JP6779473B2

JP6779473B2 - Thermo actuator

Info

Publication number: JP6779473B2
Application number: JP2017148545A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 惠一古新
Original assignee: Sango Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sango Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-31
Filing date: 2017-07-31
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-31
Also published as: JP2019027529A

Description

本発明は、サーモアクチュエータに関し、特に、排気熱回収装置に好適なサーモアクチュエータに係る。 The present invention relates to a thermoactuator, and more particularly to a thermoactuator suitable for an exhaust heat recovery device.

エネルギー効率向上の要請に応えるべく、各業界において、大気に排出されるガスの熱、即ち排気熱を回収し、これを再利用する対策が講じられている。特に、内燃機関を搭載する自動車分野においては、総合的な熱効率向上のため、内燃機関の排気ガスの熱を回収する排気熱回収装置（排熱回収器）が排気管に介装され、排気熱との熱交換によって加熱された冷却媒体を暖機促進や暖房性能向上に供することが一般化しつつある。例えば、下記の特許文献１には、「排気ガスと熱交換を行なう熱交換器と、排気ガスが熱交換器を迂回するバイパス経路と、バイパス経路を開閉する弁体とを備える排気熱回収装置において、熱交換器から排出直後の媒体に接触する温度作動アクチュエータを備え、温度作動アクチュエータは媒体温度が所定の値以上になると伸長運動し弁体を開駆動するようにした」排気熱回収装置が開示されている（特許文献１の段落〔０００８〕に記載）。 In order to meet the demand for energy efficiency improvement, measures are being taken in each industry to recover the heat of the gas discharged to the atmosphere, that is, the exhaust heat, and reuse it. In particular, in the field of automobiles equipped with an internal combustion engine, in order to improve overall thermal efficiency, an exhaust heat recovery device (exhaust heat recovery device) that recovers the heat of the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is interposed in the exhaust pipe to exhaust heat. It is becoming common to use a cooling medium heated by heat exchange with and to promote warming up and improve heating performance. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, "an exhaust heat recovery device including a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with exhaust gas, a bypass path in which exhaust gas bypasses the heat exchanger, and a valve body that opens and closes the bypass path. The exhaust heat recovery device is equipped with a temperature-operated actuator that comes into contact with the medium immediately after being discharged from the heat exchanger, and the temperature-actuator expands and drives the valve body when the medium temperature exceeds a predetermined value. " It is disclosed (described in paragraph [0008] of Patent Document 1).

上記の排気熱回収装置に関連し、サーモエレメントの交換性を担保するために、サーモエレメントを筐体（ハウジング）に収容し、その筐体内に熱媒体を導入するように構成されたサーモアクチュエータが用いられている。例えば下記の特許文献２には、「サーモエレメントからロッド部材への伝達力を向上させることができるとともに、サーモエレメントの応答性を向上させることができるサーモアクチュエータを提供する」ことを目的とし、「冷却水の温度に応じて膨張および収縮する熱膨張体を有するサーモエレメントと、前記サーモエレメントに対向して前記サーモエレメントの中心軸上に設けられ、前記熱膨張体の膨張および収縮に応じて前記中心軸に沿って移動するロッド部材と、前記ロッド部材を前記サーモエレメント側に付勢する付勢部材と、前記サーモエレメントを収容するとともに、内部に前記冷却水が流通する冷却水通路が形成される第１のケースと、前記第１のケースと前記サーモエレメントとの間に介装され、前記サーモエレメントの外周部をシールするシール部材を保持する保持部材と、前記第１のケースの第１の合わせ面に対向する第２の合わせ面を有し、前記ロッド部材および前記付勢部材を収容する第２のケースと、前記第１の合わせ面および前記第２の合わせ面に挟持されて前記第１のケースおよび前記第２のケースによって支持される第１の支持部および前記サーモエレメントを支持する第２の支持部を有する支持部材とを備え、前記支持部材の前記第２の支持部は、前記第１の支持部から前記サーモエレメントに向かって突出するように段差部を介して前記第１の支持部に連接されるものから構成されている」サーモアクチュエータが提案されている（特許文献２の段落〔０００９〕及び〔００１０〕に記載）。 In relation to the above exhaust heat recovery device, in order to ensure the exchangeability of the thermoelement, a thermoactuator configured to house the thermoelement in a housing and introduce a heat medium into the housing is provided. It is used. For example, Patent Document 2 below has an object of "providing a thermoactor capable of improving the transmission force from the thermoelement to the rod member and improving the responsiveness of the thermoelement". A thermoelement having a thermal expander that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the cooling water, and a thermoelement provided on the central axis of the thermoelement facing the thermoelement, and the thermoelement is provided according to the expansion and contraction of the thermal expander. A rod member that moves along the central axis, an urging member that urges the rod member to the thermoelement side, and a cooling water passage through which the cooling water flows are formed while accommodating the thermoelement. A holding member interposed between the first case and the thermo element and holding a sealing member for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the thermo element, and a first case of the first case. A second case having a second mating surface facing the mating surface and accommodating the rod member and the urging member, and being sandwiched between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The second support portion of the support member comprises a first case, a first support portion supported by the second case, and a support member having a second support portion for supporting the thermoelement. , The thermoactuator is configured to be connected to the first support portion via a step portion so as to project from the first support portion toward the thermo element. ”A thermoactor has been proposed (Patent Document). 2 paragraphs [0009] and [0010]).

上記特許文献２に記載のサーモアクチュエータにおいては、「サーモエレメントに対し、ロッド部材を介して付勢部材の付勢力が常時付与される状態にあり、サーモエレメントが非作動状態にあるときにも、サーモエレメントに対して付勢力が付与されている」（特許文献３の段落〔０００６〕に記載）ことから、下記の特許文献３には、「サーモエレメントが非作動状態にあるときには、サーモエレメントは付勢力が付与されない自由状態で保持され、良好な耐久性を維持し得るサーモアクチュエータを提供する」ことを目的とし、「熱膨張体を収容する本体部及び該本体部内の熱膨張体の体積変化に応じて進退するピストンを有するサーモエレメントと、該サーモエレメントと同軸上に配置され前記ピストンの進退に連動するロッド部材と、該ロッド部材の基端部を前記サーモエレメント方向に付勢する付勢部材と、前記サーモエレメントを収容する第１のハウジングと、前記ロッド部材及び前記付勢部材を収容する第２のハウジングとを備え、前記ロッド部材が前記ピストンに連動するように配置した状態で前記第１のハウジングと前記第２のハウジングとを接合して成るサーモアクチュエータにおいて、前記第１のハウジング内に収容され、前記サーモエレメントの軸を中心とする軸方向の中空部を有し、該中空部内に前記サーモエレメントの本体部を保持する保持部材と、開口部が前記本体部に固定される環状の隔壁板であって、板面が前記サーモエレメントの軸に対して直交すると共に、当該板面が前記保持部材の軸方向端面に当接するように配置される隔壁板とを備え、前記サーモエレメントが非作動状態にあるときには、前記ロッド部材の基端部に対する前記付勢部材の前記サーモエレメント方向への付勢力が前記隔壁板を介して前記保持部材に付与されるように配設すること」が提案されている（特許文献３の段落〔０００７〕及び〔０００８〕に記載）。 In the thermoactuator described in Patent Document 2, "even when the urging force of the urging member is constantly applied to the thermoelement via the rod member and the thermoelement is inactive. Since "a urging force is applied to the thermo element" (described in paragraph [0006] of Patent Document 3), the following Patent Document 3 states that "when the thermo element is in an inactive state, the thermo element is For the purpose of "providing a thermoactuator that can be held in a free state without urging force and can maintain good durability", "volume change of the main body portion accommodating the thermal expansion body and the thermal expansion body in the main body portion". A thermo element having a piston that advances and retreats according to the above, a rod member that is arranged coaxially with the thermo element and interlocks with the advance and retreat of the piston, and an urging that biases the base end portion of the rod member in the direction of the thermo element. The member, a first housing for accommodating the thermoelement, and a second housing for accommodating the rod member and the urging member are provided, and the rod member is arranged so as to be interlocked with the piston. In a thermoactuator formed by joining a first housing and the second housing, the thermoactuator is housed in the first housing and has an axial hollow portion centered on the axis of the thermoelement. A holding member that holds the main body of the thermo element in the portion, and an annular partition plate whose opening is fixed to the main body, the plate surface of which is orthogonal to the axis of the thermo element, and the plate. The thermo element of the urging member with respect to the base end portion of the rod member is provided with a partition plate whose surface is arranged so as to abut the axial end surface of the holding member, and when the thermo element is in an inactive state. It is proposed that the urging force in the direction is applied to the holding member via the partition plate ”(described in paragraphs [0007] and [0008] of Patent Document 3).

