JP2005331164A - Expansion valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expansion valve with reduced length in the longitudinal direction of a body. <P>SOLUTION: An installation surface of compressor side first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 is extended outward, and a hole of a fourth port 9 is dislocated and formed outward so as not to reach a communicating hole to an installation hole and a second refrigerant passage of a power element 13. A refrigerant introducing part of the power element 13 becoming noninterferential by displacing the hole of the fourth port 9 outward and a communicating hole between this part and the second refrigerant circuit, are constituted by approaching the second refrigerant passage having an inner diameter G1. Thus, the body 1 is shortened in a dimension E1 up to the installation surface of the power element 13 from the center of the fourth port 9, and the length D1 in the longitudinal direction can be shortened by that extent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an expansion valve, and more particularly to a temperature type expansion valve that is used in a refrigeration cycle of an automotive air conditioner system and has a body that also serves as a pipe joint.

  In an automotive air conditioner system, a refrigerant compressed by a compressor is condensed by a condenser, and a high-temperature / high-pressure liquid refrigerant separated by a receiver is expanded by an expansion valve to form a low-temperature / low-pressure refrigerant. A refrigeration cycle is configured such that it is evaporated by an evaporator and returned to the compressor. As an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant, a temperature type expansion valve is generally used in which the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator is controlled according to the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator.

FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a first configuration example of a conventional expansion valve.
This expansion valve has a first port 3 into which the first pipe 2 from the receiver is inserted and connected to the side surface of the body 1, and a second port 5 into which the second pipe 4 connected to the inlet of the evaporator is inserted and connected. The third port 7 into which the third pipe 6 connected to the outlet of the evaporator is inserted and connected, and the fourth port 9 into which the fourth pipe 8 to the compressor is inserted and connected are provided. The first refrigerant passage formed between the first port 3 and the second port 5 includes a valve seat 10, a valve body 11 disposed on the upstream side of the valve seat 10, and the valve body 11. And a spring 12 that urges the valve seat 10 in the direction of seating, and constitutes a valve portion of the expansion valve.

  A power element 13 is screwed on the upper portion of the body 1. This power element 13 has a temperature-sensitive room partitioned by a diaphragm 14 and a refrigerant introduction part. The temperature-sensitive room is a sealed chamber in which a refrigerant is enclosed. It communicates with a second refrigerant passage formed between the 3 port 7 and the fourth port 9. A disk 15 in contact with the diaphragm 14 is disposed in the refrigerant introduction portion, and a shaft 16 is disposed between the disk 15 and the valve body 11 to transmit the displacement of the diaphragm 14 to the valve body 11. I am doing so. A portion of the shaft 16 that is disposed through the second refrigerant passage is held by a holder 17. Further, a screw hole 18 is provided on the side surface of the body 1 where the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are formed. This is a hole into which a bolt for fixing the pipe mounting plate to the body 1 is screwed, and by fixing the pipe mounting plate to the body 1 with the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 inserted therethrough. The first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 are fixedly connected to the body 1 while being inserted into the first and fourth ports 3 and 9.

  Here, regarding the dimensions of the body 1, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 to the end surface where the second and third ports 5 and 7 are provided is A, and the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are from the center line. The dimension to the end face provided is B, the pitch between the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 is C, the length of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction is D, the center of the fourth port 9 to the upper surface of the body 1 in the figure E, the pitch between the second and third ports 5 and 7 is indicated by F, and the inner diameter of the fourth port 9 is indicated by G.

  In this expansion valve, the configuration in the case where the pipe sealing method is different between the compressor side and the evaporator side is illustrated. In other words, the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 on the compressor side, which are susceptible to vibrations of the engine driving the compressor, are recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the portion inserted into the first and fourth ports 3 and 9. The O-ring is disposed in the groove and sealed. On the other hand, the second and third pipes 4 and 6 on the evaporator side, which are not affected by vibrations, have a bead formed so as to restrict the insertion depth into the second and third ports 5 and 7 with an O-ring. 1 to be sealed by pressing. This is because the part cost can be reduced by the amount that does not require the process of providing the groove in the pipe.

  In the expansion valve corresponding to such a seal structure, in particular, with respect to the fourth port 9, a hole having an inner diameter G is made from the side surface of the body 1, and the hole goes to the second refrigerant passage directly below the power element 13. It is dug up to the position that passed through the communication hole. And the 4th piping 8 inserted in this 4th port 9 is arranged in the state where the tip entered just before the communicating hole to the 2nd refrigerant passage right under power element 13. However, if the 3rd piping 6 inserted in the 3rd port 7 takes the same sealing composition as the 4th port 9, the 2nd refrigerant passage will be penetrated and formed by the same internal diameter G (for example, refer to patent documents 1). ).

