Electronic expansion valve

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve comprises: a valve body having a communication cavity, wherein the valve body has a first port and a second port arranged opposite to each other, a valve port is provided between the first port and the second port, and the valve port is separately in communication with the first port and the second port; a valve needle movably arranged in the communication cavity, wherein the valve needle can move relative to the valve port so as to adjust the flow rate at the valve port; an extended flow channel arranged between the valve port and the second port; and a silencing member arranged at the first port and / or the second port, wherein the silencing member is a porous member. The use of the technical solution of the present application can solve the problem in the prior art that electronic expansion valves are prone to producing noise during use.

Description

Electronic expansion valve

[0001] This application claims priority to the patent application filed on January 22, 2025, with China National Intellectual Property Administration, application number 202520155975.5, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve". Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of control valve technology, and more specifically, to an electronic expansion valve. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, electronic expansion valves are commonly used to regulate fluid flow.

[0004] In existing technologies, electronic expansion valves typically use a valve needle in conjunction with a valve port to regulate the refrigerant flow rate. Within the system, the refrigerant fluid may exist in a two-phase state before and after passing through the valve port, consisting of a liquid and gas phase. This can result in the presence of uneven and discontinuous air bubbles in the refrigerant fluid. When the refrigerant fluid passes through the electronic expansion valve, it can easily generate discontinuous noise, negatively impacting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an electronic expansion valve to solve the problem of noise that easily occurs during the use of existing electronic expansion valves.

[0006] This application provides an electronic expansion valve, comprising: a valve body having a communicating cavity, the valve body having a first interface and a second interface disposed opposite to each other, a valve port being disposed between the first interface and the second interface, the valve port being communicating with the first interface and the second interface respectively; a valve needle being movably disposed in the communicating cavity, the valve needle being movable relative to the valve port to adjust the flow rate at the valve port; an extended flow channel being disposed between the valve port and the second interface; and a silencing component being disposed at the first interface and / or the second interface, the silencing component including at least one silencing block, the silencing block being a porous component; wherein, the diameter of the silencing block is D5, 8mm≥D5≥5mm, and the axial length of the extended flow channel is L3, 10mm≥L3≥2.5mm.

[0007] Furthermore, the silencer is riveted and fixed to the valve body.

[0008] Furthermore, the second interface includes an interconnected interval section and an installation section. The inner diameter of the interval section is larger than the inner diameter of the extended flow channel. When the silencer is installed at the second interface, the silencer is located inside the installation section, and the interval section is located between the installation section and the extended flow channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the partition section is smaller than the inner diameter of the installation section, and a stepped surface is formed between the partition section and the installation section, with the sound-absorbing component abutting against the stepped surface.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the interval section is D1, the inner diameter of the installation section is D2, and D2-D1≥0.4mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the axial length of the spacer segment is L1, 4mm ≥ L1 ≥ 0.2mm, and / or the axial length of the mounting segment is L2, L2 ≥ 1.5mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the length of the flow channel along the axial direction is L3, and the diameter of the valve port is D3; wherein, L3≥0.5D3; and / or, 4mm≥D3≥1mm.

[0013] Furthermore, the silencing block is provided with at least two flow holes.

[0014] Furthermore, the total flow area of ​​the flow holes is greater than the flow area of ​​the valve port.

[0015] Furthermore, the diameter of the flow hole is D4, where 1.5mm ≥ D4 ≥ 0.5mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the porosity of the sound-absorbing block is between 30% and 90%.

[0017] Furthermore, the length of the silencing block along the axial direction is L4, 10mm≥L4≥0.3mm.

[0018] Furthermore, the flow area of ​​the valve port is S1, the projected area of ​​the silencer block along the axial direction is S2, and 6≥S2 / S1≥1.

[0019] Furthermore, the valve body is a one-piece molded structure.

[0020] By applying the technical solution of this application, the problem of excessive subcooling of the refrigerant before it passes through the valve port when the electronic expansion valve is at a small opening, can be solved by setting a silencing component. Furthermore, the problem of insufficient subcooling before the valve can be solved when the refrigerant flows in the second direction. This application, by simultaneously setting an extended flow channel and a silencing component, can simultaneously solve the noise problem when the refrigerant flows in two different directions, rectify the fluid flow, reduce turbulence, refine and decompose large air bubbles in the refrigerant fluid, and comprehensively reduce the noise when the refrigerant flows through the electronic expansion valve, thereby improving the applicability of the electronic expansion valve and enhancing the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the electronic expansion valve provided in this application;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the valve body provided in this application;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of a portion of point A in Figure 2;

[0025] Figure 4 shows a top view of the silencing component provided in this application;

[0026] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the silencing component provided in this application.

