JP2021148242A - Control valve - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control valve capable of decreasing weight and manufacturing costs while ensuring durability.SOLUTION: A control valve 8 includes: a casing 21; a drive shaft 27 penetrating the inside/outside of the casing 21 through a through-hole 28 formed on the casing 21; a drive unit 23 disposed on the outside of the casing 21 and rotating the drive shaft 27; a valve body 22 coupled to the drive shaft 27 in the inside of the casing 21, configured to rotate with the drive shaft 27, and switching the communication and interception of the inside/outside of the casing 21 through a communication port with rotations of the drive shaft 27; and a seal ring 35 intercepting the communication of the inside/outside of the casing 21. The drive shaft 27 has a drive shaft body 27A, and a sliding portion 27B in which a sliding part with the seal ring 35 of the drive shaft 27 is formed of a metal material. The drive shaft body 27A is formed of a material smaller in density than the sliding portion 27B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a control valve.

In a cooling system that cools an engine using cooling water, a bypass flow path that bypasses the radiator, a warm-up flow path that passes through an oil warmer, etc. are provided in addition to the radiator flow path that circulates between the radiator and the engine. There are times when. In this type of cooling system, a configuration is known in which a control valve is provided which is connected to a branch portion of a flow path and appropriately switches a liquid distribution destination. As a control valve, a cylindrical valve body is rotatably arranged in a casing, and an arbitrary flow path is opened and closed according to the rotation position of the valve body (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). ).

In the control valve described in Patent Document 1 below, a drive shaft is press-fitted into the valve body. The valve body rotates integrally with the drive shaft by the driving force of an actuator such as an electric motor.

The drive shaft is supported by the casing with a seal member (seal ring) interposed therebetween. The drive shaft is slidably press-fitted into the seal member. The drive shaft is made of a metal material in order to prevent the contact portion with the seal member from being worn.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-194167

However, since the metal material has a higher density than the resin material, if the entire drive shaft is made of the metal material, the weight of the entire control valve increases. Further, since the metal material is more expensive than the resin material, there is a concern that the manufacturing cost will increase.

Therefore, the present invention provides a control valve capable of reducing weight and manufacturing cost while ensuring durability.

In order to achieve the above object, the control valve according to one aspect of the present invention includes a casing having a flow port through which a liquid flows, and a drive shaft penetrating the inside and outside of the casing through a through hole formed in the casing. An actuator that is arranged outside the casing and rotates the drive shaft, is connected to the drive shaft inside the casing, is configured to be rotatable together with the drive shaft, and is configured to be rotatable together with the drive shaft. A valve body that switches communication and blocking between the inside and outside of the casing through the flow port, and a seal member that is interposed between the casing and the drive shaft to block communication inside and outside the casing through the through hole. The drive shaft body has a drive shaft main body and a sliding portion in which a sliding portion of the drive shaft with at least the seal member is formed of a metal material. It is made of a material that has a lower density than the sliding part.

According to this aspect, the sliding portion that requires high durability in order to suppress wear due to contact with the sealing member is formed of at least a metal material, and the drive shaft body is formed of a material having a density lower than that of the metal material. .. As a result, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft is made of a metal material. Further, since the portion of the drive shaft formed of the expensive metal material can be limited to the sliding portion, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft is formed of the metal material.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the drive shaft main body has a first shaft portion on the valve body side with respect to the sliding portion and a second shaft portion on the actuator side with respect to the sliding portion. The sliding portion may be formed in a columnar shape coaxially arranged with the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.
According to this aspect, the interface between the drive shaft main body and the sliding portion can be positioned on both sides in the axial direction with the seal member in between. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the inside of the actuator through this interface.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the first shaft portion may be formed integrally with the valve body.
According to this aspect, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the first shaft portion and the valve body are formed separately. That is, since it is not necessary to assemble the first shaft portion to the valve body, the man-hours for assembling the control valve can be reduced.
Further, according to this aspect, for example, it is possible to suppress a change in the relative position between the axis of the drive shaft and the axis of the valve body when the control valve is driven. That is, since it becomes easy to secure the coaxiality between the drive shaft and the valve body, it is possible to suppress the swing of the valve body with respect to the drive shaft.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the sliding portion may be formed to have the same diameter as the drive shaft main body and may be coaxially connected to the drive shaft main body.
According to this aspect, the drive shaft can be formed without a step. As a result, the drive shaft can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the drive shaft is formed in a stepped shape having a large diameter portion in the middle portion, for example.
Further, according to this aspect, the drive shaft can be made smaller and lighter than the case where the drive shaft is formed in a stepped shape having a large diameter portion in the middle portion, for example. Therefore, the control valve can be made smaller and lighter.

In the control valve of the above aspect, a thrust receiving portion may be interposed between the casing and the valve body.
According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the direct sliding of the casing and the valve body, so that the sliding resistance can be reduced. Thereby, the rotation efficiency of the valve body can be improved. Further, when the control valve is driven, it is possible to prevent the casing and the valve body from sliding and wearing each other. Therefore, the durability of the casing and the valve body can be improved.

