JP2021148243A - Control valve - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control valve capable of ensuring the cylindricity of a valve body.SOLUTION: A control valve 8 comprises a casing 21, and a valve module 15 disposed in the inside of the casing 21. The valve module 15 has a drive shaft 27 that has a base portion 49 rotatably supported by a bottom wall portion 32 of the casing 21, and a valve body 22 that is coupled to the drive shaft 27 and switches the communication and interception of the inside and the outside of the casing 21. The drive shaft 27 comprises an inserting portion 50 that is continued to the base portion 49 in a case axial direction, and is inserted in an insertion hole 58 formed on the valve body 22, and a projecting portion 51 that is continued to the opposite side to the base portion 49 with respect to the inserting portion 50 in the case axial direction. The insertion hole 58 and the inserting portion 50 are formed in a non-perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction and are engaged with each other in a case circumferential direction, and the inserting portion 50 and the projecting portion 51 are engaged with the valve body 22 from both sides in the case axial direction respectively, thereby fixing the drive shaft 27 to the valve body 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a control valve.

In the cooling system that cools the engine using cooling water, in addition to the radiator flow path that circulates between the radiator and the engine, a bypass flow path that bypasses the radiator, a warm-up flow path that passes through the oil warmer, etc. are installed side by side. Sometimes. In this type of cooling system, a control valve is interposed at a branch portion of the flow path, and the flow path is appropriately switched by the control valve. As a control valve, a valve body is rotatably arranged in a casing, and an arbitrary flow path is opened and closed according to a rotation position of the valve body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the control valve described in Patent Document 1 below, a drive shaft is fixed to the valve body by press fitting. The valve body rotates integrally with the drive shaft by the driving force of a drive unit such as an electric motor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-59615

By the way, in order to efficiently transmit the driving force of the drive unit to the valve body and control the rotation position of the valve body with high accuracy, it is necessary that the rotation of the valve body with respect to the drive shaft is regulated.
When the drive shaft is press-fitted into the valve body as in the control valve disclosed in Patent Document 1, the valve body may be deformed by the stress acting on the valve body at the time of press-fitting. Further, if the press-fitting load, the tightening allowance, etc. are increased in order to secure the press-fitting input, the above-mentioned problems become more remarkable.
On the other hand, it is also conceivable to insert-mold the drive shaft with respect to the valve body. However, even in the case of insert molding, the valve body may be deformed due to the stress generated in the valve body due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the drive shaft and the valve body.
When the valve body is deformed, the cylindricity of the valve body deteriorates, and it becomes difficult to control the rotational position of the valve body with high accuracy.

Therefore, the present invention provides a control valve capable of ensuring the cylindricity of the valve body.

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 valve module arranged inside the casing. A first shaft portion having a base portion rotatably supported on the first wall of the casing, and the casing that is connected to the first shaft portion and passes through the flow port as the first shaft portion rotates. It has a valve body that switches between internal and external communication and shutoff, and the first shaft portion is connected to the base portion in the axial direction of the first shaft portion and is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the valve body. The first shaft portion includes an insertion portion and a protruding portion that is continuous with the insertion portion on the opposite side of the base portion in the axial direction. The insertion hole and the insertion portion are viewed from the axial direction. By being formed in a non-circular shape and engaging with each other in the circumferential direction around the first shaft portion, and by engaging the insertion portion and the protruding portion with the valve body from both sides in the axial direction, respectively. It is fixed to the valve body.

According to this aspect, the insertion hole and the insertion portion are formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, and are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction around the first shaft portion. As a result, the movement of the valve body in the circumferential direction with respect to the first shaft portion can be suppressed.
In addition, according to this aspect, the insertion portion and the protrusion portion are engaged with the valve body from both sides in the axial direction, respectively. As a result, the axial movement of the valve body with respect to the first shaft portion can be suppressed.
In this way, since the movement of the valve body in the circumferential direction and the axial direction with respect to the first shaft portion can be suppressed, the first shaft portion is directly press-fitted into the valve body, or the first shaft portion is insert-molded into the valve body. The valve body can be fixed to the first shaft portion without any trouble. As a result, the stress applied to the valve body can be reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the valve body from being deformed and the cylindricity of the valve body from deteriorating. Therefore, the driving force of the drive unit can be efficiently transmitted to the valve body, and the rotational position of the valve body can be controlled with high accuracy.

