The present invention relates to a control valve and a method of manufacturing the same.
For example, in a control valve such as a flow control valve which is arranged in a circulating flow path of a refrigerant in an air conditioning equipment, it has been known that the control valve is assembled by connecting a valve main body including a valve chamber and a can accommodating a valve drive portion.
As a relevant technique, patent literature 1 discloses a stepping motor driven type control valve. In the control valve described in the patent literature 1, a flange is provided in a lower end of the can. Further, the flange is pinched between a ring screw and a valve main body, so that the can is fixed to the valve main body.
Patent literature 2 discloses a method of manufacturing a valve housing for a control valve. In the manufacturing method described in the patent literature 2, a mold main body portion is formed by integrally molding a periphery of a valve casing unit made of a metal with a molding material. Further, in the manufacturing method described in the patent literature 2, a lid member is firmly fixed to a lower end of a plunger case. Further, when the plunger case is fixed to the mold main body portion, the lid member in the lower end of the plunger case is firmly fixed to the mold main body portion by caulking an end portion of the valve casing unit made of the metal.
In the control valve described in the patent literature 1 and the patent literature 2, there are a lot of dedicated parts for connecting the units which construct the control valve. In other words, in the control valve described in the patent literature 1 and the patent literature 2, a connection structure between the units does not respond to a downsizing and a weight reduction of the control valve.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a control valve which makes the downsizing and the weight reduction possible and a method of manufacturing the same.
In order to achieve the object mentioned above, a control valve according to the present invention is provided with a valve main body in which a valve chamber is formed in its inner portion, a connection member which is firmly fixed to the valve main body, and a can which is firmly fixed to the valve main body. The valve main body and the can include the same metal material. The connection member is made of a resin. The connection member is provided with a fastening portion for connecting piping parts.
In the control valve mentioned above, the valve main body may be made of a stainless steel. Further, the can may be made of a stainless steel.
In the control valve mentioned above, the valve main body and the can may be firmly fixed by welding.
In the control valve mentioned above, the valve main body and the connection member may be integrated according to an insert molding.
In the control valve mentioned above, the valve main body may have a first piping which is provided with a first flange portion. Further, the connection member may have a first flange receiving portion which is arranged in the periphery of the first piping.
In the control valve mentioned above, the number of the fastening portion may be set to one.
The control valve mentioned above may be provided with a rotor member which is arranged within the can, and a stator member which is arranged outside the can.
A method of manufacturing a control valve according to the present invention is provided with a step of preparing a valve side unit which includes a valve main body made of a metal, and a connection member made of a resin, and a step of firmly fixing the valve main body made of the metal, and the can made of the metal. The connection member is provided with a fastening portion for connecting piping parts.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control valve which makes a downsizing and a weight reduction possible and a method of manufacturing the same.
A description will be given below of a control valve and a method of manufacturing the same according to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached to positions and members having the same functions, and a redundant description of the positions and the members to which the same reference numerals are attached will be omitted. A description will be given of an example in which a control valve 1 is an electrically operated valve, however, the control valve may be an electromagnetic valve.
A description will be given of a control valve 1 according to an embodiment with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The valve main body 10 is made of the metal. As a result, a strength of the valve main body 10 is high, and there is a small risk that a liquid leaks from the valve main body 10.
The can 30 is made of the metal. The valve main body 10 and the can 30 include the same metal material. More specifically, a main material (that is, an element having the highest content ratio) of the valve main body 10 coincides with a main material (that is, an element having the highest content ratio) of the can 30. As a result, it is easy to directly fix the can 30 to the valve main body 10. For example, the valve main body 10 and the can 30 can be firmly fixed by welding. In an example described in
The valve main body 10 is made of the stainless steel, for example, SUS304, and the can 30 is made of the stainless steel such as SUS304. Since the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are made of the stainless steel, a corrosion risk of the valve main body 10 and the can 30 can be reduced.
In the example described in
As shown in
The connection member 20 is made of a resin. As a result, a weight of the connection member 20 can be reduced. The resin constructing the connection member 20 is, for example, a poly phenylene sulfide resin (PPS resin).
The connection between the valve main body 10 made of the metal, and the connection member 20 made of the resin is preferably achieved by an insert molding. In other words, the valve main body 10 and the connection member 20 are preferably integrated by the insert molding. For example, a resin material is cast into a molding die after the valve main body 10 made of the metal is arranged within the molding die. On the basis of the solidification of the resin material, a compound component obtained by integrating the valve main body 10 and the connection member 20 made of the resin is insert molded. The insert molded compound component is provided with the valve main body 10, and the connection member 20 which is arranged in the periphery of a part of the valve main body 10.
