JP2011012648A - Heater unit and pressure reducing valve for gas - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heater unit having a plate-shaped PTC element which is attached to a member to be heated and can improve assembling performance to the member to be heated without impairing heat transmission performance.SOLUTION: The heater unit is composed of the PTC element 85, a PTC holding member 86, an energization object 87, and an energization object holding member 88. The PTC holding member 86 has a holding hole 89 which houses and holds the PTC element 85, and the energization object has an electrode 87c which can be elastically deformed. The energization object holding member holds the energization object 87. Regulation flanges 90, 91 can be brought into contact with the other surface of the PTC element 85, and one surface of the PTC element facing the outside from one end of the holding hole 89. The regulation flanges are provided at the PTC holding member in a state that they overhang inward from the other end of the holding hole 89 while bringing the member 18 to be heated into contact with the other surface of the PTC element 85 from the other end side of the holding hole 89. Then the energization object holding member 88 is connected to the PTC holding member 86 so that the electrode 87c can be brought into elastic contact with one surface of the PTC element 85 which is housed in and held by the holding hole 89.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heater unit that has a flat PTC element and is attached to the member to be heated by heating the member to be heated by the PTC element, and a gas decompression unit that heats the gas by the heater unit. Regarding the valve.

  An LPG pressure reducing valve in which a gas is heated by a heater unit having a PTC element in order to compensate for a temperature decrease due to adiabatic expansion of gas or vaporization of liquid gas or to promote gas vaporization is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Are known.

JP 2003-328859 A

  In the LPG pressure reducing valve disclosed in Patent Document 1, the open end portions of the pair of recesses that open on the opposite side surfaces of the holding body are in contact with the stepped portion formed on the open end portion. A heater unit is configured in which a PTC element is fitted, and a pair of electrodes coupled by a rivet to a mounting wall provided on a holding body between the both recesses is elastically contacted to the inner surfaces of both PTC elements, The heater unit is fitted and fixed in a storage chamber provided in the heat exchange part of the pressure reducing valve. However, when fitting into the storage chamber, it is necessary to perform an operation of fitting the heater unit into the storage chamber while holding the PTC element fitted into the open end of the recess against the spring action of the electrode. There is a problem in assembling. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable that the surface of the PTC element opposite to the electrode is covered with a cover, but the heat transfer from the PTC element is reduced by the cover.

  Moreover, in what was disclosed by the said patent document 1, an electrode and the terminal member connected with this electrode are another members, and an electrode and a terminal member are attached to the said attachment wall with the said common rivet, and via this rivet The electrode and the terminal member are electrically connected. For this reason, the number of parts increases, the assembly work of an electrode and a terminal member is needed, the assembly man-hour increases, and it is necessary to confirm the reliability of the connection part of an electrode and a terminal member.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its first object to provide a heater unit with improved assembly to a member to be heated while preventing heat transfer from being impaired, It is a second object of the present invention to provide a heater unit that reduces the number of components while eliminating the need for assembling the electrodes and terminal members and checking the reliability of the connection portions of the electrodes and terminal members. A third object is to provide a gas pressure reducing valve that can effectively heat the gas by utilizing the above.

  In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a heater unit having a flat PTC element and attached to the heated member by heating the heated member with the PTC element. A PTC holding member having a holding hole for receiving and holding the PTC element, a current-carrying member having a terminal portion to be connected to a power source and an elastically deformable electrode portion, and a current-carrying member holding member for holding the current-carrying member A restriction rod that can abut on the other surface of the PTC element facing the outside from one end of the holding hole to the PTC holding member is formed on the other side of the PTC element from the other end side of the holding hole. The surface of the PTC element accommodated and held in the holding hole is provided so as to project inward from the other end of the holding hole while allowing the heated member to contact the surface. So as to contact the elastic pole portion, the energization body holding member is a first feature to be connected to the PTC holding member.

  In addition to the configuration of the first feature, the present invention has a second feature that the PTC holding member and the current-carrying member holding member are each formed of a synthetic resin and connected to each other by concave and convex fitting. And

  The third feature of the present invention is that, in addition to the configuration of the first or second feature, the PTC holding member is provided with a plurality of holding holes for receiving and holding a plurality of PTC elements, respectively.

  According to the present invention, in addition to any of the configurations of the first to third characteristics, the current-carrying body integrally includes the terminal portion and the electrode portion and is formed by press molding of a metal plate material. 4 features.

  According to the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fourth features, the current-carrying member is formed on the current-carrying member holding member molded by a synthetic resin, and the electrode portion is externally connected to the current-carrying member holding member. The fifth feature is that the mold is bonded so as to be exposed.

  In addition to the configuration of the fifth feature, the sixth feature of the present invention is that a connector portion surrounding the terminal portion of the current-carrying member is integrally formed on the current-carrying member holding member.

  In order to achieve the second object, the present invention provides a heater unit that has a flat PTC element and is attached to the heated member by heating the heated member with the PTC element. A terminal part to be connected to a power source and an elastically deformable electrode part integrally formed by press forming of a metal plate material, and the current passing body so as to expose the electrode part to the outside A PTC element sandwiched between the current-carrying member holding member and the member to be heated, and a current-carrying member holding member integrally molded with a connector portion surrounding the terminal portion and molded with a synthetic resin. A seventh feature is that the electrode portion is brought into elastic contact with one surface.

