Valve device and method for manufacturing valve device

Abstract

A housing (10) includes a support part (170), an interior passage (110), and a fluid passage (102) in a region to the opposite side of a fixed valve (30) from a drive valve (40). The support part (170) supports the end of a shaft (70) that has been inserted into a center hole (39) in the fixed valve (30). The interior passage (110) is formed in a region radially outward of the support part (170) and in a region on the side of the support part (170) opposite the fixed valve (30) in the axial direction, and communicates with a hole section (36) in the fixed valve (30). The fluid passage (102) is formed so as to have an inner diameter smaller than that of the interior passage (110), and extends from the interior passage (110) to the side opposite the fixed valve (30). The inner diameter (D1) of the fluid passage (102) at the portion location the fluid passage (102) and the interior passage (110) are connected is larger than the outer diameter (D2) of the support part (170).

Description

Valve device and method for manufacturing the same CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-049902, filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a valve device for controlling fluid flow and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0003] The valve device described in Patent Document 1 is a disk valve including a drive valve rotatable around the axis of a shaft mounted inside a housing and a fixed valve that slides against the sliding surface of the drive valve. The housing has an inner passage formed around the axis and an outer passage formed radially outward of the inner passage in an area opposite the drive valve from the fixed valve (hereinafter referred to as the "opposite drive valve area of ​​the housing"). The fixed valve has an inner hole located at a position corresponding to the inner passage and an outer hole located at a position corresponding to the outer passage. The drive valve has a groove that connects the inner passage and the outer passage when in a predetermined rotational position. This allows the valve device to flow fluid in the following order: inner passage → inner hole → groove → outer hole → outer passage.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-135137

[0005] In the valve device described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to provide a support portion in the area of ​​the housing opposite the driven valve to support the end of the shaft that passes through the driven valve and the fixed valve. This makes it possible to suppress tilt of the shaft, thereby reducing fluid leakage and improving the accuracy of flow rate control.

[0006] However, the valve device described in Patent Document 1 has an inner passage formed around the axis in the opposite region of the housing to the driven valve. Therefore, if the support portion and the inner passage are formed in the same region and the support portion reduces the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the inner passage, there is a problem of increased fluid pressure loss. In this case, if the valve device is applied to a fluid circulation system, the pumping capacity required for circulating the fluid in the system must be increased, which increases manufacturing costs and the system size. Furthermore, if the housing is enlarged to increase the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the inner passage, it becomes difficult to secure installation space in a vehicle, etc.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a valve device that can reduce fluid pressure loss while preventing an increase in size, and a method for manufacturing the valve device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a valve device for controlling a flow of a fluid comprises: a housing; a shaft provided inside the housing; an actuated valve provided inside the housing rotatably about the axis of the shaft, the actuated valve having at least one of a groove recessed from a sliding surface facing the axis or a through hole penetrating in the axial direction; and a fixed valve fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the actuated valve, the fixed valve having a central hole through which the shaft is inserted and a hole communicating with the groove or through hole of the actuated valve, wherein the housing has: a support portion supporting the end of the shaft that has passed through the central hole of the fixed valve, in an area opposite the actuated valve with respect to the fixed valve; an inner passage formed in an area radially outward of the support portion and in an area of ​​the support portion opposite the fixed valve in the axial direction, the inner diameter of the fluid passage being smaller than that of the inner passage and extending from the inner passage to the opposite side of the fixed valve, wherein the inner diameter of the fluid passage at a point where the fluid passage and the inner passage are connected is greater than the outer diameter of the support portion.

[0009] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​an imaginary plane connecting the inner peripheral edge of the fluid passage at the point where the fluid passage and the inner passage connect to the outer peripheral edge of the outer wall facing radially outward of the support portion is defined as α. In contrast, in a configuration in which the inner diameter of the fluid passage at the point where the fluid passage and the inner passage connect and the outer diameter of the support portion are the same, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​an imaginary plane connecting the inner peripheral edge of the fluid passage at the point where the fluid passage and the inner passage connect to the outer peripheral edge of the outer wall facing radially outward of the support portion is defined as β. In this case, the flow path cross-sectional area α can be made larger than the flow path cross-sectional area β. Therefore, the valve device of the present disclosure can reduce the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the inner passage while preventing the housing main body from becoming larger. Therefore, when applied to a fluid circulation system, this valve device can reduce the pumping capacity required for the fluid pump that circulates the fluid through the system. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the system can be reduced and the system can be made more compact.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a valve device includes: preparing a first mold for forming an inner wall of the fluid passage facing radially inward and an outer wall of the support portion facing the fluid passage side; preparing a second mold for forming the inner wall of the inner passage facing radially inward, the inner wall of the inner passage facing the fixed valve side, and the outer wall of the support portion facing radially outward; providing a first contact surface in the first mold, the outer diameter of which gradually decreases from a fixed valve side portion of the surface forming the radially inward inner wall of the fluid passage to a radially outer side portion of the surface forming the outer wall of the support portion facing the fluid passage side; providing a second contact surface in the second mold, the inner diameter of which gradually decreases from a radially inner side portion of the surface forming the inner wall of the inner passage facing the fixed valve side to a fluid passage side portion of the surface forming the radially outward outer wall of the support portion; and moving the first mold and the second mold relative to each other in an axial direction to bring the first contact surface and the second contact surface into surface contact, clamping the molds, and forming a housing by resin injection molding.

