CN111721038A

CN111721038A - Temperature expansion valve and refrigeration cycle system using same

Info

Publication number: CN111721038A
Application number: CN202010147209.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 关谷到; 大河原一郎; 桥本和树
Original assignee: Saginomiya Seisakusho Inc
Current assignee: Saginomiya Seisakusho Inc
Priority date: 2019-03-22
Filing date: 2020-03-05
Publication date: 2020-09-29
Also published as: JP2020153479A; JP7262261B2

Abstract

The invention provides a temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle system using the same, which can reduce noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in a refrigerant even if the temperature expansion valve is used for a long time, prevent the blocking caused by accumulation of foreign matters contained in the refrigerant in a fine-bubble part, prevent a flow path of the refrigerant from being blocked and not narrowed, and do not generate pressure loss and influence flow control characteristics. A diaphragm (68) of a diaphragm device (26) is deformed in the axial direction of a valve body member (44) so that the valve body member connected to the diaphragm moves in the axial direction, and a valve member (50) controls the opening degree of a valve port (30) to adjust the flow rate of a refrigerant passing through an inlet-side port (36), the valve port, and an outlet-side port (42), and a fine-bubble formation member (500) for making fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet-side port is provided at a facing portion of an opening portion (36a) of the valve body member facing the inlet-side port.

Description

Temperature expansion valve and refrigeration cycle system using same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the following temperature expansion valve and freezing cycle system using the same: for example, the present invention is used in a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle such as an air conditioner or a refrigerator, and is used for controlling a degree of superheat of the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle by automatically adjusting an opening degree of a valve in response to an outlet-side temperature of an evaporator.

More specifically, the present invention relates to the following temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle system using the same: according to a differential pressure between a temperature sensing pressure from a temperature sensing cylinder attached to an outlet-side pipe of an evaporator of a refrigerant cycle circuit of a refrigeration cycle system such as an air conditioner and an evaporation pressure of the evaporator, a diaphragm is deformed in an axial direction, and a valve body member connected to the diaphragm is moved in the axial direction, whereby a valve portion controls an opening degree of a valve port.

Background

Currently, as a temperature expansion valve, for example, a temperature expansion valve disclosed in patent document 1 (japanese patent laid-open No. 2012 and 229886) is proposed.

That is, fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the conventional temperature expansion valve, fig. 13 is a plan view of the conventional temperature expansion valve of fig. 12, and fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circulation circuit of a refrigeration cycle to which the conventional temperature expansion valve is connected.

As shown in fig. 14, in a refrigerant circulation circuit 101 of the refrigeration cycle, a refrigerant flows through the inside of a circulation pipe 102. Further, a compressor 104 for compressing the refrigerant is provided, and the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 104.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 104 flows from the compressor 104 to the condenser 106. The compressed refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106.

An outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 108 of the condenser 106 is connected to an inlet-side pipe (primary pipe) 112 of a temperature expansion valve 110.

The refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106 is introduced from an outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 to a temperature expansion valve 110 via an inlet-side pipe 112 of the temperature expansion valve 110.

In the temperature expansion valve 110, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106 and introduced into the temperature expansion valve 110 is decompressed (expanded).

An outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 114 of the temperature expansion valve 110 is connected to an inlet pipe 118 of an evaporator 116.

The refrigerant decompressed (expanded) in the temperature expansion valve 110 is introduced into the evaporator 116 through an inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116, and is evaporated and gasified.

The refrigerant evaporated and gasified in the evaporator 116 is introduced into the compressor 104 again via the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116, and the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 104, and circulates in the circulation pipe 102 of the refrigerant circulation circuit 101 in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 14 as described above.

As shown in fig. 12 to 14, a temperature sensing cylinder 122 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided on the outlet-side pipe 120 side of the evaporator 116 so as to be attached to the outlet-side pipe 120. The same refrigerant as the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 102 of the refrigerant circuit 101 is sealed in the temperature sensing cylinder 122, for example.

As will be described later, the temperature sensing cylinder 122 is connected to a diaphragm device 126 of the temperature expansion valve 110 via a capillary tube 124.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 12, the temperature expansion valve 110 includes a valve housing 128 made of metal and having a substantially cylindrical shape, for example.

Hereinafter, the upper side in fig. 12 will be referred to as "upper side" and "upper side", and the lower side in fig. 12 will be referred to as "lower side" and "lower side". Also, the right side in fig. 12 is referred to as "right side", and the left side in fig. 12 is referred to as "left side".

A valve port 130 is formed in the valve housing 128 at a substantially central portion in the axial direction, and a valve seat 132 is formed around the valve port 130.

A valve housing upper wall 134 defining a cylindrical inlet-side valve chamber 131 is formed on the valve housing 128 on the side opposite to the valve port 130 (upper side in fig. 12).

An inlet port 136 is formed in the valve housing upper wall 134 so as to open at a side portion (right side in fig. 12) on one side of the valve housing upper wall 134. An inlet-side pipe (primary pipe) 112 constituting an inlet-side joint member is connected to the inlet-side port 136.

The inlet-side pipe 112 is connected to the outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 so as to communicate with it.

On the other hand, a valve housing lower wall 140 defining a cylindrical outlet-side valve chamber 138 is formed on the valve port 130 side (lower side in fig. 12) of the valve housing 128.

An outlet-side port 142 is formed in the valve housing lower wall 140 so as to open at the other side portion (left side in fig. 12) of the valve housing lower wall 140. An outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 114 constituting an outlet-side joint member is connected to the outlet-side port 142.

The outlet-side pipe 114 is connected to an inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116 so as to communicate with it.

Accordingly, the valve port 130 is formed at a position intermediate the inlet port 136 and the outlet port 142, and is formed in the valve housing 128.

As shown in fig. 12, a valve body member 144 is mounted in the valve housing upper wall 134 of the valve housing 128 so as to be movable (slidable) in the axial direction so that the valve housing upper wall 134 forms a guide surface.

The valve body 144 includes a valve shaft member main body 146 having a large diameter constituting a sliding portion, and the valve shaft member main body 146 is slidable along the inner surface of the valve housing upper wall 134.

Further, a valve stem member 148 having a diameter smaller than that of the valve stem member body 146 is formed on the valve port 130 side (lower side in fig. 12) of the valve stem member body 146. The inlet-side valve chamber 131 is defined in a gap between the outer periphery of the stem member 148 and the housing upper wall 134.

On the other hand, a valve portion 150 having a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the valve port 130 is formed through the valve port 130 at the end of the valve stem member 148 on the valve port 130 side (lower side in fig. 12).

As will be described later, the opening degree (throttle) is controlled by bringing the shoulder surface 152 of the valve portion 150 into and out of contact with the valve seat 132 formed around the valve port 130.

An opening portion 154 is formed in the valve housing upper wall 134 of the valve housing 128 at an end portion on the opposite side (upper side in fig. 12) to the valve port 130, and the diaphragm device 126 is connected and attached so as to close the opening portion 154.

That is, a male screw 158 is formed on the outer periphery of the opening portion 154 of the valve housing 128.

A female screw 164 is formed on the inner periphery of a cylindrical mounting portion 162 on the lower side of the lower cover member 160 of the diaphragm device 126 so as to correspond to the male screw 158 of the valve housing 128.