  In the expansion valve having the above-described configuration, the fourth port 9 forming the second refrigerant passage enters the position just below the power element 13, so that the power element 13 inevitably forms the fourth port 9. It is necessary to dispose it above the hole in the figure, and the length D of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the height of the body 1 is naturally determined in the illustrated state.

  However, since this type of expansion valve has the function of a pipe joint in the body 1, there is a need to minimize the lateral popping out perpendicular to the pipe direction. This is because, if the length D of the body 1 is long in the illustrated expansion valve, it interferes with members such as other pipes adjacent to the body 1. If the amount of lateral protrusion is reduced, the layout of the members will be reduced. This is because the degree of freedom can be increased.

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a second configuration example of a conventional expansion valve.
This expansion valve is made for the need to shorten the length D of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction. Here, regarding the dimensions of the body 1, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 to the end surface where the second and third ports 5 and 7 are provided is A, and the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are from the center line. The dimension to the end face provided is B, the pitch between the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 is H, the pitch between the second and third ports 5 and 7 is I, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 is J, the dimension from the center of the fourth port 9 to the upper surface of the body 1 in the figure is indicated by E, and the inner diameter of the fourth port 9 is indicated by G.

According to this expansion valve, compared with the expansion valve of the first configuration example shown in FIG. 5, the screw hole 18 for fixing the pipe mounting plate is eliminated, and the first and fourth ports 3, 3 correspondingly are eliminated. Nine pitches are narrowed to pitch H, and pitches between the second and third ports 5 and 7 are narrowed to pitch I, thereby shortening the length of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction to length J. . In this case, the pipe mounting plates for fixing the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 are fastened by bolts that fix the pipe mounting plates for the second and third pipes 4 and 6 to the body 1. 1 is fixed. The through holes formed in the body 1 for passing the bolts are not shown in the central longitudinal sectional view of the expansion valve, but are located at two locations apart from the center of the cross section between the first and fourth ports 3 and 9. Is provided.
JP 2000-304382 A (paragraph number [0019] and others, FIG. 1)

However, further shortening of the length in the longitudinal direction of the body is required for these expansion valves.
This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the expansion valve which reduced the length of the longitudinal direction of a body.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, the first port to which the first pipe from the receiver is connected, the second port to which the second pipe to the evaporator is connected, and the third pipe from the evaporator are the second port. A body having a third port connected to the same side as the port and a fourth port to which the fourth piping to the compressor is connected to the same side as the first port; and the third port coupled to the body In the expansion valve provided with a power element that senses the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage formed between the fourth port and the fourth port through the communication hole, the third port and the fourth port that communicate with the refrigerant passage At least one of the hole of the port is provided outside the mounting hole constituting the coupling portion of the power element, and the third port and / or the fourth port Expansion valve, characterized in that on the extension has a positional relationship that coupling portions partially overlap the power element is provided.

  According to such an expansion valve, the side face of the body to which the first and fourth pipes or the second and third pipes are attached is extended to the outside, and the third and / or fourth ports constitute the power element coupling portion. The mounting hole is disposed outside the mounting hole, and the mounting hole is close to the refrigerant passage between the third port and the fourth port to a position where the mounting hole partially overlaps on the extension line of the third and / or fourth port. I have to. As a result, the third and / or the fourth port partially overlaps in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole of the power element that has been partially overlapped in the longitudinal direction of the body. Because of the positional relationship, the distance from the center of the third and fourth ports to the attachment surface of the power element to the body can be reduced, and as a result, the length of the body in the longitudinal direction can be reduced.

