EP1865275A2 - Expansion valve - Google Patents
Expansion valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1865275A2 EP1865275A2 EP07009857A EP07009857A EP1865275A2 EP 1865275 A2 EP1865275 A2 EP 1865275A2 EP 07009857 A EP07009857 A EP 07009857A EP 07009857 A EP07009857 A EP 07009857A EP 1865275 A2 EP1865275 A2 EP 1865275A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- expansion valve
- axis
- hole
- power element
- thread
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/30—Expansion means; Dispositions thereof
- F25B41/31—Expansion valves
- F25B41/33—Expansion valves with the valve member being actuated by the fluid pressure, e.g. by the pressure of the refrigerant
- F25B41/335—Expansion valves with the valve member being actuated by the fluid pressure, e.g. by the pressure of the refrigerant via diaphragms
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2341/00—Details of ejectors not being used as compression device; Details of flow restrictors or expansion valves
- F25B2341/06—Details of flow restrictors or expansion valves
- F25B2341/068—Expansion valves combined with a sensor
- F25B2341/0683—Expansion valves combined with a sensor the sensor is disposed in the suction line and influenced by the temperature or the pressure of the suction gas
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25B2500/01—Geometry problems, e.g. for reducing size
Definitions
- the invention relates to a mounting structure according to the preamble of claim 1, more particularly for mounting an expansion valve in a refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner.
- a refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner comprises a compressor that compresses refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant, a receiver that temporarily stores refrigerant and separates the condensed refrigerant into a gas and a liquid, an expansion valve that throttles and expands the liquid refrigerant obtained by gas/liquid separation, and an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve.
- the expansion valve is implemented e.g. by a thermostatic expansion valve.
- a known thermostatic expansion valve configured to sense the temperature and pressure of refrigerant at the outlet of an evaporator and to control the refrigerant flow rate to the evaporator includes a body with a first passage between a receiver and the evaporator, and a second return passage between the evaporator and a compressor.
- a valve section in the first passage controls the flow rate.
- a power element in the body at a location on the second passage side senses the temperature and pressure in the second passage, and controls the valve lift.
- the body is made by cutting an extrusion-moulded blank of an aluminium alloy into a prism-like block to prepare a half-finished solid part.
- the first and second passages, and a power element connection portion are formed, by cutting. The cutting process takes much time, degrades the yield from the material, and increases the manufacturing costs.
- JP-A-10-267470 proposes a blow extrusion moulded body.
- the second passage is simple and straight, the second passage simultaneously is formed by extrusion moulding. This omits a hole-forming process by cutting the second passage, saves material of the aluminium alloy, and is an improvement of the manufacturing efficiency of the body to some extent.
- it is required to extrude the aluminium alloy in a fixed extruding direction and hence it can be applied only to a straight shape without a varying cross-section.
- This technique cannot be applied to the formation of a first passage in the intermediate portion of which the valve section is integrally formed.
- sealing surfaces for sealing members are to be formed for pipes leading to the compressor, the receiver, and the evaporator.
- the sealing surfaces are formed as increased-diameter portions and cannot be formed by extrusion moulding. There is no other way than to perform cutting when forming these portions. For these reasons the saving of material and the improvement of the manufacturing efficiency as achieved are not sufficient.
- a sealing portion is formed by a tool, such as a drill, the axis of the tool can become offset from the axis of the passage, so that off-centred load can be applied to the tool and the body during the cutting process, which can cause a trouble in cutting.
- a juncture between the body and the power element has a screwing structure, which needs to thread a portion of the body. This also degrades the manufacturing efficiency and increases manufacturing costs.
- It is an object of the present invention is to improve the manufacturing efficiency of a body of and to reduce the manufacturing cost of an expansion valve.
- the expansion valve passes introduced refrigerant through a valve section in the body to throttle and expand the refrigerant.
- the body accommodating the valve section is formed integrally with a thread part for connecting a power element by using forming dies.
- an inlet port, an outlet port, a hole for receiving therein a valve element and a set value-adjusting member, a valve hole, a hole for receiving therein a member that transmits an actuating force dependent on temperature sensed by the power element to the valve element, and the thread part for having the power element connected thereto are formed integrally with the body.
- the housing by forming a housing that is connected to the thread part formed on the body, in a one-turn thread configuration such that an inner peripheral edge of a central opening thereof is continuously displaced in an axial direction over an angle range of smaller than 360 degrees, the housing can be simply formed by pressing. This makes it unnecessary to carry out thread cutting steps, and hence it is possible to further reduce the manufacturing cost of the expansion valve.
- An expansion valve 1 in Fig. 1 (first embodiment) comprises a valve section 2 and a power element 3.
- the valve section 2 includes a body 4.
- the body 4 has sides integrally formed with a high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant inlet port 5 connected to a receiver of the refrigeration cycle, and a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant outlet port 6 connected to an evaporator.
- a valve hole 7 between the inlet and outlet ports 5, 6.
- the valve hole 7 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axes of the inlet and outlet ports 5, 6.
- the body 4 has a hole 8, larger in diameter than the valve hole 7 that extends downward from the valve hole 7 through the body 4 in the direction of the axis of the valve hole 7.
- the hole 8 contains a valve element 9, triangular in cross-section.
- the valve element 9 is urged by a spring 10 in valve closing direction.
- the spring 10 is received by a spring-receiving member 11 press-fitted in the opening of the hole 8.
- the load of the spring 10 is adjusted by the press-fitting depth of the spring-receiving member 11 in the opening of the hole 8, to adjust a set value of the expansion valve 1.
- the body 4 is also formed with a hole 12, slightly smaller in diameter than the valve hole 7.
- the hole 12 extends upward from the valve hole 7 through the body 4 in the direction of the axis of the valve hole 7.
- the hole 12 contains a shaft 13 integrally formed with the valve element 9.
- the shaft 13 has a reduced-diameter portion 13a facing a the inlet port 5, defining a refrigerant passage from the inlet port 5 into the valve hole 7.
- a circumferential groove in the periphery of a of the shaft 13 within the valve hole 12 contains a V-packing 14 for preventing that high-pressure refrigerant leaks via a clearance between the shaft 13 and the body 4 from the inlet port 5 to the power element 3.
- a protruding hollow cylindrical guide 15 is formed on a central part of an upper portion of the body 4 for guiding the shaft 13.
- An external thread 16 is formed on the outer periphery of the guide 15.
- the power element 3 comprises an upper housing 17, a lower housing 18 (thick metal discs), a diaphragm 19 made of a flexible metal sheet partitioning a space enclosed by the housings 17 and 18, and a disc 20 on the side of the diaphragm 19 facing the valve section 2.