[0027] The above-mentioned figures include the following reference numerals: 01, first connecting pipe; 02, second connecting pipe; 100, valve body; 101, connecting cavity; 110, first interface; 120, second interface; 121, interval section; 122, mounting section; 130, valve port; 200, valve needle; 300, extended flow channel; 400, silencer; 410, flow hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this application or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this embodiment of the application provides an electronic expansion valve, which includes a valve body 100, a valve needle 200, an extended flow channel 300, and a silencer 400. The valve body 100 has a communicating cavity 101 and two opposing interfaces, a first interface 110 and a second interface 120. A valve port 130 is located between the first interface 110 and the second interface 120, communicating with both the first interface 110 and the second interface 120. The first interface is located on the side wall of the valve body 100, and the second interface is located at the end of the valve body 100. The electronic expansion valve also has a first connecting pipe 01 and a second connecting pipe 02, which are used to connect the electronic expansion valve to the system. The first connecting pipe 01 communicates with the first interface 110, and the second connecting pipe 02 communicates with the second interface 120. The valve needle 200 is movably disposed in the communicating cavity 101. The valve needle 200 can move relative to the valve port 130 to adjust the flow rate at the valve port 130 and realize the flow regulation function of the electronic expansion valve.

[0030] Specifically, the extended flow channel 300 is positioned between the valve port 130 and the second interface 120, which rectifyes the fluid flow, reduces turbulence, and achieves a certain noise reduction effect. It also throttles and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, lowering the refrigerant flow rate and reducing the risk of bubble bursts in the refrigerant, further reducing noise. Meanwhile, the silencing component 400 is a porous component, specifically a multi-layer sintered stainless steel mesh filter. The silencing component 400 can be positioned individually at the first interface 110 or the second interface 120, or simultaneously at both the first interface 110 and the second interface 120. It can refine large bubbles in the two-phase fluid into smaller bubbles, comb through the large bubbles, and reduce the sound of large bubble annihilation.

[0031] If only the silencing component 400 is installed, the fluid will exhibit turbulence, resulting in poor fluid flow stability and a higher risk of bubble bursting. If only the extended flow channel 300 is installed, the bursting of larger bubbles in the refrigerant flow may generate noise.

[0032] Specifically, in the electronic expansion valve provided in this application, the fluid direction can be from the first connector 01 to the second connector 02, or from the second connector 02 to the first connector 01. For ease of description, this application defines the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid as the first direction when the flow direction is from the first connector 01 to the second connector 02; and the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid as the second direction when the flow direction is from the second connector 02 to the first connector 01.

[0033] In some embodiments of this application, a silencer 400 can be provided at the second interface 120. When the refrigerant flows in the first direction, the refrigerant fluid will first pass through the throttling of the valve port 130 before flowing into the extended flow channel 300 and then through the silencer 400. When the refrigerant flows in the second direction, the refrigerant fluid will first pass through the silencer 400, enter the extended flow channel 300 for rectification, and then pass through the valve port. By simultaneously providing the extended flow channel 300 and the silencer 400, the noise problem existing when the refrigerant fluid flows in two different directions can be solved simultaneously. The fluid is rectified, turbulence is reduced, large air bubbles in the refrigerant fluid are refined and broken down, and the noise of the refrigerant fluid flowing through the electronic expansion valve is comprehensively reduced, thereby improving the applicability of the electronic expansion valve and enhancing the user experience.

[0034] Specifically, the diameter of the silencer block is D5, where 8mm ≥ D5 ≥ 5mm. When the diameter D5 is less than 5mm, the block is too small, resulting in lower efficiency in clearing air bubbles from the fluid and requiring an increased block thickness, thus affecting fluid flow efficiency. Conversely, when D5 is greater than 8mm, the block is too large, causing a significant pressure drop and energy loss as the fluid passes through it. This application, by setting 8mm ≥ D5 ≥ 5mm, ensures that the silencer block provides noise reduction while maintaining fluid flow efficiency. Specifically, D5 can be set to 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, or 8mm.

