CN111043799B

CN111043799B - Temperature sensing type control valve

Info

Publication number: CN111043799B
Application number: CN201910933716.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高田裕正; 横田纯一
Original assignee: Saginomiya Seisakusho Inc
Current assignee: Saginomiya Seisakusho Inc
Priority date: 2018-10-15
Filing date: 2019-09-29
Publication date: 2021-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-29
Also published as: JP7000294B2; JP2020063747A; CN111043799A

Abstract

The invention provides a temperature-sensitive control valve, which is provided with a thermoelectric element (20), and prevents the damage and the like of the thermoelectric element (20) even if a thermal expansion body of the thermoelectric element (20) is further expanded when a diaphragm (43) is in a fixed state. A mechanical pressing force caused by the movement of the piston (23) of the thermoelectric element (20) in the direction of the axis (L) is applied to the diaphragm (43), and the valve port (13) is opened by the valve body (3). In the open state, the displacement of the diaphragm (43) is restricted by a restricting mechanism between the lower stopper (44) and the end (141) of the guide section (14). A shock absorbing mechanism (5) having a coil spring (52) for applying an initial load is provided so as to generate a reaction force against a compression force in the direction of the axis (L). When the diaphragm (43) is in a fixed state, the buffer mechanism (5) absorbs the extension force of the piston (23) of the thermoelectric element (20).

Description

Temperature sensing type control valve

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a temperature-sensitive control valve for supplying a refrigerant to a cooling device or the like for cooling a heat source.

Background

Conventionally, in the field of information processing, for example, a system for cooling a large amount of heat generation such as a server by circulating a refrigerant has been performed. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2009-224406 (patent document 1) discloses a heat dissipation utilization system in which a cooling device is disposed in a rack of a chip server to cool the inside of the rack. Further, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2017-67164 (patent document 2) discloses a thermoelectric element and a piston assembly suitable for sensing the temperature of a heat source.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-224406

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-67164

In the technique of patent document 1, cooling is performed by cooling water (refrigerant), but the amount of heat generated in a device such as a server greatly changes depending on the operating state. Therefore, it is required to open the valve port to a large extent immediately when the temperature of the heat source reaches the set temperature, and to cool the valve rapidly. In contrast, it is conceivable that the thermoelectric element senses the temperature of the heat source and applies the driving force of the thermoelectric element to the operation portion of the valve device main body to open and close the valve of the valve device main body.

Here, for example, when the valve device body is disposed in a refrigerant supply pipe of the cooling device, it is necessary to seal the fluid flowing through the pipe in the valve device body. Therefore, in order to seal the thermoelectric element and the operation portion of the valve device main body with a seal member such as a diaphragm and to prevent abnormal deformation of the seal member when the heat source is abnormally high in temperature, it is conceivable to provide a stopper or the like for regulating the displacement of the seal member. However, in this case, if the thermal expansion body of the thermoelectric element is further expanded in a state where the limiter or the like functions, an abnormal load is applied to the thermoelectric element itself, and the thermoelectric element may be damaged.

Disclosure of Invention

The subject of the invention is: in a temperature-sensitive control valve which is provided in a pipe for supplying a refrigerant of a cooling device for cooling a heat source to be cooled, senses a temperature change of the heat source by a thermoelectric element, and supplies the refrigerant, abnormal deformation of a sealing member is prevented when the heat source has an abnormally high temperature, and performance change, damage of the thermoelectric element, and the like due to the deformation of the thermoelectric element are prevented.

The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1, comprising: a thermoelectric element having a piston for transmitting a change in volume of a thermal expansion body that expands and contracts in accordance with a change in temperature, and a main body case for movably holding the piston in an axial direction; and a valve device body having an operation portion that opens and closes a valve device body through which a refrigerant flows by a valve body, wherein a structural portion including the valve body is sealed by a seal member, and a mechanical pressing force in the axial direction is transmitted to the valve body in the axial direction by the seal member, wherein the valve device body is provided with a restricting mechanism that causes the mechanical pressing force generated by the axial movement of the piston of the thermoelectric element to act on the seal member, wherein the valve port is opened by the valve body, and the displacement of the seal member is restricted in the opened state, wherein the valve device body is provided with a damper mechanism that has an elastic member that applies an initial load in a predetermined initial state, and that holds the elastic member in a state of deforming in the axial direction and generates a reaction force, and wherein when the valve port is opened and the seal member is set in a fixed state by the restricting mechanism, the buffer mechanism absorbs the extension force of the piston of the thermoelectric element in the axial direction.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 2 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 1, wherein the initial load of the elastic member in the damper mechanism is set to be equal to or greater than a minimum pressing force required to fix the sealing member by the restricting mechanism.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 3 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to