[0011] According to this, if the first and second contact surfaces were formed parallel to the axis, unlike the manufacturing method disclosed herein, the inner diameter of the second contact surface would have to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first contact surface in order to perform mold clamping, making it difficult to achieve surface contact between the first and second contact surfaces. In contrast, the manufacturing method disclosed herein forms the first and second contact surfaces at an angle relative to the axis, making it easy to achieve surface contact between the first and second contact surfaces during mold clamping. Therefore, product quality can be improved, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0012] 5 is a perspective view of the valve device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rotational position of the actuated valve is changed in part III of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a view in which the shape of the sliding surface side of the actuated valve is superimposed on the cross-sectional view of line IV-IV of FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of line V-V of FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the region of the housing opposite the actuated valve side taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the region of the housing opposite the actuated valve side taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 6 in the valve device of a first comparative example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view comparing the flow path cross-sectional areas of imaginary planes between the first embodiment and the comparative example. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the analysis results of fluid flow in the valve device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the analysis results of fluid flow in the valve device of a second comparative example. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device of the first comparative example. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 6 in the valve device of a third comparative example. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device of the third comparative example. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device of the third comparative example. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the valve device according to the second embodiment, which corresponds to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device according to the second embodiment.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, identical or equivalent parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0014] (First Embodiment) A valve device 1 according to the first embodiment is used in a fluid circulation system mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The fluid circulation system circulates coolant fluid through a power source for driving the vehicle, a radiator, a heater core for air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and the like. For example, LLC (Long Life Coolant) containing ethylene glycol is used as the coolant. The valve device 1 switches the flow path of the coolant flowing through the system, adjusts the flow rate, and so on.

[0015] First, a description will be given of the configuration of the valve device 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the valve device 1 is a disc valve including housings 10, 20, a shaft 70, a fixed valve 30, a drive valve 40, an actuator 50, and the like.

[0016] In the following description, the direction extending from the axis CL of the shaft 70 to the outside in the radial direction of an imaginary circle perpendicular to the axis CL and centered on the axis CL is referred to as the "radially outer side," and the direction extending toward the axis CL is referred to as the "radially inner side." Furthermore, the direction in which the axis CL extends is referred to as the "axial direction," and the side of the housings 10, 20 on which the actuator 50 is provided is referred to as the "one axial side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "other axial side."

[0017] The housings 10, 20 are composed of a first housing 10 and a second housing 20, and have fluid flow paths inside them. The first housing 10 has a cylindrical housing body 11, two fluid inlet ports 12, 13, and three fluid outlet ports 14, 15, 16 that extend from the housing body 11 in pipe-like shapes.

[0018] The two fluid inlet portions 12, 13 include a first fluid inlet portion 12 and a second fluid inlet portion 13. A first fluid inlet passage 102 is formed inside the first fluid inlet portion 12, and a second fluid inlet passage 103 is formed inside the second fluid inlet portion 13.

[0019] 1 to 5, the three fluid outlets 14, 15, 16 include a first fluid outlet 14, a second fluid outlet 15, and a third fluid outlet 16. A first fluid outlet passage 104 is formed inside the first fluid outlet 14, a second fluid outlet passage 105 is formed inside the second fluid outlet 15, and a third fluid outlet passage 106 is formed inside the third fluid outlet 16.

[0020] 1 and 2, the second housing 20 closes an opening on one axial side of the housing main body 11. An actuator 50 is fixed to the second housing 20 on the opposite side to the first housing 10.

[0021] 2 and 3 , the housing body 11 has a valve chamber 100 as a flow path for fluid in an area on the actuated valve 40 side of the fixed valve 30. The actuated valve 40 and other components are provided in the valve chamber 100. A second fluid inlet passage 103 on the inner side of the second fluid inlet portion 13 extends radially outward from the valve chamber 100 of the housing body 11.