In the control valve of the above aspect, an engaging member that engages with the valve body in the axial direction may be fixed to the protruding portion.
According to this aspect, the protrusion and the valve body can be engaged in the axial direction by an engaging member formed separately from the protrusion. As a result, the protruding portion and the valve body can be engaged with each other without processing the protruding portion or the valve body, for example, by caulking. Therefore, it can be easily engaged as compared with the case where the protruding portion or the valve body is processed to engage the protruding portion and the valve body.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion face each other in the radial direction intersecting the axial direction and engage with each other, whereby the first one with respect to the valve body. A flat surface that regulates the rotation of the shaft portion may be formed.
According to this aspect, the flat surface of the insertion hole and the flat surface of the insertion portion can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, the insertion hole and the insertion portion can be more reliably engaged in the circumferential direction, so that the movement of the valve body in the circumferential direction with respect to the first shaft portion can be suppressed more reliably.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the valve module is fixed coaxially with the first shaft portion at an end portion of the valve body opposite to the first shaft portion, and the first of the casings. A second shaft portion rotatably supported by a second wall facing the wall may be provided.
According to this aspect, the second shaft portion can be provided at a position separated from the first shaft portion. As a result, the length of the drive shaft can be shortened while supporting the valve body with both sides, as compared with the configuration in which the drive shaft penetrates the valve body in the axial direction. That is, the weight of the control valve can be reduced because there is no shaft portion connecting the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion in the valve module.
Further, according to this aspect, since the valve body is supported at both ends in the axial direction, stability during rotation can be ensured. That is, it is possible to reduce the weight while ensuring the stability during rotation.

In the control valve of the above aspect, the valve module extends from the outside to the inside in the radial direction intersecting the axial direction toward the first shaft portion in the axial direction, and the second shaft portion and the said. The second wall may be provided with a connecting portion for connecting to and from the valve body, and the second wall may be provided with a shaft supporting portion that bulges toward the connecting portion in the axial direction and supports the second shaft portion. ..
According to this aspect, the connecting portion connecting the second shaft portion and the valve body extends toward the first shaft portion side in the axial direction from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. As a result, the second shaft portion can be arranged on the first shaft portion side in the axial direction rather than the end portion on the valve body opposite to the first shaft portion side in the axial direction. Therefore, the control valve can be miniaturized in the axial direction.
In addition, according to this aspect, the second wall bulges toward the connecting portion in the axial direction and includes a shaft supporting portion that supports the second shaft portion. Thereby, the support length of the second shaft portion can be secured.

According to each of the above aspects, the present invention can provide a control valve capable of ensuring the cylindricity of the valve body.

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. The perspective view of the valve module of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5 of the valve module of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5 of the valve module of 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 7. 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, and a valve module 15.

[casing]
The casing 21 has a bottomed cylindrical casing main body 25 and an end cover 26 (corresponding to the second wall of the claim) attached to the opening-side end 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 (corresponding to the axial direction of the claims). Further, in the case axial direction, the direction toward the bottom wall portion 32 (corresponding to the first wall of the claim) 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 casing main body. The direction toward the end cover 26 with respect to the case peripheral wall 31 of 25 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 (corresponding to the radial direction of the claim). Further, the direction around the axis O1 of the casing 21 is referred to as a case circumferential direction (corresponding to the circumferential direction of the claims).

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 through hole 28 is formed coaxially with the axis O1. The thickness of the bottom wall main body 32a increases from the outside to the inside in the case 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. A slide bearing 29 is held inside the through hole 28. 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 (also referred to as an oil seal) 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.

The end cover 26 has a frame 26a, a boss portion 26c (corresponding to the shaft support portion of the claim), and an end cover spoke portion 26b. The frame 26a, the boss portion 26c, and the end cover spoke portion 26b are integrally formed of the same resin material as the casing main body 25.
The frame 26a is formed in an annular shape coaxially arranged with the axis O1. The frame 26a is fitted in the opening on the other end side of the case peripheral wall 31 in the case axial direction.