According to each of the above aspects, the present invention can provide a control valve capable of reducing weight and manufacturing cost while ensuring durability.

The block diagram of the cooling system of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the control valve of 1st Embodiment. An exploded perspective view of the control valve of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2 of the control valve of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the sliding portion of the first modified example in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control valve of the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the following description, a case where the control valve of the present embodiment is adopted as the cooling system for cooling the engine using the coolant will be described.

[Cooling system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the cooling system 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling system 1 is mounted on a vehicle having at least an engine as a vehicle drive source. The vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or the like, in addition to a vehicle having only an engine.

In the cooling system 1, various flow paths 10 include an engine 2 (ENG), a water pump 3 (W / P), a radiator 4 (RAD), a heater core 6 (HTR), an EGR cooler 7 (EGR), and a control valve 8 (EWV). It is configured by being connected by ~ 14.
The water pump 3, the engine 2, and the control valve 8 are connected in order from upstream to downstream on the main flow path 10. In the main flow path 10, the coolant (corresponding to the liquid according to claim) passes through the engine 2 and the control valve 8 in order by the operation of the water pump 3.

A radiator flow path 11, a bypass flow path 12, an air conditioning flow path 13, and an EGR flow path 14 are connected to the main flow path 10, respectively. The radiator flow path 11, the bypass flow path 12, the air conditioning flow path 13, and the EGR flow path 14 connect the upstream portion of the water pump 3 and the control valve 8 of the main flow path 10.

The radiator 4 is connected to the radiator flow path 11. In the radiator flow path 11, heat exchange between the coolant and the outside air is performed in the radiator 4. The bypass flow path 12 bypasses the radiator 4 (radiator flow path 11) and returns the coolant that has passed through the control valve 8 to the upstream portion of the water pump 3.

A heater core 6 is connected to the air conditioning flow path 13. The heater core 6 is provided, for example, in a duct (not shown) of an air conditioner. In the air conditioning flow path 13, heat exchange between the coolant and the air conditioning air flowing in the duct is performed in the heater core 6.

An EGR cooler 7 is connected to the EGR flow path 14. In the EGR flow path 14, heat exchange between the coolant and the EGR gas is performed in the EGR cooler 7.

In the cooling system 1 described above, the cooling liquid that has passed through the engine 2 in the main flow path 10 flows into the control valve 8 and then is selectively distributed to the various flow paths 11 to 13 by the operation of the control valve 8.

[Control valve]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control valve 8, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the control valve 8. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the control valve along line IV-IV of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control valve 8 mainly includes a casing 21, a drive unit 23 (corresponding to the actuator of the present application), a valve body 22, and a drive shaft 27.

[casing]
The casing 21 is a member in which a flow port through which the coolant flows (radiator outlet 60, bypass outlet 65, and air conditioning outlet 68, which will be described later) is formed. The casing 21 has a bottomed cylindrical casing main body 25 and an end cover 26 attached to an opening-side end portion of the casing main body 25. A valve body 22 is rotatably housed inside the casing 21. The axis of the casing 21 that matches the rotation axis of the valve body 22 is referred to as the axis O1 of the casing 21. Further, in the following description, the direction along the axis O1 of the casing 21 is simply referred to as the case axial direction. Further, in the case axial direction, the direction toward the bottom wall portion 32 of the casing main body 25 with respect to the case peripheral wall 31 of the casing main body 25 is referred to as one end side in the case axial direction, and the end portion of the casing main body 25 with respect to the case peripheral wall 31. The direction toward the cover 26 is referred to as the other end side in the case axial direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the axis O1 of the casing 21 is referred to as the case radial direction. Further, the direction around the axis O1 of the casing 21 is referred to as the case circumferential direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom wall portion 32 projects from the bottom wall main body 32a facing the end cover 26 in the case axial direction and the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall main body 32a toward one end side in the case axial direction. It has a surrounding wall 32b and the like.
The bottom wall main body 32a is formed with a through hole 28 that penetrates the bottom wall main body 32a in the case axial direction. The axis of the through hole 28 is located on the axis O1. The thickness of the bottom wall main body 32a increases from the outside to the inside in the radial direction, so that the amount of bulging of the bottom wall main body 32a into the case peripheral wall 31 increases. The through hole 28 is formed so as to penetrate the thickest portion of the bottom wall main body 32a. Inside the through hole 28, a cylindrical slide bearing 29 for slidably supporting the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 27 is held. Further, a diameter-expanded groove 30 having an inner diameter larger than that of the inner peripheral surface of another portion of the through hole 28 is formed at the end edge of the through hole 28 on the valve body 22 side (the other end side in the case axial direction). .. A seal ring 35 (corresponding to the seal member according to claim), which will be described later, is held inside the enlarged diameter groove 30.

The outer surface of the casing body 25 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by a resin material. A plurality of mounting pieces 33 extend to the other end of the case peripheral wall 31 on the other end side in the case axial direction. The control valve 8 is fixed to an engine block or the like (not shown) via a mounting piece 33.

