JP7817399B2 - Flow Control Valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a flow path control valve.

A conventional flow path control valve is known, for example, from the one described in Patent Document 1 below. This flow path control valve switches and controls flow paths that supply and discharge fluid to vehicle equipment. It includes a cylindrical body made of synthetic resin, a metal sleeve attached to the inner circumferential surface of the body, and a spool valve movable in the axial direction within the sleeve. The body has a drive unit at one axial end that moves the spool valve in one axial direction, and a sensor unit at the other end that detects the movement position of the spool valve. The spool valve is biased in the other axial direction by a coil spring attached to the sensor side of the body. The top and bottom surfaces are centrally located with abutment surfaces that abut against the tip of a shaft connected to the plunger of the drive unit and the tip of a rod in the sensor unit. The spool valve also has multiple axial ventilation holes that extend through the interior, avoiding the abutment surfaces.

Each of these breathing holes is formed as a long, narrow passage hole with a uniform inner diameter, with one axial end opening into the interior of the drive unit and the other end opening into the interior of the sensor unit, ensuring smooth axial movement of the spool valve.

The spool valve moves axially due to the pressing force of the drive unit and the spring force of the coil spring, and switches between the cooling water inlet port and the first and second outlet ports provided in the body depending on its position.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-165479

However, in the conventional flow path control valve described in Patent Document 1, the spool valve leaves the internal axial direction of the spool valve as a solid portion in order to ensure contact surfaces with the drive unit and sensor unit, and the elongated breathing hole is formed around this solid portion.

In this way, leaving a solid portion in the axial direction of the spool valve increases the mass of the entire spool valve, resulting in a decrease in the movement response of the spool valve due to the drive unit and coil spring.

In order to ensure good movement response of this spool valve, if the solenoid output (thrust) of the drive unit is increased and the coil diameter of the coil spring is increased, this could result in an increase in the size and weight of the entire flow path control valve, which could reduce its so-called vibration resistance.

The present invention was devised in consideration of the technical challenges of the prior art, and aims to provide a flow path control valve that can reduce the weight of the spool valve and improve movement responsiveness.

In one aspect of the present invention, the valve is characterized by comprising, inter alia, a spool valve arranged axially movably inside a body, which switches the communication state between an inlet port and an outlet port by moving axially; a communication hole, a portion of which is formed along the internal axial center of the spool valve and which connects one axial end of the spool valve to the other; a drive unit which urges the spool valve in one axial direction; a detector which is provided on the axial opposite side of the drive unit of the spool valve and detects the movement position of the spool valve; and a plug member which is inserted into part of the communication hole and has an abutment portion against which the detector abuts and a communication passage which connects the inside of the communication hole to the outside.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the weight of the spool valve can be reduced, thereby improving the movement responsiveness of the spool valve.

1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a flow path control valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a plug member used in the flow path control valve of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plug member provided in the flow path control valve. FIG. 4 is a front view of a plug member provided in the flow path control valve. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a flow path control valve according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a plug member used in the flow path control valve of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plug member is press-fitted and held in a spool valve. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a spool valve used in the flow path control valve.

An embodiment of the flow path control valve according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the flow path control valve will be described as being applied to a conventional cooling water circulation system for supplying cooling water to automotive equipment.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flow path control valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a plug member used in the flow path control valve of this embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plug member used in the same flow path control valve, and Figure 4 is a front view of the plug member used in the same flow path control valve. For ease of explanation, the axial direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1 will be referred to as the upper end, and the axial direction indicated by arrow B as the lower end.

As shown in Figure 1, the flow path control valve 1 in the first embodiment has a cylindrical body 2, a spool valve 3 arranged inside the body 2 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows A and B, a drive unit 4 arranged at the upper axial end of the body 2, a sensor unit 5 which is a detector arranged at the lower axial end of the body 2, and a plug member 6 attached to the sensor unit 5 side of the spool valve 3.

The body 2 is cylindrically formed from an aluminum alloy metal material, with an outer circumferential surface that has the same diameter along the axial direction. A tubular inlet port 7 and first and second outlet ports 8, 9 are provided on the outer circumferential surface, protruding radially outward. The inlet port 7 protrudes to one side approximately at the center in the axial direction, while the first and second outlet ports 8, 9 protrude to the other radial side, opposite the inlet port 7. The first outlet port 8 is located at the upper axial end of the body 2, and the second outlet port 9 is located at the lower axial end of the body 2, and are separated from the first outlet port 8 by a predetermined distance in the axial direction.

