JP5494525B2 - Valve device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve device such as a throttle valve device that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and controls the amount of intake air taken into an internal combustion engine (engine).

(Conventional technology)
Conventionally, various types of valve devices of this type have been put to practical use. In the case of a throttle valve device as a representative example, this type of valve device is housed in a housing and controls the opening of the intake passage. In general, the valve structure has a basic structure as shown in FIG. 3 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Referring to FIG. 3, the valve structure 6 includes a valve shaft 4 that is rotatably supported by a housing (not shown) that forms an intake passage, and a flat valve that is held by the valve shaft 4. The valve shaft 4 is formed with a slit hole 8 that penetrates in the radial direction in the valve shaft 4, and the screw 7 that serves as a tightening means is tightened with the butterfly valve 5 inserted into the slit hole 8. Thus, the butterfly valve 5 is fixed to the valve shaft 4.

(Problems of conventional technology)
In such a valve device, the valve shaft 4 can be obtained by slitting a metal rod, and the butterfly valve 5 can be obtained by punching a metal plate into a circle, so that the structure is simple and the assembly is simple. On the other hand, there is a disadvantage that high precision is required for each component and that strict process control is involved. In other words, fixing the butterfly valve 5 to the valve shaft 4 depends on holding with the axial force by tightening the screw 7, but this holding force is reduced or unstable due to variations in tightening torque or the quality of parts. There is a concern of causing a serious situation that the butterfly valve 5 shifts with respect to the valve shaft 4 during operation. For this reason, it is necessary to guarantee the accuracy of individual component parts (management of machining accuracy), strict management on the assembly side (process management), and the like, and these management costs eventually increase the cost of the entire product.
In recent years, cost reduction requirements for various parts and devices mounted on vehicles have become stricter. Even in this type of valve device, cost reduction is an essential issue without exception, and inexpensive valve devices are eagerly desired. ing.

  The above-mentioned problem has been described in detail with respect to a case of a throttle valve device, which is a typical example of a valve device, but in recent engines, the intake flow from the intake manifold to the intake port of each cylinder is more suitably mixed. Some tumble valve devices and swirl valve devices for changing to air and flow are installed, and these valve devices are also equipped with slit-shaft valve shafts in order to simplify the components and simplify the assembly. There is a tendency to adopt a valve structure composed of a flat valve, but there are similar problems with respect to guaranteeing parts accuracy and strict process control.

  The present inventor has conducted various experiments and researches to find out such a problem, and the valve shaft with the slit hole uses an elastic material such as a metal as a material. It has been found that the flat valve can be prevented from shifting.

JP 2005-264792 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above investigation results, and the object of the present invention is to make the valve shaft with slit holes made of an elastic material and in the slit hole portion where the valve shaft and the flat valve overlap. By providing a resilient means for elastically holding the flat valve, it is possible to provide an inexpensive valve device that is simple in structure, easy to assemble, does not require high precision for each component, and does not require strict process control. There is.

[Means of Claim 1]
In the valve device employing the means of claim 1, the valve shaft with the slit hole is made of an elastic material, and when the flat valve is inserted into the slit hole to a predetermined position, the valve shaft and the flat valve are mutually connected. A resilient means for elastically clamping the flat valve by being tightened by a tightening means such as a screw is provided in the overlapping area facing each other.

As a result, when the flat valve is fixed to the valve shaft, the flat valve is elastically sandwiched between the valve shaft and tightened by a fastening means such as a screw. The flat valve can be prevented from being displaced with respect to the valve shaft.
In addition, the valve shaft and the flat valve can have a substantially conventional structure, and a shift prevention structure can be realized with a simple and inexpensive structure.
Furthermore, since only the resilient means is provided in the overlapping area substantially corresponding to the slit hole, no irregularities are provided on the surface forming the flow path such as the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft and the exposed surface of the flat valve. Therefore, the unevenness does not cause pressure loss and affect the flow rate.

Further, in the valve device adopting the means of claim 1 , the valve shaft is made of metal, the valve holding portion forming the slit hole of the valve shaft is curved in the axial direction, and the width of the slit hole is axial. A drum-shaped slit hole that narrows in the central area in the direction is formed, and the valve holding portion is tightened to be elastically deformed to elastically hold the flat valve.
With such a configuration, the valve holding portion itself of the valve shaft can be effectively used as the elastic means, and no special parts or processing for providing the elastic means is required.

