Electric valve

Abstract

An electric valve. The electric valve comprises a valve body (1), a moving member (2) and a movable structure (3), wherein the movable structure (3) comprises a movable member (31) sleeved over the moving member (2); a valve cavity (10) is formed inside the valve body (1), and the valve body (1) is provided with a first valve port (1021); the movable structure (3) is located in the valve cavity (10); one of the moving member (2) and the movable member (31) is provided with a helical sliding groove (311), and the other of the moving member (2) and the movable member (31) is provided with a sliding member (21) positioned in the sliding groove (311); the movable structure (3) is circumferentially limited and axially slidable, and the moving member (2) is axially limited and circumferentially rotatable; and the moving member (2) can drive the movable structure (3) to close or open the first valve port (1021).

Description

electric valve

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on October 29, 2024, application number 202422638873.7, entitled "Electric Valve", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to an electric valve. Background Technology

[0004] Related electric valves are used to control the connection or disconnection of pipelines, thereby changing the direction of fluid movement or the fluid flow rate.

[0005] In current electric valves, the axial movement of moving parts is achieved through thread transmission. However, due to the limitation of the outer diameter of the thread, the pitch is small, resulting in low transmission efficiency, which cannot meet the needs of products with high transmission efficiency requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to various embodiments of this application, an electric valve is provided.

[0007] This application provides an electric valve, which includes a valve body, a moving part, and a movable structure. The movable structure includes a movable member disposed inside and outside the moving part. The valve body defines a valve cavity, and the valve body has a first valve port communicating with the valve cavity. The movable structure and the moving part are at least partially located within the valve cavity. A spiral groove is formed on the peripheral wall of one of the moving part and the movable member. The other of the moving part and the movable member is provided with a sliding member located within the groove. The movable structure is arranged to be circumferentially limited and axially slidable, and the moving part is arranged to be axially limited and circumferentially rotatable. When the moving part rotates, it drives the movable structure to move towards the first valve port to close the first valve port, or to move away from the first valve port to open the first valve port.

[0008] In one embodiment, the moving component is a rotating rod, the movable component is a movable sleeve fitted around the rotating rod, and the movable structure further includes a piston for opening and closing the first valve port, the piston being connected to the movable sleeve.

[0009] In one embodiment, the slider is disposed on the rotating rod, and the groove is located on the movable sleeve.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sliding member is a pin, and the rotating rod has a socket that engages with the pin.

[0011] In one embodiment, there are two slides, which are staggered in the circumferential direction of the movable sleeve, and the two ends of the pin are respectively located in the two slides.

[0012] In one embodiment, a partition is provided inside the valve cavity, dividing the valve cavity into a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. The first valve chamber and the second valve chamber are arranged sequentially along the movement direction of the movable structure. A second valve port is provided on the partition to connect the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber. The first valve port is located on the side wall of the second valve chamber and is arranged opposite to the second valve port. The piston is located inside the second valve chamber, and a connecting rod is provided on the piston that passes through the second valve port. The part of the connecting rod inside the first valve chamber is connected to the movable sleeve. When the first valve port is blocked by the piston, the second valve port is in an open state. When the second valve port is blocked by the piston, the first valve port is in an open state.

[0013] In one embodiment, the side wall of the first valve chamber is provided with a first connecting pipe hole that extends along its own wall thickness, and the side wall of the second valve chamber is provided with a second connecting pipe hole that extends along its own wall thickness. When the first valve port is in the open state, the second connecting pipe hole is connected to the first valve port; when the second valve port is in the open state, the first connecting pipe hole is connected to the second connecting pipe hole through the second valve port.

[0014] In one embodiment, the end walls at both ends of the slide are defined as groove end walls, and when the first valve port or the second valve port is in the closed state, a gap is left between the sliding member and the corresponding groove end wall.

[0015] In one embodiment, the movable structure further includes a valve sleeve sleeved around the movable rod, the connecting rod being fixedly connected to the valve sleeve, a limiting cavity being formed inside the valve sleeve, and one end of the movable sleeve near the second valve port being constrained within the limiting cavity.