Pipes not shown are connected to the inlet port 7 and the first and second outlet ports 8 and 9. For example, the inlet port 7 is supplied with cooling water, a fluid, via piping from a supply source not shown, such as an electric pump, and the first and second outlet ports 8 and 9 are connected to equipment, such as a power supply circuit control device, to which the cooling water is supplied via piping not shown.

The body 2 has an internal housing bore 10 that extends axially and has a substantially constant diameter. This housing bore 10 communicates with the inlet port 7 and the first and second outlet ports 8 and 9 via first through third openings 7a, 8a, and 9a, and houses the spool valve 3 within it so that it can move axially (in the A and B directions).

In addition, the body 2 has a first cylindrical groove 11 formed at an upper position on the inner surface 10a of the accommodating hole 10, which communicates with the first outlet port 8, while a second cylindrical groove 12 formed at a lower position on the inner surface 10a, which communicates with the second outlet port 9.

The spool valve 3 is integrally formed from an aluminum alloy metal material, and moves axially downward (direction B) due to the driving action of the drive unit 4, while moving axially upward (direction A) due to the spring force of the valve spring 13, a coil spring described below, provided on the other axial end side.

The spool valve 3 has a first land portion 14 formed on the outer periphery of the upper end portion in the axial direction, a second land portion 15 formed on the outer periphery of the lower end portion, a connecting shaft portion 16 formed between the first land portion 14 and the second land portion 15, and a cylindrical groove passage 17 formed on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft portion 16. Furthermore, the spool valve 3 has a disk-shaped upper wall portion 14a integrally formed at the upper end portion of the first land portion 14 in Figure 1.

The first land portion 14 and the second land portion 15 are formed with the same outer diameter and approximately the same axial length, and their outer surfaces are arranged to be able to slide axially on the inner surface 10a of the accommodating hole 10.

In addition, the maximum upward movement position of the spool valve 3 is restricted by the maximum raised position of the shaft 27 of the drive unit 4, which abuts against the first land portion 14, as described later, and the maximum downward movement position is restricted by the axial lower end surface of the second land portion 15 abutting against the cap portion 36, which is provided on the sensor unit 5 and described later.

When the spool valve 3 is in its maximum upward movement position, the first land portion 14 connects the first cylindrical groove 11 in the body 2 to the groove passage 17, and when it is in its maximum downward movement position, the second land portion 15 connects the second cylindrical groove 12 in the body 2 to the groove passage 17. This allows the inlet port 7 to selectively connect to the first outlet port 8 or the second outlet port 9. In other words, depending on the position of the spool valve 3, the first land portion 14 connects or disconnects the first cylindrical groove 11 to the groove passage 17, while the second land portion 15 connects or disconnects the second cylindrical groove 12 to the groove passage 17. In other words, when the first land portion 14 is in a state where the first cylindrical groove 11 is connected to the groove passage 17, the second land portion 15 blocks the connection between the second cylindrical groove 12 and the groove passage 17, and when the connection between the first cylindrical groove 11 and the groove passage 17 is blocked, the second land portion 15 connects the second cylindrical groove 12 and the groove passage 17.

In addition, a communication hole 18 is formed inside the spool valve 3, extending from the upper end surface of the first land portion 14 to the lower end surface of the second land portion 15.

Specifically, the communication hole 18 comprises a small diameter hole 19 formed radially outward of the upper wall portion 14a of the first land portion 14, a main passage hole 20 formed along the internal axial direction of the spool valve 3 and communicating at its upper end with the small diameter hole 19, and an opening hole 21 formed inside the second land portion 15 and communicating with the lower end of the main passage hole 20. The communication hole 18 functions as a breathing hole to allow smooth vertical movement of the spool valve 3.

The small diameter hole 19 is formed in an inclined manner from a radially outer position on the upper wall portion 14a of the first land portion 14 toward the internal axial center, with one axial end 19a opening into the interior of the casing 22 of the drive unit 4, which will be described later, and the other axial end 19b opening into the upper end of the main passage hole 20.