[0035] Meanwhile, the length of the extended flow channel 300 can be set to be between 10mm and 2.5mm. This application ensures that the extended flow channel 300 is not too short, thus guaranteeing its rectification and throttling effects, while also preventing it from being too long and thus avoiding processing difficulties. Specifically, L3 can be set to 2.5mm, 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, or 10mm.

[0036] In summary, by simultaneously setting the diameter of the silencing component 400 to between 5mm and 8mm and the length of the extended flow channel 300 to between 2.5mm and 10mm, this application can ensure that the extended flow channel 300 and the silencing component 400 can have a better noise reduction effect. The combined effect of the extended flow channel 300 and the silencing component 400 can solve the problem of noise generated by the electronic expansion valve when the fluid flows in both directions, thereby improving the user experience.

[0037] Specifically, in this application, the silencer 400 is fixed to the valve body 100 by riveting, eliminating the need for additional fasteners, thereby reducing the processing difficulty of the valve body 100 and lowering production costs.

[0038] As shown in the figure, the second interface 120 includes an interconnected partition section 121 and an installation section 122. The inner diameter of the partition section 121 is larger than the inner diameter of the extension channel 300. When the silencer 400 is installed at the second interface 120, the silencer 400 is located within the installation section 122, and the partition section 121 is located between the installation section 122 and the extension channel 300. Because the inner diameter of the partition section 121 is larger than the inner diameter of the extension channel 300, the partition section 121 can expand the flow range of the refrigerant and ensure the flow efficiency of the refrigerant. At the same time, the partition section 121 can provide a buffer for the silencer 400 and the extension channel 300. When the fluid flows in the first direction, after the fluid flows out of the extension channel 300, the refrigerant velocity decreases and the kinetic energy decreases. The partition section 121 can further buffer and decelerate the refrigerant, further reducing the kinetic energy of the refrigerant when it impacts the silencer 400, and improving the noise reduction effect.

[0039] Specifically, the side wall of the valve body 100 at the mounting section 122 can be partially machined to a thinner size. After the silencer 400 is installed in the mounting section 122, the side wall of the valve body 100 at the mounting section 122 can be riveted inward to achieve the riveting and fixing of the silencer 400.

[0040] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the partition section 121 is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting section 122, and a stepped surface is formed between the partition section 121 and the mounting section 122. The silencer 400 abuts against the stepped surface to restrict the movement of the silencer 400 towards the valve port 130. It cooperates with the riveting of the valve body 100 to prevent the silencer 400 from loosening or even falling off due to refrigerant scouring under the condition of bidirectional refrigerant flow, thus ensuring the stability of the silencer 400 installation.

[0041] Similarly, in other embodiments of this application, a similar riveting and limiting structure may also be provided at the first interface 110.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the inner diameter of the interval section 121 is D1, and the inner diameter of the mounting section 122 is D2, where D2-D1 ≥ 0.4 mm. When D2-D1 < 0.4 mm, the difference between the inner diameters of the interval section 121 and the mounting section 122 is too small, resulting in a small stepped surface area. This leads to poor limiting effect of the stepped surface on the silencer component 400. If the silencer component 400 is subjected to excessive refrigerant impact or improper valve machining, it may shift or even detach, affecting the noise reduction effect of the electronic expansion valve. This application improves the installation stability of the silencer component 400 by setting D2-D1 ≥ 0.4 mm, ensuring its stable operation. Specifically, D2-D1 can be selected as 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, or 0.8 mm, etc., and can be adjusted according to the design dimensions of the valve body 100.

[0043] Specifically, the axial length of the interval 121 is L1, where 4mm ≥ L1 ≥ 0.2mm. When L1 is less than 0.2mm, the length of the interval 121 is too short, failing to effectively buffer the fluid, resulting in a higher kinetic energy of the refrigerant. When L1 is greater than 4mm, the length of the interval 121 is excessively extended, increasing the volume of the valve body 100, increasing the processing difficulty of the valve body 100, and raising manufacturing costs. In this application, by setting 4mm ≥ L1 ≥ 0.2mm, the working effect of the interval 121 can be guaranteed while ensuring the miniaturization of the valve body 100. Specifically, L1 can be selected as 4mm, 3mm, 1mm, or 0.2mm.

