Valve device

The present invention<u style="Single">, Regarding valve devices.</u>

(Prior technique)<u style="Single">It has a valve that changes the flow rate of cooling water, a housing that houses the valve inside, and a shaft that rotates integrally with the valve.</u>Valve devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

。

。

。

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-232260</text></patcit></p>

<p>The present invention<u style="Single">The purpose of is to stop the rotation of the ball valve by the housing.</u></p>

<p><u style="Single">As stated in claim 1.</u>Valve device<u style="Single">A valve device that controls the flow rate of cooling water for a vehicle, the valve (1) that changes the flow rate of cooling water by rotating, the housing (3) that houses the valve (1) inside, and the above. A shaft (14) that rotates integrally with the valve, the valve and the housing open in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve, and the housing provides a range of rotation of the valve with respect to the housing. A contact portion (56) having a restricting stopper (56), wherein the valve comes into contact with the stopper on the side opposite to the side where the valve opens in the direction of the rotation axis to stop the rotation of the valve. 57), the valve has a recess (53) recessed in the opening side of the valve at the end opposite to the opening side of the valve in the direction of the axis of rotation, the abutment. The valve is characterized in that the rotation of the valve is stopped when the portion and a part of the stopper come into contact with each other at the recess.</u><u style="Single"> The valve device according to claim 4 is a valve device that controls the flow rate of cooling water of a vehicle, and includes a valve (1) that changes the flow rate of cooling water by rotating and a valve (1). The housing comprises a housing (3) for accommodating the inside and a shaft (14) that rotates integrally with the valve, and the housing has a stopper (56) that regulates the rotation range of the valve with respect to the housing. However, the valve has a contact portion (57) that stops the rotation of the valve by abutting with the stopper at one end in the extending direction of the shaft. A valve device characterized in that, among the valves, the peripheral wall (51) facing the outer peripheral surface of the shaft projects toward the one side of the peripheral wall (51).</u></p><p><u style="Single">As a result, the rotation of the valve can be stopped by the stopper of the housing.</u></p>

<figref num="1">It is sectional drawing of the main part of the valve apparatus at the time of opening a valve (Example 1).</figref><figref num="2">It is sectional drawing of the main part of the valve device at the time of closing a valve (Example 1).</figref><figref num="3">It is explanatory drawing which shows the contact point of a ball surface and a sheet surface (Example 1).</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing of the main part of the valve apparatus at the time of opening a valve (Example 2).</figref><figref num="5">It is sectional drawing of the main part of the valve device at the time of closing a valve (Example 3).</figref><figref num="6">It is sectional drawing along the axial direction of a valve device (Example 4).</figref><figref num="7">It is the figure which looked at the valve device from the axial direction (Example 4).</figref><figref num="8">It is a schematic diagram of an engine cooling device (Example 5).</figref><figref num="9">It is sectional drawing of the valve device (Example 5).</figref><figref num="10">It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9 (Example 5).</figref><figref num="11">It is XI-XI sectional view of FIG. 10 (Example 5).</figref><figref num="12">It is sectional drawing of the main part of a valve device (a modification of Example 5).</figref><figref num="13">It is sectional drawing of the main part of a valve device (a modification of Example 5).</figref>

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail.

