JP6705494B2 - Valve device and fluid control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a valve device which is interposed in a flow path of a fluid and controls opening/closing of the flow path, and in particular, a valve device for controlling the opening/closing of a plurality of flow paths using a rotary valve, and the valve device incorporated therein. Fluid control device.

[Conventional technology]
Conventionally, various types of valve devices using rotary valves have been put into practical use, and a typical example thereof is a valve device described in Patent Document 1.

Here, a rotary valve having the following structure is generally used in such a valve device. This rotary valve includes a housing having a port and a cylindrical valve body that is rotatably accommodated in the housing and that opens and closes the port. By rotating the valve body, the valve on the valve body side is rotated. This is a basic structure that controls the opening/closing of the flow path by increasing/decreasing the area where the opening hole as a hole and the opening hole as a port on the housing side are opened (hereinafter referred to as “opening area” or “circulation area”).

By the way, in an engine-driven vehicle such as an automobile, a cooling control device (a typical example of a fluid control device) having a plurality of cooling water flow passages is installed in order to effectively use the cooling water of the engine. There is. In this cooling control device, a valve device using a rotary valve is useful as a means for controlling opening/closing of a plurality of cooling water flow paths. The valve device is a valve of a composite type configuration including a plurality of rotary valves and an actuator that is mounted for each rotary valve and that allows the valves to be appropriately rotated to perform various opening and closing controls. It is a device.

In the vehicle, the operating states related to the cooling water are roughly classified into two operating states: a "first operating state" in which a heater is not used and a "second operating state" in which a heater is used as in cold weather. To be done.

JP, 2002-327851, A

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device capable of appropriately controlling cooling water of an engine by a cooling control device according to an operating state. is there.

[Means of Claim 1]
The invention according to claim 1 (valve device) includes a housing having a valve body accommodation hole and a plurality of passage portions arranged in a radial direction with respect to the valve body accommodation hole, and allowing passage of a fluid, and a valve body accommodation hole. A rotary valve that is movably accommodated and includes a valve element that controls opening and closing of a passage portion, and an actuator that is mounted on the rotary valve and that rotationally operates the valve element.

Here, the housing includes a first connecting the radiator and the cooling water for cooling the cooling water first port that is connected to the cooling water flow path that bypasses the heater as a heat source of the vehicle interior heating, the distribution is the cooling water flow path of the radiator It has two ports and a third port connected to the cooling water flow path in which the heater is arranged.

Further, the rotary valve has a valve portion including an inlet for introducing a fluid into the cylindrical portion of the valve body and a plurality of valve holes connecting the inlet and the passage portion.

Then, when the third port is held in the fully opened state, the opening area of the first opening hole, which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the first port, and the second port and the second port. The valve portion rotates such that when one opening area of the second opening hole, which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the opening area, increases, the other opening area decreases .

Thereby, in the present invention, the cooling water of the engine can be appropriately controlled by the cooling control device according to the operating state.

As a typical application example of a fluid control device incorporating a valve device of the present invention, it will be used to describe an example of a vehicle engine cooling control device, and is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire system (Example 1). 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view for explaining a first embodiment of a valve device of the present invention (Example 1). The shapes of the opening holes of the rotary valve in the valve device are described, and (a), (b), and (c) are schematic external views of a valve body having different opening holes. The main operation of the rotary valve in the valve device is described, and (a), (b), and (c) are schematic cross-sectional views showing an open/closed state of the valve portion during a clockwise turning operation. (Example 1). The main operation of the rotary valve in the valve device will be described, and (a), (b), (c), and (d) are schematic views showing the open/closed state of the valve portion during counterclockwise rotation operation. It is a sectional view (Example 1). FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram for explaining the operation of opening/closing timings and opening/closing conditions of all the opening holes of the rotary valve (Example 1). It is a characteristic view for explaining a control function due to the difference in the shape of the opening hole provided in the rotary valve.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail according to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or equivalent portions, and in principle, duplicated description will be omitted.

[Example 1]
In the present embodiment, as a typical application example of the valve device and the fluid control device of the present invention, a cooling control device for a vehicle engine is illustrated.
First, the overall configuration of the cooling control device will be outlined based on FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the cooling control device 100, the fluid to be controlled is the cooling water of the engine E, and the components related to this cooling water include a water pump W, an oil cooler O, a radiator R, and a heater. H is included, and these devices are connected by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) cooling water flow paths P1 to P4. A valve device V is provided as a means for controlling the opening/closing of these cooling water flow paths P1 to P4.

An electric pump is generally used as the water pump W, which supplies cooling water to cool the cylinder block E1 and the cylinder head E2 of the engine E, and also through the cooling water passages P1 to P4. It is a power source for circulating cooling water in each of the devices O, R, and H.
The oil cooler O is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the lubricating oil of the engine E using the cooling water as a medium, the radiator R is a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling water, and the heater H is the cooling water. This is a heat exchanger for heating the passenger compartment by using the heat source as a heat source.

