CN113251171A

CN113251171A - Three-way valve

Info

Publication number: CN113251171A
Application number: CN202110151667.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 松下裕树; 藤森健太
Original assignee: Nidec Copal Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Nidec Copal Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2020-02-07
Filing date: 2021-02-03
Publication date: 2021-08-13
Also published as: JP2021124190A

Abstract

The present invention relates to three-way valves. The housing has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The cylindrical portion is disposed along a line connecting the first opening and the second opening in the housing, the first end portion is located near the first opening and the third opening, and the second end portion communicates with the second opening. The plunger is movably provided in the cylindrical portion, and has a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a groove provided in a surface thereof, wherein when the third end portion closes the first opening portion, the groove communicates the third opening portion with the second opening portion, and when the fourth end portion closes the second opening portion, the groove is located in the cylindrical portion, and communicates the first opening portion with the third opening portion.

Description

Three-way valve

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a three-way valve capable of switching a flow path of a fluid such as a gas.

Background

For example, there is known a three-way valve having three openings, i.e., a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, in which a flow path from the third opening to the first opening and a flow path from the third opening to the second opening can be switched by a plunger driven by a solenoid (see, for example, japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 63-182378).

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a state where the third opening and the second opening communicate with each other, there are the following states: when the solenoid drives the plunger to switch the flow path from the first opening to the third opening, the second opening and the third opening are simultaneously opened. Therefore, since the fluid exists in both the flow paths, the plunger receives the pressure of the fluid from the opening portion side to be closed, and the high-speed movement of the plunger is hindered.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a three-way valve that can realize high-speed movement of a plunger and can switch a flow path at high speed and reliably.

Means for solving the problems

The three-way valve of the present embodiment includes: a housing having a first opening, a second opening facing the first opening, and a third opening located between the first opening and the second opening and near the first opening; a cylindrical portion disposed along a line connecting the first opening and the second opening in the housing, a first end portion being located near the first opening and the third opening, and a second end portion communicating with the second opening; a plunger movably provided in the cylindrical portion, the plunger having a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a groove provided in a surface thereof, the groove communicating the third opening portion with the second opening portion when the third end portion closes the first opening portion, and the entire groove being located in the cylindrical portion to communicate the first opening portion with the third opening portion when the fourth end portion closes the second opening portion; an elastic member that biases the plunger in one of the first opening direction and the second opening direction; and a solenoid provided around the cylindrical portion and moving the plunger in a direction opposite to an urging force (a side-check force) of the elastic member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a three-way valve of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a side view of fig. 1 with a part taken out.

Fig. 2B is another side view of fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view showing an operation state different from that of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view showing a three-way valve of a second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a side view of fig. 4 with a part taken out.

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view showing an operation state different from that of fig. 4.

Detailed Description

The following describes embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 shows a three-way valve 10 of a first embodiment. The three-way valve 10 includes a housing 11. The case 11 is composed of, for example, a bottomed cylindrical frame 12, a switch main body 13, and a lid 14. The lid 14 is attached to the opening of the frame 12 and covers the opening. The switch main body 13 is attached to the lid 14 by a plurality of screws 15.

The switch body 13 includes a first opening a and a third opening C, and the first opening a and the third opening C are provided so as to be communicable inside the switch body 13. A second opening B described later is provided in the bottom of the frame 12. Therefore, the housing 11 includes the first opening a, the second opening B, and the third opening C.

The first opening a and the second opening B are disposed, for example, so as to face each other on a straight line, and the third opening C is disposed between the first opening a and the second opening B and in the vicinity of the first opening a in a direction intersecting the straight line connecting the first opening a and the second opening B.

A bobbin (ボビン)16 as a frame of the solenoid (coil) 25 is provided inside the frame 12. The bobbin 16 has a cylindrical portion 17 at its center. The cylindrical portion 17 has a first end and a second end. The first end portion is disposed inside the switch main body 13 through the cover 14, and the second end portion is disposed at the bottom of the frame 12.

Specifically, the cylindrical portion 17 is disposed along a line connecting the first opening a and the second opening B, the first end portion is disposed in the vicinity of the first opening a and the third opening C, and the second end portion communicates with the second opening B provided at the bottom of the frame 12.

A stopper 18 is provided in the second end of the cylindrical portion 17. The stopper 18 restricts the position of a plunger described later. The stopper 18 is provided with a second opening B.