- the power element 3 is formed by welding the peripheral edges of the upper housing 17, the lower housing 18, and the diaphragm 19 to each other e.g. by TIG welding.
- the temperature-sensing chamber is filled with saturated vapour gas via a gas introducing hole 21 formed in the upper housing 17.
- the gas introducing hole 21 is closed by a metal ball 22 e.g. by resistance-welding.
- the temperature-sensing chamber has to sense the temperature of refrigerant coming from the evaporator.
- the lower housing 18 has gas-passing holes 25 and an open central portion integrally formed with a hollow cylindrical hub 23.
- the hub 23 has an internal thread fitting on the external thread 15.
- the gas-passing holes 25 lead refrigerant from the evaporator into a space below the diaphragm 19. The amount of introduced refrigerant is adjusted by either changing the size of each gas-passing hole or by varying the number of gas-passing holes.
- the body 4 is formed by die-casting a metal, to dispense with mechanical machining such as cutting.
- the body 4 in Fig. 4 can be made by die-casting of an aluminium alloy, a zinc alloy, or another metal.
- an aluminium alloy die-casting apparatus including a first die 30, a second die 40, and a third die 50.
- the first die 30 and the second die 40 are actuated by an actuator, not shown, in horizontal directions in Fig. 2.
- the third die 50 is actuated by an actuator, not shown, in vertical directions.
- the first die 30 on a side opposed to the second die 40 has a cavity 31 forming the portion of the body 4 with the inlet port 5. Within the cavity 31, a port and passage-forming portion 32 protrudes toward the second die 40, for forming the inlet port 5, and further, a thread-forming portion 33 forms half of the external thread 16.
- the second die 40 on a side opposed to the first die 30 has a cavity 41 for forming the portion of the body 4 with the outlet port 6. Within the cavity 41, an outlet port passage-forming portion 42 protrudes toward the first die 30, and a thread-forming portion 43 forms the other half of the external thread 16.
- the third die 50 has a cavity 51 forming the portion of the body 4 where the spring-receiving member 11 will be press-fitted.
- a hole-forming portion 52, a valve hole-forming portion 53, and a hole-forming portion 54 are protruding upward for forming the hole 8, the valve hole 7, and the hole 12.
- the first to third dies 30, 40, 50 are formed in opposed surfaces with injection passage-forming grooves, not shown, for pouring in molten aluminium alloy, and exhaust passage-forming grooves, not shown, for evacuating the cavities 31, 41, and 51, and with insertion holes for inserting tools for releasing the casting from the dies.
- molten aluminium alloy is poured via the injection holes into the tightly fastened die set of the first to third dies 30, 40, 50.
- the aluminium alloy may be an Al-Si-Cu alloy having excellent castability.
- the third die 50 is pulled downward and then the first and second dies 30, 40, 40 are separated from each other.
- the first and second dies 30, 40 are moved in horizontal directions while causing inserted releasing tools to be pushed against the casting.
- the body 4 can be formed integrally with the inlet port 5, the outlet port 6, the valve hole 7, the holes 8 and 12, and the external thread 16..
- the respective axes of the inlet and outlet ports 5, 6 can be identical or parallel with each other.
- the hole 8, the valve hole 7, and the hole 12 are disposed on the same axis in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axes of the ports 5, 6, and, such that they have respective inner diameters sequentially reduced in the mentioned order.
- the die apparatus may comprise a plurality of sets of first to third dies 30, 40, 50 in parallel with each other, which all are simultaneously operated in the three directions. This allows to easily construct a die-casting apparatus which permits a plurality of castings to be obtained at any given time.
- the die-cast body 4 in Figs 3A, 3B has a hollow cylindrical part 5a defining the inlet port 5 and extending in the direction of separating the first die 30, a hollow cylindrical part 6a defining the outlet port 6 and extending in the direction of separating the second die 40, and a hollow cylindrical part 8a defining the hole 8 and a guide 15 defining the hole 12, extending in the direction of separating the third die 50.
- the external thread 16 on the outer periphery of the guide 15 is a partial thread in which portions of an outer peripheral surface of the guide 15 facing in directions at right angles to the respective directions of separating the first and second dies 30, 40 are not threaded, and comprise a thread portion 16a formed on an outer peripheral portion facing in the direction of separating the first die 30 and a thread portion 16b formed on an outer peripheral portion in the direction of separating the second die 40.
- the body 4 is shown with an extending part 4a extended in a direction at right angles to the respective directions of separating the first and second dies 30, 40, serving to position the expansion valve 1 when incorporated in the refrigeration cycle later.
- the expansion valve 1 in Figs 4 and 5 is mounted in a return low-pressure pipe between the evaporator 60 and the compressor, such that the expansion valve 1 is accommodated in the pipe in its entirety.
- the connection of the inlet port 5 to a high-pressure pipe 61 through which condensed liquid refrigerant is supplied and the connection of the outlet port 6 via which the expanded refrigerant is delivered to an inlet pipe 62 of the evaporator 60 are also established within the return low-pressure pipe.
- the evaporator 60 in Fig. 4 is integrally formed with a casing 64 e.g. by furnace brazing, such the casing 64 surrounds the inlet pipe 62 and a refrigerant outlet port 63.
- An end of the low-pressure pipe 65 is welded to a joint 66 (via a portion indicated by a black triangle), and the joint 65 is hermetically connected to the casing 64 by a pipe clamp 67.
- the low-pressure pie 65 and the high-pressure pipe 61 commonly form a double pipe with the high-pressure pipe 61 coaxially arranged within the low-pressure pipe 65.
- the expansion valve 1 carries a heat insulation cover 68 made of resin or rubber attached to cover the power element 3.
- the expansion valve 1 is positioned in Fig. 5 in the centre of the casing 64.
- the extended part 4a of the body 4 and the heat insulation cover 68 have respective outer contours fitting into the inner shape of the casing 64.
- the expansion valve 1 is mounted as follows: As the evaporator 60 and the casing 64 are integrally welded such that the inlet pipe 62 of the evaporator 60 protrudes into the casing 64, first, an O-ring is fitted on the inlet pipe 62, and then the expansion valve 1 is pushed into the casing 64 until the inlet pipe 62 is fitted in the outlet port 6. An O-ring is fitted on the inlet port 5 of the expansion valve 1 in advance, or at this time. The inlet port 5 then is positioned such that it can be fitted in the high-pressure pipe 61, and the joint part 66 having O-rings fitted beforehand in respective grooves formed by bending the end portion of the joint part 66 is pushed into the casing 64. Finally, a connecting portion of the casing 64 and that of the joint part 66 are connected by the pipe clamp 67.
