Valve and method of assembling valve

Abstract

Provided are a valve and a method of assembling a valve that make it possible to curb the occurrence of misalignment of a thrust ring during assembly.　The valve comprises: a body having an accommodating recess; an inner member arranged within the accommodating recess; a fixation ring for pressing the inner member toward a bottom surface; and a thrust ring interposed between the inner member and the fixation ring. An annular upper end surface at which the thrust ring is arranged is formed on an upper surface of the inner member. Formed in a lower surface of the fixation ring is a ring recess which is recessed upward and into which the thrust ring is inserted. The ring recess comprises: a recess upper surface that is annular and that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the fixation ring and abuts against an upper surface of the thrust ring; and a recess inner peripheral surface that extends along the circumferential direction of the fixation ring and covers an outer periphery of the thrust ring. A ring protrusion is provided to the recess inner peripheral surface, and an outer peripheral edge of the thrust ring is located at an upper side of the ring protrusion in the axial direction.

Description

Valve and valve assembly method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to valves and methods of assembling valves.

[0002] In the valve of Patent Document 1, an orifice plate is placed on a body, and a seat valve body, an inner disc, a diaphragm, etc. are placed on the orifice plate, and a bonnet is screwed onto the body, thereby fixing the orifice plate and other components to the body.

[0003] Patent No. 4137267

[0004] In the valve of Patent Document 1, when the bonnet is loosened from the body, all of the components become loose. To prevent this, a valve with a configuration in which an inner member with a flow passage formed therein is placed in the housing recess where the orifice plate of the body is placed, a thrust ring is placed on the inner member, and a fixing ring is threadedly engaged with a thread formed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing recess, pressing the inner member toward the bottom surface of the housing recess via the thrust ring, is conceivable. The thrust ring prevents the inner member from rotating together with the rotation of the fixing ring. A diaphragm is placed in the inner member and is fixed to the inner member via a presser adapter by screwing the bonnet to the body.

[0005] When assembling a valve with the above configuration, when placing the thrust ring on the inner member, the inner member does not have any positioning means or fixing structure for the thrust ring, so positional deviations can occur due to vibrations, etc., and the deviation must be corrected each time, which can be time-consuming.

[0006] Therefore, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve and a valve assembly method that can prevent the thrust ring from becoming misaligned during assembly.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a body having a accommodating recess in which a first flow path is formed and which opens to the top surface with the first flow path opening to the bottom surface; an inner member disposed within the accommodating recess and in which a second flow path communicating with the first flow path is formed; a fixing ring located above the inner member and threadedly engaged with a thread formed on the inner surface of the accommodating recess to press the inner member toward the bottom surface; and a thrust ring interposed between the inner member and the fixing ring to prevent the inner member from rotating together with the rotation of the fixing ring. The second flow path opens onto the upper surface of the inner member, with an annular upper end surface formed around it, the thrust ring being positioned on the annular upper end surface, the fixed ring being annular in shape and having a ring recess formed on its lower surface that is recessed upward and into which the thrust ring is inserted, the ring recess having an annular upper recess surface that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the fixed ring and abuts the upper surface of the thrust ring, and an inner recess surface that extends circumferentially of the fixed ring and covers the outer periphery of the thrust ring, a ring protrusion being provided on the inner recess surface, and the outer periphery of the thrust ring being positioned above the ring protrusion in the axial direction.

[0008] The length from the lowermost surface of the thrust ring to the lower surface of the fixing ring in the axial direction may be configured to fall within a predetermined length range.

