JP6945249B2 - Expansion valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an expansion valve having a built-in temperature sensing mechanism used in a refrigeration cycle, and more particularly to an expansion valve in which a power element is attached to a valve body.

Conventionally, for refrigeration cycles used in air conditioners installed in automobiles, a temperature expansion valve with a built-in temperature sensing mechanism that adjusts the amount of refrigerant passing through according to the temperature is used in order to save installation space and piping work. Has been done. The valve body of such an expansion valve has an inlet port into which a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced and a valve chamber that communicates with the inlet port, and the top of the valve body is equipped with a drive mechanism for a valve member called a power element. Will be done.
The spherical valve member arranged in the valve chamber faces the valve seat of the valve hole that opens in the valve chamber, and is operated by the valve stem driven by the power element to open the throttle passage between the valve seat and the valve seat. Control the degree.
Further, the refrigerant that has passed through the valve hole is sent from the outlet port to the evaporator side. The refrigerant returning from the evaporator to the compressor side passes through the return passage provided in the valve body.

The power element is composed of an upper lid member forming a pressure working chamber, a thin plate diaphragm elastically deformed by pressure, and a disk-shaped receiving member, and the three members are overlapped and the circumferential portion is joined by TIG welding means or the like. Is formed.
A working gas is sealed in the pressure working chamber formed by the upper lid member and the diaphragm. At this time, in order to fill the pressure working chamber with the working gas, a hole is provided at the top of the upper lid member, the working gas is filled from this hole, the hole is closed with a steel ball or the like, and the pressure working chamber is sealed by projection welding means or the like. Stop.

In the expansion valve as described above, when a high-pressure refrigerant flows into the valve chamber from the inlet port, if a high pressure is applied to the back side of the support member supporting the valve member in a short time, the valve member is opened or closed or opened or closed. Since a force in a direction orthogonal to this is applied, vibration is likely to occur in the valve member, and noise may be generated accordingly.
In order to suppress this noise, an expansion valve provided with a vibration-proof spring that suppresses vibration of a support member that supports the valve member is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-1506046

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of an example of a conventional expansion valve shown in Patent Document 1. In the expansion valve described in Patent Document 1, the anti-vibration spring 90 includes a disk portion 91 and a plurality of leg portions 92 extending radially from the outer circumference of the disk portion 91, and these plurality of leg portions 92. The structure is such that one end of the valve chamber 95 is held in the valve chamber 95 by elastically contacting the inner surface 95a of the valve chamber 95.
By using such a structure, a sufficient drag force is exerted against a force in the opening / closing direction of the valve member 93 or a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction, so that the vibration of the valve member 93 can be suppressed.

However, when the pulsating high-pressure refrigerant flows in from the inlet port 98, the vibration-damping spring 90 may not have a sufficient damping effect.
When the present inventors investigated the cause, when the refrigerant collided with the wall 95a of the valve chamber, the force (that is, the refrigerant) not only in the above-mentioned opening / closing direction and the direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction but also in the direction in which these were combined (that is, the refrigerant). It has been found that a force in the direction R in which the support member 94 swings around a virtual axis perpendicular to the inflow direction) may be suddenly applied.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is an expansion valve capable of suppressing the swing of the support member and suppressing the generation of noise due to the vibration of the valve member even if the support member supporting the valve member receives a force in the swinging direction. Is to provide.

The present inventors have conducted diligent research in order to solve the above problems, and the reason why the support member 94 swings as described above is that the anti-vibration spring 90 has the same height in the height direction of the valve chamber. It has been found that this is because it comes into contact with the inner surface 95a of the valve chamber 95 within the plane to be the surface, and the present invention has been conceived.
That is, in order to achieve the above object, the expansion valve according to the present invention communicates with the upper lid member, the receiving member, and the power element including the diaphragm sandwiched between the upper lid member and the receiving member, the inlet port, and the inlet port. A valve chamber, a valve hole communicating with the valve chamber, an outlet port communicating with the valve hole, a valve seat formed in the opening of the valve hole on the valve chamber side, and a valve body including a power element mounting portion. A valve member arranged in contact with the valve seat, a support member for supporting the valve member, a coil spring provided in the valve chamber for urging the support member toward the valve hole, and the power element. A valve rod attached to drive the valve member and a vibration-proof spring attached to the valve chamber to slidably contact the outer peripheral surface of the support member, and the vibration-proof spring is tubular or tubular. It has an annular main body portion and a plurality of sliding arms formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion, and the plurality of sliding arms have a first height in the central axis direction of the main body portion. The outer peripheral surface of the support member has a first sliding arm that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member and a second height different from the first height in the central axis direction of the main body portion. It is characterized by including at least a second sliding arm that slidably contacts the surface.

