Electric valve and temperature adjustment system

Abstract

An electric valve 30 comprises: a valve main body 40 that has a valve chamber 42 and a valve port 44 connected to the valve chamber 42; a valve body 46 that moves with respect to the valve port 44; a drive device 50 that drives the valve body 46; an LED 90 that is attached to the valve main body 40; a motor driver 72, an angle sensor 78, and an RTC 86 that detect the state of the valve main body 40 or the drive device 50; and a control unit that controls the drive device 50 and the LED 90 on the basis of the detection results of the motor driver 72, the angle sensor 78, and the RTC 86, the control unit reporting that the electric valve 30 needs to be replaced by means of light emission from the LED 90.

Description

Electric valve and temperature control system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a motorized valve and a temperature adjustment system.

[0002] For example, an electric valve having a stator unit with an inner space in which a can is disposed is known, as disclosed in International Publication No. 2022 / 168651. In the electric valve of International Publication No. 2022 / 168651, the stator unit has a substrate that drives and controls a stepping motor.

[0003] Possible abnormalities that can occur in motor-operated valves include a loss of flow control capability due to component failure or a change in the number of drive pulses. However, these abnormalities are difficult to observe externally. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs, it is difficult for users of the motor-operated valve to identify the abnormality. In other words, it is difficult for users of temperature control systems to determine when the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a motor-operated valve that can notify a user that the motor-operated valve should be replaced when it is necessary to replace the motor-operated valve.

[0005] A first aspect of the motor-operated valve is an electric valve comprising: a valve body having a valve chamber and a valve port connected to the valve chamber; a valve element that moves relative to the valve port; a drive unit that drives the valve element; a light-emitting unit attached to the valve body; a detection unit that detects the state of the valve body or the drive unit; and a control unit that controls the drive unit and the light-emitting unit based on the detection results of the detection unit, and the control unit notifies the user that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced by emitting light from the light-emitting unit.

[0006] The motor-operated valve according to this aspect includes a light-emitting unit attached to the valve body, a detection unit that detects the state of the valve body or the drive unit, and a control unit that controls the drive unit and the light-emitting unit based on the detection results of the detection unit. The control unit also notifies the user that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced by emitting light from the light-emitting unit. Therefore, the motor-operated valve according to this aspect can notify the user that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced when it needs to be replaced.

[0007] A second aspect of the motor-operated valve is the motor-operated valve according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit keeps the light-emitting unit in a non-light-emitting state when replacement of the motor-operated valve is not required.

[0008] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, if replacement of the motor-operated valve is not required, the control unit keeps the light-emitting unit in a non-illuminating state. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the user can more easily recognize that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced, compared to when the control unit turns on the light-emitting unit before determining that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced.

[0009] The third aspect of the electric valve is the electric valve described in the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit stores the operating history of the drive device, and when a value representing the operating history exceeds a predetermined threshold, notifies the user that the electric valve needs to be replaced.

[0010] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the control unit stores the operation history of the drive unit, and when a value representing the operation history exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit notifies the user that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the user can be made aware of the manufacturer's recommended replacement timing for the motor-operated valve.

[0011] The fourth aspect of the electric valve is the electric valve described in the third aspect, wherein the control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light in different ways depending on whether it determines that the valve body or the drive device is prone to failure or whether it determines that a failure has occurred.

[0012] In the motor-operated valve according to this aspect, the control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light in different ways depending on whether the control unit determines that the valve body or the drive unit is prone to failure or has already failed. Therefore, the motor-operated valve according to this aspect can make the user aware of the degree to which the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced.

[0013] The temperature adjustment system of the fifth aspect includes a pump that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from a heat absorber to a heat radiator, an electric valve described in any one of the first to fourth aspects that controls the flow of the fluid, and a control device that sends a control command to the control unit of the electric valve by operation of a user.

[0014] The temperature adjustment system according to this aspect includes a pump that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from a heat absorber to a heat radiator, and the motor-operated valve according to any one of the first to fourth aspects that controls the flow of the fluid. The temperature adjustment system according to this aspect also includes a control device that transmits a control command to a control unit of the motor-operated valve in response to a user's operation. Therefore, the temperature adjustment system according to this aspect allows a user to recognize the need for replacement of the motor-operated valve when they observe the appearance of the motor-operated valve.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a motor-operated valve that can notify a user that the motor-operated valve should be replaced when the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a chiller unit having a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a motor-operated valve according to the embodiment, showing a front cross-sectional view of the motor-operated valve; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a motor-operated valve according to the embodiment, showing a plan view of the motor-operated valve; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the motor-operated valve according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a procedure by which a control unit of the motor-operated valve operates; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a motor-operated valve according to a modified example of the embodiment, showing a front cross-sectional view of the motor-operated valve; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a motor-operated valve according to a modified example of the embodiment, showing a right side view of the motor-operated valve.