[0009] A method for assembling a valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body having a recessed accommodating member that is open to an upper surface and has a bottom surface on which a first flow passage is formed, an inner member that is disposed within the recessed accommodating member and that is formed with a second flow passage that communicates with the first flow passage, a fixing ring that is positioned above the inner member and that screws into a threaded portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the recessed accommodating member to press the inner member toward the bottom surface, and a thrust ring that is interposed between the inner member and the fixing ring and that prevents the inner member from rotating together with the fixing ring, wherein the second flow passage is open to an upper surface of the inner member and that forms an annular upper end surface around the upper surface, the thrust ring is disposed on the annular upper end surface, the fixing ring is annular in shape, and the lower surface of the fixing ring is recessed upward to form a ring recess into which the thrust ring is inserted, and the ring recess a recessed portion having an annular upper surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the fixing ring and abutting the upper surface of the thrust ring, and an inner peripheral surface of the recess extending circumferentially of the fixing ring and covering the outer periphery of the thrust ring, wherein a ring protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess, and the outer peripheral edge of the thrust ring is located above the ring protrusion in the axial direction. A method for assembling a valve includes placing the inner member in the accommodating recess of the body, inserting the thrust ring between the ring protrusion of the ring recess of the fixing ring and the upper surface of the recess, with the lower surface of the fixing ring facing downward, and screwing the fixing ring onto a threaded portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess so as to cover the inner member from above, and pressing the inner member toward the bottom surface via the thrust ring to fix the inner member to the body.

[0010] With the thrust ring positioned so that it abuts against the upper surface of the recess of the ring recess, it may be possible to measure whether the length from the bottom surface of the thrust ring to the bottom surface of the fixing ring is within a predetermined length range.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valve and a method for assembling the valve that can prevent the thrust ring from being misaligned during assembly.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the valve 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an orifice plate. (a) is a perspective view of an inner member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner member. (a) is a perspective view of a fixing ring, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the fixing ring. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a thrust ring. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a process of inserting the thrust ring into a ring recess of the fixing ring. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a process of fixing the fixing ring to a body. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing ring according to a modified example.

[0013] A valve and a method for assembling the valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve 1 according to this embodiment in a closed state, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the valve 1 in Fig. 1. The valve 1 according to this embodiment is a diaphragm valve with a built-in orifice.

[0015] The valve 1 is, for example, a diaphragm valve, and includes a body 2 and an actuator 3. In the following description, the actuator 3 side of the valve 1 will be referred to as the upper side, and the body 2 side of the valve 1 will be referred to as the lower side.

[0016] The body portion 2 includes a body 10 , a gasket 15 , an orifice plate 20 , an inner member 30 , a valve seat 40 , a fixing ring 50 , a thrust ring 60 , a diaphragm 70 , and a pressure adapter 80 .

[0017] The body 10 is formed in a block shape from a metal material such as stainless steel. The body 10 has a first inlet passage 11 and a first outlet passage 12 formed therein, and is provided with a housing recess 13 having a circular cross-sectional hole that opens to the top surface of the body 10. The first inlet passage 11 and the first outlet passage 12 correspond to a first flow path. In this embodiment, the gasket 15, the orifice plate 20, the inner member 30, the valve seat 40, the fixing ring 50, the thrust ring 60, the diaphragm 70, and the retainer adapter 80 constitute valve elements.

[0018] The bottom surface of the accommodation recess 13 has a first outlet passage 12 opening in the center, and around it, an annular plate support surface 13a, a cylindrical portion 13b, an annular recess 13c, and an abutted surface 13d are concentrically formed in this order. The plate support surface 13a is flat. The cylindrical portion 13b is provided so as to protrude upward. The first inlet passage 11 opens at the bottom surface 13f of the annular recess 13c, and an annular first protrusion 13g is provided. The first protrusion 13g is located outside the opening. The abutted surface 13d is flat and is the surface that abuts against the abutment surface 30c (described below) of the inner member 30. A female thread portion 13h is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the accommodation recess 13. The surfaces that constitute the plate support surface 13 a , the cylindrical portion 13 b , the annular recess 13 c , and the abutted surface 13 d correspond to the bottom surface of the accommodation recess 13 .

[0019] The gasket 15 is an annular member made of a soft material, and in this embodiment is made of a metal such as annealed stainless steel. That is, the gasket 15 is made of a metal that is softer than the body 10 and the inner member 30. The gasket 15 is disposed in the annular recess 13c and has a through hole 15a that communicates with the first inlet passage 11. Because the gasket 15 is made of a soft material, when the valve element is fixed to the body 10, the first protrusion 13g bites into the lower surface 15b of the gasket 15, thereby sealing the connection between the first inlet passage 11 and the through hole 15a.