In one embodiment of the expansion valve according to the present invention, the plurality of sliding arms further include a protruding portion toward the central axis of the main body portion.
Further, the plurality of sliding arms are formed along the circumferential direction of the main body portion.

In another embodiment of the expansion valve according to the present invention, the plurality of sliding arms are formed along the central axis direction of the main body portion.
Further, the plurality of sliding arms are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body portion.
At this time, the plurality of sliding arms may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body portion.

In another embodiment of the expansion valve according to the present invention, the support member has a disk portion on which the valve member is placed and a columnar portion projecting from the central portion of the disk portion, and the columnar portion. Is attached so as to be inserted inside the coil spring.
Alternatively, the support member has a disk portion on which the valve member is placed and a side plate portion protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the disk portion, and the side plate portion surrounds the outside of the coil spring. Attached in a mode.

According to the expansion valve of the present invention, even if the support member supporting the valve member receives a force in the swinging direction, the swing of the support member is suppressed and noise is generated due to the self-excited vibration of the valve member. An expansion valve that can be suppressed can be provided.

It is a vertical sectional view which shows the expansion valve by 1st Example of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the detail of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part which shows the attachment state of the valve hole of the expansion valve shown in FIG. 1 and a valve structure. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the expansion valve by 2nd Example of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the detail of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve and the valve structure shown in FIG. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the expansion valve by the 3rd Example of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the detail of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve according to 3rd Example of this invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve and the valve structure shown in FIG. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the expansion valve according to 4th Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve and the valve structure shown in FIG. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of an example of a conventional expansion valve.

<First Example>
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the expansion valve 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 11, a valve rod 60, a power element 70, and a valve structure 100.

The valve body 11 of the expansion valve 10 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and can be formed by extruding an aluminum alloy or the like with the X direction shown in FIG. 1 as the extrusion direction and machining the aluminum alloy or the like.
The valve body 11 includes a power element mounting portion 12 formed on the upper surface and having a female thread, an inlet port 20 into which a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced, a refrigerant outlet port 28, a refrigerant return passage 30, and a valve body 11. It has a female screw 80 for screwing a stud bolt (not shown) for attaching the bolt to other parts, and a through groove or hole (neither shown) for inserting the bolt.

A female screw 11a that opens at the lower end is formed in the lower portion of the valve body 11, and the valve chamber 24 is formed by sealing the female screw 11a with a plug 50 of a valve structure 100 described later. Further, the inlet port 20 communicates with the valve chamber 24 from the side through the small diameter hole 20a.
On the other hand, an outlet port 28 is formed above the valve chamber 24 in the valve body 11. The outlet port 28 communicates with the upper end portion of the valve chamber 24 via the valve hole (orifice) 26, and a valve seat 25 is formed on the valve chamber 24 side of the valve hole 26.

A return passage 30 is formed above the outlet port 28 in the valve body 11 so as to penetrate the valve body 11 in the X direction in FIG.
The refrigerant flows in from the inlet port 20, passes through the valve hole 26, expands, and then is sent from the outlet port 28 to the evaporator (not shown).
The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator passes through the valve body 11 so as to enter from the left side of the return passage 30 and exit to the right side (that is, in the direction of arrow X), and returns to the compressor (not shown).

A power element mounting portion 12 for mounting the power element 70, which will be described later, is formed above the return passage 30 in the valve body 11.
The power element mounting portion 12 is formed as a bottomed cylindrical hole having a circular opening on the upper surface of the valve body 11 at the upper end of the valve body 11 and an internal thread on the inner wall surface thereof.
Further, a communication hole 31 leading to the return passage 30 is formed in the central portion of the power element mounting portion 12, and a valve rod 60, which will be described later, is inserted therethrough.