<p>A specific example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following examples disclose a specific example, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples.</p><p>[Example 1]</p><p>The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.</p><p>The valve device of this embodiment is mounted on an automobile, and the seat surface 2a of the valve seat 2 is pressed against the ball surface 1a of the ball valve 1 and the ball valve 1 is rotated to rotate the engine cooling water. It controls the flow rate or the distribution.</p><p>This valve device includes: -a housing 3 provided with an inlet from which cooling water is guided from the engine and an outlet from which cooling water whose amount of water is controlled by the valve device is discharged, and-a rotatably supported by the housing 3. A shaft, an electric actuator that rotates this shaft, a ball valve 1 that rotates integrally with the shaft, and a ring-shaped valve seat 2 that is pressed against this ball valve 1. To.</p><p>Specifically, the ball valve 1 is provided with a valve opening 1b penetrating inside and outside, and the valve seat 2 is provided with a seat opening 2b penetrating the central portion, and the ball valve 1 is rotated to operate the valve opening 1b and the seat. The valve opens when the opening 2b communicates with each other, and closes when the valve opening 1b and the seat opening 2b do not communicate with each other.</p><p>Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the valve opening 1b of this embodiment is provided in an elongated hole shape along the rotation direction of the ball valve 1. Specifically, the valve opening 1b is provided in an elongated hole shape in which an opening edge parallel to the rotation direction of the ball valve 1 extends.</p><p>The ball valve 1 is rotationally operated by an electric actuator via a shaft.</p><p>The ball valve 1 exhibits a substantially cup shape as an example. The flow direction of the cooling water is not limited, but as an example of understanding assistance, the cooling water supplied from the inlet is supplied to the inside of the ball valve 1 from the cup opening. Then, when the ball valve 1 is opened, the cooling water supplied to the inside of the ball valve 1 is guided to the outlet through the overlapping portion of the valve opening 1b and the seat opening 2b.</p><p>The ball valve 1 is provided by, for example, a resin such as PPS, and is provided on a smooth ball surface 1a having at least a surface in sliding contact with the valve seat 2 having a convex spherical shape. That is, the ball valve 1 has a ball surface 1a having a convex spherical shape, and is rotated by an electric actuator.</p><p>The valve seat 2 is a ring body in which a seat opening 2b penetrating the central portion is formed, and is provided by, for example, a resin such as PTFE. In this valve seat 2, the seat surface 2a having a concave spherical shape is pressed against the ball surface 1a of the ball valve 1, and the seat surface 2a in sliding contact with the ball surface 1a is smoothly provided.</p><p>The valve seat 2 is supported by the housing 3, and the housing 3 is provided with a support means for supporting the valve seat 2.</p><p>The supporting means are: -a spacer 5 fixed to the flow path wall of the housing 3, -a spring 6 arranged between the valve seat 2 and the spacer 5, and-a arrangement between the spring 6 and the spacer 5. The plate 7 and the sleeve 8 that supports the valve seat 2 are used.</p><p>The spacer 5 is fixed to the inner wall of the flow path leading to the outlet by press fitting or the like, and has a substantially cylindrical shape.</p><p>The spring 6 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and is assembled in a compressed state. The plate 7 is a metal spring seat and exhibits a ring disk shape.</p><p>The sleeve 8 is a substantially cylindrical passage member that supports the valve seat 2 on one end side close to the ball valve 1 and is inserted into the spacer 5 on the other end side far from the ball valve 1, and has passed through the seat opening 2b. Guide the cooling water into the flow path leading to the outlet.</p><p>Specifically, the sleeve 8 is provided with a metal material such as stainless steel having excellent body corrosiveness, and the outer end of the valve seat 2 is provided at one end of the tubular sleeve 8 as a means for supporting the valve seat 2. A cylinder 8a that restrains from the outside in the radial direction and a ring plate 8b that presses against the back surface of the seat are integrally provided. The back surface of the seat is the surface of the valve seat 2 opposite to the seat surface 2a.</p><p>A more specific example will be described. The outer end of the valve seat 2 in this embodiment is a cylindrical surface formed on the outer peripheral edge of the valve seat 2 having a ring shape. The tubular body 8a restrains the outer end of the valve seat 2 to prevent the valve seat 2 from spreading, and exhibits a short cylindrical shape in the tubular direction. Then, the cylindrical surface at the outer end of the valve seat 2 is pushed into the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 8a by press fitting or the like, and the tubular body 8a suppresses the expansion of the valve seat 2 in the outer diameter direction.</p><p>On the other hand, the back surface of the valve seat 2 is a ring-shaped flat surface, and the ring plate 8b is also provided on the ring-shaped flat surface. Specifically, the ring plate 8b is provided in a stepped shape whose diameter is expanded toward the outer diameter side from the cylinder diameter of the sleeve 8 in the range inserted inside the spring 6. Then, the cylindrical surface at the outer end of the valve seat 2 is constrained to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 8a, so that the back surface of the seat is kept in pressure contact with the ring plate 8b, and the back surface of the seat is the ring plate 8b. By maintaining the state of pressure contact with the valve seat 2, deformation such as warpage of the valve seat 2 is suppressed.</p><p>A sealing component 9 such as a lip seal is arranged between the sleeve 8 and the spacer 5, and a sealing component 10 such as an O-ring is arranged between the housing 3 and the spacer 5.</p><p>The valve device adopts a configuration in which the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is opened and the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed are different locations.</p><p>This configuration will be specifically described below.</p><p>The valve device is provided inside the seat surface 2a when the valve is opened, as a means for making the seat surface 2a which is in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is open and the seat surface 2a which is in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed at different locations. Provide a range that does not come into contact with the ball surface 1a.</p><p>Specifically, the seat surface 2a of this embodiment is provided with a portion on the outer diameter side of the seat opening 2b so as to be in sliding contact with the parallel opening edge of the valve opening 1b. This sliding contact point is a place where a step D is generated due to wear due to long-term use.</p><p>As a specific means for providing as described above, the opening diameter φ2 of the seat opening 2b is provided to be smaller than the opening diameter φ1 of the valve opening 1b.</p><p>That is, the valve device of this embodiment is provided so as to satisfy the relationship of φ1&gt; φ2 when the opening diameter of the valve opening 1b is φ1 and the opening diameter of the seat opening 2b is φ2.</p><p>Here, as described above, the valve opening 1b of this embodiment has an elongated hole shape along the rotation direction of the ball valve 1 and has a parallel opening edge extending in the rotation direction.</p><p>Therefore, the opening diameter φ1 of the valve opening 1b is determined by the width of the ball valve 1 in the rotation axis direction, as shown in FIG.</p><p>Further, in the valve device of this embodiment, as a means for making the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a at the time of valve opening and the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a at the time of valve closing at different locations, the valve device of this embodiment is used as a means for making the seat surface 2a different. It is necessary to ensure the sealing property by providing a portion of the seat surface 2a that was not in contact with the ball surface 1a during valve opening so as to be in contact with the ball surface 1a.