JP2020165791A - Position detector - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress a detection error of a position detector while reducing the number of parts and man-hours for assembly.SOLUTION: In a sensor unit 16 constituting a flow channel switching valve 10, a detection body 82 is stored in an axial direction in a detection body storage chamber 96 of a sensor case 78, and a connection part 84 comprising four engaging pieces 114 elastically deformable and tiltable inwardly in a radial direction is provided at the end of a rod part 106 of the detection body 82. The detection body is inserted into an insertion hole 74 of a connection end 70 formed on one end of a valve body 14 while the connection part 84 is shrunk inwardly in a radial direction, and then an extended-diameter part 112 of the connection part 84 is inserted into a chamber 76 formed at an inner side of the insertion hole 74, thereby achieving removal prevention in the axial direction and integrated connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a position detecting device capable of detecting a moving position of a linear motion member along a linear direction.

Conventionally, a position detecting device for detecting the movement of a displaced body that is displaced linearly has been known. For example, the position detecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is slidably housed inside a case. A permanent magnet mounted on an operating shaft, a magnet holder that moves in conjunction with a slide of the operating shaft, and a magnetic detection element that detects a magnetic field of the permanent magnet are provided, and the operating shaft is attached to a bearing portion of the case. A coil spring that is displaceably supported and urges the magnet holder toward the operating shaft side is housed in the guide groove.

Then, by pressing the magnet holder to one side by the elastic force of the coil spring, the operating shaft moves so as to protrude from the case while being supported by the bearing portion, and the magnetic field is generated as the permanent magnet moves. The intensity changes, and by detecting this change with the magnetic detection element, the moving position of the operation shaft is detected.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-185469

However, in the above-mentioned position detection device, a bearing portion and a guide groove for supporting the coil spring and the operation shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction are required, so that the number of parts and the assembly man-hours increase and the manufacturing cost increases. There is a problem of doing it.

Further, in the detection method using a magnetic detection element, for example, the leakage of magnetic flux generated when a driving unit such as a solenoid is used causes noise and a detection error is likely to occur. Therefore, magnetism for preventing this leakage of magnetic flux. Noise countermeasures such as shields are required, which leads to a rise in manufacturing costs.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a position detecting device capable of suppressing a detection error while reducing the number of parts and assembling man-hours.

In order to achieve the above object, the aspects of the present invention include a case, a linear motion member that linearly moves inside the case, and a substrate that is housed in a substrate storage portion of the case so as to face the linear motion member. In a position detection device provided on a substrate, a sensor including a sensor capable of detecting the position of a detection object moving together with the linear motion member by detecting the position of the linear motion member.
The sensor is an inductive type that can detect changes in capacitance due to the approach of a linear motion member.
The linear motion member includes a connecting portion that is rotatably connected to the object to be detected.

According to the present invention, the sensor constituting the position detecting device is an inductive type capable of detecting a change in capacitance due to an approach of a linearly moving member that moves linearly inside the case, and the linearly moving member has the present invention. A connecting portion that is rotatably connected to a detection object that moves together with the linear motion member is provided.

Therefore, by using an inductive type sensor in the position detection device, it is possible to suitably suppress the detection error due to the noise caused by the leakage of the magnetic flux of the solenoid or the like, and the linear motion member is detected via the connecting portion. Compared with the conventional position detection device that has a coil spring for urging the magnet toward the operation shaft, a bearing for guiding the operation shaft in the axial direction, and a guide groove by connecting to the Since the coil spring can be eliminated and the configuration of the guide means can be simplified, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps in the position detecting device can be reduced.

In addition, by rotatably connecting the linear motion member to the detection target object, the linear motion member is always arranged to face the sensor even when the detection target object rotates, and the position is stable by the sensor. Detection can be performed.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, it is caused by noise generated when a solenoid or the like is used in the position detection device by using an inductive type sensor that can detect a change in capacitance due to the approach of a linearly moving member that moves linearly inside the case. By providing the linear motion member with a connecting portion that can be rotatably connected to the object to be detected while suppressing the detected detection error, a coil spring is not required as compared with the conventional position detection device, and the coil spring is not required. , The configuration of the guide means can be simplified, and the number of parts and the assembly man-hours in the position detection device can be reduced. Further, since the linear motion member is rotatably connected to the detection object, the linear motion member can be arranged so as to always face the sensor even when the detection object rotates. ..

It is an overall sectional view of the flow path switching valve which used the position detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the sensor unit in the flow path switching valve of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the valve body and the detection body shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the sensor unit of the flow path switching valve used in the position detection device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the detector in FIG. 3A. , FIG. 3C is an assembly explanatory view when assembling the detection body to the valve body. FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the sensor unit of the flow path switching valve used in the position detection device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view of the detector in FIG. 4A. 4C is an assembly explanatory view when the detection body is assembled to the valve body, and FIG. 4D is an assembly explanatory view when the detection body according to the modified example is assembled to the valve body.