[0044] Furthermore, the axial length of the mounting section 122 is L2, where L2 ≥ 1.5 mm. Because the muffler 400 has a certain thickness, the mounting section 122 also needs a certain length to accommodate it, and it must also maintain a certain length for riveting. If L2 is less than 1.5 mm, the length of the mounting section 122 is insufficient to meet the installation requirements of the muffler 400. This application ensures stable installation of the muffler 400 by setting L2 ≥ 1.5 mm. Specifically, L2 can be set to 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm, etc.

[0045] In this application, the axial length of the extended flow channel 300 is L3, and the diameter of the valve port 130 is D3, where L3 ≥ 0.5D3. When the length of the extended flow channel 300 is less than 0.5D3, the length of the extended flow channel 300 is too small, resulting in poor rectification of the refrigerant fluid. The refrigerant will still experience significant turbulence after flowing out of the extended flow channel 300, leading to poor noise reduction. This application ensures a certain length for the extended flow channel 300 by setting L3 ≥ 0.5D3, allowing the refrigerant to flow out after rectification. Specifically, L3 can be set to 0.5D3, D3, 1.5D3, or 2D3.

[0046] Furthermore, in this application, 4mm ≥ D3 ≥ 1mm can be set. With this setting, the diameter of the valve port 130 will not be too large or too small, allowing the valve port 130 to fit the extended flow channel 300, control the fluid flow efficiency, and ensure that the throttled fluid can be fully rectified in the extended flow channel 300, thereby improving the noise reduction effect of the extended flow channel 300. Specifically, D3 can be set to 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, or 4mm.

[0047] In this application, the silencer block is provided with at least two flow holes 410. This configuration allows the silencer block to filter large bubbles in the two-phase flow into smaller bubbles, reducing the noise from the annihilation of large bubbles and lowering the operating noise of the electronic expansion valve. The flow holes allow liquid refrigerant to pass smoothly through the silencer block, reducing its flow resistance and preventing impurities in the refrigerant from completely clogging the porous structure, thus ensuring the flow capacity of the electronic expansion valve. Simultaneously, when the porous structure of the silencer block becomes clogged, the refrigerant flow direction changes, allowing the refrigerant fluid to flow backward and flush out impurities adhering to the silencer block, thus cleaning it.

[0048] Referring to the figure, the silencing block provided in this embodiment of the application is provided as one, and the flow holes 410 are provided as four, with the four flow holes arranged in a ring at intervals around the axis of the silencing block.

[0049] In other feasible embodiments of this application, multiple noise reduction blocks can be provided, such as two or three, etc. The multiple noise reduction blocks are spaced apart, and the flow holes 410 on the multiple noise reduction blocks are not completely corresponding. While ensuring the flow capacity of the fluid, the fluid can also be fully filtered and the bubbles in the fluid can be refined, thereby improving the noise reduction effect of the noise reduction component 400.

[0050] Specifically, the total flow area of ​​the flow hole 410 is greater than the flow area of ​​the valve port 130, so as to ensure that the silencer block will not throttle the fluid when it flows through the silencer block, thus ensuring the flow efficiency of the fluid.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the diameter of the flow hole 410 is D4, where 1.5mm ≥ D4 ≥ 0.5mm. When the diameter of the flow hole 410 is less than 0.5mm, it is too small. To ensure that the total flow area of ​​the flow hole 410 is greater than the flow area of ​​the valve port 130, a large number of flow holes 410 are required, making processing difficult. When the diameter of the flow hole 410 is greater than 1.5mm, the diameter is too large, and when the fluid passes through the silencer block, a significant amount of fluid will not flow through the porous filter section of the silencer block, resulting in poor air bubble removal by the silencer block. In this application, by setting 1.5mm ≥ D4 ≥ 0.5mm, the noise reduction effect of the silencer block can be guaranteed, and the processing difficulty of the silencer block can be reduced. Specifically, D4 can be set to 0.5mm, 1mm, or 1.5mm.

[0052] In some embodiments of this application, the axial length of the noise-reducing block is L4, where 10mm ≥ L4 ≥ 0.3mm. When the length of L4 is less than 0.3mm, it is too small, resulting in poor air bubble removal ability; when the length of L4 is greater than 10mm, it is too large, leading to significant flow resistance. By setting L4 to 10mm ≥ 0.3mm, this application ensures that the noise-reducing block provides noise reduction while maintaining fluid flow efficiency. Specifically, L4 can be set to 0.3mm, 1mm, 3mm, 5mm, 7.5mm, or 10mm.

