Electronic expansion valve

Abstract

An electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a rotor disposed inside a valve cover that is made of a non-magnetic material; a stator detachably mounted on the outside of the valve cover to rotate the rotor; and a sun gear coupled to the rotor to transmit the rotational motion of the rotor. Also, the electronic expansion valve may include a spin gear, which rotates (with the axis of rotation located inside) by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear, and a ring gear, which rotates by receiving the rotational motion of the spin gear, in an inner space of the rotor. In addition, the electronic expansion valve may further include an orbital gear that rotates by receiving the rotation of the ring gear and the rotational motion of the sun gear, and simultaneously revolves (with the axis of rotation located outside) about a shaft rotatably disposed at the center of the sun gear.

Description

electronic expansion valve

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic expansion valve capable of precisely controlling the flow rate of a fluid.

[0002] An electronic expansion valve (hereinafter also referred to as "EEV") is a device for precisely controlling the flow rate of a fluid, such as a refrigerant, or the degree of system superheating using an electronic control device.

[0003] Generally, the electronic expansion valve is used in various industrial fields utilizing refrigeration cycles. For example, the electronic expansion valve is utilized in various technological fields such as air conditioners, heat pump systems, and cold chains.

[0004] In addition, electronic expansion valve types can be classified into a 'direct-acting type' that directly transmits the rotation of the rotor to the needle to open and close the valve, and a 'geared type' that reduces the rotation of the rotor using a gear mechanism and transmits it to the needle.

[0005] Here, the gear-type electronic expansion valve is generally installed in the 'indoor unit' of an air conditioner because it has smaller size, vibration, and noise than the direct-acting electronic expansion valve and allows for more precise control of the refrigerant flow rate.

[0006] To reduce noise generated by the indoor unit of an air conditioner and improve performance, it is necessary to secure sufficient space for branch piping inside the indoor unit and install strainers, thus requiring a compact design. Therefore, assuming that the electronic expansion valve installed in the indoor unit has performance equivalent to or better than existing ones, the smaller the size and the lower the noise, the higher the potential for future market success and the greater the premium value it can command.

[0007] Meanwhile, a gear-type electronic expansion valve installed in the indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner may have a 'stepper motor integrated spur gear structure' in which a stepper motor is integrated and power is transmitted to a needle by a spur gear. A prior art document related to this is CN 103453201 B (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1).

[0008] However, the above-mentioned prior art 1, which has a stepper motor integrated spur gear structure, has a connection structure of spur gears that are relatively large in size to secure a gear reduction ratio or output torque for precise control of the refrigerant flow rate (in other words, increasing the resolution of the valve opening degree). Therefore, the above-mentioned prior art 1 has the problem of being difficult to install in an indoor unit with limited space and reducing the design freedom for the refrigeration cycle.

[0009] In addition, since the needle, gear, and motor are integrated into a pipe through which the refrigerant flows, there is a risk that a short circuit may occur if the refrigerant leaks into the motor.

[0010] Furthermore, the above prior art 1 may use bellows parts to prevent the risk of short circuits, but the bellows parts have the problem of incurring relatively high processing costs and additional assembly processes.

[0011] Meanwhile, KR 10-2391438 B1 (hereinafter referred to as prior art 2) is a prior art document for a gear-type electronic expansion valve using planetary gears by improving the above-mentioned stepper motor integrated spur gear structure.

[0012] However, the prior art 2, which uses the above-mentioned planetary gear structure, has a structure in which the planetary carrier formed integrally with the rotor directly transmits rotational force to the planetary gear, thereby forming the shaft of the planetary gear. Due to the relatively strong torque, the wear rate increases as the usage time increases, and there is a relatively disadvantageous problem in terms of sliding contact or friction between gears.

[0013] In addition, the above-mentioned prior art 2 has a problem in that the gear efficiency is relatively low and the reduction ratio is relatively low, in that the ring gear (fixed internal gearing) is fixed to a box body fixed to a valve seat and gear teeth are formed on the inner circumference to mesh with the gear teeth of the planetary gear for rotation of the planetary gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the above-mentioned prior art 2 has an integrated structure in which the planetary gear is extended in the vertical direction, and the lower part of the planetary gear has a structure that meshes with the inner gear of the output carrier (output internal gearing) which is coupled with a threaded rod (i.e., needle). Therefore, in order to satisfy the gear meshing ratio requirements for continuous rotation considering wear, etc., the design freedom of the planetary gear is reduced, and there is a problem that it becomes difficult to simplify the design.

[0015] In addition, if the above-mentioned prior art 2 attempts to increase the number of gear teeth to compensate for low gear efficiency and reduction ratio, the overall size increases. Furthermore, as the size of the gear-type electronic expansion valve according to the structure of prior art 2 increases, there is a problem that contradicts the purpose of installing the indoor unit described above.

[0016] The objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve capable of solving the problems of the aforementioned prior art.

[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve with a reduced size compared to conventional valves.

[0018] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve having a structure with an improved gear reduction ratio compared to conventional valves.

[0019] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve having a structure that enables more precise fluid flow rate control than conventional methods.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve having a structure that can reduce vibration or noise compared to conventional valves.

[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic expansion valve that achieves stable conversion from rotational motion to vertical linear motion and improved gear efficiency for rotational motion and vertical linear motion transmitted from the rotor to the needle.

[0022] To achieve the above objective, an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a valve cover, a valve seat coupled to the valve cover, a rotor disposed inside the valve cover, a stator disposed outside the valve cover to drive the rotor to rotate, a sun gear coupled to the rotor, a first planet gear disposed outside the sun gear to rotate, and a ring gear disposed outside the first planet gear to rotate.

[0023] Additionally, it may further include a second planet gear disposed on the inner side of the ring gear and orbiting according to the movement of the ring gear, and an output carrier that rotates according to the movement of the second planet gear and moves in an up-and-down direction.

[0024] In addition, it may further include a needle disposed inside the valve seat that moves in an up-and-down direction according to the up-and-down movement of the output carrier.

[0025] In addition, it may further include a fixed carrier that supports the first planet gear.

[0026] In addition, the fixed carrier may include a first planet gear shaft that supports the rotation of the first planet gear.

[0027] In addition, the fixed carrier may include an upper projection to support the rotation of the sun gear.

[0028] Additionally, the ring gear may include an upper gear formed on the upper part of the inner surface and a lower gear formed on the lower part of the inner surface so as to be spaced downward from the upper gear.

[0029] In addition, the upper gear and the lower gear may be formed to have the same number of rotations.

[0030] Additionally, it may further include a screw shaft coupled to the output carrier, which receives the rotational motion of the output carrier and moves up and down while rotating along the screw threads. Here, the screw shaft is connected to the needle in the vertical direction to control the vertical movement of the needle.

[0031] In addition, the output carrier and the second planet gear may have at least a portion disposed inside the ring gear and may be moved up and down according to the up and down movement of the screw shaft.

[0032] In addition, the screw shaft is coupled with a shaft located at the center of the sun gear, and the shaft may be configured to rotate and move up and down at the center of the sun gear, dependent on the up-and-down movement caused by the rotation of the screw shaft.

[0033] In addition, the second planet gear can move up and down while orbiting around the shaft by the up and down movement of the output carrier.

[0034] In addition, the output carrier can move up and down together with the screw shaft while rotating by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear.

[0035] Additionally, it may further include a holder supporter that is seated on the valve seat and includes a screw shaft insertion hole in the center for vertical movement of the screw shaft, and a holder coupled to the holder supporter to support the fixed carrier.

[0036] In addition, screw threads may be formed in the screw shaft insertion hole.

[0037] Additionally, a lower rotating part for the rotation of the ring gear is formed at the lower end of the ring gear, and a rotation guide that supports the lower rotating part and guides the rotation of the ring gear may be formed at the upper end of the holder supporter.

[0038] Additionally, the ring gear includes an upper gear that meshes with the first planet gear and a lower gear that meshes with the second planet gear, and the inner diameter of the upper gear may be formed larger than the inner diameter of the lower gear.

[0039] Additionally, the output carrier may include a second planet gear shaft that supports the rotation of the second planet gear.

[0040] Additionally, the rotation axis (A2) of the first planet gear formed along the first planet gear axis may be located radially further from the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve than the rotation axis (A3) of the second planet gear formed along the second planet gear axis.

[0041] In addition, the second planet gear can rotate by receiving the rotation of the ring gear and the rotational motion of the sun gear, and at the same time orbit around the shaft.

[0042] Additionally, the sun gear may include a main body that is disposed in the inner space of the ring gear, has gear teeth extending in the vertical direction, and engages with the first planet gear at the top and engages with the second planet gear at the bottom.

[0043] In addition, the upper part of the main body of the sun gear is extended in the radial direction and coupled with the rotor, and at the center of the main body of the sun gear, a shaft coupled in the vertical direction with the screw shaft along the axial direction may be provided to rotate and move up and down.

[0044] Additionally, it further includes a shaft receiver positioned above the sun gear to guide the rotation of the shaft together with the sun gear, and the shaft receiver may be configured to press the center of the upper surface of the sun gear downward.

[0045] In another aspect, an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a rotor disposed inside a valve cover formed of a non-magnetic material, a stator detachably installed outside the valve cover to drive the rotation of the rotor, and a sun gear coupled to the rotor to transmit the rotational motion of the rotor.

[0046] In addition, the inner space of the rotor may include a spin gear that spins by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear, and a ring gear formed to surround the outer circumference of the spin gear and spins by receiving the rotational motion of the spin gear.

