CN114909494A

CN114909494A - Temperature control valve

Info

Publication number: CN114909494A
Application number: CN202210101873.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马跃; 郑自腾
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2021-02-10
Filing date: 2022-01-27
Publication date: 2022-08-16

Abstract

The application provides a temperature-sensing valve, it includes shell and valve body. The housing includes a hemispherical inner surface and a plurality of nozzles. The valve body is rotatably mounted in the housing about an axis of rotation, the valve body including a hemispherical outer surface and at least one valve body passage including at least two valve body openings on the outer surface. Wherein the axis of rotation passes through a geometric center and a vertex of the hemisphere corresponding to the outer surface of the valve body, and the at least two valve body openings are located between the geometric center and the vertex of the hemisphere corresponding to the outer surface of the valve body, wherein the at least two valve body openings are selectively communicable with the plurality of nozzles of the housing by rotation of the valve body. The temperature control valve has the advantages of compact structure, simplicity in assembly and small fluid flow resistance.

Description

Temperature control valve

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of temperature control valves.

Background

The temperature control valve comprises a shell, a valve body and a sealing piece. The valve body is disposed in the housing. A seal is disposed between the valve body and the housing. A mounting structure is therefore needed to hold the seal in place between the valve body and the housing.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present application may address at least some of the above-mentioned issues. The application provides a temperature-sensing valve, which comprises a shell and a valve body. The housing includes a hemispherical inner surface and a plurality of nozzles. The valve body is rotatably mounted in the housing about an axis of rotation, the valve body including a hemispherical outer surface and at least one valve body passage including at least two valve body openings on the outer surface. Wherein the axis of rotation passes through a hemispherical geometric center and apex of the outer surface of the valve body, the at least two valve body openings being located between the hemispherical geometric center and apex of the outer surface of the valve body, wherein the at least two valve body openings are selectively communicable with the plurality of nozzles of the housing by rotation of the valve body.

According to the thermo-valve described above, the rotation axis also passes through the geometric center and vertex of the hemisphere corresponding to the inner surface of the housing.

According to the temperature control valve, the shell is in a hollow hemispherical shape.

The thermostat valve of the above aspect further comprising a plurality of sealing members disposed between the housing and the valve body, each sealing member being disposed about a respective one of the ports, the sealing members having an inner sealing surface that is form-fitted and in sealing contact with the outer surface of the valve body and an outer sealing surface that is form-fitted and in sealing contact with the inner surface of the housing.

According to the thermo-valve described above, the sealing member is fitted on the inner surface of the case by the mounting structures provided on the sealing member and the case.

According to the thermo-valve, the mounting structure comprises a mounting groove arranged on the outer sealing surface of the sealing element and a mounting protrusion arranged on the inner surface of the outer shell.

According to the above thermostat valve, the mounting groove in the sealing member is defined by an inner flange and an outer flange extending from the outer sealing surface, the inner flange and the outer flange extending around the sealing member passage of the sealing member, the inner flange being located between the sealing member passage and the outer flange, and the mounting groove being located between the inner flange and the outer flange. Wherein, when the seal is installed in place on the inner surface of the housing, the inner surface of the inner flange extends continuously with the inner surface of the spout of the housing such that the inner flange can be compressed against the installation protrusion by the fluid in the spout.

According to the thermo-valve described above, the inner layer flange and the outer layer flange extend on the left and right sides and the lower side of the seal member passage.

According to the temperature control valve, the sealing element further comprises a blocking part extending out of the outer sealing surface, the blocking part is located on the upper side of the sealing element channel, and the blocking part is matched with the inner surface of the shell to position the sealing element.

According to the above thermostat valve, the housing includes four of the nozzles, which are symmetrically arranged around the rotation axis and located between the apex and the geometric center of the hemisphere corresponding to the inner surface of the housing.

According to the thermo-valve, the at least one valve body passage is a valve body passage, the valve body passage includes a first valve body opening and a second valve body opening on an outer surface of the valve body, and the first valve body opening and the second valve body opening are configured such that the first valve body opening/the second valve body opening can be simultaneously connected to two adjacent nozzles of the four nozzles of the housing.

