JP7262137B2 - electric valve - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrically operated valve, and more particularly to an electrically operated valve capable of detecting the position of a valve body.

It is known to use an angle sensor to detect the valve opening of an electrically operated valve.

As a related technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a valve opening degree detection device for an electric valve. The valve opening degree detection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a magnetic drum that is fixed to a rotating shaft and has N and S poles magnetized in equal division on the circumference, and a magnetic drum on the outside of the can that faces the N and S poles. a magnetic sensor for detecting the rotation angle provided at the end of the rotating shaft, a magnet provided at the end of the rotating shaft, a magnetic sensor for detecting the vertical position provided outside the can facing the magnet, a magnetic sensor for detecting the rotation angle, and a vertical position detection a valve opening calculation means for calculating the valve opening from the detected value of the magnetic sensor for the magnetic sensor.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrically operated valve using a stepping motor. The motor-operated valve described in Patent Document 2 includes a stator, a rotor that is rotationally driven by the stator, a detection rotor that detects the rotational position of the rotor, and a Hall IC arranged outside the detection rotor. In the electric valve disclosed in Patent Document 2, the rotational position of the rotor is detected based on the output signal detected by the Hall IC arranged outside the detection rotor.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-12633 JP 2014-161152 A

In the electric valves disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the rotation angle of the rotating body such as a rotor is detected by a magnetic sensor arranged radially outward of the rotating body. However, when the rotation angle of the rotor is detected by a magnetic sensor arranged in the radial direction of the rotor, the rotation angle of the rotor must be precisely detected unless a large number of magnetic sensors are arranged in the radial direction of the rotor. Difficult to detect. The cost increases when a large number of magnetic sensors are arranged. In addition, it is necessary to secure a space for arranging a large number of magnetic sensors, and there is a possibility that the support mechanism for supporting a large number of magnetic sensors may become complicated. Further, when the magnetic sensor detects the rotation angle by increasing or decreasing the hall current, the rotation angle information is lost when the power is turned off, and when the power is turned on again, the absolute rotation of the rotating body is detected. You may lose track of your angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a motor-operated valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of a valve body by more accurately detecting the rotation angle of a rotating shaft.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an electrically operated valve comprising a valve body, a driver for moving the valve body along a first axis, a rotating shaft for rotating the driver around the first axis, and the a permanent magnet member arranged on a rotating shaft and rotating together with the rotating shaft; an angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member; and a case accommodating the permanent magnet member; The angle sensor is arranged outside the case, the angle sensor is supported by a control board that controls the rotational movement of the rotating shaft, and the control board is housed in a closed housing space. are

In some embodiments, the motor-operated valve includes a housing that forms the accommodation space, and the control board is supported by the housing .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrically operated valve capable of detecting the position of the valve body more accurately.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an overview of an electrically operated valve according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrically operated valve according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the motor-operated valve in the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a further enlarged view of a portion of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the motor-operated valve according to the third embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7 is a further enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between permanent magnets and angle sensors. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between permanent magnets and angle sensors. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between permanent magnets and angle sensors. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement relationship between permanent magnets and angle sensors. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram schematically showing functions of an arithmetic device for determining whether or not there is an operational abnormality in the motor-operated valve.

A motor-operated valve according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, portions and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of the portions and members denoted by the same reference numerals are omitted.

(First embodiment)
A motor-operated valve A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of an electrically operated valve A according to the first embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 1, a part of the motor-operated valve A is omitted in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

The electric valve A includes a valve body 10, a driver 30, a rotating shaft 50, a power source 60 for transmitting power to the rotating shaft 50, a permanent magnet member 70 including a permanent magnet 72, and a rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. and an angle sensor 80 for detecting.

The valve body 10 closes the flow path by contacting the valve seat 20 and opens the flow path by separating from the valve seat 20 .

The driver 30 is a member that moves the valve body 10 along the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a male screw 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30 . The male thread 31 is screwed into a female thread 41 provided in a guide member 40 that guides the driver. The driver 30 moves along the first axis Z by rotating the driver 30 with respect to the guide member 40 . The driver 30 and the valve body 10 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the driver 30 moves along the first Z-axis, the valve body 10 also moves along the first Z-axis. The driver 30 and the valve body 10 may be formed integrally or may be formed separately.

The rotating shaft 50 is a member that rotates the driver 30 around the first Z axis. The rotating shaft 50 receives power from the power source 60 and rotates around the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 50 and the driver 30 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 50 rotates around the first Z-axis, the driver 30 also rotates around the first Z-axis. The rotary shaft 50 and the driver 30 may be formed integrally or may be formed separately.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the valve body 10, the driver 30, and the rotating shaft 50 are arranged on a straight line (on the first axis Z). Therefore, the motion conversion mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 50 into the axial motion of the valve body 10 is simplified. In addition, embodiment is not limited to arrange|positioning the valve body 10, the driver 30, and the rotating shaft 50 on a straight line.

The permanent magnet member 70 rotates around the first axis Z together with the rotating shaft 50 . The permanent magnet member 70 includes a permanent magnet 72, and the permanent magnet 72 includes a north pole and a south pole in a cross section perpendicular to the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. Permanent magnet member 70 may be fixed to rotating shaft 50 . Alternatively, as shown in a third embodiment described later, the permanent magnet member 70 is relatively non-rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft 50 and relatively movable with respect to the rotating shaft 50 in the first axis Z direction. There may be.

