JP7570372B2 - Control valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control valve.

There is known a control valve that includes a valve body that incorporates a valve element and an actuator, and a coil unit that is fixed to the outside of the valve body, and that uses the magnetic force of the coil unit to drive the actuator and move the valve element (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Examples of this type of control valve include an electric valve that rotates a magnet rotor as an actuator, and an electromagnetic valve that drives a plunger as an actuator forward and backward. In conventional control valves, a bracket is provided on the coil unit, and the coil unit is fixed to the valve body by engaging a convex portion formed on an elastic piece of the bracket with a concave portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve body.

JP 2018-71560 A

In the above-mentioned control valve, the convex portion is formed in a hemispherical shape, and the concave portion of the valve body is formed in a dimple shape, and it is difficult to match the shapes and dimensions of the convex portion and the concave portion, which makes it difficult to increase the holding force of the coil unit. In other words, if the curvature of the convex portion is larger than that of the concave portion (the radius is small), rattling occurs, and conversely, if the curvature of the convex portion is smaller than that of the concave portion (the radius is large), the convex portion will only abut against the periphery of the concave portion, resulting in a decrease in holding force. In addition, the above-mentioned dimple-shaped concave portion is generally formed by pressing, and in this case, the opening edge of the concave portion is curved rather than acute-angled. Therefore, in a configuration in which the curvature of the convex portion is smaller than that of the concave portion and the convex portion abuts only against the periphery of the concave portion, the frictional resistance at the abutting portion between the concave portion and the convex portion is likely to be small, and the convex portion and the concave portion will easily slide against each other, making it difficult to increase the holding force.

The present invention aims to provide a control valve that can increase the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the control valve of the present invention is a control valve comprising a valve body incorporating a valve element and an actuator, and a coil unit fixed to the outside of the valve body, and the actuator is driven by an electromagnetic force of the coil unit to move the valve body, the valve body having a case incorporating the actuator, and at least one recess is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the valve body or the case, the coil unit comprises a main body having a coil, a yoke, and a housing portion, and a bracket for fixing the main body to the valve body, and the main body has a coil, a yoke, and a housing portion. a fitting hole penetrating the case is provided, and the coil unit is attached to the valve body by inserting the case into the fitting hole in a direction from the base end to the tip end, and the bracket comprises a base portion extending in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction, a connection portion extending from the base portion in the axial direction, a pressing portion extending radially inwardly from the connection portion, and a protruding portion protruding radially inwardly from the base portion, and the coil unit is fixed to the valve body by the pressing portion abutting against an outer surface of the case in a pressing state and the tip of the protruding portion abutting against a recessed surface of the recess in a pressing state.

According to the present invention, the coil unit is attached to the valve body by inserting the case of the valve body from the base end side to the tip end side into the fitting hole of the coil unit.
The pressing portion of the bracket constituting the coil unit abuts against the outer surface of the case in a pressing state, and the tip of the protruding portion of the bracket abuts against a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case in a pressing state. That is, when the coil unit is attached to the valve body, the pressing portion and the protruding portion each press the case at different points, and the friction resistance between the coil unit and the valve body can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the coil unit from moving in the axial direction, radial direction, and circumferential direction of the case relative to the valve body. In addition, by pressing the case at multiple points in this manner, even if vibration or the like is applied to the control valve, the vibration is dispersed to each pressing portion and protruding portion, and the holding state of the coil unit can be maintained well. In addition, since the pressing portion and the protruding portion can be provided on the bracket, the part for fixing the main body of the coil unit to the valve body can be configured as a single part. Therefore, it is easy to uniform the relative position of the coil unit with respect to the valve body, and this makes it possible to reduce the variation in the operability of each slide-type switching valve. In addition, since the tip of the protrusion can be pressed against the recess as described above, it is easier to suppress the play between the coil unit and the valve body compared to the conventional configuration in which the entire surface of the hemispherical protrusion is matched with the recess. Therefore, it is possible to provide a control valve that can increase the holding force of the coil unit relative to the valve body. And, since the holding force of the coil unit relative to the valve body can be increased, even when the control valve is used for mobility purposes such as vehicle-mounted equipment that is prone to vibration and impact, it is possible to suppress the coil unit from shifting or falling off, and obtain stable operability.

In this case, it is preferable that the pressing portion is disposed on one side in the axial direction, the protruding portion is disposed on the other side in the axial direction, and the coil in the coil unit is disposed in a position sandwiched between the pressing portion and the protruding portion in the axial direction. With this configuration, the pressing portion and the protruding portion are disposed on one side of the coil in the axial direction of the case, and the other side in the axial direction of the case. Therefore, the tip side and base side of the case can be pressed by the pressing portion and the protruding portion, respectively, at a distance longer than the axial direction of the coil, so that the pressing force of the pressing portion and the protruding portion can be transmitted over a wide area of the case. Therefore, the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body can be further improved.

The protrusion is preferably a plate cut and raised from the base portion, and is provided at an incline toward the tip of the case. As described above, when the coil unit is attached to the valve body, the case of the valve body is inserted into the insertion hole of the coil unit from the base end side toward the tip side. Therefore, the direction from the base end side of the case toward the tip side is, in other words, the direction in which the coil unit comes out when it is detached from the valve body. And, according to this configuration, the protrusion is provided at an incline toward the tip side of the case, so that the protrusion is arranged along the direction in which the coil unit comes out. Therefore, when the tip of the protrusion comes into contact with the recess in a pressed state, a force that resists the direction in which the coil unit comes out is applied to the coil unit, and the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body can be further improved.

In addition, it is preferable that the protrusion has an extending portion extending inward in the radial direction parallel to the base portion, and a standing portion continuing from a tip of the extending portion and extending at an angle with respect to the base portion, and the tip of the standing portion abuts against the recessed surface . With this configuration, the reaction force generated when the protrusion presses the recessed portion is distributed to the extending portion and the standing portion, and a pressing force can be obtained by elastic deformation of the extending portion and the standing portion, thereby improving the durability of the protrusion.