claim

1 or 2, wherein a piston-side stopper is provided at an end portion of the piston on the sealing member side, and the damper mechanism is formed inside the piston-side stopper.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 4 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to

claim

1 or 2, wherein a fixing metal fitting is provided around the temperature-sensitive portion on the side of the body case opposite to the piston of the thermoelectric element, and the buffer mechanism is formed inside the fixing metal fitting.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 5 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 6 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member is a corrugated plate spring.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 7 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

A temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 8 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and includes a valve body side stopper disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and a guide portion that guides movement of the valve body in the axial direction, and the restricting mechanism is configured such that the valve body side stopper abuts against a tip end of the guide portion.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 9 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and includes a guide portion for guiding the valve body to move in the axial direction, and the stopper is configured such that the seal member abuts against a tip end of the guide portion.

The temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 10 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and includes a valve body side stopper disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and the restricting mechanism is configured such that the valve body side stopper abuts against a valve housing of the valve device main body.

A temperature-responsive control valve according to claim 11 is the temperature-responsive control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and includes a valve body side stopper disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and the restricting mechanism is configured such that the valve body side stopper abuts against a lower cover of the seal member incorporating the valve device main body.

Effects of the invention

According to the temperature-sensitive control valve of claims 1 to 11, even if further expansion occurs in the thermally expandable body of the thermoelectric element in a state in which the displacement of the sealing member such as the diaphragm is regulated by the regulating mechanism, the tensile force in the axial direction between the main body case of the thermoelectric element and the piston is absorbed by the buffer mechanism, and therefore, damage to the thermoelectric element and the like can be prevented.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature responsive control valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the temperature responsive control valve of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a thermoelectric element in the temperature-responsive control valve according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing temperature-displacement characteristics of the thermoelectric element in the temperature-sensitive control valve according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a fixed state of a diaphragm of the temperature-responsive control valve according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of the temperature responsive control valve according to the first embodiment when the damper mechanism is operated.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a fixed state of a diaphragm of a temperature responsive control valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a fixed state of a diaphragm of a temperature responsive control valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a fixed state of a diaphragm of a temperature responsive control valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure: 1-a valve housing, 1A-a valve chamber, 11-a first port, 12-a second port, 13-a valve port, 14-a guide portion, 14 a-a guide hole, 141-a front end (a restricting mechanism), L-an axis, 2A-a thermally expansive body, 21-a temperature sensing case (a main body case), 21A-a temperature sensing portion, 21 b-a temperature sensing portion side base, 22-a guide case (a main body case), 22A-a guide portion, 22 b-a guide side base, 23-a piston, 3-a valve body, 3 a-a valve rod, 3 b-a needle portion, 3 c-a flange portion, 31-a spring support, 32-a valve closing spring, 4-an operating portion, 41-a lower cover, 42-an upper case, 43-a diaphragm (a sealing member), 44-a lower stopper (a valve body side stopper), 44a 1-a bottom portion (a restricting mechanism), 45-an upper stopper (a piston side stopper), 5-a cushion mechanism, 51-a movable portion, 52-a coil spring (an, 14'— a guide portion (restricting mechanism), 3a' — a valve rod, 141'— a tip, 44' — a lower stopper, 441'— a protrusion (restricting mechanism), 45' — an upper stopper, 6-a damper mechanism, 61-a movable portion, 63-a coil spring (elastic member), 7-a damper mechanism, 71-a movable portion, 72-a wave plate spring (elastic member), 44 "— a lower stopper, 441" — a flange portion (restricting mechanism), 45 "— an upper stopper, 8-a damper mechanism, 81-a movable portion, 82-a coil spring (elastic member), 9-a fixing jig, 10-a valve device body, 20-a thermoelectric element, 100-a temperature-sensitive control valve.