A suitable embodiment of the position detection device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a flow path switching valve in which the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the flow path switching valve 10 is provided with a body 12 and a valve body (detection object) movably provided along the axial direction (arrows A and B) of the body 12. ) 14, a sensor unit (position detection device) 16 connected to one end of the body 12, and a solenoid unit 18 connected to the other end of the body 12.

The body 12 is formed from a resin material, for example, in a long cylindrical shape along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), and its outer peripheral surface is formed with the same diameter along the axial direction, and the shaft is formed. A locking wall 20 is formed inside one end side (direction of arrow A) along the direction, and the other end side (direction of arrow B) is open. A rod hole 22 through which the detection body 82 of the sensor unit 16 described later is inserted penetrates in the axial direction in the center of the locking wall 20, and one end of the valve spring 24 is radially outside the rod hole 22. The first annular groove 26 to be held is formed.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the body 12, tubular introduction ports 28, first and second outlet ports 30 and 32 protruding outward in the radial direction are formed, and the introduction ports 28 have a diameter substantially in the center in the axial direction. The first and second outlet ports 30 and 32 project to one side in the direction, and the first and second outlet ports 30 and 32 project to the other side in the radial direction opposite to the introduction port 28, and the first outlet port 30 protrudes to one end of the body 12. The second lead-out port 32 is formed so as to be on the side (direction of arrow A) and the other end side (direction of arrow B) by a predetermined distance in the axial direction.

A pipe (not shown) is connected to the introduction port 28, the first and second outlet ports 30, 32, respectively. For example, a fluid is supplied to the introduction port 28 from a supply source (not shown) through the pipe, and the first and second outlet ports 28 A device (not shown) to which the fluid is supplied is connected to the second outlet ports 30 and 32, respectively.

On the other hand, inside the body 12, a first storage hole 34 having a substantially constant diameter and extending along the axial direction is formed, and the first storage hole 34 is an introduction port 28, a first and second outlet port 30. , 32 and through the first to third openings 36, 38, 40, respectively, and a sleeve 42 formed in a cylindrical shape is housed inside the sleeve 42.

The sleeve 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, has the same outer peripheral diameter corresponding to the first storage hole 34 of the body 12, and is formed along the axial direction (arrows A and B). The first to third communication holes 44, 46, and 48 are formed at positions facing the first to third openings 36, 38, and 40 of the body 12, respectively.

The first to third communication holes 44, 46, 48 penetrate through the sleeve 42 in the radial direction, and the introduction ports 28, first, and second are passed through the first to third openings 36, 38, and 40. It communicates with the out-licensing ports 30 and 32.

Further, inside the sleeve 42, a second storage hole 50 extending along the axial direction and opening at both ends in the axial direction is formed, and the second storage hole 50 is formed in the center in the axial direction and is a first communication hole. The open seating portion 52 of 44, the first enlarged diameter portion 54 formed on one end side (arrow A direction) with respect to the seating portion 52, and the other end side (arrow B) with respect to the seating portion 52. It is provided with a second diameter-expanded portion 56 formed in the direction).

Further, in the second storage hole 50, a first guide portion 58 that is in sliding contact with the valve body 14 is formed below the first diameter-expanded portion 54 (in the direction of arrow A), and above the second diameter-expanded portion 56 (in the direction of arrow A). A second guide portion 60 that is in sliding contact with the valve body 14 is formed in the direction of the arrow B).

The seating portion 52 is formed with a substantially constant diameter and a predetermined length in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), and the first communication hole 44 is opened in the center of the axial direction, and the first and the first of the valve body 14 described later are described. The second land portions 62 and 64 are formed so as to be slidable with respect to the seating portion 52.

The first diameter-expanded portion 54 is provided on the sensor unit 16 side (direction of arrow A) with respect to the seating portion 52, has a predetermined length along the axial direction, and expands in the radial direction with respect to the seating portion 52. It is formed with a diameter.

The second diameter-expanded portion 56 is provided on the solenoid portion 18 side (arrow B direction) with respect to the seating portion 52, has a predetermined length along the axial direction, and expands in the radial direction with respect to the seating portion 52. It has a diameter and is formed with the same inner peripheral diameter as the first enlarged diameter portion 54.

The first and second guide portions 58 and 60 are formed at one end and the other end of the sleeve 42 with the same inner peripheral diameter as the seating portion 52, and the first and second land portions 62 and 64 of the valve body 14 described later. Are formed so that they can be slidably contacted.

Then, the sleeve 42 is inserted into the first storage hole 34 of the body 12 along the axial direction, and one end thereof abuts on the locking wall 20 to move toward the sensor unit 16 side (direction of arrow A). Positioning is performed, and the other end is arranged so as to be substantially flush with the other end of the body 12. A plurality of О rings are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 42 to prevent fluid from leaking between the sleeve 42 and the body 12.

The valve body 14 is made of, for example, a shaft body formed of a metal material into a circular cross section, and has a first land portion 62 formed on the outer periphery of one end side (arrow A direction) along the axial direction. It has a second land portion 64 formed on the outer periphery on the other end side (direction of arrow B), and a communication recess 66 provided on the outer peripheral side between the first land portion 62 and the second land portion 64. ..