In addition, it is preferable that the recessed surface is generally circular in front view and arc-shaped in cross section, and the tip of the protrusion abuts against a semicircular portion of the recessed surface on the tip side of the case. With this configuration, the tip of the protrusion abuts against the semicircular portion of the recessed surface on the tip side of the case, which makes it easier to restrict the displacement of the coil unit in the above-mentioned removal direction compared to when the tip of the protrusion abuts against the semicircular portion of the recessed surface on the base end side of the case. This makes it possible to suppress play between the coil unit and the valve body.

It is also preferable that the tip side of the protrusion is formed to have a smaller width dimension than the base side of the protrusion. With this configuration, the width dimension of the portion other than the tip side of the protrusion is larger than the tip side, so that the elastic force of the protrusion in the pressing direction can be improved.

In addition, it is preferable that the tip of the erected portion is formed with a most distal portion having a smaller width dimension than the base end side of the protrusion and a chamfered corner, and the tip edge of the most distal portion abuts against the recessed surface . With this configuration, by providing a most distal portion having a chamfered corner, it is possible to insert the tip of the protrusion up to near the bottom of the recess. In other words, compared to a configuration without a most distal portion, the protrusion can abut against the recess at a deeper part of the recess. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from slipping out of the recess.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the base portion has an opening through which the case is inserted, and the protrusion is provided so as to protrude radially inward beyond the opening edge of the opening. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the protrusion so as to protrude radially inward from the opening edge of the opening through which the case is inserted, so that the protrusion can be easily positioned at any position in the circumferential direction of the case.

It is also preferable that the substrate portion has a pair of notches extending radially outward beyond the opening edge of the opening, and the base end of the protrusion is provided between the pair of notches. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide the base end of the protrusion radially inward beyond the opening edge of the opening, so the inner diameter of the opening can be made approximately the same as the outer diameter of the case. In other words, the inner diameter of the opening can be made the smallest dimension into which the case can be inserted. Therefore, by miniaturizing the substrate portion, the coil unit can be made smaller.

It is also preferable that the connection parts are composed of at least four pieces, and a window part is formed surrounded by a pair of adjacent connection parts, the pressing part provided across the pair of connection parts, and the substrate part, and that a part of the main body part is provided so as to penetrate the window part. With this configuration, since a part of the main body part can be provided so as to penetrate the window part, there is no need to provide a space to prevent the bracket from interfering with the main body part, compared to a configuration without a window part, and the bracket can be made smaller accordingly.

It is also preferable that a plurality of the protrusions are provided, and that at least one of the plurality of protrusions and the pressing portion are provided at positions offset in the circumferential direction about the axis of the case. With this configuration, the protrusion and the pressing portion can press different circumferential points on the case about the axis, so that the pressing force of the pressing portion and the protrusion can be transmitted over a wide range of the case. This can further improve the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body.

The pressing portion preferably has an elastic piece, the elastic piece preferably having a connecting portion extending radially inward from the connecting portion, and a folded portion that is continuous with the connecting portion and folded back radially outward, the folded portion preferably abutting against the outer surface of the case in a pressed state. With this configuration, when one of the coil unit and the valve body is displaced relative to the other, for example when vibration is applied to the coil unit or the valve body, the displacement can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic piece. Therefore, the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body can be further increased.

It is also preferable that the radially outer tip of the folded portion abuts against the yoke of the coil unit, and that the area of the folded portion between the abutment portion that abuts against the case and the radially outer tip elastically deforms, and the abutment portion abuts against the case in a pressed state due to the reaction force. With this configuration, the pressing portion abuts against the yoke of the coil unit at the tip of the folded portion, so that the pressing portion has the function of electrically grounding the yoke and the valve body in addition to the function of holding the coil unit and the valve body. This makes it possible to cancel electrical noise that occurs between the coil unit and the valve body.

It is also preferable that the folded portion is formed in an arc shape, the abutment portion is formed by the apex of the arc in the folded portion, and the end face of the arc in the folded portion abuts against the yoke in a pressed state. With this configuration, the abutment portion and the tip described above can be formed by the apex of the arc of the folded portion and the end face of the arc, so that the shape of the pressing portion can be simplified and the pressing portion can be easily formed.

The present invention provides a control valve that can increase the holding force of the coil unit against the valve body.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the control valve according to the embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a drive unit in FIG. 4A and 4B are a side view and a cross-sectional view showing the coil unit and the bracket combined together; Side view of the can. Perspective view of the bracket FIG. 2A is a plan view of the bracket, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the engaged state of the can and the bracket. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the can and the bracket are engaged with each other.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The control valve according to this embodiment is a slide-type switching valve 1 that is connected to a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser in a refrigeration cycle or the like, and switches the flow path of the refrigerant that flows through these devices. As shown in Figure 1, the slide-type switching valve 1 includes a hollow cylindrical valve body 2, a valve element 3 that is slidably provided inside the valve body 2 in the direction of the axis L, and a drive unit 4 that drives the valve element 3 to slide.

The valve body 2 is provided to incorporate the valve element 3 and the magnet rotor 41 as an actuator described later, and includes a main body 20, a valve seat portion 21, a first lid portion 22, a second lid portion 23, and a can 24 (case). The main body 20 includes a circular bottom wall 20A and a side wall 20B extending from the peripheral portion of the bottom wall 20A to the upper side in FIG. 1, and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by resin molding using a resin material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The inside of the main body 20 forms a valve chamber 20a. In this embodiment, the main body 20 is made of a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), but may be made of other appropriate materials such as metals such as brass, iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. A first port P1 communicating with the inside and outside of the valve chamber 20a is formed in the bottom wall 20A. The first port P1 is a port that communicates with the first connection flow passage 20C that extends in the axial direction L, and is configured to communicate with, for example, the discharge port of a compressor (not shown) so that high-pressure refrigerant sent from the compressor flows into the valve chamber 20a.

