Expansion valve

An expansion valve includes: a partition member shaped in a cylindrical tubular form and receiving a rotor; a case placed at an outside of the partition member and having a cylindrical tubular portion coaxial with the partition member; an O-ring placed between the cylindrical tubular portion and the partition member; a bracket having a body-side portion extending in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the partition member and securely fastened to a body, and a case-side portion extending in a direction different from the axial direction and installed to the case; and a fastener member securely fastening the bracket to the body through the body-side portion. The case and the bracket form an enabler structure that is configured to enable movement of the bracket relative to the case in a fastening direction in which the bracket is fastened to the body by the fastener member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an expansion valve that adjusts a refrigerant flow rate at a refrigeration cycle.

BACKGROUND

Previously, there has been proposed an electronic expansion valve on which an electric circuit board is installed. According to this technique, a rotor, which drives a valve element of the electronic expansion valve, is placed in an inside space formed at an inside of a sleeve shaped in a cylindrical tubular form. The electric circuit board, which controls an operation of the electronic expansion valve, is placed at an outside of the sleeve. The electric circuit board is placed in a space that is formed between the sleeve and a case. A high-pressure refrigerant to be depressurized by the electronic expansion valve is present in the inside space of the sleeve. The sleeve is a member that forms a partition relative to the high-pressure refrigerant.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an expansion valve that includes a body, a valve element, a rotor, a partition member, a case, an O-ring, a bracket and a fastener member. The body forms a refrigerant flow passage. The valve element is configured to adjust an opening degree of the refrigerant flow passage. The rotor is configured to drive the valve element. The partition member is shaped in a cylindrical tubular form and is fixed to the body. The partition member receives the rotor. The case is placed at an outside of the partition member and has a cylindrical tubular portion that is coaxial with the partition member. The O-ring is placed between the cylindrical tubular portion and the partition member. The bracket has: a body-side portion that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the partition member and is securely fastened to the body; and a case-side portion that extends in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition member and is installed to the case. The fastener member is configured to securely fasten the bracket to the body through the body-side portion. The case and the bracket form an enabler structure that is configured to enable movement of the bracket relative to the case in a fastening direction in which the bracket is fastened to the body by the fastener member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Previously, there has been proposed an electronic expansion valve on which an electric circuit board is installed. According to this technique, a rotor, which drives a valve element of the electronic expansion valve, is placed in an inside space formed at an inside of a sleeve shaped in a cylindrical tubular form. The electric circuit board, which controls an operation of the electronic expansion valve, is placed at an outside of the sleeve. The electric circuit board is placed in a space that is formed between the sleeve and a case. A high-pressure refrigerant to be depressurized by the electronic expansion valve is present in the inside space of the sleeve. The sleeve is a member that forms a partition relative to the high-pressure refrigerant.

In the technique described above, it is necessary to provide a seal structure between the sleeve and the case to avoid ingress of water to the electric circuit board. For example, as the seal structure, it is conceivable to place an O-ring in a gap between the sleeve and the case.

However, when the case is assembled to a body of the electronic expansion valve, there is a risk that a center of the case becomes eccentric relative to the center of the sleeve due to a manufacturing error(s). When the case is eccentric relative to the sleeve, the O-ring may be unevenly compressed to deteriorate the sealing performance of the O-ring.

An expansion valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body, a valve element, a rotor, an electric circuit board, a partition member, a case, an O-ring, a bracket and a fastener member.

The body forms a refrigerant flow passage. The valve element is configured to adjust an opening degree of the refrigerant flow passage at an inside of the body. The rotor is configured to drive the valve element. The electric circuit board is configured to control rotation of the rotor. The partition member is shaped in a cylindrical tubular form and is fixed to the body coaxially with the valve element. The partition member receives the rotor. The case is placed at an outside of the partition member and receives the electric circuit board. The case has a cylindrical tubular portion that is coaxial with the partition member. The O-ring is placed between the cylindrical tubular portion and the partition member and is configured to limit intrusion of a liquid into an inside of the case. The bracket has: a body-side portion that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the partition member and is securely fastened to the body; and a case-side portion that extends in a direction different from the axial direction of the partition member and is installed to the case. The fastener member is configured to securely fasten the bracket to the body through the body-side portion.