The boss portion 26c is formed in a cylindrical shape arranged coaxially with the axis O1. A cylindrical slide bearing 16 is mounted in the boss portion 26c.
The end cover spoke portion 26b extends linearly outward from the boss portion 26c to the frame 26a in the radial direction of the case, and connects the boss portion 26c and the frame 26a. The boss portion 26c bulges from the end cover spoke portion 26b to the other end side in the case axial direction. For example, four end cover spoke portions 26b are arranged at equal intervals in the case circumferential direction. The thickness of the end cover spoke portion 26b increases from the outside to the inside in the case radial direction, so that the amount of bulging of the end cover spoke portion 26b into the case peripheral wall 31 gradually increases. .. The thickness of the end cover spoke portion 26b in the case circumferential direction is uniform in the case radial direction.

The opening portion of the end cover 26 surrounded by the frame 26a, the boss portion 26c, and the end cover spoke portions 26b adjacent to each other in the case circumferential direction communicates the inside and outside of the casing 21 in the case axial direction. It is said to be the inflow port 17a. The inflow port 17a is connected to the downstream side of the engine 2 of the main flow path 10 (see FIG. 1) of the cooling system 1. That is, the coolant that has passed through the engine 2 flows into the inside of the casing 21 through the inflow port 17a.

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 distribution port of the claim) arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the case. The fail opening and the radiator outlet 60 are formed so as to penetrate the radiator port 41. Further, the fail opening is formed in the central portion in the case axial direction among the walls forming one surface of the case peripheral wall 31. The radiator outlet 60 is formed at a position 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 end 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. In the seal cylinder member 37, the opening on the valve body 22 side in the axial direction is opened and closed by the valve body 22, so that the 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, a wave spring 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 joint 52 is attached to the central portion of the case peripheral wall 31 in the case axial direction. The EGR joint 52 is provided on the peripheral wall 31 of the case and connects between the EGR outlet (not shown) communicating with the accommodation of the thermostat 61 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 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 module]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve module 15. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the valve module 15 along the VI-VI line of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the valve module 15 along line VII-VII of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the valve module 15 is rotatably arranged inside the casing main body 25 (casing 21). The valve module 15 includes a valve member 18 and a shaft cover 19. The valve member 18 has a valve body 22 and a drive shaft 27 (corresponding to the first shaft portion of the claim).

[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 tubular portion 44a and a holding portion 44b. The tubular portion 44a and the holding portion 44b are integrally formed of a resin material.

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

The tubular portion 44a is formed with a plurality of valve holes 47 that penetrate the tubular portion 44a in the radial direction of the case. The plurality of valve holes 47 are formed in a portion of the tubular portion 44a that overlaps with 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 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.

A pair of joint surfaces 48 facing each other in the case radial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the other end of the tubular portion 44a in the case axial direction. The joint surface 48 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 44a when viewed from the opposite direction of the pair of joint surfaces 48 in the case radial direction.

The holding portion 44b holds the drive shaft 27 inside the valve body 22. The holding portion 44b includes a connecting flange portion 45 and a connecting cylinder portion 46.

The connection flange portion 45 extends inward in the case radial direction from one end of the tubular portion 44a in the case axial direction. The connection flange portion 45 extends stepwise toward the other end side in the case axial direction toward the inside in the case radial direction. The connection flange portion 45 has a central cylinder portion 45a, an outer flange portion 45c, and an inner flange portion 45b.

The central tubular portion 45a is formed in a cylindrical shape arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The outer flange portion 45c projects outward in the case radial direction from one end of the central tubular portion 45a in the case axial direction. The outer flange portion 45c is connected to the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the tubular portion 44a in the case axial direction. The inner flange portion 45b projects inward in the case radial direction from the other end of the central tubular portion 45a in the case axial direction.

The connecting cylinder portion 46 extends from the inner peripheral edge of the inner flange portion 45b toward the other end side in the case axial direction, and from the other end portion of the peripheral wall 46a in the case axial direction toward the inside in the case radial direction. It has a bottom flange 46b extending therein.

The inside of the peripheral wall 46a and the inside of the bottom flange 46b 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 46a and a small-diameter portion 58b formed by the inner peripheral surface of the bottom flange 46b.
The large diameter portion 58a is formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the case axial direction. The large diameter portion 58a has two flat surfaces 58c facing each other in the case radial direction. That is, the large diameter portion 58a is formed in a so-called two-sided width shape. The flat surface 58c is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 58a when viewed from the opposite direction of the pair of flat surfaces 58c.
The small diameter portion 58b is formed in a perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction.