In the side wall 20B of the main body 20, a second connection flow passage 20D, a third connection flow passage 20E, and a fourth connection flow passage 20F are formed in a line along the axis L direction in this order from the top side in FIG. 1 as multiple cylindrical flow passages that communicate with the inside and outside of the valve chamber 20a. The second connection flow passage 20D is a flow passage that communicates with a second port P2, which will be described later. This second connection flow passage 20D is connected to, for example, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown), and forms a flow passage for a fluid that flows between the valve chamber 20a and the outdoor heat exchanger.

The third connection flow path 20E is a flow path that communicates with the third port P3 described later. This third connection flow path 20E is configured to communicate with, for example, the suction port of the compressor, and to allow low-pressure refrigerant sent from the outdoor heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger) to flow out of the valve chamber 20a. The fourth connection flow path 20F is a flow path that communicates with the fourth port P4 described later. This fourth connection flow path 20F is connected to, for example, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), and forms a flow path for fluid flowing between the valve chamber 20a and the indoor heat exchanger.

The valve seat 21 is made of a thin metal plate and is fixed to the side wall of the main body 20 by insert molding, bonding, welding, or the like. The second port P2, the third port P3, and the fourth port P4, which are connected to the second connection flow path 20D, the third connection flow path 20E, and the fourth connection flow path 20F, respectively, are formed on the plate surface of the valve seat 21 in this order from the upper side in FIG. 1 along the axis L direction. The first lid 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material and is fixed to the upper end of the main body 20 in FIG. 1 by insert molding. The second lid 23 has a disk-shaped flat portion 23A connected to the opening edge of the first lid 22, and a cylindrical reduced diameter portion 23B extending from the center of the flat portion 23A to the upper side in FIG. 1.

The can 24 is a member that incorporates a magnet rotor 41 as an actuator, which will be described later. The can 24 is made of a metal material and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with the bottom on the upper side in FIG. 1. The can 24 is arranged so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L, and the opening edge on the opposite side of the bottom (the lower side in FIG. 1) is fixed to the second lid 23 by welding it to the opening edge of the reduced diameter portion 23B of the second lid 23, whereby the valve body 2 is configured as an airtight container.

The valve body 2 configured in this manner is housed in a cylindrical housing 25 with a bottom. Reference symbol G in FIG. 1 denotes grooves formed at a plurality of positions at predetermined intervals in the axial direction L on either the outer peripheral wall of the valve body 2 or the inner peripheral wall of the housing 25, and reference symbol 26 denotes an O-ring disposed in the groove G. The O-ring 26 provides a seal between the valve body 2 and the housing 25. In addition, a retaining ring 27 is attached to the opening of the housing 25, and the retaining ring 27 holds the second lid portion 23 of the valve body 2 in the axial direction L, thereby preventing the valve body 2 from falling off the housing 25.

A first connection hole 20C1 communicating with the first connection flow passage 20C is formed in the bottom wall of the housing 25 in the axial direction L, and a first coupling pipe 20C2 is connected to the first connection hole 20C1. The first coupling pipe 20C2 is, for example, a high-pressure pipe connected to the discharge port of the compressor. A second connection hole 20D1, a third connection hole 20E1, and a fourth connection hole 20F1 communicating with the second connection flow passage 20D, the third connection flow passage 20E, and the fourth connection flow passage 20F are formed in the side wall of the housing 25, respectively. The second coupling pipe 20D2 is connected to the second connection hole 20D1, the third coupling pipe 20E2 is connected to the third connection hole 20E1, and the fourth coupling pipe 20F2 is connected to the fourth connection hole 20F1, respectively. The second coupling pipe 20D2 and the fourth coupling pipe 20F2 are, for example, conduits connected to an outdoor heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger). The third joint pipe 20E2 is, for example, a low-pressure pipe connected to the suction port of the compressor.

The valve element 3 is mainly made of resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and is provided inside the valve body 2 so as to be slidable in the axial direction L on the valve seat portion 21. The valve element 3 is configured to switch the communication state of the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, and the fourth port P4. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the first port P1 and the fourth port P4 are communicated, and the second port P2 and the third port P3 are communicated. When slid from this state to the lower side in FIG. 1, the first port P1 and the second port P2 are communicated, and the third port P3 and the fourth port P4 are communicated. The valve element 3 is provided with a fixing portion 31 that is fixed to a female screw member described later. In this way, the valve element 3 is fixed to the drive unit 4 via the fixing portion 31, and is slidable in the axial direction L by receiving the driving force of the drive unit 4.

The drive unit 4 is a part that drives the valve body 3 to slide, and includes a stepping motor 40 as an electric motor having a rotatable rotor, and a linear motion mechanism 50 that converts the rotation of the stepping motor 40 into linear motion and transmits it to the valve body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the stepping motor 40 includes a magnet rotor 41 built into the can 24, and a coil unit 60 that is arranged to surround the outer periphery of the magnet rotor 41 around the axis L, sandwiching the can 24. The magnet rotor 41 is an actuator in the present invention, and is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis L. The coil unit 60 is a unit that drives the magnet rotor 41 by electromagnetic force, and is fixed to the outside of the valve body 2.

The linear motion mechanism 50 includes a bearing member 51 disposed inside the bottom side (upper side in FIG. 1) of the can 24, a guide member 52 fixed to the second cover portion 23, a male screw 53 as a rotor shaft fixed to the center of the magnet rotor 41, and a female screw member 54 having a female screw portion 54a that screws into the male screw portion 53a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the male screw 53. In other words, the linear motion mechanism 50 is configured as a screw feed mechanism having a male screw portion 53a and a female screw portion 54a that screw into each other.