[0017] This embodiment will be described below. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between thickness and planar dimensions, the thickness ratio of each device or member, etc., differ from the actual ones. Therefore, specific thicknesses and dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios are included among the drawings.

[0018] 1 shows a chiller unit 10 having a cooling system 12 according to this embodiment. The chiller unit 10 has the cooling system 12 and a cooling water circuit 14.

[0019] The cooling system 12 is an example of a "temperature adjustment system" in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling system 12 includes a control device 22, an electric valve 30, an evaporator 18, a compressor 26, and a condenser 16. The electric valve 30, the evaporator 18, the compressor 26, and the condenser 16 are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe 20. A refrigerant, which is an example of a fluid in this embodiment, is placed inside the refrigerant pipe 20.

[0020] The compressor 26 is an example of a "pump" in this embodiment and is a device that compresses a gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 26 flows into the condenser 16, which is an example of a "heat radiator" in this embodiment, and is liquefied while being cooled by the fan 24. The liquefied refrigerant flows into the motor-operated valve 30.

[0021] The flow of the liquefied refrigerant is controlled by the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, the pressure or flow rate of the refrigerant is adjusted by the motor-operated valve 30 as described below, and the refrigerant flows out. The specific configuration of the motor-operated valve 30 will be described later.

[0022] The refrigerant that flows out from the motor-operated valve 30 flows into the evaporator 18, which is an example of a "heat absorber" in this embodiment, and evaporates by absorbing thermal energy from the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit 14, as described below. The refrigerant that has absorbed thermal energy flows back into the compressor 26 and is compressed, thereby obtaining the refrigeration cycle of the cooling system 12 of the chiller unit 10 according to this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water circuit 14 includes a cooling water pipe, a liquid pump 28 that causes cooling water to flow through the cooling water pipe, and a water tank WT.

[0024] The cooling water piping is piping through which cooling water flows to cool a cooling object (not shown) that is located outside the chiller unit 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling water piping is connected to an outlet through which cooling water flows out of the chiller unit 10 and an inlet through which cooling water flows into the chiller unit 10. The cooling water piping also connects the evaporator 18, the water tank WT, and the pump.

[0025] The cooling water, whose temperature has increased by cooling the object to be cooled, flows through the cooling water piping into the evaporator 18 of the cooling system 12. The cooling water that flows into the evaporator 18 is cooled as described above, flows out, and is stored in the water tank WT. The cooling water is then flowed out of the water tank WT again by the liquid supply pump 28 to the outside of the chiller unit 10.

[0026] Next, the motor-operated valve 30 and the control device 22 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 shows a front cross-sectional view of the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment, and Figure 4 shows the motor-operated valve 30 and the control device 22 in this embodiment.

[0027] 2 and 3 , the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment includes a valve body 40, a can 36, a valve element 46, a drive unit 50, a control unit 70, and an LED 90. The drive unit 50 includes a rotor 52, a stator 56, and a valve element lifting / lowering drive mechanism 54.

[0028] (Valve body 40) The valve body 40 is a cylindrical member with a bottom and an open top. The valve body 40 has a valve chamber 42 and a valve port 44. A valve seat 48 is formed on the upper surface of the valve port 44, with which the valve element 46 comes into contact, as will be described later. A drive unit 50 is inserted into the valve chamber 42 from the top of the valve body 40, as will be described later.

[0029] A first inlet / outlet 32 ​​made up of a pipe joint is joined to the left side of the valve chamber 42 of the valve body 40 in the drawing. Similarly, a second inlet / outlet 34 made up of a pipe joint is joined to the lower side of the valve chamber 42 of the valve body 40 in the drawing.

[0030] (Can 36) The can 36 is a cylindrical member with a bottom. The opening side of the can 36 faces downward in the figure and is joined to the valve body 40, thereby sealing the top surface of the valve body 40. Inside the can 36, there are disposed a disk body that is fixed by being fitted into the inner wall surface of the can 36, and a shaft body 52S that is joined at one end to the disk body and extends in the vertical direction in the figure.