[Drive shaft]
The drive shaft 27 is arranged coaxially with the axis O1 and connects the valve body 22 and the drive unit 23. The drive shaft 27 is integrally rotated with the valve body 22 around the axis O1 by the driving force of the drive unit 23. The drive shaft 27 is made of a material having a higher rigidity than the valve body 22. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 27 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel.

The drive shaft 27 includes a base portion 49, an insertion portion 50, and a protruding portion 51.
The base 49 is formed in a perfect circle when viewed from the case axial direction. The base 49 penetrates the bottom wall main body 32a through the through hole 28 described above. The base 49 is rotatably supported by the slide bearing 29 and the seal ring 35 in the through hole 28, respectively. One end of the base 49 in the case axial direction is connected to the output shaft 23Aa outside the casing 21.

The insertion portion 50 has a large diameter portion 50a extending from the base portion 49 to the other end side in the case axial direction, 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-circular shape when viewed from the case axial direction. The large diameter portion 50a has two flat surfaces 50c facing each other in the case radial direction. That is, the large diameter portion 50a is formed in a so-called two-sided width shape. The flat surface 50c is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 50a when viewed from the opposite direction of the pair of flat surfaces 50c.

The large-diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58 in a state where the flat surface 50c and the flat surface 58c are aligned in the case circumferential direction. As a result, 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. Has been done.
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 46b through the small diameter portion 58b of the insertion hole 58. An annular washer 20 (corresponding to the engaging member according to claim) is fixed to the protruding portion 51 by press fitting from the other end side in the axial direction of the case. The outer diameter of the washer 20 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 46a. The large diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 and the washer 20 sandwich the bottom flange 46b of the connecting cylinder portion 46 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 drive shaft 27 is attached to the valve body 22 by the engagement of the insertion portion 50 and the insertion hole 58 in the case circumferential direction and the engagement of the insertion portion 50 and the protrusion 51 and the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. It is fixed.

[Axis cover]
The shaft cover 19 is attached to the other end of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction. The shaft cover 19 includes a frame 19a, a hub 19c (corresponding to the second shaft portion of the claim), and a shaft cover spoke portion 19b (corresponding to the connecting portion of the claim). The frame 19a, the hub 19c, and the shaft cover spoke portion 19b are integrally formed of the same resin material as the valve body 22.

The frame 19a is arranged at the other end of the tubular portion 44a in the case axial direction. The frame 19a has a main body portion 19d and a joint portion 19e. The main body 19d is formed in an annular shape coaxially arranged with the axis O1. The main body portion 19d is inserted into the other end of the tubular portion 44a in the case axial direction. The joint portion 19e projects from the main body portion 19d toward one end side in the case axial direction. A pair of joints 19e are provided so as to face each other in the radial direction of the case. The pair of joints 19e are provided at positions corresponding to the pair of joint surfaces 48 provided on the tubular portion 44a in the circumferential direction of the case. The joint portion 19e is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 19d when viewed from the opposite direction of the pair of joint portions 19e. Of the surfaces (outer surfaces) of the joint portion 19e facing outward in the case radial direction, the central portion of the joint portion 19e in the case circumferential direction is a flat surface along the joint surface 48 of the tubular portion 44a. Of the surfaces (outer surfaces) of the joint portion 19e facing outward in the case radial direction, both ends of the joint portion 19e in the case circumferential direction are both side portions of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 44a in the case circumferential direction of the joint surface 48. It is a curved surface along.
The joint portion 19e and the joint surface 48 are joined (fixed) by, for example, an adhesive or welding, so that the valve body 22 and the shaft cover 19 are connected.

The hub 19c is a cylindrical member arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The hub 19c is separated from the drive shaft 27 (protruding portion 51) in the case axial direction. A partition wall for partitioning the hub 19c in the case axial direction is provided at the center of the hub 19c in the case axial direction. The hub 19c is rotatably supported by the slide bearing 16 inside the boss portion 26c.

The shaft cover spoke portion 19b extends linearly from the hub 19c to the frame 19a toward the outside in the radial direction of the case. That is, the shaft cover spoke portion 19b connects the hub 19c and the valve body 22 via the frame 19a. The hub 19c projects from the shaft cover spoke portion 19b toward the other end side in the case axial direction. For example, four shaft cover spoke portions 19b are arranged at equal intervals in the case circumferential direction. The pitch in the circumferential direction of the plurality of shaft cover spoke portions 19b (hereinafter, "pitch" means the distance between the center lines of the adjacent spoke portions in the case circumferential direction) is a plurality of end covers. It is equivalent to the pitch in the case circumferential direction in the spoke portion 26b. The shaft cover spoke portion 19b extends from the outside in the case radial direction toward the one end side in the case axial direction from the outside to the inside. The thickness of the shaft cover spoke portion 19b in the case circumferential direction is uniform in the case radial direction. The thickness of the shaft cover spoke portion 19b in the case circumferential direction is substantially the same as the thickness of the end cover spoke portion 26b in the case circumferential direction.

