Valve device

Abstract

This valve device is provided with: a housing (10) within which is formed a fluid passage (F) through which a fluid flows; a fixed disc (20) that is disposed inside the housing and in which at least one flow path hole (23) through which a fluid flows is formed; a drive unit (40) that outputs a rotational force; a shaft (50) that rotates about a shaft axis (CL) by the rotational force output by the drive unit; and a drive disc (30) that increases or decreases the opening of the flow path hole according to the rotation of the shaft and rotates about the shaft axis while sliding on the fixed disc. The drive disc has a sliding surface (31) that slides on the fixed disc on one side in an axial direction that is a direction conforming to the shaft axis, and has a non-sliding surface (32) that does not slide on the fixed disc on the other side in the axial direction. The fixed disc has a sealing surface (21) that slides on the sliding surface on the other side in the axial direction. A recessed portion (37), which is formed so as to be recessed relative to the non-sliding surface is formed in the non-sliding surface.

Description

Valve equipment CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49907, filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a valve device.

[0003] A conventional valve device includes a housing that defines a fluid passage, a fixed disk that defines a passage hole through which the fluid passes, a drive disk that increases or decreases the opening of the passage hole, and a drive unit that outputs a torque that rotates the drive disk (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this valve device, the housing is formed with one inlet that introduces fluid into the fluid passage, and two outlets that communicate with the passage hole and allow the fluid to flow out of the fluid passage.

[0004] The valve device can select one of the two outlets that communicates with the inlet by switching between opening and closing the flow path hole in the fixed disk depending on the rotational position of the drive disk, which is rotated by the rotational force of the drive unit. Also, this valve device prevents fluid from flowing out from any outlet other than the selected outlet by rotating the drive disk so that the sliding surface of the drive disk facing the fixed disk and the sealing surface of the fixed disk facing the sliding surface slide against each other.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-166527

[0006] However, if foreign matter mixed in the fluid penetrates between the sliding surface and the sealing surface, a gap will form between the sliding surface and the sealing surface, which may cause the fluid to leak from between the sliding surface and the sealing surface. Furthermore, if foreign matter mixed in the fluid penetrates between the sliding surface and the sealing surface, the foreign matter may damage the sliding surface or the sealing surface, reducing the sealing performance between the sliding surface and the sealing surface, which may cause the fluid to leak from between the sliding surface and the sealing surface. Such leakage of the fluid from between the sliding surface and the sealing surface may cause the fluid to flow out from an outlet other than the selected outlet. This finding was discovered as a result of detailed studies by the inventors.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve device that can prevent foreign matter from entering between a sliding surface and a sealing surface.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a valve device comprising: a housing forming a fluid passage therein for circulating a fluid; a fixed disk disposed inside the housing and formed with at least one flow path hole through which the fluid flows; a drive unit that outputs a rotational force; a shaft that rotates about a shaft axis by the rotational force output by the drive unit; and a drive disk that increases or decreases the opening degree of the flow path hole as the shaft rotates and slides against the fixed disk to rotate about the shaft axis, wherein the drive disk has a sliding surface on one side in an axial direction that is a direction along the shaft axis and slides against the fixed disk, and a non-sliding surface on the other side in the axial direction that does not slide against the fixed disk, and the fixed disk has a sealing surface on the other side in the axial direction that slides against the sliding surface, and a recess formed in the non-sliding surface that is recessed relative to the non-sliding surface. This configuration allows foreign matter to be collected in the recess, even if the fluid is contaminated, and thereby prevents the foreign matter from entering between the sealing surface and the sliding surface. This makes it possible to prevent fluid from leaking from between the seal surface and the sliding surface due to foreign matter entering between the seal surface and the sliding surface.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the valve device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 3 is a view of the drive disk according to the present embodiment as viewed from the sliding surface side; Fig. 4 is a view of the drive disk according to the present embodiment as viewed from the mounting surface side; Fig. 5 is a view of a comparative drive disk as viewed from the comparative mounting surface side.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 . A valve device 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a fluid circulation system in which a fluid (in this example, coolant) circulates to regulate the temperature of the cabin and battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, for example. The fluid circulation system circulates coolant through a power source for driving the vehicle, a radiator, a heater core for cabin air conditioning, and a battery. For example, LLC (Long Life Coolant) containing ethylene glycol is used as the coolant. The valve device 1 switches the flow path or adjusts the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the fluid circulation system. In this embodiment, the valve device 1 is configured as a five-way valve.