尚、上記サーモエレメントは汎用品としても市販されており、周囲温度変化により体積膨張及び体積収縮する熱膨張体（例えばパラフィンワックス）がエレメント本体内に封入され、熱膨張体の体積変化により、エレメント本体から外方へ突出したピストンが進退作動するように構成されている。このサーモエレメントの一般的な構造は、例えば下記の特許文献４に開示されている。 The thermoelement is also commercially available as a general-purpose product. A thermal expander (for example, paraffin wax) that expands and contracts in volume due to a change in ambient temperature is enclosed in the element body, and the element changes in volume due to the change in volume of the thermal expander. The piston protruding outward from the main body is configured to move forward and backward. The general structure of this thermoelement is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 4 below.

特開２００８−１５７２１１号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-157211 特開２０１４−１０１８３４号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-101834 特開２０１６−２０５３１５号公報JP-A-2016-205315 特開平１１−３１５７２０号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-315720

上記特許文献１乃至３に記載のサーモアクチュエータにおいては、何れも、サーモエレメントの本体部（熱膨張体収容部）が配設される熱交換室に対し、熱媒体（冷却媒体）を導入する熱媒体導入孔と熱媒体を排出する熱媒体排出孔の開口位置は、装着対象の排気熱回収装置の冷却媒体流路に左右されるので、一般的なＬ字状配置となっている。即ち、サーモエレメントの軸芯を含む面上で、熱媒体導入孔が軸芯に直交する方向（上方）に配置され、熱媒体排出孔が軸芯に平行な方向（水平方向）に配置されているので、熱媒体は上方から導入され水平方向に排出されることになる。このため、受熱部たるサーモエレメントの本体部に対する熱媒体の流れは上方から水平方向への流れとなり、熱媒体導入孔から導入される熱媒体の多くが本体部の上方部分と熱交換しながら熱媒体排出孔から排出される。つまり、本体部の上方部分から下方部分に至るまでの間に熱交換しながら流れる熱媒体の量は少なく、熱媒体の偏流を惹起するので、サーモアクチュエータとしての熱応答に時間を要することになる。 In all of the thermoactors described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, heat for introducing a heat medium (cooling medium) into a heat exchange chamber in which a main body portion (thermal expansion body accommodating portion) of the thermoelement is arranged. The opening positions of the medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole for discharging the heat medium depend on the cooling medium flow path of the exhaust heat recovery device to be mounted, and thus have a general L-shaped arrangement. That is, on the surface including the axis of the thermoelement, the heat medium introduction hole is arranged in the direction orthogonal to the axis (upper), and the heat medium discharge hole is arranged in the direction parallel to the axis (horizontal direction). Therefore, the heat medium is introduced from above and discharged in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the flow of the heat medium to the main body of the thermoelement, which is the heat receiving part, flows from above to the horizontal direction, and most of the heat medium introduced from the heat medium introduction hole heats while exchanging heat with the upper part of the main body. It is discharged from the medium discharge hole. That is, the amount of heat medium that flows while exchanging heat from the upper part to the lower part of the main body portion is small and causes a drift of the heat medium, so that it takes time for the thermal response as a thermoactuator. ..

上記特許文献３に記載のサーモアクチュエータにおいては、サーモエレメントが非作動状態にあるときには、ロッド部材の基端部に対する付勢部材のサーモエレメント方向への付勢力が隔壁板を介して保持部材に付与されるように配設されており、非作動状態にあるときにはサーモエレメントには付勢力が付与されず、自由状態で保持されるように構成されているので、良好な耐久性を維持することができるが、特に保持部材の構成及び組付に関し更なる改良の余地があり、上記の熱媒体の偏流に対する対応と共に、対策を講ずる必要があった。 In the thermoactuator described in Patent Document 3, when the thermoelement is in the non-operating state, an urging force of the urging member with respect to the base end portion of the rod member in the thermoelement direction is applied to the holding member via the partition plate. It is arranged so that the thermoelement is not urged when it is in an inactive state and is held in a free state, so that good durability can be maintained. However, there is room for further improvement regarding the configuration and assembly of the holding member, and it is necessary to take measures in addition to the above-mentioned measures against the drift of the heat medium.

そこで、本発明は、サーモエレメントに対する熱媒体との熱交換を均一に行い得るサーモアクチュエータを提供することを課題とする。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoactuator capable of uniformly exchanging heat with a heat medium for a thermoelement.

