JP6687470B2 - Thermo actuator with lock function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is, for example, a lock function which is attached to an engine and which advances and retracts a retainer by expansion and contraction of wax due to a temperature change on the engine side and locks the retainer position in that state when the retainer projects more than a predetermined amount. The present invention relates to a thermo actuator.

Thermo-actuators are used for radiators of automobiles, etc., and have a built-in thermal expansion body that expands and contracts due to temperature changes of the detection object such as cooling water, and moves the retainer up and down by the volume change of this thermal expansion body to cool. The valve body of water is opened and closed. As a result, the cooling water is appropriately circulated to keep the temperature of the cooling water within a certain range.
This thermo-actuator has a lock function to prevent the retainer from returning when the retainer rises (protrudes) above a certain range due to overheating of the cooling water temperature, and prevents overheating by opening the valve body. A lock function has been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a thermoactuator having a lock function proposed by the present applicant. This thermoactuator is shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, and an example of a conventional thermoactuator having a lock function will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.

In this thermoactuator 100, a case 103 is attached to a lower portion of a guide body 102 that guides a piston rod 101, and a thermal expansion body 104 such as wax is accommodated in the case 103. The upper surface of the thermal expansion body 104 is covered with a rubber diaphragm 105, and the piston rod 101 is placed via an intermediate fluid 106, a rubber piston 107 made of rubber, and a protective plate 108.
A lock groove 101a is formed on the peripheral surface of the body of the piston rod 101, a recess 101b is formed on the upper end, and a metal sphere 109 is fitted in the recess 101b.

Further, a housing groove 102a is formed in the inner periphery of the upper part of the guide body 102, and an O-ring 110 as an engaging member is fitted therein, and the O-ring 110 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod 101.
The sphere 109 at the upper end of the piston rod 101 is rotatably attached so that the sphere 109 does not fall out of the recess 101b by caulking the tip of the recess 101b inward. It is in contact with an arm 111 that drives a body or a link member.

  In the thermo-actuator 100 configured as described above, when the temperature of the cooling water rises, the thermal expansion body 104 expands and pushes up the piston 107. As a result, the piston rod 101 rises in the guide body 102, pushes the arm 111, and opens the valve body against a return spring (not shown). Further, when the temperature decreases, the thermal expansion body 104 contracts, so that the piston rod 101 is returned to the original position inside the guide body 102 by the return spring.

  However, when the temperature of the cooling water exceeds the predetermined temperature, as shown in FIG. 21, the piston rod 101 moves up inside the guide body 102 to the maximum rising position and pushes up the arm 111 to open a valve body (not shown). It will be. When the lock groove 101a of the piston rod 101 is located at the same position as the housing groove 102a of the guide body 102, the O-ring 110 enters the lock groove 101a, and the O-ring 110 and the lock groove 101a are engaged with each other to cause the piston The rod 101 is stopped at that position to be locked.

  When the piston rod 101 is thus locked, the thermoactuator 100 maintains the valve open state. Therefore, for example, in winter, when the engine is restarted, the heater does not work well and the needle of the water temperature gauge rises. It is possible to cause the driver to recognize that the vehicle has overheated during the previous driving because of symptoms such as dullness. As a result, it is possible to notice a failure of the engine and the like, and it is possible to avoid a trouble that the engine and the like are fatally damaged.

Japanese Patent No. 4098877

By the way, according to the above-mentioned conventional thermo-actuator 100, the O-ring that functions as a lock function is arranged in the accommodation groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the guide body that supports the piston rod, and the O-ring is of the piston rod. It is always in sliding contact with the peripheral surface.
For this reason, sliding resistance is always generated between the O-ring and the piston rod, and mechanical scuffing or the like tends to occur between them, which causes wear of the O-ring.