[0016] In one embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve is provided with a flange, and a first spring and a second spring are provided in the limiting cavity, with the flange located between the first spring and the second spring.

[0017] In one embodiment, the device further includes a receiving cavity, which is at least partially located within the valve cavity, and both the movable and the moving member are located within the receiving cavity.

[0018] In one embodiment, a sleeve is provided inside the valve cavity and is fitted around the movable sleeve, and a limiting structure is provided between the sleeve and the movable sleeve to restrict the circumferential rotation of the movable sleeve.

[0019] In one embodiment, the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve includes a first plane extending along the direction of movement of the movable sleeve, and the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve has a second plane parallel to the first plane at a position corresponding to the first plane, and the limiting structure includes the first plane and the second plane.

[0020] In one embodiment, there are two first planes, which are arranged at circumferential intervals along the sleeve, and each first plane corresponds to a second plane.

[0021] Details of one or more embodiments of this application are set forth in the following drawings and description. Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To better describe and illustrate embodiments and / or examples of the inventions disclosed herein, reference may be made to one or more accompanying drawings. Additional details or examples used to describe the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of any of the disclosed inventions, the currently described embodiments and / or examples, or the best mode of these inventions as currently understood.

[0023] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application in the state of closing the first valve port.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application in the state of closing the second valve port.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the rotating rod and the movable structure in an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating rod of an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the movable sleeve in an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 6 is a top view of the sleeve in an electric valve according to an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 7 is a partial structural diagram of the electric valve after the rotating rod and movable assembly shown in Figure 1 are assembled.

[0030] Figure 8 is a partial structural diagram of the electric valve after the rotating rod and movable assembly shown in Figure 2 are assembled.

[0031] Reference numerals: 1. Valve body; 10. Valve cavity; 101. First valve chamber; 1011. First connecting pipe hole; 102. Second valve chamber; 1021. First valve port; 1022. Second connecting pipe hole; 11. Valve shell; 12. Valve cover; 121. Receiving cavity; 13. Partition; 131. Second valve port; 2. Moving part; 21. Sliding part; 22. Insertion hole; 3. Movable structure; 31. Movable part; 311. Slide groove; 311a. Upper groove end wall 311b, Lower groove end wall; 3111, First slide section; 3112, Second slide section; 3113, First slide rail; 3114, Second slide rail; 3115, Gap; 312, Second plane; 313, Flange; 32, Piston; 33, Connecting rod; 331, Insertion part; 34, Valve sleeve; 35, Limiting cavity; 36, First spring; 37, Second spring; 38, Sealing ring; 4, Sleeve; 41, First plane; 5, Limiting structure. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0033] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] To address the problem of low transmission efficiency, please refer to Figures 1 to 8. This application provides an electric valve including a valve body 1, a moving component 2, and a movable structure 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the interior of the valve body 1 defines a valve cavity 10. The valve body 1 has a first valve port 1021 at a position corresponding to the valve cavity 10, communicating with the valve cavity 10.

[0038] Define the vertical direction as the X direction.

[0039] The valve body 1 can be arranged along the X direction, or along the front-back direction or the left-right direction. The following explanation uses the arrangement of the valve body 1 along the X direction as an example.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the valve body 1 includes a valve housing 11 and a valve cover 12. The valve housing 11 has an open top, and the valve cover 12 seals the open top of the valve housing 11, forming a valve cavity 10 together with the valve housing 11. The interior of the valve cover 12 defines a receiving cavity 121, which is at least partially located within the valve cavity 10.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the movable structure 3 includes a movable component 31, a piston 32, and a valve sleeve 34. The movable component 31 is sleeved outside the moving component 2, and both are located within the accommodating cavity 121. A spiral groove 311 is formed on the peripheral wall of one of the moving component 2 and the movable component 3, and a sliding component 21 is provided within the groove 311 of the other moving component 2 and the movable structure 3. The movable structure 3 is arranged to be circumferentially limited and axially slidable, meaning that the movable structure 3 cannot rotate around its central axis but can slide along the axis. The moving component 2 is arranged to be axially limited and circumferentially rotatable, meaning that the moving component 2 cannot move axially but can rotate around its central axis. Specifically, the moving component 2 is rotatably connected to the valve cover 12 via a bearing component, which axially limits the moving component 2, preventing it from moving axially. When the moving part 2 rotates, the moving part drives the movable structure 3 to move along the vertical direction toward the first valve port 1021 to close the first valve port 1021, or the moving part drives the movable structure 3 to move away from the first valve port 1021 to open the first valve port 1021.