[0031] (Rotor 52) The rotor 52 has a cylindrical magnet, and is rotatably disposed inside the can 36 by a shaft 52S, so that it can rotate above the valve chamber 42 in the drawing. The lower part of the rotor 52 is joined to a valve element lifting / lowering drive mechanism 54.

[0032] (Valve element lifting drive mechanism 54) The valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 is a mechanism for lifting and lowering the valve element 46. More specifically, the valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 has a feed screw mechanism 54F, which converts the rotation of the rotor 52 into the vertical direction in the drawing. The feed screw mechanism 54F has a lower portion located inside the valve chamber 42. The feed screw mechanism 54F is also arranged so that its lower portion contacts the valve element 46. When the rotor 52 rotates, the valve element lifting drive mechanism 54 drives the valve element 46 in the vertical direction in the drawing.

[0033] (Valve Disk 46) As shown in the figure, the valve disk 46 is a component disposed inside the valve chamber 42, and moves relative to the valve port 44 by the operation of the valve disk lifting drive mechanism 54 described above. As shown in the figure, the valve disk 46 comes into contact with the valve seat 48 in the valve port 44 to close the valve port 44. As the valve disk 46 moves away from the valve port 44, the refrigerant flows through the valve port 44. The flow of the refrigerant is adjusted by the distance between the valve disk 46 and the valve port 44.

[0034] (Stator 56) The stator 56 is disposed on the outer periphery of the can 36, i.e., on the outside of the can 36. The stator 56 includes a yoke, a bobbin, a coil 58, a resin mold, and the like. A pulse current is applied to the coil 58 of the stator 56 from the control unit 70. The stator 56 and the rotor 52 form a stepping motor. In other words, the stator 56 drives the rotor 52 to rotate, thereby driving the valve body 46.

[0035] (Control Unit 70) As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 70 has a regulator 74, a communication unit 76, a microcomputer 80, an angle sensor 78, and a motor driver 72.

[0036] The regulator 74 is connected to the power supply Vcc and the ground Gnd as shown in FIG. 4, and serves as the power supply Vdd that operates the control unit 70 .

[0037] The communication unit 76 is a component for communicating with other devices such as the control device 22. Specifically, the communication unit 76 communicates with other devices using communication means such as wired, wireless, the Internet, an intranet, or a public line such as a telephone line. Note that the communication means may also be communication means using sound, light, vibration, image, or the like.

[0038] The microcomputer 80 is a device that controls each part of the control unit 70. The microcomputer 80 has the functions of a computer and, as shown in Fig. 4, has a CPU 81 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 82 (Random Access Memory), a flash memory 83, an AD converter 84, an I / O interface 85, and an RTC 86 (Real-Time Clock). The CPU 81, RAM 82, flash memory 83, AD converter 84, I / O interface 85, and RTC 86 are each connected to one another by a control bus (not shown).

[0039] The CPU 81 is a central processing unit that executes various programs stored in the flash memory 83 and controls each component. The RAM 82 temporarily stores programs or data as a work area. The AD converter 84 communicates with the motor driver 72, converts analog signals received from the angle sensor 78 into digital signals, and stores the digital signals in the RAM 82. The RTC 86 is a component that continuously measures time and transmits a time signal indicating the time at which the signal was transmitted to the CPU 81. The RTC 86 measures the time elapsed since the motor-operated valve 30 was first used by integrating a clock signal (not shown). The RTC 86 integrating and measuring the clock signal is an example of "storing the operation history of the drive device 50" in this embodiment. The time elapsed since the motor-operated valve 30 was first used is an example of "a value representing the operation history" in this embodiment.

[0040] The flash memory 83 is an example of a "non-volatile memory" in this embodiment and stores various programs and data. More specifically, the flash memory 83 stores predetermined "first threshold," "second threshold," and "third threshold" values ​​that are referenced in the control procedure described below. The flash memory 83 also records the number of times the motor-operated valve 30 has been driven, in other words, the number of times the rotor 52 has been rotated in response to a control command received from the control device 22. In this embodiment, the number of times the control unit 70 has rotated the rotor 52 is an example of the "number of processes for driving the valve element 46" in this embodiment. The flash memory 83 also records past measured values ​​measured in the procedure for predicting the possibility of a failure described below.

[0041] The angle sensor 78 is a so-called Hall sensor that detects the amount of rotation (the angle of rotation including the direction of rotation) of the rotor 52. The detected amount of rotation of the rotor 52 is stored as data in the RAM 82 by the AD converter 84 of the microcomputer 80, as described above.