The valve device V is interposed between the four cooling water flow paths P1 to P4 in order to control the cooling water to each of the above devices.
The cooling water flow path P1 is a flow path for guiding the cooling water from the engine E to the valve device V, the cooling water flow path P2 is a flow path for supplying the cooling water to the oil cooler O, and the cooling water flow path P3 is. The cooling water channel P4 is a channel for supplying the cooling water to the radiator R, and the cooling water channel P4 is a channel for supplying the cooling water to the heater H. Hereinafter, these cooling water flow paths will be referred to as a first flow path P1, a second flow path P2, a third flow path P3, and a fourth flow path P4, respectively.

[Basic configuration of valve device V]
Next, a specific structure of the valve device V will be sequentially described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4A.
In the following description, the upper side and the lower side of the drawing are referred to as “upper and upper stages” and “lower and lower stages” for convenience, but such designations mean the upward direction and the downward direction when the vehicle is mounted. is not.

The valve device V is roughly composed of a rotary valve 10 and an actuator 20 for rotating the rotary valve 10.

A rotary valve 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a valve 10) has a housing 11 and a valve body 12 as main components, and has a valve portion 30 inside.

The housing 11 is an outer casing of the valve 10. The housing 11 is a valve body accommodating hole 13 having a substantially cylindrical hole, and is arranged in the radial direction with respect to the valve body accommodating hole 13, and the cooling water is supplied to different devices. A passage portion 14 for circulation is provided.
The passage portion 14 is composed of three passage portions 14A, 14B and 14C corresponding to the second to fourth flow passages P2 to P4. Of these, two passage portions 14A and 14B are located on the lower side of the first stage. The remaining one passage portion 14C is disposed on the upper stage side forming the second stage.
In addition, the housing 11 is provided with a common flow path portion 15 that is connected to the first flow path P1 and that introduces cooling water into the valve 10.

The valve body 12 is rotatably housed in the valve body housing hole 13 of the housing 11 and controls the opening and closing of the above-mentioned passage portion 14 (14A to 14C), and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The valve body 12 has a cylindrical portion 16 and a rotary shaft 17, and the rotary shaft 17 is rotatably supported by the housing 11.
The cylindrical portion 16 has an inverted U-shaped vertical cross section having a closing portion 16A at the upper end side and an opening portion 16B at the lower end side, and is fixed to the rotating shaft 17 at the closing portion 16A. The lower end side opening 16</b>B communicates with the common flow path portion 15 of the housing 11 to form an inlet for introducing cooling water into the cylindrical portion 16. In the following description, for convenience, the opening 16B may also be used as a general term for the internal space of the cylindrical portion 16 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).
Further, the cylindrical portion 16 is provided with valve holes (a lower stage side opening hole 18 and an upper stage side opening hole 19) which are essential components of the valve unit 30 described later.

The valve portion 30 opens and closes between the cooling water inlet (the opening portion 16B of the cylindrical portion 16) and the passage portion 14 of the housing 11, and includes two valves constructed between the housing 11 and the valve body 12. The parts 31 and 32 are provided. The two valve portions 31, 32 are so-called ball valves in which the sliding contact surface between the housing 11 side and the valve body 12 side is formed into a curved surface, as represented by the appearance of the valve body 12 side shown in FIG. It has a structure and is arranged in two rows in the upper and lower directions along the direction of the axis of rotation of the valve body 12. The lower side is called the first valve section 31, and the upper side is called the second valve section 32.

The first valve section 31 on the lower stage side opens and closes the two flow paths, and has two first ports 33A and second ports 33B provided as the ports 33 on the housing 11 side, and the first ports 33A and A first valve hole 34 provided on the valve body 12 side for opening and closing the second port 33B is provided.
The first port 33A and the second port 33B are provided on the inner wall surface of the valve body accommodating hole 13 of the housing 11, and form the open ends of the two passage portions 14A and 14B on the lower stage side. The portions 16) are arranged so as to face each other.
The first valve hole 34 is the lower-stage side opening hole 18 described above, and is composed of two opening holes (first opening hole 34A and second opening hole 34B), and is smaller than the cylindrical portion 16 of the valve body 12. It is formed by penetrating this and extending in the circumferential direction.
The first opening hole 34A and the second opening hole 34B are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 16, and open and close with the first port 33A and the second port 33B.

