JP7144956B2 - Ball valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ball valve for gas inflow provided, for example, in a smart meter of a gas supply company.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ball valves have been used to open and close flow paths for gases such as gases and liquids such as water (hereinafter referred to as fluids). In such a ball valve, an annular seal member is provided between the valve body and a ball valve body provided rotatably inside the valve body in order to prevent fluid from leaking from the flow path. ing. The seal member is in contact with the ball valve body to seal between the valve body and the ball valve body. In the closed state of the ball valve, the ball valve body closes the flow path, and the seal member prevents fluid from leaking from the flow path (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-42720

As described above, the conventional ball valve is provided with a sealing member to prevent fluid leakage, and the sealing member comes into contact with the spherical surface of the ball valve body to create a gap between the ball valve body and the flow path. It's supposed to be blocked. Therefore, when the ball valve body rotates, the ball valve body slides on the contact surface of the seal member, so sliding resistance is generated between the ball valve body and the seal member. In particular, a large sliding resistance is generated when the ball valve element starts rotating. If a large sliding resistance occurs when the ball valve body rotates, the seal member may be damaged, or the posture of the seal member and the ball valve body may become unstable. For this reason, conventional ball valves are required to have a structure capable of reducing the sliding resistance generated between the ball valve body and the sealing member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball valve capable of reducing the sliding resistance generated between the ball valve element and the seal member.

In order to achieve the above object, a ball valve according to the present invention includes a valve body provided with a valve body through hole, and a cover member through hole attached to the valve body and communicating with the valve body through hole. and a cover member rotatably supported with respect to the valve body, and provided to communicate with a flow path formed by the valve body through-hole of the valve body and the cover member through-hole of the cover member. a ball valve body having a ball valve body through-hole formed therein; and an annular seal member provided between the ball valve body and the valve body for sealing between the flow path and the ball valve body. wherein the seal member has an annular ball valve body contact portion that contacts the ball valve body in a state in which the ball valve body through hole does not communicate with the opening of the seal member; The valve body includes a closing contact portion, which is an annular portion that contacts the ball valve body contact portion in a state in which the ball valve body through hole does not communicate with the opening of the seal member, and the ball valve body through hole. In a state in which at least a part communicates with the opening of the seal member, an opening facing portion that is an annular portion facing the ball valve body contact portion of the seal member, and an inner side of the closed contact portion. The ball valve body is characterized in that the recess is formed in at least a part of the opening facing portion.

In the ball valve according to an aspect of the present invention, the recessed portion is formed closer to the one opening of the ball valve body through-hole than the closing contact portion in the ball valve body.

In the ball valve according to one aspect of the present invention, the recessed portion is formed in at least a part of a projected portion of the seal member in the rotating ball valve body in the axial direction of the seal member in the ball valve body. ing.

In the ball valve according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing contact portion is a portion of a spherical surface, at least a portion of the recessed portion is a portion of another spherical surface, and the at least a portion of the recessed portion is The diameter is smaller than the diameter of the closing contact portion.

In the ball valve according to one aspect of the present invention, the recess has at least one connecting portion that connects to a portion that is not the recess, and the connecting portion smoothly connects to the portion that is not the recess. Connecting.

In the ball valve according to an aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the connecting portion is within a range of a projected portion of the seal member in the rotating ball valve body in the axial direction of the seal member in the ball valve body. located in

According to the ball valve of the present invention, sliding resistance generated between the ball valve element and the seal member can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows roughly the external appearance structure of the ball valve which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the flow paths of the ball valve according to the embodiment of the present invention are communicated; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a closed state of the flow path of the ball valve according to the embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view of a ball valve body in a ball valve according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball valve body in a ball valve according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. It is a front view of the ball valve body in the ball valve according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of a valve body of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the valve body shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 8 is a top view of the valve body shown in FIG. 7; 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of a cover member of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member shown in FIG. 10; 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of a seal member of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the ball valve body showing an enlarged connecting portion of the concave portion in the ball valve body shown in FIGS. 4 to 6;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the ball valve 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the flow path 2 of the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is communicated, and FIG. 3 is a state in which the flow path 2 of the ball valve 1 is closed. is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the . 4 to 6 are perspective views of the ball valve body 30 in the ball valve 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the flow path 2 extends (the direction of the arrow ab in FIG. 1) is defined as the flow path direction, the direction of the arrow a is defined as the downstream side, and the direction of the arrow b is defined as the upstream side. The direction perpendicular to the flow path direction (the direction of arrow cd in FIG. 1) is defined as the width direction, the direction of arrow c is defined as the front side, and the direction of arrow d is defined as the back side. Further, the direction perpendicular to the flow path direction and the width direction (the direction of arrow ef in FIG. 1) is defined as the direction of axis X1, the direction of arrow e is defined as the left side, and the direction of arrow f is defined as the right side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 10, a cover member 20 attached to the valve body 10, and a shaft rotatable with respect to the valve body 10. It comprises a supported ball valve body 30 and an annular seal member 50 . The valve body 10 is provided with a valve body through hole 10h. The cover member 20 is attached to the valve body 10 and provided with a cover member through hole 20h communicating with the valve body through hole 10h. The ball valve body 30 is provided with a ball valve body through hole 31 which is provided so as to communicate with the flow path 2 formed by the valve body through hole 10h of the valve body 10 and the cover member through hole 20h of the cover member 20. ing. The seal member 50 is an annular member for sealing between the flow path 2 and the ball valve body 30 provided between the ball valve body 30 and the valve main body 10 . The seal member 50 has an annular ball valve body contact portion 52 that contacts the ball valve body 30 when the ball valve body through hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50 . The ball valve body 30 includes a closing contact portion 32, which is an annular portion that contacts the ball valve body contact portion 52 when the ball valve body through hole 31 does not communicate with the opening portion 51 of the seal member 50, and a ball valve body. An annular portion facing the ball valve contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 in a state in which at least a portion of the through hole 31 (at least a portion of the downstream opening portion 31a) communicates with the opening portion 51 of the seal member 50. It has an opening facing portion 33 and a recessed portion 34 that is recessed more inward than the closing contact portion 32 . In the ball valve body 30 , the recessed portion 34 is formed in at least a partial range of the opening facing portion 33 . The configuration of the ball valve 1 will be specifically described below. The ball valve 1 has a structure in which a motor 40 for rotating the ball valve element 30 is integrally attached.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the valve body 10 of the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the invention. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the valve body 10 shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a top view of the valve body 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-9, the valve body 10 is, for example, generally cylindrical or substantially cylindrical as a whole. The valve body 10 may have a tubular or substantially cylindrical inner surface, and may have various outer shapes. Further, the valve body 10 is made of resin, metal, or the like, for example. Further, the valve main body 10 is provided with a ball valve side connecting portion 17 projecting outward in the width direction (arrow cd direction) at a portion on the downstream side (arrow a direction). The valve body 10 is connected to the motor 40 via the ball valve side connecting portion 17 .