  Moreover, the accommodating groove for arranging the O-ring needs to be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide body, so that a highly accurate cutting technique is required, which reduces productivity and is reflected in cost increase. There is a problem that Further, since deterioration of the O-ring due to long-term use may reduce the reliability of the lock function, it is desired to improve its durability.

  The present invention is intended to solve the technical problems of the above-mentioned thermoactuator using the above-mentioned O-ring as a lock function, prevents wear and deterioration of the lock member, and causes the retainer to project to a predetermined position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoactuator having a lock function with excellent durability that can smoothly lock the retainer in the lifted state.

  The thermoactuator according to the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems includes an element case containing a wax that expands or contracts due to a temperature change, the element case is attached, and a retainer based on the expansion or contraction of the wax. Is provided with a thermoelement including a guide body for movably supporting the axial direction, and a tubular casing main body that covers at least the retainer of the thermoelement, and supports the retainer side that moves in the axial direction or the retainer. A lock member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lifted state of the retainer is arranged on either the guide body or the casing side that covers the retainer, and the lock member engages with the other of the lock members. It is characterized in that a joint portion is formed.

  In this case, in one preferable mode, the guide body includes a cylindrical portion that rises from a base end portion, a taper portion that gradually increases an outer diameter toward a tip end of the cylinder portion, and a portion that follows the taper portion. An engaging groove that functions as the engaged portion by being recessed in the axial direction is provided, and the retainer covers the cylindrical portion and the tapered portion of the guide body, and the guide body is formed based on expansion or contraction of the wax. Is configured to relatively move in the axial direction with respect to the retainer, a part of the lock member attached to the retainer is configured to be positioned toward the guide body, and a predetermined lift of the retainer is provided. In this state, a part of the lock member slides on the tapered portion of the guide body and fits into the engagement groove to lock the retainer.

  In still another preferred embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the retainer has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion that receives an end of a spring that biases the retainer toward the base end. A large-diameter flange portion is formed, and the lock member is housed in a groove hole formed in the collar portion in a direction orthogonal to the axis.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the lock member attached to the retainer is configured to move in the axial direction together with the retainer in a non-contact state with the cylindrical portion rising from the base end portion of the guide body. It is desirable that

  In still another preferred embodiment, the retainer is configured to be capable of advancing and retracting based on expansion or contraction of the wax at an upper end portion of a tubular casing main body that covers the retainer, and the casing main body side is provided with A lock member is arranged, and an engagement groove that functions as the engaged portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer, and in a predetermined lift state of the retainer, a part of the lock member is an outer peripheral surface of the retainer. A configuration is adopted in which the retainer is locked by being fitted into the engagement groove formed in the.

  In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, a stop ring formed by bending a wire rod into a U-shape is preferably used as the lock member, and a pair of bending leg portions following the bending center portion of the stop ring are It is configured to be fitted into an engaging groove that functions as an engaged portion.

  In still another preferred embodiment, the retainer is configured to be capable of advancing and retracting based on expansion or contraction of the wax at an upper end portion of a tubular casing main body that covers the retainer, and the casing in which the retainer advances and retracts. A lock member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lift state of the retainer is formed in a holder member of the packing arranged in the opening of the main body, and an engaged portion that engages with the lock member is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the retainer. The configuration in which is formed is adopted.

  In still another preferred embodiment, the retainer is configured to be capable of advancing and retracting based on expansion or contraction of the wax at an upper end portion of a tubular casing body that covers the retainer, and the retainer advances and retracts. A locking member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lifted state of the retainer is arranged directly below the holder member of the packing arranged in the opening of the casing body, and the outer peripheral surface of the retainer is engaged with the lock member. A configuration in which the engaging portion is formed is adopted.

  In this case, the engaged portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer in the above-described two forms is preferably a tapered portion that gradually expands the outer diameter of the retainer along the axial direction, and the retainer following the tapered portion. And a step portion that reduces the outer diameter.