The main passage hole 20 has an inner diameter d that is approximately constant in the vertical direction, and the inner diameter d is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting shaft portion 16, making it relatively large overall.

The opening hole 21 has an inner diameter d1 that is larger than the inner diameter d of the main passage hole 20, and a larger passage cross-sectional area than that of the main passage hole 20. The upper end of this opening hole 21 opens to the lower end of the main passage hole 20, while the lower end is connected to the outside via a communication passage 43 in the plug member 6, which will be described later.

As shown in Figure 1, the drive unit 4 is, for example, a solenoid that generates magnetic force when current is applied to the coil 24 to obtain axial thrust, and includes a casing 22, a coil 24 housed inside the casing 22 and wound around a bobbin 23, a fixed core 25 provided below the bobbin 23, a plunger 26 which is a movable core provided inside the bobbin 23 and urged toward the fixed core 25 by the excitation action of the coil 24, a shaft 27 connected to the center of the plunger 26, and a resin molded portion 28 which covers the outer periphery of the bobbin 23 and coil 24.

The casing 22 is cylindrical with a bottom, and its open lower end is crimped and fixed to the fixed portion 2a integral with the upper end of the body 2. The bobbin 23 is cylindrical with enlarged diameters at one end and the other, and is molded together with the coil 24 in a resin molded portion 28 inside the casing 22. The fixed core 25 is cylindrical and made of metal, with a portion of it inserted into the bobbin 23, and the flange portion 25a on its outer surface is clamped and fixed between the resin molded portion 28 and the other end of the fixed portion 2a. The plunger 26 is cylindrical and made of magnetic material, and is disposed on the inner periphery of the bobbin 23 and located at the upper end of the fixed core 25.

The shaft 27 is connected to the axial center of the plunger 26 and extends a predetermined length toward the spool valve 3, with its tip 27a abutting against the center of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 14a of the first land portion 14 of the spool valve 3 via the shaft hole 2b in the fixing portion 2a. Because the shaft 27 is biased toward the spool valve 3 by the spring force of the valve spring 13, the tip 27a abuts against the center of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 14a.

The resin molded portion 28 has a first coupler 29 integrally formed on its outer portion, and the connection terminal 29a inside the first coupler 29 is connected to the connection terminal of a power connector not shown in the figure to supply electricity to the coil 24.

The sensor unit 5 detects the axial movement position of the spool valve 3, and comprises a sensor case 30, a base plate 31 housed inside the sensor case 30, a detection body 32 arranged to be movable along the base plate 31, a sensor spring 33 that urges the detection body 32 toward the spool valve 3, a terminal 34 electrically connected to the base plate 31, a lid portion 35 that closes the lower end opening of the sensor case 30, and a cap portion 36 provided at the upper end opening of the sensor case 30.

The sensor case 30 is made of synthetic resin and is hollow inside. Its open, cylindrical upper end 30a is housed in a second housing section 37 at the lower end of the body 2, and its flange 30b on the outer periphery abuts against the edge of the opening of the second housing section 37 and is fixed to the body 2 with screws (not shown). The interior of the sensor case 30 is divided by a partition wall 30c into a substrate housing chamber for housing the substrate 31 and a detection body housing chamber for housing the detection body 32. The upper end 30a has an annular groove 30d formed on its inner periphery for housing and holding the cap section 36, and three anti-rotation protrusions (not shown) are provided on the outer periphery of the annular groove 30d.

The substrate 31 is electrically connected by connecting three terminals 34 that make up the plate-shaped second coupler 38 to electrode portions not shown in the figure, and is provided with a sensor coil (sensor) for detecting the approach of a nearby detection body 32, which generates a magnetic field based on the control current from the terminals 34.

The detector 32 comprises a block-shaped detector body 32a, first and second rods 32b and 32c, which are pins that protrude axially relative to the detector body 32a, and a detector piece 32d attached to the side of the detector body 32a. One side of the detector body 32a, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the detector body 32, abuts against the inner wall of the detector body storage chamber, allowing the detector body 32a to be displaced axially.

The first rod 32b protrudes in the direction of arrow B from one axial end face of the detection body 32a, and a sensor spring 33 is inserted into its outer periphery. One end of the sensor spring 33 abuts against the axial end face of the detection body 32a via the first rod 32b, and the other end is elastically held in a spring seat in the detection body storage chamber, and its spring force urges the detection body 32 toward the spool valve 3 (in the direction of arrow A).