The first and second land portions 62 and 64 are formed to have the same diameter and have substantially the same length along the axial direction, and the first land portion 62 is the seating portion 52 and the first guide of the sleeve 42. The valve body 14 is axially (in a state where it is in sliding contact with at least one of the portions 58 and the second land portion 64 is in sliding contact with at least one of the seating portion 52 and the second guide portion 60 of the sleeve 42. It is provided so as to be freely displaceable in the directions of arrows A and B).

Further, the communication recess 66 is formed in an annular shape by being recessed inward in the radial direction with respect to the first and second land portions 62 and 64, and is arranged so as to face the seating portion 52 and the first communication hole 44 in the sleeve 42. At the same time, the seating portion 52 is formed longer than the length along the axial direction.

On the other hand, the valve body 14 is formed with a plurality of communication passages 68 penetrating the inside from one end to the other end, and the communication passages 68 are radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 14 in the vicinity of one end. After extending, it extends in the axial direction (arrows A and B) toward the other end side and opens.

Inside the sleeve 42, the space formed on one end side (arrow A direction) of the valve body 14 and the space formed on the other end side (arrow B direction) are always communicated via the communication passage 68. The pressure is the same.

Further, a connecting end 70 to which the detection body 82 of the sensor unit 16 described later is connected is formed at the center of one end of the valve body 14, and the other is formed along the axial direction on the radial outer side of the connecting end 70. A second annular groove 72 recessed on the end side (direction of arrow B) is formed. The second annular groove 72 is formed so as to face the first annular groove 26 of the locking wall 20, and a valve spring 24 is interposed between the second annular groove 72 and the first annular groove 26. To. The valve spring 24 always urges the valve body 14 toward the solenoid portion 18 (in the direction of arrow B) under its elastic action.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the connecting end 70 is formed with an insertion hole 74 opened on one end side (direction of arrow A) and a chamber 76 having a rectangular cross section communicating with the insertion hole 74. The insertion hole 74 has a circular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter and penetrates in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), and the chamber 76 becomes a space widened in the radial direction with respect to the insertion hole 74.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, the sensor unit 16 functions as a position detecting device capable of detecting a position along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions) of the valve body 14, for example, a sensor case (case). ) 78, the substrate 80 housed inside the sensor case 78, the detector (linear motion member) 82 movably provided along the substrate 80, and the detector 82 with respect to the valve body 14. It includes a connecting portion 84 to be connected, a terminal 86 that is electrically connected to the substrate 80, and a lid member 88 that closes the opening 102 of the sensor case 78.

The sensor case 78 is, for example, a first flange portion formed of a resin material in a hollow shape, the other end of which is opened, is inserted into one end of the body 12 (direction of arrow A), and protrudes outward in the width direction. The 90 is fixed by the screw 92 in a state where the 90 is in contact with one end of the body 12. As a result, one end of the opened body 12 is closed by the sensor unit 16.

Further, inside the sensor case 78, a substrate storage chamber (board storage portion) 94 for storing the substrate 80 and a detector storage chamber 96 for storing the detector 82 adjacent to the substrate storage chamber 94 are provided. The substrate storage chamber 94 and the detector storage chamber 96 extend in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), respectively, and are separated by a partition wall 98 provided between the two.

On the other hand, the outside of the sensor case 78 has a first coupler portion 100 projecting so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction, the tip of the terminal 86 is exposed inside, and a connector (not shown) is connected to the controller ( The control signal from (not shown) is energized to the terminal 86, and the detection signal detected by the sensor unit 16 is output to the controller.

The substrate storage chamber 94 has an opening 102 in which one end side (direction of arrow A) into which the substrate 80 is inserted is opened, and the substrate 80 is on the body 12 side (arrow B) from the opening 102 along the partition wall 98. It is inserted and stored in the direction). The substrate storage chamber 94 is closed by mounting the lid member 88 in the opening 102 with the substrate 80 housed inside the substrate storage chamber 94.

The substrate 80 is electrically connected by, for example, three terminals 86 formed in a plate shape and constituting the first coupler portion 100 by contacting an electrode portion (not shown), and the detector 82 is arranged in close proximity to the substrate 80. A sensor coil (sensor) S for detecting the approach of the sword is provided, and a magnetic field is generated based on a control signal from the terminal 86 described later.

The detector storage chamber 96 is formed so as to be adjacent to the substrate storage chamber 94 via the partition wall 98, and the detector 82 is movably provided in the inside thereof along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions). .. The detection body 82 is attached to, for example, a block-shaped main body portion 104, a rod portion 106 protruding in the axial direction (arrow B direction) with respect to the main body portion 104, and a side surface of the main body portion 104. The detection piece 108 and the like.

The main body 104 has a detection piece 108 mounted on one side surface facing the partition wall 98 orthogonal to the moving direction of the detection body 82, and the other side surface opposite to the one side surface is inside the detection body storage chamber 96. By abutting on the wall surface 96a, it is movably guided along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions).