上記の課題を達成するため、本発明は、熱膨張体を収容する本体部及び該本体部内の熱膨張体の体積変化に応じて進退するピストンを有するサーモエレメントと、該サーモエレメントと同軸上に配置され前記ピストンの進退に連動するロッド部材と、該ロッド部材の軸方向端部を前記サーモエレメント方向に付勢する付勢部材と、前記サーモエレメントの前記本体部を収容し、前記本体部回りに熱媒体が充填される熱交換室を有する有底円筒体の第１のハウジングと、前記ロッド部材及び前記付勢部材を収容する有底円筒体の第２のハウジングと、前記第１のハウジング及び前記第２のハウジング内に収容され、前記サーモエレメントの軸芯と同軸の中空部を有し、該中空部内に前記サーモエレメントの本体部を保持する保持部材と、開口部が前記本体部に固定される環状の隔壁板であって、板面が前記サーモエレメントの軸芯に対して直交すると共に、当該板面が前記保持部材の軸方向端面に当接するように配置される隔壁板とを備え、前記ロッド部材が前記ピストンに連動するように配置した状態で前記第１のハウジングと前記第２のハウジングとを接合して成るサーモアクチュエータにおいて、前記第１のハウジングは、前記第１のハウジングを構成する有底円筒体の側面から前記熱交換室内に前記熱媒体を導入する熱媒体導入孔、及び当該有底円筒体の側面から前記熱交換室外に前記熱媒体を排出する熱媒体排出孔を有し、前記熱媒体導入孔及び前記熱媒体排出孔が、前記サーモエレメントの軸芯に対して放射状に、前記熱交換室に開口しており、前記第１のハウジングは、前記第１のハウジングを構成する有底円筒体の開口端に第１のフランジ部を有すると共に、当該開口端側に前記サーモエレメントを保持する保持部を有し、前記第２のハウジングは、前記第２のハウジングを構成する有底円筒体の開口端に、前記第１のフランジ部に接合される第２のフランジ部を有すると共に、当該開口端側に前記サーモエレメントを保持する保持部を有し、且つ、当該有底円筒体の中間部に段部を有すると共に、当該有底円筒体の底部に前記ロッド部材を摺動可能に支持する連通孔を有し、前記保持部材は、前記第１のハウジングの保持部の内面及び前記第２のハウジングの保持部の内面に当接するように収容され、前記第１のフランジ部と前記第２のフランジ部の接合面を跨って前記第１のハウジング及び前記第２のハウジング内に保持され、前記隔壁板は、前記第２のハウジング内の前記段部と前記第２のハウジング内の前記保持部材の軸方向端部との間に挟持された状態で保持される構成としたものである。 In order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a thermoelement having a main body for accommodating the thermal expansion body and a piston that moves forward and backward in response to a change in the volume of the thermal expansion body in the main body, and coaxially with the thermoelement. A rod member that is arranged and interlocked with the advance / retreat of the piston, an urging member that urges the axial end portion of the rod member in the direction of the thermo element, and the main body portion of the thermo element are accommodated and around the main body portion. A first housing of a bottomed cylinder having a heat exchange chamber filled with a heat medium, a second housing of the bottomed cylinder accommodating the rod member and the biasing member, and the first housing. And a holding member housed in the second housing, having a hollow portion coaxial with the shaft core of the thermo element, and holding the main body portion of the thermo element in the hollow portion, and an opening in the main body portion. An annular partition plate to be fixed, the partition plate is arranged so that the plate surface is orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement and the plate surface is in contact with the axial end surface of the holding member. In a thermoactor formed by joining the first housing and the second housing in a state where the rod member is arranged so as to interlock with the piston, the first housing is the first housing. A heat medium introduction hole for introducing the heat medium into the heat exchange chamber from the side surface of the bottomed cylinder constituting the structure, and a heat medium discharge hole for discharging the heat medium from the side surface of the bottomed cylinder to the outside of the heat exchange chamber. The heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are radially open to the heat exchange chamber with respect to the axis of the thermoelement , and the first housing is the first housing. The bottomed cylinder constituting the housing has a first flange portion at the open end and a holding portion for holding the thermoelement on the open end side, and the second housing is the second housing. A second flange portion to be joined to the first flange portion is provided at the open end of the bottomed cylindrical body constituting the above, and a holding portion for holding the thermoelement is provided on the open end side. The bottom of the bottomed cylinder has a stepped portion, and the bottom of the bottomed cylinder has a communication hole for slidably supporting the rod member, and the holding member is of the first housing. The first housing and the first housing are housed so as to abut against the inner surface of the holding portion and the inner surface of the holding portion of the second housing, and straddle the joint surface between the first flange portion and the second flange portion. 2 c The partition plate is held in the uging, and the partition plate is held in a state of being sandwiched between the step portion in the second housing and the axial end portion of the holding member in the second housing. It is the one.

上記のサーモアクチュエータにおいて、前記熱媒体導入孔及び前記熱媒体排出孔が、前記サーモエレメントの軸芯に直交する平面上で前記熱交換室に開口している構成とするとよい。更に、前記熱媒体導入孔及び前記熱媒体排出孔が、前記サーモエレメントの軸芯に直交する軸を中心に前記熱交換室に開口している構成とするとよい。更に加えて、前記熱媒体導入孔と前記熱媒体排出孔が、前記サーモエレメントの軸芯を含む水平面を介して上方側と下方側で、夫々前記熱交換室に開口している構成とするとよい。 In the above thermoactuator, the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole may be configured to be open to the heat exchange chamber on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement. Further, it is preferable that the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are opened in the heat exchange chamber about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement. Further, it is preferable that the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are opened to the heat exchange chamber on the upper side and the lower side via the horizontal plane including the axis of the thermoelement, respectively. ..

更に、前記第２のハウジング内に収容され、前記隔壁板に当接可能な一端部を有すると共に、前記ロッド部材の軸方向端部に係合可能な他端部を有するリテーナを備えたものとし、前記付勢部材を、前記第２のハウジング内の前記ロッド部材回りに介装され、前記第２のハウジングの底部と前記リテーナとの間に張設される圧縮コイルばねで構成するとよい。 Further, it is assumed that the retainer is housed in the second housing and has one end that can be brought into contact with the partition plate and the other end that can be engaged with the axial end of the rod member. The urging member may be configured by a compression coil spring interposed around the rod member in the second housing and stretched between the bottom of the second housing and the retainer.

本発明は上述のように構成されているので以下の効果を奏する。即ち、本発明において、サーモエレメントの本体部回りに熱媒体が充填される熱交換室を有する有底円筒体の第１のハウジングは、これを構成する有底円筒体の側面から熱交換室内に熱媒体を導入する熱媒体導入孔、及び当該有底円筒体の側面から熱交換室外に熱媒体を排出する熱媒体排出孔を有し、熱媒体導入孔及び熱媒体排出孔が、サーモエレメントの軸芯に対して放射状に、熱交換室に開口しており、サーモエレメントの本体部に対する熱媒体との熱交換を均一に行うことができるので、良好な熱応答性を確保することができる。しかも、第１のハウジング及び第２のハウジング内に収容され、サーモエレメントの軸芯と同軸の中空部を有し、中空部内にサーモエレメントの本体部を保持する保持部材と、開口部が本体部に固定される環状の隔壁板であって、板面がサーモエレメントの軸芯に対して直交すると共に、板面が保持部材の軸方向端面に当接するように配置される隔壁板とを備え、第１のハウジングは、これを構成する有底円筒体の開口端に第１のフランジ部を有すると共に、当該開口端側にサーモエレメントを保持する保持部を有し、第２のハウジングは、これを構成する有底円筒体の開口端に、第１のフランジ部に接合される第２のフランジ部を有すると共に、当該開口端側にサーモエレメントを保持する保持部を有し、且つ、当該有底円筒体の中間部に段部を有すると共に、当該有底円筒体の底部にロッド部材を摺動可能に支持する連通孔を有し、保持部材は、第１及び第２のハウジングの両保持部の内面に当接するように収容され、第１のフランジ部と第２のフランジ部の接合面を跨って第１及び第２のハウジング内に保持され、隔壁板は、第２のハウジング内の段部と第２のハウジング内の保持部材の軸方向端部との間に挟持された状態で保持されるように構成されているので、組付時における第１及び第２のハウジング、サーモエレメント、ロッド部材及び保持部材の位置決めが容易であり、良好な組付性を確保することができると共に、適切な結合状態を維持することができる。また、従前に比し保持部材をロッド部材側に配置することができるので、熱交換室の容量を大きくし、全体の軸方向寸法を短くすることができる。この結果、サーモアクチュエータ全体の小型化が可能となり、設計自由度が向上する。 Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects are obtained. That is, in the present invention, the first housing of the bottomed cylindrical body having the heat exchange chamber in which the heat medium is filled around the main body of the thermoelement is placed in the heat exchange chamber from the side surface of the bottomed cylindrical body constituting the first housing. It has a heat medium introduction hole for introducing a heat medium and a heat medium discharge hole for discharging the heat medium from the side surface of the bottomed cylinder to the outside of the heat exchange chamber, and the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are the thermoelements. Since the heat exchange chamber is opened radially with respect to the shaft core, heat exchange with the heat medium can be uniformly performed on the main body of the thermoelement, so that good heat responsiveness can be ensured. Moreover, a holding member that is housed in the first housing and the second housing, has a hollow portion coaxial with the axis of the thermo element, and holds the main body of the thermo element in the hollow portion, and an opening is the main body. It is an annular partition plate fixed to the housing, and includes a partition plate whose surface is orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement and is arranged so that the plate surface abuts on the axial end surface of the holding member. The first housing has a first flange portion at the open end of the bottomed cylindrical body constituting the first housing, and has a holding portion for holding the thermoelement on the open end side, and the second housing has this. A second flange portion joined to the first flange portion is provided at the open end of the bottomed cylindrical body constituting the housing, and a holding portion for holding the thermoelement is provided on the open end side of the housing. A step portion is provided in the middle portion of the bottom cylindrical body, and a communication hole for slidably supporting the rod member is provided at the bottom portion of the bottom cylindrical body, and the holding member holds both the first and second housings. It is housed so as to abut against the inner surface of the portion, is held in the first and second housings across the joint surface of the first flange portion and the second flange portion, and the partition plate is in the second housing. Since it is configured to be held in a state of being sandwiched between the step portion and the axial end portion of the holding member in the second housing, the first and second housings and the thermoelement at the time of assembly , The rod member and the holding member can be easily positioned, good assembling property can be ensured, and an appropriate coupling state can be maintained. Further, since the holding member can be arranged on the rod member side as compared with the conventional case, the capacity of the heat exchange chamber can be increased and the overall axial dimension can be shortened. As a result, the entire thermoactuator can be miniaturized, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