Detailed Description

Next, an embodiment of the temperature-sensitive control valve according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature-responsive control valve according to a first embodiment, fig. 2 is a plan view of the temperature-responsive control valve, and fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a thermoelectric element in the temperature-responsive control valve. The concept of "up and down" in the following description corresponds to the up and down in the drawings of fig. 1 and 3. In the following description, the temperature-sensitive control valve according to the embodiment is referred to as a "control valve" as appropriate.

The control valve 100 of the embodiment is composed of a valve device body 10 and a thermoelectric element 20. The valve device body 10 has a valve housing 1 made of metal, and in the valve housing 1, a cylindrical valve chamber 1A is formed at the center, a first port 11 into which a refrigerant flows is formed to open to a side portion of the valve chamber 1A, and a second port 12 from which the refrigerant flows out is formed. Further, a valve port 13 centered on the axis L is formed in the valve housing 1 between the valve chamber 1A and the second port 12. Further, the valve housing 1 is formed with a guide portion 14 on the opposite side of the valve port 13 with the second port 12 interposed therebetween, and the guide portion 14 is formed with a guide hole 14a coaxial with the valve port 13 and penetrating from the upper portion of the valve housing 1 to the second port 12. The guide hole 14a has a cylindrical shape having the axis L of the valve port 13 as a central axis. Further, the refrigerant may flow into the second port 12 and flow out of the first port.

The valve body 3 is disposed in the valve chamber 1A, the second port 12, and the guide hole 14 a. The valve body 3 is composed of a cylindrical rod-shaped valve rod 3a, a substantially conical needle portion 3b for opening and closing the valve opening 13 from the valve chamber 1A side, and a flange portion 3c formed on the outer periphery of the needle portion 3 b. The valve rod 3a is inserted into the guide hole 14a, and the valve-closing spring 32 is disposed between the flange portion 3c and the spring support 31 at the bottom of the valve chamber 1A. Thereby, the valve closing spring 32 urges the valve body 3 toward the diaphragm 43 described later.

An operation portion 4 is attached to the valve housing 1 on the side opposite to the valve chamber 1A. The operation portion 4 is composed of a lower cover 41 fixed to the valve housing 1, an upper case 42 having the same diameter as the lower cover 41, a diaphragm 43 as a "seal member" disposed between the lower cover 41 and the upper case 42, a lower stopper 44 as a "valve body side stopper" disposed between the diaphragm 43 and the valve rod 3a of the valve body 3 in the lower cover 41, and an upper stopper 45 as a "piston side stopper" disposed on the diaphragm 43 in the upper case 42. The lower cover 41, the diaphragm 43, and the upper case 42 are welded at the outer peripheral edge portion and integrally joined. As shown in the plan view of fig. 2, the valve housing 1 has a rectangular shape, but the upper case 42 (and the lower cover 41 and the diaphragm 43) and the thermoelectric element 20 have shapes rotationally symmetric about the axis L.

The diaphragm 43 is annular and made of thin-film metal, and has a flat flange surface formed on the outer peripheral portion, flat contact surfaces formed on the respective surfaces on the center portion and contacting the upper stopper 45 and the lower stopper 44, and a wavy annular portion formed between the flange surface on the outer peripheral portion and the contact surface on the center portion. The contact surface is a surface to which a mechanical pressing force in the direction of the axis L is applied to the valve body 3 by the diaphragm 43.

Thus, the operation portion 4 has a function of sealing the structural portion formed by the lower stopper 44 and the valve rod 3a with the diaphragm 43 and the lower cover 41, and transmitting a mechanical pressing force in the axial L direction of the upper stopper 45 in the upper case 42 outside the diaphragm 43 to the valve body 3 (the valve rod 3a) through the diaphragm 43 and the lower stopper 44. The thermoelectric element 20 (a part thereof) is accommodated in the cylindrical portion 42a of the upper case 42 of the operation unit 4, the temperature sensing portion 21a of the thermoelectric element 20 protrudes from the upper end of the upper case 42, and the locking piece 42a1 at the end of the cylindrical portion 42a engages with the end of the temperature sensing portion 21a side of the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21b of the thermoelectric element 20.