In the case that the connection between the valve main body 10 made of the metal and the connection member 20 made of the resin is achieved by the insert molding, a dedicated fastening member connecting the valve main body 10 and the connection member 20 is not required. Further, in the example described in
In the embodiment, the control valve 1 includes the valve side unit 2 having the valve main body 10 made of the metal and the connection member 20 made of the resin. The valve side unit 2 includes both the fastening portion 22 to which the piping parts mentioned later are fastened, and the vale chamber VS in which the fluid flows. Further, the parts and the man hour required for assembling the valve side unit 2 are reduced. On the basis of the reduction of the parts number, the weight of the control valve 1 is reduced, and the control valve 1 is downsized. Further, in the embodiment, it is easy to directly fix the can 30 to the valve main body 10 since the valve main body 10 and the can 30 include the same metal material. Further, in the embodiment, the weight of the control valve 1 is reduced since the connection member 20 is made of the resin.
Further, in the embodiment, in the case that the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are made of the stainless steel, the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are hard to be corroded.
Further, in the embodiment, in the case that the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are firmly fixed by welding, the connection structure between the valve main body 10 and the can 30 becomes firm, and the liquid leak is hard to be generated. Further, in the case that the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are firmly fixed by welding, the dedicated fastening member connecting between the valve main body 10 and the can 30, and the dedicated seal member are not required. As a result, the parts number of the control valve 1 is further reduced, the weight of the control valve 1 is reduced, and the control valve 1 is downsized.
In the case that the member made of the resin is connected to the valve main body 10, there is a risk that the member made of the resin melts when the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are welded. However, in the embodiment, there is no risk that the connection member 20 made of the resin melts when the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are welded, since the connection member 20 made of the resin is positioned away from the weld portion.
Further, in the embodiment, in the case that the valve main body 10 and the connection member 20 are integrated by the insert molding, the dedicated fastening member connection between the valve main body 10 and the connection member 20, and the dedicated seal member are not required. As a result, the parts number of the control valve 1 is further reduced, the weight of the control valve 1 is reduced and the control valve 1 is downsized.
A description will be given in more detail of each of the structures of the control valve 1 according to the embodiment with reference to
(Valve Main Body 10)
In the example described in
The valve main body 10 may be provided with a first connection portion 16 to which a guide unit 50 guiding the movement of a valve shaft 70 is connected.
In the example described in
In the example described in
The valve main body 10 may be formed by applying a cutting work and a polishing work to a metal block which is formed by forging, press work or casting.
(Connection Member 20)
The connection member 20 is provided with a first flange receiving portion 213 which is arranged in the periphery of the first piping 11 (more specifically, the first flange portion 113). The first flange receiving portion 213 is provided with a hole portion 213h through which the first piping 11 passes.
Further, the connection member 20 is provided with a second flange receiving portion 233 which is arranged in the periphery of the second piping 13 (more specifically, the second flange portion 133). The second flange receiving portion 233 is provided with a hole portion 233h through which the second piping 13 passes.
In the example described in
In the example described in
In the example described in
(Can 30)
In the example described in
(Rotor Member 64 and Stator Member 62)
In the example described in
The stator member 62 includes a bobbin 622, and a coil 620 which is wound to the bobbin. A pulse signal is input to the coil 620 from an electric wire which is connected to an electric power supply. Further, when the pulse signal is input to the coil 620, the rotor member 64 turns only at an angle of rotation which corresponds to a pulse number of the pulse signal. More specifically, in the example described in
In the example described in
The rotor member 64 is arranged in an inner side of the side wall 32 of the can 30 so as to be rotatable in relation to the can 30. At least a part of the rotor member 64 is formed by a magnetic material, and the rotor member 64 is provided with a magnet.
A description will be in more detail given of an example of the rotor member 64. The rotor member 64 has an outer tube 641 which includes the magnet, and an inner tube 640 which includes a first thread portion 640c. The magnet included in the outer tube 641 is, for example, a plastic magnet.
The material of the inner tube 640 is, for example, the metal. The first thread portion 640c of the inner tube 640 is a female thread portion. The first thread portion 640c is threadably mounted to a second thread portion 50c (a male thread portion) of the guide unit 50.
In the example described in
In the example described in
The stopper 58 may be provided in any given member which does not turn together with the rotor member 64. In the example described in
In the example described in
(Valve Drive Portion)
A valve drive portion is a mechanism which moves up and down a valve body 75 via the valve shaft 70 on the basis of the rotation of the rotor member 64, and is accommodated in the can 30. The valve shaft 70 is a rod-shaped member which supports the valve body 75. The valve body 75 is arranged in a first end portion 70a of the valve shaft 70. Further, the valve body 75 seats on the valve seat 14 on the basis of the movement of the valve shaft 70 in the downward direction, and the valve body 75 moves away from the valve seat 14 on the basis of the movement of the valve shaft 70 in the upward direction.
In the example described in
In the example described in
When the rotor member 64 further moves in the downward direction while turning after the valve body 75 comes into contact with the valve seat 14, the biasing member 76 contracts and the valve body 75 is pressed against the valve seat 14. Further, the valve shaft 70 (and the valve body 75) stop rotating on the basis of the friction force between the valve body 75 and the valve seat 14.
In the example described in
In the example described in
The biasing member 76 has a function of biasing the valve shaft 70 in the downward direction, and pressing the valve body 75 against the valve seat 14 when the valve body 75 seats on the valve seat 14. In addition, the biasing member 76 has a function of biasing the rotor member 64 in the upward direction, bringing the rotor member 64 and the valve shaft 70 into pressure contact with each other, and making the movement of the valve shaft 70 follow the movement of the rotor member 64.