The rod portion 106 protrudes from the axial end surface of the main body portion 104 by a predetermined length along the axial direction (arrow B direction), is inserted into the rod hole 22 of the locking wall 20 in the body 12, and has its tip. Is provided with a connecting portion 84 for connecting to the connecting end 70 of the valve body 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the connecting portion 84 protrudes from the tip of the rod portion 106 by a predetermined length in the axial direction (arrow B direction), and is connected to, for example, the rod portion 106. And the diameter-expanded portion 112 extending in the direction away from the rod portion 106 (direction of arrow B) and expanding the diameter with respect to the small-diameter portion 110.

The outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 112 is formed so that the diameter of the small diameter portion 110 side (in the direction of arrow A) is the largest, and is formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter gradually decreases toward the tip in the direction of arrow B. Further, the axial length of the small diameter portion 110 is set to be substantially the same as the axial length of the insertion hole 74 in the valve body 14.

Further, the small diameter portion 110 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are each divided in the circumferential direction, and are composed of four locking pieces 114 which are elastically deformed and reduced in diameter by being pressed inward in the radial direction, and each locking piece is formed. 114 are provided at the tip of the rod portion 106 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

Further, the outer peripheral diameter of the small diameter portion 110 is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the insertion hole 74 in the connecting portion 84, and the enlarged diameter portion 112 is tilted inward in the radial direction to reduce the diameter to the maximum. The outer peripheral diameter is formed so as to be substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of the insertion hole 74.

Then, in the rod portion 106, the enlarged diameter portion 112 and the small diameter portion 110 are inserted into the insertion hole 74 at the connecting end 70 in a state of being inserted into the rod hole 22 of the locking wall 20, and the enlarged diameter portion 112 is contracted. By being inserted into the chamber 76 through the insertion hole 74 in a diameterd state, the diameter is expanded outward in the radial direction by elasticity. As a result, the end portion of the enlarged diameter portion 112 is engaged with the bottom wall of the chamber 76, and the insertion hole 74 is prevented from coming off, so that the relative displacement in the axial direction is restricted and integrated. And, it is rotatably connected.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the detection piece 108 is, for example, a plate formed of a metal material, substantially parallel to the other side surface of the main body 104, and substantially parallel to the partition wall 98. It is mounted so as to be parallel to each other, and is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions) along the partition wall 98 together with the detector 82.

Then, when the detection piece 108 approaches the magnetic field generated around the sensor coil S of the substrate 80 through the partition wall 98, an overcurrent flows and the inductance (capacitance) changes, and this inductance change is detected. Is output as a detection signal from the terminal 86 to a controller (not shown). That is, in the sensor unit 16, the above-mentioned inductance type detection method is used.

The terminal 86 is composed of, for example, a pair of power supply terminals formed in an L-shaped cross section and a signal terminal provided between the power supply terminals, and the tip thereof is exposed inside the first coupler unit 100. The sensor case 78 is molded so that the base end is exposed in the substrate storage chamber 94 and faces the opening 102.

Further, a joint member 116 formed of a metal material is electrically connected to the base end of the terminal 86. The joint member 116 electrically connects the base end of the terminal 86 and the electrode portion of the substrate 80 in the substrate storage chamber 94, and presses the substrate 80 toward the partition wall 98 side by its elastic force. I'm holding it.

As a result, a control signal from a controller (not shown) is supplied to the substrate 80 via the terminal 86, and the position of the detector 82 detected on the substrate 80 is output from the terminal 86 to the controller as a detection signal. To.

As shown in FIG. 1, the solenoid unit 18 includes, for example, a solenoid case 118, a bobbin 122 housed inside the solenoid case 118 and wound around a coil 120, and a fixed core provided below the bobbin 122. The 124, the plunger 126 provided inside the bobbin 122 and urged toward the fixed core 124 side (direction of arrow A) under the exciting action of the coil 120, and the shaft 128 connected to the center of the plunger 126. , The bobbin 122 and the resin mold portion 130 covering the outer peripheral side of the coil 120 are included.

The solenoid case 118 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a fixing member 132 is integrally crimped and closed at one end of the opening. Then, the second flange portion 134 formed at one end of the fixing member 132 is connected by a plurality of screws 92 in a state of being in contact with the other end of the body 12.

The bobbin 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end and the other end expanding in diameter outward in the radial direction, and a coil 120 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the bobbin 122. Then, inside the solenoid case 118, the outer peripheral side of the coil 120 and the bobbin 122 is molded and covered by the resin mold portion 130 described later.

The fixed core 124 is formed of a metal material into a substantially cylindrical shape, a part of which is inserted into the bobbin 122, and a flange portion 136 extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface is fixed to the resin mold portion 130. It is sandwiched between the other end of the member 132.

The plunger 126 is formed, for example, from a magnetic material into a cylindrical shape, is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin 122, and is provided so as to face the other end of the fixed core 124. Further, a shaft 128 is connected to the center of the shaft of the plunger 126, and the shaft 128 projects toward the valve body 14 side (arrow A direction) by a predetermined length with respect to one end of the plunger 126, and is a part of the shaft 128. Is inserted into the insertion hole of the fixed core 124, and one end thereof is in contact with the center of the other end of the valve body 14.