The second valve portion 32 on the upper stage side opens and closes one flow path, and includes a third port 33C provided as another port 33 on the housing 11 side and a valve for opening and closing this third port 33C. The second valve hole 35 provided on the body 12 side is provided.
The third port 33C is provided on the inner wall surface of the valve body accommodating hole 13 of the housing 11 and forms the open end of the remaining upper passage portion 14C.
The second valve hole 35 is the upper opening hole 19 described above, and is formed of one elongated hole-like opening hole 35</b>A. The second valve hole 35 penetrates the cylindrical portion 16 of the valve body 12 and surrounds it. It is formed to extend widely (wide angle) in the direction.

The valve portion 30 has a large number of openings as described above. That is, the first valve portion 31 has the first opening hole 34A and the second opening hole 34B that form the first valve hole 34 on the valve body 12 side, and the opening that forms the first port 33A and the second port 33B on the housing 11 side. And has a hole. The second valve portion 32 has an elongated hole-shaped opening hole 35A forming the second valve hole 35 on the valve body 12 side and an opening hole forming the third port 33C on the housing 11 side. Each of these opening holes has a quadrangular expanded shape in the rotating direction of the opening hole. Details of such a shape will be described later with the valve body 12 side as a representative.

The actuator 20 receives a command from a controller (not shown) (for example, an ECU incorporated in an electronic control device that controls the operating state of the vehicle), and moves the valve body 12 of the valve 10 in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise. It is rotated, and is connected to a rotation shaft 17 of the valve body 12.
Although not limited to such an actuator 20, for example, a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation serving as a drive source and a reduction gear device that decelerates the rotation of the motor and transmits the decelerated rotation to the rotating shaft 17 are provided. A general drive mechanism configured can be used.

[Basic operation of valve device V]
Next, the basic operation of the valve device V in the above configuration will be described.

In the vehicle, there are two operating states relating to the cooling water, that is, the heater H is not used [first operating state] and the heater H is used as in cold weather [second operating state]. Broadly divided. Then, the cooling water for the engine E is appropriately controlled by the cooling control device 100 according to each operating state.

[First operating state]
The mission of the cooling control device 100 in this operating state is to connect the first flow path P1, the second flow path P2, and the third flow path P3, and to cool the cooling water of the engine E by the water pump W to the oil cooler O and the radiator. It is intended to allow the cooling water to flow to the heater H while making the first flow path P1 and the fourth flow path P4 cut off while flowing to R.
Therefore, in the valve 10, the first valve portion 31 opens to control opening/closing of the two flow passage portions 14A and 14B, and the second valve portion 32 closes to shut off the remaining passage portion 14C. There is.
That is, in the first valve portion 31, the first valve hole 34 of the valve body 12 and the first port 33A and the second port 33B of the housing 11 are overlapped with each other and the opening area thereof is changed, so that the opening portion of the valve body 12 is changed. Cooling water introduced into the cylindrical portion 16 from 16B is circulated to the oil cooler O and the radiator R. In the 2nd valve part 32, the 2nd valve hole 35 (oblong hole 35A) of the valve body 12 does not overlap with the 3rd port 33C of the housing 11 at all, and the cooling water introduced in the cylindrical part 16 is made into the 1st. Since no water is supplied to the 3-port 33C, no cooling water is sent to the heater H.

[Second operating state]
The mission of the cooling control device 100 in this operating state is to connect the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 to the fourth flow path P4, which are all circulation flow paths, to allow the cooling water of the engine E to pass through the oil cooler. In addition to O and the radiator R, the heater H is also circulated.
Therefore, in the valve 10, the first valve portion 31 is opened to control the amount of cooling water to the two flow passage portions 14A and 14B, and the second valve portion 32 is also opened to the remaining flow passage portion 14C. Control the amount of cooling water.
That is, in the first valve portion 31, by changing the opening area between the first valve hole 34 of the valve body 12 and the first port 33A and the second port 33B of the housing 11, the opening portion 16B of the valve body 12 can be changed into a cylindrical shape. The cooling water introduced into the section 16 is circulated to the radiator R and the oil cooler O. At the same time, in the second valve portion 32, the second valve hole 35 of the valve body 12 overlaps with the third port 33C of the housing 11, so that the opening area of the second valve hole 35 is changed, so that the cooling water introduced into the cylindrical portion 16 is changed. Is also supplied to the heater H.

[Characteristic point 1 of Embodiment 1]
Here, in order to execute the cooling water control suitable for the above-mentioned two operating states, it is necessary to devise the structure of the valve portion 30 built in the valve 10. An example of such a valve structure will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

4 and 5, the relationship between the first valve portion 31 and the second valve portion 32 is determined by executing the above [first operating state] by a clockwise turning operation as indicated by an arrow T1. It is desirable to be able to execute the [state] by a counterclockwise rotation operation as indicated by an arrow T2 on the opposite side.
To this end, the first valve portion 31 enables the passages to the oil cooler O and the radiator R to be opened and closed in both directions of clockwise T1 and counterclockwise T2, and the second valve It is essential that the section 32 be able to control the opening/closing of the flow path to the heater H in one rotation direction, for example, only the counterclockwise direction T2.