The power element 70 includes a diaphragm and a stopper member (neither of which is shown) between the upper lid member 71 and the receiving member 72.
At this time, a pressure actuating chamber is formed between the upper lid member 71 and the diaphragm, and the working gas is sealed in the pressure actuating chamber.

The lower part of the receiving member 72 has a cylindrical shape, and a male screw 72a is formed around the lower portion thereof, and is attached to the power element mounting portion 12 by screwing with the female screw of the power element mounting portion 12 described above.
At this time, a packing 35 is interposed between the power element 70 and the valve body 11 to prevent leakage from the communication hole 31 when the power element 70 is attached to the valve body 11.

A through hole 29 is formed between the exit port 28 and the return passage 30. The valve hole 26, the through hole 29, and the communication hole 31 are arranged so that their centers are on the same straight line.
Further, the valve rod 60 is provided so as to be inserted into each of the valve hole 26, the through hole 29, and the communication hole 31.

The upper end side of the valve stem 60 is in contact with the stopper member of the power element 70, and the lower end side thereof is arranged so as to be in contact with the valve member 40 of the valve structure 100 described later.
With such an arrangement, the expansion valve 10 shown in FIG. 1 moves the stopper member up and down in response to the movement of the diaphragm deformed in response to the fluctuation of the internal pressure in the pressure operating chamber of the power element 70, and the stopper member moves up and down. Is transmitted to the valve member 40 of the valve structure 100 via the valve rod 60, and the expansion valve is opened and closed.

The plug 50 forming a part of the valve structure 100 is a bottomed cylindrical member, and has a recess 52 formed on the upper surface side and a hexagonal hole 53 formed on the lower surface side.
Further, a male screw is formed on the lower outer peripheral surface of the plug 50, and the plug 50 is attached in a manner of being screwed into a female screw hole 11a opened at the lower end of the valve body 11.
At this time, a sealing member 54 such as an O-ring is provided between the valve body 11 and the plug 50, whereby the valve chamber 24 is sealed.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the valve structure 100 includes a ball-shaped valve member 40 that contacts the valve seat 25 of the valve body 11 to control the orifice opening area, and a support member 42 that supports the valve member 40. It is composed of a coil spring 44 that supports the member 42, a plug 50 that receives the coil spring 44, and a vibration-proof spring 110 that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member 42.

The support member 42 includes a disk portion 42a having a conical recess for supporting the valve member 40 and a flange portion 42b protruding to the side surface, and the lower surface of the flange portion 42b is the upper end of the coil spring 44. It has a structure to receive, for example, made of stainless steel or an alloy thereof.
Further, the coil spring 44 is housed between the lower surface of the flange portion 42b provided on the support member 42 and the recess 52 formed on the plug 50, whereby the valve member 40 is accommodated via the support member 42. It is urged toward the side where the valve seat 25 is located, and is made of, for example, stainless steel or an alloy thereof, like the support member 42.
Then, the spring force of the coil spring 44 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the valve seat 25 and the bottom surface of the recess 52 by changing the screwing amount of the plug 50.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the anti-vibration spring 110 applied to the first embodiment is in contact with the cylindrical main body 111, the notch 112 from which a part of the main body 111 has been removed, and the notch 112. It is composed of a first sliding arm 113a and a second sliding arm 113b formed.

The main body 111 is formed of, for example, a plate material made of stainless steel or an alloy thereof. As an example thereof, an elongated strip-shaped member is curved into a cylindrical shape, and the ends thereof are joined by an appropriate method at the joint 111a. It has a tubular shape (cylindrical shape, square tubular shape, etc.).
Each of the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b has a longitudinal portion of the main body portion 111 in the circumferential direction, one end of which is connected to the main body portion 111 and the other end of which is a free end. Is formed like this.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first sliding arm 113a is formed at an upper position in the height direction of the main body 111 (that is, the sliding direction of the valve stem 60 (FIG. 1), the arrow Y direction). The sliding arm 113b of 2 is formed at a lower position in the height direction of the main body 111.
Further, the first sliding arm 113a is provided at two positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body 111, and the second sliding arm 113b is also provided at two positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body 111. The first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when viewed from the direction of the central axis. Will be done.

Further, the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b are arranged so as to bend from the root so that their tips enter the inner peripheral surface side of the main body 111.
Then, the tips of the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b are imitated as a part of a spherical surface so as to be in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 at a point or a small area. Each of the protruding portions 114 having a shaped shape is formed.

