JPH10299936A - Three-position valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize three positions of a valve element by using one solenoid coil and promote to miniaturize, lighten, reduce a cost in a three-position valve. SOLUTION: Valve elements 32, 33 and a plunger 17 are excited to the neutral position by a spring 16, a solenoid coil 14 is arranged near by the plunger 17, an attracting force is applied on the plunger 17 by the excitation of the solenoid coil 14 and the plunger 17 is moved. At the three-position valve where the valve elements 32, 33 are moved by the moving of the plunger 17, only one solenoid coil 14 is arranged and two permanent magnets 23, 24 are arranged facing the same magnetic pole each other, the moving direction of the plunger 17 is reversed by reversing the d.c. current fed to the solenoid coil.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electromagnetic three-position valve for controlling the flow of a fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a conventional spring-centered three-position four-port solenoid operated switching valve. A first electromagnetic coil 2 and a second electromagnetic coil 3 are disposed on both sides of the spool 1,
When the first electromagnetic coil 2 and the second electromagnetic coil 3 are in the demagnetized state, the spool 1 maintains the illustrated neutral position by the urging force of the return springs 4 and 5. When the first electromagnetic coil 2 is excited, the first plunger 6 moves to the left by the attraction force of the first electromagnetic coil 2, the spool 1 is switched to the left position, the P port communicates with the A port, and the B port communicates. And R
The port is communicated. When the second electromagnetic coil 3 is excited,
The second plunger 7 moves to the right by the attraction force of the second electromagnetic coil 3, the spool 1 is switched to the right position, and P
The port and the B port are connected, and the A port and the R port are connected. As described above, the conventional three-position solenoid operated switching valve requires two electromagnetic coils.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to realize a three-position valve by using one electromagnetic coil to realize three positions of a valve body to achieve a reduction in size, weight, and cost. I do.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a valve body and a plunger are urged toward a neutral position by a spring, and an electromagnetic coil is disposed near the plunger. The attraction force acts on the plunger by the excitation of the plunger to move the plunger, and the valve body is moved by the movement of the plunger. In the three-position valve, only one electromagnetic coil is used. The first configuration is such that the direction of movement of the plunger is reversed by reversing the direction of the DC current flowing through the electromagnetic coil. In addition, this valve element shall include all types of valve elements used for the three-port valve. The present invention provides, in the first configuration,
A valve chamber is formed inside or on the side of the electromagnetic coil, valve seats are formed at both ends of the valve chamber, a pressurizing port or a discharge port is connected to each valve seat, and a supply port is connected to the valve chamber, A second configuration is such that the valve element is disposed so as to be able to abut against the valve seat, and the engaging portions at both ends of the plunger are disposed so as to be engageable with the valve element. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the second configuration, the plunger has a cylindrical portion and flange portions at both ends, and a flange having a larger diameter than the valve body is continuously provided inside the valve body, and each flange is a flange portion of the plunger. The valve body is inserted into each flange of the plunger, each flange is urged toward the flange of each plunger by a spring, and when the electromagnetic coil is in a demagnetized state, each valve body is inserted into each valve seat. , The pressurizing port and the discharge port are closed, and the outer surface of each flange is abutted against the flange of the plunger. When the electromagnetic coil is in the excited state, the plunger moves to either side to move the valve body to the open position. The movement is defined as a third configuration. The present invention relates to the first
In the above structure, the spool is slidably disposed in the valve body, the plunger is connected to the spool, the electromagnetic coil is disposed on the side of the plunger, the spool moves in accordance with the movement of the plunger, and the That the flow path is switched is referred to as a fourth configuration.

[0005]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a three-position valve according to the present invention. A lower end of a frame 10 made of a magnetic material (a hard magnetic material and a soft magnetic material) having a flanged cylindrical shape or a U-shaped cross section is opened, and a central hole is formed in a flange portion 10A at an upper end.
10B is formed. A generally annular top body 12 made of a non-magnetic material (eg, aluminum) is fitted and fixed to the center hole 10B of the frame 10, and a plastic part having an electromagnetic coil 14 mounted inside the cylindrical portion of the frame 10. Bobbin 15
Is inserted. Inside of bobbin 15, ie electromagnetic coil
A plunger 17 is reciprocally inserted into the interior of 14,
A member 19 made of a magnetic material is fitted into the opening of the frame 10 (or the member 19 is formed in a flange shape integral with the frame 10), and the magnetic force lines can pass from the lower end of the frame 10 to the member 19. And a non-magnetic bottom body 20 is attached,
Fixed. The lead wires 35 and 36 of the electromagnetic coil 14 are
It is connected to the positive and negative poles of the DC power supply via a switch (not shown).