The thermoelectric element 20 is a thermal actuator that utilizes expansion and contraction of paraffin or the like caused by temperature change. As shown in fig. 3, the thermoelectric element 20 includes a temperature sensing case 21, a guide case 22, a piston 23, a diaphragm 24, a rubber piston 25, and a protective plate 26. The temperature sensing case 21 is composed of a cylindrical temperature sensing part 21a having a bottom at an end thereof, and a temperature sensing part side base part 21b covering a part of the guide case 22. The guide housing 22 includes a cylindrical guide portion 22a into which the rubber piston 25 and the protective plate 26 are inserted, and a guide side base portion 22b covered with a temperature sensing side base portion 21b of the temperature sensing housing 21.

The temperature sensing unit 21a of the temperature sensing case 21 is mainly filled with a thermally expandable body 2A made of wax such as paraffin, and the lower end surface of the thermally expandable body 2A is sealed by a diaphragm 24 as an elastic sealing member. A fluid chamber is provided between the mortar-shaped inner surface 22B1 of the guide-side base 22B of the guide housing 22 and the lower side of the diaphragm 24, and the fluid 2B is filled in the fluid chamber. The fluid 2B is a non-compressible fluid having excellent fluidity and lubricity. The piston 23 is slidably inserted through the rubber piston 25 and the protective plate 26 into the piston slide hole 22a1 inside the guide portion 22a of the guide housing 22, and the outer end of the piston 23 protrudes from the piston slide hole 22a 1.

When the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 21a increases, the thermally expandable body 2A expands and the diaphragm 24 expands, thereby pressing the fluid 2B sealed in the fluid chamber below the diaphragm 24. Thereby, the fluid 2B is deformed and a part thereof enters the piston slide hole 22a1 of the guide portion 22a, and the piston 23 is pressed downward by the rubber piston 25 and the protector plate 26. In this way, the temperature sensing case 21 and the guide case 22 constitute a "main body case", and the thermoelectric element 20 exhibits tensile force in the direction of the axis L of the

main body cases

21 and 22 and the piston 23 due to an increase in the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 21 a.

A clearance hole 44a and a valve rod insertion hole 44b are coaxially formed in the lower stopper 44, the tip 141 of the guide 14 is inserted into the clearance hole 44a, and the tip of the valve rod 3a is inserted into the valve rod insertion hole 44b, so that the tip of the valve rod 3a abuts against the bottom of the valve rod insertion hole 44 b. Thus, when the diaphragm 43 is displaced downward, the valve rod 44 is displaced together with the lower stopper 44.

The upper stopper 45 has a cylindrical insertion hole 45a formed therein and an opening 45b slightly larger in diameter than the insertion hole 45a, and the buffer mechanism 5 is accommodated in the insertion hole 45 a. The fixing block 46 into which the guide portion 22a of the thermoelectric element 20 is fitted with a gap is fitted into the opening 45b, and the end of the opening 45b is swaged, whereby the fixing block 45 is fixed to the step between the insertion hole 45a and the opening 45 b.

The damper mechanism 5 includes a movable portion 51 inserted into the insertion hole 45a and having a cylindrical outer shape, and a coil spring 52 serving as an "elastic member". The coil spring 52 is disposed between the movable portion 51 and the bottom surface of the insertion hole 45 a. The movable portion 51 is movable in the axial L direction in the insertion hole 45a, and the coil spring 52 is compressed in the axial L direction in an initial state in which the upper end of the movable portion 51 is in contact with the fixed block 46, and the fixed block 46 is fixed in a state in which a predetermined initial load is applied.

The movable portion 51 is coaxially formed with a clearance hole 51a and an insertion hole 51b, and the fixed block 46 is coaxially formed with an insertion hole 46a and a spring receiving hole 46 b. The piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 faces the clearance hole 51a, and the guide 22a is inserted into the insertion hole 51 b. Further, a fixing spring 47 is disposed on the outer periphery of the guide portion 22, and the fixing spring 47 is disposed in a compressed state between the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21b and the bottom portion of the spring receiving hole 46b in the cylindrical portion 42 a. That is, since the end of the temperature sensing part side base portion 21b is engaged with the engagement piece 42a1 of the cylindrical portion 42a, the pyroelectric element 20 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 42a by the elastic force of the fixing spring 47.

The temperature sensing unit 21a of the thermoelectric element 20 protrudes in a cylindrical shape and is easily attached to a temperature sensing object. The temperature sensing unit 21a is attached to the inside of the attachment hole 50a of the metal plate 50, and the heat from the metal plate 50 is transmitted to the temperature sensing unit 21 a. The metal plate 50 is in close contact with a heat source not shown.