Therefore, in the first valve portion 31, two holes, that is, the first opening hole 34A and the second opening hole 34B, are provided as the first valve hole 34 of the valve body 12 in the circumferential direction with respect to the cylindrical portion 16. Has been. Then, the two opening holes 34A, 34B are overlapped with the two ports 33A, 33B on the housing 11 side in different rotational directions of the clockwise T1 and the counterclockwise T2 to open and close. It has become.
Further, in the second valve portion 32, one elongated hole-shaped opening hole 35A is provided in the cylindrical portion 16 as the second valve hole 35 of the valve body 12. In particular, this elongated hole-shaped opening hole 35A communicates with the third port 33C on the housing 11 side for a long time in one rotation direction of only the counterclockwise direction T2 so that the flow path P4 for the heater H can be held in a fully opened state. Further, it is formed over a wide rotation angle range (for example, 180°) in the circumferential direction.

According to the valve structure having the above configuration, the following control function can be obtained for each operating state.

In the [first operating state], by rotating the valve 10 in the clockwise direction T1, the first valve portion 31 and the second valve portion 32 can be operated as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, (a) shows the valve closed state before the start of rotation, (b) shows the first valve opened state, and (c) shows the second valve opened state.

First, when the first valve portion 31 is rotated clockwise from the valve closed state (a) to T1, the first opening hole 34A of the valve body 12 and the first port 33A of the housing 11 start to overlap with each other, and the opening area thereof is increased. Shifts to the first valve open state (b), which increases until the valve is fully opened. As a result, the second passage P2 for the oil cooler O is formed. Then, after reaching the fully open state, the second opening hole 34B of the valve body 12 and the second port 33B of the housing 11 start to overlap with each other, and the opening area thereof increases to the second valve opening state (c). .. As a result, the third flow path P3 for the radiator R is formed. In this second valve open state, the opening areas of both opening holes 34A, 34B and both ports 33A, 33B are inversely proportional, but both valves are open. Therefore, the second passage P2 for the oil cooler O and the third passage P3 for the radiator R are both formed.

On the other hand, in the second valve portion 32, although the second valve hole 35 of the valve body 12 is the elongated opening hole 35A, it does not overlap with the third port 33C of the housing 11 at all, and therefore remains in the valve closed state. Is. Therefore, the fourth flow path P4 for the heater H is not formed.
Thus, by rotating the valve 10 in the clockwise direction T1, the cooling control device 100 can obtain the cooling water control function suitable for the [first operating state].

Next, in the [second operating state], by rotating the valve 10 counterclockwise T2, not only the first valve portion 31 but also the second valve portion 32 has the valve opening function. The operation as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. 5, (a) shows the valve closed state before the start of rotation, (b) shows the third valve opened state, (c) shows the fourth valve opened state, and (d) shows the fifth valve opened state. Shows.

First, when the valve 10 is rotated counterclockwise T2, the second valve portion 32 starts to open and shifts to the fully open state shown in the third valve open state (b). That is, the second valve hole 35 (oblong hole 35A) of the valve body 12 and the third port 33C of the housing 11 start to overlap with each other, and the oblong hole 35A completely overlaps with the third port 33C. During this time, the first valve unit 31 maintains the valve closed state.
Further, the second valve portion 32 has the opening hole 35A formed in the shape of an elongated hole, and maintains the fully opened state even after reaching the fully opened state. Therefore, even if the valve opening state shifts from the fourth valve opening state (c) to the fifth valve opening state (d), it remains in the fully opened state. As a result, the fourth flow path P4 for the heater H continues to be formed.

On the other hand, on the first valve section 31 side, the second valve section 32 shifts to the third valve opening state (b) in which the second valve section 32 starts to open after reaching the fully open state, and the fourth and fifth valve opening states ( The procedure is sequentially shifted to c) and (d). That is, in the third valve open state (b), the second opening hole 34B of the valve body 12 and the first port 33A of the housing 11 start to overlap with each other, and the opening area thereof increases until fully opened. Transition to valve state (c). This valve open state is equivalent to the first valve open state (b) of FIG. 4, and the second flow path P2 for the oil cooler O is formed.

After that, the first opening hole 34A of the valve body 12 and the second port 33B of the housing 11 start to overlap with each other, and the state changes to the fifth valve opening state (d) where the opening area increases. This valve open state is equivalent to the second valve open state (c) of FIG. 4, and the third flow path P3 for the radiator R is formed. In the fifth state (d), although the opening areas of both opening holes 34A, 34B and both ports 33A, 33B are in inverse proportion to each other, since both valves are open, the second passage P2 for the oil cooler O is formed. And the third flow path P3 for the radiator R is also formed.
Thus, by rotating the valve 10 counterclockwise T2, it is possible to obtain a cooling water control function suitable for the [second operating state] in the cooling control device 100.