According to the thermoactuator according to the present invention described above, the engine becomes an abnormal temperature due to a failure or the like, and when the retainer of the thermoelement reaches a predetermined lift state, the lock member engages with the engaged portion, The retainer is locked.
Therefore, even if the engine temperature is lowered due to the stop of the engine, the retainer is kept in the locked state, so that the user can recognize the fact that the engine is brought into an abnormal temperature state.

Then, in some of the preferred embodiments described above, the lock member attached to the retainer is configured to move in the axial direction together with the retainer in a non-contact state with the cylindrical portion rising from the base end portion of the guide body. Since it is configured, the thermo-actuator can be operated without giving sliding resistance to the lock member.
As a result, it is possible to provide a thermo-actuator having a lock function that prevents wear and deterioration of the lock member and has excellent reliability and durability of the lock operation of the lock member with respect to the engaged portion.

It is the perspective view shown in the state where a part of casing was fractured about the 1st embodiment of a thermoactuator. It is a perspective view which similarly showed the lifted state of the retainer. It is a principal part expanded sectional view in the state shown in FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view in the state shown in FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the mounting state of a lock member (stop ring). It is the perspective view shown in the state where a part of casing was fractured about a 2nd embodiment of a thermoactuator. It is the perspective view shown in the state where a part of casing was fractured about a 3rd embodiment of a thermoactuator. It is a perspective view which similarly showed the lifted state of the retainer. FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part in the state shown in FIG. 7. It is a principal part expanded sectional view in the state shown in FIG. It is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the mounting state of a lock member. It is an expansion perspective view of a lock member (stop ring). It is the front view shown in the state which partially fractured | ruptured about 4th Embodiment of a thermo actuator. Similarly, it is a front view of a partially broken state showing a lifted state of the retainer. It is a perspective view showing the single composition of a holder member. It is the front view shown in the state which partially fractured | ruptured about 5th Embodiment of a thermo actuator. Similarly, it is a front view of a partially broken state showing a lifted state of the retainer. It is a perspective view showing the single composition of a lock member. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional thermo actuator. Similarly, it is a partially enlarged view. It is a partially expanded view which similarly shows the lifted state of a piston rod.

Hereinafter, a thermoactuator having a lock function according to the present invention will be described in order based on respective embodiments shown in the drawings.
The thermoactuator described below is attached to an engine of an automobile, and as a preferable example, as shown in, for example, JP-A-2005-105645, as a drive source of a shield plate for opening and closing a ventilation passage of a radiator. Used.
Further, in each of the drawings shown below, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, but in some drawings, representative portions are denoted by reference numerals, and detailed configurations thereof are attached to other drawings. In some cases, reference numerals will be used for the description.

First, FIGS. 1 to 5 show the first embodiment.
The thermoactuator 1 is composed of a thermoelement 10, a tubular casing body 20 formed of synthetic resin that covers the retainer of the thermoelement 10, and a flange 30 attached to the thermoelement 10. The thermoelement 10 is provided with a guide body 11 formed of a metal material, and an element case 12 containing a wax that expands or contracts due to temperature change is attached to a lower bottom portion of the guide body 11.

  The upper half of the guide body 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical rod 11a accommodates the piston rod 14 which is vertically moved by thermal expansion of the wax. That is, the guide body 11 has substantially the same configuration as the guide body 102 (FIGS. 19 to 21) disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

Further, a retainer 15 made of synthetic resin is fitted and attached to the tip end portion of the piston rod 14 supported by the guide body 11, whereby the retainer 15 together with the piston rod 14 thermally expands the wax. It acts to move up and down according to.
An actuator 15a is formed at the tip of the retainer 15, and the movement of the actuator 15a in the axial direction causes the shield plate for opening and closing the ventilation passage of a radiator (not shown) to rotate. To do.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a casing body 20 made of synthetic resin that covers the retainer 15 is attached along the annular base end portion 11b of the guide body 11.
An opening 20a for advancing and retracting the retainer 15 is formed at the upper end of the casing body 20, and a packing 5 is arranged in the opening 20a so as to surround the retainer 15, and the packing 5 holds the holder member 6 Being held down by. The packing 5 ensures a seal between the retainer 15 and the casing body 20.