上記の熱媒体導入孔及び熱媒体排出孔は、更に、サーモエレメントの軸芯に直交する平面上で熱交換室に開口している構成とし、あるいは、サーモエレメントの軸芯に直交する軸を中心に熱交換室に開口している構成とすれば、車両への適切且つ良好な搭載性を確保することができる。更に、熱媒体導入孔と熱媒体排出孔が、サーモエレメントの軸芯を含む水平面を介して上方側と下方側で、夫々熱交換室に開口している構成とすれば、導入パイプ及び排出パイプを略鉛直線上に配置し、車両の左右方向への拡張を抑えることができ、従前に比し軸方向寸法を短くすることができるので、車両の前後方向の寸法も小さくすることができ、一層の小型化が可能となる。 The heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are further configured to be open to the heat exchange chamber on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement, or centered on an axis orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement. If it is configured to be open to the heat exchange chamber, it is possible to ensure appropriate and good mountability on the vehicle. Further, if the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are open to the heat exchange chamber on the upper side and the lower side via the horizontal plane including the axis of the thermoelement, respectively, the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe are provided. Is arranged on a substantially vertical line, the expansion of the vehicle in the left-right direction can be suppressed, and the axial dimension can be shortened as compared with the conventional case, so that the front-rear dimension of the vehicle can also be reduced. Can be miniaturized.

更に、第２のハウジング内に収容され、隔壁板に当接可能な一端部を有すると共に、ロッド部材の軸方向端部に係合可能な他端部を有するリテーナを備えたものとし、付勢部材を、第２のハウジング内のロッド部材回りに介装され、第２のハウジングの底部とリテーナとの間に張設される圧縮コイルばねで構成すれば、サーモエレメントが非作動状態にあるときにはリテーナの一端部が隔壁板に当接し、圧縮コイルばねによる付勢力はリテーナ及び隔壁板を介して保持部材で負担されるので、サーモエレメントに付勢力が付与されることはなく、自由状態で保持されるので、良好な耐久性を維持することができる。 Further, it shall be provided with a retainer housed in the second housing, having one end capable of contacting the partition plate, and having the other end engaging with the axial end of the rod member, and urging. If the member is composed of a compression coil spring that is interposed around the rod member in the second housing and is stretched between the bottom of the second housing and the retainer, when the thermoelement is inactive. Since one end of the retainer comes into contact with the partition plate and the urging force of the compression coil spring is borne by the holding member via the retainer and the partition plate, the urging force is not applied to the thermoelement and the thermoelement is held in a free state. Therefore, good durability can be maintained.

本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータの横断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the thermoactuator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータの縦断面図である。It is a vertical sectional view of the thermoactuator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータの組付状態を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the assembled state of the thermoactuator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータを備えた排気熱回収装置の部分断面図である。It is a partial sectional view of the exhaust heat recovery device provided with the thermoactuator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータを備えた排気熱回収装置の平面図である。It is a top view of the exhaust heat recovery device provided with the thermoactuator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の他の実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータの縦断面図である。It is a vertical sectional view of the thermoactuator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 本発明の更に他の実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータの横断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the thermoactuator which concerns on still another Embodiment of this invention.

以下、本発明の望ましい実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。図１乃至図３は本発明の一実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータ１００を示すもので、図２、図４及び図５に示すように、サーモアクチュエータ１００は内燃機関の排気熱回収装置２００に装着され、その熱交換器３００（図４及び図５に示す）に連通接続される。本実施形態のサーモアクチュエータ１００は、熱膨張体（例えばサーモワックス）を収容する本体部１１、及び熱膨張体の体積変化に応じて進退するピストン１２を有するサーモエレメント１０と、このサーモエレメント１０と同軸上に配置されピストン１２の進退に連動するロッド部材２０と、ロッド部材２０をサーモエレメント１０方向に付勢する付勢部材３０を備えている。更に、サーモエレメント１０の本体部１１を収容する第１のハウジング１と、ロッド部材２０及び付勢部材３０を収容する第２のハウジング２を備え、ロッド部材２０がピストン１２に連動するように配置された状態で、第１のハウジング１と第２のハウジング２が接合されている。 Hereinafter, desirable embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show the thermoactuator 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the thermoactuator 100 is mounted on the exhaust heat recovery device 200 of the internal combustion engine. , Connected to its heat exchanger 300 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The thermoactuator 100 of the present embodiment includes a thermoelement 10 having a main body 11 for accommodating a thermal expansion body (for example, a thermowax), a piston 12 that moves forward and backward in response to a change in the volume of the thermal expansion body, and the thermoelement 10. A rod member 20 arranged coaxially and interlocking with the advance / retreat of the piston 12 and an urging member 30 for urging the rod member 20 in the thermoelement 10 direction are provided. Further, a first housing 1 for accommodating the main body 11 of the thermoelement 10 and a second housing 2 for accommodating the rod member 20 and the urging member 30 are provided, and the rod member 20 is arranged so as to be interlocked with the piston 12. In this state, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are joined.

第１のハウジング１は、開口端にフランジ部１ｆを有する有底円筒体で、その中心軸に直交する軸を中心とする熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｂが両側面に形成されており、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｂに夫々導入パイプＰａ及び排出パイプＰｂが接合される。本実施形態では、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｂが、サーモエレメント１０の軸芯に対して放射状に、熱交換室ＨＰに開口しており、特に、サーモエレメント１０の軸芯に対し直交する平面上で、１８０度を成す対向位置にて熱交換室ＨＰに開口している。従って、第１のハウジング１のバーリング成型時における金型保持が容易となり、バーリング下孔を異形にすることによりバーリング端面がフラット化し、溶接品質が安定する。一方、第２のハウジング２は段付有底円筒体で構成され、その開口端に、第１のハウジング１のフランジ部１ｆに接合されるフランジ部２ｆが形成され、その中間部に段部２ｄが形成されており、段部２ｄから底部に至るまでは第１のハウジング１の内径より小の内径を有する円筒部となっている。そして、第２のハウジング２の底部には、ロッド部材２０を（後述のシール部材８０を介して）摺動可能に支持する連通孔２ａが形成されている。 The first housing 1 is a bottomed cylinder having a flange portion 1f at the opening end, and heat medium introduction holes 1a and heat medium discharge holes 1b centered on an axis orthogonal to the central axis thereof are formed on both side surfaces. The introduction pipe Pa and the discharge pipe Pb are joined to the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1b, respectively. In the present embodiment, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1b are radially opened in the heat exchange chamber HP with respect to the shaft core of the thermoelement 10, and particularly with respect to the shaft core of the thermoelement 10. The heat exchange chamber HP is opened at a position facing 180 degrees on an orthogonal plane. Therefore, the mold can be easily held during the burring molding of the first housing 1, and the burring end face is flattened by making the burring pilot hole deformed, and the welding quality is stabilized. On the other hand, the second housing 2 is formed of a stepped bottomed cylinder, and a flange portion 2f to be joined to the flange portion 1f of the first housing 1 is formed at the open end thereof, and the step portion 2d is formed in the middle portion thereof. Is formed, and from the step portion 2d to the bottom portion is a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing 1. A communication hole 2a that slidably supports the rod member 20 (via a seal member 80 described later) is formed at the bottom of the second housing 2.