With the above configuration, when the temperature of the temperature sensing portion 21a of the thermoelectric element 20 increases and the piston 23 lowers from the state shown in fig. 1, the piston 23 presses the movable portion 51 of the damper mechanism 5, and the initial load is applied to the coil spring 52, so that the upper stopper 45 presses the diaphragm 43 via the coil spring 52 without contracting. Thereby, the upper stopper 45 is lowered, the diaphragm 43 is deformed, the lower stopper 44 is lowered, and the valve element 3 in contact with the lower stopper 44 is lowered. In this manner, in this embodiment, the moment when the pressing force of the piston 23 starts to be applied to the valve element 3 by the damper mechanism 5, the upper stopper 45, the diaphragm 43, and the lower stopper 44 is "valve opening point", and from this valve opening point, the needle portion 3b of the valve element 3 is separated from the periphery of the valve port 13, and the valve port 13 is opened.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing temperature-displacement characteristics showing a relationship between the temperature of the temperature sensing portion 21a in the thermoelectric element 20 and the displacement (lift) of the piston 23. The thermally expandable body 2A in the temperature sensing unit 21a changes phases depending on the temperature, such as a solid state, a solid-liquid mixed state in which a solid and a liquid are mixed, and a liquid state. As a result, the temperature-displacement characteristics show different slopes in the "solid expansion region" in which the expansion is performed in a solid state, the "solid-liquid mixed expansion region" in which the expansion is performed in a solid-liquid mixed state, and the "liquid expansion region" in which the expansion is performed in a liquid state. The slope in the solid-liquid mixed expansion region, that is, the temperature expansion rate, is the largest (steep). This temperature-displacement characteristic is known as an inherent characteristic of the thermoelectric element 20, and in this case, the range of the lift L1 to L3 of the piston 23 corresponds to the "solid-liquid mixture expansion region". In addition, the fixed state of the diaphragm 43 is set as a "liquid expansion region". For example, when the lift of the piston 23 reaches L4, the diaphragm 43 is set to a fixed state by the restricting mechanism, and in this fixed state, the valve opening lift of the valve element 3 is maximized to be a fully open state. Even if the lift of the piston 23 increases due to the expansion of the thermally expandable body 2A, the valve element 3 does not excessively separate from the valve port 13, and the fully open state is maintained. Further, the diaphragm 43 is in a fixed state, and even if the thermally-expansible body 2A is further expanded, the piston 23 continues to be displaced as it is by the

cushion mechanisms

5, 6, 7, and 8 of the respective embodiments.

Here, the valve device body 10 is set so that the valve opening point falls within the above-described "solid-liquid mixture expansion region". In this embodiment, the valve opening point is set to the state shown in fig. 4 where "valve lift is equal to 0" and "pyroelectric element lift is equal to L2". In this way, since the valve opening point is set in the range of the "solid-liquid mixed expansion region" in which the thermal expansion coefficient of the thermal expansion body 2A in the thermoelectric element 20 is large, the valve port 13 can be opened quickly and widely when the heat source reaches the set temperature. This enables the refrigerant to be quickly supplied to the cooling device, not shown, following the temperature change of the heat source, and as a result, the heat source can be quickly cooled.

When the diaphragm is further displaced by the piston 23 after the valve port 13 is in the open state, as shown in fig. 5, the bottom 44a1 of the clearance hole 44a of the lower stopper 44 abuts against the tip 141 of the guide portion 14, and displacement of the lower stopper 44, the valve rod 3a, and the diaphragm 43 is regulated. That is, in this embodiment, the bottom portion 44a1 of the clearance hole 44a and the tip 141 of the guide portion 14 constitute a regulating mechanism that regulates displacement of the diaphragm 43 (seal member). When the deformation of the diaphragm 43 is restricted in this manner, the diaphragm 43 is fixed. In this fixed state, further expansion occurs in the thermally expanding body 2A of the thermoelectric element 20, and when the piston 23 protrudes, the coil spring 52 is further compressed by the movable portion 51 in the damper mechanism 5 as shown in fig. 6. That is, the extension force of the

main body cases

21 and 22 and the piston 23 in the direction of the axis L is absorbed by the damper mechanism 5. Therefore, damage and the like of the thermoelectric element 20 can be prevented.