In the end cover 26, the boss portion 26c is arranged at the axial position of the annular frame 26a. The boss portion 26c is supported by the frame 26a by a plurality of spoke portions 26b. A bottomed cylindrical slide bearing 16 is attached to the boss portion 26c. The opening portion of the end cover 26 surrounded by the frame 26a, the boss portion 26c, and the adjacent spoke portions 26b is an inflow port 17 for allowing the coolant to flow into the casing 21. The inflow port 17 is connected to the downstream side of the engine 2 of the main flow path 10 (see FIG. 1) of the cooling system 1. The end cover 26 is made of a resin material like the casing main body 25.

A radiator port 41 (see FIG. 4) that bulges outward in the radial direction of the case is formed on the wall that forms one surface of the case peripheral wall 31. The radiator port 41 is formed with a fail opening (not shown) and a radiator outlet 60 (corresponding to the flow port of the claim) arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the case axial direction. The fail opening and the radiator outlet 60 are formed so as to penetrate the radiator port 41. Further, the fail opening and the radiator outlet 60 are formed at positions biased toward the other end side in the case axial direction among the walls forming one surface of the case peripheral wall 31.

A radiator joint 42 is connected to the open end surface of the radiator port 41. A part of the radiator joint 42 is inserted into the radiator outlet 60 and connects the radiator outlet 60 and the upstream opening of the radiator flow path 11 (see FIG. 1).
Further, the radiator outlet 60 is provided with a seal mechanism 36. The seal mechanism 36 includes a seal cylinder member 37, an urging member 38, and seals 39 and 40. The seal cylinder member 37 is arranged inside the radiator outlet 60 in a state where the axial direction is along the opening direction of the radiator outlet 60. The opening at the other end of the seal cylinder member 37 in the axial direction is opened and closed by the valve body 22, so that communication and blocking between the inside of the valve body 22 and the inside of the radiator joint 42 can be switched. The urging member 38 is composed of, for example, wave splitting or the like. The urging member 38 is interposed between the seal cylinder member 37 and the radiator joint 42 to urge the seal cylinder member 37 toward the valve body 22.

The seal 39 is an annular member such as an X packing or a Y packing. The seal 39 surrounds the seal cylinder member 37. The seal 39 is slidably close to the outer peripheral surface of the seal cylinder member 37 and the inner peripheral surface of the radiator outlet 60.
The seal 40 is inside the radiator port 41, outside the seal 39 in the radial direction of the case, and surrounds the radiator joint 42. The seal 40 is an annular member such as an O-ring. The seal 40 airtightly seals between the inner peripheral surface of the radiator outlet 60 and the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the radiator joint 42 inserted into the radiator outlet 60 by interposing between the two. There is.

A thermostat 61 is arranged at the fail opening. The thermostat 61 opens and closes the fail opening according to the temperature of the coolant flowing in the casing 21. The fail opening communicates with the radiator joint 42 (radiator flow path 11). When the temperature of the coolant flowing in the casing 21 rises above the specified temperature, the thermostat 61 opens a fail opening to allow the coolant in the casing 21 to flow out to the radiator flow path 11.

An EGR port 62 is formed adjacent to the housing portion of the thermostat 61 at one end of the case peripheral wall 31 on the one end side in the case axial direction. The EGR port 62 is formed on the peripheral wall 31 of the case so as to bulge outward in the radial direction of the case. The EGR port 62 is formed with an EGR outlet 63 communicating with a portion upstream of the thermostat 61 in the accommodation portion of the thermostat 61. An EGR joint 52 is connected to the open end face of the EGR port 62. The EGR joint 52 connects the EGR outlet 63 and the upstream opening of the EGR flow path 14 (see FIG. 1).

A bypass port 64 that bulges outward in the case radial direction is formed on the wall of the case peripheral wall 31 that faces the wall formed by the radiator port 41 in the case radial direction. The bypass port 64 is formed with a bypass outlet 65 (corresponding to the distribution port according to the claim) that penetrates the bypass port 64 in the radial direction of the case. The bypass outlet 65 is formed at a position facing the radiator outlet 60 with the axis O1 of the casing 21 interposed therebetween. Further, the bypass outlet 65 is formed at a position biased toward the other end side of the case peripheral wall 31 in the case axial direction, similarly to the radiator outlet 60. A bypass joint 66 is connected to the open end surface of the bypass port 64. The bypass joint 66 connects the bypass outlet 65 and the upstream opening of the bypass flow path 12 (see FIG. 1). The bypass outlet 65 is provided with a sealing mechanism 36 similar to that provided at the radiator outlet 60. Since the seal mechanism 36 arranged at each outlet has the same basic structure, the description of the structure of the seal mechanism 36 of the bypass outlet 65 and its peripheral portion will be omitted as appropriate.