[0020] 3 is a perspective view of the orifice plate 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the orifice plate 20 is disposed on the body 10 and has an orifice 20a formed therein that communicates with the first outlet passage 12. The orifice plate 20 is a thin disk made of a metal such as stainless steel, and has the orifice 20a formed in its center. The orifice plate 20 is disposed on the plate support surface 13a of the installation recess 13 and is fixed by being sandwiched between the plate support surface 13a and the pressing surface 30a of the inner member 30. The orifice plate 20 is configured to narrow the opening of the second outlet passage 32 of the inner member 30. Although only one orifice 20a is formed in the orifice plate 20, multiple orifices may be formed.

[0021] 4(a) and 4(b) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the inner member 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner member 30 is disposed in the installation recess 13 and is positioned above the gasket 15 and the orifice plate 20. The inner member 30 has four second inlet passages 31 and one second outlet passage 32. Each second inlet passage 31 communicates with the first inlet passage 11 via a through hole 15a. The second outlet passage 32 communicates with the first outlet passage 12 via an orifice 20a. The second inlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32 correspond to second flow paths. The inner member 30 is made of a metal such as stainless steel having the same hardness as the body 10, and has a generally stepped cylindrical shape having, on its outer periphery, a large-diameter portion 33 and a small-diameter portion 34 located inside the large-diameter portion 33 and having an upper end that protrudes upward. The outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 33 fits into the inner peripheral surface of the lower part of the accommodating recess 13 of the body 10 to position the inner member 30 itself relative to the body 10 .

[0022] The second outflow passage 32 penetrates the center of the inner member 30. The second outflow passage 32 opens in the center of the underside of the inner member 30, and an annular pressing surface 30a, an annular recess 30b, and an abutment surface 30c are concentrically formed around it in this order. The pressing surface 30a is flat, and an annular pressing protrusion 30d is provided on its outer periphery. The second inflow passage 31 opens into the bottom surface 30e of the annular recess 30b, and an annular second protrusion 30f is provided to surround the opening. The second protrusion 30f faces the first protrusion 13g along its entire circumference in the vertical direction. The annular recess 30b forms a protrusion 30g that protrudes downward from the center of the bottom of the inner member 30. The pressing surface 30a and the pressing protrusion 30d are formed on the protrusion 30g. The protrusion 30g is inserted into the cylindrical portion 13b when the valve element is fixed to the body 10. The surfaces that form the pressing surface 30a, the annular recess 30b, and the abutting surface 30c correspond to the lower surface of the inner member 30.

[0023] The abutment surface 30c is flat and abuts against the abutted surface 13d of the body 10 when the valve element is fixed to the body 10. The pressing protrusion 30d is configured to press against the upper surface 20b of the orifice plate 20 to seal the connection between the second outflow path 32 and the first outflow path 12. The second protrusion 30f is configured to bite into the upper surface 15c of the gasket 15 to seal the connection between the second inflow path 31 and the through hole 15a. Before pressing against the orifice plate 20, the pressing protrusion 30d has an outer edge that is arc-shaped in cross section. The pressing protrusion 30d deforms when pressing against the orifice plate 20 and bending the outer peripheral edge 20c.

[0024] A second outlet passage 32 opens in the center of the upper surface of the inner member 30, and is surrounded by a circular seat placement groove 30h, an annular outlet groove 30i, a diaphragm support portion 30j, and an annular upper end surface 30k, all of which are concentrically formed in this order. Four second inlet passages 31 are formed at equal intervals around the circumference. Each second inlet passage 31 has its lower end opening into the annular recess 30b and its upper end opening into the annular outlet groove 30i. The number of second inlet passages 31 may be one or more. Each second inlet passage 31 slopes inward as it extends upward. The lower end of each second inlet passage 31 communicates with the first inlet passage 11 of the body 10 via the through-hole 15a of the gasket 15.