[0042] The spiral groove 311 increases the pitch, improves the stroke and transmission efficiency.

[0043] There are multiple ways to drive the rotation of the moving part 2. It can be driven directly by a motor or by a combination of a motor and a transmission structure. As long as the rotation of the moving part 2 can be achieved, it will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the moving part 2 is a rotating rod, and the movable part 31 is a movable sleeve fitted around the rotating rod. The piston 32 is connected to the movable sleeve to open and close the first valve port 1021. In this embodiment, the sliding part 21 is provided on the rotating rod, and the sliding groove 311 is located on the movable sleeve. There are various structures and arrangements of the sliding part 21. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sliding part 21 is a pin, and the rotating rod has a insertion hole 22 for insertion and engagement with the pin. In another embodiment, the sliding part 21 is a protrusion integrally formed on the rotating rod.

[0045] In another embodiment, the slider 21 is disposed on the movable sleeve, while the groove 311 is located on the rotating rod. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the movable member 31 is a rod, and the moving member 2 is a rotating sleeve fitted around the rod; in this case, the piston 32 is connected to the rod. In this embodiment, the slider 21 is located on the rod, and the groove 311 is located on the rotating sleeve. Alternatively, the slider 21 can be located on the rotating sleeve, while the groove 311 is located on the rotating rod.

[0046] It is understandable that when the moving part 2 rotates, it will drive the moving structure 3 to move as a whole through the cooperation of the spiral groove 311 and the sliding part 21. When the moving structure 3 moves, it will open or close the first valve port 1021 through the piston 32.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, a sleeve 4 is provided inside the accommodating cavity 121, which is fitted around the movable sleeve. A limiting structure 5 is provided between the sleeve 4 and the movable sleeve to restrict the circumferential rotation of the movable sleeve. The valve sleeve 34 and the sleeve 4 are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the rotating rod.

[0048] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG6, the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve 4 has a first plane 41 extending along the movement direction of the movable sleeve, and the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve has a second plane 312 parallel to the first plane 41 at a position corresponding to the first plane 41. The aforementioned limiting structure 5 includes the aforementioned first plane 41 and second plane 312. Specifically, there are two first planes 41, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the sleeve 4, and each first plane 41 corresponds to one second plane 312. The presence of the two first planes 41 not only restricts the circumferential rotation of the movable sleeve, but also provides better guidance for the movable sleeve when it moves along its own axial direction.

[0049] In addition, the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve 4 includes a first non-circular surface, such as the cross-section of the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve 4 being non-circular. The first non-circular surface extends along the length direction of the sleeve 4, while the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve has a second non-circular surface that matches the first non-circular surface. In another embodiment, the limiting structure 5 includes the aforementioned first non-circular surface and second non-circular surface.

[0050] The electric valves mentioned above can be three-way valves, four-way valves, or five-way valves, etc. The following explanation uses a three-way valve as an example.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a partition 13 is provided inside the valve chamber 10, dividing the valve chamber 10 into a first valve chamber 101 and a second valve chamber 102. The first valve chamber 101 and the second valve chamber 102 are arranged sequentially along the movement direction of the movable structure 3, that is, the first valve chamber 101 and the second valve chamber 102 are arranged along the X direction. The aforementioned accommodating cavity 121 is partially located inside the first valve chamber 101. A second valve port 131 communicating between the first valve chamber 101 and the second valve chamber 102 is provided on the partition 13. The first valve port 1021 is located on the side wall of the second valve chamber 102 and is arranged opposite to the second valve port 131. In this embodiment, the first valve port 1021 is located on the bottom wall of the second valve chamber 102 and is located below the second valve port 131.