Thus, the lower cover member 160 of the diaphragm assembly 126 is attached to the upper end portion of the valve housing 128 by tightening the female screw 164 of the lower cover member 160 to the male screw 158 of the valve housing 128.

On the other hand, in the diaphragm device 126, the flange portion 160a of the lower cover member 160 and the flange portion 166a of the upper cover member 166 are fixed so that the upper cover member 166 and the lower cover member 160 face each other, thereby constituting the diaphragm device 126.

As shown in fig. 12, the flange portion 168a of the diaphragm 168 is sandwiched and fixed between the flange portion 160a of the lower cover member 160 and the flange portion 166a of the upper cover member 166.

A pressure receiving chamber 170 surrounded by the upper cover member 166 and the diaphragm 168 is formed above the diaphragm device 126 via the diaphragm 168.

On the other hand, a pressure equalizing chamber 172 surrounded by the lower cover member 160 and the diaphragm 168 is formed below the diaphragm device 126.

The capillary tube 124 is attached to the upper cover member 166 so as to communicate with the pressure receiving chamber 170, and the upper cover member 166 is coupled to the temperature sensing cylinder 122 via the capillary tube 124.

On the other hand, a needle 174 is formed at the tip of the valve shaft member body 146 on the side opposite to the valve port 130 (upper side in fig. 12).

The needle-like portion 174 is inserted into and fixed to a contact hole 176a in the center of a contact member 176 fixed below the diaphragm 168 so that a step portion 174a of the needle-like portion 174 contacts an extension portion 176b extending downward from the contact member 176.

An annular seal member 180 is interposed between the outer periphery of the stepped portion 174a of the needle 174 via a pressing member 178.

The pressure equalizing chamber 172 formed below the diaphragm assembly 126 is separated from the inlet-side valve chamber 131 of the valve housing 128 in an airtight manner by the seal member 180.

Further, a pressure equalizing passage, one end of which communicates with a pressure equalizing chamber 172 formed below the diaphragm device 126, is formed in the valve housing upper wall 134 so as to extend in the axial direction, but this is not shown.

As shown in fig. 12 to 14, the other end of the pressure equalizing passage communicates with a pressure equalizing pipe 182, and the pressure equalizing pipe 182 is connected to the valve housing upper wall 134 on the front side (lower side in fig. 13) in fig. 12.

As shown in fig. 14, the pressure equalizing pipe 182 is connected to the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 via a pressure equalizing path 184.

On the other hand, a superheat setting unit 188 is attached to an attachment hole 186 formed in the lower side of the valve housing lower wall 140 of the valve housing 128.

That is, the superheat setting unit 188 includes the adjustment spindle 190, and the adjustment spindle 190 is movable in the axial direction by screwing the male screw 192a formed on the outer periphery of the base end portion 192 of the adjustment spindle 190 to the female screw 140a formed on the inner periphery of the valve housing lower wall 140.

As shown in fig. 12, an adjustment spring housing recess 191 is formed in the upper center portion of the adjustment spindle 190. On the other hand, an abutment portion 150a is formed to protrude from the lower end of the valve portion 150 of the valve body member 144.

The disc-shaped retainer 194 abuts against the abutting portion 150a at the lower end of the valve portion 150, and an adjustment spring 196 in a compressed state is interposed between the retainer 194 and the adjustment spring receiving recess 191 of the adjustment spindle 190.

On the other hand, an O-ring member 198 constituting a seal member is interposed between the upper ends of the adjustment main shafts 190. The outlet side valve chamber 138 is kept airtight from the outside of the mounting hole 186 by the O-ring member 198.

With such a configuration, the valve portion 150 of the valve body member 144 is biased in a direction to close (close) the valve port 130 by the spring force of the adjustment spring 196. That is, the shoulder surface 152 of the valve portion 150 abuts against the valve seat 132 formed around the valve port 130, thereby closing the valve.

The diaphragm 168 is biased upward via a needle 174 formed at the upper end of the valve shaft member body 146 and a contact member 176 fixed to the lower side of the diaphragm 168.

Then, the adjustment main shaft 190 is moved up and down in the axial direction by rotating the adjustment main shaft 190, and the spring force of the adjustment spring 196 is adjusted, thereby adjusting the urging force acting on the valve portion 150 of the valve body member 144.

On the other hand, a snap ring member 200 for preventing the adjustment main shaft 190 from coming off is attached to the attachment hole 186.

An annular recess 186a is formed around the opening of the lower end portion of the mounting hole 186, and a female screw 186b is formed around the inner side of the recess 186a in the axial direction.

An annular seal member 202 made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, is disposed in the recess 186a, and the seal member 202 is attached to the lower end portion of the attachment hole 186 by screwing the male screw 204a of the cap member 204 to the female screw 186b of the attachment hole 186.

As a result, the cover member 204 is screwed, and the seal member 202 is slightly crushed and plastically deformed, thereby being fixed in the recess 186a and maintaining an airtight state.

In the conventional temperature expansion valve 110 configured as described above, as shown in fig. 14, the pressure equalizing chamber 172 is formed on the lower side with the diaphragm 168 of the diaphragm device 126 interposed therebetween, and the pressure equalizing chamber 172 is connected to the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 via the pressure equalizing pipe 182 and the pressure equalizing path 184.

Therefore, the evaporation pressure of the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 is introduced into the pressure equalizing chamber 172 formed below the diaphragm device 126.

On the other hand, the pressure receiving chamber 170 is formed on the upper side with the diaphragm 168 of the diaphragm device 126 interposed therebetween, and the pressure receiving chamber 170 is connected to the temperature sensing cylinder 122 via the capillary tube 124.

Therefore, the internal pressure of the pressure receiving chamber 170 becomes a temperature sensing pressure that changes in accordance with the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing cylinder 122 on the outlet-side pipe 120 side of the evaporator 116.

The diaphragm 168 of the diaphragm device 126 is axially deformed in the vertical direction by a pressure difference (differential pressure) between the temperature sensing pressure in the pressure receiving chamber 170 and the evaporation pressure in the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 in the pressure equalizing chamber 172.

The axial deformation of the diaphragm 168 is transmitted to the valve shaft member main body 146, the valve shaft member 148, and the valve portion 150 via the contact member 176 fixed to the lower side of the diaphragm 168 and the needle portion 174 formed at the upper end of the valve shaft member main body 146 of the valve body member 144.

Thus, the opening degree (throttle) is controlled by bringing the shoulder surface 152 of the valve portion 150 into and out of contact with the valve seat 132 formed around the valve port 130.

That is, in the temperature expansion valve 110, when the sensed temperature of the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 becomes high, the valve portion 150 functions to open (open) the valve port 130.

Conversely, when the temperature sensed by the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 becomes low, the valve portion 150 functions to close (close) the valve port 130.

When the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116 becomes low, the valve portion 150 functions to open (open) the valve port 130.

Conversely, when the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116 becomes high, the valve portion 150 functions to close (close) the valve port 130.

Accordingly, the diaphragm 168 is deformed in the axial direction by a differential pressure between the temperature sensing pressure from the temperature sensing cylinder 122 and the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116, the valve body member 144 coupled to the diaphragm 168 moves in the axial direction, and the valve portion 150 controls the opening degree of the valve port 130.