The case and the bracket form an enabler structure that is configured to enable movement of the bracket relative to the case in a fastening direction in which the bracket is fastened to the body by the fastener member.

By providing the enabler structure described above, at the time of securely fastening the bracket to the body, the manufacturing error(s) can be absorbed, and the case can be assembled coaxially with the partition member. Thus, the eccentricity of the case can be limited.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, the same reference signs may be assigned to portions that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the preceding embodiment(s), and the description thereof may be omitted. Further, when only any one or more of the components are described in the embodiment, the description of the rest of the components described in the preceding embodiment may be applied to the rest of the components. In addition to the combination(s) of portions that is specifically shown to be combinable in the respective embodiments, it is also possible to partially combine the embodiments even if they are not specifically shown, provided that the combinations are not impeded.

First Embodiment

An expansion valve of the present embodiment is applied as an expansion valve20of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle10shown inFIG.1. The vapor compression refrigeration cycle10is applied to a vehicle air conditioning device for a vehicle. The vehicle air conditioning device is applied to an electric vehicle that obtains a drive force for running the vehicle from an electric motor that is installed for running the vehicle.

The vapor compression refrigeration cycle10includes a compressor11, a condenser12, the expansion valve20and an evaporator14. The compressor11is an electric compressor that is configured to compress a refrigerant after suctioning the refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant. A fluorocarbon refrigerant (e.g., R134a) is used as the refrigerant that is circulated in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The vapor compression refrigeration cycle is a subcritical cycle in which a pressure of the refrigerant on a high-pressure side does not exceed a critical pressure of the refrigerant.

The condenser12condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor11by heat exchange with a water-based coolant or air. The expansion valve20depressurizes and expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser12. The evaporator14evaporates the refrigerant, which is depressurized and expanded by the expansion valve20, by heat exchange with the air.

The expansion valve20is an electric expansion valve in which a valve element is driven by an electric actuator. As shown inFIG.2, the expansion valve20includes a main body21, a lower case22, an upper case23and a bracket24. As shown inFIG.3, the main body21includes a valve body211, a valve element212and a partition member213. The valve body211is a member shaped in a block form.

The valve body211has a flow inlet211afor the refrigerant, a refrigerant flow passage211b, a valve seat211cand a flow outlet211dfor the refrigerant. The valve body211receives the valve element212and a screw mechanism (not shown).

A drive force is transmitted from a rotor25to the valve element212through the screw mechanism (not shown). The screw mechanism converts a rotational motion of the rotor25into a linear motion and transmits it to the valve element212. The valve element212is moved by the drive force of the rotor25in an axial direction (an up-to-down direction inFIG.3) toward or away from the valve seat211cto adjust an opening degree of the refrigerant flow passage211b. The refrigerant is depressurized and expanded by a flow throttling function implemented by a gap between the valve element212and the valve seat211cwhen the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow passage211b.

The partition member213is a rotor receiving member that receives the rotor25. The partition member213is shaped in a cylindrical tubular form and is made of metal such as stainless steel. The partition member213is coaxial with the valve element212. One end (an upper end inFIG.3) of the partition member213is closed. The other end (a lower end inFIG.3) of the partition member213is opened and is in close contact with the valve body211. Thus, the high-pressure refrigerant before the depressurization is present in an inside space of the partition member213. Therefore, the partition member213serves as a partition between the sealed refrigerant circuit, which includes the high-pressure refrigerant, and the outside.

Specifically, an O-ring is placed between the partition member213and the valve body211, and a male thread formed on an outer circumferential surface of the partition member213and a female thread formed on an inner circumferential surface of the valve body211are tightly coupled with each other. Thereby, a gap between the partition member213and the valve body211is sealed, and the partition member213and the valve body211are fixed together.

When a coil26is energized, the rotor25is rotated to generate the drive force for driving the valve element212. The rotor25includes a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in a rotational direction of the rotor25. The coil26generates a magnetic field for rotating the rotor25when the coil26is energized. The rotor25and the coil26form a stepping motor.

The lower case22is a member that receives the coil26, the partition member213, a magnetic flux sensor27and a control circuit board28. The lower case22is placed at the outside of the partition member213and forms a waterproof case in cooperation with the upper case23.

