Patent Publication Number: US-2023160490-A1

Title: Valve device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a valve device capable of opening or closing a valve port. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As a valve device, for example, an electromagnetic valve as in PTL 1 has been known. The electromagnetic valve of PTL 1 includes a valve main element having an insertion hole. The insertion hole accommodates a valve body, a moving core, a coil, and a stationary core. In the electromagnetic valve configured in this manner, the moving core is attracted to the stationary core when the coil is energized. Thus, the valve body separates from the valve port and the valve port opens. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 5421059 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the electromagnetic valve of PTL 1, a lid member is put over the opening of the insertion hole, and the lid member is fastened to the valve main element by a bolt. Since it is necessary to form a bolt hole in the lid member, the outer shape of the lid member increases. That is, the outer shape of the valve device increases. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve device of which outer shape can be made smaller. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A valve device of the present invention includes a valve block having a valve port through which a fluid passes and an insertion hole; a valve body that opens or closes the valve port; a guide member that is inserted in the insertion hole, and slidably guides the valve body; a solenoid that generates a magnetic field when energized; a stationary pole that cooperates with the solenoid to move the valve body; a tubular support member inserted in the insertion hole to accommodate the solenoid, and supports the guide member that receives pressure from the fluid passing through the valve port; and a lid member that closes an opening of the support member, and the support member is joined with the valve block. 
     According to the present invention, since there is no need to form a bolt hole for attaching the lid member to the valve block, it is possible to miniaturize the valve block, that is, it is possible to miniaturize the valve device. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize the outer shape. 
     The above objects, other objects, features, and merits of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments by reference to attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a sectional view showing a valve device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view showing the valve device cut along the cutting line II-II in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded sectional view showing the valve device of  FIG.  1    in an exploded manner. 
         FIG.  4    is a sectional view of a valve device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, valve devices  1 ,  1 A of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 according to the present invention are described by referring to the aforementioned drawings. The concept of the direction used in the following description is merely used for convenience in description, and should not be understood to limit the orientation or the like of the configuration of the invention to the described direction. The valve device  1  described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but addition, deletion, and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but addition, deletion, and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Embodiment 1 
     The valve device  1  of Embodiment 1 shown in  FIG.  1    is included in a tank valve that is provided for a pressure container such as a high-pressure tank. The valve device  1  controls charging and discharging of the fluid stored in the high-pressure tank. The valve device  1  is not limited to the one included in a tank valve as long as it is provided in a fluid flow channel. In the present embodiment, the fluid that is charged and discharged to/from inside the high-pressure tank is gas. To be more specific about the valve device  1 , the valve device  1  is an electromagnetic valve device, and is capable of opening a passage of the tank valve by energization. In the present embodiment, the valve device  1  is a pilot-type electromagnetic valve device. The valve device  1  includes a valve block  10 , a guide member  11 , a main valve body  12 , a first spring member  13 , a seat piston  14 , a plunger  15 , a second spring member  20 , a solenoid  16 , a magnetic member  17 , a casing  18 , and a stationary pole  19 . 
     The valve block  10  is a block for mounting various configurations described above. The valve block  10  is formed with a passage for charging gas into the high-pressure tank, and discharging gas in the high-pressure tank. More specifically, the valve block  10  is formed with an insertion hole  21 , a first passage  22 , and a second passage  23 . The insertion hole  21  extends along a predetermined axial line L 1  in the valve block  10 . The insertion hole  21  has an opening  21   a  on one side of the axial direction. Also, the insertion hole  21  has a step part  21   b  in an intermediate part of the axial direction. In the insertion hole  21 , a large-diameter part  21   c  located closer to one side of the axial direction (namely, the opening  21   a  side) than the step part  21   b  has a larger diameter than a small-diameter part  21   d  located on the other side of the axial direction (namely, the bottom side). The first passage  22  extends along the predetermined axial line L 1 . The first passage  22  connects with the insertion hole  21  via a valve port  24 . The second passage  23  extends in the direction perpendicular to the axial line L 1 . The second passage  23  connects with the small-diameter part  21   d . The first passage  22  and the second passage  23  connect with each other via the valve port  24  and the insertion hole  21 . In the valve block  10 , a valve seat  25  is formed around the valve port  24 . 