The bearing member 51 is a member that supports the male screw 53 so that it can rotate around the axis L, and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The bearing member 51 is arranged so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L, and one end of the male screw 53 in the axis L direction is supported rotatably around the axis L at the center, which is the axial position of the male screw 53. The guide member 52 is a cylindrical member with a bottom that opens to the upper side in FIG. 1, and is fixed inside the reduced diameter portion 23B of the second cover portion 23 so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L. The other end of the male screw 53 in the axis L direction is supported rotatably around the axis L at the center, which is the axial position of the male screw 53 in the guide member 52.

A guide hole (not shown) is formed in the bottom wall of the guide member 52, through which the female screw member 54 is inserted so that it can move back and forth in the direction of the axis L. This guide hole prevents the female screw member 54 from rotating around the axis L and guides it back and forth in the direction of the axis L.

The male screw 53 is fixed to the center of the magnet rotor 41, extends in the direction of the axis L, and is configured to rotate around the axis L together with the magnet rotor 41. The female screw member 54 is housed in the guide member 52 and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of the axis L. One end of the female screw member 54 extends into the valve chamber 20a through a guide hole in the guide member 52, and the other end is fixed to the fixed portion 31 of the valve body 3. A female screw portion 54a is formed in the center of the female screw member 54 along the axis L. This female screw portion 54a is configured to screw into the male screw portion 53a. With this configuration, the female screw member 54, together with the valve body 3, can move in the direction of the axis L coaxially with the center axis as the male screw 53 rotates.

In this way, the slide-type switching valve 1 as a control valve of the present invention is a control valve that includes a valve body 2 incorporating a valve element 3 and a magnet rotor 41 as an actuator, and a coil unit 60 fixed to the outside of the valve body 2, and drives the magnet rotor 41 with the electromagnetic force of the coil unit 60 to move the valve element 3, and the valve body 2 has a can 24 as a case incorporating the magnet rotor 41.

Next, the detailed structure of the can 24 and the coil unit 60 in the present invention will be described. In the following description, the side of the can 24 fixed to the second lid portion 23 in the axial direction L is referred to as the base end side, and the opposite side of the base end side is referred to as the tip side, and the tip side may be referred to as the "tip side Z1" and the base side as the "base side Z2". In addition, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction L, that is, the direction intersecting with the axial direction L, is referred to as the radial direction. In addition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, one of the two radial directions perpendicular to each other on the same plane may be particularly referred to as the front-rear direction, and the other may be particularly referred to as the left-right direction, and may be referred to as the "front-rear direction X" and the "left-right direction Y", respectively. In this case, one of the front-rear direction X may be referred to as the "front side X1", the other as the "rear side X2", one of the left-right direction Y may be referred to as the "left side Y1", and the other as the "right side Y2". This is for the convenience of explanation only, and does not necessarily correspond to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions when the slide-type switching valve 1 is actually in use, and does not limit the directions when the slide-type switching valve 1 is actually in use.

As shown in Fig. 4, an expanded diameter portion 24A having a larger diameter than the tip end side Z1 is formed on the base end side Z2 of the can 24, and a plurality of recesses 24a are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the expanded diameter portion 24A. The recesses 24a are formed in a so-called dimple shape by press working, and are formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front as shown in Fig. 4. Due to the formation of the recesses 24a, a protruding portion (see Fig. 2) protruding inward in the radial direction Y is generated on the inner circumferential surface of the can 24, but by forming the recesses 24a in the expanded diameter portion 24A, it is possible to adjust the tip of the protruding portion so as not to protrude inward in the radial direction Y beyond the inner circumferential surface of the part of the can 24 other than the expanded diameter portion 24A.
As a result, even if the outer diameter dimension of the magnet rotor 41 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter dimension of the can 24, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned protruding portion from abutting against the magnet rotor 41 and interfering with the insertion when the magnet rotor 41 is inserted into the can 24 in the direction of the axis L. In other words, the outer diameter dimension of the expanded diameter portion magnet rotor 41 can be maximized within the range in which it can be inserted into the can 24. This makes it possible to minimize the clearance between the magnet rotor 41 and the can 24, and the electromagnetic force of the coil unit 60 can be effectively transmitted to the magnet rotor 41.
The recess 24a has a recess surface 24b having a generally arcuate cross section as shown in FIG. 7. The recess surface 24b is configured with a first semicircular portion 24b1 on the tip side Z1 of the imaginary line L2 that is perpendicular to the axis L and passes through the deepest part of the recess 24a, and a second semicircular portion 24b2 on the base side Z2 of the imaginary line L2. In this embodiment, the recess 24a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the enlarged diameter portion 24A from the viewpoint of minimizing the clearance between the magnet rotor 41 and the can 24 and effectively transmitting the electromagnetic force of the coil unit 60 to the magnet rotor 41. However, this recess 24a may be formed only one part other than the enlarged diameter portion 24A. The recess 24a does not necessarily have to be formed on the can 24, and may be formed on any part of the valve body 2. That is, it is sufficient that at least one recess 24a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the valve body 2 or the can 24.

2 and 3, the coil unit 60 includes a body 70 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and a bracket 80 for fixing the body 70 to the valve body 2. The body 70 is a part that generates the above-mentioned electromagnetic force, and includes a cup-shaped housing 71, a coil 72 housed in the housing 71, and a yoke 73 (yoke). A fitting hole 70a is formed in the center of the body 70, penetrating in the direction of the axis L, and the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2 by inserting the can 24 into the fitting hole 70a in a direction from the base end side Z2 to the tip side Z1. In other words, the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2 by moving the coil unit 60 from the tip side Z1 of the can 24 to the base end side Z2 with the central axis of the fitting hole 70a and the central axis of the can 24 coaxially. The coil 72 is configured by winding a conductor around a resin bobbin 74 arranged in the housing 71. In this embodiment, the bobbins 74 are stacked in pairs in the axial direction L, so that the coils 72 are arranged in pairs adjacent to each other in the axial direction L.