An air conditioning port 67 that bulges outward in the radial direction of the case is formed on the wall of the peripheral wall 31 of the case that is adjacent to the wall on which the radiator port 41 is formed in the circumferential direction of the case. The air conditioning port 67 is formed with an air conditioning outlet 68 (corresponding to the distribution port according to the claim) that penetrates the air conditioning port 67 in the radial direction of the case. An air conditioning joint 69 is connected to the open end surface of the air conditioning port 67. The air conditioning joint 69 connects the air conditioning outlet 68 and the upstream opening of the air conditioning flow path 13 (see FIG. 1). The air conditioning outlet 68 is provided with a sealing mechanism 36 similar to that provided at the radiator outlet 60 and the bypass outlet 65. Since the seal mechanism 36 arranged at each outlet has the same basic structure, the description of the seal mechanism 36 of the air conditioning outlet 68 and the structure around the seal mechanism 36 will be omitted as appropriate.

[Drive unit]
The drive unit 23 is arranged outside the casing main body 25 (casing 21). The drive unit 23 is attached to the bottom wall portion 32 of the casing main body 25. The drive unit 23 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 32 by bolting or the like in a state where a part of the drive unit 23 is housed inside the surrounding wall 32b.

The drive unit 23 includes a unit main body 23A including a motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a control board, and the like, and a unit case 23B for accommodating the unit main body 23A. The output shaft 23Aa of the unit body 23A penetrates the unit case 23B.

[Valve body]
The valve body 22 is connected to the drive shaft 27 inside the casing 21 and is configured to be rotatable together with the drive shaft 27. The valve body 22 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 44, a connecting flange portion 45 extending radially inward from one end side of the peripheral wall portion 44 in the case axial direction, and a radial inside of the connecting flange portion 45. It is provided with a bottomed cylindrical connecting cylinder portion 46 which is continuously provided at the end portion. The peripheral wall portion 44, the connecting flange portion 45, and the connecting cylinder portion 46 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The peripheral wall portion 44 switches between communication and interruption inside and outside the casing 21 as the drive shaft 27 rotates. The peripheral wall portion 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 44 is slidably in close contact with the end portion of the seal cylinder member 37 on the valve body 22 side in the axial direction.

The peripheral wall portion 44 is formed with a plurality of valve holes 47 that penetrate the peripheral wall portion 44 in the radial direction of the case. The plurality of valve holes 47 are formed in a portion of the peripheral wall portion 44 that overlaps with each of the above-mentioned outlets (bypass outlet 65, radiator outlet 60, and air conditioning outlet 68) in the axial direction of the case. Of the plurality of valve holes 47, the plurality of valve holes 47 formed at positions overlapping each other in the outlet and the case axial direction are formed at intervals in the case circumferential direction.
When the valve hole 47 overlaps with the corresponding outlet (bypass outlet 65, radiator outlet 60 or air conditioning outlet 68) in the circumferential direction of the case, the overlapping valve hole 47 and the outlet are communicated with each other via the seal cylinder member 37. Communicate with each other. As a result, the inside of the joint (bypass joint 66, radiator joint 42 or air conditioning joint 69) connected to the outflow port communicating with the valve hole 47 and the inside of the valve body 22 communicate with each other. As a result, the cooling liquid in the valve body 22 is supplied to each cooling target from the corresponding flow path through the valve hole 47 and the outflow port.

The connection flange portion 45 has a peripheral wall 45a extending inwardly in the case radial direction while being curved toward the other end side in the case axial direction, and a bottom flange 45b connected to the other end portion of the peripheral wall 45a in the case axial direction. And have. The inner end of the peripheral wall 45a in the radial direction of the case is along the axial direction of the case. Further, the bottom flange 45b extends inward in the case radial direction from the other end of the peripheral wall 45a in the case axial direction.

The connecting cylinder portion 46 has a peripheral wall 46a extending from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom flange 45b toward the other end side in the case axial direction along the case axial direction, and a bottom continuous with the other end portion of the peripheral wall 46a in the case axial direction. It has a wall 46b and. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 46a is formed in a perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction. Further, the bottom wall 46b is substantially orthogonal to the case axial direction. The bottom wall 46b closes the other end of the peripheral wall 46a in the case axial direction.

A washer 34 (corresponding to the thrust receiving portion of the claim) is provided between the bottom flange 45b of the connecting flange portion 45 of the valve body 22 and the end portion 32c of the bottom wall main body 32a of the casing 21 on the one end side in the case axial direction. It is intervening. The washer 34 is an annular member arranged coaxially with the case axial direction, and is made of, for example, resin. The thickness direction of the washer 34 coincides with the case axial direction. The inner diameter of the washer 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the drive shaft 27, and the outer diameter of the washer 34 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the inner end portion of the peripheral wall 45a in the case radial direction.

The plurality of valve holes 47 are provided at positions of the peripheral wall portion 44 that overlap each of the above-mentioned outlets (bypass outlet 65, radiator outlet 60, and air conditioning outlet 68) in the case axial direction. Of the plurality of valve holes 47, the plurality of valve holes 47 formed at positions overlapping each other in the case axial direction are formed at intervals in the case circumferential direction.
When the valve hole 47 overlaps with the corresponding outlet (bypass outlet 65, radiator outlet 60 or air conditioning outlet 68) in the circumferential direction of the case, the overlapping valve hole 47 and the outlet are communicated with each other via the seal cylinder member 37. Communicate with each other. As a result, the inside of the joint (bypass joint 66, radiator joint 42 or air conditioning joint 69) connected to the outflow port communicating with the valve hole 47 and the inside of the valve body 22 are communicated with each other.