[0047] In addition, the spin gear can be placed in the inner space of the ring gear.

[0048] Additionally, the ring gear may include an upper gear formed on the upper part of the inner surface and a lower gear formed on the lower part of the inner surface so as to be spaced downward from the upper gear.

[0049] In addition, the ring gear can provide a two-stage gear function by forming gear shapes on the upper and lower parts, respectively. Here, the upper gear and the lower gear of the ring gear have an integrated structure, so they can have the same number of rotations.

[0050] In addition, it may further include a fixed carrier that supports the spin of the ring gear.

[0051] Additionally, the fixed carrier may include a spin gear shaft that supports the rotation (or, in a narrow sense, 'rotation') of the spin gear.

[0052] Additionally, it may further include an orbit gear that receives the rotation of the ring gear and the rotational motion of the sun gear to spin, and simultaneously orbits around a shaft rotatably positioned at the center of the sun gear.

[0053] In addition, the orbit gear can be placed in the inner space of the ring gear.

[0054] Additionally, it may further include an output carrier having an orbital gear shaft which is an axis for the spin of the orbital gear, and which rotates (or spins in a narrow sense) around the shaft by the rotational movement of the orbital gear.

[0055] Additionally, it may further include a valve seat that connects a first pipe and a second pipe through which a fluid (e.g., refrigerant) flows, and whose needle moves up and down to control the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve.

[0056] Additionally, it may further include a screw shaft coupled to the output carrier and moving up and down while rotating along the screw threads to control the up and down movement of the needle.

[0057] In addition, the output carrier can be coupled with the screw shaft and move up and down while transmitting rotational motion to the screw shaft.

[0058] In addition, the output carrier and the orbit gear can be moved up and down within the ring gear according to the up and down movement of the screw shaft.

[0059] In addition, the screw shaft is coupled with the shaft, and the shaft may be configured to move up and down while rotating (or rotating in a narrow sense) at the center of the sun gear, dependent on the up-and-down movement caused by the rotation of the screw shaft.

[0060] In addition, the orbit gear can move up and down while orbiting around the shaft by the up and down movement of the output carrier.

[0061] In addition, the output carrier can move up and down together with the screw shaft while rotating by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear.

[0062] In addition, the valve seat can be coupled to the bottom of the valve cover to form the exterior of the electronic expansion valve.

[0063] Additionally, it may further include a holder supporter that is seated on and / or supported by the valve seat and includes a screw shaft insertion hole and a screw thread at the center for vertical movement of the screw shaft, and a holder coupled to the holder supporter to support the fixed carrier. Accordingly, the fixed carrier is independent of rotation and can maintain a fixed position.

[0064] In addition, the sun gear, spin gear, ring gear, and orbit gear receive the rotation of the rotor and reduce the rotational speed, thereby increasing the resolution of the valve opening degree with respect to the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the pipe and increasing the output torque.

[0065] In another aspect, the electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a spinning integrated ring gear structure. Here, the ring gear may form a gear shape on the upper and lower parts, respectively, to provide a two-stage gear function.

[0066] In addition, the upper gear and the lower gear of the ring gear have an integrated structure, so they can have the same number of rotations.

[0067] Additionally, it may further include a sun gear coupled to a rotor to transmit rotational motion to the ring gear, a spin gear and an orbit gear arranged to form a gear-to-gear coupling between the sun gear and the ring gear.

[0068] Additionally, the orbit gear is positioned below the spin gear, and the ring gear may be formed such that the inner diameter of the upper gear, which is engaged with the spin gear, is larger than the inner diameter of the lower gear, which is engaged with the orbit gear.

[0069] In addition, the orbit gear may be configured to receive the rotational motion of the sun gear and the rotational motion of the lower gear of the ring gear, and to orbit (or revolution) around the axis of the sun gear while simultaneously spinning.

[0070] Additionally, it further includes an output carrier having an orbital gear shaft for the rotation of the orbital gear, and can be coupled with a needle that controls the opening degree of the valve and a screw shaft coupled in the vertical direction.

[0071] In addition, the output carrier can transmit rotational motion to the screw shaft while rotating around the axis of the sun gear, and the screw shaft can move up and down along the screw threads by receiving the rotational motion of the output carrier.

[0072] In addition, the output carrier and the orbit gear can rotate and move up and down between the lower gear of the sun gear and the ring gear by the up and down movement of the screw shaft.

[0073] In addition, a spin gear and an orbit gear are positioned spaced apart in the vertical direction within the inner space of the ring gear, and a sun gear body with gear teeth formed closer to the center than the spin gear and the orbit gear may be positioned.

[0074] In addition, the sun gear body may be equipped with a shaft coupled to a screw shaft at the center in the vertical direction so that it can rotate and move up and down.

[0075] The gear teeth formed on the above-mentioned sun gear body may be configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the spin gear on the upper side and with the gear teeth of the orbit gear on the lower side.

[0076] In addition, it may further include a shaft receiver positioned above the sun gear to guide the rotation of the shaft together with the sun gear.

[0077] In addition, the shaft receiver may be configured to press the center of the upper surface of the sun gear downward.

[0078] Additionally, it may further include an output carrier that is coupled to a screw shaft and has an orbit gear shaft, which is a rotational center axis for the rotation of the orbit gear.

[0079] In addition, the screw shaft can convert the rotational motion received from the output carrier into vertical motion.

[0080] Additionally, it may further include a spindle connected to a needle that determines an 'opening degree' that makes point contact with the screw shaft and controls the flow rate of the fluid, and moves the needle up and down according to the up and down movement of the screw shaft.

[0081] In addition, an elastic member disposed on the outer circumference of the spindle can provide elastic force according to the up-and-down movement of the spindle.

[0082] Additionally, the sun gear is supported by a fixed carrier having a spin gear axis, which is a rotational center axis for the rotation of the spin gear, and the fixed carrier may be fixedly supported by a holder supporter that accommodates the screw shaft and a holder coupled to be supported by the holder supporter.

[0083] Therefore, the sun gear does not move up or down, and the position between the rotor coupled to the sun gear and the stator independently provided on the outside of the rotor can be maintained constant. Consequently, the torque input to the rotor can be provided constant.

[0084] In another aspect, an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sun gear coupled to a rotor and rotating together with the rotation of the rotor, and a spin gear that meshes with the gear teeth of the sun gear at the top;

[0085] It may include an orbit gear that meshes with the gear teeth of the sun gear at the bottom, an upper gear formed on the upper inner surface and a lower gear formed on the lower inner surface at different radial distances from the central axis of the sun gear, the upper gear meshes with the spin gear, the lower gear meshes with the orbit gear, and a ring gear configured to rotate by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear.

[0086] Additionally, the sun gear may include a main body disposed in the inner space of the ring gear, having gear teeth extending in the vertical direction, and engaging with the spin gear at the top and the orbit gear at the bottom.

[0087] In addition, the upper part of the main body can be extended in the radial direction and combined with the rotor.

[0088] In addition, the main body of the above-mentioned sun gear may be equipped with a shaft coupled to a screw shaft at the center in the vertical direction so that it can rotate and move up and down.

[0089] Additionally, it further includes a shaft receiver positioned above the sun gear to guide the rotation of the shaft together with the sun gear, and the shaft receiver may be configured to press the center of the upper surface of the sun gear downward.

[0090] Additionally, the sun gear is supported by a fixed carrier having a spin gear axis, which is a rotational center axis for the rotation of the spin gear, and the fixed carrier may be fixedly supported by a holder supporter that accommodates the screw shaft and a holder coupled to be supported by the holder supporter.

[0091] According to the present invention, the problems of the aforementioned conventional electronic expansion valve structure can be solved.

[0092] According to the present invention, a separable motor structure can be proposed in which the stator is structurally separated from the rotor connected to the gear. Accordingly, the present invention can eliminate electrical hazards caused by leakage and the like, while also excluding the processing or installation of additional parts.

[0093] According to the present invention, a multi-stage planetary gear train structure can be proposed that improves the resolution of valve opening degree compared to conventional methods while simultaneously reducing the size. Accordingly, the present invention is suitable for indoor unit installation and can improve the degree of freedom in configuring the refrigeration cycle.

[0094] According to the present invention, since a higher gear reduction ratio and output torque can be achieved than in the past, relatively more precise refrigerant flow rate control is possible.

[0095] According to the present invention, since a ring gear is disposed in the internal space of a rotor surrounded by a non-magnetic valve cover and a sun gear, carrier, and multi-stage planetary gear train structure are disposed in the internal space of the ring gear, it is possible to have a compact arrangement structure while simultaneously reducing noise compared to conventional methods.

[0096] According to the present invention, since the stator (or the coil portion of the motor) is located outside the rotor, gear portion, and needle portion, components (e.g., bellows) designed to prevent refrigerant inflow as in the past can be eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving economic efficiency compared to the past.

[0097] According to the present invention, the rotation angle of the rotor is reduced by the structural relationship of a multi-stage planetary gear train (spin gear, orbit gear, ring gear) starting from the sun gear, thereby enabling the output carrier and screw shaft to rotate, and the screw shaft can convert rotational motion into vertical motion and provide it to the needle. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a stable electronic expansion valve while achieving higher precision and higher torque than conventional methods.

[0098] According to the present invention, a gear portion for deceleration is disposed inside the rotor, and a structure is provided that minimizes the height of the vertical movement components disposed between the gear portion and the needle, thereby minimizing the height of the electronic expansion valve.

[0099] According to the present invention, the stator is provided to be detachable from the rotor, so that the stator can be installed after the piping work of the indoor unit, thereby increasing the convenience of piping work.