As described above, the valve body 10 has the valve body through hole 10h. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. It is a hole that extends in the direction of the arrow ab) and penetrates the valve body 10 between the upper end surface 10a and the lower end surface 10b. The valve body through-hole 10h forms an upstream opening 11 and a downstream opening 12, which are openings, on the upper end surface 10a and the lower end surface 10b, respectively. The upstream opening 11 provided on the upstream side (in the direction of arrow b) is formed in a circular or substantially circular shape. A downstream opening 12 provided on the downstream side (in the direction of arrow a) is formed in a circular or substantially circular shape having a diameter larger than that of the upstream opening 11 . The upstream opening 11 is an inlet for fluid (for example, gas). The downstream opening 12 is an outlet for the fluid flowing in from the upstream opening 11 to the cover member 20 . In the valve body through hole 10h, the valve body 10 has an inner peripheral curved surface 14a formed of a concave spherical curved surface whose inner diameter gradually widens from the upstream side opening 11 toward the downstream side opening 12, and the inner peripheral curved surface 14a. It has a valve chamber 14 formed by an annular inner peripheral surface 14b extending linearly further downstream (in the direction of arrow a) from the end on the downstream side (in the direction of arrow a) with the same inner diameter. The valve chamber 14 is a space for rotatably supporting the ball valve body 30 in a state in which it is accommodated.

An inner peripheral surface 14b forming the valve chamber 14 in the valve body 10 is provided with an output shaft insertion hole 15, which is a through hole for inserting a motor output shaft 41, which is the output shaft of the motor 40, into the valve chamber 14. ing. In addition, on the inner peripheral surface 14b, there is a concave portion having a predetermined depth in a bottomed cylindrical shape or a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape in a portion facing the output shaft insertion hole 15 in the rotation axis X1 direction (arrow ef direction). A shaft support hole 16 is provided. The output shaft insertion hole 15 and the shaft support hole 16 are arranged coaxially or substantially coaxially, with the rotation axis X1 as the central axis. The inner curved surface 14a forming the valve chamber 14 in the valve main body 10 faces the outer peripheral surface of the ball valve body 30 with a slight gap therebetween.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the cover member 20 of the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 10 and 11, the cover member 20 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape or substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The material of the cover member 20 is, for example, resin or metal. As described above, the cover member 20 is provided with the cover member through-hole 20h. It extends along a direction perpendicular to the arrow ef direction) and penetrates the cover member 20 . The cover member through hole 20 h forms an upstream opening 21 and a downstream opening 22 in the cover member 20 .

An upstream opening 21 provided on the upstream side (in the direction of arrow b) is formed in a circular or substantially circular shape, and serves as an inflow port for fluid flowing in from the downstream opening 12 of the valve body 10 . The upstream opening 21 is, for example, formed to have the same or substantially the same diameter as the upstream opening 11 of the valve body 10 . The downstream opening 22 is formed in a circular or substantially circular shape with a diameter larger than that of the upstream opening 21, and serves as an outlet for the fluid flowing in from the upstream opening 21 to a pipe (not shown). The inner diameters of upstream opening 21 and downstream opening 22 may be the same size, or upstream opening 21 may have a larger inner diameter than downstream opening 22 . The cover member 20 is fitted so that a portion of the cover member 20 is inserted into the valve body through hole 10 h from the downstream opening 12 of the valve body 10 , and the outer peripheral wall 20 a of the cover member 20 extends along the inner periphery of the valve body 10 . It is fixed in contact with the surface 14b. In this fixed state, the valve body through-hole 10h of the valve body 10 and the cover member through-hole 20h of the cover member 20 are communicated with each other, and the fluid flow path 2 in the ball valve 1 is formed.

Further, the cover member 20 is provided with a seal member engaging convex portion 23 that protrudes toward the upstream side so as to engage the seal member 50 with the valve body 10 . The seal member engaging protrusion 23 is formed to sandwich the seal member 50 between itself and the valve body through hole 10 h of the valve body 10 . Specifically, the seal member engaging convex portion 23 is an annular or substantially annular convex portion that protrudes from the upstream end surface 20b of the cover member 20 toward the upstream side in the flow path direction (in the direction of arrow b). In the ball valve 1 , the outer peripheral end of the seal member 50 is sandwiched between the seal member engagement protrusion 23 and the inner peripheral surface 14 b of the valve body 10 to hold the seal member 50 .

12 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the seal member 50 of the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the seal member 50. As shown in FIG. As described above, the sealing member 50 is a member provided between the ball valve body 30 and the valve body 10 and extending annularly for sealing between the flow path 2 and the ball valve body 30, An opening 51 is formed inside. The opening 51 of the seal member 50 forms a space extending in the direction of the axis X2 of the seal member 50 . As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 51 can accommodate the lower opening 31a of the ball valve body through hole 31. For example, the diameter of the opening 51 is equal to the diameter of the ball valve body through hole. 31 is larger than the diameter of the downstream opening 31a. The seal member 50 is bent convexly in one direction in which the opening 51 is opened, and has a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped cross section (cross-sectional shape) facing the extending direction. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 50 is not limited to a U-shape or a substantially U-shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the ball valve 1, the seal member 50 is convexly bent toward the ball valve body 30 side (the upstream side in the flow path direction (arrow b direction)). In the closed state, it contacts the outer peripheral surface of the ball valve body 30 in an annular range, and seals the gap between the ball valve body 30 and the inner peripheral surface 14b of the valve body 10. there is The seal member 50 is an elastic member made of, for example, rubber, resin, elastomer, or the like. In addition, as described above, the seal member 50 is in a state in which the ball valve body through-hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50, that is, in the closed state of the ball valve body 30 (see FIG. 3). It has an annular ball valve element contact portion 52 that contacts the valve 30 (see FIG. 12). The ball valve body contact portion 52 is a part of the outer surface 30a that is the outer surface of the ball valve body 30, and is, for example, a convex curved surface that is convex toward the ball valve body 30 side. A specific structure of the ball valve body contact portion 52 will be described later.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ball valve body 30 is formed in a generally spherical or substantially spherical shape, and is made of resin, metal, or the like. As described above, the ball valve body 30 is provided with the ball valve body through hole 31 which is a hole penetrating the ball valve body 30 . 11 and has the same or substantially the same inner diameter as the upstream opening 21 of the cover member 20 . The ball valve body through-hole 31 extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X1 direction (arrow ef direction) of the ball valve body 30, and extends in the flow path direction (arrow ab direction) in the ball valve 1 to allow the flow to flow. It can communicate with the passage 2 (the valve body through-hole 10h and the cover member through-hole 20h). The ball valve body through-hole 31 forms an upstream opening 31b on the upstream side (in the direction of arrow b) and a downstream opening 31a on the downstream side (in the direction of arrow a).

The ball valve element 30 has a circular or substantially circular flat surface that is formed flat so as to face the output shaft insertion hole 15 in a state of being rotatably supported in the valve chamber 14 of the valve body 10 . 35a (see FIGS. 2 and 3). An output shaft fitting recess 36, which is a fitting recess having a predetermined shape and a predetermined depth, is formed on the flat surface 35a centered or substantially centered on the rotation axis X1. The output shaft fitting recess 36 is a recess with a predetermined depth that forms a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical space that is connected to the motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 (direction of arrow ef).

The ball valve body 30 also has a circular or substantially circular flat surface 35b having a diameter larger than that of the shaft support hole 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The flat surface 35a and the flat surface 35b of the ball valve body 30 face back and form parallel or substantially parallel surfaces. The shaft portion 37 is a protrusion supported by the valve body 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis X1. Specifically, the shaft portion 37 is provided on the flat surface 35b of the ball valve body 30, and has a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical projection with a predetermined diameter and a predetermined height centered or substantially centered on the rotation axis X1. is part of The shaft portion 37 is a portion that functions as a shaft support portion that is rotatably supported in the shaft support hole 16 of the valve body 10 . The diameter of the shaft portion 37 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the shaft support hole 16 . A predetermined gap is provided between the shaft portion 37 of the ball valve body 30 and the shaft support hole 16 of the valve body 10 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 (the direction of the arrow ef). It is slightly movable in the direction of the dynamic axis X1 (direction of arrow ef).