[0042] The motor driver 72 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 80 and the stator 56, and is a component that converts a control signal for the stator 56 received from the microcomputer 80 into a pulse signal and transmits it to the stator 56. The motor driver 72 is also capable of measuring parameters such as voltage and current of the pulse signal supplied to the stator 56 through the microcomputer 80. More specifically, the motor driver 72 is capable of measuring the back electromotive force generated when a pulse current is passed through the stator 56, as well as a current value according to the rotational torque of the rotor 52, which corresponds to the mechanical resistance when the valve element 46 is driven.

[0043] That is, the measurement of the pulse signal supplied to the stator 56 by the motor driver 72 corresponds to the "detection unit" in this embodiment. The voltage, current, and other values ​​measured by the microcomputer 80 are an example of the "detection result" in this embodiment.

[0044] The time signal from the RTC 86, i.e., the signal relating to the time the motor-operated valve 30 has been in use, and the amount of rotation of the rotor 52 measured by the angle sensor 78 are other examples of the "detection result" in this embodiment. In other words, the RTC 86 and the angle sensor 78 are other examples of the "detection unit" in this embodiment. The measurement intervals for these components are not particularly limited.

[0045] In this embodiment, the specific configuration of the control unit 70 is not limited to the above. That is, each of the above-described components may be provided as so-called hardware, or may be provided as software that functions when the microcomputer 80 executes a program.

[0046] The LED 90 is an example of a "light-emitting unit" in this embodiment. The LED 90 is attached to the valve body 40 together with the stator 56, the control unit 70, and the like. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the LED 90 is disposed inside a case that covers the stator 56, but is visible to the user through a window opened in the case. More specifically, the LED 90 is visible from above when the motor-operated valve 30 is in use.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 70 is disposed adjacent to the stator 56 as shown in FIG.

[0048] (Control device 22) The control device 22 is a device that has an input unit 22I that accepts user operations, an indication unit 22O that presents the status of the chiller unit 10 to the user, and a control unit (not shown). The control device 22 is also a device that transmits control commands to the motor-operated valve 30 in response to user operations input to the input unit 22I. The input unit 22I and the indication unit 22O may have any configuration, but as an example, a touch panel is used to serve the functions of both components.

[0049] In addition, the control unit 70 of the control device 22 sends a control command to the electric valve 30 based on the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit 14 measured by a sensor not shown in the figure so that the temperature of the cooling water becomes the set value input by user operation.

[0050] For example, when the temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit 14 is higher than a set value, the control device 22 sends a control command to the control unit 70 to increase the cooling capacity of the evaporator 18. The control device 22 includes the distance (coordinate value) of the motor-operated valve 30 from the valve orifice 44 in the control command to increase the opening degree (the distance between the valve orifice 44 and the valve element 46) of the motor-operated valve 30. Furthermore, based on the received control command, the control unit 70 sends a pulse signal to the stator 56 to drive the valve element 46 so that the position of the valve element 46 matches the coordinate value.

[0051] In a cooling system 12 incorporating an electric valve 30, there comes a time when the electric valve 30 needs to be replaced. For example, the feed screw mechanism 54F that drives the valve element 46 of the electric valve 30 wears with use of the electric valve 30, making it necessary to increase the rotational torque that rotates the rotor 52. In other words, wear in the feed screw mechanism 54F can increase the rotational torque required to drive the valve element 46, i.e., mechanical resistance. In such cases, mechanical resistance is likely to increase gradually.

[0052] If the rotor 52 becomes unable to rotate due to the increased mechanical resistance, it will lose its ability to drive the valve element 46. In this state, the motor-operated valve 30 will no longer function as a component of the cooling system 12, so it is desirable to replace the motor-operated valve 30 when it has been used more than an appropriate number of times (for example, a predetermined number of times set by the manufacturer of the motor-operated valve 30). In other words, when the number of times the motor-operated valve 30 has been used exceeds the predetermined number of times set by the manufacturer of the motor-operated valve 30, the motor-operated valve 30 is prone to malfunction.

[0053] The procedure for notifying that the motor-operated valve 30 according to this embodiment needs to be replaced will now be described with reference to FIG. 5 . This procedure is executed by the microcomputer 80 by reading a program (not shown) stored in the flash memory 83. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 80 executes this procedure from the start of the motor-operated valve 30 (when the motor-operated valve 30 is connected to the power supply Vcc). At the start of the procedure for notifying that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced, the LED 90 is turned off. In other words, at the start of the procedure for notifying that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced, the microcomputer 80 causes the LED 90 to be in a non-illuminating state.