Of the shaft cover 19, the opening portion surrounded by the frame 19a, the hub 19c, and the shaft cover spoke portions 19b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the case allows the coolant flowing into the casing 21 from the inflow port 17a. It is said to be a passing port 17b through which it passes.

[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 17a.

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 the first embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in the drive shaft 27, the insertion hole 58 and the insertion portion 50 are formed in a non-perfect shape when viewed from the case axial direction, and engage with each other in the case circumferential direction, and the insertion portion 58 and the insertion portion 50 and the insertion portion 50 are formed. The protruding portion 51 is fixed to the valve body 22 by engaging with the valve body 22 from both sides in the case axial direction.
According to this configuration, the insertion hole 58 and the insertion portion 50 are formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the case axial direction and are engaged with each other in the case circumferential direction. As a result, the movement of the valve body 22 with respect to the drive shaft 27 in the case circumferential direction can be suppressed.
In addition, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the insertion portion 50 and the protrusion 51 are engaged with the valve body 22 from both sides in the case axial direction, respectively. As a result, the movement of the valve body 22 with respect to the drive shaft 27 in the case axial direction can be suppressed.

In this way, the movement of the valve body 22 with respect to the drive shaft 27 in the case circumferential direction and the case axis direction can be suppressed, so that the drive shaft 27 can be directly press-fitted into the valve body 22 or the drive shaft 27 can be inserted into the valve body 22. The valve body 22 can be fixed to the drive shaft 27 without molding. As a result, the stress applied to the valve body 22 can be reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the valve body 22 from being deformed and the cylindricity of the valve body 22 from deteriorating. Therefore, the driving force of the drive unit 23 can be efficiently transmitted to the valve body 22, and the rotational position of the valve body 22 can be controlled with high accuracy.
Further, since it is possible to prevent the valve body 22 from being deformed and the cylindricity of the valve body 22 from deteriorating, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the sealing property of the seal cylinder member 37 which is in close contact with the valve body 22. Thereby, leakage from the valve body 22 can be suppressed. Therefore, the cooling efficiency and the fuel efficiency can be improved.

In the present embodiment, a washer 20 that engages with the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is fixed to the protruding portion 51.
According to this configuration, the protrusion 51 and the valve body 22 can be engaged with each other in the case axial direction by the washer 20 formed separately from the protrusion 51. As a result, the protruding portion 51 and the valve body 22 can be engaged with each other without processing the protruding portion 51 or the valve body 22, for example, by caulking. Therefore, it can be easily engaged as compared with the case where the protruding portion 51 and the valve body 22 are processed to engage the protruding portion 51 and the valve body 22. Further, since the protrusion 51 and the valve body 22 are not deformed by the processing for engaging the protrusion 51 and the valve body 22, the coaxiality between the drive shaft 27 and the valve body 22 and the valve body 22 Deterioration of cylindricity can be suppressed.
Further, since it is possible to prevent the valve body 22 from being deformed and the cylindricity of the valve body 22 from deteriorating, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the sealing property of the seal cylinder member 37 which is in close contact with the valve body 22. Thereby, leakage from the valve body 22 can be suppressed. Therefore, the cooling efficiency and the fuel efficiency can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 58 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 50 face each other in the radial direction of the case and engage with each other to regulate the rotation of the drive shaft 27 with respect to the valve body 22. 58c and 50c are formed.
According to this configuration, the flat surface 58c of the insertion hole 58 and the flat surface 50c of the insertion portion 50 can be brought into contact with each other. As a result, the insertion hole 58 and the insertion portion 50 can be more reliably engaged in the case circumferential direction, so that the movement of the valve body 22 with respect to the drive shaft 27 in the case circumferential direction can be more reliably suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the valve module 15 is fixed coaxially with the drive shaft 27 at the end of the valve body 22 opposite to the drive shaft 27, and the end of the casing 21 facing the bottom wall portion 32. It has a hub 19c that is rotatably supported by the cover 26.
According to this configuration, the hub 19c can be provided at a position separated from the drive shaft 27. Compared with the configuration in which the drive shaft penetrates the valve body in the axial direction, the length of the drive shaft 27 can be shortened while supporting the valve body 22 with both sides. That is, in the valve module 15, the weight of the control valve 8 can be reduced because there is no shaft portion connecting the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 19 between the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 19.
Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the valve body 22 is supported at both ends in the case axial direction, stability during rotation can be ensured. That is, it is possible to reduce the weight while ensuring the stability during rotation.