</p><p>Specifically, it is necessary to provide the inner diameter side of the seat surface 2a so as to be in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed.</p><p>Therefore, the radius of curvature R1 of the ball surface 1a is provided to be the same as the radius of curvature R2 of the sheet surface 2a or smaller than the radius of curvature R2 of the sheet surface 2a.</p><p>That is, the valve device of this embodiment is provided so as to satisfy the relationship of R1 R2 when the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a is R1 and the radius of curvature of the seat surface 2a is R2.</p><p>As a specific example, in this embodiment, a contact ring A that contacts the ball surface 1a only when the valve is closed is provided at the end of the seat surface 2a in the inner diameter direction. The contact ring A is a seal ring formed by the difference in curvature between the convex spherical shape forming the ball surface 1a and the concave spherical shape forming the seat surface 2a.</p><p>More specifically, as described above, the ball surface 1a is provided in a convex spherical shape, and the seat surface 2a is provided in a concave spherical shape. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature R1 of the ball surface 1a is smaller than the radius of curvature R2 of the sheet surface 2a.</p><p>By providing in this way, the contact ring A that comes into contact with the ball surface 1a can be provided only at the end in the inner diameter direction of the seat surface 2a when the valve is closed due to the difference in curvature between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a.</p><p>(Effect 1 of Example 1) In the valve device of this embodiment, the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is opened and the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed are different points. That is, the seat surface 2a at the portion that contacts the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed to ensure the sealing property does not contact the ball surface 1a when the valve is opened.</p><p>Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wear of the seat surface 2a at the portion where the sealing property is ensured in contact with the ball surface 1a at the time of valve closing for a long period of time, and it is possible to secure the sealing property at the time of valve closing for a long period of time. .. This makes it possible to improve the long-term reliability of the valve device.</p><p>(Effect 2 of Example 1) As described above, the valve opening 1b of this embodiment has an elongated hole shape along the rotation direction of the ball valve 1. Therefore, when the ball valve 1 is rotated, the opening edge of the elongated hole locally hits a part of the seat surface 2a, and a local step D is formed on the part of the seat surface 2a due to wear.</p><p>However, even if a step D occurs on the seat surface 2a, the place where the step D is formed is on the outer diameter side of the contact ring A that secures the sealing property when the valve is closed, so that the step D is the seal when the valve is closed. Does not affect sex.</p><p>As described above, in this embodiment, even if a step D is generated on the seat surface 2a due to the opening edge of the elongated hole forming the valve opening 1b, the sealing property at the time of valve closing can be ensured for a long period of time.</p><p>(Effect 3 of Example 1) As described above, the valve device of this embodiment is provided with a contact ring A at the end of the seat surface 2a in the inner diameter direction, which contacts the ball surface 1a only when the valve is closed.</p><p>In addition to the above-mentioned effect that wear is less likely to occur due to sliding, the contact ring A can control the contact width between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a by the difference in curvature between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a. As a result, the concentrated load of the spring 6 can be applied to the contact ring A, and the sealing performance between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a can be improved.</p><p>Further, even if the contact width of the contact ring A is slightly widened due to wear due to long-term use, the location of the seat surface 2a that comes into contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed is limited to the inner diameter side of the seat surface 2a. It is possible to secure the sealing property when the valve is closed.</p><p>[Example 2]</p><p>Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.</p><p>It should be noted that each of the following examples adopts the embodiment of the first embodiment, and describes only the embodiment different from the first embodiment. In each of the following examples, the same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned Example 1 indicate the same functional substances.</p><p>This valve device is configured with a rigid body that prevents deformation of the valve seat 2.</p><p>This rigid body restrains at least the outer end of the valve seat 2 and suppresses deformation of the valve seat 2 spreading outward in the radial direction, and is provided integrally with the sleeve 8.</p><p>Specifically, the sleeve 8 including a rigid body is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and is provided by, for example, pressing or cutting.</p><p>Here, the rigid body constrains both the cylindrical surface of the outer end of the valve seat 2 and the back surface of the seat.</p><p>Specifically, the seat back surface of the valve seat 2 is provided on a flat ring surface, and the rigid body is pressure-welded to the cylindrical cylinder 8a covering the cylindrical surface on the outer circumference of the valve seat 2 and the entire surface of the flat seat back surface. Provided by a flat ring plate 8b. A specific example of the tubular body 8a and the ring plate 8b is described in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.</p><p>In this way, the rigid body restrains the valve seat 2, and the valve seat 2 is fixed to the rigid body. The technique for connecting the valve seat 2 to the rigid body is not limited, but the press-fitting technique is adopted as an example.</p><p>(Effect 1 of Example 2) As described above, in the valve device, at least the cylindrical surface at the outer end of the valve seat 2 is constrained by the tubular body 8a. Therefore, even if the valve seat 2 is provided with resin or the like, there is no problem that the outer diameter side of the seat surface 2a expands to the outside due to the influence of the ball surface 1a. That is, the deformation of the valve seat 2 can be prevented from spreading outward, and leakage due to the deformation of the valve seat 2 can be avoided for a long period of time.</p><p>(Effect 2 of Example 2) As described above, in the valve device, at least the cylindrical surface at the outer end of the valve seat 2 is constrained by the tubular body 8a, and the deformation of the valve seat 2 is suppressed. Therefore, even if the valve opening 1b provided in the ball valve 1 has an elongated hole shape, there is no problem that the valve seat 2 is deformed into an elliptical shape, and leakage due to the deformation of the valve seat 2 can be avoided for a long period of time.</p><p>(Effect 3 of Example 2) The valve device is provided so that the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a is smaller than the radius of curvature of the seat surface 2a. Then, the contact point between the seat surface 2a and the ball surface 1a becomes extremely local, and the valve seat 2 may be deformed due to local stress concentration.</p><p>However, as described above, the rigid body of the second embodiment restrains the back surface of the seat together with the cylindrical surface of the outer end of the valve seat 2. Specifically, the cylindrical surface at the outer end of the valve seat 2 is constrained by the tubular body 8a in a state where the back surface of the seat is in pressure contact with the ring plate 8b. Therefore, even if the contact point between the seat surface 2a and the ball surface 1a becomes extremely local, deformation such as warpage of the valve seat 2 can be prevented, and leakage due to deformation of the valve seat 2 can be avoided for a long period of time. ..</p><p>(Effect 4 of Example 2) In the valve device, both the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a are finished to be smooth, and the friction coefficient μ1 between the ring plate 8b and the valve seat 2 in the rigid body is the ball valve 1 and the valve. The friction coefficient between the sheets 2 is set to be larger than μ2.