[0054] (Procedure for notifying that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced) First, in step S102, the microcomputer 80 measures the condition of the motor-operated valve 30. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 obtains the number of times the rotor 52 has rotated from the flash memory 83 and obtains the current time from the RTC 86. Regarding mechanical resistance, the microcomputer 80 moves the valve disc 46 a predetermined distance and measures the power consumed in moving the valve disc 46, i.e., the pulse current. Then, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S102.

[0055] Next, in step S104, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the motor-operated valve 30 is malfunctioning. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the measured value of the mechanical resistance measured in step S102 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. If the measured value of the mechanical resistance exceeds the predetermined threshold value in step S104, the microcomputer 80 makes a positive determination. If the determination in step S104 is not a positive determination, the microcomputer 80 makes a negative determination.

[0056] If the microcomputer 80 makes a positive determination in step S104, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 80 makes a negative determination in step S104, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0057] Next, in step S106, the microcomputer 80 notifies the user of the malfunction by illuminating the LED 90. More specifically, in step S106, the microcomputer 80 turns on the LED 90, i.e., keeps the LED 90 illuminated. The microcomputer 80 then proceeds to step S102.

[0058] In step S108, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the usage time of the motor-operated valve 30 exceeds a predetermined period. More specifically, the microcomputer 80 determines whether the period elapsed from the time when use of the motor-operated valve 30 began to the current time measured in step S102 exceeds a predetermined period. In step S108, the microcomputer 80 makes a positive determination if the period elapsed from the time when use of the motor-operated valve 30 began to the current time exceeds the predetermined period. In step S108, the microcomputer 80 makes a negative determination if the determination is not positive. The predetermined period is an example of a "predetermined threshold" in this embodiment. In other words, if the period elapsed from the time when use of the motor-operated valve 30 began to the current time exceeds a predetermined period, this is an example of "if a value representing the operation history exceeds a predetermined threshold" in this embodiment.

[0059] If the microcomputer 80 determines in step S108 that the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 80 determines in step S108 that the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0060] Next, in step S110, the microcomputer 80 notifies the user that the usage time has exceeded a predetermined period by illuminating the LED 90. More specifically, in step S106, the microcomputer 80 causes the LED 90 to blink, i.e., alternately illuminating and extinguishing the LED 90. The microcomputer 80 then proceeds to step S102.

[0061] In step S112, the microcomputer 80 determines whether to continue the procedure for notifying the user that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced. If the determination in step S112 is affirmative, the microcomputer 80 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if the determination in step S112 is negative, the microcomputer 80 ends the procedure for notifying the user that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced.

[0062] In this way, in the motor-operated valve 30 of this embodiment, the control unit 70 determines the possibility of a malfunction based on the mechanical resistance or the usage time of the motor-operated valve 30. Furthermore, as shown in steps S106 and S110, the motor-operated valve 30 illuminates the LED 90 in different ways depending on whether a malfunction has occurred or whether a malfunction is likely to occur. Note that illuminating the LED 90 is an example of "notifying" in this embodiment.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described procedure, if the motor-operated valve 30 is in a state where the process should proceed to step S110, the microcomputer 80 will again make a positive determination in step S108 after proceeding to step S102. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the process proceeds to step S110, the microcomputer 80 will not transition the LED 90 to a non-light-emitting state. Similarly, if the motor-operated valve 30 is in a state where the process should proceed to step S106, the microcomputer 80 will again make a positive determination in step S104 after proceeding to step S102. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the process proceeds to step S106, the microcomputer 80 will not transition the LED 90 to a non-light-emitting state.

[0064] It is possible that the motor-operated valve 30 may transition from a state in which the process proceeds to step S110 to a state in which the process proceeds to step S106, i.e., from a state in which a failure is likely to occur to a state in which the motor-operated valve 30 has failed. In other words, the user can recognize the extent to which the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced by checking the state of light emission of the LED 90.

[0065] In the above-described procedure, the mechanical resistance and the operating time of the motor-operated valve 30 are detected to detect the possibility of a malfunction. However, this is not limited to this, and the possibility of a malfunction may be detected based on other parameters. For example, the back electromotive force generated in the coil 58 of the stator 56 may be measured to detect aging deterioration of the coil 58. Other parameters include the cumulative number of pulses that the coil 58 of the stator 56 uses to drive the valve disc 46 and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the valve body 40. These parameters are all examples of the "detection results of the detection unit" in this embodiment. The state of the drive device 50 is detected based on the measured values ​​of these parameters. Furthermore, even if an abnormality occurs in the valve body 40 (e.g., deformation of the valve port 44), the abnormality is detected based on the measured values.