Angle sensor 80 detects the rotation angle of permanent magnet 72 included in permanent magnet member 70 . Angle sensor 80 is arranged above permanent magnet 72 . Since the angle sensor 80 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 , the angle sensor 80 is spaced apart from the rotating body including the permanent magnet 72 . The angle sensor 80 includes a magnetic detection element 82 that detects magnetic flux density and the like. As the permanent magnet 72 rotates about the first axis Z, the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensing element 82 changes. Thus, the magnetic detection element 82 (angle sensor 80) detects the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 around the first axis Z. As shown in FIG.

As the permanent magnet 72 rotates about the first axis Z, the angle of the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensing element 82 arranged above the permanent magnet continuously changes. Therefore, the magnetic detection element 82 (angle sensor 80) can continuously detect the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 about the first axis Z. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the change in the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 about the first axis Z is proportional to the positional change in the direction along the first axis Z of the valve body 10 . Therefore, by detecting the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 about the first axis Z, the angle sensor 80 can calculate the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z, that is, the degree of opening of the valve. can. The electric valve A may include an arithmetic device that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into position data of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z, that is, valve opening data. The computing device may be arranged on the control board 90 .

In this specification, the end of the rotating shaft 50 on the valve body 10 side is called the second end, and the end of the rotating shaft 50 opposite to the valve body is called the first end. Also, as used herein, "upper" is defined as the direction from the second end toward the first end. Therefore, even if the second end is actually located below the first end, in this specification, the direction from the second end to the first end is "upward." be. In this specification, the direction opposite to the upward direction, that is, the direction from the first end to the second end is "downward". Moreover, the angle sensor 80 is not limited to being arranged so as to be centered on the rotation axis of the rotary shaft 50, and the mounting position may be changed according to its measurement sensitivity.

(Optional additional configuration example 1)
An optional additional configuration example that can be employed in the first embodiment will be described. In configuration example 1, the valve body 10, the rotating shaft 50, the permanent magnet 72, and the angle sensor 80 are arranged on a straight line. By arranging the valve body 10, the rotary shaft 50, the permanent magnet 72, and the angle sensor 80 on a straight line, the valve body drive mechanism and the permanent magnet rotation angle detection mechanism (in other words, the valve body position detection mechanism) can be made compact.

(Arbitrary additional configuration example 2)
In configuration example 2, the angle sensor 80 is supported by a control board 90 that controls the rotational motion of the rotating shaft 50 . Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a supporting member for supporting the angle sensor 80 . Therefore, the structure of the motor-operated valve A is simplified, and the size of the motor-operated valve A can be reduced. The control board 90 transmits control signals to the power source 60 to control the operation of the power source.

(Optional additional configuration example 3)
In configuration example 3, the motor-operated valve A includes a case (for example, a metal can 100) that houses the permanent magnet 72. As shown in FIG. The end wall 102 of the case is arranged between the angle sensor 80 and the permanent magnet member 70 . In other words, the angle sensor 80 and the permanent magnet member 70 are arranged to face each other through the end wall 102 of the case. Note that the case is not a rotating body that rotates around the first axis Z. Therefore, when the motor-operated valve A operates, the permanent magnet 72 rotates relative to the stationary case. When a rotating body such as the permanent magnet 72 rotates within the case, vibration of the rotating body may be transmitted to the case. In the example shown in FIG. 1, since the angle sensor 80 is spaced from the case, transmission of the vibration of the rotating body to the angle sensor 80 is suppressed. Therefore, the angle detection accuracy of the permanent magnet by the angle sensor 80 is improved.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the case end wall 102 covers the upper surface of the permanent magnet member 70 . Also, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the end wall 102 has a dome shape that is convex upward. A cylindrical side wall 104 extends downward from the end wall 102 of the case.

In addition, in the first embodiment, it is also possible to employ a combination of Configuration Examples 1 to 3. FIG. For example, configuration examples 1 and 2, configuration examples 2 and 3, or configuration examples 1 to 3 may be employed in the first embodiment. Further, configuration examples 1 to 3 may be employed in embodiments (second embodiment, third embodiment) described later.

(Second embodiment)
A motor operated valve B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the motor-operated valve B in the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the motor-operated valve B in the second embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 4 is the figure which further expanded a part of FIG.

The electrically operated valve B includes a valve body 10, a valve seat 20, a driver 30, a rotating shaft 50, a power source 60 for transmitting power to the rotating shaft 50, a permanent magnet member 70 including a permanent magnet 72, and a permanent magnet. and an angle sensor 80 for detecting the rotation angle of 72 .

Motor operated valve B includes a first flow path 112 and a second flow path 114 . When the valve body 10 and the valve seat 20 are separated from each other, in other words, when the valve body 10 is in the upper position, the fluid flows into the valve chamber 113 through the first flow path 112 and flows into the valve chamber 113 . Fluid in 113 is discharged through second channel 114 . On the other hand, when the valve body 10 and the valve seat 20 are in contact, in other words, when the valve body 10 is in the lower position, the first flow path 112 and the second flow path 114 are out of communication with each other. .