The degree of superheat of the refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit 101 of the air conditioner) is controlled by controlling the degree of opening of the refrigerant flowing from the outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 to the inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116 via the inlet-side port 136, the valve port 130, and the outlet-side port 142.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2012 and 229886

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-133139

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the conventional temperature expansion valve 110, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106 is introduced from the outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 to the temperature expansion valve 110 via the inlet-side pipe 112 of the temperature expansion valve 110.

However, the refrigerant introduced into the temperature expansion valve 110 may contain bubbles. In this case, bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced into the temperature expansion valve 110 through the inlet-side pipe 112 of the temperature expansion valve 110 are broken and generate noise, which hinders the quietness, particularly when passing through a throttle portion formed by the valve portion 150, the shoulder surface 152, and the valve seat 132 formed around the valve port 130 of the valve body member 144.

Therefore, in patent document 2 (japanese patent application laid-open No. 2011-133139), the following measures are proposed for reducing noise in the expansion valve.

Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged sectional view schematically showing an expansion valve 300 of patent document 2.

As shown in fig. 15, an expansion valve 300 of patent document 2 includes a valve main body 302 constituting a valve housing. Further, an inlet port 304 is provided, and a high-pressure refrigerant compressed and condensed by the compressor and the condenser is introduced into the inlet port 304.

Further, an outlet port 306 is formed in the valve main body 302, and the outlet port 306 is used to send the refrigerant decompressed (expanded) by the expansion valve 300 to the evaporator.

On the other hand, a valve chamber 308 is formed in the valve body 302, and a valve member 312 that is movable in the axial direction in accordance with deformation of a diaphragm device, not shown, is provided in the valve chamber 308 in order to control the opening degree of the valve hole 316.

Further, a fine bubble forming member 314 made of a porous metal body is provided on the inlet port 304 side. Further, a strainer 600 having a substantially conical shape, which is made of a mesh sheet made of, for example, plastic, metal, or the like, is provided on the upstream side of the fine bubbling member 314.

Thus, the following solutions are proposed: the fine-bubble formation member 314 can reduce the noise generated by the collapse of the bubbles by making the bubbles contained in the refrigerant fine and introducing the rectified refrigerant into the valve chamber 308.

Further, it is proposed that clogging of the fine foaming member 314 made of a porous metal body and increase in pressure loss due to foreign matters in the refrigerant are suppressed by passing through the screen 600.

In the expansion valve 300 of patent document 2, the refrigerant passes through the filter 600 having a substantially conical shape formed of a mesh-like sheet material and the fine-bubble forming member 314 formed of a porous metal body.

Therefore, when the expansion valve 300 is used for a long period of time over a long period of time, foreign matter contained in the refrigerant accumulates in the fine bubble forming member 314 and the strainer 600 to cause clogging, thereby blocking the flow path of the refrigerant to narrow, causing pressure loss, and affecting the flow rate control characteristics.

As a result, the air conditioning efficiency of the refrigeration cycle system, for example, an air conditioner, is also reduced.

In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide the following temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle system using the same, in addition to the conventional temperature expansion valve 110 disclosed in patent document 1: even if the refrigerant is used for a long period of time, noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reduced.

In addition to the conventional temperature expansion valve 110 disclosed in patent document 1, an object of the present invention is to provide the following temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle system using the same: the refrigerant flow path is not blocked and narrowed, and the flow rate control characteristics are not affected by pressure loss.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and a temperature expansion valve according to the present invention,

the diaphragm of the diaphragm device is deformed in the axial direction of the valve core member so that the valve core member coupled with the diaphragm is in the axial direction, and the valve portion integrated with the valve core member controls the opening degree of the valve port,

is configured to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the inlet port, the valve port, and the outlet port,

the valve body member includes a fine-bubble formation member for making fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port, at a portion facing the opening of the inlet-side port.

With this configuration, the valve body member includes a fine-bubble formation member for making fine bubbles included in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port, at a portion facing the opening of the inlet port.

Therefore, the bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port abut against the fine bubble making member provided at the facing portion of the valve body member facing the opening portion of the inlet port, and the bubbles are made fine.

Further, since the solid, non-porous (i.e., not allowing the refrigerant as a fluid to pass therethrough) valve body member is present on the opposite side of the fine-bubble making member from the side facing the opening portion of the inlet-side port, the refrigerant is not guided to the valve port side through the fine-bubble making member.

Therefore, even if the refrigerant is used for a long period of time, noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reduced.

Further, since the solid, not porous, valve body member is present on the opposite side of the fine foaming member from the side facing the opening of the inlet side port, the refrigerant does not pass through the fine foaming member.

Therefore, the refrigerant does not penetrate the fine-bubble forming member, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble forming member, and the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked even when the fine-bubble forming member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter.

Further, it is possible to provide a temperature expansion valve which does not cause pressure loss and does not affect the flow rate control characteristics.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the fine bubble member is provided in a close contact state with a valve body member through which a refrigerant as a fluid cannot pass.

With this configuration, since the fine-bubble generating member is provided in close contact with the valve body member, which is a member through which the fluid refrigerant cannot pass, the refrigerant does not penetrate the fine-bubble generating member, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble generating member, and even when the fine-bubble generating member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the fine bubble means is not disposed at a position where it blocks a part or all of a flow path through which the fluid flowing from the inlet port flows toward the valve port.

With this configuration, since the fine-bubble generating member is not disposed at a position where it blocks a part or all of the flow path through which the fluid flowing from the inlet port flows toward the valve port, even when foreign matter is deposited and the fine-bubble generating member blocks the flow path of the refrigerant, the fine-bubble generating member does not block the flow path of the refrigerant.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the foaming member is disposed such that at least a part of the foaming member is located at a projection position where an opening portion of the inlet side port is projected toward the valve body member in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time.

With this configuration, since the fine bubble generating member is disposed such that at least a part of the fine bubble generating member is located at a projection position where the opening portion of the inlet side port is projected toward the valve body member in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, it is possible to reduce noise generated by making the bubbles contained in the refrigerant fine at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time.

Further, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble generating member, and even when the fine-bubble generating member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the fine-bubble generating member is disposed so that, at any position from the valve-opening time to the valve-closing time, a projection range of the opening portion of the inlet-side port when projected toward the fine-bubble generating member in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member is located on the fine-bubble generating member.

With this configuration, since the fine bubble forming member is disposed so that the projection range of the opening portion of the inlet side port projected toward the fine bubble forming member in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member is located on the fine bubble forming member at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably made fine, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the foaming member is provided around the entire periphery of the opening of the valve body member facing the inlet side port.

With this configuration, since the fine bubble forming member is provided on the entire outer periphery of the opening portion of the valve body member facing the inlet side port, the fine bubble forming member always faces the opening portion of the inlet side port even when the valve body member is rotated during the valve operation.

Accordingly, the bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port reliably come into contact with the foaming member, and the bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably refined, thereby improving the effect of reducing noise.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the fine foaming member is characterized in that the valve body member is inserted into the central opening of the cylindrical fine foaming member and the central opening of the valve member, and the fine foaming member is sandwiched and fixed between the valve body member and the valve member.

With such a configuration, the fine foaming member is configured such that the valve body member is inserted into the central opening of the cylindrical fine foaming member and the central opening of the valve member, and the fine foaming member is sandwiched and fixed between the valve body member and the valve member.