A return spring (coil spring) 7 is arranged in the gap space between the retainer 15 and the casing body 20 so as to be expandable and contractible in the axial direction.
The upper end portion of the return spring 7 is seated on the lower surface of the holder member 6, and the lower end portion is seated on the flange portion 15b formed on the peripheral side surface of the end portion of the retainer 15. The return spring 7 is repulsed by its repulsive force. The retainer 15 is biased in a direction toward the inside of the casing body 20.
That is, when the wax of the thermoelement 10 is thermally expanded, the retainer 15 contracts the return spring 7 and advances (raises) it, so that the actuator 15 a projects from the casing body 20. When the wax contracts, the retainer 15 retracts (falls) under the action of the return spring 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flange 30 formed of a metal plate is attached to the annular base end portion 11b of the guide body 11 described above. Fastening holes 31 for screw insertion are formed in the flange 30 at positions having an angle of about 90 degrees in the horizontal direction as shown in the drawing, and a thermoactuator is used by using a fastening screw (not shown). 1 is fastened to the engine.
A ring member 32 is interposed between the flange 30 and the casing body 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a groove hole 15c is formed in the vicinity of the lower bottom portion of the retainer 15 in a direction orthogonal to the axis, and a stop ring 17 as a lock member is formed in the groove hole 15c. Has been inserted.
The stop ring 17 is configured by bending a metal wire (for example, a piano wire) into a substantially U-shape as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. That is, in this stop ring 17, a pair of bent leg portions 17b are formed to be curved outward slightly from each other, following the U-shaped bent central portion 17a. Further, the distal end portions of the leg portions 17b are formed outwardly on both sides so as to have a V shape, and constitute the guide portions 17c.

Then, the stop ring 17 is inserted into the groove hole 15c so as to straddle the columnar connecting portion 15d that connects the retainer 15 up and down by utilizing the guide portion 17c formed in a V shape. The pair of bent leg portions 17b of the stop ring 17 thus mounted are mounted in the slot 15c in a state of being slightly opened to the left and right.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of bent leg portions 17b of the stop ring 17 are in non-contact with the cylindrical portion 11a rising from the base end portion 11b of the guide body 11, and the retainer 15 is provided. And is configured to move in the axial direction.

On the other hand, in the cylindrical portion 11a, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tapered portion 11c whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the tip, and a concave portion in the axial direction following the tapered portion 11c, An engaged portion (engagement groove) 11d into which a part of the stop ring 17 (a bent leg portion 17b) as a lock member is fitted is provided.
Therefore, when the retainer 15 rises due to the thermal expansion of the wax described above, the pair of bent leg portions 17b of the stop ring 17 mounted on the retainer 15 contacts the tapered portion 11c to widen the inner diameter. Then, in the predetermined lifted state of the retainer 15 shown in FIG. 4, the pair of bent leg portions 17b of the stop ring 17 is smoothly fitted into the engagement groove 11d of the guide body 11, and the retainer 15 is in the locked state.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the stop ring 17 is fitted into the engagement groove 11d of the guide body 11 and the retainer 15 is locked, even if the engine temperature decreases thereafter, the retainer 15 is It is held in a protruding state by the action of the stop ring 17.
Therefore, the above-mentioned state of the retainer 15 allows the user to recognize the fact that the temperature of the engine excessively rises, and avoids the trouble of causing fatal damage to the engine and the like.