Here, in FIG. 3, a case where the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b are arranged at two locations each is illustrated, but the vibration-proof spring 110 is provided on the outer periphery of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42. Since the first sliding arm 113a or the second sliding arm 113b may be formed at the same height position of the main body 111, at least two or more may be formed so as to be sandwiched from the surface side.
When an even number of sliding arms 113a and 113b are formed, adjacent ones do not need to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, but the pair of sliding arms 113a and 113b are centered on the main body 111. It is preferably arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the axis.
Further, even when an odd number of sliding arms 113a and 113b are formed, if they are arranged so as to be line-symmetric with respect to a straight line passing through the central axis of the main body 111, for example, they are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction. It does not have to be placed in.

When the anti-vibration spring 110 shown in FIG. 3 is manufactured, for example, the first sliding arm 113a is provided by providing a predetermined number of notches 112 by punching with a press on a strip-shaped member constituting the main body 111. And the second sliding arm 113b is formed, and the joint portion 111a is formed by bending the second sliding arm 113b into a cylindrical shape and joining the ends by caulking or the like.
After that, the anti-vibration spring 110 is formed by deforming the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b toward the inner peripheral surface side of the main body 111.
Further, at the time of the punching process, the protruding portion 114 is provided at the tip of the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b so as to protrude in the direction of being located on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion 111 in advance. It may be molded at the same time.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing an attached state of the valve hole of the expansion valve shown in FIG. 1 and the valve structure 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along two virtual planes including the central axis of the anti-vibration spring 110 shown in FIG. 3 and passing through the central axis and two adjacent protrusions 114.
As shown in FIG. 4, an anti-vibration spring 110 forming a part of the valve structure 100 is press-fitted, inserted, or the like on the inner peripheral surface 24a in the vicinity of the valve seat 25 of the valve chamber 24 formed in the valve body 11. It is mounted and then fixed by crimping the open end of the inner peripheral surface 24a (the crimped portion is designated by reference numeral 24b). Of course, instead of crimping, a method such as adhesion or welding may be adopted.

On the other hand, the support member 42 supported at the upper end of the coil spring 44 is inserted into the vibration-proof spring 110 in a state where the valve member 40 is supported by the disk portion 42a, and the valve member 40 is inserted into the valve rod 60 in this state. Arranged so as to abut the lower end.
At this time, the protruding portions 114 formed on the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b of the anti-vibration spring 110 were substantially in point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the support member 42 from vibrating in the lateral direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction) on the drawing.

Further, as described above, the first sliding arm 113a is provided at two positions at the first height in the central axis direction (Y direction) of the main body 111 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis. Similarly, the sliding arm 113b of the above is provided at two positions at a second height (a height different from the first height) in the central axis direction of the main body 111 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis. ..
At this time, in this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b are arranged so as to face each other in one vertical cross section passing through the central axis of the valve rod 60. However, the configuration is not particularly limited as long as the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 can be pressed in a well-balanced manner.
As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the support member 42 is slidably contacted with the sliding arms 113a and 113b of the anti-vibration spring 110. Even if a force in the swinging direction is received, the swinging can be effectively suppressed.

By providing the configuration shown above, according to the expansion valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion of the support member is in sliding contact with the sliding arm of the anti-vibration spring at different heights. It is possible to suppress the support member from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction, and it is possible to suppress the swing of the support member even if the support member receives a force in the swinging direction.
In addition, the anti-vibration spring slides into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the support member to suppress lateral and vertical vibrations of the support member, and also suppresses vibration to the support member due to the inflow of pulsating high-pressure refrigerant. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the generation of noise due to the vibration of the valve member.
Further, since the anti-vibration spring is attached to the valve body side, the anti-vibration spring is in sliding contact with the support member. As a result, the wear of the expansion valve is reduced and the durability thereof is improved as compared with the case where the anti-vibration spring is attached to the support member side and the anti-vibration spring is brought into sliding contact with the valve body.

In order to obtain the effect of reducing wear, the material constituting the support member is preferably the same material as the metal constituting the anti-vibration spring or a harder material, but at least forms the valve body. Any material that is harder than the material may be used.
Further, the main body 111 of the anti-vibration spring 110 is formed by bending an elongated strip-shaped member into a cylindrical shape and joining the ends thereof by an appropriate method. It goes without saying that the valve body 11 may be fixed to the inner peripheral surface 24a in a state of being curved in a cylindrical shape.