The second rod 32c is aligned with the first rod 32b across the detection body 32a, protrudes a predetermined length in the axial direction from the axial end face of the detection body 32a, and passes through a rod insertion hole 36c in the center of the cap portion 36, with its tip abutting against the center of the outer bottom surface 40d of the bottom portion 40c, which is the abutment portion (described below) of the plug member 6. At this time, the detection body 32 is biased toward the spool valve 3 by the spring force of the sensor spring 33, so the tip of the second rod 32c is always abutting against the outer bottom surface 40d of the bottom portion 40c of the plug member 6.

The detection piece 32d is formed into a plate shape from a metal material and is arranged approximately parallel to the other end face of the detection body 32a and the partition wall 32d. It is movable in the directions of arrows A and B along the partition wall 32d together with the detection body 32. When it approaches the magnetic field generated around the sensor coil S on the substrate 31 via the partition wall 32d, an overcurrent flows and the inductance (capacitance) changes. This change is detected and output as a detection signal from terminal 34 to a controller not shown.

The terminals 34 are composed of a pair of power supply terminals and a signal terminal located between the two power supply terminals. The tip ends of each terminal are exposed inside the second coupler 38, and the base ends are molded into the sensor case 30. The base ends are electrically connected to the electrode portion of the substrate 31 via a joint member, so that a control signal from the controller is supplied to the substrate 31 via the terminals 34, and the position of the detection body 32 detected by the substrate 31 is output to the controller as a detection signal.

As shown in Figure 1, the cap portion 36 is integrally formed from a synthetic resin material and includes a cylindrical base 36a and three-lobed protrusions 36b that protrude radially outward from the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylindrical base 36a. A rod insertion hole 36c is formed vertically through the center of the cylindrical base 36a, through which the second rod 32c is slidably inserted. The upper end of the cylindrical base 36a is formed with an annular spring retaining groove 36d that retains the lower end of the valve spring 13. The protrusions 36b are provided at equal circumferential intervals and are positioned between the anti-rotation protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the annular groove 30d of the sensor case 30, preventing unwanted rotation of the entire cap portion 36.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 to 4, the plug member 6 is made of synthetic resin and has a cylindrical, bottomed body 40 with a disk-shaped bottom 40c on the lower side, a passage portion 41 formed along the internal axial direction of the cylindrical body 40 and communicating with the main passage hole 20, a flange portion 42 extending radially from the outer periphery of the upper end portion 40a of the cylindrical body 40, and multiple (three in this embodiment) communication passages 43 formed in the lower end portion 40b of the cylindrical body 40 and communicating the passage portion 41 with the outside.

The cylindrical body 40 has an outer diameter D slightly smaller than the inner diameter d of the main passage hole 20, allowing the upper end 40a to be inserted into the lower end of the main passage hole 20. Furthermore, press-fitting protrusions 44 are integrally formed on the outer surface of the upper end 40a directly above the flange portion 42, serving as press-fitting crush ribs. These press-fitting protrusions 44 are rectangular in shape along the vertical direction, and multiple press-fitting protrusions 44 (three in this embodiment) are provided at equally spaced positions circumferentially around the upper end 40a. When the upper end 40a of the cylindrical body 40 is inserted into the main passage hole 20, the outer surfaces of the press-fitting protrusions 44 press against the inner circumferential surface of the main passage hole 20 to hold the plug member 6. The three press-fitting protrusions 44 are provided to ensure coaxiality between the plug member 6 and the main passage hole 20 through at least three-point support. Four or more press-fitting protrusions 44 can also be provided to ensure this coaxiality.

The flange portion 42 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 21, allowing it to be inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the opening 21. When assembled into the opening 21, the annular upper surface 42a can abut against the stepped surface 21a formed between the opening 21 and the main passage hole 20. The annular lower surface 42b of the flange portion 42 functions as a spring retainer that elastically holds the upper end of the valve spring 13. The spring force of the valve spring 13 presses the upper surface 42a against the stepped surface 21a, thereby urging the entire spool valve 3 toward the actuator 4. The valve spring 13 is inserted and contracted around the outer periphery of the lower end 40b of the cylindrical body 40, allowing the lower end 40b to guide the inner periphery of the valve spring 13.