[Characteristic point 2 of Embodiment 1]
Further, in order to be practically adapted to the above two operating states, the following three conditions are imposed on the valve 10 in terms of control.
Firstly, the valve opening start position interval (corresponding to the turning angle) can be provided with as much margin as possible between the valve portions having close opening and closing timings (hereinafter, referred to as "margin condition").
In other words, each component inevitably involves variations in dimensions due to manufacturing errors, intersections, etc. Therefore, in order to absorb this variation, a margin is required for the above-mentioned interval.
Secondly, there is a restriction on the valve opening order for effectively utilizing cooling water as a heat medium for a plurality of devices (hereinafter, referred to as "valve opening order condition").
For example, since the flow path to the radiator R is for cooling the cooling water, it is desirable to open the valve last.
Thirdly, the total sum of the amounts of cooling water flowing through the oil cooler O and the radiator R is made constant due to the relationship of the pipes (hereinafter, referred to as "a constant flow rate condition").

The valve 10 used in this embodiment satisfies the above-mentioned three conditions. Hereinafter, regarding the mechanism of how these three conditions are satisfied, the opening/closing timings and opening/closing conditions of all the opening holes of the valve 10 are shown. Outline with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle X [°] of the valve body 12, and when the minus (-) display on the left side is rotated in the “clockwise direction T1” with 0° as the base point, the right side is displayed. The case where only the numerical display is rotated counterclockwise T2 is shown. The vertical axis represents the valve opening rate Y [%] of each valve portion, where 0% represents the “fully closed state” and 100% represents the “fully opened state”.
The solid line characteristic shows the valve opening characteristic V1 for the heater H, the broken line characteristic shows the valve opening characteristic V2 for the oil cooler O, and the dashed line characteristic shows the valve opening characteristic V3 for the radiator R, respectively.

As is apparent from FIG. 6, the valve 10 of the present embodiment sequentially exhibits the valve opening characteristics V2 and V3 in the clockwise T1 rotation direction, and the valve opening characteristics V1 to V3 in the counterclockwise T2 rotation direction. It is set to sequentially exert V3.
And firstly, both positions S1, so that the valve opening start position S2 of the valve opening characteristic V2 of the clockwise T1 and the valve opening start position S1 of the valve opening characteristic V1 of the counterclockwise T2 do not overlap. A required interval (rotation angle) α is set between S2. Further, in the counterclockwise direction T2, in order to prevent the valve opening start position S3 of the valve opening characteristic V2 and the valve opening end position F1 of the valve opening characteristic V1 from overlapping with each other, a required distance between the positions S3 and F1 ( The rotation angle) β is set. Thus, the first "margin condition" is satisfied.

Secondly, in the clockwise direction T1, the two valve opening characteristics are exhibited in the order of the characteristics V2 and V3, and in the counterclockwise direction T2, the three valve opening characteristics are the characteristic V1, the characteristic V2 and the characteristic V3. It is set to be demonstrated in order of. Therefore, in the [first operating state], the cooling water flows in the order of the oil cooler O and the radiator R, and in the [second operating state], the cooling water flows in the order of the heater H, the oil cooler O, and the radiator R. Thus, the second "valve opening sequence condition" is satisfied.
Further, thirdly, the valve opening characteristic V2 and the valve opening characteristic V3 intersect such that the valve opening ratio Y is inversely proportional in both clockwise and counterclockwise T2 rotational directions. Therefore, the total sum of the flow rates of the cooling water flowing through the oil cooler O and the radiator R becomes constant. Thus, the third "constant flow rate condition" is satisfied.

[Feature 3 of Example 1]
The characteristic point 3 is a basis for effectively realizing the characteristic points 1 and 2 described above, and the shape of the opening hole provided in the valve portion 30 is devised so that the expanded shape of each opening hole in the rotating direction. Is the point where the square is formed.

In this embodiment, all the opening holes are formed in a quadrangular shape, and a supplementary explanation will be given with reference to FIG.
In the valve body 12, the opening holes provided in the first and second valve holes 34 and 35 are all oval round holes 34C, oblong holes 35B, or perfect circles shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. Instead of the holes 34D and 35C, a square shape as shown in FIG. 3A, in particular, a square shape in which the four corners, which are the representative shape, have pin angles (right angles). Since the second valve hole 35 is an elongated hole that requires a large rotation angle range (opening angle), it has to be formed in the rectangular elongated hole 35A, but the first valve hole 34 is required. Since both of the rotation angle ranges (opening angles) of the two opening holes are small, both the first opening hole 34A and the second opening hole 34B can be formed in a square shape. However, even on the side of the second valve hole 35, although the rectangular elongated hole 35A, the region of the rotation range XA from fully closed to fully open can be made square.
Although the ports 33A to 33C on the side of the housing 11 are not shown in the drawings, they can all have the same shape and have a small opening angle, so that they are quadrangular and have a first opening hole 34A and a second opening hole 34B. It can be formed in the same square shape as.