<Second Example>
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the second embodiment, among the components of the expansion valve 10, those having the same functions and arrangements as those shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, the description of the parts other than the main part of the invention will be omitted again.
As shown in FIG. 5, the expansion valve 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 11, a valve rod 60, a power element 70, and a valve structure 200.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the valve structure 200 is supported by a ball-shaped valve member 40 that contacts the valve seat 25 of the valve body 11 to control the orifice opening area, and a support member 42 that supports the valve member 40. It is composed of a coil spring 44 that supports the member 42, a plug 50 that receives the coil spring 44, and a vibration-proof spring 210 that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member 42.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the anti-vibration spring 210 applied to the second embodiment has an annular main body portion 211 and a first sliding arm 212a extending so as to stand up on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion 211. And a second sliding arm 212b.

Similar to the first embodiment, the main body 211 is formed of a metal plate such as stainless steel, and the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b are longitudinally longitudinal in the radial direction of the main body 211. It has a direction and is formed so that its tip is a free end.
The first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b are bent from the root in the height direction of the main body 211 so that their heights (distance from the main body 211 to the tip) are different from each other. At the tip thereof, a protruding portion 213 having a shape imitating a part of a spherical surface is formed so as to be in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 at a point or a small area.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the first sliding arm 212a is formed at three locations so as to be equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body 211, and the second sliding arm 212b is formed. Is formed in the middle of the first sliding arm 212a at equal intervals and at a tip height different from that of the first sliding arm 212a.
Here, in FIG. 7, a case where the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b are arranged at three places respectively is illustrated, but as in the case of the first embodiment, the anti-vibration spring 210 Is slidably contacted with the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 so as to be sandwiched from the outer peripheral surface side, so that at least two or more of the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b may be formed.
At this time, it is preferable that the sliding arms 212a and 212b are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body 211.

When an even number of sliding arms 212a and 212b are formed, the sliding arms 212a and 212b do not have to be evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the main body 211, but a pair of sliding arms 212a or 212b or It is preferable that the 212b is arranged at a position facing the central axis of the main body 211.
On the other hand, even when an odd number of sliding arms 212a and 212b are formed, if they are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the main body 211, for example, the sliding arms 212a and 212b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. It does not need to be placed.

When the anti-vibration spring 210 shown in FIG. 7 is manufactured, for example, a plate-shaped member constituting the main body 211 is formed by punching with a press. At this time, a predetermined number of first sliding arms 212a and second sliding arms 212b may be simultaneously formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body 211 by punching.
After that, the anti-vibration spring 210 is formed by bending and deforming the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b with respect to the main body 211 in the height direction, respectively.
Further, during the punching process, the projecting portions 213 are respectively projected at the tips of the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b so as to project in the direction of being located on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion 211 in advance. May be molded at the same time.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve shown in FIG. 5 and the valve structure. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along two virtual planes including the central axis of the anti-vibration spring 210 shown in FIG. 7 and passing through the central axis and the two protrusions 213.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, a step portion 24c having a slightly reduced diameter is formed in the vicinity of the valve seat 25 of the valve chamber 24, and the step portion 24c forms a part of the valve structure 200. The oscillating spring 210 is fitted and crimped (the crimped portion is designated by reference numeral 24d) to be fixed.

On the other hand, the support member 42 supported at the upper end of the coil spring 44 is inserted into the vibration-proof spring 210 in a state where the valve member 40 is supported by the disk portion 42a, and the valve member 40 is inserted into the valve rod 60 in this state. Arranged so as to abut the lower end.
At this time, the protruding portions 213 formed on the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b of the anti-vibration spring 210 are in point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42. Similar to the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the support member 42 from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction in the drawing.

Further, as described above, the first sliding arm 212a is provided at three positions at the first height in the central axis direction of the main body 211 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis, and the second sliding arm is provided. Similarly, 212b is also provided at three positions at a second height in the central axis direction of the main body 211 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the first sliding arm 212a and the second sliding arm 212b are arranged so as to face each other in one vertical cross section passing through the center of the valve rod 60.
As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the support member 42 is slidably contacted with the sliding arms 212a and 212b of the anti-vibration spring 210. Even if a force in the rotating direction is received, the force in the rotating direction is canceled or reduced.