In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first flow path 112 , the valve seat 20 and the second flow path 114 are provided in the lower base member 2 .

In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the electrically operated valve B includes a power source 60 and a power transmission mechanism 120 . The power source 60 comprises a stator member 62 containing coils 620 and a rotor member 64 . A pulse signal is input to the coil 620 from an electric wire 630 connected to a power supply. Then, when a pulse signal is input to the coil 620, the rotor member 64 rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses of the pulse signal. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the stepping motor is configured by the stator member 62 and the rotor member 64 .

The power transmission mechanism 120 is a member that connects the rotor member 64 and the rotating shaft 50 so that power can be transmitted. Power transmission mechanism 120 includes a plurality of gears. The power transmission mechanism 120 may include a planetary gear mechanism. Details of the planetary gear mechanism will be described later.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the electrically operated valve B comprises a housing member 4 . An accommodation space SP (for example, a liquid-tight closed space) is formed in the housing member 4, and the above-described stator member 62, can 100, control board 90, and the like are accommodated in the accommodation space SP.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control board 90 is supported by the housing member 4. As shown in FIG. More specifically, the housing member 4 includes a cylindrical member 4a forming a side wall and a cover member 4b, and the control board 90 is supported by the cover member 4b.

Control board 90 (more specifically, circuitry on the control board) controls the number of pulses supplied to coil 620 . When a predetermined number of pulses are supplied to the coil 620, the rotor member 64 rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the number of pulses. The rotor member 64 and the rotating shaft 50 are connected via a power transmission mechanism 120 so as to be able to transmit power. Therefore, when the rotor member 64 rotates, the rotary shaft 50 rotates by a rotation angle proportional to the rotation angle of the rotor member 64 .

A rotating shaft 50 rotates the driver 30 . In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second end 52 of the rotating shaft 50 (ie, the shaft-side engagement member) and the upper end 34 of the driver 30 (ie, the driver-side engagement member) are non-rotatable relative to each other. is mechanically connected to Also, the second end 52 of the rotary shaft 50 and the upper end 34 of the driver 30 are movable along the first axis Z relative to each other. Therefore, the rotating shaft 50 can vertically move the driver 30 without changing the vertical position of the rotating shaft 50 itself.

The permanent magnet member 70 described above is arranged at the first end portion 54 of the rotary shaft 50 . In the example shown in FIG. 2, the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 50 does not change the vertical position of the rotating shaft 50 . Therefore, the permanent magnet member 70 also does not change its vertical position due to the rotation of the rotating shaft 50 . Therefore, the distance between the permanent magnet member 70 and the angle sensor 80 is kept constant during the operation of the electric valve B.

That is, in the second embodiment, the rotating shaft 50 and the driver 30 are separate bodies, and the rotating shaft 50 and the driver 30 are movable relative to each other along the first axis Z. It is possible to keep the distance between the permanent magnet member 70 arranged on the shaft 50 and the angle sensor 80 constant. As a result, the accuracy of detection of the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 by the angle sensor 80 is improved. When the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 move up and down as the driver 30 moves up and down, there is a possibility that the accuracy of detection of the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 by the angle sensor 80 may deteriorate. In contrast, the second embodiment is epoch-making in that even if the driver 30 moves up and down, the rotary shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 do not move up and down.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, it can also be said that the rotating shaft 50 itself functions as a permanent magnet positioning member that keeps the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 constant.
In the second embodiment, the connection between the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 may be directly or indirectly such that the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 are immovable relative to each other. For example, any connection may be used. However, from the viewpoint of ensuring prevention of relative movement, it is preferable that the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet member 70 are directly fixed.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a partition member 130 is arranged inside the can 100 to divide the inside of the can into an upper space and a lower space. A permanent magnet member 70 is arranged in the upper space formed by the partition member 130 , that is, the space between the partition member 130 and the end wall 102 (upper wall) of the can 100 . Therefore, even if the permanent magnet member 70 is chipped or the like, there is no possibility that magnetic particles or the like will enter the lower space. The partition member 130 may be a bearing member that rotatably supports the rotary shaft 50 with respect to the can 100 . When the partition member 130 is a bearing member, the partition member 130 functions as a partition that separates an upper space in which the permanent magnet member 70 is arranged and a lower space in which the rotor member 64 and the like are arranged; It has both functions as a bearing. In addition, the shape of the partition member 130 is, for example, a disc shape.

The material of the partition member 130 will be described. The partition member 130 of the present embodiment is, for example, made of resin (for example, PPS: polyphenylene sulfide resin). Alternatively, partition member 130 may be formed of a soft magnetic material. Examples of soft magnetic materials include iron, silicon steel, and magnetic resins. Interference between the magnetism of the permanent magnet member 70 and other magnetism (for example, the magnetism of the rotor member 64) can be prevented by forming the member that divides the interior of the can into an upper space and a lower space from a soft magnetic material. . Specifically, the permanent magnet member 70 is magnetized to have two poles in the circumferential direction, and the rotor member 64 is magnetized so that four or more (e.g., eight) magnetic poles alternate in the circumferential direction. . Therefore, by preventing the magnetism of the permanent magnet member 70 and the magnetism of the rotor member 64 from interfering with each other, deviation of the angle measured by the angle sensor 80 and slight torque fluctuation of the rotation of the rotor member 64 can be prevented. Of course, the partition member 130 of the third embodiment, which will be described later, may be made of a soft magnetic material.