Therefore, the fine bubble forming member can be held stably at a position facing the inlet port by clamping and fixing the fine bubble forming member between the valve body member and the valve member by, for example, caulking, a fastening member such as a nut or a screw, welding, or the like.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the foaming member is disposed so as to be positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the valve body member, and is fixed from the outer peripheral side by an annular mounting member.

With this configuration, since the foaming member is disposed so as to be positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the valve body member and fixed from the outer peripheral side by the annular mounting member, the installation is easy, the cost can be reduced, and the foaming member can be stably held at the position facing the opening portion of the inlet port in the outer peripheral portion of the valve body member.

In the temperature expansion valve according to the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the fine bubble forming member is formed of a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the fine bubble forming member, and serves as a guide surface for the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port.

With this configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the fine bubble forming member is formed of a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the fine bubble forming member, and serves as a guide surface for the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port, and therefore the refrigerant is guided to the valve port side along the guide surface.

In the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, the temperature expansion valve described above is connected between the condenser and the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle by a pipe.

With such a configuration, in addition to the conventional temperature expansion valve 110 disclosed in patent document 1, the temperature expansion valve of the present invention can provide the following temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle using the same: even if the refrigerant is used for a long period of time, noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reduced.

In addition to the conventional temperature expansion valve 110 disclosed in patent document 1, the present invention can provide a refrigeration cycle system using the following temperature expansion valves: the air bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port reliably contact the fine-bubble forming member, so that the air bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably made fine, the effect of reducing noise is improved, foreign matter is difficult to accumulate in the fine-bubble forming member, even if the fine-bubble forming member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked, pressure loss is not generated, and the flow rate control characteristic is not affected.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the valve body member includes a fine-bubble formation member for making fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port, at a portion facing the opening of the inlet port.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the temperature expansion valve 10 of fig. 1 according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner to which the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention is connected.

Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the temperature expansion valve 10 of fig. 1 according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the temperature expansion valve 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the temperature expansion valve 10 of fig. 6 according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of attaching and fixing the fine bubble making member 500 of the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the embodiment of fig. 6, in which fig. 8 (a) is a front view, fig. 8 (B) is a side view, and fig. 8 (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 8 (a).

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the annular mounting member 53, fig. 9 (a) is a front view, fig. 9 (B) is a side view, and fig. 9 (C) is a plan view.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the annular mounting member 53, fig. 10(a) is a front view, and fig. 10(B) is a side view.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the fine bubble forming member 500 of the temperature expansion valve 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and showing a cross section of the fine bubble forming member 500 in the axial direction.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional temperature expansion valve.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the conventional temperature expansion valve of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioner to which a conventional temperature expansion valve is connected.

In the figure:

10-a temperature expansion valve, 12-an inlet-side piping (primary piping), 14-an outlet-side piping (secondary piping), 21-a retainer ring member, 22-a sealing member, 24-a cover member, 24 a-male screw, 26-a diaphragm device, 28-a valve housing, 30-a valve port, 31-an inlet-side valve chamber, 32-a valve seat, 34-a valve housing upper wall, 36-an inlet-side port, 36 a-opening portion, 38-an outlet-side valve chamber, 40-a valve housing lower wall, 40 a-female screw, 42-an outlet-side port, 44-a valve core member, 46-a valve shaft member body, 48-a valve rod member, 48 a-small diameter portion, 48 b-front end, 50-a valve member, 50 a-abutting portion, 50 b-opening portion, 51-mounting portion, 52-shoulder surface, 53-member, 53 a-annular portion, 53 b-joining portion, 53 c-notch portion, 54-opening portion, 58-male screw, 60-lower cover, 60 a-flange portion, 62-mounting portion, 64-female thread, 66-upper cover member, 66 a-flange portion, 68-diaphragm, 68 a-flange portion, 70-pressure receiving chamber, 72-pressure equalizing chamber, 74-needle portion, 74 a-step portion, 76-abutment member, 76 a-abutment hole portion, 76 b-extension portion, 78-pressing member, 80-sealing member, 82-pressure equalizing pipe, 84-pressure equalizing path, 86-mounting hole portion, 86 a-recess portion, 86 b-female thread, 88-superheat setting portion, 90-adjustment spindle, 91-adjustment spring housing recess portion, 92-base end portion, 92 a-male thread, 94-positioner, 96-adjustment spring, 98-O member, 100-temperature expansion valve, 101-refrigerant circulation circuit, 102-circulation pipe, 104-compressor, 106-condenser, 108-outlet side pipe (secondary pipe), 110-temperature expansion valve, 112-an inlet-side piping (primary piping), 114-an outlet-side piping (secondary piping), 116-an evaporator, 118-an inlet piping, 120-an outlet-side piping, 122-a temperature-sensing cylinder, 124-a capillary tube, 126-a diaphragm device, 128-a valve housing, 130-a valve port, 131-an inlet-side valve chamber, 132-a valve seat, 134-a valve housing upper wall, 136-an inlet-side port, 138-an outlet-side valve chamber, 140-a valve housing lower wall, 140 a-an internal thread, 142-an outlet-side port, 144-a valve core member, 146-a valve shaft member body, 148-a valve shaft member, 150-a valve portion, 150 a-an abutment portion, 152-a shoulder surface, 154-an opening portion, 158-an external thread, 160-a lower cover member, 160 a-a flange portion, 162-an attachment portion, 164-an internal thread, 166-an upper cover member, 166a flange portion, 168-a diaphragm, 168a flange portion, 170-, 174 a-step portion, 176-contact member, 176 a-contact hole portion, 176 b-extension portion, 178-pressing member, 180-sealing member, 182-pressure equalizing pipe, 184-pressure equalizing path, 186-mounting hole, 186 a-recess portion, 186 b-internal thread, 188-superheat setting portion, 190-adjustment main shaft, 191-adjustment spring housing recess portion, 192-base end portion, 192 a-external thread, 194-retainer, 196-adjustment spring, 198-O-ring member, 200-stopper ring member, 202-sealing member, 204-cap member, 204 a-external thread, 300-expansion valve, 302-valve body, 304-inlet port, 306-outlet port, 308-valve chamber, 310-valve hole, 312-valve member, 314-fine bubble member, 316-valve hole, 500-fine bubble member, 500-valve portion, 500 a-guide surface, 600-strainer, H1, H2-height, W1, W2-width, p, Q — projection line.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

(example 1)

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention, fig. 2 is a plan view of the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention of fig. 1, fig. 3 is a schematic view of a refrigerant circulation circuit of an air conditioner to which the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention is connected, fig. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention of fig. 1, and fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 4.

In fig. 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a temperature expansion valve according to the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3, in a refrigerant circulation circuit 101 of a refrigeration cycle system such as an air conditioner, a refrigerant flows through the inside of a circulation pipe 102. Further, a compressor 104 for compressing the refrigerant is provided, and the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 104.

An outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 108 of the condenser 106 is connected to an inlet-side pipe (primary pipe) 12 of the temperature expansion valve 10.

The refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106 is introduced into the temperature expansion valve 10 from the outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 via the inlet-side pipe 12 of the temperature expansion valve 10.

In the temperature expansion valve 10, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser 106 and introduced into the temperature expansion valve 10 is decompressed (expanded).

The outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 14 of the temperature expansion valve 10 is connected to an inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116.

The refrigerant decompressed (expanded) in the temperature expansion valve 10 is introduced into the evaporator 116 through the inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116, and is evaporated and gasified.

The refrigerant evaporated and gasified in the evaporator 116 is introduced into the compressor 104 again via the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116, and the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 104, and circulates in the circulation pipe 102 of the refrigerant circulation circuit 101 in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 1 as described above.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, a temperature sensing cylinder 122 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided on the outlet-side pipe 120 side of the evaporator 116 so as to be attached to the outlet-side pipe 120. The same refrigerant as the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 102 of the refrigerant circuit 101 is sealed in the temperature sensing cylinder 122, for example.

As will be described later, the temperature sensing cylinder 122 is coupled to the diaphragm device 26 of the temperature expansion valve 10 via a capillary tube 124.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1, the temperature expansion valve 10 includes a valve housing 28 made of metal and having a substantially cylindrical shape, for example.

Hereinafter, the upper side in fig. 1 is referred to as "upper side" and "upper side", and the lower side in fig. 1 is referred to as "lower side" and "lower side". Also, the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as "right side", and the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as "left side".

A valve port 30 is formed in the valve housing 28 at a substantially central portion in the axial direction, and a valve seat 32 is formed around the valve port 30.

On the side of the valve housing 28 opposite to the valve port 30 (upper side in fig. 1), a valve housing upper wall 34 is formed that defines a cylindrical inlet-side valve chamber 31.

An inlet port 36 is formed in the valve housing upper wall 34 so as to open at a side portion (right side in fig. 1) on one side of the valve housing upper wall 34. An inlet-side pipe (primary pipe) 12 constituting an inlet-side joint member is connected to the inlet-side port 36.

The inlet-side pipe 12 is connected to an outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 so as to communicate with the pipe.

On the other hand, a valve housing lower wall 40 defining a cylindrical outlet-side valve chamber 38 is formed on the valve port 30 side (lower side in fig. 1) of the valve housing 28.

An outlet side port 42 is formed in the valve housing lower wall 40 so as to open at the other side portion (left side in fig. 1) of the valve housing lower wall 40. An outlet-side pipe (secondary pipe) 14 constituting an outlet-side joint member is connected to the outlet-side port 42.

The outlet-side pipe 14 is connected to an inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116 so as to communicate with it.

Therefore, the valve port 30 is formed at a position intermediate the inlet port 36 and the outlet side port 42, and is formed in the valve housing 28.

As shown in fig. 1, the valve body member 44 is mounted in the valve housing upper wall 34 of the valve housing 28 so as to be movable (slidable) in the axial direction so that the valve housing upper wall 34 forms a guide surface.

The valve body 44 includes a valve shaft member main body 46 having a large diameter, which constitutes a sliding portion, and the valve shaft member main body 46 is configured to slide along the inner surface of the valve housing upper wall 34.

Further, a valve stem member 48 having a diameter smaller than that of the valve stem member body 46 is provided on the valve port 30 side (lower side in fig. 1) of the valve stem member body 46. The inlet-side valve chamber 31 is defined in a gap between the outer periphery of the stem member 48 and the valve housing upper wall 34.

On the other hand, a member having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the valve port 30 is formed to penetrate the valve port 30 at the end of the stem member 48 on the valve port 30 side (lower side in fig. 1).

As will be described later, the opening degree (throttle) is controlled by bringing the shoulder surface 52 of the valve member 50 into and out of contact with the valve seat 32 formed around the valve port 30.

An opening 54 is formed in the valve housing upper wall 34 of the valve housing 28 at an end portion on the opposite side (upper side in fig. 1) to the valve port 30, and the diaphragm device 26 is connected and mounted so as to close the opening 54.

That is, the male screw 58 is formed on the outer periphery of the opening portion 54 of the valve housing 28.

A female screw 64 is formed on the inner periphery of a cylindrical mounting portion 62 on the lower side of the lower cover member 60 of the diaphragm device 26 so as to correspond to the male screw 58 of the valve housing 28.

Thus, the lower cover member 60 of the diaphragm assembly 26 is airtightly fitted to the upper end portion of the valve housing 28 by screwing the female screw 64 of the lower cover member 60 to the male screw 58 of the valve housing 28.

On the other hand, in the diaphragm device 26, the flange portion 60a of the lower cover member 60 and the flange portion 66a of the upper cover member 66 are fixed so that the upper cover member 66 and the lower cover member 60 face each other, thereby constituting the diaphragm device 26.

As shown in fig. 1, a flange portion 68a of the diaphragm 68 is hermetically fixed by welding between the flange portion 60a of the lower cover member 60 and the flange portion 66a of the upper cover member 66.

A pressure receiving chamber 70 surrounded by the upper cover member 66 and the diaphragm 68 is formed above the diaphragm device 26 via the diaphragm 68.

On the other hand, a pressure equalizing chamber 72 surrounded by the lower cover member 60 and the membrane 68 is formed below the membrane device 26.

Further, a capillary tube 124 is attached to the upper cover member 66 so as to communicate with the pressure receiving chamber 70, and the upper cover member 66 is coupled to the temperature sensing cylinder 122 via the capillary tube 124.

On the other hand, a needle 74 is formed at the tip of the valve shaft member body 46 on the side opposite to the valve port 30 (upper side in fig. 1).

The needle portion 74 is inserted and fixed into a contact hole portion 76a fixed to the center of a contact member 76 below the diaphragm 68 so that a stepped portion 74a of the needle portion 74 contacts an extension portion 76b extending downward from the contact member 76.

An annular seal member 80 is interposed between the outer periphery of the stepped portion 74a of the needle 74 via a pressing member 78.

The pressure equalizing chamber 72 formed below the diaphragm device 26 is separated from the inlet-side valve chamber 31 of the valve housing 28 in an airtight manner by the seal member 80.

Further, a pressure equalizing passage, one end of which communicates with a pressure equalizing chamber 72 formed below the diaphragm device 26, is formed in the valve housing upper wall 34 so as to extend in the axial direction, but this is not shown.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the other end of the pressure equalizing passage communicates with a pressure equalizing pipe 82, and the pressure equalizing pipe 82 is connected to the valve housing upper wall 34 on the front side (lower side in fig. 2) in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the pressure equalizing pipe 82 is connected to an outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 via a pressure equalizing passage 84.

On the other hand, a superheat setting unit 88 is attached to an attachment hole 86 formed in the lower side of the valve housing lower wall 40 of the valve housing 28.

That is, the superheat setting unit 88 includes an adjustment spindle 90, and the adjustment spindle 90 is movable in the axial direction by screwing a male screw 92a formed on the outer periphery of a base end portion 92 of the adjustment spindle 90 to a female screw 40a formed on the inner periphery of the valve housing lower wall 40.

As shown in fig. 1, an adjustment spring housing recess 91 is formed in the upper center portion of the adjustment spindle 90. On the other hand, an abutting portion 50a (a caulking portion in this embodiment) is formed to protrude from the lower end of the valve member 50 of the valve body member 44.

The disc-shaped retainer 94 has a projecting portion projecting upward so as to abut against the abutting portion 50a at the lower end of the valve member 50, and the retainer 94 is interposed between the adjustment main shaft 90 and the adjustment spring receiving recess 91 by the adjustment spring 96 in a compressed state.