[Drive shaft]
The drive shaft 27 is connected to the output shaft 23Aa of the drive unit 23. The drive shaft 27 is arranged coaxially with the axis O1 and rotates around the axis O1 integrally with the output shaft 23Aa by the driving force of the drive unit 23. The drive shaft 27 penetrates the inside and outside of the casing 21 through a through hole 28 formed in the bottom wall main body 32a of the casing 21. The drive shaft 27 has a drive shaft main body 27A and a sliding portion 27B.

The drive shaft body 27A is made of a material having a lower density than the sliding portion 27B. In the present embodiment, for example, the drive shaft main body 27A is made of a resin material, and the sliding portion 27B is made of a metal material such as stainless steel.
The drive shaft main body 27A has a first shaft portion 27C on the other end side (that is, the valve body 22 side) in the case axial direction with respect to the sliding portion 27B and one end side (that is, one end side in the case axial direction with respect to the sliding portion 27B). That is, the second shaft portion 27D on the drive unit 23 side) is provided.
The first shaft portion 27C is integrally formed with the valve body 22. The first shaft portion 27C extends coaxially with the axis O1 from the bottom wall 46b of the connecting cylinder portion 46 toward the other end side in the case axial direction. The other end of the first shaft portion 27C in the case axial direction is rotatably supported by the boss portion 26c of the end cover 26 via the slide bearing 16.
The second shaft portion 27D is formed coaxially with the first shaft portion 27C. One end of the second shaft portion 27D in the case axial direction is connected to the output shaft 23Aa of the unit main body 23A. The other end of the second shaft portion 27D in the case axial direction is inserted into the through hole 28 and is rotatably supported by the slide bearing 29 in the through hole 28. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft portion 27D is slidably supported by the slide bearing 29. A fitting recess 27D1 that opens toward the other end side in the case axial direction is formed on the end surface of the second shaft portion 27D on the other end side in the case axial direction.

The sliding portion 27B is a columnar member that connects the first shaft portion 27C and the second shaft portion 27D and is arranged coaxially with the axis O1. That is, the sliding portion 27B is arranged coaxially with the first shaft portion 27C and the second shaft portion 27D. The sliding portion 27B is formed to have a larger diameter than the first shaft portion 27C. The sliding portion 27B is formed to have the same diameter as the second shaft portion 27D of the drive shaft main body 27A.
The other end of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction is fixed to the connecting cylinder portion 46 by press fitting or other means. As a result, the sliding portion 27B is connected to the connecting cylinder portion 46.
At one end of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction, a fitting convex portion 27B1 projecting toward one end side in the case axial direction is formed. The fitting protrusion 27B1 is fixed to the fitting recess 27D1 by press fitting or other means to fit the fitting recess 27D1. As a result, the sliding portion 27B is connected to the second shaft portion 27D. The front view shape of the fitting convex portion 27B1 and the fitting concave portion 27D1 as viewed from the case axial direction is a perfect circle if the second shaft portion 27D and the sliding portion 27B are unable to rotate relative to each other. However, it may be non-perfect.
The central portion of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction is inserted into the through hole 28 and is rotatably supported in the through hole 28 by a seal ring 35 described later. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 27B is rotatably supported by the seal ring 35.

[Seal ring]
The seal ring 35, also called an oil seal, is arranged inside the enlarged diameter groove 30 formed in the bottom wall main body 32a. The seal ring 35 is interposed between the casing 21 and the drive shaft 27 to block communication between the inside and outside of the casing 21 through the through hole 28. Specifically, the seal ring 35 is slidably close to the outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 27B to suppress leakage of the coolant.
The seal ring 35 is made of, for example, rubber or the like. The seal ring 35 is provided at a position separated inward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral wall 35a that abuts on the inner surface of the enlarged diameter groove 30, and the inner peripheral wall 35b that is in close contact with the sliding portion 27B, and the outer peripheral wall 35a. It has a connecting wall 35c that connects the inner peripheral wall 35b and the inner peripheral wall 35b at one end in the case axial direction.
An annular spring is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall 35b. The spring presses the inner peripheral wall 35b against the sliding portion 27B by an elastic force. As a result, the inner peripheral wall 35b and the sliding portion 27B are in close contact with each other to suppress leakage of the coolant.

[Operation of control valve]
Next, the operation of the control valve 8 described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the main flow path 10, the coolant delivered by the water pump 3 is heat-exchanged by the engine 2 and then flows toward the control valve 8. The coolant that has passed through the engine 2 in the main flow path 10 flows into the casing 21 of the control valve 8 through the inflow port 17.