A plunger 19 is movably provided inside the cylindrical portion 17. The plunger 19 is formed of a cylindrical shape such as metal. The plunger 19 has a first end portion (third end portion) and a second end portion (fourth end portion), and the length between the first end portion and the second end portion (the length of the plunger 19) is shorter than the distance between the end portion of the first opening portion a located inside the switch main body 13 and the end portion of the stopper 18 located inside the cylindrical portion 17 and longer than the distance from the first end portion of the cylindrical portion 17 to the stopper 18.

A rubber 20 as a valve is provided at a first end of the plunger 19, and a rubber 21 as a valve is provided at a second end. The rubber 20 protrudes from the first end, and contacts the first opening a earlier than the plunger 19 when the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the first opening a, thereby elastically closing the first opening a. When the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B, the rubber 21 contacts the second opening B earlier than the plunger 19, and elastically closes the second opening B.

When the plunger 19 moves away from the first opening a or the second opening B, the

rubbers

20 and 21 move away from the first opening a or the second opening B slower than the movement of the plunger 19, and open the first opening a or the second opening B.

The timing of contact and separation of the

rubbers

20 and 21 with the first opening a and the second opening B may be the same as the timing of contact and separation of the plunger 19 with the first opening a and the second opening B.

The

rubbers

20 and 21 also have a function of reducing the contact noise between the plunger 19 and the first opening a and the second opening B when the rubbers come into contact with the first opening a and the second opening B.

A flange 22 is provided at a first end of the plunger 19, and a groove 23 is provided at a part of the surface of the plunger 19 as described later. The number of the grooves 23 is not limited to one, and a plurality of grooves may be provided on the surface of the plunger 19. When the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the first opening a, a part of the groove 23 is exposed to the outside of the cylindrical portion 17, and the third opening C and the second opening B communicate with each other. When the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B, the groove 23 is positioned inside the cylindrical portion 17.

A spring 24 as an elastic member is provided between the flange 22 of the plunger 19 and the first end of the cylindrical portion 17. The plunger 19 is biased in the direction of the first opening a by a spring 24.

A solenoid 25 is provided around the cylindrical portion 17 of the bobbin 16, and both ends of a wire constituting the solenoid 25 are electrically connected to a plurality of terminals 26. When the solenoid 25 is excited, the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B against the biasing force of the spring 24, and abuts against the stopper 18.

The position of the spring 24 is not limited to between the flange 22 and the first end of the cylindrical portion 17. The spring 24 is not limited to biasing the plunger 19 in the direction of the first opening a, and may bias the plunger in the direction of the second opening B. In this case, the direction of the magnetic field of the solenoid 25 needs to be changed.

(plunger structure)

Fig. 2A and 2B show a structure applied to the plunger 19 according to the first embodiment.

The plunger 19 has a first portion 31 and a second portion 32 adjacent to the first portion in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 31 has a diameter D2 that is less than the diameter D1 of the flange 22, and the spring 24 is mounted around the first portion 31. The second portion 32 has a diameter D2 equal to, for example, the first portion 31, but is not limited thereto as long as it is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 17.

The second portion 32 has a third portion 33 of diameter D3 adjacent the first portion 31 and less than diameter D2. The groove 23 is formed in the surface of the second portion 32. Specifically, the groove 23 is formed linearly from the third portion 33 to the second end of the plunger 19. By forming the third portion 33, the formation of the groove 23 can be facilitated, and the depth of the groove 23 can be made uniform.

As shown in fig. 1, a length L1 from the first end of the plunger 19 to the boundary between the first section 31 and the third section 33 is shorter than a distance L3 between the inner end of the switch main body 13 constituting the first opening a and the first end of the cylindrical section 17. Therefore, in a state where the first end of the plunger 19 closes the first opening a, a part of the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 is exposed from the cylindrical portion 17. Therefore, a flow path connecting the third opening C and the second opening B is formed by the third portion 33 and the groove 23.

As shown in fig. 3, in a state where the plunger 19 closes the second opening B, a distance L5 between the inner end of the switch main body 13 and the first end of the plunger 19 constituting the first opening a is longer than a distance L6 between the first end of the cylindrical portion 17 and a boundary between the first portion 31 and the third portion 33 of the plunger 19. Therefore, when the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the first opening a, the third portion 33 is exposed from the cylindrical portion 17 before the first end of the plunger 19 comes into contact with the inner end of the switch main body 13 constituting the first opening a, and a flow path connecting the third opening C and the second opening B is formed by the third portion 33 and the groove 23.