[0100] According to the present invention, since the stator is provided independently as an external component of the electronic expansion valve, normal operation can be performed even if refrigerant is introduced into the gear section or rotor.

[0101] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the cover portion and the flow path portion of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the gear section configuration of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixed carrier of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ring gear of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an output carrier of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a holder supporter of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention from above.

[0109] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a holder supporter of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention from below.

[0110] Figure 10 is a drawing showing the X-X' section of Figure 1.

[0111] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0112] In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used when describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention. These terms are intended only to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the terms. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "combined," or "connected" between each component.

[0113] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic expansion valve (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed between a first pipe (31) and a second pipe (32) through which fluid flows. For example, the fluid may include a refrigerant circulating in an air conditioner. Accordingly, the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32) may be referred to as a flow path section.

[0115] The electronic expansion valve (1) can be operated to control the flow rate of fluid flowing from the first pipe (31) to the second pipe (32). For example, the electronic expansion valve (1) can control the flow rate of fluid by closing or opening the orifice connecting the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32) in minute increments using a needle (250).

[0116] In addition, the electronic expansion valve (1) can precisely control the flow rate of fluid passing from the first pipe (31) to the second pipe (32) or vice versa by finely adjusting the degree of opening.

[0117] The operation of the electronic expansion valve (1) blocking fluid flow between the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32) can be defined as Full Close, and the operation of maximizing fluid flow between the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32) can be defined as Full Open (or Full Stroke). The electronic expansion valve (1) can finely adjust the opening area through a continuous operation between Full Close and Full Open via the up-and-down linear movement of the needle (250).

[0118] Accordingly, the resolution of the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve (1) can be understood as an indicator for determining how finely the movement or passage area of ​​the needle can be controlled in units or sizes between the fully closed and fully open operations.

[0119] The above electronic expansion valve (1) may include a valve cover (10) and a valve seat (20) that form the exterior. For example, the valve cover (10) and the valve seat (20) may be named a 'case part'.

[0120] The valve seat (20) may be formed to connect the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32). A needle portion (200), to be described later, may be located inside the valve seat (20) to control the flow of fluid between the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32).

[0121] In addition, a motor part (50, 60, 70) and a gear part (100), which will be described later, may be located inside the valve cover (10) to drive the vertical linear movement of the needle part (200).

[0122] In the following description of the configurations according to the embodiments of the present invention, 'rotation' can be understood as rotation in a broad sense.

[0123] In other words, the term "rotation" in the broad sense mentioned above is defined to include both spin and orbit. Here, "spin" can be defined as a rotation in which the center of rotation is located on the inner side of the object being rotated. Additionally, "orbit" (or revolution) can be defined as a rotation in which the center of rotation is located on the outer side of the object being rotated.

[0124] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the cover portion and flow path portion of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the gear portion of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve cover (10) can be coupled to the top of the valve seat (20). For example, a guide groove (25) for guiding the coupling of the valve cover (10) may be formed on the top of the valve seat (20). The guide groove (25) may be formed in a screw thread shape. Alternatively, a guide groove capable of coupling the valve seat (20) may be formed on the valve cover (10).

[0126] Meanwhile, the valve cover (10) may be formed of a non-magnetic material so as not to affect the magnetic phenomena of the rotor (50) and the stator (60).

[0127] The valve seat (20) may include a first insertion port (21) to which the first pipe (31) is connected and a second insertion port (22) to which the second pipe (32) is connected. The valve seat (20) may connect the first pipe (31) connected to the first insertion port (21) and the second pipe (32) connected to the second insertion port (22) to enable fluid flow. The valve seat (20) may define an installation space for a needle part (200) that controls the flow or flow rate of fluid between the first insertion port (21) and the second insertion port (22).

[0128] A space may be defined inside the valve cover (10) in which a gear part (100) for driving the vertical linear movement of the needle part (200) and a rotor (50) for driving the rotational movement of the gear part (100) are installed.

[0129] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a shaft receiver (110) accommodated in the inner space of the valve cover (10) and a shaft (118) arranged to be coaxial with the central axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve (1).

[0130] The shaft receiver (110) can be fixed or coupled to the upper inner surface of the valve cover (10). For example, the upper support member (112) and the side support member (114) can be fitted into the inner surface of the valve cover (10).

[0131] The shaft receiver (110) may be installed to be in close contact with the inner surface of the valve cover (10) in an upward and / or circumferential direction. Additionally, the shaft receiver (110) may be formed to extend upward and downward and / or radially with respect to the central axis (A1). For example, the shaft receiver (110) may have a disc or wheel shape.

[0132] Specifically, the shaft receiver (110) may include an upper support portion (112) formed to protrude upward from the center along the central axis (A1) so as to contact the center of the upper surface of the valve cover (10).

[0133] The inner space of the valve cover (10) can be defined as an upper surface (10) of the valve cover and an inner surface that extends continuously from the upper surface (10) in a circumferential direction to have a predetermined width.

[0134] Additionally, the shaft receiver (110) may further include a side support (114) that extends radially from the center with respect to the central axis (A1) and contacts the inner surface of the valve cover (10).

[0135] The above-mentioned side support member (114) extends circumferentially along the inner surface of the valve cover (10) and can be positioned to be perpendicular to the upper support member (112).

[0136] The shaft receiver (110) may be formed such that the diameter of the side support (114) is larger than the diameter of the top support (112).

[0137] Additionally, the shaft receiver (110) may further include a lower support (116) formed to protrude downward from the center.

[0138] The lower support member (116) may be positioned on the opposite side in the vertical direction from the upper support member (112). For example, the lower support member (116) may be extended vertically with respect to the central axis (A1) so as to have the same diameter as the upper support member (112). The lower support member (116) and the upper support member (112) may respectively define the upper and lower surfaces of the center of the shaft receiver (110).

[0139] Additionally, the shaft receiver (110) may further include a shaft hole formed open in the vertical direction along the central axis (A1) at the center and / or center. Specifically, the upper support member (112) and the lower support member (116) may form a shaft hole that allows rotation and vertical movement of the shaft (118) along the central axis (A1).

[0140] The lower support member (116) may be provided to come into contact with the center of the sun gear (120) in an up-and-down direction. Additionally, the lower support member (116) may press the center of the upper surface of the sun gear (120) to support the rotation of the sun gear (120) and simultaneously reduce vibration.

[0141] In addition, the lower support member (116) can press the center of the sun gear (120) so that the rotation of the sun gear (120) is performed stably.

[0142] Additionally, to minimize friction during the rotation of the sun gear (120) and rotor (50), the shaft receiver (110) may be positioned such that the bottom surface of the shaft receiver (110), excluding the bottom support (116), is spaced upward from the top surface of the sun gear (120).

[0143] The shaft (118) may be positioned in the shaft hole (118a) so as to be rotatable and move up and down. Additionally, the shaft hole (118a) may fix or support the center of the shaft (118). Meanwhile, the lower end of the shaft (118) is coupled to a screw shaft (180) to be described later, so as to be able to rotate and move up and down together with the rotation and up-and-down movement of the screw shaft (180).

[0144] The above electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a rotor (50) accommodated in the inner space of the valve cover (10) and a sun gear (120) coupled to the rotor (50) and rotating.

[0145] The rotor (50) and the sun gear (120) may be positioned below the shaft receiver (110).

[0146] The stator (60, see FIG. 10) and motor housing (70, see FIG. 10), which together constitute the motor part with the rotor (50), can be detachably installed on the outer circumference of the valve cover (10). Here, the stator (60) can be positioned to correspond to the outer circumference of the rotor (50).

[0147] The rotor (50) may be positioned so as to be spaced inward from the inner surface of the valve cover (10) so as not to rub against the valve cover (10) when rotating. Additionally, the rotor (50) may rotate together with the sun gear (120). For example, the sun gear (120) may be coupled with the rotor (50) and rotate by the same rotation angle as the rotor (50).

[0148] The rotor (50) is a device in which magnets are embedded at regular intervals and can rotate through a magnetic field formed in a stator (60, see FIG. 10) coil installed on the outside of the valve cover (10). Accordingly, the rotor (50) can provide the force required for the up-and-down movement of the needle (250), which is located inside the valve seat (20) and finely controls whether the flow rate passes.

[0149] A hole corresponding in the vertical direction to the hole formed in the center of the shaft receiver (110) may be formed at the center of the sun gear (120). Specifically, the sun gear (120) may include a shaft through hole (127) extending downward from the shaft hole (118a) of the shaft receiver (110) along the central axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve (1). Thus, the sun gear (120) and the shaft receiver (110) together can accommodate the shaft (118) so that it can rotate and / or move up and down.

[0150] In addition, the sun gear (120) and the shaft receiver (110) can guide the vertical movement of the shaft (118) while stably supporting the shaft so that the rotation of the shaft (118) is performed with respect to the central axis line (A1). Thus, vibration and noise caused by the shaft (118) can be reduced.

[0151] The sun gear (120) may have a 'T' shape. The sun gear (120) may rotate together with the rotor (50) around the central axis (A1) by the rotation of the rotor (50). For example, the diameter of the upper surface of the sun gear (120) may be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the shaft receiver (110). Accordingly, the sun gear (120) may be received and rotated in the inner space of the valve cover (10) while coupled to the rotor (50).