- the inlet port 5 is connected to the high-pressure pipe 61, and the outlet port 6 is connected to the inlet pipe 62 of the evaporator 60. Because the expansion valve 1 is accommodated in the low-pressure return pipe from the evaporator 60, together with the juncture to the high-pressure pipe 61 the entire arrangement is leakagesafe. Even if a minute amount of high-pressure refrigerant leaks out via the O-ring at the juncture, the leaked out refrigerant will remain in the low-pressure return pipe but cannot leak out into the atmosphere.
- the refrigerant is supplied through the inlet pipe 62 to the evaporator 60, and is evaporated in the evaporator 60 to flow out from the refrigerant outlet 63.
- the refrigerant delivered from the evaporator 60 is returned to the compressor via the casing 64 and the low-pressure pipe 65.
- the temperature of the refrigerant returning from the evaporator 60 is high due to heat exchange with high-temperature air in a vehicle compartment.
- the diaphragm 19 actuates the valve element 9 in valve opening direction.
- the expansion valve 1 is fully opened.
- the diaphragm 19 controls the expansion valve 1 in valve closing direction to control the flow rate.
- the expansion valve 1 detects the temperature at the outlet of the evaporator 60, and controls the flow rate to the evaporator 60 such that the refrigerant maintains a predetermined degree of superheat.
- the power element 3 Since the power element 3 is disposed in the low-pressure return pipe from the evaporator 60 the temperature could immediately be detected by the entire power element 3. For this reason, the power element 3 would have a very short temperature-sensing time constant, and the response to a change in the temperature of refrigerant would be so sensitive as to perform an excessive feedback correction on the operation of the valve section 2, which can result in a periodic pressure variation (hunting). To eliminate this inconvenience, the provided heat insulation cover 68 somewhat blocks the heat transfer to the upper housing 17 to increase the temperature-sensing time constant.
- the expansion valve 1 a in Figs 6, 7 differs from the first embodiment, in that in the body 4 the respective axes of the inlet port 5 and the outlet port 6 are orthogonal to each other.
- This body 4 is also formed by a die-casting apparatus having a three-way separable die structure.
- the first die 30 forms the extended part 4a and the thread portion 16a of the external thread 16.
- the valve element 9, the spring 10 urging the valve element 9 in the valve closing direction, and the spring-receiving member 11 for receiving the spring 10 are disposed within the outlet port 6 of the body 4.
- the expansion valve 1 a is advantageous in a case where it is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the double pipe formed by the high-pressure pipe 61 and the low-pressure pipe 65 extending from an engine room where the compressor is disposed to the vehicle compartment where the evaporator 60 is disposed is substantially at right angles to directions in which the inlet pipe 62 of the evaporator 60 and the refrigerant outlet port 63 open.
- the return low-pressure pipe containing the expansion valve 1 a is bent at a right angle. More specifically, the evaporator 60 is integrally formed with the inlet pipe 62 and a connecting part 64a by furnace brazing.
- the casing 64 is connected to the connecting part 64a by the pipe clamp 67, and the joint part 66 is welded to an upper portion of the casing 64.
- the joint part 66 is connected to the low-pressure pipe 65 by the pipe clamp 67.
- the body 4 has an outer shape in which extended parts 4a are extended in respective three directions up to the vicinity of the inner surface of the casing 64 (Fig. 7). This facilitates positioning the expansion valve 1 a, when inserting it into the casing 64 and connecting the outlet port 6 to the inlet pipe 62.
- the expansion valve 1 b in Figs 8, 9 (third embodiment) has a different construction of the juncture between the power element 3 and the body 4.
- the power element 3 of the expansion valves 1 and 1 a has the internal thread 24 in the inner periphery of the hub 23 extended outward from the central opening of the lower housing 18.
- the internal thread 24 is formed by tapping or pressing the hub 23 after the lower housing 18 is formed by pressing. Therefore, the configuration of the power element 3 of the expansion valves 1 and 1 a requires fabrication for forming the internal thread 34.
- the power element 3 of the expansion valve 1b in Figs 8, 9 is configured such that the internal thread 24 is simultaneously formed when the lower housing 18 is formed by pressing.
- the inner periphery of the central opening of the lower housing 18 is formed with a thread such that the thread has a cut-out in an angle range of about 60 degrees within the whole circumference, and is continuously displaced in axial direction over a remaining angle of about 300 degrees.
- the axial displacement between the ends of the thread assumed to be formed over an angle range of 360 degree is substantially equal to the thread pitch of the external thread 16 on the guide 15.
- This means that the central opening of the lower housing 18 has a one-turn thread structure. This allows to form the lower housing 18 by pressing in its entirety, including the internal thread 24, and by combining it with the body 4 formed by die-casting without requiring other fabrication steps. Thus the cost of the expansion valve 1 can be further reduced.
- the power element 3 does not have protruding portions.
- the heat insulation cover 68 is simplified in shape.
- the upper housing 17 has a generally outwardly inflating shape.
- a central portion including the gas introducing hole 21 defines a recess, such that the metal ball 22 does not protrude beyond the outermost surface of the upper housing 17.
- the expansion valve 1 b is mounted within the casing 64 integrally formed with the evaporator 60.
- the inlet pipe 62 of the evaporator 60 connected to the outlet port 6 is formed by recessing a plate forming a header part of the evaporator 60 such that the hollow cylindrical part 6a of the outlet port 6 is fitted therein.
- the low-pressure pipe 65 is directly connected to the casing 64 at an expanded end and by using a pipe clamp 67. The connection is performed by fixing the casing 64 and a backup ring 69 by the pipe clamp 67, in a state where the backup ring 69 holds the casing 64, the low-pressure pipe 65, and the O-ring, on the atmosphere side.
- the valve element 9 acts in valve opening direction when the inlet port 5 receives high-pressure refrigerant.
- the valve element 9 is acting in valve closing direction when high-pressure refrigerant is received at the inlet port 5.
- the inlet port 5 and the hole 8 receiving the valve element 9 communicate with each other, and the hole 12 receiving the shaft 13 and the outlet port 6 communicate with each other.
- the fourth embodiment is configured such that the relation between the inlet port 5 and the outlet port 6 is inverted compared to the first embodiment.
- the configuration of the juncture between the power element 3 and the body 4 is also changed.
- the hub 23 formed with the internal thread 24 protrudes outward from the central opening of the lower housing 18.
- the hub 23 is formed by bending inward the inner periphery of the central opening of the lower housing 18, and the inner peripheral surface of the bent portion of the hub 23 is formed with the interior thread. This reduces the overall height of the expansion valve 1 c to reduce the total size.
