JP6947445B2 - Electric valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric valve, and more particularly to an electric valve capable of detecting the position of a valve body.

It is known that an angle sensor is used to detect the valve opening degree of the electric valve.

As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a valve opening degree detecting device for an electric valve. The valve opening detection device described in Patent Document 1 has a magnetic drum in which the north and south poles fixed to the rotating shaft are magnetized equally on the circumference and the outer circumference of the canister facing the NS pole. A magnetic sensor for detecting the rotation angle, a magnet provided at the end of the rotating shaft, a magnetic sensor for detecting the vertical position on the outside of the canister facing the magnet, a magnetic sensor for detecting the rotation angle, and a magnetic sensor for detecting the vertical position. It is provided with a valve opening calculation means for calculating the valve opening from the detected value of the magnetic sensor.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electric valve using a stepping motor. The electric valve described in Patent Document 2 includes a stator, a rotor that is rotationally driven by the stator, a detection rotor that detects the rotational position of the rotor, and a Hall IC that is arranged outside the detection rotor. In the electric valve described in Patent Document 2, the rotation position of the rotor is detected based on the output signal detected by the Hall IC arranged outside the detection rotor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-12633 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-161152

In the electric valve described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the rotation angle of the rotating body is detected by a magnetic sensor arranged in the outer diameter direction of the rotating body such as a rotor. However, when detecting the rotation angle of a rotating body by a magnetic sensor arranged in the out-of-diameter direction of the rotating body, the rotation angle of the rotating body can be accurately adjusted unless a large number of magnetic sensors are arranged in the out-of-diameter direction of the rotating body. Difficult to detect. The cost increases when a large number of magnetic sensors are arranged. Further, it is necessary to secure a space for arranging a large number of magnetic sensors, and there is a possibility that the support mechanism for supporting a large number of magnetic sensors becomes complicated. When the magnetic sensor detects the rotation angle by increasing or decreasing the Hall current, the rotation angle information is lost when the power is turned off, and the absolute rotation of the rotating body is performed when the power is turned on again. You may not know the angle.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of the valve body by more accurately detecting the rotation angle of the rotating shaft.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric valve according to the present invention includes a valve body, a rotary shaft that rotates the valve body to move the valve body along the first axis, an output gear that rotates the rotary shaft, and the above. A permanent magnet member arranged on the rotating shaft and rotating together with the rotating shaft and an angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member are provided, and the angle sensor is located above the permanent magnet. Arranged, the rotating shaft is relatively movable with respect to the permanent magnet member in a direction along the first axis, and the rotating shaft is non-rotatably engaged with the output gear. There is .

In the motorized valve of some embodiments, the rotary shaft is movably engaged with the output gear along the first axis .

In the electric valve in some embodiments, a planetary gear mechanism that drives the output gear.
The planetary gear mechanism is configured to include the output gear .

The electric valve according to some embodiments further includes an arithmetic unit that calculates a position of the valve body along the first axis, and the arithmetic unit is based on the rotation angle measured by the angle sensor. Is calculated .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of a valve body.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of an electric valve according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electric valve according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the electric valve according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a further enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the electric valve according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 7 is a further enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet and the angle sensor. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet and the angle sensor. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet and the angle sensor. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet and the angle sensor. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the function of the arithmetic unit for determining the presence or absence of an operation abnormality of the electric valve.

Hereinafter, the electric valve according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the parts and members having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description of the parts and members having the same reference numerals will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
The electric valve A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of the electric valve A according to the first embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 1, a part of the electric valve A is omitted in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

The electric valve A has a valve body 10, a driver 30, a rotary shaft 50, a power source 60 for transmitting power to the rotary shaft 50, a permanent magnet member 70 including a permanent magnet 72, and a rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. It includes an angle sensor 80 for detecting.

The valve body 10 closes the flow path by coming into contact with the valve seat 20, and opens the flow path by separating from the valve seat 20.

The driver 30 is a member that moves the valve body 10 along the first axis Z. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a male screw 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30. The male screw 31 is screwed into the female screw 41 provided on the guide member 40 that guides the driver. As the driver 30 rotates with respect to the guide member 40, the driver 30 moves along the first axis Z. The driver 30 and the valve body 10 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the driver 30 moves along the first axis Z, the valve body 10 also moves along the first axis Z. The driver 30 and the valve body 10 may be formed integrally or as separate bodies.

The rotating shaft 50 is a member that rotates the driver 30 around the first axis Z. The rotating shaft 50 receives power from the power source 60 and rotates around the first axis Z. The rotary shaft 50 and the driver 30 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 50 rotates around the first axis Z, the driver 30 also rotates around the first axis Z. The rotary shaft 50 and the driver 30 may be formed integrally or as separate bodies.

In the example described in FIG. 1, the valve body 10, the driver 30, and the rotating shaft 50 are arranged on a straight line (on the first axis Z). Therefore, the motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the rotary shaft 50 into the axial motion of the valve body 10 is simplified. The embodiment is not limited to the valve body 10, the driver 30, and the rotating shaft 50 being arranged in a straight line.