Furthermore, the flange portion 42 has three recesses 45 formed on the upper surface 42a at positions corresponding to the formation positions of each of the press-fit protrusions 44, i.e., at positions that overlap in the axial direction with each of the press-fit protrusions 44. Each of these recesses 45 is formed in the upper surface 42a in the shape of an arc groove centered on each of the press-fit protrusions 44 and extending along the outer circumferential surface of the upper end portion 40a.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 to 4, the three communication passages 43 are provided at equally spaced positions circumferentially around the lower end 40b of the cylindrical main body 40. That is, each communication passage 43 is formed radially outward from the center of the outer bottom surface 40d of the bottom portion 40c of the lower end 40b of the cylindrical main body 40, where the second rod 32c of the sensor unit 5 abuts, and is open in both the axial and radial directions. Each communication passage 43 is formed by cutting out the peripheral wall of the lower end 40b of the cylindrical main body 40 in the axial direction and cutting out the bottom wall of the bottom portion 40c in the radial direction, resulting in a substantially I-shaped vertical cross section. As a result, each communication passage 43 communicates with the passage portion 41 within the cylindrical main body 40 and the interior of the opening hole 21, i.e., the outside.

The total cross-sectional area of these three communication passages 43 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main passage hole 20; in other words, the cross-sectional area of the main passage hole 20 is larger than the total cross-sectional area of each communication passage 43.

As described above, the valve spring 13 has its lower end elastically held in the spring retaining groove 36d of the cap portion 36 and its upper end elastically held in the lower surface 42b of the flange portion 42 of the plug member 6, thereby biasing the spool valve 3 toward the drive portion 4. This spring force is set in accordance with the mass of the spool valve 3 and the drive force of the drive portion 4.
[Functions and Effects of the Flow Channel Control Valve of the Present Embodiment]
First, to briefly explain the operation of the flow path control valve 1, in the initial position shown in FIG. 1, the coil 24 of the drive unit 4 is not energized, and therefore the spool valve 3 is moved to the maximum raised position toward the drive unit 4 by the spring force of the valve spring 13.

In this state, the groove passage 17 of the spool valve 3 faces the inlet port 7, and the second land portion 15 blocks communication between the second cylindrical groove 12 and the groove passage 17, closing the second outlet port 9, while the first land portion 14 connects the first cylindrical groove 11 and the groove passage 17, opening the first outlet port 8.

As a result, the cooling water that flows into the inlet port 7 passes through the groove passage 17 of the spool valve 3 and the first cylindrical groove 11 and is supplied only to the first outlet port 8, from where it is supplied to the designated equipment.

In the sensor unit 5, the detection element 32, which is in contact with the spool valve 3, rises together with the spool valve 3 due to the spring force of the sensor spring 33. Then, current is applied from the controller to the circuit board 31 via the terminal 34 of the second coupler 38, and a change in inductance is detected according to the proximity of the detection piece 32d to the magnetic field generated in the sensor coil S. A detection signal according to this inductance change is output from the circuit board 31 via the terminal 34 to the controller, thereby detecting the axial movement position of the spool valve 3, which is in contact with the detection element 32, i.e., the maximum raised position.

On the other hand, when current is applied to the coil 24 of the drive unit 4, it is excited and generates magnetic flux. This magnetic flux flows around the fixed core 25, coil 24, casing 22, and plunger 26. As a result, the plunger 26 is attracted toward the fixed core 25 (in the direction of arrow B) together with the shaft 27, causing the tip of the shaft crankshaft to press the spool valve 3 toward the sensor unit 5 against the spring force of the valve spring 13, moving it to its maximum downward movement position.

As a result, the spool valve 3 has the first land portion 14 blocking communication between the groove passage 17 and the first cylindrical groove 11, thereby closing communication with the first outlet port 8, and the second land portion 15 connecting the groove passage 17 and the second cylindrical groove 12, thereby opening the open end of the second outlet port 9.

As a result, the cooling water flowing into the inlet port 7 passes through the groove passage 17 of the spool valve 3 and the second cylindrical groove 12 and is supplied only to the second outlet port 9, from where it is supplied to the designated equipment.