Of the coolant that has flowed into the casing 21 of the control valve 8, some of the coolant flows into the EGR outlet 63. The coolant that has flowed into the EGR outlet 63 is supplied into the EGR flow path 14 through the EGR joint 52. The coolant supplied into the EGR flow path 14 is returned to the main flow path 10 after heat exchange between the coolant and the EGR gas is performed in the EGR cooler 7.

On the other hand, of the coolant that has flowed into the casing 21 of the control valve 8, the coolant that has not flowed into the EGR outlet 63 is opened by the valve body 22 according to the rotation position of the valve body 22 in the casing 21. It is distributed to each of the flow paths 11 to 13 through any of the outlets (radiator outlet 60, bypass outlet 65, air conditioning outlet 68).

In the control valve 8, in order to switch the communication pattern between the valve hole and the outlet, the drive shaft 27 is rotated by the drive unit 23. The valve body 22 rotates around the axis O1 as the drive shaft 27 rotates. As a result, the valve body 22 switches between communication and interruption between the inside and outside of the casing 21 through the radiator outlet 60, the bypass outlet 65, and the air conditioning outlet 68. More specifically, by stopping the rotation of the valve body 22 at a position corresponding to the communication pattern to be set, the valve hole and the outflow port can communicate with each other in a communication pattern corresponding to the stop position of the valve body 22. ..

[Effect of Embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the sliding portion 27B, which requires high durability in order to suppress wear due to contact with the seal ring 35, is formed of a metal material, and the drive shaft main body 27A has a density higher than that of the metal material. Formed with low material. The drive shaft body 27A is formed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The drive shaft main body 27A may be made of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP).
According to this configuration, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft 27 is made of a metal material. Further, since the portion of the drive shaft 27 formed of the expensive metal material can be limited to the sliding portion 27B, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft 27 is formed of the metal material.

In the present embodiment, the drive shaft main body 27A includes a first shaft portion 27C on the valve body 22 side with respect to the sliding portion 27B and a second shaft portion 27D on the drive unit 23 side with respect to the sliding portion 27B. , And the sliding portion 27B is formed in a columnar shape arranged coaxially with the first shaft portion 27C and the second shaft portion 27D.
According to this configuration, the interface between the drive shaft main body 27A and the sliding portion 27B can be positioned on both sides of the seal ring 35 in the axial direction of the case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the coolant from entering the inside of the drive unit 23 through this interface.

In the present embodiment, the first shaft portion 27C is integrally formed with the valve body 22.
According to this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the first shaft portion 27C and the valve body 22 are formed separately. That is, since it is not necessary to assemble the first shaft portion 27C to the valve body 22, the man-hours for assembling the control valve 8 can be reduced.
Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to suppress a change in the relative position between the axis of the drive shaft 27 and the axis of the valve body 22 when the control valve 8 is driven. That is, since it becomes easy to secure the coaxiality between the drive shaft 27 and the valve body 22, the runout of the valve body 22 with respect to the drive shaft 27 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the sliding portion 27B is formed to have the same diameter as the second shaft portion 27D of the drive shaft main body 27A, and is coaxially connected to the first shaft portion 27C and the second shaft portion 27D of the drive shaft main body 27A. Has been done.
According to this configuration, at least the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 27 from the second shaft portion 27D to the sliding portion 27B can be formed flush with each other. As a result, the drive shaft 27 can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the drive shaft 27 is formed in a stepped shape having a large diameter portion in the middle portion, for example.
Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the drive shaft 27 can be made smaller and lighter than the case where the drive shaft 27 is formed in a stepped shape having a large diameter portion in the middle portion, for example. .. Therefore, the control valve 8 can be made smaller and lighter.

In the present embodiment, the washer 34 is interposed between the end portion 32c of the bottom wall main body 32a of the casing 21 on the one end side in the case axial direction and the bottom flange 45b of the connection flange portion 45 of the valve body 22.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the end portion 32c of the casing 21 and the bottom flange 45b of the valve body 22 from directly sliding, so that the sliding resistance can be reduced. Thereby, the rotation efficiency of the valve body 22 can be improved. Further, when the control valve 8 is driven, the end portion 32c of the casing 21 and the bottom flange 45b of the valve body 22 can be prevented from sliding and wearing each other. Therefore, the durability of the casing 21 and the valve body 22 can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the second shaft portion 27D and the sliding portion 27B are connected by press-fitting and fixing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second shaft portion 27D and the sliding portion 27B may be integrated by insert molding. Further, the second shaft portion 27D and the sliding portion 27B may be fixed by an adhesive.

In the first embodiment, the sliding portion 27B and the valve body 22 are connected by press-fitting and fixing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sliding portion 27B and the valve body 22 may be integrated by insert molding. Further, the sliding portion 27B and the valve body 22 may be fixed by an adhesive.

In the first embodiment, the first shaft portion 27C is formed integrally with the valve body 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first shaft portion 27C may be formed separately from the valve body 22 and may be inserted into an insertion hole formed in the bottom wall 46b of the connecting cylinder portion 46 and penetrating in the case axial direction.

In the first embodiment, the sliding portion 27B is formed to have the same diameter as the second shaft portion 27D, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sliding portion 27B may be formed to have a larger diameter or a smaller diameter than the second shaft portion 27D.