In the present embodiment, the valve module 15 extends from the outside to the inside in the case radial direction intersecting the case axial direction toward the drive shaft 27 side in the case axial direction, and is between the hub 19c and the valve body 22. The shaft cover spoke portion 19b to be connected is provided, and the end cover 26 is provided with a boss portion 26c that bulges toward the shaft cover spoke portion 19b in the case axial direction and supports the drive shaft 27.
According to this configuration, the shaft cover spoke portion 19b connecting between the hub 19c and the valve body 22 extends toward the drive shaft 27 side in the case axial direction from the outside to the inside in the case radial direction. As a result, the hub 19c can be arranged on the drive shaft 27 side in the case axial direction rather than the end portion of the valve body 22 on the side opposite to the drive shaft 27 side in the case axial direction. Therefore, the control valve 8 can be miniaturized in the case axial direction.
In addition, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the end cover 26 bulges toward the shaft cover spoke portion 19b in the case axial direction and includes a boss portion 26c that supports the hub 19c. Thereby, the support length of the hub 19c can be secured.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The following second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a part of the end cover 26 is inserted into a part of the shaft cover 19. 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. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the control valve 80. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft cover 19 has a bottomed cylindrical connecting cylinder portion 19f that protrudes from the shaft cover spoke portion 19b toward the other end side in the case axial direction instead of the hub 19c. .. The connecting cylinder portion 19f is arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The connecting cylinder portion 19f opens toward the other end side in the case axial direction. The connecting cylinder portion 19f is connected to the frame 19a by a plurality of shaft cover spoke portions 19b. The other end of the connecting cylinder 19f in the case axial direction is located on one end side in the case axial direction of the valve body 22 with respect to the other end in the case axial direction.
The end cover 26 has a columnar connecting convex portion 26d protruding from the end cover spoke portion 26b to one end side in the case axial direction instead of the boss portion 26c. The connecting convex portion 26d is arranged coaxially with the axis O1. The connecting convex portion 26d is connected to the frame 26a by a plurality of end cover spoke portions 26b. The connecting convex portion 26d is inserted into the connecting tubular portion 19f. As a result, the connecting cylinder portion 19f is slidably (rotatably) supported by the connecting convex portion 26d.

Further, the joint portion 19e and the joint surface 48 are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding, so that the valve body 22 and the shaft cover 19 are connected.

In the present embodiment, the other end portion of the connecting cylinder portion 19f in the case axial direction is located on one end side in the case axial direction with respect to the other end portion of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction.
According to this configuration, since the connecting cylinder portion 19f does not protrude from the valve body 22, handling when assembling the valve module 15 to the casing 21 becomes easy.

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

In the above-described embodiment, the outlet (bypass outlet 65, radiator outlet 60, and air conditioning outlet 68) is formed on the case peripheral wall 31 of the casing 21, and the inlet 17a is formed on the end cover 26. However, it is not limited to this. An outlet and an inlet 17a may be formed on the case peripheral wall 31.

In the above-described embodiment, the other end (end cover 26) of the casing 21 in the case axial direction is open, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the other end of the casing 21 in the case axial direction may be closed.

In the above-described embodiment, the drive shaft 27 is made of a metal material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the drive shaft 27 may be made of a resin material. In this case, the drive shaft 27 may be integrally formed with the valve body 22.

In the above-described embodiment, the shaft cover 19 is provided at a position separated from the drive shaft 27 in the case axis direction, but the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 19 are separated from each other. Not limited to. The drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 19 do not have to be separated from each other in the case axial direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the large-diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 and the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58 are formed in a two-sided width shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The small diameter portion 50b of the insertion portion 50 and the small diameter portion 58b of the insertion hole 58 may be formed in a non-circular shape. Further, the entire insertion portion 50 and the entire insertion hole 58 may be formed in a non-circular shape.

