound around the core 25 of the fixed core 22, the inner diameter of the coil 21 can be made smaller than the outer diameter of the housing 10 and the outer diameter of the movable core 23, i.e., the maximum radial dimension at the outer diameter side end 29. In this way, the solenoid 20 can ensure the number of turns of the coil 21 without increasing the outer diameter of the coil 21, and can generate torque sufficient to open the valve 40. Furthermore, because the conductor used for the coil 21 can be short, the resistance of the circuit can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, since the fixed core 22 has the yoke 26, it can efficiently apply a magnetic force to the movable core 23.

[0076] Also, a notch 26c is formed in the end 26b of the yoke 26 on the housing 10 side, i.e., the end 26b on the movable core 23 side. Furthermore, because the notch 26c is formed to follow the annular groove 17 in the housing 10, the end 26b has a shape that follows the rotation direction of the movable core 23. As a result, the distance between the fixed core 22 and the movable core 23 is approximately constant within the range in which the movable core 23 rotates, and therefore a magnetic force can be efficiently applied to the movable core 23.

[0077] Furthermore, since the outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23 of the fixed core 22 extends in the circumferential direction so as to follow the peripheral surface of the notch 26c of the yoke 26, magnetic force can be efficiently applied to the movable core 23.

[0078] Furthermore, since the yokes 26 are provided in pairs in the direction of the axis Ax2 of the rotary shaft 18, magnetic force can be efficiently applied to the movable iron core 23.

[0079] Furthermore, since the fixed core 22 has the vertical plate portion 29b provided on the movable core 23, magnetic force can be efficiently applied to the movable core 23.

[0080] Furthermore, the fixed core 22 is formed so that the outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23 overlaps with the two yokes 26 in the radial direction, so that magnetic force can be applied to the movable core 23 more efficiently.

[0081] Furthermore, since the valve element 30 is disk-shaped, resistance is less likely to occur when the valve element 30 moves in the circumferential direction, and the torque required to rotate the movable iron core 23 can be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, since the arm portion 28 is narrow and lightweight, the torque required to rotate the movable iron core 23 can be reduced.

[0083] In addition, the arm portion 28 is narrow and has a small contact area with the upper end surface 15a of the housing 10, so the frictional force generated by contact with the upper end surface 15a is low, and the torque required to rotate the movable iron core 23 can be reduced.

[0084] In this embodiment, the valve body 30 is described as being configured to be seated directly on the valve seat 31, but this is not limited to this, and a gasket may be arranged along the lower end of the valve body 30 or the valve seat 31.

[0085] Furthermore, the method of returning the movable iron core 23 by de-energizing is not limited to the structure in which the spring 24, which is a torsion coil spring, is placed in the step portion 15c of the housing 10, but may also be modified as appropriate, for example, by fixing a single spiral spring across the recess 15b of the housing 10 and the shaft portion 27 of the movable iron core 23.

[0086] Next, a solenoid valve according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the configuration that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the solenoid valve 101 of the second embodiment, the movable iron core 123 of the solenoid 120 includes a shaft portion 27, an arm portion 28, a cylindrical outer diameter side end portion 129 extending circumferentially from the outer diameter end of the arm portion 28, and a valve body 30.

[0088] The outer diameter side end portion 129 is composed of a first circumferential extension portion 129a made of a magnetic material and a second circumferential extension portion 129s made of a non-magnetic material. The first circumferential extension portion 129a and the second circumferential extension portion 129s have substantially the same shape as the outer diameter side end portion 29 of the first embodiment.

[0089] As a result, only the first circumferential extension portion 129a of the movable iron core 123 is attracted by the electromagnetic force generated by energizing the coil 21, so that the movable iron core 123 can be rotated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0090] Furthermore, since the outer diameter side end portion 129 is cylindrical and continues without interruption in the circumferential direction, it has better strength than the outer diameter side end portion 29 formed in a half arc shape in the first embodiment.

[0091] Furthermore, since the outer diameter side end 129 is cylindrical and continues uninterrupted in the circumferential direction, weight imbalance at various points in the circumferential direction is less likely to occur, i.e., the weight balance is better, compared to the outer diameter side end 29 formed in a half-circular arc shape in the first embodiment. Therefore, the movable iron core 123 can rotate smoothly around the rotation shaft 18.

[0092] Next, a solenoid valve according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the configuration that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 5, in the solenoid valve 201 of the third embodiment, the communication passages 16 and 216 are formed concentrically in the housing 210 .

[0094] As a result, when the solenoid 20 is energized, the valve element 30 closes the communication passage 216 and opens the communication passage 16. Although not shown directly, when the solenoid 20 is not energized, the valve element 30 closes the communication passage 16 and opens the communication passage 216. In other words, the solenoid valve 201 is a selector valve. The number of communication passages may be changed as appropriate.