(power transmission mechanism)
An example of a mechanism for transmitting power from the power source 60 to the valve body 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the motor-operated valve B in the second embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the stator member 62 forming part of the power source 60 is fixed to the side wall 104 of the can 100. As shown in FIG. Stator member 62 includes a bobbin 622 and a coil 620 wound on the bobbin.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the rotor member 64 forming part of the power source 60 is arranged inside the side wall 104 of the can 100 so as to be rotatable with respect to the can 100 . The rotor member 64 is made of a magnetic material. The rotor member 64 is coupled (fixedly attached) to a power transmission mechanism 120 , eg, a sun gear member 121 .

The sun gear member 121 includes a connecting portion 1211 connected to the rotor member 64 and a sun gear 1212 . The connecting portion 1211 extends along the radial direction (perpendicular to the first Z axis), and the sun gear 1212 extends along the first Z axis. A rotary shaft 50 is arranged in the shaft hole of the sun gear 1212 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the inner wall of the sun gear.

The external teeth of the sun gear 1212 mesh with the planetary gears 122 . Each planetary gear 122 is rotatably supported on a shaft 124 supported by a carrier 123 . The external teeth of each planetary gear 122 mesh with an annular ring gear 125 (internal fixed gear).

The ring gear 125 is a member that cannot rotate relative to the can 100 . In the example shown in FIG. 3, the ring gear 125 is supported by a holder 150, which will be described later, via a cylindrical support member 126. As shown in FIG.

The planetary gear 122 also meshes with an annular second ring gear 127 (internal movable gear). In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the second ring gear 127 functions as an output gear fixed to the rotating shaft 50 . Alternatively, an output gear different from the second ring gear 127 may be fixed to the rotating shaft 50, and power from the second ring gear 127 may be transmitted to the rotating shaft 50 via the output gear. Note that the fixation of the rotating shaft 50 to the output gear may be performed by press-fitting the rotating shaft 50 to the output gear.

The gear configuration described above (sun gear, planetary gear, internal fixed gear, and internal movable gear) constitutes a so-called paradox planetary gear mechanism. In a reduction gear using a paradox planetary gear mechanism, the number of teeth of the second ring gear 127 is slightly different from the number of teeth of the ring gear 125, thereby reducing the rotation speed of the sun gear 1212 with a large reduction ratio. can be transmitted to the second ring gear 127 .

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a paradox planetary gear mechanism is employed as the power transmission mechanism 120 . However, in embodiments, any power transmission mechanism can be employed as the power transmission mechanism between the rotor member 64 and the rotating shaft 50 . A planetary gear mechanism other than the paradox planetary gear mechanism may be employed as the power transmission mechanism 120 .

As shown in FIG. 3, rotatable shaft 50 includes a first end 54 and a second end 52 . In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 , the rotating shaft 50 includes a rotating shaft body including a first end 54 and a shaft-side engaging member including a second end 52 . The rotating shaft main body and the shaft-side engaging member are fixed by welding or the like, for example. The shaft-side engaging member engages with the driver-side engaging member formed by the upper end portion 34 of the driver 30 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and relatively movable along the first axis Z direction.

A male screw 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30 . The male thread 31 is screwed into a female thread 41 provided in a guide member 40 that guides the driver. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 50 and the driver 30 rotate around the first axis Z, the driver 30 moves up and down while being guided by the guide member 40 . On the other hand, the rotary shaft 50 is rotatably supported by the sun gear 1212 or a shaft receiving member such as the guide member 40, and is immovable in the first axis Z direction.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 40 that guides the driver 30 is supported by a holder 150 which will be described later.

The lower end portion 32 of the driver 30 is rotatably connected to the upper end portion 12 of the valve body 10 via a ball 160 or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the driver 30 moves downward while rotating around the first axis Z, the valve body 10 moves downward without rotating around the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. Further, when the driver 30 moves upward while rotating around the first Z-axis, the valve body 10 moves upward without rotating around the first Z-axis.

The downward movement of the valve body 10 is performed by the valve body 10 being pushed by the driver 30 . The upward movement of the valve body 10 is performed by pushing the valve body 10 upward by a spring member 170 such as a coil spring while the driver 30 is moving upward. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 10 is always urged upward by the spring member 170 arranged between the spring receiving member 172 and the valve body 10 . Alternatively or additionally, the valve body 10 and the driver 30 may be connected by a rotary joint such as a ball joint so that they cannot move relative to each other in the direction along the first axis Z. In this case, the spring member 170 may be omitted.

With the configuration described above, the power from the power source 60 can be used to drive the valve body 10 . The amount of movement of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z is proportional to the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 50 and the permanent magnet 72 . Therefore, in the second embodiment, by measuring the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 about the first axis Z with the angle sensor 80, the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z can be obtained accurately. is possible. The motor-operated valve B may include an arithmetic device that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into positional data of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z, that is, valve opening data. .