- the internal thread 24 can be preferably formed by rolling. The rolled internal thread is easier to form than a pressed thread. This reduces the cost of fabrication.
- the heat insulation cover 68 on the power element 3 is integrally formed with fixing legs 68a by resin-moulding. Although not shown, each fixing leg 68a has a hook at an end. The hook engages at a stepped portion of the body 4 to fix the heat insulation cover 68.
- the manner of mounting the expansion valve 1 c is modified compared with the cases of the first to third embodiments.
- the first and third embodiments not only the high-pressure pipe 61 and the low-pressure pipe 65 but also the inlet pipe 65 and the casing 64 are formed by a double pipe, respectively.
- the expansion valve 1, 1 a, and 1b is mounted in an intermediate portion of the double pipe.
- the pipe upstream of and the low-pressure pipe 65 downstream of the evaporator are separate pipes, and the expansion valve 1 c is mounted in the intermediate portions of the pipes.
- the inlet pipe 62 extending from the evaporator and the low-pressure pipe 65a have their ends integrally joined to the casing 64 e.g. by welding, and the end of the high-pressure pipe 61 opposed to that of the inlet pipe 62 and the end of the low-pressure pipe 65b opposed to that of the low-pressure pipe 65a are rigidly joined to a disc-shaped joint part 66 by welding.
- the casing 64 and the joint part 66 are connected by the pipe clamp 67.
- the pipe extending from the evaporator to the compressor passes refrigerant lower in density than refrigerant flowing through the pipe extending to the evaporator, and hence has a larger diameter than the pipe extending to the evaporator.
- the low-pressure pipe 65b connected to the joint 66 has a foremost joint portion with a flatted shape (Fig. 11) to prevent the size of the joint 66 from becoming larger.
- the foremost end of the low-pressure pipe 65a connected to the casing 64 also has a flatted shape.
- the body 4 is described to be formed by die-casting of an aluminium alloy, it may instead be formed by injection moulding of a resin or the like by using the three-way separable dies structure.
- the material of the resin body may be a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) which has excellent heat resistance, good mechanical properties, etc.
- PPS polyphenylene sulfide
- the resin has a material mixed therein which makes noise generated inside the body difficult to be transmitted to the outside.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)
- Valve Housings (AREA)
Abstract
A body 4 of an expansion valve accommodating a valve section 2 is formed, using forming dies, such as die-casting dies, integrally with an inlet port 5, an outlet port 6, and an external thread 16, to connect a power element 3. The forming process forms the external thread 16, the inlet port 5, the outlet port 6, a valve hole 7, a hole 8 for receiving a valve element 9 and set value-adjusting members (10, 11), and a hole 12 for receiving a shaft 13 extending between the power element 3 and the valve element.
Description
- The invention relates to a mounting structure according to the preamble of
claim 1, more particularly for mounting an expansion valve in a refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner. - In general, a refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner comprises a compressor that compresses refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant, a receiver that temporarily stores refrigerant and separates the condensed refrigerant into a gas and a liquid, an expansion valve that throttles and expands the liquid refrigerant obtained by gas/liquid separation, and an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve. The expansion valve is implemented e.g. by a thermostatic expansion valve.
- A known thermostatic expansion valve (
JP-A-2002-2002-115938 -
JP-A-10-267470 - It is an object of the present invention is to improve the manufacturing efficiency of a body of and to reduce the manufacturing cost of an expansion valve.
- This object is achieved by the features of
claim 1. - The expansion valve passes introduced refrigerant through a valve section in the body to throttle and expand the refrigerant. The body accommodating the valve section is formed integrally with a thread part for connecting a power element by using forming dies. In the thus formed body an inlet port, an outlet port, a hole for receiving therein a valve element and a set value-adjusting member, a valve hole, a hole for receiving therein a member that transmits an actuating force dependent on temperature sensed by the power element to the valve element, and the thread part for having the power element connected thereto are formed integrally with the body. This is advantageous in that it is no longer necessary to subject the body to further fabrication steps, and hence it is possible to improve the manufacturing efficiency of the body, provide a higher yield from material, and reduce the manufacturing cost of the expansion valve.
- Further, in the power element as well, by forming a housing that is connected to the thread part formed on the body, in a one-turn thread configuration such that an inner peripheral edge of a central opening thereof is continuously displaced in an axial direction over an angle range of smaller than 360 degrees, the housing can be simply formed by pressing. This makes it unnecessary to carry out thread cutting steps, and hence it is possible to further reduce the manufacturing cost of the expansion valve.
-
- Fig. 1
- is a cross-section of an expansion valve (first embodiment),
- Fig. 2
- is a schematic explanatory view illustrating an essential part of the method of making a body of the expansion valve,
- Fig. 3A
- is a plan view of the body,
- Fig. 3B
- is a font view of the body,
- Fig. 4
- is a cross-section of an example of mounting the expansion valve,
- Fig. 5
- is a section on line A-A of Fig. 4.
- Fig. 6
- is a cross-section of a mounted state of a second embodiment,
- Fig. 7
- is a section on line B-B of Fig. 6.
- Fig. 8
- is a cross-section of a mounted state of a third embodiment,
- Fig. 9
- is a view of the third embodiment from an inlet port side.
- Fig. 10
- is a cross-section of a mounted state of a fourth embodiment,
- Fig. 11
- is a section on line C-C of Fig. 10.