[0095] Furthermore, since the solenoid valve 201 has a space S (see FIG. 2) between the communication passage 11a (see FIG. 2) and the communication passages 16 and 216, the flow path resistance can be reduced whether the communication passage 11a is connected to the communication passage 16 or whether the communication passage 11a is connected to the communication passage 216.

[0096] Next, a solenoid valve according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the configuration that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 6, in the solenoid valve 301 of the fourth embodiment, a stopper 311a is formed on a cap 311 of a housing 310, protruding axially downward.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6B , the stopper 311 a is positioned so that it abuts against the arm portion 28 of the movable core 23 when the movable core 23 rotates and the valve body 30 is positioned away from the communication passage 16 .

[0099] With this configuration, the arm portion 28 of the movable iron core 23 comes into contact with the stopper 311a, thereby restricting rotation, and therefore the amount of current supplied to the solenoid 20 can be easily controlled.

[0100] In addition, the stopper may be arranged so that it abuts against the movable iron core 23 at a position where the valve body 30 overlaps with the communicating passage 16 in the axial direction, or stopper 311a and a stopper may be arranged so that they are arranged at a position where the valve body 30 overlaps with the communicating passage 16 in the axial direction.

[0101] The stopper may be configured to abut against the outer diameter side end 29 of the movable core 23, and the location where the stopper is disposed may be changed as appropriate as long as it can restrict the rotation of the movable core 23. The stopper may also be formed on the case instead of the cap.

[0102] In addition, instead of the annular groove 17, the stopper may be an arc-shaped groove with ends, and the vertical plate portion 29b at the outer diameter end portion 29 may be configured to restrict rotation by abutting against the wall on one side or the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0103] Next, a solenoid valve according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0104] 7 and 8, in the solenoid valve 401 of the fourth embodiment, a solenoid 420 has a lower coil 421 and a fixed core 422 located below the coil 21 and the fixed core 22 (see FIG. 8) and at positions that are out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 7), while omitting the spring 24. The coil 421 and the fixed core 422 have substantially the same configuration as the coil 21 and the fixed core 22.

[0105] Furthermore, the outer diameter side end 429 of the movable core 423 is formed so that its vertical plate portion 429b radially overlaps with the two fixed cores 22, 422 arranged in two tiers, one above the other. Accordingly, the annular groove 417 in the housing 410 is also formed so as to radially overlap with the two fixed cores 22, 422.

[0106] With this configuration, when the valve 40 is opened, current is applied to the coil 21 and current is not applied to the coil 421, so that the outer diameter side end 429 of the movable iron core 423 is attracted to the fixed iron core 22 and moves in a clockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0107] For more details on this, referring to Figure 7 (b), when the valve 40 is in a closed state, the end 429c of the outer diameter side end 429 on the clockwise side when viewed from above is positioned so as to radially overlap with the fixed iron core 22, while the end 429d of the outer diameter side end 429 on the counterclockwise side when viewed from above is spaced circumferentially from the fixed iron core 22 and does not radially overlap with it. Therefore, when current is applied to the coil 21, the outer diameter side end 429 can be stably moved in the clockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0108] Furthermore, since the fixed cores 22, 422 are provided in two stages, one above the other, the magnetic flux generated by passing current through the coil 21 is easily collected in a magnetic path formed by the core 25, one yoke 26, the outer diameter side end portion 429, and the other yoke 26. As a result, the solenoid 420 can efficiently apply a magnetic force from the fixed core 22 to the movable core 423, while the fixed core 422 does not easily apply a magnetic force to the movable core 423.

[0109] As the outer diameter side end 429 moves, the movable iron core 423 rotates clockwise in a top view around the rotation shaft 18. As the movable iron core 423 rotates, the valve element 30 moves clockwise in a top view, and the valve 40 is opened (see FIG. 7A).

[0110] When closing the valve 40, the coil 421 is energized and the coil 21 is de-energized, so that the outer diameter side end 429 of the movable iron core 423 is attracted to the fixed iron core 422 and moves counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0111] For more details on this, referring to Figure 7 (a), when the valve 40 is in an open state, the end 429d of the outer diameter side end 429 on the counterclockwise side when viewed from above is positioned so as to radially overlap with the fixed iron core 422, while the end 429c of the outer diameter side end 429 on the clockwise side when viewed from above is spaced circumferentially from the fixed iron core 422 and does not radially overlap with it. Therefore, when current is applied to the coil 421, the outer diameter side end 429 can be stably moved in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0112] Furthermore, since the fixed cores 22, 422 are provided in two tiers, one above the other, the magnetic flux generated by energizing the coil 421 is easily collected in a magnetic path formed by the core 425, one yoke 426, the outer diameter side end portion 429, and the other yoke 426. As a result, the solenoid 420 can efficiently apply a magnetic force from the fixed core 422 to the movable core 423, while it is more difficult for the fixed core 22 to apply a magnetic force to the movable core 423.