According to the above-described first embodiment, the lock member (stop ring) 17 attached to the retainer 15 does not come into contact with the cylindrical portion 11a rising from the base end portion of the guide body 11, and together with the retainer 15 the shaft. Since it moves in the direction, the thermoactuator 1 can be operated without giving sliding resistance to the lock member 17.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the lock member 17 from being worn or deteriorated, and to provide a lock function with excellent reliability and durability of the lock operation of the lock member 17 with respect to the engagement groove 11d. The action and effect as described in the column of effect can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the main parts corresponding to the respective parts in the first embodiment already described. Therefore, the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
In the second embodiment, the large-diameter flange portion 15b formed on the lower bottom portion of the retainer 15 is provided with the groove hole 15e in the direction orthogonal to the axis. And the stop ring 17 as a lock member is accommodated in the slot 15e.

The stop ring 17 is the same as that used in the first embodiment already described, and the other configurations are also the same as those in the first embodiment already described.
Although not shown in FIG. 6, a columnar connecting portion similar to the columnar connecting portion 15d shown in FIG. 5 is present in the groove hole 15e formed in the collar portion 15b. The upper and lower sides of the collar portion 15b are connected via.

  According to the second embodiment, since the large-diameter flange portion 15b provided on the retainer 15 is formed with the slot 15e for accommodating the stop ring 17, the size and shape of the stop ring 17 can be designed. Can have width. Then, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

7 to 12 show the third embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the main parts corresponding to the respective parts in the respective embodiments already described. Therefore, the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
In the third embodiment, a casing extension 20b having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the casing body is formed at the upper end of the casing body 20. A locking groove 20c that can lock the stop ring 17 that functions as a lock member is formed near the upper end of the extension 20b.

The stop ring 17 used in the third embodiment is formed of a metal wire rod so as to have a substantially similar form to the stop ring 17 shown in FIG. 5, as shown in a single configuration in FIG. Portions corresponding to the respective portions shown in FIG. 5 are indicated by the same reference numerals.
The stop ring 17 shown in FIG. 12 has a large dimension between a U-shaped bent center portion 17a and a pair of bent leg portions 17b curved outward. As a result, when the stop ring 17 is mounted on the thermoactuator 1 as shown in FIG. 11, the bending center portion 17a is grasped and is easily attached to and detached from the thermoactuator 1. There is.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15, an engagement groove 15f is formed as an engaged portion with which a part of the stop ring 17 arranged on the casing body 20 side engages in a predetermined lift state of the retainer. There is.
Therefore, when the retainer 15 is gradually lifted from the state shown in FIG. 9 and reaches the predetermined lift state shown in FIG. 10, the pair of bent leg portions 17 b of the stop ring 17 are fitted into the engagement groove 15 f of the retainer 15. Then, the retainer 15 is locked.

According to the third embodiment, the stop ring 17 arranged in the locking groove 20c on the casing body 20 side is kept in sliding contact with the retainer 15. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the engagement groove 15 f of the retainer 15 is located above the packing 5.
As a result, even if the retainer 15 has a sliding mark due to the stop ring 17, it is possible to avoid the problem that the seal between the retainer 15 and the casing body 20 is hindered by the packing 5.

13 to 15 show the fourth embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the main parts corresponding to the respective parts in the respective embodiments already described. Therefore, the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
In the fourth embodiment, the packing 5 is arranged so as to surround the retainer 15 in the upper end opening 20a of the resin casing body 20 in which the retainer 15 advances and retreats, and the packing 5 is made of the resin holder member 6 Being held down by. The holder member 6 is integrally formed with a lock member 6c that locks the position of the retainer 15 in a predetermined lift state of the retainer 15.
On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15, an engaged portion (step portion) 15h that engages with the lock member 6c formed on the holder member 6 is formed.

  FIG. 15 shows a single structure of the holder member 6. The holder member 6 is formed in a ring shape, and an opening 6a for inserting the retainer 15 is formed in the central portion. Further, a pair of leg portions 6b are erected at axially symmetrical positions on the lower surface of the holder member 6, and hook-shaped lock members 6c are formed on the pair of leg portions 6b toward the inside.

