JP2005249300A - Expansion valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expansion valve having low cost without adding other parts for a vibration damping means. <P>SOLUTION: A plate spring 24 constituting the vibration damping means is integrally formed on a center disc 22 of a power element 13. A radially outward load is applied to the inner wall face of a cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of a lower housing 20 to generate sliding resistance to the axial movement. By giving vibration damping function to the center disc 22 necessary for constituting the power element 13, the function is increased without increasing the number of parts. Thus, cost for the highly functioning expansion valve is reduced and its assembling efficiency is improved with the less number of parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an expansion valve, and in particular, supplies high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant to a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant in an refrigeration cycle of an automobile air conditioner system, and supplies the evaporator with a predetermined refrigerant state at an evaporator outlet. The present invention relates to a temperature type expansion valve that controls the flow rate of refrigerant so as to achieve a degree of superheat.

  The temperature type expansion valve includes a power element and a valve part, the power element senses the temperature and pressure of the outlet refrigerant of the evaporator, and the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator by the valve part according to the sensed refrigerant temperature and pressure. The flow rate is controlled. That is, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant sensed by the power element are transmitted to the valve body disposed on the upstream side of the valve seat by the shaft extending through the valve hole of the valve portion, and the lift amount of the valve body is controlled. It is configured. Since the valve body is arranged on the upstream side of the valve seat, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant introduced from the receiver / dryer acts on the valve body in the valve closing direction. For this reason, if there is a sudden pressure rise of the refrigerant and a load in the valve closing direction is applied to the valve body, the water hammer will act as the valve closes, resulting in a higher pressure and a loud noise. The phenomenon occurs. On the other hand, if the sudden pressure rise of the refrigerant disappears, the valve element is returned by the power element and acts in the direction of opening the valve. As a result, the valve element vibrates by the pressure fluctuation of the refrigerant and generates abnormal noise. May end up.

  Therefore, for an expansion valve applied to a system that generates such self-excited vibration, a damping means that brakes the movement of the valve body in order to suppress the occurrence of self-excited vibration. Is provided. As a vibration damping means, for example, a device that slows the movement of the shaft in the axial direction by applying a lateral load to the shaft that transmits the movement of the power element to the valve body is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vibration control means, a lateral load is applied to the shaft on the power element side using a spring, thereby generating sliding resistance with the body holding the shaft, making the valve body difficult to move and expanding. No vibration noise is generated from the valve.

  As another damping means, a leaf spring is added to the valve body support member that supports the shaft or valve body fixed to the diaphragm of the power element, and the leaf spring is used for damping vibration between the body and the body. Some of them are designed to generate a sliding resistance (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Further, as another vibration damping means, a restraining means is provided that causes a sliding resistance between the spring and the valve body by arranging a spring around the valve body and directly applying a lateral load to the valve body. An expansion valve is also known (for example, see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-130499 (FIG. 2, paragraph [0023]) US Pat. No. 4,542,852 (FIGS. 1 and 4) JP 2003-90647 A

  However, since a self-excited vibration does not always occur depending on a system incorporating an expansion valve, at least two of a low-cost basic type having no damping means and a type having a damping means for an expansion valve having the same characteristics. There is a need to prepare a kind of expansion valve, and the expansion valve having the vibration control means has a problem that the cost is increased and product management is complicated because of the addition of a separate part. .

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost expansion valve without newly adding another component for the vibration damping means.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, a power element that senses the temperature and pressure of the outlet refrigerant of the evaporator, and a valve unit that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator according to the sensed temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. And a shaft that transmits the displacement of the diaphragm of the power element to the valve body of the valve portion, and a damping means for suppressing movement in the axial direction is disposed outside the shaft and the valve body An expansion valve is provided which is formed integrally with a center disk or a valve body support member.

  According to such an expansion valve, the vibration damping means is formed integrally with the center disk or the valve body support member so that the center disk or the valve body support member has a vibration damping function. Thereby, since it is not necessary to newly add another part for the vibration damping means, a low-cost expansion valve is provided.

  In the expansion valve of the present invention, the number of parts is reduced because the plate spring constituting the damping means is formed integrally with the center disk or the valve body support member that supports the valve body necessary for constituting the power element. Thus, there is an advantage that the assembly becomes easy and the cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an expansion valve according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a center disk of a power element having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the first embodiment. (A) is a plan view thereof, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in the plan view.

  The expansion valve 1 according to the first embodiment senses the temperature and pressure of the valve portion 11 that expands the high-pressure liquid refrigerant, the body 12 that accommodates the valve portion 11, and the refrigerant that has returned from the evaporator. A power element 13 and a shaft 14 held by the body 12 so as to transmit the operation of the power element 13 to the valve portion 11 are provided.