The permanent magnet member 70 rotates around the first axis Z together with the rotating shaft 50. The permanent magnet member 70 includes a permanent magnet 72, and the permanent magnet 72 includes an north pole and an south pole in a cross section perpendicular to the first axis Z. The permanent magnet member 70 may be fixed to the rotating shaft 50. Alternatively, as shown in the third embodiment described later, the permanent magnet member 70 cannot rotate relative to the rotating shaft 50 and is movable relative to the rotating shaft 50 in the first axis Z direction. There may be.

The angle sensor 80 detects the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 included in the permanent magnet member 70. The angle sensor 80 is arranged above the permanent magnet 72. Since the angle sensor 80 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, it is arranged away from the rotating body including the permanent magnet 72. The angle sensor 80 includes a magnetic detection element 82 that detects magnetic flux density and the like. When the permanent magnet 72 rotates around the first axis Z, the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic detector 82 changes. In this way, the magnetic detector 82 (angle sensor 80) detects the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z.

When the permanent magnet 72 rotates around the first axis Z, the angle of the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic detector 82 arranged above the permanent magnet continuously changes. Therefore, the magnetic detector 82 (angle sensor 80) can continuously detect the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the change in the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z is proportional to the change in the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z. Therefore, the angle sensor 80 can calculate the position in the direction along the first axis Z of the valve body 10, that is, the opening degree of the valve by detecting the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z. can. The electric valve A may include an arithmetic unit that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into position data in the direction along the first axis Z of the valve body 10, that is, valve opening degree data. The arithmetic unit may be arranged on the control board 90.

In the present specification, the end portion of the rotary shaft 50 on the valve body 10 side is referred to as a second end portion, and the end portion of the rotary shaft 50 on the opposite side of the valve body is referred to as a first end portion. Further, in the present specification, "upward" is defined as a direction from the second end to the first end. Therefore, in practice, even when the second end is below the first end, in the present specification, the direction from the second end to the first end is "upward". be. In the present specification, the direction opposite to the upward direction, that is, the direction from the first end portion to the second end portion is "downward". Further, the angle sensor 80 is not limited to the arrangement in which the rotation axis of the rotation shaft 50 and the center are aligned with each other, and the mounting position may be changed according to the measurement sensitivity thereof.

(Optional additional configuration example 1)
An optional additional configuration example that can be adopted in the first embodiment will be described. In Configuration Example 1, the valve body 10, the rotating shaft 50, the permanent magnet 72, and the angle sensor 80 are arranged in a straight line. By arranging the valve body 10, the rotating shaft 50, the permanent magnet 72, and the angle sensor 80 in a straight line, the valve body driving mechanism and the permanent magnet rotation angle detecting mechanism (in other words, the valve body) It is possible to make the entire electric valve A including the position detection mechanism) compact.

(Optional additional configuration example 2)
In Configuration Example 2, the angle sensor 80 is supported by a control board 90 that controls the rotational operation of the rotating shaft 50. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a support member for supporting the angle sensor 80. Therefore, the structure of the electric valve A is simplified, and the electric valve A can be miniaturized. The control board 90 transmits a control signal to the power source 60 to control the operation of the power source.

(Arbitrary additional configuration example 3)
In the configuration example 3, the electric valve A includes a case (for example, a metal can 100) for accommodating the permanent magnet 72. The end wall 102 of the case is arranged between the angle sensor 80 and the permanent magnet member 70. In other words, the angle sensor 80 and the permanent magnet member 70 are arranged to face each other via the end wall 102 of the case. The case is not a rotating body that rotates around the first axis Z. Therefore, when the electric valve A operates, the permanent magnet 72 rotates relative to the case in the stationary state. When a rotating body such as a permanent magnet 72 rotates in the case, the vibration of the rotating body may be transmitted to the case. In the example described in FIG. 1, since the angle sensor 80 is spaced apart from the case, the vibration of the rotating body is suppressed from being transmitted to the angle sensor 80. Therefore, the angle detection accuracy of the permanent magnet by the angle sensor 80 is improved.

In the example described in FIG. 1, the end wall 102 of the case covers the upper surface of the permanent magnet member 70. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the end wall 102 has a dome shape that is convex upward. A cylindrical side wall 104 extends downward from the end wall 102 of the case.

In the first embodiment, it is also possible to adopt the configuration examples 1 to 3 in combination. For example, in the first embodiment, Configuration Example 1 and Configuration Example 2, Configuration Example 2 and Configuration Example 3, or Configuration Examples 1 to 3 may be adopted. Further, the configuration examples 1 to 3 may be adopted in the embodiments (second embodiment, third embodiment) described later.

(Second Embodiment)
The electric valve B in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electric valve B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the electric valve B in the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a further enlarged view of a part of FIG.

The electric valve B includes a valve body 10, a valve seat 20, a driver 30, a rotary shaft 50, a power source 60 for transmitting power to the rotary shaft 50, a permanent magnet member 70 including a permanent magnet 72, and a permanent magnet. It includes an angle sensor 80 that detects the rotation angle of 72.