According to the temperature control valve, the at least one valve body channel is two valve body channels, the two valve body channels respectively comprise a first pair of valve body openings and a second pair of valve body openings which are located on the outer surface of the valve body, and the first pair of valve body openings and the second pair of valve body openings are symmetrically arranged around the rotation axis, so that the first pair of valve body openings and the second pair of valve body openings can be simultaneously and respectively connected with the four pipe orifices of the shell.

The temperature control valve has the advantages of compact structure, simplicity in assembly and small fluid flow resistance.

Drawings

The features and advantages of the present application may be better understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

fig. 1A is a perspective view of a temperature control valve according to a first embodiment of the present application, as seen from above;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A, as viewed from above;

FIG. 1C is an exploded view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A, looking down and up;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the valve body of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1B, looking down from above;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the valve body shown in FIG. 2A, looking from below up;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the valve body shown in FIG. 2A taken along line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing of the temperature control valve shown in FIG. 1B, as viewed from above;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the sealing member of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1B, looking from the inside out;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the seal shown in FIG. 4A from the outside inward;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the temperature controlled valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A;

FIG. 5B is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line B-B;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A in a first rotational position of the valve body;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A in a second rotational position of the valve body;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A in a third rotational position of the valve body;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A in a fourth rotational position of the valve body;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of the thermostatic valve shown in FIG. 1A taken along line A-A in a fifth rotational position of the valve body;

fig. 7A is a perspective view of a valve body of a temperature control valve according to a second embodiment of the present application, as seen from above;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the valve body shown in FIG. 7A, looking from below up;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the valve body shown in FIG. 7A taken along the horizontal direction;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a thermostatic valve including the valve body shown in FIG. 7A taken along line A-A in a first rotational position of the valve body;

fig. 8B is a sectional view of a thermostatic valve including the valve body shown in fig. 7A taken along the line a-a in a second rotational position of the valve body.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It should be understood that in the following drawings, like parts are given like reference numerals.

Various embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It should be understood that although directional terms, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and the like may be used herein to describe various example structural portions and elements of the application, these terms are used herein for convenience in description only and are to be construed as being based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Because the embodiments disclosed herein can be arranged in a variety of orientations, these directional terms are used for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting.

Ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein only for distinguishing and identifying, and do not have any other meanings, unless otherwise specified, either by indicating a particular sequence or by indicating a particular relationship. For example, the term "first valve body opening" does not itself imply the presence of a "second valve body opening", nor does the term "second valve body opening" itself imply the presence of a "first valve body opening".

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a thermo-valve 100 according to a first embodiment of the present application, viewed from above, fig. 1B is an exploded view of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1A, and fig. 1C is an exploded view of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1A, viewed from below. As shown in fig. 1A to 1C, the thermo-valve 100 includes a housing 110, a valve body 120, a cover 140, a driving device 150, and four sealing members 130. The valve body 120 is disposed in the housing 110 and is rotatable with respect to the housing 110. Four seals 130 are disposed between the housing 110 and the valve body 120. The cover 140 covers and is fixed to the housing 110. A driving means 150 is provided on the cover 140 for driving the valve body 120 to rotate relative to the housing 110. The housing 110 is provided with four nozzles 310 (see fig. 3), and the valve body 120 is provided with a first valve body opening 252 and a second valve body opening 254 (see fig. 2). When the valve body 120 is rotated relative to the housing 110, the first and second

valve body openings

252, 254 on the valve body 120 can be aligned or misaligned with the four orifices 310 on the housing 110, thereby controllably communicating at least two of the four orifices 310 through the valve body 120.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the valve body 120 of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1B, as viewed from above. Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the valve body 120 shown in fig. 2A, viewed from below. Fig. 2C is a sectional view of the valve body 120 shown in fig. 2A in a direction along the line a-a in fig. 1A (i.e., a horizontal direction). As shown in fig. 2A-2C, the valve body 120 includes a valve body 201 and a valve body shaft 202. The valve body 201 is generally hemispherical in shape having a geometric center O1 and an apex P1. The line connecting the geometric center O1 and the vertex P1 is the rotation axis X. The outer surface 210 of the valve body 201 is hemispherical. The outer surface 210 comprises a first outer surface portion 212 located to the left of the rotation axis X and a second outer surface portion 214 located to the right of the rotation axis X. The valve body 201 includes a valve body passage 250. The valve body passage 250 is disposed through the valve body 201 and forms a first valve body opening 252 and a second valve body opening 254 on the first outer surface portion 212 and the second outer surface portion 214, respectively, of the outer surface 210. The first and second