A portion surrounded by the top body 12, the bobbin 15 and the bottom body 20 becomes a sealed valve chamber 18,
An annularly protruding valve seat 13 is formed at an upper end in the valve chamber 18, that is, a lower surface of the top body 12. An R port (discharge port) is connected to the valve seat 13, and the R port is connected to the top body 12.
Through the center of the Similarly, an annularly protruding valve seat 21 is formed at the lower end in the valve chamber 18, that is, on the upper surface of the bottom body 20, and a P port (pressurizing port) communicates with the valve seat 21.
The P port passes through the center of the bottom body 20. A
A port (supply port) communicates with the valve chamber 18, and here, an A port is formed at a position slightly away from the P port of the bottom body 20.

The plunger 17 has a cylindrical portion and flange portions at both ends (a first flange portion 25 and a second flange portion 26). Two permanent magnets are arranged with their magnetic poles facing each other. In FIG. 1, the plunger 17 includes a flanged cylindrical first permanent magnet 23 and a second permanent magnet 23.
The first permanent magnet 23 and the second permanent magnet 24 are vertically symmetrical in shape and magnetic poles. That is, the first permanent magnet 23
A flange 25 is integrally formed, and a second end is formed at the lower end of the second permanent magnet 24.
A flange 26 is formed integrally, and the first permanent magnet 23 and the second permanent magnet 24 are connected by the same magnetic pole (N pole in FIG. 1). Therefore, the upper and lower ends of the plunger 17 have the same magnetic pole, and FIG. 1 shows the presence of the S pole.

Flanges 32A and 33A having a larger diameter than the first valve body 32 and the second valve body 33 are provided on the inner surfaces of the first valve body 32 and the second valve body 33.
The flanges 32A and 33A are inserted inside the first flange 25 and the second flange 26 of the plunger 17. First
The valve body 32 and the second valve body 33 are inserted through the first flange portion 25 and the second flange portion 26 of the plunger, and the first valve seat 13 and the second valve seat 21 are provided.
The first valve body 32 and the second valve body 33 are disposed so as to be able to abut. In other words, the first valve body 32 with the flange 32A and the second valve body with the flange 33A are provided inside the plunger 17 in advance.
33 and spring 16 are mounted. By the urging force of the spring 16, the flange 32A of the first valve body 32 is pressed toward the first flange 25 of the plunger 17, and the flange 33A of the second valve body 33 is pressed toward the second flange 26 of the plunger 17. Pressed. The distance between the lower surface (engaging portion) of the first flange portion 25 of the plunger 17 and the upper surface (engaging portion) of the second flange portion 26 is the first valve body.
The upper surface of the flange 32A and the flange 33A when the second valve body 32 is in contact with the first valve seat 13 and the second valve body 33 is in contact with the second valve seat 21.
Is set to be the same as or slightly longer than the distance from the lower surface of.

When the electromagnetic coil 14 is in a demagnetized state (non-energized state), the first valve body 32 is brought into contact with or pressed against the first valve seat 13 by the urging force of the spring 16 to close the R port. The two-valve element 33 is abutted or pressed against the second valve seat 21 to close the P port. And flange 32
A and the outer surface of the flange 33A are the first flange 25 of the plunger 17.
And the inside of the second flange portion 26. A reaction force is generated between the inner end 28 of the flange 10A of the frame 10 and the upper S pole of the plunger 17, and similarly, a reaction force is generated between the inner end 29 of the member 19 and the lower S pole of the plunger 17. Occurs. Due to the reaction force and the urging force of the spring 16, the plunger 17 is maintained at the neutral position shown in FIG.

When the positive pole of the DC power supply is connected to the lead wire 35 and the negative pole is connected to the lead wire 36, a current flows from the lead wire 35 through the electromagnetic coil 14 to the lead wire 36, and the upper side of the electromagnetic coil 14 ( The top body 12 side) becomes the S pole and the electromagnetic coil 14
The lower side (bottom body 20 side) is the N pole. for that reason,
A repulsive force is generated between the inner end 28 of the flange 10A of the frame 10 and the upper end (first flange 25, S pole) of the plunger 17, and the member 19
Inner end 29 and lower end of plunger 17 (second flange 26, S pole)
And a suction force is generated. Accordingly, the plunger is maintained while the second valve body 33 is kept pressed by the second valve seat 21.
17 moves downward and the lower end of plunger 17 is the bottom body
The first flange 25 (engaging portion) at the upper end of the plunger 17 causes the flange 32 </ b> A and the first valve body 32 to contact the spring 16.
Is moved downward by a predetermined distance against the urging force. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first valve body 32 is
Away from the port, the R port is opened, and the A port and the R port communicate with each other through the valve chamber 18.