</p><p>As a result, when the ball valve 1 rotates, it can be reliably slid at the position where the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 come into contact with each other, and the slip of the valve seat 2 with respect to the ring plate 8b can be suppressed.</p><p>(Effect 5 of Example 2) The tubular body 8a is provided integrally with the ring plate 8b. As a result, even if the tubular body 8a is made of a relatively thin material, the ring plate 8b acts to prevent the tubular body 8a from being deformed. Therefore, for example, even if the thickness of the cylinder 8a is thin and the strength of the cylinder 8a becomes insufficient by itself, the ring plate 8b can prevent the cylinder 8a from being deformed.</p><p>That is, even when a rigid body is provided with a relatively thin plate thickness, deformation of the valve seat 2 can be effectively prevented by the combination of the tubular body 8a and the ring plate 8b.</p><p>(Effect 6 of Example 2) The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical portion that covers the periphery of the valve seat 2. The cylindrical portion of Patent Document 1 is an independent component for assembling the valve seat 2 to the holding member, and causes an increase in the number of components.</p><p>On the other hand, the tubular body 8a adopted by the valve device of this embodiment is provided integrally with the sleeve 8 which functions as a guide for the spring 6. Specifically, the sleeve 8 of this embodiment has a place where it is inserted inside the spring 6 and functions as a guide for the spring 6, a tubular portion 8a which functions as a guide for the valve seat 2, and a support function for receiving the valve seat 2. The fulfilling ring plate 8b is integrally provided. As a result, the number of parts of the valve device can be reduced, and the assembling property of the valve device can be improved by reducing the number of parts.</p><p>(Effect 7 of Example 2) Further, since the cylindrical portion disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a part for forming an annular groove into which the valve seat 2 is fitted, the length dimension of the cylindrical portion in the tubular direction is the valve. It was provided longer than the thickness dimension of the sheet 2. Therefore, when the valve seat 2 is worn due to the sliding of the ball valve 1, there is a concern that the ball valve 1 comes into contact with the cylindrical portion and the valve seat 2 does not achieve the sealing effect.</p><p>On the other hand, in this embodiment, the tubular body 8a provided at the end of the sleeve 8 is provided so that the length dimension in the tubular direction is shorter than the thickness dimension of the outer peripheral edge of the valve seat 2. That is, a part of the outer peripheral edge of the valve seat 2 is provided so as to protrude from the tubular body 8a toward the ball valve 1.</p><p>As a result, even if the valve seat 2 is worn due to the sliding of the ball valve 1, it is possible to prevent the ball valve 1 from coming into contact with the sleeve 8, and it is possible to improve the long-term reliability of the valve device.</p><p>The above effect will be described more specifically.</p><p>As described in the first embodiment, the valve device of the second embodiment satisfies the relation of φ1&gt; φ2R1 R2, and as a specific example, it is provided in the relation of φ1&gt; φ2R1 &lt;R2. be.</p><p>Therefore, as shown in Effect 1 of Example 1, the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is opened and the seat surface 2a in contact with the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed are different points, and the valve seat 2 has a different location. Wear can be suppressed for a long period of time.</p><p>In addition to this effect, in the second embodiment, the length dimension of the tubular body 8a is set shorter than the thickness dimension of the outer peripheral edge of the valve seat 2, and a part of the outer peripheral edge of the valve seat 2 is provided as a ball valve 1 from the tubular body 8a. It is provided so that it protrudes toward the side.</p><p>Therefore, even if the valve seat 2 whose wear is suppressed by the effect of the first embodiment is worn due to long-term use, the ball valve 1 is prevented from coming into contact with the sleeve 8 by providing the tubular body 8a for a short time. And the long-term reliability of the valve device can be ensured.</p><p>[Example 3]</p><p>Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG.</p><p>The valve device adopts a configuration in which water pressure is intentionally guided to both the seat surface 2a and the seat back surface of the valve seat 2 when the valve is closed.</p><p>This configuration will be specifically described below.</p><p>A back pressure space α is provided on the back surface side of the seat to guide the cooling water flowing into the inside of the valve device from the inlet.</p><p>The specific back pressure space α is the space around the sleeve 8 in which the spring 6 is arranged. More specifically, the back pressure space α is the flow path wall, the sleeve 8, and the plate 7 leading to the outlet in the housing 3. , It is a space surrounded by the ring plate 8b. This back pressure space α communicates with the space accommodating the ball valve 1 in the housing 3 through the gap formed between the housing 3 and the ring plate 8b. The space that houses the ball valve 1 always communicates with the inlet. Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrow X in the figure, the cooling water is guided from the engine to the back pressure space α through the inlet.</p><p>Here, the ring plate 8b provided at one end of the sleeve 8 is provided in a stepped shape whose diameter is expanded toward the outer diameter side from the cylinder diameter of the sleeve 8. Therefore, the water pressure guided to the back pressure space α is applied to the surface on which the spring 6 is seated in the ring plate 8b.</p><p>As a result, when the water pressure rises, the force that presses the valve seat 2 against the ball valve 1 due to the water pressure increases.</p><p>On the other hand, a contact ring A is provided at a position where the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a face each other when the valve is closed so that only the inner diameter side of the seat surface 2a comes into contact with the ball surface 1a.</p><p>The shape, contact width, and the like of the contact ring A are not limited, but a specific example of the contact ring A will be described. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a is set smaller than the radius of curvature of the sheet surface 2a. By providing in this way, a contact ring A is formed in which only the end in the inner diameter direction of the seat surface 2a contacts the ball surface 1a when the valve is closed due to the difference in curvature between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a.</p><p>By providing the contact ring A, an annular gap β into which cooling water can flow is formed on the outer peripheral side of the contact ring A and between the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 when the valve is closed. This annular gap β accommodates the ball valve 1 in the housing 3 and communicates with the space leading to the inlet. Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrow Y in the figure, the cooling water common to the cooling water guided to the back pressure space α is guided to the annular gap β.</p><p>The water pressure guided to the annular gap β is applied to the seat surface 2a. As a result, when the water pressure rises, the force that separates the valve seat 2 from the ball valve 1 due to the water pressure increases.</p><p>(Effect 1 of Example 3) The circulation system of the engine cooling water mounted on the vehicle adopts a well-known closed pressure cooling system, and when the engine is operated and the water temperature rises, the water pressure becomes, for example, a radiator cap. It rises to the valve opening pressure etc. That is, the pressure of the cooling water supplied from the engine to the inlet of the valve device fluctuates.</p><p>As described above, the valve device of this embodiment is provided with a back pressure space α and an annular gap β, and adopts a configuration in which water pressure is intentionally guided to the seat surface 2a and the seat back surface of the valve seat 2 when the valve is closed. do.</p><p>As a result, the force applied to the valve seat 2 from the back surface of the seat and the force applied to the valve seat 2 from the seat surface 2a can cancel each other out.