In the second embodiment, rotating shaft 50 and permanent magnet 72 do not move up and down with respect to angle sensor 80 . In other words, the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 is maintained at a constant distance when the electric valve B is actuated. Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is possible to accurately calculate the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 and the position of the valve body 10 along the first axis Z using the angle sensor 80 .

Note that in the example shown in FIG. 3 , the holder 150 is arranged inside the recess of the lower base member 2 . A first sealing member 152 such as an O-ring is arranged between the holder 150 and the lower base member 2 . Further, the holder 150 defines an internal space in which the upper end portion 12 of the valve body 10 can move. Therefore, the holder 150 has a function of accommodating the upper end portion 12 of the valve body 10 in addition to a sealing function of preventing liquid from entering the space where the stator member 62 and the like are arranged.

The holder 150 may also have the function of supporting at least one of the cylindrical support member 126 and the guide member 40 as described above.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the holder 150 is arranged so as to contact the side wall of the housing member 4 . A second sealing member 154 such as an O-ring is arranged between the holder 150 and the side wall of the housing member 4 . Therefore, the holder 150 can further prevent liquid from entering the space where the stator member 62 and the like are arranged.

Each configuration of the motor-operated valve B in the second embodiment may be employed in the motor-operated valve A in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(Third Embodiment)
A motor operated valve C according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the motor-operated valve B in the third embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7 is a further enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. FIG.

In the electric valve C of the third embodiment, the configuration of the rotating shaft 50a and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member 70 are the same as the configuration of the rotation shaft and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member in the first and second embodiments. different. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the configuration of the rotating shaft 50a and the support mechanism of the permanent magnet member 70 will be mainly described, and repeated descriptions of other configurations will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the rotary shaft 50 is a member that does not move up and down with respect to the can 100, whereas in the third embodiment, the rotary shaft 50a is arranged relative to the can 100 and the permanent magnet member 70. , which are members that move up and down. Note that, in the third embodiment, the permanent magnet member 70 is a member that does not move up and down with respect to the can 100, as in the second embodiment.

An example of a mechanism for making the rotating shaft 50a relatively movable with respect to the permanent magnet member 70 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet member 70 has a second engaging portion 73 that engages the first engaging portion 53 of the rotating shaft 50a. The first engaging portion 53 and the second engaging portion 73 engage with each other (contact each other) when the rotating shaft 50a rotates around the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the first engaging portion 53 and the second engaging portion 73 do not engage with each other in the direction along the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the rotary shaft 50 a is not rotatable relative to the permanent magnet member 70 and is vertically movable with respect to the permanent magnet member 70 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet member 70 may have holes 76 which may be through holes or non-through holes. A cross-sectional shape of the hole portion 76 perpendicular to the first axis Z is a non-circular shape (for example, a D shape). The cross-sectional shape of the portion of the rotary shaft 50a that enters the hole 76 is complementary to the wall surface that defines the inner surface of the hole 76, and is non-circular (for example, D-shaped).

In the example shown in FIG. 6, permanent magnet member 70 comprises a permanent magnet 72 and a collar member 74 secured to permanent magnet 72 . The collar member 74 is arranged inside (diametrically inward direction side) of the permanent magnet 72 . The collar member 74 is provided with the above-described second engaging portion 73 .

In the example shown in FIG. 6, it is the collar member 74, rather than the permanent magnet 72, that contacts the rotating shaft 50a. Therefore, the permanent magnets 72 do not wear due to contact between the rotary shaft 50a and the permanent magnets 72. FIG. The material of the collar member 74 is, for example, SUS304.

Next, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 that keeps the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 constant will be described with reference to FIG. The permanent magnet positioning member 180 is arranged inside the can 100 which is a case. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 includes a ball 184 that functions as a bearing member and a leaf spring 182 . In other words, the permanent magnet positioning member 180 is a ball 184 and a leaf spring 182 arranged to sandwich the permanent magnet member 70 .

Ball 184 is positioned between end wall 102 of can 100 and permanent magnet member 70 . The ball 184 functions as a bearing for the permanent magnet member 70 and as a positioning member that defines the vertical position of the permanent magnet member 70 .

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7 , the leaf spring 182 is arranged between the partition member 130 (bearing member) and the permanent magnet member 70 . Leaf spring 182 biases permanent magnet member 70 toward end wall 102 of can 100 . In order to absorb the assembly error of the electric valve C, the partition member 130 (bearing member) may be arranged so as to be vertically movable by a very small distance with respect to the can 100 . Even when the partition member is vertically movable with respect to the can 100, the leaf spring 182 biases the permanent magnet member 70 against the end wall 102, so that the vertical position of the permanent magnet member 70 is preferably maintained. be done.

Any bearing member other than balls 184 may be disposed between end wall 102 of can 100 and permanent magnet member 70 . Also, any bearing member may be arranged between the partition member 130 and the permanent magnet member 70 instead of the plate spring 182 . Even in this case, the distance between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 is kept constant by the optional bearing member.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the rotating shaft 50a itself can move up and down. Therefore, it is possible to use the rotating shaft 50 a itself as the driver 30 . That is, the rotating shaft 50 a has both a function of rotating the permanent magnet member 70 and a function of a driver for moving the valve element 10 toward the valve seat 20 .