In the coil spring 52 of the damper mechanism 5, an initial load is applied in an initial state in which the upper end of the movable portion 51 abuts against the fixed block 46. Here, when the diaphragm 43 (seal member) is set in a fixed state by the brake mechanism, at least the minimum pressing force required to maintain the fixed state is applied to the diaphragm 43 (seal member). Hereinafter, the minimum pressing force required to achieve the fixed state is referred to as "fixed pressing force". The fixed pressing force is a total load of the elastic force of the diaphragm 43 in the fixed state and the load of the valve closing spring 32 in the fixed state that urges the valve body 3 in the valve port direction. The initial load of the coil spring 52 is set to be equal to or greater than the "fixed pressing force". Therefore, in the free state in which the diaphragm 43 is not in the fixed state, the damper mechanism 5 does not absorb the force and accurately transmits the displacement of the piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 to the valve rod 3 a. Further, the use of the coil spring 52 enables the damper mechanism 5 to be downsized.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature-responsive control valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and in the following embodiments, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in fig. 1 to 6, and redundant description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The first embodiment differs from the following embodiments in the structure of the "regulating mechanism" and the "buffer mechanism".

As shown in fig. 7, in the second embodiment, the guide portion 14 'and the valve rod 3a' on the valve housing 1 side are formed longer than the guide portion 14 and the valve rod 3a of the first embodiment, respectively. In a state where the diaphragm 43 presses the valve rod 3a ' (valve open state), the diaphragm 43 abuts against the tip 141' of the guide portion 14', and displacement of the diaphragm 43 (seal member) is regulated. That is, the tip 141 'of the guide portion 14' constitutes a regulating mechanism that regulates displacement of the diaphragm.

Further, in the upper stopper 45' of the second embodiment, a cylindrical insertion hole 45a ' and an opening 45b ' slightly larger in diameter than the insertion hole 45a ' are formed inside, and the cushion mechanism 6 is accommodated in the insertion hole 45a '. Further, the fixing plate 46 'loosely fitted with the guide portion 22a of the thermoelectric element 20 is fitted into the opening 45b', and the fixing plate 46 'is fixed to the step portion between the insertion hole 45a' and the opening 45b 'by caulking the end of the opening 45 b'.

The damper mechanism 6 includes a movable portion 61 having a substantially cylindrical outer shape inserted into the insertion hole 45a', and a coil spring 62 as an "elastic member". The coil spring 62 is disposed between the flange of the movable portion 61 and the bottom surface of the insertion hole 45 a'. The movable portion 61 is movable in the axial line L direction in the insertion hole 45a ', and the coil spring 62 is compressed in the axial line L direction in an initial state in which the upper end of the movable portion 61 is in contact with the fixed plate 46', and the fixed plate 46' is fixed in a state in which a predetermined initial load is applied.

The movable portion 61 is provided with a clearance hole 61a and an insertion hole 61b coaxially, and the fixed plate 46 'is provided with an insertion hole 46 a'. The piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 faces the clearance hole 61a, and the guide portion 22a is inserted into the insertion hole 61 b. Further, a fixing spring 47' is disposed on the outer periphery of the guide portion 22a, and the fixing spring 47' is disposed compressed between the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21b and the fixing plate 46' in the cylindrical portion 42 a.

In the second embodiment, in the fixed state in which the diaphragm 43 is in contact with the guide portion 14', further expansion occurs in the thermally expanding body 2A of the thermoelectric element 20, and when the piston 23 protrudes, the movable portion 61 further compresses the coil spring 62 in the damper mechanism 6. That is, the extension force of the