As the spool valve 3 descends, the detection body 32 is pushed down in the direction of arrow B against the spring force of the sensor spring 33. This changes the proximity of the detection piece 32d to the magnetic field generated by the sensor coil S, causing a change in inductance in the sensor unit 5. A detection signal based on this change is output to the controller via the terminal 34. This detects the position of the spool valve 3, i.e., the maximum downward movement position.

In this embodiment, the spool valve 3 allows for good axial movement because the communication hole 18 functions as a so-called breathing hole.

In addition, the bottom 40c of the cylindrical body 40 of the plug member 6, which is provided at the axial lower end of the main passage hole 20 of the communication hole 18, provides a contact area for the second rod 32c of the sensor unit 5, making it possible to make the inner diameter of the main passage hole 20 as large as possible. This allows the weight of the entire spool valve 3 to be reduced.

In other words, as in conventional technology, when the weight of the spool valve is heavy, the biasing force of the valve spring that urges the spool valve in the other axial direction needs to be increased to suppress vibration of the spool valve due to, for example, vehicle vibration. However, in order to increase this biasing force, it is necessary to increase the coil diameter of the valve spring or increase the output of the drive unit that urges the spool valve in one direction against the biasing force of the spring, which requires the flow path control valve to be enlarged or its specifications to be changed.

However, by reducing the weight of the spool valve 3 as in this embodiment, there is no need to increase the biasing force of the valve spring 13 or the solenoid output of the drive unit 4, so there is no need to downsize the flow path control valve 1 or change its specifications. In other words, the spool valve 3's vibration resistance improves as it becomes lighter.

In addition, the cross-sectional area of the main passage hole 20 of the spool valve 3 is larger than the combined cross-sectional area of each connecting passage 43 of the plug member 6, and the cross-sectional area of the opening hole 21 of the spool valve 3 is even larger than the cross-sectional area of the main passage hole 20, further promoting the weight reduction of the spool valve 3.

In addition, since the plug member 6 is made of synthetic resin material, this also contributes to reducing the overall weight of the spool valve 3 to which the plug member 6 is attached.

Because both the plug member 6 and the second rod 32c, which is the pin portion of the sensor unit 5 that abuts against the bottom portion 40c, are made of synthetic resin, wear on one side due to differences in the materials used can be reduced. In particular, if one side is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy material with an anodized surface, the surface can wear away, exposing the base material of the aluminum alloy, thereby reducing the occurrence of pitting corrosion.

Furthermore, each communication passage 43 is formed in an I-shape in the axial and radial directions of the lower end 40b and bottom 40c of the cylindrical body 40. This makes it easier to mold the plug member 6 from resin because no undercuts are created.

In addition, since the portion of the bottom 40c where the second rod 32c abuts is not located on the opening edge or its periphery of the communicating passage 43, damage to the opening edge or its periphery can be prevented.

In addition, when the plug member 6 is assembled into the opening hole 21 and the main passage hole 20 of the spool valve 3, the flange portion 42 is pressed and held against the stepped surface 21a of the spool valve 3 by the valve spring 13, making the assembly work easier.

The outer surface of the lower end 40b of the plug member 6 functions to guide the valve spring 13, thereby preventing the valve spring 13 from tilting when the valve spring 13 expands or contracts.

Furthermore, the plug member 6 performs both a positioning function for the spool valve 3 and a spring retainer function for the valve spring 13 by abutting the flange portion 42 against the stepped surface 21a of the spool valve 3.

When the upper end 40a of the plug member 6 is inserted into the inner surface of the main passage hole 20, the three press-fit protrusions 44 press against the inner surface of the main passage hole 20, thereby achieving centering with the spool valve 3. Furthermore, each press-fit protrusion 44 ensures a stable fixation of the plug member 6 to the spool valve 3, thereby reducing wear caused by rattle between the plug member 6 and the inner surface of the main passage hole 20.

In addition, three recesses 45 are formed on the upper surface 42a of the flange portion 42, allowing burrs and other chips that are generated when each press-fit protrusion 44 is pressed into each recess 45. The three recesses 45 also promote weight reduction of the plug member 6 through a lightening effect.