valve body openings

252 and 254 are located on the left and right sides of the apex point P1, and between the geometric center O1 and the apex point P1 of the valve body 201. The first and second

valve body openings

252, 254 are substantially cashew shaped on the outer surface 210. A valve body shaft 202 is formed extending upward from an upper portion of the valve body main body 201 for cooperation with the driving device 150. The valve body shaft 202 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 203 on its circumferential surface to prevent relative movement in the circumferential direction when the valve body shaft 202 is engaged with the drive device 150. The bottom of the valve body 201 is also provided with a recess 204. The recess 204 is formed recessed upward from the apex P of the valve body 201 to fit with the protrusion 302 in the housing 110 (see fig. 3).

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 110 of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1B, as viewed from above. As shown in fig. 3, the housing 110 includes a housing main body 301 and four connection pipes 303. The housing body 301 is a hollow hemispherical shape defining a housing receptacle 304 and an upper housing opening. The inner surface 330 of the housing body 301 is the inner wall of the housing cavity 304. The inner surface 330 has a geometric center of sphere O2 and an apex P2. When the valve body 120 is disposed in the housing 110, the axis of rotation X of the valve body 120 also passes through the geometric center of sphere O2 and the apex P2. An annular recess 320 is provided on the inner surface 330. The annular recess 320 is provided around the top of the inner surface 330, which is formed recessed from the inner surface 330 toward the housing main body 301. The radius of the annular recess 320 is greater than the radius of the inner surface 330 such that the surface of the annular recess 320 forms a step with the inner surface 330 for receiving the protrusion 141 on the cap 140 (see fig. 1C). Four connection pipes 303 are connected to the casing main body 301. More specifically, the four connection pipes 303 are hollow circular pipes. Each connector tube 303 has a connector tube central axis and a nozzle 310 formed on an inner surface 330. The nozzles 310 are symmetrically disposed about the rotation axis X and are located between the geometric center O2 of the hemisphere corresponding to the inner surface 330 of the housing 110 and the apex P2. In the present embodiment, the coupling tube center axes of the four coupling tubes 303 are located on the same plane, and the four coupling tubes 303 are formed in a cross shape on the housing main body 301. The central axes of the connecting pipes of the two connecting pipes 303 are arranged along a first axis, and the central axes of the connecting pipes of the other two connecting pipes 303 are arranged along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The shape and size of the valve body passage 250 are configured to enable communication of two or three of the four nozzles 310 through the valve body passage 250. In other words, the first valve body opening 252 of the valve body passage 250 is configured to be simultaneously connectable with two adjacent nozzles 310 of the four nozzles 310 of the housing 110, and the second valve body opening 254 of the valve body passage 250 is configured to be simultaneously connectable with two adjacent nozzles 310 of the four nozzles 310 of the housing 110. Further, the bottom of the case main body 301 is also provided with a projection 302. The projection 302 is formed extending upward from the inner surface 330 of the bottom of the housing main body 301 for being accommodated in the recess 204 (see fig. 2B) of the valve body main body 201.

As shown in fig. 1B-1C, four seals 130 are disposed between the housing 110 and the valve body 120 such that the housing 110 and the valve body 120 form a seal. The housing 110 is provided with four nozzles 310, and the four sealing members 130 are respectively disposed corresponding to the four nozzles 310. Each seal 130 is disposed about a respective nozzle 310. The seal 130 is mounted to the inner surface 330 of the housing 110 by a mounting structure. The mounting structure includes a mounting protrusion 360 provided on the outer shell 110 and a mounting groove 460 provided on the sealing member 130. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, four mounting bosses 360 are provided on the inner surface 330 of the housing 110. The mounting boss 360 is generally U-shaped and projects inwardly from the inner surface 330. Wherein the U-shaped mounting projection 360 is disposed around the nozzle 310, and the opening direction of the U-shape is disposed upward. The U-shaped opening of the mounting protrusion 360 is provided with a blocking recess 363 formed to be recessed outward from the inner surface 330 of the housing 110. The blocking recess 363 is provided with a protrusion 361 which is disposed at the middle of the blocking recess 363 and is formed to protrude inward from the blocking recess 363. The bottom of the mounting boss 360 is provided with a recess 362 formed recessed outward from the inner surface of the mounting boss 360. The blocking recess 363, the protrusion 361, and the recess 362 are each configured to cooperate with the seal 130 to position the seal 130.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the sealing member 130 of the thermostatic valve 100 shown in fig. 1B, as viewed from the inside to the outside, and fig. 4B is a perspective view of the sealing member 130 shown in fig. 4A, as viewed from the outside to the inside. As shown in fig. 4A-4B, the lower and side portions of the seal 130 form outer edges that are generally U-shaped. The middle of the seal 130 is provided with a seal passage 480 that extends through the seal 130. The seal 130 includes an inner sealing surface 420 and an outer sealing surface 440. The outer sealing surface 440 is provided with a U-shaped mounting slot 460 disposed generally at its outer edge. The mounting groove 460 is formed depressed inward from the outer sealing surface 440. The mounting groove 460 defines a U-shaped inner flange 462 that is closer to the seal channel 480 and a U-shaped outer flange 464 that is further from the seal channel 480. In other words, the inner and