On the other hand, the engaged portion 15h formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15 has a tapered portion 15g that enlarges the outer diameter of the retainer 15 along the axial direction, and an outer diameter of the retainer 15 that follows the tapered portion 15g. It is provided with a step portion 15h for reducing the size.
Then, when the retainer 15 is in a predetermined lifted state, as shown in FIG. 14, the step portion 15h of the retainer 15 engages with the pair of lock members 6c integrally formed with the holder member 6, so that the retainer 15 is removed. It is locked.

  In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the flange 30 is resin-molded integrally with the casing body 20. Fastening portions are formed on the flange 30 so as to be axially symmetrical to the left and right, and metal sleeves 34 formed in a ring shape are fitted and attached to the respective fastening portions. The sleeve 31 functions as a mechanical reinforcing member when the flange 30 made of resin is screwed.

  A groove-shaped window hole is formed in the flange 30 along the side surface of the flange 30, and the locking member 40 having the same shape as the stop ring 17 is inserted into the groove-shaped window hole. Has been done. As a result, the thermoelement 10 is attached to the integrally molded casing body 20 and the flange 30 without falling off in the axial direction.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15 moves relative to the lock member 6c integrally formed with the holder member 6 in a non-contact state, the slide resistance is given to the lock member 6c. Instead, the thermoactuator 1 can be operated. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

16 to 18 show the fifth embodiment, and the main parts corresponding to the respective portions in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
In the fifth embodiment, a lock member 8 that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lift state of the retainer 15 is provided immediately below the holder member 6 that presses the packing 5 arranged in the upper end opening 20a of the casing body 20. It is arranged.

FIG. 18 shows a single structure of the lock member 8. The lock member 8 is formed of a metal material in a ring shape, and an opening 8a through which the retainer 15 is inserted is formed in the central portion. An annular engagement piece 8c bent in the axial direction (inward) is formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 8b surrounding the opening 8a.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper end of the return spring 7 abuts on the lock member 8, and the lock member 8 is supported in a state of being crimped to the holder member 6.

On the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15, as in the fourth embodiment, a tapered portion 15g that enlarges the outer diameter of the retainer 15 along the axial direction, and an outer diameter of the retainer 15 that follows the tapered portion 15g are reduced. A step portion 15h as an engaged portion is provided.
Therefore, when the retainer 15 is in a predetermined lifted state, as shown in FIG. 17, the step portion 15h of the retainer 15 engages with the engagement piece 8c bent inside the lock member 8, so that the retainer 15 is It is locked.
Although not shown in FIG. 18, the engaging piece 8c of the lock member 8 is provided with one or more slit-like cuts from the inside to the cylindrical portion 8b side, whereby the engaging piece 8c is formed. Can be more easily bent. According to this, in the predetermined lifted state of the retainer 15, the engaged portion (step portion 15h) of the retainer 15 can be more smoothly engaged with the engaging piece 8c of the lock member 8, and the lock can be achieved. This can contribute to improving the reliability of operation of the function.

According to the fifth embodiment, since the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 15 moves relative to the lock member 8 arranged immediately below the holder member 6 in a non-contact state, the lock member 8 is provided with sliding resistance. The thermo-actuator 1 can be operated without the need.
Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the thermo-actuator having the lock function according to the present invention, in addition to the action and effect as described in the section of the effect of the present invention, each of the thermoelectric actuators described in correspondence with the individual embodiments is described. The effect of can be obtained.
Then, in each of the embodiments, the description has been given based on the example in which the thermoactuator is mounted on the engine, but the thermoactuator according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific one as the attached object, It can be used as an actuator in various fields.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is described that each component is made of a metal or a resin material, but these may be changed as necessary and are not limited thereto. Not even a thing.