In addition, because the entire plug member 6, including each press-fit protrusion 44, is formed from a synthetic resin material that is less rigid than metal, even when each press-fit protrusion 44 is press-fit into the inner circumferential surface of the main passage hole 20, this press-fit force does not affect the outer diameter accuracy of the second land portion 15. As a result, the spool valve 3 can slide smoothly against the inner circumferential surface 10a of the accommodating hole 10.

Furthermore, since the plug member 6 and the second rod 32c are made of the same synthetic resin material, even when used over a long period of time, it is possible to reduce wear on each other compared to when one is made of a different material.
Second Embodiment
5 to 8 show a second embodiment of the flow path control valve according to the present invention. The basic configuration of the flow path control valve is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the plug member 6 is mainly changed.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flow path control valve according to the second embodiment, Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a plug member used in the flow path control valve of this embodiment, Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the plug member is press-fitted and held in the spool valve, and Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a key portion of the spool valve used in the same flow path control valve.

The plug member 6 does not have a flange portion 42 like the first embodiment, and is formed from an aluminum alloy material into a straight, bottomed cylinder with a constant outer diameter. This plug member 6 has a passage portion 41 formed in the internal axial direction that communicates with the main passage hole 20 of the spool valve 3, and two communication passages 43 that communicate with the passage portion 41 are formed radially through the plug member 6 at a position above the relatively thick bottom portion 40c at the lower axial end portion 41b.

The two communication passages 43 are formed through the lower end 41b in the diametrical direction, and the sum of their respective cross-sectional areas is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main passage hole 20.

The plug member 6 has its axial upper end 40a inserted into the main passage hole 20, and at this time, part of the outer surface of the upper end 40a is pressed into a press-fit portion 50 formed on the inner surface of the main passage hole 20.

That is, as shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 8, the press-fit portion 50 is formed as a cylindrical protrusion at a position on the inner surface of the main passage hole 20 of the spool valve 3 corresponding to the connecting shaft portion 16, and protrudes inward from the inner surface of the main passage hole 20 to a height of, for example, several tens of microns.

The aluminum alloy material of the plug member 6 differs in number and surface treatment material from the aluminum alloy material of the spool valve 3. That is, the number of the aluminum alloy material of the plug member 6 is, for example, A5052-H34, while the number of the aluminum alloy material of the spool valve 3 is, for example, A6061-T6 or T8. Furthermore, the surface treatment of the base material of the aluminum alloy material of the plug member 6 is, for example, sulfuric acid anodizing, while the surface treatment of the base material of the aluminum alloy material of the spool valve 3 is, for example, oxalic acid anodizing. These respective surface treatment materials can also be changed as appropriate.

5, the lower end of the valve spring 13 is in elastic contact with the bottom surface of the spring retaining groove 36d of the cap portion 36, while the upper end is in elastic contact with the stepped surface 21a of the opening hole 21 of the spool valve 3, biasing the entire spool valve 3, including the plug member 6, toward the drive unit 4. Furthermore, the tip of the second rod 32c of the sensor unit 5 is in elastic contact with the outer bottom surface 40d of the bottom portion 40c of the plug member 6 due to the spring force of the sensor spring 33.

Therefore, in this second embodiment, the structure of the plug member 6 is simplified, making manufacturing easier. Furthermore, the aluminum alloy material of the plug member 6 and the aluminum alloy material of the spool valve 3 have different numbers, creating a difference in hardness, which helps prevent the so-called galling phenomenon between them.

In addition, because the plug member 6 is press-fitted into the inner surface of the main passage hole 41 by the press-fit portion 50 at a position corresponding to the connecting shaft portion 16, this press-fit force does not affect the outer diameter accuracy of the second land portion 15 of the spool valve 3. Therefore, the spool valve 3 can slide well against the inner surface 10a of the accommodating hole 10 via each of the land portions 14, 15.

Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the overall weight of the spool valve 3 can be reduced and vibration resistance can be improved.

In addition to aluminum alloy material, stainless steel alloy material can also be used as the material for the plug member 6. If stainless steel alloy material is used, corrosion of the plug member 6 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, if the material of the plug member 6 in the second embodiment is made of synthetic resin, the same as that of the first embodiment, this will further simplify the structure and further promote weight reduction.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the first and second embodiments. For example, the material of the plug member 6 in the first embodiment can be changed from a synthetic resin material to a metal material such as an aluminum alloy material, and the structure of the plug member 6 can also be changed as desired.