In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the rotating shaft 50 is fixed to the output gear has been described. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the output gear 129 and the rotating shaft 50a are not fixed to each other. Instead, the output gear 129 and the rotary shaft 50a engage with each other around the first axis Z so as not to rotate relative to each other.

An example of an engagement mechanism that engages the output gear 129 and the rotary shaft 50a so that they cannot rotate relative to each other will be described with reference to FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the output gear 129 has a fourth engagement portion 1290 that engages with the third engagement portion 55 of the rotary shaft 50a. The third engaging portion 55 and the fourth engaging portion 1290 engage with each other (contact each other) when the rotating shaft 50a rotates around the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the third engaging portion 55 and the fourth engaging portion 1290 do not engage with each other in the direction along the first axis Z. Therefore, the rotating shaft 50 a is not rotatable relative to the output gear 129 and is vertically movable with respect to the output gear 129 .

As shown in FIG. 8, the output gear 129 includes a rotating shaft receiving portion 1291, such as a hole or slit. The cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291 is non-circular (for example, rectangular). The cross-sectional shape of the portion of the rotating shaft 50a that enters the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291 is a shape complementary to the wall surface that defines the inner surface of the rotating shaft receiving portion 1291, and is a non-circular shape (for example, a rectangular shape). be.

As shown in FIG. 7, the output gear 129 is rotatably supported around the first axis Z by a support member such as a guide member 40. As shown in FIG.

In the third embodiment, power from the power source 60 rotates the output gear 129 . As a power transmission mechanism from the power source 60 to the output gear 129, a power transmission mechanism such as the planetary gear mechanism described in the second embodiment may be employed.

When the output gear 129 rotates, the rotary shaft 50a rotates. In the third embodiment, the rotating shaft 50a and the driver 30 are one integrally formed member, or are integrally fixed members. A male thread 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driver 30, and the male thread 31 is screwed into a female thread 41 provided on a guide member 40 for guiding the driver.

Therefore, the rotating shaft 50a (the rotating shaft 50a including the driver) moves along the first axis Z when the rotating shaft 50a rotates. The rotary shaft 50a and the valve body 10 are mechanically connected. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 50a moves along the first axis Z, the valve body 10 also moves along the first axis Z. As shown in FIG.

With the configuration described above, the power from the power source 60 can be used to drive the valve body 10 . The amount of movement of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z is proportional to the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 50 a and the permanent magnet 72 . Therefore, in the third embodiment, by measuring the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 about the first axis Z with the angle sensor 80, the position of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z can be obtained accurately. is possible. The motor-operated valve C may include an arithmetic device that converts the angle data output by the angle sensor 80 into position data of the valve body 10 in the direction along the first axis Z, that is, valve opening data. .

In the third embodiment, it is not necessary to fix the permanent magnet member 70 to the rotating shaft 50a. Also, there is no need to fix the rotary shaft 50a to the output gear. Therefore, the motor-operated valve C can be assembled efficiently.

(An example of an angle sensor)
An example of the angle sensor 80 in each embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 . 9 to 12 are diagrams schematically showing the arrangement relationship between the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80, with a bottom view shown on the upper side and a partially cutaway perspective view shown on the lower side. there is

As shown in FIG. 9, the permanent magnet 72 has north and south poles when viewed from above. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the permanent magnet 72 has one N pole and one S pole when viewed from above. Alternatively, the number of N poles of the permanent magnets and the number of S poles of the permanent magnets may each be two or more when viewed from above. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the permanent magnet 72 comprises a north-south pole boundary surface 78 which defines a first axis Z which coincides with the central axis of the rotating shaft (50; 50a). is a plane perpendicular to the first axis Z as shown. An N pole is arranged on one side of the boundary surface 78 and an S pole is arranged on the other side of the boundary surface 78 . In addition, the permanent magnet 72 is, for example, a magnet having a disc shape. Alternatively, the permanent magnet 72 may be a plastic magnet obtained by molding a mixture of magnetic powder and a resin binder.

Angle sensor 80 is arranged above permanent magnet 72 . In the example shown in FIG. 9, the angle sensor 80 is positioned on the extension line of the rotating shaft (50; 50a), ie, on the first axis Z. As shown in FIG. The angle sensor 80 includes at least one magnetic detection element 82 (eg, Hall element, magnetoresistive element, etc.), more preferably two or more or three or more magnetic detection elements.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the angle sensor 80 comprises four magnetic sensing elements (82a-82d). The magnetic sensing elements (82a to 82d) may be elements that detect a component of the magnetic flux in the direction along the first Z axis. In FIG. 9, magnetic detection elements 82a and 82d detect magnetic flux components in the +Z direction, and magnetic detection elements 82b and 82c detect magnetic flux components in the -Z direction. When the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a (or the magnetic detection element 82b) is equal to the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82d (or the magnetic detection element 82c), the boundary surface 78 is along the X axis. is perpendicular to At this time, the angle sensor 80 determines that the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 is, for example, 0 degrees.