[0011] 1 and 2 , the valve device 1 has a housing 10 that forms a fluid passage F through which a fluid flows. The housing 10 has two inlet ports that allow the fluid to flow into the fluid passage F from outside the valve device 1, and three outlet ports that allow the fluid that has flowed into the fluid passage F to flow out to the outside of the valve device 1. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the two fluid ports that allow the fluid to flow into the fluid passage F will be referred to as a first inlet portion 11 and a second inlet portion 12, and the three outlet ports that allow the fluid to flow out of the fluid passage F will be referred to as a first outlet portion 13, a second outlet portion 14, and a third outlet portion 15.

[0012] First, the configuration of the valve device 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the valve device 1 of this embodiment includes a fixed disc 20, a drive disc 30, a drive unit 40, a shaft 50, a lever 60, a torsion spring 70, a compression spring 80, and the like. The valve device 1 accommodates the fixed disc 20, the drive disc 30, the shaft 50, the lever 60, the torsion spring 70, and the compression spring 80 within a housing 10. The valve device 1 also includes a drive unit 40 disposed outside the housing 10. The valve device 1 of this embodiment is configured as a disc valve in which the drive unit 40 rotates the drive disc 30 integrally with the shaft 50 to switch the flow path of cooling water flowing through a fluid circulation system.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and other figures, the direction along the shaft axis CL of the shaft 50 is referred to as the axial direction DRa, the direction to one side of the axial direction DRa is referred to as the downward direction DRa1, and the direction opposite the downward direction DRa1 is referred to as the upward direction DRa2. Furthermore, various configurations will be described using the circumferential direction DRc as the direction around the shaft axis CL and the radial direction DRr as the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and extending radially from the shaft axis CL. The circumferential direction DRc is the direction of rotation of the shaft 50 and the drive disk 30, which are rotated by the rotational force supplied from the drive unit 40. Note that the directions shown in Figure 2 and other figures are merely examples and do not limit the installation state of the valve device 1 of the present disclosure.

[0014] The housing 10 is a non-rotating member. The housing 10 is formed, for example, from a resin material. Specifically, the housing 10 has a main body 16 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a main body cover 17 that closes the open side of the main body 16. In this embodiment, the main body 16 and the main body cover 17 are molded, for example, by injection molding, in which a resin material is poured into a mold and hardened into a desired shape.

[0015] The main body 16 has a bottom wall 160 that forms the bottom surface and a cylindrical side wall 161 that surrounds the shaft axis CL in the circumferential direction DRc. The bottom wall 160 and the side wall 161, together with the main body cover 17, form a fluid passage F. The bottom wall 160 and the side wall 161 are configured as an integrally molded product.

[0016] The main body 16 has a first inlet 11 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 161. The main body 16 also has a first outlet 13, a second outlet 14, and a third outlet 15 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall 160. The main body 16 has a second inlet 12 connected to the lower surface of the bottom wall 160 in the downward direction DRa1.

[0017] The first inlet portion 11 and the first outlet portion 13 are arranged side by side in the axial direction DRa. The first inlet portion 11 is connected to the side wall portion 161 on the upper DRa2 side of the position where the drive disk 30 is housed. On the other hand, the first outlet portion 13 is connected to the bottom wall portion 160 on the lower DRa1 side of the side wall portion 161 that houses the drive disk 30.

[0018] The first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction DRc. In this embodiment, the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15 are arranged side by side in this order at intervals of approximately 90°. The second inlet portion 12 is provided in the center of the bottom wall portion 160.

[0019] The first inlet portion 11, the second inlet portion 12, the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15 are configured as tubular members formed so that a fluid can flow through the inside thereof. The first inlet portion 11, the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15 are formed to protrude from the housing 10 along the radial direction DRr. The second inlet portion 12 is formed to protrude from the housing 10 along the axial direction DRa.

[0020] The side wall portion 161 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds in the circumferential direction DRc the passage in the fluid passage F on the upper direction DRa2 side of the fixed disk 20, and extends along the axial direction DRa. The side wall portion 161 is formed so that its axis is coaxial with the shaft axis CL.

[0021] 2, the side wall portion 161 has an inner peripheral side surface portion 1611 on its inner peripheral side that surrounds the outer periphery of the fixed disk 20 and the outer periphery of the drive disk 30. The inner peripheral side surface portion 1611 forms a passage in the fluid passage F on the upper DRa2 side of the fixed disk 20. A fitting groove (not shown) is formed in the inner peripheral side surface portion 1611 and is recessed away from the shaft axis CL. The opening side of the side wall portion 161 is closed by the body cover portion 17.

[0022] The body cover 17 is a lid that closes the opening side of the body 16. The body cover 17 is attached to the body 16 by fitting it inside the body 16 from the opening side of the body 16. The body cover 17 is attached to the body 16 together with the drive unit 40 by, for example, tapping screws S.

[0023] An O-ring 162 that closes the gap between the main body 16 and the main body cover 17 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 161 and the outer peripheral surface of the main body cover 17. The O-ring 162 is made of, for example, urethane rubber, which is an annular elastic body, and is configured to be compressed and elastically deformable when sandwiched between the main body 16 and the main body cover 17.