[0152] The upper portion of the sun gear (120) extends radially from the central axis (A1) and has a shape corresponding to the upper inner surface of the rotor (50), and can be coupled to the upper inner surface of the rotor (50). For example, the upper portion of the sun gear (120) may have an insert-calk structure with the rotor (50). Accordingly, the upper portion of the sun gear (120) can be easily separated from the rotor (50) when disassembly is required for configuration management.

[0153] Meanwhile, the sun gear (120) may include a main body (121) having gear teeth formed in a circumferential direction, a sun gear upper part (123) formed to extend radially with a diameter larger than the diameter of the main body (121), and a sun cog (125) formed to protrude radially along the outer surface of the sun gear upper part (123).

[0154] The sun calk (125) may be formed in multiple numbers at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the upper part of the sun gear (123). Accordingly, the outer surface of the upper part of the sun gear (123) may have protruding and recessed parts formed in an alternating order by the sun calk (125). For example, the sun calk (125) may have a pointed calk or a sawtooth shape.

[0155] Additionally, a corresponding groove may be formed on the upper inner surface of the rotor (50) corresponding to the sun cog (125) so that the sun cog (125) is inserted and supported. By doing so, the rotation of the rotor (50) is transmitted to the sun gear (120) so that they can rotate together.

[0156] The center of the upper part (123) of the sun gear may be provided with a protruding surface (124) that contacts the lower support member (116). For example, the protruding surface of the upper part (123) of the sun gear may be formed to protrude upward from the center of the upper surface of the sun gear (123) to have a predetermined diameter.

[0157] As described above, the lower support portion (116) of the shaft receiver (110) may be rotatably contacted with the protruding surface of the sun gear (120) to minimize friction or interference with the rotation of the sun gear (120). For example, the protruding surface and the lower support portion (116) may be formed to make point contact or may be in contact with a circular concave-protruding structure to correspond to the rotation of the sun gear (120).

[0158] Additionally, the upper part (123) of the sun gear may be spaced apart from the lower part of the sun gear (120), except for the area in contact with the lower support part (116).

[0159] The sun gear (120) coupled with the rotor (50) can rotate by the same rotation angle as the rotor (50). Here, the rotation angle is the value obtained by multiplying the rotor rotation angle per pulse by the number of stator (60) coil pulses.

[0160] In addition, the sun gear (120) can transmit the input, i.e., rotational motion of the rotor (50), to the spin gear (135), ring gear (140), and orbit gear (155) to be described later.

[0161] The gear teeth formed on the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) can be arranged to engage simultaneously in the vertical direction with the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155). That is, the sun gear (120) can simultaneously transmit the rotational motion (or rotational force) of the rotor (50) to the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155). Here, the number of gear teeth formed on the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) can be formed such that the upper part engaging with the spin gear (135) and the lower part engaging with the orbit gear (155) are the same. Therefore, the number of rotations of the sun gear (120) can be applied equally to the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155).

[0162] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a spin gear (135) and an orbit gear (155) that are received in the inner space of the rotor (50) and mesh with the gear teeth formed on the main body (121) of the sun gear (120).

[0163] The spin gear (135) may be positioned above the orbit gear (155). Accordingly, the spin gear (135) is connected to mesh with the upper gear teeth of the sun gear body (121), and the orbit gear (155) is connected to mesh with the lower gear teeth of the sun gear body (121). Here, the upper gear teeth of the body (121) and the lower gear teeth of the body (121) are identical gear teeth that extend integrally in the vertical direction, and can be understood as regions where the height of the gear meshing is different.

[0164] The spin gear (135) and orbit gear (155) can control the opening degree of the valve (1) in finer units by reducing the rotation angle received from the sun gear (120) to reduce the rotation angle of the output carrier (150). Here, the output rotation angle can be understood as the value obtained by dividing the input rotation angle by the reduction ratio.

[0165] The spin gear (135) may be provided with a plurality of spin gears (1351, 1352, 1353) spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respect to the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1).

[0166] For example, the plurality of spin gears (1351, 1352, 1353) may have a first spin gear (1351), a second spin gear (1352) spaced circumferentially apart from the first spin gear (1351) at a distance of 120 degrees, and a third spin gear (1353) spaced circumferentially apart from the second spin gear (1352) at a distance of 120 degrees. Here, the third spin gear (1353) will also have a distance of 120 degrees from the first spin gear (1351).

[0167] The above orbit gear (155) may be provided with a plurality of orbit gears (1551, 1552, 1553) spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respect to the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1). For example, the plurality of orbit gears (1551, 1552, 1553) may be provided with a first orbit gear (1551), a second orbit gear (1552) spaced apart in the circumferential direction with a 120-degree gap from the first orbit gear (1551), and a third orbit gear (1553) spaced apart in the circumferential direction with a 120-degree gap from the second orbit gear (1552). Here, the third orbit gear (1553) will also have a 120-degree gap from the first orbit gear (1551).

[0168] The spin gear (135) is positioned to mesh with the upper part of the sun gear (120) and the upper gear (143) of the ring gear (140), and the spin gear (135) can rotate by the rotating sun gear (120) and the rotating ring gear (140).

[0169] Additionally, the spin gear (135) can rotate because it is coupled by a fixed carrier (130) that forms a central axis (spin gear axis) for rotation. That is, the spin gear (135) can rotate at a fixed position.

[0170] The vertical length (or height length) of the spin gear (135) can be formed to be smaller than the vertical length of the orbit gear (155).

[0171] In detail, the orbit gear (155) can be coupled with the output carrier (150) described later and move up and down along with rotation (rotation and revolution). Accordingly, the orbit gear (155) can be moved so as to be exposed downward from the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (150) by the up and down movement. In this case, as the exposed area of ​​the orbit gear (155) increases, the axial position for rotation of the orbit gear (155) may change, which may affect the meshing between gears or increase vibration. Therefore, the orbit gear (155) is formed with a longer vertical length than the spin gear (135) so that the area of ​​meshing with the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (150) and the lower gear of the sun gear (120) can be maximized despite the up and down movement, thereby enabling more stable rotation and up and down movement.

[0172] Meanwhile, the spin gear (135) may be provided to have a larger diameter than the orbit gear (155). That is, the ring gear (140) may be formed such that the vertical radius (RH) from the center axis (A1) to the upper gear (143) is larger than the vertical radius (RL) from the center axis (A1) to the lower gear (145).

[0173] In other words, since the upper and lower portions of the ring gear (140) are formed to have a distance difference in the radial or horizontal direction, the spin gear (135) can have a larger diameter than the orbit gear (155). Therefore, the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) can maintain an meshing relationship between the sun gear (120) and the ring gear (140).

[0174] Alternatively, the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) may each be configured to spin. Here, the orbit gear (155) may orbit the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1) in addition to spinning.

[0175] Accordingly, the output carrier (150) having a rotational center axis (orbit gear axis) coupled with the orbit gear (155) can move up and down by a length that moves up and down along the threads of the screw shaft (180) while rotating together with the revolution of the orbit gear (155). For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to design the system so that a selected up-and-down movement occurs within the range of 0.5 mm to 1.7 mm during one full rotation of the screw shaft (180). A detailed explanation related to this will be provided later in the operating mechanism with reference to FIG. 10.

[0176] Meanwhile, the spin gear (135) can be named the “first planet gear,” and the orbit gear (155) can be named the “second planet gear.”

[0177] The above electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a ring gear (140) that is received in the inner space of the rotor (50) and rotates by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear (120) through the spin gear (135) and / or the orbit gear (155).

[0178] The ring gear (140) is formed to mesh with the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) in the vertical direction and can spin by the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155).

[0179] The above ring gear (140) may be provided as an integrated structure in which a two-stage gear function is provided in a single body. For example, the above ring gear (140) may be provided in a cylindrical shape having a central space that is open at the top and bottom.

[0180] The spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) may be disposed in the inner space of the ring gear (140). Additionally, the fixed carrier (130) and the output carrier (150), which will be described later, may also be disposed in the inner space of the ring gear (140).

[0181] That is, the shaft (118) or central axis (A1) may be arranged so that the sun gear (120) surrounds it radially. The upper part of the body (121) of the sun gear may be arranged so that the spin gear (135) and the fixed carrier (130) surround it radially, and the lower part of the body (121) may be arranged so that the orbit gear (155) and the output carrier (150) surround it radially.

[0182] Additionally, the fixed carrier (130), output carrier (150), spin gear (135) and orbit gear (155) may be arranged so as to surround the ring gear (140) in a radial direction.

[0183] In detail, the spin gear (135) and the fixed carrier (130) are surrounded by the upper gear of the ring gear (140), and the orbit gear (155) and the output carrier (150) may be surrounded by the lower gear of the ring gear (140).

[0184] Additionally, the ring gear (140) may be arranged so that the holder (160) surrounds it in a radial direction.

[0185] Additionally, the holder (160) may be positioned so as to surround the rotor (50) in a radial direction.

[0186] Meanwhile, a detailed description of the structure of the above ring gear (140) will be provided later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0187] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a fixed carrier (130) that supports the rotation of the spin gear (135).

[0188] The fixed carrier (130) can maintain a fixed position despite the rotation of the rotor (50) and spin gear (135).

[0189] Additionally, the fixed carrier (130) may be positioned in an inner region corresponding to the upper gear (141) of the ring gear (140).

[0190] Additionally, the fixed carrier (130) can form spin gear axes (1341, 1342, 1343), which are rotational center axes (A2) for the rotation of the spin gear (135). Specifically, the spin gear axes (1341, 1342, 1343) of the fixed carrier (130) can guide the spin of the spin gear (135).

[0191] The fixed carrier (130) may include a spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343) to which the spin gear (135) is rotatably coupled.