In the first embodiment, the sliding portion 27B is formed coaxially with the drive shaft main body 27A, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the axis of the drive shaft main body 27A and the axis of the sliding portion 27B may be deviated from each other in the case radial direction.

[First modification]
The first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following first modification, the sliding portion 27B is provided at a position corresponding to the seal portion in the case axial direction, and recesses (fitting recesses 27B2, 27B3) recessed in the case axial direction are provided at both ends in the case axial direction. It differs from the first embodiment in that it has. Of the first modification, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment or the corresponding configuration will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the sliding portion 27B.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first shaft portion 27C has a fitting convex portion 27C1 projecting toward one end side in the case axial direction at one end in the case axial direction. The second shaft portion 27D has a fitting convex portion 27D2 protruding toward the other end side in the case axial direction at the other end portion in the case axial direction.
Both ends of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction are located on both sides in the case axial direction with respect to the seal ring 35, respectively.

The fitting recess 27B2 is provided at the other end of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction. The fitting recess 27B2 opens toward the other end in the axial direction of the case. The fitting recess 27B2 is fixed to the fitting protrusion 27C1 by press fitting or other means. The front view shape of the fitting convex portion 27C1 and the fitting concave portion 27B2 when viewed from the case axial direction is a perfect circle if the first shaft portion 27C and the sliding portion 27B cannot rotate relative to each other. However, it may be non-perfect.
The fitting recess 27B3 is provided at one end of the sliding portion 27B in the case axial direction. The fitting recess 27B3 opens toward one end side in the case axial direction. The fitting recess 27B3 is fixed to the fitting protrusion 27D2 by press fitting or other means. The front view shape of the fitting convex portion 27D2 and the fitting concave portion 27B3 when viewed from the case axial direction is a perfect circle if the second shaft portion 27D and the sliding portion 27B cannot rotate relative to each other. However, it may be non-perfect.

The outer peripheral wall of the sliding portion 27B constitutes a predetermined region in the case axial direction including a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 27 on which the seal ring 35 slides. The same metal material as in the first embodiment can be used for the sliding portion 27B. The outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 27B is formed flush with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft main body 27A.
The sliding portion 27B may be insert-molded with respect to the drive shaft main body 27A, for example.

In this modification, the sliding portion 27B is provided at a position corresponding to the seal portion in the case axial direction, and has recesses (fitting recesses 27B2, 27B3) recessed in the case axial direction at both ends in the case axial direction. The configuration was set to.
According to this configuration, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft 27 is made of a metal material. Further, since the portion of the drive shaft 27 formed of the expensive metal material can be limited to the sliding portion 27B, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire drive shaft 27 is formed of the metal material.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The following second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the drive shaft 27 does not penetrate the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. Of the second embodiments, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment or the corresponding configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control valve 100. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view seen from a direction opposite to that of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the valve body 22 has a connecting flange portion 103 and a connecting cylinder portion 104.

The connection flange portion 103 extends inward in the case radial direction from one end of the peripheral wall portion 44 in the case axial direction. The connection flange portion 103 extends stepwise toward the other end side in the case axial direction toward the inside in the case radial direction. The connection flange portion 103 has a central cylinder portion 103a, an outer flange portion 103c, and an inner flange portion 103b.

The central tubular portion 103a is formed in a cylindrical shape arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The outer flange portion 103c projects outward in the case radial direction from one end of the central tubular portion 103a in the case axial direction. The outer flange portion 103c is connected to the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the peripheral wall portion 44 in the case axial direction. The inner flange portion 103b projects inward in the case radial direction from the other end of the central tubular portion 103a in the case axial direction.

The connecting cylinder portion 104 faces the peripheral wall 104a extending from the inner peripheral edge of the inner flange portion 103b toward the other end side in the case axial direction, and the peripheral wall 104a from the other end portion in the case axial direction toward the inside in the case radial direction. It has a bottom flange 104b extending from the bottom.

The inside of the peripheral wall 104a and the inside of the bottom flange 104b form an insertion hole 58 into which the drive shaft 27 is inserted. The insertion hole 58 has a large-diameter portion 58a formed by the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 104a and a small-diameter portion 58b formed by the inner peripheral surface of the bottom flange 104b.
The large diameter portion 58a is formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the case axial direction. The small diameter portion 58b is formed in a perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction.

The drive shaft 27 has a drive shaft main body 27A and a sliding portion 27B. The drive shaft main body 27A extends from the output shaft 23Aa of the unit main body 23A to the other end side in the case axial direction. The drive shaft main body 27A has a fitting recess 27D1 at the other end in the case axial direction. The sliding portion 27B extends from the other end of the drive shaft main body 27A toward the other end in the case axial direction. The sliding portion 27B has a fitting convex portion 27B1 at one end in the case axial direction. The sliding portion 27B and the drive shaft main body 27A are connected by fitting the fitting concave portion 27D1 and the fitting convex portion 27B1.
The sliding portion 27B includes an insertion portion 50 and a protruding portion 51.
The insertion portion 50 has a large diameter portion 50a and a small diameter portion 50b extending from the large diameter portion 50a to the other end side in the case axial direction.