[0022] 2 to 7, the housing body 11 has an inner passage 110 and an outer passage 120 as fluid flow paths in an area of ​​the housing opposite the driven valve 40 with respect to the fixed valve 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "opposite driven valve side area of ​​the housing"). The housing body 11 also has, as structural components in the opposite driven valve side area of ​​the housing, a support portion 170, an inner passage partition wall 160, an inner / outer passage partition wall 130, an outer passage partition wall 140, and an outer peripheral wall 150.

[0023] The support portion 170 rotatably supports the end portion of the shaft 70 that is inserted through the insertion hole 47 of the drive valve 40 and the central hole 39 of the fixed valve 30 (i.e., the end portion on the other axial side of the shaft 70). As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support portion 170 has a support portion main body 172 and a convex portion 173.

[0024] The support body 172 is a portion provided radially outward of the shaft 70. The other axial end of the shaft 70 is rotatably supported in a bearing hole 171 formed inside the support body 172. The convex portion 173 is a portion of the support body 172 that protrudes from the portion opposite the fixed valve 30 toward the first fluid inlet passage 102 so that its outer diameter gradually decreases.

[0025] The inner passage 110 is a passage formed in a region on the radially outer side of the support part 170 and in a region of the support part 170 on the opposite side from the axially fixed valve 30. As shown in Figures 5 to 7 , the inner passage 110 has a first inner passage 111, a second inner passage 112, a third inner passage 113, and a central inner passage 114. The first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, and the third inner passage 113 are aligned in the rotation direction of the actuated valve 40 and are formed to surround the radially outer side of the support part 170.

[0026] The inner passage partition wall 160 is a wall that separates the first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, and the third inner passage 113, and radially connects the support portion main body 172 and the inner / outer passage partition wall 130. The inner passage partition wall 160 has a first inner passage partition wall 161, a second inner passage partition wall 162, and a third inner passage partition wall 163. The second inner passage 112 is formed between the first inner passage partition wall 161 and the second inner passage partition wall 162. The third inner passage 113 is formed between the second inner passage partition wall 162 and the third inner passage partition wall 163. The first inner passage 111 is formed between the third inner passage partition wall 163 and the first inner passage partition wall 161.

[0027] The central inner passage 114 is a passage formed on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side of the support portion 170 and radially inward of the first inner passage partition wall 161, the second inner passage partition wall 162, and the third inner passage partition wall 163. The central inner passage 114 communicates with the first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, and the third inner passage 113. The central inner passage 114 also communicates with the first fluid inlet passage 102. Therefore, the first fluid inlet passage 102 communicates with the first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, and the third inner passage 113 via the central inner passage 114.

[0028] The first fluid inlet passage 102 extends from the inner passage 110 in a direction opposite to the fixed valve 30. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the first fluid inlet passage 102 corresponds to an example of a "fluid passage extending from the inner passage 110 in a direction opposite to the fixed valve 30." The inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner passage 110 (i.e., the combined space of the first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, the third inner passage 113, and the central inner passage 114). Therefore, a step 115 is formed between the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110. The step 115 can also be referred to as an inner wall 115 of the inner passage 110 facing the fixed valve 30. The first inner passage partition wall 161, the second inner passage partition wall 162, and the third inner passage partition wall 163 are connected to the step 115.

[0029] Here, the inner diameter of the first fluid inlet passage 102 at the point where the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110 are connected is defined as D1. Also, the outer diameter of the support portion 170 is defined as D2. In this embodiment, D1 > D2. The significance of this will be described later.

[0030] The outer passage 120 is formed radially outward of the inner passage 110. The outer passage 120 has a first outer passage 121, a second outer passage 122, and a third outer passage 123. The first outer passage 121, the second outer passage 122, and the third outer passage 123 are aligned in the rotation direction of the actuated valve 40 and are formed so as to surround the radially outward side of the inner passage 110.

[0031] The inner / outer passage partition wall 130 is a wall that separates the inner passage 110 and the outer passage 120, and is provided between the inner passage 110 and the outer passage 120 in a cylindrical shape.

[0032] The outer peripheral wall 150 is a wall that forms the outer contour of the housing body 11 and is provided in a cylindrical shape radially outward of the outer passage 120 .

[0033] The outer passage partition wall 140 is a wall that separates the first outer passage 121, the second outer passage 122, and the third outer passage 123, and radially connects the inner / outer passage partition wall 130 and the outer peripheral wall 150. The outer passage partition wall 140 has a first outer passage partition wall 141, a second outer passage partition wall 142, and a third outer passage partition wall 143.