[0192] Accordingly, the spin gear (135) can transmit rotational motion by rotating inwardly while engaging with the gear teeth formed on the upper part of the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) around the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343), and rotating outwardly while engaging with the gear teeth of the upper gear (141) of the ring gear (140).

[0193] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a fixed carrier plate (139) coupled to the bottom of the fixed carrier (130) to support the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343).

[0194] The fixed carrier plate (139) may have a disc shape with a hole formed in the center.

[0195] Additionally, the fixed carrier plate (139) can be pressed upward by a coupling member (1361, 1362, 1363, 1371a, 1372a, 1373a) coupled to the lower end of the fixed carrier (130), that is, the lower end of the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343) and / or the support shaft (1371, 1372, 1373), thereby supporting the spin gear (135) to rotate stably on the fixed carrier (130).

[0196] Meanwhile, the fixed carrier (130) can rotatably support the bottom surface of the sun gear (120) by point contact. That is, the sun gear (120) can be rotatably supported by the fixed carrier (130) from below and rotatably supported by the shaft receiver (110) from above.

[0197] The detailed structure of the fixed carrier (130) above will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0198] The above electronic expansion valve (1) may further include an output carrier (150) that rotates together with the rotation and / or revolution of the orbit gear (155).

[0199] Additionally, the output carrier (150) is coupled with the orbit gear (155) and can move up and down along the up and down guide of the screw shaft (180) while rotating (i.e., rotating) together with the rotation of the orbit gear (155).

[0200] That is, the above orbit gear (155), output carrier (150), and screw shaft (180) can be understood as being configured to move up and down along with rotation.

[0201] The output carrier (150) can be positioned in an inner region corresponding to the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (140).

[0202] Additionally, the output carrier (150) can form an orbit gear shaft (1541, 1542, 1543) which is a rotation center axis (A3) for the rotation of the orbit gear (155). Specifically, the output carrier (150) can guide the spin of the orbit gear (155) through the orbit gear shaft (1541, 1542, 1543).

[0203] The output carrier (150) may have a cylindrical or disc-shaped lower section with a center that is open vertically.

[0204] The above orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) can be formed by extending upward from the lower part of the output carrier (150) to have a predetermined diameter.

[0205] The above orbit gear (155) can rotate by engaging in an inward manner with the gear teeth formed on the lower part of the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) and an outward manner with the gear teeth of the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (140), centered around the orbit gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543). Here, the 'rotation' of the orbit gear (155) can be understood to include both spin and orbit.

[0206] That is, the orbit gear (155) can transmit the rotational motion of the sun gear (120) to the output carrier (155) by spinning around the orbit gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) and orbiting around the central axis line (A1).

[0207] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include an output carrier plate (159) coupled to the top of the output carrier (150) to support the orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543).

[0208] The output carrier plate (159) may have a disc shape with a center that is open in the vertical direction. For example, the output carrier plate (159) may be formed to correspond to the lower shape of the output carrier (150).

[0209] Additionally, the output carrier plate (159) can be pressed downward by an axial coupling member (1561, 1562, 1563, 1571a, 1572a, 1573a) coupled to the upper part of the output carrier (150), that is, the upper part of the orbital gear shaft (1541, 1542, 1543) and / or the output support shaft (1571, 1572, 1573), thereby supporting the orbital gear (155) to rotate (including rotation and revolution) stably on the output carrier (150).

[0210] The detailed structure of the output carrier (150) above will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0211] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a holder (160) coupled to the fixed carrier (130) to support the fixed carrier (130) so that it maintains a fixed position independent of rotation, and a holder supporter (170) coupled to the lower side of the holder (160) to support the holder (160) so that it maintains a fixed position.

[0212] The above holder (160) may have a cylindrical shape.

[0213] A support groove (165) that guides coupling with the fixed carrier (130) may be formed at the upper portion of the holder (160). The support groove (165) may be formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis (A1).

[0214] A support projection (133) of the fixed carrier (130) can be inserted and coupled into the support groove (165).

[0215] The support groove (165) and the support projection (133) may have shapes that fit together. Additionally, it may be possible to form the support groove (165) and the support projection (133) in different positions. Accordingly, the fixed carrier (130) can be stably coupled and / or fixed by the holder (160).

[0216] Additionally, the holder (160) may be coupled to a holder supporter (170). That is, the holder supporter (170) may be provided to fix and support the holder (160).

[0217] The holder supporter (170) can be fixed and supported on the valve seat (20). Accordingly, the holder supporter (170) can support the holder (160) to be stably maintained in a fixed position.

[0218] Additionally, the holder supporter (170) may include a flange (172) that guides the holder (160) to be coupled to the outer surface.

[0219] The flange (172) may protrude further radially than the upper outer surface of the holder supporter (170) so that the lower part of the holder (160) is seated thereon.

[0220] Meanwhile, the fixed carrier (130) and the holder supporter (170) may contact the ring gear (140) to guide or support the rotation ('rotation') of the ring gear (140). That is, the fixed carrier (130) may have a guide structure to allow the upper rotating part (143) of the ring gear (140) to rotate stably. Additionally, the holder supporter (170) may have a guide structure to allow the lower rotating part (148) of the ring gear (140) to rotate stably.

[0221] The detailed structure of the holder supporter (170) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9.

[0222] Additionally, the electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a screw shaft (180) coupled to the lower end of the shaft (118) and configured to rotate and move up and down.

[0223] That is, the lower end of the shaft (118) can be coupled to the upper end of the screw shaft (180). For example, a shaft coupling part (183) that guides coupling with the shaft (118) can be formed on the upper end of the screw shaft (180).

[0224] Meanwhile, the shaft coupling portion (183) can be coupled to the screw shaft coupling hole (151) of the output carrier (150). That is, the screw shaft (180) can be coupled so as to be aligned with the center axis line (A1) at the center of the output carrier (150). Accordingly, the screw shaft (180) can rotate together with the rotation (i.e., rotation) of the output carrier (150).

[0225] The above screw shaft (180) can be coupled to a screw shaft insertion hole (179) formed in the center of the bottom surface (177) of the holder supporter (170) and open in the vertical direction, so as to be movable up and down along the screw thread (179a).

[0226] Additionally, the screw shaft (180) can rotate and move up and down along the screw thread (179a) formed inside the holder supporter (170).

[0227] Accordingly, when the output carrier (150) and the orbit gear (155) are rotated, the screw shaft (180) coupled to the lower part of the output carrier (150) rotates together, and since the screw shaft (180) rotates along the screw thread (179a) formed in the holder supporter (170), it moves in the up and down direction. Accordingly, the output carrier (150) and the orbit gear (155) coupled to the screw shaft (180) can move up and down due to the up and down movement of the screw shaft (180).

[0228] Meanwhile, a ball (185) providing a contact point for converting rotational motion into vertical linear motion may be provided at the lower end of the screw shaft (180). For example, the ball (185) may have an integrated structure with the screw shaft (180) by point welding.

[0229] When the screw shaft (180) moves downward, the ball (185) presses the ball receiver (210), which will be described later, downward while rotating in place. That is, rotational motion can be converted into linear motion by utilizing the characteristics of the ball (185). Accordingly, the spindle (220) and needle (250) coupled with the ball receiver (210) can also move downward.

[0230] That is, the ball (185) can convert the rotation angle of the output carrier (150) into vertical movement through a screw thread structure. Additionally, since the ball (185) makes point contact with the ball receiver (210), only the converted vertical movement can be transmitted to the needle part (200) connected to the screw shaft (180).

[0231] The electronic expansion valve (1) may include a ball receiver (210) that is received in the inner space of the valve seat (20) and contacts a ball (185) coupled to the screw shaft (180), a spindle (220) that is coupled to the ball receiver (210) and is configured to move up and down together with the ball receiver (210), a spindle receiver (230) that surrounds the outer circumference of the spindle (220), and an elastic member (240) that is arranged along the outer circumference of the spindle receiver (230).

[0232] The elastic member (240) is positioned to be received in the inner space of the valve seat (20) together with the spindle receiver (230) and can be positioned below the bottom surface (174) of the holder supporter (170).

[0233] That is, the elastic member (240) and the spindle receiver (230) can maintain their position in the inner space of the valve seat (20) even when an upward elastic force is applied by the bottom surface of the holder supporter (170) inserted and fixed to the valve seat (20).

[0234] For example, when the spindle (220) is pressed downward by the ball (185), the spindle receiver (230) can press the needle (250) downward together with the spindle (220). At this time, the elastic member (240) is pressed downward by the upper end of the spindle receiver (230) and can provide an upward elastic force.

[0235] That is, the elastic member (240) can provide elastic force to the needle (250) which moves up and down dependently by the up and down movement of the screw shaft (180).

[0236] For example, the elastic member (240) may include a spring.

[0237] The electronic expansion valve (1) may further include a needle (250) coupled to the spindle (220) and / or spindle receiver (230) to move up and down along the up and down movement of the screw shaft (180) and to control the flow rate of the fluid passing through the first and second tubes (31, 32).

[0238] Meanwhile, the shaft receiver (110), shaft (118), sun gear (120), fixed carrier (130), spin gear (135), fixed carrier plate (139), ring gear (140), output carrier plate (159), orbit gear (155), output carrier (150), holder (160), screw shaft (180) and holder supporter (170) described above can be named as ‘gear part (100)’.

[0239] Additionally, the ball receiver (210), spindle (220), spindle receiver (230), elastic member (240), and needle (250) described above can be named the ‘needle part (200)’.