第１及び第２のハウジング１及び２は、夫々の開口端側の円筒部がサーモエレメント保持部（以下単に、保持部という）１ｈ、２ｈとされ、両保持部１ｈ、２ｈの内面に当接するように保持部材４０が収容されている。保持部材４０は金属製の円筒体で、その一端側は全周に亘って第１のハウジング１の保持部１ｈにレーザ溶接されて第１のハウジング１内に強固に固定され、保持部材４０の他端側は保持部２ｈ内に嵌合されている。即ち、保持部材４０は、第１のフランジ部１ｆと第２のフランジ部２ｆの接合面を跨って第１及び第２のハウジング１及び２内に保持されている。 In each of the first and second housings 1 and 2, the cylindrical portion on the opening end side is a thermo element holding portion (hereinafter, simply referred to as a holding portion) 1h and 2h, and abuts on the inner surfaces of both holding portions 1h and 2h. The holding member 40 is housed as described above. The holding member 40 is a metal cylindrical body, and one end side thereof is laser-welded to the holding portion 1h of the first housing 1 over the entire circumference and is firmly fixed in the first housing 1 of the holding member 40. The other end side is fitted in the holding portion 2h. That is, the holding member 40 is held in the first and second housings 1 and 2 across the joint surface between the first flange portion 1f and the second flange portion 2f.

保持部材４０は、図１に示すように、装着対象のサーモエレメント１０の軸芯と同軸の中空部４１を有し、保持部材４０の底部に形成された連通孔４２に、サーモエレメント１０の本体部１１が挿通され、シール部材１５と共に、中空部４１内に保持される。更に、保持部材４０の外周面には環状溝（符号省略）が形成されており、この環状溝にシール部材４３が嵌着され、このシール部材４３を介して保持部材４０が第２のハウジング２の保持部２ｈ内に液密的に嵌合される。そして、保持部材４０の軸方向端面に当接するように環状の隔壁板５０が配置され、第２のハウジング２の段部２ｄと保持部材４０との間に隔壁板５０が挟持された状態となっている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the holding member 40 has a hollow portion 41 coaxial with the axis of the thermo element 10 to be mounted, and the main body of the thermo element 10 is formed in a communication hole 42 formed at the bottom of the holding member 40. The portion 11 is inserted and held in the hollow portion 41 together with the seal member 15. Further, an annular groove (reference numeral omitted) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 40, a seal member 43 is fitted in the annular groove, and the holding member 40 is placed in the second housing 2 via the seal member 43. It is liquid-tightly fitted in the holding portion 2h of the. Then, the annular partition plate 50 is arranged so as to abut on the axial end surface of the holding member 40, and the partition plate 50 is sandwiched between the step portion 2d of the second housing 2 and the holding member 40. ing.

上記の隔壁板５０は、保持部材４０の外径より小の外径を有する環状円板で構成されており、その中央開口部にサーモエレメント１０の本体部１１が（後述する止め輪１４によって）保持され、板面がサーモエレメント１０の軸芯に対して直交すると共に、当該板面が保持部材４０の軸方向端面に当接するように配置される。上記のサーモエレメント１０は汎用品で、従前と同様であるので構造の説明は省略するが、本体部１１の軸方向端面に環状凹部（符合省略）が形成されており、この環状凹部に、隔壁板５０の中央開口回りに形成された立壁部（符合省略）が収容されるように配置され、例えば金属製Ｏリングの止め輪１４によって隔壁板５０が保持される（換言すれば、サーモエレメント１０が隔壁板５０に保持される）ように構成されている。 The partition plate 50 is composed of an annular disk having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the holding member 40, and the main body 11 of the thermoelement 10 is formed in the central opening thereof (by a retaining ring 14 described later). It is held so that the plate surface is orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement 10 and the plate surface is in contact with the axial end surface of the holding member 40. Since the above thermo element 10 is a general-purpose product and is the same as before, the description of the structure is omitted, but an annular recess (signature omitted) is formed on the axial end surface of the main body 11, and a partition wall is formed in this annular recess. The partition wall 50 is arranged so as to accommodate the standing wall portion (signs omitted) formed around the central opening of the plate 50, and the partition plate 50 is held by, for example, the retaining ring 14 of the metal O-ring (in other words, the thermoelement 10). Is held by the partition plate 50).

図１に示すように、ロッド部材２０は中実部材で、その軸方向端部には環状係合部２１が延出形成され、この環状係合部２１に後述のリテーナ６０が係合可能に構成されている。また、ロッド部材２０の軸方向後端面には円錐凹部２２が形成され、ピストン１２の先端がロッド部材２０の円錐凹部２２に当接可能な構成とされている。更に、第２のハウジング２から延出するロッド部材２０の先端部にはヘッド部材２３が固定されているが、これは省略してもよい。尚、サーモエレメント１０が非作動状態にあるときには、ピストン１２の先端と円錐凹部２２との間に若干の間隙が存在するように配設するとよい。 As shown in FIG. 1, the rod member 20 is a solid member, and an annular engaging portion 21 is formed so as to extend at an axial end portion thereof, and a retainer 60 described later can be engaged with the annular engaging portion 21. It is configured. Further, a conical recess 22 is formed on the axially rear end surface of the rod member 20, so that the tip of the piston 12 can come into contact with the conical recess 22 of the rod member 20. Further, although the head member 23 is fixed to the tip end portion of the rod member 20 extending from the second housing 2, this may be omitted. When the thermoelement 10 is in the non-operating state, it may be arranged so that there is a slight gap between the tip of the piston 12 and the conical recess 22.

更に、第２のハウジング２内にはリテーナ６０及び７０が収容されている。リテーナ６０はロッド部材２０の環状係合部２１を摺動可能に保持する容器形状で、サーモエレメント１０が非作動状態にあるときには隔壁板５０に当接する一端部（開口端部）を有すると共に、サーモエレメント１０が作動状態となると環状係合部２１が係合する他端部（底部）を有する。リテーナ７０は第２のハウジング２内の底部に配設され、リテーナ６０とリテーナ７０との間のロッド部材２０回りに、円錐台形状の圧縮コイルばねで形成されリターンスプリングとして機能する付勢部材３０が介装されている。而して、図１に示すように、サーモエレメント１０が非作動状態にあるときには、付勢部材３０のサーモエレメント１０方向への付勢力が隔壁板５０を介して保持部材４０に付与され、この保持部材４０にて付勢部材３０の付勢力が負担されるように構成されている。 Further, the retainers 60 and 70 are housed in the second housing 2. The retainer 60 has a container shape that slidably holds the annular engaging portion 21 of the rod member 20, and has one end (open end) that abuts on the partition plate 50 when the thermoelement 10 is in an inactive state. When the thermo element 10 is in the operating state, it has the other end (bottom) to which the annular engaging portion 21 engages. The retainer 70 is arranged at the bottom of the second housing 2, and is formed by a truncated cone-shaped compression coil spring around the rod member 20 between the retainer 60 and the retainer 70, and functions as a return spring. Is intervened. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, when the thermo element 10 is in the non-operating state, the urging force of the urging member 30 in the thermo element 10 direction is applied to the holding member 40 via the partition plate 50. The holding member 40 is configured to bear the urging force of the urging member 30.