The output shaft fitting recess 36 and the shaft portion 37 are arranged coaxially or substantially coaxially, with the rotation axis X1 as the central axis. Further, the ball valve body 30 has a pair of circular or substantially circular shapes formed at positions rotated by 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees around the rotation axis X1 from the downstream side opening 31a and the upstream side opening 31b. It has a downstream flat surface 38 and an upstream flat surface 39 which are flat surfaces. The downstream flat surface 38 and the upstream flat surface 39 are parallel or substantially parallel to each other, and are orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis X1 direction (arrow ef direction) and the extending direction of the ball valve body through-hole 31 (axis X3 direction). facing each other in the direction of As shown in FIG. 3, in the closed state of the ball valve element 30, the downstream flat surface 38 is positioned downstream, and the upstream flat surface 39 is positioned upstream, facing the flow path 2 direction. ing. Further, the diameter of the downstream flat surface 38 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 51 of the sealing member 50 , and when the ball valve body 30 is closed, the downstream flat surface 38 is larger than the opening 51 of the sealing member 50 . It is designed to go inside. Therefore, in the closed state of the ball valve body 30 , the ball valve body 30 contacts the seal member 50 at a portion closer to the upstream flat surface 39 than the downstream flat surface 38 .

As described above, the ball valve body 30 has an annular closing contact portion 32 that contacts the ball valve body contact portion 52 in the closed state in which the ball valve body through hole 31 does not communicate with the opening portion 51 of the seal member 50 . and, in an open state in which at least a part of the downstream opening 31a of the ball valve body through-hole 31 communicates with the opening 51 of the seal member 50, the annular shape facing the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 is opened. and a facing portion 33 . The ball valve element 30 also has a recessed portion 34 that is recessed inward from the closed contact portion 32 . The details of the structures of the closing contact portion 32, the opening facing portion 33, and the recess portion 34 will be described later. The closed state is a state in which the ball valve body through-hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50 as described above, and the ball valve body through-hole 31 shown in FIG. The ball valve body 30 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. It also includes the state just before 31 communicates with the flow path 2 on the downstream side. The closed state means that the downstream side opening 31a or the upstream side opening 31b enters the opening 51 of the seal member 50 and the ball valve element through-hole 31 communicates with the flow path 2 on the downstream side. It may be at least one of the states (posture of the ball valve element 30). The open state is a state in which at least part of the downstream opening 31a of the ball valve body through-hole 31 communicates with the opening 51 of the seal member 50, as described above, and the ball valve body shown in FIG. In addition to the state in which the through hole 31 faces the flow path 2, the ball valve body 30 rotates from the state shown in FIG. It also includes the state just before the gap between the valve main body 10 and the ball valve body 30 is sealed. Further, the open state is the state just before the downstream opening 31a is removed from the opening 51 of the seal member 50 and the gap between the valve main body 10 and the ball valve body 30 is sealed by the seal member 50. It may be at least one state (posture of the ball valve element 30). When a state in which a portion of the downstream opening 31a is out of the opening 51 of the seal member 50 is defined as an open state, the opening facing portion 33 does not have an endless ring shape but a ring shape with a part missing. In the present embodiment, the open state is a state in which the downstream opening 31 a is accommodated within the opening 51 of the seal member 50 .

Also, the motor 40 is, for example, a stepping motor, a DC (direct current) motor, a brushless DC motor, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body of the motor 40, motor-side connecting portions 43 are provided that protrude in the width direction (direction of arrow cd). The motor side connecting portion 43 is a portion that is connected to the ball valve side connecting portion 17 of the valve body 10, and is connected by, for example, a screw or a snap fit. A drive signal is supplied to the motor 40 via a lead wire (not shown) from, for example, a controller for controlling the motor 40, and the motor output shaft 41 is rotationally driven based on this drive signal.

A motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 is inserted through the output shaft insertion hole 15 of the valve body 10 , and the motor 40 can rotationally drive the ball valve body 30 via the motor output shaft 41 . The motor output shaft 41 is provided with an output shaft fitting protrusion 42 that fits into the output shaft fitting recess 33 of the ball valve body 30 . A predetermined gap is provided between the motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 and the output shaft fitting recess 33 of the ball valve body 30 in the rotation axis X1 direction (arrow ef direction). For example, a D-cut is used for fitting the output shaft fitting projection 42 of the motor 40 and the output shaft fitting recess 33 of the ball valve body 30. In this case, the rotation axis X1 direction (arrow ef direction) is used. An output shaft fitting projection 42 consisting of a post with a D-shaped cut portion is formed by forming two planes at positions facing each other along the line, and two planes opposing the above two planes are formed. The output shaft fitting recess 33 is used. However, the fitting between the output shaft fitting concave portion 33 and the output shaft fitting convex portion 42 is not limited to the D-cut. is formed, and a spline or serration having tooth-shaped grooves that mesh with each other is formed on the inner side facing the tooth-shaped groove formed in the output shaft fitting projection 42 as the output shaft fitting recess 33 is used. good too.

The output shaft fitting convex portion 42 of the motor 40 and the output shaft fitting concave portion 33 of the ball valve body 30 are fitted in the motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 and the ball valve body 30 in the rotation direction of the motor 40. rotates integrally, while the ball valve body 30 is slightly movable in the direction of the rotation axis X1 (the direction of the arrow ef) with respect to the motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 by the above-described gap. there is A motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40 is coaxial or substantially coaxial with the output shaft insertion hole 15, the shaft support hole 16, the output shaft fitting recess 36, and the shaft portion 37, and has the rotation axis X1 as its central axis.