  In order to achieve the third object, according to the present invention, a heater unit having any one of the first to seventh features is attached to a gas passage cover as a member to be heated, and the gas passage cover is A valve body that can be seated on a valve seat that faces the valve chamber that leads to the high-pressure passage and that has a valve hole opened in the center, and operates according to the gas pressure downstream of the valve seat. In a gas pressure reducing valve that accommodates a valve mechanism having a valve shaft that is connected to a pressure passive member that communicates with the valve body, a gas passage that surrounds the valve mechanism and opens to one surface side of the body A substantially annular gas passage that is provided with a groove and surrounds the valve mechanism through the valve hole includes the gas passage groove and the gas passage cover that covers the gas passage groove and is fastened to one surface of the body. Formed and arranged along the gas passage The heater unit having a plurality of PTC elements is arranged such that a plurality of protrusions provided on the outer surface of the gas path cover opposite to the body are in contact with the PTC elements. An eighth feature is that it is attached to the outer surface side.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the eighth feature, a pressure action chamber in which an outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm which is the pressure passive member has a pressure corresponding to a gas pressure downstream of the valve seat is defined as the diaphragm. The heater flange is sandwiched between a diaphragm flange formed between and a flange-like diaphragm cover coupled to the diaphragm flange, and the heater unit is disposed between the gas passage cover and the diaphragm flange. It is characterized by.

  Furthermore, in the tenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the structure of the ninth feature, an annular seal member is interposed between both the outer peripheral surface of the heater unit and the gas passage cover and the diaphragm flange. It is characterized by.

  The diaphragm 16 of the embodiment corresponds to the pressure passive member of the present invention, the gas passage cover 18 of the embodiment corresponds to the heated member of the present invention, and the O-rings 101 and 102 of the embodiment of the present invention. Corresponds to the seal member.

  According to the first feature of the present invention, the PTC holding member that houses and holds the PTC element in the holding hole and the current-carrying member holding member that holds the current-carrying member elastically pushes the electrode portion of the current-carrying member on one surface of the PTC element. Since the heater unit is configured by being coupled so as to be brought into contact with each other, the heater unit itself positions and holds the PTC element, and the heater unit can be easily assembled to the member to be heated. Moreover, since the member to be heated comes into contact with the PTC element while the heater unit is attached to the member to be heated, the heat transfer from the PTC element to the member to be heated is not impaired.

  According to the second feature of the present invention, since the PTC holding member and the current-carrying member holding member, which are respectively formed of a synthetic resin, are connected by concave and convex fitting, it is easy to connect the PTC holding member and the current-carrying member holding member. , Can increase productivity.

  According to the third feature of the present invention, the plurality of PTC elements can be easily positioned and held in the heater unit.

  According to the fourth feature of the present invention, since the current-carrying body integrally has the electrode portion and the terminal portion and is formed by press molding of the metal plate material, compared with the electrode and the terminal member made of separate members, Costs can be reduced by reducing the number of parts, and high reliability can be obtained and productivity can be increased while eliminating the need to confirm the reliability of the connection site.

  According to the fifth feature of the present invention, since the current-carrying member is molded and bonded to the current-carrying member holding member made of synthetic resin so that the electrode portion is exposed to the outside from the current-carrying member holding member, Productivity can be improved by simultaneously performing the forming and holding of the current-carrying member by the current-carrying member holding member.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the connector portion surrounding the terminal portion is formed integrally with the current-carrying member holding member, the connector portion can be formed with high productivity.

  According to the seventh feature of the present invention, since the current-carrying body integrally has the electrode portion and the terminal portion and is formed by press molding of the metal plate material, compared with the electrode and the terminal member made of separate members, Costs can be reduced by reducing the number of parts, and high reliability can be obtained and productivity can be increased while eliminating the need to confirm the reliability of the connection site. In addition, since the current-carrying member is molded and bonded to the current-carrying member holding member made of a synthetic resin so that the electrode portion is exposed to the outside from the current-carrying member holding member, molding of the current-carrying member holding member and Thus, productivity can be improved by performing the holding at the same time. And since the connector part surrounding a terminal part is integrally formed in an electricity supply body holding member, a connector part can be formed with high productivity.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the substantially annular gas that surrounds the valve mechanism through the valve hole by the gas passage groove provided in the body and the gas passage cover that covers the gas passage groove and is fastened to the body. The heater unit having a plurality of PTC elements formed along the gas passage and attached to the outer surface opposite to the body of the gas passage cover is provided with the plurality of PTCs arranged along the gas passage. The gas flowing through the gas passage can be efficiently heated by the element. In addition, since a plurality of PTC elements can be positioned and held by the heater unit itself, each PTC element is arranged in a substantially annular arrangement along the substantially annular gas passage when the heater unit is manufactured. Arrangement of the plurality of PTC elements along the gas passages is possible with a simple operation of simply attaching the unit to the outer surface of the gas passage cover. And since the protrusion provided in the gas passage cover contacts the PTC element, the heat transfer from the PTC element to the gas passage cover can be enhanced.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the heater unit is disposed between the gas passage cover and the diaphragm flange that sandwiches the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm with the diaphragm cover, the pressure reduction for the heater unit gas Compact mounting to the valve is possible.