By providing the configuration shown above, according to the expansion valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion of the support member is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the anti-vibration spring slides. Since it is in sliding contact with the moving arm, it is possible to suppress the support member from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction as in the expansion valve of the first embodiment, and even if the support member receives a force in the swinging direction, the said It is possible to suppress the swing of the support member.
Further, in addition to the above effects, according to the expansion valve according to the second embodiment, since the sliding arm has a structure extending in the height direction of the anti-vibration spring, it is supported while reducing the material required for processing the anti-vibration spring. It is possible to enable the minimum necessary sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the member.
Since the anti-vibration spring and the support member are in sliding contact with each other as in the case of the first embodiment, the material constituting the support member is the same material as the metal constituting the anti-vibration spring or a harder material. This is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the wear of the expansion valve (that is, reducing the wear of the support member).

<Third Example>
FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an expansion valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
In the third embodiment as well, among the components of the expansion valve 10, those having the same functions and arrangements as those shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are designated by the same reference numerals. .. Further, the description of the parts other than the main part of the invention will be omitted again.
As shown in FIG. 9, the expansion valve 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 11, a valve rod 60, a power element 70, and a valve structure 300.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the valve structure used for the expansion valve shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the valve structure 300 supports a ball-shaped valve member 40 that opens and closes in contact with the valve seat 25 of the valve body 11, a support member 42 that supports the valve member 40, and a support member 42. The coil spring 44, the plug 50 that receives the coil spring 44, and the anti-vibration spring 310 that is attached between the support member 42 and the coil spring 44 and slidably contacts the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 24. It is composed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an anti-vibration spring applied to the expansion valve according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11, the anti-vibration spring 310 applied to the third embodiment includes an annular main body portion 311 and a first sliding arm 312a extending so as to stand on the outer peripheral surface side of the main body portion 311. It is composed of a second sliding arm 312b.

The main body portion 311 is formed of, for example, a metal plate such as stainless steel, as in each of the above embodiments, and the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are elongated in the radial direction of the main body portion 311. It has a direction and is formed so that its tip is a free end.
The first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are bent from the root in the height direction of the main body 311 so that their heights (distance from the main body 311 to the tip) are different from each other. ..
Further, the tips of the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 24 (see reference numeral 24a in FIG. 12 to be described later) at a point or a small area. A protruding portion 313 having a shape imitating a part of a spherical surface is formed.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the third embodiment, the first sliding arm 312a is formed at four locations so as to be equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body 311 and the second sliding arm 312b. Is formed in the middle of the first sliding arm 312a at equal intervals and at a tip height different from that of the first sliding arm 312a.
Here, in FIG. 11, the case where the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are arranged at four places respectively is illustrated, but as described above, the anti-vibration spring 310 is the valve chamber 24. Since the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface so as to spread from the inside, at least two or more of the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b may be formed.
At this time, it is preferable that the sliding arms 312a and 312b are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body portion 311.

When an even number of sliding arms 312a and 312b are formed, the sliding arms 312a and 312b do not have to be evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the main body 311, but a pair of sliding arms 312a or It is preferable that the 312b is arranged at a position facing the central axis of the main body 311.
On the other hand, even when an odd number of sliding arms 312a and 312b are formed, if they are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the main body, for example, the sliding arms are arranged at equal intervals especially in the circumferential direction. It does not need to be placed.

When the anti-vibration spring 310 shown in FIG. 11 is manufactured, for example, a plate-shaped member constituting the main body 311 is formed by punching with a press. At this time, it is preferable to simultaneously form a predetermined number of the first sliding arms 312a and the second sliding arms 312b on the outer peripheral surface side of the main body portion 311 by punching.
After that, the anti-vibration spring 310 is formed by bending and deforming the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b with respect to the main body portion 311 in the height direction, respectively.
Further, during the punching process, the protruding portions 313 are respectively projected at the tips of the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b so as to protrude in the direction of being located on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion 311 in advance. May be molded at the same time.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve shown in FIG. 9 and the valve structure. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along two virtual planes including the central axis of the anti-vibration spring 310 shown in FIG. 11 and passing through the central axis and two adjacent protrusions 313.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the vibration-proof spring 310, in the vibration-proof spring 310, the support member 42 is inserted into the hole in the central portion of the main body portion 311, and the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 and the coil spring 44 are connected to each other. It is attached so that it is sandwiched between them.
Then, the valve member 40 is placed on the upper surface of the disk portion 42a of the support member 42, and in this state, the valve member 40 is arranged so as to come into contact with the lower end of the valve rod 60.