  The body 12 has, on its side, a port T1 to which a high-pressure refrigerant pipe is connected so as to receive a high-temperature / high-pressure liquid refrigerant from a receiver / dryer, and a low-temperature / low-pressure refrigerant decompressed / expanded by the expansion valve 1. A port T2 to which a low-pressure refrigerant pipe for supplying to the evaporator is connected, a port T3 to which a refrigerant pipe from the evaporator outlet is connected, and a port T4 to which a refrigerant pipe leading to the compressor is connected are provided.

  The valve portion 11 is formed with a valve hole so as to communicate the port T1 and the port T2, and a taper constituting the valve seat 15 is formed at the upstream opening end of the valve hole. A ball-shaped valve body 16 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the upstream side against the valve seat 15, and this valve body 16 is urged by a spring 17 in the valve closing direction. The spring 17 is received by an adjustment screw 18 screwed to the body 12 at the other end opposite to one end in contact with the valve body 16, and the spring load of the spring 17 is adjusted by adjusting the adjustment screw 18. It can be adjusted.

  The power element 13 screwed to the upper end portion of the body 12 includes a thick metal upper housing 19 and a lower housing 20, and a diaphragm 21 made of a flexible thin metal plate arranged so as to partition a space surrounded by these. And a center disk 22 disposed on the lower surface of the diaphragm 21. A space surrounded by the upper housing 19 and the diaphragm 21 constitutes a greenhouse, and is filled with a refrigerant gas or the like, and is closed by resistance welding a metal ball to the upper housing 19. The center disk 22 receiving the central portion of the lower surface of the diaphragm 21 is in contact with the upper end of the shaft 14 that is held by the body 12 so as to be able to advance and retract in the axial direction. The lower end of the shaft 14 extends through the valve hole, contacts the valve body 16, and transmits the displacement of the diaphragm 21 to the valve body 16.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the center disk 22 includes a diaphragm receiving portion 23 that contacts the diaphragm 21 and a plurality of plate springs 24 that extend from the outer peripheral portion and are equally arranged in the circumferential direction. These are integrally formed by punching a plate material having a spring property into a shape in which the plate spring 24 is developed and pressing. Each leaf spring 24 has a free end inclined radially outward, and a smooth raised portion 25 having a surface protruding outward is formed in the vicinity of the free end.

  The center disk 22 is disposed in a cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of the lower housing 20. Since the leaf spring 24 is formed so that the diameter of the inscribed circle with the raised portion 25 is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 26, the raised portion 25 is in pressure contact with the inner wall of the tubular portion 26. Thereby, the leaf | plate spring 24 of the center disk 22 can generate | occur | produce sliding resistance with respect to the motion of an axial direction, and comprises the damping means.

  In the expansion valve 1 having the above-described configuration, the power element 13 detects a temperature sufficiently higher than when the air conditioner is operating before starting the air conditioner for the automobile. The diaphragm 21 is displaced downward in the figure. The displacement of the diaphragm 21 is transmitted to the valve body 16 of the valve portion 11 via the center disk 22 and the shaft 14, and the expansion valve 1 is fully opened.

  When the air conditioner is activated and the refrigerant is introduced into the port T1, the refrigerant flows through the throttle portion between the valve seat 15 and the valve body 16 formed in the valve portion 11, and is decompressed and expanded at the throttle portion. The refrigerant is supplied from the port T2 to the evaporator. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator enters the port T3 and flows from the port T4 to the compressor. When the refrigerant flows from the port T3 to the port T4, it is introduced into the lower chamber of the diaphragm 21 through the cylindrical portion 26 in which the center disk 22 is disposed. It will sense the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant.

  As the refrigerant returning from the evaporator cools, the temperature of the temperature sensitive greenhouse of the power element 13 decreases, and the refrigerant gas in the temperature sensitive greenhouse condenses on the inner surface of the diaphragm 21. As a result, the pressure in the temperature-sensitive room decreases and the diaphragm 21 is displaced upward, so that the shaft 14 is pushed upward by the spring 17 and moves upward. As a result, when the valve body 16 moves to the valve seat 15 side, the flow passage area of the throttle portion decreases, the flow rate of the refrigerant sent to the evaporator decreases, and the valve portion 11 has a refrigerant flow rate corresponding to the cooling load. Is set to the opening degree.

  Here, when the refrigerant introduced into the port T1 undergoes a rapid pressure fluctuation, the valve body 16 receives a force in a direction to open and close the valve portion 11 along with the pressure fluctuation. The force received by the valve body 16 is transmitted to the center disk 22 of the power element 13 through the shaft 14. However, since the center disk 22 is restrained from moving in the axial direction by the plate spring 24 formed integrally therewith, the center disk 22 does not respond sensitively to sudden pressure fluctuations of the refrigerant. It does not occur, and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented. Moreover, this vibration damping function is not to add a new part for the purpose of vibration damping, but by providing the center disk 22 necessary for configuring the expansion valve 1 with a vibration damping function. Since the expansion valve 1 to which the damping function is added can be configured without changing the number of parts, the cost can be reduced. Moreover, since no additional parts for damping are required, the assembly of the expansion valve 1 can be improved.

  FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of the expansion valve according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a center disk of a power element having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the second embodiment. (A) is a plan view thereof, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in the plan view. 3 and 4, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve 2 according to the second embodiment changes the shape of the center disk 22 as compared with the expansion valve 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the center disk 22 of the expansion valve 2 has a flange portion 27 on the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm receiving portion 23 as shown in detail in FIG. The flange portion 27 is formed such that the diameter of the inscribed circle is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of the lower housing 20. Therefore, when the power element 13 is assembled, the power element 13 is assembled in a state where the center disk 22 is inserted in the lower housing 20 in advance, that is, in a state where the plate spring 24 is accommodated in the cylindrical portion 26. Other configurations of the center disk 22 are the same as those of the expansion valve 1 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an expansion valve according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a center disk of a power element having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the third embodiment. (A) is a plan view thereof, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in the plan view. 5 and 6, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve 3 according to the third embodiment changes the shape of the center disk 22 as compared with the expansion valve 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the center disk 22 of the expansion valve 3 has three support portions 28 that are equally arranged in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm receiving portion 23 as shown in detail in FIG. . The support portion 28 is suspended from the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm receiving portion 23, and a plate spring 24 extending substantially in the circumferential direction is connected to the tip of the support portion 28. In the vicinity of the free end of the leaf spring 24, a protruding portion 25 protruding outward is formed. Of course, the diaphragm receiving portion 23, the support portion 28 and the plate spring 24 are integrally formed of a plate material having a spring property.

  The center disk 22 has a diameter of the inscribed circle of the support portion 28 that is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of the lower housing 20, and the inscribed circle of the raised portion 25 provided on the plate spring 24. The diameter is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of the lower housing 20.

  The center disk 22 is disposed in the cylindrical portion 26 of the lower housing 20 in a state where the raised portion 25 of the leaf spring 24 is pressed against the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 26. The vibration damping means can be configured by generating a sliding resistance against the movement of.

  FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a center disk of a power element having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment. (A) is a plan view thereof, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in the plan view. 7 and 8, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the expansion valve 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the shape of the center disk 22 is changed as compared with the expansion valve 3 according to the third embodiment. That is, the center disk 22 of the expansion valve 4 has a flange portion 27 on the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm receiving portion 23 as shown in detail in FIG. The flange portion 27 is formed such that the diameter of the inscribed circle is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 26 formed at the center of the lower housing 20. The other configuration of the center disk 22 is the same as that of the expansion valve 3 according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an expansion valve according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10 shows a valve body support member of a valve portion having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the fifth embodiment. It is a figure shown, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is aa arrow sectional drawing of a top view. In FIG. 9, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the expansion valve 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the expansion valves 1 to 4 according to the first to fourth embodiments have the vibration damping function provided to the center disk 22 of the power element 13. The difference is that the valve body support member 30 is provided with a function. That is, the expansion valve 4 includes a valve body support member 30 that supports the valve body 16 between the valve body 16 and the spring 17 in the valve portion 11, and vibration damping means is integrated with the valve body support member 30. A plate spring 31 is formed.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 10, the valve body support member 30 is integrally formed with a valve body support portion 32, a plate spring 31, and a ring 33 that connects them. The valve body support portion 32 is provided with a hole 34 for positioning the valve body 16 in the center of the valve body support portion 32, and the surface of the leaf spring 31 that protrudes outwardly is smooth in the vicinity of the free end of each leaf spring 31. A raised portion 35 is formed. The valve body support portion 32 and the ring 33 of the valve body support member 30 also serve as a spring receiver for the spring 17 that urges the valve body 16 in the valve closing direction.

  The valve body support member 30 is configured such that the raised portion 35 of the leaf spring 31 is in contact with the inner wall of the hole 36 formed in the body 12 to accommodate the valve body 16, the valve body support member 30 and the spring 17. . Thereby, the leaf | plate spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 can generate | occur | produce sliding resistance with respect to the motion of the axial direction of the valve body 16, and comprises the damping means.

  On the other hand, in the power element 13, the center disk 22 is integrally provided with a guide portion 37 that is suspended from the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm receiving portion 23, and this guide portion is free in the cylindrical portion 26 of the lower housing 20. By being fitted, the center of the power element 13 is determined.

  FIG. 11 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an expansion valve according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 12 shows a valve body support member of a valve portion having a vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the sixth embodiment. It is a figure shown, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is aa arrow sectional drawing of a top view. 11 and 12, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the expansion valve 6 according to the sixth embodiment, the expansion valve 5 according to the fifth embodiment generates a sliding resistance between the plate spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 and the body 12. On the other hand, it differs in that sliding resistance is generated between the plate spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 and the adjusting screw 18.