Assume that the permanent magnet 72 rotates in the R direction, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, magnetic detection elements 82a and 82d detect magnetic flux components in the +Z direction, and magnetic detection elements 82b and 82c detect magnetic flux components in the -Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 9 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 10, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection elements 82b and 82d increases, and is detected by the magnetic detection elements 82a and 82c. The magnitude of the applied magnetic flux is reduced. For example, the ratio between the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82d, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82b The angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic lines of force with respect to the X-axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux.

Assume that the permanent magnet 72 rotates further in the R direction, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the magnetic detection element 82d detects a magnetic flux component in the +Z direction, and the magnetic detection element 82b detects a magnetic flux component in the -Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 10 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 11, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection elements 82b and 82d decreases. Also, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection elements 82a and 82c decreases. For example, the ratio between the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82d, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82b The angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic lines of force with respect to the X-axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux.

Assume that the permanent magnet 72 rotates further in the R direction, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, magnetic detection elements 82c and 82d detect magnetic flux components in the +Z direction, and magnetic detection elements 82a and 82b detect magnetic flux components in the -Z direction. As the state shown in FIG. 11 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 12, the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection elements 82a and 82c increases and is detected by the magnetic detection elements 82b and 82d. The magnitude of the applied magnetic flux is reduced. For example, the ratio between the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82d, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82a and the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic detection element 82b The angle sensor 80 can determine the inclination of the magnetic lines of force with respect to the X-axis, that is, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, based on the ratio to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux.

9 to 12, the angle sensor 80 can detect the tilt of the permanent magnet 72 with respect to the X-axis, that is, the absolute rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. FIG. That is, even when the permanent magnet 72 is not rotating, the angle sensor 80 can calculate the inclination (that is, the rotation angle) of the permanent magnet 72 with respect to the X-axis. The rotation angle is calculated, for example, based on the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the at least three magnetic detection elements 82 and the magnitude of the magnetic flux passing through the at least three magnetic detection elements 82 .

9 to 12, the angle sensor 80 can detect the absolute rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72. In the example shown in FIGS. Therefore, even if the power of the motor-operated valve is turned off and the rotation angle information of the permanent magnet 72 is lost, the angle sensor 80 will immediately detect the permanent magnet 72 when the power is turned on again. It is possible to obtain (output) the rotation angle of .

In the examples shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, each magnetic detection element detects the magnetic flux component in the direction along the first axis (Z-axis). Alternatively, each magnetic sensing element may sense a magnetic flux component along the X-axis and/or a magnetic flux component along the Y-axis perpendicular to both the X- and Z-axes.

Each of the permanent magnet 72 and the angle sensor 80 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 can be employed in the motor-operated valve in the first and second embodiments or the motor-operated valve in the third embodiment.

(Arithmetic device for determining the presence or absence of malfunction of the motor-operated valve)
A computing device 200 for determining the presence or absence of malfunction of the motor-operated valve will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram that schematically shows the functions of the arithmetic device 200 that determines the presence or absence of malfunction of the motor-operated valve.

The motor operated valve includes an arithmetic device 200 . Arithmetic device 200 includes, for example, a hardware processor and storage device 202 , and is communicatively connected to output device 220 . The motor-operated valve can also be said to be a motor-operated valve system including the computing device 200 (or the computing device and the output device 220).

Motorized valves B, C (motorized valve system) include a stator member 62 including coils 620 and a rotor member 64 as described in the second or third embodiment. The rotation angle of the rotor member 64 and the position of the valve body 10 (height from the valve seat 20 ) proportional to the rotation angle of the rotor member 64 are proportional to the number of input pulses input to the coil 620 . Therefore, by monitoring the number of input pulses input to the coil 620, it is possible to calculate the position of the valve element 10 (the height from the valve seat 20).

On the other hand, the position of the valve body 10 (the height from the valve seat 20) is proportional to the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 as well. Therefore, by monitoring the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, it is possible to calculate the position of the valve element 10 (the height from the valve seat 20). In principle, the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the number of input pulses to the coil 620 and the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 match. Therefore, when the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the number of input pulses to the coil 620 is different from the position of the valve body 10 calculated from the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72, the arithmetic unit 200 determines whether the motor-operated valves B, C It is determined that there is some abnormality in the (motorized valve system). That is, the motor-operated valves B and C (motor-operated valve system) have a self-diagnostic function for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality in themselves.

The position of the valve body 10 and the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 50 (50a) are in a proportional relationship, and the position of the valve body 10 and the rotation angle of the permanent magnet 72 are in a proportional relationship. It is proportional to the rotation angle of the gear. Therefore, in this specification, calculation of the position of the valve body 10 and calculation of the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 50 are equivalent, and calculation of the position of the valve body 10 and calculation of the permanent magnet 72 are equivalent. Calculating the rotation angle is equivalent, and calculating the position of the valve body 10 is equivalent to calculating the rotation angle of the output gear.

The arithmetic device 200 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 13 . The computing device 200 receives the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet from the angle sensor 80 via wire or wireless. Further, the arithmetic device 200 receives data on the number of input pulses to the coil 620 from the above-described control board 90 or the like via wire or radio. Arithmetic device 200 stores the received rotation angle data and input pulse number data in storage device 202 .