At this time, since the valve body 14 is always urged toward the shaft 128 side (direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24, one end of the shaft 128 is always in contact with the valve body 14. Become.

The resin mold portion 130 is formed of, for example, a mold body 140 formed of a resin material and covering the outer peripheral side of the coil 120 and the bobbin 122 inside the solenoid case 118, and a connection terminal 142 projecting from the side of the mold body 140. A second coupler unit 144 to be stored is provided. Then, the connection terminal 142 is electrically connected to the coil 120, and the second coupler portion 144 is connected to a connector (not shown) so that a control signal from a controller (not shown) is transmitted from the connection terminal 142 to the coil 120. Entered.

The flow path switching valve 10 used in the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, and its operation and action / effect will be described next. .. As shown in FIG. 1, a state in which the valve body 14 is moved to the solenoid portion 18 side (direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24 is described as an initial position, and cooling water flows as a fluid. A case where the flow path switching valve 10 is used in the cooling water circuit will be described.

At this initial position, the communication recess 66 of the valve body 14 faces the introduction port 28, the first land portion 62 abuts on the seating portion 52 and the first guide portion 58, and the second land portion 64 is the second guide. It is in contact with only the portion 60, and the second enlarged diameter portion 56 and the communication recess 66 are in communication with each other.

Then, the cooling water supplied from the supply source (not shown) to the introduction port 28 flows into the inside of the sleeve 42 through the first opening 36 and the first communication hole 44, and the second enlarged diameter portion 56 and the valve body thereof. It flows into the second diameter-expanded portion 56 through the gap formed between the communication recess 66 and the 14 communication recesses 66. On the other hand, in the first diameter-expanded portion 54, since the first land portion 62 of the valve body 14 is in contact with the seating portion 52, the first land-expanded portion 54 does not communicate with the communication recess 66, and the cooling water has the first diameter-expanded portion. It does not distribute to department 54.

The cooling water flowing to the second diameter-expanded portion 56 is not shown to be cooled from the second outlet port 32 through the third communication hole 48 and the third opening 40 facing the second diameter-expanded portion 56. Derived to the device.

Further, in the sensor unit 16, the detector 82 connected to the valve body 14 is integrally raised at the above-mentioned initial position, and is energized from a controller (not shown) to the substrate 80 via the terminal 86 of the first coupler unit 100. , The change in inductance according to the approach distance of the detection piece 108 is detected with respect to the magnetic field generated in the sensor coil S.

Further, the detection body 82 is suitably guided along the axial direction by sliding the main body portion 104 along the inner wall surface 96a of the detection body storage chamber 96.

Then, a detection signal based on this inductance change is output from the substrate 80 to a controller (not shown) through the terminal 86, so that the detection body 82 having the detection piece 108 and the valve body 14 to which the detection body 82 is connected are connected. The axial position is detected, and it is confirmed that the valve body 14 rises inside the body 12 and the sleeve 42 and is the initial position where the introduction port 28 and the second lead-out port 32 communicate with each other.

Next, when the cooling water supplied to the introduction port 28 is circulated to the first lead-out port 30 side, a control signal from a controller (not shown) is transmitted to the second coupler unit 144 of the solenoid unit 18 via wiring. Upon input, the coil 120 is energized and excited to generate a magnetic flux.

This magnetic flux flows around the fixed core 124, the coil 120, the solenoid case 118, and the plunger 126, and the generated magnetic force attracts the plunger 126 together with the shaft 128 toward the fixed core 124 side (direction of arrow A). The valve body 14 with which one end of the shaft 128 is in contact is pressed toward the sensor unit 16 side (direction of arrow A) against the elastic force of the valve spring 24 and moves.

As a result, the communication recess 66 of the valve body 14 faces the introduction port 28, and the first land portion 62 separates from the seating portion 52 and comes into contact with only the first guide portion 58, and the communication recess 66 and the first expansion The communication with the diameter portion 54 and the second land portion 64 come into contact with the seating portion 52 and the second guide portion 60, so that the communication between the communication recess 66 and the second diameter expansion portion 56 is cut off.

Then, the cooling water supplied to the introduction port 28 flows into the inside of the sleeve 42 through the first opening 36 and the first communication hole 44, and then reaches the communication recess 66 between the first enlarged diameter portion 54 and the valve body 14. It flows into the first diameter-expanded portion 54 through the gap formed between the two. On the other hand, since the second enlarged diameter portion 56 is blocked from communicating with the communication recess 66, the cooling water does not flow to the second enlarged diameter portion 56.

The cooling water flowing to the first diameter-expanded portion 54 is not shown to be cooled from the first outlet port 30 through the second communication hole 46 and the second opening 38 facing the first diameter-expanded portion 54. Derived to another device.