上記の構成になる第１のハウジング１及び第２のハウジング２内にサーモエレメント１０及びロッド部材２０等が収容され、保持部材４０と段部２ｄとの間に隔壁板５０が挟持される状態で、フランジ部１ｆとフランジ部２ｆが当接するように配置され、第１のハウジング１と第２のハウジング２が接合されると、本実施形態のサーモアクチュエータ１００が構成される（組付については後述する）。而して、ロッド部材２０は、サーモエレメント１０の作動時には付勢部材３０の付勢力に抗して図１の左方に押圧駆動され、サーモエレメント１０が非作動とされると、付勢部材３０の付勢力によって図１の右方に戻され、初期位置に復帰する。そして、サーモエレメント１０が非作動状態にあるときには、付勢部材３０による付勢力はリテーナ６０及び隔壁板５０を介して保持部材４０で負担されるので、サーモエレメント１０に付勢力が付与されることはない。即ち、非作動状態のサーモエレメント１０は自由状態で保持されるので、良好な耐久性を維持することができる。 The thermoelement 10 and the rod member 20 and the like are housed in the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 having the above configuration, and the partition plate 50 is sandwiched between the holding member 40 and the step portion 2d. , The flange portion 1f and the flange portion 2f are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, and when the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are joined, the thermoactuator 100 of the present embodiment is configured (the assembly will be described later). To do). Thus, the rod member 20 is pressed and driven to the left in FIG. 1 against the urging force of the urging member 30 when the thermo element 10 is activated, and when the thermo element 10 is deactivated, the urging member 20 is deactivated. It is returned to the right side of FIG. 1 by the urging force of 30, and returns to the initial position. Then, when the thermo element 10 is in the non-operating state, the urging force by the urging member 30 is borne by the holding member 40 via the retainer 60 and the partition plate 50, so that the urging force is applied to the thermo element 10. There is no. That is, since the thermoelement 10 in the non-operating state is held in a free state, good durability can be maintained.

上記のサーモアクチュエータ１００は排気熱回収装置２００に装着されるが、本実施形態では、図２に示すように、熱媒体導入孔１ａと熱媒体排出孔１ｂが、サーモエレメント１０の軸芯を含む水平面を介して上方側と下方側（図２の上下）で、夫々熱交換室ＨＰに開口しているので、導入パイプＰａ及び排出パイプＰｂを略鉛直線上に配置し、車両の左右（幅）方向への拡張を抑えることができ、車両への良好な搭載性を確保することができる。また、前述のように、従前に比し軸方向寸法を短くすることができるので、車両の前後方向の寸法も小さくすることができる。 The thermoactuator 100 is mounted on the exhaust heat recovery device 200. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1b include the axis of the thermoelement 10. Since the heat exchange chamber HP is opened on the upper side and the lower side (upper and lower sides in FIG. 2) via the horizontal plane, the introduction pipe Pa and the discharge pipe Pb are arranged substantially on the vertical line, and the left and right (width) of the vehicle. Expansion in the direction can be suppressed, and good mountability on the vehicle can be ensured. Further, as described above, since the axial dimension can be shortened as compared with the conventional case, the front-rear dimension of the vehicle can also be reduced.

而して、排気熱回収装置２００で熱交換されて加熱された冷却媒体（熱媒体）が導入パイプＰａを介して熱媒体導入孔１ａから熱交換室ＨＰ内に導入されると、サーモエレメント１０の本体部１１内の熱膨張体（サーモワックス）が加熱され、図２に白抜矢印で示すように熱媒体が熱交換室ＨＰ内に導入され、本体部１１に対する熱媒体との熱交換が均一に行われた後、熱媒体排出孔１ｂから排出され、排気熱回収装置２００内に還流される。而して、サーモエレメント１０の本体部１１が所定温度を越えると（サーモワックスが溶解すると）、ピストン１２が前進駆動され（図１の左方に移動し）、円錐凹部２２を介してロッド部材２０が押圧され、ロッド部材２０は付勢部材３０の付勢力に抗して図１の左方に押圧駆動される。このとき、サーモエレメント１０は隔壁板５０を介して保持部材４０で適切に支持されているので、ロッド部材２０からサーモエレメント１０に加えられる反力によって隔壁板５０が撓むことはなく、安定した保持状態が維持される。 Thus, when the cooling medium (heat medium) heated by heat exchange in the exhaust heat recovery device 200 is introduced into the heat exchange chamber HP from the heat medium introduction hole 1a via the introduction pipe Pa, the thermoelement 10 The heat expander (thermowax) in the main body 11 is heated, and the heat medium is introduced into the heat exchange chamber HP as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 2, and the heat exchange with the heat medium for the main body 11 is performed. After being uniformly performed, it is discharged from the heat medium discharge hole 1b and returned to the exhaust heat recovery device 200. Thus, when the main body 11 of the thermoelement 10 exceeds a predetermined temperature (when the thermowax melts), the piston 12 is driven forward (moves to the left in FIG. 1), and the rod member is passed through the conical recess 22. 20 is pressed, and the rod member 20 is pressed and driven to the left in FIG. 1 against the urging force of the urging member 30. At this time, since the thermo element 10 is appropriately supported by the holding member 40 via the partition plate 50, the partition plate 50 is not bent by the reaction force applied from the rod member 20 to the thermo element 10, and is stable. The holding state is maintained.

上記のように、ロッド部材２０は、サーモエレメント１０の作動時には付勢部材３０の付勢力に抗して図１の左方に押圧駆動され、サーモエレメント１０が非作動とされると、付勢部材３０の付勢力によって図１の右方に戻され、初期位置に復帰する。そして、サーモエレメント１０が非作動状態にあるときには、付勢部材３０による付勢力はリテーナ６０及び隔壁板５０を介して保持部材４０で負担され、サーモエレメント１０に付勢力が付与されることはないので、良好な耐久性を維持することができる。更に、隔壁板５０はリテーナ６０と保持部材４０との間に挟持されるように構成されているので、以下に組付状況を説明するように、容易に組み付けることができると共に、適切な結合状態を維持することができる。 As described above, the rod member 20 is pressed and driven to the left in FIG. 1 against the urging force of the urging member 30 when the thermo element 10 is activated, and when the thermo element 10 is deactivated, the rod member 20 is urged. It is returned to the right side of FIG. 1 by the urging force of the member 30, and returns to the initial position. When the thermo element 10 is in the non-operating state, the urging force by the urging member 30 is borne by the holding member 40 via the retainer 60 and the partition plate 50, and the urging force is not applied to the thermo element 10. Therefore, good durability can be maintained. Further, since the partition plate 50 is configured to be sandwiched between the retainer 60 and the holding member 40, it can be easily assembled and an appropriate coupling state as described below. Can be maintained.

図３は、本実施形態のサーモアクチュエータ１００の組付状況を示すもので、第１のハウジング１内に前述のように保持部材４０が固定され、シール部材４３が装着される。そして、サーモエレメント１０は、その本体部１１に隔壁板５０が装着され、止め輪１４によって保持されると共に、シール部材１５が装着され、図３の中央に示すサブアセンブリの状態で、サーモエレメント１０の本体部１１が保持部材４０の中空部４１内に収容される。 FIG. 3 shows an assembling state of the thermoactuator 100 of the present embodiment, in which the holding member 40 is fixed in the first housing 1 as described above, and the sealing member 43 is mounted. Then, the thermo element 10 has a partition plate 50 mounted on the main body 11 thereof, is held by the retaining ring 14, and is mounted with the seal member 15, and is in the state of the subassembly shown in the center of FIG. The main body portion 11 is housed in the hollow portion 41 of the holding member 40.