[0025] The valve seat 40 is an annular member provided around the opening of the second outflow passage 32 on the upper surface of the inner member 30. The valve seat 40 is made of, for example, fluororesin (PTFE). The valve seat 40 is fitted into a seat placement groove 30h in the inner member 30.

[0026] 5(a) and 5(b) are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the retainer ring 50. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the retainer ring 50 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and has a generally circular ring shape. A male thread portion 50a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer ring 50, and a double-hex structure that engages with a rotary tool is formed on the inner peripheral surface 50b. An upwardly recessed ring recess 50d is formed on the lower surface 50c of the retainer ring 50. Two thrust rings 60 are housed in the ring recess 50d (see FIG. 7).

[0027] The ring recess 50d has an annular recess upper surface 50e that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the fixing ring 50, and a recess inner surface 50f that extends circumferentially around the fixing ring 50 and is parallel to the axial direction of the fixing ring 50. The recess upper surface 50e abuts against the upper surface 60a of the thrust ring 60 located above (see FIG. 2). The recess inner surface 50f covers the outer periphery of the thrust ring 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). A ring protrusion 50g that protrudes inward is provided on the recess inner surface 50f. The ring protrusion 50g is composed of an inclined surface 50g1 that extends diagonally upward from the bottom toward the center of the fixing ring 50, upper and lower surfaces 50g2 that extend in the vertical direction, and a flat surface 50g3 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the thrust ring 60. The thrust ring 60 is a generally washer-shaped stainless steel plate coated with a sliding material. The thrust ring 60 reduces friction during rotation when the fixing ring 50 tightens the valve element to the body 10, preventing co-rotation of the inner member 30. The thrust ring 60 is not limited to a stainless steel plate coated with a sliding material; any material that can reduce friction during rotation of the fixing ring 50 is acceptable. The thrust ring 60 may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material with excellent sliding properties, or a thrust bearing. As shown in FIG. 2, two thrust rings 60 are inserted into the ring recesses 50d of the fixing ring 50 and positioned on the annular upper end surface 30k of the inner member 30.

[0029] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the process of inserting two thrust rings 60 into the ring recesses 50d of the retaining ring 50. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the retaining ring 50 is turned upside down, and the two thrust rings 60 are inserted into the ring recesses 50d so as to fit into them. Although the outer diameter of the thrust rings 60 is larger than the inner diameter of the ring protrusion 50g portion of the recess inner circumferential surface 50f, the thrust rings 60 are elastically deformed so that they are inserted between the flat surface 50g3 of the ring protrusion 50g and the recess upper surface 50e. The thrust rings 60 can be easily inserted into the ring recesses 50d by aligning them with the inclined surface 50g1 of the ring protrusion 50g. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the two thrust rings 60 are positioned above the recess upper surface 50e. In this state, the length L from the lower surface 60b of the lower thrust ring 60 to the lower surface 50c of the retaining ring 50 in the axial direction of the retaining ring 50 is configured to fall within a predetermined length range.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 , the diaphragm 70 is disposed on the inner member 30 and is a member that opens or closes communication between the second inlet channel 31 and the second outlet channel 32 by separating from or contacting the valve seat 40. The diaphragm 70 is formed by laminating thin metal plates, such as special stainless steel, and thin nickel-cobalt alloy plates, with the center portion bulging upward. The diaphragm 70 is supported by the diaphragm support portion 30j of the inner member 30 and is fixed by being pressed by the lower portion 4a of the bonnet 4 of the actuator 3 via a ring-shaped presser adapter 80. The diaphragm 70 defines a portion of the flow path and is elastically deformed by being pressed by the diaphragm presser 6. When the diaphragm 70 contacts the valve seat 40, the flow path is closed. When the diaphragm 70 moves away from the valve seat 40, the flow path is opened.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 3 includes a bonnet 4 , an actuator cap 5 , a diaphragm holder 6 , a stem 7 , a piston 8 , and a compression coil spring 9 .