     The guide member  11  is capable of slidably guiding the main valve body  12  and the plunger  15 . More specifically, the guide member  11  is a tubular member made of metal. The guide member  11  is inserted in the insertion hole  21 . That is, the guide member  11  is inserted in the state that the part on the other side of the axial direction is sealed to the small-diameter part  21   d , and the part on one side of the axial direction projects to the large-diameter part  21   c  from the small-diameter part  21   d . Also, the guide member  11  strikes the end surface on the other side of the axial direction to the bottom part of the insertion hole  21 , and surrounds the valve port  24 . Further, in the end part on the other side of the axial direction of the guide member  11 , a plurality of guide flow channels  11   a  connecting the first passage  22  and the second passage  23  are formed. Also, the guide member  11  has an engaging part  11   b  in an intermediate part of the axial direction. In the guide member  11 , the part closer to the other side of the axial direction than the engaging part  11   b  is formed to have a smaller diameter than the part on one side of the axial direction. 
     The main valve body  12  is inserted in the guide member  11  in a slidable manner, and moves to open or close the valve port  24 . More specifically, the main valve body  12  is formed into a bottomed tubular shape, and a pilot passage  12   a  is formed along the axial line of the main valve body  12 . The main valve body  12  is inserted in the guide member  11  in a slidable manner along the axial line L 1 . The main valve body  12  moves between a closed position where the distal end is seated on the valve seat  25 , and an open position where the distal end is separated from the valve seat  25 . As the valve port  24  is opened by the main valve body  12 , the gas flows from the first passage  22  to the second passage  23 . Also, the main valve body  12  is biased by the first spring member  13  mounted outside the main valve body  12  in the direction separating from the valve seat  25  (opening direction). 
     The seat piston  14  moves to open or close the pilot passage  12   a . More specifically, the seat piston  14  is formed into a circular columnar shape. The seat piston  14  is inserted in the main valve body  12  in a slidable manner. A distal end part of the seat piston  14  is seated on the main valve body  12 . As a result, the pilot passage  12   a  is closed. Also, the seat piston  14  is capable of moving to separate from the pilot passage  12   a . As a result, the pilot passage  12   a  is opened. On the lateral face of the seat piston  14 , a plurality of grooves  14   a  are formed. By the plurality of grooves  14   a , the space formed on one side of the axial direction of the main valve body  12 , and the first passage  22  communicate with each other. 
     The plunger  15  moves the main valve body  12  to the open position and the closed position depending on the energization state of the solenoid  16 . More specifically, the plunger  15  is a cylindrical member containing a magnetic material. The plunger  15  is inserted in the guide member  11  on one side of the axial direction of the main valve body  12  in a slidable manner. Also, in the plunger  15 , the seat piston  14  is inserted in such a manner that the part on one side of the axial direction is projected from the plunger  15  and the part on the other side of the axial direction is engaged with the plunger  15 . Therefore, as the plunger  15  moves to one side of the axial direction, the seat piston  14  is lifted up. In this manner, the seat piston  14  can be separated from the pilot passage  12   a.    
     The second spring member  20  which is a biasing member exerts a biasing force to the main valve body  12  to push the main valve body  12  against the valve seat  25 . In the present embodiment, the second spring member  20  pushes the seat piston  14  against the main valve body  12  to seat the seat piston  14  on the main valve body  12 . Further, the second spring member  20  biases the main valve body  12  via the seat piston  14  to be seated in order to seat the main valve body  12  on the valve seat  25 . In the present embodiment, the second spring member  20  is a compression coil spring. The second spring member  20  is inserted in the plunger  15  in the state that the end part on the other side of the axial direction is in contact with the seat piston  14  and compressed. As a result, the seat piston  14  is pushed against the plunger  15 . Also, the second spring member  20  pushes the seat piston  14  in a seated state against the main valve body  12 . 
     The solenoid  16  generates a magnetic field when it is energized. The solenoid  16  is formed into a cylindrical shape. More specifically, the solenoid  16  is configured by winding a coil  16   b  around a cylindrical coil bobbin  16   a . The solenoid  16  is arranged in the large-diameter part  21   c  of the insertion hole  21 . The solenoid  16  is mounted outside the guide member  11 . The part on one side of the axial direction of the solenoid  16  projects from the insertion hole  21  toward one side of the axial direction. That is, the solenoid  16  projects from the valve block  10  toward one side of the axial direction. Further, the solenoid  16  has a terminal  16   c  for energizing the coil  16   b . The terminal  16   c  projects from the other end part of the solenoid  16  toward the other side of the axial direction. 
     The magnetic member  17 , together with the solenoid  16 , constitutes a magnetic circuit. More specifically, the magnetic member  17  is formed into an annular shape. In the present embodiment, the magnetic member  17  is a yoke. The magnetic member  17  is formed to have a larger diameter than the solenoid  16 . The magnetic member  17  is mounted outside the guide member  11 , and arranged in the large-diameter part  21   c  of the insertion hole  21 . There may be a clearance between the magnetic member  17  and the guide member  11 . More specifically, the magnetic member  17  is arranged in correspondence with the small-diameter part of the guide member  11 . Also, the magnetic member  17  is interposed between the solenoid  16  and the step part  21   b  in the insertion hole  21 . In the present embodiment, the magnetic member  17  is formed integrally with coil bobbin  16   a  of the solenoid  16 . Also, an inner edge part of the magnetic member  17  is engaged with the engaging part  11   b  of guide member  11 . In other words, the magnetic member  17  that is mounted outside the guide member  11  from one side of the axial direction is in contact, at its inner edge part, with the engaging part  11   b  of the guide member  11 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the magnetic member  17  has a notch  17   a  at a position corresponding to the terminal  16   c  of the solenoid  16 . The terminal  16   c  projects to the notch  17   a . Also, the lateral face of the valve block  10  is formed with an extraction hole  10   c  at a position corresponding to the notch  17   a . The extraction hole  10   c  connects with the insertion hole  21 . More specifically, the extraction hole  10   c  connects with the notch  17   a . As a result, the terminal  16   c  arranged in the notch  17   a  can be made to face with the extraction hole  10   c . Also, the extraction hole  10   c  connects with the exterior of the valve block  10 . Therefore, the energizing member  2  extends to the extraction hole  10   c  from the lateral side of the valve block  10 . The energizing member  2  is, for example, wiring or a terminal. In the present embodiment, the energizing member  2  is a terminal. The energizing member  2  is connected with the terminal  16   c . Thus, the energizing member  2  is capable of energizing the solenoid  16  via the terminal  16   c . Since the energizing member  2  can be extracted from the extraction hole  10   c  as described above, it is possible to prevent the routing of the energizing member  2  from becoming complicated. 
     The casing  18 , which is one example of the support member, accommodates the solenoid  16 . More specifically, the casing  18  covers the part on one side of the axial direction of the solenoid  16 . Also, the casing  18  supports the guide member  11  that receives pressure from the gas flowing at the time of opening of the valve port  24 . Further, the casing  18 , together with the magnetic member  17 , constitutes a magnetic circuit. More specifically, the casing  18  is made of a magnetic material and formed into a cylindrical shape. The casing  18  has an inward flange  18   a  on the inner circumferential face. The inward flange  18   a  is formed away from the end part on one side of the axial direction of the casing  18  on the inner circumferential face. The casing  18  accommodates the solenoid  16  at a position closer to the other side of the axial direction than the inward flange  18   a . The casing  18  is inserted in the insertion hole  21  in the state that the casing  18  accommodates the solenoid  16  and is sealed. Also, the distal end of the casing  18  is in contact with the outer edge part of the magnetic member  17 . 
     The casing  18  is screwed with the valve block  10 . Also, the casing  18  has a holding part  18   b  on one side of the axial direction on the outer circumferential face. The holding part  18   b  can be held by a jig for casing, such as a spanner. For example, the holding part  18   b  is formed into a polygon (hexagon in the present embodiment) viewed from one side of the axial direction. Therefore, by turning the casing  18  by holding the holding part  18   b , it is possible to screw the casing  18  with the valve block  10 . Also, by turning the casing  18 , it is possible to push the casing  18  forward toward the step  21   b . As a result, the casing  18  comes into contact with the magnetic member  17 . Accordingly, the casing  18  supports the guide member  11  via the magnetic member  17  when the valve port  24  is opened. 
     The solenoid  16  has a positioning pin  27  so as to prevent the solenoid  16  and the magnetic member  17  from co-rotating when the casing  18  is turned. The positioning pin  27  which is a positioning part penetrates the magnetic member  17  from the solenoid  16  and projects to the other side of the axial direction. The step part  21   b  of the valve block  10  is formed with a positioning hole  10   d  at a position corresponding to the positioning pin  27 . The positioning pin  27  is inserted in the positioning hole  10   d . As a result, rotation of the solenoid  16  and the magnetic member  17  is inhibited. 
     The stationary pole  19 , in cooperation with the solenoid  16 , generates a magnetizing force against the biasing force of the second spring member  20  to move the main valve body  12 . More specifically, the stationary pole  19  is a circular columnar member made of a ferromagnetic substance. A distal end part of the stationary pole  19  is inserted in the guide member  11  such that it is opposed to the plunger  15 . Therefore, the plunger  15  that is magnetized by energization of the solenoid  16  can be adsorbed by the stationary pole  19 . Accordingly, the seat piston  14  is lifted up. Thus, the main valve body  12  is separated from the valve seat  25  by the first spring member  13 , and the first passage  22  opens. Also, the seat piston  14  is biased by the second spring member  20  arranged between the seat piston  14  and the stationary pole  19 . Therefore, when the energization of the solenoid  16  is cancelled, the seat piston  14 , together with the plunger  15 , is pushed toward the main valve body  12  by the second spring member  20 . Accordingly, it is possible to seat the seat piston  14  on the main valve body  12 , and it is possible to seat the main valve body  12  on the valve seat  25  via the seat piston  14 . 
     Also, a proximal end side part of the stationary pole  19  projects from the guide member  11  and the solenoid  16  toward one side of the axial direction. The proximal end side part of the stationary pole  19  is formed to have a larger diameter than a distal end side part. The proximal end side part of the stationary pole  19  forms a lid member  19   a . The lid member  19   a  is inserted, at its part on one side of the axial direction, in the inward flange  18   a  of the casing  18 , and screwed therewith. Further, the lid member  19   a  is in contact with the end part on one side of the axial direction of the solenoid  16 . 
     The end part on one side of the axial direction of the lid member  19   a , namely the end part on one side of the axial direction of the stationary pole  19  is formed with a hole for jig  19   b  for insertion of a jig for lid such as a hexagonal wrench. By inserting a jig for lid into the hole for jig  19   b  and turning the stationary pole  19 , the stationary pole  19  is screwed with the casing  18 . As a result, it is possible to close an opening part  18   c  on one side of the axial direction of the casing  18  by the lid member  19   a . Also, by turning the stationary pole  19  to push it forward, it is possible to push the solenoid  16  against the magnetic member  17  by the lid member  19   a.    
     In the valve device  1 , the main valve body  12  is seated on the valve seat  25  to close the valve port  24 . When the solenoid  16  is energized, the solenoid  16  and the stationary pole  19  cooperate to generate a magnetizing force to move the main valve body  12  to the closed position. More specifically, when the solenoid  16  is energized, the plunger  15  is adsorbed to the stationary pole  19 . As a result, the seat piston  14  is lifted up against the biasing force of the second spring member  20 . Accordingly, the main valve body  12  that is biased by the first spring member  13  moves to the open position, and the valve port  24  opens. As a result, the first passage  22  and the second passage  23  communicate with each other via the guide flow channel  11   a  of the guide member  11 . On the other hand, when energization is suspended, the seat piston  14  is pushed together with the plunger  15  toward the main valve body  12  by the second spring member  20 . As a result, the seat piston  14  is seated on the main valve body  12 . Further, the second spring member  20  makes the main valve body  12  be seated on the valve seat  25  via the seat piston  14 . As a result, the valve port  24  is closed, and the first passage  22  and the second passage  23  are disconnected from each other. 
     The valve device  1  is constructed according to one example of a constructing method described below. That is, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the main valve body  12 , the first spring member  13 , the seat piston  14 , and the plunger  15  and so on are assembled in the guide member  11 . After the assembling, the guide member  11  is inserted in the small-diameter part  21   d  of the insertion hole  21  of the valve block  10 . Next, the solenoid  16  and the magnetic member  17  are mounted outside the guide member  11 . Then, the solenoid  16  and the magnetic member  17  are inserted in the large-diameter part  21   c  of the insertion hole  21 . At this time, the solenoid  16  and the magnetic member  17  are positioned so that the positioning pin  27  enters the positioning hole  10   d . After the positioning, the casing  18  is put over the solenoid  16 . Then, the casing  18  is inserted in the large-diameter part  21   c  of the insertion hole  21 . Further, the casing  18  is turned while the casing  18  is held by a jig for casing. As a result, the casing  18  is screwed with the valve block  10 . Also, by turning the casing  18  to push it forward, the magnetic member  17  is pushed against the valve block  10  and fixed. Lastly, the stationary pole  19  is inserted in the solenoid  16  through the opening part  18   c  of the casing  18 . Then, by turning the stationary pole  19  with a jig for lid, the stationary pole  19  is screwed with the solenoid  16 . Also, by turning the stationary pole  19  to push it forward, the solenoid  16  is pushed against the magnetic member  17  by the stationary pole  19 , and fixed. In this manner, the valve device  1  is constructed. 
     In the valve device  1 , the casing  18  to which the lid member  19   a  is attached is screwed with the valve block  10 . Therefore, there is no need to form a bolt hole for attaching the lid member  19   a  to the valve block  10 . Therefore, it is possible to miniaturize the valve block  10 , that is, it is possible to miniaturize the valve device  1 . Also, since the stationary pole  19  also serves as the lid member  19   a , it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the valve device  1 . 
     Further, by covering the solenoid  16  and so on with the casing  18  and the lid member  19   a , it is possible to make the casing  18  project from the valve block  10 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the valve block  10 . The valve block  10  is made of metal such as an aluminum alloy, for example. On the other hand, the casing  18  is made of a magnetic material. Therefore, by reducing the height of the valve block  10 , it is possible to reduce the material cost and the processing cost. Also, by utilizing a projecting part of the casing  18  as the holding part  18   b , it is possible to prevent upsizing of the casing  18 . Also, formation of the holding part  18   b  in the casing  18  facilitates turning of the casing  18  by holding with a jig for casing. As a result, it is possible to easily screw the casing  18  with the valve block  10 . 
     Embodiment 2 
     The valve device  1 A of Embodiment  2  is similar to the valve device  1  of Embodiment 1 in configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the valve device  1 A of Embodiment 2 is described mainly about the point different from that of the valve device  1  of Embodiment 1, and the same constitution is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the valve device  1 A of Embodiment 2 includes the valve block  10 , the guide member  11 , the solenoid  16 , the magnetic member  17 , a casing  18 A, and the stationary pole  19 . The valve device  1 A also includes the main valve body  12 , the first spring member  13 , the seat piston  14 , the plunger  15 , and the second spring member  20 . 