  That is, the adjustment screw 18 has a cylindrical portion 38 extending in the direction of the valve body 16 around the portion receiving the spring 17, and the valve body radially inward with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38. A load of a plate spring 31 provided on the support member 30 is applied. For this reason, the raised portion 35 that is in direct contact with the cylindrical portion 38 protrudes from the inner surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38.

  FIG. 13 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows the valve body support member of the valve portion having the vibration damping function of the expansion valve according to the seventh embodiment. It is a figure shown, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is aa arrow sectional drawing of a top view. 13 and 14, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the expansion valve 7 according to the seventh embodiment, the expansion valve 6 according to the sixth embodiment is between the leaf spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 38 of the adjustment screw 18. The difference is that the sliding resistance is generated between the leaf spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 38 of the adjusting screw 18 while the sliding resistance is generated. Yes.

  That is, the leaf spring 31 of the valve body support member 30 is disposed in the cylindrical portion 38 of the adjustment screw 18, and the leaf spring 31 applies a load outward in the radial direction with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38. I try to put it on. For this reason, the general view of the valve body support member 30 has substantially the same shape as that of the expansion valve 5 according to the fifth embodiment.

It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the center disk of the power element provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 1st Embodiment, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is aa arrow cross section of a top view FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the center disk of the power element provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow cross section of a top view. FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the center disk of the power element provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow directional cross section of a top view. FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the center disk of the power element provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 4th Embodiment, Comprising: (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow cross section of a top view. FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the valve body support member of the valve part provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 5th Embodiment, (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow of a top view FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the valve body support member of the valve part provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 6th Embodiment, (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow of a top view FIG. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the valve body support member of the valve part provided with the damping function of the expansion valve which concerns on 7th Embodiment, (A) is the top view, (B) is the aa arrow of a top view FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Expansion valve 11 Valve portion 12 Body 13 Power element 14 Shaft 15 Valve seat 16 Valve body 17 Spring 18 Adjustment screw 19 Upper housing 20 Lower housing 21 Diaphragm 22 Center disk 23 Diaphragm receiver Portion 24 Plate spring 25 Raised portion 26 Tubular portion 27 Flange portion 28 Support portion 30 Valve body support member 31 Plate spring 32 Valve body support portion 33 Ring 34 Hole 35 Raised portion 36 Hole 37 Guide portion 38 Tubular portion T1, T2, T3 and T4 ports

Claims (8)

A power element that senses the temperature and pressure of the outlet refrigerant of the evaporator, a valve unit that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator according to the sensed temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, and a displacement of the diaphragm of the power element In the expansion valve provided with a shaft that transmits to the valve body of the valve portion,
An expansion valve characterized in that damping means for suppressing movement in the axial direction is formed integrally with a shaft or a valve body support member disposed outside the shaft and the valve body.   The vibration damping means extends from the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm receiving portion of the center disk in contact with the diaphragm toward the valve portion, and introduces the refrigerant exiting the evaporator into a space partitioned by the diaphragm The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is a leaf spring formed so as to be in pressure contact with the inner wall of the shaped portion.   The vibration damping means extends from the outer periphery of the diaphragm receiving portion of the center disk in contact with the diaphragm toward the valve portion, and extends substantially in the circumferential direction from the tip of the support portion. The expansion valve according to claim 1, further comprising a plate spring formed so as to be in pressure contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical portion that introduces the discharged refrigerant into the space partitioned by the diaphragm.   4. The expansion valve according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring has a raised portion formed in a contact portion with the cylindrical portion.   The vibration damping means is opposite to the side on which the valve body is disposed from the outer peripheral portion of the valve body support member disposed between the valve body and a spring that biases the valve body in the valve closing direction. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is a leaf spring extending to the side and formed so as to be in pressure contact with an inner wall of a hole accommodating the valve body, the valve body support member, and the spring.   The vibration damping means is opposite to the side on which the valve body is disposed from the outer peripheral portion of the valve body support member disposed between the valve body and a spring that biases the valve body in the valve closing direction. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is a leaf spring extending to the side and formed so as to be in pressure contact with an outer wall of an adjustment screw for adjusting a load of the spring.   The vibration damping means is opposite to the side on which the valve body is disposed from the outer peripheral portion of the valve body support member disposed between the valve body and a spring that biases the valve body in the valve closing direction. 2. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is a leaf spring that extends to the side and is formed so as to be in pressure contact with an inner wall of a cylindrical portion that is formed on an adjustment screw that adjusts the load of the spring. The expansion valve according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 7, wherein the plate spring has a raised portion formed in a portion where the plate spring comes into pressure contact.

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