[0034] 2 to 5 , the first outer passage 121 of the housing body 11 communicates with the first fluid outlet passage 104 inside the first fluid outlet portion 14. The first fluid outlet passage 104 extends radially outward from the first outer passage 121. The second outer passage 122 of the housing body 11 communicates with the second fluid outlet passage 105 inside the second fluid outlet portion 15. The second fluid outlet passage 105 extends radially outward from the second outer passage 122. The third outer passage 123 of the housing body 11 communicates with the third fluid outlet passage 106 inside the third fluid outlet portion 16. The third fluid outlet passage 106 extends radially outward from the third outer passage 123.

[0035] 2 and 3 , the fixed valve 30 is formed in a generally disk shape and is placed on one axial end of the outer peripheral wall 150, outer passage partition wall 140, inner / outer passage partition wall 130, inner passage partition wall 160, and support portion 170 of the first housing 10. In other words, the fixed valve 30 is provided at the boundary between the inner passage 110 and the outer passage 120 and the valve chamber 100. Note that a seal member 60 is provided between the fixed valve 30 and the valve chamber 100-side ends of the outer peripheral wall 150, outer passage partition wall 140, inner / outer passage partition wall 130, inner passage partition wall 160, and support portion 170.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the fixed valve 30 has a central hole 39, multiple inner holes 36, and multiple outer holes 34 that pass through in the axial direction. The fixed valve 30 also has a central portion 33, an intermediate partition 32, an outer peripheral portion 31, an inner hole partition 37, an outer hole partition 35, and a protrusion 38 as structural components. The protrusion 38 on the outer peripheral portion 31 is engaged with a locking portion 17 provided on the first housing 10. This fixes the fixed valve 30 to the housing main body 11 so as not to rotate relative to the housing main body 11 around the axis CL.

[0037] A shaft 70 is inserted through the central hole 39. The multiple inner holes 36 include a first inner hole 36a, a second inner hole 36b, and a third inner hole 36c. The first inner hole 36a communicates with the first inner passage 111. The second inner hole 36b communicates with the second inner passage 112. The third inner hole 36c communicates with the third inner passage 113. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the multiple inner holes 36 correspond to an example of a "hole portion communicating with the inner passage 110."

[0038] The multiple outer holes 34 include a first outer hole 34a, a second outer hole 34b, a third outer hole 34c, and a fourth outer hole 34d. The first outer hole 34a communicates with the first outer passage 121. The second outer hole 34b and the fourth outer hole 34d communicate with the second outer passage 122. The third outer hole 34c communicates with the third outer passage 123.

[0039] The central portion 33 is a portion that surrounds the periphery of the central hole 39 and is placed on the support portion 170. The inner hole partition portion 37 is a portion that radially separates the multiple inner holes 36 and is placed on the inner passage partition wall 160. The intermediate partition portion 32 is a portion that circumferentially separates the inner holes 36 and the outer holes 34 and is placed on the inner-outer passage partition wall 130. The outer hole partition portion 35 is a portion that radially separates the multiple outer holes 34 and is placed on the outer passage partition wall 140. The outer peripheral portion 31 is a portion that is formed in an annular shape radially outside the multiple outer holes 34 and is placed on the outer peripheral wall 150.

[0040] 2 to 4, the actuated valve 40 is formed in a generally disk shape and is provided in the valve chamber 100 of the housing body 11 so as to be rotatable about the axis CL of the shaft 70. The surface of the actuated valve 40 facing the other side in the axial direction (i.e., the surface facing the fixed valve 30) is called the sliding surface 41. The sliding surface 41 of the actuated valve 40 and the fixed valve 30 are in sliding contact with each other.

[0041] The actuated valve 40 has a groove 42 recessed from the sliding surface 41 toward one side in the axial direction, and a through-hole 43 penetrating in the axial direction. The groove 42 is provided so as to communicate with the multiple inner holes 36 and a predetermined outer hole 34 when the actuated valve 40 is at a predetermined rotational position. The through-hole 43 is provided so as to communicate with the valve chamber 100 and another outer hole 34 when the actuated valve 40 is at a predetermined rotational position. A shaft 70 is inserted through an insertion hole 47 on the inside of a cylindrical portion 46 provided inside the groove 42.

[0042] 2, the shaft 70 is provided inside the housings 10, 20. The shaft 70 is inserted through the insertion hole 47 of the drive valve 40 and the central hole 39 of the fixed valve 30. The other end of the shaft 70 in the axial direction is rotatably supported in a bearing hole 171 of the support part 170.