The electric valve B includes a first flow path 112 and a second flow path 114. When the valve body 10 and the valve seat 20 are separated from each other, in other words, when the valve body 10 is in the upper position, the fluid flows into the valve chamber 113 through the first flow path 112 and enters the valve chamber 113. The fluid in 113 is discharged through the second flow path 114. On the other hand, when the valve body 10 and the valve seat 20 are in contact with each other, in other words, when the valve body 10 is in the lower position, the first flow path 112 and the second flow path 114 are in a non-communication state with each other. ..

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first flow path 112, the valve seat 20, and the second flow path 114 are provided on the lower base member 2.

In the example described in FIG. 2, the electric valve B includes a power source 60 and a power transmission mechanism 120. The power source 60 includes a stator member 62 including a coil 620 and a rotor member 64. A pulse signal is input to the coil 620 from the electric wire 630 connected to the power supply. Then, when a pulse signal is input to the coil 620, the rotor member 64 rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses of the pulse signal. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the stepping motor is composed of the stator member 62 and the rotor member 64.

The power transmission mechanism 120 is a member that connects the rotor member 64 and the rotary shaft 50 so as to be able to transmit power. The power transmission mechanism 120 includes a plurality of gears. The power transmission mechanism 120 may include a planetary gear mechanism. Details of the planetary gear mechanism will be described later.

In the example described in FIG. 2, the electric valve B includes a housing member 4. A storage space SP (for example, a liquid-tight closed space) is formed in the housing member 4, and the above-mentioned stator member 62, can 100, control board 90, and the like are housed in the storage space SP.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control board 90 is supported by the housing member 4. More specifically, the housing member 4 includes a cylindrical member 4a forming a side wall and a cover member 4b, and the control board 90 is supported by the cover member 4b.

The control board 90 (more specifically, the circuit on the control board) controls the number of pulses supplied to the coil 620. When a predetermined number of pulses is supplied to the coil 620, the rotor member 64 rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses. The rotor member 64 and the rotary shaft 50 are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit power via a power transmission mechanism 120. Therefore, when the rotor member 64 rotates, the rotating shaft 50 rotates by a rotation angle proportional to the rotation angle of the rotor member 64.

The rotating shaft 50 rotates the driver 30. In the example described in FIG. 2, the second end 52 (that is, the shaft-side engaging member) of the rotating shaft 50 and the upper end 34 (that is, the driver-side engaging member) of the driver 30 cannot rotate relative to each other. Is mechanically connected to. Further, the second end portion 52 of the rotary shaft 50 and the upper end portion 34 of the driver 30 can move relative to each other along the first axis Z. Therefore, the rotary shaft 50 can move the driver 30 up and down without changing the vertical position of the rotary shaft 50 itself.

The above-mentioned permanent magnet member 70 is arranged at the first end portion 54 of the rotating shaft 50. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the vertical position of the rotating shaft 50 does not change due to the rotational operation of the rotating shaft 50. Therefore, the position of the permanent magnet member 70 does not change in the vertical direction due to the rotational operation of the rotating shaft 50. Therefore, the distance between the permanent magnet member 70 and the angle sensor 80 is kept constant during the operation of the electric valve B.

That is, in the second embodiment, the rotating shaft 50 and the driver 30 are separate bodies, and the rotating shaft 50 and the driver 30 can move relative to each other along the first axis Z, so that they rotate. It is possible to maintain a constant distance between the permanent magnet member 70 arranged on the shaft 50 and the angle sensor 80. As a result, the accuracy of detecting the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 by the angle sensor 80 is improved. When the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 move up and down as the driver 30 moves up and down, the accuracy of detecting the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 by the angle sensor 80 may decrease. On the other hand, the second embodiment is epoch-making in that the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 do not move up and down even if the driver 30 moves up and down.

In the example described in FIG. 2, it can be said that the rotating shaft 50 itself functions as a permanent magnet positioning member that maintains a constant distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80.
In the second embodiment, the connection between the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 may be directly or indirectly connected so that the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 cannot move relative to each other. For example, any connection may be used. However, from the viewpoint of more reliably preventing relative movement, it is preferable that the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 are directly fixed to each other.

In the example described in FIG. 2, a partition member 130 that partitions the inside of the can into an upper space and a lower space is arranged inside the can 100. The permanent magnet member 70 is arranged in the upper space formed by the partition member 130, that is, in the space between the partition member 130 and the end wall 102 (upper wall) of the can 100. Therefore, even if the permanent magnet member 70 is chipped or the like, there is no possibility that magnetic powder or the like will enter the lower space. The partition member 130 may be a bearing member that rotatably supports the rotary shaft 50 with respect to the can 100. When the partition member 130 is a bearing member, the partition member 130 has a function as a partition for partitioning between an upper space in which the permanent magnet member 70 is arranged and a lower space in which the rotor member 64 and the like are arranged. It will have both functions as a bearing. The shape of the partition member 130 is, for example, a disk shape.