It will be described with reference to FIG. 7 that the rectangular opening hole of this embodiment exerts an excellent control function.

FIG. 7 is a comparison of valve opening side characteristics for securing the same maximum distribution area by variously changing the developed shape of the opening hole provided in the valve portion 30. FIG. 7 compares the valve opening side characteristics from the fully closed state (Y=0%) to the fully opened state (Y=100%) with respect to three types of deployment hole shapes, and the characteristic A is shown in FIG. 3A, the characteristic B is an elliptical shape having a major axis in the rotation axis direction of FIG. 3B, and the characteristic C is a perfect circular shape of FIG. 3C. Shown respectively.

As is clear from FIG. 7, in the case of the elliptical shape and the perfect circle shape, the hole shape overlapping with the ports 33A to 33C on the housing 11 side changes according to the rotation angle X, and the opening per unit rotation angle is changed. Since the area changes from small to large to small, characteristics B and C in which the valve opening ratio Y gradually increases over a wide range of rotation angles Xb and Xc are obtained.
On the other hand, in the case of the rectangular shape, the change of the shape overlapping with the ports 33A to 33C on the housing 11 side is constant according to the rotation angle X, and the opening area per unit rotation angle increases by a constant amount. Therefore, a linear characteristic A that reaches the fully open state (Y=100%) with a small rotation angle Xa is obtained.

Since the valve portion 30 of the present embodiment exhibits the above characteristic A as the valve opening side characteristic, the following advantages can be obtained in terms of control function.
[Advantage 1]
The circumferential space per one opening hole, that is, the rotation angle Xa required from the fully closed state (Y=0°) to the fully opened state (Y=100°) can be reduced, and the valve body 12 (cylindrical portion). By effectively utilizing one rotation (360°) of 16), it is possible to open and close a plurality of opening holes.
Further, when the small rotation angle Xa is converted into the time axis, the time required for opening and closing can be shortened, so that the control speed can be increased.
[Advantage 2]
Since it is possible to easily provide a plurality of opening holes in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 16, it is possible to rotate the valve portion 30 in both the clockwise direction T1 and the counterclockwise direction T2 to control the flow path. Become.
Further, even if the valve section 30 is constructed in a multi-stage structure, it is possible to satisfy the "margin condition" and avoid the situation where the valve opening start positions of the step sections 31 and 32 overlap.

[Effect of Example 1]
The valve device V according to the first embodiment described above has the following operational effects.

(1) In the rotary valve 10, as described in detail as the characteristic point 3, the shape of the opening hole of the valve portion 30 is devised. Specifically, in the first valve portion 31 and the second valve portion 32, all the opening holes provided on the valve body 12 side and the housing 11 side are made to have a quadrangular expanded shape in the rotation direction of the opening holes. There is.
The square opening hole has a constant amount of change in the opening area per unit rotation angle, and a large distribution area can be secured at a small rotation angle. Therefore, one rotation (360°) is effectively used. It is possible to execute opening/closing control of different flow paths. Therefore, the radial dimension of the valve 10 can be reduced.
(2) In particular, by making the four corners a quadrangle with pin angles (right angles), it is possible to maximize the opening area per unit rotation angle immediately after the opening of the valve, and the circumferential direction per opening hole. Space can be minimized. Among the quadrilaterals, particularly the square is a shape that can secure the maximum area with the minimum perimeter. Therefore, by forming the area of the rotation range XA from the fully closed to the fully open for all the opening holes in the square shape. The minimization of the circumferential space per opening hole can be further promoted.
(3) The valve opening start position of the first valve portion 31 and the valve opening start position of the second valve portion 32 can be easily displaced without overlapping in the circumferential direction, and by utilizing this, the position of each stage The flow path layout is devised. Specifically, the first valve portion 31 controls at least two flow passages P2 and P3, and the second valve portion 32 independently controls the other flow passages P4, and the flow passage arrangement is compressed in the axial direction. The configuration is realized. Therefore, it is possible to achieve opening/closing control of many flow paths while reducing the axial dimension of the valve 10.
(4) Further, since the flow path can be controlled by operating the valve 10 in both the clockwise direction T1 and the counterclockwise direction T2, both the radial and axial dimensions of the valve 10 can be further reduced. can do.
(5) Since the valve 10 can be miniaturized as described above, the actuator 20 for rotating the valve 10 can inevitably be small-capacity, small-sized and lightweight.
(6) Thus, it is possible to provide a small and lightweight valve device V capable of achieving opening/closing control of a large number of flow paths while reducing the outer shape in the axial direction and the radial direction.

[Other Embodiments; Modifications]
Although the present invention has been described in detail above with respect to one embodiment, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and other modifications will be exemplified.

(1) In the first embodiment, all the opening hole shapes in both the first valve portion 31 and the second valve portion 32 are quadrangular, but one second valve portion side 32 is a long hole shape having a wide angle. Since it is the opening hole 35A, the hole shape on the valve opening start side can be formed in an appropriate shape other than a quadrangle.
(2) In the first embodiment, as a typical quadrangle, a quadrangle with four corners having pin angles (right angles) is used, but the four corners may be chamfered as necessary.
(3) Further, the number of stages of the valve unit 30, the number of passages in each stage, and the arrangement of passages are not limited to those in the first embodiment, and can be variously changed according to the use and the control mode. Of course.

(4) In the above embodiments, an example in which the valve device and the fluid control device of the present invention are applied to a vehicle engine cooling control device has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rotary valve is used. It can be widely applied to a fluid control system that controls opening and closing of a plurality of flow paths.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Rotary valve, 11... Housing, 12... Valve body, 13... Valve body accommodation hole, 14... Passage part, 14A... 1st passage part, 14B... 2nd passage part, 14C... 3rd passage part, 16... Cylindrical part, 16B... Opening part (inlet), 20... Actuator, 30... Valve part, 31... First valve part, 32... Second valve part, 33A... First port, 33B... Second port, 33C... 3 ports, 34... 1st valve hole, 34A... 1st opening hole, 34B... 2nd opening hole, 35... 2nd valve hole, 35A... Oval hole opening hole, 100... Cooling control device (fluid control device), E... Engine, H... Heater (device), O... Oil cooler (device), R... Radiator (device), V... Valve device.

Claims (23)