When the negative pole of the DC power supply is connected to the lead wire 35 and the positive pole is connected to the lead wire 36, a current flows from the lead wire 36 through the electromagnetic coil 14 to the lead wire 35 (the direction of the current flow is Inverted), above the electromagnetic coil 14 (top body 12
Side) becomes the N pole, and the lower side (bottom body) of the electromagnetic coil 14
20) is the south pole. Therefore, the flange 10A of the frame 10
Inner end 28 and upper end of plunger 17 (first flange 25, S pole)
, A repulsive force is generated between the inner end 29 of the member 19 and the lower end of the plunger 17 (second flange 26, S pole). As a result, the plunger 17 moves upward, and the upper end of the plunger 17 abuts on the top body 12, and the plunger 17
Flange 33A / second valve element by second flange 26 at the lower end of 17
33 is moved upward by a predetermined distance against the urging force of the spring 16. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the second valve element 33 is separated from the second valve seat 21 to open the P port, and
The valve body 32 is pressed against the first valve seat 13 to close the R port,
The P port and the A port are communicated via the valve chamber 18.

FIG. 2A shows a modification of the first embodiment of the three-position valve of the present invention. In this modification, the lower end of the frame 10 and the member 19 are integrally formed by an appropriate manufacturing method to form a lower flange 10C. Flange of frame 10
The central hole 10B of 10A has a small diameter as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical first valve seat 37 is fitted and fixed in the central hole 10B. The lower end of the first valve seat 37 is the first valve seat 13, and the inside of the first valve seat 37 is the R port. A central hole 10D similar to the central hole 10B is formed at the center of the lower flange 10C, and a cylindrical second valve seat body 38 is fitted and fixed to the central hole 10D. The upper end of the second valve seat 38 is the second valve seat 21, and the inside of the second valve seat 38 is the P port. Lower collar 10
An A port penetrating is formed at a position slightly distant from the C P port. A portion surrounded by the flange 10A of the frame 10, the inside of the bobbin 15 and the lower flange 10C of the frame 10 becomes a sealed valve chamber 18. Other configurations of the modification of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. 2A, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

A modification of the first embodiment has the same function as the first embodiment. However, in the modification of the first embodiment, the upper end (flange portion 10A) and the lower portion (lower flange portion) of the frame 10 are provided.
10C) extends to the first valve seat 37 and the second valve seat 38, and since the upper and lower ends of the frame 10 and the upper and lower ends of the plunger 17 are close to each other, the frame 10 and the plunger
The attraction force and the repulsion force acting between the first permanent magnet 23 and the second permanent magnet 24 of the 17 are greater than in the first embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a first modification of the plunger 17 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the plunger 17A of the first modified example, the first permanent magnet 23A and the second permanent magnet 24A
The first permanent magnet 23A and the second permanent magnet 24A are connected or connected via a pipe 40 made of a non-magnetic material (for example, aluminum). Other aspects of the plunger 17A of the first modified example are the same as those of the plunger 17 of FIG. In the plunger 17A of the first modification, the distance between the same magnetic poles (here, N) of the first permanent magnet 23A and the second permanent magnet 24A is apart by the length of the pipe 40. This makes the assembly of the plunger 17A easy. Further, although it is difficult to process the permanent magnet due to its material, the plunger 17A of the first modified example uses the first permanent magnet 23A.
Also, since the second permanent magnet 24A is shortened, the load required for processing is reduced correspondingly.