On the other hand, an O-ring member 98 constituting a seal member is interposed between the upper ends of the adjustment main shafts 90. The outlet-side valve chamber 38 is kept airtight from the outside of the mounting hole 86 by the O-ring member 98.

With such a configuration, the valve member 50 of the valve body member 44 is biased in a direction (upward direction in fig. 1) to close (close) the valve port 30 by the spring force of the adjustment spring 96. That is, the shoulder surface 52 of the valve member 50 is brought into contact with the valve seat 32 formed around the valve port 30, thereby closing the valve.

The diaphragm 68 is biased upward via a needle 74 formed at the upper end of the valve shaft member body 46 and a contact member 76 fixed below the diaphragm 68.

Then, the adjustment spindle 90 is rotated to move the adjustment spindle 90 up and down in the axial direction, thereby adjusting the spring force of the adjustment spring 96 and adjusting the biasing force of the valve member 50 exerted by the valve core member 44.

On the other hand, a snap ring member 21 for preventing the removal of the adjustment main shaft 90 is attached to the attachment hole 86.

An annular recess 86a is formed around the opening of the lower end portion of the mounting hole 86, and a female screw 86b is formed around the inner side of the recess 86a on the axially upper side.

An annular seal member 22 made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example, is disposed in the recess 86a, and the cap member 24 is attached to the lower end portion of the attachment hole 86 by screwing the male screw 24a of the cap member 24 to the female screw 86b of the attachment hole 86.

As a result, the cover member 24 is screwed, and the seal member 22 is slightly crushed and plastically deformed, thereby being fixed in the recess 86a, and maintaining an airtight state.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention configured as described above, as shown in fig. 3, the pressure equalizing chamber 72 is formed on the lower side with the diaphragm 68 of the diaphragm device 26 interposed therebetween, and the pressure equalizing chamber 72 is connected to the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 via the pressure equalizing pipe 82 and the pressure equalizing path 84.

Therefore, the evaporation pressure of the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 is introduced into the pressure equalizing chamber 72 formed below the membrane device 26.

On the other hand, the pressure receiving chamber 70 is formed on the upper side with the diaphragm 68 of the diaphragm device 26 interposed therebetween, and the pressure receiving chamber 70 is connected to the temperature sensing cylinder 122 via a capillary tube 124.

Therefore, the internal pressure of the pressure receiving chamber 70 becomes a temperature sensing pressure that changes in accordance with the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing cylinder 122 on the outlet-side pipe 120 side of the evaporator 116.

The diaphragm 68 of the diaphragm device 26 is axially deformed in the vertical direction by a pressure difference (differential pressure) between the temperature sensing pressure in the pressure receiving chamber 70 and the evaporation pressure in the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 in the pressure equalizing chamber 72.

The axial deformation of the diaphragm 68 is transmitted to the valve shaft member body 46, the valve stem member 48, and the valve member 50 via an abutment member 76 fixed to the lower side of the diaphragm 68 and via a needle portion 74 formed at the upper end of the valve shaft member body 46 of the valve body 44.

Thus, the opening degree (throttle) is controlled by bringing the shoulder surface 52 of the valve member 50 into and out of contact with the valve seat 32 formed around the valve port 30.

That is, in the temperature expansion valve 10, when the sensed temperature of the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 becomes high, the valve member 50 functions to open (open) the valve port 30.

Conversely, when the sensed temperature of the outlet-side pipe 120 of the evaporator 116 becomes low, the valve member 50 functions to close (close) the valve port 30.

When the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116 becomes low, the valve member 50 functions to open (open) the valve port 30.

Conversely, when the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116 becomes high, the valve member 50 acts to close (close) the valve port 30.

Accordingly, the diaphragm 68 is deformed in the axial direction by a differential pressure between the temperature sensing pressure from the temperature sensing cylinder 122 and the evaporation pressure of the evaporator 116, the valve body member 44 coupled to the diaphragm 68 is moved in the axial direction, and the valve member 50 controls the opening degree of the valve port 30.

Then, the degree of superheat of the refrigeration cycle (in this embodiment, for example, the refrigerant circuit 101 of an air conditioner) is controlled by controlling the degree of opening of the refrigerant flowing from the outlet-side pipe 108 of the condenser 106 to the inlet pipe 118 of the evaporator 116 via the inlet-side port 36, the valve port 30, and the outlet-side port 42.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention configured as described above, even if it is used for a long period of time for a long time, noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reduced.

Further, since the solid, non-porous valve body member 44 is present on the opposite surface of the fine foaming member 500 from the side facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, the refrigerant does not pass through the fine foaming member 500.

Further, pressure loss does not occur, and the flow rate control characteristics are not affected.

That is, as shown in fig. 1, 4, and 5, a fine-bubble making member 500 for making fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port is provided at a facing portion of the valve body member 44 facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36.

Specifically, as shown in the enlarged views of fig. 4 to 5, a fine bubble forming member 500 having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided at a facing portion of the valve body member 44 facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention, the fine bubble forming member 500 is disposed in close contact with the valve body member 44, and the valve body member 44 is a member through which the refrigerant as a fluid cannot pass.

With such a configuration, since the fine-bubble generating member 500 is disposed in close contact with the valve body member 44, which is a member through which the fluid refrigerant cannot pass, the refrigerant does not penetrate through the fine-bubble generating member 500, and therefore, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble generating member 500, and even when the fine-bubble generating member 500 is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention, the fine bubble making member 500 is not disposed at a position where it blocks part or all of the flow path through which the fluid flowing from the inlet port 36 flows toward the valve port 30.

With such a configuration, the fine foaming member 500 is not disposed at a position that blocks a part or all of the flow path through which the fluid flowing from the inlet port 36 flows toward the valve port 30, and therefore, even when foreign matter is deposited and the fine foaming member 500 blocks the flow path of the refrigerant, the fine foaming member 500 does not block the flow path.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, the fine bubble forming member 500 is disposed such that at least a part thereof is located at a projection position where the opening portion 36a of the inlet side port 36 is projected toward the valve body member 44 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member 44 at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time.

That is, as shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 4, in the cross section of the valve body member 44 in the axial direction, the fine bubble forming member 500 is in the following state: at least a part of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36 is located within a range sandwiched by projection lines P, P that project the upper end and the lower end of the opening in the direction toward the valve body member 44.

As shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 5, the fine bubble forming member 500 is in the following state in a horizontal cross section of the valve body member 44: at least a part of the inlet port 36 is located within a range sandwiched by projection lines Q, Q that project the ends in the width direction of the opening 36a in the inlet port in the direction toward the valve body member 44.

With this configuration, since the foaming member 500 is disposed such that at least a part thereof is located at a projection position where the opening portion 36a of the inlet side port 36 is projected toward the valve body member 44 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member 44 at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, it is possible to reduce noise generated by thinning bubbles contained in the refrigerant at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time.

Further, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine bubble forming member 500, and even when the fine bubble forming member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

Further, the temperature expansion valve 10 can be provided without causing pressure loss or affecting the flow rate control characteristics.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention, the fine-bubble generating member 500 may be disposed such that, at any position from the valve-open time to the valve-closed time, the entire projection range when the opening portion 36a of the inlet side port 36 is projected toward the fine-bubble generating member 500 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member 44 is located on the fine-bubble generating member 500.