- An
expansion valve 1 in Fig. 1 (first embodiment) comprises avalve section 2 and apower element 3. Thevalve section 2 includes abody 4. Thebody 4 has sides integrally formed with a high-pressure, high-temperaturerefrigerant inlet port 5 connected to a receiver of the refrigeration cycle, and a low-temperature, low-pressurerefrigerant outlet port 6 connected to an evaporator. In a central body portion there is formed avalve hole 7 between the inlet andoutlet ports valve hole 7 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axes of the inlet andoutlet ports body 4 has ahole 8, larger in diameter than thevalve hole 7 that extends downward from thevalve hole 7 through thebody 4 in the direction of the axis of thevalve hole 7. Thehole 8 contains avalve element 9, triangular in cross-section. Thevalve element 9 is urged by aspring 10 in valve closing direction. Thespring 10 is received by a spring-receivingmember 11 press-fitted in the opening of thehole 8. The load of thespring 10 is adjusted by the press-fitting depth of the spring-receivingmember 11 in the opening of thehole 8, to adjust a set value of theexpansion valve 1. Thebody 4 is also formed with ahole 12, slightly smaller in diameter than thevalve hole 7. Thehole 12 extends upward from thevalve hole 7 through thebody 4 in the direction of the axis of thevalve hole 7. Thehole 12 contains ashaft 13 integrally formed with thevalve element 9. Theshaft 13 has a reduced-diameter portion 13a facing a theinlet port 5, defining a refrigerant passage from theinlet port 5 into thevalve hole 7. A circumferential groove in the periphery of a of theshaft 13 within thevalve hole 12 contains a V-packing 14 for preventing that high-pressure refrigerant leaks via a clearance between theshaft 13 and thebody 4 from theinlet port 5 to thepower element 3. A protruding hollowcylindrical guide 15 is formed on a central part of an upper portion of thebody 4 for guiding theshaft 13. Anexternal thread 16 is formed on the outer periphery of theguide 15. - The
power element 3 comprises anupper housing 17, a lower housing 18 (thick metal discs), adiaphragm 19 made of a flexible metal sheet partitioning a space enclosed by thehousings disc 20 on the side of thediaphragm 19 facing thevalve section 2. Thepower element 3 is formed by welding the peripheral edges of theupper housing 17, thelower housing 18, and thediaphragm 19 to each other e.g. by TIG welding. This defines a temperature-sensing chamber enclosed by theupper housing 17 and thediaphragm 19. The temperature-sensing chamber is filled with saturated vapour gas via agas introducing hole 21 formed in theupper housing 17. Thegas introducing hole 21 is closed by ametal ball 22 e.g. by resistance-welding. The temperature-sensing chamber has to sense the temperature of refrigerant coming from the evaporator. - The
lower housing 18 has gas-passingholes 25 and an open central portion integrally formed with a hollowcylindrical hub 23. Thehub 23 has an internal thread fitting on theexternal thread 15. The gas-passingholes 25 lead refrigerant from the evaporator into a space below thediaphragm 19. The amount of introduced refrigerant is adjusted by either changing the size of each gas-passing hole or by varying the number of gas-passing holes. - An end face of the
shaft 13 protruding from thebody 4 abuts via thedisc 20 against the lower surface of thediaphragm 19 to transmit displacements of thediaphragm 19 to thevalve element 9. - The
body 4 is formed by die-casting a metal, to dispense with mechanical machining such as cutting. - The
body 4 in Fig. 4 can be made by die-casting of an aluminium alloy, a zinc alloy, or another metal. In the present embodiment, there e.g. is used an aluminium alloy die-casting apparatus including afirst die 30, asecond die 40, and athird die 50. Thefirst die 30 and thesecond die 40 are actuated by an actuator, not shown, in horizontal directions in Fig. 2. Thethird die 50 is actuated by an actuator, not shown, in vertical directions. - The first die 30 on a side opposed to the
second die 40 has acavity 31 forming the portion of thebody 4 with theinlet port 5. Within thecavity 31, a port and passage-formingportion 32 protrudes toward thesecond die 40, for forming theinlet port 5, and further, a thread-formingportion 33 forms half of theexternal thread 16. The second die 40 on a side opposed to thefirst die 30 has acavity 41 for forming the portion of thebody 4 with theoutlet port 6. Within thecavity 41, an outlet port passage-formingportion 42 protrudes toward thefirst die 30, and a thread-formingportion 43 forms the other half of theexternal thread 16. Thethird die 50 has acavity 51 forming the portion of thebody 4 where the spring-receivingmember 11 will be press-fitted. Within thecavity 51, a hole-formingportion 52, a valve hole-formingportion 53, and a hole-formingportion 54 are protruding upward for forming thehole 8, thevalve hole 7, and thehole 12. The first to third dies 30, 40, 50 are formed in opposed surfaces with injection passage-forming grooves, not shown, for pouring in molten aluminium alloy, and exhaust passage-forming grooves, not shown, for evacuating thecavities - In making the
body 4, molten aluminium alloy is poured via the injection holes into the tightly fastened die set of the first to third dies 30, 40, 50. The aluminium alloy may be an Al-Si-Cu alloy having excellent castability. After the molten alloy has solidified, thethird die 50 is pulled downward and then the first and second dies 30, 40, 40 are separated from each other. The first and second dies 30, 40 are moved in horizontal directions while causing inserted releasing tools to be pushed against the casting. Configuring the dies as a three-way separable structure, thebody 4 can be formed integrally with theinlet port 5, theoutlet port 6, thevalve hole 7, theholes external thread 16.. Due to the three-way separable structure of the dies the respective axes of the inlet andoutlet ports hole 8, thevalve hole 7, and thehole 12 are disposed on the same axis in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axes of theports - The dies, the die apparatus may comprise a plurality of sets of first to third dies 30, 40, 50 in parallel with each other, which all are simultaneously operated in the three directions. This allows to easily construct a die-casting apparatus which permits a plurality of castings to be obtained at any given time.