[0043] A holder 71 is fixed to one axial end of the shaft 70. The shaft 70 and holder 71 are integrally formed by, for example, insert molding. The holder 71 is rotatably supported by a bearing 72 provided in the second housing 20. A gear 73 provided on one axial end of the holder 71 meshes with a gear of a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) of the actuator 50. A lever 74 is provided between the holder 71 and the actuated valve 40. The lever 74 connects the holder 71 and the actuated valve 40 in the rotational direction. Therefore, the torque output by the actuator 50 is transmitted from the holder 71 to the actuated valve 40 via the lever 74.

[0044] A compression spring 75 and a torsion spring 76 are provided between the holder 71 and the lever 74. One end of the compression spring 75 is engaged with the holder 71, and the other end is engaged with the lever 74. The compression spring 75 presses the lever 74, the actuated valve 40, the fixed valve 30, and the seal member 60 against the holder 71, pressing the lever 74, the actuated valve 40, the fixed valve 30, and the seal member 60 against the surface of the first housing 10 facing the fixed valve 30. The surface of the first housing 10 facing the fixed valve 30 refers to the ends of the support portion 170, the inner passage partition wall 160, the inner / outer passage partition wall 130, the outer passage partition wall 140, and the outer peripheral wall 150 on one axial side. One end of the torsion spring 76 is engaged with the holder 71, and the other end is engaged with the lever 74, pressing the lever 74 and the actuated valve 40 against the holder 71 in the rotational direction.

[0045] The actuator 50 includes an electric motor (not shown), a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), a control unit (not shown), etc. When the actuator 50 is driven, the torque output by the electric motor is transmitted via the speed reduction mechanism from the holder 71 to the shaft 70 and lever 74 to the actuated valve 40. Therefore, with the sliding surface 41 of the actuated valve 40 in sliding contact with the fixed valve 30, the holder 71, shaft 70, springs 75, 76, lever 74, and actuated valve 40 rotate integrally about the axis CL relative to the housings 10, 20 and fixed valve 30.

[0046] 3 , when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position, as indicated by arrow LF1, fluid flowing in from the first fluid inlet passage 102 flows in the following order: inner passage 110 → multiple inner holes 36 → groove 42 → first outer hole 34a → first outer passage 121 → first fluid outlet passage 104. Furthermore, as indicated by arrow LF2, when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position, fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet passage 103 flows in the following order: valve chamber 100 → through hole 43 → second outer hole 34b → second outer passage 122 → second fluid outlet passage 105.

[0047] Next, the significance of making the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 at the point where the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110 are connected larger than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170 in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0048] In the following description, the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 at the point where the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110 are connected will be referred to as the "inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side." Furthermore, the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 at the point where the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110 are connected will be referred to as the "inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side." Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge 174 of the outer wall of the support part 170 facing radially outward, on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side, will be referred to as the "outer peripheral edge 174 of the support part 170 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side."

[0049] As shown in Fig. 6, in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, an imaginary plane VS1 is defined that connects the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the outer peripheral edge 174 of the support portion 170 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side. Note that the dashed lines in Fig. 6 are drawn to explain the imaginary plane VS1 and do not represent wall surfaces or the like. This imaginary plane VS1 has a shape that constitutes part of the side surface of a cone. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​this imaginary plane VS1 is defined as α.

[0050] Next, for comparison with the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, a valve device of a first comparative example is shown in FIG. 8 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the valve device of the first comparative example is configured such that the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170 are the same. In the valve device of the comparative example, an imaginary plane VS2 is defined that connects the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the outer peripheral edge 174 of the support portion 170 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side. This imaginary plane VS2 has a cylindrical side surface shape. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​this imaginary plane VS2 is defined as β.

[0051] 9 is a diagram comparing the flow path cross-sectional area α of the imaginary plane VS1 defined in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment with the flow path cross-sectional area β of the imaginary plane VS2 defined in the valve device of the first comparative example. As shown in Fig. 9, in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area α of the imaginary plane VS1 can be made larger than the flow path cross-sectional area β of the imaginary plane VS2 defined in the valve device of the first comparative example.

[0052] In order to make the flow path cross-sectional area α larger than the flow path cross-sectional area β, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can employ any one of the following measures (A) to (C). (A) As a first measure, the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170 included in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is made smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170 included in the valve device of the first comparative example. (B) As a second measure, the inner diameter D1 on the inner passage 110 side of the first fluid inlet passage 102 included in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is made larger than the inner diameter D1 on the inner passage 110 side of the first fluid inlet passage 102 included in the valve device of the first comparative example. (C) As a third measure, the first measure and the second measure are used in combination.

[0053] As a result, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can reduce the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the inner passage 110 while preventing the size of the housing main body 11 from increasing.

[0054] Next, the significance of providing the convex portion 173 on the portion of the support portion main body 172 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side (hereinafter referred to as the "support portion main body lower surface 175") in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0055] 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams showing analysis results of fluid flow in the valve device 1 according to the first embodiment and the valve device of the second comparative example.