</p><p>Therefore, the pressing force of the valve seat 2 against the ball valve 1 can be brought close to only the urging force of the spring 6, and even if the water pressure increases or decreases, the change in the pressing force of the valve seat 2 against the ball valve 1 can be suppressed. can. As a result, the sliding resistance of the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 can be kept substantially constant.</p><p>Specifically, since the driving force for rotating the ball valve 1 can be suppressed, the electric actuator that rotates the ball valve 1 can be miniaturized. Further, since sliding wear can be suppressed, the long-term reliability of the valve device can be improved.</p><p>(Effect 2 of Example 3) In the valve device, the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a is set smaller than the radius of curvature of the seat surface 2a, and the end of the seat surface 2a in the inner diameter direction due to the difference in curvature between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a. A contact ring A that comes into contact with the ball surface 1a is provided on the surface.</p><p>Therefore, it is not necessary to process the contact ring A into an annular rib shape or the like, and the cost of forming the annular gap β can be suppressed.</p><p>(Effect 3 of Example 3) The valve device is configured to apply the water pressure guided to the back pressure space α to the ring plate 8b whose diameter is expanded at one end of the sleeve 8 and act on the back surface of the seat via the ring plate 8b. Is adopted.</p><p>With this configuration, the cooling water can be guided from the outer peripheral side of the back pressure space α to the back pressure space α, and the cooling water can be guided from the outer peripheral side of the annular gap β to the annular space. Specifically, the cooling water can be directly guided from the space accommodating the ball valve 1 in the housing 3 to both the back pressure space α and the annular gap β.</p><p>(Effect 4 of Example 3) In the valve device, the pressure-receiving projected area in which water pressure is applied to the seat back surface side from the back pressure space α and the pressure-receiving projection area in which water pressure is applied to the seat surface 2a from the annular gap β are substantially the same. It is provided in.</p><p>As a result, the differential pressure between the water pressure acting on the seat back surface of the valve seat 2 and the water pressure acting on the seat surface 2a can be brought close to zero, and the force exerted by the water pressure on the valve seat 2 can be made substantially zero.</p><p>Therefore, the sliding resistance between the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 can be kept more constant, and the increase in the driving force of the ball valve 1 due to the increase in water pressure can be suppressed more reliably.</p><p>[Example 4]</p><p>Example 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.</p><p>The housing 3 of the valve device includes three cooling water outlets, and the three cooling water outlets are distinguished as the first to third outlets 11 to 13, respectively.</p><p>The first outlet 11 is a cooling water outlet that guides the cooling water that has passed through the engine to the radiator. The second outlet 12 is a cooling water outlet that guides the cooling water that has passed through the engine to the heater core for air conditioning. The third outlet 13 is a cooling water outlet that guides the cooling water that has passed through the engine to an oil cooler, an oil warmer of a transmission, or the like.</p><p>The structure for opening and closing the first to third outlets 11 to 13 is the same as that of the valve device disclosed in the first embodiment, that is, the housing 3 and the shaft rotatably supported with respect to the housing 3. 14, with an electric actuator 15 that rotates this shaft 14, a ball valve 1 that rotates integrally with the shaft 14, and a ring-shaped valve seat 2 that is pressed against this ball valve 1. It is composed.</p><p>As an example, the housing 3 is directly attached to the engine, and an inlet 16 for guiding cooling water to the inside of the housing 3 is provided on the engine mounting surface.</p><p>Specifically, inside the housing 3, a valve chamber 17 that communicates with the inlet 16 and accommodates the ball valve 1 is provided, and the space between the valve chamber 17 and the ball valve 1 is supplied from the inlet 16. The cooling water is filled.</p><p>The housing 3 has a first outlet passage 11a that guides cooling water from the valve chamber 17 to the first outlet 11, a second outlet passage 12a that guides cooling water from the valve chamber 17 to the second outlet 12, and a second outlet passage 12a that guides cooling water from the valve chamber 17. A third outlet passage (not shown) that guides the cooling water to the three outlets 13 is formed.</p><p>Although not limited, the first outlet passage 11a is provided on the side far from the inlet 16 in the housing 3, and the second outlet passage 12a and the third outlet passage are provided on the side closer to the inlet 16.</p><p>Further, the first outlet passage 11a is a passage through which cooling water flows from the engine to the radiator. Therefore, the flow path diameter of the first outlet passage 11a is provided to be larger than the flow path diameter of the second outlet passage 12a and the third outlet passage so that a large flow rate of cooling water can flow.</p><p>The shaft 14 is arranged through the center of the valve chamber 17, one end of which is rotatably supported via a ball bearing 18 assembled to the housing 3, and the other end of which is mounted on the inlet 16. It is rotatably supported via the bearing plate 19. The bearing plate 19 is provided with an opening that allows the passage of cooling water.</p><p>The electric actuator 15 adopts a well-known configuration. To disclose an example, an electric motor that converts electric power into rotational torque and a deceleration that reduces the rotational output of the electric motor to increase the drive torque of the shaft 14. It is configured by combining a mechanism and a non-contact type rotation angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the shaft 14.</p><p>The ball valve 1 is rotationally operated by the electric actuator 15 via the shaft 14. The ball valve 1 has a substantially cup shape. Explaining the flow direction of the cooling water, the cooling water supplied from the inlet 16 is supplied to the inside of the ball valve 1 from the cup opening. Then, when the ball valve 1 is rotated and the valve opening 1b and the seat opening 2b overlap, the cooling water flows through the overlapping portion. That is, in the valve device of this embodiment, the degree of communication between the inlet 16 and the first to third outlets 13 is changed by rotating the ball valve 1.</p><p>Here, the center of the flow path that guides the fluid from the outside of the ball valve 1 into the cup is defined as the inlet axis jα. Further, the center of the flow path for discharging the fluid from the inside of the cup of the ball valve 1 to the first outlet passage 11a is defined as the outlet shaft jβ.</p><p>In this embodiment, one of the inlet shaft jα and the outlet shaft jβ is provided in the same direction as the rotation shaft of the ball valve 1, and the outlet shaft jβ is provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the inlet shaft jα.</p><p>That is, the ball valve 1 has a cup opening in the same direction as the rotation axis of the ball valve 1. The rotation shaft of the ball valve 1 is provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the outlet shaft jβ or the inlet shaft jα.</p><p>The above will be specifically described.</p><p>The cup opening, which is the inlet of the fluid in the ball valve 1, opens in the direction of the rotation axis. The inlet 16 formed in the housing 3 is also provided in the direction of the rotation axis of the ball valve 1. In this way, the inlet shaft jα is provided in the same direction as the rotation shaft of the ball valve 1.</p><p>In this embodiment, of the first outlet passage 11a, the second outlet passage 12a, and the third outlet passage (not shown), the one having the largest flow path diameter is the first outlet passage capable of guiding a large amount of cooling water to the radiator. It is 11a.</p><p>In this embodiment, the outlet shaft jβ that guides the cooling water to the first outlet passage 11a having the largest flow path diameter is provided at an obtuse angle (for example, 100 ° to 150 °) with respect to the rotation shaft of the ball valve 1. ..