Further, in the sensor unit 16, the detection body 82 descends together with the valve body 14 and moves toward one end (direction of arrow A), and the approach distance of the detection piece 108 to the magnetic field generated in the sensor coil S of the substrate 80 is reduced. The change causes the inductance to change, and a detection signal based on this inductance change is output through the terminal 86 to a controller (not shown).

As a result, the axial position of the detection body 82 having the detection piece 108 and the valve body 14 with which the detection body 82 abuts is detected, and the valve body 14 descends inside the body 12 and the sleeve 42 to introduce the introduction port. It is confirmed that the 28 and the first out-licensing port 30 are in a communicating state.

As described above, in the flow path switching valve 10 described above, the valve body 14 is moved in the vertical direction along the body 12 and the sleeve 42, and the introduction port 28 and the first and second outlet ports 30 are moved through the communication recess 66. By switching the communication state with 32, it is possible to switch the supply path of the cooling water.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in the sensor unit 16 constituting the flow path switching valve 10, the sensor provided on the substrate 80 is provided in order to detect the moving position of the valve body 14 along the axial direction. By using an inductive sensor composed of a detection piece 108 provided on the coil S and the detection body 82, it is possible to suitably suppress a detection error due to noise generated due to leakage of magnetic flux in the solenoid unit 18.

Further, in the sensor unit 16, for example, a magnet can be operated by configuring the detection body 82 having the detection piece 108 to be connected to one end (connecting end 70) of the valve body 14 via the connecting portion 84. Compared with a coil spring for urging toward the shaft side, a conventional position detection device provided with a bearing portion and a guide groove for guiding the operating shaft in the axial direction, a coil spring is not required and a guide is provided. Since the configuration of the means can be simplified, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps in the sensor unit 16 can be reduced.

Further, since the detection body 82 is rotatably connected to the valve body 14, for example, even if the valve body 14 rotates in the sleeve 42, the detection body 82 rotates together. This is prevented, and the detection piece 108 mounted on the detection body 82 can be arranged so as to always face the sensor coil S (board 80), so that the position detection of the detection body 82 (valve body 14) can be stably performed. It can be carried out.

Next, the flow path switching valve 150 according to the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The same components as those of the flow path switching valve 10 according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the flow path switching valve 150 according to the second embodiment, the detection body 154 constituting the sensor unit 152 is formed by press-molding a thin plate material, and a connecting end (connecting end) provided at one end of the valve body 156. It differs from the flow path switching valve 10 according to the first embodiment in that it is connected to the convex portion) 158.

In the sensor unit 152 constituting the flow path switching valve 150, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the detection body 154 is formed into a U-shaped cross section by, for example, press-molding a thin plate material, and has a flat plate shape. The base portion 160 formed in the base portion 156 and connected to the valve body 156, the detection portion 162 erected at a substantially right angle from one end of the base portion 160, and the guide erected at a substantially right angle from the other end of the base portion 160. A unit 164 is provided. The detection unit 162 and the guide unit 164 are formed substantially parallel to each other at predetermined intervals.

The base portion 160 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the width direction, and a connecting hole (engagement hole) 166 is formed in the center thereof. The connecting hole 166 opens on one side extending in the width direction of the base portion 160, and has a locking portion 168 formed in a substantially circular cross section, and a guide groove 170 connecting the locking portion 168 and the one side. And have.

On the other hand, the valve body 156 to which the detection body 154 is connected is formed with a connecting end 158 protruding in the axial direction (arrow A direction) with respect to the center of one end thereof, and the connecting end 158 is formed in a circular cross section. It has a shaft portion 172 that has been formed, and a substantially oval locking end 174 that is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 172 and widens outward in the radial direction.

The outer peripheral diameter of the shaft portion 172 is formed to be substantially the same as the inner peripheral diameter of the locking portion 168, and the locking end 174 is formed to be wider in the radial direction than the locking portion 168. Then, the connecting end 158 is inserted into and engaged with the connecting hole 166 of the base portion 160 in the detection body 154, so that the detection body 154 and the valve body 156 are axially connected.

The detection unit 162 is formed in a plate shape, and has a first arm portion 176 extending by a predetermined length in a direction away from the valve body 156 with respect to the base portion 160 (direction of arrow A), and the first arm portion 176. The detection piece 178 is formed at the tip of the detection piece 178, and the detection piece 178 is formed to be wide in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first arm portion 176. Then, the detection unit 162 is stored in the detector storage chamber 96 along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), and is close to the substrate 80 via the partition wall 98 and the partition wall 98. Have been placed.

The guide portion 164 is formed at a second arm portion 180 extending by a predetermined length in a direction away from the valve body 156 with respect to the base portion 160 (direction of arrow A) and at the tip of the second arm portion 180. The second arm portion 180 and the contact piece 182 are formed in a bifurcated shape branched in the width direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the detector 154 (see FIG. 3B), and the second arm portion 180 and the contact piece 182 are formed. The arm portion 180 extends along the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), and the contact piece 182 has a V-shaped cross section toward the inner wall surface 96a side of the detector storage chamber 96 facing the partition wall 98. It is folded and formed (see FIG. 3A).