- The die-
cast body 4 in Figs 3A, 3B has a hollowcylindrical part 5a defining theinlet port 5 and extending in the direction of separating thefirst die 30, a hollowcylindrical part 6a defining theoutlet port 6 and extending in the direction of separating thesecond die 40, and a hollowcylindrical part 8a defining thehole 8 and aguide 15 defining thehole 12, extending in the direction of separating thethird die 50. Theexternal thread 16 on the outer periphery of theguide 15 is a partial thread in which portions of an outer peripheral surface of theguide 15 facing in directions at right angles to the respective directions of separating the first and second dies 30, 40 are not threaded, and comprise athread portion 16a formed on an outer peripheral portion facing in the direction of separating thefirst die 30 and athread portion 16b formed on an outer peripheral portion in the direction of separating thesecond die 40. In the present embodiment, thebody 4 is shown with an extendingpart 4a extended in a direction at right angles to the respective directions of separating the first and second dies 30, 40, serving to position theexpansion valve 1 when incorporated in the refrigeration cycle later. - The
expansion valve 1 in Figs 4 and 5 is mounted in a return low-pressure pipe between the evaporator 60 and the compressor, such that theexpansion valve 1 is accommodated in the pipe in its entirety. The connection of theinlet port 5 to a high-pressure pipe 61 through which condensed liquid refrigerant is supplied and the connection of theoutlet port 6 via which the expanded refrigerant is delivered to aninlet pipe 62 of theevaporator 60 are also established within the return low-pressure pipe. - The
evaporator 60 in Fig. 4 is integrally formed with acasing 64 e.g. by furnace brazing, such thecasing 64 surrounds theinlet pipe 62 and arefrigerant outlet port 63. An end of the low-pressure pipe 65 is welded to a joint 66 (via a portion indicated by a black triangle), and the joint 65 is hermetically connected to thecasing 64 by apipe clamp 67. The low-pressure pie 65 and the high-pressure pipe 61 commonly form a double pipe with the high-pressure pipe 61 coaxially arranged within the low-pressure pipe 65. A juncture between theinlet port 5 and the high-pressure pipe 61, a juncture between theoutlet port 6 and theinlet pipe 62, and a juncture between thecasing 64 and the joint 66 are sealed by respective O-rings. Theexpansion valve 1 carries aheat insulation cover 68 made of resin or rubber attached to cover thepower element 3. - The
expansion valve 1 is positioned in Fig. 5 in the centre of thecasing 64. Theextended part 4a of thebody 4 and theheat insulation cover 68 have respective outer contours fitting into the inner shape of thecasing 64. - The
expansion valve 1 is mounted as follows: As theevaporator 60 and thecasing 64 are integrally welded such that theinlet pipe 62 of theevaporator 60 protrudes into thecasing 64, first, an O-ring is fitted on theinlet pipe 62, and then theexpansion valve 1 is pushed into thecasing 64 until theinlet pipe 62 is fitted in theoutlet port 6. An O-ring is fitted on theinlet port 5 of theexpansion valve 1 in advance, or at this time. Theinlet port 5 then is positioned such that it can be fitted in the high-pressure pipe 61, and thejoint part 66 having O-rings fitted beforehand in respective grooves formed by bending the end portion of thejoint part 66 is pushed into thecasing 64. Finally, a connecting portion of thecasing 64 and that of thejoint part 66 are connected by thepipe clamp 67. - The
inlet port 5 is connected to the high-pressure pipe 61, and theoutlet port 6 is connected to theinlet pipe 62 of theevaporator 60. Because theexpansion valve 1 is accommodated in the low-pressure return pipe from theevaporator 60, together with the juncture to the high-pressure pipe 61 the entire arrangement is leakagesafe. Even if a minute amount of high-pressure refrigerant leaks out via the O-ring at the juncture, the leaked out refrigerant will remain in the low-pressure return pipe but cannot leak out into the atmosphere. - When an automotive air conditioner is in stoppage, saturated vapour gas filling the temperature-sensing chamber of the
power element 3 is condensed. The pressure of the gas is low, thediaphragm 19 is displaced inward, and theexpansion valve 1 is in the fully closed state. - When the automotive air conditioner is started now refrigerant is sucked-in by the compressor, and hence pressure within the low-
pressure pipe 65 drops. Thepower element 3 senses this. Thediaphragm 19 is displaced outward to lift thevalve element 9. Refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed by a condenser, and liquid refrigerant obtained by gas/liquid separation in the receiver is supplied through the high-pressure pipe 61 to theinlet port 5 of theexpansion valve 1. Arrows in the figures indicate respective flow directions. The high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant is expanded while passing through theexpansion valve 1 and flows out from theoutlet port 6 as low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid mixture refrigerant. The refrigerant is supplied through theinlet pipe 62 to theevaporator 60, and is evaporated in theevaporator 60 to flow out from therefrigerant outlet 63. The refrigerant delivered from theevaporator 60 is returned to the compressor via thecasing 64 and the low-pressure pipe 65. - The space enclosed by the
diaphragm 19 of thepower element 3 and thelower housing 18 communicates via the gas-passingholes 25 with the inside of thecasing 64, so that while refrigerant from theevaporator 60 is passing through thecasing 64, some of the refrigerant is introduced into the space within thepower element 3, and the temperature of the introduced refrigerant is detected by thepower element 3. In the early stage after the start of the automotive air conditioner, the temperature of the refrigerant returning from theevaporator 60 is high due to heat exchange with high-temperature air in a vehicle compartment. The pressure within the temperature-sensing chamber becomes high. Thediaphragm 19 actuates thevalve element 9 in valve opening direction. Theexpansion valve 1 is fully opened. - As the temperature of refrigerant from the
evaporator 60 becomes lower, the pressure within the temperature-sensing chamber also becomes lower. Accordingly, thediaphragm 19 controls theexpansion valve 1 in valve closing direction to control the flow rate. At this time, theexpansion valve 1 detects the temperature at the outlet of theevaporator 60, and controls the flow rate to theevaporator 60 such that the refrigerant maintains a predetermined degree of superheat. - Since the
power element 3 is disposed in the low-pressure return pipe from theevaporator 60 the temperature could immediately be detected by theentire power element 3. For this reason, thepower element 3 would have a very short temperature-sensing time constant, and the response to a change in the temperature of refrigerant would be so sensitive as to perform an excessive feedback correction on the operation of thevalve section 2, which can result in a periodic pressure variation (hunting). To eliminate this inconvenience, the providedheat insulation cover 68 somewhat blocks the heat transfer to theupper housing 17 to increase the temperature-sensing time constant. - The
expansion valve 1 a in Figs 6, 7 (second embodiment) differs from the first embodiment, in that in thebody 4 the respective axes of theinlet port 5 and theoutlet port 6 are orthogonal to each other. Thisbody 4 is also formed by a die-casting apparatus having a three-way separable die structure. The first die 30 forms theextended part 4a and thethread portion 16a of theexternal thread 16. Thevalve element 9, thespring 10 urging thevalve element 9 in the valve closing direction, and the spring-receivingmember 11 for receiving thespring 10 are disposed within theoutlet port 6 of thebody 4. - The
expansion valve 1 a is advantageous in a case where it is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the double pipe formed by the high-pressure pipe 61 and the low-pressure pipe 65 extending from an engine room where the compressor is disposed to the vehicle compartment where theevaporator 60 is disposed is substantially at right angles to directions in which theinlet pipe 62 of theevaporator 60 and therefrigerant outlet port 63 open. - Therefore, the return low-pressure pipe containing the
expansion valve 1 a is bent at a right angle. More specifically, theevaporator 60 is integrally formed with theinlet pipe 62 and a connectingpart 64a by furnace brazing. Thecasing 64 is connected to the connectingpart 64a by thepipe clamp 67, and thejoint part 66 is welded to an upper portion of thecasing 64. Thejoint part 66 is connected to the low-pressure pipe 65 by thepipe clamp 67. - The