</p><p>The center of the flow path that guides the fluid from the inside of the ball valve 1 to the second outlet passage 12a via the valve opening 1b is the second outlet axis jγ, and the second outlet axis jγ is a rotation axis, although it is not limited. Provided at right angles to</p><p>(Effect 1 of Example 4) In the valve device, the cup opening that guides the cooling water to the inside of the ball valve 1 opens in the direction of the rotation axis of the ball valve 1. The rotation shaft of the ball valve 1 and the outlet shaft jβ are provided at obtuse angles. That is, the outlet axis jβ is provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the inlet axis jα.</p><p>As a result, the bending angle of the cooling water from the inlet 16 to the first outlet passage 11a through the inside of the ball valve 1 can be made gentle, and the pressure loss of the cooling water from the ball valve 1 to the first outlet passage 11a can be reduced. ..</p><p>In this way, since the bending angle from the inlet 16 to the first outlet passage 11a can be made gentle to reduce the pressure loss, the valve opening 1b that guides the cooling water to the first outlet passage 11a and the first outlet passage 11a. It is possible to reduce the opening diameter of the valve device, and the physique of the valve device can be reduced.</p><p>That is, the valve device can reduce the pressure loss while reducing the physique.</p><p>(Effect 2 of Example 4) Since the portion of the ball valve 1 that slides on the valve seat 2 has a convex spherical shape, the angles of the outlet axis jβ and the second outlet axis jγ with respect to the rotation axis can be freely set. ..</p><p>Therefore, if one or both of the first outlet passage 11a and the second outlet passage 12a are subject to mounting restrictions, the directions of the first outlet passage 11a and the second outlet passage 12a should be changed in an unobtrusive angular direction. This makes it possible to improve the vehicle mountability of the valve device.</p><p>(Effect 3 of Example 4) Of the first outlet passage 11a, the second outlet passage 12a, and the third outlet passage (not shown), the one having the largest flow path diameter is the one capable of guiding a large amount of cooling water to the radiator. 1 Outlet passage 11a.</p><p>Therefore, in this embodiment, the outlet axis jβ of the first outlet passage 11a having a large flow path diameter is provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the inlet axis jα.</p><p>As a result, the bending angle from the inlet 16 to the first outlet passage 11a that guides the cooling water to the radiator can be gently provided. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the pressure loss of the cooling water flowing in a large amount from the engine to the radiator.</p><p>[Example 5]</p><p>Example 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.</p><p>The engine cooling device has a cooling water circuit that cools the engine 21 by forcibly circulating cooling water in the engine 21.</p><p>This cooling water circuit is the first circuit that circulates the cooling water in the order of engine 21 radiator 22 water pump 23, the second circuit that circulates the cooling water in the order of engine 21 air conditioner heater core 24 water pump 23, engine 21. It has a third circuit that circulates cooling water in the order of device 25 water pump 23.</p><p>As the cooling water, for example, LLC containing ethylene glycol is used.</p><p>The heater core 24 heats the air by exchanging heat with the air for the cooling water flowing out from the engine 21.</p><p>The device 25 is, for example, an oil cooler, a turbocharger, or the like, which is a device that requires heat exchange with the cooling water flowing out from the engine 21.</p><p>The engine 21 includes a cylinder head 26 and a cylinder block 27, and a water jacket 28 through which cooling water flows is formed in the cylinder head 26 and the cylinder block 27.</p><p>A valve device 29 for controlling the flow rate of the cooling water is arranged in the cooling water circuit. The valve device 29 is located at the outlet of the water jacket 28.</p><p>The valve device 29 is a three-way flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling water to the first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit. The valve device 29 may be a three-way or more multi-way flow rate adjusting valve.</p><p>The cooling water circuit is filled with cooling water by injecting cooling water by its negative pressure after the vacuuming step of evacuating the entire circuit.</p><p>The first circuit is provided with a flow path that bypasses the radiator 22, and vacuuming and cooling water are injected from the reserve tank 22a provided in the middle of this flow path.</p><p>The valve device 29 seals between the housing 3 that houses the ball valve 1 inside, the shaft 14 that penetrates the housing 3 and rotates integrally with the ball valve 1, and the housing 3 and the shaft 14. It is provided with a sealing member 31 and a labyrinth portion 32 that attenuates the kinetic energy of the fluid toward the sealing member 31 inside the housing 3.</p><p>The housing 3 is formed with a bearing hole 33 for bearing the shaft 14 through the housing 3. The bearing hole 33 penetrates the housing 3 and has an opening to the valve chamber 17. In the following, the opening of the bearing hole 33 to the valve chamber 17 will be referred to as the bearing opening 33a.</p><p>Further, the axial direction of the bearing hole 33 is the valve axial direction, the side facing the valve chamber 17 is one end side in the valve axial direction, and the opposite side is the other end side in the valve axial direction.</p><p>The other end of the valve shaft of the bearing hole 33 is open toward the actuator chamber 35 formed between the cover 34 mounted on the housing 3 and the housing 3. The actuator chamber 35 is a space in which the gears 36 and the like constituting the reduction mechanism are housed.</p><p>The portion of the shaft 14 protruding toward the other end in the valve axis direction of the bearing hole 33 is fixed to the gear 36 in the actuator chamber 35.</p><p>In this embodiment, the cup opening of the ball valve 1 is provided at a position facing the valve axis direction with the ball valve 1 interposed therebetween with respect to the position where the bearing opening 33a is formed.</p><p>The shaft 14 is inserted into the bearing hole 33 and rotatably supported by a ball bearing 18 interposed between the housing 3 and the shaft 14.</p><p>The ball valve 1 is housed in the valve chamber 17 and is held by the shaft 14, and is rotated by the rotation of the shaft 14 to change the flow rate of the cooling water flowing from the cup opening to each valve opening 1b.</p><p>The ball valve 1 and the shaft 14 are fixed by inserting and fixing the shaft 14 into the shaft hole 14a formed in the ball valve 1.</p><p>Therefore, the opening of the shaft hole 14a and the bearing opening 33a face each other in the valve axis direction.</p><p>The sealing member 31 is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole 33 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 14, and seals the space on the anti-valve chamber 17 side of itself in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the valve chamber 17.</p><p>The seal member 31 is provided to prevent leakage of cooling water from the valve chamber 17 to the actuator chamber 35.</p><p>The sealing member 31 is a general shaft sealing component having an annular metal portion 31a and an annular rubber portion 31b centered on the metal portion 31a.</p><p>Further, the rubber portion 31b is made of a rubber material and has a seal lip that repels the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 14.</p><p>This seal lip is between the first lip 44a projecting toward one end side in the valve axis direction, the second lip 44b projecting toward the other end side in the valve axis direction, and the first lip 44a and the second lip 44b. It has a third lip 44c provided in. In addition, only the first lip 44a may be provided.</p><p>The inner diameter of the bearing hole 33 is expanded in two stages from one end side in the valve axis direction to one end side in the valve axis direction, and the first stage is called the medium diameter rear portion 33b and the second stage is called the large diameter rear portion 33c.</p><p>The sealing member 31 is arranged at the large diameter rear portion 33c. The other end surface of the seal member 31 in the valve axis direction is in contact with the stepped surface between the medium-diameter rear portion 33b and the large-diameter rear portion 33c.