[0066] Next, the operation and effect of the motor-operated valve 30 in this embodiment will be described.

[0067] (Operations and Effects) The motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect includes an LED 90 attached to the valve body 40. In addition, the motor driver 72 and angle sensor 78 of the motor-operated valve 30 measure the state of the valve body 40 or the drive unit 50. The control unit 70 includes a microcomputer 80 that controls the drive unit 50 and the LED 90 based on the measurement results. The microcomputer 80 also notifies the user that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced by illuminating the LED 90. Therefore, the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect can make the user aware that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced when it needs to be replaced.

[0068] Furthermore, in the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, if replacement of the motor-operated valve 30 is not required, the microcomputer 80 keeps the LED 90 in a non-illuminating state. Therefore, with the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, the user can more easily recognize that replacement of the motor-operated valve 30 is required, compared to a case in which the LED 90 is illuminated before the microcomputer 80 determines that replacement of the motor-operated valve 30 is required.

[0069] Furthermore, in the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, when the period of time that has elapsed from the time that use of the motor-operated valve 30 began to the current time measured in step S102 exceeds a predetermined period of time, the microcomputer 80 notifies the user that the motor-operated valve 30 needs to be replaced. Therefore, the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect can make the user aware of the manufacturer-recommended replacement time for the motor-operated valve 30.

[0070] Furthermore, in the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect, the microcomputer 80 causes the LED 90 to emit light in different ways depending on whether it is determined that the valve body 40 or the drive device 50 is prone to failure or has already failed. Therefore, the motor-operated valve 30 according to this aspect can make the user aware of the degree of necessity for replacing the motor-operated valve 30, i.e., whether the motor-operated valve 30 should be replaced immediately or whether it is sufficient to simply prepare for replacement of the motor-operated valve 30.

[0071] The cooling system 12 according to this embodiment also includes a compressor 26 that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from the evaporator 18 to the condenser 16, and an electric valve 30 that controls the flow of the fluid. The cooling system 12 according to this embodiment also includes a control device 22 that sends a control command to a control unit 70 of the electric valve 30 in response to a user's operation. Therefore, the cooling system 12 according to this embodiment allows a user to recognize the need to replace the electric valve 30 when they observe the appearance of the electric valve 30.

[0072] (Modification) In the above description, the LED 90 is visible from above when the motor-operated valve 30 is in use. However, the arrangement of the LED 90 in the motor-operated valve 30 of this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0073] 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating a motor-operated valve 130 according to a modified example of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the motor-operated valve 130, and Fig. 7 is a right side view of the motor-operated valve 130.

[0074] 6 and 7, in the motor-operated valve 130 of this modified example, the LED 190 is also attached to the valve body 40 together with the stator 56 and the control unit 70. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the LED 190 is disposed inside a case that covers the stator 56, but when the motor-operated valve 30 is in use, the LED 190 is visible from the right side when viewed from the front.

[0075] Other configurations and arrangements are the same as those of the motor-operated valve 30 in the embodiment. That is, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the arrangement of the LEDs 190 can be set arbitrarily as long as they are visible to the user.

[0076] Furthermore, the motor-operated valve 130 of this modified example can achieve the same functions and effects as the motor-operated valve 30 of this embodiment.

[0077] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0078] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-134461, filed on August 9, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and herein indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An electrically operated valve comprising: a valve body having a valve chamber and a valve port connected to the valve chamber; a valve element that moves relative to the valve port; a drive unit that drives the valve element; a light-emitting unit attached to the valve body; a detection unit that detects the state of the valve body or the drive unit; and a control unit that controls the drive unit and the light-emitting unit based on the detection results of the detection unit, wherein the control unit notifies that the electrically operated valve needs to be replaced by emitting light from the light-emitting unit.

2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1, wherein the control unit keeps the light-emitting unit in a non-light-emitting state when replacement of the motor-operated valve is not required.

3. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the operation history of the drive device and, when a value representing the operation history exceeds a predetermined threshold, issues a notification that the motor-operated valve needs to be replaced.

4. The motor-operated valve according to claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light in different ways depending on whether it determines that the valve body or the drive device is prone to failure or whether it determines that a failure has occurred.

5. A temperature adjustment system comprising: a pump that circulates a fluid that transfers thermal energy from a heat sink to a heat radiator; an electric valve described in any one of claims 1 to 4 that controls the flow of the fluid; and a control device that transmits a control command to the control unit of the electric valve in response to a user's operation.

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