With this configuration, since the fine bubble generating member 500 is disposed such that the projection range of the opening portion 36a of the inlet side port 36 projected toward the fine bubble generating member 500 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member 44 is located on the fine bubble generating member 500 at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, it is possible to reliably generate fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant, and to improve the effect of reducing noise.

Further, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine bubble forming member 500, and even when the fine bubble forming member 500 is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

As shown in the enlarged views of fig. 4 to 5, in the temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment, the fine bubble making member 500 is provided on the outer periphery of the valve stem member 48 of the valve body member 44 facing the inlet port 36.

Further, the defoaming member 500 is interposed between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50.

That is, in the temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged view of fig. 4, the fine bubble forming member 500 and the valve member 50 are fixed together by the attachment portion 51 of the tip 48b of the valve member 48 on the valve member 50 side.

Specifically, in the temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment, the small diameter portion 48a of the valve rod member 48 is inserted and fixed into the central opening of the substantially cylindrical fine bubble making member 500.

The tip 48b of the valve member 48 on the valve member 50 side is projected into the opening 50b in the center of the separate valve member 50, and the attachment portion 51 is formed by caulking, and the fine bubble forming member 500 and the valve member 50 are fixed (sandwiched and fixed) by the attachment portion 51.

In this case, the attachment portion 51 is not limited to caulking, and for example, a fastening member such as a nut or a screw, or a known fixing method such as welding can be used.

Accordingly, the bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 reliably come into contact with the foaming member 500, and thus the bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably refined, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

The fine bubble making member 500 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a porous sintered filter, a defogging filter, a foamed member, a member formed by laminating flat plates, a member formed by laminating curved plates, a double-layer coil spring, a double-layer punched metal, or the like, and two or more of them may be combined as appropriate.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4 to 5, it is preferable that the size H1 of the projection of the opening portion 36 of the inlet port 36 of the fine bubble making member 500 in the direction of the valve body member 44 is equal to or larger than the size H2 of the projection of the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36 in the direction of the valve body member 44.

With such a configuration, since the size of the projection portion of the opening portion 36 of the inlet port 36 of the fine bubble generation member 500 projected in the direction of the valve body member 44 is equal to or larger than the size of the projection portion of the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36 projected in the direction of the valve body member 44, it is possible to reliably reduce the size of the bubbles contained in the refrigerant, and to improve the effect of reducing noise.

Specifically, in the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the height H1 of the projected portion of the fine bubble making member 500 is preferably in a relationship of H1. gtoreq.H 2 with respect to the height H2 of the projected portion of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36.

Therefore, the fine-bubble making member 500 is present over the entire height H2 of the opening projection of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36, and thus, bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be made fine reliably, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5, the width W1 in a horizontal cross-sectional view of the projected portion of the fine bubble making member 500 is preferably in a relationship of W1 ≧ W2 with respect to the width W2 in a horizontal cross-sectional view of the projected portion of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36.

Therefore, the fine-bubble forming member 500 is present over the entire width W2 in the horizontal cross-section of the opening projection portion of the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, and thus the bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably made fine, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention, it is preferable that the height H1 of the projection portion of the fine-bubble generating member 500 overlap with the height H2 of the projection portion of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36 at any position from the valve-open time to the valve-closed time of the fine-bubble generating member 500.

With this configuration, since the height H1 of the projection portion of the fine-bubble generating member 500 overlaps with the height H2 of the projection portion of the opening 36a of the inlet port 36 at any position from the valve-open state to the valve-closed state of the fine-bubble generating member 500, the fine-bubble generating member 500 is present at any position from the valve-open state to the valve-closed state, and thus the bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably made fine, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

The temperature expansion valve 10 of the present invention configured as described above includes a fine bubble making member 500 for making fine bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 at a facing portion of the valve body member 44 facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, as indicated by arrows in fig. 4 to 5.

Therefore, the bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 abut against the fine bubble making member 500 provided at the facing portion of the valve body member 44 facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, and the bubbles are made fine.

Further, since the valve body member 44, which is solid and not porous (i.e., does not allow the refrigerant as a fluid to pass therethrough), is present on the opposite side of the fine foaming member 500 from the side facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, the refrigerant is not guided to the side of the valve port 30 through the fine foaming member 500.

Further, since the solid, not porous, valve body member 44 is present on the opposite side of the fine foaming member 500 from the side facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, the refrigerant does not pass through the fine foaming member 500.

Therefore, the refrigerant does not penetrate the fine-bubble generating member 500, and therefore, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble generating member 500, and even when the fine-bubble generating member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

Further, since the fine bubble making member 500 is disposed at a position facing the opening 36a of the inlet port 36 at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, it is possible to reduce noise generated by making the bubbles contained in the refrigerant fine at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time.

Further, since the size of the projected portion of the opening portion 36 of the inlet port 36 of the fine bubble generation member 500 projected in the direction of the valve body member 44 is equal to or larger than the size of the opening projected portion of the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36 projected in the direction of the valve body member 44, it is possible to surely reduce the size of the bubbles contained in the refrigerant, and to improve the effect of reducing the noise.

Further, since the fine bubble making member 500 is provided on the outer periphery of the opening portion 36 of the stem member 48 of the valve body member 44 facing the inlet port 36, even if the valve body member 44 rotates in the middle of the valve operation, the fine bubble making member 500 always faces the inlet port 36.

Further, since the defoaming member 500 is interposed between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50, the defoaming member 500 can be stably held at a position facing the opening portion 36 of the inlet port 36.

Between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50, the fine bubble forming member and the valve portion are fixed together by a mounting portion 51 at the tip of the valve stem member 48 on the valve member 50 side.

Therefore, the fine bubble forming member 500 can be stably held at a position facing the inlet side port between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50 by, for example, caulking, fastening members such as nuts and screws, welding, and the like.

In the temperature expansion valve of the present invention, the fine bubble making member 500 is preferably provided around the entire periphery of the opening portion 36a of the valve body member 44 facing the inlet port 36.

With such a configuration, since the fine foaming member 500 is provided on the entire periphery of the opening portion 36a of the valve body member facing the inlet port 36, even if the valve body member 44 rotates during the valve operation, the fine foaming member always faces the opening portion of the inlet port.

Further, since the valve body member 44, which is solid and not porous (i.e., does not allow the refrigerant as a fluid to pass therethrough), is present on the opposite surface of the finely foaming member 500 from the side facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, the refrigerant is not guided to the valve port 30 side through the finely foaming member 500.

Further, since the solid, non-porous valve body member 44 is present on the opposite surface of the fine foaming member 500 from the side facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36, the refrigerant does not pass through the fine foaming member.

Therefore, the refrigerant does not penetrate the fine-bubble generating member 44, and therefore, foreign matter is less likely to accumulate in the fine-bubble generating member 500, and even when the fine-bubble generating member is clogged due to accumulation of foreign matter, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked.