[0056] 11 , the valve device of the second comparative example has a configuration in which the support body lower surface 175 is flat and perpendicular to the axis CL. In this case, when the fluid flows from the first fluid inlet passage 102 to the inner passage 110 to the inner hole 36 in this order, a region where the flow velocity is extremely slow (i.e., stagnation) occurs in the inner passage 110 near the support body lower surface 175, as shown by the two-dot chain line V0. As a result, within the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the imaginary plane VS1, a region where the fluid flow velocity is slow and which cannot be used as a flow path is created, resulting in increased pressure loss.

[0057] 10 , the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is provided with a convex portion 173 on the support portion main body lower surface 175, thereby making it possible to prevent stagnation from occurring in the inner passage 110 near the support portion main body lower surface 175. Therefore, it becomes possible to use almost the entire flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the imaginary plane VS1 as a flow path, thereby reducing pressure loss.

[0058] <Manufacturing Method> Next, a manufacturing method of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0059] The first housing 10 included in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is formed by resin injection molding. Figures 12 and 13 show a first mold 80 and a second mold 90 for forming the first fluid inlet passage 102, the support portion 170, the inner passage 110, and other components of the first housing 10. Note that molds for forming other components of the first housing 10 are not shown. Figure 12 shows the mold clamping process and the like, and Figure 13 shows the mold opening process and the like.

[0060] The first mold 80 forms the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the central inner passage 114. In detail, the first mold 80 forms an inner wall 102a of the first fluid inlet passage 102 facing radially inward, an outer wall of the support portion 170 facing the first fluid inlet passage 102, and a surface 160a of the inner passage partition wall 160 facing radially inward. Note that the outer wall of the support portion 170 facing the first fluid inlet passage 102 is the support portion main body lower surface 175 and the outer wall of the convex-shaped portion 173.

[0061] A tapered first contact surface 83 is provided on the surface of the first mold 80 that comes into contact with the second mold 90. The first contact surface 83 is a surface whose outer diameter gradually decreases from a portion 84 on the fixed valve 30 side of a surface 81 that forms an inner wall 102a facing radially inward of the first fluid inlet passage 102, to a portion 85 on the radially outer side of a surface 82 that forms the support portion main body lower surface 175.

[0062] On the other hand, the second mold 90 forms the first inner passage 111, the second inner passage 112, and the third inner passage 113. In detail, the second mold 90 forms an inner wall of the inner passage 110 facing radially inward, an inner wall 115 of the inner passage 110 facing the fixed valve 30, an outer wall 172a of the support portion main body 172 facing radially outward, and a surface 160b of the inner passage partition wall 160 facing in the circumferential direction.

[0063] A tapered second contact surface 93 is provided on the surface of the second mold 90 facing the first mold 80. The second contact surface 93 is a surface whose inner diameter gradually decreases from a radially inner portion 94 of a surface 91 that forms an inner wall 115 of the inner passage 110 facing the fixed valve 30, to a portion 95 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side of a surface 92 that forms an outer wall 172a that faces radially outward of the support portion main body 172. The first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 have the same taper angle to enable surface contact.

[0064] In the manufacturing method of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, first, the above-described first mold 80 and second mold 90 are prepared. The first mold 80 and second mold 90 are placed in an injection molding machine (not shown) together with molds for forming other portions of the first housing 10.

[0065] 12 , in the mold clamping step, the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction to bring the first contact surface 83 into surface contact with the second contact surface 93. Although not shown, molds that form other parts of the first housing 10 are also positioned at predetermined mold clamping positions.

[0066] Next, in the injection process, molten resin is injected into the mold, and then the resin is cooled in the cooling process. Then, as shown in Figure 13, in the mold opening process, the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 are moved relative to each other in the direction opposite to the direction in the mold clamping process, and the first housing 10 is removed from the mold.

[0067] A method of manufacturing a valve device of a first comparative example will be described below for comparison with the method of manufacturing the valve device 1 of the first embodiment. As described above, the valve device of the first comparative example is configured such that the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170 are the same.

[0068] As shown in Figure 14, in the first comparative example, the first contact surface 83 of the first mold 80 that contacts the second mold 90 and the second contact surface 93 of the second mold 90 that contacts the first mold 80 are both cylindrical surfaces parallel to the axis CL.

[0069] In this case, in order to insert the first contact surface 83 inside the second contact surface 93 in the mold clamping process, the inner diameter of the second contact surface 93 must be larger than the outer diameter of the first contact surface 83. However, if the inner diameter of the second contact surface 93 is larger than the outer diameter of the first contact surface 83, the molten resin will get into the gap between the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 during the injection process, causing problems such as large burrs.