     The casing  18 A, which is another example of the support member, is joined to the valve block  10  such that the casing  18 A supports the guide member  11  that receives pressure from the gas flowing at the time of opening of the valve port  24 . More specifically, the casing  18 A has a casing body  31 , and a fastening member  32 . The casing body  31  resembles the casing  18  in configuration. That is, the casing body  31  is put over the one end side part of the solenoid  16  and accommodates the solenoid  16 . More specifically, the casing body  31  is made of a magnetic material and formed into a cylindrical shape. The casing body  31  has an inward flange  18   a  on the inner circumferential face. The solenoid  16  accommodates the solenoid  16  at a position closer to the other side of the axial direction than the inward flange  18   a . Further, the casing body  31  is inserted in the insertion hole  21  in the state that the casing body  31  is sealed. The distal end of the casing body  31  is in contact with the outer edge part of the magnetic member  17 . Further, the casing body  31  has an outward flange  31   a  on the outer circumferential face. The outward flange  31   a  is formed away from the other end part of the casing body  31  on the outer circumferential face. 
     The fastening member  32  fastens the casing body  31  to the valve block  10 . More specifically, the fastening member  32  is formed into a cylindrical shape. The fastening member  32  is mounted outside the casing body  31 . Also, the part on the other side of the axial direction of the fastening member  32  is inserted in the insertion hole  21  and screwed with the valve block  10 . The distal end of the fastening member  32  is in contact with the outward flange  31   a  of the casing body  31 . Further, the fastening member  32  has the holding part  18   b  on one side of the axial direction on the outer circumferential face. Therefore, by turning the fastening member  32  while holding the holding part  18   b , it is possible to push the fastening member  32  forward. As a result, the fastening member  32  pushes the casing body  31  against the magnetic member  17  via the outward flange  31   a . As a result, the casing body  31  is fastened to the valve block  10 . In this manner, the casing  18 A is screwed (joined) with the valve block  10 . 
     The valve device  1 A of Embodiment 2 exerts the same operation and effect as the valve device  1  of Embodiment 1. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The valve device  1  of the present embodiment is a pilot-type electromagnetic valve device in which the main valve body  12  is driven via the seat piston  14  and the plunger  15 , however, the valve device  1  is not necessarily configured in this manner. That is, the main valve body  12  may be adsorbed to the stationary pole  19 . Also, the second spring member  20  may bias the main valve body  12  toward the closed position. The casing  18  need not necessarily be screwed with the valve block  10 . For example, the casing  18  may be welded to the valve block  10 . The casing  18  need not necessarily project from the opening  21   a  of the valve block  10 . 
     In the valve device  1 , the proximal end side part of the stationary pole  19  constitutes the lid member  19   a , however, a lid member may be configured separately from the stationary pole  19 . Also, the lid member may be formed integrally with the casing  18 . Also, positioning of the solenoid  16  with respect to the valve block  10  is not necessarily limited to the method using the positioning pin  27 . For example, steps or a recess and a projection respectively corresponding to the step parts of the magnetic member  17  and the valve block  10  are formed. By engaging the steps or the recess and the projection that correspond to each other, it is possible to prevent the solenoid  16  from rotating together with the casing  18 . 
     Various modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Accordingly, the above description should be interpreted merely as illustration, and is provided for the purpose of indicating the best mode for carrying out the present invention to those skilled in the art. The details of the structure and/or the function can be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     REFERENCE CHARACTERS LIST 
       1  valve device 
       2  energizing member 
       10  valve block 
       10   c  extraction hole 
       11  guide member 
       12  main valve body (main constituent) 
       16  solenoid 
       18 ,  18 A casing (support member) 
       18   b  holding part 
       19  stationary pole 
       19   a  lid member 
       20  second spring member (biasing member) 
       24  valve port 
       27  positioning pin (positioning part) 
       31  casing body 
       32  fastening member