The material of the partition member 130 will be described. The partition member 130 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, a resin (for example, PPS: polyphenylene sulfide resin). Alternatively, the partition member 130 may be made of a soft magnetic material. Examples of the soft magnetic material include iron, silicon steel, and magnetic resins. By forming the member that divides the inside of the can into the upper space and the lower space with a soft magnetic material, it is possible to prevent interference between the magnetism of the permanent magnet member 70 and other magnetism (for example, the magnetism of the rotor member 64). .. Specifically, the permanent magnet member 70 is magnetized to two poles in the circumferential direction, and the rotor member 64 is magnetized so that the magnetic poles of four or more poles (for example, eight poles) are alternately magnetized in the circumferential direction. .. Therefore, by preventing the magnetic interference of the permanent magnet member 70 and the magnetism of the rotor member 64, it is possible to prevent the deviation of the angle measured by the angle sensor 80 and the slight torque fluctuation of the rotation of the rotor member 64. Of course, the partition member 130 of the third embodiment described later may be formed of a soft magnetic material.

(Power transmission mechanism)
An example of a mechanism for transmitting power from the power source 60 to the valve body 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the electric valve B in the second embodiment.

In the example described in FIG. 3, the stator member 62 forming a part of the power source 60 is fixed to the side wall 104 of the can 100. The stator member 62 includes a bobbin 622 and a coil 620 wound around the bobbin.

In the example described in FIG. 3, the rotor member 64 forming a part of the power source 60 is rotatably arranged inside the side wall 104 of the can 100 with respect to the can 100. The rotor member 64 is made of a magnetic material. The rotor member 64 is connected (fixed) to the power transmission mechanism 120, for example, the sun gear member 121.

The sun gear member 121 includes a connecting portion 1211 connected to the rotor member 64 and a sun gear 1212. The connecting portion 1211 extends along the radial direction (direction perpendicular to the first axis Z), and the sun gear 1212 extends along the first axis Z. A rotating shaft 50 is arranged in the shaft hole of the sun gear 1212 so as to be rotatable relative to the inner wall of the sun gear.

The external teeth of the sun gear 1212 mesh with the plurality of planetary gears 122. Each planetary gear 122 is rotatably supported by a shaft 124 supported by a carrier 123. The outer teeth of each planetary gear 122 mesh with the annular ring gear 125 (internal tooth fixing gear).

The ring gear 125 is a member that cannot rotate relative to the can 100. In the example described in FIG. 3, the ring gear 125 is supported by a holder 150 described later via a cylindrical support member 126.

The planetary gear 122 also meshes with the annular second ring gear 127 (internal tooth movable gear). In the example described in FIG. 3, the second ring gear 127 functions as an output gear fixed to the rotating shaft 50. Alternatively, an output gear different from the second ring gear 127 may be fixed to the rotary shaft 50, and the power from the second ring gear 127 may be transmitted to the rotary shaft 50 via the output gear. The rotary shaft 50 may be fixed to the output gear by press-fitting the rotary shaft 50 to the output gear.

The above-mentioned gear configuration (sun gear, planetary gear, internal tooth fixed gear, and internal tooth movable gear) constitutes a so-called mysterious planetary gear mechanism. In the reduction gear using the mysterious planetary gear mechanism, the number of teeth of the second ring gear 127 is set to be slightly different from the number of teeth of the ring gear 125, so that the rotation speed of the sun gear 1212 is reduced by a large reduction ratio. Therefore, it can be transmitted to the second ring gear 127.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a mysterious planetary gear mechanism is adopted as the power transmission mechanism 120. However, in the embodiment, an arbitrary power transmission mechanism can be adopted as the power transmission mechanism between the rotor member 64 and the rotary shaft 50. As the power transmission mechanism 120, a planetary gear mechanism other than the mysterious planetary gear mechanism may be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary shaft 50 includes a first end 54 and a second end 52. In the example described in FIG. 3, the rotary shaft 50 includes a rotary shaft body including a first end 54 and a shaft-side engaging member including a second end 52. The rotating shaft body and the shaft-side engaging member are fixed to each other by, for example, welding. The shaft-side engaging member is engaged with the driver-side engaging member configured by the upper end portion 34 of the driver 30 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and relatively movable along the Z direction of the first axis.

A male screw 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30. The male screw 31 is screwed into the female screw 41 provided on the guide member 40 that guides the driver. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 50 and the driver 30 rotate around the first axis Z, the driver 30 moves up and down while being guided by the guide member 40. On the other hand, the rotary shaft 50 is rotatably supported by a shaft receiving member such as the sun gear 1212 or the guide member 40, and is immovable in the Z direction of the first axis.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 40 for guiding the driver 30 is supported by the holder 150 described later.

The lower end 32 of the driver 30 is rotatably connected to the upper end 12 of the valve body 10 via a ball 160 or the like. In the example described in FIG. 3, when the driver 30 moves downward while rotating around the first axis Z, the valve body 10 moves downward without rotating around the first axis Z. Further, when the driver 30 moves upward while rotating around the first axis Z, the valve body 10 moves upward without rotating around the first axis Z.

The downward movement of the valve body 10 is performed by pushing the valve body 10 by the driver 30. Further, the valve body 10 is moved upward by pushing the valve body 10 upward by a spring member 170 such as a coil spring while the driver 30 is moving upward. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 10 is always urged upward by the spring member 170 arranged between the spring receiving member 172 and the valve body 10. Alternatively or additionally, the valve body 10 and the driver 30 may be connected by a rotary joint such as a ball joint so as to be relatively immovable in the direction along the first axis Z. In this case, the spring member 170 may be omitted.