</p><p>The inner space of the middle diameter rear portion 33b is slightly communicated with the actuator chamber 35 through the bearing clearance of the ball bearing 18, but the leakage of the cooling water from the valve chamber 17 to the actuator chamber 35 is caused by the seal member 31. It can be prevented.</p><p>The labyrinth portion 32 is provided in a gap from the valve chamber 17 toward the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a, and attenuates the kinetic energy of the cooling water toward the seal member 31.</p><p>The labyrinth portion 32 protrudes from the opening edge of the bearing opening 33a toward the valve chamber 17, and is provided on the cylinder portion 50 and the ball valve 1 that surround the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 14 via the gap C1. It is formed on the outer peripheral surface 50a of the tubular portion 50 by using a peripheral wall 51 facing in the radial direction via a gap C2.</p><p>The housing 3 has a tubular portion 50 in which the opening edge of the bearing opening 33a is projected toward the valve chamber 17. The tubular portion 50 projects from the inner wall surface of the valve chamber 17 toward one end in the valve axial direction, and has a cylindrical shape coaxial with the shaft 14. Specifically, one end of the large-diameter rear portion 33c in the valve axial direction has a bearing opening 33a. The inner peripheral surface 50b of the tubular portion 50 is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter rear portion 33c.</p><p>The ball valve 1 is formed with a recess 53 at a position facing the bearing opening 33a. The recess 53 has a peripheral wall 51 that faces the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 14 in the radial direction, and a flat surface portion 54 that is perpendicular to the shaft 14 and faces the end surface of the tubular portion 50.</p><p>The tubular portion 50 projects into the recess 53. That is, the tubular portion 50 and the recess 53 overlap in the valve axis direction, and the tubular portion 50 and the peripheral wall 51 overlap in the radial direction.</p><p>According to this, the flow of the cooling water from the valve chamber 17 toward the seal member 31 is the gap C2 between the peripheral wall 51 and the outer peripheral surface 50a of the tubular portion 50, and the valve shaft of the flat surface portion 54 and the tubular portion 50. It must pass through the gap C3 between it and one end of the direction. That is, the flow path from the valve chamber 17 to the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a is meandering, and the kinetic energy of the cooling water toward the seal member 31 is attenuated.</p><p>Further, the tubular portion 50 has a stopper 56 that locks the ball valve 1 in the rotation direction and regulates the rotation range of the ball valve 1 with respect to the housing 3. The stopper 56 is provided as a protruding portion protruding toward the outer periphery from the outer peripheral surface 50a of the tubular portion 50.</p><p>The stopper 56 can come into contact with the protruding portion 57 provided on the peripheral wall 51 so as to project toward the inner circumference in the rotational direction. As a result, the ball valve 1 stops rotating at the position where the stopper 56 and the protruding portion 57 come into contact with each other.</p><p>(Effect 1 of Example 5) The valve device 29 includes a labyrinth portion 32 that attenuates the kinetic energy of the cooling water from the valve chamber 17 toward the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a.</p><p>According to this, the kinetic energy of the cooling water from the valve chamber 17 toward the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a is attenuated by the labyrinth portion 32, so that the impact force when the cooling water collides with the seal member 31 is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first lip 44a from turning over.</p><p>Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the cooling water from leaking from the valve chamber 17 through the bearing hole 33.</p><p>Specifically, the valve device 29 is filled with the cooling water by injecting the cooling water after the vacuuming step of the cooling water circuit. As a result, the cooling water flows vigorously into the valve chamber 17 in the process of filling the cooling water. Therefore, in the conventional structure, there is a possibility that the first lip 44a is turned over by receiving a large impact force due to water pressure, but in this embodiment, the first lip 44a can be prevented from being turned over by providing the labyrinth portion 32.</p><p>(Effect 2 of Example 5) The labyrinth portion 32 has a tubular portion 50 that surrounds the outer periphery of the shaft 14 via a gap C1 and a peripheral wall 51 that faces the outer peripheral surface 50a of the tubular portion 50 in the radial direction via the gap C2. Is formed using.</p><p>Thereby, the labyrinth portion 32 can be easily formed.</p><p>(Effect 3 of Example 5) The tubular portion 50 has a stopper 56 that regulates the rotation range of the ball valve 1. Generally, a stopper that regulates the rotation range of the ball valve 1 is provided in the housing 3 so as to lock the gear 36. However, in this case, if the fixed portion between the shaft 14 and the ball valve 1 is damaged, only the shaft 14 is restricted in the rotation range, and the ball valve 1 spins idle.</p><p>On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the rotation of the ball valve 1 is directly stopped by the stopper 56, the rotation of the ball valve 1 can be stopped even if the fixed portion between the shaft 14 and the ball valve 1 is damaged. ..</p><p>(Modified Example 5) The embodiment of the labyrinth portion 32 is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment.</p><p>For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the peripheral wall 51, the ball valve 1 may be provided with a peripheral wall 59 facing the inner peripheral surface 50b of the tubular portion 50 in the radial direction via a gap C4.</p><p>According to this, the groove side surface on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral groove 60 forms a peripheral wall 59 that faces the inner peripheral surface 50b of the tubular portion 50 in the radial direction via the gap C4, and the groove side surface on the outer peripheral side of the peripheral groove 60. However, a peripheral wall 51 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 50a of the tubular portion 50 so as to face the peripheral surface 50a in the radial direction through the gap C2.</p><p>The labyrinth portion 32 of FIG. 12 can also meander the flow path from the valve chamber 17 to the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a, and can attenuate the kinetic energy of the cooling water toward the seal member 31.</p><p>Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the inner diameter of the cylinder portion 50 may be larger than the opening diameter of the bearing opening 33a, and the outside of the bearing opening 33a may be surrounded by the cylinder portion 50.</p><p>As a modification of the configuration shown in FIG. 12, a configuration in which the peripheral wall 51 is deleted can be considered. That is, in this configuration, the labyrinth portion 32 is formed by providing the ball valve 1 with a peripheral wall 59 facing in the radial direction via the gap C4 on the inner peripheral surface 50b of the tubular portion 50.</p><p>Unlike the above, as shown in FIG. 13, the labyrinth portion 32 may be formed by providing the ball valve 1 with a tubular portion 62 inserted inside the bearing hole 33.</p><p>In this case, the tubular portion 62 may be arranged so that the first lip 44a is located inside the tubular portion 62. Further, even if a flange 62a extending to the outer periphery is provided at the other end of the tubular portion 62 in the valve axis direction, and an inner flange 63 protruding inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole 33 on one end side in the valve axis direction with respect to the flange 62a. good.</p><p>In the structure shown in FIG. 13, the seal member 31 is assembled by passing through the inside of the inner flange 63 while compressing and deforming the seal member 31. Alternatively, after assembling the seal member 31, the inner flange 63 provided as a separate member may be assembled.</p><p>The labyrinth portion 32 shown in FIG. 13 can also meander the flow path from the valve chamber 17 to the seal member 31 through the bearing opening 33a, and can attenuate the kinetic energy of the cooling water toward the seal member 31.</p>