A cylindrical tubular portion22a, which is shaped in a cylindrical tubular form, opens at a bottom portion of the lower case22, and the partition member213is coaxially inserted into the cylindrical tubular portion22a. A seal structure is implemented by an O-ring29installed in a gap between the cylindrical tubular portion22aof the lower case22and the partition member213. The O-ring29is a seal member that is placed between the cylindrical tubular portion22aand the partition member213and is configured to limit intrusion of a liquid into an inside of the lower case22.

An insertion groove22b, into which the bracket24is inserted, is formed at an outer peripheral surface of the lower case22. The insertion groove22bextends in a direction (a left-to-right direction inFIG.3) that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the valve element212.

As shown inFIGS.4to5, a body groove211e, into which a lower end portion of the lower case22is fitted, is formed at an upper surface of the valve body211. A depth dimension Dc of the body groove211eis the same as a clearance tolerance between the valve body211and the lower case22.

Thereby, in a quality inspection process of the expansion valve20, it is possible to reliably check whether a clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is equal to or smaller than the tolerance. The inspection for checking whether the clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is equal to or smaller than the tolerance is carried out by determining whether a light, which is laterally irradiated as indicated by a blank arrow inFIGS.4to5, passes to the other side.

Specifically, in a case where the clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is larger than the tolerance, since the lower end of the lower case22is not placed at the inside of the body groove211eof the valve body211, as indicated inFIG.5, the light, which is laterally irradiated, passes to the other side.

In contrast, in another case where the clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is equal to or smaller than the tolerance, since the lower end of the lower case22is placed at the inside of the body groove211eof the valve body211, as shown inFIG.4, the light, which is laterally irradiated, does not pass to the other side. Therefore, it is possible to reliably check whether the clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is equal to or smaller than the tolerance.

The coil26is placed on the radially outer side of the rotor25and the partition member213and is coaxial with the rotor25and the partition member213. As shown inFIG.6, the coil26has a holder26athat holds the magnetic flux sensor27. The holder26ais integrally molded by a molded resin that seals wires of the coil26.

The magnetic flux sensor27is a magnetic flux density sensing device that senses a magnetic flux density. In other words, the magnetic flux sensor27is a magnetic flux change sensing device that senses a magnetic flux change generated in response to the rotation of the rotor25.

Since the magnetic flux sensor27is held by the coil26, a positional accuracy of the magnetic flux sensor27relative to the rotor25can be improved in comparison to a case where the magnetic flux sensor27is held by the lower case22. Therefore, the sensing accuracy of the magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux sensor27can be improved.

The control circuit board28is an electric circuit board that controls the energization of the coil26based on a measurement signal outputted from the magnetic flux sensor27.

The upper case23is a lid member that seals the opening of the lower case22. The lower case22and the upper case23are made of resin. The lower case22and the upper case23are fixed together by means of laser welding. Therefore, a gap between the lower case22and the upper case23is liquid-tightly sealed to limit water ingress to electric control components, such as the control circuit board28and the magnetic flux sensor27.

The bracket24is a member that is used to fix the lower case22to the valve body211. The bracket24has a planar plate form that is bent in an L-shape. Specifically, the bracket24has a body-side portion24a, which extends toward the valve body211, and a case-side portion24b, which extends toward the lower case22. The body-side portion24aextends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the partition member213. The case-side portion24bextends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member213.

A bending angle of the bracket24is 90 degrees (i.e., a right angle). An outer shape of the bracket24is line symmetric. The bracket24is made of stainless steel.

The body-side portion24ahas a screw hole24c. A female threaded hole211fis formed at a lateral surface of the valve body211. The bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211by a body-side screw30.

The case-side portion24bhas a cutout24dthat is shaped to correspond with a shape of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22. Adjacent portions of the case-side portion24b, which are adjacent to the cutout24d, are inserted into the insertion groove22bof the lower case22.

The cutout24dof the bracket24and the insertion groove22bof the lower case22form a rotation limiter structure. As shown inFIG.7, the cutout24dof the bracket24has a polygonal shape, and the insertion groove22bof the lower case22has a polygonal shape. The polygonal shape of the cutout24dand the polygonal shape of the insertion groove22bcorrespond with each other to form the rotation limiter structure.