An O-ring 60 is attached between the downstream opening 12 of the valve body 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 20 to seal the gap between the valve body 10 and the cover member 20. there is An O-ring 61 is attached between the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 10 forming the output shaft insertion hole 15 of the valve body 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the motor output shaft 41 of the motor 40. The gap between 10 and the motor output shaft 41 is sealed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13, the seal member 50 is in contact with the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 at a portion or the entirety of the portion defining the opening 51. A ring-shaped ball valve body contact portion 52 is provided in a portion defining 51 . The ball valve body contact portion 52 is the outer surface of the annular ball valve body 50 that contacts the ball valve body 30 in the closed state where the ball valve body through hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50 as described above. 30a.

3, 4 and 5, the ball valve element 30 has an annular closing contact portion 32 surrounding the downstream flat surface 38. As shown in FIGS. The closed contact portion 32 is the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 that contacts the ball valve body contact portion 52 in the closed state where the ball valve body through-hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50, as described above. is part of The closing contact portion 32 is, for example, an annular or substantially annular portion, and is positioned concentrically or substantially concentrically with the downstream flat surface 38 . In the closed state of the ball valve body 30, the closing contact portion 32 of the ball valve body 30 contacts the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 over the entire circumference, and the ball valve body 30 and the valve body 10 are separated. The seal member 50 and the ball valve body 30 are formed so as to seal with the inner peripheral surface 14b, and are positioned in the valve body 10. As shown in FIG.

2, 4, and 6, the ball valve body 30 has an annular opening facing portion 33 so as to surround the downstream opening 31a. As described above, the open-time facing portion 33 is in contact with the ball valve body contact portion 52 in the open state in which at least a portion of the downstream opening 31a of the ball valve body through hole 31 communicates with the opening 51 of the seal member 50. It is the part of the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 which opposes. In the open state of the ball valve body 30, the open-time facing portion 33 may be in contact with the ball valve body contact portion 52, may be partially in contact with the ball valve body contact portion 52, or may be in contact with the ball valve body contact portion 52. It may not be in contact with the valve body contact portion 52 and may be close to and face the ball valve body contact portion 52 . The form in which the open-time facing portion 33 faces the ball valve body contact portion 52 is based on the formation range of the recessed portion 34 . The opening facing portion 33 is, for example, an annular or substantially annular portion, and is positioned concentrically or substantially concentrically with the downstream opening 31a. In the open state of the ball valve body 30, the seal member 50, the ball valve body 30, A recess 34 is formed and positioned in the valve body 10 .

The ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 includes a portion of the seal member 50 that contacts the contact portion 32 of the ball valve body 30 when closed, and a portion of the seal member 50 that faces the opposing portion 33 of the ball valve body 30 when opened. is the part containing In other words, when the portion where the ball valve body 30 contacts the seal member 50 when closed coincides with the portion where the ball valve body 30 faces the seal member 50 when opened, the contact portion 32 when closed is the ball valve contact portion. 52, and the opposing portion 33 contacts the entire ball valve body contact portion 52 when opened. On the other hand, if the portion where the ball valve body 30 contacts the seal member 50 when closed does not match the portion where the ball valve body 30 faces the seal member 50 when opened, the contact portion 32 when closed is the ball valve contact portion. 52 , and the opposing portion 33 contacts a portion of the ball valve body contact portion 52 when opened. Further, when the portion where the ball valve body 30 contacts the seal member 50 when closed includes the portion where the ball valve body 30 faces the seal member 50 when opened, the contact portion 32 when closed is the ball valve body contact portion 52 , and the opposing portion 33 contacts a part of the ball valve body contact portion 52 when opened. On the other hand, if the portion where the ball valve body 30 contacts the seal member 50 when the ball valve body 30 is opened includes the portion where the ball valve body 30 faces the seal member 50 when the ball valve body 30 is closed, the opposing portion 33 when opened is the ball valve body contact portion 52. , and the closed contact portion 32 contacts a part of the ball valve body contact portion 52 .

4 to 6, the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 do not overlap on the outer surface 30a of the ball valve element 30 between the downstream opening portion 31a and the downstream flat surface 38, but the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 do not overlap. The time contact portion 32 and the open time facing portion 33 may partially overlap on the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 between the downstream side opening portion 31a and the downstream side flat surface 38 .

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ball valve body 30 has a recessed portion 34 which is recessed toward the inside of the closing contact portion 32 . Specifically, the recessed portion 34 is the ball valve body 30 that is recessed from the outer surface 30a toward the inside (center side) of the ball valve body 30 with respect to the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 where the closing contact portion 32 is located. is part of The diameter of the recessed portion 34 from the center of the ball valve body 30 is smaller than the diameter of the closed contact portion 32 from the center of the ball valve body 30 . Further, in the ball valve body 30 , the recessed portion 34 is formed in at least a part of the opening facing portion 33 . Specifically, in the ball valve body 30, the recessed portion 34 is formed closer to the downstream opening 31a of the ball valve body through-hole 31 than the closing contact portion 32 in the rotational direction of the ball valve body 30, The recessed portion 34 is not formed in the closing contact portion 32 . For example, when the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 do not overlap, the recess portion 34 may be formed including the entire opening facing portion 33, or the opening facing portion 33 may be It may be formed including a part. On the other hand, when the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 overlap, the recessed portion 34 does not include the entire opening facing portion 33, and the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 do not overlap each other. may be formed including an opening facing portion 33 that spreads toward the downstream opening 31a side in the rotational direction of the ball valve body 30 from the overlapping portion, or the closing contact portion 32 and the opening facing portion 33 may be formed. may be formed to include a part of the opening facing portion 33 that spreads toward the downstream opening 31a side in the rotational direction of the ball valve body 30 from the overlapping portion. Further, the recessed portion 34 is not formed in the portion of the closing contact portion 32 .