body 4 has an outer shape in which extendedparts 4a are extended in respective three directions up to the vicinity of the inner surface of the casing 64 (Fig. 7). This facilitates positioning theexpansion valve 1 a, when inserting it into thecasing 64 and connecting theoutlet port 6 to theinlet pipe 62. - The
expansion valve 1 b in Figs 8, 9 (third embodiment) has a different construction of the juncture between thepower element 3 and thebody 4. Thepower element 3 of theexpansion valves internal thread 24 in the inner periphery of thehub 23 extended outward from the central opening of thelower housing 18. Theinternal thread 24 is formed by tapping or pressing thehub 23 after thelower housing 18 is formed by pressing. Therefore, the configuration of thepower element 3 of theexpansion valves power element 3 of theexpansion valve 1b in Figs 8, 9 is configured such that theinternal thread 24 is simultaneously formed when thelower housing 18 is formed by pressing. - The inner periphery of the central opening of the
lower housing 18 is formed with a thread such that the thread has a cut-out in an angle range of about 60 degrees within the whole circumference, and is continuously displaced in axial direction over a remaining angle of about 300 degrees. The axial displacement between the ends of the thread assumed to be formed over an angle range of 360 degree is substantially equal to the thread pitch of theexternal thread 16 on theguide 15. This means that the central opening of thelower housing 18 has a one-turn thread structure. This allows to form thelower housing 18 by pressing in its entirety, including theinternal thread 24, and by combining it with thebody 4 formed by die-casting without requiring other fabrication steps. Thus the cost of theexpansion valve 1 can be further reduced. - In the
expansion valve 1 b, thepower element 3 does not have protruding portions. For this reason, theheat insulation cover 68 is simplified in shape. Theupper housing 17 has a generally outwardly inflating shape. A central portion including thegas introducing hole 21 defines a recess, such that themetal ball 22 does not protrude beyond the outermost surface of theupper housing 17. - The
expansion valve 1 b is mounted within thecasing 64 integrally formed with theevaporator 60. Theinlet pipe 62 of theevaporator 60 connected to theoutlet port 6 is formed by recessing a plate forming a header part of theevaporator 60 such that the hollowcylindrical part 6a of theoutlet port 6 is fitted therein. The low-pressure pipe 65 is directly connected to thecasing 64 at an expanded end and by using apipe clamp 67. The connection is performed by fixing thecasing 64 and abackup ring 69 by thepipe clamp 67, in a state where thebackup ring 69 holds thecasing 64, the low-pressure pipe 65, and the O-ring, on the atmosphere side. - In the
expansion valves valve element 9 acts in valve opening direction when theinlet port 5 receives high-pressure refrigerant. In theexpansion valve 1 c in Figs 10, 11 (fourth embodiment) thevalve element 9 is acting in valve closing direction when high-pressure refrigerant is received at theinlet port 5. Inside thebody 4 theinlet port 5 and thehole 8 receiving thevalve element 9 communicate with each other, and thehole 12 receiving theshaft 13 and theoutlet port 6 communicate with each other. In short, the fourth embodiment is configured such that the relation between theinlet port 5 and theoutlet port 6 is inverted compared to the first embodiment. - In the
expansion valve 1 c, the configuration of the juncture between thepower element 3 and thebody 4 is also changed. At thepower element 3 of theexpansion valves hub 23 formed with theinternal thread 24 protrudes outward from the central opening of thelower housing 18. However, in theexpansion valve 1 c thehub 23 is formed by bending inward the inner periphery of the central opening of thelower housing 18, and the inner peripheral surface of the bent portion of thehub 23 is formed with the interior thread. This reduces the overall height of theexpansion valve 1 c to reduce the total size. Further, theinternal thread 24 can be preferably formed by rolling. The rolled internal thread is easier to form than a pressed thread. This reduces the cost of fabrication. - The
heat insulation cover 68 on thepower element 3 is integrally formed with fixinglegs 68a by resin-moulding. Although not shown, each fixingleg 68a has a hook at an end. The hook engages at a stepped portion of thebody 4 to fix theheat insulation cover 68. - The manner of mounting the
expansion valve 1 c is modified compared with the cases of the first to third embodiments. In the first and third embodiments, not only the high-pressure pipe 61 and the low-pressure pipe 65 but also theinlet pipe 65 and thecasing 64 are formed by a double pipe, respectively. Theexpansion valve expansion valve 1 c the pipe upstream of and the low-pressure pipe 65 downstream of the evaporator are separate pipes, and theexpansion valve 1 c is mounted in the intermediate portions of the pipes. - The
inlet pipe 62 extending from the evaporator and the low-pressure pipe 65a have their ends integrally joined to thecasing 64 e.g. by welding, and the end of the high-pressure pipe 61 opposed to that of theinlet pipe 62 and the end of the low-pressure pipe 65b opposed to that of the low-pressure pipe 65a are rigidly joined to a disc-shapedjoint part 66 by welding. Thecasing 64 and thejoint part 66 are connected by thepipe clamp 67. The pipe extending from the evaporator to the compressor passes refrigerant lower in density than refrigerant flowing through the pipe extending to the evaporator, and hence has a larger diameter than the pipe extending to the evaporator. Therefore, in the junctures where the pipes are connected, the respective sizes of thecasing 64, the joint 66, and thepipe clamp 67 are increased according to the diameters of the associated pipes. The low-pressure pipe 65b connected to the joint 66 has a foremost joint portion with a flatted shape (Fig. 11) to prevent the size of the joint 66 from becoming larger. The foremost end of the low-pressure pipe 65a connected to thecasing 64 also has a flatted shape. - Although in the first to fourth embodiments, the
body 4 is described to be formed by die-casting of an aluminium alloy, it may instead be formed by injection moulding of a resin or the like by using the three-way separable dies structure. The material of the resin body may be a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) which has excellent heat resistance, good mechanical properties, etc. The resin has a material mixed therein which makes noise generated inside the body difficult to be transmitted to the outside. - In the expansion valve, noise is generated when refrigerant flows through the narrow gap between the valve seat and the valve element. The flow noise is externally emitted as an unusual sound, but if the material of the body is an aluminium alloy, the sound insulation and sound absorption effects thereof are high enough to prevent the externally emitted noise from being considered troublesome. However, when the material of the body is a resin, the sound insulation and sound absorption effects thereof are not so high compared with the aluminium alloy. In view of this, a material, higher in density than the resin, such as a metal powder or metal fibres of iron, brass, or copper, is mixed in the resin. As a consequence, energy of flow noise produced from the valve section is damped by the metal power or metal fibres within the body, which makes it possible to reduce sound pressure level of flow noise emitted from the body.
Claims (12)
- An expansion valve (1, 1 a, 1b, 1 c) that passes introduced refrigerant through a valve section (2) in a body (4) to throttle and expand the refrigerant,
characterised in that the body (4) accommodating the valve section (2) is formed in forming dies (30, 40, 50) integrally with a thread part (16) for connecting a power element (3). - The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that in the body (4) an axis of an inlet port (5) and an axis of an outlet port (6) either are identical or are parallel to each other, that a first hole (8) for receiving a valve element (9) and a set value-adjusting member (11), a valve hole (7), and a second hole (12) for receiving a member (13) that transmits an actuating force dependent on temperature sensed by the power element (3) to the valve element (9), are arranged on a common axis which is orthogonal to the axis of the inlet port (5) or to the axis of the outlet port (6), that the respective diameters of he holes (8, 12) are reduced step-wise in the mentioned order, and that the thread part (16) is formed on an outer periphery of a hollow cylindrical part (15) defining the second hole (12).