In the example described in
(Piping Parts)
A description will be given of an example of the piping part 80 connected to the fastening portion 22 of the connection member 20 with reference to
In the example described in
The first piping part 81 is provided with a piping connection portion 810 in which a first connection pipe 811 is arranged, and a piping part side fastening portion 815 which is fastened to the fastening portion 22 (the first fastening portion 22a).
A flow path within the first connection pipe 811 communicates with a flow path within the first piping 11. In the example described in
In the example described in
In the example described in
The second piping part 83 is provided with a piping connection portion 830 in which the second connection pipe 831 is arranged, and a piping part side fastening portion 835 which is fastened to the fastening portion 22 (the second fastening portion 22b).
A flow path within the second connection pipe 831 communicates with a flow path within the second piping 13. In the example described in
In the example described in
The piping part 80 is made of, for example, the metal. In the example described in
(Method of Manufacturing Control Valve in Embodiment)
A description will be given of an example of a method of manufacturing a control valve according to an embodiment with reference to
In a first step ST1, there is prepared the valve side unit 2 which includes the valve main body 10 made of the metal, and the connection member 20 made of the resin. For example, first of all, the valve main body 10 having the valve chamber VS is inserted into the molding die. Further, secondly, the resin material is cast into the molding die. As mentioned above, the valve side unit 2 including the valve main body 10 made of the metal and the connection member 20 made of the resin is insert molded.
The connection member included in the valve side unit 2 manufactured according to the first step ST1 is provided with the fastening portion 22 for connecting the piping part 80.
In a step ST2, the valve main body 10 made of the metal is firmly fixed to the can 30 made of the metal directly. For example, the valve main body 10 and the can 30 are firmly fixed directly by welding the valve main body 10 and the can 30.
In the step ST2, the valve drive portion such as the rotor member 64 may be accommodated in the inner portion of the can 30 which is connected to the valve main body 10. In the case that the control valve 1 is the electromagnetic valve, the valve drive portion is a plunger (for example, an armature) and an energy applying portion is a solenoid (a coil).
A step of firmly fixing the guide unit guiding the movement of the valve shaft 70 to the valve main body 10 may be executed between the first step ST1 and the second step ST2. The step of firmly fixing the guide unit 50 to the valve main body 10 is executed, for example, by threadably mounting the guide unit 50 to the first connection portion 16 of the valve main body 10. In this case, a seal member such as an O-ring may be arranged between the guide unit 50 and the valve main body 10.
As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, the control valve 1 can be easily manufactured without requirement of any complicated work.
(Connection Between Control Valve 1 and Piping Part 80)
A description will be given of an example of a method of connecting the control valve 1 and the piping part 80 with reference to
In a third step ST3, the piping connection portion 810 and the first flange receiving portion 213 of the connection member 20 are brought into contact with each other, in a state in which the piping connection portion 810 of the first piping part 81 is aligned with the first piping 11 of the valve main body 10. At this time, the first seal member 91 may be arranged between the piping connection portion 810 and the first piping 11.
In a fourth step ST4, the piping part side fastening portion 815 of the first piping part 81 and the fastening portion 22 of the connection member 20 are brought into contact with each other. The fourth step ST4 may be executed before the third step ST3, or may be executed after the third step ST3, or may be executed at the same time as the third step ST3.
In a fifth step ST5, the piping part side fastening portion 815 of the first piping part 81 is fastened to the fastening portion 22 of the connection member 20. The piping part side fastening portion 815 may be fastened to the fastening portion 22 by inserting the fastening member F1 into the hole portion 815h of the piping part side fastening portion 815 and the hole portion 22h of the fastening portion 22.
In a sixth step ST6, the piping connection portion 830 and the second flange receiving portion 233 of the connection member 20 are brought into contact with each other in a state in which the piping connection portion 830 of the second piping part 83 is aligned with the second piping 13 of the valve main body 10. At this time, the second seal member 93 may be arranged between the piping connection portion 830 and the second piping 13.
In a seventh step ST7, the piping part side fastening portion 835 of the second piping part 83 and the fastening portion 22 of the connection member 20 are brought into contact with each other. The seventh step ST7 may be executed before the sixth step ST6, or may be executed after the sixth step ST6, or may be executed at the same time as the sixth step ST6.
In an eighth step ST8, the piping part side fastening portion 835 of the second piping part 83 is fastened to the fastening portion 22 of the connection member 20. The piping part side fastening portion 835 is fastened to the fastening portion 22 by inserting the fastening member F2 into the hole portion 835h of the piping part side fastening portion 835 and the hole portion 22h of the fastening portion 22.
As mentioned above, in the embodiment, the control valve 1 can be easily connected to the piping parts without requirement of any complicated work.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above. Further, any given constituent elements of the embodiments can be modified or any given constituent elements can be omitted in each of the embodiments, within the scope of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2017-082142 | Apr 2017 | JP | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180299021 A1 | Oct 2018 | US |