outer layer flanges

462, 464 extend on the left and right sides and underside of the seal channel 480. The mounting protrusion 360 provided on the outer case 110 can be received in the mounting groove 460. In addition, the seal 130 further includes a barrier 490 formed to extend outwardly from the outer sealing surface 440. The stop 490 is located on the upper side of the seal channel 480. Wherein, the blocking portion 490 is provided with a concave portion 471, and the concave portion 471 is formed to be depressed inwardly from an outer surface of the blocking portion 490. Wherein the stop 490 is configured to cooperate with the stop recess 363 of the inner surface 330 of the housing 110, and the recess 471 is configured to cooperate with the protrusion 361 of the stop recess 363 to position the seal 130. The inner sealing surface 420 is provided with a U-shaped sealing protrusion 430 formed to protrude inwardly from the inner sealing surface 420 and extend around the left and right sides and the lower side of the sealing member passage 480.

Fig. 5A is a sectional view of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1A taken along the line a-a. Fig. 5B is a partially enlarged view of fig. 5A. Fig. 5C is a sectional view of the thermo-valve 100 shown in fig. 1A taken along the line B-B. As shown in fig. 5A-5B, when the seal 130 and valve body 120 are installed in place on the outer housing 110, the mounting boss 360 provided on the outer housing 110 is received in the mounting slot 460 between the inner flange 462 and the outer flange 464. The outer sealing surface 440 of the seal 130 is in form-fitting and sealing contact with the inner surface 330 of the housing 110, and the sealing protrusion 430 on the inner sealing surface 420 is in contact and sealing contact with the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120. When the spout 310 on the housing 110 is misaligned with the first and second

valve body openings

252, 254 on the valve body 120 and the sealing protrusion 430 on the inner sealing surface 420 contacts the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120, the sealing protrusion 430 of the seal 130 and the enclosed area on the valve body 120 (i.e., the portion of the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120 that is aligned with the spout 310) can form a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) around the spout 310. Further, the seal 130 is further configured to: when the seal 130 is installed in place on the inner surface 330 of the housing 110, the inner surface 465 of the inner layer flange 462 extends continuously with the inner surface 315 of the nozzle 310 of the housing 110 to enable the inner layer flange 462 to be compressed against the mounting boss 360 by the fluid in the nozzle 310.

With continued reference to fig. 1A-1C, a cover 140 of the thermostatic valve 100 can be closed over the housing opening of the housing 110. The cover 140 is provided with a protrusion 141 formed to extend downward from a lower surface of the cover. The protrusion 141 is generally annular in shape to mate with the annular recess 320 on the housing 110. The protrusion 141 has a thickness such that when the cap 140 and the seal 130 are assembled on the housing 110, the protrusion 141 can abut against the upper edge of the seal 130 to hold the seal 130 in place (refer to fig. 5C). The cover 140 further has a through hole 142 extending therethrough for receiving the valve body shaft 202 of the valve body 120.