[0240] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixed carrier of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0241] Referring to FIG. 5, the fixed carrier (130) may include spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343) that form the rotation axis (A2) of the spin gear (135) and support and / or guide the spin of the spin gear (135).

[0242] As described above, the spin gear (135) may include a first spin gear (1351), a second spin gear (1352), and a third spin gear (1353) spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respect to the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1).

[0243] Accordingly, the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343) may be provided with a first spin gear shaft (1341) that provides a rotational center axis of the first spin gear (1351), a second spin gear shaft (1342) that provides a rotational center axis of the second spin gear (1352), and a third spin gear shaft (1343) that provides a rotational center axis of the third spin gear (1353).

[0244] The above fixed carrier (130) can form a sun gear passage hole (131) that is open in the vertical direction at the center.

[0245] The above-mentioned sun gear through hole (131) can be maintained even when the above-mentioned fixed carrier plate (139) is coupled. That is, the above-mentioned fixed carrier plate (139) may be provided with a hole formed at the center corresponding to the sun gear through hole (131) so that the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) can be inserted or pass through. For example, the above-mentioned fixed carrier (130) may have a cylindrical shape overall, and the upper part of the fixed carrier (130) may have a disc shape with an open center.

[0246] Additionally, the sun gear (120) can be inserted to pass through the sun gear through hole (131) and connected so as to mesh with the spin gear (135) and the body (121) of the sun gear.

[0247] Additionally, a support projection (133) may be provided such that a support groove (165) formed on the upper end of the holder (160) is formed along the upper outer surface of the fixed carrier (130).

[0248] The support projection (133) may have a shape that fits into the support groove (165). The support projection (133) may be provided in multiple numbers with a predetermined spacing in the circumferential direction around the central axis (A1).

[0249] The support projection (133) may be formed to protrude radially from the upper outer surface of the fixed carrier (130) in the direction of the central axis (A1). Additionally, a recess may be formed on both sides or in the circumferential direction of the support projection (133) so that a projection formed corresponding to the holder (160) can be inserted. That is, the support projection (133) and the recess may be alternately arranged along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the fixed carrier (130).

[0250] Ultimately, the holder (160) and the fixed carrier (130) can be stably fixed by the connection between the support groove (165) and the support projection (135).

[0251] The fixed carrier (130) may include an upper projection (132) for contacting the sun gear (120) to support the rotation of the sun gear (120).

[0252] The upper projection (132) may have a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper projection (132) is provided such that its highest point contacts the upper part of the sun gear (120), thereby minimizing friction and supporting the rotation of the sun gear (120) from below.

[0253] Additionally, the upper projection (132) may be formed corresponding to the position of the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343). That is, the upper projection may protrude convexly upward from the upper surface of the fixed carrier (130) along the vertical extension direction of the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343).

[0254] For example, the upper projection (132) may include a first upper projection extending upward from the first spin gear shaft (1341), a second upper projection extending upward from the second spin gear shaft (1342), and a third upper projection extending upward from the third spin gear shaft (1343).

[0255] Here, the first to third upper protrusions can be arranged to form an angle of 120 degrees with respect to the center of the sun gear through hole (131), that is, the center axis line (A1). Thus, the sun gear (120) can be stably pressed or supported, while at the same time the frictional resistance to the rotation of the sun gear (120) can be minimized.

[0256] The above fixed carrier (130) may have a disc shape with a center that is open vertically.

[0257] Additionally, the first to third spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343) can be formed to extend downward by the same length from the upper part of the fixed carrier (130) or the lower part of the disc-shaped fixed carrier (130).

[0258] Additionally, the fixed carrier plate (139) can connect the protruding lower portion of the fixed carrier (130), that is, the lower portion of the first to third spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343), so that the spin gear (135) connected to the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343) rotates stably.

[0259] The fixed carrier plate (139) can be formed to have a shape corresponding to the upper part of the fixed carrier (130). For example, the fixed carrier plate (139) may have a circular shape with a center that is open vertically.

[0260] That is, the fixed carrier (130) can stably support the spin gear (135) by having a disc-shaped upper portion and a disc-shaped fixed carrier plate (139) provided above and below the spin gear (135) so that the spin gear (135) can spin stably.

[0261] Additionally, the fixed carrier plate (139) may form a hole or groove at a position corresponding vertically to the lower end of the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343). Accordingly, the fixed carrier plate (139) may be provided to be inserted or fitted into the lower end of the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343).

[0262] In addition, to stably fix the spin gear (135) coupled to each of the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343), the fixed carrier (130) may further include a coupling member (1361, 1362, 1363) that is coupled to the bottom of the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343) to provide upward pressure.

[0263] The above coupling member (1361, 1362, 1363) can press the bottom surface of the fixed carrier plate (139) upward to fix the fixed carrier plate (139) to the fixed carrier (130). For example, the above coupling member (1361, 1362, 1363) can move to press the fixed carrier plate (139) upward while it is fitted to the bottom of the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343) and can be coupled to the spin gear shaft (1341, 1342, 1343).

[0264] The fixed carrier (130) may further include support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) formed between the spin gear shafts (1341, 1342, 1343) in the circumferential direction to guide a more stable coupling of the fixed carrier plate (139) and to firmly support the spin gear (135).

[0265] The support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) may have a volume that does not interfere with the rotation of the spin gear (135). For example, the support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) may be positioned between the first spin gear (1351) and the second spin gear (1352) and may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the first spin gear (1351) and the second spin gear (1352) in the circumferential direction.

[0266] The support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) can be formed to extend downward from the upper surface of the fixed carrier (130) to have a predetermined thickness and arc length. Additionally, the support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) can be formed such that the arc length closest to the central axis line (A1) is short.

[0267] For example, the support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) may include a first support shaft (1371) formed between the first spin gear (1351) and the second spin gear (1352), a second support shaft (1372) formed between the second spin gear (1352) and the third spin gear (1353), and a third support shaft (1373) formed between the third spin gear (1353) and the first spin gear (1351).

[0268] Additionally, the fixed carrier (130) may further include shaft coupling members (1372a, 1373a) corresponding to each of the support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) to stably connect the fixed carrier plate (139).

[0269] For example, it may include a first shaft coupling member (1373a) coupled to the bottom surface of the first support shaft (1371) to press the fixed carrier plate (139) upward, a second shaft coupling member (1372a) coupled to the bottom surface of the second support shaft (1372) to press the fixed carrier plate (139) upward, and a third shaft coupling member (1373a) coupled to the bottom surface of the third support shaft (1373) to press the fixed carrier plate (139) upward.

[0270] Additionally, the fixed carrier plate (139) may be inserted or fitted into the lower end of the first to third support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373) by forming a groove or hole at a position corresponding to the lower end of the first to third support shafts (1371, 1372, 1373). Accordingly, the connection of the fixed carrier plate (139) may be more stable.

[0271] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the ring gear of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0272] Referring to FIG. 6, the ring gear (140) may include an upper gear (141) and a lower gear (146) having radii (RH, RL) formed differently from each other around the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1).

[0273] The upper gear (141) and lower gear (146) may protrude such that the ends of the gear teeth face toward the central axis (A1). Each gear tooth may also extend in the vertical direction.

[0274] Additionally, the ring gear (140) may further include a partition (145) formed to have a predetermined design value (t) between the upper gear (141) and the lower gear (146) to form an upper and lower space.

[0275] That is, the upper gear (141) of the ring gear and the lower gear (146) of the ring gear can be spaced apart by a predetermined design value (t) in the vertical direction. In other words, on the inner surface of the ring gear (140), the upper gear (141) can be formed above the partition (145), and the lower gear (146) can be formed below it.

[0276] Additionally, the upper gear (141) may be formed along the inner surface of the ring gear (140) to have a first radius (RH) with respect to the center axis (A1). Additionally, the lower gear (146) may be formed along the inner surface of the ring gear (140) to have a second radius (RL) with respect to the center axis (A1).

[0277] Here, the first and second radii (RH, RL) may include the vertical distance from the center axis (A1) penetrating the inner space of the ring gear (140) to the end circle of the tooth of the upper gear (141) and the lower gear (146), respectively. Of course, the definition of the radius may also be modified to be defined as the vertical distance from the center axis (A1) to the root surface of the tooth or the pitch circle of the tooth.

[0278] Alternatively, the ring gear (140) may be formed such that the inner diameters of the upper gear (141) and the lower gear (146) are different from each other.

[0279] In detail, the inner diameter of the upper gear (141) may be larger than the inner diameter of the lower gear (146). Here, the inner diameter can be understood as the distance from the end of one gear tooth formed on the inner circumference of the ring gear (140) to the end of the gear tooth located on the opposite side with respect to the center axis (A1) on the same plane.

[0280] In other words, with respect to the central axis (A1), the shortest distance between the central axis (A1) and the upper gear (141) can be formed to be longer than the shortest distance between the central axis (A1) and the lower gear (146).

[0281] The upper gear (141) is connected to mesh with the spin gear (135), and the lower gear (146) can be connected to mesh with the orbit gear (155).

[0282] As described above, the section (145) may have a predetermined design value or spacing (t). That is, the upper gear (141) and the lower gear (146) may be spaced apart in the vertical direction with respect to the section (145). Here, the design value (t) can be set as the minimum limit value of the tolerance for injection molding of the integral ring gear. As described above, in order to minimize the size of the electronic expansion valve (1), it is advantageous for the height or vertical length of the ring gear (140) to be smaller. Therefore, it would be desirable for the design value (t) to be smaller.