It is a fragmentary sectional top view which shows typically the valve apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically the valve apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view with which it uses for description of the basic structure of the valve structure in a valve apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating a state before assembling, for explaining the appearance of a valve shaft in a valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As Example 2 of this invention, it is a typical front view which shows the state before flat valve | bulb assembly | attachment in the valve structure which makes the principal part of a valve apparatus. It is a typical front view which shows the state before flat plate valve assembly | attachment in the valve structure which comprises the principal part of a valve apparatus as Example 3 of this invention. (A) is a front view which shows typically the leaf | plate spring which makes the elastic means in the valve apparatus of this invention, (b) is an expanded sectional view of the X section of (a).

The best mode for carrying out the present invention is to prevent the flat valve from deviating from the valve shaft due to a decrease in holding force due to tightening of a screw (an example of a tightening means). This is realized by providing elastic means for elastically holding the flat valve by tightening it with a screw in the slit hole portion where the flat valve overlaps, and reinforcing the connection between the valve shaft and the flat valve.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to three embodiments shown in the drawings. However, Example 1 is a specific example to which the present invention is applied, while Examples 2 and 3 are reference examples to which the present invention is not applied.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. First, an outline of a throttle valve device as a typical application example of the valve device based on FIG. 1 and FIG. The essential structure (valve component) in the valve device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Explanation of throttle valve device)
A throttle valve device 1, also collectively referred to as a throttle body, is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and has an intake passage (corresponding to a flow path) 2 that guides intake air (corresponding to a fluid) toward a combustion chamber of the engine. A housing 3 to be formed, a valve shaft 4 rotatably supported on the housing 3 via bearings 4a and 4b, and an opening degree of the intake passage 2 which is held by the valve shaft 4 and is rotated by the valve shaft 4. The butterfly valve 5 for adjustment is a main component. In the throttle valve device 1, the valve shaft 4 is rotated by a control device (not shown) according to engine operating conditions, and the flow rate of intake air flowing through the intake passage 2 (engine intake air according to the opening degree of the butterfly valve 5). Amount).

(Explanation of valve structure)
A valve component 6 constituting the main part of the throttle valve device 1 is composed of a valve shaft 4 having a circular cross section, a butterfly valve 5 having a flat plate shape, in particular a disk shape, and a screw 7. The butterfly valve 5 is fastened and fixed to the valve shaft 4 by a screw 7. The screw 7 is generally called a head screw having a head portion 7a and a male screw portion 7b, and constitutes a tightening means.
The characteristics of each component of the valve component 6 will be described below.

  The valve shaft 4 is formed by cutting a round bar made of metal (for example, stainless steel such as SUS304) as a whole, and has a slit hole 8 into which the butterfly valve 5 is inserted. The slit hole 8 is formed through the valve shaft 4 in the radial direction.

  Further, a screw mounting hole 9 is formed in the valve shaft 4 so as to be orthogonal to the slit hole 8. The screw mounting hole 9 includes a screw insertion hole portion 9a formed in a wall portion on one side (lower left side in FIG. 3) of the slit hole 8, and a wall portion on the other side (upper right side in FIG. 3) of the slit hole 8. And the female screw hole 9b formed on the same axis. Accordingly, the screw 7 can fasten and fix the butterfly valve 5 to the valve shaft 4 by screwing the male screw portion 7 b into the female screw hole portion 9 b of the screw mounting hole 9.

  The butterfly valve 5 is manufactured by punching a plate-shaped material made of metal (for example, stainless steel such as SUS304) with a press machine, and basically has a perfect circle shape. The butterfly valve 5 is formed with a screw insertion hole 5a having a diameter substantially the same as that of the screw insertion hole 9a, corresponding to the screw mounting hole 9 of the valve shaft 4. These screw insertion hole portion 9a and screw insertion hole 5a have a hole diameter larger than the shaft diameter of male screw portion 7b of screw 7, and are a portion below male head 7a (male screw). Part 7b) can be inserted in a loosely fitted state.

Thus, the slit hole 8 basically has a rectangular width that is slightly longer than the diameter A of the butterfly valve 5 and a radial width that is shorter than the butterfly valve 5. In this embodiment, the valve shaft 4 itself that forms the slit hole 8 is particularly characterized.
In the valve shaft 4, the valve holding portion 10 that defines and forms the slit hole 8 forms a resilient means for elastically holding the butterfly valve 5, and as shown in FIG. The valve shaft 4 has a radial width smaller than the axial diameter of the valve shaft 4 itself, and is bent inward before being assembled, that is, curved in the axial direction in the central area in the axial direction. The drum-shaped slit hole 8a is formed such that its radial width becomes narrower in the central area in the axial direction.
Incidentally, the drum-shaped slit hole 8a can be formed by an appropriate processing method such as drilling with a press, cutting with a broach, laser processing, electric discharge processing, or grinding.