[0053] In this application, the porosity of the noise-absorbing block is between 30% and 90%. If the porosity of the noise-absorbing block is greater than 90%, the flow resistance to the fluid is relatively large, affecting the fluid flow; if the porosity of the noise-absorbing block is less than 30%, the effect of the noise-absorbing block on refining bubbles is poor, and the noise reduction effect of the noise-absorbing block is poor. In this application, by setting the porosity of the noise-absorbing block between 30% and 90%, the overall working effect of the noise-absorbing block can be guaranteed. Specifically, the porosity of the noise-absorbing block can be selected from 30%, 50%, 70%, or 90%, etc.

[0054] Specifically, the flow area of ​​valve port 130 is S1, and the projected area of ​​the silencer block along the axial direction is S2, where 6 ≥ S2 / S1 ≥ 1. When the ratio of S2 to S1 is less than 1, the area of ​​the silencer block is too small, which cannot guarantee the effect of the silencer block on refining bubbles; when the ratio of S2 to S1 is greater than 6, the area of ​​the silencer block is too large, and the fluid will experience a large pressure drop and a large kinetic energy loss when flowing through the silencer block, affecting the fluid flow efficiency. This application, by setting 6 ≥ S2 / S1 ≥ 1, can guarantee the flow effect of the fluid when flowing through the silencer block. Specifically, S2 / S1 can be selected as 1, 2, 5, or 6, etc.

[0055] In some embodiments of this application, in order to improve the processing efficiency of the valve body 100, the valve body 100 may be configured as an integrally formed structure.

[0056] In some embodiments of this application, in order to finely process structures such as the extended flow channel 300, the valve body 100 can also be configured as a separate unit, that is, the extended flow channel 300 and the valve body 100 are separately configured and fixedly connected.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An electronic expansion valve, characterized in that, The electronic expansion valve includes: A valve body (100) has a communicating cavity (101). The valve body (100) has a first interface (110) and a second interface (120) disposed opposite to each other. A valve port (130) is provided between the first interface (110) and the second interface (120). The valve port (130) is connected to the first interface (110) and the second interface (120) respectively. A valve needle (200) is movably disposed within the communicating cavity (101), and the valve needle (200) is movable relative to the valve port (130) to regulate the flow rate at the valve port (130); An extended flow channel (300) is provided between the valve port (130) and the second interface (120); A noise reduction component (400) is disposed at the first interface (110) and / or the second interface (120), the noise reduction component (400) includes at least one noise reduction block, the noise reduction block being a porous component; The diameter of the silencing block is D5, 8mm ≥ D5 ≥ 5mm, and the length of the extended flow channel (300) along the axial direction is L3, 10mm ≥ L3 ≥ 2.5mm.

2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The silencer (400) is riveted and fixed to the valve body (100).

3. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second interface (120) includes an interconnected partition section (121) and a mounting section (122). The inner diameter of the partition section (121) is larger than the inner diameter of the extension channel (300). When the muffler (400) is installed at the second interface (120), the muffler (400) is located within the mounting section (122), and the partition section (121) is located between the mounting section (122) and the extension channel (300).

4. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the interval section (121) is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting section (122), and a stepped surface is formed between the interval section (121) and the mounting section (122), and the silencing component (400) abuts against the stepped surface.

5. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the interval section (121) is D1, and the inner diameter of the mounting section (122) is D2, where D2-D1≥0.4mm.

6. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The axial length of the spacer segment (121) is L1, 4mm ≥ L1 ≥ 0.2mm, and / or the axial length of the mounting segment (122) is L2, L2 ≥ 1.5mm.

7. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the extended flow channel (300) along the axial direction is L3, and the diameter of the valve port (130) is D3; Where L3 ≥ 0.5D3; and / or, 4mm ≥ D3 ≥ 1mm.

8. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The silencing block is provided with at least two flow holes (410).

9. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The total flow area of ​​the flow hole (410) is greater than the flow area of ​​the valve port (130).

10. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The diameter of the flow hole (410) is D4, 1.5mm≥D4≥0.5mm.

11. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The porosity of the sound-absorbing block is between 30% and 90%.

12. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The silencing block has an axial length of L4, where 10mm ≥ L4 ≥ 0.3mm.

13. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flow area of ​​the valve port (130) is S1, and the projected area of ​​the silencer block along the axial direction is S2, 6≥S2 / S1≥1.

14. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body (100) is a one-piece molded structure.

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