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the recessed portion 34 has a recessed portion bottom surface 34a that is a portion of a spherical surface or a substantially spherical surface. The spherical surface along which the bottom surface 34a of the recess is formed has the same or substantially the same center point as the spherical surface along which the contact portion 32 is formed when closed, and the diameter of the spherical surface along which the bottom surface 34a of the recess is formed is larger than the diameter of the spherical surface along which the contact portion 32 is formed when closed. is also smaller. The spherical surface along which the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion extends may have a different center point from the spherical surface along which the closed contact portion 32 extends. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the recessed portion 34 has a connecting portion 34b that smoothly connects the recessed portion bottom portion 34a and the outer surface 30a adjacent to the recessed portion 34 of the ball valve body 30. ing. At least a portion of the connecting portion 34b is located within the range of the projected portion of the seal member 50 in the rotating ball valve body 30 in the direction of the axis X2. More specifically, at least a portion of the connecting portion 34b covers the range of the projected portion of the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 in the rotating ball valve body 30 in the direction of the axis X2 (hereinafter referred to as the seal member projection range, Also called.) is located within.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the recessed portion 34 is provided close to the downstream opening 31a, and is closer to the downstream side flat surface 38 than the shaft portion 37 in the rotational direction of the ball valve body 30. It extends in a spherical zone with missing side parts. In addition, the recessed portion 34 is positioned closer to the downstream opening 31a than the shaft portion 37 in the extending direction of the ball valve element through-hole 31 (axis X3 direction of the ball valve element through-hole 31a). extends between A recess bottom surface 34 a of the recess portion 34 is a spherical surface in which a portion on the downstream side flat surface 38 side in the rotational direction of the ball valve body 30 is missing from the shaft portion 37 , and is aligned with the axis Y3 of the ball valve body through hole 31 . Edges 34c are formed at a pair of ends in the circumferential direction. The edge 34c is arcuate, and is positioned closer to the downstream side flat surface 38 than the shaft portion 37 around the axis X3. In addition, as shown in FIG. A stepped surface 34d extending between is formed. Also, in the recessed portion 34, the connecting portion 34b is formed between the edge 34c of the recessed portion bottom surface 34a and the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 that contacts the recessed portion 34 in the direction around the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31. It is a curved surface extending to A pair of edges 34c on the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion are provided at symmetrical or substantially symmetrical positions about the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31 with respect to the downstream side flat surface 38. Similarly, the connecting portion 34b are provided at symmetrical or substantially symmetrical positions about the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31 with respect to the downstream side flat surface 38 .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the edge 34c of the recessed bottom surface 34a is positioned on a plane including the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31, and as shown in FIG. When the valve body 30 is viewed in the direction of the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31, the edge 34c appears straight. The connecting portion 34b is a curved surface formed by three-dimensional parallel translation of the arc drawn by the edge 34c. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, since the diameter of the downstream opening 31a is constant, the portion of the downstream opening 31a on the recess bottom surface 34a and the downstream opening 31a on the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 The height of the ball valve body through-hole 31 in the direction of the axis X3 is different from that of the side opening 31a. The portion of the downstream opening 31a in the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion is located inside the portion of the downstream opening 31a in the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 in the direction of the axis X3. In addition, the portion of the downstream opening 31a in the connecting portion 34b smoothly connects the portion of the downstream opening 31a in the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion and the portion of the downstream opening 31a in the outer surface 30a of the ball valve element 30. I'm in. The connecting surface 34b is a curved surface formed by translating an edge 34c (a line drawn by the edge 34c) of the recess bottom 34a along the portion of the downstream opening 31a in the connecting portion 34b. In this manner, the connecting surface 34b smoothly connects the recess bottom portion 34a and the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30. As shown in FIG.

In the open state of the ball valve body 30, the recessed portion 34 faces the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50. in contact. In addition, as described above, the concave portion 34 does not have to be in contact with the ball valve body contact portion 52 when the ball valve body 30 is in the open state. Even if the sealing member 50 is not in annular contact with the ball valve body 30 in the open state of the ball valve body 30 and the space between the ball valve body 30 and the inner peripheral surface 14b of the valve body 10 is not sealed, A gap between the valve body 10 and the cover member 20 in the flow path 2 is sealed by an O-ring 60 so that fluid does not leak from the flow path 2 . When the seal member 50 is in contact with the recessed portion 34, the posture of the seal member 50 can be stabilized.