[0024] The bottom wall portion 160 is a portion on which the fixed disk 20 is installed and which supports the downward direction DRa1 side of the axial center portion 51 (described later) of the shaft 50. The bottom wall portion 160 also forms a fluid passage F that guides the fluid that has flowed in from the first inlet portion 11 and the second inlet portion 12 to the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15.

[0025] 2, the bottom wall portion 160 has a mounting surface 1601 on the upward DRa2 side for placing the fixed disk 20. The bottom wall portion 160 also has a bearing hole 1602 that supports the axial center portion 51 and a passage in the fluid passage F on the downward DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20. The downward DRa1 side of the axial center portion 51 is fitted into the bearing hole 1602. The bearing hole 1602 rotatably supports the axial center portion 51. The passage in the fluid passage F on the downward DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20 is formed by recessing the mounting surface 1601.

[0026] The passage in the fluid passage F on the downward DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20 is divided into four sections by the bottom wall 160, and each of the four divided sections communicates with one of the second inlet portion 12, the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15. Although not shown, the bottom wall 160 is provided with a partition portion that divides the passage in the fluid passage F on the downward DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20 into a passage communicating with the second inlet portion 12, a passage communicating with the first outlet portion 13, a passage communicating with the second outlet portion 14, and a passage communicating with the third outlet portion 15. In other words, the passage in the fluid passage F on the downward DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20 is divided by the partition portion into four passages communicating with one of the second inlet portion 12, the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15.

[0027] The mounting surface 1601 is formed to extend in a flat plane along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. A groove (not shown) is formed in the mounting surface 1601 for accommodating a gasket 163 that seals the gap between the fixed disk 20 and the mounting surface 1601.

[0028] The gasket 163 is made of, for example, an elastically deformable rubber member, and is formed in a shape corresponding to each of the four passages partitioned into four on the downward direction DRa1 side of the fixed disc 20 in the fluid passage F.

[0029] Fixed disk 20 is a sealing member that seals the gap between bottom wall portion 160 and drive disk 30. As shown in Fig. 2, fixed disk 20 is configured as a substantially disk-shaped member with its thickness direction aligned with axial direction DRa, and its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of side wall portion 161. Fixed disk 20 is also arranged so that its axis is coaxial with shaft axis CL.

[0030] The fixed disk 20 has a seal surface 21 that contacts the drive disk 30 and a support surface 22 that contacts the installation surface 1601. The seal surface 21 is an opposing surface that faces a sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30, which will be described later, and is in contact with the sliding surface 31. The seal surface 21 is a surface that corresponds to the sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30, which will be described later. The support surface 22 is a surface of the fixed disk 20 in the downward direction DRa1, and is an opposing surface that faces the installation surface 1601 when the fixed disk 20 is placed in the housing 10.

[0031] The fixed disk 20 is also formed with a plurality of flow path holes 23 that communicate with the four partitioned passages in the fluid passage F located on the downward direction DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20. The fixed disk 20 is configured so that fluid can pass through each of the plurality of flow path holes 23. The fixed disk 20 is also formed with a fixed disk hole 24 at approximately the center, through which the shaft 50 is inserted, and with a fitting protrusion (not shown) on the outer circumferential surface. The fitting protrusion is fitted into a fitting groove (not shown) formed in the inner circumferential side surface portion 1611 of the side wall portion 161, thereby restricting rotation of the fixed disk 20 in the circumferential direction DRc.

[0032] The fixed disk 20 is made of a material that has a smaller coefficient of linear expansion, superior wear resistance, and a smaller coefficient of friction than the constituent material of the housing 10. For example, the fixed disk 20 is made of a high-hardness material that is harder than the housing 10 and the drive disk 30. The fixed disk 20 is made of a metal (for example, SUS, i.e., Steel Use Stainless) that is harder than resin.

[0033] The sealing surface 21 and the support surface 22 are formed to extend in a planar shape along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc, and are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to each other in the axial direction DRa.

[0034] The plurality of flow path holes 23 are formed at positions spaced apart from the fixed disk hole 24 so as not to overlap with the fixed disk hole 24. The plurality of flow path holes 23 correspond to each of the four passages partitioned into four on the downward direction DRa1 side of the fixed disk 20 in the fluid passage F. The fixed disk hole 24 is formed to penetrate the fixed disk 20 in the axial direction DRa.

[0035] The drive disk 30 is a valve element that increases or decreases the opening of the flow path hole 23 by rotating about the shaft axis CL in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 50. As shown in FIG. 2 , the drive disk 30 is configured as a substantially disk-shaped member with its thickness direction aligned with the axis direction DRa, and its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall portion 161. The drive disk 30 is disposed so that its rotation axis is coaxial with the shaft axis CL and the axis of the fixed disk 20.