The relationship between the valve holding portion 10 and the hourglass slit hole 8a is such that the gap C (minimum width) of the hourglass slit hole 8a shown in FIG. 4 is slightly larger than the plate thickness B of the butterfly valve 5 (the former setting). Alternatively, on the contrary, the elastic force (clamping force) applied to the butterfly valve 5 by the valve holding portion 10 can be adjusted depending on whether it is slightly reduced (the latter setting). However, when the butterfly valve 5 is assembled to the valve shaft 4, the former setting, which is slightly larger, allows the butterfly valve 5 to be inserted into the drum-shaped slit hole 8a in a loosely fitted state. It becomes simple. However, if the latter setting, which is slightly reduced, is adopted, the butterfly valve 5 is inserted into the drum-shaped slit hole 8a so as to expand the drum-shaped slit hole 8a. The elastic force of the portion 10 can be applied to the butterfly valve 5 as an initial load (clamping force), which is effective for temporary positioning of the butterfly valve 5 at a fixed position (described later).
The screw mounting holes 9 described above are provided in the vicinity of both end portions in the axial direction of the valve holding portion 10.

(Effect of Example 1)
The case where the relationship between the valve holding portion 10 and the hourglass slit hole 8a in the valve structure 6 having the above configuration is the former setting will be described. When the butterfly valve 5 is assembled to the hourglass slit hole 8a of the valve shaft 4, a screw is used. The butterfly valve 5 is fitted and inserted to a position (fixed position) where the insertion hole portion 9a and the screw insertion hole 5a coincide.
In this state, the screw 7 is tightened in the screw mounting hole 9 of the valve shaft 4. The screw 7 is loosely fitted to the screw insertion hole portion 9a and the screw insertion hole 5a, but when the male screw portion 7b is screwed into the female screw hole portion 9b, between the head 7a, A tightening force is applied to the valve holding portion 10 of the valve shaft 4 from the radial direction. As the tightening force of the screw 7 is gradually increased, the radial width (gap C) of the drum-shaped slit hole 8a is gradually narrowed, and the gap is substantially the same as the plate thickness B of the butterfly valve 5. After that, the valve holding portion 10 is elastically deformed, and the butterfly valve 5 can be tightened by the valve holding portion 10 when the screw 7 is completely tightened. In this tightening process, the valve holding portion 10 is elastically deformed from the bowed state to the flat state, so that the butterfly valve 5 can be firmly held by this elastic force.
Thus, the valve shaft 4 and the butterfly valve 5 can be firmly coupled by the tightening force by the screw 7 and the elastic force (clamping force) of the valve holding portion 10.

As a result, even if the tightening force of the screw 7 is reduced or unstable due to variations in the tightening torque of the screw 7 or the quality of the parts, the butterfly valve 5 has a diameter of the valve shaft 4 along the slit hole 8. It is possible to suppress movement (shift) in the direction. Therefore, each component of the valve shaft 4, butterfly valve 5 and screw 7 constituting the valve component 6 includes a male screw portion 7 b, a slit hole 8 (drum-shaped slit hole 8 a), a screw insertion hole portion 9 a, and a female screw hole portion. 9b, the size of each part of the screw insertion hole 5a, etc., and the tolerance between the parts to be combined, etc., can hold the butterfly valve 5 sufficiently with the axial force by tightening the screw 7, even if high accuracy is not required. it can. Of course, the process management on the assembly side is also eased.
In addition, the valve holding portion 10 that forms the elastic means can be formed when the valve shaft 4 is manufactured, and does not require special parts or processing for providing the elastic means.
Further, the valve holding portion 10 is substantially located in an overlapping area between the valve shaft 4 and the butterfly valve 5, and has a surface forming a flow path such as the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft 4 or the exposed surface of the butterfly valve 5. There is no hindrance.