Next, the operation of the ball valve 1 having the configuration described above will be described. In the closed state of the ball valve body 30 in which the ball valve body through-hole 31 does not communicate with the opening 51 of the seal member 50 as shown in FIG. It is in annular contact with the time contact portion 32 . As a result, the space between the ball valve body 30 and the inner peripheral surface 14b of the valve main body 10 is sealed by the sealing member 50, and the fluid flowing in from the upstream opening 11 of the valve main body 10 exceeds the sealing member 50. Outflow to the downstream side is prevented. On the other hand, in the open state of the ball valve body 30 in which the downstream opening 31a of the ball valve body through-hole 31 is housed in the opening 51 of the seal member 50 as shown in FIG. The main body through-hole 10h and the cover member through-hole 20h) communicate with the ball valve body through-hole 31, and the fluid can flow from the upstream opening 11 of the valve body 10 toward the downstream opening 22 of the cover member 20. can. The ball valve body 30 is rotated by the motor 40, and the ball valve body 30 moves between an open state and a closed state.

As described above, in the ball valve body 30 of the ball valve 1, the recessed portion 34 is not formed in the entire opening facing portion 33 of the ball valve body 30, and as shown in FIG. Between 38 and upstream flat surface 39 , recessed portion 34 is not formed in the portion of opening facing portion 33 that is closer to downstream flat surface 38 than shaft portion 37 . Therefore, in the open state of the ball valve body 30, the portion of the seal member 50 that contacts the recessed portion 34 is larger than the portion that contacts the portion of the seal member 50 that is not the recessed portion 34 (the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30). is also weakly pressed against the ball valve body 30 . When the ball valve body 30 is rotated in the closing direction from the open state, the motor 40 rotates the ball valve body 30 against the static friction force generated by the contact between the ball valve body 30 and the seal member 50. have to move. In a conventional ball valve that does not have the recessed portion 34, when the ball valve body is rotated in the closing direction from the open state, the contact portion of the ball valve body with the seal member is located upstream of the shaft portion of the ball valve body. Since the portion on the flat surface side moves in the direction of being pressed against the seal member, a larger static friction force is generated in this portion than in other portions. On the other hand, in the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the ball valve element 30 is rotated in the closing direction from the open state, the portion where a larger static friction force than the other portions is generated. In other words, in the portion of the opposite portion 33 on the upstream side flat surface 39 side of the shaft portion 37 when the ball valve body 30 is opened (hereinafter also referred to as the pressing portion), the inner side of the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 Since the concave portion 34 is formed, the pressing portion is not strongly pressed against the sealing member 50 as in the conventional case, and the pressing portion does not generate a large maximum static friction force portion as in the conventional case. do not have. Therefore, in the ball valve 1, the sliding resistance received from the seal member 50 when the ball valve body 30 rotates from the open state can be reduced, and the sliding resistance received from the seal member 50 when the ball valve body 30 rotates can be reduced. Dynamic resistance can be reduced.

Further, in the ball valve body 30, as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portion 34 extends toward the axis X3 of the ball valve body through-hole 31 from the above-described pressing portion of the open-time facing portion 33, and is located on the downstream side. It extends to the opening 31a. Therefore, the sliding resistance received from the seal member 50 when the ball valve body 30 rotates can be reduced in a wider range.

In addition, within the range of the projected portion of the seal member 50 in the direction of the axis X2 in the rotating ball valve body 30 (within the projection range of the seal member), in the above-described ball valve body 30, the seal member 50 slides. In 30, the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion and the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 are smoothly connected by a connecting portion 34b. Therefore, even if the ball valve body 30 slides against the seal member 50, the seal member 50 smoothly contacts the bail valve body 50, and the posture of the seal member 50 is stabilized when the ball valve body 30 rotates. can be made Therefore, the posture of the seal member 50 can be maintained at a desired posture when the ball valve body 30 is in the closed state, and the sealing performance of the seal member 50 in the closed state of the ball valve body 30 can be stably maintained. can be done.

At the time of closing, the seal member contact portion 52 is formed at the closing contact portion 32 projecting to the outer peripheral side from the recess portion 34, in other words, at the closing contact portion 32 located higher than the recess portion 34 in the radial direction. It contacts the valve body 30 . Therefore, when closed, the seal member 50 is pressed against the ball valve body 30 more deeply than when opened, and the sealing performance of the seal member 50 when closed can be improved. Thus, the ball valve 1 can reduce the sliding resistance applied to the seal member 50 while maintaining high sealing performance of the seal member 50 when closed.

As described above, according to the ball valve 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sliding resistance generated between the ball valve element 30 and the seal member 50 can be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes all aspects included in the concept of the present invention and the scope of claims. Moreover, each configuration may be selectively combined as appropriate so as to achieve at least part of the above-described problems and effects. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiment may be changed as appropriate according to the specific usage of the present invention.

For example, although the recessed portion 34 is provided in a spherical zone shape around the downstream opening 31a, the recessed portion 34 may be provided in another shape (or within a range). The recessed portion 34 may extend over part or all of the projected portion of the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the seal member 50 in the rotating ball valve body 30 in the direction of the axis X2 (seal member projection range). . However, the recessed portion 34 is not formed in the closing contact portion 32 . Further, the recessed portion 34 may extend over the outer surface 30a of the ball valve body 30 excluding the closing contact portion 32 beyond the projection range of the sealing member.