Each of the polygonal shape of the cutout24dof the bracket24and the polygonal shape of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22is a regular polygonal shape, so that the bracket24can be inserted into the insertion groove22bof the lower case22from any one of a plurality of directions. This configuration allows use of the bracket24and the lower case22in other products to achieve the common use of the components.

A fit of the bracket24to the insertion groove22bof the lower case22is a clearance fit that enables movement of the bracket24in the inserting direction. In other words, a gap is provided between the insertion groove22bof the lower case22and the bracket24in a width direction of the bracket24and also a thickness direction of the bracket24.

In the state where the bracket24is inserted into the insertion groove22bof the lower case22, the bracket24protrudes from the lower case22in a view taken in the axial direction of the valve element212. A portion24e(hereinafter referred to as a protruding portion24e) of the case-side portion24bof the bracket24, which protrudes from the insertion groove22b, has a shape that is line symmetric.

Next, an assembling procedure of the expansion valve20will be described. First, in a bracket insertion process, the bracket24is inserted into the insertion groove22bof the lower case22. Since the fit of the bracket24to the insertion groove22bof the lower case22is the clearance fit, the bracket24can move relative to the lower case22in the inserting direction.

Next, in a lower case assembling process, the lower case22and the bracket24are assembled to the valve body211of the main body21. At this time, as indicated by a blank arrow inFIG.8, the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211while urging the protruding portion24eof the bracket24toward the valve body211(a downward side inFIG.8) by a jig40. Specifically, the body-side screw30is inserted into the screw hole24cof the bracket24and the female threaded hole211fof the valve body211to securely fasten the bracket24to the valve body211.

Since the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211in the state where the bracket24has a degree of freedom in terms of movement in the inserting direction relative to the lower case22, a manufacturing error(s) can be absorbed, and the lower case22can be assembled coaxially with the partition member213. Therefore, it is possible to limit uneven compression of the O-ring29.

Since the bracket24is urged toward the valve body211(the downward side inFIG.8) by the jig40at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211, the lower case22is fixed to the valve body211in the state where the lower case22is urged toward the valve body211. This configuration can limit the lower case22from moving in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.8) after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

Next, in a coil assembling process, the coil26is assembled to the lower case22. Then, the magnetic flux sensor27is assembled to the holder26aof the coil26. Thereafter, the control circuit board28is assembled to the lower case22. At this time, terminals of the control circuit board28are connected to terminals of the coil26, and lead lines of the magnetic flux sensor27are soldered to the control circuit board28.

Next, in an upper case assembling process, the upper case23is laser-welded to the lower case22to close the opening of the lower case22. By executing the above processes, the assembling of the expansion valve20is completed.

In the present embodiment, the bracket24has: the body-side portion24athat extends in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the partition member213and is securely fastened to the valve body211by the fastener member (body-side screw)30; and the case-side portion24bthat extends in the direction different from the axial direction of the partition member213and is installed to the lower case22. The bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211by the fastener member30in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member213through the body-side portion24a.

Furthermore, the lower case22and the bracket24form an enabler structure that is configured to enable the movement of the bracket24relative to the lower case22in the fastening direction in which the bracket24is fastened to the valve body211by the fastener member30.

By providing the enabler structure described above, at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211, the manufacturing error(s) can be absorbed, and the lower case22can be assembled coaxially with the partition member213. Thus, the eccentricity of the lower case22can be limited.

In the present embodiment, the bracket24has the protruding portion24ethat protrudes from the lower case22in the view taken in the axial direction of the partition member213. With this configuration, at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211, the bracket24can be securely fastened to the valve body211while urging the protruding portion24eof the bracket24toward the valve body211by the external force. This configuration can limit the lower case22from moving in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.8) after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

In the present embodiment, the enabler structure, which enables the movement of the bracket24, includes the insertion groove22b. The insertion groove22bis formed at the lower case22, and the bracket24is inserted into the insertion groove22b. The fit between the bracket24and the insertion groove22bis the clearance fit that enables the movement of the bracket24relative to the lower case22in the fastening direction. With this configuration, it is possible to enable the movement of the bracket24relative to the lower case22in the fastening direction in which the bracket24is fastened to the valve body211by the fastener member30.