[0113] As the outer diameter side end 429 moves, the movable iron core 423 rotates counterclockwise in top view around the rotation shaft 18. As the movable iron core 423 rotates, the valve element 30 moves counterclockwise in top view, and the valve 40 is closed (see FIG. 7B).

[0114] In this embodiment, the coils 21, 421 and the fixed cores 22, 422 are described as being arranged in two upper and lower tiers at positions with different phases in the circumferential direction, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the phases in the circumferential direction are different, and the two sets of coils and fixed cores may be arranged at the same height.

[0115] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one outer diameter side end 429 is described as being configured to radially overlap one or the other of the fixed iron cores 22, 422 when the valve 40 is in the open or closed state, but this is not limited to this, and an outer diameter side end that radially overlaps the fixed iron core 22 and an outer diameter side end that radially overlaps the fixed iron core 422 may be provided.

[0116] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0117] For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the solenoid valves are described as being of the normally closed type, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be of the normally open type.

[0118] In addition, in the first to fifth embodiments, the solenoid valve has been described as an on-off valve or a switching valve, but this is not limited to this and the solenoid valve may be a flow control valve configured so that the opening degree can be adjusted by controlling the amount of electricity supplied to a coil, for example.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above-described Examples 1 to 5, the communicating passage formed in the housing is described as extending linearly and approximately parallel to the rotation axis, but this is not limited to this. The communicating passage may be inclined or curved relative to the rotation axis as long as the shape of the flow path is not such that the flow path resistance is increased, such as by bending the flow path.

[0120] Furthermore, in Examples 1 to 4, the fixed core has been described as having a core and two yokes, but this is not limited to this and may be a core only, or may be one yoke only, and the configuration may be changed as appropriate.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above-described Examples 1 to 5, the movable iron core has been described as having a configuration in which the shaft portion is supported on a rotating shaft, but this is not limited to this, and the rotating shaft formed on the movable iron core may be supported on a housing, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0122] In addition, in the first to fifth embodiments, the outer diameter end portion has been described as being arc-shaped or cylindrical, but this is not limited to this, and the outer diameter end portion that is attracted to the fixed core does not have to be arc-shaped, as in the outer diameter end portion 529 shown in Fig. 9, and this portion may be approximately the same as the circumferential width of the arm portion, and the shape of the outer diameter end portion may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the movable core may consist of only the arm portion.

[0123] Furthermore, in Examples 1 to 5, the arm portion is described as having a narrow rectangular shape when viewed from above, but this is not limited to this and may be fan-shaped with a diameter that increases as it moves away from the shaft portion, and the shape may be changed as appropriate.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above-described Examples 1 to 5, the movable iron core has been described as having a vertical plate portion extending axially downward, but this is not limited to this, and the vertical plate portion may extend axially upward, or the vertical plate portion may extend axially upward and downward, respectively, and may be modified as appropriate.

[0125] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 solenoid valve 10 housing 16 communication passage 18 rotating shaft 20 solenoid 21 coil 22 fixed core 23 movable core 24 spring 25 core 26 yoke 26b end (end on movable core side) 26c notch hole 30 valve body 31 valve seat 40 valve 101 solenoid valve 120 solenoid 123 movable core 201 solenoid valve 210 housing 216 communication passage 301 solenoid valve 310 housing 401 solenoid valve 410 housing 420 solenoid 421 coil 422 fixed core 423 movable core Ax1, Ax2 shaft center L1, L2 vertical dimension P1 inlet port P2 outlet port S space

Claims

1. A solenoid valve comprising: a drive unit having a coil, a fixed iron core, and a movable iron core; and a valve body that adjusts the opening of a flow path by the drive unit, wherein the movable iron core is rotatable about a rotation axis when electricity is passed through the coil, the rotation axis and the coil are spaced apart, and the valve body moves in a direction crossing the flow path as the movable iron core rotates.

2. A solenoid valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixed core has a core extending parallel to said rotary shaft, and said coil is wound around said core.

3. The solenoid valve according to claim 1, wherein said fixed core has a yoke extending toward said movable core.

4. A solenoid valve as set forth in claim 3, wherein the yoke has an end on the movable core side shaped to follow the direction of rotation of the movable core.

5. A solenoid valve as set forth in claim 4, wherein said movable core is shaped like a circular arc along the end of said yoke on the movable core side.

6. A solenoid valve according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said yoke is a pair in the direction of said rotation axis.

7. A solenoid valve as set forth in claim 6, wherein said movable core has an axial extension.

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