1 Thermo Actuator 5 Packing 6 Holder Member 6a Opening 6b Leg 6c Lock Member 7 Return Spring (Spring)
8 Lock member 8a Opening 8b Cylindrical part 8c Engaging piece 10 Thermoelement 11 Guide body 11a Cylindrical part 11b Base end part 11c Tapered part 11d Engaging groove 12 Element case 14 Piston rod 15 Retainer 15b Collar part 15c Groove hole 15e Groove hole 15f Engagement groove 15g Tapered portion 15h Engagement portion (step)
17 Lock member (stop ring)
17a Bending center part 17b Bending leg part 17c Guide part 20 Casing body 20a Opening 20b Extension part 20c Locking groove 30 Flange 31 Fastening hole 40 Locking member

Claims (9)

A thermoelement including an element case containing a wax that expands or contracts due to a temperature change, and a guide body that is attached to the element case and that supports a retainer movably in the axial direction based on expansion or contraction of the wax, A tubular casing body that covers at least the retainer of the thermoelement is provided,
A lock member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lift state of the retainer is arranged on one of the retainer side that moves in the axial direction, or the guide body that supports the retainer or the casing side that covers the retainer, and A thermo-actuator having a lock function, characterized in that an engaged portion with which the lock member is engaged is formed on the other side. In the guide body, a cylindrical portion that rises from a base end portion, a tapered portion whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the tip of the cylindrical portion, and the engaged portion is formed by recessing the tapered portion in the axial direction. An engaging groove that functions as a joint is provided,
The retainer is configured to cover the cylindrical portion and the tapered portion of the guide body, and to relatively move in the axial direction with respect to the guide body based on expansion or contraction of the wax,
A part of the lock member attached to the retainer is configured so as to be positioned toward the guide body, and in a predetermined lift state of the retainer, a part of the lock member is the taper of the guide body. The thermo-actuator according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is locked by being fitted into the engagement groove while sliding on the portion.   The retainer is formed with a flange portion having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion that receives the end portion of the spring that biases the retainer toward the base end portion side, and the lock member is provided on the flange portion. The thermo-actuator according to claim 2, wherein the thermo-actuator is housed in a slot hole formed in a direction orthogonal to the formed axis.   The lock member attached to the retainer is configured to move in the axial direction together with the retainer in a non-contact state with the cylindrical portion rising from the base end portion of the guide body. The thermo-actuator according to claim 3. At the upper end of the tubular casing body that covers the retainer, the retainer is configured to be able to advance and retract based on expansion or contraction of the wax,
The lock member is arranged on the casing body side, and an engagement groove functioning as the engaged portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the retainer,
In a predetermined lift state of the retainer, a part of the lock member is fitted into the engagement groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer, thereby locking the retainer. Thermo-actuator described in.   The lock member is composed of a stop ring formed by bending a wire into a U shape, and a pair of bent leg portions following the bent center portion of the stop ring fits into an engagement groove functioning as the engaged portion. The thermoactuator according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the thermoactuator is configured as described above. At the upper end of the tubular casing body that covers the retainer, the retainer is configured to be able to advance and retract based on expansion or contraction of the wax,
A lock member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lift state of the retainer is formed in a holder member of the packing arranged in the opening of the casing main body where the retainer advances and retracts, and the lock member is engaged on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer. The thermoactuator according to claim 1, wherein a mating engaged portion is formed. At the upper end of the tubular casing body that covers the retainer, the retainer is configured to be able to advance and retract based on expansion or contraction of the wax,
A lock member that locks the position of the retainer in a predetermined lift state of the retainer is arranged immediately below the holder member of the packing that is arranged in the opening of the casing body where the retainer advances and retracts, and the lock member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer. The thermo-actuator according to claim 1, wherein an engaged portion that engages with the thermo actuator is formed.   The engaged portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer includes a taper portion that gradually expands the outer diameter of the retainer along the axial direction, and a step portion that follows the taper portion and reduces the outer diameter of the retainer. The thermoactuator according to claim 7 or 8, which is configured.

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