A pair of yokes 73 are provided corresponding to each bobbin 74, and are assembled integrally with each bobbin 74 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of each bobbin 74 facing radially inward and the outer peripheral surface facing the axis L direction. The yoke 73 arranged on the upper side of the pair of yokes 73 in the figure is provided with a protruding end 73a that protrudes upward in the figure, and this protruding end 73a abuts against a pressing portion 83 described below, electrically grounding the valve body 2 and the coil unit 60, and canceling electrical noise generated between the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2. A resin plate 75 that seals the space in which the bobbin 74 and the coil 72 are provided is fixed to the end on the radially outer side of the yoke 73, and the bobbin 74, the coil 72, and the yoke 73 are accommodated in the accommodation portion 71 with the space sealed by this resin plate 75.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 80 is formed in a frame shape and includes a base plate 81, a connection portion 82, a pressing portion 83, a protruding portion 86, and a window portion 87. The bracket 80 may be formed by pressing or bending a metal plate member, or the base plate 81, the connection portion 82, the pressing portion 83, and the protruding portion 86 may be formed separately and then integrated by welding or the like. In either case, the bracket 80 (a part for fixing the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 to the valve main body 2) can be configured as a single part in which the base plate 81, the connection portion 82, the pressing portion 83, and the protruding portion 86 are integrated, making it easier to uniformize the relative position of the coil unit 60 with respect to the valve main body 2, and thereby reducing the variation in the operability of each slide-type switching valve 1.

The substrate portion 81 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y, i.e., in the radial direction. A circular opening 81a whose central axis is coaxial with the axis line L is formed through the center of the substrate portion 81. This opening 81a is a portion through which the can 24 is inserted, similar to the above-mentioned insertion hole 70a, and its inner diameter dimension is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter dimension of the insertion hole 70a. In addition, a pair of notches 81b extending radially outward from the opening edge of the opening 81a is formed in the substrate portion 81. That is, a pair of notches 81b extending radially outward from the opening edge of the opening 81a is formed in the substrate portion 81. The pair of notches 81b is formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the opening 81a, and multiple pairs of the pair of notches 81b are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the opening 81a, four pairs in this embodiment. The four sets of notches 81b are formed at positions offset from the pressing portion 83 (described below) in the circumferential direction around the axis L.

The connection parts 82 are formed in a plate shape extending from both left and right end edges of the base plate part 81 toward the tip side Z1, i.e., in the axial direction L. The dimension of the connection parts 82 in the axial direction L is set to be larger than the dimension of the main body part 70 of the coil unit 60 in the axial direction L. In this embodiment, at least four connection parts 82 are provided by forming a window part 87, which will be described later, penetrating in the lateral direction Y in the center of the front-rear direction X of the plate members rising from both left and right end edges of the base plate part 81. Note that the positions and the number of the connection parts 82 are not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that the connection parts 82 are provided extending in the axial direction L from any part of the base plate part 81. However, from the viewpoint of increasing the holding force of the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2, it is preferable to provide at least a pair of connection parts 82 so as to sandwich the can 24 in the radial direction.
2 and 3, in this embodiment, the dimension of the substrate portion 81 in the left-right direction Y (radial direction) is set to be smaller than the dimension of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 in the left-right direction Y (radial direction), and the connection portion 82 is formed to rise from both left and right end edges of the substrate portion 81, but the dimension of the substrate portion 81 and the position from which the connection portion 82 rises are not limited to this. In other words, the dimension of the substrate portion 81 in the left-right direction Y may be set to be larger than the dimension of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 in the left-right direction Y, and the connection portion 82 may be welded to an arbitrary position of the coil unit 60, so that the connection portion 82 rises from any position of the substrate portion 81.

The pressing portion 83 is a portion that abuts against the outer surface of the can 24 in a pressed state by a pressing force directed radially inward. The pressing portion 83 includes a flat plate portion 84 and an elastic piece 85. The flat plate portion 84 is formed in a plate shape extending radially inward from the end of the tip side Z1 of the connection portion 82. In this embodiment, the flat plate portion 84 is formed to be connected to each of the left and right connection portions 82, and the flat plate portion 84 on the left side Y1 has an end on the front side X1 connected to the left front connection portion 82 and an end on the rear side X2 connected to the left rear connection portion 82. On the other hand, the flat plate portion 84 on the right side Y2 has an end on the front side X1 connected to the right front connection portion 82 and an end on the rear side X2 connected to the right rear connection portion 82. That is, the flat plate portion 84 (pressing portion 83) is provided across a pair of connection portions 82 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction X. The dimension in the left-right direction Y from the radially inner edge of the flat plate portion 84 on the left side Y1 to the radially inner edge of the flat plate portion 84 on the right side Y2 is set to be approximately the same as the dimension in the left-right direction Y of the can 24.

The elastic piece 85 includes a connecting portion 85A extending radially inward from the center in the front-rear direction X of the radially inner end edge (connecting portion 82) of each flat plate portion 84, and a folded portion 85B that is continuous with the connecting portion 85A and folds back radially outward. The folded portion 85B is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the side of the bracket 80 shown in FIG. 6(B), and the abutment portion 85B1, which is the apex of the arc, constitutes an abutment portion that abuts against the outer surface of the can 24, and the end surface 85B2 of the arc abuts against the protruding end portion 73a of the yoke 73 described above. In other words, the radially outer tip of the folded portion 85B abuts against the yoke 73 of the coil unit 60.