The large-diameter portion 50a is formed in a non-perfect circle corresponding to the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58 when viewed from the case axial direction.

The large-diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58. The large-diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 and the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58 formed in a non-circular shape are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the case, and the rotation of the drive shaft 27 with respect to the valve body 22 is restricted. ..
The small diameter portion 50b is formed in a perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction. The small diameter portion 50b of the insertion portion 50 is inserted into the small diameter portion 58b of the insertion hole 58.

The protruding portion 51 projects from the small diameter portion 50b of the insertion portion 50 toward the other end side in the case axial direction. The protruding portion 51 projects to the other end side in the case axial direction with respect to the bottom flange 104b through the small diameter portion 58b of the insertion hole 58. An annular washer 102 is fixed to the projecting portion 51 from the other end side in the axial direction of the case by press fitting or other means. The washer 102 is made of a resin material. The washer 102 may be made of a metal material. The outer diameter of the washer 102 is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 58b of the insertion hole 58 and smaller than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 104a. The large diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 and the washer 102 sandwich the bottom flange 104b of the connecting cylinder portion 104 from both sides in the case axial direction. As a result, the insertion portion 50 and the protruding portion 51 are engaged with the valve body 22 from both sides in the case axial direction, and the movement of the drive shaft 27 with respect to the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is restricted. The sliding portion 27B has a valve body 22 due to the engagement between the insertion portion 50 and the insertion hole 58 in the case circumferential direction and the engagement between the insertion portion 50 and the protrusion 51 and the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. It is fixed to.

Further, the control valve 100 includes a shaft cover 101 on the other end side of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. The shaft cover 101 is provided at a position separated from the drive shaft 27 in the case axial direction. The shaft cover 101 includes an annular frame 101a that is fitted into the valve body 22 at the other end in the case axial direction and fixed to the valve body 22, and a plurality of spoke portions that extend inward in the case radial direction from the frame 101a. It has a 101b and a hub 101c that is supported at an axial position by the spoke portions 101b and projects to the other end side in the case axial direction. The frame 101a, the spoke portions 101b, and the hub 101c are integrally formed of the same resin material as the valve body 22.

A cylindrical slide bearing 16 is mounted in the boss portion 26c of the end cover 26. A hub 101c is inserted inside the slide bearing 16. The boss portion 26c slidably supports the hub 101c via the slide bearing 16. That is, the other end side of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is rotatably supported by the shaft cover 101.

In the present embodiment, one end side of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is rotatably supported by the drive shaft 27. The other end side of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is rotatably supported by a shaft cover 101 separated from the drive shaft 27 in the case axial direction.
According to this configuration, one end of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction can be supported by the drive shaft 27, and the other end can be supported by the shaft cover 101. As a result, the length of the drive shaft 27 can be shortened while supporting the valve body 22 with both sides, as compared with the configuration in which the drive shaft 27 penetrates the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. That is, the weight of the control valve 100 can be reduced because there is no shaft portion connecting the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 101 between the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 101.

Not limited to each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, if the sliding portion 27B is formed at least on the sliding portion of the drive shaft 27 with the seal ring 35, the forming range of the sliding portion 27B is appropriately changed. It is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

8,100 ... Control valve 21 ... Casing 22 ... Valve body 23 ... Drive unit (actuator)
27 ... Drive shaft 27A ... Drive shaft body 27B ... Sliding part 27C ... First shaft part 27D ... Second shaft part 28 ... Through hole 34 ... Washer (thrust receiving part)
35 ... Seal ring (seal member)
60 ... Radiator outlet (distribution port)
65 ... Bypass outlet (distribution port)
68 ... Air conditioning outlet (distribution port)

Claims (5)

A casing with a distribution port through which liquids flow,
A drive shaft that penetrates the inside and outside of the casing through a through hole formed in the casing,
An actuator arranged outside the casing and rotating the drive shaft,
A valve body that is connected to the drive shaft inside the casing and is rotatably configured together with the drive shaft, and that switches between communication and cutoff inside and outside the casing through the distribution port as the drive shaft rotates. ,
A seal member that is interposed between the casing and the drive shaft to block communication between the inside and outside of the casing through the through hole is provided.
The drive shaft
Drive shaft body and
The drive shaft has at least a sliding portion that slides with the seal member with a sliding portion made of a metal material.
The drive shaft body is a control valve made of a material having a density lower than that of the sliding portion. The drive shaft body is
The first shaft portion on the valve body side with respect to the sliding portion and
A second shaft portion on the actuator side with respect to the sliding portion is provided.
The control valve according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is formed in a columnar shape coaxially arranged with the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The control valve according to claim 2, wherein the first shaft portion is integrally formed with the valve body. The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sliding portion has the same diameter as the drive shaft main body and is coaxially connected to the drive shaft main body. The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a thrust receiving portion is interposed between the casing and the valve body.

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