[0032] The bonnet 4 is generally cylindrical and has a lower portion 4a, an intermediate portion 4b, and an upper portion 4c. The lower portion 4a is inserted into the body 10, and the outer periphery of the upper end of the lower portion 4a is screwed onto the body 10, thereby fixing the bonnet 4 to the body 10. The lower portion 4a penetrates the inner circumferential surface 50b of the fixing ring 50, and its lower end surface presses against the presser adapter 80. The intermediate portion 4b is located above the lower portion 4a and has an outer shape like a hexagonal pillar. The upper portion 4c is provided to extend upward from the outer edge of the intermediate portion 4b.

[0033] The actuator cap 5 is generally cylindrical with a lid and includes an outer cylinder 5a, an upper cover 5b, and an inner cylinder 5c. The actuator cap 5 is fixed to the bonnet 4 by screwing the lower end of the outer cylinder 5a into the upper part 4c of the bonnet 4. The upper cover 5b is provided to cover the upper end of the outer cylinder 5a. The inner cylinder 5c is connected to the inner end of the upper cover 5b. The bonnet 4 and the actuator cap 5 form an accommodation space 5d that accommodates the piston 8 and the compression coil spring 9.

[0034] The diaphragm retainer 6 is provided above the diaphragm 70 and is supported by the lower part 4a of the bonnet 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The stem 7 is supported by the middle part 4b of the bonnet 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and is configured to open and close the flow path by moving toward and away from the diaphragm 70.

[0035] The piston 8 is integral with the stem 7, provided above the stem 7, and supported by the bonnet 4 and actuator cap 5 so as to be vertically movable. The piston 8 has a base 8a and an upper protrusion 8b. The base 8a is generally disk-shaped, and the stem 7 is integrally provided on its underside. The upper protrusion 8b is generally cylindrical and extends upward from the upper surface of the base 8a. A pressure chamber 8c is defined by the lower surface of the base 8a of the piston 8 and the upper surface of the middle portion 4b of the bonnet 4. The piston 8 has a drive fluid introduction passage 8d extending from its upper end to the pressure chamber 8c. A compression coil spring 9 is disposed between the lower surface of the upper lid portion 5b of the actuator cap 5 and the upper surface of the base 8a of the piston 8, and constantly biases the piston 8 downward.

[0036] When driving fluid is supplied to the valve 1, the driving fluid passes through the driving fluid inlet passage 8d and flows into the pressure chamber 8c. When the driving fluid flows into the pressure chamber 8c, the piston 8 rises against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 9. As a result, the piston 8, which has the stem 7 at its tip, moves to its top dead center, and the elastic force of the diaphragm 70 and the pressure of the fluid (gas) move the diaphragm retainer 6 upward, connecting the second inlet passage 31 and the second outlet passage 32, and the valve 1 enters an open state.

[0037] Next, a method for assembling the valve 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 7 and 8. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the process of fixing the fixing ring 30 to the body 10.

[0038] When assembling the valve 1, the valve element and actuator 3 are sequentially assembled to the body 10. First, the orifice plate 20 is placed on the plate support surface 13a of the accommodating recess 13 of the body 10. The gasket 15 is placed in the annular recess 13c of the accommodating recess 13. The valve seat 40 is fitted into the seat placement groove 30h of the inner member 30. The inner member 30 is placed in the accommodating recess 13 of the body 10. At this time, the protruding portion 30g of the inner member 30 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 13b. As shown in Figure 7, two thrust rings 60 are inserted between the flat surface 50g3 of the ring protrusion 50g of the ring recess 50d and the recess upper surface 50e. In the axial direction of the fixed ring 50, the length L from the underside 60b (the lowermost surface of the two thrust rings 60) of the lower thrust ring 60 (the upper thrust ring 60 in FIG. 7 ) to the underside 50c of the fixed ring 50 is measured, and it is determined whether the measured length L falls within a predetermined length range. If the measured length L does not fall within the predetermined length range, this indicates that a thrust ring 60 has been left out or the number of thrust rings 60 is incorrect. Check these factors and insert the missing thrust ring 60 or take other measures to bring the length L within the predetermined length range. The predetermined length range is set appropriately based on the depth of the ring recess 50d (the distance between the underside 50c and the upper surface 50e of the recess), the thickness of the thrust rings 60, and the number of thrust rings 60 inserted.