As described above, the dimension in the left-right direction Y from the radially inner edge of the flat plate portion 84 on the left side Y1 to the radially inner edge of the flat plate portion 84 on the right side Y2 is set to be approximately the same as the dimension in the left-right direction Y of the can 24, so that the dimension in the left-right direction Y from the abutment portion 85B1 on the left side Y1 to the abutment portion 85B1 on the right side Y2 is smaller than the dimension in the left-right direction Y of the can 24. As a result, when the can 24 is inserted into the insertion hole 70a and the opening 81a to attach the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2, the folded portion 85B is pressed radially outward by the can 24, so that the part between the abutment portion 85B1 and the end face 85B2 (the tip on the radially outer side) in the folded portion 85B elastically deforms radially outward, and the abutment portion 85B1 is pressed against the can 24 by the reaction force. In addition, the arc end surface 85B2 of the folded portion 85B abuts against the yoke 73 in a pressing state. That is, the pressing portion 83 is arranged to abut against the outer surface of the can 24 and the yoke 73 in a pressing state.

The protrusion 86 is a plate-shaped portion cut and raised from the base plate 81 toward the tip side Z1, and is provided between the pair of notches 81b described above, inclined in the direction toward the tip side Z1. The protrusion 86 is a portion that, like the pressing portion 83, contacts the outer surface of the can 24 in a pressed state by a pressing force directed radially inward. In this embodiment, the four sets of notches 81b are formed at positions offset from the pressing portion 83 in the circumferential direction around the axis L, so that the multiple protrusions 86 are provided at positions offset from the pressing portion 83 in the circumferential direction around the axis L. It is not necessary that all of the protrusions 86 are provided at different positions from the pressing portion 83 around the axis L, and it is sufficient that at least one protrusion 86 and the pressing portion 83 are provided at a position offset from each other in the circumferential direction around the axis L of the can 24.

The protruding portion 86 has an extending portion 86A and a standing portion 86B. The extending portion 86A constitutes the base end of the protruding portion 86 and extends from the radially outer end of the notch 81b toward the radially inner side in parallel with the base plate portion 81. That is, the base end of the protruding portion 86 is provided between the pair of notches 81b. The standing portion 86B is continuous with the tip of the extending portion 86A and extends in a direction toward the tip side Z1 at an angle with the base plate portion 81. When the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2, the radially inner end (tip) of the standing portion 86B abuts against the recess 24a. The standing portion 86B is provided to protrude radially inward beyond the insertion hole 70a and the opening edge of the opening 81a.

At the radially inner end of the erected portion 86B, a leading end portion 86B1 is formed, which is smaller in width than the other parts of the erected portion 86B and the extended portion 86A and has a chamfered corner. That is, the leading end (leading end side) of the protruding portion 86 is smaller in width than the base end side of the protruding portion 86 and has a chamfered corner. As shown in FIG. 7, when the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2, the leading end edge of the leading end portion 86B1 abuts against the first semicircular portion 24b1 of the above-mentioned recessed surface 24b. At this time, as described above, the erected portion 86B is provided to protrude radially inward from the opening end edge of the insertion hole 70a and the opening 81a. As a result, when the can 24 is inserted through the insertion hole 70a and the opening 81a to attach the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2, the protrusion 86 is pressed radially outward by the can 24, and the tip edge of the most distal end portion 86B1 is pressed against the can 24 by the reaction force. In other words, the tip of the protrusion 86 is pressed against the recess 24a.

In this way, when the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2, the pressing portion 83 abuts against the outer surface of the can 24 in a pressed state, and the tip of the protruding portion 86 abuts against the recess 24a in a pressed state, thereby fixing the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2. At this time, the pressing portion 83 is provided on the tip side Z1 of the connection portion 82, whose dimension in the axial direction L is set to be larger than the dimension in the axial direction L of the coil unit 60, and the protruding portion 86 is formed by cutting and raising from the substrate portion 81 (i.e., the base end side Z2 of the connection portion 82). Therefore, in the coil unit 60, the pressing portion 83 is disposed on one side in the axial direction L, and the protruding portion 86 is disposed on the other side in the axial direction L. The coil 72 in the coil unit 60 is disposed in a position sandwiched between the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86 in the axial direction L.

As described above, the window portion 87 is formed in the center of the front-rear direction X of the plate member rising from both left and right end edges of the substrate portion 81, penetrating in the left-right direction Y, and is surrounded by a pair of connecting portions 82 adjacent in the front-rear direction X, a pressing portion 83 provided across the pair of connecting portions 82, and the substrate portion 81. In this embodiment, as described above, the dimension of the axis L direction of the connecting portion 82 is set to be larger than the dimension of the axis L direction of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60, so that the dimension of the axis L direction of the window portion 87 is also larger than the dimension of the axis L direction of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60, and this allows a part of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 to penetrate the window portion 87 in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, both left and right ends of the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 (parts of the main body portion 70) are provided penetrating the window portion 87 in the left-right direction Y.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2 by inserting the can 24 (case) of the valve body 2 from the base end side Z2 to the tip side Z1 through the insertion hole 70a of the coil unit 60. At this time, the pressing portion 83 of the bracket 80 constituting the coil unit 60 abuts against the outer surface of the can 24 in a pressed state, and the most distal end portion 86B1 (tip) of the protruding portion 86 of the bracket 80 abuts against the recess 24a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 24 in a pressed state. In other words, when the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2, the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86 each press the can 24 at different points, thereby improving the frictional resistance between the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the coil unit 60 from moving in the axial direction L, radial direction, and circumferential direction of the can 24 relative to the valve body 2. In addition, by pressing the can 24 at a plurality of points in this manner, even if vibrations or the like are applied to the slide type switching valve 1 (control valve), the vibrations are dispersed to each pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86, and the holding state of the coil unit 60 can be maintained well. In addition, since the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86 can be provided on the bracket 80, the part for fixing the main body portion 70 of the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2 can be configured as a single part. Therefore, the relative position of the coil unit 60 with respect to the valve body 2 can be easily made uniform, and thus the variation in the operability of each slide type switching valve 1 can be reduced. In addition, since the most distal end portion 86B1 of the protruding portion 86 can be abutted against the recessed portion 24a in a pressed state as described above, it is possible to easily suppress the play occurring between the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2 compared to the conventional configuration in which the entire surface of the hemispherical convex portion is matched with the recessed portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a slide type switching valve 1 that can increase the holding force of the coil unit 60 with respect to the valve body 2. In addition, the holding force of the coil unit 60 against the valve body 2 can be increased, so that even when the slide-type switching valve 1 is used for mobility purposes such as vehicle-mounted equipment that is prone to vibration and shock, the coil unit 60 can be prevented from shifting or falling off, and stable operability can be obtained.