FIG. 2C shows a second modification of the plunger 17 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the plunger 17B of the second modification, the first permanent magnet 23B and the second permanent magnet 24B
The first permanent magnet 23B and the second permanent magnet
A soft magnetic material (for example, Permalloy,
The first plunger piece 41 and the second plunger piece 42 which are made of pure iron) and are cylindrical with a flange are connected or connected. The first plunger piece 41 and the second plunger piece 42 have the same shape as the first permanent magnet 23A and the second permanent magnet 24A of the plunger 17A of the first modification. Other aspects of the plunger 17B of the second modification are the same as those of the plunger 17 of FIG. In the plunger 17B of the second modification, since the upper and lower ends of the plunger 17B are the first plunger piece 41 and the second plunger piece 42 made of a soft magnetic material, the plunger 17B collides with the top body 12 and the bottom body 20. Also, the first permanent magnet 23 and the second
There is no brittleness as in the case where the permanent magnet 24 collides, and the durability is improved. Further, although it is difficult to process the permanent magnet due to its material, the plunger 17B of the second modification has the first permanent magnet 23B.
In addition, since the second permanent magnet 24B has a short cylindrical shape through which the second permanent magnet 24B penetrates, the load required for processing is reduced by that much.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the three-position valve of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a valve chamber is provided inside the electromagnetic coil 14.
Although the valve mechanism such as 18 is provided, in Embodiment 2, the fixed iron core 44 is provided inside the electromagnetic coil 14, and the valve mechanism such as the valve chamber 18 is provided on the side of the electromagnetic coil 14. 3, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, a fixed core 44 made of a magnetic material (for example, iron or nickel) is inserted and fixed inside the bobbin 15, and an upper plate 46 and a lower plate 46 made of a soft magnetic material are attached to the upper and lower ends of the fixed core 44. The right end of 47 is fixed. Actually, the small diameter portions at the upper and lower ends of the fixed core 44 are fitted into the holes at the right end portions of the upper plate 46 and the lower plate 47, and the small diameter portions of the fixed core 44 are deformed and fixed. A non-magnetic cylindrical member 49 is arranged between the left half of the upper plate 46 and the lower plate 47, and the upper plate 46, the lower plate 47, and the cylindrical member 49 are connected by connecting means (not shown). O-rings are attached to the annular grooves at the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical member 49, and the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical member 49 and the lower surface of the upper plate 46 and the upper surface of the lower plate 47 are sealed by these O-rings. A valve chamber 18 is formed.

A cylindrical member of the upper plate 46 and the lower plate 47
At the position on the central axis of 49, a penetrating R port and a P port are formed. An annular groove is formed around the R port on the lower surface of the upper plate 46, and an annular first valve seat 13 is formed between the annular groove and the R port. Similarly, an annular groove is formed around the P port on the upper surface of the lower plate 47, and an annular second valve seat 21 is formed between the annular groove and the P port. An A port is formed at a position slightly away from the P port of the lower plate 47. A plunger 17 (or 17A, 17B) is mounted in the valve chamber 18, and functions similarly to the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, since the fixed iron core 44 is inserted into the electromagnetic coil 14, the lines of magnetic force increase, and the lines of magnetic force pass through the upper plate 46 and the lower plate 47, and the plunger 17
Guided up and down. Therefore, when a current is applied to the electromagnetic coil 14, the attractive force and the repulsive force generated between the upper plate 46 / lower plate 47 and the plunger 17 are stronger than in the first embodiment, and the device is downsized. can do. In the second embodiment, the influence of the temperature of the fluid to be controlled is smaller than in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a three-position valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention (spring center type three-position four-port electromagnetic switching valve). A spool 52 (valve element) is slidably disposed in a central hole of the valve body 51, and a sleeve (not shown) is disposed in the central hole as needed. The plunger 17 is connected to the right side of the spool 52, and the plunger 17 has two rod-shaped first
The permanent magnet 58 and the rod-shaped second permanent magnet 59 have the same magnetic pole (FIG. 4A).
In this case, the N-poles are opposed to each other and fixed. An electromagnetic coil 14 that is longer than the plunger 17 in the left-right direction is disposed around (sides) the plunger 17, and the lead wires 35 and 36 of the electromagnetic coil 14 are connected to a +
Pole and-pole. A conventionally known neutral position urging mechanism 53 is disposed on the left side of the spool 52, and the spool 52 is urged to the neutral position by a spring 54 of the neutral position urging mechanism 53. Further, the well-known ports A, B, P, and R are formed in the valve body 51.

When the electromagnetic coil 14 is in a demagnetized state (non-energized state), the spool is moved by the biasing force of the neutral position biasing mechanism 53.
52 is maintained in a neutral position, and ports A, B, P, and R are closed. If the + pole of the DC power supply is connected to the lead wire 35 and the-pole is connected to the lead wire 36,
Flows through the electromagnetic coil 14 to the lead wire 36, the right side of the electromagnetic coil 14 becomes the S pole, and the left side of the electromagnetic coil 14 becomes the N pole. Therefore, a repulsive force is generated between the right end of the electromagnetic coil 14 and the right end (S pole) of the plunger 17, and an attractive force is generated between the left end of the electromagnetic coil 14 and the left end (S pole) of the plunger 17. Therefore, the spool 52 moves to the left position against the urging force of the neutral position urging mechanism 53, so that the P port and the A port communicate, and the B port and the R port communicate. Next, when the direction of the DC current flowing through the electromagnetic coil is reversed by a switch, the right end of the electromagnetic coil 14 becomes the N pole and the left end of the electromagnetic coil 14 becomes the S pole. Therefore, the electromagnetic coil 14
A suction force is generated between the right end of the plunger 17 and the right end (S pole) of the plunger 17, and the left end of the electromagnetic coil 14 and the left end (S
Pole). Therefore, the spool 52 moves to the right position against the urging force of the neutral position urging mechanism 53,
The P port communicates with the B port, and the A port communicates with the R port.