In addition, although the connecting portion 34b of the recessed portion 34 is a curved surface formed by three-dimensional parallel translation of the edge 34c of the bottom surface 34a of the recessed portion, the shape of the connecting portion 34b may be another shape. For example, other curved surfaces, flat surfaces, or combinations of curved surfaces and flat surfaces may be used. Also, the connecting portion 34b may be provided at the edge of the recessed portion 34 outside the range of the projected portion of the ball valve body contact portion 52 of the sealing member 50 in the rotating ball valve body 30 in the direction of the axis X2. For example, in the recessed portion 34, the connecting portion 34b may also be formed at the edge where the stepped surface 34d is formed. In this case, the recessed portion 34 does not have the step surface 34c. Further, the recessed portion 34 may not have the connecting portion 34b.

Further, although the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 50 is formed in a U-shape or a substantially U-shape, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member 50 may be other shapes. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the seal member 50 may be V-shaped or substantially V-shaped, J-shaped or substantially J-shaped, or may be curved or straight. may have been

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ball valve, 2... Flow path, 10... Valve body, 10a... Upper end surface, 10b... Lower end surface, 10h... Valve main body through-hole, 11... Upstream side opening, 12... Downstream side opening, 14... Valve chamber , 14a... inner peripheral curved surface 14b... inner peripheral surface 15... output shaft insertion hole 16... shaft support hole 17... ball valve side connecting portion 20... cover member 20h... cover member through hole 20a... outer peripheral wall , 20b... Upstream side end surface 21... Upstream side opening 22... Downstream side opening 23... Sealing member engaging projection 30... Ball valve body 30a... Outer surface 31... Ball valve body through hole 31a Downstream side opening 31b Upstream side opening 32 Contact portion when closed 33 Opposed portion when opened 34 Recessed portion 34a Bottom surface of recessed portion 34b Joint portion 34c End edge 34d Step surface 35a, 35b Flat surface 36 Output shaft fitting recess 37 Shaft 38 Downstream flat surface 39 Upstream flat surface 40 Motor 41 Motor output shaft 42 Output Shaft fitting convex portion 43 Motor side connecting portion 50 Seal member 50a Concave portion 51 Opening portion 52 Ball valve contact portion 53 Inner piece 54 Outer curved surface 55 Fitting concave portion , 56... contact portion, 60, 61... O-ring

Claims (8)

a valve body provided with a valve body through-hole;
a cover member provided with a cover member through-hole that is attached to the valve body and communicates with the valve body through-hole;
A ball valve body rotatably supported with respect to the valve body and provided to communicate with a flow path formed by the valve body through-hole of the valve body and the cover member through-hole of the cover member. a ball valve body having a through hole;
an annular seal member provided between the ball valve body and the valve body for sealing between the flow path and the ball valve body;
The seal member has an annular ball valve body contact portion that contacts the ball valve body in a state where the ball valve body through-hole does not communicate with the opening of the seal member,
The ball valve body includes a closing contact portion that is an annular portion that contacts the ball valve body contact portion in a state in which the ball valve body through hole does not communicate with the opening of the seal member, and a ball through hole. In a state in which at least a part of the hole communicates with the opening of the seal member, an open facing portion that is an annular portion facing the ball valve body contact portion of the seal member, and an inner portion of the closed contact portion. and a concave portion that is concave to the side;
In the ball valve body, the recessed portion is formed so as to include a part of the opening facing portion on the side away from the closing contact portion , and the entire opening facing portion. A ball valve, characterized in that it is not formed to contain a The ball valve body has a downstream opening and an upstream opening,
The recessed portion is formed in the ball valve body on either the downstream side opening or the upstream side opening of the ball valve body through-hole with respect to the closing contact portion. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein 2. The concave portion is formed in at least a part of a projected portion of the seal member in the rotating ball valve body in the axial direction of the seal member in the ball valve body. 2. Ball valve according to claim 2. The closed contact portion is a portion of a spherical surface, at least a portion of the recessed portion is a portion of another spherical surface, and the diameter of the at least a portion of the recessed portion is larger than the diameter of the closed contact portion. 4. A ball valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that , is small. 1 to 4, wherein the recess has at least one connecting portion that connects to a portion that is not the recess, and the connecting portion smoothly connects to the portion that is not the recess. 5. The ball valve according to any one of 4. At least part of the connecting portion is located within a range of a projected portion of the seal member in the rotating ball valve body in an axial direction of the seal member in the ball valve body. 6. A ball valve according to item 5. The ball valve body has a downstream flat surface and an upstream flat surface facing each other,
The downstream flat surface and the upstream flat surface face the flow path in a state in which the ball valve body through-hole does not communicate with the opening of the seal member,
2. Between the downstream flat surface and the upstream flat surface, the concave portion is not formed in a portion of the opening facing portion on the downstream flat surface side. 7. The ball valve according to any one of items 1 to 6. When the opening facing portion is in annular contact with the sealing member, the recessed portion is pressed against the ball valve element weaker than a portion of the opening facing portion that is not the recessed portion. 8. The ball valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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