[0070] In contrast, in the manufacturing method of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 are formed to be inclined with respect to the axis CL, which makes it possible to easily bring the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 into surface contact during the mold clamping process. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the first housing 10, simplify the manufacturing process, and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0071] Next, for comparison with the manufacturing method of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the configuration of a valve device of a third comparative example and a manufacturing method thereof will be described.

[0072] 15 , the valve device of the third comparative example has a longer distance D3 between the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the support portion main body lower surface 175 than the valve device of the first comparative example. In the valve device of the third comparative example, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​an imaginary plane VS3 connecting the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the outer peripheral edge 174 of the support portion 170 on the first fluid inlet passage 102 side is designated as γ. In the valve device of the third comparative example, the flow path cross-sectional area γ of the imaginary plane VS3 can be made larger than the flow path cross-sectional area β of the imaginary plane VS2 of the first comparative example. However, the third comparative example may have the following problems.

[0073] 16 and 17 show a first mold 80 and a second mold 90 for forming the first housing 10 of the third comparative example. Note that Fig. 16 shows the mold clamping process and the like, and Fig. 17 shows the mold opening process and the like.

[0074] 17 , in the third comparative example, the distance D3 between the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the support portion main body lower surface 175 is longer than that in the first comparative example, which results in a correspondingly longer mold stroke. Note that the mold stroke is the distance by which the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction. Therefore, the valve device of the third comparative example may require an injection molding device for forming the first housing 10 to be larger in size, which may result in increased manufacturing costs.

[0075] In contrast, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170, thereby increasing the flow path cross-sectional area α of the imaginary plane VS1. This prevents the mold stroke of the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 from becoming longer. Therefore, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can prevent an increase in manufacturing costs without increasing the size of the injection molding apparatus that forms the first housing 10.

[0076] Note that, within the tolerance of the injection molding machine, the configuration of the first embodiment may be combined with the configuration of the third comparative example. That is, the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side may be made larger than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170, and the distance D3 between the inner peripheral edge 107 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side and the lower surface 175 of the support portion main body may be made longer.

[0077] The valve device 1 of the first embodiment described above provides the following advantages.

[0078] (1) In the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170. As a result, in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area α of the imaginary plane VS1 can be made larger than the flow path cross-sectional area β of the imaginary plane VS2 of the first comparative example. Therefore, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can reduce the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the inner passage 110 while preventing the housing main body 11 from becoming larger. Therefore, when this valve device 1 is applied to a fluid circulation system, the pumping capacity required for the fluid pump that circulates the fluid in the system can be reduced. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the system can be reduced and the system can be made more compact.

[0079] (2) The valve device 1 of the first embodiment has a convex portion 173 that protrudes from the support portion main body lower surface 175. This makes it possible to prevent stagnation from occurring in the inner passage 110 near the support portion main body lower surface 175. As a result, it becomes possible to use substantially the entire flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the imaginary plane VS1 as a flow path, thereby reducing pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the inner passage 110.

[0080] (3) The manufacturing method of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment includes providing a tapered first contact surface 83 on the first mold 80 and providing a tapered second contact surface 93 on the second mold 90. Then, the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction to bring the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 into surface contact, followed by mold clamping, to form the first housing 10 by resin injection molding. According to this, by forming the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 into a tapered shape inclined with respect to the axis CL, it is possible to easily bring the first contact surface 83 and the second contact surface 93 into surface contact during the mold clamping process. Therefore, the quality of the first housing 10 can be improved, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0081] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the first fluid inlet passage 102 and the inner passage 110 are partially modified from those in the first embodiment, but the remaining configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0082] 18 , in the second embodiment as well, the inner diameter D1 of the first fluid inlet passage 102 on the inner passage 110 side is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the support portion 170. In addition, in the second embodiment, the inner wall 102a of the first fluid inlet passage 102 is tapered so that the inner diameter gradually decreases from the other axial side toward the support portion 170. Furthermore, the inner wall 110a of the inner passage 110 facing radially inward is tapered so that the inner diameter gradually decreases from one axial side toward the first fluid inlet passage 102. The taper angle of these inner walls 102a, 110a may be any angle that corresponds to the draft angle of the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 during resin injection molding.

[0083] 19 , when the first housing 10 is formed by resin injection molding in the manufacturing process of the valve device 1, the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 can be easily moved relative to each other in the axial direction in the mold opening process. Therefore, the valve device 1 of the second embodiment can reduce the manufacturing cost when the first housing 10 is formed by resin injection molding.