The storage device 202 of the computing device 200 stores a first valve body position calculation program for calculating the position α of the valve body 10 from the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet. In this specification, the position .alpha. A physical quantity proportional to the position of the body 10 is included. The computing device 200 calculates the position α of the valve body 10 from the rotation angle data of the permanent magnet by executing the first valve body position calculation program.

The storage device 202 of the computing device 200 also stores a second valve body position calculation program for calculating the position β of the valve body 10 from data on the number of input pulses. In this specification, the position β of the valve body 10 includes not only the position of the valve body 10 itself but also the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 50, the rotation angle of the permanent magnet, or the rotation angle of the output gear. A physical quantity proportional to the position of the body 10 is included. The computing device 200 calculates the position β of the valve body 10 from the data of the number of input pulses to the coil 620 by executing the second valve body position calculation program.

Furthermore, in the storage device 202 of the computing device 200, the valve body position α is compared with the valve body position β, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not there is an operational abnormality in the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system). A determination program is stored. Arithmetic device 200 determines whether or not there is an operational abnormality in the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) by executing a determination program. For example, the arithmetic device 200 determines whether or not the difference between the valve body position α and the valve body position β is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value by executing a determination program. By executing the determination program, the arithmetic device 200 operates the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) when the difference between the valve body position α and the valve body position β is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. It may be determined that there is an abnormality. When the arithmetic device 200 determines that there is an operational abnormality in the motor operated valve (motor operated valve system) by executing the determination program, the arithmetic device 200 may transmit a signal indicating the operation abnormality to the output device 220 such as a display or an alarm device. good. Alternatively or additionally, when arithmetic device 200 determines that there is an operational abnormality in the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) by executing a determination program, the determination result is stored in storage device 202. You may In this case, the malfunction of the motor-operated valve (the motor-operated valve system) is stored in the storage device 202 as log data.

When the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) includes the arithmetic device 200 described above, the position of the valve body 10 is determined using both the number of input pulses to the coil 620 and the rotation angle of the permanent magnet measured by the angle sensor. can be double-checked. As a result, the reliability of the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) is dramatically improved.

In addition, in the arithmetic unit 200 described above, instead of using programs such as the first valve body position calculation program, the second valve body position calculation program, and the determination program, the first valve body position calculation, the second valve body position calculation, and the second valve body position calculation program The position calculation and the determination of the presence/absence of malfunction of the motor-operated valve (motor-operated valve system) may be performed in hardware by an electronic circuit. Also, the electronic circuit or the hardware processor of the arithmetic device 200 may be mounted on the control board 90 .

The configuration of the arithmetic device 200 and the like described with reference to FIG. 13 may be employed in the motor operated valve B in the second embodiment or the motor operated valve C in the third embodiment. When at least a stator member including a coil and a rotor member coupled to the rotating shaft so as to be able to transmit power are added to the motor operated valve A in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the computing device 200 and the like described above may be employed in the electrically operated valve A in the embodiment shown in FIG.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to freely combine each of the above-described embodiments, modify any component of each embodiment, or omit any component from each embodiment.

A, B, C: Electric valve 2 : Lower base member 4 : Housing member 4a : Cylindrical member 4b : Cover member 10 : Valve body 12 : Upper end 20 : Valve seat 30 : Driver 31 : External thread 32 : Lower end 34 : Upper end 40 : Guide member 41 : Internal thread 50 : Rotating shaft 50a : Rotating shaft 52 : Second end 53 : First engaging part 54 : First end 55 : Third engaging part 60 : Power source 62 : Stator member 64 : Rotor member 70 : Permanent magnet member 72 : Permanent magnet 73 : Second engaging portion 74 : Collar member 76 : Hole portion 78 : Boundary surface 80 : Angle sensor 82 : Magnetic detection elements 82a to 82d: Magnetic detection elements 90 : Control board 100 : Can 102 : End wall 104 : Side wall 112 : First channel 113 : Valve chamber 114 : Second channel 120 : Power transmission mechanism 121 : Sun gear member 122 : Planetary gear 123 : Carrier 124 : Shaft 125: Ring gear 126: Support member 127: Second ring gear 129: Output gear 130: Partition member 150: Holder 152: First seal member 154: Second seal member 160: Ball 170: Spring member 172: Spring receiving member 180: Permanent Magnet positioning member 182 : Leaf spring 184 : Ball 200 : Arithmetic device 202 : Storage device 220 : Output device 620 : Coil 622 : Bobbin 630 : Electric wire 1211 : Connecting portion 1212 : Sun gear 1290 : Fourth engaging portion 1291 : Rotating shaft receptor

Claims (2)

a valve body;
a driver for moving the valve body along a first axis;
a rotating shaft that rotates the driver about the first axis;
a permanent magnet member disposed on the rotating shaft and rotating with the rotating shaft;
an angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member;
and a case that houses the permanent magnet member,
The angle sensor is arranged outside the case,
The angle sensor is supported by a control board that controls the rotational movement of the rotating shaft,
A motor-operated valve in which the control board is housed in a housing space that is a closed space . A housing that forms the accommodation space,
2. The motor-operated valve according to claim 1 , wherein said control board is supported by said housing .

Images