As shown in fig. 1, the length L2 of the second portion 32 is shorter than the length L4 from the first end of the cylindrical portion 17 to the end inside the cylindrical portion 17 of the stopper 28. Therefore, when the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B, the second end of the plunger 19 abuts against the stopper 28, and the third portion 33 and the groove 23 are positioned inside the cylindrical portion 17 before the second opening B is closed, so that the flow path between the third opening C and the second opening B can be closed.

In addition, the third portion 33 is not essential and may be omitted. In this case, the groove 23 is formed from the position where the third portion 33 is formed to the second end portion.

(operation of three-way valve)

When the solenoid 25 is deenergized, the plunger 19 is biased by the spring 24 in the direction of the first opening a, and the rubber 20 closes the first opening a in the three-way valve 10. At this time, the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 is exposed from the first end portion of the cylindrical portion 17, and the rubber 21 provided at the second end portion of the plunger 19 is separated from the second opening portion B. Therefore, the third opening C and the second opening B communicate with the groove 23 through the third portion 33, and a flow path is formed between the third opening C and the second opening B.

On the other hand, when the solenoid 25 is excited, the plunger 19 moves toward the second opening B side against the urging force of the spring 24. Thereby, the rubber 20 is separated from the first opening a, and a flow path connecting the third opening C and the first opening a is formed. At this time, the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 moves in the cylindrical portion 17, and the third portion 33 and the groove 23 are closed, so that, for example, almost all of the fluid flowing into the switch body 13 from the third opening C flows into the first opening a. Therefore, the plunger 19 is also pressed in the direction of the second opening B by the pressure of the fluid flowing into the first opening a from the third opening C, and the state shown in fig. 3 is obtained. Therefore, the plunger 19 can move at high speed by the biasing force of the solenoid 25 and the pressure of the fluid, and the flow path can be switched at high speed.

As shown in fig. 3, in a state where the second opening B is closed by the plunger 19, if the solenoid 25 is set to be non-excited, the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the first opening a by the urging force of the spring 24. Thus, when the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 is exposed from the first end of the cylindrical portion 17, a flow path connecting the third opening C and the second opening B is formed by the third portion 33 and the groove 23. Therefore, the plunger 19 is also pressed in the direction of the first opening a by the pressure of the fluid flowing into the second opening B from the third opening C, and the state shown in fig. 1 is restored. Therefore, the plunger 19 can move at high speed by the spring 24 and the pressure of the fluid, and the flow path can be switched at high speed.

(Effect of the first embodiment)

According to the first embodiment, the plunger 19 has the groove 23 in a part of the surface thereof, and when the flow path between the third opening C and the second opening B is switched to the flow path between the third opening C and the first opening a, the groove 23 can be immediately closed to form the flow path between the third opening C and the first opening a when the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B. In the case where the flow path between the third opening C and the first opening a is switched to the flow path between the third opening C and the second opening B, the groove 23 can be opened immediately when the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the first opening a, thereby forming the flow path between the third opening C and the second opening B. Therefore, the plunger 19 moves by both the biasing force of the solenoid 25 and the spring 24 and the pressure of the fluid in the formed flow path, and therefore the flow path can be switched at high speed and reliably.

Further, after the switching, the pressure of the fluid in the flow path is applied to the plunger 19, and therefore, the switching state can be stably maintained.

In addition, the plunger 19 is also moved by the pressure of the fluid. Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 24 can be weakened as compared with the case where the pressure of the fluid is not applied to the plunger 19.

Further, since the elastic force of the spring 24 becomes weak, the electric power supplied to the solenoid 25 for driving the plunger 19 can be reduced.

(second embodiment)

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment. The first and second embodiments differ in the shape of the groove provided in the plunger 19. In the first embodiment, the plunger 19 has a linear groove 23. In the second embodiment, the plunger 19 has a spiral groove 41.

Fig. 5 shows an example of the plunger 19 applied to the second embodiment. A spiral groove 41 is provided in a part of the periphery of the plunger 19. A slot 41 is formed from the third portion 33 to the second end of the plunger 19. The groove 41 forms two turns in the surface of the plunger 19, but may be one or half turns. The number of the grooves 41 is not limited to one, and may be plural.