  Since the expansion valve of the present invention can further shorten the length in the longitudinal direction of the body, the amount of protrusion in the lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of the piping is reduced, and the layout of the members disposed adjacent thereto There is an advantage that the degree of freedom can be increased.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the same components as those of the conventional expansion valve are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve according to the first embodiment is longer in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 using pipes having the same dimensions, the same pitch arrangement, and the same seal structure as compared with the expansion valve of the conventional first configuration example. Has been shortened. That is, in this expansion valve, first, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 of the body 1 to the end face where the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are provided is increased to B1 (> B). For the fourth port 9 to which the fourth pipe 8 to the compressor is inserted and connected, a hole is made from the side surface of the body 1, and the depth of the hole is up to a position just before the hole to which the power element 13 is screwed. I have to. That is, by extending the attachment surfaces of the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 to the outside (right side in the figure), the fourth port 9 is dug up to the front of the attachment hole to be the connecting portion of the power element 13, The tip position when the four pipes 8 are inserted is arranged to come before the mounting hole of the power element 13. For the third port 7 to which the third pipe 6 is inserted and connected, a hole having an inner diameter G1 (<G) smaller than that of the fourth port 9 is made from the side surface of the body 1, and the hole passes through the second refrigerant passage. It is dug until it reaches the hole of the fourth port 9 so as to pass through the communication hole directly under the power element 13. The inner diameter of the third pipe 6 is equal to the minimum inner diameter (nominal diameter) of the narrowest part by providing a groove for arranging the O-ring on the outer circumference of the fourth pipe 8. The inner diameter G1 of the second refrigerant passage is larger than their nominal diameter.

  In this way, the mounting surfaces of the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 are extended to the outside (right side in the figure), and the hole of the fourth port 9 is a mounting hole of the power element 13 and a communication hole to the second refrigerant passage. Since it is formed to be shifted outward so as not to reach, the hole of the fourth port 9 does not interfere with the refrigerant introduction portion of the power element 13 and the communication hole between this and the second refrigerant passage. Therefore, the refrigerant introduction portion of the power element 13 and the communication hole between the refrigerant introduction portion and the second refrigerant passage are brought close to the second refrigerant passage having the inner diameter G1, and the connection portion of the power element 13 is extended on the extended line of the fourth port 9. Since it can be configured with a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the mounting hole, the dimension from the center of the fourth port 9 to the top surface of the body 1 is shortened to E1 (<E), Therefore, the length of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction can be shortened to D1 (<D).

  In addition, in order to shorten the length of the longitudinal direction of the body 1, the attachment surface of the 1st and 4th piping 2 and 8 is extended outside (right side of a figure), but this body 1 is in this direction. Since there are first to fourth pipes 2, 4, 6, and 8 connected to each other, the extension of the body 1 in this direction does not interfere with other adjacent pipes.

  FIG. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 2, the same components as those of the expansion valve according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve according to the second embodiment is longer than the expansion valve according to the first embodiment in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 using pipes having the same dimensions, the same pitch arrangement, and the same seal structure. Is further shortened. That is, in this expansion valve, first, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 of the body 1 to the end face where the second and third ports 5 and 7 are provided is increased to A1 (> A). The dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 to the end face where the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are provided is increased to B1. For the third port 7 to which the third pipe 6 connected to the outlet of the evaporator is inserted and connected, a hole is made from the side surface of the body 1, and the depth of the hole is that of the hole into which the power element 13 is screwed. It is up to the front position. Further, the fourth port 9 into which the fourth pipe 8 to the compressor is inserted and connected is also drilled from the side surface of the body 1, and the depth of the hole is in front of the hole into which the power element 13 is screwed. To the position. In other words, the mounting surfaces of the second and third pipes 4 and 6 are extended outward (left side in the figure), and the tip position when the third pipe 6 is inserted is positioned before the mounting hole of the power element 13. Thus, the third port 7 is dug and the attachment surface of the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 is extended to the outside (right side in the figure), and the tip position when the fourth pipe 8 is inserted is the power. The fourth port 9 is dug so as to be located in front of the mounting hole of the element 13. Between the third port 7 and the fourth port 9, a hole having an inner diameter G2 smaller than that of the third port 7 is formed to form a second refrigerant passage. Note that the inner diameter G2 of the second refrigerant passage is smaller than the nominal diameter of the third pipe 6 and the fourth pipe 8, and this is because the second refrigerant passage is provided by the third pipe 6 and the fourth pipe 8 respectively. Even if the diameter is slightly smaller than the nominal diameter, the minimum value is set at which the influence on the flow rate characteristics does not substantially appear.

  In this manner, the mounting surfaces of the second and third pipes 4 and 6 and the mounting surfaces of the first and fourth pipes 2 and 8 are extended outward (left side and right side in the figure), and the holes of the third port 7 are formed. The mounting hole of the power element 13 and the communication hole to the second refrigerant passage are formed so as to be shifted outward so that the hole of the fourth port 9 is similarly formed in the mounting hole of the power element 13 and the second refrigerant passage. It was formed by shifting outward so as not to reach the communication hole. Thereby, the refrigerant introduction portion of the power element 13 and the communication hole between the refrigerant introduction portion and the second refrigerant passage can be configured close to the second refrigerant passage having the inner diameter G2. In the expansion valve according to the second embodiment, as compared with the expansion valve according to the first embodiment, the third port 7 overlaps with the mounting hole of the coupling portion of the power element 13 on its extension line. As a result, the portion where the fourth port 9 overlaps with the mounting hole of the coupling portion of the power element 13 on the extension line is increased accordingly. Therefore, in the expansion valve according to the second embodiment, the dimension from the center of the fourth port 9 to the upper surface of the body 1 in the drawing can be shortened to E2 (<E1). The length in the longitudinal direction can be shortened to D2 (<D1).

  FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same components as those of the expansion valve according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve according to the third embodiment is formed by shifting the positions of the valve seat 10 and the valve body 11 of the valve portion toward the power element 13 as compared with the expansion valve according to the second embodiment. By doing so, the length of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction is further shortened. That is, in this expansion valve, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 of the body 1 to the end face in the pipe mounting direction is extended to A1 and B1, and the depth of the holes of the third port 7 and the fourth port 9 is set to the power element. The dimension from the center of the fourth port 9 to the upper surface of the body 1 in the drawing is shortened to E2 up to the position before the hole 13 is screwed. In addition, by shifting the position of the second port 5 to the outside (left side in the figure) together with the third port 7, the second port 5 and the space in which the valve body 11 and the spring 12 are arranged are arranged in the axial direction. There will be no overlap. Thereby, the position of the valve seat 10 is shifted to the power element 13 side by reducing the diameter of the valve hole downstream path 19 between the valve hole and the second port 5 in the first refrigerant path, and the second On the extension line of the port 5, it is possible to achieve a positional relationship that partially overlaps the space in which the valve body 11 and the spring 12 are arranged.

  Therefore, in the case of this configuration, the dimensions of the first to fourth pipes 2, 4, 6 and 8, the seal structure thereof, and the pitch F between the second and third ports 5 and 7 are the first and second. However, the pitch between the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 is shortened to C1 (<C), and accordingly, the length of the body 1 in the longitudinal direction is the same as that of the expansion valve according to the embodiment. Is shortened to D3 (<D2).

  FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same components as those of the conventional expansion valve are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment is longer in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 using pipes having the same dimensions, the same pitch arrangement, and the same seal structure as compared with the expansion valve of the conventional second configuration example. Has been shortened. That is, in this expansion valve, similarly to the expansion valve according to the first embodiment, the dimension from the center line of the shaft 16 of the body 1 to the end face where the first and fourth ports 3 and 9 are provided is set. Extending to B1, the hole of the fourth port 9 is formed to be shifted outward so as not to reach the mounting hole of the power element 13 and the communication hole to the second refrigerant passage.

  Accordingly, the refrigerant introduction portion of the power element 13 and the communication hole between the second refrigerant passage and the refrigerant introduction portion can be configured close to the second refrigerant passage having the same inner diameter G1 as that of the third port 7. The dimension from the center of the body 1 to the upper surface of the body 1 in the drawing can be shortened to E1 (<E), and the length in the longitudinal direction of the body 1 can be shortened to J1 (<J).

It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the expansion valve which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 1st structural example of the conventional expansion valve. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 2nd structural example of the conventional expansion valve.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body 2 1st piping 3 1st port 4 2nd piping 5 2nd port 6 3rd piping 7 3rd port 8 4th piping 9 4th port 10 Valve seat 11 Valve body 12 Spring 13 Power element 14 Diaphragm 15 Disc 16 Shaft 17 Holder 18 Screw hole 19 Valve hole downstream passage

Claims (3)

A first port to which the first pipe from the receiver is connected, a second port to which the second pipe to the evaporator is connected, and a third port from which the third pipe from the evaporator is connected to the same side as the second port And a body having a fourth port connected to the same side as the first port, and a refrigerant coupled to the body and formed between the third port and the fourth port. An expansion valve including a power element that senses the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the passage through the communication hole.
At least one of the holes of the third port and the fourth port communicating with the refrigerant passage is provided outside an attachment hole constituting the coupling portion of the power element, and the third port and / or the fourth port is provided. An expansion valve characterized by having a positional relationship that partially overlaps with a connecting portion of the power element on an extended line of the port.   The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant passage has an inner diameter smaller than a nominal diameter of the third pipe and the fourth pipe. The second port when the third port is provided outside the mounting hole constituting the coupling portion of the power element is in communication with the first port, and the valve body of the valve portion is disposed. A valve provided outside the space and having a positional relationship partially overlapping with the space on an extension line of the second port, the valve portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second port The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve is connected by a hole downstream side passage.

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