[0052] Furthermore, the first valve chamber 101 has a first connecting hole 1011 extending along its own wall thickness on its side wall, and the second valve chamber 102 has a second connecting hole 1022 extending along its own wall thickness on its side wall. In one embodiment, the first connecting hole 1011 and the second connecting hole 1022 are arranged opposite to each other. In another embodiment, the first connecting hole 1011 and the second connecting hole 1022 are arranged on the same side. As shown in FIG2, when the first valve port 1021 is in the open state, the second connecting hole 1022 is connected to the first valve port 1021. As shown in FIG1, when the second valve port 131 is in the open state, the first connecting hole 1011 is connected to the second connecting hole 1022 through the second valve port 131.

[0053] The inner end walls at both ends of the slide groove 311 are defined as groove end walls. When the first valve port 1021 or the second valve port 131 is closed, a gap 3115 is left between the pin and the corresponding groove end wall. The two groove end walls of the slide groove 311 along the X direction are defined as the upper groove end wall 311a and the lower groove end wall 311b, respectively. In this embodiment, there are two slide grooves 311, which are defined as the first slide groove and the second slide groove. The first slide groove includes a first sliding section 3111 and a second sliding section 3112 arranged along the X direction, and the second slide groove includes a first sliding track 3113 and a second sliding track 3114 arranged sequentially along the X direction. Along the X direction, a portion of the first sliding track 3113 is located between the first sliding section 3111 and the second sliding section 3112. With this arrangement, the two slide grooves 311 are staggered in the circumferential direction of the movable sleeve and staggered in the axial direction of the movable sleeve.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, when the first valve port 1021 is closed, one end of the pin is located in the second slide groove, and the other end of the pin has a gap with the lower end wall 311b of the first slide groove. As shown in Figure 8, when the second valve port 131 is closed, one end of the pin is located in the first slide groove, and the other end of the pin has a gap with the upper end wall 311a of the second slide groove. That is, both ends of the pin are located in the two slide grooves 311 respectively. The existence of the above gaps prevents the sliding member 21 from contacting the lower end wall 311b of the first slide groove or the upper end wall 311a of the second slide groove and stopping its sliding when it slides with the slide groove 311, thus affecting the closing of the first valve port 1021 and the second valve port 131 and causing the valves to not close tightly.

[0055] It is understandable that during the rotation of the aforementioned rotating rod, the movement of the movable structure 3 is made more stable and reliable by the sliding engagement between the two ends of the pin and the corresponding slide grooves 311.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the piston 32 is located in the second valve chamber 102, and a connecting rod 33 is provided on the piston 32 and passes through the second valve port 131. The part of the connecting rod 33 located in the first valve chamber 101 is connected to the movable sleeve. When the second valve port 131 is blocked by the piston 32, the first valve port 1021 is in the open state; when the first valve port 1021 is blocked by the piston 32, the second valve port 131 is in the open state.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the valve sleeve 34 is located within the accommodating cavity 121, below the sliding groove 311, and sleeved around the periphery of the movable rod. The connecting rod 33 is fixedly connected to the valve sleeve 34, and a limiting cavity 35 is formed within the valve sleeve 34. In this embodiment, the connecting rod 33 is provided with an insertion part 331 embedded within the valve sleeve 34. The insertion part 331 and the valve sleeve 34 together enclose the limiting cavity 35, and the end of the movable sleeve near the second valve port 131 is constrained within the limiting cavity 35. This arrangement achieves the connection between the connecting rod 33 and the movable sleeve.

[0058] Furthermore, a first spring 36 and a second spring 37 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom within the limiting cavity 35, both of which are sleeved around the outer periphery of the rotating rod. A flange 313 protrudes from the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve, located between the first spring 36 and the second spring 37. In one embodiment, there are at least two flanges 313, spaced apart along the circumference of the movable sleeve. In this embodiment, the flange 313 is an annular flange extending circumferentially along the movable sleeve. It is understood that the first spring 36 and the second spring 37 prevent direct hard impact contact between the movable sleeve and the valve sleeve 34 and the insertion portion 331, and provide pre-tightening force for valve closure, improving the sealing effect when the valve is closed.