  Furthermore, according to the tenth feature of the present invention, since the annular seal members are interposed between both the outer peripheral surface of the heater unit and the gas passage cover and the diaphragm flange, Can be easily protected from fuel and oil etc.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pressure reducing valve for LPG fuel. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow 2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow 3 in FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heater unit. It is a perspective view of a PTC holding member. It is a perspective view of an electricity supply body. It is a perspective view in the non-connecting state of the PTC holding member holding the PTC element and the energization body holding member holding the energization body.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 7. First, in FIG. 1, an LPG fuel pressure reducing valve, which is a gas pressure reducing valve, depressurizes LPG fuel to produce an engine ( (Not shown), and includes a valve mechanism 15 and a diaphragm 16 as a pressure passive member for opening and closing the valve mechanism 15.

  The valve mechanism 15 is accommodated in the body 17. The body 17, the gas passage cover 18 fastened to one surface of the body 17, the heating fluid passage cover 19 fastened to the other surface of the body 17, The valve housing 21 is constituted by the valve seat member 20 screwed into the body 17, and the body 17, the gas passage cover 18 and the heating fluid passage cover 19 are fastened together by a plurality of bolts 22 and nuts 23. .

  The body 17 includes an outer ring portion 17a formed in a ring shape, and a central cylindrical portion 17b disposed at the center of the body 17 with one end disposed inward from one end surface of the outer ring portion 17a. An intermediate cylindrical portion 17c disposed between the outer peripheral ring portion 17a and the central cylindrical portion 17b so that one end is disposed inward from one end surface of the outer peripheral ring portion 17a, and one end of the intermediate cylindrical portion 17c; The first annular connecting plate portion 17d connecting the intermediate portions of the outer peripheral ring portion 17a and the second annular connecting plate portion 17e connecting the other end of the intermediate cylindrical portion 17c and the other end of the central cylindrical portion 17b are integrated. The intermediate cylindrical portion 17c is formed to have a larger diameter toward the one end side.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, the valve seat member 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a flange portion 20 a projecting radially inward at one end, and the valve hole 24 is formed at the center of the flange portion 20 a. An annular valve seat 25 having an opening at the center is formed. In the central cylindrical portion 17b, a bottomed valve chamber forming hole 26 having one end opened on one surface side of the body 17 is provided coaxially, and the valve seat member 20 is provided on one end side of the valve chamber forming hole 26. It is fitted and fixed to the opening end side of the valve chamber forming hole 26 so as to be screwed into the screw hole portion 27, and is elastically applied to the inner periphery of the central cylindrical portion 17 b on the outer periphery of the other end portion of the valve seat member 20. A contact O-ring 28 is attached. Thus, the valve chamber 30 is formed in the central cylindrical portion 17b so that the outer periphery is defined by the inner periphery of the valve seat member 20 and the inner periphery of the central cylindrical portion 17b. Is arranged facing one end of the valve chamber 30. Moreover, the valve chamber 30 is formed in the valve housing 21 so as to have an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the valve seat 25 and to have a side surface along an imaginary circle centering on the axis of the valve hole 24.

  A small-diameter cylindrical portion 17f is coaxially disposed in the central cylindrical portion 17b so that one end thereof is disposed at a position spaced inward from the valve seat 25. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 17f The other end of the cylindrical portion 17b is integrally provided. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 17f includes a guide hole 31 formed in a bottom with an end opposite to the valve chamber 30 as a closed end, and an opening end of the guide hole 31 having a larger diameter than the guide hole 31. The receiving hole 32 is provided coaxially with the annular stepped portion 33.

  The valve mechanism 15 faces a valve chamber 30 that communicates with the high-pressure passage 39 and has a valve body 34 that can be seated on a valve seat 25 having a valve hole 24 opened at the center, and a gas pressure downstream of the valve seat 25. The valve body 34 has a valve shaft 35 connected to the diaphragm 16 that operates in response to the valve body 34, and the valve body 34 has an O-ring 36 attached to the inner surface of the housing hole 32. And is slidably fitted into the receiving hole 32. A valve shaft 35 that passes through the valve body 34 coaxially is fixed to the valve body 34, and one end side of the valve shaft 35 passes through the valve hole 24 and is connected to the diaphragm 16 with a connection structure described later. The other end of the valve shaft 35 is slidably fitted into the guide hole 31.

  Thus, the valve body 34 is driven in the axial direction by the diaphragm 16. In order to improve the followability of the valve body 34 to the operation of the diaphragm 16, the valve body 34 and the annular step portion of the body 17 are provided. A coiled spring 53 that biases the valve body 34 toward the diaphragm 16 is contracted between the spring 33 and the set load of the spring 53 is small enough to cause the valve body 34 to follow the diaphragm 16. Set to a value.

  The body 17 is provided with a high-pressure passage 39 for guiding LPG fuel to be decompressed to the valve chamber 30, and the LPG fuel from the pressurized tank is a shutoff valve (not shown) attached to the side surface of the body 17. The high-pressure passage 39 is supplied via

  By the way, the valve chamber 30 is formed in the valve housing 21 so that its side faces a virtual circle centered on the axis of the valve hole 24, and the high-pressure passage 39 is tangential to the virtual circle. The opening end to the valve chamber 30 of the high pressure passage 39 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the valve seat 25 in the axial direction.