The guide portion 164 is arranged so that its second arm portion 180 faces the inner wall surface 96a and is substantially parallel to the guide portion 164, and the top portion 184 of the contact piece 182 abuts on the inner wall surface 96a. It has an elastic force that urges the inner wall surface 96a side.

Next, a case where the detection body 154 is connected to the connection end 158 of the valve body 156 will be described with reference to FIG. 3C.

First, as shown in the left figure in FIG. 3C, the connecting end 158 of the valve body 156 and the base portion 160 of the detection body 154 are arranged so as to face each other, and the guide groove 170 of the detection body 154 is locked. Slide the end 174 from the side to the connecting end 158 along the elongated direction (arrow C direction), insert the shaft portion 172 into the guide groove 170, and move it to the locking portion 168 (in FIG. 3C, See central).

Next, the detection body 154 is rotated by about 90 ° with respect to the valve body 156 (connecting end 158), and the locking end 174 is detected in the long direction (arrow C direction) as shown in the right figure in FIG. 3C. The first and second arm portions 176 and 180 of the body 154 are in a substantially parallel state. As a result, the base portion 160 is inserted into the shaft portion 172 by the locking end 174 formed wider than the connecting hole 166, and is locked in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions) with respect to the connecting end 158. The detection body 154 including the base portion 160 is integrally connected to the connecting end 158 of the valve body 156.

Then, in the detection body storage chamber 96, the detection piece 178 of the detection body 154 is arranged so as to face the substrate 80 via the partition wall 98, and the top portion 184 of the contact piece 182 is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface 96a. By moving in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions), the position of the detection body 154 is suitably maintained by the contact piece 182, and rotation in the detection body storage chamber 96 is prevented, so that the detection body 154 is always prevented from rotating. The detection piece 178 is arranged at a position facing the substrate 80.

As described above, in the second embodiment, in the sensor unit 152 constituting the flow path switching valve 150, an inductive type sensor is used to detect the moving position of the valve body 156 along the axial direction. The noise caused by the leakage of the magnetic flux in the solenoid unit 18 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of the detection error can be suitably suppressed accordingly.

Further, in the sensor unit 152, the detection body 154 is formed by press-molding a thin plate material, and the detection body 154 can be rotatably connected to the connecting end 158 of the valve body 156. Compared with a coil spring for urging to the side, a conventional position detection device provided with a bearing portion and a guide groove for guiding the operation shaft in the axial direction, a coil spring is not required and the guide means is provided. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps in the sensor unit 152.

Further, by integrally providing the detection piece 178 detected by the sensor coil S of the substrate 80 with the detection body 154, it is possible to further reduce the number of parts and the assembly man-hours, and further, the detection body 154 is axially provided. Since the guide portion 164 for guiding is also provided integrally, the number of parts can be further reduced, which is preferable.

Next, the flow path switching valve 200 according to the third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. The same components as those of the flow path switching valve 10 according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the flow path switching valve 200 according to the third embodiment, the detection body 206 is integrally crimped and connected to the connecting shaft 204 provided at one end of the valve body 202. It is different from the flow path switching valve 10 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the sensor unit 208 is provided with a block-shaped detection body 206 movably provided in the detection body storage chamber 96, and the detection body 206 has a detection piece 108 on a side surface facing the partition wall 98. Is mounted, and the side surface of the detection piece 108 opposite to the side on which the detection piece 108 is mounted is in contact with the inner wall surface 96a of the detector storage chamber 96.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the detector 206 is formed with a through hole (hole) 212 penetrating in the axial direction (arrows A and B) in the vicinity of the side surface on which the detection piece 108 is mounted. Will be done. On the other hand, at the center of one end of the valve body 202, a connecting shaft 204 extending toward the sensor unit 208 side (direction of arrow A) is formed, and the connecting shaft 204 is a thick shaft portion connected to the valve body 202. It has a 205a and a thin shaft portion 205b formed at the tip of the thick shaft portion 205a and having a diameter smaller than that of the thick shaft portion 205a. The connecting shaft 204 is formed in a solid shape, and the thin shaft portion 205b has a substantially constant diameter and extends in the axial direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the thin shaft portion 205b of the connecting shaft 204 is inserted into the through hole 212 from above the detection body 206, and the boundary portion between the thin shaft portion 205b and the thick shaft portion 205a is the detection body. Positioning is achieved by contacting one end in the axial direction of the 206, and the tip of the thin shaft portion 205b protrudes from the other end in the axial direction of the detector 206 by a predetermined length.

Next, a crimping portion 214 is formed by plastically deforming the protruding portion (one end portion) of the thin shaft portion 205b protruding from the detection body 206 with a jig or the like (not shown). As a result, the detection body 206 is held between the boundary portion and the crimping portion 214 on the connecting shaft 204, so that the detection body 206 is relative to the connecting shaft 204 in the axial direction (arrows A and B directions). The movement is restricted, and the valve body 202 having the connecting shaft 204 and the detecting body 206 are integrally and rotatably connected in the axial direction.