With the above configuration, the valve body 10 can be driven by using the power from the power source 60. The amount of movement of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z is proportional to the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z is measured by the angle sensor 80 to accurately determine the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z. Is possible. The electric valve B may include an arithmetic unit that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into position data in the direction along the first axis Z of the valve body 10, that is, valve opening degree data. ..

In the second embodiment, the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 do not move up and down with respect to the angle sensor 80. In other words, when the electric valve B operates, the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 is maintained at a constant distance. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the angle sensor 80 can be used to accurately calculate the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 and the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the holder 150 is arranged in the recess of the lower base member 2. Further, a first seal member 152 such as an O-ring is arranged between the holder 150 and the lower base member 2. Further, the holder 150 defines an internal space in which the upper end portion 12 of the valve body 10 can move. Therefore, the holder 150 has a function of accommodating the upper end portion 12 of the valve body 10 in addition to a sealing function of preventing the liquid from entering the space in which the stator member 62 and the like are arranged.

Further, as described above, the holder 150 may have a function of supporting at least one of the cylindrical support member 126 and the guide member 40.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the holder 150 is arranged so as to be in contact with the side wall portion of the housing member 4. A second seal member 154 such as an O-ring is arranged between the holder 150 and the side wall portion of the housing member 4. Therefore, the holder 150 can further prevent the liquid from entering the space in which the stator member 62 and the like are arranged.

Each configuration of the electric valve B in the second embodiment may be adopted in the electric valve A in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(Third Embodiment)
The electric valve C in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the electric valve B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 7 is a further enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

In the electric valve C in the third embodiment, the structure of the rotary shaft 50a and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member 70 are the same as the structure of the rotary shaft and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member in the first and second embodiments. different. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the configuration of the rotating shaft 50a and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member 70 will be mainly described, and the repetitive description of the other configurations will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the rotary shaft 50 is a member that does not move up and down with respect to the can 100, whereas in the third embodiment, the rotary shaft 50a is a member with respect to the can 100 and the permanent magnet member 70. , A member that moves up and down. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the permanent magnet member 70 is a member that does not move up and down with respect to the can 100.

An example of a mechanism for making the rotary shaft 50a movable relative to the permanent magnet member 70 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet member 70 has a second engaging portion 73 that engages with the first engaging portion 53 of the rotating shaft 50a. The first engaging portion 53 and the second engaging portion 73 engage with each other (contact each other) when the rotating shaft 50a rotates around the first axis Z. On the other hand, the first engaging portion 53 and the second engaging portion 73 do not engage with each other in the direction along the first axis Z. Therefore, the rotating shaft 50a cannot rotate relative to the permanent magnet member 70 and can move up and down with respect to the permanent magnet member 70.

As shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet member 70 may include a hole portion 76 which is a through hole or a non-through hole. The cross-sectional shape of the hole 76 perpendicular to the first axis Z is a non-circular shape (for example, a D-shape). The cross-sectional shape of the portion of the rotating shaft 50a that enters the hole 76 is a shape complementary to the wall surface that defines the inner surface of the hole 76, and is a non-circular shape (for example, a D-shape).

In the example described in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet member 70 includes a permanent magnet 72 and a color member 74 fixed to the permanent magnet 72. The collar member 74 is arranged inside the permanent magnet 72 (inward diameter side). The collar member 74 is provided with the above-mentioned second engaging portion 73.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, it is not the permanent magnet 72 but the collar member 74 that comes into contact with the rotating shaft 50a. Therefore, the permanent magnet 72 does not wear due to the contact between the rotating shaft 50a and the permanent magnet 72. The material of the color member 74 is, for example, SUS304.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 that maintains a constant distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 will be described. The permanent magnet positioning member 180 is arranged inside the can 100, which is a case. In the example described in FIG. 7, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 includes a ball 184 that functions as a bearing member and a leaf spring 182. In other words, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 is a ball 184 and a leaf spring 182 arranged so as to sandwich the permanent magnet member 70.

The ball 184 is arranged between the end wall 102 of the can 100 and the permanent magnet member 70. The ball 184 functions as a bearing for the permanent magnet member 70 and also functions as a positioning member that defines the vertical position of the permanent magnet member 70.

In the example described in FIG. 7, the leaf spring 182 is arranged between the partition member 130 (bearing member) and the permanent magnet member 70. The leaf spring 182 urges the permanent magnet member 70 toward the end wall 102 of the can 100. In addition, in order to absorb the assembly error of the electric valve C, the partition member 130 (bearing member) may be arranged so as to be vertically movable by a small distance with respect to the can 100. Even when the partition member can move up and down with respect to the can 100, the leaf spring 182 urges the permanent magnet member 70 against the end wall 102, so that the vertical position of the permanent magnet member 70 is preferably maintained. Will be done.