main body cases

21 and 22 and the piston 23 in the direction of the axis L is absorbed by the damper mechanism 6. Therefore, damage and the like of the thermoelectric element 20 can be prevented. In the second embodiment, an initial load is applied to the coil spring 62 in the damper mechanism 6 in an initial state. In the second embodiment, the initial load of the coil spring 62 is also set to be equal to or greater than the minimum fixed pressing force required to fix the diaphragm 43 (seal member) by the limiting mechanism. Therefore, as described above, in the free state in which the diaphragm 43 is not in the fixed state, the damper mechanism 6 accurately transmits the displacement of the piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 to the valve rod 3a' without absorbing the force.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature responsive control valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the projection 441' is provided at the lower end of the lower stopper 44' while the peripheral portion 15 of the guide portion 14 of the valve housing 1 is raised, and the stopper is configured so that the displacement of the diaphragm 43 (seal member) is regulated by the contact of the projection 441' with the peripheral portion 15 of the guide portion 14 of the valve housing 1. Further, the damper mechanism 7 in the upper stopper 45 of the third embodiment is constituted by the movable portion 51 having a substantially cylindrical outer shape and inserted into the insertion hole 45a, and the wave spring 72, as in the first embodiment. The wave spring 72 is disposed between the movable portion 51 and the bottom surface of the insertion hole 45 a. The movable portion 51 is movable in the axial direction L in the insertion hole 45a, and the wave spring 72 is compressed in the axial direction L in an initial state in which the upper end of the movable portion 51 is in contact with the fixed block 46, and the fixed block 46 is fixed in a state in which a predetermined initial load is applied.

In the third embodiment, when the projection 441 'of the lower stopper 44' is in contact with the diaphragm 43 of the peripheral portion 15 of the guide portion 14 of the valve housing 1 in the fixed state, the thermal expansion body 2A of the thermoelectric element 20 is further expanded, and when the piston 23 protrudes, the movable portion 51 further compresses the wave plate spring 72 in the damper mechanism 7. That is, the extension force of the

main body cases

21 and 22 and the piston 23 in the direction of the axis L is absorbed by the damper mechanism 7. Therefore, damage and the like of the thermoelectric element 20 can be prevented. In the third embodiment, an initial load is applied to the wave plate spring in the damper mechanism 7 in the initial state. In the third embodiment, the initial load of the wave plate spring 72 is set to be equal to or greater than the minimum fixed pressing force required to fix the diaphragm 43 (seal member) by the limiting mechanism. Therefore, as described above, in the free state in which the diaphragm 43 is not in the fixed state, the damper mechanism 7 does not absorb the force and accurately transmits the displacement of the piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 to the valve rod 3 a'. Further, the use of the wave plate spring 72 enables the damper mechanism 7 to be downsized.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature responsive control valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a flange portion 441 ″ is formed on the outer periphery of the lower stopper 44 ″ and the regulating means is configured to regulate the displacement of the diaphragm 43 (sealing member) by the flange portion 441 ″ coming into contact with the lower cover 41.

In the upper stopper 45 ″ of the fourth embodiment, the free gap hole 45a ", the guide insertion hole 45 b", and the spring receiving hole 45c are formed coaxially, the piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 faces the free gap hole 45a ", and the guide portion 22a is inserted into the guide insertion hole 45 b". Further, a fixed spring 47 is disposed on the outer periphery of the guide portion 22a, and the fixed spring 47 is disposed in a compressed state between the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21b and the bottom portion of the spring receiving hole 45c ″ in the cylindrical portion 42 a.

In the fourth embodiment, the fixing jig 9 is fitted between the locking piece 42a1 at the end of the cylindrical portion 42a and the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21 b. The fixing jig 9 has a cylindrical insertion hole 9a formed therein and an opening 9b slightly larger in diameter than the insertion hole 9a, and the buffer mechanism 8 is accommodated in the insertion hole 9 a. Further, a fixing ring 91 in which the temperature sensing portion side base portion 21b of the thermoelectric element 20 is fitted with a clearance fit is fitted into the opening 9b, and the fixing ring 91 is fixed to a step portion between the insertion hole 9a and the opening 9b by caulking an end portion of the opening 9 b.

The damper mechanism 8 is constituted by a disk-shaped movable portion 81 inserted into the insertion hole 9a and a coil spring 82 as an "elastic member". The coil spring 82 is disposed between the movable portion 81 and the bottom surface of the insertion hole 9 a. The movable portion 81 is movable in the axial line L direction in the insertion hole 9a, and the coil spring 82 is compressed in the axial line L direction in an initial state in which the lower end of the movable portion 81 is in contact with the fixed ring 91, and the fixed ring 91 is fixed in a state in which a predetermined initial load is applied.