In addition, the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86 are arranged such that one is located at the tip side Z1 (one side) of the axial line L direction of the can 24, and the other is located at the base end side Z2 (the other side) of the axial line L direction of the can 24, sandwiching the coil 72. Therefore, the tip side Z1 and the base end side Z2 of the can 24 can be pressed by the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86, respectively, at a distance longer than the axial line L direction of the coil 72, so that the pressing force of the pressing portion 83 and the protruding portion 86 can be transmitted over a wide range of the can 24 compared to configurations other than this configuration. Therefore, the holding force of the coil unit 60 against the valve body 2 can be further improved. In this embodiment, the tip side Z1 of the axial line L direction of the can 24 is one side, and the base end side Z2 of the axial line L direction of the can 24 is the other side, and the pressing portion 83 is provided on one side and the protruding portion 86 is provided on the other side, but this arrangement may be reversed. That is, a protrusion 86 may be provided on the tip side Z1 of the can 24, and a pressing portion 83 may be provided on the base side Z2 of the can 24.

As described above, the coil unit 60 is attached to the valve body 2 by moving the coil unit 60 from the tip side Z1 of the can 24 to the base side Z2 with the central axis of the insertion hole 70a and the central axis of the can 24 coaxial. Therefore, the direction from the base side Z2 to the tip side Z1 of the can 24 is the direction in which the coil unit 60 comes out when it is detached from the valve body 2. According to this configuration, the protrusion 86 is inclined in the direction toward the tip side Z1 of the can 24, so that the protrusion 86 is arranged along the direction in which the coil unit 60 comes out. Therefore, when the tip of the protrusion 86 abuts against the recess 24a in a pressed state, a force against the direction in which the coil unit 60 comes out is applied to the coil unit 60, and the holding force of the coil unit 60 to the valve body 2 can be further improved.

In addition, the reaction force generated when the protruding portion 86 presses against the recessed portion 24a is distributed to the extending portion 86A and the erecting portion 86B, and the pressing force can be obtained by the elastic deformation of the extending portion 86A and the erecting portion 86B, thereby improving the durability of the protruding portion 86.

In addition, since the tip of the protrusion 86 abuts against the first semicircular portion 24b1 of the recessed surface 24b (the semicircular portion on the tip side Z1 of the can 24), it is easier to restrict the displacement of the coil unit 60 in the above-mentioned removal direction compared to when the tip of the protrusion 86 abuts against the second semicircular portion 24b2 of the recessed surface 24b (the semicircular portion on the base end side Z2 of the can 24). This makes it possible to suppress any play that may occur between the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2.

In addition, the width dimension of the protrusion 86 other than the tip side Z1 is larger than the tip side Z1, so the elastic force of the protrusion 86 in the pressing direction can be improved.

In addition, by providing the most distal end portion 86B1 with a chamfered corner, it is possible to insert the tip of the protrusion 86 all the way into the vicinity of the bottom of the recess 24a. In other words, compared to a configuration that does not have the most distal end portion 86B1, the protrusion 86 can abut against the recess 24a at a deeper portion of the recess 24a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 86 from slipping out of the recess 24a.

In addition, since it is possible to provide a protrusion 86 that protrudes radially inward from the opening edge of the opening 81a through which the can 24 is inserted, the protrusion 86 can be easily positioned at any position around the circumference of the can 24.

In addition, a pair of notches 81b are formed in the substrate 81, which extend radially outward beyond the opening edge of the opening 81a, and the extension 86A (base end) of the protrusion 86 can be provided between the pair of notches 81b. This eliminates the need to provide the base end of the protrusion 86 radially inward beyond the opening edge of the opening 81a, and the inner diameter of the opening 81a can be made approximately the same as the outer diameter of the can 24. In other words, the inner diameter of the opening can be made the smallest dimension into which the can 24 can be inserted. Therefore, by making the substrate smaller, the coil unit 60 can be made smaller.

In addition, a window portion 87 is provided that is surrounded by a pair of adjacent connection portions 82, a pressing portion 83 that is provided across the pair of connection portions 82, and the substrate portion 81, and a portion of the main body portion 70 is provided penetrating the window portion 87. Therefore, compared to a configuration that does not have a window portion 87, there is no need to provide space to prevent the bracket 80 from interfering with the main body portion 70, and the bracket 80 can be made smaller accordingly.

In addition, at least one of the multiple protrusions 86 and the pressing portion 83 are provided at positions offset in the circumferential direction around the axis L of the can 24, so that the protrusion 86 and the pressing portion 83 can press different circumferential points around the axis L of the can 24. Compared to configurations other than this configuration, the pressing force of the pressing portion 83 and the protrusion 86 can be transmitted over a wide range of the can 24. Therefore, the holding force of the coil unit 60 against the valve body 2 can be further improved.