At this time, the first sliding arm 312a having a small bending height from the main body portion 311 is arranged so as to be directed to the position where the small diameter hole 20a of the inlet port 20 is formed.
In this state, the protruding portions 313 formed on the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b of the anti-vibration spring 310 are in point contact with the inner peripheral surface 24a of the valve chamber 24, and thus are supported. It is possible to suppress the member 42 from vibrating in the horizontal and vertical directions shown in the drawing.

Further, as described above, the first sliding arm 312a is provided at four positions at the first height in the central axis direction of the main body portion 311 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis, and the second sliding arm Similarly, the 312b is provided at four locations at a second height in the central axis direction of the main body 311 and at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the first sliding arm 312a and the second sliding arm 312b are arranged so as to face each other in one vertical cross section passing through the center of the valve rod 60.
As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 42b of the support member 42 is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the support member 42 is slidably contacted with the sliding arms 312a and 312b of the anti-vibration spring 310. Even if a force in the rotating direction is received, the force in the rotating direction is canceled.

By providing the configuration shown above, according to the expansion valve according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion of the support member is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the anti-vibration spring slides. Since it is in sliding contact with the moving arm, it is possible to suppress the support member from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction as in the expansion valve of the first embodiment, and even if the support member receives a force in the swinging direction, the said It is possible to suppress the swing of the support member.
Further, in addition to the above effects, according to the expansion valve according to the third embodiment, the distance (height) at which the first sliding arm and the second sliding arm of the anti-vibration spring extend from the main body portion is set. Since it can be freely set according to the height of the chamber, the distance between the surface of the sliding arm in sliding contact with the valve chamber can be increased to improve the stability of the support member in the rotating direction.

<Fourth Example>
FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing an expansion valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the fourth embodiment as well, among the components of the expansion valve 10, those having the same functions and arrangements as those shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are designated by the same reference numerals. .. Further, the description of the parts other than the main part of the invention will be omitted again.
As shown in FIG. 13, the expansion valve 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 11, a valve rod 60, a power element 70, and a valve structure 400.

In the expansion valve 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the valve structure 400 includes a ball-shaped valve member 40 that opens and closes in contact with the valve seat 25 of the valve body 11, and a support member 410 that supports the valve member 40. It is composed of a coil spring 44 that supports the support member 42, a plug 50 that receives the coil spring 44, and a vibration-proof spring 110 that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member 42.
As shown in FIG. 13, since the same type as the anti-vibration spring 110 used in the first embodiment is applied to the expansion valve 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the description of its structure and the like is omitted again. do.

The support member 410 includes a disk portion 410a having a conical recess for supporting the valve member 40 in the central portion thereof and a side wall portion 410b that rises vertically from the outer peripheral portion, and is formed of stainless steel or the like. There is.
When manufacturing such a support member 410, for example, a disk-shaped member is pressed to form a conical recess of the disk portion 410a and a side wall portion 410b at the same time.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of the valve hole of the expansion valve shown in FIG. 13 and the valve structure.
As shown in FIG. 14, in the fourth embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 24a in the vicinity of the valve seat 25 of the valve chamber 24 has a slightly larger diameter than the lower portion thereof, and the anti-vibration spring 110 is provided in this enlarged diameter portion. Are fixed by fitting. This fitting structure eliminates the need for a caulking fixing structure for the vibration-proof spring as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the support member 410 supported on the upper end of the coil spring 44 has a structure in which the side wall portion 410b is placed on the coil spring 44 so as to surround the upper end of the coil spring 44 and is inserted inside the anti-vibration spring 110. It has become.
At this time, the protruding portions 114 formed on the first sliding arm 113a and the second sliding arm 113b of the anti-vibration spring 110 are in point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 410b of the support member 410. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the support member 410 from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction in the drawing.

Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 410b of the support member 410 is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and is in sliding contact with the sliding arms 113a and 113b of the anti-vibration spring 110. Therefore, even if the support member 410 receives a force in the rotating direction in the drawing, the force in the rotating direction is canceled.
Since the anti-vibration spring and the support member are in sliding contact with each other, the material constituting the support member is preferably the same material as the metal constituting the anti-vibration spring or a harder material, but at least the valve body is formed. Any material that is harder than the material to be used may be used.

By providing the configuration shown above, according to the expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion of the support member is sandwiched between two places having different heights, and the anti-vibration spring slides. Since it is in sliding contact with the moving arm, it is possible to suppress the support member from vibrating in the lateral direction and the vertical direction as in the expansion valve of the first embodiment, and even if the support member receives a force in the swinging direction, the said It is possible to suppress the swing of the support member.
Further, in addition to the above effects, according to the expansion valve according to the fourth embodiment, the structure of the support member that supports the valve member is simplified, so that the production thereof becomes easy.
Furthermore, since the side wall of the support member is located outside the coil spring, the sliding position with the anti-vibration spring is closer to the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber, so that the stability of the support member with respect to vertical movement is improved. do.

The expansion valve according to the present invention has been described above based on a typical example thereof, but the present invention is not limited to the above specific examples, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the first sliding arm and the second sliding arm are formed on the vibration-proof spring, and two surfaces having different heights in the central axis direction of the vibration-proof spring. Although the case of sliding contact with the support member or the valve chamber is illustrated in the above section, a third or higher sliding arm may be formed to increase the number of sliding contact heights.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the same material as the anti-vibration spring or a harder material is exemplified as the material constituting the support member, but a wear-resistant material such as a ceramic material may be applied. Alternatively, the sliding surface may be coated with a wear resistant coating.
Further, the valve member and the support member may be formed as separate bodies, or may be formed as an integral body.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the power element is attached to the upper end of the valve body by screwing is illustrated, but in addition to this, a cylindrical portion is formed on the upper portion of the valve body, and the cylindrical portion is formed. A configuration in which the power element is attached by caulking the cylindrical portion inward with the power element inserted inside may be used.
In addition, various modifications can be made to the above examples without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 Expansion valve 11 Valve body 12 Power element mounting part 20 Inlet port 24 Valve chamber 24a (in the valve chamber) Inner peripheral surface 24b Caulking part 24c (in the valve chamber) Step part 24d Caulking part 25 Valve seat 26 Valve hole 28 Outlet port 29 Through hole 30 Return passage 31 Communication hole 40 Valve member 42 Support member 42a Disk part 42b Flange part 44 Coil spring 50 Plug 54 Sealing member 60 Valve rod 70 Power element 71 Top lid member 72 Receiving member 100, 200, 300, 400 Valve structure Body 110, 210, 310 Anti-vibration springs 111, 211, 311 Main body 112 Notches 113a, 212a, 312a First sliding arms 113b, 212b, 312b Second sliding arms 114, 213, 313 Protruding parts 410 Support Member 410a Disc 410b Side wall

Claims (5)

A power element including an upper lid member, a receiving member, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the upper lid member and the receiving member,
An inlet port, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet port, a valve hole communicating with the valve chamber, an outlet port communicating with the valve hole, a valve seat and a power element formed in the opening of the valve hole on the valve chamber side. The valve body including the mounting part and
A valve member arranged in contact with the valve seat and
A support member that supports the valve member and
A coil spring provided in the valve chamber to urge the support member toward the valve hole, and
A valve rod attached to the power element to drive the valve member,
A vibration-proof spring that is attached to the valve chamber and slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member.
With
The anti-vibration spring has a cylindrical or annular main body portion and a plurality of sliding arms formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion.
The plurality of sliding arms are a first sliding arm that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member at a first height in the central axial direction of the main body portion, and a central axial direction of the main body portion. The expansion valve is characterized by including at least a second sliding arm that slidably contacts the outer peripheral surface of the support member at a second height different from the first height in the above. The expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sliding arms further include a protruding portion toward the central axis of the main body portion. The expansion valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of sliding arms are formed along the central axis direction of the main body portion. The expansion valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of sliding arms are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the main body. The expansion valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of sliding arms are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body portion.

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