FIG. 4B shows a main part of a modification of the third embodiment of the three-position valve of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the plunger 17 is disposed inside the electromagnetic coil 14, but in a modified example, a fixed iron core 44 is disposed inside the electromagnetic coil 14, and the plunger 17 is disposed on one side of the electromagnetic coil 14. Established. A fixed iron core 44 made of a ferromagnetic material (for example, iron or nickel) is inserted and fixed inside a bobbin not shown, and right and left plates 55 and left made of a ferromagnetic material or a soft magnetic material are attached to left and right ends of the fixed iron core 44. The lower end of the plate 56 is fixed. The distal ends of the right plate 55 and the left plate 56 extend toward both sides of the plunger 17, and guide the lines of magnetic force from the fixed iron core 44, through the right plate 55 and the left plate 56, and near both ends of the plunger 17.
When an annular portion is formed at the tip of the right plate 55 and the left plate 56 and the annular portion is placed right beside the plunger 17 (on the same axis as the plunger 17), the suction force and the repulsive force can be further increased.

In the modification of the third embodiment, since the fixed iron core 44 is inserted into the electromagnetic coil 14, the lines of magnetic force increase, and the lines of magnetic force pass through the right plate 55 and the left plate 56 and are guided to the left and right positions of the plunger 17. I will Therefore, when a current flows through the electromagnetic coil 14, the attractive force and the repulsive force generated between the tip of the right plate 55 or the tip of the left plate 56 and the plunger 17 are stronger than in the third embodiment. Therefore, the size of the device can be reduced.

[0024]

According to the present invention, in the three-position valve, only one electromagnetic coil is provided, and two permanent magnets are arranged on the plunger with the same magnetic poles facing each other. By reversing, the moving direction of the plunger is reversed. As described above, since only one electromagnetic coil conventionally required is required, the three-position valve can be reduced in size, weight, and cost. The present invention can be used as various three-port or four-port three-position valves, and is particularly suitable for an electropneumatic proportional valve that frequently supplies or discharges a fluid.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a diagram showing a neutral position of a three-position valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1 (b) and 1 (c) are diagrams showing a switching position.

FIG. 2 (a) is a view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the three-position valve of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c) are diagrams of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification and 2nd modification of the plunger 17, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a three-position valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing a three-position valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a main part of a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional spring-centered three-position four-port solenoid operated switching valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Electromagnetic coil 16 Spring 17 Plunger 23 First permanent magnet 24 Second permanent magnet 32 First valve 33 Second valve 52 Spool (valve) 54 Spring 58 First permanent magnet 59 Second permanent magnet

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A valve body and a plunger are urged toward a neutral position by a spring, an electromagnetic coil is disposed near the plunger, and an attractive force acts on the plunger by excitation of the electromagnetic coil to move the plunger. In the three-position valve in which the valve body is moved by the movement of the plunger, only one electromagnetic coil is used, and two permanent magnets are arranged on the plunger with the same magnetic poles facing each other. A three-position valve characterized by reversing the direction of movement of the plunger. 2. A valve chamber is formed inside or on a side of the electromagnetic coil, valve seats are formed at both ends of the valve chamber, and a pressurizing port or a discharge port is connected to each valve seat, and a supply port is connected to a valve. 2. The three-position valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve is communicated with the chamber, the valve body is disposed so as to be able to abut against the valve seat, and the engagement portions at both ends of the plunger are disposed so as to be engageable with the valve body. 3. The plunger has a tubular portion and flanges at both ends. A flange having a larger diameter than the valve body is continuously provided inside the valve body, and each flange is inserted inside the flange portion of the plunger. ,
The valve body is inserted through each flange of the plunger, and each flange is urged toward the flange of each plunger by a spring. When the electromagnetic coil is in a demagnetized state, each valve body comes into contact with each valve seat and pressurizes. 3. The port and discharge port are closed and the outer surface of each flange is abutted against a flange of the plunger, and when the electromagnetic coil is in an excited state, the plunger moves to one of the positions to move the valve body to the open position. 3 position valve. 4. A spool is slidably disposed in the valve body, a plunger is connected to the spool, an electromagnetic coil is disposed on a side of the plunger, and the spool moves in accordance with the movement of the plunger. The three-position valve according to claim 1, wherein a flow path in the inside is switched.