- The expansion valve according to claim 2, characterised in that the thread part (16) is formed as a partial thread in which portions of an outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical part (15) facing in directions perpendicular to an identical surface or parallel surfaces including the axis of the inlet port (5), the axis of the outlet port (6), and an axis of the valve hole (7), are not threaded.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that in the body (4) an axis of an inlet port (5) and an axis of an outlet port (6) are orthogonal to each other and have a common plane including the axes or as viewed from a direction perpendicular to parallel planes respectively including the axes, that the inlet port (5) or the outlet port (6), a valve hole, and a hole for receiving a member transmitting an actuating force dependent on temperature sensed by the power element (3) to the valve element have a common axis, that the respective diameters of the holes are reduced step-wise in a mentioned order, and that the thread part (16) is formed on an outer periphery of a hollow cylindrical part defining one of the holes.
- The expansion valve according to claim 4, characterised in that the thread part (16) is formed as a partial thread in which portions of an outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical part facing in directions perpendicular to an identical surface or parallel surfaces including the axis of the inlet port (5), the axis of the outlet port (6), and an axis of the valve hole, are not threaded.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the power element (3) has a one-turn thread (24) formed along an inner peripheral edge of a central opening of a housing (18) on a side where said thread part (16) is connected, and that the one turn thread (24) is continuously displaced in axial direction over an angle range of less than 360 degrees.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the power element (3) has a hub (23) formed by bending inward an inner periphery of a central opening of a housing (18) on a side where the thread part (16) is connected, and that an inner peripheral surface of the hub (23) is threaded.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the body (4) is formed by die-casting a metal, using dies (30, 40, 50) having a three-way separable structure as the forming dies.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the body is formed by resin casting, using dies having a three-way separable structure as the forming dies.
- The expansion valve according to claim 9, characterised in that the resin is mixed with a metal powder or metal fibres, larger in density than the resin.
- The expansion valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the expansion valve (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) is a thermostatic expansion valve in which the body (4) and the power element (3) are disposed within a low-pressure pipe (65) extending from an evaporator (60) to a compressor, that a connection of an inlet port (5) to a high-pressure pipe (61) through which high-pressure refrigerant is supplied, and a connection of an outlet port (6) to an evaporator inlet pipe (62) through which expanded refrigerant is delivered to the evaporator (60), are established within the low-pressure pipe (65).
- The expansion valve according to claim 11, characterised in that an outer housing (17) of the power element (3) is at least partly covered by a heat insulation cover (68).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006157946A JP2007327672A (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2006-06-07 | Expansion valve |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1865275A2 true EP1865275A2 (en) | 2007-12-12 |
Family
ID=38512149
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07009857A Withdrawn EP1865275A2 (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2007-05-16 | Expansion valve |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070283717A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1865275A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007327672A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20070117464A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101086296A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101852307B (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2011-09-28 | 浙江春晖智能控制股份有限公司 | Thermostatic expansion valve |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2008057949A (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2008-03-13 | Tgk Co Ltd | Mounting structure of expansion valve |
JP2011133139A (en) * | 2009-12-22 | 2011-07-07 | Fuji Koki Corp | Expansion valve |
JP5550601B2 (en) | 2011-04-27 | 2014-07-16 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Temperature expansion valve |
CN102368008A (en) * | 2011-07-17 | 2012-03-07 | 太平洋电子(昆山)有限公司 | Expansion valve |
JP5535997B2 (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2014-07-02 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Seal structure and temperature expansion valve |
JP2013129353A (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2013-07-04 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Air conditioning apparatus for vehicle |
JP5724904B2 (en) * | 2012-02-20 | 2015-05-27 | 株式会社デンソー | Expansion valve |
CN103574062B (en) * | 2012-08-06 | 2016-10-05 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Electronic expansion valve |
US9523465B2 (en) | 2013-04-24 | 2016-12-20 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Lubrication system thermostat, and method thereof |
JP2015094571A (en) * | 2013-11-14 | 2015-05-18 | 株式会社デンソー | Expansion valve |
CN110836562A (en) * | 2018-08-17 | 2020-02-25 | 浙江盾安禾田金属有限公司 | Electronic expansion valve and air conditioning system using same |
JP7027367B2 (en) * | 2019-03-25 | 2022-03-01 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Thermal expansion valve and refrigeration cycle system equipped with it |
JP7045345B2 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2022-03-31 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Expansion valve and refrigeration cycle system |
JP7482498B2 (en) * | 2020-01-15 | 2024-05-14 | 株式会社不二工機 | Expansion valve and refrigeration cycle device |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2736421B1 (en) * | 1995-07-07 | 1997-09-26 | Manufactures De Vetements Paul | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A UNIT CONTAINING A SOLID ACTIVE MATERIAL USEFUL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COLD, UNIT OBTAINED AND REFRIGERANT DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A UNIT |
US6161766A (en) * | 1999-09-07 | 2000-12-19 | Goba; Stephen M. | Refrigeration expansion valve having a port to which a pressure-measuring device may be connected |
US6321995B1 (en) * | 1999-10-21 | 2001-11-27 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Thermostatic expansion valve |
WO2004036125A2 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2004-04-29 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Refrigeration expansion valve with thermal mass power element |
JP4062129B2 (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2008-03-19 | 株式会社デンソー | Vapor compression refrigerator |
JP3899055B2 (en) * | 2003-07-23 | 2007-03-28 | 株式会社テージーケー | Expansion valve |
-
2006
- 2006-06-07 JP JP2006157946A patent/JP2007327672A/en active Pending
-
2007
- 2007-05-16 EP EP07009857A patent/EP1865275A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-05-30 CN CNA2007101054297A patent/CN101086296A/en active Pending
- 2007-06-05 KR KR1020070054745A patent/KR20070117464A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2007-06-06 US US11/808,036 patent/US20070283717A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101852307B (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2011-09-28 | 浙江春晖智能控制股份有限公司 | Thermostatic expansion valve |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20070283717A1 (en) | 2007-12-13 |
CN101086296A (en) | 2007-12-12 |
KR20070117464A (en) | 2007-12-12 |
JP2007327672A (en) | 2007-12-20 |
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