[0036] 2 to 4, the drive disk 30 has a sliding surface 31 that slides against the seal surface 21 of the fixed disk 20, and a mounting surface 32 to which the lever 60 is attached. The drive disk 30 also has a drive disk hole 33 formed in the approximate center thereof, through which the shaft 50 is inserted, and one through-hole 34 that penetrates the drive disk 30 in the axial direction DRa. The sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30 is formed with one flow channel 35 recessed into the sliding surface 31, and the mounting surface 32 is formed with two press-fit grooves 36 into which press-fit portions of the lever 60 (described later) are press-fitted, and a plurality of recesses 37 recessed into the mounting surface 32.

[0037] The drive disk 30 is made of a material that has a smaller coefficient of linear expansion, superior wear resistance, and a smaller coefficient of friction than the material constituting the housing 10. For example, the drive disk 30 is made of a high-hardness resin that is harder than the housing 10 but harder than the fixed disk 20.

[0038] The sliding surface 31 is the surface of the drive disk 30 on the downward direction DRa1 side, and faces the seal surface 21. The sliding surface 31 slides against the seal surface 21 of the fixed disk 20 when the drive disk 30 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 50.

[0039] The mounting surface 32 is a surface on the upward direction DRa2 side of the drive disk 30, and is an opposing surface that faces the lever 60 when the drive disk 30 is disposed in the housing 10. The mounting surface 32 is a surface that does not face the seal surface 21 and does not slide on the seal surface 21. In other words, the mounting surface 32 is a non-sliding surface that does not face the seal surface 21 and does not slide on the seal surface 21 when the drive disk 30 rotates.

[0040] The sliding surface 31 and the mounting surface 32 are formed to extend in a planar shape along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc, and are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to each other in the axial direction DRa.

[0041] The through-hole 34 is formed to penetrate the drive disk 30 from the sliding surface 31 to the mounting surface 32 at a position that can communicate with any one of the plurality of flow path holes 23 of the fixed disk 20, and is formed to allow fluid to pass through. Specifically, the through-hole 34 can communicate with any one of the plurality of flow path holes 23 of the fixed disk 20, among which the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15, depending on the rotational position of the drive disk 30.

[0042] The flow path groove 35 is formed by recessing the sliding surface 31 at a position that can communicate with any one of the plurality of flow path holes 23 of the fixed disk 20. Specifically, the flow path groove 35 is capable of communicating with one of the plurality of flow path holes 23 that communicates with the second inlet portion 12 and with any one of the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15. As shown in Fig. 3 , the flow path groove 35 has an inner groove 351 that communicates with the second inlet portion 12, an outer groove 352 that communicates with any one of the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15, and a communication groove 353 that communicates between the inner groove 351 and the outer groove 352.

[0043] The inner groove 351 is formed in an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction DRc. The inner groove 351 is formed around the drive disk hole 33 over a range of 360° around the shaft axis CL. The outer groove 352 is formed in an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction DRc over a range of approximately 60° around the shaft axis CL. The communication groove 353 is formed along the radial direction DRr from the inner groove 351 to the outer groove 352, and connects the inner groove 351 and the outer groove 352.

[0044] The flow path groove 35 formed in this manner forms a flow path that connects the second inlet portion 12 to one of the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15, depending on the rotational position of the drive disk 30.

[0045] Two press-fit grooves 36 are formed at positions radially away from the drive disk holes 33 of the drive disk 30 so as not to overlap with the drive disk holes 33. The two press-fit grooves 36 are formed at positions closer to the outer peripheral surface of the drive disk 30 than the axis of the drive disk 30, i.e., the shaft axis center CL. The two press-fit grooves 36 are also formed at positions symmetrical in the radial direction DRr with respect to the shaft axis center CL, and are formed at positions overlapping with the through holes 34 in the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the distance from the shaft axis center CL to each of the two press-fit grooves 36 in the radial direction DRr is equal to the distance from the shaft axis center CL to the through holes 34 in the radial direction DRr. The two press-fit grooves 36 are recessed relative to the mounting surface 32 so that the press-fit portion of the lever 60 can be press-fitted. The press-fit grooves 36 correspond to a fixing portion to which the lever 60 is fixed.

[0046] Four recesses 37 are formed at positions spaced apart from the drive disk holes 33 of the drive disk 30 in the radial direction DRr so as not to overlap the drive disk holes 33. The four recesses 37 are formed at positions closer to the axis of the drive disk 30, i.e., closer to the outer peripheral surface of the drive disk 30 than the shaft axis center CL. The four recesses 37 are also formed along the circumferential direction DRc at positions overlapping with the through holes 34 and the two press-fit grooves 36 in the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the distances of the four recesses 37 from the shaft axis center CL in the radial direction DRr are equal to the distance from the shaft axis center CL to the through holes 34 in the radial direction DRr and equal to the distance from the shaft axis center CL to the press-fit grooves 36 in the radial direction DRr. In other words, the four recesses 37 are formed side by side along the circumferential direction DRc on the mounting surface 32.

[0047] The four recesses 37 are formed at predetermined intervals either between two press-fit grooves 36 or between the press-fit groove 36 and the through hole 34. In other words, the four recesses 37 are formed side by side at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction DRc in an area of ​​the mounting surface 32 excluding the areas where the through hole 34 and the two press-fit grooves 36 are formed. The four recesses 37 are formed to extend in the circumferential direction DRc so as not to communicate with adjacent through holes 34 and press-fit grooves 36. A partition member extending in the radial direction DRr is formed between the recess 37 and the through hole 34 or between the recess 37 and the press-fit groove 36. The recesses 37 are formed to extend along the circumferential direction DRc and the radial direction DRr. However, the recessed portion 37 is not formed at a position that overlaps with the inner groove 351 and the communication groove 353 of the flow passage groove 35 in the axial direction DRa.

[0048] The four recesses 37 may have the same size in the axial direction DRa, i.e., the depth of the recess, or may have different sizes. In this embodiment, of the four recesses 37, the recess 37 formed at a position overlapping with the outer groove 352 in the axial direction DRa is formed to have a smaller size in the axial direction DRa than the other recesses 37.

[0049] The drive unit 40 is provided on the upper side DRa2 of the main body cover 17. The drive unit 40 is a device for outputting a rotational force for rotating the shaft 50. The drive unit 40 has the shaft 50, a motor (not shown) as a drive source for rotating the shaft 50, and a gear unit (not shown) that transmits the output of the motor to the shaft 50. The motor may be, for example, a servo motor, a stepping motor, or a brushless motor. The gear unit may be, for example, a gear mechanism including a helical gear or a spur gear.

[0050] The shaft 50 is a rotating shaft that rotates about the shaft axis CL by the rotational force output by the drive unit 40. The shaft 50 is rotatably supported on both sides in the axial direction DRa by the housing 10. As a specific example, the downward DRa1 side of the shaft 50 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the bearing hole 1602, and the upward DRa2 side of the shaft 50 is rotatably supported by the bearing unit 41 provided in the main body cover unit 17. These bearings may be plain bearings, ball bearings, or the like.

[0051] The shaft 50 includes a metal axial center portion 51 and a resin holder portion 52 connected to the axial center portion 51. The axial center portion 51 and the holder portion 52 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable together. The axial center portion 51 and the holder portion 52 are insert-molded products molded integrally by insert molding.

[0052] The axial center portion 51 includes the shaft axis CL of the shaft 50 and extends along the axial direction DRa. The axial center portion 51 is made of a metal rod member to ensure straightness. The upward direction DRa2 side of the axial center portion 51 is connected to the holder portion 52. The axial center portion 51 is inserted through the fixed disk hole 24 of the fixed disk 20 and the drive disk hole 33 of the drive disk 30, penetrating the fixed disk 20 and the drive disk 30. The axial center portion 51 is disposed within the housing 10 so that the shaft axis CL, which is the axis, is coaxial with the axis of the fixed disk 20 and the axis of the drive disk 30.

[0053] The holder portion 52 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens downward in the direction DRa1. The axial center portion 51 of the holder portion 52 is connected to the inside of the tip portion on the upward direction DRa2 side. The tip portion of the holder portion 52 that protrudes outside the main body cover portion 17 is connected to the drive unit 40. This allows the rotational force output by the drive unit 40 to be transmitted to the shaft 50. The rotational force output by the drive unit 40 is transmitted to the drive disk 30 via the shaft 50, the lever 60, and the torsion spring 70. The shaft 50 is connected to the drive disk 30 via the lever 60 and the torsion spring 70.

[0054] The lever 60 is a connecting member that connects the drive disk 30 to the shaft 50. The lever 60 is fixed to the mounting surface 32 of the drive disk 30, and connects the drive disk 30 and the shaft 50 so that they can rotate together while the drive disk 30 is displaceable in the axial direction DRa of the shaft 50. The lever 60 has two press-fit portions (not shown) that are press-fitted into the press-fit grooves 36 of the drive disk 30, and the press-fit portions are press-fitted into the press-fit grooves 36 to fix the lever 60 to the drive disk 30.

[0055] The torsion spring 70 is a spring that biases the shaft 50 in the circumferential direction DRc relative to the housing 10. For example, a torsion coil spring that is elastically deformable in the circumferential direction DRc can be used as the torsion spring 70. The torsion spring 70 is disposed between the shaft 50 and the lever 60. The torsion spring 70 is used in a state in which it is twisted and elastically deformed in the circumferential direction DRc. The torsion spring 70 is disposed between the shaft 50 and the lever 60 in a state in which it is compressed in the circumferential direction DRc, with one end of the torsion spring 70 in contact with the lever 60 and the other end of the torsion spring 70 in contact with the holder portion 52 of the shaft 50.

[0056] As a result, the torsion spring 70 generates a biasing force that biases the drive disk 30 to one side in the circumferential direction DRc due to its own elastic deformation. When the rotational force generated by the drive unit 40 is transmitted to the shaft 50, the rotational force is transmitted to the drive disk 30 via the torsion spring 70 and the lever 60. Then, as the shaft 50 rotates, the drive disk 30 rotates integrally with the shaft 50 about the shaft axis CL.

[0057] The compression spring 80 is a biasing member that biases the drive disk 30 toward the fixed disk 20. The compression spring 80 may be, for example, a compression coil spring that is elastically deformable in the axial direction DRa of the shaft 50. The compression spring 80 is disposed inside the housing 10 in a compressed state in the axial direction DRa, with its end on the downward direction DRa1 side contacting the lever 60 and its end on the upward direction DRa2 side contacting the holder portion 52 of the shaft 50. The compression spring 80 is not fixed to at least one of the drive disk 30 and the shaft 50 so that it does not function as a torsion spring 70.

[0058] The compression spring 80 presses the drive disk 30 against the fixed disk 20, thereby maintaining contact between the seal surface 21 of the fixed disk 20 and the sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30. This contact state is a state in which the seal surface 21 of the fixed disk 20 and the sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30 are in surface contact. In other words, the valve device 1 can maintain the drive disk 30 in contact with the fixed disk 20.

[0059] The compression spring 80 is disposed so as to surround the shaft axis CL of the shaft 50. In other words, the shaft 50 is disposed inside the compression spring 80. This prevents the load of the compression spring 80 on the drive disk 30 from being biased in the circumferential direction DRc of the shaft 50, making it easier to maintain contact between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the valve device 1 of this embodiment. Fluid flows into the fluid passage F of the valve device 1 from the first inlet portion 11 and the second inlet portion 12.

[0061] The fluid that flows in through the first inlet portion 11 and the second inlet portion 12 flows out from one of the first outlet portion 13, the second outlet portion 14, and the third outlet portion 15 depending on the rotational position of the drive disk 30. For example, when the through hole 34 of the drive disk 30 is positioned at a rotational position where it communicates with the flow path hole 23 of the fixed disk 20 that communicates with the first outlet portion 13, the fluid that flows in from the first inlet portion 11 flows out from the first outlet portion 13 via the through hole 34 and the flow path hole 23. When the flow path groove 35 of the drive disk 30 is positioned at a rotational position where it communicates with the flow path hole 23 of the fixed disk 20 that communicates with the first outlet portion 13, the fluid that flows in from the second inlet portion 12 flows out from the first outlet portion 13 via the flow path groove 35 and the flow path hole 23.

[0062] The drive disk 30 is pressed against the fixed disk 20 by the biasing force of the compression spring 80. This maintains contact between the seal surface 21 of the fixed disk 20 and the sliding surface 31 of the drive disk 30, and when the drive disk 30 rotates due to the rotational force of the drive unit 40, the seal surface 21 slides against the sliding surface 31. This prevents fluid from leaking from any outlet other than the outlet selected depending on the rotational position of the drive disk 30, among the first outlet 13, the second outlet 14, and the third outlet 15.

[0063] However, if foreign matter mixed in the fluid penetrates between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, a gap will be created between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, which may cause the fluid to leak from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. Furthermore, if foreign matter mixed in the fluid penetrates between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, the foreign matter may damage the seal surface 21 or the sliding surface 31, which may reduce the sealing performance between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, which may cause the fluid to leak from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. Such leakage of the fluid from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 may cause the fluid to flow out from an outlet other than the selected outlet.

[0064] For example, even when the rotational position of the drive disk 30 is positioned at a position where the fluid flowing in from the first inlet portion 11 is guided to the first outlet portion 13, there is a risk that the fluid leaking from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 will flow out from the second outlet portion 14 or the third outlet portion 15. Furthermore, even when the rotational position of the drive disk 30 is positioned at a position where the fluid flowing in from the second inlet portion 12 is guided to the second outlet portion 14, there is a risk that the fluid leaking from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 will flow out from the first outlet portion 13 or the third outlet portion 15. This fact was discovered as a result of detailed studies by the inventors.

[0065] In contrast, in the valve device 1 of the present embodiment, four recesses 37 are formed in the mounting surface 32 of the drive disk 30, each recessed from the mounting surface 32. Therefore, even if foreign matter is mixed into the fluid, the mixed foreign matter can be contained in the recesses 37. In other words, the foreign matter can be collected in the recesses 37 that are formed in the mounting surface 32. Therefore, even if foreign matter is mixed into the fluid, the fluid is less likely to circulate within the fluid passage F, and the intrusion of foreign matter between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 can be suppressed.

[0066] As described above, the valve device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 10 that defines a fluid passage F therein for allowing a fluid to flow, and a fixed disk 20 that is disposed inside the housing 10 and has a flow path hole 23 through which the fluid flows. The valve device 1 also includes a drive unit 40 that outputs a rotational force, and a shaft 50 that rotates about a shaft axis CL by the rotational force output by the drive unit 40. The valve device 1 also includes a drive disk 30 that increases or decreases the opening degree of the flow path hole 23 as the shaft 50 rotates, and slides against the fixed disk 20 to rotate about the shaft axis CL. The drive disk 30 has a sliding surface 31 that slides against the fixed disk 20 on one side, downward in a direction DRa1, in the axial direction DRa, which is a direction along the shaft axis CL, and a mounting surface 32 that does not slide against the fixed disk 20 on the other side, upward in a direction DRa2, in the axial direction DRa. The fixed disk 20 has a seal surface 21 on the upward direction DRa2 side that slides on the sliding surface 31. The mounting surface 32 is formed with a recessed portion 37 that is recessed from the mounting surface 32.

[0067] According to this, even if foreign matter is mixed into the fluid, the foreign matter can be collected in the recessed portion 37, thereby preventing the foreign matter from entering between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. This prevents the foreign matter from entering between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, thereby preventing a gap from being formed between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, and thus preventing fluid from leaking through the gap between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. This also prevents a decrease in the sealing performance between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, which would be caused by damage to the seal surface 21 or the sliding surface 31 due to foreign matter entering between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, and thus prevents fluid from leaking from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fluid leaking from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 from an outlet other than the selected outlet from the first outlet 13, the second outlet 14, and the third outlet 15.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0069] (1) In the above embodiment, the four recesses 37 are formed in the mounting surface 32 and aligned along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0070] This allows the area in which the recessed portion 37 is formed on the mounting surface 32 to be increased, making it easier to collect foreign matter in the recessed portion 37. This further reduces the intrusion of foreign matter between the sealing surface 21 and the sliding surface 31.

[0071] (2) In the above embodiment, the valve device 1 includes the lever 60 that is fixed to the drive disk 30 and that connects the drive disk 30 and the shaft 50 so that they can rotate together. The drive disk 30 has a through-hole 34 that penetrates the drive disk 30 from the sliding surface 31 to the mounting surface 32 and is capable of communicating with the flow path hole 23. The mounting surface 32 has a press-fit groove 36 into which the lever 60 is press-fit. The four recesses 37 are formed in a row along the circumferential direction DRc at predetermined intervals in a region of the mounting surface 32 excluding the regions where the through-hole 34 and the press-fit groove 36 are formed.

[0072] This allows the through holes 34, press-fit grooves 36, and recesses 37 to be formed over substantially the entire area in the circumferential direction DRc of the portion of the mounting surface 32 where the recesses 37 are formed. This makes it easier to make the sliding surface 31 and the mounting surface 32 parallel to each other in the axial direction DRa, and also makes it easier to increase the flatness of each.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows a comparative drive disk 300, which is a comparative example of the drive disk 30 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the comparative drive disk 300 has three comparative recesses 370, which correspond to the recesses 37 formed in the drive disk 30 of this embodiment, formed in a comparative mounting surface 320 corresponding to the mounting surface 32. The comparative drive disk 300 also has comparative through holes 340 corresponding to the through holes 34 and comparative press-fit grooves 360 corresponding to the press-fit grooves 36. However, the number of comparative recesses 370 formed in the comparative drive disk 300 is smaller than the number of recesses 37 formed in the drive disk 30. As a result, the comparative drive disk 300 has a larger area on the comparative mounting surface 320 where the comparative recesses 370 are not formed.

[0074] If the comparative drive disk 300 has this shape, there is a risk that the flatness of the portion of the comparative drive disk 300 where the comparative recess 370 is not formed will decrease when the comparative drive disk 300 is formed, resulting in a decrease in the flatness of the entire comparative mounting surface 320. Specifically, there is a risk that the portion of the comparative mounting surface 320 where the comparative recess 370 is not formed will be raised. As a result, there is a risk that the flatness of each of the downward DRa1 side and the upward DRa2 side of the comparative drive disk 300 will decrease when the comparative drive disk 300 is formed by cutting from each of the downward DRa1 side and the upward DRa2 side. As a result, there is a risk that the sealing performance between the comparative drive disk 300 and the fixed disk 20 will decrease when the comparative drive disk 300 is disposed in the valve device 1.

[0075] In contrast, in the valve device 1 of this embodiment, four recesses 37 are formed in a row along the circumferential direction DRc at predetermined intervals in areas of the mounting surface 32 except for the areas where the through holes 34 and press-fit grooves 36 are formed.

[0076] This makes it easier to increase the flatness of the mounting surface 32. As a result, when the drive disk 30 is cut and formed from the downward DRa1 side and the upward DRa2 side, the flatness of each of the downward DRa1 side and the upward DRa2 side of the comparative drive disk 300 can be improved. This makes it easier to make the sliding surface 31 and the mounting surface 32 parallel to each other in the axial direction DRa. Therefore, when the drive disk 30 is disposed in the valve device 1, the sealing performance between the drive disk 30 and the fixed disk 20 can be improved.

[0077] (3) In the above embodiment, the drive disk 30 is made of resin.

[0078] In this embodiment, the drive disk 30 is made of resin, which reduces the hardness compared to when the drive disk 30 is made of metal or ceramic. Therefore, when foreign matter enters between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31, the sliding surface 31 is more likely to be damaged and the sealing performance between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31 is more likely to be reduced compared to when the drive disk 30 is made of metal or ceramic.

[0079] In response to this, by providing the recessed portion 37 on the mounting surface 32, even when the drive disk 30 is made of resin, foreign matter is less likely to enter between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. This makes it possible to prevent the sliding surface 31 from being damaged by foreign matter, thereby preventing a decrease in the sealing performance between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31. This makes it possible to prevent fluid from leaking from between the seal surface 21 and the sliding surface 31.

[0080] Other Embodiments Although typical embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the valve device 1 has been described as being used in a fluid circulation system mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, but is not limited thereto. For example, the valve device 1 may be used in a fluid circulation system mounted on a vehicle other than an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Furthermore, the valve device 1 may be used for purposes other than vehicles.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the fluid flowing through the fluid passage F in the housing 10 of the valve device 1 is described as coolant, but this is not limiting. For example, the fluid may be a liquid or gas other than coolant.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which four recesses 37 are formed in the mounting surface 32 along the circumferential direction DRc, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0084] For example, two, three, or five or more recesses 37 may be formed side by side in the circumferential direction DRc. Alternatively, only one recess 37 may be formed in the mounting surface 32. Alternatively, a plurality of recesses 37 may be formed side by side in the radial direction DRr in the mounting surface 32.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the valve device 1 includes the lever 60 that couples the drive disc 30 and the shaft 50 so that they can rotate together, but this is not limiting. For example, the valve device 1 may not include the lever 60, and the compression spring 80 may directly press the drive disc 30.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the driving disk 30 is made of resin, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0087] For example, the drive disk 30 may be made of ceramic and may be a powder molded body formed by molding ceramic powder into a desired shape using a press. By molding the drive disk 30 from ceramic, the drive disk 30 can be made highly stable in shape.

[0088] In the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0089] In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0090] In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., the shapes, positional relationships, etc. are not limited to those unless otherwise specified or when they are fundamentally limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc.

Claims

1. A valve device comprising: a housing (10) forming a fluid passage (F) therein for circulating a fluid; a fixed disk (20) arranged inside the housing and having at least one flow path hole (23) through which the fluid flows; a drive unit (40) for outputting a rotational force; a shaft (50) that rotates about a shaft axis (CL) by the rotational force output by the drive unit; and a drive disk (30) that increases or decreases the opening of the flow path hole as the shaft rotates and slides on the fixed disk to rotate about the shaft axis, wherein the drive disk has a sliding surface (31) that slides on the fixed disk on one side in an axial direction that is a direction along the shaft axis, and a non-sliding surface (32) that does not slide on the fixed disk on the other side in the axial direction, and the fixed disk has a seal surface (21) that slides on the sliding surface on the other side in the axial direction, The valve device, wherein the non-sliding surface is formed with a recessed portion (37) recessed relative to the non-sliding surface.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said recesses are formed on said non-sliding surface in a line along the circumferential direction, when the direction in which said drive disk rotates is defined as the circumferential direction.

3. A valve device as described in claim 2, further comprising a lever (60) fixed to the drive disk and connecting the drive disk and the shaft so that they can rotate together, wherein the drive disk has a through hole (34) formed penetrating the drive disk from the sliding surface to the non-sliding surface and communicating with the flow path hole, wherein a fixing portion (36) to which the lever is fixed is formed on the non-sliding surface, and wherein the plurality of recesses are formed side by side at predetermined intervals in a portion of the non-sliding surface excluding the portion where the through hole and the fixing portion are formed.

4. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive disk is made of resin.

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