JPS6146290Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air flow rate control device that is installed on an air passage and controls the flow rate of air flowing therethrough.

In the past, needle valves have commonly been used as air flow control devices, for example, to control actuator speed. Generally, needle valves are configured to change the air passage cross-sectional area by changing the position of the needle with respect to the needle hole provided in the body. High dimensional accuracy is required, and manufacturing is not necessarily easy. Furthermore, since it is susceptible to the influence of the primary and secondary pressure difference, the flow rate change characteristics are not proportional, making it difficult to expect accurate flow rate control. Furthermore, it is inconvenient that it cannot be used digitally to immediately set a predetermined flow rate value.

This invention was developed against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to create a digital valve that does not require high precision in the combination of functional components, unlike needle valves. An object of the present invention is to provide an air flow control device that can be used.

In order to achieve such an objective, in the present invention, the first port and the second port, which respectively communicate with the air passage, are connected to one of a plurality of orifices having different air passage cross-sectional areas. The main point is to connect selectively via the Its detailed structure is as follows.

A communication portion following the first port is opened in a flat surface of the housing having a first port and a second port through which air enters and exits, and a plurality of orifice portions having different hole diameters for controlling the air flow rate are opened. Further, the plurality of orifice portions are connected to the second port via a conductive path formed in the housing. On the other hand, a switching member that is pressed against the flat surface of the housing and switches the connection of the plurality of orifices to the communication section following the first port is rotatably attached to the housing. Further, a plurality of circuits surrounded by ribs of a predetermined height are provided on a surface of the switching member facing the flat surface of the housing so as to separately partition the openings of the plurality of orifices opening into the flat surface. . Then, by rotating the switching member relative to the housing, the opening of the communication portion following the first port is sequentially moved into the plurality of circuits, and the orifice portion located in each circuit is moved. The opening is connected to the communication section.

In this way, the one having the desired hole diameter is selected from among the plurality of orifices based on the rotational operation of the switching member, and the first and second ports are communicated through the orifice, thereby controlling the air flow. The flow rate can be changed stepwise, and therefore the flow rate can be controlled accurately and digitally based on the predetermined orifice diameter. Furthermore, the structure is not complicated and the assembly of each part does not require high precision, so it has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

The air flow control device shown in FIG.
A switching member 12, in which a circuit forming plate 8 and a retainer 10 are integrated, is rotatably assembled to a housing 6, in which a circuit forming plate 8 and a retainer 10 are integrated.

The reason why the housing 6 is composed of the above two members is due to manufacturing convenience, and the port member 4
is the first port 14 (hereinafter referred to as the first port)
and a second port 16 (hereinafter referred to as second port), and is fixed to one plate surface of the main body 2, which has a generally circular shape, by suitable fixing means such as adhesive bonding. On the other hand, the plate surface of the housing body 2 on the opposite side to the side to which the port member 4 is fixed is an annular flat surface 18.

One communicating hole 20 is opened in the flat surface 18, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This communication hole 20 is connected to the first port 14 via a relatively short circular arc-shaped communication hole 22 formed in the housing 6.
Together, they form a communication section that continues to the first port 14.

Further, the housing flat surface 18 has a plurality of stepped holes 24, 26, 2 for forming an orifice (three in this embodiment) on the same circumference centered on the center of the housing flat surface 18.
8 is opened. The communication hole 20 and the first and second ports 14 and 16 also occupy the same circumferential position, but the communication hole 20 and the intermediate stepped hole 26 are located at the center of the flat surface 18. The first port 14 is located near the communicating hole 20, and the second port 16 is located on the opposite side and equiangularly spaced from the stepped holes 24, 28 at both ends. Located between 26.

These stepped holes 24, 26, 28 are provided through the housing body 2 in the thickness direction, and are provided on the flat surface 1.
The side marked 8 has a large diameter, and the opposite side has a small diameter, and orifice members 30, 32, and 34 each having a cylindrical shape with a bottom as shown in FIG. (not shown). Orifice holes with different diameters are formed in their bottoms, and each of the orifice holes is smaller than the small diameter portion of each stepped hole. Orifice portions O ₁ , O ₂ , and O ₃ having different hole diameters, or in other words, different air passage cross-sectional areas, are formed. Therefore, there is an advantage that dimensional accuracy can be easily controlled when manufacturing the orifice portion.

The orifice portions O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ are connected to the second port 16 via an arcuate conductive path 42 provided inside the housing 6 so as to connect them. This conduction path 42 is formed along the fixed surface between the main body 2 of the housing 6 and the port member 4, and includes three orifice parts O ₁ ,
O ₂ and O ₃ each communicate with the conduction path 42, and the second port 16 communicates from the other side. Further, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the conduction port 22 connecting the first port 14 and the communication hole 20 is also formed on the same circumference as the conduction path 42 along the fixing surface. However, the conduction port 22 and the conduction path 42 occupy independent positions without communicating with each other.