A valve body housing hole (13) and a housing (11) having a plurality of passage portions (14, 14A, 14B, 14C) arranged in a radial direction with respect to the valve body housing hole and allowing fluid to flow, and the valve body. A rotary valve (10) rotatably housed in a housing hole and including a valve body (12) for controlling opening and closing of the passage portion, and a rotary valve mounted on the rotary valve to rotate the valve body. In a valve device (V) equipped with an actuator (20),
The housing has a first port (33A) connected to a radiator (R) that cools cooling water and a cooling water flow path (P2) that bypasses a heater (H) that uses the cooling water as a heat source for heating the passenger compartment, the radiator. A second port (33B) connected to the cooling water flow path (P3) in which the heater is arranged, and a third port (33C) connected to the cooling water flow path (P4) in which the heater is arranged,
The rotary valve has an inlet (16B) for introducing a fluid into the cylindrical portion of the valve body, and a plurality of valve holes (34, 34A, 34B, 35, 35A) connecting the inlet and the passage. A valve section (30) comprising
When the third port is held in a fully opened state, the opening area of the first opening hole (34A), which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the first port and the first port, and the first opening hole (34A). The valve portion so that when one opening area of the second opening hole (34B), which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the two ports and the second port, increases, the other opening area decreases. A valve device characterized in that the valve rotates. A valve body housing hole (13) and a housing (11) having a plurality of passage portions (14, 14A, 14B, 14C) arranged in a radial direction with respect to the valve body housing hole and allowing fluid to flow, and the valve body. A rotary valve (10) rotatably housed in a housing hole and including a valve body (12) for controlling opening and closing of the passage portion, and a rotary valve mounted on the rotary valve to rotate the valve body. In a valve device (V) equipped with an actuator (20),
The housing has a first port (33A) connected to a radiator (R) that cools cooling water and a cooling water flow path (P2) that bypasses a heater (H) that uses the cooling water as a heat source for heating the passenger compartment, the radiator. A second port (33B) connected to the cooling water flow path (P3) in which the heater is arranged, and a third port (33C) connected to the cooling water flow path (P4) in which the heater is arranged,
The rotary valve includes an opening (16B) for allowing a fluid to flow in the cylindrical portion of the valve body, and a plurality of valve holes (34, 34A, 34B, 35, 35A) connecting the opening and the passage. A valve section (30) comprising
When the third port is held in a fully opened state, the opening area of the first opening hole (34A), which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the first port and the first port, and the first opening hole (34A). The valve portion so that when one opening area of the second opening hole (34B), which is one of the plurality of valve holes communicating with the two ports and the second port, increases, the other opening area decreases. There is rotated, wherein the first opening hole second opening hole, a valve device which is characterized that you have been spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the valve portion. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2,
A valve device, wherein fluid introduced into the cylindrical portion from the inlet or the opening is sent to the passage portion through the plurality of valve holes . The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A first operating state in which the cooling water is not supplied to the third port,
A second operating state in which the cooling water is supplied to the third port,
The first operating state is a valve closed state in which the cooling water is not supplied to the first port and the second port,
A first valve open state in which the cooling water is supplied to the first port and the cooling water is not supplied to the second port;
A valve device having a second valve open state in which the cooling water is supplied to the first port and the second port . The valve device according to claim 4 ,
In the second operation state, a fourth valve open state in which the cooling water is supplied to the first port and the cooling water is not supplied to the second port,
A fifth valve opening state in which the cooling water is supplied to the first port and the second port . The valve device according to claim 5 ,
The first operating state has a sixth valve open state in which the cooling water is not supplied to the first port and the cooling water is supplied to the second port,
It said second operating condition, wherein the first port without supplying the cooling water, the valve device according to claim Rukoto which have a and seventh open state for supplying the cooling water to the second port. The valve device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
Said second operating condition, the valve device according to claim Rukoto that having a third open state without supplying the cooling water to said first port and said second port. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When said third port is held in the fully opened state, the valve device where the valve portion so that to increase or decrease the opening area between the second port and the second opening hole, characterized in that the rotating. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
And wherein the third port is if it is held in the fully open state, the valve unit such that the opening area is fully closed from the fully open state and the second port and the second opening hole is rotated Valve device to do. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
When said third port is held in the fully opened state, the valve device wherein the valve portion such that the opening area is fully opened state of the second port and the second opening hole characterized that you rotate. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
When said third port is held in the fully open state, the opening area between the second port and the second opening hole and features that you said valve unit is rotated so as to fully open from the fully closed state Valve device to do. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A first operating state in which the cooling water is not supplied to the third port,
A second operating state in which the cooling water is supplied to the third port,
In at least one of the first operating state and the second operating state,
The valve portion rotates so that when the opening area of one of the first port and the first opening hole and the opening area of one of the second port and the second opening hole increases, the other opening area decreases. during the valve device the sum of water volume of the cooling water flowing through said first port and said second port and said constant der Rukoto. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ,
The third port and the third opening hole which is one of the plurality of valves holes communicating (35A) is a valve and wherein the elongated hole-like opening hole der Rukoto. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
The housing has a common flow passage portion (15) for introducing cooling water into the rotary valve,
The valve body has a cylindrical portion (16) and a rotating shaft (17),
The cylindrical portion is closed at one end side (16A) and opening at the other end has a (16B), and wherein Rukoto said opening and (16B) common passage section (15) is passed through communication Valve device to do. The valve device according to claim 6 ,
The second operation state has a third valve open state in which the cooling water is not supplied to the first port and the second port,
By the rotation of the valve body, the sixth valve open state, the second valve open state, the first valve open state, the valve closed state, the third valve open state, the fourth valve open state, the fifth valve open state. open state, and the seventh opening state, the valve device according to claim Rukoto be implemented in this order. The valve device according to claim 13 ,
The first opening hole and the second opening hole are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the valve portion, and have a positional relationship of mutually overlapping in the rotation axis direction,
The third opening hole is at a position apart from the first opening hole and the second opening hole in the rotation axis direction,
The valve device is characterized in that a circumferential length of the third opening hole in the valve body is formed longer than the first opening hole and the second opening hole . The valve device according to claim 16 ,
The valve element is rotated by the actuator in two directions, clockwise (T1) and counterclockwise (T2),
A valve opening start position (S2) of the first port or the second port due to clockwise rotation of the valve body, and a valve opening start position (S2) of the third port due to counterclockwise rotation of the valve body ( S1) is provided so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction . The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The valve device, wherein ends of the plurality of valve holes in the circumferential direction of the valve body extend in the axial direction . The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The rotation angle of the valve element required to change the third port from the valve closed state to the valve opened state is
A valve device, wherein the first port is smaller than a turning angle of the valve body required to change from a valve closed state to a valve opened state . The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
The rotation angle of the valve element required to change the third port from the valve closed state to the valve opened state is
A valve device, wherein the second port is smaller than a rotation angle of the valve body required to change from a valve closed state to a valve opened state . The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
A valve device, wherein the valve element is operated to rotate in two directions of clockwise (T1) and counterclockwise (T2) by the actuator. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
A radiator (R) for cooling the cooling water and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the lubricating oil are arranged in the cooling water flow path (P2) bypassing the heater (H) that uses the cooling water as a heat source for heating the vehicle interior. Characteristic valve device. The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 22,
The housing has a common flow passage portion (15) for introducing cooling water into the rotary valve,
The valve body has a cylindrical portion (16) and a rotating shaft (17),
The cylindrical portion has a closing portion (16A) on one end side and an opening portion (16B) on the other end side,
The common passage portion and the opening portion communicate with each other regardless of the rotational position of the valve portion,
The valve device, wherein the common passage portion does not face a side surface of the cylindrical portion.

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