With continued reference to fig. 1A-1C, the driving means 150 of the temperature controlled valve 100 is disposed above the cap 140 for driving the rotation of the valve body 120. The bottom of the driving device 150 is provided with a receiving portion 151. The receiving portion 151 is formed recessed upward from the bottom of the driving device 150 to receive the valve body shaft 202 of the valve body 120. The wall surface of the housing 151 is configured to match the plurality of protrusions 203 on the circumferential surface of the valve body shaft 202, so as to prevent the valve body shaft 202 from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the valve body shaft 202 when the drive device 150 rotates the valve body shaft 202. As one example, the driving device 150 is a motor. The valve body shaft 202 of the valve body 120 passes through the through hole 142 of the cover 140 and is connected to the driving unit 150.

In the first embodiment of the present application, the valve body 120 has five rotational positions, respectively: a first rotational position, a second rotational position, a third rotational position, a fourth rotational position, and a fifth rotational position. Fig. 6A to 6E show cross-sectional views of the thermo-valve 100 taken along the line a-a shown in fig. 1A when the valve body 120 is in the above-described five rotational positions, respectively. To facilitate the description of the communication between the four nozzles 310 and the valve body passageway 250 in the valve body 120, the four nozzles are shown in FIGS. 6A-6D at

reference numerals

601, 602, 603, and 604, respectively. As shown in fig. 6A, when the valve body 120 is in the first rotational position, a portion of the first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) the spout 601, a portion of the second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) the spout 602, and the spout 603 and the spout 604 are disconnected due to the enclosed area of the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120 forming a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) with the sealing protrusions 430 of the two seals 130 disposed around the spout 603 and the spout 604. Thus, when the valve body 120 is in the first rotational position, the nozzle 601 communicates with the nozzle 602 through the valve body passage 250.

As shown in fig. 6B, when the valve body 120 is in the second rotational position, a portion of the first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) a portion of the spout 601, another portion of the first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) a portion of the spout 604, a portion of the second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) the spout 602, and the spout 603 is disconnected due to the enclosed area of the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120 forming a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) with the sealing protrusion 430 of the seal 130 disposed around the spout 603. Thus, when valve body 120 is in the second rotational position, nozzle 601, nozzle 602, and nozzle 604 communicate through valve body passage 250.

As shown in fig. 6C, when valve body 120 is in the third rotational position, a portion of first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 604, a portion of second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 602, and spout 601 and spout 603 are disconnected due to the enclosed area of outer surface 210 of valve body 120 forming a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) with sealing tabs 430 of two sealing members 130 disposed about spout 601 and spout 603. Thus, when valve body 120 is in the third rotational position, nozzle 602 communicates with nozzle 604 through valve body passage 250.

As shown in fig. 6D, when the valve body 120 is in the fourth rotational position, a portion of the first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) the spout 602, a portion of the second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) a portion of the spout 603, and another portion of the second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) a portion of the spout 604, the spout 601 is disconnected due to the sealing area of the outer surface 210 of the valve body 120 forming a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) with the sealing protrusion 430 of the seal 130 disposed around the spout 601. Thus, when valve body 120 is in the fourth rotational position, nozzle 602, nozzle 603, and nozzle 604 communicate through valve body passage 250.

As shown in fig. 6E, when valve body 120 is in the fifth rotational position, a portion of first valve body opening 252 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 602, a portion of second valve body opening 254 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) a portion of spout 603, and spout 601 and spout 604 are disconnected due to the enclosed area of outer surface 210 of valve body 120 forming a sealing pair (i.e., sealing contact) with sealing tabs 430 of two sealing members 130 disposed about spout 601 and spout 604. Thus, when valve body 120 is in the fifth rotational position, spout 602 and spout 603 communicate through valve body passage 250.

Thus, when the valve body 120 in the thermo-valve 100 is in different rotational positions, the connection and disconnection of different nozzles 310 can be achieved.

It should be noted that although only five rotational positions are shown in the present embodiment, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that with the valve body 120 in different rotational positions, the flow rates of different nozzles 310 can also be adjusted by changing the areas of the valve body openings (i.e., the first valve body opening 252 and the second valve body opening 254) on the valve body 120 aligned with the nozzles 310 in the state that the nozzles 310 are communicated.