Then, in the sensor unit 208, as the valve body 202 moves along the axial direction, the detection body 206 integrally moves in the axial direction inside the detection body storage chamber 96, so that the sensor coil of the substrate 80 is formed. The approach distance of the detection piece 108 changes with respect to the magnetic field generated in S, the inductance changes, and the detection signal based on this inductance change is output to a controller (not shown) through the terminal 86, so that the valve body 202 moves. The position is detected.

The connecting shaft 204 of the valve body 202 to which the detection body 206 is connected is not limited to the case where the detection body 206 is formed in a solid state as described above, and for example, as shown in FIG. 4D, the valve body 220. The detection body 206 may be connected by using a hollow connecting shaft 222 having an opening on one end side (direction of arrow A).

The connecting shaft 222 includes a thick shaft portion 223a protruding from one end of the valve body 220 and a small-diameter hollow thin shaft portion 223b protruding from the tip of the thick shaft portion 223a, and detects the thin shaft portion 223b. The protruding portion of the thin shaft portion 223b is inserted into the through hole 212 of the body 206, and the boundary portion between the thin shaft portion 223b and the thick shaft portion 223a is brought into contact with one end in the axial direction of the detection body 206. The valve body 220 and the detection body 206 can be connected by plastically deforming in the radial direction to form the crimping portion 224. By connecting the detector 206 using the hollow connecting shaft 222 in this way, for example, it is possible to crimp with a smaller crimping load as compared with the above-mentioned solid connecting shaft 204. ..

As described above, in the third embodiment, in the sensor unit 208 constituting the flow path switching valve 200, an inductive type sensor is used to detect the moving position of the valve bodies 202 and 220 along the axial direction. As a result, the detection error caused by the noise caused by the leakage of the magnetic flux in the solenoid unit 18 can be suitably suppressed.

Further, in the sensor unit 208, the detection body 206 is integrally crimped to the connecting shafts 204 and 222 protruding from one end of the valve bodies 202 and 220 so that the detection body 206 can be rotatably connected to, for example, a magnet. Compared with a coil spring for urging the operating shaft side, and a conventional position detection device provided with a bearing portion and a guide groove for guiding the operating shaft in the axial direction, a coil spring is not required and the coil spring is not required. The configuration of the guide means can be simplified, and the number of parts and the number of assembly steps in the sensor unit 208 can be reduced.

Further, the detection body 154 formed by press molding in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is rotatably fixed by crimping to the connecting end 158 of the valve body 156 as described above. You may try to do it.

Furthermore, the sensor units 16, 152, and 208, which are position detection devices, switch the flow path of the cooling water by moving the valve bodies 14, 156, 202, and 220 along the axial direction as described above. , 150 and 200 are not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, an EGR switching valve that switches the return of exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine to the intake side.

It should be noted that the position detecting device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10, 150, 200 ... Flow path switching valve 12 ... Body 14, 156, 202, 220 ... Valve body 16, 152, 208 ... Sensor unit 18 ... Solenoid part 42 ... Sleeve 70, 158 ... Connecting end 74 ... Insert hole 80 ... Substrate 82, 154, 206 ... Detector 84 ... Connecting part 104 ... Main body part 108 ... 178 ... Detection piece 114 ... Locking piece 162 ... Detection part 164 ... Guide part 204, 222 ... Connecting shaft 214, 224 ... Clamping part

Claims (6)

A case, a linear motion member that linearly moves inside the case, a substrate that is housed in a substrate storage portion of the case so as to face the linear motion member, and a position of the linear motion member provided on the substrate. In a position detection device including a sensor capable of detecting the position of a detection object moving together with the linear motion member by detecting
The sensor is an inductive type capable of detecting a change in capacitance due to the approach of the linear motion member.
A position detecting device including a connecting portion that is rotatably connected to the detection object in the linear motion member. In the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1,
A position detecting device in which the linear motion member abuts on the inner wall surface of the case and is guided linearly. In the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The connecting portion has a locking piece that can be tilted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the linear motion member, and is formed in an engaging hole formed at an end portion along the moving direction of the detection object. A position detecting device in which the locking piece is inserted and engaged. In the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The linear motion member is formed of a plate made of a metal material and has a detection unit provided on the substrate side.
The connecting portion is a position detecting device having an engaging hole that can be engaged with a convex portion formed at an end portion along the moving direction of the detection object. In the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The connecting portion has a hole into which a connecting shaft extending from the end of the detection object along the moving direction is inserted, and the connecting shaft is inserted into the hole to be inserted in the insertion direction of the connecting shaft. Is a position detection device on which the end portion protruding from the linear motion member is crimped on the opposite side. In the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The linear motion member is formed of a plate made of a metal material and has a detection unit provided on the substrate side.
The connecting portion has a hole into which a convex portion formed at an end portion along the moving direction of the detection object is inserted, and the convex portion is inserted through the hole and inserted in the convex portion. A position detection device on which the end portion protruding from the linear motion member is crimped on the opposite side.

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