  Between the outer surface of the central cylindrical portion 17 b and the inner surface of the intermediate cylindrical portion 17 c in the body 17, a gas passage groove 42 opened to one surface side of the body 17 is formed, and the gas passage groove 42 is covered with the gas passage cover 18. Thus, a substantially annular gas passage 43 that covers the valve mechanism 15 from the periphery is formed.

  By the way, the gas passage cover 18 is fitted into the outer peripheral ring portion 17a and a ring-shaped outer peripheral flat plate portion 18a in which an annular seal member 45 is interposed between one surface of the outer peripheral ring portion 17a of the body 17. The outer cylindrical portion 18b whose one end is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral flat plate portion 18a, and the ring whose outer periphery is connected to the other end of the outer cylindrical portion 18b so as to face the first annular connecting plate portion 17d of the body 17 A cylindrical intermediate flat plate portion 18c, an inner cylindrical portion 18d in which one end is connected to the inner periphery of the intermediate flat plate portion 18c and one end of the central cylindrical portion 17b in the body 17 is fitted, and one end of the central cylindrical portion 17b. A disc-shaped central flat plate portion 18e connected to the other end of the inner cylindrical portion 18d is integrally provided so as to face each other with a gap.

  A decompression chamber 48 communicating with the valve hole 24 is formed between the central flat plate portion 18 e of the gas passage cover 18 and the central cylindrical portion 17 b of the body 17. The decompression chamber 48 is communicated with the gas passage 43. A notch 50 for forming a communication passage 49 for the gas passage cover 18 and the central cylindrical portion 17b is provided on the outer periphery of one end portion of the central cylindrical portion 17b. The depressurized LPG fuel is led out to the outside from an outlet side connecting pipe (not shown) attached to the side surface of the body 17 so as to continue to the gas passage 43.

  By the way, a large-diameter back pressure chamber 55 is formed in the central cylindrical portion 17b between the valve body 34 and the annular step 33 at the inner end of the accommodation hole 32 in which the valve body 34 is slidably fitted. The body 17 of the valve housing 21 is provided with a back pressure introduction passage 57 for introducing the LPG fuel pressure downstream of the valve seat 25, that is, the pressure of the gas chamber 43 into the large-diameter back pressure chamber 55. . In addition, a small-diameter back pressure chamber 56 is formed between the closed end of the guide hole 31 and the valve shaft 35. The communication path connecting the large-diameter back pressure chamber 55 and the small-diameter back pressure chamber 56 is guided. A notch 54 formed between the inner surface of the hole 31 is provided on the outer surface of the valve shaft 35 so as to extend in the axial direction.

  In the valve mechanism 15, the LPG fuel flowing from the valve chamber 30 toward the valve hole 24 passes through the heating fluid passage 58 provided in the valve housing 21 so as to surround the valve chamber 30, and the engine cooling heated by the heating fluid, for example, the engine. Heated by circulating water.

  In the heating fluid passage 58, an annular seal member 60 is interposed between the heating fluid passage groove 59 provided in the body 17 so as to open to the other surface of the body 17 and the outer peripheral ring portion 17a of the body 17. The heated fluid passage 58 is formed so as to surround the valve chamber 30 from the side opposite to the valve seat 25 as well. .

  In addition, an inlet pipe (not shown) for guiding engine coolant from the engine is attached to the body 17 so as to communicate with the heating fluid passage 58, and in order to lead out the engine coolant from the heating fluid passage 58. The outlet pipe 61 is attached so as to communicate with the heating fluid passage 58.

  The LPG fuel flowing through the gas passage 43 is also heated by the heater unit 62. The heater unit 62 is disposed on the valve housing 21 in an annular arrangement along the gas passage 43. In this embodiment, the heater unit 62 is attached to the outer surface of the gas passage cover 18 opposite to the body 17. The heating fluid passage 58 is provided in the valve housing 21 so that at least a part of the heating fluid passage 58 sandwiches the gas passage 43 between the heating fluid passage 58 and the heater unit 62.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the diaphragm 16 is formed of a disc-shaped rubber plate in which at least the peripheral edge portion and the central portion have a constant thickness in a natural state. In this embodiment, the entire diaphragm 16 is formed as a whole. In a natural state, it is formed in a disc shape with a constant plate thickness. The peripheral portion of the diaphragm 16 is between a diaphragm flange 65 fastened to the central flat plate portion 18e of the gas passage cover 18 by a plurality of bolts 64, and a bowl-shaped diaphragm cover 66 that is caulked and joined to the diaphragm flange 65. The pressure in the decompression chamber 48 is introduced between the diaphragm flange 65 and the diaphragm 16 through the central flat plate portion 18e of the gas passage cover 18 and the pressure introduction hole 67 provided in the diaphragm flange 65. The pressure action chamber 68 is formed so as to face one surface of the diaphragm 16, and a spring chamber 69 that faces the other surface of the diaphragm 16 is formed between the diaphragm 16 and the diaphragm cover 66, and the diaphragm cover 66 and the diaphragm 16 are formed. In between, the coiled first spring 70 is provided. , A second spring 71 coiled which enables adjusting the spring load is provided in a compressed state.

  The diaphragm cover 66 includes a bottomed cylindrical portion 66a having a closed end on the opposite side to the diaphragm 16, a flange portion 66b projecting radially outward from the open end of the bottomed cylindrical portion 66a, and the flange It is formed into a bowl shape by press molding of a thin metal so as to integrally have a cylindrical tube portion 66c continuously provided on the outer periphery of the portion 66b and extending toward the diaphragm flange 65 side.

  By the way, the cylindrical portion 66c of the diaphragm cover 66 is in contact with the outer periphery of the diaphragm flange 65, and the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 66c forms an engaging portion 66d that engages with the outer periphery of the diaphragm flange 65. It is caulked inward in the radial direction. That is, the cylindrical portion 66c of the diaphragm cover 66 is fixed to the diaphragm flange 65 so that the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 16 is compressed and sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm flange 65 and the flange portion 66b.

  A ring-shaped first retainer 73 is brought into contact with the central portion of the surface of the diaphragm 16 facing the pressure acting chamber 68, and the central portion of the diaphragm 16 is in the central portion of the surface of the diaphragm 16 facing the spring chamber 69. A ring-shaped second retainer 74 is placed in contact with the first retainer 73.

  The first retainer 73 is provided integrally with the diaphragm rod 75. The diaphragm rod 75 integrally has a small diameter shaft portion 75a penetrating the center portion of the diaphragm 16, and is formed by caulking one end portion of the small diameter shaft portion 75a protruding toward the spring chamber 69 side. The second retainer 74 and the spring receiving member 76 are sandwiched between the engaging portion 75 b and the other surface of the diaphragm 16.

  The diaphragm rod 75 is inserted into the central portion of the diaphragm flange 65 so as to be airtight and movable in the axial direction. Further, an O-ring 77 is interposed between the central flat plate portion 18e of the gas passage cover 18 attached to the diaphragm flange 65 with bolts 64 and the diaphragm flange 65 so as to surround the pressure introducing hole 67 and the diaphragm rod 75. The

  An insertion member 78 inserted into the diaphragm rod 75 is engaged with one end portion of the valve shaft 35, and a C-shaped engagement ring 79 is engaged with the insertion member 78 and the diaphragm rod 75. The valve shaft 35 is coaxially connected to the diaphragm rod 75 via the insertion member 78.

  The first spring 70 is accommodated in the spring chamber 69 so as to be contracted between the closed end of the bottomed cylindrical portion 66 a of the diaphragm cover 66 and the second retainer 74. A support cylinder 80 is fixed to the central portion of the closed end of the bottomed cylindrical portion 66a, and an adjustment screw 81 that can be rotated from the outside of the diaphragm cover 66 has one end thereof in the spring chamber 69. A bottomed cylindrical spring receiving member 82 that is screwed into the support cylinder 80 so as to enter and has one end of an adjustment screw 81 in contact with the central portion of the closed end to cover the support cylinder 80, and the spring The second spring 71 is contracted between the receiving member 76.

  3 and 4, the heater unit 62 includes a plurality of PTC elements 85 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, a PTC holding member 86 that holds the PTC elements 85, and each PTC element 85. Each of which is composed of a current-carrying body 87 having electrode portions 87c that are electrically connected to each other and a current-carrying body holding member 88 that holds the current conduction body 87. The gas passage cover 18 is attached to the outer surface of the gas passage cover 18 opposite to the body 17 while arranging the PTC elements 85. Thus, a diaphragm flange 65 is disposed outside the gas passage cover 18 so that the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 16 is sandwiched between the diaphragm cover 66 and the heater unit 62. It is arranged between the passage covers 18.

  Referring also to FIG. 5, the PTC holding member 86 is formed in a ring shape from a synthetic resin so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion 18 d of the gas passage cover 18, and this PTC holding member 86. The rectangular holding holes 89 for receiving and holding the PTC elements 85 are provided at a plurality of, for example, six places at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  Meanwhile, the PTC element 85 has one surface exposed to the outside from one end of the holding hole 89 (end portion on the diaphragm flange 66 side), and the other surface is the other end (end portion on the gas passage cover 18 side) of the holding hole 89. The control holes 90 are accommodated in the holding hole 89 so as to be exposed to the outside, and the PTC holding member 86 has restriction rods 90, 91, which can come into contact with the other surface of the PTC element 85. It is integrally provided so as to project inward from the other end of the holding hole 89.

  Thus, one of the restriction rods 90 is projected inwardly along the radial direction from the outer side edge of the other end of the holding hole 89 along the radial direction of the PTC holding member 86, and the other The restriction rods 91 project from the inner side edge of the other end of the holding hole 89 along the radial direction of the PTC holding member 86 outwardly along the radial direction.

  In FIG. 6, an electric conductor 87 includes a ring plate-shaped electric conductor main portion 87 a, and a terminal portion 87 b that extends radially outward from one circumferential direction of the electric conductor main portion 87 a and is connected to a power source (not shown). .. Are integrally formed with a plurality of, for example, six electrode portions 87c, 87c,... That are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction of the current-carrying body main portion 87a.

  A rectangular opening 92, 92,... Is provided at a plurality of, for example, six places at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the current-carrying body main portion 87a, and the openings 92, 92,. The electrode portions 87c, 87c,... Formed by raising are projected to one side from the current-carrying body main portion 87a while being bent into, for example, a substantially V shape so as to be elastically deformable.

  Referring also to FIG. 7, the current-carrying member holding member 88 includes a flat plate-shaped holding portion 88 a formed in a ring shape so as to face the outer surface of the intermediate flat plate portion 18 c in the gas passage cover 18 with a space therebetween. An inner cylindrical portion 88b whose one end is connected to the inner periphery of the holding portion 88a at a right angle so as to be disposed between the inner circumference of the PTC holding member 86 and the inner cylindrical portion 18d of the gas passage cover 18, and the PTC holding member 86, an outer cylindrical portion 88c whose one end is connected perpendicularly to a radially outward portion of the holding portion 88a so as to be disposed between the outer periphery of 86 and the outer cylindrical portion 18b of the gas passage cover 18, and both ends in the axial direction. A supporting cylinder portion 88d having an intermediate portion extending perpendicularly to the outer periphery of the holding portion 88a so as to face and face the diaphragm flange 65 and the gas passage cover 18, and the holding portion 8 An arm portion 88e extending radially outward from one circumferential direction on the outer periphery of a and a connector portion 88f formed in a box shape opened outward and continuous with the outer end of the arm portion 88e are integrally provided. Molded with synthetic resin.

  The electrical conductor 87 is molded and joined to the electrical conductor holding member 88 molded with synthetic resin so that the electrode portions 87c, 87c,... Are exposed to the outside from the electrical conductor holding member 88. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped opening 93 that exposes both surfaces of the current-carrying body 87 excluding the inner and outer peripheral portions of the current-carrying body main portion 87a to the outside is formed coaxially in the holding portion 88a. The current-carrying member holding member 88 is molded, and the current-carrying member 87 has the electrode portions 87c, 87c... Project from the holding portion 88a and the distal end portion of the terminal portion 87b is surrounded by the connector portion 88f. To the mold.

  By the way, between the inner cylindrical portion 88 b and the outer cylindrical portion 88 c of the current-carrying member holding member 88, a ring-shaped concave portion 94 opened to the gas passage cover 18 side is formed, and a current-carrying member 87 held by the current-carrying member holding member 88. The electrode portions 87c... Enter the recess 94. Thus, the PTC holding member 86 that accommodates and holds the PTC elements 85 in the holding holes 89... Has one surface of the PTC elements 85 that are accommodated and held in one end side of the holding holes 89, that is, the holding holes 89. The other end side of the holding hole 89, that is, the side where the restriction rods 90, 91, etc. are directed toward the outer surface side of the intermediate flat plate portion 18 c in the gas passage cover 18, toward the electrode portion 87 c. Inserted.

  In addition, engaging projections 95 are provided at a plurality of, for example, four locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the PTC holding member 86, and locking holes 97 for engaging these engaging projections 95. Are provided in the outer cylindrical portion 88c of the current-carrying member holding member 88, and the locking holes 97 are also opened in the holding portion 88a in the current-carrying member holding member 88. Engaging protrusions 96 are provided at four locations on the inner periphery of the PTC holding member 86 at positions corresponding to the engaging protrusions 95, and the engaging protrusions 96 are engaged. Clamping holes 98 are provided in the inner cylindrical portion 88 b of the current-carrying member holding member 88.

  Thus, the PTC holding member 86 holding the PTC elements 85 is inserted into the recess 94 while engaging the engaging protrusions 95, 96, and the locking holes 97, 98, etc. In other words, the PTC holding member 86 and the current-carrying member holding member 88, which are respectively formed of synthetic resin, are connected to each other by concave-convex fitting.

  The heater unit 62 configured by connecting the PTC holding member 86 and the current-carrying member holding member 88 to each other is disposed between the diaphragm flange 65 and the gas passage cover 18, so that the PTC holding member 86 At the other end of the holding hole 89..., A projection 18 f... Projecting from the intermediate flat plate portion 18 c of the gas passage cover 18 is inserted from between the restriction rods 90.

  Thus, the thickness of the restriction rods 90, 91, is such that the protrusion 18f is formed on the other surface of the PTC element 85 in a state where the heater unit 62 is disposed between the diaphragm flange 65 and the gas passage cover 18. The other surfaces of the PTC elements 85 are set so as to be lifted from the regulation rods 90, 91, and in this state, the electrode portions 87c of the electric conductor 87 are elastically formed on one surface of the PTC elements 85. Contact. That is, the electrode portions 87c are brought into elastic contact with one surface of the PTC elements 85 sandwiched between the current-carrying member holding member 88 and the gas passage cover 18.

  Further, annular mounting grooves 99, 100 are provided at both ends of the support cylinder portion 88d of the current-carrying member holding member 88, and an O-ring 101 which is an annular seal member mounted in one mounting groove 99 is a gas passage. The O-ring 102, which is an annular seal member mounted in the other mounting groove 100, elastically contacts the diaphragm flange 65. That is, O-rings 101 and 102 are interposed between both outer peripheral surfaces of the current-carrying member holding member 88, which is the outer peripheral portion of the heater unit 62, and the gas passage cover 18 and the diaphragm flange 65, respectively.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The valve body 34 faces the valve chamber 30 leading to the high-pressure passage 39 and can be seated on the valve seat 25 having the valve hole 24 opened at the central portion. In a LPG fuel pressure reducing valve in which a valve mechanism 15 having a valve shaft 35 connected to a diaphragm 16 that operates in accordance with a gas pressure on the downstream side and connected to the valve body 34 is accommodated in the body 17 is attached to the body 17. A heater unit 62 having a flat plate-like PTC element 85 is attached to the gas passage cover 18, and the heater unit 62 holds and holds the PTC element 85 and the PTC element 85. A current-carrying body 87 having a PTC holding member 86 having holes 89, a terminal portion 87b to be connected to a power source, and an elastically deformable electrode portion 87c, It is made of conducting material holding member 88 for holding the. Moreover, the restriction rods 90, 91, which can come into contact with the other surface of the PTC element 85 facing one side from the one end of the holding hole 89 to the PTC holding member 86, are connected to the PTC from the other end side of the holding hole 89. The gas passage cover 18 can be brought into contact with the other surface of the element 85, and is provided so as to protrude inward from the other end of the holding hole 89, and is accommodated and held in the holding hole 89. The current-carrying member holding member 88 is connected to the PTC holding member 86 so that the electrode portions 87c are elastically brought into contact with one surface of the PTC elements 85.

  Therefore, the heater unit 62 positions and holds the PTC elements 85 itself, and the heater unit 62 can be easily assembled to the gas passage cover 18. In addition, since the gas passage cover 18 contacts the PTC elements 85 when the heater unit 62 is attached to the gas passage cover 18, the heat transfer from the PTC elements 85 to the gas passage cover 18 is not impaired.

  Further, since the PTC holding member 86 and the current-carrying member holding member 88 are respectively formed of synthetic resin and are connected to each other by concave-convex fitting, the connection between the PTC holding member 86 and the current-carrying member holding member 88 is facilitated and produced. Can increase the sex. Further, since the PTC holding member 86 is provided with a plurality of holding holes 89 for receiving and holding the plurality of PTC elements 85, respectively, the plurality of PTC elements 85 can be easily positioned and held in the heater unit 62.

  In addition, the current-carrying body 87 is equidistant from the current-carrying body main part 87a, the terminal part 87b extending radially outward from one circumferential direction of the current-carrying body main part 87a, and the circumferential direction of the current-carrying body main part 87a. Since the electrode portions 87c, 87c... That are connected to a plurality of locations, for example, 6 locations, are integrally formed and formed by press molding of a metal plate material, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the electrodes and the terminal members are made of different members. It is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number, and it is possible to obtain high reliability and increase productivity while eliminating the need to check the reliability of the connection part.

  In addition, since the current-carrying body 87 is mold-coupled to a current-carrying body holding member 88 molded with a synthetic resin so that the electrode portions 87c are exposed to the outside from the current-carrying body holding member 88, the current-carrying body holding member The productivity can be improved by simultaneously performing the forming of 88 and the holding of the current-carrying body 87 by the current-carrying body holding member 88. Moreover, since the connector portion 88f surrounding the terminal portion 87b of the current-carrying body 87 is formed integrally with the current-carrying member holding member 88, the connector portion 88f can be formed with high productivity.

  By the way, the body 17 that houses the valve mechanism 15 is provided with a gas passage groove 42 that surrounds the valve mechanism 15 and opens on one surface side of the body 17, and surrounds the valve mechanism 15 through the valve hole 24. A substantially annular gas passage 43 communicating with the valve hole 24 is formed by the gas passage groove 42 and a gas passage cover 18 that covers the gas passage groove 42 and is fastened to one surface of the body 17. The heater unit 62 having a plurality of PTC elements 85 arranged along the line 43 contacts the plurality of protrusions 18f provided on the outer surface opposite to the body 17 of the gas passage cover 18 against the PTC elements 85. Since it is attached to the outer surface side of the gas passage cover 18 so as to be in contact, the gas flowing through the gas passage 43 is efficiently heated by the plurality of PTC elements 85 arranged along the gas passage 43. It is possible. In addition, since the heater unit 62 itself can position and hold the plurality of PTC elements 85..., The PTC elements 85 are arranged in a substantially annular arrangement along the substantially annular gas passage 43 when the heater unit 62 is manufactured. With this configuration, it is possible to arrange the plurality of PTC elements 85 along the gas passages 43 with a simple operation of simply attaching the heater unit 62 to the outer surface of the gas passage cover 18. Further, since the protrusions 18f provided on the gas passage cover 18 abut on the PTC elements 85, heat transfer from the PTC elements 85 to the gas passage cover 18 can be improved.

  Further, the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 16 is coupled to the diaphragm flange 65, which forms a pressure action chamber 68 between the diaphragm 16 and a pressure corresponding to the gas pressure downstream of the valve hole 24, and the diaphragm flange 65. Since the heater unit 62 is interposed between the gas passage cover 18 and the diaphragm flange 65, the heater unit 62 is compactly attached to the LPG fuel pressure reducing valve. Is possible.

  Further, since the O-rings 101 and 102 are interposed between both the outer peripheral surface of the heater unit 62 and the gas passage cover 18 and the diaphragm flange 65, the PTC elements 85 and the current-carrying body 87 are connected with water, fuel and oil. It can be easily protected from such as.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Valve mechanism 16 ... Diaphragm 17 which is a pressure passive member ... Body 18 ... Gas passage cover 18f which is a member to be heated ... Projection 24 ... Valve hole 25 ... Valve Seat 30 ... Valve chamber 34 ... Valve body 35 ... Valve shaft 39 ... High pressure passage 42 ... Gas passage groove 43 ... Gas passage 62 ... Heater unit 65 ... Diaphragm flange 66 ... Diaphragm cover 68 ... Pressure working chamber 85 ... PTC element 86 ... PTC holding member 87 ... Current-carrying body 87b ... Terminal part 87c ... Electrode part 88 ... Current-carrying body Holding member 88f... Connector portion 89... Holding hole 90, 91.

Claims (10)

  In the heater unit which has a flat PTC element (85) and is attached to the heated member (18) so that the PTC element (85) is brought into contact with the heated member (18), the PTC element (85 ), A PTC holding member (86) having a holding hole (89) for receiving and holding the PTC element (85), a terminal portion (87b) to be connected to the power source, and an elastically deformable electrode portion (87c) And a current-carrying member holding member (88) that holds the current-carrying member (87). The PTC holding member (86) is connected to the outside from one end of the holding hole (89). A restriction rod (90, 91) capable of coming into contact with the other surface of the PTC element (85) facing the surface of the PTC element (85) from the other end side of the holding hole (89) is heated. Abutting member (18) The electrode is formed on one surface of the PTC element (85) provided so as to project inward from the other end of the holding hole (89) and accommodated and held in the holding hole (89). The heater unit, wherein the current-carrying member holding member (88) is connected to the PTC holding member (86) so that the portion (87c) is elastically contacted.   The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein the PTC holding member (86) and the current-carrying member holding member (88) are formed of a synthetic resin and are connected to each other by concave-convex fitting.   The heater unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the PTC holding member (86) is provided with a plurality of holding holes (89) for receiving and holding a plurality of PTC elements (85), respectively.   The said electricity supply body (87) has the said terminal part (87b) and the said electrode part (87c) integrally, and is formed by the press molding of a metal plate material, In any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The heater unit described.   The current-carrying member (87) is mold-bonded to the current-carrying member holding member (88) molded by a synthetic resin so that the electrode portion (87c) is exposed to the outside from the current-carrying member holding member (88). The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein the heater unit is provided.   6. The heater unit according to claim 5, wherein a connector portion (88f) surrounding the terminal portion (87b) of the current-carrying body (87) is integrally formed with the current-carrying body holding member (88).   In the heater unit which has a flat PTC element (85) and is attached to the heated member (18) so that the PTC element (85) is brought into contact with the heated member (18), the PTC element (85 ), A terminal portion (87b) to be connected to a power source and an electrode portion (87c) that can be elastically deformed, and an electric current body (87) formed by press molding of a metal plate, and the electrode portion ( 87c) is exposed to the outside so that the current-carrying body (87) is molded and joined, and a connector part (88f) surrounding the terminal part (87b) is integrally formed and molded with a synthetic resin. A member (88), and the electrode portion (87c) is elastic on one surface of the PTC element (85) sandwiched between the current-carrying member holding member (88) and the member to be heated (18). Heater unit, characterized by being contacted.   A body (17), wherein the heater unit (62) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is attached to a gas passage cover (18) as a member to be heated, and the gas passage cover (18) is fastened to one surface. A valve body (34) that faces a valve chamber (30) that communicates with the high-pressure passage (39) and that can be seated on a valve seat (25) having a valve hole (24) opened at the center, and the valve seat (25 The valve mechanism (15) having the valve shaft (35) connected to the pressure passive member (16) that operates in accordance with the gas pressure downstream of the valve body (34) and connected to the valve body (34) is contained. In the pressure reducing valve, the body (17) is provided with a gas passage groove (42) that surrounds the valve mechanism (15) and opens on one surface side of the body (17), and communicates with the valve hole (24). An outline that surrounds the valve mechanism (15) and communicates with the valve hole (24). A gas passage (43) is formed by the gas passage groove (42) and the gas passage cover (18) that covers the gas passage groove (42) and is fastened to one surface of the body (17). The heater unit (62) having a plurality of PTC elements (85) disposed along the gas passage (43) is disposed on the outer surface of the gas passage cover (18) opposite to the body (17). A gas pressure reducing valve, which is attached to the outer surface side of the gas passage cover (18) so that a plurality of provided protrusions (18f) are brought into contact with the PTC element (85).   Between the diaphragm (16), the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm (16), which is the pressure passive member, has a pressure action chamber (68) in which the pressure corresponds to the gas pressure downstream of the valve seat (25). Is sandwiched between a diaphragm flange (65) that is formed on the diaphragm flange (65) and a bowl-shaped diaphragm cover (66) that is coupled to the diaphragm flange (65), and the heater unit (62) is connected to the gas passage cover (18). The gas pressure reducing valve according to claim 8, wherein the pressure reducing valve is disposed between the diaphragm flange and the diaphragm flange.   Annular seal members (101, 102) are interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the heater unit (62) and the gas passage cover (18) and the diaphragm flange (65), respectively. The pressure reducing valve for gas according to claim 9.

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