An arbitrary bearing member different from the ball 184 may be arranged between the end wall 102 of the can 100 and the permanent magnet member 70. Further, instead of the leaf spring 182, an arbitrary bearing member may be arranged between the partition member 130 and the permanent magnet member 70. Even in this case, the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 is kept constant by any bearing member.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the rotary shaft 50a itself can move up and down. Therefore, the rotating shaft 50a itself can be used as the driver 30. That is, the rotating shaft 50a has both a function of rotating the permanent magnet member 70 and a function of a driver for moving the valve body 10 toward the valve seat 20.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the rotary shaft 50 is fixed to the output gear has been described. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the output gear 129 and the rotary shaft 50a are not fixed to each other. Instead, the output gear 129 and the rotary shaft 50a engage with each other around the first axis Z so as not to rotate relative to each other.

An example of an engaging mechanism for engaging the output gear 129 and the rotating shaft 50a so as not to rotate relative to each other will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the output gear 129 has a fourth engaging portion 1290 that engages the third engaging portion 55 of the rotary shaft 50a. The third engaging portion 55 and the fourth engaging portion 1290 engage with each other (contact each other) when the rotating shaft 50a rotates around the first axis Z. On the other hand, the third engaging portion 55 and the fourth engaging portion 1290 do not engage with each other in the direction along the first axis Z. Therefore, the rotary shaft 50a cannot rotate relative to the output gear 129 and can move up and down with respect to the output gear 129.

As shown in FIG. 8, the output gear 129 includes a rotating shaft receiving portion 1291 such as a hole or a slit. The cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291 is a non-circular shape (for example, a rectangular shape). The cross-sectional shape of the portion of the rotating shaft 50a that enters the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291 is a shape complementary to the wall surface defining the inner surface of the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291, and has a non-circular shape (for example, a rectangular shape). be.

As shown in FIG. 7, the output gear 129 is rotatably supported around the first axis Z by a support member such as a guide member 40.

In the third embodiment, the output gear 129 is rotated by the power from the power source 60. As the power transmission mechanism from the power source 60 to the output gear 129, a power transmission mechanism such as the planetary gear mechanism described in the second embodiment may be adopted.

When the output gear 129 rotates, the rotating shaft 50a rotates. In the third embodiment, the rotary shaft 50a and the driver 30 are integrally formed as one member, or are fixed to each other and integrated. A male screw 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30, and the male screw 31 is screwed into a female screw 41 provided on the guide member 40 that guides the driver.

Therefore, when the rotary shaft 50a rotates, the rotary shaft 50a (the rotary shaft 50a including the driver) moves along the first axis Z. The rotary shaft 50a and the valve body 10 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 50a moves along the first axis Z, the valve body 10 also moves along the first axis Z.

With the above configuration, the valve body 10 can be driven by using the power from the power source 60. The amount of movement of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z is proportional to the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 50a and the permanent magnet 72. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z is measured by the angle sensor 80 to accurately determine the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z. Is possible. The electric valve C may include an arithmetic unit that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into position data in the direction along the first axis Z of the valve body 10, that is, valve opening data. ..

In the third embodiment, it is not necessary to fix the permanent magnet member 70 to the rotating shaft 50a. Further, it is not necessary to fix the rotary shaft 50a to the output gear. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently assemble the electric valve C.

(Example of angle sensor)
An example of the angle sensor 80 in each embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. 9 to 12 are views schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80, with a bottom view on the upper side and a partially cutaway perspective view on the lower side. There is.

As shown in FIG. 9, the permanent magnet 72 includes an north pole and an south pole in a top view. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the number of N poles of the permanent magnet 72 is one, and the number of S poles of the permanent magnet 72 is one in the top view. Alternatively, in top view, the number of N poles of the permanent magnet and the number of S poles of the permanent magnet may be two or more, respectively. In the example described in FIG. 9, the permanent magnet 72 includes a boundary surface 78 between the north and south poles, and the boundary surface 78 has a first axis Z corresponding to the central axis of the rotating shaft (50; 50a). As you can see, it is a plane perpendicular to the first axis Z. The north pole is arranged on one side of the boundary surface 78, and the south pole is arranged on the other side of the boundary surface 78. The permanent magnet 72 is, for example, a magnet having a disk shape. Further, the permanent magnet 72 may be a plastic magnet obtained by mixing and molding magnetic powder and a resin binder.

The angle sensor 80 is arranged above the permanent magnet 72. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the angle sensor 80 is located on the extension line of the rotating shaft (50; 50a), that is, on the first axis Z. The angle sensor 80 includes at least one magnetic detection element 82 (for example, a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element, etc.), and more preferably includes two or more or three or more magnetic detection elements.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the angle sensor 80 includes four magnetic detectors (82a to 82d). The magnetic detection element (82a to 82d) may be an element that detects a component in the direction along the first axis Z of the magnetic flux. In FIG. 9, the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82d detect the magnetic flux component in the + Z direction, and the magnetic detection element 82b and the magnetic detection element 82c detect the magnetic flux component in the −Z direction. When the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a (or the magnetic detector 82b) is equal to the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82d (or the magnetic detector 82c), the interface 78 has an X-axis. Is perpendicular to. At this time, the angle sensor 80 determines that the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 is, for example, 0 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the permanent magnet 72 rotates in the R direction. In FIG. 10, the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82d detect the magnetic flux component in the + Z direction, and the magnetic detection element 82b and the magnetic detection element 82c detect the magnetic flux component in the −Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 9 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 10, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82b and the magnetic detection element 82d increases, and is detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82c. The magnitude of the magnetic flux generated is reduced. For example, the ratio of the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a to the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82d, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82b. Based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux, the angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic field line with respect to the X axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72.

As shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the permanent magnet 72 further rotates in the R direction. In FIG. 11, the magnetic detection element 82d detects the magnetic flux component in the + Z direction, and the magnetic detection element 82b detects the magnetic flux component in the −Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 10 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 11, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82b and the magnetic detector 82d decreases. Further, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82c is reduced. For example, the ratio of the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a to the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82d, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82b. Based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux, the angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic field line with respect to the X axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72.

As shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the permanent magnet 72 further rotates in the R direction. In FIG. 12, the magnetic detection element 82c and the magnetic detection element 82d detect the magnetic flux component in the + Z direction, and the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82b detect the magnetic flux component in the −Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 11 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 12, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnetic detection element 82c increases, and is detected by the magnetic detection element 82b and the magnetic detection element 82d. The magnitude of the magnetic flux generated is reduced. For example, the ratio of the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a to the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82d, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82a, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detector 82b. Based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux, the angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic field line with respect to the X axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72.

As can be seen from FIGS. 9 to 12, the angle sensor 80 can detect the inclination of the permanent magnet 72 with respect to the X axis, that is, the absolute rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. That is, even when the permanent magnet 72 is not rotating and moving, the angle sensor 80 can calculate the inclination (that is, the rotation angle) of the permanent magnet 72 with respect to the X axis. The calculation of the rotation angle is performed based on, for example, the direction of the magnetic flux passing through at least three magnetic detection elements 82 and the magnitude of the magnetic flux passing through at least three magnetic detection elements 82.

In the example shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the angle sensor 80 can detect the absolute rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. Therefore, even if the power of the electric valve is turned off and the rotation angle information of the permanent magnet 72 is lost, the angle sensor 80 immediately turns on the power of the permanent magnet 72 when the power is turned on again. It is possible to obtain (output) the rotation angle of.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, an example in which each magnetic detection element detects a magnetic flux component in the direction along the first axis (Z-axis) has been described. Alternatively, each magnetic detector may detect a magnetic flux component in the direction along the X-axis and / or a magnetic flux component in the direction along the Y-axis perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Z-axis.

Each of the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 can be used in the electric valve in the first and second embodiments or the electric valve in the third embodiment.

(Arithmetic logic unit that determines the presence or absence of abnormal operation of the electric valve)
The arithmetic unit 200 for determining the presence or absence of an operation abnormality of the electric valve will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the function of the arithmetic unit 200 for determining the presence or absence of an operation abnormality of the electric valve.

The electric valve includes an arithmetic unit 200. The arithmetic unit 200 includes, for example, a hardware processor and a storage device 202, and is connected to the output device 220 so as to be able to transmit information. The electric valve can also be said to be an electric valve system including an arithmetic unit 200 (or an arithmetic unit and an output device 220).

The electric valves B and C (electric valve system) include a stator member 62 including a coil 620 and a rotor member 64, as described in the second or third embodiment. The rotation angle of the rotor member 64 and the position of the valve body 10 (height from the valve seat 20) proportional to the rotation angle of the rotor member 64 are proportional to the number of input pulses input to the coil 620. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the position of the valve body 10 (height from the valve seat 20) by monitoring the number of input pulses input to the coil 620.

On the other hand, the position of the valve body 10 (height from the valve seat 20) is also proportional to the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the position of the valve body 10 (height from the valve seat 20) by monitoring the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. In principle, the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the number of input pulses to the coil 620 coincides with the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. Therefore, in the arithmetic unit 200, when the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the number of input pulses to the coil 620 and the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 are different, the electric valves B and C Judge that there is something wrong with (motor valve system). That is, the electric valves B and C (electric valve system) have a self-diagnosis function for detecting the presence or absence of their own abnormality.

The position of the valve body 10 and the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 50 (50a) are in a proportional relationship, the position of the valve body 10 and the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 are in a proportional relationship, and the position and output of the valve body 10 It is proportional to the rotation angle of the gear. Therefore, in the present specification, calculating the position of the valve body 10 and calculating the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 50 are equivalent to calculating the position of the valve body 10 and the permanent magnet 72. Calculating the rotation angle is equivalent, and calculating the position of the valve body 10 is equivalent to calculating the rotation angle of the output gear.

The arithmetic unit 200 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. The arithmetic unit 200 receives the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet from the angle sensor 80 via wire or wireless. Further, the arithmetic unit 200 receives data on the number of input pulses from the control board 90 or the like to the coil 620 via wire or wirelessly. The arithmetic unit 200 stores the received rotation angle data and the data of the number of input pulses in the storage device 202.

The storage device 202 of the arithmetic unit 200 stores a first valve body position calculation program that calculates the position α of the valve body 10 from the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet. In the present specification, the position α of the valve body 10 is not only the position of the valve body 10 itself, but also a valve such as the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 50, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet, or the rotation angle of the output gear. A physical quantity proportional to the position of the body 10 is included. The arithmetic unit 200 calculates the position α of the valve body 10 from the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet by executing the first valve body position calculation program.