In the present embodiment, the insertion groove22bis formed at the outer peripheral surface of the lower case22, and the bracket24has the cutout24dthat is shaped to correspond with the shape of the insertion groove22b. With this configuration, the enabler structure, which enables the movement of the bracket24, can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the insertion groove22band the cutout24dform the rotation limiter structure that is configured to limit the rotation of the bracket24relative to the lower case22in a circumferential direction about a central axis of the partition member213. With this configuration, it is possible to limit the rotation of the lower case22relative to the valve body211in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the partition member213after the assembling.

In the present embodiment, the coil26has the holder26athat holds the magnetic flux sensor27. With this configuration, since the magnetic flux sensor27is held by the coil26, the positional accuracy of the magnetic flux sensor27relative to the rotor25can be improved in comparison to the case where the magnetic flux sensor27is held by the lower case22. Therefore, the sensing accuracy of the magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux sensor27can be improved.

Second Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the cutout24dof the bracket24has the polygonal shape, and the insertion groove22bof the lower case22has the polygonal shape. The polygonal shape of the cutout24dand the polygonal shape of the insertion groove22bcorrespond with each other to form the rotation limiter structure.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIGS.9and10, the cutout24dof the bracket24and the insertion groove22bof the lower case22have a configuration of a recess and a projection which are engaged with each other to form the rotation limiter structure.

In a first working example shown inFIG.9, the recess is formed at the cutout24dof the bracket24, and the corresponding projection (a corresponding one of a plurality of projections) is formed at the insertion groove22bof the lower case22. In a second working example shown inFIG.10, the projection is formed at the cutout24dof the bracket24, and the corresponding recess (a corresponding one of a plurality of recesses) is formed at the insertion groove22bof the lower case22. According to these working examples, the rotation limiting function can be reliably implemented.

Third Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the cutout24dof the bracket24has the polygonal shape, and the insertion groove22bof the lower case22has the polygonal shape. The polygonal shape of the cutout24dand the polygonal shape of the insertion groove22bcorrespond with each other to form the rotation limiter structure. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.11, the rotation limiter structure is formed by a case-side screw31that is fastened to the lower case22.

The lower case22has a pedestal22d. A female threaded hole22c, into which the case-side screw31is threadably fastened, is formed at the pedestal22d. The bracket24has a pedestal hole24f, into which the pedestal22dis inserted. A thickness of the pedestal22dis larger than a thickness of the bracket24. An inner diameter of the pedestal hole24fis larger than an outer diameter of the pedestal22d.

In a state where the pedestal22dis inserted into the pedestal hole24fof the bracket24, the case-side screw31is threadably fastened to the female threaded hole22c, thereby enabling the assembling of the bracket24to the lower case22in a state where the bracket24has a degree of freedom in terms of movement in the left-to-right direction inFIG.11relative to the lower case22.

According to the present embodiment, the bracket24is assembled to the lower case22through use of the case-side screw31, so that the bracket24can be reliably assembled to the lower case22.

Fourth Embodiment

In the third embodiment described above, the bracket24is assembled to the lower case22by the case-side screw31. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the bracket24is assembled to the lower case22by heat welding, as shown inFIG.12. InFIG.12, a shape of the lower case22before execution of the heat welding is indicated by a dot-dot-dash line.

A pin22gis formed at the pedestal22dof the lower case22in the state before the execution of the heat welding. In the state where the pedestal22dis inserted into the pedestal hole24fof the bracket24, and a washer32made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) is inserted over the pin22g, the heat is applied to the pin22gto melt the pin22g. Therefore, the bracket24is assembled to the lower case22in a state where the bracket24has a degree of freedom in terms of movement in the left-to-right direction inFIG.12relative to the lower case22.

By overlapping the washer32on the bracket24, it is possible to limit the heated and melted pin22gfrom entering a gap between the bracket24and the pedestal22dand sticking therebetween.

According to the present embodiment, the bracket24is assembled to the lower case22by the heat welding, so that the bracket24can be reliably assembled to the lower case22.