[0039] If the measured length L is within the predetermined length range, as shown in Figure 8, the fixing ring 50 and thrust ring 60 are turned upside down from the state shown in Figure 7(b) so that the lower surface 50c of the fixing ring 50 faces downward. Because the outer peripheral edge 60c of the thrust ring 60 is located above the ring protrusion 50g in the axial direction of the fixing ring 50, the outer peripheral edge 60c rests on the flat surface 50g3 of the ring protrusion 50g, preventing the thrust ring 60 from slipping out of the ring recess 50d of the fixing ring 50. Then, with the fixing ring 50 covering the inner member 30 from above, the male threaded portion 50a of the fixing ring 50 is threadedly engaged with the female threaded portion 13h of the installation recess 13, pressing the inner member 30 toward the bottom via the thrust ring 60. The fixing ring 50 is tightened until the contact surface 30 c of the inner member 30 contacts the contacted surface 13 d of the body 10 , and the gasket 15 , the orifice plate 20 , and the inner member 30 are fixed to the body 10 .

[0040] The diaphragm 70 is placed on the diaphragm support portion 30j of the inner member 30, the presser adapter 80 is placed on the diaphragm 70, and the bonnet 4 of the actuator 3 is screwed into the female thread portion 13h of the accommodation recess 13. In this way, the valve 1 of this embodiment is assembled.

[0041] As described above, in the valve 1 of this embodiment, two thrust rings 60 can be inserted between the flat surface 50g3 of the ring protrusion 50g of the ring recess 50d and the recess upper surface 50e, and the outer peripheral edge 60c of the thrust ring 60 is configured to be located above the ring protrusion 50g in the axial direction of the fixing ring 50. Therefore, when assembling the valve 1, the fixing ring 50 can be pressed against the inner member 30 with the thrust ring 60 attached to a predetermined position on the fixing ring 50, thereby preventing the thrust rings 60 from shifting out of position and facilitating assembly of the valve 1.

[0042] The length L from the lower surface 60b of the lower thrust ring 60 to the lower surface 50c of the fixed ring 50 in the axial direction of the fixed ring 50 is configured to fall within a predetermined length range. Therefore, by determining whether the length L falls within the predetermined length range, it is possible to prevent the thrust ring 60 from being left out or the thrust ring 60 from being inserted in the wrong number.

[0043] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art may make various additions, modifications, etc. within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] For example, the valve to which the present disclosure is applicable is not limited to the valve 1 described above, but may be applicable to a valve having a body 10, inner member 30, retaining ring 50, and thrust ring 60 similar to those of the valve 1. In the above embodiment, the number of thrust rings 60 was two, but one or more thrust rings may be used. While the ring protrusion 50g is provided on the entire inner circumferential surface 50f of the recess, it may be provided on only a portion of the inner circumferential surface 50f of the recess as long as it can prevent the thrust ring 60 from coming loose. While the gasket 15 is made of a metal such as annealed stainless steel, it may also be made of a resin material such as a fluororesin (PCTFE) in cases where heat resistance is not required to be high.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the ring protrusion 50g of the fixing ring 50 is integrally formed with the inner circumferential surface 50f of the recess. However, the ring protrusion may be formed separately from the inner circumferential surface 50f. As shown in FIG. 9 , an annular groove 50h extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface 50f of the recess of the fixing ring 50, and an O-ring 51 is fitted into the groove 50h. A portion of the O-ring 51 protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface 50f of the recess. The O-ring 51 corresponds to the ring protrusion. The thrust ring 60 is inserted between the O-ring 51 and the upper surface 50e of the recess by elastically deforming the O-ring 51. This configuration also prevents the thrust ring 60 from shifting out of position, facilitating assembly of the valve 1. Furthermore, because the thrust ring 60 can be inserted by elastically deforming the O-ring 51, it can be installed on the fixing ring 50 without elastic deformation. Note that an elastic ring such as a snap ring may be used instead of the O-ring. Furthermore, instead of the O-ring, a ring-shaped member having a male thread formed on the outside and a female thread formed on the surface of the inner peripheral surface 50f of the recess of the fixing ring 50 can be used, and the ring-shaped member can be screwed onto the inner peripheral surface 50f of the recess of the fixing ring 50, thereby forming a configuration that replaces the ring protrusion.