Further, the storage device 202 of the arithmetic unit 200 stores a second valve body position calculation program that calculates the position β of the valve body 10 from the data of the number of input pulses. In the present specification, the position β of the valve body 10 is not only the position of the valve body 10 itself, but also a valve such as the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 50, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet, or the rotation angle of the output gear. A physical quantity proportional to the position of the body 10 is included. The arithmetic unit 200 calculates the position β of the valve body 10 from the data of the number of input pulses to the coil 620 by executing the second valve body position calculation program.

Further, the storage device 202 of the arithmetic unit 200 compares the position α of the valve body with the position β of the valve body, and determines whether or not there is an operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system) based on the comparison result. The judgment program is stored. The arithmetic unit 200 determines whether or not there is an operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system) by executing the determination program. For example, the arithmetic unit 200 determines whether or not the difference between the valve body position α and the valve body position β is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value by executing the determination program. Then, by executing the determination program, the arithmetic unit 200 operates the electric valve (electric valve system) when the difference between the valve body position α and the valve body position β is equal to or more than a preset threshold value. It may be determined that there is an abnormality. When the arithmetic unit 200 determines that there is an operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system) by executing the determination program, even if the arithmetic unit 200 transmits a signal for transmitting the operation abnormality to the output device 220 such as a display or an alarm device. good. Alternatively or additionally, when the arithmetic unit 200 determines by executing the determination program that there is an operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system), the determination result is stored in the storage device 202. You may. In this case, the operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system) is stored in the storage device 202 as log data.

When the electric valve (motor valve system) includes the above-mentioned arithmetic unit 200, the position of the valve body 10 is determined by using both the number of input pulses to the coil 620 and the rotation angle of the permanent magnet measured by the angle sensor. Can be double-checked. As a result, the reliability of the electric valve (electric valve system) is dramatically improved.

In the above-mentioned calculation device 200, instead of using programs such as the first valve body position calculation program, the second valve body position calculation program, and the determination program, the first valve body position calculation and the second valve body are calculated. The position calculation and the determination of the presence or absence of an operation abnormality of the electric valve (electric valve system) may be performed in hardware by an electronic circuit. Further, the hardware processor of the electronic circuit or the arithmetic unit 200 may be mounted on the control board 90.

The configuration of the arithmetic unit 200 and the like described with reference to FIG. 13 may be adopted in the electric valve B in the second embodiment or the electric valve C in the third embodiment. When at least a stator member including a coil and a rotor member connected to the rotating shaft so as to be able to transmit power are added to the electric valve A according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 13 is used. The configuration of the arithmetic unit 200 and the like described above may be adopted in the electric valve A in the embodiment shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Within the scope of the present invention, any combination of the above-described embodiments can be freely combined, any component of each embodiment can be modified, or any component can be omitted in each embodiment.

A, B, C: Electric valve 2: Lower base member 4: Housing member 4a: Cylindrical member 4b: Cover member 10: Valve body 12: Upper end 20: Valve seat 30: Driver 31: Male screw 32: Lower end 34 : Upper end 40: Guide member 41: Female screw 50: Rotating shaft 50a: Rotating shaft 52: Second end 53: First engaging 54: First end 55: Third engaging 60: Power source 62: Stator member 64: Rotor member 70: Permanent magnet member 72: Permanent magnet 73: Second engaging portion 74: Color member 76: Hole 78: Boundary surface 80: Angle sensor 82: Magnetic detector elements 82a to 82d: Magnetic detector element 90: Control board 100: Can 102: End wall 104: Side wall 112: First flow path 113: Valve chamber 114: Second flow path 120: Power transmission mechanism 121: Sun gear member 122: Planetary gear 123: Carrier 124: Shaft 125: Ring gear 126: Support member 127: Second ring gear 129: Output gear 130: Partition member 150: Holder 152: First seal member 154: Second seal member 160: Ball 170: Spring member 172: Spring receiving member 180: Permanent Magnet positioning member 182: Leaf spring 184: Ball 200: Computing device 202: Storage device 220: Output device 620: Coil 622: Bobbin 630: Electric wire 1211: Connecting part 1212: Sun gear 1290: Fourth engaging part 1291: Rotating shaft Receptor

Claims (4)

With the valve body,
A rotating shaft that moves the valve body along the first axis by rotating,
The output gear that rotates the rotating shaft and
A permanent magnet member arranged on the rotating shaft and rotating together with the rotating shaft ,
; And a angle sensor for detecting a rotational angle of the permanent magnet included before Symbol permanent magnet member,
The angle sensor is placed above the permanent magnet and
The rotating shaft can move relative to the permanent magnet member in a direction along the first axis.
The rotary shaft is an electric valve that is non-rotatably engaged with the output gear. The electric valve according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft is movably engaged with the output gear along the first shaft. Planetary gear mechanism that drives the output gear
With more
The electric valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planetary gear mechanism includes the output gear. An arithmetic unit that calculates the position of the valve body along the first axis.
With more
The electric valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arithmetic unit calculates the position based on the rotation angle measured by the angle sensor.

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