[Examples 2 and 3]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a valve structure constituting the main part of the valve device (in a state before the flat valve is assembled). is there.
In the first embodiment, the valve shaft 4 itself is provided with a bow-shaped valve holding portion 10 that forms a resilient means, whereas in the second and third embodiments, the valve shaft has a normal rectangular shape shown in FIG. The valve shaft 4 having the slit hole 8 is used, and a resilient means (plate spring 11) is specially provided in an area where the valve shaft 4 and the butterfly valve 5 overlap. In the following description of the second and third embodiments, the component names and symbols of the first embodiment are applied mutatis mutandis to the components not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the butterfly valve 5 is inserted into the slit hole 8 up to a predetermined position (fixed position), the slit is formed in the overlapping area where the valve shaft 4 and the butterfly valve 5 face each other. A single plate spring 11 having a bow shape as shown in FIG. 7A is provided in the hole 8.
The leaf spring 11 has a length slightly shorter than the long side (the axial width) of the slit hole 8, and does not interfere with the wall surface of the slit 8 even if it is elastically deformed into a flat shape. Between the shaft 4 and one surface of the butterfly valve 5, the convex surface side is interposed so as to contact the butterfly valve 5. This convex surface side forms a pressing surface with the butterfly valve 5.

  Further, in the third embodiment, two leaf springs 11 shown in FIG. 7A are provided with respect to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. Between the shaft 4 and both surfaces of the butterfly valve 5, the convex surface side is interposed so as to contact the butterfly valve 5.

In the second and third embodiments, the leaf spring 11 performs the equivalent function to the valve holding portion 10 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the thickness B of the butterfly valve 5 and the gap ( The setting of C1 in FIG. 5 and C2 in FIG. 6 is made based on basically the same concept as the setting of the plate thickness B and the gap C of the butterfly valve 5 in the first embodiment.
The width of the leaf spring 11 can be allowed up to the same size as the shaft diameter of the valve shaft 4 (the overlapping area). Needless to say, the leaf spring 11 is provided with a screw insertion oval hole for avoiding interference with the screw 7.

According to the structure of the said Example 2, 3, the valve | bulb holding | maintenance part 12 which divides and forms the slit hole 8 in the valve shaft 4 exhibits a conventional elastic function. That is, as the screw 7 is tightened, a tightening force is applied to the valve shaft 4 from the radial direction to the valve shaft 4 between the head portion 7a and the male screw portion 7b. As the tightening force of the screw 7 is gradually increased, the valve holding portion 12 is elastically deformed inward, and the width (gap C) of the slit hole 8 is gradually narrowed. As a result, since the leaf spring 11 is elastically deformed from the bowed state to the flat state, the butterfly valve 5 can be firmly held by this elastic force.
Thus, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
In the leaf spring 11, if the uneven surface 11 a as shown in FIG. 7B is appropriately formed on the contact surface with the butterfly valve 5 (the convex side forming the pressing surface), the uneven surface is tightened when the screw 7 is tightened. The surface 11a bites into the surface of the butterfly valve 5, and the leaf spring 11 and the butterfly valve 5 can be mechanically coupled. Therefore, the butterfly valve 5 can be more firmly held on the valve shaft 4.

[Modification]
Although Embodiments 1 to 3 have been described in detail above, the arrangement, shape, size, and number of the resilient means can be variously changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
In particular, in the second and third embodiments, the valve shaft 4 and the butterfly valve 5 may be made of another elastic material such as a resin in order to specially provide a resilient means.

  In the above-described example, the application example to the throttle valve device 1 has been described in detail, but it is installed to change the intake flow from each branch pipe of the intake manifold to the intake port of each cylinder to a more suitable flow. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to valve devices such as tumble valve devices and swirl valve devices, and the structure of the flat valve is not limited to the so-called butterfly valve 5 having the valve shaft 4 in the center. It can also be applied to a cantilever type that opens and closes like a fan in preparation for one side.

1 Throttle valve device (valve device)
2 Intake passage (flow path)
3 Housing 4 Valve shaft 5 Butterfly valve (flat valve)
7 Screw (tightening means)
8 Slit hole 8a Drum-shaped slit hole 10 Valve holding part (ballistic means)
11 Leaf spring (bounce means)
11a Uneven surface (unevenness)

Claims (1)

A housing forming a flow path;
A valve shaft rotatably supported by the housing and formed with a slit hole penetrating in a radial direction;
A flat valve that is fixed by tightening means in a state inserted into the slit hole to a fixed position, and that adjusts the opening of the flow path by rotation of the valve shaft;
In a valve device comprising:
The valve shaft is made of metal,
When the flat valve is inserted into the slit hole to the fixed position, the flat valve is elastically tightened by the tightening means in the overlapping area where the valve shaft and the flat valve face each other. Equipped with a means to hold
The valve shaft forms a drum-shaped slit hole in which the valve holding portion forming the slit hole is curved in the axial direction, and the width of the slit hole is narrowed in the central area in the axial direction,
The valve holding portion forms the elastic means,
The valve device characterized in that the valve holding portion is elastically deformed by being tightened by the tightening means to elastically hold the flat valve .

Images