[0084] (Other Embodiments) (1) In the above embodiments, the valve device 1 has been described as having two fluid inlets 12, 13 and three fluid outlets 14, 15, 16. However, this is not limiting, and the number of fluid inlets 12, 13 and fluid outlets 14, 15, 16 can be changed as desired. Furthermore, the number of outer passages 120 and inner passages 110 provided in the housings 10, 20 can also be changed as desired. The number of inner holes 36 and outer holes 34 in the fixed valve 30 can also be changed as desired, and the number of through holes 43 and grooves 42 in the actuated valve 40 can also be changed as desired. Furthermore, the valve device 1 can also be used so that fluid flows in through the fluid outlets 14, 15, 16 and flows out through the fluid inlets 12, 13.

[0085] (2) In the above embodiments, the actuated valve 40 has been described as having both the through hole 43 and the groove 42, but this is not limiting, and the actuated valve 40 may have either the through hole 43 or the groove 42. Note that when the actuated valve 40 has only the through hole 43, the through hole 43 is configured to communicate with the inner passage 110.

[0086] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and portions thereof are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. It goes without saying that, in each of the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, and ranges of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless specifically stated as essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc. are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., unless specifically stated or limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

Claims

1. A valve device for controlling the flow of a fluid, comprising: a housing (10, 20); a shaft (70) provided inside the housing; a drive valve (40) provided inside the housing rotatably about an axis (CL) of the shaft, the drive valve (40) having at least one of a groove (42) recessed from a sliding contact surface (41) facing the axis or a through hole (43) passing through in the axis direction; and a fixed valve (30) fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding contact surface of the drive valve, the fixed valve having a central hole (39) through which the shaft passes and a hole (36) communicating with the groove or the through hole of the drive valve, the housing comprising: a support portion (170) for supporting the end of the shaft that passes through the central hole of the fixed valve, in an area on the opposite side of the drive valve from the fixed valve; a fluid passage (102) having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inner passage and extending from the inner passage to the opposite side of the fixed valve, the fluid passage (102) having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inner passage, the fluid passage (102) extending from the inner passage to the opposite side of the fixed valve, wherein an inner diameter (D1) of the fluid passage at a point where the fluid passage and the inner passage are connected is larger than an outer diameter (D2) of the support part.

2. A valve device as described in claim 1, wherein the support portion has a support portion main body (172) provided radially outward of the shaft, and a convex portion (173) that protrudes from a portion of the support portion main body opposite the fixed valve toward the fluid passage so that its outer diameter gradually decreases.

3. A housing (10, 20), a shaft (70) provided inside the housing, a drive valve (40) provided inside the housing rotatably around the axis (CL) of the shaft, the drive valve (40) having at least one of a groove (42) recessed from a sliding surface (41) facing the axis or a through hole (43) passing through in the axis direction, and a fixed valve (30) fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the drive valve, the fixed valve (30) having a central hole (39) through which the shaft passes and a hole (36) communicating with the groove or the through hole of the drive valve, the housing comprising: a support part (170) for supporting the end of the shaft that has passed through the central hole of the fixed valve in a region opposite the drive valve with respect to the fixed valve, and an inner passage (110) formed in a region radially outward of the support part and in a region of the support part opposite the axial direction of the fixed valve, the inner passage communicating with the hole of the fixed valve, a fluid passage (102) formed to have an inner diameter smaller than that of the inner passage and extending from the inner passage to an opposite side to the fixed valve, wherein the inner diameter (D1) of the fluid passage at a point where the fluid passage and the inner passage are connected is formed to be larger than an outer diameter (D2) of the support portion, a method for manufacturing a valve device comprising: preparing a first mold (80) for forming an inner wall of the fluid passage facing radially inward and an outer wall of the support portion facing the fluid passage side; preparing a second mold (90) for forming the inner wall of the inner passage facing radially inward, an inner wall (115) of the inner passage facing the fixed valve side, and an outer wall of the support portion facing radially outward; The first mold is provided with a first contact surface (83) whose outer diameter gradually decreases from a fixed valve side portion (84) of a surface (81) forming an inner wall of the fluid passage facing radially inward toward a radially outer side portion (85) of a surface (82) of the support part forming an outer wall of the fluid passage side, and the second mold is provided with a second contact surface (93) whose inner diameter gradually decreases from a radially inner side portion (94) of a surface (91) forming an inner wall of the inner passage facing the fixed valve side toward a fluid passage side portion (95) of a surface (92) of the support part forming an outer wall of the inner passage facing radially outward,a first mold and a second mold, respectively, that are moved relative to each other in an axial direction to bring the first contact surface and the second contact surface into surface contact with each other, thereby clamping the molds, and forming the housing by resin injection molding.

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