Fig. 7A-8B show a second embodiment of the thermostatted valve of the present application. The structures of the housing 110, the cover 140, the driving device 150 and the four sealing members 130 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are not described herein again. The specific structure of the valve body 720 is also substantially similar to the specific structure of the valve body 120, with the following differences: the valve body 720 has two valve body passages, a first valve body passage 711 and a second valve body passage 712. The specific structure of the valve body 720 is described below:

fig. 7A is a perspective view of a valve body 720 of a thermo-valve of a second embodiment of the present application seen from above. Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the valve body 720 shown in fig. 7A, viewed from below and upwards. Fig. 7C is a sectional view of the valve body 720 shown in fig. 7A in the horizontal direction. As shown in fig. 7A-7C, the first and second

valve body passages

711 and 712, respectively, are generally V-shaped. Wherein the first valve body passage 711 forms a first pair of valve body openings on the outer surface 210 of the valve body 720, including the first valve body opening 701 and the second valve body opening 702, which are arranged substantially at 90 °. The second valve body passage 712 forms a second pair of valve body openings on the outer surface 210 of the valve body 720, including a third valve body opening 703 and a fourth valve body opening 704 arranged substantially at 90 °. The first and second pairs of valve body openings are symmetrically arranged about the axis of rotation X so that they can be simultaneously aligned with (or overlap or connect to) the four orifices 310.

Fig. 8A is a sectional view of the thermo-valve of the second embodiment of the present application in the horizontal direction, in which the valve body 720 is located at the first rotational position. Fig. 8B is a sectional view of the thermo-valve of the second embodiment of the present application in the horizontal direction, in which the valve body 720 is located at the second rotational position. To facilitate the description of the communication relationship between the four nozzles 310 and the first and second

valve body passages

711 and 712 in the valve body 720, the four nozzles are shown in FIGS. 8A-8B with

reference numerals

601, 602, 603, and 604, respectively. As shown in fig. 8A, when valve body 720 is in the first rotational position, first valve body opening 701 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 601, second valve body opening 702 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 604, third valve body opening 703 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 603, and fourth valve body opening 704 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 602. Thus, when valve body 720 is in the first rotational position, nozzle 601 communicates with nozzle 604 through first valve body passage 711, and nozzle 602 communicates with nozzle 603 through second valve body passage 712.

As shown in fig. 8B, when valve body 720 is in the second rotational position, first valve body opening 701 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 602, second valve body opening 702 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 601, third valve body opening 703 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 604, and fourth valve body opening 704 is aligned with (or overlaps or connects with) spout 603. Thus, when valve body 720 is in the second rotational position, nozzle 601 communicates with nozzle 602 through first valve body passage 711, and nozzle 603 communicates with nozzle 604 through second valve body passage 712.

It should be noted that, although only two rotational positions are shown in the present embodiment, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that, with the valve body 720 in different rotational positions, the flow rates of different nozzles 310 can be adjusted by changing the areas of the valve body openings (i.e., the first valve body opening 701, the second valve body opening 703, the third valve body opening 703 and the fourth valve body opening 704) on the valve body 720 aligned with the nozzles 310 in the state that the nozzles 310 are communicated. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when the valve body 720 is rotated, it may also disconnect all of the nozzles 310.

It should be noted that although four connection pipes 303, four nozzles 310 and four corresponding sealing members 130 are illustrated, those skilled in the art will understand that at least two connection pipes 303 and a corresponding number of sealing members 130 are within the scope of the present application.

It should be noted that although the valves in the two embodiments are named as thermostatic valves for switching the flow paths of the fluids having different temperatures and/or mixing the fluids having different temperatures, the valves may be used as switching valves or regulating valves according to the use environment. For example, the thermo-valve of the first embodiment of the present application may be used as a regulating valve, and the thermo-valve of the second embodiment of the present application may be used as a switching valve.

The temperature control valve at least has the advantages of compact structure and simplicity in assembly. Specifically, the valve body and the housing are both hemispherical in shape in this application, which can be fittingly assembled together and clamp the seal therebetween. The seal is also generally part of a hemisphere in shape so that it can fit well into the valve body and housing to make good sealing contact. In addition, because the mounting structure is arranged on the shell and the sealing element, the sealing element is simple to assemble. The sealing member can be mounted on the housing by fitting the mounting groove and the mounting projection. In addition, the thermo-valve of the present application also has a small flow resistance because the inner edge of the sealing member (i.e., the inner surface 465 of the inner flange 462) and the inner surface of the nozzle of the housing (i.e., the inner surface 315 of the nozzle 310) are provided to extend continuously, so that the sealing member has a small resistance to the fluid when the fluid flows in the thermo-valve, and the flow of the fluid can also press the sealing member against the housing.