Fifth Embodiment

In the above embodiment, the bending angle of the bracket24is 90 degrees (i.e., the right angle). In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.13, the bending angle of the bracket24is an acute angle.

An angle, which is defined between a contact surface of the valve body211to be in contact with the bracket24and an extending direction of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22, is 90 degrees. Therefore, the bending angle of the bracket24is smaller than the angle defined between the contact surface of the valve body211to be in contact with the bracket24and the extending direction of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22.

With this configuration, at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211by the body-side screw30, the bracket24urges the lower case22toward the valve body211(the downward side inFIG.13). Therefore, it is possible to enable the movement of the bracket24relative to the lower case22in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.13) in which the bracket24is fastened to the valve body211by the fastener member30.

In the present embodiment, the insertion groove22bextends in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the partition member213, and the bracket24is shaped in the plate form and is bent at the bending location between the portion of the bracket24, which is securely fastened to the valve body211, and the other portion of the bracket24, which is installed to the lower case22. Furthermore, the bending angle of the bracket24, which is bent at the bending location, is the acute angle.

With this configuration, at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211, the lower case22can be urged toward the valve body211by the bracket24. Therefore, it is possible to limit the lower case22from moving in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.13) after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

Sixth Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, the protruding portion24eof the bracket24is urged toward the valve body211by the jig40at the time of securely fastening the bracket24to the valve body211, and thereby the lower case22is urged toward the valve body211. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIGS.14to16, the lower case22is urged toward the valve body211(toward the downward side inFIGS.14to15) by a plurality of urging portions24gof the bracket24. Each of the urging portions24gis formed by plastically deforming a corresponding portion of the bracket24in a twisting manner as indicated by an arrow inFIG.15after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211. The bracket24has a plurality of cutouts24hto ease the plastic deformation.

By urging the lower case22toward the valve body211(the downward side inFIGS.14to15) by the urging portions24gof the bracket24, it is possible to limit the movement of the lower case22in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.14) after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

In the present embodiment, the bracket24has the urging portions24gwhich are bent to urge the lower case22toward the valve body211. This configuration can limit the lower case22from moving in the fastening direction (the left-to-right direction inFIG.14) after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

Seventh Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, the body groove211e, into which the lower end portion of the lower case22is fitted, is formed at the upper surface of the valve body211. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIGS.17to18, a body cutout211g, into which the lower end portion of the lower case22is fitted, is formed at the upper surface of the valve body211.

A depth dimension Dc of the body cutout211gis the same as a clearance tolerance between the valve body211and the lower case22.

Thereby, like in the first embodiment, in the quality inspection process of the expansion valve20, it is possible to reliably check whether the clearance dimension Dg between the valve body211and the lower case22is equal to or smaller than the tolerance.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified in various ways as follows without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

In the fifth embodiment described above, the bending angle of the bracket24is the acute angle, and the angle defined between the contact surface of the valve body211to be in contact with the bracket24and the extending direction of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22is 90 degrees. Alternatively, the bending angle of the bracket24may be set to be 90 degrees, and the angle defined between the contact surface of the valve body211to be in contact with the bracket24and the extending direction of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22may be set to be an obtuse angle.

In this case, the bending angle of the bracket24becomes smaller than the angle defined between the contact surface of the valve body211to be in contact with the bracket24and the extending direction of the insertion groove22bof the lower case22. Therefore, at the time of securing fastening the bracket24to the valve body211by the body-side screw30, the lower case22is urged toward the valve body211by the bracket24. This configuration can limit movement of the valve body211after the bracket24is securely fastened to the valve body211.

In the embodiments described above, the valve element212is driven by the stepping motor, which includes the rotor25and the coil26. Alternatively, various types of electric motors may be used as the electric actuator that drives the valve element212.

In the embodiments described above, the vapor compression refrigeration cycle10is applied to the vehicle air conditioning device. However, the application subject of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle10is not limited to this.

For example, the vapor compression refrigeration cycle10may be applied to a stationary air conditioning device, a freezer/refrigerator device, a hot water supply device or the like.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments and the modifications, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the modifications and structures described therein. The present disclosure also includes various variations and variations within the equivalent range. Also, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one element, more, or less, are within the scope and ideology of the present disclosure.