[0059] A sealing ring 38 is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the valve sleeve 34 and the peripheral wall of the accommodating cavity 121. The sealing ring 38 forms a seal between the valve sleeve 34 and the peripheral wall of the accommodating cavity 121, preventing the fluid in the first valve chamber 101 from contacting the slide groove 311 and affecting the sliding fit between the sliding member 21 and the slide groove 311.

[0060] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0061] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electric valve, characterized in that: The device includes a valve body, a moving part, and a movable structure. The movable structure includes a movable member disposed inside and outside the moving part. The valve body defines a valve cavity. The valve body has a first valve port communicating with the valve cavity. The movable structure and the moving part are at least partially located within the valve cavity. A spiral groove is formed on the peripheral wall of one of the moving part and the movable member. The other of the moving part and the movable member is provided with a sliding member located within the groove. The movable structure is arranged to be circumferentially limited and axially slidable. The moving part is arranged to be axially limited and circumferentially rotatable. When the moving part rotates, it drives the movable structure to move towards the first valve port to close the first valve port, or to move away from the first valve port to open the first valve port.

2. The electric valve according to claim 1, wherein: The moving component is a rotating rod, and the movable component is a movable sleeve fitted around the rotating rod. The movable structure also includes a piston for opening and closing the first valve port, and the piston is connected to the movable sleeve.

3. The electric valve according to claim 2, wherein: The sliding element is mounted on the rotating rod, and the sliding groove is located on the movable sleeve.

4. The electric valve according to claim 3, wherein: The sliding element is a pin, and the rotating rod has a socket that engages with the pin.

5. The electric valve according to claim 4, wherein: There are two slides, which are staggered in the circumferential direction of the movable sleeve, and the two ends of the pin are respectively located in the two slides.

6. The electric valve according to claim 2, wherein: A partition is provided inside the valve cavity, dividing the valve cavity into a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. The first valve chamber and the second valve chamber are arranged sequentially along the movement direction of the movable structure. A second valve port is provided on the partition to connect the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber. The first valve port is located on the side wall of the second valve chamber and is arranged opposite to the second valve port. The piston is located inside the second valve chamber, and a connecting rod is provided on the piston that passes through the second valve port. The part of the connecting rod inside the first valve chamber is connected to the movable sleeve. When the first valve port is blocked by the piston, the second valve port is in the open state; when the second valve port is blocked by the piston, the first valve port is in the open state.

7. The electric valve according to claim 6, wherein: The first valve chamber has a first connecting pipe hole that extends through its own wall thickness on its side wall, and the second valve chamber has a second connecting pipe hole that extends through its own wall thickness on its side wall. When the first valve port is open, the second connecting pipe hole is connected to the first valve port; when the second valve port is open, the first connecting pipe hole is connected to the second connecting pipe hole through the second valve port.

8. The electric valve according to claim 6, wherein: The inner end walls at both ends of the slide groove are defined as groove end walls. When the first valve port or the second valve port is in the closed state, a gap is left between the sliding member and the corresponding groove end wall.

9. The electric valve according to claim 6, wherein: The movable structure also includes a valve sleeve sleeved around the movable rod. The connecting rod is fixedly connected to the valve sleeve. A limiting cavity is formed inside the valve sleeve. One end of the movable sleeve near the second valve port is constrained within the limiting cavity.

10. The electric valve according to claim 9, wherein: The outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve is provided with a flange, and a first spring and a second spring are provided in the limiting cavity, with the flange located between the first spring and the second spring.

11. The electric valve according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein: It also includes a receiving cavity, which is at least partially located within the valve cavity, and both the movable and moving parts are located within the receiving cavity.

12. The electric valve according to claim 11, wherein: The accommodating cavity is provided with a sleeve that is fitted around the movable sleeve, and a limiting structure is provided between the sleeve and the movable sleeve to restrict the circumferential rotation of the movable sleeve.

13. The electric valve according to claim 12, wherein: The inner peripheral wall of the sleeve includes a first plane extending along the direction of movement of the movable sleeve, and the outer peripheral wall of the movable sleeve has a second plane parallel to the first plane at a position corresponding to the first plane. The limiting structure includes the first plane and the second plane.

14. The electric valve according to claim 13, wherein: There are two first planes, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the sleeve, and each first plane corresponds to one second plane.

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