一方、第２のハウジング２内には、シール部材８０、リテーナ７０、付勢部材３０、リテーナ６０及びロッド部材２０の順で装着され、その状態で、リテーナ６０の開口端部が隔壁板５０に当接するように組み付けられると、サーモエレメント１０とロッド部材２０が同軸上に配置され、ピストン１２の先端と円錐凹部２２との間に若干の間隙が存在する状態で保持される。前述のように隔壁板５０は予めサーモエレメント１０に装着されており、保持部材４０の一部と共に第２のハウジング２内に収容され、保持部材４０と第２のハウジング２の段部２ｄとの間に隔壁板５０が挟持されるように構成されているので、フランジ部１ｆ及び２ｆを接合する際に両者間に隔壁板５０を挟持する必要はなく、容易に組み付けることができ、組み付け後には、サーモエレメント１０とロッド部材２０が同軸上に配置された適切な結合状態が維持される。 On the other hand, in the second housing 2, the seal member 80, the retainer 70, the urging member 30, the retainer 60, and the rod member 20 are mounted in this order, and in that state, the open end of the retainer 60 is attached to the partition plate 50. When assembled so as to abut, the thermoelement 10 and the rod member 20 are arranged coaxially and are held in a state where a slight gap exists between the tip of the piston 12 and the conical recess 22. As described above, the partition plate 50 is previously mounted on the thermoelement 10, is housed in the second housing 2 together with a part of the holding member 40, and the holding member 40 and the step portion 2d of the second housing 2 Since the partition plate 50 is configured to be sandwiched between them, it is not necessary to sandwich the partition plate 50 between the flange portions 1f and 2f when joining the flange portions 1f and 2f, and the partition plate 50 can be easily assembled. , The thermo element 10 and the rod member 20 are arranged coaxially to maintain an appropriate coupling state.

そして、フランジ部１ｆ及び２ｆがボルト・ナット結合されて第１のハウジング１と第２のハウジング２が接合されると、図１に示すように、フランジ部１ｆとフランジ部２ｆの接合面に保持部材４０の中間部が位置する状態となる。換言すれば、保持部材４０はフランジ部１ｆとフランジ部２ｆの接合面を跨って第１及び第２のハウジング１及び２内に保持されるので、組付時に、第１及び第２のハウジング１及び２、サーモエレメント１０、ロッド部材２０及び保持部材４０の位置決めが容易であり、良好な組付性を確保することができる。また、従前に比し、保持部材４０の後端位置を前方（図１の左方）に設定することができるので、熱交換室ＨＰの容量を大きくし、全体の軸方向寸法を短くすることができる。この結果、サーモアクチュエータ１００全体の小型化が可能となり、設計自由度が向上する。尚、第１のハウジング１と第２のハウジング２の接合手段は、ボルト・ナット結合に限らず、カシメや接着等、他の接合手段を用いることとしてもよい。 Then, when the flange portions 1f and 2f are bolted and nut-bonded to join the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, they are held on the joint surface between the flange portion 1f and the flange portion 2f as shown in FIG. The intermediate portion of the member 40 is located. In other words, since the holding member 40 is held in the first and second housings 1 and 2 straddling the joint surface between the flange portion 1f and the flange portion 2f, the first and second housings 1 are held at the time of assembly. And 2, the thermo element 10, the rod member 20, and the holding member 40 can be easily positioned, and good assembling property can be ensured. Further, since the rear end position of the holding member 40 can be set to the front (left side in FIG. 1) as compared with the conventional case, the capacity of the heat exchange chamber HP should be increased and the overall axial dimension should be shortened. Can be done. As a result, the entire thermoactuator 100 can be miniaturized, and the degree of freedom in design is improved. The joining means of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is not limited to the bolt-nut connection, and other joining means such as caulking or bonding may be used.

図４及び図５は、上記の構成になるサーモアクチュエータ１００を装着した排気熱回収装置２００を示し、内燃機関（図示せず）の排気ガスを導入する主排気流路２０１と、この主排気流路２０１から分岐し主排気流路２０２に合流する迂回流路（図示せず）を設け、この迂回流路を通過する排気ガスと冷却媒体との熱交換を行い排気熱を回収する熱交換器３００を備えたものである。熱交換器３００では、冷却媒体が冷却媒体導入パイプＰｆを介して冷却媒体導入口３０１から熱交換器３００内に導入され、冷却媒体排出口３０２から排出される熱交換後の高温の冷却媒体（熱媒体）がサーモアクチュエータ１００を介して内燃機関（図示せず）に還流するように配管されている。即ち、サーモアクチュエータ１００の熱交換室ＨＰが導入パイプＰａ及び排出パイプＰｂを介して熱交換器３００内の冷却媒体流路（図示せず）に連通接続される。 4 and 5 show an exhaust heat recovery device 200 equipped with a thermoactor 100 having the above configuration, a main exhaust flow path 201 for introducing exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine (not shown), and the main exhaust flow. A heat exchanger that collects exhaust heat by providing a detour flow path (not shown) that branches from the path 201 and joins the main exhaust flow path 202, and exchanges heat between the exhaust gas passing through the detour flow path and the cooling medium. It is equipped with 300. In the heat exchanger 300, the cooling medium is introduced into the heat exchanger 300 from the cooling medium introduction port 301 via the cooling medium introduction pipe Pf, and is discharged from the cooling medium discharge port 302 to be discharged from the cooling medium discharge port 302. The heat medium) is laid so as to return to the internal combustion engine (not shown) via the thermoactor 100. That is, the heat exchange chamber HP of the thermoactuator 100 is communicated with the cooling medium flow path (not shown) in the heat exchanger 300 via the introduction pipe Pa and the discharge pipe Pb.

更に、図示は省略するが、排気熱回収装置２００には、主排気流路２０２を開閉する弁装置を備えており、この弁装置によって主排気流路２０２が開とされるときには、即ち、主排気流路２０２の連通時（非熱交換時）には、高温の排気ガスが熱交換器３００側に流入することを抑えることとしている。このため、図４に示すように、当該弁装置の軸部材２０４が外側に延出し、排気熱回収装置２００に固定されたブラケット２０３にリターンスプリング２０５の一端が係止され、リターンスプリング２０５の付勢力によって所定位置（主排気流路２０２を閉塞する閉位置）方向に付勢されている。軸部材２０４の先端部にはレバー２０６が装着されており、アクチュエータ１００を構成するロッド部材２０の先端部２３がレバー２０６の端部２０７に当接可能に配設されている。 Further, although not shown, the exhaust heat recovery device 200 is provided with a valve device that opens and closes the main exhaust flow path 202, and when the main exhaust flow path 202 is opened by this valve device, that is, the main During communication of the exhaust flow path 202 (during non-heat exchange), it is intended to prevent high-temperature exhaust gas from flowing into the heat exchanger 300 side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the shaft member 204 of the valve device extends outward, one end of the return spring 205 is locked to the bracket 203 fixed to the exhaust heat recovery device 200, and the return spring 205 is attached. It is urged in a predetermined position (closed position that closes the main exhaust flow path 202) by a force. A lever 206 is attached to the tip of the shaft member 204, and the tip 23 of the rod member 20 constituting the actuator 100 is arranged so as to come into contact with the end 207 of the lever 206.