In the fourth embodiment, when the flange portion 441 "of the lower stopper 44" is in a fixed state in which it is in contact with the lower cover 41, further expansion occurs in the thermally expanding body 2A of the thermoelectric element 20, and when the piston 23 protrudes, the

main body cases

21 and 22 rise with respect to the piston 23, and the movable portion 81 further compresses the coil spring 82 in the damper mechanism 8. That is, the tensile force in the axial direction L of the

main body housings

21 and 22 and the piston 23 is absorbed by the damper mechanism 8. Therefore, damage and the like of the thermoelectric element 20 can be prevented. In the fourth embodiment, an initial load is applied to the coil spring 82 in the damper mechanism 8 also in the initial state. In the fourth embodiment, the initial load of the coil spring 82 is set to be equal to or greater than the minimum fixed pressing force required to fix the diaphragm 43 (seal member) by the limiting mechanism. However, the fixed pressing force in the case of the fourth embodiment is the sum of the elastic force of the diaphragm 43 in the fixed state of the diaphragm 43, the fixed state load of the valve closing spring 32 urging the valve body 3 in the valve port direction, and the fixed state load of the fixed spring 47. Therefore, as described above, in the free state in which the diaphragm 43 is not in the fixed state, the damper mechanism 8 does not absorb the force and accurately transmits the displacement of the piston 23 of the thermoelectric element 20 to the valve rod 3 a'. In the fourth embodiment, a coil spring similar to that of the second embodiment may be used as the elastic member instead of the coil spring 82.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which the "seal member" of the operation portion is constituted by the diaphragm 43 is described, but the "seal member" may be, for example, a bellows or the like as long as it is configured to seal a structural portion constituted by the lower stopper, the valve body, and the like. The valve body is in an open state that is a state in which the valve body is separated from the valve port as compared with a closed state that is a state in which the valve body is closest to the valve port, and may be in a state in which the valve body abuts against a valve seat around the valve port, or in a state in which a gap is provided between the valve body and the valve seat, and the flow path has a little leakage flow rate.

The damping mechanism and the regulating mechanism in each embodiment are not limited to the combination of each embodiment, and may be any combination of each damping mechanism and each regulating mechanism.

Claims

1. A temperature-sensitive control valve is provided with:

a thermoelectric element having a piston that transmits a change in volume of a thermal expansion body that expands and contracts in accordance with a change in temperature, and a main body case that movably holds the piston in an axial direction; and

a valve device main body that opens and closes a valve port through which a refrigerant flows by a valve body, seals a structural portion including the valve body by a seal member, and transmits a mechanical pressing force in an axial direction to the valve body in the axial direction by the seal member,

a restricting mechanism that causes a mechanical pressing force generated by the axial movement of the piston of the thermoelectric element to act on the seal member to open the valve port by the valve body and restricts displacement of the seal member in the open state,

the temperature-sensitive control valve is characterized in that,

a damper mechanism having an elastic member to which an initial load is applied so as to be held in a state of being deformed in the axial direction and generate a reaction force in a predetermined initial state,

when the valve port is in an open state and the seal member is in a fixed state by the regulating mechanism, the buffer mechanism absorbs the tensile force of the piston of the thermoelectric element in the axial direction.

2. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1,

the initial load of the elastic member in the buffer mechanism is set to be equal to or greater than a minimum pressing force required for the seal member to be in a fixed state by the regulating mechanism.

3. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

a piston-side stopper is provided at an end portion of the piston on the sealing member side, and the buffer mechanism is formed inside the piston-side stopper.

4. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

a fixing jig is provided around the temperature sensing unit on the side of the body case opposite to the piston of the thermoelectric element, and the buffer mechanism is formed inside the fixing jig.

5. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the elastic member is a coil spring.

6. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the elastic member is a wave-shaped plate spring.

7. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the elastic member is a coil spring.

8. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the valve body side stopper is disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and the restriction mechanism is configured to abut against a tip end of the guide portion.

9. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the valve device is provided with a guide portion for guiding the movement of the valve body in the axial direction, and the regulating mechanism is configured such that the seal member abuts against a tip end of the guide portion.

10. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the valve device is provided with a valve body side stopper disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and the restricting mechanism is configured such that the valve body side stopper abuts against a valve housing of the valve device main body.

11. The temperature-sensitive control valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the valve device is provided with a valve body side stopper disposed on the valve body side of the seal member, and the restricting mechanism is configured such that the valve body side stopper abuts against a lower cover of the seal member incorporating the valve device main body.