[0283] However, in the manufacturing process of the ring gear (140), such as injection molding, it is practically difficult to manufacture a structure in which different design values ​​(e.g., diameter, number of gear teeth, etc.) are applied to the upper gear (141) and the lower gear (146) without the partition (145). In addition, it is necessary to apply a safety margin to the partition (145) so that there is no contact between the fixed carrier plate (139) and the output carrier plate (159) at the maximum height of the orbit gear (155). For example, the design value (t) can be set to 0.5 mm.

[0284] Meanwhile, since the orbit gear (155) and output carrier (150) move up and down along with rotation, the lower gear (146) can be formed to be longer in the vertical direction than the upper gear (141).

[0285] In detail, since the lower gear (146) of the ring gear guides vertical movement together with the rotation (rotation and revolution) of the orbit gear (155), the vertical length (t2) of the lower gear (146) of the ring gear can be formed to be longer than the vertical length (t1) of the upper gear (141) of the ring gear. (Refer to FIG. 10)

[0286] As described above, the ring gear (140) can spin by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear (120). Therefore, the ring gear (140) must be supported so that the spin is performed stably. For example, the ring gear (140) may have a lower rotating part (148) that guides the spin by being inserted into a 'V'-shaped groove formed at the top of the holder supporter (170).

[0287] Likewise, the ring gear (140) may have an upper rotating part (143) in which a 'V' shaped recessed groove is formed so that the end of the fixed carrier (130) or holder (160) is inserted to support or guide the spin.

[0288] The upper rotating part (143) and the lower rotating part (148) may each be provided with a groove or protrusion having a 'V' shape. The upper rotating part (143) and the lower rotating part (148) may extend along the circumferential direction.

[0289] For example, the upper portion of the holder supporter (170) corresponding to the lower rotating portion (148) may have a shape that fits with the lower rotating portion (148). And the ring gear (140) may rotate (i.e., rotate) in a circumferential direction along the fitting shape.

[0290] Accordingly, the spin of the ring gear (140) can be stably supported or guided. Here, the positions of the shapes in which the lower rotating part (148) and the upper part of the holder supporter (170) mutually engage may be provided to be opposite to each other.

[0291] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an output carrier of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0292] Referring to FIG. 7, the output carrier (150) may include an orbital gear shaft (1541, 1542, 1543) that forms the rotational center axis (A3) of the orbital gear (155).

[0293] The above orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) may be provided as first to third orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) spaced apart in the circumferential direction to have 120 degrees with respect to the center axis line (A1).

[0294] For example, the above orbit gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) may include a first orbit gear shaft (1541) providing a rotational center axis of the first orbit gear (1551), a second orbit gear shaft (1542) providing a rotational center axis of the second orbit gear (1552), and a third orbit gear shaft (1543) providing a rotational center axis of the third orbit gear (1553).

[0295] The above orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) may be formed to extend upward from the upper surface of the lower part of the output carrier (150) to have a predetermined diameter. For example, the first to third orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) may be extended upward to have the same height.

[0296] Meanwhile, the spin gear shaft may be named the “first planet gear shaft,” and the orbit gear shaft may be named the “second planet gear shaft.”

[0297] Meanwhile, the output carrier (130) may have an output carrier plate (159) attached to its top for stable rotational movement of the orbit gear (155).

[0298] To this end, the output carrier (130) may further include output coupling members (1561, 1562, 1563) for pressing and fixing the output carrier plate (159) downward.

[0299] The output coupling members (1561, 1562, 1563) may include a first output coupling member (1561) inserted into and / or coupled to the upper end of the first orbital gear shaft (1541) to press the output carrier plate (159) downward, a second output coupling member (1562) inserted into and / or coupled to the upper end of the second orbital gear shaft (1542) to press the output carrier plate (159) downward, and a third output coupling member (1563) inserted into and / or coupled to the upper end of the third orbital gear shaft (1543) to press the output carrier plate (159) downward.

[0300] The output carrier plate (159) may form grooves or holes at positions corresponding to the first to third orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543). Accordingly, the output carrier plate (159) may be inserted or fitted into the top of the first to third orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) and may be fixed by the output coupling member (1561, 1562, 1563).

[0301] The output carrier plate (159) may have a shape corresponding to the lower part of the output carrier (150). For example, the output carrier plate (159) may have a disc shape with an open top and bottom center. Accordingly, even when the output carrier plate (159) is coupled with the output carrier (150), the sun gear (120) and screw shaft (180) may be positioned so as to be rotatable at the center of the output carrier along the central axis line (A1).

[0302] The output carrier (150) may further include output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) formed between the orbital gear shafts (1541, 1542, 1543) in the circumferential direction to guide a more stable coupling of the output carrier plate (159) and to firmly support the orbital gear (155).

[0303] The output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) may have a volume that does not interfere with the rotation of the orbit gear (155). For example, the output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) may be positioned between the first orbit gear shaft (1541) and the second orbit gear shaft (1542) and may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the first orbit gear (1551) and the second orbit gear (1552) in the circumferential direction.

[0304] The output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) can be formed by extending upward on the lower surface of the output carrier (150) to have a predetermined thickness and arc length. Additionally, the output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) can be formed so that the arc length closer to the center axis line (A1) is short. Furthermore, the outer surface of the output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) can be formed to have the same outer diameter as the outer circumference of the output carrier (150).

[0305] The output support shafts (1571, 1572, 1573) may include a first output support shaft (1571) formed between the first orbit gear (1551) and the second orbit gear (1552), a second output support shaft (1572) formed between the second orbit gear (1552) and the third orbit gear (1553), and a third output support shaft (1573) formed between the third orbit gear (1553) and the first orbit gear (1551).

[0306] Additionally, the output carrier (150) may further include an output shaft coupling member (1571a, 1572a, 1573a) that is coupled to the upper end of the output support shaft (1571, 1572, 1573) and is inserted and / or coupled to press the output carrier plate (159) downward.

[0307] Additionally, the output carrier (150) may have a screw shaft coupling hole (151) formed at the center that is open at the top and bottom. For example, the upper end of the screw shaft (180) may be coupled to the screw shaft coupling hole (151) and positioned in an inserted state. Accordingly, the screw shaft (180) can be coupled to the output carrier (150).

[0308] Meanwhile, as described above, the upper gear (143) and lower gear (146) formed on the inner circumference of the ring gear (140) may be formed to have different radii (RH, RL) from the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve.

[0309] In other words, the horizontal distance between the upper gear (143) of the ring gear (140) and the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve can be formed to be longer than the horizontal distance between the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (140) and the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve.

[0310] Accordingly, the rotational axis (A2) of the spin gear (1351, 1352, 1353) formed along the spin gear axis (1341, 1342, 1343) may be located radially further from the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve (1) or the center axis of the shaft (118) than the rotational axis (A3) of the orbit gear (1551, 1552, 1553) formed along the orbit gear axis (1541, 1542, 1543). (See FIG. 10)

[0311] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a holder supporter of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention from above, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a holder supporter of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention from below.

[0312] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the holder supporter (170) can form a carrier receiving space (176) in which an output carrier (150) that rotates and moves up and down around a central axis (A1) by means of an inner circumference is received.

[0313] Additionally, the holder supporter (170) may include a supporter bottom surface (177) that defines the bottom of the carrier receiving space (176).

[0314] Additionally, the holder supporter (170) may form a screw shaft insertion hole (179) that is open in the vertical direction at the center of the bottom surface (177) or the center of the carrier receiving space (176).

[0315] The above screw shaft insertion hole (179) may form a screw thread (179a) along its inner surface. Accordingly, the screw shaft (180) can move up and down while being rotated inserted or rotated withdrawn along the screw thread (179a).

[0316] The screw shaft insertion hole (179) may be defined by a protruding guide (178) formed to protrude upward with a predetermined diameter from the bottom surface (177) of the holder supporter (170). That is, the protruding guide (178) may be formed to be located at the center of the carrier receiving space (176) and to protrude upward from the bottom surface (177) of the supporter. Additionally, the protruding guide (178) may be formed to surround the screw shaft insertion hole (179).

[0317] According to the above protruding guide (178), the bottom surface of the supporter (177) may not come into contact with the output carrier (150). Therefore, this may be advantageous in terms of product stability and reliability of the electronic expansion valve (1) installed in various directions.

[0318] Here, the protruding guide (178) can perform the function of a stopper at the maximum lowering point of the output carrier (150).

[0319] The holder supporter (170) may have a bowl shape.

[0320] The holder supporter (170) can form a body (171, 173). For example, the body (171, 173) may include a flange (172) that protrudes most radially from the central axis (A1) or screw axis (180) or has the largest outer diameter among the outer surfaces of the body.

[0321] The upper outer surface (171) of the body may be formed to have an outer diameter smaller than that of the flange (172). Accordingly, the lower end of the holder (160) can be seated and coupled to the flange (172). Additionally, the lower part of the inner surface of the holder (160) may be coupled to the upper outer surface (171) of the body in a state of close contact or abutment.

[0322] Additionally, the holder supporter (170) can be inserted and seated on the valve seat (20) by means of the flange (172) structure.

[0323] That is, the lower outer surface (173) of the body of the holder supporter (170) is located lower than the flange (172) and can be formed to have a smaller outer diameter than the upper outer surface (171) of the body.

[0324] The lower outer surface (173) of the body is inserted and coupled into the inner side of the valve seat (20) together with the bottom surface (174) of the holder supporter (170), so that it can be positioned on the upper side of the spindle (220) and / or spindle receiver (230). That is, the bottom surface of the holder supporter (170) can provide a fixing force so that the spindle (220) and / or spindle receiver (230) does not bounce upward due to elasticity.