The housing 6 is provided with mounting portions 44 and 46 protruding in the radial direction for mounting the housing 6 on a predetermined member, and a mounting hole 4 is formed in the former.
8, and a locking protrusion 50 is formed on the latter.

On the other hand, the communication hole 20 on the first port 14 side and the orifice portions O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ on the second port 16 side
The housing flat surface 18 has openings, respectively.
In order to selectively connect any one of the orifice parts O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ to the communication hole 20 and switch the connection, the switching member 12 as shown in FIG. 1 is arranged. has been done. This switching member 12 includes a circuit forming plate 8 in contact with a housing flat surface 18 and a retainer 10 that holds it from behind, and has an annular shape with a size corresponding to the housing body 2 as a whole. The circuit forming plate 8, which is positioned concentrically with the main body 2 and in contact with the flat surface 18, is made of an elastic material such as rubber so that it can perform a sealing function. The circuit forming board 8 has a plurality of engagement protrusions 52 protruding from the outer periphery of the back surface thereof and an engagement hole 54 provided in the retainer 10.
If necessary, the back surface thereof is fixed to the retainer 10 with an adhesive or the like, so that it is integrated with the retainer 10.

A cylindrical portion 56 is formed in the center of the housing body 2 and protrudes toward the side opposite to the switching member 12, and a locking protrusion 58 is provided on the inner surface of the intermediate portion.
A cylindrical boss portion 60 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 56 on the proximal end side and protrudes from the center of the retainer 10.
is rotatably fitted in, while the boss portion 6
A snap-fit type pin 62, which functions as a shaft and a connecting member, is inserted into the inside of the shaft.
This pin 62 has a flange 64 at its head and legs extending in a forked shape from the flange 64, but the outer peripheral surface of the portion that fits into the retainer boss 60 is cylindrical, and the legs A pair of locking claws 66 are formed at the tip of the portion. A leaf spring 68 as an elastic member is installed between the flange 64 of the pin 62 and the retainer 10, and with a compressive preload applied to the leaf spring 68, the pin 62
After the locking pawl 66 gets over the locking protrusion 58 with the elastic deformation of the leg, it is locked there.
It is designed to prevent it from falling out and preventing it from rotating.
As a result, in the switching member 12, the circuit forming plate 8 is pressed against the housing flat surface 18 by the biasing force of the leaf spring 68, and the circuit forming plate 8 and the retainer 10 are integrally pressed against the housing 6. The pin 62 can be rotated around the axis thereof. By using such a pin 62, the switching member 12 can be easily assembled to the housing 6.

Note that a switching member 1 is provided on the outer periphery of the retainer 10.
Pole-shaped handle 70 for rotating operation of 2
is installed protrudingly. Further, as for the materials of the retainer 10, the housing 6, the pins 62, etc., metal may be used, but resin is relatively suitable.

By the way, the housing flat surface 1 of the switching member 12
8, in other words, the surface of the circuit forming board 8 is surrounded by ribs 72 having a constant height. FIG. 4 is a view of the opposing surfaces viewed from the side of the housing 6, which shows the positions of the orifices O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ opening into the flat surface 18 and the position of the communicating hole 20. is shown by a phantom line.

As is clear from the figure, the rib 72 is
The outer circumference and the inner circumference of the switching member 12 are surrounded in an annular manner, and the outer circumference and the inner circumference are connected in the radial direction. The orifice part
Circuits A, B, and C are formed to separate O ₁ , O ₂ , and O ₃ . In other words, independent air passages are formed between the housing flat surface 18 and the circuits A, B, and C, respectively. The circuits A, B, and C are arranged in relation to the amount of rotation of the switching member 12 with respect to the housing 6, which is planned in advance.
Regardless of this rotation, the orifice parts O ₁ , O ₂ ,
Each has a size and shape that allows O ₃ to be placed in circuits A, B, and C, respectively.

Furthermore _, in this embodiment, _the circuit G _, in other words The airtight room
It is formed by being surrounded by a part of the rib 72. Therefore, when the communication hole 20 is in the circuit G, it is not in communication with any of the orifices O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ .

Then, each part of circuits A, B, and C is
They are arranged adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the circuit G, and if the circuit G is used as a reference, the circuits G,
A, B and C sequentially occupy the positions; in other words, the boundaries of these circuits exist within such a small angle range.

The reason why the boundaries of each circuit are brought closer together as described above is that the connection relationship between the communication hole 20 and each circuit A, B, C, and G can be changed by rotating the switching member 12 by a small angle. This is the main aim.