(example 2)

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a temperature expansion valve 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, fig. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention of fig. 6, fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of mounting and fixing a fine bubble forming member 500 of the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the embodiment of fig. 6, fig. 8 (a) is a front view, fig. 8 (B) is a side view, fig. 8 (C) is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of fig. 8 (a), fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a ring-shaped mounting member 53, fig. 9 (a) is a front view, fig. 9 (B) is a side view, fig. 9 (C) is a plan view and is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of fig. 8 (a), fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of the ring-shaped mounting member 53, fig. 10(a) is a front view, and fig. 10(B) is a side view.

The temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment has basically the same configuration as the temperature expansion valve 10 of embodiment 1 shown in fig. 1 to 4, and the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, unlike the temperature expansion valve 10 of embodiment 1 of fig. 1 to 5, the valve body member 44 is integrated with the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, the defoaming member 500 has, for example, a plate shape or a plate shape with a pre-bent cross section, and the defoaming member 500 is fitted between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50 in a wound manner.

In this way, the defoaming member 500 is fitted around the valve member 50 between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48, and the defoaming member 500 is fixed between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50 by the substantially annular plate spring-shaped mounting member 53.

That is, the defoaming member 500 is covered so as to cover the outer peripheral portion of the valve body member 44, and is fixed from the outer peripheral side by the annular mounting member 53.

With such a configuration, since the foaming member 500 is covered so as to cover the outer peripheral portion of the valve body member 44 and is fixed from the outer peripheral side by the annular mounting member 53, the installation is easy, the cost can be reduced, and the foaming member 500 can be stably held at the position facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36 in the outer peripheral portion of the valve body member 44.

That is, as shown in fig. 8 to 9, the mounting member 53 includes a pair of upper and lower

annular portions

53a and 53a, an axial coupling portion 53b for coupling the

annular portions

53a and 53a, and a notch portion 53c formed in each of the annular portions 53 a.

The fine bubble generating member 500 wound around and fitted between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50 can be tightly fitted and fixed via the notch portions 53c formed in the annular portion 53a (i.e., expanded).

As shown in fig. 10, the mounting member 53 may be formed of a pair of upper and lower independent mounting members 53.

With such a configuration, since the defoaming member 500 is fixed between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50 by the annular mounting member 53, the mounting is easy, the cost can be reduced, and the defoaming member 500 can be stably held at a position facing the opening portion 36a of the inlet port 36 between the small diameter portion 48a of the valve stem member 48 and the valve member 50.

Further, the temperature expansion valve 10 can be provided which achieves the following effects: the clogging of the fine foaming member 500 due to the accumulation of foreign matter contained in the refrigerant is reliably prevented, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked and narrowed, and the pressure loss and the flow rate control characteristics are not affected.

(example 3)

In the temperature expansion valve 10 of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 11 (a) to 11 (C), the thickness of the fine bubble making member 500 is different, and the guide surface 500a of the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 is formed.

That is, the temperature expansion valve 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the fine bubble making member 500 is formed of a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the fine bubble making member 500, and serves as a guide surface 500a for the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36.

With such a configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the finely foaming member 500 is formed into a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the finely foaming member 500, and serves as a guide surface 500a for the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36, so that the refrigerant is guided toward the valve port 30 along the guide surface 500 a.

Accordingly, the bubbles contained in the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 reliably come into contact with the foaming member 50, and thus the bubbles contained in the refrigerant can be reliably refined, and the effect of reducing noise can be improved.

That is, the fine bubble generating member 500 shown in fig. 11 (a) has a tapered shape in which the thickness thereof gradually decreases toward the valve port 30.

The thin bubbling member 500 shown in fig. 11 (B) has a tapered shape in which the thickness of the valve port 30 is large and the thickness gradually decreases toward the center in the height direction of the thin bubbling member 500.

The fine bubbling member 500 shown in fig. 11 (C) has a tapered shape in which the thickness on the valve port 30 side is small and the thickness gradually increases toward the center in the height direction of the fine bubbling member 500.

With such a configuration, since the thickness of the fine bubble making member 500 is different and the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port 36 serves as the guide surface 500a, the refrigerant is guided to the valve port 30 side along the guide surface 500a, and the following thermal expansion valve 10 can be provided: the foreign matter contained in the refrigerant is prevented from accumulating in the fine foaming member 500 and causing clogging, the flow path of the refrigerant is not blocked and not narrowed, and pressure loss is not generated and the flow rate control characteristic is not affected.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and for example, the present invention is not limited to the temperature expansion valve 10 having the structure as in the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to temperature expansion valves 10 having other structures, and the like, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The present invention can be applied to the following temperature expansion valves and refrigeration cycle systems using the same: for example, the present invention is used in a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle such as an air conditioner or a refrigerator, and is used for controlling the degree of superheat of the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle while automatically adjusting the valve opening degree in response to the outlet-side temperature of an evaporator.

More specifically, the present invention can be applied to the following temperature expansion valve and a refrigeration cycle system using the same: according to a differential pressure between a temperature sensing pressure from a temperature sensing cylinder attached to an outlet-side pipe of an evaporator of a refrigerant cycle circuit of a refrigeration cycle system such as an air conditioner and an evaporation pressure of the evaporator, a diaphragm is deformed in an axial direction, and a valve body member connected to the diaphragm is moved in the axial direction, whereby a valve portion controls an opening degree of a valve port.

Claims

1. A temperature expansion valve is characterized in that,

the diaphragm of the diaphragm device is deformed in the axial direction of the valve core member, so that the valve core member coupled with the diaphragm is moved in the axial direction, and the valve portion integrated with the valve core member controls the opening degree of the valve port,

2. A temperature expansion valve according to claim 1,

the fine-bubble forming member is provided in close contact with a valve body member through which a refrigerant as a fluid cannot pass.

3. A temperature expansion valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the fine bubble means is not disposed at a position where it blocks a part or all of a flow path through which a fluid flowing from the inlet port flows toward the valve port.

4. A temperature expansion valve according to any of claims 1 to 3,

the above-mentioned fine bubble forming member is disposed such that at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, at least a part of the fine bubble forming member is located at a projection position where an opening portion of the inlet side port is projected toward the valve body member in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member.

5. A temperature expansion valve according to claim 4,

the fine bubble forming member is disposed so that, at any position from the valve opening time to the valve closing time, the entire projection range of the opening portion of the inlet side port when projected toward the fine bubble forming member in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the valve body member is positioned on the fine bubble forming member.

6. A temperature expansion valve according to any of claims 1 to 5,

the fine bubble forming member is provided around the entire periphery of an opening portion of the valve body member facing the inlet side port.

7. A temperature expansion valve according to any of claims 1 to 5,

in the fine foaming member, the valve body member is inserted into the central opening of the cylindrical fine foaming member and the central opening of the valve member, and the fine foaming member is sandwiched and fixed between the valve body member and the valve member.

8. A temperature expansion valve according to any of claims 1 to 7,

the foaming member is covered so as to cover an outer peripheral portion of the valve body member, and is fixed from an outer peripheral side by an annular mounting member.

9. A temperature expansion valve according to any of claims 1 to 8,

the outer peripheral surface of the fine bubble forming member is formed of a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the fine bubble forming member, and serves as a guide surface for the refrigerant introduced from the inlet port.

10. A refrigeration cycle system is characterized in that,

a temperature expansion valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is connected between a condenser and an evaporator of a refrigerant circulation circuit of a refrigeration cycle via a pipe.