而して、アクチュエータ１００においては、熱交換後の冷却媒体（熱媒体）で満たされた熱交換室ＨＰ内の温度が上昇すると、サーモエレメント１０によって付勢部材３０の付勢力に抗してロッド部材２０が前進駆動（図１の左方に押圧駆動）され、リターンスプリング２０５の付勢力に抗して弁装置（図示せず）が主排気流路２０２を開放する。熱交換室ＨＰ内の温度が低下し、サーモエレメント１０が非作動とされると、付勢部材３０の付勢力によって図１の右方に戻されてロッド部材２０は初期位置に復帰し、リターンスプリング２０５の付勢力によって弁装置（図示せず）が閉位置に戻される。 Thus, in the actuator 100, when the temperature in the heat exchange chamber HP filled with the cooling medium (heat medium) after heat exchange rises, the thermoelement 10 resists the urging force of the urging member 30 and the rod. The member 20 is driven forward (pressed to the left in FIG. 1), and the valve device (not shown) opens the main exhaust flow path 202 against the urging force of the return spring 205. When the temperature in the heat exchange chamber HP drops and the thermoelement 10 is deactivated, the urging force of the urging member 30 returns the rod member 20 to the right side of FIG. 1, and the rod member 20 returns to the initial position. The urging force of the spring 205 returns the valve device (not shown) to the closed position.

図６は、本発明の他の実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータ１０１を示すもので、以下においては、図１及び図２に示す実施形態の構成部材と実質的に同じ構成部材、あるいは同等の機能を有する構成部材には図１及び図２と同じ符合を付し、重複する説明は省略する。本実施形態では、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｃが、サーモエレメント１０の軸芯に直交する平面上で、所定角度を以って熱交換室ＨＰに開口している。即ち、図２に示す態様と異なり、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｃが非１８０度で対向している。而して、熱交換室ＨＰ内で偏流が生じない範囲で、車両搭載時の許容空間に応じて上記所定角度を適宜することができるので、車両への適切且つ良好な搭載性を確保することができる。 FIG. 6 shows a thermoactuator 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and in the following, the constituent members substantially the same as or the same functions as the constituent members of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The constituent members having the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2, and overlapping description will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1c are opened to the heat exchange chamber HP at a predetermined angle on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement 10. That is, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1c face each other at non-180 degrees. Therefore, the predetermined angle can be appropriately adjusted according to the allowable space when the vehicle is mounted within the range where the drift does not occur in the heat exchange chamber HP, so that appropriate and good mountability on the vehicle can be ensured. Can be done.

図７は、本発明の更に他の実施形態に係るサーモアクチュエータ１０２を示すもので、図１及び図２に示す実施形態の構成部材と実質的に同じ構成部材、あるいは同等の機能を有する構成部材には図１及び図２と同じ符合を付し、重複する説明は省略する。本実施形態では、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｄが、サーモエレメント１０の軸芯に直交する軸を中心に熱交換室ＨＰに開口している。即ち、図２に示す態様と異なり、熱媒体導入孔１ａ及び熱媒体排出孔１ｄが相互にオフセットした軸を中心に対向している。而して、熱交換室ＨＰ内で偏流が生じない範囲で、車両搭載時の許容空間に応じて上記オフセット量を適宜することができるので、車両への適切且つ良好な搭載性を確保することができる。 FIG. 7 shows a thermoactuator 102 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, which is substantially the same as or has the same function as the constituent members of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 and 2 have the same symbols as those in FIGS. 1 and 2, and duplicate description will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1d are opened in the heat exchange chamber HP centering on an axis orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement 10. That is, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium introduction hole 1a and the heat medium discharge hole 1d face each other with respect to the axes offset from each other. Therefore, the offset amount can be appropriately adjusted according to the allowable space when the vehicle is mounted within the range where the drift does not occur in the heat exchange chamber HP, so that appropriate and good mountability on the vehicle can be ensured. Can be done.

１第１のハウジング
１ａ熱媒体導入孔
１ｂ、１ｃ、１ｄ熱媒体排出孔
２第２のハウジング
１０サーモエレメント
１１本体部
１２ピストン
２０ロッド部材
３０付勢部材
４０保持部材
４３シール部材
５０隔壁板
６０、７０リテーナ
８０シール部材
１００サーモアクチュエータ
２００排気熱回収装置
３００熱交換器
ＨＰ熱交換室
Ｐａ導入パイプ
Ｐｂ排出パイプ 1 First housing 1a Heat medium introduction hole 1b, 1c, 1d Heat medium discharge hole 2 Second housing 10 Thermo element 11 Main body 12 Piston 20 Rod member 30 Biasing member 40 Holding member 43 Sealing member 50 Partition plate 60, 70 Retainer 80 Seal member 100 Thermoactor 200 Exhaust heat recovery device 300 Heat exchanger HP Heat exchange chamber Pa Introduction pipe Pb Discharge pipe

Claims

A thermoelement having a main body for accommodating the thermal expansion body and a piston that moves forward and backward in response to a change in the volume of the thermal expansion body in the main body.
A rod member that is arranged coaxially with the thermo element and interlocks with the advance / retreat of the piston.
An urging member that urges the axial end of the rod member in the thermoelement direction, and
A first housing of a bottomed cylinder having a heat exchange chamber that accommodates the main body of the thermoelement and is filled with a heat medium around the main body.
A second housing of said rod member and the bottomed cylindrical body which accommodates the biasing member,
A holding member housed in the first housing and the second housing, having a hollow portion coaxial with the axis of the thermo element, and holding the main body portion of the thermo element in the hollow portion.
An annular partition plate whose opening is fixed to the main body so that the plate surface is orthogonal to the axis of the thermo element and the plate surface is in contact with the axial end surface of the holding member. With a bulkhead to be placed ,
A thermoactuator formed by joining the first housing and the second housing in a state where the rod member is arranged so as to interlock with the piston.
The first housing is
The heat medium is discharged from the side surface of the bottomed cylinder constituting the first housing to the heat medium introduction hole for introducing the heat medium into the heat exchange chamber, and from the side surface of the bottomed cylinder to the outside of the heat exchange chamber. Has a heat medium discharge hole to
The heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are radially open to the heat exchange chamber with respect to the axis of the thermoelement .
The first housing has a first flange portion at the opening end of the bottomed cylinder constituting the first housing, and has a holding portion for holding the thermoelement on the opening end side.
The second housing has a second flange portion joined to the first flange portion at the open end of the bottomed cylinder constituting the second housing, and the thermostat is on the open end side. It has a holding portion for holding the element, has a step portion in the middle portion of the bottomed cylinder, and has a communication hole at the bottom of the bottomed cylinder for slidably supporting the rod member. ,
The holding member is housed so as to abut against the inner surface of the holding portion of the first housing and the inner surface of the holding portion of the second housing, and the joint surface between the first flange portion and the second flange portion. Is held in the first housing and the second housing straddling the
The partition plate is held in a state of being sandwiched between the step portion in the second housing and the axial end portion of the holding member in the second housing.
Thermo actuator characterized by that.

The thermoactuator according to claim 1, wherein the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are opened in the heat exchange chamber on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement.

The thermoactuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are opened in the heat exchange chamber about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the thermoelement.

Claim 1 is characterized in that the heat medium introduction hole and the heat medium discharge hole are opened into the heat exchange chamber on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, via a horizontal plane including the axis of the thermoelement. The thermoactuator according to any one of 3 to 3.

A retainer housed in the second housing and having one end capable of contacting the partition plate and having an other end engaging with the axial end of the rod member.
The urging member is a compression coil spring interposed around the rod member in the second housing and stretched between the bottom of the second housing and the retainer. The thermoactuator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .