Motorized valve and valve device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide: a compact motorized valve in which the force for moving a valve body is large and which can finely control the position of the valve body; and a valve device. [Solution] A motorized valve 1 comprises: a valve main body 10; a rotor case 30 that is attached to the valve main body 10; a rotor 35 that is disposed inside the rotor case 30; a stator 90 that is disposed inside the rotor 35; a drive member 60 that is disposed inside the valve main body 10; a reduction gear mechanism 50 that transmits rotation of the rotor 35 to the drive member 60; and a valve body 20 that moves in accordance with rotation of the drive member 60.

Description

Motor-operated valves and valve gear

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-operated valve and a valve device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional motor-operated valve. The motor-operated valve has a valve body, a valve element, a case, a magnet rotor, and a stator. The case has a cylindrical shape and is joined to the valve body. The magnet rotor is disposed inside the case. The stator is disposed outside the case. The magnet rotor and the stator form a motor. When the magnet rotor rotates, the valve element moves.

[0003] JP 2022-83453 A

[0004] The motor-operated valve of Patent Document 1 is used, for example, in a valve device 803 shown in FIG. 19 . The valve device 803 includes a plurality of motor-operated valves 801 and a flow path block 850. The flow path block 850 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a mounting surface 851 on which the plurality of motor-operated valves 801 are disposed. The motor-operated valve 801 has a large outer diameter because the stator is disposed on the outside of the case, requiring a large space for disposing the motor-operated valves 801. Therefore, the flow path block 850 requires a relatively large mounting surface 851.

[0005] The motor-operated valve can be made smaller by placing a stator inside the magnet rotor. However, because the inner diameter of the magnet rotor is relatively small, it is difficult to provide magnetic poles with strong magnetic force on the inner peripheral surface of the magnet rotor, and it is difficult to provide many magnetic poles on the inner peripheral surface of the magnet rotor. As a result, the motor torque in the motor-operated valve is small, and the force required to move the valve disc is small. Furthermore, if the motor is a stepping motor, the rotation angle (step angle) of the magnet rotor per pulse is large, making it difficult to precisely control the position of the valve disc in the motor-operated valve.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a small motor-operated valve and valve device that can exert a large force to move the valve element and precisely control the position of the valve element.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides an electric valve comprising a valve body, a cylindrical rotor case attached to the valve body, a cylindrical magnet rotor arranged inside the rotor case, a stator arranged inside the magnet rotor, a drive member arranged inside the valve body, a reduction gear mechanism that transmits rotation of the magnet rotor to the drive member, and a valve body that moves in accordance with the rotation of the drive member.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the motor-operated valve further has an inner case integrally having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, a disk-shaped bottom wall portion connected to a first end of the peripheral wall portion, and an annular portion whose inner peripheral edge is connected to a second end of the peripheral wall portion, the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion being joined to one end of the rotor case, the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion being arranged inside the magnet rotor, and the stator being arranged inside the peripheral wall portion.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the reduction gear mechanism has a first gear and an intermediate gear body, the first gear is fixed coaxially to the magnet rotor, the intermediate gear body has a second gear that meshes with the first gear and a third gear that is fixed coaxially to the second gear, and the drive member has a fourth gear that meshes with the third gear.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the driving member is arranged coaxially with the magnet rotor, the reduction gear mechanism further has a support member, a gear shaft, and a pin, the support member is arranged between the magnet rotor and the driving member, the gear shaft passes through the first gear, the bottom wall portion has a gear bearing that supports a first end of the gear shaft, the support member has a gear shaft hole that supports a second end of the gear shaft and a first pin hole that supports a first end of the pin, and the driving member has a second pin hole that supports the second end of the pin.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that when the pin contacts the bottom surface of the first pin hole, the drive member is separated from the support member and movement of the drive member toward the support member is restricted.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the drive member is arranged coaxially with the magnet rotor, the reduction gear mechanism is a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a gear shaft, and a rotation output portion, the sun gear is fixed coaxially to the magnet rotor, the gear shaft passes through the sun gear, the rotation output portion is connected to the drive member, the bottom wall portion has a gear bearing that supports a first end of the gear shaft, and the drive member has a gear shaft hole that supports a second end of the gear shaft.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that when the gear shaft contacts the bottom wall portion, the magnet rotor is separated from the bottom wall portion and movement of the drive member toward the bottom wall portion is restricted.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the reduction gear mechanism further has a fixed internal gear, a planetary gear, a carrier, and a rotating internal gear, the fixed internal gear is fixed to the valve body, the planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and the fixed internal gear, the carrier rotatably supports the planetary gear, and the rotating internal gear is the rotation output part and meshes with the planetary gear.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the reduction gear mechanism further has a fixed internal gear, a planetary gear, and a carrier, the fixed internal gear being fixed to the valve body, the planetary gear meshing with the sun gear and the fixed internal gear, and the carrier being the rotation output part and rotatably supporting the planetary gear.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, a valve device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the motor-operated valve and a flow path block having a mounting surface on which the motor-operated valve is disposed.

[0017] According to this invention, the stator is placed inside the magnet rotor. This allows the motor-operated valve to be made smaller. Furthermore, a reduction gear mechanism transmits the rotation of the magnet rotor to the drive member, and the valve element moves in accordance with the rotation of the drive member. The reduction gear mechanism slows down the rotation of the magnet rotor and increases the torque. This allows for a greater force to move the valve element and allows for precise control of the valve element's position.

[0018] 1. A front view of a motor-operated valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2. A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. 3. A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. 4. A cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. 5. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly of FIG. 4. 6. Another enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly of FIG. 4. 7. A cross-sectional view of a stator unit of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. 8. A cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. 9. A cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. 10. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly of FIG. 10. 11. A cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. 12. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly of FIG. 13. 14. A cross-sectional view showing a third modified example of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. 15. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 16. 16. A cross-sectional view of a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 17. A plan view of a conventional valve device.

[0019] First Embodiment A motor-operated valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The motor-operated valve according to this embodiment is used, for example, to control the flow rate of refrigerant in an automotive air conditioner.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of a motor-operated valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axis L of the motor-operated valve. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the axis L of the motor-operated valve. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views of the reduction gear mechanism and its vicinity of the valve body assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a stator unit of the motor-operated valve of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. In each figure, the X direction indicated by arrow X is the left-right direction, the Y direction indicated by arrow Y is the front-rear direction, and the Z direction indicated by arrow Z is the up-down direction (the direction of the axis L). The direction of the letter "X" on the arrow X indicates the rightward direction, the direction of the letter "Y" on the arrow Y indicates the forward direction, and the direction of the letter "Z" on the arrow Z indicates the upward direction.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the motor-operated valve 1 according to the first embodiment includes a valve body assembly 5 and a stator unit 8.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the valve body assembly 5 has a valve body 10, a valve body 20, a bearing body 25, a rotor case 30, a rotor 35, an inner case 40, a reduction gear mechanism 50, and a drive member 60.

[0023] The valve body 10 includes a body member 11 , a sleeve 18 , and a valve body support plate 19 .

[0024] The main body member 11 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy and has a valve chamber 12, a valve port 13, a valve seat 14, a first connecting passage 15, a second connecting passage 16, and a mounting hole 17.

[0025] The main body member 11 has a head portion 11a. The head portion 11a has a hexagonal outer shape and is disposed at the upper end of the main body member 11. A manufacturing tool for rotating the main body member 11 around the axis L is attached to the head portion 11a.

[0026] The valve port 13 is connected to the valve chamber 12. The valve port 13 is surrounded by a valve seat 14 in the valve chamber 12. A first connecting passage 15 extends in the left-right and front-rear directions from the valve chamber 12. A second connecting passage 16 extends downward from the valve port 13.

[0027] The mounting hole 17 is disposed on the upper surface 11c of the main body member 11. The mounting hole 17 is connected to the valve chamber 12. The main body member 11 has a first holding surface 11d and a second holding surface 11e. The first holding surface 11d and the second holding surface 11e are annular flat surfaces facing upward. The first holding surface 11d is disposed at the connection point between the valve chamber 12 and the mounting hole 17. The second holding surface 11e is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 17.

[0028] The main body member 11 has a male thread 11f and a female thread 11g. The male thread 11f is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body member 11. The female thread 11g is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 17.

[0029] The sleeve 18 is made of synthetic resin or metal. The sleeve 18 integrally includes a sleeve body 18a and a flange portion 18b. The sleeve body 18a has a stepped cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the upper portion of the sleeve body 18a is larger than the outer diameter of the lower portion of the sleeve body 18a. The flange portion 18b has an annular plate shape. The inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 18b is connected to the upper end of the sleeve body 18a. The sleeve body 18a is disposed in the valve chamber 12. The flange portion 18b contacts the first retaining surface 11d.

[0030] The valve element support plate 19 is made of synthetic resin or metal. The valve element support plate 19 has an annular plate shape. The outer peripheral edge of the valve element support plate 19 is circular and the inner peripheral edge is oval. The valve element support plate 19 is press-fitted into the lower part of the mounting hole 17. The flange portion 18b of the sleeve 18 is held between the valve element support plate 19 and the first holding surface 11d of the main body member 11.

[0031] The valve body 20 is made of synthetic resin or metal and integrally includes a shaft portion 21 and a valve portion 22.

[0032] The shaft portion 21 has an oval cylindrical shape. The outer shape of the cross section of the shaft portion 21 is the same oval shape as the inner peripheral edge of the valve body support plate 19. The major diameter of the cross section of the shaft portion 21 is the same as the inner diameter of the lower part of the sleeve main body 18a. The shaft portion 21 has a threaded hole 21h and a female thread 21k. The threaded hole 21h is located on the upper end surface of the shaft portion 21. The female thread 21k is located on the inner peripheral surface of the threaded hole 21h. The shaft portion 21 has a spring bearing surface 21r facing upward. The spring bearing surface 21r is located on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 21.

[0033] The shaft portion 21 is disposed inside the sleeve 18 and inside the valve disc support plate 19. The shaft portion 21 is supported by the sleeve 18 and the valve disc support plate 19 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Rotation of the shaft portion 21 about the axis L is restricted by the valve disc support plate 19. The shape of the shaft portion 21 and the shape of the valve disc support plate 19 may be any shape as long as they restrict rotation of the shaft portion 21 about the axis L.

[0034] The valve portion 22 has a truncated cone shape with a diameter that decreases from top to bottom. The valve portion 22 is coaxially connected to the lower end of the shaft portion 21. The valve portion 22 is disposed in the valve chamber 12 and the valve port 13. The valve portion 22 faces the valve port 13 and the valve seat 14 in the vertical direction. When the valve portion 22 comes into contact with the valve seat 14, the valve port 13 closes. When the valve portion 22 moves away from the valve seat 14, the valve port 13 opens, and a throttled flow path is formed between the valve portion 22 and the valve port 13.

[0035] The bearing body 25 is made of synthetic resin or metal. The bearing body 25 has a cylindrical shape. An annular protrusion 25a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body 25. The bearing body 25 is disposed in the mounting hole 17, and the lower surface of the annular protrusion 25a contacts the second holding surface 11e. The bearing body 25 has a gear shaft hole 25d. The gear shaft hole 25d is disposed on the upper end surface of the bearing body 25. The bearing body 25 has a support surface 25p and a spring bearing surface 25r. The support surface 25p and the spring bearing surface 25r are disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing body 25. The support surface 25p is an annular flat surface facing upward. The spring bearing surface 25r is an annular flat surface facing downward. A valve-closing spring 28 is disposed between the spring bearing surface 21r of the valve body 20 and the spring bearing surface 25r of the bearing body 25. The valve-closing spring 28 is a compression coil spring that presses the valve body 20 downward.

[0036] The rotor case 30 is made of a non-magnetic material. The rotor case 30 is made of, for example, a non-magnetic metal such as stainless steel. In this specification, a "non-magnetic material" refers to a material that has the property of not being magnetized (including the property of not being substantially magnetized) even when placed in a magnetic field. The rotor case 30 may be made of a synthetic resin. The rotor case 30 has a generally cylindrical shape. The rotor case 30 integrally includes a first case portion 31, a second case portion 32, and a connecting portion 33.

[0037] The first case portion 31 has a cylindrical shape. The first case portion 31 has a male thread 31g. The male thread 31g is disposed on the lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first case portion 31. The first case portion 31 is disposed in the mounting hole 17 of the main body member 11, and the male thread 31g is threadedly engaged with the female thread 11g. The first case portion 31 is attached to the main body member 11 using a threaded structure. An O-ring 34 seals the space between the main body member 11 and the first case portion 31 at the mounting hole 17. The lower end of the first case portion 31 contacts the upper surface of the annular protrusion 25a of the bearing body 25. The annular protrusion 25a is held between the lower end of the first case portion 31 and the second holding surface 11e of the main body member 11. The first case portion 31 has a mounting surface 31h. The mounting surface 31h is an annular flat surface facing upward. The mounting surface 31h is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the first case portion 31.

[0038] The second case portion 32 has a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the second case portion 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the first case portion 31. The connecting portion 33 has an annular plate shape. The inner peripheral edge of the connecting portion 33 is connected to the upper end of the first case portion 31, and the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion 33 is connected to the lower end of the second case portion 32. The first case portion 31, the second case portion 32, and the connecting portion 33 are arranged coaxially.

[0039] The rotor 35 has a generally cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the second case portion 32 of the rotor case 30. The rotor 35 integrally includes a cylindrical portion 36, a bottom portion 37, and a connecting portion 38.

[0040] The cylindrical portion 36 has multiple magnetic poles (multiple north poles and multiple south poles). The multiple north poles and multiple south poles are alternately arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36. The multiple north poles and multiple south poles extend in the vertical direction. The cylindrical portion 36 has, for example, five north poles and five south poles. The bottom portion 37 has an annular plate shape. The outer periphery of the bottom portion 37 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 36. The connecting portion 38 has a disk shape. The outer periphery of the connecting portion 38 is connected to the inner periphery of the bottom portion 37. The connecting portion 38 is arranged coaxially with the bottom portion 37. The rotor 35 is a magnet rotor.

[0041] The inner case 40 is made of a non-magnetic material. For example, the inner case 40 is made of a non-magnetic metal such as stainless steel. The inner case 40 may also be made of a synthetic resin. The inner case 40 integrally includes a peripheral wall portion 41, a bottom wall portion 42, and an annular portion 43.

[0042] The peripheral wall portion 41 has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a plurality of protrusions 41a on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

[0043] The bottom wall portion 42 has a disk shape. The outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 42 is connected to the lower end (first end) of the peripheral wall portion 41. A recess 42a is provided on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 42. The recess 42a is located in the center of the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 42. The bottom wall portion 42 has a gear bearing 44. The gear bearing 44 is located in the recess 42a. The gear bearing 44 is fitted into the recess 42a. The gear bearing 44 has a shaft hole 44d.

[0044] The annular portion 43 has a circular plate shape. The inner peripheral edge of the annular portion 43 is connected to the upper end (second end) of the peripheral wall portion 41. The outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 43 is joined to the upper end (one end) of the second case portion 32 of the rotor case 30. The peripheral wall portion 41, the bottom wall portion 42, and the annular portion 43 are arranged coaxially.

[0045] The peripheral wall portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 42 are disposed inside the rotor 35. The second case portion 32 and the inner case 40 of the rotor case 30 form a rotor space 45. The rotor 35 is disposed in the rotor space 45. The rotor space 45 is sealed from the outside of the motor-operated valve 1. The rotor space 45 is connected to the valve chamber 12 through gaps between the members of the valve body assembly 5. The refrigerant in the valve chamber 12 is introduced into the rotor space 45.

[0046] The reduction gear mechanism 50 is disposed between the rotor 35 and the drive member 60. The reduction gear mechanism 50 reduces the rotation speed of the rotor 35 and transmits the reduced speed to the drive member 60. The reduction gear mechanism 50 has a first gear 51, an intermediate gear body 54 having a second gear 52 and a third gear 53, a support member 55, a first gear shaft 56, a second gear shaft 57, and a pin 58.

[0047] The first gear 51 is coaxially disposed on the lower surface of the connection portion 38 of the rotor 35. The first gear 51 is formed integrally with the connection portion 38. The first gear 51 rotates together with the rotor 35.

[0048] The second gear 52 meshes with the first gear 51. The number of teeth of the second gear 52 is greater than the number of teeth of the first gear 51. The third gear 53 is coaxially connected to the second gear 52. The third gear 53 is formed integrally with the second gear 52. The number of teeth of the third gear 53 is less than the number of teeth of the second gear 52.

[0049] The support member 55 is made of synthetic resin or metal. The support member 55 has a disk shape. The support member 55 may have a columnar shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis L. The support member 55 is disposed inside the first case portion 31. The lower surface of the support member 55 is in contact with the arrangement surface 31h. The support member 55 is fixed to the first case portion 31.

[0050] The support member 55 has a hole 55a. The third gear 53 is disposed in the hole 55a, and the third gear 53 passes through the support member 55. The support member 55 has a gear shaft hole 55d and a first pin hole 55e. The gear shaft hole 55d is disposed on the upper surface of the support member 55. The first pin hole 55e is disposed on the lower surface of the support member 55.

[0051] The first gear shaft 56 has a cylindrical shape. The first gear shaft 56 passes through the first gear 51 and the connecting portion 38. The upper end (first end) of the first gear shaft 56 is disposed in the shaft hole 44d of the gear bearing 44. The lower end (second end) of the first gear shaft 56 is disposed in the gear shaft hole 55d. The first gear 51 is rotatably supported by the gear bearing 44, the support member 55, and the first gear shaft 56.

[0052] The second gear shaft 57 has a cylindrical shape. The second gear shaft 57 passes through the intermediate gear body 54. The lower end of the second gear shaft 57 is disposed in the gear shaft hole 25d of the bearing body 25. The second gear shaft 57 is fixed to the bearing body 25. The intermediate gear body 54 is rotatably supported by the bearing body 25 and the second gear shaft 57.

[0053] The pin 58 has a cylindrical shape. The upper end (first end) of the pin 58 is disposed in a first pin hole 55e of the support member 55. The lower end (second end) of the pin 58 is disposed in a second pin hole 60e of the drive member 60. The second pin hole 60e is disposed on the upper end surface of the drive member 60. The pin 58 is fixed to the drive member 60. An upper portion 60a of the drive member 60 is rotatably supported by the support member 55 and the pin 58.

[0054] The driving member 60 is made of synthetic resin or metal and has a generally cylindrical shape.

[0055] The driving member 60 has a fourth gear 64. The fourth gear 64 is integrally formed on the upper part 60a of the driving member 60. The fourth gear 64 meshes with the third gear 53. The number of teeth of the fourth gear 64 is greater than the number of teeth of the third gear 53.

[0056] The central portion 60b of the driving member 60 is disposed inside the bearing body 25. The driving member 60 has a receiving surface 60p. The receiving surface 60p is disposed at a connection point between the upper portion 60a and the central portion 60b on the outer circumferential surface of the driving member 60. The receiving surface 60p is an annular flat surface facing downward, and is in slidable contact with the support surface 25p of the bearing body 25. The central portion 60b is rotatably supported by the bearing body 25.

[0057] The drive member 60 has a male screw 60k. The male screw 60k is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of a lower portion 60c of the drive member 60. The male screw 60k is threadedly engaged with the female screw 21k of the valve body 20. It is noted that the drive member 60 may have the female screw, and the valve body 20 may have the male screw. The female screw 21k and the male screw 60k form a feed screw mechanism that moves the valve body 20 in the up and down direction.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the stator unit 8 includes a housing 80 , a stator 90 , a control device 100 , and a magnetic sensor 110 .

[0059] The housing 80 is made of synthetic resin and includes a housing body 81 and a cover 85 .

[0060] The housing main body 81 integrally includes a wall portion 82, a base portion 83, and a support portion 84. The wall portion 82 has a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the wall portion 82 is larger than the outer diameter of the second case portion 32 of the rotor case 30. The base portion 83 has a disk shape. The base portion 83 is connected to the lower end of the wall portion 82. The support portion 84 has a cylindrical shape. The support portion 84 is connected to the lower surface of the base portion 83. The outer diameter of the support portion 84 is the same as the inner diameter of the peripheral wall portion 41 of the inner case 40. A plurality of recesses 84a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 84. The support portion 84 is disposed inside the peripheral wall portion 41, and a plurality of protrusions 41a of the peripheral wall portion 41 engage with the plurality of recesses 84a. The support portion 84 is fitted to the inner case 40. An O-ring 89 seals the gap between the base portion 83 and the annular portion 43 of the inner case 40. The wall portion 82, the base portion 83 and the support portion 84 are arranged coaxially.

[0061] The lid body 85 integrally includes a lid portion 86 and a connector portion 87. The lid portion 86 has a disk shape. The outer peripheral edge of the lid portion 86 is joined to the upper end of the wall portion 82. The connector portion 87 has an elongated cylindrical shape. The connector portion 87 extends upward from the center of the upper surface of the lid portion 86. The lid portion 86 and the connector portion 87 are arranged coaxially. The wall portion 82, the base portion 83, and the lid portion 86 form a control device space 88.

[0062] The stator 90 includes a laminated core 91 , a bobbin 92 , a plurality of coils 93 , and a plurality of coil terminals 94 .

[0063] The laminated core 91 integrally includes a central portion 91a and multiple pole portions 91b. The central portion 91a has a cylindrical shape. The central portion 91a is arranged coaxially with the rotor 35. The multiple pole portions 91b extend radially (in a direction perpendicular to the axis L) from the central portion 91a. The multiple pole portions 91b are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the central portion 91a.

[0064] The bobbin 92 is made of synthetic resin. The bobbin 92 has a plurality of sleeve portions 92a that cover the plurality of pole portions 91b. The pole portions 91b are arranged inside the sleeve portions 92a. The plurality of coils 93 are wires wound around the plurality of sleeve portions 92a. The plurality of coils 93 are arranged on the plurality of pole portions 91b. A plurality of coil terminals 94 extend upward from the bobbin 92. The plurality of coil terminals 94 are electrically connected to the plurality of coils 93.

[0065] The stator 90 is embedded in the support portion 84 of the housing 80. The housing 80 (support portion 84) is integrally molded with the stator 90. The stator 90, together with the support portion 84, is disposed inside the peripheral wall portion 41 of the inner case 40. The rotor 35 is disposed outside the peripheral wall portion 41. The rotor 35 and the stator 90 face each other in the radial direction with the peripheral wall portion 41 sandwiched therebetween. The rotor 35 and the stator 90 constitute a stepping motor 98. Note that the motor-operated valve 1 may have other types of motors, such as a brushless DC motor.

[0066] The control device 100 is disposed in the control device space 88. The control device 100 has a board 101, a terminal component 102, and a computer (not shown). The board 101 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components including a computer are mounted. A plurality of coil terminals 94 of the stator 90 are connected to the board 101. The terminal component 102 has a plurality of connector terminals 103. One end of each of the plurality of connector terminals 103 is connected to the board 101, and the other end is disposed inside the connector portion 87. The computer controls the motor-operated valve 1.

[0067] The magnetic sensor 110 is a sensor having a Hall element that outputs a signal (digital signal) according to the direction of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor 110 is disposed below the support portion 84 of the housing 80. The magnetic sensor 110 is disposed between adjacent pole portions 91b on the support portion 84. The magnetic sensor 110 and the magnetic poles of the rotor 35 face each other in the radial direction, with the circumferential wall portion 41 of the inner case 40 sandwiched between them. The magnetic sensor 110 detects the magnetism of the rotor 35. The magnetic sensor 110 is electrically connected to the circuit board 101, and a computer detects the rotational position of the rotor 35 based on the signal from the magnetic sensor 110.

[0068] In the electric valve 1, the main body member 11 (valve chamber 12, valve port 13, valve seat 14, mounting hole 17), sleeve 18, valve body support plate 19, valve body 20, rotor case 30, rotor 35, inner case 40, first gear 51, support member 55, first gear shaft 56, pin 58, drive member 60, housing main body 81, cover body 85, and stator 90 each have a central axis that coincides with the axis L.

[0069] Next, the operation of the motor-operated valve 1 will be described.

[0070] In the motor-operated valve 1, current is supplied to the multiple coils 93 of the stator 90, causing the rotor 35 to rotate in a first direction. The first gear 51 rotates together with the rotor 35. The rotation of the first gear 51 is decelerated by the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the fourth gear 64, and then transmitted to the drive member 60. When the drive member 60 rotates, the valve element 20 moves downward due to the feed screw action between the male thread 60k of the drive member 60 and the female thread 21k of the valve element 20, thereby reducing the opening area of ​​the valve port 13 (throttled flow path). When the valve element 20 contacts the valve seat 14 and closes the valve port 13, the motor-operated valve 1 is fully closed.

[0071] In the motor-operated valve 1, current is supplied to the multiple coils 93 of the stator 90, causing the rotor 35 to rotate in the second direction. The first gear 51 rotates together with the rotor 35. The rotation of the first gear 51 is decelerated by the second gear 52, the third gear 53, and the fourth gear 64, and then transmitted to the drive member 60. When the drive member 60 rotates, the feed screw action between the male thread 60k of the drive member 60 and the female thread 21k of the valve disc 20 causes the valve disc 20 to move upward and away from the valve seat 14, increasing the opening area of ​​the valve orifice 13. When the valve disc 20 is farthest from the valve orifice 13, the motor-operated valve 1 is in a fully open state. When the motor-operated valve 1 is in a fully open state, the opening area of ​​the valve orifice 13 is at its largest.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the pin 58 is not in contact with the bottom surface of the first pin hole 55e, while FIG. 6 shows a state in which the pin 58 is in contact with the bottom surface of the first pin hole 55e. For example, when the refrigerant pressure in the valve port 13 is higher than the refrigerant pressure in the valve chamber 12 in the fully closed state of the motor-operated valve 1 (FIGS. 4 and 5), an upward force is applied to the valve element 20. When this force exceeds the force of the valve-closing spring 28 pressing the valve element 20 downward, the valve element 20 and the drive member 60 move upward. When the pin 58 fixed to the drive member 60 also moves upward and hits the bottom surface of the first pin hole 55e (FIG. 6), the upward movement of the drive member 60 is restricted. At this time, the support member 55 and the fourth gear 64 are separated. This prevents the drive member 60 from coming into contact with the support member 55, thereby preventing the drive member 60 from rotating.

[0073] As described above, the motor-operated valve 1 includes the valve body 10, the cylindrical rotor case 30 attached to the valve body 10, the cylindrical rotor 35 disposed inside the rotor case 30, the stator 90 disposed inside the rotor 35, the drive member 60 disposed inside the valve body 10, the reduction gear mechanism 50 that transmits the rotation of the rotor 35 to the drive member 60, and the valve disc 20 that moves in response to the rotation of the drive member 60. Because the stator 90 is disposed inside the rotor 35, the motor-operated valve 1 can be made smaller. Furthermore, the reduction gear mechanism 50 transmits the rotation of the rotor 35 to the drive member 60, and the valve disc 20 moves in response to the rotation of the drive member 60. The reduction gear mechanism 50 decelerates the rotation of the rotor 35 and increases the torque. This allows for a greater force to move the valve disc 20 and for precise control of the position of the valve disc 20.

[0074] The motor-operated valve 1 also includes an inner case 40 integrally including a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 41, a disk-shaped bottom wall portion 42 connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 41, and an annular portion 43 whose inner peripheral edge is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 41. The outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 43 is joined to the upper end of the rotor case 30. The peripheral wall portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 42 are disposed inside the rotor 35. A stator 90 is disposed inside the peripheral wall portion 41. In this manner, the rotor case 30 and the inner case 40 form a rotor space 45 in which the rotor 35 is disposed. The rotor space 45 is sealed from the space inside the peripheral wall portion 41 in which the stator 90 is disposed. Therefore, the space in which the stator 90 is disposed can be separated from the rotor space 45.

[0075] Furthermore, the reduction gear mechanism 50 has a first gear 51 and an intermediate gear body 54. The first gear 51 is fixed coaxially to the rotor 35. The intermediate gear body 54 has a second gear 52 that meshes with the first gear 51, and a third gear 53 that is fixed coaxially to the second gear 52. The drive member 60 has a fourth gear 64 that meshes with the third gear 53. In this manner, the rotation of the rotor 35 can be transmitted to the drive member 60 by the reduction gear mechanism 50, which has a relatively simple configuration.

[0076] Furthermore, the drive member 60 is disposed coaxially with the rotor 35. The reduction gear mechanism 50 has a support member 55, a first gear shaft 56, and a pin 58. The support member 55 is disposed between the rotor 35 and the drive member 60. The first gear shaft 56 passes through the first gear 51. The bottom wall portion 42 of the inner case 40 has a gear bearing 44 that supports the upper end of the first gear shaft 56. The support member 55 has a gear shaft hole 55d that supports the lower end of the first gear shaft 56, and a first pin hole 55e that supports the upper end of the pin 58. The drive member 60 has a second pin hole 60e that supports the lower end of the pin 58. In this manner, the first gear 51 and the drive member 60 can be rotatably supported with a relatively simple configuration.

[0077] Furthermore, when the pin 58 contacts the bottom surface of the first pin hole 55e, the drive member 60 is separated from the support member 55 and the upward movement of the drive member 60 (movement toward the support member 55) is restricted. In this way, the upward movement of the drive member 60 is restricted before the drive member 60 contacts the support member 55, and it is possible to prevent the drive member 60 from coming into contact with the support member 55 and hindering the rotation of the drive member 60.

[0078] The motor-operated valve 1 also has a housing 80 made of synthetic resin. The housing 80 has a cylindrical support portion 84 in which the stator 90 is embedded. The support portion 84 is fitted into the inner case 40. In this manner, the stator 90 can be protected by the support portion 84. Furthermore, by fitting the support portion 84 into the inner case 40, the stator 90 can be appropriately positioned inside the inner case 40.

[0079] The housing 80 also has an elongated cylindrical connector portion 87. The connector portion 87 extends in the axial direction (axis L direction) of the rotor 35. This configuration allows the installation area of ​​the motor-operated valve 1 (area when viewed from the axis L direction) to be reduced.

[0080] Next, a first modified example of the motor-operated valve 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0081] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a first modified example of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reduction gear mechanism and its vicinity of the valve body assembly of Fig. 10.

[0082] The motor-operated valve 1A according to the first modification has the same configuration (including substantially the same configuration) as the motor-operated valve 1, except that it has a valve body assembly 5A including a reduction gear mechanism 150 and a drive member 160 instead of the valve body assembly 5 including the reduction gear mechanism 50 and the drive member 60. In the motor-operated valve 1A, the same components as those in the motor-operated valve 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0083] The valve body assembly 5A includes a valve body 10, a valve element 20, a bearing body 25, a rotor case 30, a rotor 35, an inner case 40, a reduction gear mechanism 150, and a drive member 160.

[0084] The reduction gear mechanism 150 is a 3K type planetary gear mechanism. The reduction gear mechanism 150 is disposed between the rotor 35 and the drive member 160. The reduction gear mechanism 150 reduces the rotation of the rotor 35 and transmits it to the drive member 160. The reduction gear mechanism 150 has a gear case 151, a fixed ring gear 152, a sun gear 153, a plurality of planetary gears 154, a carrier 155, an output gear 156, and a gear shaft 157.

[0085] The gear case 151 has a cylindrical shape. The gear case 151 is coaxially joined to the upper part of the bearing body 25. The fixed ring gear 152 is a fixed internal gear. The fixed ring gear 152 is fixed to the upper end of the gear case 151. The fixed ring gear 152 is fixed to the valve body 10.

[0086] The sun gear 153 is coaxially disposed on the lower surface of the connecting portion 38 of the rotor 35. The sun gear 153 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 38. The sun gear 153 rotates together with the rotor 35. A gear shaft 157 passes through the sun gear 153 and the connecting portion 38. The upper end (first end) of the gear shaft 157 is disposed in the shaft hole 44d of the gear bearing 44. The lower end (second end) of the gear shaft 157 is disposed in the gear shaft hole 160d of the drive member 160. The gear shaft hole 160d is disposed on the upper end surface of the drive member 160. The gear shaft 157 is fixed to the drive member 160 or is in contact with the bottom surface of the gear shaft hole 160d. The sun gear 153 is rotatably supported by the gear bearing 44, the drive member 160, and the gear shaft 157.

[0087] The plurality of planetary gears 154 mesh with the fixed ring gear 152 and the sun gear 153. The carrier 155 rotatably supports the plurality of planetary gears 154. The carrier 155 is rotatable around a gear shaft 157. The output gear 156 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The output gear 156 is a rotating internal gear and serves as a rotation output portion.

[0088] An upper portion 160a of the drive member 160 is fixed to the bottom portion of the output gear 156. A central portion 160b of the drive member 160 is disposed inside the bearing body 25. The drive member 160 has a receiving surface 160p. The receiving surface 160p is disposed at the connection point between the upper portion 160a and the central portion 160b on the outer circumferential surface of the drive member 160. The receiving surface 160p is an annular flat surface facing downward, and is in slidable contact with the support surface 25p of the bearing body 25. The central portion 160b is rotatably supported by the bearing body 25. Note that the bearing body 25 of the motor-operated valve 1A does not have a gear shaft hole 25d.

[0089] The drive member 160 has a male screw 160k. The male screw 160k is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a lower portion 160c of the drive member 160. The male screw 160k is threadedly engaged with the female screw 21k of the valve body 20. The female screw 21k and the male screw 160k form a feed screw mechanism that moves the valve body 20 in the up and down direction.

[0090] Next, the operation of the motor-operated valve 1A will be described.

[0091] In the motor-operated valve 1A, current is supplied to the multiple coils 93 of the stator 90 to rotate the rotor 35. The sun gear 153 rotates together with the rotor 35. The rotation of the sun gear 153 is slowed down by the fixed ring gear 152, multiple planetary gears 154, carrier 155, and output gear 156, and then transmitted to the drive member 160. When the drive member 160 rotates, the valve element 20 moves upward or downward due to the feed screw action between the male thread 160k of the drive member 160 and the female thread 21k of the valve element 20.

[0092] Furthermore, when the refrigerant pressure in the valve port 13 is higher than the refrigerant pressure in the valve chamber 12 in the fully closed state of the motor-operated valve 1A, an upward force is applied to the valve disc 20. When this force exceeds the force of the valve-closing spring 28 pressing the valve disc 20 downward, the valve disc 20 and the drive member 160 move upward. The sun gear 153, planetary gears 154, carrier 155, output gear 156, gear shaft 157, and rotor 35 move upward together with the drive member 160. When the gear shaft 157 hits the bottom wall portion 42 of the inner case 40 (the bottom surface of the recess 42a), the upward movement of the drive member 160 is restricted. In other words, the upward movement of the rotor 35 is restricted. At this time, the rotor 35 and the bottom wall portion 42 (including the gear bearing 44) are separated. Furthermore, the fixed ring gear 152 and the output gear 156 are separated. This prevents the rotor 35 from coming into contact with the bottom wall portion 42 and hindering the rotation of the rotor 35 .

[0093] The motor-operated valve 1A also has the same effects as the motor-operated valve 1.

[0094] Furthermore, a drive member 160 is disposed coaxially with the rotor 35. The reduction gear mechanism 150 is a planetary gear mechanism having a fixed ring gear 152, a sun gear 153, planet gears 154, a carrier 155, an output gear 156, and a gear shaft 157. The fixed ring gear 152 is fixed to the valve body 10. The sun gear 153 is fixed coaxially to the rotor 35. The gear shaft 157 passes through the sun gear 153. The planet gears 154 mesh with the sun gear 153 and the fixed ring gear 152. The carrier 155 rotatably supports the planet gears 154. The output gear 156 meshes with the planet gears 154 and is connected to the drive member 160. The bottom wall portion 42 of the inner case 40 has a gear bearing 44 that supports the upper end of the gear shaft 157. The drive member 160 has a gear shaft hole 160d that supports the lower end of the gear shaft 157. This makes it possible to obtain a relatively large reduction ratio by the reduction gear mechanism 150. Also, the sun gear 153 can be rotatably supported by a relatively simple configuration.

[0095] Furthermore, when the gear shaft 157 comes into contact with the bottom wall 42, the rotor 35 is separated from the bottom wall 42 and the upward movement of the drive member 160 (movement toward the bottom wall 42) is restricted. In this manner, the upward movement of the drive member 160 is restricted before the rotor 35 comes into contact with the bottom wall 42, and it is possible to prevent the rotor 35 from coming into contact with the bottom wall 42 and hindering the rotation of the rotor 35.

[0096] Next, a second modified example of the motor-operated valve 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0097] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a second modified example of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reduction gear mechanism of the valve body assembly of Fig. 13 and its vicinity.