(method of manufacturing plunger 19)

A method of manufacturing the plunger 19 having the above-described structure will be described. The plunger 19 can be manufactured by cutting a cylindrical metal material with a lathe.

Specifically, a cylindrical metal material is prepared and set on a lathe for centering. Next, the metal material is rotated, first, by cutting the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 of the plunger 19, for example, the flange 22 is formed. Then, a third portion 33 having a smaller diameter than the first portion 31 and the second portion 32 is cut in the second portion 32 adjacent to the first portion 31. Finally, a helical groove 41 is cut from the third portion 33 to the second end.

(operation of three-way valve 10)

In the second embodiment, the operation of the three-way valve 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4, when the solenoid 25 is not excited, the plunger 19 closes the first opening a, the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 is exposed from one end of the cylindrical portion 17, and a flow path connecting the third opening C and the second opening B is formed by the third portion 33 and the spiral groove 41.

On the other hand, when the solenoid 25 is excited, the plunger 19 moves in the direction of the second opening B. Accordingly, the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 enters and closes one end of the cylindrical portion 17, and forms a flow path connecting the third opening C and the first opening a. At this time, the plunger 19 is pressed toward the second opening B by the pressure of the fluid in the flow path connecting the third opening C and the first opening a. Therefore, the plunger 19 moves at high speed in the direction of the second opening B by the biasing force of the solenoid 25 and the pressure of the fluid, and closes the second opening B as shown in fig. 6.

When the solenoid 25 is set to be non-excited, the plunger 19 is moved in the first opening a direction by the spring 24. Accordingly, the third portion 33 of the plunger 19 is exposed from the one end portion of the cylindrical portion 17, and a flow path connecting the third opening C and the second opening B is formed by the third portion 33 and the spiral groove 41, so that the plunger 19 is pressed in the direction of the first opening a by the pressure of the fluid in the flow path. Therefore, the plunger 19 moves at high speed in the direction of the first opening a by the biasing force of the spring 24 and the pressure of the fluid, and closes the first opening a as shown in fig. 4.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the third portion 33 may be omitted. In this case, the spiral groove 41 is formed from the position where the third portion 33 is provided to the second end portion.

(Effect of the second embodiment)

The second embodiment can also provide a three-way valve that can switch flow paths at high speed and reliably, as in the first embodiment.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the plunger 19 has a spiral groove 41 around its circumference. Therefore, the friction force between the plunger 19 and the cylindrical portion 17 can be reduced by the fluid in the groove 41, and the movement of the plunger 19 can be made smooth.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the groove 41 is formed spirally around the plunger 19. Therefore, in manufacturing the plunger 19, the flange 22, the first portion 31, the second portion 32, and the third portion 33 are formed from a cylindrical metal material by a lathe, and thereafter, the groove 41 can be continuously formed by the lathe. Therefore, since the plunger 19 having the spiral groove 41 can be manufactured by a lathe, the manufacturing facility can be eliminated, and the manufacturing of the plunger 19 can be facilitated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and constituent elements may be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some of the components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. The constituent elements in the different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. A three-way valve comprising:

a housing having a first opening, a second opening facing the first opening, and a third opening located between the first opening and the second opening and near the first opening;

a cylindrical portion disposed along a line connecting the first opening and the second opening in the housing, a first end portion of the cylindrical portion being located near the first opening and the third opening, and a second end portion communicating with the second opening;

a plunger movably provided in the cylindrical portion, the plunger having a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a groove provided in a surface thereof, the groove communicating the third opening portion with the second opening portion when the third end portion closes the first opening portion, and the groove being positioned in the cylindrical portion to communicate the first opening portion with the third opening portion when the fourth end portion closes the second opening portion;

an elastic member that biases the plunger in one of the first opening direction and the second opening direction; and

and a solenoid provided around the cylindrical portion and moving the plunger in a direction opposite to the biasing force of the elastic member.

2. The three-way valve according to claim 1,

the plunger is cylindrical, and includes a flange having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion, which is provided at the third end portion, a first portion adjacent to the flange and having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and having the groove on the surface.

3. The three-way valve according to claim 2,

the groove is linear.

4. The three-way valve according to claim 2,

the grooves are helical.

5. The three-way valve according to claim 2,

the plunger has a third portion between the first portion and the second portion that is smaller than the diameter of the first portion, the slot communicating with the third portion.