[0325] The holder supporter (170) may further include a rotation guide (175) formed in a shape that corresponds to a lower rotating part (148) for the rotation of the ring gear (140). For example, the rotation guide (175) may have a vertical cross-section in the shape of a 'V' and extend in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the lower rotating part (148) can be inserted into the rotation guide (175) to stably support the spin of the ring gear (140).

[0326] Figure 10 is a drawing showing the X-X' section of Figure 1.

[0327] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, a mechanism for controlling the valve opening degree of an electronic expansion valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0328] A rotor (50) disposed in the inner space of a valve cover (10) formed of a non-magnetic material can be rotated by a stator (60) detachably installed on the outer side of the valve cover (10).

[0329] The rotational motion of the rotor (50) can be transmitted to the sun gear (120) coupled to the rotor (50). That is, the sun gear (120) can rotate together with the rotor (50).

[0330] The above-mentioned sun gear (120) supports the shaft (118) so as to be coaxial with the central axis (A1), and the gear teeth formed on the upper part of the main body (121) may be engaged with the spin gear (135), and the gear teeth formed on the lower part of the main body (121) may be engaged with the orbit gear (155).

[0331] Here, the number of gear teeth of the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) can be extended in the vertical direction so that the number of gear teeth is the same. In other words, the sun gear (120) can be formed such that the design value of the gear teeth formed on the main body (121) is extended in the vertical direction so that it is the same.

[0332] That is, the rotational motion of the sun gear (120) can be transmitted simultaneously to the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) in the same way.

[0333] For example, when the sun gear (120) rotates counterclockwise, the spin gear (135) and the orbit gear (155) rotate clockwise, and the ring gear (140) can rotate clockwise.

[0334] That is, the sun gear (120) and ring gear (140) can rotate in opposite directions.

[0335] Meanwhile, the holder supporter (170) coupled to the valve seat (20) and the holder (160) fixed and supported by the holder supporter (170) are connected to the fixed carrier (130) and can support the fixed carrier (130) to maintain a fixed position.

[0336] The spin gear (135) can rotate (rotate) around the spin gear axes (1341, 1342, 1343) formed on the fixed carrier (130). That is, the spin gear (135) rotates (spins) around the spin gear axes (1341, 1342, 1343) formed on the fixed carrier (130) and can transmit the rotational motion of the sun gear (120) to the upper gear (143) of the ring gear (140) which is coupled to mesh with the outer gear of the spin gear (135). That is, it can provide a reduction function.

[0337] Meanwhile, as described above, the ring gear (140) may be provided to spin as an integrated structure. Accordingly, the ring gear (140) spins by receiving the rotational motion of the spin gear (135) to the upper gear (143) of the ring gear (140), and at the same time, the ring gear (140) can spin by receiving the rotational motion of the sun gear (120) through the orbit gear (155) from the lower gear (146).

[0338] Here, the gear teeth formed on the main body (121) of the sun gear (120) can be formed such that the upper part meshing with the spin gear (135) and the lower part meshing with the orbit gear (155) have the same specifications. That is, the gear teeth formed in the circumferential direction of the main body (121) of the sun gear can be integrally formed with the same design values ​​(number of gear teeth, displacement coefficient) without distinction between the upper and lower parts.

[0339] However, in the above-mentioned integrated ring gear (140), the number of gear teeth of the upper gear (141) may be designed differently from the number of gear teeth of the lower gear (146). Additionally, the number of gear teeth of the spin gear (135) and the number of gear teeth of the orbit gear (155) may be designed differently.

[0340] Additionally, the displacement coefficient of the upper gear (141) and the displacement coefficient of the lower gear (146) can be designed differently. Also, the displacement coefficient of the spin gear (135) and the displacement coefficient of the orbit gear (155) can be designed differently.

[0341] Accordingly, even if the ring gear (140) has the same number of rotations due to the integrated ring gear (140) structure, the spin gear (135) meshed with the upper gear (141) rotates, and the orbit gear (155) meshed with the lower gear (146) can rotate and simultaneously revolve around the shaft (118) or the rotation axis (A1).

[0342] For example, the number of teeth of the sun gear (120) can be designed to be 13, the number of teeth of the spin gear to be 15, the number of teeth of the upper gear (141) of the ring gear (140) to be 44, the number of teeth of the orbit gear (155) to be 14, and the number of teeth of the lower gear (146) of the ring gear (140) to be 41.

[0343] Accordingly, the above-mentioned orbit gear (155) can rotate around the orbit gear axes (1541, 1542, 1543) and, at the same time, receive rotational motion from the sun gear (120) and ring gear (140) due to the difference in the number of gear teeth, and revolve around the shaft (118) or the central axis (A1).

[0344] Accordingly, the output carrier (150) coupled with the orbit gear (155) can rotate together with the orbit gear (155). Here, the rotation of the output carrier (150) can be understood as rotation.

[0345] Meanwhile, the rotational (or rotational) speed of the output carrier (150) will be equal to the orbital speed of the orbit gear (155).

[0346] Meanwhile, since the output carrier (150) is coupled with a screw shaft (180), it can move along the threads (179a) of the screw shaft insertion hole (179) of the holder supporter (170) by the rotation of the output carrier (150). Here, the rotational movement of the output carrier (150) can be converted into an up-and-down linear movement by the screw shaft (180).

[0347] Additionally, when the screw shaft (180) moves downward along the screw thread, the ball (185) of the screw shaft (180) makes point contact with the ball receiver (210), so that only vertical movement can be transmitted.

[0348] Since the ball receiver (210) is inserted inside the spindle (220) and applies downward force, the needle (250) coupled to the spindle (220) can also move downward.

[0349] According to the electronic expansion valve (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to implement an electronic expansion valve having a compact and relatively small size while having a relatively high reduction ratio. Accordingly, the electronic expansion valve (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention can implement more precise control between the full-closed and full-stroke states of the valve due to the relatively high reduction ratio. That is, the resolution of the degree of opening of the electronic expansion valve (1) can be improved.

Claims

1. Valve cover; A valve seat coupled to the above valve cover; A rotor disposed on the inner side of the above valve cover; A stator disposed on the outer side of the valve cover and driving the rotor to rotate; Sun gear coupled to the above rotor; A first planet gear positioned on the outer side of the above-mentioned sun gear and rotating; A ring gear positioned on the outer side of the first planet gear and rotating; A second planet gear disposed on the inner side of the ring gear and orbiting according to the movement of the ring gear; An output carrier that rotates and moves in the up and down direction according to the movement of the second planet gear; and An electronic expansion valve comprising a needle disposed inside the valve seat and moving in an up-and-down direction according to the up-and-down movement of the output carrier.

2. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a fixed carrier that supports the first planet gear, The above fixed carrier is an electronic expansion valve comprising a first planet gear shaft that supports the rotation of the first planet gear.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above fixed carrier is an electronic expansion valve including an upper projection for supporting the rotation of the sun gear.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above ring gear is, An upper gear formed on the upper part of the inner surface; and It includes a lower gear formed on the lower part of the inner surface so as to be spaced downward from the upper gear above, and The above upper gear and the above lower gear are formed to have the same number of rotations in an electronic expansion valve.

5. In Paragraph 2, It further includes a screw shaft coupled to the output carrier, which receives the rotational motion of the output carrier and moves up and down while rotating along the screw threads. The above screw shaft is connected to the above needle in an up-and-down direction and is an electronic expansion valve that controls the up-and-down movement of the above needle.

6. In Paragraph 5, The output carrier and the second planet gear are an electronic expansion valve in which at least a portion is disposed inside the ring gear and moves up and down according to the up and down movement of the screw shaft.

7. In Paragraph 5, The above screw shaft is coupled with a shaft located at the center of the above sun gear, and An electronic window valve wherein the shaft is configured to rotate and move up and down at the center of the sun gear, dependent on the up-and-down movement caused by the rotation of the screw shaft.

8. In Paragraph 5, The above second planet gear is an electronic expansion valve that moves up and down while orbiting around the shaft by the up and down movement of the output carrier.

9. In Paragraph 5, The above output carrier is an electronic expansion valve that receives the rotational motion of the above sun gear and rotates while moving up and down together with the above screw shaft.

10. In Paragraph 5, A holder supporter that is seated on the valve seat and includes a screw shaft insertion hole in the center for vertical movement of the screw shaft; and It further includes a holder coupled to the holder supporter and supporting the fixed carrier, and An electronic expansion valve in which screw threads are formed in the above screw shaft insertion hole.

11. In Paragraph 10, A lower rotating part for the rotation of the ring gear is formed at the lower end of the above ring gear, and An electronic expansion valve having a rotation guide formed at the top of the holder supporter to support the lower rotating part and guide the rotation of the ring gear.

12. In Paragraph 1, The above ring gear is an upper gear that meshes with the first planet gear; and It includes a lower gear that meshes with the second planet gear mentioned above, and An electronic expansion valve in which the inner diameter of the upper gear is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the lower gear.

13. In Paragraph 2, The output carrier includes a second planet gear shaft that supports the rotation of the second planet gear, and 14. In Paragraph 13, The rotation axis (A2) of the first planet gear formed along the first planet gear axis is located radially further from the center axis (A1) of the electronic expansion valve than the rotation axis (A3) of the second planet gear formed along the second planet gear axis.

15. In Paragraph 14, The second planet gear is an electronic expansion valve that receives the rotation of the ring gear and the rotational motion of the sun gear, rotates on its own axis, and simultaneously revolves around the shaft.

Images