In the above-described embodiment, the large-diameter portion 50a of the insertion portion 50 and the large-diameter portion 58a of the insertion hole 58 are formed in a two-sided width shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The large diameter portions 50a and 58a may be formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the case axial direction. For example, the large diameter portions 50a and 58a may be formed in a D chamfered shape when viewed from the case axial direction. Further, the large diameter portions 50a and 58a may be formed in an oval shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape when viewed from the case axial direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 51 is engaged with the bottom flange 46b of the valve body 22 by using the washer 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protruding portion 51 may be engaged with the bottom flange 46b by using a spring that sandwiches the protruding portion 51 from both sides in the radial direction.
Further, the protruding portion 51 may be crimped or the like, and the protruding portion 51 itself may be directly engaged with the bottom flange 46b from the other end side in the case axial direction.
Further, when the washer 20 is used according to the above-described embodiment, if the protruding portion 51 can be press-fitted into the washer 20, the inner peripheral portion of the washer 20 used for engaging the protruding portion 51 with the bottom flange 46b is inside in the radial direction. A protruding convex portion may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the valve body 22 and the shaft cover 19 are joined by adhesive or ultrasonic welding, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the valve body 22 and the shaft cover 19 may be joined by vibration welding.

In the above-described embodiment, four shaft cover spoke portions 19b and four end cover spoke portions 26b are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of shaft cover spoke portions 19b and end cover spoke portions 26b can be appropriately selected.

In the above-described embodiment, the shaft cover spoke portions 19b and the end cover spoke portions 26b are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the case, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pitch between the adjacent shaft cover spoke portions 19b and the pitch of the adjacent end cover spoke portions 26b can be appropriately selected.

In the above-described embodiment, the other end of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction is supported by the end cover 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the other end of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction may be supported by a shaft inserted into the other end of the valve body 22 in the case axial direction in the same manner as the drive shaft 27 of the embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the valve body 22 is supported by the drive shaft 27 and the shaft cover 19 with both sides, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the valve body 22 may be cantilevered and supported by the drive shaft 27. Further, the drive shaft 27 may penetrate the valve body 22.

8, 80 ... Control valve 15 ... Valve module 19b ... Shaft cover spokes (connections)
19c ... Hub (2nd shaft)
20 ... Washer (engagement member)
21 ... Casing 22 ... Valve body 27 ... Drive shaft (first shaft)
26 ... End cover (second wall)
26c ... Boss part (shaft support part)
32 ... Bottom wall (first wall)
49 ... Base 50 ... Insertion 50c ... Flat surface 51 ... Protruding part 58 ... Insertion hole 58c ... Flat surface 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,
With a valve module arranged inside the casing,
The valve module
A first shaft portion having a base portion rotatably supported on the first wall of the casing, and a first shaft portion.
It has a valve body that is connected to the first shaft portion and that switches communication and shutoff between the inside and outside of the casing through the distribution port as the first shaft portion rotates.
The first shaft portion is
An insertion portion connected to the base portion in the axial direction of the first shaft portion and inserted into the insertion hole formed in the valve body, and an insertion portion.
A protruding portion that is continuous with the insertion portion on the side opposite to the base portion in the axial direction is provided.
In the first shaft portion, the insertion hole and the insertion portion are formed in a non-circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, and are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction around the first shaft portion, and the insertion portion and the insertion portion are described. A control valve fixed to the valve body by engaging the protruding portions with the valve body from both sides in the axial direction. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein an engaging member that engages with the valve body in the axial direction is fixed to the protruding portion. The inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion face each other in the radial direction intersecting the axial direction and engage with each other to regulate the rotation of the first shaft portion with respect to the valve body. The control valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flat surface is formed. The valve module is fixed coaxially with the first shaft portion at an end portion of the valve body opposite to the first shaft portion, and the second wall of the casing facing the first wall portion. The control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a second shaft portion that is rotatably supported. The valve module extends from the outside to the inside in the radial direction intersecting the axial direction toward the first shaft portion side in the axial direction, and connects between the second shaft portion and the valve body. Equipped with a connection to
The control valve according to claim 4, wherein the second wall bulges toward the connecting portion in the axial direction and includes a shaft supporting portion that supports the second shaft portion.

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