In addition, since the pressing portion 83 has an elastic piece 85, when one of the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2 is displaced relative to the other, for example when vibration is applied to the coil unit 60 or the valve body 2, the displacement can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 85. Therefore, the holding force of the coil unit 60 against the valve body 2 can be further increased.

In addition, since the pressing portion 83 abuts against the yoke 73 of the coil unit 60 at the tip of the folded portion 85B, the pressing portion 83 has the function of electrically grounding the yoke 73 and the valve body 2 in addition to the function of holding the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2 together. This makes it possible to cancel electrical noise that occurs between the coil unit 60 and the valve body 2.

Furthermore, since the abutment portion 85B1 can be formed by the apex of the arc of the folded-back portion 85B and the tip of the folded-back portion 85B can be formed by the end face 85B2 of the arc, the shape of the pressing portion 83 can be simplified and the pressing portion 83 can be easily molded.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes and the like within the scope of the present invention. The slide type switching valve 1 of this embodiment is configured to switch the communication states of the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, and the fourth port P4 by the valve body 3. That is, the slide type switching valve 1 exemplified in this embodiment is a so-called four-way valve, but the slide type switching valve 1 is not limited to these four-way valves.
As long as at least a pair of pipes is connected to the valve body, the slide type switching valve 1 may be a three-way valve that uses a valve body to switch the pipes to be connected when communicating a pair of pipes out of three pipes. Alternatively, the slide type switching valve 1 may be a two-way valve that uses a valve body to open and close the connection between two pipes. Alternatively, the number of pipes to be connected may be further increased to form a multi-way valve. In this way, the number of pipes in the slide type switching valve and the method of switching the communication state may be changed depending on the application of the slide type switching valve.
Furthermore, the slide type switching valve 1 exemplified as the control valve of the present invention is a so-called motor-operated valve in which the electromagnetic force of the coil unit 60 rotates the magnet rotor 41 as an actuator to move the valve body 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control valve of the present invention may be a solenoid valve. That is, the present invention can be applied to a valve device in which the drive unit is composed of a coil unit, a plunger, and an attractor, and the electromagnetic force of the coil unit drives the plunger as an actuator to move forward and backward.

L Axis Z1 Tip side Z2 Base side 1 Slide type switching valve (control valve)
2 Valve body 24 Can (case)
24a Recess 3 Valve body 41 Magnet rotor (actuator)
60 Coil unit 70 Main body 70a Insertion hole 71 Storage portion 72 Coil 73 Yoke
80 bracket 81 base plate portion 82 connection portion 83 pressing portion 86 protruding portion

Claims (14)

A control valve comprising: a valve body incorporating a valve body and an actuator; and a coil unit fixed to the outside of the valve body, the actuator being driven by an electromagnetic force of the coil unit to move the valve body,
The valve body has a case that houses the actuator, and at least one recess is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the valve body or the case,
The coil unit includes a main body having a coil, a yoke, and a housing portion, and a bracket for fixing the main body to the valve body,
The main body portion is provided with a fitting hole passing through in an axial direction from a tip end side to a base end side of the case,
The coil unit is attached to the valve body by inserting the case through the insertion hole in a direction from the base end side to the tip end side,
the bracket includes a base plate portion extending in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction, a connection portion extending in the axial direction from the base plate portion, a pressing portion extending radially inwardly from the connection portion, and a protruding portion protruding radially inwardly from the base plate portion,
A control valve characterized in that the coil unit is fixed to the valve body by the pressing portion abutting in a pressed state against the outer surface of the case and the tip of the protrusion abutting in a pressed state against the recessed surface of the recess. the pressing portion is disposed on one side in the axial direction, and the protruding portion is disposed on the other side in the axial direction,
2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the coil in the coil unit is disposed at a position sandwiched between the pressing portion and the protruding portion in the axial direction. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusion is a plate cut out from the base plate and is inclined toward the tip of the case. 2. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusion has an extending portion extending radially inwardly parallel to the base plate portion, and a standing portion continuing from a tip of the extending portion and extending at an angle with respect to the base plate portion, the tip of the standing portion abutting against the recessed surface . 2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the recessed surface is generally circular in a front view and arcuate in a cross section, and a tip of the protrusion abuts a semicircular portion of the recessed surface on a tip side of the case. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip side of the protrusion is formed to have a smaller width dimension than the base end side of the protrusion. 5. The control valve according to claim 4, characterized in that a tip of the upright portion has a width dimension smaller than that of a base end side of the protrusion and has a chamfered corner, and a tip edge of the tip portion abuts against the recessed surface . The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate portion has an opening through which the case is inserted, and the protrusion is provided so as to protrude radially inward beyond the opening edge of the opening. The control valve according to claim 8, characterized in that a pair of notches extending radially outward beyond the opening edge of the opening are formed in the base plate, and the base end of the protrusion is provided between the pair of notches. The connection portion is composed of at least four pieces, and a window portion is formed by a pair of adjacent connection portions, the pressing portion provided across the pair of connection portions, and the substrate portion,
2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the body portion is provided so as to pass through the window portion. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the protrusions are provided, and at least one of the plurality of the protrusions and the pressing portion are provided at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction around the axis of the case. The pressing portion has an elastic piece, and the elastic piece has a connecting portion extending radially inward from the connection portion and a folded portion folded back radially outwardly from the connecting portion,
The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the folded portion abuts against an outer surface of the case in a pressing state. a radially outer end of the folded portion abuts against the yoke of the coil unit;
13. The control valve according to claim 12, characterized in that a portion of the folded portion between a contact portion that contacts the case and the radially outward tip is elastically deformed, and the reaction force causes the contact portion to contact the case in a pressing state. The control valve according to claim 13, characterized in that the turn-back portion is formed in an arc shape, the abutment portion is formed by the apex of the arc of the turn-back portion, and the end face of the arc of the turn-back portion abuts against the yoke in a pressed state.

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