In the above embodiment, an example in which the ball valve 1 is provided in a cup shape is shown, but the surface sliding on the valve seat 2 may have a convex spherical shape, and the ball valve 1 is not limited to the cup shape.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 are provided with resin is shown, but the materials of the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 are not limited.

In the above embodiment, "the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a R1 &lt;the radius of curvature of the seat surface 2a is R2" is provided, but "the radius of curvature of the ball surface 1a R1 = the radius of curvature of the seat surface 2a is R2". Is also good.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the contact ring A is provided by the difference in curvature between the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a is shown, but the means for forming the contact ring A is not limited, for example, the ball surface 1a and the seat surface 2a. When the curvatures are the same, the contact ring A may be provided by forming an annular rib or the like on the inner diameter side of the seat surface 2a.

In the above embodiment, an example in which press fitting is used as a fixing technique for the sleeve 8 and the valve seat 2 is shown, but the bonding means is not limited, and for example, an adhesive or the like may be used.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the fluid flows from the inside to the outside of the ball valve 1 when the valve is opened is shown, but the direction in which the fluid flows may be opposite.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the ball valve 1 is rotated by the electric actuator 15 is shown, but the driving means of the ball valve 1 is not limited.

In the above embodiment, the compression coil spring is used as an example of the spring 6, but the compression means of the ball valve 1 and the valve seat 2 is not limited.

In the above embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a valve device for controlling engine cooling water has been shown, but the present invention may be applied to a valve device for controlling cooling water of a vehicle not equipped with an engine. ..

In the above embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a valve device for controlling a liquid has been shown, but the fluid is not limited to a liquid, and the present invention is applied to a valve device for controlling a gas. Is also good.

The plurality of examples described above may be used in combination.

1 Ball valve (valve)

3 housing

14 shaft

31 Seal member

32 Labyrinth department