In the air flow control device configured as described above, for example, the first port 14 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is connected to a negative pressure source, and the second port 14 is connected to a negative pressure source.
6 is connected to an air-driven actuator or the like for use.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the communication hole 20 on the first port 14 side is located in the circuit G, the orifice on the second port 16 side
Since communication with any of O ₁ , O ₂ , and O ₃ is blocked, air flow between the first port 14 and the second port 16 is blocked. This rotational position of the switching member 12 relative to the housing 6 can be called a shut-off position.

From this position, the switching member 12
The handle 70 is rotated at a predetermined small angle (for example, about 15 to 20 degrees) in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in the figure.
When the communication hole 20 is rotated through the circuit A and the communication hole 20 is positioned in the circuit A, the communication hole 20 and the orifice portion are
A communication state is created between _O1 . Therefore, in the case of intake by a negative pressure source, the air flows to the second port 16.
, passes through the conduction path 42 , passes through the orifice O ₁ , reaches the communication hole 20 via the circuit A, and further flows to the first port 14 through the introduction port 22 ,
Furthermore, when the negative pressure is released, air flows in the opposite manner to the above. The flow rate of this air is controlled by the predetermined diameter of the orifice portion _O1 .

Moreover, the switching member 12 is connected to the housing 6,
If the communication hole 20 is further rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of the arrow so that the communication hole 20 occupies a position in the circuit B as shown in _FIG . 20 or vice versa, and if the communicating hole 20 is located in the circuit C as shown in _FIG . A communication state is created, and air flows through them.

Therefore, the diameters of the orifices O ₁ , O ₂ , and O ₃ are made to be different from each other, and for example, the diameters of the orifices are selected to increase by a predetermined amount in this order, and the communication hole 20
By switching the connections of the orifices O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ to the orifices, the air flow rate corresponding to each predetermined hole diameter is set, and the air flow rate in the air circulation system is adjusted according to the number of orifices. It can be controlled step-by-step and digitally.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is literally an illustration, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to this description.

For example, the orifice portions are not limited to three locations, but may be provided at two or four or more locations, and by increasing the number, the air flow rate can be controlled more precisely. The positions of the plurality of orifices may be appropriately determined depending on the relative relationship with the circuit, furthermore, the relationship with the rotation pattern of the switching member.

Further, the connection switching circuit provided in the switching member is not limited to the pattern of the above embodiment, but should be determined to have an appropriate shape depending on the number of orifices, etc. 2
The circuit G formed so as to partition 0 is not necessarily indispensable, and it is also possible to omit it to obtain a simpler structure.

Further, the conductive path connecting the orifice portion to the second port does not have to be arc-shaped, and in short, it is sufficient that it can connect a plurality of orifice portions to the second port. On the other hand, the main purpose of the communication hole that connects the communication hole to the first port is to provide flexibility in setting the position of the first port, so it is also possible to connect the communication hole directly to the first port. can.

Furthermore, regarding the structure for rotating the switching member relative to the housing, in addition to rotating the switching member by directly turning the handle etc. by hand, it is possible to rotate the switching member through a mechanism that converts parallel sliding movement into rotational movement. It is also possible to add an appropriate drive device and rotate it based on a button operation or the like. It is also possible to provide a moderation mechanism between the housing and the switching member, and furthermore, to provide a scale indicating the amount of switching angle.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to controlling the air flow rate in a negative pressure system but also to a pressurized system.

Although other specific explanations will be omitted, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an air flow rate control device that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the housing in the device, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the circuit configuration formed in the switching member of the device, viewed from the flat surface of the housing, and the positions of the orifice portion etc. are shown with imaginary lines. FIGS. 5 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing different air circulation forms in the above device, and correspond to FIG. 4. 2: Main body, 4: Port member, 6: Housing,
8: circuit forming board, 10: retainer, 12: switching member, 14: first port, 16: second port,
18: Flat surface, {20: Communication hole, 22: Conduction port}
(Communication part), O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ : Orifice part, 42 :
Conduction path, 62: pin, 68: plate spring, 72: rib, A, B, C: circuit, G: circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A communication portion following the first port is opened in a flat surface of the housing having a first port and a second port through which air enters and exits, and a plurality of orifice portions having different hole diameters for controlling the air flow rate are opened. , and the plurality of orifices are connected to the second port via a conductive path formed in the housing, while being pressed against a flat surface of the housing and connected to a communication portion leading to the first port. A switching member for switching connections between the plurality of orifice portions is rotatably attached to the housing, and a plurality of orifice portions opening into the flat surface are provided on a surface of the switching member opposite to the flat surface of the housing. A plurality of circuits surrounded by ribs of a predetermined height are provided so as to separate the openings from each other, and the opening of the communication portion connected to the first port is provided by rotation of the switching member relative to the housing. An air flow control device characterized in that an opening of an orifice located in each circuit is connected to an opening of the communication section by sequentially moving the opening of the orifice in the plurality of circuits.