It is also possible to place the drive unit at the bottom end of the body and the sensor unit at the top end.

Furthermore, in each embodiment, the flow path control valve is used to switch the flow path of a vehicle's cooling water, but it is not limited to this and can also be applied to, for example, ships and other equipment, and can also be applied to fluids other than cooling water, such as oil and other liquids.

1...flow path control valve, 2...body, 3...spool valve, 4...drive unit, 5...sensor unit (detector), 6...plug member, 7...inlet port, 8...first outlet port, 9...second outlet port, 10...accommodating hole, 10a...inner peripheral surface, 13...valve spring (coil spring), 14...first land portion, 15...second land portion, 16...shaft portion, 17...groove passage, 18...communicating hole, 19...small diameter hole, 20...main passage hole, 21...opening Hole, 24...coil, 30...sensor case, 31...substrate, 32...detection body, 32a...detection main body, 32b...first rod (pin portion), 32c...second rod (pin portion), 33 sensor spring, 40...cylindrical main body, 40a...upper end, 40b...lower end, 40c...bottom (contact portion), 40d...outer bottom surface, 41...passage portion, 42...flange portion, 43...communicating passage, 44...press-fit protrusion portion, 45...recess, 50...press-fit portion.

Claims (11)

a body having an inlet port for introducing a fluid and an outlet port for discharging the fluid;
a spool valve that is disposed inside the body so as to be movable in the axial direction and that switches a communication state between the inlet port and the outlet port by moving in the axial direction;
a communication hole, a portion of which is formed in an internal axial direction of the spool valve, communicating one end and the other end of the spool valve in the axial direction;
a drive unit that biases the spool valve in one axial direction;
a detector provided on the axially opposite side of the spool valve relative to the drive portion, the detector detecting a movement position of the spool valve;
a plug member that is inserted into a part of the communication hole and has a contact portion with which the detector contacts and a communication passage that connects the inside and outside of the communication hole;
A flow path control valve comprising: 2. The flow path control valve according to claim 1,
a part of the communication hole is a main passage hole formed along an internal axial direction of the spool valve, and a passage cross-sectional area of the main passage hole is larger than a passage cross-sectional area of the communication passage of the plug member. 2. The flow path control valve according to claim 1,
The flow path control valve is characterized in that the plug member is molded from a synthetic resin material. The flow path control valve according to claim 3,
The plug member is in contact with the detector,
The flow path control valve is characterized in that the detector has a pin portion that abuts against the plug member, the pin portion being molded from a synthetic resin material. The flow path control valve according to claim 3,
The plug member is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom,
The bottom portion is configured as a contact portion against which the detector contacts,
The flow path control valve, wherein the communication passage is open in both the axial and radial directions, radially outward of a portion of the bottom where the detector abuts. 2. The flow path control valve according to claim 1,
The flow path control valve is characterized in that the plug member is pressed toward the spool valve by a coil spring that urges the spool valve in the other axial direction. 7. The flow path control valve according to claim 6,
The plug member is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the coil spring is fitted onto its outer periphery, thereby providing a guide function for guiding the inner periphery of the coil spring. 8. The flow path control valve according to claim 7,
The plug member has a flange portion extending radially outward on an outer periphery of one end portion in the axial direction,
a flange portion having one axial end surface that abuts against one axial end of the spool valve, and another axial end surface that serves as a seat on which one axial end of the coil spring sits. 3. The flow path control valve according to claim 2,
the plug member has, on the outer periphery of one axial end portion thereof that is inserted into the main passage hole of the communication hole, a plurality of press-fit protrusions that are press-fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the one axial end portion of the main passage hole. 10. The flow path control valve according to claim 9,
the plug member has a flange portion that abuts against the spool valve in the axial direction,
a flow path control valve including a plurality of recesses on a contact surface of the flange portion with the spool valve, the recesses being located at positions overlapping with the press-fit protrusions in the axial direction; 2. The flow path control valve according to claim 1,
The spool valve is made of an aluminum alloy material,
a plug member formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom from an aluminum alloy or stainless steel alloy material different from that of the spool valve, and press-fitted into a portion of the communicating hole of the spool valve;