[0098] The motor-operated valve 1B according to the second modification has the same (or substantially the same) configuration as the motor-operated valve 1A, except that it has a valve body assembly 5B that further includes a rolling bearing 126 instead of the valve body assembly 5A. In the motor-operated valve 1B, the same components as those in the motor-operated valve 1A are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0099] The valve body assembly 5B includes a valve body 10, a valve body 20, a bearing body 25, a rotor case 30, a rotor 35, an inner case 40, a rolling bearing 126, a reduction gear mechanism 150, and a drive member 160.

[0100] The rolling bearing 126 is a radial bearing. The rolling bearing 126 may be a thrust bearing. The rolling bearing 126 is disposed inside the upper part of the bearing body 25. The lower end of the outer ring of the rolling bearing 126 contacts the support surface 25p of the bearing body 25. A retaining member (not shown) that contacts the upper end of the outer ring of the rolling bearing 126 is disposed inside the upper part of the bearing body 25. The central portion 160b of the drive member 160 is disposed inside the inner ring of the rolling bearing 126. The central portion 160b is press-fitted into the inner ring of the rolling bearing 126. The central portion 160b is rotatably supported by the rolling bearing 126. Note that the bearing body 25 of the motor-operated valve 1B does not have a gear shaft hole 25d or a spring receiving surface 25r. The motor-operated valve 1B does not have a valve-closing spring 28.

[0101] The motor-operated valve 1B also has the same effects as the motor-operated valve 1A.

[0102] Next, a third modified example of the motor-operated valve 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0103] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a third modified example of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body assembly of the motor-operated valve of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reduction gear mechanism of the valve body assembly of Fig. 16 and its vicinity.

[0104] The motor-operated valve 1C according to the third modification has the same configuration (including substantially the same configuration) as the motor-operated valve 1A, except that it has a valve body assembly 5C including a reduction gear mechanism 250 instead of the valve body assembly 5A including the reduction gear mechanism 150. In the motor-operated valve 1C, the same components as those in the motor-operated valve 1A are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0105] The valve body assembly 5C includes a valve body 10, a valve element 20, a bearing body 25, a rotor case 30, a rotor 35, an inner case 40, a reduction gear mechanism 250, and a drive member 160.

[0106] The reduction gear mechanism 250 is a 2K-H type planetary gear mechanism. The reduction gear mechanism 250 is disposed between the rotor 35 and the drive member 160. The reduction gear mechanism 250 reduces the rotation speed of the rotor 35 and transmits it to the drive member 160. The reduction gear mechanism 250 has a gear case 151, a fixed ring gear 152, a sun gear 153, a plurality of planetary gears 154, a carrier 255, and a gear shaft 157.

[0107] The carrier 255 rotatably supports the plurality of planetary gears 154. The carrier 255 is rotatable around a gear shaft 157. The carrier 255 is a rotation output portion. An upper portion 160a of the driving member 160 is fixed to the carrier 255.

[0108] Next, the operation of the motor-operated valve 1C will be described.

[0109] In the motor-operated valve 1C, current is supplied to the multiple coils 93 of the stator 90 to rotate the rotor 35. The sun gear 153 rotates together with the rotor 35. The rotation of the sun gear 153 is slowed down by the fixed ring gear 152, the multiple planetary gears 154, and the carrier 255, and then transmitted to the drive member 160. When the drive member 160 rotates, the valve element 20 moves upward or downward due to the feed screw action between the male thread 160k of the drive member 160 and the female thread 21k of the valve element 20.

[0110] Furthermore, when the refrigerant pressure in the valve port 13 is higher than the refrigerant pressure in the valve chamber 12 in the fully closed state of the motor-operated valve 1C, an upward force is applied to the valve element 20. When this force exceeds the force of the valve-closing spring 28 pressing the valve element 20 downward, the valve element 20 and the drive member 160 move upward. The sun gear 153, planetary gears 154, carrier 255, gear shaft 157, and rotor 35 move upward together with the drive member 160. When the gear shaft 157 hits the bottom wall portion 42 of the inner case 40 (the bottom surface of the recess 42a), the upward movement of the drive member 160 is restricted. In other words, the upward movement of the rotor 35 is restricted. At this time, the rotor 35 and the bottom wall portion 42 (including the gear bearing 44) are separated from each other. This prevents the rotor 35 from coming into contact with the bottom wall portion 42, thereby preventing the rotor 35 from interfering with its rotation.

[0111] The motor-operated valve 1C also has the same effects as the motor-operated valve 1A.

[0112] Furthermore, the drive member 160 is disposed coaxially with the rotor 35. The reduction gear mechanism 250 is a planetary gear mechanism having a fixed ring gear 152, a sun gear 153, planet gears 154, a carrier 255, and a gear shaft 157. The fixed ring gear 152 is fixed to the valve body 10. The sun gear 153 is fixed coaxially to the rotor 35. The gear shaft 157 passes through the sun gear 153. The planet gears 154 mesh with the sun gear 153 and the fixed ring gear 152. The carrier 255 rotatably supports the planet gears 154 and is connected to the drive member 160. The bottom wall portion 42 of the inner case 40 has a gear bearing 44 that supports the upper end of the gear shaft 157. The drive member 160 has a gear shaft hole 160d that supports the lower end of the gear shaft 157. In this manner, a relatively large reduction ratio can be obtained by the reduction gear mechanism 250. Furthermore, the sun gear 153 can be rotatably supported with a relatively simple structure.

[0113] Furthermore, when the gear shaft 157 comes into contact with the bottom wall 42, the rotor 35 is separated from the bottom wall 42 and the upward movement of the drive member 160 (movement toward the bottom wall 42) is restricted. In this manner, the upward movement of the drive member 160 is restricted before the rotor 35 comes into contact with the bottom wall 42, and it is possible to prevent the rotor 35 from coming into contact with the bottom wall 42 and hindering the rotation of the rotor 35.

[0114] Second Embodiment Next, a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 18, the valve device 2 according to the second embodiment includes the motor-operated valve 1 according to the first embodiment and a flow path block 550 .

[0116] The flow path block 550 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of metal such as an aluminum alloy. The upper surface of the flow path block 550 is a mounting surface 551 on which the motor-operated valve 1 is disposed.

[0117] The flow path block 550 has a first passage 555, a second passage 556, and a mounting hole 557. The mounting hole 557 is disposed in the mounting surface 551. The first passage 555 extends forward from the mounting hole 557. The second passage 556 extends downward from the mounting hole 557.

[0118] The flow path block 550 has a female thread 550f. The female thread 550f is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 557. The main body member 11 of the motor-operated valve 1 is disposed in the mounting hole 557, and the male thread 11f of the main body member 11 is threadedly engaged with the female thread 550f. The motor-operated valve 1 is attached to the flow path block 550 using a threaded structure by attaching a manufacturing tool to the head portion 11a of the main body member 11 and rotating it around the axis L. The connector portion 87 of the motor-operated valve 1 faces upward. O-rings 558 and 559 seal the space between the main body member 11 and the flow path block 550 in the mounting hole 557. The first passage 555 is connected to the valve chamber 12 of the motor-operated valve 1 via the mounting hole 557 and the first connecting passage 15. The second passage 556 is connected to the valve port 13 of the motor-operated valve 1 via the second connecting passage 16.

[0119] The valve device 2 may have a configuration in which the motor-operated valve 1 does not have a main body member 11, and the rotor case 30 of the motor-operated valve 1 is directly attached to the flow path block 550. In this configuration, the flow path block 550 has the same (including substantially the same) valve chamber, valve port, valve seat, and mounting hole as those of the motor-operated valve 1.

[0120] Furthermore, the valve device 2 may have a configuration in which the flow path block 550 has a plurality of mounting holes 557 arranged on the mounting surface 551, and an electric valve 1 is arranged in each of the mounting holes 557. In this configuration, the connector portions 87 of the plurality of electric valves 1 face the same direction (upward). Therefore, in a system incorporating a valve device 2 of this configuration, it is only necessary to provide space above the valve device 2 for arranging cables connected to the connector portions 87 of the plurality of electric valves 1, and the valve device 2 can be arranged in a relatively small space.

[0121] The valve device 2 also has the same effect as the motor-operated valve 1.

[0122] In this specification, terms indicating shapes such as "cylinder," "column," and "rectangular parallelepiped" are also used to refer to members or portions of members that substantially have the shape of the term. For example, a "cylindrical member" includes both cylindrical members and substantially cylindrical members.

[0123] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or modify components of the above-described embodiments, or appropriately combine features of the embodiments, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0124] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C... Motor-operated valve, 5, 5A, 5B, 5C... Valve body assembly, 10... Valve body, 11... Body member, 20... Valve body, 25... Bearing body, 30... Rotor case, 35... Rotor, 40... Inner case, 44... Gear bearing, 50, 150, 250... Reduction gear mechanism, 51... First gear, 52... Second gear, 53... Third gear, 54... Intermediate gear body, 55... Support member, 56... First gear shaft, 57... Second gear shaft, 58... Pin, 60, 160... Driving member, 64... Fourth gear, 8... Stator unit, 80... Housing, 81... Housing body, 85... Cover body, 90... Stator, 98... Stepping motor, 100... Control device, 2... Valve device, 550... Flow path block

Claims

1. An electrically operated valve comprising: a valve body; a cylindrical rotor case attached to the valve body; a cylindrical magnet rotor disposed inside the rotor case; a stator disposed inside the magnet rotor; a drive member disposed inside the valve body; a reduction gear mechanism that transmits rotation of the magnet rotor to the drive member; and a valve element that moves in response to rotation of the drive member.

2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1, further comprising an inner case integrally having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion, a disk-shaped bottom wall portion connected to a first end of the peripheral wall portion, and an annular portion whose inner peripheral edge is connected to a second end of the peripheral wall portion, the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion being joined to one end of the rotor case, the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion being arranged inside the magnet rotor, and the stator being arranged inside the peripheral wall portion.

3. The motor-operated valve according to claim 2, wherein the reduction gear mechanism has a first gear and an intermediate gear body, the first gear is fixed coaxially to the magnet rotor, the intermediate gear body has a second gear that meshes with the first gear and a third gear that is fixed coaxially to the second gear, and the drive member has a fourth gear that meshes with the third gear.

4. The motor-operated valve according to claim 3, wherein the drive member is arranged coaxially with the magnet rotor, the reduction gear mechanism further has a support member, a gear shaft, and a pin, the support member is arranged between the magnet rotor and the drive member, the gear shaft passes through the first gear, the bottom wall portion has a gear bearing that supports a first end of the gear shaft, the support member has a gear shaft hole that supports a second end of the gear shaft and a first pin hole that supports the first end of the pin, and the drive member has a second pin hole that supports the second end of the pin.

5. The motor-operated valve according to claim 4, wherein when the pin contacts the bottom surface of the first pin hole, the drive member is separated from the support member and movement of the drive member toward the support member is restricted.

6. The motor-operated valve according to claim 2, wherein the drive member is disposed coaxially with the magnet rotor, the reduction gear mechanism is a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a gear shaft, and a rotation output portion, the sun gear is fixed coaxially to the magnet rotor, the gear shaft passes through the sun gear, the rotation output portion is connected to the drive member, the bottom wall portion has a gear bearing that supports a first end of the gear shaft, and the drive member has a gear shaft hole that supports a second end of the gear shaft.

7. The motor-operated valve according to claim 6, wherein when the gear shaft contacts the bottom wall portion, the magnet rotor is separated from the bottom wall portion and movement of the drive member toward the bottom wall portion is restricted.

8. The motor-operated valve according to claim 6, wherein the reduction gear mechanism further comprises a fixed internal gear, a planetary gear, a carrier, and a rotating internal gear, wherein the fixed internal gear is fixed relative to the valve body, wherein the planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and the fixed internal gear, wherein the carrier rotatably supports the planetary gear, and wherein the rotating internal gear is the rotation output part and meshes with the planetary gear.

9. The motor-operated valve according to claim 6, wherein the reduction gear mechanism further comprises a fixed internal gear, a planetary gear, and a carrier, wherein the fixed internal gear is fixed relative to the valve body, the planetary gear meshes with the sun gear and the fixed internal gear, and the carrier is the rotation output part and rotatably supports the planetary gear.

10. A valve device comprising the motor-operated valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a flow path block having a mounting surface on which the motor-operated valve is disposed.

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