[0046] 1: Valve 10: Body 11: First inlet passage 12: First outlet passage 13: Receiving recess 13a: Plate support surface, 13b: Cylindrical portion, 13c: Annular recess, 13d: Contact surface, 13h: Female thread portion 30: Inner member 30k: Annular upper end surface, 31: Second inlet passage, 32: Second outlet passage 50: Fixing ring 50a: Male thread portion, Lower surface: 50c, 50d: Ring recess, 50e: Recess upper surface, 50f: Recess inner peripheral surface, 50g: Ring protrusion 51: O-ring 60: Thrust ring 60a: Upper surface, 60b: Lower surface, 60c: Outer peripheral edge portion L: Length

Claims

1. A valve comprising: a body having a first flow path formed therein and a receiving recess that opens on an upper surface and the first flow path opens on a bottom surface; an inner member disposed in the receiving recess and having a second flow path formed therein that communicates with the first flow path; a fixing ring positioned above the inner member and screwed into a screw portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the receiving recess to press the inner member toward the bottom surface; and a thrust ring interposed between the inner member and the fixing ring to suppress rotation of the inner member due to rotation of the fixing ring. An upper surface of the inner member has the second flow path opening therein, and an annular upper end surface is formed around the opening. The thrust ring is disposed on the annular upper end surface. The fixing ring has an annular shape, and a ring recess is formed on a lower surface thereof that is recessed upward and into which the thrust ring is inserted. The ring recess has an annular recess upper surface that is orthogonal to an axial direction of the fixing ring and abuts against an upper surface of the thrust ring, and a recess inner peripheral surface that extends along a circumferential direction of the fixing ring and covers an outer periphery of the thrust ring. A ring protrusion is provided on the recess inner peripheral surface. An outer peripheral edge portion of the thrust ring is located above the ring protrusion in the axial direction.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein a length from a lowermost surface of the thrust ring to a lower surface of the fixing ring in the axial direction is configured to fall within a predetermined length range.

3. A body having a first flow path formed therein and an accommodation recess that opens on the upper surface and through which the first flow path opens to the bottom surface; an inner member disposed in the accommodation recess and having a second flow path formed therein that communicates with the first flow path; a fixing ring positioned above the inner member and screwed into a screw portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation recess to press the inner member toward the bottom surface; and a thrust ring interposed between the inner member and the fixing ring to suppress the rotation of the inner member due to the rotation of the fixing ring. An upper surface of the inner member has an opening for the second flow path, and an annular upper end surface is formed around the opening. The thrust ring is disposed on the annular upper end surface. The fixing ring has an annular shape, and a ring recess is formed on the lower surface thereof that is recessed upward and into which the thrust ring is inserted. The ring recess has an annular recess upper surface that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the fixing ring and abuts against the upper surface of the thrust ring, and a recess inner peripheral surface that extends along the circumferential direction of the fixing ring and covers the outer periphery of the thrust ring. A ring protrusion is provided on the recess inner peripheral surface. The outer peripheral edge portion of the thrust ring is positioned above the ring protrusion in the axial direction. A method for assembling a valve, comprising: disposing the inner member in the accommodation recess of the body; inserting the thrust ring between the ring protrusion and the recess upper surface of the ring recess of the fixing ring; screwing the fixing ring into the screw portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation recess with the lower surface of the fixing ring facing downward so as to cover the inner member from above, and pressing the inner member toward the bottom surface through the thrust ring to fix the inner member to the body.

4. The method for assembling a valve according to claim 3, wherein, with the thrust ring disposed in contact with the recess upper surface of the ring recess, it is measured whether the length from the lowermost surface of the thrust ring to the lower surface of the fixing ring is within a predetermined length range.

Images