While the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with examples of the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the technical effects and/or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary rather than limiting; the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and/or may be used to solve other technical problems. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all known or earlier-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A thermostatted valve (100), characterized in that it comprises:

a housing (110), the housing (110) comprising a hemispherical inner surface (330) and a plurality of nozzles (310); and

a valve body rotatably mounted in the housing (110) about a rotational axis (X), the valve body comprising a hemispherical outer surface (210) and at least one valve body passage (250), the at least one valve body passage (250) comprising at least two valve body openings located on the outer surface (210);

wherein the rotation axis (X) passes through a geometrical centre of sphere (O) of a hemisphere corresponding to the outer surface (210) of the valve body ₁ ) And vertex (P) ₁ ) The at least two valve body openings are positioned at the geometric centre of sphere (O) of the hemisphere corresponding to the outer surface (210) of the valve body ₁ ) And vertex (P) ₁ ) Wherein the at least two valve body openings are capable of communicating with the housing (110) by rotation of the valve bodyA plurality of nozzles (310) are selectively in communication.

2. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that:

the rotation axis (X) also passes through the geometric centre (O) of the hemisphere corresponding to the inner surface (310) of the housing (110) ₂ ) And vertex (P) ₂ )。

3. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that:

the housing (110) is hollow and hemispherical.

4. The thermostatted valve (100) as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of seals (130), the plurality of seals (130) disposed between the housing (110) and the valve body, each seal (130) disposed about a respective one of the nozzles (310), the seals (130) having an inner sealing surface (420) and an outer sealing surface (440), the inner sealing surface (420) being form-fitted and in sealing contact with the outer surface (210) of the valve body, the outer sealing surface (440) being form-fitted and in sealing contact with the inner surface (330) of the housing (110).

5. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that:

the seal (130) is mounted to an inner surface (330) of the housing (110) by mounting structures provided on the seal (130) and the housing (110).

6. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that:

the mounting structure includes a mounting groove (460) disposed on the outer sealing surface (440) of the seal (130) and a mounting protrusion (360) disposed on the inner surface (330) of the housing (110).

7. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that:

the mounting groove (460) on the seal (130) is defined by an inner flange (462) and an outer flange (464) extending from the outer sealing surface (440), the inner flange (462) and the outer flange (464) extending around a seal channel (480) of the seal (130), the inner flange (462) being positioned between the seal channel (480) and the outer flange (464), the mounting groove (460) being positioned between the inner flange (462) and the outer flange (464);

wherein, when the seal (130) is installed in place on the inner surface (310) of the housing (110), the inner surface (465) of the inner flange (462) extends continuously with the inner surface (315) of the spout (310) of the housing (110) such that the inner flange (462) can be compressed against the mounting boss (360) by fluid in the spout (310).

8. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that:

the inner layer flange (462) and the outer layer flange (464) extend on both left and right sides and an underside of the seal channel (480).

9. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that:

the seal (130) further comprises a stop (490) extending from the outer sealing surface (440), the stop (490) being located at an upper side of the seal channel (480), the stop (490) cooperating with an inner surface (330) of the housing (110) to position the seal (130).

10. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that:

the housing (110) comprises four nozzles (310), the four nozzles (310) are symmetrically arranged around the rotation axis (X) and are positioned at the geometric spherical center (O) of a hemisphere corresponding to the inner surface (310) of the housing (110) ₂ ) And vertex (P) ₂ ) In the meantime.

11. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that:

the at least one valve body passage is one valve body passage (250), the valve body passage (250) includes a first valve body opening (252) and a second valve body opening (254) on the outer surface (210) of the valve body, the first valve body opening (252) and the second valve body opening (254) are configured such that the first valve body opening (252)/the second valve body opening (254) can be simultaneously connected with two adjacent nozzles (310) of the four nozzles (310) of the housing (110).

12. Thermostatted valve (100) as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that:

the at least one valve body passage is two valve body passages, the two valve body passages respectively comprise a first pair of valve body openings and a second pair of valve body openings which are positioned on the outer surface (210) of the valve body, and the first pair of valve body openings and the second pair of valve body openings are symmetrically arranged around the rotation axis (X), so that the first pair of valve body openings and the second pair of valve body openings can be simultaneously and respectively connected with the four pipe orifices (310) of the shell (110).